Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
HEALTHY HOLIDAY RECIPES By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT The holidays are always a time when we naturally indulge in all kinds of delicious meals and treats. To help keep you on track, here are some festive and healthy holiday recipes! CANDY CANE …
ALLIE’S TOP 10 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT The holiday season effects just about everyone, as there are so many things going on at the end of the year. Whether it be holiday parties, over …
Sterols Plus Hx: InVite’s Comprehensive Cholesterol Targeting Formula!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Our product spotlight is one that that I think is an amazing formula for cholesterol. What is this wonderful formula you ask? Sterols Plus Hx! Sterols plus is a combination of things that helps with our cholesterol. To start with what exactly is in sterols plus? There is Beta Glucan, Red yeast rice, phytosterols and cranberry.
Beta glucan is a very well known supplement for cholesterol. Studies have found that Beta Glucan can help with high cholesterol and even metabolic syndrome. If you recall my series on blood sugar you will recall metabolic syndrome includes high cholesterol among other things. Studies have also found that Beta glucan can help with obesity and even insulin resistance. Beta Glucans are an important part of lowering cholesterol in that studies have found that they are able to significantly reduce LDL and total cholesterol. In addition to helping with high cholesterol Beta glucan has shown promise in decreasing overall cardiovascular risk. In other words studies show it’s an excellent supplement to use to decrease the risk of a problem before it develops. Beta Glucan is also good for other parts of our body including our immune system. For this series however I’ll be concentrating on heart health and how the parts of Sterols plus helps our heart.
The next item in the Sterols plus formula is one that almost everyone has heard of. It is the famous Red Yeast Rice! Studies have found Red Yeast Rice to be one of the most effective cholesterol lowering supplements available. Additionally studies have found that Red Yeast Rice lowers both total cholesterol and LDL levels approximately 15-25% within 6-8 weeks. Additionally according to the Mayo clinic studies find that it helps to lower triglycerides. Another study found it helps to increase HDL. Red yeast rice is considered safe but, I would like to point out that it can interfere with certain medications. If you are taking any medications, it is important to reach out to an Invite nutritionist. Remember that is what we are here for.
Phytosterols or sterols are most likely my favorite things to use for cholesterol. I know everyone wants to hear about studies but, everyone also has clinical experience that can be just as interesting to hear about as studies. My clinical experience shows that sterols are amazing for lowering the total cholesterol and LDL. But it’s not just me saying how great sterols are, the Cleveland clinic also says that sterols can help lower cholesterol levels. The Cleveland clinic recommends using sterols to help lower risk of cholesterol for those with a family history of high cholesterol or for those with a family history or a personal history of heart disease and atherosclerosis. Now I know what some people are thinking and that is – what do the studies show? Studies have found that sterols lower LDL. By lowering LDL, you also lower the total cholesterol since the total includes LDL levels. In studies sterols were found to lower LDL by 6-12%.
Lastly, we have Cranberry Extract. Now I know what you’re going to say, cranberry extract is for a UTI! And yes it is amazing for that use but, it has other uses as well. Studies have found that cranberry is much more than just a supplement for our urinary tract. Studies have found it can significantly lower LDL and total cholesterol after 12 weeks. Additionally, studies have found that cranberry helps to lower the risk of atherosclerosis as well as lower LDL and total cholesterol.
Now there is 1 item in Sterols Plus Hx that I didn’t mention when I talked about the about the active ingredients. This was a surprise ingredient! What is it you ask? Stevia! Now I know people think that Stevia is just a sweetener. But studies show it is good at lowering LDL and increasing HDL!
Overall Sterols Plus Hx is a fantastic product that both studies and my clinical experience shows works well.
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Our next topic will be a more sensitive topic – Heart attack.
The Good and Bad of Cholesterol Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Cholesterol is a topic that gets plenty of attention. Atherosclerosis is another topic that gets a lot of attention. But what are these things? What is the relationship between them? And perhaps most importantly …
HORMONES: HOW THEY IMPACT MEN’S HEALTH By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT When it comes to men’s health, it’s best to start at the beginning….HORMONES. While there are a long list of hormones, lets focus on a three of the most commonly talked about….Testosterone, …
The Wonders of Veins Hx!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
For our product spotlight I wanted to pick one of my favorites for circulation. This formula is called Veins Hx! Veins Hx is a formula made of a combination of vitamins and extracts that studies have found to be helpful for circulation. In this blog I will be reviewing each of the 6 components that make up Veins Hx. To start with what exactly is in Veins Hx? Veins Hx contains Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Horse Chestnut, Horsetail Rush Silica, Gotu Kola and Bilberry!
Let’s start with Vitamin C! What does Vitamin C do for our circulation? To start with studies have found Vitamin C may help to slow down the buildup of atherosclerosis. This is important as it is a risk factor for poor circulation and also high blood pressure among other heart disorders. Additionally, other studies have found that Vitamin C can help keep our arteries flexible which is important for our blood pressure. Vitamin C also appears to help protect our arteries against damage. One way it appears to do this is via its anti-inflammatory properties that decrease inflammation. (1) Vitamin C has also been found to boost nitric oxide which leads to vasodilation or the “opening up” of the blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow easier through the vessels. (2) Of course Vitamin C is great for many things, but let’s concentrate on our circulation for now.
The next item is called Citrus Bioflavonoids. What is a Citrus Bioflavonoid? Plants have compounds called flavonoids. These are basically very powerful antioxidants. Bioflavonoids are flavonoids that do something helpful in our body. Citrus Bioflavonoids come from citrus foods and have specific benefits to our health. (3) Bioflavonoids are important for circulation because in studies they help to strengthen blood vessel walls. (4) Additionally studies have found that they help with atherosclerosis which is important for good circulation. Bioflavonoids are also helpful for helping with other risk factors for heart disease such as blood sugar, cholesterol and are anti- inflammatory! (5)
Next in the Veins Hx is Horse Chestnut. Horse Chestnuts are a very well-known therapy for poor circulation. Studies show that there is an improvement in circulation and in associated leg pain. In fact some studies have found that Horse Chestnut is as effective as treatment with compression socks! (6) Studies have also found that Horse Chestnut helps with chronic venous insufficiency, which is a type of poor circulation. Horse Chestnut has been found to help with signs of poor circulation such as leg pain, leg fatigue and even the rash associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Lastly studies have also shown that Horse Chestnut is anti-inflammatory, which is always good for circulation and overall health. (7)
Horsetail Rush Silica contrary to what you may be thinking does not actually come from a horse. It comes from the leaves of the horsetail plant and is rich in silica. Recent studies have found that silica can help with heart disease and circulation by decreasing atherosclerosis. (8)Studies have also recently found that silica can help with lowering our cholesterol which is a risk factor for so many different heart disorders. Lastly studies have found that silica can help form collagen which is a building block of skin, cartilage, blood, connective tissues and even our muscles and ligaments all of which make up our heart and circulatory system. (9)
Gotu Kola may have you squinting for a moment since most people associate it with brain and memory. But think for a moment – why is associated with brain and memory? Because it helps with circulation! Studies have found that in poor circulation those who took Gotu Kola had less symptoms than those that did not. Studies have also shown gotu kola to increase overall circulation and blood flow. (10)
Lastly we have Bilberry extract. Bilberry has some amazing benefits for our health. According to studies bilberry can help with cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and even reduce the risk of blood clots! Additionally, Bilberry can also help with our blood pressure. Bilberry has also been found to help circulation in our legs. And of course we can’t forget the other benefits of Bilberry including our eye health, liver health and even our overall digestive health! (11)
Overall, Veins Hx is a complex formula that is full of amazing nutrients that are amazing not just for circulation, but our overall health!
Our next blog will be about a topic that is so common I talk about it probably every day! Cholesterol and what it means.