| al food supplements include a wide variety of | | | | the idea of using it a second thought. |
| products. Almost all health food stores carry | | | | Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) |
| them, and a number of drugstores and | | | | Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a compound that |
| supermarkets stock them on their shelves as well. | | | | serves as the immediate source of energy for |
| In general, natural food supplements are | | | | the body's cells, notably muscle cells. It increases |
| composed of, derived from, or by-products of | | | | energy and stamina, builds muscular density, |
| foods that provide health benefits. In some cases, | | | | increases muscular strength, buffers lactic-acid |
| health benefit claims made by manufacturers are | | | | buildup (the reason for sore, achy muscles after |
| based upon a supplement's use in traditional | | | | physical activity), delays fatigue, and preserves |
| healing; in other cases, they are based on modern | | | | muscle fibers. ATP is produced naturally in the |
| scientific research. | | | | body from adenine, a nitrogen containing |
| Food supplements can be high in certain nutrients, | | | | compound; ribose, a type of sugar; and phosphate |
| contain active ingredients that aid digestive or | | | | units, each containing one phosphorus atom and |
| metabolic processes, or provide a combination of | | | | four oxygen atoms. ATP from Integrated Health |
| nutrients and active ingredients. It is important to | | | | is a good source of supplemental ATP. |
| point out that some unscrupulous manufacturers | | | | Alfalfa |
| make false promises. It is there-fore vital to be | | | | One of the most mineral-rich foods known, alfalfa |
| an informed consumer. It is also necessary to be | | | | has roots that grow as much as 130 feet into the |
| aware that many conservative "watchdog" | | | | earth. Alfalfa is available in liquid extract form and |
| organizations point to these few unsubstantiated | | | | is good to use while fasting because of its |
| products and label the whole industry as unreliable. | | | | chlorophyll and nutrient content. It contains |
| This occurs in spite of the fact that many natural | | | | digestive-aiding enzymes, amino acids, and |
| food supplements have been known to work for | | | | carbohydrates. It also contains calcium, |
| years; these products are medically endorsed only | | | | magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, plus virtually |
| when they are "discovered" by researchers | | | | all known vitamins. The minerals are in a balanced |
| deemed acceptable by these groups. Such recent | | | | form, which promotes absorption. These minerals |
| discoveries include garlic, aloe vera, fiber, and fish | | | | are alkaline, but have a neutralizing effect on the |
| oils substances that have been used for centuries | | | | intestinal tract. |
| in many parts of the world. | | | | If you need a mineral supplement, alfalfa is a good |
| Food supplements come in many shapes and | | | | choice. It has helped many arthritis sufferers. |
| forms tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, jellies, | | | | Alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley, and spirulina, all of |
| creams, biscuits, wafers, granules, and more. | | | | which contain chlorophyll, have been found to aid |
| Product packaging depends entirely on the nature | | | | in the healing of intestinal ulcers, gastritis, liver |
| of the food supplement's composition. | | | | disorders, eczema, hemorrhoids, asthma, high |
| The potency of these products varies. Because | | | | blood pressure, anemia, constipation, body and |
| they are made up of perishable foods, food | | | | breath odor, bleeding gums, infections, burns, |
| derivatives, or food byproducts, their potency | | | | athlete's foot, and cancer. |
| may be affected by the length of time they sit | | | | Alfalfa is widely used in the treatment of gout, |
| on a shelf or by the temperature at which they | | | | with much success. A flare-up of gout due to use |
| are kept. If you don't understand how a product | | | | of alfalfa is most likely caused by an allergic |
| is to be used, ask questions or read the available | | | | reaction in the individual, as many people are |
| literature on the particular supplement. | | | | allergic to alfalfa. Symptoms of an allergic type |
| If you have never used a natural food | | | | reaction can include dermatitis (skin rash), |
| supplement, you may be uncomfortable about | | | | shortness of breath, diarrhea, gas, muscle pain, |
| buying and using one for the first time. This is | | | | fatigue, kidney problems, and others. Also, alfalfa |
| normal. Keep in mind that once you become | | | | extracts, which contain large amounts of alcohol, |
| familiar with its use and benefits, you won't give | | | | are not beneficial to gout sufferers. |