Speed is over-rated!

Dear AllStarHealth,

I need advice, please. I am trying to lose about 25 lbs. I do cardio 3 days a week and weights 3 days week.  My friend and I pooled our AllStarHealth order to save on shipping and since he got some Casein Protein, I ordered some too. He was saying it was better than Whey protein powder, but I forgot why.  So when I went and read up on it, from what I have read everyone seems to say whey is better because it absorbs faster.   Is that true and does it make a difference which one I use?

Thanks,

Lisa Connors,

Springfield, MO

Whereas people used to just use one type of protein powder, it’s very common now to see people using 2 or 3 types and buying different flavors of one type. They’re just more popular now than ever and people can take advantage of the different types.

It’s true that whey absorbs faster than casein protein, that’s the gist of it,  but (more…)

Shakes give you higher-quality protein than meats, eggs and fish....with a little or no cholesterol.

Q: We were looking around for a nutrition shake and wanted to know, what products do you have that are cholesterol-free? We’re both on a low-cholesterol diet. Thanks for any suggestions.

Pat and Bernice H.

Cohasset, MA (more…)

Having trouble getting your day off the ground?

Q: What’s the best vitamin for energy?

Regards,

Thousands of customers, Everywhere

A: For most people, a good B complex vitamin helps increase their sense of mental and physical energy although the effects are subtler than stimulants like caffeine.  Remember to always take your B complex with solid food - if you have to skip breakfast, skip the B complex until you can take it with some food or you won’t absorb it and it may upset your stomach.

If you need more of a stimulant kick, and don’t mind some caffeine, you can’t go wrong with the little 5-Hour Energy Drinks.  They’ve already got the B vitamins built-in to the formula. Plus, they contain the right amino acids (phenylalanine, taurine, tyrosine) to help your brain respond to the caffeine and B-vitamins.  So the 5-Hour Drinks are able to give you a nice physical and mental energy boost without being over-the-top. No post-boost sugar or caffeine crash, either.

We'll keep it simple. Want more energy? Try these.

You can make a shake with just a spoon and a glass, a hand mixer or a shaker cup, but blenders work best.

Protein and meal replacement shakes have gone mainstream in a big way. Once solely the province of bodybuilders and hardcore dieters, nowadays everyone drinks shakes. But it can take some practice and trail-and-error before you can truly be called a  Shake Master. Here’s Part One of our Guide to Shake-ology; some FAQ’s and other pointers. In Part Two, which will post Friday November 7, we’ll post some recipe ideas. (more…)

Supplements may help with high blood pressure, but it's not just a matter of popping a few pills.

Dear AllStarHealth,

Help! My doctor’s told me that I have to go on a blood pressure medication.  I just looked up the side effects and I think it went up a few more points! I just hate the idea of taking prescription drugs. Are there any supplements I can take instead? I currently take a women’s multi and extra calcium.

Rachel,

Woodstock, NY (more…)

Coffee really isn't so bad for you after all.

It seems like coffee has always had bad rap among the health-conscious.  What have you heard? That it will cause cancer? Cause an ulcer? Raise risk of a heart attack? Actually, none of these are supported by science. Find out why and how coffee can be a beneficial, healthy beverage.

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Many supplements have similar-sounding names, leading to confusion and disappointment with results.

With thousands of dietary supplements on the market and more emerging every day, there are a growing number of similar-sounding products making it all too easy to buy the wrong product for your needs.  For example, there’s calcium ascorbate, calcium pyruvate and calcium d-glucarate,  but none of these is actually a calcium supplement.   Here’s a guide to help you sort out the most  commonly-confused supplements. (more…)

Good nutrition and the right supplements can unlock more of your brain power.

With the summer just about behind us, the weather grows cooler and the days grow shorter as students of all ages try to get back into the swing of classes, tests, studying, reading and memorization.   Unfortunately for many, the sudden change in routine can leave them feeling physically and mentally sluggish, just when they need to be bright-eyed and mentally sharp.

That’s probably why we always receive a few emails around this time of year asking  about supplements to improve memory, concentration, verbal skills  and what some people describe as ‘mental energy’.   The good news is, yes, there are some great supplements you can start using right now. What’s the bad news?

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Tired of being tired? Time to take stock of your metabolism.

Q: I am a busy 38 year-old mother of 2 who works part time.  I have been struggling with feeling sluggish and tired for months, or maybe years?   I’m not sure, I just always wake up tired and need coffee right away just to function, and usually have to have some more later in the day since I ‘crash’ around 3 pm.  I ‘m gaining more and more weight and am too tired to exercise. I hadn’t changed my diet or anything so I had a thyroid evaluation last Spring and according to my doctor, everything is “normal”.  I am so frustrated and tired of being tired! How can I increase my metabolism?

Thanks,

Jennifer T.

A:

Sorry to hear about the difficulty you’ve been having.  When every day becomes a battle between you and your fatigue it really undermines the quality of life.

When it comes to increasing your metabolism, there are four crucial areas to examine. (more…)

How and when should you take your supplements for best results?

Q: As you can see from our order history, we take a lot of supplements for our health!  They represent a considerable investment so my wife and I wanted to know what time of day to take them for best absorption and results (list enclosed).

Thanks-

Gene and Bonnie C.

A: It really depends on the supplement, and in all cases you’re safe going with the manufacturer’s recommended usage.  But it does get complicated when you’re juggling several products. Here’s a guide to getting the most out of each product in your regimen. (more…)