Friday, June 1, 2012
Friday, February 11, 2011
Health Management By Hassan Aanbar
Someone can always be positive that doing research on this subject matter will sooner or later generate answers. The business related to the subject of health management is steadily growing. To stay current with the latest info, you should consider signing up for an RSS feed on the subject of health management. Once you've accepted this, you will be able to do your research in a speedier fashion.
Don't be afraid to invest a little when it comes to this as it will prove to be worth it. Have you been trying to locate reliable information about health management? Another helpful tool for researching on health management is the net. One of the biggest you will encounter as you're doing research on health management information is allocating the time to keep digging.
While it is easy to become dispirited while you're researching health management web sites, realize that you will pinpoint the kind of information you are looking for before long. Discovering health management info on the net is not difficult, it just takes a touch of diligence. Another encouraging thing is that as time goes on, there will be a greater amount of good sources of details on this. When you have utilized a web site like Ask Jeeves to learn about writing on this, don't overlook your library. Our love for health management writing has resulted in this website.
We live in an interesting day where health management related material is readily at hand. Currently, there are a greater variety health management web sites on the internet than ever before. Keep in mind, you are not going to find every bit of health management info relevant.
If you care for my opinion, use the net to gather knowledge related to health management. Uncovering the most useful responses to your inquiries on the net is not an arduous process. The net is packed with fantastic and fantastic info related to the topic of health management. Keep in mind, as the net continues to develop, there will be many more authority web sites that will surface. The astounding thing about the info superhighway is that one can operate it from any location.
The best search engine for researching health management releated information is Yahoo. Our health management information is made up of the best and most appropriate subject matter on the internet. The business related to the subject of health management is continually expanding. To stay current with the newest material, you should think about signing up for an RSS feed on the subject of health management. It's our intention to deliver the latest info and news on this matter as possible.
Have you been attempting to find helpful info related to health management? Yet another useful resource for researching on health management is the library. One of the main hurdles you will find as you're doing research on health management material is setting aside the time to continue digging. While it is easy to become pessimistic while you're checking out health management resources, know that you'll come across the kind of info you are after before long.
It's necessary to spot the best authorities available on this topic. Digging up health management details on the WWW isn't arduous, it simply takes a bit of patience. Our passion for health management commentary has resulted in this website. We live in an fascinating day and age where health management related web sites is readily attainable.
In today's age, there are a greater variety health management pages on the internet than ever before. Keep in mind, you are not going to find that each piece of health management content descriptive. Most of the web pages that you find on this topic will be helpful, but there will be some that won't be. If you want my input, use the information super high way to gather details on health management. Occasionally you may need to pay for excellent research on this, but most of the time it is free. The internet world is bustling with up to date and up to date info on the topic of health management.
Hassan Aanbar is an expert in health related articles
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sexual Health of Men! By Dan Hammer
The sexual health of men is not as complicated as that of women. Show a man a certain type of image and if his brain and nervous system are working properly to produce nitric oxide, then a response will usually occur. That's not to discount any mental, emotional, and spiritual components but it is the physical component that has the greatest impact on man's sexual health. This article will focus on what men can do to improve the physical component of their sexual health. The side benefit is that these suggestions can also positively impact your overall wellness and how you age.
In all the information I gathered to prepare for this article, two overriding issues kept surfacing. These two health issues were consistently present. The first is hormone levels. The second is cardiovascular health. Most men would understand how hormone levels could apply but few ever consider cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular Health!
Your cardiovascular health is as important to your sexual health as it is to your overall health. The reason why centers on the health of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels of your body. The creation of nitric oxide occurs in these endothelial cells. Nitric oxide researchers believe that nitric oxide can correct up to 90% of all penile dysfunction. When the endothelial cells are damaged by high blood pressure, high sugar levels, cholesterol, and smoking this decreases nitric oxide production. Endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide are critical to the sexual health of men.
Hormone Levels!
At its simplest level, sex is just a hormone driven function designed to perpetuate the species. With that said, the sexual health of American men is in trouble. Testosterone levels have been decreasing over the last 20 years. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It plays an important role in maintaining bone and muscle mass. Low levels of testosterone have been linked to lowered libido and diabetes. Diabetes can affect the endothelial cells of the blood vessels compounding the problem of lower testosterone levels.
Over the past two decades, the level of testosterone in American males has decreased by 16 percent. Researchers don't know why. But there are some clues. The recent Nurses' Health Study revealed some important truths as they apply to women. Some of those truths also apply to the sexual health of men because they affect both hormonal levels and cardiovascular health.
Additionally, as testosterone levels have decreased this has resulted in reduced muscle mass and tone, reduced metabolism and energy and an increase in body fat. Not a sexy combination! You can accept it and do nothing about it. Or, you can begin to live life by making healthier eating and exercise choices. Choices that will help your body actually be younger physically than your chronological age.
You Have Control Over the Process!
Every day you replace approximately 1% of your cells. That means that 1% of your body is new today, 1% is new tomorrow, and 1% is new each and every day of your life. You choose whether those new cells will be nourished properly or poorly. You choose whether you will have healthy and vibrant cells that act young. Or, sickly and sedentary cells that act old.
The sexual health of your body will be affected by the choices you make. I call it "The 1% Solution!" and it will positively affect the cardiovascular and sexual health of your body.
Choices Affecting Sexual Health!
The Nurses' Health Study highlighted five critical lifestyle and diet behaviors. They are:
o Carbohydrates - Slow verses Fast!
o Fats - Natural verses Artificial!
o Protein - Animal or Plant!
o Body Weight - Your BMI!
o Exercise - Is It Important?
If you look at this list, three critical components emerge: Diet, Weight, and Exercise! Now you might think that this only applies to women. It doesn't! Each of these factors will affect your cardiovascular health and hormonal balance. Each of these factors also affects the health of your endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is the most important component to the sexual health of men. Let's look at how all of these factors impact your sexual health.
The Diet Component!
You are what you eat and drink. The sexual health of your body and the cardiovascular health of your circulatory system will be greatly determined by your food and drink choices. These choices will also impact the potential for disease and how you age.
Your first choice is in the area of carbohydrates. Are you choosing foods and drinks that are high in fast carbs (simple sugars)? If you are, then you need to understand that:
o Fast carbs disrupt hormone levels.
o Fast carbs create the potential for high blood sugar that can lead to diabetes.
o High blood sugar can damage the endothelial cells of your blood vessels reducing the production of nitric oxide which is critical for good sexual and cardiovascular health.
Learn to consume foods that are high in slow carbs (complex carbohydrates). Slow carbs will help to keep your blood sugar levels normal and your hormonal levels balanced. Drink water instead of sugary drinks and diet sodas. Drinking water hydrates your system, helps you balance your hormone levels, and aids in weight management.
Your second choice is in the area of fats. Eliminate all trans fats from your diet and replace them with natural, heart-health fats. The Nurses' Health Study clearly showed how disruptive trans fats are to fertility in women. As little as four grams of trans fat (the equivalent of two tablespoons of stick margarine, one medium order of French fries or one doughnut) began to disrupt their hormonal balance.
How much of your diet consists of trans fats from fast food restaurants? How many orders of French fries and doughnuts have you consumed at work? Although I can't give you any hard research on men, it makes sense that we can be as affected by trans fats as women are. It's time that you incorporate foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as wild, cold-water fish, walnuts, and flax seeds) since essential fats help to balance hormone levels and promote healthy cell function.
Your third choice is in the area of protein. According to the Nurses' Health Study, women who got their protein from plant sources rather then from animals took a big step toward improved fertility. Animal protein can adversely affect your sexual health. It also has a direct influence on cancer!
If you're not willing to give up your beef, pork or chicken, then invest the time, energy and extra cost to make sure that these sources of protein are hormone free. This also applies to your dairy products. Much of the industry still relies on hormonal injections into their livestock to help increase food production. Eating meat from these animals and their byproducts will affect your hormonal levels. If you're not willing to switch to plant-based protein sources, then make sure your meat and dairy sources are hormone free.
The Weight Component!
Like it or not weight impacts the sexual health of your body. Why? Because fat interferes with your hormonal balance! Fat also stresses your cardiovascular system. This additional stress on your cardiovascular system will compromise the sexual health of your body. Currently, 66% of Americans are overweight with at least a third being obese. Diets are not the answer. America has been dieting for the last 50 years. It has had no real impact on slowing down overweight and obesity rates.
You need a paradigm shift from "dieting" to "healthy eating". Make food choices based on how it will improve your health and wellness, not on how it will impact your weight. Most people who do this see their weight stabilize or decrease.
The Exercise Component!
Exercise is important for both sexual and cardiovascular health. Inactivity saps the body of its ability to respond to insulin and makes you less efficient in absorbing blood sugar. A study from the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality highlighted that people who exercised on a regular basis:
o Feel better about themselves.
o Think they are more sexually desirable.
o Experience greater levels of satisfaction.
It's always important to check with your physician or health care provider before you start an exercise program. Once you have their OK, than strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming are important and seem to increase circulation to the pelvis and the reproductive organs. But don't forget about strength training exercises. Strength training exercises will help you maintain bone health and density. Additionally, strength training exercises will increase your spatial awareness. This is a very positive feeling that improves your overall well being.
The Nitric Oxide Component!
You cannot live without nitric oxide. Your cardiovascular system could not function properly without nitric oxide. The sexual health of your body revolves around the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is dependant upon the health of the endothelial cells of your blood vessels, and adequate supplies of the essential amino acid L-arginine.
High blood pressure, high sugar levels, high cholesterol levels and smoking all affect your endothelial cells in a negative way. Damage to these endothelial cells will reduce nitric oxide production. This can compromise the blood flow to the sexual organ resulting in reduced sensitivity and/or erectile dysfunction.
Since nitric oxide is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-arginine, your diet needs to include protein sources and/or supplements that contain this amino acid. It needs to be emphasized that L-arginine is not a hormone and it is not testosterone. However, when properly brought into the body it can cross the blood-brain barrier to signal the hypothalamus to naturally trigger the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone. This is the key to eliminating any negative side effects typically associated with hormone supplements like DHEA and HGH.
Please note that L-arginine has a dark side and can cause some serious side effects. Read my article, "L-arginine, Nitric Oxide and Sexual Health!" for more information on this essential amino acid.
Conclusion!
If you continue a life of inactively, animal protein intake, sugary drinks, foods made from refined grains, increased body fat, and inadequate nitric oxide production, then you will become part of the new reality for America. This new reality includes epidemic increases in diabetes, continued high levels of cardiovascular disease and stroke, continued high levels of cancer, and poor sexual health especially for those over the age of 40. As Aristotle said, "We Are What We Repeatedly Do!"
By taking the necessary steps to improve your diet, manage your weight, exercise properly and increase your body's ability to produce nitric oxide you will experience positive changes in the sexual health of your body. If you repeatedly take these positive steps you will also improve your wellness and slow down your aging.
One Final Thought!
Although the hormonal balance between men and women are different, the process of change is the same. Many of the steps that improve the sexual health of men will also help improve the sexual health of women. Encourage your spouse or partner to implement these changes with you. If you both take the steps to improve your health, then you will both be reward in the bedroom, and in living your life to its fullest.
Until next time, may we both age youthfully!
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years. His website http://www.Aging-No-More.com provides current information on how to slow down the aging process.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contain in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How To Get Help For Depression By Roberto Sedycias
Many people struggle with depression on a daily basis. Sometimes depression can be an ongoing thing in someone's life, something that never seems to be relieved, present in every situation and social interaction. Other times, it follows a traumatic event or some kind of occasion, like a break up or a death or the loss of a job or some other personal trouble that makes a person feel low and badly for months on end. No matter what kind of depression, or the causes, it can really have bad effects on the people that suffer from it.
Depression causes a person to lose interest in ordinary things, to lack zeal about all things that had at one point been a source of personal stimulus. Sometimes depression cannot be distinguished from ordinary blues or feeling down and that is why people just assume that they are going through a rough patch and it will work itself out with time, but actually, depression can be a persistent problem that can only grow worse if not identified and treated.
Some ways to know if you are depressed is to gauge your feelings and reactions to things. If you realize that something you once loved to do, whether it is shopping, playing sports, seeing friends, or reading or watching television now just seems pointless and mundane, then that could be a sign, because a sense of losing interest is one of the main symptoms.
Also, the sense of withdrawal from everyone and everything couples that symptom, so if you feel like you do not want to see anyone, don't want to hang out with friends or go to the movies or talk to your family members anymore, then it could be that you feel too depressed and exhausted and are coiling within yourself and shutting the world out. This, though a symptom, is also a factor that exacerbates depression as it causes a person to create a self induced state of isolation that forces them into a silent world where they think no one could possibly understand. In this place, they refuse to purge their feelings and instead let them fester where they only get worse and more troublesome.
Another symptom is irritability or a sense of hostility toward the world. If you find yourself losing your temper at small things or feeling hateful and resentful toward friends and family for reasons that are not their fault, then it might be that you are depressed so thoroughly that you see the world as a hateful and barren place and want to take out all of your anger on it. In this case, you really need to seek some treatment and help, because these symptoms will hinder your entire life, socially, in the workplace, and personally, too.
Talking about these feelings is the first step to realizing them. Being aware of what you are going through and making sure that these things don't linger inside of you forever is one way to make sure that you are taking a step toward recovery and healing. Talk to a friend, a family member, or to a professional therapist, but make sure that you talk these things out and you will be surprised at how much that helps you.
Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for PoloMercantil
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Health Shop For You
Health and nutrition have become everyone's priority. There are many types of diet supplements that help in maintaining your good health. The need of buying health products has grown so much that now you will find specialised health shops. These types of shops are being developed as a large showroom of health products. Generally in these shops you will find a categorised list of products with detailed brochure information about each of the products, and ratings and testimonials from users. These products generally come with appropriate manufacturers warranty and a replacement policy. These shops offer very reasonable prices and the delivery is prompt.
Other types of health related products are also available in this type of shops, like the appliances, support devices, furniture and exercise equipment, etc. If you become a regular customer of any one of this type of shop, then you can enjoy many other advantages like discount on health supplements, you can also avail the facility of free trials, free product upgrades and many other facilities.
You can also find information about women's health, men's health, and health care for children or for elderly people. There is information about various health food found in these shops. Many of the nutritional supplements are found at wholesale prices in these shops. They offer exclusive varieties of vitamins, supplements, magnetic therapy, and health products for children, etc.
A variety of beauty products are also available in this type of shop. It is a good idea to shop in a store where you can get every health product you can think of under one roof. You get the best quality products, at a reasonable price. You save money by buying bulk products from the shop and get to compare all the products at one place only.
You will find lots of natural alternative treatments for Arthritis, Hormone Replacement, Natural Sleep Remedies, Vitamin and Minerals, books on Life-Style, Recipes for "Good Health" etc. in these types of shops.
There are many Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants that are needed by your body and if you provide all the supplements to your body that it needs, and live a healthy active lifestyle, your body will start to repair itself, and all your ailments will disappear. Next time that you visit any health shop you will be surprised to find the wonderful health foods and health products that they have to offer. There is a huge variety of these products on the market today. All the products will make you have a healthy lifestyle and fight exhaustion and the benefits will surprise you. So include health products in your life for a better quality of life.
Author is a marketing specialist having great knowledge on health and nutrition. To find more about health and nutrition visit health products and health supplements
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Heart Attack - Prevention is Better Than Cure and Heart Health Supplements Play a Big Role
Heart disease is the No.1 killer of men and women despite the advances in medicine. In fact some might argue that our advances in medicine have overshadowed common sense and may even be contributing to the mortality rate.
Heart health supplements and some important lifestyle changes offer promise for people in the prevention of heart disease and heart attack, and for the support of the heart and cardiovascular system if you have heart disease or have had a heart attack.
Essential fatty acid supplements along with correct nutrition and some lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease - so says the FDA following a recent petition from a number of health companies.
Heart disease and heart attacks are the result of a number of problems and understanding the causes makes you better equipped to put some prevention strategies in place.
Arteriosclerosis - Hardening of the Arteries
Hardening of the arteries can occur as the result of a mineral deficiency, particularly magnesium - which then causes calcium to build up on the walls of the arteries. This will usually occur in the major arteries - particularly the aorta and other major arteries of the heart.
Excess Vitamin D (more than 400IU - international units) in the diet should be avoided as an adult, as this is another cause of the calcium build up.
Symptoms include angina, headaches, loss of memory, breathlessness and leg cramps in the early stages.
If you have high cholesterol then the cholesterol may be deposited in the arteries and you eventually get a blockage. This will lead to a classic heart attack (myocardial infarction) when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted.
Diet and Lifestyle adjustments
If you have arteriosclerosis you should:
o Avoid fried foods, hydrogenated oils and margarine (the 'bad fats' - also see section on cholesterol).
o Have a high fibre diet low in animal fat.
o Exercise, as this can help improve the 'muscle tone' of your arteries.
o Reduce your stress level - this will help lower blood pressure and your heart rate.
Recommended Heart Health Supplements for Arteriosclerosis:
o Plant derived liquid minerals contain a broad spectrum of over 70 minerals involved in a healthy cardiovascular system.
o Heart health supplements should contain herbs such as Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Garlic and CoenzymeQ-10 - these have been known to help support the arteries, prevent the build up of deposits on the arterial wall and assist with blood flow.
o An essential fatty acid supplement containing omega 3 fish oil and flaxseed oil is the ideal heart health supplement. It works by making the blood less 'sticky' and help reduce cholesterol by raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels and lowering LDL (bad cholesterol).
o High quality multivitamins - should contain all of the nutrients mentioned above and additional antioxidant vitamins A, C and E
Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease
Cardiomyopathy (also called Keshan disease) is recognized by the World Health Organization as a Selenium deficiency disease. It occurs in a number of cystic fibrosis patients and diagnosis is made from an ECG and an x-ray or CAT scan showing an enlarged heart.
As the disease develops it causes severe fatigue and damage to the heart muscle. A heart transplant is one alternative offered by conventional medicine.
Known as "white muscle disease" in cattle, sheep and horses - this disease has been eliminated by the veterinary industry through simple and effective supplementation of selenium.
Compare that to a $250,000 US heart transplant operation!
Former world champion boxer Evander Holyfield was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy heart disease and banned from boxing for a year. His doctor put him on a supplement program including selenium and he was able to return to the sport...and the rest is history.
Recommended heart heath supplements for Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease:
o Plant derived colloidal minerals containing selenium.
o A good selenium supplement also high in Vitamins A, C & E - consult your health care professional regarding therapeutic dosage.
o Essential fatty acid supplements including omega 3 fish oil and flaxseed oil are important for blood flow.
o Current research indicates that heart health supplements with Coenzyme Q-10 may be of benefit to patients with Cardiomyopathy heart disease.
Heart Attack - Cardiovascular Disease
Every year over one and a half million people in the U.S. alone suffer a heart attack - and one in three die from them.
The heart picks up oxygenated blood from the lungs via the coronary arteries and then pumps it around the body.
If the blood flow through the coronary arteries is restricted either through a blood clot or a build up of cholesterol, then the blood flow to the heart can be cut off and if it isn't restored within a few minutes then the heart muscle can be damaged (if the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, then you have a stroke).
In this instance, prevention is crucial and heart health supplements and doing things which are good for your heart and cardiovascular system are very important.
Diet and Lifestyle Treatment
o Avoid fried foods and margarine - use butter and extra virgin olive oil on low heat when cooking.
o Have a high fibre diet low in animal fat.
o Exercise regularly as this can help improve the 'muscle tone' of your arteries - a 30-minute walk or a swim each day is enough.
o Reduce stress - research clearly shows that enzymes and hormones associated with stress will cause an increase in your heart rate and increased blood pressure - not good if you're at risk of a heart attack.
o Work closely with your health care professional
Recommended Heart Health Supplements for Cardiovascular Disease
o Supplementation with essential fatty acids containing fish oil is an absolute must. They keep the blood flowing by making it 'less sticky' and because they are "good fats" they assist with reducing cholesterol.
o Antioxidant supplements containing Selenium, Vitamin E and Vitamin C have a protective function for the heart.
o Heart health supplements containing Coenzyme Q-10, (which is produced naturally within the body) have the ability to improve and strengthen cardiac function and should also be considered.
o Digestive enzymes along with Plant Derived Minerals may be beneficial for many people with heart problems - particularly as we get over 40 - as this ensures that you are able to get adequate nutrients to assist you on the road to recovery.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac Arrhythmias such as an irregular or very fast heart rate are very common and kill more people each year than heart attacks. In an emergency situation, the heart stops pumping blood and can be returned to normal function by 'shocking' the patient.
Food allergies, such as sensitivity to MSG, and deficiencies of the minerals and nutrients important for the contraction and relaxation of the heart are associated with this disease
Diet and Lifestyle Treatment
o Check to see if you have a food allergy to MSG, sugar etc and avoid the offending foods. Dr Wallach sometimes refers to this as the 'Chinese restaurant syndrome'.
Recommended Heart Health Supplements Cardiac Arrhythmia
o Plant Derived Minerals - supplementation with a good source of highly absorbable minerals including potassium, chromium, selenium and magnesium is important; plant derived minerals are 100% safe, 98% absorbable and contain over 70 different minerals in liquid form.
o Look for heart health supplements with Coenzyme Q-10 and B complex vitamins.
In summary, the terms heart attack and heart disease can encompass a number of different health challenges however there are some common factors involved in support through health supplements:
1. A small and regular amount of exercise and a lot of stress reduction is very important
2. Avoid fried foods, margarine and "bad fats" - check out the website below for free health reports on healthy eating, reducing cholesterol, heart health and more.
3. Heart health supplements which include essential fatty acids, plant derived colloidal minerals and antioxidants - particularly Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral Selenium - may offer promising results.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Health Supplements vs Pharmaceuticals
Medicine-whether in the form of health supplements or pharmaceuticals-is big business indeed. With profit margins that are nearly four times the average of any other business, the pharmaceutical industry enjoys a top position being amongst the most profitable businesses in the world.
The nutraceutical industry is not far behind offering stiff competition to pharmaceutical counterparts. Research is booming and science-based studies have given successful impetus to the plant-based health supplement industry. Some of the more popular botanicals like as Echinacea, gingko biloba, ginseng, garlic, and St. John's Wort are seeing sales that put them in the same league with many prescription drugs. In fact, so popular is the health supplement industry that pharmaceutical giants like Bayer, American Home Products, Johnson and Johnson and Boeheringer-Ingelheim have all begun to sell supplements!
What is the Difference?
There is not much of a difference between nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals except for the way in which they are regulated in the United States although both are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration. Major differences include:
* Pharmaceuticals that are derived from plant proteins for vaccines and medical treatments are not the same as nutraceuticals. The major difference is that pharmaceuticals are designed specifically for medical use under a physician's supervision, and are subject to Food And Drugs Administration approval.
Health supplements do not need medical supervision, nor Food And Drugs Administration approval.
* Pharmaceuticals need prescription from a certified doctor for purchase. The choice of a health supplements is up to the individual. Health supplements are sold without restrictions at health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, national discount chains, mail-order and Internet.
* There are no strict regulating laws governing health supplements. Just about anyone can put together a health supplement, notify the Food And Drugs Administration , and put it in the market. In stark contrast, it takes anywhere between 8-12 years for a new drug to be approved by the Food And Drugs Administration . Pharmaceuticals undergo intense regulatory reviews by the Food And Drugs Administration .
* Because of stricter regulations, pharmaceuticals have greater evidence of efficacy and safety. Whereas health supplements are based on tradition with insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. However, this is changing as new research builds up to support the health benefits of some of the accepted nutrients. Eg omega 3 fatty acids.
* Pharmaceuticals are patented. Herbs and health supplements are not patented and therefore the profits are limited with stiff competition from all kinds of health supplement manufacturers.
* Pharmaceuticals spend millions of dollars for research and paperwork for a new therapeutic claim of an established drug all to satisfy Food And Drugs Administration requirements. Food And Drugs Administration requirements for health supplements are not at all stringent apart from barring them from making any false health claims about their product and adding a disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
* Pharmaceuticals come with various side effects. Known side effects are required to be disclosed on the label. While health supplements do not require a listing of side effects, there tends to be fewer cases of side effects associated with the use of health supplements.
Complaining about the high cost of traditional medicine and side effects, many people are turning to alternative medicine in the form of health supplements. A report by the Hartman Group, a leading market research firm called, "The Wellness Trends in 2002" found that Americans are beginning to place the family and good health above the daily routines of life. Among those interviewed many expressed frustration with U.S. healthcare system and wanted more control over their own health. The report said, "Dietary supplements ... (allow) them a way of self-managing their own health ... giving them a sense of empowerment," the report states. This is an advantage over pharmaceuticals.According to the Nutrition Business Journal fast growth in the nutraceutical market is seen in weight-loss products.
The demand for such products is growing as you consider the more than 120 million overweight Americans and 17 million diabetics who are looking for supplements that increase metabolism, suppress or satiate appetite, and control blood sugar. Such sectors in the health supplement industry have gained footage over pharmaceuticals.In America, 60% of the consumers take some kind of food supplement and 30 to 40% take herbal supplements. Health supplements are gaining such credibility that many physicians are recommending them to their patients before prescribing riskier pharmaceuticals. Of the health supplement users 95% are satisfied with supplements.In the meanwhile, research is still booming in both industries! Health supplement manufacturers continue to unveil groundbreaking products as new evidence supporting the health benefits of nutraceuticals emerges.