Ginkgo Biloba & How It Works

By Peter Salazar

Ginkgo

Ginkgo Biloba is a most extensively studied tree species and is among the oldest species. Many herbs and other plants are used in natural form but these leaves are used in a standard concentrated extract. The GBE or Ginkgo Biloba extract is produced from dried leaves.

How Ginkgo Biloba Works

Ginkgo Biloba can be used in aiding problems due to loss of blood flow to the brain. It can act as a dilator and by increasing the size of arteries it can improve the blood flow. It can prove to be a free radical remover, antioxidant, membrane stabilizer, platelet activation factor and a neuro-protection agent.

Ginkgo Biloba can also help to enhance the memory. That is the reason why it is added to nutrition bars. Blood vessel and nerve damage disorders can cause several problems such as hissing or ringing in head or ear. It may slightly reduce the intensity of sound.

What Does Ginkgo Biloba Consist Of?

Ginkgo Biloba is composed of over 40 components. Two of these are the effective ones. One is terpenoids and the other is flavonoids. Terpenoids can reduce the platelet stickiness and dilate the vessels for improved blood flow. Flavonoids act as an antioxidant and protect the heart muscle and nerves. It is also believed that it can help retinal damage due to degeneration of muscles and diabetes. Muscular degeneration is the number one cause of blindness in America and it is mostly found in old people. Ginkgo may prevent complete blindness.

Ginkgo Biloba Available Forms

It is present in the form of GBE or Ginkgo Biloba extract containing 6% terpenoids and 24% flavonoids. Other forms include tablets, capsules and tinctures.

Precautionary Measures

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb. Herbs may have any active substance that could cause a side effect depending on the person taking it.

Ginkgo Biloba and its Effects with the Following Medications

Although Ginkgo Biloba is a safe herb, sometimes it can cause headache, dizziness or gastric upset. It is recommended that pregnant women avoid it.

Blood-thinning medications

Ginkgo Biloba acts as a blood thinner too and if taken with a blood thinner such as aspirin, warfarin, etc. blood complications may arise.

Anticonvulsant medications

Ginkgo Biloba may reduce the affect of this medication to control seizers if a high dose is taken.

Trazodone

Ginkgo Biloba may cause coma as it has a severe action with trazodone. It should not be taken with such antidepressants.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Ginkgo Biloba can either improve or degrade the condition if it is taken with antidepressants such as phenelzine.

Cylosporine

Ginkgo Biloba can help protect cell membrane during the cyclosporine treatment.

Usage

Ginkgo Biloba usage for people with memory problems may be around 120 to 240 milligrams each day in 2 – 3 servings. The tinnitus people and those with nerve and vessel problems may take 160 milligrams each day. The time period suggested is about 12 weeks before results are assessed. Servings of Ginkgo Biloba can vary depending on weight and severity of problem, in addition to other factors.

Peter Salazar source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com.

To go directly to this product go here: http://utopiasilver.com/products/supplements/ginkgo_biloba.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Salazar

Power Snacks

By Vanessa Pruitt

Do you start to drag in the middle of the day, or need a snack to get you through the evening? Try these power snacks for a quick pick me up, that’s good for you, too.

Mixed Nuts –

Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which is good news for your heart. They are high in good fats that offer a great boost of energy. Just be careful not to eat too many, as they are high in calories, too. Aim for about a ¼ cup.

Raisins –

Raisins are cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and totally fat-free. They provide many necessary vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and certain B vitamins. They are a good source of fiber and rich in antioxidants. They are also easily digested, for quick energy. A ¼ cup of sun dried raisins is about 130 calories, and the perfects portion for a snack. Try mixing raisins, mixed nuts, and a few other foods such as cheerios for a great take-along.

Milk –

Milk contains 9 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamins A, D, and B12, protein, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and phosphorus. This powerful package of nutrients does more than just build strong bones. 8 ounces of low-fat chocolate milk will give you the sugar you need for energy, and the protein to sustain it.

Yogurt –

Yogurt is an outstanding source of protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B6, B12, niacin, and folic acid. It contains just as much potassium as a banana does. This special dairy product contains a lot of friendly bacteria that benefit your health tremendously.

Fruit –

Go for fruits that are high in natural sugar, without the fat. Grapes, bananas, cantaloupe, and watermelon are all good choices. These fruits supply the burst of energy you need without the fat you don’t need. Cut up some pieces of fruit to add to your yogurt for a nutritiously packed afternoon goody.

Mix up your snacks a bit, so that you never get bored. Try new fruits, yogurts, and nuts often. Try out different power snacks together to reap the benefits of a diverse diet. You can truly treat yourself without feeling sinful!

This article has been written by Vanessa Pruitt, a work from home mom working
to promote wellness. To learn more about working from home visit http://www.tricitymoms.com She is also the owner of two subscription blogs, http://loveworkingfromhome.blogspot.com & http://netmommy.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_Pruitt

Antioxidant In Green Tea Helps Fight Alzheimer's Disease

By Edward Lewis

Scientists from the University of South Florida found that high doses of the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea prevented Alzheimer's-like damage in the brains of mice bred to develop symptoms of this disease.

One of the possible causes of Alzheimer's disease is the harmful accumulation of beta-amyloid, which is just a very small protein fragment of a larger protein in brain cells. After several months of injecting the mice with pure EGCG on a daily basis, the nerve cells of the mice generated 54% less beta-amyloid proteins than not-treated mice.

In the case of humans, we would need a daily dose of 1,500 to 1,600 mg of pure EGCG to achieve the similar effect experienced by the mice and this daily dose has been studied in healthy human volunteers and was found to be safe and well tolerated. The drinking of green tea alone would not be sufficient to have this particular effect.

Reference: "Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) Modulates Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleavage and Reduces Cerebral Amyloidosis in Alzheimer Transgenic Mice" Kavon Rezai-Zadeh, et al. Journal of Neuroscience (2005) 25(38):8807-8814

Related tips: Alzheimer's Disease Antioxidants

Copyright www.tipsofallsorts.com All Rights Reserved.

Tips Of All Sorts is a site loaded with useful tips on health, family, home, garden, beauty and almost anything else possible! Subscribe to the info-packed TIPS Newsletter and go to the TIPS Blog for the latest tips.

Note: To reprint this article on a website, e-zine or newsletter, the credits above must be in tact and all hyperlinks must be active.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Lewis

Creatine Supplementation Guide

By Mansi Aggarwal

Creatine is a substance that helps increase energy at the cellular level. Without getting too technical we’ll examine how this works. Creatine supplementation has become a science of its own. There are many different theories about whether it works or not, and how it works.

When we look at energy at a cellular level it is created by the creation and breakdown of chains of molecules. ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is one of these molecular structures. There are three phosphates attached to the molecule. When a phosphate is separated from the ATP molecule energy is released from the breaking of the connection. This energy is used by the cells. The molecular structure is then changed and what was once ATP becomes ADP (adenosine di-phosphate) with only two phosphates attached. This new molecule begins searching for a free phosphate somewhere to reattach.

The muscles go through three energy phases. The first, and the one we are looking at, is the ATP-PC system where ATP is broken down for energy and rebuilt. This system is the immediate energy system and according to some research can last as long as three minutes, or until all ATP is depleted and there are no free floating phosphates. The next system is the lactic acid system in which the various metabolic processes produce energy and give off lactic acid. This system last approximately ten to twelve minutes and then the aerobic system kicks in. This system carries the body’s energy needs over extended periods. It is important to note that one system doesn’t stop when the other takes over. They do overlap and the ATP-PC system kicks in every once in a while.

With all of the technical stuff out of the way, let’s look at Creatine and what it does. Creatine introduces phosphates into the energy cycle allowing ATP to be built for a longer amount of time. It is also believed that the body will produce more stored ATP for future use with regular supplementation of Creatine. This allows for a more explosive muscular contraction and a longer lasting ATP cycle. This is important because the muscle contractions are more intense and stronger during the ATP energy cycle.

Creatine is also said to pull more water into the muscles giving them a fuller appearance. This added water also provides more leverage and aids at the cellular level. This increase in water uptake can be dangerous if a person does not drink adequate water during use. Making sure to drink plenty of water keeps the body from becoming dehydrated and enhances the efficiency of the creatine.

There are many different versions of creatine on the market and each claim to work in a different, but better, way than the others. Any product that will introduce more phosphates at the cellular level and increase energy production and release will benefit muscular energy and strength. Whether you are looking for more power while lifting, more explosive take off when sprinting, a longer work capacity or fuller muscles creatine can be an asset to your program.

Mansi aggarwal recommends Bodybuilding Supplements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal