Mask Mandates at Pass Health Foods

What a year this has been, but we are so incredibly grateful that things are starting to get back to normal little by little. 

We wanted to address new mask recommendations by the CDC for vaccinated people, and just say that regardless if laws change in our town or state in the coming weeks, we will still require masks to be worn at Pass Health Foods. 

We have many children and other medically vulnerable people who come into our store, and we want Pass Health Foods to continue to be a safe place to be for everyone. We will not be checking people for vaccination cards now or ever, so we ask that everyone please continue to wear masks while shopping in the store.  Additionally, we will continue to offer curb side pickup if you prefer.

We really appreciate each of you, and thank each of you in advance for helping us to keep everyone safe.

Coleman Camping Gear Raffle

This year we have a new big Solaray raffle for a Coleman Camping Set! The set includes a great quality Colman two person tent, a wonderful insulated Colman cooler, two camping chairs, and two insulated mugs!

To enter to win, purchase any Solaray product to earn a raffle ticket!  We’ll choose a winner at the end of May. It’s a wonderful quality camping set!

Stop by the store at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights for a chance to win!

Vitamin C for Gum Health

I wanted to briefly write about vitamin C and bleeding gums. I recently read a study about bleeding gums being a symptom of vitamin C deficiency. The researchers examined 15 different clinical trials and found that a tendency to have bleeding gums was related to a deficiency in vitamin C, and found that increasing their vitamin C intake was able to help reverse their bleeding issues.

Vitamin C has many benefits: from enhancing immune functioning as well as being beneficial to cardiovascular health, it can even help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s a great supplement for overall health.

Vitamin C is easily obtained through fresh fruits, though supplementing can be a good idea when you might not be regularly eating enough fresh produce. One of our favorites is our American Health Ester C, since studies have shown that it stays working in the body longer than regular vitamin C. Another we especially recommend is Nutrigold’s Vitamin C Gold, which is directly sourced from organic berries, so it’s extremely gentle and well absorbed. Both our 1000mg Ester C capsules and our Vitamin C Gold are on sale this month, so be sure to stop by.

Also, here’s an article on supplements beneficial for gum health on our website here:

Healthy Q & A: Gum Disease

Are Seasonal Allergies Getting Worse?

I’ve read some interesting things about allergies lately that I wanted to share. I love finding out the “why” of things! I was reading an article that was interviewing a horticulturalist about trees, and they were saying that a lot of the problem with the increase in seasonal allergy symptoms is because far more male trees are being planted than female trees.

Male trees have long been seen as desirable for street and residential plantings, because they don’t make fruit or seeds and are “less messy”. When it comes to pollen though, male trees produce it in abundance. Female trees are able to “trap” some of that pollen to use to create fruits, but now with the lopsidedness of primarily male trees, there’s a ton of pollen floating around without an equal amount of female trees to use it. So basically that leaves us with a ton of pollen hanging around, making allergy symptoms worse.

Another interesting thing I was reading in regards to allergies was that excesses of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere causes trees to produce more pollen. CO2, or carbon dioxide, is actually a reproductive stimulator of plants, and research has shown that trees produced significantly more pollen when treated with CO2, and that’s basically what’s happening worldwide at the moment, since burning fossil fuels produces increased CO2 in our atmosphere.

So, if you’ve been experiencing an increase in allergy symptoms, there’s actually a reason for it (if that makes you feel any better). Still, spring is a beautiful season, and it’s a sad thing to be trapped inside with the windows closed when the weather finally turns warmer.

Luckily, there are some natural supplements that can help. We usually think of histamine when we think of allergies, and that is what most over the counter allergy drugs focus on. Histamine is a compound produced in the body in response to allergens, but histamine is not the only chemical in the body involved in our allergy response, which is why over the counter allergy medications can sometimes have limited effectiveness, or change in effectiveness over time in our bodies.

Natural products for allergies have a more balanced approach, helping to calm down the overactive immune response to pollen and seasonal allergens naturally. One of the most effective supplements to do just that is quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant compound found in many fruits and vegetables like onions, apples, and berries. Quercetin supplements have been shown in studies to be effective in reducing allergy symptoms by not only inhibiting our body’s overactive release of histamine, but also in decreasing other inflammatory compounds produced in the body as a response to allergens. Quercetin is also a potent antioxidant, which offers further benefits to the body.

One quercetin supplement we especially recommend for allergy season is called Quercetin Nettle by Mt. Angel. It combines a high dose of quercetin along with a pineapple enzyme called bromelain that helps with reducing inflammation in the body as well as stinging nettle, an herb that has long been used for allergy symptoms. This specific product by Mt. Angel was formulated based on research published by the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon for seasonal allergies, and we have a lot of customers who have used it with good results.

Another idea is to try some raw, local honey. The idea of using local honey is almost like a pollen inoculation, that you’re ingesting honey made from the flowers in our local area which will hopefully make your body freak out less when you encounter spring pollen made from those same plants. Plus, who doesn’t love honey?  Also, buying local honey supports local beekeepers, which is a great thing to do, especially in 2021, regardless of allergies or not!  We support two different local beekeeping families at Pass Health Foods, and we’ve just gotten in more 16 oz. jars of raw, unprocessed honey sourced from wildflower fields in Homer Glen.

A Great New Supplement for Stress & Anxiety

I have a great new recommendation for a brand new Solgar product we’ve brought in called Stress & Anxiety Relief. As you may have guessed from the name, it really does help with stress and anxiety. The main ingredient is ashwaganda, which is an herb I definitely believe in that I’ve written about before, but this new product is a high potency extract, so where a person would have in the past had to take two pills a day to get the recommended amounts of ashwaganda, this new formula by Solgar only needs one a day.

We got a sample bottle in advance before bringing the product in the store, and my husband has been taking it every day and has said how much he likes it (which is saying something, since I’m constantly bringing home stuff for him to try).

In addition to helping with reducing stress, ashwaganda can also help with improving mental function and has even shown benefit in several preliminary studies for helping to prevent several different neurodegenerative diseases.

Solgar’s Stress & Anxiety Relief also contains saffron extract which can help with reducing stress and boosting mood. The amount of saffron extract in this Stress & Anxiety Relief formula has been found to have similar benefits to three different prescription antidepressants: Fluoxetine, Imipramine, and Citalopram (you can click on the individual names to find links to the specific research studies).

It’s a great new supplement and I especially love that it contains the recommended amounts confirmed by research studies in just one pill. Our new Stress & Anxiety Relief formula is on sale for 25% off every day!

Bilberry and Cataract Prevention

Bilberries are small berries native to Europe related to blueberries that have been used for many years for eye health.

My dad was the first to tell me about bilberry and its benefit for cataracts. He read about an Italian study on bilberry being beneficial for cataracts that really impressed him. The article he read was a small-scale study with people who had been diagnosed with early-stage cataracts that were given bilberry extract daily, the article reported that almost all of those in the study found that bilberry stopped the growth of their cataracts.

He’s been taking bilberry ever since (at least over a year) and he says he is sure that it’s helped, and that he even feels like his eyesight has even gotten better.

Other animal studies have also shown the benefit of bilberry for reducing the progression of cataracts as well as macular degeneration, with impressive results.

Bilberries are full of potent antioxidants that can help to combat oxidative damage in the body and are especially beneficial to the eyes, showing benefit for cataracts, macular degeneration, and even diabetic retinopathy- an eye condition that is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the eyes. Bilberries can also help with reducing inflammation throughout the body, and are also used to help with IBS, ulcerative colitis, and even to improve brain function.

My dad has been using Solaray’s One Daily Guaranteed Potency Bilberry every day and has been really happy with it, and that’s the one we recommend as well since it’s the strongest bilberry extract available per pill.

Buy One, Get One Free Deals!

I want to highlight a group of products, since I think they’re a really great value. We’ve had a few two packs by Natural Factors for a while, but we’ve expanded our selection to all the two packs they have available. The two packs are so great because they’re a buy one, get one free pack, so basically you’re getting two bottles for the price of one! It’s a great value for a great product, and makes a number of supplements that we carry a lot more affordable.

Also, please let me say that just because these two packs by Natural Factors are a good price, it doesn’t not mean that they are not a quality product. We don’t carry anything in the store that isn’t top quality, and in fact, all of our Natural Factors supplements are certified by ISURA, a Canadian supplement verification certification that insures that all products are tested for potency, purity, and are free from any adulterants and are accurately labeled (there have been lots of problems with less reputable brands saying one thing on the label, but when tested not having potencies anywhere near what it says on the bottle).

We have the buy one, get one free bottles in quite a few supplements: CoQ10, Ubiquinol, Vitamin D, Cranberry, Milk Thistle, B12 and more. I take a few of their supplements regularly and am really happy with them. Stop by the store and see our selection and maybe save a few dollars!

Worries about the Coronavirus Vaccine

Dear Carolyn,

What do you think about the coronavirus vaccine?  I am kind of nervous about getting it.

Thanks, John

Dear John,

It’s completely understandable to be nervous about the new coronavirus vaccines, especially for people who generally don’t take medications. There are several things about the vaccine, however, that I feel can help allay those fears.

The two main vaccines we have available, those by Moderna and Pfizer, are known as mRNA vaccines, which are different from the vaccines we have had in the past. Most vaccines that we’re familiar with use dead or inactivated viruses in a vaccine to help our body to be able to fight off that same virus if we encounter it.

These new mRNA vaccines are not made like that, and don’t contain any virus particles. Instead, they help our immune system to be able to recognize a special protein that is on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine works by creating that protein in our body, which the immune system can then recognize as something that doesn’t belong and can mount a defense against it. Then later, if we do encounter the coronavirus, our immune system right away can recognize the virus and will already have the tools to fight it off. After getting the vaccine, and after the body makes that special protein, the vaccine is broken down- it doesn’t stay in the body, the only thing is does it to make a small amount of that special protein that’s found on the outside of the coronavirus so our body is ready and has the tools to prevent infections if it sees the COVID-19 virus.

Something else that’s important to know, is that while these specific vaccines were developed relatively quickly, this mRNA technology has actually been in the works for nearly thirty years, and is a really exciting development to make new vaccines and therapies for illnesses that have had no cure, and is right now being worked on for a possible therapy or even a vaccine for cancer, MS, HIV, and more. Science is amazing, and I’m grateful to those researchers who have dedicated their lives to helping to reduce human suffering.

The other thing to think of is that the coronavirus is no joke. If a new vaccine came out for the common cold, I’d be impressed, but I wouldn’t sign up right away, since while a cold is annoying, it’s not life threatening. COVID and this pandemic are completely different. So many people have died, and for those who recover, many can experience long term damage to the lungs, heart, and more. So I feel like any possible risk of the vaccine is overshadowed by the very real threat that the coronavirus poses. Also remember, by this point millions and millions of people have received the vaccine without a problem.

Additionally, there have been concerns in the past about some vaccines containing thimerosal or mercury, though neither the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine contain those or any other preservatives (which may be part of the reason it needs to be stored in sub zero temperatures). I just wanted to mention it, since I know thimerosal has been an issue for some.

COVID-19 has literally stopped normal life. These vaccines are the way for things to get back to normal. We can’t live like this forever, and the more people that get vaccinated, the faster we can return to our lives, and in doing so, many lives will be saved as well. Getting the vaccine is also an act of service in a way, since it is us doing our part to help to reduce the spread, reduce infections, and make things better.

Another thing the vaccine can help with is preventing mutations. Mutations in the coronavirus are a real problem, since a mutation in the virus can change it to make it more contagious or even more deadly. The more people that are vaccinated, the fewer amount of people will be infected, which means that the virus will have less of a chance to mutate.

Virus types like COVID-19 are known for their ability to mutate, just like how the flu does. There are concerns about vaccine effectiveness with these new mutations, and some wonder if it’s even worth it to get vaccinated since there are new virus strains evolving. The good news is the vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer have such a high rate of effectiveness against the coronavirus (both are around 95% effective against the original virus), that even a modest decrease in that effectiveness gives a positive outcome.

When the vaccines were still being developed, health experts were hoping for a vaccine that would be around 80% effective. Thankfully, the vaccines that were developed were a lot better than that, so even a lowering of effectiveness for possible new strains still leaves us in decent shape. Additionally, researchers are working on possible boosters for emerging strains to offer added protection. There’s still a lot we don’t know. It might be that every year we might have to get a booster shot to stay protected. Some researchers have speculated that over time, maybe in a decade, the coronavirus might still be around but with developed immunity may become a form that causes only mild illness, like the common cold; only time will tell.

I completely understand the anxiety about getting the vaccine, though I believe it’s the right thing to do, and I also think there is a lot of misinformation going around regarding the vaccine, which doesn’t help.

Hopefully this article has explained things a bit, and I hope might make someone a little less fearful of getting vaccinated. We need life to get back to normal, beyond just the selfish reasons of how I’d like to go to a restaurant or a play without worrying; there are real problems this pandemic has caused, for children who can’t be in school, for nursing home and older family members who are feeling more isolated than ever, and for the unprecedented rise in mental health issues that many people are experiencing. We need our regular lives back, and realistically, that is not going to happen without the vast majority of people getting vaccinated.

I know I usually write about supplements, so this is a departure from the norm, but when I saw this question I thought it was worth responding to. We do have lots of great supplements for the immune system at the store, and definitely recommend that everyone take a quality vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C supplement right now (there are others of course, but I’d say those are the big three). Stop by Pass Health Foods if we can answer any questions for you, we love helping people find natural products that can help a person’s specific needs.

Carolyn Johnson is one of the owners at Pass Health Foods at 7228 W. College Drive. Feel free to stop by the store for more information or advice, or look on our website at www.passhealthfoods.com. Pass Health Foods has a very kind and knowledgeable staff.

This column 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. If you’d like to submit a question for an upcoming column, email us at passhealthfoods@gmail.com and put Healthy Answers in the subject line. Be well!

Researched backed supplements for migraines

At Pass Health Foods, we are not against doctors or conventional medicine. I’d been experiencing an increase in migraines, and finally went to a doctor about it. I was diagnosed with chronic migraines and was given three prescriptions. While I am not against pharmaceuticals when needed, when I did some research on the migraine prescriptions, I was nervous about some of the side effects. One of the drugs had a frequent side effect of confusion and memory loss, which obviously worried me, so I decided to try an intensive supplement regimen to see if I could make things better before resorting to the medications since I was really nervous about the side effects.

The doctor recommended taking 400mg of vitamin B2 and magnesium glycinate. I had been taking magnesium in a different form, but switched to magnesium glycinate, and also added B2 (one 300mg pill and one 100mg B-Complex). I also began going over any research studies involving migraines, and added several other supplements that had been shown to help, which I’ll list below. It’s a long list, which might be excessive for some, but I wanted to share it since after a few weeks, my migraine frequency was extremely reduced, and I was very happy with the results.

Everyone is different, and just because I had luck with the supplements below doesn’t mean they’re a cure all, but they are supplements that have shown benefit for migraine in research studies. I think the high dose B2 supplement and magnesium glycinate are the most important, but I think the others have helped me as well.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 400mg

I’d recommend doing one 300mg pill of B2 and then a B-100 complex as well since B vitamins are best absorbed when they’re taken together. If you choose this route, take the B complex at a slightly different time than the B2 for maximum absorption (your body can only absorb so much of one thing at a time). Taking high doses of B vitamins has the odd side effect of making your urine bright yellow, FYI.

Magnesium Glycinate 400mg

Magnesium glycinate is a very well absorbing form of magnesium. It’s been found in research that most American’s diets are magnesium deficient, so supplementing is especially beneficial. In addition to migraine and headache prevention, magnesium is also useful for bone health and calcium absorption.

CoQ10 200mg

CoQ10 is most commonly used for heart health, but has also been shown beneficial for migraines. The studies actually used 150mg of CoQ10, but since it’s usually available in 100mg increments, I just take 200mg instead. CoQ10 is best absorbed when taken with food.

5-HTP 200mg

5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an amino acid that boosts serotonin in the brain and is most commonly used as a natural mood booster, though there is some research that it can also help with migraine prevention since low serotonin levels are linked to an increase in migraines. Do not use 5-HTP when on prescription anti-depressants since it works similarly to classes of anti-depressants known as SSRIs and can cause an excess of serotonin which can be detrimental. For best absorption, 5-HTP should be taken with food.

Melatonin 3mg

Melatonin is most commonly used as a sleep supplement, but there is some research linking it to migraine prevention. Interestingly, new research has also come out showing melatonin possibly being beneficial as a preventative for COVID-19, so it’s not a bad thing to take. Melatonin should be taken about 30 minutes before bedtime for maximum effectiveness.

Vitamin D3 2,000IUs

We’d recommend vitamin D for everyone since it’s so great for the immune system and for bone health, especially during the winter since we’d outside so much less. Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin since it is made in the body when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Research has also found that vitamin D can help with headache and migraine prevention, so it’s definitely a great supplement to take, and should be taken with food for best absorption.

This is a long list of supplements, and generally, we recommend taking just a couple of new supplements at a time so you can see what’s really helping, though it’s not bad to start a new regimen either (as long as you stick with it). For migraine prevention, we’d recommend using them for several weeks (most studies are usually 6-12 weeks) to see the full benefits, though personally, I feel like I saw relief faster than that.

Probiotics for Disease Prevention [New Research]

I wanted to briefly write about probiotics since in the past few months, numerous new studies have come out showing previously unknown benefits of probiotics for disease prevention. I’ll link a few of the articles below:

New research underscores the link between multiple sclerosis and the gut microbiome

Gut bacteria trigger immune defense mechanism to protect against viral infections

Gut microbiome link to deadly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Study offers "indisputable" link between Alzheimer's and gut microbiome

Microbiome study could change the way doctors diagnose depression

We don’t often think of our digestive system unless it’s giving us trouble, and then usually we’re just looking for a fix for those symptoms, but our digestive system and specifically our body’s unique microbiome (or the trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that live in our digestive tract) affect our health far beyond our stomach.

A healthy balance and variety of good bacteria in the body is incredibly important for overall health, but it’s easy to be ignored since many people can take probiotics and not feel very different. Part of the benefit of probiotics are more overreaching, affecting our health long term for the better. It’s similar to giving a car an oil change- generally, the car doesn’t drive very differently after having one done, but it’s important to keep the vehicle running properly in the long run.

We have lots of great supplements at the store, which have benefits for an assortment of issues, but realistically a person can’t take 100 pills a day. So as you choose the supplements that are most important to your personal health, we’d really recommend adding (or continuing to take) a quality probiotic with a variety of well-researched strains. Stop by the store because we’d love to help you choose the product that’s best for you. A favorite of mine are Solaray’s line of refrigerated Mycrobiome probiotics. They have specific formulas for a variety of needs including a women’s probiotic, a 50+ formula, and one specifically for colon health. I like them because in addition to being high potency products with a variety of effective probiotic strains, they also contain prebiotics, which help the good bacteria in your digestive tract and in the supplements you take to flourish.