Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Blue Light Interceptors
Just what we need to protect our eyes and skin in 2020 and beyond? Perhaps you have heard of lutein or zeaxanthin, or the term “carotenoids”, which describes the larger family they belong to. Better known members of this family are lycopene, found at high levels in tomatoes, and beta-carotene, precursor to vitamin A….
Are You Getting Enough DHA?
Docosahexaenoic acid for brain and eye health Are you familiar with DHA, also known as docosahexaenoic acid (pronounced doh-koh-sah-hex-ah-een-oh-ick acid)? DHA is the longest-chain omega-3 fatty acid, found in fish oil and in the diet in general. Along with its omega-3 companion, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), DHA is essential for health at all ages, which…
Keeping Your Immune System On Guard
Six supplements that support healthy immune system function Let’s face it: we are surrounded by a veritable sea of viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. What keeps these nasties at bay, in addition to physical barriers such as the skin and mucus secretions, is the immune system. If pathogens happen to gain entry, the…
Spring Equinox Detox
Does detoxing really help health? Spring is almost here! The days are gradually getting brighter, the flowers are beginning to bloom, and the dawn chorus is sounding more cheerful. The challenging cold, dark days of winter are certainly behind us and longer, warmer days are on the horizon. The Spring Equinox occurs on March…
Nutritional Support for Seasonal Allergies
Focus on antioxidant support Although spring brings the joys of warmer days and colorful flowers, it’s also the beginning of allergy season for many (over 19 million of us, to be exact!)[1]For some of us, allergies hit us worse in the fall. Unfortunately, if you have an allergic disposition, it may never seem to…
The Multivitamin Debate
What does science say about multivitamin and mineral supplementation? Dietary supplement use is common in the United States, with more than half of the population using such products.[1],[2],[3],[4] Similarly, a majority of health professionals, including physicians and dieticians, use dietary supplements themselves and recommend them to patients.[5],[6],[7] Among supplement users, multivitamin and mineral supplements…
Supplements to Take With and Without Food
Guidelines for optimal absorption and benefit “I think your love language is snacks,” my friend says after I greet her with a hug and a jar of homemade vegan coconut yogurt. “I think you’re right!” I laugh, and beckon her to open up the jar so we can have a nosh. Later that month,…
Bile Acids: Beyond Gut Health
The role bile acids play in metabolic and liver health The use of bile therapeutically dates to ancient times. Bile from many different animals, and even humans in the time of battle, have record in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beginning in the Zhou dynasty from 1046-256 BCE.[1] In TCM, bile acids are used for…
Chios Mastiha: Prized by the Greeks Since Antiquity, and We Now Know Why
Research suggests Chios mastic gum may be a solution for difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal disease and metabolic syndrome In the U.S., all too often, major players in the botanical world that are native to other countries and regions are easily overlooked. Not surprisingly, we tend to learn the most about botanicals that are right in front…
The Tradition of Chios Mastiha
The intangible cultural heritage of Chios mastiha (mastic) gum production Oftentimes, we take our nutritional supplements without so much as a thought to how they happen to come to the powder that fills the capsule. Others of us, who also probably are mesmerized by television shows like “How It’s Made,” the Discovery channel documentary…
Whole Herb vs. Standardized Extracts vs. Isolated Bioactive Constituents
When using botanical medicine, which is best? It often seems that dietary supplements come with endless array of options, particularly in an online world where one can find hundreds of choices with a seemingly simple search term such as “probiotics.” Similarly, with vitamins and minerals, we are offered so many forms – not only…
Are the Nutrients You Consume Bioavailable?
How to get the most out of your diet and supplements The body’s physiology is intricate and complex. Even when we eat a healthy diet, we may not always absorb or utilize all of the nutrients our body needs. This is why scientists who formulate nutrient supplements are obsessed with bioavailability, defined as the…
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