Nitric Oxide, a key molecule manufacturered by the body, causes vasodilation (an expansion of the internal diameter of blood vessels), which in turn leads to increased blood flow, oxygen transport, delivery of nutrients to skeletal muscle and a reduction in blood pressure. An amino acid compound called arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (A-AKG) and arginine-ketoisocaproate (A-KIC) can boost short term Nitric Oxide levels. Increased strength and...more
Twenty-Four million people in the United States alone suffer from migraines. A migraine is typically a throbbing or pulsing headache, often focused on one-side of the head, and associated with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, as well as certain smells. Attacks are typically recurring, and can be less severe as the migraine sufferer ages.Migraines can occur at any age, but typically begin between the ages of 10 and 40. While some people...more
Riboflavin is a common name for vitamin B-2 and was once known as Vitamin G. You will see Vitamin B-2 described as Riboflavin on the back of vitamin bottles and in other food packaging.An interesting and curious fact about Riboflavin is that it is naturally produced by the bacteria in your gut. Although it may not be produced in sufficient quantities to prevent deficiencies. Intestinal production, however, can reduce the symptoms of a deficient state.Some experts claim that B-2 deficiency is the most prominent nutrient deficiency in North America. Those who eat a diet largely constructed of refined and fast foods may be at risk. And of course, alcoholics are at higher risk of B vitamin deficiencies. Low-income individuals may also tend to be at higher risk due to diet.Problems with blood proteins may lead to deficiency. And states that block or reduce the uptake of riboflavin into the cell can also be responsible for a deficient state. Therefore, just having an adequate supply of Riboflavin in your food does not necessarily preclude deficiency.Brewer's yeast and organ meats are sources that are high in Riboflavin. Lower amounts may be found in milk, eggs, green leafy vegetables and...more
The voice on the radio suddenly forced its way into my conscious awareness. Absolutely staggering, I felt it deep in my gut with no uncertainty.Forty Percent of the Afghan economy is from illegal drug production and trafficking. More disturbing is the fact that the United States has nothing that can replace the drug trade for Afghan...more
You may not realize it, but you may suffer from something that can take over your whole world if you let it. You'll recognize the symptoms, but you'll have no idea what's behind them. Panic attacks are debilitating. One moment, you're living your day to day lifestyle and the next, you find yourself paralyzed with the feeling that you've lost all...more
In our day to day lives, stress seems inevitable. No matter what we are doing, stress seems to have taken its toll on all of us. As we continue to go into the technological age, we find ourselves so connected to the outside world that stress comes in twenty-four hours a day.What most people do not realize is that are many ways to defeat stress. In our ever growing search for the "quick fix," we stop listening to our bodies and the warning signs associated with stress, and search for an easy-to-swallow capsule. While Western medicine treats an ailment based on the symptoms presented, holistic and natural medicine looks at the belief that the body and mind are linked in such a way that focusing on the disease and the symptoms may not be enough. A holistic practitioner looks deeper, at the imbalances of our lifestyle that may be to blame.The body is developed in such a way that it naturally has mechanisms to heal itself. However, these mechanisms take time. For this, Western medicine is best suited for those emergency situations that require a "quick fix."However, stress builds up over time and is virtually impossible to solve overnight. This is why using a holistic or natural...more
Spondylolisthesis, a condition that can affect athletes in all sports that require a wide range of movement and flexibility, is a degeneration of the exterior portion of the vertabrae in the spine, reducing not only its integrity, but support,...more
Managing and controlling asthma is very important for asthma sufferers. Knowing the triggers that affect your airways and learning to avoid these things is key.Asthma triggers can be any number of things. If you smoke or allow smoking in your home,...more
What is Hyaluronic Acid?Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan, or HA) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronan occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with...more
What is creatine?Creatine is an amino acid (amino acids are the building blocks of protein) which is made in the body by the liver and kidneys, and is derived from the diet through meat and animal products. Creatine (creatine monohydrate) is a...more
Maca root grows in the mountains of Peru at high altitudes of 7,000 to 11,000 feet, making it the highest altitude growing plant in the world. Maca is a radish-like root vegetable that is related to the potato family, and is tuberous and spherical in...more
The B group of vitamins may be one of the most commonly misunderstood of the vitamins, simply because these are several distinct vitamins lumped together. The fact that the vitamins in this group are known by both letter and number becomes confusing...more