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

Hyaluronic acid to perk up the joints and skin

Hyaluronic acid is a compound essential to human tissue. It occurs in abundance in the vitreous humor of the eye and is a component of synovial fluid and subcutaneous tissue. So why on earth would anyone want to take a Hyaluronic acid supplement? Good question.

Reason one: FDA approved HA products are currently being used to treat bone and joint disorders common to the back, knees, elbows and shoulders. The theory here, is, that replenishing diminished supplies of HA through supplementation might at least temporarily relieve some pain and discomfort.

Reason two: hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in skin and diminishes with age, causing skin to look dry, wrinkled and rigid. As a result, the use of hyaluronic acid in cosmetic injections, body creams, lotions and oral supplements have become popular among the anti-aging set.

What's not so pretty, though, is how we arrive at medicinal. It's often biosynthetically engineered from bacteria such as streptococci or extracted from animal sources such as rooster combs and bovine vitreous humor, both of which contain high levels of HA. Research also suggests that the purification of hyaluronan from the vitreous humor of fish has begun to show promising results. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Hoodia May Benefit Weight Loss

Appearing on store shelves and offered by Internet retailers around the globe, hoodia supplements are derived from the succulent hoodia plant found mainly in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The herbs reputed reputation is one for staving off hunger and quenching thirst during long journeys across the sand basin, as this powerful herb is said to possess appetite suppressing qualities.

Acting as a weight loss supplement, hoodia works by reducing the frequency of your cravings, cutting back on your fat and carbohydrate intake and giving your body more time between meals to access fat stores and burn excess body fat. It may even do this for you. A molecule dubbed P57 in hoodia is presumed to act on the hypothalamus, the portion of your brain that triggers cravings and determines satiety. In essence, P57 tricks the brain into thinking the stomach is full.

Are there any harmful side effects to this miracle weight loss herb? Yes, the worse side effect of all - hoodia may do nothing for you. Researchers have determined that, although hoodia supplements may promote effective weight loss in some people, they may do nothing for others, rendering it almost useless as a dietary supplement.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Green Tea for Overall Good Health

Green tea has more or less been touted at the antioxidant of the century. Why? Because a compound found in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, is a powerful antioxidant said to fight the free radicals that promote tumor growth and debilitating illness. EGCG is the focus of many studies centered on heart and brain health, its effects on cognitive function and the role EGCG plays in weight loss and weight management. 

Does green tea promote weight loss? Is it the caffeine? To a certain extent yes, but there's more to it. The Journal of Obesity reports that bioflavonoid catechins in green tea may enhance metabolism and burn calories by increasing the lifespan of norepinephrine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps govern blood pressure and heart rate. Green tea is also said to promote thermogenesis, the process by which the body generates heat and burns calories.

And what about all this rhetoric that Asian people live longer because they drink green tea? Well, a 2006 study published in the Journal of American Medicine found drinking five or more cups of green tea daily may reduce your risk of various heart problems and failure. Pass the green tea this way please.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Gluten-Free Foods Good For All

In the past, a gluten-free diet was said one only to be for people prone to genetic gluten intolerance. Gluten is the sticky stuff in dough and comprises the protein components of wheat, rye, barley and triticale (a grain hybrid). It's difficult for the body to digest and to follow a gluten-free diet is no piece of cake, as so many processed foods from hot dogs to soda contain gluten.

Research indicates that adhering to a gluten free diet may even benefit those who don't suffer from gluten sensitivity. Products containing gluten are typically high in complex carbohydrates and cutting back on these foods may result in weight loss.

Nutritionists warn to be cognizant of your nutritional needs while going gluten free. Notwithstanding gluten's high calorie count, it happens to be very nutritious, which is why is appears in so many products. Unfortunately, gluten is often replaced with substitutes that are low in B vitamins and fiber, components present in a balanced diet. Remember, if a food product contains wheat, or wheat by products of any kind, it isn't gluten free.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Think you're getting Enough Fiber?

You may not be. And you wouldn't happen to know the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber would you? It's time to get your fiber facts straight.

There are six nutrient groups the body needs to promote good health, one of which is fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and comprises the moister, meaty parts of many fruits, grains, vegetables, oatmeal and dried beans. Insoluble fiber is more difficult to digest and occurs in grain brans, vegetable peels and skins.

Fiber is made mostly of carbohydrates, but isn't high in calories and is rarely broken down by the body for energy. No digestive enzymes are produced in the body to act on fiber, so the majority of it passes through the body undigested, which is why it helps keep us regular.

Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, veggies and grain products that contain some types of dietary fiber, particulary soluble fiber, may support cardiovascular and overall health.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Good Health Depends, In Part, on Enzymes

Every function in the body requires enzymes, which occur naturally in both plants and animals.

The possible need for enzyme supplements in the modern American diet is a direct result of our affinity for cooked and processed foods, in which the natural enzymes of both have been either partially or entirely destroyed.

Every raw whole food comes with its own complete set of enzymes to aid in its digestion in the body but, when brought above a certain temperature or exposed to additives or irradiation, these whole food enzymes are ruined, often leaving our bodies with significant amounts of undigested food, chemicals and nutrients to pass on to excretion.

For those whose diets may be lacking a natural intake of enzymes, a supplement may help support overall health.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog is written exclusively by employees of Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com and writers of the VitaBlog have a material connection to any links contained within. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.5 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”