Anti-aging

Many customers have been calling regarding TA65.  TA65 has been around for several years now.  The origin is Astragalus – astragalosides are the active ingredient in this product.  “Telomerase activation in aged or chronically stressed normal cells has been shown to slow telomere shortening, restore or improve cellular function” Geron Corporation (NDAQ:GERN)  Each capsule is guaranteed to contain 5 mg. of telomeres and 40mg. standardized astragalus from what I understand.

If you look at Gaia Herbs’ Astragalus Supreme it lists astragalus active ingredient as Astragalus membranceus, which is TA-65 (Telomerase Activity).  This aforementioned product contains 380 mg.

However, according to the Pharmaceutical Companies  the astragalus in TA65 are supposed to be higher quality than the ones sold in health foood stores.  Only Medical Doctors carry TA 65 .

This herb has been studied for hundreds of years in Chinese Medicine for its adaptogenic properties and being a “Super Tonic“  It modulates the mitochondria (your body’s battery), so if you have autoimmune disease, which is an overactive immune system, you can take this.  It is widely studied for its healing properties.

Designs for Health uses it in their Immunoberry Liquid  & Immunitone Plus caps, which contains other immune modulators and enhancers as well.  We carry many pharmaceutical grade herbs with the aforementioned herb.

I’m not a chemist or biologist, but this sounds incredulous.  It reminds me of PC-SPES (eight formula herbal blend) that was sold @ Sloan Kettering for Prostate Cancer years ago @ about  $250 weekly.  As most of you, smart health conscious people know, we carry the formula in the Health Food Stores known as Jarrow Prostate Optimizer, this is just one example.  This product along with several others for the prostate health (DFH, Life Extension, etc.) have the synergistic blend of herbs that were in PC SPES sold at less than $35 for a month’s (30 days) supply.   However, now Broccoli Seed has been added because of the science behind the high sulforaphane content which helps detoxify the liver and protects against cancer cells.  

Getting back to astragalus —- TA65 is considered telomere treatment @ $1,200 to 2,200 for a 6 (six) month supply.  You can try taking any of the aforementioned we carry along with Blue Bonnet’s Glisodin and/or 500 mg. Resveratrol and get the same benefits for under $200 a month.  I’m sure you get many benefits and will protect your DNA/heart and immune system all at the same time.  Also, if you want take a green powder mix from Designs for Health, Garden of Life, New Chapter or Vibrant Health (Vibrant Health is only for those who don’t have autoimmune disease).

If anybody has any feedback regarding their experience with TA65 I would appreciate your input/comments.

Thanks!

Carol

Several customers have come to me, confused, with regard to reading the blood levels (HDL, LDL, Triclycerides) in confusion.  Keep in mind diet is a key factor.  However, genetics do play a role as well.  You’re HDL (High Density Lipids) are your good lipids and they should be 60 or above ideally.  LDL (Low Density Lipids) should be 120 and under according to most Chem Panels.  If you’re HDL is 80 and your LDL is 160, I wouldn’t be to alarmed because it’s a 2 to 1 ratio.  Some people have high LDL’s genetically and live to be 100 years.  Triclycerides should be under 120 or 100, again depending on labs.

Be concerned with inflammation markers.  Have your Doctor check your Homocysteine levels and CRP (C Reactive Protein).   This is not part of the standard Chem Panel, so you must be insistent with your Doctor.   These proteins in the blood are indicative of inflammation and can be dangerous and can cause coronary artery disease.  Doctors and myself recommend taking B 12, B 6 with folic acid @ 800 mcg. — make sure it’s natural folate (not pteroylmonlutamic acid) and not the oxidized synthethic form.

Exercising lightly every day is imperative for good health, especially heart health.  As we all know exercise helps keep the blood flowing and, therefore, helps with circulation.   With a healthy diet , walking can help lower LDL and raise HDL.

Also, watch foods with hidden hydrogenated fats/oils, especially in so-called health bars.  Don’t be fooled some companies list hydrogenated fats as fractioned oils — it’s the same thing.  ALSO,  We must be concerned with blocking your arteries.

Another cause of blocked arteries (atherosclerosis) is a build of minerals, especially calcium.  This is why when supplementing with calcium, make sure you buy a balanced formula, including K2, D3, magnesium, manganese to avoid calcifications &/or hardening of arteries.  Read my blog on bone density (dated 2-4-09).

Hopefully, the aforementioned measures will help prevent people from having to get surgery.

Use cold-pressed organic oils with organic apple cider vinegar on your salads not process already made dressings.  Eat your fruits, especially important for the natural fiber, don’t drink too much juice.   Juicing fruits as well as carrots have been shown to increase triclyceride levels.

I recommend trying one of the following products:

• Mega Food’s Cardio Strength
• Solgar Cardiac Support
• Jarrow Ubiquinol CoQ10

So many people want a fast fix when it comes to losing weight.  First of all diets don’t work, eat good foods.  Treat your body to its needs.  We need good fats to focus and keep our organs working properly. 

A leading cause of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is lack of omega 3’s in our diets.  Also, people that suffer from depression usually are omitting fats from their diet.   There has also been a higher incidence of skin problems in babies having ezcema at birth because pregnant women ate a low fat diet.  I know several women who stopped menstruating because of strict dieting, especially eliminating good fats from their diet. 

Fracturing as early as 17 (seventeen) years old because of lack of fats in their diets.  It frustrates me to think that people still are convinced low/no fat diets are healthy.  The less frequently you eat, you force your body to think your body to think its starving, therefore, we start storing more fat cells as a reserve.

Less good fats in your diet means loss of muscle, resulting in a flabby appearance.  Usually a dieter’s goal is to look toned (I hope), so keep in mind what I’m trying to convey.  Your scale may actually be your enemy if you losing muscle you’ll weigh less.  Unfortunately this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re leaner; you are probably getting flabby. Hopefully, we all know muscle weighs more than flab.

Also, Eye doctors are now recommending Fish Oils for eye health, especially for dry eyes.  When you have a severe case of dry eyes, you feel like somebody threw sand in your eyes.  So take it from me include your omega’s in your diet. 

As I’ve mentioned in my other blogs, try supplementing with Nordic Naturals Omega 3,6,9.  If you consume vegetable oils and nuts, take Nordic Naturals DHA.  Also include free range eggs in your diet and don’t throw away that yolk because it’s high in phosphatidyl choline & serine.  PC & PS are  imperative for brain and heart health.   If you can supplement with Solgar’s Lecithin, which contains PC&PS (people with thyroid disease, check with doctor before using soy products).

Don’t fry with good oils.  Fried foods, especially deeped fried are not recommended for a healthy heart and brain.  They taste good but they’ll increase your weight and clog your arteries.  If you want the taste of fried food, you can dip your chicken or veggies in oil then a crumb mixture of your choice and put in oven.  Conrad Rice Mill, Inc. makes wheat free batter mixes called Hol^Grain Tempura Batter Mix or Crispy Chicken Coating Mix.

Here’s a sample diet you can follow:

BREAKFAST

• 1/2 cup cottage, handful of chopped almonds or walnuts, 1/2 cup blueberries
• or 3 eggs any style, 1/2 cantaloupe
• or oatmeal, cinnamon,  1 cup (8 ounces) almond or hemp milk, 2-3 tbsp. ground flaxmeal
• or almond or cashew butter on spelt toast
• or 8 oz. organic Greek Yogurt, handful of nuts and 1/2 cup raspberries

SNACKS

Apple with tbsp. of nut butter of choice, Protein Bar without hydrogenated fats or

Protein Shake    (snack only twice a day for weight loss)

LUNCH & DINNER

• Large fresh salad of Organic Greens, sliced beets, and assorted veggies with 6 ounces of broiled fish
• or Organic Chicken salad with olives, assorted raw veggies
• or Grilled Wild salmon, snapper, or any seafood, roasted veggies
• or 4-6 oz. Free Range Steak/filet mignon, baked sweet potatoes, lg. green salad with organic virgin oive oil &/or flax oil dressing with Organic Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar
• or 4-6 oz. Roasted turkey, steamed broccoli, small pat real whipped butter or coconut oil (organic)
• or Sardines in water, 1 Tbsp. mayo, green salad

Hope this diet plan makes eat easier for you to make the right choices.  If you start losing too much you can eat a little more.  Of course, you don’t have to follow it exactly — this is just an example.  I, myself, don’t always follow a good diet plan — we’re all human.

Don’t be so hard on yourself if you go off — just get back on track.  Fuel your body with good nutrients and you’ll be healthier and happier in the long run.  Good Luck!

As always check with your doctor or health professional before dieting.

Carol Lombardo, CN