Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
What is Angina? Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Angina or heart/chest pain is one of the first signs that many experience when they have heart disease. However there are other conditions that mimic angina. One of these is anxiety. Angina and anxiety share many symptoms …
Purples Hx and the Heart! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to take the time to talk about one of the most under rated products at Invite health. What product is this you ask? Why its Purples Hx! Purples Hx is an amazing combination …
IMMUNITY MULTI: THE MUST HAVE WINTER MULTIVITAMIN
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
As kids growing up, most of us took a daily multi, probably chewable. We looked forward to taking these every morning before heading off to school, many of us picking our favorite cartoon character multi for that day. It was like that important multi choice each day gave us strength, power, confidence and energy to get through the school day. However, somewhere along the way, as we grew up, that daily multi routine became less of a fun morning ritual and more of a chore, causing many of us to give up the multivitamin all together. Now, as we are in adulthood and getting more focused on our health we start revisiting the world of multivitamins. But now, there are so many multivitamins available and it can get confusing as to which is best or are they necessary. How do we choose?
I always like to say that a good multivitamin is the foundation of not only a healthy lifestyle, but also as the core building block of a solid supplement regimen. A good multivitamin offers a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help support the body. I often even recommend changing up ones multivitamin throughout the year as our needs can change. Right now, I’m particularly excited about the InVite Immunity Multivitamin, as it’s not only a great base multi, but also has additional ingredients to help further support a healthy immune system. This can be particularly beneficial during the winter months and holiday season.
So, what are these additional powerhouse ingredients? They are Ribonucleotide Complex and European Elder Fruit Extract. Let’s explore these a little further.
Simply, a Ribonucleotide is defined as “a nucleotide that is the structural unit of nucleic acids and ribose forms the sugar component in that”. They are a basic part of our Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), which along with Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), is part of the building blocks of the body. In a study from the National Library of Medicine titled “Ribonucleotides in DNA: Origins, Repairs and Consequences”, we learn that these nucleotides act as a primer and may aid in the repair of cellular damage. Basically, they help keep our cells happy and healthy on a genetic level, as they work with the RNA and DNA.
Many of us may not know what European Elder Fruit is, but you probably know it by its more common name…Elderberry. Yes, the elderberry that so many people turn to during cold and flu season. But what is it and what does it do? Elderberry is a plant that we use the fruit, or berry, to make into a syrup (most commonly used) or as a powder to put into a capsule, as in the Immunity Multivitamin. Elderberry is often used to boost the immune system, particularly during cold and flu season, as it has long believed to be high in Vitamin C. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the theory that Elderberry can be helpful for not only the immune system during cold and flu season, but also for healthy respiratory function is supported by research on this fruit and the plant.
As you can see, incorporating the Immunity Multivitamin into your winter supplement routine can positively impact your health and make cold and flu season a little easier to navigate.
www.biologybard.com/ribonucleotide-definition-types-and-examples/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065383/
www.webmd.com/diet/elderberry-health-benefits
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.
Sources
Our next topic will be a more sensitive topic – Heart attack.
