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We do not often consider our iron levels responsible when we feel tired and weak or a little out of breath upon exertion. However, this mineral can sometimes be the root cause of some unexplained symptoms, especially fatigue. Women are more likely to be low in iron during their reproductive years, but don't rule out an iron deficiency as the root cause of your low energy if you are older and of the opposite sex. An iron deficiency can affect men or women of any age.
When iron levels are lower, insufficient amounts of oxygen do not reach tissues, muscles, and organs, including your heart, causing your body to work twice as hard to carry out its functions. The reduced oxygen causes you to feel tired, weak, faint, dizzy, and short of breath. You may even get headaches or heart palpitations.
Low iron can cause more than just fatigue. When our cells are deprived of oxygen, every action in the body is affected, from our brain to our toes. This is why low iron can cause wounds to heal slowly, muscle weakness, difficulty with concentration and memory, depression, headaches, hair loss, and weaken our immune system. Iron deficiency also results in poor cognitive development, behavioural concerns, and ADHD in children.
Iron Fact- Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. In Canada,
Your body only stores approximately 25% of iron for future use, but even this level can become depleted through normal processes such as urination, defecation, sweating, and sloughing off skin cells. Conditions such as menstruation, pregnancy, cancer, surgery, bowel disorders (diverticulitis, polys, IBC, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis,) stomach disorders, and uterine fibroids may also affect your iron levels.
Your body continually loses iron through normal processes such as urination, defecation, sweating, and sloughing off skin cells. Conditions such as menstruation, pregnancy, cancer, surgery, bowel disorders (diverticulitis, polys, IBC, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis,) stomach disorders, and uterine fibroids may also affect your iron levels.
Some people likely to have low iron include vegans and vegetarians, women with heavy periods during pregnancy and breastfeeding and people taking acid-blocking medications for heartburn.
Signs of Symptoms of iron deficiency may include the following:
How well your body absorbs iron from your food sources often depends on how healthy your gut is (you need a healthy gut to absorb iron). Most iron supplements or OTC forms of iron use a form of "Ferrous Iron," which can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, and black/tarry stools.
We suggest Salus Floradix iron supplements. Salus iron is a gentle, effective supplement that increases iron levels in the body by promoting the formation of healthy red blood cells. The iron used in Floradix Liquid Iron is effectively absorbed, gentle on the digestive system, and reduces unwanted side effects. The additional vitamins in Floradix Iron (B1, B2, B6 and B12) work synergistically with iron to promote the formation of healthy red blood cells. In addition, B vitamins are essential for converting oxygen into energy once delivered to our cells.
Floradix Iron also contains a combination of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, and herbs carefully selected to improve iron digestion and absorption. The liquid form of Floradix makes it easy to adjust dosing and is more well-absorbed than pills or tablets. It is free from alcohol, lactose, and artificial additives and is vegetarian-friendly.
Optimal iron levels are essential for our overall wellness. If you are experiencing symptoms of low iron, especially fatigue, Floradix Liquid Iron by Salus is clinically proven to increase iron stores and boost energy.
Reclaim your energy with Salus Iron Supplements
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Spring is on the way! While many rejoice, others dread the onset of seasonal allergies and hay fever (rhinitis) – and the itchiness, congestion, and fatigue that come with them.
With the arrival of pollen, it's common for allergy sufferers to reach for the usual over-the-counter antihistamines for relief. While these formulas can suppress some irritating symptoms, they often leave you feeling drowsy, dry, and foggy, and when their effects wear off, the symptoms return! But symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to seasonal allergies. Understanding the underlying causes of symptoms – and treating them – is the key to conquering seasonal discomfort – something that over-the-counter allergy formulas don't do!
St Francis Herb Farm Allergy Relief w Deep Immune tincture – a two-pronged solution. The ingredients in Allergy Relief with Deep Immune® address acute allergy symptoms and provide a powerful defense by supporting balanced immunity, reducing your vulnerability to seasonal allergies – and building resilience against future reactions.
In addition, this non-drowsy formula means you avoid the fogginess and sleepiness that often come with OTC allergy products and – BONUS – the adaptogens in the formula also work to combat fatigue that comes with allergy season effectively, so you get clear sinuses – and keep the spring in your step!
Take Allergy Relief with Deep Immune® throughout allergy season to address immediate symptoms– and to help prevent future reactions. Dosage is ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) 3 times daily, in a bit of water, on an empty stomach.
For an enhanced, preventative protocol, Take Allergy Relief with Deep Immune® daily 4-6 weeks before allergy season, continuing for the period that triggers allergies.
Relieve Symptoms -Target Allergy Symptoms with A Convenient Nasal Spray!
Homeopathic remedies also work to address symptoms – and their root causes effectively. St Francis Herb Farm Allergy Relief Nasal Spray combines nine medicinal homeopathic ingredients that correct the immune system imbalance – a root cause of allergic reactions in the body. At the same time, it has a direct lubricating effect on nasal tissue for fast-acting relief of irritation and inflammation.
A convenient spray formula relieves sneezing, runny nose, congestion and mucus buildup, itchiness, watery eyes, and other conditions accompanying allergies. Allergy Relief Nasal Spray is also a formula safe for infants and children aged one and older, as well as adults,
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Active Immunity results when exposure to a disease organism triggers the immune response to produce antibodies to that disease. For the body to achieve active immunity, exposure to the disease organism through infection with the actual disease or the introduction of vaccination is required.
That much is pretty straightforward. However, natural or active immunity does not always protect us from future infection. Colds, flu and viruses replicate themselves but change a small fraction of their genetic makeup each time to trick the immune system. The immune system is designed to search its memory banks for past infection and pull the necessary antibodies from its internal toolbox. However, the slightest change is considered "new" to the immune system and requires the body to create a "new" antibody to fight back.
The process can be simplified even further by comparing it to saving a file on your computer. If you save the same file on your computer, it sends you a message: "This file has already been saved; do you want to override it?". However, change one thing in the title of your file, and your computer will accept it without question. This is a simplistic view of how the human body continues to catch colds, flu, and viruses.
The body's Immune Response
It can take up to fourteen days for the body to seek out that new invader and create the necessary antibody to fight it. But what if a person's immune system is not as robust as another? There lies the difference in why one person seems to be magnetic for viruses while others can seemingly slide through the flu season.
Your immune response is influenced by your inherited genes (good or bad). Your immune system can weaken due to malnutrition, autoimmune disorders, cancer, medical treatments and medications. Chronic inflammation can cause an immune response but weaken your body's ability to fight infection. Blood disorders, bowel disorders, poor digestive health and chronic stress can also contribute to a weakened immune response.
The health of the immune system also depends on a person's age. As we age, there is a natural reduction in T cells responsible for fighting infection. Did you know that even chronic stress & insomnia cause a strain on your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable?
Natural Immune Support Through Supplementation
Considering the role of the body's systems in fighting viruses, the health of a person's immune system becomes one the most critical factors in a person's ability to push back against viruses and reduce the chance of reinfection. Can supplements play a role in helping to create a robust immune system?
A healthy diet with organic fruits and veggies is the optimum immune system tool, but the likelihood of everyone being able to afford organic or locally grown foods is becoming more challenging to maintain daily. Supplementation has never been an "instead of wholesome foods" they have always been to "supplement" your diet. Micronutrients found in supplements not only fill in the gaps, but they can also act as immune modulators (help maintain the equilibrium of the body) or as immune stimulators (help increase the activity of the immune system )
Knowing what role your supplement was intended to perform can improve your outcome of finding your way to the other side of the cold and flu season. Here are a few of the top immune-supportive supplements and what role they play.
Bee Propolis contains the bioflavinoid quercetin, an immune modulator that benefits viruses that affect the upper and lower airways. It balances the "T" cells responsible for autoimmunity and can significantly and positively increase the effect of the host defence system and immune response.
Bone Broth contains "proline," which can stimulate the immune system to produce more white blood cells and the natural killer cells to fight infection. There is something to be said for consuming chicken soup when sick!
Zinc Supplements modulate the immune system signalling pathways in immune cells and decrease the time it may take for the immune system to develop an antibody to the infection/virus.
Vitamin C contributes to immune defence by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. It stimulates the immune system by helping fighter cells get to the site of the infection more rapidly.
Vitamin D is classified as an immune modulator by enhancing the function of the innate immune system. It acts as a regulator to maintain a balanced response and improve its effectiveness in fighting infections. It can inhibit virus-cell division and stimulate cells to differentiate when needed.
Elderberry supplements are not an immune stimulator, as one may think. It is an immune modulator providing support when the immune system needs it, keeping inflammatory response cells in balance when viruses have caused them to go haywire.
NAC ( N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) can act as both an immune modulator and stimulator. As an immune modulator, NAC is vital in helping your body replenish glutathione, one of the body's most potent antioxidants (fights against free radicals that cause disease infection, etc.). As an immune stimulator, it can help suppress the replication of viruses and support mucus production associated with respiratory viruses.
Spirulina acts as an immune stimulator by increasing the production of antibodies and other cells that improve immunity. Spirulina is a dense green food supplement that contains immune-boosting antioxidants that provide inhibitory effects against viruses.
Get ahead of the virus season by keeping a supplement tool kit and be better prepared for what may come your way.
Sign of a sniffle?
Stay Informed! Stay Healthy!
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What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue (or rather the symptoms of adrenal fatigue) are real, and perhaps if we remove the name and deal with the symptoms, it can be better defined and labelled as “Extreme Relenting Stress,” “Burnout Syndrome,” or “Exhaustion Syndrome.
Whatever the name, the symptoms cause adverse reactions in the body. When the body undergoes unrelenting stress, its stress response always stays active. The long-term activation of the stress response and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands can disrupt the body’s systems.
In isolation, each one of the symptoms relating to adrenal fatigue can mean different things (including stress), but if you can check off most of the boxes, you most likely have “Adrenal Fatigue.” Adrenal fatigue is when the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to perform their functions effectively. Symptoms include:
Understanding the role of the adrenal glands
The adrenals are a pair of glands that sit on the kidneys and produce several hormones, including the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are associated with the “fight or flight” response, stress management, regulating metabolism, sleep, blood sugar and inflammation. When your adrenals are “fatigued,” they are not really “tired” but misfiring. The unrelenting stress forces the adrenal glands to continue to output stress hormones. Over time, the output of hormones from the adrenal glands causes them to become sluggish or compromised, resulting in insufficient amounts of the necessary hormone precursors your body needs.
How can you support your adrenal glands?
There is no specific test for “adrenal fatigue syndrome” and no prescribed medication. So, supporting your adrenal glands involves a more personalized and holistic approach that includes supplements, lifestyle changes and personal counselling to help identify and manage the stress.
It takes years of unmanaged stress on the body for the adrenal glands to get to the point of “adrenal fatigue or “adrenal burnout.” It can take 6-12 months of continued supplementation, food and lifestyle adaptations for your adrenals to heal and those much-needed adrenal hormones to balance out to more normal behaviour.
Start With the Basics
When your body is under stress, it requires a lot of vitamins B and C. The various B Vitamins play a role in improving the metabolic pathways that boost energy, reduce fatigue and help to create adrenal hormones. Vitamin C is directly involved in the production of cortisol in our adrenals. It is also a building block for the recovery of fatigued adrenals. Both vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that do not stick around in the body. We use them; they run out; we need more. A deficiency in either of these vitamins is the start of denying your adrenals the necessary vitamins to produce essential stress hormones.
Your B Vitamins should be a complex combination of all the essential B vitamins, each performing a unique responsibility for the body and central nervous system. CanPrev Synergy B 60 is an innovative vitamin B complex that delivers the full spectrum of B vitamins in their preferred forms, plus an impressive 200 mg of L-Theanine daily. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves that temporarily produces mental relaxation without sedating effects. It’s the perfect companion to a B-complex vitamin, enhancing its stress reduction and mood-enhancing properties. In addition, Synergy B contains all-natural spirulina, a blue-green algae that supplies a rich source of phytonutrients, carotene and additional B vitamins.
CanPrev Synergy C is a premium quality vitamin C formula with a combination of ingredients that ensure maximum absorbability. It provides 1,000 mg of pH-neutral vitamin C using buffered mineral delivery systems. Synergy C promotes maximum vitamin C absorption by binding ascorbic acid to minerals. To further enhance absorption and bioavailability, it also contains therapeutic dosages of antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids from citrus fruits, and sea buckthorn pulp have been added for complete synergy. CanPrev Synergy C is a premium quality vitamin C formula with a combination of ingredients that ensure maximum absorbability. It provides pH-neutral vitamin C using buffered mineral delivery systems. Synergy C promotes maximum vitamin C absorption to enhance absorption and therapeutic dosages of antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids from citrus fruits and sea buckthorn pulp have been added for complete synergy.
Choose The Best Adrenal Supplement for you!
CanPrev Adrenal Pro Recharge is a blend of adaptogenic herbs and nutrients used in herbal medicine, specially formulated to support the adrenal glands with a blend of nutrients and adaptogenic herbs used in herbal medicine, including ashwagandha to help boost immunity, lower stress and fatigue, Siberian ginseng to alleviate fatigue and depression, and astragalus to revive and rejuvenate. Consider this supplement if you show signs of adrenal fatigue and want to improve your mental and physical performance. CanPrev Adrenal Pro is a natural supplement for recharging and providing a sense of well-being!
CanPrev Adrenal Chill Women was formulated with women in mind who are suffering signs of unrelenting chronic stress, which has negatively impacted the function of the adrenal glands. CanPrev Adrenal Chill is a nourishing combination of Ashwagandha and L-Theanine that will increase resistance to stress and anxiety and improve overall quality of life. This formula will also help support the physical aspects of sexual health in women. CanPrev Adrenal Chill contains KSM-66® Ashwagandha, the highest concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha. Ashwagandha has been used for over 4,000 years for its exceptional ability to restore balance in the body, specifically in the endocrine, immune and nervous systems. Several clinical studies demonstrate its anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune and sexual-enhancing effects. The addition of L-Theanine, an amino acid that induces alpha brainwave activity, correlates with a perceived state of relaxation without sedation. In addition, it can help improve concentration and focus. CanPrev Adrenal Chill can help give your mind and body the tools to combat stress and anxiety naturally.
Stress & Anxiety Targeted Supplements
If you are not exhibiting most of the signs of Adrenal Fatigue but are suffering from stress anxiety and are looking for a way to better manage how your body responds to stress, consider these targeted supplements.
CanPrev L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in black and green tea. It is a unique supplement that can cross the blood-brain barrier, directly working its magic on the central nervous system. This popular supplement elevates GABA and dopamine levels in the brain, key neurotransmitters regulating emotions, mood, appetite and sleep. L-theanine soothes an anxious mind and, at the same time, helps you stay focused and productive. In addition, L-theanine can improve concentration and focus without making you sleepy. CanPrev L-Theanine provides pure L-theanine and magnesium bisglycinate to promote relaxation so that you can stay focused and productive.
CanPrev GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body to help promote relaxation. It also plays a role in motor control and vision. Production of this neurotransmitter can be impacted by chronic stress and lifestyle choices, leading to anxiety, inflammation, and difficulty sleeping. Research has shown that GABA positively impacts cortisol levels and may help initiate sleep. In one study, GABA levels in people with insomnia were almost 30% lower than those without sleep disorders. GABA also helps slow down feelings of fear and stress when neurons become overexcited by reducing the activity of the neurons it binds to.
CanPrev GABA Liposomal (liquid) provides a unique and exciting new delivery system for nutrients, protecting them from digestive hazards, enzymes, and other naturally occurring blocking substances, providing better assurances for nutrient absorption. CanPrev GABA ( capsules) is the traditional form of supplementation. GABA works like a “brake” in our brain and central nervous system by slowing down activity, producing a relaxing, cooling sense of calm.
CanPrev Magnesium Sleep Gaba - A person displaying signs of adrenal fatigue will often experience sleep disturbances. Overactive adrenals tend to fire at night, causing sleep-wake patterns throughout the night, leaving you exhausted throughout the day, only to gain energy throughout the night when the body should be at rest. CanPrev Magnesium Sleep Gaba combines highly absorbable Magnesium Bis-Glycinate with melatonin and GABA. This formulation is designed to help people relax, reset their circadian biological clocks, and get better sleep while reducing the time needed to fall asleep for people with delayed sleep phase disorder.
Consider visiting the endocrinologist if your symptoms (listed above) do not alleviate after supplementation. Remember, it takes months and years of constant stress for your adrenals to reach this point. Stay committed to getting them back on track.
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The individual amino acids glutamine, GABA, tryptophan (or 5-HTP), L Glutamine and tyrosine are powerful for eliminating sugar cravings, often quickly once you identify which amino acid you may be deficient in.
Targeted amino acid supplements can help balance brain chemistry that causes cravings and negatively affects mood, causing depression, anxiety and poor mental focus. The best way to figure out which neurotransmitter is causing your cravings is to keep a journal on when and what you crave.
The amino acid L-Glutamine is more widely known for healing tissue and can often be found in sports supplements for repair. However, L-glutamine is also known for healing the gut, where serotonin (the happy hormone) is produced. L-glutamine is also recognized for calming intense sugar cravings and stabilizing low blood sugar.
Signs you are low in L-Glutamine (The Crashed Craver)? You need to eat sugar when you have gone long periods without food. You may crave sugar or starch between meals or intensely crave sweets. Eating also seems to temporarily relieve your fatigue and help you feel less irritable. Did you know that taking a bit of L-Glutamine on the tongue can immediately stop cravings?
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that helps produce the energy your body needs to function. It also controls the feelings of hunger and lets your brain know when you are full. If you feel the need to eat when you are stressed out, you may be low in GABA. (Stressed Craver) Low GABA also presents as an increased craving for carbohydrates, drugs or alcohol to help you relax and loosen up. Low GABA can also result in physical tension and anxiety. You may also suffer from panic attacks or feel worried or fearful.
Tryptophan and 5HTP are two similar amino acids that both work on reducing cravings. 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical the body makes from Tryptophan (an essential amino acid from food). Tryptophan makes 5HTP, 5HTP converts into serotonin (the happy hormone for the brain). Signs you are low in Serotonin? You need to eat carbs to make you happy, especially late in the afternoon and evening. You may constantly feel worried or fearful. You may suffer from the winter blues, PMS, Menopause or Andropause mood swings. You may also have digestive and sleep disturbances (Depressed or Anxious Craver)
The amino acid L-Tyrosine is often associated with the need to eat sugar to boost your energy or help you focus better (The Fatigued Craver). You may need an L-tyrosine boost if you feel bored, flat or lack energy or focus (generally feel blah about life). L-tyrosine also supports the thyroid gland.
What Amino Acid is Right for you? (Your cheat sheet)
Not a quick fix
Besides L-Glutamine placed directly on the tongue, amino acid supplements are not a quick fix to manage cravings. It can take a few weeks of daily use of 1-3 amino acids taken 2-3 times a day. Journal our cravings and symptoms to determine which amino acid supplement is right for you. Consult with your healthcare provider before taking supplements to ensure no counterindications with health conditions or prescribed medications.
]]>Aging is a natural and inevitable process. Whether we like it or not, we all grow older, but we are not all affected in the same way. Some fortunate individuals seem immune to the effects of age. They radiate youthful vitality. Whereas other individuals are besieged by time. They may appear much older than their years or be more prone to age-related diseases.
To a certain degree, some age-related changes are inevitable. As the years advance, your hair will grey, your skin will wrinkle, and your eyes may dim. Your body may take longer to recover from usual tasks, and the odd memory slip may become more common. These are all natural by-products of aging.
What is not as natural are the diseases that are commonly associated with aging. Your risk of disease increases with age, but perhaps not because the disease is a by-product of age; rather, the disease is the cumulative effect of years of abuse or neglect to our bodies.
The landmark MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging found that while genes can play an essential role in health during the early decades of life, from adulthood on, your behaviour and lifestyle account for a full 70 percent of how well you age! In other words, the ability to increase your health and longevity is in your hands.
To be a healthy ager, start with your cells.
Controlling damage to your cells early on and throughout your life is perhaps the only way toward healthy aging. One of the best ways to protect your cell is to protect the tiny mitochondria contained within the cell. Mitochondria are specialized structures within the cell that are responsible for generating energy (ATP). At an extremely high level, our mitochondria take elements from the food we eat (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) combined with oxygen from the air we breathe to make ATP through cellular respiration. Without the ATP energy produced by your cells (mitochondria), you cannot survive. Depending on the type of cell determines how many of the tiny powerhouses (mitochondria) are present. For example, the muscles take a lot of energy to move, so they have much more mitochondria than other cells.
Your Mitochondria are also known as the "powerhouse" of your cell.
Did you know
While cellular respiration (creating energy) is required for life, it also generates free radicals that damage mitochondria, the cells and DNA. By nature, the body constantly works towards repairing any damaged cells, but countless forces within and outside the body, such as overexposure to sunlight, pollution, radiation, herbicides, chemicals, and some of the foods we eat, can produce more free radicals than the body can heal on its own. Recent science has also made the connection between poor mitochondria function and the activation of the proteins that cause internal inflammation. Damaged mitochondria have also been linked to poor stem cell function and mutations of the DNA.
When the Mitochondria are not functioning optimally, disease and body wear and tear start to show, and a myriad of symptoms cause health and quality of life to decline. To date, there are over 300 illnesses associated with the disfunction of our Mitochondria (Mitochondria Dysfunction)
Healthy Aging, Energy & Vitality with Supplements
Taking supplements that support the performance of your mitochondria is a good strategy to help protect your cells, reduce damage and deterioration, and support your ongoing well-being and longevity. Advanced nutritional supplements such as Regenerlife provide advanced nutrition targeted at cellular health.
Natural Factors RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula contains a potent combination of targeted nutritional compounds that optimize mitochondrial function and antioxidant defence. RegenerLife has clinically relevant levels of CoQ10 and acetyl-L-carnitine, plus ElevATP™, a proprietary source of ancient peat and apple extracts, to help increase energy production at a cellular level. Extramel® is a concentrated source of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase that sustains the body's endogenous antioxidant defence system, and Opitac™ L-glutathione promotes redox balance in cells.
RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula helps reduce the symptoms of perceived stress, such as pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and reduced quality of life. The natural watermelon-flavoured drink mix has a delicious taste, is gently sweetened with stevia, and is suitable for vegetarians. It is an excellent choice for adults with age- or health-related declines in mitochondrial function, people who are concerned about their exposure to toxins, and those who want a stimulant-free supplement to help improve strength and power in repetitive bouts of brief, highly intense physical activity.
Who should take this supplement?
RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula is available in tasty, easy-to-mix power or convenient capsules for on-the-go daily compliance.
Vitalize the cells with NMN supplements
The huge buzz about NMN is its ability to boost NAD+, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD+ is a cutting-edge form of B3 that plays a central role in converting the food we eat into useable energy. As we age, our NAD+ levels drop significantly, resulting in fatigue and a quick decline in metabolism. There are new theories that the decrease of NAD+ is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes, age-related cognitive decline, hearing loss and muscle loss.
As a direct precursor to NAD+, supplementing with NMN has demonstrated a boost in NAD+ levels can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, improve insulin sensitivity and protect against age-related diseases.
RegenerLife NMNSurge contains the form of vitamin B3 that is rapidly converted to replenish NAD+ whole body levels and has a greater range of activities in the body. The overwhelming benefit of NMNSurge for full body rejuvenation and longevity are paramount for healthy aging.
Who should take this supplement?
RegenerLife Longevity Wellness Optimization
With so much goodness in mitochondrial supplements, daily compliance to ensure the best benefits is not always easy. RegenerLife Longevity Wellness Optimization is an all-in-one product that organizes wellness into all-in-one packets. Each packet contains three different Aging Smart™ RegenerLife Supplements, Mitochondrial Energy, NMNsurge, and Omega-3+D Ultra Strength – plus Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix for capillary health.
The nutrients in the Longevity all-in-one packets were expertly chosen to optimize mitochondrial health and increase energy production at the cellular level. Each daily supplement packet provides comprehensive anti-aging support for the brain, heart, and blood vessels by combining clinically relevant nutrients to repair and build healthy cell membranes in the nerves and brain, alongside antioxidants to defend against oxidative stress in and outside of cells. This innovative supplement packet provides a convenient way to get the best of all RegenerLife formulas, taking the guesswork out of supporting longevity.
Who should take this supplement?
If Healthy Aging is something you strive for, join us for a FREE seminar on Healthy Aging – Energy and Vitality. Join us to discover the link between mitochondrial dysfunction, aging and disease and how to ignite your mitochondria to regenerate your life. Plus, learn how age-related declines can be replenished with targeted supplements to support cellular repair and healthy aging.
But there is a growing rise in interest from men for Collagen benefits that move beyond the skin. As a supplement for men, collagen is an excellent option to help strengthen muscles, support joint health, aid gut health, encourage injury prevention, and address many other health problems.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body since it can be found in muscles, organs, connective tissues, bones, joints, and skin. This powerhouse protein is what gives our body resilience and structure. The body produces collagen through the protein consumed in your diet, but as the body ages ( after the age of 30), the body makes less collagen and that which we do produce breaks down more quickly.
Not only age affects collagen levels, but factors such as sun exposure, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet high in sugar and processed foods can accelerate this process.
Why Men Should Take Collagen
Collagen has exceptional benefits for men since healthy collagen levels can contribute to joint health, maintaining muscle mass, reducing fat, supporting gut health, a healthy cardiovascular system and skin elasticity.
Collagen for Men Increases Muscle Mass & Improves Recovery - Collagen contains key amino acids essential for muscle growth. It has been shown to help muscle tissue recover after a strenuous workout. Our tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues contain around 75% collagen. Supplementing with collagen for men after a workout can help reduce inflammation in your ligaments and connective tissues to minimize post-workout pain and soreness.
Collagen for Men Keeps Joints & Bones Working More Smoothly - The amino acids in collagen make up the cartilage and help cushion your joints. Without sufficient amounts of collagen, the cartilage starts to wear out, leading to joint deterioration and inflammation. Joint disease – as we age, our joints tend to feel the wear and tear of years past. Collagen supplements may reduce pain in individuals with osteoarthritis in their knees or hips, improving joint comfort and mobility.
Collagen for Men helps with energy levels -Collagen may also help regulate the central nervous system. The amino acid glycine, which can be found in collagen for men, may help regulate the central nervous system. As a result, you may experience higher and more even energy levels throughout the day.
Collagen for Men Supports Heart Health - Collagen provides structure to the arteries, which helps to keep the blood flowing to and from your heart. A healthy blood flow can reduce plaque buildup and improve blood pressure.
Collagen for Men Supports Gut Health - Poor gut health has been linked to numerous health issues and, most recently, to mental health! And since the walls of the gut are also made up of collagen, declining collagen can be attributed to the weaker gut lining. When the gut weakens, we can develop inflammatory bowel diseases and other gut-related disturbances such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Collagen for Men Supports Healthy Hair - Collagen will not reverse hair loss, balding or a receding hairline if the underlying cause is hereditary. But collagen may support the hair follicles to encourage healthy hair growth.
Collagen for Men Supports Skin - Men and women differ in terms of thickness which may be one reason that a man’s skin takes longer to show sagging and wrinkles. However, collagen works the same for a man’s skin as for a woman’s. Increasing collagen levels may help skin look firmer, improve skin elasticity, increase smoothness, and help skin cells renew and repair normally.
The Best Collagen for Men? The same collagen that women take!
When choosing a collagen supplement, it is important to look for hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, since the collagen molecules have already been “predigested” and can be used more efficiently by the body.
Choose collagen supplements sourced from reputable bovine and marine sources. Collagen can only come from animal sources such as the skin, bones, and cartilage of cows, fish, chickens, and/or pigs. For your personal health and the health of the planet, it is important to choose reputable sources such as pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle and wild-caught fish. Pasture-raised and grass-fed cattle have been humanely nurtured in a natural environment and allowed to eat grass grown on the pasture. Similarly, wild-caught fish live in a habitat where they can naturally feed on what is available in their environment, ensuring a natural and sustainable fish source.
Pick collagen supplements that undergo third-party testing. All supplements, including collagen, can contain potential allergens, pesticides, solvents, GMOs, heavy metals, microbes, and pharmaceutical agents. When picking a collagen supplement, it is important to choose one that has undergone third-party testing to ensure the product is non-GMO, pure, potent, and accurately labelled.
Natural Factors Total Body Collagen contains the preferred and more digestible form of Collagen (Hydrolyzed) from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine. Total Body Collagen is a unique formula with added hyaluronic acid, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, Vitamin C, and biotin. That helps your body optimize absorption and increase collagen production. Total Body Collagen can revitalize, restore and protect the whole body!
Total Collagen powder comes in unflavoured, orange and pomegranate, which can be added to water or other beverages and is easy to mix without an unpleasant taste.
Bottom line? Research has shown that age-dependent reduction in collagen synthesis can be reversed by oral supplementation of bioactive collagen peptides, and that’s excellent news for men and women! Aging is inevitable, but with a few beneficial supplements like Total Body Collagen, our physical well-being not only looks better but feels better as well.
Look for the ISURA certification. ISURA is Canada's only independent natural health supplement and food product verification and certification organization that provides mass spectrometry and non-GMO testing from seed to table. ISURA's Standard for Natural Health Products is among the world's highest. The threshold limits and other components of the ISURA Standard meet or exceed standards or recommendations for Natural Health Products set by global and national organizations. Furthermore, ISURA's analytical testing laboratories meet ISO 17025 laboratory and methodology standards, and ISURA's quality management system is ISO 9001 certified.
]]>Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for a collection of conditions relating to the heart, blood vessels and circulation. Some of these conditions include high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, angina, and congestive heart failure.
Heart attacks and strokes are often caused by atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque) which develops slowly, causing your arteries to narrow, reducing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to tissues of our vital organs. Reduced blood flow in arteries impacts the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys. Cholesterol, fat, blood cells and other substances are the cause of plaque. Plague often starts to build up during childhood and worsens with age. Risk factors include unhealthy cholesterol levels, unhealthy lifestyle habits and genetic factors.
Nourish Your Heart
It’s clear that smoking causes irreparable damage to the lungs and blood vessels. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes can thicken your blood, increase free radical damage, and increase plaque formation and clots in the arteries and veins, potentially leading to blockages.
Follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet filled with fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Reduce alcohol and refined foods and those high in sugar and fat. Aim to reduce stress and increase physical activity or exercise.
Simple Lifestyle Steps
Breakfast Basic – start your morning with some fruit and whole grains such as oatmeal, brain flakes/muffin or whole-grain toast.
Reduce drinking your calories. Cutting out one beverage sweetened with sugar can make a difference. Saving 100 (or more) calories a day can help you shed 4-5 kg in one year.
Take a brief 5 – 10-minute walk, or take the stairs when possible.
Substitute a handful of nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.) rather than chips or cookies as a snack. Nuts are heart-healthy.
Breathe deeply. A couple of times a day, take a moment and deep belly breath to help reduce stress and aid relaxation.
Give thanks. Take a moment to acknowledge the good or positive things in your day or life. This helps us tap into other positive moments, which aids greater well-being and decreases anger and worry.
The Natural Approach to a Healthy Heart
Did you know? Collagen, a protein the body produces, plays an essential role in the structure and function of skin, cartilage, bones and connective tissue. It provides structure to your arteries which keep blood flowing to and from your heart. Without adequate structural support, arteries become weak, stiff, and inflexible, which is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Vitamin C is the most important water-soluble antioxidant in the human body. However, humans do not make Vitamin C and must supplement to meet our daily requirements. Vitamin C and lysine (an amino acid) work together to build collagen, which strengthens and holds together coronary cells. Inadequate amounts of vitamin C means poor collagen. Coronary cells then fall apart just as bricks do without good mortar. Coronary arteries, closest to the heart, receive the greatest pressure. Without enough Vitamin C the collagen weakens. This sets the stage for a heart attack.
Medi-C is a trendy and beneficial supplement that combines vitamin C and lysine. Medi-C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, helps produce healthy collagen, helps dissolve cholesterol deposits, increases blood flood to coronary arteries and prevents the formation of free radicals.
Increase your antioxidant levels through diet and supplementation. Antioxidants like Natural Factors Ubiquinol CoQ10 helps provide support for cardiovascular health and protects against free radical damage, promoting sustained natural energy. Natural Factors Ubiquinol CoQ10 is a targeted supplement for individuals taking statin (cholesterol-lowering) medications. Statins lower the body’s production of CoQ10, which can lead to a deficiency in Ubiquinol CoQ10 levels. Statins block the production of too much cholesterol, but they also inhibit your body from producing normal levels of CoQ10.
Niacin is often associated with increasing circulation and lowering blood pressure and should be considered a heart-healthy supplement for cholesterol management. Niacin (Vitamin B3) can improve your good cholesterol HDL and lower triglycerides but tends to work only in higher dosages (250 mg twice a day or 500 mg once a day). Taking niacin in higher dosages can cause flushing, itching, and possible headaches, so the alternative option would be supplements such as Natural Factors Niacin Inositol Hexanicotinate. (niacin, no flush). Inositol nicotinate more slowly releases niacin, or vitamin B3, when processed by the body, reducing some of the regular niacin effects.
Using garlic as an addition to your diet can enhance the Nitric Oxide signals in your body. Garlic has a blood pressure-lowering effect and is an excellent way to boost your immune system. Several studies have indicated that garlic can inhibit specific enzymes synthesizing cholesterol and fatty acids. The unwanted lingering taste and smell of garlic may be off-putting to some, which deters garlic use in everyday cooking. However, there are supplement options such as Natural Factors GarlicRich. GarlicRich is made from the whole bulb, and each odourless softgel equals eight garlic cloves! Natural Factors new Super Strength Garlic and Reishi provide cardiovascular health and support the immune system.
Managing blood sugar is also critical to preventing heart disease and lowering cholesterol. Berberine is one of the most versatile and effective supplements for lower blood sugar, but Berberine, for reasons not yet understood, can also increase the number of LDL receptors in the liver, helping clear cholesterol from the body. Berberine also acts similarly to phytosterols by blocking the absorption of lipids in the small intestine.
Other heart-healthy supplements include magnesium. Magnesium positively affects HDL cholesterol and can lower triglycerides and inflammation. As a muscle relaxant, magnesium can help lessen that pent-up physical stress in your body.
Fish oils, such as Whole Earth & Sea Herring Gold, have been found to support our heart and arteries in many ways, from lowering blood pressure to decreasing triglycerides.
As with all things in life, there is not a single magic bullet. It is essential to take a multi-faceted approach, including diet and lifestyle, stress management, exercise, optimal sleep and nourishing our well-being.
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From this, it is obvious that “modern medicine” is no longer doing its job when it comes to the eradication of UTIs. We need to look to natural substances to see that there are other options out there. These options have shown clinical promise in not only treating but also preventing recurrent infections. (information provided by Women’s Voice magazine)
Cranberry is probably the most well-known herbal medicinal treatment for UTIs. Cranberry contains proanthocyanidins, which help reduce bacteria from colonizing. Interestingly, propolis taken with cranberry may be an even bigger blow to the bacteria in our bladders. Propolis is a resinous material collected by bees from plants and mixed with bee enzymes for use in their colonies to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Propolis’s antimicrobial activities are well documented against different bacteria in humans. In a recent human clinical trial, it was shown for the first time that propolis potentiated the effect of cranberry proanthocyanidins on adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation of uropathogenic E. coli. (information provided by Women’s Voice magazine)
WomenSense Cranberry combines the concentrated 36:1 cranberry extract with D-mannose and propolis to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberry is a source of antioxidants with a long history of use for UTIs. The natural antimicrobial properties of D-mannose and propolis enhance cranberry’s protective benefits, helping to flush out urinary pathogens.
WomenSense Cranberry- UTI prevention formula
D-mannose is another natural substance useful in treating and preventing E. coli-associated UTIs. This simple sugar is found naturally in certain plants and fruits such as cranberries, peaches, cabbage, and tomatoes. It can bind to the outer structure of bacteria, blocking their ability to stick to the urinary tract wall. In a review of randomized, controlled trials, researchers confirmed that D-mannose significantly reduced the risk of recurrent UTIs with minimal side effects.
WomenSense D-Mannose uses a formula made with naturally occurring simple-sugar D-mannose to stop UTI infections before they start. When taken daily, D-mannose helps reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Each daily dose provides 2000 mg of D-mannose to help flush E. coli from the urinary tract without interfering with healthy blood sugar regulation. WomenSense D-Mannose is also available in powder.
WomenSense D-Mannose Stops UTI infections before they start
Overactive Bladder? WomenSense Solutions for Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder can be a symptom of many different things. Speak to your health care provider so they can rule out any possible UTI infections and review any prescribed medications that can also lead to bladder incontinence. Also, keep in mind that After motherhood and menopause, women often begin to have bladder control issues such as stronger urges to urinate, and leakage when coughing, sneezing or laughing. While this is most typically a daytime concern, some women also experience incontinence problems during the night.
WomenSense BladderSense provides supportive therapy for bladder irritation. This non-GMO, gluten-free formula contains a water-soluble pumpkin seed extract that is easy for the body to absorb. Pumpkin seeds have a long history of therapeutic use for incontinence and are nature’s aid for healthy urinary control in overactive bladders.
Supportive therapy for bladder irritation
With the emergence of antibiotic resistance, finding alternative treatments for UTIs is critical. Thankfully, researchers continue to study the effects of natural substances like cranberry, propolis, and D-mannose. With their ability to both treat and prevent the next UTI from coming down the pipeline, this tremendous trio is such an important consideration to help preserve the quality of life for the millions of women who experience UTIs every year. (information provided by Women’s Voice magazine)
WomenSense is a line of products designed to help women reach their full health potential. Carefully and naturally formulated, these products support women from puberty to menopause and beyond for issues such as low thyroid, hormone imbalance, stress, and fatigue. WomenSense products WomenSense is proud to support the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is Canada’s public foundation for women and girls. They advance gender equality by empowering women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership. Since 1991, they’ve raised money and invested in over 1,400 community programs across Canada, and are one of the ten largest women’s foundations in the world.
Donated funds from WomenSense products will support programs across Canada that empower women and girls to move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership.
$5 from the sale of each WomenSense Bonus Bottle will be donated to the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
ISURA Certified ISURA is an independent, non-profit analytical testing and certification organization backed by a Scientific Advisory Committee of world-renowned experts. The ISURA Seal of Approval is emblematic of the trust that consumers can exercise in ISURA-certified products that are non-GMO compliant, contaminant-free, adulterant free, authenticated, and accurately and inclusively labelled.
]]>Change – it’s one thing we can be sure of as we age. As we move into our 50’s, 60’s and onward, shifts in our sleeping patterns and eating habits are common. With the onset of aches and pains, arthritis, our skin loses its elasticity, and wrinkles show more definition. For some, it can be a general decline in optimal health. What may not be as apparent but significant is the shift in the gut, which helps balance digestion and age-related decline in immunity.
The gut microbiota has trillions of bacteria inhabiting the small and large intestines – some good, others not so much. Recent evidence suggests that the urinary microbiome changes with age. Women experiencing overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome have an altered urinary microbiome. In addition, seniors often suffer from many urinary tract infections due to incontinence.
Other health issues that prompt the need for better gut health in the elderly include chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, vaginal yeast infections, ulcerative colitis, digestive malabsorption, and increased use of antibiotics.
Older adults have a much lower number of friendly bacteria in the gut than younger people causing an imbalance of the good-to-bad bacteria ratio. The more “bad bacteria “in the gut increases the potential health problems for seniors. Good bacteria, on the other hand, known as probiotics, help improve this essential balance. Probiotics can help fight inflammation, enhance immunity, and support digestive disturbances, including gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome and even infectious diarrhea.
For older adults and seniors, probiotics offer added protection:
Increasing evidence points towards probiotic supplementation to counteract the age-related shifts in the gut composition and diversity which benefits health outcomes but also promotes healthy aging. And that is a change we should all want.
Explore these beneficial bacteria supplements from Natural Factors.
Natural Factors Senior’s Multi Probiotic is specifically formulated for seniors. It contains a proprietary blend of 8 gastric-resistant strands targeted to support the small intestines. The Seniors Multi Probiotic helps prevent infection, boost immunity, support digestion and target IBS. Senior’s Multi Probiotic also supports the manufacture of vitamins and other essential chemicals in your body, helps prevent inflammation and offers some protection from intestinal infections, inflammatory bowel diseases and even depression! This product requires refrigeration and is only available in-store
Natural Factors Calm Biotic is another unique probiotic formulation that supports occasional anxiety and healthy mood by helping maintain the microbiome and the gut-brain axis. CalmBiotic is one of the first probiotic products shown to temporarily modify gut flora to address both the physical and psychological symptoms of stress. The proprietary strains in this probiotic are resistant to gastric acid, making Calm Biotic a convenient, shelf-stable, one-a-day capsule.
Natural Factors IBS Relief is specifically formulated to promote a healthy gut and digestion while minimizing occasional gastrointestinal disturbances. The four unique strains in IBS Relief have been shown to relieve some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This innovative probiotic formula also helps reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is shelf stable – no refrigeration required!
Natural Factors Travel Biotic is a high-potency probiotic. It contains some of the most researched and effective probiotics in the world. TravelBiotic is specifically formulated for those on the go. Unlike other probiotics, TravelBiotic is highly stable and requires no refrigeration. It is the perfect probiotic to have on hand whether travelling, at work, or running errands. It provides powerful intestinal and immune health support and promotes favourable gut flora.
]]>Sleep possesses restorative powers. Recent research confirms that toxins, via the cerebrospinal fluid, are flushed out during sleep, cleaning the brain. Without good sleep, we are at risk of short and long-term consequences. We know when we "burn the candle at both ends" and push sleep to the back burner, it is felt in various ways in the short term: poor perception and judgement, irritability, inability to focus, memory and concentration problems. "Investigators have ruled that sleep deprivation was a significant factor in the 1979 nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, as well as the 1986 nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl". (Sleep, Performance, and Public Safety, 2007, healthysleep.med.harvard.edu)
What other benefits does a good night provide?
However, there are times when we have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. While the amount of sleep we need changes with age and varies by individual, the average adult should aim for 7 hours a night. But there are different sleep problems we experience, and knowing these subtleties, we can improve sleep hygiene and use specific supplements as adjuncts.
Awaken to Sleep Promoting Supplements
Good quality sleep is essential for optimal health and well-being, and these two great supplements support nighttime stress, relaxation and can help you achieve deep sleep!
RegenerLife™ Sleep Better- Triple-action, delayed-release sleep nutrients for relaxation and better sleep Sleep Better is part of the RegenerLife anti-aging line of supplements formulated for whole-body rejuvenation and longevity. Declining melatonin production in older age declines and can alter the body's sleep-wake cycle, affecting daytime energy, mood, and overall health. Supplemental melatonin provides a natural way for people experiencing disrupted sleep patterns to reset a normal sleep-wake cycle and promote a longer, better quality of sleep and improves sleep efficiency.
How it works
The advanced tri-layer tablets in RegenerLife™ Sleep Better release 5 mg of melatonin immediately along with other sleep-supportive ingredients to help you fall asleep faster. This is followed by a gradual release of 5 mg of melatonin to help you stay asleep longer. The melatonin in “Sleep Better” works complementarily with 5-HTP, a free-form amino acid that improves rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep plays an important role in dreaming, memory, emotional processing, and healthy brain development.
5-HTP is a direct precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and is used to produce some of the body’s melatonin. Supplementation with 5-HTP has been shown to increase the amount of time spent in REM sleep. 5HTP has shown positive effects in helping people overcome insomnia.
The amino acid L-theanine works alongside a blend of sleep-supportive herbs – valerian, passionflower, and hops – to temporarily promote relaxation and calm feelings of nervousness that may be impacting sleep. L-theanine has neuroprotective properties and stimulates the production of alpha brain waves associated with a relaxed state and inhibits the activity of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamic acid It increases brain levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that are involved in relaxation and memory.
Valerian contains multiple active compounds, including valerenic acid and valerenol, which activate GABA receptors to reduce nervousness. Hops have sedative properties associated with the compound humulone, which influences GABA receptor activity
Passionflower extract also exerts a sleep-inducing effect by supplying a direct source of GABA and modifying GABA receptors
Reduce Nighttime Stress for a Deep Sleep with Stress-Relax Nighttime Magnesium- Stress-Relax® Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate with Melatonin, GABA & L-Theanine is a long name but perhaps the only way to express all the supplements combined to produce the ultimate relaxed sleep state we desire. Stress-Relax Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate combines magnesium bisglycinate with melatonin, L-theanine, and Pharma GABA, to temporarily promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Together, these ingredients help the body's sleep-wake cycle, allowing you to fall asleep more quickly and sleep longer.
How it works
There is a reason why people call magnesium a relaxation mineral. This essential nutrient is needed for hundreds of biochemical processes throughout the body, including muscle contraction and relaxation. It helps support muscle function. Magnesium also plays a vital role in regulating the body's stress response. Inadequate magnesium can lead to muscle tightness, cramping, spasms, and neuromuscular irritability. Because many common forms of magnesium require stomach acid for absorption, magnesium levels can be compromised in older adults with low stomach acid, as well as in people using antacid medications. This formula contains 100% of the bisglycinate form of magnesium that is easy on the stomach and does not require stomach acid for absorption.
GABA provides a non-addictive way to improve sleep quality by calming a racing mind and helping the body relax quickly. It provides fast-acting relief for nervousness and acute stress. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, participants with moderate sleep disorders were supplemented with 100 mg of Pharma GABA 30 minutes before bed each night for one week. GABA improved the participants' moods when they woke up in the morning. Based on electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, supplementation was also discovered to shorten participants' time to fall asleep and increase total non-REM sleep time (Non-REM sleep is a deeper sleep needed to rest both the brain and the body).
The body's sleep-wake cycle can be disrupted by shift work, jet lag, stress, artificial light, aging, and other factors, resulting in insufficient melatonin at bedtime. Melatonin is the body's natural sleep hormone, produced in the brain each evening when darkness falls and aids sleep. It works as part of a complementary cycle with serotonin, enhancing GABA receptor binding that regulates sleep-wake transitions, neuroendocrine rhythms, and body temperature cycles. Melatonin has been used for decades to address disrupted sleep schedules and sleep disorders. Some studies demonstrated that people who took up to 5 mg of melatonin fell asleep significantly faster, slept longer, and had improved sleep quality compared to those who took a placebo. Melatonin does not cause dependence and has minimal side effects
Tea drinkers have experienced the relaxing effects of L-theanine for thousands of years. L-theanine is a free-form amino acid extracted from green tea that calms the mind and temporarily encourages relaxation. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and elicit an effect as quickly as 30 minutes after supplementation. A placebo-controlled crossover study found that supplementation with 200 mg of L-theanine daily before bed improved cognitive health and sleep quality in healthy adults. After four weeks of supplementation, participants experienced fewer stress-related symptoms, fell asleep faster, had lower sleep disturbance, and reduced their need for sleep medication. Although the dose of administered L-theanine was higher than that of Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate, it was supplemented without other sleep-supportive ingredients.
The delicious, tropical fruit-flavoured powder is naturally sweetened with stevia and offers a flexible dose – 1–2 scoops based on your personalized Nighttime needs.
Who should consider a natural sleep supplement?
Dietary habits and choces such as eating later into the evening can impact digestion, affecting your ability to sleep. Drinking stimulants (coffee, tea, energy drinks or alcohol) can disrupt your sleep cycle.
Many effective sleep formulas address the different stages and needs of sleep. Finding the right supplement for you involves examining your present health condition and goals, and reflecting on your sleep patterns.]]>The Real Easy Program is different. It is clinically proven, a completely safe, natural, and highly effective way to achieve and maintain your weight loss goals. The RealEasy™ with PGX meal replacement shakes will greatly diminish appetite, so you will eat less, making weight loss almost effortless.
RealEasy with PGX Meal Replacement shakes are perfect for anyone striving to achieve healthy weight loss and control their appetite. PGX is useful in a weight-reduction program as part of an energy-reduced diet and healthy lifestyle.
The researchers found that participants in a recent weight loss study using RealEasy with PGX meal replacements consistently lost up to 2 lb per week, which was primarily body fat. In addition to the loss in body fat, participants maintained or increased lean muscle mass, and body water levels were unaffected. This means a healthier and toned body composition with a higher metabolic rate was achieved, helping the participant to lose weight more effectively and keeping it off over the long term. Over 2–3 months, 95% of participants lost an average of 1–2 lb per week. Weight loss was consistent. Body fat was lost predominantly, not lean muscle or body fluid.
Why PGX works
Over the past two decades, scientists have discovered a great deal about the action of insulin and about how appetite and food cravings affect our lives. People who struggle with their weight are often affected by what we call “the blood sugar roller coaster,” where blood sugar levels can rise and fall dramatically before and after meals, causing stress on many body systems and functions. Left uncontrolled, the blood sugar roller coaster can lead to many health problems – including weight gain.
PGX is a blend of naturally occurring, water-soluble plant fibres produced through Natural Factors’ proprietary EnviroSimplex® process. By absorbing water at a higher rate, gram for gram, than regular dietary fibres, PGX helps promote a feeling of fullness to reduce appetite. It also helps release glucose into the bloodstream gradually and brings blood sugar to normal levels. It provides a highly effective way for anyone dealing with fluctuating blood sugar to manage cravings and lower cholesterol levels naturally.
Benefits of PGX
What is In RealEasy with PGX?
All ingredients in the RealEasy with PGX shakes are important; however, two of these ingredients play a key role in helping with your weight loss journey.
The first ingredient is protein. It’s important to have protein with every meal. Protein plays an important role in helping encourage and maintain weight loss. Protein provides the building blocks for developing and maintaining lean muscle mass. Getting enough protein to prevent your muscles from shrinking and metabolizing can be tricky when on a calorie-restricted diet plan. Using meal replacement shakes for weight loss can go a long way toward getting all your protein requirements and helping you hold on to your muscle mass; as muscle burns more calories than fat, the more muscle you have and retain, the more body fat you can expect to lose.
The second ingredient – more of an undercover agent in the RealEasy shakes – is PGX, a highly concentrated and effective form of soluble fibre. Fibre offers valuable health benefits and is very important for overall health. Fibre refers to carbohydrates that cannot be digested. They contribute very few calories. There are two main types of fibre – insoluble (which doesn’t absorb much water) such as wheat bran, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruit skins, and soluble (which absorbs water) such as oats, barley, legumes, and fruits. Both are important for good health, but soluble fibre is particularly significant for weight management.
The ability of soluble fibre to reduce appetite, balance blood sugar, and lower cholesterol is directly proportionate to the amount of water it can absorb (volume) and the thickness it develops as it moves through the stomach and intestine (viscosity). Gram for gram, PGX is far more effective than any other known dietary fibre.
The Real Easy Program is really flexible!
The Real Easy Program can be a comfortable way to improve eating habits for life. Simply replace two meals each day using RealEasy with PGX meal replacements. Depending on your weight loss goals, you can eventually reduce to one meal replacement daily once you have reached your desired weight. Since PGX is also available as a standalone ingredient, you can take PGX before meals to help you feel full, lessen your appetite, and reduce cravings. You can either continue taking one or two meal replacement shakes each day once your weight loss goals are achieved, or you can reduce to one meal replacement shake and take additional PGX before meals, or, if eventually, you stop taking the meal replacement shakes, you can continue taking PGX before one or all of your meals.
How do you know PGX is working for you?
You’ll be satisfied with smaller portions – the ability of PGX to expand with water and food creates more volume in your stomach. You’ll experience a prolonged sense of fullness – the viscosity of PGX slows the digestion of your meals, which keeps you feeling full and satisfied for longer. This feeling of fullness and better blood sugar balance in healthy individuals helps reduce the between-meal and evening food cravings that can add unwanted calories to your diet.
Adding Real Easy PGX to your diet
Add 2 scoops (61 g) of RealEasy powder to 250–500 mL of water and shake in a shaker cup or mix in a blender until smooth to make a delicious, satisfying drink. Drink immediately after mixing, as it thickens quickly. When first taking RealEasy begin with 1 scoop (30.5 g) in 125–250 mL of water and gradually increase to 2 scoops (61 g) as directed above. Use 1–2 times daily as a meal replacement.
The adjustments your body goes through with PGX are the same as when you add more dietary fibre such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to your diet. It can take time for your body to adjust to increased amounts of fibre, and PGX is no exception. If you take PGX consistently and increase the dose gradually, allowing your body time to adapt, you will be able to consume a highly effective dose within a couple of weeks or less.
If you experience gas, bloating, or changes to your bowel movements:
Some people may experience temporary constipation, diarrhea, or loose stools when they first start taking PGX, especially if they have not been getting enough fibre in their diet.
If you are taking medication, take it one hour before or two hours after taking RealEasy. If your goal is to achieve weight loss, or if you have diabetes or on cholesterol lowering medications, consult a qualified health care practitioner before use. Consult a health care practitioner if you are under 18 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have health concerns. Keep out of the reach of children.
]]>There are some great natural options to help us get a better night's sleep, so when the Stress-Relax Nighttime Magnesium recently hit the natural health market by storm, we wanted to find out why.
Stress-Relax® Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate with Melatonin, GABA & L-Theanine is a long name but perhaps the only way to express all the supplements combined to produce the relaxed sleep state we strive for. Stress-Relax Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate combines magnesium bisglycinate with melatonin, L-theanine, and Pharma GABA, to temporarily promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Together, these ingredients help the body's sleep-wake cycle, allowing you to fall asleep more quickly and sleep longer.
Melatonin is the body's natural sleep hormone, produced in the brain each evening when darkness falls. Supplemental magnesium works with the body's natural cycles to reset the biological clock safely and effectively. Pharma GABA is a clinically tested and naturally produced form of the brain compound gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It provides fast-acting relief for nervousness and acute stress by promoting a calm, clear mind and physical relaxation. L-theanine is an amino acid from green tea that calms the mind and temporarily encourages relaxation, while the essential mineral magnesium helps support muscle function. This formula contains 100% of the bisglycinate form of magnesium that is easy on the stomach and does not require stomach acid for absorption.
How it works
There is a reason why people call magnesium a relaxation mineral. This essential nutrient is needed for hundreds of biochemical processes throughout the body, including muscle contraction and relaxation. Magnesium also plays a vital role in regulating the body's stress response. Inadequate magnesium can lead to muscle tightness, cramping, spasms, and neuromuscular irritability. Because many common forms of magnesium require stomach acid for absorption, magnesium levels can be compromised in older adults with low stomach acid, as well as in people using antacid medications
GABA also provides a non-addictive way to improve sleep quality by calming a racing mind and helping the body relax quickly. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, participants with moderate sleep disorders were supplemented with 100 mg of Pharma GABA 30 minutes before bed each night for one week. GABA improved the participants' moods when they woke up in the morning. Based on electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, supplementation was also discovered to shorten participants' time to fall asleep and increase total non-REM sleep time (Non-REM sleep is a deeper sleep needed to rest both the brain and the body).
The body's sleep-wake cycle can be disrupted by shift work, jet lag, stress, artificial light, aging, and other factors, resulting in insufficient melatonin at bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone that helps us sleep. It works as part of a complementary cycle with serotonin, enhancing GABA receptor binding that regulates sleep-wake transitions, neuroendocrine rhythms, and body temperature cycles. Melatonin has been used for decades to address disrupted sleep schedules and sleep disorders. Some studies demonstrated that people who took up to 5 mg of melatonin fell asleep significantly faster, slept longer, and had improved sleep quality compared to those who took a placebo. Melatonin does not cause dependence and has minimal side effects
Tea drinkers have experienced the relaxing effects of L-theanine for thousands of years. L-theanine is a free-form amino acid extracted from green tea. This amino acid can cross the blood-brain barrier and elicit an effect as quickly as 30 minutes after supplementation. A placebo-controlled crossover study found that supplementation with 200 mg of L-theanine daily before bed improved cognitive health and sleep quality in healthy adults. After four weeks of supplementation, participants experienced fewer stress-related symptoms, fell asleep faster, had lower sleep disturbance, and reduced their need for sleep medication. Although the dose of administered L-theanine was higher than that of Nighttime Magnesium Bisglycinate, it was supplemented without other sleep-supportive ingredients.
The delicious, tropical fruit-flavoured powder is naturally sweetened with stevia and offers a flexible dose – 1–2 scoops based on your personalized Nighttime needs.
Other Supplement Considerations
If taking powder supplements is not for you try Natural Factors Tranquil Sleep Extra Strength (Tropical Fruit chews)- Tranquil sleep combines L-Theanine with melatonin and 5HTP. Three ingredients have been clinically shown to support relaxation and enhance natural sleep quality
Anxious throughout the day or night- L-Theanine remains one of our favourite supplements. Taken in low doses during the day, such as Natural Factors Mental Calmness, it can help take the edge off and keep you focused.
Ashwagandha should be a go-to supplement to help increase your resistance to stress and support the adrenal glands. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ancient Ayurvedic herb with newfound research to support mood. Ashwagandha has been shown to significantly increase GABA levels in the brain, which we know to help reduce the over-firing of neurons that cause stress, anxiety, and nervousness. This herb appears to help lower cortisol levels, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands in response to stress-producing and adaptogenic effects to manage your body's stress response.
Digestive disorders can affect nighttime sleep and daytime tiredness. Reduce nighttime digestive problems- If your bowel and digestive system are struggling all day, the result will be tiredness. Take a deeper look into your digestion. The result could be as benign as taking a digestive enzyme with meals to help move food through the colon. It may require a mild laxative or the right type of fibre to reduce constipation or a good probiotic such as Natural Factors CalmBiotic taken before bed to replace healthy gut bacteria
CalmBiotic is a convenient one-a-day capsule that supports occasional anxiety and a healthy mood by helping maintain the microbiome and the gut-brain axis. It also promotes immune health and normal gastrointestinal function in healthy people experiencing stress or nervousness. Natural Factors CalmBiotic is one of the first probiotic products shown to temporarily modify gut flora to address both the physical and psychological symptoms of stress
]]>Cautions
Do not drive or use machinery for 5 hours after taking melatonin. Avoid taking with alcohol or products that cause drowsiness. Consult a health care practitioner before using supplements mentioned in this article if you are taking steroids or blood thinners, medications for seizure or blood pressure, or medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medications), affecting your mental state, or to increase sedation. Do not use these products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
We understand that hormones can wreak havoc on the body if they are out of balance, negatively affecting our energy, mood, sleep, metabolism etc. And when any of these hormonal systems are misfiring, prescribed medications or supplements are recommended to help bring the body into a state of equilibrium. None of this is new information. What is more intriguing is the recognition that hormones and endocrine glands (where hormones are stored, released and produced) have more intimate connections than previously understood.
Besides hormones, the endocrine system manages the body's processes that support growth and development, stress and sleep, and balance blood sugar and metabolism. Michael Lam MD was the first to coin the intricate relationship between three of the endocrine's main functions as the OAT axis and described how the ovaries, adrenal glands and thyroid gland influence one another.
The endocrine system is made up of eight different glands located throughout the body. The three most important systems that affect women are the ovaries, the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland.
O = Ovaries A= Adrenals T = Thyroid = OAT Axis ( the imaginary line that connects & rotates around the body)
The OAT Axis
The theory behind the OAT axis is that all three systems of this axis must be in a state of optimum balance for women to feel their best. In other words, the systems depend on one another, and what happens in one organ can affect the other. If the adrenal glands are weak or stressed, there is often some disruption to the thyroid glands and a woman's ovarian glands. Subsequently, if the thyroid hormones are misfiring, the ovaries and the adrenals are affected. When the ovaries are under or over-performing, adverse effects on the adrenals and thyroid may arise. The OAT axis imbalance represents a hormonal imbalance that conventional medicine has not yet recognized. No clinical test can definitively test or isolate precisely which one of the organs is in a state of imbalance. However, there is enough anecdotal evidence to examine the relationship between these organs and the need to support each organ and its role in whole-body function and wellness.
Do you have an imbalanced OAT axis?
WOW, doesn't it feel great knowing that your symptoms make sense? And why nothing you do seems to help? While treating one system within the OAT axis will help if you are certain that the system is causing the disruptive imbalance. However, the myriad of symptoms overlap each system and cause imbalances at different degrees with different women, making it both convoluted to sort out and challenging to treat.
What systems are causing this disruption!!!!
It is not just adrenal fatigue! It is not just hypothyroidism! It is not just ovarian function! It could be all three!
If your healthcare providers are unsure what systemic disruption came first, the thyroid, the ovaries or the adrenals treating all three systems seems to make more sense! Unfortunately, no one prescribed pill or even a supplement has caught up to the new theory.
So what can you do?
If you want to work on normalizing your OAT axis, the suggestion is to first start with recovery of the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands manage daily stress, and to have a whole-body hormonal balance, the adrenal glands need to function optimally. The adrenal glands are also the cornerstone for hormonal balance because it is where "pregnenolone" is produced. Pregnenolone is what other hormones are made of (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA). If the adrenal glands are under a constant state of stress, the increasing need for cortisol rises to handle the bombardment of stress signals. The chemical exchange that takes place in your adrenals most often affects pregnenolone which starts the disruption and imbalance of your endocrine hormones, and organs, especially the thyroid and ovaries.
By supporting your adrenal function, you can improve the communication of the entire OAT system, and many of your symptoms may naturally fall in line. If you find that supporting your adrenal glands does not alter the state of your thyroid or ovaries, systematically introduce methods and supplements to help each system.
Recovering from an OAT axis system breakdown is not a quick fix. It took a while for these hormones and organs to become imbalanced, and it will take equally as long to bring them back to equilibrium.
The Adrenal Glands
The Thyroid Gland –If you have been diagnosed with a low thyroid but are not taking medications for the condition. Consider adding a thyroid-supportive supplement in combination with your adrenal healing routine. Otherwise, wait to start this supplement. Work on your adrenal for 3-6 months. If you have not seen any changes with the symptoms in your OAT axis, then add thyroid support to your routine
The Ovaries –If you are not experiencing symptoms identified with the OAT axis supporting the ovaries and women's hormonal system should be the first place to start ( PMS, Perimenopause, Menopause). However, if you can check off, most of the OAT axis symptoms work on the adrenals first.
If you are unsure where to start, work with your healthcare practitioner or a naturopathic doctor to help evaluate and solve ovarian, adrenal and thyroid concerns.
Men are not immune! – Men can have hormonal imbalances; substitute the ovaries with the male reproductive system!
]]>Aging is a natural and inevitable process. Whether we like it or not, we all grow older, but we are not all affected in the same way. Some fortunate individuals seem immune to the effects of age. They radiate youthful vitality. Whereas other individuals are besieged by time. They may appear much older than their years or be more prone to age-related diseases.
To a certain degree, some age-related changes are inevitable. As the years advance, your hair will grey, your skin will wrinkle, and your eyes may dim. Your body may take longer to recover from usual tasks, and the odd memory slip may become more common. These are all natural by-products of aging.
What is not as natural are the diseases that are commonly associated with aging. Your risk of disease increases with age, but perhaps not because the disease is a by-product of age; rather, disease is the cumulative effect of years of abuse or neglect to our bodies.
The landmark MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging found that while genes can play an essential role in health during the early decades of life, from adulthood on, your behaviour and lifestyle account for a full 70 percent of how well you age! In other words, the ability to increase your health and longevity is in your hands.
How Can you Become a Highly Effective Ager?
Besides engaging in moderate physical exercise and brain stimulation such as reading and mental puzzles. Getting better sleep and managing stress levels in early adulthood can make a difference in your aging process. Eating healthy paves the road for good long-term health but more than all the traditional ideas of how to age better. Controlling damage to your cells early on and throughout aging is perhaps the only way toward Aging Smart™
How do your cells control how you age? Your Mitochondria, the New scientific theories to aging !
In the last few years, the "Mitochondrial theory" has been identified as one of the most significant players in the aging process. Mitochondria are specialized structures within the cell that are responsible for generating energy (ATP). At an extremely high level, our mitochondria take elements from the food we eat (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) combined with oxygen from the air we breathe to make ATP through cellular respiration.
Without the ATP energy produced by your cells (mitochondria), you cannot survive. Depending on the type of cell determines how many of the tiny power boxes (mitochondria) are present. For example, the muscles take a lot of energy to move, so they have much more mitochondria than other cells.
Your Mitochondria are also known as the "powerhouse" of your cell.
Did you know
While cellular respiration (creating energy) is required for life, it also generates free radicals that damage mitochondria, the cells and DNA. By nature, the body constantly works towards repairing any damaged cells, but countless forces within and outside the body, such as overexposure to sunlight, pollution, radiation, herbicides, chemicals and some of the foods we eat, can produce more free radicals than the body can heal on its own. Recent science has also made the connection between poor mitochondria function and the activation of the proteins that cause internal inflammation. Damaged mitochondria have also been linked to poor stem cell function and mutations of the DNA
When the Mitochondria are not functioning optimally, disease and body wear and tear start to show, and a myriad of symptoms cause health and quality of life to decline. To date, there are over 300 illnesses associated with the disfunction of our Mitochondria
Is Healthy Aging Still Possible?
Research suggests that the critical process of the mitochondria's ability to repair and replace damaged ones declines as we age. Implying that our ability to create healthy mitochondria to support our energy demands as we age is paramount in reducing age-related illnesses and living a more productive and healthy life as we age. Now that you have a better understanding of how critical mitochondria are to creating energy and the aging process, you may wonder how to keep them healthy and thriving.
Eat a Clean Diet
Too often, we eat processed foods and empty calories, void of the crucial nutrients that support energy metabolism. The energy required for mitochondria directly affects the energy your cells will produce. A diet rich in antioxidants will help offset the free radical damage associated with generating ATP energy
Food, as thy medicine, is fundamental to supporting your cells. Mitochondria require a diet rich in antioxidants – think colourful vegetables, some fruit, herbs and spices and other healthy foods that supply essential nutrients. Ensure you eat plenty of protein food such as meat, fish, nuts, seeds, beans/lentils and eggs to support amino acids like Glutathione that protect the mitochondria. You can boost your protein in the morning by adding a green protein-rich smoothie. Healthy Fats like omega-3 from fish, avocados, flaxseed and olive oil can help protect the mitochondria by providing anti-inflammatory support
Don't Overlook Exercise
Strength training and high-intensity interval training can increase the number and function of mitochondria by increasing your muscle mass. Exercise can increase the number of healthy mitochondria in your body.
Regenerate the cell with targeted Supplementation.
As people are beginning to understand the role of mitochondria in promoting health and longevity, they are turning towards advanced nutrition targeted at cellular health. Taking supplements that support the performance of your mitochondria is a good strategy to help protect your cells, reduce damage and deterioration, and support your ongoing well-being and longevity.
Natural Factors RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula
Natural Factors RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula contains a potent combination of targeted nutritional compounds that optimize mitochondrial function and antioxidant defence. RegenerLife has clinically relevant levels of CoQ10 and acetyl-L-carnitine, plus ElevATP™, a proprietary source of ancient peat and apple extracts, to help increase energy production at a cellular level. Extramel® is a concentrated source of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase that sustains the body's endogenous antioxidant defence system, and Opitac™ L-glutathione promotes redox balance in cells.
RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization helps reduce the symptoms of perceived stress, such as pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and reduced quality of life. The natural watermelon-flavoured drink mix has a delicious taste, is gently sweetened with stevia, and is suitable for vegetarians. It is an excellent choice for adults with age- or health-related declines in mitochondrial function, people who are concerned about their exposure to toxins, and those who want a stimulant-free supplement to help improve strength and power in repetitive bouts of brief, highly intense physical activity
Who should take this supplement?
Give your life a surge with RegenerLife NMN Surge
As a direct precursor to NAD+, supplementing with NMN has demonstrated a boost in NAD+ levels can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, improve insulin sensitivity and protect against age-related diseases.
RegenerLife NMNSurge contains the form of vitamin B3 that is rapidly converted to replenish NAD+ whole body levels and has a greater range of activities in the body. The overwhelming benefit of NMNSurge for full body rejuvenation and longevity are paramount for Aging Smart™
Who should take this supplement?
RegenerLife Longevity Wellness Optimization
With so much goodness in mitochondrial supplements, daily compliance to ensure the best benefits is not always easy. RegenerLife Longevity Wellness Optimization is an all-in-one product that organizes wellness into all-in-one packets. Each packet contains three different Aging Smart™ RegenerLife Supplements, Mitochondrial Energy, NMNsurge, and Omega-3+D Ultra Strength – plus Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix for capillary health.
The nutrients in the Longevity all-in-one packets were expertly chosen to optimize mitochondrial health and increase energy production at the cellular level. Each daily supplement packet provides comprehensive anti-aging support for the brain, heart, and blood vessels by combining clinically relevant nutrients to repair and build healthy cell membranes in the nerves and brain, alongside antioxidants to defend against oxidative stress in and outside of cells. This innovative supplement packet provides a convenient way to get the best of all RegenerLife formulas, taking the guesswork out of supporting longevity.
Who should take this supplement?
Doctor Recommendations to rejuvenate your energy!
Most doctors will agree that key nutrients make a real difference in supporting mitochondria to produce energy and can rejuvenate and energize our lives. The Regnerlife Mitochondria Energy Supplement is the first step in improving cellular health. Adding other vital supplements can enhance your healing process and increase your path toward healthy aging. In many cases, the doctor-recommended supplements are daily supplements that you are already taking. The Regnerlife versions are amped up with unique ingredients and added healthy aging benefits not traditionally found in everyday Vitamin D, Omega or antioxidants
Natural Factors RegenerLife Liposomal Bioenergetic Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not stored by the body and must be consumed daily to maintain the levels recommended for overall health. At times of stress, illness, certain medications, and exposure to pollutants, the body needs more vitamin C to keep oxidative damage in check and to support healthy immune function. Natural Factors RegenerLife Liposomal Bioenergetic Vitamin C offers stomach-friendly vitamin C. This preferred form of vitamin C (pH-neutral calcium ascorbate) is enhanced with citrus bioflavonoids and a fruit blend and is encased within liposomes for superior absorption.
Natural Factors RegenerLife Liposomal Bioenergetic Vitamin C also provides premium antioxidant protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) linked to premature aging.
Who should take this supplement?
RegenerLife Sleep Better
Sleep Better is part of the RegenerLife anti-aging line of supplements formulated for whole-body rejuvenation and longevity. Declining melatonin production in older age can alter the body's sleep-wake cycle, affecting daytime energy, mood, and overall health. Supplemental melatonin provides a natural way for people experiencing disrupted sleep patterns to reset a normal sleep-wake cycle and promote a longer, better quality of sleep. It works complementarily with 5-HTP, a free-form amino acid that improves rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which has shown positive effects in helping people overcome insomnia. The amino acid L-theanine works alongside a blend of sleep-supportive herbs – valerian, passionflower, and hops – to temporarily promote relaxation and calm feelings of nervousness that may be impacting sleep.
Who Should Take this supplement?
Natural Factors RegenerLife Resveratrol
Because cumulative cell damage from free radicals can speed up the age-related decline, preventing free radical damage is important for maintaining optimal health throughout a person’s lifespan. Studies show that resveratrol enhances the body’s ability to resist oxidative stress, which may help protect against age-related health conditions such as cardiovascular health, cognitive health, healthy aging, and mitochondrial health.
Natural Factors RegenerLife Resveratrol is extracted from the skin of red grapes (Vitis vinifera) grown in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and from Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). The knotweed is highly purified to remove 99% of the emodin, a natural substance that can act as a laxative in some sensitive people. Knotweed is commonly used in traditional medicines to support the liver and heart.
Who should take this supplement?
RegenerLife Omega-3 Ultra Strength or RegenerLife Omega-3+D Ultra Strength
EPA, DHA and DPA are three omega-3 fatty acids necessary for brain health, healthy muscles, including the heart, and joint and immune function. Omega-3 helps support blood lipid management and promote mood balance and brain health.
Despite all the known health benefits of long-chain omega-3, most adults don’t get enough in their diet. Natural Factors RegenerLife Omega-3 Ultra Strength and RegenerLife Omega-3+D Ultra Strength offer a high-potency molecularly distilled, ultra-purified form of Omega-3. Natural Factors RegenerLife Omega-3 Ultra Strength has been screened by ISURA® for purity and safety and encapsulated in Canada. It is an ideal fish oil for anyone looking to support healthy aging. Natural Factors RegenerLife Omega-3+D Ultra Strength provides the same high potency strength of Omega 3 alongside 1000 mg of Vitamin DWho should take this supplement?
Consider RegenerLife Omega-3+D Ultra Strength
RegenerLife BrainRevive
The brain works harmoniously with the gut and heart to control cognitive functions, such as memory, emotion, and behaviour. Nourishing all three of these organs is critical to optimizing brain function and preventing cognitive decline in older age.
RegenerLife BrainRevive is a five-in-one supplement kit designed to take the guesswork out of choosing supplements for supporting your brain health. Grapeseed extract and bioavailable curcumin are potent antioxidants that protect the brain and blood vessels against oxidative stress and damaging inflammation. The addition of a highly absorbable form of phosphatidylserine plays an integral role in brain and nerve cell membranes that improve concentration, learning, vocabulary, and memory. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA contribute to cardiovascular health and brain function. Probiotics are included to promote favourable gut microbiota by replenishing strains critical to gastrointestinal health.
Who should take this supplement?
Strep throat bacteria spread quickly from person to person by breathing in tiny droplets from a sick person’s cough or sneeze if you get any droplets on your hands and touch your mouth or nose or use the same glass or utensils from an infected person.
Your throat may get sore and scratchy and cause pain when swallowing. Strep throat also has a telling sign of white pus at the back of the throat & red patches or streaks in the throat, your tonsils or the roof of your mouth. You may have swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills or mild headache. If you have a cough, runny nose or hoarseness, you most likely don’t have strep. The only way to diagnose strep is through a throat swap by your family doctor. More likely than not, if our healthcare provider suspects strep, they will start you on antibiotics.
Strep throat typically goes away within 3-7 days with or without antibiotics; however, monitoring the virus in young children is imperative to prevent a more serious ailment from developing (Scarlet Fever, Rheumatic Fever, Sinus, Ear Infection, etc.).
Preventing Strep throat is the first line of defence and ensuring that children receive the best treatment for their age is imperative. Adults have a few more options to manage their symptoms, reduce infection rate and naturally rid the virus from the body.
If your child has contracted the virus or you feel at risk, step up your game with immune-enhancing supplements. They will not guarantee that you will not contract the strep virus, but immune supplements give your over-compromised systems a better chance of not contracting the strep virus or reducing the severity if you do. Consider immune supplements that are formulated with a few different ingredients. Such as St Francis Deep Immune or Living Alchemy Defense.
Elderberry supplements support immune health, and while they are traditionally used to address the cold or flu, emerging studies show elderberry may minimize the growth of bacteria that can cause strep. Elderberry supplements can be found in capsules, syrup/liquid, and cough-drop form.
Bee Propolis deserves accolades for its antimicrobial and fungal-fighting properties. Bee propolis is made by the working bee. It is the glue that holds their hive together but also functions to keep pathogens out of the hive. Human consumption of Bee Propolis works much the same way
Because a bacteria cause strep throat, gargling with apple cider vinegar may be beneficial. Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties and may inhibit the growth of numerous bacteria strains, including the ones associated with strep throat. The general consensus is to take one teaspoon in a small amount of water and gargle (do not swallow) up to three times a day
Marshmallow root, nothing like the gummy candied marshmallows, may be an excellent choice for helping to alleviate the symptoms of strep throat because it contains a mucus-like substance that coats and soothes the throat.
Oregano oil is one of the favourite go-to products for bacterial and fungal infections, and some studies support its use in reducing Streptococcus. Some studies promote the use of oregano oil as an alternative to antibiotics. We do not suggest this as an option for young children with strep, but it may be an option for adults.
St Francis Herb Farm Fungafect combines oregano with other fungal and bacterial-fighting herbs for an all-in-one option. Their “Stop it cold” spray is another excellent option for strep throat that combines bee propolis, marshmallow and echinacea for sore throat relief and immune-enhancing benefits
Thank you for reading
]]>Cortisol is one of the main stress hormones produced in our adrenal glands. Its activity is controlled by the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Cortisol plays a role in blood sugar levels, regulating metabolism, assisting memory function and reducing inflammation. It even affects the salt-water balance, which controls blood pressure.
Cortisol is intended to give us a quick burst of energy when faced with immediate stress or danger. It draws this energy from the glucose stores in your fat and muscle cells. A blood sugar drop usually follows this until the systems level out. A constant state of fight and flight (stress response) causes a rise and crash, leaving you tired, hungry, craving sugar and more stressed out.
Cortisol does not know the difference between being stressed out all the time at work or home or being stressed out because you are running from a bear. The body perceives them as threats and increases Cortisol to help you manage stressful situations.
How does Cortisol Make you Fatter?
Research has shown that if you have unwanted belly fat or your weight increases no matter what you do. You likely have a hormone imbalance of some sort. Cortisol is a big culprit of the unwanted "inner tube" around the belly. Cortisol is an essential hormone that our body needs to survive, but if you are stressed out day after day, the body will continue to release Cortisol.
Cortisol affects fat storage because glucose production increases when the body is in a state of stress or perceived threat. This excess glucose provides the required energy to produce the body's expected response. However, if your body is not using glucose to solve the problem, it stores it as fat. Stress-induced cortisol weight gain is usually gained around the waistline because the fat cells in this area contain more stress hormone receptors. These fat cells are susceptible to high insulin and are very effective at storing energy (not burned).
An overproduction of Cortisol also negatively affects your thyroid, which results in fluctuations in metabolism. High or dysregulated cortisol levels wreak havoc over time, depleting those happy brain chemicals like serotonin, robbing your sleep, and can be linked to depression, food addiction, and sugar cravings and negatively affect the Leptin and Ghrelin signaling hormones ( that tell you when you are hungry or full)
Some signs that your cortisol levels may be too high are:
Stress has to be lower & the stress response better managed to get Cortisol to start normalizing before you will begin to see fat loss around the stomach.
Can You Regulate Cortisol Naturally?
Regulating Cortisol requires lifestyle changes to help you better manage your stress response. One way to do this is by introducing supplements knowns as adaptogens. Adaptogens are a unique group of healing herbs that help balance, restore and protect the body from stressors. Adaptogens are unique because they are neither stimulating nor sedating but bring the body into a state of balance.
One of the most valued adaptogen supplements is Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera), which can restore hormonal balance and healthy adrenal function over time. Current research supports the traditional uses of this plant in promoting stress resilience for cortisol and thyroid hormones. In addition to improving the stress response and reducing anxiety, research also identifies this herb for modulating the activity of GABA (the neurotransmitter) that supports calmness.
The recommended dosage to see this herb's effects are 300 – 600 mg two times a day for at least three months. Remember supporting those burned-out adrenals and regulating Cortisol is not a quick fix) Ashwagandha can be taken any time of day and even assist with restorative sleep if taken at night. Look for Ashwagandha, which contains KSM-66 (the researched form of the herb). Research suggests Ashwagandha gets its stress-easing power from unique plant compounds called glycowithanolides, which activate brain receptors to calm the body down during stressful times and support restful sleep. .
Adaptogens such as Ashwagandha are one way to help manage your stress response. It can be even more effective if you support your central nervous systems with a B complex. When your body is under stress, it requires a lot of Vitamin B. The various B vitamins play a role in improving the metabolic pathways that boost energy, reduce fatigue, and help to create adrenal hormones. Your B Vitamins should be a complex combination of all the essential B vitamins, each performing a unique responsibility for the body and central nervous system.
Keeping your blood sugar levels balanced during the day can help keep cortisol levels in check. Berberine supplements stimulate glucose uptake into muscle cells and balance sugar. It has also been shown to delay the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars, thus reducing sugar spikes. Berberine has also shown promise for weight loss due to its effect on fat-regulating hormones, such as insulin, adiponectin, and leptin. Berberine can also inhibit the growth of fat cells at the molecular level (studies were done 500 mg 3 times a day).
Additional Stress Busters
GABA is a natural calming agent of the brain. When we become overwhelmed with stress, the brain typically responds by producing more GABA to produce a more relaxed state, decreasing nervousness, scattered thoughts, and hyperactivity. GABA can improve relaxation without drowsiness and enhance mental focus. GABA also controls stress-related eating & food cravings and can facilitate sleep. Gaba supplements come in several different forms. You can take a yummy chewable throughout the day or a capsule on a more scheduled morning and night routine.
L-Theanine is a unique amino acid found in green tea. It has been used for centuries to promote relaxation without causing any drowsiness. L- Theanine works by decreasing the excitatory brain chemicals that contribute to stress while increasing the brain chemicals that produce relaxation. It is said to be the "Zen" supplement because it quiets the mind. When taken during the day, it helps to take the edge off so you can focus more clearly, whereas taken at night, it helps to produce a state of chill so you can rest.
Try not to get stressed about weight gain! Worrying about weight gain only increases Cortisol and keeps the cycle going. Manage your stress, support your stress response, adrenal glands, and blood sugar, and be patient. It takes some time for the fat to show up on your belly, and it will take some time to get it off.
Stress & Adrenal supplements cannot be taken if you take medications for stress, anxiety or depression without consulting your healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or lactating and have other interaction concerns.
An estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by a mental illness (2019 stat), and less than 20% will receive any treatment. Young adults aged 15-24 are more likely to experience a form of mental illness or substance disorder than any other age group. And by the age of 25, approximately 20% will go on to develop a more serious form of mental illness. So what is going on? Have young adults always been this stressed out, and we never noticed, or is something else happening?
Perhaps there is a bit of both. Young adults have always felt a fair amount of stress and anxiety, but it was never identified as such. It was brushed off as hormone changes, teenage growing pains, typical teenage behaviour etc. Today the pressures and stressors on young adults are far worse than when we were growing up, or our children were in their young adult stages.
Parents of young adults are experiencing unprecedented stressors in our modern time. The pandemic caused insurmountable debt and personal and professional loss for families, which tends to trickle down to the more aware young adults in the household, no matter how much parents tried to shield their children from the chaos. Young adults not only have the peer pressures and academic expectations that are typical for this age group. They have been forced to re-think and re-learn traditional methods of schooling. Young adults are typically more connected with their friends during this stage of their life but, for many months at a time, were forced into isolation and reduced or no personal contact with their natural support groups. The move towards everything online, from work, school, and relationships, has changed young adults' critical social interactive growth. In some cases, the entire process of becoming a young adult has been delayed leaving parents frustrated with their children and vice versa.
No one could have expected the cascade effect of the pandemic on our children's lives, but some good has come out of the forced life changes. Teenage and young adult stress and anxiety are taking a front seat in the management of mental wellness in Canada. New support mandates are in place, recommendations, guidelines, hotlines, government funding for more medical treatment and intervention and parents, finally, some understanding of why our young adults are behaving the way they are.
So what is next for our stressed-out young adults?
Watch for signs your child is suffering from stress or anxiety, acknowledge their feelings, and create a safe place for them to talk to you about their anxieties. If you cannot reach them, source someone that can. Don't assume their situation, stress, or anxiety will pass on with time; keep talking and taking action; even if they do not respond, they hear you.
Supplements can provide extra support to stressed Children
If your child is not taking any prescribed medications for anxiety or stress, consider supplementation to support their journey towards better mental health. Supplements for teenage anxiety and stress are not mainstream as of yet. The Canadian government still prefers medication over the natural approach, but there is growing support and evidence that natural products for young adults are not only helpful, but they also are non-habit forming and do not have the same adverse side effects.
GABA supplements are one of the first supplements for consideration because low levels of GABA have been associated with anxiety, agitation, worry, tension, separation anxiety, stress, panic, poor sleep, depression, and decreased tolerance for pain. Natural GABA production in the body is depleted when the body is under continued stress, sleeping disorders or some medications. GABA's primary function is to block certain nerve transmissions from over-firing. By preventing the overstimulation of neurons, moods and reactions to stress or anxious events are better managed. GABA helps the nervous system to better process information about fear, anxiety and stress and has a calming effect
Did you know that new studies are emerging between abnormalities with GABA activity and Autism as well as depression?
GABA is naturally present in fermented foods such as kimchi, miso & tempeh. It is also found in tea, tomatoes, walnuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans and spinach. While increasing GABA from foods is always good, our diets still cannot get GABA to the level needed for the same active benefits as supplementation.
Natural Factors Stress Relax GABA is an excellent solution for young adults of varying ages. It comes in capsules with 100 mg & 250 mg capsules or in a chewable at a dosage of 100 mg that can be broken in half and slowly increased to full dose. The lower amount of 100 mg is recommended for children and young adults between the age of 12- 14, whereas the 250 mg dose is recommended for children and young adults between the age of 14-18. The chewable lozenges are yummy tasting too
L-Theanine is another supplement that can help young adults that suffer from anxiety, panic, and nervousness. It has been used more regularly with children with ADHD to help support focus and calm when there is a high level of agitation. L-Theanine is an amino acid derived from green or black tea leaves and is linked to improved concentration, cognitive performance, memory retention and emotional well-being. L-Theanine boosts calming neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to promote relaxation and lower brain chemicals associated with stress and anxiety. L-Theanine has a chill-like effect on the mind. It takes the edge off without making you drowsy. L-Theanine is also effective at increasing the production of GABA, which, as discussed above, has anti-stress effects
The suggested range for teens is 100-200 mg two-three times daily. L-Theanine is quick acting, especially when taken in the chewable form. Start with a smaller dosage and increase as needed to provide the desired relaxation effect. For some people, a smaller dosage is all that is required, whereas if agitation is greater, higher dosage can be given. There are no known side effects to this supplement but as with all supplements, consult your healthcare provider with any concerns
Natural Factors Mental Calmness supplements come in both chewable and capsules. The capsules provide a 125 mg dose, whereas the chewable is 100 mg. Both have the same effect on the body; the chewable has a quicker response time and is easy to break in half if you want to start your child off at a lower dosage.
Supplements More Geared Towards the Young Adult
As your teenager starts to move into a young adult, the stressors and expectations for this stage of their life will likely not get any easier. From time to time, you may find that your now young adult needs more support for their mental wellness. L-Theanine & GABA may be all they need, even at this stage of their life, but if you find they are not responding well to these supplements, consider adding more specific supplements to their present situation.
Ashwagandha – is an adaptogenic herb that operates at the level of the overall body systems by maintaining balance with the chemicals, hormones and processes that run the human body. Ashwagandha literally adapts to what the body needs. Ashwagandha is one of the most recognized adaptogenic herbs and is easily tolerated by adults. It is best known for its ability to better manage the stress response by balancing cortisol levels ( a hormone produced by the adrenal glands during times of stress). It also nourishes the central nervous system, promotes sleep and relieves insomnia. It is especially useful for people that are exhausted from stress, complain about body aches, get sick easily, or have trouble falling and staying asleep. When taken during the day, this herb can help improve brain power by raising the level of acetylcholine, which positively affects learning and cognitive functioning
It does take some time for this herb to show beneficial effects. The recommended dose is 300- 600 mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha for 1-3 months. It can be given 1-2 times a day (depending on supplement mg) or before bedtime if sleep is one of the primary concerns. The age suggestions for daily use of this herb start at 16 through adulthood
Natural Factors Ashwagandha contains the researched and clinically studied form of this herb KSM-66 Ashwagandha in a 600 mg dose
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders indicates that Saffron may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in teenage children. The first-of-its-kind study found that supplementation with "Affron," a branded saffron extract ingredient, improved feelings of separation anxiety, social phobia, and depression in young people. Saffron ( Affron) possesses a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impact, which could help balance key neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, and also fight the oxidative stress produced by anxiety and stress in the brain."
It could take up to 8 weeks to regularly take Saffron before the managed effects for depression and anxiety are noticed. The suggested dosage is 14 mg twice a day or 28 mg once a day. Natural Factors Saffron contains "Affron," the clinically approved form of Saffron. They offer it in both sizes depending on your child's needs and compliance with taking regular supplements.
You've heard about melatonin supplements for insomnia, shift change, jetlag etc., but some early studies show that melatonin may also be beneficial for young adults with trouble falling asleep. Melatonin is a hormone our brains naturally produce to fall asleep and regulates our sleep-wake schedule. It is typically released in the brain in the evening and stimulated by darkness. Blue light from tablets, phones and computers that are used well into the night fools the brain into thinking it is daytime, interrupting the natural production and flow of nighttime melatonin. Over time, the continued use of electronics wreaks havoc on the body's production of melatonin, making us feel more alert at night when we should be sleepy.
Melatonin supplements such as Natural Factors Melatonin 3 mg or Natural Factors 5 mg can be a short-term way to help young adults ( 14-18) get back on track or reset sleep schedules after vacations, summer breaks, long nights of studying or other interruptions. This supplement should only be used to help your child re-establish a better bedtime routine. It is best taken 30-90 minutes before the desired bedtime. Melatonin supplements may be beneficial for children with ADHD ( under a physician's supervision).
Natural Factors Tranquil Sleep is another excellent option for young adults. It combines L-Theanine, which we know can help quiet the overactive mind, with Melatonin to help regulate sleeping patterns. The addition of 5HTP aids in the production of melatonin which is a precursor to the happy hormone serotonin. Some experts believe that increasing serotonin at night can positively influence the emotional factors that may be disrupting sleep.
]]>We cannot heal what we don't understand- Understanding your cells
When something goes awry in the body, we are quick to find a resolution and treat our symptoms. We may suffer from joint pain, heartburn, skin rashes etc., each with a temporary solution within reach. We have a headache and reach for a pill to help to reduce the symptoms. We have a cold; we source the best option to get through the sniffles.
We tend to overlook what happens deep within the body, in the cells that make up who we are. Our cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body consists of trillions of different cells that perform different functions. For example, we have nerve cells that help transport messages around the body. We have brain cells that help carry out other cells' messages and actions. Cells provide structure to the muscular system so you can move about. They take nutrients from foods so your cells can keep on living and reproducing. Your cells also carry your DNA!
Our cells are also made up of essential materials such as the membrane, nucleus, plasma, cytoplasm, ribosomes, organelles, etc. But something needs to power the cells, keep them active and help transform all those nutrients you consume into something the body can use. Introducing your 'mitochondria."
Your Mitochondria are also known as the "powerhouse" of your cell. Mitochondria are part of the "organelles" in your cell that take in nutrients from the foods you consume and break them down into energy-rich molecules for the cell called "ATP Energy." Without the ATP energy produced from your cells (mitochondria), you cannot survive. Depending on the type of cell determines how many of the tiny power boxes (mitochondria) are present. For example, the muscles take a lot of energy to move, so they have much more mitochondria than other cells.
Did you know
The importance of Healing the Body at the Cellular Level
Now that we have gotten through the condensed version of cells and how they work, we better understand the incredible importance of the cell's mitochondria. Protecting and nurturing the body at the cellular level may make more sense.
When the Mitochondria are not functioning optimally, disease and body wear and tear start to show and a myriad of symptoms that cause health and quality of life to decline. To date, there are over 300 illnesses associated with the disfunction of our Mitochondria
Did you know there is no cure?
If you suffer from any disease or illness associated with dysfunction of your Mitochondria cells, there is no cure or magic pill that you can take. The only defence is to protect and nurture your cells and to heal the body at a cellular level before things go wrong. Encourage the growth of new healthy cells and mitochondria by reducing free radical damage to the cells from outside sources and stimulate the development of new and healthy mitochondria
Heal the body from within with Well Researched Supplements & Lifestyle
Eat to support your Mitochondria
Food, as thy medicine, is fundamental to supporting your cells. Mitochondria require a diet rich in antioxidants – think colourful vegetables, some fruit, herbs and spices and other healthy foods that supply essential nutrients. Ensure you eat plenty of protein food such as meat, fish, nuts, seeds, beans/lentils and eggs to support amino acids like Glutathione that protect the mitochondria. You can boost your protein in the morning by adding a green protein-rich smoothie. Healthy Fats like omega-3 from fish, avocados, flaxseed and olive oil can help protect the mitochondria by providing anti-inflammatory support
Exercise to support your Mitochondria
Strength training and high-intensity interval training can increase the number and function of mitochondria by increasing your muscle mass. Exercise can increase the number of healthy mitochondria in your body.
Prevent, Nurture & Protect your Mitochondria with Well Researched Supplements
Even with the right foods and adequate daily exercise, your mitochondria may need extra support from outside factors such as pollution, UV damage, some medications, excess stress etc. Taking supplements that support the performance of your mitochondria is a good strategy to help protect your cells, reduce damage and deterioration and support your ongoing well-being and longevity
Acetyl-L-Carnitine- Helps transport healthy fatty acids to the mitochondria for energy production and repair. It is essential in cellular metabolism, especially muscle movement and heart and brain function. The benefit of an increase in Acetyl-L-Carnitine availability is to promote neurological health, learning attention, long-term memory and mood. Acetyl-L-Carnitine also helps improve neuropathy in certain conditions
Natural Factors Acetyl-L-Carnitine is the biologically active form of the amino acid L-carnitine. This form of L-Carnitine can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it ideal for promoting neurological health. Acetyl-L-carnitine has antioxidant activity and is important for heart and brain function. It also produces energy at the cellular level.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a coenzyme capable of cleaning up some of the mess created by free radical damage to the cells. Alpha Lipoic Acid also recharges other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to their active states, acts as an essential cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes, blocks inflammatory signals and stimulates glutathione synthesis. Without sufficient (Alpha Lipoic Acids) ALA, the mitochondria would be unable to protect the electron transport chain from free radical damage.
Natural Factors Alpha-Lipoic Acid with B1 & B2 features the "universal antioxidant" alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) alongside vitamins B1 and B2. ALA increases the body's total antioxidant capacity to protect against oxidative damage to muscles, nerves, and other tissues throughout the body. It also supports healthy blood sugar control by enhancing glucose uptake into cells.
Glutathione is one of the major intercellular compounds and is the primary mechanism for protecting cells. (Provides antioxidant defence for the cell). Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant that supports the liver's detoxification pathways. Glutathione changes chemicals and metabolic by-products into harmless substances for excretion from the body by deactivating harmful free radicals. Increased production depends on the intake of specific amino acids from foods or in the form of supplementation.
Natural Factors Glutathione LipoMicel Matrix - Natural Factors Glutathione LipoMicel Matrix has up to 3x higher absorption of Glutathione which delivers an enhanced source of antioxidants to protect your cells from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Natural Factors Glutathione LipoMicel Matrix has formulated a unique patent-pending technology that creates a liquid micelle matrix that disperses the Glutathione into tiny micro-droplets. This results in a highly stable delivery system for higher absorption than other forms of Glutathione on the market.
PQQ-10 with Coenzyme Q10 work together as a powerful duo to improve the speed and efficiency of your mitochondria. PQQ (short for pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a multi-functioning nutrient in some plant foods. PQQ helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. PQQ also activates an essential protein (CREB) and directly stimulates the growth and replication of new healthier, stronger mitochondria, positively affecting cellular ATP energy. PQQ also plays a role in the growth and development of neurons directly impacting the brain.
COQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is another powerful antioxidant that has incredible merits as a stand-alone supplement, but when combined with PQQ-10, the benefits to internal cell protection increase two-fold
Natural Factors PQQ-10 with COQ10 200 mg work together to support the mitochondria, the cell's energy producers. By protecting neurons and stimulating nerve growth in the brain, PQQ-10 also supports cognitive performance, including memory and attention.
The supplements mentioned above each provide unique healing properties for the body's internal cells. A person could undoubtedly add each supplement to their daily regimen, and depending on their present health condition, there may be a good reason to do so. If occupation exposes you to chemicals, you may want to take Glutathione daily. If you have diabetes or other diseases that affect the nerves, you want to consider Alpha Lipoic acid as a daily supplement. If you want to improve oxygen update and metabolic support, consider Acetyl L Carnitine. If you have cardiovascular disease or early symptoms of brain disorders, you should reach for PQQ-10 with Coenzyme.
But what if you want all the benefits of cellular growth and protection these supplements provide? Then you may want to try our new go-to product for cellular health
Natural Factors RegnerLIfe- The Combination Supplement for Internal Cell Healing
Natural Factors RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization formula contains a potent combination of targeted nutritional compounds that optimize mitochondrial function and antioxidant defence. RegenerLife contains clinically relevant levels of CoQ10 and acetyl-L-carnitine, plus ElevATP™, a proprietary source of ancient peat and apple extracts, to help increase energy production at a cellular level. Extramel® is a concentrated source of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase that sustains the body's endogenous antioxidant defence system, and Opitac™ L-glutathione promotes redox balance in cells.
RegenerLife Mitochondrial Optimization helps reduce the symptoms of perceived stress, such as pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and reduced quality of life. The natural watermelon-flavoured drink mix has a delicious taste, is gently sweetened with stevia, and is suitable for vegetarians. It is an excellent choice for adults with age- or health-related declines in mitochondrial function, people who are concerned about their exposure to toxins, and those who want a stimulant-free supplement to help improve strength and power in repetitive bouts of brief, highly intense physical activity
It Tastes Great too!
]]>Arthritis is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, but age puts you at more risk for osteoarthritis. In fact, according to stats Canada, the majority of Canadians will be affected by some form of an arthritic disease by age 70, and there are over 100 different forms of inflammatory/arthritic conditions!
Arthritis and joint inflammation are not primarily an "old person's" disease. It is just more common as you age. And what happens in joints with advancing age did not just show up on your 40th birthday. Joint stiffness, pain and inflammation can begin in your early 40s, but it worsens with age. Just how much depends on your health and fitness care level in earlier years.
If you had significant injuries or trauma to any of your joints through a fall in your younger years, played repetitive high-impact sports or struggled with obesity, the wear and tear over time damages the bone and cartilage in your joints. The incidence of arthritic conditions and joint pain is not limited to injury, overuse or extra strain. It can also result from underlying internal/systemic inflammation. It can be the result of inactivity for years, high blood sugar, smoking and improper nutrition ( lack of specific vitamins and minerals)
Why do Joints seem to fail us as we age?
Besides our lifestyle and overall health, ageing affects the musculoskeletal system. Our bones continually go through a process of bone absorption and formation, but as we age, the balance between absorption and formation changes, leading to bone loss. Our bones become less dense and more fragile. Causing instability in the joints and vertebrae
Ageing also affects the properties of cartilage which is the cushion between joints. With age, there is less water in the cartilage. The cartilage structure changes from smooth and slippery to rough, reducing the ability of the cartilage to cushion and absorb the shock of movement effectively. Ligaments and other connective tissues surrounding the joints become less flexible and elastic with age, all of which cause the joint to become inflamed and painful.
Prevention and Reduction of Inflammation is The Key
Face it, when we were young, we felt invincible, and no amount of reminding from our parents that we need to eat healthy now to ensure a healthy life and strong bones and joints later in life was going to resonate. But we can help spread the word to young adults, our younger selves our age-advancing family members that while ageing is inevitable, we can practice prevention and protect our joints at any age. And even if you are experiencing joint pain or arthritic conditions now, you can take some steps to manage the effects of the disease.
Natural health supplements that possess anti-inflammatory properties and supplements that help reduce pain and protect the joints are potent treatment agents for osteoarthritis.
Combining the top three joint support nutrients into one formula provides superior support for painful joints and connective tissue. Natural Factors MSM Joint Formula contains a blend of MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate, which work together to relieve the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and support the health of joints and connective tissue. This combination formula maintains the structural function of joints and connective tissue, improves joint lubrication, and jump-starts the healing process in deteriorating cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin protect the cartilage and connective tissue from degenerating and optimize joint function. MSM is an antioxidant that supports the musculoskeletal system and can help reduce the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Natural Factors MSM uses OptiMSM, the premium form of MSM, certified for quality and consistency and used in clinical efficacy and safety studies. Supplementing the diet with the nutrients in MSM Joint Formula is an effective and natural way to optimize joint health and an ideal option for people with pain from a degenerative joint condition
It contains a synergistic combination of herbal extracts that are effective for natural joint pain relief and healthy joint function. Theracurmin™ curcumin and supercharged extracts of white willow, devil's claw, Boswellia, and InflamRelief™ complex exert powerful antioxidant actions and support a healthy inflammatory response. Together, they help relieve the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, offer short-term relief for low back pain, and support joint health, comfort, and function.
Theracurmin is an advanced form of curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric (Curcuma longa), widely used to promote a healthy inflammatory response and for potent antioxidant protection against free radicals. Scientific scrutiny has shown that Theracurmin is more bioavailable than other leading enhanced and regular forms of curcumin, ensuring a therapeutically effective level in the blood.*
In traditional herbal medicine, the herb Devil's Claw has a long history of use for relieving pain, while Boswellia decreases the activity of enzymes that destroy the joint cartilage. White willow bark has been used for centuries for pain and inflammation. It contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds and is a natural source of salicin, which is chemically similar to aspirin. InflamRelief is a complex of seven whole fruit concentrates that are rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
*Scientific scrutiny revealed that Theracurmin was more bioavailable on a milligram-to-milligram basis than other leading† enhanced and regular forms of curcumin.
Natural Factors PEA400 contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) that is naturally sourced from non-GMO safflower oil to help relieve chronic pain. PEA is a fatty-acid-like compound made by the body's nervous and immune system cells to regulate pain and inflammation. It is also found in certain foods, such as safflower lecithin, soybeans, peanuts, and egg yolks.
PEA has analgesic, neuroprotective, and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. It activates the endocannabinoid system and has been used successfully for chronic pain and discomfort conditions. It has been studied for nerve compression syndromes, including sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain caused by pinched nerves and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
PEA400 is made from fractionated non-GMO safflower oil. It then undergoes a micronization process to improve its solubility and absorption by the body. Each vegetarian capsule contains 400 mg of PEA to be taken in a daily dose of three capsules, which is within the range of doses supported by clinical studies. PEA400 is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is well tolerated with little to no reported side effects. It is an excellent choice for adults suffering from chronic pain but has had limited success with conventional therapies.
NEM® Natural Eggshell Membrane is an innovative nutritional supplement that can reduce joint pain by 20% or more within 7–10 days and by an average of 73% after 30 days. In clinical trials, NEM also reduced stiffness significantly and improved range of motion. NEM provides continued support for joint health by reducing inflammation, improving flexibility, and protecting against the deterioration of cartilage.
NEM is a natural source of type I collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and calcium, nutrients that are essential for healthy joints. It supports the production of type II collagen, the main component of cartilage, and the production of the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints.
Human clinical trials show that NEM is free from the potentially severe side effects of NSAIDs and other medications conventionally used to treat joint and connective tissue conditions.
Natural Factors NEM Natural Eggshell Membrane, in a convenient one-a-day vegetarian capsule, provides a full-strength dose of the same NEM formula that quickly improves joint pain, stiffness, and flexibility in clinical trials, particularly for osteoarthritis.
OsteoMove Extra Strength Joint Care is a powerful combination of nutrients for fast and effective relief from osteoarthritis's inflammation and joint pain. This impressive supplement contains an array of natural compounds and plant extracts that have been clinically shown to fight progressive cartilage degeneration and support the repair and recovery of joints and connective tissue.
Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) work together to enhance joint lubrication and fight inflammation to maintain joint health and integrity. The addition of manganese, boron, collagen, and hyaluronic acid enhances the effects of the "big three" by encouraging the regeneration of healthy connective tissue after injury or disease.
OsteoMove takes joint care to another level with the inclusion of natural phenolic compounds courtesy of InflamReliefTM Complex, a proprietary blend of seven fruit concentrates. Combined with Boswellia and turmeric, InflamRelief provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage to cells and tissues. This helps expedite the repair and regeneration of healthy joint tissue and lessens painful inflammation, bruising, joint stiffness, and spasm.
OsteoMove features the sulfate forms of glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been used in clinical trials, thus ensuring maximum benefit for those with arthritis and joint pain.
Total Body Collagen is a unique formula featuring Verisol® bioactive collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, vitamin C, and biotin – essential nutrients that promote healthy skin, muscles, and connective tissue.
Collagen and hyaluronic acid work together to provide structure, strength, and resilience in the body's tissues, and are vital for maintaining hydration in the joints. Hydrolyzed collagen promotes collagen synthesis and has been shown to help reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. This formula also supports muscle growth and recovery, helping physically active people to build lean muscle mass.
Total Body Collagen is highly digestible, non-GMO, and from pasture-raised and grass-fed cattle. It comes in tablets, two great-tasting flavours and unflavoured powder to promote healthy skin, connective tissues and joints from the inside out.
Cold-ocean fish oil supplements have become popular as a source of omega-3 oils due to new research showing that consuming enough of these healthy fats is essential to your cardiovascular system, nervous system, and joints. Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are needed to build and repair cells. They are called "essential" because consuming them in your diet is necessary since they are critical to health but cannot be produced by the body.
Studies have shown that taking a quality omega-3 supplement for inflammatory joint ailments can reduce the intensity of joint pain and stiffness and the use of NSAID drugs.
Joint pain is widespread, and most people have experienced aches and pains at some time. Try to incorporate inflammatory foods into your diet such as berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries), Berries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. These compounds have anti-inflammatory effects. Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty fish and when you cannot eat enough fish an Omega 3 supplement. The EPA and DHA in Fatty fish can decrease the inflammatory markers that cause inflammation. Other foods to incorporate in your diet that help reduce inflammation include cruciferous vegetables, avocado, green tea, grapes, dark chocolate, or cocoa.
Resources
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/glucosamine-and-chondroitin-for-osteoarthritis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-glucosamine/art-20362874
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458405002852
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372953/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16309928/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3383492/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150191/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24395557/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26829184/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711914/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697588/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5094513
Men have specific health issues that are unique to them, but their natural response to illness is to sometimes tough it out. If the illness has the remote chance of embarrassment, suffering in silence is typically has been the better option. But societal reactions and expectations of men are changing and, thankfully, allow them to speak up about their health concerns without suffering any unfavourable harm to their reputations. Men are even supporting each other, providing platforms and discussion groups to share their experiences in health.
Men are also starting to look at their health from a different perspective. They now look for preventative ways to care for themselves rather than wait to try to fix what part of them is broken. There is a push toward having a more fulfilling life, less stress, better managing chronic conditions, and more sustained energy. They want to understand their anatomy better and prepare for physiological and psychological changes as they age.
Did you know what happens in a man's life as he ages has a lot to do with hormonal changes? The entire body is run on a system of hormones that affect energy, physical performance, sexual health, prostate function and stress reduction. Each of these issues can impact men's health at various ages and stages of their life.
Men differ in their anatomical and physiological make-up and lifestyle habits and have a different propensity to disease than women. Finding and using protective measures to stand up to life's many changes and challenges for men can increase an individual's optimal wellness.
Did you know the most important things to optimize men's health are Sleep- Hormones -Nutrition and Energy-Digestion- Mood- Stress- Prostate?
Prevention with Ultimate Prostate
Did you know That 50% of men between 51-60, and 90% of men over 80 suffer from benign prostate enlargement? Two main risk factors for BPH are advancing age and family history, both factors that are out of their control. What can be controlled is knowing the risks, the symptoms and how to take preventative measures to reduce your statistical probability?
The severity of symptoms in people with prostate gland enlargement varies, but symptoms tend to worsen gradually. Common signs and symptoms of BPH include:
Ultimate Prostate is a synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients that helps relieve the urologic symptoms associated with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia and the discomfort of prostate enlargement. Containing Saw Palmetto & other potent plant extracts, Ultimate Prostate helps improve urinary health, reduces the frequency of urination, relieves urinary tract discomfort, reduces swelling & pain, protects & nourishes the prostate and can help reduce the discomfort of prostate enlargement.
Feel Fit & Energized with Ultimate Testosterone Boost
Testosterone production begins to decline in men after the age of 30. While reduced testosterone is often dismissed as part of the normal aging process, this decline in testosterone can affect energy, performance, muscle mass and fat distribution, hair growth, and even emotional and cognitive well-being. Ensuring a good intake of essential nutrients needed for testosterone production can help support male reproductive health, energy metabolism, and hormone health in men, whatever their age.
There are several options to enhance the body's production of testosterone without taking testosterone itself. By supporting the function of hormones, the body can optimize its testosterone levels
Ultimate Testosterone Boost is a synergistic formula designed to address stress and support testosterone production. Ultimate Testosterone Boost is formulated with KSM-66, a full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. KSM-66 has been shown to cause a significant improvement in testosterone levels as well as other areas related to male health and vitality. Aside from the energy and performance supporting effects of ashwagandha, Ultimate Testosterone Boost also contains other male health-supporting nutrients such as; zinc, vitamin D3, B vitamins, chromium, cordyceps and 3’-diindolylmethane (DIM), which support the normal processes of detoxification, including the proper elimination of hormone metabolites
Stamina & Vigor with Male Energy
Men want to feel at their best; they want to have stamina, energy and vigour, and when their hormonal responses are not in balance achieving this can be more difficult. Certain plants and herbal extracts can be used to maintain normal levels of circulating testosterone and provide antioxidant protection to support men's health and energy as they age
Ultimate Male Energy is specifically formulated to assist men close to or over 35. It is designed to help improve testosterone production, which will, in turn, help maintain healthy testosterone levels. Lower testosterone is associated with all kinds of symptoms, including fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and even obesity. Testosterone levels tend to decrease with age.
Ultimate Male Energy contains several key ingredients. Some are used to address the regular detoxification of hormones, while others are used to try and stimulate the production of specific molecules. For instance, Nettle helps increase testosterone levels by binding to the protein sex hormone "globulin (SHBG)" so that less is available to bind to testosterone. Additionally, the beta-sitosterol in Stinging Nettle supports prostate health and helps reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urination difficulty and prostate enlargement. Chrysin is the active component in passion flower that elevates blood testosterone levels. It works by blocking the activity of aromatase, an enzyme needed to convert testosterone into estrogen metabolites. Ultimate Male Energy also contains other ingredients to that support hormone balance in men, such as indole-3-carbinol, Quercetin, Turmeric and BioPerine
Ultimate Male Energy helps reduce excess body fat, increase natural testosterone production, preserve and build muscle tissue, enhance cellular repair mechanisms and overall liver function, and maintain prostate health.
Support Andropause with Ultimate Maca Energy
Andropause describes age-related changes in male hormone levels. (Also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency). While the process of dropping testosterone in men may be a natural part of aging. The increased presence of estrogens (from man-made chemicals BPA, BPS, and Phthalates) are known to mimic hormones like estrogen found in aging men. This is not only concerning but can lead to early-onset andropause Male menopause can cause physical, sexual, and psychological problems. They typically worsen as you get older. They can include:
Ultimate Maca Energy is a cutting-edge formula designed to tone hormonal processes by acting on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Clinical studies show that maca helps balance estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormones, progesterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. It helps to increase increases free testosterone levels and decreases estrogen dominance. It provides increased overall energy, reduces stress and supports mood.
Manage Stress Response with Ultimate Anti-Stress
There isn't much difference in cortisol production between men and women, but the hormone oxytocin is a different story. When stress strikes, hormones called cortisol and epinephrine works together to raise blood pressure and circulating blood sugar level. At the same time, cortisol also lowers the effectiveness of the immune system to ward off illness.
In times of stress for women, oxytocin is released from the brain, countering the production of cortisol and epinephrine, which were released into the bloodstream at the first signs of stress. Oxytocin promotes relaxation and nurturing emotions.
However, while men also secrete the hormone oxytocin in times of stress, it's in much smaller amounts, leaving men on the short end of the stick for calming hormones. Rather than producing a more calm, relaxed state, they get more "fired up." Couple this with how society has raised men to compartmentalize their emotions, stress, and anger, and the result is that men tend to have more health-related issues caused by unmanaged stress.
Manage Daily Supplement Needs with Whole Earth & Sea Men's Multi-Vitamins
Men require vitamins and minerals for their bodies to function properly. While few of these substances are naturally produced by the body, others have to be acquired from other sources, namely multivitamin supplements. Multivitamins are one way to ensure that you consume optimum levels of the nutrients we wish were in the foods we eat. They also have the potential to offset deficiencies in the diet that can affect the totality of men's health
Whole Earth & Sea formulas are the next generation of whole food supplements, delivering raw, whole food nutrition with real health benefits. Many of the vitamins and minerals in this nutrient-packed formula are sourced from plants such as lichen, algae, kelp, natto, garlic, tomato, and sunflower. Food-source nutrients are more easily absorbed and used by the human body.
Every Whole Earth & Sea formula contains meaningful amounts of each vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient – The Pure Food Men's Multivitamin & Mineral contains vitamin and mineral complexes important for men, including calcium and magnesium, vitamins D3 and K2, easily absorbed active forms of folate, vitamin B6 and B12, zinc, and selenium. Enzymes, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients are also included for energy and vitality, making this vegan-friendly formula ideal for any man looking for a raw-food-based multi packed full of organic ingredients
Research
]]>The brain reaches into its database of information and determines what response is necessary for the type of pain. It may evoke tears, temporarily increase heart rate, increase adrenalin, generate blood clotting factors, send an inflammatory or any other reaction required to fix the damage. This type of pain response is referred to as the "Acute Pain Response," which tends to recover within an expected period of time. Acute pain will generally resolve itself with time and proper healing methods, but you can certainly help the healing process with specific herbs, supplements and support to reduce the inflammatory response, such as magnesium and curcumin
Chronic pain is a persistent pain that causes the pain receptors to continue to signal the brain well beyond the expected recovery time. When you have chronic pain, the brain will process pain messages differently. At the cellular level, pain receptors and neurons are altered and are easily activated by inflammation within the body. Even the spinal cord's normal signaling process fails to reduce the pain, making the situation feel dire.
Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult to diagnose and treat; it usually feels like a burning, tingling or shooting sensation. It is often associated with damage to the nerves, which disrupts normal signals to the spinal cord and can be caused by shingles, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy, MS, Amputation, Spinal Injury, etc. Neuropathic pain may cause pain from stimuli that are generally not painful, such as light touch or cold. They can also be more sensitive than usual to stimuli that are usually painful. For example, bedclothes touching the affected area could feel painful, and a pinprick could feel excessively sharp.
Chronic and neuropathic pain requires a more long-term approach, and both require management of the underlying causes to reduce the ongoing pain response.
Chronic pain can last months or years and affect all parts of the body. There may be obvious reasons for chronic pain, repetitive injury to a part of the body, arthritis, osteoporosis, or other types of disease or illness such as digestive disorders, chronic migraines, back pain, endometriosis or fibromyalgia.
The pain response is very complex, and what is painful to one person may not produces the same pain response in another. Managing chronic pain can be just as diverse and may involve working with your health care provider to find out what prescribed, or over-the-counter medication is best for you. It could include acupuncture, massage or a number of other mind-body techniques. Taking the alternative approach to managing pain is also an option and may be the first step in finding relief before taking a prescribed medication that can sometimes lead to further complications and side effects that cause other complications
Natural supplements are most effective at reducing the inflammatory response to pain which comes hand in hand with the pain response, and the Healthology brand provides a few effective options.
Healthology PAIN-FX Joint Formula provides relief from pain by targeting both the pain itself and the inflammatory component of the pain cycle. It combines herbal supplements such as White Willow Bark, Boswellia and Curcumin to target the pain and inflammatory response to pain. It is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, reducing our sensation of pain. At the same time, it blocks the production of inflammatory mediators, and it protects the body from damage caused by inflammation.
White Willow Bark Extract 50% Salicin provides significant analgesic effects, making it effective for reducing the sensation of musculoskeletal pain. It also reduces the amount of pro-inflammatory mediators being made, helping to lower inflammation in the bod
Boswellia Extract blocks the production of inflammatory mediators to reduce overall inflammation and pain in the body. Significantly reduces joint swelling, pain, and stiffness in osteoarthritis
Curcumin reduces inflammation by preventing the production of some of the body's most potent inflammatory mediators, thereby stopping the cycle of inflammation-induced pain.
Healthology INFLAMMA-MEND targets inflammation by reducing pain and swelling, increasing the production of anti-inflammatory mediators, and preventing the production of pro-inflammatory cells. The combination of OMEGA 3, Curcumin, Bromelain and Magnesium works on the inflammatory signaling systems. They also help block the NDMA pain receptors, which can help lower pain sensation.
EPA and DHA are omega 3 fatty acids that provide building blocks for your body to make anti-inflammatory cells. In doing so, they reduce the formation of pro-inflammatory cells, having a powerful impact on reducing overall levels of inflammation and pain
Curcumin reduces pain and inflammation by preventing the production of some of the body's most potent inflammatory mediators Research shows that curcumin supplementation results in reduced gut lining injury and improvement of bowel symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis, and significant improvement in swelling, stiffness and pain scores in arthritis patient
Bromelain relieves pain and swelling by turning off the signals that promote swelling after an injury. Research shows reduction of pain by 80% and swelling by 72.4% in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Magnesium Relieves both acute and chronic pain by blocking NDMA pain receptors, which lowers our sensation of pain
Salus Nettle Plant Juice has long-term use to alleviate seasonal allergies because of its natural antihistamine properties, but this herb's anti-inflammatory properties also work by blocking the production of the inflammatory mediators in the body and helping to re-balance the immune system. This anti-inflammatory activity is why nettle has been shown to improve symptoms in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and reduce symptoms of joint pain, reduce pain medication use, and improve quality of life in people with osteoarthritis
Magnesium may not be the first supplement you consider for pain management, but this mineral plays a pivotal role in managing pain and inflammation. Magnesium can block specific receptors that cause pain and produce an analgesic effect. Salus Magnesium is quickly and effectively absorbed, and it does not cause digestive upset. The liquid formulation is flavoured using whole-food extracts for a delicious and easy-to-dose supplement
Early prevention and management of pain and inflammation can play a significant role in your overall health and wellness. You can use the above supplements as stand-alone supplements or in combination with one another to provide the best outcome for your better health. Traditionally herbal medicine has therapeutic benefits; therefore, research and review any possible interactions with other medications or allergies with your health care provider before use.
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As you age, collagen production decreases faster than your body can replenish it. Over sun exposure, smoking, and chronic stress can accelerate its decline. As Collagen decreases, wrinkles become more apparent; skin loses its elasticity and moisture. Muscles mass also begins to decline, causing muscle atrophy, and joint cartilage begins to weaken, leading to joint and mobility problems
Supplementing with collagen has a positive effect on reducing skin wrinkling, helping the skin to hold more moisture and improve its elasticity. Improving the overall look of skin
Collagen supplements may also provide therapeutic benefits for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis by supporting the integrity of your cartilage, bone mineral density and providing relief of pain. Referring back to collagen as the matrix for bone, a decrease in collagen production can also cause a deterioration of bone mass, resulting in osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Collagen supplements may help with hair growth if the cause of hair loss is caused by dry, damaged hair, dry scalp or some forms of dermatitis. Collagen will not cure hereditary baldness.
Other benefits of supplementing with collagen are heart health, strengthening and providing structure to arteries.
Collagen supplements do not produce weight loss; however, they can increase the feeling of fullness (satiety), reducing hunger and how many calories you eat. Subsequently, if you suffer from stomach disorders such as heartburn or delayed bowel emptying, proceed with caution with this supplement, so you do not aggravate symptoms.
Supplementing with collagen does not take away your body’s ability to synthesize collagen naturally. Collagen naturally declines with age.
Supplementing with collagen gives your body extra collagen to make up for its dwindling supply, but once you stop supplementing with collagen, your body’s stores will continue to decline as part of the continued ageing process. In effect, collagen supplements help slow the process down by supporting connective tissues.
Many studies have shown that it can take between 6- 12 weeks to see noticeable improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and density. If you are using collagen for hair and nail growth, it can take 2-6 months. If collagen is used to reduce muscle soreness, the benefits can be felt in a few days of use and for increased muscle strength within 12 weeks. It can take up to six months to improve joint health and up to a year of continued use to strengthen bones.
Collagen supplements can provide a substantial boost for feeling and looking good, so it is no wonder it has become so popular. The popularity of collagen has caused an onslaught of supplements to flood the market, so it is important to stick to brands that are transparent with their ingredients and manufacturing process. The form of collagen that was is most often used when studying the effects of collagen is “Hydrolyzed Collagen.” Hydrolyzed Collagen is most effective because it can be broken down into smaller molecules after consumption making it easier to absorb into your bloodstream. Hydrolyzed Collagen is flavourless, odourless, and can be added to foods, smoothies, water or juice.
Collagen supplements are either derived from bovine or marine sources, making them off-limits for vegetarians and vegans. Plant-based collagen supplements do not contain any collagen but rather help stimulate the body to produce more collagen.
Organika Enhanced Collagen was not only one of the first Canadian companies to develop collagen supplements; their raw materials are derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised and antibiotic and hormone-free sources. Organika Enhanced Collagen Original is their most versatile collagen and supports skin rejuvenating, hydration and texture. It strengthens and promotes the growth of hair and nails, maintains healthy joints, and helps maintain muscle Organika Enhanced Collagen can also support your weight management program by increasing satiety.
How to Use Organika Enhanced Collagen?
Mix 2 scoops (approximately 10 g) in half a cup or more of your favourite hot or cold drinks. Enhanced Collagen is virtually tasteless and can be used in desserts, baking, smoothies, and cooking.
Supplementing with collagen has no known harmful side effects. However, some collagen supplements may have added vitamins, and herbs may pose interactions and allergies. Collagen supplements may aggravate some digestive disorders and should be avoided if you are prone to kidney stones or have a kidney disorder.
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Vitamin D supplements have been popular for many years and are most recommended for the winter months to replace the lack of sunshine. But research on Vitamin D supplements is beginning to identify why this supplement has become a necessary part of everyday health 365 days a year!
Your body makes Vitamin D when sunlight hits your skin. When the sun’s ultraviolet rays touch the skin, they convert into a precursor molecule called Vitamin D3, which then follows a metabolic pathway through the liver, and the kidneys. Once in the kidneys Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is converted into a new form (calcitriol). Once converted by the kidneys a protein grabs it to the organs where it starts it ‘s cascading list of benefits from building bones, maintaining nervous system function, supporting DNA expression and immune health. You can also obtain Vitamin D from fortified foods or supplementation.
The sun’s is the best source of Vitamin D (between the hours of 10 and 12), but many of life’s contributing factors have affected just how much natural sun rays we are getting or should be getting every day. Long winters, overcast days, the pigment of your skin, air quality, how close or far from the equator you live, obesity, layers of clothes, lack of outdoor time and the use of sunscreens reduce the amount of sun we are getting, which slowly decrease Vitamin D stores in the body.
Low Levels of Vitamin D can lead to low bone calcium levels, resulting in bone loss, increased risk of fractures and Osteoporosis. That alone would seem like enough reason to ensure you are receiving your daily dose of Vitamin D. Still; evidence continues to emerge on the benefits of Vitamin D for intestinal health, muscle support, blood vessel integrity, heart health, endocrine glands and mental health.
Signs you May Be Deficient in Vitamin D
Mood Disorders – Vitamin D helps regulate chemicals in the brain and elevate mood. A deficiency can cause depression, anxiety and feelings of sadness and low energy.
Reduced Immune Function – Vitamin D regulates and maintains the innate and adaptive immune responses. Insufficient levels can weaken the body’s immune system, increasing the risk of more frequent illnesses and infections. Consider Vitamin D supplementation if you often become sick, especially with colds or flu.
High Blood Pressure In recent years, studies are emerging that show low levels of vitamin D may predispose some people to higher blood pressure and chronic blood vessel inflammation.
Weaker Bones – Resulting in Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and bone fractures. Vitamin D promotes healthy bones by regulating calcium and phosphate levels. When there is a Vitamin D deficiency, calcium (which Vitamin D helps to produce) is pulled from the bones, causing a calcium shortage that can lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis and bone fractures
Increased Risk of Infection- Cuts and wounds do not heal as effectively or efficiently as they should
Vitamin D3 Supplements- Natural Factors SunVitamin D
If you meet any of the above criteria, consider adding a Vitamin D supplement to your daily routine. Monitor your direct skin sun exposure throughout the year, and on days when you have not been able to acquire the recommended outdoor time, slip in a Vitamin D that day.
Natural Factors Vitamin D3 comes in liquid, tables and softgel forms. They provide a convenient daily dose of vitamin D as cholecalciferol to help support immune function and develop and maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D3 is the natural form of this vital nutrient and is most effective at raising active vitamin D blood levels.
Vitamin D3 typically comes from animal sources, so Vegans tend to shy away from Vitamin D or reach for D2 supplements which are not absorbed as efficiently. Natural Factors Vegan SunVitamin D3 is sourced from wild-harvested lichen. This unique non-GMO formula was developed especially for vegans and vegetarians, who are more likely to lack this essential nutrient.
How much Vitamin D should you take every day?
Your required Vitamin D supplemental intake varies depending on many factors. If you are immune-compromised, you may take a higher dosage of 2500 IU daily during the winter months, cold and flu season. Infants can take up to 400 IU daily for general maintenance, and children may take up to 600 IU. Regular maintenance in adults is suggested at 1000- 2000 IU’S daily. If you are uncertain about what dosage is best for you, speak to your health care provider and do not exceed the recommended dosages on the label without consultation
Foods that are fortified with Vitamin D
If you are consuming foods fortified with Vitamin D every day and are getting adequate exposure to the sun’s rays (without sunscreen), you can reduce your supplemental Vitamin D accordingly. Foods that contain Vitamin D3 are egg yolks, beef liver and fatty fish (cod, salmon and tuna). Fortified foods (added Vitamin D2) are orange juice, dairy products, and cereals.
Resources
]]>For many years, we have associated inflammation with arthritic conditions. Perhaps that is because it is the most tangible source of inflammation – you can see and feel the pain of a swollen joint. But inflammation is not just about what you see or feel. It is also about what is going on in your cells long before outward signs emerge.
Your body requires some level of inflammation as part of the normal process of living. Inflammation is a natural response your body uses to protect itself, fight off infection and speed up healing. You've experienced your body's inflammatory response if you've ever had a fever, a sore throat with swollen glands, or an infected cut that's become red and warm to the touch. This is a typical (acute) inflammatory response, a sign your body's immune system is resolving the problem. Once the infection has cleared, the inflammatory signals return to normal
However, too much inflammation can create imbalances in the body and is characterized as "chronic inflammation." Chronic inflammation can take years to manifest into disease. Chronic inflammation occurs when your immune system continues to produce inflammatory markers, prompting your white blood cells to attack healthy tissues and organs. Chronic inflammation generally "flies" below the threshold of pain and visible symptoms but wreaks havoc on the body, causing very challenging diseases.
Signs Your Chronic Inflammation Needs Attention
Managing Inflammation Requires Long-Term Commitment
Managing inflammation requires healing at the cellular level. Science & medical intervention treats the symptoms of chronic inflammation and the diseases that result from inflammation, but managing inflammation requires reducing the inflammation at the cellular level.
Herbal supplements also show great promise in reducing the body's chronic inflammatory response. Curcumin is the most recognized and researched for its ability to inhibit the body's production of inflammatory-signalling compounds. Using curcumin supplements can help slow the body's production of eicosanoids (inflammatory compounds) to bring levels back to normal. As a result, chronic systemic inflammation in the body significantly decreases. The healing benefits of Curcumin are very dependent on the raw materials used in the product and how they are processed to ensure the product is bioavailable (how much you absorb). Natural Factors has a full line of curcumin-based products to support the various forms of inflammation affecting your body.
CurcuminRich Double Strength- #1 absorbed form
CurcuminRich Double Strength Theracurmin unlocks the medicinal power of Curcumin. It is made with Theracurmin, the #1 absorbed form of Curcumin available. Its high absorption and bioavailability provide more significant support for your body's natural inflammatory response and added antioxidant protection.
Use this supplement if you have systemic inflammation with unknown causes or suffer from any form of gastrointestinal disease, chronic tiredness, unexplained weight gain, metabolic syndrome, dry eyes. Autoimmune disorders or balance problems
Healthy joint function- Natural Factors CurcuminRich Joint Optimizer
Natural Factors CurcuminRich Joint Optimizer contains a synergistic combination of herbal extracts that are effective for natural joint pain relief and healthy joint function. Theracurmin™ Curcumin and supercharged extracts of white willow, devil's claw, Boswellia, and InflamRelief™ complex exert powerful antioxidant actions and support a healthy inflammatory response. Together, they help relieve the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, offer short-term relief for low back pain, and support joint health, comfort, and function
Use this supplement to provide relief from lower back pain and relieve joint pain from osteoarthritis
Mind and memory optimizer- CurcuminRich Memory Optimizer
CurcuminRich Memory Optimizer provides comprehensive support for cognitive health and brain function throughout life, particularly in later years. This innovative formula includes key botanical extracts that have shown the potential to inhibit the development of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with cognitive dysfunction. These natural extracts also support a healthy inflammatory response, protect cell membranes, neurons and synapses, and promote healthy neurotransmitter function.
Use this supplement if you show symptoms of brain fog, memory decline or have a history of degenerative brain diseases
Healthy heart and systemic inflammation -CurcuminRich Whole Body Optimizer
Natural Factors CurcuminRich Whole Body Optimizer combines antioxidant Theracurmin™, the #1 absorbed form of curcumin*, with omega-3 EPA/DHA and supercharged extracts of Boswellia, antioxidant-rich InflamRelief™ Complex, and astaxanthin, for a multifaceted approach to whole-body wellness. This unique formula is ideal for supporting the body's natural inflammatory response.
Use this supplement to support cardiovascular health, & immune health,
Muscle optimization after exercise -CurcuminRich Muscle Recovery
CurcuminRich Muscle Recovery & Growth Optimizer is a highly absorbable formula for muscle recovery and growth that combines Theracurmin, the most bioavailable form of Curcumin available, with micronized L-glutamine. Together, Theracurmin and L-glutamine support the body's recovery from physical stress by exerting potent antioxidant activity and supporting a healthy inflammatory response. It encourages muscle cell repair and growth, especially following strenuous exercise, and supports immune and digestive system health to help protect against infections following prolonged or intense exercise.
Use this supplement to aid in muscle cell repair after exercise of physical exertion. This supplement is also beneficial for gut health and illness that affect muscle control.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877505/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7108854_
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531187
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25620240
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ptr.5149
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26088351
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26007179
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17101300
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22114792
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26855719
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214864/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531187
https://www.docdroid.net/eQlbktY/imedpub-17-1344-r1.pdf
http://www.rhemamade.com/bdm30-abstract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
This information is not intended to treat or diagnose. The information contains factual and researched-based information to help you make a more informed decision about your health and well-being. Due to the therapeutic results of these supplements, it is essential to review and discuss any interactions with your prescribed medications or health conditions with your health care provider
The holidays are behind you, and we are well into the start of the New Year. Some of you may have made health resolutions or set new weight loss goals. However, how many of you have set goals for healing your gut? We often do not consider daily maintenance of our gut and digestive system until things go wrong. However, healthy digestion is the foundation of a healthy body, and a healthy colon not only plays a crucial role in your overall digestive health but how your body responds to illness, infection, inflammation, healing and even brain health.
At one time, all we understood about the gut was that it functions to break down and absorb nutrients from food and eliminate toxins and waste from the body. Science has come a long way since our early understanding, and the gut is now recognized as a complex and integral part of our whole health
What is going on in your gut has a significant impact on the rest of your body, including your brain! Brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which are partly responsible for mood, sleep and appetite, are produced in the digestive system. And irritation or unbalance in the gastrointestinal system sends signals to the central nervous system and the brain that trigger mood changes. It can affect mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. The brain-gut connection may also help explain why an emotional shift can affect people coping with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation or diarrhea.
Signals from the gastrointestinal tract may also affect metabolism, raising or reducing the risk for health conditions like type 2 diabetes. Research estimates that about ten percent of arterial wall hardening may be caused by unhealthy gut microbes not doing their job of removing cholesterol or regulating blood pressure.
Your gut-brain axis plays an essential role in your immune system and inflammation. If your gut microbiome is out of wack, it can wreak havoc on your immune system and leave you more vulnerable to flu, virus, infection and more serious disease and illness. The delicate balance of gut health also helps keep inflammation in check and reduces the inflammatory response before it causes harm.
Signs you May want to Make Hut Health your New Year's Goal
Support Your Gut Health Naturally with Healthology
Several things can contribute to poor gut health, but there are also a number of things you can do to support gut health.
First, clean up your diet. The foods you eat will directly impact the balance of gut bacteria, food breakdown, nutrient transmission, and waste removal. Commit to drinking more fluids (water and tea) to provide fluid to your colon and get things moving through. Then commit to increasing your fibre intake with fibre that heals the colon rather than putting strain on it.
Take the right type of fibre every day!
Most of us are not reaching the required daily intake to support, improve or heal the colon. We shy away from fibre because of the association with a bad taste and worsening problems by consuming over-the-counter fibre products. But good fibre supplements have come a long way, and products such as Healthology Daily Fibre and Healthology Soluble Blend not only make it easy to get the required 25-38 grams a day that is required, they function to heal an unhealthy gut.
There are two types of fibre., soluble fibre, which binds with water to create a gel-like substance (think of it like oatmeal), and insoluble, which is the "roughage" portion mainly found in skins and seeds of plants (think of it like celery).
Healthology Daily Fibre Blend is a blend of insoluble and soluble fibre. Its most important role is to promote bowel regularity. It provides bulk to the stool, which keeps waste moving through the digestive tract. Insoluble fibre attracts water into your stool, making it softer and easier to pass with less strain on your bowels. Insoluble fibre is also important for keeping us full after eating because it takes up space in the digestive system. It curbs cravings and promotes feelings of satiety to help us maintain a healthy weight
Healthology DAILY FIBRE BLEND provides a healthy boost of fibre easily added to meals and snacks. It contains 3g of fibre per serving, and is non-GMO, Certified Organic, and free from additives.
Consider Taking Healthology Daily Fibre Blend if you suffer from chronic constipation, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, weight management
Healthology Soluble Fibre Blend dissolves in water and gastrointestinal fluids when it enters the stomach and intestines. It is transformed into a gel-like substance, which is digested by bacteria in the large intestine. Soluble fibre is an excellent source of food to promote good gut bacteria. Because soluble fibre can slow down the rate of digestion, it provides many other health benefits, such as reducing the amount of digested carbohydrates. It absorbs fat and can prevent some dietary cholesterol from breaking down and digested. It may also help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugars.
Healthology SOLUBLE FIBRE BLEND provides 5 grams of soluble fibre from a Certified Organic, non-GMO blend of Baobab and Acacia fibres. It does not contain artificial sweeteners, colours, sugars, or additives and is less likely to cause constipation than psyllium-containing formulas that are often recommended.
Consider Taking Healthology Soluble Fibre if you suffer from IBS that produces chronic diarrhea. Soluble fibre is also an excellent choice if you are trying to lower your cholesterol, slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, manage weight, stabilize blood sugar, lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease risk, and promote healthy digestion
Repair, Heal & Support your Intestinal Tract
Healthology GUT-FX is the ultimate formula to heal inflammation and restore our gut-neighbourhood. It provides the building blocks that your body needs to repair the intestinal tract lining. It contains herbs to reduce inflammation and soothe digestion and probiotics to support healthy gut flora. GUT-FX provides a well-rounded approach to supporting gut health, which improves our ability to absorb nutrients, eliminate toxins, balance the immune system, and support neurological hormones.
Healthology GUT-FX- Mix 1 teaspoon (6g) with water or juice before use, and drink once daily. Take at least 2-3 hours before or after antibiotics. Take a few hours before or after other medications or natural health products.
Consider Taking Healthology GUT-FX as an everyday natural solution to better your gut health if you suffer from any bowel disease inflammatory conditions or suffer from any form of bowel or abdominal discomfort. Take in combination with Healthology Soluble Fibre if you suffer from chronic diarrhea or constipation, if you are more prone to colds, viruses, and infections, or you have more frequent autoimmune flare-ups or need to manage cholesterol.
Give Yourself a Helping Hand When Needed
Healthology Go Lax Bowel Formula - Although we should strive to identify and fix constipation's cause(s), we may occasionally need additional support to keep our bowels moving regularly. Healthology GO-LAX gently and effectively relieves occasional constipation by stimulating the colon's natural peristaltic action and drawing water into the bowel to soften stool, making it easier to pass. GO-LAX gently activates pelvic nerves and motility receptors in the colon to enhance peristalsis and promote bowel motility. It also soothes and heals the digestive tract to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including reductions in pain and straining and improved stool consistency and frequency.
Healthology GO-LAX does not contain purgative herbs like senna and cascara sagrada, which can cause cramping pain and are more likely to cause laxative dependence. It can be taken every few days when things get sluggish or once or twice a week for colon maintenance.
Consider Taking Healthology GO-LAX if you occasionally need a gentle push to get your bowels moving or if you regularly take prescribed medications that lead to constipation
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You most likely have heard about the benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Omega 3 is considered essential because your body does not make Omega 3 (DHA and EPA). Many of us are likely consuming Omega three either through diet (by eating ocean wild-caught fish) or through supplementation. But when it comes to giving Omega 3 supplements to our children, we put the brakes on. It makes sense as there is confusing information on the merits of providing children Omega 3 and just how old should they be before you supplement their diets?
But science is catching up, and there is a very distinct understanding to ensure a healthy brain and all its functions requirements for this vital nutrient is on the increase. The need for Omega 3 and children begins much earlier than you may realize. It starts before birth, while the fetus is growing.
Fish Based - wild salmon, black cod, halibut, trout, anchovy, sardines, mackerel and herring
Food-Based- hemp hearts, hempseed, chia seeds, chia seed oil, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts, walnut oil, pumpkin seed, pumpkin seed butter and natto.
If you are pregnant and are concerned about consuming too much fish, considering taking an Omega 3 supplement during your pregnancy, continue to take your Omega 3 supplement after childbirth, especially if you are breastfeeding. Your baby is using your reserves for their growth. If you are not breastfeeding your child, consider a good quality liquid Omega 3 (0-3 years) added to their formula.
Whether your toddler requires Omega 3 supplementation depends on their consumption of Ocean Wise Wild Caught Fish(2-3 servings a week). A serving size is equal to the size of a deck of cards.
The terms “adrenal fatigue,” “adrenal exhaustion” or “adrenal burnout are often used interchangeably to explain not only fatigue and stress but a number of other symptoms including sleep disturbances, low libido, poor concentration, poor exercise tolerance and recovery, difficulty losing weight and weak immune function. The more recognized medical terms used to describe some of these symptoms are General Adaption Syndrome (GAS) or “ HPA Axis Dysregulation ((HPA-D)). Both touch on some underlying causes for adrenal burnout but do not yet hit the mark on the unrelenting tiredness and systemic response in the body. We will stick with the more mainstream names recognized through integrative medicine for this wellness article.
In isolation, each of the symptoms outlined can mean different things (including stress), but if you can check off most of the boxes, you most likely have “Adrenal Fatigue /Adrenal Burnout. Adrenal fatigue is best described in a state where the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to effectively perform their functions.
The adrenals are a pair of glands that sit on the kidneys and produce several hormones, including the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are associated with the “fight or flight” response, stress management, regulating metabolism, sleep, blood sugar and inflammation. The constant over response placed on your adrenals affect your hormones, causing your adrenals to become less responsive to cortisol, causing irregularity and burn out symptoms to emerge.
It has taken years of unmanaged stress on the body for the adrenals to get to the point of “adrenal fatigue” or “adrenal burnout.” It can take 6- 12 months of continued supplementation, food and lifestyle adaptations for your adrenals to heal and those much-needed adrenal hormones to balance out to more normal behaviour. Supplementation for adrenals usually involves balances with B Vitamins, adaptogenic herbs and minerals such as magnesium.
B Vitamins found in supplements such as Can Prev’s Synergy B play a role in improving the metabolic pathways that boost energy, reduce fatigue, and create adrenal hormones. Synergy B is an excellent choice as a B complex because it not only contains all of the essential B vitamins in their preferred form. It also includes an impressive 200 mg of L-Theanine.
L-Theanine is one of our personal favourites and provides so many benefits that it deserves a full article itself. L-Theanine is an extract from green tea that contains no stimulating effects. It is one of the few supplements that can cross the blood-brain barrier and positively affect the brain directly. When an element or nutrient can pass the ‘blood-brain barrier,” it means that it does not have to go through all the normal processes within your body to get to the brain. Rather than stimulating the brain, it produces a calming and relaxing effect without sedative, sleepy effects. L-Theanine also increases serotonin (the transmitter responsible for feelings of happiness) and dopamine levels (responsible for cognitive function, creation, and motivation). We like to say it “quiets the mind.” It is often found in sleep products because active minds are often a problem for sleep. When taken during the day, it can help reduce anxiety and nervousness.
Can Prev L- Theanine contains 250mg of L-Theanine, which works great as an evening supplement taken about an hour before bed. It includes a small amount of magnesium, which starts the relaxation process.
Consider taking additional magnesium before bed, such as Can Prev Magnesium Bis-Glycinate. This form of magnesium is gentler on the stomach highly absorbable. Magnesium is required for numerous chemical reactions within the body, but it is most recognized for its muscle relaxing effects. It is often used for restless leg syndrome and to reduce cramping and muscle spasms. It also produces a calming effect on all muscle tissue. For the adrenal glands to heal and cortisol levels to regulate, you need a good night’s sleep.
You can certainly take each of these supplements as stand-alone. However, we suggest a multi-ingredient adrenal supplement. This can help ensure you receive the full range of benefits from each of the different herbs in the correct ratios needed. Two more recognized Adrenal Specific Products are Can Prev Adrenal Chill and Can Prev Adrenal Pro.
In some cases, people have taken both of these products, one during the day and the other in the evening. We suggest a slightly different approach.
Adrenal-Pro is specially formulated to support the adrenal glands with a blend of nutrients and adaptogenic herbs. adaptogenic supplements are unusual because they modulate your cortisol and stress hormones based on what your body needs when it needs it. Adrenal Pro includes ashwagandha to help boost immunity and lower stress, Siberian ginseng to alleviate fatigue and depression, and astragalus to revive and rejuvenate. It also contains rhodiola, which is suggested for people with reduced physical energy due to stress and those that over train. Consider this supplement if you are getting enough sleep but yet still feel tired upon waking. It is also suggested if you lack the physical stamina to get through your day or have a low exercise tolerance. If you find that you cannot settle down at the end of the day, take the additional L-Theanine and Magnesium before bed.
Adrenal Chill is an excellent choice as a mid-afternoon and again in the evening supplement, especially if you start your day with Vitamin B. Adrenal Chill provides 600mg of KSM-66®, the highest concentration, full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha with an impressive and full dosage of L-theanine. Ashwagandha helps the body manage it’s stress responses by balancing the cortisol levels. Ashwagandha also has immune-modulating properties.
Consider a visit to the endocrinologist if your symptoms (listed above) do not alleviate after supplementation. Remember, it takes months and years of constant stress for your adrenals to get to this point. Stay committed to getting them back on track.
Precautions
Ashwagandha is safe for most people, but if you are immune suppressant or thyroid medications, you should avoid it. You also need to monitor blood sugar and blood pressure medications while taken this herb as it may decrease the number of medications required. Review other supplements and herbs discussed in this article with your health care provider to ensure there are no interactions with prescribed medications.
]]>Vitamin D has been in the news quite a bit lately due to its benefits for the immune system. And most of us are pretty comfortable taking the supplement for ourselves. The recommendations from health Canada have just changed to allow for non-prescription status at higher doses of up to 2500 IU per day. However, when it comes to children, we tend to put the breaks on with vitamin D supplements?
Perhaps it is because we have always believed our children were getting enough Vitamin D through fortified cereals, milk and the sun. Surprisingly, this is not necessarily the case. We know that Vitamin D is produced with the sun's ultraviolet rays on your skin. However, the intensity of the sun today has led all of us to become necessarily overprotective against the potential harm. Starting at an early age, children wear sunscreen, which blocks out the ultraviolet rays, the very thing that is required for vitamin D production.
Besides the sun, the only other way your children can obtain vitamin D is through limited types of foods such as tuna, mackerel and salmon, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks. Vitamin D is also found in foods that have been fortified (added D), such as cereals and dairy. Consumption of these foods is not high on the list of children's favourites, and the intake of dairy has decreased due to parental and child food choices or childhood allergies. If you are breastfeeding your child, the only way they can get vitamin D is through you. If you are deficient, their risk of deficiency also increases.
Vitamin D ensures the body absorbs and retains calcium, phosphorus, and other critical minerals required to build bone and deposit these minerals in bones and teeth, making them stronger and healthier. It also strengthens the immune system and helps regulate cell growth. Vitamin D supports nervous system health, strengthens defences against infections, and may improve lung and heart health. Vitamin D is also necessary for mental health and wellness.
A vitamin D deficiency in young children may continue and worsen in adulthood, increasing bone fractures in older children, teens and adults. Children who continue to have insufficient Vitamin D levels may display signs of mental illness such as anxiety and depression. A long-term deficiency starting from childhood may also lead to cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, mental disorders, autoimmune disorders, MS and insulin resistance in adults.
Research has changed; in more recent studies, the recommendation is that infants under 12 months require 400iu per day and older children and adolescents require 600 IU per day. Mothers that are breastfeeding should consider taking a Vitamin D supplement or put a drop of Vitamin D oil on your nipple before the baby breastfeeds.
Our bodies need 10- 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure on our arms, legs and face every day to start the process and maintain constant Vitamin D production. Our bodies store some Vitamin D, so missing a day here or there will not cause a deficiency. Here is a quick checklist on when to consider a Vitamin D supplement for your child.
If you are considering giving your child a vitamin D supplement, look for age-specific brands. Platinum Naturals Vitamin D drops come in an option for babies and kids. The Big Friends brand also has a liquid drop for kids and a Big Friends D chewable. Other options are gummies, such as Sisu U Cubes Calcium & D3 and Herbaland D3. And for the children that are a bit older (over six years old), Progressive Sunshine Burst which comes in a small softgel for easy swallowing.
Click here to Shop for Kids Vitamin D Supplements
Foods such as salmon, sardines, tuna, cod-liver oil, egg yolks and shiitake mushrooms contain a lot of vitamin D. However, many children may not love these vitamin D superfoods. Luckily, store-bought milk is often fortified with vitamin D, as are many kinds of cereal and even orange juice. Not all dairy products are fortified with vitamin D, so read the labels to be sure.
If you are still uncertain about giving your child a vitamin D supplement, reach out to your health care provider to discuss how much Vitamin D your child is getting daily and the best option for supplementation.
Resources:
]]>There is a lot of talk about the immune system and keeping it healthy to help fight off colds and viruses. But what is our immune system, and how does it function to make this happen? The Immune system is made up of specialized cells, tissues, lymphatic organs and chemical messengers that work together to help you fight off perceived foreign invaders. Foreign invaders are best described as germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. The foreign invaders' job is to break into the immune system and take over to survive. The role of the immune system is to seek them out and destroy them before they settle in.
Your immune system is impressive and can recognize if a particular virus has tried to attack before. It can search through its database of information and produce the necessary antibodies against the virus. If the invader or virus is new to your body, it can take up to fourteen days for your body to seek out the invader and create a new antibody to help get rid of it. Your immune system is so amazingly complex it can remember and recognize millions of different enemies and produce the secretions, chemical messages and cells required to vend off the attack.
Your immune system stockpiles several different cells (lymphocytes, plasma cells, phagocytes, killer cells, T cells, etc.), which have different functions. Some are trained to attack, others to eliminate, and others to rebuild. Your skin provides one of the first barriers to invading microbes, but invaders can also enter through the digestive and respiratory systems. With each step along the way, your protective immune system tries to prevent the invader.
However, things do not always go according to plan. Viruses and bacteria can move past all the roadblocks your body has created and infect your system, which is especially true if you have a weakened immune system. Your immune response is influenced by your inherited genes (good or bad); it is also sparked by immunization. Your immune system can become weakened due to chronic inflammation, malnutrition, autoimmune disorders, cancer, medical treatments and medications. Blood disorders, bowel disorders, and poor digestive health and chronic stress can also contribute to a weakened immune response.
If our immune systems are so unique, why do you still catch colds and why are some viruses non-responsive to your body's fighter cells?
The best defence against colds, flu and viruses is prevention. Protecting your immune system during the cold and flu season can often make the difference in not catching the cold or virus and lessening their severity when you do get them.
Vitamin C and Vitamin D are well researched and documented supplements to support the immune system. They can play an active role in reducing the severity and likelihood of colds and viruses. Vitamin C can support the lung's sensitive capillaries, protecting them from bacterial diseases and reducing fluid accumulation. Vitamin C works by neutralizing viral toxins and stops the formation of new viral units. A Vitamin C deficiency has also been shown to increase the risk and severity of influenza infections.
Lower levels of Vitamin D have been linked to decreased immune function, more frequent infections and increased risk for respiratory disorders. Vitamin D treatment has been found to reduce viral respiratory tract infections, especially in people with vitamin D deficiency.
Natural Factors Bio C Gel is an excellent choice for Vitamin C because it contains a high-absorption, pH-neutral calcium ascorbate that is easy on the stomach and is enhanced with citrus bioflavonoids. Vitamin C also comes in chewable forms and powder forms to accommodate all forms of supplementation.
Quercetin is often found in combination with Vitamin C, such as Natural Factors C Extra + Quercetin, because Quercetin is also involved in regulating the immune system's response to outside stressors and pollutants.
Vitamin C is also found in combination with L-Lysine in supplements such as Dr. Giffords's Medi C. In combination, Vitamin C and L-Lysine help to build collagen and strengthen the coronary cells and prevent arteriolosclerosis. But they also work together as a superior immune formula. L- Lysine helps boost the immune system by adjusting the body's chemistry, so it is less hospitable to foreign organisms
The herb Echinacea helps with the immune response and may increase the number of white blood cells, which help fight infection. The increased action of your immune system may lower your risk of developing colds and shorten their duration. Supplements such as Natural Factors Anti- Cold Echinamide contain the only Echinacea extract clinically proven to increase the immune response. Supplements such as Natural Factors Anti- Viral not only contain Echinamide (Echinacea) it also has Astragalus and Reishi Mushroom, both of which are potent immune modulators.
Other notable mentions that provide a more immediate immune response to reduce the symptoms and severity of a virus are Oregano Oil and Elderberry. Oregano Oil provides potent antibacterial activity. It may even stop bacteria from reproducing and is suggested for bacterial infections found in the mouth, lungs, vagina, urinary tract, intestinal tract, and other bacterial types. Elderberry produces an anti-inflammatory response and may help with pathogens that have affected the upper respiratory system, reducing their effect and symptoms. Elderberry may also reduce the rate of entry of a virus into a cell, and upon infection, reduce the viral transmission to other cells.
Practice good gut health. Over 70% of your immune system resides in your gut, so it would be reasonable to assume that keeping your gut full of healthy microbiomes is a good defence. The intestinal immune system also contains more antibody-producing cells than the rest of the body. And research has shown that taking specially formulated probiotic supplements that contain multi-strain bacterial cultures may help boost your body's immune response.
Check for possible drug interactions with the supplements mentioned in this article. The increased immune response may have a negative effect on people with some autoimmune disorders. They may also interact with medications used to suppress the immune system or negatively increase medications' effectiveness. Taking Oregano oil supplements in high dosages for extended periods may decrease the efficiency of nutrients and mineral absorption from food. The phytic acid (a compound in the plant) could limit iron and zinc absorption in children and infants. Please check with your health care provider to discuss any concerns or interactions.
Research
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201027092216.