In the last few years there have been several studies and research in regards to inflammation at a cellular level. Inflammation is now cited as the primary culprit of dozens of diseases ranging from heart disease to dementia and diabetes. A large number of recommendations have been suggested from diet changes to supplementing with Omega 3 oils, antioxidants and more.

There are several factors to consider in preventing the inflammation of the cells. Your body reinvents itself or recreates itself regularly. The skin cells are completely replaced in 28 days, the skeletal system is rebuilt about every five years. Since the body is constantly regenerating itself, the new cells require certain nutrients and building components to function properly and be healthy. When you give your body the nutritional tools it needs it will prevent disease and heal itself one cell at a time. Inflammation is part of this process, the cells get toxic, the oxygen is not circulating, they cannot absorb nutrients properly and as a result they are slow in eliminating waste and toxins.

Vitamins are needed as co-factors, where they work together with minerals and essential fatty acids to bind cellular messages made of aminoacids to other cells. Minerals transfer energy. For instance inside the red blood cells iron is responsible for transferring oxygen from red blood cells to all other cells in the body. Essential Fatty Acids: Cellular membranes are constructed from this material. If we don’t have healthy fats, our bodies will build cell membranes out of unhealthy facts such as trans fats.

Solstic 24 will provide you with more than 15 vitamins and minerals. Super Omega 3 and Krill Oil, provide high quality fish omega oils.

In a recent research from Jay P. Vanden Heuvel, Ph.D., he cites 10 different reasons to use an amazing plant called Turmeric for pain and inflammation. The number one reason is that it helps to slow inflammation, which it is well known it can cause chronic pain and many other ailments. 2.- It may neutralize free radicals and the damage they cause. 3.- Provides superior antioxidant protection against free radicals, toxins and pollutants. 4.- Helps to relieve chronic pain from joints, back and neck. 4.-Soothes the gastro-intestinal tract from inflammatory conditions. 6.-Safeguards the brain from oxidative stress. 7.- Prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the blood vessels and the brain. 8.- Optimizes liver function by protecting lover cells and triggering liver activity. 9.- Prevents premature aging throughout the body by protecting cells, slowing inflammation and reducing cellular damage. 10.- Improves oxygen utilization in the brain and throughout the body.

Turmeric contains an unusually high level of an active ingredient called curcumin. Widely studied by numerous prestigious research institutions around the world, curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can be isolated, standardized, and encapsulated.

A study published in the November 2006 issue of the Arthritis & Rheumatism demonstrated that curcuminoids in the body inhibit the production of certain chemicals (enzymes) that communicate to the body to produce inflammatory proteins. Dr. Heuvel says that many people wonder if you can use the food-grade turmeric powder from your kitchen spice rack to achieve these therapeutic benefits. Research shows that in order to get enough of the active ingredient (curcumin) to achieve the full benefits of turmeric, you would need to consume 26.3 grams (26,300mg) of the root on a daily basis. In superior quality supplement products like Curcumin BP, the turmeric content is standardized to contain a guaranteed amount of the active constituents. This blend of concentrated curcuminoids known as the C3 Complex, which provides a quantified 95% of the curcuminoid activity proven to be significantly more effective than the powdered root.

Turmeric and curcumin are generally regarded as safe. It should not be used by people with gallbladder conditions as it stimulates bile acid secretion. It is also not recommended to be taken during pregnancy.

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Research has shown that caring for and nurturing our skeletal system could be the best investment of our lives. After all it is one of the systems that keep us standing up and moving around!
More and more people complain about sore, stiff joints these days. Arthritis and osteoporosis are very common diseases in our society today, however studies show that changing your diet and exercise patterns can prevent and help these diseases.

Osteoarthritis is considered a disease everyone will experience, but some people never suffer from it. For example, people in Africa do excessive heavy work which puts extreme strain on the joints, yet they don’t get osteoarthritis. In trying to discover how the African people avoid this painful disease, scientists found that Africans who moved to America, began eating American food and changed to a more sedentary lifestyle also had osteoarthritis when they were older.

Luckily there are natural remedies to help arthritis:
There is an herbal formula called Everflex with Hyaluronic Acid, one of my favorites, because it is a combination of Chondroitin, glucosamine, msm, and devil’s claw in one convenient tablet. Chondroitin is a substance produced by the body that helps to build cartilage and connective tissue to help in the repair of damaged joints in arthritis and other joint diseases. Glucosamine is derived from crab shells. It is an aminoacid/sugar substance used by the body to produce connective tissues. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that reduces inflammation and pain. Devil’s claw has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent in chronic arthritis, including both OA and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials show devil’s claw reduces pain and improves movement and range of motion.

According to Herb Allure Inc., the Hart Book research, in an 8-week randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial involving patients with OA of the knee found that hyaluronic acid supplement was more effective than placebo in improving pain relief and improving quality of life.

Since arthritis is an inflammatory condition, remedies that reduce inflammatory reactions are a must. It is also crucial to work with the pH balance of the body. The more acidic the body, the more to inflammation may be produced in the joints. Food enzymes and green drinks like Ultimate Green Zone and liquid Chlorophyll are a good point to start.

According to Steve Horne, certain plant seed oils containing the fatty acid GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of arthritis. Found in evening primrose, borage, Spirulina, black currant, and flax seed oils, GLA is important because the body converts it to compounds with strong anti-inflammatory and immune regulating effects. Super GLA is a great way to supplement the diet with GLA and may also be helpful with arthritis.

Joint Support is an anti-arthritic blend created by the famous nutritionist Paavo Airola, who authored the book; There is a Cure for Arthritis. It contains black cohosh and white willow (for inflammation and pain), along with herbs like Yucca, burdock, alfalfa and sarsaparrilla that act as blood purifiers to strengthen internal detoxification of tissues. Other herbs in this formula aid urinary function, help dissolve calcium deposits and provide minerals to help tissue regeneration and repair.

Other alternatives that help are the Biomat Amethyst and foot spa Detox sessions, they are both very effective on soothing and helping with inflammation and pain. Also, don’t forget to massage the painful areas with Tei Fu Massage Lotion, which blends essential oils in Tei-fu oil into a lotion base with a more lasting effect. It stimulates the blood flow to the area, which brings oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

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Tips to help our children:

Make a list of the foods your children are eating. Remove high glycemic foods like  white sugar, white bread, white rice, water crackers, white pastas, refined packaged cereals with added honey and sugar, jelly beans, sweet popcorn, cold cuts, white potatoes, fried potatoes, deep fried breaded chicken and fish, sweet fizzy drinks, pizza-plain, fruit bar-roll-ups, salami and sausages (these foods may have excessive saturated fat). This will cause lipoprotein lipase –LPL- , to be secreted, which will promote fat storage. These foods will also demand a high production of insulin from the pancreas.

Analyze and make sure you are including good sources of protein in their meals like chicken, Alaskan salmon fish, organic soy beans, organic tofu, hemp, beans, sprouted beans, seaweed, chick peas, chickpea- hummus dip, kidney beans, fresh meats  (organic or wild), cottage cheese, eggs, rice milk, organic soy milk. All color fruits and vegetables are a must to include in their daily menu as much as possible.

Breakfast is very important, not only for an optimal nutrition for their brain, but to keep their sugar levels balanced to avoid sugar spikes and cravings. Offer them a smoothie that has a variety of raw veggies, you can make a delicious drink by adding a protein powder like Love and Peas and a powder form multivitamin called Solstic 24, these two supplements add an amazing flavor that you and them will not believe. They won’t even know you put raw veggies in it. Yes, raw veggies like carrot, beet, zucchini, green beans, green peas, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower.

Add their favorite fruit; add some super foods like Flax Seed oil, Bee Pollen, Spirulina, ground sesame seeds, hemp seeds, a few walnuts, or almonds that have been soaked overnight to be pre-digested. Add a teaspoon of raw organic Coconut Oil to provide good fats for the brain and direct nutrition to the cells. Coconut oil is transformed into energy and does not store as fat. Complement their eating meals with a high quality vitamin and mineral-antioxidant supplements, Omega 3, Calcium plus Vitamin D, found in Sunshine Super Heroes supplements for children. These are chewable charged with high quality nutrients, free of coloring, additives and artificial flavors.

Use extra virgin olive oil, grape seed oil to cook their meals and avoid overheating and frying. If your child refuses to eat the new choices you are offering, don’t get discouraged. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics you need to offer a child a new food 10 to 20 times before they might accept it.

There might be a lot of things to remember at the beginning, but I am sure you will master it, making little changes every day. This applies for thin or children that have normal weight according to their age and height. Being thin doesn’t mean they are well nurtured; some thin children may have the same poor nutrition than obese children.

Statistics show that 1 in 3 children will have diabetes type 2. Providing good nutrition is our responsibility as parents to avoid this devastating condition.

Let’s get them moving! Exercise is as important as healthy eating. Walking, biking, dancing, bouncing in a trampoline, swimming, etc. Anything helps. Fifteen minutes, twenty minutes, half an hour every day.

If our children eat healthy foods at home, exercise everyday and create healthy habits, they will do the same at school and everywhere else they go.

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Your nervous system is amazingly complex, especially your brain, which contains about 100 billion neurons, scientists say there are more neurons in the brain than stars in the sky. The brain has a high metabolism and is highly affected by what you eat. Research has shown that food choices made during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood may have long term consequences on a child’s mental development. Other research suggests that good nutrition can improve your brain function (and reduce your risk of brain disorders).

The phrase, “you are what you eat” particularly applies to the brain. A “junk” food diet short-circuits your mental attitude and your emotional responses, creating, in effect, a “trashy” brain! With the poor diet of most Americans, it’s no wonder that nervous system disorders like stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia affect millions of Americans.

The nervous system consists of your brain, your spinal column and your peripheral nerves, the nervous system helps regulate everything happening in your body, whether it is consciously or unconsciously. Nerves work by a combination of electrical impulses and chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The discovery of neurotransmitters has greatly altered our understanding of nervous system problems. We know now that sleep, mood appetite and behavior are influenced by the different types of transmitter chemicals being released in our nerves and brain. Depression, addiction, mania, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ADHD are some of the major disorders now known to involve imbalances in neurotransmitters.

Your nervous system is probably the most nutritionally sensitive system in the body. Long before you develop actual physical conditions from poor nutrition, you will feel the mental and emotional effects of a lack of good nutrition. These include fuzzy thinking (“brain fog”), absentmindedness, mental confusion and nervousness. Later they develop into more serious problems such as chronic insomnia, anxiety, depression and memory loss. So, it becomes very helpful to understand how to nourish this important system properly.

The brain is 70% water, so it is very sensitive to dehydration, so if you want to think clearly and protect your grey matter, start by drinking ½ ounce of pure water for every pound of body weight every day. (That’s 75oz or a little more than a half-gallon for an average 150-pound person). Next, 50-60% of the “dry” weight of the brain is fat, with 35% of that fat being omega-3 fatty acids. So, it is crucial to supplement your brain with omega-3 oils from fish like Super Omega-3 or vegetable sources like Flax Seed Oil. You can also find this essential fatty-acids in hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocados, salmon fish, ground flax seed, sardines, black walnuts, to mention a few.

Besides fat, the brain also needs amino acids from protein. The neurotransmitters we mentioned earlier are built from aminoacids. Meals containing adequate protein tend to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (which results in a more alert mind and a better mood). It is also believed that low levels of dopamine can bring tendencies to develop Parkinson’s disease. Protein powders like Love and Peas and Nutri-Burn are high quality protein formulas that include all the essential aminoacids.

Also. foods high in the B-Vitamins are essential for lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, good supplements for this support are Bee Pollen and Spirulina.

Preparing super foods in the raw is an excellent choice to keep the brain functioning optimally. Mix all veggie colors and some fruits in your smoothie, add whole food sources of vegetable protein like amaranth, avocado, coconut oil, chia seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, walnuts, pecans and sweeten with raw honey or Stevia. Adding fruits like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, give an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants. Start your morning with a powerful super smoothie and notice the difference!

To be continued…

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According to scientific research, whey protein provides essential aminoacids and has the highest biological value of any protein supplement. When you choose a whey protein powder for meal replacements, it is very important to check that it is a type of whey protein matrix that is cross-flow filtered and then filtered twice more. This means the protein goes through an ultra-filtration that removes all lactose and impurities, while maintaining the integrity of the whey protein and preserving its inherent amino acid profile. The result is high-quality, lactose free whey protein that is easily assimilated and ready for the body to use for muscle repair and energy.

Nutri-burn a registered and patented whey protein from Nature’s Sunshine provides all the above features.  Nutri-burn contains proprietary plant enzymes that help breakdown protein molecules into smaller, more easily absorbed amino acids. This help the body more efficiently use the protein, and helps to reduce gastrointestinal distress sometimes associated with protein supplementation. Nutri-burn also contains one gram of prebiotic fiber per serving, which is known to help maintain gut health.

Some of the benefits of Nutri-burn are: It promotes lean muscle mass and fat-burning. Provides 25 grams lactose free whey protein per serving. Helps boost energy levels. It provides 60 percent or more of the Daily Value of 14 essential vitamins and minerals. It goes down easily with great tasting chocolate and vanilla flavors. It is a powerful, muscle building, meal replacement.

Two ingredients I really like in Nutri-Burn are CLA and L-Carnitine. Based on the research found in the Hart Book from Herballure, Inc., CLA (a conjugated linoleic acid) “is a natural occurring fatty acid that appears to decrease the ability of fat cells to take up fats from the bloodstream, inhibit the formation of new fat cells and help cells burn fat at a higher rate, thus leading to a reduction in fat. Some studies suggest that CLA may help decrease body fat in overweight individuals. CLA also appears to increase lean muscle mass, particularly in individuals who are exercising regularly.”

In another quote from the same research explains: “L-Carnitine is an amino acid needed for efficient  fatty acid metabolism (the process of turning fat into energy), which results in cellular energy production. L-Carnitine production decreases with age and contributes to the age-associated decrease in energy expenditure for physical activity. Individuals suffering from chronic fatigue as well as elderly people may find L-Carnitine helpful for increasing energy levels. L-Carnitine supplementation is common among athletes to improve energy levels for optimum exercise performance. L-Carnitine may also play a role in reversing insulin resistance, which is a contributing factor to obesity”.

Nutri-Burn high protein, low carbohydrate mix drink also contains green tea extract, lo han fruit, chromium and Stevia, among other nutritious ingredients. There are two ways I like this protein powder, one is to mix the chocolate flavor in the blender with coconut milk cold or hot (it makes a great hot cocoa drink). The second way is to mix the vanilla flavor with coconut or soy milk, ionic minerals, an ounce of Thai-go juice, a few spinach leaves, frozen raspberries  and some ice if you wish. Very simple and delicious. Enjoy!

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For most people, intimacy is an essential part of a meaningful, lasting relationship. But age, stress and other factors can affect intimacy and unfortunately put strain on an otherwise-healthy relationship.

Lack of libido, prostate inflammation, circulatory problems, fatigue, debility, can cause impotency or lack of libido in men.

There are herbs and nutrients known for their ability to help improve male reproductive function, enhance energy and virility, and support a healthy prostate gland in men. Good circulation is crucial. This vital function of the body can get burdened from lack of exercise, toxicity in the colon, poor nutrition, etc.

X-Action for Men Reloaded contains a powerful blend of herbs and nutrients to support male sexual health and vitality, which may lead to greater intimacy and stronger relationships. The benefits of this formula have been well researched and studied. Some of the ingredients, for instance pomegranate fruit extract, has been shown to increase nitric oxide levels, which improves blood flow. Additional studies show that pomegranate juice supports erectile function. L-arginine an important aminoacid and a biological precursor to nitric oxide shows that Nitric Oxide (NO) plays a key role in smooth muscle relaxation, increased blood flow and activation of chemical messengers in the erectile tissue.

This combination helps to support male sexual health in three ways: increased blood flow, sexual desire and prolonged sexual response. According to some research, erectile function is principally mediated by relaxation of smooth muscle and increased blood flow within the corpus cavernosum.

More ingredients are: damiana, a restorative herb for the nervous system. Damiana has a long- standing reputation as an aphrodisiac and has traditionally been used to treat sexual disorders such as frigidity in women and male impotency. Muira Puama stem extract, according to Herballure research it is also known as “potency wood” and considered one of the best herbs to use for cases of erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Popular in South American folk medicine, muira puama has shown libido-enhancing effects in two human clinical studies. Another ingredient is Saw Palmetto berries, which have been used for hormonal disorders such as impotence, reduced or absent sex drive, and testicular atrophy, and urinary disorders.

Herballure research indicates that DHEA, another ingredient in X-Action Reloaded, is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which acts as a precursor for all other steroid hormones in the body, including sex hormones (i.e. estrogen, progesterone, testosterone). Numerous research studies have been conducted that indicate DHEA plays a vital role in the aging process and age related deterioration. Unfortunately DHEA levels progressively decline with age, beginning in the late 20’s- research indicates that by age 70, most individuals register ¼ of the DHEA levels found in 25 years old.

Other ingredients of X-Action Reloaded are: oat straw extract, epimedium leaf extract standardized to icariin content, maca root extract and yohimbe root.

For women, hormonal balance and support of the nervous and glandular systems are important to enhance libido. The combination X-Action for women is formulated to meet the hormonal needs for women of all ages.

X-Action for women contains herbs and nutrients known to increase energy and vitality, enhance sexual function, supports hormone balance, relieve anxiety and depression, relax muscular and nervous tension, may increase immunity. This formula has the herb Damiana, which has been long known as an aphrodisiac. Women have historically used Damiana as a sexual stimulant. It also has the ability to promote hormonal balance. Another ingredient in this formula is L-Arginine. According to Herb Allure research, L- Arginine supports circulation and may have a beneficial effect on female sexual function by enhancing blood flow to vaginal tissue and decreasing vaginal dryness, thereby increasing the arousal phase.

Maca, another nutrient in this combination has been used for centuries in the Peruvian Andes for its strength-building and stamina promoting effects, and to improve sexual function. Other ingredients in Women’s X-Action are licorice root, red raspberry, oatstraw, sarsaparrilla and Siberian ginseng.

A raw food diet is very helpful to enhance libido in both women and men as well as drinking ionized alkaline water and doing exercise at least three times a week.

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Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin we receive through the skin has become a crucial component of optimal health. Its benefits have been shown through several studies and research in the last few years. Study after study confirms and remind us that we must include this nutrient in our daily lives. The best way to obtain it is through the sun, but what happens when we are not exposed to the sun on a daily basis? The answer is, a deficiency of this wonderful vitamin takes place. This deficiency increases in the winter months.

The research compilation from Herb Allure Inc., cites that Vitamin D not only promotes bone health, but also helps regulate immune system function, reducing the risk of infectious and chronic diseases such as cancer, and facilitating normal brain function, cardiac activity, central and peripheral nervous system function, blood clotting and blood cell formation, and optimal muscle strength. Vitamin D also appears to play an important role in glucose metabolism-the conversion of blood sugar into energy. Herb Allure also explains that vitamin D3 is the best way of vitamin D supplementation, because it has been shown to be at least 3 times more effective than vitamin D2 at raising serum vitamin D levels.

Let’s look at some of the most recent studies to learn more important facts of vitamin D:

The November 9, 2012 issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry published an article by researchers at Washington University in St Louis that describes a protective effect for higher serum vitamin D levels against the development of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

An article published online on February 6, 2012 in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals an association between decreased serum vitamin D levels and a greater incidence of obesity in adults.

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published an article ahead of print on July 19, 2012 that suggests a protective effect for adequate vitamin D levels on lung function in smokers.

“Our results suggest that vitamin D might modify the damaging effects of smoking on lung function,” she added. “These effects might be due to vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If these results can be replicated in other studies, they could be of great public health importance. Future research should also examine whether vitamin D protects against lung damage from other sources, such as air pollution.”

On August 30, 2012, the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reported a protective effect for higher vitamin D levels against the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and death from any cause over up to 29 years of follow-up.

With this type of population study, we are unable to say anything definitive about a possible causal relationship,” Dr Nordestgaard noted. “But we can ascertain that there is a strong statistical correlation between a low level of vitamin D and high risk of heart disease and early death. The explanation may be that a low level of vitamin D directly leads to heart disease and death. However, it is also possible that vitamin deficiency is a marker for poor health generally.”

Other studies shared from Dr. Mercola show relevant information on young girls and women’s health:

Research presented last year at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium found that more than half of women with breast cancer have low vitamin D levels, which is really a significant finding. As WebMD reported, one of the study’s researchers, Sonia Li, MD, of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Middlesex, England, noted:

“Previous research suggests a biologic rationale for vitamin D putting the brakes on breast cancer development and spread … Breast cancer cells have vitamin D receptors, and when these receptors are activated by vitamin D, it triggers a series of molecular changes that can slow cell growth and cause cells to die.”

Research has also shown a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which are also linked to early puberty.

Upon measuring vitamin D levels in 242 girls aged 5-12, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that those who were deficient were twice as likely to start menstruation during the study period as those with higher levels.

Dr. Ray D. Strand, MD on his Sept/Oct 2011 Healthy for Life Newsletter he presented the following information:

A major review article came out in the July 19, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers pointed out that studies showed that 40% of our children, and nearly 100% of our elderly, in the US and Europe were deficient in vitamin D. Researchers discovered some startling health benefits when using vitamin D:

…78% reduction in Type 1 Diabetes in children taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D in the first year of life, 200% increase in Type 1 diabetes in vitamin D-deficient children, 33% reduction in Type 2 diabetes in those taking 800 IU/day of vitamin D plus calcium, 72% reduction in number of falls in elderly people taking higher-dose vitamin D, 30 to 50% more cancers in those individuals who had vitamin D deficiencies, 42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women taking more than 400 UI of vitamin D daily supplementation.

On her book Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom (newly revised and updated edition), Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D., explains and makes reference to different research and studies in relation to Vitamin D. One of them is the Vitamin D Council, which cites “that current scientific research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as and heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease and more”. She also cites that vitamin D deficiency has been linked with bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection associated with premature birth. Dr. Northrup talks about the importance of supplementing with vitamin D for  ailments like endometriosis, for HPV protection and for a healthier pregnancy.

And for children, Sunshine Heroes Calcium plus D3 contains Protector Shield Blend, a Whole Food blend of 17 fruits and vegetables. These fruits and vegetables provide powerful phytochemical nutrients and antioxidants-potent plant compounds noted for their health-protective benefits. Protector Shield Blend provides Choline, Inositol, and 10 Amino Acids-essential nutrients for healthy brain development and cell communication for growing children.

There is a nursery rhyme that says: “The best six doctors anywhere, And no one can deny it, Are sunshine, water, rest, and air, exercise and diet. These six will gladly you attend. If only you are willing, your mind they’ll ease, your will they’ll mend And charge you not a shilling.” – Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990”.

Improving on even just one of them would be a noble, and reachable, resolution for the New Year.

Get More Sunshine.. now, we’re not talking about tanning. With the Sun, there can definitely be too much of a good thing. However, that fiery ball of radiation that climbs into the sky every morning can be just as good for your health as it is damaging.

“Being out in the sun boosts our mood, improves sleep, and promotes vitamin D production,” says James Spencer, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “There’s no controversy about that.”

An article in U.S. News says the Sun can help you get better sleep; can make you happier by increasing serotonin (psychiatrists often recommend that depressed people spend 30 minutes of the day in the sun); may give you protection from autoimmune diseases and asthma; and can lessen the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Drink More Water and Eat More Water-Based Foods: There might be too many benefits of drinking water to list here. But some of the benefits are increased energy, promote weight loss, flushes out toxins, improves skin, aids digestion, supports the immune system, a natural headache remedy, prevents cramps, much cheaper than flavored drinks. A six-year study also suggests that people who drink more than 5 glasses of water per day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack than people who drank less than 2 glasses per day.

But aside from drinking more water, don’t forget putting more water-based foods into your diet. The more fruits and vegetables you consume, the more nutrition you’ll get and the better you’ll feel.

Get More Rest: A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than six hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the immune system’s power, reports the Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

The Harvard Women’s Health Watch also says a good night sleep supports learning and memory; metabolism and healthy weight; safety and better performance in daily tasks; a better mood; cardiovascular health; and a strong immune system. Natural sleep supplements can help your muscles relax without dulling your senses for a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep.

Breathe Better and Get More Oxygen: Oxygen is arguably the most important substance for our health. If we run out of it, we’ll die in minutes. It’s important we get enough oxygen to keep our body and organs functioning correctly.

We breathe more than 20,000 times a day. It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we die, so it makes sense to become good at breathing. Soldiers master different types of breathing to perform in life or death situations — whether it’s to calm down, to increase endurance or to wake up and have more energy. In yoga, correct breathing is not just crucial to supply the various organs enough oxygen, but to also to help rid the body of waste and toxins.

Oxygen is critical to our well-being, and any effort to increase the supply of oxygen to our body — and especially to the brain — will pay rich dividends.

Get More Exercise: The benefits of exercise are obvious: stronger muscles and bones, a healthier immune system, better weight, higher metabolism, stress relief, warding off depression, etc. But it also might make you smarter. A recent article in the New York Times claims that the size of the human mind increased over time because of the necessity of exercise for early humans.

There seems to be a direct, and even an evolutionary, correlation between a healthy body and a healthy mind. This gives an even more powerful incentive to be active in 2013.

Eat More Whole Foods: Diet and exercise are probably the top two resolution goals made every New Year’s. But, instead of a diet plan that is doomed to fail, it might be more realistic to focus on eating better.

Eat more natural foods, more vegetables, more nuts, more fruits, more lean protein, more essential fatty acids like fish and avocados, and make sure to get the right herbal and vitamin supplements like Super Supplemental and Super Trio to fill in the holes.  Don’t eat processed foods, refined flours, conventional frozen meals, and cured meats with byproducts. Instead, eat more whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended. If you have difficulty getting enough whole foods, consider shakes like Nature’s Harvest and Love and Peas, which are full of vegetable protein.

Your nervous system is amazingly complex, especially your brain, which contains about 100 billion neurons, scientists say there are more neurons in the brain than stars in the sky. The brain has a high metabolism and is highly affected by what you eat. Research has shown that food choices made during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood may have long term consequences on a child’s mental development. Other research suggests that good nutrition can improve your brain function (and reduce your risk of brain disorders).

The phrase, “you are what you eat” particularly applies to the brain. A “junk” food diet short-circuits your mental attitude and your emotional responses, creating, in effect, a “trashy” brain! It’s no wonder that nervous system disorders like stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia affect millions of Americans.

The nervous system consists of your brain, your spinal column and your peripheral nerves, the nervous system helps regulate everything happening in your body, whether it is consciously or unconsciously. Nerves work by a combination of electrical impulses and chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The discovery of neurotransmitters has greatly altered our understanding of nervous system problems. We know now that sleep, mood appetite and behavior are influenced by the different types of transmitter chemicals being released in our nerves and brain. Depression, addiction, mania, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ADHD are some of the major disorders now known to involve imbalances in neurotransmitters.

Your nervous system is probably the most nutritionally sensitive system in the body. Long before you develop actual physical conditions from poor nutrition, you will feel the mental and emotional effects of a lack of good nutrition. These include fuzzy thinking (“brain fog”), absentmindedness, mental confusion and nervousness. Later they develop into more serious problems such as chronic insomnia, anxiety, depression and memory loss. So, it becomes very helpful to understand how to nourish this important system properly.

The brain is 70% water, so it is very sensitive to dehydration, so if you want to think clearly and protect your grey matter, start by drinking ½ ounce of pure water for every pound of body weight every day. (That’s 75oz or a little more than a half-gallon for an average 150-pound person). Next, 50-60% of the “dry” weight of the brain is fat, with 35% of that fat being omega-3 fatty acids. So, it is crucial to supplement your brain with omega-3 oils from fish like Super Omega-3 or vegetable sources like Flax Seed Oil. You can also find this essential fatty-acids in hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocados, salmon fish, ground flax seed, sardines, black walnuts, organic raw coconut oil, to mention a few.

Besides fat, the brain also needs amino acids from protein. The neurotransmitters we mentioned earlier are built from aminoacids. Meals containing adequate protein tend to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (which results in a more alert mind and a better mood). It is also believed that low levels of dopamine can bring tendencies to develop Parkinson’s disease. A Protein powder like Nutri-Burn is a high quality protein formula that includes all the essential aminoacids as well as Bee Pollen and the formula Free Aminoacids.

Also, foods high on B-Vitamins are essential for lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, good supplements for this support are Bee Pollen and Spirulina.

The brain needs sugar as an energy source, but simple sugars like candy, white pastas, soda, pops, desserts, etc., actually contribute to “brain fog and mental decline. So, make sure you choose complex carbohydrates contained in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and avoid foods containing refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour and other processed grains. Be sure to include high quality protein and fats with meals as they stabilize blood sugar levels and keep the brain working better.

It is crucial to understand the importance of preventing toxicity and to keep learning how to nurture this wonderful system. Toxins can seriously damage the brain, especially fat-soluble toxins (such as petrochemical solvents). Since the nervous system is composed primarily of fats, anything that will dissolve fats and oils such as stain removers, gasoline and other solvents can easily penetrate the skin and affect the nerves.

Besides environmental toxicity your nervous system is challenged with other factors. The most common ones are stress and anxiety. The stress response involves a shift in the nervous system that causes the pupils to dilate, allowing more light to enter for clearer vision. The digestive process stops because this is not time to be sitting down for lunch! And most important, the heart rate increases to get lots of oxygen and nutrition to the muscles—you need to run or fight for your life! These responses are supported by the adrenal glands, which release stress hormones, including more epinephrine and cortisol. The continuous activation of the stress response, over and over again, has a cumulative effect, leads to a feeling of “burn out,” a state of emotional and nervous exhaustion.

There are supportive formulas like Nervous Fatigue, Stress Relief, Nutri-Calm and Mind Max that feed your nervous system and brain all day with the most high quality herbal nutrients. Who wouldn’t want to be calm and happy through the day and sleep well at night?

Louise Hay’s affirmations for the brain and nervous system: “I am the loving operator of my life”. “I communicate with ease and with joy”.

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Virus and bacteria make themselves present during season changes, fall-winter more than any other. You can keep your immune system and your family’s strong by supplying the body with a powerful and safe defense through the entire season. The first step to consider, is to do an internal cleanse to help the body get rid of toxins built up during summer. This can be done in a very simple way following a two week cleanse program like Tiao He Cleanse or Cleanse Start, then followed by a basic maintenance program for the immune system in the next following weeks.

Viruses or bacteria have sometimes the tendency to congest the upper respiratory system and the ears. The lymphatic system can get congested as well. According to the Herballure, Inc. data and research, the lymphatic system is responsible for maintaining the fluids flowing cleanly through the tissues and preventing these fluids from stagnating. Lymph fluid circulates through the body collecting cellular waste generated as a by-product of metabolism, along with toxins and debris from infections. The formula Lymphatic drainage is a liquid formula that helps with the flow of the lymph fluid, the retention of fluids and congestion. It is soothing to the ears and ear infections as well.

Silver Shield and Elderberry D3fense are two powerful formulas for the immune system. Silver Shield, one of my favorite remedies, is a silver sol technology solution that has amazing antiviral and antibacterial properties. Silver Shield has a wide spectrum of action. A study out of Brigham Young University (BYU) testing the effectiveness of silver preparations on a wide range of microbes found that silver was a broad spectrum antimicrobial able to kill a large variety of pathogens. In fact, according to Dr. Gordon Pedersen, none of the pathogens tested survived silver exposure. In another note from Dr. Pedersen, he explains that Silver Sol resonates at a frequency that can actually suppress and contain viral infections by interfering with the duplication and replication of viral infections. Silver Shield comes in a liquid and gel form. When the gel is used on the hands it may work as an antibacterial for as long as 4.5 hrs.

Elderberry has a large history of scientific research. During the 1980’s Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Dr. Jean Linderman isolated two active constituents from elderberry. Both of these constituents proved effective in fighting strains of influenza by rendering the viruses unable to replicate. After conducting a double blind, clinical trial in which patients infected with the influenza virus were given either an extract of elderberry or a placebo, 75 percent of the patients who received the elderberry extract were much improved within 48 hours. After 72 hours, 90 percent were completely well. Elderberry D3fense is an improved formula that includes vitamin D to provide an even stronger defense for the body. It contains elderberry fruit, royal jelly and Echinacea. Royal jelly is a super food fed by nurse bees to produce a queen. It is rich in B-complex vitamins and contains 18 amino acids and several minerals.

Solstic Immune is a powdered drink with citrus refreshing flavor that provides immune system boost in a convenient drink stick packet. Its key ingredients are elderberry fruit extract, Echinacea purpurea and vitamin D3, all of which have been shown to support the immune system. Solstic Immune also contains arabinogalactan and beta glucans, which according to researchers they stimulate and protect the cells from the invaders; Panax ginseng, another promoter of cell protection; vitamin C, long known for its role in maintaining a healthy immune system; zinc, blueberry, raspberry and cranberry fruits, loaded with antioxidants. People who exercise or are on the go all the time can benefit enormously from this drink.

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