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

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.

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!

Muscles are largely made up of protein and essential fatty acids; however, almost every nutrient is involved in their contraction, relaxation and repair.  For example, potassium, very low in diets of high fats and refined foods, is necessary for the contraction of every muscle in the body.  Besides a poor diet, a potassium deficiency can be brought on by stress, diarrhea, kidney damage, diuretics, or cortisone therapy.  The results of insufficient amounts of the mineral are fatigue, gas distention, spasms or twisting of the bowel, constipation, and possibly inability to pass urine.

Vitamin E is essential for the formation of the muscles of muscle cells and of enzymes that are needed for muscular contractions.  A deficiency of the vitamin increases the need for oxygen in the muscles, interferes with the metabolism of certain amino acids, and causes the loss of phosphorus in the urine and the B vitamins by rancidity.  In addition, too much calcium is left to settle in muscle tissue.  Pregnant women often have difficult deliveries because of the lack of enzymes needed for muscle contraction.  A deficiency can also be suspected if a child cannot sit up well at three months old.

Nutrients that may be beneficial in the treatment of muscle weakness:  Vitamin E, Manganese, Potassium, Zinc, Unsaturated fatty acids, Protein and all essential nutrients.

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

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products

Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease characterized by degeneration and hardening of liver cells.  Scarring of the liver tissue causes improper functioning and may result from alcoholism, malnutrition, viral hepatitis or chronic inflammation or obstruction of certain ducts in the liver.

Early signs of the disease include fever, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation and jaundice.  Later symptoms include edema, anemia, and bleeding disorders characterized by the presence of spider-shaped bruises.  A deficiency of the B complex and vitamins A, C, and K may also occur.

Optimal nutrition provides the key to recovery from the disease.  A high-protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, or approximately 75 to 100 grams of protein per day) is prescribed to promote regeneration of the liver cells.  In the case of coma, however, protein should be restricted.  A high-calorie (2400 to 3000 calories per day) and high-carbohydrate (300 to 400 grams per day) diet is needed to increase the storage of glycogen to ensure that protein is used for regeneration, and to compensate for weight losses caused by fever.  If nausea is present frequently, small meals are better tolerated than three large meals.

A common complication of cirrhosis is the failure of the liver to make vitamins available in an active form in the body.  For this reason, the diet should be high in the B complex and vitamins A (not in the form of carotene), C,D, and K.  If jaundice is present, special attention should be paid to the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K because some kinds of jaundice interfere with the absorption of these nutrients.  If edema is present, sodium, which causes the body to retain water, should be restricted.  All alcohol should be strictly avoided.

Alcohol greatly reduces the absorption of vitamin B1 and other nutrients.  A deficiency state can result leading to liver injury despite and adequate diet.  A B1 deficiency produces confusion, memory loss, heart irregularities, and gastrointestinal problems.  Damage to the liver from long-term excessive drinking is irreversible; however, further damage can be prevented by abstaining from alcohol, eating a nutritious diet and taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

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

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products.

Flatulence is the most common digestive disturbance.  Most people have some gas; however, if the gas begins to cause discomfort, it may be an indication of a more complex problem.

Two causes of flatulence are swallowed air and gases liberated by putrefactive bacteria that are living on undigested food.  Both often occur simultaneously.  Excessive swallowing of air can occur while eating or drinking, eating too fast, or eating when anxious or upset.  The air passes into the stomach and becomes trapped in the intestines where it expands and stretches nerve endings, causing discomfort.  Eating too much food overwhelms the digestive enzymes.  The undigested food becomes a breeding ground for putrefactive bacteria which form gas.  Efficient digestion depends upon hydrochloric acid, bile, and other digestive secretions and enzymes.

Other causes of flatulence are milk products (because of a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme necessary for lactose absorption), beans (because several of their sugars cannot be split by intestinal enzymes) and certain vegetables and fruits such as cucumbers, cabbage, and apples; whole grains may also be a problem for some people.  The high fiber in these foods remains undigested, fermenting in the intestine.  Fried foods and the concentrated sugars of dried fruits can cause gs.  (The sugars can be diluted by boiling or soaking the dried fruits.)  If no reason can be found for digestive disturbances, psychological problems may be the factor.

Pantothenic acid has been shown to relieve intestinal gas and distension when there is no physical cause.  The B vitamin aids in bowel motility and efficient digestion.  Without pantothenic acid, acetylcholine cannot be produced.  This chemical transmits messages to nerves that control the motor and secretory activities of the intestine.  Gas pains were relieved in postoperative patients and prevented in others when they were give 250 mg of pantothenic acid daily.

Fermented foods such as yogurt and buttermilk aid in the digestion of high-fiber and other foods by increasing friendly bacteria in the colon.  They are also well tolerated by persons who have a lactase deficiency.  Other foods that may be helpful are lemon juice and cider vinegar.  Carminative herbs stimulate digestion by increasing gastric juices, decreasing the amount of putrefactive bacteria and stimulation intestinal motility.  These include garlic, anise, fennel, and caraway.  Exercise stimulates intestinal peristalsis and helps break down large gas bubbles.

Information obtained for the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products

Constipation is a disorder causing decreased frequency of bowel movements resulting in waste matter remaining in the colon and becoming dry and difficult to expel.  Constipation may stem from a variety of causes.  Insufficient muscle tone in the intestinal or abdominal wall due to a lack of exercise; repeated failure to heed the signal to eliminate; or excessive fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, stress or excitement may result in constipation.  A poor diet or a diet lacking in fluids or roughage can bring about constipation.  The continued use of laxatives as a substitute for proper exercise, rest and diet may result in dependency and merely perpetuate the problem.

The more fiber contained in the diet, from fruits, vegetables and whole grain, the softer and the larger the amount of feces will pass.  Foods containing fats may be useful in the treatment of constipation because of their lubricating effect on the mucous walls of the colon.  Other foods that may be helpful are garlic (the allicin in garlic stimulates the walls of the intestines), yogurt or acidophilus, and fruits – especially apples, papaya, pineapple, prunes and figs.

For nutritional support for a natural laxative and fiber, visit Natural Health Products.

Information obtained from Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition

A few of the many underlying causes of backache are arthritis, osteoporosis, infection and fever, tumor, peptic ulcer, emotional tension or stress, slipped disc or other spinal cord injury, and disorders of the urinary system.  Muscle strain or sprain as a cause of backache is quite frequent and commonly results from excessive or improper physical exertion, incorrect posture, sleeping on soft beds, or incorrect lifting.  Overweight, flat feet, and unequal leg length are other factors that may be responsible for back pain.

A backache that is accompanied by fever or headache should receive medical diagnosis.  The most painful back malady is the slipped disk.  When a disk or its supporting ligaments become weakened, the disk slips out of alignment and presses against delicate spinal nerves causing pain.

Back pain may be the result of localized tender spots of the muscles called trigger points.  Some physicians inject these sore spots with procaine, killing the pain.  An exercise program is then recommended.  Trigger points and slipped disk can have many of the same symptoms, confusing diagnosis.  Trigger points do not cause reflex or sensory loss, numbness, or weakness, which are common in disk injury.

If the skin itself is sensitive to touch, a condition called fibrositis may be indicated, which my be successfully treated by a pinching massage given regularly over a period of weeks or months.

Backache prevention includes exercise, good posture, proper lifting (by bending at the knees instead of the waist), and avoidance of unnecessary physical or emotional stress or strain.

Numerous treatments, varying according to the exact reason for the back pain, that have helped many people include chiropractic manipulation of the backbone, use of heat and cold penetration, injection of anesthetic-like compounds into the painful areas, application of radio-frequency beams that eliminate nerve pain surrounding a slipped disk, and acupuncture.  Surgery seems to be necessary only in extreme circumstances.

Even in disk cases, exercises that retrain weak muscles can many times adequately improve the condition of the spinal column.  Exercises to firm stomach muscles can relieve the strain of daily exertions placed on the lower back region.  Many back pain sufferers do not have sufficient strength in their muscles to support their own weight.  Again, proper exercise will strengthen and add resilience to weak muscles.

Certain nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy back.  Protein is necessary for firm supporting tissue.  The B-complex vitamins, especially niacin, provide strength and health for nerve tissues.  Vitamins C and D together with calcium are important in the development and maintenance of bones and nerve function.

Information obtained from The Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition

For nutritional support, visit Natural Health Products.

Epilepsy is a disease characterized by seizures.  There are two forms of seizures.  A sensory seizure involves only a change in sensation or a loss of consciousness, while a convulsive seizure (convulsion) involves abnormal muscular behavior.  Epileptic seizures are caused by an electrical disturbance in the nerve cells in one section of the brain and may be the result of such factors as head injury or infection, rabies, tetanus, meningitis, rickets, lead poisoning, malnutrition, hypoglycemia, or fever.

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 one 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 low0manganese 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 vitamins 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.

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