Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
It’s true – having a “fitness buddy” has a positive impact on your health! According to a new Dutch study, scientists report that more than 90% of people who start an exercise program with a fitness buddy continue to work out after a year. If …
Your eyes are similar to a camera, and like a camera, if any part of your eye becomes damaged, you do not get a clear picture. There are many factors that can contribute to unhealthy eyes, including exposure to sunlight, your age, smoking and blue …
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood that pushes against the artery walls become too high, causing damage to the heart and blood vessels and increasing your risk of stroke and heart disease. There are many factors that can cause hypertension, including inactivity, obesity, a diet high in processed and fatty foods, and alcohol and tobacco use. But the one major factor in hypertension is excess sodium intake – salt.
A new study reports that consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables does not offset increasing blood pressure against consuming too much salt. These findings were published in the journal Hypertension by the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. Over a four-day period, two urine samples were taken from each subject per day to test for levels of sodium and potassium. Participants were asked to recall their food and drink intake over the past 24 hours in order to calculate the intake of nutrients, including fats, proteins and vitamins. The participant’s blood was also measured twice per day over the study period.
The results of the study reveal that participants who had a high amount of sodium in their diet were more likely to have hypertension than those with low dietary sodium, regardless of their intake of fruits and vegetables. Based on these results, researchers conclude that eating high amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will not offset the negative effects of too much salt.
The team notes that 75% of salt intake in the U.S. comes from restaurant food or prepackaged/processed food.
According to the CDC, an estimated 75 million people in the US (32% of the country) have high blood pressure. But recently revised guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology state that almost half of U.S. adults can now be classified as hypertensive. Their classifications of high blood pressure is of a person with systolic blood pressure (the top number that measures the blood pressure when the heart beats) is 130 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number that measures blood pressure) is 80 mmHg or higher.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, between 2015-2020, recommend that we limit our intake of sodium to about one teaspoon each day. But reports say most American adults consume almost double that amount daily.
Luckily, there are safe and effective natural remedies to help support healthy blood pressure levels, according to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP, former Director of Nutrition for InVite Health.
Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that a number of body mechanisms are dependent on for normal function. Potassium and sodium are partners in governing the electrical activity of our bodies at the cellular level. Having a tight regulation of potassium concentrations both inside and outside of cells is essential for life. Potassium is essential for supporting healthy insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance, reducing oxidative damage and inflammation, all which support normal blood pressure.
Magnesium really shines when it comes to heart health and supporting normal blood pressure. Every time the heart beats, calcium is what causes the heart to constrict, but it is magnesium that allows the heart to relax again and fully fill back up with blood. If the heart muscle does not get to relax in between beats, it can have a negative effect on heart rhythm, blood pressure and overall heart muscle function.
Garlic is an herb, a healthy vegetable, and a potent superfood that has been used traditionally for its vast benefits for centuries. This herb has been used to support a healthy immune system, heart function, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Aged garlic in supplement form offers the most benefits in terms of allicin bioavailability and absorption, plus has the added benefit of being odorless. Garlic supports blood pressure by stimulating nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide.
Hawthorn Berry is one of the most impressive tonic available today. Hawthorn berry strengthens the heart muscle and helps it function better when the heart muscle is failing. By helping to support the integrity and structure of blood vessels, hawthorn nourished the whole cardiovascular system. This heart healthy herb is a powerful antioxidant and helps to clear atherosclerotic plaque from the arteries, which can be of major benefit in improving blood pressure.
Taurine is an amino acid (building block of protein) that is known for its vascular protective effect and its overall benefit to the heart. Taurine acts as a neurotransmitter (nerve communicator) and a regulator for the heart and circulatory system, as it helps to bring essential minerals into the heart which supports healthy blood thickness and circulation.
InVite®’s decaffeinated Green Tea Extract provides powerful catechins, particularly Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is the most valuable antioxidant component of green tea. This liquid green tea extract is also oxalate-free, fluoride-free and derived from an organic source. Dietary supplementation with 90mg of EGCG increases …
Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash If you’re anything like we are at InVite®, you’re always looking for the latest from the health and nutrition world. Workouts can get boring pretty easily, especially if it’s the same workout over and over. And Pinterest can only …
The term superfoods is just as popular a buzzword as Collagen in the health and nutrition world today. It refers to nature-packed nuggets of antioxidants – fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – that are naturally found all around the world. But superfood powders make these powerful antioxidants accessible from just about anywhere.
The average American, despite research and more awareness, still only consumes 1-2 servings of vegetables daily, which leaves them way behind the current dietary recommendations of 5-9 daily servings. Nutritionists agree – eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is the key to good health. This is where superfoods come in.
This nutritional category includes a variety of colorful foods like dark berries, mushrooms and green, leafy vegetables. They are usually low in sodium, saturated fat, and refined sugar. According to Claudia Guy, ND, Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health, superfoods may pack more Vitamin C than lemons or more carotenoids (organic pigments products by plants and algae) than carrots. But many superfoods can be difficult to incorporate into your daily diet, as many are seasonal or difficult to find.
InVite® Health has found a way to preserve the boluses of super nutrients through freeze-drying, which maintains freshness and nutrients without the sugars and carbohydrates. Gathering and cultivating these non-GMO superfoods is done with utmost scrutiny and inspection for purity and potency. We have created several unique superfood blends, each with a great taste and unique purpose.
Blacks Hx®
Black, blue, and red pigmented fruits, mushrooms and legumes help support energy. immunity and wellness. Blacks Hx® may support respiratory tract health and healthy circulation. This superfood powder may also support brain health and digestive health. It contains an organic blend that includes cranberries, pomegranate, blackberries and acai fruit, shiitake mushroom extract, black cumin seed extract, black bean powder, and tart cherry fruit powder.†
Beets Hx®
Beets are a source of many heart healthy constituents. Beets Hx® contains little carbohydrate and combined fermented non-GMO organic beet root powder and the skin of tart non-GMO cherries. Beets Hx® is substantially high in nitrates. These nitrates convert to nitric oxide, while dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation, exercise endurance, and workout recovery. Beets Hx® CherryPURE® non-GMO tart cherry powder is the only tart cherry source backed by clinical studies.†
Cocoa Hx®
Cocoa has a number of ingredients useful for brain health. Studies show that real cocoa helps reverse aging of the brain and supports memory functions, as well as helping to reverse the age-associated decline of circulation to the brain. Cocoa supports healthy blood pressure and good circulation. It’s antioxidant content supports skin health. Freeze-dried black raspberry and kiwi supply their own sets of pigment antioxidants to help support respiratory tract and digestive health.†
Greens Hx®
Greens Hx® supplies a combination of 35 herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices and algae, plus six strains of probiotic bacteria, and an assortment of plant enzymes for supporting health, wellness and metabolism. Plant foods help improve the quality of the diet of individuals who do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Probiotic bacteria support a good metabolism and a better mood. They help replenish your natural bacteria that are reduced by lifestyle factors including travel, diet, stress and alcohol. Probiotic bacteria naturally support healthy digestion and the 70% of your immune system that comes into contact with your gut.†
Reds Hx®
The pigments of berries such as black raspberry, cranberry, strawberry and acai may help support the health of the brain, skin, cardiovascular system, and vision. Reds Hx® supplies six probiotic strains for healthy digestion and regularity. The inclusion of the ORAC® Blend and Grape Seed support antioxidant-cellular protective activity. Probiotic bacteria support a good metabolism and a better mood. They help replenish your natural bacteria that are reduced by lifestyle factors including travel, diet, stress and alcohol. Probiotic bacteria naturally support healthy digestion and the 70% of your immune system that comes into contact with your gut.†
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