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Nutrition science and healthy-living articles published by Mt. Angel Vitamins and Highland Laboratories.

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Who Found the Role of Chromium, and Why a Trace Mineral Became a Label Debate — The history of chromium starts with a 1959 rat study of a glucose tolerance factor and ends with a label debate over picolinate. It shows why a trace mineral's label claims run ahead of the trial record, and what current intake guidance actually says.
Who Found the Role of Zinc, and How a 1961 Study in Iran Changed the Story — The history of zinc is short on human evidence before 1961. The first human report that later work tied to zinc had iron-deficiency anemia in its title, and zinc's essential role in people was established in 1963.
Ashwagandha's Research History, From Ayurveda to KSM-66 — Ashwagandha has a long Ayurvedic record as a tonic root, and its human trials on root extracts measured stress scales, cortisol, strength and endurance. Two 2025 papers disagree on safety, and this page covers both, along with what the sources do not settle.
Aloe in the Ebers Papyrus, and Why Gel and Latex Differ — The history of aloe vera in writing includes an Egyptian medical scroll, and gel and latex come from different parts of the leaf. Leipzig University Library holds the Ebers Papyrus. The 2002 FDA rule that ruled aloe out of OTC laxatives was a drug rule, not a food rule, and the gel trials are small.
Who Found Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Why a Liver Factor Became a Mitochondria Story — Alpha-lipoic acid began as a microbial growth factor that Reed's group traced to liver, then became a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes. This history covers the 1951 crystals, the German trials, the R-form studies and how research doses compare with label doses.
Bacopa's Research History, From Brahmi to Memory Trials — Bacopa carries a memory reputation older than its human trials. This history runs from brahmi in Ayurvedic writing to a 1982 rat study, the 2001 trials, and a 2022 trial in children, and says plainly what those trials did and did not show.
Beta-Carotene: From Carrot to Provitamin A, and the Smoker Trials — Beta-carotene is a carrot pigment the body turns into vitamin A. Karrer shared the 1937 Nobel Prize for work on carotenoids. Two 1990s trials in smokers then found that high-dose beta-carotene raised lung cancer risk, and the NIH fact sheet ties the warning to smokers and asbestos workers.
Betaine History: Beets, Homocysteine and Trimethylglycine — Betaine is a methyl donor found in beets, and supplement labels can call it trimethylglycine (TMG). The human trials cited here are small, and none measured lifespan. The homocysteine, liver and sports studies each measured a specific marker or performance outcome.
Who Found Biotin, and Why Raw Egg White Caused a Vitamin Mystery — Raw egg white made animals sick because avidin binds biotin and blocks its absorption. Paul György's vitamin H turned out to be biotin, a molecule other groups had named separately. High-dose biotin now matters for some blood tests, which can read falsely high or low.
How Black Pepper Became an Absorption Story, 1985 to 2025 — Piperine, a major compound in black pepper, slows liver enzymes that clear drugs. This history follows it from a 1985 rat study to a 1998 curcumin test and to tuberculosis regimens, with what each study measured and where the evidence stops.
Black Seed in Tutankhamun's Tomb: What the Record Shows — Howard Carter's botanical notes for Tutankhamun's tomb list Nigella seeds in one sample. This history separates that record from later claims about thymoquinone and medieval physicians, then reads four randomized trials from 2008 to 2014, with each claim tied to its source.
Carnitine History: From a 1905 Discovery to Fat Transport — Carnitine's fat-transport job is well documented, and so is deficiency in specific patients. This history sticks to NIH and PubMed sources: a 1905 discovery date, a 1973 deficiency case, medical and infant uses, and sports evidence that is mixed.
Who Found Choline, and How Ox Bile Became an Essential Nutrient Story — Choline had a name for 136 years before the Institute of Medicine made it officially essential in 1998. Adolph Strecker named it from bile in 1862, and the story runs from neurine in the brain to citicoline.
Who Found the Role of Copper, and How an Anemia Study Led to a Trace Mineral — The history of copper starts with a 1928 rat study on hemoglobin, moves through two rare inherited disorders, and ends at an upper limit that now sets the ceiling for copper intake. Zinc and copper can work against each other on the same label.
Who Found Coenzyme Q10, and How Beef Heart Mitochondria Led to a Supplement — The coenzyme Q10 story starts in 1957 with a two-page note on beef heart mitochondria. The supplement came later. The evidence is mixed: a 2014 heart failure trial reported fewer deaths, while two statin symptom reviews reached opposite conclusions.
Cordyceps History: From Winter Worm to Sports Supplement — Cordyceps began as a caterpillar fungus valued in Tibet and China for centuries. The sports label rests on a handful of small trials, and they disagree. Check the species name on the label before you assume it matches the research.
Who Documented Echinacea: Plains Remedies to Clinical Trials — Plains peoples used purple coneflower before a Nebraska doctor sent a root to Cincinnati in 1885. The trials that followed still disagree on what echinacea does for colds.
What the Elderberry Record Shows, From Folk Use to Syrup — Elderberry has a folk record for colds and flu, a classical record that describes the tree but not a remedy, and a short run of trials. This history follows all three and ties each claim to its source.
William Rose and the Essential Amino Acids, 1935 to 1955 — William Rose's casein hydrolysate led him to histidine as a dietary essential in 1924. His 1935 work identified threonine, the last amino acid found in proteins, and his human trials set the adult essentials at eight.
Who Found the Effect of Fluoride, and How Brown Teeth Led to Water Fluoridation — The fluoride story begins with brown-stained teeth in Colorado in 1901 and reaches a water program in Grand Rapids in 1945. The early cavity numbers shrank, and the mechanism changed. Fluoride stayed a dental topic because the evidence came from teeth.
From Iodized Salt to Folic Acid Flour: The Fortification Story — The earliest program in this story is iodized salt, which Michigan grocers began stocking in 1924. Enriched bread, vitamin D milk and folic acid flour followed, and each answered a different public health problem.
Who Found Allicin, and How Garlic Went From Ancient Remedy to Supplement — Garlic has a long record as a remedy in ancient medical texts. Allicin, the compound that forms when garlic is crushed, was isolated and described by Cavallito and Bailey in 1944. This history follows the record from those texts to the aged garlic extract trials, with each claim tied to its source.
What Pliny Wrote About Ginger, and How It Became a Supplement — Pliny the Elder described ginger in Roman times, and modern extracts are described by their gingerol content. This history covers his account, the nausea and muscle soreness trials, and the compounds the research follows, with each claim tied to its source.
Who Documented Ginkgo, and How a Temple Tree Became a Leaf Extract Story — Ginkgo was kept in Chinese mountain monasteries until about 1100 AD, and its leaf extract later reached supplement shelves in Europe and the United States. Two large dementia trials on that extract found no reduction in dementia. This history covers the tree, the seeds, the extract and the trial numbers, each tied to its source.
Ginseng's Research History, From Legend to American Export — Ginseng's documented history runs from a legendary emperor's treatise to a 1784 American cargo and 1960s sapogenin chemistry. The human trials are less settled than that trade record, and the reviews say so plainly.
Green Tea's Paper Trail, From Origin Stories to EGCG Capsules — One green tea plant gives a cup that EFSA calls generally safe and a supplement that EFSA links to early liver damage signs at 800 mg of EGCG a day. This history follows the plant from Tang-dynasty tea writing to the trials, case registries and regulators that now shape the labels.
Holy Basil History: From Sacred Herb to Stress Trials — Holy basil, or tulsi, is a sacred herb in Ayurvedic and Siddha tradition, and its modern role rests on a few placebo-controlled trials. Those trials measured different outcomes with different extracts. Check the extract and the outcome before you read a holy basil label as a stress result.
Who Found the Role of Iodine, and How Seaweed Became a Salt Story — The history of iodine runs from a seaweed remedy for swollen necks, through the 1811 discovery of the element, to iodized salt and the thyroid hormones that need it. It also explains why more iodine is not always better.
Lutein's Research History, From Marigold Petals to Eye Trials — Marigold flowers are the main source of the lutein sold in supplements. This page traces that supply to the 2013 AREDS2 trial and a 2024 bioavailability study, reports what each measured, and says where the early history is missing.
Maca History: From Andean Root to Five Clinical Trials — Maca is a cultivated root from the Andean region, and its modern record is five randomized trials with different sizes, doses and outcomes. This page covers what each trial measured, where the early history runs thin, and why the gelatinized form matters for reading the results.
Who Found the Role of Magnesium, and How Epsom Salt Became a Supplement — Magnesium was a laxative for centuries before researchers identified it as an essential nutrient in 1926. This page traces that path, the absorption question behind the label, and the NIH adult limits for supplements.
Who Found Melatonin, and How a Pineal Gland Hormone Became a Supplement — Melatonin started as an unexplained pineal gland and became a US dietary supplement. This history covers Aaron Lerner's 1958 isolation, the 1994 supplement law, early jet lag and low-dose trials, and why label doses vary.
Milk Thistle History: Pliny's Sillybum to Silymarin Trials — Pliny described a prickly plant he called sillybum and judged it of no use in medicine. The silymarin trials that followed still disagree, and the record shows why: study quality, product variation and the populations tested.
Moringa History: Ayurveda to Leaf Powder Trials — Moringa appears in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and carries nicknames like tree of life. The human leaf trials are small and mostly study breastfeeding and child nutrition. Check any nutrient figure and its source before you trust it.
Who Found Niacin, and How Pellagra Became a Lesson in Diet — Niacin's story begins with pellagra, a killer across the American South. Joseph Goldberger showed in 1915 that diet caused it, and later work tied niacin to NAD, the coenzyme used by more than 400 enzymes.
Who Found Pantothenic Acid, and Why Its Name Means From Everywhere — Roger J. Williams announced pantothenic acid in 1933 as a growth factor for yeast. Its main job is building coenzyme A, whose discoverer shared the 1953 Nobel Prize. Most people get enough from food, and supplement amounts range from about 10 mg to 1,000 mg.
How Pomegranate Became a Gut Bacteria Story, 2007 to 2025 — Pomegranate's urolithin A story runs through gut bacteria, not the juice bottle. This history follows ellagitannins from a 2007 pig study and a 2014 volunteer letter to the 2016 mitophagy paper and five human studies, with what each one measured.
Who Found the Role of Potassium, and How Wood Ash Became a Supplement Story — The potassium story starts with wood ash turned into potash for glass at Jamestown in 1608, moves through an 1808 Royal Society lecture, and ends at today's 99 mg supplement rule. Adult adequate intakes are 3,400 mg for men and 2,600 mg for women.
Prebiotics History: Fiber, Bacteria and the 2017 Definition — A 1995 paper defined prebiotics as nondigestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate colon bacteria. This page sticks to what PubMed records show: how the definition changed, which fibers have the most support, and why prebiotics get paired with probiotics.
Probiotics History: From Sour Milk to Strain-Specific Labels — The probiotics story starts with a sour-milk idea and ends with a strain rule. This page separates what PubMed supports, including a 1994 infant trial and a 2012 antibiotic meta-analysis, from the claims a bottle can make.
Reishi History: From Ancient Texts to Modern Trials — Reishi has a long record in Chinese texts, and its modern trials measure very different things. A spore oil, a beta-glucan and a triterpenoid-enriched capsule are not the same product. Check the preparation on the label before you read a trial as a verdict on it.
Resveratrol History: Hellebore, Knotweed and the French Paradox — Resveratrol was first isolated from white hellebore root in 1939, according to a 2019 review. This page follows the record through knotweed, the 1992 French paradox paper, early yeast and mouse studies and human trials, and marks where the sources stop.
Rhodiola History: Northern Mountains to Fatigue Trials — Rhodiola rosea grows at high altitudes and northern latitudes, and its adaptogen label rests on a few fatigue trials and a contradictory systematic review. The strongest trial used one standardized extract. Check the extract and the outcome before you read a rhodiola label as a fatigue result.
Who Found Vitamin B2, and Why a Yellow Pigment Became Science — Vitamin B2 began as a yellow-green glow in cow's milk. This history covers Blyth's 1870s milk pigment, Warburg's yellow enzyme, the 1937 name riboflavin, and the FAD step that links B2 to NAD.
Who Found the Role of Selenium, and How a Poison Became an Essential Mineral — Selenium was named in 1817, and its history covers two sides of one narrow margin: a Chinese heart disease tied to low intake and a toxicity whose early signs are hair loss and brittle nails. This page traces both, and the NIH limit between them.
St John's Wort History: Traditional Use to Drug Interactions — St John's wort has a long record in traditional medicine and a mixed record in depression trials. Its interaction record, which includes birth control pills and transplant drugs, is the part readers should check first.
Supplement Law, From the 1938 Food Act to DSHEA in 1994 — The 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the 1994 DSHEA law still decide what a supplement label can say. This history follows the rules from a 1937 poisoning through the 1976 potency amendments, the new ingredient notice and the serious adverse event reporting duty.
Taurine's Research History, From Bile Acids to Energy Drinks — Taurine is one of the few amino acids your body does not build into protein, and it still shows up in three very different stories: bile salts, preterm infant formula, and the energy drink can. This page follows the research record for each one and stops where the sources stop.
Who Split Vitamin B Into Eight, and Why the Story Keeps Changing — The B vitamins were not found as eight separate things. Yeast prevented both beriberi and pellagra, so one water-soluble factor looked like one vitamin until heat tests and chemistry split it into the numbered list NIH covers today.
The Multivitamin, From Wartime Pills to the Daily Habit — The vitamin pill came of age during World War II, and the large trials of the daily multivitamin since 1997 have found modest results. The Physicians' Health Study II found a small drop in total cancer, and a later COSMOS analysis found no significant reduction in COVID-19 incidence.
Who Set the Daily Numbers, and Where the Label Percent Came From — The percent Daily Value on a label traces back to 1968 RDA figures, and men aged 19 to 35 set most of them. This history follows the RDA from its 1941 start through the 1990 labeling law, the 1993 rules and the 1997 DRI report.
Who Named Vitamins, and Why the E Was Dropped From Vitamine — Casimir Funk coined vitamine in 1912 for food factors he took to be organic bases. Jack Drummond dropped the final e in 1920, because not every vitamin contains an amine group. Vitamins A and C still carry his letters on today's labels.
Who Found Vitamin B1, and How Polished Rice Taught Science a Lesson — The history of thiamine starts with rice. Takaki's 1884 navy diet ended beriberi in the Japanese Navy decades before anyone isolated the missing factor. Eijkman's chickens, the 1929 Nobel and the 1936 synthesis complete the story.
How Tryptophan Went From a 1901 Paper to the 1989 Recall — Hopkins and Cole described a new product of protein digestion in 1901. In 1989, an outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome was traced to a chemical constituent tied to one maker's tryptophan process. CDC and NEJM records tie the outbreak to that manufacturing process.
Valerian History: From Greek and Roman Use to Sleep Trials — Valerian has been used medicinally since early Greece and Rome, but its sleep evidence is still weak. A 2017 guideline and two reviews do not support valerian for insomnia, and their safety findings differ.
Who Found Vitamin A, and How Night Blindness Became a Supplement Story — More than 2,900 years before vitamin A was crystallized in 1937, Egyptian physicians prescribed ox liver for blindness. This is how a liver remedy became a measured fat-soluble nutrient, and where today's intake limits come from.
Who Found Vitamin B6, and How Rat Skin Studies Led to P5P — Vitamin B6 began with rats that developed skin lesions on a purified diet. Its active coenzyme, P5P, works in more than 100 enzyme reactions, and pyridoxine is the most common form in supplements. The ODS upper limit for adults is 100 mg a day.
Who Found Vitamin D, and How Rickets Turned Sunlight Into a Supplement Story — Sunshine and cod liver oil both cured rickets before anyone knew the chemistry. This is how the vitamin D story moved from 1822 advice to Windaus's 1928 Nobel, and where today's intake limits sit.
Who Found Vitamin E, and How a Fertility Factor Became an Antioxidant Story — Herbert Evans and Katharine Bishop found vitamin E in 1922 while testing rat diets for reproduction. The compound is now described mainly as an antioxidant, and the high-dose trials give reasons for caution with capsules.
Who Found Vitamin K, and How a Clotting Vitamin Became the K2 Story — Vitamin K started with chicks that bled on a synthetic diet. Henrik Dam named the factor in 1935, and he and Edward Doisy shared the 1943 Nobel Prize. The later story is the K2 family, the MK-7 trials, and a warning for people on warfarin.
Who Named Vitamin P, and How Citrus Peel Led to the Flavonoid Story — Albert Szent-Györgyi's 1937 Nobel biography calls the vitamin nature of flavanone probable, not proven. The vitamin P name faded, but the flavonoids it pointed to became their own research field, where trials are small and mixed.
Are NMN and NR Safe? What the Human Trials Recorded — The human NMN and NR trials recorded no serious side effects, but they ran for weeks and enrolled small groups. Here is what each trial reported about side effects, labs, and bedside measures, and what the records cannot show.
Turmeric and Curcumin: From Eastern Texts to the Capsule — Turmeric is the rhizome of Curcuma longa, and curcumin is one group of compounds inside it. This history follows the Eastern texts first, then the 1815 isolation, the 1998 piperine study and the national regulators, with each date tied to its source.
Who Found Vitamin C, and How Scurvy Became a Supplement Story — Citrus cured scurvy in a naval trial in 1747, but the compound behind it was not identified until 1932. This history runs from amla and chenpi texts through the 1932 papers and the 1937 Nobel Prize to the first industrial synthesis and today's dose limits.
Glucosamine: From German Chitin Chemistry to the Joint Aisle — Glucosamine started as German chitin chemistry, not as a remedy. Ledderhose's 1880 paper is the earliest primary record here, GAIT found no overall pain benefit over placebo in 2006, and the Chinese and Japanese sources checked document no traditional joint use of shellfish, shell or shark cartilage.
Creatine: From a Meat Extract in 1832 to the Sports Shelf — Creatine was identified in meat in 1832 and synthesized in a lab in 1868. None of the Eastern texts discussed here names it. Those texts sorted flesh as food and praised bird flesh as a tonic, and the modern trials measured narrower things than the shelf suggests.
From Cod Liver Oil to EPA and DHA: Who Found Omega-3s and When — Omega-3 supplements did not start as omega-3 supplements. Cod liver oil was a remedy for rickets long before EPA entered the record in 1970s Greenland studies. This history follows the trials and the Eastern texts.
The History of Iron Supplements: From Ayurveda to Ferritin — Iron supplements carry a warning label because of a long record of childhood poisonings, and a 1972 lab test changed how iron stores are measured. This is where each piece came from, and what the sources still leave open.
Folate and Folic Acid: From 1930s Bombay to Fortified Bread — Folate is the B vitamin in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form in supplements and fortified flour. This history starts with Ayurvedic and Unani texts, follows Lucy Wills's 1930s anemia papers in Bombay, and ends with the neural tube trials, the 1996 US grain rule and the national positions of the EU, the UK and China.
Collagen: From Boiled Bones to Hydrolyzed Peptides — Collagen started as a jelly from boiled bone and hide, and the capsule on the shelf is the same protein cut into fragments. This is what the sources show about that journey, what they cannot confirm, and what a label can and cannot tell you.
Who Found Vitamin B12, and the Liver Cure That Started It All — A 1926 diet for pernicious anemia led to the 1934 Nobel Prize for liver therapy, and the vitamin itself was isolated in 1948. This history covers where B12 comes from, what Eastern texts say about liver, how intakes and studies differ across countries, and what the evidence shows now.
How Calcium Became a Supplement: Shell, Antacids and Bone Trials — Calcium reached the supplement shelf through shell remedies, ulcer powders and milk-alkali regimens before bone trials. This article follows the record from Pliny and Ayurvedic shell preparation to the WHI and RECORD trials, with the regulators side by side.
SuppCo Tested | What We Learned Testing 44 Supplements Purchased on Amazon.com — Across four rounds of testing on 44 best-selling Amazon supplements, SuppCo found that half of the products failed to deliver what their own labels promised. That’s not a small problem—it’s a sign that where you buy your supplements, and which brands you trust, matters more than ever.
Who actually owns your vitamins? — The shelf looks local, but many vitamins roll up to a few giants. This guide shows who owns what, which products are made outside the U.S., recent recalls, and how parent pricing hits your cart. Mt. Angel Vitamins is independent and Oregon-made.
The Two‑Engine NAD⁺ Stack: Why Mt. Angel Vitamins NMN + NR Beats Typical NMN‑Only Formulas — The Two‑Engine NAD⁺ Stack: Why Mt. Angel Vitamins NMN + NR Beats Typical NMN‑Only Formulas If you care about longevity, you’ve probably heard three letters on repeat: NAD . It’s the cellular coenzyme that keeps energy flowing, supports DNA repair, and helps your cells adapt to stress. The catch is s
Why Mt. Angel Vitamins Is Ditching Plastic Bottles (and Why You Should Care) — Plastic belongs in recycling bins—not in your supplements. That’s why Mt. Angel Vitamins is transitioning to amber glass bottles across our product line. Unlike HDPE and PET plastics, which can shed microplastics and leach chemicals , glass is clean, inert, and doesn’t contaminate what you put in yo
How Akkermansia Makes Probiotics Better: The Next Generation Gut Health Solution — Most people know that probiotics are good for their gut, but few have heard of the remarkable bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila. This behind-the-scenes superstar not only benefits your digestive system on its own, but it can also help probiotics perform at their peak. Discover how taking an A
Seed DS-01 vs. Mt. Angel Vitamins Probiotic Fusion 3-in-1: What’s the Better Daily Gut Support? — body {font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; color:#111; margin:0; padding:0;} .wrap {max-width: 960px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 28px 16px;} h1, h2, h3 {line-height:1.25; margin: 24px 0 12px;} h1 {font-size: 2rem;} h2 {font-size: 1.5
Rewriting the Rules of Aging—One Capsule at a Time — What happens when you combine two NAD+ precursors, the right methylation support, and the cofactors your cells actually need? You get a longevity formula that finally makes sense. We didn’t set out to follow the crowd—we built NMN + NR to outperform it. No shortcuts. No filler. Just real science in
The Case for L-Lysine: Your Daily Dose of Resilience, Recovery, and Real Results — Let’s talk about something most people overlook: the quiet nutrients. You know—the ones that don’t come with neon marketing, celebrity endorsements, or wild claims like “reverse aging in 10 days.” The ones that actually *do the work*, behind the scenes, every day. One of those is L-Lysine— a foundat
L-Lysine: The Underrated Amino Acid Powering Better Health — L-Lysine may not always make headlines, but it should absolutely have a place in your supplement stack. It supports immunity, metabolism, skin, bones, and energy—without the complexity of multi-ingredient formulas. With science-backed benefits, a clean reputation, and rising popularity among wellnes
Can NAD+ Reverse Aging? Exploring the Science and the Hype — The idea that NAD+ could reverse aging gained momentum after a series of animal studies demonstrated remarkable benefits from restoring NAD+ levels. Mice treated with NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), showed improved mitochondrial function, enh
NAD+ and Life Expectancy: A Link to Longevity? — In this article, we will delve into the evidence connecting NAD+ to longevity. We’ll explore the mechanisms through which NAD+ influences life expectancy, such as its impact on mitochondrial health, telomeres, and cellular senescence, and discuss how supplementation with NAD+ precursors like NMN (ni
NAD+ Precursors: NMN vs. NR—Which Reigns Supreme? — Among the various ways to boost NAD+, two precursors stand out: nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) . Both have demonstrated efficacy in increasing NAD+ levels, but which one is more effective, and how do they differ? Let’s explore the science, mechanisms, and nuances of
NAD+ and Telomeres: Protecting the Blueprint of Life — Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences (TTAGGG in humans) that cap the ends of chromosomes, akin to the plastic tips on shoelaces that prevent fraying. Each time a cell divides, telomeres shorten due to the "end-replication problem," a limitation in DNA polymerase's ability to fully replicate the ch
The Aging Puzzle: How NAD+ Levels Decline Over Time — Mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, rely on NAD+ to produce ATP, the body’s primary energy currency. When NAD+ levels drop, mitochondrial enzymes like those in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain become less effective. This results in reduced energy production, leaving cells unable t
What is NAD+? The Cellular Key to Energy, Repair, and Longevity — NAD+ is more than a molecule; it’s a cornerstone of cellular health, energy, and repair. By maintaining optimal NAD+ levels, we can potentially slow aging, enhance healthspan, and stave off chronic diseases. Whether through lifestyle interventions like exercise and fasting, or supplementation with N
Part 5 - Weak Accountability: Flying Solo Doesn’t Work — Accountability isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the backbone of commitment. When someone else is in the picture—whether it’s a friend, a coach, or a group—you’re far more likely to follow through. It’s not about relying on others to do the work for you; it’s about creating the kind of external pressur
Part 4 - Behavioral Inertia: The Power of Old Habits — Here’s the reality: breaking free from behavioral inertia isn’t about willpower, discipline, or some mythical inner strength. It’s about understanding the wiring of your brain, the triggers in your environment, and the emotional anchors holding those habits in place. To break free, you need a plan:
Part 3 - Lack of Progress Tracking: When Motivation Fizzles — Here’s the thing: It’s not that you’re lazy or incapable—it’s that your brain is terrible at staying motivated without proof that what you’re doing is actually working. Without some kind of measurable progress, your brain starts convincing you that all this effort is just a waste of time. And if you
Part 2 - Unsupportive Environments: The Trap of Temptation — By reshaping your surroundings, even in small ways, you make success easier. Whether it’s creating zones of control in your home, finding social support, or tweaking your daily routines to reduce friction, these changes add up. Remember, this isn’t about eliminating every temptation or obstacle—it’s
Part 1 - How to Set Realistic Goals That Actually Stick — Whether you’re into the clarity of SMART Goals, the problem-solving power of the WOOP Strategy, the self-reflective grind of the GROW Model, the emotional pull of Hard Goals, or the slow-and-steady magic of the Kaizen Approach, there’s something here for you.
Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail Before February (and Why You Shouldn’t Bother) — Here’s the reality: some people do climb Everest. They reach the summit, plant their flag, and bask in the glory of defying the odds. Others die halfway up the mountain, victims of their own overambition. And the smartest ones? They turn around at base camp, realizing they’d rather live to climb ano
Why Influencers Get It Wrong About Supplements — In short: supplements play the long game. They’re more like planting a tree than duct-taping a hole in the roof during a thunderstorm. Sure, it’s not flashy, but the payoff is stronger, longer-lasting, and doesn’t leave you scrambling later.
Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose: Give Your Old Bottles New Life with these Eco-Friendly DIY Ideas — For Earth Day, instead of tossing those used vitamin bottles into the recycling bin, consider upcycling them into handy household items or charming decor pieces! Here are some ingenious ways to repurpose your Mt. Angel Vitamins' vitamin bottles and reduce waste in style.
The Versatile Power of Potassium Citrate: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Many, Many Benefits — Potassium citrate stands as a versatile compound brimming with a myriad of health advantages. With benefits such as kidney stone mitigation, bone support, muscle function support and urinary tract health, supplementing with Mt. Angel Vitamins' Potassium Citrate might be just what your supplement reg
Top Men's Multivitamins for 2024 – The Mt. Angel Vitamins Standard — Searching for the right men’s multivitamin capsules can be daunting. With a focus on essential nutrition and wellness, we examine the critical role of multivitamins in men’s health and how they may benefit aspects like energy, cognition, and heart function. Read on to find out the significance of ch
Elderberry vs. Quercetin: The pros, the cons, and the benefits — We know you've heard of them both: elderberry and quercetin. As two trending ingredients in the supplement space, both quercetin and elderberry have gained significant traction for their tremendous impact on immune health. Both compounds are renowned for their potential immune-boosting properties, b
Discover the Best Adrenal Support Supplement for Optimal Health — Discover the Best Adrenal Support Supplement for Optimal Health Feeling exhausted, exhausted and weighed down by daily life? This could be a sign of adrenal fatigue. Living in this day and age has made it imperative to ensure our adrenal glands are functioning optimally. In the following post we wil
What Are the Benefits of Ashwagandha for Women? — Ashwagandha has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, regulate cortisol levels, improve cognitive function and memory, boost energy levels to combat fatigue, support hormonal balance & reproductive health.
The Best Instant Pot Pumpkin Chili Recipe You'll Ever Try — Move aside, pumpkin spice latte. There's a new pumpkin favorite in town, and it's both delicious, healthy, AND easy to make. What could be better?! When fall rolls around and the air turns crisp, there's nothing quite like a hearty bowl of chili to warm you up. If you're looking for a unique twist o
Meet the Foundational Five: These Five Supplement Types Should Make Up Any Beginner’s Vitamin Routine — If you are new to the world of supplementation and want to be sure you are covering your bases, but have NO idea where to start, we are honored to walk you through it! Experience the noticeable health difference of vitamins, and know that you are setting a comprehensive nutritional foundation with t
Your Oregon October Activity Guide — Love fall and love Oregon? We've compiled a list of some of the best October Oregon activities around! Enjoy some of these diverse , family-friendly events happening around Oregon, to encourage getting involved in your local communities.
Why You're More Likely to Get Sick in Fall: Unmasking the Seasonal Health Connection — I’m sure almost every Oregonian or Pacific Northwesterner can agree: Autumn is undoubtedly one of Oregon’s most gorgeous seasons. But amidst the beauty of fall, there's also a less pleasant phenomenon at play: an increased susceptibility to illness. Have you ever wondered why you fall ill more frequ
Unlocking the Health Benefits of Quercetin in 2023 — Unlocking the Health Benefits of Quercetin in 2023 Have you ever wondered if there’s a natural way to support your immune system, improve heart health, and even protect your brain as you age? The answer lies in the powerful antioxidant quercetin. This flavonoid, found in a variety of fruits, vegetab
Uncovering the Truth About Hyaluronic Acid: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage — Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, has piqued the interest of scientists and skincare enthusiasts alike. Its crucial role in maintaining skin and joint health has made it a popular ingredient in various health and beauty products. But what makes hyaluronic acid so specia
The Ultimate Guide to Discovering Mt. Angel Vitamins' Men's Multivitamins in 2023 — This article is your compass to navigate the sea of Mt. Angel Vitamins’ men’s multivitamins for 2023. We’ll guide you through the factors to consider, and introduce you to our star multivitamins, each tailored to meet specific needs.
Exploring the Glucosamine Chondroitin Benefits of Supplements — Exploring the Glucosamine Chondroitin Benefits of Supplements Joint pain and discomfort are common issues that affect millions of people worldwide. Many turn to glucosamine chondroitin supplements as a popular solution for maintaining joint health. But what exactly are these supplements, and do they
The Benefits of Taking Magnesium Supplements in 2023 — The Benefits of Taking Magnesium Supplements in 2023 Did you know that magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in more than 300 enzyme systems in your body? Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the importance of magnesium and may not be getting enough of it through their die
Best Men's Supplements for Weight Loss — Dietary supplements are products designed to augment your daily intake of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. While they aren't a replacement for a balanced diet, they can support weight loss in several ways.
Balancing the Grind: Optimizing Heart Health and Physical Performance in Today's Busy Lifestyle — Balancing the Grind: Optimizing Heart Health and Physical Performance in Today's Busy Lifestyle Introduction on the Importance of Heart Health and the Role of Supplements in Achieving Optimal Cardiovascular Function Ah, the human heart! That tireless, rhythm-loving, red-blooded drum machine that pla
How to Use Ashwagandha to Boost Your Energy Levels — Ashwagandha is an ancient herb that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to help treat a variety of conditions. One of the main benefits of ashwagandha is its ability to help boost energy levels.
How Ashwagandha Can Benefit Men's Health — Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that belongs to the pepper family. It is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. The root and berry of the plant are used to make medicine. Ashwagandha is most commonly used for stress and anxiety relief, but it also has a number of other potential
Vitamin D3 & K2: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Science and Benefits — When it comes to getting the most benefit from Vitamin D3 and K2 supplements, liquid is always better than pills or capsules since liquids are absorbed more quickly by the body. This means that you will get more of the active ingredients into your bloodstream where they can start working right away.
B12 Essential Trio: The Liquid Vitamin Your Body Needs — In addition to boosting energy levels, vitamin B12 has also been shown to improve cognitive function. One study found that people with vitamin B12 deficiency were more likely to score lower on tests of mental function than those who had adequate levels of the vitamin.
Quercetin and Zinc: Come for the Quercetin, Stay for the Zinc — Mount Angel Vitamins manufactures and distributes a wide variety of supplements throughout the United States. Mount Angel Vitamins is looking to expand into the Quercetin and Zinc market with a new dietary supplement that will be housed under their "Immune Support" line named "Quercetin Zinc." The p
What's so Fabulous about Fabulously Female? — Here at Mt. Angel Vitamins, we created a formulation specially for the ones who do it all--you women. Whether you need a little assistance in getting your hormones back up to a healthy level, or maybe you need a little extra boost so you can play with the kids outside, we've got you covered.
Supplementing with Nutrisilk: Add an [EASY] Extra Step to Your Beauty Routine — I t doesn't take rocket science to know when our bodies are lacking something. Especially when the most noticeable aspects of your appearance begin to reflect that deficiency. Perhaps your hair has become dry and brittle, falls out like crazy, or refuses to grow. Maybe your nails are cracking and wi
Three Types of Energy Your Body Relies on, and How to Supplement for Them — It is now March 2018, and you are exhausted. The first three months of the year have flown by, and work pressures combined with hectic schedules combined with meal prep combined with the continued grind towards that New Year's goal (go you!) has left you with the type of exhaustion that you feel in
The Three-Pronged Approach to Supplements and Life — If you have tuned in to the Healthy House Calls Radio Show when Mt. Angel Vitamins' John Mills spoke, you will have heard him reference more than once his "three-prong" approach to formulation. But the three-prong approach can be applied to more than just finding or creating a well-balanced suppleme
Feeling Stressed? Here are four ways you can encourage your body to relax. — Stress--and the effects that it wreaks on our bodies--is often underexaggerated and oversimplified. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2010 concluded that a whopping 44% of Americans reported experiencing higher stress levels than they did five years ago. The list of cau
The Three "B"s in Mt. Angel Vitamins' Essential Trio — When Mt. Angel Vitamin’s Head Formulator and Director of Quality & Compliance John Mills decided to formulate an energy support product, he wanted to take it beyond the other energy cycle products on the market. “Most energy shots contain some vitamins but also contain high doses of caffeine and
"Single Bottle Solution" - What is it and why do we put it on many of our Premium bottles? — Pick up many of our Premium line products, and you will notice along the left hand side it reads "Single Bottle Solution". Why?
Keeping the Fire Burning: Healthy Steps to Achieve Your New Year's Resolution This Year — Here is a list of ways you can stay motivated to keep those New Year's resolutions in 2018.
Why we LOVE Ashwagandha (and why you should, too!) — We admit it: we are bit obsessed with ashwagandha. Take a look at our Premium line, and you will see that ashwagandha is found in high dosage amounts in over 30% of our products. I guess when you find something that works, its hard to stray too far away... But the real question you are all asking (b
Supplementation and Resolutions: Reasons Why Your New Year's Resolution Might Need a Vitamin-Boost — January 2nd. Deep sigh. You start making that equally-anticipated but also equally-dreaded list of New Year's Resolutions. And if you are like most Americans, healthy eating/losing weight/better physical fitness tops your list. Unfortunately, from day one to day eight alone, five percent of American
National Employee Ownership Month brings ownership change for Highland Laboratories — October is National Employee Ownership Month , and it is a chance to celebrate the dedication, direction, and drive that comes with being a part of an employee-owned business. This is why we are so excited to announce an ownership change of our own. This last August, Highland Laboratories, the creat
Let's talk about our Premium Line: Head Formulator John Mills goes live! — We have been talking about it for months now. We have introduced a brand-new Mt. Angel Vitamins supplement line, and we are excited about it. Like, really excited about it. We took our favorite great quality, effective, and thoughtfully-formulated products, and made them even better with ingredient
Introducing Simple Proactive Wellness — Since 1974, it has been the goal of Highland Laboratories to bring high-quality formulations to market. That goal has not changed, but our packaging has!
The Best Nighttime Routine For Better Sleep — Did you know that more than 1/3 of American adults (83.6 million people) are sleep deprived? The CDC calls this a "public health problem." Obviously, lack of sleep is associated with a number of health impacts, including hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, reduced immune function, and just
Weight Loss Supplements for the New Year — With the Resolution Season right around the corner, we thought it would be a great time to talk about weight loss supplements. According to an article in the Washington Post last year, weight loss is the number one resolution people make with 21% of adults followed closely by exercising at 14%.
Oregon Gift Guide: Support Proactive Wellness with these Great Local Products — We are so proud to be from Oregon. There are a plethora of great companies here that focus on being healthy and active, including some large, well-known international brands like Columbia Sportswear as well as small, family-owned artisan food and beverage companies like Minto Island Tea Company . If
Combating Holiday Stress — Congratulations! You made it through Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday in one piece! I don't know about you, but it always seems like this time of year just shows up without warning, and all of the sudden, I'm deep into shopping for gifts and writing out lists and planning meals and figur
Turkey Day Pumpkin Pie Recipe — If you're like us and are still planning out your Thanksgiving menu, here is a pumpkin pie recipe you might find helpful. I don't know the original source; it was handed down to me from my mom a few years ago. I can still remember watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV and smelling this l
A Deep Dive into Digestive Enzymes — Mt. Angel Vitamins has two digestive enzyme products - one that is vegetarian and is made to help digest plant materials and another which is animal-based and has enzymes that are most identical to those in the human digestive system. In this post, we discuss the different types of enzymes, what the
Good Flora Probiotic — Today we're going to talk about our Good Flora Probiotic and, in particular, the CFU count. This is not one of the products you find on the market today with 15 billion counts per capsule. Ours is designed around 2 billion counts of bacteria, which is pretty typical for use within the human body.
Healthy Eating: Raw Kale Salad — The "queen of greens" is nutritious and delicious. It is low in calories and has zero fat. It is high in fiber, iron (kale has more iron than beef), vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, folate and magnesium. It is a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detox food. Today, we bring you a de
Digestive Health and the Gut Microbiome — If you've never heard of the microbiome, you may be wondering what is it? So, let's start there: the microbiome is the collection of the 100 trillion + microorganisms that live in and on your body. These microorganisms live on the surface and in the layers of your skin, in your saliva and oral cavit
Simple Living: Time Management Tips and Tricks — With the time change coming up this weekend for most of the country, it has us thinking about time in general... how fleeting it is, how fast it goes when we're doing something we enjoy (and how slow it goes when we're doing something we don't), and how hard it can be to manage. As the late Steve Jo
New website launch! — We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new and completely redesigned website! Our revamped site offers quick and easy access to essential information and product features, and will be updated on a regular basis with news of product launches, events, and promotions.
Tips for a Healthy Halloween — It's true -- Halloween gets us a little spooked, and not just because of the zombies, vampires and ghosts! No, it's because of the S-word (Sugar!) and what it does to our little monsters. Cookies, cupcakes, candy corn, peanut butter cups, malted milk balls, and jolly ranchers... oh my! It's enough t
Vitamin C for Immune System Support — The health benefits of vitamin C have been known so long that sometimes this power-house antioxidant vitamin falls off the radar. But it can't be taken for granted; the body can't generate Vitamin C, so it has to be received into the body through food and supplements.
Healthy Eating: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds — 'Tis the season for carving pumpkins and you know what that means? No, we weren't thinking of trick-or-treating and getting candy (although, let's be honest - candy is delicious and there's a time and place for it). We were thinking of roasted pumpkin seeds!
Simple Living: Self-care and the Importance of Saying No — Sometimes you just have to say 'No' for the sake of your sanity. Find time to get away to do something for yourself and don't feel guilty about it. It's called self-care and here's why it's important:
Healthy Eating: Homemade Pizza — It can be a bit of a struggle to make a quick meal that is also healthy. One of the go-to meals in our household is homemade pizza. And not just your everyday pepperoni and cheese homemade pizza.
Supplements: Vitamin D3, The Sunshine Vitamin — It seems that every day we learn more about the health-promoting affects of fat-soluble vitamin D. Known as the sunshine vitamin because we manufacture it in response to skin contact with UV sun rays, it’s one of the few vitamins our bodies can synthesize. Some researchers suggest we need up to 30 m
Behind the Scenes: Our Approach to Raw Material Sourcing and Testing — Here at Mt. Angel Vitamins, we take quality seriously. Every product we produce is put through a series of tests from confirming identity and potency to screening for heavy metals, insecticides and microbes to disintegration testing to ensure the tablets break down in your system the way th
Healthy Eating: Lamb Tagine with Dates and Oranges — The ultimate definition of simplicity is a dinner prepared in a slow cooker . Throw a few ingredients in to the slow cooker in the morning, turn it on and let it run while you're at work.
Supplements: Quercetin Nettle, Fast-acting Seasonal Support — Stinging Nettle helps to keep the immune system balanced, and has specifically been studied as a way to relieve hay fever. In a study done by the National College of Natural Medicine (now the National University of Natural Medicine) in Portland, Oregon, 58% of hay fever sufferers reported stinging n
Behind the Scenes: Our Approach to Formulation — Mt. Angel Vitamins' Director of Quality & Compliance, chemist John Mills, has been in the natural products industry for over 22 years. He oversees all of our product formulations. His vast experience means he instantly and intuitively knows which ingredients work well together to support a parti
Healthy Eating: Curried Butternut Squash Soup — The first week of fall has come and gone and the temperatures are cooling down (at least here in the Pacific Northwest). It's time to get out the long pants, the boots, and the sweaters (ooh, and scarves... they are the best!). It's also time to start making soups, specifically the best soup on the
Supplements: Active Aging Week — Did you know that the last week of September is Active Aging Week? It was initiated by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) in 2003. The week-long campaign calls attention to and wholeheartedly celebrates the positivity of aging today. We agree with the ICAA that adults over 50 can live
Vitamins: Let's Talk 'D' on this First Day of Fall — Today is the first day of fall - the perfect time to talk about the "sunshine vitamin"! Vitamin D is an important nutrient that relies on daily skin-to-sun exposure for synthesis. It is crucial for cell differentiation, normalizing levels of calcium and phosphorus, maintaining strong bones, promotin
Simple Living: Morning Stretches to Kick-Start Your Day — Many of us spend much of our days in a fairly sedentary position, which has negative impacts on our energy levels, circulation and range of motion. One of the simplest ways to improve all of these factors and to ensure a calm start to the day is to introduce some easy stretches to your morning routi
Supplements: Feel Good, Kick Stress Out — As we continue on the topic of mind, mood and memory support, we wanted to touch on the topic of stress. Modern life is crazy. Expectations are high, responsibilities are many, traffic is crazy, everyone in the family is involved in a hundred and one activities, the fridge is broken, the car has to
Simple Living: Meal Planning 101 — For those who work outside the home and/or have kids, you know the evening routine can get a little stressful. Everybody gets home – hungry and tired – and one of the responsible adults has to get dinner on the table in the midst of all the chaos. The first thing you do is look in the fridge to see
Supplements: Mood, Mind & Memory Support — It’s September, which means one thing -- vacation season has come to a close and the back to school/back to work season is beginning! It’s a perfect time to make sure your brain is operating at peak efficiency. As we all know, it’s important to maintain optimal brain health through proper nutrition,
Simple Living: Morning Routine — With school back in session, mornings can be a little crazy - rushing around, giving some gentle prodding (or let's be honest - yelling), trying to find lost objects (keys! shoes!)... Sometimes when you get to work, you feel like you've already had a full day's work! So, here are some tips to get ev
Our Promise: Simple Proactive Wellness — Mt. Angel Vitamins began in 2012 with the vision of providing Simple Proactive Wellness solutions. We have a three-fold mission.
Supplements: Relaxing Passion Flower — IN BALANCE: You’ve had those times in your life: too many demands leave you feeling irritable, anxious or unfocused. Perhaps you’ve lost interest in sex.

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