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Higher Nature
Higher Nature have introduced Food FormTM vitamins and minerals to the UK and
Europe. Their 'True Food CTM' was the first nutrition supplement product in the
UK and Europe to provide a concentrated source of vitamin C truly bonded to
proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in exactly the same was as in an
orange.
Higher
Nature state that 'by pre-digesting the Ultra Food FormTM range of nutrients,
they ensure that people with food sensitivities or allergies will not react to
these supplements. Why? Because food allergies are triggered by long chain
proteins and polysaccharides in foods.
In
Higher Nature Ultra Food FormTM nutrition supplements these big molecules have
been pre-digested and broken down by natural enzymes, making absorption easy,
and sensitivity reactions very unlikely.
Anti-fungal preparations
There are many anti-fungal preparations available, all of which
are best taken in conjunction with a low yeast and low sugar diet. Some of the
most effective are as follows:
Caprylic acid (e.g. BioCare Mycropryl) is a short chain fatty
acid found in human breast milk and coconuts that has been found to help
establish the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Calcium and magnesium
caprylate favour the growth of the lactic acid bacteria in the gastrointestinal
tract.
Oxygen has antiseptic qualities and is antagonistic to yeast
organisms such as Candida Albicans. Double bonded oxygen has antibacterial and
antifungal properties. (BioCare’s Oxypro, or Good For You Corporation Aerobic
Oxygen).
Grapefruit Seed Extract has antiparasitic, antibacterial and
antifungal properties, and helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal
flora.
Garlic has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Other herbs containing antifungal properties include Pau d’Arco
tea and goldenseal.
Probiotics such as L.acidophilus and B.bifidum help reduce the
proliferation of yeast organisms such as Candida Albicans. L.acidophilus helps
reduce the colonisation of unfriendly bacteria by producing natural antibiotic
substances on the intestinal wall.
Vitamins
Vitamins are vital for human life because they play integral roles in hundreds
of life-sustaining biochemical reactions. Vitamins are the catalysts for all
reactions using proteins, fats and carbohydrates for energy, growth and cell
maintenance. Certain nutrients are required in excess of the typical amounts
supplied in the diet depending on specific nutritional needs. Consuming dietary
vitamin and mineral supplements may help play an important role in maintaining
good health. For the most part, vitamins cannot be produced in the body and must
be supplied through the diet or vitamin and mineral supplements.
Vitamin A has many important functions and
is:
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Related to helping to maintain normal vision in dim light
and helping to prevent night blindness.
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Essential for body growth, since it aids in the growth and
formation of body cells. It is especially needed for bone growth. If vitamin A
intake is not sufficient, bones will stop growing before the soft tissue is
fully mature.
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Necessary to help normal tooth development. Enamel-forming
cells are affected by the absence of vitamin A.
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Important for helping to maintain healthy skin and mucous
membranes. Without vitamin A, the skin cells become dry and flat and gradually
harden to form scales that shed.
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Necessary to help support the health of the sex glands and
uterus, as well as the membranes which line the stomach, intestinal wall,
bladder, and urinary passages.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which is frequently found
together in nature with vitamin D. Cod Liver Oil is an excellent source of the
combination of vitamins A and D.
Vitamin D is necessary to help support the
growth, development and maintenance of bones and teeth in both adults and
children. It is also required for calcium and phosphorus absorption and
utilization. In its active form, vitamin D works with calcium to help control
bone formation. Vitamin D is unique in that it is obtained not only by eating
foods that contain vitamin D, it is also formed spontaneously in the skin, the
result of a photochemical reaction - caused by the sun - in the epidermis.
Foods that contain vitamin D include oily fish, egg yolk, live
yoghurt. Cod Liver Oil is a good source of both Vitamin D and A.
Vitamin B
There are a large number of B vitamins - all involved in the process of the
metabolism of living cells. Working with proteins, they serve as coenzymes in
the various enzyme systems of the body. B vitamins must be replaced regularly
because they are water-soluble and are not stored in the body to any extent.
Also, because B vitamins work together synergistically, insufficient intake of
one or more B vitamins can hamper the utilization of others, causing an
imbalance to occur.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) is a coenzyme involved
in the metabolic pathway which converts carbohydrates such as glucose into
energy. It is essential to help maintain the proper functioning of nerves,
muscles, the heart and the brain.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a coenzyme that
activates the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It
is essential to help produce cellular energy. Riboflavin is closely related to
the metabolism of protein and all functions requiring increases in protein such
as growth. Riboflavin is also essential to help maintain healthy eyes.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) serves several
essential roles in the body. It is a coenzyme in protein metabolism. It is
needed to help in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. It is also needed to
help in the formation of red blood cells. It facilitates the release of glycogen
for energy from the liver and muscles. It also participates in the utilization
of energy in brain and nervous tissue, thus being essential in helping to
regulate the central nervous system.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is the only vitamin
that contains cobalt, a trace mineral. It is essential to help maintain the
normal functioning of all body cells, especially those of the bone marrow,
gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. B12 is also necessary for forming
red blood cells. The metabolism of vitamin B12 is closely correlated with folate
(folic acid) metabolism.
Biotin (vitamin H) is an essential coenzyme
that assists in the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids. It also aids in the
utilization of amino acids, folic acid, pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and
vitamin B12. It is also involved in the growth of healthy cells.
Choline is usually considered part of the
vitamin B complex. It is a component of lecithin, which helps facilitate the
movement of fat from the liver into cells. It must be present before vitamin A
can be stored. Choline is manufactured from the dietary phosphatides found in
lecithin.
Folic Acid functions as a coenzyme for
approximately 20 enzymes. It works with vitamins B12 and C in the utilization of
proteins. It is essential to the development of heme, the protein-containing
iron in haemoglobin needed to form red blood cells. Folic acid may also help
prevent neural tube defects in developing foetuses and is essential during
pregnancy. Some folic acid is produced by intestinal bacteria.
Inositol is usually considered part of the
vitamin B complex. Scientists believe that inositol, along with choline and
several B vitamins, may help in the metabolism of fat in the body.
Niacin (vitamin B3) and niacinamide are both
used by the body. Niacin is needed as a coenzyme in the production of energy.
Niacin is essential to help maintain the health of skin, nerves and the
digestive system.
Pantothenic acid plays a pivotal role in
energy production from fat, carbohydrate and protein. It is involved in the
formation of certain hormones and nerve regulating substances, and is
particularly supportive of the adrenal glands.
Vitamin C / Bioflavonoids
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is a water-soluble, antioxidant
vitamin that plays a role in more than 300 bodily functions. It is essential to
help support health and wellness and requires daily replenishment.
Unfortunately, human beings - unlike most other animals - cannot manufacture
vitamin C. Nor can they store vitamin C to any appreciable amount. Instead, the
kidneys, acting as regulators, excrete vitamin C causing the need for regular
replenishment. In addition, vitamin C is destroyed during food preparation.
Vitamin C's primary function is to help maintain collagen, a protein necessary
for forming skin, ligaments, bones and teeth and for helping to maintain the
strength of blood vessel walls. High levels of vitamin C are also essential for
the metabolism of white blood cells, which are critical components of the immune
system. In addition, vitamin C plays an important role in the absorption of
iron, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and in the
utilization of folic acid, one of the B-complex vitamins.
Bioflavonoids work together with vitamin C to build strong capillaries and serve
as antioxidants and as anti-inflammatory agents.
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) was first
isolated from plant oils. Tocopherols are the primary fat-soluble antioxidants
that help minimize the effects of free-radicals.
Of the four compounds - designated as alpha, beta, delta and gamma tocopherols -
alpha tocopherol has the greatest nutritional and biological value. Vitamin E
(alpha tocopherol) may help:
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Prevent polyunsaturated fatty acids from breaking down and
combining with substances that may harm the body. As a result, fats and oils
containing vitamin E are less likely to turn rancid than those without vitamin
E.
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Prevent oxygen from converting to toxic peroxide free
radicals.
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To maintain muscle and nerve function.
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Bring nourishment to cells.
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Strengthen capillary walls.
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Protect red blood cells from being destroyed by poisons,
such as hydrogen peroxide, in the blood.
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Promote healthy immune function.
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Decrease platelet aggregation (thins blood).
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is important to help support proper coagulation (blood clotting). The
liver uses vitamin K to synthesize blood-clotting proteins. Without vitamin K,
the level of the blood-clotting proteins drops, and clotting time is prolonged.
Vitamin K has also been recognized for its role in helping to maintain the
health of bones. There are three types of vitamin K:
Phylloquinone, which was discovered in
Denmark and termed vitamin K for the Danish word koagulation, is the natural
vitamin K found in alfalfa and other foods. It is known as K1.
Menaquinone, produced by intestinal
bacteria, is K2. Menadione, a synthetic compound with the basic structure of the
quinones, is K3.
Vitamin K is found in dark leafy greens, most green plants, alfalfa and kelp.
Blackstrap molasses and the polyunsaturated oils, such as safflower, also
contain some vitamin K. Animal sources of vitamin K include liver, milk,
yoghurt, egg yolks and fish liver oils.
Absorption of vitamin K takes place primarily in the upper part of the small
intestine with the help of bile or bile salts and pancreatic juices. It is then
carried to the liver for the synthesis of prothrombin, a key blood-clotting
factor.
Since natural vitamin K (K1) is fat soluble, it requires bile and pancreatic
juice in the intestine for optimal absorption. In contrast, some of the
synthetic vitamin K compounds (K3) are water soluble and more easily absorbed.
So people who do not tolerate natural vitamin K, such as those with decreased
bile acid secretion, may find K3 helpful.
Menaquinone (K2), which is produced by intestinal bacteria, may be the most
beneficial source of vitamin K. This is why vitamin K supplementation may be
particularly important for those whose normal balance of intestinal bacteria has
been disrupted.
The vitamin K available on this site is a highly tolerable, water-dispersible
version of vitamin K.
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