Health

Suffering from stress? Here's how to restore your body's natural balance We all aspire to lead a rich, fulfilling life where work, social connections, and family or relationships seamlessly blend together. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to keep all the balls in the air. In situations that change suddenly, during intense events, or even with shifting weather conditions, it's not unusual for your body and mind to become unbalanced, making you feel stressed. Herbs and plants with adaptogenic properties can provide support during these circumstances. As the name suggests, adaptogens (from the English: to adapt) help your body adjust to changes. But what exactly are adaptogens, and how do they work within your body?

Tiny pieces of plastic in your personal care products, in your food, and even in your body; microplastics are everywhere! In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the rising levels of microplastics in the environment and their harmful effects. Vitaminstore keeps you informed!

Being in love: perhaps the most intense feeling that exists. Butterflies in your stomach, boundless energy, and that delightful euphoric sensation. But also sleepless nights, no appetite, and a restless feeling. Falling in love is a rollercoaster! It may not sound romantic, but the feelings you experience when in love are caused by a chemical process in the body. How does that work exactly?

Your liver is an essential organ crucial for your body's functioning, particularly in ensuring effective detoxification. Especially after the indulgence of the festive season and in line with your good intentions, we are keen to share how you can provide extra support to your liver.

Over 20% of the Dutch population experiences anxiety disorders. That equates to more than 3.4 million people, with women being more affected than men. The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, leading to an increase in the number of people suffering from anxiety disorders.

You're probably familiar with that wonderful flow you can be in; hitting the gym a few times a week, eating healthily, and getting good sleep. Then suddenly: flow gone! It usually doesn't happen overnight, but external circumstances can knock you out of your rhythm. Last year, this was noticeable with all the measures that were taken. More stress, working from home, gyms closed, boredom, resulting in the infamous 'corona kilos'. It wasn't made easy for us. But even outside of this unusual situation, there are plenty of factors that disrupt your flow. Stress or difficult personal circumstances are not foreign to us, and even hormonal fluctuations contribute to heightened emotions, fatigue, and eating binges, and that lovely flow is gone. How do you get it back?

Our supermarkets and gardens are filled with substances that sound intriguing: Astaxanthin, Quercetin, and Lycopene. Aside from their somewhat challenging names, these substances share a common feature: they all belong to the group of phytonutrients. There are more than 5,000 different phytonutrients, and not all of them are even known yet, so we'll spare you an impossibly long list. Instead, here's a brief overview of these fascinating compounds, why you should include them in your diet, and what you can add to your daily meals to do so.

Constipation, blockage, obstruction... however you wish to refer to it, it's unpleasant! Approximately 10 to 30% of people in the Netherlands experience it to some degree. In theory, you are considered constipated if you have fewer than three bowel movements per week, but this can vary for each individual. If you're accustomed to having two bowel movements a day, skipping a day might already indicate you're blocked. Therefore, always listen closely to your body!

Softgels, capsules, tablets, lozenges, powders, plant-based or animal-derived, the range of supplements is vast. Are you, for instance, vegetarian, vegan, or do you struggle with swallowing pills? There are plenty of options for you too. But what is the difference between all these forms, and what are the pros and cons of each supplement? Welcome to the wonderful world of supplements!

The brain is the most complex organ in our body. For every task we perform, from simple to complex, we rely on this organ. Therefore, it makes sense to keep training your brain. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your mind sharp. From simple motor and cognitive exercises to eating healthy foods and taking supplements, read our tips below.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women. In PCOS, women produce more androgenic hormones such as testosterone, while the levels of oestrogen and progesterone are reduced. This creates a hormonal imbalance, resulting in various symptoms.

Vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian... these are just a few dietary patterns that are gaining popularity. This is not only because they frequently appear on Instagram and other social media, but also because of factors such as animal welfare, ecological footprint, environmental friendliness, and health, which greatly contribute to the immense interest in these dietary patterns. In this article, we explain the positive impact of plant-based nutrition on your health and how best to transition to a more plant-based diet.

Weather changes can significantly challenge your immune system, and the temperature variations over the past week have already caused some sniffles here and there. It's especially important, therefore, to ensure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. These are three crucial pillars for a well-functioning immune system.

From around the age of 12 to 50, women are fertile. Throughout this entire fertile phase, which begins with the first menstruation and ends with menopause, female sex hormones play a crucial role. The influence of these hormones on a woman's body is so significant that no day is the same for a woman. What role do these hormones play, and how can we keep them balanced?

It has been, and continues to be, a turbulent year full of changes, forcing us to adapt to a new situation. Some find this easier than others. The most important thing in such situations is to keep taking good care of yourself, not only physically but also mentally! When you are emotionally balanced, you can better cope with stress, change, and worries. Here, we explain how to start your day with a positive mindset!

Scutellaria grows worldwide, from North America to China, as well as in Western Europe and the Balkans. Scutellaria baicalensis originates from Eastern Siberia but extends to other parts of Russia and is also found in China, Mongolia, Japan, and Korea. In Europe, the plant is cultivated. Scutellaria laterifolia originates from North America, specifically in the eastern regions.

The body is an expert at collaboration. Nothing in our body stands alone. All cells and processes have a kind of 'chemistry' with each other; they are connected through communication and interplay. Our immune system can only function well and provide adequate resistance and protection if all involved parties are well-coordinated. But which elements in our body work together to ensure optimal resistance? And what role do nutrition and supplementation play in this?

For thousands of years, attention has been paid to oral care. Particularly the Egyptians and the Chinese were early adopters, but the Romans and Greeks also paid attention to oral hygiene. Oral care began with the use of (wet) twigs and pieces of bone that were used as a type of toothpick. Additionally, salt was used to clean the teeth, as well as herbs and leaves due to their medicinal properties. Later, tooth powder was introduced, made from ground eggshells, bones, charcoal, earth, porcelain, and/or herbs. The first toothpastes consisted of soap and glycerine and were only brought to market in the mid-19th century. Good oral hygiene today involves more than just brushing your teeth twice a day. It is also important to floss daily and scrape your tongue.