Q: Why don't you have a store brand?

Q: Why don’t you have a store brand?

A: While who can say what the future holds, the reason we do not currently have our own store brand is that it’s important for us to recommend the very best supplement for a person’s needs, and it’s impossible to find the best products for each category in one brand. Additionally, with new research and advancements, the best product for a specific issue can change. 

For example, for eyes, previously the very best product we had found for eye health was by NOW Foods, their Lutein and Zeaxanthin combination, which contains 25mg of the eye vitamin lutein as well as 5 mg of zeaxanthin (another nutrient crucial for eye health). Just this month, however, the company Jarrow Formulas has come out with an eye formula called Macula Protective Factors, which blows it out of the water, due to the rare form of zeaxanthin it contains that has been shown in scientific research to be much more effective than conventional zeaxanthin supplements (you can read more about the new Macula Protective Factors in the September issue of our newsletter).

Another example would be with curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), a potent anti-inflammatory supplement. In the past, the best curcumin supplement we had found was Jarrow’s curcumin phytosome, which research found was 29 times better absorbed than regular curcumin. That changed when the company Solgar came out with a new curcumin supplement, a branded extract was able to increase curcumin’s absorption by an incredible 185 times when compared to standard curcumin supplements (a claim confirmed by scientific research).

We make a point to stay on top of new research about supplements and natural health, so we can recommend the most science-based, potent, and effective supplements, whatever the brand. We also offer extensive sales and discounts every day (15% off daily for seniors, college students, and firefighters and police with an ID, as well as 10% off with our “secret word” found in our email newsletter or website) to help make living a healthy lifestyle more affordable. 

Jarrow's New Macula Protective Factors: There is Literally Not a Better Eye Supplement

Jarrow Formulas has just developed a new eye formula that is one of the only products on the market today to contain meso-zeaxanthin, a unique form of zeaxanthin (a carotenoid- a nutrient related to vitamin A) that is particularly beneficial to eye health. The new formula called Macula Protective Factors, and we’re very excited to have it in the store.

Meso-zeaxanthin helps to increase pigment density in the center of the macula, which almost works like natural protective sunglasses in the eye.

Lutein is probably the best known eye supplement. Part of how lutein protects the eye is by increasing pigment density in the eye, though research has discovered that lutein primarily works on the periphery or outer side of the macula, whereas meso-zeaxanthin works in the center of the macula- where the most damage is done to our eyes. Meso-zeaxanthin has documented benefits not found in other forms of zeaxanthin or other eye supplements.

Meso-zeaxanthin is not found in foods, and while supplements where simply “zeaxanthin” is listed on the label may possibly contain some percentage of meso-zeaxanthin, there is no way of knowing exactly how much.

Interestingly, when we first received a prototype of this new supplement by Jarrow, Margot (who works at the store) started taking it and brought it to show to her eye doctor. When he saw the ingredients, specifically that it contained the rare form of meso-xeaxanthin, he was extremely excited and wanted more information about the supplement, since he knew the benefits of meso-xeaxanthin, but said it was usually hard to find.

Part of the uniqueness of meso-xeaxanthin is that unlike regular zeaxanthin supplements or other eye nutrients, it is able to cross the blood/retina barrier, and as such, is able to directly benefit and protect the eyes from damage. In studies, supplementation with meso-xeaxanthin led to the largest increases in macular pigment densities, which is the first defense for the eyes against radiation and the damaging blue light emitted from electronic devices.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people aged 60 and older. It is an irreversible destruction of the macula, which leads to a loss of detailed “straight ahead” vision needed for reading, driving, and other daily activities. Unfortunately, nothing yet has been found to restore damage to the macula, so protecting the eyes and mitigating damage is paramount.

Increasing macular pigment density helps to prevent age related macular degeneration, and the specific form of meso-zeaxanthin has been conclusively shown to increase that pigment density, especially in the center of the eye. Increasing macular pigment in the eye helps to naturally absorb damaging UV and blue light, reducing oxidative stress on the eye. Meso-zeaxanthin helps to neutralize the reactive, oxidative free radicals created by exposure to UV and blue light.

The amount of macular pigments we naturally have decreases with age, which in turn gives our eyes less protection as the years go by. Also, people with light eyes naturally have less pigment density in their eyes, and because of that, their eyes are less effective at absorbing environmental radiation and protecting the retina.

Without hesitation, we would say that this new Macula Protective Factors by Jarrow is hands down the best eye supplement we have ever seen. It’s an exciting new advancement that I’m really happy to be able to share. In addition to containing the amazing meso-zeaxanthin, this new formula also contains lutein plus astaxanthin, a broad spectrum antioxidant that is active in the eyes (not all antioxidants are).

Eye health, and preventing the degradation of the eyes that nearly all of us will experience with time, is extremely important and directly affects one’s daily life and standard of living. In the past, most people would only begin to start thinking about eye health around retirement age, but new research is showing how eye nutrients can be beneficial and protective to people of all ages, even children and teenagers, who are exposed to damaging blue light from electronic devices and screens more now than ever before.

We will be offering Jarrow’s new Macula Protective Factors on sale at Pass Health Foods through the month of September for 25% off, so it’s a great time to try it.

Back to School Supplement Lists

August heralds back to school for most kids, and while you begin to get back into the school routine, it’s a great time to begin a supplement regimen for your kids. 

We’ve made a list of the best products for back to school for kids of all ages. Each age group section (grade school, high school, and college) has the following items:

MULTIVITAMINS
Multivitamins are important for filling in gaps in the diet, particularly for picky eaters or kids on the go due to sports or activities who do not always have the best of diets.

PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are Important for the immune system and proper digestion. Probiotic use has been researched with children and has been found to dramatically reduce the amount of respiratory infections children contract (in research, probiotic use reduced respiratory infections by 30%).

OMEGA 3S
Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for brain function in children. Omega 3s are not produced in the body and must be obtained through foods. If a child is not eating fatty fish or flaxseeds on a regular basis (multiple times a week), it is likely that they are deficient in omega 3s. Omega 3 fatty acids in children have been linked to fewer behavior and attention problems, and have even been in a recent study showing benefits for helping struggling children learning to read when compared with those who took a placebo.
 
OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IF NEEDED

STRESS AND ANXIETY
Many children of all ages suffer from stress and anxiety at school. We recommend theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, which helps to produce a calm, focused state. Theanine reduces anxiety without feeling tired, drugged, or “out of it”. Theanine is effective whether it is used every day or only occasionally, and can help sensitive kids have an easier time of it.

EXTRA IMMUNE HELP
Probiotics are extremely helpful for the immune system, though we have also listed a few other products in this section which are helpful when taken at the first signs of illness to help to get better faster.

CALCIUM
Depending on a child’s diet, calcium supplements may be a good idea.Research has found that the majority of children aged 9 to 13 years are calcium deficient. Only about 12% of girls and 17% of boys consumed the recommended daily amount of calcium. For older teens, 42% of boys and only 10% of girls consumed enough calcium daily. Supplements are a simple way to ensure that kids have the proper amounts of calcium needed for healthy bones.

And so, without further ado- the lists!

We’ve made printable PDFs of each of the Recommended Supplement Llists, with information on the best specific supplements for each age, linked below:

 
Grade School Supplement Lists

High School Supplement Lists

College Supplement Lists

Featured Brand of the Month: Life Seasons

On sale this month is a newer brand we’ve started to carry called Life Seasons. They have a large list of new products we’ve brought in for a variety of issues including thyroid and adrenal health, blood pressure, anxiety, low metabolism, prostate health, and more. The unique thing about the blends we’ve chosen to carry by Life Seasons is that they contain true therapeutic dosages backed with clinical research, to show that the supplements and dosages each blend contains really does work. We've been extremely impressed with each of their formulas.

Also this month, we’ve brought in some trial sizes of a few of the Life Seasons formulas, including their Anxie-T, PainBlock R,  and Rest ZZZ. Like their names sound, Anxie-T is for helping to reduce anxiety, PainBlock R is for helping with pain- whether caused by joints, injury, or chronic issues, and RestZZZ is a very effective sleep aid. The trial sizes are enough for several days- enough to definitely feel it working, on sale for $5 (they’re regularly priced at $9.99). We really like the whole line, but these three are our very favorites, which is why we wanted to bring in trial sizes so more people were able to try them. Sarah, who works at the store (and generally has a terrible time sleeping) has been taking the RestZZZ for the past several days, and she can’t stop talking about how great it is!  Additionally (though we don’t have it in a trial size), Liz has been using the Life Seasons Metabolism blend and she is really loving it. She says it’s really made her feel good and has given her an extra boost of energy.

I’d also recommend checking out the Life Seasons website, it really contains a wealth of knowledge (without really trying to sell you anything). They have an index of health conditions here, and an index of natural ingredients here. It’s really an impressive collection of very helpful information, presented in an impartial way.

While the Life Seasons brand is on sale this month for 25% off, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try! Their motto is “Nature Works, Science Proves it”, a sentiment close to our heart, since we are constantly trying to share the science behind natural products, proof that natural supplements really do work!

New Favorites by Irwin Naturals

We at Pass Health Foods are very particular about the new products we bring into the store, especially when it comes to supplements. This month, we wanted to share four new products by the company Irwin Naturals that we’re excited about.  Below is a brief description of each. All four of the new blends will be on sale for the month of May for 25% off, so it’s a great time to try them!

Beet Root Red
Beets are a super food that help to boost Nitric Oxide function. Nitric Oxide is a natural compound produced in the body that helps to increase blood flow and boost cardiovascular function. This unique formula combines beet root extract with several other well researched supplements which work together to help support cardiovascular health, circulation, and overall blood flow.

Collagen Beauty
Irwin’s Collagen Beauty contains clinically tested Verisol brand collagen peptides, which have been shown in research to help people to attain firmer skin and fewer wrinkles by boosting collagen production, as well as faster nail growth and strength. Collagen Beauty also contains a number of antioxidants specifically chosen for their benefits to skin health.

Melatonin Plus 5-HTP and Rhodiola
This is a great new sleep blend that combines the benefits of melatonin with 5-HTP, which helps to boost serotonin and mood, along with rhodiola, an herb that helps to reduce the body’s levels of cortisol- the “stress” hormone. It’s great for helping with sleep, especially for people who are dealing with a lot of stress and worry that disrupts proper sleep.

Maca Root and Ashwaganda Complex
This is a fantastic new complex that helps to boost overall energy and vitality, as well as helping with sexual health. Maca and ashwaganda are also adaptogenic herbs, which help with reducing stress and bringing the body back into balance.

A New Line of Food Based, Certified Organic Multivitamins for Men & Women

We have a new line of vitamins I wanted to feature which are on sale for 25% off during the month of March. They’re by a company called NutriGold, which has a line of 100% certified organic, entirely food based multivitamins. I’ve been using them for a while now- I received a sample bottle, and liked it so much I made sure we got it to carry in the store. They have separate formulas for men and women.

They have one a day multivitamins for men and women in an easy to swallow capsule. They are one of the most clean products I have ever seen, without any fillers or binders or extra ingredients. Additionally, the capsules have no taste when put on the tongue (something I’m really sensitive to when it comes to multivitamins). I truly can’t recommend them enough!  In addition to being certified organic, they’re gluten free, vegan, and non-GMO verified.
 

Targeted Probiotics for Women's Health (Yeast Infections, BV, UTIs)

Most people think of probiotics as primarily for digestion, but the scope of probiotics goes far beyond that, to encompass much, much more. One of the lesser known uses for probiotics are for women’s vaginal health. There are specific probiotic strains that can help to naturally combat yeast infections, bacterial vaginal infections, as well as urinary tract infections.

The company Jarrow has two products formulated for vaginal and urinary tract health with scientifically researched strains- their shelf-stable JarrowDophilus for Women and then their refrigerated probiotic, FemDophilus.

The two probiotics offer similar benefits but differ in their use. The refrigerated FemDophilus is used more as a treatment for acute infections. It works very well to knock out yeast overgrowth and/or harmful bacteria in the vaginal tract and urinary tract. Where the JarrowDophilus Women is more for maintaining healthy vaginal flora on a regular basis.
The vaginal tract has its own specific microbiome, where good bacteria is meant to crowd out the proliferation of negative bacteria and candida. Because of this environment, targeted women’s probiotics are especially beneficial in treating and preventing vaginal infections.

Yeast infections are what most women think of when they have vaginal issues- the symptoms of yeast infections most commonly include a thick whitish discharge, irritation during intercourse or urination, and itching. It’s estimated that 75% of women will have at least one occurrence of vaginal yeast overgrowth in their lives, though some women are more prone to yeast infections and will have many reoccurrences.

Bacterial vaginosis (or BV) is less well known, but is the most common vaginal infection, estimated to affect 10-29% of women at any given time. BV can be transmitted sexually but can also occur even if a woman is not sexually active. Bacterial vaginosis is traditionally treated with antibiotics, but it has a very high reinfection rate (often 30% of infections reoccur the month following treatment and 80% of women experience recurrent BV infections after nine months). Due to this rate of BV reoccurrence, natural treatment with effective, targeted vaginal probiotics can be especially beneficial, since it treats the causes rather than just trying to make symptoms go away. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include thin uniform gray, yellow, or whitish discharge and and a “fishy” vaginal odor.

Treatment of BV is especially important since it can increase the risk of contracting STDs as well as increasing the risk of preterm labor during pregnancy.

In our experience, Jarrow’s FemDophilus probiotic is the best women’s probiotic available for treating acute vaginal infections and yeast overgrowth. The clinically researched strains it contains have been shown to be effective in bringing women’s bodies back into a state of proper vaginal health, both when used alone as well as in conjunction with conventional treatments (studies have even shown that the probiotic strains in FemDophilus are able to increase the effectiveness of conventional drugs treatments for both BV and yeast infections).

Thus far, I’ve mostly focused on the benefits of Jarrow’s FemDophilus, but they also have a product called JarrowDophilus for Women which is an impressive formula as well. While FemDophilus is meant to be more of a treatment for acute infections, JarrowDophilus for Women is a maintenance probiotic, formulated to encourage a healthy vaginal and urinary tract. It is especially helpful for women who have reocurrances of BV or yeast infections, since it promotes a healthy vaginal microbiome that works to crowd out those negative overgrowths, stopping reinfection.

Both are wonderful products with impressive clinically documented benefits. Stop by the store for more information and so we can help you find the product that’s right for you.

Help for New Year Resolutions

Two things we usually think of when the New Year rolls around are detoxing and weight loss. I’ll attach a few links below on articles about both. 

For weight loss, this is a great overview of different weight loss supplements, and how they work:

How to Choose the Right Weight Loss Supplement

This is an article on garcinia cambogia, a very well researched supplement that aids weight loss in a number of different ways. The garcinia cambogia product we recommend the most is Jarrow, since it has the highest potency per pill of any other garcinia cambogia formula, and is also better absorbing. Our Jarrow garcinia cambogia will be 25% off for the month of January.

Garcinia Cambogia: A Weight Loss Supplement that Really Works

Below are two articles on detoxing and cleansing for the new year:

Q & A: Detoxing for the New Year

Nature’s Plus Complete Body Cleanse

For those who want to do a simpler cleanse, we’d recommend Nature’s Secret’s 15 Day Cleanse and Flush. It’s a one bottle product that is on sale for 25% off- less than $10 a bottle. It’s a nice, easy way to start fresh and is also a nice way to begin a new diet regimen.

 

Our Favorites from Irwin Naturals: On Sale This January

This month we wanted to feature three of our favorite products by Irwin Naturals that are on sale this month.  They are products we and our families use and love.  Click on the links below to see our past articles for each supplement below if you would like more information.

Immuno Shield: There’s not a better all-in-one supplement for an immune boost

Power to Sleep: It really does help with sleep, both helping you to actually feel tired and reducing stress so you aren’t laying in bed worrying.

Sunny Mood: A truly fantastic supplement for an overall mood boost (something practically all of us would benefit from).  It also includes supplements that help with reducing stress.

All three of our favorites listed above will be on sale for 25% off for the month of January.

All About Curcumin and Why It's So Great

I wanted to write about curcumin again. It has become incredibly popular for helping with reducing pain and inflammation in the body- and rightly so- it really does work. New research is coming out all the time confirming its many benefits, which go far beyond just pain relief.

Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, has been said by many to be “the most anti-inflammatory herb on the planet”. It is difficult for the body to absorb, however, and in the past, people needed to consume mass amounts of the strongly pigmented yellow spice to be able to get enough of that beneficial extract, curcumin, to make a difference. I love eating turmeric (turmeric is the yellow spice used in many curries), but ground turmeric root is generally only 4% curcumin, so supplements are the best answer if you’re looking to get the benefits reported again and again in the scientific studies.

Even supplemental extracts of turmeric or curcumin can be difficult for the body to absorb, which is why there are very specific forms that we recommend. The company Solgar has a branded extract that they use which has been scientifically documented to be one hundred and eighty-five times better absorbed than standard curcumin extracts. If you’re interested, you can search go to our website for more information and the links to the study, or go to PubMed.gov, since I fully agree that it almost sounds too good to be true. 

We are all about science at Pass Health Foods. Sometimes I think people have the idea that natural products, vitamins, and herbs are a bunch of “hippie nonsense”, but in our store, the products we recommend are scientifically backed by research. There are times when conventional pharmaceuticals are necessary, but if you can find natural products that legitimately work, without the side effects of conventional medicines, it can be a wonderful thing.

So, back to curcumin: studies have shown again and again its benefit for pain relief, finding it equal to commercially available pain medications and NSAID drugs, but without the strain those medicines have on the liver. Ibuprofen and other drugs definitely do help with pain, but they are not meant to be taken over and over again on a daily basis. Curcumin is a great alternative, which rather than being hard on the liver, it can actually help with liver function.
In addition to pain relief, curcumin supplements have also been shown in research to have impressive results for reducing anxiety and depression, one study even found curcumin supplementation to be as effective as a prescription drug for depression, but without the side effects.

New research has also introduced curcumin as a possible aid to weight loss. One thirty day study followed people who were already on a diet and exercise regimen. They found an increased percentage of weight loss in the group who took curcumin, but even more than that was the reduction of body fat percentage for the people who took curcumin vs. the placebo group. Over thirty days the group who used diet and exercise alone had a .70% reduction in total body fat loss, but the group who used curcumin had an average of 8.43% reduction in body fat!

Curcumin supplementation has also been linked to a reduction in several types of cancers. In the past, the poor absorption of curcumin supplements was a problem for showing results in human studies, but now with newly formulated extracts like Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin, which have significantly increased the body’s ability to absorb the nutrient, that is changing. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit cancer cells, prevent tumor formation, as well as slow cancer progression, and can be a helpful adjunct to traditional cancer therapies (though as with everything, be sure to inform your physician of any natural products you are taking, especially during cancer treatment).

So to sum up, while curcumin is best known for reducing joint pain and inflammation, it has many other scientifically documented benefits. Not all turmeric or curcumin supplements are equal in how well they are absorbed, so at this time, the only curcumin product we truly recommend is Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin, for the simple reason that it has been shown to be so much better absorbed than any other. Since it’s a product we recommend so highly, we were able to work out a deal with the company to be able to offer 25% off on our Solgar curcumin on an everyday basis at Pass Health Foods. Stop by the store for more information, we’d love to help you further.