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Natural sweeteners offer an alternative to the refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup found in conventional products. They can be used in place of sugar or HFCS in any product, from baked goods and cereals to beverages and chewable vitamins.
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The medicinal use of herbs has a long history in virtually all the cultures of the world. Traditionally, many herbs and spices possess both medicinal and culinary uses, while others are used only for the treatment of specific ailments and conditions.
In the United States, the use of dietary herbal supplements to support the health of the body’s systems and functions has increased dramatically since the passage of DSHEA (Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act) in 1994. Herbal products are subject to the same GMPs (good manufacturing processes) required by FDA for all dietary supplements.
The safety and efficacy of herbal supplements is based both on their history of traditional use and on a growing body of scientific literature supporting their use for specific conditions. Research and analytic methods for a wide variety of herbal medicinal plants is supported by organizations such as the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Products Association.
Among the most widely used most researched and best selling herbs in the dietary supplements category are hawthorn for heart health, cranberry for urinary tract health, garlic for cholesterol control and antioxidant activity, gingko for brain function, saw palmetto for prostate health, Echinacea for immune support, milk thistle for liver cleansing, St. John’s wort for depression, and ginseng for tonic and energy-boosting properties.
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A botanical is any plant valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Botanical medicines can be derived from either the roots or the aerial parts, such as flowers, bark, seeds and leaves. All herbal supplements and phytomedicines are botanical products. For much of human history, botanicals were the only medicines available. There are well-developed botanical healing traditions in many parts of the world; these include Ayurveda, TCM, Native American healing traditions, and many others. The efficacy of these herbal approaches is underscored by the many pharmaceuticals that are derived from traditional medicinal plants.
Historically, herbal remedies consisted of whole plants or parts of plants, often blended for synergistic effect. However, contemporary research and methods have led to the creation of standardized extracts, which are herbal extracts processed in such a way that the active healing compounds appear at a defined level in the finished botanical product. Botanical supplements are marketed in a variety of forms, including tinctures, extracts, capsules and tablets.
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Probiotics are strains of yeast and bacteria that help the human body maintain optimal wellness. Found primarily in the intestine, these living microorganisms play a number of roles in human health: they aid digestion, stimulate immune function, and play a role in preventing allergies, colon cancer and dermatitis. They also reduce diarrhea and help in the treatment of intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease. They help repopulate healthy intestinal flora following use of antibiotics, and in women they help control candida yeast.
There are many strains of probiotics, but among the most common are species of the bacteria Lactobacillus (including L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium, as well as the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Probiotics come in many forms, including beverages, foods and supplements, both liquid and encapsulated. The most common probiotic-containing foods are live-culture yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese. Many probiotic supplements require refrigeration, though some supplements are stable at room tempurature. Suggested dose is a minimum of 1 billion live organisms daily, which translates to about eight ounces of yogurt, though certain conditions may require higher doses for efficacy.
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Recipes are a set of instructions designed to help people learn how to put foods together into delicious dishes. Each recipe includes the recipe name; a detailed list of food ingredients and corresponding amounts; ordered instructions that are easy to follow and that result in a finished dish, such as an entrée, salad, soup, or dessert; and any additional notes, such as equipment or special techniques, that will help the cook succeed in producing something good to eat. Healthy recipes often include a nutritional analysis as well.
Because food is the starting point and the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, recipes made with real foods—not, as Michael Pollan says, “edible foodlike substances”—form the basis of healthy eating. With an emphasis on plant foods, healthy recipes offer the most nutrients and the best economic value for anyone desiring to improve their overall well being. No real foods are off-limits in a healthy eating plan; anything that is a true food (even butter) can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
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Babies and children are the number-one reason adults (parents) begin investigating and then making purchasing decisions within the natural and organic sector. Because parents want the best for their children, they are willing to invest in better quality foods, body care, and lifestyle products for their offspring (even if they don’t do the same for themselves!). As children become teenagers, kids (especially girls) become more aware of and concerned about what they put on and in their bodies, as well as the impact those choices have on the environment—making young people the next generation of consumers dedicated to natural choices.
Parents seek out avenues for introducing their children to healthy choices, starting with natural, whole-food meals and snacks free of artificial colors (which are linked to nutrient deficiencies and learning disorders). In addition, parents are concerned about the growing obesity epidemic in children, as well as disorders such as autism and ADHD. Supplements that parents may adopt early on for their children include magnesium and calcium for immunity, bone building, and nerve function; omega-3 fatty acids to help regulate weight and encourage focus; probiotics and enzymes for proper digestive function and allergy-related conditions, such as asthma and eczema; and vitamin C to boost immunity.
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These youngest humans need special care and attention, especially when it comes to healthy development and growth. Babies under age 1 get most of their nutritional needs from breast milk or formula. Breastfeeding mothers should eat a diet rich in important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics, which have been shown to support brain development and lower risk for health problems later on, respectively. Because food allergies are increasingly common among young children, new solid foods should be introduced one by one, waiting until after age 1 for potential allergens such as peanuts.
As children get older, experts recommend feeding them a wide variety of whole foods, mostly the same foods the parents eat; avoid junk foods. Pesticides have a greater relative impact on smaller and developing bodies, so it’s important to choose organic foods whenever possible; drink filtered water; use nontoxic bath products, house cleaning products, and laundry soaps; and avoid using pesticides in your home or backyard. And because obesity is a growing problem for U.S. children, physical exercise should become a daily habit early on.
Caution should be used when giving medicine to babies and young children; many conventional cough and cold medicines have been recalled due to health threats. Because of growing antibiotic resistance (and because antibiotic drugs also kill “good bugs” that help with immunity), experts recommend avoiding the use of antibiotics unless they’re really needed, for bacterial infections such as strep throat and acute ear infections that aren’t getting better. (Always consult your doctor first.)
Safe supplements to boost children’s immunity include a high-quality multivitamin, vitamins C and D, probiotics, elderberry extract, and propolis extract. Other recommended supplements for children include calcium and DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid. Gentle homeopathic remedies can also be safe, effective choices for common childhood complaints such as teething or cold symptoms.
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Although aging is a fact of life, diet, dietary supplements and lifestyle choices can be used to ward off age-related health conditions, such as memory loss, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer.
Popular anti-aging supplements include resveratrol, sulforaphane, green tea (EGCG), omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin (from turmeric). To lower heart disease risk, top supplements include fish oil (omega-3s), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), plant sterols and stanols, pycogenol (pine bark extract), red yeast rice, niacin, policosanol, and the amino acids proline and lysine. Vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, and bilberry extract support vision health. Calcium citrate, magnesium, and vitamin D can ward off osteoporosis and boost bone health.
Popular natural anti-aging beauty product ingredients include topical antioxidants such as vitamins C and E (tocopherols), CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, pycogenol, and alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, malic acid, etc.). Nutraceuticals, or supplements intended to promote healthier skin and hair from the inside out, are an up-and-coming trend.
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Probiotics are strains of yeast and bacteria that help the human body maintain optimal wellness; they aid digestion, stimulate immune function, play a role in preventing allergies, colon cancer and dermatitis, and are helpful in the treatment of intestinal conditions. In supplements, functional foods and cosmeceuticals, probiotics may be used in a number of ways. As supplements, they are sold as stand-alone products as well as blended with other ingredients, including prebiotics, for immune and digestive issues. In functional foods, probiotics are often found in yogurt and other cultured milk products, such as kefir, most commonly as the bacteria Lactobacillus (including L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium, as well as the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.
Prebiotic substances, including FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and inulin, are often combined with probiotics to provide the necessary food for healthy bacteria growth. Prebiotics, particularly FOS, are also found in skin care, where they are though to help protect skin from the effects of harmful bacteria.