Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts about smart supplementation (7):

The Health Benefits of Aloe

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
The Health Benefits of Aloe
herbs & botanicals skin health smart supplementation digestive health

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis, A. spp.)

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Background:

Aloe Vera is a succulent member of the lily family, originating in Africa, where most of the genus Aloe is indigenous. The name Aloe is from the Arabic alloeh, or Hebrew halal, meaning a shining bitter substance. The inner leaf contains a slimy gel used in medicines and cosmetics. The outer leaf tissue contains the yellow bitter juice which is known as aloe drug or “bitter aloe,” and is used primarily as a laxative. Today, Aloe is commercially grown in the Southwest and Mexico.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health PaleoCleanse Plus

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the week: Designs for Health PaleoCleanse Plus
detoxification smart supplementation digestive health

Quick Overview

PaleoCleanse Plus™ is a comprehensive, science-based nutritional program designed to support safe and effective detoxification. This is accomplished by providing the nutrients needed to support and balance phase I and II metabolic pathways and to promote healthy liver function and elimination.* Everything is consolidated into packets to make the program easy to follow and to ensure that individuals on the program do not miss any necessary nutrients.

Detoxification Dietary Supplements to Support & Promote the Process

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Detoxification Dietary Supplements to Support & Promote the Process
detoxification smart supplementation digestive health

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician. 

In her 1962 groundbreaking book Silent Spring , Rachel Carson wrote: “For the first time in the history of the world every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” Of course humans have always been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals from plants and other sources, but Rachel Carson’s point is well taken. Modern living exposes all of us to an unprecedented number of chemicals on a daily basis. This includes environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial compounds and chemical byproducts, medications, cosmetic additives, inorganic chemicals, etc. These chemical substances which are foreign to the biological system are referred to as “xenobiotics.”

Arthritis: Nighttime Support

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Arthritis: Nighttime Support
smart supplementation musculoskeletal health

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Arthritis is characterized by an inflammation and/or pain in a joint or joints of the body. Symptoms of chronic arthritis are pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity of one or more joints. These symptoms can be particularly bothersome at night when sufferers are trying to sleep. The use of certain natural substances may help to promote sleep and pain relief, as well as joint healing during sleep.

Before describing these natural substances, however, let’s first take a look at the two most common forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the week: Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy
anti-aging immune health degenerative disease smart supplementation

Quick Overview

Acetylated form of glutathione for optimum absorption and bioavailability

S-Acetyl Glutathione (S-A-GSH) is a unique form of glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants naturally produced in the body. It has an acetyl group (COCH3) attached to the sulfur atom of cysteine in the glutathione molecule. S-A-GSH is well-suited for oral ingestion, because this acetyl group protects glutathione from breaking down in the gastrointestinal tract; once absorbed and inside the cells it is removed, thus leaving the glutathione molecule intact.

This product also includes N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and vitamin B6, both of which are important for the production of glutathione.

Allergies: Natural Relief

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Allergies: Natural Relief
immune health herbs & botanicals smart supplementation

 By Gene Bruno, MS, MH

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Although generally not life-threatening, allergies can ruin a perfectly good day and make you miserable. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance called an antigen which is foreign to the body, but otherwise harmless1 (e.g., pollen from grasses and flowers, etc.). In an allergic individual, the harmless antigen becomes an allergen; a substance that initiates an allergic reaction. The term allergy is of Greek origin and means “abnormal response.”

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DIM-Avail

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DIM-Avail
weight management female health endocrine health smart supplementation

Quick Overview

Due to its crystalline structure, absorption of DIM is minimal when given orally (similar to CoQ10). DIM absorption can be greatly enhanced by emulsifying it with lecithin in rice bran oil, including with it compounds that hold it in solution such as beeswax, and finally adding fat-soluble nutrients that aid absorption through the gut wall. DIM-Avail™, which gets its name from its high bioavalability, is a unique combination of such ingredients. 

Research tells us that a low level of the 2-hydroxyestrone and a high level of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone are not desired. DIM works by helping to increase 2-hydroxyestrone and therefore improves the 2/16 hydroxyestrone ratio.*

20-Hydroxyecdysone: The Pro-Anabolic, Plant Steroid

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
20-Hydroxyecdysone: The Pro-Anabolic, Plant Steroid
sports nutrition smart supplementation

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

With the rise of democracy and the crumbling of political boundaries in the previous USSR, many long-time Russian secrets were slowly revealed to the western world. One of these secrets used to give Soviet athletes a decided advantage—one that we can now share. It’s a plant called Rhaponticum carthamoides, and it contains a remarkable substance called 20-Hydroxyecdysone which helps promote increases in muscle mass and athletic performance.

Acne: Supplements to Help

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Acne: Supplements to Help
anti-aging skin health smart supplementation

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Acne—the scourge of teenagers everywhere and an embarrassment to those adults who still suffer from this inflammatory skin condition. Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous glands of the skin. The sebaceous glands secrete sebum (skin oil) through pores and hair follicles, which are abundant on the face. Acne occurs when the pores become clogged with sebum. Blackheads, external plugs formed of sebum and dead cells, may be invaded by bacteria, which cause pus-filled inflammations, or pimples (aka, “zits”). The overlying skin may become stretched to the point of rupture, resulting in lesions and, in prolonged severe cases, eventual scarring. Adolescents are most prone to acquiring a case of the dreaded zits due to the increased production of androgens (male hormones) that occur during puberty, which causes increased activity in the sebaceous gland. In addition, certain foods (e.g., dairy products, junk food, etc.) may increase irritation in susceptible persons.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health 5-HTP Synergy

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the week: Designs for Health 5-HTP Synergy
brain health smart supplementation

Quick Overview

5-HTP Synergy™ is a synergistic formula of 5-hydroxytryptophan (50 mg) and vitamin B6 (10 mg) for supporting overall neurotransmitter metabolism by providing precursors of serotonin. 5-HTP readily enters the blood brain barrier, however conversion into serotonin requires the cofactor vitamin B6, which is included in this formula. 5-HTP Synergy™ may be used during the day to support healthy mood or appetite or at bedtime to support sleep.