> What Is Maltodextrin?

As a rather common additive to a number of different types of foods, maltodextrin is classified as a sweet polysaccharide. While containing sweet qualities, maltodextrin is considered to contain fewer calories than sugar. Here are some examples of how maltodextrin is made from natural foods, as well as how maltodextrin can be used in a number of recipes.

While considered to be a carbohydrate, maltodextrin is understood to be more easily digested than some other forms of carbohydrates, leaving behind less of the potential for health issues. This can be especially important for an individual who is trying to manage their Type 2 diabetes with their diet. Usually made from rice, corn, or potato starch, maltodextrin is produced by cooking down the starch. During the cooking process, which is often referred to as a hydrolysis of starch, natural enzymes and acids help to break down the starch even further. The end result is a simple white powder that contains roughly four calories per gram, and extremely small amounts of fiber, fat, and protein.

Around the kitchen, maltodextrin is among some of the most usable of the dextrin family. At least one of the major artificial sweeteners relies on a base of maltodextrin. This means the substance can often be found in packaged goods such as instant pudding and flavored gelatins. The sweet taste of maltodextrin makes is a closer approximation to the taste of sugar, which makes it ideal for use in sweetening teas, coffee, and powdered soft drinks. Maltodextrin can also be used as a thickening agent in a number of sauces and salad dressings.

While there is some amount of uneasiness with just about any type of food additive, it is important to remember that maltodextrin is an example of dextrin products that are derived from a natural source. While maltodextrin is a processed additive, the natural basis for the product helps to make it easier for the body to digest than many other forms of sugar substitutes.

Also, anyone who wants to watch their intake of carbohydrates or sugar will find that maltodextrin is a very helpful substance to have around the house. Whether using maltodextrin to sweeten liquids, or to help thicken a broth or gravy for a casserole, or just as a way to add a little sweetness without the calories, maltodextrin is an inexpensive and safe way to get the taste you want. As a bonus, you can have the sweet taste and not have to be concerned about many of the health risks associated with artificial sweeteners.

> L-Carnitine and Weight Loss

The primary function of carnitine in the body, is to regulate fat oxidation (burning). L-Carnitine is responsible for transporting fat to the fat furnace in our cells called mitochondria. Unless fat makes it to the mitochondria, it cannot be oxidized, no matter how much you exercise or diet.

Many studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of L-Carnitine for fat burning. Evidence, more so than not, has suggested that when used correctly, along with a balanced diet (adequate protein, essential fats, and fiber), it works. L-Carnitine however, is not the "silver bullet"; it is just another piece of the fat burning puzzle.

How Your Body Makes L-Carnitine:

• The body can make small amounts of L-Carnitine.
• To do so, you need the amino acids: lysine and methionine and vitamins such as niacin, B6, and vitamin C.
• A shortage of any of these nutrients, can lower carnitine levels and reduce fat burning .
• Lysine has been shown to boost carnitine levels. Lysine is the amino acid precursor that builds the carnitine molecule.**
• Strict vegetarians get little or no carnitine.

 **Nature's Gold Level I & II - contains 7 essential amino acids* critical to providing cellular regeneration and repair.

Sources of L-Carnitine in Our Diets: 

• L-Carnitine is found predominately in meat and animal products.
• Red meat is the best source.
• Chicken and turkey also contain carnitine.
• Dairy and milk products contain small amounts.
• Most fruits, vegetables, and grains contain almost no carnitine. The exceptions are tempeh and avocados, which contain small amounts.

Factors That Inhibits L-Carnitine Production and Fat Burning:

• L-Carnitine works best with a diet low in sugars and starches (carbohydrates).
• Studies show that for carnitine to work effectively, carbohydrate intake should be kept below 50% of total calories consumed daily.
• Elevated insulin levels inhibit optimal carnitine activity (the burning of body fat and energy production).
• Omega 3 fats (flaxseed and fish oils) improve carnitine activity and function in the body.**
• Adequate protein at each meal is essential for carnitine activity and fat burning.

** Benefit from Flax Seed Oil . Not only does it improve carnitine activity in the body, but studies have shown that it can substantially lower the risk of death from coronary heart disease. Flax seed oil contains twice the amount of Omega-3 oils than that of fish oil products.  NSP's Flax Seed Oil is 100% organic and unrefined; due to the cold pressing of the seeds.

Reap the benefits of **Super Oil capsules that combines oil from three different sources.

Hemp oil and Hemp Hearts are Nature's super food, unleash their remarkable powers.

L-Carnitine and Fat Burning:

• L-Carnitine assists in the transport of long-chained fatty acids that are burned for energy.
• L-Carnitine enhances the consumption of fat as a source of fuel.
• L-Carnitine has been shown to increase the amount of fat you burn during both anaerobic (strength training) and aerobic (cardiovascular) workouts.
• L-Carnitine plays an important role in mobilizing fatty deposits found in tissues of overweight individuals.
• L-Carnitine helps remove fats waste products (ketones) from the blood stream.
• Effective carnitine activity helps to discourage fatty build up in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle.
• L-Carnitine has been shown to improve lean muscle strength. Maintaining muscle tissue takes four to five times more calories than maintaining fat tissue, which is important for permanent weight loss.
• L-Carnitine helps to stabilize blood sugar and eliminate cravings for carbohydrates.

> What is Psyllium Husk?

Psyllium husk or isphagula is the covering of seeds grown on the plant, Plantago Psyllium, which flourishes in the Middle East. Psyllium husk has long been recognized as an excellent means of getting more dietary fiber into a person’s diet due to its high fiber count in comparison to other grains. Oat bran, also a good source of fiber, has about five grams of fiber per a third of a cup. Psyllium husk, on the other hand, offers approximately 71 grams of fiber for that same third of a cup.

This heavy dose of dietary fiber makes psyllium husk the choice of many who manufacture dietary fiber supplements and powders like Metamucil. For those suffering from constipation or diarrhea, appropriate daily dietary fiber intake can help improve these conditions. As psyllium husk travels through the human digestive tract, it absorbs water, but is not digested. This results in stool that is bulkier, but also softer, translating to fewer problems with passing stool.

Although most associate psyllium husk with improving digestion, clinical studies on isphagula have also shown that it is beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol. Of course, cholesterol is more likely to be lowered when combined with a low fat diet. Yet even with a higher fat diet, psyllium husk, when taken regularly, lowers low-density lipoproteins, known as “bad cholesterol” by about 7%.

Some studies have also suggested that regular use of psyllium husk supplements may help pass more fat in stools, translating to weight loss. Other studies suggest psyllium husk may also be helpful in lowering blood sugar counts. These studies are still in their infancy and have yet to truly prove that psyllium husk can be beneficial in these ways.

It is important to be careful with psyllium. Some complain of bloating or gas when first using the product. Most doctors suggest taking several weeks to work up to a full dose of this dietary fiber. Early reactions might include diarrhea and flatulence.

Some people are severely allergic to psyllium husk. This is especially true of those who handle large amounts of psyllium husk to prepare laxatives. Some have had anaphylactic shock reactions to taking psyllium husk. Intestinal obstruction may also be a risk for some, particularly those who have had surgery on the intestines or bowels.

The most important thing to remember when taking psyllium husk is to take it with lots of water. Drinking a full glass with the supplement, and six or seven more glasses a day is recommended. This may be easy to remember if you’re taking a supplement like Metamucil, but don’t forget that plenty of high fiber cereals like Bran Buds and Heartwise contain psyllium and should be consumed with a large glass of water on the side, and at least six more glasses of water during the day.

Psyllium husk Benefits

Psyllium is quickly becoming one of the top recommendations for people using low-carb Atkins-style diets. It is very difficult to get enough fibre in a diet when you eliminate the carbohydrates in cereals, whole grains and fruits. Psyllium capsules are an easy way to take care of this problem. It fills you with fibre, reducing appetite without overstimulating the nervous system; a much healthier approach than formulas containing ephedra such as Herbalife or Metabolife.

Psyllium is the husk of the seed of the Plantain and is a top herb used in weight control and for general intestinal health. It contains a spongy fiber that reduces appetite, improves digestion and cleanses the system, making it an excellent choice for healthy dieting. Psyllium can provide the fiber that is missing on low carbohydrate diets. Every 100 grams of psyllium provides 71 grams of soluble fiber; a similar amount of oat bran would contain only 5 grams of soluble fiber. Only recently have scientists learned that soluble fiber has unique effects on metabolism. Just take one or two capsules with a glass of water or Yerba Mate diet tea, half hour before meals. The herb also provides a feeling of fullness that is helpful before meals. Psyllium is one of the simplest, healthiest and most effective herbs for weight control.

Psyllium has also been used for irritable bowel syndrome (a stress-related disorder with alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation). Because it will produce easy bowel movements with a loose stool, Psyllium is used by patients with anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the anus) and hemorrhoids and is often recommended following anal or rectal surgery, during pregnancy and as a secondary treatment in certain types of diarrhea.
Psyllium soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, thereby making stool firmer and, under these circumstances, slower to pass. Psyllium also has the additional advantages over other sources of fiber of reducing flatulence and bloating. It may be recommended by a physician to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids.

In a study of people with ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disorder), psyllium seeds were as shown to be as effective as the prescription drug mesalamine in decreasing recurrences of the disease. In addition, a physician may recommend the use of psyllium as a bulking agent for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (another type of inflammatory bowel disorder).

Research reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes that the use of soluble-fiber cereals is an effective and well-tolerated part of a prudent diet for the treatment of mild to moderate Hypercholesterollaemia. Soluble fibers such as those in psyllium husk, guar gum, and oat bran have a cholesterol-lowering effect when added to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Studies reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown psyllium to be quite effective in lowering total as well as LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, which can be helpful to those with high cholesterol and those at increased risk for developing hypercholesterolemia, such as people with type 2 diabetes.

Studies and clinical reports suggest that psyllium may enhance the sensation of fullness and reduce hunger cravings. For these reasons, incorporating psyllium and other sources of fiber into the diet may aid weight loss.

For those simply wishing to improve digestion and intestinal tract health, a single capsule per day is all that is needed.

> Health Benefits of Antioxidants II

There aren't many things in this world that provide the health benefits of antioxidants!

Because they work in every cell in every part of your body, there doesn't seem to be a health issue that doesn't respond to them.

Specific health benefits of antioxidants that people have reported include, but are not limited to, the following:

•     better resistance to colds and flu
•     softer, younger-looking skin
•     relief from allergies
•     weight loss
•     increased energy
•     relief from asthma
•     improved circulation
•     reduced high blood pressure
•     improved digestion
•     relief from arthritis
•     help in controlling diabetes
•     improved sleep
•     relief from menstrual symptoms
•     better memory, concentration

As you can see, the benefits of antioxidants can have an impact on just about any part of your health.

In addition, studies indicate that antioxidants protect you against the oxidative stress that's the primary cause of degenerative diseases. You'll learn more about this as you continue to explore this site.

"The Antioxidant Miracle makes it possible…
to prevent and perhaps even eradicate many of the
degenerative diseases that were once considered
an inevitable part of aging.".
Dr. Lester Packer, PhD.

Benefits of Antioxidants
Include the Prevention of Many Degenerative Diseases

For many people, degenerative diseases (diseases of old age) — such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's and others — are an inevitable part of old age and remain a staple on the electronic medical records of many people. Statistics seem to bear this out, as the rates of these degenerative diseases continue to climb.

These are diseases that can all be prevented by increasing the antioxidant level of your diet. Antioxidants have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of all of the diseases listed below, and more than 60 others! If you eat a diet full of antioxidant-rich foods and use antioxidant supplements daily, you can avoid being one or more of these statistics.

Heart Disease. Statistics show that about 81 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of cardiovascular disease. Every year, there are 650,000 deaths attributed to this disease, 27 percent of all deaths.

Cancer. There are over 1.3 million new cases of cancer every year, and over 500,000 deaths.

Immune System. Arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia afflict over 46 million adults, two-thirds of them under the age of 65. By the year 2030, the numbers for arthritis sufferers alone are projected to climb up to 67 million Americans over the age of 18, reflecting a 40 percent increase over current numbers.

Diabetes. Almost 24 million people in America — 7.8 percent of the population — have diabetes.

Alzheimer's. Over 5 million people in the United States currently have symptoms of Alzheimer's. This number is expected to increase by half a million every year as the baby-boomers become senior citizens.

Glaucoma. The leading cause of blindness in the United States, glaucoma affects 4 million Americans. Approximately 120,000 of these people have become blind from this disease.

Macular Degeneration. 10 percent of people between the ages of 66 and 74 have macular degeneration, 30 percent of the population from 75-85 years old.

Benefits of Antioxidants:
Prevention of Heart Disease

There are really only two things that you need to know about the causes of heart disease:

High cholesterol levels do not cause heart disease. Although high LDL-cholesterol levels have been (incorrectly) associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, there is actually NO correlation between the two — statistics bear this out. What you're being told in the media is nothing but a relentless marketing campaign by the pharmaceutical industry to sell cholesterol-lowering drugs.

The most effective plan for heart attack prevention is regular exercise and a unprocessed, nutrient-rich diet full of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent the free radical attacks to your arteries that are the root cause of atherosclerosis and almost all cardiovascular diseases.

Go to my page on What Causes Heart Disease? to get the full story about cholesterol and heart disease and Heart Attack Prevention to learn how antioxidants help prevent heart disease.

Benefits of Antioxidants
Include the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer and Many Other Diseases

Studies have suggested that antioxidants are useful in a number of ways in regards to cancer. Many studies have shown that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can decrease the risk of many types of cancer.

Studies have also shown that cancer patients typically have lower levels of these phytonutrients in their blood. Other benefits of antioxidants for people with cancer include improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy, while decreasing the side effects.

Antioxidant therapy has been shown to be effective against a wide variety of health problems including:

•     allergies
•     asthma
•     diabetes
•     gum disease
•     strokes
•     glaucoma
•     macular degeneration

It's Your Choice:
Prescriptions or Prevention?

medication use by age
The Fallacy of Treating Health Problems with Prescription Drugs. The bar graph below shows the number of Americans that take prescription drugs for chronic health problems by age group.

The average American, aged 19 to 64, now takes close to 12 prescription drugs every year; the average senior typically fills over 30 prescriptions, and even children are taking an average of 4 prescriptions annually!

Prescription drugs pave the way for your health to deteriorate even further, because they only treat symptoms; they do nothing about the underlying imbalance in your body that created the disease in the first place. They are, by nature, toxic substances that are sure to cause problems in other parts of your body.

As we learn more about the benefits of antioxidants, we are still discovering just how much they have to do with our health. We now know that not only do they keep free radicals and oxidative stress (the major causes of aging) under control, they can also activate or suppress genes (DNA) that control cell activity. This means that, even if you've inherited a predispostion for a particular disease like cancer, antioxidants can help your body overcome that. This is preventive medicine in its truest sense!

"There are a lot of issues that my
colleagues in antiaging medicine disagree on,
but there's one that has near unanimous agreement:
Damage from free radicals is at the heart of aging."
Robert C. Atkins, M.D.

> Health Benefits of Antioxidants

Recently, you may have read or heard a lot about antioxidants in conjunction with good health or avoiding diseases. Antioxidants have been getting great press lately, and rightfully so. But what are they? What do they do once inside our bodies? And how can we get more of them?

Well, firstly, let’s define what they are. Have you ever seen the bottom-feeder fish in a fish-tank, sucking up all the gunk and grime that is toxic for the rest of the fish? Think of antioxidants as molecular-sized, “free radical scavengers” in the fish-tank of your body.

Once an antioxidant finds its way into the body, mostly through the foods we eat, it slows down, or even prevents, the oxidation of other molecules. When molecules in the body oxidize, they can create free-radicals, or cellular bi-products. It is very normal to have these free-radicals in the body, but in excess, they can wreak havoc on our cellular structures.

What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals create a destructive process in our cells, causing the molecules within the cells to become unstable. They may even be a big player in the formation of cancerous cells by a “chain-reaction” effect, causing other cells to become damaged. Because of the inherent instability of free-radicals, they try to attack other healthy cells to get stable themselves. This then causes the once-healthy cells to react in the same way, attacking others in an never-ending attempt for cellular stability.

Benefits of Antioxidants

In layman’s terms, free-radicals are bullies that start pushing everybody around, and encourage nice cells to become bullies as well. Just like most conflicts, the results are “free radical waste products” made up of our broken, injured and deformed cells. If our cells are weak, it is natural that our organs, tissues and skin of the body will likewise become weakened.

As you can imagine, oxidative damage plays a huge role in many of our modern-day diseases, such as muscle and tissue degeneration, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, as well as many other health problems. You are exposed to free radicals as a normal bi-product of regular bodily processes, like breaking down the food we eat, taking toxic medicines, as well as through exposure to pollutants. In addition, over-exposure to the sun (sunburn) and smoking can also increase your body’s need to oxidize and create free-radicals. Antioxidants stop this cellular chain reaction of oxidation by neutralizing the free radicals.

Many plants and animals keep large amounts of antioxidants on hand, due to their role in preventing cell damage, as well as their ability to repair damaged cells. Studies have shown that antioxidants can play a role in reducing the cell-damage of free radicals.

Moreover, the National Cancer Institute has stated that preliminary research in lab animals has shown that “antioxidants help prevent the free radical damage that is associated with cancer.” Many experts feel that increased antioxidants in the body can also help slow the process of aging, and may even increase longevity.

How can you get more of these antioxidants into your body?

The secret to consuming more antioxidants is simple: Eat more organic fresh fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants in Food

The simplest and most effective way to expose yourself to more antioxidants is through your diet. By incorporating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day into your diet, you may be helping your body reduce its chances of heart disease, neurological diseases, cancer and lowered immunity.

So enjoy eating a variety of these fruits and veggies daily! Moreover, studies show that it is more effective to get antioxidants through diet, as opposed to taking supplements.

Examples of common antioxidants include glutathione, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Selenium, alpha lipoic acid, melatonin and vitamin E. A few important antioxidant enzymes the body naturally produces are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. However, in order for the body to produce these it requires zinc, manganese, copper and selenium.

List of Foods High In Antioxidants

The following is my short-list for Antioxidant-rich Foods. Try to incorporate as many as possible into your daily diet. And remember, organic, raw, fresh and local is always best:

• Corn     Lime     Kale     Lemon     Dates     Chiles     Cloves     Garlic     Grapes     Prunes
• Mangoes     Squash     Millet     Almonds     Berries     Carrots     Peppers     Oregano
• Spinach     Apricots     Broccoli     Cinnamon     Tomatoes     Olive Oil     Artichoke
• Green Tea     Pineapple     Red Beets     Goji Berries     Acai Berry     Coconut Oil
• Pinto Beans     Broad Beans     Wheat Germ     Pomegranates     Hempseed Oil
• Barley & Rye     Black Current     Blood Oranges     Sweet Potatoes     Saw Nuts & Seeds
• Whole Grain Brown Rice

3 Supplements High in Antioxidants

I use the following three supplements on a daily basis and would highly recommend them to anybody looking to supplement their diet with antioxidants

• Intramax – 100% Organic Liquid Multi-Vitamin
• Megahydrate – Powerful Antioxidant supplement
• E3 Live – 100% Organic Live Blue-Green Algae

 Below is an abstract of a scientific study about the benefits of antioxidants. I hope you found it as interesting as I did.

Cellular Antioxidant Activity of Common Fruits

Wolfe KL, Kang X, He X, Dong M, Zhang Q, Liu RH.

Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-7201, USA.

Measurement of antioxidant activity using biologically relevant assays is important in the screening of fruits for potential health benefits. The cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay quantifies antioxidant activity in cell culture and was developed to meet the need for a more biologically representative method than the popular chemistry antioxidant capacity measures.

The objective of the study was to determine the cellular antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of 25 fruits commonly consumed in the United States. Pomegranate and berries (wild blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry) had the highest CAA values, whereas banana and melons had the lowest. Apples were found to be the largest contributors of fruit phenolics to the American diet, and apple and strawberries were the biggest suppliers of cellular antioxidant activity. Increasing fruit consumption is a logical strategy to increase antioxidant intake and decrease oxidative stress and may lead to reduced risk of cancer.