Dr. Oz's Top 5 Natural Health Supplements for Women over 50

Source: Dr. Oz


Earlier this week, Dr. Oz revealed his top 5 women’s health supplements for women in their 50s looking to maintain their health and vitality. While there were not any surprises on his list, it does reaffirm what we already know: health supplements are key to a preventative care regimen. On the Dr. Oz blog, readers are encouraged to send the list to all of their friends and family members "so that we can make sure everyone we care about is taking every preventative measure possible to stay healthy." 


Without further delay, here are Dr. Oz’s top 5 health supplements for women in their 50s: 


1. Coenzyme Q10: No matter what age you are, keeping up your natural energy levels is important for overall health and wellness. Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is "fundamental for energy." CoQ10 is necessary for "the basic functioning of cells," according to the Mayo Clinic. 


2. Chia Seeds: We all know that metabolism slows down as you age, often making it more difficult to maintain a healthy body weight. "Chia Seeds (the same seeds used in Chia Pets) are full of fiber and omega 3's," says Dr. Oz. Why is that important for healthy weight management? Fiber helps you feel full. 


3. Turmeric: We have written extensively on the health benefits turmeric, which is known to promote a healthy inflammatory response. But this powerful herb (which is native to Southeast Asia) also possesses antioxidant capabilities due to the high concentration of curcuminoids, which many believe help maintain cognitive function as we age. 


4. Women's Multivitamin: For women over 50, taking a multivitamin is one of the most important preventative measures they can do. It's simple: multivitamins help give your body healthy servings of natural nutrition. 


5. Calcium with Vitamin D and Magnesium: Like energy and metabolism, bone strength also tends to decrease as you age. Though maintaining bone health is important at any age, Dr. Oz notes that bone health is critical for longevity. That is why taking calcium with vitamin D and magnesium is so important for women over the age of 50.


Are you surprised by any of the supplements on this list? Are there other health supplements you use for a preventative care regimen? Please feel free to share it with us by leaving a comment. 


Disclaimer: Dr. Oz is not affiliated with nor endorses Biotropics. He also does not promote or endorse our products.

Using Herbs to Boost Your Immune System

Source: Natural News


In many countries throughout the world herbs are used as a primary healthcare tool. Much of the therapeutic aspects of modern medicine were taken from the study of ancient herbal remedies. Unfortunately, medicine has manipulated these natural plant-based properties and synthetically altered them. This process has produced toxic and often lethal side effects. The natural herbs themselves when used correctly are able to synergize with our natural systems to enhance function, coordination, and overall balance within the body.


Herbs are never meant to "treat" or "cure" an ailment. The critical philosophical understanding is that the body's internal defense and ability to heal itself is strong enough to overcome any particular illness. Sickness comes about when the body is out of balance with its environment and unable to successfully adapt. Herbs are intended to clear up any sort of imbalance allowing the body to function optimally.


[Read full article]

Keeping the Cold Out

Source: Natural Health

Cue the daily green tea drinking and popping of multi-vitamins and herbal supplements—flu season is almost upon us here in the U.S. In the most recent issue of Natural Health, writer Amy Paturel offers up five tips for boosting immunity and beating the common cold.

[Read full article] 

Spices For Energy, Health and Longevity

Source: Yahoo! Health

The colder weather is beckoning us back to our kitchens. Break out the spices and bring warmth, robust flavor, and a bounty of health benefits, including higher energy, increased immunity, and other life-enhancing surprises. 

Considered to be dried seeds, fruit, roots or bark, spices have been valued for centuries by ancient cultures for their culinary and medicinal properties. For instance, a traditional Indian beauty trick was to spread turmeric paste on the skin to beautify it and prevent pimples. Chinese doctors have used ginger since ancient times to cure aches and pains. 

Dr. Maoshing Ni recently discussed how nine specific spices can enhance health energy and longevity for Yahoo! Health.  [Read full article]

Herb of the Month: Turmeric

In this month’s issue of Better Nutrition (aka “The Medicine Hunter”) discusses the health benefits of turmeric. “A large body of science shows that curcumin, a compound in turmeric root, possesses significant healing properties and is chiefly responsible for the herb’s overall healing powers,” writes Kilham in the article. Turmeric has a long Ramuan tradition, so we thought it would be helpful to give you a breakdown of this mystical herb.

Basics: Turmeric or kunyit in Malay, is one of the oldest and most important herb-cum-spice species. Its ancient and modern usages include being an ingredient in folk medicine, food flavoring, dye and even religious and ritual ceremonies since 600 B.C., according to Herbs of Malaysia. A perennial herb native to Southeast Asia, turmeric is currently cultivated commercially in India, China, Indonesia and Indochina. The plant grows about one meter tall and has aromatic, light green leaves with sharp, pointed tips. Turmeric is extensively used throughout the world to flavor, color and increase the quality of preserved foods.

Uses: Turmeric can be applied to the body for an array of skin and eye conditions. The essential oil of turmeric is used in perfumes, and its resin is used as a flavoring and coloring ingredient in foods. In traditional medicine, turmeric is used for a variety of stomach and digestive system conditions. Turmeric is also the main spice used in many curry dishes.

Health benefits: Medicinally, its chemicals are known for maintaining healthy inflammatory response. For these reasons, it is traditionally used in treating immune health and kidney function. Turmeric also promotes normal bile secretion, helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and addresses post partum discomfort. 

Turmeric, 3 Ways:

1. Boost your sexual energy. Ukup kering—or dry herbal steam—uses freshly pounded turmeric, black seed and lime juice for strengthening and toning up vaginal and cervical muscles. Mix fair parts of each to create your own mix.
2. Settle your stomach. According to WebMD, taking 500 mg of turmeric four times daily helps soothe upset stomach.
3. Spice up your meal. An important spice in Asian cuisine, turmeric is one of the most popular ingredients in curry dishes. Don’t be afraid to get creative, either—turmeric can also be sprinkled over pasta sauce and salad dressing, or sprinkled on meats such as roasted chicken. Try this recipe.

Have you ever used turmeric to spice up a dish or taken the herb as a dietary supplement? Do you know of other turmeric health benefits? Feel free to leave us a comment! 

75 Ways to Be Your Healthiest Ever

Source: WebMD and Good Housekeeping


From its first year of publication, Good Housekeeping has urged readers to live healthfully--to take "a walk before breakfast" (1885), "eat more fish" (1932), and get "at least eight hours of sleep" (1933). The tips here, whether from the early days or fresh from the latest journals, have one thing in common: they are based on the best expertise of their time. 

In collaboration with Good Housekeeping this month, WebMD offers its "75 Ways to Be Your Healthiest Ever," which covers everything from oral hygiene and burning calories to yoga, ginger and the importance of... sweat. It's an interesting mix of health tips...but that's what Living Ramuan is all about: intelligent blending for improved health and balance. [Read full article]