Vitamin D and Weight Loss

Vitamin D has been in the news a lot recently. New studies are frequently emerging with new used for this essential vitamin. Vitamin D has been implicated in bone health, prevention of depression, cardiovascular health and more. The latest study which came out this week was conducted by the University of Minnesota in regards to vitamin D and weight loss.

The study on vitamin D and weight loss took 38 overweight men and women whose vitamin D levels were found to be low, and separated them into two groups. Both groups were placed on a low calorie diet designed for weight loss. One group was also supplemented with vitamin D while the other group was given a placebo.

The results of the vitamin D and weight loss study found a significantly larger amount of weight was lost in the group which received supplementation.

This study is extremely relevant to Australians as there is evidence to suggest that up to 40% of our population is vitamin D deficient. Also, because we are one of the fattest nations on earth, if there is a connection between vitamin D and weight loss, supplementation with this important vitamin may become an important part of weight management programs here.

This study on vitamin D and weight loss also gives weight to the theory that optimum vitamin D levels may play a role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

More studies with larger amounts of participants will need to be conducted before we can establish a firm connection between vitamin D and weight loss, but these early results are extremely promising.

While we wait to see the results of more research into vitamin D and weight loss, there are a few things you can do to protect your health. A simple vitamin D test at the doctor will tell you where your levels are at. If you are at all concerned as to whether you are getting enough vitamin D, a good quality multivitamin containing natural vitamin D is a great insurance policy.

Space multivitamins contain high levels of natural vitamin D. At Space Vitamins we have a commitment to quality ingredients and manufacturing standards. For more information on Space multivitamins, click here.

Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

Hair and skin are fantastic indicators of our health. When we are not looking after ourselves, our hair and skin are often the first parts of our bodies to suffer, losing their strength and vitality very quickly and making us look tired and depleted. Because the body sees hair and skin as being less important than organs such as the heart, liver and digestive system, if our nutrient stores are low the body prioritises and gives preference to these vital organs so that we remain alive. If your hair and skin lose their vitality, it is a good time to look at what might be missing from the diet.

The first thing to look at is whether you are eating enough protein for hair and skin nutrition. This is especially important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or exercising frequently as these factors can greatly increase our protein needs. We need protein to make hair and skin cells, and low levels may be indicated by slow growth and frequent breakage. In order to produce healthy hair and skin, we may need to increase our protein intake. Some easy ways to do this is to include more lean meat or fish in the diet, or consume increased amounts of nuts and seeds, dairy foods and legumes. Spirulina tablets may also be useful, especially for vegetarians or vegans, as spirulina is a great source of easily absorbed plant protein.

There are also many vitamins and minerals necessary for good hair and skin nutrition.

Hair and skin may go through changes after stressful events or during pregnancy or breastfeeding because these are times when our bodies have an increased need for vitamins and minerals. If hair is thinning, breaking or rapidly greying, it could be a sign of low levels of vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, biotin, silica and folate. The same vitamins and minerals are also essential for proper skin nutrition, and decreased levels in the body may result in skin that looks pale, sallow, dull, or with eczema or dark circles.

Another very important component of skin nutrition is good old water. It’s amazing how much healthier skin can appear after regularly drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day. Toxins are flushed out, skin is more hydrated and even wrinkles may appear less noticeable.

For a healthier hair and skin, follow a diet high in protein and water, and consider taking a few simple supplements, and not only will you look healthier, you might just feel healthier too. For more information on supplements, click here.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a microscopic spiral-shaped freshwater plant, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and easily digested plant protein. It is the richest and most concentrated plant source of nutrients on earth and has been used as a superfood in native cultures for thousands of years. The first known use of spirulina was by the Ancient Aztecs and Africans, who ate it in the form of dried cakes. There have been reports of spirulina supplements being used in these times for endurance activities such as long distance running.

Spirulina has since been cultivated and is now popular in many countries including, Japan, China, America and Australia. These days, spirulina tablets are used for energy, endurance, performance, weight loss, and as a vitamin and mineral supplement. Spirulina vitamins are popular with vegetarians and vegans as other conventional vitamin and mineral supplements often have ingredients which are animal derived. Spirulina is also used in traditional Chinese and Western naturopathic medicine for its detoxifying properties on the liver, and as a building and nourishing blood tonic.

Vitamins and Minerals
Spirulina vitamins and minerals are extremely well absorbed because they are naturally occurring and easily digested. They include:
• B vitamins – energy production, nervous system function
• Calcium – strong bones and teeth, nervous system function
• Magnesium – energy production, muscle function, nervous system function
• Iron – healthy blood, immune system function
• Chromium – blood glucose balance
• Zinc – immune system function, tissue repair

Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect cells of the body against oxidative damage to cells, a process which can lead to premature ageing and disease. Spirulina contains a unique antioxidant known as phycocyanin, a blue pigment not found in any other plant thought to have anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating properties. It also contains other antioxidants including carotenes (beta-carotene), and xanthophylls (zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin).

Space O2 energy supplement consists of spirulina tablets which have been fortified with natural vitamins, organic minerals and alpha lipoic acid for extra energy, performance and endurance. For more information, click here.

Health Supplements

With our busy and active lifestyles, good nutrition from diet alone is often not enough to prevent us from becoming depleted. This is where health supplements are useful as they can top up our stores and protect us from becoming run down.

When choosing the right health supplements for your needs, there are a few things you should take into consideration.
•Do you eat at least 3 serves of red meat per week? (And ham sandwiches don’t count – we’re talking about steak here!) Red meat is a valuable source of iron, zinc and B vitamins. Vegetarians and vegans often worry about low iron levels, but it is actually zinc and B vitamins which can become more rapidly depleted.
•Do you eat at least one serve of dairy food per day? A good nutrition consultant can advise us on non-dairy sources of calcium, but how many of us are eating enough calcium-rich foods on a daily basis? Dairy is also a rich source of other nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin D, so if we are not consuming milk-based products we might also need to find other sources of these nutrients or choose health supplements high in these ingredients.
•Are you physically active? Good nutrition and diet can only get us so far if we are burning through vitamins and minerals at an increased rate. Physical exercise can deplete our bodies of B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc to name just a few. Health supplements containing these nutrients can help to top up our stores prior to exercise and prevent serious losses.
•Are you stressed? When we are stressed or busy our bodies have an increased need for B vitamins and magnesium. Low stores of these nutrients may lead to symptoms such as anxiety and nervous tension. If we are burning the candle at both ends or going through a stressful period, even those with a good nutrition regime may benefit from topping up with health supplements.

But there are so many health supplements available – how do we choose a good one?

Many people don’t know that health supplements contain different types of vitamins and minerals which can vary greatly in both quality and effectiveness. Many multivitamins contain vitamins produced from 100% synthetic ingredients and inorganic minerals produced solely from rock or metal. These health supplements may be poorly absorbed, and what seems like good nutrition levels on the label are pointless if the product cannot be effectively absorbed into the body where it is needed.

The best option is to choose health supplements made from natural vitamins and organic minerals. These ingredients have higher absorption rates, resulting in increased amounts reaching the bloodstream. For more information on natural vitamins and organic minerals, click here.