Did you know?

Selenium is linked to better breast health
Preliminary research has found that women with adequate blood levels of selenium have better breast health compared to women with low levels of selenium.¹,²,³ What’s more, scientists have discovered that women who carry a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which affects healthy breast cell growth, may benefit from selenium.  In fact, researchers report that women with the BRCA1 gene who were given 276 mcg of selenium per day for 3 months experienced better cell growth regulation in breast tissue.⁴  What’s more, experimental research confirms the role of selenium in regulating healthy cell growth in tissues such as the breast, prostate and others.⁵  Selenium can also optimize detoxification processes that are involved in increasing the excretion and/or reducing the production of harmful chemicals that can occur during normal metabolism.v Natrol offers a clinically tested form of selenium in Natrol^® SelenoExcell^® Max, which is the form in use in a variety of health related studies.^†

Chromium helps insulin work efficiently
Have you ever considered whether your body is receiving the chromium it needs for proper insulin function? If not, here’s what you need to know about this very important, but often under recognized, trace mineral. While chromium is widely distributed in the food supply, most foods provide only small amounts. In addition, food processing methods often remove the naturally occurring chromium.⁶ As a result, obtaining a sufficient amount of chromium in the diet can be difficult. In addition, several conditions can sap your body’s chromium stores. For instance, diets high in simple sugars can increase chromium excretion in the urine, and infection, exercise, pregnancy and lactation, and stressful states (such as physical trauma) can increase chromium losses from the body.vi Chromium is critical for helping the body utilize glucose as a source of energy. It works by helping cells respond properly to insulin—the hormone that makes blood sugar available to the cells. What’s more, when the body efficiently uses glucose for energy, it is less likely to be stored as fat.⁷ According to nutrition experts, the estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake range for chromium is 50-200 mcg daily. Because consuming this amount through foods alone requires serious effort, and estimating how much chromium is regularly consumed can be difficult, a daily supplement such as Natrol^® ChromeMate® offers an easy solution to ensure a healthy intake.^†

Do you need a brain boost?
Eating well, getting adequate rest, and exercising regularly are all important factors for keeping your spirits high and brain fog at bay. However, nutrition experts are also finding that sensible supplementation may be another way to give your brain a boost. For instance, studies show that some people suffering from emotional blues may have lower blood levels of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid, which are being studied for their role in maintaining a healthy mood.⁸,⁹ What’s more, scientists have reported that individuals taking folic acid or vitamin B6 may receive a boost in memory performance.¹⁰,¹¹ The B vitamins, B6, B12 and folic acid are critical for brain function and nerve health with roles ranging from aiding in the production of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain to regulating energy release in brain cells.¹² Most multivitamins provide adequate levels of B’s, but if you’re a picky eater, follow a restricted or low-calorie diet, or have high stress levels, consider an additional B vitamin supplement such as Natrol^® B-100 Complex.^†

The A, B, C’s of healthy skin, hair and nails
Nutrition experts have long known that vibrant and healthy skin, hair and nails require daily nutrition from A to zinc. Here are the most important need-to-have nutrients to help strengthen and nourish your body from within. Vitamin A is an important skin health nutrient that helps strengthen the skin’s barrier defense and is involved in the formation of keratin, a protein found in skin, hair and nails. ¹³ ,¹⁴ Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is intricately involved in DNA replication and transcription as well as a variety of cellular responses, which may explain why it has been associated with healthy hair and nails.¹⁵ Antioxidant vitamins beta-carotene, C, and E help protect skin cells from harmful free radicals and ultraviolet light.¹⁶,¹⁷ Vitamin C is requiredfor the synthesis of collagen, the protein of greatest abundance in connective tissue, particularly skin.¹⁸ Copper is an essential mineral that is required for the cross-linking of collagen and elastin, which are essential for the formation of strong, flexible and elastic connective tissue, found in skin.xiii Zinc helps maintain the integrity of skin and is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and cell division, functions which are necessary for healthy hair, skin and nails. xiii Natrol makes it easy to get these and other important beauty nutrients with Skin, Hair, Nails.^†

Vitamin K receives attention for its growing list of health benefits
Researchers are discovering more and more potential functions for vitamin K, a nutrient originally appreciated only for its clotting function. Vitamin K’s ability to act as a bone-strengthener and heart-protector is now currently the subject of active investigation. The ability of the bone-building protein, osteocalcin, to bind minerals in bone, is dependent on the body’s vitamin K status. For instance, researchers have found that low vitamin K consumption or impaired vitamin K status is associated with reduced bone mineral density, increased risk of fractures, and increased bone turnover.¹⁹
Vitamin K has also been shown to activate a specific calcium-binding protein that may help reduce calcium deposits in arteries, thereby helping to support healthy blood vessels.²⁰ If that’s not enough to make you want to get your daily vitamin K intake, then add cellular-regulator to the list. Vitamin K is required for a specific cell-regulating protein that helps ensure healthy cell growth, normal cell signaling and critical cell repair.^{21 †}

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