Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is required for muscle contraction (especially the heartbeat), blood vessel expansion and contraction, secretion of hormones and enzymes, and transmitting impulses throughout the nervous system.  Your body holds concentrations of calcium in your blood, muscle, and intercellular fluids where less than 1% of total body calcium is needed to support these functions.  The remaining 99% is stored in the bones and teeth where it supports their structure.

You may need extra calcium if you: have lactose intolerance,  are menopausal, have muscle cramps, are vegetarian or you are of child-bearing age but your periods have stopped (amenorrhea).

Food sources: low fat yoghurt, cheddar cheese, Chinese cabbage, baked beans, seaweeds, kale, chick peas, broccoli, cabbage, whole grains, orange juice, okra, soya, whey, salmon, tuna, tofu, almonds, brazils, sesame seeds, tinned sardines and pilchards (including bones).  

Herbal sources: valerian, kelp, nettle, horsetail, peppermint; sage, uva ursi, chickweed, red clover, parsley, black currant leaf, raspberry leaf, plantain leaf/seed, dandelion leaf, alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, flaxseed, hops, lemongrass, mullein, oat straw, paprika, plantain, rose hips, shepherd’s purse, violet leaves, yarrow and yellow dock.

Calcium is depleted by caffeine, sugar, salt, alcohol, some prescription drugs, antacids, laxatives, cortisone, diarrhoea/enemas, unfermented soy products, antacids and too much phosphorus.

Take BioCare One a Day Vitamins & Minerals for added calcium input.

Bookmark It

Eating the best quality food in the right quantities helps you to achieve your highest potential for health, vitality and freedom from disease.

Percentage of nutrients required for the proper functioning of the body includes:

• 55% of daily calories from carbohydrates (energy)
• 15% of daily calories from proteins (body repair and renewal)
• 30% of daily calories from fats (insulation and energy – 10% saturated fats, 10% monosaturated fats and 10% essential fatty acids)

 Constituents of a daily healthy eating plan:

• Minimize intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates
• Moderate intake of animal and vegetable fats
• Ensure a varied intake of vegetables especially green leafy ones
• Moderate alcohol consumption  (two units of alcohol daily for women, three units daily for men, at least two drink-free days a week)
• Limit intake of salt (use herbs instead)
• Eat fresh organic foods
• Ensure a reasonable intake of protein-rich foods (animal protein: meat, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, poultry) and vegetable protein (cereal eaten with pulses, mycoprotein, wheat protein, quorn, oatmeal, rice, peas, lentils, kidney beans, wholemeal bread, soya products e.g. milk, textured vegetable protein, tofu, tempeh, miso)
• Ensure a balanced intake of unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (especially omega 3 and omega 6 oils)
• Include plenty of slow-releasing carbohydrate (oats, lentils and beans, brown rice,  whole grain cereals/pasta, breads)
• Have at least 2 pints of water each day
• Ensure a good intake of fibre (beans/lentils/peas, fresh/dried fruits with skins, vegetables  with skins, nuts and seeds, wholemeal/granary breads, jacket potatoes, wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholemeal pasta. brown rice)

Bookmark It

May is World Foot Awareness Month. However if you suffer from smell feet (or bromodosis), you need to pay special attention to your feet all year round.

1. Wash your feet daily using antibacterial or antifungal soap.  Dry thoroughly especially between the toes.
2. Home remedy tip:  Add two tea bags to a pint of water and boil for 10 minutes.  Add two pints of cool water and soak your feet for 15 minutes.
3. Athlete’s Foot is a common side effect of sweaty feet.  Check for itching and flaking of the skin and treat immediately.
4. Check the soles of your feet for hard, dead skin and remove it with a foot file.  Keep toe nails clean and short.
5. Air feet every day.
6. Wipe your feet with surgical spirit every night, taking care to avoid any cracks in the skin.
7. Natural antiperspirant stones used for underarms can also be effective on the feet.
8. Use a medicated foot spray, powder or lotion that is designed to combat foot odours.
9. Change socks daily. Wear natural fibre socks that absorb moisture. Avoid synthetic materials.
10. Try four pinches of sodium bicarbonate for each foot (two inside the sock and two on the insole of the shoe).
11. Use an antifungal foot spray for feet and shoes.
12. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.  Remove insoles to help the drying process.
13. Buy ventilated shoes made of leather, canvas or mesh and not synthetic material.
14. Use antibacterial shoe inserts.

Bookmark It

Our immune system is a complicated, versatile but amazing defence mechanism which protects our body from different environmental invaders. However most of us do not understand its importance till we fall ill. So today we’re going to talk about health foods and supplements to support your immune system and stay from falling ill altogether.

Vitamin C supplements prevent and reduce the symptoms of common cold and flu. Excellent sources of vitamin C include all citrus fruits, sweet peppers, strawberries, kiwi fruit and broccoli. They contain hundreds of phytochemicals that provide many preventative health benefits, by boosting the activity of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Vitamin C is also a very powerful antioxidant and helps the immune system by scavenging free radicals in our body.

Vitamin A: Skin is the first line of defence for our immune systems and vitamin A plays a vital role to support it. All yellow colour fruits like carrots, squash, pumpkin are great sources of beta-carotene which the body quickly turns into vitamin A. Research has also shown that older adults with high intakes of Vitamin A had a slower rate of mental decline.

Zinc is a trace metal which is essential for the functioning of the free radical scavenger Glutathione, which can increase the efficiency of immune system to fight against common cold, sore throat.

Few herbs can also work wonders to provide a powerful defence against harmful bugs:

1. Echinacea: The flowers of this herb are well known for their ability to prevent or decrease the duration of the common cold. It also helps prevent the breakdown of the connective tissue that invading organisms encourage, which lets them spread.
2. Turmeric and Garlic have anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and expectorant properties. It is best taken with hot water and honey fresh after peeling.
3. Astragalus increases phagocyte activity, the function of the natural killer cells, as well as increasing the levels of antibodies thus boosting all aspects of the immune system.

Our best bet for staying healthy and reducing our risk of falling ill is to eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and get plenty of exercise and adequate sleep every night.

Bookmark It

The Acai Berry is a high energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree  collected in the rainforests of Brazil. It tastes like a combination of chocolate and berries. Acai berry has been classified as a “super food”; a food with high phytonutrient content. Phytonutrient basically means that something has a high nutrient level such as beta carotene.Acai berries are filled with antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids that are considered essential. This has been a large part of the reason for it’s explosion into the health supplement market – though it is generally only found in specialist retailers – not your local supermarket for example.This berry is special in the properties it possesses for anti-aging. It has approximately ten times more antioxidants than red grapes. Because of this it can provide many benefits including fighting premature aging and promoting cardiovascular and digestive health.Acai berry has been most commonly touted as an aid in weight loss, leading to the development of the supplement in various forms such as capsules, tablets, smoothies and powders. This is because the high fibre content of the berry makes you feel fuller quicker when eating meals. It also aids digestion enabling you to process your food more efficiently.  Of course endorsements from Brad Pitt and Oprah have done no harm to the credentials of this potent health food supplement as a weight loss aid.Whatever your beliefs about the Acai Berry there are no doubts that it does carry many health benefits.  It has been called the super food by many and a weight loss miracle berry by others. Super food, anti aging wonder or weight loss drug?  It has many properties that are very exciting.  If this berry can do half of what is claimed then it is a very worthwhile addition to your daily supplement intake.

Technorati Tags: acai,acai berry,acai berries,supplements,super food,antioxidants,aging,anti aging,health,digestion,cardiovascular

Bookmark It

After our post on the Mangosteen and its affects on Arthritis a few days ago we had an email from one customer asking ‘what the hell are xanthones’? Fair enough – I better get to the point sharpish by the sounds of things. In a nutshell xanthones are natural occurring chemical compounds found in various organic materials – in our reference point the Mangosteen fruit. Many researchers actually believe that Mangosteen contains the strongest xanthones of any fruit, the most beneficial being Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin. This is why the Mangosteen is a largely sought after source of xanthones.As with most things health related, research continues into the various ways in which xanthones affect the human body. What has already been established is that xanthones are extremely potent anti-oxidants and, as such, are benficial in fighting illness and disease (including cancer and asthma). Xanthones have also been identified as having a positive effect on cardiovascular health, as well as being a natural anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory. As we mentioned a few days ago this has led to Mangosteen being widely used in the treatment of arthritis. This is due to its ability to treat inflammation, though this benefit could also extend to treating other ailments such as heart problems, headaches, MS, and circulatory issues. It’s fair to say Xanthones play a large role in Mangosteen being literally a super food!

Bookmark It

Because the causes of hyperthyroidism vary, the treatments also vary depending on the original cause. If you suspect that you are suffering from hyperthyroidism then you need to be thoroughly tested by your doctor to establish firstly that you do have the condition and, if so, what the exact cause is. Once a treatment plan is established it can include a mixture of controlling symptoms whilst planning a long term cure. For example, if your symptoms include increased heart rate and palpatations then beta blockers might be a good option to get your heart rate under control.

Hyperthyroidism can be treated using prescribed anti-thyroid medication such as Methimazole and propylthiouracil. Such medicines can lead to quick improvements but, unlike natural remedies, can lead to side effects including itchiness, rashing and fever. A more widely recommended form of treatment is radioactive iodine which works due to the thyroid cells being the only ones in the body that absorb the iodine. The radioactivity is therefor localised to kill the thyroid. Again this does not come without side effects as after treatment you will have to take hormone treatment for the rest of your life.

As always at Troo Health Care we prefer if possible to take the route of natural remedies such as Native Remedies ThyroSoothe. ThyroSoothe has been specially formulated to support thyroid gland function safely and naturally. You don’t have the risk of side effects or ever lasting hormone treatment. Used as part of a long term natural health treatment plan you can improve your thyroid function, whilst using other natural remedies such as TremorSoothe to help reduce any other underlying hyperthyroidism symptoms.

Bookmark It

The most common cause of Hyperthyroidism, the body’s over-stimulation of the thyroid gland, is Graves disease. Graves disease is an autoimmune disease meaning, like all other such diseases, it is not clearly understood. Autoimmune diseases are caused when our body’s immune system reacts to a perceived threat only to resultantly attack the body. In the case of Graves disease the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland which leads to over-production of thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of Graves disease, as you would expect, are very similar to hyperthyroidism. A sufferer would expect to have swollen glands, lose weight, sweat excessively, have frequent bowel movements and experience nervousness, tremors and over-heating. It’s a complex disease which can affect areas all over the body, including the nervous system, digestion, reproduction, eyes, nails, hair, skin and more. It can also lead to added problems which could result in possibly fatal heart, liver and kidney failure – known as thyroid storm. If you start experiencing any related symptoms such as extreme irritation, palpatations, rapid pulse, nausea/vomiting, heightened fever or delirium then you need to seek urgent medical attention.

As mentioned before, as an autoimmune condition not much is known about the causes of Grave’s disease. It has been recognised to be passed down through families and affects eight times more women than men. Stress is thought to also be a trigger.

Bookmark It

Despite being one of the most common medical conditions, it is not uncommon for Thyroid problems to go undiagnosed for lengthy periods of time. Symptoms are often onset gradually over time which can make them less obvious and difficult to detect. There are three different types of Thyroid problem, each with their own symptoms to look out for.

Hypothyroidism occurs due to a lack of the thyroxine hormone being produced by the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, putting on weight, constantly feeling cold, constipation, concentration problems, dry skin and hair and heavy menstrual periods. In extreme cases you could develop myxedema which leads to drowsiness and extreme intolerance to cold – if these symptoms show then you need urgent medical treatment.

Hyperthyroidism is a different thyroid condition brought about when the body ‘over stimulates’ the thyroid, most commonly caused by Graves disease. Commons symptoms include ‘jitteriness’, quick heart beat, loss of weight, tiredness, increased bowel movements and shortened menstrual periods. In more serious cases an extreme symptom which can develop is thyrotoxic crisis which involves rapid pulse, heightened fever and delirium. Obviously in such cases urgent medical attention is required.

The third Thyroid complaint relates to thyroid nodules which are fairly common and more often than not completely harmless. In most cases nodules do not come with any symptoms but could cause pain in the local area.

Technorati Tags: thyroid,hypothyroidism,hyperthyroidism,nodules

Bookmark It

If you’ve been looking into adding acai berry to your diet you will know it comes in many forms and formulas. The most common of these are as a juice, or as a supplement in capsule and powder form. So how do you decide which is best for you?Lets start with juices. There are many acai juices available but you need to ay attention to what your juice contains. Just like with any fruit juice in a supermarket, you may find these juices diluted with other ingredients. To get the most benefits of acai juice you need to find out how the juice is manufactured, what % of the juice is actually acai, and how much potency is retained in the processing.Acai supplements in the form of capsules and powders are a lot more straight forward and, in the case of the powder, you can use it to make your own juice. Any acai supplement you get should be manufactured using 100% pure freeze dried acai berry. Widely regarded as the best and most pure form of acai is the sambazon acai.Acai powder can be used with food or can be mixed into cakes etc. It can also be added to juice, water or smoothies. Acai capsules are the most common form of acai supplementation. If weight loss is your aim you can also get Acai complex formulas that are added to well known weight loss herbs for an ultimate acai weight loss formula – take a look at our Acai Extra at TrooHealthCare.com for an example of this. Generally speaking acai capsules are the most convenient method of taking Acai.

Technorati Tags: acai,acai berry,acai powder,acai capsules,supplements,juices

Bookmark It