12.28.2013

Best Curcumin Extract May Be NOW Foods Brand

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Curcumin is a potent herbal antioxident, and a major component of the spice turmeric.

In India, where turmeric is used extensively in cooking, incidence of Alzheimer's disease is quite low.

However, this is only a correlation. Do not be fooled by it. There could be hundreds of other reasons why people in India are less susceptible to Alzheimer's. Clearly, there must be environmental factors involved, but it does not mean that turmeric spice is the culprit.

It may just be that the Indian diet is generally richer in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which also correlates with lower incidence of chronic diseases in general, including Alzheimer's.

In any case, research has shown that cur cumin is a potent antioxidant, beneficial in heart and brain health, and studies have indicated that the NOW Foods curcumin extract is one of the highest quality brands.

8.04.2013

The Only Energy Drink I Endorse

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Not that my endorsement counts for much, but after working for eight years in R and D at a vitamin company, I became quite knowledgeable in the adaptogenic qualities of the herb, Rhodiola rosea.

Rhodiola is not a stimulant. It is an adaptogen, which means it fortifies the constitution against stress and allows more mental focus and thus achievement.

Over the course of a day, research has shown, various small stressors add up, so that by the end of the day, your mind is worn down and you are more easily distracted. The more bad stress you are subjected too, the less resilient you are toward additional stressors. This is why many people do their best work in the early part of the day, and get tired in the afternoon. This is also why telemarketers call you in the evening. For real. They know that statistically, people are more likely to succumb to telemarketing sales pitches when they are stressed out. They have done studies.

Anyway, I don't generally consume energy drinks at all, because I get a lot of exercise, and good stress like that counteracts bad stress (distress). But if I were to consume one, it would be this rhodiola based energy drink, called Brain Toniq. It has Rhodiola as the only active ingredient. And it is vegan.