Catnip is For Humans Too!

Catnip is a member of the mint family and is also known as catmint, catswort, and field balm. It is believed to have originated in Europe but today grows frequently in the Northern Hemisphere. The plants have fuzzy greenish gray leaves and small white flowers that bloom in the summer. The flowers, leaves and stem are cut when it’s in full bloom and then dried for herbal preparations.

When taken orally, catnip works as a sedative for humans—and sometimes does the same for cats! 

In humans, it is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness. It contains nepetalacone, which is the key to it’s sedative properties. It has also been used to reduce the onset of migraine headaches. In addition, it has been used to relive stomach issues like colic, cramps, gas and indigestion. When used topically, it can be used as a treatment to reduce swelling in arthritis, hemorrhoids, and soft tissue injuries.

If you’d like to try the calming effects of Catnip, or need to stock up on other kosher supplements or maxi health vitamins, be sure to visit koshervitamins.com!

Omega-3 and Kosher Fish Oil

Fish is an incredibly nutritious food. The benefits of consuming a fish, which is dense in Omega-3, can be seem in numerous ways. In the early 1980s, researchers found that Inuit had low rates of heart disease, despite their high-fat diets of rich fish. It turned out that the Omega-3 fatty acids in the fish was actually beneficial to the heart and the rest of the body.

If you aren't familiar, Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid which means our body can’t produce it on its own and needs outside help.Unfortunately, not everyone likes fish and would rather go without eating these Omega-3 rich foods, than get vital building blocks for their body. If this is the case for you or someone you know, kosher fish oil supplements are a great way to still get those essential fatty acids, without having to ingest your least favorite food.

There is a multitude of benefits to the Omega-3 found in fish and kosher fish oil supplements. Omega-3 lowers triglyceride levels, improves concentration and memory, promotes healthy hair and nail growth, can help improve symptoms of depression, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, reduces the risk of strokes, and promotes the growth of muscles and the burning of fat.

So stock up on kosher supplements, like Kosher fish oil, and feel the benefits!

Calcium: Building Block of the Body

This mineral, number 20 on the periodic table, (Ca) is essential to bone growth and development and is the most abundant mineral in the body. Although calcium also functions to contract muscles and dilate and contract blood vessels, its most prominent function is to maintain the structure of teeth and bones. Bones constantly undergo deformation and reformation, the balance of which changes according to how we age. For children, reformation occurs more frequently than deformation but in older folks, it is the other way around, which is why osteoporosis is more common for seniors than it is for middle aged adults.

From late childhood on, about 1000mg of calcium are recommended daily. Dairy products are especially high in calcium, as are sardines, broccoli, and kale. If you are lactose intolerant, however, it can be especially difficult to get your daily dose of calcium. Even if you aren’t it still might be beneficial to your diet to consume kosher supplements, which are rife with essential vitamins and minerals. Kosher supplements are a great way to get calcium and other vitamins which can help you feel and be healthier. So shop for Maxi Health vitamins and Bluebonnet vitamins on www.KosherVitamins.com!

Kids Kosher Supplements

For children, it’s especially important to have a well balanced diet to promote growth and well being. But for moms with finicky eaters, that can be difficult. That’s why taking kosher supplements can be so beneficial for young kids. They are sweet and tasty and have essential vitamins and minerals.

Calcium is important for strong bones, nerves and muscles. Zinc is good for the immune system, and vitamins like A, B, C, D and E are found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, which many kids snub. Vitamin C is essential for the immune system and brain functions and holds together our skin under the surface. B Vitamins (see below) are crucial for metabolizing carbohydrates, and the refined sugars and starches that kids are so fond of deplete B vitamins. Omega 3 fatty acids are also crucial to brain development, and are found in fatty ocean fishes, which many kids don’t choose to eat. Kosher fish oil is a good alternative.

So if your child has dietary problems, it’s a good idea to try kosher supplements. There are tasty flavors like fruit punch and cherry and they come in tablets and liquid form. www.KosherVitamins.com has tons of tasty kosher supplements that your child will love.

There are so many kinds of sugar. I've heard that none of them is very good for you, so what are they all for?

There are so many kinds of sugar. I've heard that none of them is very good for you, so what are they all for?

I’m not a nutritionist, but what you’ve heard is pretty much correct: sugar, for the most part, is sugar, though refined sugars are metabolized by the body more quickly than starch. (Therefore refined sugars tend to disrupt body chemistry more than starch does.)

While you might want to sometimes try satisfying your sweet tooth with fruit, when something sugary is the only thing that will do, here are a selection of sugar varieties for you to try:

Brown sugar—both light and dark—has a molasses-like flavor and aroma. Both types are typically used in baking in the same measurements as regular sugar. They’re also great for sprinkling on hot cereals.

Turbinado sugar, sometimes called raw sugar, is used predominantly in baking though it’s become popular in a lot of coffee shops as well. Its larger crystals are somewhat less processed than refined white sugar, but its effects on the blood sugar are the same.

Brown rice syrup is a mild, minimally refined sweetener. Substitute it one to one for sugar, but reduce the total amount of liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup per cup of brown rice syrup used.

Honey is one of the least-refined sweeteners, but, like other sugars, it raises the blood sugar quickly and should be used in moderation. Always look for raw honey, which has its natural nutrients and enzymes intact. (Caution: Do not give honey to babies under 12 months of age because it may contain Clostridium botulinium spores that can cause botulism in an immature immune system; they are harmless after the first year of age.)

There is one natural sugar alternative that is gaining popularity: Kosher Stevia root, which is available in packets or liquid extract. Though very sweet, it isn’t a sugar, so it doesn’t affect blood sugar the way sugar does. It doesn’t taste exactly like sugar, but its fruity taste works well in teas and baked goods.

Chef Steve Petusevsky, a graduate and former instructor of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, is a nationally syndicated columnist whose writing appears in Natural Health, Fine Cooking, the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, and the Chicago Tribune.

Don't Worry, 'B' Happy!

If you’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps lately, it might be because of vitamins, or a lack thereof – specifically B Vitamins. These vitamins help to keep you happy and promote cellular growth and regeneration.

Here’s a quick list to refresh your memory if you’ve forgotten which B Vitamin is which:
• Vitamin B1 –thiamine
• Vitamin B2 –riboflavin
• Vitamin B3 –niacin
• Vitamin B7 –biotin
• Vitamin B9 –folic acid
These are some of the more common B Vitamins which if you don’t ingest either in food or kosher supplement form, can cause problems in the body. These vitamins improve the health of the skin, eyes, hair, liver, muscles and facilitate the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy.

These vitamins are found in a variety of foods such as bananas, meats, rice and countless vegetables. As long as you eat a balanced diet, you shouldn’t worry about getting your B vitamins, but if you feel like your diet has recently been poor and you can feel the difference, getting a kosher supplement might make up for it. So feel better by living healthier, and whether it’s through what you eat, or the vitamins you take, start being happier today!

Exotic Fruits and Berries Boast Big Antioxidants

Exotic Fruits and Berries.

Healthnotes Newswire (February 25, 2010)—From South America to Malaysia, from Hawaii to China, fruits, berries, and their juices are being hailed as the new superfoods. Boasting high amounts of antioxidants and other vital nutrients, these superfoods can play a supporting role in a healthy diet. They are widely available as antioxidant juices, supplements, or added ingredients in smoothies, recipes, and other premade products.

Rush of antioxidants

Antioxidants are the body’s armed forces, working to prevent free-radical damage to the body’s cells, which is associated with premature aging and disease.

• Pomegranate: Ruby-red pomegranate is an antioxidant superstar. The distinctive sweet-tart flavor of the seeds and juice adds flare to food and drink. Native to Iran and the northern Himalayas in India, the pomegranate today is grown in California and Arizona.

• Açaí: Another rich antioxidant source with a notable taste, açaí is a cross between dark chocolate and berries. Derived from Amazon palmberries, its rich purple pigment denotes a high antioxidant level. According to the manufacturers, açaí is also high in amino acids and fatty acids, which help to keep cell membranes supple. You’ll find açaí in smoothies, juices, teas, and powders.

Exotic fruits for vitality

A host of other fruits from around the world show promise for their health-promoting properties, though research is needed to confirm their benefits:

• Goji: The berries and juice of the goji fruit hold its nutritional treasures. From the Ningxia province of China, goji, a fruit of an evergreen shrub, was traditionally regarded as a longevity-promoting and strength-building tonic. Goji is high in antioxidants and amino acids, according to the manufacturers.

• Mangosteen: The juice of the native Malaysian mangosteen Garcinia mangostanas contains a class of antioxidants called xanthones, which hold promise for their disease-fighting properties.

• Noni: Noni, or the morinda tree, is found in the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii. The fruit and its juice are used traditionally as a laxative and topically for skin ailments. Today noni producers tout it for its ability to aid a wide variety of conditions from improving asthma to assisting in weight loss.

• Maqui: According to the manufacturers of the maqui products, this Chilean berry has the highest known antioxidant content of any fruit and has been traditionally used by Mapuche Indians for supporting stamina, increasing strength, and promoting healthy immune response.

Keep it real

When trying new products—especially those that make big promises—do your research and consult your healthcare practitioner so you can make informed choices. Remember that moderation and variation are the keys to health, and a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts and other protein sources, will work together to promote health and vigor.

Kathleen Finn is a writer and marketing consultant for The Natural Word. She specializes in natural health, food, and fitness material, and has worked on staff at Delicious! Magazine and written for Yoga Journal, Spa Magazine, Natural Foods Merchandiser, and Nutrition Science News. She holds a master's degree in Journalism from University of Colorado in Boulder.

Losing Weight and Feeling Good With Kosher Vitamins

If you really want to lose weight you probably already know the basics: eat right and exercise. But did you know that taking a multivitamin also helps?

That’s right. When you don’t get all the necessary vitamins, your body will make you hungry to try to obtain those essential nutrients. When taking a multivitamin, your body is satiated with the nutrients it needs, and while this doesn’t mean that you should eat less, it does mean that you will be less hungry. Kosher vitamins are really helpful if you want to lose weight but aren’t getting the results you want.

Not only that, but taking a multivitamin will help you feel better. During the winter, when you may not be getting the sunlight you need, a multivitamin gives you that necessary Vitamin D, a vitamin many Americans are greatly deficient in. There are many other vitamins that are beneficial that you may not realize you don’t consume. Taking a multivitamin as a dietary kosher supplement is a great way to ensure prime physical well being.

So visit www.KosherVitamins.com today to start feeling better – whether you want to lose weight, shape your diet, or just be happier, a multivitamin will help you achieve your goal!

Sporting Fun with Kosher Vitamins: Tips for Healthy Living

I’m a big fan of Kosher vitamins, and I take Vitamin C tablets every day to keep my immune system strong and able to ward off coughs and colds. I also take kosher Vitamin A tablets, which help control my acne, and plenty of kosher Vitamin D during the long winter when there’s more snow, cloud and rain than sun. I’m a big believer in combining vitamins and supplements with exercise – preferably in the form of team sports.

I’ve played badminton since I was a child, and while my friends have the perception that the sport doesn’t offer much of a workout (because their way of playing badminton is to not run for the shuttlecock when it’s a little out of reach), I always leave the court hot and sweaty.

Quick feet are needed to be a good badminton player: you have to be able to race from the back of the court to the front of the court to hit that shuttlecock that’s dropping sneakily over the net.

And that's not all! I run for 45 minutes each night to give me the endurance and stamina to get through a long match, and do sprints to make sure I have the aerobic energy that’s needed to get through those fast rallies where you can’t miss a beat.

I also lift weights to build up the strength in my arms; strong biceps are a must for those all-important overhead smashes. Smashes have got to be powerful so you can drive the shuttlecock into the court and win the point.

Badminton is a fun way to keep fit – and best of all, because it’s an indoor sport, I can play it through those long and gloomy winter months. So give it a try! Take plenty of kosher supplements and kosher vitamins and go out there and play! Now that's healthy living.

The Virtues of Fish and Kosher Vitamins

Fish has many virtues. It tastes great, is versatile, and best of all, it’s high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Scientific studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids, which are naturally found in fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies and sardines, as well as flaxseed and some nuts, have a whole host of health benefits.

An intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and pain and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, and breast, colon and prostate cancer. Fish oil can also give you better brain function and help improve your memory, and make you feel happier: studies have shown that fish oil fatty acids can help reduce depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder symptoms.

There are loads of Kosher vitamins you can take to make sure you get your share of fatty acids and essential oils. Many chewable varieties are available, and these usually have fruity or lemony flavors.

If you’re not keen on taking Kosher supplements, enjoy the health benefits of fish the old-fashioned way: by eating it. Try pan-frying some salmon in an Asian-style soy sauce, vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic and sesame seed marinade. Or for something refreshing and zesty—and completely healthy—bake some mackerel with tomatoes, basil leaves and lemon juice.