Women's Health Blog - Nutraceutical Product Information and Reviews - Herbal Remedies

Information About Argan Oil and Skinception Argan Oil for Women

2012-01-24T22:43:00.002-07:00

An Introduction to Argan Oil

Take a deep breath when you read this: there are over 10,000 industrial chemicals in common skin care products. The average American adult is exposed to 168 hazardous chemicals each day. And everything applied to the skin, be it lip stick or deodorant, sun block or general skin care products are absorbed by the body, just like they'd been eaten.

Remember that scene in the second season of The Simpsons, in which Mr. Burns ran for Governor, and a three-eyed fish, affectionately called "Blinky", mutated by the pollution from Burns's own power plant, came back to haunt him?

The natural skin care movement gets stronger by the day, folks. And one of the more prominent players in this industry is argan oil. From the deserts of Morocco.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is an oil and popular natural skin care supplement, valued for its cosmetic properties and medicinal uses. Among other things, argan oil is used to:

moisturize the skin
fade wrinkles
fight acne
heal skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis
strengthen finger nails
condition damaged hair

Argan oil is an extract of the Argania tree that once covered much of North Africa. Today the tree is endangered, and grows only in a UNESCO protected biosphere in Morocco. And considering that a litre of argan oil constitutes a full season of output from a single tree, argan oil is both rare and highly prized.

More over, the composition of argan oil is of particular interest to the anti-aging industry and to consumers looking for a natural alternative to common skin care products. With a hefty dose of fatty acids, antioxidants, polyphenols and a skin-loving 200% more vitamin E than olive oil, you can see why argan oil has been used for over 3,500 years, for health and for beauty.

A Closer Look at Argan Oil

Argan oil is versatile. In fact, many consumers dabble a small amount in their hair after a thorough cleanse, to treat split ends. You can also use argan oil to fade stretch marks, strengthen finger nails, reduce wrinkles and those fine lines from the sun.

A closer look at argan oil reveals traces of:

Vitamin E (Tocopherol) - A powerful antioxidant, vitamin E reduces harmful free radicals and protects the skin from sun damage. Vitamin E also improves the skin's ability to retain and use water.

Essential Fatty Acids - These keep your cells healthy and your skin plump, with the ability to re-form after stretching.

Oleic and Linoleic Acid - Essential for their anti-inflammatory properties and to help heal the skin.

Antioxidants - The body's warriors that protect the skin from free radicals, sun damage, chemicals and pollution. If Blinky the Fish had more antioxidants, he might have avoided that trademark third eye.

Polyphenols - Protection from UV rays and aging from sun damage, polyphenols are anti-inflammatories and fight free radicals.

Squalene Oil - With similar functions to olive oil, squalene oil is a natural moisturizer, a powerful healer and is ideal for people with eczema and psoriasis.

Should You Use Argan Oil?

If all this has your attention, and you're excited about argan oil and its many uses and healing properties, know this: you're looking for argan oil in its purest form.

Indeed, it's not uncommon for some of the larger skin care brands to dilute argan with additives and preservatives. Sometimes these products have in excess of 20 ingredients. All of which dilute the product and reduce the good things that argan can do.

Having said that, argan oil is called "liquid gold" for a reason. It's rare, it's potent, and with a track record over three millennia, it's proven.

If you have dry skin, sensitivities to common skin care products, frizzy hair, wrinkles or stretch marks, or a general interest in natural skin care, then yes, argan oil holds value and is worth your purchase.

But remember that you're looking for pure argan, undiluted with preservatives that degrade argan oil and the magic it does. Your best bet is to purchase argan oil in its pure form, from a major skin care name with minimal use of parabens and with discount packaging.

To that end, you might consider Skinception Cold Pressed Cosmetic Argan Oil, which offers the power of argan oil with the comfort of the Skinception name with a proven track record, live customer support, discount pricing and a firm, money-back guarantee.

Learn More Here

Feel Better with Glucose Rich Foods and A Prepared Diet

2012-01-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Having lots of unwanted weight means you may have a self-confidence problem, making you feel unattractive to the opposite sex. More importantly, being overweight may lead to serious health problems, like heart disease and diabetes, among a host of others. But there is a diet that you can trust to take off that unwanted weight, while reducing your risk for suffering from awful medical conditions that can relegate you to a life of constant doctor appointments or, worse yet, hospital stays. It's called the Glycemic Index Diet Plan.

Carbohydrate-packed foods have high glycemic levels that can often lead to weight gain in a variety of ways. You will be surprised to learn that these products are more often than not considered to be healthy foods, even recommended by some health experts. But these foods will increase the glucose levels in your blood, which can give you more energy but the extra glucose can also go unused and turn into fat. An inactive lifestyle and high glucose foods can make the problem even worse.

That's where a Glycemic Index Diet Plan comes in to play. It can lower the effects of this process and reduce the risk of health problems.
The basic workings of this diet involve the reduction of the amount of high glucose foods you eat. Besides losing weight, you can achieve your desired results without gaining the weight back. Thanks to eating foods that benefit your body, the Glycemic Index Diet Plan will optimize your weight loss program. Your cholesterol level will be lowered and your blood sugar levels will be balanced. And all of this can be done quickly and easily.

It's a great idea for you to keep a food chart with you if you decide that this eating plan is right for you. Make sure you keep track of the basic rules but do not get overly worried about the calculations. That can have a detrimental effect on your diet program. Things to keep in mind are to eat whole grains, which have a lower glycemic index so you don't have to worry about eating breakfast cereals and different kinds of pastas and breads. Some diets keep you from eating such delectable dishes but what kind of life is that? If you enjoy rice, the Glycemic Index Diet Plan allows you to enjoy brown rice, too, along with potatoes, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Here's the trick: you have to eat foods with high glycemic rankings, just eat them in small amounts. Generally, a salad with vegetables is suggested for health-conscious eaters especially if the salad is topped with tasty vinaigrette dressing.

As you can see, this diet is very easy to follow and stick to without eliminating all of your favorite foods. You can start this diet immediately and without hesitation, knowing that it can help you succeed where other diets have failed in the past. The best part is that this diet has been clinically proven to work. Many diet food delivery services even offer it as an option. Get your food chart today, and you will get results in no time.

Nutrisystem Has Changed In Many Ways

2012-01-01T19:19:00.004-07:00

Over the years Nutrisystem has reinvented itself several times. Now instead of Nutrisystem Nourish, Nutrisystem Advanced or Nutrisystem Flex, they now call it:

Nutrisystem Success

For forty years, Nutrisystem has helped millions of people achieve real, weight loss results. And now, we're proud to present our most complete program ever,
specifically designed to help you lose weight and keep it off.

      Featuring:

      Balanced meal plans with 28 days of delicious food
Optimized nutrition featuring NEW protein drink 
Unlimited access to invaluable support, tools and trackers—FREE 
NEW foods including entrees created by award-winning celebrity chefs
NEW My Daily 3 fitness program to help make exercise manageable
NEW transition and maintenance plans to help you learn how to keep
             the weight off

On Nutrisystem, you can expect to lose at least 1-2 lbs per week.

Take a look to see the changes and special offers at the link below.

Nutrisystem Success

I like the changes this time. Seems like a good thing. 

Health Resource Website Recommendation - ProHealth

2011-12-12T10:16:00.001-07:00

Introducing ProHealth, a wonderful resource for your health needs with amazing products at more amazing prices. ProHealth was borne out of one man's quest for better health. In 1981 Rich Carson discovered he had a chronic illness. He began to research, experiment and develop relationships with health care practitioners to further his own health, and became determined to offer others the same resources and information. He founded ProHealth in 1988 and remains intimately involved in the research and development of the company's products, and the latest news and research,

Visitors will find a wealth of information at ProHealth, including the latest research and treatment news, exclusive interviews and live chats with leading physicians, information on traditional and alternative treatment methodologies, and solid advice about symptom control. Our library offers thousands of articles on everything from Alzheimer's to Zinc and is continually updated. In addition, you can sign up for Healthwatch, our free monthly e-newsletter, which will bring the latest health news right to your inbox. At ProHealth.com, we're dedicated to helping you reach your optimum health and well-being.

Research is the key to finding cures for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and other chronic conditions. Thus ProHealth both donates a portion of its profits and raises funds from other sources in order to further such research. Since 1988, ProHealth has raised and donated over $3 million to organizations focused on finding effective treatments, and one day perhaps cures, for these ailments, and to organizations involved in health advocacy.

Find out for yourself. ProHealth offers more information then most other health sites, especially in the areas of Chronic Fatigue and Fibromialgia, among many others.

Visit ProHealth Today

CLA Extreme

2011-11-12T01:33:00.001-07:00

Conjugated Linoleic Acid - CLA

CLA Extreme contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid, or CLA. Before meats and cheeses were processed as they are today, people's diets used to naturally contain greater quantities of CLA. Now, CLA supplementation is virtually the only way to achieve the same levels of CLA. The effectiveness of CLA Extreme will not diminish over time; there is no need to cycle off the CLA product. CLA Extreme will work best for those who exercise regularly, follow a sensible diet and take the CLA product consistently. Many people are aware of their need for CLA, and take this supplement in combination with their active healthy lifestyle.

CLA is grat for people wanting to control body fat; People wanting to increase their body’s lean mass (muscle tissue); People wanting an oil that helps to reduce pro-inflammatory body chemicals; Those wanting to prevent undesirable cellular changes through diet.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a derivative of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. The softgel is formulated with CLA, derived from safflower oil, Green Tea extract (polyphenols), Guarana extract (caffeine), L-Carnitine, and Chromium (III) Picolinate for synergistic effects of reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass.

SYNERGISTS: Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin E, other Antioxidants.

CLA may reduce insulin resistance, so people on blood sugar medications may not need as much of their drugs. Use with caution to avoid an overdose of your blood sugar medication when using this oil. Please notify your physician about your CLA supplement use if you are using any drugs!

Get More Info Here

Article Recommendation - Gluten Intolerance

2011-10-31T12:27:00.001-06:00

I just read a great informative article about the subject of Gluten Intolerance. Commonly known as Celiac Disease, the gluten intolerant have created a whole new market. Moreover, there are further revelations about this whole matter that may surprise you. Read this great article by Karen Ansel, R.D. from the online magazine, WomensHealthMag.com

Is Gluten Bad For You?

Before you hop on the bandwagon, read this

"More than 2.5 million people may have celiac disease, yet only an estimated 150,000 have been diagnosed. That's because people can be asymptomatic for years, and the symptoms of celiac disease can also overlap with other medical problems, so it often confuses both patients and doctors alike. "

Advanced Form of the Energy-Producing Nutrient CoQ-10

2011-10-18T17:37:00.000-06:00

Advanced Form of the Energy-Producing Nutrient CoQ-10

by Karen Lee Richards*
Source: ProHealth.com

With nearly 40 years of medical research showing its importance in managing a wide range of serious illnesses, it's not surprising that CoQ-10 has at times been described as "The Miracle Vitamin" and "The New Fountain of Youth." Now a new form of CoQ-10 called ubiquinol makes the benefits of CoQ-10 even more readily available to the body.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) is a vitamin-like nutrient that is present in virtually every cell of the body and is an essential component of each cell's ability to produce energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant - a chemical that "mops up" potentially harmful substances.

In order to understand how CoQ-10 works, it is first necessary to understand the mitochondria. Imagine that each cell in your body is a car. Mitochondria are the engines - or energy producers - in each cell that make your "car" run. It is the job of the mitochondria to supply this energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is where CoQ-10 comes in. To continue the car analogy, CoQ-10 is the oil that enables the engine to work.

CoQ-10 is the catalyst that makes it possible for the mitochondria to produce ATP, the molecule upon which all cellular functions in the body depend.

Why Ubiquinol Works Better

The CoQ-10 found in most supplements is called ubiquinone. In order to produce cellular energy, the body must convert the ubiquinone to ubiquinol. It is the ubiquinol that carries electrons through the mitochondria and produces energy.

Young healthy people can easily convert CoQ-10 to ubiquinol. But as we age or when we have a chronic illnesses, our ability to convert CoQ-10 to ubiquinol diminishes. This decreased ability becomes apparent around the age of 40, although some scientists suggest that it may begin in the early to mid-20s.

Ubiquinol's superior effectiveness on the degenerative consequences of aging was demonstrated in a 2006 study published in Experimental Gerontology. Age-accelerated mice were divided into three groups. The first group was fed a standard diet with no supplementation. The second group received a standard diet plus the ubiquinone form of CoQ-10. The third group ate a standard diet plus the ubiquinol form of CoQ-10.

After a year, the first group suffered severe, degenerative changes related to aging. The second group, those receiving the ubiquinone, showed noticeable, but less harsh changes. The third group, who received the ubiquinol, remained alert and energetic, exhibiting the characteristics of young, healthy mice.

Overall, the ubiquinol group aged 51% slower than the group receiving no CoQ-10 and 40% slower than the ubiquinone group.(1)

Another peer-reviewed study compared how well humans absorbed ubiquinone and ubiquinol. The results showed that it takes 8 times as much ubiquinone to equal the blood plasma concentrations of ubiquinol. More specifically, 150 mg. of ubiquinol was equal to 1200 mg. of standard CoQ-10.(2)

Additionally, in an unpublished study with aged rats, blood concentrations were sustained longer with ubiquinol. After eight hours, the concentration of ubiquinol CoQ-10 was 3.75 times greater than standard CoQ10.(3)

Obviously, as these studies indicate, it is better to give the body CoQ-10 in the form it can most readily use - ubiquinol. But until recently, ubiquinol has been difficult to stabilize. It is also easily oxidized when exposed to air. Now a novel new patented process has made it possible to produce a stable form of ubiquinol that is protected from oxidation - Ubiquinol CoQ-10.

The Implications of CoQ-10 Deficiency

Because CoQ10 is so essential to the proper functioning of every cell in the body, it's not surprising that researchers have found a deficiency of CoQ-10 may be linked to a number of diverse diseases. A few of the illnesses in which low levels of CoQ-10 may be implicated include:

Heart Disease
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Cancer
Parkinson's Disease
Alzheimer's
Migraines

Small amounts of CoQ-10 can be found in foods, primarily meat and fish. The highest amounts are found in organ meats (heart, liver, kidneys) as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel and peanuts. CoQ-10 is also synthesized in bodily tissues. In healthy individuals, the combination of dietary intake and biosynthesis work to maintain normal CoQ-10 levels.

Why Do So Many People Seem to Be Deficient in CoQ-10?

No one knows for sure. There are likely multiple causes. Perhaps the emphasis in recent years on eating less red meat as well as generally poor eating habits have contributed to reducing our dietary intake of CoQ-10. And a number of other factors, such as environmental toxins, chronic diseases and some prescription medications may contribute to the impairment of the body's ability to synthesize CoQ-10.

For example, research has shown that the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as "statins" (Lipitor, Zocor, etc.) not only lower cholesterol, but also inhibit the biosynthesis of CoQ-10 by as much as 40%.(4) Anyone taking medication to lower cholesterol should seriously consider also taking CoQ-10 supplements.

Other types of medications thought to deplete the body of CoQ10 include beta-blockers, diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, and diabetes medications such as metformin, tolazamide and glyburide.

CoQ-10 and the Heart

Due to their high energy requirements, the heart and liver contain the most mitochondria per cell and consequently need a very high concentration of CoQ-10 in order to function properly. Because of this, much of CoQ-10 research has concentrated on heart disease. Researcher Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC, reviewed numerous studies and scientific papers related to the management of heart disease with CoQ-10 and found their conclusions to be remarkably consistent: "That treatment with CoQ-10 significantly improved heart muscle function while producing no adverse effects or drug interactions."(5)

Particularly interesting have been the studies showing a strong correlation between very low levels of CoQ-10 and congestive heart failure. The severity of the heart failure also correlated with the severity of the CoQ-10 deficiency.(6) In general, the sooner patients were given CoQ-10 after onset of congestive heart failure, the more dramatic their improvement.

Cardiomyopathy (inflammation/weakening of the heart muscle) is another form of heart disease shown to benefit from CoQ-10 supplementation. In a six-year clinical study, 85 percent of cardiomyopathy patients supplemented with CoQ-10 in addition to their conventional treatments improved by one or two NYHA classes (New York Heart Association's functional classification for the four stages of heart failure).(7)

CoQ-10 also appears to be beneficial in the management of hypertension (high blood pressure). In one study of 109 patients, 51 percent were able to stop taking between one and three antihypertensive medications an average of 4.4 months after starting CoQ-10 supplementation.(8)

The Importance of CoQ10 for ME/CFS Patients

When plasma CoQ-10 was analyzed in 58 ME/CFS patients and 22 normal controls, researchers found that CoQ-10 levels were significantly lower in the ME/CFS patients than in the normal controls.(9) This finding has far greater implications than the obvious lack of energy experienced by people with ME/CFS. Because CoQ-10 is essential to every cell in the body, a severe CoQ-10 deficiency can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn has a serious negative impact on multiple organs and body systems and can ultimately result in heart failure.

In fact, that is exactly what happens, according to Dr. Sarah Myhill, MD, a UK-based ME/CFS researcher and clinician. In her recent paper, "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction," she makes her case that ME/CFS is actually a symptom of mitochondrial failure.(10) Dr. Myhill recommends that ME/CFS patients have their CoQ-10 levels checked and begin taking CoQ-10 supplements if they are low. She also notes that CoQ-10 will work best in conjunction with acetyl L-carnitine, magnesium, D-ribose and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide).(11)

CoQ-10's Role in Other Illnesses

Because a deficiency of CoQ-10 can potentially affect every cell in the body, more and more research is being done to determine how much of a role it may play in other illnesses. Animal and/or preliminary human studies have been conducted to uncover how CoQ-10 may work in managing a number of diseases including: breast cancer, melanoma, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's, and migraines.(12-16) All have had promising results indicating that CoQ-10 may be helpful in supporting the prevention or treatment of those diseases.

How to Take Ubiquinol CoQ-10

The recommended dosage of Ubiquinol CoQ-10 is one to two 50 mg. softgels per day. Check with your physician before taking more than 100 mg a day.

While standard CoQ-10 needed to be taken with a fatty meal, Ubiquinol CoQ-10 bonds with water, making it easier to absorb and eliminating the need to take it with fatty foods.

(Note: Healthy individuals under the age of 25 can easily convert standard CoQ-10 to ubiquinol, but if you are over 25 or have a chronic illness, ubiquinol is the recommended form of CoQ-10.)

In Summary
Ubiquinol CoQ-10 is vastly superior to standard CoQ-10. It provides the body with the type of CoQ-10 that is more readily available to fuel the mitochondria and produce energy because it doesn't have to expend any energy converting the CoQ-10 to its usable form.

You can purchase Ubiquinol CoQ10 at ProHealth.com

Source: ProHealth.com - "Ubiquinol - A More Advanced Form of the Energy-Producing Nutrient CoQ-10"

___
* Karen Lee Richards is Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, for HealthCentral's ChronicPainConnection (www.chronicpainconnection.com). Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.

References:
1. Yan J, et al. "Reduced coenzyme Q10 supplementation decelerates senescence in SAMP1 mice." Exp Gerontol. 2006 Feb;41(2):130-40.

2. Hosoe K, et al. "Study on safety and bioavailability of ubiquinol (Kaneka QH) after single and 4-week multiple oral administration to healthy volunteers." Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Feb;47(1):19-28. Epub 2006 Aug 21.

3. Kaneka Corporation study. "Treadmill test with the aged rat at age of 61-63 weeks." 2006.

4. Ghirlanda, et al. "Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect of HMG-COA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study." Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1993 Mar; 33(3):226-229.

5. Jangsjoen, P.H. (1994). "Introduction to Coenzyme Q10."

6. Folkers K., Vadhanavikit S., Mortensen S.A. "Biochemical rationale and myocardial tissue data on the effective therapy of cardiomyopathy with Coenzyme Q10." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 1985; 82(3):901-904.

7. Langsjoen P. H., Langsjoen P. H., Folkers K. "A six-year clinical study of therapy of cardiomyopathy with Coenzyme Q10." Int J Tissue React. 1990; 12(3): 169-171.

8. Langsjoen P. H., Langsjoen P. H., Willis R., Folkers K. "Treatment of essential hypertension with Coenzyme Q10." Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 1994; 15:S265-72.

9. Maes M, et al. "Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is related to fatigue, autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms and is another risk factor explaining the early mortality in ME/CFS due to cardi..." Neuroendocrinology Letters. 2009;30(4).

10. Myhill S., Booth NE, McLaren-Howard J. "Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction." Int J Clin Exp Med. 2009; 2(1): 1-16.

11. Myhill S. (Oct. 2008) "Co-enzyme Q10 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

12. Lockwood K, et al. "Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases." Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995 Jul 6;212(1):172-7.

13. Rusciani L, et al. "Recombinant interferon alpha-2b and coenzyme Q10 as a postsurgical adjuvant therapy for melanoma: A 3-year trial with recombinant interferon-alpha and 5-year follow-up." Melanoma Res. 2007 Jun;17(3):177-83.

14. Yang L, et al. "Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases." J Neurochem. 2009 Jun;109(5):1427-39.

15. Yang X, et al. "Coenzyme Q10 Reduces beta-Amyloid Plaque in an APP/PS1 Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease." J Mol Neurosci. 2009 Oct 16.

16. Sandor PS, et al. "Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial." Neurology 2005;64:713-715.
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Note: This information has not been reviewed by the FDA. It is general and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

Women Over 50 Enjoying Sex Study Shows

2011-10-14T15:40:00.001-06:00

A new study from the Women’s Health Initiative has found that, contrary to popular belief, older women are generally satisfied with their sex lives -- and if they do have a problem, it’s because they’d like to be having more sex.

The study, released this month and featured in the Menopause journal, asked 27,347 women aged 50 to 79 a series of questions about how they perceive sexual activity and their own sex lives. Results from the study indicated sexual activity among 50 to 59-, 60 to 69-, and 70 to 79-year-old age groups to be 60.7 percent, 44.9 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively.

Continue reading this article here

natural health products, forums, natural remedies

Gluten Intolerance and Coeliac Disease

2011-10-10T08:36:00.002-06:00

Definition from Wikipedia - is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy onward. Symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive (in children), and fatigue, but these may be absent, and symptoms in other organ systems have been described.A growing portion of diagnoses are being made in asymptomatic persons as a result of increased screening; the condition is thought to affect between 1 in 1,750 and 1 in 105 people in the United States.

Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a prolamin (gluten protein) found in wheat, and similar proteins found in the crops of the tribe Triticeae (which includes other common grains such as barley and rye). Upon exposure to gliadin, and specifically to three peptides found in prolamins, the enzyme tissue transglutaminase modifies the protein, and the immune system cross-reacts with the small-bowel tissue, causing an inflammatory reaction. That leads to a truncating of the villi lining the small intestine (called villous atrophy). This interferes with the absorption of nutrients, because the intestinal villi are responsible for absorption. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat proteins, it is not the same as wheat allergy.

Living with Coeliac Disease is a challenge for anyone affected by it. I know 2 people who have this problem, and one is in my family. It is always a priority for the individual to be aware of the foods on the table, at the party, wedding reception or restaurant. These folks have to watch out what they eat each and every day. Some also take herbs to assist with the symptoms.

Obviously there is no cure for Coeliac Disease, but some herbal combinations and medicines can help manage the symptoms. Here is a product from Progressive Health which has helped some who suffer with Coeliac disease.

Alorex - Comprehensive Formula for Celiac Disease Support. Alorex addresses nutritional and immunilogical needs of people who are gluten intolerant.Alorex effectively reduces gastrointestinal disturbances and promotes nutrient absorption with an influx of digestive-supporting nutrients; all the while promoting a reduction in GI tract inflammation.

Millions of Americans do not properly digest gluten, which is the offending protein in specific cereal grains. For these people, the consumption of foods containing any form of wheat, rye, barley, or triticale can lead to low levels of certain nutrients and a compromised gastrointestinal tract.

The impact from gluten ingestion is seen within the small intestines. An immunological reaction to gluten causes damage to the villi, or the tiny hair-like projections that absorb nutrients from food.

So people who are gluten intolerant may not be absorbing optimum levels of nutrients, including; proteins, vitamins and minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and sometimes, even water. Poor management of gluten intolerance can lead to more severe conditions. Nutritional supplements help manage the nutritional and immune-related conditions common in people who are glucose intolerant.

Damage to the small intestines causes celiac disease patients to be at an elevated risk for malnutrition and anemia. The ingredients contained within Alorex help maintain optimal nutrition and help prevent other conditions related to poor nutrient absorption resulting from nutritional inadequacy.

Once products or dietary sources containing grain are ingested, the immune system in gluten intolerant people responds by damaging the small intestine. This results in the formation of scar tissue and subsequent malabsorption of nearly all nutrients needed for growth and development. Again, because the body's immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder rather than a food intolerance.

Learn More About Alorex Here

Incan Laparcho Pao DArco Extract

2011-09-14T23:46:00.000-06:00

Incan Lapacho Co. Pau d'Arco extract is made from the inner barks of Plantation Grown Purple Lapacho trees found on or near the ancient Inca Trail. The Incas named it the "Giver of Life" and used it for centuries as their primary medicine.

Species: Tabebuia impetiginosa, Tabebuia Heptaphylla

Pau D' Arco has been useful in:

Anti-candidal

Anti-viral

Anti-bacterial

Anti-inflammatory

Fever-reducer

Anti-arthritic

Anti-venereal

Anti-rheumatic

clearing skin disorders, especially eczema, herpes and the mange.

PAU D'ARCO is a natural grown herb that is derived from the inner bark of the Tabebuia Avellanedae or Tabebuia Impetiginosa (Taheebo) tree grown in South America. Pau d'Arco Tea has been used for many centuries by the Indio tribes of South America. The ancient Incas and Aztecs were probably the first to be familiar with the herbs healing powers. Stories abound telling of its miraculous curing powers.

Yale University botanically classifies it as a Lapacho and while it grows all over South America, the incas found the best variety at the end of legedary Inca Trail in northern Argentina.

Argentines call it Lapacho Colorado, the "Purple Lapacho" due to its lavender flowers.
Throughout South America the Lapachos, the world's 2nd hardest trees have various common names depending on their country of origin. In Bolivia the locals call them Taheebos, in Brazil the general public calls them Pau d' Arcos. Brazil's Pau d' Arcos were not used by the ancient Incas. They grow over 2000 miles away from the Incan capital in Brazil's central Amazon.

PAU D'ARCO TEA, has shown that it may hold the secret for the successful treatment of various diseases, or support the bodys own healing powers.

The Inca's secret is out. Know what they knew. Drink from the true Pau d' Arco tree, the Incan

Purple Lapahco.

Directions

Maximum usage: Mix 1 capfull to 1 cup of water and drink 4 cups daily. Moderate usage: 2 cups daily.

Mimimum usage: 1 cup daily.
The barks contained within this package were taken from Purple Lapacho trees growing on or near the acient Inca Trail.

A 100% quality control governing all Inner bark selection is guaranteed. 16% Alcohol.

Learn More Here

Melancholy Lift May Help with Depression

2011-09-04T21:28:00.003-06:00

Melancholy Lift is a safe, non-addictive, FDA registered natural remedy containing 100% homeopathic ingredients especially selected to relieve feelings of melancholy, sadness, grief, weepiness and depressed mood.

Melancholy Lift should be taken at the first signs of melancholy such as sadness, weepiness and feelings of fragility to reduce feelings of grief. It can also be used to improve for somber moods or those with sensitive dispositions, and all without any known side effects.

Melancholy Lift is taken internally and works quickly to improve emotional balance and stable mood. Presented in small dissolvable tablets, Melancholy Lift is easy to ingest easily with no artificial colors or preservatives.

All Native Remedies homeopathic products and biochemic tissue salts are manufactured in an FDA and GMP registered pharmaceutical facility under the supervision of qualified homeopaths and responsible pharmacists. Individual ingredients are listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).

This is a very interesting and apparently useful product which may be of benefit to many folks who suffer from occasional depression or feelings of sadness. However, if you or someone you know suffers from clinical depression to a significant degree, consult a physician first.

More Information on this product

Ubiquinol Generates Energy Producing Nutrient CoQ-10

2011-08-31T15:31:00.000-06:00

Article by Karen Lee Richards*

Source: ProHealth.com

With nearly 40 years of medical research showing its importance in managing a wide range of serious illnesses, it's not surprising that CoQ-10 has at times been described as "The Miracle Vitamin" and "The New Fountain of Youth." Now a new form of CoQ-10 called ubiquinol makes the benefits of CoQ-10 even more readily available to the body.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) is a vitamin-like nutrient that is present in virtually every cell of the body and is an essential component of each cell's ability to produce energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant - a chemical that "mops up" potentially harmful substances.

In order to understand how CoQ-10 works, it is first necessary to understand the mitochondria. Imagine that each cell in your body is a car. Mitochondria are the engines - or energy producers - in each cell that make your "car" run. It is the job of the mitochondria to supply this energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is where CoQ-10 comes in. To continue the car analogy, CoQ-10 is the oil that enables the engine to work.

CoQ-10 is the catalyst that makes it possible for the mitochondria to produce ATP, the molecule upon which all cellular functions in the body depend.

Why Ubiquinol Works Better

The CoQ-10 found in most supplements is called ubiquinone. In order to produce cellular energy, the body must convert the ubiquinone to ubiquinol. It is the ubiquinol that carries electrons through the mitochondria and produces energy.

Young healthy people can easily convert CoQ-10 to ubiquinol. But as we age or when we have a chronic illnesses, our ability to convert CoQ-10 to ubiquinol diminishes. This decreased ability becomes apparent around the age of 40, although some scientists suggest that it may begin in the early to mid-20s.

Ubiquinol's superior effectiveness on the degenerative consequences of aging was demonstrated in a 2006 study published in Experimental Gerontology. Age-accelerated mice were divided into three groups. The first group was fed a standard diet with no supplementation. The second group received a standard diet plus the ubiquinone form of CoQ-10. The third group ate a standard diet plus the ubiquinol form of CoQ-10.

After a year, the first group suffered severe, degenerative changes related to aging. The second group, those receiving the ubiquinone, showed noticeable, but less harsh changes. The third group, who received the ubiquinol, remained alert and energetic, exhibiting the characteristics of young, healthy mice.

Overall, the ubiquinol group aged 51% slower than the group receiving no CoQ-10 and 40% slower than the ubiquinone group. (1)

Another peer-reviewed study compared how well humans absorbed ubiquinone and ubiquinol. The results showed that it takes 8 times as much ubiquinone to equal the blood plasma concentrations of ubiquinol. More specifically, 150 mg. of ubiquinol was equal to 1200 mg. of standard CoQ-10.(2)

Additionally, in an unpublished study with aged rats, blood concentrations were sustained longer with ubiquinol. After eight hours, the concentration of ubiquinol CoQ-10 was 3.75 times greater than standard CoQ10.(3)

Obviously, as these studies indicate, it is better to give the body CoQ-10 in the form it can most readily use - ubiquinol. But until recently, ubiquinol has been difficult to stabilize. It is also easily oxidized when exposed to air. Now a novel new patented process has made it possible to produce a stable form of ubiquinol that is protected from oxidation - Ubiquinol CoQ-10.

The Implications of CoQ-10 Deficiency

Because CoQ10 is so essential to the proper functioning of every cell in the body, it's not surprising that researchers have found a deficiency of CoQ-10 may be linked to a number of diverse diseases. A few of the illnesses in which low levels of CoQ-10 may be implicated include:

Heart Disease
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Cancer
Parkinson's Disease
Alzheimer's
Migraines

Why Do So Many People Seem to Be Deficient in CoQ-10?

No one knows for sure. There are likely multiple causes. Perhaps the emphasis in recent years on eating less red meat as well as generally poor eating habits have contributed to reducing our dietary intake of CoQ-10. And a number of other factors, such as environmental toxins, chronic diseases and some prescription medications may contribute to the impairment of the body's ability to synthesize CoQ-10.

For example, research has shown that the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as "statins" (Lipitor, Zocor, etc.) not only lower cholesterol, but also inhibit the biosynthesis of CoQ-10 by as much as 40%.(4) Anyone taking medication to lower cholesterol should seriously consider also taking CoQ-10 supplements.

Other types of medications thought to deplete the body of CoQ10 include beta-blockers, diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, and diabetes medications such as metformin, tolazamide and glyburide.

CoQ-10 and the Heart

Due to their high energy requirements, the heart and liver contain the most mitochondria per cell and consequently need a very high concentration of CoQ-10 in order to function properly. Because of this, much of CoQ-10 research has concentrated on heart disease. Researcher Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC, reviewed numerous studies and scientific papers related to the management of heart disease with CoQ-10 and found their conclusions to be remarkably consistent: "That treatment with CoQ-10 significantly improved heart muscle function while producing no adverse effects or drug interactions."(5)

Particularly interesting have been the studies showing a strong correlation between very low levels of CoQ-10 and congestive heart failure. The severity of the heart failure also correlated with the severity of the CoQ-10 deficiency.(6) In general, the sooner patients were given CoQ-10 after onset of congestive heart failure, the more dramatic their improvement.

Cardiomyopathy (inflammation/weakening of the heart muscle) is another form of heart disease shown to benefit from CoQ-10 supplementation. In a six-year clinical study, 85 percent of cardiomyopathy patients supplemented with CoQ-10 in addition to their conventional treatments improved by one or two NYHA classes (New York Heart Association's functional classification for the four stages of heart failure).(7)

CoQ-10 also appears to be beneficial in the management of hypertension (high blood pressure). In one study of 109 patients, 51 percent were able to stop taking between one and three antihypertensive medications an average of 4.4 months after starting CoQ-10 supplementation.(8)

The Importance of CoQ10 for ME/CFS Patients

When plasma CoQ-10 was analyzed in 58 ME/CFS patients and 22 normal controls, researchers found that CoQ-10 levels were significantly lower in the ME/CFS patients than in the normal controls.(9) This finding has far greater implications than the obvious lack of energy experienced by people with ME/CFS. Because CoQ-10 is essential to every cell in the body, a severe CoQ-10 deficiency can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn has a serious negative impact on multiple organs and body systems and can ultimately result in heart failure.

In fact, that is exactly what happens, according to Dr. Sarah Myhill, MD, a UK-based ME/CFS researcher and clinician. In her recent paper, "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction," she makes her case that ME/CFS is actually a symptom of mitochondrial failure.(10) Dr. Myhill recommends that ME/CFS patients have their CoQ-10 levels checked and begin taking CoQ-10 supplements if they are low. She also notes that CoQ-10 will work best in conjunction with acetyl L-carnitine, magnesium, D-ribose and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide).(11)

CoQ-10's Role in Other Illnesses

Because a deficiency of CoQ-10 can potentially affect every cell in the body, more and more research is being done to determine how much of a role it may play in other illnesses. Animal and/or preliminary human studies have been conducted to uncover how CoQ-10 may work in managing a number of diseases including: breast cancer, melanoma, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's, and migraines.(12-16) All have had promising results indicating that CoQ-10 may be helpful in supporting the prevention or treatment of those diseases.

How to Take Ubiquinol CoQ-10

The recommended dosage of Ubiquinol CoQ-10 is one to two 50 mg. softgels per day. Check with your physician before taking more than 100 mg a day.

While standard CoQ-10 needed to be taken with a fatty meal, Ubiquinol CoQ-10 bonds with water, making it easier to absorb and eliminating the need to take it with fatty foods.

(Note: Healthy individuals under the age of 25 can easily convert standard CoQ-10 to ubiquinol, but if you are over 25 or have a chronic illness, ubiquinol is the recommended form of CoQ-10.)

In Summary

Ubiquinol CoQ-10 is vastly superior to standard CoQ-10. It provides the body with the type of CoQ-10 that is more readily available to fuel the mitochondria and produce energy because it doesn't have to expend any energy converting the CoQ-10 to its usable form.

You can purchase Ubiquinol CoQ10 at ProHealth.com

Source: ProHealth.com - "Ubiquinol - A More Advanced Form of the Energy-Producing Nutrient CoQ-10"

* Karen Lee Richards is Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, for HealthCentral's ChronicPainConnection (www.chronicpainconnection.com). Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.

References:

1. Yan J, et al. "Reduced coenzyme Q10 supplementation decelerates senescence in SAMP1 mice." Exp Gerontol. 2006 Feb;41(2):130-40.

2. Hosoe K, et al. "Study on safety and bioavailability of ubiquinol (Kaneka QH) after single and 4-week multiple oral administration to healthy volunteers." Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Feb;47(1):19-28. Epub 2006 Aug 21.

3. Kaneka Corporation study. "Treadmill test with the aged rat at age of 61-63 weeks." 2006.

4. Ghirlanda, et al. "Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect of HMG-COA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study." Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1993 Mar; 33(3):226-229.

5. Jangsjoen, P.H. (1994). "Introduction to Coenzyme Q10."

6. Folkers K., Vadhanavikit S., Mortensen S.A. "Biochemical rationale and myocardial tissue data on the effective therapy of cardiomyopathy with Coenzyme Q10." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 1985; 82(3):901-904.

7. Langsjoen P. H., Langsjoen P. H., Folkers K. "A six-year clinical study of therapy of cardiomyopathy with Coenzyme Q10." Int J Tissue React. 1990; 12(3): 169-171.

8. Langsjoen P. H., Langsjoen P. H., Willis R., Folkers K. "Treatment of essential hypertension with Coenzyme Q10." Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 1994; 15:S265-72.

9. Maes M, et al. "Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is related to fatigue, autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms and is another risk factor explaining the early mortality in ME/CFS due to cardi..." Neuroendocrinology Letters. 2009;30(4).

10. Myhill S., Booth NE, McLaren-Howard J. "Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction." Int J Clin Exp Med. 2009; 2(1): 1-16.

11. Myhill S. (Oct. 2008) "Co-enzyme Q10 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

12. Lockwood K, et al. "Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases." Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995 Jul 6;212(1):172-7.

13. Rusciani L, et al. "Recombinant interferon alpha-2b and coenzyme Q10 as a postsurgical adjuvant therapy for melanoma: A 3-year trial with recombinant interferon-alpha and 5-year follow-up." Melanoma Res. 2007 Jun;17(3):177-83.

14. Yang L, et al. "Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases." J Neurochem. 2009 Jun;109(5):1427-39.

15. Yang X, et al. "Coenzyme Q10 Reduces beta-Amyloid Plaque in an APP/PS1 Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease." J Mol Neurosci. 2009 Oct 16.

16. Sandor PS, et al. "Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial." Neurology 2005;64:713-715.

Note: This information has not been reviewed by the FDA. It is general and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

Digestive Science Acid Reflux Formula to Help Reduce Heartburn

2011-08-29T12:41:00.000-06:00

It all starts with this Acid Control Formula, which aims to provide you with ongoing *natural* protection from the burning pain associated with your acid reflux without interfering with the production and functioning of your digestive enzymes.

It's made with a dual action formulation that helps to:

1. Coat and protect the esophagus from the hydrochloric acid that has been escaping your stomach to create that painful, burning sensation in your chest.

2. Reduce the overproduction of hydrochloric acid in your stomach.

The Acid Control Formula works quickly to curb your dependence on harmful antacids (which only serve to throw your digestive enzymes even further off balance and further increase your hydrochloric acid production)...
... While providing you with some much needed pain relief -- so you'll have the time and patience you need to deal with the REAL cause of your overproduction of hydrochloric acid: imbalances in your production of digestive enzymes.

There seems to be some confusion regarding what acid reflux actually is, mainly because there are a number of related terms that are used interchangeably -- like heartburn, indigestion, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) -- even though they don't mean the same thing.
So to help you better understand what you may be experiencing, here's an explanation of the most common terms:

Acid Reflux -- Acid reflux occurs when hydrochloric acid from the stomach --instrumental in digesting food -- leaks into the esophagus. This happens either because the valve that separates the stomach and esophagus isn't closing fully, or because the acids in your body are out of balance. The result of this acid in your esophagus is the familiar burning pain in your chest and bitter taste in your mouth.
Heartburn -- Heartburn is simply a symptom of acid reflux, rather than an actual condition of its own. It's the word used to describe the sensation you feel when stomach acid escapes up into your esophagus.
Acid Indigestion -- This is just another name for heartburn.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) -- While the occasional bout of acid reflux is common, particularly after eating certain types of food, if you experience acid reflux more than twice each week, you may have a more chronic form of acid reflux, GERD. If left untreated, GERD can cause some fairly severe medical issues, including esophageal cancer.

The Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux

The symptoms of acid reflux occur most often after eating a heavy meal, laying down on your back, exercising or lifting heavy objects, or bending over, and include:

Heartburn

Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. It refers to the burning pain you typically experience in your chest -- or even your abdomen or throat -- during a bout of acid reflux. As mentioned previously, heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, not a condition in itself.

Regurgitation

A second symptom typical of acid reflux is regurgitation. This is when the acid actually backs up into your throat or mouth. This in turn creates a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, and can even lead to vomiting.

Stomach Discomfort (Dyspepsia)

Many people who have acid reflux suffer with a range of symptoms that are included under the term dyspepsia, which refers to a general stomach discomfort. These symptoms include:

burping
stomach fullness or bloating
nausea after eating
upper abdominal pain and discomfort

Other General Symptoms

Not all symptoms of acid reflux are directly related to stomach discomfort. You may have other symptoms that you don't even recognize as being caused by acid reflux, including:

asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing or dry cough
hoarseness, especially in the morning
chronic sore throat
extended bouts of hiccups
nausea

If you experience any of the above symptoms for longer than two weeks, be sure to contact your doctor, who can evaluate your condition and recommend the appropriate course of action.

More Severe Symptoms

While many of the symptoms of acid reflux are easy to overlook, some symptoms are far more severe. These include:

weight loss
vomit that contains blood
black, tarry, or maroon-colored stools
difficulty or pain with swallowing

If you experience any of these more severe symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor immediately for a complete medical evaluation.

Learn More Here

Menopause Support TheraVedas Anita Supplement

2011-08-25T13:07:00.000-06:00

TheraVedas Anita Menopause Support formula was developed to support a woman’s body as her active reproductive period declines and she enters a peri-menopausal and menopausal phase. This transition is a cause and effect of imbalance in hormonal, physiological, structural and emotional changes.

Anita, in the Indian language, means Grace. The pomegranate was once called the fruit of God. Women going through menopause may find the pomegranate to be heaven-sent because its seeds contain the estrogens (estrodiol, estrone, and estriol) the ovaries no longer produce. Pomegranate seed is one of the richest sources of the female hormone estrone. Animal-based estrones are often used to treat symptoms of the natural changes in menopause, but many women are reluctant to use them. Pomegranate estrone mimics the positive affects of estrogens and may reduce the negative health symptoms associated with menopause.

Licorice provides necessary isoflavonoids and helps the body conserve stimulant hormones. Ashwaganda supports circulation and emotional balance, while tribulus may help the woman’s brain respond to the minute traces of testosterone needed to maintain sexual desire. Anita’s unique blend of high potency-assured extracts may help to balance the physical and emotional well-being of mature women.

Buy Now | Learn More Here

Vitamin K-2 - A Key Player in Cardiovascular and Bone Health

2011-08-22T13:32:00.001-06:00

by Karen Lee Richards*

Source: ProHealth.com

Vitamin K-2 has been tucked away in the shadows of the vitamin world for too long. Its significance to cardiovascular and bone health and its apparent link to the prevention of many other diseases make it too important to ignore.

Vitamin K - the least familiar of the alphabet vitamins - is a key player in cardiovascular and bone health. Originally scientists thought its only purpose was to promote proper blood clotting, but we're now learning that vitamin K plays a number of other important roles in the body.

The first clue to the existence of vitamin K came in 1929 when Danish scientist Henrik Dam set out to study the role of cholesterol. Several weeks after he began feeding chickens a cholesterol-depleted diet, they developed hemorrhages. When he could not stop the bleeding by adding purified cholesterol to their diet, he realized that along with the cholesterol, a second compound must have been removed from their diet.

Because of its effect on the blood's ability to clot, the newly discovered compound was dubbed the coagulation vitamin. Since the finding was reported in a German journal, the German spelling of “Koagulation” was used, which later led to the shortened version - vitamin K.

Building upon Dam's discovery, American biochemist Edward A. Doisy uncovered the structure and chemical nature of vitamin K. Their combined efforts were rewarded in 1943 when Dam and Doisy received the Nobel Prize for medicine for their work on vitamin K.

There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone (vitamin K-1) and menaquinones (25-hydroxyvitamin Ditamin K-2).

K-1 is found in dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale and Swiss chard.
K-2 can be found in meat, egg yolks, and fermented foods like cheese and natto (Japanese fermented soy beans). K-2 is also synthesized naturally in the gut by microflora ('good' bacteria) fermentation.

Vitamin K2's Role in Cardiovascular Health

Research has shown that K-2 is the vitamin K form most beneficial for cardiovascular health.

A paper published in 2004 reported on The Rotterdam Study, which involved 4,800 people over a 10-year period. The researchers found that the increased intake of Vitamin K-2 reduced the risk of coronary heart disease mortality by 50%. Vitamin K-1 had no effect at all.(1)

Most heart attacks and strokes are caused when plaque builds up on the inner walls of the arteries. Eventually a section of plaque can break open, forming a clot which then travels to the heart resulting in a heart attack, or to the brain resulting in a stroke.

Standard treatment for patients at risk of a heart attack or stroke is usually aimed at thinning the blood so clots cannot form. Patients are instructed to take an aspirin every day or they are prescribed blood thinners like Coumadin or Plavix. The problem with those treatments is that, if the patient is injured, it may be difficult to stop the bleeding because the medications interfere with the blood's ability to clot.

Vitamin K-2 on the other hand, seems to be the body's natural mechanism for regulating the clotting factor.

Dutch Professor Cees Vermeer found that vitamin K inhibited clotting when blood vessels were intact - yet promoted clotting when the blood vessels were broken. Which is exactly how the body should work.(2)

Arterial calcification is a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. In the past, it was thought that this calcification was irreversible and signaled the end stages of cardiovascular disease. However, a 2007 study using rats found that diets rich in vitamin K actually reduced the arterial calcification by approximately 50%.(3)

Promoting Bone Health - Preventing Osteoporosis

Japanese women tend to have far fewer osteoporosis fractures than Western women. It is thought that their consumption of the popular Japanese food natto, which is high in Vitamin K-2, may have a lot to do with it.

A 1995 study in Japan compared vitamin K levels in the blood of 24 women who had osteoporotic fractures and 36 elderly women who had no fractures. While vitamin K-1 levels were virtually identical in both groups, Vitamin K-2 levels were twice as high in the group with no fractures compared to the group with fractures.(4)

Additionally, two very large studies also link vitamin K levels to the risk of osteoporotic fractures:

In the Nurses' Health Study, researchers followed more than 72,000 women for 10 years. The women whose vitamin K intake was in the lowest fifth of the group had a 30% higher risk of hip fracture.(5)
In the Framingham Heart Study, more than 800 elderly men and women were followed for seven years. Those whose vitamin K intake was in the top quarter of the group had a 65% lower risk of hip fracture.(6)

Other studies have demonstrated Vitamin K-2's ability to protect osteoblasts (the cells that build new bones) from self-destructing, while inhibiting the formation of osteoclasts (the cells that destroy bones).(6-7)

As we age, bone destruction tends to overwhelm bone building, but Vitamin K-2 can help slow down and even reverse that process.

Additional Benefits of Vitamin K-2

Diabetes - A 2010 Netherlands study followed more than 38,000 people for a decade and found that higher intake of vitamin K was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Both vitamins K-1 and K-2 resulted in lower risk, but there was a stronger connection to the K-2. For each 10 mcg of Vitamin K-2 that was regularly consumed, there was a 7% reduction in risk.(8)

Cancer - German researchers studied more than 24,000 participants for 10 to 14 years. They found that those with the highest intake of Vitamin K-2 had a 62% reduction in the risk of lung cancer and a 35% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer. They also found that those with the highest intake of Vitamin K-2 who did get cancer experienced a 28% lower risk of dying from it.(9)

In another recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, researchers reported that the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was approximately 45% lower for participants whose vitamin K intakes were in the top 25% of the group.(10)

Need-to-Know Facts About Vitamin K-2

Vitamin K is fat soluble and should be taken with a meal containing fat.
There is no known toxicity even with high doses of vitamin K. An allergic reaction is possible, but rare.
Possible food and drug interactions:
- Antibiotics. The use of antibiotics can reduce the body's ability to absorb vitamin K by affecting helpful bacteria. Long-term use may lead to a vitamin K deficiency.
- Anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants such as Dilantin, Lyrica, Neurontin and Topamax can interfere with the body's ability to use vitamin K.
- Blood thinners. Vitamin K reduces the effectiveness of blood thinning medications and should not be taken if you are on a medication like Coumadin (warfarin) or Plavix.
- Xenical, Alli or Olestra - The weight-loss medications Xenical and Alli and the food additive Olestra all prevent the absorption of fat, which also reduces the body's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K.
- Bile acid sequestrants - Medications like Questran, Colestid and Welchol, used to reduce cholesterol, also reduce the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K.

Final Thoughts...

You can purchase Vitamin K-2 at ProHealth.com

Source: ProHealth.com - "Vitamin K-2 - A Key Player in Cardiovascular and Bone Health"

References:

1. Geleijnse JM, et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: The Rotterdam Study. J. Nutr. 134:3100-3105, November 2004

2. Myhill S. Vitamin K - necessary for normal bone formation and prevention of osteoporosis. Doctor Myhill.co.uk. January 22, 2010.

3. Schurgers LJ, et al. Regression of warfarin-induced medial elastocalcinosis by high intake of vitamin K in rats. Blood. Vol. 109, No. 7: 2823-2831. 1 April 2007.

4. Kaneki M, et al. [Serum concentration of vitamin K in elderly women with involutional osteoporosis]. Nippon Ronen Igakki Zasshi. 1995;32:195-200.

5. Feskanich D, Weber P, Willett WC, Rockett H, Booth SL, Colditz GA. Vitamin K intake and hip fractures in women: a prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69(1):74-79

6. Booth SL, Tucker KL, Chen H, et al. Dietary vitamin K intakes are associated with hip fracture but not with bone mineral density in elderly men and women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(5):1201-1208.

7. Kawata T, et al. Mechanism in inhibitory effects of vitamin K2 on osteoclastic bone resorption: In vivo study in osteoporotic (op/op) mice. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 1999; 45:501-07.

8. Beulens JWJ, et al. Dietary phylloquinone and menaquinones intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. April 27, 2010

9. Nimptsch K, et al. Dietary vitamin K intake in relation to cancer incidence and mortality: Results from the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Heidelberg). Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May;91(5):1348-58.

10. Vitamin K may protect against developing non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, say Mayo Clinic researchers. ProHealth. April 21, 2010.

*******

Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is general and is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

Bodies out of energy need to fuel up with NAD

2011-08-18T16:01:00.000-06:00

by Karen Lee Richards *

Source: ProHealth.com

Do you ever feel like a car that has run out of gas? If so, it may be time to add some NADH to your cellular tank. NADH is the fuel our cells need to produce energy and function properly. NADH, a reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a naturally occurring coenzyme formed from Niacin (vitamin B3) that plays an essential role in the energy production of every human cell - all 100 trillion of them.

Studies suggest NADH may help:

Increase energy and reduce fatigue.
Support the immune system with powerful antioxidants and free-radical scavengers.
Improve memory, focus and mental clarity.
Support the creation of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Enhance mood and emotional balance.

How NADH Works

In order to understand how NADH works, it is first necessary to understand mitochondria. Picture the mitochondria as little engines - or energy producers - within each cell of your body. It's the job of your mitochondria to supply energy to your cells in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). But exactly how does that happen?

This is where NADH comes in. NADH sets off a chemical chain reaction by transforming Coenzyme Q10 into its reduced form. Then, in its reduced form, Co-Q10 becomes active and serves as the catalyst that makes it possible for the mitochondria to produce ATP. Every molecule of NADH results in the production of three molecules of ATP energy.

NADH is a critical component of your body's ability to function. Without NADH, the mitochondria cannot produce energy and the cells will die.

ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia

Fatigue is a key symptom of both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Since recurring fatigue is marked by low cellular ATP, which results in low cellular energy production, researchers have studied the use of NADH to increase energy.

A pilot study at Georgetown University gave 26 ME/CFS patients either 10 mg of NADH or a placebo daily for four weeks. After a four-week washout period, participants switched to the alternate regimen for four weeks. At the end of the study 31% had a favorable response to the NADH. The scientists concluded that "NADH may be a valuable adjunctive therapy in the management of the chronic fatigue syndrome."(1)
In a 2004 study, 31 ME/CFS patients were randomly assigned to receive either NADH or nutritional supplements and psychological therapy for two years. The patients who received NADH had a dramatic and statistically significant reduction of the mean symptom score in the first eight months and they tended to continue improving through the rest of the trial.(2)

Another major complaint of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients is cognitive functioning problems, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mental fogginess.

George Birkmayer, MD, PhD, director of the Institute for Parkinson's Therapy in Vienna, and a leader in NADH research for nearly 30 years, explains how NADH can help improve mental clarity.

"One third of all the energy we produce in our body is used up by our brain. Due to this, an energy deficiency is first realized in the brain with symptoms such as lack of concentration and alertness, or mental fog. With more NADH the brain cells function better...

"A further mechanism by which NADH affects cognitive function is by stimulating the production of adrenaline and dopamine. Both of these substances are essential for our cognitive performance and our memory."(3)

NADH is frequently recommended for ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients by well-known specialists like Drs. Charles Lapp, Jacob Teitelbaum, Dale Guyer, Michael Rosenbaum, and Mark Pellegrino.

Parkinson's Disease

Because NADH is known to help increase levels of the important neurotransmitter dopamine, there have been several studies of NADH as a possible adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease (which involves a slow destruction of the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine).

Between 1989 and 1993, Austrian scientists, led by Dr. Birkmayer, conducted a series of open label trials of NADH on more than 2,000 Parkinson's patients. Through these studies, Dr. Birkmayer found that NADH not only alleviated the impairment in motor skills caused by Parkinson's but also effectively treated their cognitive dysfunction.
Below is a summary of the results from three of those studies. More than a 30% improvement was considered to be a very good response and up to 30% was rated as a moderate response.

No. of Participants	Very Good Response	Moderate Response	No Response
34	61.7%	38.3%	0%
161	71.4%	17.4%	11.2%
885	19.3%	58.8%	21.8%

The researchers found a dose of 25 to 50 mg of NADH per day to be the most effective. They also discovered that younger patients and patients with a shorter duration of disease have a better chance to gain a marked improvement than older patients and patients with a longer duration of the disease.(4-7)
In a German study, 15 Parkinson's patients received intravenous infusions of 10 mg NADH for seven days in addition to conventional Parkinsonian pharmacotherapy. The patients all showed a significantly positive response and the scientists found that the application of NADH significantly increased the bioavailability of their plasma levodopa. They concluded that NADH "may be a potent stimulator of endogenous levodopa biosynthesis with clinical benefit for Parkinsonian patients."(8)

Although several of the Parkinson's studies have used intravenous or intramuscular injections of NADH, trials using oral NADH have shown it to be equally effective.(4)

Alzheimer's Disease

In 2004, a randomized, placebo-controlled, matched-pairs, double-blind, clinical study was conducted testing NADH as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Twenty-four patients with probable Alzheimer's disease received either 10 mg of oral NADH or a placebo.

After six months, participants treated with NADH showed no evidence of progressive cognitive deterioration. They also showed significantly higher performance scores than the placebo group in the areas of verbal fluency and visual-constructional ability as well as a trend to better performance in abstract verbal reasoning. The researchers concluded, "Consistent with earlier studies, the present findings support NADH as a treatment for AD."(9)

Need-to-Know Information

Food Sources - NADH can be found naturally in the muscle tissue of fish, poultry and cattle, and in food products made with yeast. However, it is not known whether the NADH from these food sources is efficiently absorbed or utilized by the body.

Absorption - NADH must be absorbed in the intestinal tract to be effective. Therefore, oral NADH must be formulated for stability and delivered via a coated tablet so it does not dissolve in the stomach, but rather stays intact until it reaches the intestine. ProHealth's Energy NADH is an exclusive formulation that provides improved stability for 100% guaranteed potency. And its unique cellulose matrix coating enhances absorption by ensuring that the NADH reaches the intestine where it is quickly dissolved.

Dosage -The recommended dosage is generally 5 to 10 mg per day taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before a meal. However, studies with Parkinson's disease patients found that 25 to 50 mg per day was the most effective dose.

Side Effects - No significant side effects have been reported. Supplementing with NADH appears to be very safe.

Drug Interactions - There are no reported drug interactions.

In Summary

NADH is a powerful cellular energy producer. Research has demonstrated the ability of supplemental NADH to promote fatigue reduction, enhanced mental clarity, and increased levels of important neurotransmitters like dopamine.

To purchase NADH visit ProHealth.com

Resources:

1. Forsyth LM, et al. "Therapeutic effects of oral NADH on the symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome." Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1999 Feb;82(2):185-91.

2. Santaella ML, Font I, Disdier OM. "Comparison of oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) versus conventional therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome." P R Health Sci J. 2004 Jun;23(2):89-93.

3. "Interview: Dr. George Birkmayer on NADH for Energy, Healthy Immune Function and More." ProHealth. January 30, 2006.

4. Birkmayer GJ, Birkmayer W. "Stimulation of endogenous L-dopa biosynthesis - a new principle for the therapy of Parkinson's disease. The clinical effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidephosphate (NADPH)." Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1989;126:183-7.

5. Birkmayer JG, et al. "Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) - a new therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease. Comparison of oral and parenteral application." Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1993;146:32-5.

6. Birkmayer W, et al. "The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) improves the disability of parkinsonian patients." J Neural Transm Park Dis Dement Sect. 1989;1(4):297-302.

7. Birkmayer W, Birkmayer GJ. "Nicotinamidadenindinucleotide (NADH): the new approach in the therapy of Parkinson's disease." Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1989 Jan-Feb;19(1):38-43. .

8. Kuhn W, et al. "Parenteral application of NADH in Parkinson's disease: clinical improvement partially due to stimulation of endogenous levodopa biosynthesis." J Neural Transm. 1996;103(10):1187-93.

9. Demarin V, Podobnik SS, Storga-Tomic D, Kay G. "Treatment of Alzheimer's disease with stabilized oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: A randomized, double-blind study." Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(1):27-33.

___

* Supplement research writer Karen Lee Richards is the Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, for HealthCentral's ChronicPainConnection. Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.

Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is general information and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any illness, condition or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

Sunshine Vitamin Has D-lightful Health Benefits

2011-08-15T08:41:00.002-06:00

Guest Article by Karen Lee Richards*

Source: ProHealth.com

When it comes to the family of vitamins, vitamin D stands alone. It is the only vitamin the body can produce on its own. That's because it is actually a hormone. Due to its unique status, vitamin D surpasses all other vitamins in the multitude of health benefits it offers.

Vitamin D was discovered in the early part of the 20th century. Large numbers of children were developing rickets, a softening and weakening of the bones that often caused significant deformity and multiple fractures. When a researcher found that cod liver oil could prevent rickets, he named the nutritional factor in it that promoted calcium deposition, vitamin D.

Since rickets was thought to be another vitamin-deficiency disease like scurvy or beriberi, the cure was given the next letter in the vitamin alphabet, following the already existing A, B and C. We now know that vitamin D should probably never have been labeled a vitamin at all.

Sources of Vitamin D

Vitamin D has long been recognized as the "sunshine vitamin" because it is naturally produced when skin is exposed to sunlight's UVB rays. Actually, exposure to sunlight is the only natural source of significant amounts of vitamin D. However, getting enough sun exposure to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D can be difficult. It can vary greatly depending upon the time of day, season, latitude, age, skin pigmentation and the amount of skin not covered with clothing or sunscreen.

Dietary intake is not a good option for vitamin D because, with the exception of oily fish and fish-liver oil, vitamin D does not naturally occur in food. Milk and other dairy products, orange juice and breakfast cereals have been fortified with small amounts of vitamin D, but it is virtually impossible to get adequate amounts through your diet. It would take 5 cans of tuna, 10 eggs, 10 glasses of milk, or up to 17 cups of breakfast cereal to get 1000 IU of vitamin D.

Because it is so difficult to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from natural sources, supplementation is usually the most practical solution.

Dangers of a D-ficiency

Many years ago it was thought that the only significant danger from a vitamin D deficiency was the development of rickets in children. That is why milk and other foods first began to be fortified with vitamin D as far back as the 1930s. As it turns out, rickets was just the tip of the iceberg.

Next, vitamin D deficiency was found to be a key factor in other bone diseases like osteopenia (thinning bones), osteoporosis (porous, brittle bones), and osteomalacia (a softening of bones in adults, often starting with insidious muscle weakness and aches and pains in the lower back & thighs, later spreading to arms and ribs).

In more recent years scientists have discovered that a vitamin D deficiency may contribute to an even wider variety of health problems. Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, in a 2006 report in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, stated, "Many lines of research support the concept that inadequate vitamin D may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or progression of several disorders, including cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neuromuscular diseases, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases."(1)

Who is at Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency?

As it turns out, almost everyone is at risk of having a vitamin D deficiency. A 2009 epidemiological study found that an astounding 77% of Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D. The numbers are even higher in Europe and higher still in the Middle East, where women especially tend to stay covered when outdoors.(2)

Although virtually everyone has some risk, following are specific groups who have an especially high risk for vitamin D deficiency:

Adults over 50 - As we age, the skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and the kidney is less able to convert it to its active hormone form.
People with limited sun exposure - If you're homebound, wear clothing that covers most of your skin, or live in northern latitudes that get little sunlight part of the year, it's unlikely that you get adequate amounts of vitamin D.
People with dark skin - The pigment melanin, which results in darker skin, also reduces the skin's ability to produce vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.
People who have fat malabsorption problems - Vitamin D is fat soluble and therefore requires some dietary fat in the gut for absorption. Some medical conditions associated with fat malabsorption include some forms of liver disease, cystic fibrosis and Crohn's disease.
Tobacco smokers - Tobacco smoking is associated with significantly reduced vitamin D levels.
People who are obese - Greater amounts of subcutaneous fat sequester more of the vitamin D and alter its release into the circulation.
People who have had gastric bypass surgery - Part of the upper small intestine where vitamin D is absorbed is bypassed, which may lead to inadequate levels.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/an116cy63y5LROVPTUOLNMTVQUOO?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prohealth.com%2Ftrack.cfm%3Fid%3D7852Measuring Vitamin D Levels

The only way to know for sure if you are deficient in vitamin D is by a blood test that measures serum 25(OH)D concentrations. 25(OH)D or 25-hydroxyvitamin D is a metabolite of vitamin D. There is considerable disagreement among experts as to exactly what 25(OH)D levels should be. Norms will vary between labs but the following chart will give you a general idea of what to look for: (3)

25(OH)D Concentrations

Severely Deficient	< 8 ng/ml
Deficient	8 - 19 ng/ml
Insufficient	20 - 29 ng/ml
Sufficient	30 - 49 ng/ml
Optimal	50 - 99 ng/ml
Excessive	100 - 150 ng/ml
Potentially toxic	>150 ng/ml

Vitamin D's Role in Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS

An important vitamin D connection that has only recently begun to be recognized and emphasized is the link between low vitamin D and chronic pain. Although a number of experts have recommended that vitamin D deficiency be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS, this is still not known - or ignored - by many healthcare professionals.(4)

Following are just a few examples of research examining the role of vitamin D in a variety of pain conditions:

Fibromyalgia: A 2009 study looked at 139 patients with fibromyalgia and/or non-specific musculoskeletal pain. Three-quarters of them were deficient in vitamin D. Following vitamin D supplementation, clinical improvements were observed in 90% of the patients.(5)

Neuropathy (Nerve Damage): A 2008 study examined 51 patients with diabetic neuropathy. After supplementing with approximately 2000 IU of vitamin D each day for three months, there was a 50% decrease in pain scores.(6)

Migraines: Case reports have shown that two months of supplementation with vitamin D combined with calcium dramatically reduced both the frequency and intensity of migraines in post- and pre-menopausal women.(7-8)

Chronic Back Pain: In 2003 researchers studied 360 patients with chronic back pain. After three months of vitamin D supplementation, symptom improvement was seen in 95% of all subjects and in 100% of those who were severely deficient in vitamin D at the start of the study.(9)

Vitamin D Impacts a Wide Range of Illnesses

In addition to chronic pain conditions, a deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to many other illnesses, such as:

Bone Disease (Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Osteomalacia): It is widely known that a combination of Vitamin D and calcium supplements can help decrease postmenopausal bone loss and prevent osteoporosis. A major function of vitamin D is to maintain serum calcium concentrations. When vitamin D levels are low, calcium concentrations are inadequate, resulting in bone disease. A 2005 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that oral vitamin D supplementation in the range of 700 to 800 IU/d should reduce the risk of hip or any nonvertebral fracture by approximately 25%.(10)

Colds, Flu and Other Respiratory Tract Infections: Because of reduced sunshine in fall and winter months, a study was undertaken to determine if low vitamin D levels correlated with the incidence of acute viral respiratory tract infections. The researchers found that individuals with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of less than 38 mg/ml were three times more likely to become ill with an acute respiratory tract infection.(11)

Type 2 Diabetes: According to a new study, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with Type 2 diabetes and may be associated with poor blood sugar control. The study, which looked at 124 patients with Type 2 diabetes, found that 91% had a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Investigators also found an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and hemoglobin A1c values - those with lower vitamin D levels had higher A1c levels. Co-author Esther Krug, MD, concluded, "This finding supports an active role of vitamin D in the development of Type 2 diabetes."(12)

Rheumatic Conditions (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, etc.): Two new studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with a range of rheumatic diseases.

A UK study showed that 58% of individuals with a rheumatic condition had low vitamin D levels,
An Italian study reported that 85% of rheumatic patients not taking vitamin D supplements had insufficient levels - as did 60% of those who were taking recommended doses of vitamin D.

A third study assessing response to vitamin D supplementation found that taking the traditionally recommended daily dose did not normalize vitamin D levels in rheumatic disease patients, indicating that higher doses would probably be necessary.(13)

Cardiovascular Disease: Noticing that people in sun-deprived regions suffered more heart attacks than did those in sunnier locales, scientists began to suspect that vitamin D may have some relationship to cardiovascular health. Investigating that theory, New Zealand researchers found that people who had suffered heart attacks had significantly lower vitamin D levels than controls who had no heart attacks. (14)

A few years later, UK researchers conducted an exhaustive worldwide study that demonstrated a consistent relationship between sunlight exposure and heart disease. The further north people lived, the more frequently they experienced heart attacks, suggesting that vitamin D, which is activated by sunlight, reduces the risk of heart disease.(15)

Multiple Sclerosis: Several epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to sunlight during early life may have a protective effect regarding the development of multiple sclerosis in later years. And a recent longitudinal study confirmed that vitamin D supplementation reduced the life-time prevalence of MS in women. It is thought that the white matter of the brain affected by MS contains vitamin D receptors, and that inadequate vitamin D in the early years of life may predispose these cells to an early death.(16)

A new 2010 retrospective study also found that lower vitamin D levels are associated with a substantially increased relapse rate in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.(17)

What Kind of Vitamin D Should You Take?

There are two main types of vitamin D - D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). The best supplement to take is vitamin D3 because it is the form that also is produced naturally in the skin from sun exposure. Vitamin D2 is produced by irradiating fungi, and is less efficient as a precursor to the active vitamin D metabolite calcitriol.(18)

How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? ...Too Much?

The recommended dosages of vitamin D are currently in the state of flux due to the abundance of new and on-going research on the subject. Ever aware of their ethical precept, "First, do no harm," clinicians often lean toward recommending the lower levels of supplementation.

The US Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board is currently revising its recommendations on Vitamin D dosing. It is generally thought that the new recommended dose will be 1,000 IU/day for healthy adults. If you have a vitamin D deficiency-associated disease, however, you will need significantly more.

In his dosing and testing suggestions, Dr. Stewart B. Leavitt of Pain-Topics.org cites the vitamin D recommendations of two practitioners with the Canadian Centre for Integrative Medicine: "Ko and Arseneau note that recommended vitamin D3 dosing for healthy adults by various authorities, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, is 2,000 IU/day.

"Other leading authorities, such as Reinhold Veith, PhD, suggest that oral supplementation is safe for infants at 1,000 IU/day, for children at 2,000 IU/day, and for adults at 4,000 IU/day. More aggressive dosing (up to 10,000 IU/day) may be useful but should be checked with more frequent lab testing (every 3 months)."(18)

There also continues to be a great deal of disagreement among medical professionals as to the maximum safe dosage. The current "official" limit is 2000 IU/day, but the Vitamin D Council insists that doses up to 10,000 IU/day are not toxic.

One protocol successfully used by many doctors if you are deficient in vitamin D is to take 50,000 IU/week for approximately three months or until your 25(OH)D levels are in the optimal range - and then switch to a maintenance dose of 2,000 IU/day. Of course, having your 25(OH)D serum levels checked regularly is the best way to ensure you are taking the right dose of vitamin D for you.

To find out more about ProHealth's comprehensive line of Vitamin D3 products (and get FREE SHIPPING thru 8/31/10), visit our online store.

Source: ProHealth.com - "Sunshine Vitamin Has D-lightful Health Benefits"

References:

1. Holick MF. High Prevalence of Vitamin D Inadequacy and Implications for Health. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. March 2006, vol. 81 no. 3 353-373.

2. Ginde AA, et al. Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988–2004. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626-632.

3. Miller DW. Vitamin D in a New Light. LewRockwell.com. September 10, 2007.

4. Shinchuk L, Holick MF. Vitamin D and rehabilitation: improving functional outcomes. Nutr Clin Prac. 2007;22(3):297-304.

5. Badsha H, et al. Myalgias or non-specific muscle pain in Arab or Indo-Pakistani patients may indicate vitamin D deficiency. Clin Rheumatol. 2009;28(8):971-973.

6. Lee P, Chen R. Vitamin D as an analgesic for patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathic pain. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(7):771-772.

7. Thys-Jacobs S. Alleviation of migraine with therapeutic vitamin D and calcium. Headache. 1994a;34(10)590-592.

8. Thys-Jacobs S. Vitamin D and calcium in menstrual migraine. Headache. 1994b;34(9)544-546.

9. Al Faraj S, Al Mutairi K. Vitamin D deficiency and chronic low back pain in Saudi Arabia. Spine 2003;28:177-179.

10. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, et al. Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2005 May 11;293(18):2257-64.

11. Savetta JR, et al. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and the Incidence of Acute Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Healthy Adults. PloS One, Jun 14, 2010. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011088.

12. Endocrine Society News Release, June 21, 2010. (Study details to be presented June 26, 2010 at The Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting in San Diego.)

13. Vitamin D deficiency confirmed as common across a range of rheumatic conditions: Recommended supplementation is not sufficient to normalize vitamin D levels in RA and osteoporosis patients. (Studies presented June 18 at EULAR 2010, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Rome, Italy.)

14. Scragg R, et al. Myocardial infarction is inversely associated with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels: a community-based study. Int J Epidemiol. 1990 Sep;19(3):559-63.

15. Grimes DS, Hindle E, Dyer T. PDF: Sunlight, cholesterol and coronary heart disease. QJM. 1996 Aug;89(8):579-89.

16. Chaudhuri A. Why we should offer routine vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and childhood to prevent multiple sclerosis. Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(3):608-18.

17. Mowry EM, et al. Vitamin D status is associated with relapse rate in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Annals of Neurology, May 2010; 67(5):618-24.

18. Leavitt SB. Vitamin D for Pain: Dosing and Testing Suggestions. Pain-Topics.org. June 4, 2010.

___

* Karen Lee Richards is Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS for HealthCentral's ChronicPainConnection (www.chronicpainconnection.com). Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.

Type II Collagen (Undenatured) - Chicken Soup for Your Joints

2011-07-31T21:50:00.000-06:00

Undenatured Type II Collagen - Chicken Soup for Your Joints

by Karen Lee Richards*

Source: ProHealth.com

Undenatured chicken collagen, the primary ingredient in OsteoTec™ UC·II®, has been shown in studies and trials to help the body repair and rebuild joint cartilage - reducing joint pain, increasing joint mobility and flexibility, and promoting long-term joint health.

Grandmothers around the world have been treating colds with chicken soup for generations; then a few years ago scientists confirmed that several ingredients in chicken soup do, indeed, affect the immune system. What grandma didn't realize, though, is that one part of the chicken in particular may also help ameliorate the joint pain of arthritis.

Taken from the chicken's sternum cartilage, UC·II is an innovative, patented form of undenatured type II collagen that works with the immune system to reduce inflammation and restore cartilage (unlike glucosamine & chondroitin, which are materials involved in the structure of healthy cartilage). Extensive research and clinical studies have shown UC·II to be both safe and effective in supporting joint health - and clarify how it helps the body derail a destructive process involved in both types of arthritis.

Like Grandma's Cold Remedy, UC·II was Discovered in the Kitchen.

Dr. Eugene Moore, a chemical engineer, had an 8-year-old daughter, Anne Marie, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Her swollen and painful joints continued to worsen until, by the time she was in her late 20's, much of her life was spent in an electric wheelchair.

One day Dr. Moore read about some studies on chicken collagen which showed that a small amount taken orally could have a preventive effect on rheumatoid arthritis. Putting his chemical engineering background to work, he went to the grocery, bought some chickens, and turned his kitchen into a laboratory. What Dr. Moore discovered was that, unlike grandma's chicken soup, if he cooked the chicken collagen, it became ineffective. So he formulated a recipe for an 'undenatured' (also called natural or native; not processed by high heat or chemicals) chicken collagen using the chicken's sternum cartilage.

After his daughter's rheumatoid arthritis began to improve, Dr. Moore shared his preparation with his good friend, Roger, who suffered with osteoarthritis so severe he could no longer function normally. Within a few weeks, Roger, too, began to feel and function much better. Both Anne Marie and Roger described the results as extraordinary - a significantly improved quality of life with no side effects.

Since Dr. Moore's initial discovery, a number of other studies have confirmed the benefits of undenatured type II collagen for joint health in both humans and animals.

Trial Shows UC·II More Than Twice as Effective as Glucosamine and Chondroitin

In a randomized, double-blind study of 52 osteoarthritis patients, one group took 40 mg UC·II and the other a combination of 1500 mg glucosamine and 1200 mg chondroitin. (Double-blind means neither the study subjects nor those tracking the results knew which patients were receiving which doses.) The table below shows the results after 90 days (percentages indicate the reduction in symptomatology):

Symptom	UC·II	G & C
Stiffness and difficulty in physical function	33.3% less	14.0% less
General level of pain	40.4% less	15.4% less
Effect of pain on daily activities	20.2% less	5.9% less

A small daily dosage of UC·II reduced joint pain and increased joint mobility and flexibility significantly - more than twice as much as the larger dosages of glucosamine and chondroitin.(1)

Additional Human Clinical Trials

A pilot study looked at five women who had significant joint pain symptoms. Each took 40 mg of UC·II for 42 days. Four of the five reported significant reductions in pain and stiffness. The average reduction in pain level was 26 percent.(2)
Six out of 10 rheumatoid arthritis patients reported significant improvement after taking UC·II for three months. One patient experienced complete remission. No side effects were reported.(3)
In a 90-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 patients with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis were split into two groups. In the half taking UC·II, 28 showed considerable improvement compared to the placebo group. Four patients recovered completely.(3)
Ten children (8 to 14 years old) with active juvenile rheumatoid arthritis were given UC·II for three months. Eight of the 10 experienced a reduction in swollen and tender joints and one experienced a complete remission.

Animal Studies

Humans are not the only ones who suffer the pain of arthritis. One in four pet dogs in the U.S. is diagnosed with some form of arthritis, as are millions of horses worldwide. A number of studies have been done using UC·II to treat osteoarthritic dogs and horses, with good results. For example:

Osteoarthritic dogs were given either 40 mg of UC·II or a placebo for 120 days. The dogs given the UC·II exhibited significant improvements as measured by detailed observation of pain-related behaviors and responses: 77 percent less evidence of overall pain, 83 percent less evidence of pain after limb manipulation, and 84 percent less pain after exercise. The dogs receiving the placebo exhibited no significant change in observed pain behaviors/responses.(5)
Osteoarthritic horses were divided into groups of five or six, receiving either 320 mg of UC·II, 480 mg of UC·II, 640 mg of UC-II, 5,400 mg of glucosamine plus 1,800 mg of chondroitin, or a placebo. The horses who received the 320, 480 or 640 mg of UC·II exhibited significant reductions in arthritic pain. The UC·II dosages of 480 or 640 mg had equal effects - an 88 percent decrease in overall pain and a 78 percent decrease in pain upon limb manipulation. UC·II was found to be more effective than glucosamine plus chondroitin.(6)

How UC·II Works on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system turns against itself, and killer T-cells begin to attack the joint cartilage, resulting in inflammation and joint destruction.

UC·II contains molecular regions called epitopes. These are immune system markers that interact with certain antibodies to trigger the deactivation of collagen-specific killer T-cells, and in turn help deactivate the inflammatory process.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by an inflammatory synovial response that leads to joint wear and tear and is usually attributed to aging.

Many of the biochemical markers associated with OA inflammation are also associated with RA inflammation; therefore similar therapies are usually used. Research has shown that UC·II suppresses the T-cell-mediated inflammation in both forms of arthritis.

Denatured vs. Undenatured - Why the Difference Is Important

Denatured (hydrolyzed). As Dr. Moore discovered in his kitchen laboratory, when chicken sternum collagen is heated, it loses its ability to repair and rebuild the joints. Most of the type II chicken collagen found in dietary supplements is denatured or hydrolized, which means that high heat and/or chemicals have been used to process it. These processes fundamentally alter the molecular structure of the protein, rendering the collagen ineffective as an immunomodulator. There are no peer-reviewed scientific studies showing that denatured type II collagen provides any joint health benefits. And in fact one study states, "denatured type II collagen has no observable effect on the incidence and severity of the disease [arthritis]."(7)

Undenatured (native). Undenatured type II collagen is made using little or no heat and very limited processing - just enough to concentrate the collagen and make it soluble. The UC·II manufacturing process ensures that the collagen remains biologically active in its most native, triple helix form, with its immunomodulating ability intact.

The Right Dosage is Essential

Although some people think "if a little is good, more must be better," this definitely does not apply to undenatured type II collagen.

Small amounts have been found to be the most effective in modulating the body's immune response, but too much can produce a negative or opposite result. The daily dosage recommended for maximum effectiveness is 40 mg UC·II (containing 10 mg bioactive undenatured type II collagen).

In addition to the bioactive UC·II undenatured type II collagen, OsteoTec UC·II contains Aquamin® (mineralized red algae) - a source of calcium plus more than 70 naturally occurring trace minerals absorbed from the sea; clinically proven to improve bone and joint health.(8)

Unique Natural Support for Joint Health & Function

Overall, clinical trials and studies strongly support OsteoTec UC·II's unique ability to work with the immune system naturally, often helping to defuse the destructive inflammatory processes responsible for stiffness and pain in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

You can purchase OsteoTec UC-II at ProHealth.com

Source: ProHealth.com - "Undenatured Type II Collagen - Chicken Soup for Your Joints"

* Karen Lee Richards is the Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, for HealthCentral's ChronicPainComnection (www.chronicpainconnection.com). Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.

References:

1. Bagchi M, et al. Beneficial effects of oral administration of undenatured type-II collagen on osteoarthritis: a human clinical trial. Presented at: Journal of the American College of Nutrition 49th Annual Meeting; October 2008; Arlington, Va. Abstract No. 30. (See also Crowley DC, et al. Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A clinical trial. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2009;6:312-321. November 2009)

2. Bagchi D, et al. Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 22(3-4):101-10, 2002.

3. Trentham D, et al. Effects of Oral Administration of Type-II Collagen on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Science. 261:1727-1730, 1993.

4. Barnett, et al. A Pilot Trial of Oral Type-II Collagen in the Treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 39:623-628, 1996.

5. Gupta RC, et al. Pain reduction measured by ground force plate in arthritic dogs treated with type-II collagen. Presented at: Society of Toxicology 48th Annual Meeting; March 2009. (See also: D'Altilio M, et al. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen singly or in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs. Toxicol Mech Methods. 17:189-196, 2007; and Deparle LA, et al. Efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in therapy of arthritic dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 28:385-390, 2005.)

6. Gupta RC, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in comparison to glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 32:577-584, 2009.

7. Nagler-Anderson C, et al. Suppression of type II collagen-induced arthritis by intragastric administration of soluble type II collagen. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 83:7443-7446, 1986.

8. Frestedt, JL, et al. A Natural mineral supplement [Aquamin] provides relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Nutrition Journal, 7(9), 2008.

Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is general and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any condition, illness, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

ProGreens Powder with Advanced Probiotic

2011-07-18T14:33:00.000-06:00

ProGreens Powder with Advanced Probiotic, Allergy Research Group // Nutricology

ProGreens is an all natural blended variety of Super Foods that provide broad-spectrum nutritional support from certified organic grasses and natural food factors not found in isolated vitamin or mineral concentrates.

In addition to the green grasses, sea vegetables and algae, ProGreens contains adaptogenic herbs, active probiotics, fibers, and a variety of nutrient rich superfoods. Best kept refrigerated to retain natural freshness and probiotic activity.

Buy Now / Learn More

Organic Barley Grass from NOW Foods - Barley Grass Supplements

2011-07-11T17:51:00.000-06:00

DescriptionBarley Grass is a whole food grown and processed on fertile organic Kansas soil. Dehydrated whole leaf Barley Grass includes the natural juice and fiber found in Barley Grass. Read more about NOW's 100% Organic Barley Grass Product FAQ's NOW Organic ProductsDirectionsServing Size: 1 Tbsp. Suggested Use: As a whole food, mix 1 Tbsp in 8-12 oz. of water, fruit or vegetable juice. This amount provides the nutritional equivalent of a dark green leafy vegetable salad.Free of: yeast, wheat, corn, soy, sugar, milk, preservatives, fillers Ingredient: 100% Organic Barley Grass Powder - Warnings: None - No Disclaimers

Recommended Daily Allowance

	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Serving Size:	1 Tbsp.
Servings Per Container:	87
Calories	31
Calories from Fat	0
Total Fat	0 g	0
Sodium	3.0 mg	< 1%
Potassium	318 mg	0.09
Total Carbohydrate	4.0 g	0.013
Dietary Fiber	1.6 g	0.06
Protein	2.6 g	0.05
Vitamin A (100% as beta-carotene)		1
Vitamin C		0.53
Riboflavin		0.12
Iron		0.33
_{* Percent Daily Values are based on 2,000 calorie diet. † Daily Value not established.}

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9 Personal Hygiene Practices Americans Take for Granted

2011-07-08T22:37:00.000-06:00

In the United States, personal hygiene can make or break your chances in the job world and in your personal life. We take for granted that daily bathing, access to toilets and regular hand washing with soap and clean water makes us smell good and keeps the flu at bay, but in other areas around the world, personal hygiene is a matter of life and death. Here are nine cleanliness habits we should feel lucky to practice.

Daily bathing: Americans scoff at certain European cultures for forgoing a daily bath, and some people in this country even take multiple showers, especially in hot, sticky climates or after a workout. But full-on daily bathing has only been standard — even in the U.S. — since the mid-1800s, much later in rural areas and in newer American cities. NDTV suggests the 1940s as a tipping point for obsessing about daily showers, making our ingrained sensibility about hygiene a relatively new phenomenon. And in regions around the world that don’t have any kind of plumbing — or even soap — settle for washing themselves with their hands or dipping into streams or rivers, which may be contaminated. The green movement is picking up a new type of personal hygiene rebel, however, as conserving water becomes more important. In fact, as soap-dodgers bathe less, they’re even starting to realize they need a daily shower less frequently.
Dental hygiene and correction: As a nation, we’re pretty snobby about our teeth. Not everyone can afford braces for sure, but the families who can, value smile correction as much as their actual, physical health. But before braces even become an option, children are taught to brush and floss twice daily, and people often bring toothbrushes with them on the plane, to work, and to school to brush between meals. But the rest of the world (and we don’t just mean England) doesn’t have the luxury to brush, floss, or receive cosmetic teeth treatment. In fact, the World Dental Relief’s mission is to distribute dental supplies to health care facilities to Latin American, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where dental hygiene really does become a health issue.
Private bedrooms and bathrooms: Outside of a college dormitory, most Americans prefer to have private bathrooms and bedrooms, and even privileged siblings don’t have to share sinks or sleeping space. Hotel rooms all have private bathrooms, and businesses with clean public bathrooms have started promoting their novelty services as a huge draw for Americans who can’t stand sharing germs. But in places like India, toilets — let alone private bathrooms — aren’t as readily available to much of the population. UN experts believe that just 31% of the population of India has access to modern sanitation and that 1.1 billion people around the world do the number two with no walls, doors or toilets protecting their privacy.
Clean water: You can only get so "clean" by using dirty water to wash your hands, brush your teeth, or wash your food and clothes. Water sources around the world are more than a little filthy: more than 884 million people worldwide don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in these areas are forced to either forgo using the water altogether — and many personal hygiene habits that require it — or use it and get sick. For Americans, the only time we’re really confronted with a dangerous water situation is after a major natural disaster or similar emergency situation.
Menstruation: When a woman in the United States gets her period, she might complain of bloating, cramps, irritation and/or fatigue. But as much as PMS slows our busy lives down here, women and girls in other parts of the world miss out on school because they have no disposable supplies or even a second pair of underclothes to see them through their cycle. They fall behind in classes, adding to the drastic imbalance of educated women in their countries.
Deodorant: Our big concern with deodorant is whether or not it really contains harmful, cancer-causing chemicals, not having access to it. Underarm odor is one of the biggest stigmas regarding personal hygiene in America, and can negatively affect your job interview, romantic life, and ability to retain any friends. Mainstream deodorants usually cost between $3-6 and are a standard application for most Americans over the age of 10 (at least) — but for regions of the world where soap and clean water is hard to find, having fresh, rain-smelling arm pits isn’t high on the list of personal hygiene priorities.
Bandages and wound care: Beyond brushing your teeth or controlling underarm odor, there are some less superficial personal hygiene practices Americans still take for granted, namely, wound care. Band-aids, rubbing alcohol and tweezers are readily available to clean up even mild scrapes, preventing infection. But clean, adhesive, disposable bandages are a rarity — if not a total anomaly — in many underserved populations.
Laundry: Polluted water in many areas of the world — including China, India’s Ganges River, and in other regions — is the only source for washing clothes. Clean water is reserved for food preparation and drinking water, and American-sized washing machines and dryers aren’t even an option. While we search for apartments with private laundry units, other communities couldn’t even dream of such a luxury. Even in Europe, washing machines are much smaller than our own.
Soap: We use variations of soap daily to wash our hair, dishes, clothes, cars and hands — but some underserved populations rely on a single bar of soap for keeping themselves clean and healthy. Just having soap to wash their hands with "can reduce the millions of deaths of little children due to respiratory and diarrheal illnesses" in third world countries, according the Sanitation Updates Blog.

7-KETO DHEA Enzymatic Therapy -

2011-07-05T16:58:00.000-06:00

7 KETO DHEA Enzymatic Therapy

With 7-KETO, you'll get the following benefits of DHEA, which supports:

Proper immune response
Healthy thyroid function
Mental well-being and memory
Suggested Use One capsule two to three times daily.

Supplement Facts: Serving Size: 1 Capsule Amount/Serving %DV
7-keto DHEA Acetate (7-KETO brand) 25 mg *
*Daily Value (DV) not established.

Other Ingredients: cellulose, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide color.

Contains No: sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, dairy products, artificial flavoring, preservatives and ingredients of animal origin. All colors used are from natural sources.

Brand: Enzymatic Therapy

Enzymatic Therapy, Inc. is more than just a company - it's a pledge to you. Their people are dedicated to providing you with the best supplements available anywhere. Their company has an excellent combination of leadership, knowledge, and innovative spirit that can keep customers knowing "What Better Feels Like."

Bloodroot Root ( Sanguinaria canadensis ) Powder

2011-06-26T19:02:00.000-06:00

"BloodRoot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is Emetic cathartic expectorant and emmenagogue, and of great value in atonic dyspepsia, asthma, bronchitis and croup. (The taste is so nauseating, that it may cause expectorant action.)

Sanguinaria root is chiefly used as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis and as a local application in chronic eczema, specially when secondary to varicose ulcers.

Of value in pulmonary consumption, nervous irritation and helpful in lowering high pulse, and in heart disease and weakness and palpitation of heart of great use. In toxic doses, it causes burning in the stomach, intense thirst, vomiting, faintness vertigo, intense prostration with dimness of eyesight.

The root has long been used by the American Indians as a dye for their bodies and clothes and has been used successfully by American and French dyers." - Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal'.

Usage: 1 tsp. 2 to 3 times a day depending on condition.

Brand: Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies
Bloodroot Root ( Sanguinaria canadensis ) Powder - 4 oz. Bulk

learn more here

Hawaiian Papaya Mango Body Cream

2011-06-23T17:05:00.000-06:00

Hawaiian Papaya Mango Body Cream contains tropical fruit enzymes and beta carotene blended in a rich, luxurious body cream to soften, soothe and smooth rough, dry, flaky skin.
With aloe vera, beta carotene, papaya and mango extracts. Kukui and macadamia nut oils, and protective shea butter, this body cream nourishes stressed skin with rich emollients, minerals and antioxidants.

Papaya and mango have long been recognized for their skin-repairing prowess. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, both are effective humectants and emollients.

Gentle for all skin types. Order Here

Directions: Apply liberally to entire body, especially elbows, knees and heels.

Brand: Alba Botanica / Alba Organics
Hawaiian Papaya Mango Body Cream, Alba Botanica, 6.5 oz

Joint Ease instead of Pain Killers - Natural Pain Relief and Joint Lubrication

2011-06-15T12:03:00.000-06:00

Pain killers have traditionally been offered to those suffering joint pain because they were the only known solution. The problem is that all they do is hide the pain your feeling for a short period of time. The pain will come back with a fury and not only that, you'll feel all the side effects of the drugs as well.

These drugs can be addictive and have been proven to do damage to your body every time you take them. Why do that to your body when a simple, natural solution is available to you?

That's what I want to talk to you about. Scientists have discovered natural ingredients that, when combined, can not only sooth the pain in your joints but will lubricate them and even help get rid of that pain for good! It's called Joint Ease and it's a revolutionary discovery in joint pain.

Joint Ease is a revolutionary all natural herbal supplement put together by a panel of experts that were sick of pills that simply tried to 'hide' joint pain while also giving you tons of bad side effects. Instead they came together and created an herbal formula that includes ingredients proven to reduce pain, lubricate your joints and help your body heal them so you can get out and start enjoying your life again.

In Joint Ease you'll only find ingredients that have been proven in scientific studies and double blind clinical trials. Each ingredient has been scrutinized and deemed safe and effective by scientists, doctors and experts

Celadrin
A 2005 study by the University of Connecticut found that patients with knee pain taking Celadrin twice a day for only a week had a 12% increase in mobility, a 16% increase in strength and a 42% increase in endurance. All patients found a huge decrease in pain. This is one of many studies that have been done over the years.

BCM-95
BCM-95 is a form of curcumin (a curry spice) which in one study: “Low and high doses of curcumin significantly lowered oxidized proteins and interleukin-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine.” In layman's terms it reduces inflammation. The problem is that curcumin is really hard for your body to absorb. One study found that BCM-95, the version of curcumin used in Joint Ease, is over 400X more bioavailable than most other forms of curcumin. Meaning it's far easier for your body to absorb and start using right away.

Learn More Here <<<<

Shocking Statistics on Nursing Homes

2011-06-12T18:44:00.000-06:00

The folks at Masters In Health Care sent me another interesting article to publish on my blog. I seldom do this but these statistics are rather alarming to say the least. See what you think of this information, and please comment if you find it as disturbing as I did.

15 Shocking Statistics on Nursing Homes
(article link here)

Many elderly people are in long term care facilities like nursing homes, and most families believe that their loved ones will receive excellent care there. Plenty of nursing home patients receive good care and live happy, healthy lives in the care of facilities, but others are subjected to abuse and neglect. These statistics take a look at some of the problems in nursing homes, and explore just how bad things really are.

More than 30% of all nursing homes experience some form of resident abuse: Nearly 1/3 of all nursing homes have residents that are subject to abuse, whether it’s by staff or other residents. These include malnutrition, physical abuse, psychological distress, exploitation, neglect, and sexual abuse.
In 2005, almost all nursing homes had at least one deficiency: Statistics show that in 2005, 91.7% of America’s nursing homes were cited by health inspectors for at least one deficiency.
90% of abusers are known: Nearly all of the time, those who abuse nursing home residents are not strangers. That means staff members, residents, or familiar visitors are almost always to blame for nursing home abuse.
5,000 deaths in 1999 may be due to negligence: Red flags for nursing home negligence were listed on 5,000 death certificates of nursing home patients in 1999. These include starvation, dehydration, or bedsores as the cause of death.
30 incidents of aggression can happen in one 8-hour shift: In one investigation, 12 nurses observed aggression between residents 30 times in an 8-hour shift.
Only about 20% of abuse cases are ever reported: Many nursing home residents do not have the mental presence or confidence to report abuse for themselves, and it may go unnoticed by family and other caretakers, so often, nursing home abuse cases are not reported.
92% of all nursing homes employ at least one convicted criminal: Nearly all nursing homes open their doors to at least one convicted criminal, and there are no national requirements for background checks for nursing home employees.
One-third of all nursing home patients take antipsychotic drugs: It is suspected that older adults are being overmedicated with antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes, used to prevent combative behavior, agitation, and outbursts by dementia patients.
There are not enough nursing home beds to serve the entire elderly population: In 2008, there were only 1.8 million total nursing facility beds, but there were 18.8 million people aged 65-74, and 14.7 million people aged 75 or older.
More than 50% of nursing home residents don’t have close relatives: Many residents of nursing homes are without family support that can watch out for neglect or abuse.
One nurse’s aid may care for up to 30 people: Often, the ratio of nurse’s aids to patients is 1:15, but it can go as high as 30. The recommendation is 1:3 during a meal and 1:6 during non-meal times.
90% of US nursing homes have staff levels too low for adequate care: Statistics on abuse and neglect are not so shocking when you realize that 90% of nursing homes do not have the staff levels available to care for their patients effectively.
The average annual cost for a private nursing home room may be $175,000 by 2021: The average cost for a room at a private nursing home in 2003 was $66,000, but that figure may rise exponentially.
One out of four nursing homes is cited for death or serious injury to a resident: In 2001, one of of every four nursing homes received a citation for causing serious injury or death to a patient.
Twenty complaints per nursing home were received in 2007: With 257,872 complaints relating to quality of care, facilities, staffing, and other factors, there was an average of 20 complaints per nursing home in 2007.

Join the Biggest Loser Weight Loss System for Success

2011-06-09T11:51:00.000-06:00

You don’t have to be on the show to lose weight and start your own transformation! The Biggest Loser Club gives you online access to the diet & fitness program used by the contestants -- personalized to fit your goals and lifestyle. The Biggest Loser online weight loss program gives you all the tools, expert help, and community support you need to succeed. Get More Information Here

Desserts and all your favorites are still on the menu! Who knew losing weight could taste this good!

We want you to succeed and our support network of experts and peers will help you every step of the way.

Your new body and improved self are just a click away!

The Biggest Loser Club is an interactive nutrition and exercise program that creates customized meal plans and daily exercise activities especially for you! Check out some of the club's features that'll get you to your goal weight in record time.

Each day you'll receive a customized menu and activity plan, including recipes, perfect portion sizes and exercise routines that have been carefuly designed based on how, when,, and what you like to eat and do. Don't like what’s in store for you that day? Choose from hundreds of alternatives or–save your favorites. It’s that easy!

Getting in shape is easier when you don't have to go it alone. You can participate in active message boards on dozens of fitness and weight loss topics — and get support and ideas from experts and others working towards the same results as you.

Your chances of success and transformation improve significantly with support from your site Buddies. Take it to a new level by starting a Buddy Challenge where you and your buddies go head-to-head in a weight loss competition!

See how well you're doing with graphs that chart your changing weight, measurements, body composition, clothing size, cholesterol levels and more. Get psyched to see yourself speeding toward your goals!

Find Out More Here <<<

Fish Oil Exposed: Why doctor's don't take it - By Dr. Shah

2011-06-07T11:53:00.000-06:00

Doctor Shah speaks out about the benefits of taking the right supplement, such as Krill Oil. It is a compelling argument against ordinary fish oil.

We all know fish oil is recommended for it's high level of Omega 3's which have a slew of benefits including lowering your cholesterol and helping to give you a stronger heart. In fact Omega-3's are promoted by WebMD, The American Heart Association, The Mayo clinic and doctors around the world.

The problem is that an independent study by The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation of many fish oil products found that every single one of them contained PCB's and other chemicals. That's just not safe. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your body.

There's something better though and I'm here to tell you all about it. The product is called Krill Oil and it's a revolutionary discovery in personal health! Krill Oil is an Omega-3 supplement that literally beats the pants off fish oil. It's made by extracting oil from krill, a shrimp like crustacean that lives in the ocean.

Studies have found that Krill Oil is better than fish oil in almost every way. Here are just some of the results:

If you have high cholesterol or are concerned for your heart and future well being, you simply have to be taking Krill Oil daily.

Cholesterol

Krill Oil has been proven to lower your 'bad' cholesterol levels and boost your 'good' cholesterol. A study by McGill University in Montreal found patients taking just 500 mg of krill oil daily achieved 300% improvement in cholesterol levels!

Heart Health

Get your heart back in shape like it was in your 20's!
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that a group of participants that had been taking 300 mg of krill oil daily reduced their CRP levels by 19.3% after seven days. After 14 days, CRP levels dropped even further by 29.7%. The lower your CRP levels the less your chances of having heart issues.

Brain Health

Stop forgetting people's numbers and names or misplacing your keys. You'll have the sharpest brain in the room with the help of Krill Oil. A study of 30 adults with attention difficulties showed 46% improvement in mental concentration and 48.9 % mental focus after 90 days of taking krill oil supplements.

There's no knowing when a health disaster like a heart attack or stroke will hit, especially if you are over 40. Myself and other leading doctors recommend you take a proactive approach. Clinical studies prove that Krill Oil helps lower the chances both of these and more.

As a doctor I urge you to start taking Krill Oil before it's too late. You'll have a healthier heart, better cholesterol, better brain function and more!

Buy Krill Oil Here

Healthy Skin & Hair Plus Nails Supplement - Irwin Naturals

2011-06-05T19:55:00.000-06:00

Irwin Naturals Hair Skin and Nails Supplement will bring beauty and shine to your body in an easy to use liquid capsule. Nutrient-Rich Healthy Skin & Hair Plus Nails Supplement - Healthy skin, hair and nails are important not only to appearance but as an indication of internal health as well. Taking steps to improve skin, hair and nail health can not only improve the way you look but enhance the way you feel.

Herbal Nutrients to Strengthen: Gotu kola and horsetail are two plants with a long history of use for skin, hair and nail strength and texture. Horsetail, a nutritive plant full of important minerals, is standardized to supply 5.6 mg silica per dose. This mineral is necessary for strong connective tissue production.

Connective Tissue Support: A special blend of vitamins and minerals provide the ingredients necessary to protect and repair connective tissue. Proline and lysine are key elements of collagen production.

Free Radical Protection: The best way to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails is to protect them from damage. Bioflavonoids provide antioxidants to protect the cells from free radicals that are created by the sun and environmental pollution.

This comprehensive formula provides you with targeted nutrients that allow the health of your skin, hair and nails to come shining through.

The nutrients in these easy-to-swallow Liquid Softgels are released faster than harder tablets and dry capsules. These other forms contain binders and fillers that can cause stomach upset and offer no nutritional value. Advanced Liquid Softgels provide an optimum delivery system.

Independent Lab Testing - This formula has passed each phase of IPQP (Industry Pure Quality Program), a comprehensive potency analysis of each key ingredient.

Patented Bioperine Complex - Bioperine "super-charges" the bioavailability, absorption and potency of many nutrients.

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Inflamma-Less Tissue & Mobility Support, 80 soft gels

2011-06-02T21:18:00.000-06:00

Inflamma-Less Tissue & Mobility Support, 80 soft gels

More than just a joint formula! This unique combination of nutrients promotes tissue and muscle comfort and flexibility.

Traditional Ayurvedic plants, potent enzymes and a specific blend of tissue-supportive ingredients are combined in this formula to create a powerful 3-pronged product to promote healthy muscle, tissue and joint function and to support the body’s natural inflammatory response.

Digestive enzymes have powerful effects on tissue response to stress, overexertion, and exercise.

Ayurvedic Herbs may positively influence feelings of muscle and joint discomfort due to strenuous physical activity.

A blend of herbs, vitamins and minerals are included in this formula to protect tissues and provide necessary ingredients to support the body’s own natural and effective tissue formation.

This advanced combination of ingredients is designed to provide optimum tissue support, comfort, flexibility and mobility.

Made by Irwin Naturals <<<<

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The Mind Body Solution for Better Health and Improved Lifestyle

2011-05-31T12:44:00.000-06:00

If you have any of the above symptoms, then you need to know about a breakthrough new program created by Dr. Jeffrey Rossman, one of America's most respected psychologists.

He received his PhD in clinical psychology from Adelphi University, then went on to do his clinical psychology internship in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Rossman's program is now revealed in The Mind-Body Mood Solution, and you're invited to read it RISK-FREE! Step-by-step, it reveals practical ways to help you overcome mild and moderate depression and restore a sense of calm and control in your life without prescription drugs.

The typical American diet is loaded with sugar and carbohydrates that send your blood sugar soaring and dipping all day long.

The result? Your mood and energy levels spike and crash constantly. You crave unhealthy foods. And your waistline expands with every bite. You need to even out the blood sugar highs and lows to lift your mood, recharge your batteries, and lose weight too.

The Mind-Body Mood Solution brings you a complete 14-day mood-boosting meal plan. The plan features delicious recipes that flood your system with the nutrients it needs to help keep your blood sugar and energy stable all day long. Finally, you step OFF that emotional roller coaster and start enjoying life again.

As more Americans have become sleep deprived, depression rates have soared. That's no coincidence. If you're NOT getting enough sleep, life will eventually overwhelm you.

On page 94 of your RISK-FREE copy of The Mind- Body Mood Solution, you'll discover how to summon deep, natural sleep so you wake up feeling rested and ready (never groggy).

You'll discover how to overcome the obstacles that stand between you and restful sleep: How to develop a bedtime routine that really works and how a few safe, natural supplements can help you sleep naturally - with no side effects. And much more.

Get More Information Here

MemoRise Supports Brain Health and Memory Function with Aging

2011-05-30T14:31:00.002-06:00

Aging is an inevitable process, and as we grow older, most people become somewhat forgetful and more absent-minded. Some deterioration of cognitive functioning, including memory health, is a normal part of aging and can begin from as young as the mid-thirties.

The degree to which this happens, however, is greatly affected by genetic composition, stress, and other health-related factors such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle. As we age, the brain may find it more difficult to make connections along its neural pathways. This is often part of the natural aging process which affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent.

Similar to small holes in a straw, information is misplaced as it is processed through the brain. As years pass, it is vital that we maintain a healthy nervous system to help bring about optimal brain function.

Sustaining an adequate oxygen-rich flow of blood to the brain, as well as a steady supply of nutrients to all brain cells, are important factors that determine our brain’s efficiency in performing its vital tasks. This preempts cognitive issues such as memory loss and muddled thinking.

MemoRise is a 100% safe, non-addictive, herbal remedy for natural memory support.

Formulated by a clinical psychologist specifically for middle-aged adults or seniors, MemoRise can been used to safely maintain mental health and systemic balance in the brain and nervous system, without harmful side effects or stimulants – thereby helping to address common age-related forgetfulness and absentmindedness.

MemoRise contains a selection of herbs known for their supportive function in maintaining brain, nervous system, circulatory and mental health, and well-being. The formula remains true to the full spectrum method of herbal manufacturing, ensuring the bioavailability and balance of all the active ingredients contained in the remedy.

This method of manufacturing also significantly reduces the likelihood of side effects and ensures that all active ingredients are in perfect balance – exactly as nature intended.

In combination with a healthy lifestyle, diet, and other memory techniques, MemoRise supports the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system, thereby helping to maintain memory health and optimum performance.

MemoRise provides support for routine information processing and retrieval, common memory techniques, and helps reduce the common forgetfulness associated with an aging brain. MemoRise can be used consistently, without compromising health or risk of serious side effects.

Buy Now or Learn More Here

Joey Atlas Cellulite Removal Program Works

2011-05-26T12:45:00.000-06:00

Do you know a woman like this (or is this you)?

She looks great in her 'sexy jeans... She looks amazing in a form fitted skirt... and she actually looks like a 'hottie' in her workout gear... But when she's naked - she can't stand to look at her trouble spots in the mirror because of her cellulite...

A bikini is out of the question... the short little dress won't see the light of day... and her man is only allowed to "see her" with the lights off...

She doesn't know why she has it. She's heard so many different 'theories'. And she's wasted hundreds, if not, thousands on supposed 'cellulite treatments' - only to find more disappointment and frustration when her cellulite got worse, instead of better...

She may have even tried "the gym thing" - doing the same routine every other members does - again only to find the cellulite is still there...

She loves her weight, her size and even her shape... All she wants is to be cellulite free...

Truth be told there is only one proven way to get rid of cellulite. And yes, it is 'exercise' - but it's not just any old fitness routine... The effective way to banish cellulite is with a specifically structured, laser-targeted cellulite reduction exercise program.

In order for the program to deliver the desired results, it must include these six principles called,

R.E.D.U.C.E.

1 - Replace all 'weight and machine' lower body exercises with bodyweight exercises -- this may seem counter-intuitive to the mainstream 'fitness' approach to cellulite reduction - but its the main reason why it actually works...

2 - Emphasize the slowness of each repetition - This allows the whole muscle to be involved and properly engaged in each exercise - a key to lower body cellulite reduction

3 - Don't get caught up in the 'No pain - no gain' mentality -- this concept forces women to think "doing more is better" which is not the case. This actually prohibits the desired result of cellulite reduction and this is also where exercise related injuries occur...

4 - Utilize 'items' in your home for a complete lower body, anti-cellulite exercise program -- items such as a cushioned chair or couch, a firm ottoman, and a pantry step stool are ideal...

5 - Concentrate on moving from one exercise to the next with no more than 20 seconds between sets -- this is an important element for the cellulite reduction effect...

6 - Expect visible cellulite reduction to start within 3-5 weeks if you get your lower body sessions in three times per week (some women can get away with just two sessions per week).

It is widely known that cellulite affects women of all ages, body types, and body weights.

Unfortunately this allows for a lot of unscrupulous marketers of 'hyped up' products, to take advantage of desperate and hopeful women. They employ sneaky advertising tactics that prey on the emotional pain of this large target market - bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in profits year after year - WITHOUT delivering the promised results...

But even when a woman tries the 'exercise' approach to cellulite reduction - she usually falls victim of simply not being on a cellulite-specific exercise program... Hence perpetuating her constant battle with all the ways her cellulite affects her daily life, attitude and happiness...

If you've "tried everything" with no results to show for your efforts -take a close look at your exercise program (if you are on one right now) and see how you can incorporate the principles of R.E.D.U.C.E. outlined above.

Most of all just be aware that the only way to get rid of the 'orange peel' look of your 'problem zones' is by proper stimulation of the muscles directly beneath your cellulite areas - not with some 'bodybuilder' routine, not with a magical rub-on cream and not with a vibrating toxin releasing massage treatment.

Click here to watch a rare cellulite reduction video. When you see the photo of the 90 muscles in your lower body, you'll see why this all makes sense.

Learn More Here <<<

The Active Calorie Diet - eat fat burning foods and lose weight

2011-05-19T08:32:00.000-06:00

If you love to eat, The Active Calorie Diet is PERFECT for you! You’ll love the delicious list of plus more than 80 recipes for “sinful” foods you never knew were good for you!

Everything you need to know about how to harness the fat-melting force ofActive Calorie foods has now been released in a history-making new weight loss program called The Active Calorie Diet...and you're invited to try it RISK FREE with FREE Shipping!

The Active Calorie Diet is a simple, 4-week fat-blasting program that changes everything. Finally you can lose weight and enjoy real meals that are fabulous, filling—and trigger weight loss with every bite.

Plus, you'll discover "add-on" foods that accelerate the fat-burning benefits. You'll get Active Calorie menu advice for nearly every major restaurant chain. You'll learn about easy-does-it exercises that help turbocharge your fat loss. And much more!

Learn More Here

Essiac - Alternative Health Herbs Essiac Formula Tincture

2011-05-16T13:06:00.000-06:00

Essiac formula helps to cleanse the blood, normalize the enzymes, promotes cellular repair, and aids effective assimialtion and elimination. Usually applies to very serious conditions like cancer, aids and leprosy.

Essiac Formula Ingredients: Burdock Root; Sheep Sorrel; Turkey Rhubarb; Slippery Elm Bark, R/O Water, 12% Alcohol.

Uses: Cancer, AIDS, Leprosy.

Methodology: 6-30 drops, 1-3 times per day. preferrably 2 hours before meals or upon rising and again at bedtime. Dose can be increased for short periods of time and then reduced as needed.

References:

The Original Rene Caisse Herbal Remedy --Essiac International: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1993.

The Essiac Report -- Thomas, Richard, The Alternative Treatment Information Network.

The Essiac Report The True Story of a Canadian Herbal Cancer Remedy and of the Thousands of Lives It Continues to Save by Richard Thomas 5 Star Book Review

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Benefits of Consuming Tava Tea

2011-05-13T14:48:00.000-06:00

Some Benefits Claimed about Tava Tea

Green tea and cholesterol

In a Taiwanese randomised controlled trial, 78 obese women who took 400mg of green tea extract three times a day for 12 weeks experienced significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and a simultaneous increase in levels of HDL-cholesterol, and the hormones adiponectin (promotes insulin sensitivity) and ghrelin (modulates hunger).

(Effect of green tea extract on obese women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):363-70).

Green tea expands blood vessels

Researchers from Greece tested subjects after they consumed green tea, 125mg of caffeine and 450ml of hot water on three separate occasions. They measured the diameter of the brachial artery in each participant 30, 90 and 120 minutes after they consumed each beverage.

Arterial dilation increased significantly with tea by 3.69%, peaking at 30 min, whereas it did not change significantly with caffeine or water.

(The acute effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2008 Jun;15(3):300-5).

Tea is good for the brain

A cohort study of 2501 people from Singapore has found that regular tea consumption is associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment and decline.

The effects were most evident for black (fermented) and oolong (semi-fermented) teas. In contrast, no association between coffee intake and cognitive status was found.

(Tea consumption and cognitive impairment and decline in older Chinese adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jul;88(1):224-31).

Green tea prevents fatty liver

A US team fed groups of genetically obese and lean mice a diet containing zero, 1%, or 2% green tea extract for six weeks.

At the end of the study, the obese mice fed green tea extract weighed 23-25% less than obese mice fed the non-supplemented diet and the lean mice fed green tea extract weighed 11-20% less those on the non-supplemented diet.

Rosacea Relief Serum from Skinception offers Rosacea Solution

2011-05-11T16:27:00.000-06:00

Of all the pain and indignities that come with Rosacea, few are more debilitating than going through your day with a red face.

Rosacea stings. The itching. The prickling heat. But the embarrassment of being constantly seen with that redness, and the fact that it usually hits the one area of the body that you just can't hide the face is just too much.

You can take some consolation in knowing that you're not alone. An estimated 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea, including some prominent figures. Bill Clinton, Mariah Carey and Rosie O'Donnell. Do those names ring a bell? They're all prone to rosacea.

According to the National Rosacea Society, 74% of rosacea sufferers have cancelled social events because of an outbreak. That's a shame. More than that, it's unnecessary.

Rosacea Relief Serum is a scientifically formulated and highly effective solution to rosacea. There is no cure for rosacea, but there is relief. The makers of Rosacea Relief Serum believe you can minimize the symptoms of rosacea and prevent outbreaks in the first place with a little knowledge, self-awareness and good planning. And in this article you learn exactly how to do that, and why Rosacea Relief Serum is the best way to minimize and ultimately banish rosacea completely.

To begin with, let's take a closer look at some common symptoms of rosacea. They include:

flushing
redness
bumps and pimples
visible blood vessels
eye irritation
burning or stinging
dry appearance
skin thickening
swelling

Note that these symptoms don't always appear and once, but an outbreak will always include at least one of these symptoms. Of the millions of Americans who suffer from rosacea, many are unaware that they're susceptible. You're more at risk for rosacea if you have fair skin and are prone to blushing. Rosacea occurs more often in women than men, but hits men with greater severity.

Rosacea primarily affects the face, with redness on the nose, skin, cheeks and forehead. Occasionally it will appear on the back, neck or chest.

While the cause of rosacea remains unknown, several theories exist. One theory is that rosacea is a disorder of the blood vessels. Another is that rosacea is an impairment of the connective tissues under the skin. In any event, we do know many of the factors that trigger rosacea, including:

sun and wind exposure
emotional stress
hot or cold weather
heavy exercise
alcohol consumption
hot beverages

Solutions for avoiding a rosacea outbreak? There are several. The obvious ones are to avoid these triggers. Sometimes that's possible, and sometimes it's not. You can't control the weather, but you can control your alcohol intake, or of hot beverages. You can use stress management techniques to manage stress. And you can limit heavy exercise.

Having said this, it's not always practical to avoid rosacea triggers, nor is it enjoyable if you like coffee or the odd glass of wine. Moderation helps of course, as does your basic physiology. If alcohol triggers your rosacea outbreaks, use discretion.

You might also do well to seek medical advice. A doctor can prescribe medications that reduce rosacea symptoms. Sometimes these are effective. There are also surgical procedures, in which doctors remove the blood vessels responsible for redness in the nose and face. Emerging technologies involving lasers might help as well.

A less intrusive method, however, that's just as effective and more affordable, is Rosacea Relief Serum. Scientifically formulated with the latest in skin-care technology, including Renovage, which is clinically proven to reduce symptoms of rosacea in 90% of patients, Rosacea Relief Serum reduces redness, inflammation, spider veins and the embarrassment that comes with them.

What's more, Rosacea Relief Serum is specially formulated for people with hyper-sensitive skin, meaning it won't trigger an outbreak. You'll also find Rosacea Relief Serum may prevent outbreaks from even starting. All this without the need for a doctor prescription and the inflated bills that go with it.

Rosacea Relief Serum reduces the symptoms of rosacea and makes people feel good about their skin, their face, their life. Combined with the self-awareness of the symptoms and triggers of rosacea, it's an effective, unintrusive and affordable way to a rosacea-free life.

Learn More Here <<<

C-Plex60 Carbohydrate Blocker - Reduce Fat and Weight Gain

2011-05-09T19:27:00.000-06:00

C-plex60 is a new clinically proven advanced carbohydrate formula that reduces calorie intake by blocking upto 82% of carbohydrate intake. C-plex60 contains a new proprietary glycoprotein complex derived from a Seaweed Extract source and works in many ways to effectively promote consistent weight loss.

To understand how C-plex60™ works, an understanding about carbohydrate digestion and how this relates to weight gain will help you. During the digestion process, enzymes help to break down carbohydrates into simpler molecules. The alpha amylase enzyme converts carbohydrates into glucose, which is a form of sugar found in your blood and is used for energy (calories). The term ‘carbohydrate calories’ refers to the calories obtained from carbohydrates. So, if you take more calories than you need, the excess carbohydrate calories are stored as fat. This leads to weight gain.

When C-plex60™ blocks carbohydrate digestion by reducing alpha-amylase enzyme activity, less carbohydrates are absorbed. Ultimately, this leads to weight loss.

In addition, when C-plex60™ reduces carbohydrate absorption, the plasma glucose levels are also reduced and this in turn, reduces insulin secretion. When this happens, hunger-pangs and food cravings are controlled, and this can also lead to weight loss.

What is C-plex60?
C-plex60 is a natural product for general weight management and for the prevention and treatment of obesity. It contains InSea2™, a highly concentrated and standardised glycoprotein complex derived from Seaweed extract source, which is clinically proven to reduce the absorption of up to 82% of carbohydrates in a standard 600-calorie meal. With less carbohydrates absorbed, you lose weight. So, together with a sensible diet and an exercise programme, C-plex60™ can help you lose and manage your weight.

How can C-plex60 help me lose weight?
The amount of calories your body takes in and the amount of energy you use up on your activities will determine your body weight. With C-plex60™, up to 82% of the carbohydrate calories you eat in your standard meal are blocked. So, the lesser the carbohydrate calories absorbed, the more weight you lose. C-plex60™ also controls your food cravings and helps in hunger management.

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Natural Sleep Aid to Combat Insomnia

2011-05-05T11:57:00.000-06:00

Get Some Sleep the Natural Way

We've all had them. Sleepless nights. You know how it goes, you've got stuff on your mind and you take it with you to bed. Maybe it's stress from work. Maybe it's relationships, or money issues, or your list of things to do is so big that you just can't shake it, and it follows you to dreamland. Sleeplessness can take many forms, from an inability to stay asleep to waking up too early. You just want a good night's sleep, and preferably without sleeping pills, right? You can, with Alteril.

Don't get me wrong, sleeping pills have their place. They're good for situations, say, like a rough patch, like a divorce or temporary sleepless issues. But you don't want to be on sleeping pills longer than a few weeks for a variety of reasons. They often leave you feeling groggy in the morning, like waking up with a hangover. They affect your motor skills, and are a contributing factor to a large number of car accidents in the United States each year. They can also be very addictive, and require a higher dosage for you to fall and stay asleep after a few weeks. Worse, they present the potential for an accidental overdose. The last thing you want to do is take a sleeping pill after a few glasses of wine.

Enter Alteril, your new best friend.

Alteril is a safe, natural and medically proven alternative to sleeping pills, and your ticket to a great night's sleep. It's effective because Alteril contains four of the most effective sleep aids in one convenient capsule. Yet it's also safe, because the ingredients are natural, with none of the adverse effects of sleeping pills. They include L-Tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for manufacturing the neurotransmitters that regulate your sleep and awake cycles. Melatonin, a hormone that governs your circadian rhythm, Valerian, which is a sedative that doesn't give that hang-over feeling, and L-Theanine, which reduces stress and anxiety while increasing alpha relaxation brain waves.

Alteril also contains lemon balm, hops, passion flower and chamomile. Did your grandma ever give you chamomile tea as a kid before bed? There was a reason for that. Chamomile is a nerve relaxant that assists in sleep.

Unlike sleeping pills, which require a prescription from a doctor, with Alteril there are no known side effects. Alteril doesn't cause dependency. You don't have to worry about building a tolerance or withdrawal symptoms. You can drive a car without loss of coordination (although we don't recommend doing so because you'll be ready for a good night's rest!).

Alteril is ideal for treating mild cases of insomnia and breaking stages of sleeplessness. You should see a doctor if your sleepless cycle lasts longer than a few weeks, as there could be serious underlying issues causing your insomnia. If left untreated, severe cases of insomnia can lead to mental and physical illness.

Let Alteril give you the good night's sleep that you deserve, without drugs. Try Alteril, and re-discover dreamland.

Spring Brings on Outdoor Activities - You Need Nutrition

2011-05-02T09:37:00.000-06:00

Get Nutrition for Outdoor Hikes and Biking Activities

Skout Natural Foods was created and inspired by the Pacific Northwest, considered by many to be one of the best outdoor recreation areas in the world. Our mission is to provide great tasting, healthy foods to sustain those who embrace adventure and actively pursue the outdoors.

Skout Natural Foods are made in Portland, Oregon, with a carefully chosen handful of organic ingredients. Our Trailbars provide a delicious source of naturally occurring protein, fiber and vitamins. Skout Trailbars are vegan, 100% organic and include a full serving of fruit sourced from local Northwest orchards when available.

Made in the lush Willamette Valley of Oregon, Skout Trailbars embody the spirit of the region: rugged, abundant, unfettered energy. Just a handful of whole organic ingredients create a pure and delicious source of nourishment. Skout Trailbars were born of the need to sustain those who seek, find, and embrace adventure to its fullest.

organic blueberry + almond trailbar

Blueberries are the superfood that bring antioxidant power to this delicious Trailbar. The almonds include vitamin E as well as good monounsaturated fats. The dates and oats give the Trailbar a superior texture as well as add numerous health benefits.

organic apple + cinnamon trailbar

The health advantages of apples & cinnamon have been known for centuries. The extremely high antioxidant properties are among the many benefits of adding cinnamon to the diet. Together they bring a really delicious flavor to this Trailbar. The dates, oats and almonds give the Trailbar a superior texture and add numerous health benefits.

organic chocolate + coconut trailbar

The unsweetened dark chocolate in this delicious Trailbar brings a great source of flavonol antioxidants. In addition to making a great pairing with chocolate, coconut also brings an abundance of vitamins and minerals. The dates, oats and almonds give the Trailbar a superior texture as well as add numerous health benefits.

organic cherry + vanilla trailbar

Cherries bring anthocyanins with their potential health benefits to this delicious Trailbar, which is then finished off with a refreshing natural vanilla flavor. The dates, oats and almonds give the Trailbar a superior texture as well as add numerous health benefits.

organic chocolate + peanut butter trailbar

Peanuts are nutrient rich and provide a great source of protein. Combined with the antioxidant power of unsweetened dark chocolate, this Trailbar is a very healthy snack with exceptionally great taste. The dates and oats give the Trailbar a superior texture as well as add more health benefits.

10 Facts We Now Know About Sunscreen

2011-04-28T08:26:00.000-06:00

Here is a good article with useful links that is all about using sunscreen. Most of us use sunscreen and actaully know very little about it's chemical makeup. Perhaps this bit of information will help clear up some of the controversies. We are sharing it with permission from Florine at ... http://www.uspharmd.com/blog

With summer on the horizon, we know it’s time to slather on the sunscreen and reapply, but how much do we really know about this magical lotion that’s said to protect against sunburn and prevent skin cancer? For all the mysteries that still remain about the sun and how it affects us, we can rest assured knowing that we have these 10 facts about sunscreen covered:

There is No Evidence that the Chemicals in Sunscreen are Not Safe: Despite ongoing controversy over the safety of the chemicals in sunscreens, most scientists and doctors agree that there is no evidence that sunscreen ingredients are harmful to humans. The argument that sunscreen ingredients are carcinogenic, block vitamin D or alter the body’s hormone system will require further research and experimental studies before any conclusions are drawn.
The Higher the SPF Number, the Smaller the Difference: It’s a common misconception that a higher SPF number means you are doubly or triply protected. A higher number does indicate more protection, but it doesn’t give you two to three times as much protection as one with an SPF 15. Sunscreens with SPF 15 filter out roughly 93 percent of UVB rays and SPF 30 sunscreens filter about 97 percent. The protection slightly increases as the SPF number gets higher, but only by one percent (98) for SPF 50 and two percent (99) for SPF 100 sunscreens. The fact is no one sunscreen will protect you completely.
SPF Numbers Only Refer to UVB Ray Protection: The sun protection factor (SPF) number on sunscreens only measures protection against UVB rays, the skin-burning rays. There is no current FDA-approved rating system for measuring protection from UVA rays, which cause aging of the skin. To ensure coverage against UVB and UVA rays, you should use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, or one that contains avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
There’s a Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant Sunscreen: Sunscreens that are labeled "waterproof" or "water-resistant" are slightly different in their chemical makeup and water tolerance. Water-resistant sunscreens can maintain their SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure, and waterproof sunscreens can maintain their SPF level after 80 minutes of water exposure, according to the FDA. If you’re plan on being in the water or participating in outdoor activities, you should choose a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen for optimal protection.
Sunscreen Does Not Cause Vitamin D Deficiency: For years, people have blamed sunscreen and dermatologists’ pleas to stay out of the sun as the leading cause for vitamin D deficiency in Americans. However, we now know that there is little to no evidence that shows sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency, and people can get the recommended amount of vitamin D from other sources than just the sun, such as taking dietary supplements and eating foods like salmon, milk and eggs.
Sunscreen is Not Fail-Safe: We now know that sunscreen is not fail-safe because it is not a guaranteed protection against all of the sun’s harmful rays. There is also no supporting evidence that sunscreens protect you from developing malignant melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. Sunscreen alone will not fully protect you from the sun or from developing skin cancer. In addition to wearing sunscreen, you should also seek shade, wear protective clothing, avoid peak hours of sun exposure and monitor the UV index.
One Ounce of Sunscreen is Needed to Cover Your Body: We now know that one ounce, equivalent to a full shot glass, is the recommended amount of sunscreen needed to cover your exposed skin. You should apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, especially after perspiring, swimming or towel-drying. Sunscreen is something you definitely don’t have to go easy on. Don’t forget to protect the often-missed parts of the body, like the lips, ears, hands, feet, neck and scalp.
Everyone Should Use Sunscreen, Regardless of Skin Color: People of all races and ethnicities are at risk for developing skin cancer, and should wear sunscreen to protect themselves from UV radiation. We know that people with fair skin and a large number of freckles and moles have a greater chance of burning and developing skin cancer, but people with darker skin can also burn and develop skin cancer as well. Dark-skinned individuals are also more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer in the later stages when it is more dangerous and could be fatal.
Sunscreen is Needed in All Types of Weather: Whether it’s sunny, cloudy or snowing outside, you still need sunscreen to stay protected all year long. Ultraviolet rays can do a significant amount of damage even when the sun is not at its hottest. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people experience some of the severest sunburns because they did not protect themselves on cloudy days, where up to 40 percent of the sun’s radiation can get through. So, whether you’re hitting the slopes or riding the waves, you need to wear sunscreen in every season and every type of weather.
Sunscreens Have a Maximum Shelf Life of Three Years: According to the FDA, all sunscreens have to be stable at their original strength for at least three years, unless otherwise indicated by an expiration date. Sunscreens lose their effectiveness after three years, especially when the bottle is exposed to direct sunlight, extreme changes in temperature or left open. Sunscreen is said to have a shelf life of three years. However, if you’re using the appropriate amount of sunscreen daily, you shouldn’t have bottles of sunscreen sitting around for more than one year!

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Eye care that is safe and effective reduces dark circles and puffiness - Eyelasticity

2011-04-26T14:36:00.000-06:00

Eyelasticity is Gentle and Safe

Some people just look tired. They're not hard to spot. They've got wrinkles around their eyes, with dark circles and eye bags to match. Eyes speak of age with the full force of biology. And sometimes that hurts.

Look at the skin-care industry. At $150 Billion spent each year in the United States alone, it's pretty evident that people want to look young. There are skin-care solutions that work. Eyelasticity Age-Defying Eye Therapy is one of them. But sometimes consumers look to a different source...

Botulinum toxin, or botox, is a protein produced by the bacterium closteridium botulinum. You're probably familiar with botox as a cosmetic procedure to reduce wrinkles and produce a more youthful appearance.

Often associated with celebrities as an alternative to plastic surgery, botox was approved by the FDA in 2002 and is a popular procedure to temporarily "freeze" the facial muscles, which prevents crow's feet and wrinkles from forming.

BTX-A, or cosmetic botox, is an injection. Costing between $300-$700 per treatment, botox is a toxin that paralyzes nerve endings. By freezing specific muscles, botox blocks the neurotransmitters that tell your muscles to contract, preventing wrinkles. The effects typically last between six to eight months.

But there's a dark underbelly to botox that may surprise you. While botox is effective as a temporary measure to reduce wrinkles and preserve youthful features, it's also a neurotoxin that's extremely toxic. In fact, botox is one of the most toxic substances known to man. How potent is that?

One nanogram of botox per kilogram is enough to cause death. Four kilograms (8.8 U.S. Pounds) of botox is enough to kill the human population of the planet.

Cosmetic botox is a small and diluted version, of course. Side effects include nausea, head aches and bruising. Botox has been linked to deaths in the past, and new research now links botox to muscle weakness, speech disorders and cognitive impairment.

What's unfortunate is that consumers expose themselves to botox to look young. Especially when you consider there's a safer, cheaper and proven solution that produces the same results.

Syn-ake is a synthetic peptide that mimics the muscle-freezing activity of the venom found in the Temple Viper snake. The amino acids in Syn-ake block specific sites in the muscle tissue, as does botox, and prohibits the muscle contractions that create wrinkles, laugh lines and crow's feet.

Slinception has developed a reputation in the skin-care industry as the "topical botox", and with good reason. Clinical studies show that Syn-ake reduces wrinkles in the forehead by up to 52%, making it particularly effective in reducing crow's feet, while preventing damage to the collagen matrix needed for vibrant, durable skin.

Eyelasticity reduces expression lines, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Safe, convenient and effective, Eyelasticity is a potent, yet gentle alternative to botox, medically proven to take years off aging eyes.

In clinical studies, Eyelasticity reduced under-eye puffiness in 90% of volunteers, improved dark circles by 35% and stimulated collagen production by 1,190%.

Kinda makes you wonder why anyone would stick a deadly toxin in their forehead, doesn't it?

Vibrant young eyes are within your reach, without the poisons of botox. Try Eyelasticity Age-Defying Eye Therapy today, and show the world what sexy eyes are all about.

Clear Skin Max Responds to Acne with Strong Anti-Acne Regimin

2011-04-22T12:20:00.000-06:00

How Does Skin MAX Work?

If you have tried numerous other skin care products to try and eradicate your acne, you’ll know that the majority of them simply do not work. They use harsh, caustic chemicals which often exacerbate the problem and dry out the delicate skin making you more prone to suffering from premature wrinkles and lines.

Other treatments include antibiotics or surgical treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, but as you know antibiotics cannot be used over a long period of time which is no use to an acne sufferer as acne can take time to respond to treatments and you risk doing yourself harm by taking an antibiotic over a prolonged period. Surgical skin treatments are costly (as repeat visits are often required), can be painful and sometimes can leave scarring.

What Makes Clear Skin MAX Different From The Rest?

What makes Clear Skin MAX different is that instead of just one product, it is a three step skin care system, a complete solution for your acne targeting each problem area leaving you with crystal clear skin. Clear Skin MAX has thought of not just a solution but also a cure to prevent further breakouts.

Most people begin to see an improvement in their acne symptoms within just 5 days, that’s under a week! For best results, continue using Clear Skin MAX and within 2-3 weeks, the results are astonishing. Best of all, it is made up of completely natural ingredients, no hidden chemicals, no nasty surprises and no known side effects.

What Is In Clear Skin MAX?

The Clear Skin MAX kit contains: Tea Tree Oil Control Daily Cleansing Gel, Skin Soften and Melanin Expel Essence, Acne Vanisher Mask, Pore Astringent Conditioning Lotion and Acne Treatment Emergency.

Together the ingredients work to cleanse, open up pores, remove bacteria, refresh, revitalise and moisturise the skin and treat pimples as they appear. The kit is to be used at least twice a day and each product in the kit is designed to work in conjunction with the other to make sure you get optimum results.

Where Can I Purchase Clear Skin MAX?

Clear Skin MAX can be purchased online from the official website, you also receive free samples of Tava Tea AntI Acne Blend designed to keep your skin healthy from the inside. Clear Skin MAX comes with a comprehensive 180 day money back guarantee (6 months) money back guarantee so if you are not totally satisfied simply return for a full refund no questions asked.

They also offer free shipping so with all this is mind Clear Skin MAX is well worth the investment and could be the solution to your skin problems that you have been so desperately seeking.

Why Is Clear Skin MAX So Good?

If you have suffered from acne you will know how devastating and embarrassing it can be. You will also know just how difficult it can be to treat; you have no doubt tried endless over the counter acne products with little success. Antibiotics and other medications can have side effects, some very serious and even if you have no problems and the treatment is working, antibiotics cannot be taken for an extended period of time to ensure your acne does not return so what do you do?

You could choose the brand new revolutionary acne treatment, Clear Skin MAX. It is a 5 step skin care system, available without prescription, completely natural and free of all side effects. Each product works alongside the other to make sure the symptoms are treated, controlled and the chance of further breakouts are reduced.

What Is In Clear Skin MAX?

The 5 main components in Clear Skin MAX are: The Skin Soften and Melanin Expel Essence, Acne Vanishing Mask, Pore Astringent Mask, the Pore Astringent Conditioning Lotion and the Acne Treatment Emergency. These all help to promote a healthy, clear complexion.

First use the Essence to cleanse your face, then apply the Acne vanishing mask and let it harden for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Then apply the Pore Astringent conditioning lotion which closes the pores again to prevent more spots forming. If you do get an unsightly spot, the Acne Treatment Emergency helps to dry out the spot and refreshes the skin.

An example of ingredients found in each of these products consists of Vitamin E, Menthol, Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil, Chamomile Extract to name just a few. So as you can see, Skin Care MAX contains natural and pure ingredients and is safe to use on the skin every day.

How Long Until I See Results?

Results can be seen within the first 5 days of using the product. If you make Clear Skin MAX a part of your daily routine, your skin will be noticeably clearer in 2-3 weeks. Results from Clear Skin MAX are permanent, not a temporary measure. Even if you are satisfied with the results, you can continue to use the system as long as you wish to prolong your results.

What Other Benefits Are There?

When ordering Clear Skin MAX, each order comes with free samples of Tava Tea Anti Acne, a powerful green tea that keeps the skin healthy and keeps acne at bay. Shipping is free anywhere in the world and you receive a full money back guarantee of 6 months (180 days) if in the unlikely event Clear Skin MAX does not work for you.