National Convention heralded the unveiling of our new, improved Liquid Chlorophyll ES. 

Go here to purchase Liquid Clorophyll ES.

Modifying a top-selling product is only done with the utmost caution. It's designed to first promote the blood-cleansing functions of the body with a more potent level of chlorophyll -- the green pigment in plants responsible for harnessing the sun's energy in photosynthesis. The new chlorophyll is also paraben free, which many of our managers had asked for.

Chlorophyll supports your body on the molecular and cellular level, promoting circulatory, intestinal, digestive and immune health and protects and strengthens healthy cells. This minty-fresh formula also helps neutralize body odors and acts as a natural, "internal" deodorant.

Benefits:

Helps promote the natural blood-cleansing functions of the body.* Promotes circulatory, intestinal, digestive and immune health* Protects and strengthens healthy cells* Encourages balanced pH levels in the body* Deodorizes the body, including the bowel* Paraben Free*

How It Works:

Protect and Strengthen Healthy Cells. Go extra green. this extra-strength, paraben-free formula features a more potent level of chlorophyll—the green pigment in plants responsible for harnessing the sun’s energy in photosynthesis. Known to support your body on both a molecular and cellular level, chlorophyll promotes circulatory, intestinal, digestive and immune health. Featuring a proprietary chlorophyll complex, this minty fresh formula also helps neutralize body odors and acts as a natural, “internal” deodorant. Boost your energy and overall well-being today with Liquid Chlorophyll ES.*

Ingredients:

Proprietary chlorophyll complex—the most critical molecule in the plant world, chlorophyll is found in all green plants and vegetables. It’s particularly concentrated in spinach and wheatgrass.

The sodium copper chlorophyll form contained in Nature’s Sunshine Liquid Chlorophyll ES is soluble in water. With the exception of a magnesium atom, chlorophyll’s structure is identical to hemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen in the blood, so it is thought to assist with natural blood-cleansing and to support healthy circulation. It also may support digestive health, toxin elimination and regularity. Like curcumin, chlorophyll acts as a particularly potent natural antioxidant that may help keep cells healthy by protecting them from oxidative damage.

Our proprietary complex also includes refreshing spearmint oil, a natural odor fighter. *

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

For thousands of years, people have been using various types of mushrooms for a range of health benefits. Mushrooms abosorb vitamins, minerals and any nutrient from plants, soil, and wherever they grow. On trees, they often soak up nutrients that have been building for decades, creating powerhouse supplements. Check out our most recent graphic showing some of the benefits of one of nature's true superfoods. Click the image to make it bigger.

You can find mushrooms in the following Nature's Sunshine Supplements: Immune Stimulator, Collustrum with Immune Factors and Cordyceps.

Click to Make Image Larger

The Fungi Your Immune System Has Been Waiting For

• Did you know humans have more in common with fungi than any other kingdom?  We share the same pathogens, meaning bacteria and viruses. 
• Chinese medicine has used mushrooms for over 1,000 years.
• 50 years of research has yielded very positive results, particularly for immune health. 

Why Your Immune System Loves Mushrooms

• Polysaccharides, enzymes, proteins and antioxidants! 
• Several prominent polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, actually stimulate, or turn on, your body’s natural defense mechanisms. 

Where do mushrooms get these beneficial compounds? 

• From the mushroom’s host -- usually a tree or other plant that has absorbed and stored healthful nutrients for decades. 
• Mushrooms embrace and soak up these special nutrients, transforming into a little medicinal powerhouses.

Health benefits of Mushrooms:

• Increased longevity
• Improved blood flow
• Cholesterol and blood sugar normalization
• Liver protection
• Kidney support
• Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties
• Respiratory support
• Decreased platelet aggregation
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Nerve regeneration
• Improved skin and hair
• Increased stamina 

Mushrooms are Packed with These Vitamins and Minerals

• Niacin
• Riboflavin
• Folate
• Phosphorus
• Iron 
• Panthothenic Acid
• Zinc
• Potassium
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B6
• Selenium
• Thiamin

It’s best to blend several mushroom species. A good trio includes: 

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi has been called the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and has been used in Asia for thousands of years.  It has ganoderic acid, which is being used to support cellular abnormalities.

Other Benefits: 

• Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Regulation of the immune system
• Normalization of blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels

Shiitake Mushroom

A key component of Shiitake is Lentinan, which has been found to protect the liver and provide relief for a variety of stomach ailments. Lentinan has also been linked to combating illnesses that attack the immune system. 

Other Benefits:

• May offer anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal effects
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels,
• Reduces platelet aggregation
• Supports lower cholesterol levels

Cordyceps Mushroom

Called “Caterpillar Fungus,” Cordyceps is unique in that it grows out of an insect host rather than a plant host. This parasitic mushroom has a long and storied history in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Cordyceps is perhaps best known as the supplement that members of the Chinese women’s track and field team used in training before they broke several records in 1993 and 1994. Team members tested negative for using illegal substances, and their coach revealed that the athletes’ diets were supplemented with a Chinese “caterpillar fungus.”

A natural Chinese supplement, cordyceps benefits several body systems, including the circulatory, immune, respiratory and glandular systems. Cordyceps has properties similar to those of ginseng and is traditionally used to help the body build strength and endurance. In traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps has been used to benefit the glandular system in both women and men. In addition, cordyceps supports the kidneys, aids the upper respiratory tract and may help the body maintain proper blood viscosity.

Other Benefits: 

• Increases ATP production, improving strength and endurance
• Offers anti-aging effects
• Protects the liver and kidneys,
• Increases blood flow & normalizes cholesterol levels

Warning!

Mushrooms are extremely hearty organisms that thrive in good, and bad, environments. In ideal conditions, they absorb and concentrate healthful compounds. In poor conditions, they absorb and concentrate unhealthy, harmful, and even deadly substances. Be sure your mushrooms come from a reputable, safely grown source. 

Sources: MedicalMushrooms.net, healing-mushrooms.net and Mercola.com.

For the immune system, things like Vitamin C, Echinacea, Zinc, Elderberry, Vitamin D, etc. is common knowledge. But there is much more that can also help the immune system work efficiently.

Here are 4 other ways to support the immune system. They include supplements that help the lymphatic system, thyroid, spleen, and something else that helps stimulate the immune system into action by producing macrophage, T-cells, B-cells, natural killer cells and cytokines. 

Lymphomax

Lymphomax is a blend of reported blood-purifying, cleansing and supporting herbs for the respiratory and lymphatic systems. Mullein helps promote natural respiratory function. Lobelia contains lobeline, an ingredient that helps stimulate the respiratory system, which supports breathing function. Plantain may help protect the liver against cellular damage due to its antioxidant effects, and it helps maintain the lymphatic system. Cleavers (also known as clivers) has reported diuretic, astringent and tonic effects. This herb is used historically to cleanse the lymphatic and other glandular systems. Red root is traditionally used for supporting the lymph system. It contains components that help make the body environment more acceptable to microorganic balance.

Ingredients:

Mullein leaves, bayberry root bark, clivers aerial parts, plantain leaves, alfalfa aerial parts, chamomile flowers, echinacea root, yarrow aerial parts, garlic bulb, red root, lobelia aerial parts and chlorophyll.

Thyroid Support

Thyroid Support is a blend of nutritional and herbal supplements specially designed to nourish the thyroid gland and to support the actions of the thyroid hormones. The thyroid hormones regulate many body functions, including oxygen use, basal metabolic rate, cellular metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.

Ingredients:

Vitamin B6, zinc, copper, manganese, l-tyrosine, kelp leaves and stems, thyroid substance, nettle leaves, protease blend, pituitary substance and hypothalamus substance.

Immune Stimulator

Immune Stimulator provides powerful support for the immune system. Beta-glucans stimulate the immune system into action. By tricking the body into thinking it's being attacked, they increase the production of macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, natural killer cells and cytokines, all of which strengthens the body’s natural defense system.

Arabinogalactan stimulates natural killer cell and macrophage activity. It also helps increase Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus flora, two beneficial types of bacteria. Rich in protein and immune-enhancing transfer factors, colostrum supports the immune system of the newborn. It also helps protect beneficial microorganisms in the intestinal tract to bolster defenses. Reishi and maitake mushroom are thought to boost immune activity, increase the activation of natural killer cells and activate macrophages. Cordyceps increases T-cell and B-cell activity, important to immune response.

Ingredients:

Beta-glucans, arabinogalactan, colostrum, cordyceps mycelia, reishi mushroom mycelia and maitake whole mushroom.

Spleen Activator

When you want to restore strength to the body, the best place to start is with the digestive and circulatory systems. Proper nutrient absorption and an efficient transport system allow the whole body to be more easily strengthened. Spleen Activator is based on the remarkable effects of both ginseng root and licorice root. Both are considered key glandular nutrients. Ginseng is world renowned as an anti-aging supplement, and licorice aids both digestion and adrenal function. These two plants are favored more than any other in the entire Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Fifteen other herbs support these functions and add their own benefits to magnify or balance all others in the formula.

Ingredients:

Concentrated extract of ginseng root, astragalus root, atractylodes rhizome, hoelen sclerotium, dioscorea rhizome, lotus seed, chaenomeles fruit, citrus peel, galangal rhizome, ginger rhizome, hyacinth bean, licorice root, magnolia bark, tang-kuei root, typhonium rhizome, cardamon fruit and zanthoxylum hull of seed.

There are a lot of nutritional supplements out there. For some, it can be daunting to know what to take, and what parts of the body they benefit.

This graphic shows some basic nutrients that support the skin, brain, eyes, lungs, intestines, bones, colon, joints, muscles and heart. If you want to dig further into a specific area, and go beyond these basic nutrients, try out our Health Assesment quiz to see what could help you for your specific needs.  

Click to see larger image:

Want this graphic on your site? Just paste this embed code into your blog:

<a href="http://naturessunshine.com/blog/post/healthy-body-infographic.aspx"><img src="http://www.naturessunshine.com/content/us/misc/blog/healthy-body1.jpg" width="100%" /></a>

Supplements for the Heart:

• Omega 3 EFAs
• Soluble Fiber
• B-Complex Vitamins
• Reservatrol
• Calcium and Magnesium
• Vitamins A, C, and E

About Silver Shield from Nature's Sunshine

Silver Shield delivers an exclusive 18 parts per million of pure silver that stays suspended in purified, deionized water.

Recent studies by major universities have shown Silver Shield to be an effective immune system booster, discouraging unwanted invaders and making it the perfect addition to your immune-health arsenal. Nature's Sunshine also offers Silver Shield Gel.

Silver Shield technology is charged with two electrons, which contrasts with the single electron used in common colloidal silver. This increases the ability of the silver particles to repeatedly destory targeted pathogens (Current Science Res, 2007). 

Why Silver Shield?

• Increasing concern about antibiotics
• Non-toxic; poses no risk of heavy metal contamination
• 90 mcg silver per serving
• Supports the immune system
• May not affect beneficial bacteria
• Fine particle-size colloids for maximum bioavailability

Aqua Sol Technology

Nature's Sunshine uses Aqua Sol Technology, which represents the latest advancement in colloidal silver. With Aqua Sol Technology, silver particles with an interior of elemental silver and an exterior of ionic silver oxide are placed in a colloidal suspension in water. 

The result is fine, particlesized colloids with 99% bioavailability. The silver is processed by the kidneys and may not affect populations of beneficial bacteria.

How Nature's Sunshine Ensures High Quality Silver Solutions

With every product, we take extra steps to make sure what you put into your body is pure, potent and free of any pollutants. It's no different with Silver Shield.

Here's how we do it: 

Nature's Sunshine's Quality Control department tests the potency of Silver Shield using the Inductively Coupled Plasma–mass Spectrometry, or as we refer to it, the ICP-MS. 

_{The inside of the ICP-MS that tests the potency of Silver Shield}

This instrument in our mineral lab detects part per trillion (ppt) level for silver as well as contaminates such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. 

This testing assures that each teaspoon contains 18 ppm or 90 micrograms/ teaspoon of silver.

It also assures the product is not contaminated with other minerals or contaminations. In addition, the micro lab tests for any microbial contamination such as molds, yeast, E. coli, salmonella,  and staph.

It is manufactured using a patented process with strict quality control. The result is fine, particle-sized colloids with 99% bioavailability.

By Michael Dean, CEO of Nature's Sunshine Products

I cannot count the number of personal testimonials I’ve heard from colleagues and distributors from around the world, attesting to the power of our people and our quality products.

After 40 years, I can only imagine how many millions of people Nature's Sunshine has helped in their lives and with their health. It is staggering to me, and it humbles me to think of the impact that we had as a company, as a family and as individuals.

I’d like to share my own testimonial. While my story is not amazing or overwhelming, it is personal and true.

Nature's Harvest green drink was a hit at Dallas Leaders Conference.

When I joined Nature's Sunshine, I was new to the business of helping people with their health, as I had come from industries that were not related to health and wellness. I also did not have a full appreciation of the value of dietary supplementation. I have very rarely taken pharmaceuticals, including virtually no use of pain killers or aspirin. I did not take vitamins or herbs either, nor did I see much reason to (mistakenly!).

How Nature's Sunshine Has Supported Health in Michael's Family

I have enjoyed excellent health my whole life, without a single serious illness, and I have never stayed a night in a hospital or even broken a bone. I am not a good customer for doctors, having provided them little to prescribe. The joke among my buddies is that I’m the healthiest man alive (they somehow meant it as an insult, but I still don’t get the joke).

However, I now have three kids that are 11 years and under. And for the last decade, I seem to have contracted almost every cold and flu that they had. I don’t get too sick and I recover quickly, but I contract the sickness nonetheless. As long as you don’t ask me at the time of sickness, I will tell you that it is a reasonable cost of being close to my children. This has happened several times every single year without fail.

When I became the CEO of Nature's Sunshine, it was important for me to begin using our products so that I could have firsthand familiarity and understanding of them. I have used a regimen of products (Super Trio®, SmartMeal, Nature’s Harvest, Nutri-Calm® and many more) almost every day now for nearly three years.

And I think I’ve had only one stuffy nose during this entire time. Nature’s Sunshine products clearly provides my immune system with the support it needs. My kids continued to get the typical seasonal colds and illnesses, so of course, I now have them taking our products, too. The only thing left is to get their entire schools on Nature's Sunshine products, and then we’ll have all of our bases covered! And maybe a few future distributors? Okay, I’ve gone too far.

So you see, my story is not miraculous, and perhaps many of you have similar ones. But then, we impact lives in ways both big and small. All that matters is that we help. I am clearly healthier now that I use Nature's Sunshine products daily.

This is my small story, but it is a part of why I have such belief in what we do and such optimism for our future.

About Michael Dean

Michael D. Dean is the President and CEO of Nature’s Sunshine and serves as a member of the Board of Nature’s Sunshine Products. Prior, Mr. Dean served as Chief Executive Officer of Mediaur Technologies Inc., responsible for all aspects of the privately-owned satellite technology company that provides proprietary antenna system solutions for both private industries and governments. Before joining Mediaur, Mr. Dean worked at The Walt Disney Company from 1997 to 2003. He was Executive Vice President of ABC Cable Networks, a multi-billion dollar global division of Disney, where he was responsible for the non-creative, day-to-day business, including Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Finance, Legal, Broadcasting Operations, IT, Human Resources, and Business Development. Earlier at Disney, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Development, responsible for all corporate strategy, development and deal work in Disney’s broadcasting, cable, and film studio businesses. Before Disney, Mr. Dean was a strategy consultant with Bain & Company and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The immune defense system is the most diverse and fascinating of all the body systems. It's extremely complex and intricate. To help support your immune system, it's important to understand first how it works and the natural ways your body fights off disease and foreign invaders.

This is a recap of our webinar we had earlier this month, which goes into detail about how the immune system works, how some common diseases attach the body, and some ways in which you can help support your immune system. To view those slides, click below:

The Immune System Basic Function

The immune system gathers information on pathogens and disease, and then produces ammunition to isolate, neutralize and destroy invaders. The tonsils, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes work as a team to protect the body.

Tonsils 
The tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue and produce lymphocytes that trap and kill bacteria entering the mouth and throat to gaurd the respiratory and digestive systems.

Thymus 
A lymphatic mass functioning in the programming of lymphocytes. It Produces and converts the B-cells into T-cells which are specialized to meet a particular enemy. The thymus produces a hormone called thymosin and acts as an incubator for the maturation of T lymphocytes. Stress shrinks the thymus.

Bone Marrow
Resides in the skull, ribs, shoulder blades, vertebrae, breastbone, and hip bones. It generates stem cells crucial to our immunity. Various stem cell types assist in regeneration and repair throughout our bodies. 

Lymph Fluid
Lymph is a colorless blood serum derived from plasma that has leaked from the bloodstream into the tissue spaces and is recovered by a network of tiny vessels that separate it from the bloodstream. This fluid brings with it tissue toxins, excess fluid, dead cells, and microbes, removing them from the body.  

Lymph Vessels
Tiny, thin-walled vessels made up of one-way valves that pump lymph fluid along by the contraction of nearby muscles during activity. Since muscle contractions serve to pump the plasma, we must exercise if we want to maintain the lymphatic highway or our immune system.

Our Immune Defense Fortress

Our defense system is set up like an army: protective barriers, specialised soldiers, manufacturing stations, transportation systems, storage areas and clean-up crews. The immune system's job is to defend the body. It's activated by invading organisms. Most respiratory symptoms are caused by the immune system. These symptoms are helpful, even essential, in overcoming an illness. 

Protective Barriers
Our skin is the outer wall of the fortress. The eyes, nose, and mouth are protected by mucous that captures harmful attackers. In the Nose are cilia, which are tiny hairs that trap particles. In the stomach, intruders pass through stomach acid that will destroy most of them.

Helpful Immune System Defense
Coughing is a natural reflex that expels disease-causing germs from the lower respiratory tract. It clears the lungs and bronchi of excess mucus, helping prevent pneumonia.

Sneezing
Sneezing is a convulsive explosion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth. It is a protective reflex that clears the upper airway of germs, irritants, and mucus.

Fever
Fever kills invading organisms and “pasteurizes” the blood. It speeds metabolism and enhances delivery of oxygen and nutrients to sites of infection. It hastens removal of cellular debris and toxins.

Cause of Poor Immunity

Stress and the immune system
According to the CDC, as much as 90% of all illness can be directly tied to stress, because it breaks down the defenses of the immune system and opens the doorway to a host of injurious invaders.

• Chemicals 
• Cleaning agents
• Mold
• Pollutants
• Pesticides 

Toxic Exposure
It is estimated that 85% of all debilitating diseases are closely related to toxin-related pollution present in the environment. Some include:

The Roles of Antibiotics

Life-saving in some cases, but definitely overused in the U.S. Overuse produces antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” and is a world-wide public health problem. It's effective only for bacterial infections—not viral or fungal infections. Antibiotics kill bad bacteria and good bacteria, including friendly bacteria, probiotics in the gut. 

Concern: No New Antibiotic Development
“Research and development of new antibiotics isn't keeping up with development of resistance. If we don't do something about it we'll end up with a situation where all the old drugs have resistance and we don't have any new ones,“ said Dr. Kathleen Holloway of the World Health Organization. In some parts of the world there is already antibiotic resistance to TB, Dysentery and Pneumonia.

Concern: Challenging Viruses
There is an increased concern about viral invaders, and it seems we are frequently being warned of a new ominous virus. Although new vaccines are being developed; they  only target several strains of viruses and side effects are a concern

Viruses

Viruses need a host cell because they do not reproduce on their own. They seize control of a cell, and often the cell is destroyed during this process. Viruses include:

The Common Cold


One of the most common illnesses worldwide and c

aused by one of more than hundreds of types of viruses. 

Symptoms of the cold include s

ore throat, low-grade fever, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, coughing, sneezing.

 

Respiratory System Diseases

There are numerous problems and diseases. They can include colds, bronchitis, croup, sinusitis, pneumonia and influenza.

Bronchitis Symptoms
Short-lived inflammation of trachea and large and small bronchi. Caused by viral or bacterial infection. Often follows cold or flu. Coughing is persisitent in its attempt to clear the mucus. Other symptoms include hoarseness, fever, wheezing and dull chest pain. 




Croup Symptoms

 

 

Viral infection causing swelling of vocal cords. It's most common in children younger than 6 years of age. Symptoms include barking cough and trouble breathing, and narrowing of airways may necessitate emergency intervention.


Sinusitis Symptoms

Infection or inflammation of sinuses caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms include headaches, sinus pain and pressure, swollen nasal passages, fever, cough, post nasal drip
Bad breath, cough, fever, and nasal congestion will often be present.


Pneumonia Symptoms
Inflammation of the lung or lungs caused by infection from bacteria or viruses. Symptoms include fever, chest tightness and discomfort, difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. Over 3 million people develop pneumonia annually in the United States. It is the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. Most people who develop pneumonia initially have an upper respiratory infection.
  
Influenza or Flu Sympoms

Caused by a number of viruses. Symptoms similar to those of common cold but typically have sudden onset and are more severe. Can be life-threatening in the ill, the elderly, and the very young. It enters the body by breathing the air of someone with the flu who coughed or sneezed. The virus has an enzyme which enables it to penetrate the mucus lining in the respiratory tract and make a home there. The infection nests in cells lining the air passage and spreads to other cells.  

Nature's Sunshine Supplements that Support Immunity

The Immune System Pack contains VS-C TCM, Elderberry D3fense and Immune Stimulator. 

VS-C, TCM

This proprietary Chinese formula helps create a healthy internal environment. It supports general detoxification and respiratory functions


Elderberry D3fence
Strengthens and strongly protects our body’s immune system and includes: Olive leaf; Royal Jelly-nutritive food; and Echinacea


Immune Stimulator
Stimulates the body’s natural defenses. It delivers immunoglobulin proteins to the intestinal tract, promotes immune response by stimulating macrophage and T-cell activity. It contains colostrum, cordyceps, reishi, and maitake.

Respiratory System Pack

The Respiratory System Pack contains ALJ, Bronchial Formula, and Lung Support, TCM

ALJ
Soothes irritated tissues, encourages respiratory to cleanse itself. This formula aids and builds the entire respiratory tract, lung function and supports healthy lung function, especially during seasonal changes.



Bronchial Formula
Dilates the bronchioles and strengthens mucus membranes to promote a healthy inflammation response. Designed to nourish the lungs and bronchi and to offer general protection to the respiratory tract.


Lung Support, TCM
Its Chinese name fu lei can be translated as “strengthen the weak and thin.” Acts as a tonic for the respiratory system and maintains the viability of tissue surfaces by moistening and nourishing the respiratory tract.


Silver Shield and Immunity

Silver Shield is a colloidal silver product that supports the immune system. Provides 90 mcg silver per serving. Does not harm the beneficial probiotic population in the gut. Silver Shield Gel is made with food-grade ingredients, contains no alcohol, is safe for children and acts as a skin moisturizer. 

Building Your Immune Defense

Life style changes cost you nothing and can yield a large return! Identify the lifestyle habits you want to improve, such as:

1. Drink plenty of pure water
2. Exercise regularly
3. Sleep 8 Hours per night
4. Relax daily
5. Stop negative thought patterns
6. Lighten your toxic burden
7. Eat nutrient-dense foods

Vitamin D seems to becoming more and more of a super vitamin. Recent third-party studies suggest it might help boost vision, the immune system, and may reduce the risk for strokes. Below is a small recap of each study:

1. Vision

A new study from the journal, Neurobiology of Aging suggests that Vitamin D3 may boost visual function. Known as the sunshine vitamin, D3 was linked to a reduction in amyloid beta, a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

Researchers from the University College London supplemented the diet of mice with vitamin D for six weeks. They found that vitamin D was associated with a significant reduction of inflammation in the retina and lower levels of amyloid beta. 

They said the benefits they observed in mice might be amplified in humans. 

“In humans, the central retina, which represents the region of greatest visual acuity, is populated purely by cones and is the targeted region in AMD. Hence, in this respect, vitamin D3 treatment may have a more significant impact on the aging human retina and its visual function than that in rodents.”

Click here for a brief summary of the study’s findings.

2. Immune Function

In the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Spanish researchers say the lack of vitamin D might lower the body's immune function. They observed an age-related decline in serum vitamin D that led them to evaluate vitamin D’s relationship with white blood cells.

They discovered that certain receptors responsible for regulating the immune response to viruses were particularly affected by lower vitamin D levels. These receptors alert the immune system to microbial infections. 

3. Stroke

In the American Heart Association journal, Stroke, Dr. Gotaro Kojima of the University of Hawaii and his colleagues used data from 7,385 Japanese-American men who had enrolled in the Honolulu Heart Program between 1965 and 1968. These men, age 45–68 at the beginning of the study, were contacted and interviewed throughout the next 34 years to determine their vitamin D intake. 

Stroke was documented in 960 subjects over the course of the 34-year follow-up period. For men whose vitamin D intake was among the lowest 25 percent of participants, the adjusted risk of stroke was 22 percent higher than the risk experienced by those whose intake was among the top 25 percent. 

Dr. Kojima, a geriatric medicine fellow at the University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine concluded that eating food rich in vitamin D might be beneficial for stroke prevention. While many consider sunlight to be the best source of vitamin D, Dr. Kojima stated that “synthesizing vitamin D from sunlight becomes more difficult with age, making supplementation or increased intake of vitamin D-fortified foods advisable for older men and women.” 

Nutritional Support that’s Easy to Swallow

Like co-founder Gene Hughes, we know the nutritive power of herbs, and the benefits of putting certain herb powders inside capsules for palatability. But some people have a difficult time swallowing anything in pill form.

With these individuals in mind, Nature’s Sunshine offers a terrific line of liquid herb extracts to support numerous body systems and help make getting herbal support as easy as one or two swallows. Most NSP liquid herbs come in a glycerin base for a naturally sweet taste. Unlike tablets or capsules that require greater digestion, liquid herbs are readily absorbed into the body and can offer rapid support.

ALJ® for Respiratory Support

ALJ is NSP’s top herbal combination for respiratory support. This system relies on proper nutrition to function well. ALJ Liquid is a blend of boneset aerial parts, fenugreek seeds, horseradish root, mullein leaves and fennel seeds in vegetable glycerin. These herbs are used traditionally to nourish the respiratory tract. Fenugreek and mullein support respiratory tissues. Horseradish has a stimulating effect on the system. Fennel offers cleansing properties. Boneset provides nutritional support. Together, these herbs assist the body in maintaining health by nutritional means and encourage the entire respiratory tract to gently cleanse itself. For kids too!

Lymphatic Drainage Boosts the Immune System

The lymph system helps remove waste products from the body, and it transports vital nutrients throughout the body. The herbs in this formula synergize to help disperse lymphatic fluid and improve nutrient absorption. These two steps lead to enhanced immune function. Lymphatic Drainage also supports the circulatory and immune systems. This formula contains cleavers aerial parts, red clover tops, stillingia root and prickly ash bark in vegetable glycerin.

VS-C®—Chinese Wisdom Takes Liquid Form

VS-C is one of NSP’s most popular immune system products. Chinese herbalists call this formula “metalenhancing.” VS-C contains dandelion root, purslane tops, indigo leaves and root, thlaspi whole plant, bupleurum root, scute root, typhonium rhizome, ginseng root, cinnamon twig and licorice root in vegetable glycerin. These herbs create a favorable environment for microbial balance and overall health, support detoxification and promote a healthy respiratory tract. For kids too!

Black Walnut Provides Intestinal Support

Black walnut has been used for thousands of years to support the intestinal system and the skin. Known as an astringent herb, black walnut is rich in tannins, which have beneficial toning properties. Black Walnut hulls (in liquid extract) are cleansing to the body.

Maintain Proper Flow with Kidney Drainage

The kidneys work incredibly hard to filter the blood night and day. Kidney Drainage provides added nutritional support to keep these organs working in top form. Kidney Drainage is comprised of asparagus tops, plantain leaves, juniper berries and goldenrod aerial parts in vegetable glycerin. These herbs help to increase urine production, promote elimination of fluid and maintain proper fluid balance.

Echinacea/Golden Seal Helps Strengthen the Immune System

This liquid herb formula combines the powerful, immune-supporting Echinacea purpurea and E. angustifolia root with golden seal root. Echinacea species are hugely popular for their immune-system benefits and golden seal root has gained popularity in the past decade or two for its ability to help the body maintain immunity. It also offers digestive and circulatory benefits. This combination Echinacea/Golden Seal Liquid has a banana–orange flavor in a glycerin base. (Not for pregnant or lactating women.)

Stress-J—Natural Help for Frazzled Nerves

Many customers find needed nervous system support in one of our Stress-J formulas. This particular combination helps provide relief for occasional stress. It contains passion flower aerial parts, fennel seeds, feverfew aerial parts, hops flowers, chamomile flowers and marshmallow root. For kids too!

Choose from 23 liquid herb formulas available, including extracts of:

• Capsicum
• Blue Vervain
• Dulse
• Hawthorn Berries
• Licorice Root
• Oregon Grape
• Pau D’Arco
• Red Raspberry
• Ultimate Echinacea and more.

See our complete line of liquid herbs.

Natural homeopathic medicine in quick-dissolving lozenges!

Just as the seasons change to fall and winter, the flu season begins while our bodies go into immune-battle mode to fight germs and stay healthy. Almost invariably we begin searching for the best cold and flu remedies as many of us catch a cold and experience sore throat, stuffy nose and coughing.

Minimize your cold and flu “down time” with Zinc Cold & Flu lozenges. The mineral zinc is an effective cold and flu treatment because it boosts the immune system. It also coats the mouth and throat, preventing some germs from taking up residence there. When unwanted invaders can’t get a strong foothold in the mouth or throat, they often struggle to proliferate, and you come off conqueror.

Zinc Cold & Flu homeopathic lozenges feature zinc gluconate and zinc acetate (2x). They dissolve quickly and are easy for children to take. For best results, use at the first signs of cold and flu symptoms to help reduce duration, severity and minor discomfort of cold symptoms.