It is very likely that malnutrition is the main cause of overweight.  When there is inadequate intake of all essential nutrients, fat is not readily or efficiently burned.  Fat is burned only if sufficient energy is produced.  Energy production depends upon almost every known nutrient.  The B vitamins are important for energy production.  Fat is burned at a greatly reduced rate if pantothenic acid and protein are under-supplied.  Vitamin B6 is necessary for the energy conversion of stored fat.  It is also a factor in the utilization of protein and fat.  Proteins are needed for the proper functioning of many energy-producing enzymes.  Protein itself cannot be effectively used without many other nutrients including choline and vitamin B6.  Sufficient vitamin E doubles fat utilization.  Lecithin aids the cells to burn fat; any deficiency of the nutrients necessary for lecithin production, specifically choline and inositol, results in poor fat utilization.

Liver damage is common in overweight persons.  When the liver is injured, sufficient amounts of energy-producing enzymes are unable to be synthesized.  A diet including complete proteins, the vitamins B complex, choline, B12 C,  E and lecithin aid the restoration of the liver.

Some individuals who experience an uncontrollable hunger may have damaged brain cells in the hypothalamus, the area that regulates the desire to eat.  This damage can occur from certain food, or foods or environmental substances to which the person is allergic.  Certain medications such as tranquilizers, viral infections, nutritional deficiencies, or other brain injuries can also adversely affect these cells.  Other persons may have the desire for a specific food to which they have an allergic addiction.  If they do not obtain this food, they experience typical withdrawal reactions.  In both situations, a diet high in all essential nutrients and avoidance of the offending substance can gradually result in weight reduction.

Calories and exercise are essential considerations in losing weight.  Fat is metabolically formed in the body when more food energy or calories are consumed than the body is able to use.  One pound of fatty tissue is equal to 3500 calories.  When the number of calories used during the day exceeds the amount consumed, the body oxidizes its supplies of fat to produce energy, and thereby a reduction of body weight results.  A daily decrease of 1000 calories results in approximately 2 pounds of weight loss per week.  Calories may be burned up by the basal metabolism, which includes normal body function such as breathing and digestion.  All activity, such as walking, talking, working or playing baseball, uses p additional energy and calories.  For example, one hour of average office work probably used up only 10 to 15 calories, whereas moderate housework may require 70 calories per hour more than basal metabolism requirements.  Brisk walking uses up about 110 calories per hour, driving a car uses about 40.  Strenuous exercise and hard physical labor may require more than 400 calories per hour.

Research appears to indicate that it is not entirely the amount of food eaten that adds weight buy the kind of food eaten.  Unrefined foods contain all nutrients that are necessary for efficient energy production.  Refined foods, however, not only lack most of these nutrients but tremendously increase the body’s requirement for them.

In order to lose weight safely, a person must set up a sensible long-range diet plan that includes all the essential nutrients and minerals.  Diets that lack or greatly reduce one or another of the nutrients, notably carbohydrates, can possibly be injurious to the body by inducing an abnormal metabolic state that could cause innumerable complications leading to permanent cellular damage.  Carbohydrates should be chosen from the best nutritional sources, such as whole grain products and fruits that contain essential nutrients.  Fat intake should come primarily from sources of unsaturated fatty acids and from such animal fats as butter and whole milk, which are good sources of fat-soluble vitamins.  Excess fat is hr to metabolized and can upset liver and kidney functions.  In general, losing weight is a matter of consciously curbing the amount of food eaten, regulating the types  of food eaten, and increasing daily activity.

NUTRIENTS THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL IN TREATMENT OF OVERWEIGHT & OBESITY:

Vitamin B complex, B2, B5, B12, Choline, Folic Acid, Inositol, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Protein, Lecithin, Unsturated fatty acids.

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For nutritional support, please visit Natural Health Products

Glaucoma is characterized by an increase in pressure of the fluid within the eyeball and a hardening of the surface of the eyeball.  The cause of glaucoma is currently unknown, but usually it occurs after age forty and it may be due to tumor, trauma, infection, and in one type, heredity.  Glaucoma is often associated with anxiety and stress, allergy or hormone disorders.  Symptoms include eye discomfort or pain, especially in the morning, blurred vision, halos around lights, inability to adjust to a darkened room, and loss of vision at the sides.  Early detection of glaucoma can substantially reduce the incidence of blindness resulting from it.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through the use of prescribed eye drops.  The diet of those affected should be rich in vitamin A, essential for eye-tissue health.  If the symptoms of anxiety are related to a deficiency of the B vitamins, then correction of this deficiency would decrease the susceptibility of an individual to glaucoma.  Alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea should be avoided.

Glaucoma is often an indication of adrenal exhaustion; therefore, nutrients necessary for the adrenals should be taken.  The nutrients that meet the demands of stress should also be emphasized.  Italian physicians have significantly reduced the intraocular pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients by administering large doses of vitamin C (500 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight).

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products.

Epilepsy occurs in both sexes and at all ages.  An individual may experience only one seizure in his lifetime or several seizures per day.  Factors that may precipitate a seizure are fatigue, overeating or over drinking, emotional tension or excitement, fever, new environmental stresses, or menstruation.

The epileptic should maintain a well-balanced diet and should avoid taking in excessive amounts of food or fluid at on time because these may bring on an attack.  Alcoholic beverages should also be avoided.  Regular exercise and rest should be encouraged.  If the proper nutrients are given, anticonvulsant drugs can often be discontinued.

Dr. Yukio Tanaka of St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal, Canada, through recent research has demonstrated a link between manganese deficiency and convulsions in humans.  He also states that pregnant women with a deficiency of manganese may give birth to epileptic children.  Pregnant rats maintained on a low-manganese diet delivered young with poorly coordinated movements and a susceptibility to convulsions.

Excellent results have been obtained by the administration of vitamin B6.  If there are no results from this vitamin, its poor absorption may be the reason.  When large doses of B6 are given alone, the other B vitamins should accompany it, especially vitamin B2 and pantothenic acid, so further harm is not done.  A lack of vitamin B6 and magnesium is closely associated with convulsions which may often be prevented by an adequate supply of these nutrients in the diet.  Sensitivity to noise, irritability, twitching and perhaps bed-wetting and tremors are early warning signs of epilepsy.

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For Nutritional Support, visit Natural Health Products

It has been found that persons with celiac disease are extremely deficient in vitamin B6.  A lack of this vitamin causes diarrhea, vomiting, gas and eczema.

It can also be triggered by intestinal infections or parasites and psychological stress.  Protein deficiencies that occur on reducing diets or the excessive use of laxatives can alter the intestinal tract to the extent that absorption of gluten is impaired.

Symptoms of celiac disease are weight loss, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, and anemia.  Malnutrition often accompanies this disorder because of the greatly reduced absorption of nutrients.

Celiac disease may be a factor in causing schizophrenia.  The mental symptoms of celiac patients were greatly improved with they were placed on gluten-free diets.

Treatment for celiac disease includes eating a well-balanced gluten-free diet that is high in calories and proteins and normal in fats.  The diet excludes all cereal grains except rice and corn.  Common nutrient deficiencies that occur with celiac disease and that should be corrected include deficiencies in calcium, vitamin B complex, and vitamin A, C, D, K, and E.  Iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 can be used to correct the anemia that usually accompanies celiac disease.

Adelle Davis believes that celiac patients may have an unusually high requirement for nutrients that are needed for gluten utilization.  She recommends that the B vitamins be generously supplied, possibly resulting in the discontinuance of the gluten-free diet.

NUTRIENTS THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL IN TREATMENT OF CELIAC DISEASE:  Vitamin A, B Complex, Vitamin B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C,D,E, and K, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Proteins (no gluten).

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For nutritional support, please visit Natural Health Products.

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Bursitis may be caused by stretched muscles, shoes that are too tight, injury such as a bump or bruise, or irritation from calcium deposits found in the bursa wall.  It may also be the result of metabolic inefficiency caused by stress, which prevents proper absorption and utilization of food that is eaten.

Bursitis symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and agonizing pain in the affected area which frequently limits motion.  Treatment involves removing the cause of the injury, clearing up any underlying infection, and possibly, surgically removing calcium deposits.  Other measures include rest and immobilization of the affected part.

Vitamin E has also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of bursitis.  The need for protein and vitamins A and C increases during infection, and extra amounts of these nutrients are required for bursitis victims.

Information obtained for the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne.

For Nutritional Support, visit Natural Health Products.

Repeated studies have shown that 80 to 85 percent of criminal offenders have hypoglycemia, with the usual symptoms of dizziness, cold sweats, nervousness, and fatigue.  Hypoglycemia results from a diet too high in refined carbohydrates and often in caffeine.  Sugar consumption in excess can cause behavioral problems such as depression, hyperactivity, and antisocial behavior.

Many offenders have been found to be deficient in vitamin B1.  A lack of this vitamin can result in irritability, anger and aggressiveness.  Refined carbohydrates lack vitamin B1.  The more carbohydrates eaten, the more vitamin B1 is needed.  Unrefined foods contain sufficient B1 for the body; refined foods do not.

Allergic reactions to particular foods and food additives have been also found to be a factor in criminal behavior.  Allergies can cause pressure on certain nerves in the brain, activating aggression.  The symptoms may range from mild irritation to sever psychosis.

A change to unrefined foods plus vitamin and miner supplementation can effectively reduce re-arrests and improve behavior, morale, mood, and self-motivation.

Information obtained from Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products.

Following these simple steps can possibly improve your chances of staying healthy through this cold and flu season.

Dolores competed in the 2009 Bethlehem Project for her local church and took first place in the 5K Walk in her age category.  Her time was 42:23 covering 3.1 miles.  She had participated last year and took third place.

She loves to walk and be active in church functions and volunteers her time at a local thrift shop.  Dolores keeps herself very active and enjoys her family and friends.  She is a true inspiration to all.  She is the mother of four and celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary this year.   This woman definitely does not look her age of sixty-nine.

Dolores is a firm believer in investing in good health.  She has supplemented her diet for over 15 years with the best nutritional products on the market today. Additionally, she is not on any medication which is not the norm for seniors.

So congratulations, Dolores, on your win and being a true leader on healthy living!

A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, occurs when the blood supply of an area of brain cells is cut off for a long period of time, resulting in the death of the deprived cells due to lack of oxygen and nutrients essential for the proper function of the brain.  The blood vessels may be blocked by atherosclerosis, clotting, or hemorrhaging.  The process is similar to that of a heart attach, the difference being cell death in the brain during a stroke.

Typical symptoms include impaired memory and attention span, tingling or lack of feeling in limbs, a feeling of heaviness in the limbs, and loss of movement.  Symptoms are often restricted to one side of the body, as seen in the frequent right or left-sided paralysis.  Strokes may be so small that they are not even noticed or so sever as to be fatal.  It is difficult to tell the extent of injury or cell death at the time the stroke occurs, and the long-term outlook therefore depends upon the area and extent of the brain damage.  Physical and speech therapy are often helpful in rehabilitating the patient.

Predisposing factors are prolonged high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, old age, obesity and cigarette smoking.  Preventive dietary measure include restricting sodium intake to reduce high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol intake to prevent further cholesterol buildup in blood vessels.

The diet should be well balanced, with special emphasis on B vitamins and vitamin C because they are needed for general health of the blood vessels.  Vitamin E can be of help to prevent clots, reducing the need for oxygen.  Reduction of overweight by sensible dieting is of the utmost importance.  Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and complete proteins should be emphasized.  All nutrients should meet the demands of stress and should lower blood cholesterol

Information obtained from The Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

For nutritional support visit Natural Health Products