Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Tue, Nov 03, 2009
Any visit to a supermarket or drug store will reveal a bewildering array of herbal supplements for every condition imaginable. If you have some health issues or simply want to start a preventative health program, then an herbal supplement program is well worth taking every day. The problem is, how do you know which one to choose? Do you save money and start with the cheapest? Or do you believe you get what you pay for and go for the most expensive? Choosing the right brand goes beyond a pretty label to what’s inside those capsules and tablets. Here are some general guidelines to help you get the best value for money.
Quality
Compare supplements between companies. While some will skimp on the quantity and potency of the ingredients, the best health supplement companies will offer a higher amount of the active ingredients. Although they may be more expensive, in the long run they will do the job, which cheaper, inferior products will not.
Guarantee
Companies which can be trusted will offer excellent unconditional money-back guarantees, often for a full 90 days. This peace of mind means that if you are ordering a product for the first time, you get to try it with a safety net. If it does not suit you, you can return it and get your money back without any hassle. Avoid companies which are not prepared to back their herbal supplement with a fair guarantee.
Long-Standing Reputation
Word of mouth recommendations or customer feedback is a good way to assess which companies are best. If you know someone who regularly takes supplements, then ask them where they buy their herbal supplements. Alternatively, look on the internet. Avoid amateur-looking websites which just sell a single product. They are not likely to be supplying the best natural health products. Some companies display the ‘BBB’ symbol which stands for the ‘Better Business Bureau’. Complaints of companies selling ‘quack’ supplements will be listed with them, and conversely a BBB accreditation is an impressive recommendation.
Bulk Buying Deals
Good companies may be slightly more expensive, but their products are likely to be better quality. One way to get an extra discount is to buy 2 or 3 bottles of the product at the same time. Remember, with a money-back guarantee there is no risk, and you can lower the price by 50% or more for a small financial outlay.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Mon, Nov 02, 2009
As our bodies change with age, our rate of metabolism can be affected. This in turn can lead to higher blood pressure which is a dangerous and undesirable medical condition. Many patients are prescribed drugs to lower their blood pressure, but it is much safer and healthier to lower blood pressure naturally using natural blood pressure supplements. Here are 5 ingredients which support healthy blood pressure the safe and natural way.
Potassium
Potassium is known to stimulate the kidneys which process our body’s waste products. This is essential in order to avoid sodium retention which directly results in high blood pressure. Good natural sources of potassium are potatoes, bananas, tofu and beans.
Calcium
Known for giving us healthy bones and teeth, calcium also keeps our balance of sodium, potassium and magnesium correct in each cell for proper blood absorption. Milk, cheese, broccoli and oranges are good food sources. Calcium is also a key ingredient in all natural blood pressure supplements.
CoQ10
This substance is found naturally in our bodies, but is produced less as we get older. A CoQ10 supplement can help maintain a regular heart beat. It ensures healthy heart function as it also helps control our blood circulation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is good for building natural immunity against colds and flu, but a recent study by Oregon State University together with Boston University show that Vitamin C also improves biological activity of nitric oxide, resulting in lower blood pressure.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
It is a well known fact that Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain good HDL cholesterol levels whilst lowering the bad LDL cholesterol. If your diet is not rich in mackerel, salmon and tuna, consider taking fish oil as one of your natural blood pressure supplements.
With a little help from nature these natural ingredients can help you manage your blood pressure, naturally and effectively.
For more information on blood pressure supplements, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Healthy Choice Naturals
Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Wed, Sep 16, 2009
We all know the current life expectancy of those fortunate enough to live in the USA. According to the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, a US resident born in 2004 has a life expectancy of 77.9 years. Of course most of us hope to live even longer so we can watch our generations of family grow as we age. Studies suggest that taking natural supplements can help us live long and healthy lives. So, what have we got to lose? Improving the quality of our life, however long it may turn out to be, is a big bonus.
The following are 5 supplements known to support longevity and the reasons why they are great for aiding a long and healthy life.
- Omega-3 is proven to promote a healthy heart. It also lubricates joints, which are going to get a lot of wear in your potential 100 years of active life. It is difficult to get sufficient Omega-3 in your natural diet, so take a supplement of at least 420mg of EPA and 280mg of DHA. Choose a well-established and respected brand which uses sustainable sources of fish.
- A Vitamin B complex that includes B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) as well as folic acid, B12, pantothenic acid and biotine. Each of the B-vitamins is essential to good health and this family of natural supplements work together to be even more effective when taken together.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid 400mg taken daily is heralded as ‘the universal oxidant’ shown to protect the integrity of our cells, from the brain to the liver. Dr Nicholas Perricone is a staunch advocate of this natural supplement and the role it plays in the body’s defense network, the repair of collagen damage and the control of inflammation.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine supports mental energy, improves mood and slows the aging of the cells, particularly brain cells.
- Vitamin D is high on the list of health supplements for long life. It is associated with a decreased risk of many health problems and is important for maintaining natural calcium levels. It is particularly important for those who do not live with year-round sunshine.
There are of course many more all-natural supplements which help to enhance our health, but the above products have a bias towards a longer life. Here’s to many more birthdays for us all!
If you would like more information on herbal supplements for a healthy lifestyle, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Thu, Jun 18, 2009
Neck ties just might be the most popular Father's Day gift in the United States, but wouldn't it be nice to give Dad the gift of a long healthy life? In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the most important supplements for protecting men’s health.
CHROMIUM TO MANAGE BLOOD SUGAR
Chromium improves the body's sensitivity to insulin, making it easier to keep blood-sugar levels under control. It is one of the best things you can do to help keep insulin levels where they belong.
COENZYME Q10 TO BOOST ENERGY
Your body produces coenzyme Q10 which assists the cells by directing your body's energy supply. But as you get older, production decreases. The only way to get back up to youthful levels is by taking a supplement. CO-Q10 is also packed with free-radical-fighting antioxidants, which may slow the signs of aging.
FOLIC ACID TO CUT ALZHEIMER'S RISK
Folic acid helps prevent clogged arteries and improves blood f low to the brain by keeping down levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that increases your risk of blood clots. High homocysteine levels are associated with early warning signs of Alzheimer's, such as dementia and memory loss.
BORON TO PROTECT YOUR PROSTATE
Men with the highest boron intakes are 65 percent less likely to develop problems than men with lower levels, studies show. American men have one of the lowest boron intakes in the world.
CALCIUM FOR STRONG BONES
Many men are not getting the daily allowance of 1,000 mg. A cup of milk has only
300 mg. It has been found that men with high calcium levels actually weigh less than men with low levels of calcium.
GLUCOSAMINE FOR JOINT SUPPORT
We all lose cartilage as we age. To reverse the damage and actually rebuild cartilage, take glucosamine. Glucosamine can help reduce joint pain and stiffness.
OMEGA-3’S TO PROTECT YOUR HEART
This supplement can help manage blood pressure levels. Omega-3 fatty acids make the blood flow well, which in turn may lower the chances of blood clots that could block the arteries.
Healthy Choice Naturals
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Mon, Nov 24, 2008
Research studies show the benefits of fish oil are incredible. In fact, adding foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and taking an Omega fish oil supplement is one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do for your health. Studies are published almost daily as the scientific community discovers more of the extraodinary omega 3 fish oil benefits.
Here are 8 proven benefits of fish oil you should know about:
- Cardiovascular Health.
The benefits of fish oil and Omega 3 include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing the risk of heart-related sudden death and lowering unhealthy triglyceride levels. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week for healthy persons and one serving per day of fish or fish oil supplement containing at least 900mg of fish oil for persons with heart disease.
- Protection from Stroke and Heart Attack.
When plaque builds up on arterial walls and then breaks loose, it causes what's known as a thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying clot. If a clot gets stuck in the brain, it causes a stroke and when it plugs an artery, it causes a heart attack. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids break up clots before they can cause any damage.
- Better Brain Function.
DHA and fish oil have been proven to stimulate memory and the ability to learn. Research has shown that mothers who take supplemental DHA during their pregnancy and lactation may increase their baby’s IQ.
- Reduction of Pain and Inflammation.
Omega 3 fatty acids have a positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Improves Mood.
Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield, along with many other research studies, found that omega 3 fish oil supplements help alleviate the symptoms of depression.
- Improves Skin and Hair Health.
Fish oil helps protect the skin against damage from UV exposure, and skin disorders such as psoriasis.
- Reduces PMS Symptoms in Women.
Omega 3 is converted into substances called 'prostaglandins type-3' that control contractions of the uterus, which cause the cramping.
- Lowers Cancer Risk.
Studies on Omega 3 benefits have linked lowered risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer to the consumption of fish oil.
Omega 3 benefits are wide-ranging and proven by clinical studies. The positive effects are too good to ignore if you are interested in your health. We suggest adding more cold water fish to your diet and taking a high quality pure fish oil supplement.
Healthy Choice Naturals Omega Naturals Fish Oil is excellent, highly concentrated fish oil that is 230% stronger than many other brands. It's toxin free and non-farmed, so you know you are getting healthy, clean fish oil harvested from fully sustainable open waters.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Fri, Nov 21, 2008
At least 27 million Americans have a thyroid problem, but don't know it yet. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and it is the regulator of your metabolism. When your thyroid doesn't function properly, it can affect every aspect of your health including weight, depression and energy levels. Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- is the most common thyroid condition, and is more common in women, affecting as many as one in five.
Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can significantly increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and depression, so it is important to pay attention to the signs that may point to a thyroid condition. You don't need to have all of these symptoms in order to have a thyroid problem, but here are 8 of the most common signs to look for.
1. Difficulty Losing Weight or Weight Fluctuations.
You may be dieting and exercising, but are failing to lose any weight, or even gaining. Difficulty losing weight can be a sign of hypothyroidism. Or are you gaining weight, but eating and working out the same as always, or losing weight, and eating the same amount of food as usual? Weight changes -- up or down -- can be signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
2. Family History.
You are at higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself if you have a family history of thyroid problems.
3. Fatigue.
If you are tired when you wake up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night isn’t enough, or if you can’t function a full day without a nap, these may all be signs of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
4. Depression and Anxiety.
Depression or anxiety, including sudden onset of panic disorder, can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not respond to anti-depressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder.
5. Neck Discomfort/Enlargement.
A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties, a hoarse voice, or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be symptoms of thyroid disease. To find out if the thyroid is enlarged, you can take a simple test at home. Hold a mirror so that you can see the area of your neck just below the Adam's apple and right above the collarbone. Tip your head back, while keeping this view of your neck and thyroid area in your mirror. Take a drink of water and swallow. As you swallow, look at your neck. Watch carefully for any bulges, enlargement, protrusions, or unusual appearances in this area when you swallow, and if you see anything unusual, see your doctor right away.
6. Hair / Skin Changes.
Hair and skin changes are noticeable signs of a possible thyroid problem. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes coarse and dry, and falls out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry, and scaly. In hypothyroidism, it is common to lose hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow. With hyperthyroidism, severe hair loss can also occur, and skin can become fragile and thin.
7. Bowel Problems.
Severe constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome is associated with hyperthyroidism.
8. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems.
Heavier, and more frequent and painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism, and shorter, lighter, or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid.
You don’t have to have all of these symptoms to have a thyroid problem. If you believe you may have a thyroid condition, you should see your physician for treatment options.
In addition, there are alternative therapies for thyroid support. Thyroid Essentials is a natural supplement formulated to provide relief for low thyroid conditions. The ingredients naturally support the body’s ability to improve and normalize thyroid function. Follow this link for information on Healthy Choice Naturals Thyroid Essentials