Do you know that during the ancient and old times, plants and herbs were used as medicines for the treatment of various diseases? In fact, the modern medicine, which is usually composed of chemicals, has its roots from herbal medicine. Herbal medicine has been used since time immemorial and it was relied upon by the people as an effective remedy for different kinds of diseases and illness.

There are many herbal supplements available in the market nowadays. These supplements may offer either relief from illness or sickness or enhancement of one’s mental and physical condition. An herbal supplement that offers cure or treatment for sickness or illness is also called herbal remedy.

An herbal remedy provides relief to pain and suffering due to illness. It also seeks to address the cause of the illness. Supplements that enhance mental and physical condition are also available in the market. This herbal supplement aims to produce different effects. There are supplements that reduce the appetite.

People who want to lose weight or maintain their weight usually take this. There are also supplements that have the effect of improving memory. This is usually used by people who want to enhance and sharpen their memory.

People who are known and famous for using herbal remedies are the Chinese. During the ancient times, people from all over the world traded different goods for an herbal remedy of the Chinese people. An herbal remedy from China was considered to provide relief to the illness of the people all over the world.

Currently, Chinese herbal remedies are considered by many people as a cheaper alternative to modern medicine. Modern medicine is more expensive than herbal remedy from China although the same medical effect can be achieved with the use of a Chinese herbal supplement or medicine.

What is good about herbal supplements is that they are practically natural. An herbal supplement is made up of different herbs and plants that are known to provide relief for different illness or to enhance the normal bodily functions of a human being.

These natural herbal remedies are quite popular not only because of the cheaper price as compared to modern medicine, but also because they produce the effect desired by the people who buy them. It is also all encompassing since the remedy offers relief and effects on the different health demands of people.

For example, one herbal supplement is available in order to induce sleepiness on the part of a person. This not only helps a person cope with insomnia, it also prevents dependency on the part of a person using it since it is all natural. There is also an herbal supplement that induces penile erection.

It helps solve the problems of men regarding penile dysfunction. It is cheaper and already proven to be effective since the herbs used in this herbal supplement are known to increase sexual desire.

Indeed, an herbal supplement is a great alternative to modern medicine. It is cheaper although it produces the same effect as that of the modern medicine. A herbal supplement is also natural, which makes it safer to take because it is made up of plants and herbs that are known since ancient times to provide cure and relief to illness.

Is it necessary to take vitamins every day? Unless you know that you are getting all the right amount of vitamins and nutrients each day from your food, then it would probably be a good idea to take vitamin supplements.

The supplements can help make up for those nutrients that are missing. In addition to a multivitamin, here are five more vitamins that you will want to look at adding to your pill taking list.

1. Calcium

Calcium is important to help prevent the weakening of bones as you become older. Taking at least 1200 mg a day between food intake and vitamin supplement can help prevent osteoporosis.

2. Vitamin D

Most people don’t get nearly enough Vitamin D. It can be ingested through food, but the best source is through the rays of the sun. Vitamin D boosts your immune system and helps regulate blood pressure. This vitamin also helps calcium to be absorbed into your bones better, so taking it in conjunction with calcium in most beneficial. The recommended amount of vitamin D to day per day is 400 IU.

3. Probiotic

Certain bacteria called probiotics are important to help with digestion. Those who have digestive issues that include: diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome should consider taking either a vitamin supplement with probiotics or eat yogurt regularly.

4. Fish Oil

Taking fish oil can help prevent cardiovascular disease, reduce cholesterol, promote healthy eyes, and can even help relieve depression. It is recommended to take anywhere from .05 to 1.8 grams of fish oil a day.

5. Antioxidant

Antioxidants have the ability to help reduce age-related muscular degeneration and help promote a healthy immune system. Daily dose of 500 mg of Vitamin C and 400 IU of Vitamin E are recommended.

It is best to find a time of day (such as while eating breakfast) that you take the vitamins, so it becomes a regular habit. Taking supplements is generally safe, but you should consult your doctor if you are taking medications to make sure that none of the medications and supplements will interact in a negative way. Also be aware that some vitamins such as: vitamin A, D and B6 should not be taken in extremely large doses for an extended period of time, so make sure to check your dosages.

Taking supplemental vitamins does not mean that you should not eat healthy. A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but supplemental vitamins can help to enhance that lifestyle even more.

Up until recently, selenium was widely touted for its ability to reduce the risk of diabetes and prevent certain forms of cancer. This idea developed on the basis of studies conducted in the early 1970’s which showed that selenium might reduce the effects of oxidative damage to cells thus prolonging cell life and reducing the risk of chronic disease. Recently, the potential dangers of selenium in high doses have become apparent.

What exactly is selenium? Selenium is a trace mineral which is needed only in small quantities by the body. It’s incorporated into the structure of certain proteins producing complexes which have antioxidant properties. On the basis of this, it was thought that selenium might play an active role in preventing the type of cell damage which leads to chronic disease.

It appears that selenium does function as an antioxidant at low levels but when levels are increased, it appears to have the opposite effect. At these higher levels it becomes a pro-oxidant and may actually accelerate cell damage by oxidation.

A trial carried out in 2007 first pointed out the potential dangers of selenium supplementation. This study looked at the effects of selenium supplementation on the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Subjects were given 200 micrograms of selenium per day and followed over a seven year period.

Surprisingly, at the end of the seven year period, the subjects taking selenium supplements were fifty percent more likely to have developed type 2 diabetes. This was sobering news to people who had taken the supplement to help prevent the health consequences of diabetes.

Deficiency of selenium is quite uncommon. The recommended intake per day is around fifty-five micrograms per day for adult which is usually readily obtained from the diet.

Foods high in selenium include cereals, meats, nuts, and seafood. Due to these studies which highlight the dangers of selenium at higher dosages, it’s recommended that you not exceed two hundred micrograms per day.

If you take a daily multivitamin, it’s recommended that you check the bottle to see how much selenium it contains. Some multivitamins contain up to seventy micrograms of selenium in supplemental form. When combined with dietary sources, you could go easily go beyond the two hundred microgram upper limit.

If your multivitamin contains more than twenty micrograms of selenium, it may be best to switch to a multi-vitamin without this supplement added due to the possible dangers of selenium supplementation.

Analysis:

Due to the results of this large, randomized study and the fact that selenium appears to act as a pro-oxidant at high doses, selenium supplementation isn’t recommended. Most people will get sufficient amounts of this trace mineral through diet.

Also be aware of how much selenium is contained in your daily multivitamin if you take one. Avoid getting more than two hundred micrograms per day to avoid the potential dangers of selenium and its ability to increase cell damage at high levels.