Do You Suffer From An Anxiety Disorder?

Did you know that more than 5 million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety? There are many types and several degrees of severity of the condition ranging from mild to severe. If you or someone you know has suffered with a generalized anxiety disorder, you are quite aware of its potential to immobilize your daily routine and disrupt life to the point where it is no longer enjoyable.

Anxiety or nervousness may produce symptoms like dry mouth, excess sweating, palpitations or irregular heartbeats and even shortness of breath. Don’t panic... there is help. The first step is to acknowledge and pay attention to the signals that your body is sending.

Social Anxiety Disorders And The Växa Products That Can Help

Social Anxiety Disorder, also called Social phobias, is an anxiety disorder that leaves one self conscious in daily, normal social situations (i.e. school or work). It is more than just a simple case of shyness. This type of anxiety typically stems from a fear of being embarrassed by something the affected person did or said in the past in front of another. Someone with this type of anxiety may be afraid to:

• Give a speech or presentation to a group
• Go out to a restaurant or any event that may include eating or drinking
• Write in front of others

A child with Social Anxiety Disorder may tend to play sick in order to avoid going to school, especially on big event days such as: class presentation days, test days, holiday parties, school dances, field trips, etc. This disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and may be inherited. Some signs that you or someone you know is feeling anxiety in a social setting are:

• Blushing
• Profuse sweating
• Trembling
• Difficulty talking
• Turning away while talking
• Nausea

Social Anxiety Disorder usually occurs with other Anxiety Disorders or depression and affects about 5.3 million. Be sure if you suspect that you or your child has Social Anxiety Disorder to seek professional help. It could also be coupled with a Learning Disability, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Scientists have found that parts of the brain (amygdale, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and striatum) are involved in feelings of fear and anxiety. It is said that perhaps with the birth of new brain cells and with stimulating growth of new neurons in the hippocampus there may be help with certain anxiety disorders.

Växa Products That Can Help With Anxiety

Attend Strategy Pac provides the brain with nutrients needed to maintain a healthy neurochemical balance. When under the care of a physician, the Attend Strategy Pac may be useful to supplement any strategy being utilized for an anxiety disorder. Products included in the Attend Strategy Pac are as follows:

Attend, suggested by The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, is a Homeopathic Medicinal specifically engineered to help support the function of the Central Nervous System of individuals who are inclined to be inattentive, under and/or overactive and perhaps learning disabled, enabling the body to balance both neural growth and neurotransmitter production within the Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS). Attend is formulated to supply the essential building materials for the entire neural network, helping to potentiate balanced stimulation of the Reticular Activating System while aiding the body in appropriate neural buffering within.

Extress is a Homeopathic Medicinal that contains a useful combination of amino acids, which are the precursors to a series of neurotransmitters within the brain. These nutritional materials help the body to naturally relax our muscles. Subsequently, we can avoid the somatization of emotional difficulties (those emotional problems that are wrongly shunted into physical complaints such as headache and backache, etc.). When our nutritional requirements have been appropriately addressed, the conscious mind is allowed to effortlessly refocus without the bother of anxiety and stress.

Memorin is a Homeopathic Medicinal that has been found useful when complementing a physician's care for neural-growth activity of those suffering from impaired memory, or when experiencing attenuation of neural activity resulting from poor nutrition, cellular deterioration, insult, trauma or stroke, loss of memory, diminution of senses (smell, sight, hearing), absent mindedness, forgetfulness and mental lethargy, inattentiveness, cerebral anemia and senile dementia.

Ear Infections - What Are The Risks?

Today, ear infections are generally accepted as frequent offenders, and if not recognized and treated early, can lead to more serious complications as described below. Ear infections are the bread and butter of conventional pediatricians, who treat them with frequent courses of antibiotics, decongestants and sometimes with surgery. In young children middle ear infections are a normal part of growing up (until their immune systems are functioning as the first-line defense against all types of infections, whether viral, bacterial or fungal.)

So, what are the risks? If the infection is viral, the risks are minimal. However, if the infection is bacterial and treatment delayed, there is danger that the infection may become chronic or spread to a portion of the bone behind the ear called the mastoid process. If antibiotics do not control this, a surgical operation may be needed. Children who are old enough to gargle should be encouraged to gargle with a warm saline solution, which promotes healing by bringing more blood to the Eustachian tube, which connects the ear with the throat. Read on for more details.

Ear Infections Plaguing Nearly All Of Our Children

A very common issue:

About 80% of children will have at least one ear infection by the age of 5, and 75% will have one by the age of 3. It is also said that otitis media (middle ear infection) is the most common cause of hearing loss in children, costing approximately $2 billion annually on medical and surgical treatments in the U.S. In addition to otitis media, children and adults may suffer from otitis externa (infection of the outer ear), commonly referred to as swimmer's ear. If you are a parent with a young child in daycare or a parent with a child who spends a lot of time under water, you have no doubt had some experience with ear infections and it was more than likely, not a pleasant one.

What causes ear infections and why are they so common?

Well, swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is probably the most common type of ear infection during the summer months and occurs when water is trapped in the ear canal, usually from swimming and spending a lot of time in the water, causing bacteria to grow. Other causes of otitis externa can be anything that breaks the skin in the ear canal causing bacterial growth such as cotton-tipped applicators, bobby pins, or vigorous scratching.

Middle ear infections (otitis media) are more common during winter and spring. It is an infection in the space behind the eardrum caused by backed up fluid leading to bacterial growth. The fluid gets backed up, usually from a previous infection or cold that has caused the Eustachian tube to become blocked due to swelling and increased secretions in the nose and throat. The Eustachian tube's purpose is to act as a drain for secretions created by the middle ear and to regulate air pressure. Middle ear infections have multiple causes such as respiratory infections, being exposed to cigarette smoke and allergies. It can also be caused by the baby's position during bottle-feeding, if the baby is lying flat while sucking the Eustachian tube does not work properly. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of ear infections over the last two decades due to the need for a two-income household and moms returning to the workplace before the child's immune system has had a chance to fully develop. Infants and toddlers are continually bombarded by respiratory infections in day care centers.

Are there long-term complications from chronic ear infections?

Yes. There can be possible long-term complications with both types of ear infections if not treated properly. The list of complications that can arise from improperly treated swimmer's ear are chronic otitis externa, narrowing of the ear canal that would affect hearing and future infections, facial infections, and, in the immune challenged, malignant otitis externa. Malignant otitis externa would be the most severe complication, which is the spread of infection to the bones of the ear canal and lower part of the skull.

Since middle ear infections occur in the very young the complications can be detrimental to the development of the child. As previously quoted, middle ear infections are the number one cause of hearing loss in children and this may cause further complications of delayed speech development. Also, middle ear infections can spread to nearby structures in the head like the mastoid bone (mastoiditis), and in extreme cases the brain (meningitis). The mastoid bone is a complex system of air cells that house the structures of the inner ear responsible for balance and facial expressions.

What are some of the symptoms of ear infections?

Symptoms of swimmer's ear start with a mild to moderate pain that is made worse by tugging at the outer ear and an itchy ear. Other symptoms include: a sensation that the ear is blocked or full; drainage; fever; decreased hearing; intense pain that may radiate to the neck, face or side of the head; the outer ear may appear to be pushed forward or away from the skull; and swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms to look for of middle ear infections in infants and toddlers are: hearing problems; inconsolable crying; irritability; restlessness; fever; vomiting; ear drainage; and tugging at the ear. Symptoms to look for of middle ear infections in children, adolescents and adults are: earache; a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear; hearing problems; dizziness or loss of balance; nausea or vomiting; ear drainage; and fever.

Is there anything you can do to prevent ear infections?

Yes. The key is to keep the ears free of moisture. Dry your ears after swimming or bathing; the safest way to dry your ears is by using a hair dryer. Using removable earplugs while in the water may do the trick, but be sure they fit snuggly in the ear. Also, if you know that you do not have a perforated eardrum, then you can use an eardrop mixture of half vinegar and half alcohol. One other important note is that people with itchy ears or those who have excessive earwax are more susceptible to an infection, so it would be wise to have your ears cleaned periodically by an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) or your family doctor.

There are multiple preventative options to alleviate middle ear infections, however, none of them are guaranteed to work all of the time. Babies that are breast-feed for the first 6 months are less likely to contract middle ear infections for two reasons: one, the mother is able to pass along important antibodies to protect against various diseases and illnesses, and two, the use of cow's milk can be an irritant to the Eustachian tube. Allergies are a major factor in chronic ear infections. Singling out the allergen and removing it from the child's diet or environment will play an important role in the health of your child. Common allergies that may contribute to ear infections are: wheat, dairy products (cow's milk), pet dander, mold and pollen. Another diet consideration that may help would be to reduce sugar intake. The natural sweetener xylitol (found in some fruits) has been known to reduce ear infections. It is very important to keep your child away from second hand cigarette smoke. Also, be sure your child is getting enough antioxidants in order to boost their immune system such as Vitamins A, C, E and Zinc.

Be cautious of taking too much zinc and of taking it for a long period of time. The RDA for zinc for infants 7 months - 3 years is 3 mg, children 4-8 years is 5 mg, children 9-13 is 8 mg, adolescents 14-18 is 11 mg (males) & 9 mg (females), and 19+ 11 mg (males) & 8 mg (females). If taking it for more than a few weeks, then you should also take copper along with it. Always consult your physician if you are pregnant or lactating before taking any supplementation.
Ear Infection Treatments: Traditional and Alternative

It is important to note that if any type of ear infection is suspected, whether the inflicted be an infant, child, adolescent or adult, that a physician is consulted before starting any treatment plan. In addition, follow up appointments should be made until the infection has been completely dissipated.

Otitis Externa or Swimmer's Ear

If swimmer's ear is caught early on it may be successfully treated with a mild acid solution such as boric or acetic acid (vinegar). If the infection persists or was not caught in the early stages cleaning the ear with antibiotics may work, however, this method can only be used providing the eardrum is not perforated. If the ear canal is swollen shut, the physician may place a sponge or a wick in the ear canal before administering antibiotic eardrops as well as prescribing steroid eardrops to reduce the inflammation. It may be necessary for the physician to clean out the ear to remove pus and debris, and he may also run a culture to identify what type of bacteria or fungi that are causing the infection. In addition, oral antibiotics and pain medications may be prescribed, although, over the counter pain relievers should be enough to manage the pain. A warm washcloth or heating pad over the ear may also work for temporary pain relief. In extreme cases where the infection has spread to bones in the skull intravenous antibiotics and surgery may be necessary. The best treatment, however, is to never get an infection in the first place; focus on prevention.

Otitis Media or Middle Ear Infections

The traditional treatment of middle ear infections is oral antibiotics, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever, and analgesic eardrops. If the child has allergies the doctor may prescribe antihistamines and if the child has a cold he/she may prescribe decongestants. There are disputes over the effectiveness of antibiotics and its overuse. An alternative to traditional antibiotics is colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic that can be taken orally or used as an ear wash. In addition, a carotenoid complex of 20,000 IU daily will aid in controlling the infection for adults, and 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil for children. An alternative to the traditional approach for pain relief is to place a few drops of warm garlic oil or olive oil in the ear, then a drop or two of lobelia or mullein oil, and then place a cotton ball loosely in the ear. Also, Goldenseal extract and Echinacea are herbs that support immune function; however, a physician should be consulted before starting this alternative treatment option.

Chronic Middle Ear Infections

If middle ear infections become chronic, the treating physician may suggest the insertion of ventilation tubes in order to drain the opposing fluid down the Eustachian tubes and to prevent the build up of future fluid in the middle ear. Typically, as the child grows, the tubes will fall out and the eardrum will heal on it's own. If for some reason the tubes do not fall out on their own, the doctor will remove the tubes. Other surgical procedures that may be suggested by your physician are the removal of the adenoids or tonsils. Chronically infected and swollen adenoids or tonsils can cause the dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes. Adenoids are small organs located in the back of the throat, behind the sinuses. Both organs are thought to act as a defense against incoming bacteria and viruses. However, if they are constantly enlarged (hypertrophy) they may do more harm than good.

Chiropractic For Middle Ear Infections

Chiropractic adjustment is another option for parents to try before resulting to surgery. Several studies have shown the safety and efficacy of chiropractic treatments in children. "In one study of 46 children (age 5 and under) with otitis media, 93% of all episodes improved, 75% in ten days or less. In another study, five children with chronic recurrent otitis media all responded favorably to chiropractic care." Alternative Medicine - The Definitive Guide

Växa Products That Can Help:
Växa Buddies is a complete blend of essential vitamins and minerals specifically formulated for children. Some of the ingredients in Växa Buddies include Vitamins A, C & E, Manganese, and Zinc; all of these ingredients have been found to help boost the immune system.

Immune-Aid provides the effective combinations of phytomedicinals, herbs, amino acids and metabolites that the body needs to fight off infection. Some of the ingredients in Immune-Aid+ include Colloidal Silver, Goldenseal, Echinacea, Beta Carotenes, OptiZinc, and Ester-C. The ingredients in Immune-Aid+ have been shown to: help reduce fever; help fight infection by strengthening the immune system; and help increase rate of recovery with the efficient removal of pathogens, bacteria and other toxins.

Virexin is a powerful homeopathic medicinal combining plant extracts, amino acids, vitamins and more to give the body optimal nutritional support and help the body to activate the immune system defenses against bacterial and viral infections, rid itself of deadly free ranging DNA-viral matter and accelerate recovery, alleviate the symptoms of colds and flu, and restock those nutrients that often become depleted from prolonged illness. Some ingredients found in Virexin include Echinacea, OptiZinc and St. John's Wort.

Aller-Sine is a homeopathic medicinal that contains highly specific nutrients to aid the body's natural ability to reduce the overabundance of histamine and other inflammatory cytotoxic substances within the body, while also inhibiting allergic reactions to drugs/serums, pollen, dust, animal fur and other environmental pollutants. Some of the ingredients in Aller-Sine include Echinacea, Vitamin C, Folic Acid and specific homeopathics known to prevent allergic responses.

ReFlora contains a special complex of 10 different and beneficial bacteria, plus phytomedicinals and other nutrients, to help the body restore healthy bacterial flora. The use of long-term antibiotics can destroy the balance of beneficial bacteria, which is extremely important for the immune system. Please see below for dosages for infants and children.


Dosages for Infants, Children, Adolescents and Adults:

Växa formulas are generally safe for everyone, from infancy to the aged, but it’s always best to first consult with your physician before using any product of food especially if serious illness or disease is suspected. In general, for Homeopathic Nutraceuticals, Systemex and Nutritionizer, dosages for Infants (1-3 yrs) generally require one quarter (¼) of the recommended maintenance dosages for adults, although there are always exceptions. Dosages for children between 4-7 years of age require one half (½) of the recommended maintenance dosages for adults. Dosages for children between 8-12 years of age require three quarters (¾) of the recommended maintenance dosages for adults, and for those over the age of 12 years dosages are generally the same as adults because increased rates of body metabolism in these children/adolescents more than adequately compensate for body mass and weight of adults. Dosages for the elderly generally follow those recommendations for adults, but again, if the elderly have been sick or infirm, it’s best to start out by quartering or halving the dosages (see "Illness and Recovery Strategies" above). In general, with any problem of adjustment, simply reduce the dosages, letting the body find it’s own comfort level of assimilation.

All formulas may be mixed with baby food for infants, added directly to the shakes for children, or mixed with peanut butter and honey and made into sandwiches. For those having difficulty in taking capsules, it’s recommended that all capsules be mixed directly with the Systemex meal replacement shakes.

Please note: Since the USRDI’s of Vitamins and Minerals are considered the least required to sustain life, and not the optimal amounts, often full dosages of Systemex will prove more useful for recovering individuals.

Is It Your Thyroid?

Today, hypothyroidism (low thyroid) affects 15 million people; the vast majority of them are unsuspecting women. Thyroid health also can affect men, but the ratio is considered to be 3 to 1, female to male. Low thyroid or hypothyroidism can mean sluggishness, "brain fog"," weight gain or difficulty losing weight, fatigue, problems with bowel function (primarily constipation), changes in skin (dry skin) with a predisposition to eczema/dermatitis, changes in the hair, and nails that are brittle or break easily. Even low moods and depression can be due to low thyroid. Probably the most common symptom of low thyroid function is cold hands and feet. You have heard this from a friend or someone you know whom always complains of being cold when others are totally comfortable.

So, What Causes This Thyroid Malfunction?

Basically, we know all forms of stress whether physical (like surgery or motor vehicle accidents), emotional (loss of a loved one, divorce or financial change) or psychological stress can directly impact the thyroid. Other common offenders are hormone imbalances such as adrenal insufficiency, estrogen/progesterone changes, new chemicals and pollutants in our environment, and yes, last but not least, genetics (good old family history).

What To Do About It?

If you feel that you might have subclinical hypothyroidism or low thyroid as highlighted by the cluster of symptoms above, you can do the following:

1. Check your Basal Body Temperature - do this by placing a mercury thermometer under your arm for 5 minutes before getting out of bed each morning (for 3 mornings in a row). Note: Normal body temperature is 98.6° F. If your temperatures are less than 97.8° F consistently, then most likely your thyroid is underactive.

2. See your health care provider and discuss your findings. They may want to repeat a Thyroid profile blood test with TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). Remember, even if your TSH falls in the normal laboratory reference range, it does not mean your thyroid is in balance.


Hypothyroidism, Knowing When To Get Help

In a nutshell, the function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in seafood and seaweed, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They are released into the blood stream and transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (substances broken down to yield energy). The thyroid gland regulates the temperature within the body. Malfunctions of the gland are hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone resulting in an overactive metabolic state, and hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone resulting in an underactive metabolic state.

Today we will focus on hypothyroidism since it tends to be overlooked. Hypothyroidism can be misunderstood as depression and simple weight gain. It is estimated that 15% of all depression cases are actually cases of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Often times the blood tests used to measure the levels of thyroid hormones show in the normal range, which is a possible reason that hypothyroidism gets missed. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists is now reevaluating the "normal range" for thyroid function, which is a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level of normally 5.

Thyroid imbalances can be caused by such factors as environmental pollutants, exposure to radiation, dietary excesses or insufficiencies, medications, stress and yeast infections. Be sure to provide your thyroid with the needed nutrients in order to maintain it's health. Thyroid Formula gives a boost to the thyroid, which in turn increases metabolism and energy levels. This formula is a rich source of iodine and contains iron, calcium and zinc. Also in the Thyroid Formula are herbs such as Bayberry, Kelp, Black Walnut and Ginseng, along with homeopathic remedies and essential trace minerals that help maintain healthy levels of the thyroid hormone.

Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol, severe depression, obesity, heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Be sure not to ignore symptoms of hypothyroidism and if you do suspect it, be persistent with your doctor. Don't just settle for a simple blood test. Knowing is half of the battle. Also, start to nourish your thyroid today with Thyroid Formula. Being proactive is the means for achieving and maintaining good health.

Nurture Your Body With Fats

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.

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. Be proactive in keeping your roadways to long-term health free and clear of debris. There is no time like the present to take advantage of Växa's 30-day money back guarantee. We challenge you to take your health into your own hands.