Nutrition Information

Dating back to 7000 B. C., zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is native to Central and South America. Sometimes called by the nickname “Italian Squash,” zucchini was brought to North America by its southern neighbours. Early European explorers introduced zucchini to Italy and other countries in Europe. Italians initially grew zucchini for their sweet, edible blossoms, later the hearty fruits were experimented with producing the delectable dishes that resulted in zucchini being dubbed Italian squash. Up until the 20th Century, most Americans considered zucchini a treat reserved for eating on special occasions and were store-bought instead of grown in gardens.

Part of the summer squash family, zucchini is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A, potassium, calcium, iron, folate, copper, riboflavin, niacin, and phosphorous. Many of the nutrients have been shown to be helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Summer squash’s magnesium has been shown to be helpful for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Together with the potassium in summer squash, magnesium is also helpful for reducing high blood pressure. All summer squash are perfect diet foods - low in calories, sodium, fat-free, and provide a source of fiber. All parts of the zucchini are edible.

How To Grow

Zucchini is probably the best known of the summer squashes. It is a type of narrow squash that resembles a cucumber in size and shape. It has smooth, thin skin that is either yellow or green in colour and can be striped or speckled. Its tender flesh is creamy white in colour and features numerous seeds. Its edible flowers are often used in French and Italian cooking.

Zucchini can be planted by direct seeding or by transplanting young plants that have been started indoors. Seed directly into the ground as soon as the soil reaches temperatures of 60

Share This

How many times have you almost clicked on that pop-up Internet ad to buy a supplement that promises to give you relief from your agonizing asthma symptoms or one that will endow your skin with a healthy glow? There is a lot of interest and debate on the health benefits of dietary supplements. Do we actually know what the term dietary supplement means and are their benefits to health scientifically proven?

What are dietary supplements?

In the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the U.S. Congress defined dietary supplements as products that are taken orally, and contain a dietary ingredient, like vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, and metabolites all of which aims to supplement the diet. Dietary supplements, also called nutritional supplements, can also be extracts or concentrates and can come in forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids and even powders. The Act specifically states that dietary supplements must be labeled as such and must not be sold as a replacement for a conventional food or as the sole item for a meal.

Are supplements essential to good health?
While we more often than not question the efficacy of a medication, we seldom probe the benefits of a vitamin or a mineral supplement. What is important to know is that no matter how expensive or popular a vitamin supplement is it cannot replace a diet that is rich in natural nutrients. They are a safeguard against deficiency but everyone need not take them. If you’re eating a healthy diet (consuming between 1600 - 2800 calories), with lots of fruit, vegetables, grains and fiber, plenty of fluids in the form of water and other beverages, eating fortified foods, you may not add supplements. However, if you are at risk for a nutritional deficiency, you may need to take them. People who are more likely to need a supplement are those who consume less than 1200 calories a day, elderly people, strict vegetarians, people who are lactose intolerant, pregnant women, smokers and alcoholics, people who are recuperating from an illness and people who don’t consume a variety of foods.

Jack Smith writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel=”nofollow” tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you - Please visit the discount vitamin store and this nutrition website.

Share This

As an individual who enjoys a healthy lifestyle there a few keyroles that can help you with improving it. One of those ingredients can be antioxidant supplements. Most consumers are looking for an antioxidant supplements that can add some value to there life that is natural and will not cause damage. Your body needs food in order in to maintain a strong function and give you the energy you meet your daily needs. Some people use different types of foods in order to get the nutritional value to make up the shortfall that they require. One of those ways to make up for any shortages of proper food can come in the form of natural non-synthetic vitamins.

There a few key roles that antioxidants supplements can help you with if you increase them. These include protecting your body cells from damage. Often there can be a vitamin shortage in your body that is causing you maybe to not recover they way you should be. With the help of vitamins and foods you can make up the difference that you need. Often you will be able to use the powerful selection of herbal or natural products to help put your body in greater functioning capacity. Other benefits include normalizing blood clotting, restoring libido and even helping preventing other diseases. Fitness and nutrition are a big part of many peoples lives and it is important to take your health seriously.

Non synthetic 100% natural vitamins are the a great way for maintaining your health because they can be absorbed by your body unlike synthetic. Synthetic vitamins are known for their immediate change to the body making you think they are absorbing if at all. With whole food vitamins there is no “multivitamin” because if you were to obtain the proper nourishment to any organ or area of the body it is better to treat that part of the body specifically one at a time.

With natural supplements smell the vitamins - Do they smell like chemicals? Or food? The other think to note is that whole food natural supplements are a longer term thing and health professionals that prescribe these say it takes the body three months to properly correct a health issue when feeding the area of the body in need.

Gregg Makarowski - Successful author and Health related researcher.
http://www.wellness-supplements-vitamins.com/antioxidants-supplements.html

Share This