Vital Choice Healthstore Blog & Podcast

The liver is our primary organ of detoxification. If you stop and think about it, we ask it to do quite a bit. Every medicine, preservative, pesticide, herbicide, artificial color, flavor and sweetener, and alcoholic beverage that passes our lips ends up being filtered by the liver, not to mention the countless other functions it performs.

Given the burden placed on the liver, it begs the question when and how do we detoxify our detoxifier?

According to numerous studies, the mushroom reishi (REE-shee) may be the perfect option not only to cleanse, but also enhance liver function because it acts as both detoxifier and protector. According to numerous animal and in-vitro studies, reishi can prevent or lessen liver damage from a variety of chemicals, improve immune function and inhibit the growth of some malignant tumors. It also shows significant anti-inflammatory effects and reduces allergic responsiveness. In addition, reishi also increases two powerful free radical scavengers called SOD and glutathione.

Now, it’s important to note that I am not claiming that any reishi product can prevent cancer or cure any liver disease.  However, many natural health experts, including Andrew Weil MD., believe reishi to be an essential part of any optimal health regimen.

While many good reishi products are available, one of the best is Liver Strength from MegaFood. Liver Strength features a unique form of reishi called reishi antler, which has been shown to be more potent than standard preparations. To further enhance the product, MegaFood grows it’s reishi antler on a bed of purple corn, a clinically studied source of potent antioxidants. Liver Strength can be taken daily to provide consistent liver support.

For more information, listen-in on my podcast with Ann Allworth, Ph.D available at podcast.vchoice.com.

Today’s topic is a very common issue that few of us like to discuss – constipation.  So let’s discuss it!  Ultimately, the goal is a healthy elimination schedule, defined simply as eliminating at least once a day.

To that end, I’ll discuss a long term approach to digestive health developed by Brenda Watson, ND known as the H.O.P.E. Formula – High fiber, Omega oils, Probiotics and Enzymes, as well as a review of some of the most researched and effective natural options for the short term including senna, cascara sagrada and my favorite choice magnesium.

In this podcast I refer back to a few prior episodes including: A WHOLE new chapter in fish oil and Probiotics are essential to health

by Nicole Elias, RD LD

With so many sources of nutrition information it can be overwhelming, so I’ve comprised a list of some common dietary myths to set the record straight.

Myth – Eating late at night causes weight gain.

Fact – There is no magic time that results in more weight gain if you eat after it.   Providing you eat less calories than you burn each day you’ll lose weight, regardless of when you consume those calories.   The problem with late night eating is usually due to the types and quantity of food consumed.  Over restricting calories during the day can lead to overeating at night and this is where the weight gain may come in.  One of my best weight loss tips is to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals to portion out calories evenly throughout the day.  This will keep blood sugar levels stable, keep energy up, and keep you from reaching that starvation point (when we are most likely to binge).

Myth – Multi-grain, 12-grain or wheat breads are good sources of whole grains

Fact – Believe it or not, just because it says 12-grain on the label, doesn’t necessarily make a bread healthy. Whether it has 1 grain or 20 grains, if the grains aren’t 100% whole, then they aren’t a good choice.  In addition to that, if a label says wheat bread, it doesn’t mean its whole wheat.  These breads are often white bread with coloring added to make them appear like whole wheat bread.   So, always check the ingredient list and look for the word ‘whole’ to be listed as the first ingredient.

Myth - There are supplements that can effectively burn fat and cause weight loss without diet or exercise

Fact - Though there are some that can aid in weight loss, there is no magic supplement that will take fat off with out making lifestyle changes.  A few of my favorite supplements are green tea, PGX-Fiber and CLA.  Check out my blog on weight loss supplements for more information.

Myth - If you put a vitamin/herbal supplement in water or vinegar, it should disintegrate to prove it can be absorbed in the body.

Fact -This test is not a good representation of the absorption of a supplement.  Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) and many enzymes are present in the body to break down food and supplements.  Though vinegar is an acid, stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is far more acidic.  The water/venegar test cannot replicate our digestive system.  To prove it, put a carrot or a piece of chicken in a cup of vinegar.  Even if you left it over night or for a week, the food would not dissolve, but there is no doubt that they are broken down and used in the body.

If you are concerned with the absorption of your supplement, consider switching to a whole food vitamin, or adding digestive enzymes.

Myth - Natural equals healthy

Fact - What does natural mean? I’m not sre, because neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture has formally defined it. In 1993, the FDA made a policy that it does nopt object to “natural” on labels, “provided it is used in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and the product does not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances”. Unfortunately, just because a product is labeled natural, does not make it healthy.   For example, I have seen many chips in the snack aisle labeled natural, because the manufacturer added no artificial ingredients.  However, the chips were still loaded with fat, calories and sodium, and low in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

The USDA is currently defining the conditions under which it will permit ‘natural’ to be used in meat and poultry product labeling, but a final rule may not appear until late 2010.

If you would like to dispel a dietary myth or have any other questions, please let me know.   I would love to help!

-Nicole Elias, RD, LD

by Nicole Elias, RD LD

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, and with good reason. Teas contain many beneficial compounds. Though all teas (black, red, oolong) come from the same plant, green tea is less processed and contains a high amount of antioxidants called polyphenols.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the beneficial properties of polyphenols.  Some studies suggest that tea’s polyphenols may reduce risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Other laboratory studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels.  Several studies also showed that EGCG, another antioxidant in green tea, may play an important role in helping maintain a healthy weight through its unique effects on energy metabolism.

And now we have yet another reason to drink green tea.

Promising new research suggests that green tea may protect against eye disease.

New research from Hong Kong suggests that green tea may protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma because the researchers found green tea antioxidants called catechins present in various tissue structures in the eyes of laboratory rats after they had ingested green tea Until this study, nobody knew if green tea catechins actually passed from the stomach and gastrointestinal tract into the tissues of the eye. These results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress. Of course further research is needed to confirm the same effects in humans..

The research was published in the 10th February print issue of the American Chemical Society’s bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

So take some time to relax with a cup of green tea and drink up to good health!

FYI: If drinking green tea doesn’t appeal to you, you can also find it in supplement form.  Be careful, because many supplement companies will add extra ingredients such as caffeine.  One of my favorite green tea supplements is New Chapter’s Green and White Tea Force.  New Chapter doesn’t believe in destroying the whole food or using chemicals to extract it. The only ingredients are pure organic green and white tea.

Today’s Good Morning America asked the question are fish oil supplements safe?

According to the report, a law suit has been filed because PCBs were found in the samples tested.

“The reason for the lawsuit is that people are being exposed to PCBs through these products and they’re not being told,” said David Roe, attorney for the plaintiff. Click here to visit the plaintiff’s Web site, FishOilSafety.com.

Roe filed suit against eight fish oil producers and retailers, including CVS, GNC, Omega Protein and Rite Aid.

For me the concern is not that PCBs are present,but at what level?  For example, when we eat fish, we know we’re getting some level of impurities.  We are told after-all that wild caught fish are the best for us, yet wild caught implies a lack of control over the environment.  So, it does not surprise me at all that a fish, be it fillet or softgel, would have contaminants.  My concern is are these contaminants at unhealthy levels?

To that end we look to the WHO (World health Organization) and to some degree the state of California.  Why California? Because they actually have tougher standards than the WHO.

In this case, two brands – Now Foods and Nature Made, have some ’splainin’ to do.  While all brands tested did possess some level of impurity, Now Foods topped the list with over 70x the level of PCBs in two of their products than other popular brands Solgar and Twinlab. [Note - this is one issue I had with the GMA story.  Instead of stating that Solgar had the lowest levels tested, they simply stated that Solgar did not respond in time.  To me, this painted Solgar in an unfair light when in fact, they probably just didn't get a response over in time!]

It is important to note that NONE of the samples tested were above WHO standards for daily consumption.  Two brands – Now Foods and Nature Made -  did not meet California standards, however.

I am interested to see where this suit goes.  I visited the plaintiff’s website and found it a bit alarming.  Statements like “Consumers have the right to know what is really in fish oil!” and “Click Here to Sign the FishOilSafety.com petition now!” makes me wonder if this isn’t a not-so-veiled attempt at bolstering support for increased government regulation as opposed to a lawsuit filed due to real injury.

After seeing this report, I contacted several of my favorite fish oil brands including New Chapter (makers of the product I take called WholeMega and Reliance Vitamin (makers of our Vital Choice Healthstore brand).  Both companies were able to produce third-party verification that their products meet, or exceed, California and WHO purity standards. (To see these, please stop into to Vital Choice Healthstore).

I believe in using supplements to fill the gaps in my diet.  Countless studies have shown the benefits of eating fatty fish like salmon on a regular basis and that’s why I will continue to take fish oil supplements on a regular basis.  For more information on GMA’s story, listen-in on my TV Week in Review Podcast.

How about you?  What’s your reaction to this story?

On-Air 24/7!

Today’s podcast features a new segment – the TV Week in Review.  I’ve noticed that following a particular news report or just about any Dr. Oz show for that matter, the phone starts ringing off the hook with questions.

With this in mind, I thought I would take the most popular issues of the week, and discuss them on the podcast.

This week the winner is Krill Oil as discussed by Dr. Mercola on the Dr. Oz show and Good Morning America’s report on the Safety of Fish Oil.

Note – during this podcast I refer to a previously recorded podcast on the fish oil product Wholemega.

By Nicole Elias, RD LD

Ok, so it may not be as exciting as the holidays, but nutrition, to a large extent, defines the body’s health, growth and development.  In fact, many chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis and dental diseases are linked to the foods we are and aren’t eating.

So here are a few tips on what you can consume to boost your health and aid in disease prevention:

• A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help to decrease pain and reduce your risk of some cancers.  Anti-inflammatory foods include wild salmon, walnuts, olive oil, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and rosemary.

• Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown to help with anxiety and reducing the risk of heart disease.

• If high cholesterol is an issue for you, try to include fish, tomato sauce, almonds, soy protein and foods rich in soluble fiber such as oat bran, oatmeal and whole grain cereals in your diet.  In fact, recent research shows that LDL, total cholesterol levels and waist circumference were more significantly reduced in the group that ate oat cereal vs. the control group.

• Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, tempeh and miso contain probiotics.   Probiotics or “good” bacteria are beneficial for immune and digestive health.

• Including 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day can help keep bowels regular, aid in weight loss and help control blood sugar which can reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Good sources of fiber include beans, lentils, vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

• Eat your antioxidants to protect against free radical damage. Antioxidants have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.  Good sources include blueberries (I really like Wyman’s), cranberries, pomegranates, artichokes, beans, potatoes, walnuts, cinnamon and oregano. Remember that different colored fruits and vegetables provide different nutrients – so try to include a variety to ensure you are getting everything you need.

Make March time for healthy celebration and take time this month to feed your health!

by Nicole Elias, RD, LD

I’m often asked if I had to take only 1 supplement what would it be?

While this varies depending on the individual and their diet, there are a few supplements that I think are important foundations to good health.  Here are my top three:

1. Omega-3/Fish oil

You may know that omega-6 and omega-3 are beneficial fatty acids that are essential to our health.  However, did you know that Americans get very little omega-3?  In fact, some sources say we eat 20 times the amount of omega-6 to omega-3. Omega-3 has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke while helping to reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), joint pain and other inflammatory problems, as well as certain skin ailments.

If you aren’t eating sources of Omega-3 such as wild salmon, walnuts and olive oil then you should be supplementing with it.  If you eat these things on occasion, then it’s OK to skip the supplement for that day.  Remember, supplements are designed to replace nutrients you may not be getting enough of in your diet.

Product Suggestions: New Chapter makes a product called Wholemega and it’s the next best thing to eating Wild Alaskan Salmon!  It’s a rich source of omega-3 and actually provides a natural balance of 16 Omegas including 5,6,7 and 9.  Unlike processed “purified” fish oils, the gentle extraction process used for Wholemega preserves beneficial compounds such as the antioxidant Astaxanthin as well as Vitamin D. Continue reading My Top 3 Supplements

Bilberry extract may be able to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

Until recently, most of the research conducted on bilberry has focused on its ability to help improve vision related issues like macular degeneration and night blindness.

From the topic bilberry at vchoice.com

Bilberry has been used for centuries, both medicinally and as a food in jams and pies. It is related to the blueberry and is native to Northern Europe. Bilberry fruit contains chemicals known as anthocyanosides, plant pigments that have excellent antioxidant properties. They scavenge damaging particles in the body known as free radicals, helping to prevent or reverse damage to cells. Antioxidants have been shown to help prevent a number of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and an eye disorder called macular degeneration. Bilberry also contains vitamin C, which is another antioxidant.

In this latest study, Japanese researchers used mice genetically predisposed to develop diabetes. The mice were fed either a diet containing bilberry extract or their normal diet for five weeks.  At the end of the study the researchers found that bilberry extract lowered blood glucose and increased insulin sensitivity in the mice.

While this study is far from being scientific proof that bilberry could do the same in humans, the researches note the same effect could likely occur in humans and recommended that clinical studies be conducted to test the effects of bilberry on human health.

Given its safety record and documented health benefits, I think adding a bilberry supplement to a healthy blood sugar regimen may be worth a try.  I suppose the worst case scenario is that you prevent macular degeneration!

[Read study abstract]

There aren’t many heart healthier nutrients than CoQ10.  Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that plays a major role in the production of cellular energy called ATP.  According to the MayoClinic.com:

CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.

As this supplement has gained in popularity so too have the options available.

Today’s podcast looks to answer several common questions I receive about CoQ10 including: ‘Is CoQ10 for everybody?’ and, ‘Which form is best?’

After listening to this podcast you may also want to check out A Better and Safer CoQ10 with my guest Jen Luse of New Chapter.