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

Artichoke: The Gourmet Treat That Also Promotes Digestive & Liver Health

Stuffed with breadcrumbs or with hearts removed and baked into a cheesy dip, you probably know artichokes better as a gourmet treat than an herbal remedy. But artichoke extract is known to provide a variety of health-promoting benefits, from encouraging healthy digestion to strengthening liver function.

Made from the long, serrated basal leaves of the artichoke plant, artichoke extract is believed to enhance bile production, which helps the liver regulate its production of cholesterol. Bile also plays a part in the removal of toxins from the body, so its healthy flow is important to overall health.

Artichoke may also stimulate production of digestive juices, promoting healthy digestion. An informal study in 2001 showed that supplementing with artichoke extract for six weeks notably improved symptoms of individuals suffering with irritable bowel syndrome. More research, however, is needed to confirm these effects. 

The recommended daily dose of artichoke extract is one to two capsules with meals daily. You may also find artichoke in combination formulas with milk thistle, which also promotes healthy liver function.

Flaxseed Oil: A Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flaxseed oil, also known as flax oil or linseed oil, is obtained from the dried, ripe seeds of the flax plant (Linium usitatissimum). It’s a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 essential fatty acid that’s converted to EPA and DHA, the same fatty acids found in fish that promote healthy heart and brain function. For vegetarians, or those who don’t like seafood, flaxseed oil is the perfect way to obtain these essential nutrients.

You won’t find flaxseed oil next to the canola, olive and other vegetable oils on grocery store shelves. Instead, look in the refrigerator section at your local health food market. Because its chemical components break down if exposed to light, oxygen or heat, flaxseed oil usually comes in an opaque bottle. 

Incorporate thick, rich, nutty-flavored flaxseed oil into your diet by drizzling it over salads, pasta, toasted bread, cereal, popcorn, or potatoes. It’s not recommended for use in high-temperature cooking, however, because heat causes it to lose its beneficial properties.

Shedding Light on Dark Chocolate

Now you can let go of the guilt when you unwrap a sinfully-sweet-tasting bar of chocolate—as long as it’s dark chocolate. A study conducted by University of California researchers found that dark chocolate may help promote healthy blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease!

Just like green tea, black tea, red wine and blueberries, dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, which keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels. Study subjects who consumed dark chocolate every day for two weeks showed elevated levels of epicatechin (a plant flavonoid) and had better results when tested for blood vessel elasticity.

Unfortunately, dark chocolate is still high in fat and calories. So, for best health benefits, add it to your diet, but don’t go overboard. And, be sure to check with your favorite brand manufacturer on flavonoid content. Standard manufacturing destroys up to half the flavonoid content in dark chocolate—but there are some companies (like Dove & Endangered Species) who produce it with a large percent of flavonoids intact.

It’s Kosher!

Vitamin labels have ingredient lists, nutrition facts, and usually a few “key” descriptive terms—like hypoallergenic, gluten-free, wheat-free, or vegetarian. You’ve probably noticed the word “kosher” on more than a few bottles. But what exactly does it mean?

Kosher is the term used by Orthodox Jewish people to indicate that food and other products have been prepared according to religious law. The law, or Kashrut (meaning “fit”, “proper”, or “correct”) prohibits the consumption of certain animals, requires meat and dairy be consumed separately, instructs how utensils in contact with meat and dairy be handled, and more.

Because vitamin production involves the use of kosher-sensitive materials, such as glycerin, gelatin, stearates, enzymes, and flavorings, it’s important for those who keep kosher to know the products they’re purchasing are processed in an acceptable way. At Vitacost.com, you’ll find a wide variety of high-quality kosher vitamins and supplements, all of which were manufactured with thoroughly-sanitized equipment, with ingredients that were properly inspected, cleansed, and derived from a kosher source.

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Your Children’s Nutrition can Start Them on The Right Road to a Life of Healthiness!

According to the U.S. government, nearly 80 percent of Americans do not eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the recommended minimum amount believed to provide sufficient essential vitamins and nutrients. This number may include children, who need all the nutrition they can get for their growing bodies. Children can benefit from a daily multi-vitamin or nutritional supplement…especially picky eaters who may not be getting all the nutrients they require.

Because of the types of food that our children eat, they are clearly less likely to get adequate nutrients in their diets. As such, the need for children’s nutrition in the form of supplementation is more important than ever. Children that get adequate amounts of proper vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients will certainly stand a better chance of growing up healthier.

Unfortunately with today’s busier-than-ever-schedules, diets alone are just not cutting it in the world of children’s nutrition. Fast foods make it more convenient for everyone to grab a meal, but the obvious high fat and calories can cause a host of issues, including obesity and nutrient deficiencies.