Sunday, April 22, 2012
How to Manage Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that results from the deposit and buildup of glass-like crystals of uric acid in your joints. Uric acid is a by-product of the breakdown of certain proteins. Normally, uric acid is broken down in the bloodstream and then eliminated in the urine.
It is estimated that over 2 million Americans have gout. A severe gout attack is extremely painful and, if left untreated, can cause permanent and severe joint damage. Fortunately, gout can be managed or controlled.
First things first: risk factors
Are you at risk for gout? Although gout can occur in men and women of any age, it most often occurs in men over age 40. Gout usually does not affect women until after menopause. Lifestyle factors increase the risk of gout, including being overweight, fasting or crash dieting, drinking alcohol in excess and eating a diet that includes foods high in purines (proteins which make up uric acid):
Organ meats (e.g., liver, kidney, brain, sweetbread, heart)
Fish roe
Mussels
Anchovies
Herring
Sardines
Legumes (e.g., dried beans, peas, soybeans)
Meat extracts
Consommé
Gravies
Mushrooms
Spinach
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Poultry
Drinking high-fructose beverages, like sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice can dramatically increase your risk of gout. There appears to be a genetic component as well, but not a large one. Six percent to 18% of people who have gout have relatives who also have gout. (In a small number of people, the risk of gout is increased by an enzyme defect that interferes with the way the body breaks down purines.) That means that 82% to 94% of the people with gout do not have a genetic link to the disease; it is primarily a lifestyle issue.
Certain medications can increase the risk of gout. These include:
Diuretics
Salicylates and medicines made from salicylic acid (such as aspirin)
Caffeine, including medicines containing caffeine
Levodopa (used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease)
Aminophylline
Withdrawal of corticosteroid medications
Cyclosporine (used to help control rejection of transplanted organs)
Niacin in doses of 1000 mg per day may trigger an attack in someone with gout
In addition, surgery, trauma, and cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy may also increase your risk of developing gout.
It is possible to develop gout with or without the risk factors listed above. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing gout. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Reducing uric acid
It is known that Vitamin C reduces uric acid in people with gout – and there is simply no better form than Dr. Libby’s Vital C™. As little as 500 mg of Vitamin C daily can help the body reduce uric acid levels over time and a Vital C flush is a common solution recommended by Dr. Libby for people with gout. Folic acid is also a time-honored solution for the symptoms of high uric acid. And, according to legendary naturopaths Dr. Murray and Dr. Pizzorno, essential fatty acids like those found in OmegaPrime® can also be very useful.
Check out Trivita Products for relief of many ailments.
It is estimated that over 2 million Americans have gout. A severe gout attack is extremely painful and, if left untreated, can cause permanent and severe joint damage. Fortunately, gout can be managed or controlled.
First things first: risk factors
Are you at risk for gout? Although gout can occur in men and women of any age, it most often occurs in men over age 40. Gout usually does not affect women until after menopause. Lifestyle factors increase the risk of gout, including being overweight, fasting or crash dieting, drinking alcohol in excess and eating a diet that includes foods high in purines (proteins which make up uric acid):
Organ meats (e.g., liver, kidney, brain, sweetbread, heart)
Fish roe
Mussels
Anchovies
Herring
Sardines
Legumes (e.g., dried beans, peas, soybeans)
Meat extracts
Consommé
Gravies
Mushrooms
Spinach
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Poultry
Drinking high-fructose beverages, like sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice can dramatically increase your risk of gout. There appears to be a genetic component as well, but not a large one. Six percent to 18% of people who have gout have relatives who also have gout. (In a small number of people, the risk of gout is increased by an enzyme defect that interferes with the way the body breaks down purines.) That means that 82% to 94% of the people with gout do not have a genetic link to the disease; it is primarily a lifestyle issue.
Certain medications can increase the risk of gout. These include:
Diuretics
Salicylates and medicines made from salicylic acid (such as aspirin)
Caffeine, including medicines containing caffeine
Levodopa (used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease)
Aminophylline
Withdrawal of corticosteroid medications
Cyclosporine (used to help control rejection of transplanted organs)
Niacin in doses of 1000 mg per day may trigger an attack in someone with gout
In addition, surgery, trauma, and cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy may also increase your risk of developing gout.
It is possible to develop gout with or without the risk factors listed above. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing gout. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Reducing uric acid
It is known that Vitamin C reduces uric acid in people with gout – and there is simply no better form than Dr. Libby’s Vital C™. As little as 500 mg of Vitamin C daily can help the body reduce uric acid levels over time and a Vital C flush is a common solution recommended by Dr. Libby for people with gout. Folic acid is also a time-honored solution for the symptoms of high uric acid. And, according to legendary naturopaths Dr. Murray and Dr. Pizzorno, essential fatty acids like those found in OmegaPrime® can also be very useful.
Check out Trivita Products for relief of many ailments.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
How to Reduce Allergy Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis is the set of symptoms that occurs when you breathe in substances you are allergic to. These substances are called allergens and are small proteins.
Seasonal allergy (sometimes called hay fever) occurs during times of the year when allergens are in the air, like spring, summer and fall. The most common allergens are tree, grass or weed pollens.
Perennial or persistent allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that may be present year-round. These may include chemicals, dust, dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander or mold spores.
Causes
An allergic reaction occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to an allergen. People at highest risk are those who already exhibit some signs of other immune system irregularities, such as food allergies, eczema or asthma.
When you breathe in an allergen, mast cells in your nasal passages release a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes your nose to feel itchy and also causes swelling and mucus production in the nasal passages, runny nose, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, postnasal drip and cough, headache and dark circles under your eyes.
Diagnosis
The two most common tests for airborne allergies are:
Skin prick test
A tiny bit of an allergen is placed under the skin with a needle. The doctor watches to see if the skin in that area becomes red, raised and itchy. This can be done for multiple allergens at the same time.
RAST testing
A small sample of blood is taken and tested for different allergens.
Help reduce symptoms
Four studies in the medical literature have shown us ways to stabilize these mast cells and reduce the symptoms of allergies.
The first study was conducted in Korea on the Nopal fruit (Opuntia ficus indica). It showed significant benefit of Nopal fruit against allergies.
The second study was from Japan. This was an animal study that showed Vitamin B-12 reduced the allergic response in those with allergy to the same levels as those without allergy.
One group of physicians in Dallas, Texas used this information to treat humans by giving them 3 milligrams of Vitamin B-12 sublingually. They report in Men’s Health that allergy symptoms decreased by 50% the first year and by 50% more the second year of sublingual B-12 use.
The third study in Helsinki, Finland used probiotics to stabilize mast cells and reduce allergy symptoms.
One of my best, time-tested approaches for allergy came from an older article out of Brussels, Belgium. It shows the absolute necessity of essential fatty acids (EFA) for allergy. A more recent article from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil also commented that EFA and probiotics together are even more effective.
Conclusion
So, what is your opinion: In recent years, have people become more allergic or less? Likely, you will notice more people suffering with allergies. As our world becomes more toxic, we become more sensitive. And as we become more deficient – especially in bioflavonoids, Vitamin B-12, probiotics and essential fatty acids – we are more prone to allergy.
Read more at Trivita Wellness
Seasonal allergy (sometimes called hay fever) occurs during times of the year when allergens are in the air, like spring, summer and fall. The most common allergens are tree, grass or weed pollens.
Perennial or persistent allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that may be present year-round. These may include chemicals, dust, dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander or mold spores.
Causes
An allergic reaction occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to an allergen. People at highest risk are those who already exhibit some signs of other immune system irregularities, such as food allergies, eczema or asthma.
When you breathe in an allergen, mast cells in your nasal passages release a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes your nose to feel itchy and also causes swelling and mucus production in the nasal passages, runny nose, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, postnasal drip and cough, headache and dark circles under your eyes.
Diagnosis
The two most common tests for airborne allergies are:
Skin prick test
A tiny bit of an allergen is placed under the skin with a needle. The doctor watches to see if the skin in that area becomes red, raised and itchy. This can be done for multiple allergens at the same time.
RAST testing
A small sample of blood is taken and tested for different allergens.
Help reduce symptoms
Four studies in the medical literature have shown us ways to stabilize these mast cells and reduce the symptoms of allergies.
The first study was conducted in Korea on the Nopal fruit (Opuntia ficus indica). It showed significant benefit of Nopal fruit against allergies.
The second study was from Japan. This was an animal study that showed Vitamin B-12 reduced the allergic response in those with allergy to the same levels as those without allergy.
One group of physicians in Dallas, Texas used this information to treat humans by giving them 3 milligrams of Vitamin B-12 sublingually. They report in Men’s Health that allergy symptoms decreased by 50% the first year and by 50% more the second year of sublingual B-12 use.
The third study in Helsinki, Finland used probiotics to stabilize mast cells and reduce allergy symptoms.
One of my best, time-tested approaches for allergy came from an older article out of Brussels, Belgium. It shows the absolute necessity of essential fatty acids (EFA) for allergy. A more recent article from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil also commented that EFA and probiotics together are even more effective.
Conclusion
So, what is your opinion: In recent years, have people become more allergic or less? Likely, you will notice more people suffering with allergies. As our world becomes more toxic, we become more sensitive. And as we become more deficient – especially in bioflavonoids, Vitamin B-12, probiotics and essential fatty acids – we are more prone to allergy.
Read more at Trivita Wellness
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Healthy Digestion for a Healthy Life
As Dr. Elie Metchnikoff said so many years ago, “Death begins in the digestive system.”
I once audited a college course called Critical Thinking. Much of the class was focused on a technique called Active Listening. This is where you actively ask yourself critical questions as you listen or read a claim, looking for “why it cannot be true.”
It was negative and mistrustful and I hated it.
But I learned many valuable life lessons from Critical Thinking that have served me for decades now. One gem in particular was the technique of turning a statement around like a mathematical equation: if 1+2=2, then 2-1=1.
As a tribute to Dr. Metchnikoff, here is my Active Listening statement: If death begins with a dysfunctional digestive system, then vitality must begin with a healthy digestive system!
Health begins in the digestive system
If our digestive system (DS) is working as designed, we will have a good appetite, sweet-smelling breath, abundant energy and daily elimination of waste. When our DS works well we feel on top of the world!
If our digestive system is not working optimally, we will have a bizarre appetite. This is often characterized by no desire for breakfast and a ravenous, insatiable appetite in the evening. We may even awaken in the middle of the night feeling as if we need to eat and yet never being satisfied with normal foods. When our digestive system is “broken” we will develop food allergies, gas, bloating, indigestion and excess stomach acid. If our DS malfunctions, we will have constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Plus, we will have abdominal pain.
As time progresses and our DS becomes more imbalanced, we may experience chronic inflammation in the mouth (leading to sores in the mouth and on the tongue), stomach (leading to GERD, ulcers and indigestion), small intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and colon. And because “bad” bacteria and yeast multiply in an unhealthy DS, we may start to experience chronic infections that migrate to our kidneys, bladder and reproductive systems. Chronic infections also trigger autoimmune attacks on healthy organs.
However, as we assist our DS to find balance, our health will rebound and return to a vital state very quickly. You see, our DS cells are the most prolific in our whole body – many of them possess a lifespan of only four hours! So, it’s easy to un-balance and upset our DS, but it’s also easy to re-balance and heal it.
Our “gut-garden”
What we need to rebalance our DS is the “Weed, Seed and Feed” program we use in our garden. We “weed” out all of the toxins in our DS with enzymes and herbs. We “seed” the DS with probiotics and we “feed” them with prebiotics for better colonization and a long, healthy life.
Weed
Enzymes help begin the healing process because they remove toxic proteins and discourage bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding in our gut. And they help digest our food for more energy. Dandelion root works with the Lipase enzyme as it thins the bile from the liver and gallbladder. Bile helps Lipase to digest fat. Bile also discourages bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding. Milk thistle helps reduce the autoimmune impact from an imbalanced DS, and helps reduce cramps, pain and bloating.
Seed
Prebiotics lay the groundwork for probiotics, as prebiotic fibers help probiotic bacteria establish colonies by providing a food source. Probiotics also have a marvelous impact on the rest of the body and brain as they coordinate the immune system of the DS. Prebiotics and probiotics work together to improve digestion and elimination.
Feed
To have a healthy body and brain, we must have a healthy DS. It provides us with digestion and defense. TriVita’s FloraVita™ supports these processes by supplying our probiotics the food they need – called prebiotics – and by replanting healthy colony-forming units of probiotics. Also, FloraVita supports digestion and defense with a wide array of digestive enzymes and immune-modulating botanicals.
Our digestive system is a miracle of creation! It is the primary way we take in energy to fuel a life of passion, mission and purpose. Take care of it starting today
I once audited a college course called Critical Thinking. Much of the class was focused on a technique called Active Listening. This is where you actively ask yourself critical questions as you listen or read a claim, looking for “why it cannot be true.”
It was negative and mistrustful and I hated it.
But I learned many valuable life lessons from Critical Thinking that have served me for decades now. One gem in particular was the technique of turning a statement around like a mathematical equation: if 1+2=2, then 2-1=1.
As a tribute to Dr. Metchnikoff, here is my Active Listening statement: If death begins with a dysfunctional digestive system, then vitality must begin with a healthy digestive system!
Health begins in the digestive system
If our digestive system (DS) is working as designed, we will have a good appetite, sweet-smelling breath, abundant energy and daily elimination of waste. When our DS works well we feel on top of the world!
If our digestive system is not working optimally, we will have a bizarre appetite. This is often characterized by no desire for breakfast and a ravenous, insatiable appetite in the evening. We may even awaken in the middle of the night feeling as if we need to eat and yet never being satisfied with normal foods. When our digestive system is “broken” we will develop food allergies, gas, bloating, indigestion and excess stomach acid. If our DS malfunctions, we will have constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Plus, we will have abdominal pain.
As time progresses and our DS becomes more imbalanced, we may experience chronic inflammation in the mouth (leading to sores in the mouth and on the tongue), stomach (leading to GERD, ulcers and indigestion), small intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and colon. And because “bad” bacteria and yeast multiply in an unhealthy DS, we may start to experience chronic infections that migrate to our kidneys, bladder and reproductive systems. Chronic infections also trigger autoimmune attacks on healthy organs.
However, as we assist our DS to find balance, our health will rebound and return to a vital state very quickly. You see, our DS cells are the most prolific in our whole body – many of them possess a lifespan of only four hours! So, it’s easy to un-balance and upset our DS, but it’s also easy to re-balance and heal it.
Our “gut-garden”
What we need to rebalance our DS is the “Weed, Seed and Feed” program we use in our garden. We “weed” out all of the toxins in our DS with enzymes and herbs. We “seed” the DS with probiotics and we “feed” them with prebiotics for better colonization and a long, healthy life.
Weed
Enzymes help begin the healing process because they remove toxic proteins and discourage bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding in our gut. And they help digest our food for more energy. Dandelion root works with the Lipase enzyme as it thins the bile from the liver and gallbladder. Bile helps Lipase to digest fat. Bile also discourages bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding. Milk thistle helps reduce the autoimmune impact from an imbalanced DS, and helps reduce cramps, pain and bloating.
Seed
Prebiotics lay the groundwork for probiotics, as prebiotic fibers help probiotic bacteria establish colonies by providing a food source. Probiotics also have a marvelous impact on the rest of the body and brain as they coordinate the immune system of the DS. Prebiotics and probiotics work together to improve digestion and elimination.
Feed
To have a healthy body and brain, we must have a healthy DS. It provides us with digestion and defense. TriVita’s FloraVita™ supports these processes by supplying our probiotics the food they need – called prebiotics – and by replanting healthy colony-forming units of probiotics. Also, FloraVita supports digestion and defense with a wide array of digestive enzymes and immune-modulating botanicals.
Our digestive system is a miracle of creation! It is the primary way we take in energy to fuel a life of passion, mission and purpose. Take care of it starting today
Sunday, November 13, 2011
VitamIn D and Your Brain
Vitamin D and Your Brain
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 Alzheimer's 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).
Alzheimer's disease
There are three characteristics of Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin D may help reduce inflammation in the brain. A notable attribute of Alzheimer's disease victims is low levels of Vitamin D.
The same two problems that exist in children with autism also afflict adults with Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's 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, don't you think?
Conclusion
In the 1990s I was overwhelmed by the mountains of evidence linking homocysteine to the increase in autism and Alzheimer's 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's increase our efforts to combat these "causes" and reduce the chance of being victimized by the effects!
MORE HEALTH BENEFITS
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 Alzheimer's 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).
Alzheimer's disease
There are three characteristics of Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin D may help reduce inflammation in the brain. A notable attribute of Alzheimer's disease victims is low levels of Vitamin D.
The same two problems that exist in children with autism also afflict adults with Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's 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, don't you think?
Conclusion
In the 1990s I was overwhelmed by the mountains of evidence linking homocysteine to the increase in autism and Alzheimer's 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's increase our efforts to combat these "causes" and reduce the chance of being victimized by the effects!
MORE HEALTH BENEFITS
Monday, November 7, 2011
Cracked Skin: What Can It Mean?
Do you have cracked skin around your heels, on your hands or at the corners of your mouth? Each of these conditions may be described as a failure in the protective nature of your immune system. And they each tell a story about life balance and lifestyle choices, as well as your environment and even genetics that affect your health.
Heel cracks
Fissures called xerosis form around the edge of the heel as the skin dries out. The more we stand on our feet - and the older we get - the more likely we are to experience heel fissures. However, xerosis is not an inevitable part of aging or standing. Many people who stand all day or survive to age 100 don't have heel cracks. What is different between those who get them and those who don't?
Frequently, it is nutrition, exercise, rest and stress management.
Heel cracks appear most commonly in people as they age, it is true. So does diabetes. My experience tells me that heel cracks commonly appear as we lose our ability to balance our glucose (blood sugar). They are more common in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Control your blood sugar and you can often help control the cracking in your heels.
Two nutrients are important in glucose management: zinc and Omega essential fatty acids. Zinc helps control blood sugar, helps improve mental function, helps reduce the number of colds and viruses that affect you and even helps with ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Essential fatty acids help produce more lubrication (sebum) in the skin of the heels and help speed up healing. GlucoManage® is a good source of zinc and, of course, OmegaPrime® is my favorite source of essential fatty acids.
Consult with your healthcare provider if heel cracks:
Become painful
Become so deep they begin to bleed
Become infected
Hand cracks
Fissures affect the hands as well as the feet. However, the causes are not the same. For example, cracked skin on the hands can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren's or psoriasis - inflammatory conditions appearing in the skin. I say "appearing in the skin" because psoriasis is a condition involving the whole body. Psoriasis and other skin disorders causing fissures in the hands and fingers may be autoimmune disorders - a condition where the immune system attacks normal, healthy skin and destroys it.
Interestingly, essential fatty acids are often effective in teaching the immune system to "work smarter, not harder." They do not "boost" the immune system or bolster it in any way. (In an autoimmune disorder you do not want to "boost" your immune system because that causes more damage.) Instead, essential fatty acids along with Vitamin D help the immune system more clearly identify healthy and unhealthy tissues so it may react appropriately.
Not to be overlooked, the immune system is the most intrinsically involved body system in the mind-body connection. Any stress, large or small, is immediately reflected in the immune system. Adaptogens help mitigate the impact of stress on the immune system.
Mouth cracks
Infections from tooth abscess to thrush can cause cracks in the corners of your mouth. Autoimmune conditions including celiac disease can as well (celiac disease is triggered by an extreme allergy to wheat and other gluten-containing grains). Toxins also cause cracks in the corners of the mouth. For example, fluoride in toothpaste and too much Vitamin A can both reach toxic levels and cause cracking and fissures in the lips.
The most common cause of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. Drink pure water and make sure you have enough essential fatty acids and minerals to hold that water in your skin.
Conclusion
Our skin says much about our life. It is a special window into our immune system. For healthy skin we must learn to listen as our body speaks to us. If you have dry, cracked skin anywhere on your body, seek appropriate medical care and consider the impact that proper nutrients and nurturing will have as we strive to be like the people with perfect, beautiful skin!
Take Control of Your Health
Heel cracks:
OmegaPrime
GlucoManage
Hand cracks:
OmegaPrime
Nopalea™
Adaptogen 10 Plus®
Mouth cracks:
OmegaPrime
Wellavoh® or VitaDaily™ AM/PM
Drink Pure Water
Learn more!
http://bit.ly/B12BWell
Heel cracks
Fissures called xerosis form around the edge of the heel as the skin dries out. The more we stand on our feet - and the older we get - the more likely we are to experience heel fissures. However, xerosis is not an inevitable part of aging or standing. Many people who stand all day or survive to age 100 don't have heel cracks. What is different between those who get them and those who don't?
Frequently, it is nutrition, exercise, rest and stress management.
Heel cracks appear most commonly in people as they age, it is true. So does diabetes. My experience tells me that heel cracks commonly appear as we lose our ability to balance our glucose (blood sugar). They are more common in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Control your blood sugar and you can often help control the cracking in your heels.
Two nutrients are important in glucose management: zinc and Omega essential fatty acids. Zinc helps control blood sugar, helps improve mental function, helps reduce the number of colds and viruses that affect you and even helps with ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Essential fatty acids help produce more lubrication (sebum) in the skin of the heels and help speed up healing. GlucoManage® is a good source of zinc and, of course, OmegaPrime® is my favorite source of essential fatty acids.
Consult with your healthcare provider if heel cracks:
Become painful
Become so deep they begin to bleed
Become infected
Hand cracks
Fissures affect the hands as well as the feet. However, the causes are not the same. For example, cracked skin on the hands can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren's or psoriasis - inflammatory conditions appearing in the skin. I say "appearing in the skin" because psoriasis is a condition involving the whole body. Psoriasis and other skin disorders causing fissures in the hands and fingers may be autoimmune disorders - a condition where the immune system attacks normal, healthy skin and destroys it.
Interestingly, essential fatty acids are often effective in teaching the immune system to "work smarter, not harder." They do not "boost" the immune system or bolster it in any way. (In an autoimmune disorder you do not want to "boost" your immune system because that causes more damage.) Instead, essential fatty acids along with Vitamin D help the immune system more clearly identify healthy and unhealthy tissues so it may react appropriately.
Not to be overlooked, the immune system is the most intrinsically involved body system in the mind-body connection. Any stress, large or small, is immediately reflected in the immune system. Adaptogens help mitigate the impact of stress on the immune system.
Mouth cracks
Infections from tooth abscess to thrush can cause cracks in the corners of your mouth. Autoimmune conditions including celiac disease can as well (celiac disease is triggered by an extreme allergy to wheat and other gluten-containing grains). Toxins also cause cracks in the corners of the mouth. For example, fluoride in toothpaste and too much Vitamin A can both reach toxic levels and cause cracking and fissures in the lips.
The most common cause of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. Drink pure water and make sure you have enough essential fatty acids and minerals to hold that water in your skin.
Conclusion
Our skin says much about our life. It is a special window into our immune system. For healthy skin we must learn to listen as our body speaks to us. If you have dry, cracked skin anywhere on your body, seek appropriate medical care and consider the impact that proper nutrients and nurturing will have as we strive to be like the people with perfect, beautiful skin!
Take Control of Your Health
Heel cracks:
OmegaPrime
GlucoManage
Hand cracks:
OmegaPrime
Nopalea™
Adaptogen 10 Plus®
Mouth cracks:
OmegaPrime
Wellavoh® or VitaDaily™ AM/PM
Drink Pure Water
Learn more!
http://bit.ly/B12BWell
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Living with Crohn's: Jennifer's Story
Living with Crohn's: Jennifer's Story
When Jennifer was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 28, she was immediately placed on a strict diet. With help from a nutritionist, she started taking supplements that would specifically help her digestive system and keep her symptoms under control. It was difficult to stay on track with all of her new restrictions, but just a year later, Jennifer was beginning to return to her passions.
Jennifer's story, in her own words, is reprinted below from the CCFA Community Forum.
"I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease on September 26, 2009. I was having a lot of stomach pain and nausea when I ate, and my vision began to get very blurry. I'm not one that likes to go to the doctor, but my symptoms only got worse. I would throw up anything I ate and double over in pain. When I was first admitted they thought I just had the flu that was going around. I knew it had to be more than that."
"After running a CT scan they said I had ulcerative colitis. My twin sister has had UC for over 11 years now, so it wasn't that much of a shock to me. I was, however, upset, because when my sister was first diagnosed a doctor had told me that if I did not get this by the time I was 25 I would not get it. Well, I was 28 when they diagnosed me. Guess they were wrong. Then the results from my colonoscopy showed that I actually had Crohn’s, not colitis. I was put on steroids – Asacol and Prednisone – and a very strict diet. No fruits or vegetables, no dairy products, no foods high in fiber/fat. When I got out of the hospital I knew things were not going to be easy."
"I decided to see a nutritionist to help my body heal on the inside. I found out that I was sensitive – "allergic" – to corn & honey. He advised that I stay away from any products that contained high fructose corn syrup, honey and wine, or that were high in refined sugar. I was not allowed any dairy because it would feed on the infection that was making me sick. After testing me with over 20 different types of supplements he put me on supplements that would specifically help me. I returned to the nutritionist every four weeks until my symptoms were under control. Each time he would test to see if the supplements were still working; if they weren't, he would put me on a supplement that would."
"After eight months I was finally off steroids. This would be the true test to see if I was healing. I was still on a strict diet and dealing with this the best way I could. Constantly having to read the labels of everything you buy is not easy, but I knew that was the only way I was going to get better. I have had to give up some of the foods I loved to eat like corn, popcorn and pancakes, but I know that in the end these foods will make me sick – it's just not worth it. Almost a year after I was diagnosed I had a colonoscopy. Everything came back completely clear. I was very happy to know that everything I had been doing for the past year had worked. I hear it's not common for someone to have a normal colonoscopy just one year after they were diagnosed. My sister just got her first normal one after ten years."
"I still see the nutritionist every twelve weeks. I have been on the same few medicines for months now and they are really helping. I still have a day every once in a while where I get sick, but I realize that it's because I ate something that I shouldn't have. I know now that I just need to take it one day at a time. Thankfully I have been able to get back to the way my life used to be. I work out 3-4 days a week, recently ran a 5K in April and am training for a 10k! I pray to God every day to help me choose the right foods to put into my body and that the medicine I'm taking heals and strengthens me. I know with His help I can fight this!"
Friday, October 21, 2011
B-12 ~ Why you NEED it.
Crohns, Colitis, IBD patients ability to absorb B-12 is greatly diminished. Did you know B-12 is produced in the ileum?
Unfortunately many Crohns patients have had that part of bowel surgically removed, therefore it is critical to supplement.
I've researched and found what I believe to be the best buy on the market.
Unfortunately many Crohns patients have had that part of bowel surgically removed, therefore it is critical to supplement.
I've researched and found what I believe to be the best buy on the market.
How you can get more out of life ....
The B vitamins help you feel energized, focused and upbeat – when you feel like this, life is fuller and happier. If you’re not already feeling this way, you might be missing an elegantly simple solution.
Why B vitamins are so essential to your wellness ......
Your brain and nervous system must have sufficient quantities of B vitamins to function properly. Yet as you age, your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins diminishes.
Furthermore, many other risk factors in your life can deplete your body’s Vitamin B reserves even more. When this happens, many undesirable health problems can occur, such as
Brain erosion
Depression
Personality change
Heart disease
Dementia...and more.
Another one of the better known health problems related to Vitamin B-12 deficiency is anemia.
In this condition, your blood is low on healthy, oxygen-carrying, red blood cells. This results in all sorts of other problems, including a chronic feeling of tiredness. And anemia is more common than you might think:
According to the National Anemia Action Council, over 3 million Americans have been diagnosed as anemic, and millions more could be undiagnosed or at great risk.
If you know someone who is battling anemia, then read more about it and a wonderful potential solution using Vitamin B-12.
Memory loss, lack of focus, mental confusion, brain fog -- many people are also affected by these conditions, especially as they age.
And the loss of mental abilities such as memory and concentration, are one of the more fearful aspects of growing older. Yet for so many, their fears could be put to rest with a solution as simple as using a more powerful form of Vitamin B-12.
The best B vitamin option .....
Basically, there are three ways to get more B vitamins into your system and meet your body’s
Vitamin B needs:
(1) diet,
(2) B-12 shots
(3) vitamin supplements.
Diet – for so many people, this doesn’t work due to a variety of factors such as stress, prescription medications, "digestive disorders" and even growing older.
B-12 shots – these also don’t work for many people because of their great inconvenience, pain and expense.
Vitamin Supplements – these tablets are handy in that they are readily available, primarily through daily multi-vitamins, B vitamin complexes and finally, sublingual B vitamin formulations.
The problem with most supplements, however, is that they need to be swallowed. This method reduces both the speed and the potency of the B vitamins entering your body’s system.
In contrast, the sublingual method (tablet under the tongue) is vastly superior.
When you consider the above assessment, it’s clear that the sublingual method is the best way to meet and maintain your body’s crucial B vitamin needs.
But to maximize this advantage, you also need the best type of sublingual B vitamin supplement available.
TriVita Sublingual B-12 is that supplement. That’s because our Sublingual B-12 supplements use the original, patented Sublingual B-12 process invented by Dr. Libby. It’s available exclusively from TriVita.
Dr. Libby … a preeminent nutraceutical pioneer … a holder of five doctorate degrees … and a long-time associate of two-time Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling.
Experience Dr. Libby’s original, patented sublingual process for yourself – order our Original or Super Sublingual B-12 today.
Discounted ordering for readers of this blog
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Who is affected by Crohn’s Disease (Demographics)
About half a million Americans, or 7 people out of every 100,000 have Crohn’s disease. Of these, about 4% are children under age 5, and 10% are under age 18. Most people are diagnosed with the disease between ages 15 and 35, although they may have had the disease before that. In the United States the rate of Crohn’s disease has been increasing since the 1950s.
Although most common among non-Hispanic whites, the rate of Crohn’s disease among American blacks, especially urban blacks, has been steadily increasing. Jews who trace their ancestry middle Europe are 2-4 times more likely to develop the disease than the general white population or Jews who trace their origins to other regions. Internationally, Crohn’s disease is rare in Africa, Asia, and South America. It is more common in urban areas than in rural areas, suggesting that environment plays a role in the disease.
Although most common among non-Hispanic whites, the rate of Crohn’s disease among American blacks, especially urban blacks, has been steadily increasing. Jews who trace their ancestry middle Europe are 2-4 times more likely to develop the disease than the general white population or Jews who trace their origins to other regions. Internationally, Crohn’s disease is rare in Africa, Asia, and South America. It is more common in urban areas than in rural areas, suggesting that environment plays a role in the disease.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Phases of Crohns Disease/ IBS/IBD
PHASES of Crohns Disease
I just finishef posting on another board and I must say there are so many people with this dreaded illness.
I've read all the different phases people are going through ;
First Anger that seems to linger
Second Hate, goes without saying
Third, Distrust of the medical professionals, understandable.
Fourth, Confusion, from lack of information
Fifth, Denial, think they'll be the ones to beat it.
Sixth, Depression, from hopelessness
Seventh, Frustration, from having a good day then next day bad.
Eigth, Giving in, accepting this is the new way of life.
Ninth, Taking ownership and dealing with it.
Finally TENTH, being positive and all the other stages and living life anyway, the best they can. That's where we need to be!
I just finishef posting on another board and I must say there are so many people with this dreaded illness.
I've read all the different phases people are going through ;
First Anger that seems to linger
Second Hate, goes without saying
Third, Distrust of the medical professionals, understandable.
Fourth, Confusion, from lack of information
Fifth, Denial, think they'll be the ones to beat it.
Sixth, Depression, from hopelessness
Seventh, Frustration, from having a good day then next day bad.
Eigth, Giving in, accepting this is the new way of life.
Ninth, Taking ownership and dealing with it.
Finally TENTH, being positive and all the other stages and living life anyway, the best they can. That's where we need to be!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Quizno's Special from Groupon
Heads up, we're running a deal with Quizno's tomorrow (Wednesday, May 18, 2011). For $26, consumers get eight regular-size subs at a location of their choice.
QUIZNO'S
QUIZNO'S
Monday, May 16, 2011
Jordan Rubin's "New" Direct Sales - Organic Foods (Pre Launch Phase)
Beyond Organics
Independent Mission Partner
You can lock in your position as a Mission Marketer with Beyond Organic and now have the opportunity to invite others to become an Insider as well and officially start building your downline. You can build your downline by giving out your enroller code or by sending out your personal team building link.
As an Insider you will be one of the first to learn about and have a chance to try our delicious, nutrient rich products.
Our goal at Beyond Organic is to create a company that is focused on 3-dimensional success.
We want to make a difference in your life by empowering you to:
Change Your Diet… by consuming the world’s healthiest, sustainably produced foods and beverages.
Change Your Life… by getting educated on the foods & beverages that you consume daily and creating a residual income to help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Change Your World… by educating others about Beyond Organic and by partnering with domestic and international organizations around the world to provide food, shelter, and clothing to widows, orphans and those in need.
Therefore, as you begin to share this opportunity with others, you will want to make sure that you stay completely informed about the Beyond Organic products and mission.
On the Beyond Organic Insider website you will find several videos by Jordan Rubin, which will help get you on your way to becoming a seasoned Mission Marketer.
Finally, on our website you will also find up-to-date information about our training events and online webinars, as well as opportunity presentations happening around the country.
Be sure to stay tuned as we approach our official launch in October 2011.
BEYOND ORGANICS INSIDER
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