Health & Nutrition Articles - Product Spotlight

While dementia has no known cure, some experts believe that a certain plant supplement could help those diagnosed with a mild form of dementia.

Trying to get rid of weight whether its just a few pounds or a whole lot of pounds is an effort. And while diet and exercise have to form the basis of your weight loss plan if you're going to be successful, a bit of extra help can speed things along.

New research has found that those people with arterial stiffening have an increased risk of dementia - this may lead to more research into vitamin K2 supplementation as a possible treatment.

New research is suggesting that women who take vitamin C before performing half an hour of moderate intensity cycling showed increased antioxidant capacity post exercise.

Vitamin D has overtaken vitamin C as Britain's favourite vitamin supplement. Last year saw a 7% increase in vitamin D usage and today it is used by 33% of vitamins, minerals and supplements (VSM) users.

Turmeric has seen a meteoric rise in popularity and evidence shows it may arguably be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Unfortunately with this uprising, a flood of 'turmeric supplements' have hit the market, many of which are HUGELY MISLEADING to consumers and r....

The benefits of fish oil and it's healthy omega-3 fatty acids are widely studied and it a popular supplement choice for the health conscious among us. Recently however, both researchers and consumers are turning their heads towards krill oil. So what's the difference?

By now you'll have heard of the many health benefits of turmeric and curcumin and may have noticed that in some cases the terms are used interchangeably in the same article. So what's the difference? Is one better than the other?

A six year long study of 815 individuals has provided results supporting Pycnogenol's blood circulation benefits. Pycnogenol is an anti-oxidant rich extract from French maritime pine bark manufactured by Horphag Research.

Research out of two universities in Italy has found that supplementation with Pycnogenol - French maritime pine bark extract - resulted in less swelling in the lower legs during travel compared to control groups who used stockings or did standard in-flight exercises.

Collagen is without doubt a trendy ingredient in the wellness world at the moment - some of us take it for it's touted beauty benefits while others swear by it's gut health boosting properties.The fact that it's good for our bodies is not up for debate but we can ask the questions: ar....

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil the hot new product in the health and wellness world but is it legal? Yes, it is both 100% legal and safe to use. Cannabidiol is a natural extract obtained from the flowers of the hemp plant. It is one of 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant but....

The cannabis plant contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids, one of which is CBD or cannabidiol (pronounced cann-a-bid-EYE-ol). Manufacturers of CBD oil use different methods to extract the compound, which they then add to a carrier oil such as hemp or coconut oil to create CBD....

Scientific research has already firmly establishing turmeric as protective of the cardiovascular system, a supporter of healthy cholesterol levels and a potent free radical scavenger but new research is now coming to light to show that it may keep you looking young, possibly slowing d....

Ubiquinol is the reduced form of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This is the form your body naturally uses, and research shows ubiquinol is superior for your health in a number of ways, primarily due to its superior bioavailability. It's particularly beneficial for your heart health by reducing....

Daily supplementation with astaxanthin may improve the health of facial skin in middle-aged subjects, suggests research from scientists in the UK and Russia.

By now most of us have heard of antioxidants and know about their health benefits but it's still important to be savvy about how powerful the antioxidant is that you're consuming and how much you have to consume for it to have any actual effect on the free radicals within your body. C....

We all know how healthy omega 3 fatty acids are, in fact while we often hear the claim supplements are unnecessary and that all nutrients can be obtained from a healthy diet, the general consensus by the health professionals is that we need to be taking omega 3 fish oils.

Women with low levels of vitamin D are nearly 50% more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than those who get enough, according to a new study published in Neurology. This strengthens findings of existing research showing a link between vitamin D status and MS.

Led by the Vitamin D Society, Vitamin D Council and GrassrootsHealth, Vitamin D Day is a day marked to recognize vitamin D deficiency as a world health problem. Researchers has agreed that at least one third of the world is deficient in vitamin D, and some scientists think it's even g....

Those with insulin resistance and prediabetes are at an increased risk of high blood pressure but magnesium supplements may lower blood pressure says new research.

Pregnant women with a deficiency in vitamin D may be putting their children at risk of developmental issues according to new research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Type 2 diabetes is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, however new research is indicating that supplements containing both curcuminoids and piperine from black pepper may improve heart health for diabetics by improving the levels of good cholesterol and reducing the levels o....

Low omega-3 levels in adolescence leads to behavioural problems in adulthood, a new study suggests. Those on a diet lacking the nutrient had slower brain development as teenagers according to results. Find out more in this post.

There are two types of vitamin D, D2 and D3. Up until this latest study, which will be published in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it's been largely thought that both perform well as a supplement. However for the first time scientists aset out to find out if one ....

Sometimes it's difficult to know if you're getting the health benefits you want from the supplements you're taking, and this in large part might be due to the fact it's about prevention not cure. There are a lot of health claims surrounding omega-3's and it's pretty safe to say they'r....

A new review study is suggesting the role of the B vitamins in slowing down age related decline in brain functioning, as well as age related depression, has been underestimated. These findings are highly relevant to a world that already sees a high number of dementia sufferers and an ....

New research is suggesting that vitamin D combined with good sleeping habits might help manage chronic pain, menstrual cramps and arthritis. Find out more in this post.

Are you a chocolate lover? Well we've got some good news, you may be inadvertently keeping high blood pressure at bay! Foods such as dark chocolate, bananas and avocado are high in magnesium and research suggests a high magnesium intake lowers your hypertension risk by regulating bloo....

Osteoporosis is the most common bone diseases and is responsible for around 65,000 potentially fatal fractures each year in the UK. Promising new research suggests the active compound in turmeric called curcumin may prevent bone cells being removed before they are replaced thereby imp....

It is common place to take vitamins to protect joints, bones or heart health but do you know how important it is to take eye health supplements? Lutein and zeaxanthin act as filters for your eyes, blocking out harmful UV rays and other high-energy wavelengths. As antioxidants, these i....

There are two forms of vitamin B12 that you’re likely to come across – methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin is the most commonly supplemented form of vitamin B12 and is chemically synthesised. Methylcobalamin is found in animal-based foods and is a naturally occuring for....

The surging interest in turmeric is largely due to turmeric’s myriad of purported health benefits – there is a staggeringly long list! Although much of the research on turmeric focuses on curcumin, there are over 50 different molecules in turmeric thought to have numerous benefits to ....

While you might know Melatonin as a sleep supporting supplement did you also know it's a potent antioxidant, helping to fight off free radical damage that comes with aging?

Just like other fish oils, krill oil is loaded with omega 3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. These essential fatty acids support cardiovascular health, healthy cognitive function, joint health and more but which is a better source, krill oil or fish oil?

​Vitamin K as a family plays a critical role in blood coagulation, this is it's most well-known function, however K2 in particular plays a very specific role in bone health and, in a related manner, it may also impact cardiovascular health. For this reason it’s catching the attention ....

Spring officially starts on March 20th for the northern hemisphere which means that everyone should be able to start receiving adequate vitamin D from safe exposure to the sun. However March is actually when vitamin D levels are at their lowest. Have you been topping up your vitamin D....

Turmeric has been the subject of many scientific studies in recent years and it seems that the circulatory, digestive, and neurological systems of the body, are all positively impacted by turmeric. There is a significantly lower rate of Alzheimer's disease amongst Asian populations th....

Probiotics are already widely considered to an important part of a daily health regime as they offer fantastic support to the health of your digestion, immunity, brain health and emotional well being. As researchers continue to study probiotics, they uncover additional benefits to a h....

Acute respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and influenza are known to have higher death rates among older people due to their weakened immune system. While not a treatment, vitamin D is thought to help reinforce the first line of defence as we age to prevent respiratory....

A hangover is your body withdrawing from alcohol, the most common complaints include headache, nausea, and generally feeling bad all over. Some people claim to not suffer from hangovers, but those who do won't have any positive memories of them! Can a little known supplement called St....

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition affecting an estimated 8.75 million people in the UK, significantly effecting peoples quality of life. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not desirable to take long term so people are seeking natural alternati....

Bloating and intestinal gas can be both a painful and embarrassing problem but activated charcoal is a simple and effective remedy. Here’s how you can use it to greatly reduce stomach gas problems and remove toxins from your digestive tract.

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the most popular supplements for the over 40's in the UK. It is a substance similar to a vitamin, found in every cell of the body. Find out why people are taking CoQ10 and how it may be able to contribute to your health and well-being.

The search for a miracle weight loss potion or pill continues to elude us, there are regular crazes and new supplements which reach the market but rarely do they have any proven claims or research backing them. There is however a supplement which has genuine claims based on scientific....

Green-lipped mussel is a nutritional supplement taken from a type of mussel native to New Zealand. The joint healing properties of green lipped mussels were first noticed more than 100 years ago by Maoris in New Zealand. There is now good clinical evidence this kind of supplementation....

Gum disease is one of the most common diseases affecting between 50% and 80% of all adults. It starts with gingivitis but if left untreated progresses to periodontal disease. While combating the first signs of gingivitis is straight forward reversing the damage caused by periodontitis....

Diet, exercise, stress-management techniques such as yoga, and even psychological counselling can all help in the battle against stress but in addition to this an effective way to help ourselves is to take nature's own chill pill L-theanine. Research shows that L-theanine is effective....

Gout is a common type of arthritis, sufferers are hit with sudden and very severe attacks of pain and swelling in the joints. It affects about one in 100 people, with men two to three times more likely to be affected than women. Cherries are a long thought and popular remedy for the a....

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal products in the UK. It is a flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and north America - the root, seeds leaves, stems and flowers of which are used in herbal remedies. People have used echinacea as a traditional cold remedy for centurie....

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health conditions including increased risk of asthma, reduced bone density, chronic pain and muscle weakness, among others. Now, a new study led by researchers from the University of Georgia associates low vitamin D levels with greater ....

Supplements of vitamin B could be used to help treat people with depression, researchers believe.Scientists found that people suffering from depression responded better to treatment if they had higher levels of B12 in their blood. Find out more in this post.

According to a recent report from Public Health England, over one in five people have low levels of essential vitamin D. The bleak British weather is stopping much of the population from receiving healthy amounts of the essential vitamin from sunlight and natural food sources alone ar....

As recently as three decades ago, Selenium was considered an irrelevant nutrient however scientists have now discovered that it's nutritionally essential for humans and plays a key role in helping to protect the body against many damaging diseases and conditions.

Gum disease is an increasing issue in western countries, but scientific studies have found an important link between gum disease and Coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Clinical experiments have shown that supplementation with as little as 50mg per day of Coenzyme Q10 resulted in a reduction of ....

Most people know that we are advised to eat at least two portions of fish a week but statistics show our total daily Omega-3 intake is still declining. We may however not necessarily know why we are told to do this and what the potential heath benefits of eating fish are. Read 6 reaso....

A majority of people over the age of 65 years show signs of osteoarthritis. Essentially all joints may be affected, but the most commonly affected are hips, knees, fingers and the spine. Osteoarthritis is the leading medical condition for which people use alternative therapies. The pr....

A new study has indicated that daily supplementation of Pycnogenol®, at the first signs of a common cold, not only reduces the total number of days affected by illness but also the severity of associated symptoms. Pycnogenol® contains extracts from French maritime bark which contains ....

Magnesium is an essential mineral for our health so any concerns over a potential deficiency should not be ignored. Due to soil conditions and food processing methods the levels of magnesium in the foods we eat has dropped 35% in the 50 years preceding 1991. It is also important we co....

Low levels of Vitamin C in the body has been shown to lead to decreased immune system strength so it's important, especially at this time of year, to ensure you're getting enough. A new study has shown that not only did it help to fight off the sniffles but it also boosted physical ac....

Beta-Glucans are crucial weapons in the fight to stay healthy and naturally boost the immune system. The body doesn't produce Beta-Glucans so the only way to get the compound is through external sources. Learn more about Beta-Glucans and how they work to boost our immune system.

According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (www.sada.org.uk), winter depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition which affects 20% of the UK adult population. As our energy levels undergo a gradual change from summer to autumn it's common to feel like ....

New research has discovered a compound in the aromatic spice turmeric may hold the key to repairing the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In laboratory tests, aromatic turmerone promoted the proliferation of brain stem cells and their development in....

Magnesium is a mineral essential for maintaining a healthy body and is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Due to the fact that it is notoriously difficult to absorb, combined with modern day lifestyles and dietary patterns, instances of deficiency is on the ....

The Probiotics association has voiced concern the the UK's updated NHS advice on probiotics underestimates the potential health benefits of probiotics outside the digestive tract. Scientists from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics believe the NHS ar....

It would be fair to say that most of us crave a summer full of sunshine, while that might be too much to ask from the UK, we'll get our fix from holidaying abroad with thoughts of sandy beaches and serious tanning hours. However very often the quest for a bronzed body results in one t....

Cigarette smoking is the greatest single cause of illness and premature death in the UK - approximately 100,000 people in the UK die each year due to smoking. There is good news though - if you quit the health benefits are striking and the sooner you give up the greater the reduction ....

Over 6 months ago during the height of the annual health regime thousands of people embark on, we wrote a blog post about one of the most prevalent 'slimming' products of 2014 - Raspberry Ketones. We undertake a great deal of responsible research on the supplements that we sell and co....

Psoriasis (pso·ri·a·sis, pronounced suh-rahy-uh-sis) affects around 5% of the population and is now considered a cardiovascular risk factor - mild symptoms include localised itching however severe symptoms can lead to the painful and debilitating condition known as arthritis. Pycnogen....

The Daily Mail has recently reported on a research by the University of California’s San Diego School of Medicine which found that middle-aged people who don’t get enough exposure to sunshine are twice as likely to die.

Statistics show that the Mediterranean region has a reduced the risk of heart disease - this is largely credited with the diet rich in fruit, vegetables, olive oil and perhaps even the odd glass of red wine (optional!). Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer therefor....

High blood pressure dramatically increases with age and is a fast growing health risk across the planet. A recent study has been published demonstrating the benefits of flaxseed in reducing blood pressure, with researchers claiming it represents a major advance in the treatment of hyp....

Supplementing a healthy diet is just as important to maintaining mental performance as it is to maintaining a healthy body. Natural supplements are an easy, effective way to manage mental focus, memory and overall mood. A recent clinical trial has shown Pycnogenol® to enhance mental p....

We all recognise glucosamine as a supplement - it's possibly the worlds most popular. Recently a Chinese Pharmaceutical firm has fought the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to try and force glucosamine to be classified as a medicine. The claim was struck o....

The first thing that probably springs to mind when thinking about how to best prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease is to to lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body. However another very important measurement is triglyceride levels - read about the crucial role Omega-3 fatty....

Vitamin D is crucial to maintenance of strong bones, healthy muscle function and efficient immune system functioning. However a recent survey by the HFMA has reported very worrying statistics - 64% of children are not getting enough vitamin D from their diet alone. Experts are now cla....

Hay fever affects many millions of people in the UK, some may suffer fairly mild symptoms including itchy eyes and a runny nose but for some the symptoms can significantly affect quality of life. A study into the efficacy of Pycnogenol® as a natural alternative treatment to hay fever ....

When combined with L-Arginine there is solid scientific evidence that says yes! We look at five clinical studies that show the combination of Pycnogenol® and L-Arginine restores sexual function, enables erections, boosts libido, performance, sperm motility, viability, and quantity.

Biotin is part of the B-Complex vitamins and is also known as Vitamin B7 - it is part of many important functions in the body including a healthy nervous system, macronutrient metabolism and maintenance of healthy skin and hair.

You may have noticed that Coconut Oil is very much in the nutritional spotlight. Once condemned for its high saturated fat content it is now being hailed by scientists, physicians, and nutritionists as the next best thing for your health. Are the claims substantiated?

A recent study on Pycnogenol has shown significant improvements in training and performance in both normal and semi-professional athletes. The results demonstrated its effectiveness in boosting muscle performance, increasing endurance and reducing cramping by controlling oxidative str....

When you have a stressful moment or a shock why is a 'cup of tea' one of the first things that come to mind? The mystery ingredient in tea (particularly green tea) is now thought to be an amino acid called L-Theanine. L-Theanine works to offset caffeine's effect with a calming influen....