​Angela Sabarese | January 23, 2023

Observance of February as Heart Month can be a reminder of the cost-saving potential of evidence-backed dietary supplements to help reduce the health impacts—and the health care costs—of coronary artery disease. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Foundation’s recent Health Care Cost Savings report, Supplement to Savings (“S2S”), identified up to $17.74 billion in annual net savings if specific dietary supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin K2 and soluble fiber) are used by the at-risk target populations most susceptible to coronary artery disease (CAD). The study, commissioned by the CRN Foundation and conducted by Frost & Sullivan, provides analysis on the risk reduction effects supplementation can have on specific chronic illnesses or diseases, including CAD. The Foundation announced the overall findings including insights on the analysis in August 2022.

The report’s chapters on CAD focus on the following four supplement ingredient categories and their ability to address particular contributors to CAD:
​
Omega-3 Fatty Acids–Omega-3 fatty acids containing DHA and/or EPA are one of the most well-researched dietary supplement ingredients available, including a large body of evidence supporting their contributions to cardiovascular health. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has permitted the use of qualified health claims for the omega-3s EPA and DHA for coronary heart disease since 2004 and for hypertension since 2019. Annual average cost savings from the widespread daily use of preventive amounts of omega-3 EPA+DHA could be $4.47 billion per year between 2022 and 2030.
Magnesium–In 2022, FDA announced a qualified health claim for products containing magnesium for reduction of blood pressure, a key contributor to CAD, based on scientific research showing a link between magnesium use and blood pressure reduction, particularly during the past 10 years. Regular use of magnesium by specific at-risk populations could avoid an average of 102,382 events a year between 2022 and 2030, with an average healthcare cost savings of $2.32 billion per year.
Vitamin K2–Clinical studies have shown how vitamin K2 serves to improve both cardiovascular and bone health; it is documented to have a role in minimizing coronary artery calcium accumulation, a risk factor for CAD, along with increasing calcium content in bone. The expanded targeted use of vitamin K-2 by specific populations could reduce CAD-attributed events by 15.7 percent and generate an estimated cost savings to the U.S. health are system of $9.48 billion a year between 2022 and 2030.
Soluble Fiber–FDA has authorized health claims for soluble fibers from certain foods, including psyllium husk and beta-glucan from oat and barley, and their ability to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. These ingredients are also available as dietary supplement to achieve the recommended intake levels. The S2S study found an average cost savings of $1.47 billion a year in health care costs from the increased utilization of soluble fiber for its heart healthy effects.

The insights from the CRN Foundation’s report provide direct financial implications for potential long-term cost savings to individual Americans through the role these supplements play in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

“The Supplements to Savings findings demonstrate that particular ingredients, taken at preventative daily intake levels and supported by a strong track record of research that documents their effects, can not only provide heart health benefits to the target population, but also can have significant positive financial implications to our country’s health care system,” said CRN President and CEO Steve Mister.

“We hope this report will help us re-think how we approach health care,” Mister continued. “Today, most of our health care resources are spent after people are already afflicted with an ailment. This analysis demonstrates the impact of some conditions, including CAD, may be reduced with appropriate supplement regimens. We hope the broader medical community will take notice and evaluate how supplements can enhance nutrition and improve the overall health of their patients.”

https://vitaminretailer.com/crn-report-shows-the-potential-of-dietary-supplements-to-reduce-medical-costs-associated-with-coronary-artery-disease/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=vre-enews&utm_content=6b5a4c911034f4d7e6016d32e801f09f&utm_source=Robly.com&fbclid=IwAR2gBpvNk-48tpaJojXXZWH5gy7bxEdWTv6v-DJe9Fv4R0XeLtySzXGcdvQ

Here at Terry’s, every day is Earth Day, and so every day we are practicing gratitude for our Earth.  We are all about providing products that are healthy, not destructive, for our bodies and our planet so that we can all live life well. We help support lifestyles that always honors our earth with each choice we make. We focus on providing local, natural, organic, regenerative, and healthy foods, supplements, home care, and body care products. We choose these because they reduce the harmful impact to our Earth over other conventionally made products, and in some cases, actually improve the health of our earth! ​

Buying local is a fantastic way to celebrate our Earth! Locally made goods don’t require the impact of shipping them. They reduce the use of fossil fuels, put less polluting exhaust into our air, and they empower our own community so we can be more self-reliant and sustainable!

Our friends at Crystal Rock Healing, based out of Bismarck (but has grown nationally!), said it well:​

Choosing to buy organic means choosing less pesticides on our crops and in our soil, using less water to grow the crops, refusing the genetically modified organisms, protecting the lives and health of insects and animals, and supporting farmers who don’t rely on our government programs to sustain their farms. Did you know that it takes 6 years to convert land that has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides into land that can be certified organic, because it takes that long for the chemicals to leave the soil? Did you know that most conventional farms need to use more and more pesticides and herbicides the longer they grow on that land?  The sooner we end our reliance, the more we can protect all life on earth from the harmful effects of pesticides. Choosing organic means you're supporting life - like keeping the bees alive so they can pollinate and keep our crops healthy! 
 
This isn’t just the case for food. Many supplements use plants covered in pesticides and herbicides, which could be in concentrated amounts within the capsule. Conventional cotton is among the crops most heavily sprayed. Your cotton balls, sanitary pads, clothes, and anything else made of cotton could be full of pesticides that stay close to your skin.  
 
When you support organic in everything you buy, you’re protecting the earth from yet more harmful pesticides and herbicides. And we're here to help make that choice easy for you with many organic options! 

​Regenerative Agriculture is most direct way to support the earth – literally! It goes beyond organic. The purpose of it is to restore the health of our earth (our soil!) It is designed to keep nutrition and carbon in our soil (and out of the atmosphere), supporting all the microorganisms and bacteria that live in our soil to keep our earth healthy. When our soil is healthy, our crops can thrive. When our crops can thrive, so can all life on earth!  
 
Thankfully, we are able to support and offer both local and national brands that choose to use regenerative agriculture.

For local ranchers and farmers at Nourished By Nature, regenerative agriculture has been incredibly effective and producing highly nutritious meats, eggs, and plants without synthetic chemicals. Read more about Gabe Brown and his experience converting to Regenerative Agriculture here in Bismarck, ND.  What he learned is the foundation of how Nourished by Nature operates! Dirt to Soil - Nourished By Nature

​We also support brands like Cascadian Farms, who are using regenerative agriculture to serve consumers nationally! We are currently hosting a giveaway for their sustainable products too! Come on in and find our table with their amazing sustainable swag next to our CBD display! Fill out an entry card to win! ​

Happy Earth Day! ​

​P.S. - Did you know our store brand of vitamins and supplements are made from compostable bioplastics? Reducing our use of fossil fuels is getting easier!

​Author: Sarah Langer

We all have to start somewhere! Beginning with a commitment is the most important step in achieving your goals, and what better time to commit than the New Year? 

How is your New Year diet going so far? Did you know that the average New Year resolution lasts for 2 weeks? That's often because we dream up an end goal, but we don't decide on a solid plan of how to get there. Just joining a gym isn't enough to keep the commitment. Just deciding to eat "healthier food" isn't enough to keep on track. 

This blog can help you get on back on track with an overview of do-able and sustainable dietary programs and lifestyle changes. When you understand how the diets work, it is a lot easier to turn the diet into a lifestyle, which is much easier to stick to because it becomes a part of your routine. While quick-fix diets can leave you hungry and unsatisfied (potentially leading to binges or too many cheats), healthy lifestyle food choices makes you feel satisfied, strong, and able to maintain results long-term. When you discover what foods make you feel good, strong, and energetic, it will be a lot easier to to say "no" to foods that do not promote your wellness.

This blog is not meant to be medical advice. It is always best to consult with your doctor if you have health concerns. Dietary changes can have powerful impacts on our health! 

Everyone has different nutritional needs, so the diet that worked for your friend could be wrong for you. We each have different constitutions, metabolisms, blood types, allergies and intolerances, stomach acid, nutritional deficiencies, genetics, hormones, sleep schedules, and so on! We should discover the foods that make us feel our best, not bog us down. (Working with a nutritionist or natural doctor can take a lot of the guess work out!)

No matter which diet you choose to follow, there are some basic concepts to follow to achieve weight loss:

1. Keep a food journal or use an app to track! 
​
This will make you tune into what your body is telling you. Record what you ate, then how it made you feel. Then look for patterns! Does a certain type of food make you itchy each time? Is there a meal you like to eat that makes you bloat each time? Did you realize how many calories or how much sugar you are eating? After you learn your patterns and needs, you will develop habits that work better for you. You won't need to continue tracking once you know what is best for you! 

Even a basic hand-written journal can give you big clues because it requires you to listen to your body.

But there are great apps available to help you fill in all the details, see graphs and charts, and earn rewards for progress! My Fitness Pal, Lose It!, and even FitBit's App are all excellent. 

​5. Reducing calories and portion sizes may help, but what you eat is most important. 

Not all calories are equal. 200 calories of protein will keep your blood sugar stable and satiate you for a while, but 200 calories of cupcakes will keep you feeling hungry and will send you on blood sugar roller coaster that will ruin your energy. 

​
Each of the diets I explain next utilize these concepts, making it easier for you to stay on track. We offer a variety of foods that support each of these diets, making it easier for you to buy conveniently while staying on track! Many foods come with labels to say which of these diets they fit into, so just check the front of the packaging! ​

Whole 30 is a GREAT place to start, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed!

​It is a 30 day challenge that can easily continue on, or convert into one of the other diets. Whole 30 is about learning to choose, cook with, and eat unprocessed whole foods that keep your blood sugar stable. Because carbohydrates tend to lead to blood sugar imbalances that reinforce junk food cravings and poor eating habits, this is a low-carb diet. It is designed to teach healthy lifestyle habits and break old food habits, and reducing sugar and carbohydrates reduces, or even eliminates, cravings. The rules are simple:

1. No added sugar! 
2. No alcohol.
3. No grains. 
4. No legumes.
5. No dairy. 
6. No processed ingredients such as carrageenan or sulfites. 
7. No alternative versions of baked goods, even if they're made from compatible ingredients, because eating them will reinforce old habits and make it hard to learn new ones. 
8. Do not step on the scale to record your weight during the 30 days. Instead, listen to your body. Focus on how much better you feel! 

Whole 30 meals are made of real food:

Eat meat, seafood, and eggs; vegetables and fruit; natural fats; and herbs, spices, and seasonings. Eat foods with a simple and recognizable list of ingredients, or no ingredients listed because it's an unprocessed whole food. 

To learn more about Whole 30, go right to the source at their website: https://whole30.com/

The "Paleo" diet is also known as the "Caveman" or "Ancestral Diet." Fundamentally, it is a diet in which you eat what a hunter-gatherer would have eaten prior to the development of agriculture. The paleo diet is focused on nutrient-dense whole foods in appropriate quantities. It is not focused on calories or macronutrient ratios (protein vs carbs, for instance.) In fact, the creators of the Paleo diet stress that it's a broadly plant-based diet that includes moderate amounts of animal food. This leads to a well-balanced nutritional diet that feeds you what you need, not what you don't need. This will naturally reduce your hunger and eliminate the need to count calories. 

The Paleo diet is frequently altered to be a high-protein and low carbohydrate diet because it is easy to eat high-protein while Paleo. Eating high-protein and low carbohydrate is an effective method to keep blood sugar balanced and lose weight steadily, but keep in mind that the Paleo diet is meant to give you the nutrition that your body needs to function and feel best. A low-carbohydrate diet can lead to lower energy levels in some types of people, so it is important to listen to your body. 

The Paleo diet is rich with meat, seafood, eggs, leafy greens, and vegetables. It allows for sparing nuts and seeds. 

It does not allow for foods that contain anti-nutrients like saponins and lectins. This means no grains, beans, or legumes. 

We carry many foods that are paleo compliant! 

Read more about the official Paleo diet on their website:
The Paleo Diet® | Defining The Paleo Diet

When we eat a diet very high in fat, low in protein, and very low in carbohydrates, our bodies start to burn ketones instead of glucose for energy. The "Keto" diet is designed to keep you in a state of "ketosis," in other words, burning ketones instead of glucose. This is an effective way to regulate blood sugar, reset hormones, stabilize the immune system, and reduce hunger. The end results can be extremely rewarding!

This is a challenging diet to do correctly, but if you are determined then it can be highly effective. It is not just about eating low-carb like an Atkin's diet. Cheating can undo your efforts, and so can eating slightly too much of a "healthy" food. It requires measuring your ketones in your urine with test strips to make sure you stay in ketosis. It may require supplementing with ketones or fat sources to stay in ketosis (we offer these supplements and test strips.) The Keto diet means eating enough whole food based fatty foods to keep you satiated and stay in ketosis. Butter, animal fats, cheese, coconut oil, and avocados are staples on the keto diet. 

Read more about how to do the Keto diet here:
The Keto Diet for Beginners | ketogenic.com

They can absolutely be useful aids! 

Starting a diet with a cleanse can help your body adjust to the changes more easily. When you help your body flush out the junk in your liver and gut, you will be able to benefit from a cleaner diet sooner. Your body will have more energy to devote to your metabolism. 

Also, our fat stores more than just... well, fat. It stores nutrients for later use, and toxicants that were removed from our system and stored in our fat where it can't hurt us. When we lose fat we can release some of this stored junk, and a good cleanse can help get it out of our bodies. 

Protein shakes can make it so much easier, and sometimes healthier, to get enough protein in your diet! Eating enough meat throughout the day to reach your protein goals can be exhausting for your body, and you may need to eat too many plant-based foods to get enough protein. A clean protein shake gives you exactly what you need in an easy-to-digest drink, without too much of anything you don't need. Protein shakes can be both animal-based or plant-based - there is more than just whey!  ​

Now that you have some simple rules to follow, are you ready to get back on track? Let Terry's help you! We keep our grocery department stocked with many Whole 30, Paleo, and Keto compliant foods. 

• We offer local pastured raised meats and eggs...
• Frozen meals to make eating on a diet easier...
• Grab-and-go snacks or shakes that won't break your diet...
• Ingredients you need to make your diet's recipes...
• And even rewarding treats that fit into your diet!

Here's to meeting our health goals in 2022!

Author: Sarah Langer

We're the friendly neighborhood health products store of Bismarck! We are here to work hard, serve you, and promote health and wellness! We are very passionate about what we do and all the products we offer! 😍​

We stay busy. When we're not helping you, we have shelves to recover. ​

We always have herbs and spices to organize. ​

Jessica, our Store Manager, has to peek around the corner and make sure we’re working... 😏​

Because she knows so much of our time at Terry’s is all fun and games.... 🤭​

​And she doesn’t see everything!  ✌

We’re the Health Squad, and we’re a family! 🥰​

We love to promote health and wellness! That’s why we are so thrilled and passionate about CBD! Come ask us what CBD is and how it can help you! 😁​

​And we are proud to be a part of the wonderful Bismarck Mandan community! We're always ready to serve you! 😄

Merry Christmas from all of us at Terry’s Health Products! ​

​Author: Sarah Langer

These are our most popular antibacterial options, because they're safe, effective, and easy.  Most of these antibacterial options can be used internally or externally, either taken orally or used on your skin. Let's explore what they do!

​
Echinacea
You may have heard that echinacea tea is a good remedy for colds and flus. It is actually traditionally used for treating infections. In fact, it was used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a "cure-all" for infections, and its use only declined due to the creation of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Many studies have demonstrated echinacea's effectiveness to reduce infections, reduce the severity of colds, and strengthen the body against disease. Due to how potent it is, it is not recommended to take echinacea for longer than symptoms persist, or up to 10 days. 

Echinacea Information | Mount Sinai - New York

Garlic
It's common knowledge that garlic will kill anything that ales you, right? Did your parents make you eat whole cloves of garlic when you were sick, or at least feed you garlic soup? While consuming garlic has many many health benefits, the trouble is that studies have not verified that garlic alone is effective as antibiotic, but garlic has been well studied to help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Studies have shown that it may help kill bacteria, but it's actually most effective as a booster to your antibiotic. Taking garlic along with other antibiotics reduces antibiotic resistance so the antibiotics can be more effective.

Fresh Garlic Extract Enhances the Antimicrobial Activities of Antibiotics on Resistant Strains in Vitro (nih.gov)

Garlic | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Oregano 
Oregano is gaining popularity quickly, because it works! It has also been clinically studied against many specific strains of bacteria, including the tough ones like MRSA and E. Coli, with impressive results (and without the side effects of broad-spectrum pharmaceutical antibiotics.) In fact, it is so reliable that our military has used it on wounds to kill antibiotic resistant bacteria. If you will only try one natural herb as an antibiotic for any need in your body, try oregano. This is a case in which there is so much to say about how well oregano works, and Dr. Axe already has an excellent blog with links to many studies: 

Oregano Oil Benefits, Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions - Dr. Axe (draxe.com)

Manuka Honey

This is a delicious choice, and also one of the best choices for wound care. Manuka honey has the ability to break biofilms, which are like shields that bacteria and fungi create to resist being killed. This is critical, because not all antibiotics are able to penetrate biofilms and kill the bacteria they are meant to. 

Not all honey is the same, because it depends on the pollens bees use to make it. Manuka honey is only made in New Zealand and Australia. Bees gather pollen from their native tea trees, scientifically known as the leptospermum scoparium bush. Most honey has a very high concentration of natural hydrogen peroxide, giving honey an antibacterial effect. Manuka honey, however, has methylglyoxal, or MGO. MGO is a potent antibiotic that does not loose its effectiveness when in contact with bodily fluid, unlike the hydrogen peroxide in honey. The understanding we have is the the higher the concentration of MGO, the more potent it is against bacteria, therefore a rating system was created to label how much MGO is in a bottle of Manuka honey. It's called a UMF rating, and studies have shown that a UMF of 10+ is necessary to have antibacterial benefits. 

Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview (nih.gov)


Pau D'Arco
This is one you might be less familiar with. It's best known for its antifungal properties, and is commonly used to fight a candida (yeast) infection. It's a bark from a tree that grows in many South American countries, traditionally used by Native Americans to create bows. They observed that the trees, alive or dead, never developed mold or fungus. They used it medicinally for a wide range of benefits, including to treat infections. It has been observed to starve bacteria and fungus of oxygen and energy, inhibiting their growth. Studies have been conducted on animals, but not in humans. More studies are needed to understand this versatile wood, but centuries of use have observed its benefits. 

Pau D’Arco: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage (healthline.com)

Ginger
Ginger is best known for calming nausea and reducing motion sickness, but it has many more incredible benefits - its antibacterial properties is not one of its better known benefits! Studies have shown it is very effective against several types of bacteria prone to antibiotic resistance, but it has shown effectiveness against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Studies showed that ginger has the best results in the inhibition against Salmonella typhi, but also very strong inhibitory properties against Candida overgrowth. 

Assessment of antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract against Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis: an in vitro study - PubMed (nih.gov)

Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities (nih.gov)

​Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is not a traditional antibiotic, but it is an old traditional remedy used for centuries. It works in 3 unique ways:

1. It is able to puncture the bacterial cell wall. 
2. It can enter the bacteria and cause an oxidative reaction, preventing it from functioning well as an organism. 
3. Silver can inhibit the bacteria from reproducing. 

Because silver has the ability to prevent the growth of bacteria, it is used in many medical devices, oral care, wound care, and even sanitary pads for mensuration. 

The use of silver is controversial in both medical use and agricultural use. Some evidence shows it should only be used in moderation due to long-term side effects. It could have the potential to disrupt our soil ecosystems and our body's inner eco-systems if it kills too much bacteria when over used. More studies are needed to understand the effects of long-term use, but we do know it is an effective antibiotic. 
​
Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal and Consumer Applications: A Patent Review of the Past Decade (2007–2017) (nih.gov)

 

Essential oils concentrate the properties of plants, and therefore they will offer the anti-bacterial benefits of their source.  Our essential oils are not certified safe for ingesting, but they are excellent for diffusing and treating skin with. Thyme, tea tree, frankincense, and myrrh have all been studied for their ability to disinfect and clean wounds. Stay tuned for future posts with essential oil recipes using these individual oils, but come talk to us in the store and we will happily teach you how to use these oils properly!

Medieval Legend, however, is a powerful blend of oils famous for its disinfectant properties. It is easy! Fill a 2 ounce dark glass spray bottle with non-alcoholic witch hazel and 30 drops of Medieval Legend. Shake it before spraying. This blend is gentle on wounds and aids in the healing process. Witch hazel is an astringent that cleans the skin, reduces itching and swelling, and evens skin tone. It is the perfect base to gently care for your skin without burning or stinging. 

Also, Medieval Legend smells warming, earthy, and grounding. It is a pleasure to breathe in because it smells so comforting! 

​Author: Sarah Langer

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine is the supplement form of a non-essential amino acid called Cysteine. "Non-essential" means that your body has the ability to synthetize its own Cystine from other amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Production of Cystine, however, requires a diet rich in amino acids. If you are deficient in the right amino acids, your body may not produce enough Cysteine. We naturally produce less with age and illness too. Our lifestyles, environment, and diets also affect how much Cysteine our bodies need to function well. 

NAC has many benefits, but it is best known as the precursor to Glutathione, a "Master Antioxidant." Glutathione is critical because it supports all other antioxidants in the body, telling them how to keep free radicals, toxicants, and other foreign substances in our bodies from damaging our bodies. Glutathione is a critical part of our body's natural "detox system," and it is a reason why we are able to withstand, to a certain point, consuming unhealthy food products and breathing in poor environments. While we can supplement with glutathione directly, and in some cases would have better results with direct glutathione, it's actually more expensive and more poorly absorbed (some glutathione supplements are much more effective than others.) NAC is better absorbed and will allow your body to create glutathione more easily.

In fact, NAC and glutathione are so good at detoxifying your body that it has already traditionally been used to treat thick mucus in the lungs and acetaminophen overdose for decades! It also helps to reduce the severity of chemical sensitivities, so perfume and car exhaust (and, of course, all the other pollutants) might not give you as strong of a headache, muscle pain, brain fog, and other unpleasant symptoms when taken regularly. 

NAC, and therefore also Glutathione, are known for cleaning out your lungs, liver, blood, and skin due to their detoxifying properties. As a result, you might find it helps you recover from respiratory illnesses faster, reduce liver inflammation, increase mental clarity and mood, and improve your general fitness. You might also notice much brighter, healthier, youthful, and radiant skin!

Glutathione protects cells from damage that causes aging, meaning NAC may appear to have anti-aging properties. The anti-aging benefits are not just skin deep, however, because the cellular protection will improve how you feel, function, and think over all. You might feel it helps you act younger too!

NAC and Glutathione may reduce insulin resistance and pull excess glucose from the blood, improve circulation because it boosts the production of nitric oxide, and reduce overall inflammation. 

​It has even been used to improve fertility and reduce endometriosis and PCOS!

NAC really is a wonderful supplement that can be beneficial for a wide range of reasons! 

It may, however, have some drug interactions. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking NAC if you take any medications. 

But does it support our immune systems?

We are not advocating using NAC to prevent or treat any illness, including Covid-19, and we recommend talking to your doctor if you have any concerns about your health.

While more studies are needed for understanding if NAC boosts the immune system (that is to say, taken to prevent getting sick), some limited results have been promising, showing that NAC may help once already infected. The evidence is that NAC may help against RNA viruses such as Covid-19 because NAC has been shown to suppress the pathway that RNA viruses use to replicate and spread. NAC has also been shown to reduce the production of cytokines that can cause dangerous levels of inflammation during severe illness. Due to the ability of NAC to act as an expectorant in the lungs, it can help reduce the severity of pneumonia if it develops. In each of these studies the results were dose dependent. To learn more about the studies and doses used, read: N-Acetylcysteine to Combat COVID-19: An Evidence Review (nih.gov)

Don't forget about the supplements that we already know support a strong healthy immune system: Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, Quercetin, Elderberry, and functional mushrooms (to name a few!) 

For further reading on all the benefits of NAC, visit: 
NAC Benefits: How N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplements Work (bulletproof.com)
A Review on Various Uses of N-Acetyl Cysteine (nih.gov)



Author: Sarah Langer

​
​What does “organic” mean?
The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. While the regulations vary from country to country, in the U.S., organic crops must be grown must be grown without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, or bioengineered genes (GMOs).
Organic livestock raised for meat, eggs, and dairy products must be raised in living conditions accommodating their natural behaviors (such as the ability to graze on pasture) and fed organic feed and forage. They may not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal by-products.


The benefits of organic food
How your food is grown or raised can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health as well as the environment. Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally-grown counterparts and people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods.
Organic produce contains fewer pesticides. Chemicals such as synthetic fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are widely used in conventional agriculture and residues remain on (and in) the food we eat.
Organic food is often fresher because it doesn’t contain preservatives that make it last longer. Organic produce is sometimes (but not always, so watch where it is from) produced on smaller farms nearer to where it is sold.
Organic farming tends to be better for the environment. Organic farming practices may reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy. Farming without synthetic pesticides is also better for nearby birds and animals as well as people who live close to farms.
Organically raised animals are NOT given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. Feeding livestock animal byproducts increases the risk of mad cow disease (BSE) and the use of antibiotics can create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Organically-raised animals tend to be given more space to move around and access to the outdoors, which help to keep them healthy.
Organic meat and milk can be richer in certain nutrients. Results of a 2016 European study show that levels of certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, were up to 50 percent higher in

​Understanding GMOs
The ongoing debate about the effects of GMOs on health and the environment is a controversial one. In most cases, GMOs are engineered to make food crops resistant to herbicides and/or to produce an insecticide. For example, much of the sweet corn consumed in the U.S. is genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup and to produce its own insecticide, Bt Toxin.
GMOs are also commonly found in U.S. crops such as soybeans, alfalfa, squash, zucchini, papaya, and canola, and are present in many breakfast cereals and much of the processed food that we eat. If the ingredients on a package include corn syrup or soy lecithin, chances are it contains GMOs.

GMOs and pesticides
The use of toxic herbicides like Roundup (glyphosate) has increased 15 times since GMOs were introduced. While the World Health Organization announced that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans,” there is still some controversy over the level of health risks posed by the use of pesticides.

Are GMOs safe?
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the biotech companies that engineer GMOs insist they are safe, many food safety advocates point out that no long term studies have ever been conducted to confirm the safety of GMO use, while some animal studies have indicated that consuming GMOs may cause internal organ damage, slowed brain growth, and thickening of the digestive tract.
GMOs have been linked to increased food allergens and gastro-intestinal problems in humans. While many people think that altering the DNA of a plant or animal can increase the risk of cancer, the research has so far proven inconclusive.

Does organic mean pesticide-free?
As mentioned above, one of the primary benefits of eating organic is lower levels of pesticides. However, despite popular belief, organic farms do use pesticides. The difference is that they only use naturally-derived pesticides, rather than the synthetic pesticides used on conventional commercial farms. Natural pesticides are believed to be less toxic, however, some have been found to have health risks. That said, your exposure to harmful pesticides will likely be lower when eating organic.

What are the possible risks of pesticides?
Most of us have an accumulated build-up of pesticide exposure in our bodies due to numerous years of exposure. This chemical “body burden” as it is medically known could lead to health issues such as headaches, birth defects, and added strain on weakened immune systems.
Some studies have indicated that the use of pesticides even at low doses can increase the risk of certain cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing. Exposure at an early age may cause developmental delays, behavioral disorders, autism, immune system harm, and motor dysfunction.
Pregnant women are more vulnerable due to the added stress pesticides put on their already taxed organs. Plus, pesticides can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as through breast milk.
The widespread use of pesticides has also led to the emergence of “super weeds” and “super bugs,” which can only be killed with extremely toxic poisons like 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (a major ingredient in Agent Orange).

Does washing and peeling get rid of pesticides?
Rinsing fresh produce reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling sometimes helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, wash and scrub all produce thoroughly, and buy organic when possible.

The best bang for your buck when shopping organic
Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally-grown food. But if you set some priorities, it may be possible to purchase organic food and stay within your food budget.

Know your produce pesticide levels
Some types of conventionally-grown produce are much higher in pesticides than others, and should be avoided when possible. Others are low enough that buying non-organic is relatively safe.
Fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters most
According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S., the following fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide levels, so are best to buy organic:

• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Grapes
• Cherry Tomatoes

• Kale/Collard Greens
• Summer Squash
• Nectarines (imported)
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Hot Peppers

Fruits and vegetables you DON’T need to buy organic
Known as the “Clean 15”, these conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are generally low in pesticides:

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Mushrooms
• Cabbage
• Sweet Corn
• Eggplant
• Kiwi
• Mango

• Onion
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Sweet Peas (frozen)
• Sweet Potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Cantaloupe

Buy organic meat, eggs, and dairy if you can afford to
In the U.S., industrially-raised animals may be fed corn, grains, antibiotics, animal byproducts, growth hormones, pesticides, and sewage sludge. These practices can have health consequences for both the animals themselves and people consuming their meat, eggs, or milk.
If you can afford to pay the higher prices, look for beef and dairy products labeled “pasture raised” or “100% grass fed.” For pork, chicken, or eggs, look for a “certified organic” label. You may find that buying cheaper cuts of meat from organically raised animals enables you to eat organic without breaking your food budget. Try buying organic chicken thighs instead of conventionally raised chicken breasts, for example.

Other ways to keep the cost of organic food within your budget
Shop at farmers’ markets. Many cities, as well as small towns, host a weekly farmers’ market, where local farmers sell their produce at an open-air street market, often at a discount to grocery stores.
Join a food co-op. A natural foods co-op, or cooperative grocery store typically offers lower prices to members, who pay an annual fee to belong.  These fee's usually run a few hundred dollars so be sure that you are spending enough a year to make the fee worth it. 
Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, in which individuals and families join up to purchase “shares” of produce in bulk, directly from a local farm. Local and organic!

Organic food buying tips
Buy in season. Fruits and vegetables are cheapest and freshest when they are in season. Find out when produce is delivered to your market so you’re buying the freshest food possible.
Shop around. Compare the price of organic items at the grocery store, the farmers’ market, online, and in other venues (even the freezer aisle).
Remember that organic doesn’t always equal healthy. Making junk food sound healthy is a common marketing ploy in the food industry but organic baked goods, desserts, and snacks are usually still very high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories. It pays to read food labels carefully.

Why is organic food often more expensive?
Organic food is more labor intensive since the farmers do not use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or drugs. Organic certification is expensive and organic feed for animals can cost twice as much. Organic farms tend to be smaller than conventional farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be distributed across smaller produce volumes without government subsidies.


Source: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm

​And Nature's Way is dedicated to delicious chewable supplements for your kids:

► Cool, Calm, and Collected

► Healthy Eyes

► Tummy Soothe
​
► Growing Bones and Muscles 

​....and they smell AMAZING! The Tummy Soothe smell very fruity and it's hard to resist! ​

​




Does your child struggle with attention or focus? We have a variety of supplements to help, such as...


​


​...Nordic Natural's Omega Focus Junior, which offers brain-boosting omega fatty acids that can improve mood, focus, ability to learn and remember, as well as promote normal social and cognitive development. 

...Thompson's Calm & Focused for Kids. Each grape chewable is packed with an incredible nutritional formula that promotes brain development, nervous system function, healthy brain cells and overall cognitive function.

...Source Natural's Attentive Child. These sweet and tart chewable wafers are designed with a broad spectrum of nutrients to support brain development and function, help the nervous system work optimally for faster thinking and a calmer body, and can improve mood and memory.  

​

Will your child spend a lot of time starting at screens? This can be rough on anyone's eyes! Do they struggle with reading because of vision troubles? Our eyes need support too! 

These well-rounded supplements from Nature's Way and Child Life Essentials feature ingredients such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which can reduce the strain caused by high-energy light waves from screens, the sun, or indoor lighting. Bilberry has been well studied to support the normal function of eyes, also providing many antioxidants to help reduce damage! 

What about your child's immune system? Are you ready if they say,,,
"My head hurts"
"I have lots of snot"
"My tummy doesn't feel good"
"It hurts to swallow"
"I'm hot!"
"cough, cough, hack, hack..."

​We can help you. We have immune building supplements to raise their defenses, and we have several options to help them feel better. Vitamin C, elderberry, vitamin D, manuka honey, natural cough syrup, expectorants, probiotics, and more designed just for kids! 

​

We have organic, nutritious, delicious, child-approved snacks without the junk too! 

What about college students!?

Don't worry... we have you covered too!

Feed your brain, gain focus, and reduce your eye strain so you can go all day... and night, if necessary. ​

And when you're ready to sleep, but you need help getting to sleep, we have a variety of supplements to help shut you down.

Nip that anxiety in the bud, reduce muscle pain and headaches, sleep better, and have more mental clarity with CBD!

And of course, the gold standard for college: energy drinks and coffee! These come without the artificial sugar, dyes, and flavors. They use natural and nutritious sources of caffeine, and they skip the poor quality "vitamins" in conventional energy drinks. You can  feel better and more stable with these!

Stop in and see what we offer to help you this school year! 


​Author: Sarah Langer

​Author: Sarah Langer

Ashwagandha is a supplement that you might be hearing a lot about lately, but what is it? Lydia explains this amazing "apoptogenic" herb in this video:

Ashwagandha can be taken at night to help promote restfulness, making it easier to sleep. It can also be taken during the day during periods of high stress to help manage the stress.

While it promotes relaxation, it is not necessarily a "downer." Instead, it is referred to as an "adaptogen," a type of herb that helps you adapt to stress. This is because of how it balances the hormone cortisol, a stress hormone. If your cortisol is high from acute stress, it reduces it. If your cortisol is low from chronic stress, it helps raise it. When your stress hormones are in balance you will no longer be burdened with that agitated "fight or flight" feeling that drains you, stimulates you, and reduces your mental clarity. You will feel more like your anxiety and worries are lifted so that you can think clearly and use your own energy again. 

You can find it on its own in our herb aisle and in our bulk department, as you see in Lydia's video. It is also found in blends for adrenal health and sleep support. 

​Further Reading and Sources:

12 Proven Health Benefits of Ashwagandha (healthline.com)
​Ashwagandha | A Complete Guide (menshealth.com)

​Authors: Sarah Langer and Lydia Davis