Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut oil is well known for its culinary and therapeutic uses, and is good for skin and hair too. Let us take a look at the benefits of coconut oil for skin.

Coconut oil has been used by people in the tropics since time immemorial. The uses of coconut oil include both culinary and therapeutic purposes. This oil is considered one of the first plant oils used by human beings and has been an indispensable part of ayurveda, since the time of the inception of this branch of alternative medicine. According to the ancient texts of ayurveda, which originated in India, coconut oil can be used in the treatment of various medical conditions, like jaundice, scabies, scurvy, sore throat, constipation, toothache, swelling, etc. It is also beneficial in strengthening muscles, improving complexion and for wound healing.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Do you know the action of skin products on the skin. Most of the moisturizers and other skin care products are water-based and once applied, the water is absorbed by the tissues beneath the skin. This water inflates these tissues, filling up the wrinkles. This process makes the skin smoother and wrinkle-free in appearance, which lasts for a very short time. As the water gets absorbed into the blood stream or as it is evaporated, the skin looks dry and the wrinkles reappear. Apart from water, almost all skin products contain some type of highly refined vegetable oil, which is meant for skin repair. But these refined oils do not contain natural antioxidants, which enable the skin to fight wrinkles and aging. Hence, most of the commercial skin care products can give you temporary satisfaction, as far as the results are concerned.

In order to understand the role of coconut oil on the skin, we have to go through the process of wrinkle formation. The skin is made up of connective tissues, which are responsible for its elasticity and smoothness. In young people, these tissues are strong and with age, free-radical attack breaks them down and the skin looses its elasticity as well as its strength. It has been observed that a free radical attack can lead to a chain of such reactions and as a result the skin looses its smoothness and develops wrinkles. This can be countered with the help of antioxidants, which can stop the chain reaction caused by the free radicals. The body must get sufficient antioxidants from the diet and refined vegetable oils do not contain natural antioxidants. It is also claimed that these refined oils may promote the production of free radicals in the body. You can also tackle this problem with the help of skin products with antioxidants. As most of the commercial skin products lack antioxidants, coconut oil is considered to be best for skin care as it is loaded with antioxidants, which can fight free radicals and prevent aging. It can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the connective tissues.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin

By fighting the free radical attacks on the skin, coconut oil can give you smooth and supple skin, free of wrinkles and blemishes. Hence, coconut oil as a skin moisturizer is very popular and widely accepted. It aids the skin in getting rid of the dead cells and give you a smooth and glossy look. This oil can protect you from the blemishes caused as a result of aging and sunlight exposure. Apart from enhancing the appearance of the skin, coconut oil is also useful in curing acne, wounds, rashes, burns and skin inflammation. It is also believed that it can improve the complexion, apart from protecting the skin from getting dry and flaky. Coconut oil is considered as one of the best massage oils. Unlike mineral oils, which can sometimes cause side effects, coconut oil is found to be completely safe for use in massages. Even though, there are three to four types of coconut oil available in the market, virgin coconut oil is the best for skin. You can even make coconut oil at home, especially virgin coconut oil.

Owing to the benefits of coconut oil for skin care, many of the skin care products, like soaps, lotions, creams, etc. have this oil as one of the main ingredients. It is also used in the treatment of some skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis. Apart from skin care, coconut oil is used for hair care too. You too can adopt the practice of using coconut oil, for achieving a young and healthy skin.

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High Blood Pressure Herbal Treatment - 5 Secrets that could Normalize Hypertension Naturally

One of the fastest growing treatments for hypertension is high blood pressure herbal treatments. Here are 5 secrets that could lower your score by 20 points in weeks.

One of the fastest growing treatments for hypertension is high blood pressure herbal treatments. The recent jump in this natural treatment is possibly from the rise of high blood pressure cases or because people are fed up with the side effects associated with the costly prescriptions.

Whatever the reason, you might want to write down these 5 secrets that could save you and your loved ones from the silent killer disease and the thousands of dollars you will pay over the next few years.

Why High Blood Pressure Medications are NOT the Answer

Recent figures from the American Heart Association (AHA), stated that about 65 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. Which means that one and three adults suffer from the disease. More unfortunately, only about 63 percent of those with high blood pressure are aware they have it.

And those who are aware are usually medicated with synthetic drugs to normalize their pressure. And most of these people will be advised to stay on these harmful prescriptions for the rest of their side-effect ridden lives.

However, just recently a government agency has decided to lower the threshold for normalized blood pressure. With the new figures, millions of people who thought they were normalized are now ‘pre-hypertension’. And how can they do this?

High blood pressure is called the ’silent killer’ because it literally has no warning signs or symptoms. Unfortunately, the first sign of the disease is a heart attack. Therefore, instead of treating the numbers; you should consider naturally lowering your blood pressure naturally with simple alternative remedies.

Here are some researched and proven solutions for an alternative treatment.

5 Alternative Treatments for Hypertension

1. Selenium - Selenium, zinc and copper are helpful nutrients. Studies have shown the people with heart disease are often deficient of these nutrients. You can either supplement (a good multi-vitamin) or find these nutrients in your diet. Selenium comes from meat, dark greens, wheat, walnuts and Brazil nuts. Zinc is found in meat, dairy, and beans. Copper is found in seafood, nuts, legumes, and leafy dark greens.

2. Beta Glucan - Beta Glucan is beneficial for lowering cholesterol, which can lower blood pressure if you have high cholesterol. It is found in oat bran and maitake mushrooms. It is particularly helpful for moving waste materials out of the body. We suggest 200 milligrams of oat bran, or about one teaspoon, daily to lower cholesterol and normalize pressure.

3. L-Argine - L-Argine has been in the news recently because a study found that taking 2 grams of L-argine daily reduced systolic pressure 20 points after taking the supplement for just 2 days. It is an amino acid that helps the body produce nitric acid which lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.

4. Fish Oil - Fish oil which is known as Omega 3 fatty acid is very helpful for sufferers. Fish oil protects the heart and lowers blood pressure. You might also want to try flaxseed oil if you are a vegetarian. A recent study has shown that consuming just a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily lowered both blood pressure numbers by 9 points.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar has been popularized by many elderly who swear upon it. The reason why apple cider vinegar is effective for lowering your score is because it is high in so many vitamins and nutrients that are helpful for lowering high blood pressure. It includes vitamins C, A, E, B1, B2, and B6, in addition to potassium, magnesium, and copper. We recommend mixing 2 tablespoons with a glass of water. Add some honey for better taste.

And this is just a tip of our pyramid of research!

Choosing Natural Health Can Save Your Life

These 5 secrets are very rarely recommended by the medical industry because it is so reliant upon synthetic medications. However, many of our customers have weaned themselves off the prescriptions and the agonizing side effects.

If you would like to discover the simplest and most effective way to cure high blood pressure naturally, We have spent 11,000 hours researching how Natural Health remedies can work for everyone. Finally, we also provide a step by step, 100% guaranteed remedy that has helped thousands of our customers.

Natural! Researched! Guaranteed! With 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton and Barton Publishing offer the only 100% guaranteed Hypertension Remedy Report. Get yours in minutes!

Normalize Hypertension
Normalize Hypertension

By Joe Barton Published: 6/27/2008

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ADHD and Supplements

The role of diet in ADHD is controversial, and a number of theories such as an association with high sugar intake, have now been disproved. Evidence for the support of Omega 3 fatty acids, and adequate iron intake is now growing - we review the situation.

It is startling to know that 3 to 7 percent of children in the US suffer from ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This means it affects over 2 million children in America, that is, one in every class of 25 would have ADHD. This condition is usually diagnosed in the pre-school and early school years. Children with these symptoms are unusually fidgety and restless. They could even have problems paying attention in school, waiting in lines or taking turns. Some children could be very aggressive. ADHD is usually diagnosed more in boys that girls, but that could be because girls tend to be quieter and less aggressive than boys. In girls it could manifest itself as talkativeness rather than aggression.

The U.S. Surgeon General has defined ADHD as a metabolic form of encephalopathy. The disease weakens the release and homeostasis of neurological chemicals, reducing the function of the limbic system. Other relevant research however points out that some part of the brain could be involved. These are the frontal lobes, their connections to the basal ganglia, the central aspects of the cerebellum and the middle or medial aspect of the frontal lobe.

Four types of ADHD types have been recognized. These are the Predominantly Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined Type of ADHD (hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive) and ADHD Not Otherwise Specified. As a person gets older, the symptoms of ADHD could reduce, but many children diagnosed with ADHD retain this disorder into adulthood too. It is then known as Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder or AADD. In adults, it manifests itself in the need to be physically busy all time, excessive talking, interrupting others, risk taking, speaking out without regard to the consequences and even daydreaming.

The research into the causes of ADHD has thrown up a number of issues. Primarily it seems that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in ADHD. Significantly, research has shown that many critical food deficiencies could cause the problem. These could be as varied as deficiency of essential Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin C, iron and even zinc. This suggests a role for suppmentation in the treatment of ADHD

Omega 3 deficiency may lead to behavioral problems that are linked with ADHD. Some ADHD children show other symptoms connected with Omega 3 deficiency, such as dry skin and hair, thirst and even frequent urination. Trials in supplementing Omega 3 in children with ADHD revealed some surprising results. Over a period of time, fish oil supplements were given to a group of children and a placebo to another set. The children with fish oil supplements showed remarkable improvements in attentiveness and other attributes. Academic results were much better with better scores in reading, spelling, mathematics and other skills. No such improvements were seen in children given the placebo. Thus Omega 3 rich supplements such as fish oil could be a solution to help children with ADHD. Some researchers feel babies who are breast-fed have a lower chance of developing ADHD later because it is rich in Omega 3.

Children with ADHD usually suffer from food allergies. They could be losing vital vitamins, iron and even zinc because of their allergy to dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts and artificial colors and preservatives. It has been seen that ADHD children lose zinc when exposed to a food dye. In a study that eliminated these allergens in the diet of some children, the majority of the children showed lower levels of hyperactivity. Once these were added back to diet, the problems associated with ADHD once again returned.

Research has also shown that iron levels are low in children suffering from ADHD. The children serum ferritin levels were measured to determine their iron status. It was seen that one-third of the ADHD children had a very low range of iron levels. It was noticed that the lower the iron levels, the higher were the severity of the ADHD symptoms. The researchers concluded that low iron stores might explain some ADHD cases. Iron supplements could be given but proper testing is required before doing so, because excess iron stored in the body can cause several other problems.

Supplements of zinc and zinc sulpahate have proved successful in the treatment of ADHD in small trials - more results are awaited. In the mean time, a good idea would be to remove additives from the diet along with all foods that the child could be allergic to. This could improve the absorption of natural zinc present in foods.

Vitamin C could also be supplemented in the treatment of ADHD, because sometimes it is not easily absorbed from natural foods. However, once again it might be good idea to remove additives and allergy-causing foods from the diet. This would result in better Vitamin C absorption.

Most ADHD children are on some prescribed drug or the other. Should drug interactions with dietary supplements be a concern? New research indicates that more often than not, mixing doesn produce side effects that are serious enough to warrant concern.

Most research indicates that a balanced diet rich in omega 3, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, free from toxins, would be beneficial in the treatment of ADHD in children. What goes in seems to be so important to the proper functioning of the body and mind.

Author Bio:
Mitamins team
bd@mitamins.net
Mitamins’ aim is to custom-made the best natural remedies to complement the treatment of your concerns. Our unique process allows you to combine multiple formulas into a single formula, in a single bottle, and avoid overdose and interactions. http://www.mitamins.com

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Home Remedies That Work For Stretch Marks

Would you like to know some home remedies for getting rid of stretch marks? Then keep reading to find out in this article right here.

There is no way to avoid stretch marks but luckily there are several quick and effective home remedies that can help you get rid of those stretch marks. Let’s take a look at a few of them now.

Aloe and Olive Oil

First, mix:
1/2 Cup Virgin Olive Oil
2/3 Cup Ale Vera Gel
12 drained Vitamin E capsules
6 drained Vitamin A capsules

Once you have those mixed, put the mixture into the refrigerator and start applying it to the stretch marks twice a day. Just apply it to the area and rub until all of it is absorbed.

Vitamin K

Just apply Vitamin K cream onto your stretch marks and also eat foods that have high amounts of Vitamin K like dairy products, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and liver.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is great for stretch marks. If the marks are red or pinkish purple then they are fairly new stretch marks. If the stretch marks have a more white appearance then they are older. Vitamin E works better on newer stretch marks but it will still work on the older marks it just takes a bit longer. How do you do this? Just poke the capsule and apply the Vitamin E onto the stretch marks. You want to use the pure human grade Vitamin E capsules to achieve the maximum benefits.

Take a shower before applying the Vitamin E and let it soak in. It will take a while so whatever you do, don’t wipe it off. If you aren’t able to expose the area comfortably and it feels a bit sticky, just wrap gauze or put a band-aid on the area, depending on the size so it doesn’t stick to your clothing.

Lavender & Chamomile

Start with an ounce of carrier oil; try sweet almond, jojoba, or avocado. Now add 12 drops of lavender and 10 drops of chamomile. Apply this mixture onto the affected area two times a day.

Apricot Scrub

Amazingly enough you can actually rub those stretch marks with apricot scrub and it will begin fading them with time.

Shea Butter & Cocoa

Ingredients:
1 bottle of Cocoa Butter Lotion
1 bottle of Vitamin E Lotion
1 bottle of Shea Butter Lotion
1 bottle of Daily Moisturizer
25 Fish Oil Soft Gel Caps
25 Vitamin E Soft Gel Caps

Now taking a large glass bowl, mix the Shea Butter lotion, Vitamin E lotion, and Cocoa butter all together. When that is finished, take the daily moisturizer and combine it to the mixture. Poke the Vitamin E soft gel caps and add this oil to the mix as well. Now do the same thing with the fish oil soft gel caps.

Now combine all the ingredients with a large spoon until it is blended completely. You can use either a pointed spoon or a funnel to refill all of the bottles with the mixture. Just apply this to your skin every morning and night after a nice hot bath or shower. After only a couple of weeks you will start seeing great results.

Hand Lotion & Ground Coffee

Mix ground coffee beans with your own regular hand lotion. Now rub this combination directly on the affected areas and let it set for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes you can use a warm moist towel to wipe off the mixture. Do this two or three times a day. It works great and within just a couple weeks you will being seeing a change.

And there you go.

You now are aware of several natural home remedies that help your stretch marks. Now you can try one or all of them and see your stretch marks fade away.

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A Little Known Secret To Weight Loss

Do you know about the relationship between omega 3 and weight loss? Keep reading to find out more.

You have probably realized every time you turn around there is a new weight loss fad or product available that everyone seems to be eager to try so they can lose some excess weight. Actually, a majority of these new products do not give any results leaving many hyped up for no reason. But what if you actually knew the real weight loss secret? Well my friend, you are about to find out just that.

Fatty acids known as Omega 3. You are correct, fatty acids in fish for another time is being discovered to be a way to shed off the pounds but also to increase your memory and learning abilities.

The great results were seen with people who are obese, it showed a significant improvement of helping burn the excess fat off. The Omega 3 fatty acids that can be found in fish oil are the what is responsible for the ability to burn the fat. So how does it work? Omega 3 helps your blood flow to the muscles while you are exercising.

The most important thing to remember is that they need to be combined with exercise in order to achieve the best results. A research study conducted showed that participants who exercised while taking fish oil, on average lost 4.5 pounds over a three month period. However, they did not change their eating habits. This means they didn’t have to count their calories and remove any carbs or fats from their diet. The exercise conducted during this study was moderate consisting of walking for 45 minutes three times in a week.

Another group took sunflower oil instead of Omega 3’s and did the same exercise as the other group. They however did not lose any weight. There were two more groups that excluded the exercise, one took the Omega 3’s and the other took sunflower oil. Guess what? Neither of those groups lost weight either.

So just what are you supposed to learn from this? You should know that Omega 3 fatty acids seem to be very beneficial in weight loss but only when used in junction with moderate exercise. You could also increase your weight loss total by watching your diet.

If you follow a few guidelines when it comes to your diet, like one with few or no refined sugar, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fat, you will see an increase in weight loss compared to a diet without the guidelines.

So no matter if you are obese or just want to take a couple pounds off you might consider using Omega 3 supplements to help. If you aren’t fond of taking supplements you can simply start eating more fresh fish. Just be sure you know what you are buying as some fish contains lots of toxins.

Nobody can lose weight overnight. Always make sure you stay level headed and use a safe approach when it comes to weight loss. This ensures you to lose the weight but at a healthy rate and keeps you looking great and healthy after the weight loss!

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Benefits of Fish Oil Supplement - Fish Oil Health Benefits

Fish oil, extracted from certain fish species, contain omega-3 fatty acids that help in maintaining good health. Some of the health benefits of fish oil supplements are reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, losing weight, managing stress and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

Fish oil, as the name designates, is oil extracted from the tissues of certain species of fish. Commercially, fish oil is available in the form of nutritional supplements. Many people opt for fish oil supplements as a source for obtaining omega-3 fatty acids. Although there are several oily fishes that accumulate omega-3 fatty acids, not all of them are used for deriving fish oil. The major reason for this is that predatory fishes which are in the top position of the food chain, also contain higher levels of toxic substances due to bioaccumulation. The health benefits of fish oil and fish oil supplements are discussed below.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil

Scientific research has proven that fish oil contains important omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), both of which are necessary for combating inflammation of the body tissues. In simple terms, fish oil helps in maintaining the health and well-being of an individual. Some of the health benefits of omega-3 fish oil and fish oil supplements are as follows:

Reduces Inflammation: The omega-3 fatty acid contained in fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the chronic pain symptoms caused due to inflammatory responses. Many physicians recommend fish oil supplements to manage the symptoms of severe inflammatory diseases, like, ulcerative colitis and gastrointestinal inflammation problems.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: In majority of the cases, people with rheumatoid arthritis have low level of omega-3 fatty acids, which indirectly results in hypersensitivity of the immune responses. Administration of fish oil supplements in proper doses helps in combating the painful inflammations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Pregnancy Supplement: Pregnant women who consume fish oil supplements usually have normal delivery. On the contrary those who consume diets with low fish oil content are at a higher risk of premature delivery. Studies also reveal that DHA present in fish oil promotes the eye and brain development of the fetus.

Lowering High Blood Pressure: Fish oil is often recommended for lowering high blood pressure to normal levels. Clinical trials conducted on people with hypertension have showed that supplementing the diet with 2 - 3 grams of fish oil lowers both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is also effective for lowering the triglyceride levels of the body.

Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: According to the American Heart Association (AHA), omega-3 fatty acids are effective in combating the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. It lowers the amount of bad cholesterol and at the same time promotes good cholesterol. Hence, fish oil is effective for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Losing Weight: Fish oil indirectly helps in losing weight by promoting the efficacy of physical activities. Hence, adding fish oil in the diet plan along with regular exercise (at least 30 minutes per day) promotes weight loss.

Managing Stress and Depression: Omega-3 fatty acids help in managing stress, anxiety, depression and other mental conditions. In fact, individuals with low level of omega-3 fatty acids are prone to stress and depression. Supplementing the diet with fish oil supplements may help in effective management of mental health related problems.

A major issue of concern regarding fish oil supplements is the presence of toxic contaminants. Hence for the safety of public health, stringent rules are implemented regarding the fish type used for extracting oil and the constituents of fish oil supplements. There are regulatory bodies which review and test the products before releasing them in the market. On a safer note, it is always better to purchase fish oil supplements from a reliable brand. One should also seek advise from a qualified physician regarding the safety, dosage and side effects before opting for fish oil supplements.

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Weight Loss: Does Omega 3 Help You To Lose Weight?

Want to know how omega 3 fatty acids help you to lose fat? Then find out here in this article.

If you knew of a study which showed that fish oil could not only caused mice to lose weight, but also prevent mice from gaining weight even though they were given free access to food, you would be interested in learning more?

There is a study which does exactly that. It was performed by researchers at Charles University, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague, and Pronova BioPharma of Norway. The study indicated that a 60% Omega-3 concentrate promoted weight loss in mice on a cellular level, by "switching on" genes that break down fat in the cells’ mitochondriae.

Even more impressive, however, the Omega-3 concentrate reduced the mice’ total number of fat cells, with the greatest reduction coming in their abdominal areas. When the mice were put on a diet their calorie intake by 10%, the effects of the Omega-3 were even more dramatic!

But, you are probably asking, will Omega-3 help you lose weight? You’re not a mouse!

The good news is that the same omega-three concentrate was also given to a group of 20 women categorized as obese, with body mass indexes higher than 40. These women were already on very restricted calorie diets. Within three weeks group of women who are receiving the omega-three concentrate lost 20% more weight than the group who were not. They also reduced their body mass index is by, in some cases, as much as 15%.

The Pronova researchers believe that, in addition to overeating and lack of exercise, weight gain can be caused by the body’s sending messages to its genes, triggering them to start storing fat. As the body creates more fat cells, it also begins converting carbohydrates into fat. Pronova believes that the Omega-3 fatty acid, when combined with a sensible weight control plan, reprogram the genes to bring the carbohydrate instead of storing it. But there is even more.

Clinical research done in Australia indicate that taking fish oil supplements rich in Omega-3 fatty acids will increase blood flow to the muscles during exercise, helping overweight people lose weight more rapidly. Even more significantly, the people involved in this trial did not change their diets in any way.

Four groups were involved in the study; one of them took a small amount of fish oil each day; another took a small amount of sunflower oil; and each group did a 45 minute walk or run three times each week. Two other groups were given either the fish oil or the sunflower oil, but did not exercise. The only one of the four groups to experience weight loss was the one which both took the fish oil and did the exercise.

While the reasons linking consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids to weight loss are not yet fully understood, the other health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids have been known for while. Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in brain development, and can improve memory and learning skills. The Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, has also done research showing that Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of stroke in elderly people. A study in Thailand show that school children receiving Omega-3 recovered more quickly from common sicknesses.

Even if you are not convinced that Omega-3 can help you lose weight, you certainly have nothing to lose by adding it to your diet, and you have plenty of health benefits to gain. So why not start adding three servings of cold water fish to your diet each week, or take a minimum of 400 mg of Omega-3 as a supplement every day?

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Fish Oils - Can You Give Birth To Smart Babies Safely?

Fish oils have received a lot of publicity with regards their benefits to adults, but few pregnant women are aware of how important they are for the health of their growing babies. Learn more about the risks and benefits to children here.

There has been considerable confusion in the minds of many pregnant women, or those trying to conceive, around the subject of eating omega 3 rich fish or supplementing with fish oils. One the one hand, these essential fatty acids are crucial to the development of unborn children. On the other, there is the real risk of mercury contamination. Underlying this controversy, is the sad fact that as many as 85% of expecting mothers are deficient in these important fats. This article will discuss some of the benefits and dangers of fish oils, as well as looking at what scientists recommend in light of it all.

The fish oils under review are rich in the omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that the body cannot make itself. They must be derived from food, fortified food, or supplements. Generally, it is oily fish like mackerel, sardines, herring and salmon that are the source of these. Yet, in a survey conducted by Women’s Health Research, based in Washington, only 41% of mothers and expecting mothers were aware of the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids during and after pregnancy. With such statistics, it is not hard to see why so many women are deficient in essential fatty acids during pregnancy. In fact, it is believed that only 2% of pregnant women were getting the right amounts of EPA and DHA - either through diet or supplements. EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA is docosahexaaenoic acid. Both are the active constituents of fish oil, contributing to the structure and function of a healthy brain and nervous system.

Without these healthy fats, a baby’s brain and nervous system will not grow optimally. DHA is recognized as being so important that it is now added to some infant formulas, as babies need a lot in the first 2 years of life. DHA contributes to the actual structure of the growing brain, and constitutes about 8% of its’ weight! EPA, on the other hand, is particularly important for the functioning of the brain and nervous system. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough EPA and DHA in her own diet, she can lose as much as 3% of her own brain mass in the last 3 months of pregnancy, as the EPA and DHA stored in her own brain is transferred to her baby. Is this why pregnant women complain of feeling forgetful so much!

An interesting study carried out at the University Of Western Australia provides some clues of the role of fish oils in a child’s fetal development. 83 women completed the study, approximately half of whom were given 4 grams of fish oil from 20 weeks until birth, and the remainder given olive oil supplements. The children’s development was measured when they were two and a half years old, and there was found to be an improvement in comprehension, average phrase length, and vocabulary in those whose mothers had taken fish oil when they were pregnant. The researchers reported that overall language skills were the same for each group. They did find that when babies had higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their cord blood, there was an improvement in hand and eye coordination. Levels of vegetable oils had no impact on hand-eye coordination.

Whilst it can be seen that fish oils are highly beneficial for pregnant women, the potential problem women face is contamination of the oil with mercury, PCB’s and dioxins. Mercury contamination can increase the risk of premature births, although the actual incidence of mercury contamination and premature birth associated with fish consumption is very low. One study conducted at Harvard and Michigan State Universities, that did find a link, reported only 4% of the women in the study actually gave birth prematurely.

These facts, combined with inconsistencies in studies that reported links between fetal development and mercury exposure, have led scientists to continue recommending pregnant women eat oily fish or take fish oil supplements. The benefits in fetal development, from brain and nervous system development, to coordination and improved vocabulary and comprehension as toddlers, all point to the benefits outweighing the risks. Indeed, one scientist involved in a review of various studies, said he was actually surprised by how little harm was reported. The risks to pregnant women are even further reduced if they source their fish oil supplements carefully.

References:
1. Nutraingredients
2. Bellanline
3. Mind1st

Worried about fish oil contamination? Read why so many women are using wild salmon oil. Rebecca presents supplement and herbal information here.

By Rebecca Prescott Published: 2/8/2007

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Recipes Using O Olive Oil

Recipe4Living users loved O Olive Oil and its fun flavors of Blood Orange and Meyer Lemon. Read their reviews and see what recipes they used!
Quick Facts
O OLIVE OIL is the original maker of specialty organic citrus-crushed olive oils since 1995 and premium barrel-aged wine vinegars since 1997. We are a group of committed foodies making products that taste as good as they look!
Products: Citrus Oils, Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Wine Vinegars, Rice Vinegars

Product Tested: O Olive Oil Blood Orange

Editor’s Review: Maxine Glass

"The great thing about flavored olive oil is that it is so versatile. Although I used it as a salad dressing out of convenience, the oils could easily be paired with a mild fish or even chicken. What I really enjoyed about the blood orange olive oil was the subtle flavor and smooth texture that it added to my crunch salad. Without being overbearing, the O Olive Oil turned a regular salad into something special. I will use this again and again!"

Recipe Used
Simple Green Salad

Ingredients
1 bag mixed lettuce
1 handful dried cranberries
1 handful walnuts, toasted
Crumbed goat cheese
Blood Orange O Olive Oil
Balsamic vinegar

Directions
Combine salad ingredients and toss with oil and vinegar to taste.

Reviewer
Gail Silverstein, Buffalo Grove, IL

Recipe Used
Grilled Vegetables with Blood Orange O Olive Oil
My family, including the kids (13 and 12) loved it. The infused flavor came through on the back notes of the taste. Rare that they ask for a second helping of vegetables - they did this time!

Ingredients
Portobella mushroom, sliced
Onion, cut into large chunks keeping the root in tact
Carrots, sliced in 1/2-inch pieces diagonally
Fingerling potatoes, sliced
Blood Orange O Olive Oil
1/4 C. red wine
Kosher Salt

Directions
Infuse vegetables with olive oil for grilling (portabella, onion, carrots) and grill. Saut sliced fingerling potatoes in the olive oil to pick up the flavor before combining with the mushroom and onion mixture. When combined, add red wine and some kosher salt for seasoning.

Review
"Tasty, delicious, multiple uses."

Reviewer
Suzanne Warner, St. Louis Park, MN

Recipe Used
Spinach Salad
I made my own recipe for a small dinner party!! I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture, a bit busy during the holidays, hope this works. My family and friends loved it, will be making it again soon.

Ingredients
Spinach leaves
Mandarin oranges
Dried cherries
Dried cranberries
Candied pecans or walnuts
Gorgonzola cheese
Blood Orange O Olive Oil

Directions
Toss gently everything except oil, drizzle O Olive Oil over salad, top with more candid nut and cheese.

Review
"I thank you for the opportunity I was given to use the O Olive oil, I will be using it very often making the same salad and trying the other recipes included. Thank you so much."

Product Tested: O Olive Oil Meyer Lemon

Editor’s Review: Hillary Marshak
"As soon as I opened the bottle, I was greeted with one of the freshest scents I have ever smelled. The combination of olive oil and meyer lemons creates such a fantastic aroma that I was sold on this product before tasting it. It really smells that fresh. I wanted to use it in every part of my meal but settled on a makeshift garlic crostini, an appetizer well complemented by this wonderful olive oil.

For the garlic crostini, we spread the olive oil over 1/4-inch thick slices of French baguette. We then crushed tomatoes and mixed it with minced garlic, salt and pepper. We topped each piece of the crostini with the mixture and baked for 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven. The hint of lemon really added to the flavor to make a great appetizer.

Overall, I really enjoyed the quality of this olive oil. Not only was the meyer lemon flavor fantastic, it felt like the kind of olive oil I’d find in a high class Italian restaurant. It’s the type of olive oil I want to mix with parmesan cheese and smother all over everything! Great product - I highly recommend it."

Recipe Used
Garlic Crostini

Garlic Crostini
This fancy garlic bread gets dressed up with oregano, tomatoes and olives for an Italian-inspired appetizer or a great addition to a meal.

Ingredients
1 French baguette
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 plum tomatoes chopped
1/2 C. black olives, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Slices of mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil for garnish

Directions
Slice baguette into 1/4 inch slices. Brush slices with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano. Combine garlic, tomatoes, black olives and salt and pepper together and mix well. Place a slice of cheese on each slice of baguette and top with tomato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Reviewer
Beverly Toler

Recipe Used
Pasta and Fresh Tomatoes
This could be a nice dish with some chicken or fish.

Ingredients
1 - 1/2 lb. fresh ripe tomatoes
1/2 C. (4 oz.) sliced pitted black olives
1 clove (1 tsp.) chopped garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/2 C. O Olive Oil
3 Tbs. sliced fresh basil leaves
3 Tbs. minced parsley or 1 Tbs. dry parsley
1 (8-oz.) package medium sized cooked pasta

Directions
Cut tomatoes into wedges. In medium bowl toss tomatoes, olives, garlic, salt, red pepper, and black pepper. Pour olive oil over mixture and toss gently. Let this stand at room temperature in a covered container for 30 minutes. Just before serving, add basil and parsley mixing well. Serve immediately over cold or warm pasta.

Yields: 4 (1 1/2 C.) servings.

Review
"Let me begin by telling you that the recipe I used was "Pasta and Fresh Tomatoes," this was not my first choice. I originally planned on making the salmon dish, but while I was in the bedroom folding a load of clothes my 3, yes 3, cats decided to eat supper… need I say more. So we, the people of the house got to eat the pasta and tomatoes dish.

As you can see the granddaughters really liked this recipe. At first they didn’t think they would, but once they tasted it they liked it. Even my mother liked it and she isn’t very open to new experiences. She and I both agreed that the olive oil was very light and did not leave ones mouth feeling oily as is the case with a lot of oils. I will admit that I went a little heavy with the garlic, but not so much as to ruin the flavor of the dish itself.

All-in-all I would definitely tell my friends about this olive oil and how well it worked with the recipe, a definite improvement over the other olive oils on the market."

Reviewer
Linda Thomas, Cheney, KS

Recipe Used
Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients
1 lb. eggplant, peeled and sliced into circles
1 lb. ready to use baby carrots
1 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded,and sliced 1/4" thick
1 lb. fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in halves
1 large onion, sliced 1/4" and separated into rings
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into 1/4" rings
1 can chicken broth
Granulated garlic
1/4 C. O Olive Oil Meyer Lemon

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Layer prepared vegetables into a 9"x12" deep pan , which has been sprayed with cooking oil spray, in order listed. Add one can chicken broth. Sprinkle liberally with granulated garlic then drizzle 1/4 cup O Olive Oil with Myer Lemon Flavor. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 15-30 minutes, depending on how well cooked you like your vegetables.

Review
"This is a family favorite recipe that I make frequently with plain olive oil. Using the O Olive Oil with the lemon flavor was such a refreshing addition. It managed to bring out the delicate flavors of the root vegetables as well as a new twist on the red bell peppers and the Brussels sprouts. This recipe makes a large amount so is excellent for large family meals. I was very favorably impressed with the product and look forward to using it in other dishes."

Other Recipes
Marinated Grilled Salmon
Classic Greek Salad
Parmesan Risotto
Artichoke Rosemary Bruschetta
Lemon Chicken
Orange Roasted Salmon
Baked Orange Roughy with Tomatoes and Herbs
Salmon with Orange Glaze

For more on O Olive Oil, visit http://www.ooliveoil.com

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Weight Loss Tip: Add Omega 3 Into Your Diet

Want to know how to easily put omega 3 fatty acids into your diet for faster weight loss? Then read this article right here.

What if there was something that could help you lose weight while lowering your blood fat levels, slowing the buildup of plaque along your arterial walls, and decreasing your blood pressure while lowering your risk of heart attack, heart arrhythmia, and stroke? What if that drug had also been shown to improve memory and learning skills, and to help your body recover more quickly from minor illnesses?

And what if you found out that that drug was not a drug at all, but a completely natural substance found in both cold-water fish and plant or nut oils. This remarkable non-drug is Omega-3 fatty acid, and it has developed a reputation as one of the most valuable food supplements available.

Maybe you have already heard or educated yourself about the health benefits you can get from taking a daily dose of Omega-3. You would be more than happy to include it in your weight loss regimen, your anti-aging regimen, or your heart health regimen. You are just not sure about how to take it, and how much to take.

Nutritional experts recommend that adults consume a minimum of 400 mg of Omega-3 fatty acid each day. How you choose to consume it, however, is up to you, because you certainly will not be short on options. You can take fish oil supplements, but make sure that they are produced from cold water "oily" fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, or herring. Alternatively, you can simply start adding fish to your meals on a regular basis. Eating three or more servings of fatty fish each week will give you the health benefits of Omega-3.

Taking fish oil on a daily basis, however, has been shown in two studies to promote weight loss. These studies indicate that the Omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil will both encourage the body to stop storing carbohydrates as fat, and to increase muscular blood flow, and fat burning, during exercise. If you are primary interest in adding fish oil to your diet is for weight loss purposes, you should be taking it on a daily basis.

If you are someone who simply does not like fish, do not give up. You can still enjoy the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids by including flaxseed, canola, soya, or walnut oil in your meals; all are exceptionally rich sources of Omega-3 fats. Making a salad of green leafy vegetables with a dressing containing one of these oils is one of the simplest ways to boost your Omega-3 intake.

One sometimes overlooked benefit of getting Omega-3 fatty acids from plant or nut oil is that you will remove the risk of heavy metal contamination which can come with significant fish consumption. Plant and nut-based oils have also proven even more effective at improving cardiac health than fish oils.

Whether you decide to take your Omega-3 in a food supplement form, to add fish to your diet, or to start using plant and nut oils in your salad dressing, there are just too many ways for you to enjoy its benefits. So what are you waiting for?

Does the Wu Yi Tea ‘easy weight loss’ tea work to help you lose weight fast? See this review by Kurt Ryan of the top weight loss pills for fast and natural weight loss that works. What are the results that you can get? Find out in this review right here.

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