Baby Boomers And Anti-Aging

The term "Anti-aging" has recently become one of the most popular "buzz-words" in all of medicine today. There is even a certification and specialization in age-management medicine for physicians interested in assisting their patients in preventing premature disability and death, while focusing on optimal health and vigor. Enter the Baby Boomer generation … individuals born between 1946-1964, 76 million strong, determined to embrace life and beyond. All Baby Boomers have one thing in common; they want to look good and stay healthy. Signs and symptoms of aging such as wrinkles, sunspots, memory changes and fractured hips are not part of their long-range health plans.

Healthy aging is possible for all of us. Read further for straightforward information on what you can do today to delay the indicators of aging, look good and stay healthy.

"Diets Rich In Antioxidants Prevent Disease And Premature Aging." CNN.com

How do antioxidants slow down the aging process? The answer is simple; antioxidants fight free radicals. Okay, the explanation of how antioxidants slow down the aging process is a little more complex. Let's start with an explanation of free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen fragments that can be formed by exposure to radiation (even sun rays), toxic chemicals (found in cigarette smoke, polluted air, and industrial/household chemicals), as well as various metabolic processes like the breaking down of stored fat molecules for energy. These oxygen fragments contribute to oxidation, a process where molecules are split resulting in products that have unpaired electrons. Overall, causing damage to cells within the body, hampering the immune system and leading to infections, as well as many degenerative diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and the aging process itself.

What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are a group of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help protect the body by neutralizing free radicals and are found in dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, as well as the supplementation of Vitamins C & E, and carotenoids (including beta-carotenes). When we are young our bodies produce antioxidants, however, as we get into our late 30's we produce fewer antioxidants and incidentally, more free radicals. According to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University it is best to "take a combination of antioxidants" through both diet and supplementation. Antioxidants work synergistically with one another and for this reason the Prescription for Nutritional Healing says that it is best to take smaller doses of several different antioxidants than a large amount of only one. A researcher at Georgetown University, Jane Freedman, Ph.D., agrees, suggesting the best way to protect health may be by taking a blend of antioxidants, "we're seeing that there's a lot of synergy among these compounds."

Växa's antioxidant formula, Anti-Oxin, has a blend of all the "classic" antioxidants (as Blumberg would phrase it) Vitamin C, Vitamin E and 4000 IUs of mixed carotenes as well as a number of biologically active nutritional compounds such as Grape Seed Extract (Activin), Pycnogenol, plus 28 other ingredients. Grape Seed Extract and Pycnogenol are recognized by experts as two of the most powerful antioxidants around, however, it is the additional 28 ingredients like OptiZinc, selenium and quercitin (a bioflavonoid) that make Anti-Oxin+ the best antioxidant vitamin available. The ingredients in Anti-Oxin naturally: help to rid the body of free radical oxidizing agents, toxins, germs and heavy metals; help to restore and strengthen red blood cell membranes, capillaries and collagen structure; help to protect neural activity within the brain from free radicals; and help to reduce inflammation within the circulatory system.

There is no way to escape the effects of free radical damage in today's society, especially as we age. Our own bodies create them. We were meant to counteract the possible damage caused by free radicals and oxidation through a diet rich in pure organic antioxidant fruits and vegetables. This just doesn't happen in today's society, and even if it did the majority of our soil is depleted of the rich nutrients it once had. Heed the experts' advice on how to prevent chronic diseases by supplementing with a blended antioxidant formula like Anti-Oxin. Add it to your daily routine today and make strides towards staving off old age.

Energy - How We Lose It And How To Get It!

Energy truly governs our busy daily lives. Low energy can mean the difference between "going through the motions" and meeting life head-on with "gusto." Burnout is extremely common today. Sometimes a little mini-vacation will help you recharge. Other times the damage is more serious and may require medical attention, like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.



Now for the good news. There are little things you can do every day to build, store, and utilize energy when your body needs it. Natural energizers have great advantages over chemical stimulants. They support the body rather than deplete. Quick, natural energy boosters include such things as green tea, chlorophyll, vitamins/minerals, enzymes, alfalfa, spirulina, CoQ10, NADH, and alpha lipoic acid.



Adaptogenic type herbs like schizandra, ginseng, and astragalus nourish the adrenal glands which helps to modulate the release of cortisol in the body. If your energy is not at the level you feel it should be, check with your doctor for low thyroid, blood sugar imbalances or hormonic levels, especially testosterone, as you approach age 40.



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 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. It is also important to find humor in even the most difficult situations. “Humor stimulates laughter. And we know that physiological stimulation through laughter leads to a number of health benefits. It appears to reduce stress; it tends to boost immunoglobulin A (an antibody that fights upper respiratory disease); and it tends to boost killer T-cells, which are antibodies that fight infection.” Steven M. Sultanoff Ph.D.



Today, most everyone lives very hectic lives: rushing around in the mornings, working long stressful days, then coming home and trying to maintain the household. With all of this looming pressure, how can anyone focus on having a proactive “positive” attitude versus a reactive “pending the situation” attitude?



Well, first off when negative thoughts come to mind or when negative situations present themselves take a deep breath and resolve to move past it, let it go. “Yes, I am stuck in traffic for the 2nd time this week, tomorrow I will simply leave half an hour earlier, and bring my favorite CD to listen to.” Also, nurturing relationships of all kinds (family, friends, a significant other, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) aids in stress reduction as well as provides a sense of connectedness. Even though time is always an issue, volunteering can be one of the best ways to promote feelings of well-being.



Other ways to help you stay in a good mood are:

1. Try new experiences and challenge yourself
2. Devote time to doing activities that you enjoy
3. Watch less television
4. Savor the moment, quality counts as much as quantity
5. Try Optimize to make the most of your energy stores


For the sake of your health and for those around you, relax, smile, and tell a joke. And if you can’t convince those around you to share the same pleasant outlook, then find someone else to spend your time with. It is a proven fact that we are what we think … so put good thoughts into your mind. Try a smile on for size and if you had spinach for lunch, laugh about it.


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 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. We may have the energy reserves, but simply can't access them appropriately, lacking the necessary biomolecules, which assist in the efficient workings of our biochemistry.



Optimize is a unique homeopathic medicinal that specifically addresses the body's needs for more energy. Designed to work with your body, Optimize complements the body's natural abilities to use all stored energy resources while also supplying a bevy of nutrients to maintain the body's metabolism.

Are you living in a “Pressurized” world?

Pressure… a word with many connotations. Let's examine a few. Certainly, you have heard the expression "performing under pressure." This is when an individual is operating at their optimum, regardless of internal or external stressors, over a specified period of time. It includes everyone in all walks of life, business professionals, athletes and students for example. It means the person is “in the zone” and their sympathetic nervous system - "fight or flight" response - is in high gear and the hormone adrenaline is flowing at a rapid rate throughout the bloodstream.

Pressure can indicate stress, which is all too common in our daily lives, leading to all kinds of chronic disease states like arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. And yes, last but certainly not least, another familiar type of pressure called hypertension or high blood pressure. It is well accepted in the medical community that high blood pressure is the "silent killer." Many people have high blood pressure and don’t even know it. Sometimes it is incidentally found that a person has hypertension at an annual physical exam, at a health fair screening or at your local pharmacy/supermarket.

High blood pressure is on the rise in America, leading to increased incidence of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. So, check your blood pressure at every opportunity because, again, many times high blood pressure produces no symptoms until damage is well under way.


Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

From the minute you hear the alarm clock buzz, make your way out of bed and get into the shower, your blood pressure is fluctuating. As you’re fighting through bumper-to-bumper traffic to make your way to work on time, your blood pressure may be pushed up to 164/68. You finally get to work with five minutes to spare; your pressure might drop to 130/70. High blood pressure does not necessarily mean that it is constantly and persistently high. Within minutes it could drop or increase between 60-80 mm Hg.

Optimal blood pressure is 120/80; the top number is the systolic heart rate and the bottom is the diastolic heart rate. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It is the amount of pressure exerted on the walls of blood vessels and on the heart’s valves. The systolic pressure measures the force that blood exerts on the artery walls as the heart contracts to pump out the blood. The bottom diastolic pressure is the measure of force when the heart relaxes to allow the blood to flow into the heart.

High blood pressure can only be diagnosed with repeated blood pressure measurements. This can be accomplished by wearing an ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitor or having your blood pressure measured, the old fashion way, by visiting your physician. Another way of monitoring blood pressure is by taking a stress test.

Here are a few ways to lower the chances of developing high blood pressure regardless of race, age, sex or heredity:

1. Maintain a healthy weight; if over-weight lose the weight

2. Increase physical activity

3. Decrease salt or sodium intake

4. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum

5. If you are a smoker, quit smoking.

Dietary supplements of potassium, calcium, magnesium and fish oils may also help prevent high blood pressure. Many fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and fish are all good sources of potassium. Research has indicated people with low calcium intake have high rates of high blood pressure. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. However, if you are lactose intolerant, tofu, kale, turnip greens or a calcium supplement can also provide the needed calcium.

Although blood pressure varies from person to person, there are accepted guidelines for what is considered optimal, normal, and high. If high blood pressure is a problem try homeopathic medicinal Circulin provides the body the nutrients it needs to reduce blood pressure.


Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults*
(Age 18 Years and Older)

Blood Pressure Level (mm Hg)

Category Systolic Diastolic
Normal <130 <85

High Normal 130-139 85-89

High Blood Pressure
Stage 1 140-159 90-99

Stage 2 160-179 100-109

Stage 3 >180 >110

*For those not taking medicine for high blood pressure and not having a short-term serious illness. These categories are from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program.

(> means greater than or equal to)

Source: WebMD


Beware of the "Silent Killer"strong>

About one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. More women develop high blood pressure after menopause than men of the same age. High blood pressure, or hypertension, also known as the silent killer, can be dangerous because it often gives no warnings, signs or symptoms. High blood pressure can lead to serious medical problems if left untreated. These include:

Arteriosclerosis, which is the “hardening of the arteries.” High blood pressure harms the arteries by making them thick and stiff.

Heart Attack may result when the arteries bringing the blood to the heart become blocked. Reduced blood flow keeps the heart from getting enough oxygen and can cause chest pain. The flow may be stopped completely causing a heart attack.

Enlarged heart results when high blood pressure causes the heart to work harder than normal. If this continues over time, the heart begins to thicken and stretch. It can eventually lead to heart failure causing fluids to back up into the lungs.

Kidney damage and failure can occur over time when high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidney.

Stroke can result from high blood pressure because the arteries carrying blood to the brain narrow and result in less blood being transported to the brain. If a blood clot forms preventing oxygen from reaching the brain, a stroke may occur. A stroke can also occur when very high pressure causes a break in a weakened blood vessel in the brain.

There is no single known cause of high blood pressure. This condition cannot be cured, however, it can be controlled. That is why everyone should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure. Circulin is a scientifically advanced homeopathic medicinal designed to specifically address the problems associated with high blood circulatory pressure and hypertension.

As mentioned above high blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular and other diseases and even death. It is critically important to identify and treat it early. Your cardiovascular system consists of 60,000 miles of arteries, veins and capillaries.

It may be beneficial to take an oral chelation formula to cleanse and detoxify your entire cardiovascular system of toxic metals and wastes. TriCardia is a homeopathic medicinal specially engineered to provide specific nutrients which aid and support the body in naturally and safely cleansing and detoxifying not only your Cardiovascular System, but your Liver, Gallbladder, Lymphatic System and Kidneys as well. Given the proper nutritional stores and critically essential cofactors the body is quite capable of cleansing itself on a daily basis.

Hey, Don't Bug Me, Go Away!!

I am sure most of you have heard the expression "I have the bug," or "I’ve caught the bug," meaning of course that you have contracted a strain of influenza or the "flu virus." We know children and the elderly are at the highest risk of having the most severe complications of the illness. This flu season less people received the vaccine due to a shortage of supplies. Regardless, it is generally accepted that the flu virus and other common viruses are very disruptive to the body’s immune system and can lead to serious manifestations of life threatening illness.

On the flip side of the coin, bacterial infections are also way to common in producing strept throat, acute sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, to name a few. We will look at frequent bacterial pathogens later in this health tip.

Studies show that prescribing habits of family practice doctors and primary care physicians are extreme when it comes to antibiotics. Much of this is due to the pressure doctors receive from their well-meaning patients who insist on at least getting an antibiotic during their office visit, even though their symptoms suggest a viral illness for which antibiotics offer no benefit. The bottom line is to incorporate healthy daily habits to prevent any infection whether viral or bacterial.

Protect Your Body Against A Viral Invasion

Unlike antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, there is no specific class of drugs that treat viral infections such as influenza and the common cold. These infections are the leading causes of patient visits to physicians and account for the most number of absences from school and work compared to any other illness. The first step to treating a bacterial or a viral infection is to distinguish one from the other. The symptoms are fairly similar, so a visit to your physician may be necessary.

In order to determine which type of infection is causing the symptoms, a doctor may run a CBC blood test, which is used as a broad screening procedure to check for disorders such as anemia (decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin), infection, and many other diseases. Depending on the situation, a culture (blood, urine, throat, etc.) may also be necessary. The cultures are often sent out to a lab and the results may take a while to be received. Many Patients today demand a "quick fix" that sometimes lead to doctors prescribing antibiotics for a viral infection. Antibiotics treat pathogenic bacterial infections, however, they cannot effectively treat viral infections.
Unfortunately, the use of antibiotics strip our gastrointestinal tract of essential friendly bacterial cultures. Nausea and upset stomach are usually indicative of this occurrence. To repopulate the culture of good bacteria, take Reflora which helps destroy putrefactive bacteria within the lower tract and reduce unwanted yeast cultures.

Research is being conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to design vaccinations and treatments for both bacterial and viral infections. Many life threatening conditions that once took the life of so many pose no threat today. "Rubella, a virus that once seriously harmed tens of thousands of infants is no longer a major health threat, thanks to a safe and effective vaccine and successful immunization programs across the country," states CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.

Our body's natural defense is the immune system. Cells called T-lymphocytes recognize and kill cells containing viruses. Antibodies within the body generally kill viruses released from infected cells. Children and adults with viral infections generally recover once the illness has run its course. Colds caused by viruses may last for two weeks or longer.

The following can help a person with a cold or flu feel better:

Increase fluid intake
Use cool mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion
Soothe throat with ice chips

When fighting an infection, the body needs extra help not only to boost the immune system and eradicate invasive bacterial and viral entities, but also to alleviate associated symptoms and restock nutritional stores depleted due to illness. The quickest way to overcome viral infections like a common cold or flu is to provide your body with the nutrients it needs during this time. Virexin is a homeopathic medicinal formulated to provide extra nutritional support for a variety of bodily infections and immune dysfunctions.

Protect your body from a viral invasion by getting your immune system into an optimal state. Eat right, drink plenty of water, and take a multivitamin like Daily Essentials. When in contact with infected people or at the first sign of illness, take Virexin to help prevent sickness.


CBC Blood Test and Bacterial Cultures

Both CBC blood tests and bacterial cultures help distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. Normally part of a routine medical exam, CBC tests help identify serious problems before they get worse. The CBC test provides a complete count of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in an individual's blood. Complete blood count testing is actually a panel of tests that help physicians examine different parts of their patients' blood.

The CBC is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases. If the blood test indicates increased white blood cell count, it is indicative of bacterial infections. Viral infections result in a decreased white blood cell count. Results from CBC blood tests will provide your doctor with a general overview of your health.

Your doctor may order blood, throat, urine, or sputum (secretion produced in the lungs and the bronchi) cultures when you are having symptoms of sepsis (bacterial infection), which indicate that bacteria or their byproducts are causing harm in your body. The cultures help determine the type of bacterial infection. Blood cultures are drawn more frequently in newborns who may have an infection, but may not have the typical signs and symptoms of sepsis. Similarly, blood cultures are collected in young children to detect serious infections.

Common pathogenic bacterial cultures include:

Group B streptococcus
E. Coli
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Staphylococcus aureus

Common viral cultures include:

Rhinoviruses
Coronavirus
Parainfluenza virusus
Respitatory syncytial virus
Influenza virus
Adenoviruses
Coxsackieviuses
Epslein-Barr virus

Source: American Association for Clinical Chemistry