What does it do? Vitamin K is best known for its role in healthy blood clotting, but is also a key component in healthy bones, and the prevention of calcification of blood vessels or heart valves. Regarding blood clotting, vitamin K is what keeps our blood clotting ability at the ideal level. Too much clotting and we would get unwanted blockages, and too little clotting would cause prolonged bleeding from a simple cut. Vitamin K gets its name from the German word koagulation, as in, coagulation of blood vessels. It has also been revealed that vitamin K is useful in carboxylation and the control of osteoclasts (too much of these can cause bone demineralization), which are both essential mechanisms that keep ours bones from weakening and thus fracturing. Vitamin K also keeps arteries from hardening by controlling the build of up calcium inside a tissue.

What if we don’t get enough Vitamin K? As you might suspect, vitamin K deficient individuals suffer from symptoms related to proper blood clotting. This could be in the form of easy bruising, anemia, prolonged clotting times, and many other related issues. Naturally, other symptoms arise in the form of problematic bones, and issues with the hardening of arteries or heart-valve function.

What if we get too much?  Surprisingly, there do not seem to be any adverse effects involved with unusually high intake of vitamin K. In both its phylloquinone and menaquinone forms, vitamin K does not appear to be toxic at any level.

Where can we find vitamin K? This is where the dark, leafy greens come in. Kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts and the like are all excellent sources of vitamin K. Lettuce a good source of vitamin K, but it should be noted that certain types contain more than others. Iceberg lettuce only contain one quarter the amount of vitamin K that you would find in the same amount of romaine lettuce. Meat, eggs, and fermented soy food are good sources of the menaquinone form.

It is currently unknown how other nutrients act with vitamin K.

Lemons. Although some people cannot take the sour taste of lemons, they are one of the healthiest fruits in the world. A single lemon contains 100% of the daily vitamin C intake, which may also increase HDL “good” cholesterol levels and strengthen bones. On top of this, the flavonoids in lemons may also inhibit cancer growth and act as an anti-inflammatory. Even adding a slice of lemon to tea has been known to significantly increase antioxidant absorption.

Broccoli. Mom was not exaggerating when she said eating broccoli was good for you. A single stalk of broccoli exceeds 100% of daily vitamin K intake, and 200% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C. These nutrients help build strong bones and inhibit cancer growth. Instead of the traditional methods of steaming or boiling, microwaving preserves the vitamin C in the broccoli much better.

Dark Chocolate. It is no myth that dark chocolate is actually healthy. Believe it or not, it is even considered a “super food.” Simply eating one-fourth of an ounce of dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure. In addition, the cocoa is filled with flavonoids, which reduce “bad” cholesterol, and raise the “good.” Keep in mind that dark chocolate contains almost 40 more milligrams of flavonoids than milk chocolate.

Spinach. Popeye was strong from eating tons of spinach for a reason. Spinach is a traditional and versatile “super food.” Two immne-boosting antioxidants for eye health, lutain and zeaxanthin, are packed in spinach. It has also been proving to be one of the best fruit or vegetable in the fight against cancer. Spinach is a tasteless addition to smoothies, as well as the perfect base for a fresh, crisp salad. Keep in mind that spinach no longer has to be processed and canned. Try growing fresh spinach in a home garden for the healthiest spinach leaves.

Red Wine. One of my personal favorite “super foods” is red wine. Although technically a beverage, red wine shares many of the incredibly healthy effects of the other foods on the list. Red wine, when consumed in careful moderation, is very heart healthy due to all of the anti-oxidants and other ingredients that are known to prevent heart disease, increase levels of “good” cholesterol, and protect against heart damage. Remember, a glass of red wine is healthy, but when used excessively will have the exact opposite effect.

Try any of these five foods today, and be on your way to better health!

First things first: the freshman 15 is real, and it does affect many college students. There is even a campaign that has been started of the same name. College freshman are away from home for the first time, so they are able to eat and drink whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want. This drastic change in diet and exercise behavior affected me especially hard, probably because I moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, home to some of the most delicious, yet fattening, cuisine in the world. Red beans and sausage on Mondays, a fried green tomato and remoulade po’boy on Wednesdays, and fried catfish, macaroni and cheese, and greens on Fridays, set the stage for not the freshman 15, but for the freshman 20; however, as an upperclassman, I have found many easy ways to combat and overcome the freshman 15, and the general unhealthy feeling that accompanies it.

The first step is to be aware that although there is the freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever you want, does not mean you have to. For example, at the campus coffee shop, just because they have a double frappe with extra whip and chocolate and caramel drizzle, does not mean that you need one every morning to start your day. Try drinking just black coffee, or iced coffee with skim milk. Making coffee or tea at home is an even healthier (and cheaper) option.

Another key component is exercise. College students like to believe that their schedule is just too busy to accommodate even the smallest bit of exercise, but no matter how busy you are, I guarantee there are at least a couple of hours out of the week that can be devoted to either a quick run, or a trip to the college recreation complex.

The trick to college fitness I found is that you cannot be afraid to personalize your fitness routine. Many students, including myself, just plain do not feel comfortable going to the often crowded university gym. To remedy this, I go for runs in the scenic park in my neighborhood that has a path that leads two miles around a bayou, and then connects to the Mississippi River levee trail. Many college towns, especially ones in scenic areas, have beautiful paths that will make your workout more enjoyable.

The final component is vitamins. After incorporating a B-complex vitamin, and some Vitamin K into my diet, I not only feel healthier, but got a needed energy boost.

5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Supplements

Buying dietary supplements has become increasingly popular over the last few years. People are looking to self-medicate with alternatives to prescription medications, trying to avoid a trip to the doctor by tackling symptoms with dietary supplements. There are hundreds of different types of supplements available at your local pharmacy. Many of them make claims about leading to fantastic improvements in your health. Are these labels telling the truth?

Here are a few words of caution for consumers:

1. “Federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA’s satisfaction before they are marketed.” Scary, right? This is straight from the FDA’s Web site.
2. Along the same lines, there is no law that requires the manufacturer or seller to prove to the “FDA’s satisfaction” that the claims made on their labels are accurate or truthful before they hit the market. After a product has been formally introduced to the market, only then can the FDA step in and begin to take action if necessary and only “as resources permit.”
3. It is not legal for companies to market a dietary supplement product as a treatment or cure for a specific disease, or to alleviate the symptoms of a disease. If you see this is the case, you should not trust the product, especially if it claims to be a cure-all.
4. Realize that the term “natural” in relation to a product does not ensure that the product is safe or in any way better than the synthetic form of the supplement.
5. A potion for perfect health that was discovered overnight is impossible. Be wary about “super vitamins.” Remember that many claims made by the companies selling the supplements are based off small, singular studies. Solid health advice can only be a result of research that has been done over time.

The food-health industry functions much like the fashion industry; this should be a somewhat troubling thought to consider. What might be touted as a cure-all today will probably seem ridiculous 10 years from now. This is not to say that no supplements should be used or trusted. Daily multivitamins have had a clean record for many years now, and doctors often recommend crystalline B12 supplements for those over 50 (who have trouble absorbing B12 in its natural form). The bottom line: consult a health care professional before adding a supplement to your diet.

If we’re cooking for others who we know don’t like vegetables, how can we incorporate the vegetables into the meal, so they are eaten without hesitation, without a grimace? The question is how can we hide the vegetables? Here are a few ideas:

• Puree the vegetables into a marinara or meat sauce for pasta or tomato sauce for a pizza. For some reason, the same people who refuse to eat a tomato are perfectly okay with the tomato sauce on a pizza. Trying to serve yellow squash to someone who is adverse to vegetables can be difficult if the squash looks like squash. (Sounds silly, but it’s true). However, when blended in with a tomato sauce, squash, cauliflower, spinach, onions, zucchini, and many other vegetables can add loads of nutrients to a meal, and no one but the chef needs to know. A puree can be made ahead, then stored in the freezer until it’s time to slip it into another recipe.
• Make an omelet. Surrounded in a fluffy batter of egg, finely chopped bell peppers will not stand out, and would not be worth picking out of an omelet. Pick the camouflaged yellow bell peppers, and then you’re really in business.
• Add a puree to hamburger patties or meat balls. It will add flavor and nutrition; what could be better?

It may sound absurd to hide vegetables in order for others to have a complete meal, but if the trick gets the job done once in a while without complaint, if might be worth it.

Question:

Simple answer: It is usually better to eat vegetables raw. It depends on the vegetable and the nutrients you’re trying to get out of them.

More elaborate answer: There are some vegetables that, when cooked, “lock” in their nutrients, so your body isn’t able to digest them, even you are taking it all in. For instance, broccoli is well known for containing sulforaphane, a compound which is thought to have anticancer properties, because it stimulates a body’s detoxifying enzymes. Cooking broccoli causes the sulforaphane to take on a form of which the body simply can’t make any use of. (If you absolutely prefer cooked broccoli over raw broccoli, it has been said that leaving broccoli a bit more on the “crunchy” side when it is being steamed or boiled may allow some of the sulforaphane to remain in an accessible form.)

However, many red or rosy fruits and vegetables (such as tomatoes, watermelons, carrots, red bell peppers, and papayas) contain lycopene, which also seems to have anticancer properties, but is taken in more easily by the body after the fruit or vegetable that it is in has been cooked. The heat breaks down some of the barriers, so your body doesn’t have to.

On the other hand, cooking vegetables, such as tomatoes, also tends to reduce their vitamin C content. Though this is an unfortunate side effect, most Americans are able to get their fair share of vitamin C through other parts of their diet, while lycopene is much less common. Thus, one might decide that tomatoes should always be cooked.

The exact benefits of compounds similar to sulforaphane and lycopene are not strictly defined, so it is difficult to plainly decide one way or the other. Is the loss of vitamin C worth the gain of lycopene? Similarly, many sources disagree on whether or not spinach is more beneficial plain or cooked. Raw, the fiber content is extremely high. Cooked, other vitamins and nutrients (iron, especially) are “unlocked.”

If this doesn’t seem like a definitive answer, that’s because it isn’t. It is clear that there are advantages and disadvantages to both ways of preparing vegetables.

Recommendation: Vary the way you prepare your vegetables. Cook vegetables as part of a meal, but feel comfortable adding a dish of fresh, raw veggies on the side as well.

Iron deficiency is the world’s foremost nutritional disorder, affecting about three quarters of the planet’s population. Lack of iron can result in problems like fatigue and decrease in immunity. There are two types of dietary iron. Heme iron comes from animal food sources, which contained hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein responsible for delivering oxygen to cells. Heme iron is the most efficiently absorbed form of dietary iron. Most of our intake, however, comes from the nonheme iron found in plant foods such as spinach, soybeans and lentils. Nonheme iron is the kind added to iron-enriched foods. The prevalence of iron deficiency may be affected by the popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets; with the elimination of meats, efficiency of absorption is seriously decreased.

Although it is important for people to try to get the recommended daily allowance of iron, care should be taken not to consume too much. Iron toxicity occurs when more iron is consumed than the body has capacity to store and iron begins accumulating in organs and tissues. People experiencing iron deficiency should attempt to obtain iron through nutritional means before turning to supplements. Iron-rich foods are the best source of iron and offer the most efficient levels of absorption.

The biggest concern most people have about eggs is the amount of cholesterol they contain. It’s true, eggs contain a high amount of cholesterol. There’s no denying it. However, the cholesterol does not go “straight into your bloodstream” as many people like to claim. Only a small amount of cholesterol contained in food actually adds to these levels. Saturated and trans fats have a much larger effect on blood cholesterol levels than cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating eggs is not linked to heart disease except in special cases (particularly those involving diabetes). Even so, the cholesterol is only contained in the yolk, so those who are truly concerned about cholesterol level can simply eat the egg whites, though the yolk is truly a powerhouse for many essential nutrients.

If you don’t have a cholesterol problem, eating an egg a day (including the yolk) is not too much, and is in fact a healthy decision. Eggs are a great source of many vitamins (A, D, E, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂) as well as minerals (folate, B5, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc). They also have healthful, unsaturated fats.

Protein that comes from animals such as meat, fish, and poultry are complete proteins (with the exception of gelatin). However, this makes getting complete proteins a bit more challenging for vegetarians. Fortunately, vegetarians can find complete proteins in eggs. Eggs carry the nine essential amino acids that your body needs.

The truth about eggs is that they are, overall, a healthy addition to/part of your diet. One should be wary about consuming a high number of them each day, but this is true for nearly every other food.

What is vitamin E and what does it do for us? Vitamin E has long been known as the vitamin that helps skin heal when applied topically. There are those who buy bottles of liquid vitamin E to apply it to old scars in hopes that they will soon disappear through the magic of the vitamin. Despite many success anecdotes, research has shown that vitamin E as a topical healer of scars seems to be nothing more than a myth. However, the use of vitamin E as a healer is not completely fabricated. Vitamin E is actually the name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant activities. It is likely that having an adequate intake of vitamin E (orally) helps the body mend itself in its most efficient manner. Vitamin E is also known to promote health and prevent coronary heart disease, cancer, eye disorders, and cognitive declines. However, this vitamin has not undergone much extensive or consistent research. New and old “benefits” of vitamin E continue to be questioned.

What happens if we do not take in enough vitamin E? Obvious symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are rare. It is possible for a normal person to not take in enough vitamin E, but still appear healthy. It is only when a low intake is paired with a rare disorder, such as abetalipoproteinemia, when a lack of vitamin can result in muscle weakness or retinal degeneration.

How much vitamin E should we take in? Can we take in too much? 22 IU is the recommended intake for adults. There is currently no evidence that one can take in too much vitamin E through consumption of natural foods.

How can we get more vitamin E? There are certainly vitamin E supplements available at pharmacies and sometimes even in grocery stores. Vitamin E is found naturally in almonds, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, peanuts, spinach, kiwis, mangoes, and tomatoes, among other foods.

First of all, when picking out glasses, you must make sure that you are not just picking out the ”cool” glasses that do not block the UV rays.  There are plenty of sunglasses out there that look snazzy that also do their job as eye-protection. Cheap glasses can actually do you more harm than good. For instance, if you have sunglasses that do not have any UV ray protection, then you would, obviously, increase your disclosure to UV rays. Because the sunglasses will keep some of the light out, you won’t realize that you are still exposing yourself to these rays and the UV light could cause damage to the retina. Another risk is that because there is less light, your iris opens to permit more light in, but when you wear cheap glasses, you allow the UV rays in along with the light.

You should wear the glasses if you think that you are outside long enough to get a sunburn or tan. Wearing them will greatly decrease the chance of  age related eye diseases. Some of these diseases include cataracts (cloudy formations on the lens inside the eye), yellowing of the white part of your eye, and photokeratitis (sunburn of the surface of the eyeball– the cornea).

Sunglasses also provide protection from glares. Good sunglasses could releave you from glare using polarization.

Have fun out in the sun, but make sure to protect your eyes from any UV damage!

What is vitamin D and what does it do for us? Primarily, vitamin D helps the body absorb and maintain the right amount of calcium and phosphorus in our blood. It also helps reduce inflammation and modulates neuromuscular and immune function.

What happens if we do not take in enough vitamin D? Vitamin D deficiency is associated with rickets and osteomalacia in children and adults, respectively. Rickets is characterized by softening of bones, which often leads to fractures or deformities. This same disease in adults is known as osteomalacia.

How much vitamin D should we take in? Can we take in too much? Most people need about 5 micrograms of vitamin D per day, but this amount should be increased to 10 micrograms per day for those 51 to 70, and increased again to 15 micrograms per day for those over 70. The amount also varies slightly based on gender. Too much vitamin D causes your body to absorb too much calcium in the bloodstream. This is called hypercalcemia.  Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and kidney stones. However, vitamin D toxicity is rare and is generally a result of taking supplements, thus it can be “cured” simply by not taking the supplements. Another way to treat vitamin D toxicity is to increase one’s intake of fluids in order to dilute the amount in the bloodstream.

How can we get vitamin D? The body can manufacture vitamin D on its own and does so with exposure to sun. However, getting too much sun will not cause vitamin D toxicity, because your body only produces a limited amount in this manner. You need less than an hour’s worth of sunshine. Common sources of vitamin D are dairy products: cheese, butter, and cream. Fortified milk also contains vitamin D; all milk in the U.S. falls under this description. Outside of dairy products, you can also find it in fish, oysters, and fortified cereals.

What is it and what does it do? Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the production of collagen. Collagen is found in many forms and used in many parts of the body, including cartilage and connective tissues (of our organs, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments, etc.). It’s just about everywhere! In addition to that, it can be beneficial to take it along with iron, in order to help your body better absorb the iron. Lastly, it also helps your body protect the fat-soluble vitamins, such as A and E.

What happens if we do not take in Vitamin C? You may have heard of the disease scurvy; it is caused by a lack of Vitamin C. It was common centuries ago on long voyages because the crew did not have fresh fruits and vegetables that would last the entire voyage. Scurvy causes inflamed gums, loose teeth, easy bruising, and pain in the joints, among other problems. The British Navy solved the scurvy problem by drinking lime juice on longer journeys.

Can we take in too much Vitamin C? The recommended amount is 60 to 90 milligrams. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, your body will excrete the extra amounts through urination. In fact, there are many products on the market that contain extremely high amounts of vitamin C, such as Emergen-C. However, these products are only useful if you aren’t able to get your vitamin C from other foods because your body simply flushes the excess out, which can make such products a waste if you’re getting enough vitamins anyway. It has been confirmed as safe for adults to take up to 2,000 mg per day. If you take more than that, the worst problem you might encounter is diarrhea.

What foods are naturally rich in Vitamin C? As you probably already know, Vitamin C is abundant in fruits, notably citrus fruits but also in vegetables.

Why do we need [the real] B Vitamins?

B vitamins all function a bit differently, but overall, they increase your rate of metabolism, promote cell growth and cell division (most importantly that of red blood cells), improve your skin and muscle tone, reduce your risk for pancreatic cancer, and enhance the function of your immune system and nervous system.

What happens if we do not take in B Vitamins?

Because each B vitamin serves a different purpose, not taking one will have a different effect than another. Lack of B1 can cause beriberi, and lack of B2 causes ariboflavinosis, while lack of B5 can cause acne. Logically, deficiency of the B vitamins on the whole causes effects that are the negative version of why we need them.

Can we have too many B Vitamins?
Most B Vitamins have no known toxicity level, because you body is able to get rid of excess B vitamins easily. More than 35 mg of B3 per day is not recommended. It can cause redness of the skin and with extremely high intake, nausea.

In what foods can I find B Vitamins?
B vitamins are found in whole, unprocessed foods. Examples include bananas, lentils, potatoes, beans, yeasts, and meat products, such as liver and turkey. B12 cannot be found in plants, which is a problem for vegans. Lack of B12 can cause neurological damage.

What do we need Vitamin A for?

What happens if we do not take in Vitamin A?
In the USA, for a person not to get enough Vitamin A is unlikely. A regular-sized carrot actually contains about four times as much Vitamin A as a person needs. However, a lack of Vitamin A eventually can lead to vision impairment, drying of the cornea, and even blindness. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of thousands of children in developing countries, primarily in Africa, become blind due to a lack of Vitamin A.

Can we have too much Vitamin A?
Just like anything else, too much of Vitamin A can be harmful. It is fat-soluble; thus, unlike when dealing with Vitamins B and C, an excess of Vitamin A cannot be disposed easily by the body. The first sign of a Vitamin A “overdose” is called carotenemia, in other words, when the person’s skin turns orange or yellow. If this discoloration is overlooked, though it is quite obvious, toxic death can occur.

In what foods (besides carrots) can I find Vitamin A?
Many daily vitamins contain Vitamin A, but it is relatively easy to find in foods that naturally contain it. In order of high Vitamin A content to low (but significant) Vitamin A content, the following foods also contain Vitamin A: liver, broccoli leaves, sweet potatoes, butter, kale, spinach, pumpkin, collard greens, cheddar cheese, cantaloupes, eggs, apricots, papayas, mangoes, peas, broccoli, and milk. (Carrots falls between the liver and the broccoli leaves.)

Kiwis are among the most nutritionally dense fruits in the world. They are packed with powerful antioxidants and are extremely rich in many vitamins, flavonoids and minerals. They have more Vitamin C than oranges do, as much potassium as bananas have, and a lot of beta-keratin as well.  Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that has been proven to protect our body from free radicals– thereby improving one’s chances of leading a healthier life without all sorts of diseases. Vitamin E is also in kiwis. This vitamin is fat-soluble, therefore it compliments Vitamin C very well.

These fruits are very high in dietary fiber content. Fiber has been proven to reduce cholesterol levels. Not only does it have overall benefits, but it has been shown that consuming fibers also helps to control diseases, such as diabetes, by maintaining sugar levels. It also helps people with colon cancer because of the properties of fiber that allow it to bind to toxic compounds in the colon that then will be expelled.

Kiwis come from the fruit species Actinidia Deliciosa. They are hybrids between this species and others in the genus Actinidia. The kiwifruit originally was known by its Chinese name, yáng táo or Mihou Tao. However, after it was introduced to New Zealand, it was known as the Chinese gooseberry, because people thought that the fruit had a hint of gooseberry flavor. The United States began to import the fruit into the US, but they needed a shorter name that did not show a connection to China and could be connoted quickly to New Zealand.

Here are some other health benefits that studies have shown to be connected to eating the kiwifruit. Eating kiwis prevents asthma and wheezing and coughing (specifically in children). These fruits also help to prevent DNA mutations from occurring.

The kiwifruit is one of the most power-packed fruits on this planet. It is the most nutritionally dense fruit that also happens to taste delicious!

Women’s vitamins typically come with higher iron and calcium than a “general formula” multi-vitamin. That’s because women naturally do not absorb as much iron as men and also lose iron through menstruation. Women also typically eat less red meat, which is full of iron. Women who have gone through menopause, however, usually do not need a supplement that has extra iron. The elderly have different needs than middle-aged adults and should look for vitamins that specifically address this. (Some are labeled “50+.”) Pregnant women also have very different needs and should consult a doctor about taking supplements during their pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins often contain higher levels of folic acid and iron than the typical one.

If a bottle is labeled “high potency,” what does this mean? The FDA allows a company to label their multivitamin as having high potency if at least two-thirds of the included vitamins supply 100% of the recommended daily value. It usually means that the multivitamin provides a substantially high amount of both vitamin B and vitamin C.

It is important to remember that the best way to obtain vitamins is by eating vitamin-rich foods, not by taking supplements. Also, if your diet is rich in a certain vitamin, you should avoid taking supplements that cause you to have too much of that vitamin. Too much of anything can be more detrimental than helpful.

It is pretty expensive to drink this juice, but many people think that is completely worth it. For example, I know a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had the surgery but did not want to go through any of the chemotherapy processes. At first she was only taking Vitamin C injections, but she then heard about MonaVie and started to drink this juice. She is now cancer free, and she believes that a major source of this successful recovery was due to this juice.

There are a few products that MonaVie makes. The four juices, soon to be five, are The Premier Acai Blend, Pulse, Active, and a Kosher version. The Acai blend is the  original juice and usually is taken by children under twelve or pregnant women. The original blend is full of body-beneficial fruits and is designed to nourish your body with powerful antioxidants and nutrients such as Açai, white grape, apple, acerola, aronia, purple grape, cranberry, passion fruit, prune, kiwi, blueberry, wolfberry, camu camu, pomegranate, lychee fruit, pear, banana, cupuaçu, and bilberry. MonaVie Active is bursting with antioxidants and phytonutrients and features a blend that supports joint health, while MonaVie Pulse has a sweeter taste and features a blend of fruits specifically chosen to nutritionally support cardiovascular health.

Not only is this juice extremely healthy for you, but it also is provided to you in an interesting manner. Run like a close-knit networking system, MonaVie is designed to work in a “tree-like” fashion. What I mean is that you sign up under a “sponsor” and then you try to find people for you to sponsor. Every time the people below you buy the juice, you receive commission. Just having two or three people below you can earn you $50-$100  a week! It ends up being a very close family of people who are looking to promote health in the world.

The Airborne that my roommate uses comes in a tablet format that you are supposed to dissolve in 4-6 ounces of hot or cold water. I personally think they taste good without the water (I will admit that I have licked the tablet before putting it in a glass) but that the taste is a little weak when it is dissolved–as if it were water with a small squeeze of lime. However, there are different flavors such as Zesty Orange, Lemon-Lime, Pink Grapefruit, and Very Berry.

What is in Airborne that makes it such an immune system booster? Well this dietary supplement has so much packed into one tablet that I do not even know where to begin. It is a special blend of zinc, ginger, echinacea and 13 other vitamins, minerals and herbs. Some of the vitamins it contains are vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also contains selenium, manganese, magnesium, riboflavin, amino acids, and more.  It has also been studied by scientific studies and medical journals and has been shown to support the immune system. It is safe and meets the rigorous safety standards of the Dietary Health and Supplement Act (DSHEA) and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

You can get Airborne at a variety of stores such as Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, BJ’s, Costco, Trader Joe’s, and more. The average price for a pack of 12 tablets is seven dollars. It may be mental, but I do believe that Airborne is a great natural way to help boost your immune system when you are starting to feel sick.

Is your dry mouth related to the antibiotics, or a new symptom? Can you drink milk with your statin medication? Can you take your anti-inflammatory with your iron supplement?

What about herbal remedies and vitamins? You can purchase these over the counter, but the FDA doesn’t require them to be labeled the same way prescription medications are. It’s also possible that the ginger you are taking for gout will work against the ulcer medication you’re taking for heartburn.

Fortunately, any information you need is a simple mouse-click away. Most major pharmaceutical companies have websites full of information, and even interactive forms for reporting adverse reactions.  Some sites have a good amount of human growth hormone information.

Be an informed consumer, and bookmark this list of links when you need to check out your supplements and medications!

RxList – A large database of prescription medications, it also includes a “pill identifier” button. Click on “Consumer” for information; “Advanced Consumer” will give you the actual chemical structure and other details directed towards professionals.

Vitamin Encyclopedia – This is a commercial site but has loads of information on all things vitamin, including recommended daily allowances, therapeutic doses, and symptoms of overdose. It’s easy to navigate by vitamin or mineral name. The only drawback is each vitamin page contains links to purchase related products at the bottom; be a savvy consumer and do plenty of research before purchasing vitamins and supplements!

Herbal Encyclopedia - Similar to the Vitamin Encyclopedia, and also includes lists of dangerous interactions.

Drugs.com – The most comprehensive and easy to use of all prescription sites. Also contains a drug interaction checker, news, pill identifier, and more.

• Wash your hands. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again. The single most effective way to prevent the spread of germs is to wash your hands. Antibacterial soap isn’t necessary; it’s the mechanical action of the scrubbing along with the surfactants in soap that rinse the germs down the drain.

• Sanitize. Most back to school supply lists now require hand sanitizer for classroom use. Small bottles on key chains or clips are a great idea for attaching to backpacks and lunchboxes, as well. Get everyone in the habit of rubbing some on before they eat, and when they get on and off the school bus.

• Cover Your Mouth. Coughing and sneezing spray millions of viruses and bacteria into the air, and anyone nearby will be inhaling germ soup. Love thy neighbor, and keep the snot to yourself.

• But Not With Your Hands. Teach your children not to cough on their hands, and you will drastically minimize the germ spreading in your home. They can cough into their elbows or inner arms, in order to cover their mouths.

• Go herbal. There is evidence that herbs such as Echinacea can enhance immune system response, if taken for short periods. Garlic is also reported to prevent illness, and Vitamin C and zinc are well known helps for shortening sickness.

• Get to the pharmacy. Nowadays, there are many over the counter preventatives and cures. Airborne isn’t just for plane trips and can keep you well when everyone else is sick; you might check out the stock of cough drops while you’re at it!

Try a variety until you find some that you like. Try sprinkling a green salad with alfalfa and radish sprouts. Tuck some sprouted quinoa and sunflower seeds into your sandwich for added flavor and crunch. Cooking soup or chili with sprouted beans not only increases the nutrition significantly, but it makes digestion a little easier. My kids love to munch on plain, sprouted mung beans.

Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K increase in sprouted grains and beans. Riboflavin and folic acid multiply significantly, up to thirteen times the amount in dry seeds. Protein is abundant in sprouts, rivaling that found in meat. Sprouts are full of phytochemicals, which help protect us from disease.

Sprouting your own seeds is cheap and easy; they don’t need soil, sunshine, or fancy equipment to grow. Although there are many ways to sprout seeds, here is a simple way to get started:

Supplies:

One wide-mouth, glass canning jar

One square of cheesecloth or plastic mesh screen (enough to cover lid of jar)

One rubber band

Sprouting seeds

*Measure out appropriate amount of seed (amounts vary, depending on the type of seed)

*Rinse seeds

*Soak seeds (check instructions for your type of seed for soaking times)

*Rinse seeds again and place in jar

*Cover jar with cheesecloth or screen and fasten with rubber band

*Prop jar at a 45-degree angle for water to drain

*Rinse seeds 2-3 times a day, keeping it propped at an angle between rinsings

*Keep out of direct sunlight

*Eat sprouts when ready, usually 1-5 days

Heart disease is helped by taking vitamin C. Vitamin C when taken with vitamin E combines to prevent oxidation of cholesterol. This then prevents the plague which travels in the coronary arteries. HDL known as the “good” cholesterol increases its levels when vitamin C is taken.

The lens of the eye can become damaged from (UV) light as well as from smoke. Exposure from (UV) light as well as smoke can effect the formation of cataracts. Vitamin C has been shown to keep the lens from being damaged from these effects.

Vitamin C is found naturally in citrus fruit such as oranges, mangoes, limes, lemons, and grapefruit. Other fruits high in vitamin C include: cantaloupe, guava, mangoes, papayas, peaches, persimmons, pineapples and fresh strawberries. One can never overdose on vitamin C by eating the above fruits. Vitamin C tablets are available in many strengths.

This free radical protection is available to those who take the necessary amounts of this vitamin. Through their diet American adults consume between 8 to 12 milligrams of Vitamin E daily and the recommended dietary allowance is 15 milligrams.

Vitamin E is available in vegetable oils such as sunflower, canola, corn, soybean and olive oil. Nuts, sunflower seeds and wheat germ as well as whole grains, fish, peanut butter and green leafy vegetables all are sources of this vitamin. Vitamin E is one of the few vitamins, where there is good scientific evidence that it works.