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Updated May, 2009

How Vitamins Work Top^

In the body, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats combine with other substances to yield energy and build tissues. These chemical reactions are catalyzed, or accelerated by enzymes produced from specific vitamins, and they take place in specific parts of the body where will be put into use.
Essential vitamins needed by humans are divided into two categories: water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins and vitamin C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

The water-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestine and carried by the circulatory system to the specific tissues while the B vitamins act as coenzymes, compounds that unite with a protein component called an Apo enzyme to form an active enzyme. The enzymes then act as a catalyst in the chemical reactions that transfer energy from the basic food elements to the body.

When a person takes in more water-soluble vitamins than are needed, small amounts are stored in body tissue, but most of the excess is excreted in urine. Because water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body in appreciable amounts, a daily supply is essential to prevent depletion.

Acai Top^

Why Take Acai Berry Extract?

1. Acai is a very potent antioxidant. The Acai berry contains more types of antioxidants than any other known food source.  Antioxidants rid the body of free radicals that may keep us from producing cancer cells in our bodies.

2. Did you know that Acai contains more protein than an egg? Our chief source of protein often comes from animal sources. Consumption of foods containing animal fats often produces high levels of cholesterol. Have Acai for breakfast, lower your cholesterol, and still get you daily protein.

3. Acai contains high levels of glucosamine, good for joint health.

4. Acai contains a full spectrum of minerals, perhaps more complete than any other food source.

Acai boosts of many health extras, too:
   

• Weight Loss
• Increased Energy
• Better Digestion
• Improved Sleep
• Enhanced Mental Health
• Stronger Immune System
• Healthier Skin
• Youthful Appearance
• Detoxification Benefits
• Improved Circulation
• Healthier Heart

Acidophilus Bifidus Top^

Beneficial effects of Acidophilus Bifidus - 8 Billion:

1. Increased nutritional value (better digestibility, increased absorption of vitamins and minerals);
2. Promotion of intestinal lactose digestion;
3. Positive influence on intestinal and urogenital flora (antibiotics and radiation induced colitis, yeast infections and vaginitis in women);
4. Prevention and reduction of intestinal tract infections (bacteria or virus induced, Candida enteritis, Helicobacter Pylori);
5. Regulation of gut motility (constipation, irritable bowel syndrome);
6. Decreased incidence and duration of diarrhea (antibiotic associated, Clostridium difficile, travelers, and rotaviral);
7. Maintenance of mucosal integrity;
8. Improvement of immune system;
9. Prevention of colon cancer;
10. Reduction of catabolic products eliminated by kidney and liver;
11. Prevention of osteoporosis;
12. Better development (growth);
13. Anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-allergic activities;
14. Feeling of well-being;
15. Anti-Candida properties;
16. Hepatic encephalopathy;
17. Regulation of inflammatory conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis);
18.Reductions and elimination of small bowel bacterial overgrowth;
19. Relieving urinary tract infections;
20. Positive influence on autistic children;
21. Provides antagonistic environment for pathogens;
22. Blocking adhesion sites from pathogens; and
23. Inactivating enterotoxins.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Top^

ALA is the only antioxidant that is both fat and water soluble. This is important because this allows it access to all parts of the cell which gives it tremendous ability to trap free radicals wherever they may be.

ALA is one of the very few substances that can actually cross the blood/brain barrier to enter the brain and protect the cells directly where needed the most. It has been demonstrated that not only does ALA enter the brain, ALA supplementation causes increased levels of Glutathione in the brain.
This is important as glutathione protects the brain from free radical damage, and low levels of glutathione in the brain are associated with brain disorders such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Normally once an antioxidant has eliminated a free radical, it is lost forever. Lipoic acid is the only antioxidant with the unique ability to regenerate/recycle itself, and other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, so that they can continue destroying free radicals.

Alpha Lipoic Acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood which accounts for the profound benefits seen by diabetics as well as its reputation for fat loss. ALA is also crucial for energy production. It helps break down sugar for the production of ATP, the fuel used by cells to keep the body running.

B-100 Complex Top^

B - Complex High Potency Vitamins
play a very important role in mood, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and immunity.

Folic Acid and other B vitamins seem even more of a wonder drug than anyone suspected: Already known to prevent severe birth defects and heart attacks, they may also ward off broken bones from osteoporosis, two major studies suggest.

B vitamins are known to reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid already linked, at high levels, to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimers disease. Now research shows high levels of homocysteine at least double the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

A report from Holland found that the risk of such fractures was twice as high in men and women with homocysteine levels in the top 25 per cent, compared with those with lower levels. Similarly, a U.S. study found the risk nearly quadrupled in the top 25 per cent of men and nearly doubled in the top 25 per cent of women, compared with the 25 per cent with the lowest levels. The basic way to keep your homocysteine down in a healthy range is to have plenty of B vitamins.

B vitamins are what protect our body from the free radical damage of stress. They are also vital to healthy hair, skin and teeth. Because they are water soluble, they are excreted quickly from the body making supplementation very important.

The American Heart Association is recommending in a science advisory an increased dietary intake of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid to meet the RDAs for individuals with elevated homocysteine levels and a history of heart disease. Plasma levels of these vitamins are inversely related to levels of homocysteine.

B-12 Chewable Lozenges Top^

Vitamin B12, which is generally viewed as one of the most important of the B-Complex vitamins and perhaps the most frequently supplemented of the group. Its importance stems from the long list of vital roles it plays within your body.

One of the most vital functions of Vitamin B12 relates to its role as a methyl (CH3) donor in many chemical reactions, which means that it is responsible for delivering one of the body’s most fundamental molecular units to facilitate your body’s basic biochemistry. Vitamin B12 is also essential for healthy immune system function, as well as the synthesis of hemoglobin, which is required to transport all oxygen and CO2 in your body.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of the genetic material in all your cells and is required for normal cell growth and development. It is essential for energy production, since you cannot metabolize carbohydrates or burn fat without Vitamin B12. It is also an important part of your body’s process for converting homo-cysteine to methionine, thereby reducing homocysteine levels and supporting cardiovascular health. Like all of the B-Complex vitamins, Vitamin B12 is easily depleted by stress and whether from food or a supplement, is perhaps the most complex and difficult to absorb of all vitamins. This is why the chewable form is so very vital to its absorption.

Vegetarians or individuals consuming a primarily plant-based diet may be at higher risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency since its best sources are animal products. In short, all the critical roles that Vitamin B12 plays in your body, combined with its difficult absorption and availability primarily from animal products compels a careful review of your diet to determine whether you are getting adequate levels.

Vitamin B-3: Flush Free Niacin Top^

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is a vasodilator (widens the blood vessels) and is involved in the maintenance of healthy skin, circulation, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, sex hormone synthesis, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention, memory enhancement, schizophrenia and other mental disorders.

Niacin is an essential component of the glucose tolerance factor; thus it is a key nutrient for treating hypoglycemia and diabetes. Supplementing the diet with niacinamide may prevent the development of type I diabetes, and if employed soon enough may help restore beta cells or at least slow their destruction.

Niacin, one of the most stable of the B vitamins, is a common name for two compounds: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Niacin functions as a vitamin (or cofactor) for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. NADs is involved in a wide variety of metabolic functions within the body, and at least 200 enzymes are dependent on NAD. These enzymes are used by the body for many vital functions, including energy production within a cell, cholesterol and carbohydrate metabolism, and the production of hormones.

Studies show that niacin can help maintain cardiovascular health by promoting a healthy balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol is made in the liver, but also comes from the diet. It is transported in the blood by several different types of lipoproteins. HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) blood levels are the most relevant to cardiovascular health. High HDL levels are considered to be good because they carry cholesterol from cells in the body to the liver where they can be broken down and excreted. High LDL levels are considered bad because this indicates that transport from the liver to the cells is saturated and may result in cholesterol deposition to artery walls. A low ratio of LDL:HDL is desirable for promoting cardiovascular health.

The nicotinic acid form of niacin prompts the liver to produce less of a protein that carries triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. As a result, blood levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are reduced. Niacin also appears to increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

Many forms of niacin can produce a flushing or redness of the skin when consumed in large doses. However, Take Your Vitamins brand of Niacin contains inositol hexanicotinate – a complex form of nicotinic acid molecules bound to inositol, which after absorbed, slowly releases nicotinic acid into the bloodstream. This form of niacin effectively eliminates flushing or redness of the skin.

More Benefits:

Support healthy HDL and LDL cholesterol ratios

Offer the benefits of niacin without the side effects of flushing

Provide an important cofactor involved in cellular energy

Beta Carotene Top^

In the past decade, beta-carotene has gained tremendous stature in the nutritional world. This carotenoid, which gives many fruits and vegetables their yellow pigmentation, has always played an important role in health because it becomes vitamin A in the body. But in recent years, researchers have discovered that beta carotene not only functions as a precursor to vitamin A but also works on its own to maintain health. Unlike vitamin A, which as limited antioxidant properties, beta-carotene is among the most powerful of antioxidant nutrients. As such, it can help to guard against the development of cancer.

How does beta-carotene function in the body?

Beta-carotene enables the body to produce Vitamin A as this nutrient is needed. For this reason, it often referred to as pro-vitamin A. While other carotenoids (there are more than 100 in total) also perform this function, they can only create one molecule of vitamin A. The ambitious beta-carotene, on the other hand, generates two molecules of vitamin A because the body splits it in half.

Antioxidant function. In the antioxidant department, beta-carotene is , highly effective quencher of singlet oxygen (the unstable oxygen metabolites with altered energy states) and a direct scavenger of free radicals. Whats more, beta-carotene survives the process of absorbing singlet oxygen intact. Therefore, a single molecule of beta-carotene can arrest up to 1,000 molecules of singlet oxygen.

What specific locations in the body does beta-carotene affect?

In the 1970s, researchers found that beta-carotene can protect the skin from he damaging effects of erythropoietic protoporphyria, an inherited disease in which the skin becomes red and swollen when exposed to sunlight. As S.K Gaby Lnd V.N. Singh report in Vitamin Intake and Health, this use of beta-carotene followed the discovery that carotenoids protect plants from free radicals that are generated during photosynthesis.

As an antioxidant, beta-carotene has proven to be protective against many types of cancer, but especially cancer of the lungs. Studies also indicate that it may help to protect the eyes from the damage that can lead to cataracts.

C-1000 with Bioflavonoids Top^

It May Help Reduce Your Allergy Symptoms

Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids are nutritional compounds found together in nature.

Bioflavonoids help protect the body from free radical damage. They are combined in a unique base containing 50 mg each of lemon bioflavonoids, orange bioflavonoids, grapefruit bioflavonoids, hesperidin complex, rutin and rose hips extract.
Vitamin C plays an essential role in the immune system. It is found in every cell of our body and performs various functions:

It aids in fighting off foreign invaders.
It is vital to the production of collagen, which is involved in the building and health of cartilage, joints, skin, and blood vessels.
It helps protect the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.
It aids in neutralizing pollutants.
It is needed for antibody production.
It has natural antihistamine properties.

Other Possible Benefits

One small study conducted at the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, found significant reductions in blood levels of histamine after people took 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C for three consecutive days. An Italian study found that people with hay fever, who had taken 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C daily, were better able to maintain the volume of air they could exhale.

Vitamin C may also help reduce some of the inflammation associated with chronic allergies, according to other studies.

Studies have found that Vitamin C may:

Contribute to healthy bones
Help prevent periodontal disease
Aid in healing wounds
Combat inflammation and pain
Aid iron absorption
Break down histamine
Offer potent antioxidant protection
Protect lung function
Maintain cognition in the elderly
Chicago, Illinois (Reuters) High daily doses of vitamins E and C taken together reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease among elderly people, a new study suggests.

Taken in supplement form, and not in a lower-dose multivitamin, the vitamins anti-oxidant properties appear to offset the buildup of so-called free radicals that are believed to damage cells and lead to the debilitating brain disease, according to a report in the Archives of Neurology.

Alzheimers gradually robs millions of people of their memories and ultimately of their mental faculties. Roughly 5 million Americans suffer from the disease, and the risks of developing it increase markedly with age.

The 4,740 participants in the five-year study were aged 65 or older when the study began in 1995.

In the first phase of the study, 200 cases of Alzheimers were diagnosed, and those who had been taking vitamin supplements were at a 78 percent lower risk of the disease than those who had not. At the end of the study, another 104 participants had developed the disease, and the risk factor was 64 percent lower among supplement users.

Taking a lower-dose multivitamin or one of the two vitamin supplements taken alone did not have the protective effect. A vitamin E supplement together with a multivitamin may provide some benefit, the researchers said.

Vitamin E supplements contain up to 1,000 international units and most vitamin C supplements between 500 and 1,000 milligrams. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin E is 22 international units, and for vitamin C it is 75 to 90 milligrams.

High-dose vitamin supplements are rarely toxic and could have wide-ranging health benefits, the report said.

These results are extremely exciting, study author Peter Zandi of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said. Our findings suggest that vitamins E and C may offer protection against Alzheimers disease when taken together in the higher doses available from individual supplements.

Cayenne - Capsaicin - Capsicum Top^

Cayenne Benefits:

Clears the blood of matter and gasses.
Eases digestive problems.
Helps cold hands or feet.
Alleviates inflammation.
Relieves pain of arthritis.
Clears sinus congestion

Because it also has astringent qualities, it can stop bleeding and prevent swelling. A source of Vitamin C, it rejuvenates the entire body when energy is depleted and is such a powerful stimulant that just a few sips of cayenne water or a few grains of cayenne on the lips may help prevent shock or depression in times of physical or emotional trauma. It is believed to be a good tonic for strengthening the heart.

A recent study - Forbes March, 2006 show promise of cancer killing ability. It has been given to men after prostate surgery and has been proven to kill certain cancer cells. Even more recently this article was published in Swazi Observer.
Cayenne pepper will restore normal functionality to the following:

Ulcerated stomach and ulcers in digestive tract.

Equalizes blood circulation and lowers high blood pressure.

Kidneys, spleen and pancreas, hence very good for diabetes.

Expectorant i.e. removes mucus (phlegm) from chest and bronchi.

Wonderful for lockjaw (tetanus)

Removes urine fibrosis, clots anywhere in the body Breaks up clots in the circulatory system and breaks fevers.

Cholester X Plus Top^

Medical laboratories now subdivide total cholesterol measurement into several components including low density lipoproteins (LDL) (bad cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) (good cholesterol).

Elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels lead to plaque-filled arteries. This condition will reduce blood flow to the brain, heart and other areas of the body. High cholesterol levels are among the primary causes of heart disease, because cholesterol produces fatty deposits in arteries.

Many important nutritional approaches to protecting against arteriosclerosis are aimed at lowering serum cholesterol levels because people with elevated cholesterol levels are much more likely to suffer from arteriosclerosis.

Cholester X Plus is a proprietary blend of herbs and vitamins formulated to support healthy cholesterol. It contains Gugulipid, which is extracted from the gum of the plant Commiphora mukul, and has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners in India for centuries for the management of healthy cholesterol. This formulation also uses Pantethine, which is also known to lower lipid levels.

Also included is CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is a micronutrient essential to all human life. It is a naturally occurring nutrient that works as a co-factor in the body’s electron transport system where all of the body’s energy is derived. CoQ10 regulates the flow of oxygen moving in and out of the mitochondria, which are the cell’s power plants. The body’s cellular power plants can’t function without CoQ10.

Declines in CoQ10 levels occur with advancing age and appear to be correlated with deterioration of the immune system. Supplementation with CoQ10 could help to boost energy levels, strengthen and protect the heart and blood vessels, enhance the immune system and protect against free radical damage.

Corti-Cut Top^

What is Corti-Cut?

A non-sedative, mild, anti-anxiety mood enhancer and stress reducer that helps to reduce high cortisol levels. Feel a general and overall feeling of well being, be less anxious, and have better energy level. Handle the problems of everyday life while reducing stress and heightening mood and mental function. This supplement is specifically designed to alleviate metabolic syndrome and reduce the accumulation of excess stomach and abdominal flab caused by an excess of cortisol hormone.

Managing stress and signs of aging starts with controlling cortisol levels in your body. Corti Cut contains the latest nutraceuticals to assist in the reduction of cortisol levels and includes nutrients for appetite suppression, sugar control, and body fat loss.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone made in the adrenal glands, which are small glands adjacent to the kidneys. Its important functions in the body include roles in the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function as well as regulation of the bodys use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cortisol secretion increases in response to any stress in the body, whether physical (such as illness, trauma, surgery, or temperature extremes) or psychological.

When cortisol is secreted, it causes a breakdown of muscle protein, leading to release of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) into the bloodstream. These amino acids are then used by the liver to synthesize glucose for energy, in a process called gluconeogenesis. This process raises the blood sugar level so the brain will have more glucose for energy.

At the same time the other tissues of the body decrease their use of glucose as fuel. Cortisol also leads to the release of so-called fatty acids, an energy source from fat cells, for use by the muscles. Taken together, these energy-directing processes prepare the individual to deal with stressors and ensure that the brain receives adequate energy sources.

Recent research suggests that the root of weight gain may be related to stress and your body’s reaction to stress. When we experience stress, our bodies will release cortisol to help mobilize enough energy to allow you to manage that stress. If cortisol levels are elevated over a period of months or years, those high levels can have a profound negative impact on our overall health. New research has focused on the correlation between elevated cortisol levels and weight gain, insulin resistance and the development of Type II Diabetes.

Corti-Cut is the only product of its kind that addresses all of these areas so you can burn more fat, lose more weight and get the best possible results quickly! Combining proper nutrition with the proper dietary supplement is essential to getting fast results that last. Corti-Cut’s unique blend of ingredients make it an indispensable part of your weight loss and anti-aging program. Corti-Cut ingredients work together to help suppress appetite and sugar cravings, increase thermogenesis (fat burning) and block cortisol secretion.

CoQ10 With Hawthorn Berry Top^

CoEnzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound also called ubiquinone. It is an essential component of cells and is utilized by the mitochondria in the normal process of energy production. CoQ10 declines with age and should be supplemented in the diet. It plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the immune system and in the aging process. The New England Institute reports that CoQ10 alone is effective in reducing mortality in experimental animals afflicted with tumors and leukemia.

It is used in the treatment of heart disease and high blood pressure and is also used to enhance the immune system. Research has revealed that use of CoQ10 benefits allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes and periodontal disease.

Hawthorn Berry is an herb used to dilate the coronary blood vessels, to restore the heart muscle wall and to lower cholesterol levels. It relieves abdominal distention, diarrhea, sore throats and skin problems. Our CoEnzyme Q10 is produced exclusively in Japan through a fermentation process. This safe and non-toxic product has been consumed by millions of people worldwide for over 20 years. Take Your Vitamins brand of CoEnzyme Q10 is pharmaceutical grade, the highest quality available.
Coral Calcium With Magnesium and Vitamin D

Benefits of Coral Calcium: Top^

Healthy Skeletal Function
Prevention or Amelioration of Bone Loss
Prevention or Amelioration of Colon Cancer
Prevention or Amelioration of Hypertension
Prevention or Amelioration of Preclampsia of Pregnancy
Cardiovascular Wellness
Strong Bones and Teeth
Tissue Glue: Calcium participates in cell adhesion maintaining the integrity of the linings of body cavities and the skin
Calcium regulates pH and the cell membranes voltage and channel openings, thereby bringing nutrients to the cell
Required for normal DNA function
Essential for nerve impulse conduction
Required for skeletal muscle contraction
Calcium is required for almost every major body functions
Essential for cell division, immune function, enzyme activity and hormone production

Will Coral Calcium Work for Me?

Although most of the individuals taking coral have a story to tell, not everyone has had a remarkable turn around in their health status with coral calcium, but, on the other hand, not one significant side effect has ever been recorded to my knowledge. Coral calcium has the distinct advantage of being compatible with many other therapies and it has at least helped many people by providing wholesome mineral support for many body functions. Coral calcium has a 600 year documented history with many reports of benefit. No other natural nutrient mix has such a track record.

How Does Coral Work?

Mineral Depletion:

Chemical analyses of many types of coral calcium show that it contains up to 74 different elements derived from the earths crust and elaborated originally by live coral polyps from sea water. If one examines the mineral content of the human body, one finds that all minerals that occur in nature are present to variable degrees. Calcium is a dominant element in the body of many living organisms, but it is not the only important nutrient mineral. Evidence has emerged that our immediate environment may be considered to be depleted of minerals and certain key minerals.

What Calcium Does:

Mention calcium and everyone thinks immediately of healthy bones and teeth. Whilst skeletal health is absolutely dependent on calcium in the diet, thousands of scientific publications point to the role of calcium in many fundamental body functions that sustain life.

Magnesium works synergistically with Calcium, and is involved in almost every major biological process in the body. Together these two minerals aid in the production of ATP, your bodys energy source.

Cranberry Concentrate Top^

Recent scientific research shows that cranberries contain significant amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent the adhesion of certain of bacteria associated with urinary tract infections to the urinary tact wall. The anti-adhesion properties of cranberry may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers.

Medical studies have shown that cranberry juice taken daily significantly reduces the incidence of recurrent urinary tract infection. The mechanism of action seems to be that tannins in the cranberry prevent adherence of E. coli (bowel) bacteria to the skin lining the urinary tract.

Women who have a history of frequent urinary tract infections or burning on urination especially after sexual intercourse should consider taking an additional capsule after sex. This may help to prevent urethral irritation from bacteria that may get introduced close to or into the urethral opening at the time of intercourse.

Flavonoids have been shown to function as potent antioxidants both in vitro and in vivo and may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Cranberries contain significant amounts of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds that have been demonstrated to inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation. Cranberries may offer a natural defense against atherosclerosis and heart disease.

E-400 DA Dry Top^

As a supplement, Vitamin E has a number of health benefits for the body. The term “vitamin E” refers to a family of eight related, lipid-soluble, antioxidant compounds widely distributed in plants. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are each composed of alpha, beta, gamma and delta vitamins having unique biological effects. Different ratios of these compounds are found in anatomically different parts of a plant. For example, the green parts of a plant contain mostly alpha tocopherol and the seed germ and bran contain mostly tocotrienols.

When this family of compounds was first discovered and determined to be essential for health, a standardized test for its activity was devised for which the members of the family were rated for their biological activity. In one test, alpha tocopherol scored highest and was rated 100% with all others having lower ratings. In accordance with this rating, alpha tocopherol was deemed to be the essential compound and was called vitamin E. One International Unit (IU) of vitamin E activity is the activity under this rating of 1 mg of the plant-derived form of alpha tocopherol.

Since the original rating method was established, many additional important biological effects of these compounds have been discovered and many nutritional scientists now consider that rating method to be incomplete. For example, by the original rating, gamma tocopherol was only 10 to 30% as strong as alpha tocopherol, yet recent studies have shown it to be essential for maintaining the health of cell membranes, especially if alpha tocopherol is being supplemented.

New studies continue to elucidate the unique benefits of individual members of the vitamin E family. For example, tocotrienols have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent LDL oxidation, and reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation more effectively than tocopherols. For these and other reasons, the original definition of vitamin E has been enhanced to include all eight family members and the related compounds that convert to them in the body.

Serious vitamin takers prefer cold-water dispersible dry powder vitamin E supplements in the form of alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate because the cold-water dispersible forms are efficiently absorbed even when taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. The non-cold water dispersible (oil) forms of vitamin E may be poorly absorbed unless taken with several grams of fats or oils.

Cold-water dispersible vitamin E is twice as expensive as soybean oil E-acetate, but the cold-water dispersible forms are more efficiently absorbed. Both “acetate” and “succinate” vitamin E can come from natural sources. The importance to the consumer is how well the vitamin E absorbs into the bloodstream. Cold-water dispersible vitamin E, whether in a succinate or acetate form, always comes in a white dry powder, while non-cold-water dispersible natural and synthetic acetate forms of vitamin E are always in a thick brown oil.

While 100 IU or more of supplemental vitamin E a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks in healthy people, those with pre-existing coronary artery disease often take 800 to 1600 IU a day based on the pioneering work of the Shute brothers in the mid 1940s.

One or more members of the vitamin E family may also:

- Maintain cell membrane integrity and reduce cellular aging
- Inhibit the potentially damaging peroxynitrite radical
- Inhibit melanoma cell growth in mice
- Prevent abnormal blood clotting
- Synergize with vitamin A to protect the lungs against pollutants
- Protect nervous system and retina
- Lower the risk of ischemic and coronary heart disease
- Lower the risk of certain kinds of cancer
- Protect immune function
- Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

E-400 DA Top^

New research at two leading institutions -- Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and the University of California at Berkeley -- has found that Vitamin E helps prevent oxidation leading to early artery damage, and that women may need higher amounts of antioxidant vitamins than men to counter oxidation.

Cornell Universitys Food and Fitness Advisor, a publication of Weill Medical College that is designed to help women live healthier, more active lives, reports in the coming November issue on the studies.

Vitamin E can reduce symptoms of hay fever, prevents oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol that leads to blocked arteries, is linked to lower rates of prostate and breast cancer, is associated with less risk of getting cataracts in the eyes, less risk of getting a second heart attack, dramatically lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems in diabetics, helps to lower blood pressure, decreases dementia in older people and supports both the lungs and immune system. This research is stronger for the complete family of 8 natural isomers than for isolated alpha tocopherol.

New studies reveal that cereal fortified with vitamin E has a very high rate of absorption into the bloodstream, whereas pills taken separately with the same food have inconsistent effects, and taking the supplements alone is largely useless. Its pretty clear by now that vitamin E cant cure a lifetime of poor health habits, but it may also be true that it has values in preventing disease and promoting health that have not been fully recognized in some of the research.

As an antioxidant, vitamin E is one of the most commonly taken vitamin supplements in the world and included in virtually every multivitamin pill.

The research may explain, Traber said, why many past research studies done with vitamin E have varied findings. Its quite possible, she said, that the manner in which people took vitamin E supplements and the variation in its bioavailability from person to person have yielded widely inconsistent results about the value of this nutrient in heart disease and other degenerative diseases.

A glitch, the researchers say, is that vitamin E is an oil, and people are now being told to use oils very sparingly. It can be found in nuts, oily fish, some vegetables and oils such as safflower, olive and canola oil. The most common way that people get vitamin E is through rich desserts and cooking oils.

If people are getting all the vitamin E they need through a healthy, balanced diet, thats great, Traber said. But we really dont want to be telling people to eat more fat, and thats generally where vitamin E is found. Thats why its appealing to find an effective way of obtaining this nutrient, such as vitamin E fortification of what is essentially a low-fat food.

This controlled study was done by LPI scientists, funded by and in collaboration with the Bell Nutrition Institute of General Mills.

The cereal company may have an interest, of course, in building a scientific basis for promoting vitamin E enriched products.

How the study was done:

A pill of 400 I.U. of vitamin E with skim milk.
A serving of a wheat breakfast cereal fortified with 30 I.U. of vitamin E.
A serving of wheat breakfast cereal fortified with 400 I.U. of vitamin E.
A serving of wheat breakfast cereal with a pill of 400 I.U. vitamin E taken separately.

In this study, scientists tested the results of four different types of breakfasts:

The pill of 400 I.U. vitamin E taken with just a glass of milk, in theory, should have provided more than 13 times the RDA of this nutrient.

But, in fact, it raised the level of new vitamin E in the blood by only 3 percent. By comparison, the cereal fortified with 30 I.U. vitamin E raised the blood plasma level of new vitamin E five times higher than that, and the cereal fortified with 400 I.U. raised the new blood plasma level 30 times higher.

The effect of a pill of 400 I.U. taken with a serving of plain wheat cereal was inconsistent; some participants had a significant increase in blood plasma levels of vitamin E, others almost none. This study clearly showed that applying vitamin E onto a grain cereal provided a huge and consistent increase in its bioavailability, said Scott Leonard, an LPI research assistant who conducted the study. Even 30 I.U., the RDA for this vitamin, produced a large increase in new blood plasma levels.

According to Traber and Leonard, this indicates that people who are taking vitamin E supplements only with liquids on an empty stomach are accomplishing nothing and getting few if any benefits from the supplements. The vitamin clearly is absorbed better if it is part of, or closely associated with the digestion of a food that has some fat in it.

Vitamin E has been explored in recent years for its potential value in prevention of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimers disease and other health concerns. The results of this study may explain in part why the other research has often yielded inconsistent results, Traber said.

Its now clear that vitamin E must be taken in a certain way to be effective, either in a food containing vitamin E or in a supplement properly associated with a food, Traber said. So anyone studying vitamin E for a clinical response must now be sure they are using it in a regimen that works.

It may also be time to consider the expansion of vitamin E as a routine food additive, she said.

In our pursuit of low-fat diets, we increasingly are taking the fat out of foods but not putting the vitamin E back, Traber said.

There were a number of deficiency diseases in the early 1900s that have been largely eliminated with routine vitamin supplementation of food staples like flour and milk, Traber said. Chronic deficiencies of vitamin D led to rickets, vitamin A to blindness and the B-vitamin niacin to pellagra. In the developed world those diseases are now largely a thing of the past.

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that prevents oxidation of polyunsaturated fats in membranes and lipoproteins, including the LDL and HDL forms of cholesterol. Although the scientific community is still divided in its conclusions, some studies suggest vitamin E has an important role to play in a healthy cardiovascular, neurological and immune system.

Echinacea/Goldenseal Top^

Bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia are three common respiratory tract infections (RTIs) that make millions of people miserable during cold and flu season. According to a national tracking system, RTIs are expected to hit the United States earlier and faster this season.

Goldenseal root is well known as natures antibiotic, stopping infection and poisons in the body. It is very helpful in reducing swelling and stopping internal bleeding, while healing mucus membrane, catarrhal conditions anywhere in the body and at the same time will tone and sustain venous circulation.

When echinacea is added to the goldenseal, it is even more effective. However, Echinacea leads in other ways such as benefiting and helping the immune system, has cortisone like effects, helps the lymph system to carry waste away from infection, and has some anti-inflammatory effects.

The Plains Indians used various species of echinacea to treat poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, as well as mumps, smallpox and measles. The settlers quickly adopted the therapeutic use of the plant, and since that time it has become one of the top selling herbs in the United States. In the past century, hundreds of scientific articles have been written about echinacea. Most of the research during the past 10 years has focused on the immunostimulant properties of the plant.

Herbalists and pharmacologists point out the irony that almost all of the scientific research on this medicinal plant has been conducted not in the United States but in Germany. Echinacea preparations have become increasingly popular in Germany since the early 1900s. The herb was first analyzed and tested for homeopathic purposes in Germany and its medical use was later investigated by Dr. Gerhard Madaus in 1938.

Echinacea was formerly used in the United States by native Americans and by eclectic physicians in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Preparations made from various plants and plant parts of the genus echinacea constituted the top-selling herbal medicine in health food stores in the United States from 1995 to 1998, with an estimated 9.6% of the total health-food dollar spent on herbs, according to a survey of about two hundred independent stores in 1996 (Richman and Witkowski, 1996, 1997, 1998).

Echinacea is used for preventing and treating the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). It is also used to increase general immune system function and to treat vaginal candidiasis. The clinical literature tends to support the treatment for symptoms of colds, the flus, and URIs.

Eco Green Multi-Vitamins Top^

Eco Green Multi-Vitamins contain 6 Superfoods with co-factors to ensure optimum digestion and assimilation of this vitamin. Superfoods provide exceptionally high concentrations of nutrients - much higher than many other foods. Examples of green Superfoods include: Green Tea Extract, Chlorella, Green grasses: Barley grass and Wheat grass, Spirulina and Alfalfa Juice Concentrate. Take Your Vitamins brand of Eco Green Multi-Vitamins has them all!

Green Tea Extract: Top^

Green tea contains polyphenols, a form of bioflavonoids with several phenol groups.
The polyphenols in green tea are catechins, know as tanins for their astringent taste. The most important catechin in tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), an antioxidant 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing the pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids in the brain and 20 times more powerful in reducing formation of peroxyds in lard by the Active Oxygen method, in vitro. It is known to have anticarcinogenic effect.

Chlorella: Top^

A complete food, rich in chlorophyll and protein (by weight) which naturally contains and thus provides B vitamins, vitamin C and E, and many minerals. It is an important source of beta carotene. A great deal of research has suggested that it can help maintain optimum health.

Green grasses (barley and wheat):
Considered superfoods because they typically provide a balanced spectrum of vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. Alfalfa: is an excellent source of minerals.

Spirulina: Top^

Rich in nutritional content. It is also rich in calcium, vitamin A and other nutrients. Dietary supplements with green Superfoods may be the best way to ensure that we get enough of these vital ingredients in order to attain and sustain optimum health.

Alfalfa Juice Concentrate (leaf) Top^

Farmers have long appreciated the outstanding nutritional benefits of alfalfa. Few plants are loaded with such high concentrated sources of beta carotene, chlorophyll, trace minerals and protein. Take Your Vitamins brand of Eco Green Multi Vitamins use the whole juice concentrate to deliver the most potent form.

Ester-C Complex Top^

Ester-C can help meet your daily needs of vitamin C.
Ester-C calcium ascorbate contains the essential mineral calcium.
Ester-C ascorbate contain essential minerals.
Ester-C is: patent-protected; natural; free of GMOs; cruelty-free; free of allergens, chemicals, and artificial ingredients; manufactured using Kosher-certified ingredients.

Metabolites Are The Difference:
Vitamin C metabolites result from the natural oxidation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that occurs during a proprietary manufacturing process. A preliminary study suggests that the metabolites in Ester-C help it work differently than ordinary vitamin C because it is non-acidic:

Ester-C is gentle on your stomach, or “stomach friendly.”
Ester-C is an acid neutralized form of vitamin C.
Ester-C is non-acidic (pH 6.7).
Ester-C is non-irritating to the digestive system.

In summary, in comparison with ordinary vitamin C, Ester-C is much better taken up by the body, stays in the body longer, and is used more efficiently by cells and connective tissues. Furthermore it does not cause the digestive problems of traditional vitamin C and it does not affect tooth enamel.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Top^

A clear thin oil with a cooling, fresh, medicinal, woody and earthy aroma. Eucalyptus is commonly used for respiratory conditions and infections as well as relief from the symptoms. It is cooling on the skin and can be used for insect bites, wounds, blisters and other skin infections. Air diffusion aids in clearing congestion and symptoms related to respiratory ailments.

Essential Eucalyptus Oil is used in chest balms and is wonderful for clearing up congestion due to colds and sinus problems.

A small drop massaged into temples and the third eye area helps relieve sinus
pain and pressure. Be very careful and avoid getting the oil in and around sensitive eye areas. Eucalyptus oil is also effective when added to massage oil preparations for relieving tired and aching muscles.

Eucalyptus Oil - Benefits:

Arthritis Rheumatism
Back Aches
Muscle Aches
Sinus Headache
Colds
Burns
Rash
Cold Sores
Cuts and Scrapes
Aching Feet


Flax Seed Oil Top^

Flax Seed Oil is a blue flowering plant that is grown on the Western Canadian Prairies for its oil rich seeds. This supplement is in the category of essential fatty acids. This natural oil (also known as Linseed Oil) is highly recommended for the general well being and whole body nutrition and is considered to be natures richest source of omega-3 fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.

Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins,
potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides
approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking
fish oil, minus that horrible fishy after taste.

Garlic Top^

(Allium Sativum) may be beneficial for detoxification, immune response, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart disease, circulation, fatty deposits, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cancer, candidia, infections of the eyes, ears, throat, respiratory infections, coughs, hoarseness, colds and flu, insomnia, digestion, fungal infections, viral infections, and colon health.

Odorless Garlic supplement is extracted from Allum sativum and is a specially made Japanese product. Garlic supplements have been the subject of numerous studies in the past decade and have been endorsed by celebrities and athletes alike. Our Odorless Garlic supplement is aged 18 months and concentrated in a 100:1 extract to yield high amounts of Scordiin, a unique sulfur compound which may be responsible for many of garlics renowned benefits.

Added to this formula of odorless garlic is: Hawthorn - This small tree provides what is considered by herbalists one of the most valuable cardio tonic substances. The berries are rich in bioflavonoids. They have been shown to help support the heart muscle, support healthy blood flow through the heart and help maintain normal heart rhythm. Hawthorn is a source of oligomeric procyanidins (OPC’s), which may benefit the cardiovascular system due to their antioxidant activity. Added to the herb science formula is Cayenne to help support circulation.

Ginkgo Biloba Top^

It is easier to comprehend the benefits resulting from pure ginkgo biloba therapy if it is understood that the blood vessels and red blood cells become more flexible and that the ginkgo flavonoids act specifically to dilate the micro-capillaries. This activity makes it easier for blood (and thus oxygen and other nutrients) to reach the brain and all parts of the body. Since fine capillaries, like those found in the eyes and ears, become more flexible and allow blood cells to squeeze through more easily, vision and hearing are improved.

Patients suffering from tinnitus, vertigo, acute cochlear deafness and macular degeneration have been helped by Ginkgo. No other circulatory stimulant, natural or synthetic, can increase blood flow as well, not only to healthy areas of the brain and body, but to disease damaged areas. General health is also boosted by Ginkgo since it contains antioxidants.

Compounds within the plant can absorb reactive toxic chemicals (free radicals) which could otherwise damage cells, including DNA. The antioxidants in Ginkgo also prevent platelet aggregation inside arterial walls, decreasing the formation of arteriosclerostic plaque. (In our society, even children have plaque in their arteries!)

Modern clinical trials have resulted in Ginkgo being successfully used to treat senility, hardening of the arteries and circulatory problems. Many notice that improved circulation rids them of their headaches. Dozens of recent human studies show that Ginkgo can increase the bodys production of adenosine triphosohate (ATP) the energy molecule. Even inactive humans need millions of ATP molecules per second to function. By making more ATP available, Ginkgo boosts the brains metabolism of glucose and increases electrical activity. The result is improved memory and a sharper mind!

A common benefit in taking Ginkgo is relief from leg pain caused by extended standing or varicose veins. Ginkgo also relieves more serious circulatory problems and pooling of the blood in extremities. German researchers have done many studies on Ginkgo as a treatment for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease (hardening of the arteries that limits blood flow to the limbs). Severe pain in the legs and the risk of blood clots is reduced with a treatment using ginkgo extract to improve circulation. Since Ginkgo enhances both the elasticity and strength of blood vessels and capillary walls, it is part of a solution, not just a treatment of symptoms.

Take Your Vitamins brand of Ginkgo Biloba has had all of the allergens and tannins removed and has the highest content of active ingredients found in any Ginkgo product, creating a vastly superior herbal supplement that can help with:

MEMORY LOSS
POOR CIRCULATION
IMPOTENCE
ASTHMA
VARICOSE VEINS
COUGHS
RINGING IN THE EARS (TINNITUS)
ALZHEIMER’S
HYPERTENSION and STROKES
DEPRESSION
DIZZINESS (VERTIGO)
VISION

Glucosamine, MSM and Chondroitin Top^

Common Uses for GLUCOSAMINE, MSM, and CHONDROITIN:

Pain and inflammation relief: Relieves acute pain in humans. Relieves post-athletic activity fatigues. Relieves muscle and leg cramps. Relieves osteoarthritis, arthritis, and other sources of pain and accompanying inflammation.

Mental normalcy: Individuals on MSM generally reported increased alertness, reduced mood changes, and particularly very infrequent depression. A few patients on medication intermittently for depression observed that MSM relieved depression within hours rather than days, as had been their prior experience with anti-depression medication.

Natural remedy for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis and bursitis, muscular soreness and athletic injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-traumatic inflammation and pain, heartburn and hyperacidity, headaches and back pain, and allergies. you will also experience softer skin, harder nails, thicker hair, and softening of scar tissue.

Glucosamine, which is synthesized in our bodies from glucose, is a major component of joint soothing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Chondroitin sulfate is the most abundant GAG in the body. GAGs in turn form proteoglycans, molecules that hold and bind the water that is so important to lubricate joints, disperse stress and provide nourishment to joint tissue.

Glucosamine sulfate has been found to be well-absorbed after oral administration. Numerous double-blind, placebo controlled studies have examined the positive effects of oral administration of glucosamine sulfate.

L-Glutamine Top^

Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in your muscles - over 61% of skeletal muscle is Glutamine. Glutamine consists of 19% nitrogen, making it the primary transporter of nitrogen into your muscle cells.

The Benefits Of L-Glutamine!

Are you supplementing L-Glutamine? If not, maybe you should consider it after reading the following benefits. Glutamine is a carbon and nitrogen donor and helps restore glycogen which restores energy. Glutamine is the most important component of muscle protein, and helps repair and build muscle. Heres a list of glutamine benefits:

Glutamine has been linked to protein synthesis. It prevents your muscle from being catabolized (eaten up) in order to provide Glutamine for other cells in the body.

Glutamine helps maintain cell volume and hydration, speeding up wound and burn healing and recovery.

Glutamine benefits you by replenishing declining Glutamine levels during intense workouts.

Research has shown Glutamine can help you produce growth hormone levels. A study has shown 2 grams of L-Glutamine increased growth hormones by over 400%.

Glutamine may serve to boost your immune system. For bodybuilders, this is important since heavy workouts tend to greatly deplete Glutamine levels. (Glutamine is a primary energy source for your immune system.)

Glutamine is one of the most important nutrients for your intestines. It has the ability to repair a leaky gut by maintaining the structural integrity of the bowels.

Bet you didnt know this: It can even cure ulcers! Studies have found that 1.6 grams of Glutamine a day had a 92% cure rate in 4 weeks.
Researchers are suggesting that Glutamine is the most important amino acid to the bodybuilder. It provides a component in muscle metabolism and cellular support not shared by any other single amino acid, making the benefits of L-Glutamine supplementation a realistic venture.

Glutamine is used by white blood cells and contributes to normal immune-system function. Individuals with muscle-wasting and immune-system related illnesses (such as cancer or AIDS) who may be incapable of manufacturing their own supply of glutamine may benefit from glutamine supplements taken along with other amino acids. Becoming ill or losing lean muscle mass are potential signs of glutamine deficiency.

Not only is Glutamine important for bodybuilders to help prevent catabolism, its also important for regular folks with all the benefits it provides, and no side effects.

Grape Seed Extract Top^

Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s or PCO’s) is powerful antioxidant which can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. OPC’s can also help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.

Antioxidants Top^

Antioxidants are important protectors of health because they provide electrons that neutralize free radicals--molecules with unpaired electrons which have the power to cause degenerative and life-threatening diseases.

Free radicals are produced from normal oxygen metabolism within the body, and from exposure to certain chemicals, environmental pollutants, sunlight, radiation, burns, cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, viruses, bacteria, parasites, dietary fats, and more. The antioxidants known today are vitamins C and E, beta carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids and bioflavanols.

PCO extracts have been scientifically studied and medically used in Europe since the 1950s. Scientifically documented, observed benefits include:

Enhanced capillary strength and vascular function
Helps PMS problems
Helps with bruising
Aids with edema from injury or trauma
Treats varicose veins
Helps leg swelling and retinopathy
Assists to enhance the immune resistance
Aids in increased peripheral circulation, improving vision
Maintains reduced adverse allergic and inflammatory responses
Shows Reduction in skin aging and loss of elasticity

Hoodia - Mega Hoodia Gordonii Diet Top^

A cactus in the Kalahari desert may save the West from obesity and bring millions of dollars to an impoverished African tribe.
Imagine this. A pill that kills the appetite and attacks obesity, is organic, with no chemicals added, has no known side effects, and contains a miracle molecule that fools the brain into believing you are full and even stops you thinking about food.

A mirage? A product as likely as the pill that turns water into petrol? No. Its true and its here. Deep inside the arid Kalahari desert, which intrudes into South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, grows an ugly looking cactus (actually a succulent) called the Hoodia plant. It thrives in temperatures that boil your brain - 50 degrees plus, and it takes years to mature.

More than 100 million people in the developed world are now clinically obese. Soon it will be statistically safer to smoke than to overeat. A pandemic of obesity is sweeping the world and in its wake come the attendant plagues of diabetes and heart attacks. Sure, you can try every appetite suppressant on the market until those amphetamine jiggers give you the permanent shakes, pay hundreds of dollars for every fashionable medical injection, or slavishly follow each new diet fad, but the results are very similar.

Ninety per cent of us will finish up where we started - overweight and still eating too much. And for the very fat - an early death is often predictable. The truth about food after 40 is that it is required for maintenance only. We really dont need to eat that much to keep healthy, trim and fit. The problem is we live in a culture that forces food at us.

In America, people already snack all day. There are no meal times. We think too much about food, make too many ceremonies around it. But how can we stop? The miracle of Hoodia is that it seems to do it for you. Theres a part of your brain, the hypothalamus, and within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. Now when you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, and these cells start firing and now you are full.

But the problem with being overweight and the morbid obese culture of people is that they will still sneak down the fridge at two in the morning and hit the Haagen-Dazs, consume huge amounts of calories and still not feel full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule thats about ten thousand times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you havent eaten food. Nor do you want to. Thats how it works.

When the first human clinical trial was conducted by Phytopharm, the company chose a morbidly obese group of people from Leicester, England, and placed them in a phase 1 unit, a place as close to prison as it gets. All the volunteers could do was read papers and watch television - and eat. Half the group were given Hoodia, half were given placebo. At the end of 15 days, the group on Hoodia had reduced their food intake by 1000 calories a day. Given the average daily diet is around 2200 calories, this was a stunning success.

The bushman acclaim that the plant is a wonder-plant, giving energy to scour the desert by day and a new strength to make love all night. It allegedly cures hangovers and settles an upset stomach too. But dont try traveling to the Kalahari to find the cactus on your own. Not only is it illegal to export it, it will die long before you step off the plane in Australia.

Besides, the Kalahari is inhospitable, and the only people who can help you locate it in the wild, the San bushmen, are the very people who will not help as they would be robbing themselves of their inheritance. As a result, the plant is becoming more rare. The South African CSIR are now cultivating it in industrial quantities at a secret location under armed guard.

The truth is, that if the plant delivers on its initial promise, it will do for fat people what pain killers have done for headaches, and Viagra for sex. There is one way in which you might be able to beat the system legally. The Hoodia thrives only in deserts at a temperature of 50 degrees and over. Australia has such an environment. Its just possible, the plant grows wild here too.

Kids Chewable Multi -Vitamins Top^

Multiple vitamins help to bridge the nutrient gap in our daily diets. In todays world of processed foods and fast-paced lifestyles, many of us do not get the daily recommended allowance of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Multiple vitamins can help fill in the areas lacking in our diets, and are formulated to provide a broad range of nutrition in a synergistic manner.

Take Your Vitamins brand of Kids Vits - Chewable Multiple Vitamins are designed especially for children. Getting your kids to eat their veggies might be a struggle, but youll never have to beg them to take their Chewable Animal Shapes. Lowest in sugar of all the leading brands, only two grams per two lozenges! Not only do they taste good, but they also contain 12 essential vitamins plus iron that children need to grow strong and health bodies. Theyre sweetened with Stevia and a small amount of sucrose, dextrose, cane sugar, strawberry flavor, and cherry flavor contains no colors, flavors, soy, milk, egg, wheat, yeast. starch, preservatives, artificial colors, or artificial flavors.

L-Carnitine Top^

Numerous Studies have shown that Co-Enzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine help support a healthy heart and vascular function. L-Carnitine is central to the bodys ability to turn fat into energy, and anytime you are trying to get a leaner physique, lower cholesterol, or lose weight, thats exactly what you want to do: turn fat into energy. There is no more natural way to support that process than with L-Carnitine.

Carnitine is a vitamin-like nutrient that occurs naturally in the body but is found only in appreciable amounts in red meat. Its central role in helping cells make more energy, its lack of toxicity and its wide range of benefits have made it a remarkable nutrient. People feel such an improved state of over-all wellness and a natural increase in energy when they increase their intake of L-Carnitine. Carnitine deficiency is more common than many people think, and can lead to such problems as overweight, fatigue, elevated triglycerides, and heart problems.

Vegetarians often consume no L-Carnitine in their diet, because L-Carnitine is found predominantly only in foods of animal origin, such as red meat and milk; Fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains contain virtually none. Vegetarians feel much better when they supplement with L-Carnitine.

CARNITINE IS A POPULAR NUTRIENT WITH ATHLETES

L - Carnitine enhances aerobic performance in elite athletes, allowing athletes to exercise longer without fatigue. Trained runners give 2 grams of l -Carnitine per day increased their peak running speed by a remarkable 5.7 percent. Older adults also benefit greatly from L -Carnitine during exercise. Carnitine levels decline with age, and fatty acids can accumulate that can make the energy pathways of the cell sluggish. For these and many other reasons, L-Carnitine is a must supplement for those over 40 who want to maximize their energy and exercise endurance.

CARNITINE IS ALSO A TREMENDOUS HEART HELPER

The heart gets two thirds of its energy from burning fat, and L-Carnitine helps fuel this cardiac engine. It also helps to keep coronary arteries clear by raising HDL cholesterol, the protective cholesterol. It also lowers high triglycerides remarkably. This is important, because for optimal health, we should keep our triglycerides below 75.

FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND GENERAL IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT

A recent study showed the powerful advantage of combining l -Carnitine with a weight loss program. For subjects who ate a healthy diet and got moderate exercise for twelve weeks, the average weight loss was one pound. For those who added two grams of L -Carnitine per day to the same regime, weight loss averaged eleven pounds. By simply adding 2,000 mg of l -Carnitine from L -Carnitine Tartrate weight loss increased eleven fold (11 lbs. in the L -Carnitine group versus 1 pound in the non-l -Carnitine group). Why does L-Carnitine have this effect? Carnitine is the forklift that takes fat to the fat incinerators in our cells called mitochondria. Unless fat makes it into the mitochondria, you cant burn it off no matter what you do and no matter how well you diet. Once fat is inside the mitochondria, it is magically transformed into energy. Its like turning bricks into gold.

Take L-carnitine, beginning with 500 mg, preferably on an empty stomach in the morning before breakfast. Carnitine should not be taken before bed, as it can increase energy levels and may prevent sleep. Carnitine is not a stimulant, but gives an even, natural energy by enhancing the bodys own energy producing processes. If you have any health conditions, make sure to use supplements under the guidance of your physician.

Mangosteen Top^

The Mangosteen Fruit grows in sub-tropical climates in Southeast Asia. It contains Xanthones, the highest concentration of anti-oxidants found in nature. Local folklore used its medical benefits for thousands of years, but no one knew how to preserve the nutritional benefits and market the total fruit commercially.

It took American and German ingenuity to come up with the answer. A botanical expert from Utah ran across the fruit several years ago in a Thailand restaurant.

The Mangosteen fruit contains Xanthones which are biologically active plant compounds. This fruit has the highest concentration of Xanthones than anything else found in nature. For centuries the hull of the Mangosteen fruit has been used in traditional, native medicine in SE Asia.

Xanthones have many properties including antioxidants. A recent study confirmed that gamma mangostin, a Xanthones derivative of the Mangosteen fruit, is a potent COX 2 inhibitor which is an important factor in reducing inflammation, pain and fever. When tested it was found to have more antioxidants than other nutritional supplements, or health beverages.

One well designed, in vitro study showed Garcinone-E., one of the Xanthones in the Mangosteen Fruit, to be more effective than 5 commonly used chemotherapy agents - Vincristine, 5-FU., Cisplatinum, Methotrexate and Mitoxantrone for cancers of the stomach, liver and lung. The only drug more effective was Tamoxifen. Remember this is a fruit juice not a drug.

Melatonin Top^

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain by the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan. The synthesis and release of melatonin are stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in circadian rhythm and regulation of diverse body functions.

Synthetic melatonin supplements have been used for a variety of medical conditions, most notably for disorders related to sleep.

Melatonin possesses antioxidant activity, and many of its therapeutic or preventive uses are associated with antioxidant properties.

Below is a list of many disorders that may be helped by supplementing with melatonin:

•Antioxidant (free radical scavenging)

•Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

•Bipolar disorder (sleep disturbances)

•Cancer treatment

•Circadian rhythm entraining (in blind persons)

•Cognitive enhancement

•Critical illness/ICU sleep disturbance

•Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)

•Depression (sleep disturbances)

•Dyspepsia

•Exercise performance

•Glaucoma

•Headache prevention

•High blood pressure (hypertension)

•High cholesterol (diabetes-related complication, adjunct therapy)

•HIV/AIDS

•Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

•Insomnia

•Insomnia in the elderly

•Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

•Jet lag

•Parkinson's disease

•Periodic limb movement disorder

•REM sleep behavior disorder

•Rett syndrome

•Schizophrenia (sleep disorders)

•Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

•Sedation (children)

•Seizure disorder (children)

•Sleep disturbances due to pineal region brain damage

•Sleep disturbances in children with neuro-psychiatric disorders

•Sleep enhancement in healthy people

•Sleep in asthma

•Smoking cessation

•Stroke

•Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)

•Ultraviolet light skin damage protection

•Urinary disorders (frequent urination, nocturia)

MSM Lignisul Top^

Lignisul MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound found in our bodies as well as in many common beverages and foods, including milk, coffee, tea and green vegetables. In its purified chemical form, it is an odorless, white, water soluble crystalline solid. It is a natural based product that comes from trees and one of the least toxic substances in biology, similar in toxicity to water.

Naturally-occurring sulfur, such as that found in Lignisul MSM, is not similar to inorganic sulfides, sulfites and sulfates to which many people are allergic.

Some of sulfurs essential functions include maintaining structure of the proteins in the body, helping the formation of keratin which is essential for hair and nail growth, aiding in the production of immunoglobulin which maintains the immune system, and catalyzing the chemical reactions which change food into energy. It is available in capsules/tablets that can be taken with meals or in crystal form for mixing with drinks. It can also be purchased as a cream lotion or gel and applied directly to your skin for additional relief from pain and inflammation.

What Health Benefits Can I Expect from Lignisul MSM?

Lignisul MSM relieves pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as degenerative arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; chronic back pain; chronic headaches; fibromyalgia; tendinitis and bursitis; carpal tunnel syndrome; TMJ and others. It is also widely used by athletes to reduce soreness and pain associated with injuries, strained or cramped muscles, and over-extended joints.
Lignisul MSM is manufactured in the United States according to guidelines established by current food manufacturing practices (C-GMP), and also ISO 9002, the stringent international standards for product quality. Manufacturing guidelines for Lignisul MSM also meet or exceeds those required by the Food and Drug Administration. Lignisul MSM is a Kosher Certified product.

Clinical Studies Reveal Its Benefits For Arthritis, Muscle and Joint Pain
In 1998, Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Director for the council on Natural Nutrition, completed a study to examine the effects of Lignisul MSM on arthritis, muscle and joint pain. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that more than 80 percent of those who took 2,250 mg. of Lignisul MSM daily for six weeks reported an 82 percent average improvement in pain relief, compared to an 18 percent improvement by patients receiving a placebo.

Omega 3s: Top^

Fish oil and Omega 3 fatty acids: Researchers in the field of dietary control of hormonal response are increasingly emphasizing the broad benefits of omega 3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil supplements. Studies show that fish oil can help with:

Physical Performance
Maintaining A Healthy Cholesterol Level
Improved Mental Focus.

Fish oil is also widely considered to be important component of heart health because of its high omega-3 concentration. New research supports omega 3s as an important factor in promoting healthy kidneys, immune system, joint movement, strength, stamina, brain, and heart. Studies show that file oil is even beneficial in supporting a balanced mood and sense of well being.

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil promotes a healthy vascular system, because it contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Essential fatty acids are grouped into two families, omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 fatty acids help promote inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth, while omega-3 acids, found in fish oil and very few other sources, act entirely opposite.

One of the reasons that people in the industrialized world need more omega-3 fatty acids is that they eat about 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s. This imbalance in turn tends to make the body more prone to cancer, heart disease and other serious problems. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can restore the balance. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help prevent blood clots and other fats from damaging the arterial walls.

According to the University of Portsmouth website, Ann Dewey, a nurse researcher from the Institute of Medicine, Health and Social Care at the University of Portsmouth has been recently awarded a grant to do a major study into how fish oils could maintain the quality of life of patients with untreatable cancer.

Additional Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Researcher Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE. states that scientists first learned of the many benefits of fish oil, E.P.A. and D.H.A. in the early 1970s when doctors from Denmark noticed that Eskimos living in Greenland had an unusually low incidence of heart disease and arthritis despite the fact that they consumed a high-fat diet.

Researchers later found that the oil the Eskimos consumed in sizeable quantities, E.P.A. and D.H.A., were in fact beneficial. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends a daily intake of 650mg of D.H.A. and E.P.A.. Fish oil may be very helpful for depression in some cases. A study in the Archives of General Psychiatry
(published in October 2002) showed the benefits of taking 1 gram of fish oil daily in patients who had not responded to antidepressants.

Oil of Oregano Top^

Oregano comes from the Greek, and means mountain of joy.

Hippocrates used it for curing various diseases such as stomach pain and
respiratory diseases. In the 15th century, Paracelsus used it to treat
diarrhea, psoriasis, vomiting, jaundice, and fungal diseases.

Cass Ingram has written in his book: The Cure is in the Cupboard,
that oregano oil is a veritable natural mineral treasure-house,
containing a density of minerals that would rival virtually any food.

Super strength Oregano oil is a natural substance derived from
wild oregano species. The plant grows in remote mountainous regions free
of pollution. Only the leaves of the flowering plant are used. They are
picked precisely when the plant is highest in essential oil.

Benefits of Oregano Oil . . .

MANY THERAPEUTIC USES

Internally:

Use the Super Strength on or in the body. It is strong, so when using it internally,
start with small amounts, like one or two drops twice daily in juice.
Take one drop twice per day working your way to one drop four times per day.
Mix with one spoon of honey, maple syrup, or olive oil to improve palatability.
Take for a period of 15 days and then stop for 15 days. Then repeat the process.

Externally:

Oil of oregano may also be applied topically to treat itches,
infections of the skin, gums, teeth, and just about any
orifice in the body.

Exercise care if you use it in the genital
region where it is best mixed with olive oil or coconut oil before
application (1 spoonful of olive oil or coconut oil/butter).
There are no side effects and it is compatible with any other natural
remedy or prescription drug.

Effectively Treats:
Acne , allergies , arthritis , asthma , athletes foot , constipation , croup ,
dandruff , diarrhea , digestive disturbances , insect bites , bronchitis ,
canker sores , colds , flu , earaches , fatigue , gum disease , parasites ,
headaches , menstrual irregularities , psoriasis , toenail problems ,
seborrhea , ringworm , rosacea , sinusitis , muscle pain , varicose veins , warts

Oil of oregano is known for fighting yeast, fungus (skin and blood-born). Knocking out allergies, hay fever, and sinusitis . It is also know for stopping infections (cold and flu) Possesses significant antioxidant power and stimulates the flow of bile, which greatly aids digestion.

Oregano oil is natures natural antiseptic. It was used to sterilize pre-operative instruments until 1950.

It has been used as an anti-viral, anti-fungal, (yeast and candida problems),
anti-microbial, and an anti-tissue agent, meaning it halts coughs and eases
spasticity of the lung tubules.

Oregano oil has also been used as a mucolytic, (it helps thin mobilized mucous),
anti-spasmodic, (eases tightness and spasms of muscles, and anti-parasitic.

Panax Ginseng Top^

Ginseng is a medicinal herb used primarily for increased stamina, and for boosting the immune system and immune system responses. It is used to help relieve fatigue, thus increasing ones capacity to work and concentrate. It has been considered especially helpful as a supplement to cancer therapies. It is said to be effective as an antagonist of morphine analgesia and the analgesic effects of pain management medications.

A proven stimulant, Take Your Vitamins brand of Panax Ginseng may give a boost to ones general state of well-being, while erasing the feelings of fatigue and easing the uncomfortable feelings associated with depression. Some doctors believe that it may have an estrogen-like effect on the body, easing symptoms of vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Two recent scientific studies suggest that people taking ginseng - combined with vitamins and minerals - felt an improved quality of life. Other studies suggest that ginseng boosts psychological well-being and energy. Evidence of an effect on specific menopausal symptoms is anecdotal at this point.

The root of the ginseng plant has been used in China, Japan, and Korea for many centuries in the therapy of psychiatric and neurological disorders, and for enhancing vitality. Panax ginseng is more stimulating and raises body temperature while American ginseng is less heating and stimulating.

The biochemical mechanisms of ginseng remain unclear, although there is extensive literature that deals with ginsengs effects on the brain (memory, learning, and behavior), neuroendocrine function, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, immune function, and the cardiovascular system. Reports are often contradictory, perhaps because the ginsenoside content of ginseng root or root extracts can differ, depending on the species, method of extraction, subsequent treatment, or even the season of collection. Ginseng has the potential to help with blood sugar levels and some studies show that it can reduce blood lipid levels.

Potassium Gluconate Top^

This important mineral is a major component of the cells in our body and is required for muscle contraction, production of energy, synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. Even the beating of the heart depends on potassium. Potassium benefits athletic performance, but is depleted from the body by excessive loss of fluid like that experienced during intense workouts. Many athletes take Potassium to prevent and fight off muscle cramps.

Potassium (gluconate) reduces blood pressure, maintains fluid balance, encourages parasympathetic nervous system, increases insulin sensitivity.

Potassium (gluconate), considered by some the major electrolyte, is found almost exclusively in the intracellular fluids of the cell. Sodium is found in the extra cellular fluids, but it is equilibrium between potassium and sodium that determines fluid balance and blood pressure regulation. A high potassium-low sodium intake reduces the blood vessel constricting effects of adrenaline, a hormone elicited by the sympathetic nervous system; lower blood pressure results.

Thirty-seven adults, with mildly elevated blood pressure, participated in a study to determine the hypotensive nature of minerals. Potassium (2.5 gram/day), administered for 8 weeks, reduced systolic pressure by an average of 12 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by about 16 mmHg. The addition of magnesium offered no further advantage. (Patki et al., 1990) The major benefit of potassium, typically, occurs during the third month of usage and continues thereafter.

Hypertensive individuals over 65 years of age may find particular value in potassium (gluconate), since medications are not always as effective among senior subjects. Administering 2.5 grams/day of potassium over 4 weeks to 18 untreated elderly hypertensive patients resulted in a systolic drop of 12 mmHg and a diastolic reduction of 7 mmHg. (Fotherby, 1992) All entered the study with systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg and diastolic pressure >95 mmHg. The results were impressive considering the brevity of the study and the fact that potassiums value is cumulative, meaning a greater response is seen with longer supplementation.

The hypotensive nature of potassium (gluconate) benefited a group of rats made stroke prone for experimentation. The rats were divided into two groups. Only 2% of the potassium-supplemented group suffered a fatal stroke, compared to 83% of the untreated group. (Staff of Alternative Medical News, 1995)

Most physicians are aware of the importance of reestablishing potassium levels after administering a diuretic drug for hypertension or congestive heart failure. Patients are commonly told to replace potassium by consuming potassium-rich foods, even though retention of potassium from foodstuffs is poor. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that if every milligram of potassium in a banana were retained, it would require eating an entire stock of bananas every day to offset the potassium lost during diuretic therapy. (Cuneo et al., 1985)

Several factors influence potassium levels. For example, insulin therapy appears to cause a potassium deficiency. (Conversely, a diabetic supplementing with potassium may observe increased insulin secretions and responsiveness, reducing insulin requirements.) Physical exertion (producing heavy perspiration) or diarrhea and vomiting (resulting in loss of body fluids) can cause a mineral depletion. Always replace minerals, for if not replaced, heart function can quickly depreciate. Symptoms of potassium deficiency are weakness, fatigue, mental confusion, and heart disturbances.

Prostate Support Top^

For prostate benefits, many men combine Saw Palmetto with Pygeum Africanum, an herb containing beta-sitosterol and other plant estrogens. Plant substances from the botanical red clover, called isoflavones, may also aid in maintaining a happy prostate and proper urinary function. Research has found that isolavones, also known as plant hormones, boost prostate health by inhibiting the enzymes that lead a prostate to grow bigger.

Researchers believe that the low incidence of prostate health problems in Asia is due to the fact that Asian men consume many more isoflavone-rich legumes than in US citizens. Soy also represents prostate hope. Recently genistein was found to decrease the growth of both BPH and prostate cancer cells in the laboratory, which the researchers suggested showed that the genistein found in soy has the potential to be used as a treatment for both.

Psyllium Husk Top^

Psyllium husk, also known isabgol in India, has been used as a laxative for centuries. In ayurvedic medicine, its uses include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes (as an adjunct), and chronic colitis.

Many laxative products have an assortment of additives inserted, but the majority of these are to make the product taste sweet, or otherwise improve flavor.
Although all of these uses are sound and legitimate, our focus has been on the ability of psyllium to absorb and hold excess discharge from the intestinal pathways of the body. The experience of increased bulk in the stool due to psyllium use is a common one, but many people can benefit from the use of psyllium who are not constipated.

For over a century, various physicians have spoken about the need to reduce or eliminate from the diet what are called mucus-forming foods (i.e. meat, milk, eggs, refined flours and related baked goods, sugar, salt, etc.), and instead focus on consuming wholesome, non-mucus-forming foods (i.e. whole, live, raw foods ... fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds... and fresh fish or chemical free chicken in small amounts, etc.).

Since few people are likely to head this advice (which, incidentally, may be a big contributing factor explaining why so many vegetarians have lower cancer and heart disease rates), so psyllium has the added value of absorbing excess mucus as it passes through the intestinal tract.

Our version, Clean Colon is nothing more than pure, 100% psyllium husk, with no additives. If you can find a cheaper brand of pure psyllium where you live, thats find, too. It will accomplish the same thing.
We feel that most of the psyllium products that come encapsulated are a waste of money: a serving size should be at least one full Tablespoon. (We have staffers at Alpha Omega who make smoothies with psyllium and add two to three tablespoons!) The bulk of the psyllium should be formed in the stomach -- hard to do if you are swallowing it in capsule form.)

The easiest way to use psyllium is to drop one to two tablespoons in a half-full blender of purified water (optional: honey or molasses to taste), set on high for 10 seconds, and then drink. Dont let the blend sit too long because psyllium will soon become gelatinous and then set.

A variety of advisories indicate that it is best to take before bedtime, but for someone with relative good health, we have found that it doesnt matter what time of the day you take it.

There are few supplement products that we feel are as essential for good health and call for regular use as psyllium. Two of our staffers have been taking it religiously for over 20 years. You should be aware that the occasional caveat is added by most manufacturers to acknowledge the fact that laxatives can be addictive. But labeling psyllium as a laxative (and it is so only because its bulk-forming properties provide this incidental benefit) is an oversight --- it fails to bring to attention its other qualities.

SAM-e Top^

Our SAM-e is guaranteed to contain 200 mg of active S-Adenosyl-Methionine derived from 400 mg S-Adenosyl-Methionine Tosylate Disulfate. This is the form and amount used in most clinical trials over the last 20 years.

Finally, theres a supplement that helps with common health and happiness, and it may be more effective than mainstream drugs without side effects!

What is SAM-e?

S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM or SAM-e; pronounced Sammy) is an amino acid joined with the human energy molecule ATP. It is a compound that naturally occurs in the body and is found in every living cell. SAM-e is essential for the body to perform vital functions. It was discovered in 1952 in Italy, where it is manufactured to this day. Until recently, however, it was exceedingly expensive to produce, and therefore unavailable to the public. SAM-e has also been studied extensively in Europe for over 20 years and promises to be one of the most potent, multi-purpose supplements ever introduced.

What does SAM-e do?

SAM-e is the most active methyl donor in your body, meaning it donates methyl groups to other chemical compounds including neurotransmitters and is involved in over 40 essential biochemical reactions. SAM-e is also a required component of sulfur containing compounds, such as glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off substances that damage living cells, particularly in the liver. It is also involved in maintaining and manufacturing cartilage components. The benefits of SAM-e vary from joint and liver health, to mood enhancement. Proponents of SAM-e feel it may be potentially useful for the maintenance of healthy levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Why take SAM-e?

The body is unable to synthesize adequate quantities of SAM-e so it must be gathered from our diet. Like other substances in the body, such as hormones, levels of SAM-e decline as we age. However, older people are not the only people who can have lower amounts of SAM-e. Low levels of SAM-e have been found in a great variety of age groups. Men have higher levels than women, and children have 7 times more than adults.

SAM-e is primarily known as an Antidepressant and has been clinically found to support:

Fibromyalgia
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis, and Joint Pain
Liver Disease, Cirrhosis and Chronic Hepatitis
Memory Problems Associated with Aging
Cardiovascular Disease
Alzheimers Disease
Skin Disease
Migraine Headaches
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Gastrointestinal Problems
Major Stress

Selenium Top^

Selenium: could be your most potent ally against cancer. Selenium is a trace element found naturally in foods like nuts and liver. Nearly all of the selenium in animal tissue is found in the proteins.

Researchers for more than 20 years animal studies have suggested that tiny amounts of selenium in the diet can reduce the risk of cancer in several organs, but much less is known about the anti-cancer benefits of selenium in humans.
In recent years, laboratory experiments, clinical trials and epidemiological data have established the role of selenium in the prevention of a number of degenerative conditions including cancer, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, aging, and infections. Most of these effects are related to the function of selenium in the antioxidant enzyme systems. A good source of selenium is a high-quality liquid multivitamin.

A study at the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1996 found that people who took 200 mcg of selenium a day for four and a half years reduced their risk of cancer by 32 percent and their risk of death from cancer by 50 percent. It seems, though, that someone’s genes may determine whether or not selenium supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. New research suggests that people with a certain genetic variation may benefit more from taking the popular nutritional supplement to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Numerous research reports indicate that higher blood levels of selenium lowers mortality from cancer including lung, colorectal, prostate and skin cancer.
Laboratory studies indicate the potentially beneficial role of selenium in the management of mammary cancer. Selenium is an antioxidant and appears to regenerate vitamins E and C so that they can continue to fight free radicals.

Research also shows that a lower antioxidant status has been linked to higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases due to increased levels of LDL oxidation.

Low selenium status has been associated with the incidence of arthritis. Studies show the beneficial role of selenium as a free radical that delays the progression of this condition.

Low levels of selenium in HIV /AIDS sufferers have been linked to higher mortality. Low plasma selenium status has also been linked with senility and cognitive decline in the elderly and with Alzheimer’s disease.

Very low selenium status is a factor in the etiologies of a specific type of juvenile cardiomyopathy (Keshan’s Disease) and a chondrodystrophy (Kaschin-Beck Disease) that were observed in selenium-deficient regions of China.

Silymarin 80% Extract - Milk Thistle Top^

Health Benefits:

Helps the liver detoxification process. For all liver disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis. Fights pollutants and prevents free radical damage by action as antioxidant. Protects the liver and stimulates the production of new liver cells. Helps common skin conditions related to poor liver function.

This plant is native to the Mediterranean and grows wild throughout Europe, North America and Australia. Milk Thistle has been used in Europe as a remedy for liver problems for thousands of years. Its use was recorded in the first century (AD 23-79), noting that the plant was excellent for protecting the liver.

Early Christian tradition dedicated milk thistle to Mary, calling it Marian thistle. In the 19th century the Eclectics used the herb for varicose veins, menstrual difficulty, and congestion in the liver, spleen and kidneys. Milk thistle has also been taken to increase breast-milk production, stimulate the secretion of bile, and as a treatment for depression.

Milk thistle nutritionally supports the livers ability to maintain normal liver function. It has shown positive effects in treating nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, necroses, and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones.

Milk thistle has been proven to protect the liver from damage. The detrimental effects of environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs and chemotherapy may be countered with this valuable herb. The active chemical component in the herb is silybin, which functions as an antioxidant and is one of the most potent liver protective agents known. Clinical trials have proven silybin to be effective in treating chronic liver diseases and in protecting the liver from toxic chemicals. An injection of silybin is a proven antidote for poisoning with the Deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides).

Silybin is a part of the chemical structure of the flavoligan silymarine. Milk thistles hepatoprotective effects may be explained by its function of altering the liver cell membrane structure, blocking the absorption of toxins into the cells. Hepatoprotection by silymarin can also be attributed to its ability to increase the intracellular concentration of glutathione, a substance required for detoxicating reactions in liver cells. Milk thistle is also an antioxidant that is more potent than vitamins C and E.

Special One Multi - Vitamins Top^

Multiple vitamins help to bridge the nutrient gap in our daily diets. In todays world of processed foods and fast-paced lifestyles, many of us do not get the daily recommended allowance of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Multiple vitamins can help fill in the areas lacking in our diets, and are formulated to provide a broad range of nutrition in a synergistic manner.

Take Your Vitamins brand of multi-vitamins are all natural and contain no sugar, salt, starch, corn, soy or preservatives.

St. Johns Wort Top^

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a common shrub-like perennial, bears bright yellow flowers that contain numerous therapeutic substances when dried. Europeans have used the herb for centuries to calm jangled nerves and heal wounds, among other ills. And so its not surprising that North Americans have recently embraced its use as a treatment for depression and conditions associated with it.

Not only is St. Johns Wort effective and relatively free of side effects, it also costs under $20 for a months supply, about 75% less than the most popular antidepressant drugs. And because it doesnt appear to interact with most conventional drugs (except for antidepressants), many older people on complex medication regimens may be able to benefit from it. In Germany, where doctors routinely prescribe herbal remedies, St. Johns Wort is the most common form of antidepressant--more widely used than the drugs Prozac or Zoloft because it has far fewer side effects.

Health Benefits

Although St. Johns Wort has been the focus of a number of well-regarded studies, researchers still dont know exactly how the herb works. A pigment called hypericin has long been identified as a key medicinal ingredient, although other compounds are now similarly believed to contribute to the herbs therapeutic effects. In general, St. Johns Wort appears to boost levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which affects the emotions. The herb seems so promising as a natural antidepressant that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Washington, D.C., began a major study in 1997 to investigate its effectiveness in this regard. Results are being eagerly awaited because the three-year study will track the herb over a much longer time than most trials have done so far.

A number of other uses for St. Johns Wort have been proposed as well, many of them related to the herbs anti-depressive actions. The herb is even being investigated as a treatment for alcoholism, panic attacks, and general anxiety.

Stevia Liquid Sweetener Top^

Stevia is sweeping the natural-food industry. Consumers want to use it, stores want to sell it and manufacturers want to include it in their food and cosmetic products. Unfortunately, very few people know anything about Stevia, the various forms in which it comes, how and when to use it or which forms offer the maximum benefits.

Prior to 1991, Stevia was in widespread use in the United States and several other countries. In Japan, it was developed by a complex refining process into a sweetener called stevioside -- a white powder 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar -- which has a 47 percent market share in the Japanese commercial-sweetening industry.

In 1984, Stevia importers were informed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they could no longer import concentrated Stevia liquid into the United States for sale as a sweetener. FDA officials did say that there was no problem with importing Stevia in tea bags for sale as a tea. The FDA imposed an import alert on Stevia in May 1991, instructing importation agents to not allow Stevia in any form into the United States. The agency later relaxed that order, allowing Stevia to be imported and sold only as a liquid concentrate for skin care. The FDA issued a revised import alert Sept. 18, 1995, informing its agents that Stevia could be imported and sold if, and only if, it was labeled as a dietary supplement.

Good quality Stevia leaves, whether whole, cut and sifted or in tea bags, are about 30 times sweeter than sugar and have no calories. The best quality leaves are imported from South America and Mexico, and are about 12 percent to 13 percent stevioside. The poorest quality, but most ample supply, is currently coming from China, where the leaves contain only 5 percent to 6 percent stevioside. A simple taste test quickly demonstrates the difference.

In all of its current forms, Stevia has a taste unique to itself. With all of its sweetness, there is a bitter taste when the leaf, extract or stevioside powder is placed in the mouth. This bitter taste disappears, as does the slight licorice flavor, when the product is appropriately diluted in water or another liquid prior to use. The bitter taste comes from the leaf veins. The majority of the veins must be removed during the cut-and-sift process, or the delightfully sweet taste is overcome by a strong bitterness.

Whether in dry-leaf or concentrate form, Stevia has the wonderful ability to help the body regulate blood sugar. Several researchers have reported that, in these natural forms, Stevia seems to correct both high and low blood sugar. Other scientists have stated that Stevia appears to lower blood pressure, but does not seem to affect normal blood pressure. Stevia leaves and the water-based concentrate are sold in some South American countries as aids for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia and high blood pressure.

Research has demonstrated that Stevia liquid concentrate inhibits the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria and other infectious organisms, including those that are a problem for the food and cosmetic industries. Stevia also inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay, and in many countries it is used in oral-hygiene products. Because such products are not yet allowed by the FDA, many Americans simply add several drops of Stevia concentrate to a small amount of water, swish thoroughly in the mouth and swallow. This ability of Stevia to destroy infectious organisms may help explain why Stevia users report a lower incidence of colds and flu.

Less known, but no less remarkable, is the ability of water-based Stevia concentrate to help heal numerous skin problems, including acne, seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema. It also has been observed that placing it in cuts and wounds brings more rapid healing without the scarring. This will cause a severe stinging for several seconds, but is followed by a significant lowering of pain. Physicians have reported using Stevia concentrate to heal psoriasis and burns, while others have reported that it is extremely helpful in healing various lip sores.

The stevioside mentioned earlier, although more intensely sweet than the leaf or concentrate and certainly safe for diabetics and hypoglycemics, does not retain any of the healing properties described above. It is far too sweet to be eaten by itself, but it is in high demand by consumers who want a non- caloric sweetener.

Virtually all scientific researchers who have studied Stevia and stevioside have attested to their complete safety. Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D., a renowned scientist and director of the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory, has written the following:

Few substances have ever yielded such consistently negative results in toxicity trials as has Stevia. Almost every toxicity test imaginable has been performed on Stevia extract or stevioside at one time or another. The results are always negative. No abnormalities in weight change, food intake, cell or membrane characteristics, enzyme and substrate utilization or chromosome characteristics. No cancer, no birth defects, no acute and no chronic untoward effects.

Stevia is here. Use it, recommend it, and enjoy it. Stevia now comes in flavors.

Tea Tree Oil - Melaleuca Top^

(Melaleuca alternifolia) Common names: Manuka, melaleuca, tea tree oil. The tea tree grows in Australia and Asia. This tall evergreen tree has a white, spongy bark. The oil from the leaves is used. Australian Aboriginals used the leaves to treat cuts and skin infections. They would crush the leaves and apply them to the affected area. Captain James Cook and his crew named the tree “tea tree,” using its leaves as a substitute for tea as well as to flavor beer. Australian soldiers participating in World War I were given tea tree oil as a disinfectant, leading to a high demand for its production.

The oil contains numerous chemicals known as terpenoids. Australian standards were established for the amount of one particular compound, terpinen-4-ol, which must make up at least 30% and preferably 40–50% of the oil for it to be medically useful. Another compound, cineole, should make up less than 15% and preferably 2.5% of the oil.

The oil kills fungus and bacteria, including those resistant to some antibiotics. A single blind study has shown topical application of 5% tea tree oil in people with acne is as helpful as benzoylperoxide and has fewer side effects. A study found 100% tea tree oil applied topically was as effective as the antifungal medicine clotrimazole for people with athlete’s foot fungus affecting the toe nails.
Oil at strength of 70–100% should be applied moderately at least twice per day to the affected areas of skin or nail. For topical treatment of acne, the oil is used at a dilution of 5–15%.

Concentrations as strong as 40% may be used—with extreme caution and qualified advice—as vaginal douches. While tea tree oil can be applied to minor cuts and scrapes, use caution for more extensive areas of broken skin or areas affected by rashes not due to fungus. The oil may burn if it gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or other tender areas. Some people have allergic reactions, including rashes and itching, when applying tea tree oil. For this reason, only a small amount should be applied when first using it. Tea tree oil should never be swallowed, as it may cause nerve damage and other problems.

Note About Our Essentials Oils:

Essential Oils are mixtures of aromatic chemicals present in plant material
such as leaves, buds, flowers, fruit, bark, root, or wood, and are comprised
of various terpenes, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and ketones.

Nearly all essential oils are obtained by physical means, with most essential
oils obtained by the process of steam distillation of plant materials, and
Citrus Oils by the process of “cold pressing” of the fruit. There are a
few essential oils obtained using chemical solvent extractions. These
products are termed “concretes” and “absolutes”, and are identified
as such on the label. This discussion will center on the physical processes
of steam distillation and cold pressing.

Steam distillation is a three-step process comprised of the following:

1. The plant material is placed on a screen in a steam still. Steam from
a boiler is introduced under the screen where the plant material is held.
The steam vaporizes the essential oil in the plant material. Both
steam and oil vapor rise to a condenser.

2. The steam and oil are condensed to a liquid, and fed to a receiving vessel.

3. The essential oil rises to the top of the liquid in the receiving vessel.
It is separated from the condensed steam liquid (water or hydrosols).
The water may be returned to the boiler and reboiled into steam.

Cold Pressing is a four-step process comprised of the following:

1. The whole fruit is scarified, which means the peel or rind is mechanically
pierced to open the sacs containing the essential oil.

2. The whole fruit is then pressed which squeezes out the juice and oil.

3. The oil and juice, which contains the peel and other fruit solids, are
centrifuged to separate the liquids and solids.

4. The oil liquid layer is then separated from the juice liquid layer.