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

Ginseng, Ginseng Read all about it!

If you don't know about ginseng then you must live in a cave. Ginseng pick-me-ups are sold in just about every gas station and convenience store in America and the herb is a popular ingredient in energy drinks and sodas on supermarket shelves everywhere.

What is it about ginseng that's made it so popular? First and foremost, advertising. A close second would be that ginseng actually does boost energy and lifts your spirits without the jitters of caffeine.

Ginseng is considered a wonder herb. It's been known to enhance cognitive function, increase physical and mental endurance, boost energy, normalize body functions and reduce cholesterol. Among other things, ginseng is also an aphrodisiac.

People who take ginseng regularly swear by the benefits. They say they sleep better, their libido is cranking and they've enhanced their productivity at work. And with a closer look, you'll find that these ginseng-toting junkies possess a positive self image, confidence and a lust for life, all of which costs them just a buck or two a day.

Giovanni Hair Products Cheaper Online

I gotta tell ya. When I was in the whole food store the other day I almost dropped dead when I saw what they were charging for Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner - almost twice what I pay at Vitacost.com.

Naturally, I expect to pay more in a well marketed store where comfort and prestige is built into the cost of products, but I certainly didn't expect a 100% markup. Anyway, my point is; I use Giovanni hair products and I like the fact that they're all natural. 

No animal by-products, no laurel/laureth sulfates. No chemicals hard on the scalp and no phlalates, nasty chemicals that cosmetic companies use in fragrance and aren't required to report on the label.

My experience so far using Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner has been nothing but pleasant. All the therapeutic benefits of tea tree oil on my scalp, my follicles and hair. Alright, I'm a little metrosexual, but the wife loves it. And by the way, Giovanni Tea Tree Shampoo sells at Vitacost.com for less than $5.

Gluten Free is Amazing Grace

Going gluten free is a success story in my household, particularly for my wife who has suffered from stomach cramps, indigestion, migraines, nausea and occasional belching most of her life.

For years, doctors explained away her condition as a result of bouts with bulimia during her formative years. To be bulimic throughout adolescence often means permanent damage to the esophageal lining, stomach and healthy GI tract function. At least this is what we were led to believe. One day, after reading an article in a well-known nutrition magazine, Sabrina decided to stop eating bread, pasta and other ‘wheat-based foods' that contained gluten.

Voila! Her migraines all but disappeared. Cramps now only during her period and nausea only after eating something extremely distasteful like my mother in-laws cooking. Now this doesn't mean everyone will achieve the same result by going gluten-free, but it's surprising how gluten-free helps balance metabolism, bring order back to body functions, replace fatigue with needed energy and, in the case of Sabrina, lose weight.

Good Earth for $0.17 a Serving

If you're a tea lover, then you'll love Good Earth.  Lots of flavors to choose from, quality blends, and all the pomp and circumstance of a good herbal tea. It's priced right too. But let's talk for a moment about not drinking it.

Despite being one of the most common beverages in the world next to water, teas such as Good Earth are good for things other than drinking. Got sunburn? Soak a couple of Good Earth tea bags in cool water and apply to burned skin. You'll feel a soothing sensation almost immediately as tannins in Good Earth work to take the sting out of sunburn.

Tired eyes? Soak two Good Earth tea bags in warm water and place over closed eyes for about 20 minutes. Good Earth tea reduces puffiness and treats dark circles. Good Earth even conditions hair when used as a rinse after shampooing.

The list goes on: Good Earth is good for soothing nipples after nursing, relieving pain from injection and for putting the kibosh on foot odor. Just don't drink it when you're done.

DMG to Lower Stress

DMG, or N,N-Dimethylglycine, is a naturally occurring compound found in the body. Production of DMG declines with age and can lead to signs of aging such as poor digestion, lactic acid buildup and the breakdown of muscle tissue. Despite naysayers, DMG remains a popular dietary supplement with the potential to increase the body's resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue.

DMG benefits all body functions, say advocates. Research and clinical studies over the years demonstrate that DMG may help the body overcome a number of specific health problems. And with the right balance of DMG, say nutritionists, elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels may be lowered and circulation and energy levels improved.

Most notably, DMG acts as an adaptogen to help the body cope with physical, emotional and metabolic stress. N,N-Dimethylglycine functions as an antioxidant, increases the utilization of oxygen and modulates the immune system. Various brands of DMG are on sale now at Vitacost.com for rock-bottom prices, so the time is now to try DMG and see if it works for you.

Fruits and Vegetables

We hardly need clinical studies to convince us that eating fruits and vegetables benefits good health. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and are readily available across most of the country. So why then don't most American's eat right?

A recent study cited availability, cost, confusion, time constraints and taste concerns as the top five reasons why people don't follow a balanced diet. Fast food is quick and easy and vending machines everywhere miraculously transform potato chips, candy bars and assorted processed snacks into a meal formerly known as lunch. Food low-in-nutrition is often cheaper than fruits and vegetables and the shelf life and storage capabilities superior.

Some say dietary supplements are one solution to a bad diet. And most agree to the benefits of multivitamins. However, it's important to keep in mind that dietary supplements are just that, supplements, and that currently there is no replacing the nutritional benefits of whole food in diet, at least not in the strictest sense.

Flax Oil or Fish Oil? That is the question

Flax oil products are popping up on shelves everywhere and are competing against fish oil for 'numero uno' as the ultimate omega-3 fatty acid source. Whether flax is an actual contender, though, is a source of controversy.

From a fatty acid perspective, flax contains high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body first must convert to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to achieve any health benefit. Fish oil, on the other hand, presents readily available EPA and DHA. This isn't a problem, except that in order to derive equal nutrition from the fatty acids in flax oil you'd have to consume far greater amounts, possibly hundreds of times the amount, say researchers.

Still, flax oil may provide at least some of the coronary perks touted by fish oil, such as cholesterol and blood pressure benefits, a decrease in arterial plaque and a well-regulated heart beat. And flaxseeds offer certain benefits that fish oil does not. For example, flax contains phyto-nutritious lignans and is high in fiber, protein, magnesium and thiamin. All things good for a balanced diet.

Fiber Phenoms

Most of us think of wheat grains when the word fiber pops up - not hemp, psyllium husks or glucomannan. We're traditionalists here in America and have been raised to think that Wheaties, Raisin Bran and 'high fiber' cereals are the end-all to getting enough fiber in diet. Aside from the popular Metamucil, Americans consume the majority of daily fiber in the form of cereal, bread and the occasional trail mix.

Alternative forms of fiber are worth exploring, especially for those who nurture bad diets or may be allergic to wheat or gluten. Chia Seeds, for instance, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable protein and calcium. This fiber phenom is from southern Mexico and is credited with delivering all kinds of health benefits, including colon health.

Having problems passing a stool? Water-soluble glucomannan improves and maintains GI tract health and aids cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It's sold in capsule form and when taken as directed may increase regularity and help pass stools easily.

Enzyme Benefits

For some, digestive enzymes are a life saver. In fact, advocates say that enzyme supplements may benefit an astonishing array of maladies from acne, arthritis, AIDS and allergies to bronchitis, cataracts, colds, sciatica and shingles. But there are even more practical applications.

The bloating, fatigue and laziness that result from bad digestion are ailments digestive enzymes aim to correct. Enzymes are critical to the breakdown of food into nutrients and as supplements may help with flatulence, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux and indigestion.

Personally, I pop a couple of NSI Pancreatin 10X Mega Digestive Enzymes about three times a week despite labeling that suggests two capsules before each meal. I rely on digestive enzymes as part of regular digestive maintenance and to 'detoxify' my system in an effort to optimize digestive performance. Going on two years now, I'm as regular as can be and look forward to a healthy GI tract as I approach the later years in life.

Not eating right? Try DIM

Consuming adequate amounts of nutrition-rich foods seems to be a problem these days. Parents send their kids off to school with lunchables and the advertising world has convinced us that fruit rollups are as good as the real thing. Enter DIM, or Diindolylmethane, a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale.

DIM may be a godsend. Particularly for women who nurture bad diets. Inconclusive studies show that DIM may increase levels of good estrogen, while at the same time decreasing levels of bad estrogen. This may result in easier periods, less moodiness and healthy ovulation for some. Although DIM research is aggressive, there's currently no evidence to support the absolute effectiveness of DIM benefits.

Which DIM product should I try? This depends on your research. Personally, I would suggest reliable brands such as NSI, Nature's Way or Source Naturals.