Thursday, February 25, 2010

Got That Fatigue Feeling? You Need to Feed Your Cells

For many people winter is the season of depression, low energy, or what some people euphemistically refer to as "the blue meanies." In other words, they've got that fatigue feeling. Ick!

If you feel slow and sluggish this winter, it may be the season but it may also be that your cells are running out of fuel.

Add more of the right kind of fuel to feed your cells, and voila, you'll have a bounce in your step again.

What Causes That Fatigue Feeling?
While many factors contribute to our energy level, at the cellular level our energy is determined by how well our mitochondria are working. The mitochondria are the "power houses" in our cells, and when not properly-nourished, can't produce cellular energy ... hence that fatigue feeling.

To be well-nourished, our mitochondria need a substance called adenosine troposphere, or ATP. ATP not only fuels the mitochondria in our cells, but is also important in numerous bodily functions, including muscle contraction and the production of protein.

To produce ATP, our bodies need coenzyme Q10. When we are young, our bodies produce plenty of coenzyme Q10, but aging, stress, and disease can all interfere with the production of this vital coenzyme. The result is low energy, which is the most common health complaint among people of all ages.

How to Fix That Fatigue Feeling
When your body stops making enough coenzyme Q10, the result is that you feel tired. Your heart and immune health can also suffer, as coenzyme Q10 plays a big role in both of these bodily systems as well. Luckily, you can bolster your internal supply of the coenzyme by taking it orally as a supplement. Coenzyme Q10 tends be very low in the average diet, and to get the levels necessary to boost your energy, you need to take it in a form that is dense and easily absorbed by your body.

My favorite source for coenzyme Q10 is this supplement which I believe to be one of the best on the market for two reasons:

1. It is mixed with nutrient-rich AFA blue green algae
2. It is emulsified in organic, cold-pressed flax seed oil

Research shows that in this form (oil-based rather than powdered), your body more readily absorbs the coenzyme Q10, which means you get more bang for your buck. Plus, both flax seed oil and AFA blue green algae are excellent sources of essential fatty acids which are crucial for not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.

Clinical studies worldwide demonstrate that coenzyme Q10 is essential for energy production at the cellular level, and strongly supports both heart and immune health. That's good enough for me ... and for anyone who regularly suffers from that fatigue feeling! At age 73, I take 4 gel caps of Q10 per day, and my doctor has confirmed that my heart health continues to improve after my open-heart surgery six years ago.

So if you want heart and immune health as well as the ability to beat that awful fatigue feeling, I've got two words for you:

Coenzyme Q10

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistermoss/ / CC BY 2.0

Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Convenient Natural Solution for Dry Itchy Skin

Whether you have dry winter skin, sunburn, mosquito bites, poison ivy or rash, itchy skin is a pain ... everywhere. If you don't want itchy skin to slow you down, try my favorite antioxidant lotion. This high-powered formula includes all these skin soothing ingredients:

WGP Beta Glucan
The ingredient from brewer's yeast that literally jump starts your body's immune response (and soothes that overactive histamine reaction).

AFA Blue Green Algae
AFA blue green algae is a nutrient-rich source of vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals, and nourishes each and every skin cell with pure nutrition.

Vitamin E and Aloe Vera
Both of these ingredients replenish moisture and soothes inflammation.

Caring for Your Skin Naturally
Your skin cares about what you feed it, whether it's nourishment from the inside out or from the outside in. With its powerful antioxidants and immune support, this antioxidant lotion helps provide natural plant-based topical protection from the challenging elements you encounter every day.

Along with a healthy diet, plenty of fresh water, and sufficient exercise, making this antioxidant lotion part of your regular routine gives your skin just the nutrition it needs. It's completely free of things you don't want on your skin--such as parabens, synthetics, and petrochemicals--and full of the food-grade nutrients your skin craves, like vitamin E, organic blue-green algae, and wholesome oils, all of which work together to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stimulate the skin's immune system, and help protect against the effects of free radicals.

This lotion with WGP Beta Glucan is great for all skin types, and is particularly effective for dryer, damaged, or more mature skin. It includes NO animal ingredients and involved NO animal testing.

Give your skin a welcome break from the stressors of today's complex environment with this custom blend of all-natural, premium ingredients.

This formula is so useful and effective that it's even being used by veterinarians to treat dogs, cats, and horses with itchy skin. And they don't lie or fall under the "placebo effect"!



If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Dealing with Viruses: Go for the Big Guns of Natural Immunity

Have you noticed the amount of wiping, sanitizing, and germ and virus destruction that's going on all around us? Do you find it a bit mad that we have to wipe off every surface that's been touched before we can touch it, lest we catch the "deadly illness" from someone else?

I personally find it beyond ridiculous!

Working out at the gym has become more of a sprint to get away from germs and viruses than an exercise in cardio fitness. The way I see it, all that wiping and sanitizing might put your mind at ease, which is a good thing, but really doesn't do much to combat the actual germs and viruses.

Don't Be the Boy in the Bubble
We are surrounded by germs and viruses, and they don't just live on the hand grips of the grocery cart. They are flying through the air and we are breathing them in. In fact, if you read the book "Lives of a Cell," you'll discover that our cells are made of germs and viruses that have been incorporated into our genetic makeup over time. So what exactly are we running from? Ourselves? After all, we have germs and viruses in our cells, doing productive work.

So unless you are prepared to at least wear a face mask all the time, wipe down every surface, and refuse to shake hands (much in the fashion of Adrian Monk), I don't think that the "boy in the bubble" approach is really going to make life better for you. You won't necessarily be any healthier, and you might end up a whole lot crazier.

Instead of doing all this wiping and avoiding, I suggest you go for the big guns to fight harmful germs and viruses:

Your body's own immune system.

Your Body's Immune System is the Best Defense
The reason we get sick isn't because we come into contact with germs and viruses. Actually, we are in contact with germs, bacteria, viruses, and all sorts of unseen particulate beings all the time. We breathe them in. We touch them. We eat them.

Normally, despite being virtually bathed in a "germ bath" all the time, we don't get sick because our bodies have the ability to deal with them, escorting the harmful ones out before we become ill.

Nope, we get sick when our basic immune defenses become weakened by factors like excess stress, poor nutrition, poor digestion, and too little physical exercise. So if you truly want to fight viruses and other "germy" things with real firepower, focus on building up your body's immune system rather than wiping down every surface in site with an anti-bacterial wipe.

Boosting the Body's Innate Immunity: An Example
Here's an example of what I mean. A client I counsel about nutrition called me up one day asking for help. Her child had been catching every virus that came down the pike. She couldn't figure it out. They had tried antibiotics and numerous other medications, but to no avail. She asked me if I had any "big guns" in my arsenal to help kill off all these in viral infections.

After I questioned her about her son's diet, digestion, level of exercise, level of stress, and so forth, I realized that he was not getting enough basic nutrition to keep his body's immune system healthy. The many courses of antibiotics had killed off the healthy bacteria that were supposed to live in his gut. These healthy bacteria, like acidophilus and bifidus (also called probiotics), are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders. They are also crucial for digestion, and produce B vitamins, which keep us calm and healthy.

In addition, her son had many food allergies, which meant it was difficult for her to get him to eat a well-rounded and healthy diet. He also had a number of environmental allergies, which made him more prone to being infected by viruses and other "germs."

I suggested that my friend immediately start her son on a daily regimen of oral acidophilus and bifidus to replenish the probiotics killed off by the antibiotics. I also suggested adding bluegreen algae to his diet, as this would help cover any nutritional "gaps" created by his food allergies. To combat his environmental allergies and susceptibility to viruses, I added a nutritional supplement called for immune system support, with WGP Beta Glucan, a known immune booster that has be lab-tested as strong enough to conquer even anthrax.

Within a few weeks on this nutritional regimen, the boy's allergies had subsided greatly, and he had not fallen victim to a single virus, despite a raging virus that was going through his school. In addition, his digestion vastly improved, thanks to the probiotics, which helped him feel a great deal more comfortable on a daily basis.

The Moral of the Story
The moral of the story is that when it comes to viruses, infections, bacteria, and other "germy stuff," we have the big guns to fight them off. Our bodies are built to withstand and handle all kinds of germy attacks, as long as we support our immune systems. The nutritional regimen discussed above actually boils down to a very simple formula of two products:

- 1 packet of algae, probiotics, enzymes

- 1 capsule of immune support supplement (WGP Beta Glucan)

This combination is simple to take and highly effective. If you are tired of constantly wiping, sanitizing, and otherwise de-germing your environment, you might want to give this formula a try!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bratha/ / CC BY 2.0

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Natural Wound Care with Probiotics for a "Hole in the Sole"

I've always had a "gut feeling" that probiotics, the friendly bacteria that live in our guts, plays an active role in supporting our immune system. They do this by populating our intestines, and thus forcing out unfriendly invading bacteria that cause us harm. So probiotics, like acidophilus and bifiidus, are definitely good for our insides.

But are they also beneficial for the outsides of our bodies?


In other words, do the support our body's immune defenses when it comes to wound care, bee stings, and rashes? Definitely. And recent scientific publication support this idea.

Natural Wound and Skin Care with Probiotics and Other Goodies
For years patients whom I counsel about nutrition have been applying probiotics, like acidophilus and bifidus, to skin rashes, bug bites, and poison ivy with great results. Mix in a few capsules of enzymes and AFA blue-green algae, and the results are even more supportive of natural healing.

But why does it all work?

It turns out that probiotics, a word that literally means "for life," really support our body's natural immune response by warding off harmful bacteria and other foreign invaders, both inside and outside the body.

For instance, the lactobacillus acidophilus can actually kill off Candida albicans, a nasty fungus that can be very bothersome inside and outside the body, and also slows down the production of the E. coli bacteria. Acidophilus and other forms of probiotics also secrete antibacterial acids that are harmful to pathogenic bacteria in general. Finally, probiotics enhance our bodies' mucosal immunity, preventing the spread of the harmful bacteria and decreasing the risk of infection.

How Probiotics and Other Natural Supplements Support Wound Care
So that's how probiotics work inside and outside the body. When mixed in with enzymes and blue-green algae, the effect is even more supportive of natural healing. When enzymes are taken orally, they help our bodies digest food and also act as internal scavengers, digesting any harmful toxins. Outside the body, enzymes also act as natural scavengers, When applied to wounds, enzymes digest foreign bodies that inhibit our bodies' natural healing process.

Once this happens, the blue-green algae provides the building blocks our bodies need to repair and rebuild at the site of the wound. Blue-green algae provides vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and the necessary amino acids.

In short, you could say that probiotics and enzymes clear away any inhibitors for natural wound repair, while blue-green algae supports active wound recovery. The combination of these three natural ingredients, mixed with spring water, makes for a wonderful wound-care support salve.

"A Hole in the Sole" Case Study
One client of mine developed an abscess in the sole of his foot. Despite repeated cycles of antibiotics, both applied topically and taken orally, this hole in his foot (measuring about an inch across and 3/4 of an inch deep) would not heal for almost 2 months. Finally, tired of the continuous bandaging and pain, he called me for some suggestions.

I immediately suggested the probiotic, enzyme, and blue-green algae salve. Being a straightforward fellow, he refused to use all three ingredients of the salve, claiming that the combination seemed just as complicated as his antibiotic regimen. He insisted on just one ingredient, so I suggested he dump 2 capsules of acidophilus on the wound daily.

He stopped using the antibiotics and did so, applying 1 capsule of acidophilus to the wound morning and night. Within a week, the wound finally closed over and the pain diminished. Despite this, he continued applying the acidophilus as a paste to wounded area. In addition, since he had most of the bottle of acidophilus left over, he took one capsule morning and night. Within two weeks, the entire wound had healed.

Now this may be surprising, but scientists are now saying that probiotics are useful, either in place of antibiotics or used in conjunction with antibiotics. For instance, once study cited in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology indicates that when probiotics are used in conjunction with antibiotics, physicians see reduced levels of infection, resulting in shorter hospital stays and fewer post-surgical complications.

Their conclusion is that probiotics play an active role in supporting the immune system, especially in cases where certain bacteria have developed an immunity to antibiotics.

Sounds pretty good to me. I'm not a big fan of antibiotics but I understand that there is need for them at certain times. But when and if they are used, I always suggest the us of probiotics as an immune enhancer, and as a wonderful natural aid to wound care. Being "natural" parts of our body's immune system, probiotics can't help but support the healing process.

Want to give it a try? Check out an online source where you can educate yourself about natural solutions to health issues, as well as purchase these products.

Prosperity Abounds

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kryddle/ / CC BY 2.0

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Ten Healthy Habits for You and Your Children

Life just keeps getting faster and faster. Sometimes it can be difficult to slow down and figure out what's working and what's not.

If you barely have time to get the essentials done in your life, here are ten simple tips on how to keep you and your children healthy, naturally! Pick the ones you like and leave the rest.

Enjoy!

1. Drink plenty of fresh water (opt for filtered or spring water).

2. Eat a well-balanced and as close-to-nature diet as possible (avoid overly refined foods and opt instead for whole, raw, or lightly cooked foods and for organically grown produce when possible and for meats that are free from hormones and antibiotics).

3. Never skip breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day-it fuels the body and boosts metabolism; your children should learn this early to optimize their health and avoid the pitfalls of continuing the practice of skipping breakfast.

4. Eat five or six small meals throughout the day (rather than three larger meals). This optimizes nutrient assimilation, and puts less stress on the digestive tract and less weight on the body in the form of fat.

5. Get moderate amounts of daily exercise (setting an example for your children to follow throughout life).

6. Take supplements including bluegreen algae to support a healthy body (it is difficult to consume enough food daily to provide sufficient amounts of absorbable critical nutrients, such as folic acid).

7. Though normal healthy children may not need digestive enzymes, there are those who benefit from them. Adults certainly benefit from supplementing with enzymes to support proper food digestion and nutrient assimilation.

8. Take probiotics (naturally occurring bacteria such as L. acidophilus and B. bifidus that foster good health by promoting the growth of 'good' bacteria).

9. Relax and de-stress (children have their own daily stresses).

10. Get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours a night for adults-children need more to support their growing bodies; naps are an excellent way of catching up on this overlooked essential to good health).



If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cesarastudillo/ / CC BY 2.0

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Having a Brain Fart? 3 Simple Ways to Reset Your Brain

Do you have days filled with senior moments and brain farts ... but you still have to get stuff done? Whether you have a "Duh!" moment or just a case of "scatterbrain," it can be a real bummer.

Luckily there are some simple natural ways to reset your brain.

In fact, these days even doctors and other healthcare practitioners are recognizing some of these methods, and prescribing them for their patients.

3 Simple Natural Ways to Reset Your Brain
When your brain goes on overload, you can reset it by rebalancing it, feeding it, or giving it helping it more easily "digest" information. Any of these methods work well alone, and done in combination can have a powerful effect on your ability to think.

#1: Rebalance Your Brain
John Paul Getty was a big fan of resetting his brain. How did he do that? By doing a simple exercise called cross crawling. Cross crawling is exactly what it sounds like: you just get down on the ground and crawl like a baby. But you have to do it right.

To cross crawl effectively, make sure your opposite hand and knee strike the ground at the same time. For instance, as you crawl, your left hand and right knee should land on the ground at the same time. Ditto for your right hand and left knee. This diagonal action rebalances the two sides of your brain, and helps you recover from those embarrassing "brain farts"! In fact, this same exercise has been successfully used to improve cognitive function in autistic children and children with learning disabilities.

Today, doctors are recommending a similar exercise. You simply hold your left earlobe with your right hand and your right earlobe with your left hand. Then you bend your knees into a squatting position before standing back up. This achieves a similar effect to cross crawling, and is a little easier to do when you are in an office setting or public place (although I have to add that John Paul Getty used to just close his office door and crawl around his desk!).

#2: Feed Your Brain
Our brains are made up of mostly fatty acids. More specifically, to function properly our brains need polyunsaturated fatty-acids, especially Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that brain tissues that are rich in Omega-3 have improved nerve-cell function. Studies (reported in Neuroscience) with lab rats demonstrate the power of this fatty acid to improve cognitive function.

Lab rats fed a diet deficient in Omega-3 showed impaired learning and memory functions. When these same rates were transferred to a diet supplemented with fatty acids, they showed a dramatic improvement in learning and memory.

Some of the richest sources of Omega-3 include blue-green algae, coldwater fish, and certain kinds of seaweed. Among these sources, the one densest in Omega-3 and least likely to contain contaminants is blue-green algae. In fact, The University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter strongly recommends eating AFA blue-green algae as an alternative to fish oil supplements to avoid contamination.

#3: Help Your Brain Digest Information
It might surprise you, but when your brain goes into overload it is often because you (or your brain) literally can't "digest" all the information flying around. These days we are barraged with email, voice mail, tweets, and instant messages. That's a lot to digest. Plus, the ability to multi-task is no longer a plus, these days it is a "must." It's no wonder we have brain farts and feel just a wee bit insane.

To help your brain digest and process all this information, just take enzymes. This may seem odd, since people generally associate enzymes with digesting food. However, when you take enzymes without food, the enzymes roam freely around your body, digesting anything else that needs digesting. That includes helping your brain process this information.

While there are no clinical studies that prove this, many people have successfully used enzyme therapy to improve cognitive function. Taking 2-4 capsules of powerful enzymes between meals can help you think more clearly, especially when you feel overloaded.

Another option is to take herbs like Gingko Biloba. Herbs like these don't necessarily help your brain "digest" information, but they do improve circulation to the brain, which helps you think more clearly.

Solving the "Brain Fart" Problem Naturally
The three natural methods described in this article are simple, natural, effective, and have little or no side effects. To me, that sure sounds better than artificial methods to restart the brain, such as slamming caffeine, puffing on a cigarette, or taking medication. When my brain isn't working properly, that means my body is a little toxic or tired. I'd rather not try to restart my brain by adding in more toxins.

What about you? Give these natural methods a try ... you'll be pleasantly surprised at the speed and effectiveness of the results!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carl_mueller/ / CC BY 2.0