PABA: Para-Aminobenzoic Acid

PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is a component of folic acid which is a member of the B family of vitamins. It is a necessary ingredient in breaking down and using proteins, in forming red blood cells and in helping in the manufacture of folic acid in the intestines. It is manufactured in natural way in the intestines from friendly bacteria and it can also be obtained from outside sources such as grains and animal products. There are PABA supplements that you can avail too.

If you have not taken enough PABA, you may show the following symptoms: fatigue, irritability, nervousness and depression as well as constipation. Weeping eczema can also be noted in people with PABA deficiency including patchy areas on the skin.

There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) dosage but 50 mg per day is the usual PABA supplementation taken.

PABA is necessary for healthy hair and skin and the PABA supplement is known to prevent hair loss by protecting the follicles. It can even restore grey hairs to its natural colors. But this is applicable only if they have deficiency in vitamin B. PABA may have a possible role in treating Peyronie’s disease which is a disorder that affects an erection. It can possibly aid skin changes associated with scleroderma which is an autoimmune disorder, pemphigus which is a severe blistering of the skin and vitiligo which is a disorder that causes discoloration of the skin. People suffering from vitiligo, pemphigus and scleroderma have reported improvement in their skin after taking in PABA supplements. Although this is not a clinically proven fact, but some women claim that they got pregnant after increasing PABA in their diet. Excellent sources of PABA include: liver, kidney, brewer’s yeast, molasses, whole grains, mushrooms and spinach and can be made by intestinal bacteria.

PABA is often an active ingredient in sunscreen lotions; it protects the skin by blocking the damage ultraviolet rays. Its popularity as a sunscreen ingredient has waned recently though because it is reported to have caused skin irritation and cause allergic reactions in some people. When higher than factor SPF 8 sunscreens are used, manufacture of vitamin D in the body may be lowered. If it is taken in excess could also show the following symptoms: nausea, skin, rashes and vomiting. Excessive levels of PABA that are stored in the body can cause liver damage.

PABA is known to interact negatively with sulfa antibiotics since it interferes with its absorption. It can make sulfasalazine and sulfisoxazole less effective and you should not take it if you are using these antibiotics. High doses of PABA which is around 8 g. or more daily can cause blood sugar to drop and may cause a rash, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In rare cases, PABA can cause liver function abnormalities. For hair problems, take 100 mg a day of PABA. You may use Vitamin B complex to cover PABA. It is best used with Vitamin C and Vitamin B group or vitamins. Folic Acid works well with PABA too.

Essiac Herbal Tea

The term “essiac” in Essiac herbal tea is a common vernacular for an herbal tea attributed to Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse. Essiac is actually her last name spelled backwards.

Essiac Herbal Tea for Cancer: The Herbs

Originally, the formula for the Essiac herbal tea for cancer contained eight herbs but Rene refined it to just four herbs. These herbs in Essiac herbal tea are Burdock root (Arctium lappa), Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva), and Turkish rhubarb (Rheum palmatum).

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

The roots of the Burdock plant are harvested for folk medicinal use and have gained much attention after the success of the Essiac herbal tea formula for cancer. They contain vitamins B complex and E and trace minerals, including potassium, phosphorous, chromium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, silicon, zinc, and sodium.

This herb is said to have anti-tumor properties as reported by many clinical studies. It is considered as one of the finest blood purifiers, classified as an alternative, diuretic, and diaphoretic.

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

Sheep Sorrel is high in vitamins A, B complex, C, D, K, and E. Aside from that, it also contains minerals, including calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iodine, and copper. For centuries, this plant has been used as a folk remedy for cancer in both Europe and Asia, and more recently (with the release of the Essiac herbal tea formula for cancer) in North America. It is considered as an astringent and a diuretic that can break down tumors and alleviate some chronic conditions and degenerative diseases, such as cancer.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)

The bark of the slippery elm has been used by many herbalists as a nutritious drink said to heal and soothe various discomforts. It is said to have an antibiotic and anti-microbial effect as well as an ability to remove toxins from the body. For this reason, it is used as an ingredient in Essiac herbal tea for cancer.

Turkey Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)

The root of the Turkey rhubarb contains vitamin A, many of the B complex, C, and P. It also contains calcium, chlorine, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc. Rene Caisse used this in the Essiac herbal tea for cancer as opposed to the common rhubarb for the reason that it is much more effective and tastes less bitter.

The rhubarb root is a gentle laxative that stimulates the bodily organs to expel of waste matter, thus purging the body of many toxins that are frequently the cause of tumor-forming cells.

Herbal Vitamins

Nature offers a host of plants with various medicinal and therapeutic uses. For eons, our ancestors have used the leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems, and flowers from plants found in their surroundings to treat all sorts of sicknesses and ailments. Because of its many benefits, the people during the ancient times came to see plants as symbols of life, worshipping them and calling them “sacred.” Today, we call upon that old belief as the dietary supplement industry market extracts of those same herbs of long ago.

Herbs are known to be rich sources of vitamins and minerals. In fact, almost all vitamins and minerals essential for the body are found in herbs. Below are a few herbs and the herbal vitamins they contain.

Alfalfa – Herbal Vitamin

Native to the Middle East, the Alfalfa plant was once regarded as the “father of all herbs.” It is a perennial flowering plant of the genus Medicago under the pea family, Fabaceae. It is known for its many therapeutic benefits and has been used for years as an herbal vitamin.

The part of the alfalfa plant that is used is the leaves. Like most leaves of herbal vitamins, the alfalfa contains rich concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin A, vitamin B-12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. In addition to that, this herbal vitamin is found to contain all eight of the essential amino acids and traces of fluoride.

Aloe Vera – Herbal Vitamin

Aloe Vera is a group of plants belonging to the family Asphodelaceae. There are about 400 species of Aloe, growing in the drier parts of Africa, especially in South Africa’s Cape Province. This herbal vitamin is considered as a succulent and as such, its leaves and stems are filled with liquid sap. It is the sap of the aloe that is used for medicinal purposes. Since the ancient times, the aloe has been recognized as an analgesic, used for treating burns and skin conditions, such as scrapes, sunburns, and insect bites. It is said to be rich in vitamin C, which is good for the skin.

Capsicum – Herbal Vitamin

Capsicum frutescens or Cayenne is a species of pepper under the nightshade family of plants. It is highly valued for its fruit, which is usually dried, pounded, or pulped to produce the famous cayenne peppers used for culinary purposes. This herbal vitamin is highly nutritious and very rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex. Moreover, it also contains the minerals iron, calcium, and phosphorous. The cayenne pepper is red because of its high concentrations of vitamin A.

Herbal Teas

So you are looking for available herbal teas, do you? If so, then you should know first that herbal teas are basically determined as those that respond to hot water. Herbal teas are now widely manufactured and offered from different health food outlets due to the increasing demand of the tea drinkers and especially those who are health conscious people. And even if you just surf on the internet, you will greatly find some offers for herbal teas. That is how widely popular herbal teas are.

So if you wanted to know some of the popular and beneficial herbal teas in the world today, just read on.

Persimmon Herbal Teas:

Persimmon herbal teas are basically a product from the Plum flower. Plum flower is in fact one of the most well-known herb houses in the whole cosmos. It is much interesting to learn that this particular brand of herbal tea is sulfur free, chlorine free, and aluminum phosphate free. In the process, the herbs are packed and the packages are then injected with nitrogen and sealed. The use of sulfur, chlorine, and aluminum phosphate was made unimportant by this brand for the reason that the lack of these treatments enhances the development of anaerobic organisms which then results to much safer and higher quality herbs.

Birch Teas:

Birch teas are herbal teas that are taken from the bark of the tree itself. It comes in black, white and yellow birch and the dry leaves can be applied for a year. Particularly, this form of herbal teas is used as a decoction, extract, tincture and infusion which are intended for chronic skin problems, rheumatism, and headaches. Aside from that, the teas are also considered to have a potential for treating kidney stones and fever. Greatly, when it is cold, it can act as a mouthwash.

Raspberry Herbal Teas:

Raspberry is one of the well-known herbal plants that have potential for treating multiple ailments. This is basically one of the reasons that raspberry herbal teas are produced from its leaves. This certain tea, according to some studies, will help to control the onset of diarrhea, and this mainly acts as a blood purifier and tonic. Today, the raspberry herbal teas are used as an infusion, extract, tincture, decoction, as well as poultice. And it has a great taste similar to that of the ordinary black tea.

Alfalfa Herbal Teas:

Here come the alfalfa teas which are also acclaimed as one of the great and widely produced and offered herbal teas in the world. The alfalfa teas are considered as a rich source of Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, including B complex, biotin, carotenes, calcium, trace minerals, iron, and many other nutrients. These herbal teas are now applied in the form of extract, as infusion, dietary supplement, and vegetable.

Herbal supplement dictionary

Herbal supplement dictionary pertains to herbal supplements that could bring out holistic health. The herbal supplement dictionary provides information on what are the herbal supplements, what they are, how much you should use and what they do to the body and what cautions, if any, should be exercised if using them. Some of the herbal supplements found in the herbal supplement dictionary are:

Calcium: This is a very vital to bones and is necessary to prevent osteoporosis. For up to 50 years old use 600 mg twice a day. For 50-71 years old, 600-800 mg twice daily and for above 70, 800 mg twice daily.

Magnesium: lowers risk for heart disease, promotes bone and sexual health. Women are required 400 mg of magnesium per day and 333 mg for men.

Folic acid: Is a water-soluble vitamin B that is vital in forming coenzyme for protein synthesis. Required dosage of folic acid is 400 mcg. Patients that are at risk for heart disease need 800 mcg.

Selenium: It is necessary for the synthesis of GPx (glutathione peroxidase) which is an antioxidant. It strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of prostrate cancer also lung and colorectal.

Iron: This is a good mineral for menstruating women or those with iron deficiency. The recommended dosage for iron is up to 18 mg per day.

Vitamin A: This supplement is fat-soluble which plays a major role in vision and could reduce the risk of cancer. You need to take 5,000 IU per day.

Vitamin B5 or Pyridoxine: Is a group of compounds that contain nitrogen. It is included in the herbal supplement dictionary. Recommended dosage is 2 mg.

Vitamin B12: This is responsible for carbohydrate and protein metabolism. You need 6 mcg daily.

Vitamin E: is a fat soluble vitamin that scavenges the free radicals. You need at least 400 IU daily. Increase it to between 800-1200 mcg if you have heart disease.

Vitamin D: Is fat soluble vitamin that enhances the effects of calcium. You need 10-20 minutes of sunlight to get vitamin D or 400 IU daily. It is good for treating osteoporosis and arthritis.

Vitamin C: Is a water soluble vitamin which has antioxidant effects. It strengthens the immune system, decreases severity of colds and prevents cancer. You need 600 mg twice daily.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also known as the sunlight vitamin because the body manufactures it when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit the skin. It is technically a hormone because it is the only vitamin that the body manufactures. It is vital in building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also strengthens the immune system and prevents some types of cancer. Ten to fifteen minutes walk in the summer sun for a few days weekly is enough supply of vitamin D. Those who can’t get out in the sun may require a supplement especially during winter where people do not get enough sun. The body’s capacity to manufacture vitamin D seems to decline with age. Older adults therefore need more vitamin D from food or supplements whether they have sunlight exposure or not.

There are a number of health benefits you can enjoy from vitamin D. These include:

- It prevents osteoporosis. Vitamin D promotes absorption and balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body thereby strengthening bones and teeth and promotes normal muscle contraction and nerve function. If calcium in the blood is low, the body is forced to steal the mineral from the bones and supply the muscles and nerves with the calcium they need. Continuous loss of calcium may lead to osteoporosis. Vitamin D together with calcium has a vital role in promoting bone density.

- It protects against some type of cancer. Vitamin D may be essential in preventing breast, colon and prostate cancer.

- It slows down joint damage due to arthritis. 400 IU or more of vitamin D can effectively stop osteoarthritis of the knees.

- It eases back pain. Vitamin D promotes strong bones and cartilage easing back pain.

- It protects against multiple sclerosis. Studies indicate possible connection between vitamin D and MS.

- It relieves symptoms of psoriasis. It helps in skin cell metabolism and growth thereby contributing to the treatment of skin diseases. Individuals with psoriasis have low levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is sold in tablet, softgel, liquid and capsule formulation. Recommended intake of Vitamin D includes the following:

- Men and women ages 19 to 50, take 200 IU per day.

- Men and women ages 51 to 70, take 400 IU per day.

- Men and women ages 71 and older, take 600 IU per day.

Those that have vitamin D deficiency may develop osteoporosis later on. Other symptoms include nervousness, muscle twitches, insomnia and diarrhea. Children, in case of severe deficiency, may develop a bone-weakening disease called rickets.

If you take excessive doses of vitamin D, usually more than 1,000 IU a day, may notice signs and symptoms of toxic reaction. These symptoms may include: loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination. Taking 10,000 to 15,000 IU on daily basis may lead to weight loss, paleness, constipation, fever and a host of other ailments. Taking Vitamin at more than 1,000 IU daily for an extended period of time may possibly result in high blood pressure, premature hardening of arteries, weaken bones, calcium buildup in the muscles and kidney damage.

In order to get the most vitamin D, expose yourself between 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. twice daily can give you all the vitamin D you need. Do not take more than 800 IU of vitamin D supplements per day. For faster absorption, take fat-soluble vitamin with food that has some fat. Vitamin D should be taken with antacids that have magnesium as this can cause high levels of magnesium. Do not take Vitamin D with thiazide diuretics as this can cause toxic levels of calcium that causes kidneys to fail.

Folic Acid

We’re all familiar about vitamins and all their functions. Vitamin A is good for the eyes. Vitamin C is good for the skin. And Vitamin D is what we euphemistically call the “sun vitamin.” But, have you ever wondered which vitamin helps the body in making healthy new cells? If you haven’t, then read up.

Folic Acid for Healthy Cell Production

At some point in our lives, we’ve all probably stared at the cereal box label during breakfast. We saw words like riboflavin, folic acid, and pyridoxine and wondered what they mean. And your mom has probably reminded you time and time again to “eat your greens” while your doctor continues to advice you with a litany of “eating a balanced diet.” The words in your cereal box and your mother’s and doctor’s advice both involve vitamin B and its specific vitamin group, folic acid.

Folic acid is found in many foods and multivitamin supplements. It is considered especially important for women who could become pregnant because folic acid can help prevent birth defects.

Get Enough Folic Acid

Begin each day with folic acid. There are three ways you can get enough folic acid. First is, you can choose to take supplements. Most vitamin supplements contain 400 micrograms of folic acid. By taking one vitamin supplement daily, you can get as much as 400 micrograms of folic acid without ever having to worry about your diet.

Another choice is to eat a breakfast fortified with folic acids. Choose a breakfast cereal with a label that says it contains 100% of recommended daily amount of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms.

In addition, you can also increase your consumption of foods that are rich with folic acid. These foods include “enriched” cereal, bread, rice, pasta, and other grain products. Aside from consuming folate-rich foods, you can also consume a varied diet of orange juice and green vegetables.

Folic Acid and Its Benefits

The benefits of folic acid do not recognize a specific age group. So no matter how old you are, foods that are rich in folic acid are good for you. It’s not only mothers who should take lots of folate-rich food. Even young girls should try to get enough every day. This way, when you get older and you plan to become a mother, folic acid will already be a part of your diet.

Folic acid has earned its reputation as the vitamin that prevents birth defects. One of the concerns in today’s maternity environment is the apparent large percentage of children born with neural tube defects or NTDs. NTDs happen when the spinal cord of the fetus fails to close properly.

Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect. Spina bifida occurs when part of the baby’s spinal cord remains outside the body. This can cause paralysis. The baby may have legs that are paralyzed and later, may develop problems in controlling the bladder or bowel. Another neural tube defect that occurs among newborn babies is anencephaly. This is considered as the most serious form of NTD. Anencephaly causes a baby to be born lacking parts in its skull and brain and the baby eventually dies.

By taking folic acid, the incidence of birth defects can be reduced and your baby will stay healthy from the first month of pregnancy until the time of giving birth.

Boron

I am sure that most of you have known something about boron. In fact, this trace element is always mentioned in our chemistry subjects back in elementary, high school, and even college. But did you all know that boron has a crucial role played in treating a variety of disorders?

Boron is such a trace element that was shown to be important for plants early this century. Now, it was found out that such element has also some uses for humans. In fact, the human body contains boron which is distributed throughout the body parts with the highest level of concentration particularly in the bones and in the dental enamel.

As such, boron has an essential contribution for healthy bone and proper joint function. It is supported by the findings that it has a significant influence on the calcium and magnesium metabolism. As boron is concentrated in the spleen, bone and thyroid, it seems to function in the metabolism and it seems to suggest a great role for boron in hormone metabolism. Aside from that, this trace element seems to leave an impact on the cell membranes and the way signals are distributed across the cell membranes.

As it played a role in metabolism, numerous studies have shown that boron has the ability to transform the vitamin D to its more active form, which do enhance the calcium uptake and deposition into the bone. For that reasons, the boron is therefore essential for increasing the muscle mass, muscle strength, maintaining the bone density, developing the calcium absorption, and reducing the body fat.

There is a certain report from the USDA which states that boron as a trace element greatly aids the bones for developing and to grow normally. It is present in the body and especially become significant if the presence of vitamin D in the diet is not enough to supply the other parts of the body. For the elderly, boron is as well important for the reason that it has a potential for preventing arthritis.

Furthermore, another research study has demonstrated that low content of boron in the diet have been related with reduced testosterone levels. Along with that, the boron supplements have been shown to enhance the serum levels of testosterone in the postmenopausal women. With this finding, many athletes and bodybuilders are encouraged to take boron supplements to boost their testosterone levels, muscle mass, as well as strength. However, there is still no clear evidence to support the claim that this trace element will boost testosterone levels.

In terms of its sources, it is considered that boron is mostly found in fruits, vegetables, soybeans, and nuts. However, it is interesting to know that the level of boron present in those food sources greatly depends on the soil in which it is grown. In addition, a significant amount of boron is also found in wine, cider, and beer.

For those who want to take a boron supplement, it is necessary to know that the daily needs for boron fall somewhere around 1 mg. Just note that an excess intake of boron of about 100 mg will cause some toxic effects such as red rash with weeping skin, vomiting, diarrhea which is characterized by blue-green color, depressed blood circulation, coma, as well as convulsions.

Calcium

There are so many important ideas about calcium. We all know that calcium is an essential mineral in the human body, and generally, it is there to maintain the total body health. In fact, calcium is badly needed everyday for a certain structural function, and that is basically to keep our bones and teeth strong over a lifetime.

According to some studies, about 99 percent of the body’s total calcium is present in the bones and teeth, where calcium definitely plays a large structural role. The remaining 1 percent then is in the body tissues and fluids where calcium is also important for the purpose of cell metabolism, muscle constriction, and nerve impulse transmission. Thus calcium also guarantees the proper functioning of the muscles and nerves in the body. And essentially, calcium aids blood clotting.

As calcium plays a vital structural role, it is considered that in the process, there is basically a continuous movement of the mineral between the skeleton and blood as well as the other parts of the body. Such movement is finely monitored by the hormones. And in this case, the metabolites of vitamin D is said to be important specifically to enhance the re-absorption of this mineral by bones.

And since calcium also plays an essential part in cell metabolism, it is found out that this mineral can join to large scope of proteins that are altering the biological activity inside the body. Such movement is then significant in the nerve impulse transmission as well as for muscle constriction. In addition, calcium in this sense is needed for blood clotting, as it is mentioned earlier, since it activates clotting factors.

Calcium is very important in the body for the fact that an inadequate intake of it may cause certain calcium deficiency which may lead to osteomalacia or softening of the bones in adults and rickets in children. The calcium deficiency in adults may also be related to repeated pregnancy with lengthy breast feeding.

Aside from that, the deficiency of this mineral may result to osteoporosis which include loss of calcium from the bones and decreased bone density. Such disorder may cause the bones to frail and responsible to fracture. This bone loss usually occurs with age in all human beings. This is accompanied with the shrinking of the skeleton and this typically occurs after 35-40 years. It is also interesting to know this deficiency is mostly common in women following the menopause due to the decreased level of hormone estrogen.

Calcium is generally present in a wide variety of foods. The good sources of this mineral are dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds like almonds, brazils, and sesame seeds, tofu, and dried fruit. And since most flour is prepared with calcium carbonate, the experts suggest that cereals are also good source of this mineral. In addition, hard water may also give certain amounts of calcium, but meat is a very poor source of this important mineral.

Today, there is the Reference Nutrient Intake or RNI, which is the amount of nutrient that is adequate for at least 97 percent of the population suggesting that during pregnancy, the calcium absorption from the gut enhances and no supplementary element of this mineral is generally needed. Those breast feeding women need an extra 550 mg of calcium for better health, and since the absorption of this mineral decrease with age, it is therefore necessary for the elderly to acquire adequate dietary calcium.