Antioxidants

You can have your vacation AND eat it too!

Relaxation is essential for optimal health, especially a wonderful vacation during this final summer month. Vacation, however, doesn’t mean you have to step away from your eating lifestyle. I commonly hear, “Oh, I’m on vacation, it’s impossible to eat healthily,” or “I’ll get back to my healthy eating habits when vacation is over.” No, it is possible to eat healthily while on vacation and let’s hope that vacation doesn’t take you out of your healthy eating groove.

When you’re at home you have to plan and prepare for your dieting. You have to buy the right foods, you have to have those healthy options in the house and keep those tempting foods far away. So why should vacation be any different? Yes, I understand that it is hard to avoid those deep-fried Oreo’s on the boardwalk. Yes, those $15, all you can eat buffets, are a great bang for your buck, but they’re definitely ways to beat these food demons.

As you plan to leave for your vacation, if possible, bring a bag full of fruits. Apples, pears, peaches, strawberries are all excellent fruits to bring. When you find yourself in the hotel room, and the munchies hit, it would be best to grab an apple instead of heading for the vending machine or room service.

Water is your friend, and it’s always easy to find. Before heading out to that buffet or the boardwalk, drink an ice-cold bottle of water. It will help keep your appetite down and prevent going up for seconds or dare I say, thirds.

What do cheesesteaks, cheese fries, chicken wings, fish and chips all have in common? They’re vacation favorites, and they’ll gladly increase your blood sugar. One way to help control your blood sugar is through fiber. The aforementioned foods all have zero fiber, and fiber is key into controlling your blood sugar and keeping cravings down. Fiber capsules are an easy and convenient way to maintain a healthy fiber intake and to keep those cravings away and keep the belly full. Glucomannan (also know as Konjac on the Dr. Oz Show), a soluble fiber, is a great fiber to cut hunger. This fiber, acts like a sponge in the digestive track. It absorbs water and takes up space in the stomach making you feel like you ate more than you did.

Drinking your calories is the easiest way to a big belly. Alcohol, contrary to common belief, is more calorically dense than protein and carbs. A gram of alcohol gives your 7 calories, whereas protein and carbs give you 4, only to leave at 9 calories per gram. Thus, it is very easy to drink a meal of beer or liquor. Those happy hours can be fun, but try sticking to light beer or avoid calorically-dense mixers like soda or fruit cocktails.

I am not a food saint; I do overeat or splurge at times, so I understand that we like to enjoy ourselves on vacation, but it is a good idea to know how often and when to enjoy your meals.

We all, consciously or not, try to prepare for the beach body, but let’s try to continue the plan even after the beach.

P.S: I highly recommend bringing digestive enzymes with you on vacation. If you’re not used to eating out a lot, it might be wise to bring those enzymes to lessen the stress on your digestive system.

Here are a few products that may make your vacation much easier:

• Nature’s Way Glucomannan: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/gluc2.html
• Yerba Prima’s Soluble Fiber: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/046352001869.html
• Nature’s Plus Acti-Zyme: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/097467044548.html

HEAT!!  OK, you’ve heard it again & again but, it’s worth repeating…Drink Plenty of Fluids, because you lose more water when you’re out in the heat and sun. Dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue.

Is your skin getting a little over exposed?  Mild sunburn can cause redness, pain and slight swelling for about three to seven days. Skin may peel and be pretty itchy. But don’t worry!  We’ve got some great remedies that may provide relief from mild sunburn.

A useful natural sunburn treatment is Aloe Vera. The gel, which is found within the aloe vera plant, has been renowned for its healing properties for millennia. Ancient Egyptians used it regularly in healing and beauty treatments. Aloe Vera will have an immediate cooling and calming effect on the skin, and it forms protective layer that will seal valuable moisture into the skin, preventing dehydration and promoting faster healing. To use the gel directly from the plant, snap off a stalk from the plant and gently squeeze out the gel. Spread this gel in a thin layer over your sunburned skin. Because sunburn tends to affect a large area of skin, you might prefer to have a prepared Aloe Vera product to use and we’ve got you covered – literallywith Lily of the Desert’s Aloe Vera Gel currently on sale.  Also, take a look at our low price onJason’s Deodorant Roll-On Natural Aloe Vera which contains no Alcohol, no Aluminum Chlorohydrate or Propylene Glycol. Formulated with Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Vitamin E, Lavender, Corn Starch and Chamomile this deodorant delivers soothing freshness.Try it!

Even if you don’t have sunburn, it’is important to care for your sun after sun exposure. After a day at the beach, re-hydrate skin with moisturizer, preferably one without alpha-hydroxy acids, which will cause your skin to peel. Something as simple as our Cocoa Butter stick can keep your skin hydrated and improve your tan!

If you do have a touch of sunburn, soak in a cool tub with an oatmeal-based soak (and Rainbow Research’s Oatmeal Soap Bar) to cool your skin.Consider takingthe herbWhite Willow Bark to reduce swelling (unless you have a sensitivity to aspirin products), and apply an aloe-based lotion to moisturize the skin. You can also use products containing LindenFlower to help speed healing & prevent peeling like the amazing preparation Burt’s Bees Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother.

Oh, and don’t forget – Drink Plenty of Fluids!!

Best of Health!

-JR

CoQ10 is used for cardiovascular health, for its antioxidant benefits, healthy gums, cancer prevention and many other purposes. We have a full array of products that have CoQ10 in them as well as on its own.  CoQ10, especially Ibedenone, works to enhance mental acuity and may help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.  According to Life Link, this enhanced form of Coenzyme Q10 has been studied since 1982 as a cognitive enhancer — particularly in cases of brain injury due to stroke and/or aging. We have a full array of products that have CoQ10 in them as well as on its own. I suggest using Jarrow Q-absorb. CoQ10 helps strengthen the heart muscle and helps it work more effeciently (especially with hawthorne berries). It also works synergistically with Vitamin E.  Also, although grapefruit is not recommended with most medications, it actually enhances the benefit of CoQ10. According to a Japanese study done in 2010, drinking grapefruit juice with CoQ10 increased the effectiveness by 50%.  CoQ10 works on a cellular level, which means it works on every cell in the body.

CAL

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

Pycnogenol, from the pine bark, is a powerful bioflavanoid antioxidant  & 20X (twenty times) stronger than vitamin C.  It is very beneficial in improving connective tissues (skin), eyes, heart, vascular and immune system. It’s compared to grape seed which is another beneficial antioxidant known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC’s), I suggest 50 mg. to 100 mg. a day without any known harmful side effects. 

Pycnogenol has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, which means it not only improves blood circulation in the brain but it also improves nourishment and cell removal of waste from our brain.  This, therefore, is why it may help prevent dementia.  For more information read Life Extension’s research.

Life Extension has added pycnogenol to their Male Libido product because it enhances the effect of arginine increasing nitric oxide production.

Mega Food’s makes Cardio Strength with both OPC’s as well as other important antioxidants.  Country Life’s BioChem Pycnogenol  is another good choice.

For skin care I recommend Derma E’s Pycnogenol  Moisturizing Gel, Derma E’s Age-Defying Night Creme &/or Clear Vein Cream .

Carol Lombardo

Why is there such a large epidemic of cancer, especially in children? Is this because of our imported vegetables, fruits, etc. or does it start here in the USA.  Mass production may be one reason, who knows the real answer. Most grown foods are genetically engineered (with what we don’t really know).

The meat, chicken and fish injected with growth hormones. Even though you think you’re getting free range meats, some supermarket butchers tell me it’s not always getting what the label says. There is so much deception in America — what can we do to stop it.

Unfortunately, the aforementioned may be a factor in why there is so much cancer and other illnesses. Who really knows what we’re truly eating, i.e., when you think you’re eating a tomato (it may be injected with pork). Something for vegans to ponder.

Did you hear about the drugs in our drinking water – scary. I, myself, try to be positive but when you hear this kind of news which makes it difficult.  This may also be a big factor why we have more  and more people getting cancer including children.

Besides our foods, it’s what we put them in for storage. Don’t put food in plastic containers and place in freezer or microwave.  I use stainless steel and glass now for storing.  For microwaving I use glass or paper.

We must educate ourselves and pass it on to others.

To help inhibit cancer cells we can use some of the following products:

Enzymatic Therapy IP6 (Inositol Hexophosphate 6) , which was studied in Japan; 

 Fungi Perfect Host Defense

Designs for Health ImmunoBerry

 Vibrant Health Green Vibrance and/or

 Jarrow N-A-C

Of course, as always check with your doctor if you are on medications, especially.

Often customers ask me what nut butter is best?  It depends on taste of course, but it also has a lot to do with what is better for you.  I personally like cashew and macadamian butter.   Almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, etc. are all beneficial.  Did you know why you get a craving for peanut butter, it is usually a sign that you are lacking B vitamins.  Remember don’t overindulge , have a tablespoon instead of a third of a cup, which yields over 200 calories. 

You might want to invest in a Vita Mixer to make your own butters from nuts.   It’s a good idea to include walnuts because they are high in fiber and polyphenols (proanthocyanidins), which makes these nuts beneficial in fighting breast cancer,ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme) – decreases blood pressure and improves cardiac output, etc.  NOW certified organic nuts are a good choice.  Unsalted not salted

Also choose sesame or sunflower seed butter.  They are very beneficial, in fact, one alternative doctor claims  we could survive on seeds alone.  Let’s talk about sesame/tahini butter first.  Sesame butter per tablespoon has about 7 grams of fat –but keep in mind this is good fat loaded with Omega 3&6 and lignans as well.  Therefore, this is an excellent source for heart health.  It’s high in amino acids, minerals and folate as well.  We already know that folate benefits the heart and is vital for woman during pregnancy as well as post-menopausal women.

Recently one of my clients was told by her MD to increase her folate because her homocysteine and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) were both elevated.  Folate because of its anti-inflammatory benefits also helps those with arthritis, especially RA (which I’ve mentioned before in previous blogs). 

Amino acids, we know are essential for every function in our bodies.  Without amino acids we can’t utilize our vitamins properly; we can’t make the proper hormones; we can’t repair our tissues/muscles properly and we lose firmness.  Amino acids are also neurotransmitters — making serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, enorepinephrine, etc.

Let’s face it — we really are what we eat.  The more good fats we eat — will make us radiate on the outside.

Recently Luke asked me — what E is best?  I like the Life Extension Tocotrienols  with sesame lignans.   Their new improved Super-Absorbable Tocotrienols is another great choice This product.  This product not only helps support cardiovascular health, but it also helps block  DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in cases of hair loss according to studies from Life Extension. 

For those who hate popping pills, eat your nutrients.  You can sprinkle Wheat Germ on your salad, cereal or yogurt.  It’s considered a total food rich in E as well as B vitamins, beta sitosterol and other natural occuring nutrients.  Make sure it’s unprocessed - Red Mill’s is a good brand.  Also,  keep in freezer so it doesn’t   It is beneficial it inhibiting blot clots, lowering fibrinogen levels.

Sesame lignans have shown to also have shown to have anti-inflammatory reactions.  I highly recommend this product to anyone with a high CRP (C Reactive Protein) in the blood — a main factor in heart attack.  Also should have an effect on carcinogens because of the beneficial fiber in lignans that have been extensively studied.

This product also contains phytonutrients (squalene, phytosterols and trace amounts of mixed  carotene) naturally extracted together with tocotrienols.  Most people usually will find an improvement in their skin as well.

There are, of course, other good vitamin E’s you can purchase such as Solgar Vitamin E with mixed tocopherols or their Tocotrienol E.  Jarrow makes several excellent Vitamin E products, e.g., Jarrow FamilE, which contains both tocopherols and tocotrienols from phytonutrients and seeds.  Cancer research institutes like Massachusetts Institute of Technology have concluded that certain chemicals in phytonutrients are potent and apparently safe inhibitors of some carcinogens (cancer inhibitors).

Are you taking the right form of Vitamin E? It should be a mixed tocopherol formula — gamma tocopherol, alpha tocopherol and delta tocopherol. For optimal health benefits you need to make sure it contains Gamma E Tocopherol because it attacks free radicals which play a vital role in age-related decline.

Life Extension adds sesame lignans to their product because they are high in tocotrienols and increase the antioxidant benefits of Vitamin E and help decrease inflammation.

Beware of products adding hydrogenated or fractioned oils to their vitamins.

Japanese have used mushrooms for centuries because of their healing properties. They increase NK (Natural Killer) cell activity, which inhibit cancer cells, protect the mitochondria and rev up immune system. They have been known to lower liver enzymes in people with hepatitis (increases interferon in the body naturally).

Some people may be concerned if they have an over-active immune system (e.g., lupus or MS)that these mushrooms overstimulate, however, they are known to modulate. They also have anti-viral and liver fortifying benefits.

I recommend Enzymatic Therapy Cell Forte Purple Mushroom Defense, Mega Food Purple Corn Reishi Antler or Maitake Gold by Natural Factors.