Take the Theanine Challenge for a Calm and Relaxed 2016

We love theanine at Pass Health Foods, and I’ve written about it numerous times in past newsletters.  It’s a fantastic supplement derived from green tea that helps to reduce stress and anxiety, without drowsiness or making you feel tired or foggy- quite the opposite in fact- it can also help to increase focus and concentration.

One thing I love about theanine is that it is effective when taken every day, but it also works if you only use it occasionally for times you feel especially stressed and anxious.  It also is helpful for boosting mood as well as a sleep aid.

We have been working with the company Jarrow to get a better deal that we could pass on to our customers on their (fantastic) theanine, and now we are able to offer it as an EDLP (every day low price) of $6 less than what we were previously selling their 200mg. supplement for.

Because of this, I wanted to mention theanine again, and to recommend to those who haven’t tried it yet, to do so.  I’d venture to say that nearly everyone would have a benefit from it.  All of us take it at the store at various times and love it.  It has so many benefits for stress and anxiety relief, and we have quite a few of our customers who say that it helps with reducing overall irritation and that it also helps them to feel more calm throughout the day.

A typical dose is 100-400mg, once or twice a day as needed.  Try it!  I very much think that you will not be disappointed.

 

 

Supplement Spotlight: Irwin Naturals Sunny Mood

December can be a month of wonder and joy, but for many it can also be a time of stress, sadness, and depression, due to a combination of the holidays and the darkening days of winter where it may feel like you hardly see the sun.

Because of this, I wanted to write about a fantastic supplement we have at the store that we love, it’s Sunny Mood by Irwin Naturals.  It is an amazing combination of herbs and supplements that help to boost mood, relieve depression and melancholia, and also help with stress and anxiety.  Sunny Mood even won an award for being one of the best supplements of 2015 by Better Nutrition Magazine.

It is a very unique blend; in fact I have never seen all of the ingredients in one formula before finding Sunny Mood.  I have heard of a number of our customers who feel they can see a difference as soon as the first week in taking it, with increasing benefits in the second and third week.

Another thing I like about Sunny Mood is that it is helpful for boosting mood and reducing anxiety and stress, but without you feeling out, sleepy or “drugged”.  I’ve even heard from customers that in addition to a better mood, they have found themselves feeling less annoyed and slower to irritation- which can be helpful if you’re anywhere near La Grange Road this month! 

We’re having Irwin Natural’s Sunny Mood on sale this December for 25% off, so I’d really recommend trying it this month, since just about everyone would benefit from a “sunnier mood” during this holiday season!


A Natural, Herbal Version of Tamiflu for Flu Recovery?

Q: It seems everyone is getting sick around me, so I was wondering if there was anything that was really effective against the flu virus.

A: We wrote last month about a number of natural immune boosters which are very effective for preventative immunity (you can read the article here). There is a combination of supplements however that have been shown in recent research to be as effective as the prescription antiviral Tamiflu against the flu virus.

The study gave 473 patients who exhibited flu symptoms elderberry extract and echinacea or Tamiflu within the first 48 hours of the beginning of the illness. The recovery rates from the combination of elderberry and echinacea were the same as Tamiflu  (the elderberry and echinacea group actually had slightly better recovery rates when compared to the prescription Tamiflu), but without side effects- the researchers reported that patients taking oseltamivir (Tamiflu) were more likely to experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting than the supplement group.

I would definitely recommend keeping elderberry extract and echinacea in the house this winter. For elderberry extract we recommend Sambucus elderberry syrup by Nature’s Answer since it is the exact formulation used in several other trials against the flu virus, with impressive results. Elderberry syrup can be taken preventatively against viruses or taken in higher doses if you do actually get sick.

For echinacea, we recommend the standardized echinacea extract by Nature's Way. It's a great, high potency extract.

Elderberry can be taken preventatively against illness, but it’s best to save the echinacea until you feel the beginnings of sickness, since research has shown that that is when it is most effective. If you've been sick for a while, supplementing with elderberry alone is the best course of action, due to its potent antiviral compounds. 

Natural Help for Gallstones

Q:  I’ve had trouble with gallstones for a while now.  Is there anything that can help treat or prevent them?

A: It has been estimated that over 25 million Americans have gallstones, and almost 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year.  As many as one in ten people may have gallstones and not know it.  It’s when a stone is pushes out of the gallbladder and lodges itself in a bile duct that a person will have an attack which can include nausea, vomiting, and pain in the upper right abdominal region.  These symptoms often arise after a person has eaten fried or fatty foods.

There are quite a few supplements that can help with gallstones.  Adding lecithin to the diet, either in the form of granules or softgels can be beneficial.  Lecithin is a component in the production of bile, and also helps to emulsify and digest fats.  Extra vitamin C with bioflavanoids can also be helpful, since deficiencies in vitamin C can lead to gallstones.

If you are prone to gallstones, supplementing with turmeric extract may help to reduce the incidence of gallstone attacks (and the active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin, also helps with reducing inflammation in the body).  Another great supplement for helping to prevent gallstones is called Stone Free by Planetary Herbals.  It combines turmeric with several other herbs that help with gallbladder health and aid in stimulating bile flow.

If you have an attack, drinking 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of apple juice can reduce pain.  Also, drinking the juice of 1 lemon mixed with 3 tablespoons of olive oil before bed and upon awakening can help gallstones to pass.

Increasing the amount of raw foods eaten and reducing animal protein can aid in preventing gallstones, as well as avoiding fried foods and foods with a lot of sugar.  Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces the incidence of gallstones, since obesity increases the risk of stone formation.

Olive Leaf Extract for Blood Pressure and Immune Health

I wanted to write about olive leaf, since it’s a little known supplement that deserves a bit more recognition.  Olive leaf’s two main benefits are for blood pressure and immune function, though it also has benefits for lowering cholesterol, cancer prevention, and reducing cognitive decline.

Blood Pressure

The beneficial extract in olive leaf is oleuropein.  Oleuropein works extremely well for lowering blood pressure.  One recent study measured olive leaf supplementation against the blood pressure drug Captopril and found that olive leaf extract worked just as well as the prescription.  After eight weeks both groups had significantly lowered blood pressure and there was no significant difference between the two groups.  The study used 500mg of olive leaf extract twice daily for lowering blood pressure.  Since olive leaf extract is so effective at lowering blood pressure, if you are on blood pressure medication you may want to speak to your physician before starting the supplement.

Olive leaf also has been shown to prevent the formation of arterial plaque in the body, which helps to prevent heart attack and stroke.  It also works to prevent platelet clumping, which reduces the chance of blood clots forming.

Immune Benefits

Olive leaf has potent antibacterial and antiviral properties, which is very helpful during cold and flu season.  In in-vivo studies, nearly every virus was inactivated when exposed to the active ingredients in olive leaf extract. It was also shown to be beneficial against harmful bacteria and yeasts.  Additionally, olive leaf extract helps to contain viral infections by stopping viral replication inside the cell, which helps to prevent viruses from gaining a foothold and becoming a full-fledged illness.

Olive leaf is also a wonderful antioxidant, which in turn helps with boosting the immune system.

 

Zollipops: Xylitol Lollipops for Kid's Oral Health

Zollipops are new xylitol lollipops we’ve just gotten in and they’re amazing! Xylitol helps to prevent tooth decay, and Zollipops have also been shown to help restore a healthy oral pH, which helps to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Zollipops are great tasting and are a fantastic treat for kids after a meal, since they actually help to prevent cavities!

Zollipops certainly aren’t a replacement for proper brushing, but they’re a great thing to have on the go, and are a wonderful alternative for sugar laden candies! A little bit of xylitol is wonderful for oral health, but Zollipops should be limited to three a day for children. 
  
I don’t know if you’re a Shark Tank fan, but Zollipops was featured recently on their Kid-Preneurs Edition- Zollipops was conceived by a nine year old girl who dreamed of a lollipop that was actually good for your teeth, and from that, Zollipops was born.

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Pass Favorite: Irwin Naturals Immuno-Shield

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!

 

Click here for a complete ingredient list.







Preventative Immune Health for Cold and Flu Season

Q: I was horribly sick last winter, several times, and I want to avoid that happening as much as I possibly can!  What preventative supplements would you recommend to give me a better chance of staying healthy this year?


A: Now is a great time to start thinking about winter wellness, since it’s much easier to stay healthy than to overcome an illness that has firmly taken hold of you. There are a number of supplements which I think everyone would benefit from taking this cold and flu season, that help the immune system and entire body to be in balance and work right.

The first thing I’d recommend is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a tiny pill and inexpensive- there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t be taking it. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight, but both the sun and our time outdoors are sorely lacking in winter, which can lead to most Americans being deficient in the vitamin. Vitamin D is best known for its benefit of strengthening bones, but it is also fantastic for boosting the immune system when taken in sufficient amounts- so much so that scientists have speculated that a large part of why people get sick so much more often in the winter months as opposed to during the summer is directly related to lower vitamin D levels during the winter months.

When looking for a vitamin D supplement, be sure to choose the D3 form of the vitamin, since it is the best absorbing form. Noted natural physician Dr. Weil recommends that adults take 2,000IUs of vitamin D daily, so that is the recommendation we use as well. If you have been shown to be deficient in vitamin D on a blood panel, you may need even higher amounts to restore your body to sufficient levels of vitamin D. 

New research is coming out every month on the many varied benefits of increased vitamin D supplementation, so I would very much recommend boosting your vitamin D supplements this winter.

The second preventative supplement I’d recommend are probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria that reside in the colon and intestines and help with digestion and balancing the bad bacteria and microbes that enter the body. When the balance of good bacteria in the body is upset, it can lead to a number of undesirable effects.  One example is how diarrhea and yeast infections are so common after taking antibiotics; that is because antibiotics kill the good bacteria that we need along with the bad.  Thankfully, many doctors are becoming aware of the necessity of the good bacteria in our bodies and will actually recommend probiotics as a necessary supplement to take during or after taking antibiotics.

I love probiotics because they are safe for everyone to take from children to adults, and have no negative effects, only positive. They are fantastic for boosting the body’s immune defenses, which has been confirmed by numerous research studies. Probiotics are especially beneficial for reducing the risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, particularly in children. 

One recent study found that school children who took a probiotic along with vitamin C had 33% fewer upper respiratory infections and missed 30% fewer days of school than children who took a placebo. Another study reported that children who took probiotics had a 24% reduced chance of getting gastrointestinal infections like “stomach flu” when compared with children who did not receive probiotic supplements. Though those two studies were with children, the benefits are applicable for people of all ages. 

One we particularly recommend are Jarrow-Dophilus EPS Probiotics, which are room temperature stable. I love them because their probiotics are made up of specific strains which have been shown to be most effective by clinical research. Jarrow-Dophilus uses strain identifiers for their probiotics, since there can be different strains of the same probiotic species that have extremely different effectiveness. 

It’s something that can be likened to dogs in a way. All dogs are technically one scientific species, but we all know there are huge differences between dog breeds. If you want a dog that is going to be fast, you’d get a greyhound, not a pug. It’s the same thing with probiotics. Specific strains of probiotics do specific things, so if your probiotic is not listing the particular strain of good bacteria that it’s using, you don’t know if you’re getting the most effective formula. 

Stop by the store and we’d love to help you find the products that are right for you to keep you healthy this cold and flu season!

 

Here are a few other articles from our site which you may find helpful:
 

A Pass Favorite: Irwin Naturals ImmunoShield

Zinc Lozenges: Clinically Proven to Boost the Immune System

Health Q & A: Keeping Kids Healthy this Winter

Our Favorite Immune Boosting Supplements

My Magic Mud Teeth Whitener

This stuff has to be seen to be believed for whitening teeth. It uses activated charcoal and bentonite clay, which help to deeply clean and remove toxins, and also whitens and polishes teeth. Results can begin to be seen after just one use, and it whitens more and more over time. Also, unlike most conventional tooth whiteners, it is gentle on tooth enamel and can even reduce tooth sensitivity.

Here’s their hilarious “How To” page. 

Using a jar of black powder to whiten your teeth seems a little weird, but it really is an amazing product! Look here for some pretty incredible reviews.

My Magic Mud is chemical free, fluoride free, gluten free, and vegan. One jar has enough for 150 uses. I’d very much recommend giving it a try! Sarah at the store has been using it and says that her teeth are definitely whiter, and also feel cleaner in the morning (the first few days she said she couldn’t stop licking her teeth with her tongue since they felt so clean, lol).

I’ve used it and really like it (though I have to admit, it gives your toothbrush a grayish tint, so you may want to hide your toothbrush when you have company over, haha).

The Benefits of Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Q: Do you sell food grade hydrogen peroxide?  What is it good for?  Is it really any different from the little brown bottles for sale at the pharmacy?

A: We do sell 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. Food grade hydrogen peroxide has innumerable uses though it is important to dilute it first. It can be used as a completely non-toxic household cleanser, as a fruit and vegetable wash, throat spray, mouthwash, facial toner, and even internally to detoxify the body. 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide is very strong and MUST be diluted before use. 

Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and viruses by destroying their cell walls, then that hydrogen peroxide breaks down into simple oxygen and water, with no chemical residues left behind. 

I love to spray it on my countertops, cutting board, garbage can, and anywhere else that seems germy. Hydrogen peroxide is odorless and after it does its antibacterial work, leaves nothing behind but oxygen and water, so it’s completely safe to use around children and pets.

Conventional hydrogen peroxide sold at grocery stores and pharmacies contain stabilizers, metals, and additives to make it last longer on the shelf. Our food grade hydrogen peroxide is 100% pure and should be refrigerated since it does not have added preservatives. 

When used as a household cleanser (diluted to a 3% solution), hydrogen makes a wonderful germicide. It does need some time to work however, about 6 minutes according to the CDC. I find the best way to use is to give countertops or other surfaces a quick spray and then let it sit. 

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning, but it also has benefits for internal use. When hydrogen peroxide is taken internally, it can increase oxygen levels in the body. 

Pathogens in the human body are primarily anaerobic, meaning that they cannot survive in oxygen rich environments. Many naturopaths recommend food grade hydrogen peroxide as a therapy for a number of ailments, including its benefit as a possible cancer therapy.

In the case of hydrogen peroxide, more is not necessarily better, and it is crucial to use the correct dilution. We have a wonderful, free hydrogen peroxide booklet at the store which gives the daily dilutions best used for an internal detox regimen. Just stop in and ask and we’d be happy to give you one. 

Hydrogen peroxide is wonderful for all so many things, I’d definitely recommend getting some! Again, proper dilution is extremely important. To make a 3% solution, which is suitable for topical, oral, or household use, combine 1 ounce of 35% hydrogen peroxide with 11 ounces of purified or distilled water. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to combine 2 tablespoons of 35% hydrogen peroxide in a glass measuring cup. Adding water to the 1 ½ measuring line will make the 12 ounces from the recipe above.

Hydrogen peroxide should be used in a dark colored bottle since it degrades in sunlight. We have a wide selection of amber glass bottles that are perfect for using for hydrogen peroxide dilutions, from throat spray size bottles to 8 and 16 oz. glass amber spray bottles for making your own cleaning products. I made a hydrogen peroxide throat spray that I have on my bathroom counter using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide in one of our 2 oz. amber glass spray bottles mixed with several drops of peppermint oil. It gives you a burst of fresh breath and also helps to kill any bacteria lingering in the back of the throat. 

 

NOTE: 35% Hydrogen Peroxide is highly concentrated and extremely strong. Keep out of the reach of children. If it is spilled on the skin, wash immediately in cold water. Do not allow it to touch the eyes, if this happens, wash and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Store 35% H202 in the refrigerator or freezer. It will add to the longevity and will not freeze.

To make 3% H202, mix one ounce of 35% food grade to 11 ounces of distilled water (preferably) or filtered water.

Personal Uses for H202

Athlete’s Foot: Soak feet 10-20 minutes each night in 3% H202 until condition is in remission.

Bath: Add one cup of 35% hydrogen peroxide to a full bathtub for a detoxifying bath. Note: try not to use this after 6-7pm as the increased absorbed oxygen may give you extra energy.

Douche: Add five to six tablespoons 3% H202 to one quart of distilled of filtered water.

Enema: Mix up to six tablespoons (maximum) 3% H202 to one quart of distilled water.

Foot relaxer: Add one cup of 3% H202 to one gallon of hot water and soak one half hour.

Shower: Spray after showering, with 3% H202 to restore the natural acid mantle of the skin. (Soap used in the shower removes the protective acid mantle of the skin.)

Facial: For rejuvenation and freshening after washing, saturate a cotton wad with 3% H202 and gently rub on face and neck.

Mouthwash: On arising rinse mouth with water then gargle and wash mouth with 3% H202, swishing for one half to one minute. (Note: a dash of chlorophyll adds flavor and effectiveness.) Helps prevent colds.

Nasal Spray: One tablespoon of 3% H202 added to one cup of pure water. Spray into nasal passages to relieve congestion.

Toothpaste: Make a paste of baking soda and H202 and store in tightly sealed container or dip brush in 3% H202 and brush teeth.

Denture Soak: Use 3% in denture container and soak 30 to 60 minutes or overnight.

Deodorant: (Body) Saturate cotton wad with 3% H202 and rub on under arms.

Additional Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide

Pets: Add one ounce 3% to one quart drinking water.

Vaporizer: One ounce of 35% H202 per gallon of water in a vaporizer improves nighttime breathing and helps clear sinus and bronchial congestion.

Vegetable Soak: (in place of Clorox.) Add ¼ cup of 3% H202 to a gallon of cold water. Soak light leafy vegetables 15-20 minutes. Soak thick skinned fruits and vegetables for 30 minutes (apples, cucumbers, tomatoes & etc.) If time is a problem, you can spray the vegetables with straight 3% let stand a couple of minutes, rinse and dry.

Leftover Tossed Salad: Put 1 Tbsp. 3% in ½ cup of water and spray the top of the salad with the solution before covering and refrigerating.

Marinade: In glass, stainless steel or ceramic casserole dish (never aluminum), place meat, poultry or fish and cover with 3% H202. Cover loosely and store in refrigerator one half to one hour. Rinse well then cook.

Kitchen Cleaner, Freshener, Disinfectant: Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen, use it to wipe off counter tops and appliances. It disinfects and gives the kitchen a fresh smell. Works great inside the refrigerator and on surfaces.

Dishwasher: Add two to three ounces of 3% H202 to regular wash for dishes. Add the same for washing dishes in sink.

Laundry: Instead of bleach, add six ounces of 3% of H202 to small load of laundry: eight ounces to large load.

Mold: Spray or wash well with 3% H202, floors, walls and furniture as allowed. Wipe dry with cloth if to damp. If problem is real bad in a room, use humidifier with ½ cup of 35% to 2 gallon of water. (Note: Molds and mildews are a major cause of allergies, colds, bronchial and flu sensitivities: general malaise, breathing problems and low energy.)

Insect Spray: In one gallon water stir 8 ounces (one cup) refined white sugar and 5 to 8 ounces of 3% H202.

House & Garden plants (for growth): To one quart add one ounce 3% H202 or 16 drops of 35% H202. Mist and or water plants frequently.

Hot Tubs: Start up with using 8 ounces (one cup) 35% per 500 gallons of water. Should be maintained with 2-4 ounces of 35% weekly, depending on use and direct sunshine on water. Use in place of chlorine.

Accidents can occur with hydrogen peroxide concentrate when safety precautions are not taken and directions are not followed. For this reason, we want to stress some safety and storage tips. Read them carefully and review the way you handle the concentrate to determine whether changes must be made with your handling procedure.

1. Keep hydrogen peroxide concentrate out of the reach of children.

2. Never transfer the concentrate into unlabeled or improperly labeled containers.

3. If hydrogen peroxide concentrate is accidentally spilled on the skin, flush the area immediately with running water.

4. If undiluted 35% hydrogen peroxide concentrate is accidentally ingested, drink large amounts of water to dilute. Stay upright and contact your doctor. It could be toxic or fatal if swallowed at full strentgh.

5. For spillage of hydrogen peroxide concentrate, dispose of according to Federal, State and local regulations.

Flush the spill area with water. Do not return the spilled material to the original container. Prevent undiluted hydrogen peroxide from entering into the sewage system. Report spills in compliance with Federal, State or local regulations.

Large quantities, such as drums, should be stored in a cool, dry area. When concentrations of hydrogen peroxide come in contact with organic materials, this may form explosive mixtures (spontaneous combustion).

Small quantities of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide should be stored in the freezer over-wrapped with black plastic and labeled as to contents. Thirty-five percent food grade hydrogen peroxide will not freeze unless the temperature is 33 degrees below zero.

Low concentrations, such as 3% or 6% would freeze, so freezer storage is not recommended. Store properly labeled containers in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.


See the link below to download a booklet from our Hydrogen Peroxide distributor about Hydrogen Peroxide Uses and dilutions:

Hydrogen Peroxide Booklet

This article makes no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate, or cure diseases with any advice or products. Any health related information in this article is for educational purposes only. The ultimate responsibility for your choices and their effect on your health are yours and before applying any therapy or use of herbs, supplements, etc., you should consult your health care provider.