Nutritional Supplements

Non-Prescription Choices For Women With Hormone Imbalance

xinger — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:58:00 +0000

Not so long ago, menopause was a word you did not say out loud in public, and you had to go to a medical library to find a book on the subject. Today, every Barnes and Nobles, Borders, and other book stores carry literally dozens of titles on the subject of hormone imbalance or menopause.

With 40 million menopausal women in America and some 20 million baby boomer women on the brink of menopause, it is no wonder this is such a major topic of discussion today. Many women are educating themselves and "doing their homework", not readily accepting the "gold standard" so quickly suggested by their doctors of taking synthetic hormones like Premarin (from pregnant mares' urine) to assist them through this normal transition of life.

After all, menopause is not a disease but only a transition between one's childbearing years and the large segment of life that follows, when one no longer need be concerned with monthly cycles and the responsibility of pregnancy. Menopause is by design and not a mistake of mother nature... Today there are many natural alternatives that have proven to be beneficial in helping women to balance their hormones without the risky side effects of the synthetic hormones. I encourage you to take personal responsibility for your own health, and consider getting started on natural hormones today!

Summer Is Almost Over? Tell That To My Hot Flashes!

Summer may be coming to an end, but for many menopausal women across the country, the discomfort of hot flashes and night sweats will remain. Hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness and irritability are just some of the symptoms women are likely to experience during menopause. These symptoms are caused by a natural depletion of estrogen levels, causing many women to turn to Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) in order to alleviate their symptoms. While this form of treatment can be effective, widely publicized potential health risks such as increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease have motivated women to seek alternative forms of treatment.

Approximately 80-90% of women in the United States are thought to experience the aforementioned symptoms during menopause, whereas only an estimated 30% of women in Asia experience the same symptoms. Why? The answer is soy. Menopausal symptom relief is just one of the many benefits associated with the regular consumption of soy. The typical Asian diet ensures that adequate amounts of soy are consumed on a regular basis, resulting in an all-natural method of reducing menopausal symptoms before they even surface. Soy isoflavones not only alleviate hot flashes and night sweats, a recent study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility indicated that soy isoflavones can also reduce emotional instability and may improve cognitive function in women with menopause. The use of soy as an all-natural, non-intrusive and risk-free alternative to traditional ERT methods is becoming more common across the nation.

In addition to adding dietary supplements containing soy to your daily health regime, the following ingredients will provide you with the adequate amounts of soy isoflavones:

Soybeans
Fortified soymilk
Tofu and tempeh
Soy flour

The products within Växa’s Women’s Health Line also cater to the specific needs of women during this delicate time. Preserve Cream for Women is an all-natural soy-based HRT balancing cream. The cream is rapidly absorbed through the skin where it starts to work immediately. Preserve is a homeopathic medicinal specifically formulated to address the problems and discomforts of menopause by providing the body with a rich supply of safe, naturally occurring phytoestrogen complexes and calming herbs.

Longevity...Is It In You?

xinger — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:55:00 +0000

While we all want to live a long, healthy life, several factors come into play which determine your overall quality of life. You have probably heard the expression, “Play the hand you are dealt,” obviously meaning that genetics influences your chances of being healthy or living with disease.

Personally I feel a positive mental attitude towards life, a balanced diet, plenty of rest to assist the immune system, and regular to moderate exercise are key. Bottom line…age is a state of mind, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

Is The Fountain Of Youth In Your Genes?

We have all heard of the George Burns type who drink and smoke and live long healthy lives, which leads to a debate about how much lifestyle and inherited genes have to do with life longevity. According to an article in the New York Times, “Live Long? Die Young? Answer Isn’t Just in Genes,” life span is simply random. “The likely reason is that life span is determined by such a complex mix of events that there is no accurate predicting for the individuals. The factors include genetic predispositions, disease, nutrition, a woman’s health during pregnancy, subtle injuries and accidents and simply chance events, like a randomly occurring mutation in a gene of a cell that ultimately leads to cancer.”

This is good news, folks. Look at it this way. Some of us whose mother or father died early on are expecting the same for themselves, but that is not necessarily going to be the outcome. Also, in this article it does in fact point out that how we live our lives does have a strong influence on the quality and longevity of it. The article discussed many studies by various leading experts, who all agree that genetics is not a strong indicator of life span. There have been many studies following identical twins and fraternal twins and found that it was even impossible to judge life spans in identical twins.

Reading between the lines and showing a connection to lifestyle, there was a set of identical twins in the study who are both alive at the age of 92. Their lives are not concurrent however, as one sister is very healthy and very active, and the other sister has many old age type illnesses (incontinence, hip replacement, poor vision and dementia). The healthy sister claims to have been very active in tennis most of her life, obtained a master's degree, enjoyed a successful career as a teacher and was very headstrong. The healthy sister describes her twin as always having been more of a fragile individual who did not do well in school, obtaining only a high school degree.

On this same note, The Associated Press published an article titled, “Want to be 100? Listen To These 5 Centenarians.” They interviewed 5 women over the age of 100 and came to the conclusion that “the key to longevity is working hard at a job you love and taking care of your body while you’re at it.” All of the women had very positive outlooks on their current life. Commenting on how they hear all the time how some people do not want to live to be their age and they cannot understand why.

How long you live and what the quality of that life is does depend greatly on the individual. Yes, some of us may be affected by genetics, and some may have traumatic and random accidents. However, we are not chained to any one specific occurrence, rather living life to your highest and happiest potential, and incorporating healthy decisions is your best bet for a long healthy life. For additional tips, a must read is Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. Specifically part one, “Understanding the Elements of Health.”

You will find many Växa products featured in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing, such as Attend, Buffer-pH, Parasitin and Cell-U-Lite. Although, many of these products are symptom specific, Buffer-pH and Parasitin are two products that are vital in creating a healthy environment for longevity.

Bacteria Can Be Good For You!

xinger — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:52:00 +0000

When we think of bacteria, we generally think it is bad. While this can be true, many of us are not aware that certain forms of bacteria can in fact be good for us. “Good” bacteria essentially combat the development of “bad” bacteria, which in turn strengthens our immune system and wards off disease. While the body naturally produces a supply of “good” bacteria, the lack of nutrients in the Standard American Diet, the use of antibiotics, prolonged illness or stress can deplete this supply, making it necessary to consume probiotic supplements in order to replenish “good” bacteria supplies. So, how do probiotics actually work?

The Benefits Of Probiotics

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast, however lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common microbes used. LAB have been used in the food industry for many years, because they are able to convert sugars (including lactose) and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This not only provides the characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, but acts as a preservative, by lowering the pH and creating fewer opportunities for harmful organisms to grow.

Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring flora within the digestive tract to reestablish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for candidiasis.

The rationale for probiotics is that the body contains a miniature ecology of microbes, collectively known as the gut flora. The number of bacterial types can be thrown out of balance by a wide range of circumstances including the use of antibiotics or other drugs, excess alcohol, stress, disease, exposure to toxic substances, or even the use of antibacterial soap. In cases like these, the bacteria that work well with our bodies may decrease in number, an event which allows harmful competitors to thrive, to the detriment of our health.

Maintenance of healthy gut flora is, however, dependent on many factors, especially the quality of food intake. Including a significant proportion of prebiotic foods in the diet has been demonstrated to support a healthy probiotic flora and may be a more effective and sustainable means of achieving the desirable health benefits promised by probiotics.

Experiments into the benefits of probiotic therapies suggest a range of potentially beneficial medicinal uses for probiotics. For example, research has indicated that ingestion of probiotics may aid individuals with lactose intolerance, those with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Probiotics have also been linked to prevention of colon cancer and the improvement of immune system functions thereby reducing the risk of contracting infections.

In addition to consuming probiotic supplements, the inclusion of the following foods also help promote a healthy environment within the gut:

Kefir
Yogurt
Sauerkraut
Kimchi

To ensure that your body is getting sufficient amounts of probiotics, try ReFlora. ReFlora contains a special complex of 10 different and beneficial bacteria, phytomedicinals and other nutrients to help the body restore healthy bacterial flora.

Have You Had Your Fruits and Vegetables Today?

xinger — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:17:00 +0000

By now, we are all aware that eating more fruits and vegetables is as central to a healthy nutritional plan or program as drinking more water, consuming more omega 3 essential fatty acids, or eliminating sugars from the diet. While most vegetables are good, some are clearly better than others from a nutritional standpoint. The general rule is - the greener the better - and of course some red, yellow, and orange colored vegetables are healthy too. Remember, to practice having a colorful plate, not just white and brown foods.

Obviously, the Government's Food Pyramid Guide has been less than ideal in educating people about balanced diets. I saw a study recently that showed that less than one-third of Americans eat enough fiber ( fruits and vegetables) in their diet. It is no wonder that the incidence of chronic degenerative conditions continue to climb each year, namely, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. I would have to agree with Hippocrates the "Father of Medicine" who so aptly stated.."Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food."

Remember, if you choose to be healthier, you must make smarter food choices!!!

Your Parents Were Right – Fruits and Vegetables are Good for You

The importance of fruits and vegetables has been essentially drummed into us since childhood by parents and grandparents alike. While we all know that fruits and vegetables are good for you, many of us are still in the dark when it comes to knowing the reasons behind the importance of consuming them.

Our diet lays the foundation for our overall well-being and health. Like any other living organism on this earth, without correct nutrition, our bodies will simply start to wither and fail us. A balanced diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables provides our bodies with the ideal tools to facilitate optimum organ function, large supplies of vitality and energy to cope with day-to-day life, and the maintenance of a strong immune system to ward off disease.

A diet containing the correct amounts of fruits and vegetables is intricately related to the prevention of America’s top two causes of death, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has predicted that 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 500,000 will die from it. The role that diet plays is clearly demonstrated by the fact that 32% of these deaths could be related to eating patterns. The CDC has also reported that the consumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown by recent studies to be associated with cardiovascular disease prevention.

In an effort to guide the American population into leading healthier lifestyles, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlines dietary recommendations in the MyPyramid food guide which is available to everyone. In the past, the MyPyramid food guide has recommended an average of five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. This is no longer the case. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle and combat serious illness, the USDA now recommends that we consume 2-6 and a half cups of fruits and vegetables per day – an obvious increase.

Now, you may be thinking that not many people will actually commit to including 6 cups of fruits and vegetables in their diet on a daily basis. Sadly, you are probably right. A study conducted by researchers at the USDA and the Cancer Institute found that 60% of the American population failed to keep up with the previous MyPyramid guidelines between 1999 and 2000. This does not bode well for the new, more stringent recommendations.

We live in an age of convenience which has greatly influenced the Standard American Diet. The “24/7 society” has forced many of us into making a choice between convenient food which we can prepare quickly and eat on the go, over foods which take longer to prepare but are rich in the nutrients our bodies require. A few simple adjustments to your dietary regime can easily set you on the right path to a healthy lifestyle:

... Replace potato chips with raw vegetables.
... Add fruit to your breakfast cereal.
... Replace coffee, tea and soda with juice.
... Explore your supermarket’s produce aisle. You will realize that many items such as raisins, grapes, cherry tomatoes and bananas can be used as great “on the go” food.

In addition to making dietary adjustments, Växa’s Daily Nutrition Line will help you make sure that you are supplying your body with all the necessary essential nutrients. For example, one serving of VäxaGreens is the equivalent to consuming 5 whole green salads, Nutritionizer is a balanced meal replacement shake which offers a quick and tasty way to get 100% of the USRDIs of 36 vitamins and minerals, and Daily Essentials will ensure that your body is never lacking in optimum nutrition.

Did You Know ADD/ADHD Has Been Around For About One Hundred Years?

xinger — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:06:00 +0000

That's right!! Attention Deficit Disorder has been described in medical literature for about one hundred years, when a well-noted Pediatrician, George Still M.D., described a group of children who were hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive. Fast forward to 2006, and currently ADD/ADHD affects approximately 7 percent of the population.

Since the new school year has begun across the country, I felt this article could be timely, and help you or someone you know or care about to consider all your options. I recently saw a study that stated that approximately 2 million prescriptions were written for children of all ages last month alone for ADD/ADHD. That is a lot of prescriptions for any condition, which tells me that the awareness for ADD/ADHD is at an all-time high.

So as a take home message this week, just remember that a diagnosis from a qualified professional of ADD/ADHD in your child is not a crisis (although I realize it can be challenging for the whole family in certain situations). Many of America's brightest and most successful adults admit to having some form of Attention Deficit disorder as a child, and learned how to turn symptoms that are perceived to be lemons, into "Lemonade."

ADD/ADHD: Back to School Tips

No matter where you live in the United States, school is back in full force by now. We wanted to take this time to talk to you about some ways of working with a child that has ADD/ADHD this school year. The number one fact to keep in mind is that any change, sudden or otherwise, is going to affect that child. So be very cautious when deciding to make a change in the normal routine. Evaluate the change and be sure it is the best decision for the child. Also, be very aware of who their teachers are and what events, tests, etc. are going on at school. This is important because these changes may also cause a disruption for your child. School holidays, socials and sports tryouts may also cause added stress on your child.

It is true that many of these things can cause stress to any child, but it is important to note that the stress induced on a child with ADD/ADHD is greater. Let’s imagine that your child was adjusted to their teacher and was keeping up in class. Then the teacher goes on a maternity leave and now your child has to adjust to another teacher for the next few months that has a totally different teaching style. Your child could fall behind while trying to adjust to the new teaching style, which could affect them for the remaining school year. Another scenario could be that a standardized test is coming up and the pace of the class has increased in order to prepare for the exam. Your child could get left behind and overwhelmed with the stress of keeping up, and maybe even give up all together.

As a parent or guardian of a child with ADD/ADHD it is more than a full time job. You really have to dig in there and be your child’s biggest advocate. For example, it may not be the best idea for your child to be in a classroom where another teacher may have to fill in for two months. Nor will it be easy to convince the school to make the change without hurting someone’s feelings, but it may be the best for your child. Also, it may be a good idea to get the study guide for a standardized test ahead of time from the teacher and begin to have brief study times before the class even starts to prepare, that way your child will be more comfortable and prepared for the faster paced environment.

In a recent article by Healthwise, “Behavior therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” they give several helpful tips for all aged children. And as you read through each and every one of these tips you see some very distinct commonalities. The overall ideas in their tips are these:

. Know your child’s routines and create for them a structured environment supporting their educational efforts, need for playtime and family chore time.
. Reward positive behavior.
. Be consistent and set clear instructions for tasks.
. Be a good role model, including such behavioral traits as patience, calmness and good listening skills.

Attend is a valuable and helpful tool in addressing your child’s ADD/ADHD needs. For those customers of ours whose child is taking Attend this school year we would like to give you one more additional tip. Once you have gotten your child through the loading dosage of the Attend and have gotten to the results you were looking for, keep in mind that it may be necessary during times of stress to go back to the loading dosage until the child has adjusted to the stress. During important standardized tests and after returning from a school holiday may be a good time to return your child to the loading dosage.

Every child has their quirks and deserves special one on one attention. We hope this school year is one of bonding for both you and your child. Many of Växa products are suitable for your child, so if you have other health needs for them just give us a call (1-800-248-8292) and our customer service representatives will be glad to help.

Are You Having Fun Yet? Pay Attention To Body Signals and Enjoy The Rest Of Your Summer!

xinger — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 17:36:00 +0000

Since August is both Pain and Psoriasis Awareness month (Fun Month Right?) I wanted to comment on both of these and their associated manifestations, as well as offer some alternative therapeutic options.

Pain is universally understood as a signal of disease and often the most common symptom that brings a patient to see their doctor. Pain is an unpleasant sensation localized to a part of the body. It is described with terms like burning, stabbing, twisting, tearing, squeezing, or an emotional reaction like terrifying, nauseating or sickening. Any pain of moderate to high intensity is accompanied by anxiety. It is the task of medicine to preserve and restore health and to relieve suffering, i.e. pain.

Pain can be emotional, physical, psychological or spiritual. When pain is acute it is accompanied by a stress response, which produces increased blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter and plasma Cortisol levels. Psoriasis itself is an emotional and painful disease (in more ways than one), let alone factor in its relationship to psoriatic arthritis in susceptible individuals. The good news is by making lifestyle changes today, many of the symptoms can be reduced or in some cases alleviated all together.

Psoriatic Arthritis And Treatment Options

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 10-30% of people living with psoriasis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and connective tissue that can be very painful and even disabling depending on the severity of it and how early the diagnosis is made. The cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, however, the immune system, genetics and environmental factors (emotional stress, toxins, etc.) are thought to be contributors. The onset of psoriatic arthritis typically appears between the ages of 30-50; earlier onset may result in a more severe form of the disease.

A person can have psoriasis for up to 20 years before ever developing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis; however, on average the symptoms begin to show 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. Although 85% of patients have psoriasis prior to psoriatic arthritis, there are a small number of cases when symptoms of psoriatic arthritis appear first. Early diagnosis will allow for the best possible prognosis. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are generalized fatigue, nail changes such as pitted nail beds, redness and pain of the eye, swollen fingers or toes; along with joint stiffness, pain and tenderness, as well as sensitivity around the surrounding tissue of the joints. If you have psoriasis and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please inform your dermatologist or general practitioner. He or she will refer you to a physician who specializes in arthritis, often a rheumatologist.

There is no single test that can diagnose a person with psoriatic arthritis. Often it is diagnosed through a process of elimination and observation of symptoms. Many of the traditional tests to diagnose various forms of arthritis do not show conclusively that someone is suffering from psoriatic arthritis; they do, however, conclude that the patient is not suffering from some other form of arthritis.

Traditional treatment of the condition includes: anti-inflammatory medications and disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate. Other treatments include: diet, exercise, climate change, surgery, physical therapy, splints and nutritional supplementation. Arthritin is a natural arthritis treatment specifically formulated to help reduce the pain and discomfort of common arthritis and joint degeneration. No other natural arthritis treatment is as comprehensive, or as powerful. Within Arthritin, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic ingredients create a powerful formula more effective than other brands or than any one ingredient by itself.

Another important note is that since part of the cause is due to environmental factors such as a build up of toxins (from smoking, alcohol consumption, pollutants and pharmaceutical medications) many of those who suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis improve with cleansing and detoxifying the liver. Liver Formula is a homeopathic medicinal formulated to naturally support the body's ability to: promote circulation within the liver, accelerate the regeneration of damaged liver tissues, filter toxins from the bloodstream and help promote the production of bile.

Lastly, the control of psoriasis symptoms may also help to control symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and early diagnosis is your best defense. Don't ignore symptoms of any kind and actively seek treatment for both

The Lifestyle Change Approach To Healthy Weight Loss

xinger — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 17:20:00 +0000

Researchers have been baffled for years on why people gain weight, and for those who are obese, why it is so difficult to lose the excess pounds. I am here to tell you that since I have been involved in medicine, this topic has been a medical challenge, and yet no clear-cut explanation exists. Unfortunately, America is becoming more obese and the incidence of associated chronic disease onset is rising at a comparable pace.

There are literally hundreds of diets and diet programs that claim to be the answer to the problem of obesity. Dieters are constantly being bombarded with the latest and greatest diet or products.

It is apparent that a successful program for obesity or weight loss is consistent with the basic tenets or premise of naturopathic medicine/holistic medicine - a proper diet with adequate fiber, plenty of good pure drinking water, moderate exercise and a positive mental attitude. Remember, mind and body do not stand-alone; they work together.

Weight Management & Health Maintenance Should Be A Year-Round Priority

Just as the New Year inspires many of us to make the New Year’s resolution to lose weight, the advent of summer tends to inspire us to make a concerted effort to revise our dietary and exercise habits in order to wear our summer clothes comfortably.

Unfortunately, this type of motivation and enthusiasm has the rather annoying habit of waning as time progresses, causing us to yet again hide in the clothes we normally reserve for the fall and winter months. If you did not achieve your weight loss goals, do not lose hope. By making several realistic lifestyle changes which you can incorporate into your daily regimen on a permanent basis, your body will be more equipped and prepared to handle future weight loss goals. The holidays will soon be here and the temptation to overeat and slack off from exercise will be greater. Resist the temptation to over-indulge during the upcoming holidays, this way, your weight and health targets will be much more attainable.

“Over 300m adults are obese worldwide, according to latest statistics from the WHO and the International Obesity Task Force. About one-quarter of the US adult population is said to be obese, with rates in Western Europe on the rise although not yet at similar levels.” – Nutraingredients-usa.com, 7/31/2006.

The statistics outlined above are indeed alarming. By making the effort to incorporate at least some of the following tips into your lifestyle, you will be making some progress in avoiding becoming one of these statistics:

* Eat raw fresh fruits and vegetables several times a day.
* Eat plenty of fiber in the course of the day, especially beans.
* Eat breakfast regularly.
* Try to eat small meal portions and healthy snacks in between meals to boost your
metabolism.
* Avoid soda or any overly sugared drinks.
* Drink plenty of purified water.
* Avoid foods with saturated and trans fats, high sugar content and high levels of salt.
* Cut out as much refined carbohydrates as possible (white starches).
* If you feel like indulging in a desert, try to make wise choices and stick to a small portion.

If you make these lifestyle adjustments weight loss will be achievable, but more importantly you will be healthier.

Most of us are well aware of the fact that exercise is a fundamental element in any weight loss program. A common excuse for not exercising is that we simply do not have the time. The common misconception that effective exercise regimens require a large investment in time is what prevents most of us from even making an attempt to include it in our daily routines. By dedicating as little as 15-30 minutes of your day to exercise, you should be able to reach your weight loss goals.

Deciding to exercise more does not automatically mean you have to invest in a gym membership. There are several simple lifestyle changes that can cumulatively achieve the desired effects. This includes:

* Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
* Going for walks with family members or loved ones.
* Close your office door (if you have one) and do some sit-ups on your lunch break. Repeat this routine a couple of hours before you retire in the evening.
* On the weekends, instead of going to a movie or renting one, try something more active such as bowling, golfing, swimming, roller skating.

Make room for your health at the top of your priority list year-round, not just after New Year’s or just before summer.

In addition to making these vital lifestyle changes, Växa’s Weight Loss Line provides you with a comprehensive multi-faceted weight loss program. The unique combinations of homeopathic medicinals contained within B-T Plus, Cell-U-Lite, CitriSlim and Nite-Lite provide your body with the around the clock, year-round support your body needs for effective weight loss.

The Upside of ADD/ADHD

xinger — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:41:00 +0000

As a result of today's medically advanced world, we are all looking for a quick label or diagnosis and a quick solution to our symptoms. Generally speaking, having a certain medical condition that persists throughout life is not necessssarily good, however, in the case of ADD/ADHD it can be a really good thing Surprised? You need not be. Typically, a child with ADD/ADHD is a quick smart kid that has a high IQ and can "tune in or tune out" quickly depending on their level of interest in the topic or subject matter. These children usually do not get great grades in school, but later on in life may become hugely successful in their chosen fields of work. There are numerous examples of well-known or famous people who have struggled with ADD/ADHD when they were younger and today are looked upon as some of America's brightest leaders. These are people who have learned how to tap into resources which are present in the right side of the brain (the insightful, instinctive, artistic,creative a nd spontaneous side of the brain).

So, unleash the potential in your child as well as yourself and let ADD/ADHD be an asset not a liability!

ADD/ADHD Treatment – The Key is Combination Therapy

As the dawn of a new school year draws closer, our focus will again turn to ADD/ADHD. Approximately 8-10 percent of school-aged children have ADD/ADHD, and each school year inevitably brings new diagnoses. If a teacher or school administrator reports that your child is demonstrating any of the symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD, ensure that your child receives a comprehensive medical evaluation. Your child’s primary care physician will conduct thorough mental and physical examinations in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. Depending on your child’s condition, they may subsequently refer your child to see a specialist. If that is the case be sure to find a specialist that both you, and your child, feel comfortable with.

There is a vast array of ADD/ADHD treatments available to your child. This includes conventional pharmaceutical medication, behavioral therapy, tailored educational programs, changes in diet, nutritional supplements etc. In addition, parental training and involvement plays a major role in the success of an ADHD child. Remember, your child is much more likely to succeed if all parties combine their efforts. This means that parents, healthcare providers and teachers must work together to facilitate your child’s achievement of goals.

According to an article by HealthDay News, “A new review of past studies on the effect that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs have on children’s growth concludes that the drugs do, in fact, suppress growth to some degree.” Also in that article is a direct quote from one of the doctors, Dr. Omar Khwaja, involved in the study that states, “There was a significant effect on growth for both height and weight during the duration of treatment.”

The combination of this news, recent FDA mandated “black box” warnings, and press coverage regarding side effects such as suicidal tendencies and increased risk of heart attacks may cause you to disregard conventional treatment methods and seek alternative routes. While there are numerous alternative treatment options, it is worth bearing in mind that every child is biochemically unique; therefore it would be unwise to disregard possibly effective treatment in the form of conventional medication without consulting your healthcare provider first.

When a child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, it is natural for parents to despair and blame themselves for their child’s behavioral problems. While parenting techniques have an effect on cases of ADD/ADHD they are not the root cause, in fact, it is much more likely to be caused by neurobiological issues or genetic predisposition. When managed correctly, a child with ADD/ADHD will not only keep up with their peers, they can in fact surpass them. In order to achieve this, both you and your child must develop tailored coping mechanisms. By working with your child’s healthcare provider and their teachers, this is perfectly attainable.

Attend, one of Växa’s flagship products, can be used as a side effect free alternative to conventional medication or in conjunction with your child’s present treatment regime. Attend provides natural and organic ingredients to help your body to naturally focus attention and improve concentration, which is exactly what your child needs in order to function productively in a classroom setting. In addition, this product will help to reduce frustration and in turn calm the child.

We Are What We Eat: A Look at Fiber

xinger — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 13:56:00 +0000

The best way to improve our health is to start making healthy nutritional choices. Since obesity in America is not slowing down, and as American waistlines continue to expand, it might be helpful to discuss the benefits of a high fiber diet. Fiber has been well documented to maintain bowel function, reduce weight, improve insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular health, and play a role in the prevention of type II diabetes. Currently, less than a quarter of Americans eat the recommended amounts of fiber. Fiber intake should be approximately 50 grams daily, if that amount can be tolerated (a minimum of 20-35 grams per day is recommended) and an external supplement may be required. High fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, breads, nuts and seeds.

Remember, you are what you eat... Smart food choices now are a recipe for good health later!

Focus on Fiber: The Science Behind Why You Should Eat Your Fruits And Vegetables

How many times have you been told to eat your fruits and vegetables? Or that you need to eat healthier? The message is preached on a pretty consistent basis now that insurance companies are tracking the decline of American health and pharmaceuticals are coming up with a quick fix to every ache, pain and inconvenience. There is a way to help reduce the incidence of such major health concerns as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart attacks, diabetes and obesity. These ailments can be avoided all together without dependence on expensive and possibly dangerous medications and procedures, unfortunately, many of us are either unaware of the possibilities or unwilling to pursue them.

The advice to incorporate a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables has been handed down from generation to generation. The produce section in your local supermarket provides you with the perfect gateway to all the nutrients your body needs such as phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It is important to train ourselves to eat small portions of fiber throughout the day and include fruits and vegetables. Grains and beans are not our sources of obtain fiber. Researchers have decided that the convenient way for us to get enough daily fiber is to genetically modify wheat in an effort to increase the amount and type (amylase) of fiber in bread. The inclusion of fruits and vegetables in your diet is a much simpler way of ensuring that your body is obtaining all of its requirements for fiber. Adding fiber to your diet can and should be done for the following reasons:

Fiber carries fat out of the body.
Fiber absorbs water and makes your stool softer (important to prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, etc.)
Eating fiber makes you feel fuller, longer.
Studies have shown increasing your fiber intake decreases your calorie intake.
Fiber helps to fast track your digested food out of the body (reducing the incidence of sickness and colon cancer)
Fiber helps to increase the amount of “good” bacteria in the gut.
Fiber will help you to lose weight.

In addition to adding raw fruits and vegetables to your diet you can add Växa’s Digestin, Colon-Aid+ and ReFlora+ to your daily regime. This will help to ensure your body is able to break down and utilize the maximum amount of nutrients as well as boost your immune system. The cold and flu season will be here before we know it and preventative measures to strengthen the body need to be carried out ahead of time. Start training for the big event today, the big event of maintaining good health!

Gastrointestinal Symptoms? What Are They Telling You?

xinger — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 00:04:00 +0000

Do you occasionally feel uncomfortable immediately after eating a meal, or do you experience heartburn, indigestion or bloating that comes and goes? Some individuals are relieved with meals, others become very miserable on a daily basis due to various factors. Pay attention to your "gut instincts" as you can learn a lot about your condition from your symptoms and how often you have them. In fact, your symptoms may be telling you that you have a slow-moving or sluggish metabolism and less than ideal digestive tract.

Gastrointestinal problems seem to be on the rise and are the reasons many people go see their doctor (usually after they have become extremely uncomfortable). If you ignore your symptoms including bloating, your condition can deteriorate rapidly. Many times the 3 F's can be helpful for digestive complaints, especially the lower gastrointestinal tract. These stand for fluids, fiber and fats (good fats). Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your health care provider (don't be embarrassed) and read on for more information that you can "stomach," which could provide you with relief!

What Causes Bloating?

In order to answer the question of what causes bloating, which could be a number of things, we first must explain how the gastrointestinal (digestive) system works. The overall job of the gastrointestinal system is to absorb nutrients and prevent the abnormal (toxic) substances from being absorbed. In order to do this, a very complex system of three processes is required: the nerve-controlled muscles to push food through the alimentary canal (the gastrointestinal system is comprised of this 30-foot hollow tube), gastric juice secretions by the stomach, pancreas and the liver to breakdown the food, and finally, the absorption of fluids and nutrients by the small and large intestines. The small intestine's wall is the first line of defense against the absorption of toxic molecules. A healthy intestinal wall is covered with "friendly bacteria" that act as a gate, keeping damaging toxins out of the body's circulation and letting healthy substances in. Anything that goes wrong in any of these three processes or with the balance of "friendly" bacteria could cause a disruption and at the very least discomfort.

Bloating is considered to be a symptom. It is best described as a general discomfort (feeling like the stomach is swollen) and may occur with mild or intense pain in the stomach. It occurs from gas build up in the stomach or intestines and should not be confused for distension. Distention is when the stomach is actually larger than normal, typically due to an increase in air, fluid, or tissue in the abdomen. Often times, a person with a distended abdomen will not be able to fit into clothing that they could fit into the previous day.

What are some of the factors behind this troublesome build up of gas? Well, one of the most common factors is fatty food. Fat slows down the stomach's process of emptying the fluids/nutrients into the intestines and increases the sensation of fullness. Also, certain bacterium that resides in the colon can cause an excessive production of gas. Some individuals have more of this gas producing bacteria than others do; other people may have poor digestion that results in more undigested food in the colon (the bacteria creates gas from the undigested food); in addition, the bacteria may escape to the small intestines, which also contains undigested food. People who suffer from this type of bloating usually experience flatulence as well. Other causes may be partial or temporary blockages anywhere in the pathway of the stomach to the rectum, or functional obstructions, not a literal obstruction, which is caused by poor functioning of the muscles of the stomach or intestines (hypothesized to be a neural dysfunction).

Some specific health conditions that cause bloating are: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); celiac disease; lactose intolerance; constipation; candidiasis (candida overgrowth); diverticulosous; thyroid disease; gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach) in diabetics; chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction; and Hirschprung's disease. Other contributors can be a woman's menstrual cycle and stress or anxiety.

If bloating is a problem for you it may be wise to avoid other gas producing foods such as: broccoli, baked beans, cabbage, cauliflower, carbonated drinks, chewing gum and hard candy (swallowing air causes gas). Another option, rather than avoiding some of the nutritious foods mentioned above would be to take digestive enzymes with your meals. Digestive enzymes help your body to break down the foods you eat more easily. Växa's Digestin contains the full spectrum of digestive enzymes to effectively breakdown all types of foods. Also, Växa's Colon-Aid is an excellent preventative measure and the first step to a healthy colon. Colon cleansing is critical to the proper uptake of certain nutrients and proper digestion; it is said that once the bowel becomes toxic, the entire body will soon follow. And definitely, supplement with friendly bacteria, to help keep toxins from getting out into the mainstream. Växa's Reflora contains a special complex of 10 different and beneficial bacteria, plus phytomedicinals and other nutrients, to help the body restore healthy bacterial flora. Other tips to minimize gas build up are to eat slowly and to take a short walk after eating.

As you can see, there is not just one simple cause to bloating and it is not a condition, it is a symptom of a condition. If bloating is a chronic problem for you, be sure to see a physician especially if you experience other symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea/vomiting, weight loss, abdominal/rectal pain and/or persistent heartburn.

Stress - Harmful to both mind and body

xinger — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:52:00 +0000

Regardless of profession, life stage or lifestyle, we all experience some form of stress in varying degrees throughout our lives. The causes of stress are just as diverse as the methods in which individuals cope with it, as well as its repercussions on both psychological and physical health. Many of us mistakenly believe that stress only affects our mental well-being, this is simply not the case. Our physical health can in fact deteriorate rapidly if we allow ourselves to suffer from prolonged periods of stress.

How Does Stress Really Affect Us?

The body reacts to stress on numerous levels. On a neurological level, prolonged periods of stress can lead to a wide range of behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety disorders and insomnia. All of which, if left untreated, can require medical attention and be extremely hazardous to our health.

On a physical level, our bodies react to stress by increasing the production of hormones such as cortisone and cortisol. Excessively high cortisol levels are extremely detrimental to our health due to the fact that muscle mass and organs are attacked, in addition to the diminishing of immune system strength as a result of the inhibition of disease-fighting white blood cell production. Many of the symptoms commonly associated with stress such as anxiety, irritability, fear of failure, jaw grinding, insomnia and increased susceptibility to illness or physical discomfort can be attributed to the secretion of these hormones. The lifestyle choices we make have a direct effect on not only the intensity of these symptoms, but can also lead to additional health concerns. For example, individuals unable to cope with stress tend to either over or under eat, leading to obesity or the deprivation of essential nutrients to the body. Individuals under stress are also prone to developing smoking habits or consuming alcohol, making stress an indirect contributor to heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Advice from the American Heart Foundation tells us to: “Find healthy ways to handle stress. Make a major effort to stop smoking, stay at a healthy weight, and eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.” In addition to this, there are many lifestyle choices we can adopt to shorten and alleviate periods of stress. Once we have the identified the sources of tension in our lives, we can adapt and make changes accordingly. Dietary and exercise habits are very influential. We must ensure that our caffeine intake is limited, but make sure we provide our bodies with a rich supply of vitamins and minerals by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables. Regular exercise provides us with a beneficial means of escape from stress by stimulating the production of “stress combating” endorphins and lowering our risk of cardiovascular disease. We must also make certain that we allow ourselves to have regular periods of relaxation, without this, tension is likely to rapidly rise.

Växa offers a range of homeopathic medicinals which have been specifically formulated to aid us during times of stress. Extress helps to calm nerves, safely relax muscles and diminish emotional sensitivity. Adapt contains a unique blend of adaptogens which lower cortisol levels, boost the immune system, increase energy levels and improve focus and concentration. In addition, Nite-Rest can provide us with a method to safely alleviate stress-induced insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns.

Improve Your Health with Coffee?

xinger — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:41:00 +0000

Whether you prefer Starbucks, Barney's or Joffrey's, have your morning cup of java guilt-free. The latest research has indicated that there are positive health benefits regarding coffee consumption and the prevention of numerous health concerns, including but not limited to chronic degenerative diseases, which are unfortunately on the rise in the United States.

Coffee’s Antioxidant Powers – The Latest Buzz

A recent study focusing on the relationship between coffee consumption and diabetes in women has further substantiated the existing belief that antioxidants may aid in the improvement of health. “Drinking lots of coffee cut women’s risk of developing diabetes in an 11-year study, researchers report. But it was the antioxidants, not caffeine, in the brew that probably did the trick. … In fact, diabetes risk was reduced most in participants who preferred decaffeinated coffee, the researchers said.” (HealthDay by Medline Plus) The research was conducted and led by Mark A. Pereira, an associate professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

This study showed that a 22% decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes with those women who drank more than 6 cups of coffee daily and a 33% decrease in risk of those who drank more than 6 cups a day of decaffeinated coffee. Although this study focused on women, other studies demonstrate an even bigger reduction in the risk for men who consume the antioxidant rich beverage. Chlorogenic acid is another component of coffee that may assist in preventing diabetes. According to Harvard researcher Rob van Dam, chlorogenic acid may slow the absorption of sugars within cells of the body.

Coffee consumption is one of the many so-called “bad habits” that Americans have an insatiable appetite for. According to Forbes.com, “In the U.S. alone—which is the world’s largest coffee consumer—the National Coffee Association of U.S.A. (NCA) estimates that retail sales alone are $19.2 billion.” While caffeine addiction has received a lot of negative attention from the press, coffee consumption is not without its benefits.

Coffee is also known to increase stamina when working out, increase focus, and reduce the occurrence of suicide, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Colon Cancer, heart disease, and more. While the benefits of coffee are apparent, this does not mean that excessive amounts of coffee within our diet is healthy. It does mean that we should take note that drinking coffee can be a healthy addition to any diet and that one of its many positive attributes are its levels of antioxidants.

Like anything in life, moderation is a key element to success. Too much caffeine can be detrimental to our health. Consider drinking small amounts of the caffeinated variety, and substitute the rest with the decaffeinated variety later in the day. Do not add excessive amounts of cream and sugar (maybe try honey as a substitute). Stick to eating fresh fruits and vegetables everyday, and take an antioxidant supplement.

Växa’s Anti-Oxin out performs other antioxidant vitamin formulas due to the inclusion of additional extracts of Pinus Maritima (the raw extract from which Pycnogenol® is exclusively derived). These additional extracts offer more of the all-important bioflavonoids (procyanidins) than either grape seed extracts or pure Pycnogenol® alone offers. In addition, Anti-Oxin contains homeopathic strategies and a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, including the entire spectrum of Vitamin C-esters, and other nutrients and cofactors. Växa’s Anti-Oxin is scientifically advanced and is without a doubt, one of the rarest and most potent proactive powerful formulas available today.

Beans - A Nutritional Gem

xinger — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 13:35:00 +0000

As we continue with the topic of cardiovascular health, we will touch on the importance of diet. Supplementation with essential fatty acids, as discussed previously, is an important part of the equation, but there are many food choices that you can make to keep your heart healthy.

One important food choice is to add beans to your diet. The "good for your heart" benefits of beans is well documented. Below we will touch on a few reasons why and how adding beans to your diet is a good choice for cardiovascular health.

Promote Cardiovascular Health By Including Beans In Your Diet

While dietary trends and fads have fluctuated across cultures over the course of time, one staple ingredient has remained constant for thousands of years – Beans. The plain exterior of the average bean can be misleading; the host of nutrients and benefits that they bestow upon your body make them far from plain! We can provide one of our vital organs, the heart, with a significant portion of the nutrients it requires for optimum health by simply incorporating beans into our meals at least 3-4 times per week.

Beans are renowned for their contribution towards maintaining a healthy heart, the reasons behind this are numerous and varied. Their ability to aid in the elimination of cholesterol, namely Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) due to their high soluble fiber content has been extensively researched and is well documented. In addition, the B vitamins found in beans help reduce homocysteine levels in the blood stream by changing the precursor protein into usable amino acids. An article by UC Berkeley stated that, “If the conversion (homocysteine to amino acids) does not take place rapidly enough, due to a genetic defect or vitamin deficiency, elevated levels of homocysteine may, the theory goes, damage arterial walls and promote the buildup of cholesterol, thus potentially leading to arterial blockage and a heart attack.” Beans also benefit the heart by providing it with a rich source of Magnesium. Magnesium acts as a calcium channel blocker, which improves blood flow as well as the distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. - The World’s Healthiest Foods

In addition, beans not only aid in the reduction of blood pressure, they are low in sodium, and also help prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly due to the fact that they have a low glycemic index. Results from a study completed by Tulane University over the course of 19 years involving 9,600 American adults indicated that those who consumed beans a minimum of 4 times a week reduced their risk of coronary heart disease by 22%, as opposed to those who ate beans only one time per week. - Vegetarian Nutrition and Health Letter

Over the course of my profession, one observation has repeatedly reinforced itself. That is, the obvious correlation between overall health and the presence of beans within particular ethnic diets within the U.S. Ethnicities that include beans or bean products as a staple in their diet have an overall reduced incident of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those populations that do not consume beans on a regular basis. A minor dietary adjustment such as this could go a long way in facilitating the achievement of our nation’s goals against heart disease. “Eat to live,” rather than “live to eat.”

In addition to adjusting and monitoring your dietary habits, Växa’s TriCardia+, Omegacin+, Cholesten-LDL, and Vitamin B12 can further potentiate cardiovascular health.

Nurture Your Body With Fats

xinger — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 13:12:00 +0000

Fat has a terrible reputation. It is synonymous with potbellies, cellulite and love handles. Fat is blamed for heart disease, cancer and in fact, many other degenerative diseases. Americans are becoming more obese. You are constantly advised by your health care providers to eat less fat, which as you know has spawned an entire industry of low-fat and fat-free foods.

I am here to inform you that not all fats are bad. While it is true that too much of the wrong kinds of fat, especially saturated fats and trans fatty acids, can have serious health consequences, the body does require certain good fats for optimal health. Let's examine the three major categories of fatty acids we get from foods we eat - saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Saturated fatty acids are found in meat, dairy and tropical oils. It is best to limit your intake of saturated fat. Too much saturated fat causes platelets in the blood to become sticky, impairing circulation and increasing the risk of heart attack. Saturated fatty acids may also be deposited inside artery walls contributing to obesity, heart disease and other degenerative conditions. Monounsaturated fatty acids, abundant in olive, canola, almond and peanut oil, help keep your arteries supple and elastic. They are fine in moderation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most important fats for health because their chemical structure makes them the most biochemically active fats of all. Read on… you will learn more about supplementing for your long-term health.

Supplementing With Essential Fatty Acids - Important For Health Today and Tomorrow

EFAs are needed every second by most tissue activities in the body including regulating pressure in the blood vessels, dilating or constricting blood vessels and preventing blood cells from clumping together (blood clots that can be a cause of heart attack and stroke). Although EFAs are "essential" to the body, they are not made by the body and must be supplied through diet or supplementation. The daily amount required by the body should be 10-20% of the total caloric intake. There are two types of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and is found in cold-water fish, fish oil and certain unsaturated vegetable oils. Omega-6 contains linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and is found in raw nuts, seeds, legumes and unsaturated vegetable oils. The most important and needed EFA is linoleic acid. It is also important to know that EFAs need to be consumed in liquid oils (not heated, processed, or cooked) or taken as a nutritional supplement.

EFAs improve the skin and hair, reduce blood pressure, aid in the prevention of arthritis, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as reduce the risk of blood clot formations. It is estimated that 1 million Americans are disabled by peripheral vascular disease (diseases involving the blood vessels in the extremities) each year, according to the Prescription for Nutritional Healing. As the person gets older, he or she also increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis of the coronary or cerebral arteries, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. It is also important to consume, through diet or supplementation, antioxidants, which scavenge free radicals that can accumulate in the body from the environment; foods we eat as well as smoking and/or second hand smoke, and cause arterial damage.

Växa's Omegacin+ offers 29 bioavailable Omega 3-6-9 Fatty Acids and essential lipids, plus phytosterols (helps with growth and regeneration of cells) and antioxidants. Also in Omegacin+ is Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which strengthens and protects the heart against cardiovascular disorders, heart disease, and stroke. Yes, supplementing with EFAs is important for the prevention of stroke and heart disease, but it is also important food for the brain and important for healthy skin and hair, in fact EFAs are especially crucial during pregnancy and lactation, and during infancy (critical for the development of the nervous system, brain and retina, as well as fetal growth).

Pay attention to your health today and order Växa's Omegacin+ and Växa's antioxidant supplement, Anti-Oxin+. In our bodies we have nearly 76,000 miles of arteries, veins and capillaries bringing life to every organ, muscle, finger, and fiber of our existence.

Are You Skipping Breakfast?

xinger — Thu, 25 May 2006 13:26:00 +0000

Here is the most recent "skinny" on skipping breakfast according to diabetic education experts at DiabetesInControl.Com.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Feb 2005) was performed to determine whether eating breakfast affects energy intake, energy expenditure, glucose, circulating insulin and lipid fatty concentrations in otherwise healthy individuals.
The bottom line is that omitting breakfast impairs insulin sensitivity and leads to weight gain. So, do yourself a favor and start your day off with a healthy breakfast. You may have to rearrange your schedule but what’s more important than your health?

The Solution to America's Weight Problem!

Everyone must have heard the statement, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” but do you know why this saying is true? Only those who understand the science behind the statement implement it in their daily lives. If you can’t manage to fit breakfast into your routine you may want to reconsider after reading this.

A common misconception is that by skipping breakfast, fewer calories are consumed each day resulting in weight maintenance or weight loss. Although this seems like a cogent argument, you have to understand human biochemistry to realize the inaccuracy of this thought process. Based on studies it is believed skipping the first meal of the day increases the chances of becoming obese, developing diabetes or experiencing a heart attack.

The rate at which your body burns calories is known as metabolism. When a meal is skipped, your body goes into “starvation mode” during which time the body’s natural response is to conserve calories and store any food consumed as fat. If this form of dieting persists, hormonal changes and metabolic disorders could take place within the body that make it more difficult to maintain a steady weight. In many cases the body begins to breakdown muscle for fuel. The broken down protein releases nitrogen, which is rapidly washed out of our body by water released from tissue cells. This release of water immediately results in weight reduction. The noticeable drop can be quickly regained just by drinking water; however, the muscle loss is not as easily replaceable.

Our muscle is metabolically active tissue that requires calories on a daily basis to maintain itself. Muscles burn calories regardless of whether the body is active or inactive. People with higher muscle mass need more calories and burn calories more rapidly. When muscle mass decreases so does your calorie requirement. People who deprive themselves of food end up regaining all of the weight, if not more, as soon as they go back to their old habits. This is because their metabolism has slowed down, they’ve decreased their daily caloric requirements, and decreased their muscle mass.

Eating breakfast is one of the most effective ways to rev up your metabolism, have more energy, or lose weight. Everyone should strive for an increased metabolism, which can be achieved through exercise and eating regularly. All the latest diets encourage 3 small meals a day with snacks in between to prevent cravings and binge eating.

According to researcher Linda Van Horn, PhD, MHP, RN of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, “findings suggest that if you’re trying to control or lose weight and lower risk factors of heart disease, not eating breakfast is not a good option.” People who eat breakfast end up eating less cholesterol and saturated fat and have a better overall nutritional status than those who skip the morning meal.

Top three reasons why we should eat breakfast (Better Homes and Gardens):

1. Better performance. Breakfast eaters have a more positive attitude toward school and work, and they perform better. A Boston study showed that children who started eating breakfast raised their test scores significantly and were late or absent from school less frequently.
2. Better overall nutrition. People who eat breakfast are more likely to get the nutrients their bodies need. A Louisiana study found that people who skipped breakfast rarely met even two-thirds of the daily requirements for most minerals and vitamins.
3. Better weight control. Breakfast revs up the body's metabolic rate first thing in the morning; burning calories faster than if the morning meal had been skipped. Thus breakfast eaters maintain their weight more easily than skippers.

A study with 2,900 Americans between ages 18-30 that lasted 10 years showed that a daily breakfast may reduce the risk of becoming obese or developing signs that lead to diabetes (insulin resistance syndrome) by 35% to 50% compared to people who skip the morning meal. People who skip breakfast end up eating more calories throughout the day. The additional calories are consumed through junk foods rather than nutrient rich breakfast foods. Eating breakfast allows a greater chance of burning off the calories since it is consumed earlier in the day. Studies also show men who ate at least one serving of whole-grain and other types of breakfast cereal were as much as 20% less likely to die from heart disease, diabetes or other causes.

Chances of developing insulin resistance syndrome, a metabolic disorder in which the body doesn’t use blood sugar efficiently can develop among people with high amounts of abdominal fat, high blood pressure, and elevated sugar levels. When the body is deprived of food, it may lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), when food is introduced, the insulin levels spike up. Insulin causes you to convert and store excess sugar as fat. The human body cannot live without insulin but by maintaining balanced insulin level without periods of too much insulin is much healthier.

If it is difficult to fit meals into your schedule, try Växa’s Nutritonizer, a meal replacement drink that offers a quick and tasty way to get 100% of 28 vitamins and minerals, plus biologically available protein/amino acid complexes, a balanced array of carbohydrates and other essential cofactors believed to be necessary for good health. It is fat free with no cholesterol, no aspartame, and no picolinates.

Study after study has indicated, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and now we know why. Breakfast is also a great time to take your multivitamin. Take Växa’s Daily Essentials, which includes vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and select herbs known to be powerful antioxidants.

Finally - Help for Diabetes

Over 18 million people in the United States have diabetes. An estimated 13 million have been diagnosed while another 5 million are unaware that they have the disease. Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson announced findings from the Diabetes Prevention Program’s clinical trial that show at least 10 million Americans at high risk for type II diabetes could significantly lower their risk through diet and exercise. In a separate study Dr. Mark Pereira at Harvard Medical School analyzed the eating habits of 2,831 participants and found "breakfast may play an important role in reducing the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease."

Diabetes mellitus is the most common of any serious metabolic disease in humans, and perhaps more than any other disease, is closely associated with diet. Moreover, diabetic population is significantly higher where western lifestyle and diet habits dominate rather than those cultures consuming a more "primitive" diet. Four percent of America now suffers with diabetes; 90% of these are type II and the remaining 10% are type I. The prevalence of diabetes is rising. It's now the 6th major cause of death in the U.S. and it's thought that this will double every 10-15 years, with an estimated 6-10% increase per year.

"In view of the rapidly rising rates of obesity and diabetes in America, this good news couldn’t come at a better time. So many of our health problems can be avoided through diet, exercise and making sure we take care of ourselves. By promoting healthy lifestyles, we can improve the quality of life for all Americans, and reduce health care costs dramatically," states Thompson.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or when cells stop responding to the insulin produced by the body. Without insulin glucose cannot be absorbed into our cells.

Type I diabetes can occur at any age, but usually develops in children and young adults under the age of 30. Treatment for this type of diabetes includes insulin shots or using insulin pumps choosing the proper foods, exercising regularly in addition to controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

In type II diabetes is when the body produces plenty of insulin but the cells become insensitive to it. The insulin resistance is a condition in which fat, muscle and liver cells do not use insulin properly. Initially the pancreas continues to release insulin as demanded. In time the pancreas is less responsive to the insulin demands and begins to secrete less. Risk factors such as obesity and inactivity increase chances of developing type II diabetes.

Additional risk factors include:
Age
High cholesterol
Family history
Ethnic background
Obesity
High blood Pressure
Poor diet

Diabetes can be associated with a number of serious complications and premature death if proper steps to control it are not taken. If the blood glucose level stays too high, it can lead to heart, kidney, eye, foot and other problems. Complications may also occur when the blood glucose levels get too low.

Controlling your blood glucose level through diet, exercise and medication can help treat diabetes. The best way to control glucose levels is by reducing the amount of simple sugars and refined carbohydrates while increasing complex carbohydrates and fiber. Complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains are broken down slowly resulting in slower release of glucose into the blood stream. Simple sugars are broken down rapidly and drastically increase the blood sugar level. Carbohydrates should make up 55% to 60% of total daily calories. 10% to 20% of daily calories should come from protein and only 30% of total daily calories should come from good fats. Daily intake of 20 to 35 grams of fiber is also recommended.

Exercise has an important function in the prevention of diabetes. It has long been known obese people are more likely to develop diabetes. A four-year long Kaopio Ischemic Heart Disease Study put 1038 people with impaired glucose tolerance on a moderate exercise program. At the end of the study, results showed a significant decrease in progression toward diabetes in those individuals.

In a study reported in Diabetes Care and later in Science News, a particular desert cactus the prickly pear was shown to lower blood glucose and insulin levels in diabetics, the authors believed that the prickly pear treatment may improve the ability of insulin to efficiently stimulate the movement of glucose from the blood and into body cells. The prickly pear can be found in Växa’s Diabin+, a homeopathic medicinal specially formulated to provide extra nutritional support for maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels within the circulatory system.
Newly published research indicates that there is now compelling reasons to supply the body with milk-based proteins, especially those that are predominantly Casein in nature like those contained within the Systemex. Casein is said to protect against spontaneous diabetes and against acute Cyclosphosphamide or Cy-induced diabetes while also lessening the severity of insulitis.

Diabin+ is a safe and effective formulation, which is further strengthened with the addition of Växa's TriCardia (containing 32-Free Form Amino Acids) and Systemex, a Lactose-free Meal Replacement Drink containing Casein and Colostrum.

Because of the autoimmune nature of diabetes, supplementation with Immune-Aid is also recommended. Immune-Aid+ is formulated to ensure T-cell integrity and subsequent appropriate dispersal of those cellular populations throughout the bloodstream.