Dr. Lena Robertson, Author at Priority One Vitamins Blog

Mega Flavonoid + Enflam

Nature is abundant with plant constituents that support a healthy anti-inflammatory response.

Bioflavonoids are one example. Bioflavonoids are plant pigments that help vitamin C to support collagen integrity and they also have strong antioxidant activity. This can be very helpful when there is inflammation in the respiratory tract and sinuses as well as in blood vessels, especially the smallest ones (capillaries) that are most vulnerable to damage from inflammation and oxidative stress. This inflammation and oxidation can come in the form of environmental and other allergies, toxins from the environment, high intensity exercise, and even natural biochemical reactions that happen on a daily basis in your body.

When bioflavonoids are combined with other supporting nutrients like vitamins A, C, and Zinc that have either anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties, the synergistic effects can do wonders for supporting respiratory health and maintaining healthy tissues and capillaries. Priority One Vitamins has created two supplements that combine bioflavonoids with other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich nutrients: Mega Flavonoid 2000 and Enflam.

Mega Flavonoid 2000 combines vitamin A, vitamin C, and Zinc with bioflavonoids like Rutin, Quercetin, Hesperidin, Bromelain and Dunaliella. It is especially helpful for respiratory and sinus health, natural maintenance of healthy tissues and capillaries, and general antioxidant support. Similarly, Enflam is a combination of vitamin A, vitamin C and Zinc with high doses of the bioflavonoids Hesperidin, Bromelain, Rutin, Quercetin as well as bioflavonoid extract from Bitter Orange. Enflam also includes Turmeric, a potent anti-inflammatory flavonoid. Along with supporting healthy tissues and capillaries, Enflam is also great to use after strenuous exercise to reduce inflammation.

Mega Flavonoid 2000 supplements are a high-dose bioflavonoid complex synergistically blended with therapeutic levels of vitamins A, C, and Zinc. Bioflavonoids are plant pigments that give fruits and vegetables their colors. They assist vitamin C in supporting collagen integrity and along with vitamin C display strong antioxidant activity. Those nutrients found in these bioflavonoid supplements have been shown to support healthy levels of leukotrienes and histamine.*

• Respiratory health and sinus support supplements*

• Supports the body’s natural maintenance of healthy tissues and capillaries.*

• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids display strong antioxidant activity.*

Enflam is a high dosage bioflavonoid combination designed to support the body’s natural maintenance of healthy tissues and capillaries. It promotes a healthy inflammatory response, such as in the case of strenuous exercise. Suitable as a post-workout supplement to reduce inflammation.*

For the month of June both Mega Flavonoid + Enflam are 20% off!
Use the discount code FLAVONOIDS at checkout.

Hepa Cleanse

Liver cells, also known as hepatocytes, are little workaholics. They play a central role in all metabolic processes including metabolizing fat for energy production, making bile for breaking down and absorbing fat, producing proteins essential for blood clotting, both breaking down and storing glycogen for blood sugar balance, and so much more. These little hepatocytes work day in and day out to process and store nutrients as well as detoxify your body from toxic substances: For example, the processing and elimination of alcohol and medication by-products.

The liver is also needed for hormone metabolism. This includes the activation and inactivation of thyroid hormones, metabolism of estrogens, progesterone, and androgens, as well as the conversion of cortisol to its inactive form (cortisone) and vice versa. Needless to say, we can’t live without our liver! Most importantly, we can’t take our liver for granted. It needs our love and support to keep doing its awesome job.

Thankfully, nature has provided us with some amazing liver loving plants! Milk Thistle, Burdock, Dandelion, Artichoke, and Beet are all known to have hepatoprotective or hepatorestorative properties – meaning that they help to protect and/or restore damaged liver cells. Hepa Cleanse is a nutritional supplement that includes all five of these liver supporting botanicals. This is especially helpful for supporting the liver and gallbladder to increase bile production and enhance detoxification.

Other ways you can support healthy liver function include: Getting enough sleep so your cells can rest and rejuvenate. Getting enough sleep can also support healthy cortisol (stress hormone) metabolism. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables to support blood sugar balance and provide the essential nutrients your cells need to function. And last but not least, minimizing toxic exposure.

Hepa Cleanse™ is an exclusive formulation by Dr. Marianne Marchese, author of the best-selling book, 8 Weeks to Women’s Wellness.

Hepa Cleanse™ supplement supports liver and gallbladder function to increase bile production and enhance detoxification.*

For the month of March, Hepa Cleanse is 20% off. Enter discount code REJUVENATE at checkout.

Healthy Heart + Magnesium Orotate

I love February because it is National Heart Health month. And what better way to celebrate than to get a special discount on supplements that support a healthy heart!

This month Priority One Vitamins is offering 20% off two of my favorite supplements for heart health support – Healthy Heart and Magnesium Orotate. To get the discount, enter the discount code HEALTHYHEART at checkout.

During the month of February we are often inundated with heart-shaped chocolates, balloons, pink flowers and teddy bears. But none of these do much to actually help our physical heart (except dark chocolate of course!). Our hearts beat all day every day, keeping oxygen and vital nutrients circulating throughout our body. It does this without us even having to think about it. For some people, this process can go on for over 100 years. That’s pretty miraculous, right?!

While our cardiovascular system is a powerful pumping machine, it can also be quite delicate. This is especially true of the smallest blood vessels, called capillaries, that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain, eyes and kidneys. But even the larger blood vessels can get worn out and damaged. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), inflammation, and toxins can damage the delicate lining of the blood vessels. Nutrient deficiencies, nutrient excess, and other lifestyle factors can also accelerate damage to the cardiovascular system.

Some of the best nutrients for a healthy heart include dark pigmented berries, Hawthorn, Magnesium, CoQ10 and the extract Resveratrol. All of these can be found in Priority One Vitamins Healthy Heart supplement along with many other nutrient rich minerals and plant extracts. The supplement Magnesium Orotate was specifically formulated because there is research supporting that when minerals such as magnesium are bound to orotic acid they become more effective and bioavailable. Magnesium is essential for so many processes including energy transfer, muscle and nerve conduction – all the main working mechanisms needed for heart function!

Healthy Heart features a vegetarian formulation with BerryVin and BioVin designed to promote energy production in heart muscle cells.

A blend of balanced nutrients provides support for a healthy cardiovascular system, with beneficial ingredients like Coenzyme Q10, Hawthorne berries, Selenium, and Chondroitin Sulfate.

Magnesium Orotate provides support for the cardiovascular system, and aid in normal energy levels. Magnesium is an essential mineral that aids in the production and transfer of energy, as well as in muscle conduction and nerve conduction.

Orotic acid is a biochemical substance made naturally by the human body; orotates are mineral salts created by binding a mineral to orotic acid. Orotic acid is a biochemical substance made by all living cells and naturally by the human body. The mineral salts of orotic acid, called orotates, are used by plants and animals to form RNA and DNA.

Perhaps the biggest proponent in the use of orotates was Dr. Hans Nieper, a German physician. Dr. Nieper believed orotates were far superior in their ability to carry molecules across cell membranes, producing higher concentrations of minerals in the cell. During his lifetime, Dr. Nieper was often ignored and criticized for his use of oratates.

Recent research, however, has confirmed minerals bound to orotic acid are not only beneficial, but may be superior in their bioavailability and effectiveness. A 1998 study showed that triathletes who supplemented with magnesium orotate had improved glucose utilization and a reduced stress response without affecting competitive potential. This translated into improved swimming, cycling, and running times in the magnesium group compared with the controls.1 Competitive athletes have also used magnesium to improve endurance, it is known that exercise performance may be compromised with deficient magnesium levels.* 2,3

“The general population, even physically active individuals, have been documented to have insufficient magnesium intake.”* 3 It has also been suggested that magnesium supplementation may improve the efficiency of energy metabolism.* 3

1. Golf SW, Bender S, Grüttner J. On the significance of magnesium in extreme physical stress. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1998 Sep; 12 Suppl 2:197-202.

2. Meerson FZ, Rosanova LS. Effect of 2703 actinomycin and combination of nucleic acid synthesis activators on the development of fatigue and fitness. Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 1967; 166:496-499.

3. Zhang Y, Xun P, Wang R, Mao L, He K. Can Magnesium Enhance Exercise Performance? Nutrients. 2017;9(9):946. Published 2017 Aug 28. doi:10.3390/nu9090946

Stay Active

We have been waiting a long time for the sun to come out over here in the Pacific Northwest. The sun is finally showing her beautiful face and as the days grow longer, so will the time we can spend outdoors. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fall and winter are the times to rest and draw in while spring and summer are the times for being active and expanding.

Aside from the many wonderful recreational benefits we can enjoy from being active outdoors – connecting with friends, family and engaging in our favorite sports – let’s not forget the amazing health benefits there are as well! Staying active has been shown to improve sleep, help with depression, decrease cardiovascular risk factors and balance blood sugar.

Whether you are staying active by taking walks in the park, swimming, or doing something more intense like playing sports, hiking, mountain biking, or marathon running, we have you covered! Priority One’s Proto-Zyme and Priority Zyme are powerhouse supplements that include proteolytic enzymes to support healthy joints, muscles, and circulation.

Priority One debuted with 4 products back in 1988, and Proto-Zyme was one of them! It is a powerful proteolytic enzyme tablet designed to support your body’s normal connective tissue repair and synthesis. It also has nutrients like zinc, lysozyme, cellulose and thymus that can aid in maintaining a healthy immune system.

For more strenuous exercise, Priority Zyme is a high potency formula that provides nutritional support for cellular health, containing ample amounts of proteolytic enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes support a healthy inflammatory response due to strenuous exercise. Enzymes are essential for metabolism, and play a key role in the optimal function of a healthy body. Other benefits of proteolytic enzymes include support for healthy joints and muscles, immune support, and post-surgical support.

For the month of June we are featuring 20% OFF Proto-Zyme & Priority Zyme!

Enter discount code ACTIVE20 at checkout.

Proto-Zyme Proto-Zyme provides powerful proteolytic enzymes.*

Priority Zyme Priority Zyme a clinical strength proteolytic enzyme supporting a healthy inflammatory response due to strenuous exercise.*

Offer valid through June 30, 2022
Monthly specials cannot be combined with other offers (such as a percentage off for a show special) and is not available to distributors.
Monthly specials can be combined with our premium product specials.

Love Your Liver

Holidays, weekends, social gatherings, special events, and even stressful situations often include alcohol.

The liver is a focus when it comes to alcohol consumption. This is partly because alcohol is broken down with the help of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the liver, and also because the liver takes a big hit when alcohol is consumed in excess. When you drink heavy amounts of alcohol, the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme is not able to keep up with breaking the alcohol down proportionately and the excess alcohol wreaks havoc on the liver. Some of the major health concerns related to heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking include alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Would you like a better balance with alcohol? If you have been relying on alcohol for mood and social support, or reliant on it for so long that you have grown tolerant or dependent on it – then doing a reset is a great way to help. A change like this can assist with alcohol abstinence, support the liver and a healthier, stress-free lifestyle.

Using a combination of herbs and nutrients that address the adrenal glands and liver while at the same time help to decrease the cravings is a good way to get a whole-body reset. My favorite trio includes Priority One’s supplements Lithium, Priority Lipo, and Adrenoplex. Used in combination, they can help support normal elimination from the liver, provide nourishment and promote a healthy response to stress.

Lithium – Research shows that lithium offers neuroprotective support and may offer neuronal protection from the effects of alcohol. Excess alcohol can lead to a loss of neurons, specifically in the central nervous system, and supplementing with lithium may decrease the extent of neuron apoptosis (programmed cell death). Low-dose lithium has also been shown to promote the abstinence of alcohol consumption.

Priority Lipo – Is a formula that includes many amazing herbs and nutrients specific for liver support. The ingredients included are known to decrease inflammation, lower lipid levels, provide antioxidant support, and protect liver cells from damage. Plants like dandelion root, barberry, milk thistle, beet and green tea aid with reducing free radical damage, offer protection from oxidative stress, and reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Liver supporting Ayurvedic herbs as well as vitamin and mineral enzyme cofactors are also added.

Adrenoplex – Includes the adaptogenic herb Eleuthero as well as Licorice which can help to extend the half-life of cortisol. It also contains vitamins A and C as well as the mineral Zinc which are important for a healthy immune response. Adrenal and pituitary glandulars are also added based on the concept pioneered by Dr. John Bastyr that glandular concentrates support like organs to maintain a healthy state. In combination, these nutrients help to maintain balanced cortisol levels, support the body’s natural immune response, and encourage a healthy stress response.

For the month of April we are featuring 20% OFF Lithium, Priority Lipo & Adrenoplex!

Enter discount code RESET20 at checkout.

Organic Lithium Lithium supplement promotes a healthy state of wellbeing while supporting a healthy immune system.*

Priority Lipo Priority Lipo nourishes an already healthy liver.*

Adrenoplex Priority One’s Adrenoplex capsules, a whole gland adrenal with the benefit of pituitary and other supporting nutrients.*

Offer valid through April 30, 2022
Monthly specials cannot be combined with other offers (such as a percentage off for a show special) and is not available to distributors.
Monthly specials can be combined with our premium product specials.

How do EPA & DHA support our health?

Cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and general inflammation are prevalent in society. They can significantly decrease quality of life and impact longevity. Thankfully, nature has provided us with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that can support each of these areas!

EPA-DHA is an abbreviation for eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. These essential fatty acids are vital nutrients needed for the synthesis of prostaglandins, formation of neurotransmitters, support of a healthy cardiovascular system and support of normal eye function.

The human body is able to make most of the fats it needs for daily function from raw materials. The exception to this is the omega-3 fatty acids. Because we are not able to produce these fats from scratch, they are called essential fatty acids, meaning we have to get them from food sources. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, nuts, flax seed, flaxseed oil, and some leafy vegetables.

Because omega-3 fatty acids are a major component of cell membranes and play a part in the function of cell receptors, inflammation modulation is one of their many benefits. This includes modulating inflammatory skin concerns, cardiovascular function and joint conditions.

Both EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids that are mainly found in fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and other cold water fish. Including these foods in meal plans can be beneficial for reducing inflammation, supporting the formation of phosphatidylserine which is important brain function and supporting a healthy heart and vascular system. Taking a nutritional supplement rich in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids is a great way to provide additional support.

EPA-DHA is 20% off for the month of March! Use discount code “OMEGA” on our website to receive the special pricing.

Biofilm Phase-2 Advanced & Super Bio-Vegetarian

Biofilm Phase-2 Advanced™

The gut microbiome is a complex and integral part of health in general. For the gut to function optimally, there needs to be a good balance of beneficial bacteria. When the gut microbiome is out of balance whether from improper diet, antibiotic use, or inflammation then pathogenic microbes are able to take hold in the gut and cause a host of problematic symptoms.

As these unfavorable microbes thrive they build protective barriers, also called biofilms, around themselves. These biofilms evolve from weaker forms (Phase 1) to stronger forms (Phase 2) making it harder to infiltrate. There are natural dietary herbs and nutrients that are good anti-biofilm agents as well as antimicrobials to support a healthy gut microbiome balance. Biofilm Phase-2 Advanced supplement is designed specifically as an advanced biofilm disruptor.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – has antioxidant activity and also promotes the regeneration of other important antioxidants including glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also helps to disrupt biofilms.

Black Cumin – has been shown to have strong broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against multiple strains of bacteria, fungi, virus, and parasites. It has also been shown to play a role in the inhibition of bacterial biofilm formation.

Bismuth Subnitrate – a good binder and biofilm disruptor that also has potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Super Bio-Vegetarian

Having a healthy immune response is imperative to staying well and bouncing back quickly after sickness. Giving the body an extra boost of immune supportive nutrients is a nice way to be proactive and prepared for the typical “cold-and-flu” season as we head into Fall.

One of my favorite combinations of immune supportive supplements is Super Bio-Vegetarian. A potent nutritional supplement that combines a selection of vitamins, minerals, and herbal constituents, as well as Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms that enhance the body’s own immune mechanisms to maintain a healthy immune response.

Barberry – contains a constituent called Berberine which is an antimicrobial and can help decrease inflammation and modulate the immune system.

Bitter Orange – contains bioflavonoids that have been shown to decrease inflammation as well as have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Cayenne Pepper – is considered a stimulant that increases circulation and has been shown to increase body temperature and help clear infections.

Echinacea angustifolia – also known as coneflower, is often used for support when there are infections.

Echinacea purpurea – is best used as a prevention against upper respiratory tract infections.

Garlic – is a plant with effective antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is often used for infections of the respiratory tract such as recurrent colds and influenza.

Ginger – is a medicinal plant that has many benefits including antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Goldenseal – is useful for infections and inflammation. It is particularly restorative to the mucus membranes and can help clear out excessive mucus or phlegm.

Grapefruit – part of the Citrus genus, has been used all over the world for its health benefits including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Magnesium – an important mineral nutrient involved in a wide array of functions. It has been shown to improve sleep and support calmness during times of stress.

Maitake – both an edible and medicinal mushroom that has been shown to modulate the immune system and act as an antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial.

Myrrh – is a gum resin that is primarily used for respiratory infections and to help clear out mucus. It also has anti-inflammatory activity.

Oregon Grape – has antimicrobial properties that can help with clearing bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Shiitake – an edible and medicinal mushroom used to support health conditions such as depressed immune system, infections, bronchial inflammation, frequent colds, and the flu.

Vitamin A (100% as beta carotene) – beta carotene is converted in the body to vitamin A which is important for immune function and as an antioxidant.

Vitamin B6 – performs a wide variety of functions in the body including immune function. One way it does this is by promoting the production of lymphocytes and interleukin-2.

Vitamin C – plays a role in immune function. It has antiviral and antibacterial effects and also functions as an antioxidant.

Zinc – a cofactor in many biochemical pathways, it functions as an antioxidant, is anti-inflammatory, and has antiviral properties. It is a great additional support when there is immune deficiency.