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

Eliminate Unpleasant Canine Breath

My American Bulldog has horrible breath. I adopted him at five years old from an animal shelter, so the damage to his teeth was already done due to neglect and improper diet. I paid an exorbitant amount of money to have his teeth cleaned, but alas, the malodorous breath returned. But I found an all-natural, inexpensive solution!

Ark Naturals has many breath treatment options for cats and dogs. Ark Naturals Plaque-Zapper contains naturally available enzymes that are activated by mouth saliva. It is an odorless, tasteless powder that is added it to your pet’s water or food. As your pets drink from their water bowl, the clinically tested enzymes stop plaque from sticking to teeth and eliminate harmful bacteria. It contains all-natural ingredients and is veterinarian recommended.

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste are yummy snacks that will freshen your cat’s or dog’s breath, treat plaque and staining, and support healthy teeth and gums.
Ingredients include honey, rice flour, whey and flax oil. So say goodbye to stinky pet breath…naturally!

Dry Eye Relief

As many of can attest, staring at a computer screen all day can wreak havoc on the eyes. Many of us suffer from red, dry, irritated eyes caused from fatigue, lack of sleep or environmental pollutants.

Many eye drops on the market contain chemicals such as potassium chloride or boric acid. Ouch! There are homeopathic alternatives available without these chemicals that can help ease the symptoms of dry, irritated eyes.

Similasan Dry Eye Relief stimulates the eye's natural ability to fight dryness and clear redness. According to homeopathic principles, the active ingredients in this medication may help relieve minor symptoms such as:
 Dry eye
 Redness of eyes and lids
 Reflex watering secondary to dry eye
 Sensation of grittiness
 Sensitivity to light

Similasan Healthy Relief® products have provided safe, effective relief to millions of people for over 25 years. So try Similasan Healthy Relief® Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops for all-natural relief ….your peepers will love you for it!

 

Emu Oil: Seeing is Believing

Oprah Winfrey recently gave rave reviews to a skin care product made with emu oil. It is professed to decrease eye puffiness, reduce fine lines and those rid us of those bothersome crow’s feet. I decided to investigate emu oil a little further…

Emu Oil is natural oil derived from the fat of the emu, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia. Sounds kind of strange, doesn’t it? It has been used by native Australians for hundreds of years to treat skin irritations and for its ability to ease muscle and joint pain.

Emu oil is rich in essential fatty acids. EFAs are necessary for the formation and maintenance of cell membranes—including those of skin cells, which are continuously formed and replaced by the body every 21 days. EFAs also promote a healthy inflammatory response, which may help with minor skin irritations. Emu oil contains vitamin E, which is full of moisturizing properties and powerful antioxidant protection against damage caused by UV sunlight, pollution, stress, poor diet and more.  So check out what Oprah is raving about… treat your skin wrinkles with emu oil!

Beat the Summer Cold

Both of my children have been sick this summer. How is that possible when school is out and they spend hours playing in the sun? I decided to try to find some ways to strengthen our immune systems…naturally.

Sure I know that a balanced, healthy diet and exercise help strengthen our immune systems, but are there natural supplements available that can keep me cold-free? I discovered that Echinacea (root of the purple coneflower) has been used by Native Americans for over 400 years as a general treatment for many health ailments. It is believed to support the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, and support healthy respiratory function.

Black elderberries are full of antioxidants, tannins, vitamin C, vitamin A, Vitamin B, bioflavonoids and carotenoids. The antioxidants in elderberry juice support healthy immune function and may help protect cells from free radical damage. So this summer, I will rely on natural supplements to help ease cold symptoms and keep my family having fun in the sun…

Annie’s Homegrown Foods- Yummy and Healthy!

My kids love boxed macaroni and cheese.  I, on the other hand, feel guilty putting any food that is laden with preservatives and artificial flavors into my children’s bodies. What’s a busy mom to do?

Well, I found a healthy and tasty alternative that even my kids like.  Annie's Homegrown Gluten Free - Rice Pasta and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese is artificial flavor and preservative free. It contains all-natural ingredients and has a rich, cheesy flavor.

Annie’s Homegrown Foods specializes in organic products that not only nourish people, but the company is committed to agricultural and environmental sustainability and pride themselves on being a socially responsible.

My favorite Annie’s products include their Cheese Ravioli (move over Chef Boyardee!), organic ketchup, Cowgirl Ranch Dressing and Honey Bunny Graham Crackers.  You can rest assured that Annie’s Homegrown Products believe in green living as much as you do….

Varicose Vein Help

I am self-conscious about the bulging varicose veins in my legs. My career calls for me to stand for long periods of time and my legs pay the price. So what is the deal with varicose veins and is there a way to promote vein health naturally? I really would like to avoid unnecessary surgical treatments in the future…

 

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart and lungs. The twisted, swollen parts of the vein are referred to as varicosities. They can form anywhere, but are common in the lower extremities. Many experts believe that there are multiple factors that cause varicose veins, including genetics, vein valves that do not function properly, and abnormalities of the vein wall.

 

Pregnancy, prolonged standing, obesity, surgery and trauma to the leg are all facts that can lead to formation of varicose veins. But help is here! There are many herbal supplements available that may promote circulation and vein health. Horse chestnut supports the leg veins in efficiently circulating blood. Diosmin is a flavonoid which can be found in citrus rinds. Diosmin has been shown to help maintain blood vessel tone and support healthy leg circulation.  Check out the all-natural supplements that are available to support vein health. So say goodbye to varicose veins...your legs will thank you for it!

Men- Take Care of Your Prostate!

Did you know that over 50% of men in their 60s and as many as 90% in their 70s or older have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia? Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) is also a problem for men and affects about 35% of men age 50 and older.

The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut located near the urethra. The prostate stops growing in the teenage years, but begins to grow again at age forty. Problems can arise when normal prostate growth does not stop, and the prostate presses against the urethra, narrowing the passage through which urine flows. It may result in a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak urine stream or difficulty starting urination.

There are many all-natural supplements available the may promote prostate health. Saw Palmetto berries help promote healthy urine flow, lessen the number of times the urge to urinate occurs, including at night, and minimize feelings that the bladder has not completely emptied. Prostate formula contains saw palmetto extract and lycopene, an important cartonoid that supports prostate health. So take care of your prostate...don’t become another statistic!

Pamper Sensitive Skin – Naturally!

I have very sensitive skin on my face and neck. Trying new facial soap inevitably leads to rashes or patches of dry, flaky skin. To make matters worse, I occasionally suffer from pimples and have difficulty finding products that do not irritate my skin. What’s a girl to do?

Well, I discovered some all-natural, affordable facial products that my sensitive skin loves. Desert Essence Face Wash and Desert Essence Facial Cleansing Pads are formulated with a combination of pure essential oils and herbal extracts including tea tree oil, lavender, chamomile and calendula. These products improve the texture and clarity of my skin and also decrease my overall amount of breakouts.

Kiss My Face has great products available that can help you deeply cleanse your skin and eliminate dry, flaky patches. Kiss My Face Start Up Exfoliating Face Wash and Kiss My Face Balancing Act Facial Toner are made with all-natural, animal-free  ingredients and contain no artificial colors. So pamper your skin and switch to facial products that are made from nature!

Throw Away Those Potato Chips!

My mother was extremely health conscious when I was growing up. My sisters and I were not allowed to eat junk food (chips, cookies, soda) except on very rare occasions. So now that I am an adult, I sometimes go a little bit crazy… I have been known to inhale a whole bag of salt and vinegar potato chips in one sitting!

 

I have recently discovered some tasty, affordable and healthy alternatives to potato chips. GeniSoy Soy Crisps are delicious and come in many flavors, including BBQ, cheddar cheese, ranch, nacho cheese (my favorite) and apple cinnamon. Matter of Flax has some great snacks that are organic, rich in Omega-3’s and wheat and gluten free. They are crispy and filling, and come in many great flavors: Mexican, Italian, and herb garden. They taste great with hummus or tuna fish.

Not only have I lost weight since substituting healthy snacks for junk food but I feel great! And no longer am I wracked with longing every time I walk down the snack aisle in the grocery store. My mother would definitely be proud…

Should I Take A Multi-vitamin?

I have to admit that I am a chronic worrier. I recognize that I take a daily multi-vitamin primarily for psychological reasons.  I have always wondered if it is really necessary to take a daily multi-vitamin. So I did a little internet research…

I discovered that all multi-vitamins should be approved by your doctor. You should not take more of a multi-vitamin than is prescribed for you or is directed on the package because large doses of multi-vitamins can be dangerous. I also learned that eating a complete and balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains minimizes the need for a multi-vitamin.

But I know for a fact that there are days that when I do not have the time or energy to eat a complete and balanced diet. I sometimes skip meals or eat junk food, and I do consume more than my share of chocolate. I try to eat healthy, refrain from alcohol consumption and exercise five times per week. But no one is perfect, and I will admit that my diet is not always the greatest. So I will continue to take my multi-vitamin… and sleep worry-free all night!