All Naturewise Evening Primrose Oil

All Naturewise

Evening Primrose

Oil

Overview:

Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern hemisphere as well. It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet. Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose. The oil is usually put into capsules for use.

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits

Relieve the discomforts of PMS, menopause, menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts:

By interfering with the production of inflammatory prostaglandins released during menstruation, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help to lessen menstrual cramps. It may also minimize premenstrual breast tenderness, irritable bowel flare-ups, and carbohydrate cravings, and help to control endometriosis-associated inflammation. Many PMS sufferers are found to have unusually low levels of GLA in their systems, which is why supplements might help so much. In women with fibrocystic breasts, the oil's essential fatty acids can minimize breast inflammation and promote the absorption of iodine, a mineral that can be present in abnormally low levels in women with this condition. In menopause, it is widely reported that Evening Primrose oil reduces hot flushes and increases feelings of well being.

Ease the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis:

Supplementation with evening primrose oil and other sources of GLA has been shown to lessen the joint pain and swelling of this crippling disease. A six-month study reported fewer signs of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking capsules containing GLA than in those taking a placebo. In another trial, the number of tender joints and swollen joints dropped significantly with GLA but not with a placebo.

Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage:

Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.

Reduce the symptoms of eczema:

In some cases, eczema develops when the body has problems converting dietary fats into GLA. Getting supplemental GLA from evening primrose oil may therefore be helpful. Some studies indicate that this oil can outperform a placebo in relieving eczema-related inflammation, as well as the itching, oozing, and flaking associated with this condition. By taking GLA, eczema sufferers may tolerate reduced doses of steroid creams and drugs, many of which cause unpleasant side effects.

Help treat acne and rosacea:

By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is over secreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.

Combat damage from multiple sclerosis:

The abundant supply of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may be valuable in minimizing the inflammation associated with this progressive nerve disorder. The fatty acids may also contribute to healthy nerve development when taken over time.

Treat Alzheimer's-related memory deficiencies:

By boosting the transmission of nerve impulses, evening primrose oil may be valuable in treating this progressive brain disorder.

Counter impotence and female infertility:

By promoting blood flow, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help treat a primary cause of male impotence; compromised circulation leading to impaired penile blood flow. The oil is often taken with vitamin C and ginkgo biloba for this purpose. In addition, when the oil is taken long term, GLA can help prevent blood vessel narrowing, often a consequence of plaque buildup from high cholesterol. By improving uterine function, GLA may also help those who are unable to conceive.

Nourish nails, scalp, and hair:

The rich stores of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil not only prevent nails from cracking but also help to keep them generally healthy. In addition, the essential fatty acids nourish the scalp, making the supplement potentially valuable in treating a variety of hair problems.

Prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms:

GLA prompts the brain to produce a specific type of prostaglandin called prostaglandin E, which works to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as depression and seizures by indirectly protecting the liver and nervous system.

All Naturewise Folic Acid

All Naturewise

Folic Acid

Overview

Folic Acid, also known as vitamin B9, is one of the families of eight water-soluble B-complex vitamins. Like all the B vitamins, it plays a role in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins into glucose that the body burns for energy. Specifically, folic acid is essential in the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, and deficiencies of folic acid have been implicated in chronic depression and other mental disorders, as well as in birth defects that affect the neural tube.

Because the grains and vegetables that are the best source of folic acid tend to be in short supply in the diet, it is the most common B vitamin deficiency encountered in the United States. In 1996, the USDA approved the enrichment of cereal and grain products with folic acid, and most doctors prescribe folic acid supplements for pregnant women as preventive against neural tube defects like spina bifida.

What Folic Acid Does?

Folic acid helps the body to make RNA and DNA, the body’s genetic material that contains all the code for new cells. Because of this role, deficiencies of folic acid can have far-reaching effects, and is especially important during pregnancy, infancy and adolescence when the body is growing rapidly. Folic acid also is used in creating red blood cells and regulating the use of iron by the body. It also works closely with vitamins B6 and B12 to help control levels of the amino acid, homocysteine. Researchers suspect that elevated levels of homocysteine may be implicated in a number of illnesses and conditions, including come cancers, heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Symptoms of Folic Acid Deficiency:

Folic acid deficiency can cause poor growth, tongue inflammation, gingivitis, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, diarrhea, irritability, forgetfulness, and mental sluggishness. Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women has been proven to cause neural tube birth defects in the newborn.

Health Benefits of Folic Acid:

 Folic Acid prevents birth defects

 Low levels of folic acid in the mother have been definitively connected to neural tube defects in the infant. Since the USDA approved the enrichment of grain and cereal products with folic acid, the incidence of neural tube defects in the United States has dropped by 19%. Health experts state that a pregnant woman can reduce her chances of having a child with spina bifida, cleft palate or other neural tube birth defect by 72-100% by taking a multivitamin with folic acid throughout her pregnancy.

Recent research suggests that supplementing with folic acid during pregnancy may also help prevent miscarriage and Downs Syndrome.

    Folic acid helps protect the heart

 The American Heart Association recommends B complex supplements with folic acid for people at risk of heart disease. Folic acid, along with vitamin B6, B12 and betaine, can lower the levels of homocysteine in the blood, thereby contributing to lowering cholesterol and the incidence of plaque in the arteries.

 Folic acid may help combat Alzheimer’s disease and other age related mental disorders

Folic acid and other B vitamins are essential for good neural health. Again, high levels of homocysteine and lowered levels of folic acid have been found in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Because of this, combined with the known role of folic acid in building neural tissue and cells, many doctors recommend supplementing the diet with folic acid or a multivitamin containing folic acid to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

  Folic Acid helps alleviate depression

    Doctors often recommend supplements with vitamins B6, B12 and B9 (folic acid) for treatment of chronic depression. The three vitamins work in concert to lower levels of homocysteine acid in the blood and relieve the symptoms of depression.

    Folic acid seems to protect against certain cancers

 While scientists aren’t certain exactly how, it appears that folic acid protects against cancer of the colon, breast, esophagus and stomach.

    Folic acid may reduce tumor growth and risk of colon cancer in people with IBD

 Preliminary research suggests that supplements of folic acid may reduce the risk of tumor growth in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Folic acid may increase sperm count in infertile men

    A study of 48 infertile men showed low levels of folic acid in their semen. There’s a suggestion that increasing the level of folic acid may have an effect on infertility.

Summary

Folic acid is an essential nutrient. Its presence in adequate amounts is vital to growth and reproduction of cells, particularly neural cells. Because the normal diet doesn’t contain many good sources of folic acid, doctors often recommend supplementing an otherwise healthy diet with a good multivitamin health supplement that includes folic acid and other B complex vitamins.

All Naturewise Salmon Oil

 

What Is Salmon Oil?

In the world of health, omega-3 fatty acids have become an increasing trend. More and more research shows that diets high in foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can decrease your risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, enhance immune functioning, and possibly decrease mental illness. One of the best sources of this type of fatty acid is salmon oil.

Origin

Salmon oil is the result of salmon preying on smaller fish that have a diet high in microalgae, organisms known for producing omega-3 fatty acids naturally. As salmon consume greater quantities of these smaller fish, omega-3 fatty acids store in their tissue as salmon oil.

Benefits of Salmon Oil

Salmon oil has many health benefits. Salmon, along with other fatty fish, contains an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. The medical community has documented the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and researchers are learning more about them all the time. Many people do not enjoy the taste of salmon and other types of fish, so salmon oil is a way to obtain the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids without eating fish. Our bodies are not equipped to manufacture omega-3 fatty acids on their own, so we must get it through the foods we eat and supplements.

Improved Heart Health

Salmon oil reduces inflammation that can lead to heart disease. Not only does salmon oil reduce the risk of heart disease, if someone has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in his body and suffer a heart attack, the risk of dying in the immediate aftermath of the attack (within one hour) is dramatically reduced.

Boost Your Brain

Salmon oil affects the brain in a variety of ways. It may slow the decline of cognitive function that is a common result of the aging process as well as the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce some symptoms of depression.

Ease Joint Pain

People who take supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids find that it reduces joint pain and arthritis symptoms. Salmon oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which is why it works so well to ease symptoms of joint pain. Omega-3 fatty acids can also ease the intense morning stiffness that is common in many cases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Aids in Weight Loss

Dieters who supplemented their programs with omega-3 fatty acid found that they lost more weight than dieters eating the same number of calories but without the supplementation. Omega-3 fatty acids are less likely to be stored as fat as unhealthy fats because the body utilizes them for important functions.