NOW Foods Acidophilus & Bifidus is a best-selling probiotic supplement.

Probiotic supplements help to restore a healthy population of beneficial bacteria in your intestines.   Probiotics are most commonly used for digestive disorders, less often (but very effectively) for immune system support.  They’re among the safest supplements you can use since they never enter the bloodstream and are essentially non-toxic.  Recent research suggests that probiotics can lower cholesterol, too. (more…)

Grape seed extract contains potent antioxidant polyphenols.

As most readers as probably aware,  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an increasingly-common degenerative disease of the nervous system.  Still lacking a cure or a even clear etiology, Alzheimer’ s involves a gradual loss of nervous system function, ultimately erasing a the victims memory, personality and ability to function and care for themselves, let alone others.  Most readers are also probably aware that AD is devastating to both victims and caregivers.  A considerable amount of research resources are now devoted to finding out more about Alzheimer’s and discovering drugs and natural substances which may be protect against Alzheimer’s.  A new study suggests that grape seed extract may protect against the very process responsible for the progressive loss of mental functions that characterizes Alzheimer’s.

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Some of the best supplements are the least-expensive. Seriously!

A frequent reason people cite for not using nutritional supplements is that they’re too expensive.  We think nutritional supplements are a good investment no matter what your budget. You can’t put a price on health, but you can bet insurance companies, hospitals, labs, pharmacies and doctors can put a price on your health problems.  If you value your financial security, then you’re crazy to take your health for granted. And even if you’re on a shoestring budget, there are some very affordable supplements that can make a huge contribution to protecting your health. How affordable? These five supplements - as of this date - cost less than five dollars for a one month supply. And reading today’s blog, of course, costs you nothing.

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Curcumin supplements are good for you. Unless you smoke.

In a study reminiscent of the back-and-forth over whether beta carotene increases lung cancer risk in smokers or not, a study now suggests that curcumin too can increase the risk of lung cancer development when cancer-promoting factors like smoking, or a history of smoking, are present.  As a possible mechanism for this effect, the researchers suggested that curcumin may  promote cancer in smokers by accelerating the formation of free radicals in damaged lung tissue.

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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…)