Below are the certain types of food that are rich in melatonin and excellent for a healthy dosage of melatonin, which in turn promotes a healthy lifestyle, and stabilizes your internal biological clock.
According to the Alaska Sleep Clinic, “sleeping foods”, a.k.a foods that are rich in melatonin are generally divided into five groups. The first set is called Tryptophan, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B6 and Melatonin
Close-up Photo Of Green Leafed Plants
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that when ingested, is turned into the neurotransmitter serotonin and then converted into the hormone melatonin. Here are some of the best foods loaded with tryptophan according to the Alaska Sleep Clinic:
Magnesium is a powerful mineral that is instrumental in sleep and is a natural relaxant that helps to deactivate adrenaline. A lack of magnesium can be directly linked to difficulty going and staying asleep. Magnesium is often referred to as the sleep mineral. Excellent sources of magnesium are:
Dark leafy greens (baby spinach, kale, collard greens)
Nuts and seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, cashews, pine nuts, flaxseed, pecans)
Wheat germ
Fish (salmon, halibut, tuna, mackerel)
Soybeans
Banana
Avocados
Low-fat yogurt
Calcium
Calcium is another mineral that helps the brain make melatonin. A lack of calcium can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty returning to sleep. Calcium-rich diets have been shown to help patients with insomnia. Dairy products that contain both tryptophan and calcium are among the best sleep inducers. Sources of calcium include:
Dark leafy greens
Low-fat milk
Cheeses
Yogurt
Sardines
Fortified cereals
Soy beans
Fortified orange juice
Enriched bread and grains
Green snap peas
Okra
Broccoli
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 also helps convert tryptophan into melatonin. A deficiency in B6 has been linked with lowered serotonin levels and poor sleep. A deficiency in B6 is also linked to symptoms of depression and mood disorders which can lead to insomnia. The highest sources of B6 are:
Sunflower seeds
Pistachio nuts
Flaxseed
Fish (tuna, salmon, halibut)
Meat (chicken, tuna, lean pork, lean beef,)
Dried Prunes
Bananas
Avocado
Spinach
Melatonin
Many of the vitamins and minerals that are on this list are there because they help aid in the production of turning serotonin into melatonin. However, there are a few excellent sources of naturally occurring melatonin in foods:
Nuts and Seeds (walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, mustard seeds, flaxseed)
And there you have it! Do you think you will try any of these foods to experiment on your sleep pattern? Let us know in the comments below! Adios!
Sources:
Phillips, Kevin. “Alaska Sleep Education Center.” Foods for Sleep: A List of The Best and Worst Foods for Getting Sleep, 23 Jan. 2018, www.alaskasleep.com/blog/foods-for-sleep-list-best-worst-foods-getting-sleep
Think all bacteria are harmful to you? Think again! There’s a particular type of bacteria called probiotics, which may give your health and well being a significant boost.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. However, your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help to keep your gut healthy and happy.
If you’ve never heard of probiotics—or if you have, but are looking for a deeper understanding—you’ll want to keep on reading this article. This information-packed guide shares all the latest findings on probiotics and how these helpful bacteria can supercharge your health. You’ll learn:
How probiotics can improve your health and well-being. Scientists are finding that probiotics can be a powerful ally in the fight against a range of health challenges, including allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression, heart disease, and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Moreover, a recent study showed that probiotics could even help with weight loss! The article goes over all of these benefits.
How you can use probiotics to target specific health conditions. Thanks to The Benefits of Probiotics, you’ll understand how different probiotics treat different conditions. For example, L.acidophilus has been shown to boost healthy digestion and immune function, while B. longum blocks unfriendly bacteria and yeast. With the guide, you’ll know which probiotics are right for your health needs and which ones are not.
What foods have probiotics in them that you can enjoy right away. The Benefits of Probiotics lets you know about foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kombucha, tempeh, miso, and sauerkraut and includes helpful serving suggestions.
Another way to get probiotics: supplements. Not fond of fermented foods like kombucha and sauerkraut? No problem! As you’ll learn in The Benefits of Probiotics, you can get probiotics via supplements (but be sure to check with your doctor first). The guide tells you what to look for when considering probiotic supplements, including the quality, quantity, and strains of bacteria included. There’s also a comprehensive list of essential supplement brands, with the bacteria they contain, the dosage, and other helpful information.
Image Source: Alabama News
Benefits of Probiotics
The Benefits of Probiotics offers so much more for example, taking probiotics after antibiotics might be a good idea for your metabolism . Another example is the links between probiotics and women’s health as well as the health of their babies. How probiotics may make exercise more effective and help you recover more quickly, and how probiotics may positively influence mood and cognition as well as other essential insights.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. However, your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help to keep your gut healthy.
You can find probiotics in supplements and some foods, like yogurt. Doctors often suggest them to help with digestive problems.
How Do They Work?
Researchers are trying to understand and break down the question “how do probiotics work?” However, some of the ways that probiotics may keep you healthy are: When you lose “good” bacteria in your body, for example after you take antibiotics, probiotics can help replace them. They also help to keep a stable balance of your “good” and “bad” bacteria in order to keep your body working the way that it should.
Types of Probiotics
Many types of bacteria classify as probiotics. They all have different benefits, but most come from two groups. Ask your doctor about which might best help you, however here a few different types of probiotics.
Many types of bacteria classify as probiotics. They all have different benefits, but most come from two groups. Ask your doctor about which might best help you.
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus (may be the most common probiotic. It’s the one you’ll find in yogurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help people who can’t digest lactose properly.
Among other things, probiotics help send food through your gut by affecting nerves that control gut movement. Researchers are still trying to figure out which are best for specific health problems. Some common conditions they treat are:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
Diarrhea caused by antibiotics
There is also some research that shows they’re useful for problems in other parts of your body. For example, some people say they have helped with:
Skin conditions, like eczema
Urinary and vaginal health
Preventing allergies and colds
Oral health
How to Use Probiotics Safely
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates probiotics like foods, not like medications. Unlike drug companies, makers of probiotic supplements don’t have to show their products are safe or that they work. Ask your doctor if taking probiotics is a good idea for you. In general, probiotic foods and supplements are thought to be safe for most people, though some people with immune system problems or other severe health conditions shouldn’t take them. In some cases, mild side effects might include an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating for the first couple of days after you start taking them. They may also trigger allergic reactions. If you find yourself with any of these side effects, stop using them and talk to your doctor if you have problems.
Image Source: Healthy Woman
Here are five reasons why you should be taking a probiotic:
1. Food Poisoning
If you have suffered from a bout of food poisoning recently, it’s important to take a probiotic to renew the healthy bacteria in the gut. It also helps kick start your digestion following an episode of vomiting or diarrhea. It’s also a great idea to keep taking probiotics as they help the body defend itself against any bacteria that try to invade.
2. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are amazing when we need them to fight an infection, but they also fight all our good bacteria too. These drugs are made to kill all bacteria, and unfortunately, they aren’t smart enough to know which is the good stuff and which is terrible, so it is essential to complement them (antibiotics with probiotics).
3. Skin Complaints
Our skin is brilliant. It can tell us if there is a problem internally that we can’t see. If you suffer from acne, rashes or eczema, it could be that you lack the right amount of good bacteria. It’s worth trying a course of probiotics to see if this clears up your skin complaints, as well as having some hormone tests.
4. Mood Swings
Amazingly, our gut has a close link to our brain. If you are suffering from mood swings, try starting some probiotics, to see if this makes your stomach happier which in turn may improve your mood.
Image Source: Tiny Cards
5. Asthma
There have been some recent studies on the effect that having a healthy gut has on asthma symptoms and severity of attacks. Probiotics are also excellent if you happen to suffer from food allergies. While they are not a cure, they have been known to help reduce food allergies in those who take probiotics regularly.
Now is the chance to learn the facts about probiotics and put these helpful bacteria to work for your health. Order Just Potent’s Probiotic supplement today. One capsule of Just Potent’s supplement is packed with 35 billion CFUs, and that is the equivalent of 3 cups of yogurt. Order your bottle for just $19.99 today. It is worth it, we promise.
The year was 2014, and I was in the greatest shape of my life. Life as I knew it was good. I was keeping up good grades, working out at least five times a week and was generally in a good place. Life was good. Everything was good, and I was getting a lot better sleep than I had in years (well, quite a few years). The secret was that I was eating well, exercising and using Garcinia Cambogia to supplement my diet. That was one of the most successful years of my life because I felt good, and looked good. My tendencies to fall into seasonal depression during winter made me make a conscious effort to follow the instructions for dosage and adhere to the right dosage amount. What was the big deal about all of this? The big deal is that I started using Garcinia Cambogia supplements, and truly, they made a world of a difference. I was eating better, controlled, and healthy portions of food and all was very good in the world.
What is Garcinia Cambogia?
Also known as the Malabar tamarind fruit, Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit that originated from Southwestern India and is popularly farmed in most parts of Asia. Although it appears to be round, stocky, and unassuming, garcinia cambogia as a supplement is made from the extract of the fruit (hydroxycitric acid).
Garcinia has gained prominence and popularity over the past decade for it’s ability to aid weight loss through suppressing food cravings and promoting better sleep. It originates from a tropical fruit whose main ingredient hydroxycitric acid (HCA) does a wonderful job of blocking fat as well as suppressing hunger. Usually, when people take this supplement, what happens is that they get filled up easily, and therefore tend to eat smaller portions of food. Another amazing fact about this supplement is that it inhibits the chemical called citrate lyase, which is responsible for fat production in the human body after carbohydrates are eaten and digested.
Why Should I Take Garcinia Cambogia?
Unlike most supplements out there, garcinia cambogia is a supplement that has been confirmed by numerous studies to work. If you are looking to maintain a healthy and wholesome lifestyle, then garcinia cambogia might be perfect for you. The great thing about it is that it is very adaptable to the human experience and lifestyle. What this means is that if you are a freelance writer like I am, or a doctor, nurse, or actress always on the go, it is possible to make garcinia cambogia fit into your schedule and complement whatever lifestyle that you live.
It is true that as humans, our lifestyles, clothes, emotions and even fridge contents change with times and seasons, and that’s okay, but what is even more excellent is the fact that garcinia cambogia adapts to shifting lifestyles and changes. Also, it is excellent for weight loss, and weight maintenance, but only if you follow the dosage prescriptions coupled with a healthy diet, regular exercise and sleep.
One of the many questions that people tend to ask about garcinia cambogia is whether or not it is effective once it is taken. Research has shown that garcinia cambogia really does work if it is taken at the right time, with the correct dosage. According to WebMD, a review published in the Journal of Obesity found that people who took garcinia cambogia in studies lost about 2 pounds more than people who didn’t take it. Also according to WebMD, garcinia cambogia may make it easier for the human body to effectively use glucose — the sugar that human cells produce.
Per WebMD, a recent study showed that mice that got garcinia cambogia had lower insulin levels than mice that didn’t. That, according to the scientific study is another reason, besides weight loss, that people with diabetes are interested in garcinia cambogia. It is important to note that if you are diabetic and are taking garcinia cambogia along with any medication that is meant to control your blood sugar, your glucose levels could get dangerously low, which could lead to hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is defined as a condition that occurs when the body’s blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low to sustain the body. Blood sugar levels that are below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) are considered low.
Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia cambogia; while an excellent weight loss product, comes in different brands and styles depending on the manufacturer. Going to the pharmacy has never been more overwhelming than it is presently. It can be overwhelming to find the right product to buy simply because marketers and advertisers never make it easy to just pick one supplement. Sometimes, it can get so overwhelming that customers tend to forgo the entire process entirely.
If this sounds like you, fear not because you have come to the right place. Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia contains one hundred percent all-natural ingredients that are scientifically proven to help you on your weight loss journey. What is even more brilliant about Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia supplement is that it gives you a bigger bang for your buck. On average, most bottles of garcinia cambogia contain 90 capsules to 180 capsules and are recommended in such a way that depletes the product faster, which tends to be more expensive in the long run. On the other hand, Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia contains a whopping two hundred (200) capsules and lasts for a hundred days. That is not a bad deal at all considering how much you’re paying per capsule.
Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia Dosage
Just Potent Garcinia Cambogia contains 200 capsules and offers 1,000 mg per serving. A bottle of this supplement could last you a hundred days since the recommended serving size is just two capsules per day. This supplement also has powerful fat-burning and fat blocking benefits and could hasten the efforts that you are making towards weight loss.
This supplement is powerful, we advise that people who take this supplement should not take more than the serving size recommended. For better results, it is best to take the supplement two times a day, thirty minutes before breakfast and thirty minutes before dinner.
How to Use Garcinia Cambogia
For safety reasons, women should not consume this product when they are pregnant as this could affect the growing child. This item should be stored in a cool and dry area away from children, and if for any reason you experience adverse effects during use, then it is advised that you discontinue use immediately. If you are already on some form of medication, then it is important to consult your doctor about adding garcinia cambogia to the mix.
Supplements are a topic that has become more frequently addressed over the past five years. I remember the first time I found supplements in my mother’s room. Of course, being the curious child that I was, I decided to taste it. Its metallic taste made me realize that tasting it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. So what are supplements, and what do they do? The term “dietary supplement” describes a wide and assorted class of products that you consume or drink to maintain excellent health and enhance your diet.
Dietary supplements are not medications, neither should they be regarded as a replacement for food, instead, they should “supplement” whatever plan of action one has in place to tackle a health or dietary issue. Ordinarily, dietary supplements can be made up of one or more aggregates of any of the following:
Vitamin
Mineral
Fiber
Herbs or other botanical compounds
Amino acid (the individual building blocks of a protein)
Concentrate, metabolite, constituent, or extract
Supplements are manufactured and are meant to act as support structures for the maintenance of the human body. Dietary supplements can further comprise of certain elements that have not been established as being essential to life but are promoted as having a helpful organic outcome, such as plant pigments. Animals can also be a source of supplement ingredients, and a very good example of this is the collagen from chickens or fish. These are also sold individually or in combination, and may be combined with different ingredients.
Types of Supplements
Dietary supplements also come in a number of forms including:
Tablets: (Perhaps one of the most popular ways of producing supplements)
Capsules: (Capsules are also very popular)
Powders
Softgels
Gelcaps
Liquids
Lozenges
These supplements can be found at a number of retailers including:
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
Vitamin and health food stores
Online stores
Mail-order catalogs.
Dietary supplements include:
Botanicals (derived from plants and possibly including herbs)
Vitamins
Minerals
Fatty Acids
Other Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are generally obtainable in health food stores, drug stores, grocery stores, fitness stores / gyms, and online stores. They come in many forms including two-piece capsules, soft gels, tablets, bottles of liquid, powders and gummies.
Ingredients Contained in Supplements
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines a dietary element as a vitamin; mineral, herb, amino acid or other plant-produced dietary substance that is set in place for use by human beings to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or a concentrate, metabolite, component, extract, or compound of the above-mentioned substances.
Also according to the FDA, unlike medical drugs, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any ailments. Instead, they are meant to do just what their name suggests: supplement. That means supplements should not make claims, such as “reduces pain” or “treats heart disease.” Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs, not dietary supplements.
What is in dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements include such ingredients as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes. Dietary supplements are marketed in forms such as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gelcaps, powders, and liquids.
Below are some of the ingredients that are contained in some supplements, but beware, some of the ingredients are approved by the FDA, and some are not. Below are a few examples of ingredients that are in certain supplements.
Acacia rigidula
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Acacia rigidula is labeled as a dietary ingredient in some products marketed as dietary supplements. However, the Food and Drug Administration is not aware of any information demonstrating that A. rigidula was lawfully marketed as a dietary ingredient in the United States before October 15, 1994. As a result, A. rigidula is a new dietary ingredient, and for dietary supplements that contain A. rigidula to be lawfully marketed, one of the following must apply:
the product containing the dietary ingredient must contain only dietary ingredients that have been present in the food supply as an article used in food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered, or
There must be a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the dietary ingredient, when used under the conditions recommended or suggested in the product labeling, will reasonably be expected to be safe; and at least 75 days before the product is introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, the manufacturer or distributor must notify FDA of the basis on which the manufacturer or distributor has concluded that a dietary supplement containing such dietary ingredient will reasonably be expected to be safe.
Image source: Frontline
Since neither of these conditions has been met by those marketing products that contain A. rigidula as a dietary ingredient, these products are deemed to be adulterated.
Acacia rigidula is also known as:
Vachellia rigidula
Chaparro Prieto
blackbrush
BMPEA
According to the Food and Drug Administration, BMPEA is a substance that does not meet the statutory definition of a dietary ingredient. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines a dietary ingredient as a vitamin; mineral; herb or other botanical; amino acid; dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of the preceding substances. BMPEA is none of these, rendering misbranded any products that declare BMPEA as a dietary supplement.
BMPEA is also known as:
βMePEA
R-beta-methylphenethylamine
R-beta-methylphenethylamine HCl
Beta-methylphenethylamine
β-methylphenethylamine
1-amino-2-phenylpropane
2-phenylpropane-1-amine
2-phenylpropanolamine
alpha-benzylethylamine
1-phenyl-1-methyl-2-aminoethane
beta-methylbenzeneethanamine
beta-phenylpropylamine
2- phenyl-1-propanamine
DMAA
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) is an amphetamine derivative that has been marketed in sports performance and weight loss products, many of which are sold as dietary supplements. DMAA is not a dietary ingredient, and DMAA-containing products marketed as dietary supplements are illegal and their marketing violates the law.
Also known as methylhexanamine or geranium extract, DMAA is often touted as a “natural” stimulant; however, the FDA is not aware of any reliable science indicating that DMAA exists naturally in plants. Although DMAA at one time was approved as a drug for nasal decongestion, it is no longer approved for this use and no medical use of DMAA is recognized today. DMAA, especially in combination with other stimulant ingredients such as caffeine, can be a health risk to consumers. Taking DMAA can raise blood pressure and lead to cardiovascular problems ranging from shortness of breath and tightening in the chest to heart attack.
The FDA continues to advise consumers not to buy or use products marketed as dietary supplements that contain DMAA due to the health risks they present.
DMBA
DMBA is labeled as a dietary ingredient in some products marketed as dietary supplements. However, the FDA is not aware of any information demonstrating that DMBA was lawfully marketed as a dietary ingredient in the United States before October 15, 1994. As a result, for dietary supplements that contain DMBA to be lawfully marketed, one of the following must apply:
the product containing the dietary ingredient must contain only dietary ingredients that have been present in the food supply as an article used in food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered, or
there must be a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the dietary ingredient, when used under the conditions recommended in the product labeling, will reasonably be expected to be safe; and prior to bringing the products to market, the manufacturer or distributor must notify FDA of the basis on which the manufacturer or distributor has concluded that a dietary supplement containing such dietary ingredient will reasonably expected to be safe.
Since neither of these conditions has been met by those marketing products that contain or are labeled as containing DMBA as a dietary ingredient, the FDA considers these dietary supplements to be adulterated.
DMBA is also known as:
1,3-Dimethylbutylamine
2-Amino-4-Methylpentane Citrate
4-Amino-2-Methylpentane Citrate
4-Amino Methylpentane Citrate
Amperall
AMP
AMP Citrate
4-AMP Citrate
4-Methyl-2-Pentanamine
Keep an eye out for the second portion of this blog post. What do you think? What are your thoughts on the ingredients contained in some supplements? Have you checked out our great supplements? Right now is the best time to check out the array of supplements that we have. For example, we have biotin supplement, magnesium supplement and turmeric curcumin supplement to name a few. What is even more amazing is that you can find some of these items on sale right now. Head over to www.justpotent.com to take advantage of huge savings on supplements that work.
SOURCES:
Types of Dietary Supplements.” American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/other-treatments/herbs-supplements-and-alternative-medicines/types-of-dietary-supplements.html.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Dietary Supplements.” U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/.
In the last blog post, I wrote on melatonin. Today though, we are going to look at another vitamin that falls in the “tin” family: biotin.
What is biotin and why do we need it? Why is it so important? Well, as the old adage says, knowledge is power, and as my grandma, Elizabeth used to tell me, “you can’t use the knowledge you don’t have”. So today, I am going to share the knowledge that I have of biotin with you, and I am also going to talk about our amazing biotin supplement, and then you can leave your comments below and we will take it from there.
What is Biotin?
The word “biotin” is a word that originated from the ancient Greek word “biotos,” which implies “life” or “nourishment.” Biotin falls under B vitamins, and out of all the vitamins that fall under this category, biotin serves as a primary ingredient for keeping the human skin, hair, eyes, liver, and overall nervous system healthy. Biotin is also an important nutrient during reproduction, as it’s crucial for embryonic growth and the overall well being of the growing child in the belly of it’s mother.
Since Biotin (which is also known as vitamin H or vitamin B7) is crucial for a healthy life; it is important to incorporate it into your diet. This can be through supplements and natural foods such as eggs. Eggs are a primary source of Biotin, and we will talk about this much later in this post. Most people get the daily dosage of biotin that they need from eating a healthy diet, but there have also been many scientific claims that have concluded that getting more biotin can help manage your blood sugar. These claims are still being researched but on a general scale, biotin is very effective for promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails. I personally take supplements to help keep my skin glow, my nails healthy and firm, and my hair lustrous. Like I mentioned before, biotin also does a great job of helping pregnant moms birth healthier babies.
Now, you’re probably wondering what I am wondering, and you probably have a few questions like: How much biotin is enough, where else can you get it? and what can it really do for you?
Biotin Dosage
The quick answer is this: between 30 and 100 micrograms (mcg) per day of biotin is often recommended for adolescents and adults. Since biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, taking in any extra biotin will simply pass through your body when you urinate. According to Healthline, there are no known toxicity symptoms associated with too much biotin. What this means is that if you’re taking 5,000 mcg of biotin or 10,000 mcg of biotin, there are no known issues whatsoever.
Biotin Supplements and Diabetes
Some research, including an animal study, suggests that people who have type 2 diabetes may benefit from taking biotin in the form of supplements to help regulate high blood glucose levels. Although these scientific claims have been made, the research so far is completely inconclusive.
Researchers have studied how biotin supplements affect blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Some evidence shows biotin concentrations in the blood may be lower in people with diabetes, compared to healthy individuals. Studies show that diabetics given biotin alone have only served to provide mixed results.
However, several controlled studies indicate that biotin supplements, combined with the mineral chromium, may lower blood sugar levels in some people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, according to another study performed on animals, biotin may help prevent kidney damage in people who have an insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes. However, like the other study, additional research is needed to fully support this claim.
Hair, Skin and Nails? Check
Biotin deficiencies are rare in the human body, but it is not impossible for a person to have biotin deficiency. Often, people with a biotin deficiency show symptoms of hair loss or a scaly rash, among other symptoms. Medical practitioners generally advise that patients who exhibit symptoms associated with biotin deficiency to increase their intake of biotin through supplementation.
Biotin should not only be taken when there is a deficiency though. It is important to note that the vitamin b7 also helps to strengthen hair, skin, and nails. If you are pretty particular about holistic health, then this is something that you should have in mind.
Fetal development.
I mentioned in a previous paragraph that biotin is extremely helpful for reproduction and super-beneficial for pregnant women. While biotin deficiency in pregnant women are extremely rare, a pregnant woman may become biotin deficient. To help promote baby health, it is very important to take a prenatal vitamin that contains biotin and folic acid during pregnancy.
In addition to this, it has been estimated that up to 50% of pregnant women may develop a mild biotin deficiency. This means that it may start to affect their well-being slightly, but isn’t severe enough to cause noticeable symptoms. If you are an expectant mother It is still important to pay close attention to this and ensure that you are getting the maximum nutrition that you need during pregnancy.
Deficiencies are thought to occur due to the faster biotin breakdown within the body during pregnancy. A major cause for concern is that animal studies have found that biotin deficiency during pregnancy may cause birth defects.
Nevertheless, remember to always consult with your doctor or dietitian/nutritionist before taking supplements during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If you’re a pregnant or breastfeeding, your biotin requirements may go up. Up to 50% of women may get less of this vitamin than they need during pregnancy. Also, a major side effect lies in the fact that usually, high doses of biotin can be dangerous to the baby, so additional supplementation of biotin isn’t recommended for pregnant women at this stage.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. In MS, the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord and eyes are damaged or destroyed. This protective sheath is called myelin, and biotin is thought to be an important factor in producing it. A pilot study in 23 people with progressive MS tested the use of high doses of biotin. Over 90% of participants had some degree of clinical improvement. While this finding needs much more study, at least two randomized controlled trials have been carried out in people with progressive MS. The final results have not been published, but the preliminary results are promising. In summary, high biotin doses hold promise for treating multiple sclerosis, a serious disease that affects the central nervous system.
Sources of Biotin
There are foods that naturally have biotin in them…
Egg yolk
Organ meat (liver, kidney)
Nuts; almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts
Butter gotten from nuts
Legumes
Whole grains and cereals
Cauliflower
Bananas
Mushrooms
We should be aware that food-processing techniques such as cooking can render biotin ineffective, raw or less-processed versions of these foods contain more active biotin and are much more recommended by doctors and physicians.
Conclusion
Biotin is necessary for normal bodily function, and should not be taken for granted like we often seem to take certain vitamins for granted. It is also true that supplements may help pregnant women and some people with diabetes, but that does not mean that individuals should neglect a balanced diet, maintain a healthy sleep routine and exercise regularly to maintain optimal health.
Sources
Biotin: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-313/biotin.
Palsdottir, MS Hrefna. “Biotin: Benefits, Sources, and Safety.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 16 Mar. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318724.php
Hello and welcome to today’s article. If you are half as obsessed with health articles as I am then you have definitely come to the right place. Today we will be looking at melatonin and it’s various functions in the body, but mostly in the brain. I’ll share my personal story, and how melatonin helped me to find stability in mental health journey, but first things first, what exactly is melatonin? Why is it produced in the body? For what purpose? Let’s explore a little further by looking at the brain, and most specifically, the human brain.
The human brain
The brain is one of the most delicate organs in the body, and because of that, it is imperative that we know exactly what goes on up there (or at least some of it). Without further ado, what is Melatonin? What is it’s relationship to the brain?
Melatonin is a chemical hormone that is produced by both humans and animals in the pineal gland primarily in the brain. Melatonin, popularly known for its ability to induce sleep in humans as well as animals. According to Mayo Clinic, melatonin is a primary chemical that plays a huge role in sleep and its production increases as the day.
Melatonin increases in the body as the day progresses.
According to , the production and release of melatonin in the brain is directly connected to time of day, increasing when it is dark and also decreasing when it’s light. Melatonin production is a hormone that declines with age in both humans and animals. Apart from its natural production in humans and animals, melatonin is also produced in the form of supplements, and melatonin produced artificially is usually made in a scientific lab. You can check out our web page for supplements that can be taken to produce sleep.
Melatonin and the Brain
Two months ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is a mental condition that is characterized by manic episodes, low mood, and low energy spells and a chemical balance in the brain. For many years, my disorder went had in hand with low mood swings and low energy spells. For many people who struggle with this mental condition, their sleep patterns are affected. Thankfully, there are ways to address bipolar disorder and lessen its blow. Naturally, the human body has a biological clock that acts in sync with the environment that it is in. This has a lot to do with a circadian rhythm.
Biological clock example
What is a circadian rhythm? It is a biological process associated with living things, human beings included and it revolves around a 24-hour cycle. The circadian rhythm affects a lot in the body, but most importantly, it influences the sleep-wake cycle of human beings, and this is where melatonin and bipolar disorder are linked. When a person has a bipolar disorder, there is a dysfunction in the sleeping rhythm of the human being, and melatonin helps to balance that equation and create an equilibrium of stable sleep and wake cycles.
Melatonin and Bipolar Disorder
In the last paragraph, we briefly brushed on the topic of circadian rhythms and it’s relationship with mental health and how melatonin comes into the picture, but it is time for us to have an in-depth conversation about bipolar disorder, and how it affects the body in the general sense. The first time I paid attention to Bipolar disorder was when rapper Kanye West shared that he had been diagnosed with a mental condition after living with the condition for over forty years. Ironically, I was diagnosed with the same condition two weeks later, and it helped me to look closely at my behaviors, sleep-wake patterns, and my energy levels. Knowing what was wrong empowered me and gave me a deeper insight into how to handle the issue as well as what medication I needed to take.
Pharmaceutical Grade Melatonin (5mg) by Just Potent | Better Sleep | Brain Health
One of the many symptoms that I went through were bouts of irritation and restlessness followed by long hours of tossing and turning in my bed helplessly waiting for sleep to come. After my diagnosis, my Doctor prescribed my medication, and one of the supplements that I happened to take was rich in melatonin and this significantly stabilized my sleep-wake pattern. Of course, taking the medication in the evening influenced a positive result as well. If you or a loved one suffer from any form of health challenge that induces sleeplessness, then melatonin is a supplement that you can take to help you. Be sure you talk to your physician about what supplements will
work best for you. For a list of melatonin supplements, head to our website and get your dosage today.
Advancements in Melatonin Research
Thank you for making it down to this section of the article. Stay with me as we look at scientific and medical advances in the medical research of melatonin. According to researchgate.com,
Increasing clinical pieces of evidence suggest that melatonin receptor agonists can represent a fresh therapeutic approach for the treatment of sleep disturbances and depression. A variety of studies also revealed a role of melatonin and its receptors in different patho-physiological conditions. Due to the multiple positive effects of this hormone, the design of new agents able to interact selectively with melatonin receptors has become an area of great interest during the last decade. A comprehensive review of structures recently claimed as melatonin receptor agonists and a broad overview of structure-activity relationships for these ligands suggests that. After 5 decades of research, the field of melatonin receptor agonists comprises of a variety of selected chemical entities, belonging to structurally different classes. Patents filed since 1999 claim new melatonin receptor agonists, characterized either by improved pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties, compared to those of melatonin receptor agonists are already approved for clinical uses. The results of preclinical studies on animal models show that melatonin receptor agonists can be considered promising agents for the treatment of CNS (central nervous system)-related pathologies.
Conclusion
Although that last paragraph/blockquote was unarguably a lot to take in, it did two things: first, it established what we talked about in previous paragraphs about how awesome melatonin is, and how effective is in the treatment of mental health lapses, namely bipolar disorder or manic depression. I am going to conclude this article by making a list of the different types of food, fruits, and vegetables that have a certain amount of melatonin in them.
We recently launched our first national TV ad for the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin. Watch the video below and let us know what you think. If you have suggestions, be sure to leave a comment below.
To purchase a bottle of the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin, please click this link: Buy Turmeric Curcumin
We’re super-confident that the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin is better than your current turmeric curcumin. Give the Just Potent brand a try today and if you’re not satisfied, return within 30 days for a no-question-asked refund.
The text of this TV commercial is below.
Are you looking for a natural approach to managing pain? Introducing the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin.
For curcumin to work its magic, it needs full absorption. The Just Potent Turmeric Curcumin has 5 to 6 times more absorption than 95% curcumin.
Say bye-bye to joint and muscle pain and experience powerful antioxidants with over 200 beneficial turmeric root nutrients.
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the brain. This hormone is responsible for our sleep and wake cycles. An imbalance of this hormone may pose serious health risks and may be a major contributing factor to a lot of diseases.
Just Potent Melatonin 10mg
Research after research have shown melatonin to be highly effective for some people and mildly effective or ineffective for others. What this means is that melatonin supplement as a sleep aid will not work for everyone.
The melatonin hormone, also know as N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine, is very important for proper functioning of the human body and prevention and treatment of some diseases. The N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine is secreted in the brain based on time of the day. Although melatonin hormone is ever present in the brain, its release and amount is mostly dictated by the time of the day. During day time, the amount of melatonin in the brain is at its lowest. As time and day progresses towards the evening, the brain starts to secrete this hormone.
It is true that majority of us know melatonin as an important sleep aid. What some of us don’t know is that melatonin has been studied to help alleviate, prevent, or treat some serious diseases. In this post, we will walk you through some of the other benefits of melatonin.
Melatonin Supplement For Sleep
One of the important benefits of melatonin, as mentioned earlier, is that it helps control our sleep / wake cycle. In other words, melatonin is responsible for helping us fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer. For melatonin to really help you do all this, you have to help it help you achieve your best sleep.
Melatonin Hormone Loves Darkness
So how do you help melatonin help you? We mentioned that melatonin release in the brain increases as we approach evenings. What this means in is that this hormone is dark-friendly. For melatonin supplement to help you sleep better, you need to feed it darkness. You need to prevent different sources of light (smartphones, TVs, and lights from other sources). This is the most important factor that can limit the effectiveness of any melatonin supplement. Apart from light as a melatonin limiting factor, other factors that can prevent melatonin supplement from helping you fall asleep include:
Underlying health conditions
Your environment
Mental state
Caffeine
These list of factors are not exhaustive in any sense, however, these are very common factors that hinder sleep. Underlying health conditions can definitely interfere with the production of the melatonin hormone and also interfere with sleep even in the presence of high melatonin levels in the brain. Experiencing pain, arthritis for example, in one part of different parts of your body can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
Your environment is another important factor that will interfere with your sleep. If you’re feeling too hot or too cold, you may find that you’re not able to fall and/or stay asleep for a long time. It is very very important to create a conducive environment to sleep in. Another environmental factor will be noise levels. While some are totally fine with some level of noise, some are very sensitive to it. It is important that you sleep in an environment where there is little to no noise.
Mental state is another factor that may interfere with our sleep. When you’re stressed about an exam or are anxious about something, or are depressed, all of these will definitely affect how fast you fall asleep and the overall quality of your sleep.
Caffeine affects the quality of your sleep in many ways. Studies have shown caffeine to decrease sleep time by an average of 2 hours[1]. Caffeine has also been shown to be responsible for the number of times you wake throughout the night. Caffeine’s effect on sleep is not universal. Some people have caffeine and still get their quality sleep while some wouldn’t dare to consume caffeine 6-10 hours before bed time. Goes to show you how we are all different in our special ways; some are lucky and some just aren’t.
Melatonin Dosage
The right dosage of melatonin will vary from one individual to another. Some people who can’t sleep or have some form of sleeping disorder will need small dosage of melatonin, while some individuals will need a high dose. Currently, the popular dosage sizes of melatonin are 1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 5mg, and 10mg. Many of these melatonin dosage sizes are readily available online and in stores.
Melatonin in 10mg and 5mg Bottles
While on the topic of melatonin dosage, it is important to note that melatonin can be used by adults and children. Children who have issues sleeping will find that melatonin can help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It’s not advisable to have kids over-rely on melatonin. The main reason is that over-relying on melatonin while they are young might mean they may need melatonin for the rest of their lives. Additionally, there are no studies on long term effect of melatonin use.
So what is the right melatonin dosage? Again, this will vary from one individual to another. Some individuals who need very little help with sleep will find that 1/2 a milligram to 1mg is just enough, while some individuals will need 2mg or 10mg. Based on available studies, it does not appear that one can overdose on melatonin. The good news is that taking too much melatonin isn’t harmful to an adult, it’s just a matter of body tolerance.
If you haven’t used melatonin pills before, you absolutely do not know how well it will work for you or how your body will react to it. We suggest you start out at 1/2 a milligram for children and 1mg for adults. If that doesn’t work, you may increase to 1mg for children and 3mg for adults. If these dosage amounts aren’t effective, you could safely increase dosage up to 3mg for children and 5mg for adults. If you plan to give your child more than 3mg, please consult with your healthcare provider first. As for adults, you can take anywhere from 1mg to 20mg without issues. Some people take more, but for the purpose of sleep, it is best to experiment incrementally as opposed to just starting out with a high dosage like 10mg.
Be aware, high melatonin dosage have been known to cause seizures in children. Be sure to consult with you pediatric provider before administering melatonin on a child.
Melatonin Overdose
One question we have been getting lately is whether you can overdose on melatonin. The answer is a yes with a caveat. With a caveat because there isn’t a dosage recommendation for melatonin. As we mentioned before, it’s best to experiment and gradually increase dosage if 1mg isn’t effective in making you fall asleep.
What happens when you take more melatonin than you body can handle? You may start to experience the side effects of melatonin. Some possible side effects of taking melatonin, either in lower or higher doses include: drowsiness, grogginess, irritability, nausea, headache, and a host of other symptoms.
Melatonin and Jet Lag
Travelers who travel frequently across time zones and continents can attest first-hand how helpful melatonin was in helping to deal with jet lag. When you jet lag, you experience some symptoms that take several days or weeks to overcome. Some jet lag symptoms are feelings of discomfort and irritability, erratic and poor sleep, indigestion, and fatigue during the day.[1]
A randomized study in 2002 tried to answer whether melatonin is a good supplement for prevention and treatment of jet lag. What this study found was that melatonin isn’t just a good supplement for prevention and treatment of jet lag, it found melatonin to be great supplement for jet lag prevention and treatment.
The study [2] found that 9 out of 10 trials showed melatonin, when taken close to bedtime (between 10pm and 12am) of trial participants, helped decrease jet lag. The positive effects of melatonin in alleviating the symptoms of jet lag was even better when trial participants flew across at least 5 time zones.
Other Uses and Benefits of Melatonin
Breast Cancer
BPA (Bisphenol A) is a very popular chemical in a lot of things we interact with daily. BPA is widely used to manufacture plastics, sealants, paper treatment (receipts/invoice), and many supplies we use. BPA is known to mimic estrogen and is responsible for hormone-related cancers. A new 2018 study found that taking melatonin could dramatically reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells by killing BPA-elevated cells in the body. The conclusion of the the authors, in their own words:
… these results demonstrated that melatonin could abrogate BPA-induced proliferation of BC cells. Therapeutically, melatonin could be regarded as a potential medication for BPA-associated [breast cancer] BC. [3]
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder characterized by generalized muscular pain accompanied by fatigue and tenderness at specific anatomic sites called tender points.[4]
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 101 patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) found that melatonin, administered alone or with 20mg of flueoxetine (Prozac), was effective in treating patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.[4]
Menopause
With menopause comes sleep problems. Some studies have shown melatonin to be effective in treating menopause related sleep problems. Additionally, melatonin helps perimenopausal woment prevent bone loss and improves the quality of life.[5]
Cardiopreotective and Neuroprotective Properties
Studies have shown melatonin to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggest that melatonin may help lower blood pressure. Other research have shown melatonin to increase cell survival while at the same time decreasing oxidative stress.[6]
In this post, I will try to explain the difference between turmeric and curcumin. At the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of what turmeric is, and what curcumin is. You will also learn about the benefits of turmeric as well as the benefits of curcumin.
So let’s begin…
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric, known by its scientific name, Curcuma Longa, is a rhizome. By definition, a rhizome is “a rootlike subterranean stem, commonly horizontal in position, that usually produces roots below and sends up shoots progressively from the upper surface.” Source: dictionary.com
Turmeric is similar to ginger in form and family, but different in color, smell, origin, phytochemistry, and a whole lot more.
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin – Bright Yellow Color
Curcumin is an important part of turmeric that gives it its bright yellow color. Curcumin, also referred to as curcuminoid, is widely used in the food industry for food coloring (curry anyone?) and aroma. Curcumin has a lot of health benefits besides its use as a coloring agent in food. Recent studies suggest that a highly bioavailable curcumin is an excellent natural anti-inflammatory and the benefits don’t stop there.
So, What’s The Difference Between Turmeric and Curcumin?
Logically, there is no difference between these two. Turmeric is the rhizome and curcumin is a component of this rhizome that gives it it’s distinct yellow color. A big chunk of the benefits associated with turmeric curcumin come from curcuminoids contained in turmeric. To explain a little further: turmeric is a plant, and inside this plant, there is a natural chemical component called curcumin/curcuminoids.
Turmeric Curcumin Benefits
Curcuminoids in its natural form is poorly absorbed by the body. A highly bioavailable curcumin, however, is the real deal. Old and new studies suggests that turmeric curcumin can be used to effectively treat “psoriasis, various tumors, wound healing and also [] neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.” Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19491031
Turmeric Curcumin Composition
A lot of studies nowadays tend to focus more on the curcumin alone as though that’s the only important part of turmeric. One could after all argue that curcuminoid is the most important component of turmeric. Research also showed that the whole rhizome holds a lot more health benefits than initially thought. Do you know turmeric curcumin has over 200 confirmed nutrients / health benefits?
Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin Composition
A turmeric curcumin supplement like the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin doesn’t just focus on the curcuminoids alone. With research, critical turmeric extracts (turmerone oil, polysaccharides, turmerin protein, and dietary fiber) were naturally combined within a natural turmeric matrix. This multi-stage process allows the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin to achieve an unrivaled absorption levels.
It’s no news that for you to derive noticeable benefits from using turmeric curcumin as an anti-inflammatory supplement, or as an anti-aging supplement, or any other beneficial use, you’d have to get a brand that’s highly bioavailable. Bioavailable in the sense that, it has to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the intestines and be efficiently absorbed by the body.
There are a many brands out there that present their turmeric curcumin extract as the gospel truth. Yes, while these turmeric extracts may be superior to store-bought curcumin or your kitchen-cabinet turmeric spice, they are in no way superior to Acumin – the patented all-natural ingredient used in manufacturing the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin.
The table below shows you how advanced Acumin is compared to other patented turmeric extract. In this table, we show you the real numbers, and what differentiates Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin from the others. These aren’t made up numbers, these are numbers derived from vigorous testing.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Patented Turmeric Curcumin
CMAX and AUC are the gold standard testing techniques used to quantify the rate and extent of turmeric curcumin absorption. CMAX is used to determine the concentration of curcuminoids in the blood while AUC helps us understand how much concentration there is as time passes.
Numbers Don’t Lie
From the numbers above, we can confidently conclude that, at peak blood level (Cmax/mg) — concentration of curcuminoids in the blood, Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin (Acumin) is:
6.8x greater than BCM-95
1.03x greater than Meriva
7.9x greater than CurcuWIN
3.1x greater than Cavacurmin
21.5x greater than Longvida
And, with respect to the amount of curcumin in the blood (AUC/mg) over time, Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin is:
13.1x greater than BCM-95
1.9x greater than Meriva
3.5x greater than CurcuWIN
3.4x greater than Cavacurmin
24.0x greater than Longvida
You may be wondering, I haven’t heard of these brands before and I am not familiar with these names. Well, here is the gist; these are patented or branded turmeric curcumin extracts. They end up being the bulk of ingredients in popular turmeric curcumin supplements or spices.
Popular Curcumin Supplement with BCM-95 (Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin and Terry Naturally Curamin)
Life Extension Curcumin | Terry Naturally Curamin
Per the table above, the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin has a Cmax/mg that’s at least 6.8 times more than Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin and Terry Naturally Curamin. Additionally, the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin is 13 times better than these brands in terms of AUC/mg.
Doctor’s Best Curcumin Phytosome (Meriva), Thorne Research Meriva-SF, Jarrow Formulas Curcumin Phytosome (Meriva) all have the patented Meriva turmric curcumin. Guess what? The just Potent is 103% better when it comes to peak blood concentration levels (Cmax/mg) of turmeric curcumin and 190% better than all these products when it comes to amount of curcumin present in the blood over time. No wonder the Just Potent Turmeric Curcumin works around the clock.
CurcuWIN? Here is one popular brand:
Natrol Curcuwin
The Just Potent absorbs better than Natrol Turmeric (Extra Strength). By the numbers, the Just Potent Turmeric Curcumin (with Acumin) is 7.9 times better than the Natrol Turmeric (Extra Strength) with respect to Cmax/mg and 3.5 times better when you compare their respective AUC/mg.
Lastly, we compare numbers with Now CurcuBrain which has Longvida Curcumin.
Now Foods CurcuBrain – Longvida
Testing showed that Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin is way, way, way, better in terms of absorption and the levels of curcumin present in the blood over time. Here are the numbers: the Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin is at least 21 times better than CurcuBrain by Now (Longvida curcumin) in (Cmax/mg) and 24 times better with respect to AUC/mg.
Choose the Best Turmeric Curcumin
Remember, Cmax/mg and AUC/mg are the gold standard methods for measuring bioavailability of turmeric curcumin. DO NOT allow any company tell you otherwise. Before you buy your next turmeric curcumin, ask the company what their Cmax/mg and AUC/mg are. If they can’t provide you these numbers, it possibly means they haven’t done any testing of their product or they just don’t know and should be avoided. If they do provide you these numbers, be sure to measure them against our numbers. What you will realize is that they simply can’t beat the best turmeric curcumin supplement in the market today: The Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin.
If you are currently using any of these brands, we believe the time to switch to a better turmeric curcumin is now. If you have had success with these brands, it simply means you will have even better results with Just Potent Ultra-High Absorption Turmeric Curcumin.
An informed consumer will always win. You’re a winner and it’s time to switch!
