What Are Aphrodisiac Foods?

By Eli De Jesus  

"Aphrodisiac" The word is that which has great appeal for millions of people in the world today as it has for many years dating back to the ancient Greeks. Aphrodisiac foods are highly sought after and here we explain what constitutes a food that is an aphrodisiac and also give seven examples tested aphrodisiac foods you can get your hands!

First we give a brief explanation of what really is an aphrodisiac foods. An aphrodisiac is an agent that acts on the mind that causes arousal and increased sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite correctly that was the Greek goddess of love.

It is a well known fact that everything we eat affects our body in different ways, some positive and some not so positive, the main examples are aphrodisiac foods for the first and a McDonald's in the second.

Aphrodisiac can also be healthy, have a direct effect on their sexual activity due to their effect on stress levels, energy levels, the chemical activity in the brain and how they affect hormones. It is even possible that some foods to increase blood flow, literally, to his genitals!

Is very good planning for a good romantic dinner for your partner to help create sparks, but the content of the food ultimately can close the deal for you, if you include aphrodisiac foods at that time can be well on your way to have your partner release any inhibitions that may be struggling with!

There are many foods that can help increase your sexual stamina. Among the many plants used aphrodisiac to increase libido is ginseng, which has been used, even during ancient times. Ginseng helps reduce stress and boost energy.

Gingko biloba is another aphrodisiac food and is often used as an ingredient in many dietary supplements. One can also use your tea leaves and still get the benefits of these facilities. Eating raw oysters is also a common way to increase your libido and has been practiced even in ancient Greece. Oysters are rich in zinc, which is necessary for the production of testosterone. Chilies are used by some as an aphrodisiac, as it is believed that the release of endorphins, hormones that give people a natural high. Other foods aphrodisiacs include chocolate, wine, almonds and basil.

An aphrodisiac is one that is believed to enhance sexual desire and improve sexual performance. Aphrodisiac foods have been used since Roman and Greek to increase sexual potency. During these periods, people were concerned about fertility and sexual performance rather than the passion itself, so a lot of time was devoted to determining which foods aphrodisiacs would help these two problems separately. You probably already have many of these foods in your kitchen.

Aphrodisiac foods can be suggestive, rather than cause a physical sexual reaction. In fact, many believe that some aphrodisiac foods increase and stimulate sexual desire and performance by the suggestive nature of the food and the ritual surrounding the food presentation.

Eli is a freelance writer that makes sure what he writes is on point and useful, not just internet non-sense. If you would like to write something like, "Eli De Jesus is an expert in aphrodisiac foods [http://www.richtantrictouch.com]

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The Function of Vitamin B in Our Life

By Kevin McNabb 

The B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Historically, the B vitamins were once thought to be a single vitamin, referred to as vitamin B (much like how people refer to vitamin C or vitamin D). Later research showed that they are chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same foods. Supplements containing all eight are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex.

List of B vitamins are as follows:

·       Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

·       Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

·       Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide)

·       Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

·       Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine)

·       Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H

·       Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M

·       Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements)

Each B vitamin has its own individual properties and its own unique biological role to play. As a group, these nutrients have so much in common that they are often thought of as a single entity.

Key Functions of Vitamin B

·       Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy and helps in the metabolism of proteins and fats.

·       Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - is required to complete several reactions in the energy cycle.

·       Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) - helps the metabolism of carbohydrates.

·       Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - promotes a large number of metabolic reactions essential for the growth and well-being of animals.

·       Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine) - is a coenzyme for several enzyme systems involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

·       Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H - plays a role in metabolic processes that lead to the formation of fats and the utilization of carbon dioxide.

·       Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M - is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids and the formation of red blood cells.

·       Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements) - is a complex crystalline compound that functions in all cells, but especially in those of the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, and the bone marrow. It is known to aid in the development of red blood cells in higher animals.

Food Sources of Vitamin B

·       Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - Thiamin is found in whole-grain cereals, bread, red meat, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, legumes, sweet corn, brown rice, berries, and yeast.

·       Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - Riboflavin is found in whole-grain products, milk, meat, eggs, cheese and peas.

·       Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) - Niacin is found in protein-rich foods. The most common protein rich foods are: meats, fish, brewer's yeast, milk, eggs, legumes, potatoes and peanuts.

·       Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - Pantothenic acid is found in meats, legumes and whole-grain cereals.

·       Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine) - Pyridoxine can be found in many foods. Some of the foods that contain it are: liver, meat, brown rice, fish, butter, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, and soybeans.

·       Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H - Liver, egg yolk, green vegetables, and whole grains.

·       Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M - Folic acid is found in many foods, including yeast, liver, green vegetables, and whole grain cereals.

·       Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements) - Vitamin B12 can be found in liver, meat, egg yolk, poultry and milk.

Recommended Daily Usage

·       Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0-6 months (0.3mg), 6-12 months (0.5mg), 1-18 years (1-1.5mg), 18+ years (1.5mg), Pregnant/Lactating (+0.5mg), Theraputic Range: 50mg to 1000mg+

·       Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0-6 months (0.4mg), 6-12 months (0.6mg), 1-18 years (1-1.5mg), 18+ years (1.7mg), Pregnant/Lactating (+0.5mg), Theraputic Range: 50mg to 500mg+

·       Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) - 0-6 months (6mg), 6-12 months (8mg), 1-18 years (10-15mg), 18+ years (15-20mg), Pregnant/Lactating (+4 mg), Theraputic Range: 100mg to 2000mg+

·       Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0-6 months (2.5mg), 6-12 months (3mg), 1-18 years (4-7mg), 18+ years (10mg), Pregnant/Lactating (+3mg), Theraputic Range: 250mg to 20g+

·       Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine) - 0-6 months (0.3mg), 6-12 months (0.6mg), 1-18 years (1-2mg), 18+ years (2.5mg), Pregnant/Lactating (+0.6mg), Theraputic Range: 50mg to 1000mg+

·       Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H - 0-6 months (35mcg), 6-12 months (50 mcg), 1-18 years (100-200mcg), 18+ years (300mcg), Pregnant/Lactating (+50mcg), Theraputic Range: 50mcg to 15mg+

·       Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M - 0-6 months (30mcg), 6-12 months (50mcg), 1-18 years (100-400mcg), 18+ years (400mcg), Pregnant/Lactating (+1mg), Theraputic Range: 400mcg to 20mg+

·       Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements) - 0-6 months (0.5mcg), 6-12 months (1.5mcg), 1-18 years (2-4mcg), 18+ years (4-6mcg), Pregnant/Lactating (+1mcg), Theraputic Range: 50mcg to 10mg+

Nutritional Safety
 
Each of the B vitamins has different safety and usage factors:

·       Vitamin B1 - Easily destroyed by alcohol consumption, caffeine, stress, and smoking. Pregnant women may benefit from slightly higher levels of B1. Large doses (5,000 to 10,000 mg) can cause headaches, irritability, rapid pulse, and weakness.

·       Vitamin B2 - Absorption or availability is decreased by the use of oral contraceptives, as well as by regular exercise and alcohol consumption. Vegetarians and the elderly may benefit from slightly higher levels of B2. A deficiency of riboflavin can cause skin disorders, anemia, light-sensitive eyes, and inflammation of the soft tissue lining around the mouth and nose.

·       Vitamin B3 - Nicotinic acid (niacin) - People who exercise regularly, take oral contraceptives, or have a lot of stress in their lives may need slightly higher levels. A deficiency of niacin causes the disease, pellagra. More than 100mg of vitamin B3 can cause flushing, tingling, itching, headaches, nausea, diarrhea and ulcers.

·       Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) - Elderly people and those who take oral contraceptives, as well as those who smoke, or consume alcohol or caffeine may need slightly higher levels. Symptoms of deficiency may include depression and poor appetite. An individual suffering from biotin deficiency may seem lethargic, weak or easily fatigued. Hair loss may result from biotin insufficiency. Additionally in some cases of severe biotin deficiency, eczema occurs. The eczema can appear anywhere on the body but primarily targets the face. Occasionally deficiency will result in a slight swelling or inflammation of the tongue as well.

·       Vitamin B6 - Pregnant or breastfeeding/lactating women, those who use contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, and those who use antibiotics regularly may need slightly higher levels. B6 supplementation is also suggested for those who consume alcohol, smoke, and consume protein above recommended levels. Deficiency of pyridoxine is rare. However, pyridoxine deficiency often occurs in alcoholics. Deficiency causes skin disorders, disruption of the nervous system, confusion, poor coordination and insomnia. Pyridoxine is also called pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine. More than 500mg can cause irreversible nerve damage. The nerve damage can cause impaired walking, numbness, tingling and poor sense of touch.

·       Vitamin B7 (Biotin) - Pregnant women and those who use antibiotics on a long-term basis may need increased levels.

·       Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) - Elderly people and pregnant women may need higher levels, as well as people who consume alcohol or have risk factors associated with heart disease. Deficiency of folic acid causes anemia, poor growth, and irritation of the mouth. Deficiency of folic acid is common in alcoholics, the elderly, and people who are malnourished. Folic Acid is also called folacin and pteroylglutamic acid.

·       Vitamin B12 - Strict vegetarians and vegans, along with pregnant and/or lactating women, and those who consume alcohol or smoke may need increased levels. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes mouth irritation, brain damage, and a disease called pernicious anemia.

My next article entitled The Function of Vitamin C in our Life will examine the role of Vitamin C in good nutrition.

See you on the Beaches of the World.

Kevin McNabb is the Founder & Chairman of Kevin McNabb International, a company dedicated for producing high quality personal development resources for the direct selling industry (includes MLM, network marketing and Party Plan). For more information please visit:http://KevinMcNabb.com/blog

He is also the author and creator of "The Responsible Direct Seller Series."

Kevin is a freelance writer, blogger and guest blogger and has been a professional network marketer since 1985.

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Not Getting Enough Chemicals In Your Diet? Eat Raw Food To Make Sure You Do!

By William Hugh Davis 

Are you getting enough chemicals in your diet? Are you consuming enough chemicals like: Polyphenols, Phytates, Sulfides and Thiols, Terpenes, Phenols, Isothiocyanates and Indoles, Saponins and Cyclic Compounds? Sound Crazy? Believe it! The American diet is seriously deficient in all of these phytochemicals.

So what are phytochemicals? Phyto comes from the Greek word for plant. So phytochemicals are organic compounds from plants. Many people prefer the term phytonutrient. It is said that Hippocrates used a tea made from willow tree leaves to reduce fever. Plant extracts, from willow bark and spiraea (meadowsweet) contain the active ingredient salicylic acid. In 1852 an early form of asprin was synthesized from salicylic acid. So, Phytochemicals or Phytonutrients are organic compounds from plants like fruits and vegetables thought to promote health and have been used in healing for centuries. More recently population studies link eating larger amounts of raw fruits and vegetables with lower risks of chronic disease, some cancers and heart disease.

Phytonutrients such as Carotenoids have been linked to decreased risk of stroke and Flavonoids have been linked to lower risk of heart disease. Lutein is concentrated in a small area of the retina called the macula. The natural high amount of Lutein is believed to keep the eyes safe from oxidation and damage from high--energy blue light.Diindolylmethane is being tested as an aide against recurring respiratory tumors, cervical dysplasia, and prostate cancer. A phytonutrient extract from the Pacific yew tree eventually became an important cancer drug paclitaxel. So, phytonutrients are important in medicine. Phytonutrient interest in the medical field is building. More information on the positive benefits of phytonutrients to human health is being discovered everyday. However, much more study will need to be completed before increased consumption of phytonutrients will be accepted as prevention for any disease.

Perhaps there is not enough established proof for some that documents the health benefits of phytonutrient rich foods. However for now, it appears that an effective strategy for reducing risk of chronic ailments, cancer and heart disease could be to increase consumption of phytonutrient--rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, legumes, grains and teas.It is said, that many phytonutrients are powerful antioxidants that can help fight the damage caused to our bodies' cells over time that lead to premature aging and chronic disease. Sadly, Americans simply do not eat enough fruits and vegetables or a large enough variety of fruits and vegetables, which could be resulting in phytonutrient deficiencies causing serious widespread health problems. The good news is that media and consumer interest in phytonutrient--rich foods is way ahead of the curve.

A few phytonutrients have been studied. However, estimates of the still undiscovered and unstudied phytonutrients are in the tens of thousands. So, how can you improve your odds of eating a good variety and quantity of these natural health--enhancing nutrients? Well that's easy! Add fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables to your diet and explore foods in all the colors of the rainbow. Phytonutrients are what give food their color. So to get a variety of phytonutrients, eat a variety of colors. As an example, did you know bell peppers come in red, yellow, green and purple? Choose green and white teas and eat purple, red and green grapes. Even the phytonutrient composition of fruits vegetables and nuts can change between different varieties. Broaden your color spectrum, broaden your variety and broaden the types of fresh plant foods and you will maximize your chances of getting more of the phytonutrients you need.

Freshly harvested plant foods are loaded with the nutrients you need. However, a word of warning, though there are a few exceptions such as tomatoes, many phytonutrients can be destroyed or removed from foods by modern processing techniques and even cooking. So what's the answer? Eat raw! Eat raw vegatables, nuts and fruits to get the maximum benefits from your phytonutrients. Eating raw foods of various colors, kinds and varieties is your best bet to get the health enhancing, health protecting and healing benefits of these remarkable natural foods.

My name is Bill Davis.

My hobbies were kickboxing, biking, running and various outdoor sports. Arthritis ruined those activities for me. After six years of research I've found the path to better health, which I want to share. Go here for more info: [http://www.eatrawreview.com]

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