Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

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.

A ganglion, also known as a Baker cyst, is a cyst (sac-like swelling) formed from the tissues that line joints. It can form around any joint, but elbows, wrists and ankles are the most affected joints. Ganglion can cause local trauma to the joints and is an early sign of arthritis. A ganglion often resolves on its own.

The typical symptoms include formation of a cyst that is filled with a thick jelly-like fluid and localized pain. However, there is no inflammation and redness. When a ganglion is formed behind the back of knee, it causes a sense of tightness and fullness in the knee area.

Treatment options for ganglions include aspiration (removal of the fluid with a needle and syringe with an injection of cortisone medication) or surgery.

There are numerous dietary supplements on the market that help maintain the health of bones and joints. HealthAid Glucosamine Sulphate 500mg is a popular brand that makes use of glucosamine in its formulation. Glucosamine helps make up the glucosaminoglycines, a chemical substance that helps repair and renew the connective tissue in the spinal discs, cartilage, ligaments and tendons between the joints. The rate of formation of glucosaminoglycines determines the rate of repair of tissue damage to the body.

This supplement also contains vitamin C and calcium to increase the rate of assimilation and absorption. HealthAid Glucosamine Sulphate makes an excellent gift for those people who are suffering from symptoms of arthritis, particularly of the knee, those who play sport, or those who wish to maintain current bone health.

Cartilage is a soft and flexible connective tissue that is found in joints and other areas of your body such as bronchial tubes, rib cage, ear and nose. It helps protect the joints from shocks and allows for smooth movement. Cartilage doesn’t contain blood vessels and therefore, it grows, repairs, and heals very slowly.

There are a variety of causes that can damage the structure and functions of cartilage. They include an autoimmune disease, physical trauma such as a traumatic road accident, sport injury or bad fall, previous joint injury, daily wear and tear, age, immobilization for long periods, and viral or bacterial infection.

Articular cartilage damage in the knee joint often causes knee swelling, severe pain and substantial reduction in mobility. If left untreated, small articular cartilage damage can lead to osteoarthritis over time.

In order to maintain the health of cartilage and joints, make sure that you use a supplement that plays a vital role in maintenance of the cartilage and connective tissues in the joints. Natures Aid Glucosamine & Chondroitin Complex is a naturally occurring compound that helps maintain the health of your joints and nourishes cartilage with the glucosamine and chondroitin. Natures Aid glucosamine is a product of crustaceans and chondroitin is sourced from shark cartilage and is bovine free. Moreover, Natures Aid also contains Rosehip in its formulation that makes your joints flexible and supple. You should take 1-2 tablets per day with food to maintain the health of cartilage, surrounding connective tissues, ligaments and tendons.

A balanced diet makes a critical factor in making your bones and joints healthy and strong. Make sure that your diet contains sufficient amounts of mineral calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong. The good food sources of calcium include dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese and yogurt. Other sources include pulses and cereals. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is required by your body for the efficient absorption of calcium from food.

However, if you are suffering from joints problem, make sure that you consume more oily fish and cod liver oil. A recent research shows that fish liver oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which provide a mild relief from the arthritis pain. In fact, omega 3 fatty acids reduce the activity of enzymes and co-enzymes which are responsible for deteriorating the protective cartilage over the years. Moreover, these fatty acids are also considered to be effective in switching off the chemical processes that cause inflammation and pain in the arthritis patients.

If you want to maintain healthy bones and joints throughout your life, then make sure that you follow a balanced diet plan and include a dietary supplement such as Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Evening Primrose Oil in your daily routine. Not only this effective supplement contains Omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D in its formulation, but it also helps maintain healthy hormonal balance during periods. It helps keep your joints flexible and supple and maintain healthy hair, skin and nails. However, people who suffer from epilepsy should consult their physician before taking this supplement.

Healthy bones and joints are the key for performing your everyday life activities at a normal pace. People who suffer from joints pain especially arthritis find it very difficult to cope with the routine activities and they should adopt natural anti-inflammatory treatments as well as bring changes in their dietary habits in order to relieve several of the symptoms of the arthritis.

Among the natural treatments of joints problem, ginger makes an excellent herb to include in your dietary routine and you should chew a small quantity of ginger on a daily basis. As far as the eating habits are concerned, make sure that you consume foods which are lower in carbohydrate. Moreover, it is believed that foods low in antioxidants especially vitamins C and E make certain people more susceptible to the joint problems. Therefore, it becomes very important that you nourish your body with the fresh fruits and raw vegetables to get enough antioxidants. It is also a good idea that you follow a vegetarian diet plan and lose your extra weight in order to decrease the arthritis or joints pain risk.

You can also use a multivitamin such as Seven Seas Vegan Multivitamins & Minerals to provide your body with a comprehensive combination of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin A, B complex, folic acid, C, D, E, and minerals like zinc, calcium and iron. Vitamin A promotes healthy hair and skin, where as vitamin c promotes healthy bones and teeth. Similarly, vitamin D & E help promote healthy joints and bones.

Joints are the locations within your body where two bones meet to provide you flexibility and an ease of movement. Healthy joints are very necessary for carrying out your normal life activities such as walking, sitting, running, bending and twisting.

Moreover, your joints have cartilage between the individual bones that allow them move smoothly over each other. When the cartilage is damaged or injured due to a physical trauma, growing age, daily wear or excessive weight, then it may lead to the development of arthritis which is a very painful condition and needs a medical treatment to provide a temporary relief.

There are 206 bones in a human skeleton and there are different types of joints that connect them with each other. The Sliding Joints or semi-movable joints connect the bones in the backbone, thus providing a limited movement in the form of turning and twisting.

The second type of joints is known as Ball and Socket Joints that make up the shoulders and hips joints. These joints provide you with a full range of motion; even you can rotate them in a partial circle.

Pivot joints fit one type of bone that has hole in it over the other bone. These joints allow side to side movements and connect your skull with your backbone. Fixed joints or immovable joints allow no movement at all. Your skull has a network of fixed joints that is very hard.

Hinge joints make up your knee and elbow joints and allow a swinging movement in only one direction. They can move back and forth in 180 degree arcs and are very important in providing you a range of motions.

In order to keep your joints healthy, make sure that you include a balanced diet plan in your dietary routine. Avoid eating red meat, sweets and fast foods. Make sure that you take a joint care supplement such as Seven Seas Pulse Fish Oil. Its unique formulation contains Long Chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which help maintain your joints and cartilage health. Moreover, it keeps your joints flexible and protects them from daily wear and tear as well.

Arthritis is considered as one of the major causes of disability in the elderly people and approximately 35% people over age of 55 worldwide suffer from this disease. Arthritis is a very painful condition that causes a gradual damage to the joints of one’s body. If left untreated, it can result in the deformed and de-shaped joints, thus making an individual totally disable.

There are numerous biological and environmental attributes that may contribute to the development of arthritis in the people. Factors like age, sex, ethnic group, occupation and heredity are very important in this regard. There are different forms of arthritis, each of which has different symptoms and causes.

Septic arthritis can hit people of both young and old age and is usually caused by the joints’ infection. Psoriatic arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are considered as autoimmune diseases in which one’s own body attacks itself. Rheumatoid arthritis is very painful and causes inflammation in both small and large joints within one’s body. Patients of this type of arthritis are often prescribed with pain killers in an effort to provide them a temporary relief from the joints’ pain.

Another type of arthritis is Gouty arthritis which causes inflammation in the joints due to the deposition of uric acid crystals. Pseudogout is a less common form of gout that also leads to the inflammation of joints due to the deposition of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate in the joints.

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is regarded as the most common form of arthritis. Factors like physical trauma and aging are closely associated with the development of this type of arthritis.

In order to maintain the health of your joints and to avoid arthritis, it is important that you consume foods which provide you vitamins especially vitamin D and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Moreover, make sure that you eat diets that are rich in omega 3-fatty acid as it plays an important part in maintaining an overall health of your joints.

It is recommended that you include a joint care supplement such as Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Evening Primrose Oil in your daily routine to provide your body with omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D. This supplement not only keeps your joints flexible and supple, but also maintains healthy nails, hair and skin.