Everybody knows how important eating protein is.

While you know you need protein, you may not know that healthy individuals can actually only digest and utilize about 10% of what you consume. The other wasted 90% can cause stomach discomfort, gas, inflammation and even be stored as fat.

Aminolase is a specialized proprietary enzyme formula that allows you to digest and utilize nearly 100% of the protein you consume.

Aminolase is so effective that having 1 serving of protein with 1 capsule of Aminolase is equivalent to consuming 9 servings of protein without Aminolase. That means you'll be able to get the most out of your protein without uncomfortable digestive issues.

Enjoy the results of all your hard work. If you want to increase muscle mass, maintain healthy blood sugar levels maintain long-term digestive health and even lose weight, try Aminolase today.

Each year the International Herb Association (IHA) selects an herb to showcase as its Herb of The Year, based on its medicinal, culinary, or decorative qualities.

This year’s selection—German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)—offers benefits in all three areas. Read on to learn more about this versatile herb.

Chamomile’s Rich History

German chamomile has been a staple of herbal medicine for thousands of years. A native of Europe, India, and China, chamomile was first brought to North America during Colonial times.

With its delicate daisy-like flowers that bloom from midsummer until the first frost, chamomile is a tried-and-true annual that is enjoyed by both humans and pollinators.

Its name, from the Greek words chemos and melos (meaning “ground apple”), references chamomile’s lovely apple-like scent.

Uses for Chamomile

In addition to important nutrients like potassium, calcium, and folate, chamomile also contains phytochemicals that act as antioxidants.

Some research suggests that chamomile may help lower heart disease risk, support a healthy immune response, and slow age-related bone loss.

• Rest and Relaxation

  Chamomile has traditionally been used to promote relaxation and ease the transition to sleep.

• Anti-Inflammatory

  Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile can help heal canker sores and treat gingivitis.

  It may also help ease a host of digestive issues, including diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, and nausea.

• Topical Soother

  When used topically, chamomile may help soothe skin infections like shingles and boils.

Tips for Trying Chamomile

• Ingested

  Typically used dried and consumed as tea, chamomile flowers can also be eaten or taken in capsule form as a supplement.

• As a Topical Oil

  Chamomile essential oil may be found as an ingredient in personal care and beauty products.

Precautions

• Daisy Allergies

  People who are allergic to plants in the daisy family (including chrysanthemums, marigolds, and ragweed) could have an allergic reaction to chamomile.

• Medication Interactions

  Because this herb can interact with certain medications, including warfarin, it’s important to consult with your healthcare practitioner before trying products containing chamomile.

Not all sweets are manufactured in factories with refined sugar. If you crave something delicious that’s also good for you, look to dried fruits. Besides their sweetness, both dates and prunes offer bonuses for your health.

What are Dates?

This fruit grows on date palm trees in warm climates. While you can eat them fresh, most dates available commercially in the US are dried after they’re harvested. The most common varieties found here are medjool and deglet noor.

Nutrition

While high in sugar (27 grams per two dates, along with 110 calories), dates also offer calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Dates are also rich in polyphenols, beneficial natural compounds that contribute to vascular health, a healthy digestive system, and even the prevention of cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

If you need to watch your blood sugar, fresh dates might be a better option since the drying process concentrates their sugar.

Are Prunes Related?

Not a sibling or even a cousin of dates, prunes are dried plums. Two types are widely available in the US: European and Japanese.

Nutrition

Lower in calories than dates (five prunes offer only 104 calories and 17 grams of sugar), prunes are also a good source of nutrients.

They provide vitamins A, B6, C, and K along with the minerals copper, iron, manganese, and potassium.

A good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, prunes help with nutrient absorption, digestion, and bowel regularity.

Some research suggests that prunes appear superior to psyllium for improving constipation.

They also contribute to a healthy gut microbiome, lower blood pressure, and bone health, while offering support for overactive bladder.

So What’s The Difference?

• Size and Form

  Dates may be smaller than prunes and usually contain a round, pointed pit; most prunes sold in the US are pitted.

• Carbs and Calories

  Both dates and prunes are nutritious, with dates being sweeter and higher in both carbs and calories.

• Flavor Profile

  Dates, being sweeter than prunes, tend to be better for baking. The flavor of prunes tends to be more subtle.

• FIber Content

  Both of these dried fruits are rich in dietary fiber, making them good boosters of digestive health.

It’s believed that up to 17 percent of the population has mast cell activation syndrome, or MCAS for short.

Yet it’s one of the most unrecognized and under-addressed chronic conditions, and until 2016 wasn’t officially recognized as a diagnosis.

Even with its lack of notoriety, MCAS is a trending phenomenon. There are millions of TikTok and other social media videos on the topic, so awareness is increasing. 

What is mast cell activation syndrome, and what can be done about it?

What Are Mast Cells?

A team of infection-fighting white blood cells, mast cells are an important part of the immune system. Mast cells are in almost every tissue of the body, including:

• the skin
• the GI tract
• blood vessels
• nerves
• bones
• the brain
• the lungs
• the eyes
• the ears

What Do Mast Cells Do?

Mast cells are necessary for our survival, protecting us from invading pathogens and harmful substances, and helping with wound repair.

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

When triggered into an overreaction phase, mast cells mistakenly alert the immune system that something’s off. 

This false alarm causes the body to release high amounts of inflammatory mediators like histamine, as well as other chemicals that trigger the immune system into action. These chemical mediators activate even more mast cells to respond.

Over time, the mast cells start seeing almost everything as a threat.

What Causes MCAS?

Experts aren’t sure why some individuals’ mast cells overreact. While mast cell activation syndrome is not an autoimmune issue, if the immune system becomes overwhelmed and something comes along that pushes it over the edge, mast cell activation syndrome can occur in some people.

Traumatic medical events like surgery, injury, or illness; exposure to insect or reptile venom; medications; stress; and infections can all trigger MCAS.

Certain smells can be a problem too. A walk down the grocery aisle of laundry detergents and cleaning formulas with their synthetic fragrances can trigger a mast cell attack.

Types of MCAS

There are different types of mast cell activation.

• Genetic

  One is associated with genetic conditions that are linked to mastocytosis (a type of rare mast cell disease where the body produces too many mast cells).

• Allergic

  Another type of MCAS is triggered by certain allergies.

• Idiopathic

  A third variety is known as idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome. It has no determinable cause, as it’s not related to other diseases or clear issues.

  Those experiencing this type of MCAS have new triggers that come up and cause reactions.

How Do I Know If I Have MCAS?

Lab tests tend to be inconclusive, since the blood only shows spikes above the baseline for a few hours after an attack. Because of this, levels are tested not only when someone’s having an episode but also when they’re feeling fine.

Diagnosis typically requires that symptoms occur in at least two of the following areas: the skin, the lungs, the GI tract, and the cardiovascular system.

Some practitioners feel that symptoms must be so severe that they resemble anaphylaxis. However, the debate continues on how extreme or consistent symptoms must be in order to be considered part of MCAS.

Speaking of symptoms: one person’s presentation can be completely different from another’s. In fact, medical practitioners often misdiagnose mast cell activation syndrome for other conditions due to the multitude of conditions it causes.

Some professionals feel that MCAS is diagnosed too often.

Symptoms of MCAS

Mast cell activation syndrome symptoms vary from the mild to the rare and life-threatening, including anaphylaxis when swelling, hives, shortness of breath, and vomiting.

In less severe forms of MCAS, symptoms are varied and may include:

• abdominal pain
• brain fog
• chronic gut issues
• constipation
• diarrhea
• excessive drooling
• fatigue
• flushing
• food sensitivities and allergies
• heart palpitations
• increased heart rate
• insomnia
• itching
• joint pain
• lightheadedness
• low blood pressure
• muscle weakness
• numbness
• sensitivity to light or sound
• shortness of breath
• sinus congestion
• skin conditions:
  • rashes
  • rosacea
  • psoriasis
  • eczema
• swelling
• tingling
• tinnitus

It’s important to note that those with MCAS may notice symptoms randomly appearing and disappearing, and they may have difficulty determining the triggers.

What makes mast cell activation syndrome even more confusing is that symptoms can increase, change, and even worsen over time.

Many of the above symptoms can also be linked to other disorders such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), IBS, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

MCAS Treatments

There’s currently no cure for MCAS, nor are there any fast fixes. But research is expanding, and those who suffer from its debilitating cluster of symptoms can often find relief.

Mast cell activation syndrome is frequently managed with medications and other treatments.

• Identify and Avoid Triggers

  Trigger avoidance is key to preventing mast cells from overreacting. 

  Track your symptoms with a journal. List the foods you ate and any irritants you were exposed to.

  This can help you determine possible triggers like:

  • pet dander
  • plant pollen
  • bee venom
  • certain foods
  • toxic mold
  • chemical exposure
  • heavy metal exposure

  Nervous system dysregulation, temperature changes, exercise, lack of sleep, and stress can also be triggering.

• Stress Relief

  Practice stress-relieving tactics such as meditation, mindfulness techniques, resting, spending time with friends, and participating in a hobby. Supporting the nervous system can also be profoundly helpful.

• Try Over-the-Counter Meds

  Aspirin can help with flushing. Over-the-counter antihistamine formulas can help rid the body of inflammation.

• Seek Corticosteroids

  Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and open airways.

• Seek Mast Cell Stabilizers

  Mast cell stabilizers can help regulate overreacting mast cells. When anaphylaxis is a concern, an EpiPen® will be prescribed.

  Keep in mind that if mast cell medications offer symptom relief, it’s a probable sign that you have mast cell activation syndrome.

• Consider Supplements

  • Quercertin for GABA Help

    For supplemental help, consider quercetin. GABA has been shown to inhibit mast cell activation, which can reduce the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances.

  • CoQ10 for Energy

    Consider CoQ10 for mitochondrial and energy support.

The COVID Link

Those experiencing Long COVID have an increase in MCAS and its symptoms.

• Comorbidity

  A published study found an increase in MCAS triggered by SARS-CoV-2. Researchers theorized that increased mast cell activation due to COVID-19 infection may contribute to Long COVID.

• Overlapping Symptoms

  There’s a definite overlap in symptoms experienced in MCAS and Long COVID. In fact, they’re virtually identical, and can include:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • migraines
  • brain fog
  • fatigue
  • coughing
  • sore throat
  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • food intolerances
  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations

Precautions

• Seek Medical Advice

  See a doctor if you’re experience new or worsening symptoms to rule out serious issues.

• React to Emergencies

  Severe reactions from MCAS are rare, but if a serious allergy occurs (trouble breathing or swallowing; fast heart rate; swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat) call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Devigest contains the strongest and broadest assortment of digestive enzymes on the market so just a few capsules with meals can digestion and increase the nutrient value of all the foods you eat.

The statistics are sobering: 16 out of every 100 adults have symptoms of constipation. Two thirds of Americans are living with digestive problems like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. And it’s estimated that millions of Americans have gut dysbiosis or a gut imbalance that’s behind these uncomfortable symptoms.

What’s going on? Gut health starts with the food you’re eating, say experts. And the typical American diet does the gut no favors. For the millions of Americans experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, a healthier balanced diet may offer relief.

Get Your Gut Back Into Balance

Here’s what scientists and researchers say can help restore gut health.

• Get More Fiber

  The typical American diet chock-full of processed foods is lacking in fiber, which may be the reason that 90 percent of Americans aren’t getting enough of this key nutrient. Therein lies the problem.

  It’s fiber that keeps us regular and when fiber is digested, the gut makes something called short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids are the main source of nutrition for colonic cells, and they help maintain a healthy gut barrier. Short-chain fatty acids also digest nutrients like carbohydrates and fat so they can be utilized by the body. These short-chain fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body by supporting a healthy immune response.

  How can Americans get more fiber? A plant-focused diet is key. Fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes, nuts, and seeds, are rich in fiber, not to mention health-promoting nutrients and antioxidants. Getting at least 5 to 7 servings of fruit and vegetables every day is recommended.

  Meeting this daily quota, however, is not always easy for multi-tasking Americans, which is when supplementing with fiber can help. Daily Multi-Fiber is a clean fiber supplement that offers five sources of soluble and insoluble fiber as well as gut-friendly probiotics. It also comes in convenient, on-the-go single-serving packs.

• Add in Probiotics

  These good-for-you, live bacteria are essential to a healthy balanced gut. It's these beneficial bacteria that help to digest foods and quell the growth of harmful organisms that can throw the gut out of balance.

  There are many things, however, that can suppress these beneficial bacteria in the gut: use of antibiotics, eating too many processed foods, and unhealthy lifestyle habits (i.e., lack of regular exercise, not getting enough sleep, and being chronically stressed).

  There is something, though, that you can do: add beneficial bacteria back into the gut. Fermented foods are one of the best ways to do this. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods contain good-for-you bacteria. Maple Hill Creamery’s Organic Grass-Fed Plain Kefir is one option. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources.

  Getting enough of what the gut needs through food, however, can often be hard. This is where supplementing with probiotics comes in. NBPure’s Poobiotics contains five proven probiotic strains including four strains of Bifidobacterium (the main bacteria in the gut), as well as prebiotics that serve as food for beneficial bacteria and help form short-chain fatty acids.

• Try Digestive Enzymes

  If you’re developing gas or bloating after eating certain foods like yogurt or beans, you may lack enough of the enzymes to properly digest them. The body makes digestive enzymes to help break down food and absorb its nutrients. But reduced digestive enzymes in the gut can lead to gas, bloating, belching, and loose stools.

  If you develop symptoms after eating certain foods, supplementing with digestive enzymes may help. Digestive Enzyme Complex contains 12 digestive enzymes including amylase, lipase, protease, and lactase (the enzyme that digests milk proteins). What's important to remember: take these enzymes with food as they need to be digested at the same time as food to work.

  Taking baby steps to revitalize the gut will help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms. A healthy, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are always the first, most important steps. Supplementing, when necessary, may help relieve symptoms and result in a happier gut and a healthier you.

It’s estimated that about 4 million people in the U.S. have frequent constipation, with many of these being men. Add frequent gas, belching, and bloating to this mix and there’s a good chance that the underlying problem is an imbalanced gut.

The gut, or microbiome as it’s often referred to, is essentially the gastrointestinal system, including the intestines. When it comes to symptoms like constipation, gas, belching, and bloating, it’s the intestines where everything begins.

Scientists are coming to realize that one of the most important things you can do for your health is to keep your gut in balance. What researchers have found: A healthy, balanced gut doesn’t just help us to digest food, it also keeps our immune system strong. That’s because 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells live in the gut.

A healthy gut is also important to maintaining a healthy weight. And it’s key to maintaining optimal health and longevity.

Five Steps to a Healthier Gut

Daily exercise, putting relaxation strategies in place, and getting plenty of sleep all go a long way to staying balanced overall, which can also contribute to a healthier gut—and optimal health.

• Clear Out Your Gut

  If you’re backed up, you need to get things moving again before you can get your gut back on track. This isn’t always easy to do on your own.

  That’s why NBPure’s gut cleanse MagO7 is a bestselling constipation relief product. It works overnight to give guaranteed relief come morning.

  MagO7 contains a proprietary mix of ozonated magnesium oxide compounds with the added electrolyte potassium. Magnesium oxide has been proven to work through independent research.

• Eat More Whole Foods, Limit Processed Foods

  Processed foods like packaged meals, fast food, and sugary treats—as well as alcohol—can contribute to gut health problems.

  Whole foods, on the other hand, help to nourish a healthy, balanced gut. This includes lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like brown rice, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats.

• Get Enough Probiotics

  Be sure you’re getting probiotics, or healthy bacteria, every day. By adding probiotics to your diet every day, you’re ensuring that there are more beneficial bacteria in your gut than unhealthy bacteria. It’s the unhealthy bacteria that can contribute to symptoms like bloating and gas and make us not feel great.

  While foods like yogurt and sauerkraut have healthy bacteria in them, you may not be getting enough. That’s why adding healthy probiotics into your gut through daily supplements like our own Poobiotics can help.

• Get Enough Fiber Every Day

  90% of Americans—with many of these being men—don’t get enough fiber. Men need at least 38 grams of fiber every day. It’s fiber that keeps the digestive system and gut in balance, preventing constipation. Fiber is also important to maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

  Foods high in fiber include fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oatmeal, seeds like flaxseeds, and beans and legumes. Taking a daily fiber supplement can help you meet your daily goal.

  Our Daily Multi-Fiber offers 4 grams of fiber per teaspoon (just mix well into water) plus probiotics and prebiotics (to help nourish beneficial bacteria).

• Stay Hydrated

  Getting enough water can help the gut stay balanced—and keep things running smoothly to prevent constipation. Men need at least 15.5 cups of water daily. Plain water helps hydrate as can herbal tea and hydrating fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, lettuce, and watermelon.