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2. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Osteoporosis and Grandparent Guilt
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Osteoporosis affects over 10 million people in North America. Two million of these are men. Osteopenia, a reduction in bone mass that usually occurs before osteoporosis, affects over 44 million people, 32 percent of whom are men.

One out of every two women and one in four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Each year, 80,000 men have a hip fracture and one-third of these men die within a year.

Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including approximately:

300,000 hip fractures
700,000 vertebral fractures
250,000 wrist fractures
And more than 300,000 fractures at other sites.

No wonder many grandparents are hesitant to lift their grandchildren!

Grandparent guilt
The issue of grandparent guilt has been discussed for many years. It arises when a grandparent cannot do the things he or she feels is necessary to fulfill their role. Concerns like osteoporosis, arthritis and even incontinence are listed as common reasons for not fully engaging with grandchildren.

Watching the exuberance of youth reminds us of a time in our life when we were more carefree. An old Chinese proverb says, Even the old horse in the stable yearns to run. This wistful longing for a body that matches the mind (forever 19) can lead to melancholia and guilt.

But guilt is not necessarily a bad thing.

Benefits of guilt
Guilt is a very misunderstood emotion. Feelings of guilt often arise from unrealistic expectations that we set for ourselves or that others set for us. So it is important to examine what is expected within the context of our life.

We can use guilt constructively to remedy situations we feel badly about. Guilt can prompt us to change our behavior. For example, do you believe that aerobic exercise and resistance training could benefit you? Guilt concerning what you should do, what you are able to do and what you have been doing may prompt you to intensify your efforts to exercise more. This will leave you happier, healthier and more able to engage with those rambunctious kids, a very good result!

Use this technique to examine other aspects of your life as well. Ask yourself:

What do I want?
Why do I want it?
What is so important?
What should I do?
What will I do?
When will I do it?
Who will support me as I meet this new challenge?

Foundation for longevity
A few helpful hints from centenarians (people over 100 years of age) can help us all stay engaged with grandchildren and others as we go through life:

Reduce stress
Stay connected with other people
Cultivate optimism
Watch your diet
Exercise: even a little helps
Floss your teeth

Proper supplementation aids vitality as well:

Bone Growth Factor for strong bones
Sublingual B-12 for brain health
Vital C for antioxidant and immune support
OmegaPrime to help increase circulation and reduce inflammation

Conclusion
Another old Chinese proverb says, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (literally, from where you stand). Use that twinge of guilt to awaken you to greater possibilities for yourself and those you love. Decide what you want and why you want it. Then, take the first step!

Take Control of Your Health

Listen to your feelings
Dare to dream
Take care of yourself
Build a solid foundation on the 10 Essentials
Use Healthy Foundation supplements

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

3. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Healthy Aging
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

If I would have known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.
Dean Martin

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
H.D. Thoreau

This is the third in a series of articles on healthy aging. It is the most requested topic for our Weekly Wellness Reports and to me, it is one of the most important topics. You see, health is not about waiting for disease to strike and then battling it. As the World Health Organization said back in 1948, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Healthy aging
My seventh-grade teacher was an ancient fossil of man, much older than even my parents! I think he was 50. He told me a truth about aging that I have never forgotten: The only way to avoid getting old is to die young. With that in mind I found great wisdom in the words of Benjamin Franklin who said, All would live long but none would be old.

So, healthy aging is about living long without being old! To reach that goal we need to take a brief look at the process called biological aging.

Biological aging does not happen with the tick of the clock or the pages turning on your calendar; it happens in your cells. During its life cycle a cell may be damaged by exposure to:

Toxins
Direct trauma
Nutrient deficiencies
Stress

Each of these circumstances causes inflammation and free radical production. Intense nutrition is needed to battle these causes of premature cell death.

Premature biological aging occurs when more cells die than you can replace.

Fighting inflammation
The human body is designed to fight premature aging and remain young. A powerful force called homeostasis mobilizes your immune system, hormones, nerves and other important systems to ignite the healing process. Homeostasis uses focused inflammation to remodel your cells following injury, illness or even the extreme challenges of emotional stress. Once the healing process is complete, homeostasis extinguishes the fire of inflammation and returns your body to a state of dynamic and vital balance, free from the effects of runaway inflammation.

Homeostasis orchestrates the cells in your body to maintain balance under even severe conditions.

However, there are times when your body cannot heal itself. If inflammation overwhelms a cell it may be damaged beyond repair. Damaged, dead cells must be removed or they will become the focus of infection and illness. Betalains, a unique class of nutrient that is both an antioxidant and a protein, assist a special cell called a macrophage (literally big eater) to engulf the dead cell and eliminate it from your body. This makes room for a brand-new replacement cell and the cycle of wellness continues.

Intense nutrition
The supplements of healthy aging include four critical components:

A balanced multiple vitamin-mineral supplement to establish a solid foundation for healthy aging
An essential fatty acid supplement to nourish the arteries and rehydrate the brain
A Vitamin C supplement to serve as an antioxidant reserve and keep the immune system active
A B-12 supplement to keep the energy level up and the mind bright.

Premature aging is about losing more cells than we replace. Healthy aging is about closing the gap between loss of cells and repair or replacement of our cells as directed by homeostasis and fueled by nutrients.

Take Control of Your Health

Learn, live and share the 10 Essentials of Wellness
Engage in your community; volunteer often
Take your supplements
A multiple vitamin-mineral
Sublingual B-12
Vitamin C
OmegaPrime

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

4. B-12 Vitamins

Original post at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Death Of A Generation
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

In medicine we get so used to dealing with statistics that we do not always remember that there are real people behind these facts. I recently quoted the statistic that children born today will not live as long or as well as their parents. Many of you could well be thinking, That is my children or grandchildren you are talking about!

Indeed, these are the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews that belong to all of us. These are the people we love. How did we get this way? What does science tell us about the health of generation Y2K? How can we steer them into better health?

Generation lost
The health of the Y2K generation (those born in the New Millennium) is a direct cause and effect relationship of the health choices made in the previous 50 years. Since the end of World War II, North American and Western European diets have contained more fat, more sugar and fewer nutrients. At the same time, physical activity has declined and television viewing has increased. People are also getting less sunshine and less sleep, two elements critical for health!

The health consequences to our Y2K generation could be compared to planting a seed of convenience in the 1940s, nourishing the sapling with inactivity in the 1950s and 1960s, seeing the blossoms on the tree in the 1970s and 1980s (the rapid decline in our own health and the rapid increase in our waistlines), and bearing full fruit of a lost generation beginning in the 1990s until today.

How bad is it?
According to popular resources such as The National Post in Canada and esteemed scientific journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, there is a sharp decline of several years in expected longevity and a dramatic rise in disease risk, especially diseases associated with obesity (e.g., heart disease, cancer, diabetes). It is pervasive across all social and economic groups; but of course, the disease rates increase for people in lower economic regions.

Just imagine: The health gains of the past 1,000 years are erased in one generation! It is comparable to a global recession where financial gains and wealth of a lifetime are wiped out in a matter of minutes.

Steer a new course
Imagine your health is like the voyage of a cruise ship. If that ship is the Titanic you immediately know that it may not have a happy ending. If the captain of the Titanic knew in advance the certainty of losing his ship, he would change his course. Our health and the health of our children, grandchildren and community are on the same dangerous path as the Titanic. Science and our own experience tell us that by staying on a particular course we will have a health catastrophe. However, by changing that course even a little we can have a successful journey for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

Proper nutrition and nurturing can help us steer a healthier course. So, eat a balanced diet with healthy proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Select organic when possible, grow your own garden when possible. Take Healthy Foundation nutrients every day (try replacing Sublingual B-12 with Super Sublingual B-12 if you often experience allergies, insomnia, indigestion or muscle aches). Get your sunshine and your sleep. Turn off the TV, go for a walk and take those Y2K kids with you!

Be an example and be an educator of the simple but profound health principles found in the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness. Plant a seed of hope, knowledge and proper self-care in this generation, and we can be content knowing it will sprout, mature and bear healthy fruit for generations to come.

Take Control of Your Health

Learn the 10 Essentials
Take Healthy Foundation supplements
Become an example of health
Become an educator in your family and community

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

5. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

10 Steps to Better Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Health is the consequence of healthy habits practiced daily. Health is the accumulation of all the thoughts, actions, words, intentions and feelings that you have now, or that you have ever had in your past or that you will ever experience in your future. As renowned neuroscientist Candace Pert stated, Every thought, every feeling, every emotion we experience impacts us and is recorded in cellular memory.

Health is a choice. It is a decision you make every day. Nutrients create physical health and nurturing creates emotional and spiritual wellness. Make the healthy choice today by practicing the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. The 10 Essentials can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your everyday health.

Breathe Deeply. Air is the cornerstone of life. Every moment of every day your body exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen to keep each cell in your body alive and functioning.
Take several deep breaths throughout the day. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, making sure that your abdomen is rising and falling with each breath.

Drink Pure Water. Water is essential for everything your body does. In fact, your body is made up of approximately 70 percent water! Nutrient absorption, blood flow, respiration, elimination and your ability to see and hear require adequate consumption of pure, clean water.
Calculate your daily water needs by dividing your weight by 2. This is the number of ounces you should try to drink every day. Remember to drink extra water when you're exercising and if you're outdoors during warmer months.

Sleep Peacefully. Sleep is the only time your body has to repair and rejuvenate its organs and systems. Sleep deprivation causes cellular damage and limits the production of enzymes and hormones your body needs to keep your cells healthy and prevent premature aging. Sleep also has a strong effect on your emotional health.
Try to get eight hours of sleep every night. Keep your bedroom cool and dark, even the light from your alarm clock can disrupt your sleep.

Eat Nutritiously. Food has a powerful impact on your body. A diet rich in whole foods, combined with quality nutritional supplements created to meet your specific needs, will give you the energy you need today, and the disease-fighting strength you need to build a healthy future.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables; 5 servings per day for children, 7 servings for women, and 9 for men. For a balanced meal, divide your plate in half; fill one half with fruits and vegetables, and divide the other half evenly between a lean protein and a high-fiber carbohydrate.

Enjoy Activity. Your body was created to move, and move often. Activity increases your circulation, speeding oxygen, nutrients and water to your cells. Your lymphatic system requires activity to purge your body of deadly toxins. Activity lifts your spirit and bolsters your immune system.
Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. If you have difficulty finding time, split your exercise into three 10-minute sessions. This can be just as effective. Find creative ways to incorporate activity into your day; taking the dog for a walk, working in the garden and even housework count!

Give and Receive Love. Like the ground we walk on, love supports us in all we do. Researcher Kenneth Pelletier conducted a five-year investigation of the benefits of altruism that offered evidence that the caring and loving influences of family and friends may be equally, if not more, important than our traditional risk factors for disease (poor nutrition, lack of exercise, etc.).
Call a friend or family member today just to tell them you love them. You will be amazed at how good it will make you (and them!) feel.

Be Forgiving. It may surprise you, but research on forgiveness shows that those who hold a grudge have far more heart problems than those who forgive. Also, there are more symptoms of a poor immune system, depression, anxiety and physical pain among people who do not practice forgiveness.
Before you go to bed, make it a point to forgive anyone who has offended you. If you find forgiveness itself difficult, a great first step is just acknowledging that you are holding a grudge.

Practice Gratitude. Research studies indicate that self-centered people who do not express an attitude of gratitude are more likely to develop heart disease. Selfish, self-centered people are often lonely, and lonely people tend to have a short life expectancy.
Start a Gratitude from A to Z list; write down something that you are thankful for starting with A (apples, air, Aunt Ruthy, etc.), and add an item every day until you get to Z. Then start over!

Develop Acceptance. All of us will face loss. The most stressful event that we will ever experience is the loss of a loved one. The intense and prolonged stress involved in bereavement has long been associated with illness. The landmark work by stress researchers Holmes and Rahe demonstrated that we carry stress from 2 to 10 years. Develop acceptance and release those stresses.
Identify the things you cannot change in life, but focus on those things you can change. Recognizing the difference is the first step toward developing acceptance.

Develop a Relationship with God. According to Mind-Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions and Relationships, people who regularly attend religious services have a much lower rate of illness than those who do not attend regularly, or do not attend at all. Formal worshippers have lower rates of heart disease, lung disease, liver disease and some types of cancer. Men who attend church frequently have fewer heart attacks and less heart disease. Those who do not worship regularly (or at all) have twice the risk of death from heart disease and four times the risk of death from liver disease.

Spend a few minutes every day in prayer and meditation. Dedicate a specific time of day to it; make it a priority!

By practicing the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness every day, you can move toward wellness, regardless of your current state of health.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

6. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Losing the Holiday Weight Gain
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

The holidays offer plenty of opportunities for overindulgence: lavish dinners, tantalizing treats, etc. Sometimes the lure can be difficult to resist, resulting in holiday weight gain. But by implementing a practical weight loss strategy, losing those holiday pounds, and even lifetime weight control, can be well within your reach.

The plan
Losing weight requires the same careful consideration that you would give to any serious endeavor; do not fail to plan. But, create a plan that is realistic.

You may prefer to start with an exercise program and then add in the dietary changes. Or you may want to do it the other way around. If you are really motivated, you may want to start both the exercise and diet segments simultaneously.

The diet
The first challenge we face in diet selection is committing to the discipline of thinking ahead instead of eating impulsively. So, start with something small and attainable.

Many health experts recommend fresh fruits and vegetables daily for a healthy life:
5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 servings for men
Add high quality protein to your diet
Drink plenty of water

These are easy steps that you can accomplish today!

The exercise
Exercise is the key to weight control. There is no way around it. However, exercise does not have to be a punishment; it can really be pleasurable. The key is to find something you enjoy. I recommend that you start with three forms of activity to prevent exercise boredom. Add more activities every month. Get in the habit of participating in at least 30 minutes of activity every day.

There are basically two types of exercise:

Aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that increases your need for oxygen. Aerobics make you breathe harder. Progressive resistance training is defined as any exercise where the load to the muscle is increased by some mechanical means, weights, bands, springs and many other methods. The key is to progressively increase the weight or resistance over time. This results in more lean body mass and less fat mass.

You need both types of exercise every week.

The supplements
Leanology supplements are important in a healthy weight loss strategy. In many people they represent the critical difference between success and failure. However, you must always remember that they are supplements; they supplement a diet and exercise program. Use them wisely as an important part of your total wellness program.

Leanology supports the four stages of weight loss:

Energy and metabolism: Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help increase metabolism and energy to support your bodys ability to burn more calories at rest. Leanology Nutritional Shakes provide low-calorie, high protein energy to support healthy metabolism.

Cortisol and stress management: Cortisol is the stress-induced hormone that can lead to abdominal fat. Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help to limit cortisol production in your body. The focus here is to stop cortisol before it starts. Protein, such as those in Leanology Nutritional Shakes, can break the cortisol cycle once it starts, especially if taken first thing in the morning. Many physicians specializing in weight loss recommend a high-protein breakfast at 7 a.m. to regulate the cortisol cycle.

Appetite control: Leanology Appetite Control Chews help reduce the natural hunger signals in your body to minimize cravings. Leanology Weight Loss Capsules contain glucomannan and other botanicals to send a full signal to your brain.

Blood sugar control: Leanology Weight Loss Capsules focus more than half of their ingredients on blood sugar control. Leanology Nutritional Shakes taken between meals keep your blood sugar rock-solid. Leanology Shakes also help your body use the nutrients you eat as energy, rather than storing them as fat.

Conclusion
Holiday weight loss is possible and within your reach. Follow these simple steps diligently, that is the real key! Also, take Leanology to supplement your weight loss program. And, do not forget your supplements for foundational nutrition, because calorie restriction may often mean nutrient restriction. Weight loss is a metabolically intense journey and we need all the nutrients we can get to build healthy metabolism. Still, the goal is worthwhile and the progress is measurable day by day!

Take Control of Your Health

Plan a balance of calories and activity for weight control
Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily
Plan 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week
Do resistance training 2 to 5 times per week
Use appropriate supplementation:
Leanology Weight Loss Capsules, Leanology Shakes and Appetite Control Chews
Foundational nutrients to fill in the gaps
Make peace with planning to reduce the stress of weight loss

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

7. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

To Fight Brain Inflammation, Take Two: Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea
By By Scott Conard, M.D.

You may not know how crucial Vitamin B-12 is to brain health. Study after study shows B-12s role in fighting brain erosion, mental decline and other inflammatory brain conditions.

As a practicing physician, I can tell you about something even more remarkable: when you take TriVita Sublingual B-12 with the anti-inflammatory wellness drink Nopalea, the unique combination can help both your brain and your body achieve optimal health. I recommend Sublingual B-12 with Nopalea for a range of inflammatory brain disorders.

The science behind the powerhouse pair

For a scientific look at why B-12 and Nopalea work so well together, I have asked TriVita Chief Science Officer Brazos Minshew to explain.

This is a story about fat: good fat, properly metabolized fat. Two-thirds of the human brain is fat. The truth is, most of us do not eat enough of the right kinds of fats. But even when we do, there are toxins in our environment that keep us from metabolizing them properly (using them for energy.) The soil that most food is grown in that most of us eat is contaminated with lead and other heavy metals that block metabolism of fat. Here is another issue: lead can block even the essential fatty acids you get from food and supplements.

So what can detoxify the lead that blocks the good fat from getting through? TriVitas Sublingual B-12. One of the most important things that Sublingual B-12 does for us is to unblock our metabolism so that the fats can get to where we need them.

Meet taurine, the pilot of our fat transport system

Once the good fats have been unblocked by B-12, they need to get to all the places in the brain and body where they do their good work. They need a transport specialist (actually a transport molecule), and it is an amino acid called taurine. However, we do not get taurine in our diet. Our bodies have to manufacture it, and almost anything can interrupt the process. Here is the exciting part where Nopalea comes in:

Nopalea is loaded with taurine!

In fact, Nopalea is the only mature fruit source of taurine in all of nature!

Get what you need with Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea

In partnership with Sublingual B-12, Nopalea is a must to help us think, feel and function at our best. Here is an analogy that may help you remember: think of a gondola on a canal in Venice. Taurine is the gondola, Sublingual B-12 is the gondolier, and the good fats are the happy couple sitting there enjoying the ride to their destination.

My thanks to Brazos for that clear and colorful explanation. I hope he has helped you better understand the science behind Nopalea and its remarkable benefits.

Scott Conard, M.D., founded TienaHealth, an organization of medical doctors in primary care practice who emphasize healthy lifestyles to maintain wellness. Dr. Conard is considered a national expert on disease prevention. TienaHealth also conducts clinical trials.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

8. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

The Physical Side of Stress
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

According to health experts, we need about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. The benefits of this are too numerous to list but include:

Heart health
Increased energy
Decreased obesity
Improved mood

Exercise has been called the best thing we can do for our body.

We also need resistance training to build lean body tissue and strong bones. Resistance training increases the ability of our individual cells to accept sugar and insulin. Indeed, resistance training is seen by some as the antidote to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.

Stress in! Stress out!
Despite all the benefits of exercise, it must be recognized that exercise is stressful. Exercise is work; it is a struggle against gravity and in the end, gravity always wins! That said, there are nutrients that can help us succeed in the struggle against gravity and help us meet our desired objectives of fitness and wellness.

First, we need energy to exercise (and then exercise gives us energy). Energy comes from metabolism, and the sensation of being energetic is stored in the nerves.

Our polyphenol product Energy Now helps convert about 200 calories of energy from stored reserves per serving. This is the amount of energy we need to walk about two miles.
Sublingual B-12 adds to our energy delivery system by nourishing the nerves. Have you ever had a day when you felt light as a feather? Conversely, have you ever had a day when you felt like you were weighted down with lead weight? Most of us have that experience from time to time. Much of the sensation of feeling energetic is related to the potential of our nerves to conduct energy. Vitamin B-12 facilitates that energy delivery so we have more light as a feather days.

Sublingual B-12 also helps in another way. When we exercise we contract one group of muscles and stretch an opposite group of muscles. Vitamin B-12 facilitates muscle stretching, so muscles can stretch with ease.

When muscles ache after exercise it is because we have exceeded the limits of the muscle group at that moment. As we learn to listen to our body we really have only two choices: either do not exercise so we will never feel that pain or take discomfort as a signal that we need to increase our nutrient reserves. Adaptogens are a group of nutrients from specific plants known to help us resist the stress of exercise while speeding a return to normal after exercise. Adaptogens are non-toxic by nature. So, if you find yourself sore after exercise, take more adaptogens!

Of course, pain is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat accompanied by loss of function). Nopalea contains anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids called Betalains. Reducing inflammation quickly can help our body repair and return to normal function more quickly.

My routine
I am often asked about my exercise routine and the supplements I take. The answer really depends on what goal I am working on at the moment. If I am preparing for an event (like a bicycle race or triathlon) I will train every day, but I will only work out with weights twice a week. On the other hand, if I am preparing to hike the Grand Canyon, I may run a few miles a day but increase my weight training to five days a week. However, I always begin my workout routines with four ounces of Adaptogen 10 Plus and four ounces of Nopalea.

I use Healthy Foundation supplements and add Energy Now, just before performing. It really gives me a boost!

I do not like to exercise but I really do like to play! As an adult my play is more structured and organized than when I was a kid. It is also much less frequent. Still, I know that the more I move, the more I will be able to move and the more I will enjoy activity. Conversely, the less I move, the less I will be able to move and the less I will want to move.

Happiness and self-esteem come from setting and achieving worthwhile goals. One worthwhile goal is to enjoy activity daily and use nutrients and nurturing to combat our inevitable opponent: stress!

Take Control of Your Health

Start slowly, warm up, stretch
Pick several activities to avoid burnout
Use Energy Now to raise metabolism
Use Sublingual B-12 to aid muscles and nerves
Use Adaptogen 10 Plus to help with recovery
Use Nopalea to help break the cycle of inflammation
Set and achieve worthwhile activity goals

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

9. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Understanding Seasonal Allergies
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Seasonal Allergies: In Full Bloom

More and more people are experiencing allergies and suffering with related symptoms. In past Weekly Wellness Reports we have discussed how histamine receptors trigger inflammation in the four tissues they populate:

The airways
The digestive-reproductive tract
Our brain
Our immune system

Histamines are triggers for runaway inflammation.
If we are to combat the rise in allergy symptoms we must first understand them. How are histamines produced? What effect do they have on the four receptor sites (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4)? These important questions require answers from anyone experiencing symptoms.

The four sites
We are all familiar with H-1 site (airways) symptoms: watery, itchy, inflamed eyes and nose, throat and lungs. The same signs of inflammation we experience in our respiratory tract with H-1 inflammation occur in the three other sites:

H-2 sites (digestive-reproductive tracts) inflame and we experience: acid indigestion, gastric reflux, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and inflammation of the reproductive tract.
H-3 sites (the brain) inflame and we experience: anxiety, agitation, insomnia, depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity, autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimers disease.
H-4 sites (the immune system) inflame and we experience: autoimmune symptoms associated with chronic fatigue, body aches and pains, rapid aging and hormone disruption.

The root of the tree may be the same (histamines) but the fruit on the tree (symptoms) depends on our genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle choices. It also depends on timing. For example, an explosion of histamines in the brain may manifest as hyperactivity in the young and anxiety in the elderly (and insomnia in everyone).

Important for growth
Histamines are not bad chemicals, just misunderstood. We sometimes need histamines to protect us from poisons. When we have hay fever, our body misidentifies a harmless pollen grain as a toxic poison. Histamines actually flood the area to remove the pollen. However, these histamines are critically important in other ways. Our body uses controlled inflammation to accomplish good things. For example, we make histamines to facilitate the process of puberty. Just imagine the physical changes little boys and girls have to experience to become young men and women. These physical changes are caused by the controlled inflammation of histamines. Our ability to stay awake and alert is dependent upon histamines as well. However, when these become imbalanced we may experience symptoms such as PMS and hyperactivity.

Histamines form
To make histamines we need protein amino acids and the B vitamins folate and B-12. One important amino acid in forming histamines is methionine. A sign that our methionine metabolism is impaired is elevated homocysteine levels.

Many people have a hard time digesting Vitamin B-12. For example, people with any digestive irritation will be unable to absorb B-12. When B-12 levels go down, histamines go up! This is because normal, healthy levels of folate quickly become unbalanced and begin converting proteins to histamine. These histamines attach to any available receptor site.

Here is an important reason why people can experience different symptoms from the same basic cause (too little B-12): One person may be born with more H-1 receptors, so they experience allergies in the airways. Another person may be born with more H-3 receptors, so they experience insomnia. One person may simply be born with more receptor sites than another.

Restoring Balance
To bring balance back into the system we need Vitamin B-12. Please note: How much B-12 is in the bloodstream is not important in deciding how much B-12 you can use! Vitamin B-12 exits the blood system quickly and we may get a false impression of our actual need for nutrient balance by viewing B-12 this way. It is better to look at the end results if we are to truly determine the benefit of taking B-12. For example, elevated homocysteine levels tell us we need a high level of folate and B-12. Elevated histamine levels in our blood (or signs of excess histamines in our body) tell us we need extra Vitamin B-12, but less folic acid.

This is why I formulated Super Sublingual B-12 with large amounts of B-12 (both methyl- and cyano- B-12) and low amounts of folic acid. It is also why I formulated HCY Guard with a closer ratio of the two nutrients and why Dr. Libby used a similar strategy.

Super Sublingual B-12 helps restore balance to people troubled by signs of high histamines. Regardless of your specific symptoms, Super Sublingual B-12 may be the relief you need from the inflammation of elevated histamines.

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce your exposure to toxins. Go green!
Increase deep breathing
Maximize water consumption
Get adequate sleep and reduce stress
Take B-12 to help slow histamine formation
Take Nopalea to break the cycle of inflammation

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

10. B-12 Vitamins

Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Fibromyalgia
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

I want to say at the outset that Fibromyalgia exists; it is a real disease. It is not a somatoform disorder (medical-speak for all in your head). There are many commonalities among the people who suffer from Fibromyalgia and the syndromes that accompany it (FMS). Also, there are related disorders that can be indistinguishable from FMS at times. Some of these disorders are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and chemical sensitivity. I like to think of these disorders as the same one in a different manifestation. We often see this complexity in nature. For example, a tree looks different in spring than in fall; it looks different in summer than in winter. Yet, it is the same tree.

FMS strikes our best, brightest, most productive people. It is found in a 3:2 ratio of women to men. It almost always attacks people with above-average IQs. It hits those that are goal-oriented, driven, even perfectionistic. They are often so accommodating that they delay their own satisfaction for the benefit of the social group.

Head trauma
Physically, almost all FMS sufferers have had head trauma. Even when an FMS patient cannot remember the trauma (such as birth trauma), a SPECT scan of the brain clearly shows the injury. Almost all FMS patients have an infection that triggers the downward spiral into the disease. This may be a herpes family of viruses (Epstein-Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, etc.) or parasitic infections (Lymes, toxoplasmosis). However, the immune system continues to fight the infection long after the microbe has been eliminated. Most of the FMS symptoms come from excessive immune system activity.
Sleep disorders
People with Fibromyalgia almost always have a sleep disorder. These tend to be primary sleep disorders caused by head trauma, stress, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies. In other FMS cases, the sleep disorder is secondary, caused by noise, a bad sleeping environment, or a sleep-disordered bed partner. In cases of secondary sleep disorders, FMS virtually disappears when the sleeping problem is resolved.

Human Growth Hormone is produced in deep, dreamless sleep (Delta sleep, stage 4). Since this is virtually absent in people with FMS, tissues are not repaired as quickly as they wear out. This causes premature aging, sarcopenia (muscle wasting), and chronic digestive problems.
Blood sugar problems
FMS patients often have difficulty balancing their blood sugar. This leads first to hypoglycemia, then to metabolic syndrome. With metabolic syndrome, thyroid and adrenal deficiencies are common. Extra amounts of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase are produced and both women and men can suffer hormone imbalances.

Tips to help manage FMS
Most people who suffer from FMS are nutrient depleted. Three nutrients are especially low in people with FMS, and no one will progress without high amounts of these three nutrients:

Vitamin B-12
Essential Fatty Acids (usually certain types of Omega-6)
Magnesium

In addition to proper nutrients, a comprehensive stress management and lifestyle program can help those with FMS. Deep breathing (5 minutes upon arising, 10 minutes three times daily, and 20 minutes at bedtime) can reduce the level of on board stress that they constantly carry with them. Exercise is absolutely critical to recovering lost function. However, it requires expertise and finesse to progressively train a body imprisoned by FMS. Be careful! Also, be persistent: there are benefits in the struggle!

As you can see, FMS is quite a complex condition. For those of you suffering with FMS, you have my deepest sympathies. Perhaps some of these suggestions can provide you with comfort. My final words for you are: Know that you have value beyond your ability to perform. Life is not about what you do; it is about who you are. Be the best expression of your true self every day and you will live a life with no regrets!

Take Control of Your Health

Nutrients
One of the 10 Essentials is Eat Nutritiously. This is especially important for those with FMS. Be sure to include lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. Remember, nutrients, exercise, and stress management techniques will go a long way towards helping ease the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Nurturing
Budget your energy. You will not feel the same every day. Set a pace that you can maintain on your worst days and do not succumb to the temptation to try to catch up by overdoing it on days you feel less bad. Learn to say, no. Learn to say it without excuse or explanation, without anger or whine. It is your right to set boundaries for yourself and reject the expectations of others, reasonable or otherwise. You do not need an excuse (or a reason).

Learn to converse outside your illness, rather than through it. Cultivate relationships around interests, not illness.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

11. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Why Are You So Tired All the Time?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

If you are tired, there is a reason for it. Think of fatigue as a message from your body and brain saying, Something is wrong! Help me! Let us learn to listen to the message of fatigue through a simple elimination process. Maybe we can find out what is making you tired and discover a remedy.

Reasons for fatigue

Lack of sleep
Most fatigue comes simply from getting too little sleep. We often fail to both respect the need for sleep and accord the process of sleep the dignity it deserves. For example, humans are diurnal animals. Nothing can change that. We are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. But electric light, shift work, caffeine and bad habits let us push past the normal sleep drive until we become insensitive to our own need for sleep.

Boredom
Fatigue follows boredom. Humans are designed to live with clarity of purpose. Purpose breeds enthusiasm, a sense of mission in life and a drive that compels you to get up, get out and do something! Our work is not our purpose; rather, it should reflect an aspect of our purpose. So should our play, our relationships and our form of worship. Find balance, focus and clarity in purpose around love, play, work and worship and you will discover untapped energy.

Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary life creates fatigue. The less you move, the less you will want to move and the less you will be able to move. The more you move, the more you will want to move and the more you will be able to move. Exercise is a source of energy.

Toxicity
Fatigue is a sign of toxicity. Some toxins are created within your own body. Some toxins are emotional and come from toxic relationships. Most toxins come from our polluted air, water and food. Toxins cause fatigue, inability to think clearly, muscle aches and pains, and a host of symptoms that are hard to describe and may change day to day. Cleaning up your physical and emotional environment as well as making better choices for the future will reduce your level of toxicity and fatigue.

Deficiencies and imbalances
Nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance, dehydration and other forms of deficiency can cause you to feel tired:

Vitamin B-12 deficiency, especially in people over age 50.
Borderline thyroid imbalance (usually seen as fatigue with a slightly low body temperature).
Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) deficiency is a common cause of poor stamina, though not necessarily fatigue if you are sitting still.
Dehydration causes grumpiness first, poor joint mobility second and finally fatigue.

What to do

Sleep. Begin your transition to a night of peaceful sleep by turning off all electronics at dusk. Use low intensity red-orange light in your home after supper. Develop a low-stress sleep routine, brush your teeth, take a bath, read a book. Get to sleep after 9 p.m. but before 11 p.m. to be in the deepest sleep state between midnight and 3 a.m. Awaken before 7 a.m. and get out into the sunshine!

Purpose. Journaling can help you clarify your purpose and focus on it daily. What do you want? Why is that important? Who are you at your best? What do people say about your strengths? How will you, your family and the world be different when your actions are in full integrity with your purpose? Measure your actions daily and ask, Is this course on purpose or does it take me off my path?

Activity. Get out and move! Humans do best with about 2 and half hours of activity daily.

Detoxify. Start with breathing deeply for 10 minutes, three times daily and 20 minutes at bedtime. Three-fourths of all body waste comes out through your lungs. Stop eating toxic foods (sugar, alcohol, caffeine and artificial anything) and eat Certified Organic when possible. Remove all cleaning supplies and other chemicals from your home and store them outside (remove them from a basement or an attached garage as well). Also, remember the solution to pollution is dilution! That means drink pure water: a half ounce per pound of body weight daily.

Nutrients. The most common nutrient deficiencies are Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and the mineral magnesium. Any deficiency can cause fatigue, but Vitamin B-12 is the greatest offender! (Remember, EFA is for stamina rather than fatigue.) A common protein deficiency of the amino acid phenylalanine can cause low thyroid. Further, stress may interfere with the way our body converts phenylalanine into thyroid and brain hormones. This is called a functional deficiency, which means, you have enough, you just can not use what you have because of stress!

Conclusion We are always tired for a reason. Learning to listen to the symptom of fatigue can help us live a healthier, purpose-filled life!

Take Control of Your Health

Get your rest
Focus on your purpose
Get active. Play daily!
Detoxify
Supplement with Sublingual B-12
Consider adding OmegaPrime for EFAs
Supplement with Energy Now! for phenylalanine
Consider adding Adaptogen 10 Plus for stress

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

12. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

The Link Between Blood Sugar, B-12 and Energy
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

You may have read in past VitaJournal articles about the link between Vitamin B-12, homocysteine (HCY) and several health conditions. Now, let us discuss how diabetes and high blood sugar can affect B-12 levels and effectiveness.

Vitamin B-12 assists in creating enzymes in your body that keep you healthy and full of energy. One key enzyme is MMAM (methylmalonic acid mutase). If this enzyme is not nourished by B-12, dangerous levels of MMA (methylmalonic acid) build up in your bloodstream and choke your energy. The cells in your body and brain suffocate from toxic MMA. B-12 detoxifies MMA. Diabetes and high blood sugar prevent B-12 from detoxifying MMA.

Understanding B-12 levels
When a person has a blood test for Vitamin B-12 they are usually given a range that is within normal or too low. In my opinion, a blood test for Vitamin B-12 by itself is among the most worthless blood tests we do for three reasons:

The values are wrong. People experience a loss of energy, inability to concentrate and bad moods when B-12 drops below 400 pg/ml (picograms per milliliter, a picogram is one trillionth of a gram). Yet, labs say that a person is still normal when their blood levels drop to 200, less than half of what is really ideal!

B-12 is very dependent on its family of B vitamins (folic acid, biotin and Vitamin B-6). Even if B-12 blood levels were normal, you would be functionally deficient in B-12 if your levels of these other B vitamins were too low. You may see this imbalance because of elevated levels of toxic homocysteine (HCY).

As your blood sugar rises (and generally among people over 50), toxic levels of MMA can accumulate in the bloodstream because high levels of blood sugar and, possibly, high levels of stress hormones, blunt the effectiveness of B-12. Your blood levels could be normal for B-12, but you are still functionally deficient in B-12!

A true picture of blood levels of B-12 can only be seen in the context of HCY levels (ideal: 6.3), MMA levels (methylmalonic acid, ideal 0.17) and Vitamin B-12 levels above 400 (ideal above 450). Anytime a fasting blood sugar (glucose) is above 99 (ideal: 85), you should also have your B-12, HCY and MMA levels tested.

Get tested
It is the birthright of every human to feel energized and enthusiastic. If you do not, something may be wrong. During your normal annual physical, ask your doctor to test your blood sugar (glucose), Vitamin B-12, HCY and MMA levels. Be a wellness sleuth and optimize the function of your body and mind with nutrients and nurturing.

Brazos MInshew is TriVitas Chief Science Officer, in charge of formulating the best new supplements possible. He is dedicated to bringing greater health and wellness to TriVita Members. He combines an extensive background in medical science, naturopathy, and alternative treatments to create lifestyle and nutritional solutions to prevalent health challenges.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

13. B-12 Vitamins

Original article at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Vitamin D and Your Brain
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

I recently read an article in the medical and scientific literature that discussed the role of Vitamin D in the human brain. The article correlated the low levels of Vitamin D in the bloodstream with high levels of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder. The most important discussions, however, were about the role of Vitamin D in two plagues: autism and Alzheimers disease.

Autism
The number of people diagnosed with autism is increasing at an epidemic rate. Greater than 1 in 150 children born today will have autism. The gender rate is also alarming: Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

No one can agree as to the cause of autism. This may be because there is more than one cause. In fact, the last time I counted there were 11 suspected causes. However, two things that nearly all children have in common are poor methylation (inability to use Vitamin B-12 to create whole proteins) and poor hydroxylation (inability to convert inactive Vitamin D into its active form). The most common cause for these defects is toxicity: environmental toxins and/or geno-toxins (poisons created by abnormal genes).

Alzheimers disease
There are three characteristics of Alzheimers disease in the human brain: neurofibrillary tangles, beta-amyloid plaques and glial cell inflammation. Interestingly, some people with plaques and tangles, but no inflammation, appear to function normally into their advanced years. It is brain inflammation that seems to be the spark which lights the fire of Alzheimers disease.

Vitamin D may help reduce inflammation in the brain. A notable attribute of Alzheimers disease victims is low levels of Vitamin D.

The same two problems that exist in children with autism also afflict adults with Alzheimers disease: poor methylation (inability to use Vitamin B-12 to create whole proteins) and poor hydroxylation (inability to convert inactive vitamin D into its active form). Methylation is measured by a blood test for homocysteine. And one of the ways to measure hydroxylation is with a blood test for Vitamin D.

Are autism and Alzheimers disease related? At this point it is hard to say; perhaps it is even impossible to say that they are connected conditions. But they share remarkably similar imbalances in biochemistry and they share at least two common deficiencies: Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D.

Certainly, it would be an amazing coincidence if they were not somehow linked, do you not think?

Conclusion
In the 1990s I was overwhelmed by the mountains of evidence linking homocysteine to the increase in autism and Alzheimers disease. This was eventually linked back to a methylation defect that led to poor protein formation and Vitamin B-12 metabolism. Now, we are seeing new mountains of evidence emerging about hydroxylation defects leading to poor hormone formation and Vitamin D metabolism.

We can say with greater certainty than ever before that these imbalances are caused by toxicity, deficiency, injury and stress. Let us increase our efforts to combat these causes and reduce the chance of being victimized by the effects!

Take Control of Your Health

Add Vitamin D blood tests to your regular medical check-up
Get your Vitamin D:
Through safe sun exposure
Through the right supplements such as Essential D
Through brassica vegetables, which help increase hydroxylation:
Cabbage
Kale
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower

Add homocysteine blood tests to your regular medical check-up
Get your Vitamin B-12:
Through foods rich in B-12, including:
Meat
Fish
Poultry
Eggs
Dairy
Through sublingual supplements which help reduce homocysteine such as:
Sublingual B-12
Super Sublingual B-12
HCY Guard

Keep your level of brain inflammation low
By reducing inflammatory toxins in your environment
By protecting yourself from head injury
By supplementing with anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as those found in Nopalea.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

14. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Tinnitus: Ringing in Your Ears
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Are your ears ringing? If so, you are like most people because almost everyone has tinnitus (ringing in the ears) from time to time. What causes tinnitus? Is it a danger sign? What can you do to get the ringing in your ears to stop?

Types of tinnitus
There are two basic types of tinnitus: In one ear or in both ears. Tinnitus in one ear is very often a danger sign. Tinnitus in both ears is a sign as well. Ringing in both ears may come from a host of causes that may be hard to isolate. Some of these causes are serious, but most are not.

In one ear:
Tinnitus in one ear can come from an extreme noise, such as an explosion, that occurs very close to one ear so that the hearing apparatus is damaged but the other ear is not affected. More often, tinnitus in one ear is caused by vascular damage, tumors, stroke or abnormal bone growth in the ear. These conditions require immediate medical attention.
In both ears:
Tinnitus in both ears is far more common. It is a sign that your body is having difficulty adjusting to an extreme situation. The ringing in the ears is a sign that you are unable to fully compensate for this extreme. It is caused by four imbalances: trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress.

Trauma
Trauma to the head and neck can lead to tinnitus. Nerves become impinged and blood vessels can become stagnant after trauma. This leads to alarm signals that cause ringing in your ears. To resolve this type of irritation you need to resolve the trauma first. Approaches can include:

Massage
Chiropractic
Osteopathic manipulation
Physical therapy

Next, nutrients need to be rushed to the area to facilitate repair. Nerve Growth Factor rebuilds damaged nerves, even the fine nerves in your ears. Specific nutrients can increase the amount of Nerve Growth Factor available for repairing these nerves.

Trauma can also increase inflammation in the blood vessels of the ear. Reducing inflammation can be very helpful. For instance, Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and the enzyme Bromelain can drive down vascular inflammation in a very powerful way.

Toxicity
Toxicity is the most common cause of tinnitus. It can come from allergies, medications, pollution or slow detoxification. This happens when more toxins come in to your body than you can eliminate. The danger sign of this imbalance is ringing in your ears. Finding the source of the toxins is very important. For instance, a poorly ventilated sleeping area can allow carbon monoxide or other toxins to accumulate and create tinnitus. This type of ringing is worse in the morning and improves as the day progresses. Food allergies, on the other hand, may trigger tinnitus that worsens as the day progresses.

Many fat-soluble toxins are eliminated through ear secretions commonly called ear wax. Most medications fall into this category. Several drug classes are known to cause tinnitus. Other toxins cause both hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

Detoxification can be facilitated through many means, depending on the source of the toxicity. A Vitamin C purge can often detoxify the lymph system and give respite from ringing in your ears. Other techniques, such as an elimination-rotation diet to identify food allergies may be useful as well.

Deficiency
Nutrient deficiency may cause tinnitus. A multiple vitamin-mineral supplement is a good start in resolving deficiencies. Interestingly, the same nutrients that nourish your eyes also nourish your ears and the frontal lobes of your brain. TriVitas VisionGuard is an excellent source of nutrients for your eyes, ears and brain.

Stress
Stress is another cause of tinnitus. Stress may be strictly emotional or it may be a combination of noise pollution, life changes, poor detoxification and too few nutrients for your daily life demands. Noise pollution causes hearing loss accompanied by a range of high and low frequency sounds. Special nutrients called adaptogens along with Vitamin B-12 can build a bulwark against the stress that causes ringing in your ears. Insulation with hearing protection such as ear plugs and isolation from loud noises are essential ways of reducing the assault on your hearing from the stress of noise pollution.

Prevention or therapy?
People often take nutrients such as Ginkgo Biloba and Vitamin B-12 to protect against tinnitus. But, what if you already have symptoms and you would like to try a natural remedy for them? How much of these nutrients will you need to take?

Every essential vitamin and mineral has a minimum daily requirement established to protect against acute deficiency illnesses. For best performance, most nutrients have a recommended daily allowance that keeps average people healthy under normal circumstances. Therapeutic servings of nutrients and herbs are usually much higher than the recommendations strictly designed for prevention.

For instance, the minimum daily requirement for Vitamin B-12 is less than 50 micrograms. However, most physicians recommend 1,000 micrograms for people over age 50 (and many people over age 40). Therapeutic servings of Vitamin B-12 for people with tinnitus are 2 or 3 times higher, 3,000 micrograms or more! The same is true for herbal remedies. Ginkgo is used by many people in servings of 60 to 120 milligrams daily. Recommendations for standardized Ginkgo extract with tinnitus and vision problems are often 40 milligrams, three times daily.

Listening to the message of tinnitus
When you have ringing in your ears you really need to find the reason why and work to resolve the cause of the problem. If the ringing is on one side only, especially if it is accompanied by personality changes, see a specialist as soon as possible. When the ringing is in both ears you need to work to identify if it is caused by trauma, toxins, deficiencies, stress or a combination of causes. Answer the ringing. Learn to listen to your body.

Take Control of Your Health

Get medical care for one-sided changes in hearing
Increase circulation to your ears with VisionGuard
Reduce inflammation in your ears with EFA and Bromelain
Build a bulwark against stress with Vitamin B-12 and adaptogens
Improve nerve health in your ears by inducing Nerve Formula
Resolve nutrient deficiencies with basic vitamin and mineral supplements
Detoxify your body

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

15. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Causes of Hidden Inflammation
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Inflammation is the number one medical issue facing people in North America today. There are four sources of inflammation and each one requires a pretty lengthy explanation. Rather than presenting our Weekly Wellness Report as an exhaustive list of what may go wrong I would like to cover:

The major categories of inflammation
How you can protect yourself
Nutrients you can use to help reduce inflammation

Cause Number 1: Toxins
Toxins cause inflammation by penetrating healthy tissue in your body and hiding there. Your immune system knows they are there and responds with acute inflammation to eradicate them, even killing healthy cells to get rid of the toxins. Toxins create death when more cells die in a single day than your body can replace with healthy cells.

Sometimes this happens very quickly, as with infection from the H1-N1 flu epidemic. The virus inhabits the lungs and airways. Your body responds with immune cells which douse the viral toxin with inflammation. So many lung cells are killed in the process that the host simply can not replace the sick, toxic cells with new, healthy cells and the patient dies.

Sometimes toxins kill more slowly, as with air pollution causing lung cancer. Inflammation kills diseased cells but at such a slow rate that a few replacement cells keep the lungs functioning. However, over time the rate of cell replacement cannot keep up with the rate of cell death and the patient dies of a chronic lung disease such as cancer or emphysema.

Toxins are produced outside our body as well as inside our body. We must insulate ourselves from external toxins and keep our body shiny and clean on the inside through vigorous application of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Supplements such as Nopalea and Vitamin C can be very helpful in releasing hidden toxins.

Cause Number 2: Deficiency
Your body must replace millions of cells every hour. Building healthy cells requires that we have healthy building materials in our system all the time: oxygen, water, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and many other elements. We must give our body time to rebuild with 7 and a half to 9 hours of peaceful sleep every night.

If any element in your health routine is missing for even a moment, a cell will be created without critical building materials and the cell will be weak. A single weak cell will be eliminated by the acute inflammation of our immune system. However, poor nutrition day after day and poor sleep night after night will create a deficit between the number of healthy cells you have and the number of healthy cells you need to live. Chronic inflammation is the way your body deals with this deficit. It is the seedbed for infection, disease and an early death.

Pay close attention to the 10 Essentials and support your body with Healthy Foundation nutrients. A multiple vitamin/mineral supplement, OmegaPrime, Vitamin C and Sublingual B-12 are basics for wellness.

Cause Number 3: Emotional Distress
Stress describes the forces trying to tear us apart: toxins and deficiencies, gravity and weather, injuries, expectations and time pressures. These are examples of things that pull us apart. The forces trying to pull us back together, homeostasis, are seen in the 10 Essentials: deep breathing, pure water, peaceful sleep, nutritious food, daily activity, emotional and spiritual support.

Emotional distress is based on how we appraise or evaluate changes in our environment. All changes are stressful, even good changes such as a raise at work or a new, healthy grandbaby! The changes that threaten our health and create long-term, chronic stress are those that may cause pain or loss to ourselves or to someone we care about, or that may overextend our coping resources.

Support yourself against this dangerous cause of inflammation by creating a healthy community of people around you. Use Healthy Foundation supplements to create a solid foundation for coping with daily stress. Especially consider adaptogens to build a bulwark against the onslaught of daily stress from outside, inside your body and even inside your mind.

Cause Number 4: Injuries and Trauma
Acute inflammation is the normal response to trauma. Acute inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, redness and heat. Using topical pain relief gels can expedite the repair process by supporting homeostasis during the early days following an injury.

Conclusion
There are four basic causes of inflammation; therefore, there are four basic causes of chronic disease. Work to insulate yourself from these malevolent influences with appropriate nutrients and emotional and spiritual nurturing and you will improve the quantity and quality of your life!

Take Control of Your Health

Practice the 10 Essentials each day
Use Nopalea to detoxify
Create a nutrient base with Healthy Aging supplements:
VitaDaily AM-PM
Sublingual B-12
Vital C
OmegaPrime
Adaptogen 10 Plus Plus to thwart stress
Use topical pain relief gels for acute injuries

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

16. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

The Basic Building Blocks of Healthy Aging
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm by Henry David Thoreau

Healthy aging is an important topic for me as I age, and I am sure it is an important topic for you as well; no one wants to be sick as they enter their wisdom years. This article is about living long and maintaining optimum health.

Is that possible? Yes, it is! Even though some of our longevity depends on genetics, even more depends on the choices we make every day. Health only comes from healthy living, based on healthy choices. The best possible choices for healthy living today will give us the best chance for healthy aging, and a life filled with vitality instead of disability.

What is aging?
Look around at the wide variety of people you know. Look at the health status of each of them and you will see people of the same chronological age that are far different in their biological age.

We see seniors such as John Glenn who went into space at age 77 and former President George Herbert Walker Bush who went skydiving at age 75 and then again at age 80.

Unfortunately, these remarkable people may be the exception to the rule. All you have to do is look around you and see people your own age (and younger) who are already disabled or suffering. Many chronic health concerns may be prevented with just a little care!

So, chronological aging is about the calendar and has nothing to do with our health and vitality. Biological aging is about how healthy we are and how energetic we feel. Whereas we cannot literally turn the clock back on chronology, we can often repair and rejuvenate our biology and reduce the speed at which we age.

Learning lifes lessons
If we are observant we can learn from people around us. For instance, do not you see that non-smokers live longer and healthier (in general) than people who smoke? And do not you see that people with a strong sense of community are happier and more engaged than people who tend to isolate themselves? So, it is easy for us to learn some of the lessons we need for healthy aging just through observation and common sense.

Other lessons are a little more challenging and we need to look to science and medicine for a healthy perspective. For instance, after decades of admonishing people to just eat a balanced diet (whatever that may be), we are now told that everyone should be taking a multiple vitamin. Why? Because science and medicine have observed that the people following the practice of nutrient supplementation are healthier than those who do not.

So, be quick to learn the lesson of nutrients and nurturing from people around you and from your own experience. Also, set aside time to keep up on current information concerning health and aging.

Healthy aging nutrients

Multiple vitamin
Let us start with a good, food-based multiple vitamin and mineral supplement. Everyone needs one! We need it because even if we eat a perfectly balanced diet, the foods we eat are grown in depleted soil. They simply do not have the nutrients in them that they once did.

Vitamin B-12
We also need Vitamin B-12 in a form that is readily usable by the body. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in people over 50. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause everything from fatigue and grumpiness, to mental confusion and mental exhaustion.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiency is the second most common vitamin deficiency among people over 50. It is also something you should take every day, because your body can not store Vitamin C. Results of Vitamin C deficiency include a sluggish immune system, poor dental health and easy bruising. Vitamin C helps your skin, bones and blood vessels.

Omega essential fatty acids
The most common cause of death in North America is cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association tells us that Omega essential fatty acids can help delay or prevent many heart and vascular diseases. So, Omega oils round out the basic recommendations for healthy aging.

A body deprived of the proper nutrients and nurturing will be more prone to disease and premature aging. Practicing the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness gives us the healthy habits we need for healthy aging. And supplementing with the right nutrients helps us get what we need to facilitate the replacement of old cells with new healthy cells.

So, the choice is always yours. But remember, the clock is ticking...

Take Control of Your Health

Learn, live and share the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness
Engage your community; volunteer often
Take your healthy foundation supplements: a multiple vitamin-mineral, Sublingual B-12, Vitamin C, OmegaPrime

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

17. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Straight Talk About Weight Loss
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

The prevalence of obesity is skyrocketing all over the world, but especially in developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada. Data from the Centers for Disease Control show that 31 percent of adults in the U.S. are obese and 35 percent are overweight. That is quite a significant number of people that are struggling with unhealthy weight.

Unfortunately, this is not simply a cosmetic problem; it is not just about how we look. It is about how well we are. It is about how much energy we have for the people we love and how much vitality we have for the commitments we make. It is about how successful or unsuccessful we will be at reaching our goals and living a life of purpose and meaning. It is that serious.

What is keeping you from reaching your weight loss goals?
When you consider the amount of advice and information available about weight loss we should be the thinnest people in history. Yet we continue to struggle despite all that knowledge.

Test yourself:

Name something that you know you should do to achieve and maintain an ideal weight. Something you are not doing.
Now, name something that you know you should not do, yet you are.

Did you have trouble naming something in each category? Most people I speak with name at least three things in each category that they could change to meet their weight loss goals. They have the knowledge but they are lacking the application. They lack a sense of purpose strong enough to motivate change.

The why of weight loss
Purpose can be described in another way: destiny. A sense of destiny will dictate a need for health. For you, health may include appropriate weight loss. Commit yourself to living your destiny, your mission, your many purposes in life and this will motivate change.

Take all the time you need to figure out exactly what you want and why you want it. Write it down. Also, be sure to recruit allies; they will be your cheering section when you are winning and your support team when you are struggling.

You know, I once heard a quote that went something like, Never confuse planning with performing. Destiny is about planning and performing. It is about deciding what you want and why you want it. Now, you need to be very clear about your why. One of my favorite quotes about this is, He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

The how of weight loss
Do you need a better diet? More exercise? Better sleep? Less stress? All of these changes require effort and energy. Your sense of destiny will inspire you to act. It will give you the energy to act. Of course, sometimes idealism clashes with realism. So, decide what is realistic, not what you should do but what you will do, and then do it.

Now, it must be recognized that in some cases, obesity is associated with underlying illness or as a side effect of a medication. This requires medical treatment and I encourage you to work closely with your health care team to find a solution to these problems.

However, most people can achieve and maintain a healthful body weight by reducing stress, improving sleep, eating a more healthful diet, and exercising regularly to burn off the calories they consume. TriVita can help guide you through this process with Leanology, a comprehensive weight loss program. A lifestyle approach to weight loss, Leanology includes nutrients, education, and guidance to help you reach and maintain a healthier life.

Get started
Always remember, we are created to live a life of purpose. Let your purpose fuel your actions step by step; let your actions harmonize with your sense of destiny. You will not need to struggle with eating nutritiously or engaging in activity; your destiny will demand that you make the healthiest dietary choices. It will demand that you exercise appropriately to stay fit.

Great purposes require great health. Let your sense of destiny be the driving force behind your weight loss journey. Get started today!

Take Control of Your Health

Decide why you want to lose weight
Decide how you want to lose weight
Recruit your wellness team
Plan a strategy, then ACT!

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18. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Is Restless Legs Syndrome or Bruxism Affecting Your Sleep?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

In the past we have discussed many serious sleep issues. In this report we will discuss two more sleeping disorders that are relatively common. These disorders respond to nutrients and self-care. Because they run in families, the disorders may indicate a genetic requirement for more of certain nutrients than the average person needs.

Restless Legs Syndrome
The first sleep disruption is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). This neurological disorder is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. The sensations are typically worse during periods of inactivity and usually strongest at night. This disorder affects other nerves as well. For instance, many people experience the same sensations in their arms.

As mentioned, RLS responds to nutrients and other conservative forms of care.

Biotin. The B vitamin biotin is involved in promoting nerve health. It also improves blood sugar metabolism; there is a strong connection between Diabetes and RLS. When given biotin supplements in relatively large doses, symptoms can improve and may even disappear within a few months. This may be because of improved blood sugar, healthier nerves or some other mechanism. People with RLS are really not as concerned with why biotin works; it just does, and that gives them relief!
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. RLS also responds to Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. The levels of these vitamins found in TriVitas Sublingual B-12 and HCY Guard can help still the limb movement. However, there is not enough biotin in either of these supplements to correct a biotin deficiency; more biotin will be needed.

You can find this increased level of biotin in Peaceful Sleep. These supplements provide blood sugar control and enough biotin to help many people with RLS. Certainly, the one-two punch of B-12 and Peaceful Sleep will provide you with an abundance of these nutrients, and can help relieve RLS for many.

Remember, the Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamins and minerals is a mathematical average for average people. Some individuals have greater nutrient needs programmed genetically. These special needs may be demonstrated in bizarre symptoms, such as Restless Legs Syndrome.

Bruxism
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of your teeth or tightly clenching your jaw. This often happens when you are asleep but it may also happen while you are awake. Many have thought of this condition as a psychological habit because it occurs most frequently when a person is under stress. However, there may be another explanation of this stress connection.

Stress increases metabolism as your body prepares for fight or flight. You use up more nutrients as fuel for the stress response. Now, imagine that you were trying to get your nutrients by eating food grown in deficient soil, processed in high heat and packaged in sodium. Do you believe that you are getting all the nutrients you need from this type of diet? You are absolutely not getting enough nutrients by eating the Standard American Diet (SAD). Any stress you face pushes you into deficit spending in your nutrient reserves. Nutrient deficiency is common and serious in many people in North America. Stress amplifies this problem.

Calcium and Magnesium. Calcium is a mineral that is in short supply in the American diet. Calcium is crucial in the tense-relax cycle of muscle contractions. Without calcium, a muscle is not able to contract. That is why emergency room physicians will give intravenous calcium to people having a heart attack to encourage the heart to contract and relax more normally. Calcium allows a muscle to tense and then relax. Magnesium is the escort for calcium as it journeys into and out of the muscle cells. The nutrients to begin supplementing with when a person experiences Bruxism are calcium and magnesium.
Pantothenic acid. An abundant B vitamin in your body is called Pantothenic acid. Panto- is a prefix meaning everywhere. Pantothenic acid needs to be everywhere, all the time. This need is dramatically increased during times of stress. If we are following the SAD as mentioned above, we will not have enough Pantothenic acid to deal with stress. This may result in Bruxism for some.

Peaceful Sleep contains calcium, magnesium and Pantothenic acid. Supplementing with Peaceful Sleep may be enough to completely stop the clenching and grinding of Bruxism.

People are different and so are their nutrient needs. Some people require more Pantothenic acid than can be accommodated in a blend such as Peaceful Sleep. You may have to take a single Pantothenic acid supplement. You need a lot of Pantothenic acid all the time, especially when you are clenching your teeth from stress.

For so very many problems there are simple solutions to be found in proper nutrients and nurturing. The key to wisdom in this respect is accepting that we are not all alike. Learn to listen when your body speaks to you through symptoms. Live the 10 Essentials for ultimate wellness. Sleep peacefully as a foundation for all the great things you have to do!

Take Control of Your Health

Although many of todays foods are nutrient-deficient due to farming and processing techniques, it is still important to eat the most healthful diet possible. Below is a list of food sources for the nutrients discussed in my article.

Calcium
Plain yogurt
Cheese
Milk
Sardines
Collards
Spinach
Okra

Vitamin B-12
Beef liver
Mollusks
Clams
Fortified cereals
Beef
Eggs
Milk

Magnesium
Brazil nuts
Halibut
Spinach
Almonds

Folic Acid
Beef liver
Black-eyed peas
Spinach
Asparagus
Green peas
Broccoli

Pantothenic Acid
Avocado
Yogurt
Chicken
Milk
Sweet potato

Biotin
Beef liver
Eggs
Yeast
Wheat bran

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19. B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Tremors and Movement Disorders
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

In 1817 an English physician named James Parkinson wrote An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. Since then, Parkinsons disease has come to dominate discussions on movement disorders and tremors. But in fact, there are more than 30 movement disorders defined in the International Classification of Disease. They include Parkinsons disease, Huntingtons chorea and Restless Legs Syndrome. These disorders occur when parts of the brain literally fail, by aging and dying prematurely.

The brain and body movement
All organized, efficient and large-scale movements of muscle groups rely on coordination from the nervous system. Specifically, it is a region in the brain called the cerebellum that starts, directs and synchronizes movements. The cerebellum learns from repetitive movements to help you learn new routines, like swinging a golf club or tennis racquet. Fine motor control also originates in the cerebellum but fine motor control is coordinated through an added connected organ in the brain called the substantia nigra. This area allows you to do very delicate work. Imagine: The same muscles and nerves that perform vigorous movements, like those used to chop wood or swing a baseball bat, also coordinate refined and delicate movements used for artwork or sign language. This is possible due to the intricate communication between the substantia nigra, the cerebellum, the spine, nerves and muscles.

Brain death
The human brain has an amazing capacity to adapt to loss. This capacity is called system redundancy. There are backup systems built in to your brain to take over functions in case of injury or illness. For example, the substantia nigra coordinates fine muscle control. Guess how much of this organ you would have to lose before you would develop a movement disorder, 5, 10, 20 percent? The fact is, movement disorders such as Parkinsons do not appear until about 60 percent of this area of the brain has died!

So, the capacity of the brain tells us that disease resistance is possible. Dr. William R. Shankle, physician and professor at the University of California, stated that disease resistance was a matter of delaying brain death in these delicate tissues. This is possible with simple nutrients and lifestyle habits.

Brain health
Help support the structure of your brain with:

Omega-3 and Vitamin B-12

Your brain is made mostly of fats. Therefore, if you are called a fat head, take it as a compliment! Two-thirds of the fats in your brain are DHA, a kind of Omega-3 fat found in fish, flax seeds, perilla seeds, walnuts and other sources. Brain health begins by including these fats in your daily diet. Once these fats form solid structures within your brain, Vitamin B-12 preserves the structure and helps protect against brain erosion.

Help support the function of your brain with:

Sugars

Sugars, such as D-Ribose and those found in Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms, serve as fuel for brain function.

Proteins

Proteins, such as l-Phenylalanine and tyrosine (both found in Energy Now!) serve to balance brain chemistry and allow you to think clearly.

Antioxidants

Oxidation is like rust, and oxidative stress erodes the brain like rust erodes iron. However, brain-specific antioxidants help protect your brain from premature, oxidative death, and are found in plants. Examples of brain-specific antioxidants include Vinpocetine (found in periwinkle) and flavone glycosides (found in Ginkgo).

What to do?
If you are beginning to experience loss of fine motor control then you need to take immediate action to protect your brain!

Establish a foundation with Omega-3 (such as in OmegaPrime) and remember, when it comes to Omega-3, more is better. I suggest two capsules per meal for maximum nutrition.
Use Vitamin B-12 to help protect against brain erosion and take Energy Now to fuel brain activity.
Most importantly, focus on brain-specific antioxidants such as those found in Adaptogen 10 Plus. Adaptogen 10 Plus contains ingredients to help you build a strong shield against the damaging effects of stress.

Do not lose another brain cell to rust! Protect your brain with intense nutrition and brain-specific antioxidants.

Take Control of Your Health

Use it or lose it: Challenge yourself every day
Feed your head:
OmegaPrime
Sublingual B-12
Energy Now!
Adaptogen 10 Plus
Breathe deeply for 20 minutes before sleeping
Drink pure water for brain hydration
Sleep peacefully: Deep sleep repairs your brain

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20. B-12 Vitamins

Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Shingles
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

How to avoid it - and relieve pain if you get it

Shingles affects over one million people in North America each year. It is extremely painful. So how does a person get shingles? And more importantly, are there ways of avoiding it?

What causes shingles?
Outbreaks of shingles (rashes or blisters on the skin) are associated with the virus, Varicella zoster. Most people are exposed to this virus when they get the chickenpox. Others contract the virus but have no outbreak or symptoms. This virus usually infects us when we are children; about three million children are infected each year. Once the acute phase of the virus is past, it is thought that the virus remains dormant in the nervous system until it breaks out again as shingles.

The virus is essentially the same in both chickenpox and shingles. But while chickenpox is very contagious, shingles is not. Interestingly, if a person who has never had chickenpox is exposed to the open blisters of someone with shingles, they catch chickenpox, not shingles!

I mentioned that there is a strong association between the virus and the disease. However, this association is far from cause and effect, as many people who test positive for the virus never get chickenpox or shingles. And, only a tiny fraction of the people who have the virus ever get shingles.

So, the pertinent question is, how can I reduce my risk of getting shingles?

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Reducing the risk
Viruses are funny creatures. They behave by rules that are very different from any other life form. In fact, viruses may not even qualify as life forms because they have no cells; they are simple strands of DNA or RNA that penetrate a host cell. Once inside the host, a virus will cause the cell DNA to produce copies of the virus, which is how a virus reproduces.

When a virus enters your body you may not show a single symptom. Not even one! Right now, it is very likely there is a live rhinovirus in your nose because almost everyone has it. Rhinovirus can easily cause a cold, so why do you not have one then? It is because your passive immune system keeps the number of viruses under control, below your bodys epidemic threshold.

If the passive immune system fails, the virus proliferates, but still without causing any symptoms. Only when the virus proliferation reaches the epidemic threshold will your bodys active immune system take over: fever, large-scale mucous secretions, sneezing, and fatigue to force you to sleep (which helps raise the elements of passive immunity again). These actions will reduce the number of live rhinoviruses to pre-epidemic levels and you will peacefully co-exist with your viruses once again.

In plain terms: We are all infected. Just catching the virus, even the Varicella zoster virus, does not produce symptoms. The symptoms only appear when your active immune system is turned on because virus proliferation overwhelmed your passive immune system and exceeded your bodys epidemic threshold.

As long as your passive immune system functions properly you will not have any signs or symptoms of infection even though you may be 100 percent infected.

You can help support your immune system through vigorous application of the Ten Essentials, which address your most basic needs. A rich concentration of nutrients, in a nurturing environment, makes it less likely that you bodys immune systems will be overwhelmed by a virus.

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What to do
The best way to build a healthy foundation to help reduce risk is to take basic nutrients every day. Good examples of the most important anti-virus supplements include:

A multiple vitamin/mineral supplement
Vitamin C to ignite anti-virus T-cells in the immune system
OmegaPrime essential fatty acids to enable those T-cells to determine which organisms to get rid of and which to keep
Vitamin B-12 to keep the nerves healthy. Healthy nerves are less likely to allow the Varicella zoster virus to erupt into shingles.

If you have had shingles in the past and you are now dealing with the aftermath (called post-herpetic neuralgia), there are steps you can take to minimize the discomfort:

Make sure that you get all the nutrients you need by following the program detailed above.
Enzymes like bromelain and those found in ginger can help reduce the pain.
The amino acid l-Phenylalanine and green tea (both found in Energy Now!) can help reduce the throbbing, stabbing pain associated with shingles.

Most importantly, remember that we need nutrients and nurturing every day to stay healthy. Infections are reminders from our bodies that we are not living in balance with our environment. Take yourself out of the pool of susceptibility by caring for your health every day.

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce stress, a known trigger for shingles
Maintain a balanced immune system
Sleep 7 and a half to 9 hours every night
Enjoy healthy sunshine
Eat a colorful diet
Enjoy activity for 30 minutes most days of the week
Take your foundation nutrients (found in the Healthy Foundation Pack)
Add Energy Now! as needed

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21. B-12 Vitamins

Could B-12 Curb The Bipolar Epidemic?
Key studies indicate that this essential vitamin can help treat this growing disorder
by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D.

For years, my colleagues in medical research have been looking into the links between vitamins, minerals and mental disorders. Is there a link between conditions like bipolar disorder and Alzheimers disease, and could they be better controlled if everyone enjoyed enough of the essential nutrients necessary for productive, healthy lives?

While this research is still underway, we do know that the number of people, young and old, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (it used to be called manic-depression) continues to climb. Mental health experts estimate that some 5.7 million adults are affected by the highs and lows of this very serious problem. The trend is especially disturbing when you look at what is happening with children under 18. A research paper published in a psychiatric journal recently reported this shocking statistic: The number of youths diagnosed with bipolar disorder is 40 times higher than it was 10 years ago. So it is not surprising that some are calling this mood disorder an epidemic.

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Dramatic evidence that a vitamin powerhouse can help boost mental well-being
Bipolar disorder is classified as a medical illness, and those who suffer from it experience extreme swings in mood, energy and ability to function. While strong prescription drugs are often prescribed to treat this problem, there can be dangerous side effects. And, not everyone can or should take these pharmaceutical medications.

That is why, if you or someone in your life struggles with mood issues, it is vital to work on ways to control stress, remain very active, and get a balanced diet, including appropriate supplements, in particular B-12. Studies have shown that those who have a B-12 deficiency can experience symptoms caused by decreased mental and nerve functioning. These symptoms can include mental confusion and forgetfulness, mood swings and even psychotic behavior like seeing and-or hearing things. A B-12 deficiency can also lead to shaky movements and walking unsteadily (ataxia), loss of bladder control, vision problems and muscle weakness. Because of these associations, one of the first things I do when people complain of these problems is make sure they are getting enough of the essential vitamins like B-12.

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Who is at risk, what you can do
If you are an older adult, a strict vegetarian, or have thyroid, liver or kidney problems, you are at risk for B-12 deficiency. As we age, our bodies may become less able to absorb some vitamins efficiently, especially in the case of vitamin B-12. Without enough B-12, other vitamins like folate and B-6 cannot function normally within the body.

As a doctor, I know the importance of maintaining appropriate levels of these essential vitamins, especially vitamin B-12. That is why I encourage you to join the millions of people every day who take TriVita Sublingual B-12 with B-6 and Folic Acid.

The original, patented formula behind Sublingual B-12 gives you an excellent, balanced combination of healthful nutrients. It provides over 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid. Unlike injections, or pills that you swallow, Sublingual B-12 dissolves under the tongue. That is the painless, easy way to make sure it gets into your bloodstream to give you maximum absorption and maximum benefit.

A note of caution: there are lesser-quality B-12 brands on the market that may promise more mental clarity, mood balance and energy, but they may not deliver. When you choose TriVita Sublingual B-12, you get Dr. Libbys original, patented formula, manufactured to pharmaceutical standards. It is encouraging to work in a medical community that continues to discover the important links between vitamins and mental health. As you continue your own Sublingual B-12 daily regimen (and recommend it to others), you are taking a positive step forward to promote optimum health in mind and body.

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22. B-12 Vitamins

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

I received this question from a Member: I have psoriasis. Recently, I have noticed swelling and pain around my joints. My doctor says this is psoriatic arthritis. Can you tell me more about this disorder?

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What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It may be triggered by a number of different conditions such as infection or allergy. Underlying the development of psoriasis is a confused immune system. An autoimmune condition such as psoriasis begins when your immune system attacks healthy cells as if they were diseased.

Many things may cause this confusion. Stress is a primary trigger. Other triggers may include injury (with psoriasis beginning at the site of trauma), nutrient deficiency, especially of essential fatty acids, and toxins such as sugar, alcohol and allergens.

Progress of inflammation
There are three basic steps in the inflammation process:

Antecedent. The first step is called an antecedent. An antecedent is like a predisposition to something; for example when a person is prone to a condition because of heredity or environment.
Trigger. The second step in the inflammation process is the trigger. This may be injury, stress, deficiencies or toxins.
Release of mediators. The third step in the inflammation process is the release of inflammatory mediators like histamines.
Histamines are stored in cells called mast cells. These mast cells are like balloons filled with acid that pop and release their poison. Deficiency weakens the walls of these balloons, and trauma, toxins and stress pop the balloons. Histamines are released and inflammation results.

Runaway inflammation and psoriatic arthritis
Mast cells populate our skin. They are also abundant in our joints. They line our airways and digestive tracts. Runaway inflammation occurs when so much histamine is released by one cell that it triggers other mast cells and causes them to pop and release their histamine (this is why sunburn may cause sinus inflammation). This histamine then triggers other cells and more histamine is released, perpetuating the cycle.

Inflammation from psoriasis will eventually inflame the joints. Toxic levels of histamine from the skin will trigger mast cells in joints to release their histamines. Again, trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress can cause this runaway inflammation.

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What to do

Stress
Deep breathing is an excellent remedy for stress. Adaptogens are as well.
Nutrient deficiencies
One of the most common deficiencies for people with psoriasis is an essential fatty acids (good fats) deficiency. Taking one to six grams of OmegaPrime daily can give you therapeutic levels of essential fatty acids. Another common deficiency in people with psoriasis is Vitamin D. We normally get enough Vitamin D from sunshine. Be sure to expose at least 40 percent of your skin to early morning or late evening sunshine. Never let yourself get sunburned.
Histamine
For reducing histamines, very few nutrients compare with Vitamin C and Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 as found in our Super Sublingual B-12 reduces histamines by hindering them from being formed in the first place. Vitamin C acts like a body-wide antihistamine. Find out how much Vitamin C your body can use by calibrating your levels with the Vitamin C flush.
Joint inflammation
If inflammation has already reached your joints, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your joints with TriVitas Joint Complex. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin with anti-inflammatory nutrients like boron offer more joint protection than even some NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

When one part of our body is sick, our whole body suffers. So, it is no surprise that the same imbalanced immune system that attacks our skin may attack our joints, sinuses, lungs and intestines. Teach your immune system to work smarter, not harder, by applying the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness and supplying the nutrients needed for healthy skin and joints.

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce stress and toxins for skin health
Increase Essential Fatty Acids
Safely increase sunshine
Use Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin C to help your body reduce histamine
Apply the 10 Essentials for lifetime wellness

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23. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Skin Disorders and What They Mean
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Attractive skin is really a reflection of inner health. Good health comes only from healthy habits. This is a natural law.

Friends and enemies
Collagen and healthy fats are best-friends to healthy skin. They give skin its firmness and elasticity. Collagen is made from nutrients such as Vitamin C and glucosamine. Healthy fats in your skin come from healthy fats in your diet, including supplemental essential fatty acids. Fats in your skin are protected by antioxidants such as Vitamin E and those found in green tea.

Free radicals are your skins enemies. These naturally occurring inflammatory substances overwhelm and harm your skin. As a result, your skin may become looser, weaker, less elastic and drier. Remember, when collagen and fat loss is making your skin look bad it is also aging your entire body.

Your skin becomes the battlefield between free radical damage and nutrients supporting healthy skin. Trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress create free radicals. Antioxidants from your diet and dietary supplements neutralize free radicals. When nutrient reserves fail, skin disorders begin. The most common skin disorders include eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea dermatitis.

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Eczema
Eczema is inflammation of the skin. The term eczema has come to be associated with a specific type of dermatitis, called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, non-contagious condition.

Symptoms. Itchy, inflamed skin.

Causes. Although eczema can develop at any age, it is most common in infants and children. It is estimated that 65 percent of people with eczema develop symptoms in the first year of life, and 90 percent develop symptoms before age five. The condition often improves in adulthood, but 50 percent of those affected as children are affected throughout life. Eczema is closely associated with asthma and hay fever. All together, they are called atopy. Atopy tends to run in families.

Responds to. Eczema responds well to essential fatty acid supplements which help keep histamine levels low and nourish the fat pads under the skin. It also responds well to anti-stress herbs called adaptogens and Vitamin B-12, which help protect the collagen links from free radical destruction. Vitamin D and aloe vera have been used to balance the immune system response to anxiety and stress, known triggers for eczema.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition.

Symptoms. Psoriasis is characterized by scaling and inflammation. The inflamed skin is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. It may cause pain and discomfort by cracking.

Causes. Currently, it is estimated that 5.5 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis. Psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. A type of white blood cell that normally protects the body against infection and disease triggers inflammation and causes skin to shed too rapidly. Psoriasis flare-ups may be triggered by a variety of factors, including infection, toxins, climate, certain medications and stress.

Up to 11 percent of people with psoriasis develop a condition called psoriatic arthritis when the inflamed areas of the skin are accompanied by joint inflammation.

Responds to. Psoriasis responds well to nourishment with essential fatty acids such as those found in OmegaPrime. Stress protection with adaptogens and Vitamin B-12 is also helpful in many people. Vitamin D has also been used for people with psoriasis to balance the immune system response to stress.

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Seborrhea dermatitis
Seborrhea dermatitis is a chronic skin condition.

Symptoms. Scaly, itchy rash. Most commonly affected areas are along the hairline, in and behind the ears, on the eyebrows, around the nose and on the chest. Dandruff is a type of seborrhea dermatitis.

Causes. Common skin yeast organisms, called Malassezia, may play a role in seborrhea dermatitis. It seems to run in families and is associated with disorders of the immune system and the nervous system. Seborrhea dermatitis is strongly associated with Parkinsons disease.

Responds to. Seborrhea dermatitis responds to supplementation with essential fatty acids as do many other skin conditions. The EFAs in OmegaPrime help reduce inflammation, nourish the fat pads under the skin and soothe the immune system. Seborrhea, like most other skin conditions, is triggered by stress. Protection against stress with adaptogens and Vitamin B-12 is often helpful.

Conclusion
The best expression of a balanced, healthy life is often reflected in your skin. Health only comes from healthy habits practiced daily over time. These habits are reflected in the philosophy of the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness. Learn and live the 10 Essentials for enduring health. Take antioxidant nutrients, anti-stress nutrients, immune balancing nutrients and essential fatty acids and you are on your way to radiant health, inside and out!

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce stress and take stress-control nutrients.
Vitamin B-12
Adaptogens
Reduce inflammation and balance immunity.
OmegaPrime
Vitamin D

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24. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Strategies to Help With Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

I had lunch with a teacher recently. For years he had worked with special-needs children,those with learning disabilities requiring personalized teaching styles. He retired early from his profession because of the epidemic of children (especially young boys) diagnosed with ADHD.

My friend quit teaching, not because of the challenge of teaching a child with ADHD; he routinely taught children with far more severe issues. He quit because teachers and parents would label any child with a behavior problem ADHD just to get them out of their class and, often, onto some kind of sedative medication.

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What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder is characterized by an inability to stay focused on any task. It may also include impulsive, disruptive and often destructive behavior. These symptoms may begin between the ages of 6 and 12, usually by age 7.

First, it is important to know that most children (and adults) are inattentive and impulsive from time to time. Also, many, many other conditions and circumstances share these same symptoms. For example, Stephen Covey described a man boarding the subway with two disruptive boys in tow. From the description of their behavior a person could easily see the traits of ADHD. What was the real problem? They were leaving the hospital where the mother of the two young boys had just died.

Inattention and impulsive behavior may be signs of ADHD or they may be signs of something else. We cannot be too quick to diagnose without fully investigating the circumstances of the person as a whole.

Brains in pain
One interesting line of exploration in the child with ADHD is the pattern of brain waves. The human brain responds in a similar way to similar circumstances. Most of us have an increase in Delta brain waves when we are concentrating and an increase in Alpha brain waves when we are relaxing.

Theta waves increase and Beta waves decrease when we finish a task and feel a sense of accomplishment. People with ADHD have the exact reverse of this pattern: They demonstrate a decrease in Theta waves and an increase in Beta waves when they are asked to focus on a task.

People in chronic pain have exactly the same brain wave pattern. This may be why it seems so painful for people with ADHD to sit still and concentrate!

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Sources of help

Proper diagnosis
The most important step in caring for someone with ADHD is ensuring they are properly diagnosed. As mentioned, there are many conditions that trigger inattentiveness and impulsivity. Occasionally, a trial of medication for ADHD may be used by a physician to make the diagnosis. The physician prescribes a drug and if it helps, the child is said to have ADHD. But response to medication is no way to diagnose ADHD.

The most important part of any treatment is proper diagnosis.
Avoiding certain foods
Next, limiting sugar and sweeteners and absolutely eliminating anything with colors and additives will often prove helpful. Avoiding food allergies is imperative. Children with ADHD are often allergic to grains, dairy, corn and soy.
Supplements
Supplements that are helpful include a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement, Vitamin B-12 (I prefer Super Sublingual B-12 because the ratio of folic acid to B-12 is better for ADHD), VitaCal-Mag D as a calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D and zinc supplement and OmegaPrime as a good source of both Omega-3 and Evening Primrose oil. The amino acid GABA (as found in Peaceful Sleep) may also help balance the Beta and Theta brain waves when used consistently.

Conclusion
My teacher friend pointed to a very real problem: Many times a child will be labeled ADHD because of a behavior problem in the classroom. Often, the problem was that these children were in distressing circumstances at school (for example, being relentlessly bullied) or not having appropriate parental supervision and nurturing at home.

However, ADHD is real and it is a serious disorder that will affect a persons entire life. With proper diagnosis and assessment of the individual learning style of the child there is every possibility for a full and productive life!

Take Control of Your Health

Get the proper diagnosis
See a physician
Test brain wave balance
Do not treat without testing
Avoid colors, additives and sweeteners
Avoid food intolerances
Supplement the special nutrient needs of ADHD
Super Sublingual B-12
OmegaPrime
VitaCal-Mag D
Peaceful Sleep

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

25. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally Posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Strength Training for Optimum Wellness
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Essential number 5 of TriVitas 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness tells us to Enjoy Activity. Many of us enjoy long walks on the beach or through the forest. Others like square dancing or ballroom dancing. Some enjoy swimming, tennis or bowling. I personally like bicycling through the vineyards of Napa Valley.

When it comes to strength training, enjoy is not a word you hear often. How can you find joy in strength training? The answer may not be so much in what you do as why you do it!

Benefits of strength training
The benefits of strength training include increased bone density, improved heart functioning, better blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, and even reduced depression, according to Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., associate chief of the Human Nutrition, Exercise Physiology and Sarcopenia Laboratory at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. The greatest benefit, however, may be strength trainings ability to build muscle.

Starting in our 30s and 40s, people start to lose a quarter-pound of muscle every year, explains Dr. Nelson, author of the best-selling book Strong Women Stay Young. We believe that much of this loss can be stopped or reduced with simple strength training.

Other conditions that might benefit include back pain, recovery from surgery and even mild high blood pressure.

Methods of strength training
Strength training may or may not include lifting weights. In fact, weight-bearing exercises include stair climbing and calisthenics such as push-ups and chin-ups. And rather than using metal weights, many prefer to use elastic tubing. Still, you should not be intimidated by metal weights, or by muscle-bound weight lifters!

If you have not lifted weights before, make an appointment with a certified athletic trainer to help you develop a safe strength-training program. You can find a trainer at a local gym or through a referral from your doctor or a friend.

Tips for getting started:

Begin each exercise with very low weights and minimal repetitions.
Slowly increase weight, never adding more than 10 percent in a given workout.
Do strength-training exercises 2 to 3 times a week. Allow at least one day between each workout for your bones and muscles to rest and restore themselves.
Gradually increase the intensity of your workout: work up to 2 or 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions with a rest period of 30 to 60 seconds between sets.

Although stiffness the day after exercise is normal, you will know if you did too much if you are in pain. Decrease the intensity or the duration of your exercise next time.

The joy of strength training
As mentioned earlier, you can enjoy the activity of strength training with a simple survey of your life. For example, would you like to:

Prevent bone loss
Improve heart function
Improve blood pressure
Achieve better blood sugar control
Help reduce depression

If so, strength training is for you!

How long do you plan to live? Pick a number and look at people that age. You will see a broad spectrum of vitality: from those that are home-bound or have confined mobility to those competing in marathons and skydiving! Which group do you want to be in? Strength training can help you maintain vitality and flexibility, it can help you recover from injury and can improve your energy at any stage of life.

Do you have purpose in your life? Meeting those purposes requires health. Strength training helps you achieve and maintain the wellness you need to be effective in your life purposes: to be there for those you love, to accomplish the great works inside you, to enjoy your leisure knowing you are healthy enough to do whatever your heart demands. Strength training helps you have more to give, and giving is the truest source of happiness.

So go ahead, enjoy the activity of strength training!

Note: Consult with your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.

Take Control of Your Health

First, decide why you want to do strength training
Get professional help when needed
Start slowly, progress wisely
Warm up, stretch and breathe deeply
Know good pain from bad pain
Allow 48 hours for recovery
Increase energy with Sublingual B-12
Boost flexibility with OmegaPrime
Reduce inflammation with Nopalea
Lose unwanted weight with Leanology
Take Bone Growth Factor to re-grow bone

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

26. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Many Medications Can Cause Side Effects or Nutritional Deficiencies
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

The average person in North America is on about six different prescription medications by age 65. Each of these medications is designed to complete a specific body function that does not work or that no longer works as well as it needs to for health. These body functions require specific nutrients as fuel.

Here is what we know about medications:

Medications create side effects
These side effects represent depletion or even exhaustion of the nutrients needed for complete functioning.
Medications create nutrient deficiencies
These nutrient deficiencies are seen as signs and symptoms for which more medications are often prescribed. Does it not make sense to get the nutrients and nurturing you need to stop this cycle?

Below are some common medications and the nutrients needed to keep them from creating deficiencies and side effects.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Cholesterol drugs (Statins)
People make hormones from cholesterol. When the enzyme that facilitates this conversion begins to fail, hormone levels go down and cholesterol goes up. Given the relationship between cholesterol and heart health, many people choose to take statin medications to reduce their cholesterol numbers. Taking statins actually has only a slight effect on heart attack frequency because fully half of the people having heart attacks have normal levels of cholesterol.

Statins deplete CoEnzyme Q-10 and accessory nutrients. If you take statins, you definitely need to take CoQ-10 to balance CoQ-10 levels. People taking statins also benefit from heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and the B-vitamin niacin. Take pure niacin in low doses and always consult a health care provider when combining niacin with statins.

Stomach acid blockers (Proton pump inhibitors, PPI)
People take antacids called PPI to reduce stomach acid. These medications block the pumps that create acid. Hydrochloric acid is supposed to bind with pepsinogen to create the digestive enzyme pepsin. Pepsinogen production is impaired by stress.

Not chewing well enough, eating too quickly and eating greasy or unhealthy foods will cause indigestion. Mostly though, stress causes indigestion. As we age we become more susceptible to stress and much less resilient. Our stomach produces less pepsin as a response to stress, and an excess of hydrochloric acid remains.

If you take PPI antacids you definitely need to take Vitamin B-12 as studies have shown that PPIs can interfere with your bodys ability to absorb B-12. You should also consider taking folic acid and the mineral zinc. Women of childbearing age should also take iron. These critical nutrients are building blocks for health. Depleting these nutrients will result in a number of adverse side effects. No wonder B-12 deficiency depression is listed as a major concern with PPI medications!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Antidepressants (Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, SSRI)
Antidepressant drugs are among the most widely prescribed medications in history. They are not just used for severe depression; they may also be prescribed for everything from PMS to injuries. They are used for headaches, muscle pain and sinus allergies. Medical science is really just beginning to understand what these medications do inside the human body. Regardless of why a person takes an SSRI, they need to take certain nutrients.

Vitamin B-12 is part of a family of nutrients that helps combat the effects of SSRI. Folic acid, Vitamin B-6 and Biotin are major members of this family of nutrients. Also, amino acids such as methionine and S, adneosyl methionine (SAMe) complete the process of Vitamin B-12 metabolism. You definitely need these nutrients if you take an SSRI. If you are over 50 or have poor circulation, ginkgo biloba can also help the medications work better. However, these nutrients (including ginkgo) will not reverse the sexual side effects of the drug.

The long-term benefits of SSRI medications are very much in doubt. However, two forms of therapy are rated as much more successful concerning long-term benefit: exercise and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Frequent, vigorous exercise improves the chemical balance of the brain and nervous system. CBT is a form of active listening that facilitates life changes based on what works best for each individual.

Below is a chart of common drugs and the nutrients you should take with them. I have also listed TriVita products that provide these nutrients:

Drug	Nutrients needed	Found in:
Cholesterol drugs (Statins)	CoEnzyme Q-10	CoEnzyme Q-10
Cholesterol drugs (Statins)	Omega-3 fatty acids	OmegaPrime
Stomach acid blockers (PPI)	Vitamin B-12, Folic Acid	Sublingual B-12, HCY Guard
Stomach acid blockers (PPI)	Zinc	VitaDaily AM/PM, Prostate Health Formula
Anti-depressants (SSRI)	Vitamin B-12, Folic Acid, Biotin	Sublingual B-12, HCY Guard
Anti-depressants (SSRI)	Methionine	HCY Guard

Take Control of Your Health

As always, the 10 Essentials10 Essentials for Health and Wellness are time-tested keys to well-being and have no side effects except improved wellness!
Breathe deeply
Drink water
Sleep peacefully
Eat nutritiously
Enjoy activity
Give and receive love
Be forgiving
Practice gratitude
Develop acceptance
Develop a relationship with God
Take your nutrients; if you are taking medications, take more nutrients!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

27. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

How to Lose Those Winter Blues
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Tis the Season...

Winter is the season for an especially disabling form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is characterized by sadness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as are many forms of depression. But SAD is not triggered by loss or conflicted thinking. Rather, SAD is brought on by a change in brain chemistry associated with insufficient sunlight.

Sunlight promotes health in our body and mind. It is intrinsically linked to sleep, the more bright sunshine you get in the morning, the better you will sleep at night. Sunshine connects with cholesterol in your skin to form Vitamin D. Good sleep and sufficient Vitamin D are associated with true wellness.

Is the sun our enemy?
Humans have existed on Earth for many thousands of years. Until recently, we spent our days in the sun. Humans are diurnal; we are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. We are designed to live in sunlight. Our skin interacts with sunlight to create Vitamin D, our eyes interact with sunlight to deepen the sleep cycle, and our brain interacts with sunlight to balance brain chemistry and promote a happy mood.

Healthy levels of Vitamin D, deep sleep and a happy mood are all good for us. So it stands to reason that sunlight would be good for us too, right?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The dark side of light
Sunlight activates melanocytes. These are pigment-containing cells in our skin that help protect us from too much sun by turning dark. Most people will tan or darken in the sun. If sun exposure is prolonged or too intense for this melanocyte system, we will burn.

Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative stress similar to radiation burns from a nuclear bomb. And why not? The sun itself is a huge nuclear furnace. This radiation burn will start a chain reaction in the melanocyte and other cells. This may lead to cancer in a year or two or in a decade or two. Oxidative stress from sunburn is insidious and relentless.

Where is the balance
The increase in insomnia and seasonal depression tells us that we are not getting enough early morning sun. We need more sunlight. So, how do we make it safe?

First, recognize the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the intense ultra-violet rays that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of overexposure.

Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the evening with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the evening than at midday, though more than in the morning. This will have a less dramatic effect than morning sun but will still provide you with many of the same benefits.

Never expose your skin to midday sun for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Light and other therapies
Under the direction of a competent physician, light boxes, exercise and certain medications can be used to treat SAD. A light box is a bright, full-spectrum light that triggers the same response in your brain as early morning sunlight. Exercise also works well. An exercise prescription often has a person doing an aerobic workout for an hour or more in indirect sunlight. Medications have not been shown to effectively treat serious cases of SAD, though one drug may help prevent relapses once the problem is in remission.

Nutrients have a role in recovery from SAD as well. For example, melatonin in the afternoon is helpful in relieving SAD. Other nutrients of interest are Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D. All three nutrients are contained in TriVitas Bone Growth Factor, though most adults will need to take their B-12 sublingually to gain much benefit. Exercise produces chemicals in your brain called endorphins. These anti-depressant chemicals are built upon the amino acid l-Phenylalanine (LPA). LPA is contained in Energy Now.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea are also useful in many forms of depression. However, nothing is as important for relieving SAD as sunlight. For most of us, sunlight may be the difference between vitality and poor health, even between life and death! Get your sunlight, but be careful: too much of a good thing can always turn out bad.

Take Control of Your Health

Get your sun exposure early in the day
Alternately, get your sun exposure in the evening
Never get sunburned
Use a light box when directed by your physician
Take melatonin supplements in the afternoon
Perform aerobic exercise for one hour in indirect sunlight
Take LPA with a little juice
Use EFA and Rhodiola for a healthy foundation

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

28. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are serious medical disorders. They should be addressed by physicians and healthcare professionals adept at treating them. Anyone suffering from FMS or CFS should seek out specialists with a reputation for successfully addressing these conditions. Never accept a dismissive attitude from your healthcare provider when discussing CFS-FMS. They are real, emerging health conditions and it takes significant medical skill to treat them.

Why grouped together?
Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are often grouped together because they share many of the same symptoms. Indeed, the majority of symptoms are the same and the major difference in the syndromes is whether fatigue or pain predominates as the chief complaint. (All people with FMS experience fatigue and all people with CFS experience pain. The key distinction is which symptom predominates.)

Further, the brain map of people with CFS and FMS is different from the brain of otherwise healthy people. However, they are not different from each other. It may be that these are the same conditions viewed from a different perspective or in a different stage of the process. This has been compared to viewing a tree during different seasons of the year: it is the same tree, but it looks different depending on when you look at it and from what perspective.

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Commonalities
CFS and FMS share many body processes in common. Really, all imbalances are rooted in trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress. CFS-FMS are no different.

Trauma. For example, brain trauma may link these conditions. Dr. Daniel Amen reported discovering that the majority of those suffering with CFS-FMS share a common brain injury leading to a weak nerve impulse signal (neurasthenia) and an inability to relax (hyper-arousal).

Deficiencies. Deficiencies may connect these conditions as well. Dr. William Dement linked CFS-FMS to an imbalance in the Delta brain wave pattern resulting in un-refreshing, non-restorative sleep. A sleep deficiency is coupled with many other deficiencies, primarily Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamin B-12 and magnesium.

Toxins. Many physicians have linked toxins from our environment or toxins from infection to the immune system dysregulation of FMS-CFS. These often result in glutathione deficiency. Glutathione is the chief antioxidant in all cells of the human body. It is induced by other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and herbal preparations, especially adaptogens. Using the Vitamin C Flush can help you calibrate the maximum amount of Vitamin C your body can use to induce glutathione.

Stress. Speaking of adaptogens, CFS-FMS are associated with people who exhibit a particularly skillful adaptation to stress. For most people, stress starts a process of arousal, adaptation and exhaustion. In people with FMS-CFS the adaptation-exhaustion response is prolonged for months, years and even decades. These ingenious people are very creative in pushing the performance envelope to the brink of exhaustion again and again until they collapse and are finally disabled by fatigue or pain. Adaptogens are critical in helping to repair the damage caused by exhaustion.

Brain trauma, toxins from our environment and infection, deficiencies in nutrients and sleep, and the ability to skillfully prolong the stress response all lead to the constellation of symptoms associated with CFS-FMS. These are the commonalities. In light of these universal symptoms, the distinction of fatigue versus pain seems relatively minor, unless it is happening to you!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Help and hope
According to the excellent research work on CFS-FMS presented in the book Oslers Web, most people with these conditions eventually go into remission on their own. Time and rest are the keys to success.

Specific nutrients mentioned above are also keys to filling the deficiencies and reducing both toxins and stress. Guarding your sleep is crucial to reducing symptoms and moderate daily exercise is your key to improving general performance. Finally, physical medicine (e.g., Chiropractic, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Cranio-sacral therapy, etc.) and Biofeedback that focuses on the brain and nervous system is helpful at relieving the tension and fatigue caused by brain trauma, no matter how far in the distant past this occurred.

Take Control of Your Health

Make sleep a priority
Practice deep breathing for 20 minutes at bedtime
Turn down lights in the evening
Turn off computers, television and video terminals
Limit caffeine to morning only, if at all
Set aside time for daily exercise
Address common nutrient deficiencies
Vitamin B-12
Essential Fatty Acids
Magnesium
Practice stress management
Adaptogen 10 Plus
Biofeedback
Correct structure imbalances
Cranio-Sacral Therapy, etc.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

29. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Getting A Grip On Osteoporosis
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

A new report on osteoporosis told us something we should have figured out a long time ago: people get weaker as this disease advances. Medical investigators have demonstrated that the grip strength in peoples hands decreases at the exact same rate that bone mass decreases. How does that work? How and why do people get osteoporosis? And how can we help prevent, forestall, delay and even reverse it?

What causes osteoporosis?
We make new bone every day. We also dissolve old bone that has lost its structural integrity. New bone in, old bone out. We stay healthy as long as we make more bone than we delete. We make the most bone of our life during adolescence. By age 24 we have usually reached peak bone mineral density (BMD). By age 30 the amount of bone we make is just about equivalent to the bone we lose. By age 40, in general, we are losing more bone than we make.

This general rule is true for most people, but not all people. Some continue to make more bone than they lose for decades after they reach peak BMD. What do they have in common? More important, how can we be like them?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Do(s) and do not(s) of bone health
Some things speed up bone loss. These triggers for osteoporosis fall under the same four causes of all human imbalance: trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress. For example, fractures, falls and accidents in children herald osteoporosis when they become adults.

Toxins. Toxins strongly linked with osteoporosis include tobacco and alcohol as well as medications that reduce stomach acid, antidepressants, thyroid medication, drugs for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, etc. Many soft drinks (sodas) and even coffee contain toxins linked with osteoporosis.

Deficiencies. Deficiencies are another area of special interest in preventing and even helping treat osteoporosis. Magnesium, phosphate, calcium, boron and fluoride have all been linked to bone health. B vitamins in the methylation family (B-12, folic acid, B-6 and Biotin) are low when homocysteine is high. The higher the homocysteine, the more likely we will have osteoporosis. A sedentary lifestyle also leads to bone loss. Humans are meant to move! The less we move, the less we will be able to move as muscle loss and bone loss mirror our activity level.

Hormone imbalances are another deficiency that triggers bone loss. Testosterone, estrogen and parathyroid deficiency are strongly linked to osteoporosis. These are themselves based in a deficiency of sleep, exercise, Omega essential fatty acids and an excess of stress. Melatonin deficiency is a recently discovered cause of bone loss. Deep breathing, Wellness Essential number 1, can significantly increase melatonin levels while reducing the impact of stress on thinning bones.

Stress. Stress causes the fight or flight reaction, triggering the release of massive amounts of hormones from your adrenal glands. These hormones steal minerals from your bones and lead to bone thinning. Stress also suppresses other hormones, like testosterone and parathyroid hormone, and creates a virtual deficiency. Stress is a hidden trigger for osteoporosis. No treatment of bone loss or prevention strategy is complete unless it directly and successfully addresses the role of stress in osteoporosis.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Getting a grip
That leads us back to the beginning of our article about a new discovery that tells us about the correlation between grip strength in our hands and bone strength in our hips and spine: the weaker your grip, the thinner your bones. So, how are you doing? Is your grip strength better this year than last year? If not, plan a strategy to build strength in your muscles and bones though appropriate supplementation and vigorous application of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.

Take Control of Your Health

Supplement appropriately:
VitaCal-Mag D for maintaining bone health
Bone Growth Factor for those who have, or are at risk for, bone loss
OmegaPrime for hormone balance
Adaptogen 10 Plus for stress
Essential D because we need it!
Detoxify gently:
Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, soda and coffee
Start eating fruits and vegetables:
7 servings daily for women
9 servings daily for men
Exercise daily
Aerobic activity for 30 minutes or more
Resistance training 2 to 5 times weekly

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

30. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Why Do We Need Folic Acid?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Folic acid is a B vitamin similar to folate. Folate is the B vitamin contained in plants, foliage. Folate is a dominant B vitamin in leafy green vegetables as well as in fruits.

Folate is needed to build healthy blood cells, nerve and brain cells, to detoxify, and to build a healthy immune system. People who get the right amount of folate have a lower risk of many cancers, strokes, heart attacks and nervous system defects such as neural tube defects in babies (that is why mothers-to-be are encouraged to take folic acid supplements).

The bad
Every story has an element of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The story of folic acid is the same. Taking too much folic acid over too long a time period, that is, taking folic acid like a drug and not a nutrient – can have very damaging effects on our system. Whereas low doses can reduce our risk of certain diseases and disorders, too much folic acid actually increases the risk of some cancers and other diseases. Too much folic acid mutates our DNA; the right amount heals our DNA. Continue reading this article to see how much is enough, and how much is too much.

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The ugly
Much of the damage from folic acid excess is actually caused by an increase of histamine. That is a familiar word to many of us. Histamines make our eyes, ears, nose and throat red, itchy, sore and irritated. Folic acid takes essential amino acids and reshapes them into histamines. Histamines make us miserable but they are just doing their job. The function of histamines is to flood our tissues with water and dilute an irritant like pollen, or a protein from a food allergy or a toxin from our environment.

The solution to pollution is dilution!

Increasing folic acid beyond dietary levels increases the amount of histamine in our bloodstream and also increases the likelihood that we will have an over-the-top response to our toxic world. If we have a toxin (such as a grain of pollen) irritate our nose, the excessive response may be a sneezing fit and uncontrollable, miserable symptoms. If the toxin hits our digestive tract (such as a food allergy) or reproductive system (such as bad bacteria), the undue histamine response will inflame our tissues and may even trigger disease.

Histamines also trigger our immune system into a body-wide inflammatory response we call an auto-immune disease. Finally, histamines inflame our brain, triggering everything from insomnia and hyperactivity to autism and Alzheimers disease.

The good!
The benefits of folic acid (FA) supplementation are many and fantastic: FA helps protect against birth defects when taken in the first trimester of pregnancy; FA helps reduce the risk for cancer, heart attacks, stroke, depression and bipolar disorder. FA enhances memory, reduces migraines, promotes healthy gums and improves hearing. FA is good for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, types of dermatitis and even restless legs syndrome.

Folic acid is very, very good for us!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

How much is enough?
We have agreed that people should eat their fruits and vegetables, right? Children need 5 servings daily, women need 7 servings and men need 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. That will provide the 200 (children) to 600 micrograms (mcg) of folate that people need every day. And this is a case of more is better: people can get up to 2,500 mcg of folate, including supplemental folic acid, every day.

Eat your fruits and vegetables for the powerful benefits of folate and feel free to supplement your diet with this wonderful, powerful nutrient with so many extraordinary health benefits.

Take Control of Your Health

Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Children: 5 servings daily
Women: 7 servings daily
Men: 9 servings daily
Feel free to supplement your diet with TriVitas Fruits n VegEZ

Keep your folic acid supplements balanced with B-12, B-6 and Biotin

Wellavoh 400 mcg of folic acid

VitaDaily AM-PM 400 mcg of folic acid

Sublingual B-12 400 mcg of folic acid

Super B-12 50 mcg of folic acid

HCY Guard 400 mcg of folic acid

Consider Peaceful Sleep to help reduce the impact of histamines

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

31. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

The Big 2 Health Issues for Women
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

I recently took a survey of the women I know over 30 years of age. I wanted to see which health issues (beyond hormone problems) prevent women from doing the things that matter most to them as they age. Below is a discussion of the Big 2: fatigue and pain.

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Fatigue
The sensation of physical and mental fatigue easily tops the list of health issues. Some of these complaints spring from the work ethic of women: A man works from sun to sun, but a womans work is never done. Often, women run out of energy before they run out of day!

Energy imbalances are like all other imbalances: they are created by injury, toxicity, stress and deficiency. Women over 30 share five deficiencies that can cause physical and mental fatigue:

Vitamin C

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin D

Essential fatty acids

Magnesium

However, unrelenting fatigue may be a sign of a serious medical condition. Always have your annual medical examination and discuss the issue of physical and mental fatigue with your healthcare provider.

Pain
Pain may also be caused by injury, toxicity, stress and deficiency. Joint pain is most commonly caused by Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). Beyond direct injury to your joints or low back, DJD is actually a sign of water and sulfur deficiency, often caused by toxicity. Joints may literally dry out and shrink, becoming unstable and painful instead of supple and supportive.

Common toxins in our environment require dietary sulfur to detoxify them. Dietary sulfur is found predominantly in Brassica vegetables: cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens (and turnips), rutabagas and kohlrabi. These should make up several of the 7 (women) to 9 (men) vegetable and fruit servings you enjoy every day.

Pain and fatigue do not have to be part of aging if we address the common toxins and deficiencies that may underlie these symptoms. Eliminating toxins (take the Wellness Challenge to see how Nopalea can help), filling up deficiencies, and learning and living the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness are the keys to vitality and longevity for both women and men!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

32. B-12 Vitamins

The Dangers of Hypoglycemia
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

What is hypoglycemia?
There is an epidemic sweeping the world. It is an epidemic of obesity. As obesity increases, the risk of diabetes increases. The two conditions reflect each other in such a mirror-image proportion that some have started using the term diabesity when discussing them.

How did the epidemic begin? What are the warning signs? Most importantly, how can we break the cycle of diabesity and reclaim our health?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Todays hypoglycemics
We used to say that the people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) today will be the people with type 2 diabetes tomorrow. Over the past 40 years that has proven true.

Hypoglycemia begins with too much sugar in your bloodstream for you to handle (hyper-glycemia), followed by a rapid drop in blood sugar levels (hypo-glycemia) when your metabolism finally catches up. This yo-yo blood sugar creates the symptoms you feel. You will eventually become type 2 diabetic if this continues. But, we get years of warning messages before this happens.

So, to halt type 2 diabetes we must learn to listen to the message of hypoglycemia. We need a sound strategy to control blood sugar before we exhaust our internal resources and slip into type 2 diabetes.

In people with type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia may be fatal if untreated. The treatment is pretty simple: sugar. If your blood sugar is too low, does not it make sense to take some sugar and raise it? It might sound like a good strategy but in the kind of hypoglycemia that leads to type 2 diabetes, it is like adding fuel to the fire, and the problem only gets worse.

Sugar, including any high glycemic-index foods such as alcohol, bread or pasta, is the cause of hypoglycemia, not the cure. In the long run, high glycemic foods can lead to hypoglycemia, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A little misleading
Actually, the term hypoglycemia is inappropriate. The better term is dysglycemia, meaning disrupted blood sugar metabolism. You see, hypoglycemia that leads to obesity and type 2 diabetes is actually a demonstration of your bodys attempt to adapt to impossible circumstances. Humans were never meant to eat this much sugar and starch, endure this much stress and be this sedentary. The fact that we survive at all is a miracle.

To adapt, our body responds to the overload of sugar and stress by producing more insulin to take the toxic level of sugar out of our bloodstream and into storage in our liver, muscles and fat cells. Because we are sedentary, our muscles suffocate with all the sugar and become resistant to the insulin. Now, only the liver and fat cells are available to receive the sugar. So we get fatty livers and fat stomachs.

Eventually, even these mechanisms fail and our pancreas simply wears out. The result is type 2 diabetes. We may even become insulin-dependent.

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What to do
Three steps are immediately necessary to help stop the diabesity trend of hypoglycemia:

Stop all added sugar and starch in your diet
Increase activity every day
Reduce the impact of stress

For diet recommendations, there are three major plans that can help you:

A low-fat diet (e.g., Dr. Ornish Eat More, Weigh Less)
A moderate-fat Mediterranean diet (e.g., Dr. Gutterson The Sonoma Diet)
A high-protein diet (e.g., Dr. Agatston The South Beach Diet)

There are many exercise routines that can help. You may want to start by simply walking every day. Fifteen minutes is a start. Thirty minutes is better, but an hour or more every single day is best. A Wall Street Journal article recently pointed out that we should increase our exercise as we age, going farther, longer and faster. Hypoglycemia, obesity and diabetes are serious conditions and require a serious response.

What about supplements?
I am glad you asked! TriVitas GlucoManage can help your body reduce carbohydrate, sugar and alcohol cravings. It also helps re-sensitize your cells to insulin to balance blood sugar. Leanology Capsules can literally extract fat from storage and burn it as fuel. Adaptogen 10 Plus can help your body reduce the impact of stress and Sublingual B-12 helps reduce dangerous levels of MMA, strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. (See The Link Between Blood Sugar, B-12 and Energy.)

To avoid your personal diabesity epidemic tomorrow, address the signs of hypoglycemia today!

Take Control of Your Health

Adopt a low-sugar diet
Exercise daily, longer, farther, faster!
Reduce stress
Try supplementing your diet:
GlucoManage to help:
Curb carbohydrate cravings
Balance blood sugar
Leanology Capsules to help:
Restore insulin sensitivity
Burn fat as fuel
Adaptogen 10 Plus to help reduce stress
Sublingual B-12 to help reduce MMA

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33. B-12 Vitamins

Sinusitis Got You Down?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Most conditions in medicine that involve inflammation end in the suffix -itis. For example, tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, and so forth. Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus cavities in your head. What causes sinusitis? How can we help our body to resolve the inflammation? Is there a way to protect against sinusitis?

The causes of sinusitis
Inflammation follows four states of imbalance in the human body: trauma (injury), toxicity, deficiency and stress.

Stress. Can stress cause sinusitis? Yes! A 2008 report of children with sinusitis and ear infections clearly showed a correlation between emotional stress and sinus infections from strep bacteria. Stress causes inflammation; inflammation provides fertile breeding ground for bacteria.

Trauma. Streptococcus (strep) is a primary bacteria associated with sinusitis. Of course, we all have strep bacteria living in our sinuses. Yet, we do not all have active sinus infections. Strep proliferates where there is inflammation. Any tissue injury can cause inflammation. Trauma is a cause of sinusitis.

Toxins. Toxins from our environment can also cause inflammation in our sinuses. Once again, inflammation allows strep and other bacteria to grow. Allergies are a form of toxin. A person with pollen allergy is more prone to sinus infection and sinusitis because of inflammation caused by pollen.

Deficiency. Certain deficiencies can cause sinus inflammation. A water deficiency (dehydration) paralyzes the cilia, tiny hair-like appendages in the sinus cavity. Vitamin A and Vitamin D deficiency have the same effect. Zinc deficiency is associated with sinusitis and people who do not get enough sleep are also more prone to sinus infection.

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Remedies for sinusitis
Very few people can point to one single cause of inflammation in their sinuses. With most of us it is a combination of factors that gang up on us and result in sinus inflammation. The key is for us to do a thorough, and honest, assessment of our primary causes and work to restore balance to that area of our life. It is as if our body is speaking to us through the symptom of sinus inflammation. If we learn to listen, we will relieve the inflammation as we work to support our natural healing ability.

Stress reduction
The first thing we need to do is address our needs. Is stress a likely contributor to sinusitis? Then 10 minutes of deep breathing three times daily, plus 20 minutes at bedtime can help reduce the impact of stress enough to improve our symptoms. Adaptogens also play a major role in rebalancing our body when stress pulls us off kilter.

Hydration
Are we drinking enough water? Targeting a half ounce of water per pound of body weight will help us catch up on hydration. Taking zinc and other minerals can really help hold the water in tissues, much the same way as minerals in the soil hold water and allow for a healthy garden.

Supplementation
Trauma and toxins call for a reduction in inflammation and detoxification. Nopalea is an anti-inflammatory that supports the major pathways used by your body to reduce inflammation. Vital C and Super Sublingual B-12 act to help reduce histamines when toxins and allergens attack the sinuses. And, of course, Sublingual B-12 is a great stress-buster as well. We want to keep strep bacteria from colonizing. Probiotics are very important in this regard. FloraVita is an excellent probiotic.

Conclusion
Sinusitis is a message from your body that something is wrong. Instead of thinking of yourself as a victim of bad bacteria or inflammatory pollen, learn to listen to the message of inflammation and work to reduce its impact on your sinuses and your whole body.

Take Control of Your Health

Drink pure water
Take a multi-nutrient complex with Vitamin A, Vitamin D and zinc:
Wellavoh
VitaDaily AM-PM
With stress:
Breathe deeply
Take Adaptogen 10 Plus
With allergy:
Vital C
Super Sublingual B-12
With inflammation:
Nopalea
With bad bacteria:
FloraVita

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34. B-12 Vitamins

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
How B vitamin supplementation may help
by Dr. Scott Conard

Many puzzles are yet to be solved by modern medicine. As we continue to seek causes and solutions for the ills that plague mankind, confusion still swirls around two of the more mysterious ailments: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS). They have some important traits in common:

We do not know what causes either CFS or fibromyalgia
They share several symptoms
There is no cure

The confusion around these two syndromes is fed by their overlapping nature: It is estimated that up to 70 percent of people diagnosed with CFS also fit the clinical guidelines for FMS, and vice versa. Most people with CFS have some kind of pain, which is a major symptom of FMS. And most people with FMS report fatigue, a major symptom of CFS. No wonder even doctors can be unsure which is which.

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Vitamin B-12 and folic acid for managing symptoms
We do know, however, that many physicians and researchers (along with patients) support supplementation, including Vitamin B-12 and folic acid, as an important part of managing symptoms. Here is a thumbnail look that helps explain why:

CFS: As the name suggests, this is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue. This fatigue is not the tiredness that goes away after you rest. Instead, it lasts a long time and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities. Symptoms of CFS include fatigue for six months or more, and other problems such as muscle pain, memory problems, headaches, pain in multiple joints, sleep problems, sore throat and tender lymph nodes. It is most common in women in their 40s and 50s, but anyone can have it. It can last for years.

FMS: Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and tender points. Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back,hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. Other symptoms can include trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called fibro fog.

No one knows what causes fibromyalgia. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle-aged women. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are especially prone to fibromyalgia.

Both syndromes can affect mental function. This may be a key to the use of B vitamins.

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Supporting mental function with B vitamins
Notice that both syndromes can affect mental function: memory and thinking problems can arise, and this may be a key to the use of B vitamins. As you may know, the medical links between B vitamins and brain function are strong and well documented.

So, it is not surprising that healthcare professionals in both traditional and alternative medicine, including experts in CFS and FMS, support the use of B vitamins and folic acid to help manage symptoms.

If you or a loved one have, or suspect you have, one of these confusing syndromes, it is important to know that both are much more than just being tired, or having some muscle pain. CFS and FMS are often misunderstood, and deserve attention and treatment. I urge you to consult with your healthcare professional, and to see how the highest quality B vitamin supplementation might help.

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35. B-12 Vitamins

At the Root of Hair Loss
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

If you are experiencing hair loss you certainly do not need anyone to tell you how traumatic it can be. There are many emotional and relational consequences because hair loss affects how you view yourself and how others view you as well. There may even be financial loss associated with thinning hair or a receding hair line. For instance, you may face subtle discrimination at the workplace or in job interviews.

Hair loss has many causes. The three we will deal with in this edition of the Weekly Wellness Report are:

Hormone imbalance
Autoimmune disorders
Protein metabolism

Hormone imbalance
Hair follicles act on a growth-rest cycle that may last from many months to many years. It is estimated that 90 percent of your hair follicles are growing and 10 percent are resting at any given time. All follicles will rotate through growth/rest cycles rather evenly, so you do not lose 10 percent of your hair in one place. This process is triggered by hormones.

Hormones are merely messengers. They convey a signal from a Master Gland to a receptor. When the receptor has completed the assignment it will respond with a hormone that conveys a task completed message back to the Master Gland.

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All hormone cycles come in three phases:

We make them.
We use them.
We detoxify them.

Trouble may begin at any one of these three phases but it is usually in the detoxification phase that we find imbalances causing hair loss. It is especially important that we detoxify DHT, an inert form of testosterone found in men and women under constant stress. The ingredients found in Prostate Health Formula are known to detoxify DHT in both men and women.

DHT is associated with pattern hair loss: the typical receding hairline.

Autoimmune disorders
Hormones are also involved in a second cause of hair loss: autoimmunity. An autoimmune condition may result when stresses from our lifestyle and environment collide with weaknesses in our genetics. Your immune system may not be able to tell if your hair follicle is sick or healthy. Many hair follicles may be attacked by your immune system and be completely destroyed or simply become dormant.

This type of hair loss is characterized by thinning over most of your head and-or body.

Autoimmune disorders respond to stress reduction and detoxification. Autoimmune conditions also respond well to increased amounts of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), such as those found in OmegaPrime. The essential fatty acids in this product help reduce inflammation and let the immune system work smarter, not harder.

Adaptogen 10 Plus helps reduce the impact of stress on the target cells (the hormone receptors). Stress may originate from either inside of you (your thoughts or physical processes) or outside of you (pollution, noise, weather, etc.). Vitamin B-12 helps reduce the impact of stress at the source: the nerves that interpret stimulation as stressful. Vitamin B-12 is critically important in autoimmune disorders.

Vitamin B-12 also participates in protein metabolism. This is the third of our pathways that may lead to hair loss.

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Protein metabolism
Protein digestion requires a careful balance of hormones, enzymes and acids. Indigestion results when one of these elements is out of balance. Many people take antacids, which reduce protein digestion and trigger hair thinning. Vitamin B-12 may be all that is needed to restore balance to protein digestion. Probiotics may be needed to complete the picture if the indigestion spreads to the intestines or pancreas. People usually find relief from indigestion with Vitamin B-12 and Probiotics.

Protein metabolism also involves the thyroid. Thyroid hormones carry a message to cells to increase energy. They may also carry a small amount of protein to hair follicle cells. The protein your thyroid needs most is l-Tyrosine. This amino acid is found in Energy Now! If your hair is thinning on top and your body temperature is low in the morning, you may need more l-Tyrosine. Energy Now!, Vitamin B-12 and Digestive Complex, along with a healthy diet, may complete the protein metabolism you need to restore thinning hair.

There are many other triggers of hair loss, but these three causes seem to be at the root of most thinning hair. Select your hair loss type and select your remedies. Be patient. You may not see significant results for many months, perhaps years. Remember that most hair loss may be reduced through a vigorous application of the Ten Essentials, proper medical care and the right nutrients!

Take Control of Your Health

Always ask why when you experience hair loss
It may be common, but it is never normal
It may be a sign of medication toxicity
It maybe a sign of an infection, malnutrition or hormone imbalance
For pattern hair loss, reduce stress and DHT
For all-over thinning (head and-or body), help your immune system to work smarter
For hair loss mainly in the crown, increase protein digestion and metabolism

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36. B-12 Vitamins

What Your Skin May Be Telling You
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves.
Phyllis Diller

Well, it is winter again. Among the blessings of modern life is a mixed blessing that both comforts and irritates us: heated air. Sure, staying warm and toasty on a cold day, and a colder night, is a real blessing. But the dry skin that comes along with it is a problem for many of us. This makes me think about skin health in general and the way our skin reflects the health of the rest of our body.

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There are some interesting lessons we can learn from our skin.

Liver spots
Many people get brown spots on their hands as they age. I do not know who originally called them liver spots, but I would like to re-classify them as brain spots. Brain spots? Yes, these little accumulations of pigment are actually related more to your brain than your liver. Liver spots are made from a chemical pigment called lipofuscin. Lipofuscin accumulates in your muscles, your nerves (especially your brain) and your skin. So, spots on your skin equal spots on your brain. Is this harmful?

Possibly, yes: liver spots may be sending you an alarming message. You see, a characteristic of Parkinsons Disease is huge accumulations of lipofuscin in the part of the brain that controls fine movements. When this area of the brain is choked off with lipofuscin accumulations, a person will lose fine motor skills in their hands and body. At first, their penmanship deteriorates; then their facial muscles lose the ability to reflect subtle emotions; and then their coordination suffers. Eventually a person with heavy accumulations of lipofuscin in the brain will have the characteristics of Parkinsons Disease.

The solution is to learn to listen to the message liver spots are sending. You see, lipofuscin spots are a sign of oxidation of your nervous system. Of course, preventing this from ever becoming a problem should be our goal. So, stress-specific antioxidants in Adaptogen 10 Plus and the essential fatty acids in OmegaPrime can nourish and protect delicate brain tissues. The more robust your antioxidant reserve is the less likely you will be to have signs of oxidation. So, keep your antioxidants up and your liver spots down.

Eczema or Psoriasis
Think of these annoying skin conditions as the apples on an apple tree: there are many things that must happen before the final signs appear in the skin.

Usually, there is a genetic predisposition to inflammation. Certain genes make a person far more likely to react to irritants that do not affect other people. These inflammatory signs occur in the sinuses, the lungs, the intestines, the joints and, finally, the skin. Many children first experience breathing problems and sinus or ear infections. Then they develop a skin disorder. Later, they may develop asthma and eventually a form of arthritis.

The lesson we learn from these skin problems is that some people should not live like other people. Some people cannot tolerate our typical fast-paced lifestyle of inflammatory foods and sedentary habits, too little sleep and too little water. Follow the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Supplement your low inflammation health routine with generous amounts of Vitamin B-12, essential fatty acids (OmegaPrime is a good example) and stress-specific antioxidants such as Adaptogen 10 Plus. The skin problems will usually resolve when the inflammation resolves.

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Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin disorder that causes a loss of pigment in areas of the skin. The pigment loss leaves white blotches, often in obvious places like the face and hands. It is usually triggered by a fungus infection in the skin. It can be a side effect of heavy antibiotic use, chemotherapy, steroid use or even birth control pills. Unfortunately, it may happen for no apparent reason at all.

Once the pigment is lost it is difficult or unlikely that it will return. So, most therapies focus on stopping the spread of the blotches. Khella is a botanical that can help in this regard, especially if combined with UV light therapy. Sublingual B-12 is also quite helpful. Some speculate that B-12 helps starve the fungus that may trigger vitiligo.

Perhaps the most promising new therapy for vitiligo is the amino acid l-Phenylalanine (LPA). LPA is an essential protein that nourishes your brain, your thyroid and generally makes you happy. LPA is used to reduce chronic pain. LPA is also used with UV light therapy to treat Vitiligo. LPA is a key component of Energy Now!.

Dry skin
Well, suddenly my dry winter skin does not seem so bad when compared to these serious skin conditions. Still, dry skin is telling me something: I need more water to combat the dry air and more essential fatty acids (Omega Prime) to repair damaged skin. It is truly amazing what lessons we can learn just looking at our skin!

Take Control of Your Health

For liver spots: Try Adaptogen 10 Plus and OmegaPrime
Eczema-Psoriasis lifestyle:
Reduce inflammation
Increase rest and hydration
Sublingual B-12, OmegaPrime and Adaptogen 10 Plus can help
Vitiligo: Khella, LPA (Energy Now!), Sublingual B-12 and UV Light therapy
Dry Skin: Increase water and EFA (OmegaPrime)

Note: repairing skin takes time. Doubling the label recommendations on these supplements may help repairing happen faster.

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37. B-12 Vitamins

Ways to Reduce Nerve Pain
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

What is pain?
Pain is a message that something is wrong. It is the transmission of a specific type of impulse from the body site of an injury to the spine, then from the spine to the brain. Depending on the cause of the impulse, the signal may feel like a sharp or dull pain. You may also feel unusually hot or cold.

Nerve pain
There is one kind of pain that does not follow this site-to-spine-to-brain path. It is nerve pain. Remember, pain is not felt at the site of injury. Instead, stimulation at the bodys injury site is interpreted by your brain as pain. Sometimes your brain interprets pain from a body site when there is no injury. This kind of pain is called neurogenic, meaning it originates from your nerves themselves. In other words, even though there is no injury to the body site served by the nerve, it feels like there is an injury. It can be likened to a serious misunderstanding between your body and your brain; normal conversations along your nerves are being interpreted as insults by your brain.

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Diabetic neuropathy nerve pain
One of the most common conditions to cause this type of miscommunication is diabetic neuropathy (DN). As the incidence of diabetes increases worldwide, DN increases as well. It begins when a perfect storm of toxic levels of blood sugar, severe nutrient deficiency (especially Vitamin B-12) and life-stress combine to create nerve damage. Actually, DN damage is visible under a microscope. Small craters (like potholes in the road) form in the nerve and begin to send out distress signals. And, since the nerve is like a two-way street, the signal goes up to the spine and brain and, at the same time, down to ends of the fingers or toes (or any other nerve ending).

To promote healing in DN-damaged nerves you must treat the root causes. First, stabilize your blood sugar, reduce your stress and improve nutrition with the specific nutrients needed to help combat DN.

Two other forms of nerve pain
Other forms of nerve pain can come from either infection (such as shingles) or nerve strangulation (such as trigeminal nerve pain). The same procedure for promoting healing also holds true with these conditions: Remove the irritant, reduce stress on the nerve and restore the proper nutrition.

Shingles. In the case of shingles, removing the irritant means neutralizing the virus. Many modern drugs can be useful here. Proteolytic enzymes can also be very useful with or without anti-viral medications (however, the greatest benefit seems to occur when both remedies are used together). Restoring nutrients that heal the nerves should begin immediately. Also, remember, stress often triggers shingles. Use adaptogens to build a bulwark against stress and practice the 10 Essentials to maximize your bodys reserves.
Trigeminal neuralgia. This requires a similar approach. However, it is more often caused by a physical strangulation of the nerve and less frequently caused by an infection. This means that any remedy for trigeminal nerve pain should include physical manipulation of the cranial bones. Many Osteopathic physicians, Chiropractors and even some massage therapists are trained in cranial manipulation. Added to proper nutrition and stress management, most nerve pain can be quieted and you can find needed relief.

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Improving nerve pain
There are many, many different conditions that cause nerve pain. The examples above show that three basic steps are needed in all conditions causing nerve pain:

Remove the underlying cause (such as toxic sugar, virus infection or nerve strangulation)
Restore proper nutrition
Reduce stress

With these steps, most nerve-brain misunderstandings can be ironed out and nerve pain improved.

Take Control of Your Health

Address the cause
Stabilize blood sugar
Neutralize viruses
Set trapped nerves free
Restore proper nutrition
Nerve Formula to nourish nerves
GlucoManage to help stabilize blood sugar
Proper manipulation to open nerve pathways
Reduce stress
Adaptogen 10 Plus for stress defense
Deep breathing, peaceful sleep and other Essentials for optimum health

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Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

38. B-12 Vitamins

Protect Yourself from Stress, the Silent Killer
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Stress is an engineering term. It describes the forces that try to tear a structure apart such as weight, wind, temperature and pressure. In humans it is much the same: Certain pressures try to tear us apart. Sometimes these stresses come from inside of us; sometimes the pressures tearing us apart come from the outside.

Homeostasis is a gift that humans and other living creatures possess but bridges and buildings do not have. Homeostasis is the force that moves resources from our reserves to wherever they are needed to combat stress.

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Where stress begins
Stress is caused by change, any change. Change requires us to rearrange our priorities to meet new circumstances. Stress can also be the same circumstance over time because time itself is change.

An easy way to conceptualize stress is to say it comes from inside of us and outside of us. Some examples:

Stress from inside

Hunger
Aging
Time pressure

Stress from outside

Air pollution
Water pollution
Noise pollution

Stress is the accumulation of all the things that pull us apart.

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Homeostasis
The antidote to change is homeostasis. The Greek word stasis means to stand still or to stand equally. It describes a point where the tug-of-war balances out and motion ceases. Homeostasis is the ability of living organisms to adjust their internal environments to create balance. Of course, people can adjust their external environments as well (at least to some extent).

Just imagine all of the stresses pulling you apart every day: gravity, temperature, emotional upsets and expectations, etc. What balances that tug-of-war? The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness!

Nutrients and nurturing
A body and mind deprived of proper nutrients and nurturing will be more prone to disease. Disease is the joining of two words. Ease is the freedom from difficulty, hardship or effort. Dis-ease is the opposite of ease: the things that make life more difficult and hard. It is also the abnormal functioning of the body or mind when the balancing forces of homeostasis fail to meet the demands of change.

The 10 Essentials create a reservoir of energy to combat the destructive forces of stress. For example, the simple act of breathing deeply can reduce the level of toxicity in our body and therefore reduce the state of imbalance.

Vitamins and minerals
Nutrients create a bulwark against stress as well. A reservoir of vitamins and minerals can help protect you from deficiency. Nutrient deficiency means specifically that you lack the nutrients you need to meet the stress imposed on your system. Without nutrients you will be weakened and you will lose the tug-of-war with stress. You will develop disease.

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Adaptogens
Specific plants called adaptogens help pull us back into balance. Adaptogens help us adapt no matter what the situation is, no matter where stress tugs at our body and mind. A recent conference of psychiatrists and psychologists demonstrated that a single adaptogen (Rhodiola rosea) was as effective at reducing emotional stress as several popular medications.

Another paper published by the University of Toyama in Japan demonstrated that in animal models, the adaptogen Eleutherococcus senticosis hindered the brain plaque associated with Alzheimers disease. It even helped slow some of the brain damage. Given the safety of adaptogens and the extreme nature of this stress-related disease, supplementing with these nutrients should be a daily routine for anyone concerned about the possibility of Alzheimers.

Conclusion
Stress pulls us apart. Homeostasis struggles to put us back together. Disease is the result of an imbalance between stress and homeostasis. Nutrients and nurturing support homeostasis and help build a bulwark against stress, the silent killer!

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce stress wherever possible
Breathe deeply 20 minutes daily
Eat nutritious meals at a regular schedule
Develop loving social networks
Be forgiving. Reject the poison of resentment
Build up reserves daily
Take your nutrients:
A multiple vitamin-mineral supplement
An essential fatty acid supplement
Sublingual B-12
Non-acidic Vitamin C
Take adaptogens every day!

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Phone: 859-858-9246
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39. B-12 Vitamins

Sublingual B-12 Works Best
Dr. Libbys original patented formula absorbs better than taking B vitamins orally
by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D.

Dr. Alfred Libby is responsible for patenting the technology that allows B vitamins to get into your bloodstream without an injection or swallowing a pill. His Sublingual B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid simply dissolves under the tongue and speeds these critical nutrients right to where they are needed most. But how exactly does that work? What is the big deal about a pill melting instead of being swallowed?

The fact is, there is a significant difference. Sublingual is based on Latin words that literally mean under the tongue. Certain substances, including some heart drugs like nitroglycerine, steroids, barbiturates and other medications, are easier to get into the bloodstream in this manner. Mucus membranes under your tongue lead to the epithelium, which is another membrane lining beneath your tongue. Like your skin, this membrane is not impermeable; and in fact, quite the opposite. The epithelium absorbs some nutrients very well, and passes them along to areas rich in blood vessels beneath the tongue. These blood vessels attach to the sublingual artery, which in turn attaches to the lingual artery. The next stop is your carotid artery, which carries a sublingual substance to your brain. Substances such as vitamins are thus able to enter the bloodstream and reach your brain very quickly.

Think about your digestive system for a moment: it is a complicated organ. Vitamin B-12 absorption is the most complicated. It requires the acid concentration in the stomach to be high (this can be affected by medications that prevent reflux or ulcers), the stomach has to make a protein (intrinsic factor) that binds the B-12, and then this bound B-12-intrinsic factor complex must be absorbed in the small intestine. That means that there are a lot of things that could go wrong! That is why sublingual B-12 delivery works: It bypasses the complex digestive system process, by being absorbed while under the tongue.

The key to sublingual nutrients working is allowing them to dissolve fully under the tongue. Chewing and swallowing Sublingual B-12 pills might be tempting given their sweet taste, but it is crucial to their effectiveness that you allow them to melt completely. You will still get the great taste, plus the full benefit of these nutrients designed sublingually to help you make sure you get the B-12 you need when you need it!

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Phone: 859-858-9246
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40. B-12 Vitamins

10 Tips for Healthy Aging
Today, due to numerous medical and scientific advances, people are living longer than ever before. But you do not just automatically live longer; you have to be good to your body, mind and soul. The following 10 tips are a good start for getting you on your way to living a long and healthy life.

Eat a balanced diet. One that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber and low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. A well-balanced diet can provide your body with the essential nutrients needed to achieve and maintain optimum health. In patients with osteoporosis, or previous fracture, additional supplementation of 800 IU of Vitamin D with calcium may be needed. That is especially true if dietary intake is poor and access to sunlight is poor.

Be physically active. Try to incorporate 30 minutes of activity into your day, every day. The options are endless; start walking on the beach in the mornings, join a yoga class, try jogging with a friend, sign up for a basketball league, or go for a bike ride in the afternoons. Make sure you choose activities that you enjoy, that way you will be more likely to make them a habit.

Get regular preventive checkups. See your doctor regularly; remember your doctor is your partner in healthcare. The two of you are working toward the same goal, your optimum health. By having regular checkups, you may be able to catch small problems before they become big problems. And, it is just as important to visit your dentist regularly as well.

Do not smoke. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable death. This year alone, more than 400,000 people will die from smoking-related causes. It is never too late to quit. Your body will begin to feel the benefits almost immediately. Did you know that after one day of quitting, your risk of having a heart attack decreases?

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Be safe. Use common sense and be street smart. Do not put yourself in situations that are questionable. Just a few ways you can put safety first include:
Always wear your seatbelt and bike helmet.
Use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Do not go for a run, walk, or jog at night by yourself. Most attacks happen to people who are alone. Just by bringing a friend, you reduce your risk.
Use medicines wisely: follow directions and ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects and drug interactions.
Keep your home well lit and free of things that could make you fall.

Avoid environmental extremes. Protect your skin when you are outdoors, do not get too much sun. Dress appropriately for the weather and avoid getting too hot or too cold.

Take healthy aging supplements. Including a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement, Vitamin C, Sublingual Vitamin B-12 and an Omega-3 essential fatty acid supplement such as OmegaPrime.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For a man under 65, moderation means no more than two drinks a day; for a man over 65 or a woman of any age, moderation means no more than one drink a day. One drink is:
One 12-ounce bottle of beer
One 5-ounce glass of wine
1.5 ounces of spirits

Stay in touch with family and friends. Get to know your neighbors. Take the time to be involved with your community. By creating a strong social network, you will not only have friends to celebrate with when good things happen, but also a support system in difficult times.

Keep a positive attitude. Studies have shown that people who have a positive attitude tend to live longer, and lead healthier and happier lives. Do not take it all so personal; rarely does it really have anything to do with you. Try to find the humor in life. And remember to laugh; several studies have shown that laughter makes you feel better. But really, who needed a study to prove that. Just laugh and you will know it is true.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

RESOURCES:
The Healthy Aging Campaign
http://www.healthyaging.net/
National Institute of Aging
http://www.nia.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging
http://www.uwo.ca/actage/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html

REFERENCES:
Dawson-Hughes B, Heaney RP, Holick MF, et al. Estimates of optimal vitamin D status. Osteoporos Int. 2005; 16:713.
Malabanan A, Veronikis IE, Holick MF. Redefining vitamin D insufficiency. Lancet. 1998; 351:805.
Need AG, O'Loughlin PD, Morris HA, et al. The effects of age and other variables on serum parathyroid hormone in postmenopausal women attending an osteoporosis center. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004; 89:1646.
Tsai KS, Wahner HW, Offord KP, et al. Effect of aging on vitamin D stores and bone density in women. Calcif Tissue Int. 1987; 40:241.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
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41. B-12 Vitamins

Inflammation: Scourge Of Our Time
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

TriVita Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea pack a powerful anti-inflammatory 1-2 punch

How many of your friends suffer from inflammation? Not just the kind that comes with a sore throat or swollen finger, but the inflammation thats causing an explosion in asthma, allergies, digestive problems, insomnia, autoimmune disorders and other reactions around the world? More important, what are some possible answers to the problem of inflammation?

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Forming histamines
Humans have been exposed to pollen since we first walked the earth. It is the same with foods that trigger allergies in many people. Yet, the sensitivity to pollens and all other proteins is increasing, it seems, almost daily. Since people, pollens and proteins have peacefully coexisted for many generations, the problem must be something new in our environment that is causing us to become more inflamed. Potential causes of the increase in autoimmune disorders could include:

The toxins in our environment
The emotional distress we endure daily
Deficiency in vital elements such as nutrients and sleep
The damage of a sedentary life

Each of these sources of stress has been implicated in the release of inflammatory histamines in our body. Histamines form more readily in a B-12 deficient environment because B-12 blocks THF, an enzyme that creates histamine. Once histamines are released into your system they are extremely inflammatory. Nopalea quenches inflammation through anti-inflammatory Betalains.

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Histamine disorders
We probably only think of hay fever when we think of histamine: itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, etc. These are allergy symptoms connected with histamine release on an H-1 receptor in the upper airways. Yet, histamines are released on 4 different receptors:

H-1 in the airways. Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, watery eyes, scratchy throat, bronchitis.
H-2 in the digestive system. Acid indigestion, gastric reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis.
H-3 in the brain. Insomnia, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, Alzheimers.
H-4 in the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia.

Histamines are inflammatory. They start a fire in one or more of these body systems and we produce symptoms. The fires origination may be determined because of heredity, environment and lifestyle. The match that ignites the firestorm may be pollens or proteins, toxic poisons or healthy foods or just about anything you can imagine. In the end, the inflammation is always caused by histamines!

The dynamic duo
As I mentioned, Sublingual B-12 protects against much of the excess histamine formation by blocking the enzyme THF. This is especially true of TriVita Super Sublingual B-12 because it contains three milligrams of both biologically active forms of B-12. Once histamine is released, it creates inflammation that actually feeds on itself in a storm of irritation. Nopalea helps break the cycle of inflammation and anti-inflammatory Betalains help quench the firestorm.

So pollens are not inherently bad and proteins in foods are not either; though, I must admit that sometimes they seem that way! In combating inflammation we may benefit from a simple two-step approach: We need to isolate ourselves from the allergen until our immune system can be reprogrammed and insulate ourselves with proper nutrients and nurturing every single day. Insulation begins with B-12 and Nopalea.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
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42. B-12 Vitamins

Creating Your Wellness Sanctuary
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

The 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness are the keys to a happy, healthy life. No pill, potion, product or program that excludes these values will succeed for long. Any approach to wellness that you embrace will be enhanced and will have the greatest chance of lifelong success if it is built upon a foundation of the 10 Essentials.

The difference between wellness and illness is not so much the difference between knowing and not knowing the 10 Essentials; instead, it is the difference between knowing and actually doing the actions associated with true wellness. Do you agree? Then you will also agree that you not only need knowledge, you also need desire and a helpful setting. You need a wellness sanctuary!

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Your sanctuary
What is a wellness sanctuary? It is a place and time where you can practice your wellness principles. It should be a stress-free zone, free from conflict. It should be a noise-free zone, where chatter and distractions are minimal or eliminated. It should be pleasant to all of your senses. Your sanctuary needs to be a place of rest and peace.

Your home or garden could be your wellness sanctuary. Or it could be a favorite room, or even a small space within a room. The idea is to make your sanctuary space a place where you can retreat from the relentless stress of the day. So you want to create an environment (big or small) that is conducive to your physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Also remember, setting up your sanctuary and your wellness regimen is typically not achieved overnight. It could take some time to work it all out, so set SMART goals:

Specific as to time and place
Measurable in their application
Achievable given the reality of your world
Reasonable with respect to commitments you have already made
Timely in their execution

A very useful step we can take toward creating a sanctuary is to designate a specific time and place. Some people make their bedroom their first place of refuge, and then commit to specific do not disturb times for self-care. For example, some turn off their cell phones and retreat to their sanctuary (bedroom) an hour before they actually plan to sleep. There is no computer or television in their bedroom; the light is low and the colors are soft. Many will also journal their progress in applying the 10 Essentials to their lives (they journal with pen and paper, not an electronic gizmo) and meditate on ways to better apply what they know in pursuit of their goals.

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Taking time for wellness
Once you have established your sanctuary place, it is critical to also establish your sanctuary time. How much me time can you commit to on a regular basis? What time is best for you? What will you accomplish during this time?

Morning. In the morning hours, you could physically exercise and mentally prepare for your day by:

Engaging in a minimum of 30 minutes of activity, most days of the week, to satisfy Essential Number5 (note: the healthiest cultures on earth spend about 2 and half hours daily in physical activity).
Planning your meals in order to get the most nutrition from them (Essential Number 4) and beginning your daily water intake (Essential Number 2).
Thinking about how you will give and receive love during the day (Essential Number 6), focus on specific things and people for which you are grateful (Essential Number 8), set your spiritual compass for the day ahead (Essential Number 10).

Evening. During the latter part of the day, you could commit to greater health by:

Practicing deep breathing for 20 minutes (Essential Number 1).
Quieting your mind in preparation for 7 1/2 to 9 hours of peaceful sleep (Essential Number 3).
Let go of any lingering resentments from the day (Essentials Number 7 and Number 9).

Added Support
To make the most of your sanctuary time, it pays to be in a calmer state of body and mind. If you have trouble reaching this state, then there are two supplements in particular that could be added to your daily regimen.

Body. To help your body reach a calmer state, you can take Adaptogen 10 Plus. Its unique blend of ingredients is specifically targeted to help your body better adapt to and overcome all the stresses of todays hectic world.
Mind. To help your mind reach a more calm, relaxed and focused state, you can take Sublingual B-12. Many adults have a B-12 deficiency due to aging and diet, so you definitely want to check this out and see how it could help your own situation.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

In Conclusion
For complete wellness, you need to learn and live the The 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness. And to help you best incorporate the 10 Essentials, you would benefit greatly by establishing a specific sanctuary of time and space and commit to it. You can always start small, and then later expand your self-care activities as your circumstances permit. But in any case, the goal is to create your very own personal haven of wellness.

Take Control of Your Health

Make wellness a priority
Set Do Not Disturb times and places
Expand your sanctuary to include your entire domain
Use bright, cheery lighting in the morning
Plan your day well
Select soft, comforting shades in the evening
Conclude your day completely

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

43. B-12 Vitamins

Tips for Time Management
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
-- Benjamin Franklin

We speak of time management as if time were a commodity to be managed like lumber or DVDs. But as Mr. Franklin put it, time is the precious fabric of life. And once a moment has passed, it is gone forever. So, how can we make the most of time (and life)?

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Think systematically
An overarching principle of time management was stated by Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He stressed that we need to put first things first. This means having a pretty clear idea of the direction of our life. For conveniences sake, you could work from these three points:

What is our purpose?
What are our strengths, talents and resources?
What do we desire or want? What are our goals?

So, working with these points, here is the systematic thinking process: Our work should be derived from our sense of purpose. Purpose, then, is a journey rather than a destination. It is the unique way we combine our natural abilities (our talents) with our education and expertise (our strengths) to meet our short term objectives and long term goals. Living a life of Purpose requires that we dedicate our resources (time, energy, health and wealth) in pursuit of a cause or mission that reflects our core identity. It is not dictated by circumstances; rather, Purpose dictates the way we approach every circumstance. Situations change but Purpose does not!

As for our desires, wants and goals, they should be harmonious with our values and sense of purpose. Steven Covey urges us to consider this first thing before our next step, which is to set goals in harmony with our sense of purpose. Goals are general statements of intent that are limited by time, distance, amount and other measurable quantities. Each goal comes with a series of progressive objectives: what needs to be done, by when and by whom? These systematic steps help us create mileposts as we engage in the enthusiasm of living a life of purpose.

Remember, happiness comes from setting and achieving worthwhile goals.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Prioritize
Mr. Covey developed a system for determining how to put first things first in almost any situation: the four quadrants of time management.

Quadrant 1. Urgent and important: crisis management
Quadrant 2. Not urgent, but important: time management
Quadrant 3. Urgent, but not important: distraction
Quadrant 4. Not urgent, not important: wasted time

Quadrant 2 is where the majority of our time should be spent: planning, learning, doing, relationship-building, recreation, all according to immediate objectives, long-term goals and our own, personal sense of purpose. The more time we spend in these activities, the more effective our time management will be. And this translates to a happier life!

As you can see, this is less about how we manage time and more about how we manage ourselves.

Use our strengths, talents and resources wisely
We all need to select the most purposeful use of our precious resources:

Time: It can never be replaced. Each moment is the only one of its kind and then it is gone.
Talents: Fortunately, we can develop our talents with time and practice.
Health: We can improve and maintain our health by the vigorous application of The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.
Wealth: We can develop wealth appropriate to our spirit of service.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Nutrients can also play a role in building a life of purpose. Certainly, we cannot hope to build a life filled with public and private victories without a solid foundation in health and wellness. Our Healthy Foundation nutrients provide a solid foundation for health. Sublingual B-12 can help fuel an energetic mind while Energy Now! can help fuel an energetic body. (Energy now! also personally helps me stay on task without giving in to distractions when doing my important work.)

Dedicate yourself to living a life of purpose. Set worthwhile goals as well as clear, measurable objectives. And both cherish and manage the time that you have, for time is the stuff life is made of!

Take Control of Your Health

Explore your most noble desires:
Decide what you want your life to stand for.
Write your epitaph, how do you wish to be remembered?
If time and money were not factors, what would you be doing?

Write down your purposes. Often these fall into four categories:
Relationships/Love
Play/Recreation
Work
Worship

Decide the goals and objectives that you must reach along the way:
Write them down specifically
Create measurements or milestones to assess your progress
Celebrate your successes
Re-assess your plans (but not your purposes) often

Use the 10 Essentials to create the perfect environment for Success

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

44. B-12 Vitamins

Reversing Memory Loss
Remember: B vitamins are a smart part of brain health
by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D

Over the years, my work in disease prevention has shown me how important the B vitamins are to cognitive (brain) health. In study after study, results reported in professional journals and accepted by leading medical authorities point especially to Vitamin B-12 as a vital part of mental functioning.

The link between Vitamin B-12, mental focus, energy and memory is proven. You may also know that after about age 40, our bodies become less able to absorb Vitamin B-12 from food. So, there are those who view mental decline as an inevitable part of the aging process. However, our discoveries about the power of B vitamins are prompting us to re-think the idea that getting older means losing mental function.

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Correct a B-12 deficiency, correct memory loss
One of the premier medical authorities in the field, Harvard Medical School, plainly endorses the use of B-12 to treat memory loss caused by a deficiency of this invaluable vitamin. The prestigious school supports these findings:

A lack of Vitamin B-12 can cause permanent damage to brain cells
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is among the reversible causes of memory loss (along with stress and disease)
Addressing B-12 deficiency is a treatment for memory loss
Addressing B-12 deficiency early can help bring back lost memory function
Ignoring B-12 deficiency can worsen memory loss

Younger people at risk, too?
As I noted, it is generally older adults who tend to be more prone to a deficiency of B-12. However, there is evidence that younger people do not get enough B-12, either. According to the National Institutes of Health, one study suggests that B-12 deficiency affects a much broader age range than many have thought. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pointed to three different age groups found to have about the same deficiency in blood levels of B-12: those 65 and over, those ages 50-64 and those ages 26-49. That's right: people as young as 26 turned out to be as B-12 deficient as some people over 65.

Across ages, supplement users have better results
The study of B-12 deficiency across three age groups turned up another important finding: ...those who did not take a supplement containing Vitamin B-12 were twice as likely to be Vitamin B-12 deficient as supplement users, regardless of age group. So, if you or a loved one may not get all the B-12 needed from food, I encourage you to look into B-12 supplementation with TriVitas quality products. Clearly, as research keeps confirming, B-12 is far too important to ignore...or to forget.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
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45. B-12 Vitamins

Can A Supplement Ease Alzheimers?
Science connects the dots between Vitamin B-12, brain erosion and health
by Dr. Scott Conard

Is your life touched by the terrible toll of Alzheimers? If you are one of the millions who care for people with this progressive disease, you probably see its impact all too often. The memory loss, confusion and erosion of mind and body can be heartbreaking to witness, and can not yet be cured.

I would like to share encouraging news for those who are coping with this affliction, and for their family and friends. There are hopeful steps being taken in the fight against Alzheimers, and one involves Vitamin B-12.

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Brain health and B-12
A small but significant 2008 study suggests a link between low levels of Vitamin B-12 and higher chances of having brain volume loss (also called brain erosion). Since one of the results of Alzheimers disease is brain erosion, this could signal even greater importance for maintaining healthy levels of B-12. The study, from the University of Oxford, England, reached this dramatic conclusion:

People with lower levels of Vitamin B-12 were six times more likely to have brain volume loss (also called brain erosion) than those with higher B-12 levels.

This finding led the researchers to suggest that B-12 may protect against brain erosion, which is linked to reduced mental function. A reduction in mental function, of course, is a key outward symptom of Alzheimers disease. The British study took place over five years, involving 107 adults ages 61 to 87.

The goal of the study was simple: What is the link between Vitamin B-12 levels and brain erosion? To find the answer, according to results published in the medical journal Neurology, participants underwent annual blood tests, MRIs, physical exams and memory tests. None of the study subjects had any mental impairment when they began the project.

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More B-12 equals bigger brains
At the end of the five years, all the participants had B-12 levels within the normal range; however, the differences in brain volume were significant between those in the normal low range and those in the normal-high range. Again, those with the lowest B-12 levels were six times more likely to suffer measurable brain erosion than those with the highest levels.

Naturally, those of us who are informed about the importance of B-12 in leading a healthy life are excited about having even more evidence in favor of this powerhouse vitamin.

We have known for some time that people who have a B-12 deficiency can experience symptoms caused by decreased mental and nerve functioning. These symptoms can include mental confusion and forgetfulness, mood swings and even psychotic behavior like seeing and/or hearing things.

What is relatively new, though, is the connection between brain volume, B-12 and diseases like Alzheimer s. I urge you to continue supplementing with TriVitas quality B-12, and to share its importance with others.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
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46. B-12 Vitamins

Whole Foods and Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Humans are designed to eat food.

Minerals from the soil are broken down by bacteria from large, rock-like molecules into tiny molecules often bound to protein. These miniature minerals are absorbed by plants. Plants use soil, water, air and sunlight to create active minerals and vitamins. We eat the plants and gain the benefits of their work. (Sometimes we eat the animals that have eaten the plants.)

We are designed to digest plants and extract the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. We are designed to desire the plants as food. Culinary artists tell us that we have large taste buds for sweet, salty, sour, bitter and acrid/pungent tastes and smells that attract us to various foods; these taste buds trigger cravings before we eat and satiety after we eat.

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The journey of digestion
Hunger will be triggered if our brain detects a deficiency in any nutrient. These include macro nutrients like carbohydrates and sugars, protein, fats, water and fiber. It also includes micro nutrients like calcium, magnesium and Vitamin C. In a wonderful way, our body communicates the nature of the deficiency. For example, we crave sweets when we need Vitamin C. Cravings are the language our body uses to communicate its needs. We need to use our brains when interpreting this language!

As we anticipate eating a food that satisfies our cravings, we begin to salivate and our stomach prepares to receive the food. Microscopic particles of our meal enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system as we chew the food. This triggers our small intestines, liver, gall bladder, immune system and hormone regulatory system to prepare for the next steps of digestion and assimilation.

Macronutrients have special enzymes that break out the vitamins and minerals we need from the foods: Amylase for starches, Protease for proteins, Lipase for fats, etc. These are present throughout the digestive tract, but they are concentrated in the first 10 inches of the small intestines. Without whole foods, these special enzymes will not be released. Without these enzymes, vitamins will not be liberated from the food.

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Renting your vitamins
You have actually seen evidence of vitamins that were rejected by your body because they were not properly digested. You may not have recognized the signs. But, have you ever seen your urine change colors after taking a vitamin? This is a sign that the vitamins were rejected. You did not buy the vitamins, you merely rented them! Do you want to know how to keep the vitamins you take?

The answer is simple: Humans are designed to eat food. Take your vitamins with food and you will increase your chance to absorb them. If you have indigestion, try one of the over-the-counter digestive enzyme blends to help out where you may be deficient. Use probiotics from fermented foods as a digestive aid as well. Most important: start with food-based vitamins for the best absorption!

Food-based nutrients
Remember, humans are designed to eat food. That is why we created VitaDaily AM-PM and Wellavoh for Women and Men in a whole food base. VitaDaily contains 25 whole food concentrates that represent many of the foods we eat the least in North America. TriVita Kids Multi-Vitamin also contains 25 whole food concentrates and digestive enzymes for support. Wellavoh contains over 30 whole foods in different blends, including a special blend to aid digestion of the nutrients.

Cravings are your bodys way of communicating needs and deficiencies. Taking your nutrients should erase your cravings and make you feel better. But, they will not do their job if they are not digested. Use whole food supplements as a Foundation for the nutrients we need for health today and a healthier tomorrow!

Take Control of Your Health

Eat a rainbow of foods. Different colors mean different nutrients
Target the right volume of fruits and vegetables:
5 servings for kids
7 servings for women
9 servings for men
Take Foundational Nutrition for optimal wellness:
VitaDaily, Wellavoh or TriVita Kids
Original B-12 or Super B-12
OmegaPrime
Non-Acidic Vitamin C
Listen to your healthy cravings. Enjoy whole foods!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

47. B-12 Vitamins

Could Vitamin B-12 Ease That Mysterious Cough?
Study shows relief when this deficiency is corrected.
By Dr. Scott Conard

As a doctor who follows research into Vitamin B-12 closely, I am frequently gratified by this growing body of clinical work: study after study points to B-12 as a powerhouse vitamin, essential for health in so many areas. We know, of course, that B-12 deficiencies have been linked to a number of symptoms, including moodiness, low energy, mental confusion and other troubling conditions. Now, a new study suggests that B-12 could also help the body deal with unexplained coughing.

We are not talking about common coughing that occurs with colds or other problems of the breathing system. What was studied was chronic coughing, constant or consistent coughing, that could not be explained by other causes. These causes included reactions to medications, an over-active cough reflex, gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) and allergies.

The findings, presented at the World Allergy Congress at the end of 2009, were significant. It seems that a deficiency of Vitamin B-12 could be a factor in not just unexplained chronic cough, but also problems with the pharynx (the passage from the throat to the stomach and lungs) and larynx (the voice box that contains our vocal chords).

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B-12 helped ease coughing significantly
The study looked at nerve damage in those areas that could be caused by a B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 supplements were administered, and among patients with a chronic cough and a B-12 deficiency, the chronic coughing was eased significantly.

This study, presented by a doctor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Turin, Italy, looked at 302 patients with a chronic cough; of these, 40 had chronic unexplained coughing. Giuseppe Guida, M.D., the study leader, said his team wanted to zero in on nerve damage as a cause for a simple reason: B-12 deficiency had been previously found to be a factor in nerve damage among many older patients.

After testing for B-12 deficiency, the patients with a chronic unexplained cough were split into two groups: one with no deficiency (the control group), and one that was lacking in B-12. Both groups were given B-12 supplementation. There was no change in coughing for the control group. However, in those who lacked B-12, there was significant improvement.

Supplementation: an easy solution
This is an exciting development in B-12 research. Although more work needs to be done before any strong claims can be made, this study certainly suggests that B-12 could play a role in allergy-related issues. As Dr. Guida said, Supplementation is certainly very easy to perform... so, theoretically, there is a good way to treat (chronic unexplained coughing).

If more research confirms the link between chronic cough and B-12 deficiency, then supplementation could be a very easy way to help these people, Dr. Guida noted, especially because they are older, and B-12 is so easy to administer.

As you may know, age is often a factor in not having enough B-12 for optimal function. If you are over 40, a strict vegetarian, or have thyroid, liver or kidney problems, you are at risk for B-12 deficiency. As we age, our bodies may become less able to absorb some vitamins efficiently, especially in the case of Vitamin B-12. Without enough B-12, other vitamins like folate and B-6 cannot function normally within the body.

Naturally, your own healthcare professional is your best source for medical guidance. As a doctor, I know the importance of maintaining appropriate levels of essential vitamins, especially Vitamin B-12. That is why I applaud those who supplement their healthy diets with TriVita Sublingual B-12 products, and encourage others to see how they might benefit, too.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

48. B-12 Vitamins

Take Action Now to Protect Against Common Ailments
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

You have probably heard the expression, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This means that taking small actions now is better than doing nothing and then having to deal with a big problem later. This is especially important when it comes to your health because health disasters can be extraordinarily difficult to resolve.

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With an infinite number of possible diseases how do you know which ounce of prevention is needed for your life? To start, ask yourself these questions:

   What are the common behaviors that lead to disability and premature death?
   What are my risks as an individual?
   What strategies can I use to reduce my risk and improve my vitality?

Common (mis)behaviors
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the most common causes of death in North America are:

   Cardiovascular disease
   Cancer
   Respiratory disease
   Accidents
   Diabetes

The most common reasons why people lose their vitality and eventually their lives, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, include:

   Tobacco
   Poor diet
   Physical inactivity
   Alcohol
   Infections
   Toxins

From this you can see that tobacco, poor diet, physical inactivity as well as alcohol abuse can lead to disability and death from heart attack, cancer and lung diseases. So, we have just answered the first question and the first step in prevention would be:

   Do not abuse tobacco or alcohol
   Do eat a healthy diet
   Engage in physical activity
   Take steps to protect yourself from infections and toxins.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Now, let us look at question number 2.

Your risks as an individual
Your family can teach you much about your risk factors for disability and disease. You should pay special attention to closest relatives: your parents, siblings, children and grandparents.

   How long did they live?
   What were their health challenges?
   How can I help avoid similar challenges?

My grandfather and great-grandfather died of congestive heart failure, so I add CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) to my Healthy Foundation nutrients. My father and aunt were driven, Type A performance-driven people, like me, and both developed Alzheimers disease. Considering this, I take Adaptogen 10 Plus to help reduce the impact of stress while increasing brain-specific antioxidants.

What is your family history telling you? What nutrient strategies can you use to help reduce the likelihood of disease and disability? By assessing your health risks as an individual you can create a program to help you reduce these risks.

A strategy and motivation for everyone
Most of us know we need to care for our basic physical, emotional and spiritual needs and to look at our family histories for disease risk. So, coming up with the right health recommendations from these actions is usually not too big a problem.

However, there could be a big problem between knowing what to do versus actually doing it. If we are motivated by fear of suffering and death, we will practice prevention for awhile; but as the sense of disaster fades from our mind, we are likely to lapse into a more comfy lifestyle and not maintain a preventive approach. A powerful alternative to the fear approach is to be motivated by our sense of purpose. This approach is much more likely to give us the greatest sustained motivation to act correctly, and thus increase the vitality and longevity of our lives.

A sense of purpose takes us away from a fear-based motivation to a desire-based motivation. With a life based in purpose, we certainly will not abuse our gift of health because that would interfere with our accomplishments. We will want to care for our health in every way we can.

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To summarize, you can help improve and maintain your health by using:

   The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness to create the physical, emotional and spiritual health you need for your many life purposes.
   Quality supplements to create the energy you need to succeed and as a bulwark against sickness.
   Each moment of every day to fuel the fires of your own life purposes.

As Benjamin Franklin concluded, Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of. Start putting your ounce of prevention to work for you today!

Take Control of Your Health

   Learn and live the 10 Essentials
   Use healthy foundation nutrients every day
   Find your sense of purpose
   Determine what you need in terms of:
      Physical, emotional and spiritual resources
      Financial resources
   Develop a strategy based on:
      Passion, mission, desire and purpose, not fear!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

49. B-12 Vitamins

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

It is so frustrating I just want to pull my hair out!

Stress, including frustration, anxiety, depression, anger and any other end-point of emotional or psychological distress can literally cause hair loss. Are there other causes of hair loss? What are the different types of hair loss? Most important: What can someone do for hair loss?

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Types of hair loss
Alopecia is the medical name for any type of hair loss. This condition can be divided into three subtypes:

   Genetic (pattern baldness)
   Scarring
   Non-scarring.

With pattern baldness and scarring types of alopecia the hair follicle is lost. With non-scarring alopecia the hair follicle remains intact; the hair simply falls out. In scarring and pattern baldness the hair will not return. In non-scarring alopecia there is a chance for hair regrowth.

Scarring alopecia
Certain diseases cause scarring alopecia. These can be related to severe infections (especially fungal infections) or life-threatening autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is an illness where your body loses the ability to tell healthy cells from sick cells; so, it attacks all cells of a certain type.

In the condition lupus erythematosus, the immune system attacks collagen and connective tissue. This causes scars where the immune system killed the cells. When lupus affects the scalp, the immune system kills the hair follicle. Only a scar remains where the follicle used to live. That is why this type of hair loss is called scarring alopecia.

Non-scarring alopecia
By far the most common type of hair loss or thinning is non-scarring alopecia. With this type of hair loss, hair typically sheds and thins rather evenly when you brush or wash it. Hair may also fall out in certain spots, but not others. Because the hair follicle is still alive it is possible for the hair to return and regrow with time. It is vitally important to find the reason why hair begins to fall out and address this cause. Otherwise, hair will not return or, if it does, it will quickly fall out again.

Non-scarring alopecia is often an autoimmune reaction as well. A major difference between scarring and non-scarring alopecia is that scarring hair loss is associated with an autoimmune disease; non-scarring is often associated with an autoimmune reaction, not a disease. For instance, hair loss is often experienced during pregnancy or following childbirth. The stress of birth temporarily overtaxes the immune system. The overwhelmed immune system loses its way for a while and attacks both healthy and unhealthy tissues alike.

This type of hair loss occurs with any significant strain:

   Trauma, such as from an accident or surgery
   Toxins, infection, allergy or environmental toxins
   Deficiency, nutrients, water, oxygen, sleep, hormones or other deficiencies
   Emotional stress.

Often, people with alopecia suffer from stresses in one or more of these categories.

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What to do...
With non-scarring alopecia we must, first and foremost, determine the stresses triggering hair loss. Then, we need to take steps to insulate and isolate ourselves from these stresses.

Physical exam
A good first step in discovering why we may have hair loss would be to have a thorough physical examination. Certain blood tests can demonstrate if we have inflammation; if our immune system is overactive; if our hormones are imbalanced; and if our organs can properly handle the toxins we face.

Look at your schedule
Another step to take is to examine our schedules. Are the expectations we have for ourselves reasonable? Are we eating a balanced diet? Are we getting enough sleep? These are important factors in building up our health reserves against whatever type of stress may be causing our hair loss.

Nutrients
Nutrients play an important role, too. Certainly, any good program for building nutrient reserves would include taking a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement every day. Many doctors also recommend taking Omega essential fatty supplements (such as OmegaPrime) and antioxidant supplements like Vitamin C.

A sour stomach can indicate poor protein digestion, a common cause of thinning hair. Vitamin B-12 along with prebiotics and probiotics can balance protein digestion. Thinning hair in the front of the head that is not associated with pattern baldness may indicate low thyroid function. This will probably be tested in your physical examination. The amino acid tyrosine (as found in Energy Now!) may nourish the thyroid and help protect it from stress.

I recommend Adaptogen 10 Plus as the cornerstone for building a nutrient bulwark against stress. Many people in the TriVita family who suffer from autoimmune disorders have written us to extol the benefits of Adaptogen 10 Plus. We often hear how addressing the stress component of autoimmune disorders with adaptogens brings them relief from their symptoms.

Your hair is more than a crown of beauty; it is a window on how well your body deals with stress. Learn to listen to this subtle sign of health: beautiful hair!

Take Control of Your Health

   Get a physical exam; look specifically at your immune system
   Support healthy metabolism by reducing stress
   Bolster nutrient reserves with the Healthy Foundation Pack
   Use Vitamin B-12 for sour stomach
   Use Energy Now! to support healthy thyroid function
   Use Adaptogen 10 Plus to create a bulwark against stress
   Do not overcommit yourself; learn to live a life of balance
   Get plenty of sleep
   Eat a healthful diet: Include colorful fruits and vegetables and lean proteins

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

50. B-12 Vitamins

Unexpected Sources of Infection
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

During the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century a typhoid epidemic was traced to Mary Mallon, a professional cook. Typhoid Mary infected many people with the bacteria that caused typhoid fever, a debilitating, often fatal infection. Mary never showed any symptoms of infection herself. However, many of the people who contacted her became seriously ill.

Today we face another source of infection from bacteria and viruses, our children and grandchildren. Our little Typhoid Marys and Johnnys bring us the gift of exposure to potential illness from all of their friends at school and in daycare. How does this actually happen and what can we do to protect ourselves as well as our young ones?

Germ-o-phobia
There is a medical condition called mysophobia which is the fear of germs. People with this disorder take extreme precautions to avoid touching anything that might be considered dirty or contaminated with germs. They have a relentless hand-washing procedure that rivals the sterile-field procedure used by surgeons.

Normally, germs and viruses are harmless and may even be beneficial in educating our immune systems. Some bacteria are even good for you, such as the probiotic, acidophilus. This is because good bacteria keep bad bacteria away and may even become part of a healthy immune system. However, children that grow up without exposure to normal bacteria called soil-based organisms or SBOs, have fewer defensive bacteria. That means pathogenic bacteria have a better chance to breed in them, potentially causing illness and spreading infection.

This effect is multiplied when children are kept in close quarters with other children and their germs. Further, their immature immune systems may allow them to become breeding grounds of infection without producing symptoms themselves. Limiting physical contact and washing our hands with soap and hot water becomes a rational defense strategy instead of a phobia.

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The best defense...

There is an old saying: The best defense is a good offense. Being proactive in protecting ourselves and our family simply makes sense. How can we build a good defense against infection without becoming isolated? More important, how can we build healthy immunity and resistance in our children and grandchildren? Once again we can turn to Typhoid Mary for clues.

First, isolating people with a fever is very important. Usually an infection is contagious when a person has a fever. When the fever breaks, transmissibility of the infection rapidly declines. This is not true with H1N1 swine flu, which may continue to be contagious for up to 12 days.
Stay away from sick people if at all possible.
Frequently wash your hands with hot soapy water and dry them thoroughly to help avoid viruses.
Insulating yourself and educating your immune system with probiotics and Healthy Foundation nutrients as well as emotional nurturing is critically important. After all, it is the health of your immune system that determines whether or not you will get sick. And the severity of the illness is dictated by the state of balance in immunity: symptoms become more severe as the immune system becomes more imbalanced.
Finally, become a source of influence in advocating for healthier children. Both children and adults have fewer and less severe illnesses when they take care of themselves. For example, getting enough rest and eating properly will reduce the frequency, severity and duration of infections. Growing a garden may provide your loved ones with healthier food and also expose the gardeners to healthy probiotic SBOs at the same time.

Just imagine: Time in the garden may help provide your family with better food, stronger social connections and even immune protection from all those little Typhoid Marys and Johnnys. What a great way to defend yourself from this unexpected source of infection!

Take Control of Your Health

Wash your hands with hot soapy water often
Dry your hands thoroughly
Isolate sick people for three days after a fever, 12 days after H1N1 Swine Flu
Sleep between 7 and half to 9 hours nightly
Eat 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables every day
Educate your immune system with probiotics and Healthy Foundation nutrients

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

51. B-12 Vitamins

Toxins in Our Air, Water and Food
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science

We have one of the safest food and water supply chains in the world here in North America. That is, our supply chain is safe when we compare it to others that are worse. It is safe when we compare it to how it used to be here in North America. Our food and water supplies are safe when we think of how toxic they could be if we didn't have the legislation in place that governs pollution in our food and water.

And yet, every expert recognizes two truths about the safety of our food and water. They are far, far away from how safe they could be, and the toxins in our food and water are getting worse every year.

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Bad water, bad food
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, more than 1.4 million children die each year from diseases related to polluted water. Tragedy for these families could quickly be eliminated if there were only minimum standards of hygiene applied to their drinking water. We enjoy this protection in developed lands. Yet, our drinking water is so polluted that water wells are frequently closed due to contamination.

Do you drink bottled water? Many of us do; and yet, specific toxins called phthalates and parabens contaminate water bottled in plastic containers. Many of these toxins accumulate in our body. The chemicals are so new that science has no idea what the consequences are to human health as time progresses. We are learning that reproductive cancer rates increase when animals and people are exposed to parabens and phthalates over time.

Our food supply is contaminated with these chemicals as well as from pollution in our air and specific toxins used in agriculture. Certain fruits and vegetables are singled out as the most contaminated foods we eat:

   Strawberries
   Spinach
   Bell peppers
   U.S. cherries
   Peaches
   Mexican cantaloupe
   Celery
   Apples
   Apricots
   Green beans
   Chilean grapes
   Cucumbers

While we enjoy protection from acute bacterial infections that cause diarrheal diseases, we ultimately pay a price for this protection: a shift toward chronic disease from accumulated toxins.

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Isolation and insulation
To improve our health we should limit our toxic exposure. Obviously, many people do not have the financial resources to implement all of the possible changes we need for truly safe air, water and food. Still, any improvement we make as individuals will benefit our health over time. And, as the old saying goes, we make ourselves either part of the problem or part of the solution by our everyday choices.

Water. We can begin insulating ourselves against toxic water through filtration. Loose-granular carbon filters will remove parabens and phthalates from drinking water. We also need these same interventions for bathing water, as our skin, our largest organ, absorbs chemicals in water. These are often low-cost solutions to water toxicity.
Food. Food, especially the fruits and vegetables listed above, should be grown organically and purchased locally. Try growing your own garden as a source of wholesome, nutritious, pesticide-free food.
Air. Green cleaning supplies can help immensely in cleaning up the air inside your home. More help for keeping your personal space toxin-clean can be found in libraries and on Internet sites, especially ones that end with .org and .gov.

Insulation from toxins is found by keeping our nutrient reserves high and taking nutrients with known anti-toxin benefits. Many toxins are fat soluble, so keeping our good fats high may allow us to pass bad, toxic, fats out of our system. Other toxins can be detoxified by internal body processes with common nutrients like Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C and green tea.

An excellent anti-toxin effect is seen in Betalains, a group of bioflavonoids in the Quercetin family. Betalains help protect healthy cells from certain poisons, help distressed cells return to normal when possible, and drain away toxic waste-water from around healthy tissues.

Conclusion
Health only comes from healthy habits practiced every single day of our life. To achieve the lofty goal of clean air, water and food we must begin with our own home and our own food and water supply. To insulate our fragile internal environment we must keep all of the nutrients on board that detoxify or displace toxic waste. In the end, we must not slip into complacency about the safety of our environment. Instead, we must be vigilant in order to be part of the solution!

Take Control of Your Health

   Learn and live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
   Take healthy foundation nutrients to:
      Displace environmental poisons
      Detoxify from the inside out
   Take Nopalea as excellent protection from toxins

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

52. B-12 Vitamins

Why Eat Breakfast?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

We have heard it all our lives: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But is it true?

The answer is yes and for a number of important reasons: better hormones, better weight management and a better brain!

Better hormones
One of the most important hormone cycles in your body is the DHEA cycle. DHEA is the anti-aging, anti-stress hormone from which your body makes many other hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. Hormones are messenger proteins surrounded by fats. Good proteins and good fats make good hormones.

The circadian cycle, also known as the body clock, seems to begin around 3 a.m. when DHEA begins to rise. It peaks mid-morning and slowly declines through the day. A high protein breakfast with healthy fats eaten by 7 a.m. supports the DHEA cycle and circadian rhythm. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for healthy hormones.

Better weight
Certain stress-induced hormones, such as cortisol, are associated with obesity. An important hunger hormone called ghrelin is related to evening hunger. Do you ever find yourself grazing in the evening? You are not alone. The majority of unnecessary calories are consumed after 5 p.m. Part of the reason is the hunger hormone ghrelin. It makes you snack! Studies of evening hunger clearly point to a healthy breakfast as the best deterrent against unbridled grazing. Eating a high-protein breakfast reduces the production of ghrelin and evening hunger. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for effective weight management.

A better brain
The human brain uses two different fuel sources: glucose and ketones. Glucose is blood sugar from dietary carbohydrates. Your brain can burn them just fine, but they leave caramelized proteins behind called glycosylated proteins. A good example of a glycosylated protein is the crust formed on bread as you bake it. The carbohydrate caramelizes, turns brown and becomes rigid. Imagine that happening inside your brain and you can see why burning glucose is not the most efficient fuel for your brain.

Ketone bodies are made from protein and fat. Good fats and healthy proteins make healthy ketones. These fuel the brain very efficiently. A 1983 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry Research tested kids with ADHD. They used three different approaches to breakfast: high carbohydrate, like breakfast cereal or bagels are good examples, high protein, like eggs are a good example, and no breakfast at all, let us face it: this happens far more often than we care to admit.

The results were interesting. Those who ate the high protein diet did best. Even those who skipped breakfast did better on attention-span tests than those who ate a high-carbohydrate diet. Children who eat a high protein and healthy fat breakfast regularly have higher reading and math scores, lower levels of depression, anxiety, hyperactivity and fewer behavior problems Children also experience higher grades and better attendance when they eat breakfast.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a healthy brain.

Conclusion
So, there you have it. For better hormones, better weight management and a healthier brain you need to eat breakfast. A high protein breakfast with healthy fats is best. Most studies used whole foods like eggs, but several studies I reviewed used supplemental protein shakes. That reminds me of Leanology Nutritional Shakes: high in vegetarian protein and low in simple carbohydrates. Other studies clearly show that kids and adults do best when they take supplemental vitamins with breakfast. So, take your Healthy Foundation vitamins and remember. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

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Take Control of Your Health

   Eat protein and fats for breakfast
   Eat breakfast before 7 a.m.
   Be sure to include 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet
   Take Healthy Foundation supplements with breakfast:
      A Multi-Nutrient Complex
      OmegaPrime
      A Sublingual B-12
      A teaspoon of Vital C Crystals
   Consider a Leanology Nutritional Shakes for breakfast

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

53. B-12 Vitamins

Keep Your Memory Sharp

Many factors can affect your ability to remember, especially a hectic lifestyle, aging, stress, chronic disease, and certain medications. But there are steps you can take to sharpen your mind and help preserve your memory.

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Challenge Your Brain
Regularly challenging your mind increases blood flow to the brain and keeps it in top shape. Good mental exercises include:

Crossword puzzles use a dictionary if you need it; you will learn more that way
Brainteasers
Crafts, such as wood working and sewing
Hobbies, such as gardening and building model airplanes
Socializing. Visit old friends or join groups to meet new ones
Reading
Learning a new language
Taking a class, whether it be art history or any other area of interest
Traveling. Experience the food, history, and culture of your destination
Learning to use a computer
Going to museums, the theater, or thought-provoking movies
Changing things in your daily life, such as reversing your pattern in the grocery store or brushing your teeth using your non-dominant hand.

Use Memory Aids
There is no need to remember every detail on your own. These memory aids can help:

Calendars and day planners
Electronic organizers to store all sorts of helpful information. These devices can beep to remind you of appointments
A book of days to record birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions that occur on the same date every year
Detailed to-do lists and strategically placed sticky notes
Quick study sessions. Before a gathering, review who will be there so their names will be fresh in your mind
Establish routines. For example, keep your keys, wallet, and umbrella in the same place all the time or take medication with your 8:00 AM glass of juice.

Live a Healthful Life
Many actions that will keep your body strong will do the same for your mind. For example:

Talk to Your Doctor About Herbs and Supplements
Research studies have shown that the herb Ginkgo biloba, the supplement phosphatidylserine, PS, and the herb ginseng may be helpful in improving age-related memory loss. Also, if you have a Vitamin B12 deficiency, this may impair mental function.

Talk to your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements because they may interact with other medications.

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Exercise Regularly
Among the many benefits of regular exercise are increased blood flow to the brain and decreased risk of certain diseases that can interfere with memory function. One study found that even moderate exercise has a beneficial effect. Examples of moderate exercise are:

Playing 18 holes of golf once a week, without a cart
Playing tennis twice a week
Walking one mile per day.

Manage Stress
It can be tough to remember what is important when your mind is cluttered. Make time for relaxation. Choose activities that calm you down, and make it routine.

Manage Chronic Conditions
Side effects of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease can interfere with mental function. Many of the lifestyle steps discussed here can help manage these conditions. Strive to eat a healthful diet, exercise regularly, get stress under control, and follow your doctors advice for your condition.

Minimize Medications
Review the medications you take with your doctor. Some may be unnecessary. Also, healthful lifestyle habits may lower the need for certain drugs.

RESOURCES:

AARP.org
http://www.aarp.org/

Mental Health America
http://www.nmha.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/index.asp

Mental Health Canada
http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/

REFERENCES:
Enhancing memory and mental function. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114. Updated May 2008. Accessed June 16, 2008.

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Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

54. B-12 Vitamins

Cancer Fatigue: Coping and Conquering
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Cancer is the second leading killer of people in North America. It kills more than 500,000 people each year in the US alone. That is the bad news. The good news is that nearly a million people who get Cancer survive and return to a life filled with possibilities and opportunities.

The question is: do they have enough energy to seize those opportunities?

Cancer recovery and fatigue
The most disabling symptom of Cancer recovery is fatigue. The exhaustion that accompanies recovery from the disease is partly due to the treatment and partly due to the disease itself. Cancer causes your DNA to stop making energy for you and to start making it for the malignancy. In some cases, it even creates its own circulatory system to feed itself. The disease steals the nourishment from your blood and the energy from your DNA, called mitochondrial DNA.

How can you cope with the side effects of exhaustion, weakness and fatigue? One way is through DNA-specific antioxidants.

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Antioxidants fight fatigue
An antioxidant neutralizes the pollution of metabolism. Remember, metabolism is the way your body converts food into energy. Cancer is like a sponge soaking up all available energy and producing massive amounts of pollution. This toxic waste damages the DNA so it makes less energy for you. Some of this DNA damage is permanent. Some DNA damage is repairable. DNA-specific antioxidants facilitate repair and economize every molecule of energy to make the most of it.

One DNA-specific antioxidant is ECGC. The potent active ingredient in green tea. ECGC works with the repair mechanisms of your cell to mend the source of energy production and protect the DNA from any further damage.
Another antioxidant that is useful in restoring energy following Cancer is ginsenoside from certain species of ginseng. Ginsenosides restore function to mitochondrial DNA, even under extreme stress. Many physicians recommend ginseng for patients taking chemotherapy.

Interestingly, ginsenosides improve more than energy. A study conducted at the Mayo Clinic reported that people with Cancer who took this powerful antioxidant reported less fatigue and improvement in mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. They also reported that they were more satisfied with the general course of their treatment, whatever treatment group they were in. Truly, these are powerful antioxidants.

Antioxidants with known anti-cancer benefits

Antioxidants Food sources Also found in

ECGC Green tea Energy Now!, Super Antioxidant Complex

Genistein Soy Leanology Nutritional Shake

Lycopene Tomatoes Prostate Health Formula, VisionGuard

Lignans Flaxseeds OmegaPrime, Leanology Nutritional Shake

Ellagic acid Raspberries, Pomegranate Adaptogen 10 Plus, Super Antioxidant Complex

Resveratrol Grapes Adaptogen 10 Plus, Super Antioxidant Complex

Lignans Schizandra

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Survive and thrive
The risk of contracting Cancer increases with age. Two-thirds of the cases reported each year are in adults over 65 years of age. Preventing this dreaded disease should be a priority for all of us, especially as we age. Focus on getting the antioxidants you need to properly detoxify your body. Take extra antioxidants if you have a higher risk for Cancer. And remember, the majority of people who get Cancer do survive.

We want to do more than survive. We want to thrive! Every day that is before us is filled with possibilities and opportunities to live lives of real purpose. Seize the day and the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being that is made possible with energy-specific antioxidants.

Take Control of Your Health

Eat nutritiously. Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables every day. Children should eat five servings of fruits and vegetables. Women should eat seven servings. And men should eat nine servings each day.
Be forgiving. Carrying the weight of resentment will surely wear you out.
Sleep peacefully. Your immune system functions best with seven and a half to nine hours of sleep every night.
Take your antioxidants.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Start a health and wellness business. Here is your webinar invite for more information: Webinar Invitation.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

55. B-12 Vitamins

Top 5 Nutrient Deficiencies
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Every year for more than 20 years the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has coordinated data into a report called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES. This information is used to help us understand what nutrients are deficient in our diet and in our food, and how these nutrient deficiencies may eventually lead to preventable disease.

The NHANES survey uses questionnaires to sort out dietary deficiency from absorption deficiency. For example, a person may have adequate Vitamin B-12 in their diet yet, after age 50, they may absorb Vitamin B-12 so poorly that blood tests will show a serious deficiency. Also, the process of homeostasis may leech minerals such as calcium and magnesium from our bones. While a blood test may show adequate levels of these minerals, a diet survey would indicate that we are not eating enough magnesium and calcium to sustain good health.

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The following are the top five deficiencies when viewed from the perspective of dietary intake, absorption and end-point metabolism. End-point metabolism looks at the results of complex biochemistry rather than simply how much of a particular nutrient we eat or how much is in the bloodstream. For example, we may eat enough Vitamin B-12 and we may have an acceptable level of B-12 in our blood. But, if our homocysteine level is too high, we still need more Vitamin B-12. Homocysteine is an end-point indicator of Vitamin B-12 metabolism.

Vitamin C
Among the greatest deficiencies in the diet of people over 50 is Vitamin C. This is thought to be because of choosing convenience foods over leafy green vegetables, not a favorite at any age! Signs of Vitamin C deficiency include

   Weakness
   Weariness
   Unhealthy gums
   Nosebleeds
   Bruising
   Slow healing

Our energy-engine, metabolism, declines rapidly after age 50. As the metabolism slows down, we need more Vitamin C because our ability to utilize it is reduced. Eat leafy green vegetables and other sources of Vitamin C. Take a teaspoon of Vital C Crystals in the morning and a Vital C Crystal Tablet at bedtime for optimum antioxidant protection.

Vitamin B-12
After age 30, our brains literally begin to shrink. After age 40, the brain erosion becomes measurable and serious. After age 50, we may find that we have lost up to 25 percent or more of our brain volume as compared to our youth. Yet, those with the highest levels of Vitamin B-12 in their bloodstream exhibit the lowest level of brain erosion.

Signs of low B-12 include

   Mood and memory problems
   Mental fatigue and poor concentration
   Irritability
   Poor circulation
   Non-refreshing sleep

Our ability to absorb Vitamin B-12 declines with age. Our ability to convert Vitamin B-12 into homocysteine-fighting metabolites declines as well. Supplement your diet with Sublingual Vitamin B-12 daily. Remember, the more B-12 in your bloodstream, the less brain erosion you may experience.

Omega-3
Speaking of brain erosion, our brains are primarily made of fat. The most common fat in our brain is DHA, docosohexanoic acid. Signs of Omega-3 deficiency include mood disorders, such as depression and Attention Deficit Disorder. Other signs that we may need more Omega-3 include hormone imbalance in women and men, immune system imbalance such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and chronic fatigue.

Increase dietary sources of Omega-3 such as cold-water fish, flax and walnuts. Add OmegaPrime as a source of fast-acting Omega-3 from fish oil as well as sustained released Omega-3 from flaxseed oil and perilla seed oil.

Vitamin D and magnesium
Vitamin D comes from both dietary sources and healthy sunshine exposure. It is activated by exercise. Vitamin D is responsible for hardening your bones. Signs of Vitamin D deficiency include poor blood sugar balance, chronic pain, an unsteady gait and clumsiness, as well as numerous imbalances of the immune system and hormones.

Vitamin D is activated in your muscles and made useful in your kidneys. Both of these systems require healthy levels of magnesium. According to NHANES, many of us do not eat enough magnesium-rich leafy green vegetables. Signs of low magnesium include

   Muscle cramps
   Indigestion
   Tremors
   Irritability
   Irregularity

Magnesium is found abundantly in plant-based foods such as sea vegetables, nuts and seeds, avocados and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin D can be manufactured with as little as 20 minutes of safe sun exposure daily. Because Vitamin D and Magnesium usually cooperate in nature, we put them in cooperative supplements such as VitaCal-Mag D and VitaDaily AM-PM. They are available in higher levels in Wellavoh, Men and Women, and Bone Growth Factor.

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Conclusion
We can learn much from continued research into health and human nutrition. Yet, the same basic rules apply to us all. We must learn and live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness to have complete health!

Take Control of Your Health

Get 20 minutes of morning or evening sunshine daily
Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of vegetables and fruit daily
Exercise 30 minutes daily, most days of the week
Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement daily
   VitaDaily AM-PM
   Wellavoh, Men or Women
Take a Sublingual B-12 supplement daily
   Sublingual B-12
   Super Sublingual B-12
   HCY Guard
Take a Vitamin C supplement daily
   Vital C Crystals in the morning
   Vital C Crystal Tablets at night
Take OmegaPrime daily
Supplement as appropriate with VitaCal-Mag D or Bone Growth Factor

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Phone: 859-858-9246
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56. B-12 Vitamins

B-12 Vitamins

The Dangers of Hypoglycemia
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

What is hypoglycemia?

There is an epidemic sweeping the world. It is an epidemic of obesity. As obesity increases, the risk of diabetes increases. The two conditions reflect each other in such a mirror-image proportion that some have started using the term diabesity when discussing them.

How did the epidemic begin? What are the warning signs? Most importantly, how can we break the cycle of diabesity and reclaim our health?

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Todays hypoglycemics...
We used to say that the people with hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, today will be the people with type 2 diabetes tomorrow. Over the past 40 years that has proven true.

Hypoglycemia begins with too much sugar in your bloodstream for you to handle, hyper-glycemia, followed by a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, hypo-glycemia, when your metabolism finally catches up. This yo-yo blood sugar creates the symptoms you feel. You will eventually become type 2 diabetic if this continues. But, we get years of warning messages before this happens.

In people with type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia may be fatal if untreated. The treatment is pretty simple, sugar. If your blood sugar is too low, does it not make sense to take some sugar and raise it? It might sound like a good strategy but in the kind of hypoglycemia that leads to type 2 diabetes, it is like adding fuel to the fire, and the problem only gets worse.

Eventually, even these mechanisms fail and our pancreas simply wears out. The result is type 2 diabetes. We may even become insulin-dependent.

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What to do
Three steps are immediately necessary to help stop the diabesity trend of hypoglycemia

Stop all added sugar and starch in your diet
Increase activity every day
Reduce the impact of stress

For diet recommendations, there are three major plans that can help you

A low-fat diet, e.g., Dr. Ornish Eat More, Weigh Less
A moderate-fat Mediterranean diet, e.g., Dr. Gutterson The Sonoma Diet
A high-protein diet, e.g., Dr. Agatston The South Beach Diet

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What about supplements?
I am glad you asked! TriVitas GlucoManage can help your body reduce carbohydrate, sugar and alcohol cravings. It also helps re-sensitize your cells to insulin to balance blood sugar. Leanology Capsules can literally extract fat from storage and burn it as fuel. Adaptogen 10 Plus can help your body reduce the impact of stress and Sublingual B-12 helps reduce dangerous levels of MMA, strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. There is a Link Between Blood Sugar, B-12 and Energy.

To avoid your personal diabesity epidemic tomorrow, address the signs of hypoglycemia today!

Take Control of Your Health

Adopt a low-sugar diet
Exercise daily, longer, farther, faster!
Reduce stress
Try supplementing your diet
GlucoManage to help
Curb carbohydrate cravings
Balance blood sugar
Leanology Capsules to help
Restore insulin sensitivity
Burn fat as fuel
Adaptogen 10 Plus to help reduce stress
Sublingual B-12 to help reduce MMA

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

57. B-12 Vitamins

Sinusitis Got You Down?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Most conditions in medicine that involve inflammation end in the suffix itis. For example, tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, and so forth. Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus cavities in your head. What causes sinusitis? How can we help our body to resolve the inflammation? Is there a way to protect against sinusitis?

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The causes of sinusitis
Inflammation follows four states of imbalance in the human body, trauma injury, toxicity, deficiency and stress.

Stress. Can stress cause sinusitis? Yes! A 2008 report of children with sinusitis and ear infections clearly showed a correlation between emotional stress and sinus infections from strep bacteria. Stress causes inflammation. Inflammation provides fertile breeding ground for bacteria.

Trauma. Streptococcus, strep, is a primary bacteria associated with sinusitis. Of course, we all have strep bacteria living in our sinuses. Yet, we do not all have active sinus infections. Strep proliferates where there is inflammation. Any tissue injury can cause inflammation. Trauma is a cause of sinusitis.

Deficiency. Certain deficiencies can cause sinus inflammation. A water deficiency, dehydration, paralyzes the cilia, tiny hair-like appendages in the sinus cavity. Vitamin A and Vitamin D deficiency have the same effect. Zinc deficiency is associated with sinusitis and people who do not get enough sleep are also more prone to sinus infection.

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Hydration
Are we drinking enough water? Targeting half an ounce of water per pound of body weight will help us catch up on hydration. Taking zinc and other minerals can really help hold the water in tissues, much the same way as minerals in the soil hold water and allow for a healthy garden.

Take Control of Your Health

Drink pure water
Take a multi-nutrient complex with Vitamin A, Vitamin D and zinc
Wellavoh
VitaDaily AM-PM
With stress
Breathe deeply
Take Adaptogen 10 Plus
With allergy
Vital C
Super Sublingual B-12
With inflammation
Nopalea
With bad bacteria
FloraVita

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

58. B-12 Vitamins

Stand Up Straight! Take A Posture Self-Test
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Good posture reflects a body that is aligned in its most efficient pose. Your head, neck, back and legs are all supported effortlessly by the joints beneath them. Your internal organs experience optimum blood flow. Good posture reflects a mind that is at ease.

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How can we achieve good posture?

Causes of poor posture
As mentioned, a peaceful mind will be reflected in our posture. However, stress will cause a disruption somewhere in your posture. And a disturbance in one part of the body will require compensation in another part of your body until the entire kinetic chain is out of alignment, all because of stress.

Simple deficiencies can also be reflected in our bearing

An oxygen deficiency from restricted breathing may result in an anxious, forward-of-center posture.
Dehydration from too little water or copious urination, associated with mineral and EFA deficiency, may result in loss of a proper curve in your back. Foundational nutrition, a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement, Omega Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamin C and Vitamin B-12, can have an impact on your posture from the inside out!
Sleep deprivation often results in slouching and a jawline that is forward of your slumped shoulders. This causes extra stress on your jaw joint, TMJ, and may result in chronic jaw pain.

By far, the most damaging influence to our posture and therefore our health, is a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting or being immobile for long periods of time has a detrimental effect on all of the joints in the body. As mentioned, if the body structure is improperly aligned, circulation will be impaired. That means no nutrients to the cells and an accumulation of waste that can not get out.

For optimum wellness, find an exercise routine that you enjoy and do it often. Choose several different types of exercise, or play, to prevent activity burnout. I like swimming, running and riding my bicycle. Many prefer organized routines such as Pilates, Tai Chi or ballroom dancing, dancing is the highest expression of human movement.

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Posture self-test
Proper movement and good intentions can be the cure to bad posture. For example, if you really want optimum wellness for your life purposes, check your posture frequently. Check to see that

Your shoulders are level
Your head is straight, not tilted to the side
The spaces between your arms and your sides seem equal on both sides
Your hips are level, not sloped to one side
Your ankles are straight and not turned in or out

You can also have someone look at you from the side and check the following

Your head is stacked over your body, not jutting forward or pulled back
Your chin is parallel to the floor, not tilting up or down
Shoulders are in line with ears, not drooping forward or pulled back too far
Your hands are in line with hips, not forward or back
Your knees are straight, not bent or hyper-extended
Your lower back is slightly curved forward, not too flat or curved too much, creating a swayback

Our body was made to move. The more you move, the more you will be able to move and the more you will want to move. The less you move, the less you will be able to move and the less you will want to move.

Take the posture test. Then, ask yourself what imbalanced posture means in your case. Address the cause and watch your posture come back into alignment. As it does, watch your energy level increase and your mental clarity improve. Enjoy the vitality of wellness and use that strength to fulfill your life purposes!

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Take Control of Your Health

Check your posture weekly
Focus on improving daily
Make sure you are living the 10 Essentials
Focus on exercise most days of the week
Aerobic training 30 to 150 minutes
Resistance training 2 to 5 times per week
Try Pilates, Tai Chi or ballroom dancing
Take foundational nutrition
A multiple vitamin and mineral combination, VitaDaily AM-PM
OmegaPrime
Vital C
Sublingual B-12
Define your purposes and work toward them!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

59. B-12 Vitamins

Top 10 List To Better Heart Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

What an amazing organ our heart is! It beats for an entire lifetime without stopping for a break. With every heartbeat, about a third of a cup of oxygen-rich blood is pumped out to your body. This means that between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of blood are pumped through your heart every day. The average heartbeat is 72 times per minute. In the course of one day it beats over 100,000 times. In one year the heart beats almost 38 million times, and by the time you are 70 years old, on average, it beats 2.5 billion times! That makes me tired just thinking about it.

The heart has a lot of work to do, so how can we help it stay healthy throughout life?

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Heart Health Top 10

1. Eat a high-fiber diet
Dietary fiber is often classified into two categories, soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber draws water into the bowel and can help slow digestion. Soluble fiber can help reduce bad cholesterol, triglycerides and elevated glucose which is blood sugar. Examples include

Oatmeal
Oat bran
Beans
Peas
Rice bran
Barley
Citrus
Strawberries
Apple pulp

Insoluble fiber speeds digestion and can add bulk to the stool. Examples include

Whole wheat breads
Wheat cereal
Wheat bran
Rye

2. Eat healthy fats
Most of us have heard about how fats are bad for us - but this is not always the case. Some fats are very good for our ongoing well-being. Two of these fats are Omega-3 and Omega-6. Not only are they good for us, they are actually indispensible, which is why they are also called Essential Fatty Acids, EFAs.

There are two reasons why these omega fatty acids are considered essential

By nourishing our heart, brain, skin, glands and joints and by helping the process that produces our hormones, these two EFAs play crucial roles in helping us sustain vibrant good health, from early adulthood development on up through healthy aging in the senior years. Because our bodies cannot make them internally, we have to get omega fatty acids from outside sources, such as diet and supplements.

3. Reduce salt
If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing it, cutting back on salt could reduce your risk of a heart attack by 25 percent or more. Your goal should be less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, which is about a teaspoon of salt.

4. Lose the gut
Even if you are not significantly overweight, carrying extra fat around your middle is bad for your heart. It raises blood pressure, adversely affects blood lipids, causes insulin resistance and produces inflammation. No amount of crunches can reduce belly fat. The only way to get rid of it is to lose weight overall.

5. Increase activity
Updated recommendations from the American Heart Association call for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity most days of the week. Strength training, in addition to improving overall fitness, improves fat-burning capacity by increasing muscle mass. If you are over 45, already have some kind of cardiovascular problem, or have not exercised regularly for years, see a doctor before lacing up your workout shoes.

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6. Calm down
Stress triggers the release of hormones that can threaten your heart. Curbing negative emotions is almost as good for your heart as proper diet and exercise. For stress, try deep breathing and regular aerobic exercise.

7. Drink a little, if at all
Drinking a little bit of alcohol can raise HDL, good, cholesterol and reduce inflammation and blood clots. But too much can cause heart problems.

8. Do not smoke
As for smoking, do not. Cigarette smokers have twice the heart attack risk of nonsmokers. If you can not quit on your own, get help. It is essential for heart health that you do not smoke!

9. Know your numbers
Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, homocysteine, glucose blood sugar and triglycerides are associated with poor heart health. Know your numbers and work to keep them under control.

10. Stay in touch with family and friends
Love and gratitude are the emotions most closely connected with the heart, and science has shown that people who experience and express love have healthier hearts. Conversely, people that never form heartfelt attachments with others, and those who never make room for love, have the shortest life spans and highest death rates from all causes.

So, take care of your heart through nutrients and nourishment. Learn to love and accept love from others and be grateful. Be grateful for all the wonders in your life, large and small, and be grateful for your heart, a small organ with a huge impact on your health and happiness.

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Take Control of Your Health

Learn and live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
Take healthy foundation supplements, like daily vitamins, as well as B12 vitamins
Achieve an optimum body weight
Consider Adaptogen 10 Plus for stress management
Consider Nopalea to help your body reduce inflammation
Try HCY Guard to help reduce elevated homocysteine
Get your essential fatty acids from OmegaPrime

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

60. B-12 Vitamins

Homocysteine, Genetics and Vitamins
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Homocysteine, HCY, is a tool used by your body to modify protein. Specifically, homocysteine carves up the amino acid methionine into smaller amino acids. Each of these amino acids has important functions. The leftovers from this construction project are not thrown away. Instead, your body recombines the debris back into methionine again.

Methionine is the protein that serves as the foundation for all other proteins. It is like concrete. You can build a small cottage or a large skyscraper on the same concrete foundation. You can build brain cells, heart cells, bone cells, and healthy cells for your entire body on the protein methionine. Homocysteine is responsible for crafting that foundation. While homocysteine is an excellent tool for your body, too much of it can be fatal.

It is in the genes
There is a common gene defect among people in North America. It is called an MTHFR defect. It allows homocysteine to escape into the bloodstream and literally shred your arteries causing a stroke, tangle your brain cells causing Alzheimers Disease, shatter your bones causing osteoporosis, and inflame your heart causing a heart attack.

Another common genetic defect is MTHFD. It allows homocysteine to run amok inside your cells. This can lead to cell mutations and even cancer.

What an elegant, yet destructive element homocysteine can prove to be! How can we modify homocysteine and harness its constructive power while protecting against its destructive rampage?

The answer is found in Vital Amines.

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A tale of two families
Vital Amines are active enzymes in your blood, organs, and even inside your cells. You may know them by their shortened name, vitamins! In the world of B vitamins there are two families

The MTHFR family
B-12
Folic acid
B-6
Biotin

The MTHFD family
Riboflavin
B-1
Niacin
antothenic acid

Elevated homocysteine can be caused by genetics or poor nutrition. When a person has an active genetic defect they require intense nutrition to offset the imbalance caused by the gene mutation. Supplemental nutrition is very effective in most cases. TriVitas HCY Guard was designed specifically for high HCY. One study on TriVitas HCY Guard found that HCY levels could be reduced by 35 percent in just 6 weeks!

Vital amines such as the Riboflavin family of B vitamins combine with antioxidants to help reduce the activity of cellular homocysteine. One study found that the specific antioxidant ECGC, the antioxidant found in green tea, stopped the trigger DNMT, an enzyme, from releasing homocysteine inside the cell. People consuming large amounts of ECGC have reduced DNMT and fewer cases of cancer.

Riboflavin and ECGC are both found in Energy Now! In fact, just as TriVitas Sublingual B-12 and HCY Guard supplements contain the B-12 family of B vitamins, Energy Now contains the complementary Riboflavin family of B vitamins. They work together to form a perfect B complex that helps reduce homocysteine.

Are you at risk?
Is there a way to tell if you have one of these common disease risks? Yes. One way is to have a genetic test performed. This is usually done by drawing enough blood to collect DNA and submitting this to one of only a few labs in North America that can perform genetic testing. A second way is to have your homocysteine levels tested. This can be performed by most medical laboratories. Ask your doctor to do this test with your annual physical.

Another indicator of elevated homocysteine is your own family tree. Does any first-degree relative, like father, mother, brother, or sister, have any of the conditions attributed to homocysteine? If so, you likely have the gene defect. Does a second-degree relative, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins, have any of the conditions attributed to homocysteine? If so, you may have the gene defect as well.

Did you know nutrient deficiencies can mimic a genetic defect by failing to provide the minimum amount of vital amines necessary to prevent elevated homocysteine? A poor diet, illness, pregnancy, aging, and stress can place you at risk for elevated HCY. Children and adults with asthma and irritable bowel syndrome are at high risk for elevated HCY.

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Lowering your homocysteine
High HCY in your blood is linked to serious illness. Helping your body reduce high HCY may greatly reduce your risk for serious illness. These actions will also help

Eat fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, 5 servings daily for children, 7 servings for women, and 9 servings for men.
Reduce your stress load.
Get at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity every day.
Supplement your diet with nutrients such as TriVitas HCY Guard and Energy Now!
Defeat stress by nurturing your spirit with healthy relationships and a healthy sense of purpose.

Remember, genes are not fate! You have as much control over your genes, through nutrients and nurturing, as they have over you. Build a healthy foundation for your future by balancing your homocysteine.

Take Control of Your Health
Be sure to have your homocysteine levels tested if

You have a family history of
Heart disease
Stroke
Alzheimers Disease
Osteoporosis
Cancer
You experience gastric disturbances, breathing difficulties, or kidney issues
You are over 50
You are pregnant
You are experiencing high stress levels
You eat a poor diet
You do not exercise regularly

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Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
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61. B-12 Vitamins

Practicing A Life Of Gratitude

Count your blessings, not your problems

The phrase thank you has become as common in conversations as hello and goodbye. We thank the person holding the door open for us, bringing us our meal at a restaurant, handing us our purchase at a department store, or saying bless you when we sneeze. What these actions have in common is their ability to produce an instant thank you. In the present, we respond immediately because the action has just taken place, making it easy for us to remember and express gratitude. But what about yesterday or the day before?

Do you live life on autopilot?
Let us take a typical day, for example. Your alarm goes off, you hit snooze. You finally climb out of bed and head for the shower. Is the water warm? Will you have breakfast? These are all choices and opportunities that seem automatic. You get dressed, get into your car and head for work. You sing along with the radio or honk at the slow driver in front of you. After arriving at work, you chat with your co-workers, exchange emails, possibly attend meetings and then it is time for lunch. The workday ends and maybe you attend an exercise class of some sort. Dinnertime rolls around and you enjoy a lovely meal. You chit-chat on the phone, catch up on your reading or your laundry and before too long, you are ready to crawl back into your warm, cozy bed. This day may seem monotonous to many of us, if we choose to look at it that way. Often, we go through our days like robots forgetting that everything we do and have could just as well not exist.

If we were stripped of our daily interactions, possessions, relationships and freedoms and then have them returned to us, we would probably look at them in a whole new light. Many of us go through life focusing on what we do not have rather than what we have right in front of us. We live in a society focused on consumption. The latest gadget, car, or beauty product seems to promise us more out of life. How would we handle that daily routine without that friend or family member we talk with? Imagine going through life without an arm or leg? There is always someone worse off than we are. No matter how bad we think we have it.

We live in a country where we are free to choose what we wear, what we say, what we believe and where we worship. Yet, we often take those things for granted, skipping over that realization; they are forgotten in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

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Gratitude is a form of humbleness
Gratitude is accepting the present and combining our love for it alongside thanks. In Japanese the word kan-sha means gratitude. Broken down kan means feeling and sha means apology. Thus, the apologetic quality of the word gratitude. It is stepping out of the everyday routine and focusing on the value of what makes up our day. In a sense saying thank you is humbling ourselves, apologizing, if you will, for the forgotten people, things and freedoms that have brought us to where we are today.

Be grateful for yesterday, today and tomorrow!
We can attract more and more happiness into our lives by expressing gratitude. We can express it for immediate actions, as well as everything leading up to this moment and everything we hope for in the future. Being faithful and true to what we already have and expressing our gratitude toward God and others, will only open the door for a multitude of blessings in our lives.

And with Gratitude, Take Control of Your Health

Take care of yourself every day of the year
Vigorously apply the 10 Essentials
Make sure you take an abundance of nutrients,
Sublingual B-12 and Adaptogen 10 Plus
A multi-nutrient complex like Wellavoh Men and Women or VitaDaily AM-PM
An Essential Fatty Acid complex like OmegaPrime
Recruit emotional support. Do not be afraid to ask for help
Remember the Stress Protection Pack,
Sublingual Vitamin B-12
Adaptogen 10 Plus

Take the Wellness Challenge.

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Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community

62. B-12 Vitamins

Health Is The Whole Body, Mind And Soul

You count grams of fat and fiber, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, drink green tea and jog four times a week. But you spend most of your time at a high stress job, have few close relationships and feel that your life lacks meaning. The good things that you do for your body may help increase your resistance to stress and illness, but they only reflect part of a much larger picture.

Health is more than having a body that works properly. It includes physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, and even occupational and vocational dimensions. When these dimensions are working in harmony, they contribute to a sense of well-being and satisfaction. Doctors Donald Tubesing and Nancy Loving Tubesing are pioneers in the field of wellness. In their book, Seeking Your Healthy Balance, they explain that health involves all of you, your mind and emotions, your connections with other people, your sense of hope, your satisfaction with work, as well as your body.

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The Six Dimensional Model of Wellness

So how do you take care of your whole self? The National Wellness Institute embraces the Six Dimensional Model of Wellness developed in 1979 by Dr. Bill Hettler. The chart below, based on Hettlers model, can provide you with some guidance.

The Six Dimensional Model of Wellness
Physical. Achieving personal fitness and health goals through nutrition, physical activity, safety, and self-care

Engage in aerobic exercise at least three times per week, 30 minutes per session.
Eat a healthful diet.
Stop smoking.
Learn to recognize early signs of illness.
Get adequate rest and sleep.
Use alcohol in moderation, if at all.
Use safety precautions whenever possible. For example
Helmets, seat belts
Smoke alarms
Safe driving
See your doctor regularly.

Emotional. Maintaining good mental health, a positive attitude, and high self-esteem, responding with resiliency to emotional states and everyday life

Spend time with friends and family discussing important personal concerns, and providing mutual support.
Participate in personal growth activities, self-esteem workshops, or support groups.
Read a self-help book that interests you.
Practice positive thinking.

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Spiritual. Getting in touch with your deeper self and the spiritual dimension of your life, developing faith in something larger than yourself, finding meaning and purpose

Explore your spiritual core by asking yourself questions such as
Who am I?
What is the purpose of my life?
Look for inspiration from uplifting books, movies, TV, spiritual gatherings, soothing music, nature, beauty, meditation, or prayer.
Spend quiet time alone on a regular basis
Practice being fully present in the moment.
Practice acceptance of self, others, life, and detachment from outcomes.
Look for deeper meanings to patterns and problems in your life.
Allow yourself to deeply feel grief and pain.
Practice appreciating the depth and expanse of life and the universe.
Identify your values and beliefs.

Intellectual. Having curiosity and a strong desire to learn, solving problems, thinking independently, creatively and critically

Take a class or workshop on a subject that interests you.
Seek new experiences on a regular basis, try new foods, travel to new places, learn about new cultures.
Read informative literature and watch educational TV.
Get involved in a creative project or use your creativity to solve problems.
In your spare time, work on puzzles and intellectually challenging games such as Scrabble and chess.

Occupational and vocational. Engaging in or preparing for work in which you will find personal satisfaction and enrichment

Identify your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes.
Develop a personal mission and goals.
Find ways to learn new skills.
Develop new occupational or vocational interests.
Find ways to use your strengths in work or avocations that contribute to your enjoyment and need for meaning.

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According to the National Wellness Institute, the Six Dimensional Model of Wellness is beneficial for the following reasons

Human Beings Are Multidimensional
All aspects of a person, like body, emotions, thoughts, relationships, beliefs, values, and activities, affect his functioning as a whole. Further, these individual aspects affect each other. For example, a person who is not utilizing his interests on the job, occupational dimension, may experience boredom and negativity, emotional dimension. A sense of futility, spiritual dimension, results, which causes others to avoid him, social dimension. This increases his frustration, emotional dimension, and can lead him to overeat and become obese, physical dimension.

Most Modern Health Threats Are Not Physical
Although we think about health in physical terms, most health threats today are not physical, writes Brian Luke Seaward, PhD, in his book Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water. Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality. Instead, they are emotional, feeling overwhelmed, bored, worried, or guilty, or spiritual, assessing relationships, values and ones purpose in life.

Health Is More Than the Absence of Disease
The multidimensional approach is oriented toward maximizing individual potential and functioning. It defines health as balance and complete well-being, being all that you can be, not merely as the absence of symptoms and disease.

Unfortunately, todays medical care is largely based on a disease model of health. You may be able, however, to find doctors who specialize in integrative medicine. This is a practice that places the patient, not a disease, in the center.

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Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World
But life can be so busy and complicated these days. Who has the time to address all these dimensions? Many wellness experts suggest numerous opportunities to find more balance. Strategies may include

Finding Single Activities That Meet Multiple Wellness Needs
For example, taking a daily walk with your spouse and children can fulfill needs for physical activity, emotional bonding, and relationship enhancement. And, if you use the time to discuss ideas and career aspirations, your family walk could also contribute to intellectual and occupational needs.

Clarifying Your Values and Priorities
Take time to know the deepest purposes for which you live, and use them to set goals and make decisions. For example, you may find that you would prefer more time with your family rather than a bigger paycheck. Do not wait for a crisis to show what really matters to you.

Identifying Areas Where You Want More Balance
Using your values and the Six Dimensional Model of Wellness, identify your current wellness deficits and develop a few goals that will help you find more balance.

Being Realistic and Flexible
Perfect balance in all dimensions is not possible in an ever-changing world. There will be times when you are overextended, lonely, angry, and tired. Over the years, you will need to make adjustments until you find a balance that enhances your quality of life.

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RESOURCES
National Wellness Institute
http://www.nationalwellness.org
National Mental Health Information Center
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/index.asp
Mental Health Canada
http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/

REFERENCES
California State University website. Available at: http://www.calstate.edu/.
Seaward BL. Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc; 1997.
Six dimensions of wellness. National Wellness Institute website. Available at: http://www.nationalwellness.org/index.php?id=391id_tier=381 . Accessed June 16, 2008.
Tubesing DA, Loving Tubesing, N. Seeking Your Healthy Balance: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Whole Person Well-Being. Duluth, MN: Whole Person Associates; 1991.

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63. B-12 Vitamins

Just Say No to Premature Aging
Nopalea Can Help
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Healthy aging is about living long without being old. To reach that goal we need to take a brief look at the process called biological aging. Biological aging does not happen with the tick of the clock or the pages turning on your calendar: it happens in your cells. During its life cycle, a cell may be damaged by exposure to

Toxins
Direct trauma
Nutrient deficiencies
Stress

Each of these circumstances causes inflammation and free radical production. Intense nutrition is needed to battle these causes of premature cell death. Premature biological aging occurs when more cells die than you can replace.

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However, there are times when your body cannot heal itself. If inflammation overwhelms a cell, it may be damaged beyond repair. Damaged, dead cells must be removed or they will become the focus of infection and illness. Betalains, a unique class of nutrients that is both an antioxidant and a protein, assist a special cell called a macrophage, literally big eater, to engulf the dead cell and eliminate it from your body. This makes room for a brand-new replacement cell and the cycle of wellness continues.

Nopalea -- protects against premature aging
There are many things that contribute to premature aging, including

Excess exposure to the sun
A poor diet
Stress
Inactivity

The most common contributors, however, are inflammation, muscle and joint pain and poor circulation. Since Nopalea targets inflammation, aids detoxification and optimizes cell health, it can help slow down the process of premature aging. Daily servings of Nopalea will provide you with the Betalains that help put out the fire of inflammation and rescue cells under attack by free radicals. Further, Betalains act to clean up the dead cells and help to protect them from becoming a target for disease. Betalains help you thrive as they help your body reduce inflammation and support the miracle of homeostasis.

Remember, premature aging is about losing more cells than we replace. Healthy aging is about closing the gap between loss of our cells and repair or replacement of our cells as directed by homeostasis and fueled by nutrients.

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64. B-12 Vitamins

Be sure to start the day with a good daily multi-vitamin and vitamin B12.

10 Ways to Age Yourself Quickly

Follow these bad habits at your own risk

TriVitas commitment to good health is clearly represented by our 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. However, this article is going to directly address the bad habits that are taking years off our lives. Numerous clinical studies show that certain behaviors directly affect longevity. For example, a recent study of 5,000 British adults over a 20-year period found that four common bad habits aged the study group by 12 years, smoking, drinking, lack of activity and poor diet. Death certificates from this large study group were checked for the next 20 years and the most common causes of death included heart disease and cancer, both related to unhealthy lifestyles.

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Here are 10 bad habits that can actually take away years from your life.

Cut corners when it comes to sleep
Being tired most of the time causes you to eat too much, drive recklessly and be irritable even in mild situations. Plus, lack of sleep can also lower your immunity. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night.

Eat lots of sugar
Foods that contain lots of sugar will quickly increase your blood sugar and give you quick energy bursts. This will not last long and when the sugar is gone, debilitating exhaustion often results. Eat healthy snacks instead, like fiber-rich crackers or fruits.

Smoke
About half a million Americans die each year from smoking-related health conditions. Smoking can also decrease your lung capacity and prevent you from enjoying healthy activities. Find professional support or a peer group to get rid of this bad habit.

Too little exercise
Many serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis are linked to a sedentary lifestyle. Your body is made to move, so avoid these conditions with moderate exercise. It should help increase energy and reduce stress. At least 30 minutes of physical activity per day is recommended.

Worrying too much
Worrying about something that we cannot change only creates more damage than good. If you have a problem, try to solve it proactively. If it can not be solved, simply let it go.

Eating poor-quality food
Junk food or foods filled with chemicals and preservatives will definitely harm your health. Eat more fresh and natural foods.

Too much sun
A moderate amount of sun exposure will help you look younger and give you healthy amounts of Vitamin D. However, too much sun will seriously damage your skin. Prolonged sun exposure is responsible for premature aging of the skin and many skin cancers.

Too many soft drinks
About 14 percent of an average American adults calories comes from sodas. This will seriously affect sugar levels and weight. Try another healthy alternative, like water or low fat milk.

Too little leisure activity
Do not live to work. Work to live. Keep your work at the workplace and reserve extra quality time for you and your family.

Drinking too much alcohol
In addition to risk of injury or death as a result of accident or violence, alcohol abuse causes a broad range of physiological and psychological dangers. Long-term consumption can result in many different serious health conditions.

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65. B-12 Vitamins

Exercise Builds a Healthy Brain

Regular physical activity might improve how well your brain functions.

You probably know that exercise is important to keep your body healthy, but it might do wonders for your mind, too.

Research is showing several positive effects of exercise on the brain, including

Enhanced mood
Improved memory
Increased brain blood flow
Delayed or slowed progression of Alzheimers disease
Reduced brain damage after injury

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Mood
One study of older sedentary adults who participated in three exercise-training sessions per week for four weeks reported an improved mood, quality of life, and personal morale, as well as reduced anxiety.

Another study examined the effects of long-term exercise. Older adults who were previously sedentary experienced an improved morale after a year-long training program, which included aerobic exercise three times per week.

Exercise may also alleviate depression and anxiety, which may be due in part to the fact that older people who exercise moderately on a regular basis have been found to sleep better. According to sleep researchers at the Stanford Center for Research and the Emory University Sleep Disorders Program in Atlanta, older adults who exercise spend less time trying to fall asleep and generally sleep longer and more soundly than their sedentary counterparts.

Exercise produces other benefits, such as increased muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, endurance and posture, all of which promote self-sufficiency and decrease feelings of dependence and depression.

Memory
Memory decline usually accompanies aging, but exercise may slow the progression. Several recent studies have documented the effects of exercise on memory. In one study, older sedentary adults participated in an exercise program that consisted of one hour of fast treadmill walking, three times per week for four months. The exercisers, when compared with sedentary people, experienced a significant improvement in memory and reaction time tests.
These researchers also found that older adults that participated in a strength and flexibility program for one hour three times per week for four months, improved their performance on memory tests. Even though the memory-enhancing effects were more profound in people performing aerobic activity, the research shows that any type of regular exercise is better than none at all.

In another study, newly retired people who chose a more sedentary lifestyle had cognitive test scores that progressively declined over a four-year period. By comparison, new retirees who participated in regular exercise, such as walking, jogging, calisthenics, bicycling, sports, dancing, or aerobics, did not have a decline in cognitive test scores.

Brain Blood Flow and Stroke Risk
Blood flow in the brain also declines with age. This is a risk factor for stroke. The same four-year study mentioned above found that the new retirees who did not exercise had a significant decline in cerebral blood flow, while those who remained active or continued to work had a more constant cerebral blood flow, suggesting that exercise helps to reduce age-related decline in cerebral blood flow and may protect against stroke.

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Alzheimers Disease
A Japanese study followed the lives of 828 people 65 years of age or older who did not have dementia over a seven-year period. They found that people who participated in daily exercise at leisure time or moderate to severe physical activity at work had a significantly lower incidence of Alzheimers disease. Some people believe that leading a physically active life may be protective against Alzheimers disease.

How Does Exercise Affect the Brain?
Animal studies give us insight into what happens inside the brain during exercise. Mice love running, so they were given running wheels and allowed to voluntarily exercise. When compared with mice that did not exercise, the exercising mice had an increased number of new brain cells in the part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Therefore, when you exercise you may increase the number of neurons in your brain. Nicole Berchtold, PhD, says, The more brain cells the better. Go out and exercise to build up your muscles and brain cells.

One molecule that appears to be an important player in brain health and function is brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF. BDNF is a type of growth factor that makes neurons more resistant to injury. BDNF helps neurons survive, especially neurons that are susceptible to degeneration in Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease.

We have made some exciting discoveries. We have found that exercise increases BDNF levels in memory centers of the brain, says Berchtold. Scientists have also shown that BDNF enhances learning and memory. The exciting implications are that exercise not only keeps your neurons healthier, but exercise may also help you learn.

Scientists have shown that exercise can increase the number of brain cells as well as increase levels of protective molecules in the brain. This means that exercise has the potential to slow neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers disease, or repair damaged or aged brains.

Getting Started on the Road to Exercise
So if you have decided to get moving, here are some questions you can ask yourself in deciding which activity is best for you

Do you enjoy company while you exercise, or do you prefer to be alone?
Do you like the structure and companionship of a class setting?
Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?
What is going to be convenient enough to fit into your routine?
Is transportation to and from an activity a problem?
Do you have any physical limitations that might limit the activities you can do?

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RESOURCES

50-plus Fitness Association
http://www.50plus.org

American Council on Exercise
http://www.acefitness.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
www.csep.ca

Healthy Canadians
http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca

REFERENCES

Exercise: a guide from the National Institute on Aging. National Institute on Aging website. Available at: http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubs/nasa-exercise.

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66. B-12 Vitamins

Vitamin B-12, Attention and Focus
Correcting a deficiency could help mental function
by Dr. Scott Conard

Is someone in your life struggling with attention problems? Does he or she tend to be over-active or too impulsive? Such behaviors are recognized more and more as legitimate mental health issues, and the role played by Vitamin B-12 is also gaining recognition.

First, let us look at just what these health issues are. Attention and focus problems can show up as a range of behavioral issues, sometimes a combination of inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity. While most research into this area has focused on children, studies have suggested that the symptoms continue into adulthood in up to 50 percent of adults who had the condition in childhood.

Of course, some of the behaviors we are talking about are to be expected in children, but when several symptoms occur that exceed the normal range for a childs age, a clinical diagnosis may be made. If you are a concerned parent or grandparent, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms. Attention disorders are not restricted to children. While these issues are long-term, adults can often better control their behavior, and disguise their symptoms.

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Symptoms to watch for
The symptoms that make up attention and focus disorders can be broken down into three specific areas, inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Inattentiveness

Does not pay attention to details, or makes careless errors in work or school assignments
Has trouble maintaining attention in work or play
Does not seem to listen when spoken to
Does not follow through, fails to finish schoolwork, chores or workplace duties
Has trouble organizing tasks and activities
Resists activities such as schoolwork that require sustained mental focus
Tends to lose items needed for tasks or activities, such as toys, pencils or books
Is easily distracted
Is often forgetful

Hyperactivity

Has restless hands or feet, or squirms in a seat
Leaves a seat when staying seated is expected
Runs around or climbs in inappropriate situations
Has trouble playing quietly
Is often excessively active or talkative

Impulsivity

Blurts out answers before questions are finished
Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
Interrupts or breaks into others conversations or games

While the cause of attention disorders is not yet pinpointed we do know this. It is one of the most commonly-diagnosed behavioral problems. As much as 5 percent of school-aged children have this disorder.

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B-12 is proven brain-boosting power and vital to mental wellness
There are prescription drugs available to treat problems with attention and focus. But as you may know, these powerful drugs can have serious side effects.

There is strong clinical evidence to support the link between essential nutrients and vitamins, particularly Vitamin B-12, and mental function. Studies have shown that a B-12 deficiency may decrease levels of substances needed to transmit nerve signals. This reduced ability to transmit nerve signals has shown up in brain tests conducted on children with attention disorders. In people of any age, this problem with nerve signals can lessen or damage mental functioning.

So, in addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, I recommend that everyone get enough essential vitamins like B-12. One of the best ways to make sure that you or a loved one get enough B-12 is to take TriVita Sublingual B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid.

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67. B-12 Vitamins

When Memory Loss Turns Serious
By Dr. Scott Conard

We all forget things sometimes, where we parked the car, a lunch appointment or why we opened the refrigerator. When these sometime lapses become daily occurrences, though, that can be a sign that it is time to consult a healthcare professional. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, these questions can help determine if that time has come

Does the memory loss disrupt daily life?
If tasks that used to be routine, such as balancing a checkbook or bathing, become difficult, action should be taken.

Are lapses becoming more frequent?
It is not normal to forget where you parked every day, or to forget appointments over and over.

What kinds of things are being forgotten?
It is fairly natural to forget the name of someone you just met, but not the name of a close friend or relative. Other potential tip-offs of trouble could be forgetting entire conversations, frequently repeating yourself or asking the same questions more than once in the same conversation.

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Are there signs of confusion?
If someone gets lost in a familiar place, such as your local grocery store, or frequently puts something in an oddly incorrect location, such as car keys in the refrigerator, that could be a sign of a serious memory problem. Most members of the TriVita community will not be surprised to hear that a deficiency of Vitamin B-12 is among the major causes of memory loss. Along with stress, certain infections and sleep deprivation, the FDA cites nutritional deficiencie of Vitamin B-12 as one of the culprits behind faltering memory.

Of course, if you have been supplementing with Sublingual B-12, you know why you continue to make this smart health move. You may find that this amazing vitamin helps you stay upbeat and maintain a balanced mood, keep energy levels steady throughout the day, stay mentally sharp and, yes, enhance memory. If you are not among those who help feed their brains with B-12, I urge you to consider starting soon, for a host of reasons.

Are you at risk of B-12 deficiency?
If you are over 40, a strict vegetarian, or have thyroid, liver or kidney problems, you are at risk for B-12 deficiency. As we age, our bodies may become less able to absorb some vitamins efficiently, especially in the case of Vitamin B-12. Without enough B-12, other vitamins like folate and B-6 cannot function normally within the body.

As a doctor, I know the importance of maintaining appropriate levels of these essential vitamins, especially Vitamin B-12. That is why I applaud those who supplement their healthy diets with TriVita Sublingual B-12 products, and encourage others to see how they might benefit, too. For years, clinical evidence has been building to show that those who have a B-12 deficiency can experience symptoms caused by decreased mental and nerve functioning. These symptoms can include mental confusion and forgetfulness, mood swings and even psychotic behavior like seeing and/or hearing things.

Because of these associations, one of the first things I do when people complain of these problems is make sure they are getting enough of the essential vitamins like B-12. Unlike injections, or pills that you swallow, Sublingual B-12 dissolves under the tongue. That is the painless, easy way to make sure it gets into your bloodstream to give you maximum absorption and maximum benefit.

If you or someone you care about is showing signs of memory loss, I urge you to consult your healthcare professional to explore the options and resources available. And I also urge you to remember the research-proven benefits of B-12 supplementation. They could make a big difference in so many lives.

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68. B-12 Vitamins

How To Beat Holiday Stress
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

There are four insults that cause imbalance in our body and mind, trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress. There are 10 Essential tools that we have in our immediate control to combat the forces of stress.

The best definition for stress of any kind is change. Stress can be from changes outside our body, like temperature, sunlight, noise, etc., from inside our body, like hunger, dehydration, lack of rest, etc., or even from our own thoughts, like social expectations, time pressures, financial worries, etc. With so many changes occurring around the holidays, and on so many levels, it is always wise to talk about holiday stress as a special cause of imbalance.

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The destructive power of stress
The term stress was originally used as an engineering term. It describes the destructive forces acting on specific structures. For instance, stress was the term used to describe the effect of weight on a bridge. Stress describes not only the weight on the bridge, but the combination of destructive forces trying to tear the bridge apart, like weight, wind, temperature extremes, etc.

Is that not the way people feel when they are under stress? Do you not feel like you are being pulled in every direction until you are pulled apart? Stress is a good description of the distress of our mind and body brought on by internal and external demands.

The healing power of homeostasis
Humans are remarkably resilient. We adapt to new situations with relative ease. This is because of a body process called homeostasis. If stress is pulling us apart, homeostasis is putting us back together. As long as homeostasis has access to all of the resources it needs we will never feel the destructive power of stress.

The key is to have all of our 10 Essential resources available all of the time,

To be optimally oxygenated and hydrated.
To be perfectly rested and nourished.
To feel completely supported and able to cope with any emotional demand at any given moment.

A reservoir like this will allow homeostasis to draw resources from our bank account and use them to satisfy the many demands placed upon us.

It you are lacking in any demanded resource, a special function of homeostasis will be engaged. I like to call it the Robin Hood function. It allows our body to rob one area to support another area. This is often seen in the special stress adaptation called fight or flight. Fight-or-flight response is like emergency spending with credit cards. This kind of behavior may help you get through the crisis, but sooner or later the debt must be repaid.

In the Robin Hood function of homeostasis, the debt comes at an extreme price. It is not uncommon for a body under stress to sacrifice an entire organ or organ system to maintain balance in another system. For example, osteoporosis is more common in people under extreme stress because their bones are robbed to supply nutrients needed for the stress response. Homeostasis must be maintained, even if this is at great sacrifice.

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Holiday stress?
With this image in mind it is no wonder that people feel pulled apart around the holidays. There are just too many changes and too few resources available to meet the demands of homeostasis. Stress pulls us apart and our health suffers.

Since health resources are accumulated slowly and spent rapidly, it makes sense to re-classify holiday stresses as just plain stress! The methods for dealing with any kind of stress are the same no matter what time of the year it is, nutrients and nurturing.

Anti-stress nutrients include the stress-busting effects of Vitamin B-12 and adaptogens. They serve to reinforce homeostasis like an economic stimulus package for our nervous system. If you feel stress pulling you apart, take more of these two special anti-stress nutrients.

Nurturing your health comes from vigorously applying the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Plan ahead and budget your energy for times when demands are greater and you face more changes than usual. In the end, do not be afraid to say no. It can literally be the difference between maintaining balance through homeostasis or being pulled apart by stress.

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69. B-12 Vitamins

Help Reduce Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Your immune system is designed to protect you from infections, toxins and even stressful situations. Knowing this makes it very difficult to diagnose autoimmune conditions, conditions where the human immune system begins to attack normal, healthy cells. What are common conditions of autoimmunity? How can the symptoms of these conditions be reduced?

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What are autoimmune disorders?
Autoimmune conditions are so common that practically everyone knows someone with one, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis. About 75 percent of all autoimmune conditions occur in women. These diseases are common during childbearing years. Men also get autoimmune disorders, about as frequently as young girls and older women do.

They begin when some trigger sends the immune system into battle. After vanquishing the enemy, the immune system begins to attack any tissue that even looks like the enemy. You see, the immune system is extraordinarily accurate in identifying invaders. However, during an epidemic or raging infection, the immune system reduces the number of proteins needed for identification, thereby making it harder to identify the enemy. Now, any cell that shares even a few identifying characteristics as the invader will be killed.

Multiple Sclerosis

One of the most common triggers for Multiple Sclerosis, MS, is the herpes virus, HHV-6. This is a very common virus. In people with MS, the immune system fails to identify the herpes virus as distinct from normal, healthy nerve tissues. The immune cells attack the virus and then your nerves. The virus protects itself by becoming dormant, waiting to catch the immune system off guard, until it can breed again. Your nerves are never dormant. They bear the full attack of your immune system.

Herpes viruses are notoriously hard to destroy. Your immune system may respond to an infection by over-reacting, creating enough specific antibodies to kill the virus, plus enough non-specific antibodies to kill anything that looks like the virus. The problem is that a protein chain on the outside of your nerves looks similar to a protein chain on the outside of the virus. Your immune system may begin to rip holes in the nerves trying to tear away the misidentified protein. This can lead to the debilitating symptoms that characterize MS, including numbness or tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness, poor coordination and even paralysis.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We usually think of white blood cells when we think about the immune system. White cells are certainly a prominent part of the immune system. Less obvious are immune system proteins that communicate between white blood cells called interleukins. Interleukins, Il, tell your body how to react in harmony with the immune system to give it the best opportunity for success. For instance, white blood cells and lymphocytes may battle a sinus infection. The interleukin Il-6 triggers you to sneeze and makes your nose and eyes flood with water.

In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS, another herpes family virus often triggers the production of interleukin-1. Il-1 is responsible for all the flu-like symptoms people experience with CFS. For instance, if we inject Il-1 into a normal, healthy person, they immediately get a low grade fever and aches and pains over their entire body. They get tired and sleepy and they have gastric distress. These are symptoms, not of an active virus, but of an overactive immune system. This is why CFS is generally classified as an autoimmune disorder.

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Reducing the symptoms of autoimmune disorders

Autoimmune disorders are all different, but they have basic similarities

Autoimmune disorders can improve with a balanced diet and rest.
Autoimmune disorders can improve with stress reduction.
Almost all autoimmune disorders respond to Vitamin B-12 and Essential Fatty Acid, EFA, supplements.
Vitamin B-12 is used to repair the holes in your nerves caused by your immune system. The cell outside your nerve, called a Schwann cell, patches the holes with B-12, similar to the way a road crew uses asphalt to repair potholes in the road.
EFAs make the immune system work smarter, not harder. They help the identification process discriminate better because many of the identification proteins are coded in fat. If you have an abundance of healthy EFA you will identify good, healthy body tissues from invaders. Further, EFA helps to reduce inflammation.
EFA can benefit women of childbearing age somewhat more than other women or men. That is because women of childbearing age make more hormones than men or young girls or older women. Good hormones are made from good EFA. An abundance of EFA helps make good hormones which help protect against autoimmune disorders.

Take Control of Your Health

Get your rest. Get at least 7 and half to 9 hours of sleep every night.
Avoid the push-crash cycle. Set a pace that you can maintain on your worst days and do not try to catch up by overdoing it on days you feel less bad. This can start a vicious push-crash cycle that can be very discouraging. Budget your energy!
Reduce stress. Deep breathing reduces stress. Three deep breaths can break the cycle of tension. Ten minutes of deep breathing cuts stress hormones in half. Twenty minutes of deep breathing restores hormone balance and gives you deeper sleep to restore your mind and body.
Plan a balanced diet. Be sure to include lean proteins, whole grains and of course, plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Exercise within your limitations. Work with your health care provider to develop a program that works for you.

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70. B-12 Vitamins

Are Prescription Medications Affecting Your Body?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

What causes a medication side effect? Sometimes it is caused by the toxicity of the medication. However, there is a much more common reason.

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Often, uncomfortable and distressing results from medications are nothing more than signs of nutrient deficiencies. You see, drugs need nutrients in order to work. When they run out of nutrients they will not work as effectively and begin to create side effects. Nutrient depletion then creates its own set of symptoms and the downward spiral continues.

Common drug interactions

Statins. A really good example of the way a medication for one symptom may create a problem in another region of your body is medications that reduce cholesterol. Among the most famous cholesterol-reducing drugs are statins. These drugs exhaust the cells of the enzyme that makes the cells work, CoEnzyme Q-10. When CoQ-10 is gone, cells die. CoQ-10 is most abundant in muscle cells and brain cells. That may be one reason why people taking statin medications complain of fatigue, muscle aches and pains, plus mental fogginess and inability to think clearly.

Acid reducers, gout and diabetes medications. Another good example includes medications that reduce stomach acid. These drugs fit into classes called Proton Pump Inhibitors, PPI, and Histamine, H-2, Blockers. Both medications reduce the uncomfortable symptom of excess acid. Also, both classes of medication inhibit Vitamin B-12, leaving you with a foggy head, no energy and a poor mood. PPIs and H-2 Blockers also deplete folic acid, leaving people at risk for anemia, neural-tube birth defects and poor detoxification. They deplete calcium and beta-carotene, leaving you prone to osteoporosis and loss of night vision.

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Other medications that deplete Vitamin B-12 include colchicine for gout and practically all of the medications for type 2 diabetes. Further, medications for type 2 diabetes deplete magnesium and CoQ-10.

NSAIDs. The most common nutrient deficiency in the industrialized world is Vitamin C. The most common medical diagnosis in the industrialized world is arthritis, commonly treated with NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin. All NSAIDs deplete Vitamin C.

Oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives, like birth control pills, also deplete Vitamin C. And, they deplete magnesium and riboflavin: two nutrients associated with relief from migraines.

Bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonate medications for osteoporosis immediately deplete calcium from your bloodstream. In a short time your reserves of Vitamin D, phosphate, magnesium and potassium may also be depleted. Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include chronic bone pain, and signs of mineral deficiency include muscle weakness and cramps. These side effects are also commonly associated with taking bisphosphonate medications.

Antidepressants. Lastly, many people in this stressed-out world are now taking antidepressants. Some of these medications deplete Essential Fatty Acid reserves, so supplementation with Omega EFAs is very important. EFA deficiency is associated with attention deficit disorder, depression and bipolar disorder. You can see how an EFA deficiency may lead to depression and medications for depression may lead to a more severe EFA deficiency. Antidepressants also deplete CoQ-10, Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin E, three nutrients long associated with autism and Alzheimers disease, and relief from depression.

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What to do
This is only a brief look at nutrient depletion from medications. If you are on any prescription medication, take time to learn about the potential nutrient deficiencies that may be created by it. Most of these deficiencies are addressed in our Healthy Foundation package. Others will need to be added depending on your prescription.

Nutrients make medications work better with fewer side effects. Nutrients and nurturing make YOU work better with the best outcome, energy and enthusiasm to live a life of purpose!

Take Control of Your Health

Use Foundation nutrients daily
Sublingual B-12, B-6 and folic acid
Vital C Tablets and Crystals
OmegaPrime essential fatty acids
A multi-nutrient complex, such as Wellavoh or VitaDaily AM/PM
Add CoQ-10 if you take
Statin medications
Drugs for type 2 diabetes
Antidepressants
Remember, nothing you take is as powerful as what you do. Learn and Live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
Breathe Deeply
Drink Pure Water
Sleep Peacefully
Eat Nutritiously
Enjoy Activity
Give and Receive Love
Be Forgiving
Practice Gratitude
Develop Acceptance
Develop a Relationship with God

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71. B-12 Vitamins

Correcting a deficiency could help mental function
by Dr. Scott Conard

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Symptoms to watch for
The symptoms that make up attention and focus disorders can be broken down into three specific areas, inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Inattentiveness

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Blurts out answers before questions are finished
Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
Interrupts or breaks into others conversations or games

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B-12 has proven brain-boosting power, vital to mental wellness
There are prescription drugs available to treat problems with attention and focus. But as you may know, these powerful drugs can have serious side effects.

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72. B-12 Vitamins

Getting A Grip On Osteoporosis
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

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What causes osteoporosis?
We make new bone every day. We also dissolve old bone that has lost its structural integrity. New bone in, old bone out. We stay healthy as long as we make more bone than we delete. We make the most bone of our life during adolescence. By age 24 we have usually reached peak bone mineral density, or BMD. By age 30 the amount of bone we make is just about equivalent to the bone we lose. By age 40, in general, we are losing more bone than we make.

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Dos and do nots of bone health
Some things speed up bone loss. These triggers for osteoporosis fall under the same four causes of all human imbalance, trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress. For example, fractures, falls and accidents in children herald osteoporosis when they become adults.

Toxins. Toxins strongly linked with osteoporosis include tobacco and alcohol as well as medications that reduce stomach acid, antidepressants, thyroid medication, drugs for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, etc. Many soft drinks, sodas, and even coffee contain toxins linked with osteoporosis.

Deficiencies. Deficiencies are another area of special interest in preventing and even helping treat osteoporosis. Magnesium, phosphate, calcium, boron and fluoride have all been linked to bone health. B vitamins in the methylation family, B-12, folic acid, B-6 and Biotin, are low when homocysteine is high. The higher the homocysteine, the more likely we will have osteoporosis. A sedentary lifestyle also leads to bone loss. Humans are meant to move! The less we move, the less we will be able to move as muscle loss and bone loss mirror our activity level.

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Getting a grip
That leads us back to the beginning of our article about a new discovery that tells us about the correlation between grip strength in our hands and bone strength in our hips and spine. The weaker your grip, the thinner your bones. So, how are you doing? Is your grip strength better this year than last year? If not, plan a strategy to build strength in your muscles and bones though appropriate supplementation and vigorous application of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.

Take Control of Your Health

Supplement appropriately
VitaCal-Mag D for maintaining bone health
Bone Growth Factor for those who have, or are at risk for, bone loss
OmegaPrime for hormone balance
Adaptogen 10 Plus for stress
Essential D because we need it!
Detoxify gently
Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, soda and coffee
Start eating fruits and vegetables
7 servings daily for women
9 servings daily for men
Exercise daily
Aerobic activity for 30 minutes or more
Resistance training 2 to 5 times weekly

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73. B-12 Vitamins

60 Seconds to Energy
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Sometimes we feel an irresistible wave of fatigue washing over us and we are compelled to stop and rest. Often, this is a consequence of a lifestyle that is just too hectic. Stress wears us down. Fatigue is the language of our brain, body and particularly our immune system. It is telling us, slow down, take it easy.

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When rest must wait
The way our body reacts to acute stress is through a process called fight or flight. It describes an inborn mechanism of survival. You see, we are designed to survive. If we are in a situation our brain decides is dangerous, our adrenal glands secrete adrenaline to gear us up for fighting or fleeing.

The danger is that we react this way if the situation is real or imagined. For example, we react with fight or flight responses when we see a dangerous snake. But we also react the same way if we think we see a dangerous snake. It is all the same to your brain. So, your adrenal glands prepare your body and mind.

When we are confronted with a dangerous situation it is not the time to sit and rest. This is a time of action, fight or flight. Rest must wait in circumstances like this.

Modern-day confusion
When was the last time you felt threatened by a dangerous snake, a snarling dog, or, oh my, a lion, tiger or bear? I will venture a guess that this has not happened in a while and does not happen very often. Yet, if you are like the rest of us living in the civilized world, you probably feel stressed quite often, maybe even daily.

The stress we face today is chronic stress. It comes from time urgency, performance standards, deadlines and expectations. It is created by our own thoughts and our polluted, noisy, hectic environment. The stress is rarely acute. It is chronic. The danger is rarely imminent. It is assigned a sense of urgency by our own mind.

Stress is often only real in the culture we have created or co-created with our peer group.
Still, it is our reality. And until we can co-create another reality with more rainbows and butterflies and fewer lions, tigers and bears, we need to create strategies for the times when rest must wait.

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60-second energy

Deep breathing
If you are stressed, pause and take three full, deep breaths. This will often break the cycle of adrenaline and allow you to return to normal functioning. You can do this in less than 60 seconds! Practice deep breathing for 10 minutes, twice daily and 20 minutes before bedtime.

Hydration
If you feel grumpy, pause and drink two full glasses of pure water. Grumpiness is often a sign of dehydration. You can often do this in less than 60 seconds. Calculate the water your body needs every day, half your body weight in ounces, and focus on drinking the majority of this amount early in the day to support detoxification.

Sleep and Sublingual B-12
When you reach the point where you just can not think anymore, then you need more sleep. The stress you feel may actually be causing your brain to shrink! Sublingual B-12 can often help restore clarity for now and allow you to plan better sleep tonight. Although it takes several minutes for the Sublingual B-12 to dissolve, you can start the energy cycle by simply slipping a little pink pill under your tongue. The people with the highest amounts of Vitamin B-12 in their bloodstream often experience the least brain shrinkage as they age. Perhaps better sleep and more B-12 can help you deal with your daily stress before it shrinks your brain!

Finally, remember that this reaction to stress is called fight or flight. To flee means to get away from the source of danger. Historically, we flee by walking, running or swimming away from danger. In my world I have added bicycling! So, to discharge our stress and recharge our energy we need to walk, run, swim or bicycle daily as a stress management strategy. These may not be socially available in your circumstances. What is available? Energy Now! With Energy Now!, people often have the spark they need to manage stress now and enjoy physical activity later.

Take Control of Your Health

Listen to the message of fatigue. Your body is talking to you.
See stress differently. Most dangers are imaginary.
Take time to wind down daily. Mindful meditation is a healer.
Use Sublingual B-12 for greater mental clarity.
Use Energy Now! for physical endurance.

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74. B-12 Vitamins

Are you missing more than B-12?
By Dr. Scott Conard

If you struggle with excess weight and low energy if you just do not have the vigor to live your life fully. The problem could be that you are missing something important. I am not talking only about Vitamin B-12, but the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. As we began exploring in last months VitaJournal, a deficiency of Vitamin B-12 is not an isolated problem. Rather, it signals a lack of one or more elements of a great life, the physical, emotional and spiritual must-haves on which TriVita is built.

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As I mentioned in the previous column, a B-12 deficiency among the patients in my practice is often a gateway condition. It triggers other problems, and people start to spiral downward in their self-care and overall wellness. This month, explore with me how B-12 is connected with Essentials numbers 4 and 5, Eat Nutritiously and Exercise.

Essential number 4. Eat Nutritiously.
Ideally, we get our Vitamin B-12 from foods like fish and meat, dairy products, fortified cereals and beans. However, several factors can prevent us from absorbing all the B-12 we need, including age, dietary choices and taking certain medicines.

For example, if you habitually eat the wrong foods, say, ones loaded with starch or refined sugar, you could gain excess weight and develop diabetes. Then you have to take diabetes medicine to offset your food choices. And the diabetes medicine can block the absorption of B-12. There is the spiral, unhealthy choices feeding off each other to make us unwell. Incidentally, being obese is no indicator that someone may be getting enough Vitamin B-12. Some vegetarians, for example, eat a lot of honey or coconut, which can make them fat, but still B-12 deficient.

A healthful diet alone may not give you all the B-12 you need, but it will help fuel your body and mind so that you have the energy to live life to the fullest.

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Essential number 5. Exercise.
Enjoying physical activity is critical to vibrant health and a great life. But here is how interwoven B-12 is with our well-being. How can you exercise if you do not have the energy? We know that healthy levels of B-12 do so much to give us energy, so we enjoy rejuvenating sleep, drink lots of water and enjoy the benefits of exercise. People with a B-12 deficiency tend not to exercise, but not just because they may be low on energy and motivation. It is more a case of nerves being affected. Here is how

You might have tingling in your legs because the nerves to your legs have insufficient B-12. That tingling could deter you from getting the exercise your mind and body crave. In another scenario, in some people who get chemotherapy for cancer, the absorption of B-12 can be blocked. One of my family members who had cancer was successfully treated with chemotherapy. However, her physician forgot to tell her to take Vitamin B-12, and she ended up with numbness that would not go away. The nerves were too badly hurt. I recommend that anyone getting chemotherapy ask their specialist about taking B-12 while undergoing treatment.

Again, health spirals downward.

If we actively live the 10 Essentials, we can do so much to truly experience wellness in all aspects of our lives. As the medical spokesman for TriVitas Sublingual B-12, I urge you to consider letting this remarkable vitamin help enrich your journey. And I hope you look for next months column as we examine the emotional and spiritual connections that link B-12 with good health and a great life.

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75. B-12 Vitamins

Not Getting Enough Vitamin D During the Winter Months
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Make sure you get healthy amounts of it year-round

Practically every day another benefit of Vitamin D is revealed. Vitamin D is created when our skin is exposed to sunshine. It is also present in our diet, mainly in cold-water fish and dark green vegetables. It is primarily responsible for transporting minerals to our bones and keeping them strong. A primary symptom of Vitamin D deficiency is sore bone.

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I want to talk about Vitamin D and its relationship to brain health. This is in response to a recent newspaper headline that read, Vitamin D Linked to Parkinsons disease. Now, as you read that title, do you think the article is reporting on the benefits or the dangers of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D and Parkinsons
You will not have to wait until the end of the article to find out. Vitamin D is beneficial in protecting against Parkinsons disease. In fact, low levels of Vitamin D are associated with

Neurological diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers
Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis
Metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Vitamin D is formed when sunlight strikes the skin and interacts with cholesterol. Its main purpose is to shuttle calcium and other minerals to the bones.

Vitamin D enters the brain tissues surrounded by healthy fats. Just as Vitamin D is necessary for proper calcium absorption into the bones, Vitamin D aids in the delivery of good fats into the brain where they serve as building blocks for healthy brain structure.

Vitamin D, a messenger
Information is carried by a number of messengers inside your body, including proteins and fats. Vitamin D can also act like a messenger, telling the cells how much work to do.

This may be compared to building a house. Proteins give specific instructions in the same way a carpenter may decide how best to connect walls and windows and doors. Fats may serve as the building materials for the entire house. Vitamin D serves as the general contractor to determine how much building should be done at any specific time.

We certainly need proteins and protein complexes of Vitamin B-12 to create the structures making up our brain. We also need the fats found in OmegaPrime to serve as raw materials and general information on brain repair. We need Vitamin D to help develop our brain when we are young and to repair it as we age.

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Why you need to work harder to get your wintertime supply of Vitamin D
We get Vitamin D from sunlight, foods and supplements. Because we are exposed to less sunshine in the winter than in the summer, we need to be more vigilant about supplementing with Vitamin D and exposing our skin to sunshine whenever practical. Most doctors who recommend Vitamin D explain that cold and flu outbreaks during winter are directly related to Vitamin D deficiency.

Use TriVitas VitaCal-Mag D, TriVitas Bone Growth Factor or Leanology capsules, whichever supplement is most appropriate for you, to help make up for the lack of winter sunshine.

Take Control of Your Health

Get 20 minutes of morning or evening sunshine
Expose at least 40 percent of your skin to direct sunlight
Avoid midday sun. Never burn!
Eat wild-caught cold-water fish as appropriate
Eat dark green leafy vegetables
Take a Vitamin D supplement such as
VitaCal-Mag D
Bone Growth Factor
Leanology capsules
Take healthy foundation nutrients
Multiple vitamin/mineral
Sublingual B-12
OmegaPrime
Vitamin C

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76. B-12 Vitamins

Which B-12 Supplement Is Right For You?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Question. TriVita has several Sublingual B-12 supplements. Which one should I take?

Answer. It depends on your needs.

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Need for Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient. You cannot thrive without it. You need Vitamin B-12 to make healthy blood, healthy nerves and a healthy brain. Vitamin B-12 insufficiency is implicated in a number of common conditions, from allergies and ADHD to bipolar disorder and Alzheimers disease. Along with iron and Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12 is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies among seniors. You may actually be protected from a shrinking brain with healthy levels of Vitamin B-12.

There are three ways of looking at need in Vitamin B-12

Disease. If your blood levels are low in B-12 you may be diagnosed with a medical condition called pernicious anemia. This is a serious health condition that is often caused by the inability to properly absorb B-12.
Complete B-12 metabolism. Is the B-12 you are taking doing what it is supposed to do? If so, your homocysteine levels will be low. If not, your homocysteine levels will be high, even though your blood levels of B-12 are also high. B-12 along with folate, Vitamin B-6 and biotin are still needed as long as homocysteine levels are too high.
How you feel. Are you mentally sluggish? Do you feel better when you take B-12? If so, you can continue to take B-12 simply to feel better because there is no toxicity associated with taking B-12.

Types of B-12
Vitamin B-12 is made from the mineral cobalt by beneficial bacterial in the soil and inside living organisms. When scientists make Vitamin B-12 for use in supplements, it is done in the same way. The parent form of B-12 is cyanocobalamine, cyan- means blue, the color of cobalt. Cyanocobalamine nourishes your entire body, and your liver uses cyanocobalamine to make other forms of Vitamin B-12. One of the major children of cyanocobalamine is methylcobalamine. Methyl-B12 is used in detoxification, especially homocysteine detoxification.

There are many other types of B-12. However, as long as you have cyanocobalamine, your body will make the other types as it needs them. The exception to this rule occurs when a person has been poisoned with toxins such as mercury and lead or when a genetic imbalance prevents them from completely converting B-12.

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The type of B-12 for you
Most people over 30 need to take a B-12 supplement. The only certain way to get B-12 into your system quickly, besides injecting it, is to absorb it sublingually, under your tongue. Even people under 30 may take B-12 if they feel stressed, suffer from allergies or asthma, are sad, blue or tired. Vitamin B-12 is also helpful in people with ADHD and other nervous disorders, not as a medical treatment, but as a support for healthy blood, nerves and brain.

TriVitas Sublingual B-12 is awesome in these circumstances. Or you may want to step up to TriVitas Super Sublingual B-12 which is faster-acting and longer-lasting, with three times the Vitamin B-12. If your homocysteine levels are high, or if you have a family history of heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, or Alzheimer's disease, HCY Guard may be best for you.

This should help you see the need for Vitamin B-12 as well as give you the tools you need to decide which one, or ones, you need!

Take Control of Your Health

Use Sublingual B-12 or Super Sublingual B-12 if
You are over 30
You have any type of digestion issue
You have low energy
You have poor moods
You need to improve your memory
Use HCY Guard if
You have elevated levels of homocysteine
You are exposed to environmental toxins
You have low kidney function
You need detoxification

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77. B-12 Vitamins

HCY Guard
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Back in 1932 a protein called homocysteine, or HCY, was discovered. It was seen as a valuable tool used by your liver to build important proteins. Many years later, HCY was discovered inside of every cell in the human body. It was seen as a valuable tool used by your DNA to build healthy cells.

When there is too much HCY in your bloodstream it is associated with many horrible diseases, like heart attacks, stroke, Alzheimers disease, osteoporosis, etc. When there is too much HCY inside your cells, the DNA mutates. High levels of HCY inside your cells are linked with cancer.

To keep HCY levels low we need two things

Specific vitamins
Special amino acids

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Vitamins neutralize HCY
In 1966 Dr. Kilmer McCully correctly identified the vitamins needed to metabolize homocysteine and, therefore, protect against health catastrophe

Folic Acid
Vitamin B-6
Biotin
Vitamin B-12

These vitamins are also needed to start the process of creating protein. Protein is the building block of muscles, bones and nerves. You cannot be healthy without adequate protein. You cannot build the protein into something useful without homocysteine.

But an excess of homocysteine reflects a deficiency in these four vitamins. As reported in Dr. McCullys work, adding these four specific vitamins for just pennies-per-day can help reduce homocysteine by 25 percent in two years.

However, more is needed than just vitamins. In TriVitas HCY Guard, we added amino acids to B vitamins and were able to reduce elevated homocysteine by 35 percent in just 6 weeks!

Amino acids neutralize HCY
Amino acids build healthy tissues and are also necessary for keeping them clean, detoxification. A specific family of proteins called sulfur-bearing amino acids help keep us safe from toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. Mercury may have increased by 400 percent in our environment in just the past few years. The most common sources of mercury include coal and fuel-fired energy plants and automobiles, as well as fluorescent lights.

Sulfur-bearing amino acids defend us from a toxic world. We also need them to help keep homocysteine levels in check.

Methionine. The amino acid methionine can be called the mother of all proteins because of its vital role. Methionine is the foundation for everything your body does, like growth, repair, digestion and detoxification. Like I said, everything! Not a single piece of DNA can function without methionine. It is the foundation of everything in the human body.
Cysteine. Cysteine keeps your kidneys, lungs and muscles healthy.
Lysine. Lysine helps you recover following exertion and helps your immune system suppress illnesses.

These three sulfur-bearing amino acids defend us from a toxic world. They also help keep homocysteine levels in check.

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Putting it all together
Eventually, Vitamin B-12, B-6, folic acid and biotin help you create a healthy heart, brain, bones and immune system. How? By helping the primary sulfur-bearing amino acids, like methionine, cysteine and lysine. These amino acids balance HCY, as well as chase away toxic metals before they can damage your delicate internal organs, your brain and bones.

The B vitamins make HCY Guard work. Sulfur-bearing amino acids make it work better and faster. You get better results in less time. Still, we should remember that elevated homocysteine is telling us a story about our body, too few nutrients, too many toxins, especially mercury and other heavy metals, too much stress and not enough rest. So, learn and live the 10 Essentials for profound wellness. Get your blood tested annually for homocysteine. Practice wellness with a sense of purpose every day for a happy, healthy life!

Take Control of Your Health

Have an annual medical check-up
Test homocysteine, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and C-Reactive protein
Regularly check your blood pressure
Reduce stress and increase nutrients
Increase B vitamins and amino acids for HCY reduction
Increase Omega-3 and Betalains for CRP reduction
Exercise 30 minutes most days of the week

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78. B-12 Vitamins

Your World is Spinning! It Could Be Vertigo
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

There are two times when your world will spin. When you are in love, and when you have vertigo! Since there is no cure for being in love, this Weekly Wellness Report will cover the remedies for vertigo.

Benign vertigo
Vertigo is not usually a sign of a serious disease. It is typically transient, meaning that it comes and goes, and resolves on its own without medical care. The most common cause is an upper respiratory infection such as a sinus infection. Most people who suffer with vertigo learn instinctively to sit up slowly and avoid quick movements of the head.

If benign vertigo is associated with allergies, Vitamin C is in my personal opinion an absolutely awesome antihistamine. Using the VisionGuard.

A certain type of tumor called an acoustic neuroma may cause vertigo. These are rare tumors, but the incidence of acoustic neuroma seems to increase with cell phone usage. The evidence for this link is weak but troubling. Certainly, we should take appropriate precautions when using cell phones while scientists further investigate the link between cell phones and acoustic neuromas.

Menieres disease
An extremely persistent type of vertigo is Menieres disease. It is vertigo associated with ringing or buzzing in the ears, or tinnitus, and hearing loss. Menieres is a progressive disease. Trauma, toxins, infections and other causes may trigger Menieres. Rapid medical intervention is needed to determine the exact cause of this condition. When the cause is removed the condition may improve.

Unfortunately, damaged nerves heal slowly. Vitamin B-12 may help speed the repair of damaged nerves. Certainly, the antioxidant remedies mentioned above may add to the health of the blood vessels in the inner ear.

Learning to listen
The English language contains over 400,000 words, though most of us use merely 15,000 to 35,000. Our bodies, wonderfully complex and intricate, have only a few dozen words in the form of signs and symptoms with which to speak to us. Vertigo is one form of communication that indicates distress. Always consult a qualified health professional that knows the language of the human body.

Please check with your healthcare provider before starting the Vitamin C Flush.

Take Control of Your Health

For vertigo associated with
Allergies. Use Vitamin C.
Circulation. Use VisionGuard.
Menieres. Use Vitamin B-12 plus all of the above
See your doctor to determine the cause of vertigo!

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79. B-12 Vitamins

Why Do We Need Folic Acid?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Folic acid is a B vitamin similar to folate. Folate is the B vitamin contained in plants, foliage. Folate is a dominant B vitamin in leafy green vegetables as well as in fruits.

Folate is needed to build healthy blood cells, nerve and brain cells, to detoxify, and to build a healthy immune system. People who get the right amount of folate have a lower risk of many cancers, strokes, heart attacks and nervous system defects such as neural tube defects in babies. That is why mothers-to-be are encouraged to take folic acid supplements.

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The bad
Every story has an element of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The story of folic acid is the same. Taking too much folic acid over too long a time period, that is, taking folic acid like a drug and not a nutrient, can have very damaging effects on our system. Whereas low doses can reduce our risk of certain diseases and disorders, too much folic acid actually increases the risk of some cancers and other diseases. Too much folic acid mutates our DNA. The right amount heals our DNA. Continue reading this article to see how much is enough, and how much is too much.

The solution to pollution is dilution!

Increasing folic acid beyond dietary levels increases the amount of histamine in our bloodstream and also increases the likelihood that we will have an over-the-top response to our toxic world. If we have a toxin, such as a grain of pollen, irritate our nose, the excessive response may be a sneezing fit and uncontrollable, miserable symptoms. If the toxin hits our digestive tract, such as a food allergy, or reproductive system, such as bad bacteria, the undue histamine response will inflame our tissues and may even trigger disease.

The good!
The benefits of folic acid, or FA, supplementation are many and fantastic. FA helps protect against birth defects when taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. FA helps reduce the risk for cancer, heart attacks, stroke, depression and bipolar disorder. FA enhances memory, reduces migraines, promotes healthy gums and improves hearing. FA is good for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, types of dermatitis and even restless legs syndrome.

Folic acid is very, very good for us!

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How much is enough?
We have agreed that people should eat their fruits and vegetables, right? Children need 5 servings daily, women need 7 servings and men need 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. That will provide the 200 to 600 micrograms mcg for children of folate that people need every day. And this is a case of more is better. People can get up to 2,500 mcg of folate, including supplemental folic acid, every day.

Eat your fruits and vegetables for the powerful benefits of folate and feel free to supplement your diet with this wonderful, powerful nutrient with so many extraordinary health benefits.

Take Control of Your Health

Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Children. 5 servings daily
Women. 7 servings daily
Men. 9 servings daily
Feel free to supplement your diet with TriVitas Fruits n VegEZ

Keep your folic acid supplements balanced with B-12, B-6 and Biotin
Wellavoh 400 mcg of folic acid
VitaDaily AM/PM 400 mcg of folic acid
Sublingual B-12 400 mcg of folic acid
Super B-12 50 mcg of folic acid
HCY Guard 400 mcg of folic acid

Consider Peaceful Sleep to help reduce the impact of histamines

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80. B-12 Vitamins

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Do you have pain, numbness or tingling in your hand, especially the Index finger and thumb? Does the pain or numbness get worse when you use your hand a lot? Have you lost your grip?

You may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? How did I get it? How can I make it go away?

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What is it?
Your hand is held together by tough ligaments that do not stretch very much at all. The ligaments between the base of your thumb and little finger form a tunnel of sorts that nerves and blood vessels go through. When all is well, this is an ingenious design that protects delicate nerves and gives you full use of your hand without pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a phrase that describes the inflammation of the median nerve in the hand.

How did I get it?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually caused by constant, repetitive motion that results in inflammation. This is worse in women and people who have experienced an injury to their hand. It is also worse in people with arthritis, diabetes and people who are obese.

Aside from these triggers, let me tell you of my experience with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. People tend to have two things in common when they experience this disorder, a B vitamin deficiency, like B-6 and B-12, and a serious problem in their neck.

All imbalances in the human body classically come from four causes, injury, toxicity, deficiency and stress. With this in mind, it makes sense that such a painful disorder could be triggered by such a simple cause. Of course, life is never quite that simple. With Carpal Tunnel there may also be toxicity generated by a hormone imbalance, smoking, excessive drinking or other chemical imbalance. But in the end, all of the people with Carpal Tunnel that I have ever seen also suffer from a nutrient deficiency and neck injury. Nerve-healthy nutrients can be found in the TriVita Nerve Formula.

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How can I make it go away?
The first step in any successful program must be accurate assessment of the condition. See a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Several really scary conditions masquerade as simple Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and even simple Carpal Tunnel is not so simple!.

Begin with conservative care for your wrist and your neck as directed by a competent healthcare provider. If your neck is causing the problem, by all means address the cause! Supplement with Sublingual Vitamin B-12 and B-6 to keep the levels of B vitamins at their peak. If you are using TriVita products, use original Sublingual B-12 as it has more Vitamin B-6 in it than Super B does.

If surgery is needed to relieve your trapped nerves, find the best surgeon available. Follow their instructions closely. Most people recover completely from this condition by reducing inflammation at the nerve, preventing re-injury and addressing the cause.

Take Control of Your Health

Get properly diagnosed
Follow prescribed therapy very closely
Take your supplements
Dr. Libbys Original Sublingual B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid
Nopalea for inflammation
TriVitas Nerve Formula
Treat your neck if necessary

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81. B-12 Vitamins

Causes of Hidden Inflammation
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

The major categories of inflammation
How you can protect yourself
Nutrients you can use to help reduce inflammation

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Cause number 1, Toxins
Toxins cause inflammation by penetrating healthy tissue in your body and hiding there. Your immune system knows they are there and responds with acute inflammation to eradicate them, even killing healthy cells to get rid of the toxins. Toxins create death when more cells die in a single day than your body can replace with healthy cells.

Sometimes this happens very quickly, as with infection from the H1-N1 flu epidemic. The virus inhabits the lungs and airways. Your body responds with immune cells which douse the viral toxin with inflammation. So many lung cells are killed in the process that the host simply cannot replace the sick, toxic cells with new, healthy cells and the patient dies.

Cause number 2, Deficiency
Your body must replace millions of cells every hour. Building healthy cells requires that we have healthy building materials in our system all the time: oxygen, water, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and many other elements. We must give our body time to rebuild with 7 and half to 9 hours of peaceful sleep every night.

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Cause number 3, Emotional Distress
Stress describes the forces trying to tear us apart, like toxins and deficiencies, gravity and weather, injuries, expectations and time pressures. These are examples of things that pull us apart. The forces trying to pull us back together, homeostasis, are seen in the 10 Essentials, like deep breathing, pure water, peaceful sleep, nutritious food, daily activity, emotional and spiritual support.

Cause number 4, Injuries and Trauma
Acute inflammation is the normal response to trauma. Acute inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, redness and heat. Using topical pain relief gels can expedite the repair process by supporting homeostasis during the early days following an injury.

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Conclusion
There are four basic causes of inflammation, therefore, there are four basic causes of chronic disease. Work to insulate yourself from these malevolent influences with appropriate nutrients and emotional/spiritual nurturing and you will improve the quantity and quality of your life!

Take Control of Your Health

Practice the 10 Essentials each day
Use Nopalea to detoxify
Create a nutrient base with Healthy Aging supplements
VitaDaily AM-PM
Sublingual B-12
Vital C
OmegaPrime
Adaptogen 10 Plus Plus to thwart stress
Use topical pain relief gels for acute injuries

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82. B-12 Vitamins

The Big 2 Health Issues for Women
By Brazos Minshew, Chief Science Officer

I recently took a survey of the women I know over 30 years of age. I wanted to see which health issues, beyond hormone problems, prevent women from doing the things that matter most to them as they age. Below is a discussion of the Big 2, fatigue and pain.

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Fatigue
The sensation of physical and mental fatigue easily tops the list of health issues. Some of these complaints spring from the work ethic of women. A man works from sun to sun, but a womans work is never done. Often, women run out of energy before they run out of day!

Energy imbalances are like all other imbalances. They are created by injury, toxicity, stress and deficiency. Women over 30 share five deficiencies that can cause physical and mental fatigue

Vitamin C

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin D

Essential fatty acids

Magnesium

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Pain
Pain may also be caused by injury, toxicity, stress and deficiency. Joint pain is most commonly caused by Degenerative Joint Disease, or DJD. Beyond direct injury to your joints or low back, DJD is actually a sign of water and sulfur deficiency, often caused by toxicity. Joints may literally dry out and shrink, becoming unstable and painful instead of supple and supportive.

Common toxins in our environment require dietary sulfur to detoxify them. Dietary sulfur is found predominantly in Brassica vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens and turnips, rutabagas and kohlrabi. These should make up several of the 7 for women to 9 for men vegetable and fruit servings you enjoy every day.

Pain and fatigue do not have to be part of aging if we address the common toxins and deficiencies that may underlie these symptoms. Eliminating toxins by using Nopalea can help, filling up deficiencies, and learning and living the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness are the keys to vitality and longevity for both women and men!

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83. B-12 Vitamins

Building and Maintaining Healthy Blood
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

Symbolically and poetically, blood represents life. It is made of four basic components

Red cells. Red cells carry oxygen to the rest of the cells in your body. They should remain flexible, but certain conditions such as sickle cell anemia and diabetes cause the red blood cells to become rigid and damage the lining of your blood vessels.
White cells. White blood cells are a large part of your immune system.
Platelets. Platelets serve to repair damage when you are injured. They form blood clots to arrest excessive bleeding.
Plasma. Plasma is the fluid in which each of these cells is carried. Plasma also carries nutrients and hormones to your cells and waste products such as carbon dioxide away from your cells. Plasma is mostly water.

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The essentials of healthy blood

Plasma
Low blood plasma is called hypovolemia. To have healthy blood plasma we must first have healthy hydration. We must drink pure water. To calculate how much water your body needs daily, take your body weight in pounds and cut that number in half. That represents the average amount of water in ounces that you should drink daily. I weigh about 190 pounds. Half that number is 95. So, I need about 95 ounces of water daily to help build healthy blood.

Blood plasma contains proteins and fats. For healthy plasma, eat healthy proteins and healthy fats.

Red blood cells
Red Blood Cells, or RBC, carry oxygen by means of a special molecule called hemoglobin. Low RBC volume or a low volume of hemoglobin is called simple anemia. A more serious, persistent form of anemia is called pernicious anemia. Both simple and pernicious anemias require an abundant supply of folic acid, Vitamin B-12 and dietary iron. Chronic anemia also responds to resistance or strength training exercises.

Blood derives oxygen from breathing deeply. To support proper oxygen balance in the blood and cells of your body, practice breathing deeply for 10 minutes, 2 or 3 times daily and 20 minutes at bedtime.

Platelets
A deficiency of platelets will cause you to bleed too freely if you are injured. In fact, this type of condition, called thrombocytopenia or ITP, may cause you to bleed even without an injury! Thrombocytopenia may be a sign of a simple infection or a serious disease. However, ITP may also be associated with insomnia and a low-fat diet. For healthy platelets, get your sleep and eat healthy fats.

White blood cells
White Blood Cells, or WBC, come in many varieties. WBC fight infection with inflammation. A high WBC count, then, is a sign of infection, the type of WBC can often tell you what kind of infection you have. Bioflavonoids in the quercetin family called Betalains can help focus the activity of your WBC and make them more effective.

A low WBC count, called leukopenia, is often a sign of low stem cell production in your bone marrow. The common function of your WBC is responding to infection and injury. So, a reduced production of stem cells will yield a low level of WBC and an increased risk of serious infection, also, a reduced healing response.

Low WBC count is also associated with various viral infections that target the immune system. It may be caused by a vitamin deficiency, especially Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin B-12, excessive stress, toxicity from various causes and certain cancers.

Conclusion
Building healthy blood cells and delivering those cells to where we need them is dependent on The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Special nutrients can help build elements of our blood. In the end, blood is life. Without healthy blood cells and plasma, we will simply never have the wellness we desire and deserve!

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Take Control of Your Health

See a doctor immediately for any blood disorder
Practice the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
Breathe deeply and drink pure water
Sleep peacefully, eat nutritiously and enjoy activity
Also consider
Leanology Nutritional Shakes as a protein supplement
OmegaPrime to supply healthy fats
Sublingual B-12 for folic acid, B-6 and B-12
Nopalea to help the body regulate inflammation and help with cellular health
Adaptogen 10 Plus to help the body reduce stress and promote optimal cellular health

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84. B-12 Vitamins

Body Systems 101
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

You and those you love are affected by the decisions you make every day. Healthy decisions eventually become healthy habits. Health is built on healthy habits as you practice them day by day. Your future is built on your health.

Every dream you have, every hope and aspiration, as well as every duty and responsibility in your life, depends on you getting healthy and staying healthy. Remember, it is as inevitable as gravity. A body deprived of nutrients and nurturing will get sick.

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Which nutrients do I need to take?
Humans were designed to get their nutrients from foods. Eating Nutritiously is an Essential for Wellness. Supplementing with whole food nutrition, such as TriVitas Fruits 'n VegEZ respects this design, as does whole-food based supplements like Wellavoh and VitaDaily AM/PM. In addition to these Healthy Foundation supplements, other nutrients are needed. Here is a brief description of the most common nutrient deficiencies and the signs that can help you determine if you may be deficient

Vitamin C
Among the greatest deficiencies in the diet of people over 50 is Vitamin C. Signs of Vitamin C deficiency include

Weakness
Weariness
Unhealthy gums
Nosebleeds
Bruising
Slow healing

Vitamin B-12
Our ability to absorb Vitamin B-12 declines as we age. Supplement your diet with TriVitas Sublingual B-12 daily. Remember, after age 30 our brains literally begin to shrink. The more B-12 we have in our bloodstream, the less brain erosion we may experience.

Signs of low B-12 include

Mood and memory problems
Mental fatigue and poor concentration
Irritability
Poor circulation
Un-refreshing sleep

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Omega-3 fatty acids
Speaking of brain erosion, our brains are primarily made of fat. The most common signs of Omega-3 deficiency include mood disorders, such as depression and Attention Deficit Disorder. Other signs that we may need more Omega-3 include hormone imbalance in women and men, immune system imbalance such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and chronic fatigue.

Vitamin D and Magnesium
Vitamin D comes from both dietary sources and healthy sunshine exposure. It is activated by exercise. Vitamin D is responsible for hardening your bones. Signs of Vitamin D deficiency include poor blood sugar balance, chronic pain and clumsiness.

Magnesium is found abundantly in plant-based foods, such as sea vegetables, nuts and seeds, avocados and leafy green vegetables. Signs of deficiency include

Tinnitus, ringing in the ears
Migraine
Poor muscle recovery following exercise

Because Vitamin D and magnesium usually cooperate in nature, we put them in cooperative supplements such as VitaCal-Mag D and VitaDaily AM/PM. They are available in higher levels in Wellavoh, Bone Growth Factor and Leanology Capsules. With osteoporosis at epidemic levels, we need more Vitamin D and magnesium to help support healthy bones!

Essential D provides pure Vitamin D and cofactors to make it work in our polluted environment.

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Healthy foundation program
To feel better today and healthier tomorrow, we all need to cultivate healthy habits every day. This includes eating nutritiously and taking our supplements to make up for the deficiency in our diet. Select a multi-nutrient complex, an appropriate B-12 and a magnesium/Vitamin D supplement suited to your needs. Add Vital C and OmegaPrime to build the healthy foundation your lifes purpose demands!

Take Control of Your Health

Take a multi-nutrient complex
Wellavoh for Men and Women
VitaDaily AM/PM
TriVita Kids Multi-Vitamin
Fruits 'n VegEZ
Add a Sublingual B-12
Sublingual B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid
Super Sublingual B-12
HCY Guard
Take Vital C
A teaspoon in the morning
A tablet at bedtime
Add OmegaPrime for healthy fats
Consider special needs for extra nutrition
VitaCal-Mag D or Bone Growth Factor
Essential D
Leanology Capsules

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85. B-12 Vitamins

What Are Blue Zones and Why Are They Important?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Science Officer

I recently read a book called Blue Zones by the National Geographic Explorer, Daniel Buettner. It was fascinating. Mr. Buettner used a scientific approach that studied the communities in the world where people lived longer, to at least age 100, and reported the highest levels of well-being. He came up with 9 commonalities, i.e., habits they practiced, which led to their Wellness.

Let me share with you those commonalities, plus information on a blue zone we have right here in the Sonora Desert!

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Where are these Blue Zones?
Some of the Blue Zones Mr. Buettner studied are in Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, Loma Linda, California, Nicoya, Costa Rica, and Icara, Greece. Please understand, Blue Zones are not the only places in the world where people live to be 100. But in these Blue Zone communities, in particular, there are higher incidences of people reaching 100 years of age and beyond.

Blue Zones are not magical places. Instead, they are communities where specific habits and practices combine in just the right way to foster greater longevity and wellness. So what are these habits?

9 Habits, 10 Essentials
There is a list of primary habits that make up the collection of Blue Zone longevity secrets. They are called the Power-9. As you might expect, the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness encompass these same points, and even perhaps explain them a bit better, too. The Power-9 are

Move naturally
Know Your Purpose
Down-shift, stress management
The 80 percent rule, only fill your stomach 80 percent full at mealtimes
Plant Slant, primarily a vegetarian diet
Wine at 5, our Italian friends celebrate happy hour with 2 glasses of wine daily
Family First
Belong, nearly all centenarians were devout worshippers
The Right Tribe, a collection of emotionally healthy friends

We can readily see the nature of the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness in comparison to the Power-9. For example, rather than saying that we should have an emotionally healthy Tribe of friends, the 10 Essentials teach us how to be an emotionally healthy friend. Give and Receive Love. Be Forgiving. Develop Acceptance. Practice Gratitude. Invaluable principles indeed!

Still, the Power-9 are an excellent set of habits that can help you improve and enrich both the quality and the quantity of your life years. Mr. Buettner, in true scientific fashion, even assigns a number of years you can expect to gain from adding each new habit to your lifestyle, e.g., 8 years added to your life by eating a plant-based diet.

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Nurturing and Nutrients
The Blue Zones book says that you can add at least 4 years to your life as you realize your sense of Purpose. I especially appreciate that someone besides the TriVita Wellness Community recognizes the importance of Purpose as life benefit. As it has been said, It can add years to your life, and life to your years. The disciplines of health, such as getting enough sleep and eating nutritiously, are really only sustainable if we have a powerful sense of Purpose driving us.

The same is true of getting the nutrients we need to correct deficiencies, support detoxification, reduce the impact of stress and break the cycle of inflammation. If a person has a clearly defined sense of Purpose, they will craft a program of Foundational Nutrition to get them where they want to go.

This is what we learned from the Pima people right here in the Sonora Desert. Though they lack the genetics to reach 100 years of age, the Pima living in their traditional culture live nearly 50 percent longer than those living in our civilized culture. Compare that to the 20 percent to 30 percent lifespan improvement of the other Blue Zones and you can see how the Purpose-driven, anti-inflammatory lifestyle of the Pima helps them create their own, personal Blue Zone.

We can travel on the same journey as our Pima friends. By realizing our Purpose, learning and living the 10 Essentials for Wellness, and supporting our journey with appropriate nutrients, we can create our own one-person Blue Zone and stake our personal claim for a life of Passion, Mission and Purpose!

Take Control of Your Health

Claim your sense of Purpose
Learn and Live the 10 Essentials
Breathe Deeply
Drink Pure Water
Sleep Peacefully
Eat Nutritiously
Enjoy Activity
Give and Receive Love
Be Forgiving
Practice Gratitude
Develop Acceptance
Develop a Relationship with God
Take your Foundation Nutrition daily
Vital C, 1 teaspoon in the morning; 1 tablet at bedtime)
Sublingual B-12, original, Super B or HCY Guard
Omega Prime, 1 per 50 pounds of body weight
VitaDaily AM/PM or Wellavoh multi-nutrient complexes
Essential D
Help reduce Inflammation and the impact of Stress
Nopalea
Adaptogen 10 Plus

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86. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Anti-Inflammatory Product

Nopalea defends your body against dangerous toxins that ...threaten cellular health
...lead to inflammation
...and trigger a whole host of diseases
Here is how it helps the body thrive.

The power of Betalains
Harnessing the power of Betalains, a rare and potent class of antioxidants that flourish in the Nopal cactus, Nopalea delivers scientifically proven health benefits.

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Detoxify your body
Every day, we are exposed to toxins in our air, water and food, and even toxins created by our own bodies. Nopalea combines its Betalains with other antitoxic ingredients to combat these poisons where they strike us first, right inside the trillions of cells in our bodies.

By increasing the activity of CYP 2E1, a special enzyme that neutralizes daily toxins, Nopalea protects your cells and vital organs, especially your liver, against the carcinogens, hormone disruptors, respiratory toxins, developmental toxins and neurotoxins that are responsible for one quarter of all the worlds diseases.

Reduce inflammation
When toxins assault your system, or when injury or infection strikes, your body responds with a complex biological process commonly referred to as inflammation. If this inflammation goes unchecked, it can lead to a wide variety of disorders, from stroke to arthritis to heart disease.

Nopalea specifically targets signs of inflammation in your body and reduces them quickly. Its Betalains and other anti-inflammatory ingredients work directly on the fluid surrounding your cells. There, they draw off the toxins and excess water to reduce inflammation and rebalance the cellular environment.

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Protect against premature aging
Your skin is a miraculous covering that protects you from harm. Pollution, toxins, radiation and other potentially damaging influences are kept out of your body by your skin, in which vital organs are protected inside. One of the first signs of aging is thin, sagging, withered skin that is easily damaged.

Nopalea rushes to these damaged areas to shore up your protective layer. The Betalains in Nopalea fill in the gaps of your cells, including the cells in your skin, and return them to the firm, robust nature of young cells, at any age. By providing a healthy environment for the cell, Betalains keep it from withering.

More health benefits
Want even more reasons to drink Nopalea? Scientific research shows that Nopalea also helps the body to

Increase energy
Boost the immune system
Protect against fluid retention
Neutralize free radicals

Nopalea ... drink it and thrive. I did. Anti-Inflammatory Product

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87. B-12 Vitamins

Is Homocysteine Your Titanic Iceberg?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

If the word homocysteine is new to you, let us step back a minute and talk about the Titanic. Yes, the cruise liner that sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912. Imagine what would have happened if the captain of that ship changed his course before the icebergs appeared. Would the outcome have been different? My point is this. The earlier you change your course with respect to your health, the better your chances for a healthy life! And that is why it is important to know about homocysteine, HCY, sooner rather than later.

Homocysteine, HCY, has been studied in medicine behind the scenes for more than 40 years. Excessive levels of HCY have been linked to many serious conditions, from heart attacks and stroke, to osteoporosis and Alzheimers disease. We know that low homocysteine equals a low risk of disease. We also know that TriVitas HCY Guard may help your body reduce homocysteine 35 percent in just six weeks for most people. How does this affect you?

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Protection is the key
According to major medical studies, the risk of disease goes up as HCY levels go up. Further, the nutrients in TriVitas HCY Guard, when added to a lifestyle program, were found to help people avoid illness over time.
Sadly, many people with advanced heart disease wait until they are too close to the iceberg. For them, it is often too little, too late. Still, 40 years of medical research tells us that changing the course of our health journey earlier, before a serious health crisis occurs, will result in a healthier life.

How HCY kills
Homocysteine is a fraction of protein like a sliver of broken glass. When it gets into your bloodstream in high concentrations it slices the delicate lining of your blood vessels. When the tissues supplied by these blood vessels lose circulation, they will die. If this happens in your heart it is called a heart attack. If it happens in your brain it is called a stroke, or brain attack. Arteries damaged by homocysteine may spasm under stress.

Basic nutrients from a healthy diet improve HCY levels in the bloodstream. TriVitas HCY Guard contains specific nutrients, such as Vitamin B-12, B-6, folic acid and biotin, which further help to reduce HCY levels and the destruction HCY causes to your bones, blood vessels and heart, as well as your delicate brain cells.

Additional nutrients in HCY Guard such as Choline, Inositol, CoEnzyme Q-10 and Dimethylglycine keep the HCY levels down over time. The protein Methionine promotes a healthy HCY cycle, and other proteins such as Lysine, Taurine and Cysteine remove roadblocks to healthy HCY elimination. These roadblocks may include lead, mercury and other toxins.

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Reduced homocysteine by 35 percent
In 2004 we undertook a study of HCY Guard. Our research partner in this study was Mark Mattie, M.D., Ph.D., of Bridgeport University and Yale University. The results of our study demonstrated that the complete ingredients found in HCY Guard helped the body reduce homocysteine an incredible 35 percent!

Remember, HCY Guard is protection, not treatment. Health only comes from healthy living. As captain of your ship, you simply cannot afford to wait until you see icebergs to change the course of your health. Have your homocysteine levels tested frequently. If they are low, keep them low with TriVitas Sublingual B-12. If they are too high, help reduce them by taking HCY Guard, the only supplement proven in university studies to help reduce HCY by 35 percent!

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88. B-12 Vitamins

How to Keep Your Heart Healthy
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Death is Natures way of saying, Slow down, take it easy
Ahh, to slow down for a moment To go through life relaxed instead of pedal-to-the-metal!

We call the cycle of chronic stress Fight or Flight. It describes the reaction of our nervous system when we are confronted with a life-threatening circumstance. Our nervous system governs homeostasis, which controls our hormones, sugar balance and energy production. Our nervous system controls our heart and vascular system as well.

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The gas, the brakes
Our car is equipped with an accelerator to make it go and brakes to make it stop. Our nervous system is divided into two separate systems that function in much the same way. The sympathetic nervous system reacts and responds to stimuli from outside our body such as noise, cold and heat. It reacts to pain or even the threat of pain and loss. It reacts when you are tickled. It is sympathetic to emotions such as fear and anger.

Our parasympathetic nervous system works to bring us back into balance when stressful circumstances are past and the hormones of stress start to drop. The parasympathetic nervous system runs everything in your body, heart, brain, immune system, digestion, reproduction, everything!

The sympathetic nervous system may tear your body apart to try to solve a momentary crisis. The parasympathetic nervous system builds your body up and allows you to heal when the crisis has resolved.

We need to put the brakes on stress or it will put the brakes on our life!

Hormones, stress and heart attacks
If our body is parasympathetic-dominant we experience all the colors of life from an optimum state. Our breathing is relaxed, our digestion is complete and our circulation is wide open. Our thyroid is busily building up our muscles, bones and organs and our heart is cooperating by ensuring a nutrient-rich supply of blood.

If our body is sympathetic-dominant it is stressed. Our thyroid cannot complete its building function so our brain pumps out more and more stimulating hormones. Our liver releases huge amounts of sugar and cholesterol. Our blood pressure increases and our heart rate increases as nutrients are choked off from non-Fight or Flight systems, such as breathing, reproduction and digestion.

One of the most vulnerable of all systems to sympathetic dominance is the cardiovascular system, your heart and blood vessels. If they have been constricted for too long because of stress, they will lose their ability to return to normal when you relax. Soon, semi-permanent changes will occur in these systems as we become accustomed to stressful living.

Running the engine of your car at top speed exhausts your fuel supply very quickly. Running your body in sympathetic dominance exhausts your nutrient reserves as well. This is especially true of your antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as Vitamins C and B-12, as well as essential fatty acids that serve as the primary fuel for your heart.

When your car runs out of fuel, it sputters and dies. It is the same way for your heart!

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What to do

Deep breathing
Unlike your car, your body is designed to heal given the right circumstances. We can switch our nervous system to parasympathetic dominance by practicing deep breathing. Take breathing breaks for 10 minutes, twice daily. Practice deep breathing for 20 minutes before sleeping. This is a major step toward relaxing. Keep it up every day and in four to six months your cardiovascular system can begin to heal.

Activity
Enjoy low-stress exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. This will open your blood vessels and even help your body to build new blood vessels.

Nutrients
Use antioxidant nutrients such as Vital C and eat antioxidant-rich foods at every meal. Use anti-inflammatory supplements: Cholestria to help raise HDL, good cholesterol, and help reduce inflammatory LDL, bad cholesterol, and HCY Guard, homocysteine is a very inflammatory toxin! And fuel your heart with essential fatty acids from OmegaPrime.

Take your foot off the gas with anti-stress exercises. Put more fuel in your tank with nutrients and nurturing. Slow down a little, or Nature will send you an unwanted message!

Take Control of Your Health

Recognize the danger of stress. Do not trivialize it!
Practice deep breathing
10 minutes, twice daily
20 minutes at bedtime
Enjoy activity, 30 minutes daily, most days of the week
Eat fruits and vegetables as well as Vital C for antioxidants
Use Cholestria to help increase good cholesterol and help reduce bad cholesterol
Use HCY Guard to help reduce toxic homocysteine
Eat healthy fats and OmegaPrime to help nourish your heart

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89. B-12 Vitamins

Improve your Digestive Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Digestive complaints are among the most common reasons for doctor visits. And, among the top-selling medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are remedies for digestive disorders such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS. Why do we have such an abundance of digestive problems these days? What can you do if you are plagued with poor digestive health?

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Different people, different needs
First, we need to recognize that we are all different. Also, we need to look for the ways that we are alike. This is crucial in discovering why you may be experiencing indigestion.

We are different in that every person on the planet has different fingerprints. Even genetically identical twins have different fingerprints. So, the lifestyle that works for one person may not work for another. Even the lifestyle that promotes health for you at age 30 may be damaging to your health at 50. To drill down even further, the foods that satisfy you in the winter may disturb your digestion in the summer.

Do not try to squeeze yourself into a one-size-fits-all plan. Instead, be curious about how your body responds in different situations and learn to listen when it speaks to you.

Humans are similar in many ways. The human diet may vary widely, but the essential ingredients of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber and water are universally required for human health. Some have suggested that the best diet derives 40 percent of the total calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 30 percent from fats. Other experts recommend a different distribution of nutrients based on specific needs. It may take some trial and error to find out how your specific needs are similar to others and how they are different.

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Specific diets
Proper food combining is one approach to easing digestive upsets. Although not everyone responds well to this approach, many people with IBS and GERD do. Eating according to your blood type is another approach. Again, not all people respond well to this approach but many people with IBS and GERD do. I say many because even within these groups there are individual adjustments needed depending on the seasons of peoples lives.

Here are several other diet approaches that may help your digestive health

Weed, seed and feed

We need to weed out the foods that bother us. Another similarity between people with GERD and IBS is in the way their nerves energize their digestive tracts. Nerves carry information back to our brain. Areas such as our fingertips are more sensitive because they have a greater concentration of nerves. People with IBS and GERD often have many more nerves in their digestive tissues than those who do not have these disorders. This makes it even more important to reduce irritating foods to prevent the discomfort of information overload. To identify the foods that bother you, keep a detailed food diary and make small modifications, tracking any reactions and adjusting your diet accordingly.

We need to seed the digestive tract with B-12 to grow healthy stomach and intestine cells. We have found that people with digestive troubles always seem to take Vitamin B-12, and now we know why. Poor digestion limits the amount of B-12 you can break down. Low levels of B-12 lead to increased levels of homocysteine in the digestive tract, even when blood levels of homocysteine are normal! Homocysteine is an inflammatory protein that causes extreme irritation to delicate digestive tissues. Reducing inflammation and irritation allows for a healing environment in your digestive system. Vitamin B-12 helps this process.

Feed your internal environment with pre-biotics and pro-biotics. The human digestive tract contains over 300 species of bacteria. They serve as part of our immune system and also help to ferment and break down certain nutrients. We need to support our digestive bacteria with pre-biotics and pro-biotics. These are specific nutrients that feed good bacteria, without feeding bad microbes.

You need to feed the good microbes and help them flourish. This will improve digestion, reduce inflammation and improve your immune system. Every good farmer knows that the health of the soil determines the health of the crop. And, good crops resist bad bugs.

Complex problems
There is no cure for many digestive difficulties. Often, GERD and IBS fall into the no known cure category. That may be because these functional maladies are normal responses to abnormal environments. Develop an environment that soothes your digestive tract instead of irritating it. Find out what your system prefers. Cultivate respect for what makes you different and learn to listen to your body.

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Take Control of Your Health

Select fats that do not irritate your system
Choose foods high in soluble fiber including plenty of fruits and vegetables
Combine starches and proteins in a way that works for you
Be sure to drink plenty of water every day.

To calculate your daily water needs, use the simple formula below. Cold water may irritate your stomach so try to drink water that is room temperature.

Example. A 150-pound person would need to drink about 75 ounces of water per day. 150 divided by 2 equals 75 ounces

Breathe deeply for at least 20 minutes every day to help relax
Take B-12 at least once daily
Take pre-biotics and pro-biotics to help with digestive health

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90. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Anti-Inflammatory Product

How Nopalea aids the body in healing
Its Betalains, come to the rescue
Betalains, pronounced bay ta lins, are a rare and potent class of antioxidants that flourish in the Nopal cactus fruit. Nopalea harnesses the power of this desert Superfruit and its Betalains to bring you scientifically proven health benefits.

These Betalains have been scientifically proven, in hundreds of studies, to help the body detoxify itself and reduce inflammation.

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More about those amazing Betalains
Betalains are the pigments that give the Nopal cactus fruit its vibrant pink color. But that is just the beginning. They are also natural antioxidants, and they are found only in a few of the worlds plants. And among these plants, the Nopal fruit is the leader, by far, as it contains one of the highest amounts of Betalains in all of nature.

How Betalains help with your wellness
When you drink Nopalea, its Betalains enter your system and begin to restore your bodys vitality at the cellular level. They do this by helping your body reduce the toxins surrounding its cells, which allows more essential nutrients to reach each cell. As a result, your cells are better fed and energized to repair and replace damaged tissues and reduce the reactive inflammation, keeping it from becoming chronic and leading to disease.

Scientific research shows that Betalains help to

Reduce the risk of blood clots. Betalains protect the thin lining of your blood vessels. This helps reduce the inflammation that makes your blood sticky and leads to clots.1
Reduce bad cholesterol. Betalains strongly reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol.2
Protect cells from toxins. Betalains protect many types of cells, especially brain cells, from toxins known to trigger tumors.3
Protect your liver. Betalains provide significant protection from toxins that directly affect your liver.4

But getting those precious Betalains can be difficult.

That is why I take an inflammation fighter. Take the Wellness Challenge

The average U.S. or Canadian diet is typically devoid of Betalains. The main reason for this is that Betalains are only available from a few types of plants, like the Nopal cactus, beets, Swiss chard and a few weeds and fungi.

Furthermore, not all Betalain producing plants are equal. Plants produce Betalains to protect themselves from harsh environments, so the harsher the environment, the greater the Betalain production. That is why, among all of the worlds plants, the Nopal cactus has the highest concentrations of Betalains. It lives in the brutally inhospitable conditions of the Sonoran Desert.

So if inflammation is the problem, then Nopalea is a natural solution.

1.Antioxidant Betalains from cactus pear, Opuntia ficus-indica, inhibit endothelial ICAM 1 expression. C Gentile, L Tesoriere, M Allegra, M A Livrea, P DAlessio Dipartimento Farmacochimico, Tossicologico e Biologico, Università di Palermo, Italy.
2.Allegra M, Tesoriere L, Livrea MA. Free Radic Res. 2007 Mar 41 3 335 through 341.
3.Lee MH, Kim JY, Yoon JH, Lim HJ, Kim TH, Jin C, Kwak WJ, Han CK, Ryu JH. Phytother Res. 2006 Sep 20 9 742 through 747.
4.Galati EM, Mondello MR, Lauriano ER, Taviano MF, Galluzzo M, Miceli N. Phytother Res. 2005 Sep 19 9 796 through 800.

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91. B-12 Vitamins

Remember These Signs of Failing Memory

A fat, healthy brain thrives on Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea
By Dr. Scott Conard

Do you suspect that a memory problem has developed for you, or someone in your life? While it is normal to sometimes forget where you put your car keys, be alert for the signs that something more serious is occurring. It may be time to consult a healthcare professional if

Memory loss is disrupting daily life. If tasks that used to be routine, such as balancing a checkbook or bathing, become difficult, action should be taken.

Lapses are becoming more frequent. It is not normal to forget where you parked every day, or to forget appointments over and over.

You easily forget well-known things. Forgetting the name of a close friend or relative could be significant. Other potential tip-offs of trouble could be forgetting entire conversations, frequently repeating yourself or asking the same questions more than once in the same conversation.

There are signs of confusion. As I have been writing in the VitaJournal for years, memory, energy and mental clarity are key benefits of supplementing with TriVita Sublingual B-12. More recently, a growing body of research has linked an actual reduction in the size of our brains to low levels of B-12. That loss of volume, along with inflammation, is the enemy of a fully-functioning, full-sized brain. Of course, that is where the anti-inflammatory benefits of Nopalea combine with Sublingual B-12 for a powerful combination.

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Brain erosion, B-12 and inflammation
Our brains do become smaller over time. Normally, this loss of volume begins after age 30. After age 50, it can become severe. In fact, some 25 percent of our brain volume can erode by age 60. And this may have to do with our inability to absorb Vitamin B-12 as we age. Studies have indicated that the people with the highest level of B-12 in their bloodstreams have the lowest level of brain erosion. So, this is a good indicator that a relationship exists between low brain volume and low levels of B-12, and higher brain volume is linked with higher levels of B-12.

What is more, with people who are clinically diagnosed with cognitive, mental, decline, research has shown that sudden, profound memory loss often is directly tied to brain inflammation. In one of the fastest-rising brain conditions affecting mental function, there are three characteristic aspects. People can retain normal mental function if they have two of these aspects, but sudden, severe memory loss is triggered only when inflammation, the third aspect, is present.

With people living longer lives we have seen a significant increase in our lifetime in the number of people suffering from mental decline. What is of equal concern is that often we see people being stricken at younger and younger ages. We know there is a direct correlation between B-12 levels and mental decline, and also a link between brain inflammation and mental decline. So now you can understand why, along with Sublingual B-12, Nopalea, which helps the body reduce inflammation, can be so vital to preserving and maintaining brain health.

In addition, as my colleague at TriVita, Chief Science Officer Brazos Minshew points out, we can not ignore the role that Omega-3 essential fatty acids play in brain health. In fact, just about half of our brains are made of Omega-3, so it is important to make sure that we get enough of this good fat through healthy eating and supplementation. I suggest TriVitas OmegaPrime.

Remember! When memory seems to be failing, consult your healthcare provider. And consider TriVita Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea together as important steps toward helping you be sharp, and to stay that way.

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92. B-12 Vitamins

Getting the Sleep You Need
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Officer

What is stealing my brain?

There is a thief on the loose. It is stealing the ability of people to be healthy, think clearly and live a satisfying life. It is called sleep deprivation.

There are four common causes of disease, trauma, toxicity, deficiency and stress. Severe sleep deficiency affects more than 70 million people in North America, about 25 percent of the general population or 1 in 4 people. Episodes of mild sleep deficiency affect just about all of us. Sleep deficiency has been directly linked to more than 70 diseases and conditions, including

Heart attacks
Stroke
Cancer
Diabetes
Obesity

Since sleep deficiency is a cause or contributor to a poor quality of life and so many horrible diseases, does it not make sense to do what we can to ensure peaceful sleep?

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What is normal?
Men and women should go to sleep between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. and wake between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. They should sleep between 7 and a half and 9 hours every night. It should take between 5 and 15 minutes to fall asleep and you should remain asleep all night. Sleep should be peaceful. There should be no thrashing, teeth-grinding, snoring or fitful sleep. Nightmares and night terrors are not normal. They should be investigated and resolved if they occur commonly. You should dream, but you may not always remember your dreams.

How do I know?
Many people have a sleeping disorder and do not know it. A bed partner may be a good source of information about sleeping habits, but there are two good signs of disturbed sleep requiring intervention

Fatigue. Fatigue is obvious, right? If you sleep all night and wake up feeling tired it means there is a problem. If you are sleepy throughout the day, have difficulty concentrating and tend to doze off if you sit still, then you are obviously sleep deficient, no matter how many hours you actually spent asleep.
Hunger. Hunger is different. There is a balance between hormones that promote hunger and those that make us feel that our appetite has been satisfied. If you sleep well you should be hungry in the morning. If you sleep poorly you will not be hungry for several hours after you wake up. If you sleep well you should have no difficulty controlling evening hunger. If you sleep poorly you will be an uncontrollable eating machine in the evening! Evening hunger is often a sign of poor sleep.

...And my brain?
As we age, there is a tendency for our brain to actually shrink. Adequate amounts of sleep, Vitamin B-12 and Omega-3 DHA can help reduce this tendency and conserve your brain volume as you age. Perhaps even more important than the size of your brain is the ability to think. Sleep helps here, too.

A study published in Nature in 2004 gave problem-solving puzzles to people who had adequate sleep at night, people who slept during the day and people who were sleep deprived. The test was very interesting because you had to solve eight different puzzles. The puzzles were not obviously linked, but were connected by a hidden rule requiring a special human trait called insight.

The human brain functions differently than animal brains. One of the unique qualities of humans is the ability to re-think and restructure our approach to problems based on abstract observations. We can gain this kind of insight by connecting things that do not obviously appear connected and use this abstract knowledge to improve our circumstances.

People who sleep better at night have twice the insight of those who are either sleep deprived or who sleep during the daytime. Our brains simply work better when we sleep peacefully at night.

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Sleep requires nutrients
Sleep is a very energy-intensive process. For peaceful sleep, we should take our foundation nutrients to fuel the process of sleep. If we are having difficulty getting good sleep, try TriVita Peaceful Sleep, one of my favorite formulas!

Sleeping peacefully is a way to thwart the thief that is stealing the health of people all around the world. What is more, sleeping peacefully may just be the cure for a generation of people lacking true insight!

Take Control of Your Health

Make sleep a priority. Set aside time for optimum sleep
Limit caffeine to morning only, if at all
Turn down lights in the evening
Turn off computers, television and video terminals
Practice deep breathing for 20 minutes at bedtime
Take foundation nutrients to fuel sleep
Use TriVita Peaceful Sleep to help re-establish a normal sleep routine

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93. B-12 Vitamins

Which B-12 Supplement Is Right For You?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

Question. TriVita has several Sublingual B-12 supplements. Which one should I take?

Answer: It depends on your needs.

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There are three ways of looking at need in Vitamin B-12

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This should help you see the need for Vitamin B-12 as well as give you the tools you need to decide which ones you need!

Take Control of Your Health

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94. B-12 Vitamins

Energy and Metabolism
By Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer

The World Health Organization, WHO, states, Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It is the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life.

Does that describe you? Or, like many people in North America, are you just too tired to think about being socially and economically productive?

If you feel too tired to do much more than read this article, do not feel alone. Up to 85 percent of the people that visit a doctor for any reason also complain of being chronically tired. It seems that we are in the middle of an energy crisis that has nothing to do with petroleum production!

When we talk about energy we need to distinguish the difference between the ability to survive and the feeling of being energetic. We must admit that even the sickest person is converting nutrients to energy in order to survive. Yet, we want to do more than survive. We want to feel energetic. We want to have the energy to dream and then have the energy to live those dreams. We want to feel our best every day. Is that possible?

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Eating for energy, fats, protein, and carbohydrates
As I mentioned, energy comes from the way our body burns nutrients such as fats, protein, and carbohydrates. These nutrients must be metabolized. The word metabolism is from a Greek word that describes the process of creating energy from food. This description gives us the first hint as to how we can create and sustain an energetic feeling, by balancing our diet every day.

A balanced diet must include

7 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables, for adults
30 plus grams of high quality protein
20 to 35 grams of fiber daily

Sugars from the foods we eat provide us with ready energy, but it does not last very long. Proteins are converted to energy at a much slower pace and provide us with a more stable supply of energy, five times as much energy per gram as sugar.

However, when it comes to providing energy, fat is the undisputed champion. Fat provides us with stamina. It burns slowly and steadily up to 8 times longer than sugar. So for stamina that lasts all day and into the evening hours, select foods high in good fats.

Many experts say that we should get as much as 30 percent of our total calories per day from fat. This may mean more than 70 grams of fat for a 2,200 calorie per day diet. That is a lot of fat! But do not reach for the French fries just yet. You see, all foods contain fat. Fat is as important for plants as it is for humans. So, select fats from foods that are known for high energy, such as vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, and certain types of fish.

Take Control of Your Health

Try these nutrients for extra energy
Fat burners such as Indium Sulfate, Chromium, Alpha Lipoic acid, Folic acid and Biotin.
Proteins that increase metabolism such as l-Phenylalanine and l-Theanine.
B-vitamins that nourish the nervous system, especially B-12, DiMethylglycine, DMG, and Trimethylglycine, TMG.
Antioxidant plants that increase metabolism such as Green Tea, Gymnema Sylvestre, Cinnamon, and Ginseng.

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95. B-12 Vitamins

Your World is Spinning! It Could Be Vertigo

Benign vertigo
Vertigo is not usually a sign of a serious disease. It is typically transient, it comes and goes, and resolves on its own without medical care. The most common cause is an upper respiratory infection such as a sinus infection. Most people who suffer with vertigo learn instinctively to sit up slowly and avoid quick movements of the head.

If benign vertigo is associated with allergies, Vitamin C is in my personal opinion an absolutely awesome antihistamine. Using the VisionGuard.

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Menieres disease
An extremely persistent type of vertigo is Menieres disease. It is vertigo associated with ringing or buzzing in the ears, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Menieres is a progressive disease. Trauma, toxins, infections and other causes may trigger Menieres. Rapid medical intervention is needed to determine the exact cause of this condition. When the cause is removed the condition may improve.

This is important! Please check with your healthcare provider before starting the Vitamin C Flush.

Take Control of Your Health

For vertigo associated with
Allergies use Vitamin C
Circulation use VisionGuard
Menieres use Vitamin B-12 plus all of the above
See your doctor to determine the cause of vertigo!

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96. B-12 Vitamins

Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases

We are a people on fire!

Less than a hundred years ago the common health challenges we faced were infections. With the discovery of pathogenic bacteria and the advent of proper hygiene, death from these problems became less common. Inflammation has become the new epicenter of disease, disability and death.

Inflammation and the immune system
Our immune system uses heat to destroy invading bacteria. A specialized cell called a macrophage douses the invader with inflammatory enzymes, like acids, and the heat generated in this battle destroys the invading bacteria.

Sometimes our own healthy cells become the focus for disease. This often happens because of toxic exposure. When we eat, drink or breathe a toxin, or if it is absorbed through our skin, our detoxification system works to remove it before the poison can compromise our health. Unfortunately, many of todays poisons are simply too strong and they overwhelm our detoxification system and enter healthy cells. These cells now become the target of disease, infection and inflammation. Our immune system must treat them as hostile and use heat to destroy them.

Autoimmune diseases arise when our immune system becomes so overworked that it can no longer tell the difference between healthy cells and sick cells. It attacks all cells of a particular type equally. This body system is never able to heal and chronic inflammation sets in.

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The weakest link
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. You are only as healthy as your weakest body system. How robust you are depends mostly on lifestyle choices, somewhat on your environment and a little on your genetics.

When a toxin overwhelms your detoxification process it will likely settle in your weakest system. The immune system melts these polluted cells in an effort to save healthy cells. This is acute inflammation. With chronic toxicity comes the opportunity for chronic inflammation. In the case of chronic inflammation, the immune system attacks any sick cell as well as any healthy cell that looks like the sick one. If the immune system attacks connective tissue we say a person has lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas we say they have type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints we say they have rheumatoid arthritis.

These are only a few of the more than 200 autoimmune diseases. Yet they all share one common attribute, inflammation.

Putting the fire out
Inflammation arises because of

Toxins
Injuries
Emotional distress
Nutrient deficiency

We simply must reduce our toxic exposure to reduce the chances of developing an autoimmune disorder. And we must also develop emotional coping strategies and have all of the nutrients we need in our body in the right quantity, every moment of every day. These are the first steps to reducing inflammation.

We can directly douse the fire with anti-inflammatory Betalains such as those found in TriVitas Nopalea. A Betalain is a protein-antioxidant complex found in certain plants grown in hot climates. The hotter the climate, the more Betalains the plant needs to survive and the more we can benefit.

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Nutrient strategies
According to most authorities, everyone needs to be taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement every day. This is even more important for people trying to tame their immune system in an autoimmune flare-up. We also need to eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and take Omega EFA supplements. These fats not only reduce inflammation but they also make your immune system work smarter, not harder. Antioxidants are critical to putting out the fire of inflammation. Betalain protein-antioxidants are extremely powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients. Finally, Vitamin B-12 and adaptogens form a bulwark against the blues and physical stress.

We are a nation on fire. This is at the heart of the near epidemic of autoimmune disorders we are facing. Strategies of nutrients and nurturing will help us fight inflammation and help us with what we do best, heal!

Take Control of Your Health

Remove household cleaners from your living space
Keep clear of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides
Select certified organic foods when possible
Take a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement
Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Salmon, tuna, herring and other fatty fish
Walnuts, especially English walnuts
Take an Omega EFA supplement
Help your body reduce inflammation with Betalains found in Nopalea
Protect yourself from emotional distress with B-12 and adaptogens

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97. B-12 Vitamins

Allergies, Asthma and Your Environment

What is your experience? Does there seem to be more or less people with allergies these days? Do more or less children, and adults, seem to have asthma these days? Most people recognize that the prevalence of allergies and asthma is on the rise, and health statistics confirm it.

What are the causes of allergies and asthma? Why are we seeing so many more people suffering from these conditions? How can we find relief from these common conditions?

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Antecedents, triggers and inflammation
We say we have allergies when we experience a certain set of symptoms, watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, etc., in response to a trigger such as pollen or dust. We say we have asthma when we experience breathing difficulty related to constriction in our airways and inflammation in the immune system of our respiratory tract. Antecedents. Certain people have allergies while others do not. And certain people experience asthma while others do not. The difference between those of us with symptoms and other people is found in antecedents, literally what comes before. Antecedents may be

Genetic, rare
Trauma from smoke, chemical burns, etc., more common
Emotional distress, far more common
Toxins from the environment that permeate our air, water and food, the most common antecedent for allergies and asthma

Triggers. Triggers are the myriad products or processes in our internal and external environment that create symptoms. For one person, wheat triggers symptoms. For another person cat dander triggers symptoms. Almost everyone reacts to ragweed! Your symptom triggers are unique because of the way your personal, internal chemistry interacts with the antecedents that come before allergies and asthma.

Inflammation. Inflammation is the final reaction in this chain. The symptoms we experience are all related to inflammation. Examples of inflammatory mediators are histamines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These are strange and difficult words that are all too familiar to people that suffer from allergies and asthma.

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Defense strategies
We protect ourselves through the process of insulation and isolation. It is very important to isolate ourselves from trauma, stress and toxins. It is also imperative to insulate ourselves with anti-allergy nutrients.

Vitamin B-12, especially Super Sublingual B-12, helps your body reduce histamine formation. Nopalea helps your body reduce inflammation in the soft tissues of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and pretty well all other tissues! These represent the best strategies for symptom relief.

Triggers, allergens, are sharp, jagged proteins that are like shards of broken glass in your system. The cells lining your airways, and pretty well all other tissues, are like delicate balloons that pop when allergens attack. Fortunately, we are able to resist most of these allergens. However, the ones we cannot neutralize create real misery. Essential Fatty Acids, EFAs, like OmegaPrime toughen up the balloon-like cells and make them much more difficult to pop. You will likely need two to three times the normal amount of EFAs every day for several months to achieve lasting relief from allergy triggers.

Antecedents are more difficult to address because genetics, toxins and stress are pervasive. They do not go away. With patience, though, we can develop strategies to minimize the impact of antecedents. For example, we can breathe deeply to de-stress our mind and body. We can drink pure water and eat nutritiously to cleanse toxins from our body. This can also help protect against new poisons setting us up for allergies in the future. And we can modify our sensitivity by exercising appropriately, and safely, as well as sleeping peacefully to balance our immune system.

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Conclusion
Allergies and asthma are more prevalent now than ever. We can prevent much misery by addressing the antecedents that come before these reactions, by strengthening our cells to resist triggers, and by reducing the inflammation that creates so much misery!

Take Control of Your Health

Drink pure water
Eat nutritiously
Practice deep breathing at least 20 minutes every day
Take high levels of OmegaPrime to help strengthen delicate cells
Take Super Sublingual B-12 to help your body reduce histamine formation
Use Nopalea to help your body reduce inflammation
Take CoQ-10 for greater energy
Use Vital C to detoxify your body
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week
Get 7 and a half to 9 hours of sleep per night

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98. B-12 Vitamins

Regain Energy with Healthy Habits
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

A full 85 percent of the people I saw in clinical practice shared the same complaint, fatigue. People feel tired. What are the reasons for the epidemic of fatigue? What are some strategies for coping with low energy? What mindset may help us change the course of relentless fatigue before it is too late?

The message of fatigue
Feeling tired is a communication sent by our body to our consciousness telling us we need to rest, just as hunger is the feeling we get when we need to eat. Learning to listen to these messages will help us achieve and maintain optimum health. Listening to fatigue by resting is at the heart of Essential number 3, Sleep Peacefully. Typically, a good nights sleep will erase fatigue, it may take several nights. Cultivating the habit of sleeping 7 and half to 9 hours every night, depending on our level of fatigue, will ensure that we feel fresh at almost any time and also help us have a healthier immune system.

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We especially need rest

If our immune system is fighting an infection or trying to balance itself in an autoimmune condition
After an injury or exposure to a toxin from outside or inside our body
If we have deficiencies of water, oxygen or certain nutrients such as Vitamin B-12
When experiencing the overwhelming tiredness that comes with emotional distress

We experience chronic fatigue when resting does not relieve our feelings of exhaustion. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS, is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than six months. CFS is often a sign that we have pushed ourselves too hard for too long. We have been so deficient, so toxic and so stressed that we have collapsed our ability to cope with even daily demands. Our immune system and our nervous system are so damaged in CFS that they may take years to repair, if healing is even possible.

Coping strategies
We have a marvelous function inside us called homeostasis. This interesting word describes the struggle of maintaining balance. Just as an acrobat on the high wire appears to be still or motionless, stasis, our internal chemistry appears to be balanced every single moment of every single day with amazing consistency. We can not see the effort the acrobat must contribute to maintain balance but we know intuitively that it must be extreme. Now, imagine the extra stress of wind, temperature, humidity, air quality, light and noise from the outside world. Next, imagine the added stress of low oxygen, dehydration, poor sleep, incomplete nutrition and lack of appropriate fitness. There are many, many elements trying to pull the acrobat off the wire just as there are many, many elements pulling you down as well. Homeostasis describes the extreme effort of your body, mind and spirit every moment to keep you balanced.

Fatigue is a sign of failure of the homeostasis mechanism. It is the message to stop what you are doing and attend to yourself for fear of falling off the high wire, so to speak. The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness are the tools that put you back in balance. They combat fatigue and help you develop a rhythm of energy that can be sustained every day. Set a pace in life that can be maintained indefinitely. Nourish and nurture yourself with the 10 Essentials to support homeostasis and erase fatigue.

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Change your mindset
The era we live in is called post-industrial revolution. It describes a cadence in life that is more appropriate for machines, not for humans. Machines do not get tired, people do! If we are to hear the message of fatigue and respond appropriately, we simply must learn to listen as humans, not machines. We need to resist many of the stresses of modern life. We need to embrace the mindset that people are more important than things.

People matter! Learn the rules of nourishment and nurturing that govern human health and place these as a priority in your daily life. Make sure you are cared for first and then you will be in a position to care for all of your duties, responsibilities, obligations and commitments. Learn to listen to the message of fatigue before you run out of energy. Value the amazing gift of homeostasis by living a life of balance.

This change of mindset is the first step to erasing fatigue.

Take Control of Your Health

Learn and live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
Take VitaDaily AM-PM to support your good health
Help detoxify with Nopalea
Help reduce stress with Adaptogen 10 Plus
Enjoy lasting energy with TriVita Sublingual B-12
Change your mindset. Change your life!

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99. B-12 Vitamins

Simple Solutions to Indigestion
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

Last year, we spent over 5.1 billion dollars for just one popular acid indigestion medicine. This price does not even include all the dozens of other prescription and non-prescription medications on the market. These medications are designed to treat the symptoms associated with digestive problems. But what causes indigestion in the first place? Also, are there any natural strategies for relieving the many digestive disorders we face today?

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The four primary causes of indigestion

Stomach Trauma. This type of trauma is pretty common, usually resulting in a hiatus hernia. With this type of hernia, the stomach is pushed up through the same hole in the diaphragm that the esophagus is routed through. Surgery or manual reduction, literally repositioning your stomach, is usually needed to repair the condition.

Digestive Toxins. These are very common. Sources of dietary toxins include
Contaminated foods
Allergy to wheat, and other gluten-containing grains
Overconsumption
Junk food
Poor food combinations

The key to solving this problem is to be sensible about your food choices. Avoid allergens and eat only food that is hygienically prepared. Select high water-content fruits and vegetables, 5 servings daily for children, 7 servings for women and 9 servings daily for men. These foods tend to be naturally high in fiber and low in toxicity. Also, add a small serving of high-quality protein to the diet. And avoid dietary extremes like consuming a gallon of jalapeno peppers on a dare. I'll never do that again! With all foods, chew them completely to a liquid consistency before swallowing. All these things will help reduce the toxic load on the stomach.

Critical Deficiencies. The deficiencies that cause indigestion are usually related to fiber, Vitamin B-12, beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes. Poor diet, stress, antibiotics and other medications are common causes of these deficiencies. The risk of experiencing critical deficiencies also increases with age and the number of medications you take.

Stress. Stress is by far the most common cause of digestive complaints. When under stress, the homeostasis body process responds by taking energy away from digestion and pouring it into the fight or flight mechanism. A simple way of remembering this process is that stress works to pull your body apart and homeostasis works to put it back together.

When stress interferes with the digestion process your stomach responds by releasing less pepsinogen, a hormone, in response to a food stimulus. In turn, this prevents enough pepsin, an enzyme, from forming to cancel out the excess hydrochloric acid in your stomach. This results in a condition we commonly call acid indigestion.

The poorly digested foods may sit like rocks in the stomach for hours before they are released into the small intestine. The starches may also ferment and cause gas and bloating. Furthermore, bad bacteria and parasites in food that were not killed by stomach acids may start to grow in your intestines and cause an infection. The immune system responds by creating allergy complexes.

Inflammation from both allergic reactions and infection may affect the pancreas and gallbladder. In addition, stress-induced inflammation in the small intestines will create more inflammation in the large intestines. Plus, chronic stress often triggers a host of other digestive conditions such as irritable bowel, colitis, gallbladder disease and pancreatitis.

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The solutions to indigestion

Reduce stress
Resolving poor digestive health first begins with reducing your response to stress. Deep breathing is my favorite approach to stress management. Simply taking three deep breaths can break the cycle of chronic stress. Ten minutes of deep breathing is even better as your stress levels are often reduced by 50 percent. After 20 minutes of deep breathing your brain will begin releasing the hormones that repair your body, including your digestive tract. Practice deep breathing 10 minutes before each meal and 20 minutes at bedtime.

Eat the right foods
Food selection is important. High-fiber and high water-content fruits and vegetables are the foundation for good digestive health. Chew your foods until they are completely liquified before swallowing. Many nutritionists advise against eating starchy carbohydrates and proteins at the same meal. For example, steak and potatoes would be a poor food combination. Most adults cannot digest milk products so anyone unable to tolerate dairy should avoid it. Also, gluten-containing grains, wheat, rye, oats, etc., should be avoided by people with gluten sensitivity.

Take the right supplements
We should always remember to address the problems root cause. If it is chronic stress, then stress reduction is the best strategy. You can bolster your defense against stress with Vitamin B-12, necessary for digesting protein, and adaptogens.

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Stress-related digestive problems, even those with genetic roots, can often be solved with these stress-management techniques. Be sure to always address these problems in cooperation with your health care provider. And remember, there is no problem, no matter how dire or complex, that cannot be improved by a vigorous application of the Ten Essentials.

Take Control of Your Health

Deep breathing to reduce the effects of stress
10 minutes before each meal
20 minutes at bedtime
Improve your diet
High-fiber fruits and vegetables
Chew food until it is liquid
Combine foods appropriately
Avoid food allergens and junk food
Adaptogen 10 Plus before each meal
Reduce the impact of stress on digestion
Sublingual B-12 daily
Essential for protein digestion

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100. B-12 Vitamins

Follow-up on B-12 Vitamins at Tomorrow's Home Business Community

Original Article Posted at B-12 Vitamins

Lower Your Risk of Mental Decline
By Dr. Scott Conard

There is new reason to feel good about your brain health if you supplement with Vitamin B-12. Yet another study has recently been published that supports the link between B-12 and staying mentally sharp.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, concluded that people who get plenty of Vitamin B-12 have a significantly lower risk of developing a brain disorder that involves memory loss, confusion and other serious symptoms of mental decline. The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, wrote a conclusion with which I heartily agree. This study provides even more strong evidence about B-12s role in helping to protect against memory loss.

Here are the details. Blood samples were taken from 271 people from Finland who were involved in a CAIDE study. It translates as Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia. They ranged in age between 65 and 79, and none had any symptoms of mental decline when the study began seven years ago.

During those seven years, 17 of the study participants developed clinically-diagnosed mental decline. Significantly, the scientists found that no matter what the age, gender, body mass or blood pressure of all the people involved, it was their levels of B-12 that had a direct link with lowering their risk of problems with mental function.

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Be good to your brain, B-12

Of course, as an advocate of B-12 for maximum mental function, I am thrilled to see medical science offering still more evidence of what a powerhouse this vitamin is. The clinical support for maintaining high levels of B-12 has been steadily building over the past couple of years.

That is one of the many reasons that when patients come to me with mood, memory and energy complaints, I advise them to supplement with the form of B-12 that gives maximum absorption, TriVita Sublingual B-12. Because it dissolves under the tongue, Sublingual B-12 goes directly into your bloodstream in a formula that helps you enjoy

Sustained mental energy and stamina
Greater mental focus and alertness
Improved memory and concentration
Better mood and sense of well-being

If you or a loved one would like to feel more energized, focused and upbeat, I urge you to try TriVita Sublingual B-12. Even if you give yourself all the healthy advantages of smart eating and exercise, you could be suffering a B-12 deficiency. Some of the most common risk factors for insufficient levels of Vitamin B-12 include stress, age, taking certain prescription medications, a vegetarian lifestyle, stomach surgery or disease, and digestive problems.

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Even the young are at risk

We know that as we age, our bodies are less able to absorb all the B-12 we need from food. But here is something we did not know until fairly recently. Even young people are not immune from this absorption problem.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at B-12 blood levels among participants in three age groups, 65 and over, 50-64, and 26-49. They all had approximately the same levels of B-12 deficiency. That is right. People as young as 26 turned out to be as B-12 deficient as some people over 65!

Over the last few years, other studies have shown that B-12 deficiencies are associated with a range of health problems, from brain shrinkage to memory loss to attention disorders. I hope the latest research from Scandinavia gives you more reason to start, or stay with, your Sublingual B-12 regimen. And if you have made a wellness resolution for 2011, I congratulate and support you on your journey.

Reference
B12 Fraction May Lower Risk of Alzheimers. Homocysteine and holotranscobalamin and the risk of Alzheimers disease, a longitudinal study. Neurology 2010, 75:1408-1414. See it at, www.medpagetoday.com/tbprint.cfm?tbid=22815

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101. B-12 Vitamins

The Effects of Addiction
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

There is much talk within the medical community about the nature of addiction. Is it a disease and, if so, does it have genetic roots? Are addictions strictly physical or are there psychological and moral dimensions to it? The answers to these questions depend to a large extent upon who you ask.

The cause and effects of addiction
In nearly all of the Weekly Wellness Reports, I strive to uncover and explain the root causes of disorders and address them at this base level for truly effective relief. Because there are so many opposing views of addiction, let us start by discussing changes in behavior and chemical changes in the brain and body.

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All addictions have certain things in common

They become the focus of a persons attention
They interfere with stewardship of health, time and resources
They elicit a pleasure response in the brain that tends to escalate over time. This means the addict needs larger doses just to get the same effect. As time progresses, the brain simply does not give the same pleasure response to the addiction as it did in the beginning. When this happens, a person may continue the addictive behavior not necessarily to get pleasure, but just to avoid the pain of withdrawal.

Some common addictions that fit this model include drugs, prescribed or recreational, tobacco, alcohol, sugar and foods in general. Drugs, whether prescribed or recreational, also fit the model. But substances are not the only addictions. Behaviors can also fit the addiction model.

For instance, work can become an addiction. So can procrastination, anger, exercise, stress, video games and text messaging! Virtually anything can become an addiction if it becomes the focus of a persons attention, interferes with daily life and becomes more intense over time. The results of addiction are always the same

Relationships suffer
Resources dwindle
Quality of life is lost.

The physical effects of addiction
When a person repeats an addictive behavior the brain literally and physically changes to accommodate the addiction. However, there are several ways we can address these physical effects.

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Omega-3 fatty acids
Our brain is made mostly of fats, three-fourths of it! Two-thirds of the fat in our brain is DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid. We get DHA directly from fish oils and our bodies make DHA from flax oil and perilla seed oil. Some addictions can alter the fat content of the brain and reduce brain volume. Rehydration with an Omega fatty acid is needed to help assist in this pattern. I suggest several grams of OmegaPrime daily to help re-hydrate the brain.

Vitamin B-12
Accelerated metabolism in any specific area of the brain. For instance, the area most impacted by an addictive behavior can result in the brain becoming scarred and riddled with pockmarks resembling potholes in the road. It will begin to shrink in a process called brain erosion. Vitamin B-12 can help protect against brain erosion and promotes repair in the brain. TriVitas Sublingual B-12 has exceptional absorption to help maximize recovery results. A person in recovery may need three lozenges daily, spread throughout the day, to help the brain recover.

Vitamin C
The brain and body use Vitamin C in the repair process in at least three ways

Detoxification. This occurs in the brain, the liver and in the lymphatic system. There is a way to calculate the maximum amount of Vitamin C your body can use to assist in detoxification. Increases brain-specific antioxidants. Vitamin C increases glutathione, the mother of all brain antioxidants. This protects delicate brain tissues from damage caused by toxins and stress. Promotes chemical balance in the brain. Vitamin C also helps balance the brains chemistry by facilitating detoxification. Chemical imbalance is a key trigger in addictions.

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A balanced lifestyle
The 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness provide the elements needed for a healthy lifestyle. Learn and live these important principles as an aid in the struggle with addictions. I can guarantee that to the extent these Essentials are practiced, health will improve no matter how severe the addiction.

In the final analysis, whether addiction is a disease or not, a person can recover. This may require medical and psychological care, family and spiritual support and a strong desire by the addicted person to improve their condition. The end result for the recovering addict will be physical, emotional and spiritual health both for today and for tomorrow!

Take Control of Your Health

Practice deep breathing for at least 20 minutes daily
Drink one half ounce of water per pound of body weight
Sleep 7 and half to 9 hours every night
Eat 7 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily
Exercise moderately for 30 minutes most days of the week
Nourish healthy relationships
Supplement with the nutrients that can help with the effects of addiction
OmegaPrime
Sublingual B-12
Vitamin C

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102. B-12 Vitamins

Allergy or Toxin?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

More and more people are experiencing allergies and suffering with the symptoms they bring. In past Wellness Reports we have discussed how histamine receptors trigger inflammation in the four tissues they populate, the airways, the digestive and reproductive tract, our brain and our immune system. Histamine is very inflammatory and easily triggers runaway inflammation.

In this discussion we will look specifically at histamines, toxins and allergies. We will also get a chance to discuss ways to help reduce the impact of allergies and their annoying symptoms.

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Allergy or toxin?
The symptoms of allergy may be more obscure than you think. For example, sneezing may be an allergy symptom, but muscle pain, insomnia and acid reflux may also be signs of allergy. These are signs of excessive histamines.

The symptoms of toxicity may also be more obscure than you think. For example, headaches, joint pains, colitis and poor coordination may be signs of toxicity. So may skin eruptions.

Your body has a unique detoxification system. It comes with many fail-safe mechanisms. A toxin may simply be detoxified and rendered harmless, usually by the liver. This is often accomplished through enzymes with the help of antioxidants. These poisons may be turned into useful tools, such as when blood toxins are turned into bile to help us digest fat from our diet.

Some toxins are difficult to detoxify. They may be stored permanently in fat. Other toxins and allergens are stored temporarily in water in the lymphatic system. This is why people get puffy with allergies or toxicity.

Another technique for ridding your body of toxins is excretion through your urine, colon, lungs, breath, about 75 percent of all body toxins are eliminated by breathing deeply, and also through your skin. Toxins that come out through the skin leave distinct blemishes. They may become infected and leave scars. Allergies that affect the skin have a different appearance, usually as large, water-filled blisters or hives. These are signs of excessive histamines.

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How do I know?
How can you tell if you are having an allergic reaction versus a detoxification reaction? Easy, histamines elevate your pulse rate.

Do this. First thing in the morning, before you have a drink of water, before you brush your teeth, before you do anything else sit quietly for a few minutes and count your pulse rate. Count it for a full minute and write it down. Now, ingest the substance you want to test and continue to sit quietly for another 5 minutes. Practice some deep breathing to keep yourself relaxed and calm. At the end of 5 minutes, count your pulse rate again. A substance that is good for you will not elevate your pulse rate. Or, if it does, it will not be much, 2 to 4 beats per minute. If you are allergic to the substance it will elevate your pulse rate a lot, 6 to 8 beats per minute for a mild allergy, 8 to 12 for a moderate allergy and more than 12 for a significant allergy.

You can use this technique with any food or other substance to which you suspect you are allergic.

A word about Nopalea
Over the past few years I have addressed concerns people have while taking Nopalea. Usually, these issues are related to detoxification, and Nopalea is known to promote detoxification, especially of the wastewater in your lymphatic system. Your body may attempt to push these toxins out through your skin, leaving bumps and blemishes. These are not signs of allergy. They are signs of rapid detoxification.

If you experience skin bumps or blemishes, I recommend discontinuing Nopalea for three days, and then taking the pulse test to see if it is a true allergy or merely rapid detoxification.

Remember, anyone may be allergic to anything. So, theoretically, someone may be allergic to Nopalea. But, it is not very likely. More often, skin reactions to Nopalea are detoxification reactions rather than allergy.

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What to do...
If you are allergic to Nopalea, if your pulse rate increases more than 6 beats per minute within 5 minutes while sitting quietly, you may use systematic desensitization to reduce the allergy. Discontinue using Nopalea until the symptoms disappear, then add 1 ounce of Nopalea to 1 quart of pure water and drink this early in the day. Nopalea contains Betalains and Betalains are used to reduce allergy symptoms. You may also supplement with Vital C, a teaspoon in the morning and a tablet at bedtime, and Super B to help reduce the excessive histamine response.

If you are detoxifying too rapidly, if your pulse rate does not go up, or if it only goes up 2 to 4 beats per minute, simply reduce your serving size to a level that is comfortable for you. It will take longer to break the cycle of inflammation, but you will not have to endure the discomfort of pushing toxins out through your skin.

In the end, we are responsible as individuals to learn to listen to the messages from our body. I hope this tool helps you further develop this dialogue with your body now that you know how to tell an allergy from detoxification!

Take Control of Your Health

Use the pulse test on the foods you eat most often
Increase deep breathing
Maximize water consumption
Get adequate sleep and reduce stress
Reduce your exposure to toxins. Go green!
Take Nopalea to help break the cycle of inflammation
Take B-12 to help slow histamine formation
Take Vital C to help dissolve histamines and improve detoxification

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103. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Self-discipline Is the Price Tag of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 4.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

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104. B-12 Vitamins

Down the hatch! Digestion and Your Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

As people, we love to eat. All of our most cherished and joyous celebrations surround food somehow. And judging from the expanding waistlines of many folks in North America, we must be the happiest people on Earth!

But what happens to food once we have eaten? How do our bodies absorb the nutrients from food?

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The tools of digestion
Your digestive tract is really, really long. For instance, your small intestine is about as long as four times your height. Your large intestine is about as long as you are tall. But all of this surface area is needed to properly digest and metabolize your food.

Your intestines are teeming with trillions of bacteria, most of them friendly! These bacteria are needed to help your body utilize vitamins and minerals. The vitamins and minerals from your food are often not in the most desirable form. They must be converted by bacteria, acids, enzymes, and hormones, and go through several other steps in order for you to maximize their value.

Digestive system basics
Digestion can be broken down into the following steps

Digestion really begins with anticipation as your brain triggers the feeling of hunger. Hunger is associated with a family of hormones that turn on when your blood sugar drops and turn off when your stomach expands, especially when what you take in has viscosity or thickness to it. That is one reason why water will kill your appetite, but not for very long. It just does not have the thickness from fiber and fats that you need to turn off your hunger for extended periods of time.
You feel the sense of hunger and begin to anticipate satisfying your needs with certain foods you crave. When you see and smell those foods your anticipation is heightened and you begin to secrete digestive juices to prepare to receive those foods. Your mouth may water. Digestion starts in your mouth when you chew foods and mix them with saliva. It is important to thoroughly chew your food in order to neutralize the starch found in absolutely everything you eat, even so-called low carb foods. That is one reason why some people gain excess weight. They just do not chew their foods well enough to neutralize the carbs.
When you swallow, your stomach is already prepared to receive the food. A hormone called pepsinogen is waiting to bond with hydrochloric acid and produce an enzyme called pepsin. This is how most proteins and Vitamin B-12 are digested. Any imbalance from aging, stress, or illness will cause indigestion and reduce your ability to digest protein and B-12.
After about a half hour the food begins to pass through the stomach into your small intestine. At the same time, your pancreas secretes enzymes into your small intestine to meet this bolus of food. The starch has been neutralized by chewing and the protein and B-12 have been prepared by your stomach. Now, special enzymes from the pancreas convert these nutrients for transport, amylase for the starch and protease for protein. Most of the magic of digestion occurs in the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. This is also where fats meet with bile salts and recycled fiber from your liver and gallbladder and begin their process of fat digestion.
Most vitamins are absorbed in the stomach and first part of the small intestine. Proteins, fats, and other nutrients are absorbed throughout the intestinal tract. Minerals, especially iron and calcium, are absorbed in the large intestine as the last drops of water are taken out of your food.

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For good digestive health, you must eat nutritiously. Include water, fiber, probiotics, Vitamin B-12, proteins, healthy carbohydrates, and healthy fats in your diet. It is also important to note that digestion can be impaired by stress. So, consider ways to reduce your stress, and supplement your diet with adaptogens to protect digestive health from the effects of stress.

And do not forget the joy of eating. Joy is really a sign of acceptance. Acceptance is essential for emotional health as you mentally digest the experiences of the day.

Take Control of Your Health

For optimal digestive health, adults need about 30 grams of fiber every day and water intake equivalent to about 1/2 their body weight converted to ounces
Fiber. Increased fiber stabilizes blood sugar and leads to regular elimination of toxins and waste. More fiber equals lower disease risk and improved detoxification. Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables every day. Children should eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. Women should eat 7 servings. And men should eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
Water. Water is essential for the health of all your body systems. To calculate your daily water needs, use the simple formula below.
Example. A 150-pound person would need to drink about 75 ounces of water per day. 150 divided by 2 equals 75 ounces

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105. B-12 Vitamins

The ADHD and B-12 Connection

Read how TriVita Sublingual B-12, B-6 and folic acid helps with this condition
by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D.

First, let us look at just what ADHD is. ADHD can cover several behavioral problems, inattentiveness, being over-active or too impulsive, or a combination of these. While most research into ADHD has focused on children, recent research suggests that the symptoms continue into adulthood in up to 50 percent of adults who had the disorder in childhood.

Some ADHD-type behaviors are to be expected in children, but when several symptoms occur that exceed the normal range for a childs age, a diagnosis of ADHD may be made. If you are a concerned parent or grandparent, you should be aware of these signs and symptoms. ADHD is not restricted to children. It is a long-term condition, but adults can often better control their behavior and disguise their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are grouped into two categories

Inattentiveness
Hyperactivity and impulsivity

Some children with ADHD may have a combination of these symptoms.

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The symptoms that make up ADHD, lack of attention, surplus of activity and impulsive behavior

Inattentiveness

Does not pay attention to details, or makes careless errors in work or school assignments
Has trouble maintaining attention in work or play
Does not seem to listen when spoken to
Does not follow through, fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or workplace duties
Has trouble organizing tasks and activities
Resists activities such as schoolwork that require sustained mental focus
Tends to lose items needed for tasks or activities, such as toys, pencils or books
Is easily distracted
Is often forgetful

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Blurts out answers before questions are finished
Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
Interrupts or breaks into others conversations or games

While the cause of ADHD is not yet pinpointed, we do know this. It is one of the most commonly-diagnosed behavioral problems. As much as 5 percent of school-aged children have this disorder.

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The brain-boosting power of B-12, proven vital to mental wellness, essential to healthy lives
There are prescription drugs available to treat this disorder. But as you may know, these powerful drugs can have serious side effects. There is strong clinical evidence to support the link between essential nutrients and vitamins particularly Vitamin B-12, and mental function. Studies have shown that a B-12 deficiency may decrease levels of substances needed to transmit nerve signals. This reduced ability to transmit nerve signals has shown up in brain tests conducted on children with ADHD. In people of any age, this problem with nerve signals can lessen or damage mental functioning.

Other research indicates that those who have a B-12 deficiency can have mental and physical problems, including inability to focus, and forgetfulness. So, in addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, I recommend that everyone get enough essential vitamins like B-12. One of the best ways to make sure that you or a loved one get enough B-12 is to take TriVita Sublingual B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid.

Millions of people take Sublingual B-12 daily, and it could not be easier. You just place a pill under your tongue and let it dissolve. This ensures that you get maximum absorption of B-12 into your bloodstream, for maximum benefit. TriVita Sublingual B-12 provides over 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid. What is more, it is manufactured strictly to Dr. Libbys original, patented formula, and produced under pharmaceutical-grade scrutiny.

We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to do all we can to promote optimum health. I encourage you to enjoy and share the proven benefits of Sublingual B-12.

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106. B-12 Vitamins

A Great Life Takes 10 Essentials
By Dr. Scott Conard

Are you sleeping poorly? Not eating right? Feeling draggy and disconnected from life? The problem could be more than a deficiency of Vitamin B-12. You could have a deficiency of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Yes, starting this month, I want to look at how B-12 is so inter-twined with TriVitas bedrock principles.

As the medical spokesman for TriVitas Sublingual B-12, I know two things for certain

A great life takes having all 10 Essentials working for you.

A B-12 deficiency leads to a process of gradually going away physically, emotionally, socially, and then possibly even spiritually.

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In my practice, I often see B-12 deficiency as a gateway condition: it triggers other problems, and people start to spiral downward, becoming disengaged from the process of caring for themselves. If you do not really live the 10 Essentials you might question this, but bear with me. Let us look at the first 3 Essentials, and I will show how they are connected with getting enough B-12.

Breathe deeply.
When do we breathe deeply? When we exercise, say, taking a walk. When you have a B-12 deficiency, you feel physically tired and fatigued. So what does this do to the chances you will go on that walk? It decreases them dramatically. You will probably just watch TV or maybe read a book. Let us face it, a 20-minute walk per day is not likely to happen when you are B-12 deficient.

When we do not breathe deeply, when we do not focus on bringing in cleansing air and breathing out toxins, our health begins to suffer, and soon the quality of our life begins to suffer. When a B-12 deficiency translates into a deficiency of Essential number 1, you can not be as aware of your body and your health as you might be. These two deficiencies feed off each other to put you on that downward spiral.

Drink water.
The reality is that many people who are B-12 deficient do not drink a lot of water, but not because B-12 has anything directly to do with water. It is because drinking more water makes acid reflux worse, and acid reflux and B-12 deficiency are often correlated. You see, when you take an acid-reducing pill that neutralizes stomach acid, they are called PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors), Vitamin B-12 absorption often decreases, depriving your body of the B-12 it needs.

If you are not drinking a lot of water because of acid reflux, and, or taking a PPI, you may have a B-12 deficiency.

Sleep peacefully.
Vitamin B-12 is very much related to how the central nervous system and the brain are functioning. As you become more B-12 deficient, your brain function decreases in many ways. For example, you feel tired and run down, so you are not as active as before during the day, which often leads to poor sleep. Another example, your B-12 deficiency may create memory problems, so you might forget to eat regularly, or to eat healthy foods, so your body sputters along on less healthy fuel, and you do not sleep well.

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It is ironic and sad. People who lack B-12 might think they have got a life-threatening disease, but in truth it can be cured. What they are experiencing is the snowball that the B-12 triggers. If you are fatigued and take afternoon naps, you will not sleep well at night. The result? You get inadequate sleep during the night, you take more naps, you are less likely to exercise, cook healthy meals and, or make a list of healthful foods to buy. Again, your health spirals downward.

Can you better understand now why I am so passionate about Sublingual B-12? In next months VitaJournal, we will explore more ways that this powerhouse vitamin is entwined with good health and a great life. In the meantime, I urge you to live the 10 Essentials, and let Sublingual B-12 help enrich your wellness journey.
Scott Conard, M.D., founded TienaHealth, an organization of medical doctors in primary care practice who emphasize healthy lifestyles to maintain wellness. Dr. Conard is considered a national expert on disease prevention. TienaHealth also conducts clinical trials.

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107. Sleeping Pill

How Well Are You Sleeping?

Sleep is essential to both health and longevity. Sleep is the only time your body has to repair and rejuvenate. Millions of people suffer from sleep deprivation, resulting in weakened physical and mental health, fatigue and a lack of mental alertness. Sleep deprivation causes cellular damage, and limits the production of enzymes and hormones you need to keep your cells healthy and prevent premature aging.

No sleep. No health. No good!
It is estimated that 74 percent of adults experience sleeping problems a few nights per week or more, and 39 percent get fewer than seven hours of sleep per night. Over one-third of all adults are so sleepy during the day it interferes with daily activities. In such a busy society, full of demands on time, sleep becomes a low priority. I strongly recommend that adults obtain an average of seven and a half to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

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How well do you sleep?

Falling asleep, and staying asleep
It should take between 5 and 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you fall asleep more quickly, you may be suffering from sleep deprivation. Either you are not sleeping long enough or you are not sleeping well enough. If it takes between 15 and 30 minutes to fall asleep you are probably over-stimulated and under too much stress. If it takes over 30 minutes to initiate sleep on a consistent basis you may have serious insomnia. It may be wise to see a sleep specialist. The nutrient formula, Peaceful Sleep, could be helpful.

Waking once a night is not usually a problem, if you return to sleep rather quickly. If you remain awake then there is a more serious problem. People who wake after an hour or two and sleep fitfully thereafter are often found to have imbalanced blood sugar. GlucoManage can often be helpful. If you sleep well for a few hours and find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m., you may have compressed sleep. The nutrient formula, Peaceful Sleep, may be helpful.

If you are a woman going through menopause, you may find yourself waking up from night sweats. In order to maintain a peaceful nights sleep, your body will usually respond to a combination of Balanced Woman, OmegaPrime and VitaDaily AM-PM.
The sleep/hunger connection
Sleep is supposed to be refreshing. A good nights sleep is usually indicated by morning hunger. If you are hungry right away, you probably slept pretty well. If it takes more than 30 minutes for your stomach to start asking for breakfast, you may not be getting the most from your rest. It is a sign of very poor sleep quality if it takes hours to get hungry.
Snoring
Now we come to a very delicate problem, snoring. Snoring may be caused by structural defects in the sinus cavity, allergies or even nasal polyps. I said it may be caused by these factors, however, it is usually caused by obesity.

According to many sleep experts, snoring is related to the problem of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is an early warning sign of Type 2 Diabetes. Therefore, snoring may be the first sign of movement toward Type 2 Diabetes.

A frightening aspect of snoring is that you get much less oxygen in your bloodstream. Less available oxygen means that your brain is being deprived of oxygen. People who snore lose I.Q. points every year until the problem is corrected. So, if you feel unable to concentrate, or if your memory is failing, check to see if you are snoring. If you are, then by all means find out why! Treat the cause of this problem immediately. If snoring is caused by obesity, reduce your body fat. No one can afford to lose I.Q. points!

Take Control of Your Health

Caffeine, alcohol and smoking all interfere with sleep
Food. Eat a light supper and a small snack near bedtime
Stress. Take time to wind down before going to bed
Activity. Exercise in the morning or at least 2 hours before bedtime
Temperature. Keep your bedroom cool
Light. Avoid having any light in your bedroom, even your alarm clock light can disrupt sleep
Noise. Use a fan if you need white noise to fall asleep
Routine. Establish sleep rituals that help you prepare for sleep

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108. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Self-discipline Is the Price Tag of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 2.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

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109. Sleeping Pill

Is Restless Legs Syndrome or Bruxism Affecting Your Sleep?
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Medical Officer

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Restless Legs Syndrome
The first sleep disruption is Restless Legs Syndrome, RLS. This neurological disorder is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. The sensations are typically worse during periods of inactivity and usually strongest at night. This disorder affects other nerves as well. For instance, many people experience the same sensations in their arms.

As mentioned, RLS responds to nutrients and other conservative forms of care.

Biotin. The B vitamin biotin is involved in promoting nerve health. It also improves blood sugar metabolism. There is a strong connection between Diabetes and RLS. When given biotin supplements in relatively large doses, symptoms can improve and may even disappear within a few months. This may be because of improved blood sugar, healthier nerves or some other mechanism. People with RLS are really not as concerned with why biotin works. It just does, and that gives them relief!
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. RLS also responds to Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. The levels of these vitamins found in TriVitas Sublingual B-12 and HCY Guard can help still the limb movement. However, there is not enough biotin in either of these supplements to correct a biotin deficiency. More biotin will be needed.

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Stress increases metabolism as your body prepares for fight or flight. You use up more nutrients as fuel for the stress response. Now, imagine that you were trying to get your nutrients by eating food grown in deficient soil, processed in high heat and packaged in sodium. Do you believe that you are getting all the nutrients you need from this type of diet? You are absolutely not getting enough nutrients by eating the Standard American Diet, SAD. Any stress you face pushes you into deficit spending in your nutrient reserves. Nutrient deficiency is common and serious in many people in North America. Stress amplifies this problem.

Calcium and Magnesium. Calcium is a mineral that is in short supply in the American diet. Calcium is crucial in the tense and relax cycle of muscle contractions. Without calcium, a muscle is not able to contract. That is why emergency room physicians will give intravenous calcium to people having a heart attack to encourage the heart to contract and relax more normally. Calcium allows a muscle to tense and then relax. Magnesium is the escort for calcium as it journeys into and out of the muscle cells. The nutrients to begin supplementing with when a person experiences Bruxism are calcium and magnesium.
Pantothenic acid. An abundant B vitamin in your body is called Pantothenic acid. Panto is a prefix meaning everywhere. Pantothenic acid needs to be everywhere, all the time. This need is dramatically increased during times of stress. If we are following the SAD as mentioned above, we will not have enough Pantothenic acid to deal with stress. This may result in Bruxism for some.

Peaceful Sleep contains calcium, magnesium and Pantothenic acid. Supplementing with Peaceful Sleep may be enough to completely stop the clenching and grinding of Bruxism.

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Take Control of Your Health

Calcium
  Plain yogurt
  Cheese
  Milk
  Sardines
  Collards
  Spinach
  Okra

Vitamin B-12
  Beef liver
  Mollusks
  Clams
  Fortified cereals
  Beef
  Eggs
  Milk

Magnesium
  Brazil nuts
  Halibut
  Spinach
  Almonds

Folic Acid
  Beef liver
  Black-eyed peas
  Spinach
  Asparagus
  Green peas
  Broccoli

Pantothenic Acid
  Avocado
  Yogurt
  Chicken
  Milk
  Sweet potato

Biotin
  Beef liver
  Eggs
  Yeast
  Wheat bran

Take the Wellness Challenge.

110. Sleeping Pill

Good Sleep Equals Good Health
By Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

The process of sleep places a very high demand on our energy reserves. So much work must be accomplished while we sleep, innumerable cells must be replaced or repaired, the immune system must be balanced, hormones must be balanced and emotional distress must be resolved and integrated.

To accomplish all of this work we must have several ingredients that dictate our ability to achieve and maintain peaceful sleep.

We need sleep rituals to trigger the cascade of events that initiate sleep.
We must have the nutrients we need to sustain the sleeping process.
We need an appropriate environment for sleep.

With these elements in place we have a good chance of sleeping peacefully!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Sleep rituals
More than 100 years ago a Russian physician named Ivan Pavlov discovered that our nervous system changes our entire metabolism in response to our habits. Specifically, Pavlov measured the increase in stomach acids when dogs heard the footsteps of their feeder! Your nervous system will recognize sleep rituals and begin preparing for sleep.

A sleep ritual is something you do every night to send a message to your body and brain that you plan on sleeping soon. Your body responds to these triggers by preparing for sleep. It is exactly like your stomach getting ready to digest a meal when we begin preparing it. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the food trigger digestive juices. Sleep rituals trigger your brain in the same way and you begin the process of sleep.

A key ritual leading to successful sleep is light control. Remember, we were designed to abide by seasonal changes in light. When the sun goes down we need to accept that the day is ending rather than artificially extending it with lights. This especially includes the artificial light of television and the computer monitor.

Try a warm bath and a light snack at bedtime. Brush your teeth and take your evening nutrients, nothing stimulating, nutrients should be specifically nourishing to the sleep process. Deep breathing exercises are especially helpful to foster deep sleep.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Nutrients for sleep
All nutrients support sleep in one way or another. However, two nutrients shine when it comes to achieving and maintaining sleep, the mineral magnesium and the vitamin biotin. Magnesium relaxes our muscles and naturally turns down the adrenaline that goes hand in hand with stressful days. Biotin stabilizes blood sugar and mobilizes protein, carbohydrate and fats for the restoring element of sleep.

Antioxidants such as CoEnzyme Q-10 or listed as CoQ-10, Vitamin C and Vitamin E can be helpful at bedtime to support proper oxygen delivery to your brain, heart and other tissues. Anti-stress botanical preparations called adaptogens can also be useful at bedtime to dial down the influence of stress on your sleep cycle.

Peaceful environment
The most important set of rituals for peaceful sleep involves the sleeping environment, our bedroom. We simply must make our bedroom a sanctuary for sleep. If we customarily do stressful things in our bedroom such as watch TV, balance our checkbook, argue with our spouse or even read the newspaper, our nervous system will come to associate the bedroom as the place where we do not sleep!

Make sure your sleeping environment is cool, quiet and dark for the best quality of sleep. Many sleep experts recommend a temperature of 68 degrees Farenheit, a white noise generator to block out sound, and less than eight total watts of light for the best sleep.

Conclusion
Sleep Peacefully is the third of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Yet, the majority of us in North America do not get the 7 and half to 9 hours of sleep recommended by health experts. Most people who sleep substantially less than this experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms. The most common are

Headaches
Mental confusion
Irritability
Malaise
Immune deficiencies
Depression
Fatigue

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Complete sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations and mental collapse.

The best way to improve sleep involves making lifestyle changes. Establish sleep rituals so your nervous system knows when to trigger the sleeping process. Take the appropriate nutrients. Eliminate caffeine and sugar from your diet. And create a sanctuary for sleeping in your bedroom, avoiding stimulating activities before bed.

Take Control of Your Health

Accept sleep as essential to wellness
Prepare for sleep with appropriate rituals
Take nutrients that nourish sleep
Magnesium and biotin
Antioxidants such as CoQ-10, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Adaptogens as appropriate
Create a sleeping sanctuary
A stress-free zone
Cool, quiet and dark

Take the Wellness Challenge.

111. Sleeping Pill

Tips for Getting a Good Nights Sleep

Have you been tossing and turning and wondering if you will ever fall asleep? You are not alone. More than half of adults have trouble falling asleep. Learn why sleep is so important and what you can do to get some.

Here Is Why
During sleep, the body repairs itself and revitalizes organs and muscles. In addition, sleep is important for proper functioning of the immune system and the nervous system. Lack of sleep can result in

Increased feelings of stress
Impaired memory
Shortened temper
Lower motivation
Slower reflexes
More mistakes

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But a good night sleep can be elusive. A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that 60 percent of adults have problems falling asleep at least a few nights a week.

Here Is How

Keep regular hours. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning, even on weekends.
Develop a sleep ritual. Whether it is taking a hot bath, drinking a cup of herbal tea or reading a book, doing the same things each night just before bed cues your body to settle down for the night.
Exercise regularly. Exercise can help relieve tension. But be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime or you may have a hard time falling asleep.
Cut down on stimulants. Consuming stimulants, such as caffeine, in the evening interferes with falling asleep and prevents deep sleep. Instead, have a cup of herbal tea, which is non-caffeinated, before bed.
Do not smoke. Smokers tend to take longer to fall asleep, awaken more often and experience disrupted, fragmented sleep.
Drink alcohol in moderation. You may fall asleep faster, but drinking alcohol shortly before bedtime interrupts and fragments sleep, leading to poor quality sleep.
Unwind early in the evening. Deal with worries and distractions several hours before going to bed. Make a list of things you need to do tomorrow, so you will not think about them all night. Try relaxation exercises, like slow rhythmic breathing.
Sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation. It is difficult to get deep, restful sleep on a bed that is too small, too soft, or too hard.
Create a restful sleep environment. A dark, quiet room is more conducive to sleep. Sudden, loud noises or bright lights can disrupt sleep. A room that is too hot or too cold can disturb sleep as well. The ideal bedroom temperature is between 60-65 degrees Farenheit.
Use the bedroom only for sleep. Do not use the bedroom for things like paying bills, watching television or discussing the problems of the day.
Make sleep a priority. Say yes to sleep even when you are tempted to stay up late. You will feel healthier, refreshed and ready to take on the day!

Remember that in some cases, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea can cause poor sleep quality. If you have questions about either of these conditions ask your doctor.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

112. Sleeping Pill

Sleep. Are You Getting Enough?

The elderly do not need as much sleep as younger people.

Bleary-eyed drivers can stay awake better by cranking up the car stereo and rolling down the windows.

Nighttime shift workers eventually readjust to their late hours.

Boredom makes you tired.

They are all false. But if you got them wrong, you are not alone. A telephone survey of 1,027 people conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that 85 percent failed a simple 12-question quiz on sleep. Not only did they flunk the exam, but two-thirds of those polled also reported sleeping difficulties.

It is astounding that you can go through your whole education learning about proper nutrition and hygiene but not getting adequate sleep, said Thomas Roth, PhD, Health and Scientific Advisor of the National Sleep Foundation as well as director of the Sleep Disorders Research Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Only once did my children get taught about sleep in school. It was the night before a state exam, and the children were told to get a good nights sleep in preparation. That is it.

Most of us need eight hours of sound sleep to function at our best, and good health demands good sleep, explained Roth. The problem is that Americans are averaging only about seven hours of sleep a night. One in three gets only six hours a night. People have no idea how important sleep is to their lives, he stated.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The Function of Sleep
Why IS sleep so critical to our well-being?

If resting in bed were all it took to recharge body and mind for the coming day, insomniacs could take in their favorite late night television and start the next day fresh. But surprisingly, it is not how much sleep you get that is important. It is the level of sleep you achieve that truly restores you, body and mind.

Sleep can be divided into two crucial phases

Non-rapid eye movement, NREM, sleep takes up 80 percent of the average dreamers night. The earliest phase of NREM sleep begins with general relaxation of muscles. This relaxed state eventually culminates in the deepest sleep level when it appears that protein synthesis, growth hormones, immune function, and the mind are given a boost. Delta waves, the slowest and largest waves, signal the onset of this most rejuvenating sleep level, which constitutes 50 percent of an adults sleep time.
Rapid eye movement, REM, sleep takes up about 25 percent of an average sleepers night. Dreams that occur during REM sleep might provide, in a sense, a sorting through of free-floating information. Prolonged REM deprivation has been linked to excessively anxious or emotional behavior that dissipates once more regular sleeping habits are achieved. REM sleep is thought to be the most important period for mental revitalization.

Risky Consequences From Sleeplessness
According to the National Sleep Foundation, an estimated 35 billion dollars is lost yearly in productivity, sick leave, medical expenses, and property and environmental damage because of sleep deprivation and untreated sleep disorders. It is more than a simple matter of dragging yourself through the day. On-the-job dozing can dearly cost the sleep-deprived worker and those around him. For example, the environmentally disastrous 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska reportedly involved the sleepiness of the tankers third-mate.

The problem also hits much closer to home. Driver fatigue has been identified as the greatest accident risk factor affecting motor carriers. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 100,000 crashes per year are caused by drivers nodding off behind the wheel and that thousands die as the result of such accidents.

The National Sleep Foundations poll even found that 23 percent of those questioned had dozed off while driving some time in the past year. It would seem that people know not to drive drunk but not to refrain from driving tired. Rolled-down windows, the cars blaring stereo, and a strong cup of Joe is not going to restore all the alertness necessary for safe driving. If your eyes are closing on you, the only surefire way to save your life as well as others is to pull over to the side of the road and give in to sleep.

In addition to productivity and safety consequences, research shows that people who are chronically sleep deprived may also be more likely to suffer from

Depression
Cardiovascular disease, e.g., coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, hypertension
Decreased enjoyment in life
Poor work performance, leading to increased absenteeism and decreased number of promotions

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Is Lifestyle the Culprit?
How is it that there is an epidemic of sleepiness so severe in the United States that it kills people regularly? In the first decade of this century, prior to the widespread usage of electricity, Americans basically bedded down at nightfall. Since then, they have lived increasingly longer days. They also lead driven lifestyles, attempting to balance successful career and home lives. The exhausting modern schedule leaves little time for the luxury" of sleep.

Todays lifestyle is so busy that people often do not have the time to recognize the symptoms of fatigue unless they are at a task that bores them. This has given rise to the notion that boredom brings on sleepiness. In truth, boredom only brings sleepiness to your attention.

Who Is Most Affected?
Late shift workers. Not only do Americans give up a good nights rest in an attempt to keep up with the hectic pace of the electronic age, many, including late-shift healthcare, military and public safety workers, nuclear power plant operators, medical residents, and long-haul truck drivers, are building daily schedules against the bodys natural circadian rhythm. That rhythm dictates that the longest period of sleepiness occurs during the hours of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Thus, people who work the late shift lose out on the time that the body is programmed for the deepest and most beneficial sleep.

Older adults. The elderly, too, cope with a special set of difficulties that keeps them from getting the sleep they need. Aging brings on a host of health-related problems that interrupt sleep, such as pain from arthritis, medications with side effects that disturb rest, or depression brought on by the discomforts of the aging process. More than any other population, the elderly rely on medications that keep them up at night. Moreover, a more sedentary lifestyle does not allow for the expenditure of energy that results in restful sleep. Last, a slowing of what is known as delta wave activity in the brain does not allow for the same degree of deep sleep per night as enjoyed in youth.

But none of this means that the elderly do not need as much rest as everyone else. The combination of conditions that change the sleep habits of the elderly only indicates that they need to alter their sleep habits so that they get enough shut-eye.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Crib Sheet
In general, people are so used to going without enough sleep that they do not recognize that their sleeping habits make sound slumber unlikely. Following these simple tips will help you settle down for a good nights rest. Do the following to improve the quality of your sleep as well as to get more restful sleep

Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and exercise at least four hours before bedtime. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants, and alcohol, though a depressant that makes falling asleep easier initially, interferes with deep sleep later on during the night.
Exercise also acts as a stimulant, but a workout earlier in the day can improve nighttime rest.
Leave worrying outside the bed. If you stay awake worrying about things you have to tackle the next day, write out a list of to-dos to take the pressure off. Then put the list aside to deal with the next day.
Keep other activities out of the bedroom. Do not confuse your bedroom with your family room. Keep your television viewing and Net surfing out of your sleeping quarters. You need to associate your bedroom with sleep and not activities that will keep your mind engaged.
Do not try to force yourself to sleep. You will just lie awake staring at the clock. After 20 minutes of wakefulness, go to another room to read or watch TV. Return to your bedroom only when you have become tired enough to sleep.
Temperature counts. Keep your bedroom set up for a restful nights sleep with a comfortable mattress and proper temperature setting. A too-hot or too-cold room can keep you awake.
Reduce noise levels. Apartment-dwellers with noisy neighbors or those on heavily trafficked streets can block out noise with a fan or sound-simulating machine that mimic nature sounds, such as the ocean or rain.
Avoid stimulation before sleeping. Try not to engage in anything that will give you a second wind just before bed, such as viewing an action-packed movie or sitting in a brightly lit room. Instead, try listening to soothing music or reading.
Slow down. Do not hurriedly get ready for bed at the last minute. Brush your teeth and wash yourself a while in advance. Try to stick with an early-to-bed, early-to-rise pattern. That way, you will not go to bed too late during the work week and need an alarm clock each morning to wake you out of a sound sleep.

If you are troubled with chronic difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, see a doctor. You may discover, for example, that what seems like simple snoring is actually sleep apnea. Apnea is a treatable condition that repeatedly rouses an estimated 18 million Americans from their dreams during the night.

Other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, unpleasant sensations in the legs combined with irresistible urge to move, and narcolepsy, sudden and involuntary episodes of sleepiness, should also be discussed with your physician.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

113. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Self-discipline Is the Price Tag of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 1.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

114. Sleeping Pill

I can finally get a nights rest! Mark H., Scottsdale, AZ

I am a retired Army Green Beret of 15 plus years and a normal nights sleep is not something I was accustomed to all of those years. Now I work security so my hours are very long and late. My broken, irregular sleep patterns kept me from feeling good and affected my ability to work at my best. Other sleep aids left me feeling groggy with a sleep hangover, but every time I take Peaceful Sleep, I sleep well and wake up feeling refreshed. I can finally get a nights rest!

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115. Sleeping Pill

Getting the Sleep You Need

What is stealing my brain?

There is a thief on the loose. It is stealing the ability of people to be healthy, think clearly and live a satisfying life. It is called sleep deprivation.

Heart attacks
Stroke
Cancer
Diabetes
Obesity

Since sleep deficiency is a cause or contributor to a poor quality of life and so many horrible diseases, does not it make sense to do what we can to ensure peaceful sleep?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

What is normal?
Men and women should go to sleep between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. and wake between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. They should sleep between 7 and half and 9 hours every night. It should take between 5 and 15 minutes to fall asleep and you should remain asleep all night. Sleep should be peaceful. There should be no thrashing, teeth-grinding, snoring or fitful sleep. Nightmares and night terrors are not normal. They should be investigated and resolved if they occur commonly. You should dream, but you may not always remember your dreams.

Fatigue. Fatigue is obvious, right? If you sleep all night and wake up feeling tired it means there is a problem. If you are sleepy throughout the day, have difficulty concentrating and tend to doze off if you sit still, then you are obviously sleep deficient, no matter how many hours you actually spent asleep. Hunger. Hunger is different. There is a balance between hormones that promote hunger and those that make us feel that our appetite has been satisfied. If you sleep well you should be hungry in the morning. If you sleep poorly you will not be hungry for several hours after you wake up. If you sleep well you should have no difficulty controlling evening hunger. If you sleep poorly you will be an uncontrollable eating machine in the evening! Evening hunger is often a sign of poor sleep.

People who sleep better at night have twice the insight of those who are either sleep deprived or who sleep during the daytime. Our brains simply work better when we sleep peacefully at night.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Take Control of Your Health

Take the Wellness Challenge.

116. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Vision as the Indispensable Quality of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 4.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

117. Sleeping Pill

Losing Those Summertime Blues

There is an old song with the lyrics, There aint no cure for the summertime blues. Now, the grammar may be atrocious, but the song recognizes a particular type of the blues that hit many during the summer months. Let us talk about what it is and how we may actually be able to find a cure for the summertime blues!

SAD
A condition associated with wintertime is called SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, affecting our emotions in this case. People experience SAD when they do not get enough sunshine. The remedy is pretty simple, more sunlight. Nutrients that can help with SAD during wintertime include Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D and the herbal adaptogens, especially Rhodiola rosea.

Summertime blues may often happen for a similar reason, too little sunlight. We discovered a particularly severe cluster of people suffering with SAD in developing lands of the Middle East. It seems that the heat is so intense during the summer months that people spend long hours, days, weeks, even months indoors without ever seeing the sun. No sunshine during any season produces SAD.

With most of us living and working indoors these days, we may be disposed to SAD even though the cure is right outside our door!

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Help for the blues

Sleep
Essential number 3 of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness is Sleep Peacefully. A good nights sleep actually begins with at least 20 minutes of early morning sunlight. Many healthcare providers recommend an hour or more of early morning sunshine, both as a launching pad for peaceful sleep and as a cure for the blues, summertime or wintertime!

Vitamin B-12
As mentioned, Vitamin B-12 can assist in many cases because it nourishes the nerves and brain. TriVitas Sublingual B-12 is highly and quickly absorbed. And if allergies are keeping you inside during summer months, consider Super Sublingual B-12. It contains three times the amount of B-12 as our regular B, and many people have reported allergy relief after a short time taking it.

Vitamin C
Speaking of allergies, the ascorbate in Vital C helps break down the histamines that are triggered by allergies. Use the Vital C Flush to determine your maximum daily portion of Vital C and add it to your arsenal of protection from allergies. Vital C also helps support the immune system, detoxify your body and support collagen production in your skin to keep it healthy and protected from too much sun.

Vitamin D
Since the nerves and brain also contain Vitamin D receptors, Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. We may also benefit from supplementing with TriVitas Essential D. This is especially true if we are plagued with chronic pain, any kind of pain, anywhere in the body, but especially in the low back, may signal that we have a low level of Vitamin D.

Adaptogens
As mentioned above, the adaptogens really help lift the spirits. This is especially true of the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea. In previous Weekly Wellness Reports, I have discussed the power of this adaptogen in restoring balance to a brain distressed by chemical imbalances. That is what adaptogens do. They restore balance. Consider them as a tool to help restore balance anytime you experience emotional distress.

Exercise
By far the best medication a person can take for the blues is exercise. Oh, if only we could get the benefits of exercise in a pill! I guarantee it would be the best-selling drug in history! According to the Mayo Clinic, the number one benefit of exercise is that it lifts your mood. It also gives you more energy and promotes better sleep. Exercise is essential for health and wellness. As you progressively define your purpose in life, you will discover that great purposes require great health. Great health cannot be achieved without exercise, so take your medicine!

The cure?
So, perhaps this really is a cure for the summertime blues, appropriate nutrients and nurturing. Make it your goal to get some early morning sunshine and exercise, to sleep peacefully at night and give your body the nutrients it needs to support health and wellness every day.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Take Control of Your Health

20 minutes to 1 hour or more of morning sunshine
20 minutes to 1 hour or more of daily exercise
7 and half to 9 hours of peaceful sleep every night
Sublingual B-12 to help lift your spirits
Super B to also help with allergy relief
Vital C to help support your immune system, resist allergies and detoxify
Essential D for brain and nerve health
Adaptogen 10 Plus to bring your system back into balance

Take the Wellness Challenge.

118. Sleeping Pill

Is Lack Of Sleep Dragging You Down?

Myths regarding sleep and how more Zzzzs can improve your health

With todays hectic world, it is no surprise that 50 percent of all adults do not get enough sleep. Making a habit of putting off sleep can lead to fatigue during times you should feel awake. This is called problem sleepiness. It is crucial to get the right amount of quality sleep for your health. That is why Sleep Peacefully is one of our 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Sleep myths that should be put to rest

The body and mind shut down during sleep.
Sleep, like any other activity, is an active process. There is no evidence that indicates that any bodily organs or systems shut down during sleep. In fact, some brain activity increases dramatically.

Sleeping less than the amount needed each night will not have an effect on daytime functioning.
Sleeping even just an hour less than recommended each night will begin to accrue a sleep debt. As this debt accumulates and becomes too great, it can cause dramatic effects on daytime performance, including normal movement and brain function.

The body will adjust to different sleep schedules.
The body has a biological clock that controls a persons sleep and wake schedule. It is no coincidence that people get sleepy at nighttime when it is dark outside and they wake up to the morning sunlight. When a person tries to change their sleep cycle, his or her biological clock will still attempt to function according to normal day and night time.

People need less sleep as they grow older.
People need the same amount of sleep as they grow older, but unfortunately, they often are not able to get the amount of sleep they need. Older adults are more easily disturbed by light, noise and pain than younger adults. And, older adults are often more likely to have medical conditions that contribute to sleep problems.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Sleep benefits are abundant
Sleep helps your body and mind in many ways. For starters, it helps organize memories, strengthen your learning skills and improve concentration. Good sleep, especially when you actively dream, regulates mood as well. Sleep can also help boost the immune system, rest and repair the nervous system, and release hormones that help regulate body functions.

The sleep cycle
Understanding sleep stages and the sleep cycle can help you sleep better. When you fall asleep, your mind moves back and forth from restorative sleep and alertness to dreaming. The stage in which you are actively dreaming is called REM, Rapid Eye Movement, sleep. Non-REM sleep involves four stages that range from light to deep sleep.

Stages of sleep

Stage 1 is drowsiness. The muscle activity slows down and you are easily awakened
Stage 2 is light sleep. The eye movements stop, body temperature decreases and heart rate slows down
Stage 3 and 4 is deep sleep. Blood flow decreases to the brain in this stage, and works to restore physical energy. Immune function increases during these stages. It is difficult to be awakened in this stage, and when awakened, feelings of grogginess and disorientation can occur.
REM sleep is dream sleep. Breathing is rapid, irregular and shallow. The heart rate increases and blood pressure rises. In this stage, your eyes move back and forth.

Stages of Sleep Chart

Passing up sleep can lead to difficulties concentrating, memory lapses, loss of energy, fatigue, lethargy and emotional instability. Before you decide to stay up extra hours this week, or pull an all-nighter, you might want to sleep on it!

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119. Anti-inflammatory Product

Anti-inflammation Product

Remember These Signs of Failing Memory

A fat, healthy brain thrives on Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea
By Dr. Scott Conard

Memory loss is disrupting daily life. If tasks that used to be routine, such as balancing a checkbook or bathing, become difficult, action should be taken.

Lapses are becoming more frequent. It is not normal to forget where you parked every day, or to forget appointments over and over.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Brain erosion, B-12 and inflammation
Our brains do become smaller over time. Normally, this loss of volume begins after age 30. After age 50, it can become severe. In fact, some 25 percent of our brain volume can erode by age 60, and this may have to do with our inability to absorb Vitamin B-12 as we age. Studies have indicated that the people with the highest level of B-12 in their bloodstreams have the lowest level of brain erosion. So, this is a good indicator that a relationship exists between low brain volume and low levels of B-12, and higher brain volume is linked with higher levels of B-12.

With people living longer lives, we have seen a significant increase in our lifetime in the number of people suffering from mental decline. What is of equal concern is that often we see people being stricken at younger and younger ages. We know there is a direct correlation between B-12 levels and mental decline, and also a link between brain inflammation and mental decline. So now you can understand why, along with Sublingual B-12, Nopalea, which helps the body reduce inflammation, can be so vital to preserving and maintaining brain health.

Remember. When memory seems to be failing, consult your healthcare provider. And consider TriVita Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea together as important steps toward helping you be sharp, and to stay that way.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

120. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Vision as the Indispensable Quality of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 3.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

121. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Nopaleas Nourishing Bioflavanoids
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

There is an old saying, You are what you eat! That is very true. Each cell in our body is comprised of elements we extract from our food. If we eat a healthy diet, we will build healthy cells. If we eat an imbalanced or deficient diet we will build imbalanced cells. It is really that simple. We are what we eat!

Nopalea contains a family of bioflavonoids, plant compounds known for their antioxidant activity, called Betalains. Nopal fruit from the Sonora Desert contains all 24 known Betalains. These are orphan nutrients. The main family of Betalain-containing fruits and vegetables is now extinct. How can we be sure that Betalains are recognized by our body since they have not been seen in the human diet for thousands of years?

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Bioavailability
Foods that are absorbed during digestion and carried into the bloodstream are called bioavailable foods. If they are good for us they are called bioactive foods. If they neither improve our health nor detract from it, they are called bio-neutral foods and if the foods we eat are toxic for us, they are called biocidic foods.

The question we have is, how do we know that Betalains from Nopal cactus fruit are bioavailable and bioactive? The answer is provided by research from Palermo, Italy.

What you eat
Professors at the University of Palermo Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology have been involved in the study of Betalains from Nopal cactus species around the world. They are primarily responsible for identifying the different types of Betalains and their activity. Recently, these Betalain experts answered the question of how efficiently Nopal Betalains are absorbed. The answer to this puzzle helps us understand the bioavailability and bioactive nature of Betalains.

Recently, Poke berries have been shown to contain Betalains, but Poke berries are quite toxic and not used as a food. Betaxanthins, a form of Betalains, found abundantly in Nopal cactus fruit were almost completely absorbed.

Further, anti-inflammatory Betalains protected fats from being oxidized and turned into bad fats. Methyl linoleate, ML, is a common fat used in manufacturing detergent and other products. It can become carcinogenic, cancer-causing, if it oxidizes.

Betalains protected ML from oxidizing. This antioxidant activity hindered the formation of inflammatory chemicals. Betalains slowed down the domino effect of toxic, rancid fats from becoming carcinogenic before they ever started!

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Remarkable results
Research continues around the world into the potent anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin action of Betalains from the Sonora Desert. The more we learn, the more remarkable Betalains become. Now we have conclusive proof that Betalains are readily recognized by our body though we may have never consumed them before our first serving of Nopalea. Further, we see that Betalains are both bioavailable and bioactive.

If we truly are what we eat, we can improve the health of our cells, help our body reduce inflammation, oxidation and the impact of toxins by taking Nopalea.

Take Control of Your Health

Health comes from healthy habits
Breathe Deeply
Drink Pure Water
Sleep Peacefully
Eat Nutritiously
Enjoy Activity
Give and Receive Love
Be Forgiving
Practice Gratitude
Develop Acceptance
Develop a Relationship with God
Take Nopalea to help protect against toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress and premature aging

Take the Wellness Challenge.

122. Anti-inflammatory Product

Nopalea Frequently Asked Questions
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

Over the past year, we have received a number of interesting questions about Nopalea. Below are some of the questions and my responses.

Q. How much Nopalea should I take?
A. That depends. How much inflammation do you have inside you? You can not put out a forest fire with a single pail of water. You can not break the cycle of inflammation with a single serving of Nopalea.

We need to meet the level of inflammation in our body with an equivalent force of anti-inflammatory Betalains from Nopalea. We must quench inflammation with a Nopalea Loading Phase, NLP.

When taking Nopalea for the first time, drink 3 ounces, twice daily for the first 30 days. Then, use your intuition to judge how much Nopalea you should continue to take. Do you feel like you need more? Then take more! Do you feel that the cycle of runaway inflammation has resolved? Reduce it to the amount you crave, usually 1 to 3 ounces daily. Let your body decide!

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Q. Is it safe to take Nopalea with my medications?
A. There are no known conflicts between Nopalea and medications. Nopalea is a fruit juice. the juice of the Nopal fruit from the Sonora Desert. It is low calorie and low carbohydrate, so it must be calculated as any other food in your total dietary intake of these macronutrients.

Some of the older blood thinners are more easily adjusted if a person is not eating vegetables or fruit or drinking juices during the calibration phase. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you specific instructions if this pertains to you.

Always ask your health care team if you are in doubt or have questions. However, TriVitas Medical Advisory Board has examined Nopalea closely. In general, there are no known conflicts between Nopalea and medications.

Q. Should I continue to take my other supplements while taking Nopalea?
A. Yes. There is a rule in wellness called cause and effect. It means that for every effect, such as inflammation, there must be a cause. Causes of inflammation include trauma or injury, deficiencies, toxins and stress. Deficiencies that cause inflammation include oxygen deficiency, sleep deprivation, insufficient water and imbalanced nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, cause inflammation. We address the downstream effect of inflammation with Nopalea. We address the cause of inflammation with appropriate supplementation and by close adherence to the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.

Q. Does Nopalea contain any sugar, artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors?
A. No. The fruit of the Nopal cactus naturally tastes sweet. Agave has been added as well. Agave is a succulent cactus from the Sonora Desert that concentrates a syrup or nectar in its root. We juice the Nopal fruit and filter the Agave nectar as the chief ingredients in Nopalea. We have also added many other fruits and vegetables to enhance both the flavor and function of Nopalea.

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Some of the vegetables we added to Nopalea have a slightly bitter taste to them. The sweet leaf Stevia cuts the bitterness completely! So, I use a microscopic amount of Stevia to neutralize the bitter notes.

There are natural colors in Nopalea. They are made from the skin of cherries because cherries have an intense red similar to Nopal fruit. There are also natural flavors in Nopalea. These are made by distilling the aromatic oils and phenolics, compounds that give plants their aroma and color, from the fruit. Seasonal harvests of Nopal fruit vary from year to year, but natural flavors and colors keep our product more consistent than many other natural products. With Nopalea, you always know what you are getting!

Take Control of Your Health

Enjoy activity daily to reduce the effects of trauma
Insulate yourself against toxins with Healthy Foundation Nutrients
Help remove toxins passively with Nopalea
Fill up deficiencies.
Breathe Deeply
Drink Pure Water
Sleep Peacefully
Eat Nutritiously
Take Healthy Foundation supplements
Reduce the impact of stress through healthy emotional and spiritual harmony

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype. allisonmarketinggroup
Phone. 859-858-9246
Creator of Tomorrows Home Business Social Community
http.//terryallison.com
http.//umakemoneyonline2.net

123. Anti-inflammatory Product

Allergy or Toxin?
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

More and more people are experiencing allergies and suffering with the symptoms they bring. In past Wellness Reports we have discussed how histamine receptors trigger inflammation in the four tissues they populate, the airways, the digestive-reproductive tract, our brain and our immune system. Histamine is very inflammatory and easily triggers runaway inflammation.

In this discussion we will look specifically at histamines, toxins and allergies. We will also get a chance to discuss ways to help reduce the impact of allergies and their annoying symptoms.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The symptoms of toxicity may also be more obscure than you think. For example, headaches, joint pains, colitis and poor coordination may be signs of toxicity. So may skin eruptions.

How do I know?
How can you tell if you are having an allergic reaction versus a detoxification reaction? Easy, histamines elevate your pulse rate.

You can use this technique with any food or other substance to which you suspect you are allergic.

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If you experience skin bumps or blemishes, I recommend discontinuing Nopalea for three days, and then taking the pulse test to see if it is a true allergy or merely rapid detoxification.

Remember, anyone may be allergic to anything. So, theoretically, someone may be allergic to Nopalea, but, it is not very likely. More often, skin reactions to Nopalea are detoxification reactions rather than allergy.

Take Control of Your Health

Take the Wellness Challenge.

124. Anti-inflammatory Product

The Nopalea Loading Phase
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

You can not put out a forest fire with a single pail of water. Likewise, you can not break the cycle of inflammation with a single serving of Nopalea.

We need to meet the level of inflammation in our body with an equivalent force of anti-inflammatory Betalains from Nopalea. We must quench inflammation with a Nopalea Loading Phase, NLP.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The cycle of inflammation
Inflammation in your body is like a campfire. When properly contained it is useful for warming your body and cooking your food. However, when even a single ember escapes the hearth and remains unquenched, it can smolder and spread until it burns down an entire forest!

The cycle of inflammation begins with injury or trauma, toxins or poisons, deficiency or stress. When inflammation is controlled and balanced, it facilitates

Repair of the injury.
Elimination of the toxins and poisons. Relief for many forms of deficiency and stress. For example, controlled and balanced inflammation relieves blood and oxygen deficiency in areas of poor circulation.

Runaway inflammation persists long after the cause has been removed. It continues to smolder and spread until something breaks the cycle. With fire, usually a little water will quench an ember before it causes a forest fire. With runaway inflammation in our body, we need anti-inflammatory nutrients that will remove the cause as well as the effect of inflammation.

However, the same amount of water that quenches a single ember will not douse the flames of a forest fire. The same level of anti-inflammatory nutrients that will balance daily trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress will not put out the fire of runaway inflammation.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The Nopalea Loading Phase
We are a people on fire. We typically have runaway inflammation raging in one or more places of our bodies. We suffer from this because so many of our health problems stem from this very condition. And if our inflamed condition is greater in size and intensity, the greater our response will have to be in order to put out the fire.

That makes sense, does it not? I mean, if you have a forest fire of inflammation you can not put it out with a single pail of water. The same is true with our health. If we have been suffering from major inflammation over a long period of time, we need a REALLY SIGNIFICANT RESPONSE to put out the fire.

We need a Nopalea Loading Phase.
The Betalains in Nopalea are anti-inflammatory. As such, they put out the fire of inflammation. But how much Nopalea do you need? That depends. How big is the fire you are trying to put out?

For maintenance, the label suggests drinking 1 to 3 ounces a day. This amount is needed every day just to fight the inflammatory effects of our diet, air and water pollution, and even everyday stress. But you need to take more in the beginning to break the cycle of inflammation. Here is how the Nopalea Loading Phase works

Pre-Evaluation. Before taking Nopalea for the first time, record your level of pain and rate the discomfort you feel. Also, look at things you may not readily associate with inflammation. For example, how well are you sleeping? Write it all down.
Complete the Loading Phase. Drink 3 to 6 ounces of chilled Nopalea every day for 30 days.
Post-Evaluation. After 30 days, assess how you feel in comparison to before you started the Loading Phase. Most people find a significant difference and I am sure you will too.

Keep following the Loading Phase directions until the cycle of inflammation is extinguished in your body. Remember, only YOU know how much Nopalea you will need or how LONG you will need to continue the Loading Phase. Trust your intuition.

If you think you need more, take more.
If you think you need to continue the Loading Phase beyond 30 days, then keep doing it.

Trust your instinct because only you can tell when the cycle of inflammation in your body is broken.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Restoring balance
Nutrient deficiencies create inflammation. That is why it makes enormous sense to take a full serving of Healthy Foundation nutrients to support our bodies firefighting efforts. Furthermore, each of the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness is also anti-inflammatory in nature. So if we fail to abide by these timeless, natural laws, we could very well be fanning the fires of the inflammatory problems we are ultimately trying to overcome. It is important to remember that once you have subdued the flames of runaway inflammation, you need to follow Nopaleas maintenance regimen to help prevent any smoldering inflammatory embers from re-igniting again.

Take Control of Your Health

Follow the Nopalea Loading Phase. Drink 3 to 6 ounces of chilled Nopalea daily for 30 days. But also consider
Drinking a greater amount each day if you feel that your body needs it
Extending the Loading Phase beyond 30 days if you feel it will help
Take your Healthy Foundation nutrients every day
Practice the 10 Essentials for greater wellness

Take the Wellness Challenge.

125. Anti-inflammatory Product

Ways To Improve Your Memory
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

OK, I will admit it if you will. I have forgotten the names of people while I was talking to them! I have lost my car keys, misplaced my glasses and turned the wrong way on my drive home.

How about you? Does it seem like your memory is playing tricks on you as you age? Well, there are reasons for that and very few of these reasons are related to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimers.

How to make a memory
Your memory is an amazing miracle. Every second your brain processes billions of bits of information from your five senses. You may consciously perceive only a very small percentage of this information because one function of your brain is to filter out unimportant information. The things you remember will usually be advantageous to you. For instance, remembering your wedding anniversary date or remembering where the speed trap is on your drive home.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Memory is classed into two basic groups

Short-term. Short term memories are quickly forgotten when they are no longer important. Long-term. Long-term memories may be divided into recent and distant.

Practicing or rehearsing can improve your memory by moving more information into long-term. For instance, when I am distracted by stress I will not be able to remember where I left my car keys. That information was deleted from my short-term memory. However, if I consciously say, I am hanging my car keys on the hook, I am far more likely to remember where they are.

How to keep a memory

Reduce stress
Stress kills your memory. The stress system is designed to ensure survival. It helps us fight off a snarling dog or flee from a snarling bear. As important as that is, humans do more every day than merely survive. If you want to have a good, healthy memory, do all you can to reduce the need for fight or flight stress responses.

Learn something new
As mentioned, practicing or rehearsing something enhances memory. So does learning something new. You see, memory is facilitated through the billions of neurons and synapses in your brain by patterns, retracing old patterns as well as creating new patterns. The more new things we master and the more connections we create, the better our overall memory will be.

If you want to remember your anniversary, start learning a foreign language. If you want to remember important names, learn a musical instrument. The more you learn, and the more you connect the old with the new, the better your overall memory will be.

How to nourish a memory
Certain nutrients help the memory to remain sharp. These nutrients fall into two basic categories, those that create brain structure and those that nourish brain function.

Your brain is made mostly of fat. And the majority of that fat is an Omega-3 called DHA. So, to have a healthy brain we need healthy fats like OmegaPrime. Your nerve cells convert some fats into functional nerve proteins called myelin. Formation of myelin requires dietary protein and Vitamin B-12. So, for healthy brain structure and function we need Omega-3 fats, healthy dietary protein and Vitamin B-12.

When the memory is activated, it creates heat in the brain. To fuel the memory, quench the heat and repair the daily wear-and-tear on your brain, you need antioxidants. Certain antioxidants target brain function specifically. An excellent antioxidant formula that is also anti-inflammatory is Nopalea. The Betalain bioflavonoids in Nopalea also help improve circulation by fortifying healthy arteries.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

What do you remember?
To recap. Occasional memory lapses usually indicate you are distracted by stress. Rehearsing things you want to remember and practicing new things you have learned can help you avoid stress-induced memory lapses. Because new behaviors create new pathways in your brain, learning something new such as a new language or musical instrument can improve your overall memory.

Stress kills your memory. Nutrients such as Omega-3, Vitamin B-12 and anti-inflammatory antioxidants such as those found in Nopalea can help rebuild and restore your ability to remember. With all of these tools at your disposal, you have access to the power of a healthy memory.

Take Control of Your Health

Reduce stress
Increase physical activity and mental activity
Learn something new
Rehearse before an important event
Practice and review the things you want to remember
Learn something new. Yes, I know I repeated this, but repetition is the mother of retention
Nourish your memory with
OmegaPrime
Super Sublingual B-12
Nopalea

Take the Wellness Challenge.

126. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Vision as the Indispensable Quality of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 2.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Maniac Marketers' Conference is held every Thursday.

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

127. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Are There Alternatives For Water?
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

Healthy Living Essential number 2 is Drink Water. Many people do not follow this Essential for one reason or another. Some use water alternatives instead. But I can tell you, with full conviction, that there are NO alternatives to water! You must drink water and you must drink it in abundance.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Pros and cons of water alternatives
Let us look at some of the positive and negative aspects of so-called alternatives to water

100% fruit juice contains some vitamins, minerals and a lot of sugar. In fact, a 16-ounce glass of fruit juice contains about 50 grams of sugar and 220 calories. Fructose, or fruit sugar, reduces the rate at which we absorb fluid and can actually make you thirstier, leading to over-consumption of calories from juice.

Sport drinks often contain fructose or sucrose syrups, flavorings and colorings. The electrolytes, sodium and potassium are helpful for endurance-type exercise or activity, but not necessary for everyday exercise. A 16 ounce sport drink has roughly 30 grams of sugar and over 100 calories.

Energy drinks contain vitamins, amino acids, a lot of sugar and caffeine. Although advertised as providing more energy, what they really provide is more calories and caffeine. Added caffeine can be temporarily energizing, but often leads to a rapid dip in energy and can be potentially habit forming. An eight ounce energy drink has about 115 calories and 80 milligrams of caffeine.

Fitness waters waters are laced with an assortment of nutrients, herbs, flavorings and or sweeteners. These enhancements are usually too insufficient to have any meaningful impact on your health, plus these waters can be costly. As for calories, they can contain anywhere from 10 to 100 or more calories in a 16 ounce drink.

Carbonated beverages such as regular or diet sodas can be high in sugar or artificial sweeteners and caffeine. Colas are also high in phosphates, which bind with calcium and weaken bones. Regular soda can contain up to 200 or more calories for 16 ounces.

Coffee, tea and lattes are also very popular. But along with the caffeine, they often contain added sugars and fats which can add up to as many as 450 calories for a 16 ounce drink. Since most caffeinated products provide very few nutrients, it is typically advised to keep intake low.

Flavored waters are waters with a touch of natural flavoring. By itself, this is fine. Unfortunately, however, many flavored waters contain sugar, some even have more than a can of soda pop, or caffeine and other additives, all of which should be avoided.

In contrast to the water alternatives above, we can get water that is good for us from food. Many fruits and vegetables, for example, are high in water content as well as antioxidants, which is a nice plus. The guideline for consuming the right amount of fruit and vegetables is 5, 7 or 9 servings daily, depending upon our size and gender.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Healthy ways to spice up your water
In summary, we now know two things. First, there are no real alternatives to water. They all have too many drawbacks. And second, water is essential to good health. It helps the body both detoxify and fuel metabolism for energy.

But these two findings present a problem for all of the people who feel that water is just too boring to drink on a regular basis. They are likely to wonder, Are there ways to make my water taste better? And are there drinks besides water that can help support my bodys detoxification and metabolic processes? The answer is YES. You can use the recipes below to spice up your water while adding extra detoxification and metabolism support

Nopalea Splash. Take 6 ounces of naturally carbonated spring water and add 1 ounce of Nopalea to it for a hydrating, detoxifying and refreshing beverage that naturally helps reduce inflammation.
Tea Time 10 Plus. Take 6 ounces of either hot or cold green tea and add 1 ounce of Adaptogen 10 Plus. You can get the health benefits of green tea coupled with the stress-busting effects of adaptogens.

Water, the life-essential beverage
At birth, water can make up as much as 80 percent of a babys body weight. Yet at death, for adults in their 70s and 80s, water often makes up less than 40 percent of the body weight.

Water is life. And in a sense, dehydration equals death.

Drink Water and claim the health benefits of this life-giving liquid!

Take Control of Your Health

Calculate your water needs using the simple formula below

Work with your body
Drink 2 glasses of water when you get up in the morning
Drink 2 glasses of water per hour until your needs are met
After 3 p.m., drink only small amounts of water as needed
Eat brightly colored, high water-content fruits and vegetables
5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 servings for men
Try mixing Nopalea with sparkling water
Try adding Adaptogen 10 Plus to hot or cold green tea

Take the Wellness Challenge.

128. Inflammation Hot Spots

Inflammation Hot Spots
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

The process of inflammation starts with injury, toxicity, deficiency or emotional distress. One particular deficiency that causes inflammation is a genetic deficiency called MTHFR. This deficiency is relatively common, perhaps the most common genetic deficiency in North America. It is related to the way we manufacture proteins. A sign that we have MTHFR deficiency is elevated homocysteine.

MTHFR deficiency creates pools of homocysteine that ignite inflammation like bonfires in specific tissues of your body. The strategies for reducing this inflammation depend greatly on where the bonfire starts. And, like many forest fires, inflammation often features multiple fronts that require different strategies for quelling its flames.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Burning brain
The delicate tissues of the brain are common victims of inflammation from an MTHFR deficiency. Elevated homocysteine feeds the fire that melts fragile neurons. Movement disorders like Parkinsons disease and dementias such as Alzheimers disease are associated with elevated homocysteine. Further, inflammation in the brain associated with MTHFR and elevated homocysteine are also implicated in autism, ADD/ADHD, bipolar depression and schizophrenia.

MTHFR deficiency is addressed by increasing folates in the diet. Folates describe a B vitamin from foliage, leafy green vegetables. Actually, all fruits and vegetables contain some folate. Eating the optimum amount of folate can go a long way to filling the deficiency associated with MTHFR and elevated homocysteine. Remember, the optimum number of servings for fruits and vegetables is

5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 servings for men

Make sure you eat vegetables of every color, eat a rainbow!

Supplements such as HCY Guard provide nutrients that help re-methylate homocysteine in the presence of this MTHFR deficiency. Inflammation is normalized by the anti-inflammatory Betalains found in Nopalea. Essential fatty acids and EFA supplements such as OmegaPrime serve as primary building blocks for a healthy brain. Also, Omega-3 EFA, Betalains and ECGC polyphenols in Energy Now! serve to help the body protect DNA strands and create stem cells that are needed to repair delicate, fragile brain tissues.

Burning bones
Bones are living tissue. Osteoblast cells lay down a matrix of collagen proteins and build minerals around it. Collagen provides tensile strength for the bones and minerals provide compression strength for the bones. Homocysteine shatters this matrix and melts the collagen in your bones, and elsewhere, resulting in brittle bones. Further, without collagen, minerals cannot form and the bones become porous. The end result is often osteoporosis.

Folates and plant hormones such as Vitamin K found in leafy green vegetables help reduce the impact of MTHFR deficiency and increase the opportunity for osteoblasts to make healthy bone. Healthy bones also require significant amounts of Vitamin D. Sunshine is the best source of Vitamin D, however, in North America it is not always possible to get enough healthy sun exposure to meet our Vitamin D needs. Supplements such as Bone Growth Factor and VitaCal-Mag D can help give us the nutrients we need for healthy bones. HCY Guard can help the body reduce inflammatory homocysteine and Betalains from Nopalea can help reduce the impact of inflammation.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Burning blood
MTHFR deficiency was discovered when scientists began searching for the reasons why heart disease and stroke seemed to cluster in certain families. It was discovered that these families shared a genetic deficiency that required far more folate than their diet provided. Folate deficiency depletes Vitamin B-12 and compounds the homocysteine problem. Homocysteine ignites LDL, bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and creates the inflammation at the root of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke.

A high folate diet focusing on leafy green vegetables can fill this deficiency. Supplements such as HCY Guard, Nopalea and OmegaPrime can help the body ease the fire in the delicate tissues lining the blood vessels. According to the VISP study, Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention, this comprehensive strategy can fill the deficiency created by MTHFR, put out the fire fueled by homocysteine, and reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

Conclusion
Inflammation hot spots build fires around your body in places like your brain, your bones and your heart.

A high folate diet can fill the deficiency that causes these body bonfires.
Safe daily sun exposure along with exercise and peaceful sleep can help build a solid foundation for wellness.
Appropriate supplementation can help satisfy the needs created by MTHFR while putting out the fires of inflammation and creating vigorous cells for health today and a healthier tomorrow.

Take Control of Your Health

Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruit and vegetables
Eat a rainbow, include leafy green vegetables
Supplement appropriately
HCY Guard to help reduce inflammatory homocysteine
Nopalea to put out the fire
OmegaPrime for a healthy brain and heart
Bone Growth Factor for healthy bones
Sleep peacefully every night and enjoy activity every day

Take the Wellness Challenge.

129. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Vision as the Indispensable Quality of Leadership in a Work at Home Business -- Part 1.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, August 18, 2011

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

130. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Developing People, Your Most Appreciable Asset in a Work at Home Business -- Part 4.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, August 11, 2011

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

131. Maniac Marketers' Present

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Developing People, Your Most Appreciable Asset in a Work at Home Business -- Part 3.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, August 4, 2011

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

132. Maniac Marketers' Business Conference

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Developing People, Your Most Appreciable Asset in a Work at Home Business -- Part 2.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, July 28, 2011

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

133. Maniac Marketers' Conference

You are cordially invited to Maniac Marketers' Business Presentation

Discussion of Developing Your Most Appreciable Asset in a Work at Home Business -- Part 1.

Presenter: Terry Allison, Sr

Thursday, July 21, 2011

9 p.m. (Eastern); 8 p.m. (Central); 7 p.m. (Mountain); 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Password: prophet

134. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Anti-inflammatory Product

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
by Brazos Minshew, TriVitas Chief Science Officer

Do you have pain, numbness or tingling in your hand, especially the Index finger and thumb? Does the pain or numbness get worse when you use your hand a lot? Have you lost your grip?

You may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? How did I get it? How can I make it go away?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a phrase that describes the inflammation of the median nerve in the hand.

Aside from these triggers, let me tell you of my experience with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. People tend to have two things in common when they experience this disorder, a B vitamin deficiency of B-6 and B-12, and a serious problem in their neck.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Take Control of Your Health

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
http://terryallison.com
http://umakemoneyonline2.net

135. Sleeping Pill

Sleeping Pill

I get a great nights sleep without waking up groggy or tired

Louis R., Member, Port Chester, NY

Every night before I go to bed, I take two of TriVitas Peaceful Sleep. It works quickly, and I get a great nights sleep without waking up groggy or tired. It is wonderful. Thanks, TriVita.

Peaceful Sleep works fast, in as little as 30 minutes!

What a difference a good nights sleep makes. If you have slept well you are energized, invigorated and ready to take on the world. If you have had a bad nights sleep, you are likely to be drowsy, irritable and unfocused throughout the entire day.

Do not settle for a bad nights sleep. You should also avoid habit-forming sleeping pills that leave you with a morning hangover.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Reformulated for a better nights sleep
TriVita engaged in extensive research to create reformulated Peaceful Sleep. You will love the results! Now you can fall asleep naturally, stay asleep throughout the night and wake up feeling refreshed. Unlike so many other sleep aids, TriVitas Peaceful Sleep uses natural ingredients that help promote a restful, deeper sleep, while supporting your bodys natural sleep processes.

Unique, fast acting formula. You should feel the difference in as little as 30 minutes.
No morning hangover. You will wake up feeling energized and refreshed instead of drowsy
Non-habit forming
Restores important vitamins and minerals that may be depleted because of sleep deprivation, supports your bodys natural restoration process
A Melatonin-free product

Take the Wellness Challenge.

A healthier way to fall asleep
Many sleep aids on the market can be harmful and addictive. Peaceful Sleep is the healthy alternative, containing unique homeopathic ingredients that help remove any obstacles to sleep. Other key ingredients include

GABA fuels the relaxation response by making the brain more sensitive to sedative hormones
Inositol, a B-vitamin with a calming effect
5-HTP, the immediate protein precursor for serotonin, called the sleep hormone
Lglutamine helps calm intense dreams
Passiflora incarnate, passion flower, helps deepen the sleep cycle for light sleepers, especially those with chronic illnesses

Order Peaceful Sleep today to fall asleep naturally within minutes, sleep longer and wake up feeling refreshed.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
http://terryallison.com

136. Sleeping Pill

Sleeping Pill

What happens when you do not get enough sleep?

Are you sleepy during the day or doze off watching TV? These are common signs that you are not getting the right quantity and quality of sleep. You may also notice that

You easily gain weight or are obese
You get colds, the flu, or other infections during the year
Your hormones, cholesterol or blood pressure are out of balance
You suffer from chronic pain.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

There should be no doubt that sleep is vital to your continued good health. At TriVita, we have long recognized the importance of sleep. That is why number three in our 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness encourages you to

Sleep Peacefully
Establishing a bedtime routine will help you sleep longer and more soundly.

The simple fact is that most people need more and a better quality of sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation has become a major disorder in North America and contributes to an overall lack of wellness. Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to a variety of negative results, including

Impaired ability to use insulin, which can lead to high blood sugar
Blood pressure and cardiovascular problems
Insufficient growth hormone secretion, which may lead to obesity
Impaired immunity, which can make you more susceptible to disease

Take the Wellness Challenge.

How much sleep do you need?
Most sleep experts recommend anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep for optimum health and performance. Remember, sleep is a very energy intensive process. It takes a lot of energy to accomplish all the work you have to do as you sleep. For the best nighttime sleep make sure you get plenty of nutrients, sunlight and exercise during the day. At night make sure you have a comfortable bed.

Adequate sleep helps keep your immune system strong and your spirits high. If you are not getting a good quality and quantity of sleep, take Peaceful Sleep and enjoy more normal sleep patterns.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
http://terryallison.com

137. Sleeping Pill

Sleeping Pill

Peaceful Sleep works fast, in as little as 30 minutes!

Do not settle for a bad nights sleep. You should also avoid habit-forming sleeping pills that leave you with a morning hangover.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Unique, fast acting formula you should feel the difference in as little as 30 minutes.
No morning hangover. You will wake up feeling energized and refreshed instead of drowsy
Non-habit forming
Restores important vitamins and minerals that may be depleted because of sleep deprivation, supports your bodys natural restoration process
A Melatonin-free product

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Order Peaceful Sleep today to fall asleep naturally within minutes, sleep longer and wake up feeling refreshed.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Posted by
Terry L. Allison, Sr., #13134349 1 Star
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member
Skype: allisonmarketinggroup
Phone: 859-858-9246
http://terryallison.com

138. Anti-Inflammatory Product

Anti-inflammatory Product

Regain Energy with Healthy Habits
by Brazos Minshew, TriVita's Chief Science Officer

The message of fatigue
Feeling tired is a communication sent by our body to our consciousness telling us we need to rest, just as hunger is the feeling we get when we need to eat. Learning to listen to these messages will help us achieve and maintain optimum health. Listening to fatigue by resting is at the heart of Essential number 3, Sleep Peacefully. Typically, a good nights sleep will erase fatigue, it may take several nights. Cultivating the habit of sleeping 7 and a half to 9 hours every night, depending on our level of fatigue, will ensure that we feel fresh at almost any time and also help us have a healthier immune system.

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We especially need rest

We experience chronic fatigue when resting does not relieve our feelings of exhaustion. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than six months. CFS is often a sign that we have pushed ourselves too hard for too long. We have been so deficient, so toxic and so stressed that we have collapsed our ability to cope with even daily demands. Our immune system and our nervous system are so damaged in CFS that they may take years to repair, if healing is even possible.

Coping strategies
We have a marvelous function inside us called homeostasis. This interesting word describes the struggle of maintaining balance. Just as an acrobat on the high wire appears to be still or motionless or in stasis, our internal chemistry appears to be balanced every single moment of every single day with amazing consistency. We cannot see the effort the acrobat must contribute to maintain balance but we know intuitively that it must be extreme. Now, imagine the extra stress of wind, temperature, humidity, air quality, light and noise from the outside world. Next, imagine the added stress of low oxygen, dehydration, poor sleep, incomplete nutrition and lack of appropriate fitness. There are many, many elements trying to pull the acrobat off the wire just as there are many, many elements pulling you down as well. Homeostasis describes the extreme effort of your body, mind and spirit every moment to keep you balanced.

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Change your mindset
The era we live in is called post-industrial revolution. It describes a cadence in life that is more appropriate for machines, not for humans. Machines do not get tired. People do! If we are to hear the message of fatigue and respond appropriately, we simply must learn to listen as humans, not machines. We need to resist many of the stresses of modern life. We need to embrace the mindset that people are more important than things.

This change of mindset is the first step to erasing fatigue.

Take Control of Your Health

Take the Wellness Challenge.