VitaBlog The Vitacost Blog: Views and News on Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs

A Slimmer, Summer You: It is Still Possible!

Summer is a just a few short weeks away—which means soon you'll be wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts and swimsuits again! If you've put on a few extra pounds, there's still time to lose that weight and feel great no matter what you're wearing.

Vitacost.com carries several helpful weight loss supplements to help you reach your goals, safely. NSI® products, such as Hoodia Gordonii, Green Tea Extract and Carb Blocker with Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer, are all-natural and free of dangerous stimulants. We also offer an amazing selection of brand-name weight loss products, like Atkins, TrimSpa and more, at unbeatably low prices.

Of course, be sure to eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of water and exercise as much as possible to stay healthy while you shed pounds for summer. For more information on weight loss and which supplements are right for you, click here.

Refresh & Revive Your Body with Detoxification

Doing your Spring cleaning? Now might also be a good time to "cleanse" yourself of the toxins, chemicals and other harmful substances that have accumulated in your body over time. Detoxification is a great way to sweep out your system, while also giving your body a rest from digestion, and nourishing important organs like the liver and kidneys.

Typical detoxification programs involve either fasting or very limited food consumption for several days. You may also take supplements that support the detoxification process, such as milk thistle, which protects and regenerates the liver (the organ responsible for removing toxins from your bloodstream on a daily basis).

Other detoxification supplements include betonite clay, a bulk laxative that binds to toxins to help remove them from the body; burdock root, a cleanser and diuretic which helps eliminate heavy metals and is good for the skin; and echinacea, a lymph cleaner and immune supporter.

Consider using the Flor-Essence® Detox Kit, featuring a combination of vitamins and herbs formulated to support gentle detoxification. Order yours for less at Vitacost.com by clicking here.

Move Over Honey - Royal Jelly is the "New" Healthful Bee Product

Besides honey, busy bees create a substance called royal jelly, which is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Royal jelly is fed to all larvae for the first three days of life, but is then fed exclusively to "lucky ones" chosen to become queen bees, so they grow larger and stronger, and live longer (up to four years!), than the others.

Because of this powerful effect, it's believed that royal jelly may also benefit human health. It's regarded as a superfood, delivering all the B-complex vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, D and E, plus calcium, iron, potassium and other minerals. Royal jelly may help boost immunity, promote speedy recovery from wounds and enhance energy and vitality.

Royal jelly is also added to hair and skin care products for softening, smoothing and strengthening effects. Keep watching for exciting, new lotions and other skin care products containing royal jelly coming soon to Vitacost.com!

High-Protein Spirulina Helps Boost Immunity, Combat Allergies

It's hard to believe, but that green, fuzzy-textured "stuff" growing on rocks in lakes and ponds is actually good for your health. Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, is one of nature's richest sources of vitamin B12. It also contains amino acids, omega-6 GLA, beta carotene, zinc and iron.

Available in powder, tablet or capsule form, spirulina has been shown to help boost immunity, protect against allergic reactions (by blocking the release of histamines), assist with the maintenance of blood sugar levels, increase energy and nourish the skin. Spirulina is also used as a sports supplement because of its high protein content.

To use spirulina powder, sprinkle into beverages or on soups and other foods. Most tablets and capsules come in 500mg dosages and should be taken several times a day for best results.

Whey Protein: Packed with Power for Best Performance

Whey protein is a high-quality, "gold standard" form of protein derived from cow's milk. During the process of making cheese, whey protein is separated from milk, then purified and dried to create a powder which can be added to foods or packaged as a supplement.

Whey protein provides 20 to 50 grams of protein per serving and is low in fat and cholesterol. It's a superior protein source often used by active individuals and athletes because of its role in building and repairing lean muscle tissue. Whey protein also serves as a source of energy and helps the body with overall cell maintenance.

Available in "concentrate" (29% to 89% protein) or "isolate" (90% protein) form, whey protein supplements are easily mixed with water, juices or smoothies for quick and easy fulfillment of your daily protein requirement needs. To view NSI®'s selection, click here.

Get a Good Night's Rest with Melatonin

If you're one of more than half the nation experiencing occasional sleep difficulties, you may want to try melatonin. Produced naturally by the brain's pineal gland, melatonin is a hormone that plays an important part in regulating sleep and the body's circadian rhythm, or internal biological clock.

Supplementing with melatonin has been found to help with insomnia, allowing users to fall asleep more easily, and stay asleep once there. It may also ease the effects of jet lag, or night-shift work, helping the body overcome disorientation and reestablish a normal sleeping pattern.

For best results, take 1 to 3 mg of melatonin just before bed. Drowsiness is likely to occur within the first half hour, so driving and operating heavy machinery is not recommended. Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® offers a time-released melatonin, designed to mimic the body's natural release. For more information, please click here.

Body Builders Aren't the Only Ones To Benefit from L-Glutamine

L-glutamine is an amino acid used by athletes and body builders to help build muscle tissue—but just because you don't spend hours at the gym doesn't mean you can't benefit from this important nutrient. In fact, l-glutamine is often used to prevent muscle tissue breakdown in the elderly.

Other uses for l-glutamine include: boosting levels of human growth hormone (which is believed to play a part in aging), promoting healthy immune function (which may shorten recovery time after surgery and reduce risk of infection) and curbing cravings for sugar and carbohydrates (great for dieters!).

Although the body normally produces and maintains adequate levels of l-glutamine, increased energy output and stress may deplete stores. For a consistently-available supply, take a daily supplement of 500mg, twice a day, on an empty stomach.

Sprinkle Soy Lecithin Granules on Cereal for a Healthy Dose of Choline

A quick refresher on the way muscles work will help you understand why you need choline. When your brain wants a muscle to contract, it sends a signal to the nerve attached to the muscle. The nerve releases acetylcholine into the space between the nerve and muscle. When enough of this neurotransmitter attaches to the muscle cell, it becomes "excited" and contracts.

Choline is used by the body to produce acetylcholine. Without it, central nervous system function would be impaired and the body couldn't function properly. Choline also serves as an important structural component of cells, helping facilitate movement of fats across membranes.

There's some evidence suggesting that choline helps with cholesterol (by working as a fat/cholesterol emulsifier). It may also help with kidney and liver problems, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, and glaucoma.

Soy lecithin is the most common source for choline supplementation. Available in "granule" form, sprinkle soy lecithin on yogurt, cereals and other foods for an easy, healthy dose of choline. Be sure to check out Vitacost.com's Apple & Cinnamon flavored Soy Lecithin Granules! You get 30, two-scoop servings for less than $7.00.