Isoflavones from soy may be able to improve circulation by boosting nitric oxide production.

Are you familiar with nitric oxide? You see a great many supplement products now with names coined around the terms “nitric oxide” and its common abbreviation;  “NO”.  Nitric oxide is a highly desirable natural compound that promotes better circulation by inducing a natural process known as vasodilation. There are many reasons people may want to increase nitric oxide production and vasodilation; better blood pressure, improved erectile function and muscle fullness are the most common.  In response, the supplement industry has created a whole category of supplements to promote vasodilation (” nitric oxide boosters”) most of which rely on, essentially, a single amino acid to get job done. A new study suggests that soy isoflavones are effective NO boosters, too, which could pave the way towards much more effective NO  products. (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…)

Amino acids have specialized and unique benefitss

Amino acids are among the most useful and unique nutritional supplements, but they’re not as familiar to most people as vitamins and minerals. Although some amino acids are essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, amino acid supplements aren’t used the same way.  Instead, people use amino acids for their specific and specialized effects on the mind and body. In this blog post, we’ll do a quick rundown of the most common types of and uses for amino acid supplements.  There’s a good chance you could benefit from one or several. (more…)