Monthly Archives: February 2022

There are more than 100 million Costco members around the globe. While shopping inside a warehouse is an always option, being a part of this club also grants members access to exclusive sales on Costco.com.

There's no shortage of these sales eithermembers can expect to see discount events happening every few weeks. In fact, you can shop the new "Online-Only Hot Buys" sale from Monday through Friday of this week.

We rounded up nine items that members may want to add to their kitchens during the latest online savings event. FYI: The sale also includes clothing, electronics, home goods, and jewelryin case you have an eye on any products beyond your pantry. (And for more, here are 6 Things You'll See at Costco This Year.)

Costco is putting some supplements, such as this bottle of vitamin C, on sale for $8 off. Vitamin C helps the body heal and repair wounds, and it can also improve heart health. And that's only a few of its many benefitshere's What Taking Vitamin C Every Day Does to Your Body.

Just one of the 1,000-milligram tablets includes 1,111% of the daily recommended value of this vitamin. That's on the higher sidewhile experts recommend not exceeding 2,000 milligrams a day, keeping an eye on the rest of your diet throughout the day works. Side effects of taking too much Vitamin C may include cramping, diarrhea, kidney stones, nausea, and even insomnia.

To get all the latest Costco news delivered right to your email inbox every day, sign up for our newsletter!

The Costco size of the Jamieson Probiotic supplement is two boxes of 30 capsules. Right now it's on sale for $7 off, which brings the price per capsule down to about $0.50 each. This product has four 5-star reviews on Costco.com.

According to the directions, adults can take one 60 billion CFU capsule per day. Doing so can help with digestive health, as well as help prevent upper respiratory infections and protect against memory loss.

Canada's favorite coffee with three secret ingredients can be served in the comfort of your own kitchen for cheaper than ever. Costco just put a box of 100 Tim Hortons K-Cups on sale through March 4. After you take $6 off, each pod comes out to about $0.34.

Not only food and supplements are on sale on Costco.com this week. The retailer is also offering up kitchen appliances for cheaper, including this 9-cup KitchenAid Food Processor. It has three speeds and comes with not one but seven attachments.

This is a member-only item, so you'll have to sign in to see the price (but it's $30 off until Friday, March 4).

If the spring cleaning bug is inspiring Costco members to upgrade their kitchen appliances, this air fryer (which also has nine other functions) is on sale now online for under $100. It heats up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used as an air fryer, broiler, grill, oven, pizza oven, roaster, toaster, or warmer. It can also fit up to a 12-inch pizza or 26 quarts.

Not only is it cheaper right now on Costco.com, but it also comes with accessories like an air rack, baking tray, crumb tray, forks, rotisserie handle, rotisserie split, and more.

Costco is also including this container set in the Online Hot Buys sale, which is here just in time to help members get ready for spring cleaning. TheOXO 9-piece set is on sale for $12 less than the original price until Friday. Included are one 2.3-quart, two 1.1-quart, two 1.7-quart, two 2.6-quart, and two 3.7-quart BPA-free containers that seal on top via the press of a button. Members have rated this product as 4.8 stars out of 5, with nearly 4,400 reviews.So, now is as good a time as ever to add it to your cart.

Another food storage set on sale beginning Feb. 28 is this 10-piece reusable silicone set from Zip Top. The dishes, cups, and bags are currently $20 off the $79.99 list price. All are dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe. Zip Top says these products can help replace over 5,000 disposable plastic baggiesthroughout their lifetimes.

Costco has more than 4,000 items for sale in the warehouse and online. So, if you're in need of kitchen staples aside from food, the chain has those, too. This knife set is usually almost $230, but it's $50 off until Friday, March 4.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

It comes with 18 different stainless-steel knives, plus kitchen shears and a self-sharpening knife block. Almost 3,000 reviews on Costco.com rate this product with 4.5 stars out of 5.

Also included in the Online Hot Buys sale is this dinnerware set, which comes with place settings for eight people. The included plates, bowls, and mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe. They are $84.99 after $30 off this week.

For more of what you should get at the warehouse chain, here are the 5 Best Freezer Staples to Buy at Costco Right Now, Dietitians Say.

Read more here:

Costco Just Put These 9 Online Items on Sale Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Share on PinterestShould vagina-owners be taking pH balance pills? Heres what you should know.

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.

Vaginal health is important. Regardless of what age youre at, you want to make sure that youre taking proper care of your down there area. One way to do that? pH balance pills.

If youve never heard of these capsules before, keep reading to find out what they are, if you should take them, and our top picks for the best ones.

pH balance pills can help balance vaginal pH levels. When your vaginal pH level is off, you may notice an unusual odor, itchiness, and general discomfort, along with yeast or bacterial vaginosis infections. Taking pH balance pills can help maintain good levels of healthy and unhealthy bacteria.

pH balance pills typically contain probiotics. These are living microorganisms that, when ingested, can provide certain health benefits. Probiotics have been found to help with:

Different probiotics affect different parts of the body. Specifically, Lactobacillus acidophilus has been found to help prevent and treat vaginal imbalance issues.

However, more research is needed to conclude how effective probiotics are in changing vaginal pH balance.

pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline (basic) something is. The scale runs from 0 to 14. The pH balance of your vagina can help determine whether or not its healthy. A healthy vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5. However, a healthy pH level will vary based on your age.

During your reproductive years from ages 15 to 49, your vaginal pH will typically be at or below 4.5. Before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy pH will be higher than 4.5.

An acidic vagina means that its more protective. It creates a barrier that prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying too quickly and causing infection.

Having a vaginal pH level thats above 4.5 puts you at risk of several infections, like:

An unbalanced pH level can be caused by:

While probiotics have been found to improve gut health, experts are still researching how effective they are for vaginal pH.

Probiotics have been found to help with a myriad of health concerns, from bloating to irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotic supplements, in particular, contain multiple strains of bacteria species. The recommended daily dosage ranges from 1 billion to 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs).

According to Harvard Medical School, vagina owners may benefit from prebiotics if they have BV or a yeast infection, thanks to the introduction of lactobacilli. But there isnt a ton of concrete data that supports this. Studies have found that yeast and lactobacilli can coexist in the vagina, and lactobacilli can kill yeast.

The only proven treatments for BV and yeast infections are antibiotic and antifungal treatments.

Should you still choose to try out pH balance pills, its a good idea to talk with your doctor before introducing any supplements into your diet. They can look at your medical history and help you decide whether or not its a good idea.

Start off with a lower dose of CFUs and work your way up once your body adjusts to the supplements. Also, according to a 2011 study, the best time to take a probiotic is with a meal or 30 minutes before eating. It may take a few weeks to see a difference.

To choose the best pH balance pills to feature in our list, we took some factors into account:

Price: $

This probiotic from Renew Life claims to support urinary, dietary, and immune health, along with helping maintain healthy vaginal pH and yeast levels. It achieves this by containing 25 billion live cultures and 12 probiotic strains, including:

The capsules are vegetarian and dont contain dairy, gluten, soy, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to the directions, take one each day, with or without food.

These probiotics currently have a 4.6-star rating from over 23,000 Amazon buyers.

Price: $$

These capsules are designed to support vaginal and urinary tract health. Some key ingredients include:

In a study they conducted, the company states that 96 percent of users experienced improved vaginal health within 30 days.

These supplements are verified by independent labs for potency and are non-GMO. They are also free from gluten and artificial sweeteners and colors.

For best results, HUM recommends taking one capsule per day, with or without food.

Price: $$

Wisp Reproductive Probiotics are specifically formulated to help maintain a healthy vaginal pH. When you take them twice daily (the recommended dose), Wisp claims that the supplements can help prevent vaginal infections like BV, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and yeast infections.

The probiotic contains ingredients like L. acidophilus. According to the company, the probiotics should begin working within 3 to 6 weeks.

Wisp products arent available in local pharmacies, so youll have to order them online if you want to try them out. Although they dont accept insurance, you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) card if you have one. Additionally, if you decide to opt for a subscription, Wisp will cover your first month and charge you $10 per month thereafter.

Price: $$

If you stick to a plant-based diet, the Uqora Promote probiotic is vegan and free from gluten and antibiotics. It contains three strains of bacteria:

All three of these bacteria live naturally in a healthy vagina and release acids to help maintain healthy bacteria. These probiotics aim to balance the vaginal microbiome by providing these good bacteria.

For best results, Uqora suggests you take one supplement every day with water.

Price: $$

Love Wellness describes this option as a probiotic that maintains urinary tract health while balancing vaginal yeast and bacteria. It contains eight strains, including:

The supplements are gluten-free and aim to:

Take one capsule twice per day for best results.

Price: $$

This probiotic contains multi-strain female-focused ingredients. The two strains of lactobacilli are L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus. Meanwhile, the supplements themselves are free from flavors, colors, or sweeteners from artificial sources.

OLLY recommends taking one capsule each day.

No, pH balance pills are definitely not a necessity for vagina owners. However, if you frequently experience UTIs, yeast infections, general discomfort, itching, or odor, you may want to try them out to see if they help.

Some of the best ways to maintain a healthy vaginal pH are:

Visit your OB-GYN for yearly check-ups. Also, its a good idea to schedule an appointment if you have:

pH balance pills can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH level. They arent an absolute must-have for vagina havers, but they may be helpful if you frequently experience yeast infections, UTIs, or bacterial vaginosis.

If you have concerns about introducing a supplement into your diet, talk with your doctor about your vaginal health prior to doing so.

Melissa Lee is a market wellness editor at Healthline. Shes based in Pittsburgh, PA. When shes not trying out new skin care or researching wellness product trends, she can be found buying books to add to her TBR pile. Follow her on Instagram.

Read the original:

Best pH Balance Pills and Probiotics - Healthline

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.

Dry scooping is the term for eating pre-workout powder without water. It is currently a social media trend, but it may be linked to heart attacks. It can also cause choking and breathing problems.

When people take powdered pre-workout supplements without diluting them with water, they receive a concentrated dose of the ingredients in a short space of time. In large amounts, these ingredients which typically include caffeine, creatine, and beta-alanine may affect the heart.

Consuming large doses of caffeine can cause chest pain, a fast heart rate, and other harmful effects.

Keep reading to learn about the link between dry scooping and heart attacks, the other risks of this practice, and more.

Dry scooping is a recent trend that has grown in popularity on the social media platform TikTok.

Ordinarily, people take pre-workout supplements by mixing a scoop of the powder with water. Dry scooping involves swallowing a scoop of powder without mixing it with water.

This delivers a large dose of the supplement in just a few seconds, which proponents of the practice claim can give faster and better effects. However, it can actually be highly dangerous.

Manufacturers of the supplements advise mixing the powder with water and taking it 3060 minutes before exercising. Therefore, dry scooping is an inappropriate use of the supplements.

Dry scooping has the potential to cause heart attacks. According to the National Capital Poison Center (NCPC), some people who have engaged in the practice have experienced significant adverse effects that include heart problems.

Pre-workout supplements aim to give a person a burst of energy before exercise, and they usually contain large doses of caffeine. Delivering such a concentrated dose of caffeine may result in chest pain, increased heart rate, and other heart problems.

A study that the authors presented at the 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition supports the NCPCs statements about dry scoopings dangers. The researchers note the potential for accidental overconsumption, inhalation, and injury.

According to a 2018 study, drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day was associated with higher rates of heart attacks in males. This amount of coffee equates to about 276 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, and a recent study found that various commercial pre-workout powders contain 91387 mg of caffeine. For example, one popular supplement powder contains 300 mg per scoop.

Pre-workout supplements carry risks when people dry scoop them alone. However, the dangers increase when they dry scoop them with other substances.

Taking any supplement even according to package instructions can come with risks.

The risks of dry scooping include:

Additionally, the NCPC notes that some pre-workout products have two to three times the amount of caffeine that is in a cup of coffee.

A caffeine overdose can cause:

If a person has underlying heart disease or lung disease, they are especially at risk of these effects. They may not be aware that they have an underlying condition until they experience a cardiac event.

Sometimes, people combine the pre-workout powder with other substances, such as energy drinks or alcohol. This practice adds to the risks.

Energy drinks often contain large doses of caffeine. Taking them with pre-workout supplements, which also contain caffeine, increases the likelihood of a caffeine overdose.

Combining the powder with alcohol involves different risks. Caffeine from the pre-workout supplement can mask alcohols depressant effects, causing a person to consume more. This could put a person at risk of alcohol-induced impairments.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not closely regulate dietary supplements.

Consequently, many of them may have potentially harmful unlisted ingredients. According to a 2017 study, many ingredients have not undergone testing for safety and effectiveness.

Pre-workout supplements pose a danger to health even if a person does not dry scoop them, warn the study authors. There have been reports of stroke, heart attack, hepatitis, and death after taking such supplements.

The dangers stem from several common ingredients. Aside from caffeine, these include beta-phenethylamine and creatine-monophosphate.

These substances can cause:

Consuming too much caffeine at once can result in various side effects, such as:

If the dose of caffeine is large enough, it can produce very serious effects, such as:

Before taking a pre-workout or other dietary supplement, a person should contact a doctor. This is especially important if the person has an underlying health condition, particularly if it affects the heart or lungs.

Some supplements interfere with medications. Others may contain ingredients that are not advisable for people with certain conditions to take, even in small dosages.

If a doctor approves a pre-workout supplement, it is important to follow the manufacturers instructions when taking it. People should never dilute it with less water or take a larger dosage than the recommended amount.

The NCPC clearly states that dry scooping can be dangerous and may cause heart attacks. Research has linked supplements to serious health events even when a person does not dry scoop them, and this practice increases their effects.

Anyone who experiences any of the more serious effects of dry scooping, such as chest pain or seizures, should seek immediate medical treatment.

According to the NCPC, there is a connection between dry scooping pre-workout supplements and heart attacks.

As caffeine is a common ingredient, a person may ingest too much of it at once when they take the supplement without diluting it in water. Large dosages of caffeine cause adverse effects that may lead to a heart attack, seizures, and respiratory failure.

Given the serious nature of the dangers, it is best to refrain from dry scooping.

Follow this link:

Dry scooping trend: Can it cause heart attacks? - Medical News Today

The new supplements aim to fill a hole in many Americans' diets, as new research from Garden of Life reveals 47 percent of U.S. adults haven't eaten a beet in the last year, and that's due largely to not liking the taste or texture of beets. The new supplements are designed to taste great yet still provide an easy way to reap the full benefits of beets.

The Benefits of Beets

Beets are known to help the body deliver oxygen and carry nutrients to the cells more efficiently and studies show athletes who drink beetroot juice have been able to improve their performance. But beets have several other lesser-known benefits, including having been clinically studied and used to improve energy and stamina, support healthy aging, promote detoxification, support heart and lung health, and lower blood pressure.

However, only 30 percent of Americans have eaten beets in the last month, with 43 percent of Americans who avoid beets citing they don't like the taste or texture and 21 percent unsure of how to prepare beets. And according to the research, nearly all Americans can't correctly identify the health benefits they miss out on by not including beets in their diet.

"Garden of Life's mission has always been to empower extraordinary health and it was clear to us that not enough people were tapping into the extraordinary health benefits of beets," said Brian Ray, President of Garden of Life. "These new beet supplements are full of wholesome, organic ingredients that most Americans are missing out on every day and they're available in formats that make getting in your daily dose of beets even easier."

Introducing: Beet Supplements

Garden of Life now offers four beet-based supplements at digital and in-person retailers across the country. Each supplement is made using clean, traceable, organic and non-GMO ingredients.

Beets Detox with Apple Cider Vinegar Drink PowderMany people don't enjoy eating beetroot or drinking beetroot juice, but that doesn't mean they should be swayed from accessing the detoxifying nutrients beetroot provides. This delicious beets detox drink powder was designed with key ingredients that support the body's natural detoxifying system, which helps the body maintain a healthy weight and liver function. With all-organic and non-GMO ingredients, this powder also includes apple cider vinegar, black currants imported from New Zealand, acerola fruit juice, ginger, lemon juice, tart cherry and lemon peel extract.

Beets Beauty PowderWho doesn't want to sip on something that promotes more radiant skin, healthy hair and stronger nails? This delicious blackberry-melon-flavored drink powder is loaded with key ingredients such as clinically studied organic French melon, black currant and acerola cherry, which promote healthy hair, skin and nails, as well as support the body's resistance to sun-related aging. The powder is also rich in nitrates that help improve the body's blood flow, which in turn can help promote collagen production.

Beets Gummies For the majority of Americans who aren't keen on taking a bite out of a beet, these beets gummies nicknamed "fruit salad in a bottle" are the solution. Made with organic tart cherries, black currants, beets and plant-based vitamin D3, these gummies are a great option for post-workout supplements. They're most effective in preventing muscle soreness, promoting heart health and energy production and reducing stress levels.

Beets Gummies Beauty These delicious beets beauty gummies, which taste just like raspberries, are packed with antioxidants that promote healthy and youthful-looking skin. With additional ingredients like organic bamboo silica, non-GMO biotin and organic acerola cherry vitamin C, the Beets Gummies Beauty supplements are designed to help give anyone's hair, skin and nails a healthy boost.

Also Introducing: Dr. Formulated Magnesium Gummies

Alongside the new beet supplements, Garden of Life is also introducing new magnesium supplements to its product lineup.

Research has shown that when the body is under stress, magnesium helps prevent high blood pressure, headaches, muscle cramps and other stress-related symptoms. And because it's estimated that 75 percent of the population is magnesium deficient, the Garden of Life team worked collaboratively with David Perlmutter, M.D. the doctor behind "Dr. Formulated" products to create magnesium supplements for the entire family. These gummies, which contain 400 mg of magnesium in four gummies, help promote better sleep as well as bone, muscle, digestive and heart support.

To learn more, visit http://www.gardenoflife.com.

ABOUT GARDEN OF LIFEGarden of Life is today's recognized leader and innovator in carbon-neutral-certified, whole food, Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified nutrition. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, we offer more than 400 time-tested supplements by leading scientists all to Empower Extraordinary Health. Whether we're making a vitamin or a probiotic or a protein powder, we always start with fresh, real, whole foods that are traceable back to the seed. From there, these foods provide our formulas that give people of all ages the power to be their best. Visit gardenoflife.com to learn more.

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.

The Garden of Life Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative adults ages 18 and over between Jan. 26-30, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey. The data has been weighted to accurately represent the U.S. adult population 18 years and older.

CONTACT:Emma Mazour(612) 375-8532[emailprotected]

SOURCE Garden of Life

See the rest here:

Garden of Life Introduces New Beet Supplements That Promote Anti-Aging, Liver Function, Heart Health - PRNewswire

Alongside other treatment methods, diet is an important part of managing Crohns disease. Some people with Crohns disease may benefit from reducing their intake of dietary fiber. This type of food is hard to digest and may aggravate symptoms, especially during a flare.

Although dietary factors cannot cure or cause Crohns disease, they can affect its symptoms, especially during a flare.

Doctors recommend that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) follow a diet with a reduced fiber intake. However, it is important to consider that some types of fiber may benefit people with IBD.

This article explores the different types of dietary fiber and their effects on Crohns disease. It also discusses what foods to eat and avoid, and what supplements to consider taking.

Crohns disease is a form of IBD. It is a long-term condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract.

The disease commonly affects the beginning of the large intestines and the lower part of the small intestines (ileum). However, it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

About 3 million adults in the United States had the condition in 2015, with this figure having risen significantly over the last couple of decades.

The exact cause of Crohns disease is unknown, but experts believe that the condition results from an abnormal immune response.

Diet and nutrition play a significant role in controlling IBD symptoms, yet there is no single diet that works for everyone.

No evidence suggests that any particular food or diet can cause, prevent, or cure Crohns disease. However, many doctors recommend a low fiber, or low-residue, diet.

Fiber is a substance that remains undigested as it passes through the small intestine. It is present primarily in plant foods, such as fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables.

Different types of dietary fiber affect digestion in different ways. There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Learn more about soluble and insoluble fibers.

These fibers dissolve in water, which helps absorb the water in the gut. This slows the transit time of food through the gut. Soluble fiber takes on a gel-like consistency during digestion, which helps reduce diarrhea and delays the emptying of the intestine, especially during flares.

These types of fibers do not dissolve in water but pool it into the gut. As a result, they move more quickly through the gut and are more difficult for the body to digest. They may aggravate symptoms and cause diarrhea, pain, and bloating. Insoluble fiber can also block the intestinal tract when there is severe inflammation or narrowing of the intestines, known as strictures, during flares.

Learn more about Crohns disease and strictures.

Many studies actually report that avoiding fiber may not benefit people with Crohns disease.

A 2015 study found that people with Crohns disease who did not avoid high fiber foods were approximately 40% less likely to have a flare than those who did avoid them.

Another 2015 study found that a plant-based diet effectively reduced gut inflammation and promoted the overall health of people with IBD.

However, the study authors mention that a low residue diet without insoluble fibers might accelerate an imbalance of microorganisms in the gut, called dysbiosis. They conclude that high amounts of dietary fiber are not harmful to people with IBD but instead seem favorable.

Other research has also explored the benefits of consuming fiber and the lower likelihood of developing Crohns disease. A 2017 study found that a high fiber diet may reduce a persons risk of developing the condition.

Below are some examples of high fiber foods under different categories of food type:

Most foods contain both types of dietary fiber. Conventionally, doctors advise people experiencing symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea to avoid insoluble fibers.

Some of the foods that they typically ask people to avoid include:

Many individuals with IBD may need to take supplements to make up for the deficiency resulting from active bowel inflammation, food avoidance, and malabsorption.

Malabsorption makes it difficult to absorb necessary nutrients in the small intestine, such as proteins, fats, sugars, vitamins, and minerals. It can occur as a result of inflammation in the intestines.

A person should speak with a doctor before buying vitamins, supplements, and herbal formulas. If pills cause digestive symptoms, they can consider taking supplements in liquid or powder forms.

It is also crucial to check the label for artificial colors, sugar alcohols, lactose, and preservatives. Some individuals may be sensitive to even small amounts of these substances.

Here are some supplements that people with IBD may need:

A 2019 study reviewed omega-3 fatty acids. It showed that these reduced inflammation, decreased disease activity, and increased the quality of life in people with Crohns disease.

However, a 2019 review concluded that there was insufficient evidence to confirm that probiotics were effective in treating IBD and maintaining the balance of gut microbiota.

The same foods do not trigger symptoms in all people with Crohns disease. A person may wish to explore which foods are safe for them and which ones trigger symptoms.

Keeping a food journal or diary and tracking their symptoms can help people determine which foods are causing problems.

This information can be useful when a person wishes to discuss their treatment options with a doctor or dietitian.

Learn more about IBD and ways to manage it by visiting our hub.

Based on some research, it is common for people with Crohns disease to restrict their fiber intake due to the insoluble nature of many high fiber foods. However, in some individuals, high fiber foods may reduce the risk of flare-ups. They may even reduce the risk of IBD developing in the first place.

It is important to note that all dietary factors can affect individuals with Crohns disease differently. Keeping a food journal to track food intake and symptoms can help a person work out what dietary factors exacerbate their condition.

Excerpt from:

Crohn's disease and dietary fiber: What is the link? - Medical News Today