Celebrating Natural Health Products Week: Our Top New Product Picks

We recently attended the Canadian Health Food Association’s largest conference and trade show for the natural health and organics industry, CHFA East 2012, on the look-out for new and innovative natural health products and foods. With more than 650 exhibits on their 80,000 square-foot show floor, there was plenty to choose from! Here are our top picks, just in time to celebrate Natural Health Products Week (November 12-18), which raises awareness and shines a spotlight on natural health products, their benefits, and the importance of the natural health product sector .

To your good health!

 

HayMaxTM 

Recently brought to Canada from the U.K., HayMax is an award-winning, drug-free pollen barrier nose balm for those with hayfever and other allergies. Apply HayMax every few hours around the base of the nostrils to help prevent allergic reactions from animal dander, house dust mites and pollen. Containing 100% organic ingredients – beeswax, essential oil, aloe vera leaf juice powder and sunflower oil – Haymax traps allergens from getting into your body before they make you sneeze. Approved by the Vegetarian Society and safe to use on children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

$14.99/5ml tub
Available in selected health food stores.
For a retailer near you, call 1-877-263-733
http://haymax.biz


Eye-Pro® (CanPrev)

Founded in 2005 by three-time cancer survivor Tanya Salituro, CanPrev boasts a comprehensive line of premium quality natural health products.  One product in particular that caught our eye from amongst the line’s new products for 2013 is Eye-Pro, a formula combining antioxidants from natural plant sources to protect eyes from premature aging caused by free radicals.  Lutein plays a key role in visual function by protecting against UV damage, while flavonoids from bilberries and grape seeds help to strengthen blood vessels in the eyes and improve circulation. Other new products include Thyroid-Pro®, Pro-Biotik Powder (Toddler to Teen), Prenatal Multi and Adult Multi.

Find a retailer near you
http://canprev.ca

Orange Naturals

From CanPrev comes this new product line of herbals and supplements designed to make naturopathic medicine more accessible. CanPrev naturopathic doctors Adriana Restagno and Cecilia Ho developed Orange Naturals to help Canadians achieve better health more naturally and affordably, offering more than 100 professional grade products at lower price points.  One of the features of this line is its naturopathic tinctures (liquid medicine made from herbs), which require no water to take – with a few drops under the tongue, the tincture is absorbed into the bloodstream through the mouth and goes straight to work in the body.  The tinctures are handcrafted in small batches to bring out the maximum healing power of each herb. Tincture combos such as PMS, Menopause, Liver Health, Cough+Cold, Digestion and Heart Health are formulated with therapeutic dosages of condition-specific herbs in a 100ml format. Tincture combos for kids include Cough+Cold, Digestion-Appetite, and Calm.

Available at select drugstores and natural health retailers
Find a retailer new you
http://orangenaturals.com

LivReliefTM

After surgery to remove a tumour left his wife with crippling pain in her face, Dr. Joseph Gabriele, a molecular pharmacologist, set on a quest to discover a topical medication that could relieve chronic pain.  This led to the creation of LivRelief,  a line of pain management products offered by Burlington, Ontario-based Delivra Inc.  (Dr. Gabriele is President and Chief Scientific Officer). According to the company, what makes this line different is its proprietary DelivraTM “transdermal transport system” – a natural base compound of the LivRelief products that mimics the skin’s natural structure and allows active healing ingredients to safely and effectively penetrate deep into the skin to reach the source of pain.  The product pairs Delivra with several natural active ingredients including Rutin, a plant extract with antioxidant properties known for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving capabilities. In addition to its original LivRelief Pain Relief Cream, endorsed by NHL hockey legend Bobby Orr, the line now includes Wound Healing Cream, and LivSportTMPre-Workout Cream and Post-Workout Cream. Shown here,  LivRelief Extra Strength Nerve Pain Relief Cream containing Capsicum (from Cayenne) to target the source of pain caused by nerve damage, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, shingles, diabetic neuropathies, fibromyalgia and various ulcers.

$24.99 – $29.99
Available at select drugstores, health food retailers
and grocery stores across Canada.
Available in GNC stores across North America.
http://livrelief.com
http://livsport.com

SISU Ester-C® Energy Boost

Perfect for flu season or a preventative boost at any time of year, this daily drink mix provides 1000mg of patented Ester-C® (a form of Calcium Ascorbate, which is created when ascorbic acid – Vitamin C – is buffered with calcium), as well as energizing B vitamins, minerals and electrolytes in every serving.  (Ester-C® takes Calcium Ascorbate and, using a proprietary, water-based manufacturing process, produces a pH neutral product that contains active Vitamin C metabolites for quick absorption. Taken once a day, Ester-C® absorbs into your system and stays there to deliver 24-hour immune support and potent antioxidant activity, says the company.) Simply add to 250ml/8oz of water and go! Available in Natural Orange, Wildberry, and Lemon-Lime flavours.

Suggested retail price: $18.49
Available at natural health retailers
http://sisu.com

CuraPhyteTM

Created by Dr. Guy Chamberland MSc, PhD and Master Herbalist, CuraPhyte has launched a new line of products for people living with pain and insomnia. The line is divided into Step 1 and Step 2 products – Step 1 for rapidly reducing pain to a tolerable level and for flare-ups, and Step 2 to manage chronic pain. In addition to its “Relief” (with Devil’s Claw, omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric) and “Relief Gel” products, choose from formulations specific to menstrual pain, migraine prevention and management, neuromuscular relief, and wound and burn care. Pictured here, CuraPhyte California Poppy. This herb was Bryce Wylde’s pick as an alternative to pain killers on the Dr. Oz Show, says the company. The product is non-narcotic and does not lead to dependence. One capsule can be taken at night to relieve pain or as a mild sleep aid.

Available in select health food stores
Available online at http://well.ca
Search retailers covered by Curaphyte’s distributor
http://curaphyte.ca

Food and Beverage

Rumble®

Rumble, the new nutritional beverage from Victoria, BC company Groove Nutrition, is the brainchild and passion of founder Paul Underhill. Despite being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six months of age, Underhill was very athletic in his teens and 20s, until the illness took its toll – in April 2011, he underwent a double lung transplant. While struggling to remain active and healthy, both prior to and after his transplant, Underhill wanted to find a beverage that would both satisfy his nutritional needs to maintain strength AND taste good. He began experimenting in his own kitchen, realizing that what he was developing would be beneficial for anyone leading a busy, active lifestyle. He later teamed up with naturopathic physician Kim McQueen to tweak and perfect his recipe for Rumble, which contains 20 grams of protein, 8 grams of fibre, as well as significant levels of Omega-3s and antioxidants in every resealable bottle.  The beverage contains premium organic ingredients; is naturally sweetened and low in simple sugars; and is soy, gluten and cane sugar free (and 99.8% lactose free).  And by the way, Underhill is doing just great, winning two gold medals for cycling in the National Transplant Games this past July, and now training for the World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa.

$3.99 (355 ml bottle)
Available in Vanilla Maple and Dutch Coco
http://drinkrumble.com

1-2-3 Gluten Free

Expanding into Canada from the U.S., 1-2-3 Gluten Free is a mother-daughter team from Cleveland, Ohio (Mom has celiac disease) which produces 15 premium gluten-free/allergen-free baking mixes in a dedicated gluten-free/allergen-free facility.  Four of the company’s products are now available in Canada: Yummy Yellow Cake Mix (add your own sweetener to reduce sugar content, or use an alternative); Aaron’s favorite Rolls Mix (fortified with calcium, iron and B vitamins to address nutrient deficiencies commonly found in those on a gluten-free diet); Chewy Chipless Scrumdelicious Cookie Mix (ideal for chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies and more); and Meredith’s Marvelous Muffins. Recipes are available on their website.

$8.99 at selected health food retailers
(more in Canada coming soon)
Find a retailer near you
http://www.123glutenfree.com

Happy Planet

There are few things more comforting at this time of year than a warm, nutritious bowl of soup. Happy Planet, the BC-based company best known for its juices and smoothies, also offers a line of “globally inspired” soups, most recently launching two savoury additions: Mediterranean Minestrone – “rich, hearty and laden with white beans and fresh veggies,” and Somerset Garden Pea – “made with fresh peas and cream, with a hint of fragrant mint, evoking the taste of springtime in an English garden.”  Added to their existing line, which includes Tuscan Tomato, Moroccan Chickpea, Indian Split Pea, Thai Coconut, Louisiana Corn Chowder and Berkeley Butternut Squash, these soups contain all natural ingredients with no preservatives, are gluten free, and are handmade in small kettle batches for optimum, home-style freshness.

Available at select retailers
http://happyplanetsoups.com/soups

activfuel+ (Genuine Health)

Designed for both before and during exercise, activfuel+ adds nutrients to your water bottle to maximize training performance. In addition to whey protein, activfuel+ contains ingredients such as organic red beet root to boost performance, as well as other building blocks for speed and strength (taurine and kola nut), rehydration (coconut water plus sodium and potassium), energy, and endurance (creatine, Rhodiola, Vitamin B1 and apple peel). There are two formulas – with and without natural caffeine, depending on your preference and time of day you are working out – in blackberry lemon flavour and sweetened with stevia.

Suggested retail price: $34.99 (carton of 10 sachets)
Available at health food stores, pharmacies and grocery store
http://genuinehealth.com

JK Gourmet

JK Gourmet has recently launched its line of “Our Favourite Almond Flour Baking Mixes,” taking the guesswork – and frustration – out of grain-free baking. Using finely ground almond flour (also available from the company) as a base, each mix is pre-sweetened with organic coconut nectar. Coconut nectar is an unrefined sweetener that comes from the sap of coconut tree blossoms (coconut sap harvesting and production is sustainable and does not cause deforestation) and contains nutrients including zinc, iron, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and amino acids, including glutamine. Choose from their Cookie, Muffin, Pancake & Waffle, or Pie & Tart Crust mixes – there’s a recipe included with each package to get you on your way.

$10.99-$11.99
Available at select stores or
online at http://www.jkgourmet.ca

For Your Pet

OregaPet

From Joy of the Mountains, makers of oregano oil products, comes OregaPet, a new line of products for natural first aid and oral hygiene – “tested on humans for pets.” (You’ve gotta love that slogan!) You likely already know of the multiple healing properties of oil of oregano, and perhaps you use it yourself. OregaPet’s Oil of Oregano provides internal infection defence for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, as well as candida yeast, de-worming, food poisoning, water-borne illness and Giardia. To use the oil with pets, drip it directly into the side of their mouth or hide it in food or tuna water (make sure they have some drinking water nearby).  The company has thought of everything – the OregaPet line also includes ear drops, first aid gel, shampoo, pet bed and body spray, toothpaste, dental spray and dental health treats. Access product information, articles, research and instructional videos on their website.

Prices range from approximately $5.95 (100g Dental Health Treats)
to $29.95 (Oil of Oregano 30 ml)
Available at select health food retailers and pet stores.
Find a retailer new you
http://oregapet.com

Carna4 Handcrafted Pet Foods

Carna4 is the first ready-to-serve dog food for all life stages containing only U.S. and Canadian-grown food ingredients (many certified organic), as well as effective levels of live probiotics and enzymes, without synthetics and with no risk of raw-food-borne pathogens. Carna4 is made from fresh, table-grade inspected chicken and salmon, whole (never dried) produce and organic sprouted seeds (flax, barley and lentils).  The newest additions to the Carna4 line include Flora4 Raw Food Topping, made from raw ground sprouted seeds – sprinkle into any diet to add probiotics and enzymes naturally;  Flora4 Sprouted Seed Snacks, made with organic sprouted seeds, liver and pumpkin (and nothing else); and Carna4 Sprouty Squares nutritional biscuits to give your dog the treat of real food nutrition.

$10.99 (biscuits) to $17.99 (raw food topping)
Dog Food $24.99 (3 lbs) to $149.99 (23 lbs)
To find a retailer near you visit www.carna4.com

One Comments

  • Kathy 02 / 03 / 2013

    Carna4 is absolutely the #1 BEST dog food I have tried in many years of owning several dogs. My dogs absolutely love the taste and have had firmer stools. I had a few dogs who were getting sick from other well known brands, even those that say “grain free” and “holistic” but I’ve finally found something they love and is keeping them healthy. They’ve been on it for a couple of months now but I’m very pleased.

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