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

Organic Energy with Clif Bar

All-natural Clif Bars have good amounts of protein and fiber and enough carbs to give you a boost morning, noon or night. Clif Bars taste great and come in a bunch of different flavors. But what separates Clif Bars from similar energy bar products is the marketing. The classic Clif Bar wrapper has a paper bag feel about it, the company inspires environmental activism and they create products for all lifestyles – from kids and adults to office workers and athletes.

Nutrition wise, Clif Bars are free of trans fat, hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. That's right; Clif Bars are sweetened with good old fashioned evaporated cane juice! Clif Bars are organic and grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

Honestly, what I like most about Clif Bars, besides the great taste, is the price. Clif Bars are little more than a dollar apiece, which is within everyone's budget including my own.

Health Benefits of Chlorophyll

Known as the life blood of plants, chlorophyll has been a buzzword in the supplements industry for some time. This natural plant pigment lends its green color to grass, leaves and vegetables and, as a dietary supplement, is credited with detoxifying the liver, eliminating body odor and cleansing the digestive tract. Some even say that chlorophyll rids the body of toxic mold. Taken in capsule or liquid form, chlorophyll might be one of the best things we can put our bodies, or so say proponents of chlorophyll.

Scientists claim that chlorophyll works to preserve human DNA. More than two decades ago, researchers discovered that chlorophyll may block certain bacteria from mutating in the human body. And following that plants need chlorophyll to survive and humans need plants to live, one could reasonably conclude that chlorophyll may benefit human health.

Unlocking the secret to chlorophyll is paramount to discovering the fountain of youth. Meaning, we'll never really know if introducing heightened doses of chlorophyll to the human body is any healthier than increasing one's intake of raw broccoli or spinach or any other green vegetable for that matter. Although friends of mine swear that chlorophyll supplements boost their energy levels, for me, the jury's still out.

Celestial Seasonings is 'Just Like Tea'

Most of us know Celestial Seasonings as the most popular brand of herbal tea. Red Zinger, Sleepytime, Chamomile and the rest. Buy it in the store or save a few bucks and buy it online, either way, drinking Celestial Seasonings makes you feel good. But is Celestial Seasonings considered 'real tea' without containing authentic Camilla Sinensis?

Firstly, one would be hard pressed to argue that Celestial Seasonings isn't real tea. Proprietary infusions of milk thistle, dandelion root, Echinacea and red clover in their detox wellness blend cleanses the blood – just like tea – while Celestial Seasonings Madagascar Vanilla Red soothes the senses – just like tea – with South African rooibos and natural vanilla bean.

At Vitacost.com, Celestial Seasonings cost $0.12 a serving on average and is discounted up to 35 percent. Now, although Celestial Seasonings is just like tea, it's a whole lot cheaper and possibly better for you.

Castor Oil for Muscle Pain

Although fond memories of castor oil are hard to come by as a youth, I've found few things more soothing for lower back discomfort. Dating back to 4,000 B.C., the ancient Egyptians were the first to use Castor Oil as a healing agent. Thousands of years later, traveling doctors peddled the slippery stuff out the back of their wagons as a cure for everything from constipation to heartburn. Yuck.

After reading a story about a guy deplaning from an overnight flight to Amsterdam and with the worst of back pain, I decided to pay my $0.31 an ounce for Heritage Products Castor Oil to see if it would work for me. I did what the guy in the story did. First, I warmed the oil and saturated a soft cloth with it. Second, I placed plastic garbage bags on top of my bed sheets and fell asleep on the oil-soaked cloth. Guess what? I slept like a baby and woke up pain free, just like the guy in the story.

Since then, I've used warm castor oil for shoulder pain and, in general, to soothe sore muscles after exerting myself in the yard or playing sports with the kids. I've learned to use castor oil more frequently in place of Tylenol, ibuprofen or NSAIDs, as castor oil is all natural, entirely holistic and I don't have to worry about liver damage or stomach upset when treating muscle pain.

Carlson Fish Oil Gets High Grade

Carlson flagship line of Norwegian Cod Liver Oil isn't the only Carlson product getting rave reviews at Vitacost.com. In fact, just about every one of the first twenty Carlson products listed on the Vitacost.com website has received five star ratings.

Carlson isn't new to fish oil or the fatty acid business. The company has been producing quality products for more than 40 years and during that time has established strict controls with regards to purity, distillation, potency and harvest. Carlson extracts fish oil only from deep, coldwater species known for lower PCB counts, mercury and other ocean toxins associated with chemical pollutants.

Has fish oil been linked to weight loss? Regular exercise combined with fish-oil supplements results in fat loss, reports the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Is fish oil good for the heart? Clinical studies show that omega-3 fish oils protect the heart by preventing the formation of blood clots and fatty deposits (plaque) on the arterial walls. Fish oil is also known to increase the concentrations of good cholesterol (high density lipoproteins, HDL) in the blood while decreasing the concentrations of bad cholesterol (triglycerides).

BSN Leads to Better Sex?

BSN N.O. Xplode makes you feel like steam train. Known mostly to support muscle development during workouts, Nitric Oxide (N.O.) is a signaling molecule in mammals associated with strength, power and endurance, alertness and muscle building. But the word's out: BSN N.O. Xplode isn't just for bodybuilders and athletes anymore.

For men, N.O. can improve the vascular performance of the penis by rapidly dilating blood vessels – making you harder faster and for longer. For the ladies, N.O. may inspire you to be more aggressive in bed, become more sensitive to touch and to have stiffer nipples and multiple orgasms.

Don't over do it! Although too little nitric oxide in the body might make you sluggish, too much makes you toxic. Despite the benefits when used as directed, nitric oxide in large doses can harm body tissue and wreak havoc on cells, much like free radicals.

Use BSN N.O. alongside proper diet and exercise. See your sex life Xplode!

Bragg Liquid Aminos Taste Great

Made from 100% certified non-GMO soybeans, Bragg is deliciously ideal for seasoning soups and salads, stir fries, casseroles, nutritious whole foods and side dishes.

Bragg contains sixteen nutritious amino acids, many of which are essential to good health. Amino acids aid the body in repairing muscles, organs, nails, hair, skin, ligaments and glands and are vital to overall cognitive performance and neurotransmitter wellness.

Too few aminos can lead to protein deficiency and various psychological disorders, say nutritionists. Although amino acid deficiencies are rare in the literature, they often coincide with various gastrointestinal conditions known to inhibit nutrient absorption.

Is it possible to consume too many amino acids? A: Hardly. Whatever the body doesn't use it excretes. Is too much protein no good? A: Possibly. Medical research shows that eating too much protein – more than 30 percent of your total daily caloric intake – might result in the buildup of toxic ketones, which can lead to dehydration and harm the kidneys.

Feel Good Gluten Free

Bob's Red Mill is a household name in stone ground whole grains, natural foods and baking mixes. Bob is also known for certified gluten free products, ideal for those suffering from celiac disease, gluten intolerance and wheat allergies.

Exclude gluten from your diet and amazing things can happen, say nutritionists. You may find yourself losing weight quickly, have more energy and even sleep better. Gluten is very tough on the body system, is difficult to digest and can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal tract if you consume too much.

Dieticians agree that gluten has few health benefits – if any. Aside from its value as a wheat protein, gluten harbors little nutrition. Its negative impact on the body system outweighs the positive and, for those who overindulge in gluten-rich breads and pastas every day, too much gluten can make you fat, lazy, sleepy and unproductive.

Blue Pearl Essential Oils

I'm enamored by incense, especially the soothing aroma of Blue Pearl. Before experiencing the Blue Pearl brand, I thought all incense was the same. Then I started reading labels and looking for quality ingredients, which is when Blue Pearl came along.

Essential oils and flower essence, carefully extracted for purity and maximum aroma, are responsible for the pleasant and potent aroma of Blue Pearl. It cost a little bit more than the average stick, but it's worth it and you smell why.

Certain health risks are associated with burning incense. The same health risks associated with burning anything. So enjoy Blue Pearl in well ventilated areas, preferably outside and in controlled environments. Blue Pearl Patchouli and Wild Rose excite the senses while Frankincense and Sandalwood promote spiritual wellbeing. Try Blue Pearl, you'll like it.

The Biotin Man

"We can repair his hair and skin. We can make them stronger," or so reads the script. In reality, biotin isn't a wonder drug at all, but a wonder nutrient. Also known as vitamin H and a member of the B-Complex family, Biotin is credited with restoring hair's luster, rebuilding collagen and improving the elasticity of skin.

Adequate levels of biotin benefit the good health of both men and women. You can find it in foods such as liver, cauliflower, salmon, carrots, bananas, fortified cereals and others, but I take it in supplement form and buy personal care products which contain it, so I apply the nutrient directly to hair and skin, a more-than-acceptable means of delivery, say nutritionists.

It's suggested that pregnant and nursing women consider supplementing their diets with biotin. It's important in the formation of nerve centers and the brain and, when consumed alongside biotin-rich whole foods, the good health of both mother and baby may result.