BODYBUILDING NUTRITION BASICS

Chemistry?!? Are your eyes glazed over yet? It happens…yet if you’re interested at all in the therapeutic use of essential oils, a little primer on their chemistry can be very useful. Not only will you better understand how and why essential oils work, but the great importance of using natural, high-quality oils - oils that are pure, properly distilled, AND smell nice - will be made clear. It’s not just an aromatherapy sales pitch; essential oils with exceptional bouquets have different chemical make-ups than flat or otherwise uninteresting oils. The differences can significantly affect the healing potency of therapeutic applications for you, your family and/or your clients. Much of the time, you can discern the difference of therapeutic value between two oils just by their aroma - one needn’t always have the proof of fancy, expensive machines to make an educated choice.

So what is it that makes an essential oil different than every other oil we’re familiar with? They don’t feel the same, they don’t act the same, and they certainly don’t smell the same. Essential oils and the so-called “fixed” oils (you may also know them as carrier or base oils - like Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel, Evening Primrose, etc) are distinctly different in their molecular structure. While both essential and fixed oils share common basic atomic elements of Carbon and Hydrogen, that’s really where the similarity ends. Fixed oils are made of triglyceride structures - three long chains of carbon atoms, with hydrogens bonded at various places. The length of the chains and the position and number of hydrogens define the nature of the oil; if hydrogens are bonded to every available location, the oil is “saturated’, for example. One missing hydrogen is “mono-unsaturated’, more than one is “poly-unsaturated’. The long chains and relative consistency of the molecular structures makes fixed oils “oily’, and does not allow them to evaporate quickly.

Volatile oils are another matter - volatile oils do easily evaporate, due in-part to their smaller, more complex structures. Essential oils are a sub-category of volatile oils, essential oils being specifically those volatile oils that have been distilled directly from plants (rather than laboratory made, or from another otherwise “inorganic” source). Essential oils still have a core structure of linked carbon and hydrogen atoms, but they come in a great variety of shapes including short chains, rings and multiple-rings hooked together. Each of these core structures will have what is known as a “functional group” attached - a sort of “molecular sub-unit”. Despite their seeming complexity, though, essential oils are still very compatible with mammalian biology - their atomic structure allows them to penetrate into the deepest regions of our bodies, and even to the centers of our cells.

The therapeutic action of an essential oil is primarily determined by the “functional groups” found in the molecules that make up that oil. An essential oil is actually made up of many individual molecular constituents. Each of these natural chemicals is formed of a carbon-hydrogen structure with a functional group attached. It is the combination of the base structure AND the attached functional group that makes a single, unique molecule. And MANY of these unique molecules combine to form ONE essential oil.

The extremely complex nature of essential oils becomes apparent from this description. There are an almost infinite number of molecular combinations that can be formed from the building blocks of chains, rings and functional groups. And any SINGLE essential oil is made of many, sometimes even hundreds of these molecular combinations. Yet while this may sound complex, you needn’t know ALL the chemical details to use oils therapeutically. It IS helpful to know that each oil is made of many molecular forms, that all the molecules within each oil exert some biologic effect, and that it is the SYNERGY of ALL these molecules together that create the sum total of an oil’s therapeutic action AND its aroma. Nearly every laboratory study comparing complete, pure essential oils to one singled-out molecule that was thought the “active ingredient” shows the essential oil to be more active.

The essential oil with the most perfect balance of natural chemical constituents will have the finest aromas and the most potent therapeutic action. Many factors in an essential oil’s production affect this balance. These include where the plant was grown, soil and climate conditions, time of harvest, distillation equipment, as well as the equipment settings and skill of the distiller. This can give you an idea as to why two varieties of the same oil can smell so different: The wonderful aroma of a fine essential oil will contain an array of notes in a lovely balance, telling you that all natural components are present in the correct amounts.

To best understand this, we’ll examine Lavender essential oil; more than fifty individual molecules have been identified in pure lavender essential oil. The aromatherapist must remember that ALL of these chemicals found in pure and natural lavender oil work together to produce a therapeutic effect. For example, the linalool molecule is antiviral and antibacterial; the linalyl acetate is emotionally calming; other major components including cineol, limonene, pinene and others are all noted for specific biologic and aromatic activity. It is the combined, balanced, synergistic action of these chemicals that make pure, high-quality lavender such a great healer. No one chemical can be singled out and used to give the same profound results as the complete pure essential oil.

What does this mean to the lay-practitioner? That it’s important to find a nice smelling lavender oil! Each of the individual chemicals has a distinct smell, talked about in terms of “notes” within the overall lavender aroma. A precise amount of each will create a certain Lavender aroma. Some Lavenders are more sweet (and therefore more relaxing), others are more herbaceous (and more anti-microbial). There can be significantly different aromas from the same species of plant, even when the essential oils are of the highest quality. It is most often the essential oil that smells the most “true” to you that will be the most beneficial. Your senses can naturally detect what is good for you and what is not, if you’re willing to listen to them impartially.

For the most therapeutic benefit, it is always best to use true, carefully-made essential oils. To do this, find a source that is dedicated to supplying only the highest grades of oils. Examine their product’s aromatic quality and business practices and so that you are comfortable with their dedication to your health. Listen to your intuition and your own nose; they won’t lie to you! With experience, your ability to discern between subtly different grades of oils will become more astute. And you’ll understand what it is about the oil, chemically, that makes it unique.

For more on the wonderful therapeutic potential of aromatherapy and essential oils, visit The Ananda Apothecary of Boulder, Colorado.

Shirley Arnold Fitness alternative medicine, aromatherapy, disease, essential oils, Fitness, health, illness, natural health, natural medicine, Science, wellness

Sciatica is a back ailment that shoots pain from the lower level of the spine down to the back of the leg. It is caused by either of four conditions which include: the Piriformis Syndrome, herniated disks, Spinal Stenosis, or Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. This means that Sciatica isn’t an ailment in itself. Instead, it is a result from a condition which is either of the four stated previously. This means that Sciatica remedies will only work if you treat the root cause of it. Regular pain relieving methods merely ease the symptoms attached to the condition but are not really addressing the problem head on. It is necessary therefore, to understand the causes of sciatic pain.

The first known cause for Sciatica is the Piriformis Syndrome. This is a condition where in the muscles located at the pelvic areas are pulled out of place. This happens for a variety of different reasons. It could be through a sport activity, poor body posture or an accident. The pulled muscle then creates an imbalance in the positioning of ones hip joints. This in turn places the piriformis muscle to exert undue pressure on the sciatic nerve located at the lower back which creates the sensation of pain.

In such situations, sciatica remedies may include consultations with physical therapists who can help you to restore the positioning of your joints and muscles. The pain will be returning until the piriformis muscle is fixed.

The second reason that might be the cause of Sciatica is herniated disks. A herniated disk is a condition wherein the disk between vertebrae protrudes which then causes pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is caused by years of constant pressure on the back muscles or accidents that might have injured the back. The peculiar thing about herniated disks is that some of those who suffer from it have the tendency to feel nothing at all, hence rendering them unaware that they suffer the condition.

It usually needs a doctor to solve situations such as this. The treatment of sciatica can be greatly enhanced by repositioning the protruding disks to its rightful place.

The third probable cause of sciatic pain is a condition known as Spinal Stenosis. This means that the space in the spinal canal has become narrow. This places the hip and spine at an awkward position which in turn places pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sensation of pain is caused by the constant pressure and contact due to the awkward positioning of your lower back.

Lastly, a condition known as Isthmic Spondylolisthesis is also believed to be one of the primary causes of Sciatica. This is characterized by the dislocation of a vertebra which then pinches upon the sciatic nerve.

There are traditional remedies for sciatica that are done at home such as drinking celery mixed with potato and carrot juice to ease the pain. There are also supplements such as vitamin B 1 and B complex taken with ginger to sooth the muscles. These remedies have indeed worked for some. However, it is still best that one go to a doctor to have his Sciatica checked in order to permanently get rid of the problem.

Before you choose any sciatica pain treatmentoptions, it is a good idea to understand more about sciatic relief here.

Kris Plassmann Nutrition alternative medicine, back pain, culture, education, exercise, general, health care, lifestyle, men's issues, Nutrition, Sciatica, Science, society, Women's Issues

Everyone hates to catch a cold, and winter is here already and you may be finding it hard to keep the germs away. You are at your most vulnerable during winter so I have compiled a few bits of advice to get you fit for fighting off the bug.

While I can make no assurances, I can tell you that following a few of these small tips might end up helping you out when it comes down to it.

You must get as much sleep as you can, not too much of course but the normal eight hours is sufficient. We all know that in the present day and age it can be hard just getting that many. However, without it, your immune system will be left weakened and as a result, your body will be defenceless to any lurking bugs.

So to lessen the chances of catching a cold, get a good night’s sleep and keep your immune system up to strength.

If you have travelled by bus or train or been to a place where there were a lot of people then it’s a good idea to wash your hands regularly. Germs spread around via the most unlikely of surfaces and it’s best to keep them at bay with a good wash.

Sanitizing gel is a great way to keep your hands clean when you don’t have access to running water or soap. They usually come in a handy portable size that you can keep in your bag or pocket but don’t just forget it’s there, use it as often as you need to.

Fruit is essential to any diet but is more important when there are nasty bugs floating around. You need the vitamins and antioxidants that they provide to help your immune system fight off the germs and not only will they give your immune system a kick start they will give you a nice energy lift to help you through your day.

Try these things out and your bodies will definitely be in better shape. Hopefully they’ll be strong enough to fight off the threat of any cold!

The writer additionally frequently blogs about the meat bandsaw and the best place to get mail order meat.

Tara Fisher Nutrition advice, disease, education, exercise, Fitness, food, free, health, Nutrition, parenting, Science, self help, sleep

There is a new sweetener supplement out at the moment. It is called Truvia. This seems to be appearing in a lot of things lately, and I would not be surprised to see it become more popular in the future.

Unlike most of the other sweeteners that you can buy today, the sweetener from Truvia comes straight from the source of a plant called the Stevia plant.

You may have seen Truvia in some of the Soda drinks that you buy. This sweetener has become quite popular lately and sales have grown in the products that contain Truvia.

So far there have been no complaints of hidden side effects with Truvia, but with it being a new product some people will be trying it in small amounts at first.

This is just a natural reaction to new products that come out today, and everybody gets cautious of new things that we put in to our bodies. After all there have been products before that were reported to be safe only to have something wrong with them over time.

It is just a natural for people to be worried about how these new products will affect them, and if you are one of those people just try small doses until it has been proven to be okay, the fact that Truvia is a sweetener with no calories and no chemicals make this a really good product to choose.

The good thing about Truvia is that it has passed all the rigorous testing from the FDA.

As well as the FDA passing Truvia, there is also no documented evidence of any known side effects to the use of Truvia.

We all know that everybody’s bodies are different, and that everybody reacts differently to the things that they put in to their bodies. Some users have stated that they have experienced light headaches or other symptoms after taking Truvia, but there is no real hard evidence that this was not caused by something that they had taken at the same time.

When all is said and done, it is up to you alone whether you believe that Truvia is safe to use as the FDA think it is. If you are not completely in agreement then by all means try it in smaller doses, or even do not try it at all until you are completely satisfied with the results. The choice is yours and yours alone.

Enjoy more of this writer’s articles regarding things including mens denim jacket and mens stretch denim jeans.

Robin Cooper Supplements advice, Beverages, Environment, family, Fitness, food, Goal Setting, health, medicine, Nutrition, Science, Supplements, teens, women

I always find the topic of dieting and losing weight to be an interesting one. It seems like there are always people coming out with new books and videos that promise to change the world, all with a different scientific theory behind them.

Some of these diets even go so far as telling you that you can eat bad foods while losing weight at the same time. Naturally, the people looking to shed fat will always be attracted to plans like these.

Whether these things actually work or not isn’t even the point. Some of them will, and others won’t, but it shouldn’t have to be so complicated.

What I find interesting is the fact that everyone out there is looking for some kind of a shortcut. Some easy or fast weigh to lose weight.

At the end of the day, there’s on guaranteed way to lose weight and I can’t believe that there’s a multibillion dollar industry of weight loss programs trying to find their own unique spin on this one simple concept. Let your calories out be more than your calories in, and you’ll lose weight. It’s as simple as that.

What does this mean in the most basic of terms? Well, burn more calories than you eat, and you’ll lose weight. I can’t understand why so many people have to complicate such a simple concept.

Count the calories that you eat, and try to keep them healthy while you’re at it. Low in sugar and low in fat will ensure that you’re eating foods that are better for the body, boosting your immune system and your overall health.

The second key to the equation here is exercising as much as possible. Work your body out, as this burns even more calories in the process.

The best way to ensure success is by practicing this in reality on a daily basis. Don’t let up at any time, and you’ll be guaranteed to succeed.

Aside from weight loss, this writer also frequently writes on the anti snoring pillow and pillows for neck pain.

Dwight Brooks Dieting advice, cardio, diet, Dieting, education, exercise, Fitness, health, muscle building, Nutrition, Science, self improvement, sports, weight loss, women

The mouth-watering, unsullied, organically grown fruit known as the acai berry, is also a perfect choice to ensure your body is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are the number one fighter of free radicals which are the primary culprits in aging and damaging the body.

The process of the body’s cells consuming oxygen, creates a by-product known as a free radical that can do lots of harm to the body. Antioxidants play a huge role in preventing and repairing the damage done by these free radicals. Adding antioxidants to your daily diet is the best way to protect yourself from these free radicals.

When free radicals are left unchecked, they can wreak all kinds of havoc to our bodies. Free radicals are responsible for the breakdown of our DNA as well as causing cancer. These by-products can invade our cells and cause them to break down or even worse stop functioning all together.

Depending on where the damage was created by these toxic radicals, the range of destruction can lead to neurological damage all the way to hormonal problems. The acai berry produces enough antioxidants that when taken as a regular part of your diet can prevent and fight off these free radicals.

Studies have revealed for years that when antioxidants are taken as part of a regular diet, the body has the ability to repair, and maintain resistance to free radicals as well future attacks.

A book entitled the Perricone Promise was written by Dr. Perricone who is generally regarded as the person responsible for introducing the fruit to the mainstream audience. In this book he describes the acai berry as being the most perfect food known on the planet today.

When it comes to a food that will make you look and feel young, Dr. Perricone says that the acai berry has all of the ingredients needed to accomplish this. Also, when looking for a diet that will revitalize your health and slow the aging process Dr. Perricone says look no further than the acai fruit berry.

The acai fruit is known as a super food that contains every nutrient your body needs in fighting harmful free radicals. If your goal is to improve your overall health, as well as strengthen and maintain your body, then you should look further into the numerous benefits of the this amazing fruit.

So, if you are looking for a diet that will provide energetic health, a reduction in aging, and a free radical fighter then look no further than the acai fruit berry.

For more than 3 decades, Lorna Mistranski PHDhas studied extracts that offer optimum results in diet pills. She has a Isagenix site that offers good instruction when you are looking for which diet solution is ideal for you. She also has an informative blog that looks at the best Isagenixtrials available and which ones to avoid.

Dr Lorna Mistranski Dieting acaiberry, aging, Anti, diet, Dieting, Elederly, free, health, medical, Radicals, research, Science

Aside from the acai berry being an unsullied, mouth-watering, organically grown fruit- it is also rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients as well as substances that slow the oxidation damage to our body.

When the body’s cells consume oxygen, it creates free radicals (or by-products) that can cause a lot of problems to our body. Antioxidants play an important role in preventing, repairing, and removing the damage done by these toxic by-products. Having a daily supplement of antioxidants is the best way known to protect yourself from these harmful free radicals.

When free radicals are left unchecked, they can wreak all kinds of havoc to our bodies. Free radicals are responsible for the breakdown of our DNA as well as causing cancer. These by-products can invade our cells and cause them to break down or even worse stop functioning all together.

Free radicals have been the factors behind various types of neurological problems to hormonal damage. Acai fruit has been found when taken on a regular basis to contain enough antioxidants to fight off these dangerous by-products.

Studies have revealed for years that when antioxidants are taken as part of a regular diet, the body has the ability to repair, and maintain resistance to free radicals as well future attacks.

Dr. Perricone is the one who introduced the mainstream audience to this amazing fruit by writing a book entitled, the Perricone Promise. In this book he writes that the acai berry is the most perfect food on the planet.

When it comes to a food that will make you look and feel young, Dr. Perricone says that the acai berry has all of the ingredients needed to accomplish this. Also, when looking for a diet that will revitalize your health and slow the aging process Dr. Perricone says look no further than the acai fruit berry.

Acai berry is categorized as a super food because it contains all the nutrition your body needs in fighting dangerous by-products in the body like free radicals. Be sure to research this amazing fruit further if you are looking for a diet that will provide your body with the strength needed to fight and remove these harmful toxins.

The acai berry is the perfect food to improve overall health, reduce aging, and fighting free radicals and could be just the missing supplement your body needs to creating the new you.

A group of scientist in Arkansas found that fruits that are dark purplish in color such as the acai berry fruit, could possibly hold the key to preventing obesity.

The scientist concluded through animal studies that the extract of the fruit is more effective than actually eating the fruit when it comes to weight loss.

Ronald L. Prior and colleagues, who conducted the study, found that past research has shown that the pigments,called anthocyanins, prevent obesity in laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet.

the mice also tested well from other health benefits related to their purple food diet. Anthocyanins are found in acai berry, blueberries, black berries, and many more foods that are dark in color.

The mice were fed for two months a high calorie diet on top of drinking water and extracted anthocyanins from acai berry gained less weight and had a lower body fat level than the other mice.

Anthocyanins fed as the whole blueberry did not prevent and could have possibly increased obesity, the study found. However, feeding purified anthocyanins from blueberries or strawberries reduced obesity.

The article “Whole Berries versus Berry Anthocyanins: Interactions with Dietary Fat Levels in the C57BL/6J Mouse Model of Obesity” can be read in full in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Colorful pigments found in the skin of blueberries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables may help prevent obesity, according to recent animal studies from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Dr. Jerimiah Crossderd Dieting anti aging, diet, Dieting, Elderly health, Free Radicals, health, Health research, medical, older woman's, research, Science, woman's