FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog » Vitamins/Supplements

How to Get Rid of Zits – For Good!

FitBuff Blogger — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:07:59 +0000

How to get rid of zits is a very old predicament that usually has an effect on teenagers but also a huge number of adults. Whether we’re past puberty or still in our teens, acne does become a big hassle. It swallows up our buoyancy, makes us feel unsightly and hideous, and at its worse, makes us reluctant to face the world and continually feel uneasy about others' opinions and what they think or say about us.

What actually nags us though is that we may be doing whatever is needed for skin care and living a healthy life, yet zits disturb us anyway. However, some studies illustrate that there is one thing that we may have disregarded is zits repair with apt nourishment.

Zits come about when androgen amplify and overproduce keratin and sebum, ensuing blocked pores and skin diseases. A scarcity in Vitamin A also gives birth to too much keratin at the same time as a diet affluent in fried foods and saturated fat can go ahead to blocked pores. Nutritionists suggest vitamin A, zinc and vitamin C to battle virus, vitamin E to repair the wounds and avert scarring and vitamin B3 (niacin) to wash out unnecessary toxins from the skin.

An increasing number of people go through the inception of zits everyday. Years ago, the majority of people thought zits are only experienced by teenagers, which of course is not accurate. Here are a few tips on how to liberate yourself from zits and to assist you to keep zits at bay.

Make an effort to maintain a healthy way of life by having smaller amounts oily food and a reduced amount of chocolate.
Make certain you consume each of the vitamins and mineral required by your body. Try consuming multivitamins.
Drink plenty of water. Water helps you purify your body within.
Reduce the consumption of processed food and take additional natural food, for example vegetables and fruits.
A diet that is full on fiber can maintain the clean color and can decrease toxicity.
Surplus iodine (fish and table salt) can make zits shoddier. The equivalent can be said for eating excessive dairy products such as eggs, cheese, milk and the like.

These are a few of the tips that may be of assistance in your expedition to get free of zits. It appears more or less without a solution at times to get rid of zits but rest guaranteed a diet that is highly nutritious can provide enduring solutions towards a clear face and helps get rid of this infuriating predicament.

What are your best tips on how to get rid of zits?

Top 10 Fish Oil Benefits

FitBuff Blogger — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:29:07 +0000

Day by day scientists are coming up with new and interesting studies related to the benefits of many natural products. It seems like everyone is once again, reverting back to the idea of using natural herbs, oils and other organic products to heal many of the diseases being faced by humans today. Chemicals have greatly disrupted the internal workings of the human body. Fish oil has been a major area of recent scientific research and results have shown an overwhelming amount of fish oil benefits. Doctors all around are recommending the use of fish oil on a regular basis. So what is it that basically makes fish oil such a beneficial anecdote?

The magic element that makes fish oil such a treat to the body is Omega 3. Omega 3 is basically a fatty acid that is central to the healthy growth of cells. Just like cells are the basic building blocks of all matter, similarly, Omega 3 forms the basic building block of all cells. Since the human body is practically made up of billions of cells, it is important that these cells are adequately nourished. That job can now easily be fulfilled by Omega 3, or simply: Fish oil.

Top 10 Fish Oil Benefits

1. Mental health booster:

DHA and EPA are two components of Omega-3 that are very important for the proper growth of the brain. By increasing the brain power of the individual, a chain reaction takes place, in which the levels of creativity and concentration as well as those of retention are greatly enhanced.

2. Promotion of young and clear skin:

It releases collagen and elastin that gives the skin that youthful look. Everyone can look vibrant and young by taking fish oil as a regular supplement.

3. Drop in mental diseases:

Mental disorders can occur in the quantity of EPA and DHA is lacking. Rather than being a patient of Alzheimer’s and depression, fight the chemical imbalance by a regular dosage of fish oil.

4. Minimizes risk of breast cancer:

Omega 3 prevents the healthy cells growing into cancerous cells and it also kills existing cancerous cells.

5. Great for the heart:

The components of Omega 3 aid in fighting off the adverse effects of high level of cholesterol.

6. Prevents pregnancy disorders:

Proper fetus development and growth is associated with the benefits of fish oil.

7. Enhances the immune system:

Serotonin induces happiness with a pleasant over all personality.

8. Relieves stress and advocates calmness:

Omega 3 can greatly reduce stress by controlling the stress creating hormones.

9. Reduces provocative pain:

Inflammatory pain from arthritis can be toned down as Omega 3 takes care of the body’s inflammatory response.

10. Lower Incidence of Childhood Disorders:

Studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dysphasia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

And you thought fish was only tasty to eat? Well, think again!!! The wonders of nature.

What other fish oil benefits have you seen or noticed?

How to use Creatine for maximum effect

FitBuff Blogger — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:41:27 +0000

Get your dream body: It’s in human nature to always be in a rush to get things done; a rush to get slim or a rush to put on some muscle. In the fitness industry, there are different ways to approach this. Artificial pills are discouraged by medical and fitness experts alike. So how can you naturally put on some muscle mass without compromising on your health? Thankfully, it’s in our reach: Say hello to Creatine. It is a supplement which is believed to help athletes boost their performance, and helps just about anyone to build muscle mass, if you really know how to use creatine. Creatine should ideally be used as an addition to your regular workouts and exercise – to help reach your fitness goals more effectively and quickly.

Understand your supplements well: Creatine is essentially an amino acid compound which is made by the body and is used to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells – it is also found naturally in red meat and fish in very small amounts. The Creatine formed in our body is first directed to the brain and heart and then to the rest of the body. Creatine supplements were introduced for athletes back in 1993, and since then have been a medically approved supplement for sportsmen. And why shouldn’t it be — it’s all natural and practically safe for the body. Not only that, it also helps decrease the reliance on drugs by naturally inducing the adrenaline thrill and strength to the body.

Apart from this, Creatine also helps you achieve the perfect amount of muscle on your body – thus becoming a great choice for body builders. Who doesn’t want their dream of having an 8 pac to materialize as soon as possible?

However, like all things, adopting a certain routine and procedure can help maximize the effects of the Creatine supplements. Here’s how:

Be inquisitive – this is your body we’re talking about: The best tip would perhaps be to read the instructions given on the packaging very carefully, for there are different types of Creatine being manufactured. Pure Creatine is the best to use.
How to use Creatine for the best results: There is a lot of confusion about how to use Creatine, what amounts are best to use, and when to stop its use.

Our body reacts to Creatine in a positive way, but hits a plateau after several weeks of usage. To avoid that, it’s good to follow some best practices that can help you keep benefiting from the supplement. The best way to use dietary supplements is to understand their effect on your body:

Loading Phase: The most important phase in the Creatine cycle, this is where you get your body accustomed to the intake of this amino acid. For the first week, the best suggestion is to have a daily intake of 20 grams, phased out in 3-4 times during the day.
Maintenance phase: Once your body is accustomed to the intake of Creatine, it’s time to lower the consumption. Switch your phased intake to 10 grams a day.
Resting Phase: Give your body a rest from Creatine to maximize the outcome. From the fifth to the eighth week, use no Creatine.

The Resting phase assures that the used-to behavior your body has towards Creatine is barred, so that during reuse the effects are maximized. By following the prescribed method, you can protect yourself from all side effects and enjoy the healthy and safe use of Creatine.

What is your favorite or preferred method of how to use creatine?

Probiotic Foods – What Are They and Why Should You Eat Them?

FitBuff Brandon — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:00:33 +0000

Probiotic foods contain healthy microbes and good bacteria that help maintain the ongoing balance of good versus evil micro-organisms in your intestines.

If you can stomach (pun intended) words like intestines and accept that there are, in fact, good and healthy bacteria (much like healthy fats), then you may want to try adding probiotics (which means "for life") to your diet.

But, where exactly do you find these well-meaning destroyers of free radicals and viral cells? Fortunately, due to increased research and a growing number of studies, several manufacturers are adding probiotics to their products and/or creating probiotic supplements.

Potential Benefits of Probiotics

Lessen lactose intolerance problems
Prevent colon cancer
Lower blood pressure
Improve immune system
Prevent infections
Reduce inflammation
Improve mineral absorption
Counteract negative effects of stress

Probiotic Foods

The most common source of probiotic foods is in your supermarket's yogurt section. Check out the labels on several of the brands next time you're there, and you will notice many advertise the benefits of these healthy bacteria.

Of course, be sure to steer clear of the super-sugary varieties, or you may completely offset the advantages of the probiotics all together. There are also a few types of milk that have been fortified with probiotics.

If you're not a big fan of yogurt, or would rather get all the benefits without the added calories and questionable ingredients, just go for a supplement.

Again, you can find several different brands and dosages at your local vitamin shop or health food store.

As with many health trends, there are stark critics on both sides of the debate. While there have been several studies linking probiotics to all of the benefits listed above, there is also significant evidence that those with pancreatitis should steer clear.

So, if you're pancreatitis-free, just go with your gut (seriously, I'll stop!), give them a try, and decide if probiotic foods or supplements are for you.

Foods High in Magnesium

FitBuff Brandon — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:16:17 +0000

If I were to ask you to list five essential minerals, I'd put money on the fact that you wouldn't mention magnesium. This is because you, just like me and everyone else, seem to only remember this mineral from the periodic table, not from the label on our vitamins.

Iron, Zinc, Calcium — those we remember. But, magnesium, not so much. That being said, it may not be a bad idea for us to give this unpopular mineral the recognition and appreciation it deserves, as its consumption may be linked to our cardiovascular health.

In an 18-year study, French researchers found that men who had the highest levels of magnesium in their blood were 40 percent less likely to die young than those men with the lowest levels. The researchers suspect that this could be due to the fact that low magnesium levels are related to greater inflammation — which is known to cause heart disease and cancer.

The bigger problem is that an estimated 56 percent of the population doesn't consume a sufficient amount of magnesium — probably because they forget about it in the first place.

To make sure that you're not part of that population, be sure to get around 300-400mg of the mineral per day. But, what are some of the best magnesium rich foods, you ask?

Foods High in Magnesium

Beans, black / 1 cup / 120 mg
Broccoli, raw / 1 cup / 22 mg
Halibut / Half fillet / 170 mg
Nuts, peanuts / 1 oz / 64 mg
Okra, frozen / 1 cup / 94 mg
Oysters / 3 oz / 49 mg
Plantain, raw / 1 medium / 66 mg
Rockfish / 1 fillet / 51 mg
Scallop / 6 large / 55 mg
Seeds, pumpkin and squash / 1 oz (142 seeds) / 151 mg
Soy milk / 1 cup / 47 mg
Spinach, cooked / 1 cup / 157 mg
Tofu / One quarter block / 37 mg
Whole grain cereal, ready-to-eat / 1 cup / 24 mg
Whole grain cereal, cooked / 1 cup / 56 mg
Whole wheat bread / 1 slice / 24 mg

As you can see, there are several great foods high in magnesium, so you should have no problem meeting your daily requirements now that you know where to find it.

Aspirin Side Effects: Heart Attack Prevention

FitBuff Brandon — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:00:13 +0000

Which is the most important and well-known of aspirin side effects? Heart attack prevention.

Yes, an aspirin a day can literally save your life by helping to prevent a heart attack. Many people already know this and take one every day as they would a multivitamin.

However, the research had always been inconclusive on how effective this technique really is, and results varied wildly from one study to the next.

The James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research thinks they've found the answer. It's all about sex — well, gender, that is.

"Trials that recruited predominantly men demonstrated the largest risk reduction in non-fatal heart attacks," says Dr Don Sin, one of the study's authors. "The trials that contained predominately women failed to demonstrate a significant risk reduction in these non-fatal events. We found that a lot of the variability in these trials seems to be due to the gender ratios, supporting the theory that women may be less responsive to aspirin than men for heart protection."

They can't explain the large discrepancy just yet, but recent studies have revealed that there are major differences in the blood vessels of male and female hearts.

So, while they figure that out, men are free to continue their aspirin-a-day routine, but women should wait for further results.

Do Your Supplements Have This Label?

FitBuff Brandon — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:00:22 +0000

Supplements are a great way to ensure you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs for optimal performance. Ideally, the majority of these needs will be met through the perfect daily diets, consisting of several servings of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, that we all follow all the time, right?

If, however, you are one of the very few Americans not following a strict non-obesity-causing meal plan at all times, supplements are a great way to supplement your questionable food choices.

But, how do you know which dietary supplements are safe, or which ones actually work? Unfortunately, the internet has created a perfect environment for drug-peddling scum bags to sell fake and/or dangerous supplements to unsuspecting victims.

This is why you should always do your research before buying any pills, powders, or creams. Search for reviews on any product you're interested in and try to stick to large name-brand companies.

Due to the overwhelming number of different supplements being released all the time, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cannot possibly oversee every product, so you're pretty much on your own.

USP Verified Supplements

Fortunately, one organization is trying to help: U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).

The USP rigorously tests and verifies that supplements adhere to the following guidelines:

What's on the label is in fact in the bottleâ€”all the listed ingredients in the declared amount.
The supplement does not contain harmful levels of contaminants.
The supplement will break down and release ingredients in the body
The supplement has been made under good manufacturing practices.

USP is an independent, not-for-profit organization. No other organization in the U.S. that tests supplements is recognized in federal law as the nation's official standard-setting body for medicines and supplements. USP standards are enforceable by the FDA.

The only downside to the USP: It's completely optional, and the supplement manufacturers have to pay to have their product tested. So, it's important to note that just because a supplement doesn't display the USP logo, it could still be completely safe and effective; it just means they chose not to voluntarily submit to the USP's testing process.

Hopefully, as time goes on, more and more companies will begin submitting to the USP, giving you added confidence in the safety of each supplement. Until then, remember to research any product before you buy: search for reviews on Google, ask members of your gym, talk to GNC or other supplement store reps, etc.

If you're going to take any supplements at all, the two you should research first are Fish Oil and Multivitamins. Both provide some of the most tested and proven benefits of any modern-day "wonder drugs."

Steroid Use in Sports…HIGH SCHOOL Sports

FitBuff Brandon — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:19:53 +0000

Steroid use in sports has been under the spotlight more than ever recently. From Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run to Chris Benoit's alleged use of steroids before killing himself and his family, it's clear that the media is trying to vilify steroids, as well they should.

But, is the message getting through to young, impressionable kids? Or, do they see past the side effects, only focusing in on the giant muscles and remarkable achievements of allegedly juiced-up athletes?

It seems to be the latter. I had no idea steroid use was an issue in high school athletes, but two states certainly think so.

Starting this year, Texas and Florida will begin mandatory testing for a percentage of all their student athletes, male and female.

New Jersey started the trend last year and is helping Texas and Florida set up their own programs. New Jersey will be releasing the results of last year's tests of 500 students on September 12.

One can only assume that at least a few of their students tested positive for steroid use, considering they are helping Texas and Florida set up these relatively costly ($3 million) and intrusive programs.

"Even before we get to the subject of testing, we have to lead coaches and others to admit we have a steroid problem with our kids. Despite the evidence, some are in denial," said Hooton, whose son played high school baseball.

Scary, isn't it? Did you have any idea that steroid use in sports extended all the way down to grade school?

Fish Oil Does It Again: ADHD and Eye Disease

FitBuff Brandon — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:40:19 +0000

It's really not even surprising anymore, but chalk up another one for fish oil; the benefits just keep coming.

Just this week, there are two more studies out suggesting that fish oil may help prevent eye disease, as well as improve behavior in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

First, the results of the ADHD study, published in the Nutrition Journal:

The eight-week study demonstrated that children who consumed between 8 and 16 grams per day of EPA and DHA (the long chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) showed significant improvements in their behavior rated by both their parents and the psychiatrist working with them.

And second, the results of the eye disease study, published in the Nature Medicine journal:

…dietary intake of omega-3 DHA and EPA (both found in fish oil supplements) increases the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. This ratio is significant because increased omega-6 consumption is linked with an increased risk of retinopathy, a sight-threatening disease that affects 4 million premature infants and diabetics in the United States.

With study after study revealing a seemingly endless list of health benefits, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't be taking a daily fish oil supplement — especially considering the fact that Americans have the lowest intake of omega-3 of any developed country.

What are you waiting for? Fish oil should be right up there with multivitamins on your list of necessary nutritional supplements.

Do you take a fish oil supplement? If so, do you prefer the liquid or capsule form?

Glutamine Supplements May Be More Hype Than Help

FitBuff Brandon — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:34:24 +0000

When it comes to health and nutrition supplements, manufacturers tend to err on the side of, "it can't hurt," rather than, "this really works." So seems to be the case with Glutamine.

Glutamine does indeed play an important role in helping your body recover from and fuel your workouts, but it's a non-essential amino acid (meaning your body produces its own supply), and there's no consistent evidence that additional supplementation provides any greater benefits.

"Unfortunately, this appears to be another example of commercial marketing trumping scientific evidence that in this case demonstrates how nonessential glutamine supplementation is to athletic performance," says Dr. George C. Phillips of the University of Iowa Children's Hospital

Undoubtedly, this research review will spur even more studies into the effectiveness of glutamine supplements, but in the meantime, stick with basic supplements that have been proven to have numerous health benefits, like Fish Oil and Multivitamins.

Do you currently use glutamine supplements? If so, do you feel like they make a difference?

FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog » Vitamins/Supplements

How to Get Rid of Zits – For Good!

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Top 10 Fish Oil Benefits

Top 10 Fish Oil Benefits

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

How to use Creatine for maximum effect

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Probiotic Foods – What Are They and Why Should You Eat Them?

Potential Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotic Foods

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Foods High in Magnesium

Foods High in Magnesium

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Aspirin Side Effects: Heart Attack Prevention

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Do Your Supplements Have This Label?

USP Verified Supplements

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Steroid Use in Sports…HIGH SCHOOL Sports

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Fish Oil Does It Again: ADHD and Eye Disease

Other Posts You'll Find Useful:

Glutamine Supplements May Be More Hype Than Help

Other Posts You'll Find Useful: