Monthly Archives: September 2011

Antioxidants and Superfoods, Blends and Mixtures, FAQ's/ ABC's, Herbs, Herbal Formulations, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Fall Starter Kit

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Autumn is here and though it is one of my favorite seasons, there are definitely things to be missed about the summer months. Its long days and light, refreshing foods keep us energized and even result in a more positive disposition. And though at times an aggravation, the higher temperatures result in better circulation and more frequent perspiration which naturally expels unnecessary buildup and blockages within the body. This, in turn, keeps us feeling lighter on our feet and more attentive to adequate hydration than full tummies. We are also less inspired to stand before a hot stove and therefore eat more raw fruits and vegetables. By default our bodies organically experience crucial processes and receive health enhancing nutrients they’d otherwise have to rely upon us to facilitate and supplement. Once again I must applaud Mother Nature for this brilliant strategy! And rather than dwell in our loss of the luxury to merely semi participate in our bodies’ wellness, let us embrace this transitional time and revisit some previously mentioned practices.

Cleanse- The start of a season is the perfect time to wash away all that has lingered from our foods, beverages and surrounding environments. It’s an opportune time for making new lifestyle resolutions and cleansing is the appropriate process to reset our systems and prepare our bodies for the coming changes. To achieve that squeaky clean feeling, I refer you back to my fav:  the Ultimate Cleanse by Nature’s Secret. Remember however, if you are still nursing that annoying end of season cold it is best to wait until you have recovered to begin the cleanse.

Strengthen & Tone– Post cleansing care will certainly be enhanced by the whopping 25 billion count of probiotic cultures found in the Green Vibrance super food powder. The ongoing benefit is its potent blend of antioxidant fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs. For those who are turned off by drinking green things, I promise you it is more than worth it. It tastes great in OJ and the color is even toned down a bit by the orange. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and leap!

Adapt & Defend– We most recently covered the importance of a strong and adaptable system to maintaining health and fending off illness; and this supplement is one of the most popular and trusted immune boosters on the market. The Wellness Formula contains the antioxidant VitaTrio, protective minerals Selenium and Zinc, Adaptogenic Herbs and immune system tonics like Astragalus Root, plus the more familiar flu fighters like Garlic and Echinacea. This supplement stays on my love list in part because of its versatility. There are dosing programs to both maintain an already healthy body and heal an ailing one. Use as directed, according to your current state of health, and feel secure in the knowledge that you are insuring wellness from all angles.

Regroup & Regenerate– One of the things I like most about the colder seasons of the year is the opportunities to snuggle up with warm drinks and teas. They are great end of the day treats and simple yet effective sleep aids. If you have not had the pleasure of a cup of Milk Thistle Tea, you simply must try it. The herb has a mild flavor and slightly creamy consistency that blends nicely with honey or agave. Milk Thistle is king in liver cleansing, toning and regenerating, and a healthy liver is fundamental to disease resistance. Please note though, the medicinal potency of this herb is thought to be diluted by water. So, you are better off drinking the tea for general wellness benefits and opting for the concentrated
capsules or tinctures when seeking stronger immunity boosts and healing.

A Final Farewell…

Paying Homage To Filling the Gap With
Long sunlit days providing natural Vitamin D3 for  stronger bones, happier dispositions, and healthier hearts 20 minutes a day of protection free exposure to  the sun, cod liver oil, or 400 IUs of supplemental D3 taken with 5000 IUs of Vitamin A for better utilization
Fresh seasonal apricots, avocados, berries, citrus fruits, melons, lettuces, tomatoes and watercress providing superior  nutrition and antioxidant protection Raw multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplements like  the Garden of Life’s Vitamin Code series with live nutrients for easier, quicker and fuller absorption

And a Warm Welcome Back

…to apples, dates, cranberries,pears, plums and figs; garlic, shallots, ginger root, pumpkin, butternut squash,sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, oats and amaranth oh my!

Let us not forget the almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans and all of their savory oils and butters.

Enjoy and even indulge in these fall gems as many of the most praised detoxifiers, immune enhancers, body builders and brain boosters originate from them. I could go on and on, but I’ve made myself hungry and now need a hearty meal to start the day!

Happy Fall Folks, Take Care and BeWell

Ailments and Conditions, Antioxidants and Superfoods, FAQ's/ ABC's, Herbs, Herbal Formulations, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Armed and Immune Part II: Allergies… Really?

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Last week I wasn’t sure if my sniffling and scratching was due to allergies or the onset of a cold. This week, as I awake to puffy eyes and eagerly await the afternoon to see my face restored to its usual size and shape, I’m leaning more toward allergies as the culprit. And as I watched my dear friend rapidly progress from itchy eyes to a full-blown sneeze attack, any remaining doubt disappeared. Wait a minute though, allergies seem unlikely because the seasons for pollination have passed. Right?

Actually, not quite. I did a little more research, and sure enough, fall allergies are not just figments of our imaginations. Ragweed, which begins to pollinate in August, is considered the greatest trigger of the coming season.
And mold, another offender, will get a tremendous breeding boost when its spores take up residence in the piles of fallen damp leaves soon to decorate our streets and yards.  Both of these irritants can take flight, travel hundreds of miles, and share their joy with unsuspecting victims in faraway places. Nature- got to love it.

But our immune systems sure don’t. They are equally agitated and confused by these bullies-identifying them as harmful threats and
striking back with the same vengeance they would a bacterial or viral
infection. Although last week’s VitaTrio is a wonderful foundation for the immune system, enabling it to protect and sustain us, some assistance from more trigger ready nutrients can offer the immediate relief most desired when up against  inflamed sinuses, watery eyes, runny noses and fatigue.

MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is mostly regarded for its ability to heal body tissue and is consequently included in many hair, skin, nail and joint formulas. As a dancer, I’ve used it for years to help care for my overstressed knees and hips, and I was surprised to learn that it “has antiallergic properties equal to or better than those of antihistamines,” helping to detoxify the cells, relieve inflammation and alleviate pain.*

MSM is contained in fresh fish, meats, fruits and milk but is sensitive to food processing procedures like heating and drying and is therefore usually eliminated from our diets before the food can make it to our
plates. Thankfully, supplemental MSM is available in liquid and pill forms and can safely be used in high doses for extended periods of time, without side effects or adverse interactions with other medications.

Combining MSM with a Vitamin C supplement will increase its benefits, as will taking the supplement on a consistent basis to avail a constant supply to our systems. The recommended starting point is 1000 mgs per day, taken in divided doses, twice daily, with meals. Benefits may be experienced in as soon as two days.

Quercetin is one of the bioflavonoid nutrients that are essential to our bodies’ absorption of Vitamin C. Peppers, grapefruits, lemons, apricots, blackberries, elderberries, rosehips and the white material beneath the peels of citrus fruits all contain bioflavonoids. And many Vitamin C supplements are formulated with them for enhanced absorption.

In medical studies, quercetin reduced allergy sufferers’ histamine release by as much as 96%. It decreases the immune system’s response to pollen, certain foods and other allergens such as dust and has also shown potential in treating and preventing asthma symptoms. Quercetin’s absorption
and effectiveness within the body is enhanced by the enzyme bromelain, found in pineapples. Bromelain also reduces inflammation, the root cause of much allergy induced sinus pressure and head pain. Start with 500 mgs of quercetin, 100 mgs of bromelain and 500 mgs of vitamin C together, twice per day, and gradually increase as needed.

Just a Spoon Full of Honey…

Once, out of desperation, I tried an over the counter antihistamine for relief, but I found it to be too drying to my nose and throat and that was almost as uncomfortable as the actual allergy symptoms.
Surprisingly, and luckily, a recommendation of state produced honey panned out and did the trick. You want the honey produced within the state because it contains the pollen you are having the allergic reaction to. This is similar to receiving a vaccine to increase your body’s defenses against a particular virus. Take about one tablespoon, as needed, to provide immediate relief of mild to moderate symptoms and increase overall immunity. I find that the honey works best when taken straight, but it may be easier for some to swallow in a tea. Using it to sweeten lemon, elderberry or rosehips tea will provide a double dose of protection due the quercetin contained in these foods. Until next week…

Arm Yourself and BeWell!


*Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing 4th Edition. New York, NY: The Penguin Group, 2006

Antioxidants and Superfoods, FAQ's/ ABC's, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Armed and Immune: Part I-The VitaTrio

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So here they come again, the ever-present scratchy throat, occasional sniffle, and then the full on sneeze. Could be a cold; could be allergies. Regardless, it is annoying and not at all unusual for these times of the year.

That space of time between two seasons is about serious transformation and our bodies are focused on transitioning and adapting to the upcoming changes.The brunt of burden falls upon our immune systems, and their jobs are multifold. They must properly identify a threat, confine and rid the body of it, and store the information for later use. And this has to been done efficiently, in a way that does not over tax because if and when we face that threat again, the immune system is expected to handle the situation even better than before.

Our job is to empower our systems by thinking positively, resting properly, and managing our stress levels. We can also help the process along by feeding it potent disease fighting nutrients. The selection of immune enhancers to choose from is immense, and we’ll cover both the tried and true as well as some lesser known. First up, the ACE Vita Trio!

 Vitamin A in what is called its “preformed
state” is known as Retinol. And yes, this is the same form that has taken over
the cosmetic industry’s anti-aging department. Retinol is found most abundantly
in fish liver oil – Grandma was right all along–  egg yolks, cream and butter. The
form converted to Vitamin A by our bodies, aka “Provitamin A”, is the
beta-carotene found in yellow and orange fruits and veggies and dark leafy
greens.

Vitamin A, among many other
things, is responsible for protecting, healing and growing bodily tissues
including bones, skin and the fine linings and membranes of our internal organs
and cells. It works best with sufficient levels of fellow antioxidant nutrients
Vitamin E and Zinc,”… and an adequate intake of protein”. * Our bodies need at
least 5000 IUs per day of Vitamin A to avoid deficiency. 10,000 IUs is a good
and safe amount to take in on a daily basis, but 20,000-30,000 IUs per day may
be best for those managing stressful lives and dealing with occasional anxiety.
Two medium-sized carrots a day provide the body with about 10 to 15,000 IUs of
beta-carotene that the upper intestines and liver can convert into the
necessary 5000 IUs of Vitamin A. Keeping your body stocked with adequate levels
of Vitamin C and E prevents our stores of Vitamin A from running low.

Quick Tip: Check the quality of
your night vision for indications of a Vitamin A deficiency. It is also necessary
 to the production of the chemical that allows us to see in the dark.

The Citrus V

Vitamin C, found abundantly in citrus fruits, is probably the most
relied upon vitamin of all and for good reason. It is a crucial anti-oxidant
vitamin that not only helps prevent the creation of disease-causing free radicals, it also protects the other antioxidant vitamins A and E.
Vitamin C, aka Ascorbic Acid, is not produced by the body,  and so must be obtained through our
diets. It is only found in fruits and vegetables and is most available in fresh
raw produce as its lack of stability makes it difficult to survive the cooking process.

Many are aware of the citrus vitamin’s aid to the immune system.
Anecdotal and scientific evidence exists to support its use for everything from
the common cold to cancer. However, you may not know its role in mood balance,
a significant contributor to immune system integrity. Vitamin C aids in the
metabolism of both Tyrosine and Tryptophan. Tyrosine and Tryptophan, as
previously covered, work hand in hand
for the nervous system to counteract anxiety and mild to moderate depression.
They keep us in a positive mind state and therefore more resistant to illness.

Additionally, Vitamin C aids the production of Thyroid Hormone, the
metabolism and elimination of cholesterol and the formation and maintenance of
the collagen that is present in all of our bodies’ connective tissues-skin,
joints, capillary walls, bones, teeth, you name it!

The minimum recommended daily amount is 60 mg for the average adult, 80
mg for expecting mothers and 35 mg for infants. Higher amounts are required
during stressful times and times of decreased immune function. The adult body
will absorb no more than about 1000 mg at a time and excrete any amount that it
does not need. For this reason, a time released Vitamin C supplement is
recommended to insure full absorption of this invaluable nutrient.

Vitamin E-Tocopherol

The tocopherol family, was first isolated from wheat germ oil (still
many’s preferred supplement form) and is found in the protective coverings of all
grains, seeds and nuts. To safely extract the Vitamin E from the source, one
must do so naturally such as by cold pressing the grain or seed. Due to
this heat sensitivity, the resulting oils should be consumed uncooked.
Drizzling a cold pressed nut oil over salads, veggies and meats is a great way
to boost the antioxidant value of your meal; and if your diet is heavy in
unsaturated fats, this addition  will go a long way towards improving your cardiovascular health.

“ vitamin E’s key function is to modify and stabilize blood fats so that the blood vessels,
heart, and entire body are more protected ”. *

That’s quite an order for one vitamin, but certainly not beyond its
capabilities. Much research and study is being done on the tocopherol family to
determine its benefit to ailments ranging from protection against the toxic
effects of smoke and alcohol to prevention of autoimmune diseases. What is
clear now is that it does enhance immunity and is particularly effective at
treating viruses. We also know that Vitamin E’s abilities are amplified by its
fellow antioxidant friends Vitamin A and C.

 Quick Tip:To get the greatest bang for
 your buck, supplement the potent D-Alpha tocopherol form and take it in the
morning before breakfast or at night before bed. Recommended daily doses range
 anywhere from 400-600 IUs for prevention to 800-1600 IU’s for healing. Always
start on the lower end and increase your dosage gradually. And always consult
with your health care provider for any specific considerations you should be
mindful of while supplementing.

The ACE trio can be taken separately as part of a nutritional healing program or together for general antioxidant protection. And as you’ll see in this series, many great formulas combine these with other medicinal nutrients for comprehensive immune care. More on those next week, until then…

BeWell!

*Elson M. Haas, M.D., Staying Healthy with Nutrition, the Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1992