Product Review: Flora Source By Nutri-Health

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My friends over at Nutri-Health.com asked me to try a product of my choice from their website then write up a review. I decided to check out this probiotic, Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Women. I am always in search of finding a new probiotic to give my body a variety of healthy gut bugs. It’s optimal to rotate your probiotics.

If you are looking to improve your gut health, which can boost overall health, then adding a good probiotic to your supplement protocol is a great idea.

How do you know if you need to add in a probiotic supplement? If you are experiencing the following:

  • bloating
  • excess gas
  • have trouble digesting certain foods
  • heartburn or GERD
  • recently taken antibiotics of have taken rounds of antibiotics in the past
  • low energy
  • emotions including anxiety or depression

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Disclosure of material connection: Nutri-Health.com provided me with this product to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

This probiotic formula is unique in that it contains prebiotics as well in the form of short chain fructooligosaccarides (a proprietary blend from NutraFlora scFOS). Ingesting prebiotics along with your probiotics is ideal because it gives the healthy bugs something to feed on so they can then do good work in your body.

This product seemed to help my overall digestion. I could tell by the frequency and shape of my stool that it was having a positive effect on my body. I am experiencing less discomfort from bloating and gas as well. This is complimentary to my overall balanced healthy eating.

The recommendation is to take 2 capsules daily for a week then switch to 1 capsule daily for a week, then repeat the regimen.

A helpful probiotic and prebiotic regimen will:

  • improve your ability to digest foods
  • improve elimination
  • increase nutrient absorption
  • reduce gas and bloating
  • clearer thinking and better moods
  • weight loss
  • less sugar cravings

Taking the Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Women formula helped me experience several of these benefits. Check out this product if you are seeking a new probiotic/prebiotic formula!

Disclaimer: This post is based upon my personal experience. The materials and content contained on this website are for general health information only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with you medical doctor before making changes in your diet, exercise, medicine, and supplement program.

Whole Foods at a Fraction of the Price

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I am a huge fan of Vitacost.com and I also love whole foods. Read on for more information on what whole foods you can get from Vitacost with just a few key strokes.

Unless you’re talking price, a fraction of something usually isn’t ideal. What is ideal is paying just a fraction of the price for something complete, fulfilling and wholesome. And what could be more wholesome than whole foods?

Whole foods, a term heard frequently these days, are foods that haven’t been processed and contain no added ingredients—colors, flavors, fillers or preservatives. While certainly better for your health, whole foods can strain your budget, especially when they’re organic.

To better satisfy your body—and your bank account—shop at Vitacost.com for whole foods in nearly every grocery category. Though we don’t carry fresh fruits and vegetables, at Vitacost you’ll find a variety of certified organic, all-natural, preservative-free options.

And while you might normally have to run to one store for organic foods and another for your gluten-free items, at Vitacost, you’ll find it all. The best part of the whole shopping experience? You don’t have to leave home to get what you need. And you won’t be tempted by processed cheese balls—because we don’t carry ‘em.

Click your way to the checkout after browsing these go-to grocery sections:

Produce: Just as you would in the supermarket, head straight to the produce section and fill your cart with good-for-you fruits and veggies—the more colorful the better. Vitacost offers a variety of canned, dried and pureed organic fruits and vegetables. Many of our featured natural brands harvest fruits and vegetables at their prime ripeness, ensuring you get the freshest possible products. And choosing organic means your produce is grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals.

Dairy: In the Vitacost (non-) dairy aisle, you’ll find a variety of natural, plant-based milks, derived from nuts (almonds), rice and coconut. You’ll also find goat’s milk, which is naturally rich in vitamin D and easier for some to digest than cow’s milk.

Meat: While Vitacost doesn’t carry fresh meat, we have a great selection of natural, freshly harvested fish, including tuna, salmon, herring, sardines and anchovies—plus crab meat, oysters and clams. There’s also organic beef and chicken stock for soup and other recipes. You can also fulfill your protein needs with beans (we carry just about every kind, from aduki to soy) and lentils.

Breads, Pasta & Grains: Spaghetti night just got a lot more exciting. At Vitacost.com, you’ll find dozens of healthy pastas, from gluten-free and low-carb to whole wheat and brown rice, which can be enjoyed with homemade garlic bread, prepared from one our healthy bread mixes. Or, choose from whole loaves of bread, rolls, or even English muffins, many of which are gluten free. We also carry organic brown rice, wild rice, couscous and other favorite grains.

Baking: If you’re committed to making your own whole foods from scratch, you can choose from natural flours, plant-derived sweeteners and other baking essentials.

Find your inspiration for wholesome cooking by shopping for whole foods at Vitacost.com.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Vitacost.com’s goal is to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods, sports nutrition and products like green coffee bean extract to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

Ooops, You’re Doing It Wrong! Here’s When to Take Fish Oil

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I am happy to share with you a guest post from Vitacost! I love Vitacost because of the care they take with their customers, the amazing selection of products they sell, and of course their super low prices. Read on for great information about when to take fish oil and why you should be taking it! Remember to get your fish oil from Vitacost for great products at the best prices!

Article Courtesy of Vitacost.com:

If you roll out of bed, brush your teeth, then chug a big glass of water to wash down all of your daily supplements—you’re doing it wrong. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin D, CoQ10 and the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil, are better absorbed when taken with a meal, especially one cushioned with a little fat.

For many Americans, taking fish oil is high on the supplement priority list. A 2010 survey of U.S. adults who regularly use dietary supplements found that 75 percent take fish oil daily, making it the most popular supplement—ahead of calcium, vitamin D, CoQ10 and even multivitamins.

Strongly recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) for its heart-healthy benefits, and increasingly recognized for its role in other aspects of good health (including brain development and mood), fish oil provides two fatty acids—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—that the body needs, but can’t make on its own. Although the AHA encourages people to obtain these nutrients by eating fresh, whole fish, most Americans fall short when it comes to meeting the twice-weekly recommendation.

Fish oil supplements are a convenient way to obtain more omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also a way to obtain higher levels of DHA and EPA, which are sometimes advised when cardiovascular health issues are present. The AHA recommends one gram daily for those with documented coronary heart disease, and notes that those with elevated triglyceride levels may take two to four grams daily, if directed by a physician.

To get the most from fish oil supplements, keep the following in mind:

• Always take fish oil supplements with a meal, preferably one containing fat. This promotes better absorption of nutrients and helps eliminate unpleasant side effects such as stomach upset, heartburn, belching (“fish burps”) and bad breath. (Note: Enteric-coated supplements, which dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach, can also help minimize discomfort.)

• Divide fish oil doses throughout the day, especially if you’re taking large amounts. Unlike some vitamins and minerals, which may last only several hours in the bloodstream, essential fatty acids can stay present for several days. “Essential” means they’re used by every cell in the body, but are not produced internally—so it’s important to keep levels steady with regular intake.

• Do not take fish oil supplements if you’re taking blood-thinning medication unless directed by a physician. High doses can cause an increased risk of bleeding. Taking fish oil with herbs that slow clotting, such as Panax ginseng, turmeric, gingko biloba, garlic and ginger, may also cause bleeding in some people.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com