Casein and Whey Protein: Fuel for your Workout

It is widely accepted by athletes, body builders and even doctors that protein is the single most important supplement for building, growing, and repairing muscle. Whether you’re looking to shed fat, get ripped, or bulk up, protein is a major component of any good exercise regimen. Men and women alike can benefit from protein supplements, especially whey and casein varieties.
Whey protein is a natural byproduct of cheese production and is also the highest quality protein available. This is because whey has the ideal amount of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), which are essential for building, repairing and growing muscle tissue. Aside from physical benefits, whey also helps stabilize mood and blood sugar levels, increase concentration and attention, and promote a healthy immune system. The stabilization of blood sugar levels reduces food cravings and increases energy levels, both of which aid in weight loss.
Building muscle isn’t just for meat heads; it also aids in burning fat. Since muscle weighs more than fat, many dieters may weigh themselves and perceive an increase in weight as an increase in fat. In fact, the opposite may be true. An estimated 500 calories is burned for every 10 pounds of muscle. With this in mind, an individual that gains a pound of muscle can consume 50 more calories per day without gaining weight. Thus, muscle building aids in weight loss by increasing the amount of calories burned.
While whey protein is the king of building muscle, casein protein is the king of maintaining muscle. Catabolism of muscles (breaking down muscle tissue) can and does occur on a regular basis. This reduces a person’s strength and is likely to increase the person’s fat weight due to the decrease in the number of calories the person burns each day. It is impossible to completely eliminate catabolism of muscles, but it can be reduced. Casein protein is unique in that it coagulates in the stomach and releases amino acids into the blood stream for up to 7 hours before it is completely digested. This supplies the body with a constant stream of muscle building amino acids, which help to reduce catabolism.
The most beneficial time to take a protein supplement is immediately after a workout. During exercise muscles burn amino acids for fuel and whey protein will resupply the muscles with the amino acids they need to repair, grow and build. Taking a protein supplement that contains essential amino acids, especially leucine and glutamine, immediately after exercise is critical to initiating protein synthesis (the building of muscle tissue). It is also important to consume casein protein after a workout, since it will supply the muscles with a constant stream of these beneficial amino acids over a long period of time, which has been proven to reduce muscle soreness.

Many protein supplements tout the high number of grams of protein per serving, but as with most everything it is possible to take too much. After exercising, the human body can process about 20 to 25 grams of protein. Any additional protein ingested is either burned as a fuel or stored as fat. However, several servings can be taken per day. Most athletes take one serving of protein supplement per day to account for about 25 grams of their protein intake plus any additional protein from the food they consume. Bodybuilders take about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight by taking multiple servings of protein supplement throughout the day. Thus, the serving sizes vary depending on the purpose. For dieting, the athlete’s portion, one serving of 25 grams, is recommended, but for building mass the bodybuilder’s portions, one gram of protein for every pound of weight, are recommended.

Not all protein supplements are the same. The ideal protein supplement should be a mixture of whey and casein protein, since both have the best results if taken immediately after a workout. Also, most proteins have servings of at least 20 grams; with that in mind, if whey and casein are taken separately, the overall protein intake will be at least 40 grams if one serving is taken of each. As the previous paragraph stated, the body can only process about 25 grams of protein at a time, so anymore will not be digested or will be stored as fat.


Torch™ After-Burn is formulated with both whey and casein protein, B vitamins aswell as Vitamins C and E to increase muscle cell hydration, stimulate muscle growth, promote muscle comfort after workouts, and provide the body with a cardiovascular defense and energy boost. 
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Whey and casein protein are beneficial to men and women that want to gain muscle mass, burn fat, or tone up. Protein is the single most important supplement for dieting and bodybuilding, but should not be considered as the only beneficial supplement. To truly reap the rewards of your exercise routine, it is also important to supply the body with essential amino acids, carbohydrates, and creatine before a workout, as well as glutamine and alanine (amino acids) during a workout, since they are burned quickly and can be depleted before the end of the workout.

Study Shows Pycnogenol® Naturally Improves Tinitus

Study Demonstrates Pycnogenol® Naturally Improves Tinnitus
Research shows Pycnogenol® is effective in relieving tinnitus symptoms and improving inner ear blood flow

GENEVA, Switzerland – More than 50 million Americans will experience some degree of tinnitus in their lifetime, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Tinnitus is a hearing condition that causes the constant misperception of sound, including hissing, ringing and rushing noises. A study recently published in Panminerva Medica reveals that Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is effective in relieving tinnitus symptoms by improving blood flow in the inner ear.

“Impaired blood flow to the ear is a common cause for tinnitus, a disturbing and very debilitating condition that can considerably impact overall health and quality of life,” said Dr. Gianni Belcaro, a lead researcher on the study along with his team from Irvine3 Vascular labs, Chieti-Pescara University. “With few options available for treatment, this study gave us the opportunity to explore a natural solution to tinnitus symptoms and its causes.”

In a study conducted by the Chieti-Pescara University in Italy, 82 patients between the ages of 35 and 55 with mild-to-moderate tinnitus in only one ear, while the other remains unaffected, were studied throughout a four-week period. Tinnitus in all subjects was a result of restricted blood supply to the inner ear, as measured by high resolution ultrasonography imaging of their cochlear blood flow. Patients were assigned to one of three groups: A, B and control. Group A consisted of 24 patients who were administered 150 mg/day of Pycnogenol®, group B consisted of 34 patients who were administered 100 mg/day of Pycnogenol®, and the control group consisted of 24 patients who received no Pycnogenol®. None of the patients had previously used medication for their tinnitus symptoms.

At the beginning of the study, patients’ average initial systolic and diastolic blood flow velocities were 14.3 and 4.22 cm/sec in the low dose Pycnogenol® group and 13.2 and 3.2 cm/sec in the high dose Pycnogenol® group, indicative of insufficient blood perfusion of the ear in both groups. The study found that after four weeks of treatment with Pycnogenol®, inner ear systolic and diastolic blood flow velocities in the affected ear rose to an average of 21.2 and 8.23 cm/sec in the low dose group and to 24.3 and 12.5 cm/sec in the high dose group. Not only are these results significant for the improvement of inner ear blood micro-circulation and, consequently reduction of tinnitus symptoms, but they also indicate the potentially dose-related effect of Pycnogenol® on the condition.

The study also examined in detail the effects of Pycnogenol® on the symptoms of tinnitus. Using a Subjective Tinnitus Scale (STS) at the inception of the study, subjects were instructed to rate their symptoms from “zero” (low intensity of symptoms) to “fifteen” (constant and severe symptoms). The initial STS average value was approximately 8.8 among patients in the Pycnogenol® group and 7.9 in the control group. After four weeks, STS scores reduced to 5.2 in the low dose group and 3.3 in the high dose group, demonstrating a dramatic reduction of the disturbing background noise in the effected ear. There were no significant changes within the control group.

“The study clearly indicates Pycnogenol®’s ability to improve vascular function and restore cochlear blood perfusion, which in turn relieves the severity of tinnitus symptoms” said Dr. Belcaro. “The results provide further evidence of the supplement’s natural efficacy for a variety of vascular health symptoms.”
This study further corroborates Pycnogenol®’s prominence for improvement of vascular function which spans from the large arteries and veins to the tiniest micro-vessels.

Pycnogenol® is a proprietary, patented pine bark extract and the research findings detailed here and in other published journals may not be applied to other pine bark extracts on the market.
About Pycnogenol®

Pycnogenol® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 230 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.Pycnogenol.com.

About Horphag Research
Horphag Research Ltd. is the exclusive worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) French maritime pine bark extract. Pycnogenol® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd.; Guernsey and its applications are protected by U.S. patents #5,720,956 / #6,372,266 and other international patents. Horphag Research Ltd. Is the recipient of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan North American Health Ingredients Excellence in Research Award. For more information about Pycnogenol® visit our Web site at www.pycnogenol.com

 

 

 

Isotonix OPC-3 is a dietary supplement that bears some of the most powerful bioflavonoids currently known to research scientists. These bioflavonoids are scientifically termed oligomeric proanthocyanidins, commonly abbreviated OPCs. The purest and best-researched OPCs chosen for OPC-3 are prepared from grape seed, red wine, bilberries, Pycnogenol from pine bark and citrus fruit. This combination of powerful OPCs is unique to OPC-3, as is the Isotonix® delivery system, which enables rapid and highly efficient absorption of the OPCs. Isotonix OPC-3 has been shown to provide a variety of health benefits including, but not limited to, combating free radicals, demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity, helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels, helping maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, helping maintain joint flexibility, helping promote/support cardiovascular health, helping reduce mild menstrual cramping, helping support visual health/visual acuity, scavenging free radicals, promoting healthy blood vessel dilation, promoting healthy nitric oxide levels, supporting a healthy complexion, supporting healthy blood glucose levels, supporting healthy platelet activity and supporting healthy sperm quality.*
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Women’s Health

www.ExploreSupplements.com

Women are unique from men in many ways. During an average woman’s lifetime she will experience many physical changes and challenges, some great and some small, that men will never have to deal with, or if they do it will be to a lesser degree. Women face menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, osteopenia and/or osteoporosis, and estrogen related cancers along with many of the same health issues that plague men such as heart disease.
Factors that affect women
Menstruation
Menstruation starts around the onset of puberty (about 10 years old), though actual menarche (first menstrual cycle) may not occur until 12–13 years of age. Menstruation is the visible phase of the menstrual cycle, occurring on average every 28 days, during which the uterine lining is shed. Menstrual cycles continue to occur throughout the reproductive period in a woman’s life. These cycles consist of the ovaries producing a mature egg (ovum) for possible fertilization, the preparation of the uterus for implantation if fertilization occurs, and finally the shedding of the uterine lining when no pregnancy results.
The first day of menstruation is considered the first day of each menstrual cycle, and normal menstruation lasts 2-7 days. During menstruation women on average lose 50 ml of blood, though it can much less or more.
During the menstrual cycle women experience large shifts in hormone levels which can affect several aspects of their being. Breast pain, mood distortions, cramping, bloating, headache, and back pain are just some of the issues women experience. Blood loss results in iron loss, so women need to keep iron intake high in order to restore iron levels and reduce the possibility of anemia. Menstrual cycles and menstruation ends at menopause.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy begins with the fertilization of an egg by a single sperm. This coupling develops into an embryo, which after 8 weeks develops into a fetus. A typical pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks and is divided into 3 trimesters with each trimester representing a different stage of prenatal development.
During pregnancy women experience many changes within their bodies. Their nutritional needs, physical appearances, and hormone levels change considerably from their pre-pregnancy states. Vitamins and minerals are especially important during pregnancy as they help the body provide for its own needs and the needs of the fetus. Whenever vitamin and mineral intakes are increased prior to conception the possibility of a healthy pregnancy, a positive pregnancy outcome, and a healthy infant increases.
Isotonix® Prenatal Activated Multivitamin is an isotonic-capable supplement that delivers metabolically active forms of folic acid and other B-vitamins, in addition to supplying the Recommended Daily Allowance of key vitamins and nutrients needed for an expectant mother. Taking a prenatal multivitamin with the activated forms of vitamins and minerals is important, especially to pregnant women, because it reduces the amount of effort required to activate and use the nutrients. http://bit.ly/T4ziAz

Menopause

Menopause is the cessation of the reproductive period of a woman’s life. During this period, women experience the cessation of menstruation and decreases in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These changes can cause many women to experience both physical and emotional challenges. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression and/or anxiety, loss of libido and the reduced ability to have enjoyable sex, breast pain, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, memory or concentration problems, and bone softening or loss are just some of the problems women have reported. Menopause can last for 4-5 years or longer for most women.  After menopause the risks for heart disease, osteopenia and osteoporosis, and other medical conditions greatly increase.
Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are diseases of the bone. Osteopenia is a condition where bone mineral density (BMD) is lower than what is considered normal or healthy and so there is a thinning of the bones. Osteopenia is often considered to be a precursor to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones are considered to have become ‘porous’. Osteoporosis affected bones are characterized as having a reduced BMD and mass, also there is an altered or decreased stability in the bone structure. Bones become weakened and prone to breakage. Pain, increases in the risks of falling and breaking bones, and an increase in the susceptibility to other health conditions such as arthritis are just some of the problems that accompany osteoporosis.
Supplementation and eating a diet sufficient in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3, as well as other vitamins and minerals, is important for preventing and reducing the impact of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete provides the body with an optimal blend of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin C and boron in an efficient isotonic solution that is readily absorbed by the body.  nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete paves the way for powerful results since it is in an isotonic form rather than a tablet. Calcium in tablet form is difficult for your body to absorb. People may fail to absorb tablet calcium supplements because the calcium supplement is not blended with vitamin D and magnesium; these are necessary to aid in the absorption and use of calcium http://bit.ly/OuITmo


Ingredient facts
Studies have shown several natural products to have positive affects on women and their distinct needs.
Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha has been proven to act as an adaptogen by helping to inhibit fatigue, boost energy, promote emotional well-being and counteract the negative effects of stress. Independent of its adaptogen activities, ashwagandha has also been shown to have some aphrodisiac properties.
TLS ACTS Adrenal, Cortisol, Thyroid & Stress Support Formula  works specifically to promote healthy adrenal gland function, cortisol levels and thyroid function to help control stress levels and minimize weight gain that is associated with increased stress http://bit.ly/SwAyOd


Chasteberry: Has been shown to be effective at relieving and reducing the occurrence of breast pain, irritability, fatigue and headache in women.
nutraMetrix® Female Support Formula is a natural supplement combined of 11 specially selected herbs  to help support stamina, alleviate mild symptoms of menopause, counteract mild adverse effects of premenstrual syndrome and helps stabilize mood. http://bit.ly/17bq8IX



Hops: Research has shown that hops has sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Studies on menopausal women supplemented with hops extract showed that hops helped to significantly decrease total menopausal discomforts, including a decrease in the number of hot flashes and night sweats.
nutraMetrix Glucosatrin contains Hops which confirmed value lies in its use for sleep aid, this herb has also been used to stimulate the appetite, support the flow of digestive juices and promote bone health. 
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Pycnogenol Found To Affect Signs Of Aging

By Will Llamas / Intern

Pycnogenol® is a natural substance obtained exclusively from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. It is said that in 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier used its healing powers to combat the spread of scurvy amongst his crew. Today, Pycnogenol® is known as a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain healthy cardiovascular activity and circulation along with fighting free radicals.

According to new research, Pycnogenol® is effective in combating the visible signs of aging.
In a clinical study conducted by the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany, women aged 55–68 years were given Pycnogenol® for 12 weeks. After the 12-week period, collagen levels in the women’s skin increased by 29%. Also, hyaluronic acid production and skin elasticity increased by 44 and 25 percent, respectively. On top of this, participants in the study noticed a reduction of wrinkles, and raved about their smoother skin.

With these results, Pycnogenol® is now the only naturally-derived substance that is proven to increase Hyaluronic acid levels, which improve skin hydration. This study supports previous findings that Pycnogenol^® improves human skin condition, including skin glow and a balanced complexion.
This powerful extract can be found in various supplements and formulas on the market. It has become one of the most frequently studied nutrients in recent years; it reasonable to expect that more and greater benefits may be discovered soon.

 

nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts(pycnogenol), and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants  Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world.  http://bit.ly/Wa2bit

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Important to Your Health

From Lorens World

By Loren Ridinger

 

Are you like me with a goal to always be the #1 advocate for your own health? Then read this post. You have probably already heard about omega-3′s, which are “essential fatty acids” we all must consume for consistently good health. The problem is that our bodies do not make omega-3′s on their own, leaving it up to us to actively seek omega-3 fatty acids through our diet and supplements.

Foods That Fight Inflammation

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Important to Your Health

• Reduce inflammation in the body
• Lower lipids in the bloodstream
• Inhibit thickening of your arteries
• Improve the body response to insulin, which can regulate weight and metabolism
• Help prevent cancer cell growth

• If you’ve been dealing with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, clotting issues or hormone imbalances, talk to your doctor about focusing on your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. I rely on this fish oil supplement
•  http://bit.ly/PsUDGl 

as well as organic foods like walnuts, salmon and flaxseeds (which naturally have omega-3′s) to cover my bases!







Do you take a fish oil supplement? Have you noticed any benefits?

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the deterioration of bone tissue. This condition, which occurs four times more in women than in men, can lead to chronic pain, severe stress on the bones and even immobility.







Symptoms
Often called a “silent disease,” osteoporosis can progress without the onset of any symptoms or pain. Loss of height or the emergence of a Dowager’s hump over years may occur; however, the initial diagnosis of osteoporosis often occurs after a bone fracture occurs.

Cause & Risk factors
Although there is no known cause for osteoporosis, there are risk factors — both inherent and lifestyle — that can increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Genetic predisposition: Familial history and genetic makeup have been found to be associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. If a parent has a history of broken bones, then his or her child is more likely to break a bone and have reduced bone mass.
Sex & age: Although men do suffer from osteoporosis, women are four times more likely to develop the ailment. While anyone of any age can have osteoporosis, the risk of experiencing serious fractures and chronic pain increases with age.
Menopause: Post-menopausal women have an increased susceptibility to osteoporosis due to loss of estrogen, which normally aids in protecting bone tissue.
Body composition: People who are thin and have small bones are more likely to develop osteoporosis than larger people.
Medical history: A person who has one or more broken bones is more likely to break other bones. People, especially adults, who fracture bones may unknowingly already have osteoporosis. Also, the use of certain medication – including extended use of steroids (prednisone), thyroid medication, anticonvulsants and antacids, among others – can increase the risk of osteoporosis
Physical Activity & Weight Loss: People who are not physically active may be more susceptible to osteoporosis than those who are. Regular exercise that aids in bone growth and strength can lower risks of bone fractures. However, while regular exercise contributes to bone health, weight loss and its subsequent bone loss- especially after age 50, can increase risk of osteoporosis
Lifestyle: Several vitamins and minerals promote bone health. Two of the most crucial are calcium and vitamin D. Calcium serves as a building block for bones, while vitamin D enables the body to use that calcium. Other important elements that are essential to bone health include magnesium, potassium, vitamin K and healthy amounts of protein. Unbalanced diets and especially those lacking calcium and vitamin D can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete provides the body with an optimal blend of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin C and boron in an efficient isotonic solution that is readily absorbed by the body.  nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete paves the way for powerful results since it is in an isotonic form rather than a tablet.   People may fail to absorb tablet calcium supplements because the calcium supplement is not blended with vitamin D and magnesium; these are necessary to aid in the absorption and use of calcium.  http://bit.ly/OuITmo

nutraMetrix Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 contains vitamin D3, the metabolically active form of vitamin D, along with vitamin K2, a form of vitamin K which supports vascular health and calcium utilization Vitamin K is included in nutraMetrix Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 because of its unique partnership with vitamin D. Vitamins K and D work together to support calcium absorption and utilization. Vitamin K supports the normal delivery of calcium to the bones and promotes healthy arteries. http://bit.ly/Vr3E6a

Treatment & Prevention of Osteoporosis
Treatment for osteoporosis can include dietary supplements, prescribed medication and adjustments to a person’s lifestyle. Some treatments prevent or slow bone loss, while others restore the needed materials that contribute to bone strength and protection.
Regular exercise and maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (or taking supplements to get the missing value) are all methods of lowering risk for osteoporosis.

What exactly does fiber do?

By Dr. Melina Jampolis, Special to CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Fiber acts as a natural laxative by increasing stool bulk
• Fiber can be found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans
• Soluble fiber slows the rate that food empties from your stomach

Editor's note: Dr. Melina Jampolis, CNN's diet and fitness expert, is a physician nutrition specialist and the author of "The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life."

(CNN) -- Q: I've heard so much about fiber. What is it, what does it do and should you eat it or avoid it?

Fiber is a plant-derived carbohydrate that cannot be digested by humans, so it passes through your system relatively intact and has little to no caloric value.

There are two types of fiber: Soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (does not dissolve in water). Both play an important role in optimal health and occur naturally -- often together -- in foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans.

Fiber acts as a natural laxative by increasing stool bulk, which allows stool to pass more readily through the colon. It can also help those with loose stools and may play a role in the management of irritable bowel syndrome. Many types of soluble fiber also act as prebiotics, feeding healthy bacteria in your gut, thereby further contributing to colon health.

Fiber, especially soluble fiber, also improves blood sugar control by slowing down the rate that food empties from your stomach, thereby delaying the rise in blood sugar after meals and preventing excess or exaggerated insulin release. Delayed stomach emptying may also help with weight loss by improving hunger control.

In addition, fiber adds bulk to your diet without adding calories and helps to reduce the calorie density of your diet, one of the most important strategies for long-term weight loss. Soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol, and a high-fiber diet may help reduce blood pressure, inflammation and reduce your risk of heart failure (especially fiber from whole grains).

Studies show that those with the highest intake of fiber have a significantly lower risk of dying of any cause. A recently published study by the National Cancer Institute that included almost 400,000 participants found that for every 10-gram increase in fiber intake, risk of death dropped 12% in men and 15% in women.

Women should consume about 25 grams of fiber per day and men should consume 38 grams. The majority of Americans get less than half the daily recommended amount of fiber.

Naturally occurring fiber is generally your best bet. Many products, including cookies, crackers, drinks, sugary cereals and even ice cream, are now adding fiber to appear more healthy. In most cases, these added fibers do not have the same health benefits as naturally occurring fiber.

Aim for a variety of sources of naturally fiber-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans to ensure that you get all the health benefits -- along with a host of other health-promoting vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Refined and highly processed grains and fruit juices are stripped of their naturally occurring fiber (and many nutrients), so it is important to choose whole foods for optimal health.

If you have trouble getting in adequate amounts of fiber daily or suffer from bowel problems or high cholesterol, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about adding a fiber supplement to your diet.

NutriClean Advanced Fiber Powder delivers top quality soluble fiber, with beneficial probiotics, which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the colon, keeping things in balance in terms of microorganisms.  

If you don't currently eat enough fiber, increase your fiber intake slowly to avoid unpleasant gut symptoms (such as gas and bloating) and make sure to drink plenty of water.

If you are gluten-sensitive or intolerant, there are a number of gluten-free grains, including quinoa, brown rice, oats and corn. For a full list of gluten-free grains, visit the nonprofit Whole Grains Council website.

Natural Relief for Allergies – Pycnogenol® is the Answer

by Crystal Shelton

The body’s immune system plays a very important role in respiratory health, specifically in conditions like hay fever/allergies and asthma. Allergens, such as pollen, pet dander or dust, can cause the immune system to be triggered, igniting inflammatory responses which in turn lead to a series of uncomfortable symptoms we know all too well.

Pycnogenol^® is a natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France. The extract is a combination of procyandins, bioflavonoids and organic acids and has been clinically studied for a wide range of benefits. Pycnogenol^® has been shown to help in a variety of health areas due to its four basic properties: acting as a powerful antioxidant, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory, selectively binding to collagen and elastin and aiding in the production of nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood vessels.
Mostly due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Pycnogenol^®has a defined role in respiratory health, specifically with asthma and allergies. In human studies, it has been shown to help normalize the immune response by inhibiting Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and lowering the sensitivity level for triggering an immune response. Pycnogenol^® has also been shown to inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells. When an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen, these cells release histamine which triggers the onset of symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itching, etc. – also referred to as hay fever. Hay fever is a huge concern, but many of the prescription drugs have unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, and consumers are looking for that natural alternative. Pycnogenol^® has been shown in human clinical studies to block histamine release and thus decrease these allergic response symptoms. Additionally, other research identified Pycnogenol’s effects of improved breathing for people suffering from allergic asthma.

nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of antioxidants bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts(pycnogenol), and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants.