These are a few of our favorite things... Lutein

This month we’re featuring Joanne (our other owner) and her favorite supplement, Jarrow’s Lutein.   She takes it to protect her vision.  Joanne doesn’t yet have a problem with her eyesight, but says, “They’re the only eyes I have, and I want to protect them”.

Jarrow’s formula is special since it combines 20mg. of lutein with 1 mg. of zeaxanthan.  Both are antioxidants related to vitamin A which have been found to reduce the incidence of a variety of eye disorders including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over age 55 in the Western world and its incidence is expected to triple by 2025.

Lutein must be either obtained from the diet or from supplements- it is not produced in the body.  The highest concentrations of lutein are found in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach.  Supplementing with lutein on a daily basis is an easy way to do what you can to protect your eyesight.  Also- be sure to wear your sunglasses!  Eye damage from the sun is a huge factor in increasing the risk or eye problems, particularly in people with light eyes.
 

Healthy Q & A: Help for Constipation

Q:

I’ve been dealing with constipation off and on for some time now.  I take laxatives sometimes, but I know it’s not good to take them all the time.  Do you have any recommendations for things to help with constipation? 

A:

Though it may not be a glamorous subject to talk about, almost everyone has bouts of constipation at one time or another.  Constipation can have a variety of causes.  Poor diet and lack of exercise are the most common reasons, though there are quite a few medical conditions and medications which cause constipation as well.

Many people turn to over the counter laxative drugs when experiencing constipation, though laxatives should be used sparingly since long term laxative use can dependencies where the bowels become unable to function correctly without them.  For short term use, laxative herbs like senna and cascara sagrada are a natural alternative to use than over the counter drugs.  There are also several varieties of natural laxative teas available, which are a nice alternative to taking pills.

Diet is the first thing to look to when experiencing constipation.  The recommended daily intake of fiber is 25-35 grams per day; unfortunately Americans on average consume only 15 grams of fiber per day, many significantly less than that.  The easiest way to increase fiber intake is to eat less processed foods and more fruits and vegetables.  Reducing dietary intake of meats and dairy products can also help since meats and dairy don’t contain fiber.   Dairy products especially are well known to cause constipation, so reducing the amount of dairy in the diet may help.

Eating a high fiber bowl of oatmeal is a good way to start the day and prevent constipation.  If you aren’t crazy for regular oats, try steel cut oatmeal, which has a delicious slightly chewy consistency (I’m not a fan of regular oatmeal, but I love steel cut oats).

There are many fibers available which can help with constipation, though the one I would recommend most are flaxseeds.  Flaxseeds, in addition to being a great source of fiber, are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to cardiovascular health, joint function, and brain health.   Flaxseeds must be ground to release the beneficial oils, however.  One flaxseed product I’d especially recommend is Barlean’s Forti Flax, which has the date when it was ground on the label, to ensure freshness.  I also like Forti Flax since it has a coarser grind than many brands which often  grind the flaxseeds into an unappetizing powder.  Ground flaxseed has a nutty taste and is delicious sprinkled on cereal and salads or mixed in with yogurt or orange juice.

One supplement which can also help with constipation is magnesium.  Magnesium is crucial for many processes in the body, but is probably most well known for enhancing calcium absorption.  As an aside, calcium supplements which contain calcium carbonate can cause constipation as well, so switching to a different form of calcium can be helpful.  One of the side benefits of magnesium is that is can help to naturally soften stool, making it easier to pass.  Certain forms of magnesium can also help to relax the muscles, so it can be nice to take before bedtime.

Aloe vera juice can also be beneficial for constipation.  Aloe vera juice has a healing and regulating effect on the intestines and colon and helps to make bowel movements easier.  Some aloe vera juices have a bitter taste and can be a “rough drink” as my husband says.  The brand George’s has a nice aloe vera juice that is great tasting since they remove the component that makes it bitter. 

It’s also important to drink plenty of water to ensure regularity.  Coffee and soft drinks can dehydrate the body even further, so it’s important to drink extra water after having those beverages.

Exercise can also help to keep the digestive system working properly.  Stretches and walking are easy to fit in to any lifestyle and can help all body systems to work better, including reducing constipation.

Though constipation is a common problem, it’s not something to ignore, since chronic constipation can precipitate a number of health problems, as well as increasing the risks of colorectal cancer.

Healthy Q & A: Weight Loss

Q:

I’ve been hearing a lot about garcinia cambogia.  It was on Dr. Oz and he made it seem amazing for weight loss.  I just wanted to hear what you thought before taking it.  Does it really work?

A:

The hot new thing that has been promoted on Dr. Oz is garcinia cambogia for weight loss.  Some things on the show I’m skeptical about, often due to lack of research available, but garcinia cambogia is one product that can really be helpful to take.

Garcinia cambogia is also known as Citrimax, and its active ingredient, HCA, has been in numerous studies over the years for its benefits to weight loss.  It works in part by inhibiting an enzyme that stores sugars and carbohydrates as fat, blocking the process of fat production.

Instead of being converted into fat, sugar and carbohydrates are converted into glycogen, a fuel that is stored in the liver and muscles that is converted into energy.  By raising the body’s levels of glycogen, it can also help with reducing appetite, since it tells the body that its fuel tanks are full.   HCA (the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia) can also help to raise the body’s level of serotonin, which helps with boosting mood as well as reducing stress eating.

One study found that people who took garcinia cambogia lost 12 lbs in eight weeks where the placebo group only lost 3 pounds (all participants in the study agreed to walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week).

There is no such thing as a miracle pill for weight loss (unfortunately!), but garcinia cambogia really does seem to be something that can help the battle though.  Other studies have found that the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia can help lower both cholesterol and blood pressure.

For the best results for weight loss, it’s recommended to take 500-1000mg of HCA three times a day, 30-60 minutes before a meal.  In the studies, higher dosages produced more weight loss.

We particularly recommend NOW Food’s Super Citrimax.  It combines the extract of garcinia cambogia with chromium for balancing blood sugar and reducing sugar cravings as well as ginseng for increased energy and iodine for thyroid support.

Product Spotlight: Curcumin Phytosome

Curcumin (the beneficial extract of turmeric) is a wonderful supplement which is best known for its benefits in fighting inflammation and joint pain.  The only bad thing about curcumin is that it’s very difficult for the body to absorb.

We've recently started carrying a new form of curcumin known as curcumin phytosome which has a much higher absorption rate compared to other forms of curcumin.  Curcumin phytosome is different from regular turmeric extracts because it takes the not very well absorbed curcumin and bonds it to phosphatidyl serine, an essential component of our cells which the body can easily absorb.  This special superior absorbing form is patented and known as Meriva.

One study researched Meriva's superior bioavailability compared to ordinary curcumin.  The study, done not on animals, but humans, demonstrated 29-times greater bioavailability compared to regular turmeric extracts.  The patented Meriva extract resulted in higher blood concentrations of curcumin from a much smaller dose than with ordinary curcumin.

The specialized curcumin extract has been researched with impressive results for joint pain.  A recent study compared 1000mg of the Meriva curcumin phytosome with patients taking the prescription joint drug Voltaren (Diclofenac Sodium).  The curcumin phytosome group had the same reduction in swelling as the prescription drug group, but without the side effects present in the prescription group.

Curcumin has a number of other benefits.  One recent study found that curcumin was as effective as Prozac for treating depression.  Curcumin has also been researched as a possible preventative and treatment for Alzheimer’s, since it may help to reduce the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain, a hallmark of the disease.

There is no doubt that Curcumin has a long list of benefits, so we’re excited to offer a new, better absorbing form.  The brand Jarrow has 500mg capsules of the patented Meriva Curcumin Phytosome, which we highly recommend.  I feel like I'm constantly recommending Jarrow, but they really do have singular products that stand out, which is why we recommend them so often.

These are a few of our favorite things... Theanine

This month we’re starting a new section on our favorite supplements at Pass.  For April we’re featuring Theresa's (one of the owners) favorite- theanine.

Theanine is an amino acid derived from green tea.  It works very well for combating stress and anxiety.  Theresa says she takes it, “so I don’t kill people”.    It’s great for taking the edge off and helping you to feel more calm.  Theresa takes 200mg once or twice a day as needed. 

Supplement Spotlight: Increasing Cellular Energy

This month I wanted to talk about energy.  Not energy as in a cup of espresso, but boosting the body’s overall energy reserves at the cellular level.

With age, many people experience a greater overall fatigue when compared with the energy levels they had in years past.   Many people turn to caffeine or energy drinks to give them an extra boost, but a better way to ensure lasting energy is to start at the cellular level.  Our cells contain mitochondria, which are basically the cell’s “powerhouses” which produce the energy molecule known as ATP.  Tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion are a direct result of diminished ATP in the body.

One little known supplement that is fantastic for boosting the body’s stores of ATP is the mushroom cordyceps.  Cordyceps is a beloved medicinal mushroom from China and has been used for a number of ailments including cancer, diabetes, asthma, immunity, and fatigue.  Research has confirmed cordyceps’ benefit for raising ATP levels, even for subjects with conditions which are known to produce fatigue, like anemia.  One study on elderly patients found improvements in energy levels in 92% of the participants after 30 days.

Another great supplement for energy is panax ginseng.  Panax ginseng is another Chinese herb which has been used for centuries for energy production and stress.  Modern research has found that the reason ginseng is able to make such a difference in a person’s energy levels is its ability to increase ATP production.  It also appears that panax ginseng is able to help the cell’s mitochondria to work more efficiently.

Healthy Q & A: Alcohol Overindulgence

Q:

I don’t drink a lot, but do sometimes with friends.  We always have a big St. Patrick’s Day party, and I’m hoping this year I can drink without feeling awful the next day.  Do you have anything that can help a hangover (or prevent one)?

A:

 Hangovers are usually brought on by a combination of dehydration, and toxins released by the body trying to detoxify the alcohol.  The best “cure” is moderation, but many people will indulge from time to time and feel the negative effects the next day.  Thankfully, there are many natural products which can help.

Drink mixes like Emergen-C are easy to add to a bottle of water and will help to replace missing electrolytes.  Drinking a bottle of water with an Emergen-C packet added to it is an easy thing to do after getting home from a wild night, and it will help you to feel better in the morning.   A B complex supplement is also helpful when taken before or after drinking, since alcohol depletes the body of many nutrients, especially B vitamins, which are necessary for the body to detoxify the alcohol in your system.  Taking a quality multivitamin on a daily basis will also help to replenish and fortify your stores of nutrients.

On the morning of the day after drinking, have a banana or two.  Bananas are full of potassium, which is depleted after a night of drinking.  Bananas are also easy on the stomach, which can be nice if you’re feeling a bit queasy.  Ginger is also wonderful for nausea and upset stomach.  Ginger tea or candied ginger pieces can go a long way to help your stomach get back to normal.  Some hangover symptoms can be caused by low blood sugar, so a glass of apple juice in the morning may help since it’s easy on the digestive system, but has natural sugars which can make you feel better.

If you frequently indulge in alcohol, it might be a good idea to supplement with milk thistle on a regular basis.  Milk thistle helps to cleanse and regenerate the liver- the liver is the main detoxifying organ in the body which helps to filter and process alcohol and other toxic chemicals in the body.  Its one herb that has no real pharmaceutical equivalent, and works great to help keep the liver working in top shape.

Product Spotlight: JarrowSil for Hair, Skin, and Nails

Silica is a mineral which is crucial to hair, skin, and nail health and composition.  The trouble with many silica supplements is that the mineral is very difficult for the body to absorb.  JarrowSil is a specialized form of silica called Activated Silicon which is formulated specifically to be easy for the body to absorb.  Placebo controlled studies have found improvement in skin texture and elasticity for women with sun damage after supplementing with the type of specialized silicon that JarrowSil contains.  There were also improvements in brittle hair and nails.

Healthy looking skin is determined by the health of the underlying tissue.  As we age, our skin often becomes deficient in silica, which can cause dry, wrinkled skin.  Good topical moisturizers can be helpful, but nourishing skin from the inside is important as well.  Silicon is one of the main components of connective tissue, and depletion in skin elasticity and texture is one obvious sign of deficiency.

Supplement Spotlight: Milk Thistle

This month we’re focusing on milk thistle and how wonderful it is for the liver, since if there’s one organ you should love, it’s your liver!  The liver detoxifies the blood and also helps to metabolize drugs- medications and alcohol can be very hard on the liver.  Detoxifying the liver is one of the best ways (in my opinion) to improve health, since if the liver is clean and working well, the body as a whole works better.

Milk thistle is the very best natural product there is for cleansing and supporting the liver.  It is one of the few herbs that has no pharmaceutical equivalent.  It has been shown in research to not only help with cleansing the liver and improving liver function, but has even been shown to help with regenerating the liver!

As stated above, alcohol can he hard on the liver, and in excess can cause liver damage; milk thistle has been shown to help to reverse that damage.  In one study, 36 patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease received milk thistle extract or a placebo for six months.  At the beginning of the study, all participants had elevated liver enzymes and other markers for liver damage in their blood.  After six months, the group that had taken the milk thistle extract had all markers of liver damage normalized, where the placebo group did not.  The milk thistle group also had improvement at the cellular level.

Milk thistle has also been found to be beneficial to people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  In research it was shown to be as effective as two different commonly used insulin drugs, with the additional benefit of decreasing liver enzymes, a benefit that the prescription drugs did not show.  In persons with advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, milk thistle extract was found to help with restoring liver function as well as improving insulin sensitivity and inflammation.

Even people with hepatitis have found improvements after treatment with milk thistle extract.   Researchers found drops in markers of liver damage, where the placebo group had no change.

Interestingly, studies have found even greater benefit for people supplementing milk thistle extract with phosphatidyl choline, which has been found to increase the milk thistle absorption.

Milk thistle is a wonderful supplement that would be of benefit to everyone, since who wouldn’t want to improve their liver function, since the liver is so critical in maintaining a healthy body?  This month, consider supplementation with milk thistle, for better, vibrant health.

Healthy Q & A: Heart Disease

Q:

Heart disease runs in my family.  I think I’m reasonably healthy, but wondered what I can do to prevent it.

A:

Family history is definitely something to be aware of, but by no means is it an absolute.  In fact, in cases like this, knowing your family history can be of great benefit, since you can take steps to ensure that your cardiovascular system stays in top shape.

One of the most important things to consider is exercise.  Exercise helps to maintain a strong heart, fights obesity, and helps with everything from depression to osteoporosis.  The most difficult thing about beginning an exercise program is actually starting, but once you get into the habit, and see the positive changes it can cause, it makes it easier to stick with it.

A number of supplements can be helpful as well.  The first I’d mention is omega 3 fish oil.  Fish oil has been proven to help with cardiovascular health and in treating high blood pressure.  Solgar’s Omega 950is a wonderful, high potency formula that we highly recommend.  Fish oil can also help with everything from brain function to joint pain, so it’s something I think everyone would benefit from.

The next I’d most recommend is supplementing with CoQ10.  CoQ10 is a substance found in every cell in the body.  The body manufactures it on its own, but as we age, the body’s production of the nutrient is greatly lowered (and some prescriptions, like statins, further deplete the body of CoQ10).  CoQ10 literally gives the cells the energy required to function, and is found in the highest concentrations in the heart.  Research has found benefit of supplementing with CoQ10 for preventing heart attacks, particularly a second heart attack, as well as for people with congestive heart failure (there’s a good article on CoQ10 and heart failure here).  CoQ10 has been researched extensively; here’s a nice overview of more of its benefits.  Another thing to mention is that most people with heart problems would benefit from the ubiquinol form of CoQ10, which is much better absorbed than the more common ubiquinone.

High blood pressure is another problem which goes hand in hand with heart disease.  One easy way to help lower it is to drink 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily (Republic of Tea has several flavored varieties which are particularly delicious).  Something else that can be of great benefit is garlic extract- the brand Kyolichas odorless garlic capsules.  Garlic can also help with boosting the immune system, so it’s a great supplement to take in the winter.

Heart health is an extensive topic, so be sure to stop in the store so we can help you more thoroughly.