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Lugo Nutrition Inc., Quality Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional Supplements – Why Quality is Important

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Nutritional Supplements

Why Quality Matters

There has been quite a rise in nutritional supplement use throughout the last several years, making it increasingly important to ensure the high-quality of these supplements. There are so many different supplements out there now that it can be difficult to determine the inferior alternatives from those of a higher quality. With the media shedding light on so many nutritional supplement horror stories, it can be difficult for people to trust the industry as a whole. Though in many cases these doubts are warranted, they should be redirected to fuel the search for high-quality rather than being used to abandon the entire supplement industry. There are definitely some key ways of filtering through supplements with unacceptable quality to find the ones that can benefit your health; you just have to know where to look. Is quality really that important, especially if it is going to cause me to spend a little more money? A likely question you might have when considering the different options of nutritional supplements that are accessible to you. Quality is vital for such supplements because you have to determine if what you are putting in your body is going to be beneficial or harmful. There are several rules of thumb that can help you determine the good from the bad.

One of the most important ways of determining quality is looking for products that are GMP certified. GMP, or good manufacturing practices, is the highest standard for supplement quality so if you come across a non-GMP certified supplement you should keep walking. Most manufacturers are actually not formally certified due to how expensive getting the certification is. Coming across a GMP certified nutritional supplement would insure high quality because of the high expense the manufacturer has paid to demonstrate their reputability.

Good Manufacturing Practice Certified Logo

Research is essential for choosing high quality products. Doing your homework will definitely result in finding the best nutritional supplements out there. Reaching out to the company is never a bad idea because you would be receiving information directly from the source. Their contact information should be clear and the individuals that you reach through this contact should provide you with answers to any of your questions about their product. The less distinguished companies will have less apparent contact information and will likely provide minimal responses if they have been contacted. Investigating these products will help you make a better educated purchase.

Nutritional Supplement Label

Cost is often a big issue for buyers because they may not see the importance of spending the extra cash on these supplements. Usually the more expensive the nutritional supplements the higher-quality they are. This is because low priced suppliers don’t spend the money to incorporate the more expensive ingredients, to get the certification and to do the research to create a safe product. This could put the consumer at risk of buying unsafe and ineffective products from such suppliers. So, wouldn’t you be better off spending extra than wasting your money on products that won’t work and could potentially harm you?

Label checking is another way that you can examine a product for quality. Starting with the expiration date, you can determine the freshness of a supplement just as you would when checking for freshness of your food. It is best to avoid the products you come across that do not seem to have an expiration date.

Quality ingredients are crucial for a quality product so examining the label for any red flags is always a good idea before you buy. The ingredients that make up a product are extremely important because you only want to be putting high quality ingredients into your body. Many people may not see the point in paying extra money for these supplements when there are cheaper options, but these cheap alternatives are typically made with inexpensive and substandard ingredients. An important factor that you can determine about the ingredients is whether or not they are all-natural. The highest quality products would not have any artificial preservatives or dyes so this is definitely important to look for. Some specifics to seek out on the label are be sucralose, aspartame, or acesulfame-potassium (ace-K). These are artificial sweeteners that are frequently found in nutritional supplements. It is best to avoid any products with these ingredients in their labels.

Here are some tips and tricks that can help you become a better supplement examiner and more informed in your buying process.

Collagen

Should you find yourself browsing for a collagen supplement, or any other supplement that may contain collagen, it is important to know what to look for. Determining whether or not the product is grass-fed and pastured is the first step. It is always better to opt for the pastured choice because knowing how the animals are being fed, how they are treated, and where they live are all valuable points to consider. Insisting on the animals being grass-fed will help you sort through your options.

Lugo Nutrition Inc., Collagen

Along with this, there is much debate about choosing bovine collagen over marine collagen and vice versa. Bovine collagen is cheaper because of its easier accessibility, though marine collagen, or fish collagen, is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently than the bovine option. Marine collagen also has a greater bioavailability (the extent that a nutrient is able to be used by the body) than bovine collagen and because of this many people prefer this option. Its efficiency makes it a great source for your skin particularly. It is also refined to eliminate the fishy odor, while still holding onto its nutritional characterization.

Folic Acid vs. Natural Folate

Though these two ingredients sound similar, finding one over the other in a nutritional supplement actually makes a big difference. Both potential ingredients are metabolized differently, which then leads to different effects on the consumer. Folic Acid is an artificial nutrient as opposed to natural folate, which as the name suggests, is a natural one. The liver, though often ineffective at doing so, is where the metabolization of folic acid needs to take place. Great amounts of unmetabolized folic acid can end up in the blood because of the liver’s ineffectiveness at metabolizing folic acid. Taking in greater quantities of folic acid is often associated with a greater risk of getting cancer, so this form of nutrient could potentially put you at risk for a great deal of harm. The supplementation of folic acid is also known to conceivably hide insufficient amounts of the vitamin B12.

Natural folate however, is metabolized into tetrahydrofolate in the intestines, where the metabolization is more successful. This form of folate is listed as 5-methyletrahydrofolate on the label of a supplement. This nutrient has more successful metabolization and does not bear the risks linked with consumption of folic acid supplements.

Spinach is a Natural Folate

Opting for the natural form of folate is costlier, but will ultimately result in a healthier supplement decision on your part. The bargain priced nutritional supplements will definitely not contain this natural nutrient, and even some top-of-the-line supplements will not necessarily use this form, so finding a supplement that does suggests a high-quality product that you can trust.

Cyanocobalamin vs. Methylcobalamin

Mushrooms are a good source of B12

These are both different forms of vitamin B12, though cyanocobalamin is not the natural of the two. Similar to the folic acid vs. natural folate issue, these two nutrients differ largely in terms of absorption. Cyanocobalamin, the cheaper and lower-quality of the two, is unsatisfactorily metabolized. Bargain priced manufacturers opt for this nutrient as an alternative to the more expensive, yet also more efficient, form of vitamin B12. 

In contrast, methylcobalamin is better absorbed and saves the body from any avoidable labors that the metabolization of cyanocobalamin might create. Naturally, as stated before, methylcobalamin is significantly more expensive but worth the money if you are seeking actual results with your intake of vitamin B12.

Carageenan

The presence of carrageenan in the ingredient label could also be a red flag. It is used as a thickener by some manufacturers and could potentially lead to inflammation in the digestive system. Research and testing has been done to show that if carrageenan is degraded then inflammation can be caused, and though the form it takes in our food is undegraded, it is possible that it may become degraded during our digestive process. Studies on humans and animals have also been seen to suggest that insulin resistance and glucose intolerance can be caused by the existence of carrageenan in your supplements.

Minerals

Mineral bisglycinates are the best forms of minerals that you can find in your supplements so seeing this on a label would definitely be something to take note of. They are absorbed the best, making them costlier, but again the important thing is that these supplements are helping rather than hurting your body. If you want them to work then you may have to pay a bit more than bargain prices. Also, if you find magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, or other similar forms of minerals then it is best you avoid these products because these are low-quality signifiers. Citrates and citrate-malate are in the middle of the scale.

Mushrooms are a good source of B12

The best way of ensuring that you are buying the highest quality nutritional supplements is making sure you do the research. Familiarizing yourself with the information above can help you become more educated on these supplements and help you decipher the trustworthy products from the untrustworthy products. Seeking out higher-quality products will result in a higher-quality health. The least expensive choice may benefit your bank account but that’s just about all it will benefit. 

When regarding nutritional supplementation, you are better off opting for quality because the inferior choice may hurt you worse than paying the money ever could.

Leaky Gut and Collagen Treatment

Leaky Gut & Collagen Treatment

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Leaky Gut & Collagen Treatment

Boosting Your Immune System

Your gut is actually your body’s biggest immune system organ. If you’re suffering from leaky gut syndrome, you might experience bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivity, and aches and pains. Unfortunately, the “syndrome” isn’t a diagnosis but rather an indicator that there’s something going on that isn’t quite right.

What is Leaky Gut?

Technically, leaky gut—otherwise known as intestinal permeability—is a condition where the small intestine’s lining is damaged, which results in undigested food particles, toxic waste products, and bacteria to “leak” through the intestine’s wall into your blood stream. Your gut’s “junctions” – the parts that control what passes through the lining of the small intestine—don’t work properly when you have a leaky gut. These malfunctioning junctions let substances leak into your bloodstream.

Lugo Nutrition Inc., Leaky Gut Syndrome

When your body senses these foreign substances, your autoimmune system kicks into gear, which can cause chronic inflammation and a whole host of other symptoms. Unfortunately, you may experience inflammatory and allergic reactions including migraines, irritable bowel, eczema, chronic fatigue, food allergies, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Plus, your intestine’s damaged cells can’t (or don’t) produce the enzymes to allow your digestive system to work properly. Without the ability to absorb essential nutrients, you may suffer from hormone imbalances and a weakened immune system.

Causes
  • Diet may cause a leaky gut. The bodies of people with a sensitivity to certain foods like gluten or soy and dairy may treat those foods as “foreign invaders.”
  • Chronic stress
  • Certain medications, like antibiotics, steroids, over-the-counter pain relievers can irritate the lining of your intestines and damage protective mucus layers. Once the irritation begins, it can cause a never-ending inflammation cycle that leads to intestinal permeability.
  • Underlying conditions, like Crohn’s or celiac disease
Symptoms
  • Gastric ulcers
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Esophageal and colorectal cancer
  • Allergies
  • Respiratory infections
  • Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac, or Crohn’s.
  • Acute inflammation conditions including sepsis, SIRS, or multiple organ failure
  • Chronic inflammation conditions, like arthritis
  • Poor immune system
  • Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
  • Cravings for sugar or carbohydrates
  • Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, or bloating
  • Skin rashes or acne, eczema, and rosacea
  • Arthritis or joint pain
  • Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD
Relief

With so many possible causes and the fact that leaky gut’s more a symptom than a disease itself, it’s a challenge for doctors to diagnose, and tricky to heal. But you can start simply by evaluating what you eat. Work with a nutritionist for guidance. Keep a food diary. Consider eliminating foods to see if that changes your body and how you feel. For example, eliminate gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. It may take a few weeks, but if you start to feel better, and any of the symptoms listed above disappear, you may have solved your problem!

There are other foods that you can and should introduce into your diet, too, which will help to repair a leaky gut. For example, add in healthy fats like fish, coconut and olive oils, avocados, and flax. Restore healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract with probiotics. Heal your intestinal wall with L-glutamine, an amino acid.

Key Supplements for Leaky Gut

Here’s a little more detailed information on some of the key supplements that help to improve gut health.

Probiotics

Certain strains enhance immune function; other strains promote health or hormone imbalance. This site provides a much more detailed overview on the benefits to probiotics and how to determine which are most effective for you.

  • Research the different brands and companies.
  • Make sure the probiotic has at least 15 billion CFUs.
  • Look for supplements with multiple bacterial strains.
  • Take 2 – 4 caps daily.
Collagen Powder

Ever heard of bone broth? Its main “power” is collagen, the protein that strengthens bones, cartilage, and tendons. When cooked, it becomes gelatinous. If you add collagen to your diet, you can boost your gastric juices. Collagen also contains proline and glycine, two amino acids that are building blocks which contribute to fixing a damaged intestinal lining. Here’s a tasty recipe for bone broth from Epicurious.

Fiber

Probiotics can’t live without fiber. High fiber foods, including sprouted chia, flax, and hemp seeds, are great. Steamed vegetables or fruit work well, too, especially if your gut is very unhappy.

Lugo Nutrition Inc., Leaky Gut Syndrome
Enzymes

Take one or two capsules before and after each meal. Why? Enzymes help break down proteins, complex sugars, and starches. If you know that you suffer from lactose intolerance, choose an enzyme (like lactase) that breaks down lactose in dairy. Other enzymes include:

  • Protease, which breaks down proteins like gluten.
  • Amylase, which breaks down starches.
  • Lipase, which breaks down fats.
L-Glutamin

The intestinal wall’s cells use this essential amino acid as fuel. It helps keep the lining healthy, and—if you’re prone to stress—these levels decrease and leave you more susceptible to leaky gut. This NIH study shows additional benefits on adding L-Glutamine (about 2 – 4 grams 2 or 3 times a day) to your diet.

Quercetin

This plant polyphenol (or plant pigment) is found in many plants and foods like red wine, onions, green tee, berries, and apples. Its claim to fame is that it helps to reduce inflammation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “it acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, and may help protect against heart disease and cancer. Quercetin can also help stabilize the cells that release histamine in the body and thereby have an anti-inflammatory effect.”

Lugo Nutrition Inc., Leaky Gut Syndrome
N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG)

Experts have discovered that NAG’s anti-inflammatory effects make it another popular choice for helping to protect the intestine and stomach’s linings.

DGL Licorice Root

Suffering from emotional stress and feeling those effects in your gut? This root helps your body to maintain the linings of your stomach and duodenum. It also helps your body to absorb and metabolize cortisol, necessary for alleviating adrenal fatigue.

HCL with Pepsin

Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid to break down proteins and start the digestion process before food enters the duodenum and intestines. If you’re taking certain medications, like antibiotics or birth control, your stomach acid may be lower than optimum. People who suffer from GERD or heartburn often supplement with HCL to help get those stomach levels to the right place – and those same supplements also help people with a leaky gut.

This particular supplement is tricky, so consult with a natural health provider to determine the right levels to take. Also, you should only take this supplement with meals that contain protein.

Anti-Fungals

While you wouldn’t want to depend on this solution for long-term treatment and relief, anti-fungal agents, like oil of oregano, caprylic acid, or cellulose balance your gut’s good and bad bacteria, which takes some of the pressure off your intestines, and allows them to heal.

If you suspect you’re suffering from a leaky gut, make an appointment with your health care provider, because it’s possible that a leaky gut results from more serious, underlying medical issues. The key is finding a treatment plan that works for you, leads to improved health and feeling better.

Collagen Supplements

Benefits & Side Effects of Collagen Supplements

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Collagen Supplements

Benefits & Side Effects

Collagen is the most plentiful protein found in the human body. It is the foundation of our bones, teeth, skin, tendons, cartilage, and connective tissues. Collagen is also helpful when repairing damaged cartilage and bones, while maintaining the elasticity, mobility and resistance of joints.

As we age, our bodies become less efficient at producing collagen. By age 40, most humans will have lost between 10% and 20% of their collagen levels. This leads to thinning hair, wrinkled skin, stiff joints, and issues with muscle regeneration.

It is possible to take supplements in order to regain collagen levels and turn back the hands of time. But what are the benefits and side effects of collagen supplement usage?

Benefits

Improved Skin Texture & Firmness

Collagen supplements work within the body to decrease wrinkles and strengthen skin cells. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity as we lose collagen. As skin loosens, wrinkles take form. Collagen isn’t a miracle wrinkle cure, but it can put some of the elasticity back into your skin, and slow the formation of wrinkles. Collagen can also reduce the appearance of cellulite, which is a huge benefit.

Improved Blood Circulation

We’ve said before that Collagen helps to improve the elasticity of skin cells, so it stands to reason that these beneficial properties would extend to other parts of the body. Collagen can improve the flexibility and dilation of blood vessels. Blood flows more freely through flexible vessels, which can aid in lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health.

The Benefits of Collagen for Skin Health
Improved Joint Mobility

Collagen supplements help arthritis patients by improving on joint flexibility. Collagen can help those suffering from reduced mobility reclaim some of their day to day freedoms.

Thickening Hair

These supplements help when fighting back against one of the most embarrassing aspects of the aging process, thinning hair. While Collagen is not a baldness cure, it is very effective at taking the hair you already have and thickening the follicles. This gives you a full head of strong healthy-looking hair.

Recovery from Injuries

The healing of bones and ligaments is one of the key benefits to increased collagen production. Individuals with low collagen levels have a much harder time healing from injury. Without collagen to knit those tissues back together, the process becomes slower and less effective. By supplementing the body’s production of collagen, you can speed up recovery times and rebuild strong, healthy bones and joints.

Side Effects

High Calcium Levels

Collagen supplements are often made from animal sources. Those derived from shell fish or other marine life contain high amounts of calcium. This can cause hypercalcemia in individuals. While calcium is good for us, the old adage “too much of a good thing” rings especially true here. When calcium levels soar, some common symptoms include bone pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abnormal heart rhythms.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Because collagen supplements are created from animal sources, allergies are always a concern. Individuals with a hypersensitivity to shellfish and eggs might experience a severe reaction.

Bad Taste in the Mouth

When supplements are created from marine sources, they can have an unpleasant taste or odor. This tends to leave a bad taste in the mouths of users. Usually taking your supplement alongside some kind of fruit juice can help to mask the taste. Acidic juices should be avoided, as they can lower the supplement’s strength.

The Pros Outweigh the Cons

Collagen supplements comes with many benefits and a few side effects. By and large, the benefits far outweigh the potential side effects, which are all rather tame and avoidable. As we age, it’s important to continue to supplement out collagen production in order to live fuller and healthier lives.

Collagen & Gelatin Supplements

Gelatin & Collagen Benefits You Need to Know

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Gelatin & Collagen

The Benefits You Need to Know About

Almost everyone is aware of the health benefits of eating healthy, exercising and even laughter in helping to keep us well.  However we know much about the benefits of gelatin and collagen.

Good health requires numerous factors, such as the right foods, restful sleep and helpful information. Among the information that might be helpful is learning about the benefits of gelatin and collagen.

What are Gelatin & Collagen?

Collagen is a protein found in animal bones. The chief power of collagen comes from its exceptionally high levels of two amino acids: hydroxyproline and proline.

Essentially, gelatin consists of dehydrated beef broth powder made from the bones, cartilage, and collagen of animals. It is a clear, tasteless, delicate, firm material that is found in collagen. Although they come from the same sources, they have differences and one should not use them interchangeably.

Since collagen, which consists of bones and tissue, is too tough to eat by itself, it is usually cooked down to make it digestible. This process of cooking down collagen and making gelatin powder is hydrolysis.  Therefore, Gelatin is basically cooked Collagen.

All vertebrates have collagen

The differences depend on how they are processed. This is what gives each its own unique texture, taste and health benefits. Gelatin receives a rank according to its strength using a system called the Bloom test. A high Bloom number means a better gelling ability and, typically, a higher price.

Collagen Gelatin Sources

Gelatin does not exist inherently in nature so we must make it. Commercially, the primary sources of it are cowhides, bones, and fish and pig skins. Uses for gelatin exist in photography, makeup production and medicines. Most often, people use it as a thickening agent in many foods. This includes yogurt, marshmallows, dips, candies and, of course, desserts. In addition, companies use it to reduce the naturally cloudy appearance of wines and fruit juices.

Because of its use in sweet desserts and candy, gelatin has recently developed a poor reputation.  People automatically tend to associate anything with sugar to obesity, artificial ingredients and bad diets. People also think it has no nutritional value, but this is wrong. In addition, other than dessert products, most people don’t know about other ways to use it. For instance, pet companies often use gelatin in the production of both wet and dry foods for pets. You can also find it used in art and restoration processes for paintings and books. By the same token, society has also frowned upon beef lately. Excess red meat and fat has links to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

What do Gelatin & Collagen Do for
Your Body & Health?

1 Gelatin and collagen are excellent source of amino acids. As such, adding it to your diet will help to improve your mood, increase bone strength and enhance the look of your skin. You also need it for muscle production.

2 Your teeth, nails and hair require it. Since many of us eat a diet rich in highly processed foods, we may be missing the minerals that make resilient teeth, hair and nails. This includes things like calcium, phosphorous and magnesium.

3 Muscles need gelatin and collagen. It is very helpful for athletes in training because it aids in muscle restoration and recovery. This also makes it ideal for those who are ill and on bed rest.

4 Collagen is easy to digest, so it quickly gives us the tools we need for bone health. Experts recommend getting approximately 2-3 tablespoons of gelatin in meals each day.

5 Joint, cartilage and tissue health is supported by gelatin.  You can find a substance called chondroitin in gelatin, which is helpful for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other debilitating joint conditions.

6 Gelatin and collagen help you maintain a more balanced diet. As people try to eat less fat and leaner proteins, they are missing out on key healthy fats. Adding gelatin will help to lower inflammation and make small portions of meat feel very filling because gelatin works to break down the protein more thoroughly.

7 They help your skin. Gelatin is responsible for more than 25 percent of the proteins in the human body, which is critical for skin suppleness and cell renewal. It is essential for the condition of the connective tissues in your skin. This makes you less likely to develop stretch marks and cellulite. Additionally, it helps with wound repair because it contains both glycine and arginine, two vital amino acids.

8 Gelatin and collagen are rich sources of glycine. This is an amino acid that is important for liver detoxification, which is essential for helping your body get rid of all the chemicals you come in contact with every day. Bone broth and gelatin can also revitalize other adrenal organs like the kidneys and bladder. Glycine also aids in digestion and helping your body to use the protein and nutrients you consume. It also heightens your fat burning ability and metabolism, which can help you lose weight. Another benefit of glycine is that it helps to regulate insulin, avoid hypoglycemia and eliminate excess estrogen.

9 You will age more gracefully. Research shows that our skin begins to lose collagen when we are in our 20s and 30s. This has a significant effect on the aging process. Gelatin contains proline, which is an amino acid that will help you maintain a youthful appearance. It also boosts the production of collagen, which makes skin less susceptible to wrinkles.

Brain function and mental health are improved. Recent studies have linked gelatin and glycine with enhanced memory and attention. It also has an effect on certain mental disorders, like schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What are the Best Sources for
Gelatin & Collagen? 

One can actually make your own gelatin by making homemade bone broth. You can accomplish this more easily with a crock pot or slow cooker. However, the bones and tissue must simmer for at least 20 hours. With today’s busy lifestyles, most people just don’t have the time. That’s what makes quality supplements so important.

Bone Broth for Collagen & Gelatin

While beef and animal products are the best source for gelatin and collagen, there are risks. For example, it’s difficult to learn where your beef is actually coming from. Some farmers and manufacturers use dangerous pesticides and hormones. There could even be substantial contamination from metals.

It’s better to get meat from animals that are grass fed and producers that use the proper pasteurization processes. However, tracing meat back to its source is problematic and even when you do find meat with all the correct components, it is typically very expensive.

All the more so, the gelatin in your local supermarket may be inexpensive and readily accessible, but it could still come from unhealthy sources. Cows can contract bad bacteria from eating grains and then often receive treatment with antibiotics to combat unhealthy living conditions. This creates animals that carry food generated illnesses like e coli, which is no good for human health.

Using supplements or powdered gelatin is a great way to add the healing benefits of this vital nutrient to your diet without the risks and side effects. Look for pasture-raised products. Also, make sure the products you choose dissolve easily in water so you can readily add it to soups, smoothies and stews.

Benefits & Side Effects of Collagen Supplements

Beta Carotene Benefits You Need to Know

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Beta Carotene

The Benefits You Need to Know About

Not all food is good for you. All supplements are not created equal. With that in mind, it’s vital to learn why beta carotene is good for you.

Much of our lives seem to center around food. Holiday gatherings, family conversations and fun with friends typically have good food, laughter, sharing and plenty of the things that make you feel good. You can add beta carotene to that list of things that are good and good for you.

What’s So Good About Beta Carotene?

They say you are what you eat. While health and diet fads continue to come and go, one compound that has stood the test of time for its health benefits is beta carotene. This is the natural pigment that gives yellow and orange fruits and vegetables their bright colors. Some of the foods rich in beta carotene include squash, carrots, apricots, and sweet potatoes.

It is a carotenoid, which means it acts as an antioxidant and helps to boost your immune system and fight off disease. It works by reducing oxygen damage to cells brought on by free radicals, UV light, smoke and other toxins. There are more than 500 carotenoids, approximately 50 of which we consume in our diets every day. Beta carotene is the most well-known, active and abundant.

Numerous health benefits have been associated with beta carotene consumption. You need vitamin A for healthy skin, reproductive organs and mucus membranes.  Also according to Science Daily and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), beta carotene has been linked to the slowing of cognitive decline.

In the right amounts, beta carotene is responsible for healthy eyes, a reduction of wrinkles and other signs of aging and giving your skin a healthy glow. As little as one carrot a day can have a significant effect on your health. You can absorb it best when combined with fats. For example, it’s a good idea to cook your vegetables in butter or add oil to your salad.

Beta Carotene as a Food Colorant

As a natural color enhancer for food, people often use beta carotene to make foods look more appealing. This includes margarine, cereals, and energy drinks.

The Benefits of Beta Carotene

Beta carotene supplements are ideal for those with a vitamin A deficiency. This type of shortage can occur in people who take certain medications, someone who is ill and unable to consume the recommended allowance of vitamin A rich foods and anyone with disorders of the liver. For example, those who suffer from celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic diarrhea or cirrhosis of the liver are especially susceptible to this condition.

A change to eyesight is one of the telltale signs of a vitamin A deficiency. Children with this ailment often experience slow growth or frequent infections. Although there is no recommended daily allowance set for vitamin A or beta carotene, health experts suggest between 20 and 180 milligrams each day.

Sources of Beta Carotene

The best food sources include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and apricots. However, with today’s busy lifestyles, it can be difficult to prepare and consume enough of these foods to get the maximum benefit. Only about 10 percent of the beta carotene you consume converts into vitamin A (retinol). That’s where supplements come in handy.

It’s also extremely advantageous to vegetarians and vegans, since the best sources for vitamin A include eggs, beef liver, cod liver oil, and butter. Consequently, those who don’t eat meat or dairy products must consume this key nutrient from plant-based sources. However, since you would have to eat about 10 times as many vegetables to equal the amount of vitamin A you get from meat products, beta carotene increases are the way to go.

Vitamin A deficiency can occur if medications or other factors affect the absorption of beta carotene in the liver. It typically happens during times of dietary changes or something that interrupts how much your body absorbs, stores, or converts. This can lead to a weakened immune system, hair loss, night blindness and frequent rashes. It is also the leading cause of blindness in children in developing countries.

Fresh salmon steak

Some signs of deficiency include scaly skin, throat infections and sore eyelids. It can also have a detrimental effect on pregnant women and the development of their unborn fetus. You can usually avoid these conditions by increasing your intake of beta carotene.

Risks with Taking Beta Carotene Supplements

The body cannot produce beta carotene.  It must be derived from food and supplements. Since your body converts only what it needs and flushes out the rest, there are few side effects associated with it. High levels could result in a yellowing of the skin, but this is temporary and goes away once your intake amount is normal again.

Those who should not take beta carotene supplements include smokers, people who use alcohol excessively and anyone on certain medications. For smokers, taking beta carotene supplements can increase your risk of developing heart disease and cancer. Extreme alcohol use combined with beta carotene could lead to liver damage. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, acid-reducing medications and some antibiotics may negatively interact with beta carotene supplements.

Additionally, breast-feeding or pregnant women should take care with any supplement intake. It’s essential to periodically review your vitamin intake and general state of health to address any deficiencies and ensure you’re not missing anything. Overall, if unsure, always consult with your physician.

What you need to Know About Taking Beta Carotene Supplements
  • Alcohol consumption can interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients. For best results, avoid alcohol within four hours of taking supplements.
  • When feeling stressed or frazzled, check that you are getting enough antioxidants, fiber, and minerals.  Stress can effect how your body absorbs them.
  • As we age, our bodies become less proficient at using nutrients and supplements to maximum effectiveness. Make sure you adjust your supplements and intake accordingly.
  • Be very careful about food-drug interactions. This can sometimes affect your nutritional status and the helpfulness of supplements.
  • Beta carotene supplements can have some of the same pharmaceutical interactions as prescription drugs, just in a lower dosage or naturally occurring method. Read labeling carefully to avoid complications.

 

The Benefits of Lycopene Rich Foods

Lycopene Benefits You Need to Know

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Lycopene

The Benefits You Need to Know About

For lunch or dinner, you plan a delicious salad filled with cherry tomatoes, carrots and maybe even some chunks of watermelon. Perhaps you choose a different route and go for some pasta with tomato sauce or a burger slathered in ketchup. No matter which option you select, you will be getting plenty of lycopene, an important nutrient with lots of health-inducing qualities.

We all know the benefits and rules for eating healthy (even if we don’t always follow them) but exactly what we should be eating for maximum effect can be confusing and it seems to change all the time. One nutrient with benefits that is easy to fit into your diet, is lycopene. When you learn about the numerous rewards from this key antioxidant, you will be eager to consume even more of it into your meals and your life.

What is Lycopene, Exactly?

Lycopene (C40 H56) and its benefits were first discovered in 1959 by Ernst. You can find it in tomatoes and tomato products like paste and juice, watermelon, papaya, apricots, goji, guava, carrots and pink grapefruit.

Lycopene is the naturally-occurring chemical that gives a red color to many fruits and vegetables. It is one of the pigments that make up a group called carotenoids. There are more than 600 of these fat-soluble plant compounds.

Lugo Nutrition Inc. - Lycopene

As a carotenoid, it contains organic pigments that are easily converted to vitamin A. It is also a phytonutrient, meaning it’s an organic nutrient found in plants, so it also presents anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are compounds which help counteract the negative effects of free radicals and prevent damage to DNA.

After consumption, lycopene is released into your lymphatic system and then travels throughout your body, such as your liver, colon and adrenal glands. It has a unique molecular design which is responsible for its red color and easy absorption.

Your body does not naturally produce lycopene so you have to get it from foods and supplements. Many consider it a more effective antioxidant than any other nutrient, like beta-carotene.

How Does Lycopene Improve Your Health?

The main benefit of lycopene is that it helps protect your body from cell damage. Research shows this may make it especially helpful in cancer prevention. It helps to enhance the strength and thickness of cell membranes. The cell membrane is what protects the cells from toxins and other junk, but lets the good stuff pass through. It also aids in communication and connectivity between cells. Tough, hearty cells are the key to disease prevention.

Lycopene for Brain Energy

How Much Lycopene Do You Need?

Health experts recommend getting 10 servings of tomato products each week.  Which will give you approximately 6-15 milligrams of lycopene every day. Most of us get about 80 percent of our intake from tomato products like pasta or pizza sauces. Just one cup of sauce provides more than 20 milligrams of lycopene.

Tomato extract has become a popular supplement for lycopene consumption. You can also get it from fresh, uncooked tomatoes and certain fruits.  However this provides only a small amount due to the indigestible fiber on the skin of these foods which prevent easy absorption. How much you should take or consume depends on several factors, such as your age and overall health.

You should always follow dosing directions on any supplements.  Too much lycopene could result in skin pigmentation, allergies and immune system imbalances, but this is rare and only happens when you greatly exceed the recommended daily allowance over an extended period of time. There has been no research suggesting any serious side effects from lycopene supplements or a diet rich in the nutrient. So enjoy these foods and reap the health benefits.

Beta Carotene in Energy Drinks

Beta Carotene & Energy Drinks

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Beta Carotene

Why is it in Energy Drinks?

In our constant effort to get more done in less time, many of us turn to energy drinks to stay alert longer and increase productivity. But do you really know what’s in these little cans of awesomeness? You may have noticed that many of them contain beta carotene but you’ve never wondered why.

You have to ask the right questions if you want the most helpful answers. For example, if you want to know how effective energy drinks really are, you might need to ask why they include beta carotene in the list of ingredients.

Why Energy Drinks?

Looking at the ingredients of most energy drinks can be overwhelming. Some are items you can’t even recognize or pronounce, like glucuronolactone. One that may be familiar is beta carotene.

Since it is an antioxidant, it helps to keep you healthy. Antioxidants help your body recover from activity and exercise. Preventing illness and cell damage will allow you to maintain top form and give you energy. Although there are no hard and fast rules regarding recommended dosage, many health experts suggest getting 6-20 milligrams of beta carotene daily for maximum effectiveness.

Vitamin A and beta carotene are stored in the liver. The body only uses beta carotene when needed. A healthy liver can make you feel less sluggish and more energized.

Another reason it may be used in energy drinks is because it’s a natural pigment. As a natural compound, energy drink manufacturers can include it to enhance the color appeal of their product while still keeping the drink healthy and organic. With beta carotene, you get the color boosting properties in addition to the numerous advantages of vitamin A, making it a win-win.

It can also help to boost your immune system. This means that your body can do a better job of fending off illness and colds. And what could be more energy-inducing than that?

What is Beta Carotene, Exactly?

It is one of nature’s most vital compounds. It also belongs of a group of phytochemicals called carotenoids which one usually finds in plants. The main claim to fame lies in its ability to convert into vitamin A. This makes it a precursor of vitamin A. You can get more than 50 percent of the vitamin A you need from beta carotene and other carotenoids.

Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin and eyes, to boost your immune system and to protect your cells from harmful free radicals. While beta carotene itself is not a key nutrient, vitamin A is. After you eat it, beta carotene converts to retinol, a highly usable form of vitamin A.

Additionally, since vitamin A can be toxic at high levels, beta carotene is beneficial because your body can store it in your liver and use it only as necessary. An overdose of vitamin A is not common and is typically the result of taking too many supplements.

If you consistently consume slightly more than the recommended amount, beta carotene is not seriously harmful.  Although you could experience an orange tint in your skin color. However, overdosing on vitamin A overtime can cause it to build up in your body. Which may lead to liver damage. It can also cause vomiting, muscle weakness, or lead to osteoporosis. While too much beta carotene can be harmful for people who smoke.

Beta carotene is responsible for giving a bright orange or yellow color to many fruits and vegetables. This includes oranges, carrots, grapefruit, apricots, peppers, sweet potatoes and squash. For this reason, we also use it as a natural food coloring for products like margarine, which would otherwise be white.

Carotenoids to color cheese

Like all carotenoids, beta carotene is an antioxidant. This means that it protects your cells from damage by oxidation. Free radicals and other toxins can damage cells, causing a variety of cancers and chronic illnesses.

History & Research

Its name comes from Greek (beta) and Latin (carota or carrot). First isolated in 1831 by H. Wachenroder, the chemical formula, C40 H56 was established in 1907. The chemical company Roche began producing it commercially in 1954.  And after many years of careful study, its usefulness as an antioxidant and in preventing cancer was determined in the 1908s. Since then, research has verified its effectiveness in avoiding or treating a number of diseases, including arthritis and cystic fibrosis.

Some research suggests that beta carotene could decelerate mental deterioration and help older adults increase lung strength. Experts have also found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with beta carotene have a lower risk of developing certain cancers and heart disease. Studies show that it has an effect on the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

It has also been studied to discover the benefits for those with exercise-induced asthma, cataracts, and epilepsy, in addition to heartburn, infertility, arthritis and skin disorders like psoriasis.

Little Known Facts

  • Flamingoes have their characteristic red-orange glow due to a diet high in beta carotene.
  • Some prescription drugs, such as those for weight loss and cholesterol, can lower the amount or absorption effectiveness of beta carotene.
  • It can help you see better in the dark, since vitamin A prevents a degenerative eye disease called xerophthalmia, which causes night blindness.
  • You should consume supplements with meals containing at least three grams of fat to help with absorption, since beta carotene is fat-soluble.
  • The deeper the orange color of a carrot, the more beta carotene you will get from it.
  • It is the most active of all carotenoids.
  • You get more beta carotene from carrot juice than you do from eating an actual carrot.
  • Although there are over 50 different types of carotenoids, beta carotene is used in supplements more than any other and is considered to be the most important.