For all of you who have sent in letters to Health Canada or your MPs ...congratulations! Putting the issue into the spotlight has played at least a partial role in its approval for sale. (On the other hand, a recent court case where it was argued that given carnitine’s safety level, Health Canada could not legally enforce their own regulations on it also helped a lot.)

Put simply, L-carnitine is essential for your cellular furnaces, called mitochondria, to burn fat as a source of fuel. Without carnitine, you can’t get fat into the furnace. If your levels are low, supplementing L-carnitine is like tipping-up the fat conveyor belt going into the mitochondria, allowing you to more preferentially use fat as fuel. And remember, fat is an excellent source of energy, yielding more than twice as much as carbohydrate or protein.

By Elaine Doucette, Herbalist, BMSA Tech

Fat is a very important fuel to bears in preparing for hibernation.  Like bears, humans also need fat to slow down the process of nutrient absorption and help create a feeling of fullness that will sustain energy for longer periods of time.  Winter hibernation is a reality for bears, but most people today continue to go about our active lifestyles through the darkest days of the year, ignoring nature’s seasonal cycle. 

Fats from animal and vegetable sources provide a concentrated source of energy in the diet; they also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances.  Fats in a meal will slow down nutrient absorption so that we can go longer without feeling hungry. They also act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins such as: A, D, E and K.  Dietary fats as well are needed for the conversion of food sourced carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption and for many other processes.

Whether you’re talking about offsetting excesses such as alcohol and fat over the holidays or optimizing your strength and energy, recovering from illness, surgery, stress, numerous disease states, or simply maintaining good health, your body’s levels of glutathione are critical.

Glutathione is found in all of our cells. Comprised of the three amino acids cysteine, glutamine, and glycine, it functions as a centrally important antioxidant, and also helps recycle / regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C or E

By Elaine Doucette, Herbalist, BMSA Tech

Cultured food that is! Once regarded as sacred in traditional diets, cultured foods contain bacteria collectively known as “probiotics”… which means “for life”. Probiotics are friendly, beneficial bacteria which prevent disease in their host. These bacteria colonize the large and small intestines and are very important for a healthy digestive system. 

Cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir and soured cream provide probiotics and lactic acid to the digestive tract, serving to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption. Research has shown that the regular consumption of cultured dairy products lowers cholesterol, enhances immunity, protects against bone loss, and reduces inflammation in the gut.

When it comes to overall immune support, and staying well over the holidays or winter, few herbs are as valuable and broad spectrum in their actions as Astragalus.

It is used not only as a general immune tonic and strength builder, but has been shown to be helpful for colds and upper respiratory tract infections, prevention of flus, bronchitis, mononucleosis, and pneumonia...

For centuries, the Holly plant has played a significant role in rituals and celebrations.

 According to Celtic and Germanic tradition the holly plant was revered for its protective qualities. It was planted around houses to protect and guard against lightening and negative spirits. Druids brought holly boughs into their homes during Yuletide to shelter elves and faeries.

Read more about Holly: the protective love elixir!

Historically, tea was once a pricey commodity unlike today where it is widely affordable. Genmaicha tea was born of poverty. Japanese peasants found it difficult to afford much tea and would mix it with rice, an abundant and inexpensive food source.

“Popcorn Tea”, as it is sometimes called, combines the fresh grassy flavour of green tea and the rich aroma of roasted rice.

What could be more comforting on a chilly autumn evening than to snuggle up with a cup of Herbal Chai? This 100% certified organic, caffeine free blend of spices has a robust flavour with a hint of earthen tones. With its smooth flavour it will take you on an epicurean journey to distant and exotic places.

Contains-

Ginger root – one of the most widely used and available herbal remedies on the planet. Ginger can be traced back 3000 years having been used by ancient Romans as an aid for stomach ailments.

Check out the entire herbal chai recipe...