Daily Archives: August 16, 2021

When we hear "nutritional powder supplements," most of us think of protein or meal replacement powders that you mix with water, milks, or other beverages. You can't miss them. So popular, these meal replacements are found in supermarkets, not just the local GNC or CVS. While athletes and dieters have been drinking their dinner for years, today taking a powder can mean mixing up a beverage to support a multitude of nutritional goals.

Powdered nutrition supplements that you mix with water, milk, or other beverages are a more potent option and usually contain no sugar or less than those chewy candy-like supplements. "Powder-form supplements are thought to be better absorbed than capsules since they are already partially broken down when you drink them, which means your body has less work to do during digestion," says registered dietitian nutritionist Brittany Lubeck, MS, RD.

Since protein is the leader in this powder keg of a category, let's start there. But first, you may want to learn about The Secret Side Effects of Eating Protein Bars.

Whey protein powder is generally thought to be the best form of protein proven for weight loss and muscle growth "because it contains leucine, an amino acid that promotes muscle building," says Jay Cowin, a registered nutritional therapist and director of formulations for the self-care company ASYSTEM. He recommends using one to two scoops per serving and drinking it as a meal replacement, after a workout, and before going out to eat to curb your appetite.

A meta-analysis of studies in 2017 demonstrated that protein supplementation, when combined with resistance training, resulted in marked muscle gains and strength. Lubeck, a nutritional consultant for OhSoSpotless.com, prefers whey protein because it tends to have fewer added ingredients than other protein powders and is gentler on the stomach. When she's trying to cut back on animal foods, she uses a plant-based protein like pea protein to ensure she's getting enough protein in her diet.

RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

Collagen is a building block for skin, hair, nails, tendons, ligaments, and muscle. It provides the structural support that keeps our skin from sagging. You start to lose it as early as your 20s, which is why it has become such a hot supplement for people of all ages. "Powdered forms of collage may be the most bioavailable and easiest for the body to process," says nutrition professor Trista Best, MPH, RD, a registered dietitian for Balance One.

While there are 28 different types of collagen, Best says the most common are types 1, 2, and 3. One and three increase the elasticity of the skin. Type 2 is found primarily in joints and bones. "Collagen is very versatile and can be added to hot or cold beverages, mixed in with shakes, and even sprinkled on food," says Best. It's most commonly mixed in with meal replacement shakes. Effective doses are between 3 and 15 grams, she says.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that's very rich in vitamins and minerals. It's popular with vegetarians and vegans because it's a moderate source of complete protein, which helps with muscle and tissue repair and nutrient absorption, says Mary Wirtz, RDN, CSSD, a registered dietitian nutritional consultant at MomLovesBest.com.

"If you're looking to experiment with nutritional yeast, sprinkle it on a salad or mix it with your cooked quinoa dish to boost nutrition," she says. "It's a cost-effective and portable way for people to get a boost of excellent nutrition to help balance out their diet."

Flaxseed has been well-researched for reducing the risk of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, preventing diabetes, and lowering cholesterol levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. "I like adding ground flaxseed to a yogurt parfait or homemade smoothie because it has a neutral, nutty flavor," says Wertz. "It's a very rich source of nutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and protein."

Myo-Inositol is a vitamin-like substance produced by the body and found in fruits, grains, nuts, beans, and organ meats. It's involved in metabolism, breaking down and converting glucose to glycogen for energy storage. Due to that action, myo-inositol supplements are often recommended for people with insulin resistance, the primary cause of type 2 diabetes.

"Myo-inositol has been proven in studies to be effective at reducing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, improving insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and even preventing gestational diabetes in pregnant women," says registered dietitian Diana Gariglio-Clelland, RD, a Certified Diabetes Care, and Education Specialist and nutritionist on staff at NextLuxury.com.

One study of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome in the journal Menopause demonstrated that myo-inositol supplements taken daily for six months improved insulin sensitivity, reduced triglycerides by 20%, decreased diastolic blood pressure and improved HDL (good) cholesterol levels. "Considering how many people have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, myo-inositol may be an effective way to prevent these health problems; it's safe and has no side effects for most people," says Gariglio-Clelland.

Creatine is an amino acid found in red meats and seafood, and it's also a popular dietary supplement that studies suggest can increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance in high-intensity activities. "It plays a critical role in the body's ability to create cellular energy," says registered dietitian Joel Totoro, RDthe Sports Science Director atThorne Research. The chemical is also found in the brain as well as the muscles, and more and more research suggests a link to improved cognition and brain health, he says.

Read this next:

The rest is here:

Best Nutritional Powder Supplements, According to Nutritionists - Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

MANCHESTER, N.H., Aug. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --MegaFood, a brand expertly crafting supplements with key nutrients and real food, announced today the expansion of their multivitamin line with the launch of Women's, Kids, Men's, and Prenatal Multi Gummies. The new Multi Gummies contain essential nutrients in a delicious gummy option to support optimal health and wellness for women, men and children ages 4 and up.*

New Multi Gummies Provide Essential Nutrients Formulated to Help Meet the Needs of Women, Men, Kids and Pregnant Women

MegaFood Multi Gummies were created with convenience, taste, and quality in mind. Made with key nutrients and real, organic fruits, the Multi Gummies are free of high fructose corn syrup and gelatin. Additionally, they can be taken at any time of day, even on an empty stomach. All four new Multi Gummies are Non-GMO Project Verified, vegetarian, glyphosate residue-free, gluten free, and made without dairy & soy.

"As a naturopathic doctor and a mom, I believe in 'food first.' Food is always our best way to obtain vitamins and minerals," shares Erin Stokes, ND and Medical Director at MegaFood. "However, in our modern world, sometimes we can't get all of the nutrients we need from food alone, even when we're focused on a well-rounded diet, which is why a multivitamin is a great addition to help fill nutrient gaps."

MegaFood's new line of Multi Gummies include:

To learn more about MegaFood's full line of multivitamin products, visit megafood.com

MegaFood exists to grow a healthier world and believes in the power of plants to make people & the planet happier & healthier. MegaFood expertly crafts supplements that pair key vitamins & minerals with real food, and partners with farmers who share a commitment to nutrient-dense food and soil health through regenerative agriculture. Obsessed with quality, MegaFood offers 9 product certifications, like Non-GMO Project Verified, and also tests for 125+ pesticides & herbicides. As a B Corporation, the company believes in doing things the right way to sow a strong foundation of health that helps people thrive. Learn more at megafood.com or follow @megafood on Instagram & Facebook.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See the original post:

MegaFood Expands Multivitamin Offering with the Launch of Multi Gummies for the Whole Family - The Laconia Daily Sun

Spend any time watching television or scrolling through social media, and youll inevitably see advertisements for pills, powders and potions that promise to grow muscle, shed body fat, improve your focus and resurrect your youth.

Most of us have used them. At last count, the National Center for Health Statistics found that over 50% of all adults in America have used a supplement in the past 30 days. The center used data from 2017 and 2018, but more recent polls suggest this figure to be closer to over 70%.

Globally, the nutritional supplement industry was said to be worth over US$140 billion in 2020. Within the United States alone, this figure is estimated to be around $36 billion despite evidence that the majority of these supplements do not work.

How did products with questionable benefits and expensive prices become so mainstream? Nutritional supplements are not a new phenomenon. Their history dates back at least 150 years, and theyve been able to thrive in the United States thanks to false promises, fanatical adherents and weak regulation.

Given the outlandish claims that can adorn supplement labels, it is perhaps unsurprising that some of the earliest supplement enthusiasts were religious figures. Their supplements werent pills, but rather food alternatives.

Sylvester Graham, born in 1794, was an American Presbyterian minister who preached salvation through a vegetarian diet.

Part of Grahams teaching centered on temperance and whole grain foods. Grahams followers made and marketed Graham bread, crackers and flour with the promise that these products would promote righteous living and eternal salvation.

While Graham didnt officially endorse these products, his spiritual successor, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, was an eager proponent of his familys line of new foods. A doctor, inventor and businessman rolled into one, Kellogg ran his own health spa in Michigan the Battle Creek Sanitarium during the late-19th and early-20th century. Although he did not create cornflakes that was his brother, Will Kellogg was responsible for marketing flours, protein replacements, granolas and peanut butters. Like the Graham products, Kelloggs foods were linked to improved health and virtue.

Graham crackers and granola may seem relatively benign compared to some health and wellness products sold today, such as detox teas and vitamin-enriched waters. But they were nevertheless important in promoting the still-powerful message underpinning most of the supplements we see today: This product will improve your health and your life.

When teaching this topic to students, I recount a discovery made by historians John Fair and Daniel Hall when they were researching the history of protein powders.

Sometime in the 1940s, the American nutritionist Paul Bragg reached out to barbell manufacturer Bob Hoffman.

At the time, Hoffman was making a small fortune selling his York Barbell workout equipment throughout the United States. Bragg, meanwhile, had firmly established himself as a leading expert on alternative nutrition. Sensing a potentially lucrative partnership, Bragg wrote to Hoffman with an idea.

In the letter, Bragg told Hoffman the fundamental flaw in his York business: his products were durable. If someone bought a barbell set in the 1930s, it was likely they could still use it in the 1950s. Bragg recommended selling nutritional supplements, which would need to be replaced on a biweekly or monthly basis.

Hoffman decided to pass on partnering up with Bragg, but he soon recognized the ideas potential. In the 1950s, nutritionist and bodybuilding coach Irving Johnson began selling protein supplements in Hoffmans Strength & Health magazine. Made from soy, Johnsons Hi Protein powder was a huge success.

Within a year, Hoffman banned Johnson from his magazine and began selling his own Hi-Proteen powder. Protein supplements, as an industry, grew in size and scope. Soy protein products were eventually replaced by milk protein powders in the 1960s. By the late 1990s several other derivatives, ranging from pea protein to collagen powders, existed.

The size and scope of other offerings grew with time. Vitamin and mineral supplements became popular in the 1950s. Energy drinks and energy boosters like creatine started flying off the shelves in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Prohormones which purported to build muscle and were eventually banned were introduced in the early 2000s. Each decade, profits ballooned, as did the creativity in the branding of the products.

Outlandish promises were commonplace. Vitamin producers promised cancer-curing products, protein powders advertised steroid-like effects, while pre-workout supplements often laced with methamphetamines offered boundless energy.

Government authorities did little to stop them.

It wasnt for lack of trying. The supplements industry and federal authorities have long been playing a game of cat and mouse.

When Hoffman and others began selling supplements, they were technically subject to the policies of the Food and Drug Administration. But during the 1950s, the FDA was ill-equipped to regulate nutritional supplements. However, some of the manufacturers outlandish claims and unhygienic practices started to attract the attention of the regulatory body, which soon sought to gain more control.

By the 1960s, Hoffman who routinely claimed his products added pounds of muscles in rapid time became a target of the FDA. The secret to his Hi-Proteen powder? A large mixing vat in which he stirred Hersheys chocolate powder together with soy protein powder using a rowing oar.

Hoffman was regularly censored but never stopped. During the 1960s and 1970s, the FDA regularly locked horns with manufacturers for their lax production methods and incredulous claims.

The problem was that the FDA was never able to fully regulate the industry.

From 1968 to 1970, Congress held several public hearings on the FDAs plans to regulate supplements. Legislators, supplement trade associations, manufacturers and citizens discussed restrictions and bans on certain products, such as making it illegal to sell supplements with nutrients in excess of 150% of daily intake recommendations.

Public and private outcry stopped such plans in their tracks. The FDA was forced to engage in light-touch regulation. In 1975, a court ruling allowed supplements to advertise themselves as natural. One year later, the Rogers Proxmire Act prohibited the FDA from imposing limits on vitamin and mineral amounts in supplements.

The FDA retained the right to pursue baseless or misleading claims, but this did little to slow down the industry. The number of products continued to grow.

Put simply, it became impossible to oversee what went into products. This also explains why so many supplements include a note to say they are not FDA approved or endorsed.

In the early-1990s the FDA resumed its efforts to regulate the supplement industry. In particular, the agency wanted to increase its own enforcement powers while simultaneously making it illegal to advertise therapeutic claims on supplement labels. Once more, private lobbying and public outcry watered down the agencys powers.

In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act, which completely changed the nutritional landscape. Supplements were now classified as foods, not medicines or food additives. By classifying supplements as foods, and not drugs, the act lowered the burden of proof for manufacturers claims.

The legislation also expanded which products could be classified as a supplement and, therefore, not be subjected to the FDAs purview.

Today, responsibility is placed on producers to self-regulate their potentially harmful products. This does expose producers to lawsuits, but it can be a long and lengthy process for consumers. In effect, supplements are brought to market before being thoroughly tested. Thus, many products are sold despite containing banned substances.

Since the mid-20th century, nutritional supplements have been promoted in a variety of ways within the United States. But acknowledging the differences in product, taste and price, theyve generally been marketed based upon a single promise: This product will, in some way, improve your life.

Whether this is true or not for the individual product some supplements do, in fact, work, with creatine being one example it has become problematic at a broader level. Federal agencies in the U.S. have continually been impeded from correctly overseeing the market. Private lobbying and public outcry about the government wanting to take away your vitamins have encouraged malpractice and dangerous messaging.

A study from 2018 found 776 instances of unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients being added to supplements in the United States from 2007 to 2016. Many of these additions were relatively harmless. But several ingredients from steroid compounds to banned weight loss drugs were not.

Supplements might promise a great deal. But in reality, most of them are articles of faith.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]

Read more here:

How religious fervor and anti-regulation zealotry laid the groundwork for America's $36 billion supplement industry - The Conversation US

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.

Micronutrients really are where its at.

Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients. And, without them, our bodies wouldnt develop or function correctly.

From helping you turn food into fuel to fortifying bones and eyesight, vitamins and minerals are the Beyonc of the health world theyre extremely capable, everything revolves around them, and they have powerful effects on their environment.

We see cartons of juice and boxes of cereal trumpeting their vitamin and mineral content, but what are these microscopic nutrients, really? What do they do? How do they work? And why are they so important?

Though living things make vitamins and minerals exist naturally in soil and water, we get both of these nutritional powerhouses from the foods we eat.

This definitive guide to vitamins and minerals will fill you in on pretty much everything you need to know about these important nutrients that keep us living and smiling.

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body needs to develop and function normally.

Every time you bike-commute to work, revel in a rainbow, or shake your booty on the dance floor, vitamins and minerals help you do it.

Vitamins are organic compounds, which basically means they are molecules made up of carbon and other elements.Fortmann SP, et al. (2013). Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: A systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK173989/ Heat, air, acid, or even light can cause them to break down. (Which is why storing vitamin supplements near the hot stove is a big no-no.)

It also makes getting enough vitamins from food harder because storing, cooking and even just exposing food to air can decrease its vitamin content.Lee S, et al. (2018). Effect of different cooking methods on the content of vitamins and true retention in selected vegetables. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6049644/

Minerals come from rocks, soil, and water. Plants absorb these as they grow, and animals then steal those nutrients when they chomp on said plants. Om nom nom, indeed.

Minerals are inorganic single elements (meaning they do not contain carbon) and cannot be broken down. Score! This makes them pretty easy to absorb from food.

You get all 13 vitamins and both the major and trace minerals through the foods you eat. Your body can synthesize some by itself, like vitamin D after exposure to the sun. But most people can get all of the vitamins and minerals they need through a varied, balanced diet.

Taking a multivitamin can help fill in any gaps in your nutrition. However, its best to get them from the diet.

Vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients because you only need a very small amount of them compared to macronutrients (protein, carbs and fat).

But dont be fooled by the micro- at the beginning of micronutrients. Theres nothing small about their impact on your body.

Consume or synthesize them. Theyll either bind to the fat from foods you eat and hang around in the body for later use (if theyre fat-soluble) or absorb straight into the cells (if theyre water-soluble).

And theyll make damn sure everything ticks along smoothly.

Vitamins play many important roles in your body.

They help free the energy from the food you eat, making it possible for you to fuel yourself. Theyre essential to building protein and help cells multiply. Which makes erm, you.

They even help make collagen to strengthen your skin, build bones, fortify your vision, and combat harmful oxidative damage that might contribute to diseases and health conditions.

(Whew, vitamins are pretty busy.)

Minerals play many starring roles in your body.

They make it possible for your blood to carry oxygen throughout your body and help you achieve fluid balance. Minerals are key players in helping your muscles relax and contract.

They also support nerve transmission, help you maintain a steady heartbeat, and are even involved in making DNA.

In short, you just cant live without them.

Before we dive in and take a deeper look at each vitamin and mineral, lets iron out some key terms well be using (therell be some dreadful puns throughout, and no multivitamin will help you here).

The vitamins or minerals that we need in larger doses are expressed in units of milligrams (mg). Trace minerals and vitamins appear in micrograms (mcg). There are 1,000 mcg in one milligram (no fancy math here).

All of Greatists recommendations for daily intake (What you need) and limits (Whats too much?) follow the RDA, AI, and UL guidelines.

(Plus choline, which isnt technically a vitamin but usually sneaks into the list.)

Get these in you every day to stay on top of your health.

Like the rest of the water-soluble B-complex vitamins, biotin plays a huge role in cell growth and food metabolism.Said HM. (2012). Biotin: biochemical, physiological and clinical aspects. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2199-9_1

Metabolism is the process by which our bodies convert the food we eat into energy and powers everything we do, from thinking, to running, to Hula-Hooping (definitely Hula-Hooping).

Deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rare, but overdoing it on raw egg whites may prevent biotin absorption (were looking at you, Rocky).Mock DM. (2017). Biotin: From nutrition to therapeutics. DOI:10.3945/jn.116.238956

What you need: Adults need 30 mcg. Though, women who are lactating need 35 mcg per day.

Where to get it: As you can see below, its animal products that pack the best biotin punch. You might need to take a biotin supplement or multivitamin if you live that vegan life or avoid animal produce for other reasons.

Whats too much? Not determined. We gave a full breakdown of the benefits and risks of biotin here.

*All together with your best Dolly impersonations now* Choline, choline, choline, choliiiiiiiiiine

While not technically a vitamin, the essential nutrient choline often hangs out with the B-vitamins because of its similarities.

Choline is a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine,Purves D, et al. (2001). Neuroscience. 2nd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11143/ which is super important for the nerve and brain activities that control memory and muscle movement.

Choline also helps turn the food we eat and our stored energy (hello, love handles) into fuel.Zeisel SH, et al. (2018). Choline. DOI:10.1093/advances/nmx004

Vegetarians, vegans, those who are pregnant, and endurance athletes are at greater risk for choline deficiency. Not getting enough choline is linked to fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, and impaired fetal development.Wallace TC, et al. (2018). Choline: The underconsumed and underappreciated essential nutrient. DOI: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000302

(Its also rare, though, as the body makes its own choline. Neat!)

What you need: Adult men need 550 mg per day. Women over 19 years of age have an AI of 425 mg every day (but this goes up to 450 mg daily during pregnancy, and 550 mg daily during lactation).

How to get it:

Whats too much? 3,500 mg

Extremely high doses wont kill you, but consuming more than 3,500 mg per day can cause vomiting, increased sweating and salivation, and a fishy body odor.

(And who wants that? Fish, mostly. And if youre reading this, youre probably not one. And if you are, youre likely to be a good source of choline, so watch out.)

Folic acid is such a key part of our diet that the U.S. government decided to fortify most commercial flour with this water-soluble vitamin.

So whats all the hoopla over folic acid? Well, its vital for pregnant women to protect the babys development, helping prevent congenital anomalies in the brain and spine.Chitayat D, et al. (2016). Folic acid supplementation for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy: 2015 update. DOI: 10.1002/jcph.616

No baby on board? Folic acid also helps create almost every cell in the body and may reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer.Liew SC. (2016). Folic acid and diseases supplement it or not? DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.62.01.90

So yeah, pretty handy to have on deck. Its one of our vitamins that make you feel great learn more here.

What you need: 400 mcg per day. During pregnancy, however, women should make sure theyre getting at least 600 mcg. And, afterward, they should consume 500 mcg while theyre lactating.

Your baby is counting on it!

How to get it:

Whats too much? More than 1,000 mcg

Since folic acid is so important for babys development, you may think getting more may be even better. But, like many other good things, there is a too much.

Taking more than 1,000 mcg before becoming pregnant may be associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive development in children between the ages of 4 to 5 years.Valera-Gran D, et al. (2017). Effect of maternal high dosages of folic acid supplements on neurocognitive development in children at 4-5 y of age: the prospective birth cohort Infancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) study. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.117.152769

Taking too much may also impair your immune system and might have associations with cognitive impairment in older adults.

On the lookout for beautiful skin, hair, and red blood cells? Niacin is here to help. Ooh, yeah, bring on those luscious RBCs. Like other water-soluble B vitamins, niacin is essential for converting food into energy.Meyer-Ficca M, et al. (2016). Niacin. DOI: 10.3945/an.115.011239

Its also central to the health of skin, hair, eyes, liver, and the nervous system,Gasperi V, et al. (2019). Niacin in the Central Nervous System: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications. DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040974 and may lower risks of high cholesterol and heart disease.DAndrea E, et al. (2019). Assessment of the role of niacin in managing cardiovascular disease outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2224

Extreme deficiencies in niacin, though rare, may lead to pellagra, which is associated with the the four Ds: dermatitis (skin irritation), diarrhea, dementia, and death (yikes!).Ikenouchi-Sugita A, et al. (2015). Niacin deficiency and cutaneous immunity. DOI: 10.2177/jsci.38.37

So yeah. Niacin does a f*ckton of important stuff in your body.

What you need: Adult males need 16 mg of niacin equivalents (NEs) daily. Women over 19 years of age need 14 mg of NEs per day, but should get 18 mg daily when pregnant, and 17 mg daily when lactating.

(By niacin equivalents, we mean that its not only niacin youd need to consume the body can also convert an amino acid called tryptophan into niacin. 1 mg of niacin or 60 mg of tryptophan count as an NE. How nifty!)

How to get it:

Whats too much? 35 mg

Dont overdo it on niacin supplements. High doses of niacin can be toxic, and may cause rosy tingling the so-called niacin flush if doses exceed 35 mg per day.

This vitamin is important in food metabolism and helps synthesize neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, red blood cells, and more.Kennedy DO. (2016). B Vitamins and the brain: Mechanisms, dose and efficacy: A review. DOI: 10.3390/nu8020068

You cant really take so much that it becomes toxic. And while B5 deficiency is fairly rare (it tends to accompany severe malnutrition), neurologic symptoms, such as burning feet, may crop up.

What you need: Adults need 5 mg daily. Your needs increase during pregnancy to 6 mg daily, and up to 7 mg daily when lactating.

How to get it:

Whats too much? Not determined

While some people taking large doses of pantothenic acid develop mild diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress, high intakes do not cause toxicity.

Flavorful riboflavin definitely has street cred (yeeeeeeeeeeah boiiiiiiiii).

This water-soluble B vitamin helps convert food to fuel, encourages iron absorption in the intestines, and also enhances the health of hair, skin, muscles, eyes, and the brain.Saedisomeolia A, et al. (2018). Riboflavin in human health: A review of current evidences. DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2017.11.002

And some research suggests that riboflavin may be effective at preventing migraines, too.Thompson DF, et al. (2017). Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review. DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12548

Riboflavin deficiency is uncommon, but is associated with a sore throat, cracks and sores around the lips, an inflamed magenta tongue (say what?!), and scaly skin.Mosegaard S, et al. (2020). Riboflavin deficiency: Implications for general human health and inborn errors of metabolism. DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113847

What you need: Adult men need 1.3 mg daily. Adult women need 1.1 mg per day. Those who are pregnant should get 1.4 mg daily, and intake should be 1.6 mg daily when lactating.

How to get it:

Whats too much? Not determined

While enormous intake of riboflavin may turn your pee bright yellow (a phenomenon called flavinuria), this side effect is harmless.Tanaka Y, et al. (2020). Vitamin B2 lung-marking method using black light irradiation DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2020.01.06

START HERE

Another member of the water-soluble B pack, thiamine helps with food metabolism and boosts the health of hair, skin, muscles, and the brain.Kerns JC, et al. (2017). Thiamin. DOI: 10.3945/an.116.013979

Taking too much has never caused toxicity under observation, and though thiamine deficiency (also known as beriberi) is rare in the U.S., it does still happen.

Symptoms affect the cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and gastrointestinal systems in a variety of ways.Whitfield KC, et al. (2018). Thiamine deficiency disorders: Diagnosis, prevalence, and a roadmap for global control programs. DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13919

What you need: Adult men need 1.2 mg per day. Adult women need 1.1 mg daily, but should up their intake to 1.4 mg when they become pregnant or start lactating.

How to get it:

Whats too much? Not determined

Whats up, doc?

Though known as being good for vision (hello, carrots), vitamin A has many other vital tasks: It encourages red and white blood cell production and activity, keeps the immune system primed and blood vessels healthy, helps rebuild bone, regulates cell growth and division, and may reduce the risk of some cancers.Tanumihardjo SA, et al. (2016). Biomarkers of nutrition for development (BOND)-Vitamin A review. DOI: 10.3945/jn.115.229708

Retinoids, or variations of Vitamin A, also play a role in some medications that treat various skin diseases and acne.Kotori MG. (2015). Low-dose Vitamin A Tablets-treatment of Acne Vulgaris. DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2015.69.28-30

(Many skin care products have retinol heres why.)

Though infrequent in the U.S., vitamin A deficiency is not unheard of in developing countries, and can cause night blindness and, in extreme instances, complete blindness.Faustino JF, et al. (2016). Vitamin A and the eye: An old tale for modern times. DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.20160018

Vitamin A deficiency also plays a role in diarrhea and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases in developing countries.Imdad A, et al. (2017). Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008524.pub3

We looked a little further into vitamin As powerful skin effects.

So make like Bugs Bunny and crunch on some carrots for high doses of beta-carotene, which the body readily converts to vitamin A once digested.Green AS, et al. (2016). Meeting the vitamin A requirement: The efficacy and importance of -Carotene in animal species. DOI: 10.1155/2016/7393620

What you need: Adult men need 900 mcg retinol activity equivalents (RAE). Adult women need 700 mcg RAE.

Pregnant women aged 19 or older should up their intake to 770 mcg RAE, and lactating women in the same age group have even higher needs 1,300 mcg RAE.

Continue reading here:

Vitamins and Minerals: Literally Everything You Need to Know - Greatist

More than 30 vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients in the human diet.

Your body cant make these nutrients on its own, so you need to get enough of them from food. Essential vitamins and minerals are often present in high amounts in fruits, vegetables, and animal products like meat, milk, and eggs.

Manganese and magnesium are two of the essential minerals. You need to consume enough of each on a regular basis to keep your body working properly.

Though their names sound similar, manganese and magnesium have distinct roles in the body.

This article compares and contrasts the functions, benefits, and safety considerations for the two minerals. It also includes some of the best food sources of each.

One of the main practical differences between manganese and magnesium is the amount of each that you need to consume each day.

Manganese is considered a trace element or a micromineral you only need it in small amounts (1).

Magnesium is a macromineral. On a daily basis, your body needs hundreds of times more magnesium than manganese (1).

Still, the two minerals have similarities. For example, theyre both found in nuts, legumes, leafy vegetables, and whole grains (2, 3).

Whats more, manganese and magnesium both have the chemical structure of metals.

Both can also have toxic effects in large amounts. Thus, its important to use caution if youre taking supplements or have direct exposure to either (2, 3).

Fortunately, its hard to get too much of the minerals from diet alone. When people take too much of these, its usually from supplements or over-the-counter drugs like antacids or laxatives in the case of magnesium (2, 3).

The chart below compares a few more properties of manganese and magnesium (2, 3, 4, 5).

Manganese and magnesium are essential minerals, meaning you need to consume them in your diet. The two have a wide range of functions, yet they share some similar roles, such as supporting bone health and enzyme activity.

Though manganese is a trace mineral your body needs only in small amounts, its functions are widespread and important.

Manganese is essential for many of the small reactions that take place inside your cells, such as helping enzymes carry out bodily activities, including digestion, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and energy production (6, 7, 8, 9).

It also plays a part in antioxidant activity throughout your body (7, 8, 10).

In fact, manganese is a key component of a chemical compound known as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). This antioxidant is responsible for protecting your cellular machinery from getting damaged by a chemical process called oxidation (8, 11, 12, 13).

Scientists are still working to uncover the exact ways it does so. MnSODs ability to prevent damage to cells means it likely plays an important role in the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases (8, 11, 14, 15).

As an antioxidant, manganese discourages cellular oxidation and may help prevent chronic disease. Getting enough manganese on a regular basis has also been linked to a number of other health benefits, including:

Manganese is an essential nutrient that humans need to survive and thrive. Its also clear that maintaining normal blood levels of the nutrient is important. Too much or too little can have detrimental side effects (26, 28, 29).

Because manganese can be toxic in large amounts, its important to be especially careful with supplements. Only use manganese supplements under the supervision of a healthcare professional (29).

Being exposed to large amounts of manganese in the environment, such as from welding fumes or contaminated water, can be extremely dangerous. It might even have negative side effects on brain function, motor skills, memory, and mood (30, 31, 32, 33).

Some studies have even linked manganese exposure to an increased risk of osteoporosis in women and intellectual impairment in children (33, 34).

On the other hand, some people dont get enough manganese due to congenital disorders or because they dont consume enough of the mineral in their diet.

Manganese deficiency can contribute to seizures, bone deformities, developmental delays, and disruptions to the menstrual cycle, among other side effects (35, 36, 37, 38).

Manganese is a trace mineral and antioxidant that your body needs in small amounts. Too little manganese may increase the risk of seizures and developmental delays, while too much can have side effects on the brain and nervous system.

Magnesium is one of the most common elements to make up planet Earth, and its also widespread in the human body (39).

The mineral is an important part of cellular activities that trigger enzymes, produce energy, and keep your muscles, including your heart, contracting and relaxing properly. Its similar to manganese in that they both play a significant role in cellular processes (40).

On the other hand, the body needs magnesium in much larger amounts, and some people dont get quite enough of it. The mineral is present in many foods, and its possible to get enough of it from a healthy diet rich in beans, nuts, and whole grains (41, 42, 43).

Nevertheless, some groups of people may be more likely to have a magnesium deficiency. These include older people, those with type 2 diabetes or gastrointestinal conditions, and people with alcohol dependency (3).

Its very hard to get too much magnesium from food, but its more common to see signs of a magnesium overdose from supplements or medications.

For example, magnesium is used as an ingredient in medications like laxatives and antacids, so you might take too much of it if you take those medications in large amounts or alongside magnesium supplements (44).

Magnesium not only plays an important role on the cellular level, but having enough of the mineral in your body may also have the following health benefits (42, 45):

As with manganese, consuming too much or too little magnesium can have significant side effects.

Hypermagnesemia occurs when there is too much magnesium in the bloodstream. Its usually a toxic result of too much magnesium from supplements or medications in people with impaired kidney function (62, 63, 64).

If not quickly addressed, hypermagnesemia could cause issues with the cardiovascular and nervous systems and can even be deadly in severe cases (65, 66).

Hypomagnesemia too little magnesium in the blood is most common among people with health conditions that cause excessive magnesium excretion.

It can also happen in people who have an extremely low intake of magnesium-rich foods for an extended period of time (3, 42).

The side effects may be mild and include nausea, a decreased appetite, and fatigue. However, they could also be as severe as seizures, numbness in the limbs, and an abnormal heart rhythm (3, 62, 67).

Your body uses magnesium to produce energy and keep your heart working properly. To avoid side effects on the cardiovascular system, its important to keep your magnesium blood levels within a normal range.

Manganese and magnesium may sound similar, but they are distinct.

Your body needs both essential minerals, but they have different functions. Your body also needs more magnesium than it does manganese on a daily basis.

One similarity between the two is that theyre both found in nutrient-dense foods like nuts, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables.

Having too little or too much manganese or magnesium in your body can have side effects that range from mild to severe. Therefore, its important to consume a nutrient-rich diet and avoid overexposure from supplements and medications.

Go here to read the rest:

Manganese vs. Magnesium: What's the Difference? - Healthline

Selbyville, Delaware, Aug. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

GlobalVitamin A Market is projected to cross USD 700 million by 2027, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc. The growing trend of natural ingredients in personal care & cosmetic has accelerated the growth of vitamin A in the cosmetic industry, especially among millennials.

Millennials are shifting toward natural ingredients owing to their concerns regarding synthetic ingredients/chemical compounds and their side effects. Natural sources of vitamin A have extensively been used in the personal care & cosmetics industry. They provide a natural feel and good effect on the skin, which in turn, will drive vitamin A demand.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1765

Some major findings of the vitamin A market report include:

Browse key industry insights spread across 270 pages with 379 market data tables and 26 figures & charts from the report, Vitamin A Market Statistics, By Product (Food-Grade, Feed-Grade, Pharmaceutical-Grade), Type (Natural, Synthetic), Application (Dietary, Supplements, Food & Beverages, Animal Feed {Poultry [Layers, Broilers, Turkey], Cattle [Dairy, Beef, Calf], Swine, Aquaculture}, Personal Care & Cosmetics), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2021 2027 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/vitamin-a-market

Vitamin A market from food & beverages is set to surpass USD 30 million by 2027 with a CAGR of over 5.4%. Vitamin A aids growth & development, skin & bone formation, red blood cell formation, immune functions, reproduction, and vision improvement, thus making it preferable for food fortification. The adding of micronutrients to processed food is known as food fortification. The rising health consciousness about vitamin deficiencies that can cause health afflictions, such as anemia, pellagra, scurvy, and beriberi, will increase the demand for fortified food & beverages. These factors will boost the vitamin A demand in the food & beverages industry.

North America vitamin A market surpassed USD 135 million in 2020 and is projected to register a lucrative CAGR in the coming years. Growing consumer health concerns related to chronic diseases combined with a growing desire to live a better lifestyle are expected to drive the demand for vitamin A in North America. Due to increased visibility through media houses and e-commerce portals, consumers of all ages are focusing on improving their diet consumption patterns through the usage of nutritional food ingredients. This is projected to expand the scope of nutraceuticals including dietary supplements in the region.

Browse the Toc of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/vitamin-a-market

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

See original here:

Vitamin A Market revenue to Hit $700 Million by 2027, Says Global Market Insights Inc. - GlobeNewswire

Recent studies have found that supplements, by and large, can be a rip-off. Take the hallowed multivitamin, a part of millions of daily routines since childhood. In 2019, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine evaluated studies involving almost half a million people and determined that multivitamins don't lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline or early death. Don't waste your money on multivitamins, they advised; get the vitamins and minerals you need from food.

That's a very good policy in any situation. However, there is one scenario in which taking a supplement (or a multivitamin containing it) is necessary, even recommended, experts say. Read on to find out what it isand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It.

Today, most experts agree that you should get your essential vitamins and minerals from your daily diet. However, they universally say taking a supplement is crucial for certain groups of people.

That recommendation involves folate (vitamin B-9), known as folic acid in its synthetic form.

"For most people, it's best to get folate from food. A balanced diet usually provides all you need," says the Mayo Clinic. "However, folic acid supplements are recommended for women who are planning to become pregnant, could become pregnant, are pregnant or are breast-feeding."

Folic acid is crucial for the development of a healthy brain and spinal cord in utero. If a woman is deficient in folate or folic acid during pregnancy, her baby could be born with spina bifida, a birth defect in which the tube containing the spinal cord doesn't close completely. That can result in complications ranging from difficulty walking to paralysis. According to the National Institutes of Health, folate deficiency can also result in premature birth or low birth weight.

However, there is an easy way to prevent these complications. "Taking a daily prenatal vitamin ideally starting three months before conception can help ensure women get enough of this essential nutrient," says the Mayo Clinic.

RELATED: The #1 Best Supplement to Take For Immunity

"All women of reproductive age should get 400 mcg of folic acid every day to get enough folic acid to help prevent some birth defects," says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's important to take it consistently, because major birth defects of the brain and spine resulting from folate deficiency can happen in the first few weeks after conception, often before a woman knows she's pregnant.

If you're of childbearing age or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about what vitamins and supplements are right for you. And no matter what life stage you're in, it's always a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider before you start taking a new supplement.

RELATED: 9 Everyday Habits That Might Lead to Dementia

"Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease leading to dementia in the elderly," says a new study," says a report in Frontiers in Neuroscience. "Increasing evidence indicates that folate plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. To investigate the role of folate deficiency/possible deficiency in the risk of AD and the benefical effect of sufficient folate intake on the prevention of AD, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed." The results? "That folate deficiency/possible deficiency increases the risk for AD, while sufficient intake of folate is a protective factor against AD." And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Read the original:

The #1 Cause of Needing to Take Supplements, Say Experts - Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

All our life, our family cultivated olive trees, selling their harvest to big companies every year, says Evi Prodromou, who runs Yanni's Olive Grove with her husband Yannis Prodromou at Nea Potidaea, Chalkidiki, in sun-drenched northern Greece. 6,000 olive trees flourish on their waterfront estate, where their olives are harvested by hand starting each September, and milled within hours, to make exceptional early harvest extra-virgin olive oil.

In 2012, everything changed for Evi and Yannis. At the peak of Greece's devastating economic crisis, they decided to start pressing their own olives, launching their own brand instead of selling their goods to bigger corporations to package and sell. The Chalkidiki region's green table olives are sought after around the world, so everyone thought we were coming from Mars, Evi remembers. It was a very difficult path, but we tried, and we tried, and they say God can help you if you try.

All that trying has led to stunning success for Yanni's Olive Grove, who have won more than 50 awards at major international olive oil competitions for their outstanding extra virgin olive oil. Before 2012, the two were experienced farmers, but they didn't know how to run a business or build a brand. So they set aside time to learn as they went, and as they learned, they thrived. What Yanni's lacks in size, they make up for with their commitment to quality and their passion for building a sustainable future for their children, and their children's children.

Pressed from single-varietal green Chondroelia of Chalkidiki olives, Yanni's olive oils share an intensely fruity, bright aroma, a spicy, bitter yet beautifully balanced flavor, and a bright green hue. They also sell olive snackstheir newest product is sun-dried olives combined with dried fruits like cranberries and currants, in a mess-free pouch perfect for snacking on the go. You really get the true taste of olives without so much salt, explains Evi. These are perfect for people with heart issues since they're so low in salt, or diabetes, as the olives are sweet without added sugar.

The couple has learned a lot since 2012, when they began their journey at the American Farm School (AFS) in Thessaloniki, Greece. We didn't go to university, but we want ourselves and our children to have as much knowledge as possible, Evi explained. Science is the major helper in every type of business, and we look to science to make things better.

A focus on science has led to partnerships with the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (Alzheimer Hellas), as well as Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, and the National and Kapodistrian University in Athens. Yanni's has played an integral part in a series of MICOIL studies, the first clinical trial in humans to evaluate the effects of different kinds of olive oil on patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, which can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Published in the Journal of Alzheimer's, the study showed measurable health benefits of Yanni's early harvest extra-virgin olive oil. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties have real, incredible effects on our health.

The National Herald

The family olive grove at Nea Potidaea in Chalkidiki, Greece.

Yanni's is in the process of launching MICOIL, a food supplement enriched with Vitamins E & K based on the early harvest high phenolic Chalkidiki olive oil. It's entirely natural and full of Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, and polyphenols.

Although the studies keep finding good news, this has been a hard year for northern Greece's olive harvest. Water is precious here, says Prodromou. The water level is very low because of the heat. Evi and Yannis's small team is constantly working to protect the environment, maximize the efficiency of their cultivation, and take care of their land. We have the ability to minimize irrigation in order not to lose water, says Evi. We continue to try, because that's all we can do.

We do everything we can to help the land, says Evi, which is their most valuable resource and the beginning of everything they do. The land that they love is even their logo; It's very simple, a small tree on a small piece of land. If you turn it upside down, the person thanks God for everything he has, Evi explains.

Yanni's is devoted to sustainability, including recycling and waste management. They're always looking for partnerships and opportunities, like the Gaia Sense smart farming system, which Yanni's olive groves tried for the first time as a pilot olive tree cultivator, and a unique QR code traceability system, so each bottle of oil can be traced to its specific plot of land.

Evi and Yannis are proud of our childrenthey love the land and are following in our footsteps. Their 21-year-old son is studying business administration, and their 23-year-old daughter graduated from Aristotle University with a degree in food chemistry, specializing inwhat else? olive oil and olives. She's currently pursuing her master's degree in pharmaceutical studies, with a focus on food supplements.

One day soon, their children plan to take over Yanni's. In Evi's words: We are trying to do something small, but we are planting major roots, so we can grow, and they can grow, and keep growing.

The family behind Yanni's Olive Grove works with researchers to advance olive oil health knowledge while making award-winning Greek extra virgin olive oil!

Read more:

Yanni's Olive Grove: Love of Science, the Land, the Future and Olive Oil - The National Herald

A somber stat: Nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension or are taking medication for hypertension, pet the CDC. That's some 108 million Americans. While you should always consult with your doctor before updating your supplements regime, research shows that certain nutrients may help lower high blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes can make a dramatic difference in reducing high blood pressure, too. "There are many general healthful habits that can help reduce high blood pressure," said Kristin Gillespie, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, advisor for Exercisewithstyle.com. She said these include:

Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink or abstaining from booze completely along with quitting smoking are also important healthy habits (with a slew of other health benefits beyond reducing high blood pressure).

Now, when it comes to your diet and supplementation, learn more about how magnesium, omega-3s, potassium, vitamin C, and calcium may play a role in reducing high blood pressure. Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

You may have heard that magnesium may help you sleep and quell anxiety, but it may help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels, too. "There is a growing body of literature supporting the efficacy of magnesium in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure," says Gillespie. "This is felt to be the result of increased nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator within the body, causing relaxation and widening of blood vessels, increased blood flow, and reduced blood pressure." For more on magnesium, check out 19 magnesium benefits you didn't know you needed.

RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

"Omega-3 fatty acids have various functions in the body, including keeping your blood vessels strong. A reliable source of research suggests that they too may be able to help lower blood pressure," said Shannon Henry, RD, with EZCareClinic, which offers walk-in and online healthcare services for weight loss plans, nutrition/diet therapies, and treatments.

For omega-3s through your diet, seek out fatty fish like salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, noted Henry. See these:26 Best Omega-3 Foods to Fight Inflammation and Support Heart Health.

"Potassium is widely known for its effect on blood pressure; many studies have supported a link between increased potassium intake (either from food or supplements) and decreased blood pressure," says Gillespie, further explaining that this is due to the fact that potassium works to stimulate sodium excretion from the body, thus helping the blood vessels to relax. It should be easy to get sufficient potassium in a healthy, balanced diet. Pass the bananas, please. And avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

READ MORE: Best Supplements for Sleep, According to Experts

Who knew this vitamin could potentially help keep high blood pressure at bay? "Research has suggested that those with low vitamin C levels have more of a predisposition toward high blood pressure than those with optimal levels," said Gillespie. "In a literature review of eight studies, vitamin C supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure levels. Researchers have suggested that this is because vitamin C acts as a diuretic, excreting excess fluid and salt from the body to ultimately lower blood pressure."

READ MORE: Best Supplements for Reducing Inflammation, Say Dietitians

"The human body needs calcium for strong bones and to strengthen blood circulation, muscle contraction, and heart rate," said Henry of the important mineral.

Most people will get all the calcium they need from their diet, said Henry, calling out calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy green vegetables, and canned fatty fish. It's worth noting, though, that "a 2015 review found that an increase in calcium intake can lower blood pressure, but only a little. The authors realize that more studies are needed before doctors can be sure how it works and how much people should take," Henry added.

Read this next:

Follow this link:

Best Supplements for High Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians - Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Foods for good gut health

One of the easiest ways to foster a healthy microbiome is by consuming probiotics, which are live microorganisms that improve and restore existing microorganisms living in the digestive system. Mitchell-Paterson says examples of probiotics in foods include yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso soup and soft cheeses.

She also recommends adding in prebiotics such as linseed sesame, almond meal and oat, wheat, rice or bran fibres into your daily diet. To put simply, prebiotics are types of fibre that feed good gut bacteria.

As for foods to avoid, Mitchell-Paterson says to stay clear of sugary and highly processed foods.

Its important not to overindulge on added sugars and processed fats because theyre energy-dense, nutrient-poor and highly detrimental to the microbiome and immune function, she says.

This can throw the microbiome off balance and reduce the growth of good bacteria in the gut, while poor diet choices can slow metabolism and cause inflammation.

If youre finding it hard to consume your probiotics and prebiotics daily, Mitchell-Paterson says supplements may help.

She recommends opting for products that contain probiotic bacterial strains such as slippery elm powder, inulin, glutamine, zinc and aloe vera (like the NC Gut Relief with Honey more on that soon).

These are generally safe products to take, however there are some cautions regarding taking these products with certain medications as they may bind the medication making it less effective, she says, adding if this is the case, its best to speak with your GP before trying a new product.

If youre reading this and thinking supplements will probably work best for you, youre in luck as Starts at 60s Marketplace stocks a range of gut-friendly products.

If you want to ease into it, the NC Gut Relief with Honey Chewables are a good place to start. The chewables are easy to eat on-the-go and contain ingredients curcumin, glutamine, slippery elm, quercetin, aloe vera, guar gum, pectin, disodium phosphate and honey. Theyre currently on sale for $23.96, down from $29.95.

While were on the honey theme, for those who like things a little sweeter, we also have NC Gut Relief with Honey available. The supplement comes in powder form (150 grams) and is recommended once a day (5g). Wed recommend mixing it with water or juice, or sprinkling it over food.

Meanwhile, you can pick up the same product but without the honey here.

If youre having trouble with bowel movements, the NC Bowel Cleanse may be of interest. The chewable tablets contain extracts of the plant Senna tora, which was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to relive constipation, moisten the intestines and open and relax the bowels. The chewables, which come in a 60 pack, are currently on sale for $15.16, down from $18.95.

Another product we have available that helps with gut digestion is the Organic Hemp Protein Powder. It comes in a vanilla flavour and is dairy free and vegan friendly. Wed recommend adding it to a smoothie, sprinkled through your breakfast cereal or in a glass of milk or water. The protein powder is currently on sale for $19.99 down from $80 (thats a whopping $60 off!).

You can browse through more gut-friendly options here.

Q: What is gut health?A: Gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract.

Q: How can you boost gut health?A: They are certain foods and supplements you can take in order to improve your gut health.

Q: Why is gut health important?A: Gut health plays a vital role in your overall health and wellbeing. In fact, gut health affects more than just digestion, it can have effects on your mood and immune system, and has even been linked to chronic illnesses, including cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Visit link:

Eat to feel better: Boost your gut health with these foods and supplements - Starts at 60