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Researchers recommend omega-3 fats for mood health
Researchers are discovering that you just might be able to beat the blues by increasing your omega-3 intake from fish and fish oil. The possibility that omega-3 fats may lighten your mood is the subject of ongoing research. To date, studies in both adults and children have found that omega-3 rich fish oil may promote a healthy mood.¹,²,³ In addition, the Omega-3 Fatty Acids Subcommittee, assembled by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) alsorecently concluded that supplementation with EPA and DHA appear to be safe and have the potential to benefit mood.⁴ Fish and fish oil are the richest natural sources of the omega-3 fats, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are critical to life itself and play a role in many important physiological functions. Unfortunately, most North Americans eat very little fish and consume, on average, 100 mg of EPA and DHA per day,⁵ much less than the clinically tested dosage of omega-3 fats shown to support mood. In addition to regular seafood consumption (i.e., 2 meals per week), add a daily fish oil supplementto help boost your omega-3 intake. The Natrol^® brand offers Extreme Omega®, a concentrated source of omega-3s from fish oil with a pleasant lemon flavor for added mood support.^†

Could lycopene be good for your heart?
You probably already know that lycopene can help men protect their prostate, but what about its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system? Research continues to mount in favor of lycopene’s ability to protect vascular health. The most recent findings show that women with the highest blood levels of lycopene also had significantly healthier blood vessels and blood  cholesterol and a healthier inflammatory response compared to those with the lowest lycopene levels.⁶ These preliminary findings suggests that lycopene, an antioxidant that is present in red- and pink-colored fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit, may function in multiple ways to help promote a healthy cardiovascular system. Previous research has already confirmed that 10-30 mg daily of supplemental lycopene can help improve the body’s total antioxidant capacity and/or decrease oxidative damage to DNA.⁷ ,⁸,⁹ What’s more, several earlier studies suggest that lycopene may indeed have the ability to offer cardiovascular protection.¹⁰,¹¹,¹²,¹³ Just two tablets of Natrol^® Lycopene contain more lycopene (i.e., 30 mg) than an 8-ounce serving of tomato juice.^†

Go with your gut
Is your gut telling you something isn’t right? If you feel uncomfortable, bloated, or experience occasional constipation or diarrhea then your body is letting you know that something may be wrong with your diet. The typical stressed, fast-paced lifestyle coupled with overindulgence and unhealthy food choices can wreak havoc in your gut. What’s more, the foods you eat can either increase or decrease specific types of bacteria in your intestines. The gut is home to billions of bacteria that need to stay in a healthy balance to maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. Healthy bacteria, also known as probiotics, perform a multitude of functions in the gut such as keeping the gut flora in balance; fueling and reinforcing the intestinal lining; maintaining the immune system; helping promote a healthy inflammatory response; and even exhibiting antioxidant and cellular protection.¹⁴ However, if you’re not eating enough pre-biotic fiber, the type found in foods like onions, artichokes, oats, beans, and bananas, then, you’re not fueling your body’s production of probiotics. If your gut needs intensive support, consider Natrol^® Probiotic Intestinal Maximum Care, a super strength and clinically validated probiotic formula with arabinoglycans to feed your body’s probiotic bacteria—and—help maintain the health of your digestive system.^†

Coenzyme Q-10: a must-have companion for statin drugs
Based on recent research, doctors may soon be recommending coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) when they prescribe statin medication to their patients. Coenzyme Q-10 appears to be conditionally essential for people taking statin drugs. Lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin and other statin drugs are designed to lower cholesterol levels, but in the process they also reduce blood levels of CoQ-10. In fact, researchers have found that CoQ-10 supplementation can help replenish healthy blood levels of CoQ-10, which may be depleted by statin drugs.¹⁵ ,¹⁶ Interestingly, researchers are finding that the combination of CoQ-10 and statin therapy may have supportive cardiovascular benefits.¹⁷,¹⁸ CoQ-10 functions as a multi-purpose antioxidant protecting cells, proteins, DNA and cholesterol from harmful free radicals. It also helps power the heart by fueling vital processes such as energy production and muscle contraction.¹⁹ Amounts in the range of 100-200 mg per day appear to be beneficial for cardiovascular protection, particularly for those taking statin drugs.²⁰ Natrol offers CoQ-10 200 mg in liquid filled softgels for enhanced bioavailability.^†

Lack of sleep is linked to weight gain
Scientists appear to be unraveling a link between sleep patterns and weight management. While adequate sleep is associated with a lower occurrence of weight problems,²¹ sleep deprivation has been shown to negatively affect hormones involved in appetite control and energy balance²²,²³ and has been linked to weight gain.²⁴ One study found that middle-aged women who sleep 5 or fewer hours each night weighed an average of 5.5 lbs more than those who sleep for at least 7 hours.24 Although the exact causes are unknown, it does appear that in order to maximize weight-loss efforts, quality resting patterns need to be assured. If you’re having trouble sleeping, consider Natrol^® Melatonin 3 mg Time Release, a drug-free, sleep aid that offers a biphasic delivery system which releases melatonin quickly to help you fall asleep fast and then steadily to help you stay asleep all night. Melatonin is naturally produced by the body at night to control the internal 24-hour time-keeping system that plays an important role in when we fall asleep and when we wake up. However, normal melatonin cycles can be disrupted during shift work²⁵ and with age.^{26 †}

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