My Best Supplement Brands

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

Nowadays it can be a total minefield trying to choose good supplements and you may be throwing away your money on useless products.  As one doctor said quite scathingly 'giving you expensive urine'!

So many of the good supplement companies have been bought up by the pharmaceutical industry and reformulated.  What I do if I am thinking of buying from any supplement company I haven't heard of, is simply go and do an internet search on them by asking "who owns........company?"  Then you can see if that company has been bought up by a private equity firm or pharmaceutical company.  If so, expect a less effective product.  Often you will notice that if a company is suddenly under new ownership, the packaging has changed.  That is definitely a sign that so has the product itself, it is weakened or reformulated.  This is my own personal experience.

From Google: "Private equity firms and major health corporations are aggressively acquiring supplement brands, driven by high consumer demand for health, wellness, and longevity products Key deals involve established names like Vitabiotics, Orgain, and Persona, focusing on companies with high margins, loyal customer bases, and digital-first or subscription-based models".

Unfortunately, this is happening on a grand scale, so really good pure and effective brands are getting fewer.

I have also noticed that when I find a good product that works really well, so that I notice a big difference in my health or energy, that product often gets discontinued. I sometimes wonder whether Pharma finds out and does everything it can, right down the supply line, to eradicate good products! Obviously, they would prefer you to be taking their drugs!

At the risk of not being able to get my own supplements, (as they might become sold out), I am going to list what I think are the very best companies.  Yes, some might be a little more expensive but there is no point in you completely wasting your money and buying something that doesn't work.  

My all time favourite supplement company is Regenerative Nutrition  I have been using their products for 21 years and in my Noni article I state that I am hoping against hope that they bring back their Noni product, which was the one thing that boosts energy for me if I feel tired.  It really works amazingly well! I have tried other Noni brands but notice nothing at all after taking.

Do search their website as they have an amazing number of products.  Regenerative Nutrition delivers worldwide, so everyone can buy and the prices they quote for their products actually includes shipping.  So the price they quote is the final price.

In addition, they have a great library of information on all their products, which is extremely informative. I actually once had a long talk with the owner of Regenerative Nutrition and he has been on a long health journey of his own, developing all the products with great care.  From the website:

"Regenerative Nutrition has been a pioneer in natural health since 1994, developing powerful natural supplements to provide a fantastic range of natural health tools. We've built up a wide understanding of natural supplements, and have compiled our natural health information library as a leading resource for learning more about natural health. If you have further queries though, our experienced staff are standing by to help - see our customer support section.

Our natural supplement store enables you to buy supplements to help you on your journey to better health. It's easy to use, with tools to help you buy supplements for your specific condition, as well as useful A-Z search options, or topical groups like vitamins, minerals and superfoods. What's more, with great discounts for regular customers, our natural supplement store will be your one-stop shop for all your natural supplement needs."

Can I just state here that I do not like it when supplement companies add things like microcrystalline cellulose, silica, vegetable stearate, among other things, or fillers, binders, bulking agents, excipients. If you are taking a supplement every single day, you will be getting a dose of those additives each time and they can add up in your body.

Regenerative Nutrition does not add any of these things.  For example if you buy their Curcumin, the ingredients are just organic curcumin, organic piperine (black pepper to make it work for longer) and vegetable capsule shell. 

My next favourite supplement company is Ancient Purity, which also ships products worldwide.  They have a wonderful array of very pure supplements. I buy their Fulvic Acid minerals and also their B Vitamin Complex.  I can vouch for the very high standard of these products and there is a wonderful array of unusual ones.

That's why, although I do use Life Extension occasionally for their Super K supplement, I am not happy with the fact they use some of these additives. I see that gelatin, glycerin, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose are in this K product. If Regenerative Nutrition can keep these things out, then so should other companies. 

I am going to try a Metagenics liquid product with both D3 and K2 instead so I don't have to take them separately, although I see that Metagenics has been acquired by Gryphon Investors!  Is nothing safe?! However, Life Extension has not been bought up and is still owned privately. There is a Life Extension Europe and a Life Extension USA.

Dr. Mercola, at his Mercola Market, where I buy his Women's Multivitamins is very good (though occasionally puts in additives).  His Women's Multivitamins do not contain any additives and contain everything you could possibly need in a Multivitamin. The standard bottle contains 240 big hard tablets and is meant for 30 days, which is 8 a day!  I take 2 a day, so these last a long time!  As I am in the UK, I have to pay shipping but when I buy 3 bottles for about £100, they last for a whole year, so I think it's worth it!  Anyway, they are my standard everyday multivitamin, and as I say, they contain everything good under the sun! They are excellent.  I also buy his Krill Oil capsules which are very pure.

Another really good make is Kiki Health which I would totally recommend for extremely pure and best quality supplements.  I buy their organic Spirulina and also their Zeolite and Charcoal powder. This is a wonderful supplement company and I think they also ship worldwide.

Terranova is also a very good supplement company and I have been using their Vitamin B Complex for some years.  They make a wonderful every day health food 'pick me up' Terranova Intense Greens Super Shake that many people swear by.

For people who simply cannot afford the high prices of supplement companies, if you are in the UK, I would recommend Health Leads UK for very reasonable vitamin supplements prices (also on Amazon).  I do buy their vitamins C, E and D3, as well as their Zinc.  This is an independent company which started up in 1998.

The last company I am going to mention is one I only recently discovered, called Ethical Nutrition.  It is a family owned business in the UK.  I have only tried their curcumin product which I found to be quite good. Anyway I think they are reputable.

I hope this information has been helpful and good luck ordering high quality supplements that work!

Zeolite Detoxes Heavy Metals

 

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

Zeolite is a substance which forms when volcanic lava meets seawater.  It forms very porous small cages with a unique charge within the cage and on the surface.  This charge occurs when the minerals from the seawater lock into the structure and transform from molten rock to beneficial mineral. Zeolites gain and lose water reversibly without changing the crystalline structure, becoming molecular sieves.

Zeolite adsorbs and binds toxins, releasing radicals and heavy metals from the body and excretes them, thus boosting the immune system.  This means that it does not enter the cells of the body but merely attaches to them (as opposed to absorb).  It also balances the pH of the body, creating an environment where foreign cells cannot live.

As Zeolite has a negative charge it is drawn like a magnet to toxins, pesticides, radiation and heavy metals which have a positive charge and sucks them up into its structure.

Many serious illnesses are associated with the build up of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, etc., and Zeolite will detox these out of the body.  We are constantly exposed to heavy metals, radiation and other types of industrial waste in our environment, causing harm to the body and making it become acidic.  In addition this can eventually cause cell death when cell membranes become clogged and suffocate.

Zeolite is also a highly effective Antioxidant because it neutralises free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with unpaired electrons, which are highly reactive and can do a great deal of damage to cells when they come into contact with tissues, DNA and cell membranes, making cells malfunction or die. Zeolite absorbs the entire free radical preventing it from causing further damage to adjacent cells. Therefore Zeolite is believed to be one of the most important substances for maintaining health.

This is why Zeolite is excellent for the gut and digestive system.  Also for the liver and kidneys because of its ability to purify and it will also boost your immune system. There is no healing crisis or sick feelings when taking Zeolite. This is because it has a strong structure which protects the bond between the Zeolite and the toxins, so nothing leaks out.

Anyone can take Zeolite as it has no adverse effect and is non toxic. If you have a chronic illness, it is best to take it three times a day at first but otherwise can be taken once a day. It depends upon the toxicity of the body but most people have high levels of heavy metal toxicity and it is likely to be connected with numerous health issues.

There are different types of Zeolite and not all are good quality. Some Zeolite may not have a high level of purity through contamination of the soil.  I buy the Kiki Health one which is an excellent brand that I thoroughly recommend. I do not see the Zeolite capsules on the Kiki Health website, which may have to be purchased through another company.  They do sell the Zeolite powder or Zeolite with Activated Charcoal powder.  Americans can probably find a good brand.

The best type should be the Zeolite-Clinoptilolite.  

Touchstone Essentials make Zeolite drops or a Zeolite spray which can be sprayed into small children's drinks and they will not taste it, as a means of giving it to them.  Older children can probably take the drops which are cheaper. This can be very effective to remove heavy metals due to vaccines and many people highly recommend doing this for children who are vaccine damaged. There have been truly astonishingly excellent life changing results reported!

Black Seed Oil's Astonishing Number of Health Benefits!

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

I have heard such amazing things about Black Seed Oil, that I really wanted to write about its astonishing number of uses!  I once read that it will cure everything except death and is referred to as 'the seed of blessing'!  

I have not tried it yet, unlike everything else on my blog, but have just ordered it and will update this article as soon as I start using it and feeling the reported benefits!  (**See end).  I have ordered the Organic Black Seed Oil made by Kiki Health (pictured), a brand which I use and which I recommend.  It was available on Amazon and due today, so I am quite excited!

Black Seed Oil has been used in the Middle East for centuries and is native to Eastern Europe, Western Asia and the Mediterranean region.  It is a supplement extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds, also known as black cumin.  It originates as a flowering shrub that produces fruits which contain tiny black seeds that are squeezed to extract the oil. The oil contains the phytochemical Thymoquinone and this has antioxidant properties that help rid the body of harmful free radicals.

This oil is a natural remedy that will boost your overall health and well being. It is a powerful elixir and is full of nutrients and bioactive compounds that will benefit your body from head to toe. It contains essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9, vitamins A, C and several B vitamins, as well as calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium.

One of the top reasons to take it is that it strengthens your immune system and keeps your body's natural defences strong, stimulating the production of T-cells and natural killer cells, which fight infection and disease. It will cure sore throats in a natural way as well as inflamed tonsils by mixing honey and black seed oil in water and gargling twice a day as well as rubbing the warm oil on chest and throat.

It reportedly lowers blood sugar, so may help benefit people with type 2 diabetes and there have been clinical trials on this.  It treats arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as other inflammatory conditions such as heart disease.  It reportedly is extremely good for those with any cancerous state, including lymphoma and leukemia.

Black seed oil is an effective treatment for seizures that cause epilepsy because it is anti-convulsant.

It is also useful for asthma, improving lung function and allergies. For asthma, you can mix ten drops in two litres of boiling water in a large bowl and put a towel over your head to inhale the mixture.

It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistaminic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, analgesic and is an immune modulator.  In addition when applied directly to the skin mixed with either olive oil or coconut oil, it improves acne and also helps psoriasis and eczema.  It apparently assists weight loss! 

Data supports the benefits of using powdered Nigella sativa to improve Hashimoto's thyroiditis and it also is good for the health of your heart by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as lowering blood pressure.

Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, acid reflux or heartburn have also responded to black seed oil, keeping the gut healthy with its digestive supporting properties. It reduces inflammation in the gut if you have inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, stimulating bile flow and enzyme secretion, thereby aiding nutrient absorption. It has a laxative effect on constipation, promoting regular bowel movements and eradicating harmful gut bacteria like H. pylori which can cause ulcers and gastritis.

In addition, it supports brain health as it contains neuroprotective compounds and the thymoquinone reduces inflammation in the brain linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  It even reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety!

Black seed oil has very potent anti-inflammatory properties and will quell the flames of inflammation in your body.  This is because of the thymoquinone which inhibits pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines like COX-2, 5-LOX, TNF-alpha and IL-6.

As if all this isn't enough, one study showed that men with infertility who took it for 2 months had significant improvements in their sperm count, motility and morphology compared to a placebo group and found that testosterone levels were increased.

For ladies, black seed oil significantly improves menstrual cramps and pain, as well as regulating their cycle, due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. It also fights infections like Candida as it is a potent antimicrobial agent, fighting off a wide range of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

People say that black seed oil improves the health of their skin and aids hair growth and it is helpful for those with dry skin because of the nourishing vitamins A, B and EFA. It can help remove surgical scars naturally and can be applied directly on them (and presumably stretch marks after pregnancy?) For people with sensitive skin you can dilute it with olive oil or coconut oil before applying it to your skin and hair.

Another fun fact is black seed oil is very effective for insect bites If you have been bitten by a mosquito or a bee, you can apply the oil on it for immediate effect.

It will relieve earache and toothache. For earache, mix a teaspoon of olive oil with a teaspoon of black seed oil, warm the mixture and drip 4 or 5 drops into the affected ear with a dropper. Then put a scarf over your head and ear. For toothache, soak a cotton wool ball into the oil and press over the affected tooth.

The recommended dosage of the oil is 1 to 5 grams by mouth per day for 4-12 weeks and for the powder 1 to 2 grams by mouth daily for 8 to 12 weeks. You can mix the oil with fruit juice or mix into food.  It can be applied topically as an oil to your chest and throat if you feel a cold or flu coming on. You can also mix the oil with a teaspoon of honey to eat.

Further uses are as follows:  Helps prevent gallstones, hemorrhoids, headache and migraine, anemia, stimulates urine production and treats bladder and prostate problems, bronchitis, insomnia, improves eye vision, treats Hepatitis C virus, soothes burns.

As usual, care must be taken if you are taking prescription medicines as they may not interact well.  Pregnant women should not consume black seed oil as it can slow down or stop uterus contraction in labour.  Patients with blood disorders should avoid using this oil as it can result in blood clot formation, (although you can take Serrapeptase daily to dissolve blood clots).  Those with low blood pressure should be careful as it could lower blood pressure too much.  People with diabetes should not consume too much black seed oil as it can lower sugar levels too far.  Do not use before or after surgery.  

The above information was taken from articles about black seed oil on Yandex.com, a search engine that does not screen out natural health websites, unlike others!

** I started taking it on 2nd March and initially took one teaspoon per day straight off the spoon with nothing mixed.  It has a funny taste, slightly bitter and leaves the tongue feeling sweet.  On 4th March I started taking one teaspoon morning and night, which I think was a bit too much for me and perhaps one teaspoon a day is enough, as it is very powerful.  The first thing I noticed was my lungs felt clearer and my limbs lighter, with more energy. It seems to work as a messenger for all systems of the body simultaneously. I would definitely recommend it.

Spirulina is an Excellent Dietary Superfood!

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

One of the best supplements or superfoods you can take is Spirulina and even if I was to skip all my other daily vitamins and minerals, I would never forget to take this one!

It is as though being too busy to make or eat your greens can quickly be corrected by swallowing 3 spirulina pills a day!  All I can say is I feel very well on it.

I had never truly researched it in depth, just found it was extremely good for me and decided to find all the information on it, so I could write this.  (I am trying over time to write an article on each of what I consider to be the best supplements but new ones are coming out all the time!)

Spirulina is a blue green algae known as a cyanobacteria, which is a nutrient dense, plant-based source of 50% to 70% protein. The blue green colour is caused by a pigment called phycocyanin. 

It is a very good source of Vitamins A as beta carotene, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 vitamins, K2, contains  protein, copper, calcium, iron, copper, phosphorus, selenium and manganese. There are many essential amino and fatty acids. 

In addition it is a very powerful antioxidant, which helps fight free radicals or toxins entering the body.

It is easy to digest and absorb, as it is a wholefood, and has been consumed for centuries, in Africa and as far back as the Aztecs.

The health benefits of spirulina are many.  It is said to lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels, help with weight loss and building muscle, as well as reduce cholesterol, combat candida and symptoms of asthma, rhinitis and allergies. It is also believed to contain anti-cancer properties because it is anti-inflammatory.  

In 1974 spirulina was declared one of the best foods for the future by the World Food Conference and was even used by NASA for their astronauts in space!

There is much chlorophyll in spirulina which helps to detoxify the blood, improving bowel and liver function.

This powerful supplement is very good for anaemic subjects, with lack of red blood cells.

There is more information in this article, where you can also find scientific studies to back up the above claims.  

https://www.well-beingsecrets.com/spirulina-benefits/

My absolute favourite Spirulina is the Kiki Health one.  I have tried others and found they have a fishy taste, which was unpleasant.  Kiki Health is a very pure organic product.  They also sell lots of other excellent products! 

https://kiki-health.com/shop/spirulina-tablets-organic-200/