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

Prenatal Vitamins - Why take them?

As an expectant mother, you can help you and your baby by eating right, getting enough sleep, refrain from smoking and alcohol and by supplementing your diet with the vitamins and minerals needed for safe gestation. After a few simple tests and answering some basic questions, your doctor will tell you what prenatal vitamins you might want to consider while pregnant.

A multivitamin with high concentrations of B vitamins, folic acid, iron, zinc and copper are among typical recommendations, as are heightened levels of omega-3 fatty acids for nerve development and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) for proper formation of the retina and good vision.

In general, prenatal vitamins are considered safe for the majority of expectant mothers. At Vitacost.com, Rainbow Light and New Chapter are top sellers. Talk to your doctor first. Your general health should be diagnosed prior to embarking on a regimen of prenatal vitamins.

Probiotics - Fact or Fiction?

Probiotics claim to contain healthy bacteria that can ease everything from allergies to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They're known to restore balance to your body system and help maintain a nourishing level of "good" bacteria essential to immune system support, regularity and gastrointestinal health.

But which probiotics work and which ones don't? ConsumerLab.com recently published findings on 22 probiotic products and found that four of them were short of containing enough viable organisms to provide a benefit, keeping in mind that a billion organisms is the benchmark for effectiveness. Rite Aid's Acidophilus had fewer than 100 million. Eek!

The good news is that two popular Vitacost.com probiotics made the grade: Culturelle with Lactobacillus GG and Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls, both considered potent and effective probiotics by nutritionists.

"Gobbling bacteria is actually one of the best, easiest, and cheapest ways to thwart some of Mother Nature's most common attacks - from colds to yeast infections to flatulence," say authors at Women's Health.

Nutrition for a Buck - Promax Energy Bars

Whether you're a competitive athlete or an active, on-the-go individual looking for a delicious and nutritious snack, Promax Energy Bars deliver 20 Grams of protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all for a greenback. Now that's value!

What sets Promax apart from the rest? First, the Promax™ Protein blend of non GMO roasted soy beans, hydrolyzed whey protein and calcium caseinate for muscle tone and nervous system health can't be beat. Second, Promax contains more energy-sustaining carbohydrates, essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids in one serving than most. 

Is Promax a good meal replacement? Absolutely! In fact, you'd be challenged to prepare a balanced meal with as much nutrition as one Promax Energy Bar - and one that tastes as good. Cookies and Cream or Chocolate Peanut Crunch, anyway you slice it, Promax Energy Bars are nutritious, delicious and far better for you than anything on the dollar menu. 

Pomegranate - What's so special?

It seems that all you hear about these days is the ORAC rating of various antioxidant fruits. Better known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, the higher the ORAC value, the more antioxidant potential a fruit and its parts (like skins and seeds) may have.

As a whole food, pomegranate's ORAC is relatively unimpressive. But when taken in supplement form or as a highly-concentrated juice, Pomegranate fights free radicals like there's no tomorrow. Goodbye oxidative stress, hello healthy world!

NSI Pomegranate Juice Concentrate and NSI PomActiv Pomegranate Extract contain high levels of antioxidant polyphenols called punicosides, compounds that scavenge free radicals in the blood, capillaries and heart, promoting new cell growth and helping to maximize immune function.

How do I know if one pomegranate supplement is better than another? NSI Pomegranate Juice is free of preservatives, sugar, artificial flavors and colors. The ORAC value is off the chart, it tastes great and it's chock full of vitamins and minerals. That's how you know.

Parasites Thrive in the Body

That's a fact of life, so get over it now. Although few enjoy discussing this gruesome topic, some estimates say that up to 85 percent of Americans have some form of parasite living in their body. Can I have a parasite in my body now and not even know it? YES.

Parasites rarely make themselves known, in fact, cloaking is how they survive. Draining your energy, nutrients and life force slowly and unnoticeably - all part of their intelligent design. And because recent generations have decided to ignore what was once an everyday affair: fending off parasites with tonics, herbs and natural cures, health epidemics have become more commonplace, resulting in unhealthy populations.

What can you do to rid your body of parasites? Those of us in the know use NSI Black Walnut Hull or Nature's Secret Parastroy on a regular basis, reasonably priced parasite-fighting formulas targeted at killing these nutrient-sapping, life-draining buggers (read the reviews). They're natural formulas with time-tested ingredients used by cultures around the world for centuries, even before the dawn of modern medicine. Looky here, we're still using 'em. Probably because they work.

Save the host (that's you); kill the parasite!

How to Choose a Protein Powder

Is Optimum Nutrition right for me? The answer to this question varies from person to person. It depends on how much you exercise, how much protein you currently get in diet, your level of tolerance to lactose (whey is milk protein) and just exactly how much muscle mass you want to build, because that's what protein does - build muscle.

If you're a bodybuilder or athlete, you're probably familiar with Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard protein powders. They're reasonably priced at around $10 a pound and one serving delivers almost half the protein your body needs all day. Ideal for post workout, Optimum Nutrition helps muscles recover fast with protein-building elements such as calcium, potassium and amino acids.  

Ever try egg protein? Optimum Nutrition 100% Egg Protein in full of nutritious minerals and contains only three grams carbohydrates per serving. No lactose and no aspartame. Be assured, Optimum Nutrition 100% Egg Protein will bulk you up. I know. I use it.

NSI Brand for Purity, Strength and Wellbeing

Pure ingredients, lab tested, reviewed by doctors - that's about as good as a dietary supplement gets. That's Nutraceutical Sciences Institute, aka NSI.

In reviewing hundreds of supplement brands over the years, I've found NSI to be of superior quality.  In particular, the NSI Mega EFA® Omega-3 EPA & DHA, 2126 mg size. This molecularly-distilled, high-potency "good fat" contains fish oil harvested from the deep, cold ocean miles off the South American coast, waters with fewer environmental impurities and PCBs. It's important to note that NSI fish oil is derived only from the body of the fish, NOT the fish liver, a sign of higher quality and safety.  

What else do I use from NSI? I've attributed at least three NSI supplements to good health this past year. NSI Reishi Mushroom Extract for respiratory strength and REM sleep. NSI ToCoQ10 for energy and heart health and, last but not least, NSI Longevatrol, a powerful, red-wine antioxidant that I credit with fending off colds and flu, among other things.

Thanks NSI. Not once was I ill in 2008. Cheers to feeling stronger and healthier than ever!

I Swear by Resveratrol

I've been taking NSI Resveratrol for about a year. I, like millions of Americans who heard about the health benefits of red wine, of which resveratrol is a constituent, wanted to see first hand for myself if indeed this supplement of red wine and grape seed extract would have any impact whatsoever on my health.

This much I can tell you. Before starting a daily regimen of resveratrol, my cholesterol was approaching 300. This is high, even for my Mediterranean blood. A year later, my cholesterol is down to about 225. My diet hasn't changed much in the last year and I can't say I'm exercising any more or less. I can say that I think resveratrol is partially responsible for lowering my cholesterol and, along with its anti-inflammatory benefit, has contributed to making me a stronger, healthier individual.

NSI Longevatrol Stabilized Red Wine Polyphenol Complex w/ Resveratrol is safe, potent and effective. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.