When I'm "On The Go"

By Rachel Louchen, Guest Contributor and Writer

When I had an eight-hour desk job, I used to dream about days when I could be out of the office, and going to different locations everyday, but it really isnt as glamorous as it sounds. Between irregular lunch breaks, overall running around, and work sometimes taking precedence over sleep, the appeal of travel wears pretty quickly and worse of all, so does my body.

Poor food choices happen frequently and meetings tend to offer lots of caffeine and sugary breakfast desserts, but partake in either of those and your downward spiral of exhaustion finally ends in a sugar crash. Maintaining a busy work schedule is impossible without proper nutrition (and, in my experience, a solid eight hours of sleep).

Vibrant Health offers great nutritional supplements that help me maintain my body, so it can handle what I put it through. On my busiest days, I add protein to a liquid beverage, because I can always make time for a vitamin drink. PureGreen Protein Mixed Berry and Chocolate are really delicious and make me feel full and energized.

Another problem with traveling, as much as I hate to admit it, eating in the car happens a lot. In between meetings, and driving from one location to the next, it's often my only chance to sit down and put some food in my stomach. I always bring a Green Vibrance or two in my purse because it has all the organic nutrients I need, and the packets make it so easy for traveling. When faced with little time, the best route to go is an all-in-one, which is why my absolute favorite is Field of Greens. It packs in super foods that my body needs to maintain the work I am putting it through, and it saves so much time (and money) that I can get greens like kale, broccoli, and spinach in one sitting. After every time I have my raw food drink, I feel really healthy, and invigorated, like I did something good for myself. Vibrant Health offers really convenient packets that can be grabbed on your way out the door, slipped in a pocket, and used at your earliest, once again, convenience, perfect for anyone on the go. 

 

Rachel Louchen is a writer based in Great Barrington, MA. She enjoys covering the Berkshires and taking advantage of all the area has to offer…except camping. Follow @fancyrachell

 

Eat Your Broccoli to Help Your Eyes!

By Jeanne Ricks, CHC www.NuDay.org

 

Nerve cells in your eye require Vitamin C in order to function properly — a surprising discovery that may mean Vitamin C is required elsewhere in the brain for its proper functioning, according to a new study by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University recently published in the July 14, 2011, Journal of Neuroscience.  “We found that cells in the retina need to be 'bathed' in relatively high doses of Vitamin C, inside and out, to function properly,” said Henrique von Gersdorff, Ph.D., a senior scientist at OHSU's Vollum Institute and a co-author of the study. “Because the retina is part of the central nervous system, this suggests there's likely an important role for Vitamin C throughout our brains, to a degree we had not realized before!”

Your brain has special receptors, called GABA-type receptors that help modulate the rapid communication between cells in your brain – sort-of like a traffic cop. GABA receptors in your brain act as an inhibitory “brake” on excitatory neurons in the brain. The OHSU researchers found that these GABA-type receptors in the retinal cells stopped functioning properly when Vitamin C was removed.

Because retinal cells are a kind of very accessible brain cell, it’s likely that GABA receptors elsewhere in the brain also require Vitamin C to function properly, von Gersdorff said. And because Vitamin C is a major natural antioxidant, it may be that it essentially ‘preserves’ the receptors and cells from premature breakdown, von Gersdorff said.

What Does this Mean for Your Eye Health?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble Vitamin which is essential for the normal functioning of every cell in your body. Benefits of Vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and even skin wrinkling. 

Unlike most mammals, we humans don't have the ability to make our own Vitamin C - We must obtain Vitamin C through our diet. Because it isn't stored in the body either, you should eat foods high in Vitamin C every day. Although citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C, other not so obvious foods contain Vitamin C as well: 

·       Eat more Broccoli!  A ½ cup serving provides 45 mg of Vitamin C.

·       Add a slice of Tomato to your sandwiches. A small Tomato provides 25 mg of Vitamin C.

·       Slice up a Papaya or Mango for dessert. ½ a medium Papaya or Mango provides 95 mg of Vitamin C.

·       Think peppers! Red, Yellow and Orange Peppers have about twice the Vitamin C of Green Peppers.

·       More obscure vegetables, like Kohlrabi and Jicama, provide about 45 mg of Vitamin C per half cup. Just grate each into a green salad.

·       Believe it or not, Potatoes contain Vitamin C, too! A small baked Potato has 25 mg. 

·       Kiwi fruit, the fuzzy little brown fruit with the deep green interior, has about 55 mg of Vitamin C.

The dietary supplement and functional food market for eye health is being driven by several major forces: An aging population, unhealthy diets, an increased demand for natural ingredients and rising healthcare costs. "It is just not practical for most people to consume the required servings of fruits and vegetables needed on a consistent basis, whereas taking a once-daily supplement is safe, effective, and easy to do," says researcher Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan. He further states: "The more we study Vitamin C, the better our understanding of how diverse it is in protecting our health, from cardiovascular, cancer, stroke, eye health [and] immunity - to living longer."

Since getting enough through your diet can be challenging when you’re on the go, at Vibrant Health we’ve carefully developed products to keep you on track. 

Did you know that our Green Vibrance not only contains 200mg of a natural Vitamin C called Acerola, it also contains 100mg of certified organic freeze dried Broccoli sprouts? Why Sprouts?  In this early stage of plant development the plant starts to multiply in its nutrient content to get ready to become full-sized plant. This results in a fiber-rich food packed with vitamins and minerals. Sprouts are also far easier to digest than the original seed.

So consider getting enough Vitamin C an important part of your daily nutritional program to improve not only your overall immune system health but, especially your eyes.

 

Some Simple Tips to Keep You Safe in the Summer Sun!

By Jeanne Ricks, CHC www.NuDay.org 

 

Guess what? Your sunscreen has an expiration date!

That’s because “a sunscreen’s active ingredients break down and don’t work as well,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. So keeping the same bottle of sunscreen for years, while cost effective, is doing little to actually protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

If you really want that perfect tan PACE YOURSELF! Progressively build-up the time you spend in the sun. Don’t try to cram all of your sun exposure into a 2 week vacation and expect to experience the benefits. 

Did you know that early morning is the best time to sunbathe? If you have not already built up a base tan, you’re less likely to burn in the mild morning sun. Also, it’s best to sunbathe when the temperature is a little chillier than you might expect (below 68 degrees). Why? So, that you don’t overheat. It’s also important to treat your tanning the same way that you do important medicines i.e. control your dosage; frequent, short periods of exposure are best. You don’t want to overindulge.

Not all skin types are alike. You know from experience that some of your friends naturally tan more easily than others or burn more easily than others. What are termed Skin Type 1 people have fair skin, red hair and freckles  - will burn easily, resulting in peeling and blistering, without any indication that he or she has actually tanned. But on the other hand, a Skin Type 4 person with dark hair and olive skin will tan very well and quite easily, even with a minimal amount of sun exposure. While people with medium to darker skin tend to tan more easily, they can also get very serious sunburn. For these skin types it is still important to shorten exposure times, use sunscreen and observe recommended exposure times.

Green drinks are a great way to get optimum nutrition. There are some dietary compliments that can also assist in keeping your skin healthy as you tan which you’ll find readily available in Green Vibrance.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol Acetate) You probably already know that Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin. But did you know that this is true whether it is naturally occurring (via sun absorption), topically applied or ingested? Vitamin E is an all-around amazing skin protector.

• protects your skin from early stages of UV damage

• Can increase the success of sunscreens

• Can reduce risk of sunburns... even if applied after sun exposure!

Vitamin C: Is a major factor in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes regeneration of skin. Most important for sun worshippers, it is an antioxidant agent which quenches free radicals caused by UV light, therefore slowing down the long term effects of exposure to UVR.

L-Tyrosine (400mg): It’s a strange word but a simple amino acid from which the pigment Melanin is formed through a process, called Melanogenesis. This is actually what is responsible for your "tan", or darkening of your skin, upon exposure to UVR. Without Tyrosine there would be no melanin.

B-Complex Vitamins: Specifically the B vitamins (B1,B2,B3, B5,B6,and B12) which assist in the conversion and metabolism of amino-acids, regeneration of red blood cells, and skin cell growth. All of these functions figure prominently in the process of melanogenesis. 

Remember to be especially cautious when you are in or on the water. Those breezes and the lower water temperature they blow over keep your skin temperature a little lower. The sun can easily give you a bad burn without any warning signs. 

So, always remember that repeated exposure of unprotected skin while you are tanning will increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer and harmful effects to your skin even if your skin is not ‘burned.’  No tanning product can help you if you’re not practicing safe and effective sun sense.

Staying Vibrant in the Summer

By Susan Bass, Digestion & Detox Specialist

What do We Need to Watch out for in Summer?  Excess Pitta

What is Pitta?  According to Ayurveda, Pitta is the transformative, metabolic energy in the body, often described as the fire element in the body. Pitta can flare up in the summer causing irritability, skin inflammation, acid indigestion and summer colds.

Number one tip to help your body and your furry friends stay cool in the summer;

Hydration…… Hydration….. Hydration.  

Think bubbling brooks, lush greenery, and full deep breathing to bring the body into a peaceful and naturally calm state. Saturate your cells with oxygen, water and nature!

You are not just looking for something that is cooling but more importantly, something that is refreshing to your body on a cellular level. Iced latte is cold to the tongue but the caffeine is very stimulating and dehydrating, long term this causes burn out on many levels. Your best bets for truly refreshing and hydrating beverages are; 

1) Fresh juiced vegetables 

2) Fresh coconut water 

3) Hibiscus tea or just purified water with fresh cucumber slices and mint leaves.   

Fresh Juiced Vegetables are incredibly hydrating on a deep cellular level. With so many of us traveling and on the move in the summer time we don’t always have time to juice our own vegetables. The closest thing I have found to fresh vegetable juicing is Vibrant Health’s Field of Greens. With 14 different types of organic grass juices and freeze dried greens that are all domestically sourced you just can’t beat the quality, absorbability and superior nutrition of Field of Greens.  

Ayurvedic tip for cooling your body in a healthy way: If you do want to cool your drink with ice then wait until the ice melts before enjoying it, since room-temperature beverages are best.  

Susan Bass is a Digestion & Detox Specialist who works with people who want to support and heal their bodies naturally; drawing on the knowledge of the oldest continually practiced health care system in the world, Ayurveda www.TheArtofDigestion.com

What is Pitta? In Ayurvedic Medicine, Pitta is the principle of transformation energy and governs heat and metabolism in the body, is concerned with the digestive, enzymatic, and endocrine systems, and is eliminated from the body through sweat and the bowels.

What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is the oldest continuously practiced health care system in the world. It originated in India and comes from The Vedics Texts.

Keeping Pets Healthy

By Kate Shanley

Sometimes keeping your pet healthy when they can’t communicate what is bothering them seems daunting. With some forward thinking and attention to detail we can save our pets from many health problems. Here are some useful tips: 

 

•Exercise- Your pet needs both mental and physical exercise. This might mean a training exercise, or for our more stubborn pet friends (yes, I do mean cats) a simple cardboard box or bag can entertain and serve as mental exercise as they plot their way in, and then, which always seems to be the hard part, figure their way out of this new toy.

•Diet & Weight- Ask your veterinarian about the best diet for your pet. Read labels – can you recognize ingredients? Just because it’s pet food does not mean the labels should be full of an unrecognizable list of stuff.  If you notice your pet packing on the pounds or drinking water in excess, changing their diet immediately could save them from developing diabetes or other weight related issues such as: arthritis & weakened joints, heart disease, respiratory problems, and torn ligaments.  

•Veterinarian- Regular shots and visits (young and old animals tend to need more frequent visits). Always know the nearest emergency vet clinic!

•Set your pet up for success- Avoid leaving things out and around that could poison or choke them. It might be a good idea to take a pet first aid course! You would want to know child first aid if you had a child, right?

•Be observant- Are they their normal energetic selves? How often they are going to the bathroom? What’s going in and what’s coming out? Being an observant pet parent is the key to keeping your pets healthy.

•Grooming- Brush them, clip their nails, get their teeth checked, etc. – so many behavioral problems are a result of your pet being in discomfort. This is always a good starting point in addressing existing behavioral challenges as well as a preventative measure.

•Protect against fleas and ticks- Essential if they are outside frequently. Some good options are: Advantage, Frontline, Program (an oral treatment).

•Beware of poisonous household plants- ASPCA has an extensive poisonous plant listing, and your vet can always help you with this.

•Give them attention- Check occasionally for rashes, hot spots, dandruff – many root causes for these are possible and we usually notice these things when petting or playing with our pets.

•Spaying and neutering- Can help avoid harmful/undesirable behavior problem development as well as help to lessen pet over-population.

Try to learn enough about your pet's species and breed to know common health concerns, such as hip dysplasia or skin issues. If you are informed you have a better idea of what to be aware of for your pet’s health and wellbeing.

To Learn about the benefits of supplemental nutrition for our four-legged friends Click Here!

Helpful resources:

http://www.aspca.org/
https://www.aahanet.org/
http://www.healthypet.com/

Have You Considered a Naturopathic Doctor for Treatment?

By Jeanne Ricks, CHC www.NuDay.org 

As medical and health insurance costs rise, you have greater need to empower yourself to make better preventative choices for a healthier lifestyle to improve your health and sense of well-being. Looking across your landscape of selections for healthcare, a few newer options are available. One of them is Naturopathic medicine and this is Naturopathic Medicine Week. So what exactly is it?

Did you know that the original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher? A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. 

From your own personal experience you know very well that health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Naturopathic physicians seek to treat you as a whole person, taking all of these factors into account. Sickness does not simply occur without cause. Those underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. The symptoms that we experience outwardly, can be expressions of the body's attempt to defend itself, to adapt and recover, to heal itself or may be results of the causes of disease. The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the causes of disease, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms as is often the case in standard medical practice. 

 

Their training is rigorous. A fully licensed naturopathic physician (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school (educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD), but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Here’s another difference.  

In addition to the standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that she (or he) may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician 

They use all methods of clinical and laboratory diagnostic testing including diagnostic radiology and other imaging techniques that you’re accustomed to, however they may also employ ultrasound treatments, and therapeutic exercise; homeopathy or herbal treatments; psychotherapy and counseling; acupuncture, injection and intravenous therapy. NDs are trained to utilize prescription drugs, although the emphasis of naturopathic medicine is the use of natural healing agents.

Where can you find them? Naturopathic physicians work in private practices, hospitals, clinics as well as, community health centers. NDs practice throughout the United States and Canada.

So, have You Considered a Naturopathic Doctor for Treatment? 

Ladies Here Are Some Things to Consider during Women’s Health Month

By Jeanne Ricks, CHC www.NuDay.org

Congratulations! Did you know that the average life expectancy for women in America has steadily increased? During the past few decades this rise has largely been due to major advancements in medical testing accuracy and technology, yet it's also due to our increased awareness about the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We have been taking better care of ourselves!

Most women are aware of the basics for self-care:

– Drink 8 glasses (64oz) of filtered water daily

– Get regular physical activity (20mins 3x weekly of a High Intensity workout);

– Maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity;

– Include generous amounts of raw, organic vegetables and fruits in your diet;

– Limit alcohol consumption;

– Get enough sleep;

– Include daily meditation and deep breathing exercises

 

But especially during Women’s Health Month we can take time out to learn about other important measures that we should take to optimize health.

Ladies have you ever suspected that men's digestive systems are somehow just a little stronger than yours? You were very right. Women are actually six times more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome than men!

Certain organs in women’s GI tract (the small intestine, colon, rectum and esophagus) are actually more sensitive than that of a man. This means that women experience ailments like heartburn more strongly. The differences don't end there. A woman's stomach empties food more slowly than her male counterpart, increasing susceptibility to bloating and nausea. That slower tempo also applies to her colon, which increases incidence of constipation for women. Let's not ignore the fact that women have a shorter urinary tract than men, which makes them more susceptible to urinary tract infections. That's right men rarely suffer through a UTI.

At Vibrant Health we’ve developed U.T. Vibrance which is a safe, effective treatment for those wickedly uncomfortable infections. It's made with an all-natural and bio-active ingredient called D-Mannose (a simple sugar), which acts as an effective lure for e.coli bacteria (the main culprit behind UT infections). It actually lure’s the irritating bacteria away from your Urinary Tract Wall.

Another extremely beneficial product is our U.T. Biotic, which supports your urogenital flora with probiotics (i.e. helpful bacteria). We all do things which can disturb that very delicate balance between good bacteria and ‘bad’ bacteria. In fact it’s all too easy…

–A poor diet that does not give your body proper nutrition

–NSAID’s or antibiotics

–Age – the number of healthy bacteria decrease as you get older

–Stress wreaks havoc on your digestive system

–Travel can expose you to harmful bacteria, especially in the water you drink

Our U.T. Biotic formula contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. paracasei, which are proven to inhibit the over growth of ‘bad bacteria’ which helps to restore and maintain balance to your urinary tract.

So although men have far fewer GI tract concerns, we can easily maintain habits which support us and include supplementation which reduces are susceptibility.

We still maintain the edge after all….It's been well established that in most cultures women live longer than men. Ladies despite how you fret about those thighs, we women can also live longer than men without food because women have more body fat and less muscle mass than men!

 

#1 Supplementation

Guest Blog by Russ Marchewka, Beach Volleyball Professional, Owner of World Health Hub

You may have heard the term compliance thrown around in the health and supplement world before. I originally thought it was just about whether or not your body tolerated what you were putting in it. Well that is only half the battle. The other half of compliance is the user (you) actually taking the product. See, what you don’t know can hurt you. What you don’t take can’t help you.

I think we can all appreciate the concept of “work smarter, not harder” right? Well supplements in our body are the same thing. George Carlin, the late comedian once said, “you can’t satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches to your body.” You can’t start to live a longer, healthier life if you look at the health store as you drive by. You can’t build up your immunity and energy by forgetting to take your supplements once you do get them.

Not All Supplements Are Created the Same

Before you buy, become a label reader. A large majority of supplements on the market are synthesized in a lab. If you truly want to change your body, “whole food”, “raw”, “live food” supplements are the way to go. Food is medicine if we let it be.

I was listening to an interview one day with Dr Robert Marshall, and he made an interesting point regarding some new research. The best supplementation routine is with food that still has it’s DNA. These artificial, lab created vitamins and supplements are literally sucking the life out of us. In the short run, you may feel good taking some of these pills and powders if your body has been short on those nutrients for awhile. However, long term these lab synthesized vitamins, pills and powders can end up doing more harm than good.

Our body responds best to “real” food, food with it’s DNA still intact.  One of the best examples I can give is from my childhood. I was born in 1982, and I remember growing up, one of the (big) scientific findings was that people with the healthiest eyes, the best vision had a higher concentration of lutein in them. Next thing I know, Centrum, the popular multi-vitamin brand was touting their new formula with lutein. Turns out the studies that came out a little later showed that lutein supplementation had no effect on making people’s eyesight better.

Point being that in order for nature to work her magic, we need to give our body the whole food, DNA rich nutrition it desires. It would be great if there was a magic pill, one multi-vitamin that we could take for increased health and vitality. Fact is there is not. 

Phytochemicals are little tiny plant particles that help facilitate a multitude of functions around our body, like lutein. There have been over 10,000 discovered and at least twice that much believed to be still discovered. These are the true promoters of health. Nature is designed to work in harmony, so just remember when you’re choosing supplements, go for the “whole food” “DNA intact” supplements and for god’s sake, please take it!

 

About the Author:

Russ Marchewka graduated from UC Irvine in 2005.  By 2008 he had worked his way into the top 25 professional Beach Volleyball teams in the US.  Starting with a whole foods based supplement routine in 2009, Russ moved up into the top 10 US teams and continues to be a rising star on the domestic tours.  Nicknamed "Mr. Healthy" Russ' name has become synonymous with a healthy lifestyle.  Fans and players alike seek his advice for better performance and living a better life.  He operates www.WorldHealthHub.com to promote the companies he believes in.  Interactive videos and personal advice makes this website a one-of-a-kind experience if you're serious about your health.

Follow Russ on Facebook and Twitter!

Question: I have Osteopenia and my doctor prescribed that I supplement with a specific mg's of ELEMENTAL calcium daily. Kindly let me know in version 11.0, the amount in mg of elemental calcium, if any? I could not determine if Calzbone contains any elemental calcium or how much.

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health

A: The last assay showed 156 mg of elemental calcium. A new assay will be done very soon, after version 14.0 arrives. But there is MUCH more to the story than just calcium. Bones thin when more calcium is chronically lost in the urine than is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The condition is called negative calcium balance. It should be noted that every animal and human clinical trial where researchers dosed their subject with calcium in an effort to overcome negative calcium balance resulted in failure. For example, if a test subject lost 400 mg per day of calcium, and the researchers gave an additional 600 mg to compensate, the subject would begin spilling 600 or more milligrams each day.

However, when Boron is given – in humans, at a dose of 3 mg per day – negative calcium balance ceases. We now know that Boron is essential for maintaining hormonal homeostasis (normal balance) among a group of hormones active in building and maintaining bone tissue. They include testosterone, estradiol, DHEA, and hormonal vitamin D (calcitriol). In addition, zinc, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, vitamin C and magnesium nutrition should be adequate. Given that 70% of the U.S. population is deficient in zinc according to a 1996 USDA study, I will venture to say that supplementation of these essential bone nutrients will be required to assure a healthy skeleton. Green Vibrance, with its 2,000 i.u. of vitamin D3 and 3 mg of Boron per serving provides some critical nutritional support to skeletal tissue.

I am saying that one almost always cannot rebuild bone by taking calcium alone. Other nutrients are more essential to bone health than calcium. Strontium is often put forward as one of these. Strontium is O.K., but not a panacea. Strontium’s value is as a replacement for calcium in the huge, structural, hydroxyapatite crystal of bone when calcium is insufficiently supplied. It can fill in for calcium. But bone that relies too much on strontium for its structural integrity becomes more brittle. For that reason, I usually do not recommend one supplement heavily with strontium as part of a bone restoration program. Boron and vitamin D are the biggest players.

Rebecca, "Raw Foodist"
Click Here to learn more about the author

I used Vibrant Health in my own personal journey in 2011. Since eating more plants, juicing, and using Vibrant Health products, I have lost 45 pounds (size 14 to size 2) and was able to get off 12 medications, at age 32. A plant strong diet and good supplements, like those offered by Vibrant Health, worked wonders for me. So it's easy to advocate this product when I share that information (and my before-and-after photos) with people. 

So many people are slowly dying. I tell them how Vibrant Health can help them LIVE again :) I also tell them that since I started this journey, I haven't been sick with so much as a sniffle. I was a VERY sickly person my whole life. Every year, I got very sick 3-4 times, with bronchitis every winter that lasted for 6 weeks.  I no longer have migraines, IBS or allergies. I went from a tired and depressed medical mess to a healthy and happy young woman. This month (March 2013) marks 2 years, 1 month with good health and no illnesses. 

 

Follow Rebecca on Facebook and Twitter! 

Healthy Aging

Guest Blog by Shelly Bell, Health and Fitness Specialist, Owner of Fitness 2 Go 4 Women

The thought of aging can send mixed thoughts into mind. Still aging is a part of life and it can be good. In fact, you can age while looking and feeling your best?  Exercise plays a key role in outer and inner well-being. For example, weight training at least 2 days a week will help gain and maintain physical strength, bone density and increase confidence. An exercise program should also include cardiovascular activity at least 3 days a week with a goal of 60-minutes. Doing aerobic activity increases the uptake of oxygen into your blood cells thus strengthening heart and lung function. It will also reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Keep in mind that every little bit counts, so if time is a factor, try doing several small exercise sessions through out the day. 

Eating habits also affect aging. If your consuming a diet that is unbalanced, don’t expect your body to perform at its best. In other words, what you put into your body is what you will get out. A diet high in saturated and trans fats along with poor sources of carbohydrates are going to increase your chances of illness. Not to mention you will not look and feel your best. A diet high in whole grains, lean sources of protein, good fats as well as fruits and veggies are going to provide you with the best nutrition. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals and super foods have been known to help the body ward off illness and protect against cancer. 

Lastly, make sure your allowing yourself time to distress. This can be done by taking 10-15 minutes or more in a day for quiet time. A simple walk through the park to enjoy nature or listening to quite music can be helpful. Meditation is also a great way to allow your mind time away from life’s busyness. Meditation can be done anywhere and can involve repeating a Proverb to yourself or a word that brings comfort. You can also focus on a time in your life that was peaceful and perhaps reliving that moment can bring solace. 

Aging involves many factors and some of those factors we can control and others we can’t. Yes, genetics does have its role but we can do our best to give our body what it needs to be healthy. 

 

About the Author:

Biography

Shelly Bell has worked in the natural products, health and fitness industry for a combined total of over 10 years. She is the owner of Fitness 2 Go 4 Women and specializes in women and couples fitness. She is a certified personal trainer with an additional certification as an advanced health and fitness specialist. An advanced health and fitness specialist specializes in working with special populations such as individuals with diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity recovering from sports injuries and more. In addition, she has a B.S with a major in health and nutrition counseling. To learn more about Shelly Bell and Fitness 2 Go 4 Women, you can visit www.fitness2go4women.com

Question: is Joint Vibrance acid forming?

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health

A: Joint Vibrance is a product that is almost 2/3 protein. Therefore, it will be more acid forming than a purely plant-based product. However, there are minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese) in the formula that will help neutralize that acidity. There are also a few alkalinizing botanical components, namely horsetail, cinnamon, Yucca, Devils claw, alfalfa leaf, and licorice. However, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, glucuronic acid complex, as well as the high polyphenol plant extracts from turmeric (the Curcuminoids), Boswellia serrata and grape seed will all be somewhat acid forming.  
 

 

Measuring the Acidity of Food 

The measure of acidity contributed by a food is the measure of the quantity of hydrogen ions ultimately placed into solution in bodily fluids as a result of the metabolism of that food. The net effect of the ingredients in Joint Vibrance will be to increase the level of hydrogen ions. Simply put, it will be a slightly acid forming food. The effect should be minor, however, because the 10 g of protein in a serving of Joint Vibrance does not represent an overpowering acid load in the scheme of a daily diet.

One must keep in mind that human biochemistry is exceedingly complex, and that certain acidifying nutrients are essential to life. One cannot form healthy connective tissue or muscle tissue, for example, without ingesting substances as part of their diet that are acidifying in nature. Hormones are synthesized from amino acids, several of which are acidifying (most of which, however, are neutral or alkalinizing.) It is the overall balance in the diet between acid forming and alkaline forming foods that must be considered.

How to Compensate for Acid Forming, Protein Foods

The acidifying nature of Joint Vibrance can be blunted by mixing it in orange juice, and/or adding a scoop of Field of Greens or Green Vibrance to the mix. Orange juice, by the way, is an alkalinizing food in spite of its acidic tang. The best way to compensate for the ingestion of acid forming, protein foods is to be sure to include them in the diet rich in fresh vegetables and vegetable juices. An overall alkaline diet can be further assured through the elimination of the two most acid forming food groups of all, grains and dairy products. Pasta, breads, cheese and milk present strong threats to maintaining an alkaline diet.

Super Natural C Slays Lead

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health

You may be aware that vitamin C and its C-complex factors help rid the body of dreaded lead. Too much lead can irreparably damage neurological tissue, effectively shaving IQ points and negatively impacting muscular coordination. (It also suppresses immunity among other things.)

Lead is of special concern for children whose food intake is 2.5 times that of an adult per kilogram of body weight. Why? Because most of our lead intake comes along with food, and the smaller your body mass, the greater is your risk of lead toxicity.

Should we worry about lead in food, air and water? 

Not really. Lead levels in foods have declined over time in many developed countries. Elimination of lead additives from most gasoline in the 1970s and from paints is credited with much of the reduction in exposure. The cutback in industrial use has dramatically benefitted the food supply. From 1980 to 2006, lead levels in food dropped 75% in New Zealand, 95% in the United Kingdom, and 50% in France and Canada. In the U.S., lead intake by teenage males declined from 70 mcg per day in 1976 to 3.45 mcg in 2000, another 95% drop.

Will consumers continue to be fearful about lead contamination, no matter how unfounded those fears may be? We can expect they will. Once a concept takes hold, cognitive dissonance all too often brands it into the mind. So if vitamin C protects against lead, and hastens its removal from the body, then Super Natural C has been assigned another beneficial role to play. Not only is it all natural, highly bioavailable, and of benefit for the removal of lead, but Super Natural C is virtually lead free itself (see attached assay).

The presence of lead and other heavy metals in dietary supplements made from natural materials has been a concern of our industry and its consumers for decades. If there is any lead in Super Natural C, the testing lab could not find it, even down to the test method threshold of five-one-hundredths of a part per million. That is why I must say Super Natural C is “virtually” free of lead.

It is a tremendous achievement to fashion a dietary supplement out of plant materials and leave all the lead behind. Super Natural C does just that. It is an example of the care and quality that goes into Vibrant Health brand products. So anyone wishing to protect themselves from lead can consider Super Natural C as an excellent addition to their supplement regimen.

 

By Track and Field Sprinter Thierry Jean-Bart

In this day and age, supplementation plays a tremendous role in everyone’s lives whether they’re young or elderly, from elite athletes to weekend warriors around the world, to even those who never exercise. In our fast pace society, many people often don’t have the time and and/or available resource locations to intake most of key nutrients necessary to sustain energy levels, replenish depleted nutrients important in regulating the efficacy of everyday bodily functions. We must face truth, not everybody has a stomach large enough to accommodate portioned servings of every type of fruit or vegetables that contains all the essential nutrients for their particular health needs. Supplementation is vital to peoples health, especially those that workout regularly because when a person trains, their body’s get fatigued because of mineral nutrient depletion. As this occurs, the immune defense levels of the body decreases and the body in more at risk of getting sick. 

As an athlete, I understand the value of true whole foods meals however, I also accept the fact that even with all that those foods alone cannot keep up with the immediate nutrient demands the body has in order to recover quick enough to avoid injury. This can most certainly be satisfied by supplementation. There were times when I was extremely injury prone due to a lack of supplementation. I thought I could get by training on an elite level while getting the bare minimum nutrition intake of just 3 meals per day and no supplement protein. Those were the times that resulted in injury for me curtailing my Track and Field seasons short forcing me to miss very important competitions. Had I supplemented at the time with a good quality protein and alternative food supplement sources, perhaps I would not have gotten injured and furthered my season. Now since the time I started to consistently incorporate supplementation in my diet which is a little more than two years, I have since never obtained an another muscle, tendon, or ligament injury. 

According to this article from Rice University (www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html), “Endurance exercise can increase oxygen utilization from 10 to 20 times over the resting state. This greatly increases the generation of free radicals, prompting concern about enhanced damage to muscles and other tissues.” Another interesting find from Rice University is that, “intense exercise in untrained individuals overwhelms defenses resulting in increased free radical damage. Thus, the "weekend warrior" who is predominantly sedentary during the week but engages in vigorous bouts of exercise during the weekend may be doing more harm than good.” However, you can protect your body from these free radicals by providing your body with sufficient antioxidants. Raw foods contain many antioxidants however as aforementioned very often people don’t get enough of these raw foods which is why they should supplement with supplements high in antioxidants and O.R.A.C. Value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).

Source: Dr. Mercola Follow on Twitter @mercola

Curcumin – a derivative of turmeric, and the pigment that gives the curry spice turmeric its yellow-orange color -- is a natural compound that has been extensively researched, and has been found to have numerous health applications. As a result, turmeric is becoming increasingly popular as a supplement. Each 100 grams of turmeric contains an estimated three to five grams of curcumin. The ancient Chinese and Indian systems of medicine have recognized curcumin's beneficial properties for thousands of years. Most notably, curcumin is known for its potent antia-inflammatory properties, and as you may know, chronic inflammation is an underlying factor in many, if not most, chronic diseases. The compound has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, which may in part explain its numerous health benefits. To learn more about these, please review my special report on this healing spice. Here, I will review one of curcumin's most exciting properties, as researchers are increasingly recognizing its potential as an anti-cancer agent. At the end of this article, you'll also find a list of my other common-sense cancer-prevention strategies...Read full article

Do you have Questions on Curcuminoids? Click Here!

Take 5 to Thrive for Optimal Health

How dietary supplements and probiotics compensate for dietary inadequacies 

By: Don L. Summerfield, Vice President Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy

Long life often involves challenges to health. As we age, we become more vulnerable to degenerative conditions that can affect almost any part of the body. In some cases we can reduce the risk of getting the condition in the first place; in other cases if the condition is promptly and properly treated, we can enjoy many more years of health. Scientific studies have shown that a majority of Americans, are deficient in many essential nutrients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 80% of women and 70% of men consume less than two-thirds of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for one or more nutrients (essential vitamins and minerals). The RDI merely represents the amount of a nutrient that is required daily to avoid deficiency disease, such as scurvy. It is not a recommendation to achieve optimal health and well being. Even people who feel they eat well, or that small percentage of people who actually meet the RDI’s, may not realize their true potential for vibrant health without nutritional supplements.

The following factors can cause nutrient depletion: alcohol, antacids, caffeine, nicotine, junk food, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, stress, illness, injury and intestinal problems.

Low nutrient intake + enhanced nutrient needs + reduced nutrient absorption + accelerated nutrient loss = suboptimal health 

Nutritional supplementation serves not only to maintain adequate nutrient levels, but also to help you achieve your personal health goals for optimal well being. A good nutritional foundation is accomplished by providing your body with certain nutritional components that science has identified as essential for optimal health, but may be lacking in your diet. Using dietary supplements to compensate for dietary inadequacies will help your mind and body function at their best, whether that entails tackling a big gardening project, competing in recreational sports, staying independent as you age, or simply enjoying vibrant, optimal health for a lifetime.

 

Why dietary supplements and probiotics? The 5 keys to optimal health 

1. Full Spectrum multivitamin and mineral formula

Why take vitamin and mineral supplements? Vitamins and minerals play essential roles in all body processes including proper growth, digestion, energy production, hormone synthesis and regulation, immune system function, detoxification, muscle and nerve function, and reproduction. They can help prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies when the diet is not adequate to provide all necessary nutrients. They can also provide amounts of nutrients larger than the diet can provide. Larger amounts of some nutrients may help to protect against future disease. In addition to all essential nutrients, some features to look for in your multiple vitamin formula include higher amounts of highly absorbable mineral forms, and a full range of B vitamins. All these nutrients should be provided in natural forms, which are readily utilized by your body.

2. Antioxidant Formula

Why take antioxidants? Antioxidants are molecules that work to prevent damage that occurs in cells and body tissues due to both normal bodily processes and exposure to some chemicals. The potential medical benefit of antioxidants may reside in their ability to prevent or slow the oxidation of molecules in the microscopic parts of the body, such as DNA or proteins. Antioxidants are essential for slowing the aging process. Antioxidants provide nutritional support for: brain, heart, liver, pancreas, eye, and skin tissue.

3. Probiotics

Why take probiotics? Probiotic bacteria (friendly bacteria) favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria and yeast infections. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms. 

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

Why take Omega-3 fatty acids? Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for the structure and function of every cell in your body. Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies are sources of EPA and DHA, important omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory activity; help to maintain healthy supple skin; improve cardiovascular health; support brain and nervous system health; and needed for proper vision. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances produced within the body that regulate dilation of blood vessels, inflammatory response, and other critical processes. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for prostaglandin formation. Supplements containing high levels of EPA and DHA are needed by many to compensate for low dietary intake. 

5. Fibers

Why take a fiber? The average diet is woefully low in fiber. American diets generally provide approximately 10 grams of fiber per day. So-called “primitive societies” consume 40–60 grams per day. Increasing fiber intake to the amounts found in primitive diets may be desirable. Fiber has broad reaching health benefits such as:

-Health of intestinal tract
-Bowel function and regularity
-Healthy cholesterol levels
-Weight management

Conclusion:

Dietary supplements, antioxidants, probiotics, Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber help build a good nutritional foundation essential for optimal health. 

Using dietary supplements to compensate for what may be lacking in your diet will help your mind and body function at their best so you can enjoy vibrant, optimal health for a lifetime. 

Question: Is it effective to take Whole Food Supplement Green Vibrance and Immune Defense together to avoid being sick?

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health
 

A: Anything you can do to strengthen your immune response will be of benefit. The immunoglobulins and Gigartina extract in Immune Defense are complementary to the arabinogalactans, Astragalus extract and beta-glucans in Green Vibrance, while the arabinogalactans and beta-glucans in Immune Defense contribute added power. Whether the immune support ingredients in Green Vibrance plus those in Immune Defense will provide iron-clad protection against any or every illness is impossible to determine. Your level of exposure to pathogens, the pathogen itself and its virility are significant variables in the equation.

Question: I've heard you should only take one probiotic at a time; that combinations don't work because of competition among the strains of bacteria. Is that true?

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health

Competition between strains of lactobacilli in the gastrointestinal tract is a myth! There is nothing in the scientific literature to support that concept. Indeed, the literature contains multiple research studies demonstrating that combinations of multiple strains of probiotics are extremely beneficial to restoring health and integrity to patients and consumers. Consider also that far more strains of probiotic bacteria than can be found in any supplement co-exist side-by-side within your gastrointestinal tract without engaging in mutual destruction.

Competition among commercially available strains of probiotics in dietary supplements does not exist whether the bacteria are sitting benignly inside the dietary supplement bottle or riding through the tumultuous roller coaster known as the human gastrointestinal tract. A type of competition does take place, but it is one that you want: between health building probiotic and potentially dangerous pathogenic bacteria.

Vibrant Health assembled a collection of compatible probiotic bacteria with complementary antibiotic attributes that are known to lower cholesterol, enhance nutrient absorption, synthesize vitamin B12, synthesize vitamin K, improve immunity, and combat Candida albicans and Clostridium difficile as well as Heliobacter bacilli. And those are only some of the benefits to be delivered by the probiotic bacteria in Green Vibrance.

Question: In PureGreen Protein, can you please explain why you don’t use sprouted or fermented brown rice?
By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health 

 

A: The intent is to deliver the protein portion of rice. When the grain is going to be ripped apart in order to extract and isolate the protein, any perceived added value from sprouting or fermenting the grain prior to protein extraction would be uncalled for. The process of isolating protein from rice eliminates starch and other components of the rice in order to concentrate the protein present in the grain. Rice grains needn’t be sprouted or fermented beforehand in order to extract its protein. To do so would unnecessarily add steps and costs to processing that would not deliver any added benefit, since isolating pure protein is the goal. 

Question: Is Whole Food Supplement Green Vibrance and alkaline food?

By Mark Timon, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, Founder & Formulator Vibrant Health 

A: Yes, although a crude test might make one think otherwise.  

In a solution of water, Green Vibrance tests out with a pH of 6.0 when mixed in 8 ounces of water, and at 5.9 in 4 ounces of water. Since neutrality is 7.0 pH, Green Vibrance appears to be acidic. However, the pH of food and water does not indicate how it will affect human pH once its nutrients have been metabolized. For example, orange juice, which would test out quite acidic if litmus paper is dipped into it in the laboratory, actually creates alkaline metabolites within human biochemistry, and is, therefore alkaline in effect.

In fact, the measure of acidity is the measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. Certain foods contribute more hydrogen ions than others as they are broken down, absorbed and metabolized in the human body. Grains, whether whole or refined, and dairy products, lead the list among foods that contribute maximum levels of hydrogen ions as they are metabolized. Grains and dairy products are the two most acid forming categories of foods. 

Vegetables in general, and certainly those specifically chosen for inclusion in Green Vibrance, are known as alkalizing foods. Not only do they contribute a lesser amount of hydrogen ions when they are metabolized, but they bring along with them significant portions of minerals, namely calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and others, that react with and neutralize hydrogen ions that may already be in solution. In other words, the mineral content of vegetables contributes mightily to their alkalizing effect. Green Vibrance, as a nearly totally vegetable derived food, is a strong, alkaline forming counterbalance to the customarily acidic Western diet.