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

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 Helps Curb Appetite

You are trying to watch your weight, but you seem to be hungry all of the time. You do not want to take an appetite suppressant because you have heard that they are full of harsh, synthetic ingredients that may have harmful side effects. So what do you do? Why not try a supplement with a gentle, natural formulation that also provides other healthful benefits?

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 contains active ingredients derived from pine nut oil. There are certain fatty acids in pine nuts believed to help curb appetite. The pinolenic acid contained in pine nut oil can help curb appetite by stimulating the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone that functions as an appetite suppressant. Research has shown that in addition to suppressing appetite, pine nut oil can also promote healthy cholesterol levels. Pine nut oil also contains a high concentration of free radical scavengers, which help reduce oxidative damage in the body. PinnoThin™ contains pine nut oil triglycerides that provide linoleic acid (184 mg), oleic acid (100 mg) and pinolenic (64 mg).

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 also provides the beneficial properties found in green tea. There has been a lot in the news about the numerous healthful benefits of green tea, including that is supports healthy cholesterol levels, promotes good dental health, and helps boost your metabolism.

What makes green tea so special? Well, it is rich in catechin polyphenols, in particular epigallocatechin gallate (ECCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that is seen to be twice as powerful as resveratrol. What sets green tea apart from other teas is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized.

The green tea extract found in NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 is standardized to 90% polyphenols, 75% catechins and 45% EGCG.

Keep Control of Blood Sugar Levels

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is essential to your overall health and body function. Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose is the primary source of energy in the blood's cells and is transported by way of the bloodstream.

Low blood sugar, or Hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood glucose level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body. Low blood sugar can lead to issues pertaining to energy, mental function, mood and consciousness. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can suppress appetite in the short term, but in the long run can lead to eye, kidney and nerve issues. 

There are certain things that you can do to support healthy blood sugar levels, including:

• Consume good carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetable and whole grains because they provide energy, fiber and nutrients
• Along those lines, make sure the your diet is fiber rich, because a fiber-rich diet helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reduce spikes in blood sugar and control absorption
• Get out there and exercise regularly! Exercise activates the cells that absorb sugar from the blood in order to provide energy 

There are also some herbs that can contribute to healthy blood sugar levels: chromium picolinate supports increased energy, healthy weight levels and the metabolism of carbohydrates; gymnema enhances blood sugar levels, promotes healthy weight management and enhances insulin action; and bitter melon contributes to healthy blood sugar levels and promotes digestive function.

Maintaining control of your blood sugar is important for optimal health. As with many other matters affecting your body, it comes down to eating healthy, staying active and incorporating the right amount of the right nutrients into your daily dietary intake.

Your synthetic sleep aid keeping you up at night? Try NSI® Passion Flower

If you have trouble sleeping at night, are you hesitant about taking synthetic sleep aids due to the possibility of unfavorable side effects? Or are you stressed out and would like a safe alternative to synthetic mood enhancing drugs? Why not try a safe, natural supplement that can gently lull you to sleep or promote a relaxed state?

NSI® Passion Flower is a great one to try. It contains 700 mg of passion flower. Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) is a climbing vine known for its beautiful white flowers that have purple, blue or pink calyx crown blooms. Passion flower is known as a natural way to promote a good night's sleep. It also encourages a sense of calm and well being on both a physical and emotional level, and is believed to promote comfort to stomach muscles that are out of sorts due to stress or a woman's monthly cycle.

You have enough on you mind when trying to either get a good night's sleep, relax or attain relief from certain types of discomfort without having to worry about the potential side effects of your synthetic sleep aid. NSI® Passion Flower is a superior supplement because it is 100% natural and non-addictive.  NSI® Passion Flower delivers a higher dosage of passion flower than other comparable products on the market, making it a potent yet safe choice.

Comfrey contributes numerous healthful benefits

Comfrey is one multi-tasking herb! Not only does comfrey have powerful antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, comfrey also promotes healthy cholesterol levels, healthy cell growth, good digestion, stomach comfort, rapid bone repair and the softening of body tissues. Because it is rich in nutrients, comfrey contributes to all around good health.

Comfrey's numerous nutrients and vitamins include vitamins A, the B-complexes and C. It is interesting to note that Comfrey is one of only two plants (besides alfalfa) that naturally contain vitamin B-12. Comfrey is also rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

So where on earth does this incredible herb come from? Comfrey has a black, turnip-like root and large leaves that bear small bell-shaped white, cream, purple or pink flowers. It has been found in valleys and meadows throughout Europe and North America. Comfrey has been used by the Greeks for centuries as an herbal remedy. Comfrey has also been used throughout the Middle Ages to mend fractured bones (comfrey's Latin name is confirmare which means to "join together").

Comfrey's high nutrient content and versatility is quite impressive whether you want to tap into it for a specific health benefit or just want to contribute to your overall good health!

BSN Brand Supports Your Workout Needs

The BSN Brand of supplements is designed for those who want to take their workouts beyond the burn. BSN Brand offers the following formulations, each offering a variety of healthful benefits, available in a variety of delicious flavors.

First of all, who knew that having dessert could help you look so hot! BSN Lean Dessert Protein Shake is a superior protein powder that can help you get where you want to be regarding your physique, weight or nutritional level. It comes in a wide variety of sinfully delicious flavors, including Vanilla Cream, Chocolate Coconut Candy Bar, Fresh Cinnamon Roll, Banana Cream, Banana Nut Bread and Chocolate Fudge Pudding.   

If you are interested in gaining lean muscle mass, BSN True-Mass Mass Gainer is a calorie and nutrient-dense alternative to regular foods. Available in chocolate and vanilla, it provides sustained release action and is also rich in vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients.

BSN Syntha-6 is a superior protein powder that is also specifically designed to enhance your physique, assist you with successful weight management and help you meet your nutritional goals. It is available in three delicious flavors: Chocolate Milk Shake, Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Milk Shake.

Known as the extreme energy and performance igniter, BSN N.O.Xplode is formulated for healthy adults aged 18 – 50 years old who want assistance in boosting energy, performance and muscle development during fitness training. It comes in Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, Orange and Fruit Punch. BSN Cellmass also supports lean mass, recovery and tissue repair after you workout or while you are sleeping. It comes in the berry delicious Arctic Berry Blast and Grape Cooler.

BSN Thermonex Fat Loss and Energy Amplifier supports weight management and appetite control, while boosting energy and performance. BSN Nitrix tablets support sustained increases in Nitric Oxide production. They enhance muscle fullness, vascularity and full-body pumps, while supporting muscle strength power, endurance and work capacity. Last, but definitely not least, BSN Axis HT Pro-Testosterone Amplifier is a designer anabolic and androgenic potentiator that promotes size, strength, hardness and libido.

Food for Thought

Neurological disorders affect millions of people regardless of age, race or nationality and their occurrence is expected to increase as the worldwide population grows and ages. The most common disorders include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, brain afflictions brought on by stroke, traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches.

Daily exercise and nutrition are good ways to take care of your body's "control center". According to Carl Cotman, a brain expert at the University of California-Irvine, we are learning that diet and lifestyle can have many beneficial effects on the brain.

Folate, found in many leafy green vegetables, promotes brain health by reducing blood levels of homocysteine, a substance that can injure brain cells. Foods rich in folate include oranges, spinach, broccoli and bananas. Almonds might also be another potent brain food because it contains substances that act like cholinesterase inhibitors, drugs used to treat Alzheimer's, and don't forget the most celebrated brain food, fish. It is also thought that green tea may promote brain health, but there has not been a causal relationship established between drinking green tea and cognitive capacity. It is important to note that there may be some outside factors associated with drinking green tea that may come into play, such as overall lifestyle (which include exercise) and diet.

Now here's some food for thought – in addition to supporting the health of your brain through sound lifestyle choices, why not also choose to support neurological research. Join the fight against Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or a cause that is closest to your heart. Now that would be a true heart and mind connection!

Endurox Brand Helps Take Your Workouts to the Max

When you work out, you want to be able to stay hydrated, full of energy and have your muscles quickly recover so you can maintain focus and stay on schedule. If you're serious about what you do when you get out there, Endurox Brand has a line of products for you. 

Endurox Accelerade provides the body with rapid hydration and contains all-natural protein that reenergizes muscles during exercise, allowing them to quickly recover after an intense workout. Available in Orange and Lemon Lime, it is the only sports drink that contains carbohydrates and protein in a patented 4:1 ratio. A one scoop serving size provides 12 ounces of a light, truly refreshing sports drink that packs a powerful nutritional punch.

Endurox R4 Recovery Drink was developed by leading exercise physiologists. It has a patented ratio of carbohydrates to protein that is proven to speed up muscle recovery and reduce muscle damage during exercise. It also contains antioxidants, electrolytes and glutamine. Available in Tangy Orange and Fruit Punch, Endurox R4 Recovery Drink is the #1 recovery drink choice of athletes from high school through the professional leagues.

Endurox Excel is a dietary supplement that when taken as part of your training program, is guaranteed to help to reach your personal best. It contains maximum strength Endurox®, the standardized extract of the herb ciwujia and the antioxidant vitamin E. This unique combination not only builds endurance, it also raises the lactate threshold, revs up workout recovery and increases cardiac efficiency while maintaining the same level of workout intensity.

So if you want to take your work out to the max, then you must try these products from Endurox Brand and go for it.

Ease Symptoms with Motion Sickness Herbs

Motion sickness can definitely cramp your style. There you are, out and about and all of a sudden…the queasiness, the headache, the cold sweats and the discomfort – ugh! Motion sickness occurs when signals from your body's balance system are not in concert with its visual cues. For example, your body may sense motion when your eyes see none; conversely, your eyes may perceive movement that your body does not feel.

Some ways to prevent motion sickness include:

• Avoid reading while in motion
• Get plenty of fresh air
• Try to avoid heavy eating or drinking
• Focus on and try to enjoy the view outside

If you do find yourself in the throws of motion sickness, you can get relief the natural way through motion sickness herbs such as ginger root, raspberry leaf and peppermint leaf.

The ingredients found in ginger root are believed to aid in neutralizing stomach acids and therefore seen as helpful in reducing motion sickness and other similar stomach maladies.  Ginger root is also seen to be beneficial in reducing dizziness and flatulence.

Red raspberry leaf has been used to promote relief from cramping. Its high tannin content is believed to help control diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Peppermint leaf is another herb that demonstrates a relaxing effect on gastrointestinal tissue.

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Go Exotic with NSI® Mangosteen Pomegranate Noni Complex

NSI® Mangosteen Pomegranate Noni Complex is a unique formula that derives numerous health benefits from three exotic, tropical fruits: mangosteen pomegranate and noni fruit.

Mangosteen has been prized by the people of Southeast Asia for thousands of years for its high nutritional value and numerous health-promoting properties. It contains many essential vitamins and minerals that support digestion, healthy skin, a healthy immune system and the conversion of food into energy. Mangosteen also has naturally beneficial compounds called xanothones that have strong antioxidant properties known for protecting the body from the cell-damaging effects of free radicals. There are also other xanothones found within mangosteen that contribute to healthy cholesterol levels, cardiovascular health and joint health.

Another fruit found in NSI® Mangosteen Pomegranate Noni Complex is the pomegranate, considered a nutritional superstar. A large, seedy fruit found in Southwest Asia, it is rich in vitamin B5, vitamin C, iron and potassium. The pomegranate also contains polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins, which all have high levels of antioxidants – more so than most other fruit juices, red wine or green tea. These antioxidants promote healthy blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels.

Last, but definitely not least, NSI® Mangosteen Pomegranate Noni Complex provides the healthful benefits of noni fruit. The noni fruit is native to Southeast Asia and has since been used for over 2,000 years as a healthful dietary staple. Noni is chock full of vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as minerals calcium and selenium. It enhances the body's natural immune system and is also a potent antioxidant. There are also properties in noni fruit that assist in the purification of the blood. It also promotes proper digestion, healthy cholesterol levels, increased energy levels, joint comfort, increased mental clarity, increased attention span and greater levels of physical performance.

Just think, with NSI® Mangosteen Pomegranate Noni Complex you get all of the healthful benefits of these exotic fruits in one convenient two capsule dosage!

The Eyes Have It – Protect Your Vision!

Though eyesight is a gift that many of us take for granted, we must still be proactive in taking care of our eyes in order to keep them as healthy as possible.

To start off a lifetime of good eye health, it is recommended that children have their first eye exam by age three. After that, children with normal vision should be screened every two years. Adults between the ages of 18 and 40 should be examined every two to three years unless a doctor recommends otherwise. At the age of 40, a baseline eye exam is recommended, and from 40 to 64, an eye health exam should occur every 1 to 2 years, again unless your doctor recommends otherwise. By the time you are 65 or older, eye exams should be scheduled annually.

In addition to vigilant eye health screening, you can also support eye health through good nutrition. The following nutrients are seen as beneficial, mostly for their antioxidant properties: vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, lutein, zinc, bilberry, alpha lipoic acid, quercetin and selenium.

Here's looking at you!

A Good Night's Sleep

Ah, Sleep! A good night's sleep is priceless. It affects the way you look, feel and function. So how much sleep do you need? According to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the answer varies for each individual. On average, people need somewhere between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Young people between the ages of 12 and 25 probably need about 8.5 to 9.25 hours per night. Unfortunately, each year about 70 million adult Americans fall short of this and experience some sort of problem sleeping.

So this is the perfect time to ask, how can you get a good night's sleep? According to Caltech, some ways include:

• Get on a schedule – go to sleep the same time every night, even on the weekends
• Wind down – give yourself an hour in the evening to do a quiet activity before you go to sleep
• Exercise – working out can reduce stress and can also improve the quality of your sleep, just remember to avoid working out within two hours of your bedtime

You also might want to try a natural sleep supplement that contains melatonin, valerian root and L-Theanine to promote a sound night's sleep.