You've come a long way, baby.

Among the most common questions from our female (and occasionally male) customers are those that concern PMS, also known as dysmenorrhea;  Are there alternatives to drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, and which ones do you recommend? Among the most commonly-used supplements to help ease the cramping, bloating and irritability that characterize PMS/dysmenorrhea are herbs like dong quai and vitex, vitamin B-6 and B-12, minerals like magnesium and potassium and the serotonin precursor 5-HTP. You can find women who get great results with one or a combination of these nutrients, but because PMS has a complex and dynamic set of causative factors that vary from woman to woman,  there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and probably never will be. However, research suggests that there are two types of nutrients that - besides being good for you anyway - deserve special consideration in terms of easing PMS symptoms. (more…)

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…)

Mailbag: Supplements From Sea

Q: I think we have a few too many ‘nutrition experts’ in the family! Last time we got together we had seafood, and afterward the Big Debate was about which is best; fish oil, salmon oil, krill oil, or cod liver oil. I couldn’t keep up with all the crosstalk about mercury and omegas, and all the technical details. Could you straighten me out on which is best, or at least give me something that will settle this so they can argue about something else next time?

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