Nutraceuticals Are Soaring in Popularity

One of the brightest lights in the industry is the rising acceptance of integrative medicine, which stresses prevention through diet, exercising and the use of nutritional supplements. As we know, prevention is crucial, because today millions of Americans are suffering from various chronic diseases.

As a result of more widely disseminated information via the Internet from search engines and reliable health web sites, Nutraceuticals and nutritional therapies are gaining popularity. The statistics convey this as each year more people are choosing to become proactive in their own healthcare and seeking out the highest quality supplementation and medicinal alternatives such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and homeopathic medicines.

Everyday researchers are discovering new possibilities for achieving greater health, regardless of age or the specific challenge each of us may face. In a world in which science is validating the dream that nothing is impossible, we wave the option to turn weakness into strength and a challenge into an opportunity.

By taking advantage of the highest quality supplements available, you will be able to enjoy good health and reach soaring new heights.

How To Choose Quality Nutritional Products

It is estimated that 80% of American adults take nutritional supplements. With that being said, nutrition is big business and there are many brands available to choose from. How do you know which brand will offer the best ingredients, the right dosages, or if the line of supplements you have chosen is formulated for proper absorption by the body? Consumers often assume that the most expensive product will meet all of these quality measures. It is the, "you get what you pay for" mentality. Is a price tag the only measuring stick? No, price point is not always an indicator of quality. Let us examine some other important quality assurance measures.

Our Products Are Manufactured In A GMP Certified Lab!

We believe so strongly in our product formulations that we absolutely will not compromise on anything when it comes to manufacturing. Our lab is considered one of the best in the United States and is NNFA GMP Certified and A rated!

Our lab uses the highest quality raw materials available throughout the entire world. The procurement team requires lab studies, research, and clinical validation as part of its screening process. For each ingredient we screen potential suppliers by many critical factors. Such as "In which region was it grown?", "Is it certified organic?", "Was it grown for supplements or for whole foods?", "How do you prevent degradation of the product?", "Is it irradiated or chemically cleaned?".

5 Health Tips For A Healthy New Year

#1 Eat Healthier

"Approximately 70 percent of all adults and children in the U.S. do not eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables a day for good health." (National Cancer Institute) Eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day promotes good health and reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Vow this year to eat more raw fruits and vegetables. Organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains may offer more nutrients like vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues than their counterparts, which use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

If eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables seems impossible for you, then just add 2 more to your diet per day than you ate last year and take a multivitamin like Växa's Daily Essentials.
#2 Exercise

Try to do something active everyday of the week for at least half an hour. If going to the gym 5-7 days a week is not feasible, then make use of your time by exercising and doing household chores that also burn calories. Mowing the lawn (265-525 calories), raking leaves (190-380 calories), shoveling snow (285-575 calories), moving furniture (355-420 calories), cleaning windows (150-200 calories), and gardening (215-430 calories) are just a few household activities that can be worked into a weight-loss diet plan. Other fun activities that burn calories are bowling (145-285 calories), ice skating (335-670 calories), swimming (285-575 calories), or playing basketball (385-765 calories), football (385-765 calories), soccer (335-670 calories), etc. These activities can be done with children and is a great way for busy parents to bond with their children and to exercise.

If energy seems to escape you, leaving you with the desire to sack out on the couch. Try using Växa's Optimize or B-T Plus. B-T Plus will also help curb your appetite and increase your fat metabolism.

#3 Take Control of Your Health

Partner with your doctor and ask him what preventative measures you can take to make this year a healthy one. If you haven't had a physical exam in the past two years, then start off the New Year with a complete physical exam. Perform self-exams such as skin self-examinations, breast self-examinations if you are a woman and testicular self-examinations if you are a man.

Balancing your pH can be the easiest proactive measure that you take this year. Växa's Buffer-pH+ helps reduce acidic build-up and rebalance pH by buffering acidic and alkaline residues, which appear to most strongly influence body pH levels and can lead to serious health problems, weight gain, poor athletic performance, low energy levels and premature aging if continuously too acidic or too alkaline.

#4 Slow Down and Reduce Stress

A lot of New Years resolutions don't last through the year and the number one reason that they are not kept is, " I just don't have the time to exercise or eat the right foods!" Other common reasons to break new years resolution are, "I am stressed out so I need this cigarette," or "I eat when I am stressed." Self examine what is causing your stress. Often times life changes are necessary to reduce stress and sometimes we do too much for everyone else and not enough for ourselves. Take a little time everyday in 2005 for your health, slow down and take the time to make health conscious decisions like bringing a healthy lunch to work instead of going to a fast food restaurant and walking around the neighborhood for exercise.

Växa's Extress is a homeopathic medicinal that has been found exceptionally effective in providing the body the natural specific dietary requirements which aids in its natural processes during periods of stress, tension, anxiety, minor phobic reactions and complaints of generalized patterns of anxious discomfort.

#5 Get a Good Nights Sleep

Most adults need 6-9 hours of sleep every night. "Sleep helps humans maintain optimal emotional and social functioning while we are awake by giving rest during sleep to the parts of the brain that control emotions and social interactions." eMedicine - Consumer Health Consumption of too much caffeine throughout the day and general alcohol consumption can cause sleeping difficulties. Try to limit your daily caffeine intake and alcohol consumption.

Växa's Nite-Rest has helped thousands of individuals with insomnia / sleeplessness, and it can help you get a better night sleep. Nite-Rest is a safe, all natural, and non-habit forming insomnia remedy.

In Closing

No matter what your New Years Resolution is, with Växa's comprehensive product list, we are sure to be able to help. So if your New Years Resolution is to eat less and lose weight, try our B-T Plus and if your Resolution is to relax, try our Extress. Let us help you to achieve all of your health goals in 2005.

High Stress Levels Increase Risk Of Stroke

Start the New Year with a more relaxed lifestyle incorporating a few simple tips to help make your 2005 a happy and healthy year.

• Deep breathing exercises and walking help sooth the body and clear the mind.
• Meditation encourages positive thinking. This is important because stress can often lead to negative thinking and pessimistic views.
• Drink more water. Even mild dehydration can impair mental ability resulting in more stress than you already feel.
• Eliminate alcohol and smoking when stressed. It inhibits vitamin and mineral uptake, as well as, interrupts sleep patterns. Smoking depletes levels of vitamin C and creates a toxic internal environment.

"People who reported high stress levels had an 89% greater risk of fatal stroke than people who reported rarely or never having stress." Journal of the American Heart Association

The holidays are over and it's a long stretch before your next day off. During the first few months of the New Year, slowing down is not an option. A recent poll found a higher number of Americans feel more stressed now than they did just a year ago. Living under stressful conditions on a daily basis can certainly take a toll on your body. It not only affects you internally and psychologically, but you may begin to show physical signs of stress such as hair loss and weight loss/gain.

Studies show nearly 80% of all health related problems are attributed to stress. Stress is a reaction to internal and external stressors in which all of the systems within the body are modified to meet the response. Common internal stressors include financial worries, concerns about the future, job stress, and relationship stress. Poor working conditions, abusive relationships, and response to physical pain are a few examples of external stressors. Whether internal or external, both stressors generate the same results. They weaken the body's immune system and may elevate blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and heart attack.

During times of stress, your body works harder than normal burning up extra nutrients and weakening your immune system. Even as stress is deteriorating your health, you can't afford to be sick.

Give your body what it needs. The specific doctor-formulated nutrition in Extress helps replenish essential nutrients burned up by the body during times of stress. The ingredients in this homeopathic medicinal have been shown to naturally:

• Help diminish emotional sensitivity and mood swings
• Help calm and focus attention
• Help relax muscles safely
• Help reduce the possibility of stress-induced head pain and muscle aches

Avoid Becoming a Statistic

"About 950,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year, which amounts to one death every 33 seconds."- National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

"Top 5" Approaches to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Research conducted in 52 countries reveals several controllable risk factors attribute to 90% of all heart attacks. Previously, it was believed only half of the heart attacks were caused by factors such as smoking and cholesterol. Today, most heart attacks can be pinpointed to one or more of the risk factors mentioned below. These factors are neither gender specific nor related to a particular ethnic group.

I. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Smoking changes the viscosity of blood. This can potentially lead to clumping in the blood vessels that supply the heart. The National Library of Medicine published a study stating that smoking inhibits vitamin and mineral uptake. It also depletes levels of vitamin C, and creates a toxic internal environment. An imbalance of essential vitamins and minerals may exacerbate the harmful effects of smoke components on cancer and coronary heart disease. Giving up smoking can help avoid cancer and lower the risk of heart disease.

Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant; it protects molecules in the body from damage caused by smoking and free radicals generated through normal metabolism.

II. Watch Cholesterol Intake

It is important to not only control your cholesterol, but to decrease fat intake when faced with the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and other disorders caused by atherosclerosis (fatty deposits of plaque in the artery walls). A diet high in "bad" saturated fats (butter, cheese, red meat, fast foods) increases your blood cholesterol. The body has its own daily quota for cholesterol production. Too much cholesterol may cause fat to build up in the arterial walls and cause diseases that slow or stop the flow of blood.

Växa's homeopathic medicinal, Cholesten-LDL helps to lower cholesterol naturally, as well as, regain proper cholesterol management.

III. Control High Blood Pressure

A famous study, known as the Framingham Heart Study, found that half of all people who suffer a first-time heart attack and two-thirds of first-time stroke victims, had moderate to high blood pressure. If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, aneurysms, loss of vision, and kidney failure. Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80. Experts have advocated eating less salt as a way of controlling blood pressure. In addition, mineral-rich foods and herbs like Hawthorn and Chinese Cat's Claw, folic acid, and branched chain amino acids are known to naturally help control blood pressure.

Homeopathic Medicinal, Circulin contains the ingredients mentioned above and other targeted specific nutrients to help maintain your blood pressure.

IV. Reduce Unnecessary Stress

Stress causes chemical changes in the body and if left unchecked, it can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health. Studies show nearly 80% of all health related problems are attributed to stress. A study at the Ohio State University found that stress slows the body's metabolism of triglycerides (fat linked to cardiovascular system disorders). The slower metabolism allows fat to linger in the blood advancing the development of atherosclerosis.

Try Växa's Homeopathic Medicinal, Extress to help calm and focus attention, safely relax muscles, and replenish essential nutrients used by the body during times of stress.

V. Diet and Exercise

Research conducted around the world showed waist circumferences of > 34 inches in men and > 32 inches in women increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salim Yusuf, MD, who conducted the study says, "It is a measure of abdominal fat, which is most closely associated with heart attacks." Walking is not only relaxing but a great, low-impact way to lose weight.

For extra help curbing your appetite, try Växa's Homeopathic Medicinal B-T Plus. It restores your body's own ability to control weight, thus allowing weight to be lost the way nature intended it.

In Closing: Avoid Becoming a Statistic

Take a proactive stance on keeping your body healthy. Växa's Oral Chelation Health Pac is a complete "heart smart" program that offers a safe and effective way to detoxify the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys.

Healthy Choices: 5 Healthy Tips To Wellness

Well, here we are several weeks into the New Year! Most people are back into the "business mode" running full speed on their respective treadmills. So, have you implemented your New Years Resolution yet? You know the drill...the part where you promise yourself this is the year you are going to "get healthy."

Achieving optimal health is a process. My goal is to provide you with proven health tips that will take you from crawling to walking to running on your way to wellness. So where do you Begin?? First of all, it is important to remember that health does not come from a doctor, a prescription medication, or from surgery...but rather from making healthy choices and lifestyle changes.

The Starting Gate: 5 Healthy Tips To Wellness

1. Drink plenty of water. Water scientists tell us that most people are dehydrated. Your cells need to be nourished with the minerals in water. Water assists your metabolism and flushes out toxins and impurities. Drink a minimum of 2 liters per day.
2. Avoid overeating and watch your portions. Remember, "everything in moderation." Focus on eating healthy food like raw fruits and vegetables, skinless chicken, nuts, seeds and legumes.
3. Eat slower and chew your food thoroughly. Chewing your food thoroughly aids in digestion. Overeating and eating too fast are directly related. Be mindful of this simple tip.
4. Avoid fast foods or convenience foods. They are very high in saturated fat, trans fats (the bad fats), sugar and calories. Remember, let food be your medicine.
5. Exercise, even if it is for 20-30 minutes daily. This is critical for your program. Exercise will release the "feel good" hormones, de-stress your mind and body, improve sleep, increase mood and self-esteem, help get rid of the LDL (bad cholesterol), increase HDL (good cholesterol), and maintain your ideal body weight.

So get walking today or choose an exercise you enjoy or rotate exercises. Get Moving!!

Healthy Benefits You Receive From Your Efforts (To Name A Few)

• General sense of well-being
• Increased alertness and mental focus
• Increased endurance and stamina
• Improved immune system (less risk of infection)
• Maintained ideal body weight
• Reduced risk of developing chronic degenerative disorders like arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer
• Enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem

Have A Coke And A Smile? Should You Eliminate Carbonated Beverages? Sodas are very popular among children, teenagers, young adults, and even older adults too. Clinically, it is known that carbonated beverages affect your metabolism (not in a good way) and are partially responsible for the obesity in America. Also, carbonated drinks have been shown to leach important minerals from bone and tissue when the body is attempting to remain in balance. This may lead to such long-term problems like osteoporosis. According to Digestive Health and Wellness there was recently a study that linked soft drinks to esophageal cancer. Ok, so you only have 2-3 diet sodas every day…but why go there? Dentists have insisted for years that sodas (yes, including diet sodas) are sugar laden and lead to the growth of cavities. Nutritionist have pointed out that sodas are partially to blame for Americas "battle of the bulge." And now, to blast your favorite beverage even more….a team of digestive disease doctors at a hospital in India are taking the fizz out of sodas declaring in a recent study that sodas may be linked to esophageal cancer. Yes, I know esophageal cancer is extremely rare, but consider drinking water instead; it's the healthy alternative. Dr. Philip Jaffe MD, a leading gastroenterologist who teaches at the University of Connecticut stated that, "the study is intriguing, but like all epidemiological studies, it has limitation." Obviously, further studies are warranted to learn more…. What we do know is that GI doctors are aware that carbonated beverages like sodas can exacerbate a condition known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which has been linked to esophageal cancer. By eliminating sodas from your diet you will have taken one step closer towards improved health.

Healthy Choices

So, another week has come and gone... Did you accomplish everything you planned for during the week? As you recall, last week's healthy advice provided you with simple steps to implement on your road to wellness. Remember, it takes 90 days for a daily routine to become a healthy habit.

Again, simple life-style changes like increased exercise, drinking more water, not over-eating and adequate sleep will provide the basic foundation your body needs to stay healthy. Optimal health is a marathon race, not a sprint. It is about the healthy choices you make along the way...

This week we will examine 2 other important aspects of interest: your memory (and lack thereof) and sleep habits.

Is Your Memory Slipping?

Do you ever feel like you just can't remember things the way you used to, or you occasionally have to "jog your memory" to come up with names and places? Don't worry you are not alone. There are plenty of others who often forget people's names, movie titles or even where they've parked their cars. What people need to realize is that they have more control over their aging brain than they think. According to Gary Small, director of the Memory and Aging Research Center at the UCLA psychiatric institute, "one-third of memory loss is related to genetics... Do You Get Enough Sleep? The Sleep in America poll revealed nearly seven out of ten Americans said they experience frequent sleep problems, although most have not been diagnosed. - The National Sleep Foundation Many people feel they only need 3-4 hours of sleep to function. While it is true that each individual has his/her own sleep requirement, sleep is vital to proper health and most people should get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to function optimally. People look at sleep as a passive activity, but the brain is actually very active during this time. Sleep affects our daily function, both physically and mentally. Nerve-signals known as neurotransmitters control whether our body is asleep or awake. Neurons in the brain stem and spinal chord produce these neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine). Evidence indicates some neural connections may be remodeled during sleep.

Play the Hand You're Dealt

You have probably heard this statement before relative to a card game, or even to some of life's everyday challenges... but it also applies to your health.

The United States is now, according to the World Health Organization, the 37th healthiest (or unhealthiest, how ever you look at it) country in the world. Because of this fact, we need to begin to understand that we don't have to accept ALL the degenerative diseases that we live with in our society.

Sure, heredity and genetics play a role, if an immediate family member has arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or cancer, but now is the time to implement the healthy advice we talked about as part of your New Year's resolution. So, "play the hand you're dealt" and get started with your life style changes today...

The Leading Cause of Disability in the U.S...

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It affects nearly 70 million adults in the United States, that is approximately 1 in 3 Americans. In recent data compiled by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. In 2001, 49 million Americans reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and another 21 million reported having symptoms of arthritis. The term arthritis refers to more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that affect joints, muscle, bone, and other tissues. Research has shown a connection between food, nutritional supplements, and the three major forms of arthritis: rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis. Which Form of Calcium is Best For You? Findings suggest that osteoporosis, which is typically considered a female geriatric disease, could be prevented with the use of supplemental calcium at an early age. The Ohio State University Medical Center conducted a study in which they tracked calcium's effects on bone density in girls ages 8-13 for a period of seven years. The researchers found that calcium supplementation significantly increased bone mass development during their childhood growth spurt. Velimir Matkovic, the lead author in the study and director of the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Center, states "increased calcium use during adolescence can prevent fractures and osteoporosis later in life." Several articles have also been written regarding the importance of calcium among males. Osteoporosis is not a condition that is found only in women, it is a concern for men as well. About 20% of those who suffer from osteoporosis are men. According to an interview done by CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, men age 50+...

An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps The Germs Away

Remember, Mr. Clean and Pigpen, two extreme opposite sides of the hygiene spectrum?

Last week I promised you we would elaborate on the importance of Good Personal Hygiene and how it impacts your Health...

Germs cause illnesses that range from common ailments like a cold and the flu to serious bacterial infections, parasites or fungal infections.

The Good News is that many of those diseases can be prevented through amazingly simple and extremely inexpensive methods. Many of these methods are not new, as a matter of fact, our parents taught many of them to us. But, we are human and yes, we do get in a hurry frequently. Due to our busy lifestyles we get out of the habit of practicing these simple but important preventative steps...

Don't sweat it! I will provide you with all the tools and "refreshers" you need to maintain optimal personal hygiene. Speaking of sweat... Did you know that healthy people sweat, and that perspiration is the bodies' natural built-in mechanism to assist with cleansing and detoxifying?

Cleanliness is Next to Healthiness - Just How Important is Good Hygiene?

We all think of hygiene as white teeth, fresh clothes, a nice scent, groomed hair and overall well manicured. Or we think of the opposite, poor hygiene, bad breath, dirty clothes, body odor, oily hair and overall not manicured. Merriam-Webster's online definition of hygiene states that it is "a science of the establishment and maintenance of health." That it is. In infections and diseases such as Hepatitis A, Flu, Impetigo, Conjunctivitis, Periodontitis, Trench Mouth, Salmonella, Urinary Tract Infections, Parasitic Infections and more, the number one suggestion for prevention is to practice good hygiene and to wash your hands throughout the day. "The American Society of Microbiology finds that up to one-third of people passing through major airports in the United States don't wash their hands after using the toilet. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that about one in three people don't wash their hands after using the restroom." MayoClinic.com

What is considered to be "Good Hygiene?"

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching contaminants, before eating, after using the restroom, changing a diaper, before preparing food, after handling raw meat, after blowing your nose or coughing into your hands, before inserting or removing contact lenses, after taking out the garbage, etc. Bathe daily with a mild soap. It is important to remove bacteria, which can cause body odor and infections, among other things. Wear clean and loosely fitting clothes. It is important to allow the body room to breathe so that perspiration escapes and does not become a breeding ground of bacteria. Change undergarments daily after bathing. Brush your teeth 2-3 times daily, including your tongue to remove dead cells, bacteria and food debris.

Healthy Benefits Of Spring Cleaning

Did you know that everyone gets toxic at some point in their life, secondary to the air we breath, the water we drink or from the processed foods we consume? Certainly, smoking (and second hand smoke), excess alcohol consumption, over-eating, lack of exercise and occupational exposure are contributing factors to internal toxicity and less than ideal health. So, don't forget about your spring- cleaning...and Add your Body to the to do list.

"Internal Hygiene" - Detoxifying Obstacles On The Roadway To Health

What is "Internal Hygiene?" Internal Hygiene can be simply defined as hygiene and cleansing that takes place on the inside of your body. We ingest many toxic substances that pollute and clog our internal system. Some of these toxins come from cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, saturated fats, and so on, which are factors we can control by making healthy dietary and consumer choices. Other toxins come from pesticides, exhaust fumes, our water source, household cleaners, and so on, which seem beyond our control. We know that air pollution is a big enough issue for the world leaders to design a treaty around but what bearing does it have on the individual human being? It's like the ancient serenity prayer, "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference." Want Healthy Skin? True Beauty Really Starts on The Inside We are all familiar with the infomercials and commercials subsidized by a multibillion-dollar skin care industry that sells the image of healthy, young and beautiful skin. We try these advertised products and still find ourselves with embarrassing pimples or breakouts every now and then. Since there are so many choices, we move on to the next product in hopes of finally riding ourselves of these awkward blemishes. Research shows when it comes to good skin, what you put in your body is as important as what you put on it. Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and as with any other organ, proper nutrition is key to keeping it healthy.

Diagnosing Springtime Allergies

Well here it comes... it's that time of year again! For those of you who suffer from allergies and sinus infections, you know what I am talking about. The merry-go-round of symptoms that control your head - sinus pressure, fever, dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, and nausea. I wish there was a magic bullet that could remove all of the potential allergens in the environment and in your body, which triggers the release of histamines causing your sinuses to work overtime. We know there are three main types of hypersensitivities related to spring-allergy problems, sensitivities to food, airborne contaminants and environmental chemicals.

Acute and chronic sinusitis, allergies and upper respiratory health problems are one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor. Another often-overlooked factor is the Standard American Diet. Our modern diets include far more refined sugars and carbohydrates than ever before.

We touched upon the diet in earlier health tips. Diet is a critical component when it comes to sinus-allergy problems. Remember, excess simple and refined sugars put the immune system to sleep. While your immune system (your first line of defense) is asleep all these viruses, bacteria, mold and especially fungus multiply rapidly. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to stop bacterial infections, but these antibiotics can sometimes cause more harm than good when overprescribed. Protect yourself from the effects of antibiotics and learn about the importance of probiotics.

"Spring is in the Air"

For those who are affected by allergies, the expression, "spring is in the air" has special meaning. Get ready to sniffle, drip, and itch your way through the pollen-filled blooming months. Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the immune system to relatively harmless substances such as pollen, dust, food, animal fur, and environmental pollutants. In this article we will talk about the different forms of allergies and medications available and find answers to some frequently asked questions such as, are there any side effects associated with the common allergy medications and is there a cure for allergies? More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from asthma and allergies that have no immediate cures. Fortunately, there is no shortage of medications for these conditions. Asthma is usually treated with antihistamines to prevent the release of histamine chemicals that are released during allergic reactions. This form of treatment is effective, however, it comes with its share of side-effects which include: dry mouth, difficulty with urination, constipation, drowsiness, and may even cause nightmares in some children. Antibiotic Overload? The human digestive tract ranges from 25-35 feet and houses over 400 species of bacteria. In total there are over a 100 billion organisms in our digestive tract. The use of antibiotics is equivalent to pouring bleach into a fish tank in order to kill an overgrowth of algae. The bleach not only kills the algae but everything else that is present in that environment. Probiotics are small organisms that help maintain the natural balance of other organism in the intestines. The use of probiotics provides a safe and natural approach to curb the population of unwanted bacteria that cause microbial infections. It is necessary for people taking antibiotics to alternate with probiotics because antibiotics are unable to discriminate against good bacteria and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Health Follow-up:

Continue these proactive steps towards wellness: Increase your water intake Regular exercise (5 times per week, 30-45 minutes) Get plenty of good quality sleep Maintain a balanced diet of good carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes), good fats, and protein Take nutritional supplements targeted to your specific needs as well as eliminate fast foods and saturated fats Wash your hands frequently and practice "Good Hygiene" De-stress your mind and body with yoga, meditation or spiritual practices Detoxify your system and take an antioxidant. Have fun laugh every day. Humor is good medicine Develop positive personal and professional relationships

Are you skipping breakfast?

Here is the most recent "skinny" on skipping breakfast according to diabetic education experts @ Diabetes In Control Dot 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 research shows 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?

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. 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." Health Follow-up: Continue these proactive steps towards wellness: Increase your water intake. Regular exercise (5 times per week, 30-45 minutes). Get plenty of good quality sleep. Maintain a balanced diet of good carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes), good fats, and protein. Take nutritional supplements targeted to your specific needs as well as eliminate fast foods and saturated fats. Wash your hands frequently and practice "Good Hygiene." De-stress your mind and body with yoga, meditation or spiritual practices. Detoxify your system and take an antioxidant. Have fun laugh every day. Humor is good medicine. Develop positive personal and professional relationships.

Changes in Attitude, Changes in Latitude, Living with Gusto!

Another week has come and gone. Up to this point, we have focused primarily on the physical aspects of being healthy. Obviously, being in good physical condition makes us feel better about ourselves. It improves self-image. In addition, the mental aspect of health and healing is equally important. A healthy attitude is one that meets each new day and its challenges with vim and vigor, and the perception that you will pursue everything in your life with purpose.

Health Benefits of A Positive Attitude

University of California researchers found that actors could influence their immune systems by the emotions they portrayed. There are studies upon studies done by the likes of Harvard, Duke University, University of Chicago, etc. showing a direct relationship between improved health, extended life, an overall sense of well being and having a positive, happy attitude towards life. Championing the idea of optimism are musical bands like the Beatles who sang, "All You Need Is Love" and the popular Dave Mathews Band who poetically cites, "from the dark side we can see a glow of something bright." Yes, the cliché is true, life is going to throw out some lemons, but turning those lemons into lemonade is one of the most important keys to maintaining good health.

Why Optimize?
Daily stress and problems can really wear us down and drain the body of the energy that it needs. When times demand more energy, more focus, and more personal involvement, that's when Växa's Optimize should be used.
Often times, we may have energy stores that the body simply cannot use because of nutritional deficiencies, which impede the efficient breakdown of said stores. When you think about it, it's really a shame.

Health Follow-up:

Continue these proactive steps towards wellness: Increase your water intake. Regular exercise (5 times per week, 30-45 minutes). Get plenty of good quality sleep. Maintain a balanced diet of good carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes), good fats, and protein. Take nutritional supplements targeted to your specific needs as well as eliminate fast foods and saturated fats. Wash your hands frequently and practice "Good Hygiene." De-stress your mind and body with yoga, meditation or spiritual practices. Detoxify your system and take an antioxidant. Have fun laugh every day. Humor is good medicine. Develop positive personal and professional relationships.

Diabetic Neuropathy / Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Neuropathy / Diabetic RetinopathyDid you know diabetes is the fastest growing health problem in the United States and did you know more of you are at risk than ever before? That's right! Over 18 million people in the United States have diabetes with 13 million already diagnosed and 5 million unaware that they have the disease. As you recall, last week we laid the foundation by looking at metabolism and its relationship to weight issues and diabetes. Lets examine 2 of the long-term complications, which are all too common in diabetes. These include Neuropathy (nerve diseases) and Retinopathy (eye diseases). Approximately 60% of people with diabetes will eventually develop neuropathy. Neuropathy first involves loss of sensation in hands and feet. This nerve disease is characterized by tingling sensations, numbness, loss of function and burning pain. Now look at this... Retinopathy of diabetes is a serious eye disease involving the retina... the collection of light-sensitive cells lining the back half of each eye.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. for people between ages 20 and 64. The brighter side... no matter what your family history or risk factors, diabetes is not inevitable. Remember this take home message: Any effective approach for diabetes must be integrated (you can't just take pills and not change your diet). In other words diabetes requires multiple therapies, medical, nutritional and lifestyle changes. Make your doctor aware of all nutritional supplements, homeopathics and herbals you currently take to avoid any negative interactions with any prescription medications.

Find Relief from Nerve DamageNeuropathy is damage to the peripheral nervous system, which carries information to and from the brain and spinal cord. The damage is distinguished by inability to control muscles, pain, and loss of sensation (most frequently occurring in the feet and legs). Neuropathy is a common occurrence among 50% of individuals who have had diabetes for more than 25 years. This condition is caused by imbalanced blood sugar levels and can damage many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys and blood vessels that bring oxygen to the nerves. The damaged nerves may send messages too slow or at wrong times. The nerves leading to the feet are the longest in our body and the ones most affected by neuropathy. Doctors estimate more than 50% of foot amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could be avoided with proper care.

Avoid the Leading Cause of Legal BlindnessRetinopathy is a potentially blinding disease that affects half of the American diabetic population. It is also the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among working-age Americans. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels located in the retina. The retina is light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which changes light into nerve signals that are sent along the optic nerve to the brain. The eye cannot communicate with the brain without the retina making vision virtually impossible. Both people with type I and type II diabetes are at risk. Diabetic retinopathy could also occur in pregnant females with gestational diabetes.

Health Follow-up:Continue these proactive steps towards wellness: Increase your water intake. Regular exercise (5 times per week, 30-45 minutes). Get plenty of good quality sleep. Maintain a balanced diet of good carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes), good fats, and protein. Take nutritional supplements targeted to your specific needs as well as eliminate fast foods and saturated fats. Wash your hands frequently and practice "Good Hygiene." De-stress your mind and body with yoga, meditation or spiritual practices. Detoxify your system and take an antioxidant. Have fun laugh every day. Humor is good medicine. Develop positive personal and professional relationships.