They inhibit the production of cholesterol in your liver, leading to significantly reduced blood cholesterol levels. Interestingly, an extract of a type of fermented rice called red yeast rice may have similar effects.

It contains small amounts of monacolin K, which is the active ingredient in the statin drug Lovastatin Still, the amount of the active ingredient in supplements can vary up to fold depending on the brand Due to the potency of monacolin K, the Food and Drug Administration FDA has ruled that red yeast rice products containing this substance should be considered a drug rather than a supplement Some manufacturers try to evade these regulations by selling red yeast rice supplements that only contain trace amounts of monacolin K.

For this reason — and due to potential side effects — you should ask your healthcare provider to help you find a high-quality supplement from a reputable manufacturer. It can reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart attacks and death in people who already have heart disease.

Garlic is a popular ingredient in cuisines worldwide, but it has also been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, including by the Greeks and Romans The main effects of garlic are due to one of its active compounds, allicin, which is highly beneficial for heart health Even more importantly, aged garlic extract can significantly lower blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and early death 33 , In people with elevated levels, garlic can lower systolic blood pressure the top number in a reading by 8.

In one study in people with high blood pressure, garlic tablets were even more effective than the blood-pressure-lowering drug atenolol Garlic also appears to boost immune function and fight the common cold. You can buy garlic supplements in stores and online. Supplements containing aged garlic extract are available as well.

Garlic has a wide range of biological effects. It can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and help fight the common cold. Supplements, no matter how effective, can never replace a healthy lifestyle with real food , exercise, and good sleep.

If you have a medical condition or take any medications, consult with your healthcare provider before trying these substances. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Life can take a toll on your energy levels. Fortunately, these 11 vitamins and supplements can boost your energy levels when you need it most. Numerous herbs and plants have been used for centuries as natural remedies, but if you're interested in alternative medicine, it can be tricky to know….

Supplements that increase nitric oxide in the body are incredibly popular. Here are 5 benefits of nitric oxide supplements for health and performance. Resveratrol is a plant compound found in red wine. Resveratrol supplements may have several benefits for health, and this article explores the top 7.

Discover some vitamins for weight loss and some minerals too …. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Your doctor will have to supervise use of these.

You don't need a doctor's okay to try a nutrition shake, but it's a good idea to ask your doctor if any of the ingredients will interfere with your medications. For example, some drinks contain vitamin K , and sudden changes in vitamin K intake may interfere with the effect of the blood thinner warfarin Coumadin.

These examples offer the ratio of calories, protein, carbohydrate, and fat per serving recommended by dietitian Stacey Nelson of Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Supplemental nutrition shakes contain more than just healthy ingredients. Salamon agrees. That can lead to weight gain and a list of complications associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Equally concerning is that nutrition in a can isn't the same as nutrition from food. A potentially healthier option is a shake or fruit smoothie that is food-based and found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

She recommends trying products such as Odwalla Super Protein, Naked Juice Protein Zone, and Bolthouse Farms Protein Plus. However, these tend to cost more than the shelf-stable shakes. No matter which drink you choose, look at the ingredients. Ideally the first few ingredients should be fruit or forms of protein such as milk.

If sugar is the first or second ingredient, there's probably a healthier option. Equally important are the calories. If you're replacing a meal, look for about calories per serving. Our experts advise against using the drinks as snacks, but Nelson says if you must, then don't go above calories.

As for nutritional ratios in an 8-ounce serving, look for 10 to 20 grams of protein, no more than 6 grams of fat, and no more than 40 grams of carbohydrate, including sugar. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Check with your pharmacist to make sure that any medications that you take do not interact with your supplement. Start off slowly. Introducing many new supplements at once may be hard on your body. Give your system time to adjust. Always start with the lowest dose and work your way up if needed.

Purchase your supplements at Health stores that specialize in supplements. You are looking for pharmaceutical grade supplements that are not full of fillers and additives. Buying them at your local discount store is not advisable. In this case, you get what you pay for.

If you find this too expensive, remember, much of what we need can be found in a good healthy diet! This means that your body will have access to and use more of the actual vitamin or mineral than other forms. Make sure that the supplement is targeted for your age and sex category. Men for instance, should not be taking multi- vitamins that are made specifically for women.

Their needs are different. One size does not fit all! B Vitamins should always be taken in a complex unless advised by a medical professional as they are delicately balanced in our system and can be thrown off kilter easily. It is excellent for our brain health and often not consumed in large enough quantities in our diets.

Keep it in the fridge and take it with a meal.

Reading reviews and consulting with a healthcare professional can also help you find the best option for your needs. Athletic Greens AG1 is one of the best greens powders because it contains 75 ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, and adaptogens fungi and herbs that benefit your health.

AG1 is used by many people to meet their daily nutritional needs, but it was originally made to help athletes improve their performance by replacing vitamins and minerals they lose through sweat. Compared to other greens powders, AG1 contains far more than your daily recommended nutrient intake.

The Athletic Greens alternatives listed below are ideal for those who want an affordable Athletic Greens alternative that also contains all the essential nutrients you need.

If you're a health-conscious individual, chances are you've heard of Athletic Greens. This popular supplement has gained a reputation for its extensive list of nutrient-rich superfoods packed into one scoop. However, it's important to consider whether Athletic Greens is the right choice for you.

Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider switching from Athletic Greens:. Cost: Athletic Greens is relatively expensive compared to similar supplements on the market. If you want to save some money while still getting the nutrients you need, it may be worth considering a more affordable alternative.

Taste: While taste is subjective, some users have reported that the taste can be unpleasant. If you're not a fan of the taste, it may be difficult to stick to a daily supplement routine.

Personal needs: Everyone's nutritional needs are different, and while Athletic Greens offers a comprehensive blend of nutrients, it may not be tailored to your specific needs. Ultimately, the decision to switch from Athletic Greens should be based on your personal preferences and needs.

Consider the cost, taste, and your individual nutritional requirements before switching to a different supplement. The eight alternatives to Athletic Greens all contain unique blends. Live it Up Super Greens is at the top of the list thanks to its high superfood content and other ingredients designed to replace one serving of greens.

The Live it Up Super Greens powder has more than 20 superfoods and is free of herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful ingredients. Third-party testing ensures the blend is free of metals and toxins.

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance gives you a powder that is full of vitamins and minerals to help you get more of what you need every day. Vibrant Health says that its Green Vibrance blend improves overall health, stabilizes blood sugar levels, strengthens muscles, increases endurance, and detoxifies the body.

This green powder focuses on what Green Vibrance calls the "four pillars" of health: circulation, immunity, digestion, and nutrition. This formula also has plant enzymes and probiotics, which help keep your gut healthy and help your body absorb important nutrients. Bottom Line: Green Vibrance is one of the most trusted greens powders on the market and, next to AG1, has the most superfoods and probiotic support.

Beyond Greens is great for anyone looking for a green powder that promotes mental clarity and boosts energy levels. It contains a unique green tea leaf extract and mushroom blend to help you focus and have more steady, clean energy.

Customers say Beyond Greens helps them replace coffee and brewed black or green tea to make it through an afternoon slump. Their formula contains matcha, which is a green tea extract that is strong and very concentrated. Although the proportion of each superfood and the nutrient-dense ingredient is written on the label, the RDA Recommended Dietary Allowance of each vitamin and mineral is not listed.

You can look to Beyond Greens as a supportive super greens powder for your energy, mental and physical health, and gut health. However, its ingredients list and probiotic blend make it a great choice for anyone looking for alternatives to Athletic Greens.

For gut health support, the Amazing Grass Greens formula combines leafy greens such as organic kale and spinach, whole vegetables, antioxidant-rich organic fruits, a raw digestive enzyme blend, and a probiotic blend. Because of this focus on gut health, Amazing Grass Greens is one of the best super greens powders.

Bottom Line: Each serving of Amazing Grass Super Greens has two servings of fruits and vegetables, plus vitamins and fiber that help the immune system. Added enzymes and probiotics promote good digestive health. Garden of Life Green Superfoods Blend is a certified B corporation, which means that when they make certified organic products, they follow strict social and environmental rules.

The vegan formula in its superfood blend contains the same ingredients as many super greens powders, with the addition of some fruits, seeds, legumes, and sprouts that provide additional health benefits.

Interestingly, an extract of a type of fermented rice called red yeast rice may have similar effects. It contains small amounts of monacolin K, which is the active ingredient in the statin drug Lovastatin Still, the amount of the active ingredient in supplements can vary up to fold depending on the brand Due to the potency of monacolin K, the Food and Drug Administration FDA has ruled that red yeast rice products containing this substance should be considered a drug rather than a supplement Some manufacturers try to evade these regulations by selling red yeast rice supplements that only contain trace amounts of monacolin K.

For this reason — and due to potential side effects — you should ask your healthcare provider to help you find a high-quality supplement from a reputable manufacturer.

It can reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart attacks and death in people who already have heart disease. Garlic is a popular ingredient in cuisines worldwide, but it has also been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, including by the Greeks and Romans The main effects of garlic are due to one of its active compounds, allicin, which is highly beneficial for heart health Even more importantly, aged garlic extract can significantly lower blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and early death 33 , In people with elevated levels, garlic can lower systolic blood pressure the top number in a reading by 8.

In one study in people with high blood pressure, garlic tablets were even more effective than the blood-pressure-lowering drug atenolol Garlic also appears to boost immune function and fight the common cold. You can buy garlic supplements in stores and online.

Supplements containing aged garlic extract are available as well. Garlic has a wide range of biological effects. It can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and help fight the common cold.

Supplements, no matter how effective, can never replace a healthy lifestyle with real food , exercise, and good sleep. If you have a medical condition or take any medications, consult with your healthcare provider before trying these substances. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Life can take a toll on your energy levels. Fortunately, these 11 vitamins and supplements can boost your energy levels when you need it most. Numerous herbs and plants have been used for centuries as natural remedies, but if you're interested in alternative medicine, it can be tricky to know….

Supplements that increase nitric oxide in the body are incredibly popular. Here are 5 benefits of nitric oxide supplements for health and performance.

Resveratrol is a plant compound found in red wine. Resveratrol supplements may have several benefits for health, and this article explores the top 7. Discover some vitamins for weight loss and some minerals too …. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health.

Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. I have two recipes. or soak them in a bit of milk for your specific consistency 4 ice cubes tablespoons sugar or honey I prefer honey because it is a natural, non-processed item; you can get a less processed sugar, but it can be expensive unless you know how to shop for it tablespoons wheat germ.

Place milk and oats in a blender and let sit for five minutes. Blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend again. Add more sugar if needed. More fruit may be added to your tastes. Increase sugar if the fruit is tart. Puree and enjoy with a squeeze of lime if desired.

You can vary the fruit used, such as banana, pineapple, or other berries. Sharon S. Related: Produce Purchasing Tricks From a Produce Manager. Some of the manufacturers have been marketing these products to the general public, and they are completely unnecessary.

If you have a serious medical condition and need a dietary supplement, though, you may still have options. Many of these products are milkshakes mixed with vitamins, so a recommendation on a different vitamin or protein supplement may be possible.

Protein powder, a traditional protein supplement that can be mixed into almost anything, is usually in bulk and inexpensively at a health food grocery. If you do need Ensure, try checking with a dietician for advice on other foods you can safely eat that may be less expensive.

Then you can cut down on your use. Annie L. Many times a month, an Ensure representative comes into our office with free samples, usually cases of cans each time. These are for the doctors to distribute as they wish. At my office, we set these back for people who are on a fixed income and use Ensure.

Many people ask for these samples. We receive so much that sometimes it expires before being used. Such a waste. Tish B. Related: Homemade Meal Replacement Shakes on the Cheap. Ensure was originally meant to help those with serious illnesses who have trouble eating and keeping on weight.