Natural Factors nutritional supplements are made with raw materials that the company purports will improve health. Natural Factors products are supplements and you should not use them to replace food in your diet or without consultation from your health care provider. Some products may even be hazardous to your health if you are pregnant, take certain drugs or suffer from a medical condition.
Whey Protein
Natural Factors whey protein products are called Whey Factors and come in flavors of french vanilla, chocolate, unflavored, strawberry and green tea. Whey protein is naturally found in dairy and the body absorbs it readily. It is a good source of branched-chain amino acids, such as leucine, that help with muscle protein synthesis, according to the National Dairy Council. For active adults, whey protein may cause the body to build lean muscle faster. Adding whey protein to your diet if you are trying to lose weight can help you feel fuller longer. With the exception of green tea, the other flavors of Whey Factors contain at least 17 types of amino acids in a 22 g serving, including aspartic acid, cystine, isoleucine, lysine, and tyrosine.
Powdered Greens
The Green Foods products contain spirulina, chlorella, kelp, organic alfalfa, barley and wheatgrass juice powder. Each product boasts health benefits that rival nutrients obtained from eating fruits and vegetables. For example, one serving of Enriching Blueberry Greens is equal to more than 5 to 10 cups of mixed salad, according to Natural Factors. These products are not meal replacements. You should continue to consume three to four servings of vegetables per day to meet nutritional and fiber needs. Other ingredients added to the Green Foods products, such as mango, blackcurrant, stevia, carrot juice powder and beet root extract, enhance flavor, aid in digestion and provide antioxidants. The nutritional value ranges for each Green Food product. For example, the Enriching Blueberry Greens 150 g supplement contains at least 40 ingredients in one serving, 4 g, and the most abundant ingredient is whole food greens blend, 1750 mg.
Wild Fish Oil
Anchovy, sardine and mackerel are the key ingredients for Natural Factors wild fish oil supplement. These sources are high in omega-3 fatty acids -- a nutrient that is deficient in many diets. Consuming omega-3 supplements may positively impact cardiovascular disease risk including cardiac death and myocardial infarction, according to research published by the Office of Dietary Supplements. Particularly, eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, are converted in the body by an omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, ALA. This polyunsaturated fatty acid must come from the diet and is found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and halibut. Each Natural Factors softgel contains 1000 mg fish oil, 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA. Research also suggests that omega-3 fatty acids help sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint tenderness and the need for corticosteroid drugs.
References
- Natural Factors: Whey Factors
- National Dairy Council: The Dairy Connection: Whey Protein Health Education Kit
- Natural Factors: Enriching Blueberry Greens
- Natural Factors: OmegaFactors Wild Fish Oil Enteric-Coated
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health
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