Vision SupplementsIn addition to buying the best designer eyeglasses, contacts and sunglasses for your eyes, you should also supplement your eye care regime with a healthy diet, exercise and vitamins. Some supplements target the health of the eye specifically, and are beneficial to people intent on maintaining or improving eye health. Some of these supplements are listed below, but all should be taken after talking with a doctor, and in tandem with a healthy lifestyle. For healthy eyes, just remember your ABCs:

Vitamin A is necessary for healing wounds in the body, which would otherwise lower your immune system. Meanwhile, A is also used for increasing night vision

Vitamin B complex (a compellation of various B vitamins) is useful in reducing inflammation and preventing vascular problems associated with the retina. B vitamins are also useful for energy boosts as well as healthy blood flow and stress relief.

Vitamin C not only promotes a healthy system with an infusion of antioxidants, but can also help reduce the risk of cataracts. If you are genetically prone to cataracts then supplement your diet with vitamin C, or eat fruits rich in C.

Vitamin D is essential to skin health, and hordes of people suffer from vitamin D deficiencies, especially in the winter when time outdoors is less frequent. Increased but safe amounts of vitamin D are associated with lower cases of macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.

Vitamin E helps to reduce the risk of Cataracts, as well as promotes healthy skin and hair. A healthy immune system is always beneficial so weaknesses elsewhere in the body detract from your body's maintenance on your eyes.

So, for healthy eyes, just remember your ABCs.

Benefit of Fish oil

Fish oil is one of the natural remedies for a number of health problems. It is derived from the tissues of the oily fish. The recent studies published in some of the respected scientific magazines show that fish oil has some amazing benefits for health. So what's the fish oil benefit and how fish oil is actually made?

Fish oil is yielded from the cold water fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon, cod and lots of other fish. It's been recommended as a heart healthy diet for a longer period. The fish oil is very effective nutrient as it contains one most important omega 3 fatty acids that can be absorbed easily. EPA and DHA are two most important fatty acids that have very crucial role in development of normal brain, proper functioning of nervous technique and better eyesight. The EPA and DHA fatty acids derived from the fish oil are considered to be the protective elements for the body as they are very effective to reduce the risk of developing arthritis.

Health benefits of fish oil include the following:

Heart Disease: According to the American Heart Association (AHA), clinical trials have proved that omega 3 is effective in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Fish oil, which is abundant in omega 3, therefore, reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart arrhythmias. It lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol, and increases the HDL levels, which is good cholesterol. Fish oil prevents accumulation of triglycerides and further reduces the levels of excess triglycerides. Preliminary research has also shown that fish oil can be used for preventing atherosclerosis in coronary patients. Thus fish oil is effective in treating heart strokes and regular usage of fish oil can help avoid numerous sudden cardiac deaths. According to the American Heart Association, these preliminary findings should be confirmed by detailed research.

Cancer: Fish oil is useful in delaying weight loss in patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Fish oil supplements can also be helpful to patients suffering from cancer related hyperlipidemia.

Blood Circulation: It is believed that fish oil has the ability to improve blood circulation along with reducing triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels.

Immunity: It is believed that regular consumption of fish oil aids in increasing your immunity thereby enabling you to resist incidence of common diseases such as cold, cough and flu. Omega three fatty acids present in fish oil benefit the immune system by effecting cytokines and eicosanoids present in our body.

Depression and Anxiety: Due to the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil is good for relieving depression, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, mental fatigue, stress, decreased sexual desire, suicidal tendencies and other nervous disorders.

In order to determine how many calories your body needs, think of your energy requirements as a bank account. When you consume calories you make a deposit. When your body spends energy on work, you make a withdrawal. The amount of energy you withdraw each day can be divided into two parts. The energy your body needs at rest and the energy your body needs at work. You need to keep your energy account in balance and need to take in enough energy each day to cover your withdrawals.

In general, infants and adolescents burn more energy per pound than adults do. This is because they are continually developing large amounts of tissue. An average man also burns more energy than an average women because his body is larger and has more muscle. It is unfair but a man who weighs 150 pounds can consume 10 percent more calories than a woman who weighs 150 pounds and still not gain weight.

On the bright side, even when you are resting your body is busy using energy. Your heart beats, your lungs contract and expand, your intestines digest food, your liver processes nutrients. Your glands secrete hormones and your muscles flex. The energy that your body uses to do all this stuff is called resting energy expenditure or abbreviated as REE. The REE can also be known as basal metabolism. The REE accounts for a large 60 to 70 percent of all the energy we need each day.

In order to find your resting expenditure you need to first determine your weight in kilograms. One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds so divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. An 18-30 year old male needs (15.3 x weight in kg) + 679 calories. A 30-60 year old male needs (11.6 x weight in kg) + 879 calories. An 18-30 year old female needs (14.7 x weight in kg) + 496 calories. A 30-60 year old female needs (8.7 x weight in kg) + 829 calories.

I have recently received a few questions about the benefits of fish oil for infants. The questions probably arise from studies concerning a reduction of infant health problems that has been seen when the mother's intake of omega-3 fatty acids and specifically DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is sufficient. It is always best to consult your doctor, but here are some of the standard recommendations.

The World Health Organization, as well as other major public health organizations, recommends breast milk only for the first six months of life. If breast-feeding is not possible, properly manufactured infant formulas are the best solution. Many brands are now fortified with DHA, which eliminates the need of fish oil for infants.

Most infant health problems are caused by poor nutrition, either the mother's low nutrient intake during pregnancy or insubstantial nutrient intake during the first year of life. If Mom is getting all of the nutrition that she needs, then her breast milk will contain everything that baby needs. If Mom's nutrient intake is low, a couple of things can happen.

First of all, Mom's blood levels of DHA are extremely low right before and after delivery. Nutrients necessary for normal brain development are being funneled to the baby. After delivery, while breastfeeding, the baby's needs will come first. So, it is easy for mom to suffer from symptoms associated with poor nutrition, one of the most common is post-partum depression.

One of the most common infant health problems (affecting one in five babies in developing countries) caused by inadequate nutrient intake during pregnancy is low birth weight. In industrialized nations, the problem is less common, but not unheard of, particularly when prenatal care or advice is not followed. Most obstetricians, midwives and nurse practitioners prescribe prenatal vitamins. Many have started recommending omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, as well.

So, while no one is recommending omega-3 fish oil for infants, they are recommended the supplement for pregnant and lactating women. Research has shown that good omega-3 intake during pregnancy and while breastfeeding helps prevent a number of child and infant health problems, including:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Poor vision
- Low birth weight
- Attention deficit disorders
- Learning and behavioral problems

Pediatricians do not usually recommend fish oil for infants, because it is unnecessary. But, after the first year, nutritional supplements are often recommended. If you are concerned about your child's nutrient intake, consult your pediatrician. If you are pregnant or nursing and you are concerned about infant health problems that arise from poor nutrition, you might consider an omega-3 supplement. Just be sure to choose a good one.

There are concerns about contamination and oxidation. Some manufacturers carefully address those concerns, either by having the natural triglycerides evaluated for purity or by using good purification methods, such as molecular distillation.
Check for a Certificate of Analysis to be sure.

If you still have questions about fish oil for infants, please consult your healthcare professional. Good nutrition in early life creates a good foundation for health in the future.

And now please visit the XtendFishOil website listed below for updated information on fish oil for infants.

It is important to check the EPA and DHA in fish oil supplements. The content of those specific fatty acids varies greatly. The health problems that may be alleviated by supplementation are numerous, but if the fatty acid content is low, then you are wasting your money, no matter how little that you spend.

Here are some suggestions for choosing a valuable supplement.

You Want a Minimum of 500mg of Total Omega-3s

Typically, each capsule contains 1000mg or one gram of fat, but only so much of that is omega-3 fat. The total DPA (another omega-3) EPA and DHA in fish oil supplements should be listed on the label. That total should be at least 500mg. For the prevention of chronic and life threatening health problems, the average adult should take at least two capsules per day. More may be recommended for specific health problems, such as arthritis.

You Want Very Low Omega-6 Content

We get too many omega-6s in our diet, anyway. But, all supplements will contain at least a small amount of omega6s. Check the label. There should be a maximum of 40mg per 1000mg capsule or less than 4%. Omega-6s contribute to inflammation and chronic health problems, as well as heart disease.

You Want High Docosahexaenoic Acid Content

The total EPA and DHA in fish oil varies, as mentioned earlier, but in most cases, the Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA content is higher. You want a supplement that contains at least 280mg of Docosahexaenoic acid and at least 120mg of Eicosapentaenoic acid. At two capsules per day, that is equivalent to amounts that have proven to be beneficial for health problems, in clinical studies. Some of the problems that have been alleviated include depression and attention deficit disorders, stress and anxiety, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, high blood triglycerides and irregular heartbeats.

You Want No Impurities

That might seem obvious, but independent laboratory analysis has shown that some brands contain cancer-causing contaminants, such as PCBs and dioxins. Mercury is another common contaminant. The only way to be confident about what you are buying is to check the manufacturer's standards for purity.

If they adhere to the International Fish Oil Standards, then that's pretty good. But, some manufacturers have even higher standards. The IFOS allows for a certain amount of contaminants to be present in each batch.

There are no official regulations or industry standards concerning the amount of EPA and DHA in fish oil supplements. The levels can be high or low. Some manufacturers make standard and "plus" versions that contain higher amounts.
Impurities can cause health problems. Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids can alleviate them. But, the two can cancel each other out. It is possible to get the benefits, without the risks. You just have to be careful about which brand you buy.

Remember that the EPA and DHA in fish oil vary. Always check the nutrition facts, before you buy. You can do that by reading the label on the bottle or by visiting the manufacturer's website.

And now please visit the XtendFishOil website listed below for updated information on EPA and DHA in fish oil and health problems .