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Holland & Barrett Blackstrap Molasses & Chelated Iron
by xxfoxyredxx
When it comes to vitamin and mineral supplements I'm quite a fan of them on the whole. I think that if I can safely help my health in any way I will and these cost me only £6.05 for a 100 of them and the reason that I started to take them was when I had a blood test and it revealed I was low on Iron.
The ... Packaging:
The tub is dark green and see through and made of plastic and they have a dark green plastic lid that twists on/off with a push down and then there is a dark green and white label that goes around the main body of the tub and on the front of it we are clearly told tat they are Holland & Barrett Blackstrap Molasses & Chelated Iron, 15mg 'Supports Red Blood Cell Production' and that they are a Food Supplement and that there are 100 of the capsules in the tub and then on the back of the tub other information listed includes directions for use being given (Take 1 a day), nutritional information and the ingredients are given, allergy advice is given and contact details for the manufacturer are clearly stated.
The Capsules:
These capsules are black in colour and feel like jellies that are quite large but easy to take with a big gulp of water and all you do is take one daily and they are quite simple, odourless and tasteless to take.
These are meant to help with cognitive functional, give a normal energy yielding metabolism, to help with the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, to help normal oxygen transport in the body and to generally help the immune system and with tiredness and fatigue. Because I knew I had a deficiency in Iron I was really hoping that these would help with supporting my immune system as I suffered with a lot of coughs and colds prior to taking these and I hoped that they would help with my general feelings of tiredness and fatigue as I suffer with M.E and I wasn't disappointed with the results from these at all!
It took about a month for me feel any difference through taking these to be honest but generally I feel less tired and I really am suffering less with colds and the likes and I feel my general health is a lot better since taking them. I'm not falling asleep so much all over the place, when I am awake I'm less confused and more focused for longer....I can't say that they have completely changed my life but I have to admit that I now wouldn't want to be without these and I think these are very worth the money I pay for them!
These in my opinion are great value for money and are good quality as well as being highly effective for me and so if you need a decent Iron supplement then I can wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone who needs them thought do be advised by medical professionals of course and the good sales assistants in Holland & Barrett really do know what they're on about.
Only available from Holland & Barretts.
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Herbal Authority Echinea Goldenseal Extract
by xxfoxyredxx
I suffer terribly with a really low immune system. An eating disorder, M.E and Hyperthyroidism have all played a roll on this sadly over the years and one of the things I get plaqued with are colds which then have a bad effect on my M.E and make it a whole lot worse.
I bought this product to help prevent coughs, colds and ... flu's really. Echinacea was clinically trialed and proven to help reduce the severity of symptoms by 1-4 days of a cold or a flu but not only that this can help with general breathing...as well as a whole host of other issues I will come on to but like I say for me I bought this as a preventative treatment but if I was unlucky enough to fall ill then I'd have it in as well to hopefully shorten my length of suffering! lol.
The Packaging:
This did come in box and the box and the green labeling on the bottle are pretty much the same in the way of the information given. The bottle is brown and made from chunky glass and it has a black rubber section to the top of it which you have to gently pinch to draw the liquid out of the main inside of the bottle and up a tube to dispense it and then on the front of the label we are clearly told that it is Herbal Authority Echinacea And Goldenseal and that is contains 500mg of the plant extracts, that it is indeed a food supplement and measures 30ml, then on the back of the bottle we are told how to use it, nutritional and the ingredients used are clearly listed as is the best before date, we are told a bit about the product as in what it does and doesn't contain (It is suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans by the way) and contact details for the manufacturer are clearly stated. No where on the packaging are we told what this can be used for and the only reason I bought this is because I was looking for something online ages ago to help me with colds and flu however if you go into a health shop and the likes I'm sure they know all about this too!
About Echinacea And Golden Seal:
Wherever you look, who ever you speak to there is a wealth of information and opinion on what this can help with. I personally think that Echinacea can help to support a healthy immune system, help to support healthy yeast levels, is helpful in speeding wound healing and that Goldenseal is good for helping with sore sinuses and colds (as does Echinacea) and it can even help with stomach issues and bugs and parasites. Really this can be used for many health issues and taking it won't hurt you anyway as its a natural product!
This is very simple to take indeed. On the glass tube inside the bottle there are measurements clearly given and all you need of this per dose is 1ml of the liquid in a little water three to six times a day and we are told we are best to have this with meals. It contains no artificial colours, sweeteners or preservatives, has no added salt, starch or any milk in it at all, lactose, soya or gluten isn't in there either and there is no wheat, yeast, fish or porcine in it and this is suitable for adults, children and pregnant women to take, even women breastfeeding mums though you do need to get the all clear from someone in the medical profession really before doing this.
So I actually use this one three times a day, breakfast, lunchtime and teatime and its 1ml per dose as I have already stated in a little water. The mixture smells a little malty to my nasal passages, the dark brown liquid sinks to the bottom of the water quickly and you simply and quickly give it a stir and to me this tastes gross and rather bitter and a bit like plants. I am not a fan of the flavour of it I have to admit!
However for me I find this a really useful thing to take. I do feel I am less run down, have less coughs and colds and if I get a sore throat (which I do often cos of my thyroid problem) I find this soothes, coats and cures it till I have the next dose. Goldenseal alone is recognised today as a powerful herbal antibiotic and immune system enhancer and I think that I am suffering less for taking this regularly as prior to taking this I was always coming down with something or other and of course this is coupled with the fantastic Echinacea that seems to ward off many ills as well so you get a double whammy of goodness from this.
Of course there is no definitive proof that this works and we are all different. I'm never going be a fan of how this tastes but seeing as I feel generally better and am not coughing or coming down with sore throats and colds so often I will continue to purchase this though I have to admit this is quite hard to get my hands on and the only place I have found it in the UK thus far is a local health shop and I pay £6.00 a bottle for mine though Google it online and it can be gotten hold of from abroad and sent to you!
A great product and worth a try for general health reasons if you fancy it!
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Pregnacare Dietary Supplement
by Holland1
When I had my very first appointment with my midwife, she recommended I started taking Pregnacare, which is a multivitamin tablet designed specifically for pregnant women. I had already been taking folic acid, but my doctor neglected to tell me I should be taking Vitamin D as well. To be sure I was getting all the vitamins my baby ... needs, I decided to stop taking the folic acid and replace it with these.
The Pregnacare brand has a few different products on the market, including:
* Pregnacare Original
* Pregnacare for Breastfeeding
* Pregnacare for Conception
* Pregnacare for New Mums
* Pregnacare Max
* Pregnacare plus Omega 3
I opted for the original version, as this seemed to contain everything I'd need. However, on reflection, I wish I had gone for the one with Omega 3, as I have now realised I don't eat enough fish to get enough Omega 3, which is essential for the baby's brain development. However, if I have to buy some Omega 3 supplements separately, this isn't too big a deal.
The tablets are designed for use in pregnancy, so the beauty of these is that you don't have to worry that they might contain something which could potentially be harmful to your baby. For example, you're supposed to limit your Vitamin A intake in pregnancy, so a multi-vitamin which wasn't designed for use in pregnancy would be unsuitable as it wouldn't take this into account.
The tablets contain the recommended daily dose of folic acid and Vitamin D, alongside 17 other carefully selected vitamins. Although there are other versions available which are aimed at new mums or breastfeeding mums, the original tablets are suitable for use prior to conceiving, throughout pregnancy, and when breastfeeding. I thought these would be the best value to buy because I can continue to use them after having the baby if I decide to breastfeed.
The guidance on these tablets is to take one each day with a glass of water, and to swallow whole rather than chewing. They must be taken on a full stomach, which can be tricky if you are struggling with morning sickness, however they are quite big so I think you'd struggle to take these if you were feeling nauseous anyway. They are suitable for vegetarians.
I have been taking these tablets since my midwife recommended them, which is the majority of the first trimester of my pregnancy, and I intend to continue taking them throughout the rest of my pregnancy. They are quite large, I have to admit, so I have to swallow quite a bit of water to help wash them down. If you struggle with taking tablets you might not get on with these, as they are a bit on the large side. They feel as though they might taste chalky, but I have never really noticed much taste of them after swallowing. You can taste an almost herbal taste on the way down, but this soon subsides and doesn't leave a nasty taste in your mouth.
Obviously I can't say whether or not these tablets are doing me or my unborn baby any good, but I am reassured that I am getting the right vitamins and minerals to give the baby the best start in life. This is really important because as a first-time mum to be, I've found myself feeling quite paranoid that I'm trying to do the right thing all the time. In the first three months of pregnancy, many women suffer with morning sickness, but if you can try to stomach one of these tablets each day, it's reassuring to know that even if you're not up to eating much, you're still getting the vitamins you need. Obviously, these tablets shouldn't be used to replace a healthy diet, but they can help you feel less guilty in the early stages when food can be difficult to stomach.
I would highly recommend these tablets. I find it reassuring that I'm giving my baby the vitamins it needs. The only downside is that because they have to be taken on a full stomach, I find it more difficult remembering to take them than would be the case if I could just take them first thing in the morning when I get out of bed. I bought mine from Amazon because it was cheaper to buy in bulk, I ended up with around nine months worth (3 packs x 90 tablets) for around £18, but they are also available in pharmacies and supermarkets. In Boots, they currently cost £11.69 for 90 tablets, but are also on a 3 for 2 offer which makes them reasonable value if the use by dates are long enough.
(Review also appears on Ciao under the username Gingerkitty)
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