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Problk Health Vitamins

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4 mins read

The 5 Best Vitamins for Hair and Nail Growth

best vitamins

Vitamins are a kind of organic micronutrient that is vital in keeping our bodies healthy. They are responsible for keeping the cells in our body functioning normally, regulating growth and development, and also for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin, and nails.

This makes the fact that up to 92% of African-Americans may be vitamin deficient even more alarming.

If you are struggling with brittle nails that chip off easily, hair that is thinning, or skin that is dull and lifeless, you may have vitamin deficiencies.

Studies show that vitamin deficiencies can not only cause hair loss but also worsen hair loss that is caused by other circumstances.

Different vitamins are responsible for keeping different bodily functions healthy.

Here is a look at some of the vitamins most responsible for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Biotin

Biotin is of the most important vitamins for hair growth. It is also known as Vitamin B7. It is found naturally in small amounts in foods like egg yolks and meat. Keep in mind that if you are taking certain antibiotics, medication for epilepsy, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are at a higher risk of being deficient in biotin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for your gut to be able to absorb iron, an essential mineral nutrient that carries oxygen to all parts of your body. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, and pale skin.

To avoid this, ensure that you eat foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits, potatoes, and bell peppers. Taking vitamin supplements can ensure that you always have enough vitamins in your body irrespective of your diet.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is naturally made in our body when our skin is exposed to the sun. However, pigmentation can reduce the production of this vitamin and so, African-Americans are at a higher risk for developing Vitamin D insufficiency.

This vitamin is responsible for calcium and phosphorus regulation and is essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, and nails. A lack of this vitamin may also result in red, dry, itchy patches on your skin.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps protect the skin’s two outermost layers against sun damage. It is an antioxidant, so it shields the skin from oxidative stress, allowing the skin cells to heal and regenerate at a much quicker rate while simultaneously destroying the free radicals that break down collagen. It is naturally available in cheese, eggs, and oily fish.

Vitamin E

Apart from maintaining a healthy immune system, this vitamin is essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails. It is a fat-soluble vitamin with several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body. It is naturally available in sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, and beet greens.

Although vitamins are available from natural sources, availability, affordability, diet restrictions due to illness, and lifestyle choices may make it difficult for you to maintain optimum levels of all these vitamins through natural sources alone. This is why supplements are advised.

 

Check out Problk Health Vitamin supplements specially crafted to help ensure healthy hair and nail growth.

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Published on
4 mins read

5 Tips on How You Can Maintain and Improve Your Gut Health

Did you know that more than half of your body’s immune system lies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract? Clearly, your gut health is closely linked to your overall health and wellbeing. But, what exactly does it mean when people talk about a healthy gut?

Your gut is filled with microorganisms like good bacteria and yeast which promote healthy digestion. An imbalance in this gut microbiota can cause several gastrointestinal conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), negatively affect your immune system, and even result in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atopy.

So, maintaining the balance of small bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your digestive tract is crucial to ensuring your physical, mental, and immune health.

Top Tips on How to Maintain Gut Health

Exercise, Exercise, & Exercise

gut health

Engaging in any kind of physical activity keeps your colon healthy and ensures regular and clear bowel movements.

As per the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity each week.

They should also make muscle-strengthening exercises a part of their weekly exercise regimen. This is more so important for people who are prone to serious digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Shift to a Nutrient-Rich Diet

gut health

The kind of food people eat can directly impact their gut. Ideally, you should consume smaller, more frequent meals. This can prevent the GI tract from getting overwhelmed.

Eating a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients is directly linked to a happy gut. Try including the following food items in your diet:

  • Fresh, Unprocessed, and Clean Food
  • Mixed Diets Lead to the Growth of Diverse Microbiomes in the Gut
  • Fiber-Rich Vegetables, Legumes, and Fruits, Such as Raspberries, Green Peas, Broccoli, Chickpeas, Artichoke, Lentils, Banana, Beans, Apples, and More
  • Food Rich in Polyphenols, Such as Cocoa and Dark Chocolate, Red Wine, Grape Skins, Green Tea, Almonds, and Blueberries

Remember to eat at least 25 grams of fiber a day. You also need to chew your food thoroughly to make it easier for your digestive system to process. Additionally, make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep the body hydrated.

Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are known for their ability to reduce symptoms of certain medical conditions, boost immune health, improve depressive symptoms, and even promote weight loss. They also encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

Probiotic and fermented food like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, and fresh sauerkraut must be a part of your everyday diet. Alternatively, you can also choose to consume high-quality probiotic supplements, such as Problk Health’s Gut Reaction – Probiotic Advanced Formula, to effectively improve your gut health.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Your stress levels and gut health can be directly proportional to each other. The more stressed you are, the more negatively it will impact gut health. This is why embracing an active lifestyle—complete with yoga, therapy, meditation, and journaling—is key to not just your gut health, but your overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Limit the alcohol and caffeine intake

Both caffeine and alcohol act as digestive stimulants and can disrupt the digestive process. So, limit their intake for a healthy gut.

Maintaining your gut health should be an integral part of your healthcare regime. The team at Problk Health Vitamins will gladly help you find the right probiotic supplements to ensure a healthy gut and body.

To learn more about Problk Health Vitamins, visit their website and get 15% off Your first order using code “shoppeblack”

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Published on
3 mins read

5 Ways to Prevent Spring Allergies

allergies

Want to enjoy the beauty of spring without having to deal with pollen allergies? These five helpful tips are a good starting point to prevent watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, and sore throat this spring.

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Spring Allergies

Limit Your Outdoor Time

If you are particularly prone to allergies, it makes sense to limit your outdoor time. In spring, trees release billions of pollen grains into the air, which can trigger an allergic reaction when inhaled.

Try to stay indoors during the early morning hours and on windy days to avoid inhaling pollen. Alternatively, wear sunglasses and a mask as a preventive measure if you are heading out. You should also shower and change immediately once you get home.

Consider Natural Treatments

Instead of pills, consider natural vitamin supplements. For instance, you can consume Problk Health’s apple cider vinegar to keep your allergies at bay.

According to research, ACV has several natural healing properties, including the production of protective enzymes and antibodies in the mucus to curb allergies. ACV is also known to reduce body inflammation and help manage allergies better.

Eat Healthily

Consuming a vitamin-rich and balanced diet can help your body stave off allergies more effectively. Make sure to include allergy-alleviating foods, such as nuts, fish, apples, red grapes, and tomatoes, in your day-to-day diet.

Clean Your Home

You can keep your indoors clean by investing in a high-efficiency particulate air filter. These types of tools can successfully remove harmful irritants and make your home a pollen-free zone.

You can also consider buying indoor air-purifying houseplants, such as English ivy, bamboo, and snake plants, that naturally get rid of pollutants. Also, try to keep your windows shut as much as possible to keep the pollen out.

Seek Medical Attention

If your symptoms persist, consult with your doctor. Based on the severity and persistence of your allergies, they may prescribe eye drops or oral antihistamines to help alleviate the symptoms.

Some medicines might make you drowsy, so take them with caution, preferably at night. Also, remember that the symptoms won’t go away overnight. You can also talk to your doctor to figure out if allergy flu shots are the right option for you.

If your eyes start to water and you’re sneezing non-stop, visit your doctor and get a prescription for anti-allergy medications. Being proactive can stop the allergy in its tracks before it becomes a full-blown problem.

Looking for more suggestions to prevent or deal with springtime allergies? Problk Health Vitamins can help you find the solutions you need to live a healthier life.

Get 15% off your first order using code “shoppeblack”

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Published on
4 mins read

5 Ways to Build Your Immune System

immune system

Your immune system is the body’s first line of defense against illness. Similar to how a security system around your house provides protection, your immune system uses a system of chemicals and proteins in your body to combat viruses, harmful bacteria, infections, and parasites. 

Here are five steps you can implement into your daily routine to build your immune system and stay healthy all year long.

Keep a Healthy Diet

Having a healthy diet is essential for a strong immune system. This requires eating lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats.

A healthy diet will not only give your immune system the energy it needs, but also provide you with the micronutrients necessary for maintaining it, such as:

  • Vitamin B6, which can be found in chicken, salmon, tuna, bananas, green vegetables, and potatoes (with the skin).
  • Vitamin E is found in almonds, sunflower and safflower oils, peanut butter, and spinach.
  • Vitamin C is found in citrus fruit, such as oranges and strawberries, as well as in tomatoes and broccoli.

Engage in Regular Exercise

Exercise isn’t just for building muscles and de-stressing—it’s also crucial for keeping yourself healthy and supporting your immune system. Exercise can boost your immune function by improving overall circulation, which enables immune cells and other infection-fighting molecules to travel throughout your body.

Reduce Stress

immune system

Stress can affect your health in a variety of ways, including how it impacts your immune system, no matter how quickly it comes on or how slowly it builds.

When you’re under a lot of stress, especially chronic stress that lasts a long time, your body responds by activating what’s called a stress response.

This response is supposed to help you deal with the stressful situations that come your way, but it also suppresses your immune system, increasing your chances of becoming ill. 

Drink Plenty of Water

immune system

Water is important for many functions in your body, including boosting your immune system. Lymph, a fluid in your circulatory system that carries essential infection-fighting immune cells throughout your body, is mostly made up of water. Dehydration causes lymph to travel more slowly, which can contribute to immune system problems.

Whether you’re exercising or not, you’re constantly losing water through your breath, urine, and bowel movements. Make sure you drink enough water every day to keep your immune system healthy.

Ensure You Get Enough Sleep

While sleep might not seem like an active process, there are many critical things happening in your body when you are not awake. For example, crucial infection-fighting molecules are produced while you sleep.

Research shows that people who don’t get enough quality sleep are more likely to get sick after exposure to viruses such as the common cold. When it comes to your immune system, it’s important to get enough sleep every night, and take steps if your sleep is suffering.

Looking for more suggestions to improve your immune system? Problk Health Vitamins can help! Visit their website.

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Published on
3 mins read

How to Choose the Right Multivitamins

multivitamins

In an ideal scenario, you should consume a well-balanced diet that provides your body with the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

However, life isn’t perfect, and your meal planning isn’t either, which is why you should take multivitamins to fill in those nutritional gaps.

The idea of a multivitamin is simple: it’s a supplement that contains all the extra nutrition you need in a convenient once-daily dosage. Then why do people have such difficulty choosing the right one? This article explains how multivitamins work and how to pick the best one for you.

Multivitamins: What Are They?

To put it simply, multivitamins are nutritional supplements designed to help you meet your daily requirements for micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that your body requires to function effectively.

Research shows that most of us cannot get these nutrients through diet alone so a multivitamin can be a valuable and essential resource.

Multivitamins: How to Choose the Right One?

You will need to decide what supplement is best for you based on the following factors:

  • Age- Depending on your age, you may require more or less of a nutrient. For instance, individuals entering their 50s may benefit from taking vitamins that maintain normal bones.
  • Diet- Take into account the nutritional value of your diet. Do you consume a diet that’s high or low in certain nutrients? For instance, if you are a vegetarian, a multivitamin with B12 boosts an essential nutrient typically found in non-vegetarian food sources.
  • Immune System- If you want to strengthen your immune system, perhaps take a multivitamin with zinc.
  • Health Goals- Looking for more energy? Check whether low iron levels are contributing to your fatigue. Or, if you’d like to improve your sleeping pattern, keep an eye out for vitamin B6 in the ingredients.

What Is the Right Multivitamin for You?

Finding a supplement that you will want to take consistently is the first step to making it part of your daily routine. Here are four common types:

  • Capsules and Tablets- Some people find them hard to swallow, but they’re quick, convenient, and easy to take anywhere.
  • The Chewable Tablet- The gummies are a more enjoyable way for children to take supplements. Adult versions are also available.
  • Multivitamins in Liquid Form- If you have difficulty swallowing pills or chewing, these are a great alternative.
  • The Effervescent can also prevent swallowing problems caused by large pills because the fizzy solutions promote rapid absorption.

The process of choosing the right multivitamin can be daunting, with thousands of options on the market.

Problk Health Vitamins can help you decide which vitamins you need to fill in the nutrition gaps in your diet. For more information, visit them online or email them at Hello@problkhealth.com.

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Published on
4 mins read

Quick Beginners Guide to Vitamins A to K

vitamin

Vitamins are organic nutrients that our bodies need to function correctly. Most vitamins cannot be produced by us, at least not in sufficient quantities to meet our needs. As a result, they must come from the food we eat as well as multivitamins.

Read on to learn about the importance of each vitamin from A to K and the foods that contain them.

A Quick Guide to Vitamins A to K

Vitamin A

vitamins

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps your body form healthy teeth, bones, soft tissues, and skin. Additionally, you can prevent bacterial and viral infections, keep your hair and nails healthy, and prevent night blindness.

Vitamin A is exceptionally high in the following foods:

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Winter squash
  • Carrots
  • Apricots
  • Cantaloupe
  • Kale, spinach, and collard greens

Spices such as paprika, red pepper, cayenne, and chili powder are also high in vitamin A.

Vitamin B

vitamins

Vitamins B-6, B-12, and B-9 are necessary for your body to function appropriately, synthesize DNA, and form red blood cells. Additionally, they help maintain brain function, prevent anemia, and support metabolism.

The following foods contain particularly high levels of vitamins B-6 and B-12:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Seafood, including mussels and oysters

Leafy green vegetables and poultry are exceptionally high in B-9 or folic acid. Certain breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and other products are fortified with folic acid.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the health of your cells. It also improves your body’s iron absorption and ensures healthy teeth and gums. Besides that, it heals wounds and helps you resist infection.

The following foods contain Vitamin C:

  • Papaya
  • Broccoli
  • Strawberries
  • Peppers
  • Citrus fruits
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Dark leafy greens, such as kale, mustard greens, and chard

Vitamin D

vitamins

Vitamin D is a unique nutrient. Besides absorbing it from food, your body can synthesize it from sunlight. Your bones, immune system, and calcium absorption depend on vitamin D. According to the National Cancer Institute Trusted Source, it may also lower your risk of colorectal cancer.

Although vitamin D comes mainly from the sun, foods that also provide this nutrient include:

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Some seafood, such as salmon, herring, catfish, trout, and oysters

Vitamin E

Vitamins

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects your cells from damage. It is also essential for your body’s ability to use vitamin K and repair muscle cells.

Vitamin E is abundant in the following foods:

  • Bell peppers
  • Asparagus
  • Sunflower seeds and almonds
  • Spinach, swiss chard, and turnip greens

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for your body’s ability to form blood clots. Without it, you could die from a simple cut. Older adults may also benefit from vitamin K for maintaining bone strength.

Among the foods that are particularly high in vitamin K are:

  • Parsley
  • Broccoli
  • Asparagus
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, and mustard greens

With dozens of alternatives on the market, picking the right multivitamin can be tricky. Problk Health Vitamins is a Black doctor-owned company that can assist you in determining which vitamins you require to strengthen your diet.

Visit their website or email them at Hello@problkhealth.com for detailed information.

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Published on
6 mins read

This Couple Started a Vitamin Business to Reduce Vitamin Deficiency in the Black Community

Problk Health

Problk Health Vitamins is a doctor and veteran-owned health company on a mission to improve health and wellness in the Black community.

The Atlanta-based business was started by husband and wife team Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel and Darian McDaniel. Both HBCU grads (Howard Medical School and Morehouse College) decided that in order to promote healing in the Black community, they would have to be the change they wanted to see.

We caught up with Problk Health Vitamins co-founder Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel to find out more.

Problk Health
Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel

What inspired you to start Problk Health Vitamins?

(Dr. K) If we could boil down this answer into two words, they would be ‘need’, and ‘purpose’. The need being that I have trained, worked in, and served majority Black communities for over 20 years.

Whether it be New York where I was raised, D.C. where I received my education, or Atlanta where I settled and now practice, a common theme that I see almost daily is that Black people do not focus on preventative care.

We are young in age and old in disease while being plagued with illnesses that are often preventable if addressed before progressing to more harmful stages. We do not prioritize our most valuable asset which is our health. 92% of Black people have at least one vitamin deficiency.

After watching an episode of Shark Tank where a company was highlighted that donated a percentage of its profits from the sales of beach towels to benefit marine life, we thought if they could do that for fish, imagine what we could do for Black people.

The purpose is that Darian and I wanted to have a passion project or leave a legacy that would outlive us and benefit the Black community for generations to come.

The combination of these factors helped shape our vision were educating and providing vitamins for people both helps the individual’s health, and the health of the community by donating 50% of the net profits to non-profit organizations that work on improving the health in the Black Community.

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How does your vitamin company differ from those that already exist?

We use the highest quality ingredients to create our premium vitamins and supplements. We make a conscious effort to use select formulas that fill the most nutrient gaps for our customers.

Problk Health Vitamins also donates 50% of its net profits to non-profit organizations that have missions that focus on irradicating health disparities in the Black Community.

It’s a win-win scenario that most people should be able to get behind. We often like to ask people, “Does your current vitamin give back to the community?” We have yet to hear ‘yes’ as a response.

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Describe your individual personalities and how you fuse them to make the business work.

Darian is the strategic, business marketing guru that is the key to catapulting our growth. He is moved more by logic than emotion which helps us to choose the most appropriate and beneficial partnerships. He is a genius at curating the brand from aesthetic details to scaling opportunities.

I, on the other hand, am a way more emotional person. Much of my passion or zeal for this endeavor is my daily encounters with people who look like me or someone I love who is suffering from preventable illness or haunted by suboptimal lifestyle choices that result in inferior health.

I wholeheartedly believe that part of living our best lives is harnessing and enhancing our health to truly maximize our potential, longevity, and happiness. Together we are like the Wonder Twins cartoon from back in the day that can adapt to any obstacle or situation. It works to be able to see things from different perspectives.

Problk Health
Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel and Darian McDaniel.

Where do you see the company in 5 years?

In 5 years we hope to be a well-respected household name that is synonymous with quality vitamins and supplements, education and community give back.

We want to potentially have mobile health vans that can visit different neighborhoods, fostering the idea of prioritizing our health through healthy habits and preventative care.

We would like to grow the business to the point that we are able to donate millions of dollars in support of nurturing our people and the communities we come from. The sky is the limit, and Black people need to enlighten and improve their health more so than ever.

To learn more about Problk Health Vitamins, visit their website and get 15% off Your first order using code “shoppeblack”

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