Supplements: Mangosteen and Zerochol

• Mangosteen Food Supplement Facts
   
• Zerochol Supplement as an Alternative to Simvastatin

GX International Green Stevia Review

While type 1 diabetes, also known as the juvenile type of diabetes is generally hereditary, Type 2 diabetes is often acquired. Generally, adults from 40 above can be at risk with this disease. However, in some cases, individuals between 30 and 40 can also be susceptible for type 2 diabetes. With acquired diabetes, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits are always the culprit. Individuals who have a diabetes history tend to be conscious with their health and thus, are apt to change their lifestyle.

Using a sugar-substitute as sweetener is one way to prevent elevated-sugar levels. Generally, low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame (Equal), saccharin (Sudar Twin) and sucralose (Splenda) are popular in the market. These are considered to have no calories at all as these are manufactured synthetically. Although, low-calorie sweeteners are considered as artificial, the FDA considers them as safe. Green Stevia has also becoming known for a sugar substitute. However, can it be recommendable as well?

Facts about Green Stevia

Green Stevia is a food supplement powder manufactured by GX International. It is generally available in 1 g sachet. According to the company, Green Stevia is cited not to include chemicals. But, aside from pure powdered extract of the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plant, it also contains maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a food additive either a thickener or a filler. It is also an artificial sweetener. Steviol glycosides are also responsible for the sweet taste of stevia which is usually isolated from the leaves of the plant.

 Green Stevia sugar-substitute is not advised for pregnant and lactating mothers. It is also not intended for children. More to this, individuals with diabetes and those with low blood pressure issues are precautioned with the use Green Stevia sweeteners.

Some complaints against Green Stevia are allergy, dizziness, bloating and muscle pains.

Recommendations

Compared to aspartame (Equal), saccharin (Sudar Twin) and sucralose (Splenda), Green Stevia GX International is not entirely an artificial sweetener. The powdered extract of the stevia leaves maybe a natural sweetener but as GX International Green Stevia also contains maltodextrin, the product is not 100% natural.

Not only that Green Stevia can be very useful for diabetic patients, it can also be beneficial for weight loss, heart-burn and high-blood pressure. It can be good for the heart since Green Stevia can help in strengthening the heart's muscle contractions. Green Stevia can also aid in lowering the blood's uric acid levels.

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Care must be practiced by a diabetic individual with a controlled blood glucose. Green Stevia can also lower blood pressure thus, people who have hypotension tendencies should take care in using Green Stevia food supplement.

Finally, like other artificial-sweeteners, GX International Green Stevia should only be taken in moderation.

Phoenix Montoya @ February 3, 2014

References:

• http://www.diabetes.org.nz/about_diabetes/type_2_diabetes 
• http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-682-STEVIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=682&activeIngredientName=STEVIA

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Green Stevia Sugar Substitute: Not Entirely Natural?

Lobese: Weight-loss Food Supplement Review

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Carbohydrate-blockers work differently in comparison to orlistat or malunggay supplements. While the former is a fat-blocker, the latter is an appetite suppressant. A carbohydrate-blocker like Lobese prevents the action of the alpha-amylase - a digestive enzyme which converts starch into glucose. Glucose has been known to be converted to energy but it can also be stored in the body tissues as fats or lipids. Too much fat in the system can lead to weight-gain and added to this, possible high triglycerides level. With a carbohydrate-blocker like Lobese, accumulation of fats or lipid in the body can be lessened and weight can be reduced. However, can Lobese be recommendable for most people?

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Zerochol: Cholesterol Management Dietary Supplement

Most hypertensive patients understand high-blood pressure is associated with high cholesterol levels. As a preventive measure, these susceptible individuals go on a less oil diet, minimizing consumption of fatty foods. Some hypertensive patients add supplements to their diet. Omega 3 or fish oil is a supplement usually taken by hypertensive individuals. Although, considered as a dietary or food supplement, fish oils like  Zymechol (Blooming Fields) and Omegabloc (Trianon) are considered as lipidaemics - agents that control the lipid or fat levels.

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Zerochol is another dietary supplement that can also be employed as a adjunct in lowering lipid levels particulary the LDL or the bad cholesterol. However, compared to fish oil, Zerochol is less popular. Still, we may wonder if it can also be recommended as a cholesterol regulating agent.

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Top Five Supplements for Pregnant Women

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Pregnancy requires supplementation of vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. While healthy food can be a better option, there are some women who simply cannot engage into eating the right food. Whether being picky or lack of money are some reasons, being busy at work and other serious activities are also issues that these women neglect their sensitive condition.

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Ginkgo Biloba: Does it Work for the Brain?

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Popular as a supplement, Ginkgo biloba is also considered as a drug for Alzheimer in the elderly people. As a drug tablet form in brands Tebokan 40mg and Tebonin forte - both from Schwabe pharma, ginkgo acts as a cerebral activator. It works by keeping the blood free flowing in the brain. However, as it can cause bleeding tendencies, ginkgo biloba is contraindicated in people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Ginkgo biloba is not to be taken with anti-platelet or anti-thrombotic Drugs like aspirin, clopidogrel or cilostazol.

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Centella Asiatica Extract: What is it for?

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Centella asiatica extract can be found in some multivitamins for children. Most people are already familiar with ascorbic acid and zinc which are essential to boost the immune system; lysine and pizotifen which enhances appetite; taurine constituent for a good brain; and CGF or chlorella growth factor as a growth promoting active ingredient. But, what about centella asiatica extract? What is this active constituent for?

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Evening Primrose for Dysmenorrhea

 

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Evening +Primrose is a dietary +Supplement in a soft-gel capsule form. Its oil is derived from the seeds of Oenothera biennis which is also known as Common evening primrose or Evening star. Evening primrose oil contains high levels of fatty acids that alleviate the menstrual cramps and the breast pain. Because of the fatty acids content of evening primrose oil, this supplement is also useful for arthritis. Evening primrose oil as cited by most users is good for a restful sleep, mood swings, hot flashes, skin conditions as eczema and psoriasis.

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Glibenclamide VS Aloe Vera Supplement for Diabetes

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Glibenclamide is a common medicine for blood sugar control. While it is recognized for the trade name Euglocon, a lot of generic version of glibenclamide can also be found in pharmacies and drugstore outlets. But, as most people want an alternative herbal base, aloe vera supplement has becoming an interest for diabetic patients. But, can aloe vera be an effective hypoglycemic agent in comparison to glibenclamide?

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Taheebo as a Herbal Cancer Cure

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Taheebo is also popularly known as pau d arco, lapacho, red lapacho and ipe roxo. It is described as a broad-leaved tree. As a tabebuia specie, taheebo, particularly its inner bark, is accounted for many medicinal uses. In 1960, there are reports that tea made from taheebo bark was an effective antineoplastic agent - a drug that can treat cancer.

As cancer is one formidable and killer disease, susceptible individuals find the most natural way for cure. Taheebo which is native to the West Indies, Central and South America have been used for centuries by the Incas for treatment and health improvement.

The inner bark of taheebo is boiled down. In the early days, its decoction was applied to wounds for infection cure. Taheebo has been also popular as a tincture but more widely consumed as a tea.

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Liver Damage: On Alternative Remedies

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Most people believe that alternative cures as herbal and dietary supplements are safer than pharmaceutical drugs. While natural remedies have lesser reports of side effects, synthetic treatments are accounted for so many untoward reactions. But, if an individual has a liver problem, he should reconsider. More likely, he could develop a much worse case.

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Are Dietary Supplements Advisable While Suffering From Diarrhea?

Some clinics would recommend patients to stop their vitamins and other dietary supplements when suffering from diarrhea. As diarrhea is a symptom of frequent defecation of watery stools, in take of vitamins and dietary supplements will be a waste of time since these will only be excreted. But, can this reason be true?

 

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While vitamin (ascorbic acid and multivitamin) intake is doubled and even tripled for dengue fever management and supplements (Charantia, Taheebo) are recommended for diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions, the use of vitamins and other dietary supplements are temporarily terminated during chronic diarrhea.  Clinic and pharmacy personnel would reason that taking vitamins won’t be helpful since these will only be flushed down along with the frequent bowel evacuation. Contrary to this, vitamins and supplements can actually be absorbed by the body.

The main concern here is there are vitamins and supplements that can make diarrhea worse. However, there are still those that can support diarrhea treatment.

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Dietary Supplements Overdose

Most people take dietary supplements to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients food couldn’t provide much. While a pregnant woman increases her intake of iron and calcium for the needs of her own body and for the unborn child, the daily dose of ascorbic acid and other vitamins can also be doubled in cases of serious infections. However, these instances should always be advised by a medical doctor. When it comes to daily nutrients and multivitamins, more is not good. There are certain limits for these supplements and taking much can be very harmful for the body.

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The following are facts about the best dietary supplements that you could be abusing. Take note that most of these values are based on a 2000 calorie intake for people of 4 or more years of age. This is applied because it approximates the caloric requirements for postmenopausal women who have the highest risk for excessive intake of calories and fat. The maximum values are based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) values, the World Health Organization (WHO), BBC Health values, the European Union Directive (based on FDA values) and values from various other governmental and private agencies in the USA and the UK.

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Antidepressant Interactions with Herbal Supplements

Antidepressant medications work by either sedating or stimulating the patient. Tofranil (Imipramine) for instance, is a tricyclic antidepressant, under the dimethlyamino acid compounds. This drug promotes restfulness. Ludiomil (Maprotiline) on the other hand, acts as a stimulant. The latter is also under the tricyclic antidepressant, but categorized as a monomethyl relative.

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To prevent any interactions, antidepressant drugs should not be taken with other medicine that act on the central nervous system. This safety measure should also be applied with supplements. The following are herbal supplements that should be avoided if you are taking antidepressant medications.

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My Marvel Taheebo for Aldrtz Pau?

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The bark of pau d arco has many benefits. As it is noted to be an excellent relief of rheumatism, it is also known as a good supplement for diabetes. Pau d arco has antibacterial properties and has been considered for treatment of cancer. In the Philippines, Aldrtz Corporation has always been linked to pau liniment – an effective topical pain reliever. And while Aldrtz has boomed and developed new products as Pau Instant Relief, Pau Essences and Vita Pau capsule, Pau D Arco tea has also become in demand.

Unfortunately, some pharmacies still lack of Aldrtz Pau D Arco tea. Most drugstore personell are even recommending My Marvel Taheebo tea in replacement of pau d arco tea. But can they be the same?

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"No Approved Therapeutic Claims"

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The statement ‘No approved therapeutic claims’ is usually found in herbal and food supplement containers. Like the line, ‘Smoking is hazardous to your health’ in cigarettes or the declaration, ‘Drink moderately’ in liquor bottles, the statement serves as a warning for those who would rely solely with some particular food supplements.

 Dietary supplement categories

Supplements can be grouped into two - those that can be used in treating ailments and those that function only for dietary support. Ferrous sulfate for instance belongs to the first group. It is a vitamin indicated for anemia. Vitamin C promotes faster wound healing and therefore often prescribed by doctors with the antibiotics. The B complex combination is another thing. This group is advised with patients suffering from neuralgia. These supplements mentioned not only provide nutrients but can be used as treatment as well. Thus, this group can be regarded as supplements with therapeutic claims.

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Gluta-White Food Supplement

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Seredyn Dietary Supplement for Anxiety

Seredyn is manufactured by BioNeurix. Since it is classified as a dietary supplement, it can be bought without a prescription. Seredyn consists of L-theanine, valerian extract and passion flower extract. While L-theanine is an amino acid (found in green tea) which promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, passion flower and valerian are two popular herbs known for anxiety cure.

Seredyn is available in capsule form. It should be taken with food. Seredyn's usual dose is one to two capsules three times a day for daily use. Maximum dose is six capsules a day. For occasional use, one to two capsules as needed. And for extreme stress, three capsules of Seredyn can be taken at once.

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•  Contraindication

Seredyn is contraindicated for children under 12 years old. Pregnant and lactating mothers are not recommended to take Seredyn. Seredyn contains Valerian and passion flower. Although in smaller amounts, valerian have some mild toxic compounds that can pass via placenta. In a theory, noted by the National Institute of Health, a mother who drinks a cup of valerian tea daily can give birth to an infant with addiction symptoms. Passion flower, on the other hand, have chemicals that could result to uterus contraction.

• Special precautions

Seredyn can be be stopped anytime and can be taken as necessary. However, if somebody has been using Seredyn for more than a month, the dose of this supplement should be tapered down slowly over 7-21 days to prevent anxiety-related symptoms relapse.

•  Side effects

Headache, fatigue, stomach upsets and drowsiness are the common side effects of Seredyn.

•  Drug interactions

Seredyn should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. It may increase the effect of sedative drugs.

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