The Pool Is Open

I was over at my son’s house over the weekend, they opened the pool and we had a great time. Even though there were not any small children around, I thought back to when they were small, and we would always have to be on guard constantly whether we were at home, at a public pool or on vacation around the Ocean.

So remember to stay safe, active, and healthy when it’s hot outside.

Drowning is a leading cause of death in infants, children and adolescents. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so you can act quickly to prevent drowning.

Stay Active without over doing it. There are many ways to stay active and beat the heat.

Here are a few:
Go to a gym for a nice, cool environment with a variety of activities.

Use the equipment, work out with free weights, or whatever turns you on, but remember to pace yourself. Listen to your body, and it will tell you when enough is enough.Visit your favorite local swimming hole or take swimming lessons at a pool.

Start a walking group with your friends at the mall. It’s another way to stay connected, focused and motivated.

Take up an indoor sport, such as racquetball, basketball or volleyball, or taking an aerobics class.

Go ice skating. Yes they are open in the Summer also.

If you are outside when it’s hot and humid, wear light, comfortable clothing and work out in the early morning or late evening. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you experience symptoms, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water. You may need medical attention.

Heat exhaustion can progress quickly to heat stroke, which can kill you. Learn about hot weather and cardiovascular disease and the symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke.

Fire up the grill Keep these tips in mind to help you grill “fat-sensibly” this summer.Try grilling fish. The healthiest types include salmon, trout and herring, which are high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Buy chicken breasts instead of the fattier dark meat (legs and thighs). Remember to remove the skin before eating or try grilling chicken or turkey burgers using breast meat and add diced onions for more flavor.

Choose “loin” and “round” cuts of red meat and pork. Look for “choice” or “select” grades of beef instead of “prime.” While these have the least amount of fat, don’t forget to trim the fat when you get home. Use a rack so the fat drips away from the food.

If you wonder about a need to supplement your diet, Here are a few things to think about.

There is no one single pill that will supply all your daily requirements, but multiple vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements are readily available in tonic, pill, and many other forms.

But what do you really need to be healthier? And how much do you need? And how can you make sure that you are getting it?

For starters, WebMD compiled an expert-approved list of the top five healthiest nutrients and how to get them. Go there and browse the site for yourself. Here is the short version.Calcium Hands down, calcium, which comes from foods including low-fat dairy products and supplements, is essential for a healthy body. How do you know? Consider that an 8 oz glass of milk or calcium-fortified juice or a cup of yogurt contains about 300 mg.

So, take a look at what you are normally eating, and if you are not in the range, consider a supplement.

Magnesium The Daily Value (DV) for magnesium is around 400 mg. However, most magnesium researchers say we need two to three times this amount, especially for people who have magnesium-deficient conditions including heart disease, muscle cramps, headaches, and muscle pain.

Magnesium deficiencies are seen in a host of conditions including asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, and even migraines. Magnesium also helps with calcium absorption, so you need it to help build healthy bones. Magnesium is harder to get through foods, so supplements are usually necessary.

Magnesium-rich foods do include almonds, peanuts, brown rice, and cereals like oat bran and shredded wheat.

Vitamin B which includes B-6, B-12, and folate (folic acid) are key to overall health.According to the American Heart Association, homocysteine is an amino acid that has been linked to an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and other major diseases. It may damage the inner lining of arteries and promote blood clots, but researchers are still not sure exactly how it affects disease risk.

However homocysteine levels are strongly influenced by diet, and several studies have found that higher blood levels of B vitamins are related, at least partly, to lower concentrations of homocysteine. The Daily Values for the B vitamins are: folate, 400 micrograms or more; B-6, 1.5-2 mg; and B-12, 2.4-3 mcg.

Today, cereals, breads, and other grain products are fortified with extra folate. Also fruits and vegetables like spinach, oranges, broccoli, and asparagus have high levels of folate. Check your multivitamin to see how it stacks up with B-6 for body function, and B-12 for energy.

Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin because your body makes it in response to sunlight, is often overlooked today. More people are staying out of the sun and as a result are becoming deficient in vitamin D and setting themselves up for fractures.Vitamin D helps your bones properly use calcium. Normally 15 minutes of sunlight per day with sunscreen is a good idea.

Dairy products including milk yogurt and cheese all are fortified with vitamin D. Aim for 600 IU for vitamin D.

Multi vitamins One way to make sure that you get at least the minimum amount of all your vitamins and minerals is to take a Multi Vitamin every day. There is quite a bit of evidence that multivitamins are important for general health, immunity, and well-being. Vitamins were traditionally useful in preventing deficiency disease which we don’t really see so more in this country.

Today vitamins are used to support normal organ and body functions, enhance immunity, improve cardiovascular function, and even prevent cancer.

Enjoy It!

Vitamin B For Nervous System Health

Yesterday, a friend of mine told me her Doctor recommended a B-Complex as a supplement for the tingling she has been experiencing in her hands, working in the computer lab all day.

Here is what the “book” says about Vitamin B.Vitamin B:

These vitamins are also known as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, Pyridoxin. Folic acid, and Cobalamin.

They all dissolve in water and perform important functions in our body such as metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in body and thereby energy production.

They are also responsible for the maintenance of the health of various body parts such as skin, hair, eyes, and liver.

They can be found in liver, meats, pork, kidney, chicken, brown rice, whole grain, cereals, and peanuts.

Vitamin B deficiency can cause diseases such as beriberi, anemia, dry and scaly skin, nervous system disorders, and heart diseases.

Don’t Over Enjoy The Holiday

June 21st officially ushered in Summer, and already it’s another holiday with more festivities. Yep, the 4th of July is here along with another temptation to over indulge with grilling out, hot dogs, chips, burgers, beer, apple pie, and it’s all good. Well … except for the extra calories and, maybe, the extra weight we pick up and may need to lose after the weekend.

Keeping up with my exercise routine is necessary for managing my weight over the summer but even if I get off schedule, I don’t sweat it. We all gain weight at times and, if I’m careful, I can shave those pounds off again with intelligent exercise.

When I’m having a picnic or a party, I try to plan some activities to get us moving. A flag football or basketball game, tossing a frisbee, playing volleyball or swimming are all great ways to have fun while moving around.

Never fear, there are some easy things we can do to benefit from healthy lifestyle choices while still enjoying the summer. When I belly up to the picnic table it's tempting to eat everything in sight, but I can avoid going crazy if I:

Munch on fruits, veggies or other healthy choices before going after the fatty foods. I’ll bring my own to share at the picnic. This way I eat less of the junk foods, but still save room to “sample” them.

Splurge on the things reserved for holidays like homemade ice cream or apple pie. I try to gravitate away from the chips, crackers and other snacks I can get any time.

Once I fill the plate, I migrate somewhere away from the food. Many of us graze mindlessly if there's food nearby, so get what you need, eat slowly and give yourself plenty of time (20 minutes) to feel full so you don't go back for seconds or thirds. Using a smaller plate is also a trick I use to cut down on my portions.

The ice cold brews are another opportunity to moderate, especially when it's hot outside. Unfortunately, alcohol can add more calories to your waistline than you might think. It can also dehydrate you, which is riskier if it's hot outside. Try drinking a glass of water between beverages.

Many of us go all day without eating in anticipation of a party, but if you show up starving, you're much more likely to overeat. Eat small, healthy meals or maybe a protein bar before you go so you can make better choices and avoid temptation.

Making choices that benefit my health doesn’t mean I can't have any fun. Holidays are a time to enjoy yourself and by doing it reasonably, I make the holiday guilt-free.

Licorice … Candy or Health Food?

Today is going to be a good day because I learned something new. A few weeks back I was on a golf trip, and decided to treat myself to some licorice. I was feeling a little bit guilty about it because if my wife saw me she would say that it was bad for me due to raised your blood pressure. I wish I knew then what I know now about licorice.

Licorice is a flowering perennial native to southern and central Asia and the Mediterranean region. It has been used for thousands of years by Greek, Roman, Chinese and European herbalists. Licorice is probably best known today as a spicy flavor used in candies and beverages, but it offers a number of health benefits also. It’s a liver tonic that supports detoxification, and it’s flavonoids and phytosterols support healthy immune system function.

I just read in an article written by Greg Arnold. He wrote about a component in licorice called glycyrrhizic acid (GA for short) that may help colorectal health. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that reported on it.

Colorectal cancer is right behind lung cancer in the United States, in causing deaths claiming more than 55,000 Americans each year. One out of four or 80 to 90 million people in the US are at risk because of age or other factors and, contrary to what most people believe, both men and women are equally affected.

Research found that a COX-2 enzyme promotes colorectal cancer by increasing levels of an inflammatory protein called PGE2. This can be reduced by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, but they also have long-term side effects that include ulcers and cardiovascular risk, so alternative treatments to NSAIDs for colorectal health are a priority.

Now a new study has found that a component of licorice called glycyrrhizic acid (GA) may help with colorectal health. In this study researchers showed that GA directly stopped the activity of a protein in the colon cells, thereby stopping the progression of colorectal cancer. It is also possible that GA also plays a role in kidney health. About 3 mg per kg of bodyweight per day of GA was considered safe in long-term human studies.

Not only did researchers show that GA stops direct tumor growth, it also prevented the spread of cancer (metastasis) to a new location. This was an important because metastasis is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer. The researchers found that GA “dramatically reduced” a protein called VEGF, which is central to the diffusion of tumor growth in colorectal cancer.

I didn’t know that! So instead of feeling guilty the next time I indulge in some licorice, I can boldly state that it is for medicinal purposes and I am protecting my colon.

BTW I found a place to get "licorice" Lozenges from NOW Foods. If you need a fix, go to supplementstogo.com and pick some up for yourself.

Good Meals … Good Deals

I got an email from Kelly Sonora last week about nutritious foods and still sticking to a budget. She did a great job and I thought it was worth passing on. Here are the foods that she recommended. Eating nutritious meals does not mean breaking the budget.

Many people including bodybuilders do choose to supplement their nutrition, so when a supplement is required, visit this high quality online site. See what you think.

Eating healthy is a great idea in theory, but when sticking to your budget is as important as it is during this economic crisis, it’s often quicker and easier to pick up the cheapest foods at the store. These 50 foods, however, prove that nutrition doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.

Fruits

Eating fresh fruits that are in season can actually save you money. These fruits, including apricots and raspberries, will give you the most nutrition bang for your buck.

Strawberries: When bought in season, strawberries can be bought in bulk or individually for a modest price. And just one half cup of raw strawberries contains 149% of your daily value for Vitamin C.
Apricots: Apricots are a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A once ingested. Buy fresh apricots and dry them yourself for better savings.
Blackberries: Raw blackberries are low in calories but have a significant amount of dietary fibers, plus 50% of your daily value of Vitamin C per cup.
Raspberries: Raw raspberries are another easy, healthy snack that isn’t too costly. They contain Vitamin K, magnesium, dietary fiber, and Vitamin C.
Cherries: Make sure you buy cherries in season, or they can get expensive. They’re known as a "super fruit" because of their very high beta carotene content, as well as their fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, Vitamin C and potassium content.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupes not only go a long way in terms of recipes and snacking, they’re also low in calories, have no fat, and contain 120% of your daily value of Vitamin A and 108% Vitamin C in just one cup.
Pears: One pear contains 24% of your daily value of fiber and have a low glycemic index, which means that the carbohydrates are slow to convert to sugar. Pears also contain Vitamin C and Potassium.
Raisins: Raisins do contain plenty of sugars, but no fat or cholesterol. They are also a good source of potassium, iron and dietary fiber.
Watermelon: Buy a huge watermelon in season for a cost-effective summer snack that’s packed with vitamins. Watermelons contain Vitamin A, B6, and lots of Vitamin C.
Peaches: Buy fresh, not canned, peaches for the best nutritional value. Peaches contain beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin A.
Figs: Buy fresh figs and dry them yourself to save on cost. Figs are fat, cholesterol, and sodium-free; have 20% of your daily value of fiber; and "have the highest overall mineral content of common fruits," according to California Figs.
Blueberries: Blueberries are strong carriers of Vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber, and also contain Vitamin E.
Cranberries: Cranberries are actually low in sugar and calories and contain lots of Vitamin C, dietary fiber, manganese and Vitamin K.
Oranges: Get plenty of Vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber, folate, Vitamin B1, potassium, Vitamin A and calcium from just one orange.
Bananas: Bananas may have carbs and sugar, but they’ve also got lots of Vitamin C and potassium, plus Vitamin B6, dietary fiber and manganese, making them a nutrient-rich snack.

Vegetables

Like fruits, fresh veggies are often inexpensive and can be used for lots of different meals and snacks during the week. Eat these vegetables to get your iron, calcium, fiber and other nutrients.
Asparagus: Asparagus has more folic acid than any other vegetable. Folic acid helps prevent liver disease and helps your blood cells grow.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain beta and alpha-carotene, lutein, fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, folate and more vitamins. Plus, depending on the variety you choose, they’re quite inexpensive.
Crimini mushrooms: Crimini mushrooms have almost no calories but are packed with potassium, selenium, Vitamins B2, B1, B6 and B3, zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, folate, protein and more.
Squash and Zucchini: Summer squash and zucchini are only about $1 - $2 a piece and contain a moderate amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, plus iron and protein.
Black beans: Black beans are one of the healthiest varieties of beans, containing 24% of your daily value of dietary fiber, 14% of your daily value of protein, and no saturated fat per 1/2 cup.
Lentils: Raw lentils have a lot of calories, but no saturated fat and 50g of protein. They’re also an excellent source of iron and dietary fiber.
Carrots: Raw carrots bought individually are incredibly cheap and are a good source of dietary fiber. One cup of copped carrots also contains 428% of your daily value of Vitamin A.
Broccoli: One cup of raw broccoli flowerets only contains 20 calories but has 110% of your daily value of Vitamin C, 43% of Vitamin A, and no fat or cholesterol.
Kidney beans: Kidney beans are rich in B-complex vitamins, niacin, folate, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber and calcium.
Pearl Barley: Add pearl barley to a soup or salad for a major dietary fiber boost, plenty of iron, and a good dose of protein.
Leafy spinach: Leafy spinach is moderately priced by the bunch, and can be divided up for multiple salads, sandwiches and garnishes. It contains fiber, B-complex vitamins, folate, magnesium, lutein and potassium.
Potatoes: Potatoes contain carbohydrates, calories and sugars, but they’re also a very versatile, cost-effective food that contains lots of nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, manganese and dietary fiber.
Green bell pepper: Green bell peppers are cheaper than red bell peppers, but each one still contains 220% of your daily value of Vitamin C.
Cabbage: Cabbage contains 91% of your daily value of Vitamin K; over 50% for Vitamin C; and a healthy amount of dietary fiber, Vitamin b6, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, manganese and more.
Jalapeno pepper: A jalapeno pepper is very cheap, and because it’s so hot and spicy, only a very small portion is needed at a time, making it cost-effective. Jalapeno peppers also contain Vitamin C and Vitamin A, plus a healthy amount of dietary fiber and iron.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds can be bought in bulk or buy the pound. Best of all, they’re packed with nutrients and vitamins, and you only need a small amount to get the benefits, making them last between trips to the grocery store.

Almonds: Try unsalted almonds for plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats, Vitamin E and fiber. You only need a handful for an energy boost that will fill you up, too.
Flaxseed: Flaxseed is usually sold in pretty large bags, and you only need to add a tiny bit to cereal or any homemade breads and grains for the benefits. Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids and lots of fiber.
Walnuts: Walnuts are another healthy nut that contains magnesium, folate, polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Add a few to a fruit salad, or eat them alone.
Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds contain lots of Vitamin E, more than almonds, peanut butter or even spinach.
Sesame seed kernels: A handful of sesame seed kernels contains a healthy amount of iron, calcium and protein, plus dietary fiber.
Brazil nuts: Brazil nuts are considered an excellent source of selenium and also contain protein, fiber and magnesium.

Grains

Picking the whole-grain version doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go over budget. These healthy foods are also cost effective.

Whole grain or multigrain bread: You don’t have to buy the fancy bread: just pick out a moderately priced (maybe the generic brand) whole grain or multigrain version to get heart-healthy bread that has plenty of dietary fiber.

Brown rice: Rice goes a long way, and it’s inexpensive. Plus, it’s full of fiber, B-complex vitamins, niacin and magnesium.
Whole-wheat spaghetti: Even the whole-wheat variety of spaghetti makes a cheap meal, and it’s packed with fiber.
Couscous: Like rice and pasta, couscous goes a long way when you cook it. It also contains protein and fiber, when you choose the whole-wheat or whole-grain variety.
Whole grain tortillas: One whole-grain tortilla has 8g of protein and 7g of dietary fiber. Tortillas are usually sold in large packs, too.
Oatmeal: Depending on the kind of oatmeal you buy, you can usually find a pretty good deal. It’s also a good source of fiber.

Beverages

You can drink your way to good health, too, and these beverage options are also budget-friendly.

Green tea: Green tea contains the highest concentration of the antioxidants called polyphenols, and may help prevent some types of cancer and heart disease. Buy your own green tea packets from the grocery store to save on cost.
Milk: Low-fat or non-fat milk that is fortified with Vitamin D, plus calcium, Vitamin A and protein. Buy store brand or generic brand milk for a better deal.
Orange juice: Generic brand orange juice isn’t terribly expensive, and it contains Vitamin D and plenty of Vitamin C.

Miscellaneous

From sardines to yogurt, these healthy foods are also packed with nutrients.
Plain yogurt: Buy large containers of plain, non-fat yogurt instead of the individual snack-sized yogurts to save money and get the most nutritional version. One cup of plain yogurt contains 14g of protein and 49% of your daily value of calcium. Plus, it also contains probiotics which help your body absorb nutrients.
Egg whites: Egg whites do contain a fair amount of sodium, but they also contain 26g of protein per cup and zero fat.
Tuna: Tuna is a cold-water fish that contains much-needed omega-3 fatty acids and lots of protein. It’s also usually cheaper than salmon or mackerel.
Tomato soup: Make your own variety for an even more cost-effective soup. Tomato soup is a good source of Vitamin C, iron, Vitamin A and dietary fiber.
Sardines: Sardines are an excellent source of iron, calcium and protein, as well as niacin, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12. Just don’t indulge too often: sardines are also very high in cholesterol.

Flax seed and flax seed oil have been used for years for their health benefits, and recently have become more widely publicized. One question that arises is does it make a difference if you use ground flax seed or flax seed oil?

The answer is: It depends on why you use flax. Both contain essential omega-3 fatty acids which have been proven to lower LDL (also known as bad cholesterol levels.) Flax has also been shown to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. They also improve brain function, ease menopause symptoms, depression and other conditions.

Either flax seed or flax seed oil can be taken, but it is more beneficial to take ground Flax seed over the oil, because it also contains fiber and lignans that provide future health benefits. Dietary fiber kelps improve digestion, and ground flax seed is an excellent source. Not only that but lignans are phytochemicals that may prevent hormone-related cancers by binding estrogen receptors in the body.

Another benefit of using ground flax seed over flax seed oil is the storage. Flax seed oil is best kept in dark-colored packaging in cool places because light and oxygen can break it down. On the other hand, flax seed can be stored for two years or longer if it is out of direct sunlight. Ground flax seed should be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Some flax seed is referred to as cold milled. This means the seed is ground without heating the mill blades. Cold milling preserves the seed's essential nutrients.

One unique way to store whole flax seed is in a pillow and used as aromatherapy. Make sure the flax seed is free of weeds and other debris and has not come into contact with chemicals.

There are many ways to supplement flax: Flax seed oil is excellent on salads. The ground flax seed works great in meatloaf or when added to baked goods. It also makes a tasty, nutty coating for chicken and fish.

You can use flax as an egg substitute by mixing 3tablespoons of water to 1tablespoon of ground flax. Keep in mind though that it makes the end result chewier than the traditional recipe.) Another baking tip is to substitute 3 tablespoons of ground flax seed for each tablespoon of fat or oils, like butter or margarine. (Note: It may brown more quickly than with butter though.)

After all is said and done flax oil provides excellent health benefits, but ground flax seed may get the edge in the daily diet. On a quality control note look for organic flax seed. The organic flax is grown and processed without irradiation, pesticides or other additives. It also permits you to get all the health benefits flax has to offer.

Supplementstogo offers a variety of flax products from NOW Foods to help supplement your lifestyle. They help to create an easy manner to add the benefits of flax to the daily diet.
Remember Flax is rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6, protein and fiber while being easily added to common foods, Try some NOW.

Weight Loss Without A Phd. In Math

While trying to come up with new and exciting ways to try to lose some weight I had been browsing articles on the web. Whenever I see one that requires measuring, weighing, calorie counting and planning meals, it reminds me of filing my tax return and I get depressed and give up.

For me there has to be an easier way. I know from experience that I won’t carry around a calorie chart or write a journal of everything I eat gets me out of the mood almost immediately.

By a stroke of good luck I found a “Women’s Health” article by Paige Greenfield who had a lot of good ideas about losing weight. It was called “Lose Weight Without the Math!”

One of her suggestions was to sign up with a health management club that will set up meals for you. There are even places that will deliver meals to you that are already the correct calorie and portion size. Look for frozen meals that have less than 500 calories and have at least four grams of fiber, no more than 15 grams of fat (fewer than three grams saturated and no trans fat), and fewer than 700 milligrams of sodium.

I have seen the popular diets like the Zone, Atkins, or South Beach but I don’t want to take the time or bother to update percentages exchanges or ratios at every meal. It’s just easier to pay more attention in the grocery store. I have begun to take a few seconds to scan the labels for key ingredients. If sugar is around the top of the list I put it back. All sugar does for me is jack up calories, and send my blood sugar to a new level.

The better choice is making natural, whole foods the majority of the diet plan. That means more fruits and veggies, chicken, turkey, flank steak, pork chops, and fish. If the package says it has whole-wheat flour, oats, peanuts, and real fruit, in the first line of ingredients, it will be lower in calories and higher in fiber and protein.

Instead of weighing portions, slow down how quickly each meal gets finished. It takes the brain around 15 minutes to figure out that your stomach is full, so why not wait for it. Try putting the fork down between bites and chew each one longer, it’s a good bet that you will feel satisfied before loading up on seconds. If that doesn’t work, Plan B, is to choose foods that you have to work at to eat like bananas, oranges, pistachio’s in the shell, and spicy foods.

The simplest thing that I have done is just cutting all my portions in half and taking the time to enjoy what I eat. Then I increased the exercise I get every day and it helps.

The Answer Is ... For A Healthier, Leaner Lifestyle

The question is: What is the benefit of taking CALOTREN CAPSULES as a nutritional supplement?

Calotren is an all natural nutritional supplement formula that supports maintaining your bodies optimum balance for healthy weight. The protein collagen hydrolysate is easily digested and supplies your body with very important nutrients to help your body to maintain collagen production while helping to build lean muscle.

It feeds your body nutrients which allow it to support itself in maintaining or increasing your lean muscle tissue, which helps your body to burn fat and sugar more effectively, as well as supporting your body's natural metabolism.

Body builders have known for years that increasing lean muscle tissue allows your body to burn more calories while at rest, so if you don't increase your calorie intake, increased lean muscle tissue can result in burning more calories.

If you are in good physical condition or underweight, Calotren encourages your body to reach its highest level of vitality, without additional undesirable loss of lean muscle mass, which frequently occurs during calorie-restricted "dieting".

Remember, fat is stored energy. In our youth we have a faster metabolic rate which assists our bodies in producing energy to build muscle, bone and maintain good health while we sleep. As we get older, this process slows down. Our bodies no longer function in this manner or produce the collagen or amino acids required to keep our skin looking radiant or our bodies tight and strong.

Calotren is effective in maintaining a healthier leaner lifestyle because it is primarily protein. This protein is basic to body structure and is actually the most prevalent protein in the body. It's also important to our muscular strength, flexibility, resiliency, and the ability of our joints and connective tissues to absorb impact.

The protein formula in Calotren is important in maintaining our youthful appearance by promoting supple, wrinkle free, non-sagging skin on our faces and all other areas. It's also important in maintaining our muscles, the sufficient support of body organs and keeping our blood flowing through resilient and responsive arteries, capillaries and veins.

Since this protein is a major constituent of all of these tissues, maintaining the levels is very important to our health. This protein, which is already broken down into its modular components by enzymes are quickly absorbed and used by the body when taken orally. From there they help to build up and strengthen the muscle tissue, which is turn is going to begin to burn off the excess fats and sugars more efficiently.

A 90-Day Program is recommended to ensure optimum results and strengthen the muscle tissue.

So to summarize the benefits of Calotren and why it will help you on your way to a healthier happier lifestyle consider these points:

It’s safe, all natural (without caffeine or stimulants).
No ephedrine or amphetamines to interfere with any medications and no known side effects.
No muscle loss, helps tone existing muscle and strengthens joints
Assists in building lean muscle which results in loss of body inches
Helps increase energy & stamina by burning off excess body fats and sugars more efficiently.
Helps shorten work-out recovery time
Helps reduce wrinkles and age spots
No strict dieting or exercise necessary
Promotes an overall sense of well-being
On a 3-month program 50% see positive results in the first month

P.S Did I mention that CALOTREN CAPSULES are shipped free when ordered online from STG?

Coronary Health Is Managable

Whenever you see words like coronary artery and disease, everyone gets all serious and defensive, but actually being diagnosed with CAD does not mean that you can’t live life to the fullest. It is a “wake up“ call though to take charge of your health.

The first thing to do is to learn all you can about the condition. Coronary Artery Disease is a blockage or a narrowing in one or more of the blood vessels that transport oxygen to the heart.

If you are at risk for CAD, take some time to learn which medicines and supplements are used to treat the condition and what options there are to save money purchasing them.

A low dose of aspirin helps keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. Statins like Lipitor lower the LDL or bad cholesterol which clog the arteries. They also increase the good or HDL cholesterol which keeps the arteries clean by carrying away the excess.

Beta Blockers help lower blood pressure so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. ACE inhibitors are another form of medication used to lower blood pressure and lessen the chances of heart failure.

If you have medical insurance for your medicine, each plan is different but choosing a generic form of the medication is cheaper than the brand name drug. Ask your Pharmacy if they have a generic medication program. Another way to save may be to order your medicine by mail for 3 months at a time instead of every 30 days.

Even if you don’t have insurance be sure to take good care of yourself. As much as possible, eat a nutritious balanced diet, keep your weight within the BMI normal parameters and get plenty of exercise. There are natural healthy supplements that can assist in weight loss, cholesterol support and essential vitamins.

Find yourself a good doctor and maybe even a cardiologist who knows how to treat CAD. Know what questions to ask them.

Keep your cholesterol under control and know why it is important to do so. Your total cholesterol should be less than 200. The HDL or good cholesterol should be greater than 60 and the LDL or bad cholesterol needs to be less than 100. Triglycerides need to be less than 150. These are made when you consume more calories than you need, and your body stores them as fat.

Understand what tests you need and which ones you don’t. If you are not at risk you don’t need an ECG, or stress test. In fact if you over test you can get false positive results and put more stress on yourself than you need. Get your blood pressure tested regularly. It should be 140/90 or lower. If you have diabetes or kidney problems your blood pressure should be 130/80 or lower.

So to summarize how to keep your heart healthy with or without CAD remember to:
Visit your Doctor
Take your medications and/or supplements
Don’t smoke
Eat good food (fruits & veggies)
Keep moving (exercise)
Manage anger and stress
Watch for signs of depression
If you’re diabetic control your blood sugars

Multivitamin Helps day-to-day Health With A Price Tag That Won't Cause A Coronary

In the health business one of the most confusing segments is the multivitamin. You see them on TV, in the drug stores and everywhere in between. The fact of the matter is that multivitamins are a business in themselves. Because there are so many choices, how do you know what is best for you.

Should you buy a lot at wholesale prices and take a handful at a time to make sure you get enough of everything, or buy the most expensive brand you see hyped on TV and assume because it costs so much it must be better for you. Maybe you should get the largest pill available that has some of everything, whether it helps or not.

Business is business and the strategies are different. Some over spend on advertising and under spend on the ingredients. Others use exotic sounding ingredients to justify higher prices.

That doesn’t mean that multivitamins aren’t important, because they are. We all need daily vitamins and nutrients in our diets, especially after you turn 50. With all the multivitamins on the market today, what is best for me. Every ones specific needs are different but generally speaking they need to contain all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary for good health, none of the ingredients that could cause harm or interact with prescription meds. And in addition it has relatively cheap. One online site that researches the products the promote in advance to give their visitors the best available products at the best price is supplementstogo.com

One of the newer and better products they list is High Performance Fitness 1ST Step For Energy. This is a Liquid Multivitamin which is also rich In Antioxidants and 71 Vitamins & Minerals. What is interesting about this product is it is an easily absorbable daily formula with all the basic vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need for day-to-day health - with a price tag that won't cause you to have a coronary.

Most of the multivitamins you see today are capsules or tablets. The body only absorbs between 10% to 20% of the nutrients available in capsulated form, which means of every $100.00 spent on capsules or tablets, so about $90.00 is wasted. When a capsule or tablet is swallowed, it takes between 20 to 25 minutes to break down in the stomach. Even though most people take a capsule or tablet with water, the water passes quickly, leaving only the stomach acids to send the nutrients into the rest of the body.

Because your body is mostly water already almost all of the nutrients in this liquid multivitamin are retained, and the vitamins and minerals are absorbed almost immediately.

It works for me.

Will The Economy Fatten Us Up?

I subscribe to my health central on the internet and one of the recent articles posed the question: Will Americans put on recession pounds?

There is speculation among health experts that as we spend less on food while the economy is in a downturn we may pick up weight in the process. They point to a number of studies that link unhealthy eating and weight problems to low income. One place to cut expenses is on more costly items like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish, and load up on starches, sugars and saturated fats.

Now that is an interesting proposition. This struck a chord within me as I remembered my childhood, and beginning life on my own. I recall as a child, that my parents were on a tight budget and I remember that many of the weekly meals consisted of the staples of meat and potatoes, and an ample supply of fillers, or starches to supplement the vegetables. We weren’t allowed to have a lot of sweets, because that was a luxury item.

I remember when I left home to attend College, Five of us pooled our resources and rented a house close to school. I worked at a grocery store at the time. In the morning when the store rotated the stock, we would have to get rid of the outdated bread and pastry. It would be loaded into a shopping cart and the employees could buy it for a few dollars a basket.

It was my mission to make sure that I was in line first, and to “Be the bread winner” for the house. When times were really tight, that became the groceries for the week, and we were glad to have it. Someone else would pick up the PBJ or lunch meat, and we thought we were rich.

Going out for dinner meant dining at one of the finer restaurants in the city named “Whytie Castilles”. I do not recall the exact spelling of the establishment, but I do remember the prices were within our budgets.

The research at the University of Washington in Seattle has highlighted the link between income and obesity. The obesity rate is 5 times more in the low-income zip codes around the area, and studies in California suggested that a 10 percent rise in poverty translates into about a 6 percent increase in obesity among adults.

In the past 10 years new diabetes cases have increased by around 90 percent and nine of the 10 states with the highest rates of new cases of diabetes were in the South, a region with huge pockets of poverty and glaring income disparities.

We already lead the world in obesity, and if more people fall on tough times, they will tend to eat as cheaply as they can.

Eileen Kennedy of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy commented that when your income is limited, the first area you address is having enough calories in your diet, and cheap sources of calories tend to be high in total fats and sugars.

So I am agreement that it is entirely possible that more we could conclude that poverty translates to obesity, but I also believe that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are other ways to supplement our diets, and remain in good health. We need to keep in mind during the tough times to balance diet, exercise and nutrition in order to maintain our health.

It is possible to eat healthy and still be affordable by remembering how things were back in the 1930s.

Consider affordable but nutrient-rich foods like ground beef, beans, milk, nuts, cheese, carrots, potatoes, canned tomatoes, soups, and rice, As an adjunct to those staples there is a wide range of nutritional supplements available online that can help pick up the slack.

A Wake Up Call To Be More Effective

I just remembered that today is my second birthday. Life threw me a curve ball when on January 8, 2007 I had a heart attack and wound up having a quintuple bypass. I really learned the importance of maintaining a healthy life style.

While family history plays an important part in heart disease, the risks can be reduced by exercising, controlling your weight, and getting the proper nutrition.

I firmly believe that is what helped me recover quicker from my heart attack.I had to change some things in my life, if I wanted to remain healthy and be there for my family, I had to take this “curve Ball” and change it into an opportunity to learn, grow, and take another path in my personal journey. I had to make choices about weight loss, my diet, the nutrition I was getting and exercising regularly.

I had take charge of my condition that was now a part of my life or let it take charge of me. I had to discover things inside myself that helped me change a setback into a positive opportunity to be better.

The habits that I changed were things I knew but let slide and needed to get back in shape mentally as well as physically. I became acquainted with Dr Coveys philosophies in the early 90’s when I attended his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Seminars, and became a third party teacher myself. I found it inspiring to apply these habits to help me take charge of living a healthier lifestyle.

In case you have not heard of them, the habits are:
Be Proactive
Begin With the End in Mind
Put first Things First
Think Win-Win
Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
Synergize
and Sharpen the Saw.

Physically I talked to doctors, nurses, dietitians, and other heart attack patients to set up a re-habilitation plan. Along with taking my prescribed medicine I supplement my diet with a daily 81mg aspirin fish oil, so I get more Omega 3 in my diet. It seems to be helping with keeping tryglycerides lower and I am thankful for that. I also take a multi-vitamin and vitamins C and E regularly.

So that’s my story and I think I’ll celebrate by taking a nice long walk after a healthy lunch.

New Year ... Fresh Start

The Christmas season is coming to a close and new year resolutions are being made left and right.

As usual a big one for me is to eat healthier and watch my cholesterol and triglycerides. I don’t intend to beat up on myself for where I may have fallen short but instead gently remind myself about how cholesterol and triglycerides play a part in staying healthy.


The level of cholesterol in the bloodstream greatly affects the risk of developing heart disease. The higher the level of blood cholesterol the greater the risk for heart disease.


Why? Too much cholesterol in the blood builds up in the walls of arteries. With time, this buildup causes arteries to become narrow, which slows or stops the blood flow to the heart. The end result if the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off is a heart attack.



Many factors affect cholesterol levels: heredity, weight, age, diet, physical activity, and gender to name a few.

High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms. You may not know your blood cholesterol level is too high. So, it’s important to have your cholesterol measured. Adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. It best to have a blood test called a lipoprotein profile. This test measures total cholesterol, "good-HDL" and "bad-LDL" cholesterol, as well as, another form of fat in the blood.

High cholesterol is treated with lifestyle changes like a heart healthy eating plan, physical activity, and weight loss. If that isn’t enough there are medications that can be prescribed that include statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicontinic acid, and fibric acids.

To learn more about high cholesterol:
A special Web page about cholesterol that explains how to lower high blood cholesterol for those who want to prevent or already have heart disease

Publications about cholesterol.

A special Aim for a Healthy Weight Web page that explains how to assess your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, and how to lose weight sensibly.

Balance Your Diet For Life

The Christmas holidays have passed and as usual one of the biggest New Year resolutions is to get in better shape. When you succeed not only do you look your best but you feel better also.

Whether the goals are weight loss, tone and strengthen muscles, or increase stamina and energy, there are many valuable resources on line to help you get in shape for your wedding. One of the healthiest recommendations would be to balance a nutritious diet with supplements and exercise regimen that results in a gradual weight loss.

The basics are simple: The calories you burn have to be more than what you take in. So begin your new year with a new diet lifestyle. Determine where you are at the start, where you are going, how you are going to get there, and how you will know when you made it.

In order to get healthy for life the best advice is to change the unhealthy habits. Avoid the sweets, eat more fruits and vegetables, choose lean meats and protein, stay away from fried and fatty foods, and be sure to drink plenty of water.

Start now if you want to be ready for summer. Keep your energy up with a safe, healthy eating plan that calls for a loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week, which, for the majority of us is about 1200 calories per day. Prepare yourself for a lifestyle change, have a schedule, throw out, or give away the things that could undermine your weight loss efforts, then replenish with healthy choices.

Exercise is essential to a good weight loss program. Just dieting loses mostly lean muscle tissue instead of fat. Add exercise to your daily routine and your body will use the fat stores for fuel instead of the muscle. If you’re really serious about getting in shape for your wedding day, you need to balance healthy eating and exercise.

Some people keep a journal that includes what, how much, and when they eat, as well as what they feel.
It can help you see your eating patterns and change them as needed. Awareness is the first step in making changes.

Before and after each exercise session, it’s important to stretch. This keeps you safe from serious muscular injury, increases your flexibility and improves your overall fitness level. Start by holding stretches 20 seconds at a time.

Aerobics are another way to burn fat and complement a healthy diet. Some cardiovascular choices include walking, running, hiking, swimming, cycling, or dancing. You might try starting with 20 minute sessions, three times a week. As your endurance improves, increase your exertion level and your length of exercise time. You don’t have to do it all at once either. Twenty minutes in the morning, at lunchtime and after work is as good as a solid hour at the gym.

If you are looking to tone up there’s nothing better than resistance or weight training. Some women believe that lifting weights will leave them looking like linebackers, but that is a myth.

Actually, resistance training is the perfect complement to aerobic exercises, and is great for improving bone strength and sculpting the body. Start with relatively low weights so that you feel muscle fatigue after one set of 12 to 15 repetitions. Like the aerobics, as you build endurance, add more weight and increase the number of times you do each exercise.

After sweating and straining it’s easy to tell ourselves that we deserve a break today and crave a fast food meal with the works, large order of fries and large soda. NOT! Remember, the key to weight loss is to use more calories than you consume, so if you’ve upped exercise only to up calorie intake, you won’t get the results you’re looking for.

As you get into your program, you need to pay even more attention to what you eat. Your body becomes more efficient and relies on the vitamins and minerals in healthy foods to fuel itself and develop muscle and lean tissue. In addition to lean meats and dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, add a multivitamin to your daily diet to make certain you get the nutrients you need.

You know you have reached your goal when you fit perfectly into the clothes you wore last summer. Now the next goal is to be fit for the rest of your life. Long-term weight loss is all about making healthy eating and fitness choices part of your lifestyle forever.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t ever enjoy food or indulge yourself once in a while. Just avoid getting back into unhealthy eating habits and regaining the weight you worked so hard to lose.

Because Mom Said So

I was just feeling bad because we ate dinner so late Christmas Day. With the meal preparation and people arriving late, being delayed, etc. we didn’t eat until around 8 PM. I remember Mom saying that if you eat late you are going to get fat because the food just lays there, and I never questioned it. Made sense to me. But then I was reading in Seniors Health from my health central an article from Amanda MacMillian.

It seems that I believed in a myth. Actually people eat larger meals, and more desserts for sure, but it’s not the time of day when you eat that causes your weight to increase, but the consuming of mass quantities that does it. I know it’s necessary to eat at set times throughout the day, but the intent is to limit how much you eat, not when. The American Dietetic Association tells us that the trouble with eating late at night is more from the poor choices we make when we snack. Too many junk foods with high calories really cause the extra fat, not eating a late dinner.

Two professors of pediatrics at Indiana school on Medicine, Rachel Vreeman, MD, and Aaron Carroll, MD, published an article in the British Medical Journal recently. They suggested that what your Mom, or even a physician advised may not always be backed up by science. They wanted to highlight that even widely held medical beliefs need to be re-examined from time to time.

It reminded me of a show called Myth Busters. Here are some things they found.

Myth: Sugar makes kids hyperactive. There are at least a dozen studies that conclude that kids who were given different amounts of sugar didn’t react any different than those who had none. This was also true of children with ADD, who would be more sensitive to sugar but found no evidence of behavioral change. In one case when parents assumed their kids got a sugar drink, even though it was sugar free, they thought they were more hyperactive.

So even though there is sugar involved at events where kids misbehave, science doesn’t only lay the blame on sugar, but the occasion or event itself plays a part. A lot of times when children seem out of control, they are over excited and running around, or acting out. Parties, getting presents, and being with their peers are all times when they also get more sugary treats, and everything together contributes to the problem.

Want to cure a hangover? Take a couple aspirins, a hit of some pure oxygen, some hair of the dog that bit you, the list is endless, just google hangover cures and see. In fact no large, well designed studies have found that anything but time, and drinking water to avoid dehydration works. Bummer eh?

What about the increase of suicides during the holidays. A 35-year study on Minnesota residents found that suicides did not increase on or around Christmas or any other major holidays, including birthdays, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July. Research worldwide shows that suicides are actually more numerous in warm, summer months.

Have you ever heard that Poinsettias are toxic? Survey says: Not Really. In a 1996 analysis of 22,793 poinsettia cases (reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers), none revealed significant poisoning. Although you can get sick from eating large amounts of the plant the author of the study says even if your new puppy gets a hold of your plant he would expect nothing more than vomiting or diarrhea.

One belief that I learned in the military, I always believed and told my kids. You lose 30 percent of your body heat through your head. This was true, but experts say that if this experiment was performed with subjects wearing swimsuits, they would have lost heat evenly across all exposed body surfaces, and only 10% from the head specifically. So we need to tell our kids to bundle up and wear a hat, but remember to take care of all the extremities with boots and gloves.

Even though these reviews are lighthearted we can learn something useful from old wives tales that we hear every day. There is a lot of information on the internet that gets passed around, but there is as much bad information, as there is good, and even professionals can pass bad rumors along. If some myths from the holiday season can be busted, other advice might also need to be verified.

Two Things Worth Mentioning To Bodybuilders

Recently I have been talking to some bodybuilders who have been talking up a line of new products from Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition, Inc. (BSN)

BSN is a leading developer, marketer, provider and distributor of nutritional supplements designed for health, training, physique, and performance support.

Among other innovative products, BSN has assisted in developing many advances within the sports nutrition industry.

One of the biggest names in bodybuilding, Ronnie Coleman also endorses their products, and I can see why.

Supplementstogo.com handles the complete line of their products, but if they are not on your immediate list, click on the link below to browse the rest of the store. Chances are they will have what you are searching for: Supplementstogo 5,000+ products


Did you know that in addition to all of the great products that you can find on the site there is also a collection of outstanding videos. Check out all the instructional videos on a wide variety of topics which include andro, bodybuilding, dieting, fitness models, health, MMA, muscle building supplements, power lifting, vitamins, workouts, weightlifting, and much more.

Here is a convenient link to add to your favorite bookmarks:

http://www.youtube.com/user/supplementstogo

Elderspeak Can Affect Your Parents Health

I was visiting a friend of mine in a nursing home and began to notice how many speak to older people differently and with different tones. I learned that there is even a term referred to as Elderspeak. It reminds me a lot baby talk.

Listen for the over simple grammar and vocabulary, as well as overly intimate terms of endearment. There was a recent research study that showed that such a way of speaking to our elders may not only be exasperating and insulting, but can even negatively affect their health.

So how is elderspeak defined? In general it is a style which is assumed to accommodate the perceived communication needs of elderly people. It involves speaking slowly, restrictions on vocabulary, simplified syntax, as well how words are stressed or accentuated. You see it in the movies all the time.

The underlying assumption is that the elderly cannot understand what is being said, and therefore need some "help". From the older adults point of view it is patronizing and disrespectful.

Researchers have also defined elderspeak as overly caring, controlling and infantilizing communication.

This study found that elderly adults who were subjected to negative stereotypes commonly associated with ageing, re-enforced by condescending phrases and attitudes, performed significantly worse when tested for memory and balance.

In one town in Ohio, the study team found that those who were above 50 and held positive perceptions about ageing went on to live 7.5 years longer than their peers who did not. This was after other factors that affected health were already accounted for.

Those attitudes were affected even by seemingly harmless words and phrases and had a greater impact than factors like smoking and exercise.

A different study looked at the effect of elderspeak on Alzheimer's patients with dementia. The interaction between staff and 20 residents of a nursing home, aged between 69 and 97 years and having moderate levels of dementia, were videotaped.

The results showed that the patients were more likely to resist care after they were spoken to using elderspeak, instead of the usual adult-to-adult form of communication. When resisting care, they would act out by saying no or crying out, turning away, grabbing onto someone or something, pulling their limbs tightly toward the body, or hitting and kicking.

This suggests that these people are unable to communicate that their needs aren't being met. And because they can't communicate verbally, they may respond in these other nonverbal ways, but the need in question could just be the wish to be treated as an adult who is worthy of respect.

And, perhaps the biggest users of elderspeak are the healthcare workers, including doctors and nursing staff.

The problem with elderspeak, is that it hurts the self-esteem of those to whom it is used on. Worse, it can literally grind them down and send them on a self-fueling downward spiral toward ill health and even premature death. That, after all, is what we get when we communicate to people that they are weak, a liability, incompetent or even useless. It’s called a self fulfilling prophesy!

This is a symptom of general negative stereotypes of the elderly. It is another example of how people are treated differently based on their age in healthcare, in the workforce and in everyday life. It is also a clear connection between how the elderly are treated and their health and how well they function.

Now that I am aware of what used to be called ageism. I see examples of it daily in mean images, birthdays, jokes, the workplace, languages and general attitudes directed at older people.

With the ageing of the Baby Boomers, the need to avoid elderspeak will become more significant. In the US, the 85-and-above age group is the fastest-growing one. I believe that the people who use words like "dear", "good girl" and "sweetie" on the elderly, or speak very slowly and in overly simplified language to them, express the things they are afraid of in themselves in our youth oriented American culture.

Couch Potato Workouts

Well my annual family and friends Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl football game is fast approaching and of course I didn’t follow through on my goal to be in shape and ready to go all out. Even though I have “Worked Out” it has been well below what it takes to play at my full potential.

This yearly event has been going on ever since we were in high school, and has become a tradition with our families.

As we original enthusiasts have turned into the Old Farts, and are only playing once a year, we spend more time spent on the sidelines watching the younger crowd go at it. I am afraid that soooon, I may be in the category of enjoying the outing as a spectator.

Already some of the old timers come out and sit on their butts, instead of moving them on the field. They bring their morning doughnuts, and coffee, and did I forget the frosty’s for after the game?

It makes me think of how I am changing from a sports player to a "sports spectator." Later on in the day on Thanksgiving, I'll be the couch potato, chowing down on all the wrong kinds of snacks, and other delicious fattening delights that will be served up.

As I look around in the local pubs at the more vocal sports fans, I am sure that if they calculated their BMI it would be higher than more casual spectators. Their diets are mostly high fat, and fast foods are a staple rather than an exception. I have seen reviews that the true couch potatoes is also more inclined to skip breakfast more often, eat more bread and pasta, but fewer vegetables. The more rabid sports fans also drink a lot more alcohol than their more controlled spectator buddies.

I was talking to a dietitian recently who told me that the experts want to target the more zealous sports fans and somehow get them to eat better and exercise more, since they are a significant part of the new obesity statistics. The health care professionals feel that being a diehard sports fan, has some psychological benefits, but is destructive when it comes to health, obesity and disease prevention.

And many experts feel that Health Providers and the Pros’ have a great opportunity to send the Joe’s along with the rest of the fans. As I was watching the football games last week I saw the EAS sports nutrition commercials, so it is starting to have an effect.

So if you are a dedicated fan, remember that that your favorite sports hero works out constantly, for the most part eats healthy and definitely watches their personal health, so they can excel at their sport. If we fans started to copy just some of their healthier behaviors, we could lower obesity and poor health habits that we are currently at risk for.

Here are a few ways to work up to being a healthier fan:

- Have healthier snacks during TV watching - veggies and bean dip, turkey and veggie wraps, cut up fruit, baked pita chips and hummus, veggie burgers
- Have less caloric drinks and control the alcohol - one glass of light beer and then seltzers and flavored waters
- Get up and move during commercials - how about some sit ups and pushups??
- Control the amount of food you eat , mindless eating during any TV experience is a bad health habit.
- Decide or pre-portion how much you are going to eat and make it last.
- Don't have huge bowls of food out for grabbing.

So enjoy the holiday feast, but make this year the one where you don’t have to say: “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.”

What’s So Beneficial About Soy Products?

The more I hear about Soy products and if they are beneficial or not I decided to find out a little more about them, and what they actually do.

To begin with Soy is a complete source of protein containing essential amino acids. They also contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and low levels of saturated fat.

The American Heart Association (AHA) did some studies recently and no longer recommends eating soy to lower cholesterol, but since they contain many other beneficial components, the AHA still consider Soy a healthy substitute for meats and other foods high in fat.

According to a study published in the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, the effect of soy on blood pressure is comparable to that of blood pressure lowering medication.

When they added soy to the participants diet it significantly reduced systolic (10%) and diastolic (7%) blood pressure in women with high blood pressure; and in women with normal blood pressure the reductions were 5% and 3% respectively.

In addition women with high blood pressure, also decreased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 11%, and levels of apoliprotein B (particle that carries LDL cholesterol) by an average of 8%. Cholesterol levels remained the same in women with normal blood pressure.

The authors concluded that, "Dietary soy may be a practical, safe and inexpensive modality to reduce blood pressure. If the findings are repeated in a larger group they may have important implications for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women on a population basis."

So the bottom line of this study is that soy can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet.

Optimum Nutrition makes a product called 100% Soy Protein that offers a wide range of benefits and conveniences for vegetarians, those with specific food allergies, and health conscious individuals alike.

A serving provides 25 grams of lactose free, cholesterol free, non-GMO protein. It contains 2 grams or less of carbohydrates per serving (less depending on the flavor variety), and the low-fat, sugar-free formula is also ideal for anyone on a low carbohydrate diet.

To encourage a positive nitrogen balance, take 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day from a combination of high protein foods and supplements. For better results, eat your daily protein allotment over 4-6 small meals spread throughout the day.

If you are searching for a place online to get cheap supplements and quick shipping click HERE.

P.S. Soy Protein can also be used in pancake batters, hot cereals, and other baked goods to increase the protein content.

Vitamin D Shows Promise For Mental Health

I saw an article on Muhammad Ali last week, and it made me think of his Parkinson Disease (PD). I remember watching the 1996 Olympics and how slow and stiff he seemed. PD affects more than 1.5 million Americans, with 60,000 new cases each year.

It may be caused by oxidative stress and a high homocysteine levels. A part of the problem with PD and Alzheimer disease is a Vitamin D deficiency. On the plus side however, nutrition, increases in both unsaturated fat and vitamin E intake and vitamin B-66, are becoming viable ways to help protect against PD.

Recently a new study found that vitamin D, which has many health benefits for heart, blood sugar, prostate, bone, breast cell, aging, dental, and back health, may also help with mental health.

Past research showed that vitamin D deficiency negatively affects nerve function. Building on these findings, researchers selected 100 patients with diagnosed PD, 100 patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD), and 100 healthy patients with an average age of 65 years from the Clinical Research in Neurology (CRIN) Database from the Emory University School of Medicine. They examined the patients’ blood samples to look at vitamin D blood levels.

The researchers found that 55% of the PD patients had vitamin D insufficiency compared to 41% of AD patients and 36% of controls. With regards to vitamin D deficiency, 23% of the PD patients were deficient compared to 16% of AD patients and 10% of the controls.

Previous research examining vitamin D and PD, found that PD patients have a higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency compared with patients with AD and healthy controls. The researchers recommended more studies to determine whether vitamin D supplementation would improve PD symptoms.

I take vitamin D today and know that there are a variety of these supplements available from NOW Foods. They can be found online here