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Tablets vs. Capsules – Which is better?
Written by Heidi at Preferred Nutrition
Since supplements come in various formats it is not surprising that many of us find it hard to decide which form is best. Tablet vs. capsules? Liquid vs. powders? We’ve all heard about tablets “coming out whole” and the question of whether supplements just make “expensive pee”. But what are the facts about the different forms and how can we choose wisely?
Although it is true that a tablet can pass through the body whole, it is more to do with a person’s digestion than the tablet itself. Absorption of any supplement can be altered due to poor digestion which is often the case among the elderly as well as not consuming enough food alongside. The rate of absorption between the different delivery forms vary but before you try to take everything in liquid form thinking it will get into your body faster consider first what supplements you are taking and why. Supplements with higher potencies may be better in slower release because there is a limit on how fast your body can absorb nutrients at any given time. If you flood your system with more than it can handle, you run the risk of wasting some of the nutrients. However if you are taking an energy product or pre-workout supplement then obviously the more fast acting form is desired.
Tablets – allow for more raw material fill and are therefore less expensive. Perfect for those of us who have good digestion and can swallow easily.
Capsules – easier to swallow that...
Creatine; It’s Safe and It Works
By: Nelson Narciso, www.keepwell.ca
Frances Food Safety Agency report that states “creatine constitutes a carcinogenic risk” is “purely hypothetical at best and flat out wrong at worst” claims Dr. Phillip W. Harvey, PhD., R.D., F.A.C.N., director of science and quality assurance, National Nutritional Foods Association. “Next to carbohydrates, creatine monohydrate is the most extensively studied energy-producing nutrient,” states Dr. Zoltan Rona, MD., MSc. Numerous recent studies have shown creatine not only to be safe and effective if used as suggested, but it has demonstrated a great deal of promise in the therapeutic treatments for:
- Primary and secondary liver cancer
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Heart failure
- Brain damage due to concussions
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
The report issued by the French agency wasn’t based on any new study they conducted but rather speculation and possibly poor interpretation of existing research. Ironically past studies that have looked at creatine and cancer have found it to possess an anti-carcinogenic effect, and can actually reduce tumor size, although much more research is needed in this area to determine its role, if any, in cancer.
The second claim made by the article that “creatine was of little benefit to athletes…” is also a fallacy. Over fifty studies have shown that creatine supplementation does in fact improve athletic performance by:
- Improving power
- Increasing Muscle mass
- Increasing Strength
- Reducing ammonia levels in the blood
- Reducing lactic acid build-up
The article also makes the false statement that “creatine is an amino acid”. Creatine is not a single amino acid but rather is produced from the three amino acids methionine, arginine, glycine, and is an...
Restless Legs by Josée Fortin
Is sitting in a vehicle so painful that you are afraid to take the road for a Sunday afternoon drive just in case you hit traffic?
There are two main causes for restless legs:
•Lack of alkaline minerals (calcium, magnesium and potassium)
•Poor blood circulation
The first thing to do is to reduce the acidity of your body. Because acids need to be neutralized by alkaline minerals, when your body is too acid, it depletes your storage of minerals. In order to do so, you need to reduce acid-producing foods such as refined sugars, refined flours, vinegar, red meat, alcohol, coffee, and juices…
Taking A.Vogel Stinging Nettle will help eliminate more acids and brings in alkaline minerals. Stinging Nettle, often compared to spinach, is a good source of minerals, vitamins, chlorophyll and nutrients.
A.Vogel Urticalcin® can be of great assistance. Urticalcin helps your body assimilate alkaline minerals and can be taken alongside any medication. The second thing to do is deal with the poor blood circulation.
The product Venaforce™ from A.Vogel increases the venous circulation, reducing the pressure on the veins. It could be that pressure that gives you restless legs. Venaforce™ also makes the veins in your legs stronger, helping in cases of varicose veins, swelling, and pain. Unfortunately, Venaforce™ is not for everyone: you should avoid it if you are pregnant, nursing or if you are taking anticoagulants or blood-thinning medication such as Coumadin.
If you have poor blood circulation, make sure your bowels are regular. Constipation puts pressure on the veins of the legs, increasing...
Natural health product regulations have gone too far.
by Lorenda Stefan, product educator and national sales manager, Enerex Botanicals Ltd.
Most people are not even aware that some of the most effective, safe and natural ingredients found in their nutritional supplements are under attack. In fact, the entire industry is under attack along with our Rights as Canadian Citizens. Even ingredients like enzymes, yes enzymes, are being scrutinized for their “long-term” safety. How can this be when more than 3,000 enzymes operate in our bodies? Enzymes are found in every raw food we eat and are essential for all metabolic processes; without the enzymes in our food, life does not exist.
But that’s in food. So how safe are supplemental enzymes? The use of enzymes in dietary supplements dates back to the early 1900s. Dr. Edward Howell, a pioneer in enzyme research, did an extensive study in the 1920s on the health benefits of enzyme supplements and reported no adverse side effects. Since then, thousands of healthcare professionals around the world have prescribed plant enzymes as a treatment for digestive disorders and inflammation. That’s right; we have been supplementing with enzymes for 100 years, but now they are in danger of being lost. Our SAD (Standard American Diet) is typically devoid of naturally occurring enzymes because most are destroyed when food is cooked or processed. Therefore, many Canadians require supplemental enzymes and other essential nutrients to ensure the body is provided with the building blocks to good health. At Enerex, we know, as do our customers, the importance of enzymes...
