There has been an increase in interest on the topic of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and enlarged prostate due to recent news coverage which can only be a good thing for awareness. Prostate disorders affect around 50% of men in their 50s – and almost all men over the age of 80. With that in mind, it might pay to get clued up.

BPH occurs when the prostate grows to an unhealthy size, causing difficulty and discomfort for men when urinating. Symptoms of BPH are urinating frequently, difficulty in getting a urine stream going and feeling as if you are unable to empty your bladder properly. Although not life-threatening in most cases, prostate disorders are not much fun. And you do need an official diagnosis from your doctor to rule out more serious conditions.

Are you a man ‘of that age’? Why not try A.Vogel’s free of charge ‘Prostate Symptom Check’ to learn more about this condition? Click here to find out more.

With a confirmed diagnosis of BPH, luckily there is an option for relieving those urinary symptoms associated with the condition. A.Vogel Prostasan Saw Palmetto capsules is a once-a-day remedy used to relieve the lower urinary symptoms of BPH.

Grab your Prostasan online or in-store now.

Collagen is the most prominent protein in the body, making up almost 30% of all protein and is the second most abundant substance after water. It is a key component of connective tissues, found everywhere, including the skin, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. It is believed that our endogenous collagen production declines as we age, with production dropping by 1% each year after the age of 30. Incorporating more collagen into our diets to maintain strong bones, joints and healthy skin is foundational.

Why do we need it?
– The body becomes less efficient at producing collagen as we age; We lose 1% each year after 30 years old.
– Dietary preferences and patterns have changed over the decades; years ago, people used bones, broth, organs and tendons to enrich the diet with whole animal sources of collagen nutrition.
– Signs of ageing can be a result of collagen deficiency; dull, saggy skin that lacks lustre, decreased joint flexibility and mobility, may indicate low collagen levels.

How does collagen supplementation work?

It acts as a messenger
Collagen peptides may act as messengers to the cells and trigger the synthesis and reorganisation of new collagen fibers, therefore supporting skin, bone and joint tissue structures.

It supplies the body with needed amino acids, or building blocks
Over 90% of the collagen peptides appear in our bloodstream within a few hours after consumption. This rapid absorption ensures an effective delivery of the essential peptides and amino acids to their site of action within the body. Consumption of collagen peptides helps supply the body with amino acids needed as building blocks to renew tissues, like skin, bones and joints.

The key amino acids
Collagen is characterised by a high level of key amino acids: Glycine, Proline and Hydroxyproline. These represent about 50% of the total amino acid content, which are the same amino acids found in skin, joints, and bones. This specific composition provides collagen peptides with unique bio-functional properties that cannon be found in other protein sources.

Types of collagen
The type of collagen refers to where it is located, in the body (where it’s sourced from), not where it’s going to be transplanted after consumption, which is a common misconception. For example, consuming collagen sourced from bovine hides, containing Type I and Type III, can support joint health. This is because collagen is metabolised just like other proteins into tri/di-peptides and amino acids, which in turn stimulate and nourish the cells to produce more collagen.

Where does it come from?
Collagen is an animal-based substance, most commonly derived from bovines, fish and porcine.

Is there vegan collagen?
Collagen cannot be derived from plants and therefore is not vegan. Collagen builders are often made with vitamins and minerals that serve as cofactors to support collagen production.

Can I take it if pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding?
Vital Proteins collagen is safe to use when pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding. However, it is advised to seek advice from your health professional first.

What makes Vital Proteins collagen different?
Vital Proteins prides itself on three things; transparency, quality and clean labels. We believe everyone should know how products are made, offering numerous resources regarding education, sourcing, processing, and testing. Vital Proteins is committed to creating premium collagen products, prioritising high quality, recognisable ingredients.

MINAMI® specialise in producing high strength premium quality omega 3 fish oils, with a range of products tailored to suit different lifestyles and life stages.

Did you know that not all Omega-3 supplements are created equal? In fact MINAMI® uses a unique advanced extraction process called Supercritical CO2 extraction that ensures our Omega 3 products are highly concentrated, pure and sustainable.

Now you’ve likely seen or heard a lot about omega 3 fish oils and how important they are, but what exactly are they? Omega essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are involved in many important biological processes in the body. They are referred to as ‘essential’ because the human body cannot synthesise them on its own, and we need to get them from our diet or through supplementation. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are involved in many biological processes, and each has a different role to play.

The most well researched omega 3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA, and fish oil is one of the main sources for both these fats. Current government guidelines recommend you eat two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily fish. However, there are many reasons why it can be unrealistic for people to follow these government guidelines. Also many people do not enjoy eating fish, or they are concerned about the possible toxins in fish (especially if sourcing is not transparent). This is why it is a good idea to consider supplementing with Omega-3 from a brand that is trusted to provide clean, high quality omega 3 fats.

And what about individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet? Don’t worry, Minami has you covered, in our range we have a vegan DHA sourced from algae that provides a good level of this essential fatty acid.

In today’s hectic society we are always on the go and rarely get round to taking the time to properly relax and unwind, an essential part of a healthy mind and body. A little bit of stress may be good for you to help you achieve that adrenaline rush to help you power through a long day at work or help to boost your exercise workouts but at the end of the day to balance your whole being relaxation is the key to a healthy existence.

Studies have found that relaxing has a large number of benefits including protecting your heart and lowering your risk of catching a cold. Relaxing can also boost your memory and help you make better decisions.

Whatever you do to relax make sure you find some time in your day to pamper yourself and unwind. If you haven’t got the time to visit your local spa or beauticians on a regular basis why not indulge yourself at home.

Whether you fancy a new hair colour, a home facial or some aromatherapy, put your feet up and let us, here at Naturalife Wholefoods, provide you with the necessary products to help you completely chill out.