Bone Health

Has the novelty of having the kids home from school worn-off – for both you AND the kids?! Yep, it’s that time of year again – the younger half of the household is more restless than usual and getting the blues, while the adults try to downplay their relief!  Back-to-School!!

So let’s start with the wake-up.  If you don’t own a trumpet but, would still like to get the kids out of bed quickly – Take at least a week to slowly shift your kids’ sleep schedule back to meet their needs: At least 10 hours of sleep for six to eleven year olds and at least 9 hours of sleep for ages twelve and above.

To avoid having your carefully prepared bag lunch find its way immediately into the trash when out of your eyeshot – Make Lunch a Team Effort- When it comes to creating healthy, yet desirable school lunches, the trick is to involve the kids in planning and preparing new lunch ideas. Offer them 2 or 3 healthy options each day. When your child chooses one, ‘team-up’ to make and pack the lunch. Whether it’s spreading on condiments, rolling up tortillas or filling baggies; the effort will give kids a sense of pride when sitting down for a healthy lunch! Together come-up with a collection of favorite sandwiches and offer-up a fresh variety each day of the week. When children become bored of their school lunch favorites, often most of their lunch ends up in the trash instead of their tummies.

Be creative when using basic sandwich staples. Think chicken and corn, ham and avocado, cheese and carrots or cream cheese and jam. While there is no way to ensure that your child is not trading away their food, you are preventing them from buying school lunches which consist of mostly processed food.

TIP 1 – Crunchy nuts make great snacks for older kids.

TIP 2 – Avocado is the perfect substitution for mayo on a sandwich.

TIP 3 – Pack meals in small portions as children tend to snack on several items at once.

And then there’s always the sneaky method of tricking your kids into eating healthier meals.  Let’s Play Hide n’ Seek with Veggies! Preschool children consumed nearly twice as many vegetables and 11% fewer calories over the course of a day when researchers at Penn State added pureed vegetables to the children’s favorite foods.

In their study, published July 25, 2011 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers served vegetable-enhanced entrées to 39 children between the ages of 3 and 6 on three separate days. “We incorporated several vegetables into the dishes, including broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, tomatoes and squash,” said Maureen Spill, a post-doctoral fellow in nutritional sciences and the study’s lead author. “We were pleased to find that the children found the vegetable-enhanced versions to be equally acceptable to the standard recipes.”

According to Spill, the children ate the same amount of food regardless of the vegetable content of the meal. AND they found similar results when they served vegetable-enhanced meals to adults.

OK, even so – you’re not always sure that they’re getting enough balanced nutrition – we’ve got some amazing supplements – specially formulated just for kids!

Like: All-1’s Childrens Formula Vitamins & Minerals Powder which is a whole food powder and allows for better absorption.  It’s Hypoallergenic with no colorings, flavorings or sweeteners and contains not only a complete vitamin profile but important chelated minerals and amino acids too!

Or: Flora’s Kinder Love Childrens Multivitamin this formula provides Calcium, Herbal Extracts, B Vitamins and Vitamin C, A, and E making it an ideal multi-vitamin supplement to help maintain all-round health and vitality in children whose diet may be deficient in some of the nutrients they need.

And how about:  NutriBalance Children’s Formula which is intended to provide easily assimilated nutrition to support proper mental functioning and gastrointestinal health. It’s loaded with a balance of essential vitamins and minerals – but, it also contains probiotics to assist with digestion and has no yeast, wheat, corn, sugar or dairy products.

Best Health!

-Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP

Straight from the docks – fresh evidence that Fish Oil is absolutely essential to your health – especially for cognitive brain function, as well as aging.

Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital’s Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorders Center have found positive associations between Fish Oil supplements and cognitive functioning as well as differences in brain structure between users and non-users of Fish Oil supplements. The findings suggest possible benefits of Fish Oil supplements on brain health and aging.

       The results were reported at the recent International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, in Paris, France that just wrapped-up on July 21^st; and truly provide new hope for anybody concerned about the long-range health of their brain.hmmmm, are you taking Fish Oil?

       The study included 819 individuals, 117 of them reported regular use of Fish Oil supplements before entry and during study follow-up. The researchers compared cognitive functioning and brain degeneration for patients who reported routinely using these supplements to those who were not using Fish Oil supplements.

       Lori Daiello, PharmD, lead researcher, reports that compared to non-users, use of Fish Oil supplements was associated with better cognitive functioning. However, this association was significant only in those individuals who had a normal baseline cognitive function and in individuals who tested negative for a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease known as APOE4. This is consistent with previous research.

       The unique finding, however, is that there was a clear association between Fish Oil supplements and brain volume.In other words, Fish Oil use was associated with less brain shrinkage in patients taking these supplements during the study compared to those who didn’t use them.

Hey, but before you click over to House of Nutrition to get your brain healthy product – you should probably ask – How do I chose a Fish Oil supplement? 

Glad you asked!  Here are some easy tips.

• Look for the seal. Companies including USP and NSF analyze supplements for the real vitamin level and for any impurities. The seal on the label tells you an independent company has reviewed the supplement.Also, a reputable company will also ensure that the purity, quality and your safety are guaranteed.
• Look for oil which is molecularly distilled, a process that takes place in a vacuum to avoid oxidation of Fish Oil. This is the only process that successfully removes impurities and contaminants from Fish Oil. This process also produces a more concentrated form of Fish Oil supplement with high potencies of EPA and DHA.
• Look for a product that’s “species specific,” with fish like wild Salmon, Anchovies and Sardines on the label (btw these are the specific varieties which have the highest levels and the best Fish Oil for Omega-3). This is the only way to know where the oil came from. When a supplement label just says “fish oil” or “marine lipids,” they’re hiding something and the product should NOT be considered.
• Look for supplements that have a balanced ratio of all eight Omega-3 fatty acids. Research has proven that all eight members of the Omega-3 family are vitally important to your health. The Omega-3 nutrients need to be complete and balanced, just like they are in nature, in order to be beneficial. Many people have heard of ALA, DHA and EPA – they’re the Omega-3 ‘all-stars’. But DPA, HPA, ETA, ETA and SDA are all just as important. And when the whole Fish Oil family is present, they’re much more powerful than any individual fatty acid.
• Lastly, make sure there are no unlabeled oils or strange ingredients hidden in the product. How? Take a moment to add up the individual Omega-3 fatty acids listed on the label. They should equal the total amount of oil in the product. Otherwise, you’re getting ripped off!

So now that you know what to look for come by and check out some great prices on some really superior Fish Oil products like:

Futurebiotics Omega-3 Fish Oil

Schiff’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Enteric Coated

Natrol’s Omega-3 Fish Oil

Carlson’s Very Finest Norwegian Fish Oil

Best Health,

Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP

A simple drink that can keep skin healthy, erase sun damage AND reverse the signs of aging!

While there’s no shortage of products on the market that help you look younger, you can also drink nutritious Green Drinks that have scientifically documented anti-aging benefits.

It’s true: Consuming Green Drinks on a regular basis can repair damage, prevent premature aging and keep your skin taut and wrinkle-free. Green Drinks like Vibrant Health’s Green Vibranceare a specially formulated mega-concentration of grasses, green vegetables and natural fibers. They are some of the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar and most nutrient rich foods on the planet! The power of the nutrients in deep green leafy vegetables to heal and rejuvenate a body is unmatched by any combination of synthetic medicines or supplements.Green Drinks have been credited with everything from cures for cancer to super weight loss enhancers.

How?

Green Drinks infuse your body with easily absorbed vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids,chlorophyll, micro-nutrients and antioxidants in a way that is extremely easy for your body to immediately absorb and put to use. Being highly alkaline which will reduce any physicalacidosis, they also help to boost your body’s energy levels and remove toxins from yourlymph system while encouraging new cell growth.

What’s in them?

Spirulina an amazing blue-green algae, is just one ingredient commonly found in high quality Green Drinks.  According to New York University Langone Medical Center, Spirulina is high in B Vitamins, carotenoids and essential minerals and is loaded with protein. Your skin consists primarily of proteins collagen and elastin, which break down as we age. Spirulina is one of the richest sources of protein and selenium is essential for protein synthesis, states the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Several factors contribute to aging, such as inflammation, sun exposure and free-radical oxidation that damages cells and tissues. There is even some evidence that Spirulina may help fibromyalgia and there are even reports that it aids in weight loss.

At House of Nutrition we carry an assortment of high quality Green Drinks which are as refreshing as they are nutritious:

Here are a couple of Green Drinks that you can carry with you anywhere!

Nature’s Plus Source of Life Green Lightning Energy Drink (20Pkts)

Allergy Research’s ProgreensStickpack(15 packs)

Mix these with your favorite juices!

Kyolic’sKyo-Green Drink Powder

Crystal Star’s Energy Green Renewal Drink Mix

Or try a flavored Green Drink:

Garden Greens SpiruGreens Drink Vanilla

Garden Greens SpiruGreens Drink Chocolate

       You can easily pack-in a lot of nutrition with Green Drinks, but you won’t be getting any of the natural fiber, and the sugars in them will go directly into your bloodstream – so carefully check the label to make sure that you choose one with minimal amounts of sugar. Green Drinks are an extremely beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle – although it’s not a substitute for a balanced diet. So eat well and Drink Green!

Best Health

-J. Ricks

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

Every year over a million people are hospitalized due to fractures (unaware that they have osteoporosis). There are many factors involved besides aging. In the young it is usually due to poor diet (low calcium, magnesium and D3 intake). In most people (men as well as women), it’s due to hormone changes as well as lack of exercise, smoking, not eating enough calcium and magnesium rich foods, use of corticosteroid drugs and not taking the proper supplements.

New studies link hip fractures to fluoridated water. Fluoridated water literally leaches calcium out of the bones.

In women change of life (low hormones levels) and removal of ovaries puts you at a greater risk. Depression in both men and women is another factor, especially when they are extremely underweight.

Many people aren’t aware of what calcium supplements they should be taking. Keep in mind it’s very important not to take more than 600 mgs. at once because you cannot absorb more than that at a given time. The best way to take calcium is two to three times a day with a synergistic blend of B12, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, boron, magnesium, D3, Vitamin C and Vitamin K2 (MK7).

Each vitamin and mineral plays an important role in helping the body to improve bone density. Jarrow Bone-Up is an excellent choice because it contains all of the aforementioned. Follow the instructions on the bottle — they are there for an important reason.

After 35 years of age have a bone density test (which is non-invasive) at least every two years or whatever your doctor recommends.   The following is a quote from Medscape:

Posted: 11/11/2010; US Pharmacist © 2010 Jobson Publishing

 ”Emerging research supports the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer, heart disease, fractures and falls, autoimmune diseases, influenza, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Many health care providers have increased their recommendations for vitamin D supplementation to at least 1,000 IU”.

Fractions in elderly is the start of severe health problems, so you should take the aforementioned suggestion very seriously.