Health Informative Council

The popularity of alternative medicine gave rise, in the early 90’s, to a new industry of herbal supplements. Every few years a fad develops around a nutritional supplement that promises to do wonders, and is a rare find from a remote corner of the world.

There is the Chinese and Siberian Ginseng – A root used by the locals to regulate blood pressure, clean the blood, and improves stamina and overall well being. It became very popular in the United States and for a time ginseng was added to everything.

A few years before that, there was the Apple Vinegar phase which praised the ability of the vinegar, taken as a nutritional supplement, to melt away fat and clean your system out.
There was the Beta Carotene fad, and then the Green Tea and its benefits. This one became main stream. Now green tea is sold wherever black or English tea is. Green tea is rich in vitamin C, and is known to increase the metabolism. It does not have some of the harmful ingredients of the black tea.

Another kind of nutritional supplement is St. John’s worth. It has been selling very well in the past 10 years, which leads us to believe people are happy with the results. St. John’s Worth is known as an energy and well being booster and stress reducer.

In the last few years, Black Cohosh was hailed to have a soothing effect on premenstrual women, and was considered as a replacement to hormone therapy in post- menopausal women. Studies were conducted and concluded by saying “…there is not enough reliable data to determine…” whether there’s any truth to this claim. The researchers insist that there is not enough information because the study was started only 6 months before.

And now we have the Acai Berry !

The berry of the Acai palm out of the Amazon forest of Brazil is widely used by the local tribes as an important food source, and as juice drink by all the others. In the last few years a wave of interest filled the United States in an Acai Berry fever. It was said to increase energy levels, sexual performance, appearance and digestion. The benefits were due to the very high level of antioxidants, more than in any other fruit.

Unfortunately, after sprouting hundreds of websites selling acai berry products, in forms ranging from drinks to pills, powders and lotions, with promises of weight lose and improved sleep, a serious study of the claims has not been done as of yet.

The internet has a well of information about herbal nutritional supplements. Make sure you educate yourself before you start taking any nutritional supplements. Telling your doctor what you plan on taking is also a good idea. You have to make sure it does not contradict any other medication you are taking.