Over the past few years, the dietary supplement market has grown among consumers of all ages. However, for some, the thought of adding various pills to their daily routine isn’t very appealing, especially amongst the younger and older generations. Chewable options are available but again, the thought of chewing a pill, does not appeal to many and this is where the yummy gummies come in!

If you’re someone who understands the importance of taking daily supplements but just cannot remember to take then or simply don’t like swallowing tablets, gummies are the perfect solution for you!

 These alternatives to the traditional capsules and tablets commonly sold, have the same dosages as capsules and tablets but are instead contained in a tasty sweet, to make taking them a lot easier to take. So, if you’re someone who shudders at the thought of swallowing various pills as part of their daily routine, gummies as a brilliant and tasty alternative as gummies do not look like medicine, nor do they taste like it either!

Gummies provide a much more fun, tasty, and convenient way to take your daily nutritional supplements while still receiving the health benefits sought.

Our Gummies range currently includes: -

• Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
• Elderberry Immunity Gummies
• Energy Gummies
• Multivitamin & Mineral Gummies
• Omega 3 & Multivitamin Gummies for Adults
• Omega 3 & Multivitamin Gummies for Kids
• Skin, Hair & Nail Gummies
• Tummy Gummies
• Vitamin C & Zinc Gummies

As we begin to approach the festive season, there is a good chance that our average weekly alcohol consumption is going to increase. While it has been established that a moderate intake of alcohol is generally beneficial for health, drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly and/or binge drinking can have detrimental affects to both our mental and physical health.

The main benefit of drinking in moderation is improved cardiovascular health - with a lower risk for heart attack and stroke. Reduced risk of age-related dementia has also been noted in some studies. Red wine is thought to be particularly beneficial as it contains flavonoids (members of a group of plant compounds called polyphenols) which are important antioxidants. Research suggests that polyphenols can help protect against atherosclerosis (fatty degeneration of the arterial wall) and thrombosis (arterial blockage).

However, when it comes to booze, there can be too much of a good thing! And unfortunately, it doesn’t work by saving all your alcohol allowance for a special occasion – little and often is the guidance when it comes to enjoying a tipple. A little alcohol each day is beneficial, but the same total amount drunk in one or two hits over a weekend is detrimental to health. The worst cardiovascular profiles are seen in those who abstain completely, as well as in those who binge drink.

The guidelines for alcohol are no one should have more than 14 units in a week, and this should be split over several days. For example, a bottle of wine (12%) is 10 units, and an average can of beer / cider is 2 units.

Of course, there are many other ways to support heart health, from eating fruits and vegetables (particularly delicious berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackberries – all high in polyphenols), consuming fibre from wholegrains and oats, as well as nuts such as pecans and hazelnuts - to enjoying oily fish or taking omega-3 supplements.

So, while its time to ‘eat, drink & be merry’ – please do so in moderation for the sake of your heart and overall health.

On a day-to-day basis, looking after the health of our digestive systems is something we tend not to worry about until it gives us problems. However, there is growing recognition that, just like caring for our skin in our previous blog, our gut and general health will feel better given a bit of TLC. One way to do this is to take ‘Probiotics’.

So, what are Probiotics?

Probiotics are dietary supplements, drinks or foods containing ‘friendly’ bacteria that can benefit health. We usually think of bacteria negatively, more as harmful ‘bugs’ to be avoided - but not all are ‘bad guys’: there are the good guys also!  Friendly bacteria are needed to keep the gut functioning properly.

Probiotics are also important to help our immune system, the body’s defence against outside invaders. The gut doesn’t just break down our food – it also makes up nearly three quarters of our immune system. By boosting the immune system, probiotics can help protect the gut and the rest of the body from attack. Probiotics also help to produce nutrients such as vitamins, which are vital for keeping the body working properly, as well as helping to neutralise some potentially toxic by-products of digestion.

How can probiotics help me?

Good health is all about getting the right balance and the gut is no exception. Certain diseases, stress, poor diet, infection and medicines such as antibiotics, can all wipe out the good bacteria in your gut. This can then lead to other health problems including diarrhoea, wind, bad breath, ‘candida’ yeast infections, skin problems and coughs and colds.

The most commonly used ‘friendly’ bacteria are ‘Lactobacilli’ and ‘Bifidobacteria’. Lactobacilli may help reduce gastrointestinal dysfunction, vaginal yeast infections and may also boost immune function. Bifidobacteria can help lower cholesterol levels, prevent food poisoning, help digest lactose (the sugar in milk) and make B vitamins (to protect against heart disease). A healthy population of these beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract enhances the digestion and absorption of nutrients, detoxification and elimination processes, as well as helping to maintain your immune system.

Sounds great! Where can I get Probiotics?

Probiotics are available in a range of food supplements and in some foods, including yoghurts and yoghurt drinks. Eating live yoghurt can help top up your levels of good bacteria, but you may not know which strain of bacteria you’re eating. With probiotics in supplements, you know just what you’re getting.

Probiotic supplements provide a convenient and easy way to help protect yourself against these potential gut problems. They ensure your body has enough ‘friendly’ bacteria, especially when they become depleted or there is an influx of harmful bacteria, to keep balanced and healthy.

As is evident by the number of filters available on most photo apps these days, most people desire radiant, glowing, healthy-looking skin. However, while they may take time and spend a fortune to moisturise and protect their skin externally, not many ensure their diet provides the necessary nutrients needed for healthy skin.

The skin is the largest organ in the body covering approx. 1.8m² and has many important functions such as forming a barrier against disease and injury and regulating the body’s temperature.  From a nutritionist’s perspective, the skin is a good indicator of what’s happening within the body with regards to the patient’s nutritional status and its appearance is often used to help identify nutrient deficiencies.  For example, dry skin can indicate a lack of essential fats or pale lifeless skin a lack of B vitamins.

Your diet or supplement regime can have a major impact on the appearance of your skin. Here are some key elements to consider: -

Nurture your skin from within

The membranes of every cell in your body are made up of essential fatty acids (EFAs).  If you have dry or sensitive skin, you are probably deficient in EFAs. EFAs are available in abundance in our diet from vegetable oils, oily fish, nuts and seeds. However, many people don’t get the amounts they need through their diet alone and turn to supplements such as Omega Fish Oils to increase their intake of EFA’s.

 Tackling your lines and wrinkles

Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water per day will have a significant effect on the way your skin looks and feels.  Water rehydrates the cells in your skin, plumping them up and smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Water also helps flush toxins from the body giving your skin a clearer appearance.

Sun damage

Protecting your skin against sun damage is very important. The sun's ultraviolet light can cause major damage to the skin. In addition to sunburn, more long-lasting effects such as reduce elasticity and premature exposure to the sun.  Antioxidants are nature’s answer to reducing the impact of UV exposure on the skin.  Taking antioxidants will not stop you burning but they can help to reduce the damage done by the UV. UV creates free radicals damage within the skin and antioxidants help to reduce their effect within the body.

Vitamins A, C and E are excellent antioxidants and have long been used topically in face creams but taking these nutrients internally will be more effective in maintaining the long-term health of your skin as internal consumption gets nutrients into every layer of the skin as opposed to only the top few layers.

Support your skin’s building blocks

Collagen gives your skin it’s strength and structure and accounts for approximately 70% of its volume. Collagen is one of the most common proteins found in our bodies, as it’s one of the substances that helps to hold our bodies together with it being found in the muscles, bones, skin and tendons. Our bodies can produce collagen naturally, but production reduces as we get older. It’s the decline of Collagen production that causes fine lines and wrinkles and weakens joint cartilage.

These recommendations may take a few weeks to show and are not instant fixes. However, in time, they will benefit not just your skin but many other parts of the body also. As they say ‘beauty isn’t only skin deep’.

Your heart is arguably the most important and busiest muscle in your body, pumping blood and oxygen to all your other organs none stop, 24-hours a day! With that in mind, it is extremely important to give it the care and attention it needs as when your heart gets out of shape, serious problems can develop.

In July 2021, the British Heart Foundations statistics showed that there are 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK and that people with these diseases account for a quarter of all deaths annually. Additionally, the total cost of healthcare treating these diseases is £9 billion.

The good news is that there are various ways in which we can help look after our hearts ourselves! Here are our top 5 tips to help in keeping your heart healthy…

1. Smoking!  Try to avoid smoking or give up if you are a smoker. Smoke not only reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry around the body, but also oxidizes blood cholesterol which allows it to stick to the artery walls.  This can increase blood pressure and susceptibility to clotting.
2. Lifestyle - stress can thicken the blood and increase blood pressure.  This means heart attacks and strokes are far more likely so learn to relax through anyway you can. Gentle exercise is great for reducing stress and being active can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Try and do 30 minutes of activity 5 times a week.
3. Weight management is also key as it goes without saying that the larger you are, the harder the heart must work to pump more blood around the body. This in turn can cause an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure is also a common cause of heart attack.
4. Maintain a healthy diet. Not only will this help you keep your weight under control, but it will also help your heart health. A heart friendly diet requires-

• • High fibre (at least 30g a day) It’s good to get your fibre from a variety of sources such as wholemeal bread, bran, oats, nuts & seeds, wholegrain cereals, potatoes with their skins on, and plenty of fruit and veg (see below).
  • Your 5 a day Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg each day. Approximately 80g of fresh, canned, or frozen fruit or vegetables, 30g of dried fruits or 150 ml of fresh fruit or vegetable juice (limit to 1 of these per day) count as a ‘portion’.
  • Low saturated fats Eating too many foods that are high in saturated fats can increase the level of cholesterol in your blood, which in turn, can increase your risk of heart disease.
  • Manage salt intake To help maintain healthy blood pressure be aware of the amount of salt you are having in your diet.  The NHS recommend that Adults should eat less than 6g of salt a day in total – that's about 1 teaspoon so be careful of the amount you are adding to your food and check food labels.
  • Eat fish Incorporate fish into your diet at least twice a week, including a portion of oily fish. Fish such as pilchards, sardines and salmon are a good source of omega-3 fats, which may help protect against heart disease.

5. Supplementation is always an option for those that struggle to get the right nutrients through their diet alone and may need some extra help. Supplements can also be used to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Speak with your doctor to assess your health and lifestyle to see which supplements may be of benefit to you.

As we get older, we tend to stop being as active. This may be for a number of reasons but the most popular one is likely to be that our joints become ‘creaky’ and being active just isn’t fun anymore. It becomes an effort, and in some cases, a very painful effort.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case as our 70-year-old surfer can prove! Eric is a true pioneer of living and maintaining an active lifestyle no matter how old you are and having been surfing for well over 50 years he only retired from competing in recent years. As well as his love of surfing he can also be found skiing, snowboarding, and climbing the odd mountain or two.

So, what keeps Eric riding the waves? This constant crusade for such an active lifestyle will put a strain on your joints and bones and Eric is the first to admit that he has become “creaky” over the last 10 years. However, stopping is not an option for a chap such as Eric and he is determined to carry on with the active lifestyle he so enjoys. One of the key factors for Eric was his discovery of Glucosamine and other supplements, such as turmeric to keep him active and able to continue all the sports he loves.  He now refers to Glucosamine as his WD-40 for joints, he acknowledges that without it, he would have had to retire from the sports he loves so much.

Glucosamine is probably one of the most widely taken supplements in the UK and is very common with folks who enjoy an active lifestyle. Glucosamine naturally occurs in the body where it is found in particularly high amounts in joint tissue. However, most foods contain very little Glucosamine so it's vital to top up your levels in your body by other methods, especially if you want to keep active.

In addition to glucosamine, Turmeric is also a great supplement to keep your joints as healthy as possible and to help reduce any aches and pains that may come with aging. With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric has proven to be a great ally in the fight against creaky and painful joints.

Cholesterol definitely has a bad reputation, and most would think that it was the body’s most dangerous substance and that it should be lowered at all costs. However, the reality is not that straight forward.

Cholesterol is a fatty acid that is essential to the functioning and the health of the body. It is needed to build and keep fluid in cellular membranes (this is important for communication), it also insulates nerves, produces vitamin D, hormones, and bile acid for digestion. So, if the body needs it why are approximately 12% of UK adults on medication to reduce their cholesterol?

The reason is too much ‘bad’ cholesterol can lead to a number of health-related problems, including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. What does that mean to the average person? Well, Cholesterol is carried around the bloodstream by fat/protein complexes called lipoproteins, which are divided into two types, LDL (short for low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (short for high-density lipoprotein). Because LDL carries cholesterol to the arteries and increases the risk of fatty deposits in the artery walls – LDL is called the ‘bad’ cholesterol, and because HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, HDL is called the ‘good’ cholesterol. Therefore, the higher a person’s HDL cholesterol compared with their LDL cholesterol, will determine if they need to control their cholesterol levels and bring it in line with the recommended healthy range of 4.9 to 5.4 mmol/l.

If your GP has advised you to lower your cholesterol, here is a brief look on how you can do that naturally through diet, exercise, lifestyle and supplements if needed.

Diet

A balanced diet is essential to maintain the amount of fats entering the body.  As well as a sustained supply of vitamins, minerals, Omega Oils and antioxidants it is important to ensure that the right amount (and the right type) of fat is absorbed. Monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, avocados and unsalted nuts, have recently been shown to reduce LDL whilst raising HDL.

Exercise

There are many health and wellbeing benefits to exercise but remember you don’t need expensive gym memberships or equipment!  Walking briskly for 30 minutes 3-5 times a week can help to get the body active and burn a few calories and running, swimming and cycling are all great for the heart too. However, any increase in activity is great so don’t fret if you can’t do 30-mins, just be as active as you can.

Managing Stress

Tension, anxiety, anger and depression are all aspects of stress and trigger the release of chemicals within the body that constrict arteries, reduce blood flow and raise blood pressure. In times of stress, you are also less likely to want to exercise as the desire to ‘wind down’ with a brisk walk is replaced by the want to sit down and do nothing! Managing stress is essential and by maintaining a balanced diet as well as a regular exercise regime is not only effective for beating stress but also for a better peace of mind.

Omega-3

Found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, Omega 3 fatty acids may lower cholesterol by supporting your body with the ‘good’ fats needed for essential body maintenance.

Vitamin E

Studies show that Vitamin E may help to prevent the deposits of LDL building up inside the arteries. It is also a natural antioxidant which can help to remove free radicals from the blood.

Garlic

Allicin, found in garlic cloves, has been shown to help reduce LDL ‘bad’ levels and raise HDL ‘good’ levels.

Red Rice Yeast

Red rice extract (RYRE) is a traditional Chinese medicine that naturally contains several ingredients that may help control cholesterol levels.  These include a number of monacolins, most importantly monacolin K. It also contains sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fatty acids, good fats.

Fibre

Vegetarians averagely have lower cholesterol than meat eaters, due to the fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans they consume. All of these contain a particular soluble fibre, pectin, which packs quite a cholesterol lowering punch! Not only this but it also helps to curb overeating by slowing the digestive process. High fibre foods include, wholegrain bread, bananas, raspberries, broccoli, chia seeds, lentils and parsnips.

During sleep our body goes through a sophisticated and organised programme necessary to undertake some major restoration and recuperation activity from the days ‘going-on’s’.

Your brain cycles through two different stages, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep happens intermittently throughout the night and is associated with dreaming where as non-REM sleep has more levels including deep sleep. During the REM stage the brain is thought to ‘back up’ all its information on to a hard drive, getting rid of information it doesn’t need and restoring what it does. Links are built across the brain to do so. It is thought that during this deep sleep or non-REM sleep that most of the restorative work around the rest of the body happens.

So what happens when you don’t get the quality of sleep needed to complete these stages?
Insomnia is a disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or both. It can leave you drained the following day. Insomnia can deplete not only your energy and mood but also affect your health, work performance and quality of life.

The amount of sleep you need is very individual and is often relative to age and activity. For example a teenager during the ‘growing years’ may need to sleep a lot where as someone in the latter part of their lifespan may need considerably less. Insomnia actually becomes more common with age. As you get older, changes to activity, medication, health problems become more pronounced and therefore make you more susceptible to poor quality sleep. Most adults need seven to eight hours but no matter how much sleep we get it is the quality of the sleep not the quantity. Anxiety, stress, and depression, eating late and fatty foods, drinking and sleeping environment can all disrupt the quality of your sleep.

You can get away with the odd night of poor-quality sleep but after a while the accumulation can start to affect you physically and mentally. Your body quite simply isn’t getting the chance to rejuvenate and repair. Cognitive abilities like memory, mental performance, mood and coordination can become significantly compromised. It can increase the risk of getting drowsy during the day in high-risk situations such as driving or reduce your competence at work or school for example. You may feel anxious about this and the cycle of poor sleep may be perpetuated. Or you may rely too heavily on poor nutrient foods such as caffeine or sugary foods simply to ‘get you through the day’. On a physiological level the immune system is suppressed with a lack of quality sleep, and eating nutrient poor foods only increases your vulnerability to infections and slowing down recovery.

What causes it?
This is varied and individual but with most cases of sleep concerns, it is due to mental concerns such as worry or depression or a diet rich in fatty foods or stimulants and low foods that promote serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone produced in the body and is involved in inducing sleep by enhancing the production of melatonin. Melatonin is triggered through periods of darkness or reduced sunshine (hence feeling a little more sluggish in the winter). The balance of these two hormones is essential for anyone on shift work where their circadian rhythm can be disrupted making it harder to gain quality sleep.

Snoring can the result of a diet high in fats, and affects nearly half of the adult population, where as alcohol intake in the evening may make you drowsy but it can prevent you from falling into a deep, quality sleep.

Waking up early and not being able to get back to sleep can be sign of mental concern such as anxiety of depression. Chemical imbalances in the brain can make falling asleep or staying asleep much harder as well as finding it difficult to relax.

What can you do about it?
Eat a small snack a couple of hours before going to bed. A late evening snack of whole-grains, bananas or nuts and seeds may help to raise serotonin and melatonin levels. Ideally don’t eat a large meal or drink stimulants such as caffeine, sugary drinks or alcohol within 2 hours before going to bed.

Don’t eat a big meal late at night. This can put extra strain on the digestive system and make you feel more physically uncomfortable or vulnerable to heart burn when lying down.

Avoid spicy, rich, fatty foods. This too can make you feel uncomfortable if eaten late at night but fatty foods may also encourage the chances of snoring.

Don’t drink too much liquid just before bed. This will get your bladder bursting to be emptied during the night. If this is a concern of yours, drink small amounts throughout the evening, stopping at least an hour before bed. Alcohol is a diuretic so avoid this too at least 2 hours prior to going to bed.

Avoid caffeine or sugary foods. These are stimulants to the nervous system and can make it harder to relax. Alcohol is also high in sugar and can cause you to wake in the middle of the night.

Certain herbal and nutrient supplements have also been shown to be especially effective. Valerian, hops and lemon balm have shown to relax the nervous system and induce sleep naturally, avoiding the drowsy feeling the next day associated with prescription sleeping pills. The minerals calcium and magnesium help the muscles to relax. Digestive enzymes can support the breakdown of rich and fatty foods thereby reducing the potential to snore. Rhodiola is a wonderful all round herb that is used for the relief of symptoms associated with stress such as anxiety, fatigue or exhaustion and is therefore a great choice if it is worry that is keeping you awake. 5 HTP is a natural amino acid that stimulates the production of melatonin.

Remember too to make sure your bedroom is low in geopathic stress such as televisions, computers, digital clocks, mobile’s. Have these as far away from your bed as possible and keep a window open to let in some fresh air. And don’t forget the relaxing wonders of lavender, a hot bath and some relaxing music.

Remember that even if you can only achieve 3 hours sleep at a time at the beginning it is indeed progress and you will get there with the right approach.

What is Acai?

The acai berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit . It comes from the acai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea) native to tropical Central and South America and has been a traditional food of the native people of the Amazon for hundreds of years. Acai derives from a word of indigenous peoples of South America meaning "fruit that cries." The fruit is used as a natural ink or dye and the wood is used in house construction (palm thatched roofs). Ethnobotanists have recorded no less than 22 different uses for all parts of the Acai tree. Due to what is being called the 'acai craze' in the United States, one proposed project in Brazil has called for the planting of five billion acai trees in the next 10 years.

How does it work?

The acai berry has been shown to contain a number of antioxidants (3) , including anthocyanins (4) which may boost the skin's ability to prevent oxidants from harming connective tissues. It also contains phytosterols which may protect epidermal collagen, and flavonoids, which may exert anti-inflammatory properties.  omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which are vital to proper cell contraction and regeneration; monounsaturated oleic acid, which may help the body to absorb omega-3 oil through the cell membrane more effectively; as well as phytonutrients and minerals such as potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium. Acai berry purportedly posseses more proteins than an egg, and the vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E. The oleic acid content of açaí has been reported to be the same as in olive oil.

What do we use it for?

In recent times, research on acai fruit has been centered on its potential antioxidant properties. Acai fruit has also shown anticancer (1) and anti-inflammatory activity (2)diseases casued by oxidative damage such as heart disease. It has also been used as immune stimulant, energy enhancer. Anthocyanins and flavonoids found in Acai fruit are powerful antioxidants that help defend the body against life's stressors. They also play a role in the body's cell protection system. Free radicals are harmful byproducts produced by the body. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process by neutralizing free radicals. By lessening the destructive power of free radicals, antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Some studies state that the antioxidant capability of the acai fruit is even greater than that of cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. It has been reported that the antioxidant properties of Acai berries may also be effective at promoting weight loss although further research is still needed to confirm this.

How should we take it?

No typical dose has been set for acai berry as yet but effective doses appear to be 2000mg of whole acai berry. No contraindications are known.

Refs:

1. Pozo-Insfran, D., Percival, S. S., and Talcott, S. T. Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells. J Agric.Food Chem 2-22-2006;54(4):1222-1229.
2. Schauss, A. G., Wu, X., Prior, R. L., Ou, B., Huang, D., Owens, J., Agarwal, A., Jensen, G. S., Hart, A. N., and Shanbrom, E. Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai). J Agric.Food Chem 11-1-2006;54(22):8604-8610.
3. Jensen, G. S., Wu, X., Patterson, K. M., Barnes, J., Carter, S. G., Scherwitz, L., Beaman, R., Endres, J. R., and Schauss, A. G. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of an antioxidant-rich fruit and berry juice blend. Results of a pilot and randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J.Agric.Food Chem. 9-24-2008;56(18):8326-8333.
4. Rodrigues, R. B., Lichtenthaler, R., Zimmermann, B. F., Papagiannopoulos, M., Fabricius, H., Marx, F., Maia, J. G., and Almeida, O. Total oxidant scavenging capacity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (acai) seeds and identification of their polyphenolic compounds. J.Agric.Food Chem. 6-14-2006;54(12):4162-4167.

People taking garlic supplements acquire significantly fewer colds than people taking a placebo. Garlic has been used for millennia as both a food and medicine. Although most studies of garlic's benefits involve raw or powdered garlic, odourless garlic products now dominate the supplement industry as equally healthy alternatives to their pungent-smelling counterparts. If you are interested in using odourless garlic supplements for any purpose, consult your health care provider about the possible benefits and risks.

 Fewer Side Effects

According to the National Institutes of Health, bad breath and body odour are the most common side effects associated with garlic supplements. Although odourless forms of garlic still contain trace amounts of malodorous sulfur compounds, these processed products generally cause fewer side effects than conventional forms of the supplement. Odourless garlic is less likely to cause halitosis, or bad breath. It is also less likely to cause the pungent, sulfurous body odour classically associated with garlic. However, there is no evidence to suggest that garlic's other side effects, such as headache and dizziness, can be prevented through the use of odourless supplements.

 Cardiovascular Health

Garlic works in a variety of ways to promote overall heart health, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Compounds in garlic supplements help to prevent platelet aggregation, or the clumping of blood cells. They may also cause modest reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein, or "bad," cholesterol levels. Additionally, the UMMC notes that garlic can help to reduce blood pressure. Although the American Heart Association acknowledges garlic's potential as a preventative in regard to cardiovascular disease, the association also notes a lack of consistent evidence regarding the relative efficacy of varying preparations. No well-designed studies have compared odourless garlic's benefits to those associated with other varieties.

Common Cold

Odourless garlic supplements may play a role in the prevention and treatment of the common cold, according to the UMMC. People taking garlic supplements acquire significantly fewer colds than people taking a placebo. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health report that garlic may help to reduce the severity of upper-respiratory infections, including coughs and colds. These findings are encouraging, but it is important to note that there is no cure for any viral infection. Unless otherwise directed by a qualified practitioner, do not rely upon garlic alone as a treatment for any disease or condition.

 Cancer Prevention

Daily supplementation with odourless garlic may help to prevent several common forms of cancer. According to the UMMC, people who consume garlic regularly have lower rates of stomach and colorectal cancers. Limited evidence also suggests that garlic can help to prevent cancers of the breast, throat and prostate. The UMMC attributes these benefits to garlic's potent antioxidant activity and its ability to stimulate immune function. These findings are promising; however, it is important to note that most studies have involved raw or fresh garlic as part of a diet. No large-scale trials have investigated the use of aged, odourless garlic supplements for cancer prevention.