Vitamin C - Non Citrus Sources

Since sour food and drink is best avoided for throat, skin and joint patients, intake of Vitamin C becomes limited. Therefore presenting sources of non-citrus Vitamin C:

Papaya
Guava
Lychees
Pear
Apple
Watermelon
Banana
Muskmelon

Broccoli
Potato
Beet
Greenpeas
French-beans
Carrots
Cauliflower
Amala

Calcium Interactions

Avoid taking any calcium tablet or syrup with:
Iron
Multivitamins
Your other allopathic medicine if it is going on.

Calcium is known to block the absorption of the other supplements and medicines.

You may not get the desired effect of those substances.

Always take calcium separately.

Drink lots of water throughout the day when taking calcium supplements.

Check with your physician the dose of the calcium applicable in your case.

IRON SUPPLEMENTATION TIPS

A person taking iron supplements should check his/her complete hemogram by blood test. Get your blood test done to assess the hemoglobin and blood indices to know about the efficacy of the supplements. Never take iron supplements haphazardly for a month or two and discontinue them; always confirm its action and verify whether it needs to be continued further.

There is no fixed course for iron. You need to continue till your body stores are adequate in iron. A regular follow-up blood test is essential to prevent iron overload. There is no need to take extra supplemental iron unless indicated.

Continue using food sources of iron even after stopping the tablet/syrup as food sources will never cause iron overload. Common foods are beet, green veggies, dates, figs, raisins, sesame seeds, and almonds.

If you are not responding to the iron or your hemoglobin keeps dropping frequently, you need to rule out hemoglobin-related disorders.

But, but, but.......... try doing this first -

Include vitamin A (carrots, peach, papaya, mango, green vegetables), copper (whole grains, almonds, pista, figs, dates, walnuts, raisins), and VITAMIN C to improve the absorption of iron.

Our Indian dish 'aloo-palak' is a good example of a food combination to maximize the efficacy of nutrient absorption. 

Forget the technical jargon...
what I mean is that you get iron from palak and vitamin C, vitamin A, and copper from the potato, so it enhances iron absorption.

Point to note: 

Do not take your anti-acidity syrups, tablets, or capsules with iron. It will just not allow that iron to be absorbed. 
Do not drink cow or buffalo or soya milk to gulp that iron tablet, it will just not allow......
Do not take tea or coffee with iron tablets; it will just not allow......

So, get the best out of that iron tablet, so that you can discontinue it sooner.

Aloe Vera In Brief

 

Aloe vera is also known as Kumari, Korphad, Ghee Kanwar in India.

 

There are over 300 species of aloe vera, but Aloe Barbadensis Miller is the safest and most useful due to its natural medicinal properties.

Aloe vera has lignin which allows it to penetrate up to the cellular level and saponin which works like a cleansing agent. These help in the detoxification process.

Aloe vera contains 18 amino acids, 12 vitamins and 20 minerals apart from 75 nutritional components.

Aloe vera contains some essential amino acids, which are basic building blocks of our body needed in body repair.

Aloe vera includes vitamins A, C, D, B-complex, E, and folic acid. Some of the minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, copper, iron, sodium, potassium, chromium, and zinc are also found in aloe.

Aloe vera helps the body to cleanse the digestive system. Our diets include many toxic substances which can cause tiredness, lethargy, weakness and exhaustion. If aloe vera is taken regularly it gives a feeling of well being and improves energy levels. 

Aloe vera has natural substances present in it that inhibits inflammatory reactions without side effects.

Aloe vera supports the immune system with its natural nutrients.

 

Aloe vera has detoxifying properties. Drinking Aloe vera regularly may improve regularize bowel movements and improve absorption. At the same time it decreases unfriendly bacteria and yeast from multiplying in the gut.

  
Thus Aloe vera detoxifies as well as nourishes our body.

The article discussed herein has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Each individual is different and will react differently to various vitamin and mineral supplements as per his/her body requirements. This information is not meant to replace any physician’s consultation. This information should in no way replace your family physician’s advice.

SPIRULINA IN BRIEF

Spirulina is a plant food supplement. It is one of the best sources of alkaline foods.

Spirulina is blue - green algae containing a power-packed storehouse of nutrients. It has a high concentration of beta-carotene, vitamin B12 and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and other vitamin and minerals. Spirulina contains polysaccharides, essential amino acids, GLA, glycolipids, sulpholipids, xanthophyll, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, phycocyanin; vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B12. It also has iron, calcium, and magnesium.

The blue-green color of spirulina is due to its two pigments, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. It has a spiral coil like structure. It contains phytonutrients (phytonutrients mean nutrients from plants) which help in improving immunity. In fact plants manufacture their own disease-fighting nutrients which also benefit humans. 

Spirulina a very good source of anti-oxidants.

Spirulina is easily digestible; it is one of the best supplements for people with digestive complaints, aged, and those on restricted diets. It is a concentrated source of chlorophyll which acts as a body cleanser. 

Spirulina promotes the growth of good bacteria in the intestines thus offering protection against the toxic bacteria. 

Spirulina taken on a regular basis improves immunity to fight diseases. 

Spirulina can be safely taken during pregnancy and lactation.

Spirulina gives the body good antioxidant protection, cleanses and detoxifies, improves immunity, improves cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, and also improves digestive system.

The article discussed herein has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Each individual is different and will react differently to various vitamin and mineral supplements as per his/her body requirements. This information is not meant to replace any physician’s consultation. This information should in no way replace your family physician’s advice.