Tried & Tested - November/December 2014
How Irish Association of Health Stores staff rate what they sell...
Back to Nature, Cavan
CEO Christine McGuinness; retail assistant, holistic and beauty therapist Louise McCormack; shop assistants Bríd McNally, Emer McGoohan and Siobhan Hand from Back to Nature in Cavan review a herbal tincture, daily probiotic, hyaluronic acid, nutritional drink and wholefood multivitamin:
1. HERBAL TINCTURE
Christine says: A.Vogel Passiflora Complex helps me with everyday stress and helps to balance my life. I have used it every December for the past 25 years – it helps me to feel less stressed and sleep better while working long hours.
2. NUTRITIONAL DRINK
Louise says: Terranova Life Drink is a deep nourishing, synergistic blend of all-natural, nutritionally-dense plant foods. It provides an array of phytonutrients, balanced vegetable proteins, antioxidants, probiotics, essential omegas and enzymes. I take it every day. It gives me a great boost of energy, feeling of well-being, and improved hair, skin and nails.
3. WHOLEFOOD MULTIVITAMIN
Bríd says: Nature’s Plus Source of Life Gold is a full spectrum multivitamin and supplement. It provides over 200 nutrients plus 20 vitamins and minerals. I started taking it a few months ago and really noticed the difference. I feel healthier and more energetic.
4. DAILY PROBIOTIC
Emer says: After suffering for many years with digestive issues, I needed help to keep my system in good working order so I tried OptiBac Probiotic For Daily Wellbeing. I feel so much better and I would highly recommend it to others.
5. HYALURONIC ACID SACHETS
Siobhan says: Syno-Vital are handy oral hyaluronic acid sachets that help bring moisture to joints, eyes and skin. I use them to help with fluid in my joints. I have been taking them for three months and my joints are moving more easily.
Natural Way, Letterkenny Shopping Centre
David Foley, Anne Orr, Lorna Rouston, Joyce Fitzgerald, Rhodri Noyle and Orion Haplin of the Natural Way in Letterkenny Shopping Centre test medicinal mushrooms, a joint supplement, super greens powder, nutrient complex, a kid’s food supplement and apple vinegar:
1. SUPER GREENS POWDER
Anne says: When I started taking Synergy Natural Organic Super Greens powder I found a big improvement in my energy levels. Super Greens contains fresh water algae, spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass and barley grass, can help with weight management and is great for immune support.
2. NUTRIENT COMPLEX
Lorna says: After a long period of feeling tired and having low mood, a blood test revealed that my thyroid functions were low. Not wanting to go down the route of medication, I started to supplement with Biocare TH207. The combination of vitamins, selenium, kelp and Siberian ginseng really helped to boost my thyroid functions and I had more energy to do the things I enjoy.
3. SUPPLEMENT FOR JOINTS
Joyce says: Joint Factor High Strength is a daily supplement for those affected by joint pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and damaged cartilage. After three to four days of taking it the pain in an old sports injury in my knee had gone. It has a combination of glucosamine, vitamin C, vitamin D, nettle and boswellia.
4. MEDICINAL MUSHROOM
David says: Cordyceps mushroom is a herb I use every day to control my asthma. After six months of taking it I found that I didn’t need any drugs for my lungs. An added bonus is the increase in energy that this herb gives me.
5. APPLE VINEGAR
Orion says: I have been using Biona Organic Apple Cider Vinegar for the past year. It is unpasteurised, unfiltered and oak matured. I find it great for digestion as it helps with acid levels in the stomach. It is hard to take but well worth the effort.
6. KIDS FOOD SUPPLEMENT
Rhodri says: My son was always prone to chest and throat infections. At the age of three, after a particularly bad year I started giving him Sambucol for Kids, and the difference was amazing. The antioxidants that occur naturally in black elderberries strengthened his immune system and helps to fight off viruses.
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