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

Elderberry is Shining Star among Antioxidants

The headline reads, "NY Giants Get Last Minute Big Game Boost from an Elderberry Extract." The story appears in a February 2008 edition of Business Wire and claims that star players for the Giants took black elderberry extract prior to Super Bowl XLII, curing "flu like symptoms." Elderberry is widely used in Europe to boost the immune system and fight colds and flu.

For those of you unfamiliar with Elderberry, it has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 240 units per 100 grams – smack dab between blueberries and raspberries and fourth down from acai at the top. That's berry good and superior to cranberries' ORAC of 120.

It's the flavonoids in Elderberry, quercetin in particular, that account for Elderberries' antioxidant qualities. And although you may have read some comprised press lately about how the antioxidant properties of certain berries has been over-exaggerated by the media, I highly doubt, if elderberry were among them, researchers would be looking so closely at its potential in fighting bird flu. 

EFAs Vital to Healthy Nervous System

Essential fatty acids come in two types, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. They're called "essential" because they're essential to good health, but are not produced in the body and must be obtained through diet.

As Americans consume far too many of the omega-6 fatty acids found in meat, animal products and common cooking oils, the awareness for greater amounts of omega-3 EFAs has increased in recent years. Although omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAs should ideally be present in our diets at a ratio of 3:1 respectively, it's as high as 40:1 for some Americans, which is why obesity is a national epidemic.

EFA supplementation has been recommended for as many as 60 health conditions, ranging from high cholesterol and blood pressure to inflammation, memory loss and aching joints. In 2004, the FDA recognized EFAs for their potential in promoting cardiovascular health, and studies by the American Heart Association suggest that diets rich in EFAs may result in a number of positive health effects.

Dynamic Health Goji Scrubs Free Radicals

It's the year of the berry. Acai berries, pomegranate and goji berries have achieved antioxidant fame with acerola berries and camu camu close behind. Is one better than the other for fighting oxidative stress? I say take your pick.

But first, let me say this about Dynamic Health Goji Gold. This powerful and potent antioxidant juice has an ORAC rating of practically 60,000. The ORAC scale is a standardized test used by the US Department of Agriculture to measure the total antioxidant potency of foods and nutritional supplements. ORAC stands for "Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity," and is a measurement expressed as "ORAC units per 100 grams" of a given food or supplement. Goji berries have ten times the ORAC of blueberries and 20 times that of raspberries. Pretty powerful stuff, wouldn't you say?

You'll find that glamour berries like goji and acai cost a few bucks and wonder if they're worth the money. Ask yourself this: "How much is living healthy actually worth?"

CELLFOOD Supports Vigor

CELLFOOD delivers trace minerals, enzymes, amino acids and bioavailable oxygen to fight free radicals and protect DNA. The formula's powerful antioxidants work to detoxify blood and stimulate healthy cell growth and are available in oral spray and nutrient-rich CELLFOOD Oxygen Gel.

I'm particularly pleased with CELLFOOD's Oxygen Gel, a topical application that seems to revitalize skin and smooth lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. It contains Aloe Vera and chamomile and exhibits antimicrobial qualities, so it's effective on skin rashes and sun spots, stretch marks and all types of damaged skin.

I'm a self-proclaimed fan of Oxygen Gel and at $12 an ounce it performs. Paying a little more doesn't bother me, as finding something as effective as CELLFOOD is priceless, especially in South Florida, where if I'm not around the pool you can find me on the boat.  That's why CELLFOOD suits me fine!

Bromelain to Battle Inflammation

If you have ever marinated anything in pineapple juice, or baked a ham or turkey with pineapple slices, you may already be familiar with bromelain. It's the plant enzyme abundant in pineapple juice that breaks down proteins in meat. In supplement form, bromelain may significantly aid digestion and assist the body in absorbing nutrients.

Bromelain also appears well-suited to aid joint pain and swelling and to suppress the build-up of arterial plaque that leads to dangerous clotting. Not too shabby for a tropical fruit. In fact, bromelain may even relieve painful symptoms associated with varicose veins.

Unfortunately, you'd have to consume unhealthy amounts of calorie-rich pineapple to reap the benefits of bromelain through whole food, which is why bromelain supplements are popular. Aside from a little tummy upset and an occasional allergy or two, you'll find them safe and effective and with few side effects.

Beta-sitosterol Benefits the Whole Body

Beta-sitosterol is a phytosterol (plant alcohol) said to balance cholesterol. It's found in just about every vegetable imaginable and readily available in supplement form. If you sort through enough beta-sitosterol literature, you'll find the plant compound is indeed good for you and probably the reason why Mom insisted we eat our vegetables. Unfortunately, as adults, too few of us eat too few vegetables and should probably supplement with beta-sitosterol, something Mom would've never thought of in a million years.

Plant sterols are the new dietary craze in supplements and have been found to benefit the prostate, heart, liver, kidneys, GI tract, brain and more - as do vegetables. Consider a diet rich in fibrous, leafy plants accompanied by a daily beta-sitosterol supplement. Your cholesterol may drop just thinking about it.

Avalon Organics Defy Aging

Avalon Organics Coq10 Wrinkle Defense and Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Facial Cream are my top two anti-aging picks for the year. They contain powerful antioxidants to protect skin from the elements and organic botanicals to boost the production of collagen and elastin, components of skin that decline with age.

Avalon Organics is not tested on animals and is free of parabens, harsh preservatives, synthetic fragrance and artificial colors. Everything I look for in a face cream. After using Avalon Organics for more than a year now, I can safely say no other product has resulted in such skin clarity, tone and texture.

The ounce cost for Avalon Organics restoratives is a good value, especially since most Coq10 face creams are exorbitantly expensive. They contain a barrage of nourishing plant derivatives and when compared to other face creams; few do as good a job smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.

Aubrey Organics Shampoo is Free of Phthalates

Many brand name shampoos contain phthalates, a chemical stabilizer commonly found in body care products, particularly those with fragrance. There's no law restricting the use of phthalates in the U.S., nor do any laws require their disclosure on ingredient labels. Studies show that phthalates may cause fertility problems and lead to reproductive birth defects. Something most of us don't think about when washing our hair.

The good news is Aubrey Organics shampoos and conditioners are free of phthalates. Aubrey Organics is naturally fragranced with honeysuckle and chamomile and are safe for pregnant and nursing women and their babies. In fact, Aubrey Organics botanicals benefit healthy hair and scalp and are known to mend split ends and leave hair silky smooth.

The FDA has offered no compelling evidence that phthalates pose a safety risk when used in cosmetics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the health effects of phthalates in humans are uncertain. Why take the chance when phthalate-free Aubrey Organics is just a click away?

Enzyme Supplements Promote Healthy Digestion

Because going out to eat has become more of a behavioral pattern than a special occasion in America, the typical diet has strayed far to the left of what most would consider healthy and balanced. As a result, our digestive tract isn't what is used to be. Enter the benefits of digestive enzymes and their potential to stave off uncomfortable gas, indigestion, diarrhea, cramps and bloating.

Why do the French eat salad after dinner? Why do sushi restaurants pile on the ginger? What is the reasoning behind after dinner mints? A: Certain vegetables and carminative herbs such as peppermint and ginger are rich in the volatile oils known to aid digestion.

Nutritionists suggest that in addition to digestive assistance, a predetermined regimen of select enzymes may purify blood, strengthen immune function, cleanse the colon and enhance long-term cognitive function. Most aren't very expensive, come with few to no side effects and may be just what it takes to have a quiet, uninterrupted night on the town.

Coromega Emulsified Fish Oil has High Absorbency

Some scientists say that emulsified fish oil may be as much as 71 percent more absorbent than fish oil capsules. Then again, absorbency remains a hot topic in the supplement world because of the many factors which impact the efficient absorption of nutrients. Regardless, fish oil in any way shape or form has been shown to benefit good health.

You'll find that some fish oils receive more exposure in the press than others, primarily because of large marketing budgets, presenting a conundrum. Just because a brand is backed by an enormous media campaign doesn't mean it's a high-quality product. In fact, in the supplement industry, it's oftentimes the opposite.

Coromega fish oil is a good product. It's derived from deep, coldwater fish and is molecular distilled for ultimate purity. Coromega contains pharmaceutical grade DHA and EPA components for heart, brain and eye health and has been proven to help balance cholesterol and triglycerides, improve joint mobility and contribute to overall well-being.