Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Ginger root is a pungent rhizome of the common ginger plant. The botanical name for this root herb is Zingiber officinale and it belongs to the Zingiberaceae family of the plants. Ginger root is known to exhibit health promoting and disease preventing properties. It makes a rich dietary source of B vitamins particularly pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. Other nutrients include carbohydrates, protein, dietary fibre, folates, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper and manganese.

The ginger root contains phenolic compounds and essential oils such as gingerol, shogaol, β-phelladrene, farnesene, citral and cineo. These compound give ginger root pungent, aromatic smell and help improve the health of gastrointestinal tract. Ginger root exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and has been shown to be effective against E. coli, a bacterium that causes urinary tract and digestive tract infections. Moreover, it helps relieve the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach bloating, intestinal gas, Candida and irritable bowel syndrome.

It makes a natural heart burn remedy and is a powerful natural painkiller. The antioxidants in the ginger root slow down the progression of colorectal and ovarian cancers. A recent research has revealed that it helps in the treatment of morning sickness and makes an effective remedy for the nausea associated with dysentery. Furthermore, it also helps treat cough, flu, colds and lung infections.

Bio Health GINGER ROOT contains active constituents of ginger that are responsible for ginger’s characteristic taste and odour. They help maintain healthy digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems. This product is totally additive-free and does not contain chemical excipients and synthetic preservatives.

The acai berry is a fruit of acai palm that is native to South and Central America. The fruit is small, dark purple with a single large seed and looks like a grape. Acai berry is widely acknowledged to be one of the top superfoods and is used in smoothies and health drinks for its nutritional and antioxidant properties.

A regular consumption of acai berries increases energy levels, improves digestion, supports detoxification and promotes weight loss. Acai berries contain potent antioxidants called flavonoids and anthocyanins, which protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that can harm our tissues. Acai berries help destroy human cancer cells and slow down the degenerative ageing processes of the body.

A recent study has revealed that acai berries contain phytosterols that help lower serum cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Acai berries help maintain the health of prostate and improve sex drive. Moreover, they promote healthy, glowing skin, nails and hair. Another benefit of acai berries is that they exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect and help reduce pain and soreness. Last but not the least; acai berries help rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

Aloe Pura Acai Juice with Oxy3 is a popular brand on the market that makes use of the fruit of “Tree of Life”, also known as acai palm, in its formulation. This product contains high levels of omega nutrients (cholesterol-fighting fatty acids) and anthocyanin (an extremely powerful anti-oxidant). Aloe Pura Acai Juice helps increase energy, stamina and vitality and promotes overall well-being.

Each serving of 30ml contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9, Essential Vitamins and Minerals (B1, B2, B3, C&E, Calcium, Potassium), Phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), Amino Acids, and Anti-Oxidants.

Blackcurrant is a perennial, small shrub that is native to northern Asia and central Europe. Its botanical name is Ribes nigrum and it belongs to the Grossulariaceae family of plants. The fruit of blackcurrant is an edible berry that is purple or black in colour.

Blackcurrant berries contain a wide range of essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid), magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, manganese and zinc. They make a rich dietary source of vitamin C (30.2 % of the Daily Value per 10 g). Berries also contain anthocyanins, polyphenols, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid).

Phytochemicals in blackcurrant berries help reduce the risk of microbial infections and neurological disorders like dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Berries contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors that help treat or even cure depression. Unsaturated fatty acids in berries help maintain the health of heart and protect against the risk of high cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure.

Not only blackcurrants exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic and anti-rheumatic properties, but they also clean the blood of wastes, toxins and uric acids. They stimulate the function of digestive system and help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Researches show that they make an excellent home remedy to treat bronchial asthma, diabetic retinopathy, allergic rhinitis, chronic allergies, dermatosis, abscess and eczema. Antioxidants in berries promote healthy, wrinkle-free skin and protect against the risk of different types of cancer.

Lifestream Blackcurrant Capsules brand is offered to provide you with the magical properties of blackcurrant berries in the form of a capsule. When taken on a regular basis, this product helps maintain the health of your skin and nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems.

It is very important to consume antioxidants-rich diets on a regular basis to maintain the health of your immune and cardiovascular systems. Antioxidants promote healthy muscle function and hormonal secretion. They play a vital role in maintaining the health of nails, hair and skin. Moreover, they also protect your body against the risk of cancer especially lung cancer, prostrate cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer.

Lycopene is a naturally occurring antioxidant that gives vegetables and fruits a red colour. It is present in high amounts in strawberries, tomatoes and tomato products. It helps maintain the health of immune system and destroys free radicals in your body, which cause premature aging, cardiovascular problems and different types of cancer.

Anthocyanin is another antioxidant that is found in blue berriers, black currants, black raspberries and red grapes. Delicious and rich in anthocyanin, blue berries rank number one in antioxidant activity when compared with 25 other fresh vegetables and fruits.

There are numerous supplements on the market that provide your body with antioxidants and other essential nutrients. BetterYou Super Antioxidants is a popular brand that makes a potent and natural combination of food-sourced free radical scavengers such as organic Pine Bark extract, organic Acerola cherries, selenium and natural vitamins A and E.

This supplement helps boost your immune system and provides essential protection against colds, coughs, flu and fever. It helps protect your skin from free radical damage, thus maintaining the elasticity of skin and minimising premature aging. . BetterYou is suitable for those on a vegan, vegetarian or coeliac diet.

Cancer is a fatal disease that occurs due to the uncontrolled growth of cells anywhere in the body. The abnormal cells are termed malignant cells or cancerous cells. Cancer is a leading cause of death all around the globe. It accounts for approximately 6-7 million deaths each year. Breast, lung, stomach, liver, colon and prostrate cancer are the most common types of cancer.

Although symptoms of cancer vary with the type of cancer and its location, there are some signs that are common among most cancer patients. They include low-grade fever, lethargy, tiredness, extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, lack of appetite, muscle aches, persistent pain, white spots on tongue, wart changes, skin changes, unusual bleeding or discharge, lumps, tissue masses and changes in bladder and bowel functions.

Cancer can be prevented by avoiding its potential causes. Make sure that you avoid smoking, excess sunlight, chemicals, toxins, pathogens, cancer-causing agents and consumption of processed foods.

Consumption of diets rich in antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes also makes a good way to avoid cancer. Antioxidants help destroy free radicals that damage tissues and produce precancerous cells.

You should also consume a dietary supplement on a regular basis that makes use of antioxidants in its formulation. Higher Nature Premium Naturals Super Antioxidant Protection is a powerful and wide-spectrum brand that supplies your body with key water- and fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients.

Vitamin C and E work together to reduce oxidation, minerals zinc, selenium and manganese support the body’s antioxidant enzymes, glutathione is precursor to glutathione peroxidase (the body’s key antioxidant enzyme) and N-Acetyl Cysteine helps replenish glutathione in the body.

Super foods are types of food that are known for their high proportions of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, bioflavonoids and roughages. These foods are believed to exhibit disease-busting qualities and help boost your immune system. A regular consumption of super foods helps protect against such conditions as cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, different types of cancer such as breast, colon, prostrate, lung and blood cancers, and other ailments.

There are many food items that do qualify as super foods. They include beans, lentil, oat, barley, wheat germ, wheatgrass, lemongrass, ginger root, parsley, soy, spinach, kale, broccoli, beetroot, alfafa, spirlina, green tea, white tea, pomegranate, blueberries, goji berries, acai berries, watermelon, mango, avocados, walnut, almond, pistachio, salmon and mackerel.

One should include several super foods in his or her dietary routine each week to maintain a good health and well-being. Super foods offer maximum health benefits when they are eaten grilled, steamed or simply raw. Remember that overcooking or boiling can deprive super foods of their essential nutrients.

If you find it difficult to regularly consume super foods due to your hectic lifestyle, then make sure that you take a supplement that make use of super foods in its formulation. Natrol Acai 500mg Antioxidant is a popular brand on the market that contains acai.

Acai is an antioxidant rich berry native to Brazil and is considered as one of the top super foods in the world. It is a powerful and nutritious fruit that is valued for its nutrients and high oxygen-radical absorbance capacity. You should take one capsule twice daily with a meal.

Numerous researches have revealed that people who drink wine particularly red wine moderately may be less likely to develop heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and heart attack than people who do not drink at all. In addition, there is some evidence that red wine may raise the high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “Good Cholesterol”. Red wine contains antioxidants called flavonoids that promote a good cardiovascular health. Moreover, wine also contains a substance known as resveratrol, which may reduce blood clot formation.

However, it is important to realize that there is a fine line between risky drinking and healthy drinking. Men should have no more than 2 drinks (8 ounces of wine) per day, while women should have no more than 1 drink (4 ounces of wine) per day. Excess drinking may lead to high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, swelling of pancreas, heart failure, palpitation, irregular heart rhythms and liver disease. Moreover, alcohol abuse is also associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, breast, liver, colon and rectum.

To maintain a good cardiovascular health, you can also use a dietary supplement that helps maintain a healthy heart and circulation. Kwai HEART & IMMUNE 1-A-DAY is a popular brand on the market that contains vitamins A, C and E, and Kwai garlic in its formulation. Antioxidant vitamins help maintain a good cardiovascular health, while Kwai garlic helps keep cholesterol levels normal. This supplement is suitable for diabetics and is free from salt, lactose, yeast and gluten. Take one tablet daily with cold liquid.

Corn, also known as maize, is a tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears. The botanical name for maize is “Zea mays” and it belongs to the Poaceae family of plants. It is widely cultivated in America, Mexico and Asia. Maize and ground dried maize make a staple food in many regions of world. Not only does it provide the necessary calories for daily metabolism, but it also makes a rich dietary source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. It also contains antioxidants that act as antic-cancer agents and help prevent premature aging.

Other health benefits of maize include prevention of digestive ailments such as indigestion, constipation, nausea and haemorrhoids, prevention of cardiovascular problems such as high cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease and heart attack, controlling diabetes, lowering high blood pressure, prevention of colorectal cancer and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth.

If hectic lifestyle does not allow you to consume corn and other healthy foods on a regular basis, then make sure that you take a multivitamin supplement. Higher Nature Wise Woman Multivitamin & Antioxidant makes a complete multivitamin and mineral supplement with added friendly bacteria. The minerals and vitamins are in a form similar to food, which the body is designed to digest. This supplement provides brain foods, key antioxidants, bioflavonoids, amino acids and other nutrients such as alpha lipoic acid, carnitine, coenzyme Q 10 and isoflavones. It supports energy production, counters excess free radicals and supports healthy bone density. Take 3 capsules a day, with or between meals.

Cancer can be defined as the unhindered growth of the body cells that advances toward unhealthy and infinite development. In this disease, the body loses it control over the balance that is maintained between rates of old cell loss and fresh cell development. Cancer can affect any part of the human body.

There are several types of cancer: Carcinomas, Lymphomas, Leukemia and Sarcomas.

Carcinoma is the most common type of cancer that begins from the cells that protect internal and external body surfaces. It usually affects organs like colon, stomach, liver, oesophagus and breast.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects tissues and lymph nodes of the body’s immune system.

Leukemia or blood cancer affects blood cells that develop in the bone marrow.

Sarcoma usually affects the cells of the supporting tissues of the body for example fat, cartilage, muscle, connective tissues and bone.

There are many factors that are responsible for cancer. They include environmental pollutants, free radicals, genetics, radiation and unhealthy eating habits.

Free radicals are the harmful compounds that are responsible for the cell damage and may trigger the uncontrolled division of cells. However, you can minimize the harmful effects of free radicals by using antioxidants-rich diets and supplements.

Natrol Ultimate Antioxidant Formula contains antioxidant-boosting vitamins A, C, E, calcium and niacin among other nutrient boosters. It makes an ultimate product when it comes to the free-radical protection. It provides you with the benefits of more than five antioxidants with the immune-boosting, super-powered and free radical fighting antioxidant formula.

Research has revealed that people with chronic infections particularly HIV have higher levels of free radicals in their bodies, which promote viral replication at a much faster pace.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, zinc and selenium appear to inhibit HIV activity, reduce oxidative stress, and slow HIV disease progression. As HIVers have higher levels of free radicals, they are more susceptible to develop various types of cancer especially colorectal cancer, prostrate cancer, liver cancer and stomach cancer. Antioxidants help destroy free radicals within the body that damage tissues and trigger the formation of cancerous cells.

Antioxidants also help reduce liver fibrosis in people with chronic liver infections particularly hepatitis B and C. Moreover, antioxidants protect the liver from toxicity as they help metabolize drugs.

Foods rich in antioxidants include citrus fruits, lemon, strawberry, blackberry, cherry water melon, peach, mango, nuts, whole grains, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and carrot.

It is also a good idea to use a supplement that makes use of antioxidants in its formulation. Pharma Nord Bio Pycnogenol Antioxidant is a popular brand on the market that is derived from the maritime pine bark extract. It contains over 40 bio-flavonoids that protect the cells from the damage by unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals.

Not only does it give a therapeutic benefit and inhibit HIV activity, but it also enhances the health of blood vessels. Moreover, it reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is a well balanced product that gives maximum benefits and optimum absorption. There are no known contra-indications or side effects of this supplement.