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

Lithium Not Just for Bunnies

Is the lithium in Energizer Batteries the same as the lithium in dietary supplements? A: Pretty much. Lithium is a trace element (better known as a metal) that's contained in grains and vegetables and in large clinical doses is used to treat depression. To that end, the lithium aspartate used in dietary supplements is much more bioavailable than forms of lithium used medicinally.

Why would anyone want to take lithium? A:  Because recent research shows that low doses of lithium preserve and renew brain cells. In fact, eight out of ten persons given lithium in one study demonstrated a three percent increase in brain grey matter after only four weeks of use. Regenerate brain cells? Sounds a little like science fiction to me, but what the heck, I'll try it. 

Nutritionists say a little lithium aspartate can't hurt, and that it may indeed improve the quality of life for some. Lithium aspartate is not only a natural treatment for hyperthyroidism and other thyroid diseases; it can help with mood swings, hyperactivity, focus and general cognitive function, say supplement proponents.

Lecithin for Good Grades

In the early 1980s in college, we used to cram raw lecithin down our throats to improve our grades. My roommate had us all convinced that lecithin would improve our focus and memory and enhance our ability to test well. We ate a lot of lecithin.

I graduated and so did everyone in the group. The lecithin might have helped. I know the draught beer didn't. Regardless, to this day (25 years later), I still take lecithin, but in capsule form. I do a lot of reading, writing and engage plenty of mathematics and, I must say, I still feel sharp about it.

In terms of the science behind lecithin: lecithin occurs naturally in the body's vital organs where it makes up about 30 percent of the dry weight of the brain and nearly two-thirds of the fat in the liver. In whole foods, lecithin is a naturally occurring fatty substance found in soybeans, whole grains, egg yolks and a few others. You can even buy it as a condiment. Sounds like brain food to me.

L-Arginine for 'the Muscle'

L-arginine is touted among bodybuilders and athletes as a means to enhance muscle recovery during exertion. L-arginine is a non-essential amino acid produced by the body that aids the production of nitric oxide and improves muscle performance.

L-arginine steps up circulation (vasodilation) to the muscles, say researchers, including the penis, which may result in harder, longer erections. Although penal stimulation was not listed as a variable in the experiment, reads one report, the symptom was common among numerous subjects. 

This begs the question, "Will L-arginine light up my sex life?" It may, and it can't hurt. L-arginine isn't that expensive to try and there are several good brands available. Friends of mine who say they've gotten stiffer from L-arginine also say that, in order for it to make a difference, they've had to take the entire daily dose all at once about a half hour before sex, and even then the effect is short-lived.

Lamas is the New Kid on the Block

Out of the thousands of hair products and hair product companies, how does someone decide on using Lamas? Lamas shampoos and conditioners contain all-natural botanicals and phytonutrients, no animal ingredients and a modicum of parabens. As far price, Lamas cost about the same as other brands that get the same job done.

The majority of Lamas hair products at Vitacost.com receive at least four stars from reviewers. Users say that Lamas Chinese Herb Stimulating Shampoo does fine in dissolving oil and debris and that Lamas Soy Balancing Conditioner smoothes, revitalizes and protects hair, leaving it soft and silky.  As much as I hate babbling on about hair products, somebody has to do it. And why not talk about Lamas? It's as good as any shampoo and conditioner for about $10 a bottle.

Kombucha Tea for What Ails Ya'

Some beverages come along in life that are just plain good for you. Not better than orange juice or grapefruit juice good, but good in a different way, like Kombucha Tea.

Aka Manchurian mushroom tea, Manchurian fungus tea, Kwassan, combucha tea and / or the champagne of life, Kombucha is a fermented beverage made from mushroom. It contains different cultures, along with organic acids, active enzymes, amino acids and polyphenols. In short, it's the antioxidant cocktail of a lifetime.

In America, Kombucha is most commonly consumed in tea form, but is available in both extract and pill.  When taken regularly, Kombucha is known to enhance the immune system and fight annoying free radicals that disrupt good health.

Kiss My Face is About Price

If anything, Kiss My Face is about price. Sure, Kiss My Face soaps and shampoos are all natural and delightful, but they're no big splash. I'll say this: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Tighten Up Moisturizer is definitely worth the a buck an ounce it sells for at Vitacost.com.

The tiny little one-ounce bottle full of firming botanicals, lime and chamomile not only smells sweet; it does wonders for dry, aged-looking skin. Using Ayurvedic botanical centella asiatica (Gotu Kola), this gem of a facial wonder actually makes wrinkles go away (for the time being) and nourishes skin with wheat extracts and natural protein.

In fact, my wife noticed the difference. And for her to say something - surely says good things in return about the effectiveness of Kiss My Face Tighten Up. "What'd you do to your face?" she asked, "Its baby smooth and you look…younger?"

Keurig Sometimes Better than the Doctor

I experienced the beauty and convenience of Keurig for the first time on a recent trip to an orthopedist. After signing in and taking a seat, I noticed an odd-shaped dispenser type thing across the room. It didn't look much like a coffee dispenser but signs were posted that begged a further look.

Sure enough it was a Keurig. And alongside it various flavored coffees from which to choose called 'K-cups,' portioned individually to yield a perfect cup of fresh coffee. All I had to do was insert the K-cup into the machine and press a button. The coffee was good and fresh and making it was a snap.

This was my first time at this doctor's office and although I had yet to experience his medical expertise, I was impressed with his customer service and his Keurig. In the end, I got a second opinion from another doctor, which I took, but looked forward to visiting the orthopedist again to pick up my records and have a Keurig.

Kelp me Please

It was the seventies and I remember the bottles of Kelp on the lazy Susan on the dining room table. Not my dining room table, my friend Marty's. We were about twelve years old and Marty never stopped talking about how his Mom was a health nut - slash hypochondriac - and took all kinds of creepy, all-natural stuff, he used to say.

Well, Marty's Mom was a bit creepy, but she looked good and more or less had her wits about her. Alongside the Kelp on the lazy Susan were fifteen to twenty similar-sized bottles, as I recall, the contents to which I vaguely forget.

The moral of the story is that Kelp supplements have been around a long time and for good reason. Kelp is high in vitamins, minerals, Iodine and phytonutrients. Kelp regulates the thyroid and pituitary glands and strengthens hair, nails and skin. Kelp is good for the libido and is a natural cleanser and antibiotic. What else do you need to know?

Jason for a Healthy Mouth

I use all-natural toothpaste - sometimes Jason all-natural toothpaste and sometimes Tom's. They're both reliable brands and deliver outstanding results and value.

I'll have to admit to a strange experience my first time using all natural toothpaste. I was in my thirties and didn't know what to expect. I figured if it was all natural it probably wouldn't work as well as Crest or Colgate in fighting cavities and gingivitis. Wrong!

In hindsight, having used Jason all-natural toothpaste going on five years now, I find it blocks cavities just as good as any commercial brand. I haven't had a cavity in years and my gums are full and firm, the result of powerful anti-bacterial grapefruit and perilla seed extracts, certified organic Aloe Vera and essential oil of mint working to keep my mouth healthy and smelling clean. Are you convinced yet?

Jarrow Fem Dophilus

What might amount to one of Jarrow's more significant breakthroughs in feminine hygiene is Jarrow's Fem Dophilus, a probiotic targeting vaginal health. Fem-dophilus™ contains two patented and clinically proven probiotic strains, Lactobacillus GR-1™ and Lactobacillus RC-14™ that work to restore and maintain healthy vaginal flora.

Among factors linked to a loss of natural vaginal flora is a predisposition to STDs, say researchers. Although why women lose their natural microflora isn't entirely clear, reasons may include age, bacterial vaginosis, excessive douching and unsafe sex, according to reports.

Probably one of the most disturbing aspects of lactobacilli loss in some women is that it doesn't grow it back once it's gone. Eating yogurt is a time tested way for women to regain healthy flora and Jarrow Formulas Fem Dophilus is another. Either way, reports suggest women supplement with some type of lactobacillus should they find their microflora down for the count. It'll definitely make for safer, more enjoyable sex.