Anyone who has been on the lookout for health products would have heard about the various properties of acai berry juice. The juice is extracted from the acai berry, a berry that is found in the palm trees of the Amazon in Brazil. This wonder fruit has been consumed by the Brazilians for many years and it is only recently that it has been brought to the forefront so that everyone can benefit from the super food’s characteristics. The super food is known by many to help weight loss and has various other properties as well. It is available over the Internet and all that you need to do is to type in acai in a search engine to obtain various websites where you can buy acai berry juice.

The Importance of Buying Good Quality Acai Berry Juice
The acai berry needs to be extracted well so as to retain all the beneficial properties that it has. The berry itself is known to rot within a day and therefore it is important that the plant be grown near the manufacturing unit or the manufacturing unit be placed close to the place where the acai berry grows naturally. It is therefore pertinent that you choose the acai juice that you consume after adequate levels of research and reference.

Weight Loss Properties
This is one property of acai berry that needs no mention. Anyone who knows about the blue coloured berry seems to know about the fact that it is essentially very good for weight loss. The weight loss properties of the berry or the acai berry have been popularized in Oprah Winfrey’s show as well and it is said that she along with other Hollywood stars have benefitted from the acai berry juice diet and have achieved their weight loss targets. Acai works in a completely natural manner and increases the metabolism of the body. This means that the weight loss that results from consuming acai berry is completely natural.

Other Health Benefits of Acai Berry
Apart from the weight loss characteristics that acai berry has, there are also many other benefits of consuming this super food. The berry and the juice extracted from the same contain high levels of nutrients that are required by the body. It is high in antioxidants and therefore helps in preventing cancerous growths.

It also contains fibre, amino acids, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A, E and C. These contribute to increasing the immunity levels of the body and keep diseases at bay.  Unique nutrients like oleic acid or omega 9 helps in lowering cholesterol and since it is low on sugar, it is a great fruit for diabetics as well. The Cyanidin 3 Glucoside is known to reverse the process of aging and can help you look better with each passing day.

Acai berry, when consumed regularly can help in improving your complexion and skin tone, aiding digestion, managing insomnia and depression and removing toxins from your system as well. This ensures that your body remains healthy and fit at all times.

Bookmark It

Home remedies have been around for hundreds of years and just like most things their popularity comes and goes.  At the moment the popularity of  natural products and remedies is on the increase and many folk are on the look out for the effective home remedies.  So just how do you start finding home remedies that are suitable for you?

The first thing to finding home remedies that work is to start off with the most basic and straightforward remedies that you can find.  If you have never intensively researched and investigated natural home remedies, then leaping in and trying to self-treat a major disease or medical condition without the advice and support of your GP is not advised and should be avoided.

Most commonly people will use natural remedies for more everyday injuries and conditions and that’s where you should start. Something like toothache for instance, an oral care complaint that because of the way it can quickly develop – sometimes in the middle of the night when seeing a dentist is not possible – is an ideal condition to try to treat via natural remedies. 

Start by lifting the head if the toothache developed in the night when you were sound asleep.  By simply sitting yourself up with some pillows you will relieve the pressure in the head and sinus regions and this could be all that you need to reduce the pain.  If that isn’t enough, then you can place an ice cube on the affected tooth and this will numb the nerves and reduce inflammation.  All great to help you through before you can get to the dentist.

Another of the home remedies that you may be interested in is an allergy treatment such as a remedy for Hay Fever.  Hay Fever, that periodic burden on so many lives as the pollen rises, can be managed and kept at bay by following some simple steps.  Have you tried lining the insides of your nostrils with petroleum jelly?  You should try it if you suffer with Hay Fever!  What this does is to trap and stop the pollen from entering through your nose and setting off your allergies.  For Hay Fever you can also add a tea spoon of local honey, along with a tea spoon of apple cider vinegar to some hot water and drink as an early morning tea.

So, as you can see finding yourself some home remedies for you does not have to be a huge undertaking of mixing complex potions and concoctions. all it takes is a little common sense and a little research and before you know it, you’ll be using these remedies without giving them a second thought.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bookmark It

Recent studies have shown that the skin of mangosteen has high antioxidant and antibacterial properties.  Initial results also reveal that they have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, raising the popularity of mangosteen capsules as a skin care product.  This may be a result of a compound found called xanthones which may provide many more times  the anti-oxidant punch than vitamin C and vitamin E.  The capsule form includes the exterior skin of the mangosteen fruit containing the highest concentration of xanthones. It benefits every organ in the body and helps to fight free radicals which strengthens the immune system and promotes joints and cartilage function.

At this point there are no human studies which have conclusively define the benefits to the skin in using either juice, powder or spa soap.  However, there also have been no studies which disproves the case studies and the beliefs of individuals who continue to use mangosteen in order to improve the condition of their overall health as well as benefit from the anti-acne, antibacterial and anti-free radical properties.

At this time case studies seem to indicate that the mangosteen fruit helps treat acne in teenagers who are most commonly affected with this skin disorder.  The mangosteen fruit has been found to have antibacterial properties against the acne causing bacteria, P. acnes and S. epidermides.  The strong anti-oxidants also help to reduce the effect of environmental stressors and toxins which build up in the body and also aggravate acne.

Another of the skin conditions which are reported to respond positively from the use of mangosteen fruit and juice are eczema and psoriasis.  The fruit reportedly helps to decrease the number of flare-ups and complications from eczema while the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can help to decrease the inflammatory process of psoriasis while keeping the body at optimal health.

While there has been no conclusive studies which show that mangosteen fruit has a significant positive benefit on the overall health of the skin, researchers do you know that the anti-oxidant and vitamins contained in the mangosteen juice do have an overall positive benefit to the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and acne. 

Because there are no side effects to mangosteen juice it is well worth the effort of giving it a trial to determine whether or not you will individually respond to the improved health benefits of the supplement.  As with any supplement, if you are currently taking any medications or have any underlying health issues it is important to discuss the relationship of taking mangosteen with your pharmacist or primary care physician

Bookmark It

Individuals who choose a vegetarian lifestyle have several different challenges depending upon the level of vegetarianism that they practice. For example; vegetarians who consume milk, eggs and cheese are better at getting calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12 than those who are vegan and do not eat any animal products. One of the biggest mineral requirements that an individual has, which may be deficient in a vegetarian diet, is calcium.

Calcium, along with magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin K  is required to build strong bones. Vegetarians who choose to eat the majority of their calories in pasta and whole grains will miss out on the large amount of calcium found in dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice and calcium fortified soy milk.

There are many benefits to eating a vegetarian diet and individuals should seek to eat a well-balanced healthy diet in order to fulfil all of the nutrient requirements that their bodies have. The rules to eating a vegetarian diet are the same as any other diet-there should be a variety, balance and moderation.

The recommended level of calcium for adults ages 19 through age 50 is 1000 mg per day. For those older than 50 the recommended dose is 1200 mg per day. Some studies, although not all, have shown that older adults with high calcium intake have stronger bones and a lower fracture risk. However, these studies did not control other outside sources which have an impact on the strength of bones. There are a small number of studies using individuals who practice a vegan diet. However, in one study where vegans were used as study subjects their calcium intakes were close to recommended levels and the researchers found that calcium was well absorbed.

Calcium rich foods include spinach, soy milk, fortified orange juice, sesame seeds, broccoli, almonds, carrots and rice milk.

Bookmark It

For nearly 3000 years or so Asian cultures have harnessed the natural power offered by plants to live healthier and happier lives. Today Western medicine is beginning to discover the powerful effects which herbal supplements have on the overall health and well-being of all of us. Amongst other things, herbal supplements are believed to boost energy, improve memory and even promote a more natural and youthful skin appearance.

While they are growing rapidly in popularity, they are not as yet properly regulated – though as of 2011 the MHRA will require licenses for herbal products. This has both positive and negative effects on the industry. On the positive side it means that pharmaceutical industries are unable to charge an exorbitant amount of money for plants that can be grown in our backyard. The pharmaceutical industry has long been interested in regulating herbal supplements and vitamins in order to increase their financial bottom line.

The flip side of this argument is that because the government does not regulate the production and manufacturing of these products they are also not consistently packaged. Improperly produced supplements could mean quality issues which makes it important for the consumer to actively investigate the companies from whom they are purchasing their products and ensure that they are receiving the active ingredients they believe they are.

Herbal supplements do have active ingredients that affect how the body functions, just as any over-the-counter or prescription medication might. This means that if you’re considering a herbal supplementation in order to improve your overall health, you should also be sure that anything you’re taking does not interact with any medications you might already be on. The best place to check this out is with your pharmacist who is well-versed in the interactions between all medications, including herbal supplements.

Herbal supplements can be risky for individuals who have underlying medical conditions and are taking multiple medications. Educate yourself about any products you intend to use before purchasing them and talk with both your doctor and your pharmacist.

Bookmark It

As the world becomes more and more health conscious we are learning that it has become significantly more difficult to receive adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals from our foods today than it was even just 20 years ago. This is because the land has become over farmed and overused leaving little vitamins and minerals for plants to absorb and pass on to the end user.

Unfortunately, even increased knowledge of how to eat a more healthy diet has not led to more people actually choosing to eat a healthier diet. Families don’t often take the time to plan meals or to perform the necessary tasks required in order to purchase healthy foods and cook them. It has become much too easy to go to a drive up window or grab a processed mail at the supermarket.

Adding nutritional and dietary supplements to your daily regimen are meant to only augment your diet and not replace a healthy diet. The body is an incredible machine designed to function appropriately when fed well. In other words, we really are what we eat. You have to help the body along by providing it with natural vitamins and minerals from raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. If you can’t do this through diet then supplements can help you top up.

Nutritional supplements from vitamin and mineral pills can assist the body in working optimally but the body will always find nutrients from raw food more bioavailable than nutrients from a vitamin produced in the lab. Basically, this means that the body will be able to use the vitamins and minerals from raw food much better than it can a pill. Multivitamins however are a necessary adjunct to raw foods.

Coming from a health supplement retailer this may seem a strange thing to admit. However we realise that for the majority of people getting the necessary vitamins and minerals through food would be the ideal choice, they simply don’t have the time to plan it. This is something that is unlikely to change and is the reason we pride ourselves on providing our customers with quality health supplements!

Bookmark It

The Acai Berry and more recently the Maqui Berry are the two top super berries, both hailing from the exotic South America. The Acai comes from the dense rainforests of the Amazon, while Maqui is found further south, in the Patgonian area of Argentina and Chile.

Between the two the Acai fares somewhat better in taste, but what keeps consumers interested in these berries are their scientifically proven antioxidant contents and overall health benefits. Antioxidants protect our body against free radicals which are unstable molecules produced during day to day functioning of the cell. The antioxidant activity of these two berries is attributed to their content of a phytochemical, Anthocyanin. These antioxidant packed berries empower us to fight the pull of age, wear a healthy skin, stay active and look young.

Consumers, in their quest for the one which will promise a longer and disease-free life are now between two horns while searching for the overall better among the two berries.

The acai berry is an excellent source of anthocyanin. No one can argue against the benefits this berry provides to the human body.

The little deep purple Maqui berry on the other hand has now set the bar higher and in doing so set the wellness industry on fire. With its ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) content 4-10 times higher than that of the Acai berry the Maqui is set to become the new king of health supplements. Maqui berries also contain minerals such as iron, calcium and potassium; along with Vitamins A and C.

But the Acai does still win against the Maqui Berry in its rich content of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Finally, the factors that will drive home the popularity of Acai and Maqui berries are scientific research and raising public awareness of their superfruit credibility. Both the Acai and the potentially improved Maqui are touted to benefit weight loss, boost immune support, possess anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic properties, and definitely provide long term benefits like help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Bookmark It

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is the berry of an Amazonian palm. In spite of its small size, it is packed with tremendous nutritional benefits, and no wonder it has been actually a key part of the diet for the native people in the Amazon for ages.

Acai berry supplements are the latest and greatest discovery in the health foods industry. Here’s why:

1. The Acai berry is promoted primarily for its antioxidant effects, which exceed that of other antioxidant rich foods like blueberries and red wine. Advocates of the Acai berry diet claim that these antioxidants will enhance general well-being and vitality, and also support weight loss.
2. The Acai berry’s plant sterols: B-sitosterol and campesterol have been found to improve Cardiac health.
3. In every 100 grams of unprocessed Acai, there are more than 1,000 IU of vitamin A, which is essential for the moisture and health of your skin.
4. The Acai berry contains healthy oils omega-3 and omega-6, known to lessen levels of LDL in the blood and increase energy and stamina levels.
5. The Acai berry offers four times the energy of milk and a healthy punch of lipids, carbohydrates, iron, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E, as well as the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, and zinc.
6. Acai is a good source of amino acids, that are, essentially, the basic building blocks of the body’s cells and tissues. They are also vital for energy and make it an attractive supplement for athletes.
7. Acai has 44.2 grams of fibre in every 100 grams, promoting regular digestive transit. As well as its cleansing effect, the right sort of fibre can help to prevent certain type of cancers.

Basically, Acai Berry is a superfood that can help you to look and feel better, lose weight, get in shape, and just generally help you become a healthier and happier person. That’s why it has become so incredibly popular recently.

Bookmark It

The Acai Berry is a high energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree  collected in the rainforests of Brazil. It tastes like a combination of chocolate and berries. Acai berry has been classified as a “super food”; a food with high phytonutrient content. Phytonutrient basically means that something has a high nutrient level such as beta carotene.Acai berries are filled with antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids that are considered essential. This has been a large part of the reason for it’s explosion into the health supplement market – though it is generally only found in specialist retailers – not your local supermarket for example.This berry is special in the properties it possesses for anti-aging. It has approximately ten times more antioxidants than red grapes. Because of this it can provide many benefits including fighting premature aging and promoting cardiovascular and digestive health.Acai berry has been most commonly touted as an aid in weight loss, leading to the development of the supplement in various forms such as capsules, tablets, smoothies and powders. This is because the high fibre content of the berry makes you feel fuller quicker when eating meals. It also aids digestion enabling you to process your food more efficiently.  Of course endorsements from Brad Pitt and Oprah have done no harm to the credentials of this potent health food supplement as a weight loss aid.Whatever your beliefs about the Acai Berry there are no doubts that it does carry many health benefits.  It has been called the super food by many and a weight loss miracle berry by others. Super food, anti aging wonder or weight loss drug?  It has many properties that are very exciting.  If this berry can do half of what is claimed then it is a very worthwhile addition to your daily supplement intake.

Technorati Tags: acai,acai berry,acai berries,supplements,super food,antioxidants,aging,anti aging,health,digestion,cardiovascular

Bookmark It

After our post on the Mangosteen and its affects on Arthritis a few days ago we had an email from one customer asking ‘what the hell are xanthones’? Fair enough – I better get to the point sharpish by the sounds of things. In a nutshell xanthones are natural occurring chemical compounds found in various organic materials – in our reference point the Mangosteen fruit. Many researchers actually believe that Mangosteen contains the strongest xanthones of any fruit, the most beneficial being Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin. This is why the Mangosteen is a largely sought after source of xanthones.As with most things health related, research continues into the various ways in which xanthones affect the human body. What has already been established is that xanthones are extremely potent anti-oxidants and, as such, are benficial in fighting illness and disease (including cancer and asthma). Xanthones have also been identified as having a positive effect on cardiovascular health, as well as being a natural anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory. As we mentioned a few days ago this has led to Mangosteen being widely used in the treatment of arthritis. This is due to its ability to treat inflammation, though this benefit could also extend to treating other ailments such as heart problems, headaches, MS, and circulatory issues. It’s fair to say Xanthones play a large role in Mangosteen being literally a super food!

Bookmark It