Health Articles - Aviva Natural Health Solutions

Magenta and purple come from anthocyanins while yellow and golden colors come from carotenoids and flavons... Much of the year pro-anthocyanidins are colorless and only display their pigments in the absence of chlorophyll and as the leaf pH changes...Scientists have shown...these antioxidant pigments not only protect leaves and bark, they perform similar functions in us.

...a particular food pigment indicates its phytonutrient pedigree and associated health benefits. Furthermore, unusual colours add phytonutrient benefits. For example, purple cauliflower offers the added benefits of purple phytonutrients to those already in this vegetable...

Health experts keep changing the story on fats. First we were told that polyunsaturated fats were better than saturated fats. Then it was discovered that refined polyunsaturates were favorite targets for free-radical attack. Next, monounsaturated fats took center stage...

Hans Selye...taught that every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older. That’s because stress raises levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol. It increases internal generation of free radicals, disrupts normal metabolism and leads to aging conditions...

After a slow trip through the esophagus, stomach and small intestine, the remaining nutrient-rich liquid arrives at the liver. From there, the liver goes into action by filtering out toxins and waste, while determining which nutrients will be used, and which will be stored...

Skilled surgeons now routinely rebuild joint structures. Artificial limbs are becoming as common as cough syrups. Equally impressive, there’s a wealth of dietary supplements that can significantly improve our ability to support healthy joint function....

Unlike other human senses, the olfactory nerves of the nasal cavity do not pass through the brain's 'switching station'. This allows aromas to pass directly to the region of the brain responsible for recalling memories, applying learned knowledge and processing emotional response.

Disrupting its homeostasis (natural balance) can significantly affect how effective it performs on the job. Years of processed foods, alcohol, fat, OTC medicines and environmental agents can result in a build-up of toxins that forces the liver to work much harder than it was designed to...

If you want to grow old gracefully, you must nurture the ten trillion cells that define you physically...[which] are constantly under attack by free radicals – unstable molecules that ...scour the body in search of stable cells, and do whatever they can to rob them of their electrons...

Nature has blessed us with a host of natural sweeteners that can serve as much healthier alternatives. One of the most exciting of the bunch is xylitol, an all-natural sugar alcohol that was initially discovered in the 1800s. Only now, however, is it getting its due recognition...

Many believe that stress is a major culprit. And while it’s true that stress can aggravate previously ignored stomach lining challenges... excessive and long-term consumption of NSAIDS in addition to an unhealthy buildup of gastrointestinal bacteria can be far more threatening...

Don’t fret. This business of science and nutrition is a remarkable one, and has afforded us with a wealth of supplements that can help support the five major areas of vulnerability during the holiday season. Let’s examine each, individually....

Simply put, the thyroid gland relies heavily on a host supporting nutrients to produce the hormones needed to ensure that metabolism goes off without a hitch. Without these vital nutrients, our ability to metabolize food may slow down...

Fortunately, there are plenty of actions that you can take right now to restore and support a healthy digestive system...By paying close attention to the things that enter your body, and by making use of the natural compounds that we now have at our disposal, there is no longer an excuse or reason to suffer...

Anti-aging can be best achieved with a healthy combination of exercise and fresh air, a regular detoxification program, and the addition of anti-oxidant and greens supplements to a balanced diet to complete the cleansing, rejuvenation process...

Liquid herbal extracts have been used for millennia yet standardized extracts are relatively new to the world of herbs. Why do some manufacturers use standardized extracts while others use liquid extracts? Are standardized extracts superior...as far as their effects on the body are concerned?...

By using intelligent supplementation strategies in combination with a well-advised diet and an exercise program you may find that you get a surprising and beneficial response in both the overall level of your cholesterol, as well as a beneficial shift in the ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream...

Free radicals are very chemically reactive, unstable molecules and they are created whenever a previously stable molecule gains an electron. They are constantly being produced in the environment and also in the human body...

How fast a person recovers from a bout with cold sores has a lot to do with how responsive their immune system is. Antioxidants, especially Vitamins C and E, Zinc, Selenium and Alpha Lipoic Acid, can eliminate free radicals. Probiotics work at the gastrointestinal level to help boost immune system response...

Therapeutic essential oils can be used to treat sunburn, repel insects, soothe indigestion and heartburn, and expedite the healing process of strains and sprains. Therapeutic essential oils possess a unique molecular structure, which allows them to penetrate cell walls, transport oxygen, nutrients, and the chemical constituents of the oil...

One can live with arthritis yet still have a high quality lifestyle. To control arthritic pain it is important to provide the body with the right nutrients for tissue repair; control and reduce the related joint and tissue inflammation; and assist the body in diminishing and detoxifying the body of toxic contaminants...

Insoluble fibers are like sponges; they absorb and hold water adding bulk to stool which improves bowel movements, and as they pass through the colon, insoluble fibers help cleanse the interior walls of the bowels. Scientific research has shown that this cleansing action may help prevent colorectal cancers and diverticulitis...