Swanson Health Products Blog

Daily Health Tips update for January 29:

It’s easy to take our bones for granted. But they’re a resource and they need to be nurtured throughout our lives in order to be strong and healthy when we’re older. Read on to find out surprising facts about bones:

1. They’re Alive! Bone cells (osteoblasts) are constantly turning out new bone while other cells (osteoclasts) destroy it. This why bone tissue is able to regenerate after a break.
2. Nourish with Movement. Playing sports, lifting weights, running...

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Cloth diapers have always been something I was adamant about trying when I have children. Our little lady just turned 3 months old this week and I've decided to give them a try. We were lucky enough to be able borrow 8 diapers (with plenty of inserts, disposable and cloth) from a friend before we make the investment and dive into cloth diapering full time.

Also, our daycare provider has spoken very highly about her using them for her children and then her children using them for their children...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 28:

The new craze sweeping across jogging paths isn’t a new type of clothing, running-friendly iPod or even a tech-savvy shoe. In fact, it’s the absence of footwear. Despite the potential hazards of being shoe-less (not to mention the strange looks), many runners are going barefoot. The surge in “natural” or barefoot running has its roots in the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Proponents of barefoot running say leaving the shoes off causes runners...Read More »

I admit it--I have an incorrigible sweet tooth.  My favorite sweet treat is honey; I love it on toast, in Greek yogurt or in green tea. I like it so much I have it strategically placed in my kitchen and at my desk at work. Recently, I've made the switch to a different type of honey--raw honey. We often hear about people following a raw food diet and eating other types of raw foods, such as nuts, milk and meat. So what's the difference between raw & regular honey? Check out the 3 differences...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 27:

Recent research from Italy confirms the hormone DHEA eases menopause symptoms. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland. In the study, women took DHEA for one year and had their menopause symptoms monitored. At the end of the study, researchers found that women taking DHEA showed improvements in menopausal symptoms. The study also showed that women who took the hormone had an increase in sexual interest and activity. This...Read More »

There are so many fish oil supplements on the market that it can be very difficult to choose just one. To help you wade through your choices, let’s take a look at some common differences.

Many of the fish oils on the market are basically generic combinations of any variety of fish that typically have 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA (the two main Essential Fatty Acids found in fish oil) per gram (typically 1 softgel). The problem with those is that most of them don’t tell you what type of fish is...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 26:

Basil is a popular cooking herb, especially in Italian and Asian dishes. A member of the mint family, basil has a distinct anise-like flavor. But besides just adding taste to your cooking dishes, basil has several health benefits as well.

This little herb may help lower cholesterol and enhance the immune system. Several compounds in sweet basil could also promote liver health. An Egyptian study showed that six compounds extracted from basil helped protect...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 25:

It’s hard to eat healthy or come up with healthy snacks on the fly. To make it easier, keep a few healthy ingredients on hand. Keep these foods in stock so you’ll always be ready to provide a guilt-free meal or snack.

• Whole wheat tortillas with their complex carbs can be turned into a snack by toasting with low-fat shredded cheese or drizzling with agave syrup and cinnamon.
• Bananas are natural sources of potassium and fiber and are great on their own, over...

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Looking for a seed or nut oil that can withstand high temperatures? Try Macadamia nut oil.

Macadamia nut oil features oleic acid and contains 80% monounsaturated fats, no trans fat, and about 3% polyunsaturated fat. Due to its buttery, nutty flavor, it often is used to replace olive oil in baking or in salad dressings. The high smoke point of 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit makes it the perfect oil for high heat cooking---its fatty acid composition stays intact when frying and baking at...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 24:

Not getting enough sleep can make us irritable, fatigued and impaired and as well as cause weight gain. Insufficient sleep can disrupt the hormones that control hunger and appetite. It’s well-publicized that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night (more for children). Various studies say that if you sleep fewer than six hours a night, you can gain up to 11 pounds over a period of six years. That may not seem like much, but it will add up.

Cont...Read More »

The middle of January is about the time where I really start to get cabin fever. Though we're far from Spring (especially in Fargo), every year around this time I get the itch to do some spring cleaning: organize closets, tidy up the garage, and deep clean the house.  Working at Swanson Health Products, I've fallen in love with various natural cleaning products that I now like to use on a regular basis.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Countertop Spray in Lemon Verbena scent is a natural cleaner, free...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 23:

More and more research shows promise that certain foods may help keep your joints flexible and keep you moving. While additional study is needed, the foods examined are healthy—adding them to your diet may boost overall health. Here are five foods to add to your cart that may nourish joints:

1. Strawberries. These berries are natural sources of vitamin C, which may soothe joints and keep them flexible while promoting healthy cartilage.
2. Olive Oil. Already...

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Daily Health Tips update for January 22:

Wouldn’t it be great if you could eat and still lose weight? Well, you can—when you eat the right foods. Certain foods can boost metabolism, curb your appetite and help you lose more weight than others. The Active Calorie Diet was developed based on this research. The diet is based on types of foods that take more work to eat, so you burn more calories during digestion.  

• Chewy Foods
  Because they take longer to chew and longer to leave your stomach, your...

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Just in time for Super Bowl, we have two great-tasting dip recipes for you to serve at your football party. But unlike other Super Bowl fare (pizza, hot wings, etc.) these dips are actually healthy—low in calories and sodium and high in fiber.

First is our recipe for Healthy Hummus, which features Eden Foods Garbanzo Beans. Otherwise known as chickpeas, garbanzo beans are a staple of the Middle Eastern diet. Added to the garbanzo beans is Once Again Nut Butter’s Organic Tahini, which is made...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 21:

Potatoes have had the misfortune of being labeled unhealthy. Spuds are often criticized—and rightly so—for being fattening and salty (French fries), high in calories (topped with sour cream and butter) and just plain not-good-for-you (potato chips). But new research shows that eating potatoes can be good for you and have a positive effect on blood pressure.

In the study, subjects who were either overweight or obese and had high blood pressure ate six to...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 20:

New studies released show promising help for women who suffer from the symptoms of menopause. Check out these three ways women can ease menopause symptoms naturally:

1. Red Clover. A supplement that delivered 80 milligrams of red clover isoflavones was shown to substantially reduce hot flashes, night sweats and overall menopausal symptom intensity in postmenopausal women.
2. Valerian. 30% of postmenopausal women who took two capsules of 530 mg each for a month...

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It’s a new year, and many consumers are dieting with new resolve. Of 25 diets evaluated by U.S. News & World Report, the DASH Diet received top honors as the best overall diet.

According to the report: “DASH was developed to fight high blood pressure, not as an all-purpose diet. But it certainly looked like an all-star to our panel of experts, who gave it high marks for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. Though...

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Daily Health Tips update for January 19:

It’s never too late to commit to be fit! New research from Norway proves that a middle-aged person can be as fit as someone 30 years younger. Activity is more important than age in determining fitness levels. Researchers say that increasing the intensity of workouts can lower the risk of metabolic syndrome—a set of factors that can predispose people to Type 2 diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular problems. It is just as important for middle-aged people as it...Read More »

As the popularity of one of our newest formulas here at Swanson Health Products continues to rise, I thought it would be nice offer some supplemental information to go with it... a supplement to your supplement, if you will.

I’m talking about DAOSin, our new formula that provides defense against natural dietary histamine. There are certain foods that contain high amounts of histamine, foods that some of us have discovered don’t quite agree with us. DAOSin was developed for just this reason.

In a...Read More »

Daily Health Tips update for January 18:

Are you eating enough fish? Probably not. In fact, Americans eat less than half the amount of fish recommended by the USDA’s dietary guidelines. Recently, two major international humanitarian organizations called for increased knowledge of the benefits of eating fish. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization along with the World Health Organization are asking governments to make citizens aware of the benefits of eating seafood for heart...Read More »