HealthSpark Blog

Cissus Quadrangularis is now available for the first time at HealthSpark and is in stock today. We’re pretty excited to have such a strong formulation of this ancient Ayurvedic remedy. Cissus is traditionally used to treat bone fractures and breakages, as it stimulates bone growth and strengthens tendons.

Cissus Quadrangularis Plant

However, Cissus has come to recent prominence when taken in conjunction with Irvingia Gabonensis (otherwise known as African Mango).  Lance Armstrong’s site LiveStrong references a study published March 2008 by “BioMed Central” which evaluated the use of CQ in a randomized trial for weight loss.  Of the 72 people included in the trial, one receiving a 250 mg placebo, another 150 mg CQ extract, and the last group a 250 mg combination of CQ and African Mango.

The trial lasted 10 weeks and there was no requirement to change diet or perform additional exercise. The average % of weight loss per group was as follows: Placebo, 2.1 percent; CQ, 8.8 percent; and CQ/IB, 11.9 percent. The percentage of body-fat loss that resulted was as follows: P-4, CQ-14.6 and CQ/IB-20. Additionally, total and LDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels decreased with the CQ/IB group.

Many of our customers have reported great results using our African Mango 6000mg formulation. So with this study in mind we have produced a fantastic combination of African Mango 6000mg together with our new Cissus Quadrangularis. For a very limited period we are offering an introductory price of £25.98 which includes FREE uk shipping. This is a saving of nearly £60 on the RRP! Click here now to make sure you don’t miss out on this exclusive offer.

We’re delighted to support the IBS Awareness Month . Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a long-term or recurrent disorder of gastrointestinal functioning. It is surprisingly widespread with over 1 in 7 people experiencing IBS at some point. Our diets of rich and fatty foods, together with alcohol and caffeine, are combining to make IBS even more prevalent.

IBS usually involves disturbances in the large intestine (colon) and small intestine. The disturbances involve:

• motor function (motility),
• sensation, and
• secretion.

These intestinal/bowel (gut) related activities are regulated by the brain. This regulation may also be impaired. That’s why IBS is often called a brain-gut disorder.

The disturbances can produce symptoms of:

• abdominal pain or discomfort,
• bloating or a sense of gaseousness, and
• a change in bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation).

Muhammad Ali famously coined the phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. It is said that this phrase came from him eating bee pollen which gave him the feeling of improved strength, stamina and endurance. Other athletes have reported quicker recovery time after taking bee pollen, and the coach of the 1972 Finnish Olympic athletic team attributes their success to the consumption of bee pollen amongst most of their team.

HealthSpark Bee Pollen

With this in mind it is possible that bee pollen may relieve symptoms of tiredness and improve energy levels.

David Wolfe, one of the world’s leading authorities on nutritional research in living foods has called bee pollen “the most complete food in nature”. It is a complete food because it contains all the amino acids including the 8 essential ones. It also includes the vitamins C, and B complex (excluding B12), the minerals zinc, calcium, copper, gold, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, sulphur, phosphorus, barium and boron, plant sterols, simple sugars, essential fatty acids, rutin, bioflavonoids, betacarotenes, lecithin, enzymes that aid digestion and RNA and DBA that are the building blocks of our bodies.

There is some evidence to suggest that bee pollen may relieve the symptoms of hay fever by reducing the response to histamine and strengthening the immune system.

Bee pollen may help relieve stress, as B vitamins aid our stress defence systems.

Hippocrates considered that bee pollen was good for the health and prevent ageing, therefore it may increase longevity. Pollen has been used by many cultures for hundreds of years especially by the ancient Egyptian and Chinese but it’s healing properties have been forgotten until recently by our modern world.

Bee pollen may be rejuvenating to fertility and prostate problems because of its antioxidant action, zinc and RNA/DNA content.

Pollen is collected from flowers and carried back to the hive on the legs of worker bees. As the bees enter the hive the pollen is brushed off their legs by a slight obstruction to the opening of the hole and collected by the beekeeper.

Bee pollen may be added to breakfast cereal, smoothies or yogurt and is enjoyed by children and adults alike because of its naturally sweet honey like taste.

We’re impressed by this product, and we’re actively seeking the highest quality and sustainable sources. If you’d us to stock this remarkable product please let us know at customersupport@healthspark.co.uk. In the meantime our best-selling Nature Plus Support already contains bee pollen powder together with a range of high quality 100% natural anti-oxidants. If you’re feeling under the weather it could be just the boost you need.

References

Books 

P A Balch, CNC: (2006) Prescription for Nutritional Healing. 4^Th Ed.  Penguin Books Ltd: London.

D Wolfe: (2009): Superfoods: North Atlantic Books: California

K Wood: (2008): Raw Magic: Rawcreation Ltd: Norfolk

Websites

M Adams: (24 Nov 2009): Bee pollen superfood boosts immune system function: http://www.naturalnews.com/027566_bee_pollen_immune_system.html: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

G Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences: (May 4, 2011): Bee pollen: http://www.naturalhealthresearch.org/nhri/?p=5817: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

T Cowan, MD: (1 Jan 2000): Allergies and Hay Fever: http://www.westonaprice.org/ask-the-doctor/allergies-and-hay-fever (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

E-honeybees: Pollen: http://ehoneybees.com/Bee-products/Pollen.php (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

S Fallon, MG Enig, PhD: (31 Dec 1999): Guide to Superfoods: http://www.westonaprice.org/basics/guide-to-superfoods (accessed 12 Feb 2012

A Malinsky: (21 Nov 2010): Bee pollen- Eat to Prolong Longevity and Reverse Nutritional Deficiencies: http://www.naturalnews.com/030466_bee_pollen_longevity.html: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

The Use of Bee pollen as a Superfood: http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/bee_pollen.htm: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

MT Murray ND, JE Pizzorno Jr ND: (2012): Textbook of Natural Medicine: Pharmacology and Clinical Applications – Bee pollen: http://www.naturalmedtext.com/content/default.cfm: Elsvier: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

MT Murray ND, JE Pizzorno Jr ND: (2012): Textbook of Natural Medicine: Textbook of Natural Medicine: Bee Products-Pollen, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: http://www.naturalmedtext.com/content/default.cfm:  Elsvier: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

MT Murray ND, JE Pizzorno Jr ND: (2012): Textbook of Natural Medicine: Textbook of Natural Medicine: Chemical Composition: http://www.naturalmedtext.com/content/default.cfm:  Elsvier: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: Bee pollen: http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?pt=100&id=78&ds=&name=BEE+POLLEN&searchid=32774894&cs=student&s=ND: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

S Lipschutz-Robinson (2010): What is Bee pollen: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/bee.htm (accessed 12 Feb 2012) 

E Walling: (5 Oct 2009): Superfood Profile. Discover the Health Benefits of Bee pollen: http://www.naturalnews.com/027165_pollen_bee_health.html: (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

K Weir: (12 July 2004): Bee pollen as a Superfood: http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/11/193201.shtml: (accessed 12 Feb 2012) 

Wolters Kluwer Health: (2009): Bee pollen: http://www.drugs.com/npp/bee-pollen.html (accessed 12 Feb 2012)

The Daily Telegraph has reported today that resveratrol is the key ingredient of red wine that confers heath benefits such as combatting the harmful effects of obesity and reducing the risk of disease in the elderly.

The full article can be read here. You can buy resveratrol on the HealthSpark site.

Statins reduce cholesterol

Statin drugs have been in widespread use for the last ten year, and are generally used to reduce cholesterol in the body.  However, research has also indicated that statins deplete the production of CoQ10.  Some reports have indicated that taking a statin can halve your natural production of CoQ10 within just two weeks.

Do statins make you feel tired?

CoQ10 is a vitamin-like substance that the body produces naturally – its chief function in the body is to produce energy in your cells.With statins being prescribed so widely in the UK each year,  there is a growing population deficient in CoQ10.

A new study from the American Heart Association has indicated that statins can lead to tire. It’s a cruel irony that if statins make patients more lethargic, it could impair their ability to exercise or make dietary changes that would help them address their high cholesterol.A side effect like reduced energy could lead some patients to stop taking their medication. And we\’re hearing about many patients cutting back on their meds now because of the economy.High cholesterol must be treated in one way or other. Not treating it could lead to heart disease and strokes.

If you’re feeling tired and lethargic, your body is telling you something.

CoQ10 – nature’s own energy booster

The body is able to produce its own CoQ10, but from a peak of around 20 years old, most people are not able to produce enough CoQ10 naturally. Many medical professionals therefore recommend taking CoQ10 as you grow older, and especially in conjunction with statins. In addition to a pure CoQ10 Supplement, HealthSpark has produced a Platinum Energy Booster.

This powerful, custom formulation gives you the optimum level of CoQ10, together with a powerful range of natural supplements that will give you a great boost to your energy levels:

Co-Enzyme Q10 300mg
L-Carnitine Base 300mg\r\nL-Tyrosine 300mg\r\nCapsule Shell: HPMC 285mg\r\nSiberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus)\r\nRoot Extract 25:1 240mg\r\nWhole herb root equivalent 6000mg\r\nProviding Eleutherosides E & B 2mg\r\nVitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 60mg *4286%\r\nNicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 60mg NE *375%\r\nCalcium D-Pantothenate\r\n(Vitamin B5) 60mg NE *375%\r\nCalcium D-Pantothenate\r\n(Vitamin B5) 60mg\r\nProviding elemental pantothenic acid 55mg *917%\r\nPyridoxine Hydrochloride\r\n(Vitamin B6) 60mg\r\nProviding elemental pyridoxine 49mg *3500%\r\nThiamine Hydrochloride\r\n(Vitamin B1) 50mg\r\nProviding elemental thiamine 39mg *3545%\r\nL-Glycine 30mg\r\nFerrous Fumarate BP Powder 7.5mg\r\nProviding elemental Iron 2.5mg *18%\r\nCopper Gluconate 5mg\r\nProviding elemental copper 0.7mg *70%\r\nFolic Acid 350ug *175%\r\nD-BiotinPure(VitaminB7) 200ug *400%\r\nCrystalline Cyanocobalamin\r\n(VitaminB12) 50ug *2000%