B Vitamins and the MTHFR Gene

Many of us have heard about the MTHFR gene, and problems associated with people who have mutations with it, but most people's understanding of it is very vague. First, let me say how amazing science is and how incredible it is that our understanding of the human body has so increased in recent years.

The MTHFR gene is one of the more commonly known genes for its impact on our health. A very basic explanation of what that gene does is that it makes an enzyme that helps our body to be able to convert certain B vitamins into their active forms so they can be used by the body. Sometimes mutations occur in that gene, which then make it difficult for our body to process and absorb the B vitamins folate and vitamin B12.

It's estimated that around 40% of people have some variation of mutation on the MTHFR gene in their bodies. Having this common mutation can cause a deficiency in folate and B12, even for people who eat a healthy diet or take a multivitamin. That happens because the most common forms of folate and B12 that are in most supplements can't be absorbed when people have a problem with the MTHFR gene.

There is a solution however, called methylated or coenzyme B vitamins. Those less common forms of B vitamins are able to be absorbed even by people who have this gene that makes it so they can't use regular B vitamins. The methyl forms of those B vitamins like folate and B12 are the active forms, meaning they are directly absorbed and don't need to be converted by the body. They're especially important for people with mutations in their MTHFR gene. Since the incidence of variations of mutations in this gene are so common, and since few people have genetic testing done, it's not a bad idea for everyone to make sure they are taking the active, methyl forms of B12 and folate.

B vitamins like folate and B12 are essential to many different processes in the body. Low levels of folate can cause elevated homocysteine levels. High levels of homocysteine in the body can damage blood vessels and lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, and can also contribute to the incidence of blood clots.

Low levels of B12 due to absorption issues can contribute to nerve problems as well as cause cognitive decline. Low levels of B12 are more common as we get older, especially among seniors. Left untreated, B12 deficiency can even cause neurological damage. Some research has even linked low B12 levels as a cause of dementia in aging populations.

The solution is to look for methyl folate and methyl B12. Those forms aren't in most B complexes or multivitamins, but they are available and they are easier for the body to utilize, particularly for people with mutations in their MTHFR gene. B vitamins also work well together and are absorbed better when together, so looking for a supplement contains several B vitamins is a good idea.

We have a lot of different choices at the store, but I would especially recommend a B complex by Jarrow called B-Right which has all of the best forms of the different B vitamins to ensure optimum absorption. Another is by a company called Kal that has a methylfolate supplement that also contains methyl B12 and the active form of B6 in something called an active melt, which is a tiny pill that dissolves on your tongue as soon as you put it in your mouth.

We have a number of great products at Pass Health Foods that have the active forms of B vitamins, from multivitamins to B complexes and more, so stop in for more advice and to find the right products for your individual needs.

We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.

Mild Winters and Early Spring Allergies

Spring allergies are usually something we don’t worry about until around April, but with the extended warm temperatures we've been having, it's been speculated that it will mean that people will experience seasonal allergy symptoms much earlier.

Researchers also say that mild winters can make allergy season last longer. Additionally, drier weather in early spring can actually make allergies worse, since there's less rain to clean pollen out of the air.

The best way to help spring allergy symptoms naturally is to begin treating them before allergy symptoms start, or at least before they get severe.

We have several great supplements to help with allergy symptoms, but a big customer favorite for allergies is our raw local honey. We saved some of the spring honey from last year for spring allergy season this year, since that light colored honey is a rare honey that has only a limited supply since it's from the bee's first harvest of spring flowers and trees. All raw local honey can be helpful for allergies, but the spring honey may people find to be the most effective.

Stop by the store to pick up a jar while supplies last. We have plenty of the late summer local honey harvest, but a much smaller quantity of the spring honey from last year, so stop in to pick up a jar while you can.

One supplement we would especially recommend for allergy symptoms is quercetin, an antioxidant found in certain fruits and vegetables. It's beneficial for respiratory health in general, but is great for allergy symptoms because quercetin works to reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and can also help with reducing the body's overproduction of histamine in response to allergy triggers.

For the best results in people with spring allergies, we'd recommend starting to take quercetin now, before allergy symptoms start. Quercetin has also been researched with impressive results against a variety of different respiratory viruses, with studies showing that quercetin may help to prevent viruses from being able to enter and infect cells as well as slowing viral replication, so it's also a good supplement to take to help stay healthy during this time when it seems like many people are still fighting a variety of different viruses. We have an extensive selection of quercetin at the store, but we'd recommend using a liposomal quercetin if possible (I wrote about quercetin in our newsletter last month) since it is significantly better absorbed.

Stinging nettle is another natural antihistamine that works well for allergy sufferers, without the drowsiness and other side effects common to over-the-counter antihistamines. We have a great supplement at the store by Mt. Angel that has both quercetin and nettle that's a favorite for seasonal allergies.

A neti pot can also be helpful to help wash pollen and other irritants from the sinuses. Stop by the store if you have any questions and so we can help you to find the right products to help this allergy season.

Stay Heathy This Winter with New Antimicrobial Povidone Iodine Throat and Nasal Sprays

We have some new iodine products in a throat spray and a nasal spray that I wanted to write about from a company called Cofix. They're unique, because the idea behind them is that they can be used preventably against microbes entering the body in a prophylactic way, helping to prevent infection by working to “deactivate a substantial portion of germs and pathogens” that come into the body through the nose and mouth.

The throat and our sinuses are in almost all cases how viruses and bacteria enter our bodies. The povidone iodine in our new Cofix sprays have long lasting antimicrobial effects in our bodies, and when used as a nasal spray or throat spray is meant to help protect against infections due to its antimicrobial benefits. The nose and throat are generally the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses from breathing in microbes from people nearby who might be sick. I feel like COVID made us all very aware of how bacteria and viruses can be transmitted from another person, obviously through coughs and sneezes, but also just breathing if they have a virus.

The most important thing we can do to stay healthy from whatever is going around each winter is by helping our own body's own immune system. Also, anything that can help to reduce the viral load, or the amount of a virus in our body, can be especially beneficial for helping our body to fight things off and stay healthy.

There has even been research done with these throat sprays on Covid patients, finding a significant reduction of incidents of contracting the illness for those who used it.

Do I think these povidone iodine sprays are 100% and that you'll never get sick? No, that would be amazing, but truly anything that reduces the likelihood of illness, whether it's cold, flu, respiratory infection, or whatever is a great thing. For me, a sore throat is always my first sign of illness, so I do believe this throat spray is a good idea. Knock on wood, I've been using it since the fall, and I do think it really works.

Iodine can impact the thyroid, both in people who are deficient and people who have excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. If you have thyroid disease or problems with your thyroid, we would recommend asking a doctor before starting this povidone iodine spray (something that's always a good idea for everyone regarding all supplements). Also, this antimicrobial iodine spray should be used sparingly, only a little is needed to be effective, more is not always better, so If you choose to try this Cofix spray, make sure you're only using the recommended amounts.

Stop in to see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights for more information.

[New Research] Multivitamins Found to Reduce Cognitive Decline + Benefits of a Daily Multivitamin

I recently read about a new study (the article is linked here) that found that using a multivitamin could help slow cognitive decline.

The new research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that a daily multivitamin “helps prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging,” according to senior researcher Dr. Olivia Okereke.

Taking a multivitamin is certainly not anything new, and we know that daily multivitamin use is a good thing, but I like studies like these because it really shows that how something basic and simple- like taking a multivitamin- can really make a difference in our health.

Unless you're a billionaire with a staff of personal doctors, we're all just doing our best, and hoping we're doing the right things for our bodies. Truly, no matter how good of a diet we have, it's likely that you're having some nutrient gaps. There's a difference between being so deficient in something you get scurvy, like an 18th century sailor, and having less than optimal levels of different nutrients. There are tons of studies about all kinds of different vitamins and minerals showing benefits for this or that. It's just not realistic to take them all separately, so a multivitamin is a great way to sort of cover your bases. Do I think you'll die if you don't take a multivitamin? No, obviously not.  Is taking a multivitamin and making sure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs of  each of the different vitamins and minerals a good idea? Of course.

Our bodies can keep going even under far less than optimal conditions but giving it the different vitamins and minerals it needs can definitely make a difference. We all want our bodies to last for many, many years. Think of a car that is perfectly maintained, it's going to run for years and years, and people will be surprised at what good condition it's in. Then, think of a car that hasn't been taken care of, it can be much younger than the first car and have a hundred different problems.

Is a multivitamin going to fix everything from poor lifestyle choices or a life of bad eating and bad habits? No, but it's certainly going to be better than not fueling your body with the nutrients it needs.  

I think this study about multivitamin use and a reduction in the incidence of dementia kind of proves that point. I feel that it shows how giving your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs, particularly over an extended period, really does make a difference in our health outcomes.

The good thing about a multivitamin is that it has so many different vitamins and minerals in one pill. We have a whole store of supplements that are good, but how many pills can one person really take? Realistically, a good multivitamin is a nice way to check off a lot of boxes.

There are a lot of supplements that can be helpful even when used just for a short time, like supplements for stress or for boosting the immune system. A multivitamin or supplements like omega-3s are meant to be used long-term for the greatest benefit. If you commit to doing that, long-term, as part of your daily regimen, I do think it makes a difference.

When it comes to our health it's not all or nothing, any amount of good can help, and even small changes can make a difference, especially when maintained over a long time. I encourage you to stop by our store so we can help you find the things that are right for you to help you in a journey to better health.

Keep in mind, not all supplements and vitamins are created equal, and natural versus synthetic vitamins honestly do make a difference for absorption. There are also new technologies like liposomal vitamins that are available (that's what I use because it's been shown to have greater absorption for different vitamins). Remember, it doesn't matter what the bottle says on the label, what matters are the actual ingredients and what your body is able to absorb. There are certain forms and types of vitamins that your body is able to use better than others. If you're taking something that your body isn't able to absorb, you're wasting your time.

Stop by the store if you have any questions, we’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.

These are a few of our favorites, but we have a huge selection of multivitamins and other supplements at the store:

New Supplement Advances for 2024

As we start our new year I wanted to write about new advances in supplements that have been shown to dramatically increase absorption. The whole thing about vitamins and supplements is that it's not necessarily what you swallow, or what your bottle says on the front, but it's with your body is actually absorbing. With many supplements, your body is only able to absorb a fraction of what may be on the label. Different forms of supplements and ways of making a capsule or delivery system can really make a difference in the body's ability to absorb a specific supplement. If your body isn't absorbing something you're taking, you're wasting your money and you're wasting your time. For many years now there has been research on supplements and vitamins comparing synthetic vitamins to natural vitamins, and food-based vitamins compared to isolates. New technology though, in making supplements called liposomal and phytosomal extracts have been shown to dramatically increase absorption.

Liposomal supplements encapsulate supplements in phospholipids, natural components similar to our own cell membranes. Liposomal supplements protect supplements in the stomach so they are able to be absorbed better. Some new research actually speculates that liposomal supplements might even be able to be absorbed through cell membranes into cells, bypassing digestion.

Research on liposomal and phytosomal supplements are still in their early stages but the studies done so far have been very encouraging, showing differences in absorption as much as 10 times the absorption of a standard vitamin or supplement without liposomal or phytosomal technology.

This is a big reason why we don't have a store brand. Generally, store brands are good for a store because they're less expensive for them and have better pricing margins, but we don't want to feel beholden to a certain company. We always want to recommend the different supplements that we feel are best, and the best absorbed. Also, the supplements that we would consider the “best” often changes as new supplements come out and new developments in supplement research and absorption continue.

When you shop at our store, you can be assured that we will be recommending the best product there is for your specific needs, not what we might make more money selling. We really do care about each of our customers’ health, and sometimes our recommendation may be to not buy something, or to keep taking the supplements you have, or even to reduce certain things. When it comes to supplements, it's not one size fits all. We really want people to come back to our store and feel they can trust us with our supplement recommendations, not that we're just trying to sell them something.

We have a great, knowledgeable staff, but if you prefer to speak with the owners, Carolyn and Liz are always at the store on Mondays, and Liz is usually there on Tuesdays, and Carolyn generally works on Saturdays as well (we're there other days too, but those are safe days to come in if you're looking for us).

We're so grateful for our customers for continuing to support us as we move into our 29th year!

Liposomal Berberine Update

I wanted to give an update on the new liposomal berberine that we wrote about a few months ago. You can read the article here: Berberine for Blood Sugar, Weight Loss, and More.

I wrote about how much better absorbed this form of berberine is and how it made such a difference for blood sugar control and helping your body to manage sugar better and for cells to become more sensitive to insulin (insulin resistance happens over time where your cells need more and more insulin to be produced to manage the sugars in our diet).

I had speculated about this new liposomal berberine- since it was so much better absorbed and was so much more potent, we thought a person could take just take one pill to equal two or even three pills of the regular berberine that people were taking. Well, I wanted to post an update because we have heard from so many customers who have been using the liposomal berberine at just one softgel a day (because really, who doesn't want to take fewer pills?) that have had great results for balancing and lowering their blood sugar. Several of our customers mentioned that their blood sugar is now in a normal range after using the new berberine consistently.

Of course, everyone is different and everyone's individual health needs are different, but I would definitely look into this new liposomal berberine by natural factors because we have had so many people have great results for balancing blood sugar.

Life Extension Anti-Alcohol Complex

I feel like this is a crazy sounding supplement, but I wanted to write about it anyways, because it really does seem to work. It's meant to help detoxify alcohol from your system and help with preventing the side effects that can come with drinking alcohol like headaches or hangovers.

Let me be clear, I'm not advocating excessive drinking, but December and the holidays can be times when we may indulge more than we normally would due to festivities or parties.

Liz had tried this after we had got it in because she was visiting her daughter at Notre Dame and there were a lot of celebrations that she went to with other parents. She said she brought along a little baggie of these (they recommend taking one capsule before each alcoholic beverage). She said she used them and couldn't believe that she didn't have any side effects like a headache or feeling bad the next day after using the anti alcohol complex.

I wanted to mention it because I thought it might be useful during the holidays and New Year's since the ingredients help to detoxify the liver and help the body recover from the effects of alcohol.

The recommendation is to take one capsule before each alcoholic beverage or else five capsules before or after drinking. We have this and all of our Life Extension products on sale every day for 20% off at Pass Health Foods, so stop by and see us for more information or if you have any questions.

New Affordable Probiotics by Natural Factors

We’ve brought in some great new probiotics that will be on sale every day, making them very affordable for a daily use probiotic. They're by Natural Factors, and most of them offer a two-month supply. They're great everyday probiotics, with good dosages for everyday use. Our favorite, their 12/12 probiotic, offers 12 billion probiotic strength over 12 different well researched strains, that we have on sale for $23.99 for a two-month supply. I feel like it's a good potency and a nice daily use probiotic. We still have a number of high potency products (True Grace's wonderful 90 billion strength probiotics for example), for people experiencing digestive issues or if you've been on antibiotics and need to replenish the good bacteria in your microbiome. I don't know that everyone needs to be taking a super high potency probiotic every day, however. It's certainly not a bad thing to do, but I think it's more important to have an affordable probiotic that has decent potency that can be used consistently.

I really like Natural Factors. They don't have the fanciest bottles or labels, but they really focus on quality. They have tons of top tier certifications for purity and transparency, and I honestly feel like they could price their products much higher than they do. They also work well with small businesses like us and are willing to offer us sales that we can pass on to our customers to further lower the prices.

I genuinely do believe in probiotics, but most of the benefits that I’ve read about talk about probiotic use over the long term. It's hard to spend a ton of money on a probiotic when the benefit is usually more far reaching versus something that you see right away like curcumin or theanine. I like these new probiotics by Natural Factors because I feel like they’re reasonable priced and are a good product that can be used every day without breaking the bank.

We should have these new probiotics on sale for at least this next 6 months, and hopefully we can continue the sale indefinitely. The 12/12 probiotic with 12 billion per capsule and 12 different strains is our favorite, but they also have a senior formula, a women's formula, and a whole variety of great probiotics that we brought in. The senior formula is really unique since it contains specific strains made to be beneficial for our digestive systems as we get older, since many feel like their digestive health can dramatically change as they get older.

Probiotics are great for digestion and the immune system which is what they're most known for, but new research is constantly coming out about the connection of digestion and our microbiome affecting so many different aspects of our health, from brain function and depression to even a new study I read today saying that probiotics helped with blood sugar control for people who were taking the prescription metformin. They're a really great thing for our overall health, and I would definitely recommend adding them to your daily regimen. Stop by the store so we can help you find the right product for your individual needs.

Two Little Known Supplements for Lung and Immune Health

I wanted to write about two little-known supplements that are great for lung health and the immune system- the amino acid NAC, and the antioxidant glutathione.

NAC

NAC is the abbreviated name for the amino acid n-acetyl-cystine. It’s a supplement with many benefits, but it’s especially helpful for lung health, particularly chronic lung issues. One of the ways NAC is helpful for lungs is by its ability to thin viscous lung and bronchial secretions, making breathing easier and improving lung function. It’s even been shown to help with increasing oxygen saturation in the blood in people with lung issues.

NAC is better when taken regularly for chronic lung issues like COPD (an inflammatory lung disease that damages the lungs and makes breathing difficult) and is shown in research to reduce disease flare-ups and also to make hospitalizations less likely. The benefits for chronic lung issues are due to both NAC's ability to thin lung secretions and mucus, but also in its ability to help reduce lung inflammation.

Regular use of NAC has also been shown to be beneficial for people with chronic bronchitis, reducing the severity and recurrence of attacks.

In addition to being fantastic for lung health, NAC is also great for the liver- it's even been used historically as a treatment for acetaminophen overdose. It's a potent antioxidant and is helpful for detoxing the body and would be a good supplement for anyone with lung issues to add to their daily regimen.

GLUTATHIONE

The other standout supplement I wanted to mention that I believe deserves more recognition is glutathione. Glutathione is produced in the body from a group of amino acids and is often referred to as the “master antioxidant” since it’s used by every cell in the body and can even help to recycle certain other antioxidant vitamins like vitamins C and E. It’s also very helpful for immune health since it can work to strengthen our immune responses to invaders like viruses and bacteria.

Even though glutathione can be made in the body, that ability is greatly reduced as we age, among other factors. Unfortunately, standard glutathione supplements have been shown in research to not be utilized very well in the body since they breaks down so quickly in the digestive tract. Up until recently that was still the best method to try to boost glutathione, but now, new lipomicellar technology has solved the absorption problem by creating a liquid micellar matrix with mirodroplets of glutathione, which makes it more stable in the digestive tract and also significantly increase absorption.

That’s all well and good, but the reason I wanted to specifically write about this new lipomicellar glutathione is because of new research showing that it’s able to enhance the immune system by boosting production and activity of key white blood cells like lymphocytes and natural killer cells to significantly improve immune functioning. In one study, people taking 500mg of a liposomal form of glutathione quadrupled their natural killer cell activity in only two weeks. Natural killer cells, or NK cells, are on the “front lines” of our immune response, they are the white blood cells that detect, target, and kill invading viruses. NK cells are also involved in the early responses against cancer and tumors, so enhancing our natural killer cells and their production is a fantastic way to care for our immune system and stay healthy. Interestingly, during the height of Covid, we had several physicians who had sent patients into our store to get glutathione to use in a nebulizer to help improve lung function and oxygen saturation. I wouldn’t suggest using glutathione in that manner without a doctor’s recommendation, but I am glad that more physicians are finding natural approaches to keep their patients healthy.

Additionally, higher levels of glutathione in the body have also been linked to improved brain function and a reduction in inflammation throughout the body, as well as a reduction in oxidative stress.

Stop by the store for more information. We have a great selection of natural immune products to help you stay healthy! We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.

Magnesium Supplements: Understanding the Different Forms

Magnesium is a mineral needed for over 300 processes in the body, and it’s estimated that over 70% of Americans aren’t getting enough magnesium in their diets. Magnesium is most well-known for its benefits for bone health and calcium absorption, but it has many other uses throughout the body. There are a lot of different forms of magnesium, which can be confusing, so I wanted to go over some of the most popular forms below and what their specific advantages are.

Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium glycinate is a well absorbing form of magnesium that's bound to the amino acid glycine. This form of magnesium is most often recommended for stress and insomnia, though magnesium glycinate is also helpful for migraine prevention. The only bad thing about magnesium glycinate is that it takes up a lot of room in a pill, so it's often necessary to take several capsules or tablets of pure magnesium glycinate to get the recommended daily dose.

Magnesium Malate

Magnesium malate is magnesium bound to malic acid, a natural fruit compound. Magnesium malate is well absorbed and is the form most recommended for helping with relaxing muscles and also for pain relief. This form is what is also most recommended to help people with fibromyalgia.

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium citrate is a form of magnesium that's bound to citric acid, an antioxidant compound found in citrus fruits, and since it's a natural form of magnesium, it is absorbed well by the body. Magnesium citrate can also be used to help with constipation, since it helps to bring fluid into the intestines, working like a natural stool softener.

Magnesium L-Threonate

Magnesium L-threonate is different from other forms of magnesium in that it’s used specifically for brain health and brain function. Its dosages are also different from other magnesium. Studies have shown that Magnesium L-threonate may help to preserve brain cell and neuron health and work to prevent degenerative brain diseases. More research is needed, but the preliminary studies have been promising.

Magnesium Taurate

Magnesium taurate is a type of magnesium that’s bound to the amino acid taurine, which is prevalent in heart tissue. This form of magnesium is more geared towards cardiovascular health and is a favorite of athletes because it is often used to help to increase athletic performance.

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium oxide is not as well absorbed into the bloodstream as other forms of magnesium, and it primarily used to help with preventing constipation. It also works to neutralize acid in the stomach, so some people find it helpful for heartburn.

Chelated Magnesium

When minerals are chelated (pronounced “chee-lated”) it means they’re bound to amino acids to enhance absorption. Magnesium glycinate is a type of chelated magnesium, though in the majority of chelated magnesium products, they aren’t specific about which amino acids the magnesium is bound to.

This is not an exhaustive list of magnesium supplements, but it includes most of the common forms. Something important to remember is to always look on the back of the bottle to see which forms of magnesium a product actually contains and what the serving size is. Also, many of the better forms of magnesium are larger molecules than other types, so to get the recommended dosage of 350 to 400mg per day, you may need more than one pill to get the dosage you’re looking for. Additionally, depending on how your body processes magnesium, if you take too much at one time, you may experience loose stools, which are your body’s way of saying that you’re taking too much magnesium at once. If you experience that, try lowering your dose or split your preferred magnesium dose into two different times in the day.

We have a lot of great magnesium products at the store, though we particularly love a product called Magnesium Breakthrough by Bioptimizers since it contains seven different forms of magnesium. Another favorite of ours is the poorly named Magnesium Citrate by Now Foods since it contains a mixture of magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium malate in a softgel form. Stop by the store so we can help you to find the best product for your individual needs. We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.