Featured product of the week: Inositol: A Necessary Nutrient...

 

 Inositol is recognized as part of the B-Complex vitamins. It works closely with Choline as one of the primary components of the cell membrane. The human body contains more inositol than any other vitamin except Niacin (1). It is found in large quantities in the spinal cord nerves, the brain, and the cerebral spinal fluid. It is also needed for growth and survival of cells in bone marrow, eye membranes, and the intestines. It also encourages hair growth and can help prevent baldness. Like Choline, Inositol helps to move fat out of the liver, and helps prevent serious liver disorders, as well as disorder involving high cholesterol. Serotonin and acetylcholine, two neurotransmitters, both depend upon Inositol, and it supplementation therefore can assist in the reduction of depression and panic attacks (2). Loss of Inositol from nerve cells is the primary reason for Diabetic neuropathy, so Inositol supplementation can assist in improving this condition. Phytic acid, the plant source of Inositol, has been shown to have anticancer properties, which may be one reason why a high-fiber diet protects against many cancers (3). Inositol also has a prominent calming effect on the central nervous system, so it is sometimes helpful to those with insomnia. Studies on brain waves have shown that it has an effect similar to that of Librium or Valium. It can gradually lower blood pressure, and can be helpful in cases of schizophrenia, hypoglycemia, and those with high serum copper and low serum zinc levels. Because it stimulates muscles of the alimentary canal, Inositol is helpful in cases of constipation. It can also induce labor contractions in pregnant women. Most sources state that Inositol is not essential in the human diet. If it is a fundamental ingredient of cell membranes and is necessary for proper nerve, brain, and muscle function, how can it NOT be essential? Cell function is impaired when inositol is not present. Perhaps it is seen as not necessary in the diet because it can be synthesized by the intestinal flora. The action of the intestinal bacteria liberates inositol from phytic acid, which is found in citrus fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. The same kind of statement is made in reference to the amino acids. The ones which the body manufactures are considered "non-essential" amino acids. But I believe this is incorrect terminology. All the amino acids ARE essential to bodily functions, it's just that some are made by the body, so we don't have to concentrate on how much we eat. That doesn't mean they aren't essential to the body's functioning, and so the same is true of inositol. However, just because the body can manufacture a certain nutrient doesn't mean that it necessarily provides all that is needed in every circumstance. In certain disease states, certain nutrients may be required in greater quantities than the body can produce, which is why it is also found in foods. My belief is, if it's found in food, then we need to consume it, otherwise why would it be there? Daily dosages include: As a general rule, if you have none of the specific problems listed in this article, it is generally thought that the dosage of Inositol should be the same as that of Choline daily. For liver support - 100 to 500 milligrams daily For depression or panic attacks - 12 grams For diabetes, 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams (4) For blood pressure - one gram in the morning and one gram at night (5). Nutritional sources for Inositol: Beef brains and heart, cabbage, citrus fruits, raisins, whole grains, lecithin, and unrefined molasses.

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical supplements are developed by nutritionists and industry specialists who use peer reviewed scientifically researched literature on nutrient metabolism as the basis for designing their products. The nutrients in pharmaceutical grade products are well researched for their metabolic pathways and potential side effects. Guidelines are provided for the usage of all products in both healthy and diseased patients. The nutrient form selection in pharmaceutical grade products is aimed to maximize stability, absorption and metabolism of that particular nutrient or combination of nutrients.

Food allergies and intolerances are highly under recognized and our society and becoming more of a problem every day. The change in our lifestyle habits going to faster and more processed foods has further compounded the problem for our bodies to handle. There are many symptoms associated with intolerances or allergies to foods, if it was as clear as having a rash break out on your body or immediate diarrhea, it would be an easy thing to recognize.

Symptoms of Food Allergies
Nasal stuffiness
Asthma
Migraine headaches
Seasonal allergies
Muscle aches
Joint Aches
Gas/bloating
Irritable bowel syndrome
Fatigue
Insomnia
Weight gain
PMS
Cramping with menstruation
Adrenal stress

The process of developing food intolerances occurs first with our genetic predispositions, and then our exposure to those foods. These are our more direct inherited food allergens. For example, gluten intolerance (not always full-blown celiac disease) is associated with the English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Eastern European Jewish, and Scandinavian backgrounds. The four major food allergens are gluten, soy, dairy, and egg; making up approximately 60% of all food allergens and sensitivities. Other common food allergens are to corn, chocolate, citrus, strawberries, and nuts. It is ironic that we tend to crave the foods that we are allergic to. We bind some of the antibodies that are created in our system with that food that we are allergic to, which in turn makes us temporarily feel better; although, in the long run it causes us to build up more antibodies against that food again. In our modern society we have access to our favorite foods 24 hours a day seven days a week to 365 days each year because of modern freezing, shipping, preservation techniques. Over time, the damage caused by inflammation from these foods, can break down the integrity of the intestinal lining. When the integrity of the lining is broken down, we can no longer fight off Candida (yeast), bacterial parasites, single celled organisms, and even larger parasites. We can also lose the ability to process and absorb our foods well leading to a state of malnutrition, even if we eat well. This broken down intestinal tract can bend predisposes to secondary food allergens.

Secondary food allergens come from foods that we are exposed to the most often when our gut lining is broken down. These foods are more often exposed or bloodstream which will develop an antibody reaction to the antigens on poorly digested proteins. Because our bodies become so busy fighting off foods, we don't fight off infections or seasonal allergies as well. When we are leaking all these proteins into our system, they become toxic to our body. This toxic load has to be dealt with by our detoxification pathways both in the bloodstream and in the liver. When detoxification pathways are overwhelmed we then poison our energy systems, at the cellular level, in our energy producers, the mitochondria. This whole process can lead to one of our most common symptoms in today's society FATIGUE.

Prostate Supreme provides a balanced and comprehensive support for optimal prostate health and function. This formulation promotes a healthy testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) balance, favorable aromatase activity to limit the conversion of testosterone to estradiol (found to cause prostate tissue proliferation and BPH), supports optimal bladder function, and it provides targeted nutritional and antioxidant support to rejuvenate the prostate and maintain health prostate health.

Our modern, stressful lives lower levels of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin depletion leads to food cravings, depression, and other mood disorders. The pharmaceutical industry has responded to the serotonin crisis by creating a wide array of medications which seek to restore serotonin metabolism. A better approach may be to replete serotonin naturally by using its precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP). Naturally restoring serotonin levels may help promote healthy mood levels and may also reduce food cravings.* Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P), the activated form of vitamin B6, is included in this formula to support overall neurotransmitter metabolism

The Life Balance Centre's Chromium Synergy™ offers the best chelated minerals sourced from the world’s leader in chelated mineral science, Albion Advanced Nutrition. The chromium in Chromium Synergy™ is fully chelated to glycine and nicotinate for enhanced absorption. All the nutrients in this formula play different important roles in insulin function. It is in a base of cinnamon powder also known for its ability to assist blood sugar control. Ask for our two page flyer which includes an abstract comparing chromium picolinate to chromium nicotinate, showing enhanced absorption of chromium nicotinate.