Kids Kosher Supplements

For children, it’s especially important to have a well balanced diet to promote growth and well being. But for moms with finicky eaters, that can be difficult. That’s why taking kosher supplements can be so beneficial for young kids. They are sweet and tasty and have essential vitamins and minerals.

Calcium is important for strong bones, nerves and muscles. Zinc is good for the immune system, and vitamins like A, B, C, D and E are found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, which many kids snub. Vitamin C is essential for the immune system and brain functions and holds together our skin under the surface. B Vitamins (see below) are crucial for metabolizing carbohydrates, and the refined sugars and starches that kids are so fond of deplete B vitamins. Omega 3 fatty acids are also crucial to brain development, and are found in fatty ocean fishes, which many kids don’t choose to eat. Kosher fish oil is a good alternative.

So if your child has dietary problems, it’s a good idea to try kosher supplements. There are tasty flavors like fruit punch and cherry and they come in tablets and liquid form. www.KosherVitamins.com has tons of tasty kosher supplements that your child will love.

There are so many kinds of sugar. I've heard that none of them is very good for you, so what are they all for?

There are so many kinds of sugar. I've heard that none of them is very good for you, so what are they all for?

I’m not a nutritionist, but what you’ve heard is pretty much correct: sugar, for the most part, is sugar, though refined sugars are metabolized by the body more quickly than starch. (Therefore refined sugars tend to disrupt body chemistry more than starch does.)

While you might want to sometimes try satisfying your sweet tooth with fruit, when something sugary is the only thing that will do, here are a selection of sugar varieties for you to try:

Brown sugar—both light and dark—has a molasses-like flavor and aroma. Both types are typically used in baking in the same measurements as regular sugar. They’re also great for sprinkling on hot cereals.

Turbinado sugar, sometimes called raw sugar, is used predominantly in baking though it’s become popular in a lot of coffee shops as well. Its larger crystals are somewhat less processed than refined white sugar, but its effects on the blood sugar are the same.

Brown rice syrup is a mild, minimally refined sweetener. Substitute it one to one for sugar, but reduce the total amount of liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup per cup of brown rice syrup used.

Honey is one of the least-refined sweeteners, but, like other sugars, it raises the blood sugar quickly and should be used in moderation. Always look for raw honey, which has its natural nutrients and enzymes intact. (Caution: Do not give honey to babies under 12 months of age because it may contain Clostridium botulinium spores that can cause botulism in an immature immune system; they are harmless after the first year of age.)

There is one natural sugar alternative that is gaining popularity: Kosher Stevia root, which is available in packets or liquid extract. Though very sweet, it isn’t a sugar, so it doesn’t affect blood sugar the way sugar does. It doesn’t taste exactly like sugar, but its fruity taste works well in teas and baked goods.

Chef Steve Petusevsky, a graduate and former instructor of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, is a nationally syndicated columnist whose writing appears in Natural Health, Fine Cooking, the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, and the Chicago Tribune.

Don't Worry, 'B' Happy!

If you’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps lately, it might be because of vitamins, or a lack thereof – specifically B Vitamins. These vitamins help to keep you happy and promote cellular growth and regeneration.

Here’s a quick list to refresh your memory if you’ve forgotten which B Vitamin is which:
• Vitamin B1 –thiamine
• Vitamin B2 –riboflavin
• Vitamin B3 –niacin
• Vitamin B7 –biotin
• Vitamin B9 –folic acid
These are some of the more common B Vitamins which if you don’t ingest either in food or kosher supplement form, can cause problems in the body. These vitamins improve the health of the skin, eyes, hair, liver, muscles and facilitate the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy.

These vitamins are found in a variety of foods such as bananas, meats, rice and countless vegetables. As long as you eat a balanced diet, you shouldn’t worry about getting your B vitamins, but if you feel like your diet has recently been poor and you can feel the difference, getting a kosher supplement might make up for it. So feel better by living healthier, and whether it’s through what you eat, or the vitamins you take, start being happier today!

Exotic Fruits and Berries Boast Big Antioxidants

Exotic Fruits and Berries.

Healthnotes Newswire (February 25, 2010)—From South America to Malaysia, from Hawaii to China, fruits, berries, and their juices are being hailed as the new superfoods. Boasting high amounts of antioxidants and other vital nutrients, these superfoods can play a supporting role in a healthy diet. They are widely available as antioxidant juices, supplements, or added ingredients in smoothies, recipes, and other premade products.

Rush of antioxidants

Antioxidants are the body’s armed forces, working to prevent free-radical damage to the body’s cells, which is associated with premature aging and disease.

• Pomegranate: Ruby-red pomegranate is an antioxidant superstar. The distinctive sweet-tart flavor of the seeds and juice adds flare to food and drink. Native to Iran and the northern Himalayas in India, the pomegranate today is grown in California and Arizona.

• Açaí: Another rich antioxidant source with a notable taste, açaí is a cross between dark chocolate and berries. Derived from Amazon palmberries, its rich purple pigment denotes a high antioxidant level. According to the manufacturers, açaí is also high in amino acids and fatty acids, which help to keep cell membranes supple. You’ll find açaí in smoothies, juices, teas, and powders.

Exotic fruits for vitality

A host of other fruits from around the world show promise for their health-promoting properties, though research is needed to confirm their benefits:

• Goji: The berries and juice of the goji fruit hold its nutritional treasures. From the Ningxia province of China, goji, a fruit of an evergreen shrub, was traditionally regarded as a longevity-promoting and strength-building tonic. Goji is high in antioxidants and amino acids, according to the manufacturers.

• Mangosteen: The juice of the native Malaysian mangosteen Garcinia mangostanas contains a class of antioxidants called xanthones, which hold promise for their disease-fighting properties.

• Noni: Noni, or the morinda tree, is found in the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii. The fruit and its juice are used traditionally as a laxative and topically for skin ailments. Today noni producers tout it for its ability to aid a wide variety of conditions from improving asthma to assisting in weight loss.

• Maqui: According to the manufacturers of the maqui products, this Chilean berry has the highest known antioxidant content of any fruit and has been traditionally used by Mapuche Indians for supporting stamina, increasing strength, and promoting healthy immune response.

Keep it real

When trying new products—especially those that make big promises—do your research and consult your healthcare practitioner so you can make informed choices. Remember that moderation and variation are the keys to health, and a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts and other protein sources, will work together to promote health and vigor.

Kathleen Finn is a writer and marketing consultant for The Natural Word. She specializes in natural health, food, and fitness material, and has worked on staff at Delicious! Magazine and written for Yoga Journal, Spa Magazine, Natural Foods Merchandiser, and Nutrition Science News. She holds a master's degree in Journalism from University of Colorado in Boulder.

Losing Weight and Feeling Good With Kosher Vitamins

If you really want to lose weight you probably already know the basics: eat right and exercise. But did you know that taking a multivitamin also helps?

That’s right. When you don’t get all the necessary vitamins, your body will make you hungry to try to obtain those essential nutrients. When taking a multivitamin, your body is satiated with the nutrients it needs, and while this doesn’t mean that you should eat less, it does mean that you will be less hungry. Kosher vitamins are really helpful if you want to lose weight but aren’t getting the results you want.

Not only that, but taking a multivitamin will help you feel better. During the winter, when you may not be getting the sunlight you need, a multivitamin gives you that necessary Vitamin D, a vitamin many Americans are greatly deficient in. There are many other vitamins that are beneficial that you may not realize you don’t consume. Taking a multivitamin as a dietary kosher supplement is a great way to ensure prime physical well being.

So visit www.KosherVitamins.com today to start feeling better – whether you want to lose weight, shape your diet, or just be happier, a multivitamin will help you achieve your goal!

Sporting Fun with Kosher Vitamins: Tips for Healthy Living

I’m a big fan of Kosher vitamins, and I take Vitamin C tablets every day to keep my immune system strong and able to ward off coughs and colds. I also take kosher Vitamin A tablets, which help control my acne, and plenty of kosher Vitamin D during the long winter when there’s more snow, cloud and rain than sun. I’m a big believer in combining vitamins and supplements with exercise – preferably in the form of team sports.

I’ve played badminton since I was a child, and while my friends have the perception that the sport doesn’t offer much of a workout (because their way of playing badminton is to not run for the shuttlecock when it’s a little out of reach), I always leave the court hot and sweaty.

Quick feet are needed to be a good badminton player: you have to be able to race from the back of the court to the front of the court to hit that shuttlecock that’s dropping sneakily over the net.

And that's not all! I run for 45 minutes each night to give me the endurance and stamina to get through a long match, and do sprints to make sure I have the aerobic energy that’s needed to get through those fast rallies where you can’t miss a beat.

I also lift weights to build up the strength in my arms; strong biceps are a must for those all-important overhead smashes. Smashes have got to be powerful so you can drive the shuttlecock into the court and win the point.

Badminton is a fun way to keep fit – and best of all, because it’s an indoor sport, I can play it through those long and gloomy winter months. So give it a try! Take plenty of kosher supplements and kosher vitamins and go out there and play! Now that's healthy living.

The Virtues of Fish and Kosher Vitamins

Fish has many virtues. It tastes great, is versatile, and best of all, it’s high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Scientific studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids, which are naturally found in fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies and sardines, as well as flaxseed and some nuts, have a whole host of health benefits.

An intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and pain and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, and breast, colon and prostate cancer. Fish oil can also give you better brain function and help improve your memory, and make you feel happier: studies have shown that fish oil fatty acids can help reduce depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder symptoms.

There are loads of Kosher vitamins you can take to make sure you get your share of fatty acids and essential oils. Many chewable varieties are available, and these usually have fruity or lemony flavors.

If you’re not keen on taking Kosher supplements, enjoy the health benefits of fish the old-fashioned way: by eating it. Try pan-frying some salmon in an Asian-style soy sauce, vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic and sesame seed marinade. Or for something refreshing and zesty—and completely healthy—bake some mackerel with tomatoes, basil leaves and lemon juice.

Pomegranate: A Healthy New Twist for Old Favorites

Pomegranate: A Healthy New Twist for Old Favorites
By Mary Duffy

Healthnotes Newswire (November 12, 2009)—The rich ruby pomegranate has been featured in art, literature, and mythology for centuries. Today, the versatility of this flavorful fruit is inspiring chefs, from the family kitchen to four-star restaurants.

Dress up any dish

Each pomegranate contains hundreds of tiny seeds encased in juice-rich ruby pulp. Devin Alexander, a chef and author of The Most Decadent Diet Ever, suggests adding seeds to a salad and using the juice to make salad dressing. “The seeds are also great to add natural sweetness to black rice and whole grain pilaf dishes,” she notes.

The pomegranate’s sweet-tart taste, deep red color, and many little seeds can add flavor, beauty, and crunch to a wide variety of dishes. Sprinkle seeds into soup or add to baked goods. For a fresh twist to an old standby, add a tablespoon of the juice and three tablespoons of seeds to guacamole. Or try Alexander’s favorite use of the fruit, a variation on the traditional Purple Cow ice cream soda. “I love making Pomegranate Cows. I use pomegranate juice and vanilla frozen yogurt instead of grape juice and ice cream for a much healthier treat.”

Why pick pomegranate?

You’d be hard pressed to find a healthier treat than the pomegranate. It’s filled with nutrients and loaded with antioxidants. Research indicates that it can help lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, prevent the cartilage damage that leads to osteoarthritis, slow progression of prostate cancer, and protect the arteries from plaque buildup. So isn’t it time to try this superfood?

Picking and prepping

Look for fruit that is heavy for its size (and therefore juice-filled) and has bright, unblemished skin. When refrigerated in a plastic bag, pomegranates will keep for up to two months. Loose seeds can be refrigerated for up to three days, or frozen in single layers on trays and in airtight containers for up to six months. Juice can be refrigerated for up to three days, or frozen for up to six months.

To prepare the fruit fresh: Cut the crown end off the pomegranate, and then.....

To read full article on Pomegranate click here

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies: Do They Help?

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies: Do They Help?

With the increased attention on the cold-and-flu season this year has predictably come stronger claims on both ends of the treatment spectrum: from those who cling fervently to favorite remedies that may or may not be supported by research, to conservative practitioners who dismiss anything but flu shots and decongestants as a waste of time and money.

As might be expected, for many people the answer lies somewhere in between: There is simply too much research to completely dismiss some traditional remedies, but not enough to call any one treatment an actual “cure.” While it is common to have studies with differing results, it is important to look at both the study details and the entire body of research to really understand what they are telling us. Keep in mind too that sometimes “a lack of evidence” means that a treatment has simply not been studied, but traditional use may in some cases suggest benefit.

Though most of these much-talked-about remedies below have had their share of research demonstrating both sides of the issue, they ultimately remain well supported as steps to shorten the life of a cold or flu and may help you get back on your feet.

1. Boost immunity with supportive supplements

While evidence on the effectiveness for preventing infections is mixed, immune-boosting supplements may help strengthen your body’s defense system. A short list includes:

• Vitamin C—Studies have shown a higher-than-normal dose of 1,000 to 2,000 mg per day may make your cold shorter and milder. (These amounts are tolerated by most people but may cause diarrhea in others, so pay attention to how your body reacts.)

• Echinacea—At the onset of a cold or flu, 3 to 4 ml of echinacea in a liquid preparation or 300 mg of a powdered form in capsule or tablet can be taken every two hours for the first day of illness, then three times per day for a total of seven to ten days. Though inconclusive, some studies have shown it may shorten the duration of a cold in adults. It has not been shown to be effective for children.

• Zinc lozenges—Lozenges containing zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate, providing 13 to 25 mg every two hours, may help slow the cold virus and shorten the illness. (Avoid zinc sprays, however, as recent reports confirm that they may sometimes seriously damage sense of smell.)

For more on Natural Cold and Flu Remedies click here.

Taming Fear of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine

Taming Fear of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine.
Research has not clearly demonstrated how successfully flu vaccines protect against the flu, but, relying on historical precedent, the healthcare community’s prevailing opinion is that certain groups should take the precaution. This year, the extra focus on the H1N1 (“swine flu”) virus has made many people consider seeking the vaccine for themselves or an at-risk family member, but for some, concerns about H1N1 are outweighed by mistrust of a “new” vaccine.

Old news

In reality, H1N1 isn’t any newer than many previous seasonal flu vaccines. Over time, the influenza virus evolves and sometimes it changes enough that a “new” vaccine must be developed. But the H1N1 vaccine mostly contains the same materials found in related flu serums—with an added particle from the newly evolved virus. The new H1N1 particle stimulates the immune system, which is what is needed to create immunity against the virus.

While it is impossible to predict how all people may react to the new portion of the serum, this type of adjustment has historical precedence, and the calculated risk appears very low, and is so far supported by use. To date, 10,000 to 15,000 children and adults have been vaccinated with the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, without reports of serious side effects.

Not for everyone

While the H1N1 vaccine is considered safe for the healthy general public, just as with the seasonal flu vaccine, no vaccine is completely safe for every person.

Some people should be more cautious than others and talk with their doctor about their personal risks. For example, people with egg allergies should work with a doctor if they are considering the flu vaccine.

Similarly, not all forms of the vaccine are right for all people. For example, administering the vaccine by nasal spray (FluMist) is being more widely used, but should not be used by people with compromised immune systems or people around them, such as cancer patients in active treatment, people with HIV/AIDS, and those who spend time around infants less than 6 months old.

Safety statistics

So, while it’s reassuring that around 100 million people received the seasonal flu vaccine last year without safety problems, there are no guarantees that a rare, negative side effect won’t happen. Health experts estimate that approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1 million people vaccinated may experience serious reactions to any influenza vaccine.

The most important thing to remember is that the risk of negative side effects from vaccines is considered by most health experts to be much lower than the risks from the disease itself. Solid historical data indicates that serious health risks from vaccines appears to be very small, while there is a known risk of serious complications, and even death, from the flu—including the H1N1 strain.

Who and why

Given the low risk of vaccine reactions, getting the vaccine should be a particular priority for people who are at much higher risk of complications from the disease, namely:

• H1N1 is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and is proving to be much more dangerous to a woman and her unborn child than the vaccine. Currently, the death rate among pregnant women hospitalized with H1N1 flu is over 20%, while risk of complications from the vaccine is estimated to be around 1 to 2 in one million.

• People with heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, or diseases requiring immunosuppressive medications should be vaccinated as early in the season as possible.

• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old with cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, type 1 diabetes, or significant lung disease resulting from premature birth should also be vaccinated as early as possible in the season.

Take-home message

Much like advocates of natural remedies sometimes rely on traditional use when there is a lack of controlled research, historical practice has led most health experts to concur that for the vast majority of people in the US, the vaccine will provide far more benefit than harm. If you have questions or concerns about whether you and your family should be vaccinated, talk to your doctor. Additional ways to help stay healthy during flu season include:

• Keeping your immune system in top shape by getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating fresh fruits and vegetables everyday.

• Taking vitamin C (100 to 1,000 mg per day) and vitamin D (1,000 to 2,000 IU per day) supplements if your diet is low in these nutrients.

• Washing your hands frequently; avoiding touching your mouth, nose, and eyes; and staying home if you’re sick.

(National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/H1N1)
Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD, an author, speaker, and internationally recognized expert in chronic disease prevention, epidemiology, and nutrition, has taught medical, nursing, public health, and alternative medicine coursework. She has delivered over 150 invited lectures to health professionals and consumers and is the creator of a nutrition website acclaimed by The New York Times and Time magazine. Suzanne received her training in epidemiology and nutrition at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health at Ann Arbor.
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