Health Ranks: February 2017

Friday 24 February 2017

The Top 5 Calcium Supplements of 2017

Calcium supplements help you hit your recommended daily calcium numbers – they help strengthen your teeth and bones, promote heart health, regulate blood pressure, and more.

Most people don’t get enough calcium from their daily diet alone. Taking a calcium supplement is the easiest and most affordable solution.

Calcium supplements are a great way to help keep your bones and teeth strong by making sure you hit your daily calcium goals.

Would you pay a few extra dollars per week to experience stronger teeth and bones and ensure adequate calcium nutrition?

Taking too much calcium can be a bad thing, but most people don’t even come close.

So how do calcium supplements work and are they really worth it?

We’ll cover this, along with the benefits, possible side effects, and details on how to take calcium supplements.

Before we get there, we’ve ranked the best calcium supplements of 2017, according to price, product quality, and customer reviews.

So what’s the overall best calcium supplement of 2017?

1- NEW CHAPTER Bone Strength Take Care

NEW CHAPTER Bone Strength Take Care is a plant-sourced, whole food calcium supplement that also contains fermented vitamin D3, vitamin K2, magnesium, and 70+ whole food trace minerals for premium bone health, making it our #1 recommended calcium supplement on the market.

This unique blend promotes bone strength, joint flexibility (for the best joint support supplements click here), and heart health. It even helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Unlike most calcium supplements that are sourced from limestone, Bone Strength Take Care is sourced from plants. What’s the big deal?

According to NEW CHAPTER, the manufacturer:

“Simple, rock-based calcium has a flat, basic architecture and lacks many other bone-supportive nutrients. Bone Strength Take Care is different. Plant-sourced and porous, this calcium is part of an intricate matrix of minerals that are organized in a natural honeycomb structure. For holistic bone health, it delivers whole-food calcium, magnesium and multiple other trace minerals. NEW CHAPTER also adds a proprietary blend of Vitamins K2 and D3 to help your body absorb calcium properly and effectively.”

The slim, easy-to-swallow tablets are slow releasing for optimum absorption throughout the day.

This product is 100% non-GMO, gluten free, and vegetarian friendly – meaning free of eggs, nuts, fish, shellfish, dairy products, animal byproducts, and synthetic binders and fillers.

Serving size: 3 tablets. Servings per container: 40 servings.

Buy Bone Strength Take Care on Amazon

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2- vitafusion Calcium

Vitafusion Calcium is a gummy vitamin supplement made specifically for calcium and bone health.

It’s probably the tastiest calcium supplement on the market, and the gummies are perfect for people always on-the-go or who don’t like swallowing pills.

From vitafusion, the manufacturer:

“Indulge in a delicious calcium treat. A fusion of essential nutrients and natural fruit and cream flavors, two vitafusion Calcium gummies provide an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. Each serving supports bone health with 500 mg of calcium and 1,000 IU of Vitamin D.”

Serving size: 2 gummies. Servings per container: 50 servings.

Buy vitafusion Calcium on Amazon

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3- Vitamin Code RAW Calcium

Vitamin Code RAW Calcium is a potent blend of ingredients that support overall bone health.

What’s so unique about these guys?

Garden of Life, the manufacturer, has an answer:

“Using a patented form of marine algae known as algas calcareas.sp which is ecologically harvested off the pristine shores of remote South America, this is the only raw, organic, pure plant form of calcium that Garden of Life has ever found.”

The unique blend of Vitamin Code RAW Calcium includes 386 mg of magnesium for bone strength, a probiotic and enzyme blend for digestive support, and 73 natural occurring (from plants) minerals and trace elements such as silica, boron, vanadium and strontium.

This organic calcium supplement also includes 1600IU vitamin D3 for 80% increased calcium absorption and 100 mcg Vitamin K2 MK7 from natto, another important factor in bone health.

This product is 100% vegetarian, organic, gluten free, and dairy free with no binders or fillers.

Serving size: 4 capsules. Servings per container: 30 servings.

Buy RAW Calcium on Amazon

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4- Nature’s Bounty Calcium

Nature’s Bounty Calcium is one of the most powerful calcium supplements on the market with a whopping 1200 mg of calcium per serving.

It’s one of the best selling calcium supplements on Amazon.com and has over 600 positive reviews with a 4.5 star average. Safe to say, people like this product a lot.

This supplement comes in a fast absorbing softgel capsule and contains mainly two components – calcium and vitamin D3.

Here’s why, according to Nature’s Bounty:

“Together, calcium and vitamin D are a potent vitamin and mineral combination that promotes bone health. Calcium is the primary mineral responsible for strong, healthy bones, and vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Together they are vital to mineralization: the process by which your cells synthesize new bones. Adequate calcium throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

These softgels provide a high-potency source of vitamin D3 to help maintain neuromuscular health—the combination of the nervous system and the muscles working together. Vitamin D3 aids with calcium absorption, and also helps support healthy immune system function.”

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy Lecithin. Contains 2% of: Beeswax, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide Color.

Serving size: 2 softgels. Servings per container: 100 servings.

Buy Nature’s Bounty Calcium on Amazon

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5- Naturo Sciences BONE STRENGTH

Naturo Sciences BONE STRENGTH is a premium calcium supplement that contains more than just your typical calcium content.

What separates BONE STRENGTH from the rest of the crowd?

Here’s what Naturo Sciences has to say:

“Naturo Sciences Bone Strength is an advanced bone and joint health formula that contains three powerful proprietary blends. 1. Aquamin ®: Aquamin ® is a multi-mineral marine complex contains 74 beneficial trace minerals. 2. MK-7: MK-7 is a “trifecta” of three powerful ingredients – calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2. Most people have never heard about vitamin K2. Combining vitamin K2 with vitamin D3 may be beneficial. 3. FruiteX-B®: FruiteX-B® is fast acting support formula that’s the first of its kind to contain calcium fructoborate. This important ingredient has recently been proven to be more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin combined. Nautro Sciences Bone Strength is the latest breakthrough in optimal bone and joint supplementation. The ingredients in Naturo Sciences Bone Strength make it the most comprehensive formula today!”

Ingredients: Vitamin C, VItamin D, Vitamin K, Calcium, Magnesium, Xinc, Copper, Manganese, Afuamin, calcium fructoborate, Bromelain, Boswellia standardized extract, turmeric, hyaluronic acid, Michrocrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, croscamellose sodium, coating, magnesium stearate and silica.

Serving size: 3 tablets. Servings per container: 40 servings.

Buy BONE STRENGTH on Amazon

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What are calcium supplements?

Calcium is a mineral naturally found in foods and plays a number of important roles in your body.

Necessary for the building and strengthening of bones, calcium also helps in regulating blood pressure and contributes to better brain efficiency.

Your body can’t make calcium on its own, so it’s essential that your daily diet contains adequate amounts in order to stay healthy. Most people find it convenient to simply take a daily calcium supplement so they don’t have to worry about calcium content in their meals.

Calcium supplements are designed to deliver concentrated doses of calcium. Usually offered in the form of a pill or capsule (although powdered calcium is gaining popularity with the trend of homemade workout shakes), calcium supplements are a great way to make sure that you are getting plenty of calcium, regardless of what you eat.

According to National Institute of Health, healthy adults should shoot for 1000+ mg of calcium every day (1).

(Most calcium supplements generally contain 500-1000 mg of calcium per serving, so achieving your daily calcium requirement shouldn’t be too difficult.)

What are the benefits of calcium supplements?

Most people only associate calcium with bone health.

Calcium actually has a lot more benefits than this, ranging from reducing the risk of colon cancer and kidney stones to preventing osteoporosis (2).

If you are experiencing symptoms of calcium deficiency, taking a daily calcium supplement might be all you need. Calcium supplements are the ultimate solution for treating symptoms of calcium deficiency and you don’t even need a prescription.

It is important to remember that calcium:

is essential for stronger bones
strengthens and protects your teeth
helps maintain optimal body weight
helps regulate blood pressure
protects the heart and cardiac muscles
regulates PH levels
helps maintain healthy gums
lessens symptoms of PMS
improves the transportation of nutrients throughout your body

Calcium supplements also have been used to prevent side effects of hypocalcaemia, a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people every year (3).

What are the side effects of calcium supplements?

When taken as instructed, calcium supplements generally do not produce any major side effects.

In a few rare cases, some people experienced side effects of headache, muscle pain, nausea, drowsiness, constipation and dry mouth. If you take any other medications or supplements, you should probably consult with your doctor first to avoid side effects from mixing certain ingredients.

Do not take calcium supplements in higher quantities than recommended by your doctor, as hypercalcemia, a condition where your body has too much calcium, can have very serious negative side effects.

Calcium is generally safe when taken during pregnancy and breast-feeding, provided the recommended dosage is followed.

People that have high levels of phosphate in the blood or even low levels of phosphate in the blood should consult with their doctors before taking a calcium supplement. Your calcium and phosphate levels have to be in balance, taking too much calcium can throw your balance off and harm your body.

For those that have hypothyroidism or an under-active thyroid, separate at least four hours between your thyroid medications and calcium, since calcium can interfere with thyroid treatment.

How to take calcium supplements?

Recommended daily intake of calcium varies according to your age and sex, but generally 1000 mg is needed for optimal health.

There is no ideal time of the day to take calcium supplements, but it is recommended that you take them separately from your multivitamins, as calcium is known to interfere with the absorption of iron, a common ingredient in popular multivitamins for women.

Recap

If you are worried that might not be getting enough calcium in your diet every day, taking a calcium supplement is definitely something to consider.

You can add up all the calcium content between your meals, but chances are, you aren’t reaching the targeted 1000+ mg per day.

Check out the rankings at the top of the page to see which calcium supplement is the best fit for you.

This article first appeared on Health Ranks - http://healthranks.org/calcium/

Tuesday 21 February 2017

The Top 5 Joint Support Supplements of 2017

Joint support supplements help nourish and condition your joints and ligaments to keep them working smoothly and reduce pain and inflammation.

Your joints are one of the first things to go as you age, so it is essential that you take proper care of them and address minor issues before they turn into major issues.

Joint support supplements are a great way to help keep your joints and ligaments fresh and working pain-free.

Would you pay a few extra dollars per week to experience no joint pain and ensure adequate nutrition?

While joint supplements might not heal every case of joint pain, a lot of people have found success with joint support supplements.

How do joint support supplements work and are they really worth it?

We’ll cover this in a minute, along with possible side effects and details on how to properly take a joint support supplement.

Before we get there, we’ve ranked the best joint support supplements of 2017, according to the price, product quality, and the customer reviews.

So what’s the overall best joint support supplement of 2017?

1- Key Nutrition MAX Joint Support

Combining the four most essential joint support ingredients – turmeric, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin, Key Nutrition’s MAX Joint Support is our #1 recommended joint support supplement.

This particular combination of ingredients works to support mobility, comfort, strength, flexibility and lubrication for improved joint health.

“Our Goal At Key Nutrition – Use The Highest Quality Ingredients In Our Supplements – Provide Supplements That Work! – Take Care Of Our Customers With Knowledge Support And Service – All Products Backed By 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!”

They have outstanding reviews on Amazon.com – like this one from Debra – a verified purchaser of the product:

“Wasn’t sure it would work but after 3 weeks I can say yes it does. My stiffness in my ankle and knees is nearly gone and to add to that my Oncologist said it’s great at helping your body fight cancer, for me it’s a win win. As an ex-college athlete, my joints have problems and I have a lot of inflammation. I can’t wait to see how my joints are in 20 more years :/ I’m not sure why, but this product has been of good quality so far and has done a good job reducing swelling and pain.”

If you are looking for a high quality joint support supplement for a reasonable price, Key Nutrition’s MAX Joint Support is your overall best option.

Buy MAX Joint Support on Amazon

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2- Vimerson Health ULTRA FLEX Joint Support

Vimerson Health isn’t the biggest supplement brand out there, but they make the #1 best selling MSM supplement on Amazon.com, and it’s one of the most popular joint supplements on the entire market.

So what makes Vimerson Health ULTRA FLEX so great?

According to the company:

“It helps repair cartilage, boost joint mobility, increase joint flexibility, support joint structure, protect joint tissue and reduce inflammation. Our product can ease the pain and discomforts that come with age, weight or athletic deterioration of the joints in the body. Our Joint Health Formula is designed for anyone who has joint pain, joint stress or experiences joint stiffness. The powerful nutrients in our formula help to rebuild and maintain joint flexibility. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Turmeric, MSM, Boswellia, Quercetin, Methionine and Bromelain are compounds that promote greater joint health, pain relief, range of motion and comfort.”

This supplement is all natural & absolutely non-GMO.

It’s also completely free of gluten, dairy, soy, hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, yeast, soy, sugar, cholesterol, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and binders.

ULTRA FLEX is made in the USA in an FDA-Registered facility and GMP-certified to assure the highest quality and purity.

Serving size: 3 capsules, 30 servings per container.

Buy ULTRA FLEX on Amazon

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3- Simply Nature’s Pure Turmeric Curcumin

This supplement contains 100% organic turmeric with black pepper extract to increase bioavailability and improve the absorption process. It’s also one of the more affordable joint support supplements on the market.

Simply Nature’s Pure Turmeric Curcumin is made with 95% standardized curcuminoids which is the highest potency curcumin available.

Why the focus on turmeric? Here’s what Simply Nature’s Pure says:

“Studies show it may help with many ailments, including support for lower back pain, muscle pain relief, knee pain relief, joint pain, and arthritis pain relief. Joint supplements are found everywhere, but if you have been looking for a NATURAL PAIN RELIEVER and a NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, you have found it with our Turmeric Curcumin Supplement! We have formulated a special blend of Turmeric Curcumin that uses Piperine Black Pepper Extract to increase the bioavailability of our Organic Turmeric Curcumin, helping your body make the most of the valuable Turmeric supplement. At Doctor Recommended we only use the highest quality Turmeric Capsules. It is 100% ORGANIC and NATURAL. Our CURCUMINOIDS are STANDARDIZED to 95%! Turmeric benefits have been known for thousands of years in ancient cultures, but it has recently been studied as an antioxidant and is becoming widely known worldwide as a highly-prized dietary supplement.”

This supplement is 100% non-GMO, free of fillers, and vegan friendly. It is also made in the USA in an FDA registered laboratory that meets GMP standards.

Buy Simply Nature’s Pure Turmeric on Amazon

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4- Zenwise Labs Joint Support

Zenwise Health Advanced Joint Support is a powerful joint supplement that is specifically formulated to reduce aches, pains, soreness and inflammation associated with joint related issues.

This supplement contains a unique blend of ingredients to help both men and women improve overall joint health and mobility.

Proactive ingredients for protection include glucosamine and chondroitin to help fortify joints in order to prevent gradual breakdown of cartilage and tissue, and MSM to help enhance the reformation of collagen for premium joint support.

This supplement also lubricates your joints for better mobility and pain relief. It features Hyaluronic Acid which acts as a lubricator and shock absorber for your joints. Studies suggest that this ingredient also interacts with naturally occurring compounds within the body that cause inflammation to inhibit this symptom.

This supplement is made in an FDA-registered facility, is NSF and GMP certified, and manufactured in the USA.

Serving size: 3 capsules daily, 60 servings in the container.

Buy Zenwise Labs Joint Support on Amazon

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5- Instaflex Joint Support

This supplement features an exclusive blend of eight key ingredients that have been clinically tested for maximum effectiveness; glucosamine sulfate, MSM, white willow bark extract, ginger root extract, turmeric root extract, boswellia serrata extract, cayenne root extract, and hyaluronic acid.

Instaflex has risen to become a top competitor among other popular joint support supplements, now boasting over 1k positive reviews on Amazon with an average 4-star rating.

Here’s a recent review from a verified customer:

“OK, I was going to wait one more week to write a review on these pills but I could not wait. I had to help someone else! If your suffering from knee pain please get these pill. Over the last year I have slowly developed Osteoarthritis in my left knee and now the disease process has been very debilitating and depressing for me.

I am only 43 years old and I’m very active but the years of running and the fact that my grandmother had this same type of arthritis brought the disease on early in my life. I scheduled an appointment to see the rheumatologists over 6 months ago but I had to wait because that how long it takes to get an appointment as a new patient. Meanwhile, at home I was hopping around and confine to the house with a swollen knee and severe pain. Basically any form of exercise would cause severe pain in my knee and the fluid was so bad it would swell. Most of the time I could not even sleep at night because I was in so much pain. I tried all the OTC topical creams and I also tried glucosamine chondroitin which is suppose to be good for replacing cartilage in the joints. I also tried this product at Walmart called Triple flex and nothing worked! It just got worst!

So one day my boyfriend was reading MSN on his phone and he saw “Instaflex” which was highly recommended for people with knee issues such as mine. So, I read one of the reviews from another person who also bought this product that was on the verge of having a knee replacement and he said he didn’t have to have the surgery after taking these pill, so I said what do I have to lose. I was so desperate for some relief. Well, these pills worked almost the same day. I could not believe it! I finally got my life BACK! I can workout again and ride my bike again. I am so happy. I will say this, I have not had any side effects from taking these pills and also I don’t really have to take 3 pills. The recommended dose is 3 pills per day but 2 has been working just fine for me.

I wish you all best of luck, try it you have nothing to lose.”

While this particular customer’s results were nothing short of incredible, it’s important to remember that not everyone will react to a supplement the same way.

It’s one of the more expensive joint support supplements, but it’s definitely a premium one. You get a blend of eight powerful ingredients, compared to other leading products only containing 2-4 ingredients.

Instaflex has developed a reputation as one of the most effective blends of natural ingredients for joint pain relief and joint support.

According to the manufacturer, “for best results, light exercise and sensible diet are recommended”.

3 capsules per serving, 30 servings per container.

Buy Instaflex on Amazon

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What are joint support supplements?

Joint support supplements supply your joints and ligaments with helpful ingredients like turmeric and glucosamine to keep them working smoothly and reduce pain and inflammation.

Aches and pains in our joints increase as we age, but a joint support supplement can prolong joint degradation. Joint support supplements help relieve joint pain and prevent it from reoccurring.

They can also improve the overall health of your joints and ligaments to ensure that you can keep up with your fitness activities and hobbies without being hindered by potential strains and injuries.

Joint support supplements aren’t just for the elderly – people of all ages can benefit from them.

Those that battle with obesity may find joint supplements very useful as they can help relieve joint pain and pressure and reduce soreness.

How do joint support supplements work?

Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are some of the ingredients found in popular joint supplements. These work to help reduce inflammation, usually the most common cause of joint pain.

Some people also use these supplements to treat rheumatoid arthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, sports injuries, long-term low back pain, and even osteoporosis.

Your joints are usually to blame when bodily soreness occurs and they are one of the first components of your body that deteriorate as you age.

So to put it bluntly, your joints take a hit (pardon the weed puns) with every new year of wear and tear on your body.

You’re not getting any younger, so why take the risk?

Definitely not something to avoid, but at the same time, you don’t want to over do it. Too much exercise all at once can wear your joints out, well beyond the help of a joint supplement.

If you’re looking to stay on top of your health so you can continue to live an active lifestyle as you age, or you’re looking for relief of existing joint pain, a joint supplement is a great option for immediate results.

What are the side effects of joint support supplements?

Glucosamine (1) and Chondroitin may cause some gastrointestinal side effects which includes loss of appetite, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting and constipation.

Joint support supplements may also cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Extreme cases may produce palpitation of the heart, breathing difficulties, chest pain, and exacerbation of previously well-controlled asthma and even a feeling of tightness in the chest or throat.

Those that have diabetes or hypoglycemia should exercise caution when taking this supplement as glucosamine found joint support supplements could alter blood sugar levels.

Other possible side effects that have been reported include headache, rash, insomnia, hives, drowsiness and photosensitivity. People with bleeding disorders or those that are taking drugs that increase the risk of bleeding should take caution in taking joint support supplements and consider modifying their dosage as both glucosamine and chondroitin may increase the risk of bleeding.

This supplement may also cause a toughening of the nails and may increase the risk of the developments of cataracts in the eye. In addition, joint support supplements may cause hair loss, swelling of the lower extremities, motor uneasiness, euphoria, eyelid edema and could also increase the risk of increased spread or reoccurrence of prostate cancer.

While almost all side effects from joint supplements are extremely rare, it is important that you read the label and stick to the recommended dosages.

Always consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements if you are taking any other medications.

This article first appeared on Health Ranks - http://healthranks.org/joint-support/

Thursday 16 February 2017

The Top 5 Fiber Supplements of 2017

Fiber is one of the most overlooked aspects of health, but it’s one of the most important.

Eating real plants is the best way to keep up your fiber intake. But this is easier said than done.

Not everyone has the time and resources to shop for fresh produce and take the time to prepare nutritious meals. This is where a fiber supplement comes in handy.

Fiber supplements are a quick and easy way to ensure you are getting more than enough of your daily recommended fiber quota.

How do fiber supplements work and are they worth all they hype?

We’ll cover this in a minute, along with possible side effects and details on how to properly take a fiber supplement.

Before we get there, we’ve ranked the best fiber supplements of 2017, according to price, product quality, and customer reviews.

So whats the #1 best fiber supplement of 2017?

1- NOW Foods Psyllium Husk Caps

NOW Foods Psyllium Husk Caps is a fiber supplement from an incredible natural source known for its numerous health benefits, making it our #1 recommended fiber supplement on the market. It’s also loaded with calcium and iron, providing additional nutritional support.

This fiber supplement contains a whopping 6.7 g of dietary fiber per serving and acts as a powerful source of soluble fiber which promotes the movement in your digestive system and increases stool bulk, benefitting especially those who struggle with irregular stools or constipation.

NOW Foods Psyllium Husk is the #1 best selling fiber supplement on Amazon.com.

And the reviews? Off the charts.

Check out this one from a verified purchaser:

“Extremely impressed! I read ALL reviews thoroughly before purchasing. I am an active, adult female in my early 40’s with a clean, healthy diet. I have always contended with intermittent constipation.

In November 2015, I adapted a Paleo lifestyle after intensive research. The new lifestyle (which includes trust me cooked and raw veggies/water so please do not think I skip them but if you study you may find that it NOT enough) enabled me to lose a desired 50 pounds to achieve my goal weight of 135 lbs at 5’5. Unfortunately, I continued to experience constipation. I found it disturbing that despite intaking adequate daily fiber and more than adequate water as well as daily exercise I was only able to have a bowel movement twice per week!!! After consuming this product for a full 72 hours, twice per day (3 capsules per serving/6 capsules per day: 3 capsules at 6:30 am and 3 capsules at 6:30 pm with at least 16 oz. of water), I am able to visit the restroom with regularity and ease TWICE PER DAY like clockwork (I can almost predict the time/hour) without urgency. My movements are planned/expected and convenient. I experience complete elimination. I have no gas, cramping or bloating. My tummy is actually considerably flatter.

I want to add that I also take a probiotic nightly (I began this 30 days ago) at 8:30 pm with 16 oz. of water with my multi-vitamin before retiring for the evening at 10:00 pm. I make sure that I DO NOT take the psyllium husk caps too close to other medications or supplements — I space them about 90 minutes to 2 hours away from other pills.

I know this review is lengthy but I wanted to detail my experience for those who are leery of purchasing this item or had questions on how long this product took in terms of days to “kick in” for someone or how “impactful” the change was or what the change was like in an individual’s routine. The rest of my household (my husband is in his late 50’s, our sons are 15 and 20) have opted not to use them and stick to a clean, healthy WHOLE FOODS DIET and fiber gummies which did not work for me and proved to be too harsh due to an ingredient called “inulin” I believe–I had a very adverse experience to say the least…LOL! Hopefully my review will help someone and best of luck and good health to you!”

Safe to say the product is legit? I’d say so.

Not the cheapest fiber supplement on the market, but if you are looking for premium quality this is one of the top fiber supplements available.

Take 3 capsules for a single serving, 166 servings per bottle (500 mg of natural soluble fiber and just 6 calories per serving).

Buy Psyllium Husk on Amazon

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2- Optimum Nutrition FITNESS FIBER

Fitness Fiber is manufactured by the world’s most popular manufacturer of supplements, Optimum Nutrition. It contains 5g of dietary fiber per serving and contains six types of fiber and gum, making it one of the most affordable fiber supplements on the market.

It’s fat-free, unflavored and contains just 10 calories per serving.

Fitness Fiber is one of the most convenient sources of fiber for athletes that maintain a high protein diet. You can easily add it to your drinks, shakes, or meals to help you meet your daily fiber quota.

Buy Fitness Fiber on Amazon

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3- Garden of Life RAW Fiber

Garden of Life Super RAW fiber is a dietary supplement that has more greens per serving than most leading fiber supplements. Containing 15+ organic superfoods, this is one of the most overall nutritious supplements on the market (you check out more organic superfood blends here).

What’s so special about RAW fiber? Here’s what the company has to say:

VEGAN FIBER: Our RAW fiber contains 9g of fiber per serving (36% DV) along with 7 grams of protein, probiotics, and omega 3 fatty acids for overall health.
SUPERFOOD FIBER: RAW fiber is made with 15 RAW organic superfoods, including sprouted seeds, grains and legumes.
CONSTIPATION RELIEF: Supports gut health, regular bowel function, cardiovascular function, and overall health.
TOXIN ELIMINATION: Supports the healthy elimination of toxins while maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels that are already in the normal range.
ORGANIC FIBER: RAW, Certified USDA Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Psyllium Free with No Fillers, No Isolates, No Synthetic Nutrients, No Artificial Sweeteners, and No Preservatives.

It contains antioxidant green grasses, sea vegetables, micro-algae, whole vegetables and their grains, juices, seeds and legumes which are specifically chosen for their ability to support normal gut balance, regular bowel movement and overall health.

The supplement contains 7g of dietary fiber and 2.5g of healthy fatty acids per serving.

Buy RAW Fiber on Amazon

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4- Benefiber Fiber Supplement Powder

Benefiber is one of the most well-known brands in the fiber supplement industry. Their fiber supplement powder is clear, taste-free, and completely dissolvable in any liquid.

It’s 100% natural, gluten-free, sugar-free, and non-thickening, making it great for dieters of all types.

Benefiber also contains wheat dextrin which is a natural prebiotic fiber that supports your digestive system’s good microflora and overall digestive health. This is one of the biggest advantages that Benefiber has over other leading fiber supplements.

It comes in sizes of 38 (5.4 oz.), 62 (8.7 oz.), 125 (17.6 oz.), and 190 (26.8 oz.) servings, and stick packs for a convenient on-the-go fiber solution.

Buy Benefiber on Amazon

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5- NOW Foods Fiber-3

Fiber-3 is another fiber supplement manufactured by NOW Foods that includes both insoluble and soluble fiber sources for more health benefits and antioxidant properties.

This supplement combines fibers from certified organic Golden Flax Seed Meal, Acacia, and Inulin to help you increase your fiber intake. Golden Flax Seed contains both soluble and insoluble fibers as well as lignans that act as antioxidants.

Here’s what the company has to say:

“Acacia is rich in soluble fiber that can help to control gas and bloating associated with high fiber intake in some individuals and Inulin acts as a prebiotic, providing food for friendly intestinal bacteria. The properties of the three fiber sources combined in NOW® Fiber-3™ work together to support and maintain healthy intestinal flora and regularity.”

This fiber supplement also contains 4g of healthy fatty acids and 7g of dietary fiber per serving.

Serving Size: 2 1/2 Tablespoons (17 g), 26 servings in the container.

Buy Fiber-3 on Amazon

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What are fiber supplements?

Fiber is the most essential component in maintaining a healthy digestive system in your body.

Aside from this, it also helps control your blood sugar levels, improves skin health, provides relief from irritable bowel syndrome, and lowers the risk of hemorrhoids.

Increasing the amount of fiber that you consume daily can sometimes be hard to do (1). Buying fresh produce and preparing meals can be exhausting. Fiber supplements are the most convenient and cost-effective way of increasing the amount of extra fiber that your body needs.

According to the Institute of Medicine, men ages 50 and younger should consume over 38 grams of fiber every day and men ages 51 and older should have over 30 grams. Women ages 50 and younger should have 25 grams of fiber per day while older women only need to consume just 21 grams per day (2).

Fiber supplements can help you get the fiber your body needs for optimum digestive health and.

How do fiber supplements work?

Fiber supplements primarily consist of natural polysaccharides (e.g. psyllium) and semisynthetic or synthetic polysaccharides. They work by increasing the water content and volume of the stool.

This action stimulates peristalsis which is the contraction of muscles in the digestive tract, decreases transit time of the colon, and improves consistency of the stool.

Taking a daily fiber supplement ensures that you are getting enough fiber for a high functioning digestive system.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects of taking fiber supplements may include bloating, abdominal cramping, flatulence, and abdominal distension.

There have also been some reports of allergic reaction. You should start with a smaller dose and slowly increase the amount with time. It’s also important that you increase your water intake when introducing fiber supplements to avoid adverse side effects.

To avoid having it lodge and swell in your throat, which could result in choking, make sure you take fiber supplements with at least a full glass of water or other liquid.

Serious allergic reactions to fiber supplements are extremely rare. If you are experiencing symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching or swelling, rash, trouble breathing and severe dizziness, you should seek medical attention immediately.

How to take fiber supplements

Just like taking any new supplement, take this medication as directed by your doctor and make sure to follow the directions on product package.

If the supplement comes in a powder form, make sure that you measure each dose out according to the directions found on the product label.

Don’t just eyeball it!

Mix in a full glass of water or other liquid, stir well and drink it right away. The dosage of fiber supplement is based on your age, medical condition and response to treatment.

Take this supplement at least 2 hours from your other medications, as fiber supplements sometimes decrease the absorption of other medications.

This article first appeared on Health Ranks - http://healthranks.org/fiber/

Tuesday 14 February 2017

The Top 5 Greens Supplements of 2017

Eat your veggies, kid!

Adding green vegetables to your diet is one of the single most effective ways to stay on top of your nutrition.

Repeat trips to the store to buy fresh vegetables can be time consuming…let alone meal prep.

The solution: “greens” supplements.

Greens supplements are a quick and easy way to ensure you are getting more than enough plant-based nutrition from blends of super foods and whole vegetables.

How do green supplements work and are they worth all they hype?

We’ll cover this in a minute, along with possible side effects and details on how to properly take green vegetable supplements.

But first, we’ve ranked the best greens supplements of 2017, according to price, product quality, and customer reviews.

So what’s the #1 greens supplement on the market?

1- Athletic Greens

Athletic Greens is a premium superfood blend rich with vitamins and minerals from 75+ whole food sourced ingredients in natural form.

It supports digestion and immune system health, helps maximize nutrient absorption in the body, and increases energy levels throughout the day.

What exactly do you get with each serving of Athletic Greens?

A ton of natural, healthy ingredients. See below:

Just google a few of those and you’ll start to realize how powerful this greens supplement really can be for your health and why it has deserves all the hype.

Here’s the official supplement facts:

The company is passionate about their plant nutrition blend and why they deserve to be the #1 green supplement. Here’s what they have to say:

“We created Athletic Greens to help young professionals, busy moms and everyone in between lose weight fast and get the most out of their day.

Carefully formulated by doctors and nutritionists to deliver essential nutrients. Contains probiotics and enzymes for optimal nutrient absorption and digestion. 10+ years of research to develop an easy to mix powder with naturally sweet taste.”

Oh, and it happens to be Tim Ferriss’ go-to supplement:

If you’re looking for the ultimate conglomerate of plant nutrition in a single daily serving, Athletic Greens is the best option on the market, by a long shot.

Athletic Greens comes in a one-size, 30 serving bag with an option for monthly auto-ship.

Buy Athletic Greens

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2- Naturo Sciences Natural Greens

Naturo Sciences Natural Greens is an all-natural raw super food powder derived from the healthiest, most important whole foods on the earth.

The super-antioxidant blend contains acai berry, goji berry, raspberry, rose hips, carrot, beet, pineapple, green tea and acerola cherry for a natural boost of the most important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like beta carotene, folic acid, Vitamin C, B-12, and many others.

The blend also is packed with hearty vegetables known for nutritional value, like wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa, spirulina, spinach, chlorella and broccoli – some of the most important super greens for nutrients, fiber and detoxification.

The EFA fiber blend is made from highest-quality flax seed powder and apple pectin fiber for optimal digestion and detox/cleansing of digestive system. Furthermore, digestive enzyme and pre-biotic/probiotics provide maximum live cultures of lactobacillus, acidophilus, protease, amylase, lipase, lactase, cellulase and fructo-oligosaccharide (from chicory root) to restore the essential balance of good bacteria and boost the immune system.

It’s one of the most affordable all-around greens supplement on the market, and loaded with whole plant nutrition.

Buy Natural Greens on Amazon

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3- Ultimate Nutrition Vegetable Greens

This is a powdered greens supplement formula that is a quality, nutrient dense which uses a combination of over 62 phytonutrients and contains alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass and more.

It is an all-natural supplement that does not use artificial sweeteners or flavors.

It is also suitable for vegetarians as it is meat and dairy free. It includes a huge variety of ingredients that is designed to boost your digestive and immune system.

It is a perfect green supplement that will rejuvenate and energize you for your active lifestyle.

Buy Ultimate Nutrition Vegetable Greens

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4- NOW Chlorophyll

From one of the most trusted brand in supplements, NOW, is an effective green supplement that provides your body with a healthy dose of chlorophyll, the green stuff found in plants.

It has numerous benefits such as deodorizing and detoxification of the body and improving digestive health.

Each capsule contains 100mg chlorophyll and 250mg alfalfa powder which speed up the detoxification process and free radical neutralizers.

This supplement is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is gluten-free, non GMO and zero-calories.

Buy NOW Chlorophyll

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5- Garden of Life Perfect Food

This supplement is a green juice powder made from entirely raw and organic resources to support your health and boost your immune system.

It contains an organic farmed juice blend consisting of:

“alfalfa grass juice, barley grass juice, wheat grass juice, oat grass juice and more; organic fruit and veggie antioxidant blend consisting of beet, carrot, broccoli, apple, pineapple, spinach, bell pepper, blackberry, ginger, garlic, asparagus, kale and more; organic sprout blend consisting of amaranth sprout, flax meal, buckwheat sprout, quinoa sprout, chia seed sprout and more; raw probiotic and enzyme blend consisting of protease, lipase, lactase, bromelain and more”

These variety of ingredients help lubricate the digestive system. Each serving contains 25 calories, 110% daily value for vitamin K and 40% daily value for vitamin C.

Buy Perfect Food on Amazon

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Greens supplements, say what?

Greens supplements (also called veggie supplements) are a concentrated blends of superfood nutrients, usually in a capsule or powder form for smoothies.

The top greens supplements include ingredients like wheat, barley, probiotics, herbs, algae, spirulina and of course fruits and vegetables (1).

Green supplements are useful for those who exercise a lot since they reduce dietary and muscle acidity which speeds up the recovery process and reduces soreness in your muscles.

The average person does not consume the necessary amounts of nutrients and vitamins that raw vegetables and fruits provide. Green or vegetable supplements are an effective way to make sure that you are consuming enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

How do greens supplements work?

Greens supplements provide the same powerful boost of nutrients (like fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants) as superfoods (2).

These supplements help you reduce your cholesterol level and blood pressure, enhance your immune system, provide energy to your body and prevent diabetes and heart disease.

In addition, some other benefits of green supplements are that they improve overall digestive health, speed up post-workout recovery, reduce heartburn and provide valuable energy and essential nutrients to your body.

Green supplements can also be beneficial for those who suffer from health problems that restrict their ability to absorb nutrients since this supplement is in a highly concentrated form which makes the nutrients more easily absorbed by the body.

What are the side effects of greens supplements?

It is recommended that you wait three hours after exercise before you take green supplements to avoid insulin depression as these kinds of supplements can slow down the release of insulin to your muscles.

Generally, green supplements do not have negative side effects when taken appropriately.

Calcium and iron may cause toxicity problems when consumed in excess so make sure not to take more than the recommended daily serving.

Some vegetable supplements may contain synthetic ingredients (3) which could potentially disrupt the endocrine system and increase your chances of getting cancer.

How to take greens supplements

Most commonly, greens and veggie supplements are found in a powder form that you mix in water to dissolve into a tasty green juice.

You can add it to smoothies, meal recipes, baked goods, or even keep a supply handy in your car for a quick and easy breakfast on your way to work or school.

Some greens supplements come in a veggie capsule that is swallowed whole like a pill. These are nice for people that get tired of measuring, mixing, and messes.

There are some super strong green supplements that are often dark green in color that have a particularly strong taste – these are great for mixing with juice or yogurt rather than water or blended in a smoothie.

Mixing them with club soda, coconut water, or seltzer water can help to make the taste better and throwing in some ice can make it more refreshing and easier to drink.

This article first appeared on Health Ranks - http://healthranks.org/greens/

Thursday 2 February 2017

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 Review

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 is a micronized creatine monohydrate supplement, precisely packed into 700mg capsules for the perfect on-the-go creatine solution. While creatine supplements in powder form may offer faster absorption of the ingredients, capsules are far more accurate and precise for dosing, and easier to take.

Creatine 4200 is one of the most popular creatine supplements on the market, and is our #5 top recommended creatine supplement of 2017 (full rankings).

If you’re tired of measuring, mixing and shaking all those powders, then you should consider MET-Rx Creatine 4200, the world’s most convenient creatine supplement.

Is MET-Rx Creatine 4200 safe to use?

Are there any negative side effects?

Can the manufacturer be trusted?

In this MET-Rx Creatine 4200 review, we’ll answer all these and more, including the ingredients, benefits, side effects, how to take the supplement, and details about the company.

Let’s start with the ingredients:

Ingredients

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 contains only pure Creatine Monohydrate.

Of course there are some micro ingredients like Gelatin, Silica and Magnesium Stearate, but those are just found in the capsule membrane.

Note, Creatine 4200 is only available in a one-size 120 capsule bottle, containing just 20 recommended dosages or servings.

So, it’s a good idea to purchase a couple containers – here’s a multi-pack – in order to ensure enough creatine for the whole intake period (1).

Check the Supplement Facts label below for reference:

Benefits

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 can help you gain muscle growth in a completely safe way.

It takes water and absorbs them into your muscle cells, therefore increasing the hydration of the tissue, allowing more nutrients and micronutrients to be absorbed.

Some people claim that Creatine Monohydrate helped them gain up to 8 pounds in just 8 weeks.

Impressive, right?

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 also increases your ATP levels, which are the primary source of energy, by improving your overall performance, strength, endurance and powder.

In other words, don’t be too surprised if you’ve increased your one rep max by 15-20% by the end of your first creatine cycle.

People on weight loss diets and regimens can also benefit from creatine supplements because it can help you burn fat a lot faster, while keeping your muscle tissue safe.

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 is also known for dramatically improving your recovery by reducing soreness and shortening the time it takes to rebuild muscle.

Oh, and it conveniently comes in the most comfortable form out there – capsules.

If you’re a person who travels a lot or somebody who’s always on the go, you will find capsule supplements to be your best friends as they don’t require mixing, measuring, or vigorous bottle shaking.

Side Effects

There are no known side effects of MET-Rx Creatine 4200 as long as the supplement is taken as directed.

Despite common rumors and false accusations, creatine, especially monohydrate, does not cause bloating or stomach problems of any kind.

Some people are quick to blame creatine monohydrate, which is one of the most researched and proven form of creatine out there. If you follow the dosage instructions, and make sure you aren’t eating more than directed, or drinking too much water in a single day, you won’t experience side effects (2).

MET-Rx Creatine 4200 is a capsule form of creatine monohydrate, which means that it goes easy on your stomach.

However, if you have any sort of serious health problems, most importantly kidney problems, you should avoid taking any form of creatine.

If you feel any doubts about this, consult your physician before trying a creatine supplement.

How to take Creatine 4200

As a dietary supplement, take 6 tablets two times a day – eg. on training days take one dosage before workout and one immediately after it.

On non-training days, take one dosage after you wake up and another one at any time of the day.

It is very important that you don’t forget to stay well hydrated during your intake period. It’s also a good idea to mix creatine with some fast digesting carbs like honey, sugar or any type of sweets, as this will help your body to rapidly absorb most of it, while converting very tiny amounts of it to creatinine, which is a byproduct you don’t want in your system.

Also, note that a loading phase is not recommended here because the standard dosage will make you feel the positive effects of creatine in less than 20 days.

Continue to take the supplement in the prescribed way for up to 8 weeks, and after that you should take a two week break before starting your next creatine supplement cycle.

In order to assure proper and improved absorption of creatine monohydrate, try to take it before or during meals, otherwise there’s a chance you might end up passing it through your body with a flush without gaining any of the benefits.

Company Details

MET-Rx is an American sports nutrition supplement manufacturer best known for being a pioneer in the meal replacement shake industry.

They target mainly US and Chinese health markets, so only a few of their products are offered in Europe and other countries. MET-Rx Creatine 4200 is sold on Amazon.com.

Buy MET-Rx Creatine 4200 on Amazon

source http://healthranks.org/met-rx-creatine-4200-review/

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