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

Betancourt Nutrition — Ripped Fuel of Champions

Betancourt Nutrition doesn't rely on savvy marketing campaigns to promote their line of quality nutrition supplements. It doesn't have to. Betancourt Nutrition is owned and operated by champion bodybuilder and fitness guru, Jorge Betancourt, who formulates, tests and uses every product his company produces. Betancourt Nutrition knows what bodybuilders and weight trainers need to give them the competitive edge, and they deliver it! When he was competing, Betancourt dedicated himself to becoming the best in the business, and he brings that same commitment to his Betancourt Nutrition supplements. Guaranteed to deliver outstanding quality, taste and performance, every product is laboratory tested in an FDA approved facility for purity and efficacy.

Jorge Betancourt launched his line of quality nutritional supplements in 2002 with the revolutionary fat burner, Ripped Juice. Betancourt says that his Ripped Juice has already helped thousands of men and women enjoy an incredible feeling of confidence. For muscle recovery and muscle fatigue, try Betancourt Nutrition Glutamine High-C in delicious flavors like orange, fruit punch, kiwi strawberry and sour apple. And help volumize your muscles and maximize your workouts with Betancourt Nutrition Creatine Chewies Grapelicious.

CitriMax for Healthy Weight Control

If you need help to keep your weight under control, CitriMax may help. It works to help safely control appetite, inhibit fat synthesis and promote healthy weight management. When the carbohydrates we eat are not used for energy, they are converted into fat and stored in the body. That's where our weight issues may begin. But CitriMax inhibits the conversion of carbohydrates into fat while it promotes an increase in the formation of stored energy as glycogen, signaling the brain to turn off hunger signals.

CitriMax increases the body's fat-burning ability. CitriMax also increases serotonin levels in the brain to help control appetite, binge eating, depression and other emotional issues associated with overeating. Extracted from the South Asian fruit Garcinia cambogia, CitriMax works naturally without stimulating the central nervous system. CitriMax is non-habit forming and will not cause sleeplessness, nervousness or rapid heart rate associated with diet stimulants. CitriMax could be the natural edge you need to get your weight issues under control.

Colostrum — Mother's Milk Boosts Immunity

Nothing is more natural than a mother's milk — especially the very first milk. Only the milk produced by the mammary glands late in pregnancy and within a few days of giving birth contains colostrum. Rich in healthy immunoglobins and other biologically active proteins, colostrum provides the antibodies that will boost the newborn's immune system.

Colostrum supplements are made from true bovine colostrums, collected from the mother's first milk. Rich in healthy immunoglobins, it helps support immune system function. By boosting your natural immune system, colostrum builds your body's defenses against immune deficiency and the many conditions that may arise from it. Colostrum may also increase strength and stamina, help protect and repair the gastro-intestinal tract and help control both acute and chronic diarrhea.

Colostrum may also enhance skin and muscle rejuvenation. NSI Colostrum Ultra provides maximum immune support. Standardized to 40 percent immunoglobins, this colostrum supplement offers the full spectrum of health benefits. It is also a wonderful value for 240 capsules, a four-month supply.

Kare-N-Herbs — Nature's Solution to Life's Simple Problems

Kare-N-Herbs produces some of the world's finest natural health products. Whether your goal is to maintain your current good health, or to treat a chronic condition that keeps you from enjoying your life to the fullest, the fast-acting, all-natural, non-toxic ingredients in these Kare-N-Herbs supplements may be the answer. For many years, the ingredients found in Kare-N-Herbs products have been widely used in Scandinavia, India, China and other regions of the world. For instance, Kare-N-Herbs Kold Kare contains the extract of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata.

This herb has been used to reduce headache pain, sinus pressure, fever, congestion and general fatigue. Kare-N-Herbs Energy Kare contains the rare Nordic plant Rhodiola rosea, which may help support your body's ability to generate and use energy. It may help to support healthy mental function, strength and endurance. Kare-N-Herbs Tranquility Kare contains the mild sedative herb Withania somnifera. Its anti-stress properties help you to relax without the drowsiness and side effects of tranquilizers. So when it comes to improving your quality of life the safe and natural way, remember that Kare-N-Herbs supplements contain all-natural ingredients that work quickly and naturally.

Nattokinase: Take this Japanese Cheese to Heart

We get too little exercise. Our lives are filled with stress. And we've removed the healthy fiber from our diets, filling our plates with saturated fat and sugar. Fortunately, an ancient Japanese cheese may hold the secret to sustaining healthy heart function. Nattokinase is an enzyme found in Natto, a popular Japanese cheese made from fermented soybeans. Nattokinase enhances the body's natural ability to fight blood clots and may actually help to dissolve blood clots, promoting healthy blood pressure and heart function.

Nattokinase has an advantage over blood thinners because its effects are long lasting, without the side effects of many pharmaceuticals. NSI Nattokinase uses NSK-SD™, a highly purified form of nattokinase made with a patented process that removes all vitamin K, making it safe for individuals taking blood-thinning medications. As we age, the body's natural defenses for fighting blood clots decreases. But the natural clot-fighting properties in Nattokinase supplements may be the answer to sustained cardiac health.

Treat Your Skin to Natural Shaving Products

All-natural shaving products are good for you and the environment. These shaving products are never tested on animals, and they are free from animal ingredients and artificial colors. But that doesn't mean these shaving products won't treat you to a wonderfully smooth and comfortable shave! Packed with skin-enriching ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba beads, vitamin E and coconut oil, these shaving products pamper your skin while delivering a close, friction-free shave.

Shaving products like Jason 6-in-1 All Natural Shaving Lotion and Jason 6-in-1 Beard and Skin After Shave are renowned for their soothing properties. These shaving products are pH-balanced, soap-free, propellant-free and fully biodegradable. Jojoba beads and certified organic aloe vera gel cushion the skin for a close, comfortable shave. Naturally refreshing and alcohol free, the after shave sooths, refreshes and moisturizes skin while vitamin E and sunscreen provide UV protection.

Other all-natural shaving products, like Cool Mint Kiss My Face Moisture Shave, use antiseptic peppermint to cool and stimulate the skin while moisturizing with olive and coconut oils, aloe vera, goldenseal and Vitamins A and E. Alba Shave Moisturizing Cream Mango Vanilla is an all-natural, hypo-allergenic shaving product that's perfect for all skin types. Or treat yourself to a gentle shave with Weleda Shaving Cream with extract of Viola tricolor, Goat's Milk, and Almond Milk.

Add Taurine to Your Weight Loss Regimen

Do you get enough taurine? Taurine is an organic acid that naturally occurs in our bodies. If you've had an energy drink recently, chances are it contained taurine. And taurine is commonly added to bodybuilding supplements like creatine because it may help boost athletic performance, raise exercise capacity and lessen muscle fatigue. If you're a vegan, chances are you're not getting enough taurine in your diet since taurine is mainly consumed through eggs and dairy products. But natural taurine supplements can provide our bodies with this important amino acid that may offer healthy support for a variety of bodily functions, including a healthy cardiac system.

As our bodies naturally age, taurine is necessary for many of the biochemical changes that occur. Taurine may help clear free radical wastes from the body. Taurine is also important for healthy heart function. Since taurine is a key ingredient of bile, it aids fat absorption, helping promote healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight. Because taurine helps hydrate the brain, it may also support a healthy neurological system. Both NSI® L-Taurine and NSI® Magnesium Taurinate provide your body with the natural taurine it may need.

Yaeyama Chlorella — The Planet's Super Food

If you're looking for a true "super food," take a good look at Chlorella. This dark green, single-celled micro-algae is cultivated in fresh water ponds. It was one of the first foods to appear on our planet billions of years ago, and it offers an abundance of health benefits. Yaeyama Chlorella is renowned the world over for its purity and quality. Yaeyama Chlorella is specially cultivated on Ishigaki Island, a protected coral reef island off the coast of Southern Japan. Yaeyama Chlorella is ecologically grown in mineral rich spring water in the pure air and sunshine, without any pesticides.

Both the Japanese government and outside testing labs conduct strict tests to ensure that the Yaeyama Chlorella being produced meets their health standards. In Yaeyama Chlorella, cell walls are cracked open during the drying process, while maintaining cell integrity and nutrient value. In your body, the open cells allow the nutrients to be released and assimilated directly into your system, guaranteeing maximum nutrition. You'll taste and feel the difference Yaeyama Chlorella quality makes.

Yaeyama Chlorella helps boost energy levels while it supercharges your immune system. Yaeyama Chlorella also removes toxins from the body, promotes healthy brain and memory function, digestion, muscle and joint health and cardiac function while supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Natural Deodorants Are Effective, Yet Gentle and Soothing

In this hectic, stressed out world, one of the last things you should have to worry about is whether or not you are offending those around you, especially when it comes to odor. That's why using a deodorant should be a part of your daily routine. Not just any deodorant, mind you, but one that can keep up with you throughout the day.

An ideal deodorant is not only effective against odor, but is also gentle and soothing to the delicate skin under your arms. This type of deodorant is usually made from natural ingredients and does not contain animal products, harmful dyes or preservatives, which may irritate the skin, clog pores and not work as well as you'd hoped. A deodorant with natural ingredients is a safe and non-irritating alternative to chemical deodorants.

To ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients a particular deodorant may contain, always check the label before you buy and apply. By choosing a natural deodorant that appeals to both the skin and the senses, you will start the day feeling fresh, confident and comfortable?and ready to take on whatever the day may bring!

Now Hear This: Ear Care is Important to Overall Well Being

Ear care is sometimes one of the last things we think about when maintaining our health. Proper ear care is vital to the clarity and health of our hearing. For example, an abundance of waxy build up in the ears may actually distort how one hears. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) notes that symptoms related to excessive ear wax include: earache, tinnitus (noises in the ear), a sensation that the ear is plugged and even partial hearing loss (which may be progressive).

There are certain things that you can do at home pertaining to ear care that may help keep such build up at bay. Ear drops that contain a natural blend of oils and herbs may be of benefit, as they help soothe the ear and may help soften and dislodge any buildup. Ear candles have been used for centuries as a safe and natural way to promote ear care, particularly when used to extract waxy buildup and other foreign matter from within. Maintaining proper ear care should be an important part of your healthcare regime. It just may contribute to your continued good hearing for years to come.

Castor & Pollux - Natural, Organic Products for Your Pet

If you are embracing a healthful, organic lifestyle, don't forget your pet! Castor & Pollux is a brand of organic pet foods and grooming products that are specially formulated to help keep your pet happy, healthy and active. All Castor & Pollux products are free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, bioengineered ingredients and by-products. To pamper your pooch, Castor & Pollux offers everything from Good Buddy Jerky Beef Sticks and Good Buddy Oatmeal Carob Chip
Cookies to Castor & Pollux Organix Canine Formula, featuring organic turkey, brown rice, chicken and vegetables. To keep your best buddy looking and smelling his best, try Castor & Pollux Head to Tail Aloe and Oatmeal Shampoo and Castor & Pollux Head To Tail Conditioner in Aloe.

Castor & Pollux also offers a variety of toys, chew sticks, treats, collars and vitamins to help keep him active, safe and healthy. For the fabulous feline in your life, Castor & Pollux offers Organix Feline Formula, made with organic chicken, brown rice, flax, vitamins and minerals. There are also organic cat treats that come in chicken and seafood flavors, both are sure to satisfy the most finicky of palates. In addition, you can choose from a variety of Castor & Pollux toys and collars…oh, and don't forget Castor & Pollux catnip - your feline will love you for it!

Hormone Enhancers Help Channel Youth and Vigor

Hormone enhancers may provide just the boost you need to keep feeling young, vital and strong. Hormone enhancers may also help you reach peak performance during periods of intense physical activity. Growth factors are proteins secreted by cells that help initiate many actions within the body. In turn, these actions influence specific functions relating to the aging process, our immune system, degrees and types of physical exertion and performance, muscle growth, sexual function and how we deal with stress.

As we get older, the amount of growth factors our bodies manufacture declines. This is due to the drop in human growth hormone levels that we also experience. Hormone enhancers may help replenish these growth factor levels by stimulating their production and release. Hormone enhancers are available as dietary supplements. They may be of particular interest to you if you are looking to maximize the results of your workouts, since hormone enhancers may favorably influence endurance and recovery, and may also help promote muscle growth and strength.

Add Flax Seeds to Your Diet for a Boost of Omega-3s

Flax seeds are delicious and nutritious additions to your diet! When ground up, flax seeds can be sprinkled over foods such as cereal, yogurt and salad, adding texture and a rich, nutty taste. Flax seed oil can be added to bakery items or drizzled on pasta and vegetables, too. In addition to sparking the taste buds, flax seeds provide a rich source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs).

The Omega-3 EFAs found in flax seeds can contribute to a healthy heart, cardiovascular system and joints. They can also offer comfort and enhance mood during times when women experience hormonal fluctuations. On a purely superficial note, the Omega-3s in flax seed can promote healthy, glowing skin! Low in carbohydrates, flax seeds are also a good source of fiber which makes them even more beneficial if you're watching you weight. In addition, flax seeds encourage antioxidant activity within the body, helping ward off free radical damage to cells brought on by oxidative stress.