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

Stevia is Sweet on Life

Stevia is a natural sweetener said to be 300 times sweeter than sugar. This South American shrub is just as sweet as NutraSweet (aspartame), but less sweet than sucralose and Splenda. Available only as a dietary supplement in the U.S., the FDA has not yet approved Stevia to be labeled and sold as a sweetener.

Stevia health benefits are backed by anecdotal evidence suggesting the herb may reduce post-meal blood sugar and lower blood pressure. Not-so-sweet downsides to stevia consumption include infertility, genetic mutations and birth defects.

Stevia is relatively new to the American marketplace and consumers are cautioned of long-term use. Thousands, including myself, are sprinkling stevia over cereal and using it in coffee and tea while manufacturers continue to lobby the FDA for approval. Is stevia safe?  Time will tell. Currently, the American Dietetic Association does not endorse stevia as a sugar substitute for diabetics.

Sports Nutrition Essential for Peak Performance

Balanced nutrition is crucial to reaching one's highest potential. Select amounts of calories and carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and fluids in the diet are essential to sustaining energy levels and can often be the difference between winning and losing. Sports Nutrition is a science, and seeking out quality sports nutrition products can be tedious and time consuming at first.

If you're just starting out, do some initial research on how nutrients react in the body and whole food sources that provide these nutrients. The Internet is a good place to begin, but be wary of inaccurate information disseminated by Sports Nutrition websites selling products. Stay focused more on journal articles and well-established nutritional databases such as PubMed, Natural Standard, Harvard Health and others.

Spirulina Benefits Include Immunity

Spirulina, which is blue-green algae high in protein, vitamins and minerals, may be an immune booster of sorts, as a number of animal studies point to spirulina's ability to stimulate both antibody and cellular types of immunity. Spirulina guards digestive health and is shown to encourage the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria needed to balance the GI tract.

Personally, I enjoy spirulina for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The algae's high levels of evercetin and phycocyanin have been shown to alleviate respiratory ailments and aid inflammation associated with joint pain and backache. In addition, high levels of carotenoids in spirulina guard cell health and protect vision.

Many vegans and vegetarians have made spirulina their primary source of protein. The blue-green superfood contains both essential and nonessential amino acids and is similar in structure to animal protein, so it's great for lean muscle building and maintaining healthy weight.

Shampoo may be Sheep in Wolf's Clothes

A study conducted by Washington University researchers and published in the February edition of Pediatrics Journal link the phthalates contained in many fragranced personal care products to infertility, birth defects and diminished reproductive performance in men. The study focused on the use of baby powders, lotions and shampoos and heightened levels of phthalates in baby's urine.

Avoiding phthalates is problematic. Their use in cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos and other body care products is the U.S. is widespread and no laws have been established to require manufactures to list phthalates on product labels.

Suggestions for bypassing phthalates in shampoo include the use of all-natural and organic shampoos, and those hard to come by which contain no fragrance. The Giovanni line of hair care products is one alternative and Aubrey Organics is another.

Slendesta Spud-Pill Promotes Weight Management

Of the long list of dietary supplements and alternative solutions to weight loss that you've considered in the past, Slendesta probably isn't one of them. That being said, it's time for a change. Slendesta contains Proteinase Inhibitor II (PI2), a compound in potatoes that catapults the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the bloodstream, a naturally occurring peptide that simulates a feeling of fullness.

Is this why you feel full after eating potatoes? Quite possibly yes. But because potatoes are high in complex carbohydrates and can abruptly raise your glycemic index (GI), eating too many too often can result in unhealthy weight gain, especially in the form of French fries or baked potatoes mounded with butter and sour cream. 

Slendesta is safe and is quickly gaining in popularity among weight management enthusiasts. Is there competition in the potato protein supplement ranks? Yes. But you'll find Slendesta to be most effective in helping you manage weight, and in just a short time after beginning a Slendesta regimen, you'll feel lighter, stronger and more self-assured. 

Selenium Slows Signs of Aging

Selenium is a trace mineral element of which less than one gram exists in the average human. In supplement form, selenium acts as an antioxidant in the body, fighting free radicals that lead to oxidative stress, cardio and immune system deficiencies. Although the impact and effectiveness of selenium as an antioxidant has yet to be fully explored, studies indicate that selenium protects DNA and may slow the aging process.

Most notably, selenium speeds up the metabolism of fatty acids and works together with vitamin E to protect cells. The trace element is also being closely studied for its potential in relieving inflammation.

For those of you who haven't figured it out; anti-aging is synonymous with good health. The anti-aging marketplace has taken on a life of its own, where the sales of skin creams and tonics, dietary supplements and energy drinks have skyrocketed as result of anti-aging claims made by manufacturers. It's quite possible that a selenium supplement won't make you younger, but too low levels of selenium in the blood have been associated with heart problems and clotting. Good food sources of selenium include brewer's yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran, kelp, shellfish, Brazil nuts, barley and oats and selenium supplements are considered safe when used as directed.

Saw Palmetto for Enlarged Prostate

The purple berries of the saw palmetto fan palm native to the South Florida and California coast are hailed by naturopaths as benefiting the hormonal balance of both men and women. It's been used as an aphrodisiac, a metabolic stimulate and to aid both urinary and testicular inflammation. It's widely available as a dietary supplement and is common in relieving the painful urination associated with a man's enlarged prostate.

A common misconception about saw palmetto is that it helps to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, which remains largely untrue. In actuality, saw palmetto acts on the irritable bladder and urinary symptoms of men who suffer from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland.

Clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in relieving many of the symptoms of BPH and, as a result, the herb is frequently recommended as a dietary supplement for aging men prone to BPH. I take a saw palmetto supplement every day and my prostate is healthy as ever!

SAMe for Aging Joints and Inflammation

S-adenosylmethionine is a naturally-occurring compound in the body, the production of which is said to diminish with age. As a result, nutritionists have linked the depletion of SAMe to bone and joint maladies such as osteoporosis and arthritis. In addition, S-adenosylmethionine may elevate dopamine levels, putting you in a good mood while joint pain subsides – a virtual double-whammy.

There's a decent body of evidence that suggests S-adenosylmethionine may do what it claims. Healthcare journal, RN reported on the emergence of SAMe as an alternative to NSAIDs for joint pain and The Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, in their March 2008 edition, revealed SAMe's benefits to liver health, opening the door for the compound's potential in cell regeneration.

S-adenosylmethionine is looking good on paper and may appear to rival the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin when it comes to joint pain. Some are saying SAMe and glucosamine and / or chondroitin together may provide even stronger relief when used proportionately.

Ribose May Lower Failure Rate

Ribose is a carbohydrate in the body used in the formation of RNA, a crucial factor in our genetic makeup. It's also said to stimulate the production of ATP and in doing so helps to increase blood flow and oxygen availability to the heart and muscles. Although ribose in supplement form is primarily used by bodybuilders and athletes to build stamina and enhance muscle recovery, scientists are finding ribose useful in preventing symptoms that may lead to heart failure.

An abnormal depletion of ATP (adenosine trisphosphate) in the body can negatively impact the nervous system and heart, as may insufficient ribose in producing cellular energy and ATP. Since ribose and ATP are all part of the energy manufacturing process in the body, their absence may lead to fatigue, an unwelcome attack on healthy cells and ultimately the catabolism of muscle, one of which is the heart.

That's not to say we should rush out and purchase a quality ribose supplement first thing, but supplementation with this heart-healthy carb may be something to consider as part of a daily regime of good health.

Rhus Toxicodendron for Painful Inflammation

 When used homeopathically, Rhus toxicodendron benefits may include relief from inflammation, fever, rash, swollen glands and hives. Rhus toxicodendron is the active constituent in poison oak and poison ivy. Homeopaths say the stuff that actually gives you the rash can also be used to take it away, and rarely with unpleasant side effects. Even more impressive is Rhus toxicodendron's potential in relieving "sharp, aching pains in the bones," say authors at the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

Homeopathy is nothing new. The practice of using tiny amounts of a virus or poison in a vaccine to cure the very illness it causes has been around for centuries and continues to be used in modern medicine. Homeopathy is well respected in both the East and the West and the thousands that take Rhus Toxicondron to relieve joint pain, like myself, are satisfied with the results.