Health Chek Medical Tests at Pass Health Foods

Beginning this month, Health Chek will be at the store the first Wednesday of the month from 10-11. You must register in advance with Health Chek. See below for more info:

This is a new service we're offering because we think people would benefit from it. Our friends at Southtown Health Foods have been having Health Chek come to their store for years, so we feel like they are reputable and trust them.  

Health Chek is a mobile service that offers medical tests (primarily blood test labs) for a wide variety of health issues. They list the prices for each specific medical test in advance on their website, and there are no hidden fees. You do not need a referral, and the medical results are private and sent only to you specifically (though you can choose for results to be sent to your physician). 

To make an appointment, you need to do it through Health Chek by calling them at 219-322-7041, and payment is taken at the time of the test through Health Chek (they said they take cash, check, or credit card). They offer hundreds of tests, and have them listed on their website with the prices. The costs listed are the prices you pay if you want a test. There are no additional fees (which we like, so you know what the true prices are). Also, each month they have specials on certain tests (which are listed in advance on their website). 

Again, we are not affiliated with Health Chek, and we don't receive any money from them, we just thought it was a nice thing to offer since we think it could definitely benefit some of our customers who may not have a regular physician that they see, but still want to get a blood test or health test (which we always think is a good idea).

See this flyer on their website for more information.

 

Additionally, if you have a primary care physician and insurance, some of these tests may be available to you for free or a discounted rate through your doctor. Health Chek does not go through insurance, and requires payment for tests at the time of service (which can also be an advantage in some ways since you can choose whichever medical tests you may want to get, without having to get approval or a referral).

Appointments need to be made in advance. Health Chek will be at the store each month on the first Wednesday.

Note: the tests will be done in a private area at the store away from any customers.

Again, we are not affiliated with Health Chek, but we feel it is a service some of our customers would find value in.

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Help for Dry Eyes (Beyond Eye Drops)

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This month I wanted to write about dry eyes. Chronic dry eyes are a problem that millions of American adults suffer from, though it seems to become more even more prevalent as we age (interestingly, for whatever reason it seems to affect more women than men). Dry eyes can go from feeling a little uncomfortable to making you absolutely miserable, so I wanted to share some natural things that we think may help. When I had Covid this past spring, one of my weird symptoms was eye dryness, and it was absolutely terrible, so I feel like I have a new understanding for people who deal with eye dryness on a regular basis.

Most people use eye drops for eye dryness, and while that’s not a bad thing, it’s not really fixing the problem other than for the short period of time after you put the eye drops in- plus carrying eye drops everywhere you go is certainly a hassle. If you’re looking for an eye drop, there is one we would recommend in particular- Brite Eyes by Life Extention. I like them because in addition to lubricating the eye, they also contain the antioxidant amino acid N-acetyl-carnosine. The addition of this antioxidant in eye drops has been linked to benefits to vision and corneal health since that unique amino acid appears to be able to actually penetrate into the cornea to confer antioxidant benefits. There have been two small studies with extremely positive results, showing benefits for visual acuity, glare sensitivity, and cataract prevention for the vast majority of participants. The studies were so positive that many researchers are skeptical of the results and recommend further study, but to date it doesn’t seem like any further studies have been preformed. Still, even if the N-acetyl-carnosine eye drops aren’t as miraculous as reported in the two trials that were done, they aren’t harmful, so I think they might be a good thing to try (with any supplement, it’s good to give it a bit of time to see results- most studies that are done range from four to twelve weeks).

There are a few different prescriptions available for dry eyes, but most people look for a non-prescription solution first, which is always a good idea. I wanted to share about a new natural product I’ve been reading about that seems to have really positive results for helping people with dry eyes- the extract of a berry native to Chile and Argentina called the maqui berry (pronounced “muh-kee” with the emphasis on the “kee” sound in case you were interested). In research, maqui berry extract taken in a capsule form was able to naturally boost the body’s own tear production, and showed a really impressive improvement in the participant’s dry eye symptoms, with benefits seen after one month but continuing with even better results after two months of use.

One study gave participants quizzes where they rated their symptoms of dry eyes and quality of life, and the people who used the maqui berry supplements had a 72% improvement in their dry eye symptoms after two months. Another study measured the amount of tear fluid in the participant’s eyes, and after using the maqui supplements for just four weeks had a 89% increase in their production of tear fluid (people affected by dry eyes have been shown to have significantly reduced tear production).

We have a supplement containing the amount used in both studies at Pass Health Foods in Palos Heights called Eye Moisturize by the local brand Now Foods. The studies on the extract are pretty impressive, so I’d say it’s definitely worth trying if you or someone you know suffers from dry eyes. Plus, early results were seen in four weeks, so it’s not something that needs to be taken for ages without seeing a benefit, which is nice.

A few other recommendations we’d have for dry eyes are to try to blink more. Studies have found that we blink less when we’re looking at electronic devices, so that’s something to keep in mind. One guideline says to close your eyes for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes that you’re at a computer or other device, which is a good idea. Using a warm compress on the eyes may also help as well as being sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.

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Back to School Help for Stress and Anxiety

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August means back to school (which personally is depressing to me, because when I went to school, school started in September, but I digress). I'm really hoping this year will be a little more normal than last year, which is actually the same thing I said last August I think.    

Still, any year can be a cause of anxiety and stress for kids of all ages, so if your child, teen, or college students are having a tough time looking ahead to the start of school, we do have some supplements that can help.

The one we would recommend above all others is theanine, an amino acid from green tea which is great for helping to reduce stress and anxiety without making you feel tired or spacey- in fact, it can even help with increasing focus and concentration. We have it available in capsules or great tasting gummies, and it’s something that we’ve had customers with kids of all ages have good results with.

Additionally, we’d recommend omega 3s for students of all ages to help with overall brain function and focus. Omegas 3s are called essential fatty acids because they must be obtained through either food or supplements, and most kids and teens realistically aren’t eating salmon multiple times a week. If you’re not getting Omega 3s through the foods you eat (primarily fatty fish), it’s likely you’re deficient. 

Research has linked low levels of Omega 3s with an increase in depression and attention problems. We even have vegetarian forms of Omega 3s since vegetarians are at an even higher risk of fatty acid deficiency. Stop in the store and we can help find the right supplement for you and the kids in your life.

Stop by and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights so we can help you to find the supplement that’s right for you!

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Let's all stay healthy!

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I was trying to save writing an article about keeping healthy and the immune system for closer to the fall, since I feel like that's usually when people get sick versus in the summer, but it seems like lately there are so many people coming down with Covid, I wanted to do an article for this month's newsletter.

I'd say things are definitely better than they were, and maybe this is just the new normal. Today it seems, for most people that Covid isn't horribly serious (thankfully!), although it's not great. When I had Covid this spring, it was over two weeks before I was back to normal, and it was pretty miserable. We still have people who come into the store on a regular basis complaining of symptoms that have lasted for months, especially loss of taste or smell, so doing what we can to give ourselves the best chance of staying healthy definitely seems like a good idea.

Fortunately, there are supplements that we feel can really make a difference in the battle to stay healthy, especially as we get closer to autumn and with school starting.

The top supplement we'd probably recommend is quercetin, a plant compound found in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables. Quercetin is a potent antioxidant and in the past has been a supplement frequently taken for allergies to reduce histamine levels.

The reason we'd recommend quercetin now for staying healthy is that it helps the immune system in a way unique to other supplements. Research has shown that quercetin helps to prevent viruses from being able to enter and infect cells as well as slowing viral replication, and has been studied with a number of different serious viruses with good results. Our immune system being able to overcome viruses (whether it’s Covid, flu, or just a cold) is the only way we stay healthy, and slowing the rate that a virus can proliferate in your body can make it easier to fight off.

Quercetin works by giving your immune system a better chance of stopping an infection before we even know we have it.

I definitely believe in quercetin, though recent research has shown that it can be somewhat difficult for the body to absorb and utilize, so we’ve found a new quercetin supplement by Natural Factors that is significantly better absorbed (up to 10 times more than regular quercetin supplements) since it uses a patent pending technology to make the quercetin into micro-droplets suspended in a liquid softgel to enhance absorption. I’ve switched my quercetin to this new liquid form, and would definitely recommend that everyone else do so as well.

In addition to quercetin, we’d also say adding zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C to your daily regimen would be a good idea.

Interestingly, it’s been found that vitamin C increases the effectiveness of quercetin and vice versa, so it's a smart idea to take those two supplements together. Vitamin C helps to enhance the functioning of the white blood cells of our immune system, which are the first line of defense against bacteria or viruses that enter our body. We particularly recommend the Ester C form of the vitamin since it’s gentle on the stomach and stays at work longer in our cells than regular vitamin C. Most people aren’t getting enough vitamin C in their diets through fresh fruits, so supplemental vitamin C can help to fill in that gap.

Vitamin D is also great for the immune system. It’s made in our body when our skin is exposed to sunlight. I’m out in the sun a lot in the summer, so I usually stop taking vitamin D supplements when it’s hot out, but if you aren’t outside very much it’s probably a good idea to supplement with vitamin D, especially as we get closer to fall. Additionally, even though it’s made in our skin, wearing sunscreen or having a darker skin tone can make it harder for the body to make vitamin D, so those are also things to consider. Research on Covid patients has found that people who had the lowest levels of vitamin D levels had much more severe illness, which no one wants, so supplementing is a simple way to keep yourself healthy (it’s a tiny, inexpensive pill). Vitamin D is also helpful for bones and calcium absorption, so it’s always a favorite supplement of ours.

The last in our list of top recommended immune supplements is zinc. Zinc is also a tiny, inexpensive pill, and it’s been found that most people aren’t getting nearly enough zinc in their diets. Zinc has been shown in research to have a protective effect against respiratory viruses but it also appears to have a regulating effect on the immune system, helping to prevent inflammation and also helping the body’s response to infection.

None of these are new supplements (with the exception of the new form of quercetin), and they’re the same supplements that we’ve been recommending through this entire crazy time, but now is probably a good idea to start a supplement regimen if you’re gotten out of the habit.

We currently have the new liquid gel quercetin, Ester C, and Vitamin D on sale at the store, so it’s a good time to stock up for fall and winter.

Stop by and see us at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights so we can help you find the supplements that are right for you! We have a kind and knowledgeable staff to help with any questions you may have.

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Organic Wine Tasting- July 9th

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We’ve had many customers request it, so we will be having another large organic wine tasting at the store on Saturday, July 9th from 11-3. We will be focusing primarily on white and rose wines for summer, but should have a couple reds to sample as well. Please be sure to mark your calendars, it should be a nice time and a good way to taste a variety of organic wines from around the world.

We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, I hope we see you there!

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Furry Friends and the 4th

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The fireworks on the 4th (and 3rd of July in Palos Heights) are wonderful to watch, but for many pets it can be a rough time. We have two products I wanted to recommend that we think can really help pets to feel calmer during the holiday.

The first is Vital Planet Calm for Pets. They’re soft chews with relaxing supplements that are safe for pets that can help them to feel less stressed and anxious. The nice thing about these treats is that they don’t need to be used daily for them to be effective; they can be used as needed and can really make a difference.

Another long time favorite is our Green Gorilla CBD for Pets (in liquid or lamb dog treats). They’re best known for pain relief for older dogs, but just like how CBD can help with stress and anxiety in humans, it can also help pets to feel relaxed and less stressed.

Stop in the store before the 4th (we’ll be closed on Monday for the holiday) to pick something up for your pet that can help them get through what might be a stressful time for them.

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Benefits of Saffron for Eyes and More [New Research]

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Saffron is a spice with a long history, and has been used since the time of Ancient Greece (some sources say it was even used before then). It’s collected from the small golden stigmas from the inside of the autumn crocus flower. At various times in history, the spice was worth its weight in gold! It’s been used as a perfume, in cooking and baking, and medicinally for thousands of years.

Saffron is still used in various recipes that we eat today, but beyond food, research has found several health benefits from using saffron extracts- two of the benefits I’ve been most impressed with are its uses for boosting mood and also for the eyes.

Saffron has been used by many for general eye health for a long time. Just this past month, however, I came across a couple studies that really surprised me, and convinced me to start taking saffron daily.

There are many supplements that can help to preserve eyesight and prevent vision problems, but I had not come across anything that had been found to actually improve eyesight, but that is what the two studies I read about were saying about saffron.

One of the studies found that participants who took 20mg of saffron were able to improve the light sensing cells in their eye’s retina in people with early age related macular degeneration, and that after three months of taking saffron were able to read one entire additional line on an eye chart! I have terrible eyesight, so I know how significant being able to read one more line on an eye chart is. Even more impressively, the scientists tested the long term benefits of saffron, and found that after an average of 14 months, those patients with early macular degeneration were able to read two lines further on an eye chart than they had at the beginning of the study.

The amounts used in the study were a normal dose of saffron that could be found in one pill- I mention that because some studies use amounts of a supplement in unrealistic doses that most people would not be able to take without swallowing handfuls of pills.

Age related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50. Other supplements beneficial for eye health and macular degeneration are lutein and zeaxanthin. I wouldn’t recommend stopping those supplements in favor of saffron, but would suggest adding saffron to your daily regimen.

Another impressive benefit that scientists have found of saffron is its benefit for mood and for helping mild to moderate depression. An analysis of 12 studies on saffron and depression found saffron to be significantly more effective that a placebo and as effective as synthetic antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. For boosting mood, a typical dose is around 30mg of saffron per day, and in most people results were seen after about six weeks, though benefits may be felt sooner.

Saffron is a potent antioxidant with a long safety record, so I’d definitely recommend giving it a try. We have saffron available in supplement form at Pass Health Foods by itself, or in a product with ashwaganda- another herb that has been used for thousands of years that has many benefits- particularly for stress and anxiety. The product with saffron and ashwaganda is by the brand Solgar, called Stress & Anxiety Relief. That’s the one I’ve been using, since it has the daily recommended amounts of both saffron and ashwaganda in one tablet. Since it’s one we really recommend, we have it on sale for 25% off every day.

 

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The Benefits of a Daily Multivitamin

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I wanted to write about multivitamins since I’ve seen a several interesting studies about them lately. I know a lot of people take individual vitamins rather than a multi, but there’s definitely something to be said about making sure you’re getting the recommended amount of all the vitamins and minerals, since realistically, it’s likely that you’re missing something- particularly if you have a special diet like people who are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, or vegetarian, or kids (and adults!) that are picky eaters.

Most research looks at people who take multivitamins long term, rather than just a few weeks.

One study, found in our May issue of Remedies Magazine (which we always have for free at the store) found that taking a multivitamin for 21 days out of the month “virtually eliminated inadequacies of B6, B12, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D”. The researchers wrote, “Adequate intake of micronutrients (vitamins and nutritionally essential minerals) is required for nearly all metabolic, developmental, and growth processes, and for good health across the lifespan.”

Many Americans are deficient in vitamins and minerals needed for daily health. Also, it’s important to note that the study above was talking about vitamin and mineral inadequacies, not severe deficiencies. If you’re severely deficient in a specific vitamin (vitamin D or iron for example, which are determined from blood tests), it’s likely you will need a higher dose that what is typically found in a multivitamin, and in that case we would probably recommend taking that supplement separately to be able to get a adequate dose to help correct a deficiency (please stop by the store for more specific info, since everyone’s nutritional needs are different).

One problem many people have with regard to diet is eating lots of high-calorie foods that are low in nutrients. A"junk food" diet high in fast food, soda, chips, and sweets gives us plenty of calories, but those foods are generally very low in the vitamins and minerals needed for our bodies to function properly. A multivitamin doesn't replace a healthy diet, but it can help to replace the nutrients that may be missing from the foods you eat.

Another recent study on vitamins linked vitamin C and E supplementation to a 38% lower adjusted risk for all cause dementia and a 40% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The supplement group also had a 23% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment without dementia.

Additionally, daily folic acid supplementation (a B vitamin found in multivitamins) helps to prevent birth defects in women of childbearing age. Almost half of all pregnancies are in women who weren’t specifically trying to get pregnant, so a daily multivitamin helps to check that box, just in case.

Another study I’ve read recently linked multivitamin use to a lower incidence of illness and infection, where the multivitamin users had a lower rate of illness and they missed fewer days of work or school compared to people who didn’t use multivitamins.

 

Each of the vitamins and minerals found in a multi have specific benefits, especially when taken on a regular basis. It’s not realistic to take each of the vitamins and minerals in a multivitamin separately, so a multi is a good way to go. We have a great selection of high-quality, food-based multivitamins at the store at reasonable prices, so please stop by this month so we can help find the supplement that’s right for you.

Finally, I just wanted to say that not all supplements are created equal, and that many common multivitamins and supplements found at grocery and discount stores are made of synthetic vitamins which are cheaper but not as well absorbed. A multivitamin is not a substitute for a healthy diet, but we’d definitely say it’s a good idea. We are very knowledgeable about supplements and are happy to answer any questions you may have, so please come by the store and see us. Is it the end of the world to not take a multivitamin?  No, but we’d say there are definite benefits to taking one!

 

Pass Health Foods is located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights and this year we’re celebrating 27 years in business as a small, independent, women owned business!

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Our Favorite Spring Wines

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Now that spring has sprung, I wanted to mention some wonderful organic white wines we carry that are perfect for heralding in the spring season or for Easter get togethers!

Organic Grüner Veltliner

This is one of my favorite wines that completely embodies spring. It’s a light, fresh, crisp wine that’s only made in Austria, pronounced “Grooner Velt Liner”. We definitely recommend giving it a try, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! It’s organic and vegan for $13.99 a bottle.

 

Organic Moscato Spumante Dolce

This is such a nice, celebratory wine from Italy. Everyone I know who’s tried it has loved it, even people who don’t consider themselves wine drinkers. It’s a sweet, sparkling wine that’s absolutely delicious and perfect for a spring brunch or lunch (or just for enjoying the mild spring weather on your back porch) and is $13.99 a bottle.

 

 

Organic Prosecco

This is a wonderful, dry sparkling wine that’s perfect for mimosas! Prosecco and Champagne can be used interchangeably, since it’s just about where the grapes were grown- Champagne comes from the region of Champagne, France, whereas Prosecco is a sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy. We have two varieties of Prosecco at the store- one that is organic, sulfite free, and vegan for $16.99 and another that is organic and vegan for $12.99. Both are great celebratory wines perfect for an Easter brunch!

 

 

Organic “Slightly Sweet and Shameless” White

This organic white wine blend is made by Stellar Organics, a winery in South Africa. All of their wines are organic, sulfite free, vegan, and fair trade. This wine blend is lightly sweet, crisp and fruity and is a customer favorite for $10.99 a bottle

 

 

Organic Sun & Rain Chardonnay

This delicious Chardonnay is USDA certified organic, vegan, and sulfite free. It’s sourced from the Mendocino region of California and is a lighter Chardonnay that doesn’t have the heavy oak and buttery flavors some varieties have, making it an easy drinking white wine that’s perfect for spring and is $12.99 a bottle.

 

 

Organic Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay

We’ve had many requests for an organic, non-alcoholic wine, so we were happy we found this delicious alcohol-free wine from the South of France. It’s a wonderful wine that’s crisp and fresh and is a nice option for people who choose to abstain from drinking alcohol for $14.99 a bottle.

 

 

We have many more wonderful organic wines at the store, as well as local craft ciders and organic craft beer, so be sure to stop by.

We have the largest selection of organic wines of anywhere else in the area.

See our entire organic wine catalog here:
White Wines | Red Wines