Do you struggle every time you lift yourself out of a chair? Do you have difficulty maintaining balance? Is a short walk around the block too much for you to handle?

No? Well, it may not be long before that changes. You’re aging, and with age, comes physical decline. Simple, daily activities transform into strenuous tasks, too taxing to be performed regularly. Your body rebels with each movement. You find yourself weakened, defeated and immobile . . . or at the very least, you find physical activity a little more difficult than it once was. Either way, it would be nice to prevent it, but what can you do aside from stop aging? Continue Reading >>

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It’s a constant source of concern. You feel distressingly deficient, lacking in one of your body’s most vital nutrients. You try to eat more dairy, but you can only consume so much milk, cheese and yogurt. And your kids are no better. They too fail to ingest an adequate amount of calcium. As a result, you are all at risk for bone disease, be it osteoporosis, rickets or brittle bones. What should you do? Is there anything that you can do, anything that can save you from your deficiency? Or are you doomed to a life of calcium-despondency?

Well, you may have been, but now - now, Supercarrot is here! Or it will be once scientists finish testing this calcium-pumped vegetable for safety and efficacy. Supercarrot is a genetically engineered carrot, designed to provide up to 41 percent more calcium than the plain, old orange root we’re used to. Including it in your balanced diet (with several additional sources of calcium) will help you reach your daily requirements. Scientists believe that this could be the next step towards nutritional completeness, so much so that they are also altering potatoes and broccoli to make them all the more nutritious. And they may be right; after all, Americans are notoriously well known for their love of fruits and vegetables . . .

Oh no, that’s right. We’re known for our shunning of fruits and vegetables. If there is one thing we get less of than calcium, it is produce. So how could a genetically engineered carrot provide a viable solution to the nation’s calcium deficiency? 

If you truly want to ingest an ample amount of calcium without overdosing on the dairy, look for alternatives. Try normal vegetables such as kale, okra, spinach and broccoli, or different types of seafood including sardines, clams, rainbow trout and blue crab. Soy and tofu are also excellent options. And if you can’t handle the thought of eating any of these foods, try a supplement. It’s more plausible that you’ll pop a tasteless tablet each morning than it is that you’ll happily consume Supercarrot, even if he did come with a cape.

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	Good ‘N Natural Chewable Calcium 500 Mg - 100 Tablets
	Phyto Therapy Liquid Calcium ‘Rx’ - 90 Softgels

More than 10 years ago, Paul Karason began taking colloidal silver to treat stress-induced dermatitis.  While the treatment didn’t clear up his condition, it did affect his skin . . . turning it blue. Today, Karason is a sight to see, drawing stares, eliciting comments and warranting the nickname Papa Smurf. A recluse by nature, he avoids people when possible but has still had to adjust to constant gawking and now, media attention. His move from Oregon to California made his condition front-page news, introducing people to his condition (argyia) and making them more than a little hesitant about taking silver, but they shouldn’t be.

Silver has been known for years to aid health by strengthening the immune system and stimulating regeneration. Karason himself continues to take silver, claiming it has freed him of acid reflux, sinus problems and arthritis. And his condition, while not the first of its kind, is extremely rare and is only caused by an over-consumption of silver compounds. So if you take silver safely, you shouldn’t have to worry, but how do you know you’re doing that? Continue Reading >>

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	Source Naturals Ultra Colloidal Silver Salve 10 ppm - 2 oz.
	Nature’s Benefit Regal Silver Elixir - 8 oz.
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A few weeks ago, a German man pulled into a gas station, filled his car, paid the bill and walked home. An hour later, authorities knocked on his door, informing him that his vehicle was still connected to the pump. He promptly returned to the station and drove home, none the worse for wear.

At first glance, it’s nothing but a laughable story, but when we look again, we catch glimpses of ourselves. How many times have we done similar things? I’ve searched madly for a working pen only to find three in my hair. I’ve made a point of printing directions and bringing them to the front door only to find them by that same door, three hours later, post-trip.  And you’ve done the same; you know you have. We all suffer from bouts of forgetfulness, moments that will grow more frequent as we age. In a dream world, there would be a magic pill that would help our minds stay sharp and keep memory lapses at bay, but that doesn’t seem to have happened yet. Or has it?

Researchers recently analyzed the effects of beta-carotene on cognitive function.  They found that taking the little vitamin, in supplement form, significantly improved test results, but only in the long-term. Men who had taken it for an average of a year didn’t differ from those who had not. However, men who ingested beta-carotene supplements for 18 years did. They demonstrated superior memory and problem-solving skills.

This study offers hope to the healthy. Most preceding research has made recommendations for the already fading, implying that there is nothing the fully mentally alert can do in terms of prevention. But now we know that there is: beta-carotene. However, we still have to be cautious. Findings are contradictory about the effects of antioxidant vitamins on cognitive function. And as with anything you consume, there can be risks.  Check with your doctor before adding beta carotene to your daily routine. Then, take comfort in knowing that you are not just adding a supplement to your diet but a moment to your memory.

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	Solgar Beta Carotene 11000 IU (Carrot Oil) - 100 Softgels
	NOW Foods Beta Carotene 25,000 IU - 100 Softgels

Vitamins and minerals are usually listed alphabetically. As such, the ones that top the list are the ones that garner the most attention. You know all about the wonders of vitamins A, B, C, D and E. You’re also pretty clear on calcium, folic acid, iron and even magnesium. But once you pass the alphabet’s mid-way point, your interest and concern start to waver. The poor vitamins and minerals that begin with N through Z are sadly ignored. And who can blame you? You only have so much energy, so much time to swallow pills and so much room in your brain for nutritional information. I completely understand, but I can’t condone the habit. The end of the alphabet deserves a little love, too. So for today at least, flip that list upside down and start at the bottom. Start with zinc.

Zinc is in almost every cell in your body.  It keeps your immune system healthy, heals wounds quickly, maintains your sense of taste and smell, helps synthesize DNA, and supports normal growth and development. It is consumed primarily through red meat and poultry but can also be found, for the vegetarians among us, in legumes, beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products. However, it’s not as plentiful in leaves as it is in meat, so many vegetarians take daily zinc. And that’s wise, because zinc deficiency is common in the no-meat eaters, alcoholics, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with digestive disorders. If you’re not one of the listed, you probably aren’t at risk, but you still may have a reason for ingesting more zinc. Continue Reading >>

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About a week ago, my sister’s roommate decided to add some nutrition to her life. She was going to do this with vitamins. Wandering through her parents’ home, she collected forgotten vials filled with various forms of supplements and tucked them into her bag. The morning after her collection, she took at least six different pills. She was sick for the rest of the day. Why? Specifically, it’s anybody’s guess, particularly since she’s not even sure which vitamins she ingested, but in general, it’s because she approached supplements without gathering information. Properly taking vitamins or a multivitamin involves understanding what you’re doing, and that starts with why.

In an ideal world, we would all eat perfectly balanced meals. Every day, our bodies would receive the exact amount of vitamins and minerals needed to function normally. We would have no deficiency concerns. Unfortunately, that world doesn’t exist. We consume excessive amounts of fat, sugar, salt, etc. and limited amounts of nutrients. To compensate, we have supplements. These pills complement our diets, making up what we fail to obtain from real food. They ensure that we have enough vitamins and minerals to aid growth, digestion and nerve function, use carbohydrates, fats and protein for energy, and keep our teeth and bones strong.  Without them, many of us, especially smokers, heavy drinkers, vegetarians, pregnant or postmenopausal women and restrictive dieters, would be woefully lacking.  Therefore, their presence is a good thing, but you have to make sure that you know how to take them, in addition to why. Continue Reading >>

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A friend once stood over a pretzel, shortly after giving up bread products, and thought, “It’s only slightly stepped on.” She itched to pick up the forgotten treat but somehow managed not to. She avoided the pretzel that day and carbs in general for the next several months. She was one of many who has and continues to forsake all things carbohydrate in the name of weight loss. The diet itself, high in meat, eggs and nuts, has been the source of much contention over the years. Is it legitimately healthy to cut out an entire food group? Are there benefits to all that meat? Do you cry at night thinking about pasta? The answers vary, but one thing is for sure: For women, cutting out carbs can also mean cutting out folic acid and that is something they want to avoid.

Folic acid is a B vitamin proven to help prevent birth defects, specifically neural tube defects.  In 1998, the government mandated folate fortification. The hope was that by fortifying cereals, breads and other baked goods with folic acid, the number of women with low blood folate levels would decrease. And, it has. Since 1994, the percentage of women with low levels has dropped from 21 to less than one. Pumping our cereals and breads with the vitamin has led to great success. However, the steady decline hit a speed bump in 2003/2004. Researchers attribute the slight rise to the low-carb craze.  Women who are steadfastly avoiding carbohydrates are missing out on the benefits of folate fortification and thus increasing the likelihood of having a child with a birth defect.

No big deal, though, right? You aren’t pregnant, so not getting folic acid isn’t too much of a concern. But, are you thinking about getting pregnant? Starting folic acid after you find out you’re expecting can be too late. Most neural tube defects occur in the very first weeks of pregnancy, when women are not yet aware.  Therefore, it’s vital that all women make sure they get the folic acid they need. If you aren’t on a low-carb diet, that doesn’t involve anything more than having a fortified cereal in the morning. The CDC has a list of products that contain the full daily amount, making your search even easier.  If you are on the low-carb diet, take a vitamin. There are folic acid vitamins, but many multivitamins also have all that you need. So, it’s up to you. If you’re missing more than folic acid, go for the multi. Just make sure that you get the vitamin; it will give you (and your baby) a healthier future.

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Right now, I’m in my late-afternoon, what-happened-to-naptime lull. I would love if I could resort back to my college days when a naptime was a crucial part of everyone’s afternoon, or even better to pre-school when you got in trouble for not sleeping. I’m tired; I’m worn out. If you asked almost anyone else how they felt, at, at least, one point during the day, they would respond similarly. We are all tired. We work too much, stress too much and sleep too little. But, could our fatigue be more than a consequence of our lifestyles? Could there be an underlying reason for our drooping eyelids and sagging energy levels? As with every time I ask a question like this, the answer is yes.

Iron deficiency is an under-diagnosed condition that occurs when your body does not have enough iron to produce the necessary amount of red blood cells. When this occurs, a person may feel unduly weak, dizzy, tired or irritable, and may have trouble concentrating. Since all of these symptoms are also associated with a busy life, many people misdiagnose themselves. For anyone, this can be extremely detrimental and everyone should be aware of their iron levels and needs. However, there are certain groups who should be particularly iron-conscious. The first is women. Women are particularly susceptible to the condition, because they lose a great deal of iron during menstruation and pregnancy. Iron deficiency during pregnancy and breast feeding can, in turn, lead to iron-deficient infants , which leads us to our second group: children. Children, in general, are at a high risk for iron deficiency. But, recent studies suggest that overweight children are even more so. In a survey of 1,641 toddlers, researchers found that 20 percent of overweight children were iron deficient while only seven percent of the group who were not overweight was. Should the iron deficiency continue through childhood, school achievement, mental and motor development, and learning could be impeded. Therefore, it is vital that children maintain healthy iron levels. Continue Reading >>

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	Solgar Gentle Iron Non-Constipating - 180 Vegetable Capsules
	Nature’s Life Iron Complex - 50 Capsules
	NOW Foods Iron Complex, Vegetarian - 100 Tablets

When we walk outside and feel the sun soaking into our skin, warming us, we are doing more than enjoying a bright day; we are letting in some vitamin D. The same thing happens when we consume fortified milk, cheese and yogurt. Vitamin D is present in our lives via cloudless days and certain foods. However, some people need more than they get naturally.  Older adults, overweight individuals , breast-fed babies and people with limited sun exposure, dark skin or fat malabsorption problems are all at risk for vitamin D deficiency. They are advised to find ways to get more, whether through increased sun exposure, a changed diet or supplements. But, why? What does vitamin D do for you? 

Studies have shown that when taken in conjunction with calcium, vitamin D can help reduce the risk of fracture in older adults, more so than just calcium would. Researchers analyzed 29 studies involving nearly 64,000 individuals over the age of 50. Those who took a daily dose of 1200 mg of calcium and 800 International Units of vitamin D saw their fracture risk decrease by nearly a quarter. And those who had begun taking the supplements earlier on in life saw even better results, thus proving that calcium and vitamin D are a winning combination whose benefits increase with age.  However, vitamin D does not need calcium to produce positive effects. It can and does stand alone.

A recent examination of the effects of vitamin D on cancer has led scientists to announce that an increased intake of vitamin D3 could prevent 600,000 cases of breast and colorectal cancer worldwide.  In the United States alone, that would mean 150,000 fewer diagnoses and that many more saved lives. All people need to do to work towards this change is, each day, ingest 2,000 International Units of vitamin D and spend a few minutes outside with about 40 percent of their skin exposed. The latter can be difficult for people living in northern countries, due to reduced sun and a cooler climate (i.e. less skin exposure), but if they can find a way to get the recommended amount of vitamin D they would reap the benefits even more so than those below the equator.

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	Solgar Viatmin D 1000 IU - 100 Softgels
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