Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Sodium is an important mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining your health and well-being. Its excess quantity, however, may lead to numerous health problems such as high blood pressure, heart stroke, congestive heart failure, blindness and kidney problems. About 75% of sodium comes from processed foods. Canned vegetables have more salt than frozen or freshly prepared vegetables. Make sure that you look for the sodium content while reading the “nutrition facts” panel on canned or processed foods. Foods that contain less than 140 mg of sodium are low in salt.

Table salt is not the only form of sodium we consume, but there are other forms of sodium in food such as food additives like sodium benzoate and sodium nitrate, and baking soda. On average, adults consume more than 3,000 mg of sodium per day. The maximum recommended sodium intake for healthy adults is 2,200 mg per day (one teaspoon of salt).

It is important that you consume diets low in sodium to maintain a healthy blood pressure. You should also take a herbal supplement that supports the cardiovascular system. Bio Health GARLIC makes an effective remedy for the treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, chronic candidiasis, atherosclerosis, respiratory catarrh, common cold, cough and rhinitis. Garlic has been shown to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds, reducing the risk of stomach, oesophageal, and colon cancer. Moreover, it also increases fibrinolysis, and inhibits platelet stickiness, resulting in a slowing of blood coagulation. Take 1-2 tablets twice a day.

Aortic Dissection is a medical condition in which a small tear occurs in the inside layer of the aortic wall. The aorta is a large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the vital organs. Aortic Dissection is more common in men than women and it usually affects people aged 50 and above.

There are numerous factors that may lead to the aortic dissection. Over 60% cases are associated with high blood pressure. Other factors might include depression, physical trauma to chest, congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve, Turner syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, pregnancy, syphilis, use of drugs especially cocaine and surgical complications.

The common symptoms of aortic dissection include chest pain, abdominal pain, abnormal pulse, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, paraplegia, stroke, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. Aortic Dissection is diagnosed with a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, tomography aortic angiogram of the chest, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment options include beta blocker medications for lowering the blood pressure and a surgical procedure for repairing the damaged part of aorta. Aortic Dissection can be avoided by consuming heart-healthy foods and diets low in sodium, performing a regular physical activity, avoiding stress, and taking a dietary supplement that helps maintain the normal blood pressure.

HealthAid Cod Liver Oil 550mg is a popular brand on the market that contains DHA & EPA, which are omega 3 oils. These are beneficial for reducing the blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, and maintaining the health of cardiovascular system, bones and flexible joints. Moreover, they also help reduce the symptoms associated with depression. HealthAid Cod Liver Oil also contains vitamins A & D, which play an important role in nourishing the skin, gums, hair and are also good for eye vision.

There is no single cause for heart attack, but there are numerous risk factors that might increase your chance of developing it. Some of those factors are under your control and you can change them to avoid the risk of heart attack. However, some factors are non-modifiable.

The modifiable risk factors include consumption of fatty foods and diets high in sodium, obesity, high serum cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, social isolation and a lack of physical activity. The risk factors which are not under your control include a family history of heart disease, diabetes, increasing age and gender (males are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than females).

You can reduce your overall risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by making healthy changes to your lifestyle. Make sure that you regularly consume a heart-friendly, balanced diet comprising of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds and cereals. Avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.

It also makes a good idea to regularly use a supplement that helps maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. Natures Aid Fish Oil 1000mg (Omega-3) is a popular brand on the market that supplements your diet with the important omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which are found in many oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout etc. These omega-3 nutrients help maintain healthy arteries and blood circulation. They support healthy heart and keep serum cholesterol levels in check. Moreover, they keep your joints flexible, supple and healthy. Take 1-3 capsules per day.

An aneurysm is an abnormal condition that is characterized by the bulge or swelling in a blood vessel wall. It usually develops in the shape of a tiny blood-filled grape at the point where a blood vessel branches. This small overgrowth can rupture by the force of pumping blood and may lead to death within minutes. Although an aneurysm can develop anywhere throughout the circulatory system, it particularly occurs in blood vessels of the brain and along the aorta.

There are numerous factors that may lead to the formation of aneurysms in the blood vessels. They include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, weakening of blood vessels, age, physical trauma to head or chest, syphilis, infection, congenital aneurysm and polycystic kidney disease.

If left untreated, an aneurysm can lead to congestive heart failure, stroke, paralysis, kidney failure, heart attack, epilepsy, brain haemorrhage, impaired blood circulation, compression of nearby nerves and dissecting aneurysm.

Aneurysms can be diagnosed with physical examination, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans. Treatment options include stent insertion, blood pressure control, medication therapy and surgical repair of aneurysms.

Consumption of heart-healthy foods and a cardio-friendly supplement may help protect you against the risks of aneurysms and other heart conditions. Higher Nature Cardio is a popular brand on the market that contains heart nutrients to support a healthy heart and circulation. This supplement makes use of vitamins B-complex and E, antioxidants co-enzyme Q10, bromelain, arginine and tri-methyl glycine in its formulation. When combined with a regular cardio exercise routine and balanced diet, Higher Nature Cardio promotes healthy heart and arteries.

Hypertensive heart diseases refer to heart conditions caused by high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by high blood pressure include coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

Congestive heart failure due to high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of death all around the globe. This condition occurs when the heart fails to supply sufficient blood to tissues and vital organs. Congestive heart failure is characterized by the swelling of legs, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance. It is diagnosed with blood tests and echocardiography. Treatment includes medications and healthy lifestyle changes such as a combination of light cardio exercises and strength training, decreased fat and salt intake, and smoking and alcohol cessation.

It also makes a good idea to use a dietary supplement that helps maintain normal blood pressure. Vitabiotics Cardioace Healthy Heart & Circulation is a popular brand on the market that combines the benefits of omega-3 nutrients with antioxidants, garlic and important trace minerals.

It makes a comprehensive, researched based nutritional supplement for a healthy heart and circulation. Moreover, it also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels and healthy serum cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Garlic helps balance good cholesterol and maintains arterial health and normal blood pressure. Another benefit of Cardioace Healthy Heart is that it provides the nutritional building blocks for essential enzymes in heart health. Take one or two capsules per day with a full glass of water with your main meal.

Being a vegan means that one eliminates the use of non-human animal products from his or her diet. Dietary vegans are people who restrict themselves to the consumption of plant-based diets such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses, nuts, and whole grains, or a lifestyle that aims to eliminate animal use entirely. Instead of using cow’s milk and cream, vegans use plant milk, soy milk and plant cream. Products that are derived from animals include poultry, eggs, meat (red meat and lean meats), honey, seafood, fur, leather, silk, gelatine, rennet, casein, carmine etc.

Numerous researches have showed that vegan diets make rich dietary sources of dietary fibres, phytochemicals, carotenoids, simple and complex carbohydrates, folic acid, vitamins, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Well-planned vegan diets provide protection against numerous diseases including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, renal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer. However, poorly planned vegan diets may be low in protein, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-6 fatty acids, iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, fluorine and molybdenum.

Therefore, vegans should use a dietary supplement that is specifically designed for them to provide high quality vegetable protein and other nutrients. Nutrisport 90+ Protein Powder Vegan is a low sugar, low fat powder isolated from peas and is free from any animal products. It provides pure protein with a high biological value, branched chain amino acids, lysine, arginine, carbohydrates, and sugar. It does not make use of sweeteners, additives, artificial flavours and genetically modified materials in its formulation. Moreover, it is wheat, dairy and gluten free.

A combination of excessive caloric intake, increased reliance on automobiles and a lack of regular physical activity is mainly responsible for the obesity. In some cases, an underlying medical condition, psychiatric illness, genetics, and endocrine and metabolic disorders can also lead to obesity.

Numerous researches have proved that obesity tend to increase the likelihood of numerous diseases, particularly type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart diseases, osteoarthritis, breathing difficulties during sleep and certain types of cancer.

In order to shed unwanted pounds from body, you should incorporate a combination of healthy dietary plan and an effective exercise regimen into your daily routine. Make sure that you avoid the consumption of energy-dense foods and increase the intake of dietary fibre. An effective exercise regimen should be comprised of cardio exercises and resistance training workouts.

You can use a dietary supplement that supports fat loss. Met Rx Thermo Surge Weight Loss Capsules actively helps weight management by curbing the appetite. It makes a unique combination of cinnamon, ginger, dill weed and yerba mate. Cinnamon helps cancel out harmful free radicals within the body, ginger helps relieve the symptoms of nausea, dill weed aids in combating stomach cramps, and yerba mate helps suppress appetite. Yerba mate contains a number of natural alkaloids such as theophylline, caffeine, and theobromine, natural vitamins and minerals that offer numerous beneficial properties. A recent research has revealed that yerba mate can help aid fat loss. It is also known to reduce fatigue, boost immune system, and increase energy levels.

2,000 milligrams of sodium a day or about 1 teaspoon of salt should be an ideal dietary goal for young adults. However, middle and old-aged people should not consume more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium. According to numerous researches, high-salt diets elevate blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for numerous cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, congestive heart failure and stroke.

Besides, sodium-rich diets contribute to the development of kidney stones. A new research has revealed that high intake of sodium may have a negative effect on the absorption and utilisation of vitamin D in your body. Another study has showed that frequent consumption of sodium-rich diets also increase minerals’ losses particularly calcium in the urine. This might lead to the premature osteoporosis due to decrease in bone density.

In order to maintain the health of your cardiovascular system as well as bones, make sure that you avoid the consumption of high-salt diets. You should also take a dietary supplement that contains supportive nutrients for bone health.

BioCare Osteoplex Magnesium & Calcium Citrate Plus contains calcium citrate, vitamin D, magnesium, boron and beta carotene that help support the body’s requirements for strengthening the skeletal system. Calcium is needed for the formation of bones and teeth as it makes a key constituent of skeletal structure. Magnesium is required for the healthy function of nerves and muscles. It also improves the utilisation of calcium and makes an important co-factor in many enzyme systems and hormones. Vitamin D helps with the uptake of calcium from the diet and is required for healthy skeletal system.

The hectic lifestyle and social responsibilities of men make them more vulnerable to stress related diseases such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems than women. As men grow older, their body energy levels and stamina start to decline. If you are in your 40s, then you need to be extra careful about your health and you should avoid stress.

Stress can make men eat less and avoid sex. It makes them feel fatigued and tired. Moreover, a lack of certain nutrients weakens their immune system and decreases stamina. Most men also start smoking and alcohol consumption to overcome stress. All these unhealthy habits make them highly susceptible to numerous social and health problems.

Therefore, men should balance work and normal life. Balancing relationships, taking good food and exercising regularly can play an important role in reducing the effects of stress.

Men should also use a dietary supplement that helps maintain their energy levels during stress. Science In Sport Go Electrolyte Energy Powder has been formulated so that it is easy to drink when the pressure is on. It combines balanced electrolytes with the multiple energy sources to provide the salts required to improve your stamina and maintain energy levels. Moreover, this supplement also keeps you hydrated and protects against cramps. It is available in tropical fruits, Berry Burst, Watermelon, Lemon & Lime and Blackcurrant flavours. This drink is as light on the stomach as water. It makes a highly organic energy and rehydration drink that should be consumed on a regular basis.

High-sodium diets can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack. Therefore, if you have to buy canned or packed foods, then make sure that you thoroughly scan a food label. It is important to remember that besides looking for the word “salt”, you watch out for the various forms of sodium such as sodium benzoate, sodium alginate, baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium ascorbate, sodium chloride, sodium caseinate, sodium saccharin, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfite, disodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate and monosodium glutamate.

You should look for the cheat text phrases as well such as sodium free: contains less than 2 mg of sodium per serving, low-sodium: less than 120 mg per serving etc.

High blood pressure can effectively be treated by cutting down the intake of high-sodium diets, incorporating a regular physical activity into your daily routine and staying away from the stress and depression. You should also use a dietary supplement that promotes a healthy cardiovascular health.

Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Multivitamins contains omega-3 fish oil and vitamins A, D, and E in its formulation. Omega-3 fish oil contains omega nutrients that help maintain the blood pressure and keep joints flexible. Moreover, this supplement helps maintain strong teeth and bones. Another benefit of using this supplement is that it helps release energy and maintains healthy nails, hair and skin. You should consume one capsule a day with a cold drink. Make sure that you do not exceed the recommended intake.