“We are not aiming to damage any reputations through this site but are here to provide an essential service for consumers who have no idea what their expensive supplements contain. We are providing manufacturers with every chance to improve their products and the consistency of the supplements and ensure that the next time they are tested they meet the label claim.”

Whatsinit.com aims to act as an essential reference point for everyone who purchases all types of supplement. The site will advise which products represent the best value for money and also where the products can be purchased in the user’s local area. Whatsinit.com uses a team of experts in an advisory panel and offers its assistance to manufacturers whose products fail the tests. Each product will be retested every four months to ensure that manufacturers who fail are allowed a chance to improve the product quality, and that those who originally passed will continue to maintain the same high standards.

Unlike pharmaceuticals, the nutritional supplement business is not strictly regulated which means that many products are not always what they appear. In the main this is due to the fact that many of the active ingredients in these supplements are extremely expensive and there is always therefore, a temptation for the manufacturers and the suppliers of the raw materials to water down or “adulterate”, as it is known, the key ingredients. In turn many supplement manufacturers, in an attempt to reduce their costs, turn a blind eye to the problem, while others simply don’t have the correct checks in place. With more than 24,000 dietary supplements available in the UK, choosing the right one can therefore be an impossible task unless you have the facts.

To find out more about this story visit: http://www.whatsinit.com

Only fish oil free of harmful pollutants such as mercury and industrial chemicals is completely safe for consumption. Some excellent store brands are by Nordic Naturals and Carlson Laboratories. If you prefer to buy online one of the finest is cerebrafil.com.

And, this is also one reason why supplementing with pharmaceutical-grade fish oil can be safer than just eating much more fish. Many fish, including tuna, halibut, swordfish, bluefish, king mackerel, and tilefish, are highly contaminated and need to be severely limited. Sadly, most of the salmon in the markets and served in restaurants is farm raised and because of their unnatural commercial diet have significantly lower levels of omega-3s.

Some people mistakenly think flaxseed is an appropriate way to get DHA and EPA because the body has the ability to change the shorter-chain omegas into long-chain omegas. The problem with this is that the process to do this is very long and difficult, so that in the end very little of the valuable DHA and EPA is produced at all. It is not advisable to take cod liver oil for the reasons regarding contamination above, and also because, to get enough omega-3s from cod liver oil you would have to take so much that you would be overdosing on vitamins A and D.

You should ensure an adequate intake of antioxidants when taking fish oil by taking 100 to 400 I.U. (international units) of vitamin E daily. Be sure to take D-alpha-tocopherol, not DL-alpha-tocopherol, as the D-alpha is natural and the DL-alpha is synthetic and therefore not recommended. Please read the label to make sure; many stores carry both varieties.

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These essential fatty acids are therefore vital to one’s health. However, the body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids, thus they must be provided in our daily diet. Fish oil has to be an essential element in everyone’s nutritional regime. Unfortunately, most people start taking health precautions when it is already too late. Ideally, prevention for future ailments should commence at an early stage in life and continue throughout.

When deciding on which product to take remember that there is a distinction between cod liver oil and other beneficial cold water fish oil. Cod liver oil is the most commonly renowned; however Salmon oil and Shark liver oil have been proven to contain superior benefits. Salmon and Shark liver oil is a natural food supplement that helps cardiovascular well being and lowers levels of bad cholesterol. This is due to the omega 3 fatty acids, which are an excellent source to boost up HDL (the Good cholesterol) in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and clupeidae oil, is a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids which can only be supplied by food sources.

If your difficulty is in digesting the fish oil or you just cannot tolerate the taste, there’s no need to worry because now there is the perfect solution. Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris, have launched the Cardiosterol Syrup, which is easily digested, having a very pleasant taste of blueberry. Yes, you read well, blueberry! The nasty taste of fish oil is masked by sugar free blueberry juice and sugar free honey.

Cardiosterol Syrup is a concentrate of Lecithin Soya and Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA), derived from shark liver oil, which is obtained for molecular characterization. The acids EPA and DHA contribute to regulating lipid metabolism, whereas the Omega-3 is indicated in cases of reduced intake from alimentation, of such fatty acids. Conversely, Soya lecithin contains several essential phospholipids required by every living cell in the human body. Soya lecithin breaks down cholesterol and fats in the blood, allowing them to be effectively utilized by the cells of the body. Soya lecithin found in the Cardiosterol Syrup by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris, helps in the absorption of the fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K, and improves the health of the nervous system.

In addition to these vital contents, Cardiosterol is rich in Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. This protects the cellular membrane and other body liposoluble parts such as cholesterol LDL from being damaged. Many studies have shown that a daily dose of Vitamin E helps in reducing the risk of heart attack.

Another product on the market offering the above mentioned benefits, is Liposterol by Laboratoires TEV (France). Liposterol are gelules which promote a natural cholesterol treatment.

The active ingredients of Alta Care’s Cardiosterol Syrup are in their fresh form. They are therefore more effective than capsules, since the chemical constituents are not altered during processing, compression, storage and distribution. Capsules lose most of their efficacy due to drying and compressing of the ingredients.

Every time you eat a tasty meal full of fat and cholesterol don’t forget your dose of Cardiosterol syrup!

www.altacare.com

Any cod liver oil entering North America has to meet strict AOAC standards for freshness, potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory. These pure cod liver oils must be free of any detectable mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB’s and dozens of other contaminants.

To protect cod liver oil from light, it’s packaged in dark glass bottles. Some manufacturers will even replace the air in the bottle with nitrogen to avoid any oxidative damage to the oil.

Cod liver oil is high in vitamin D. One teaspoon of cod liver oil may contain up to 12,000 iu of vitamin D. Vitamin D if a very important vitamin. It helps your body metabolize calcium and phosphorus. These 2 elements help your body create strong healthy bones.

Your body can make vitamin D from sun exposure. Thirty minutes in the sun for half an hour can allow your body to create up to 12,000 iu of vitamin D.

If you spend a lot of time in the sun a lot and you’re also taking vitamin D supplements (including cod liver oil), there’s a possibility you may suffer an overdose of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means any excess vitamin D is not eliminated right way. Any excess is stored in your fatty tissues and liver. If you’re taking cod liver oil and you’re also exposed to the sun, there’s a possibility you may be getting too much vitamin D in your body. One teaspoon of cod liver oil can contain up to 400 iu of vitamin D.

The only way to know your vitamin D levels is by getting your blood check by your doctor. Symptoms of vitamin D overdose includes nausea, vomitting, and constipation.

Cod liver oil also contains vitamin A. Recent medical reports suggest pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant avoid high levels of vitamin A to avoid birth defects. One teaspoon of cod liver oil can contain 700 – 1200 iu of vitamin A.

The recommended daily allowance set forth by the National Institue of Medicine for adults is 700 – 900 iu per day.

Cod liver oil contains omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce your risk of clots by making your blood thinner. This may affect any medications you take for high blood pressure, anticoagulants, and any heart medications. Consult your doctor before taking cod liver oil to see if it will affect any medications your taking.

This oil has many benefits for you. Safe and intelligent use will prevent any side effects from cod liver oil and provide you with the health benefits you seek.

vid Christian Solomon asked:


If you could only afford just one or two supplements for optimal health which ones should you choose? With the economy being like it is this is an important question as we cut back on spending and look to spend money as wisely as possible. Here are two supplements you should keep taking or start if you aren’t.

Dr. Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD the director of nutrition as the LaValle Metabolic Institute recommends Vitamin D. Vitamin D is not only necessary for healthy bones recent research show it plays an important role in protecting us from cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disease. Vitamin D may be the most important nutrient you can’t get enough of.

The new research of the disease-preventing benefits of vitamin D suggests that the Daily Recommended Intake or DRI should be raised from 400 IUs to at least 1000 IUs. Concerns about toxicity from getting too much Vitamin D has been replaced with focusing on making sure you are getting enough.

Vitamin D is produced in your skin when cholesterol is exposed to sunlight. For your body to make enough Vitamin D you need from 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure during the time when the sun is strongest, between 10AM and 3PM. You need to get this sun exposure a minimum of two times a week on your face, arms, legs or back. And you must not use any sunscreen.

However getting enough Vitamin D from the sun in this manner is only effective if you live below 42 degrees latitude. In the US that line runs from Northern California to Boston.

Even if you live in a sunny climate like Hawaii and get plenty of sun you still may not be getting enough Vitamin D. A study done by the University of Wisconsin tested students living in Hawaii who were getting plenty of sun and found 51% of them had low serum levels of Vitamin D.

Many of us don’t live in sunny climates year-round and even if we do we spend most of our time working and living indoors. So what should you do?

The examples of the Japanese and Swedes can give us some ideas. The Japanese who have a limited exposure to sunlight and enjoy a very low incidence of cancer (one of the benefits of getting enough Vitamin D) eat a diet high in fatty fish, which just so happens to be an excellent source of Vitamin D.

In Sweden a study of middle-aged and elderly women found those that took vitamin D supplements and ate 2 to 3 servings of fatty fish per week increased their vitamin D levels by 45%.

The best fish fat source of Vitamin D is cod liver oil. There was a lot of wisdom in the practice of giving kids a spoonful of cod liver oil in times past. Other good sources are oily fish such as wild salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. Fortified dairy products are also a source.

Here is a list of various Vitamin D sources and yields:



Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon                                yields 1,360 IUs per serving.

Salmon, cooked, 3.5 oz                                    yields 360 IUs per serving.

Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 oz                                 yields 345 IUs per serving.

Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 oz                             yields 200 IUs per serving.

Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1.75 oz            yields 250 IUs per serving.



See the National Institute of Health Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D for more information. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp#h3

If you are concerned about the risks of sun exposure and mercury in fish, studies show moderate amounts of sun exposure and eating a couple of servings of fish per week has far more health benefits than risks.

Speaking of fatty fish leads to the second supplement you should be taking-fish oil. Daniel G. Amen, MD, founder of the Amen Clinics which specializes in brain health and lectures on ways to make our brains healthy says getting enough omega-3 is one of the best ways to take care of your brain. He also points out the health benefits of the omega-3s found in fish oil are not limited to brain (which by the way has 60% of it’s fat content comprising of omega-3 fat).

Dr. Bill is William Thomas Stillwell, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgical specialist, agrees. He is a big proponent of using fish oil to relieve joint pain.

In fact fish oil is so effective at preventing inflammation that it can relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis in many cases, studies show. One study showed high doses of fish oil (6 grams per day) reduced morning stiffness and joint tenderness and increased the effectiveness of NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.) in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

In an Australian study fish oil was shown to reduce the use of NSAIDS by 75% in rheumatoid arthritis patients and reduced the inflammation-causing chemicals in their systems by as much as 41%.

Combine the brain enhancing and inflammation reducing benefits of fish oil with it’s other well known benefits like lowering triglycerides, reducing the risk of blood clots, and improving heart health, makes it another must have supplement that you need to make sure you get enough of.

High doses of fish oil have another less well known benefit—it has a significant impact on sex drive and in high enough doses (typically 1600 to 2000 mg of EPA and 1000 1200mg of DHA) can really boost the libido, especially a woman’s. (By-the-way sunlight exposure also has libido boosting effects in women as it causes a slight increase in testosterone as well as Vitamin D production.)

When taking fish oil supplements ignore the recommended one or two capsules listed on the bottle. Instead take enough each day so you get at least 1600 mg of EPA. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is one of the omega-3 oils found in fish oil. Taking a minimum of 1600 mg of EPA will also make sure you are getting plenty of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), another important omega-3 (DHA is the one that is good for your brain) as most fish oil supplements contain both.

Sunlight, vitamin D, fatty fish and fish oil are the health supplements you can’t do without. No matter what the economy is like. It’s a matter of your health. It’s a matter of your quality of life.

Fish oil may as well help protect the brain from problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease, help relieve asthma and prevents allergies and eczema during pregnancy.

You will learn a lot more benefits associated with fish oil by visiting http://www.mercola.com/2005/jan/12/fish_oil_heart.htm

ab yourself some pure disease-prevention in bottle or treat yourself this evening to a tasty filet de poisson!

Learn more on www.cityslim.com

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[1] Sanchez-Villegas A, et al. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids intake, fish consumption and mental disorders in the SUN cohort study. Eur J Nutr. 2007;46:337-346.

[2] Birch EE, Garfield S, Hoffman DR, Uauy R, Birch DG. A randomized controlled trial of early dietary supply of long-chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids and mental development in term infants. Dev Med & Child Neurology. 2000;42:174-181.

[3] Qi K, Seo T, Jiang Z, Carpentier YA, Deckelbaum RJ. Triglycerides in fish oil affect the blood clearance of lipid emulsions containing long—and medium—chain triglycerides in mice. J Nutr. 2006;126(11):2766-72.

It also serves as great relief from joint pain, migraines, depression, autoimmune diseases and many other unwanted health conditions. Omega 3 can improve brain and memory development. It also provides the perfect brain food.

Here are the following diseases that omega 3 can help prevent:

* Coronary heart disease and stroke;

* Essential fatty acid deficiency in infancy (retinal and brain development);

* Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and nephropathy);

* Crohn disease;

* Cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate;

* Mild hypertension;

* Rheumatoid arthritis.

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish have been shown to be protective of heart disease and lower death rate from coronary disease, especially cardiac arrest. Omega 3 fats are good and recommended to your health. You can certainly get them from cod liver oil or fish oil.

People with certain circulatory problems, such as varicose veins can benefit greatly from fish oil. Fish oil helps stimulate blood circulation, increases the breakdown of fibrin, a compound involved in clot and scar formation.

But be cautious, those who have congestive heart failure or evidence that their heart is receiving insufficient blood flow are advised to consult a doctor before taking omega 3 fatty acids. For people with congestive heart failure, the heart is barely pumping blood well enough to keep them alive. In these patients, Omega?3 fatty acids may eliminate enough of these few pumping cells that the heart would no longer be able to pump sufficient blood to live, causing an increased risk of cardiac death. So you better be careful when trying Omega-3.

To learn all about the importance of Omega-3 for your health and its benefits, check out Omega 3 for more information.

This calcium will be discarded from the body through urination. This is because vitamin C is an organic acid that can dissolve mineral in bone. To avoid this, we should take calcium ascorbate, which is a mineral form of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is very soluble in water. Therefore, high levels of vitamin C in the blood may not be easily achieved. This is because vitamin C easily excretes from the body through urination. More frequent you urinating; less vitamin C can be retained in your body. Therefore, although we take a lot of vitamin C, the actual amount retaining in the body in very little. You may relief the nasal allergy for a while and if you want to continually remain relief from nasal allergy, you may need to continually take vitamin C. This situation can be seen after we have taken the vitamin C. The urine that we excrete after one hour taking the vitamin C is yellowish color. The color is due to the presence of the vitamin C in the urine. The following urine may still yellowish. After the urine no longer shows any yellowish color; that means the vitamin C levels in the blood has gone down already. Due to this, a lot of vitamin C has been wasted. To save cost, we need to take citrus bioflavonoids and pantothenic acid. Both of them are vitamin B complex substances. Citrus bioflavonoids alter the body’s metabolism of vitamin C and raising the concentration of vitamin C in certain tissue [American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August, 1979]. Whereas, pantothenic acid can help our body absorbs vitamin C more easily.

Apart from vitamin C and B, the second supplement that can boost our immune system is zinc. Zinc is a transitional metal that is indispensable in our body. Biochemical functions in our body that involves zinc are protein synthesis, spermatogenesis, platelet reactivity and the main one is maintaining cellular immunity. Apart from these, zinc also can prevent certain type of cancer. Zinc deficiency mostly due to malnutrition, alcoholism, malabsorption, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal disease, extensive burns, use of chelating agents and genetic disorders. Our meats that contains high amount of zinc are chicken and beef. People who try to avoid red meat due to its high cholesterol have the higher possibility not enough zinc in their body. Zinc deficiency can cause growth retardation, male testerone deficiency, delayed wound healing, bullous dermatitis, diarrhea and intercurrent infection. Zinc can inhibit replication of several viruses such as herpes simplex virus, foot and mouth disease virus, poliovirus and rhinovirus. Zinc is very effective to treat common cold because it prevents rhinovirus (cold virus) from binding to the tissue surface and stabilizes the cell membranes. Subsequently, it is also inhibiting prostaglandin metabolism and inducing production of interferon gamma, which is a natural chemical that help body to fight infections. Study that had been published in the Annals Internal Medicine in 1996 showed that if an individual starts taking zinc gluconate glycine within 24 hours onset of the common cold symptoms, it can significantly reduced the illness duration.

The third supplement that has antioxidant function is virgin coconut oil. The difference between ordinary coconut oil and virgin coconut oil is that the later is extracted by wet process directly from the coconut milk or meat under a control temperature usually is 50 oC, whereas; coconut oil is obtained from the copra by dry process, which involves high temperature or sunlight exposure for several days. Due to the exposure to sunlight and application of high temperature, most of the minor components such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and polyphenols will be destroyed. This is because all these components are unstable in high temperature. Sunlight can destroy there components because sunlight contains a few percent of UV light, which is a high energy wave that can break the chemical bonding in an organic substance. Recently, study had been carried out in University Kerala in India to determine the effectiveness of the virgin coconut oil as antioxidant enzymes in male rat [Food Chemistry, 2006]. They found out that virgin coconut oil has more effect as an antioxidant and prevents peroxidation of lipids compared to the groundnut oil and copra oil. Study also had been carried in the same University to determine the beneficial effect of the virgin coconut oil to lipid components in male rat [Clinical Biochemistry, 37, 2004]. The finding that they got is that virgin coconut oil can reduce the levels of lipid in serum and tissues. Besides, it also can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased high-density lipoprotein in the blood. This effect may due to its high polyphenol content.

Finally, what we know immunoglobulin-A (IgA) antibodies are the main antibodies that can prevent allergens from entering our body through nasal mucosal membrane. Therefore, nasal allergy and sinus infection can be prevented by increasing this antibody level in our body. Nutrients that can boost this antibody level in our body are monounsaturated oleic acids and vitamin A. Monounsaturated oleic acids can be found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut or filbert oil (or the whole nuts), green and ripe olives, and almonds. Whereas, vitamin A can be found in cod liver oil, pumpkin, cooked carrots, sweet potatoes/yams, squash and other yellow or orange vegetable