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May 10, 2004
BAD NEWS: COENZYME Q-10 VEG CAPS PRICE HIKE / GOOD NEWS: HOLDING PRICES ON COQ-10 SOFTGELS!
We've held out for as long as possible. We thought we had bought enough inventory to ride out the CoQ-10 price roller coaster (prices more than tripled at some points since last fall on this already-expensive ingredient).
Alas, we must raise our prices on our veg cap version of our CoQ-10. We're sad to have to do this, and we look forward to the time when costs level off and we can drop our prices again.
The good news is that our softgel manufacturer is such a significant buyer that they've been able to hold prices on their CoQ-10 softgels. So far, so good on this front.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We get lots of smarty pants questions, which we answer one by one. Sometimes, a question recurs enough that it makes sense to include it in our “Frequently Asked Questions” or “FAQ” list. Here are some recent questions and answers.
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID – “R” vs “S” FORMS
Q: I’ve heard that the R-lipoic acid is more effective than the S-lipoic acid. What do you think?
A: First, the R-lipoic acid is a mirror image of the S-lipoic acid. Most Alpha Lipoic Acid formulations have the mixture of the R and S forms. While the R-lipoic acid is the naturally-occurring form and is absorbed better -- 40-50% more absorbable than the S-form), the R-form is very expensive AND it is fairly unstable, making it difficult to work with and potentially unreliable in supplements.
As it turns out, one of the best ways to stabilize the R-form is to include it with its mirror S-form in a mixture! Incidentally, the mixture is the form that has been used in research studies.
Dollar for dollar, you get more R-lipoic acid in the mixtures. Strange, but true!
More information on our Alpha Lipoic Acid.
EYE PROTECTION STRENGTH
Q: Why isn’t your Eye Protection formula stronger?
A: Our members have reported excellent results with our formula, which is based on scientific studies showing that 6-10mg of lutein per day is effective in supporting eye health. The trick is to take supplements like lutein consistently, over the long term (and, it helps to eat healthy portions of things like spinach, a great source of dietary lutein).
Don’t be fooled by big brands that list, for example, 15mg of lutein and a slew of other ingredients. Note that “theirs” is in two capsules (so there is only 7.5mg of lutein per capsule, less bilberry, no taurine, and some window dressings, like a piddly 3mg of lycopene).
We formulate our products with the philosophy of including “fewer ingredients in more significant amounts,” and always aiming for the maximum bang for the buck. You can pay more, but we have confidence in our product, which includes Flora-GLO lutein 6mg / zeaxanthin 256mcg, bilberry 300mg, and taurine 400mg (and no “window dressing” ingredients).
More information on our Eye Protection formula.
DIETARY TIPS
For eye health, you should consider enjoying some cooked spinach in your diet. Cooking (or pureeing) frees up carotenoids like lutein and beta carotene. Only kale and collard greens have more lutein (powerful for fighting macular degeneration) than spinach, with watercress coming in a close fourth place for lutein.
Spinach, as it turns out, is also an excellent source of powerful antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid and glutathione.
HEALTH IN THE NEWS
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Therapeutic potential of melatonin: a review of the science (Note: you have to register for this free Medscape review)
TERI COMMISERATES ON HOT FLASHES
Here’s a tale from Teri’s phone line:
“Yesterday I spoke with a lady almost in tears because of her hot flashes and menopause symptoms. Poor thing! I could relate. She wanted to know how effective the Progesterone Cream and Menopause Formula are together. So we talked about that for a while. Then I told her my secret. ‘Ice cream.’ She asked, ‘Really!?’”
“I told her, ‘Sure!’ I first tried it on a Saturday morning. I told her I just sat down with a cold tub of ice cream in my lap and ate until I was cool.”
“I told her it was so effective that I started gaining weight and had to switch to sherbet. She was so grateful to have a laugh with someone who understood.”
“I told her to be more creative and that if it really got bad, she should ‘Switch to Gin. At least you won’t care if you are still hot then.’”
“She was rolling and signed off as yet another satisfied customer.” Never dull on the phone line with Teri!
Meanwhile, stay tuned for our interviews with member, Diana Dwan Poole, a retired nurse and Vietnam vet, and Bill Henderson, author of www.getandstaywell.com!
We hope you are doing well and don’t forget to smile (or purr, as the case may be) today. ^..^
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser (The Enforcer) ^..^
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
931 Village Blvd, Suite 905-480
West Palm Beach FL 33409
Making Health Affordable Together