PricePlow.com

General Health

The products in this category pertain to general health needs categorized for specific concerns. Contact Us if you have a specific health need and would like us to find you the best and least-expensive products to help you out.

• Antioxidants

  Antioxidants are molecules capable of slowing or stopping the oxidation of other molecules. The oxidation of molecules in your body creates free radicals, which are damaging to your cells. This category contains products that are marketed as antioxidants, however it's important to note that Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and melatonin are also great antioxidants that can be found in their respective categories.

• Blood Pressure

  The supplements in this category are marketed towards lowering or controlling blood pressure. While they may work, you are highly recommended to exercise regularly and follow the instructions at the Drug-Free Treatment of Hypertension link at Wikipedia. Calcium has also shown promise in reducing blood pressure problems by increasing potassium levels.

• Detoxification

  Detoxification (detox) products are used to remove toxic substances from the body. Many users swear by detoxification diets, but their claims are medically unproven and the 'toxins' are undefined, making them scientifically questionable.

• Digestive Enzymes

  From Wikipedia: Digestion enzymes are enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into their smaller building blocks. It is difficult to find any studies that show if these supplements actually work, although the Mayo Clinic reports that pancrelipase can help treat problems with maldigestion.

• Food Supplements

  This category contains miscellaneous food additives and supplements such as artificial sweeteners and whole food products.

• Immune Support

  The products in this category are marketed to assist in supporting the immune system. Also note that the immune system is supported by many different vitamins as well as glutamine.

• • Colostrum

    Colostrum is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. It is high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies and low in fat.
    
    There is scientific evidence suggesting that human consumption of bovine (cow) colostrum is beneficial to general health. Proponents suggest that bovine colostrum raises both general immunity and physical strength.
    
    This study shows that weight-trainers can benefit from colostrum when mixed with protein, creatine, and multivitamins.
    This study shows that colostrum improves recovery, but does NOT increase testosterone levels.
    This study shows improved performance in cyclists.
    This study shows that colostrum improves peak performance power, but does not raise testosterone levels.
    This study shows that colostrum increased sprint capacity in hockey players more than whey protein.

• Joint Health

  The products in this category claim to support joint tissue. Some claim to reduce pain, others claim to rebuild cartilage, and still others are geared towards people with osteoarthritis.

• • Glucosamine / Chondroitin

    From Wikipedia.org: Oral glucosamine is commonly used for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Since glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are a major component of joint cartilage, supplemental glucosamine may help to rebuild cartilage and treat arthritis. Its use as a therapy for osteoarthritis appears safe, but there is conflicting evidence as to its effectiveness. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found glucosamine sulfate is no better than placebo in reducing the symptoms or progression of hip osteoarthritis.
    
    From Wikipedia.org on Chondroitin: The National Institutes of Health funded a study to test the effects of chondroitin and glucosamine on osteoarthritis of the knee. This multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, six month long trial found that glucosamine plus chondroitin had no statistically significant effect on symptoms of osteoarthritis in the overall group of osteoarthritis patients.
    
    The results of this study are available here and PricePlow does not recommend glucosamine or chondroitin for mild joint pain.

• Mood Enhancers

  These products are intended to cheer you up. PricePlow recommends a healthy diet, consistent exercise regimen, satisfying sex life, and positive outlook rather than relying on pills to make you happy.

• Sexual Performance

  Products in this category contain ingredients that are known to increase sexual libido.

• • Horny Goat Weed

    Horny goat weed is a flowering Chinese plant whose active ingredient is icariin, which is reputed to cause aphrodisiac effects. A new study showed that icariin inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5, which restricts blood flow around the body, including to the penis, just as Viagra does. The Viagra-like results came from a new molecule created from icariin (source needed), although icariin still had some effects on its own. We need more information before we can recommend an amount of icariin, so please contact us if you have data from the study.

  • Yohimbine

    Yohimbe hydrochloride has been shown in human studies to be effective in the treatment of male impotence.
    
    Yohimbine chloride is a standardized form of yohimbine that is a prescription medicine that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction.
    
    According to one study, oral yohimbine supplementation may actuate significant fat loss in athletes.

• Sleeping Pills / Sleep Aids

  From Wikipedia.org: Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to get rest. All sedative drugs have the potential of causing psychological dependence where the individual cannot psychologically accept that they can sleep without drugs. Certain classes of sedatives such as benzodiazepines and newer nonbenzodiazepine drugs can also cause physical dependence which manifests in withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not carefully titrated down.
  
  In comparing the options, a systematic review found that benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines have similar efficacy which was not significantly more than for antidepressants. Benzodiazepines did not have a significant tendency for more adverse drug reactions.

• • Melatonin

    From Wikipedia.org: Melatonin as a supplement is used as a natural aid to better sleep. Incidental benefits to health and well-being may accumulate, due to melatonin's role as an antioxidant and its stimulation of the immune system and several components of the endocrine system. Some studies suggest that smaller doses (for example 0.3 mg as opposed to 3 mg) are just as effective at improving sleep quality. Large doses of melatonin can even be counterproductive: Lewy et al provide support to the "idea that too much melatonin may spill over onto the wrong zone of the melatonin phase-response curve" (PRC). In one of their subjects, 0.5 mg of melatonin was effective while 20 mg was not.