Eggshell Membrane for Reducing Joint Pain & Improving Joint Function [NEM]

I wanted to write about NEM for joints since it’s still a newer supplement for joints that many people haven’t heard of.  We actually brought it in quite a while ago on the recommendation of one of our customers who has been using it consistently for joints and feels like it’s really worked for reducing pain and stiffness.

NEM stands of natural eggshell membrane, the thin membrane inside of eggshells, which has been shown in research to actually benefit cartilage health in the joints as well as helping with stiffness and pain reduction as well as improving joint functioning.

One of the most common supplements we recommend for joints is curcumin, which helps to reduce joint inflammation (when you reduce inflammation, pain is reduced).  Curcumin helps with inflammation, but it isn’t actually improving the cartilage, which is where NEM comes in.

There have been numerous studies on NEM over the years showing its benefit for improving joint function and joint pain, so it’s strange that it’s not more well known.  Another impressive thing is that benefits can usually start being felt after just 10 days after taking a standard 500mg dose daily.  A lot of other things that can help cartilage, glucosamine for example, can take a long time for the benefits to be felt- sometimes months. That can be a long time to wait, so benefits starting in 10 days sounds much better.

We have it in a few ways to take it.  Natural Factors (who we love) has it in two products.  A one-a-day supplement that’s just NEM (500mg) and then another that’s a mix of NEM and glucosamine, which I think is a neat idea since it’s helping cartilage in two different ways, the only negative about the combination is that it’s two pills a day to get the recommended amount of NEM.  The NEM by itself is in capsules, and the NEM combination is in tablets if that’s another concern since I know some people hate taking tablets.

We would really recommend trying it if you have joint issues, and it actually works great combined with natural anti-inflammatories like curcumin. Since benefits are often reported after 10 days, we feel like giving it a month trial should really give some relief, though the studies continued to show benefits the longer it was taken.

I also wanted to mention another product that contains NEM, which is our Collagen Peptides by Nature’s Plus.  It’s a collagen complex that contains all the different sources of collagen, which can help with joints, connective tissue, skin, bones, and more.  The only caution is that we weren’t able to find out exactly how much NEM a scoop of their collagen contains, though one scoop of the powder (it’s unflavored and mixes with anything) contains 10mg of a mix of the different collagen  forms, so I feel like it’s likely that it has the recommended 500mg of NEM, we just can’t say for certain.  Still, we’re big fans of their collagen- Liz takes it every day and has for years.

Stop in and see us if you have any questions, we’d love to help you further!  All our Natural Factors products, including NEM, are on sale every day!

Stop in and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, we have a kind, friendly, and knowledgeable staff ready to help!

New Nasal Probiotic for Sinus Congestion & Allergies

As we edge closer to spring, we often begin to play the game of, "Do I have a cold, or it is it just allergies?"

We have a newer product that can help with that, a new nasal probiotic from Life Extension called Florassist Nasal & Immune Defense. It's a unique product and the first of its kind that we've seen. It has a specific clinically studied probiotic strain to help with improving nasal airflow and to support nasal mucosal immunity, so it helps to balance the immune response in the nose with good bacteria so it's more protected against harmful bacteria and viruses but also so it isn't mounting an exaggerated immune response which is what often causes nasal congestion and runny nose.

It's not meant as a quick fix but as a daily supplement to help with overall sinus issues. It's great both for cold and flu season but also as we get closer to allergy season.

I feel like it helped me with lingering sinus congestion and runny nose. Luckily, I have not been sick this year (knock on wood!) but I had a long time where in the morning I would have sinus congestion and I felt like I was blowing my nose all the time, but after using this for about a month I feel like that went away and hasn’t come back. I've been taking one daily for a couple months now, and I do feel like it's kept my sinuses clear.

Keep in mind, the benefits of this probiotic in the studies for sinus health are over time when used regularly. I think it can be a real benefit however for people with spring allergies or people who are just prone to having more sinus congestion though. If you use it, let us know if it helped! Also, this and all of our Life Extension products are on sale every day at Pass Health Foods, so stop in and see us!  

Magnesium Threonate for Sleep & Brain Function

If you've read the newsletter for a long time, or have talked to me in the store, you might know that I (Carolyn) am not a great sleeper. I've tried lots of things for sleep with varied success (for years I took Irwin Naturals Power to Sleep, though more recently I've switched to Now Brand's Sleep). They help me to fall asleep, but I still had issues with waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep for ages.

I recently read an article with some research studies on magnesium threonate and sleep. It's known for being a type of magnesium that is unique in that it crosses the blood brain barrier, so it's best known for its benefits to mental function. There have been a number of studies, however, on its benefits for sleep, and how it's been shown to help with increasing REM sleep and deep sleep (both of which are usually reduced as we age). 

I've started taking it and I can honestly say that it's made a difference for me. I feel like I'm waking up less in the middle of the night, and when I do wake up, it seems to be easier to go back to sleep. I have a smartwatch that tracks my sleep which confirms the changes, and I seem to be getting more "good" sleep ratings on the tracker than the "fair" ratings that I would get pretty consistently.

Magnesium threonate is different from other magnesium not just in its benefits, but in its dosages, which can be confusing. Most of magnesium threonate is the amino acid threonate, it's only about 7% elemental magnesium, though the dosages and recommendations for magnesium threonate are different from regular magnesium since it's meant more for brain function and sleep. 

I still take regular magnesium (I take BiOptimizers magnesium because I think it's the best regular magnesium) in addition to magnesium threonate since the magnesium threonate is lower in actual elemental magnesium. 

If you have trouble sleeping, especially with waking up in the night, I would recommend giving it a try. Sleep is tricky, but the research on magnesium threonate is sound, and I do feel like it has made a real difference for me. 

Stop in and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights so we can answer any questions you might have!

Our New Top Recommended Eye Supplement

We have a new eye supplement to recommend- Nordic Naturals Blue Light Eye Defense. This is a better replacement for Jarrow's discontinued Macula PF, a really unique supplement that we had highly recommended. Jarrow discontinued the eye supplement because they had a sourcing problem. 

The thing that makes this eye supplement unique is that it has a high concentration of meso zeaxanthin, a rare antioxidant not often found in eye supplements. Meso zeaxanthin, specifically, is most concentrated in the center of the macula, where vision loss most often takes place and where damage is the most noticeable and detrimental to our vision from macular degeneration.

Meso zeaxanthin, since it is concentrated in the center of the macula in our eye, provides the most protection against UV and blue light and its degenerative damage to our vision.

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 50. Degeneration and damage to the macula (especially the center of the macula) is what causes that, and that's why meso zeaxanthin is uniquely so important (lutein is important too, but meso zeaxanthin is kind of the star).

Previously we were recommending Life Extension's Macula Factors as a replacement for Jarrow's Macula PF, which is still a fine supplement, though the potency of this new eye supplement by Nordic Naturals is a lot stronger, so that's what we're now recommending.

We will always recommend the best or most potent product available, regardless of brand. There are plenty of brands we like but we aren't loyal to one over another- what is most important to us is the ingredients and efficacy of specific supplements. That's why we don't have a store brand, so we aren't recommending something that makes us more money vs. truly the most effective product. We will always recommend the product that's the best regardless of brand or anything else. That's what's most important to us, the specific ingredients in different supplements and recommending products that really work.

Stop in to talk to us further for more information, we have a kind, knowledgeable staff to help you find the supplements best for your individual needs, we’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights!

Irwin Naturals Immuno Shield on sale for 20% off!

Without fail, I think all of us at Pass Health Foods would recommend Irwin Natural’s Immuno-Shield as a supplement you should have in your house this winter. It is a fantastic blend of powerful and well-researched immune boosters which work in a variety of ways to help you to during cold and flu season; helping to boost and activate your immune system to fight off invading bacteria and viruses quicker and more effectively. I would say more than anything else for the immune system, we have the most people who come back religiously for Immuno-Shield who attest to how well it works.

It can be taken in a lower dose of one or two a day throughout the season to maintain immune health, or taken at a higher dose when you experience the beginning signs of sickness.  All of us take Immuno-Shield at the store and love it. There have been numerous times when I’ve felt the beginnings of a sore throat and the worn out feeling that comes with the first stages of illness, and took four Immuno-Shields before bed and felt fine the next day.

We really can't recommend it enough! Plus it’s now on sale for 20% off!

Stop in and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights!

Sea Moss Gel

We've been looking to bring in some Sea Moss Gel for a while, but couldn't find one we liked that was reasonably priced (some are extremely expensive).  A few weeks ago we decided to make a trip out to Southtown Health Foods in Chicago to talk to our friend Katie who owns the store along with her father to see if she had any recommendations for us.  She introduced us to a woman named Tracee who is local that has her own Sea Moss business.  Katie said she really liked the brand and that she's been taking it and has been very happy with it.

We connected with that local company and now have pure Sea Moss Gel at Pass Health Foods! Liz and I have started taking it on Katie's recommendation and I like it- it doesn't have much of a taste other than a fresh lemony flavor.  You can take it straight off the spoon (which is what I do) or mix it in a smoothie (that's how Liz takes it).  People even use it on their face as a skin mask.

Sea moss is naturally very nutrient dense in trace minerals- it's actually said to contain 92 different minerals.  It's often used to help with thyroid and immune health, as well as helping digestion and enhancing the stomach lining.  It's basically a natural superfood that helps replenish vitamins and minerals not generally found in our regular diets.  Some people even use it for weight loss since they say it's fiber composition can help with making you feel fuller, helping you to eat less.  It's also used to help with inflammation, energy, and mood.

There are lots of flavored sea moss gels, but we wanted to just get a pure one without any extra junk in it, and we're really happy to be able to carry it.  Sea moss is in our fridge near the probiotics, and should stay refrigerated to maintain freshness and potency.  We have it in both 8oz. and 16oz. sizes.

Stop in and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights!

Help for Holiday Stress and Anxiety

The holidays can be wonderful, but they can also be stressful. There are a variety of supplements we would recommend that can help. Some of our favorites are: 

Theanine - An amino acid from green tea that works well to help with reducing stress and anxiety. Unlike some supplements for stress and anxiety, theanine will not make you tired. It's also used for helping with increasing focus. Most supplements for anxiety are meant to be used daily but theanine can be used both regularly or just when it's needed- it's effective both ways.

Ashwaganda - An adaptogenic herb that has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine  for over 3,000 years to to help the body to better adapt to stress. It's most effective when taken on a daily basis. Ashwagandha has also been studied for its benefits for sleep, not that it makes you tired but it helps by balancing the body, improving sleep quality. 

Saffron - An herb that can help with anxiety as well as mood and depression. It's also a great antioxidant as well and has been linked to benefits for eye health. 

Passionflower - An herb that can be used for more severe anxiety particularly when used daily. Passion flower is often used as a sleep aid so it may make some people tired when used during the day.

Stop by the store at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights so we can help you find the supplement that's right for you. We also have a great selection of supplements to support the immune system to help you to stay healthy during the holidays!

Low Dose Lithium for Brain Health and More

Lithium is a natural mineral that is most often known in its prescription dose for helping with a variety of mood disorders, however small doses (or microdoses), much lower than what would be found in a prescription, have been found in research to a variety of benefits supporting cognitive function.

Preliminary research has even linked small doses of natural lithium in helping to prevent or delay Alzheimer's symptoms. This research is still in the very early stages, but I thought it was interesting enough to share (obviously I'm not touting this as a cure, but it is noteworthy). Animal studies found that lithium orotate (the form available in supplements) helped to break up amyloid plaques in the brain (one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's) and help to reduce cognitive decline. 

It seems that low dose natural lithium can have a neuroprotective effect on the brain and can also help with balancing other neurotransmitters like serotonin, helping to stabilize mood and and the body's stress response systems.

Other preliminary research have linked low dose lithium to benefits for cardiovascular health, bone health, as well as helping to reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

We have low dose natural lithium at Pass Health Foods by Life Extension. Where a prescription dose might be 600 to 1200 mg a day, the low dose trace amount in a supplement ranges would be 1000mcg (1mg). Stop by the store for more information and so we can help you further. Also, all of our Life Extension Products are on sale every day at the store.

Stop by and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights. We’re a women owned health food store celebrating our 30th year in Palos Heights and have a kind and knowledgeable staff.

Gluten Free Baking Contest 2025 Winning Recipes

Our 2025 Gluten Free Baking Contest on Saturday, November 8th was absolutely wonderful! We had 18 different entries and they were all absolutely dellicious! The Grand Prize Winner was Emilie Lesniak from Crestwood with her Brown Butter Banana Bread Brownies. Our staff favorite was Lucy Whitney from Palos Heights with her Pumpkin Cheesecake and the People's Choice Award, that was voted by everyone who came in to try the entries, was a Gluten Free Dutch Apple Pie by Steve Qualizza! All the entries were absolutely delicious and so creative and well done!

Find links to each of the recipes below:

Grand Prize - Gluten Free Brown Butter Banana Bread Brownies.

People’s Choice Award - Gluten Free Dutch Apple Pie

Staff Choice Award - Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Thanks to everyone to entered!

Our Gluten Free Baking Contest was extremely well attended- we hope everyone had a great time!

Mayor Straz sampling each of the entries

Ice Cream for Bears [honey sweetened ice cream]

Ice Cream for Bears is the cleanest ice cream around, using only a handful of whole food ingredients. It's sweetened only with raw honey, with no other refined sweeteners. Their ice creams have no gums or oils added to them. For example, Queen & Bean, their French vanilla flavor, contains only the following ingredients: Milk, Cream, Raw Honey, Skim Milk, Egg Yolk, Pure Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean.

We really love this ice cream, and have decided to have it on every day sale for $6.99 each (the regular price is $9.99). We've looked at other natural ice creams and think this is the best and cleanest natural ice cream there is so we want to be able to carry it regularly. Stop in and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, we have quite a few varieties and they all taste amazing!