While most studies show that 10-20 million CFU are adequate for probiotic benefits, larger CFUs may be more suitable for individuals requiring significant support and/or seeking relief from certain health conditions. By: Gina Jaeger, PhD Summary It is difficult to define an “adequate” CFU for achieving probiotic effects because there are so many different probiotic organisms and variables affecting probiotic efficacy. The number of CFU a person needs will ultimately depend on their purpose for taking probiotics. While most studies show that 10-20 million CFU are adequate for probiotic benef ..read more

While almost everyone has heard of vitamin D3, not many people know about the bone-building and cardiovascular benefits of vitamin K2. Let's break it down as best we could. From security guard to foreman Vitamin D3, among other important functions, helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorous—vital bone-building minerals—from the foods you eat. It “pulls” calcium and phosphorous from your gut and your kidneys into your bloodstream, where it can be ushered to other parts of the body (namely, your bones). Think of vitamin D3 as the security guard for your body’s calcium intake. Vitamin K ..read more

When life gets busy, sleep is often the first thing to go. But sleep is more important than you might think. Without proper sleep, your brain has trouble forming memories and learning new information. Chronic lack of sleep also takes its toll on your immune and cardiovascular systems. What’s more, most of us don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. Even though humans typically spend about one-third of their lives asleep, we still don’t know exactly why. What we do know is that sleep is a universal human need, and that without enough of it we face serious physiological consequences—both shor ..read more

By: Gina Jaeger, PhD Summary For maximal iron absorption, avoid pairing sources of iron with foods or supplements high in calcium High doses of zinc (often found in supplements for immune health) can inhibit the synthesis and absorption of the essential mineral, copper Although still under investigation, research suggests that taking large doses of vitamin A can impede dietary vitamin D absorption Optimal health is top of mind these days, and it’s not hard to see why. As people around the world look for nutrient-based ways to support their immune health, an important consideration is how t ..read more

By: Gina Jaeger, PhD BENEFICIAL NUTRIENT COMBINATIONS  Essential nutrients like vitamin D, iron, calcium, vitamin C, and magnesium are just that—essential for maintaining a number of life-sustaining functions, and thus essential for life. For this reason, it is imperative that we obtain sufficient amounts of these nutrients through the foods we eat and/or the supplements we consume. Interestingly, because many vitamins and minerals interact at a chemical, biochemical, or physiological level certain nutrient pairings can actually yield greater benefits than when taken i ..read more

By: Adin Smith, MS Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish (EPA+DHA) are believed to have a positive impact on heart health.1,2 Evidence supporting this claim comes from studies tracking large groups of people and linking higher omega-3 blood levels with a lower risk of major cardiovascular problems.3,4 These findings led the American Heart Association (AHA) to recommend that individuals with poor cardiovascular health consume a minimum of 1 gram of omega-3s from fish or fish oil capsules per day.5 The AHA also recommends that people without heart problems consume at least two servings of oily fish ..read more

Highlights Benefits of vitamin D include bone, brain, cardiovascular, metabolic health, a healthy pregnancy, and more 40 per cent of Singaporeans are deficient in vitamin D, while another 8 per cent were very deficient. Vitamin D supplementation above 40,000 IU/day is shown to be safe, and reveals no signs of toxicity Purchase Vitamin D on OneLife.sg Why is vitamin D important? Although vitamin D is called a “vitamin” (i.e., a required nutrient obtained from the diet), it is not truly a vitamin. It acts more like a hormone since the body can synthesize it from cholesterol after the skin is e ..read more

Highlights Excess body fat increases the risk of developing health conditions and disorders. The microbes in our gut may affect how efficiently we harvest energy from food, and how it is stored or expended. Probiotics may alter the microbial populations in the gut to support intestinal health and a healthy body mass index.   Excess body fat has become a prevalent health problem—affecting roughly 2 out of every 3 adults and 1 out of every 3 children in the United States.1,2 In Singapore, based on the 2017 Singapore National Population Health Survey, the prevalence of obesity among adult ..read more

By: Denise John, PhD Knowing whether to trust all of the supplement-related information you find on the internet can be difficult. Here we debunk 6 common nutrition myths to help you make the best dietary choices. So, read on and spread the (factual) word! “FISH OIL IS A FAD WITH NO SCIENCE TO SUPPORT ITS BENEFITS.” MYTH. So false! Today’s typical Western diet is deficient in sources of EPA and DHA (good fats found in fish oil), and research suggests these deficiencies are putting people at risk for innumerable suboptimal health outcomes. Decades of clinical research studies support fish oil ..read more

By Adin Smith When life gets challenging, it is human nature to seek comfort in the things that bring us immediate pleasure, like eating a doughnut or watching Netflix. Enjoying some of the simple pleasures or distractions in life is not a bad thing; however when the motivation for making healthy choices starts to weaken it can have a detrimental impact on your health. The challenge is knowing how to prioritize your lifestyle changes from the top-down. This list of five fundamental changes will help you make those long-lasting improvements you have been looking for.   1. Exercise It ..read more