Health Products

Health Products to Improve Your Life

Living a healthy lifestyle not only reduces the risk of medical problems such as heart disease or hypertension, it also helps to increase energy levels and self-confidence. Many products exist to help people live healthier lives, but each person must decide which products best meet their needs.

Currently, there is much debate about natural versus conventional, organically grown versus grown with pesticides. The popularity of grocery chains such as Whole Foods and Wild Oats reveals Americans’ increasing interest in natural, alternative methods of caring for one’s body. However, there are many critics of this trend as well. It is up to each individual to decide for themselves how they will care for their body.

Which vitamins are best?

Nutrition is of utmost importance to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition assures that the body has what it needs to function optimally. Many people take dietary supplements to ensure that they are getting the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) of all of the vitamins and minerals they need. At any drug store, one can purchase multivitamins, individual vitamins, or individual minerals. These are generally inexpensive and come in a wide variety. Some may opt, however, for the supplements sold at health food stores. Though more expensive, these vitamins and minerals are made of concentrated whole foods, rather than synthetics. Some are willing to pay the extra money because they feel that these work better. Claims that these supplements are more effective are widely debated.

Should I take weight loss products?

There are many, many products that claim to aid in weight loss, but which work? This is hard to say. The FDA claims that combining diet and exercise is the best method for losing weight and that many diet products are ineffective. In particular, the FDA states that “fat blockers” and “starch blockers” are not proven effective. Whether or not you choose to try weight loss products, be aware that some can be harmful. In particular, ephedra, banned due to its ability to cause high blood pressure and stroke among other ailments, may still be on shelves of certain stores or sold on the Internet. If you choose to use a weight loss product, please be cautious.

What are some herbal medicines and remedies?

Many conventional medicines have herbal sources. For example, aspirin comes from willow bark, and morphine comes from poppy seeds. Many herbal medicines, however, have not been studied extensively by scientists. As a result, there is not a large amount scientific evidence of their effectiveness. Despite this, many herbal medicines are gaining popularity among Americans today. Some that are particularly popular are Echinacea, Ginseng, Gingko, and Green Tea. Echinacea is used to prevent colds and flu and stimulate the immune system. Ginseng is used for improving mental and physical performance and lowering cholesterol. Gingko is used to improve memory. Green Tea may be used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, and lowering cholesterol levels. Though there is not an abundance of scientific evidence that these herbs live up to these claims, many individuals attest to the effects that these herbs have had on their own health. As a result, the popularity of these and other herbs continues to grow.