Natural Acne Remedies

If you have a teenager or pre-teen in your house, you most likely have lost use of one bathroom while they're in there preening, shaving and plucking.

What You Can Do For Kidney Disease

According to the National Kidney Foundation, the two primary risk factors for kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes.

What Is CoQ10?

You may have heard, seen or read a lot about CoQ10 and wondered what all the hype is about.

Probiotics for Overall Health

Stomach pain and digestive issues are no joke: a majority of the population experiences chronic and uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms daily.

Natural Remedies for the Common Cold

The last thing you need in your busy life is a stubborn head cold and sinus congestion.

Suki skin care: An Organic Approach to Beauty

The All-Natural Phenomenon

“Beauty is only skin deep.” This may have been the only guideline for cosmetics throughout history.

Natural Alzheimer's Treatments

We all experience "senior moments" as we age, and we may wonder when we should start worrying about them.

Healing the Gut with Alternative Medicine

Voltaire said, "the art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."

Healing the Gut with Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Gastrointestinal Illness is Everywhere This is true: over 10% of Americans have suffered from at least one stomach ulcer in their lives.

What Can I Do about Tinnitus?

If you've suddenly developed a ringing or buzzing in your ears and you're not at a Phillip Glass concert, you most likely have tinnitus.

Add Iron To Your Diet

If you're a regular blood donor, you are one of the unsung heroes in the world that can make the difference in many people's lives so give yourself a pat on the back. As a regular blood donor, you most likely don't have a problem with low iron levels and know the importance of incorporating iron-rich foods into your diet. On the other hand, if you've been deferred by the intake nurse because your hematocrit (iron level) was too low, you most likely were handed a flyer with a listing of all the foods you should be eating, with liver in the number-one spot on the list.

Not everyone is a fan of iron. Luckily, there are other iron-rich dietary sources you may not be aware of. Consider black-strap molasses, for instance, which tastes great in cookie form. Or any green leafy vegetable that can be cooked, such as spinach or Swiss chard, makes a delicious side dish to a meal. Many cereal manufacturers enrich their products with iron so check the label. Mollusks, such as clams, oysters and scallops, are also high in iron. 

Even if you're not a blood donor, maintaining sufficient levels of iron in your blood is important; otherwise, you risk developing anemia, the most obvious symptoms of which are fatigue and lack of energy. Very active women are especially prone to anemia when, indeed, they're the ones who need iron the most since it's crucial to red blood cell production and an optimum cardiovascular system.

If you find it hard to get sufficient iron through diet alone, consider a nutritional supplement, such as Integrative Therapeutics' Energizing Iron softgels. The trademarked formula from Integrative Therapeutics contains heme iron made from Argentinian bovine sources that were given a diet free of antibiotics. Integrative Therapeutics also offers their Iron Complex softgels that have another trademarked technology, which allows for the greatest absorption of liver and increased production of red blood cells. If you follow a vegetarian diet and need an iron supplement, consider the Iron Plus C formula from Vital Nutrients.
 

Boost Your Immune System for Spring

Spring is arriving.
Rising temperatures after a long and freezing Winter can bring a sense of relief to many people. However, the changes occurring aren't always revitalizing: over 20% of Americans get sick with the change of seasons every year. Why does this happen? Some speculate the pressure related to rapid temperature changes are to blame; others claim that there are more "bugs" floating around and making us ill. Even alternative medicine claims it has to do with the change in daylight hours. Whichever reason makes sense for you, getting sick is never fun and can easily be remedied. Your immune system responds efficiently and quickly if you know which supplements and treatments are effective and healing on the body.

What vitamins and minerals do I need?

Echinacea:
If you've ever seen the echinacea flower, you'll notice it has the most vibrant magenta petals and truly epitomizes spring time. It also is capable of preventing colds, flus, and other warmer weather illnesses. Fossilized remains have shown that echinacea has been used among villages over 400 years ago! Many studies have shown its effectiveness in treating sickness, but it's real abilities lie in preventative medicine. Symptoms of illness such as headache, stuffy head, fever, sore throat, and chest pain benefit from the supplementation of echinacea at the first sign of a cold or flu.
As Winter turns to Spring, add in echinacea to keep any nasty bug from causing you infection and those inconvenient "sick days." Enjoy the beautiful rising temperatures instead!

Rose Hips:
Rose hips grow from roses as soft, bright red berry-like structures that resemble cherry tomatoes with outward reaching tails. The hips can be used in teas, jams, syrups, and even alcohol. Their real talent is preventing cold and flu sickness! They may resemble tomatoes because they also contain lycopene, an antioxidant that can powerfully eradicate free radicals that may cause infection. Their high vitamin C content also allows the body to repair and strengthen cells which continuously fight the foreign invader cells that enter your body every day. Rose hips have incredible anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate the painful symptoms often associated with the flu.

Elderberry:
The elderberry flower is a beautiful off-white colored, star shaped blossom that produces hard, dark blue berries that look like blueberries. Elderberries contain high amounts of vitamin C, another flu fighting, immune system-loving compound. They are also made up of immune-boosting flavonoids that are commonly found in plants and trees. Like echinacea, elderberries are most powerful when taken at the first symptom of being sick. A very famous 1980 scientific study tested the effects of elderberry on an Israeli population sick with a flu outbreak. The entire population was given an elderberry treatment for their symptoms. Within one day, 20% felt significantly better. After 2 days, 73% recovered and by the third day, 90% of those treated with elderberry felt completely healed and recovered. Since this incredible herb promotes natural detoxifying sweating, fevers are significantly reduced with the intake of elderberry.

Vitamin D:
One of the theories of why we get Spring time sickness is that our bodies have been deprived of sunlight, vitamin D, for months. Inside our houses, the microorganisms are familiar with our bodies and we are tolerant of them. Once the temperature rises, the sun shines, and we are outside more often, new germs and bacteria invade our systems. We are low on this reparative vitamin, and as a result of these new interactions we contract infections much more easily than we would have if vitamin D was consumed daily, regardless of the weather.
DaVinci Labs Immuno-DMG chewable tablets contain a high amount of vitamin D to push any infection to the wayside and keep you feeling as healthy as Spring!

Vitamin C:
Our antioxidant friend, vitamin C, is the most popular form of illness defense in the world. It is available as lozenges, syrups, chewable vitamins, capsules, and even from Mother Nature-- in citrus fruits. The compounds in vitamin C promote cell repair and defense, which contributes to preventative health just like our herbal supplements. Allergy Research Group had this in mind when they created their Citrus Pectin Powder for immune system health. It can be taken continuously, because it also aids in rapid recovery after contracting a virus or catching a cold. Because free radicals are destroyed by vitamin C, it may even prevent future colds or flus from affecting your immune system, and strengthen your body over time of continuous supplementation.

DaVinci Labs has created a vegetarian immune supplement, Cell Support, that contains many of these powerful protective compounds against illness and regulating minerals for a healthy immune system.
Wholly Immune by Allergy Research Group is whole-foods based supplement that fights colds and flus with minerals like iron, zinc, and vitamins D and C.

Lifestyle choices that minimize immune dysfunction.

Get active!
The comfortable temperatures and nicer weather can only mean one thing: another reason to get out and enjoy it! Staying moderately active can significantly cut your risk of infection, because your cells are strengthened and become more resilient to foreign invader cells. Bicycling around the neighborhood, going for a walk after dinner, and even playing out in the yard can significantly reduce your chances of getting sick.

Enjoy the sunlight.
We now know vitamin D plays a role in healthy immune function. Supplements can definitely fulfill your new requirements for this valuable vitamin, and spending time soaking up the sun's rays will compound your capacity to store and utilize vitamin D. This means a healthier, functioning body!

Incorporate fresh produce into your diet.
The next time you go grocery shopping, find the most colorful fruits and vegetables to eat. These bright colors are a signal that the produce contains high levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Many genetic forces will control how effective your supplements are. Incorporating fresh, whole foods into your diet will ensure that you reach the optimum levels of the most important nutrients your body needs. Fruits like oranges and grapefruits, vegetables like spinach, kale, and bell peppers all contain protective nutrients that help fight illness during seasonal changes.

Spice up your life!
Spicy foods like jalapenos and other spicy peppers, cayenne, and chiles help to break down thick mucous that often accompanies sinus-related illness in the Spring and may help to reduce symptoms of allergies! Bring the heat and fight your spring time symptoms with a red-hot meal.

The Best Prenatal Vitamins for a Healthy Pregnancy

You're Pregnant! Congratulations!

Pregnancy offers a completely new perspective on life and health. Being a mother is an incredible experience with amazing benefits and challenging obstacles with rewarding results.

Increase Energy Levels Naturally

Keeping your energy levels up throughout your busy day can be a problem if getting enough sleep and exercise tends to fall at the bottom of your to-do list. Although tempting, try not to slip into the pattern of eating sugary snacks to get that much needed energy boost or having another cup of coffee to get through that afternoon energy slump. They may work for the short term but will adversely affect your health if diet and weight loss are your long term goals.

Nutritional supplements are the way to go if you want to avoid fatigue and that crash and burn from sugar or caffeine. The proliferation of quick fix remedies, such as energy drinks or shots, is a symptom of our busy lives and fitting too many obligations into a task-filled day. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get at least eight hours of sleep at night and fit in 20 minutes of aerobic activity three times a week into your routine. Consider treating yourself to a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime to soothe yourself to sleep and getting outside to walk the dog or jog with the kids as easy ways to keep your healthy lifestyle on track.

If you experience that mid-morning or afternoon slump at work, consider trying Douglas Laboratories' Brain Energy capsules to improve your concentration and focus when you need it the most. Brain Energy by Douglas Labs contains tyrosine, an amino acid known to enhance alertness and improve neurotransmitter responses in the brain. Vital Nutrients also offers their Energy Plus capsules that contain ginseng and the Chinese herb fo-ti, renowned in Eastern medicine as a longevity tonic.

If you lead a very physical life and want to keep your performance and activity levels up, you may want to consider a scientifically formulated supplement. Although many sports drinks have high-profile endorsements and tout their benefits through marketing brochures, they're also full of sugar and may end up dropping your energy levels to zero. Athletes need to replenish electrolytes lost through physical exertion, and Pure Encapsulations offers their Electrolyte/Energy Formula in a great-tasting, lemon-lime flavor that you can mix with water and drink right before a workout.

For additional ways to keep your energy levels up the natural way, check out our extensive selection of nutritional energy supplements available on our website CAMFormulas.com or click the links below to buy the products mentioned in this article!