Multivitamin supplements are by far the most popular nutritional product on the market today as they are very beneficial at filling in nutritional gaps and deficiencies. According to a recent Gallup poll, half of all Americans take a multivitamin supplement and for good reason…the highly processed and refined foods of convenience consumed on a regular basis these days provide little to no nutritional value, so we have no choice but to supplement with a multivitamin in order to receive the recommended levels of essential vitamins and minerals, but, be aware, not all supplements are equal!

Many of the vitamins on the market contain harmful ingredients such as:

BHT – linked to bladder, gastric, and lung cancer as well as DNA damage
Boric Acid – used as insecticide and flame retardant – may cause DNA damage
Synthetic vitamin A – linked to birth defects
Stearic acid – contains pesticide residues
Hydrogenated Palm Oil – known to cause cardiovascular disease
Sodium benzoate – synthetic preservative

Also, extensive testing on leading multivitamin brands performed by ConsumerLab.com found defects in nearly 40% of the products tested. This testing also found:

One popular general multivitamin contained nearly 2.5 times its claimed amount of vitamin A in the retinol form. Too much retinol can be very harmful
A range of multivitamins contained more than the upper tolerable limits of niacin, vitamin A, and/or zinc
Tablets of leading men’s and women’s multivitamins failed to break apart within the required time frame outlined in the testing which means they may not release all ingredients for absorption

Take a look at the labels of a popular women's general multivitamin and a VERY popular children’s vitamin:

Because of these alarming inconsistencies and potentially harmful effects of taking a product that is supposed to optimize your health, we have been very selective in the supplements we consume.

Our preferred multivitamin is the Isotonix multivitamin without iron. We prefer the iron-free version because iron can be toxic at high levels of consumption and we receive the recommended daily amount of iron through our regular diet.

So, why do we love and trust the Isotonix Multivitamin?

First of all, we know the product is highly tested and the production process meets GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) standards. This means that Isotonix products are periodically inspected and approved by either the FDA or the USDA. The manufacturing environment must be sterilized between production runs which drastically reduces the potential for impurities, heavy metals, and contamination. Moreover, product batches are subject to thorough inspection and analysis to ensure consistency and purity. Finally, the manufacturer also requires a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each raw material and every batch of Isotonix products are reviewed and approved by highly-trained production personnel.

Secondly, the isotonic state of the Isotonix multivitamins matches the fluid pressure of your bodily fluids to ensure optimal absorption (recall the study by ConsumerLabs.com that found many products failed to breakdown in the digestive tract in the required timeframe). Non-isotonic supplements (pills and capsules) can take anywhere from forty minutes to four hours to digest which causes several important micronutrients to get trapped by fats, fibers, and tannins or become inactivated by the highly acidic pH level of your stomach.

Also, nobody likes taking pills and capsules...all you have to do with the Isotonix products is pour a cap full and mix it with two ounces of water and you have a great tasting alternative to choking down those pills every morning!

When adding a multivitamin, it is important to realize that a multivitamin should be delivered in a way where little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients important. It is this reason why Isotonix Multivitamin sets itself apart from the competition. In addition to providing 100% or more of the daily recommended value of many vitamins and minerals, Isotonix multivitamin includes the rapid absorption made possible by the Isotonix delivery system, eliminating the need to swallow a pill. Also, by removing the harmful binders and fillers listed above, the Isotonix multivitamin is a great tasting alternative to your everyday multivitamin.

Isotonix supplements have been carefully formulated to clear your stomach at an optimal rate to maximize absorption which means you’re actually getting what you paid for!

Oh, and speaking of getting what you pay for, the Isotonix multivitamin is very affordable…only $0.60 per day for the 90 day supply (which is 22% cheaper than the 30-day supply)!

Why is taking a vitamin supplement important?

Multivitamins can help in the process of converting food to energy and in the growth and repair of body tissue. Reduction of vitamin levels over extended periods can result in vitamin deficiency. These shortages may lead to symptoms which can include loss of appetite, loss of body weight, increased irritability and sleeplessness or constant drowsiness. Deficiencies of this nature can be easily avoided by adequate vitamin intake through the consumption of a high-quality multivitamin supplement.

Who should take Isotonix Multivitamin?

Almost everyone over the age of 18 would find it beneficial to enhance their diet with Isotonix Multivitamin. Even when eating a balanced diet, it is difficult to consume the optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals each day. Numerous studies have been conducted on the importance of vitamins and minerals. One should supplement with a multivitamin to assure that their daily nutrient intake is balanced and powerful enough to ward against any deficiencies, allowing for the best health possible.

Products/Kits:

Single Multivitamin (with or without iron) available in a 30 serving supply or a 90 serving supply.
Optimal Wellness Kit includes a 30 serving supply of multivitamin, activated B complex, and omega III fish oil.
Daily Essentials Kit (bottles - with or without iron) includes a 90 serving supply of multivitamin, activated B complex, OPC-3 and calcium plus.
Daily Essentials Kit (packets - with or without iron) includes a 30 serving supply of multivitamin, activated B complex, OPC-3 and calcium plus.

If you purchase using the links provided it will ask "were you referred by a friend?", please enter whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com. Using the links provided you can use discount code 10OFFMA for 10% off. If you have any questions please contact us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

** As always, check with your doctor or healthcare professional prior to taking on a supplement regimen or testing products to treat medical conditions. We are not health care professionals - this is for informational purposes only and does not override professional medical advice.

Our website may contain affiliate links. Clicking or purchasing something through these links does not cost you any extra. We may receive a small commission which helps us keep the recipes, workouts, and educational information you love coming!

Clean Eat Education: "Which Protein Powder Should I Choose?"

March 9, 2015SupplementsWhitney Carlson5 Comments

While we prefer to get our protein from whole foods, we do supplement with protein shakes because - let's be honest - sometimes we just don't feel like cooking or we just don't feel like eating what we have cooked! It's a great goal to get all of your nutrients from whole foods, but from our experience coaching, most people aim to do that but then fall short and find themselves in a bind because they are starving and aren't prepared with whole foods or a protein supplement! This leads to NOT eating enough! The simple solution is to find a protein shake that you enjoy and can count on when you need that quick meal.

One of the most popular questions we get is "Which protein powder should I choose?". While we can't tell you which one will work the best for you, we can share with you which one we use and explain why. You may have read our review on protein powder before (it's one of our most popular posts) but since that has been published we have actually started exclusively using a new protein powder. We use the TLS Whey Protein Powder for our source of whey protein along with our favorite vegan options. We have also included the TLS Nutrition Shake in this review. Both have great flavor (even when just mixed with water...but we like to jazz them up!) and do not have that normal chalky protein powder taste!

Interested in ordering? Use the link below and when it asks who referred you enter whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com. If you would like a FREE Shake & Bake Recipe eBook, which is filled with delicious recipes using these protein powders, email us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com before you order!

TLS Whey Protein Powder

Why do we love TLS Whey Protein Powder? Just to name a few: it is rBGH free, made with stevia, and is free of artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives (There's only 7 ingredients!). It also comes in very convenient packets that are easy to throw in our bags and take on-the-go! We use this anytime we need a quick meal during the day and we always travel with them. It is optimal post-workout because it provides 21 g of protein and BCAAs that your body needs for recovery.

In order to make this a complete meal, you will need to add a carb/fiber source. such as fruit (we usually just throw in some frozen organic berries). Try one of our delicious protein shake recipes.

This protein powder also bakes very well - we use it in all of our protein powder recipes now because of the cake-like taste it provides!

PACKAGING: 12 packets (servings) per box - available in chocolate and vanilla

PRICE: Breaks down to less than $2.90 per serving! Plus, you can email us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com for more information on the FREE Shake and Bake recipe eBook, cashback, coupons, and sales!

WHERE TO BUY: SHOP.COM

You can read more here: TLS Whey Protein Shakes Product Brochure

TLS Nutrition Shakes

While this isn't our first choice, and isn't as "clean" as the TLS whey protein, it is definitely better than the drive-thru at McDonalds! If you are allergic to stevia or prefer a full meal replacement shake all in one, you will like the TLS Nutrition Shake. All you need to do is add liquid (water or unsweetened almond milk are our favorites) and you have a tasty meal!

This protein powder comes in canisters instead of packets so it's easy to just scoop it into your blender or blender bottle and go! This protein provides 18 g of protein and 10 g of fiber without any added sugars.

PACKAGING: 14 servings per canister - available in chocolate and vanilla

PRICE: Breaks down to less than $2.50 per serving! Plus, you can email us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com for more information on the FREE Shake and Bake recipe eBook, cashback, coupons, and sales!

WHERE TO BUY: SHOP.COM

You can read more here: TLS Nutrition Shake Product Brochure

* According to the FDA, no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBGH-treated cows and non-rBGH-treated cows.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Alternative Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

April 27, 2014SupplementsScott Carlson2 Comments

Ah, spring...finally, the cold, dreary, and short days of winter are behind us and now we can start heading outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and blooming flowers, but your allergies are holding you back. You may only spend a few minutes outdoors each day during the spring to avoid the allergens, but you still suffer from the usual symptoms of sinusitis and rhinitis.

Your body is confused - it thinks the pollen that makes our grasses and plants so beautiful is a fungus and tries to ward off the foreign invaders by releasing histamine. This histamine response increases inflammation and here comes the headaches, itchy eyes, runny/stuffy nose, etc.

You buy over-the-counter or, if severe enough, prescription medications, but your symptoms improve only slightly and now you're experiencing some of the side effects commonly caused by these drugs (drowsiness, headaches, etc.). All of these medications only treat your symptoms; they don't treat the actual cause of your conditions and, oftentimes, your conditions may worsen because your body adapts to the medication and increases its immune response (see study using nasal spray with worsening of conditions here).

There has been a large amount of research done lately to find natural alternative treatments for allergies due to the lack of improvement or worsen of conditions in several patients. This article, published in the Alternative Medicine Review by Steve Helms, ND and Alan Miller, ND, provides an overview on the pros/cons of conventional treatments as well alternative treatments such as nutrients, botanicals, and therapeutic methods.

Whitney and I have never had to buy OTC or prescription medications for our allergies and I firmly believe it's due to the supplements we use to serve as anti-inflammatories and proactively treat the causes of allergic conditions. Below we share a few of the products we use. If you have any questions about anything listed here you can email us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com.

Please note that if you are interested in ordering any of these products, you can contact us at whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com for more details. By contacting us directly, we can offer you special DISCOUNTS and PROMOTIONS that are available to our readers. We can also answer any questions that you may have regarding these products and other supplements. If you purchase using the links provided it will ask "were you referred by a friend", please enter whitneycarlsonfitness@gmail.com.

Isotonix Bromelain Plus:

Bromelain is a derivative of pineapple fruit and has been extremely effective at thinning mucus and reducing inflammation in individuals with rhinitis and sinusitis. One study reported 85% of patients with complete resolution of nasal inflammation using just bromelain (source listed below - see #1). Bromelain has also been shown to thin nasal secretions to assist with the buildup of mucus which is the most frustrating symptom of sinusitis.

Isotonix Bromelain Plus also includes white willow bark and protease which will help improve immune function which is why I believe this is one of the best products on the market to help you fight your allergies and much better than OTC antihistamines that blunt immune function.

Isotonix Vitamin C:

When your body's vitamin C levels drop, histamine levels will increase dramatically. This increase in histamine levels are what causes headaches, runny nose, and sneezing during allergy season. Vitamin C can quickly combat increased histamine levels because it prevents the production of histamine by white blood cells. So, when spring rolls around, start taking about 1,500-2,000 mg of vitamin C per day. In this study, 74% of patients using a vitamin C treatment saw symptoms decrease.

Because this product is isotonic rather than pill form, it is absorbed quickly (no binders or fillers) putting it good use right away. Quit suffering from those irritating headaches and start taking some extra vitamin C!

NOW Foods Butterbur:

A British study comparing the effectiveness of Zyrtec to butterbur found almost no significant difference between the two products in clinical trial groups over a two week period. Almost all patients in both groups saw improvement in their conditions, but the butterbur group did not report the adverse side effects (drowsiness and fatigue) the Zyrtec group reported.

Isotonix Daily Essentials Kit:

This kit includes four products (Multivitamin, Activated B-Complex, Calcium Plus, and OPC-3) to help keep your immune system optimized while providing all the essential nutrients your body needs on a daily basis (as revealed by its namesake). Seasonal allergies can be proactively controlled by having your immune system in check and by using a great antioxidant formula like OPC-3 (see my post on OPC-3 here - it is by far the most effective supplement I've ever used!).

SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System:

Nasal irrigation is a very effective way to clear the sinuses and get immediate relief for your symptoms. If your symptoms are pretty severe, you may want to consider using this system (check out the reviews - nearly 5 stars across 450+ reviews!). The Alternative Medicine Review article suggests using irrigation 1-3 times daily for up to 6 weeks.

This system is fairly expensive ($80), so you may want to consider purchasing the Nasopure Nasal Wash System for $15.

Other Natural Options:

As you know, we like to take a holistic approach when it comes to health and nutrition, so you may want to consider doing the following to completely take control of your allergies:

Purchase an air purifier and keep your HVAC air filters in your home changed every 30 days if you have severe allergies and pets and at least every 60 days if you don't have any pets and don't suffer from severe allergies.
Try to avoid pet dander as much as possible. We all love our furry friends, but try to keep their dander under control - consider having certain areas of your home "off-limits" to pets so you have places in your home with cleaner air. You may want to have your carpets cleaned more regularly - definitely after the temperatures start rising and your pets start shedding.
Eat clean(er) - avoid dairy, corn, and gluten - studies show these items exacerbate the conditions caused by seasonal allergies. Eating clean will ensure that your body's immune function is working properly.
If you have severe allergies, cut back on high histamine foods - red wine (all fermented beverages), ketchup, red meats, cheeses, and citrus fruits are among the highest histamine foods.
Consume more local and raw honey - it's not yet proven, but it could work!

Do you suffer from allergies? Have you tried any alternative treatments? If so, we'd love to hear about them...post in the comment section to add to this discussion.

-Scott

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Sources:

1 - Taub SJ. The use of bromelains in sinusitis: a double-blind clinical evaluation. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1967;46:361-362 (cited above)
2 - http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/11/3/196.pdf (linked above)
3 - Murray MT. A comprehensive review of vitamin C. Am J Nat Med 1996;3:8-21 (linked above)
4 - PubMed searches (linked above)