Autor: Hasen Chat

I’ve only recently been introduced to OPC nutritional supplements. They’ve been around for over 50 years – why haven’t I heard of them before? From what I’ve been reading, they sound like the next great frontier in anti-aging nutritional supplements.

If you are new to OPCs, here is a brief synopsis: OPC stands for oligomeric proanthocyanidins and is a molecular compound that is extracted from pine bark and grape seeds. Jacques Masquelier from France received the patent for the pine bark extraction in 1951 and then from grape seeds in 1970. In 1985, he got a US patent for his OPC.

Why should you care about the history of OPCs? Because whenever a good thing is discovered, there are always new products developed that claim to be the same thing, but really aren’t. More about that later.

As expected with any research on nutritional supplements, there are widely conflicting reports on what OPCs can do. Here is a list of some of the claims I read:

Prevents heart attacks and strokes
Strengthens capillary walls
Reduces varicose veins
Relieves leg cramps & pains
Protects smokers from oxidative stress (lowered risk of heart attacks)
Reduces swelling and edema
Improves collagen and helps with the following ailments
Lupus
Liver Cirrhosis
Hypertension
Cancer prevention
Asthma
Allergies
Diabetes
Periodontal disease
Impotence
Hemorrhoids
Impaired vision & macular degeneration
ADHD
PMS symptoms

Seriously, can it REALLY do all that? How come everyone isn’t taking this miracle supplement? Here’s what the sources DO agree on:

OPCs are powerful antioxidants.
There is plenty of debate on the health benefits of antioxidants. I won’t go into that here. If you believe in antioxidants to help combat the damage of free radicals, then OPCs should be on your shopping list of nutritional supplements. This is one supplement you’ll have to pop the pill for. I doubt you can eat enough pine bark and grape seeds to get the full benefit of OPCs.

Varicose Veins
They seem to provide relief from problems associated with varicose veins. This was one study that seemed pretty conclusive.

Swelling from surgery or injury
OPCs seemed to reduce the swelling from surgery in breast cancer patients, facial surgery patients and sports injuries. You can see the possibilities here.

Gingivitis and plaque formation
They used an OPC gum for this study, but it seemed to work pretty well on the test subjects.

Blood clots after long plane rides
They found it significantly reduced the risk of blood clots on plane rides around 8 hours long.

What about all the other claims? Although testing has been done on many of the claims, sometimes the results were in animal studies or evidence SUGGESTS that a benefit may be there but there is no DIRECT evidence. So does that mean it doesn’t work on all those other claims? Not at all. Medical testing is a slow and arduous task. As with all supplementation, proceed with caution and follow directions for use.

Are they safe? Apparently, yes. They are considered non-toxic. Side effects are pretty rare and can include digestive distress or an allergic reaction. One thing to note: if you take a blood-thinning drug, you should consult your doctor first. High doses of OPCs may have some anticoagulant properties.

Are all OPCs the same? Apparently not, although that doesn’t mean you won’t get some benefit from the various brands of OPCs. I would suggest you look for OPCs endorsed by or with Masquelier’s name on them. It is a patented product, so you should be using the original patented formula. Currently there are several places on the internet to find them. See the website below for sources.

The internet, a relatively new invention, presents us with new ways to make the purchases of items we need. Another relatively new craze would have to be the world’s obsession with health supplements. In an increasingly health-aware society, there are many easy options out there to help keep your health robust. Many of them are offered online, and here is a quick primer on some of the online health supplements offered:

Coral calcium: This supplement is a great choice to help your body develop properly. You probably know that your body needs calcium to maintain its bones and teeth, but most people don’t realize that you need a certain level of calcium in your bloodstream as well. If you don’t keep replenishing this calcium, your body will begin to sap the calcium from your bones and teeth to maintain the level in your blood. This can result in bone and teeth shrinkage, and can make them brittle and cause movements to be painful.

Coral calcium is a source of calcium that surpasses most of the others in terms of absorption and lack of side-effects. Available in online health supplements, coral calcium can be a great buy.

DMAE: A substance that can be found in high concentrations in anchovies and sardines. In addition, the human brain also produces a trace amount of DMAE. Throughout the years, it has been widely acclaimed that this wonderful nutrient can be of help to those with hyperactivity or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Also, it has been conjectured that DMAE helps to treat memory lapses and Alzheimer’s disease. When this substance is harvested from the bodies of fish, it is purified and concentrated and offered in online health supplements.

Also, it can be very important to get all the vitamins your body needs. On a daily basis, it is important for our body to receive proper levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. These can often be found together in a simple pill form, and there are plenty of online health supplements that offer all of these vitamins and more in a simple format.

Why not check out our nutrition guide at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html

and also what supplement we personally use for our nutrition needs at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html

Nutritional vitamin supplements and vitamin nutritional supplements are among the most important things you can do for the overall health of your mind and body. Taking quality broad-spectrum nutritional vitamin supplements on a regular basis can ensure that your body has enough of the nutrients needed to perform and function the way it’s supposed to.

Since we are now living longer, we want the years to be active ones filled with energy and vitality and free from disease. Ideally, the source of vitamins, minerals and nutrients should be from your diet. However, poor food choices, processed foods, sodas and excess sweets have become the norm for millions. Besides, even with a well-balanced diet, studies find that food nutrient values have been declining for decades because of soil depletion.

Choosing one of the high-quality nutritional vitamin supplements helps fill the ‚gaps‘ in nutrition that everyone has. The ingredients used in vitamin nutritional supplements can be one of two types, either natural or synthetic. Numerous studies have shown that the natural nutritional vitamin supplements have a higher potency than the synthetic ingredients. However, since the synthetic ingredients are cheaper, most manufacturers use synthetic ingredients. It’s no wonder that studies done based on the cheap one-a-day vitamins show that little if any benefits will be obtained using these products.

The essential nutrients that the body requires are extensive and are much more than just vitamins and minerals. High quality daily nutritional vitamin supplements should include amino acids like L-Carnosine, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-Carnitine that provide proven benefits. Other anti-aging nutrients backed by studies that the body needs and will use are antioxidants such as quercetin, bioflavanoids, certain herbal extracts, enzymes to improve the vitamin nutritional supplements absorbability and so on. And these nutrients must be in the correct proportions to each other.

There ARE manufacturers that design and make supplements available online that provide the broad-spectrum nutritional vitamin supplements at reasonable prices. Instead of looking for the cheapest, look for the best value. There is one manufacturer in particular that uses pharmaceutical grade ingredients, many supported by clinical studies and at very reasonable prices. Ingredients are even linked to relevant clinical studies on their website. The ‚delivery‘ system used is called ‚enteric coating‘ which allows absorption to take place in the small intestines instead of the stomach since stomach acids destroy most of the nutrients.

Taking quality vitamin nutritional supplements should be about better health and energy, freedom from illness, improved sexual vigor and slowing the aging process. Learn as much as you can about ways you can help protect yourself from premature aging and the role that nutritional vitamin supplements will have in your health every day. Eat as healthy as you can, stay active, get sufficient quality sleep and keep taking the best nutritional supplements you can find.

From ancient times people have been taking nutritional supplements. They started with natural herbs often home grown which were usually brewed into teas and tonics.

Now they have become more sophisticated and are available in all sorts of pills, capsules, liquids and of course teas of all sorts.

What are nutritional supplements? Nutritional supplements are used to add nutrients to our diets that are missing or not taken in large enough quantities. They are available in pills capsules, liquids and teas. They can be synthetic or from natural sources. They will contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Herbs
• Amino acids
• Saccharides

Why do we need nutritional supplements? These supplements are not intended to replace meals but enhance our diets. There are several reasons that we would be taking them:

• Environment: our environment has deteriorated over the years and we are now getting more toxins from the air, the water and even in the foods we eat, than ever before. Our bodies have to work more to protect and rid ourselves of these unwanted substances. Therefore it is wise for us to take nutritional supplements to help our bodies to do this.

• Stress: Stress will cause your body to function less efficiently. This will put your body at risk for a number of things, especially low resistance for disease. Supplements, especially Glyconutrients will help your bodies immune system get stronger and also help your body function better.

• Poor eating habits: Due to busy lifestyles, our ways of growing food and green harvests we are not getting the important nutrients our bodies need to keep us in good health. We often do not even stop to eat proper meals. This makes it necessary for us to take supplements to enhance our diets and add important nutrients to our diets.

• Athletic activities: when we take more exercise then normal our bodies need more nourishment. A professional athlete or even someone doing extra work outs needs more nutrition. Dietary supplements would include, Proteins, minerals, vitamins and saccharides (Glyconutrients).

• Part of a weight loss plan: when you go on a diet to lose weight you will be eating less and running the risk of not getting enough of the essential nutrients in your diet that your body needs. Therefore you would often be taking some nutritional supplements. Some of these substances even claim to help you to lose weight.

How do they improve your health? Different supplements will help you in different ways.

Glyconutrients: The latest nutritional supplements to come on the market are the saccharides. These are known as Glyconutrients. There are 8 of these essential nutrients:

• Mannose
• Glucose
• Galactose
• Xylose
• Fucose (not fructose)
• N-acetylglucosamine
• N-acetylneuramic acid
• N-acetylgalactosamine

These nutrients have only lately been researched with a technology known as Glycobiology. These nutrients have been shown to be vital to our health especially regarding our immune system and the ability of the body to heal itself.

Ambrotose: is a supplement made up of these Glyconutrients. Taking these supplements will help you to feel healthier and enjoy your life to the fullest.

If you are a person who is interested in eating a balanced diet in order to enjoy a healthy life, you may be contemplating the use of vitamins and nutritional supplements. There are some definite benefits that can be derived from the proper use of vitamin products and nutritional supplements. However, in order to make vitamins and nutritional supplements an effective and appropriate part of an overall health diet program, it is necessary to understand how these products fit within an overall healthy eating regimen.

In reality, before you embark on any diet plan that includes the use of supplements and vitamins it is important for you to obtain and seek medical advice. Each and every year people embark on a diet plan that includes the use of nutritional supplements without first consulting a health care or nutrition specialist. Some of these people end up suffering serious health problems due to a diet plan (which includes supplements) that they embark on without a professional consultation. Of course, in the end, you want to improve your health through the use of nutritional supplements as opposed to causing health problems through the use of such products.

Nutritional supplements (and vitamins) can be utilized as a means of supporting an otherwise healthy eating and exercise program. In simple terms, nutritional supplements can be used to better your overall balanced diet plan on two fronts:

1. Nutritional supplements can be used to fill in some minor nutritional gaps in your overall healthy diet.

2. Nutritional supplements can be used to assist in boosting the effectiveness of your overall healthy diet plan.

As an aside, nutritional supplements can also be utilized to make any companion workout routine more effective. By properly balancing your overall diet, your exercise routine and the proper utilization of nutritional supplements, you will be well on your way to establishing a complete plan for healthy living. Through such a regimented and appropriately crafted program you will enjoy better health and you may be able to add years to your life.

There are a number of different resources that you will want to consider when it comes to making decisions regarding incorporating nutritional supplements into your overall diet plan. You would be well versed in consulting these resources — whether from the brick and mortar world or online — in addition to seeking professional guidance from a doctor or nutrition specialist.

Nutritional supplements refers to a wide range of products that are designed to enhance your health, improve athletic performance, or otherwise affect your physical or mental well being. These can include vitamins, sports supplements, weight loss products, teas, herbs, and anti-oxidants. Nutritional supplements can be found in almost all health food stores and many traditional stores as well.

Throughout history, nutritional supplements have been used to treat a wide range of ailments and to improve health. Many traditional medicines come from what may be considered supplements. Perhaps one of the most common forms of nutritional supplement is the vitamin. Many people take multi-vitamins, and doctors often recommend such use. Some vitamins can be risky if taken in excess, however, so an awareness of the safety of such vitamins is essential. An excess of Vitamin A, for example, can lead to liver damage and other unpleasant side effects. Consult with a doctor before taking anything vitamin supplements.

Other popular supplements are used in sports, where they are used to enhance performance and speed recovery. Many supplements used for these purposes cause debate as to effectiveness, and some have been pulled from the shelves. Ephedrine is one recent example. Used in many weight loss products, ephedrine caused serious heart problems for some users and is now a regulated substance. Creatine is another supplement of possible unknown side effects. Some people claim that it causes liver damage, while others say that it is safe when used appropriately.

One of the most important things to know about nutritional supplements is that they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is why many product claims on packaging labels and advertising materials include the message, „These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration“ or something similar. Because supplements are not regulated, the manufacturing, processing, and packaging methods can vary a great deal from one product to another. When using supplements, be sure to research the company and choose a reputable supplier. The safety of supplements may also be unknown due to the lack of regulation. Again, careful shopping is necessary.

Many producers and users of supplements claim that they are safe because they are natural or made from „all natural“ ingredients. While this may seem like a logical claim, consumers must use their best judgment when considering the use of supplements. Many substances found in nature are not safe, and are in fact toxic, poisonous, and even deadly. After all, poison ivy is „all natural,“ but you likely won’t want to rub it all over your skin, even if a great sales pitch tried to convince you that it’s the best moisturizer around.

Some nutritional supplements can be useful and aid your health. Just as with any consumable, careful shopping and research is essential to your good health. If a claim seems too good to be true, it likely is. Be aware of product pitches and use good judgment before purchasing and using any nutritional supplements. Buy supplements from a reputable company and manufacturer, and when in doubt, consult a physician before beginning a supplement routine.

One of the best ways that a person can benefit from a healthy diet and exercise routine is the addition of sports nutrition in the form of extra protein. Protein is found naturally in many of the foods we eat. But a person who exercises often should get one gram of protein per pound of their body weight. This presents a problem in our fast breakfast (or no breakfast) and fast food lunch lifestyles. We don’t always get the protein our body needs to benefit from our daily workouts. This needed protein can be acquired safely from sport supplements promoting extra protein.

Protein nutritional sports drinks and mixes can provide many benefits other than increasing muscle mass and body tone. Proper protein sports supplements can help your body repair damaged cells, such as repairing muscles and bones that may get damaged during a workout. Like carbohydrates, protein can give you energy throughout the day, but unlike carbohydrates, protein offers a lower level of energy that last much longer, keeping the weight off that generally comes from a high carbohydrates diet. Getting the right amount of protein, even through sports nutrition supplements, can help the body make essential amino acids as well.

One type of protein sports nutritional supplement you may see is one called whey protein. Whey comes from milk and is one of the highest quality forms of protein with a rich amount of amino acids. And unlike other forms of protein (red meat for example) whey offers protein in a low fat and low cholesterol form. Whether you just run every other day or you are a professional athlete, protein sports supplements can help increase your body’s energy and strength. Most athletes consume a protein shake of some kind before and immediately after exercise or an event to help repair and rebuild damaged muscles.

Nitric Oxide, a key molecule manufacturered by the body, causes vasodilation (an expansion of the internal diameter of blood vessels), which in turn leads to increased blood flow, oxygen transport, delivery of nutrients to skeletal muscle and a reduction in blood pressure. An amino acid compound called arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (A-AKG) and arginine-ketoisocaproate (A-KIC) can boost short term Nitric Oxide levels. Increased strength and markedly improved stamina can also be expected. In fact, the results may be classified into three categories: 1) the promotion of an extended pump; 2) signaling muscle growth and speeding recovery; 3) increasing strength and stamina.

NO2 contains A-AKG and A-KIC, natural myodilators that may help boost nitric oxide levels in your body, thereby increasing blood flow, oxygen transport, and delivery of nutrients to skeletal muscle.

• NO2 contains A-AKG and A-KIC which may help your muscles experience an extended pump.
• NO2 contains A-AKG and A-KIC which may help your body signal muscle growth and speed recovery.
• NO2 contains A-AKG and A-KIC which may help improve your strength and stamina.
• NO2 utilizes the A-DS Advanced Delivery System which enhances absorption of the active compounds to insure uptake and help sustain powerful effects around the clock.

Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Everyone needs nitric oxide to carry out key physiological processes within the body. From a bodybuilder’s perspective, nitric oxide supplementation may prove useful in increasing growth due to increases in blood flow to certain areas of the body. Further, men suffering from erectile dysfunction may also find supplementing with nitric oxide helpful.

Signs of deficiency include the inability to achieve and sustain erections, physical weakness and extreme fatigue. Most „nitric oxide“ supplements contain the amino acid Arginine-alpha-keto-glutarate.

What are the side effects?
With any amino acid containing product, overdose is a possibility. Dosing with too much arginine can lead to diarrhea, weakness and nausea. Clear dosing guidelines have not been established, so it is best to do what is known as „tolerance mapping“. Take a small dosage for one week, note the benefits and the side effects, and increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized. Over time the two will converge and you will hit the optimal dose.

Benefits
• improves strength and stamina
• increased muscle growth and recovery
• increases muscle pump

There’s news that may make concerns about the safety of dietary supplements easier to swallow. While millions take them each year, many consumers don’t realize that supplements, which include vitamins, minerals and other nutritional products, are not regulated by the government as stringently as medications.

Fortunately, steps are being taken to make sure that what’s stated on the label is what’s actually contained in the product.

To help consumers make good purchasing decisions, United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a leading organization that verifies dietary supplements, has created a program to help inform consumers who use dietary supplements.

The verification program evaluates and verifies dietary supplements according to stringent requirements for purity, accuracy of ingredient labeling and proper and sanitary manufacturing practices. Once supplements meet these requirements, USP allows manufacturers to prominently display the verified mark on the label.

The program assures consumers that a product:

• Contains the ingredients stated on the label;

• Has the declared amount of strength of ingredients;

• Will dissolve to release the contents of the dietary supplement for absorption into the body;

• Was tested for harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals, E-coli and pesticides; and

• Has been manufactured using safe, sanitary and well-controlled procedures.

Many believe USP is uniquely suited to verify dietary supplements since its public health mission is to create standards that help ensure the quality of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements and other health care technologies.

Once a product has been certified, the program will periodically conduct random tests on verified supplements to ensure that the products continue to meet the standards on an ongoing basis.

Dietary supplement products bearing the USP verification mark have appeared on retailer and pharmacy shelves since December 2002.

In 2004, America spent $170 billion in prescription drugs alone. In fact, the United States spends nearly $5,000 per person on health care. That’s more than twice the amount of some other industrialized countries.

Noting this upward spiral in health care costs, many are turning to the obvious need for improved prevention efforts. How do we prevent heart disease, osteoarthritis, the flu and the common cold? How do we improve the overall health of Americans?

While America witnesses almost daily announcements of expensive medical miracles being wrought, other forces are hiking the trails of Borneo, braving the deserts of the Kalahari and searching through the Himalayas to find those hidden natural wonders that may offer the keys to a healthier America at less of a cost.

Drawing upon every corner of society and the world, these forces are seeking out natural and man-made methods to provide America with what it needs to prevent disease, thus minimizing its reliance on cures.

A relative newcomer to this nature-focused group are the pioneers of Mosaic Nutraceuticals. Pulling together expertise from all over the world, the company is developing low-cost, nature-based alternatives that may help prevent some of the many ailments of today. Starting small, Mosaic is offering effective osteoarthritis relief in its Joint-2-Life candy chews and its 24/7 Instant Relief ointment.

„Mosaic Nutraceuticals was founded on the concept that nature will provide many of the answers to our health questions,“ said Charles Townsend, chief executive officer of the Dallas-based company. „We have to be smart enough to find those answers and apply them.“

Mosaic’s approach stems from one simple idea: Everybody likes candy. So the company developed its supplements in the form of tasty candy chews that are easy to take and convenient for people on the go.

There are a lot of people who do not have enough natural vitamin sources in their diet and therefore suffer from a deficiency of one or more vitamins. Obviously, it is possible to buy vitamin supplements to help overcome any deficiencies but for the majority of people it should be possible for them to obtain the majority of their recommended daily allowance of vitamins from natural vitamin sources. The key to gaining the correct amount of vitamins from natural vitamin sources is to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

There are certain diets, such as vegetarian, that provide a limited number of natural vitamin supplements and therefore a supplement may be necessary. Also, the intake required of these natural vitamin sources at certain periods may need to be increased and a supplement may be the best option. It is important to be aware of each of the different types of vitamins and their best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet. Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body and need to be replenished on a daily basis so it is natural vitamin sources for these vitamins that are the most essential to know.

• Natural vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

• Natural vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

• Natural vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

• Natural vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

• Natural vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast

• Natural vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

• Natural vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

• Natural vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast

• Natural vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

• Natural vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

• Natural vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

• Natural vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

• Natural vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

• Natural vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips.

Testosterone Support Supplements (or Testosterone Aids) are meant to enhance your performance, increase muscle gains and make you bigger. Testosterone is the master male hormone. Testosterone supplementation can increase male sex drive, strengthen bones, muscles, decrease body fat, improve thinking ability, boost energy levels and guard against the onset of depression and heart disease.

Testosterone
Testosteroneis a powerful anabolic hormone that stimulates and controls the development of muscle, bone, skin, sex organs, and most other masculine, physical features. Recently, scientists have discovered that testosterone also aids mental function, enhancing both visual and perceptual skills. Male testosterone is produced in the testes by a group of cells known as the Leydig cells. These cells begin secreting high doses of testosterone during puberty to trigger increased lean muscle mass, sex organ development, bone formation and higher energy levels. Testosterone levels peak during a man’s early to mid twenties.

Testosterone in Elderly Men
As a man ages, the amount of testosterone produced by the cells decreases. By the age of sixty, the average man will have lost nearly 50% of his testosterone supply. In addition, other factors (such as stress, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, the use of prescription medication and drinking) can cause testosterone levels to drastically decline. Although there is a growing awareness of the vital role testosterone plays in a man’s overall health, the vast majority of men still don’t recognize the key symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone Deficiency & Symptoms Of
Testosterone deficiency symptoms include depression, fatigue, low sex drive, irritability, loss of facial/body hair, thinning and/or wrinkling of skin, weight gain, and the weakening of both bone and muscle tissue. Eventually, imbalances of testosterone can set the stage for the development of more serious disease. Low testosterone levels can also disrupt the body’s blood sugar metabolism, leading to obesity and diabetes. Chronic deficiencies may also promote the early onset of osteoporosis and heart disease.

Benefits of Testosterone Support Supplementation
• testosterone supplements can increase your sex drive
• testosterone supplements increase muscle while decreasing fat
• testosterone supplements improve energy levels

Once dismissed as something that was just in our heads, premenstrual syndrome is finally acknowledged as a real disorder. PMS affects women in different ways – making us edgy, emotional, crampy or bloated. Other symptoms include breast tenderness, headaches, backaches, impaired concentration and focus, and food cravings. Most women figure they just have to live with it. But the truth is that taking all-natural supplements can help you feel loads better. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of natural PMS relief.

Who Gets PMS?

Up to 80 percent of women of childbearing age suffer from PMS. It usually strikes women in their mid-20s and tends to get worse as they get older, until they finally stop menstruating altogether.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also called premenstrual disorder, is a more severe form of PMS that affects 5 percent of women in their reproductive years. Women with PDD are so negatively impacted by mood changes such as anger and depression that they have difficulty functioning.

PMS Prevention

The good news is that there are 100% natural products that help ease PMS symptoms. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, developed a PMS remedy called PMS Balance, which combines both Western and Eastern approaches to treating the disorder. PMS Balance contains the following ingredients:

Magnesium: It’s been documented that women with PMS are often deficient in this muscle-relaxing mineral, which could account for some of their symptoms.

Vitamin B6: A large body of clinical research shows that vitamin B6 helps relieve premenstrual symptoms. In fact, a review trial found that B6 is twice as likely as placebo to provide PMS relief.

Vitamin C: If you experience heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle, fragile blood vessels could be to blame. Vitamin C helps strengthen blood vessels, making them less likely to leak.

Choline & Taurine: Both of these nutrients play an important role in the health of the nervous system, which can be negatively affected by PMS.

Rambling Powder: This traditional Chinese herbal formula, consisting of bupleurum root, peony root, dong quai root, and licorice root, has been used for nearly 1,000 years to ease premenstrual discomfort. Chinese herbalists believe it works by relieving “stagnant liver chi,” allowing life energy to flow and the spirit to ramble.

Together, the ingredients in this PMS product provide PMS cramp relief, support a positive mood, and ease muscle tension, irritability, bloating and breast tenderness – without any harmful side effects.

A Synergistic Approach

Any woman who suffers from PMS should also be sure to take a daily multivitamin, such as nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi. Not only does Nutra Multi cover a woman’s vitamin needs, it also provides 500 mg of calcium – one of the best natural remedies for premenstrual distress. Another product to consider is nutraOrigin’s Omega-3 Essentials, which provides essential fatty acids the body needs but can’t manufacture. EFAs have been studied for their role in alleviating PMS symptoms.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

Menopause can go one of two ways. It can be a miserable experience characterized by aggravating menopause symptoms. Or, it can be a pain-free transition that’s barely noticeable. In fact, choosing the right menopause supplement can make all the difference. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of natural treatment for menopause.

Menopause symptoms: Common but avoidable

Every woman experiences her own unique set of menopausal symptoms, which can include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, heart palpitations, vaginal and urinary changes, and decreased memory and concentration. Most experts agree these symptoms are caused by low or fluctuating estrogen levels, which throw everything off kilter. But that doesn’t mean a difficult menopause is unavoidable.

Between 75-85% of American women going through “the change of life” report experiencing menopausal hot flashes. Yet only about 10% of Japanese women do. Why the discrepancy? It’s all in the diet. Japanese women eat several servings of soy a day, which naturally contain anti-hot-flash substances called isoflavones. American women don’t.

Natural Hot Flash Remedies and Menopause Treatments from nutraOrigin

MenoBalance Supplement

Isoflavones help you get control of hot flashes – but they also provide relief for a whole range of symptoms. How? These phyto-nutrients have the remarkable ability to imitate the biological activities of female hormones. That means that even if your own natural levels of estrogen are plummeting, isoflavones can trick your body into thinking it has enough.

Soy is well-known for its natural content of isoflavones, but most of the research studying isoflavones for menopause relief has been performed on red clover. nutraOrigin formulated MenoBalance with a high-potency blend of isoflavones from red clover and kudzu. The formula additionally protects cardiovascular health, with patented Actifolate folic acid and resveratrol; supports bone integrity, due to the synergistic activity of isoflavones and vitamin D; and provides protection to hormone-sensitive tissues, with rosemary and turmeric.

Black Cohosh Essentials Supplement

Scientists have conducted numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of black cohosh for relieving the discomforts of menopause, with minimal or no side effects. In fact, one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found the herb was 47% more effective than conjugated estrogen at beating menopause hot flashes! Cohosh has also been shown to help alleviate headaches, heart palpitations, and nervousness and irritability associated with menopause. The evidence is so strong that the German Commission E (similar to our FDA) has approved black cohosh as a treatment for menopause.

nutraOrigin’s Black Cohosh Essentials features 80 mg of standardized black cohosh – four times the amount seen in weaker extracts – for maximum effect. It also includes lemon balm and motherwort, which help reduce stress and anxiety.

Nutra Multi Iron-Free Multivitamin

Studies show older women are more likely to be deficient in key vitamins like B1, B2, B5, folic acid and D than younger women. That’s why a multivitamin like nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi Iron-Free is so important. It delivers all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to create a foundation of health – including 500 mg of calcium – but leaves out the iron, since too much can be harmful to menopausal women.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

Once dismissed as something that was just in our heads, premenstrual syndrome is finally acknowledged as a real disorder. PMS affects women in different ways – making us edgy, emotional, crampy or bloated. Other symptoms include breast tenderness, headaches, backaches, impaired concentration and focus, and food cravings. Most women figure they just have to live with it. But the truth is that taking all-natural supplements can help you feel loads better. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of natural PMS relief.

Who Gets PMS?
Up to 80 percent of women of childbearing age suffer from PMS. It usually strikes women in their mid-20s and tends to get worse as they get older, until they finally stop menstruating altogether.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also called premenstrual disorder, is a more severe form of PMS that affects 5 percent of women in their reproductive years. Women with PDD are so negatively impacted by mood changes such as anger and depression that they have difficulty functioning.

PMS Prevention
The good news is that there are 100% natural products that help ease PMS symptoms. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, developed a PMS remedy called PMS Balance, which combines both Western and Eastern approaches to treating the disorder. PMS Balance contains the following ingredients:

Magnesium: It’s been documented that women with PMS are often deficient in this muscle-relaxing mineral, which could account for some of their symptoms.
Vitamin B6: A large body of clinical research shows that vitamin B6 helps relieve premenstrual symptoms. In fact, a review trial found that B6 is twice as likely as placebo to provide PMS relief.
Vitamin C: If you experience heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle, fragile blood vessels could be to blame. Vitamin C helps strengthen blood vessels, making them less likely to leak.
Choline & Taurine: Both of these nutrients play an important role in the health of the nervous system, which can be negatively affected by PMS.
Rambling Powder: This traditional Chinese herbal formula, consisting of bupleurum root, peony root, dong quai root, and licorice root, has been used for nearly 1,000 years to ease premenstrual discomfort. Chinese herbalists believe it works by relieving “stagnant liver chi,” allowing life energy to flow and the spirit to ramble.

Together, the ingredients in this PMS product provide PMS cramp relief, support a positive mood, and ease muscle tension, irritability, bloating and breast tenderness – without any harmful side effects.

A Synergistic Approach
Any woman who suffers from PMS should also be sure to take a daily multivitamin, such as nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi. Not only does Nutra Multi cover a woman’s vitamin needs, it also provides 500 mg of calcium – one of the best natural remedies for premenstrual distress. Another product to consider is nutraOrigin’s Omega-3 Essentials, which provides essential fatty acids the body needs but can’t manufacture. EFAs have been studied for their role in alleviating PMS symptoms.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

Here’s a test: define metabolism. Go ahead, what is it? If you said it’s how fast you burn calories, you’re partially right. Your metabolic rate does determine the number of calories your body burns. But your metabolism governs more than just your metabolic rate. It also keeps everything in balance – like your blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of supporting a healthy metabolism.

When metabolism goes wrong

In ideal circumstances, your metabolism works like a well-oiled machine. You eat energy in the form of food. The body breaks the food down into sugar. The sugar is transported out of the blood and into the cells by the hormone insulin. Simple.

But most of us don’t lead ideal lives. We tend to eat diets high in simple carbohydrates (like bread, rice, and pastries), which cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. In response, the pancreas secretes loads of insulin. That’s okay occasionally, but when we consistently eat simple carbs, so much insulin is flooded into the system that we can eventually become resistant to it. In fact, one in five Americans suffers from insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes and metabolic syndrome – both of which increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. That’s why it’s important to learn how to lower blood sugar.

Balance your blood sugar

There are a number of things you can do to support normal blood sugar levels. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet top the list. But natural supplements, such as nutraOrigin’s Glycemic Balance, can also help. Glycemic Balance addresses all three critical aspects of blood sugar balance. First, it increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin, with chromium, cinnamon, and ECGC from green tea. Second, it imitates the effects of insulin with the mineral vanadium. And third, it ignites glucose metabolism, with a high-potency dose of biotin.

When you balance your blood sugar, you’re investing in your long-term health. But you also get short-term benefits, like higher energy levels and an easier time losing weight.

Love your heart

If you’re resistant to insulin, chances are it’s putting a strain on your heart. That’s why any program aimed at supporting optimal metabolism will also address cardiovascular health.

nutraOrigin’s CardioBalance supplement supports your metabolism in keeping your cholesterol levels healthy. It features policosanol, a 100% natural ingredient derived from sugar cane wax, which is backed by multiple scientific studies. Policosanol also protects your heart, veins and arteries, and supports a regular heart rhythm.

Give yourself a good foundation

Your body can survive even the most nutritionally deficient diet. But for your metabolism to really thrive, it needs a multitude of vitamins and minerals – in just the right quantities. Unfortunately, those are hard to get from diet alone. nutraOrigin developed Nutra Multi, a high-quality multivitamin and mineral, to cover your nutritional bases, keep your metabolism humming, and protect your heart with double-strength folic acid.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

More women fear breast cancer than any other disease. Yet cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims over ten times as many women’s lives as breast cancer. In fact, CVD is the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women. That’s the bad news. The good news is that CVD is almost entirely preventable. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of cardiovascular wellness.

What influences cardiovascular health?

One way to support cardiovascular health is to play by the numbers. All five of the following measurements tell you something about the state of your heart.

Cholesterol: excess cholesterol gets deposited in, and narrows, the artery walls
Triglycerides: elevated triglycerides are associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease
Blood pressure: high blood pressure puts stress on the artery walls and increases the heart’s workload
Homocysteine: too much homocysteine degrades the structural integrity of the arteries
C-reactive protein: elevated C-reactive protein is associated with a higher risk for hypertension and CVD
Risk Factor Desirable Borderline Undesirable
Total cholesterol Below 200 200-239 240 and above
Triglycerides Below 150 150-199 Above 200
Blood pressure Below 120/80 120/80-140/90 Above 140/90
Homocysteine Below 10 mmol/L 10-18 mmol/L Above 18 mmol/L
c-reactive protein (CRP) Below 1.0 1.0-3.0 Above 3.0

Supplement secrets for heart health

Everyone knows that eating a healthy, whole foods diet and getting regular exercise are important for cardiovascular wellness. But did you know that select nutritional supplements can also make a big difference? Here are three to consider.

CardioBalance
Developed by nutraOrigin, Cardio Balance features 10 mg of high quality policosanol. Multiple studies indicate that natural policosanol provides a worry-free way to support healthy cholesterol levels. Cardio Balance features policosanol from sugar cane – not the rice or wheat used in lower-quality products – which is the only form of policosanol proven to deliver cholesterol benefits. This policosanol supplement is produced using a proprietary, all-natural extraction process that delivers the highest quality finished product.

Omega-3 Essentials
Chances are you’ve heard about Omega 3 fatty acids, because they’re good for so many things. At nutraOrigin, we believe supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil, or Omega 3 for short, is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Here are just some Omega 3 benefits:

• Helps maintain healthy levels of triglycerides and C-reactive protein
• Promotes a desirable blood pressure
• Supports a regular heart rhythm

You can buy these essential fats as liquid Omega 3 oil, but most people prefer the convenience of Omega 3 pills. Whichever Omega 3 supplement you choose, just keep in mind that quality differs tremendously among different brands. nutraOrigin’s Omega 3 pills are highly concentrated, purity-certified, readily absorbed, and stabilized with antioxidants.

Nutra Multi Iron-Free
Because so many vitamins and minerals are essential for heart health, taking a comprehensive multivitamin like nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi Iron-Free is a great way to take care of your heart. This one multiple contains: 1. a plethora of antioxidants, which protect against free radical damage, 2. the trio of B vitamins known to support healthy homocysteine levels, and 3. magnesium, essential for the integrity of the heart muscle.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

Vitamins and mineral supplements are a good way to supply your body with nutrients that you might not be getting from your diet. Go down any vitamin aisle in a drugstore, market, or health food store. The first thing you will see is all the ’natural‘ supplements and vitamin complex tablets that all claim to provide all kinds of benefits. There are supplements that claim to help you lose weight without exercise. Does it sound too good to be true? It is. You have to burn more calories than you consume and exercise will help you accomplish that but I digress. If you are considering adding supplements to your diet have a discussion with your doctor will help to determine whether or not adding supplements would be beneficial for you or not.

Are vitamins necessary for optimum health? Most people, if they eat a healthy diet, do not need them. Most vitamins are fine and are not harmful. If someone does not eat a healthy diet or because of illness has a limited diet a vitamin supplement could be very helpful. Fruits and vegetables have important vitamins in them and should not be eliminated from a diet unless a doctor orders it. In this case a supplement would almost be necessary. Your body needs vitamins to keep it functioning.

Most people think that vitamins are a source of energy that is not the case. Vitamins help regulate the body’s metabolism. Vitamins also help the food we eat to release its energy. It’s the food that when absorbed and broken down into the nutrients the body can use that provides our body with energy. The body more easily absorbs calcium if you are also taking Vitamin D. Most calcium supplements are already fortified with vitamin D. There are thirteen vitamins that are all important to achieve optimum health. Vitamins E & C contain antioxidants. Antioxidants help to release free radicals, which are high-energy particles. These high-energy particles damage healthy blood cells. Studies are now coming out that indicate that the consumption of vitamins and supplements may aid in fighting cancer and preventing other chronic diseases. The research is by no means conclusive in this regard. Studies continue to be conducted in an effort to provide us with the ultimate health.

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. An excess amount of vitamins in your system could cause bleeding, negative interactions with some prescription medications.

Listed below are some vitamins and how overdoses can affect you.
Vitamin A – Too much vitamin A can cause neurological problems
Vitamin D – Too much vitamin D disrupts the balance of calcium in the body that can lead to calcium deposits in the soft tissues of the body.
Vitamin C – Too much vitamin C can lessen the effectiveness of other medications.
Vitamin E – Too much vitamin E can cause blood not to clot and can cause other bleeding issues.

Vitamins are just one tool among many that are available to us to help us get healthy and remain healthy. Vitamins alone will not do this. A healthy diet, exercise, and regular health checkups will do this.

No one knows better than I do how important it is to eat properly and take care of my body. Also, like many others I have a tendency to be drawn to the junk food much to my own detriment. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to get some exercise in. I also take vitamins and other supplements to help my body work better.

There are a variety of opinions about vitamins, supplements, and healthy eating. Vitamins are generally ok unless they are fortified with iron. The effectiveness of vitamins with iron is often hotly debated. Too much iron can cause iron overload and it doesn’t get ‚washed‘ out of the blood as efficiently if at all. There is a disease called Hemochromatosis, which is fatal, as it attacks liver function. It can be controlled and there must be liver function tests done among other things. The controversy continues to reign.

You have complete control in this area. Do your research; there are a great number of websites that provides information on supplements and how they work. You should sit down with your physician and discuss your options. S/he may suggest you meet with a nutrition specialist as well. Get smart and be healthy. A little knowledge is a very good thing and in the case of vitamins the more you know how they work and how they could be harmful, the safer and healthier you will be. Trust your instincts, know your body, and get help if you need it. Good eating, good exercise plenty of water and common sense will help you to meet your goal of good health.

Sexual stimulants claim to arouse or increase sexual desire, or libido. A broader definition includes products that improve sexual performance. Aphrodisiacs, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, the list of supposed sexual stimulants includes anchovies and adrenaline, licorice and lard, scallops and Spanish fly, and hundreds of other items. Here is a very partial list of some herbal ingredients commonly found in sexual enhancers/stimulants:

Avena Sative (Wild Oats)
Avena sativa, or oats, have long been used by breeders to help male animals „sow their oats“ or boost their fertility. Avena Sativa is one of the best remedies to feed the nervous system when under stress and strengthen it to handle the situation. It works to calm down performance anxiety.

Brazilian Catuba Bark
Brazil’s most famous and highly regarded libido booster. It is considered a central nervous system stimulant and used for sexual weakness and lowered libido in both men and women.

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium)
This Chinese herb is also known as Goat Sex Herb. It has been used for centuries to help improve sexual functions. It has androgen-like effects. Androgens are involved in sexual desire in both men and women. Horny Goat Weed may help improve circulation and kidney function.

Longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali)
A popular Malaysian tree, it is proper for it’s aphrodisiac properties for both men and women. The researched focus is towards improved desire and sexual initiation.

Maca
Grown high in the mountains of Peru, Maca root tends to significantly boost libido and sex drive in men and women by enhancing the endocrine function. The endocrine system includes all of the glands, and the hormones they secrete, that exist in the body and that control such conditions as fertility, sexual function, digestion, brain and nervous system physiology, and energy levels.

Mucana Pruriens Extract
A rare and powerful Ayurvedic herb that has unusally high levels of naturally occuring L-Dopa. L-Dopa is an amino acid that has been the subject of over 25 years of extensive scientific and medical research. It may help with improving sexual dysfunction, loss of libido, stimulating arousal, and increasing intensity and frequency of orgasms for both men and women.

Muira Puama
Found in the Amazon, this extraction is very potent and has an impressive research history of helping restore libido and has been used to help prevent erectile dysfunction.

Tribulus Terrestris
Also known as Puncture Vine and Gokshura, may help to increase seminal fluid, not by volume but sperm count, and at the same time may increase sexual desire, arousal and performance in men and women. Tribulus may help to increase the duration of erection and assist in acheiving orgasm in those previously unable.

Yohimbe
A tree that grows throughout the African nations of Cameroon, Gabon and Zaire. (A similar plant in South America is called Quebracho). The bark has been smoked as a hallucinogen and has been used in traditional medicine to treat angina and hypertension. The herb is a sensual stimulant for healthy men and women.

5 HTP, GABA and St. Johns Wort Mood Enhancers
What is 5 HTP Mood Enhancer? The Griffonia Extract is rich in 5-HydroxyTryptophan (5-HTP), which comes from an African vegetable, the Griffonia simplicifolia seed, and contains 30% 5–HTP. 5-HTP is an amino acid that is a direct precursor of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter having pain soothing and relaxing effects. 5-HTP is not present in significant amounts in a typical diet. The human body manufactures 5-HTP from L-tryptophan, a natural amino acid found in most dietary proteins. However, eating food that contains L-tryptophan does not significantly increase 5-HTP levels.

5-HTP mood enhancer is the precursor to serotonin. It improves mood, anxiety and is beneficial in weight loss. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a massive amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain. Read more about 5 HTP Mood Enhancer supplements, click here.
What is GABA? A non-essential amino acid found mainly in the human brain and eyes. It is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it regulates brain and nerve cell activity by inhibiting the number of neurons firing in the brain. GABA is referred to as the „brain’s natural calming agent“. By inhibiting over-stimulation of the brain, GABA may help promote relaxation and ease nervous tension.

GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid, discovered in 1950, is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are known to stimulate GABA receptors, and hence induce relaxation. Several neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and Parkinson’s disease are affected by this neurotransmitter.
What is St Johns Wort Mood Enhancer? Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (St John’s wort) are now successfully competing for status as a standard antidepressant therapy. Because of this, great effort has been devoted to identifying the active antidepressant compounds in the extract. From a phytochemical point of view, St John’s wort is one of the best-investigated medicinal plants. Researchers in Europe have studied St John’s Wort for decades. They discovered a combination of elements in the plant, foremost of which is „hypericin“, react with specific chemicals in the brain to temper emotional discomfort, lift depression, and calm the nerves. Working very much like the common synthetic prescription antidepressants (maprotiline hydrochloride and imipramine), natural extracts from St. John’s Wort have shown to relax and soothe the psyche with minimal side effects.