Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the reproduction and growth of all body cells. Folic acid is found in several foods including heart, kidney, liver, tuna, salmon, dairy products, brewer’s yeast, green leafy vegetables, legumes, beans, whole grains, wheat germ, wheat bran, avocados, apricots, cantaloupe, soybeans, pumpkin seeds and carrots. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B9 for adults is 0.05-0.5 mg.

Folic acid aids in amino acid metabolism and is necessary for RNA and DNA synthesis. It helps improve breast milk and is required for the proper development of the spinal cord and brain in foetus. Vitamin B9 helps support a healthy brain function and is necessary for the cell division in the body.

Folic acid is essential to the formation of RBCs (red blood cells) by its action on the bone marrow. Moreover, it helps promote healthy skin, hair and emotional health. A regular consumption of vitamin B9 helps prevent anaemia in the children and adults.

The deficiency symptoms of folic acid include irritability, nervousness, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, depression, extreme fatigue, anaemia, peeling of the lips, sores in the mouth, gastrointestinal disorders, pre-mature grey hair, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Lifeplan Folic Acid 400mcg is a popular brand that contains folic acid which is essential to protein metabolism and development of foetus during pregnancy. A dietary allowance of 400µg is recommended for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This product does not contain lactose, starch, salt or gluten. Each tablet provides Folacin 400µg 200% RDA.

Sea kelp, also known as kombu and haidai, is a marine flat red or brown algae that belongs to the family Laminariaceae of the plants. Sea kelp makes a rich dietary source of calcium and iodine. Other nutrients include vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and K; minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, chromium, selenium, silicon and barium; gels such as agar, alginate and carrageenan.

High amounts of calcium in sea kelp help maintain the health of bones and protect against the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium assists in normal blood clotting and promotes normal muscle function. Iodine in sea kelp assists in synthesizing thyroid hormones, which help boost low thyroid function and reduce the symptoms of cretinism and goitre. Vitamins in kelp help boost the immune function and promote healthy skin, nails and hair.

Gels in kelp aid digestion and help stimulate gastrointestinal health. They help relieve and soothe inflamed mucous membranes and reduce the effects of chemotherapy and radiation on the body.

Seal kelp exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and it helps treat rheumatism and arthritis. It contains germanium, an antioxidant that helps combat cancer, promotes skin healing and boosts immune function. A recent research shows that sea kelp is effective in lowering blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Lifeplan Sea Kelp 400mg is a popular brand on the market that is made using finest quality marine sea kelp. It helps maintain healthy musculoskeletal and digestive systems and preserves the immune function. This product contains no added sugars, artificial colours and live yeasts.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps perform numerous biological functions in the body. It is found in trout, salmon, tuna, yoghurt, beef, soybeans, tofu, milk, cheese, egg, chicken, ham, cheeseburger, fruits and leafy green vegetables. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It is needed for the calcium absorption and helps in the formation of red blood cells. It helps maintain a healthy nervous system and promotes growth in children. Moreover, it helps in the DNA synthesis and is required for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. High levels of homocysteine may lead to cardiovascular disease particularly atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure.

The deficiency symptoms of vitamin B12 include extreme fatigue, tiredness, irritability, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, slow learning, poor memory, depression, constipation, weight loss, poor appetite, anaemia, lack of balance, degeneration of spinal cord, stunted growth in children, soreness of the mouth, brain damage and neuritis.

Individuals with an inadequate vitamin B12 intake, older adults and alcoholics should consume a dietary supplement that makes use of vitamin B12 in its formulation. Lifeplan Vitamin B12 is a popular brand on the market that contains the essential vitamin B12. This product helps maintain a healthy nervous system and assists in the red blood cell formation. It contains no added sugar, lactose, starch, salt, synthetic flavours, chemical preservatives, artificial colours, live yeasts or animal derivatives. Lifeplan Vitamin B12 is derived from natural resources and is registered with the Vegan Society.

Flax, also known as linseed, is an herbaceous, annual plant that belongs to the family Linaceae of the plants. The seeds of flax contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrate, sugar, fat, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. Ten grams of ground flaxseed supply about 45 kilocalories, 2.8 grams of fibre, 4.1 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein. Flax seed is the source of flaxseed oil or linseed oil that offers numerous health benefits to its consumers.

Flaxseed oil makes an excellent home remedy for premenstrual syndrome and dandruff. A regular consumption of flaxseed oil helps improve immune system and relieves the symptoms of eczema and acne. It helps lower cholesterol levels and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Flaxseed oil helps relieve constipation due to its high dietary fibre and lignan contents. Researches show that flaxseed oil may benefit individuals with certain types of prostrate, stomach, colon and breast cancers. It helps heel bruises and sprains and relieves the symptoms of asthma. Omega-3 nutrients in the flaxseed oil help prevent gall disorders, arthritis and heart ailments.

Lifeplan Organic Flaxseed Oil is a popular brand that contains one of nature’s highest sources of alpha linolenic acid (omega-3) that helps maintain the health of cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive and immune systems. This supplement has been cold-pressed to retain the quality and goodness of the oil. This product is registered with the Vegan Society. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and consumed within 4 weeks.

Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps perform numerous functions in the body. It aids in the formation of antibodies and promotes synthesis and breakdown of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which help in muscle repair and recovery. Vitamin B-6 is essential for red blood cell metabolism and healthy immune response. It helps maintain a proper balance of phosphorus and sodium in the body and aids in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Vitamin B-6 helps maintain the health of central nervous system and promotes healthy skin. It helps reduce numbness and stiffness of hands, leg cramps and muscle spasms. Moreover, vitamin B-6 helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs that make white blood cells.

The deficiency symptoms of pyridoxine include mouth disorders, nervousness, arm and leg cramps, loss of muscular control, muscular weakness, dermatitis, skin eruptions, slow learning, difficulty concentrating, irritability, loss of hair, insomnia, anaemia and erectile dysfunction.

The rich dietary sources of vitamin B-6 include tuna, trout, salmon, banana, potato, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocado, peanut butter, lima beans, bakes beans, soybeans, walnuts, wheat bran, roast beef, spinach and chicken.

It also makes a good idea to take a dietary supplement that contains vitamin B-6 in its formulation. Lifeplan High Strength Vitamin B6 100mg is a popular brand on the market that contains vitamin B-6 as Pyridoxine HCL. Pyridoxine takes part in numerous metabolic processes and is mandatory for a good health. This product contains no added salts, artificial colours, animal derivatives, synthetic flavours, gluten, starch and live yeasts.

Peroneal muscular atrophy, also known as HMSN (hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy) or CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth-Syndrome), is a neurological disorder that affects both sensory and motor nerves. Approximately 1 in every 1000 people worldwide is affected by this disease. Onset of disease is most often seen in adolescent boys and young adults.

The typical symptoms of peroneal muscular atrophy include muscle weakness, muscle atrophy in the extremities such as hands, arms, legs or feet, weakness of the lower leg muscles, foot deformities, hammertoes, pain in large muscle groups and respiratory muscle weakness.

There are numerous factors that might be responsible for the onset of this disease. They include mutations in genes that produce proteins for the normal functioning of peripheral nerves, family history and age. CMT is diagnosed with a combination of family history and neurological examination to look for the evidence of muscle loss, sensory loss, foot deformities, muscle weakness and reduced tendon reflexes.

The treatment options for peroneal muscular atrophy include pain-killing drugs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise, orthopaedic devices and orthopaedic surgery.

A dietary supplement can also be used to improve brain function and many other bodily systems. Lifeplan Omega 3 Concentrated Fish Oils is a popular brand on the market that contains EPA, DHA and vitamin E in its formulation. Omega-3 nutrients are involved in helping a healthy brain, nerves and heart. One or two of these capsules daily can be a useful supplement to maintain your good health. The good thing about this supplement is that it contains no sugar, live yeasts, gluten, starch, artificial colours, synthetic flavours and chemical preservatives.

Cardiopathy or heart disease refers to a wide variety of diseases affecting either the muscle of heart or blood vessels leading to and from the heart.

The diseases that affect heart muscle and surrounding tissues include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypetrophic cardiomyopathy, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, valvular cardiomyopathy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive cardiomyopathy, myocardiodystrophy, congenital heart disease, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac failure.

The diseases that affect blood vessel system include atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, congestive cardiac failure and cardiac arrhythmias.

Cardiopathy is the second leading cause of death all around the globe. Keys to prevention include maintaining a healthy weight, performing a regular physical activity, controlling high blood pressure, lowering serum cholesterol levels, avoiding stress and depression, drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, and avoiding the consumption of fatty foods. Eating fibre-rich diets such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes promotes a healthy cardiovascular system.

Moreover, consume a dietary supplement that helps maintain the health of heart muscle and blood vessel system. Lifeplan EFA Complex 750mg is a popular brand on the market that contains cold-pressed oils, combining evening primrose, starflower and fish oils. This supplement makes a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which help maintain a healthy heart and blood circulation.

EFA Complex also produces hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins which help control physiological, metabolic and reproductive function. Moreover, this supplement makes your joints flexible and helps maintain a healthy skin. It does not make use of salt, starch, sugar, yeast, gluten, lactose, artificial colours, synthetic flavours and preservatives in its formulation.