Seniors Need Zinc To Fight Infections

It has been known for a long time that as we age the amount of zinc that we get declines. It is also understood that Zinc is rich in antioxidants and plays a role in stabilizing cell membranes within the immune system. A recent study which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that elderly people are more susceptible to infection, in part because they do not have enough zinc in their system.

This study of 50 seniors (ages 55 to 87) received either zinc gluconate supplements (providing 45 mg of elemental zinc per day) or a placebo for 12 months. In addition to tracking the incidence of infections, such as colds and flu, they also tracked the blood levels of immune cells, oxidative stress markers, and plasma concentrations of zinc.

The results were compared to a group of younger adults, and when the study started the older subjects had significantly lower blood levels of zinc, higher generation of inflammatory cells, and higher oxidative stress markers in their blood. Afterwards the researchers concluded that the number of infections, generation of inflammatory cells, and oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in the zinc supplement group than in the placebo group.

The author of the study, Dr. Prasad said. “Deficiency of zinc is very widespread in all ages throughout the world and may even be as prevalent as iron deficiency anemia, affecting nearly one billion people.”

He also noted that zinc inhibits copper absorption, and can cause anemia and bone-marrow suppression if taken long-term in large amounts without copper. People taking zinc more than a few weeks, with the exception of those with Wilson’s disease, should also take a copper supplement providing 2 or 3 mg per day.

Get In The Mood For Valentine’s Day

If you want to take Glenn Miller’s advice for Valentine’s Day and get In The Mood for some romance, there are some delectable delights that may help put some fire in the old furnace. Imagine a home cooked dinner with candles and some R-rated foods to help kick up the temperature.

In an article from CNN, Researchers say there is growing evidence that some foods enhance sexual function. Historically some foods have a reputation for being aphrodisiacs. One many have heard of is oysters, along with alcohol, almonds and avocados. Some medical studies suggest they may increase passion and sperm quality and decrease sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED).

And if you are getting behind in the battle of the bulge including these mood enhancing foods into a healthy, balanced diet is a great way to help you get back to your sexy self. Research shows if you lose only 10% of your body weight you can improve the quality of your sex life. When you bring the negative images of yourself and your body in the boudoir it affects sexual well being also.

Here are some of the foods that have been touted in aphrodisiac history and tales of romance. Modern science bears out some of the claims also.

Alcohol in moderate quantities can help you relax and lower inhibitions, which can be a good thing, if you’re not driving at the time. Another plus is it raises good cholesterol, and reduces the chance of blood clots. If you don’t drink try a deeply colored 100% fruit juice like pomegranate or Concord grape juice. It has been found that the antioxidants in these juices can improve sperm quality and aid fertility.

For a long time now Almonds have been rumored to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant, and aid with fertility. Like asparagus, almonds are nutrient dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.

Avocados make the list also according to the Mayo Clinic Health Library. This makes sense because they are good for your heart and your arteries. The Aztecs called them testicles, because of their physical shape. Science on the other hand says that they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat, so they are good for your heart and arteries. Actually men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Oysters, ah yes, good old oysters. They have been thought to have aphrodisiac properties as long as I can remember, but very few studies have been conducted on them. In days gone by they were considered an aphrodisiac because of their shape, and since desire begins in the mind, the psychological effect was valid.

Medically the thing that makes these slippery sliders so potent is that they are full of zinc. Zinc controls progesterone levels, which have a positive effect on the libido. Zinc deficiency can cause impotence in men, so any food rich in zinc is considered an aphrodisiac in that respect, and oysters happen to be loaded with the mineral. Other seafood like wild salmon and herring contain omega3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy heart.

Strawberries red color helps get the libido moving based on a recent study men find women sexier if they're wearing red. Strawberries are also an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and, may be tied to high sperm counts in men. This Valentine's Day, try making dark chocolate-dipped strawberries. And did you know that chocolate is loaded with libido enhancing methylzanthines.

Any member of Citrus fruit family is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid, all of which are essential for men's reproductive health. Rather than a steak linger over a romantic salad that includes citrus, like pink grapefruit or mandarin oranges, or maybe use a dressing made with lemon and lime.

During the 1st Century Arugula has been touted as an arousal aid. These days research uncovered that trace minerals and antioxidants in the dark, leafy greens are keys for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impacting our libido.

Figs look funny, but they have a long history of being a fertility booster, and an excellent aphrodisiac. They are loaded with fiber, which is important for heart health. In addition high-fiber foods help fill you up, not out, so it's easier to achieve that sexy bottom line or belt size.

Keep Your Healthy Habits for the New Year

These days our economy is forcing us to be more frugal than in the past years. With costs like health care and prescriptions rising, along with everything else, it’s good to know that you can still supplement your health without going broke. SupplementsToGo is still providing quality products at prices that allow you to maintain your healthy lifestyle and supplement regimen.



After working so hard to make the right nutrition choices you want to keep the gains you made last year. Getting essential vitamins and minerals is important for a healthy diet. For many of us, our food choices do not always provide enough of the nutrients our bodies need, so adding dietary supplements into the daily routine has become a more popular way to get the nutrients our bodies need.

With so many choices it’s hard to know where to start sometimes. We hear everything from fiber, Vitamin C, the B Vitamins, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium, multivitamins, and the list goes on depending on the particular needs.

In order to begin the year with healthy habits, here is a short list of popular supplements that others are getting online in order to benefit their healthy lifestyle resolutions. For strong healthy bones Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and/or a Vitamin D supplement. Your immune system gets added support from Vitamin C.

One of my main supplements is Fish Oil which is well known for its ability to help the heart and cardiovascular system, and the B Complex vitamins play an important role in giving us more energy. Lutein is important for clear, healthy vision. These nutrients play different, but essential roles in your well-being.

Keep in mind that even though our country’s financial system is a little out of whack right now, don’t let your healthy lifestyle suffer also. STG can help make your life easier, and a whole lot healthier. Add lots of these essential nutrients to your daily regimen, and enjoy the endless benefits of good health at cheap prices you can live with.

Get Your Minerals

When was the last time you gave any thought to your dietary mineral intake? No, I don't mean popping a few supplements occasionally, I mean really taking a good look at the level of minerals in your diet. If it's been a while, you're not alone.

Minerals perform a variety of jobs in the body. Details of the some of the most important minerals are listed below:

Calcium: Important for healthy bones and teeth. Found in dairy produce, leafy green vegetables, bread, tap water in hard water areas, nuts and seeds (especially sesame seeds), dried fruits, cheese. Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed.

Iron: Needed for red blood cells. Found in leafy green vegetables, wholemeal bread, molasses, eggs, dried fruits (especially apricots and figs), lentils and pulses. Vegetable sources of iron are not as easily absorbed as animal sources, but a good intake of vitamin C will enhance absorption.

Zinc: Plays a major role in many enzyme reactions and the immune system. Found in green vegetables, cheese, sesame and pumpkin seeds, lentils and wholegrain cereals.

Iodine: Present in vegetables, but the quantity depends on how rich the soil is in iodine. Dairy products also have plenty of iodine. Sea vegetables are a good source of iodine for vegans.

Things to consider about Nutrition and your Diet (Pt. 1 of 2)

Here is quick list of things to consider when you have some spare time.

1. Is Vitamin D important to my nutrition?

A review of 63 observational studies of vitamin D and cancer concludes that boosting daily intake to 1,000 international units (IU) might reduce the risk of colon, ovarian, breast and possibly prostate cancer. That’s more than the current Institute of Medicine recommendation for vitamin D, which ranges from 200-600 IU daily depending on age, though only half the safe upper limit set by the institute. Because it’s difficult to get that much vitamin D from food alone, this target can likely be best achieved through supplements.

How much Vitamin D should I include in my diet?

Adults - 2.5 mcg Infants and children - 5.0mcg

2. What is Folic Acid?

Also known as Vitamin M, Folacin and Folate are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B. These occur naturally in food and can also be taken as supplements.

3. Is it nutritionally healthy to become a vegetarian or vegan?

More people are becoming vegetarians, and experts say that as long as you eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains you will get all the nutrients you need. Choosing a multiple vitamin that provides no more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance for most vitamins and minerals is a good way to ensure adequate levels of essential nutrients. Ask a doctor questions concerning changing your current eating habits.

4. Is “lite” food really better for me?

Organic food is healthier than conventional produce and may be better at preventing cancer and heart disease, according to the biggest study of its kind. In a finding that challenges official advice, researchers have shown that fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 per cent more nutrients if they are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic milk contains 80 per cent more antioxidants -substances which reduce the risk of tumors and life threatening problems. Organic produce also had higher levels of iron and zinc, vital nutrients lacking in many people's diets.

5. Is it better to buy fruits and vegetables fresh or frozen?

When vegetables are in-season, buy them fresh and ripe. “Off-season,” frozen vegetables will give you a high concentration of nutrients. Choose packages marked with a USDA “U.S. Fancy” shield, which designates produce of the best size, shape and color; vegetables of this standard also tend to be more nutrient-rich than the lower grades “U.S. No. 1” or “U.S. No. 2.” Eat them soon after purchase: over many months, nutrients in frozen vegetables do inevitably degrade. Finally, steam or microwave rather than boil your produce to minimize the loss of water-soluble vitamins.

The Common Cold Vs. Me in a Classic Battle

I woke up this morning with a scratchy throat, and my eyes burn like I didn’t get to bed until very late, or read for eight straight hours. I fear I have a summer cold. Is there a cure? Of course there is, it’s called the immune system. And when it’s working properly, it deals with most colds pretty quick.

My approach to cold relief relies on boosting immune response. Zinc, Echinacea and Vitamin C are the leading non-drug remedies for colds, and provide significant relief for most people.

Do these natural remedies really work? According to more and more experts, the answer is, “Yes.”

ZINC: CAN IT CUT YOUR COLD TIME IN HALF?

One of the most exciting natural cold remedies, zinc lozenges, can reduce the average duration of cold symptoms in half, according to several important studies. In one randomized, double-blind study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (7/00) and conducted at the Detroit Medical Center in Michigan, cold duration was effectively cut from 8.1 to 4.5 days. The duration of coughs was reduced from 6.3 days for the placebo group to 3.1 days for those using zinc lozenges.

In a 1996 study at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, zinc lozenges reduced the average duration of cold symptoms from 7 days to only 4. The study participants were employees of the Clinic. They started using zinc lozenges or dummy placebo lozenges within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms. The results: the median time for all symptoms to disappear was 7.6 days for the placebo group; the zinc group recovered in 4.4 days.

This study confirms results of several earlier tests. In a 1983 study at the University of Texas, zinc lozenges reduced the average duration of cold symptoms from nine days to only three.

A 1992 study at Dartmouth College, supported the efficiency of 23 mg. Zinc lozenges. How does zinc work? Zinc ions may interfere with the replication of cold viruses in the throat, according to George Eby, who conducted the initial study on zinc. But more recent research suggests that zinc may owe its cold-fighting properties to its effect on our immune system, rather than directly on the virus. In either case, many experts now recommend sucking on a 23 mg. zinc lozenge every two hours at the first sign of a cold.

ECHINACEA: HERBAL DEFENSE

The immune enhancing properties of this popular herb are now well documented in the medical literature. Over 300 journal articles confirming the effectiveness of echinacea have appeared in the past decade. Herbalist Christopher Hobbs recommends taking a “protective dose” of 6-8 echinacea capsules or 2-3 droppers of extract a day when exposed to others with colds or during the early stages of a cold.

These dosages should be doubled or tripled during a full-blown cold. Some research also suggests that large doses of echinacea work best in a ten-day course, but that smaller doses may be taken on a daily basis.

So armed with this information, I have ordered my supplements on line, express delivery, and because I have trained hard for this fight, am confident that I will put a hurt on this so called common cold, and will come out the winner.

I predict it will be over quickly!