Vitamin Supplement Stores Little Rock AR

If your mood is not as good as it could be, and you can't figure out why, take a good look at your diet. You may be able to change your frame of mind by eating foods that are rich in vitamin C.

Past research has shown a link between psychological disorders and Vitamin C deficiencies. Most recently, a Canadian study, published in a 2010 issue of the professional journal Nutrition, found that the emotional state of hospitalized patients improved quickly and significantly when they were give supplemental vitamin C. The patients in this study were hospitalized for a short stay to treat chronic medical conditions, and typically had low blood levels of vitamin C.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Vitamin C is easy to get from your diet, as long as you eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables or freshly prepared juices. Some of the best natural sources of C include oranges and other citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, sweet red and green peppers, tomatoes and broccoli. Other sources include food products and beverages that have been fortified or enriched with additional vitamin C.

The daily recommendation for vitamin C, to prevent a deficiency and the development of chronic disease, is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. For smokers, the recommendations are slightly higher-110 mg for women and 125 mg for men. That's because smokers tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin C.

To put those needs in the context of diet, 1 medium-size orange provides 70 mg vitamin C, 1/2 medium grapefruit provides 38 mg and 1 cup of whole strawberries provides 85 mg. One-half cup chopped sweet red pepper provides 95 mg, 1/2 cup cooked broccoli, 51 mg and 1 medium tomato 16 mg.

What Vitamin C Can Do For You

In addition to potentially fighting off the blues, sufficient vitamin C in the diet may help protect heart health, prevent stroke and reduce the risk of developing cancer. Although some studies suggest that vitamin C helps boost the immune system, and therefore protects ...

In the last few years, fiber supplements have become all the rage, helping weight-conscious people to feel fuller so they eat less. Fiber is also an efficient stool softener, and sufferers of digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation have used it to help manage their symptoms. But keep in mind: It's possible to misuse fiber supplements.

Although there is no evidence to suggest that taking a daily fiber supplement such as Metamucil, Konsyl, or Citrucel is harmful, before taking supplemental fiber, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure it's necessary. Because fiber supplements can decrease the absorption of certain medications, including aspirin, warfarin (a blood thinner), carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant) make sure to ask your doctor if it could interact with any medications you're currently taking. Also, fiber supplements can reduce blood sugar levels, so if you're a diabetic, see to it that you make any necessary adjustments to your insulin dosage.

What's more important is that you get most of your fiber intake from high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils. The American Dietetic Association recommends that adults get between 25 grams and 38 grams of fiber daily.  The benefit to getting your fiber from foods is that they provide you with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you won't get from supplements alone.

But if you're not getting enough fiber from the foods you eat and you want to overcome problems with constipation, taking a fiber supplement may help. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Introduce additional fiber into your diet slowly to avoid the possibility of gastrointestinal problems, such as excess gas.
• Take your fiber supplement after a meal and be sure to read the label to determine the exact dosage you should take.
• Measure the amount of fiber supplement with a spoon and mix it with eight ounces of water or juice and stir thoroughly.
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