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

What are the Health Benefits of Soy?

Over the past few decades, soybeans have gotten a lot of attention. So what’s the deal with soybeans? Well read on and find out…

Soybeans, the high-protein seeds of the soy plant, are a type of legume native to East Asia. The Chinese have used it as a food source and medicine for over 5,000 years. Soybeans are an important source of vegetable oil and protein worldwide, and are the main ingredients in many meat and dairy substitutes. They are also used to make soy sauce, and the oil is used in many industrial applications.

Soy products available include dietary supplements, calcium-fortified soy milk, tofu, soy nuts, edamame, tempeh, miso, as well as many other meat and dairy alternative food products.  Facial cleansers, moisturizers and hair products often contain soy for their high levels of proteins and amino acids.

Soybeans are a rich source of calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B-vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. The isoflavones and calcium found in soybeans are believed to promote strong and healthy bones. Soybeans also help maintain cholesterol levels and support blood pressure already in the normal range. The amino acids present in soy also help support nervous system functioning and memory.

That’s a whole lot of health benefits…soy should be renamed the superbean!

Green Foods to the Rescue

I love to go for a run at the crack of dawn, but unfortunately I am not a morning person! I wake up grumpy, bleary-eyed and out of sorts. My children have learned to refrain from talking to me until I have had at least two cups of coffee. But I have discovered a delicious and nutritional supplement to add to my morning juice that makes me feel awake and full of energy…

NSI® Greentastic boasts an ample array of phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, fiber, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and protein, Greentastic also provides rich nutrients that are not easily obtained in the average diet, including sea plants such as spirulina, Nova Scotia Dulse, chlorella and hydrilla. Why would I want to drink ground seaweed, you may be wondering? Sea plants are nutrient rich, full of minerals, protein, fiber, chlorophyll and selenium, as well as vitamins A, E, B6, C and the fatty acid GLA.

Greentastic is an antioxidant powerhouse, containing a diverse variety of phytonutrients -- beta carotene, bilberry, lycopene, grape seed and green tea extracts -- helping support healthy blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol, enhance immune response and protect from free radical damage to various tissues cells, including eyes. It also contains barley grass and papaya, which support cardiovascular and digestive health. So instead of relying on your morning cup of coffee to get you going, feel fantastic with Greentastic!

Just Say No to Leg Cramps!

I regularly suffer from leg cramps, or what I refer to as a “charley horse.” They usually occur after running or vigorous exercise, and sometimes during rainy weather. I have always wondered what causes these painful muscle cramps and what I can do about them…

I discovered that the exact cause of a leg cramp is not always known, but there are some risk factors that are thought to contribute to this condition, including muscle fatigue, heavy exercising, dehydration, high weight, certain medications and electrolyte imbalance.

So what can leg cramp sufferers do?  It is important when exercising to stay hydrated, stretch (especially post-workout) and gradually build up an exercise regimen. Sudden changes in physical activities can cause leg cramps.

There are also some homeopathic supplements available to relieve the symptoms of leg and back cramps. Some Leg Cramps supplement are made with quinine, a naturally occurring alkaloid that contains analgesic (pain-killing) and anti-inflammatory properties. Quinine, the ground bark of the cinchona tree, has been used by the Quechua Indians of Peru for thousands of years as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever. So try a homeopathic remedy to relieve those painful charley horses…Hyland’s Leg Cramp Supplement!

 

Powerful Probiotics!

Probiotics… sounds like some kind of wacky science experiment! Probiotics are live bacteria which are beneficial to your health when the proper amounts are consumed. Your intestines require these “good bacteria” to function properly.

Probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of dietary supplements (capsules, tablets, and powders) and foods. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria may have been present originally or added during preparation.

Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in people's intestinal tract, especially in those of breastfed infants (who have natural protection against many diseases). Most often, the bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species (for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species, different strains (or varieties). A few common probiotics are yeasts, which are different from bacteria.

Probiotics are believed to help maintain healthy and strong teeth and skin, support healthy digestive function and help promote the growth of colonies of friendly bacteria that aid normal digestion. Even if you are not a yogurt lover, you can still receive the health benefits of probiotics by taking a daily probiotic supplement!

Hawthorn Extract for a Healthy Heart

The Hawthorn is a small thorny tree that is part of the rose family. In the Middle Ages, a Hawthorn branch was hung over a home’s entrance to keep away evil spirits. The flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to strengthen the heart and to promote cardiovascular functioning and healthy blood pressure.

Hawthorn extract contains many substances that may benefit the heart. Two substances in particular -- flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) -- are believed to contribute to hawthorn's beneficial effects on the heart. Flavonoids may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage. Both flavonoids and OPCs have antioxidant effects.

The berries, leaves and flowers of the hawthorn plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves and flowers are believed to contain more of the active compounds than the berries. Hawthorn extract is available in liquid, capsule or tablet form. Like any supplement, you should consult your doctor before including it in your regular diet.

Fantastic Flax Oil

Throw out that margarine or butter… there is a healthier alternative available! Cooking with flax seed oil is a great way to benefit from all the nutritious properties of flax seeds. Use flax seed oil to cook with or add it as a topping. It tastes delicious on popcorn, vegetables, salads, potatoes or rice.

Flax oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids (EFAs). They are essential for human growth and development, but not naturally produced by the body. EFA's are important for the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like transmitters that help enhance inflammatory response, as well as the cardiovascular system.

Flax seed oil also contains proteins, lignans and fiber. Incorporating flax seed oil in a healthy diet promotes cardiovascular, bone and joint health. It also supports a regular digestive functioning and helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range. Flax seed oil is also believed to possess antibacterial properties that help the body fight off infection.
So for dinner tonight, toss your pasta and veggies in a serving of flax seed oil!

An Apple a Day…

Most of us have a bottle of apple cider vinegar somewhere in our kitchen. It is commonly used for marinating meat and creating salad dressings. But did you know that apple cider vinegar (the organic, unfiltered kind) is full of vital nutrients and health-enhancing properties?

Apple cider vinegar is made from fresh, ripe apples that are fermented and undergo a stringent process to create the final product. The vinegar contains a host of vitamins, beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulphur, iron and fluorine.

Apple cider vinegar is believed to help extract calcium from the fruits, vegetables and meat it is mixed with, helping in the process of maintaining strong bones. The potassium found in apple cider vinegar also helps in eliminating toxic waste from the body. The beta-carotene helps in countering damage caused by free radicals, and in maintaining firmer skin and a youthful appearance. Apple cider vinegar also contains malic acid, which is very helpful in fighting fungal and bacterial infections.

The health benefits of Apple cider vinegar have been recognized since 400 B.C; even the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, used it to treat a myriad of ailments. Surely he can’t be wrong!

Olive Leaf: Green and Powerful!

Olive leaf extract is derived from the leathery, green leaves of the olive tree. The olive tree, also known as the “tree of life,” has a rich and ancient history. The olive tree branch is a symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility and power in many cultures. References to the olive are found the Bible, Koran and Greek mythology. The olive tree is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean, Asia and parts of Africa and it has been cultivated for over 7,000 years.

Olive leaf extract contains oleuropein, which is broken down into elenolic acid (in the form of calcium elenolate-a calcium salt). Elenolic acid is believed to have anti-microbial properties.
In addition to supporting immune function, olive leaf extract may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and boost energy. It also functions as an antioxidant, working to help protect your body's healthy cells from the damaging effects of free radical molecules.
Olive oil and olive leaf extract are powerful, all-natural additions to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and regular exercise. Harness the power of the olive leaf!

Lycopene: The Heart Helper!

If you love eating pasta with marinara sauce, did you know you are doing your heart a favor? Tomatoes, especially processed tomatoes, contain large amounts of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has many health benefits.

Lycopene is a beta carotene pigment that gives vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon, their red color. Several studies and research suggest that consumption of foods rich in lycopene is associated with enhanced prostrate and cardiovascular health. Lycopene helps protect cells from free radical damage, unstable molecules that attack cells which may lead to numerous health concerns and premature aging.

The nutritional properties found in lycopene help support healthy vision function, healthy cholesterol levels and overall immune system function. Because the body cannot produce lycopene, dietary supplementation is particularly important to your health. If you feel that you are not including as many lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables as you should in your diet, you may want to consider taking a daily supplement that contains this powerful antioxidant.

Allergy Relief- Naturally!

Summer is always torture for my young son. His allergies go into overdrive along with the hot weather. It is difficult for him to enjoy outdoor activities with watering eyes and non-stop sneezing! I have discovered an all-natural supplement that helps to provide relief from his allergy symptoms…

Quercetin is a plant-based nutrient found naturally in apple skins, onions, tea and red wine. It belongs to a class of flavonoids called flavonols, which are powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from harmful free radical molecules. Quercetin is believed to also provide relief for symptoms of allergies. When allergens are absorbed into the bloodstream, they cause B cells (white blood cells) to produce billions of molecules of the allergic antibody IgE. These molecules combine with mast cells and biophils, which are storehouses for histamine. Cell membranes weaken and histamine is released, causing allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, etc. Quercetin may help stabilize mast cell membranes, helping to hinder the release of allergy-symptom-causing histamine into the bloodstream. It may also inhibit the formation of leukotrienes and possesses anti-inflammatory effects.

Quercetin is often combined with Bromelain for enhanced absorption. Bromelain, derived from the pineapple plant, is a digestive enzyme that also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that synergize with those of Quercetin.  A supplement containing Quercetin and Bromelain helped my son enjoy his summer the way all children should…outside in the fresh air and sunshine!