NAC, an Amino Acid for Lung Health [New Research]

NAC, also known by its full name of N-acetyl cysteine, is a unique amino acid supplement that has been used for lung health and chronic respiratory conditions for many years. It is used as a treatment for chronic bronchitis, for better lung function in people with cystic fibrosis, and for people with COPD and emphysema. It’s helpful for those respiratory issues for several reasons, the main two of which are that NAC is able to help to thin mucus and clear airways in the lungs and also to reduce lung inflammation.

Interesting new research is coming out, however, proposing NAC as both a treatment and a preventative supplement for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. There’s a wonderful review of current research on NAC that has been published on PubMed (the online science database of published articles and research from different medical journals). You can read the research online by doing a Google search of “N-acetylcysteine as a potential treatment for novel coronavirus disease 2019”. It’s a pretty dry read, however, so I’ll try to summarize some of the research below in hopefully a less jargony way.

The first way the scientists listed on how NAC may help in coronavirus prevention is that the unique way the amino acids are formed in NAC may enable them to interact with individual COVID-19 viruses, damaging the way the virus holds itself together, which would make it easier for our bodies to fight off.

Test tube studies examining how NAC interacts with inflammation-causing enzymes produced in the body have also found that NAC was able to block excessive production of compounds in the body and lungs that cause inflammation, which in turn could reduce the severity of lung issues. One of the main problems with COVID-19 is that it basically makes the lungs go crazy and have a very extreme response in the lungs that causes huge amounts of inflammation. It appears that NAC can block some of that excess lung inflammation, preventing those extreme lung responses and deterioration seen in many COVID-10 patients.

This excessive lung inflammation from COVID-19 is called a “cytokine storm” and happens when our body’s immune response goes haywire. It’s kind of like what happens with autoimmune disorders, where our body’s proper immune response instead turns against us. The antioxidant properties of NAC as well as the unique benefits it has on the respiratory system can help to mitigate this overactive inflammatory immune response in the lungs and may help to reduce the severity of respiratory symptoms experienced from the virus.

Another mechanism of how NAC works is that it appears in research to be able to prevent the COVID-19 virus from being able to enter host cells effectively, reducing the amount of infection in the body.

From the research above, it seems that the amino acid NAC can be helpful both preventatively and also in people infected with the virus. There are actually trials going on right now that are trying to more definitively determine If NAC can prevent patients with COVID-19 from progressing to a more severe form of the illness.

Please keep in mind that all of this research is very preliminary. Scientists all over the world are scrambling looking for possible treatments for fighting COVID-19. NAC is not a cure, but it is a beneficial supplement that we think might help, especially when you consider its use for many years in people with lung issues and respiratory problems. NAC also has been determined in research to be a safe supplement to take even when prescribed in doses higher than any person would ever reasonably take.

There’s one NAC supplement at the store that we’d recommend above the others- Jarrow’s NAC Sustain, the reason being is that it’s a time-released version of NAC. In general, a time-released or sustained-release version of a supplement, when available, will be better absorbed since it will be released and absorbed over a period of hours instead of all at once. It doesn’t mean that supplements that aren’t time released are bad, but all things being equal, a time-released supplement will be better absorbed than one that isn’t.

Stop by the store for more information, we’d love to help you further.

We’re located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, Illinois.

Product Spotlight: Immune Fast Lozenges

I wanted to highlight an impressive and little known supplement called Immune Fast by Zand. They're chewable supplements that come in a convenient tube that's the perfect size for a purse or bag. They contain a unique, patented probiotic yeast that has been shown in research to enhance our immune response within two hours, helping our bodies to mount a quick attack against invading viruses and bacteria.

I love that they come in an easy to carry tube, since they're great to take with you and can be used at the very first signs of illness. They can be used along with your regular supplement regimen, and are the perfect "just in case" supplement to have on hand.

Since we're featuring them in our October newsletter, we have the Immune Fast tubes on sale for 25% off during the month of October, so they come out to be $6.74 each. I'd definitely recommend picking a couple up!

Scientifically Researched Antiviral Supplements

These past couple months have been a time that none of us could have imagined. As we look ahead to the coming weeks and months, where our governments are looking into easing quarantine restrictions, we can feel uncertain. Dealing with a virus like this is something none of us have dealt with in our lifetimes, and it can be very frightening.

Recommendations on how to stay healthy remain the same: take care to wash hands regularly, don’t touch your face, and keep distance between other people. Something else that I believe can be beneficial are immune boosting supplements. Let me be clear, there are no natural products that are a miracle “cure” for coronavirus, but there are several supplements that have been scientifically researched to help with boosting immune system functioning, as well as supplements that can be helpful against viruses.

One of our favorites continues to be elderberry, also known as sambucus. Elderberry syrup has shown in scientific research to help with fighting off viruses. Much of the early research on elderberry was done on the flu virus, with positive results, though new studies have found it to be effective on a wide variety of viral illnesses (though as of yet there have been no studies on elderberry and coronavirus). It works in part by helping to prevent viral replication so we can fight off viruses easier. Research has found it to be helpful preventatively, but also in reducing the duration and severity of a variety of viral illnesses. Elderberry is nice since it’s safe for both children and adults.

I also wanted to mention another, lesser known supplement that may be helpful against viruses, a supplement derived from coconut oil known as monolaurin. ABC News recently recommended monolaurin in an article titled, Coronavirus: Experts say these supplements, foods may help keep immune system humming.

Another article was published by two physician researchers at the end of January recommending monolaurin as a possible antiviral treatment against the novel coronavirus (you can read the abstract here). The doctors wrote about the potent antiviral properties of monolaurin, as well as its mechanism that appeared to help to break down a virus’s outside “envelope” which then prevented the virus from being able to replicate. Another study the article cited mentioned research on a virus similar in structure to the coronavirus, and how monolaurin was able to inhibit that virus’s maturation and replication.

Monolaurin was also mentioned as a potent antiviral in yet another scientific article published in the journal Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, which mentioned its antiviral activity. Like the scientific article mentioned above, it also attributed monolaurin’s antiviral action to its ability to help with disintegrating the outside membrane of a virus, and by doing so, stopping that virus from replicating.

Again, I want to say that as of now, there is no cure for coronavirus, either natural or pharmaceutical. In the absence of a vaccine, the only thing we can do to stay healthy is to reduce our exposure and to do everything we can to make sure our bodies and immune systems are functioning properly. I would also say that preventative use of supplements like monolaurin or elderberry, that have shown benefit against viruses, are also a good idea.

Quarantine and social distancing are only meant to “flatten the curve”, to help our medical providers across the country to be able to keep cases at a manageable level for hospitals. It is likely that many of us will come in contact with the virus before a vaccine is readily available, so I’d say that supplements like monolaurin are worth using in this uncertain time, with the hopes that they might help us to fight off any infections easier or with less severe symptoms.

I hope everyone reading this is staying healthy. At this time, our store, Pass Health Foods in Palos Heights is still open for phone orders and advice Monday through Saturday from 10-2. We take orders over the phone and then will bring them out to your car when you get there. You can call the store at 708-448-9114. This is a scary time, but I know we’ll get through it.

Magnesium Malate for Muscle Soreness and Cellular Energy

Magnesium malate is a well-absorbed form of magnesium that has been found in research to stay active in the body longer than other forms of magnesium. Magnesium malate is also the form of magnesium that is most beneficial to muscles, helping to relieve sore muscles and relax muscle tissues, regardless of the cause. Because of this, magnesium malate can be helpful for people on an exercise regime that experience sore muscles, but it can also be beneficial for people experiencing muscle pain and soreness from issues like fibromyalgia, in fact, there have been several studies documenting magnesium malate’s benefit for reducing pain from people suffering from fibromyalgia. Magnesium malate may also help with restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms and cramping.

We have a new powder form of magnesium malate by KAL called Energy Magnesium, named so because in addition to helping with muscles and just being a great, well-absorbing form of magnesium, magnesium malate also helps with increasing cellular energy through a compound produced in the body called ATP. ATP is basically what fuels our cells and the various internal processes in our bodies. Magnesium malate can help with increasing that energy-producing compound, which is needed for every function in our body and especially for the brain and heart.

We recommend magnesium malate in a powder form since to get the recommended amounts, a person would need to take quite a few capsules or tablets. KAL’s new magnesium malate powder is good tasting and dissolves easily in hot or cold water. It’s a simple way to ensure you’re getting enough magnesium and to experience the benefits of magnesium malate.

It’s been estimated that over half of all Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Magnesium is needed for over 300 different processes in the body and is most concentrated in our bones and muscles. See our article (linked here) for more information on magnesium and its benefits. Magnesium is not produced in the body and must be obtained through either food or supplements to maintain adequate levels.

AHCC: An Amazing Immune Booster

Last month I wrote about elderberry, an amazing antiviral supplement that can help to fight off viral infections like cold and flu. It works in part by preventing viral replication, so a viral infection is easier for the body to fight off (see our entire article on elderberry and how it works on our website here).

This month I wanted to write about a lesser known immune supplement that works in a different way from elderberry, a patented extract derived from mushrooms known as AHCC. Unlike elderberry, which works specifically on the viruses causing an illness, AHCC works by affecting the immune system directly.

There are a variety of white blood cells in our bodies that are involved in immune response, recognizing and fighting the foreign invaders that cause illness, whether bacteria, viruses, or even abnormal cells resulting in tumors. Studies have found that AHCC can boost the effectiveness of our own immune system in a variety of ways, including increasing the activity of our body’s NK, or “natural killer” cells, that identify and destroy viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells in the body.

Research has also found that AHCC is able to affect other types of immune cells in the body known as dendritic cells which are found throughout the respiratory tract. These dendritic cells work to fend off foreign invaders as they enter the body through the respiratory tract and try to infiltrate the body.

To think of these immune cells in another way would be to liken it to a medieval army. I imagine the dendritic cells as the footmen leading the charge against invaders, with the NK cells being the knights on horseback that are really getting things done. You’re going to protect your castle much better if both parts of your immune fighting force are working the best they possibly can.

Numerous research studies have confirmed AHCC’s ability to significantly boost immune system functioning, both by measuring increased production of immune cells in the body after supplementing with AHCC as well as measuring the immune response to specific strains of bacteria and viruses.

AHCC is widely used as an immune therapy in Japan, and I’m glad that it’s becoming better known in the United States since I do believe that it’s a unique and powerful supplement to aid our immune system functioning. Our body’s immune system is at work twenty-four hours a day, and that is what is it always comes down to with an illness- is our immune system able to keep invading bacteria and viruses in check?  When the answer to that question is no, that is when we fall ill.

AHCC can be especially helpful for people whose immune systems are not working as they should. As we age, there is a gradual deterioration of the immune system over time, which results in increased susceptibility to infection as well as more serious diseases. This deterioration of the immune system over time is also a main contributing factor to the increased risk of cancer in older people. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, 77% of all cancer cases occur in people over the age of 55.

Healthy lifestyle and diet are helpful in reducing the deleterious effects of aging, but at this time, there is little that doctors can do with conventional medicine to boost the immune system in the aging population. Thankfully, there are natural supplements like AHCC that are scientifically backed that can make a real difference in immune system functioning in people of all ages.

While in this article I’ve mainly focused on AHCC as a therapy for seasonal immune wellness, AHCC has also been researched (and continues to be researched) as a complimentary cancer therapy, and is regularly used in Japan as an adjunctive therapy for cancer, hepatitis, HIV, and a host of other disorders caused by improper immune function.

One Japanese study on patients with liver cancer found that survival times were two times higher in the group using AHCC when compared with the placebo group. The same researchers from Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan did a three year study on stage III and IV gastric and breast cancer patients and found a 40% increase in average survival rates when compared with the national averages in Japan for patients of similar ages with the same cancers.

Unlike elderberry, which can be used effectively at the onset of an illness to fight off a virus, AHCC is most effective when used on a regular, daily basis, at least during cold and flu season if you’re seeking to help to boost your immune system. Most studies on AHCC used high amounts of the extract (especially for cancer patients), around 3,000mg a day, though it stands to reason that lower amounts are still helpful, particularly when used preventatively, since every bit of improved immune response makes a difference!

Manuka Honey Throat Lozenges for Cough and Sore Throat

Manuka honey is a specific type of medicinal honey that has benefits for many different aspects of health (see this article on our website for an overview on the benefits of Manuka honey).

Manuka honey is unique from other types of honey in that it is only made in New Zealand, from the manuka plant that flowers for only two to four weeks each year. It’s also the only natural food source that has been shown to have anti-bacterial effects, due to compound known as methylglyoxal that forms naturally in manuka honey. Other honeys can occasionally have levels of that antibacterial compound, but only in small amounts. According to scientific research, the amount of antibacterial methylglyoxal must be at a minimum of 100mg/kg to reliably inhibit harmful bacteria. Manuka honey can have as much as eight times that amount.

Manuka honey is great in general, but it makes a really fabulous ingredient in a throat lozenge due in part to the healing and soothing effects in honey. Manuka honey specifically has also been demonstrated in scientific research to be able to inhibit bacteria, including strep bacteria, so not only can it soothe sore throats, it actually can be helpful for healing the root cause of a painful sore throat.

Honey, in general, has also been shown benefit for reducing coughing due to its coating action. Manuka honey throat lozenges are a simple, portable way to receive the cough reduction benefits on the go, since it’s not usually practical to walk around with a jar of honey.

We have several new, great tasting manuka honey throat lozenges available at the store this month. They’re perfect for both kids and adults and we have a number of varieties and flavors to choose from, so be sure to stop by to take a look!

Elderberry: A Potent Antiviral Against Colds and Flu

Elderberry, also known by its scientific name, Sambucus, is a wonderful supplement for the immune system due to its potent antiviral properties. It’s been studied extensively in regards to the flu. Research has found that in people infected with the influenza virus, elderberry supplementation reduced symptoms four days earlier than placebo groups. Elderberry has even been shown to be of similar (and even greater) effectiveness to the prescription anti-viral Tamiflu but without the side effects.

Elderberry is definitely effective against the flu, but as awful as the flu virus is, it’s estimated that only about a quarter (or less) of illnesses with “flu-like” symptoms are actually as a result of the influenza virus; most of the time, those flu-like symptoms are a result of viral respiratory infections.

The nice thing about elderberry is that it’s effective not only against the flu virus, but on viruses in general. It has been found in studies to “substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms”.

Antibiotic misuse and over-prescription are becoming a real problem since it contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a host of other problems. The CDC has said that roughly 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions are prescribed unnecessarily. The development of antibiotics has saved many lives, though their overuse is troubling since unfortunately, they do nothing against the viruses that are the cause of the majority of winter illnesses people experience.

Elderberry is a wonderful alternative since it has potent antiviral activity in the body. Scientists believe that part of the way it works is by actually deactivating viruses like the flu, helping the body to be able to fight them off easier.

While the flu can be serious, what is much more common is the upper respiratory infection known as the common cold. Americans on average experience on average 2-3 colds per year as adults and children average more than double that number, averaging 5-7 colds per year. Studies are now confirming what natural health experts have been saying for years, that elderberry is also effective against colds.

In one study done on people flying overseas, scientists wanted to see if elderberry was effective against upper respiratory infections and colds, and also if it could help in reducing the duration of the common cold since long overseas flights are a hotbed of germs and people frequently get sick after a long flight.

The study found that of the passengers who did get sick with a cold or respiratory infection after their flights, the people taking elderberry felt sick for a much shorter time than those using the placebo. On average, the group prescribed elderberry extract felt better over two days earlier than those using the placebo during their colds. Also, the severity of their cold symptoms were greatly reduced in the elderberry group when compared to those using the placebo.

Another new meta-analysis on elderberry which was just done this year, found that elderberry was able to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infection regardless of the cause, which is helpful since it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific viral strain just by symptoms, since even the “common cold” can make a person feel pretty awful.

Elderberry can be used preventatively, but really shines in reducing illness once you’re sick, so I would definitely recommend having a bottle or two at home in case anyone in your family does fall ill this season, since unfortunately for most of us, it’s a question not of “if” but of “when”, since elderberry can not only shorten the duration of viral illnesses but also reduce the severity of the symptoms you experience.

When taking elderberry for an illness, the general recommendation is for adults to take a dose four times a day, which can really help with knocking out a cold.

We have a number of great elderberry syrups available at the store, which are each helpful for different people and different needs. The elderberry syrup we’ve most often recommended is one by Nature’s Answer that’s a high potency elderberry without added sugar. It’s great for adults, but most kids balk at the taste since elderberry syrup in its natural form without sweetener can be a little bitter. For kids (or picky adults), another elderberry syrup we have is by Nature’s Way and is often better tolerated, since while it isn’t as strong as our one by Nature’s Answer, it is much better tasting since it is a bit sweetened and is actually pretty delicious.

We have yet another elderberry syrup that I’ve just started using that I really like. It’s a traditional folk recipe for elderberry syrup by Honey Gardens. It combines organic elderberry with organic honey and propolis, another bee product that is strongly antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal. It’s actually what bees use to disinfect parts of the hive and keep a hive of thousands healthy. It also contains alcohol, though it must be in small amounts since I feel like it does not have the strong taste of many alcohol-based herbal tinctures. The addition of a small bit of alcohol helps to preserve the blend so it can be kept at room temperature (which is convenient) and also actually can help with the absorption of beneficial herbal compounds in the mixture. Last, it’s mixed with a bit of apple cider vinegar and organic echinacea (another amazing immune-boosting herb).

We’ve carried elderberry syrup by Honey Gardens for a while now, though I had never tasted it, mostly because the ingredients made it sound like it would taste awful (propolis is generally not great tasting, and I don’t really like the taste of alcohol-based liquid extracts), but once I finally bought a bottle I was amazed that it actually tasted good. It’s my new go-to when it comes to elderberry, because of its unique formulation and the addition of other powerful, scientifically-backed ingredients for boosting the immune system.

Last, I wanted to mention another brand new elderberry product by Honey Gardens that we’ve just brought in for cold and flu season. They’re single-serving elderberry drinks called Immune Boost that contain the juice of 300 elderberries in one 10oz. bottle. They’re on introductory sale right now for $2.99 a bottle and are a quick and effective immune boost if you start to feel those beginning signs of sickness.

Also during November, we’re going to be having an elderberry immune sale where we will have our two most recommended elderberry syrups on sale by both Nature’s Answer and Honey Gardens for 25% off, so it’s a great time to stock up before the winter. Also, if you would like to try a sample of the Honey Garden’s elderberry syrup, just ask us next time you’re in the store!

Finally, I wanted to say that there are many other great, natural immune-boosting supplements available, so stop by the store if you would like more information. We are extremely knowledgeable about herbs and natural products and would love to help you choose the best supplements for your specific needs. We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.

Stay Healthy This Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful season, but unfortunately, it often brings with it the beginnings of cold and flu season, and because of that, it’s a great time to start a preventative immune-boosting regimen.

There are so many supplements that can be beneficial to the immune system, both preventatively and if you do happen to get sick, to help you to get better sooner.

Here is a great overview of past articles from our website on a variety of science-backed immune-boosting supplements:

• Olive leaf is also great for the immune system, plus it lowers blood pressure.

• Aged garlic extract is wonderful for the immune system, and also helps with cardiovascular health as well as lowering blood pressure.

• Oregano oil and neti pots can be helpful for sinus infections or people prone to sinus issues.

• Elderberry extract, also known as Sambucus, is an amazing antiviral, particularly against the flu. We have a new elderberry extract that we recommend- Nature’s Answer Sambucus. It’s the highest potency elderberry available. Elderberry is also safe for both kids and adults.

• This is a helpful article for immune boosters that are safe for kids.

• Quercetin is a great natural antihistamine that can also help with boosting the immune system, particularly for athletes.

• This is a nice article that focuses on several different immune boosting supplements, particularly Vitamin D and mushroom extracts like beta glucan and AHCC.

• Irwin Naturals Immuno Shield is another favorite since it’s a blend of a number of well-researched supplements that work to boost the immune system.  It can be used both preventatively or if you do happen to get sick to help to get better faster.  We also now having it for 25% off from now until the end of the year! 

Collagen Peptides: Beneficial for Skin, Bones, Joints, and More

I wanted to write about collagen this month, since it can have so many diverse and wide ranging benefits. Collagen is a protein that is very prevalent in our bodies- 30% of the protein in our body is made of  collagen and it is the main component of our connective tissues. Collagen is a crucial component of our skin, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments.

We are born with abundant stores of collagen, and the human body produces copious amounts of collagen when we are young. Unfortunately, that production begins to decline every year after age 25, and decreases even more dramatically in women after menopause.

The decreases in collagen happen throughout our bodies, reducing bone flexibility, making injury more likely, and contributing to joint and mobility problems. One easy way each of us can see how our body’s stores of collagen have decreased is by looking at our skin. As we age, the lovely, plump skin we all had as young adults changes considerably;  lower levels of collagen is one of the main causes of that, since collagen helps to prevent thinning and wrinkling of the skin as well as loss of elasticity. Those outward signs of collagen loss mirror what is unseen inside our bodies, affecting our bones, joints, tendons, as well as many other parts of the body.

Bone health is a particularly important benefit of collagen which most people are unaware of. Collagen literally holds our bones together in a collagen matrix, and helps our bones to remain flexible and durable. When one thinks of “brittle bones,” lack of collagen is a major factor contributing to that. Collagen helps to make the bones more stable and elastic.

Collagen supplements can be beneficial to help boost our body’s collagen stores, though not all collagen supplements are created equal. First of all, collagen is best taken as a powder. You need to take a fair amount of collagen to make a difference, and most collagen supplements in pill form are meant to be taken at around six at a time, which isn’t practical for most people. Another thing to look for is collagen in a peptide form, which basically means that the collagen is broken down into tiny molecules to enhance absorption (since if you’re not absorbing a supplement, it does nothing and you’re wasting your money).

Collagen peptides have been the study of numerous research studies in recent years. One placebo controlled study found that people using collagen peptides daily for three months had a 40% increase in skin elasticity, a 43% reduction in joint pain, and a 39% increase in mobility.

One very important thing to note about collagen is that there are many different forms, and each different form of collagen works in a different way in the body. For example, collagen known as “type I collagen” is helpful for skin, bones, and tendons, whereas “type II collagen” benefits joints, cartilage, and the digestive tract. Types I and II collagen are the most common, though there are actually many different forms of collagen that have varying benefits in body that affect the immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems, our hair and nails, even down to the health of our very cells!

A bad thing about most collagen supplements is that they usually only contain one variety of collagen, occasionally two, but rarely more than that, so you’re only getting a fraction of the benefits of the full spectrum of collagen. There is one collagen supplement that we recommend above all others- Collagen Peptide powder by Nature’s Plus. There are so many reasons we’d recommend that supplement in particular, the first of which is that it contains all six of the main collagen types, something I’d never seen in a supplement before this one. It’s also absorbed better than other collagen supplements because it is in the optimal peptide form as well as containing special enzymes that further aid in absorbing those beneficial collagen molecules.

I could go on and on about the reasons why this is the collagen I’d recommend above all others, but I thought it might be better to relay a few reports from my coworkers at Pass Health Foods who take this collagen from Nature’s Plus (I’m a vegetarian, so even though I believe in collagen supplements and the science behind them, I don’t personally take it since they’re from animal products). This particular collagen supplement is made from the highest quality collagen sources- grass-fed beef, cage-free chickens, and sustainably caught fish.

Liz, another one of the managers at the store, takes the Collagen Peptides every day in her coffee. It’s completely tasteless, so it can be mixed easily with foods or beverages. She feels like it has really helped with reducing joint pain and soreness after exercise. It’s the only thing she takes now for joints, and she says it really works. She and her daughter trained this summer for a one-mile swim to raise money for ALS, and she felt like the collagen supplement really helped with how her joints felt, particularly when compared with the joint pain she experienced before starting to use the supplement. Liz says she also likes the collagen peptides since they contain a good amount of natural protein. She feels like most protein supplements seem to bother her stomach, but she’s never had problems from the collagen. She says she also feels like there have been benefits for how her skin looks and feels.

Sarah, who also works at the store, has been using the same collagen peptide supplement and really loves it. She says she originally started taking it because she had a pulled muscle injury that wasn’t healing. She said that she felt relief after the first week, after what was turning into a lingering, painful condition. Sarah contracted an illness after going on a rafting trip and stopped taking all her supplements for a while. She said that her joint and muscle pain started coming back again after not using the collagen supplements for a few weeks, but that after starting them again she felt like her pain was better after just a couple of days of taking it.

Finally, Sam, the son of one of our owners, who just graduated from college, has been taking collagen peptides as well with great results. He had an injury from high school which had healed but where he was still having lingering, persistent inflammation. He has had several rounds of physical therapy and was even recommended cortisone shots by his physician, which he wanted to avoid since he’s still in his early 20’s. Since taking the collagen peptides, he has had consistently less pain. He loves to dance and this past weekend went to a dance competition and clinic. He said that he couldn’t believe it, but that he felt stiffer from being in the car for the three-hour drive than from dancing all weekend long.

We have the Collagen Peptides by Nature’s Plus that we recommend on an everyday sale of 20% off, to pass on the savings of a supplement we really believe in. That brings the price of a jar down to $19.99 for a month’s worth of one serving a day. Stop by the store for more information, we’d love to help you further.

Supplements to Improve Athletic Performance

Q: I’m planning on running my first half marathon, and as I start training, I was wondering if you had information on supplements that might be helpful as I start increasing my mileage.

A: That’s exciting- congratulations! There definitely are supplements that could help.

The first supplement I’d recommend is CoQ10. CoQ10 is a nutrient that is best known for its benefit for heart health and is a common supplement used for cardiovascular health particularly in the aging population.

CoQ10 is a nutrient produced in the human body that works with the mitochondria in each of our cells. Mitochondria are the energy producers in each of the cells in our body, and CoQ10 works to support those energy producers in our cells. It’s almost like CoQ10 is food for those energy producing organisms, which in turn, helps our cells to run better.

Parts of the body that use the most energy, like the heart and other muscle tissues, have the most mitochondria- remember, the mitochondria are the power plants of a cell. Since CoQ10 supports those cellular power plants, it can help with proper cardiovascular functioning and protecting the heart. For example, CoQ10 is often recommended for congestive heart failure, since it has been shown in research to encourage the heart to run properly and have the energy it needs.

CoQ10 can also be beneficial for athletes or anyone on an exercise regimen, since studies have shown that CoQ10 can increase exercise performance, helping people to be able to exercise longer without fatigue.

CoQ10 has also been researched with positive results for helping to reduce muscle damage and soreness after exercise when used on a regular basis. Most studies used 100mg-200mg of CoQ10 daily, and CoQ10 should be taken with food for best absorbtion.

Omega 3 fatty acids can also be helpful in reducing exercise induced muscle damage and soreness. Omega 3s have also been researched with positive results in helping the muscles to repair themselves after exercise, which can improve performance, especially when on a training regimen.

Omega 3s are known as “essential fatty acids” meaning that they must be obtained through diet or supplements since they are not manufactured by the body. Also, be sure to look for a high potency omega 3 supplement that has a good dose of EPA and DHA (the beneficial parts of omega 3s) per pill, since the amounts of those nutrients in a fish oil pill can vary widely. One we would recommend in particular is Solgar’s Omega 950- each softgel has 504mg of DHA and 378mg of DHA, which are really good amounts. Any fish oil or omega 3 supplement should list the amounts of EPA and DHA they contain on the back of the bottle so you can compare. This one by Solgar is the strongest we’ve found, and I don’t really see why a person would take one that’s less potent, since taking a less potent version just seems like a waste of time.

Omega 3s can also help with brain function, joints, and reducing inflammation throughout the body- all good things. Omega 3s have even been researched for reducing cholesterol and helping cardiovascular function. Here’s an article from our website with more information about Omega 3s.

Another supplement that might help would be panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng. Ginseng has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine to help with energy and vitality. I personally take ginseng occasionally in a liquid form since it’s a great energy boost. Research has linked panax ginseng use with a reduction of fatigue and enhancement of physical performance, so it might be a supplement worth trying to see if it helps.

Last, I’d say a protein shake is a good idea after exercise. Protein can help the muscles to repair themselves after strenuous exercise, but it’s important to note that there’s a “magic window” of about 45 minutes after exercising, where consuming protein has the most benefit for repairing muscles. Mega doses of protein aren’t necessary- a shake containing around 20mg of protein is ideal. You can make a protein shake into an entire smoothie with the addition of fruits and whatever else in a blender, but generally the easiest thing is just to mix protein powder in a shaker cup with water, which will also equal out to less additional sugar and calories. We have a good selection of protein shakes at the store including many suitable for people with allergies or dietary restrictions.

Finally, since you’re trying to increase the amount you’re running, you may think of investing in a pair of new shoes. The cushioning and support in running shoes does not last forever. We would recommend a running store in Palos Heights called Running for Kicks, which has been voted to be one of the 50 best running stores in the entire United States, and the people there are extremely knowledgeable about running and running shoes.

Good luck, and happy running!