BOOST Vitacost Winter 2021

BOOST

NEW

!

YOUR GUIDE TO NATUR AL SUPPLE ME NT HEALTH

Stronger & Smarter A natural supplement routine can bolster whole-body health

PLUS!

Why You NEED Collagen

POWERED BY

LIVE NATURALLY. SHOP WISELY.

IMMUNITY & INFLAMMATION

How to keep these systems in balance

TAKE HEART:

5 supps to keep this organ beating strong

MYSTERIES OF MITOCHONDRIA:

Natural ways to support your mitochondria

Manufacturers Coupon

I

Expires April 30, 2021

Manufacturers Coupon

$2 OFF

$1 OFF

Product selection varies by store

Product selection varies by store

the purchase of (1) Vital Proteins Powder product

I

Expires April 30, 2021

the purchase of (1) Vital Proteins Collagen Water, Collagen Bar, or Collagen Shot

0850232005-100027

NEW!

Consumer and Retailer: LIMIT ONE (1 l COUPON PER PURCHASE OF SPECIFIED PRODUCT AND OUANITITY STATED. NOTTO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER COUPON(S). LIMIT OF TWO (2) IDENTICAL COUPONS IN THE SAME SHOPPING TRIP. Vo i d if expi red, repro duced, altered, co p ied, sold, purchases, exchanged or transferred to any person, firm, or grouR_ prior to store redempti o n( or where prohibited or restricted by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Consumer: You pax any s a1es tax. Retailer: Vital Proteins w i ll rei mburs e yo u for the retail_price of the SF)ecified pro duct plus 8¢ handli n_� if submitted i n acco rdance w ith Vi tal Proteins LLC. Co u o n RedemRtio n Po lig, (available u o n i i n io , � � 3 s

Consumer and Retailer: LIMIT ONE (1 l COUPON PER PURCHASE OF SPECIFIED PRODUCT AND OUANITITY STATED. NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER COUPON(S). LIMIT OF TWO (2) IDENTICAL COUPONS IN THE SAME SHOPPING TRIP. Vo i d if expi red, repro duced, altered, co p ied, sold, purchases, exchanged or transferred to any person, firm, or grouR_ prior to store redempti o n( or where prohibited or restricted by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Consumer: You paY, any sa1es tax. Retailer: Vital Protei ns w i ll reimburs e you for the retail_price of the SF)ecified pro duct plus 8¢ handlin_� if submitted in accordance with Vital Proteins LLC. Cou on RedemRtion Polig, (available u on i i o, ¥ i n � 3 s

contents

06

How Inflammation Affects Immunity Vitamins and minerals to keep these systems in balance.

Supplements Shopping Simplified!

1

LEARN ABOUT IT

2

TAP TO PURCHASE

3

BOOST YOUR HEALTH

08

Why You Need Collagen One of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

10 Take Heart

Six supplements to support a strong heart.

12

Mysteries of Mitochondria

SHUTTERSTOCK (6)

With Vitacost.com and LiveNaturallyMagazine.com it’s easy to support total wellness with dietary supplements.

Embrace your wellness with LiveNaturallyMagazine.com.

Shop for wellness with Vitacost.com

Natural ways to support the powerhouses of your cells.

14 Bergamot

Battle high cholesterol and balance blood sugar with this citrus superstar.

LIVENATURALLYMAGAZINE.COM

3

IT’S 8:00 AM

How’s your immune system?

There’s never been a better time for immunesupport supplements from Solgar® and American Health®

, Ester-C® and The Better Vitamin C® are registered trademarks of The Ester C Company.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Balancing Immunity & Inflammation Like many systems in the body, inflammation and the immune system have a delicate relationship. Keep these supplements in mind to manage inflammation and support your overall health.

B Y N A N C Y C O U LT E R - P A R K E R

Yet when we understand how these interactions—such as inflammation and immunity—work to help the body look after itself, we can strive to keep them in balance.

“Inflammation is an important way that the immune system helps the body to heal,” explains Ashley Boudet, N.D., co-founder of the Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy in Boulder, Colo. “Inflammation is really important, even though most of the time it seems bad.”

DEFENSE MECHANISM A key role of inflammation is to defend the immune system by acting

6

WINTER 2021 | VITACOST.COM

as a biological response to harmful stimuli such as bacteria, toxins and pathogens coming into the body through food or the environment. It is also a response to trauma and damaged cells. Ultimately, inflammation is the immune system’s mechanism to handle these threats and help the body return to a state of homeostasis. But if your body continually encounters threats, inflammation can become chronic and lead to a number of diseases.

“We live in a challenged environment with pollution in the air, a level of stress, and foods processed in a way that can be perceived in some

bodies as a threat. When we are exposed to such threats, our body sends a 911 response,” Boudet says.

In the case of an injury, the body sends blood and white blood cells to the area needing repair. But when there are constant threats, the body is having to send more immune cells to the rescue, which creates a state of stressful response and inflammation. Hormones such as cortisol are meant to be anti-inflammatory, but they lose their effect when they are on overdrive. “Cortisol is the fightor-flight hormone. When our body is stimulated to make a lot of that, it keeps us going through the day, but it’s the opposite of being able to heal,” says Boudet, adding that when we oversecrete cortisol, it can lead to chronic inflammation.

REACHING A PARASYMPATHETIC STATE To heal, Boudet explains, we have to move away from the inflammatory response, from a sympathetic state that produces cortisol to a parasympathetic state, in which we can be calm and composed. In this state, the body is working at its best.

SHUTTERSTOCK

I

f there is one thing that became clear in 2020, it’s how interconnected every aspect of our health is. Poor sleep habits can increase stress, and stress can lead to poor sleep. Our diet and gut health are interwoven with our nervous system, mood and mental well-being. And inflammation directly relates to how our immune system functions. Left unchecked, these seemingly small interactions can lead to more-chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. In the case of COVID-19, those living with such conditions or comorbidities do not typically fare well.

S U P P L E M E N TA L H E A LT H C A R E | B O O S T

KEEP INFLAMMATION IN CHECK .

Vitamin C A large body of research attests to the importance of having enough vitamin C in the body to support a balanced immune system.

It has been shown to quell inflammation and lessen the duration of a cold.

“Vitamin C is huge for the immune system. It works on the cellular level. It is an antioxidant that protects against damage from toxins and oxidative stress and can help us heal when there is damage,” Boudet says.

Vitamin D

The brain can learn, food is fully digested, and our immune system works as it should. Although we continually cycle through sympathetic and parasympathetic states, we are more often than not in a sympathetic state, Boudet says, because in today’s world, there is almost always something our body is responding to. “When we are constantly reacting, there is less energy in the body to confront a viral or bacterial infection. The body just can’t heal, because it is preoccupied with continuous inflammation,” she says.

Although we often focus on strengthening the immune system, Boudet says the priority should be to reduce inflammation or lessen the toxic load that is causing the body to react so constantly. Boudet stresses the importance of eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and getting enough sleep and exercise.

“Get out in nature, laugh, get rest, and take downtime seriously. Move a little,” she says.

In addition, Boudet recommends the following natural supplements to keep inflammation in check.

More than 40 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Studies have linked a variety of inflammatory diseases to low vitamin D; conversely, supplementation can reduce inflammation and ramp up your immune system.

Although vitamin D can be obtained through exposure to sun and certain foods such as fish, it’s not always easy to get enough through these means. “The way we absorb it depends on our skin tone and the health of our kidneys and liver,” Boudet explains. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means you need to make sure you are eating enough healthy fats to absorb it.

SHOP SUPPLEMENTS ONLINE!

Magnesium This essential mineral assists in calming spasms in the body resulting from inflammation and supports healthy nerve and enzyme function.

Magnesium relaxes larger muscles that can be spasming and can reduce the need to take a pain reliever, Boudet says.

She suggests getting magnesium through a bath with Epsom salts. “This is mainly because Epsom salts bring in an element of self-care. You’re absorbing it through the skin, and your muscles relax and notice it right away,” she says.

There are also many powders you can take that have magnesium citrate.

Zinc This mineral is necessary to maintain healthy immune function.

“It’s important in repairing and restoring process in the immune system,” Boudet says. Zinc works on a cellular level to stop viruses from replicating. Low levels of zinc have been associated with decreased function of T cells, vital white blood cells that fight pathogens and infections.

TRY IT.

MegaFood Daily Immune Support

Omega-3 fatty acids Healthy fats or omega-3 fatty acids help to regulate inflammation and support the immune system.

A number of studies have correlated an increased intake of omega-3s with a decrease in inflammation. For this reason, the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s are sometimes used to manage inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including heart disease.

Omega-3s are also key to absorbing fat-soluble vitamins, such as D, A, E and K.

Nature’s Way Elderberry

New Chapter Zyflamend Extracts

Find our Ultimate Guide to Supplements at LIVENATURALLYMAGAZINE.COM

LIVENATURALLYMAGAZINE.COM

7

B O O S T | S U P P L E M E N TA L H E A LT H C A R E

WHY YOU NEED COLLAGEN It’s one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Collagen

It’s the most abundant protein in the human body—nearly 30 percent of total protein—and the second most abundant substance in the body after water. “It’s found nearly everywhere—in your connective tissues, skin, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, hair and nails,” says Jenn Randazzo, M.S., R.D., C.L.T., director of education for Vital Proteins, makers of high-quality collagen products. “And it acts like a scaffolding, supporting your body in a variety of ways, from strength and flexibility to movement and motion.”

Our body naturally generates collagen, but as we age, the body becomes less efficient at producing it. And this starts around age 25! That’s why it’s important to support your body with collagen nutrition and supplementation starting NOW.

AMERICA’S #1 COLLAGEN BRAND

MANY BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN

Founded on the belief that collagen nutrition is fundamental to maintaining overall health and longevity, Vital Proteins makes it easy for everyone, every day to get collagen and live a more vibrant, healthy life.**

SKIN

Where Vital Proteins Collagen Comes From SI SOUNGLE RCIN G

BOVINE COLLAGEN from the hides of grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle in Brazil, with minimal processing and no chemical solvents.

MARINE COLLAGEN from the skin and scales of non-GMO, wild-caught fish (mostly cod).

There are no known sources of vegetarian or vegan collagen.

8

WINTER 2021 | VITACOST.COM

Add a scoop to your morning coffee!

Firms skin and boosts elasticity**

HAIR

“We take our collagen sourcing very seriously, using single sources for immediate traceability and quality control,” explains Jenn Randazzo, M.S., R.D., C.L.T., director of education for Vital Proteins.

DID Y Collag OU KNOW in the en productio? b declin ody starts ton e at ag e 25!

Promotes healthy, strong hair**

NAILS

Accelerates nail growth and strength**

BONES

Strengthens bones**

JOINTS

Supports cartilage production**

Add Collagen Peptides to Drinks and Food “What I love about Vital Proteins collagen peptides is that you can add it to your favorite beverage: coffee, water, citrus water, a smoothie,” says Jenn Randazzo. “It’s odorless, flavorless and doesn’t change the viscosity of what you eat or drink.”

TIP. When dissolving collagen peptides in water, Randazzo recommends room temperature to avoid clumping. Add a scoop of powder and stir with a fork or frother wand for 30–60 seconds, until dissolved.

Then add ice or more cold water.

BEST TIME TO TAKE COLLAGEN? Whenever it’s easiest to fit into your daily wellness routine!

THIS RECIPE IS MADE WITH COLLAGEN!

Sweet Potato Gnocchi What makes this recipe special?

The addition of better-for-you ingredients, including almond flour, tapioca starch and Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.

BY CHRISTINA ANANIA @ E V O LV E W I T H T E E

YIELDS 50-60 GNOCCHI

2 sweet potatoes (peeled, cubed) 2 cups water (boiled) 3 cups almond flour 1 cup tapioca starch (divided)

Easy Ways to Get Your Daily Collagen from Vital Proteins

2 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 3 Tbsp olive oil (for drizzle) Toppings: Salt, pepper, chili flakes, fresh thyme, parsley

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes. Boil water in a saucepan and add the sweet potato. Boil for about 25-30 minutes or until soft.

SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY VITAL PROTEINS

POWDERS

3. Add the sweet potato to a food processor with the almond flour, half of the tapioca starch and Collagen Peptides. Blend together until dough forms. This can also be done in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.

SHOTS

WATERS

BARS

4. Sprinkle the additional tapioca starch over a flat surface. Roll the dough into 3-4 small balls and roll each ball out into long rolls. Cut each roll into 1-inch pieces and pierce with the flat surface of a fork.

5. Add gnocchi pieces to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

PER GNOCCHI: 70 CAL; 1 G PROTEIN; 1 G FAT; 4 G CARB (0 G SUGARS); 5 MG SODIUM; 0 G FIBER NUTRITIONALS CALCULATED AT HAPPYFORKS.COM/ANALYZER

LIVENATURALLYMAGAZINE.COM

9

BOOST | S XU X XP XP XL E XM X E N TA L H E A LT H C A R E

True to Your Heart Five natural supplements to support cardiovascular health.

BY SOPHIA MCDONALD

F

ebruary is American Heart Month, and there’s no better time to think about keeping this vital organ beating strong. For most people, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, refraining from smoking and maintaining low stress is enough to keep their ticker in tip-top shape. But people with high blood pressure or a family history of heart problems may want to do more to protect their heart. Natural supplements such as the following may be good options. Remember to consult a health-care professional before starting a new supplement routine.

MAGNESIUM

“Magnesium can be crucial when it comes to heart health,” says Piper Gibson, doctor of advanced holistic nutrition and traditional naturopathy, and founder of Regenerating Health in Las Cruces, N.M. “It is vital for muscle function, as well as helping to regulate blood pressure. Magnesium assists calcium in making sure we have a healthy heartbeat.

While calcium stimulates heart muscles, magnesium relaxes them.”

PYCNOGENOL

Steven Lamm, M.D., medical director at the NYU Langone Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, often recommends patients take pycnogenol, also known as pine bark extract.

“Pycnogenol is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits that has been studied extensively for over 40 years and is shown to provide multiple benefits for heart health,” he says.

“Several studies have shown that supplementing with Pycnogenol can help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol, strengthen the vascular system, and reduce inflammation in the body.”

TRY IT.

Vitacost Magnesium Citrate

NOW Foods Vitamin K-2

VITAMIN K2

This vitamin is important for the heart because it helps calcium get into the bones, not into the arteries where it can cause calcification or hardening, says Nicole Avena, Ph.D., and author of Why Diets Fail (Ten Speed, 2013). “Vitamin K2 is found in some foods like egg yolks and other organ meats, but most people don’t eat enough of those foods to get enough K2. This is why taking a supplement may be necessary.”

MUSHROOM SUPPLEMENTS

Mushrooms contain compounds called beta-glucans that provide a number of benefits, including supporting lower cholesterol and better heart health. “Try to avoid buying mushroom formulas that contain or use mycelium,” says Loretta T. Friedman, a chiropractic doctor and founder of Synergy Health Associates in New York City. “You want the fruiting body in the formula. This refers to the whole mushroom cap and stem being used. Also, stay away from powders listed as part of the ingredients.

You want extracts. They are much better absorbed in our bodies.”

“Taurine is an herbal supplement that has been used as a cardioprotective supplement and treatment for cardiovascular diseases,” says Lisa Richards, certified nutritional consultant and creator of the Candida Diet.

“Taurine has a cardioprotective response by decreasing the amount of resistance of blood flow in blood vessels.

This characteristic helps to reduce blood pressure and, thereby, protect the heart.”

10

WINTER 2021 | VITACOST.COM

PHOTO CREDIT SHUTTERSTOCK

TAURINE

NON GMO

Project VERIFIED

nongmoproject.org

Empowering

Immune Health

†

Boost and support your immune system health and overall wellness this year with high-quality products from Garden of Life.† AVAILABLE IN STORES WITH OPTIMUM WELLNESS CENTERS Certifications do not apply to all product displayed. † These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

B O O S T | S U P P L E M E N TA L H E A LT H C A R E

CELL SERVICE

Natural ways to support mitochondria—the powerhouses of your cells—to slow aging and disease.

B Y K AT H R Y N L E AV I T T

W

12

WINTER 2021 | VITACOST.COM

Coenzyme Q10 (coQ10)

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally, and your cells use it for growth and maintenance. But as we age, levels decrease, so supplementation can be beneficial. In an article in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, Pizzorno writes that coQ10 deficiency “means not only decreased ATP production but also increased electron loss, causing oxidative damage, [and] research has shown a strong correlation between a species’ ability to produce coQ10 and their longevity.”

B Vitamins

Because B vitamins are cofactors (needed to make chemical reactions happen) in cellular energy production, it’s important to ensure they are available in abundance so that ATP production can occur with ease, Tindall says. It’s well-established that B vitamins are crucial for energy in general, and multiple recent studies show that they directly regulate the metabolism of mitochondria.

Alpha-Lipoic (α-Lipoic) Acid & AcetylL-Carnitine

Magnesium

Magnesium is critical for a multitude of biochemical processes, including normal cellular and mitochondrial function, so supplementing with it can be helpful for mitochondria, which are considered magnesium “stores,” Tindall says. Up to 50 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in magnesium, and deficiency has been linked with diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Studies show that these supplements reduce oxidative stress, and they also, Pizzorno writes, increase ATP production.

One study found benefits of these supplements in subjects with heart disease, and ongoing studies with the National Institutes of Health are looking at their neuroprotective effects and how they improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia.

TRY IT. Jarrow Formulas Methyl B12

Amazing Grass Green Superfood Antioxidant Drink Powder

Doctor’s Best High Absorption CoQ10

SHUTTERSTOCK

hen it comes to aging, research finds that most people fear issues such as losing physical function, experiencing memory loss or getting a chronic disease. Although the market is rife with strategies to slow down aging and restore the fountain of youth—with most products taking aim at physical appearance—researchers say healthy aging actually comes down to something much more cellular.

Enter mitochondria, the little batteries inside each cell of our bodies that generate more than 90 percent of our cells’ energy needs. “They are organelles in the cells responsible for producing energy” in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP, says Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D., and founding president of Bastyr University, the first fully accredited, multidisciplinary university of natural medicine. If mitochondria stop working, he adds, the cells start dying within a few minutes.

Mitochondria are hands down the best measure of physiological age, according to Pizzorno, and also of disease resistance, because they are now linked with major illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and mood disorders. “[Diseases] have as one of their principal defects loss of mitochondrial function, so anything that can maintain or restore mitochondrial function can reduce the severity of many of the symptoms of these diseases,” says Garth Nicolson, Ph.D., a mitochondria researcher.

Besides aging and disease, exposure to chemicals and toxicants like pollution and certain pharmaceuticals can also negatively impact mitochondria, says Sarah Tindall, N.D., a resident at the National University of Natural Medicine. On the flip side, the following nutrients can provide essential support.

B O O S T | O F F B E AT & O N T R E N D

Bergamot Battle high cholesterol and balance blood sugar with this citrus superstar.

B Y K E L L E E K ATA G I

WHAT IS IT?

THE SCIENCE

Grown primarily in southern Italy, bergamot oranges are a sour citrus fruit containing compounds found in no other citrus plant.

Bergamot, an aromatic extract or essential oil derived from the fruit, gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavor and can be used in aromatherapy. When used as a supplement, it’s often called citrus bergamot, appears in capsule form and is thought to combat metabolic syndrome.

A study published in the International Journal of Cardiology showed that bergamot reduced cholesterol levels better than a leading statin drug.

The best results occurred in participants who took bergamot along with half the recommended dose of the statin drug. Other research, Earl Grey tea in Frontiers in owes its unique flavor Pharmacology, to bergamot oil, but there found that over six likely isn’t enough in the tea months, bergamot to reduce cholesterol levels. supplements For therapeutic benefits, reduced LDL opt for bergamot cholesterol, increased supplements.

HDL cholesterol and lowered triglyceride levels in participants, all of whom had moderately high cholesterol levels to start.

USE IT FOR Bergamot is most commonly used to reduce LDL cholesterol, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. It may also increase healthy HDL cholesterol, improve blood-sugar levels and diminish fatty deposits in the liver.

Capsules are the most common form of bergamot supplements, but some studies used a liquid extract instead. Doses between 500 and 1,000 milligrams daily seem to be effective, with higher doses yielding better results.

SHUTTERSTOCK

TRY IT. NOW Foods Organic Bergamot Essential Oils

HOW TO TAKE IT

14

WINTER 2021 | VITACOST.COM

Superior

Unparalle

No Fishy

The best brand at an even better price.

Doctor Recommended Superior Absorption Unparalleled Potency No Fishy Burps

3

$

OFF

Nordic Naturals Retail Products.

Excludes travel sizes In-store use only

3

$

OFF

Nordic Naturals Retail Products.

Excludes travel sizes In-store use only

Mfr. Coupon/Expires: 12/31/20 C purchase of NORDIC NATURALS bottles. One coupon per custome or auctioned. Retailer: Value: 1/100 8c, which signifies your complian policy, which is available upon req from NORDIC NATURALS invoice within 90 days of expiration date.

NATURALS, c/o MPS, P.O. BOX

Mfr. Coupon/Expires: 12/31/20 Consumer: This coupon is to be used only on the purchase of NORDIC NATURALS specified products. Not valid on travel size or 20 ct bottles. One coupon per customer. Not law or if altered, reproduced, transferred, sold, or auctioned. Retailer: Value: 1/100c. Reimbursement: Face value of this coupon plus 8c, which signifies your compliance with NORDIC NATURALS’ coupon redemption policy, which is available upon request. Coupon reimbursement not to be deducted from NORDIC NATURALS invoices. Coupon must be submitted for reimbursement within 90 days of expiration date. Do Send properly redeemed coupons to: NORDIC NATURALS, c/o MPS, P.O. BOX 407, MPS, DEPT 698, CINNAMINSON, NJ 08077

Available in select stores