The public is increasingly turning to fish oil supplements as a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Do producers of fish oil supplements purify their products to reduce or remove contaminants like mercury and dioxins?

Environmental Defense, a team of professionals whose goal is to protect ecosystems and fisheries contacted 75 companies whose fish oil products are commonly found in supermarkets, pharmacies and health food stores, and asked them (1) whether they purify their fish oil to reduce or remove environmental contaminants.
Overall, more than 80% (61) of the 75 companies contacted verified that they have met the strictest U.S. standards for contaminants. Twenty-one companies' responses were incomplete, and seven companies did not respond (note that 14 companies provided complete information for some products while incomplete for others).
Consumers who take fish oil supplements should consider purchasing them from companies that verified they have met the strictest U.S. standards for contaminants.

How do I choose the calcium supplement that is right for me?

Many people consume all the calcium they need from their diet, but others rely on a combination of calcium-rich foods and calcium supplements or on supplements alone to meet their daily needs. There are many supplements from which to choose, allowing each person to find the one that is easiest for her/him to use. Calcium supplements are available as pills, capsules, chewable tablets, chewable candies, powders and tablets that dissolve in water. One suggestion is to first, determine your daily calcium intake from foods. If calcium intake is around 1200 mg a day, keep up the good work. If additional calcium is needed from a supplement, determine which supplement provides closest to the amount needed. Then decide the form of calcium that will be easiest for you to take. Remember, calcium alone does not protect your bones. Our nutritional staff can help you determine which form of calcium would best to serve your needs.

What is folic acid and why should I take it?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs to make healthy new cells. A greater consumption of folic acid may also reduce the danger of Alzheimer's disease, and also offer some protective effects against certain kinds of cancer as well as heart disease. Also,if a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, her baby is less likely to have a birth defect called NTD.

Are some fats better than others?

Yes. Monounsaturated fats are the healthiest for your body. Nuts -- like almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and peanuts -- and avocados contain this type of fat. Choose olive or canola oil for cooking. Polyunsaturated fat is the next healthiest fat. This is found in corn oil, safflower oil, and soybean oil. Use small amounts of foods that contain saturated fats like butter, and meat. A healthy diet includes less than 30% of calories from fat, with less than 10% of these from saturated fat.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
The therapy is based on the theory of treating “like with like”. Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted natural substances that if given in stronger doses to a healthy person, would produce the symptoms the remedy is prescribed for. In an assessment of you, our nutrition consultants will take into account the range of physical, emotional and lifestyle factors in order to recommend the right remedy.

Does Hoodia Gordonii really suppress appetite?

Yes! If you choose pure Kalahari Desert Hoodia Gordonii you will be amazed at how well it works in suppressing your appetite. Hoodia is an amazing weapon to cut hunger and cravings, though of course we all still need to eat! What you decide to eat for your meals and how much you exercise will determine how much weight you lose.

What are probiotics?

The digestive tract maintains a balance between healthy and potentially harmful micro-organisms. Healthy micro-organisms, also called microflora or probiotics, are residents of the digestive tract that have a protective role in our bodies.
When we grow older, use prescription drugs such as antibiotics and corticosteroids, eat meat, travel, and have digestive disorders, the proportion of healthy microflora in our bodies declines and is less able to protect us from disease.
In addition to its protective role, microflora helps to synthesize important vitamins, nutrients and enzymes, such as the lactase needed to digest lactose in milk and dairy products.
It also allows for the removal of heavy metals and other harmful ingested substances in our food, such as from the metal lining of drink boxes and canned foods.