Probiotic is a term meaning “for life”. Some could see this as a very generalized term, as many things could be “probiotic”. However in the health food and nutrition field probiotic is used to describe a supplement that contains living beneficial microorganisms. According to the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations probiotics are “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

The Importance of Microorganisms.

Excerpt from Nootropix Manifesto:

“Our organic bodies are very wondrous and complex systems. Utilizing many different molecular structures and symbiosis with a plethora of different microorganisms to culminate in a living, growing organic system we call human life. The key to this beautiful process is proper balance. All these seemingly unrelated natural forces coming together in a proper harmony to produce living systems. When one of these systems goes too far out of balance our bodies begin to work improperly resulting in ailments, disease and death. To maintain optimum health we must maintain optimum balance of our organic/living systems.”

There are many different microorganisms that are beneficial to you. They are present in most, if not all, levels of your organic body. The skin, intestines, muscles and cardiovascular systems all contain their own beneficial microorganisms. Its hard to even tell whether or not these microorganisms should be considered an actual part of the human body or merely single celled life forms that we have a symbiotic relationship with. In the case of nutritional probiotics we are concerned primarily with the balance of the digestion system, and more specifically the balance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.

Common Recommended Uses of Probiotics.

Probiotics have been useful in aiding digestion and in the treatment of diarrhea, prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTI), vaginal infections, treat irritable bowl syndrome (IBS), aid a lactose intolerance, aiding in the treatment of infection caused by Clostridium difficile, preventing Eczema in children, reducing bladder cancer recurrence,

Probiotics in Relation to Antibiotic Treatments & Yeast Infection.

The most common use for a probiotic is to help clear up and prevent certain infections, one specific infection being yeast infections. There are common misconceptions about yeast infections. Some believe that a yeast infection is an ailment that effects only the vagina of a human female. This is completely false. The male of the species can acquire a yeast infection in their genitals as well, just not as easily because of the natural amount of yeast in the vagina as compared to the penis. And this misconception goes even further as you can get a yeast infection in your lungs, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

A yeast infection means exactly what is says, its an infection of yeast fungi in your body. Yeast is in all people and is beneficial in many cases, but only as long as it is kept in proper balance. When we take antibiotics we are administering an alkaloid into the body that comes from specific types of fungi. Let me explain, to compete for territory fungi release certain alkaloids that will destroy other competitive types of microorganisms such as bacteria. So we adopted these alkaloids from the fungi to become a weapon in our fight against infection. The only problem is that yeast being one of the types of fungi we get these weapons from is not affected by antibiotics at all. When we take antibiotics they will destroy bacteria without prejudice, killing most of our beneficial bacteria’s (referred to as flora and fauna of the body) that are normally around to keep the yeast from getting out of control. Now that our natural flora and fauna are gone the yeast is allowed to run amok.

This is why women typically get yeast infections, and most people a cough or head cold, when/after taking antibiotics for a different infection. Its kind of silly when you think about it. In taking care of one infection we create another one. However, make no mistake, antibiotics are definitely an important part of modern health. We just need to accommodate this problem with a proper solution. We need to make an effort to reestablish the balance of the flora and fauna within the body by reintroducing those beneficial microorganisms that were lost in the antibiotic treatment.

Other Notes.

It is not only during or after antibiotic treatment that we should be concerned with the balance of the microorganisms in our body. The bacteria living in your body can be affected by many variables including the exposure to toxins, electromagnetic radiation and simply everyday diet. It is our belief that intake of probiotics should be a part of a properly balanced diet, and many would agree with us. We feel that after an antibiotic treatment is administered by a physician a person should begin taking a probiotic that is formulated with this situation in mind. You would need more beneficial bacteria after this type of treatment, for reasons listed above, than you would when just maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria.

Remember that balance is key. You need a probiotic formulated for your situation. You dont want to go overboard on a specific bacteria just because it is typically beneficial, everything in improper doses can cause adverse reactions. Do a little research or get a little advice from someone educated in this field of study and your health history, most likely your physician. But keep in mind one physician does not have all the answers. Its good to get multiple expert opinions.

Common Beneficial Microorganisms & Food Sources.

Here is a list of common food sources of probiotics:
Yogurt
Unfermented & Fermented Milk
Miso

There are two dominant types of probiotic bacteria. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

{link to Probiotic Revolution @ amazon and a little blurb about it}

Oxidation is a term for the chemical reaction that occurs when an oxidizing agent, commonly known as free radicals, take electrons from another molecule. Free radical and oxidizing agent are a blanket term for many different molecules. Free Radicals are unbalanced molecules and they interact with other molecules within cells, taking what they need from the healthy cell to become balanced but causing a new free radical to be formed. This chain reaction continues causing oxidative damage to proteins, membranes and genes till the process is stopped by an antioxidant.

Why is Oxidation Bad?

Well oxidation can not be classified as a good or bad thing. It is actually necessary for many chemical reactions in nature and in organic life. Therefor as organic life we need oxidation. However the problem arises when we have too much oxidation. Oxidation and Oxidative stress are currently regarded as the basis for aging and are connected with many forms of human ailment. Cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s and heart diseases are but a few of the known ailments connected with oxidizing agents and oxidation.

What are Causes of Oxidation?

Actually many things can cause oxidation. The natural metabolic processes of the body create oxidizing agents. Just breaking down food or breathing air create oxidizing agents.

You see, when you consume substances (such as food, air, stimulants etc.) for use the body needs to break these substances down into a usable form for the body. This is known as metabolization. The body, with the aid of its many different molecules, breaks apart these consumable substances at the cellular level, so that it may use certain aspects of the substance and discard the others through waste. The process of this metabolization is a whole study in and of itself. So we will not go over it more than needed.

Oxidizing agents are a byproduct of this metabolization process. Our bodies create its own antioxidants, as well as utilizing food sources of antioxidants, to keep these processes in balance. However with all the new pollution of modern life the body has a hard time coping with all the new free radicals it comes into contact with. This is why we believe it is necessary to increase the amounts of antioxidants we consume.

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidant is a blanket term for any molecule capable of preventing or slowing the oxidation of other molecules. There are just as many different antioxidants as there are free radicals. But don’t be fooled into thinking that any one antioxidant will take care of all the different types of free radicals running around your body. Some antioxidants are better suited to handle certain types of free radicals.

You are already consuming and producing these antioxidants without even knowing it. Some of the most common types of antioxidants are ones you should already be familiar with. These are Vitamins A {link to vitamin A post} (beta carotene), C {link to vitamin C post} & E {link to vitamin E post} as well as selenium {link to Selenium post}. These vitamins are extremely useful and necessary for the bodies processes and are integral to many different chemical reactions besides acting as an antioxidant. A healthy diet will go a long way in combating oxidative stress, however with the current living standards in our society the amount of free radicals in the atmosphere alone may be too much for a diet to combat. This is why we strive to find the best antioxidant formula that is well rounded enough to combat all the different types of free radicals on a daily basis. If you come into contact with more pollution than the average human you will need to increase your antioxidant consumption more than an average person.

Common Food Sources of Antioxidants.
Surprise surprise its vegetables and fruit! Imagine that.

Apple
Apricots
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Collards
Cranberries
Plums
Raspberries
Spinach
Sweet Potato
Squash

Just to name a few. Soon we will be compiling an ever growing list of food sources for antioxidants. To stay up to date on all Nootropix information we suggest signing up to our free newsletter or our RSS feed.

Free Radicals Defined

First identified by Moses Gomberg in 1900, free radicals are molecular species that are highly reactive. These tiny things play a role in chemical reactions including that of the human. As the cells produce energy (for function and survival), the also create oxygen molecules that are unstable because its electrons are unpaired. These unpaired electrons make this thing to be highly labile.

In the human body, if these unstable molecules go together with other molecules, they would kill their newly acquainted fellows, thereby speeding up the aging process. Drinking, the radiation coming from TVs and computers, drugs, and cigarette smoking spawn free radicals. If we persistently have stress and do not take them away by way of exercise, we give way to the formation of free radicals. If we don’t have a good sleep at least seven hours, we are actually exciting production of more fee radicals.

A lot of changes in our body are as a result of the activities of the free radicals. They damage the DNA and impair other vital functions of cells, causing premature death to these cells. Over time, all these damages would mount up and cause our body to accelerate aging.

Upon breathing, oxygen induces a process called oxidation. And it is in here where free radicals form. This process is likened to the oxidation of metals. Once oxidized, aluminum turns to be white, iron becomes rusty, and copper transforms into green. In the same logic that oxidation damages metals; free radicals are also detrimental to our body.

How Antioxidants Work

Antioxidants are molecules that have the capability of preventing oxidation of other molecules (by the name itself: antioxidant). In the light of anti-aging, antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in plants. If our body has an abundance of antioxidants, we will be able to prevent the harm brought about by free radicals.

Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can help you look younger, live longer, and be at your optimum health.
Foods rich in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables can give you great protection from coronary heart diseases, and age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Antioxidants can also strengthen our immune resistance to diseases such as influenza and other bacterial and viral infections.

These substances also reduce a personís risk of acquiring cancer, an incurable disease. Antioxidants also prevent glaucoma and the age-related degeneration of our macula, the part of the eye that is dedicated for superior acuity vision. Antioxidants also beat down the passing of the aging clock making your skin and other organs rejoice.

Carotenoids, zinc, selenium, and the Vitamins A, C, and E are some of the main antioxidants. Glutathione is said to be the most powerful among all forms of antioxidants. They are naturally present in our body since we were young but depletes as we get older.

If antioxidant supplements are not your type, you may take some delectable bite of the super fruits such as blueberry and raspberry which are said to contain the most number of antioxidants.

So now that you have understood well how these miracle supplements work, you would realize why these wonder tablets cost a lot.

May you have a healthily long and young life!

You found out you are pregnant. Never has it been more crucial to eat well. Not eating well during your pregnancy can increase your risk of complications. Eating well has never been easier during pregnancy than it is now.

First, remember that once you hit the second trimester, you should be eating about 300 more calories a day. Calories provide you with the extra energy that your body needs to grow your baby. Now these extra calories should not give you the right to chow down on every food in your line of site. After all, it is only 300 calories that your are getting. A glass of milk or one banana equals 100 calories and a slice of whole wheat bread, and ounce of cheese and a half of cup of grapes equal 200 calories. See how much more you are eating than if you decide to eat a donut instead.

Remember that you need at least three servings of protein each day. Protein contains amino acid which is one of the most important building block for your baby’s tissue. Protein is very easy to come by and your options are endless. You can drink 3 glasses of milk, and you can have 2 cups of yogurt along with 3 ounces of cheese.

Next, you need at least four servings of calcium every day. Calcium is going to help grow your baby’s bones and help protect yours. Milk is the best way to get your fill of calcium, but you can also get your fill of calcium from cheeses, yogurt and even ice cream.

Aim for at least three servings of vitamin C. Your body does not store vitamin C so you need a fresh supply of it every day. You can eat fruit or almost any vegetable to get your vitamin C in. You also want to make sure you get three to four servings of green leafy and yellow vegetables and fruits. Most of these veggies and fruits will also count toward your vitamin C intake, so that is double the benefit.

You should get in one to two servings of all other fruit and vegetables that are not known for their vitamin A and C value, but are still good for you all the same. Apples, banana, and onions are just a few that are in this category. Eat six or more servings of whole grains and legumes. These are filled with vitamins E and B and they help you battle constipation. Try eating brown rice, whole wheat breads and even air popped corn to get your servings of whole grains and legumes in.

Perhaps one of the most important nutrients you and your body need is iron. Your body’s demand for iron will never be greater than it is while you are pregnant. You want to make sure you are able to keep up with it. Not enough iron could lead to anemia so you want to make sure you are getting enough iron. If you feel that you are not, talk to your doctor and he might be able to prescribe you a iron supplement.

It is always a good idea to eat well every day. However when you are pregnant it is essential that you eat well every day. If you cant always get around to making a well balanced meal or are too busy with the many tasks life throws at us it may be time to look into getting a multi-vitamin. nootropix would like to suggest a Multi Vitamin for Women for you.

What are Omega Fatty Acids?

The most common buzz word these days is the idea of Omega fatty acids or essential fatty acids. These chemical structures are things that the body needs in order to maintain cellular health as well as to prevent inflammation in the body. They also help to maintain the integrity of the nervous system in addition to making sure the body is free from certain illnesses. Studies have linked Omega fatty acids with prevention of cancer, limiting disease growth, as well as helping with mental health disorders. These EFAs (essential fatty acids) can not be produced by the body, so they need to be ingested through the diet or in a supplement form.

There are three different kinds of Omega fatty acids that you will hear about – Omega 3, 6, and 9. Each of these numbers designates that chemical structure, with each ascending number as the longer chain that needs to be broken down by the body. But how they are chemically constructed is usually not the most important point for the everyday person. People want to know what these Omega fatty acids will do for their body.

What Does Omega 3 Do for the Body?

Omega 3 fatty acids are those that are found in oily fishes and in fish oil supplements. These fatty acids are responsible for helping the body create developed neural networks – simply put, they help to build brain power in children as well as adults. Research in the UK has shown that children given EFAs are more likely to score higher on reading tests as well as improve their overall behaviour. Omega 3s are linked with helping those with ADD and ADHD as well, in addition to a variety of other mental health disorders likes OCD and depression. In relation to inflammation in the body, Omega 3 fatty acids can also assist those with arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.

Recent studies from Harvard University have also suggested that Omega 3 fatty acids can also help with high blood pressure and other forms of heart disease. Cancer prevention is another commonly listed benefit of Omega 3 fatty acids.

What Does Omega 6 Do for the Body?

Omega 6 fatty acids are those found in plant sources like nuts and flax seeds. These essential fatty acids have many of the same benefits as Omega 3 fatty acids, but they are not as widely encouraged as those from fish sources.

These fatty acids will still help with inflammation in relation to arthritis and autoimmune diseases, but these EFAs are more commonly referred to in terms of their effect on the skin and hair of the person taking them. Studies have shown that the fatty acids can help to manage acne as well as conditions like psoriasis. Women especially can benefit from Omega 6 fatty acids as they can also help with menstrual disorders and related symptoms.

What Does Omega 9 Do for the Body?

Like its other essential fatty acid family members, Omega 9 fatty acids have a large role to play in relation to the health of the patient. Found in animal fat and vegetable oils, these fatty acids aren’t linked as much with health benefits, but still, they should be a part of a healthy diet.

Cancer prevention as well as heart protection are still possible with Omega 9 fatty acids, but these should be a much smaller part of your diet as they can also include saturated fats, which are harmful to the heart in larger quantities.

How to Get More Essential Fatty Acids in Your Diet

It’s simple to get more Omega fatty acids in your diet if you simply look to where the greatest sources of essential fatty acids are – fishes, flaxseed, and animal fats. By simply making sure to have a few servings of these items each week, you will be able to maintain a healthy level of protection for your body and the stresses it goes through each day.

To make things easier, fish oil supplements are a great way to get the right levels and balance of Omega 3, 6, and 9 in your diet. These pills are easy to take, easy to digest and simple to remember.

Conclusion

When you make sure to add Omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids into your diet, you will make sure you are doing all that you can for your health and for your body.

Dave McEvoy is an expert in omega 3 6 9 with over 20 years experience; for more information about fish oil and how it can help come and visit our site.

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The B6 vitamin, also known as pyridoxine, is one of the most versatile of the B vitamins and yet the body only requires a relatively small amount.  The B6 vitamin works closely with all the other B vitamins, especially niacin, folic acid, and Cobalamin and contributes to numerous functions in the body. Amino acids are converted by the B6 vitamin into proteins and it is also required for transforming stored sugar within the body into essential energy. Basically, the B6 vitamin is essential for converting the proteins that are consumed into proteins that the body needs and also for converting the carbohydrates from the form that they are stored in the body to a form that can be used for extra energy.

The body requires a number of different proteins and it is the B6 vitamin that ensures that the correct forms are available. For example, the B6 vitamin will create haemoglobin for carrying oxygen in the blood cells, hormones for regulating blood pressure, neurotransmitters and various enzymes.

The recommended daily allowance for the B6 vitamin is only around 2.0mg but this seemingly insignificant amount is used extremely efficiently within the body to produce over sixty different enzymes. The best sources of the B6 vitamin are high-protein foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, and meat and it is also added to breakfast cereals and bread to ensure that everyone is able to consume their recommended daily allowance, even if they do not eat meat products. An additional amount of the b6 vitamin may be beneficial for the heart and immune system. B6 vitamin supplements are sometimes required by asthmatics and diabetics. However, it is important to be aware that large doses of the B6 vitamin can be toxic.

As the B6 vitamin is found in many common foods the majority of people receive sufficient amounts of the vitamin from their normal diet. There are some groups that may need to take a B6 vitamin supplement to ensure that they obtain the recommended daily allowance. For example, pregnant or breastfeeding women will need a slightly higher amount of the B6 vitamin to allow for the amount of the vitamin that is being absorbed by the baby although it is possible to obtain the extra B6 vitamin from an increased consumption of high-protein foods. Strict vegetarians or vegans, however, and children who do not eat animal products may need a B6 vitamin supplement as vegetables and fruits are poor sources of the B6 vitamin.

Nootropix would like to suggest any of these approved multi-vitamins to help you in your quest for continued wellness. Theres a Multi Vitamin for Men as well as a Multi Vitamin for Women.

Nootropix is constantly striving to find you the best natural health and wellness products on the market. Please check back often or sign up for our e-mail newsletter to stay up to date on these and other great health options.

The B5 vitamin is also known as Pantothenic Acid. The B5 vitamin is the most prolific of all the vitamins and is found in every type of food. In fact, it is impossible for a person to consume less B5 vitamin than they need. That means that there is no little possibility that a person can have a B5 vitamin deficiency. For this reason, there is actually no recommended daily amount that health professionals can state as everyone obtains more than enough from their normal food consumption. However, even though there is no need to calculate a recommended daily allowance it does not mean that the B5 vitamin is not vital for a healthy body and mind. In fact, the B5 vitamin is essential for turning food into energy amongst other functions. The B5 vitamin is responsible for taking the fats and carbohydrates into energy.

Some B5 vitamin can be found in almost every food whether it is animal or vegetable. Obviously there are some sources of the B5 vitamin that are better than others but a balanced diet will provide more than enough. The foods with the highest B5 vitamin content are organ meats, salmon, eggs, beans, milk, and whole grains. It is worth noting that the B5 vitamin is lost when grains are milled into flour and tends not to beaded back in. Therefore, processed grain foods such as bread, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, and baked goods are not good sources of the B5 vitamin.

The B5 vitamin is the most effective when it is combined with other B vitamins especially thiamin or B1, riboflavin or B2, niacin or B3, pyridoxine or B6, and biotin. Along with these other B vitamins, the B5 vitamin is an integral part in a number of processes. The most important of these is the production of energy from food that is consumed and this is known as the Krebís cycle. The B5 vitamin is also required for releasing energy from fats.

Interestingly, the B5 vitamin is also considered to be helpful in reducing stress. This is chiefly due to the fact that during periods of stress, the body produces more of certain hormones such as adrenalin and these require the B5 vitamin. There are many theories as to the benefits of the B5 vitamin but there is no need for the majority of people to actively seek out foods that are high in B5 as they are likely to be consuming far more than is needed already. There are no adverse effects to consuming too much B5 vitamin.

Nootropix would like to suggest any of these approved multi-vitamins to help you in your quest for continued wellness. Theres a Multi Vitamin for Men as well as a Multi Vitamin for Women.

Nootropix is constantly striving to find you the best natural health and wellness products on the market. Please check back often or sign up for our e-mail newsletter to stay up to date on these and other great health options.

There is a lot of discussion about the B complex vitamin and how it is essential for the body to perform a multitude of functions. However, the B complex vitamin is not simply one very complicated vitamin, as the name might suggest. There are actually eight B vitamins that are in the B complex vitamin as well as a few other related substances. The eight vitamins that make up the B complex vitamin are thiamine or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin or vitamin B3, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, cobalamine or vitamin B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin. The other related substances that are also in the B complex vitamin include choline, inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid.

Every part of the B complex vitamin performs its own individual function within the body but it is when they work together as the B complex vitamin that they provide essential maintenance for the body to remain healthy. The B vitamin complex comprises B vitamins which are water soluble and it is essential that enough of these vitamins are consumed on a daily basis. The body cannot store water soluble vitamins such as the B complex vitamin and this leads to a regular intake being required.

The B complex vitamins are extremely beneficial for a number of conditions and may be needed in additional quantities at certain times in a personís life. Of course, there is a recommended daily allowance for the B complex vitamins that varies according to the sex and age of a person. However, doctors and other health professionals have discovered the benefits of increasing the intake of the B complex vitamin to help overcome certain illnesses.

Many people suffer from anxiety and stress at one time or another and research has found that the B complex vitamin can be beneficial in helping alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress. If a person has been unwell the B complex vitamin can be extremely valuable in aiding the recovery process. Fatigue can be a symptom of a multitude of illnesses as well as simply overdoing things but the B complex vitamin can help alleviate general tiredness and lethargy.

Interestingly, some skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can also benefit from addition B complex vitamin intake. In fact, a number of creams and other skin preparations contain added vitamin B complex that can be absorbed by the skin to alleviate the condition. The condition of a personís hair will also be greatly improved with sufficient B complex vitamin intake.