Horizonhealthshop Blog

When most people hear Nitric Oxide, they probably think of the laughing gas at the dentist, or “The Fast and the Furious.” But Nitric Oxide—which is related to Nitrous Oxide—isn’t the molecule responsible for giving cars a burst of energy, but for facilitating communication between the cells in your body. One of its main functions is increasing blood flow by dilating blood vessels, so it’s taken by athletes and non-athletes alike for its cardiovascular benefits, and increased performance in the gym and even—ahem—in the bedroom.

There have been thousands of studies on Nitric Oxide, and it’s so important that it was named “Molecule of the Year” by Science magazine in 1992. In 1998, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to the three doctors who discovered its role as a cardiovascular signalling molecule.

Nitric Oxide (NO) works by signalling the smooth muscle of your blood vessels to relax, which dilates the vessels and causes increased blood flow. This is great for athletes and bodybuilders who want to get their blood pumping as much as possible during workouts, but also for people with plaque buildup in their arteries and other circulation problems.

Nitric Oxide supplements don’t actually contain the gas, but contain L-Arginine, an amino acid that aids in your body’s production of NO. Arginine is also found foods such as crab, spinach sesame seeds and turkey. Anova Health’s new product ARNOX Advantage contains 5,000 mg of Arginine in a highly bioavailable form, as well as L-Citrulline, another amino acid that further helps your body convert L-Arginine to NO.

Because NO only lasts a few seconds in the bloodstream, ARNOX also contains helpful antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E that help increase the duration of NO in the bloodstream. ARNOX also contains potent herbal nutrients from hawthorne berry, horse chestnut, green coffee, and redflower ragleaf, which are are herbs that further help with arterial health.

With a delicious berry flavor, ARNOX Advantage is a great-tasting way to boost your NO levels, and support athletic performance, a healthy heart and increased circulation.

Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the sudden realization that bikini season is just around the corner. Don’t worry if you didn’t start your preparation at new year’s, though. Here are 4 products that can help decrease appetite, increase energy and, along with a healthy diet and exercise, get you trim just in time for beach season.

• African Mango Extract: This pharmaceutical-grade African Mango Extract from Metabolic Maintenance contains 150 mg of potent Irvingia gabonensis extract, which is clinically proven to control appetite, boost metabolism and promote metabolic balance. This product is 20% off until the end of April, just in time for summer.
• 5-HTP: 5-HTP is a precursor to seratonin, which plays a huge role in mood, sleep and anxiety. It has also been clinically shown to increase satiety, decrease appetite and reduce binge eating, thereby contributing to more weight loss than diet and exercise alone. Our 5-HTP supplement from Metabolic Maintenance comes in 50 mg and 100 mg doses.
• L-Carnitine: As we’ve learned, amino acids are important for all of the functions of the body, from anti-aging to detox. L-Carnitine is an amino acid that helps your cells break down fatty acids and generate energy. Because of its role in energy generation, L-Carnitine has a broad array of health benefits including weight management, recovery after exercise, and cardiovascular health. L-Carnitine from Metabolic Maintenance is a high-quality 250 mg capsule that can help boost energy levels and fat metabolism.
• Fit Response: Fit Response by Innate Response is a powdered protein supplement that takes a multi-faceted approach to weight-management. Packed full of vitamins, amino acids and other phytonutrients that promote good cholesterol and a properly functioning metabolism, Fit Response is a great-tasting way to kick your metabolism into gear and burn fat just in time for summer.

Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, these 4 products can help you burn fat, feel energized and get trim so you’ll feel great during all of your summer activities. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Antioxidants. Free radicals. Oxidation. Cell damage. Anyone who’s paid attention to health news in the past few years has been bombarded with these terms, and seen the explosion of products that contain antioxidants, from skin creams to smoothies. Antioxidants have been touted as miracle molecules that prevent a multitude of diseases, from cancer to heart disease to aging. But perhaps one of the most important and most-studied antioxidants out there hasn’t gotten much attention—until recently: Glutathione.

There have been tens of thousands of published studies on Glutathione, and low levels of Glutathione have been linked to multiple age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and macular degeneration, increased heart-attack risk, and mental disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Studies show that its powerful antioxidant properties could even help inhibit cancerous cell growth. Because of its detoxification properties, it’s also administered intravenously to mitigate the effects of chemotherapy and mercury poisoning. So, what is this miracle molecule?

Glutathione is a small tri-peptide that is composed of three amino acids: Glycine, Glutamine and Cysteine. It is the only known intracellular antioxidant, which means that it works inside each of your cells to protect them from the toxic compounds that we encounter every day (those free radicals we keep hearing about), rather than just protecting the cells from the outside. The Glutathione peptide also contains a sulfur atom that plays a huge role in its detoxing properties (and its smelling-like-rotten-eggs properties); the sulfur atom attracts all of the harmful molecules, such as heavy metals, free radicals and toxins, and keeps them from attacking your cells while sweeping them out of your body through your excretory system.

Glutathione is known as the “Master Antioxidant” not only for its own free-radical-fighting properties, but also because it helps activate and recycle other antioxidants in the body, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E—which can become unstable themselves after they neutralize free radicals—and gets them back to the front lines to keep fighting.

Glutathione is a non-essential amino acid that is made by every cell in our bodies (but most abundantly in the liver) through the consumption of those three pre-cursor amino acids. Unfortunately, pollution, poor diet, age, and other toxins and stresses deplete our stores of it, and affect our body’s ability to protect itself from free radicals and other oxidants. Luckily, there are many ways to boost your body’s Glutathione production. Try a few of these tips to improve your Glutathione levels:

• Eat Sulfur-Rich Foods: Sulfur-rich foods, such as onions, garlic and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cailuflower, bok choy, cabbage, brussels sprouts, or anything that makes your house smell weird the next day when you cook them) all contain the sulfur that is required for the synthesis of Glutathione in your body. Heat breaks down these compounds, so don’t overcook your vegetables. Avocados are also especially high in Glutathione; one avocado has about 30 mg of Glutathione.
• Bioactive Whey Protein: Whey protein is a wonderful source of the pre-cursor amino acids that your body uses to make Glutathione. It’s important to choose a whey protein made with milk from grass-fed cows, and that is not denatured, in order to preserve its bioactive properties. Our One World Whey protein powder is the perfect (and delicious) delivery vehicle for all of those amino acids that your body needs.
• Supplements: Most research has shown that Glutatione supplements are ineffective at raising our body’s level of Glutathione, since the proteins that it’s made up of are digested in our stomach and small intestine, and destroyed before the Glutathione can reach our cells. But Liposomal Glutathione from ReadiSorb is a specially formulated liquid supplement that allows for rapid absorption into the blood stream through the mucous membranes in the mouth, bypassing the GI tract altogether. One teaspoon contains more than 420 mg of Glutathione, making Liposomal Glutathione an extremely powerful antioxidant supplement. Another great Glutathione-boosting supplement is Avinobolic from Avinotropin. It’s a deer antler velvet extract that also contains Tribulus, a puncture-vine extract that has been clinically proven to boost your body’s production of Glutathione and other powerful antioxidants.

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that can protect your cells from any number of harmful toxins. Try boosting your Glutathione and let us know how much better you feel in the comments below!

Amino acids are the basic chemical building blocks that combine to form proteins, which are used by your body to break down food, grow muscle and repair body tissue, along with a whole host of other processes. Amino acids are most well-known for their muscle-building properties, and are touted as bodybuilding supplements, but studies have shown that a balanced amino acid intake can also help fight other diseases and can help with weight loss.

Even though scientists have discovered dozens of amino acids, only 20 are used to make proteins in the body. Nine of these—called essential amino acids—aren’t made by our bodies, so they have to come from food. Since amino acids aren’t stored in the body for later use (like protein and fat), we have to regularly replenish these essential amino acids with the foods we eat. The other types of amino acids are nonessential and conditional amino acids. Nonessential amino acids are produced by our bodies, so it’s not necessary to get them from food. Conditional amino acids are ones that aren’t usually essential, except in times of illness and stress.

It’s not necessary to get all of these amino acids in each meal, but it’s important to get a balance of all the necessary amino acids throughout the day. The best way to get all of the amino acids not made by the human body is through animal proteins, such as meats, fish, eggs and dairy. For vegetarians and vegans, this can be a bit more challenging, since beans and seeds don’t contain all of the amino acids our body needs. In this case, it might be necessary to add a supplement to your diet. Look for supplements that also contain Vitamin B6 to help your body absorb the amino acids.

Horizon Health shop sells a multitude of amino acid supplements, from amino acid complete supplements for a broad intake, to individual supplements to help mediate particular conditions. Below are our favorites:

• Custom Amino Acid Base: This amino acid base formula provides therapeutic levels of nine different amino acids blended together to provide immediate, broad-spectrum results. The bio-activating agents alpha ketoglutaric acid and vitamin B-6 are included for optimal utilization.
• GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid): Popularly known as the body’s natural tranquilizer, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important factor in reducing pain levels and hypersensitivities in the peripheral nervous system. New research shows that GABA can cross the blood-brain-barrier, contributing to normal mood.
• Glycine: Glycine is the smallest of amino acid molecules, yet extremely important in liver detoxification pathways, and has also been shown to support healthy neurological function and sleep. It has a sweet taste and comes in packets that can be used to sweeten drinks or powdered supplements without altering blood glucose levels.
• L-Arginine: This workhorse nutrient performs numerous vital functions, including supporting the body’s normal wound healing and the secretion of key hormones, such as insulin. It can also help maintain normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol.
• L-Glutamine: Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the bloodstream. It is most notable for its healing properties to the gastrointestinal tract, and is helpful with ulcers, IBS, and gluten sensitivities. Elevated cortisol levels from trauma (wounds, burns, surgeries) can deplete glutamine levels. It’s available in capsule form, and a powdered form to add to beverages.
• L-Lysine: L-Lysine is an essential amino acid and must be obtained from food or by supplementation. Vegetarians and athletes who participate in frequent vigorous exercise are at highest risk for a lysine deficiency. Lysine helps the body absorb and conserve calcium, and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendons and cartilage.
• L-Methionine: The essential amino acid L-Methionine is particularly important because it supplies sulfur, a mineral that helps to maintain healthy skin tone, well-conditioned hair, and strong nails, and it also serves as an important antioxidant and detoxifying agent.
• L-Ornithine: Ornithine is produced in the last step of the Urea Cycle and acts as an ammonia detoxifier. Not commonly found in food sources, L-Ornithine helps support the body’s normal ability to regulate growth hormone.
• L-Phenylalanine: Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that converts to tyrosine and is a precursor to thyroid hormone. It should not be used with MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or those who have PKU or hypertension.
• L-Tryptophan: Tryptophan is the essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to 5-HTP, serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan assists with normal sleep patterns, mood and appetite. Use with care when combining with SSRI’s or other substances that increase serotonin levels.
• L-Tyrosine: L-Tyrosine has many and varied functions. It is needed to make epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, all of which work to regulate mood. It aids in the production of melanin; in the regulation of the adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands; and is involved in the synthesis of enkephalins, the body’s natural pain relievers. L-Tyrosine should not be used with MAO inhibitors or with Levodopa (used to treat Parkinson’s disease).

With the onset of spring each year comes sunny skies, beautiful flowers and trees, and warm weather. Unfortunately, spring also brings sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and runny noses. Despite the never-ending winter, this year is no different, and the onslaught of symptoms brought on by pollen, mold and fungus spores, and even pet dander is enough to make anyone want to stay inside until Labor Day.

Unfortunately, over-the-counter allergy medicines can bring on side effects that are almost worse than the allergies themselves, including drowsiness, upset stomach, and dry mouth, nose and throat. Luckily, there are many natural remedies that can bring relief with few, if any, side effects. Here’s a roundup of 4 of our favorite products for combating seasonal allergies without all of the nasty side effects:

• Sovereign Silver: This high-grade silver hydrosol not only helps boost your immune system so that it doesn’t react to allergens in the first place, it can also kill the bacteria swimming around in your head, and help reduce the inflammation of nasal passageways that leads to headaches and that stuffy feeling. Our Sovereign Silver 2 oz. vertical spray is especially great for helping clear stuffy nasal passages.
• Allergy Response: Allergies occur when our body reacts to a foreign pathogen (pollen, dander, etc.) by producing histamine, which is what causes sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Innate Response’s Allergy Response contains Quercetin, a compound that supports your body’s ability to stabilize histamine production and keep it from reacting to allergens so wildly. Allergy Response also contains herbs and a high dose of Vitamin C to further boost your immune system and keep allergic reactions from happening in the first place.
• SafeCareRx Allergy Support: SafeCareRx’s line of pharmaceutical-grade homeopathic remedies offer support for a multitude of allergies, from food allergies to chemical allergies. They also have formulas that offer relief from many allergies that are exacerbated in the spring time, such as dust mites, animal hair and dander, mold, and hay fever. They even have a formula for red eye relief from allergies and conjunctivitis.
• SafeCareRx Regional Allergy Support: SafeCareRx’s line of regional allergy support provides super-targeted relief for residents of specific geographic areas. Using extracts from the plants of a given region, they have formulated products that help patients in 9 different sections of the U.S., including Desert states, the Great Lakes area, Hawaii, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, the Plains states, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and—our favorite—the Southern U.S.

Try these 4 products to help fight your allergies this spring, and stop and smell the roses without sneezing!

You may have seen the big experiment on TV, or the bottles lined up on the end caps at your local pharmacy, but it can be hard to find real, useful information on green coffee bean extract through the noise of e-mail offers and internet ads. What exactly is green coffee bean extract, and how does it work to help you lose weight?

Green coffee bean extract comes from the unroasted beans of the coffee plant. When the beans are processed to make coffee, we roast out the bitterness and add flavor, but destroy a compound called chlorogenic acid. It’s this chlorogenic acid that is believed to be responsible for the weight loss that has fueled the popularity of green coffee bean extract.

Studies have shown that chlorogenic acid slows the absorption of fat from food, and also stimulates metabolism. It has also been shown to inhibit an enzyme that promotes the formation of glucose in the liver, so it may even have an effect on diabetes and other glycemic disorders.

A small study from 2012 showed an average weight loss of 17 pounds in participants while taking varying doses of green coffee extract (up to 1,050 mg) versus a placebo. While more comprehensive studies need to be done, this finding shows that chlorogenic acid may be a contributing factor to real weight loss.

Chlorogenic acid is taken as a supplement, since the amount of green coffee we’d need to drink in order to get the dose of cholorogenic acid seen in the study would be huge, and it wouldn’t taste very good either. It’s recommended to look for a potency of at least 45% cholorogenic acid in order to aid weight loss. The recommended dosage is 1200 mg of chlorogenic acid, or at least 400 mg before each meal.

Our favorite green coffee bean extract is the Nature’s Dynamics Organic Green Coffee Extract. Not only does it contain 1200 mg of 45% chlorogenic acid per 2-capsule serving, but it also offers a proprietary energy and wellness blend that includes organic ginseng and other antioxidant rich spices and botanicals to support healthy energy, blood sugar & stress levels, and aid in weight loss.

While green coffee bean extract needs more study, and may not be the magic bullet to weight loss that some claim, it can lead to real weight loss when taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.

We all suffer from stress. From work to family to even what to cook for dinner every night, we all feel the pull of stress in our daily lives. But when the pile of little stresses becomes too big, our body’s response can weaken and we can suffer from a multitude of symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, digestive problems and difficulty recovering from illness. This weakened stress response is known as adrenal fatigue, and it results when our fight-or-flight response goes into overdrive, and our adrenal glands can’t keep up.

Situated above the kidneys, our adrenal glands are responsible for creating the hormones (namely cortisol, epinephrine and dopamine) that regulate energy production and storage, muscle tone, heart rate and other functions that help our bodies respond to extreme stress. What started out as the fight-or-flight response of the occasional life-threatening event in our caveman ancestors has now morphed into the chronic stress of daily life, and our adrenal glands can’t keep up the hormone production needed to keep our energy levels high enough to deal with it all.

This adrenal fatigue manifests itself in extreme tiredness throughout the day, trouble sleeping when we do actually get to bed, sugar cravings, poor digestion, and food and environmental allergies. You can take an online self-test to help you see if you might be suffering from adrenal fatigue, and your practitioner can also administer urine and saliva tests to further diagnose your condition.

If you are diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, it’s important to avoid caffeine and other stimulants until your hormone levels are regulated. You should also minimize stress on the adrenal system by balancing your blood sugar (and your energy) with a diet low in refined carbohydrates and sugars. Find time in your busy day to do something that helps you relax and de-stress, such as meditation, a relaxing walk, listening to music or reading.

A supplement may also be necessary in order to restore balance to your adrenal system. Horizon Health Shop offers a great selection of natural adrenal support supplements, such as:

• Adrenal Response Complete Care by Innate Response is packed with nutrients and herbs that can help strengthen your body’s response to the stresses of modern life and nourish your adrenal glands.
• Medix4Life’s Adrenal formulation is a powerful stem-cell activator that regulates intercellular communication and supports cellular and tissue regeneration in the adrenal glands so your adrenals can respond more efficiently.
• For overall balance of your endocrine system, try Anova Health’s AvinoCort. This powerful supplement can also help regulate blood sugar and improve sleep quality and lower fatigue.
• Avinotropin 45mcg deer antler velvet extract is a high-potency, natural extract of growth hormones that can help your body’s recovery time and regulate cortisol levels.

Worried about adrenal fatigue? Don’t stress! With a balanced diet, stress-busting activities and the right supplements, you can get back to feeling full of energy and save the fight-or-flight response for when you’re facing real danger.

With the growing awareness of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure as the top causes of death in the U.S. (and the world), people are looking for more ways to keep their heart healthy and lower their risk of these prevalent diseases. Along with changes in diet and exercise, studies have shown that fatty acids, such as omega-6 and omega-3 found in fish, nuts and seeds can help lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even Alzheimer’s. Fish-oil supplements are the most popular way to get these fatty acids, but what are the differences between the different oils, and which one should you take? We’ve compiled a primer on omegas and fish oils to help you decide which supplement is best for you.

Omega fatty acids are a type of fat that our body needs in order to build healthy cells (especially heart cells), and maintain brain and nerve function. The three important ones for these functions are omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Since our bodies can create omega-9 when we eat unsaturated fats, it’s not considered an “essential” fatty acid, and isn’t usually included in supplements. Omega-3 and omega-6 are the essential fatty acids, since our bodies don’t synthesize them and we need to get them directly from the things we eat.

Omega-6 comes primarily in the form of linoleic acid, which is found mostly in vegetable oils—such as corn, soybean and safflower oils—and nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids come primarily from fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, but can also be found in smaller amounts in walnuts, leafy green vegetables and flaxseed. Doctors recommend keeping your intake of omega-6s about even to your intake of omega-3s, because too many omega-6 fatty acids (mostly in the form of vegetable oils) can actually disrupt all of the good that omega-3s do by causing inflammation and increasing cardiovascular risk.

The two forms of omega-3 fatty acids—EPA and DHA—that are responsible for lowering inflammation and protecting against heart disease are only found in fish oils. ALA is another omega-3 fatty acid that is found in flaxseed and vegetable-based sources of omegas, and while your body can convert some ALA to DHA and EPA, it’s not clear how much, so the most efficient way to get your heart-healthy omega-3s is through fish-based sources.

Since the amount of healthy omega-3s with species of fish can vary by as much as 15%, it may be beneficial to supplement your fatty acid intake with a fish-oil supplement, such as Metabolic Maintenance’s Ethyl Esters Omega, which contains 400 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DPA per serving, and is more concentrated than other fish-oil supplements.

One of the side effects of fish oil supplements is that for people with compromised digestion, they can cause upset stomach and the dreaded “fish burps.” Nature’s Dynamics’ Omega-3 Gummies are a great-tasting way to get all three fatty acids (Omega-3-6-9) without any digestive problems.

Krill oil is another great supplemental option for your essential fatty acids, and your body absorbs it faster than traditional fish-oil supplements. BioKARE’s KrillKARE is a rich source of essential fatty acids, as well as astaxanthin, a cousin to beta carotene that promotes optimal health.

For vegetarians, Metabolic Maintenance’s Evening Primrose Oil is a great way to get some of your essential fatty acids, and may even be used to help with skin disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.

If you’ve been in the weight-loss aisle of any pharmacy or grocery store lately, you’ve definitely heard of Garcinia Cambogia. Since being featured on Dr. Oz’s talk show, it has exploded in popularity, leading to hundreds of cheap knockoffs, and even more dubious claims of magical weight-loss-in-a-bottle. But what is Garcinia Cambogia?  And is it right for you and your weight-loss goals?

While a novel weight-loss supplement to us, Garcinia Cambogia isn’t a new ingredient by any means. Used for centuries in India and Southeast Asia in curries and as a digestive aid, it’s a small, green, pumpkin-shaped fruit that’s also sometimes known as tamarind, and is enjoyed for its sour flavor. The extract is also commonly used in commercial fish curing because of its antibacterial properties.

When used as an ingredient in dishes, it can make them seem more filling, but the rind is what contains most of the active ingredient, Hydroxycitric Acid, for burning fat. HCA has been clinically shown to increase lipid metabolism and enhance thermogenesis—in other words, it helps your body burn more fat. More importantly, HCA has also been shown to increase serotonin levels and reduce appetite, which is especially great for people who tend to overeat when upset or stressed and ruin all of their hard work in the gym.

For maximum weight-loss effects, it’s important to look for a supplement that has at least a 50% concentration of HCA extract, such as Nature’s Dynamic’s Garcinia Cambogia. This organic supplement combines 1500 milligrams of HCA with an awesome energy and wellness blend that contains ginkgo, black cohosh and green tea extract.

As with all things, moderation is key. Liver damage has been reported with high amounts of HCA (more than 60% concentration), so don’t take more than the recommended dose. You should also see your practitioner before taking HCA if you take drugs to lower your cholesterol.

As with any weight-loss supplement, Garcinia Cambogia isn’t a magic pill that will melt all of your fat away, but it can be a great addition to a solid diet and exercise plan.