What is it? Sucrose.
This is another name for plain old refined white sugar
Why eliminate it?
When we refine sugar, we remove every nutrient that comes with it in nature that helps our bodies use it to promote good health.
Isn’t it interesting how words can be used! A “refined” person is defined as one who is cultured and has cultivated fine manners. The word “refined” as misapplied to foods would seem to mean that the food has been freed of impurities or unwanted ingredients. In fact just the opposite is true. What refined sugar, refined flour, and refined rice have in common is that they all have been stripped of the most
important nutrients. They actually provide negative nutrition, meaning that your body has to work harder to utilize or eliminate them and so uses up other nutrients in trying to do so. Over time they all also cause health problems.
When little Hawaiian kids would to go out to the fields and chew on the canes, none of them got a bunch of cavities; they didn’t get a sugar high, or hypoglycemia. This is because in the natural form, it was a whole food and it contained all the vitamins and minerals needed to use the sugar properly. An influx of sugar, sucrose, into the bloodstream upsets the body's blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of extra insulin, which the body uses to keep blood-sugar at a constant and safe level and which inhibits the release of growth hormones. That extra insulin means that your body is not burning the sugar and that promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar, you're paving the way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to
cardiovascular disease.
Complex carbohydrates are absorbed more slowly, lessening the impact on blood-sugar levels. Once your body signals that it has too much sugar and the extra insulin is released, it has to take that sugar and store it. There is only a tiny storage area for that sugar, which is stored as glycogen. There isn’t enough stored to even last for a full day of activity, so it doesn’t give you much “wiggle room”, and once it is full, then the rest of that sugar is simply stored as saturated fat. Now you know one of the reasons you may not be able to maintain your weight. It can be so frustrating.
Another problem with a high insulin level is that it also depresses the immune system. This is not something you want to happen if you want to avoid disease. Just think of how many times you or someone you know has worked and fretted over a party, wedding, holiday meal wanting it to be perfect, and got terribly stressed. At those times most of us reach for the comfort foods, sweets, great rolls, and sodas. Many times that just set them up to get sick because it compromised their immune systems.
Each time we eat, insulin is released into the bloodstream. This vital hormone, secreted by special cells in the pancreas, encourages our tissues our muscles in particular - to gobble up the glucose surging through the bloodstream after we eat a meal. Insulin has many other vital roles as well. That's good news, because glucose hanging around in the blood is dangerous stuff. It can stick to proteins and destroy their ability to do their job. Kidney damage, blindness, and amputations may result.
But after a meal, insulin stops the liver from releasing any fat, a potential metabolic fuel, into the blood. Why after a meal? It turns out that just like glucose, these fats, released as triglycerides, are dangerous if they hang about in the blood too long. Because refined dietary sugar is so lacking in minerals, vitamins, and fiber, and has such a deteriorating effect on the endocrine system, major researchers and major health organizations (American Dietetic Association and American Diabetic Association) agree that sugar consumption in America is one of the 3 major causes of degenerative disease they must draw upon the body's micro-nutrient stores in order to be metabolized into
the system.
The health dangers which habitually ingesting sugar creates are certain. Here is a list of just some of the ways sugar affect your health. It can: suppress the immune system, speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair, cause hypertension, increase total cholesterol, upset the body's mineral balance contribute to weight gain and obesity, cause drowsiness, anxiety, and decreased activity in children, contribute to diabetes, compromise the lining of the capillaries contribute to osteoporosis. contribute to hyperactivity, depression, and concentration difficulties in children, cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity, raise adrenaline levels and crankiness in children, lead to decreased glucose tolerance, produce a significant rise in triglycerides, Increase systolic blood pressure, reduce helpful high density cholesterol cause toxemia during pregnancy., promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (HDLs). (LDLs), cause food allergies, cause hypoglycemia, cause atherosclerosis, cause kidney damage. contribute to eczema in children, contribute to a weakened defense against bacterial infection, increase the amount of fat in the liver, cause depression. cause headaches, including migraines, increase the risk of chromium deficiency, increase bacterial fermentation in the colon, lead to coronary heart disease. cause free radical formation in the bloodstream, increase the body's fluid retention., cause hormonal imbalance, cause copper deficiency. overstress the pancreas, causing damage, interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium, increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney produce an acidic stomach, cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver, increase fasting levels of blood glucose, increase blood platelet adhesiveness, promote tooth decay. cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly cause cardiovascular disease, high sugar diets compared to low sugar diets increase risk of blood clots and strokes lead to periodontal disease, high intake of SUGAR increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Natural Approach to Infertility
So what’s the problem?
For men, infertility is most often associated with a decrease in the number, quality or motility (are they strong swimmers?) of sperm. Underlying conditions affecting sperm health are smoking, exposure to toxins and chemicals, and urinary tract infections.
For women, infertility could be caused by an allergic reaction to sperm, ovulatory issues, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. These are the most common, but there are many others, including psychological issues and age.
Many of these underlying issues are the result of xenoestrogen toxicity which results in endocrine disruption. I did a 4-part series on this serious topic and would encourage you to go into my archives to read about endocrine disruption – especially how it affects us and what we can do about it.
The good news is that there is HOPE.
For couples who are struggling with infertility, a medical evaluation is definitely in order. Depending on the outcome and before venturing into costly fertility procedures I would suggest that you consider making some lifestyle changes.
Both men and women can improve their fertility by doing such things as avoiding toxins of all kinds – found in household cleaners, poultry, dairy & meats, on fruits & veggies, in personal care products & tap water (bottled water isn’t necessarily the answer), and pesticides. The list is much longer, but these are some of the more common areas of exposure.
You should also strive to reduce stress, get plenty of rest and get in some daily exercise. Of course you want to eat a healthy diet: fresh fruits and veggies (preferably organic), lean protein (soy is an excellent protein source), lots of fiber & whole grains and plenty of purified water.
And caffeine, tobacco and alcohol should be avoided.
Another aspect of a natural approach to infertility is the addition of certain nutritional supplements. Some of the more important ones would be a well-balanced multivitamin/mineral, alfalfa, B-complex, milk thistle, soy protein, Vita-E and zinc. These should be taken by both partners.
This all may sound way too simple, but I have seen it work! What a joy it is when a couple is able to conceive after making a few lifestyle changes and without having to undergo the stress and expense of more extensive fertility processes.
I can’t stress enough the importance of having the specific cause of infertility diagnosed by a natural physician before more serious solutions are considered. And I cannot say that these suggestions will work for all couples. But nothing I have mentioned is risky and…what if it did work!
The success I have experienced has been with the line of products I have marketed for over 12 years. So I don’t know what kind of results you would get with other products. You might want to check my blog on how to select good quality supplements before taking this route. And if you would like a free 30-minute consultation, please fill out the box on the right.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Why Supplement?
There are many reasons why we should consider adding nutritional supplements to our daily diet and I would like to talk about a few of them.
1. Our food isn't like it used to be. My grandparents were farmers. We ate true free-range chickens, pork and beef. And the eggs were straight from Mother Nature, too. Today, ever-increasing amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, additives and perservatives are being added to our food supply.
2. Our food isn't like it used to be....there are ever-decreasing amounts of nutrients in our foods today. Nutrient content is lost first of all due to nutrient depletion of the soil. Secondly, early harvesting, transporting, storage, cooking, overprocessing and pasteurization further decrease the nutrient content of our food supply. I remember several years ago I was in south Florida and noticed trucks in the fields loaded to overflowing with round, green things...tomatoes! No wonder they are hard and tasteless - and nutrient poor.
Many people use the excuse that they get all they need from their diet. Do they really? Studies have been done which say that we don't. 96% of the US population dies of a disease. We are NOT getting proper nutrition. The American Medical Association says "...it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."
Today's foods may fill our stomachs, but they do not feed and fortify our cells. Is it worth the risk not to supplement? OK, so now you have decided you want to start taking vitamins you may be wondering about what are good supplements. Not all supplements out on the market are good supplements, in fact most are not good and can cause long term issues because they contain things synthetic (man made) ingredients while may appear to work in the beginning, cause bigger problems later. Cheap vitamins are usually not good vitamins. Click here to read blog on how to choose a good supplement.
1. Our food isn't like it used to be. My grandparents were farmers. We ate true free-range chickens, pork and beef. And the eggs were straight from Mother Nature, too. Today, ever-increasing amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, additives and perservatives are being added to our food supply.
2. Our food isn't like it used to be....there are ever-decreasing amounts of nutrients in our foods today. Nutrient content is lost first of all due to nutrient depletion of the soil. Secondly, early harvesting, transporting, storage, cooking, overprocessing and pasteurization further decrease the nutrient content of our food supply. I remember several years ago I was in south Florida and noticed trucks in the fields loaded to overflowing with round, green things...tomatoes! No wonder they are hard and tasteless - and nutrient poor.
Many people use the excuse that they get all they need from their diet. Do they really? Studies have been done which say that we don't. 96% of the US population dies of a disease. We are NOT getting proper nutrition. The American Medical Association says "...it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."
Today's foods may fill our stomachs, but they do not feed and fortify our cells. Is it worth the risk not to supplement? OK, so now you have decided you want to start taking vitamins you may be wondering about what are good supplements. Not all supplements out on the market are good supplements, in fact most are not good and can cause long term issues because they contain things synthetic (man made) ingredients while may appear to work in the beginning, cause bigger problems later. Cheap vitamins are usually not good vitamins. Click here to read blog on how to choose a good supplement.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Selecting Good Quality Supplements
We are living in a health-crazed society. There are so many different companies out their selling so many different vitamins and supplements. So how do you know which brands are good and which are just a waste of money?
Here are some questions and answers to guide you:
Q. How do I know what is in my vitamin; can I trust what the label says?
A. Unfortunately, some manufacturers’ labels do not accurately reflect their supplements’ contents and there is very little legal pressure for them to do so. Nobody is proactively watching out for consumer safety, much less monitoring label claims or ensuring efficacy. Manufacturers are legally obligated to formulate their supplements to only 90% of their label claim (Do you find that shocking?). Since they know they probably won’t get caught, some formulate to only 60% (or less) of claim. That means that what you see is not necessarily what you get, and poor quality products may contain ingredients and impurities never listed on the label.
Your best bet is to buy from a company you trust and educate yourself about the products you buy. For instance, call your supplement company and ask them questions about their formulation standards, ingredient sources and bio-availability tests. If you get lots of marketing hype and little useful information look elsewhere. (You have to listen carefully because they can make it sound really good when it’s not).
Q. How can I be sure I am digesting & absorbing the vitamins I take?
A. Individual supplement manufacturers may conduct their own dissolutions and bioavailability tests, or may pay to have them conducted by third-party labs. Good manufacturers will also take care to supply nutrients in dosages, combinations and ratios that encourage their proper absorption and interaction. Know your supplement company - their philosophy, formulating, testing and quality-control methods - that’s your best guide.
Q. What should I look for in a multivitamin?
A. ABOVE ALL look for a a reputable dietary supplement company. “Reputable” means they have their products analyzed and tested by third-party independent labs and that they have developed their products with quality and optimal health (vs. just high profit margins) in mind.
Don’t assume that just because a multi is a best-selling brand and shows 100% of most Daily Values that it is a good product. Some of the leading brands, and yes, even some very expensive ones, offer poor quality formulations that ignore important nutrients and use cheap ingredients. A good product will contain natural vitamin E (d-tocopherol vs. synthetic dl-tocopherol), won’t skip on expensive ingredients like biotin, and won’t overlook important trace minerals and amino acids.
There are good quality supplements out there. You just have to do your own due-diligence and not depend on marketing hype as your method of selection. GOOD LUCK!
Here are some questions and answers to guide you:
Q. How do I know what is in my vitamin; can I trust what the label says?
A. Unfortunately, some manufacturers’ labels do not accurately reflect their supplements’ contents and there is very little legal pressure for them to do so. Nobody is proactively watching out for consumer safety, much less monitoring label claims or ensuring efficacy. Manufacturers are legally obligated to formulate their supplements to only 90% of their label claim (Do you find that shocking?). Since they know they probably won’t get caught, some formulate to only 60% (or less) of claim. That means that what you see is not necessarily what you get, and poor quality products may contain ingredients and impurities never listed on the label.
Your best bet is to buy from a company you trust and educate yourself about the products you buy. For instance, call your supplement company and ask them questions about their formulation standards, ingredient sources and bio-availability tests. If you get lots of marketing hype and little useful information look elsewhere. (You have to listen carefully because they can make it sound really good when it’s not).
Q. How can I be sure I am digesting & absorbing the vitamins I take?
A. Individual supplement manufacturers may conduct their own dissolutions and bioavailability tests, or may pay to have them conducted by third-party labs. Good manufacturers will also take care to supply nutrients in dosages, combinations and ratios that encourage their proper absorption and interaction. Know your supplement company - their philosophy, formulating, testing and quality-control methods - that’s your best guide.
Q. What should I look for in a multivitamin?
A. ABOVE ALL look for a a reputable dietary supplement company. “Reputable” means they have their products analyzed and tested by third-party independent labs and that they have developed their products with quality and optimal health (vs. just high profit margins) in mind.
Don’t assume that just because a multi is a best-selling brand and shows 100% of most Daily Values that it is a good product. Some of the leading brands, and yes, even some very expensive ones, offer poor quality formulations that ignore important nutrients and use cheap ingredients. A good product will contain natural vitamin E (d-tocopherol vs. synthetic dl-tocopherol), won’t skip on expensive ingredients like biotin, and won’t overlook important trace minerals and amino acids.
There are good quality supplements out there. You just have to do your own due-diligence and not depend on marketing hype as your method of selection. GOOD LUCK!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Endocrine Disruptors..What Can We Do To Protect Ourselves?
Well, first I must apologize for taking you down a rather dismal road and then leaving you hanging. Sometimes life just gets in the way, but I am back and ready to wind up this discussion on endocrine disruptors by sharing with you some of the ways we can avoid them.
1. Buy organic. Yes I know it is more expensive, but meat and dairy consistently have the highest levels of persistent hormone disruptors. If you can’t go totally organic, than at least limit the amount of dairy (especially cheese and butter) that you consume. And be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables to remove as much pesticide residue as possible. FYI—strawberries, apples, peaches and grapes are among the fruits with the highest level of residue of endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxins from pesticides.
2. Use filtered water for drinking and cooking. You can have your tap water tested, but it is likely that it will contain chlorine and/or trihalomethanes. Also, beware of bottled water—this industry is not well-regulated and so you could be paying for tap water. See NRDC for more information.
3. Consider purchasing an air purifier for your home. According to the EPA indoor air is 5 to 70 times more toxic than the air outdoors. See EPA for more information.
4. Replace your cleaners & laundry products with toxic-free products.
5. Do not microwave in plastic
6. Do not use pesticides
7. Remove the plastic from dry-cleaned clothes and air them out in the garage before bringing into the house.
8. Replace personal care products—lotions, soaps, shampoo, cosmetics, toothpaste, etc—with chemical-free brands that are free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde and other extremely harmful chemicals. These are in baby products too! (Keep in mind that it is the repeated use of these products, day in and day out, that causes the health risks.)
This list is far from exhaustive, so as always, I encourage you to do your own due diligence. And I don’t want to overwhelm you with this information. Even one positive change is better than doing nothing. So, start slowly, continue to educate yourself and tell others what you learn. Together we can truly make a difference for ourselves, our families and the planet.
If you have any questions concerning endocrine disruptors please contact me. It has been my pleasure to share this information with you.
1. Buy organic. Yes I know it is more expensive, but meat and dairy consistently have the highest levels of persistent hormone disruptors. If you can’t go totally organic, than at least limit the amount of dairy (especially cheese and butter) that you consume. And be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables to remove as much pesticide residue as possible. FYI—strawberries, apples, peaches and grapes are among the fruits with the highest level of residue of endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxins from pesticides.
2. Use filtered water for drinking and cooking. You can have your tap water tested, but it is likely that it will contain chlorine and/or trihalomethanes. Also, beware of bottled water—this industry is not well-regulated and so you could be paying for tap water. See NRDC for more information.
3. Consider purchasing an air purifier for your home. According to the EPA indoor air is 5 to 70 times more toxic than the air outdoors. See EPA for more information.
4. Replace your cleaners & laundry products with toxic-free products.
5. Do not microwave in plastic
6. Do not use pesticides
7. Remove the plastic from dry-cleaned clothes and air them out in the garage before bringing into the house.
8. Replace personal care products—lotions, soaps, shampoo, cosmetics, toothpaste, etc—with chemical-free brands that are free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde and other extremely harmful chemicals. These are in baby products too! (Keep in mind that it is the repeated use of these products, day in and day out, that causes the health risks.)
This list is far from exhaustive, so as always, I encourage you to do your own due diligence. And I don’t want to overwhelm you with this information. Even one positive change is better than doing nothing. So, start slowly, continue to educate yourself and tell others what you learn. Together we can truly make a difference for ourselves, our families and the planet.
If you have any questions concerning endocrine disruptors please contact me. It has been my pleasure to share this information with you.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Endocrine Disruptors: How Do They Affect Us?
How do they affect us? It starts before birth in the womb. What a mother has been exposed to throughout life as well as what she takes in during her pregnancy become the legacy of the next generation. Many exposures during pregnancy don’t even manifest themselves until the child reaches sexual maturity or beyond.
Children are exposed to more chemicals today than ever before. As a result we are seeing a more rapid maturation process. Doctors are seeing eight-, nine-, and ten-year-olds exhibiting signs of early puberty.
Endocrine disruption has also been linked to an increase in childhood cancers & asthma, abnormal development of sex organs; in addition, birth defects, preterm births and low birth weight babies are increasing in number. Lower IQ’s, behavior and attention issues also may be linked to endocrine disruptors.
Problems related to men’s health range from reproductive issues like low sperm count and testicular cancer to other types of cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease; and an increase in heart disease has been seen in several dioxin-exposed populations.
There are a number of women’s health conditions that are possibly related to hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body: endometriosis, uterine fibroids, RSD, benign breast disease, PMS, ovarian cysts, thyroid issues, inability to lose weight, infertility and increase in reproductive cancers. And this is just a partial list.
Think for a minute – I bet you have friends or family members who have experienced some of the above mentioned issues. I can tell you that I personally have encountered many of them among my clients and friends, and I truly believe that this is a topic that we must treat seriously.
The information that I have been sharing with you may be alarming to some. But because it is a serious issue that historically has not gotten a lot of press, I am determined to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can. There are things we all can do to alleviate our exposures to endocrine disruptors, but people have to know that they have been exposed to them in order to be proactive about make changes. Spreading awareness is the essence of what I do…I hope you have been enlightened but what I have shared with you.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Endocrine Disruptors: Where do we find them?
Here is a sampling of chemicals thought to be endocrine disruptors:
Phthalates – used to make plastics more flexible and durable. It is used in PVC plastic found in upholstery material, shower curtains, floor tiles & children’s toys. It is also found in toiletries (especially nail polish), toothbrushes and insect repellents. (This is just a very small sampling.)
Bisphenol A (BPA) – is a component of plastic used in the lining of food cans & bottle tops. It is also in polycarbonate plastics like soft drink containers, water jugs and baby bottles.
Dioxins – not intentionally produced, dioxins are released into the environment as a by-product of chemical processes involving chlorine. Most dioxin is emitted into the air and then deposited on grass and trees and consumed by cows and other animals; or it goes into lakes and streams and ingested by fish. Ninety-five percent of our exposure is through meat, fish, and dairy products.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) aka vinyl – one of the most common plastics. Manufacturing and burning PVC creates dioxins. It has been used widely in upholstery, home furnishings, children’s toys and hundreds of other products.
Detergents – a class of chemical surfactants that dissolve and remove oils and grease and make products more water soluble. They are found in ordinary household products like laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, personal care products like soaps, shampoos shaving foams, cosmetics and spermicides.
Other Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds: Pesticides, lead, cadmium and mercury.
Pesticide are used on food crops and home gardens, and are also found in flea collars, lice shampoo and even under the foundation of your home.
I just want to say that this is a daunting subject and cannot possibly be covered thoroughly in a few blog posts. I would encourage each of you reading this to please do your own due diligence and learn what products you should remove from your homes and replace with safer alternatives.
Primary source of information: Hormone Deception by D. Lindsey Berkson
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Endocrine Disruptors: What Are They?
Although researchers had studied the endocrine effects of chemicals for some time, the term endocrine disruptor was coined in 1991 by Theo Colborn at a conference at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Theo Colborn is co-author of Our Stolen Future, published in 1996. Her extensive research and that of many others firmly establishes that environmental chemicals disrupt the development of the endocrine system, and that effects of exposure during development are permanent.
Although hormone disruption isn’t new, the growing incident of it that we are experiencing today is such that we must consider it a modern-day epidemic. In her book Hormone Deception, D. Lindsey Berkson takes up where Theo Colborn left off by extending the evidence into the realm of human health. If this subject concerns you as much as it concerns me, I would highly recommend that you purchase Dr. Berkson’s book.
So what are endocrine disruptors anyway? According to Wikipedia this term refers to exogenous substances (coming from outside the body) that act like hormones in the endocrine system and disrupt the physiologic function of endogenous hormones (inside the body).
Simply put, our cells have receptor sites which allow hormones to attach to the cell. When we are exposed to environmental chemicals (that mimic hormones) the receptor site doesn’t know if it is the real hormone or an imposter. So, these imposters are reeking havoc with our cells and thus with our overall health.
As Dr. Berkson says in her book “All this points to what can go awry. If something is wrong with the signal, the body will respond to the wrong message. In other words, an unnatural signal may create an inappropriate response. What science is discovering is that hormone disruptors can bind with receptors and send messages the same way our natural hormones can. But these particular messages can significantly alter normal cell function and growth.” [Hormone Deception, pg.13]
Next time: Endocrine Disruptors: Where do they come from and how do they affect us?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Bad Sugar, Good Sugar, Healthier Ways to Feeling Better
Image on left, goes with this discussion. Natural verses unnatural. Yummy sugar is found in fruits and veggies. It provides us all sorts of good nutrition including natural sugar, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Too many times do we reach for the chocolate bar- while just one small square of a Hersey bar contains bad sugar, wax, chemicals, and some antioxidants. Candy and junk food in general pretty much is absorbed directly on our tongue straight into the blood stream, while fruit and veggies go through the entire digestive process ending up depositing nutrients along the way--mostly in our colon- where the best nutrients are then absorbed. When we eat candy and junk food we end up on this roller coaster for blood sugar (highlighted in red). This creates very high levels responses of: anxiety, depression, dizzy, headaches/migraines, tingly feeling, allergies get worse, spacey, ADD, ADHD, panic attacks, etc. When we are coming down from the sugar (sometime identified as 'food coma') we experience the following: fear, confusion, tiredness, cravings, suicidal thoughts, hungry, phobias, clamy skin, nightmares, heart palpitations, etc. Not to mention being on this roller coaster puts us in high risk for diabetes and the inability to lose weight.
Essentially what is happening when we eat bad foods (high in sugar, fat, salt, etc) our cells crave begin to crave these things all the time, but at higher levels- as if we are building up a tolerance. Each cell has this spot, almost like a door where insulin naturally enters, but when we bombard our system with sugar constantly, the door can't open because of the sugar levels, so when the sugar levels drop this creates more insulin to rush in, but then at this point there is not enough sugar so levels drop making the body crave more sugar. This also throws the adrenal glands off-- stress also contributes to this.
5 things people are going to crave going through this cycle
1. Sugar
2. Simple Carbs
3. Caffine
4. Nicotine
5. Alcohol
6. Drugs
To quite all this and to get back on the good foods will take 3 weeks without cheating. The key is fruit- fiber helps slow down sugar. Best things to do:
1. Raw Protein
2. Fiber
3. Excersise
4. Vitamins and Minerals
5. Enzymes
* All these should be in the most natural/ raw form as possible.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Consumer Checklist for High Quality Vitamin Supplements
You have to be very careful with supplements these days. Here are a couple tips. For me I use one which is quality tested by third party and has been published in numerous peer reviewed medical and nutrition journals worldwide. Not to mention it is all natural and made from raw materials.
*Do you have a way to tell if the supplement (vitamin) that you’re using is being absorbed & assimilated?
The place to begin is to see if your supplement dissolves when placed in water within 30 minutes
or less. That is the same standard the pharmaceutical industry uses for tablets. Otherwise it goes in one end and out the other. That is just the very beginning.
The second and most critical question is...
• Are the supplements you are taking being absorbed and assimilated into the
bloodstream where they are available to the cells? Always ask the company for peer reviewed research on their products. The key word here is peer reviewed. That means it is unbiased, legitimate research vs. advertising research where you pay someone to publish your research in what looks like a legitimate journal.
• Is there balance in the formulation?
Balance is critical to a well-formulated supplement. Many nutrients do not work effectively unless
in a certain balance. .
For example The B vitamin Biotin is extremely expensive. It should offer at least 100 % of the daily
value. Most vitamins will show none at all or less than 100% That is a sign to you of a poorly formulated vitamin, so read your labels.
• Is the amount on the label the amount in each tablet?
A common problem in the food supplement industry is quality control. It is not uncommon for the
amount in each individual tablet in a bottle of supplements to vary dramatically. .
• Is the manufacturer using a “cooling” system to preserve nutrients?
When supplements are manufactured at a low temperature, all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients are not lost in the process. Without the enzymes, the body cannot utilize or absorb
the nutrients effectively. It is common for companies to use too much heat and pressure in making their tablets, which destroys the enzymes.
• Are sugars, artificial colorings or sweeteners used?
It is common for vitamins to have artificial coloring and sweeteners in them. Read the labels to
determine their presence.
• Are the supplements you are using safe and do you trust the company to have your
best interest in mind over profit?
While no vitamins are FDA approved, a few have received awards/ recognition from the FDA. Also check the reviews on the vitamin for side effects and guarantee before purchasing.
• Is there a full money back guarantee?
*Do you have a way to tell if the supplement (vitamin) that you’re using is being absorbed & assimilated?
The place to begin is to see if your supplement dissolves when placed in water within 30 minutes
or less. That is the same standard the pharmaceutical industry uses for tablets. Otherwise it goes in one end and out the other. That is just the very beginning.
The second and most critical question is...
• Are the supplements you are taking being absorbed and assimilated into the
bloodstream where they are available to the cells? Always ask the company for peer reviewed research on their products. The key word here is peer reviewed. That means it is unbiased, legitimate research vs. advertising research where you pay someone to publish your research in what looks like a legitimate journal.
• Is there balance in the formulation?
Balance is critical to a well-formulated supplement. Many nutrients do not work effectively unless
in a certain balance. .
For example The B vitamin Biotin is extremely expensive. It should offer at least 100 % of the daily
value. Most vitamins will show none at all or less than 100% That is a sign to you of a poorly formulated vitamin, so read your labels.
• Is the amount on the label the amount in each tablet?
A common problem in the food supplement industry is quality control. It is not uncommon for the
amount in each individual tablet in a bottle of supplements to vary dramatically. .
• Is the manufacturer using a “cooling” system to preserve nutrients?
When supplements are manufactured at a low temperature, all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients are not lost in the process. Without the enzymes, the body cannot utilize or absorb
the nutrients effectively. It is common for companies to use too much heat and pressure in making their tablets, which destroys the enzymes.
• Are sugars, artificial colorings or sweeteners used?
It is common for vitamins to have artificial coloring and sweeteners in them. Read the labels to
determine their presence.
• Are the supplements you are using safe and do you trust the company to have your
best interest in mind over profit?
While no vitamins are FDA approved, a few have received awards/ recognition from the FDA. Also check the reviews on the vitamin for side effects and guarantee before purchasing.
• Is there a full money back guarantee?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
How Stress Destroys your Health
We know stress can cause a variety of problems anything from acne, type 2 diabetes, ulcers, anxiety, digestive problems, lower immune system, and cellular aging. While these are only some of the effects of stress other more serious conditions include stress on the heart and nervous systems. Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and produce physical, mental and emotional symptoms including allergies, dizziness, headache, heart palpitations, environmental sensitivity, impaired coordination, impaired immunity and weight gain.
Skin
Many people believe that stress may aggravate acne, but a recent study stated that this information is anecdotal. These researchers wanted to study the relationship between acne and stress. A group of 22 college students volunteered for this study and all participants had acne. Students stress levels and severity of acne were measured during examination and non-examination periods. The results of this study found that acne sufferers may endure worsening of acne during stressful periods. The researchers also concluded that, “emotional stress from external sources may have a significant influence on acne.
Anxiety and Insomnia
The vast majority of insomnia, anxiety and minor depression are brought on by sugar, alcohol, coffee and food allergies. Sugar, coffee and tea (with caffeine) put excessive wear and tear on the adrenal glands. Anti-anxiety drugs simply mask the symptoms of anxiety. In addition, most of these drugs have serious side effects, including increased anxiety! A natural therapeutic approach to acute or chronic anxiety is more likely to provide long-term relief than prescription drugs. Natural approach to insomnia and anxiety are the following:
* Avoid excessive sugar, alcohol, tea and coffee (with caffeine). Drink non- stimulating herbal teas
such as Chamomile tea, caffeine free.
• Recognize your food allergy and eliminate them from your diet.
• Avoid taking OTC painkillers, cold and allergy medicines which contain caffeine and ephedrine causing insomnia (e.g. anacin, excedrin, midol, sudafed etc).
• Exercise: It is one of the best sleep aids around. Exercise literally changes your brain chemistry. Do an aerobic exercise during the day like brisk walking five to six times a week for 30 to 60 minutes each time. If necessary, take Melatonin lozenge 20-30 min before bedtime. It is a natural hormone which gives us the signal to sleep. It is also very useful for banishing jet lag. Magnesium is a known
muscle and nerve relaxant. Reduce muscle tension with 500-1000 mg of Magnesium daily.
Type 2 Diabetes
When blood sugar regulation is impaired, despite the availability of insulin, type 2 diabetes is suspected. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar and impaired insulin response. It is a non-ketotic form of diabetes. People with type 2 are not dependent on insulin to survive. The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood. Three physiological abnormalities typically occur in type 2: insulin resistance, increased glucose production in the liver (hepatic gluconeogenesis), and poor beta cell function. These can occur individually or in combination. The long-term complications associated with diabetes are serious, often life threatening, and
diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. These complications are due to continuous hyperglycemia from poor glucose control. Many of these chronic complications can be traced to changes in blood vessels that cause a decreased blood flow. These changes include coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
A few studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between stress management and diabetes. However, these studies incorporated stress interventions that were not practical. A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care, examined the role that stress management training has on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. For 1 year, this study followed 108 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. At regular periods during the year, blood glucose levels were tested and the patients were asked to respond to questionnaires regarding stress, anxiety, and psychological health. The patients involved were randomized into 2 groups both of which received diabetes education. One group was offered instruction in stress management while the control
group was not. A significant reduction in glucose levels was seen in the diabetic group who received the stress management training although patients who demonstrated unusually high levels of anxiety did not benefit from the training. The authors concluded that, "… a cost-effective, group stress management program in a "real-world" setting can result in clinically significant benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cellular Aging
Increasing scientific evidence suggests that prolonged psychological stress takes its toll on the body, but the exact mechanisms by which stress influences disease processes have remained elusive. Now, scientists report that psychological stress may exact its toll, at least in part, by affecting molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging and, possibly, disease development. In the study, published in the November 30 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the University of California - San Francisco-led team determined that chronic stress, and the perception of life stress, each had a significant impact on three biological factors -- the length of telomeres, the activity of telomerase, and levels of oxidative stress -- in immune system cells known as peripheral blood mononucleocytes, in healthy premenopausal women.
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that cap the ends of chromosomes and promote genetic stability. Each time a cell divides, a portion of telomeric DNA dwindles away, and after many rounds of cell division, so much telomeric DNA has diminished that the aged cell stops dividing. Thus, telomeres play a critical role in determining the number of times a cell divides, its health, and its life span. These factors, in turn, affect the health of the tissues that cells form. Telomerase is an enzyme that replenishes a portion of telomeres with each round of cell division, and protects telomeres. Oxidative stress, which causes DNA damage, has been shown to hasten the shortening of telomeres in cell culture. The results of the study -- which involved 58 women, ages 20-50, all of whom were biological mothers either of a chronically ill child (39 women, so-called "caregivers") or a healthy child (19 women, or "controls") -- were dramatic. As expected, most women who cared for a chronically ill child reported that they were more stressed than women in the control group, though, as a group, their biological markers were not different from those of the controls. However, in one of the study's key findings, the duration of caregiving -- after controlling for the age of the women -- proved critical: The more years of care giving, the shorter the length of the telomeres, the lower the telomerase activity, and the greater the oxidative stress.
How do I over come stress?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
The herb is botanically more closely related to potatoes or tomatoes, but because of its
similar uses it is often called "Indian ginseng." This "adaptogen" has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is a tonic herb traditionally believed capable of strengthening the body, but it is milder and less stimulating than ginseng. Recent studies show ashwaganda to be immuno modulating and to aid in cases of anxiety and other psychological complaints. (3)
Beta-sitosterol
One of the indicators of stress is elevated cortisol levels. Beta-sitosterol, is a natural plant sterol helps reduce cortisol levels. In a recent study with marathon runners in South Africa, runners receiving the "active" capsules had significantly decreased cortisol levels, less of an inflammatory response, and were less immune suppressed during the post-marathon recovery period. Another study found that beta-sitosterol added to the diet decreased total cholesterol absorption by 43 per cent among a sample of nine adults (4).
L-theanine:
The amino acid, L-theanine is found almost solely in tea plants (Camellia sinensis). L-theanine acts antagonistically against the effects of caffeine, and it demonstrates relaxation effects without promoting drowsiness.
There are very few products out there with this combination. The one I use works pretty well.
Skin
Many people believe that stress may aggravate acne, but a recent study stated that this information is anecdotal. These researchers wanted to study the relationship between acne and stress. A group of 22 college students volunteered for this study and all participants had acne. Students stress levels and severity of acne were measured during examination and non-examination periods. The results of this study found that acne sufferers may endure worsening of acne during stressful periods. The researchers also concluded that, “emotional stress from external sources may have a significant influence on acne.
Anxiety and Insomnia
The vast majority of insomnia, anxiety and minor depression are brought on by sugar, alcohol, coffee and food allergies. Sugar, coffee and tea (with caffeine) put excessive wear and tear on the adrenal glands. Anti-anxiety drugs simply mask the symptoms of anxiety. In addition, most of these drugs have serious side effects, including increased anxiety! A natural therapeutic approach to acute or chronic anxiety is more likely to provide long-term relief than prescription drugs. Natural approach to insomnia and anxiety are the following:
* Avoid excessive sugar, alcohol, tea and coffee (with caffeine). Drink non- stimulating herbal teas
such as Chamomile tea, caffeine free.
• Recognize your food allergy and eliminate them from your diet.
• Avoid taking OTC painkillers, cold and allergy medicines which contain caffeine and ephedrine causing insomnia (e.g. anacin, excedrin, midol, sudafed etc).
• Exercise: It is one of the best sleep aids around. Exercise literally changes your brain chemistry. Do an aerobic exercise during the day like brisk walking five to six times a week for 30 to 60 minutes each time. If necessary, take Melatonin lozenge 20-30 min before bedtime. It is a natural hormone which gives us the signal to sleep. It is also very useful for banishing jet lag. Magnesium is a known
muscle and nerve relaxant. Reduce muscle tension with 500-1000 mg of Magnesium daily.
Type 2 Diabetes
When blood sugar regulation is impaired, despite the availability of insulin, type 2 diabetes is suspected. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar and impaired insulin response. It is a non-ketotic form of diabetes. People with type 2 are not dependent on insulin to survive. The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood. Three physiological abnormalities typically occur in type 2: insulin resistance, increased glucose production in the liver (hepatic gluconeogenesis), and poor beta cell function. These can occur individually or in combination. The long-term complications associated with diabetes are serious, often life threatening, and
diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. These complications are due to continuous hyperglycemia from poor glucose control. Many of these chronic complications can be traced to changes in blood vessels that cause a decreased blood flow. These changes include coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
A few studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between stress management and diabetes. However, these studies incorporated stress interventions that were not practical. A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care, examined the role that stress management training has on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. For 1 year, this study followed 108 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. At regular periods during the year, blood glucose levels were tested and the patients were asked to respond to questionnaires regarding stress, anxiety, and psychological health. The patients involved were randomized into 2 groups both of which received diabetes education. One group was offered instruction in stress management while the control
group was not. A significant reduction in glucose levels was seen in the diabetic group who received the stress management training although patients who demonstrated unusually high levels of anxiety did not benefit from the training. The authors concluded that, "… a cost-effective, group stress management program in a "real-world" setting can result in clinically significant benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cellular Aging
Increasing scientific evidence suggests that prolonged psychological stress takes its toll on the body, but the exact mechanisms by which stress influences disease processes have remained elusive. Now, scientists report that psychological stress may exact its toll, at least in part, by affecting molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging and, possibly, disease development. In the study, published in the November 30 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the University of California - San Francisco-led team determined that chronic stress, and the perception of life stress, each had a significant impact on three biological factors -- the length of telomeres, the activity of telomerase, and levels of oxidative stress -- in immune system cells known as peripheral blood mononucleocytes, in healthy premenopausal women.
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that cap the ends of chromosomes and promote genetic stability. Each time a cell divides, a portion of telomeric DNA dwindles away, and after many rounds of cell division, so much telomeric DNA has diminished that the aged cell stops dividing. Thus, telomeres play a critical role in determining the number of times a cell divides, its health, and its life span. These factors, in turn, affect the health of the tissues that cells form. Telomerase is an enzyme that replenishes a portion of telomeres with each round of cell division, and protects telomeres. Oxidative stress, which causes DNA damage, has been shown to hasten the shortening of telomeres in cell culture. The results of the study -- which involved 58 women, ages 20-50, all of whom were biological mothers either of a chronically ill child (39 women, so-called "caregivers") or a healthy child (19 women, or "controls") -- were dramatic. As expected, most women who cared for a chronically ill child reported that they were more stressed than women in the control group, though, as a group, their biological markers were not different from those of the controls. However, in one of the study's key findings, the duration of caregiving -- after controlling for the age of the women -- proved critical: The more years of care giving, the shorter the length of the telomeres, the lower the telomerase activity, and the greater the oxidative stress.
How do I over come stress?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
The herb is botanically more closely related to potatoes or tomatoes, but because of its
similar uses it is often called "Indian ginseng." This "adaptogen" has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is a tonic herb traditionally believed capable of strengthening the body, but it is milder and less stimulating than ginseng. Recent studies show ashwaganda to be immuno modulating and to aid in cases of anxiety and other psychological complaints. (3)
Beta-sitosterol
One of the indicators of stress is elevated cortisol levels. Beta-sitosterol, is a natural plant sterol helps reduce cortisol levels. In a recent study with marathon runners in South Africa, runners receiving the "active" capsules had significantly decreased cortisol levels, less of an inflammatory response, and were less immune suppressed during the post-marathon recovery period. Another study found that beta-sitosterol added to the diet decreased total cholesterol absorption by 43 per cent among a sample of nine adults (4).
L-theanine:
The amino acid, L-theanine is found almost solely in tea plants (Camellia sinensis). L-theanine acts antagonistically against the effects of caffeine, and it demonstrates relaxation effects without promoting drowsiness.
There are very few products out there with this combination. The one I use works pretty well.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Whole Food vs. Raw Material Vitamins
This is often a difficult issue because of the conventional perception that whole food supplements can be made from fresh fruits and vegetables and somehow dried and compressed into a tablet. Unfortunately, this is not possible or realistic. A supplement condensed or compressed from a whole food would actually contain little nutrient value, and would require taking an inordinately large number of servings or tablets to get even one serving with adequate nutritional value. Take spinach, for example. If we consider a reasonable serving size for spinach to be one cup of cooked spinach, the spinach in that serving would weigh about 180 grams. Dried and made into a powder, it would weigh about 30 grams. Since a normal-sized tablet holds about a half gram of powder, at best, to get the equivalent of a cup of cooked spinach, you would need to consume a minimum of 60 tablets. And that’s for the nutrients in spinach, alone.
Raw Material Vitamins (whole food concentrates) on the other hand are free from pesticides, chemicals, genetically altered compounds, the good ones are made from 100% organic (better than USDA organic- which by law is only 98%), made from pure (natural as possible) materials which are quality tested through a third party and have ingredients that reflect the most recent scientific and technological advances. Finding a really good raw material vitamin would need to have clinical testing done (when necessary) and have those studies published in a peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, The American Journal of Cardiology and others. I personally have only found one vitamin company that meets these standards.
Raw Material Vitamins (whole food concentrates) on the other hand are free from pesticides, chemicals, genetically altered compounds, the good ones are made from 100% organic (better than USDA organic- which by law is only 98%), made from pure (natural as possible) materials which are quality tested through a third party and have ingredients that reflect the most recent scientific and technological advances. Finding a really good raw material vitamin would need to have clinical testing done (when necessary) and have those studies published in a peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, The American Journal of Cardiology and others. I personally have only found one vitamin company that meets these standards.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Flu Season Tips from Janet Witte, RN
Concerned about the Flu Season? October 2009 Update
Here are some common sense suggestions that also includes products Healthy Generations recommends.
We’ve used this plan successfully for years to avoid getting colds and flu.
Living pro-actively is the KEY to staying well.
1. Adequate sleep. 8-10 hours for adults is best. The body regenerates and heals during sleep. A good old-fashioned nap is good for everyone. Sleep before 10PM is a deeper, more restful sleep for most individuals. Children’s bedtime is best by 8-8:30PM. They do their growing during sleep and need more sleep than adults. Keep the bedroom as dark as possible. Light interferes with restorative sleep.
2. Routine. Don’t underestimate the value of routine. Constant change and disruption creates stress, and stress weakens your immune system. Regular times for meals, bedtimes, bath time, etc., create structure that helps create a peaceful home. Everyone thrives on the security that healthy routines provide.
3. Plenty of healthy foods, especially fresh or frozen organic fruits and veggies. Cut up organic fruits and veggies for snacks. During the flu season especially, make pots of homemade vegetable or chicken soup with plenty of garlic (nature’s antibiotic), and organic chicken/beef stock if possible. Avoid junk food--white flour, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine all weaken the immune system. Plan ahead for simple, healthy meals.
4. Plenty of pure water. It’s easy to become dehydrated in the winter time. Water keeps the toxins flushed out of your system. You need ½ ounce for every pound of body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you would need about 75 oz of water a day.
Children need more water and less juice. The #1 cause of daytime fatigue and fuzzy thinking is dehydration. Our immune systems require us to be well-hydrated. Bottled water is expensive; find a water purifier that does at good job for 18-32 cents a gallon. Shaklee purifiers make pure, delicious water for just pennies a gallon.
5. Fresh air. Get outside often- enjoy the fresh air whenever you can. The EPA says the air in our homes is worse than the air outside. Look for a purifier that decreases significantly all the known pollutants, and does it in a way that is economical (figure cost per sq. foot, and upkeep costs).
6. Regular Exercise is important, but don’t overdo it if you’re feeling under the weather. Too much exercise can sometimes cause stress on the body and further deplete the immune system, so to recover eat adequate protein and quality food and get rest.
7. Regular Hand Washing & disinfecting is important to minimize transferring germs. Keep hands away from your eyes. Wash hands before putting anything in your mouth and after blowing your nose. Common hand-sanitizers should be avoided, as they strip away the natural protection of the “acid mantle” of the skin, allowing germs to pass through.
We use Basic G to disinfect the laundry, bathrooms, doorknobs, phones, computer keyboards, etc. When you clean with “G,” germs aren’t going to regrow for about 72 hours. Germ regrowth with bleach is about one hour. Lysol is effective against 8 of the most common pathogens, but “G” kills 32 different pathogens. Basic G is approved for hospital use; is very concentrated and economical.
8. Supplement with Pure Whole Food Concentrates. Even the best of diets has gaps.
We recommend “Prescription for a Healthier Life” as the foundation for any wellness plan. These provide the best possible nutritional insurance for a healthy immune. These supplements also has a perfect array of supplements for children, from infancy to teens. The world’s best multi for kids, and Mealshakes healthy and delicious shakes that kids love.
Says Janet Witte, RN: “In my experience, as previous owner of two health food stores, I realized that there is nothing like these nutritional science to help boost the immune system. It wasn’t until I found Shaklee products that I was able to build my immune system.
For the past 20 years we have almost never been sick. I used to take handfuls of ‘regular’ vitamins from our health food store and was sick A LOT!” Our daily Shaklee choices consist of Shaklee “Vitalizer” vita strips, Cinch protein shake, VIVIX and Nutriferon to keep the immune system strong.
Our Shaklee Herbal Medicine cabinet contains Performance Sports Drink powder, Defend & Resist (Echinacea and more),odor-controlled Garlic Complex, Sustained Release Vita C, Herb-lax, Alfalfa. These all have a specific benefit in attacking bacteria, and increasing the effectiveness of your immune system.
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9. Our “GET-WELL” Concoction that works!! You’ll want to make sure you have the ingredients on hand.
At the first sign of a sore throat, or feeling sick, chew (or swallow) 2 or 3 Defend and Resist tablets. Per instructions on the bottle, repeat 3 times the first day.
If you start to feel really crummy, drink this:
add Shaklee Performance in a big mug (3 to 4 tablespoons of powder) plus 3 crushed Defend & Resist tablets; 3 crushed Garlic Complex tablets, and 3 crushed Vita C. (use a mortar and pestle to crush the vitamins, and then add to the Performance in the mug). Add very hot, near boiling water, stir and sip. You’ll start to feel better right away. Keep drinking this till you are better. Performance replaces vital electrolytes; the vitamins and herbs start to immediately sooths the respiratory tract, strengthens the immune system, and goes after the bacteria. Repeat in a few hrs.
add Shaklee Performance in a big mug (3 to 4 tablespoons of powder) plus 3 crushed Defend & Resist tablets; 3 crushed Garlic Complex tablets, and 3 crushed Vita C. (use a mortar and pestle to crush the vitamins, and then add to the Performance in the mug). Add very hot, near boiling water, stir and sip. You’ll start to feel better right away. Keep drinking this till you are better. Performance replaces vital electrolytes; the vitamins and herbs start to immediately sooths the respiratory tract, strengthens the immune system, and goes after the bacteria. Repeat in a few hrs.
10. Keep your bloodstream more alkaline. Disease thrives in an acid blood stream, and many foods raise the acid level. Junk foods; sugary foods, high trans-fat foods are extremely damaging to the immune system.
Shaklee’s Alfalfa helps make the blood stream more alkaline, has detoxifying properties.
11. De-stress your lifestyle. It’s OK to accomplish less. Prioritize. What’s really important? Do you think your family is involved in too many activities? Avoid violence--on TV, in video games, etc. Even the “nightly news” is often too much of an assault on a healthy mind and spirit. Who needs to know every bad thing that happened that day. Regular supplements like extra Vita C, B Complex, and Stress Relief Complex are great natural supports if you’re under a lot of stress.
12. Take more time for beauty, for quiet, and for music. Simplify your life. Meditate/pray, take a nice long bath, go for a relaxing walk, do nothing/putter, enjoy your hobby, absorb the beauty of nature, etc. Get and give a massage at home or find a professional--there are relaxation/energy points on the bottoms of the feet and the palms of your hands. Cultivate Gratitude. Literally count your blessings.
13. Surround yourself and your family with people you love. Practice forgiveness; hug your loved ones. Do some kindness every day. Pay it forward!
14. Pray and trust God ~ not last, but first.
Janet L. Witte, RN, Certified Wellness Educator
The above is not intended as a prescription, nor a promise to cure any disease.
I highly recommend products from the Shaklee Corporation. They meet my requirements for exceptional purity, potency, and performance. The FDA regards Shaklee as the “standard” to which all vitamin companies should adhere.
I highly recommend that everyone use the foundational nutritional products, and stock their “Herbal Medicine Cabinet” with the items listed in #8 and #9
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