When we follow this trail to its source, we come across a harmful protein occurring in our blood plasma called homocysteine.

When we experience abnormally high levels of homocysteine, all sorts of problems begin to arise. Elevated levels in our bodies indicate a significant risk factor in the development of osteoporosis, among other wide-ranging cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

But what causes elevated levels of this harmful protein in our systems? You might be surprised to find that it is, in fact, a deficiency in vitamin B9 (folic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) or B12 (cobalamin).

Though high levels of homocysteine do not affect bone density, they are closely linked with the onset of osteoporosis, and specifically with age-related, osteoporotic fractures in elderly persons. This is due to the protein’s habit of oxidising and damaging the collagen fibres in bones.

Scientific research has shown that an increase in B complex vitamins in the elderly has resulted in a clear and significant drop in the number of osteoporotic fractures reported. FoodState® Vitamin B Complex supplements have an unquestionable correlation with the protection of healthy bones against the damaging effects of homocysteine.

Though vitamin B complexes have such remarkable effects on the health of our bones, we shouldn’t forget all the other wonderful properties contained in FoodState® Vitamin B Complex supplements:

• Daily intakes of B-complex vitamins provide the body with energy, as they are vital to the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
• They are a hugely significant factor in the health and functioning of our nervous system.
• They are essential in the maintenance and health of the eyes, hair, mouth and liver.

Find out how these FoodState® supplements can help you to improve or maintain healthy bones:

FoodState® Vitamin B Complex 
FoodState® Calcium + Magnesium Formula 
FoodState® Chewable Cal Mag Formula 

FoodState More than An Apple A Day
FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplement.

The post WHAT IS HOMOCYSTEINE? THE LINK BETWEEN VITAMIN B AND OSTEOPOROSIS appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

One out of every two women over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime, and it is a risk that increases with age. But there are also increasingly effective treatments for osteoporosis today. Consequently, quick and reliable bone density scans have become an essential component in women’s health.

Bone sonometry uses non-invasive, radiation-free ultrasound for a very precise bone-density evaluation. The scan is easily able to identify patients at risk of developing osteoporosis, and assesses the probability of that patient experiencing a fracture in the future.

The test simply requires the patient to sit back and relax, with one foot secured in the unit. With the push of a single button, the scan is over in just ten seconds. Transducers in the scanner then send and receive an ultrasound signal through the heel of the foot, a weight-bearing zone known to be predictive of a future hip fracture.

A computer integrated within the scanner then compares the finding to a reference database, and is given what is known as a T-score. World Health Organisation guidelines indicate that a patient with a T-score below -1.0 has a statistically low bone mass, and a high risk of fracture.

FoodState More than An Apple A Day

FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplement.

Like us on facebook and let us know if you want to find out when FoodState is offering FREE bone density testing in your area.

The post ALL ABOUT BONE-DENSITY TESTING appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Why do we need to take calcium and magnesium together?

• The partnership of calcium and magnesium is vital to the health of our bones, heart, nervous system and enzyme function.
• It is important to take magnesium and calcium together in precise ratios to maximise the benefits of both minerals, and ensure the body processes them effectively.
• Daily intakes of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are all needed to maintain healthy bone density, and to prevent and manage osteoporosis.
• Magnesium and calcium compete for absorption, and can consequently affect the calcium and magnesium levels already in your body if they are not taken together correctly.

Vitamin D3, a component of FoodState® Calcium + Magnesium Formula, and the Chewable Cal Mag Formula, promotes the absorption of the calcium available in the supplement, and indeed, the calcium available in your diet. It is required to regulate the levels of calcium in our bodies, and consequently has an important role to play in protecting the bones against reduced density and osteoporosis.

Find out how these FoodState® supplements can help you to improve or maintain healthy bones:

FoodState® Calcium + Magnesium Formula
FoodState® Chewable Cal Mag Formula
FoodState® Vitamin D3 Complex

Do you have a question about Bone Health? SMS it to 33741 (sms costs R1.50), or post it on our Facebook page. Our bone health expert will post the reply on Facebook.

FoodState More than An Apple A Day

FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplement.

The post HOW CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM WORK TOGETHER appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Whether we’re growing from youth into adulthood, or onward into our senior years, our bodies need calcium. Early on, we need it to build our rapidly developing bones and teeth, and later, we need to ensure a sufficient and continued calcium intake in order to maintain a healthy bone density and guard against osteoporosis.

What remains constant, however, is that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, and absolutely essential to life. The calcium in our body is not only crucial to the maintenance of robust bone and dental health, but is a vital element in our cardiac and nervous functions.

Children and Teens

Getting enough calcium is critical for kids to develop healthy, fast-growing bones and teeth. It’s important to guard against calcium deficiencies at this stage, as inadequate calcium intake during youth affects bone density in adulthood, and may give rise to skeletal defects and osteoporosis.

Adulthood

By the time we reach our thirties, our bones no longer replace lost calcium mass and naturally begin to decline, so it’s important to have built strong bones by this stage.

Thereafter, when the body is in need of calcium for other purposes such as muscle, heart, nerve or enzyme functioning, specialised cells will leech calcium out of the bones, drawing it into the bloodstream. Thus, an on-going calcium deficiency in adulthood will steadily reduce the body’s bone density.

In our busy adult years, we need to keep up with weight-bearing exercises and maintain healthy calcium levels for strong bones and a fortified cardiac system. Ensuring continued bone density is the key to protecting against osteoporosis in later years.

Pregnancy

Sufficient calcium is imperative for pregnant and lactating women. New moms need take into account their own bodies’ requirements, as well as the considerable calcium demands for the growing bones of a healthy baby.

Senior Years

Later in life, after the age of 50, bone mass naturally begins to decrease more rapidly, so it is important for more mature adults to increase their calcium intake. Adequate calcium consumption is key to the prevention and management of osteoporosis, which occurs when bones lose essential minerals such as calcium faster than the body can replace them.

FoodState® Chewable Cal Mag Formula is a great way for the whole family to make sure they are getting the calcium they need for their stage in life. These chewable treats are entirely suitable for children. They are particularly high in calcium, and are supplemented with Vitamin D and Magnesium for increased effectiveness and absorption.

Find out how these FoodState® supplements can help you to improve or maintain healthy bones:

FoodState® Calcium + Magnesium Formula
FoodState® Chewable Cal Mag Formula

Do you have a question about Bone Health? SMS it to 33741 (sms costs R1.50), or post it on our Facebook page. Our bone health expert will post the reply on Facebook.

FoodState More than An Apple A Day

FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplement.

The post Your Calcium Needs at Different Life stages appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Physical activity that puts some stress on your muscles and bones sends a signal to your bones to build new cells call osteoblasts, which develop and migrate to the bone surface to make them stronger.  Therefore, sports like swimming and cycling, which are excellent for cardio-vascular health, don’t help you to maintain bone health – if these are your sports of choice you may consider adding a regular session of one or more of the activities below to improve your bone health.  Before starting on a new exercise regime, it is important to consult your health professional, or get the help of a fitness professional.

These are widely regarded as the best types of exercise for bone health:

• Weight-bearing exercises such as running, brisk or stair climbing, racquet sports and dancing
• Weight training
• Yoga

Lifestyles Changes to Protect Your Bones

Bone health is not just about ensuring the sufficient intake of calcium and other bone health-promoting nutrients.  Research shows that even generally healthy bodies can be notably inefficient at calcium absorption. There are numerous factors that inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium.  An important part of bone health is to also strive to maintain conditions in the body that assist with calcium absorption.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks – including carbonated drinks that contain caffeine
• Do your best to avoid alcohol, or at least reduce and very much limit your intake.  Even moderate alcohol intake inhibits calcium absorption
• Quit smoking.  Using tobacco products adversely affects just about every function in the body including its ability to absorb calcium

Taking in the Right Amounts of the Right Nutrients, the Right Way

It is important to try to include foods that are rich in calcium and Vitamin D in a balanced diet.  Calcium is a major component of bone tissue and therefore it is vital that you achieve an adequate daily intake of calcium throughout life.  Other minerals and Vitamins are also important.  Vitamin D plays a major role in ensuring that your body can absorb the available calcium.  Magnesium plays a vital role in the processing of calcium.  Phosphorous is another component of bone tissue. Zinc, manganese, iron, copper and Vitamins C and K also impact on the enzymes that help build bone.  Fluoride and boron assist in maintain bone health.  Unfortunately modern lifestyles, eating habits and food production processes often result in deficiencies of the essential micro-nutrients for bone health – like calcium and Vitamin D.  FoodState® nutritional supplements can help you to ensure that you are getting the targeted nutrition that your body needs.

FoodState® Calcium +Magnesium Formula 
FoodState® Chewable Cal Mag Formula
FoodState® Vitamin D3 Complex

FoodState More than An Apple A Day

FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplements

Like us on Facebook We’ll let you know when we post the next article in our Bone Health series “All You Need to Know About Bone Density Assessments”

The post Top Tips for Better Bone Health appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Sufficient daily intakes of calcium and Vitamin D throughout your life will help you to maintain a healthy bone density.  If your body is in need of calcium for other purposes such as muscle, heart, nerve and enzyme functioning, then cells called osteoclasts will specially break down the bone and make that calcium available in your bloodstream. An on-going deficiency in calcium intake and the other nutrients involved in calcium metabolism will reduce your bone density.

Unfortunately modern lifestyles, eating habits and food production processes often result in deficiencies of the essential micro-nutrients for bone health – like calcium and Vitamin D.  FoodState® nutritional supplements can help you to ensure that you are getting the targeted nutrition that your body needs.

For strengthening bones, teeth, gums and so much more:

FoodState® Calcium +Magnesium Formula

Calcium is vital for the formation of strong bones, teeth and healthy gums. It also assists with allergies, acidity, circulatory disorders, muscle cramps and nerve transmission. Magnesium assists with bone health, muscle spasms and fatigue and is essential for metabolism. Magnesium works in partnership with calcium. Boron also assists with bone health and is a co-factor for the metabolism of calcium and magnesium.

FoodState® Calcium +Magnesium Formula Ingredients:  Calcium food complex 618mg, Magnesium food complex 309mg, Vitamin D 2.5μg, Boron 500μg

For regulating calcium and promoting bone and general health:

FoodState® Vitamin D3 Complex

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, obtained by exposure to sunlight or from the diet. The more potent form is Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol and this is contained in the FoodState® Vitamin D complex. The FoodState® Vitamin D3 Complex contains various metabolites of Vitamin D.   The main function of Vitamin D is to regulate the blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It helps in the intestinal absorption of Calcium. Since Vitamin D is important for regulating calcium and for bone health, it is necessary for growth in children and it is used to help prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D is helpful for maintaining a stable nervous system, normal heart action and for blood clotting, because all of these functions are linked to the body’s utilization of Calcium and Phosphorus. Vitamin D also plays a role in lung and immune function, and is especially beneficial for decreasing immune-mediated inflammation.

FoodState® Vitamin D3 Complex Ingredients: Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 500iu

Do you have a question about Nutrition and Bone Health? SMS it to 33741 (sms costs R1.50), or post it on our facebook page.  Our bone health expert will post the reply on facebook.

FoodState More than An Apple A Day
FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them.   This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplements

Like us on Facebook We’ll let you know when we post the next article in our Bone Health series “Top Tips for Better Bone Health”

The post Nutrition and Bone Health appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

From left to right: EWG Provincial players Simone Burger (Ebotse Links); Nicole Garcia (Ebotse Links) and EWG President – Daphne Maynier

Nearest the Pin winner Pinky van Schalkyk from Glendower, receiving her wonderful hamper sponsored by Foodstate

Our two lucky draw winners : Amanda Ogden from ERPM GC and Beryl Barry from Glendower GC. Amanda is also one of the EWG Provincial players.

The day was a glorious sunshiny day …… until the clouds came in.  Here are some pictures of the players getting ready to go out and enjoy their themselves.

Players (left to right): Simone Burger & Nicole Garcia from Ebotse Links, and Mary du Plessis and Barbara Collet from ERPM GC

Left to right: Pat Norton & Leslie Nienaber (Ebotse Links) and Sue Baugh & Margie de Kock from Benoni Country Club.

A beautiful display with FoodState hampers and the EWG Trophy

The post The winners of the EWG – FoodState Teams of Two appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

What happens to your bone density at different life stages:

• From around 10 to 20 years bone density develops rapidly
• After 30 years of age bone density peaks and then starts to decline naturally – but there are essential ways that you  can slow down the degeneration and support your long-term bone health
• After 50 years of age, especially for women, declining bone density can become an serious issue

Osteoporosis is a common condition affecting millions of people in the world.  It occurs when bones lose essential minerals such as calcium faster than the body can replace them.  This leads to a loss of bone density.  Fragile and brittle bones can be easily fractured.  Osteoporosis is a serious health affliction – it can cause chronic pain, disability, the loss of independence and even premature death.  Maintaining bone health now can help you to avoid the effects of osteoporosis later on.

Top Focus Areas for Maintaining Your Bone Health

1. Nutrition
   Calcium is a major component of bone tissue and therefore it is vital that you achieve an adequate daily intake of calcium throughout life.  Other minerals and Vitamins are also important.  Vitamin D plays a major role in ensuring that your body can absorb the available calcium.  Magnesium plays a vital role in the processing of calcium.  Phosphorous is another component of bone tissue. Zinc, manganese, iron, copper and Vitamins C and K also impact on the enzymes that help build bone.  Fluoride and boron assist in maintain bone health.
2. Physical Activity
   Weight-bearing exercises such as running, brisk or stair climbing, racquet sports and dancing, as well as yoga and weight training put tension on your muscles and bones, which stimulates bones to increase density.
3. Change Your Habits
   It takes just moderate amounts of caffeine and alcohol to inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, as does tobacco smoking.

Do you have a question about Bone Health? SMS it to 33741 (sms costs R1.50), or post it on our facebook page.  Our bone health expert will post the reply on facebook.

Find out how these FoodState® supplements can help you to improve or maintain bone density

FoodState® Calcium +Magnesium Formula
FoodState®Chewable Cal Mag Formula

FoodState More than An Apple A Day
FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them.   This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplements

Like us on Facebook We’ll let you know when we post the next article in our Bone Health series “Nutrition and Bone Health”

The post Why Bone Health is Important appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Fascinating Bone Facts – Did You Know?

• Humans are born with more than 300 bones and many of them fuse together as we grow
• By the time we reach adulthood there are 206 different bones that make up our skeleton
• 106, that’s more than half, of our adult bones are found in our hands and feet
• Believe it or not, your bones are also part of your endocrine system!  Researchers have found that the skeleton is responsible for
  releasing osteocalcin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and fat distribution

The 7 Vital Functions of your Bones

Hard as they may be, our bones consist entirely of living tissue that is constantly transforming itself by breaking down old cells and producing new ones.  To fulfil their vital role in your body, your bones need to be light enough for out to carry them around while absolutely hard and strong.

The main purposes of bones are:

1. To Shape – your skeleton determines your shape. Working from the inside out, your bones govern whether you are short or tall, narrow or wide, apple or pear-shaped.  Your bones determine how big your hands and feet are and your facial features.
2. To Support – your skeleton provides the rigid structure for your tissues and organs to form around.  Your bones support the entire weight of your body and hold you upright.
3. To Protect – Various bones play a vital role in protecting your organs, such as your skull safely houses your brain; your ribcage encases your heart, lungs, liver and spleen; your vertebral column harbours your delicate spinal cord; and your pelvis protects parts of your intestinal and urinary systems – as well as the reproductive organs of women.
4. To Move – all of our movements are only possible because of the interaction between our bones and the muscles they support.
5. To Produce and Store Blood Cells – Bone marrow, the innermost tissue of your bone is busy all the time developing and storing different kinds of blood cells that are vital to your health.  Your bone marrow consists of cells that over time differentiate into red and white blood cells and platelets.  The health of your blood is therefore dependent on the health of your bones.
6. To Store Minerals – Your bones are made of calcium, sodium, phosphorus and other minerals.  They act as storage facility for these minerals.   If your body is in need of any of these minerals stored in your bones, then special cells called osteoclasts will break down the bone and send the minerals into your bloodstream.
7. To help Control sugar metabolism and weight – Your bones play a role in your endocrine system.  The skeleton releases a hormone, osteocalcin which helps to regulate your body’s blood sugar levels and fat distribution.

Find out how these FoodState® supplements can help you to improve or maintain healthy bones

FoodState® Calcium + Magnesium Formula
FoodState®Chewable Cal Mag Formula

FoodState More than An Apple A Day
FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them.   This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState® supplements

Like us on Facebook We’ll let you know when we post the next article in our Bone Health series “Why Bone Health is Important”

The post Understanding Your Bones appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.

Congratulations to:

- Sphiwe Mawhayi
- Marshall Neyschens
- Verushka Kalell
- Dale Grobler
- Paul De Witt

We would like to thank everyone who entered the competition, as well as all the participating retailers.

FoodState uses the best modern science to re-nature and concentrate the vitamins and minerals in our supplements into actual food complexes so that our bodies can easily absorb and make good use of them. This is how we get targeted delivery, improved retention and real results from FoodState ®supplements

The post 5 Lucky iPad Winners in the FoodState More than An Apple A Day Promotion appeared first on Natural Vitamins and Minerals.