Let’s Talk About Turmeric

If you pay attention to health news, you will notice that lately, turmeric has taken over. You may see those beautiful yellow turmeric lattes being whipped up in coffee shops, turmeric poached eggs for brunch, and turmeric is added to smoothies and chocolate bars. While it’s evident that its bright yellow hue is gorgeous, let’s take a step back and talk about why it’s the new “it” ingredient.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a herb plant that grows in India and Central America. You most likely know it best for its extensive use in Indian cuisine. If you’re eating turmeric as opposed to taking it as a supplement, you’ll find the root in the produce aisle at the grocery store — it looks similar to ginger.

What are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?–What’s in the Popular Spice?

Turmeric is comprised of 100 compounds. The one most talked about is curcumin, the active compound that’s credited with most of the turmeric’s health benefits. If you are already this far into the article, you may already be thinking to yourself: “why is turmeric yellow?“. While turmeric gets its bright yellow hue from curcumin, this compound makes up only about 5 percent of the spice, according to an article published in January 2017 in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Regarding nutrition, 1 teaspoon (tsp) of the ground spice has 9 calories. More surprising is that it offers some protein — 0.3 grams (g) — and fiber (0.7 g), impressive given how much is present in a small amount. (4) With 1.65 milligrams (mg) of iron, it also contains 23 percent of the daily value of iron that men need. Women require 18 mg of iron daily, so 1 tsp of turmeric supplies 9 percent of their quota. (5) That said, it’s likely that you’re eating far less than 1 tsp at a sitting. A tsp may be added to an entire recipe, for instance.

Why Turmeric is Potent

Turmeric is considered a super food due to its concentration of curcumin, a polyphenol (antioxidant plant compound) that has anti-inflammatory properties, according to a review published in October 2017 in the journal, Turmeric is considered a super-food due to its concentration of curcumin, a polyphenol (antioxidant plant compound) that has anti-inflammatory properties, according to a review published in October 2017 in the journal Foods.

For that reason, it’s been credited with helping to reduce harmful inflammation, particularly in arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA); helping manage metabolic syndrome (by helping improve insulin sensitivity and also lowering blood pressure and inflammation); helping improve cholesterol levels; possibly lessening anxiety, and tempering post-exercise muscle soreness. It may also ease digestive woes, including peptic ulcers, and regulate digestion.

One study found that taking turmeric extract for eight weeks has been shown to decrease the severity of pain and abdominal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Other research, published in March 2018 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that as little as 90 mg of curcumin (taken in the form of a supplement) may help improve cognitive health in healthy adults.

Can Turmeric Help You Lose Weight?

One study, published in November 2015 in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, looked at overweight people with metabolic syndrome who already lost about 2 percent of their body weight. Taking a curcumin supplement for 30 days was found to enhance their weight loss efforts, helping them lose a total of almost 5 percent of their body weight and reduce their body fat by 8 percent. (This was a “bioavailable” curcumin supplement, meaning it’s specially formulated to be better absorbed by the body. It’s different than merely eating turmeric alone.)

Turmeric as a Nutritional Hero

Previous research published in the Journal of Nutrition that was performed on animals hinted that curcumin supplements may blunt the weight gain effects of a high-fat diet. The compound may inhibit the growth of fatty tissue. Remember, it’s unlikely you’ll get the same effect by using turmeric, but this may be one more reason to add it to your foods. If anything, seasoning food with turmeric can help lessen your need to add salt, fat, or sugar to boost the flavor of your dishes.

For that reason, turmeric has been credited with helping reduce harmful inflammation, particularly in arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA); helping manage metabolic syndrome (by helping improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood pressure and inflammation); helping improve cholesterol levels; possibly lessening anxiety, and tempering post-exercise muscle soreness. It may also ease digestive woes, including peptic ulcers, and regulate digestion.

One study, published in the book Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd Edition, found that taking turmeric extract for eight weeks has been shown to decrease the severity of pain and abdominal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Other research, published in March 2018 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that as little as 90 mg of curcumin (taken in the form of a supplement) may help improve cognitive health in healthy adults.

Turmeric as a Food Seasoning

The bottom line is that turmeric is right for you, so it is essential to find ways to include it in your diet. If you are a lover of Indian food like I am that should not be too difficult. I have long recommended drinking turmeric tea, a favorite drink in Okinawa, and probably one of the reasons that lifespans are longer there than any other country.

I also frequently recommend turmeric supplements to my friends and my family and believe them to be more effective than isolated curcumin for inflammatory disorders. Neither curcumin nor turmeric taken orally is well absorbed unless taken with black pepper or piperine, a constituent of black pepper responsible for its pungency but that is a discussion for another day.

Also, when you are out and about shopping for supplements, make sure that the one you choose contains black pepper extract or piperine. (If you’re cooking with turmeric, be sure to add some black pepper to the food.). Note that piperine can slow the elimination of some prescription drugs including phenytoin Dilantin, propranolol Inderal, and theophylline. Be patient when taking turmeric supplements: the full benefits may not be apparent for eight weeks.

Turmeric as a Supplement

Turmeric is one of nature’s most effective herbs and rightly so because it has a lot of multi-dimensional purposes that it serves. If you are thinking about natural ways to protect your immune system from unhealthy organisms and looming health attacks, then look no further than turmeric. It is highly efficient when it comes to keeping the human body in top shape as well as maintaining body weight. Check out our special turmeric/curcumin supplement. It is currently on sale, and if you are looking for where to purchase turmeric supplements, then you have definitely come to the right place. What makes Just Potent’s Turmeric/Curcumin stand out from the market competition is the fact that it has an ultra-high absorption rate and therefore dissolves 5-6 times faster than your regular turmeric supplement.

Biotin: The Vitamin B7 Supplement

What is Biotin?

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin, which is also called vitamin B7 and formerly known as vitamin H or co-enzyme. Generally, biotin is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes, both in humans and in other organisms, primarily related to the utilization of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. This means that biotin helps to turn the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the food you eat into the energy you need. Vitamins that fall under the “B” category are vitamins that usually help to support adrenal function, help calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, and are necessary for key metabolic processes.

Image result for biotin — Image Source: Medical News Today

Is Biotin Important?

Like we mentioned in the previous paragraph, biotin has vital metabolic functions. Without biotin as a co-factor, many enzymes would not be able to function properly, and serious complications can occur, including varied diseases of the skin, intestinal tract, as well as the nervous system. Biotin can help address high blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes and may be helpful in maintaining healthy hair and nails, decreasing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance, and possibly preventing birth defects. It plays a role in energy metabolism and has been used to treat alopecia, cancer, Crohn’s disease, hair loss, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, Rett syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, and vaginal disorder.

Biotin Deficiency

Although biotin deficiencies are rare, they are not impossible to have. Fortunately, daily requirements of biotin for a healthy and stable life are relatively small, food sources of biotin are abundant, and the body efficiently recycles much of the biotin it has already used. However, long-term use of certain anti-seizure medications, prolonged oral antibiotic use, intestinal malabsorption, intravenous feeding, and eating raw egg whites on a regular basis can lead to biotin deficiency. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include seborrheic dermatitis (scaly, itchy scalp) dry skin, brittle hair/hair loss, fatigue, intestinal tract issues, muscle pains, and nervous system issues.

Recommended Adult Dosage

The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine recommends a daily adequate intake (AI) of 30 mcg in adults 19 years and older. The recommended daily AI for pregnant women is 30 mcg, and 35 mcg for breastfeeding women. Dr. Weil recommends 50 mcg, as part of a B-complex that contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including thiamin, B12, riboflavin, and niacin. Our Just Potent Biotin contains about one hundred and fifty capsules (150) and contains 10,000 MCG.

Recommended CHILD DOSAGE

The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine recommends a daily AI of 5 mcg daily for infants ages 0-6 months; 6 mcg daily for children ages 7-12 months; 8 mcg daily for children 1-3 years of age; 12 mcg daily for children ages 4-8 years; 20 mcg daily for children 9-13 years; and 25 mcg for teenagers. Dr. Weil recommends 40 mcg as part of a daily children’s multivitamin, but you should always discuss with your pediatrician before starting any supplements.

Where is Biotin Found? (part A)

There are actually eight different forms of biotin, but only one is naturally occurring — the kind found in food sources. This type is called “D-biotin” and is believed to be the only type that has full vitamin capabilities. This is another example of why it’s always best to get your vitamins and minerals from real food sources whenever possible since they include nutrients just as nature intended for the body to use.

Fourteen years ago, when researchers examined 51 different foods to identify how much biotin was available, they found a wide range of varying biotin levels within each food. For those reasons, many authorities (including the USDA) do not list the amount of biotin available in common foods. However, according to studies, the foods below were some of the highest to be tested, although you will see the amount of biotin within each still ranges quite a bit.

Here are some of the 9 best food sources of biotin: (7)
Liver — 3 ounces cooked: 27–35 milligrams
Eggs — 1 whole: 13–25 milligrams
Yeast — 7 grams/about 1 tablespoon: 1.4–14 milligrams
Salmon — 3 ounces: 4–5 milligrams
Cheese (try organic goat cheese) — 1 ounce: 0.4–2 milligrams
Avocado — 1 whole: 2-6 milligrams
Raspberries — 1 cup: 0.2–2 milligrams
Cauliflower — 1 cup: 0.2–2 milligrams
Whole Grain Bread (try Ezekiel bread) — 1 slice: 0.2–6 milligrams
Additionally, other berries, mushrooms and other types of fish are also thought to be good sources of biotin.

Interestingly, vitamin B7 is found exclusively in the yolk of the egg and is not at all present in egg whites. Some reports have shown that not only do people miss out on B vitamins when they only eat egg whites and discard the yolk, but that egg whites actually have the ability to deplete the effects of B vitamins, too — possibly even creating a vitamin B7 deficiency. Over the past decade, many nutritionists have encouraged their clients to do away with egg yolks and only eat egg whites if they want to get the results that they want. This is deeply counterintuitive and often leads to a vitamin B7 deficiency if the right measures are not taken to correct the problem.

Where Biotin is Found (Part B)

Most healthy individuals who are not pregnant get adequate amounts of biotin through the diet. Foods rich in biotin include organ meats, barley, brewer’s yeast, fortified cereals, corn, egg yolks, milk, royal jelly, soy, and wheat bran. Avocado, bread, broccoli, cauliflower, cheeses, chicken, fish, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, pork, potatoes, and spinach also provide biotin. Additional sources of biotin are supplements. Supplements do a wonderful job of complementing diets and maintaining the body. Our biotin supplement contains 10,000 MCG and does a wonderful job of keeping the hair, skin, and nails vibrant and healthy. Additionally, it contains 100% honesty backed ingredients and guarantees high potency. What is even more amazing about this product is the fact that it lasts up to five months! With 10 capsules, a serving size of once a day and a price tag of $17.99, this is an amazing offer. Hurry up and purchase this while the product is still in stock.

Added Benefits of Biotin…

In the previous paragraphs, we looked at the uses of biotin in the body, but mostly through the lens of hair, skin and nails. Here are added benefits of biotin:

Supports the Human Metabolism:

Biotin regulates gene expressions that are critical in carrying out functions of the metabolism. Vitamin B7, along with other B vitamins, is needed to convert the food you eat into usable energy that supports a healthy metabolism. Vitamin B7 does this in several ways: It converts glucose from carbohydrates and sugar sources into usable “fuel” that is the body’s preferred source of energy. It helps the body use amino acids from proteins to carry out multiple body functions.

Regulates Blood Sugar:

Biotin regulates gene expressions that are critical in carrying out functions of the metabolism. Vitamin B7, along with other B vitamins, is needed to convert the food you eat into usable energy that supports a healthy metabolism. It converts glucose from carbohydrates and sugar sources into usable “fuel” that is the body’s preferred source of energy.
It helps the body use amino acids from proteins to carry out multiple body functions.

Protects the human brain

Biotin benefits the health of the nervous system because of its role in nerve signaling and neurotransmitter activity. B vitamins together influence memory function and defend against age-related cognitive impairment, such as mental degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Because of their role in synthesizing hormones that are related to a mood regulation, B vitamins like vitamin B7 help to keep up a positive mindset, boost energy and increase concentration.

There you have it! This is a condensed version of the benefits of biotin and it’s advantages to the human body. What did you find most interesting about this post?

Stay tuned for our next blog post.

On Magnesium

“Eat your vegetables!” my Mom said to my brother for the umpteenth time as he rolled his eyes at her. If you want to have healthy bones then you have to eat your vegetables. Some of us grew up with the notion that greens were some sort of super food, but even though our parents force-fed us, it still didn’t make a difference. There was no way that we were going to be cajoled into eating those bitter, leafy greens, or worse yet, drinking them via smoothies and shakes. No sir. A McSwirl was all there was to have, but what if I told you that our parents were right about greens and vegetables in general? Well, they were as always. Apart from containing potent organic nutrients, vegetables also contain magnesium, which is the element that we will be discussing in full depth today. Magnesium is well known in the health world not just because its a good nutrient, but because over the years, it has proven to be on of the most effective ways of maintaining energy and keeping our bones strong. Although magnesium is not only contained in vegetables, it is also contained in certain fruits and foods that make it a highly sought after vitamin. Some of examples of magnesium-rich foods are: cashews, almonds, and bananas to name a few.

WHAT IS MAGNESIUM?

Image result for magnesium — Source: Medical News

You may be asking yourself right now: ‘‘What is Magnesium?”

Simply put, magnesium is a nutrient that is extremely important for the functionality of specific enzymes in the human body. It is a mineral that helps the brain and the body to function at a normal level. It also plays a huge role in ensuring that high blood pressure levels are regulated and normal and the strength of human bones are maintained. Magnesium plays a part in over 300 enzymatic effects within the body, including the metabolism of food, synthesis of fatty acids and proteins, and the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain. The human body contains about 25 gram (g) of magnesium, 50 to 60 percent of which is stored in the skeletal system. The rest is present in forms of muscle, soft tissues, and bodily fluids.

A STUDY ON MAGNESIUM

According to an excerpt by Medical News Today, a new study published in the journal Neurology suggests that both very high and very low levels of magnesium may put people at risk of developing dementia. This is interesting considering the fact that magnesium is such an important nutrient to the body. According to Medical News Today, The first author of the study is Dr. Brenda Kieboom, of the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Before carrying out the experiment, Dr. Kieboom and her colleagues measured serum magnesium levels in 9,569 participants who were about 64.9 years of age, on average. The participants did not have dementia at the beginning of the study – that is, between 1997 and 2008. To make this study credible, the participants were clinically followed for 8 years on average, until January 2015. For the study, low serum magnesium levels were defined as equal to or lower than 0.79 millimoles per liter, and high magnesium levels were defined as equal to or above 0.90 millimoles per liter. Magnesium levels were divided into quintiles or fifths; the researchers examined the association between dementia and serum magnesium using the third quintile as a reference. The researchers adjusted for age, sex, education, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, kidney function, and other comorbidities. High or low magnesium raises the risk by a third

Over the follow-up period, 823 people developed dementia. Of these, 662 were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As for magnesium levels, both those in the high and the low group were significantly more likely to develop dementia compared with those in the middle group. More specifically, participants in both the high- and low-magnesium groups had a 30 percent increase in dementia risk compared with their counterparts in the middle group. The low-magnesium group had 1,771 people, 160 of whom developed dementia. The high-magnesium group comprised 1,748 people, 179 of whom were diagnosed with dementia. In the middle group, 102 of the 1,387 participants developed dementia.

strengths and Limitations of the study

First of all, the authors of WebMD note, the study only used a single measurement of serum magnesium. Although relatively stable over time, magnesium levels do change and such changes may have biased the results.

Secondly, the study did not examine hypomagnesemia (too little magnesium) or hypermagnesemia (too much magnesium), wherein magnesium levels are abnormally low or abnormally high, respectively. Instead, the scientists only focused on normal levels of the mineral.

Finally, the study is purely observational and cannot explain causality. However, the authors note that precautions against this vulnerability were taken.

Further, in the study, Dr. Kieboom and team performed several analyses in which they excluded dementia cases diagnosed in the first four years after magnesium measurements were taken. The results were similar, which, according to WebMD increases the possibility of a causal relationship.

What are the benefits of magnesium?

Magnesium is a mineral that is crucial to the body’s function, and it is even more effective because many organs would not be able to function effectively without it. Magnesium is also one of the most important elements because it to helps to stabilize blood pressure by keeping it normal. In addition to this, like I mentioned earlier, bones strong, and the heart rhythm steady.

Additional strengths of the research include the long follow-up duration and the fact that it was population-based, which reduces the possibility of information preference.

Furthermore, according to the authors, a detailed assessment of potential confounders and the fact that correcting for these factors did not alter our effect estimates also strengthens the possibility of a true link between serum magnesium levels and dementia, rather than it being the result of other confounders or intermediates, and to the very best of their knowledge, this is the first time that such an association has been studied. Therefore, future studies should try to replicate these results in other population samples.

According to Dr. Kieboom, one of the spear-headers of the research, the results need to be confirmed with additional studies, bu the results so far seem to be intriguing to the medical field as a whole Doctors who worked on the study confirmed that since the current treatment and prevention options for dementia are limited, there is a big need to urgently identify new risk factors for dementia that have the potential to be adjusted. Doctors also specify that if people who do not get enough magnesium in their system could reduce their risk for dementia through diet or supplements, that could be very beneficial in the long run.

Recent scientific studies say that magnesium is one of the most important elements in the body. In fact, the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, and it plays several important roles in the health of the body as well as the brain.

It is very common for people to not get sufficient magnesium even though they are very healthy and eat a balanced diet every single day, so if you suspect that you may not be incorporating enough of magnesium into your diet then you are probably right. A healthy body is very important for a healthy mind, and learning to balance how much magnesium you need in your diet so that you are not taking in too little or too much. If you are wondering where to buy a magnesium supplement, you can check our online store for the best deal. Our product is guarantees to complement your food choices and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Topless Man Wearing Grey And Black Shorts Sprinting On Concrete Road

Sources

Steen, Juliette. “12 Everyday Foods Which Contain Magnesium.” HuffPost Australia, HuffPost Australia, 11 July 2017, www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/07/10/what-foods-contain-magnesium_a_23024245/.

“What Is Magnesium?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/qa/what-is-magnesium. [1]

“What Is Magnesium?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/qa/what-is-magnesium. [2]