Bilberry and Cataract Prevention

Bilberries are small berries native to Europe related to blueberries that have been used for many years for eye health.

My dad was the first to tell me about bilberry and its benefit for cataracts. He read about an Italian study on bilberry being beneficial for cataracts that really impressed him. The article he read was a small-scale study with people who had been diagnosed with early-stage cataracts that were given bilberry extract daily, the article reported that almost all of those in the study found that bilberry stopped the growth of their cataracts.

He’s been taking bilberry ever since (at least over a year) and he says he is sure that it’s helped, and that he even feels like his eyesight has even gotten better.

Other animal studies have also shown the benefit of bilberry for reducing the progression of cataracts as well as macular degeneration, with impressive results.

Bilberries are full of potent antioxidants that can help to combat oxidative damage in the body and are especially beneficial to the eyes, showing benefit for cataracts, macular degeneration, and even diabetic retinopathy- an eye condition that is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the eyes. Bilberries can also help with reducing inflammation throughout the body, and are also used to help with IBS, ulcerative colitis, and even to improve brain function.

My dad has been using Solaray’s One Daily Guaranteed Potency Bilberry every day and has been really happy with it, and that’s the one we recommend as well since it’s the strongest bilberry extract available per pill.

Buy One, Get One Free Deals!

I want to highlight a group of products, since I think they’re a really great value. We’ve had a few two packs by Natural Factors for a while, but we’ve expanded our selection to all the two packs they have available. The two packs are so great because they’re a buy one, get one free pack, so basically you’re getting two bottles for the price of one! It’s a great value for a great product, and makes a number of supplements that we carry a lot more affordable.

Also, please let me say that just because these two packs by Natural Factors are a good price, it doesn’t not mean that they are not a quality product. We don’t carry anything in the store that isn’t top quality, and in fact, all of our Natural Factors supplements are certified by ISURA, a Canadian supplement verification certification that insures that all products are tested for potency, purity, and are free from any adulterants and are accurately labeled (there have been lots of problems with less reputable brands saying one thing on the label, but when tested not having potencies anywhere near what it says on the bottle).

We have the buy one, get one free bottles in quite a few supplements: CoQ10, Ubiquinol, Vitamin D, Cranberry, Milk Thistle, B12 and more. I take a few of their supplements regularly and am really happy with them. Stop by the store and see our selection and maybe save a few dollars!

Worries about the Coronavirus Vaccine

Dear Carolyn,

What do you think about the coronavirus vaccine?  I am kind of nervous about getting it.

Thanks, John

Dear John,

It’s completely understandable to be nervous about the new coronavirus vaccines, especially for people who generally don’t take medications. There are several things about the vaccine, however, that I feel can help allay those fears.

The two main vaccines we have available, those by Moderna and Pfizer, are known as mRNA vaccines, which are different from the vaccines we have had in the past. Most vaccines that we’re familiar with use dead or inactivated viruses in a vaccine to help our body to be able to fight off that same virus if we encounter it.

These new mRNA vaccines are not made like that, and don’t contain any virus particles. Instead, they help our immune system to be able to recognize a special protein that is on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine works by creating that protein in our body, which the immune system can then recognize as something that doesn’t belong and can mount a defense against it. Then later, if we do encounter the coronavirus, our immune system right away can recognize the virus and will already have the tools to fight it off. After getting the vaccine, and after the body makes that special protein, the vaccine is broken down- it doesn’t stay in the body, the only thing is does it to make a small amount of that special protein that’s found on the outside of the coronavirus so our body is ready and has the tools to prevent infections if it sees the COVID-19 virus.

Something else that’s important to know, is that while these specific vaccines were developed relatively quickly, this mRNA technology has actually been in the works for nearly thirty years, and is a really exciting development to make new vaccines and therapies for illnesses that have had no cure, and is right now being worked on for a possible therapy or even a vaccine for cancer, MS, HIV, and more. Science is amazing, and I’m grateful to those researchers who have dedicated their lives to helping to reduce human suffering.

The other thing to think of is that the coronavirus is no joke. If a new vaccine came out for the common cold, I’d be impressed, but I wouldn’t sign up right away, since while a cold is annoying, it’s not life threatening. COVID and this pandemic are completely different. So many people have died, and for those who recover, many can experience long term damage to the lungs, heart, and more. So I feel like any possible risk of the vaccine is overshadowed by the very real threat that the coronavirus poses. Also remember, by this point millions and millions of people have received the vaccine without a problem.

Additionally, there have been concerns in the past about some vaccines containing thimerosal or mercury, though neither the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine contain those or any other preservatives (which may be part of the reason it needs to be stored in sub zero temperatures). I just wanted to mention it, since I know thimerosal has been an issue for some.

COVID-19 has literally stopped normal life. These vaccines are the way for things to get back to normal. We can’t live like this forever, and the more people that get vaccinated, the faster we can return to our lives, and in doing so, many lives will be saved as well. Getting the vaccine is also an act of service in a way, since it is us doing our part to help to reduce the spread, reduce infections, and make things better.

Another thing the vaccine can help with is preventing mutations. Mutations in the coronavirus are a real problem, since a mutation in the virus can change it to make it more contagious or even more deadly. The more people that are vaccinated, the fewer amount of people will be infected, which means that the virus will have less of a chance to mutate.

Virus types like COVID-19 are known for their ability to mutate, just like how the flu does. There are concerns about vaccine effectiveness with these new mutations, and some wonder if it’s even worth it to get vaccinated since there are new virus strains evolving. The good news is the vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer have such a high rate of effectiveness against the coronavirus (both are around 95% effective against the original virus), that even a modest decrease in that effectiveness gives a positive outcome.

When the vaccines were still being developed, health experts were hoping for a vaccine that would be around 80% effective. Thankfully, the vaccines that were developed were a lot better than that, so even a lowering of effectiveness for possible new strains still leaves us in decent shape. Additionally, researchers are working on possible boosters for emerging strains to offer added protection. There’s still a lot we don’t know. It might be that every year we might have to get a booster shot to stay protected. Some researchers have speculated that over time, maybe in a decade, the coronavirus might still be around but with developed immunity may become a form that causes only mild illness, like the common cold; only time will tell.

I completely understand the anxiety about getting the vaccine, though I believe it’s the right thing to do, and I also think there is a lot of misinformation going around regarding the vaccine, which doesn’t help.

Hopefully this article has explained things a bit, and I hope might make someone a little less fearful of getting vaccinated. We need life to get back to normal, beyond just the selfish reasons of how I’d like to go to a restaurant or a play without worrying; there are real problems this pandemic has caused, for children who can’t be in school, for nursing home and older family members who are feeling more isolated than ever, and for the unprecedented rise in mental health issues that many people are experiencing. We need our regular lives back, and realistically, that is not going to happen without the vast majority of people getting vaccinated.

I know I usually write about supplements, so this is a departure from the norm, but when I saw this question I thought it was worth responding to. We do have lots of great supplements for the immune system at the store, and definitely recommend that everyone take a quality vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C supplement right now (there are others of course, but I’d say those are the big three). Stop by Pass Health Foods if we can answer any questions for you, we love helping people find natural products that can help a person’s specific needs.

Carolyn Johnson is one of the owners at Pass Health Foods at 7228 W. College Drive. Feel free to stop by the store for more information or advice, or look on our website at www.passhealthfoods.com. Pass Health Foods has a very kind and knowledgeable staff.

This column makes no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate, or cure diseases with any advice or products. Any health related information in this article is for educational purposes only. If you’d like to submit a question for an upcoming column, email us at passhealthfoods@gmail.com and put Healthy Answers in the subject line. Be well!

Researched backed supplements for migraines

At Pass Health Foods, we are not against doctors or conventional medicine. I’d been experiencing an increase in migraines, and finally went to a doctor about it. I was diagnosed with chronic migraines and was given three prescriptions. While I am not against pharmaceuticals when needed, when I did some research on the migraine prescriptions, I was nervous about some of the side effects. One of the drugs had a frequent side effect of confusion and memory loss, which obviously worried me, so I decided to try an intensive supplement regimen to see if I could make things better before resorting to the medications since I was really nervous about the side effects.

The doctor recommended taking 400mg of vitamin B2 and magnesium glycinate. I had been taking magnesium in a different form, but switched to magnesium glycinate, and also added B2 (one 300mg pill and one 100mg B-Complex). I also began going over any research studies involving migraines, and added several other supplements that had been shown to help, which I’ll list below. It’s a long list, which might be excessive for some, but I wanted to share it since after a few weeks, my migraine frequency was extremely reduced, and I was very happy with the results.

Everyone is different, and just because I had luck with the supplements below doesn’t mean they’re a cure all, but they are supplements that have shown benefit for migraine in research studies. I think the high dose B2 supplement and magnesium glycinate are the most important, but I think the others have helped me as well.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 400mg

I’d recommend doing one 300mg pill of B2 and then a B-100 complex as well since B vitamins are best absorbed when they’re taken together. If you choose this route, take the B complex at a slightly different time than the B2 for maximum absorption (your body can only absorb so much of one thing at a time). Taking high doses of B vitamins has the odd side effect of making your urine bright yellow, FYI.

Magnesium Glycinate 400mg

Magnesium glycinate is a very well absorbing form of magnesium. It’s been found in research that most American’s diets are magnesium deficient, so supplementing is especially beneficial. In addition to migraine and headache prevention, magnesium is also useful for bone health and calcium absorption.

CoQ10 200mg

CoQ10 is most commonly used for heart health, but has also been shown beneficial for migraines. The studies actually used 150mg of CoQ10, but since it’s usually available in 100mg increments, I just take 200mg instead. CoQ10 is best absorbed when taken with food.

5-HTP 200mg

5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an amino acid that boosts serotonin in the brain and is most commonly used as a natural mood booster, though there is some research that it can also help with migraine prevention since low serotonin levels are linked to an increase in migraines. Do not use 5-HTP when on prescription anti-depressants since it works similarly to classes of anti-depressants known as SSRIs and can cause an excess of serotonin which can be detrimental. For best absorption, 5-HTP should be taken with food.

Melatonin 3mg

Melatonin is most commonly used as a sleep supplement, but there is some research linking it to migraine prevention. Interestingly, new research has also come out showing melatonin possibly being beneficial as a preventative for COVID-19, so it’s not a bad thing to take. Melatonin should be taken about 30 minutes before bedtime for maximum effectiveness.

Vitamin D3 2,000IUs

We’d recommend vitamin D for everyone since it’s so great for the immune system and for bone health, especially during the winter since we’d outside so much less. Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin since it is made in the body when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Research has also found that vitamin D can help with headache and migraine prevention, so it’s definitely a great supplement to take, and should be taken with food for best absorption.

This is a long list of supplements, and generally, we recommend taking just a couple of new supplements at a time so you can see what’s really helping, though it’s not bad to start a new regimen either (as long as you stick with it). For migraine prevention, we’d recommend using them for several weeks (most studies are usually 6-12 weeks) to see the full benefits, though personally, I feel like I saw relief faster than that.

Probiotics for Disease Prevention [New Research]

I wanted to briefly write about probiotics since in the past few months, numerous new studies have come out showing previously unknown benefits of probiotics for disease prevention. I’ll link a few of the articles below:

New research underscores the link between multiple sclerosis and the gut microbiome

Gut bacteria trigger immune defense mechanism to protect against viral infections

Gut microbiome link to deadly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Study offers "indisputable" link between Alzheimer's and gut microbiome

Microbiome study could change the way doctors diagnose depression

We don’t often think of our digestive system unless it’s giving us trouble, and then usually we’re just looking for a fix for those symptoms, but our digestive system and specifically our body’s unique microbiome (or the trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that live in our digestive tract) affect our health far beyond our stomach.

A healthy balance and variety of good bacteria in the body is incredibly important for overall health, but it’s easy to be ignored since many people can take probiotics and not feel very different. Part of the benefit of probiotics are more overreaching, affecting our health long term for the better. It’s similar to giving a car an oil change- generally, the car doesn’t drive very differently after having one done, but it’s important to keep the vehicle running properly in the long run.

We have lots of great supplements at the store, which have benefits for an assortment of issues, but realistically a person can’t take 100 pills a day. So as you choose the supplements that are most important to your personal health, we’d really recommend adding (or continuing to take) a quality probiotic with a variety of well-researched strains. Stop by the store because we’d love to help you choose the product that’s best for you. A favorite of mine are Solaray’s line of refrigerated Mycrobiome probiotics. They have specific formulas for a variety of needs including a women’s probiotic, a 50+ formula, and one specifically for colon health. I like them because in addition to being high potency products with a variety of effective probiotic strains, they also contain prebiotics, which help the good bacteria in your digestive tract and in the supplements you take to flourish.

Natural Supplements for Depression this Winter

This is a year like no other, and this will be a winter that for many people that will be worse than any other. The darkness, isolation, and the stress and fears of illness can make this a really difficult time. We'd like to offer some suggestions of natural products that have been shown in research to help with boosting mood and easing depression in the hopes that someone might find that useful.

There are a number of supplements that can be extremely helpful for boosting mood and combating depression, however, if you’re on prescription antidepressants, be cautious with combining them with natural mood-boosting supplements, however below I’ll also mention some supplements that can be beneficial for people already taking antidepressants that can be used along with them.

The first that’s especially helpful for depression and seasonal affective disorder is the supplement SAMe (pronounced “Sammy”) which stands for  S-adenosyl-L-methionine. SAMe works by helping to boost the manufacture of “feel good” or mood-boosting neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies have found that people experiencing depression have lower levels of SAMe in the brain. 

Research has shown it to be as effective as prescription anti-depressants (some studies have even found it to work better) without the side effects of conventional pharmaceuticals. Instead of having side effects, SAMe has the side benefits of helping with pain and inflammation and also aiding in detoxifying the liver.  

SAMe is most commonly used for seasonal affective disorder and depression but is also used effectively for fibromyalgia and joint pain. Many natural mood enhancers can take a bit of time to gain full effectiveness; in fact, some like St. John’s Wort can take several weeks before the benefits are seen. I particularly like SAMe since its benefits are felt quickly, usually within the first week and for some people within just a couple of days. 

SAMe is most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Most people find 400mg daily to be an effective dose. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or depression, I would very much recommend giving it a try. I know several people who take it with great success. My one caution would be for people with bipolar disorder since there has been some research that has linked SAMe supplementation with an increase in manic episodes for people with bipolar disorder. Also, SAMe should be used with caution with antidepressants, for example, it should not be used with SSRI antidepressants because SAMe boosts serotonin in the brain in a similar way that how those antidepressants work.

Another idea, though not as fast-acting, is the amino acid 5-HTP. 5-HTP, short for 5-Hydroxytryptophan actually is a precursor to serotonin in the brain. A precursor is a substance that makes something else in the body, in the case of 5-HTP, it’s an amino acid that converts into serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain that works to stabilize mood and enhance feelings of well-being and happiness in the brain. Serotonin is naturally made in the body, but not everyone makes the same amount of serotonin. Having proper serotonin levels helps with controlling anxiety and helping people to feel happier and more calm.

Certain anti-depressants like Prozac work to boost serotonin in the body, so if you’re on prescriptions like that it should not be used without speaking with your physician. For people with mild depression who are not taking anti-depressants, it can be a very helpful supplement, however. As with all supplements, dosage matters to see the full benefits. 150mg to 200mg a day in divided doses are what is usually recommended for easing depression and boosting mood, though many people feel benefits from lower doses. It’s also recommended to give it several weeks to feel the full benefits, though often people feel it starting to work faster than that.

We also have supplements like the amino acid theanine, which is geared more towards anxiety, as well as calming herbs like passionflower and valerian, which many people find helpful as well. Each person’s mental health is unique, so the best supplement for one person may not be the best for another.

As I mentioned before, if you’re on prescription anti-depressants it’s important to take care with mixing natural products without speaking with your physician. That being said, there are several vitamins that can be helpful and safe to take, primarily Omega 3s and B vitamins.

Omega 3s are known as essential fatty acids because they are necessary for our bodies to function properly but must be obtained through either foods or supplements. They’re important for cardiovascular function and for reducing inflammation but are also necessary for proper brain function. A deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids affects mental health and is linked to mood disorders. Omegas 3s, particularly those from fish or algae, have been found in research to benefit memory, mood, impulsive behavior, concentration, and more. Omega 3s are necessary for all ages from childhood to our later years, and correcting a dietary deficiency can make a big difference.

B vitamins are needed for a host of different reactions in the body and are important for the brain to work properly. Low levels of B vitamins have been linked to depression and mood disorders- for example, B vitamins are especially helpful for people with bipolar disorder. Additionally, there is positive research showing that supplementation with B vitamins while on prescription antidepressants can improve symptoms of depression.

Winter is hard. The holidays can be difficult. That's true of any year, but combine that with the craziness of quarantining, of not being able to see friends and family, of being trapped in the house, it can make problems for everyone. It's ok to not be ok. This is not forever, we just need to get through it, and however that looks like for you is ok.

I've written about a number of supplements that can help, but let's be real, sometimes supplements are not enough. Seeking out a therapist, even online through places like betterhelp.com that matches people with real therapists online that can talk with you over the phone or over Zoom, can sometimes be really helpful (we're not affiliated with them, but I've read about their services and wanted to mention it). We're living in a moment in time that is something that no one else alive has dealt with before, so it's ok to do whatever you need to get through it. If we can help, we would love to. Please come by the store, and hopefully we can offer something that might make a difference.

Dangers of Buying Supplements Online

Online shopping has exploded in popularity, and understandably so, particularly in this crazy time. I just wanted to mention some new research that has come out which was undertaken by NOW Foods, a local company with quality supplements.

The trouble with all natural supplements is that they are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceuticals are, and because of that, many companies have sprung up putting out products that do not match what it says on the label- in many cases having different, lower strengths of ingredients (if it even contained any at all).

This is why it’s important to buy supplements from reputable sellers with reputable brands. You’re not really saving anything buying a cheap product online if it doesn’t really contain the right active ingredients.

This report is NOW’s fifth in 2020 regarding suspect brands whose main sales appear to be on Amazon. Previous reports include: CoQ10, Acetyl-l-Carnitine, SAMe and Phosphatidyl Serine, and now they have just put out a new report on the findings of online Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) supplements (you can follow the links for the individual articles) that found that the products tested averaged less than 50% of the potency advertized on the labels.

Without a doubt shopping online is convenient, but when it comes to supplements, I’d steer clear due to the fact of so many unscrupulous sellers. Also, it’s not just weird brands selling fake supplements, but there have been problems on Amazon that the company has admitted to where Amazon sellers were selling counterfeit supplements of well known brands by relabeling or resealing products with adulterated pills. Even when online sellers are selling genuine products, there can be issues with how supplements are stored and at what temperature, damaging the ingredients-probiotics in particular, but it holds true for all supplements.

Online shopping is a reality of 2020, we just advise caution in regards to supplements.

To make shopping at our store easier, while we will remain open to customers coming in the store, we do also offer curb side pickup, where you can call or email to place an order or ask questions and we will bring it out to your car when you arrive. We can do so in a way that is entirely contactless if desired, putting the bag in your trunk or backseat. Additionally, you can read about our ongoing store safety procedures here.

Call the store to place an order at 708-448-9114 and we will run it out to your car when you arrive. We have a product catalog of our recommended products that you can see on our website here.

Our Ongoing Food Drive

Pass Health Foods is a permanent drop off location for the Palos United Methodist Food Pantry for people to drop off non-perishable food donations. Unfortunately, hunger is always a problem in our country, but especially with the fallout from COVID, even more people are in need.      

This is a crazy time for all of us, but as a community, we can get through it by pulling together and choosing to help other people. It’s a simple way to make a difference in another person’s life who may be having a difficult time.

If you or a person you know is in need of food, the Palos United Methodist Food Pantry is located at 12101 S Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights and their food pantry hours are Tuesdays from 9-11 am and 4-6 pm. The Palos United Methodist Food Pantry is our local branch of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Our store is located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, and donations will be accepted every day during our store hours, and then we will bring them to the pantry to donate.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

We are SO grateful to all the people who have been donating to the food pantry. We've been bringing large loads of donations to the food pantry about every two weeks. Thank you so much to everyone who has brought food items in. It's been so encouraging seeing so many people who want to help others.

In addition to non-perishable food items, the food pantry also accepts personal care products. See the image below for more details:

New Store Sanitizing Procedures

This week we are having two UV-C air sanitizing systems installed in our heating and air conditioning unit. One to sanitize the air as it enters the heating system and another as it exits as an extra measure of precaution. We have been researching air cleaning systems for a long time now, and settled on these two UV-C units as the best to keep the air clean and disinfected in the store since UV-C lights have been determined to be able to kill COVID-19 specifically. The research on COVID and airborne transmission is worrisome, so it’s important for us to do everything possible to keep people safe in our store. With these UV-C light units, the air in the store will be circulated through them five times an hour, to kill any lingering microbes that may be in the air.

These new UV-C systems are in addition to the two medical-grade HEPA H13 air purifiers we already have in the store. We also have a sanitizing schedule of cleaning all counters and high tough surfaces throughout the day, and carts, pens, and baskets are disinfected after each use. Face masks that cover the mouth and nose continue to be required to shop in the store, and we have hand sanitizer available at both registers and the entrance to the store.

This is a crazy time, but we want people to feel safe in our store. Let us know if you have any other suggestions for us. Additionally, while we are open for customers to shop in our store, we do continue to offer curbside pickup if you prefer. Call the store to place an order at 708-448-9114 and we will run it out to your car when you arrive. We have a product catalog of our recommended products that you can see on our website here.

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.