Vitamins That You Shouldn't Double Dose

Commercialism and plentiful over-the-counter choices encourage vitamin and supplement use to promote health and well-being. However, those readily available vitamins may do more harm than good if taken incorrectly. Reading the label and understanding daily allowances will stop a potential vitamin overdose. Certain vitamins should not be double-dosed, as doing so could cause organ damage. There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body for later release, creating a potential overdose with double dosing. The Harvard Public School of Health recommends obtaining vitamins from a healthy assortment of food choices, as it is difficult to overdose on vitamins in food.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is fat-soluble and should not be double-dosed. Vitamin A is taken to improve vision, skin, immune response and promote normal cell division. The Vitamins and Health Supplement Guide website states that a dose greater than 20,000 IU of vitamin A is toxic to the human body. Fatigue, nausea and vomiting may indicate an overdose of this supplement. Another harmful effect of a double-dose of this vitamin in pregnant women is potential damage to the fetus.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D can be toxic in double doses. This vitamin is produced by the body in response to sunlight, or UV, exposure and promotes the use of calcium for healthy, strong bones. MedlinePlus notes that headache, nausea, weakness, muscle pain and a metallic taste can all signify overdose of this vitamin. Toxic doses of vitamin D taken over a prolonged period can result in irreversible deposits of calcium crystals in the soft tissues; this can be damaging to the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Vitamins C and E Although vitamins C and E are water soluble, meaning extra doses are usually eliminated harmlessly through the urine, double doses are not recommended. The National Institutes of Health claims that too much vitamin E, or dl-alpha-tocopherol, in amounts greater than 1000 mg a day can cause bleeding. Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant used to boost the immune system, can counteract some chemotherapy treatments and cause stomach problems if taken in excess according to MayoClinic.com. 


Multivitamins Beware of double dosing multivitamins, as many contain non-vitamins that are toxic in large doses. Specifically, iron and calcium, minerals that assist with bone density, are harmful if a double-dose of multivitamin is ingested, according to the Vitamins and Nutrition Center website. Double-dosing multivitamins may also provide excessive vitamin intake of A, D, C and E, all which are harmful in surplus. 

The Miracle Grass for Diabetes and Cholesterol

             

By 2030 it is expected that 438 million people will have diabetes worldwide. The most common strain is Type-2 and the disease, according to some, has reached global epidemic status. Many diabetic also experience cholesterol problems and face obesity.

Type-2 diabetes creates a number of problems for those suffering from it. Cholesterol problems create a greater risk for heart attack and heart disease, blood sugar levels are inconsistent and the body’s demand for insulin is not met because of high-resistance. And although increasing insulin through medication has often been the main source of refuge for diabetics, it does little to impact cholesterol problems or make any long-lasting impacts on blood sugar levels.

For a number of years, researchers have been looking at the impacts of barley grass supplementation to limit cholesterol problems and regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Barley grass is a natural remedy that is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while having shown to yield positive effects with regard to cholesterol problems and blood sugar and insulin levels associated with Type-2 diabetes.

Barley grass supplements are created using the young leaves of the barley plant, as opposed to grains that people often associate with the plant. The leaves are then ground up and can be taken in powder or capsule form.

Over the past decade numerous medical studies have shown that barley grass can help lower cholesterol, improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. However, many in the scientific community still believe there is little objective evidence to support these findings. The properties found in barley grass, however, have been seen to improve conditions in diabetics.

A recent study has found that barley grass supplementation significantly decreased fasting blood sugar levels in an experiment group, while no change was found in a control group (levels were checked daily) The research looked at two groups of diabetics: one was given 15 g/per day (for 70 days) of a barley grass supplement; while the other was not. In addition to the drop in blood sugar levels, there was a 5.1% drop in cholesterol (in the experiment group) levels after only 2 months.

Other research has found similar results, and the studies are conducted on the basis that the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in barley grass can offer help. Cholesterol problems and Type-2 diabetes have shown to be slowed by antioxidants and monosaturated fats, of which the barley grass has plenty. In fact, the antioxidants in it have been noted to be “quite potent.”

Antioxidants are able to improve insulin resistance in diabetics and obese people. Research from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, found that obese patients who experimented with a diet high in antioxidants exhibited decreased insulin resistance compared to those who did not.

Although a number of small scale studies have been conducted regarding the use of barley grass to fight diabetes and cholesterol problems over the past decade, it is still not acknowledged as a viable treatment. More research on a larger scale must be conducted, and it must be confirmed by the scientific community at large.

However, based on the samples of existing research and what is already known about antioxidants, monosaturated fats and the vitamins found in barley grass, it appears that a dosage of 15 g per day will not harm users.

How Drinking Coffee Could Improve Your Health

If you rely on coffee to get through the day, or just to get it started, you might be lacking sleep or something in your diet. Nobody, after all, is ever going to mistake coffee for health food.

But like wine, chocolate and popcorn, coffee has joined the ranks of unlikely foods with health benefits. An increasing body of research has found that drinking coffee—even four or more cups per day in some instances—provides health benefits. And a 13-year study of 402,260 AARP members conducted by the National Cancer Institute, which was published May 17 in the "New England Journal of Medicine," concluded that devoted coffee drinkers were associated with a reduced risk of early death by up to 16 percent.

“This is perhaps the most compelling because the study was so large,” says Robert Davis, at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and author of “Coffee is Good for You: From Vitamin C and Organic Foods to Low-Carb and Detox Diets, The Truth About Diet and Nutrition Claims.” He noted that the study was observational, so it doesn’t prove cause and it effect.

Though drinking coffee excessively can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol and foster a dependence on caffeine, here are ten areas where coffee consumption just might be beneficial – if you limit the cream and sugar. 

1. Gallstone Prevention Harvard researchers in 2002 found that women who drank at least four cups of coffee a day were at a 25 percent lower risk of gallstones. An earlier study found similar results for men. 

2. Depression Prevention Women who drank two to three cups of daily coffee were 15 percent less likely to develop depression, and those drinking four cups were 20 percent less likely, according to a 2011 report in the "Archives of Internal Medicine."

3. Memory Improvement Coffee can help with both long- and short-term memory. In a 2005 study presented at the Radiological Society of North America, researchers found that consuming two cups of caffeinated coffee improved short-term memory and reaction times.

Interestingly, a 2007 study found that women -- but not men -- who were 65 or older who drank more than three cups of coffee each day performed better on memory tests and were less likely to show memory decline than those who drank just one cup a day.

Although researchers have known for some time that coffee can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at the University of South Florida in 2011 found that a distinctive interaction between caffeine and coffee might be why. They recommend drinking four to five cups daily, starting in middle age, to increase GCSF, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, which is decreased in Alzheimer’s patients and improves memory in mice. 

4. Less Risk for Diabetes Studies suggest that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, with those putting away four or more cups daily 50 percent less likely. A January 2012 report in the 'Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry" might explain why. It attributes the effect to compounds in coffee that block hIAPP, a polypeptide that can result in abnormal protein fibers, which are found in people with Type 2. 

5. Decreases Cancer Risk Coffee consumption has been associated with decreased risk of breast, endometrial, prostate and liver cancers, and those linked with obesity, estrogen and insulin. A 2008 Swedish study found that drinking at least two to three cups a day reduced the risk or delayed the onset of breast cancer.

A 2011 study in "Breast Cancer Research" found that drinking five or more cups could translate into a 20 percent less chance of developing estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer. And, citing research on coffee’s effect on diabetes, researches also found that drinking more than four cups a day was linked with a 25 percent reduced risk for endometrial cancer.But it’s not just the women who luck out. A recent study out of the Harvard School of Public Health found that both regular and decaf coffee resulted in reduced risk of prostate cancer. 


6. Metabolism Boost Coffee might help you maintain -- or even lose -- weight. A study as far back as 1980 found that the caffeine found in coffee stimulates the metabolism, but that only “normal,” rather than obese, subjects experienced greater oxidation of fat.

A 2006 study confirmed that the metabolism-boosting benefits of coffee were greater -- and lasted longer -- in lean women. More recently, researchers discovered that ground green coffee beans taken as a supplement seemed to promote weight loss -- an average of 17 pounds in obese adults during a 22-week period. Researchers didn’t think it was the caffeine; rather, they credited the chlorogenic acid, which might reduce glucose absorption. 

7. Lower Risk for Parkinson’s Disease The "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2000 found that the caffeine intake associated with coffee translated into a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s. A 2010 study found that drinking two to three cups of coffee daily can mean up to a 25 percent less chance of developing the disease. 

8. Antioxidative Properties Harvard researcher Edward Giovannucci, in research published in "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention," noted that coffee has more antioxidants than most vegetables and fruits. In fact, a 2005 study found that coffee is the No. 1 source for antioxidants in the American diet. That’s a reflection of the volume of coffee consumed in this country, and how much is making it into the bloodstream is unclear. 

9. Performance-Enhancing Benefits Coffee -- and the caffeine in it -- has been shown in multiple studies to increase both endurance and short-term performance. A 2008 study concluded that the benefit of caffeine before exercise occurs during endurance events, stop-and-go events and long-term high-intensity activity. It also can help athletes perform better during strength training -- even when sleep-deprived -- if taken one hour before exercise at the rate of 4 mg for every kg of body weight.

10. Gout Prevention A 2007 study of men older than 40 linked long-term coffee consumption with a lower risk of gout, an inflammatory condition caused by elevated levels of uric acid. Decaf and regular both had an effect, and those drinking six cups a day experienced as much as a 60 percent lower risk of gout.

How Long Does Coffee Caffeine Stay in Your System?

Coffee is so popular that is only second to oil as a source of foreign exchange, according to the Coffee Science Information Centre. Coffee is consumed abundantly and valued by many. Besides savoring the bold, rich taste of freshly brewed coffee, many people consume it for its caffeine content. A hot cup of coffee in the morning to get you going, and a cup of coffee in the afternoon to keep you going, are often the job of the beverage--delivering caffeine reliably throughout the day.

History 

Coffee has been around for thousands of years, but may have been used originally as a food, as opposed to the popular beverage of today. Coffee beans may have originated from Kaffa, today known as Ethiopia, according to the Coffee Science Information Centre. Drinking coffee first started in Mecca, but became popular throughout the Arab world shortly thereafter. Coffeehouses opened in Mecca, then in Dutch colonies and eventually in Venice. They were favorite meeting places for social or business affairs. More recently, coffee has been touted as a potentially healthy drink.

Identification

The coffee tree, native to Africa, usually has two beans in each fruit. The fruit of the coffee tree looks like a red cherry. The two species that are cultivated are robustas and arabicas. Arabicas require little water, grow at high altitudes and have less caffeine than robustas. When the coffee tree is three to five years old, it begins to produce fruit, which is then harvested. The outer layer of the bean is removed to reveal a dry, green coffee bean. The beans then are processed in order to be exported around the world. 

Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely consumed active substance stimulating the central nervous system, according to the Coffee Science Information Centre. It belongs to the alkaloid family and can be found in over 60 plant species--cocoa beans, tea and coffee being the most popular. Caffeine can have a positive or negative effect on mood, mental performance and sleep. It does not accumulate but is distributed throughout the body shortly after it is ingested, according to the International Coffee Organization. 

Function

Caffeine is fully absorbed by the digestive system in approximately 45 minutes, according to the Coffee Science Information website. Typically, the peak of concentration is 15 to 120 minutes after caffeine is consumed. Caffeine stays in the bodies of men for five to nine hours, but the amount of time is reduced by 30 to 50 percent in smokers. The length of stay for caffeine in women using oral contraceptives is approximately 12 to 15 hours, and can be as long as 15 hours in pregnant women as well, according to the Coffee Science Information Centre and the International Coffee Organization. 

Considerations

The caffeine in coffee may cause unwanted side effects. Too much caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea, irregular heartbeat, muscle tremors, headaches or anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic. The effects of caffeine are different for everyone, as is the amount of caffeine that may cause these problems.

Tips to Live to 100 Years Old

The average life expectancy in North America is 79, which is pretty good considering 100 years ago it was only 55 in most industrialized countries. Even better news however, is that the amount of centenarians (people who live past 100) has almost doubled in the U.S. over the past 20 years, and some scientists hypothesize that the total number of centenarians will increase a whopping 7-fold by 2020! Although aging and death are inevitable, the following lifestyle and anti-aging tips can help you increase your chances of aging gracefully and joining the centenarian club.
Reduce Stress to Reverse Aging
Stress increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, and it reduces both mental stamina and physical stamina. What’s more, chronic high stress levels are a massive contributor to aging and a high stress lifestyle can shave more than 5 years off of your life. Practicing deep breathing exercises, doing yoga, meditating and simply keeping things in perspective can all effectively reduce your stress levels. Taking regular vacations will give you something to look forward to and it will also help to reduce overall stress levels. Maintaining close, loving relationships, is another great way to reduce stress and increase your lifespan.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight to Reverse Aging
Being overweight accelerates the aging process and it can reduce your life expectancy by as much as 4 years, while extreme obesity can reduce your life expectancy by a full decade.
Workout to Reverse Aging
Working out 5 days a week will not only increase your strength and stamina, studies suggest it will add between 2 and 5 years to your life! Working-out slows down the aging process in multiple ways–it reduces your risk for developing diseases such as diabetes, it decreases your stress levels, it helps you to maintain a healthy body weight and it helps to keep your heart strong and healthy.
Don’t Skimp on Sleep
Your body does the majority of its reparation while you are sleeping and chronic sleep deprivation, increases stress levels, reduces stamina, raises your risk for multiple diseases and it vastly reduces your life expectancy. Aim for between 7 and 9 hours per night, and try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Floss Daily
Flossing daily may seem like a strange way to slow the aging process but studies have found this simple habit can increase your lifespan by as much as 6 years. Flossing is essential because it removes harmful bacteria from your mouth and prevents them from migrating to other parts of your body, where they can cause disease.
Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels
The sun is your body’s primary source of vitamin D. If you live in a sunny area, expose your skin to the sun daily for fifteen minutes, this will ensure adequate vitamin D levels. If you do not live in a sunny area, get your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor and consider taking a vitamin D supplement. Maintaining adequate bodily levels of vitamin D helps to strengthen your immune system and it can increase your lifespan by 2 years.
Consume a Healthy, Antioxidant Dense Diet
This is arguably, the most important, amongst all of the anti-aging tips. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable atoms that attack the body on a cellular level; they damage and destroy your cells and DNA. According to Denham Harman, M.D., of the University of Nebraska, cancer, cardiovascular disease and many other degenerative disorders that we attribute to aging, are not a natural result of aging itself; they are caused by excessive free radical damage.Most fruits and vegetables are antioxidant dense and some of the richest sources include: berries, grapes, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, cherries and peaches; broccoli, spinach, sprouts, beets, red peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots and tomatoes. Green and white teas are also great sources of antioxidants and their regular consumption is encouraged. Finally, avoid alcohol, cigarettes, junk foods and processed foods because they are full of toxins which encourage the formation of free radicals.