Frequently Asked Questions About Hawthorn

What is Hawthorn?
Hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries have been used for generations by herbalists as a cardiovascular tonic. Hawthorn is believed to contain many substances, including antioxidant flavanoids, that may benefit the heart. These antioxidant flavonoids are thought to support healthy cardiovascular function by helping to dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage. Hawthorn may help support cardiovascular health by enhancing cardiac muscle tone and vascular integrity.

How long do I have to take Hawthorn before I see any benefits?
Unlike OTC and prescription drugs that provide instant, temporary symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying problem responsible for poor health, herbal supplements provide progressive, long-term benefits by helping the body correct the underlying problem. While there are certain classes of herbs that work well in acute conditions to provide quick relief; herbs like Hawthorn need to be taken for at least 3-4 weeks before the benefits of taking it can be experienced. Hawthorn's benefits are best realized when it is taken as part of a health maintenance program that also includes a heart-healthy diet and exercise regimen.

Does Hawthorn have any side effects or interactions?
Hawthorn does not have any known side effects. However, it is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before taking Hawthorn if you are currently on prescription or OTC medications for blood-pressure or any other medical condition, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Is Hawthorn safe for long-term use?
Most herbs, including Hawthorn, are safe for both short-term and long-term use when used as directed and under the guidance of an experienced herbalist or other healthcare provider.

Is Hawthorn Gold™ a standardized herbal extract?
Yes. Nutrigold^® Hawthorn Gold™ is a standardized, pure extract of Hawthorn leaves and flowers. The Hawthorn extract used in Nutrigold^® Hawthorn Gold™ is standardized to contain 2% Vitexin.

What is the difference between a whole herb and standardized extract? Is one necessarily better or more effective than the other?
Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer. Both whole plants/herbs and standardized extracts have advantages and disadvantages and choosing one over another is as much a matter of philosophy as it is of simple preference.

• Standardized extracts are based on the assumption that certain components of a plant are more active and helpful than others and it is important that there are no differences in the quantity and quality of this active ingredient from batch to batch. When you buy a standardized herbal product from a GMP-certified manufacturer, you can be assured that you are getting a product that has a certified percentage of the active ingredient in every capsule/tablet and across batches, processed using state-of-the-art machinery, and free of contaminants.
• Whole plant/herbs are based on the premise that all the different components work together synergistically to deliver health benefits rather than individual ingredients extracted in a lab. The trade-off in this case is that there are likely to be considerable differences in the actual quality of the herb from batch to batch. Quality of whole herbs/plants vary depending on where they are grown, soil composition, weather conditions, when they are harvested, type and frequency of chemical pesticides used during cultivation, and the processing techniques employed during manufacturing.

What are some things to watch for when making a decision about nutritional supplements?
Because the FDA does not regulate the dietary supplements industry, there are a number of products in the market that are unsafe, ineffective, and a generally drain on your resources. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping around for nutritional supplements:

• Do your homework – Do not be taken in by free offers and outlandish claims. Make sure you shop around not just for the best “deal”, but also for the best "quality" product.
• “Natural” does not automatically mean “safe” – Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe. Learn to read the label and watch out for potentially unsafe ingredients.
• “Popular” is not the same as “effective” – Just because a product is well-known, has high customer ratings, or listed in a top-seller list does not mean it will always work for everyone. Every person is different and every product works differently for different people, so make sure you buy the product that is right for you.
• You don't always get what you pay for - When it comes to nutritional supplements, most companies price their products not based on what its actual value is, but based on what they think consumers will be willing to pay for it. So, something that is expensive does not automatically mean it is of superior quality nor does something that is priced competitively mean it is of poor quality.

Always, take into account the following factors when determining if you are getting the best quality product at the best value:

• Hawthorn Whole Herb vs. Hawthorn Standardized Extract - whole herbs are generally lower priced than standardized extracts
• Potency of Hawthorn Supplement - Higher potency means you get more of what you need in each capsule
• Amount of active ingredient in the Hawthorn Supplement - higher the % of active ingredient, greater the amount of what is presumed to be responsible for the observed benefits
• Total number of capsules per bottle - just because a product has more capsules per bottle does not make it a better value. You need to consider potency, amount of active ingredient, serving size AND recommended dosage when determining whether something is a good value for your money or not

How does Nutrigold^® Hawthorn Gold™ compare to other brands of Hawthorn?
Hawthorn Gold™ is superior to other brands of Hawthorn in the following ways:

• Hawthorn Gold™ is made from certified allergen-free ingredients
• Hawthorn Gold™ is standardized to contain 2% Vitexin
• Hawthorn Gold™ is manufactured in a FDA-registered cGMP-compliant manufacturing facility in the US
• The finished product is certified allergen-free by an international, third-party lab
• Hawthorn Gold™ is premium quality without the premium price tag

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical opinion. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any kind of supplementation. The statements and product information have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.