Greens, as in whole, natural green plant foods, make up the most necessary element of optimal nutrition and health. The benefits they provide for us run far and wide from the rich variety of vital nutrients that they provide, to the indispensable benefits of the chlorophyll they contain. But while eating the living, whole green food is always best and should be our first choice, sometimes it is helpful to have some extra support. This is where a high quality green supplement, like Naka Vital Greens can provide great value.
Naka Vital Greens first came to my attention in 2008, when I first began to learn about the acid-alkaline balance within our body, and its importance for optimal health. All of a sudden green foods looked a whole lot more appetizing, and green smoothies were making a regular appearance in my diet.
While my eating habits to that point were nowhere near the SAD - highly processed food - diet, I was transitioning away from a diet that included animal products, as well as some refined grains and sugars. I knew that years of eating on the acidic side would eventually catch up and wanted to give my body even more support during this time, as it began its deep cleanse.
During one particular visit to a local health food store, I examined and inquired about different options of chlorophyll supplements that support the body’s natural health, prevention and pH balance. After examining the several options I decided to go with Naka Vital Greens for four main reasons:
i) Its quality and general purity of ingredients
ii) Its favourable reputation and high recommendations
iii) It being a local (Canadian) product
iv) It being in a liquid, highly absorbable form
I am not a fan, or proponent, of using any supplement on a long term regular or habitual basis, so my use of Naka Vital Greens was very short, as I was only looking for that small extra boost, while I continued to optimize my diet. Since then however, it has become a product I am comfortable to recommend to others for similar purposes. I most recently revisited personal use of the product during the spring of 2013, when I did an intensive 30 day cleanse. I purchased another bottle of Naka Vital Greens to provide that extra boost of greens and beneficial nutrients to support my health even further. In the following review I will share with you about this product in more detail and why it can be a great choice on your health and wellness journey as well.
About Naka
Naka Herbs & Vitamins Ltd. was founded in 1991 by Mike Nacachian, the company’s president. It is a leading Canadian manufacturer and distributor of premium quality herbal products. Naka provides both high quality and innovative supplements in liquid or easy-to-swallow capsule forms designed to meet the wide variety of needs out there.
Naka employs the resources of a naturopathic doctor and master herbalist, and its formulas are developed to provide consumers with the best supplements containing balanced, full-spectrum combinations of high-quality herbs and extracts, with a focus on superior absorption and effectiveness of supplements.
High-quality herbs, standardized extracts and certified organic ingredients are featured in many of their supplements. All Naka products are tested by Analytical Laboratories to fulfill strict government requirements and provide superior quality assurance.
To learn more about Naka and its products, visit: Naka Herbs
About Naka Vital Greens
Vital Greens provides a boost of essential green nutrients, like chlorophyll, aloe vera, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, a superfood complex and 15 vegetable juice extracts.
It comes in liquid form, and is 98% absorbable. I personally prefer liquid supplements to any pill forms, as they tend to be more natural in their composition, rather than requiring fillers or binding agents like solids. They are also easier to absorb.
When it comes to the taste of the product, I think this is also one of its desired highlights, in that it tastes so pleasant. It is ever so gently sweet, due to the Stevia it contains, and has a mild, mint flavor.
Other highlights of the product include:
- No GMO ingredients
- No artificial color
- No artificial flavoring
- No animal products (including fish, eggs, or dairy)
- No yeast
- No nuts
- Non-irradiated
I cannot say that I personally experienced any difference in my health status when I used this product the first or second time. My health is already in great condition, and there was nothing noticeable that was in need of improvement. My purpose for taking this product was again, to alkalize, cleanse and detoxify on a more potent level, and provide a concentrated boost of beneficial herbs and vital nutrients.
Therefore, personal results will vary greatly depending on one’s past and present dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as state of health. The uses for this product and how it can benefit our health run far and wide, and I outline them in the health recommendations below.
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS:
Naka Vital Greens can be used to help or support any of the following functions:
- improve mental and/or physical performance after periods of mental and/or physical exertion
- boost the body during or after periods of illness
- cleansing and detoxification
- improve energy levels, aid with fatigue or energy imbalances
- provide a source of alkalinity to help balance the internal pH
- support healthy aging
- support healthy cognitive function (ex: memory, alertness, etc.)
- support women’s and men’s health needs
- support a healthy immune system
- help with blood sugar regulation
- support optimal organ function
- support healthy weight management
- provide vital vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients
- support healthy hair, skin and nails
- support healthy digestion and elimination
For more information, see the detailed Vital Greens Info Sheet
USAGE:
The supplement is very easy to use and the best part is there is no hassle with powders, or any stirring, or blending needed. It can also be used by people who cannot swallow pill or tablet form supplements. One simply needs to add 15mL (product comes with a little measuring cup), to about 1 cup (8oz) of water.
The liquid comes in a 500mL size, which provides just over 1 month of doses, when using the recommended 1 serving - 15mL - daily. The bottle is made of BPA-free plastic (type #1).
Vital Greens should be drank on an empty stomach, first thing in the day, before breakfast.
INGREDIENTS:
Finally, when it comes to the ingredients, they contain an impressive amount of nutrient-dense foods and herbs. The formula has over 40 herbs and superfoods that provide the essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients that are needed for our optimal health.
For example, ingredients like Ginseng and Ginkgo help with energy levels and mental cognitive function; Spirulina and Chlorella both offer detoxifying effects, among many other benefits; while green vegetables and grasses offer numerous nutrients, chlorophyll and alkalizing benefits.
Each (15 ml) contains:
Medicinal Ingredients:
- Siberian Ginseng [12:1, QCE =5400 mg]………450mg
- Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract [24.5% flavonoids; 6% terpene]………1.75mg
- Licorice root……..21mg
- Spirulina ………..47.25mg
- Chlorella ………12.25mg
Non-Medicinal Ingredients:
Superfood Complex [1:10] = 3750 mg
(provides: wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa leaf extract, apple pectin fiber, sprouted barley malt, brown rice bran, bee pollen, pineapple juice powder, Nova Scotia Dulse, fructooligosaccharides, beet juice powder, oat grass, rye grass, grape seed extract, peppermint leaf, royal jelly, acerola juice powder, rhubarb juice powder, aloe vera leaf, ginger root, bilberry leaf.)Vegetable Juice Complex [1:10]= 200 mg
(provides: broccoli juice, carrot juice, tomato juice, beet juice, spinach juice, cucumber juice, brussel sprout juice, cabbage juice, celery juice, kale juice, asparagus juice, green bell pepper juice, cauliflower juice, parsley juice, wheat grass juice.)Chlorophyll
- Purified water
- Stevia leaf
- Vegetable glycerine
- Sea salt
- Potassium sorbate
- Natural apple, peppermint, lemon, licorice flavour
- Lecithin
- Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- Bilberry extract
PRICE & AVAILABILITY:
The cost of this product ranges anywhere from $20 to $30 depending on where it is purchased, per bottle.
The product is widely and commonly available at all major health food stores across Canada, and select locations in the US.
It can also be purchased from numerous online retailers like:
- Naka Vital Greens on Amazon.com (for US customers)
- Naka Vital Greens on NationalNutrition.ca (for Canadian customers)
Downsides of this Product
While the product is excellent in many ways, and perhaps one of the best on the market, there are two major things that if improved upon, would optimize it even further where our health and wellness is concerned.
1) Not Certified Organic.
Naka shares that their products contain organic ingredients, but when it comes to this product, it is not clear which, if any ingredients come from organic sources. This is one of the product’s biggest limitations and downsides, as we know today that pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in our food contribute greatly to the health problems we have. So the consumer has no idea as to the quality of the vegetables, fruits and herbs used in this product.
2) Containing Potassium Sorbate.
Even though it is considered a GRAS - generally recognized as safe - food additive, it is not an ideal ingredient where the highest, most natural quality products are concerned. Potassium sorbate is a common food and personal care preservative, that has been linked to some unfavorable effects, specifically under prolonged use.
Conclusion
In the end, as wonderful as this supplement is, we have to remember that it is still a processed product. So while it can offer various benefits to our health on a mental, emotional and physical level, it should not be depended on as the sole basis for good health. It should be used only when needed, and along with good lifestyle habits, and not as a replacement for real, whole food, or fresh vegetable juices.
Before taking any herbal products, it is good to consult with your natural health care practitioner, like a naturopathic doctor, and essential if you are suffering from any illness or on any pharmaceutical medication. The product is not recommended for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have high blood pressure.