Thursday, December 29, 2016

Not All Calories Are Equal

If you've ever been on a diet then you know that calorie counting is often a part of the process. If you counted every calorie but still didn't lose as much weight as you wanted, it might be because not all calories are equal.

Recent studies show that calories from fat produce the most weight and fat gain, and calories from excess carbohydrates run a close second. The reason is that the body doesn't need to burn any calories to use fat. When you eat fat, it gets stored as fat right away. As they say, a bite of ice cream is "a second on the lips, an eternity on the hips."

Excess carbohydrates also present a problem. When you eat more carbohydrates than your body can easily digest, it converts those carbs to fat for easy storage. Calories from fiber and protein are less likely to be stored as fat since the body simply eliminates any fiber or protein it can't digest. Plus, the body burns calories as it digests fiber and protein.

So the next time you're counting calories and thinking about substituting ice cream for an equal calorie low fat dessert, think again. Fat calories become fat in your body. Reach for something healthy instead.

One of the lowest-calorie, highest energy whole foods your body can use is AFA bluegreen algae. This form of algae can also increase your metabolism, boost your energy, and cleanse your cells. And if you're looking for a sweet treat, look no further than these snack bars fortified with sprouted grains, greens, and bluegreen algae to give your body just the right nutritional punch.

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  on our website.



Thursday, December 22, 2016

How to Feel Great This Winter

Winter can be hard on our bodies because of cold weather, air that dries out our lungs and skin, constant flus and colds being passed around ... Yuck! The good news is that there are some basic steps you can take to feel vibrant and healthy this winter.

ONCE AN HOUR: Drink Up. In the dry winter air your body needs plenty of liquids. Drink pure water (or as close as you can get to it) at least once an hour. Drinking water throughout the day does more to nourish your skin and increase your metabolism than drinking lots of water at once.

ONCE A DAY: Feed Yourself. Since winter is the season in which nothing grows it's more important to feed yourself than ever. Have difficulty finding fresh fruits and vegetables that don't cost a fortune? Try feeding your body the green it needs with wild AFA bluegreen algae. It's the best square meal deal in a capsule in the world.

ONCE A WEEK: Boost Your Immunity. With all the colds and flus being passed from one person to another you need keep your immune system at top strength. It's simpler than you think. First, get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours a day if you can). Second, get the immune boosting nutritional whole foods you'll find in this algae supplement that contains six of the most extensively researched mushrooms that show positive immune system support and a WGP Beta Glucan formula that has been proven effective even against germs and viruses.

ONCE A MONTH: Kick Start Your Metabolism. With all the hearty stews and extra protein we consume during the winter to stay warm we need to take steps to keep our metabolism in high gear. Enzyme therapy is a great way to speed up your metabolism. Just add 400 milligrams of high-potency enzymes to your diet 5 times daily.

ONCE A SEASON: Clean Out the Works. When winter begins to transition into spring it's a great time to clean out the inner plumbing. Doing a 3 day juice fast can be an excellent way to keep yourself lean and clean inside and out!

Give these tips a try to give yourself the healthiest winter ever.

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  on our website.


Thursday, December 8, 2016

Bust Up Nasty Colds and Flus

Have you got the crud? A runny nose or hacking cough? If so, then sit back (in bed), relax and prepare to feel better. Adding some natural supplements and herbs to your regimen can help you clear colds and flus from your system fast.

The best protection you can have to avoid getting a cold or flu is an immune system that is working at its best. This means getting adequate quality sleep, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and maintaining good hygiene. In addition, adding foods or supplements with omega-3 fatty acids can help protect lungs from infections and support immune function by stimulating phagocytes which are immune system cells that fight off those invaders that bring illness. Vitamin D has also been shown in studies to give the immune system a boost and ward off colds. A study at Harvard reported participants with low vitamin D levels were 36% more at risk for getting an upper respiratory infection. This could be due to vitamin D being instrumental in the production of cathelicidin which is a protein that is able to kill viruses.

Here are a few other tips to help you get through the cold and flu season with a minimum of distress.

WASH YOUR HANDS: One of the best things you can do to keep from getting sick in the first place is to wash your hands frequently, especially during cold or flu season. Use warm water and soap and wash for at least 20 seconds. This will help you wash away viruses or bacteria that you may pick up on your hands and then enter the body by you touching your mouth or eyes. Did you know it is estimated that most adults touch their own face 15 times an hour? That's a lot of opportunity to ingest those germs that you pick up on your hands. Since germs are able to actually stay on wet skin even easier than dry skin, be sure to also dry your hands thoroughly and keep dry towels available. You might also want to consider using paper towels for drying rather than cloth to avoid spreading germs especially if you share a bathroom with someone who is sick.

PROBIOTICS: Probiotics, especially acidophilus, produces substances which are antiviral and antifungal. Probiotics also support the immune system by supporting the function of the digestive system. The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport reported athletes taking probiotics every day had 40% less colds and an analysis done in 2011 of 10 different studies concluded that 42% of those taking probiotics were less at risk for getting a cold. Mike Gleeson, PhD, professor of exercise biochemistry at Loughborough University in England especially recommends taking Lactobacillus which can reduce the likelihood of getting respiratory and gastrointestinal infections

HERBS: Demulcent and expectorant herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm, comfrey, mullein, and fenugreek help thin and clear out mucous. You can find most of these herbs in tincture form at a health food store near you or online.

IMMUNE SUPPORT ALGAE SUPPLEMENT: Beta glucan helps with inflammation by mobilizing white blood cells to areas of injury or inflammation. These white blood cells (macrophages) remove damaged tissue quickly before it has time to trigger more inflammation. Astragalus and zinc are also known to boost immune system function as are many medicinal mushrooms. A study in 2013 showed an increase in the production of immune cells in participants that ate shiitake mushrooms. Reishi, cordyceps, maitake, Turkey Tail, and Agaricus blazei are other mushrooms that have been shown to have anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties and support the immune system. You'll find all these mushrooms plus astragalus, beta glucan and organic wild bluegreen algae in this immune system support supplement.

VITAMIN C and BIOFLAVANOIDS: These two supplements provide potent antioxidant benefits and support healing of the lung tissue.

H20: Water, water, water. It's the most important ingredient for healing since you need it to flush the colds and flus out of your system!

Feel better yet? If not, you will soon once you get some of these natural healers into your system. The best thing about these herbs and supplements is that they support your immune system rather than suppressing it (the way antibiotics do). As a result, you'll emerge from your cold or flu with a stronger immune system than ever!

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  on our website.


Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-sinusitis?ecd=wnl_wmh_100514&ctr=wnl-wmh-100514_ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3d
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/prevention-relief-13/slideshow-cold-flu-tips?ecd=wnl_men_092714&ctr=wnl-men-092714_ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D
http://www.prevention.com/immunity
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/colds-flu-prevention-strategies-and-immune-boosters
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/natural-solutions-boost-your-immune-system


Thursday, December 1, 2016

Gift Your Pets with Vibrant Natural Health

During this season of giving you can give your pets the gift of natural health. That's a gift that can continue all year long and pay off in happier, healthier, longer living pets and less vet bills for you. Here are some of the things experts recommend considering for healthy pets.

Exercise
We all know that there is an obesity problem in this country for people, but did you know that 50% of dogs and cats are also overweight? This increases their risk of joint pain, arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes and reduced life span. Part of this problem is due to our busy lives and us not making the time to exercise ourselves, much less give our pets the exercise they need. Pets need exercise just like we do to burn calories. Louise Murray, DVM, DACVIM, vice president, ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City advises that playing 10 minutes each night with your cat can help him or her wind down for the night and burn off calories. Look too for ways to increase the amount of exercise your pet gets naturally. For example, for a cat put the litter box and food bowl far enough away from each other that the cat has to walk and maybe even climb to get from one to the other. You can use the same strategy for dogs that are left at home while you are at work with keeping food and water bowls on the opposite side of the house from the doggie door. Give some thought to the setup in your house and items your pet accesses and see what else you can come up with to increase exercise for them. If you live in a small apartment and absolutely can't get out to take your dog for a walk every day, check into a dog walker service or a doggie day care option in your area.

Strong Clean Teeth
Pets need healthy teeth just like people do, but there are around 78% of dogs and 68% of cats more than 3 years old that have various dental diseases that include tartar, gingivitis, receding gums, inflammation and tooth loss. According to Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, chief medical officer at Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR, keeping your pet's teeth healthy also can prevent bacteria getting into the bloodstream through the gums. If this bacteria gets into organs it can cause cardiac, kidney or liver disease. Kate Knutson, DVM, co-director of Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic in Bloomington, MN, adds that pets that have their teeth kept clean can live 3 to 5 years longer. The best way to keep your pet's teeth clean is by brushing them. Be sure and get a toothpaste that is designed for pets though. Human toothpaste could have xylitol in it which can be deadly for dogs.

Bathing
Pets do need to be bathed, but too much can dry out their skin. Once a month or even once every 2 months is enough for dogs and cats should only normally need a bath once or twice yearly. If your pet has skin problems, they may need more, so check with your vet in those cases to see what is recommended. When bathing, it is best to stay away from heavy chemical shampoo and go with a natural one specifically made for pets or use castile soap.

Nutrition
Your pet has different nutritional needs than humans do and there are many people foods that are actually harmful to pets. For example, chocolate can make a dog extremely sick or even lead to death. Giving people foods to your pets also contributes to the pet becoming overweight in many cases. On the other hand there are some people foods that make good low calorie treats and are safe for your pets.

Cats need double the amount of protein recommended for people and for dogs and the best source for it is meat or fish. Marla J. McGeorge, DVM explains that cats need animal protein in order to get all the amino acids they need for natural health. In fact animal protein is the only way they can get the amino acid taurine which is necessary for heart and eye function. Most other animals can make taurine from other amino acids, but cats can't. Cats also need fats for energy, but don't get foods with too much fat as it can contribute to them being overweight. Most dry cat foods have around 40% of calories from carbohydrates which can also lead to the cat being overweight and there is no minimum recommended amount of carbs for healthy pets. Read the label on cat foods you buy and look for high protein from meat or fish sources, some fat and low carbs.

Dogs only need to have about 18% protein in their diets and animal protein is the best source for them too. Dogs also can benefit from some vegetables and need healthy fats for energy and for coat, skin, nose and paw pad health. Keep the fats down to about 9% to 15% of their calories daily so that you don't contribute to an overweight pet. Many pet treats also contain fats, so figure those in too. Carbs are not important for pets like for people. Just like with cats, dogs don't have a recommended amount of carbs per day. They can use some carbs for energy, but that is not the most important source for the dog's energy. When choosing dog food, look for protein from meat sources, some healthy fats and low on carbs. Many dog foods are heavy on grains and don't have enough protein.

When planning for healthy pets, don't forget water. Clean water every day is an absolute must and if your pet has participated in something extra strenuous, make sure you offer water afterwards.

There are also supplements that can help with the goal of having healthy pets. This powdered algae supplement can be used for people or animals to provide nutrients not provided by regular meals. With 2 forms of AFA bluegreen algae, a blend of 12 strains of live beneficial bacteria and enzymes, and antioxidant rich wheat sprouts, this supplement provides a wide array of micronutrients for general well-being, and the probiotics supply friendly bacteria that are essential to the health and balance of the gastrointestinal tract of both people and animals. Another way to get AFA bluegreen algae, enzymes and probiotics for pet health is with these convenient packets of capsules. If you are traveling or on the go a lot, this may work better than the powder for you and your pet. Antioxidants are a major defense against free radicals that can cause oxidative damage to cells and are partly responsible for negative changes associated with aging and various health problems. This algae supplement contains ingredients with a wide spectrum of antioxidants and provides nutrition that enables the body's natural stem cells to flourish.

Healthy Treats
Our pets love treats and in some cases they are necessary for beginning to train your pet. Many pet treats that you buy however don't support natural health and can add to obesity. Using toys and attention as much as possible to reward a pet is a better solution than treats, but when treats are necessary look for natural treats that are low fat and low in calories. You can also use green beans, baby carrots, apple or pear chunks, or watermelon without seeds as healthy treats. Don't use stringy veggies or fruits as they can cause digestive problems and get stuck in teeth. Grapes and raisins are also a no-no as they can cause renal failure in dogs and avocados are very toxic for dogs. Milk is also not a good treat for dogs or cats as they can't break down the lactose like most humans can. Diarrhea, vomiting and other digestive issues can result from your pets drinking milk. For other foods that may be dangerous for your pets, check out the ASPCA or other pet related websites.

We all love our pets and want them to be with us as long as possible. The best way to insure a long happy life for your pet is to follow the steps to support natural health. Read food labels, provide the proper nutrition, make sure your pet gets exercise, keep teeth clean and follow any other recommendations your vet has made specifically for your pet and you'll have healthy pets to bring you joy for a long time.

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  on our website.

Sources:
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/pet-health-care-myths-ignore
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/pet-health-your-dog-or-cat-too-fat
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/how-prevent-pets-getting-sick
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/pet-health-6-tips-dog-cat-teeth-cleaning
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-dogs-help-prevent-allergies
http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-nutrition

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Winter Allergy Symptoms and Natural Solutions for Relief

Most of us associate our allergy symptoms with Spring when everything is turning green and blooming, but winter can have its own triggers for allergy symptoms. With the cold weather causing us to stay indoors more, there are a variety of triggers that bring on winter allergy symptoms. Even the winter holidays come with allergy pitfalls. Being aware of what causes these winter allergy symptoms can help you plan and find natural solutions to minimize or avoid the misery allergy symptoms can cause. Here are some things to do to keep your allergy symptoms from ruining your winter.

Indoor Allergies
Pollen allergies aren't as prevalent in the winter when the temperatures are colder. Instead allergy symptoms can be a reaction to mold spores, dust mites, and animals. When you start using your heating system, there can by dust, mold and even parts of insects released into your air. When it is very cold and the pets have to come inside, you may discover an increase in allergy symptoms if you are sensitive to pet dander. Another wintertime culprit is the fireplace. Ash and smoke can trigger asthma attacks so be aware if you have guests or family members with asthma. If you find yourself coughing, having a runny or itchy nose or eyes, or sneezing, you may think you are catching a cold, but it could be that you are showing allergy symptoms. If you are not sure whether your symptoms are cold or flu related or allergy related, see if you have a fever or body aches and pains. These symptoms are not usual with allergic reactions. Another clue is how long your symptoms last. A cold is usually gone in 10 days or less whereas allergy symptoms can remain longer. If you still are not sure, then you can have allergy testing done with a skin test or blood test.

If you do find that you have allergy symptoms related to dust or mold, get rid of anything that could be harboring mold such as shower curtains, rugs or carpets, use a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50% and a HEPA air filter to clean the air. If your symptoms are related to a pet that needs to be indoors in the winter, keep the pet in a separate room from where you sleep. If you have more severe symptoms due to pet dander you may have to confine the pet to a separate room for more times than just sleeping or in the most severe cases, find a new home for the pet. Extra cleaning of furniture, carpets and bedding during times you are showing symptoms can also help cut down on allergens in your indoor environment.

Holiday Related Allergies
For those who celebrate Christmas, a live Christmas tree can cause allergy symptoms according to Marilyn Li, MD, an asthma and allergy specialist with the Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Medical Center. She explains that trees cut early are often kept in humid places and this causes spore growth. There may also be pollen on the tree or a reaction can come from the sap. An artificial tree may be the solution for some people, but artificial trees that have been stored away all year can have dust and mold too. Don't worry though, you don't have to give up your holiday tree. You can wear gloves when handling the tree, shake it off outside and spray it off with water before bringing it in the house. Leave it outside in a covered area to dry off and you may get rid of some of the allergens without bringing them inside. For an artificial tree, take it outside and give it a good shaking or dusting before bringing it back in. The same is true for decorations that have been in storage all year. They are often dusty and need cleaning before use. If you stored your decorations last year in airtight containers and dusted them good before storing then you'll be ahead of the game. If you didn't then consider doing it this year. Also using glass or plastic ornaments instead of cloth ornaments can help cut down on allergy symptoms as they don't hold dust as well and are easier to wash or dust off.

Another holiday irritant can be the scents used. Whether it is from candles, sprays or potpourri, some of these scents can cause allergy symptoms. If you really need to have the scents of Christmas around you, use natural herbs and spices that you can hang in room decorations or boil in water on the wood or pellet stove. Baking bread or cookies can also fill the house with wonderful Christmas smells. The poinsettia is another holiday tradition that can cause problems for some people. If you are having guests for the holidays or have a family member with an allergy to latex, then poinsettia is not a good decoration choice. Find another type of red flowers or an artificial poinsettia to brighten up the room.

Natural Solutions for Winter Allergies
There is help for winter allergies with natural solutions to your allergy symptoms. Here are a few you can explore to see which work well for you.

1. Neti Pot – You can find these at just about any drug store. This is a natural solution to wash out your nasal cavity with saline water by pouring water from the small pot into one nostril and letting it flow out through the other nostril. If you just can't bring yourself to do the neti pot, then a saline solution spray may help flush out your nose.

2. Homeopathy – Homeopathic remedies can change how your body responds to allergy triggers rather than just suppress allergy symptoms. The premise behind homeopathy is that if you introduce a small amount of what is causing your symptoms into the body, your body will start recognizing it and not attack it as a foreign invader. You can get help in using this approach from a professional homeopath or find remedies that match your symptoms in your local health food store.

3. Plan your day – Check out weather forecasts on TV or the internet that give pollen counts for your area and plan your day or week according to when counts are low to do outdoor activities. Pollen is usually higher in the morning so doing outdoor activities may be best planned for afternoons.

4. Butterbur - Phytotherapy Research is one of numerous sources reporting studies showing that butterbur leaf extract can work as well as an antihistamine for allergy symptoms. You should consult your healthcare provider before using an extract with butterbur because it has alkaloids that can affect the liver. These alkaloids can be extracted, so you want to make sure your extract has used this removal process. An extract called Ze 339 has been reported as effective for allergy symptoms. Butterbur is related to ragweed so there have been questions raised as to its use for people with ragweed allergies, but studies have not indicated this to be a problem even for ragweed sufferers.

5. Acupuncture – Numerous studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in relieving allergy symptoms. Traditionally acupuncture needles placed in specific points around the nasal area can help ease allergy symptoms or completely get rid of them. A newer acupuncture technique, Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) works by exposing the person to the thing they are allergic to while applying acupressure and acupuncture to reprogram the body's immune system to not view the allergen as an invader to attack.

6. Supplements – There are supplements that have been found effective in dealing with allergy symptoms. You want to make sure if you are on medications or have health conditions, that you check with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for you. Quercetin and tinospora cordifolia, often used in Ayurvedic medicine, are two of these. Tinospora cordifolia has antioxidant properties which can help increase immune system activity. Quercetin is a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Probiotics can help strengthen your immune system and help in this way with allergy symptoms. Good probiotics to add to your diet include a full spectrum probiotic, acidophilus and bifidus. Another way to add super antioxidant nutrition to boost your immune system is with a supplement of red beta algae, kale sprouts, red clover sprouts and wheat sprouts. This supplement is loaded with chlorophyll, glutathione, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients giving you the extra antioxidant protection to fight off free radicals. Another way to give your immune system a boost is through a supplement that harnesses the power of medicinal mushrooms and beta glucan. This supplement combines reishi, cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, Turkey Tail, and Agaricus blazei mushrooms with astragalus, beta glucan and bluegreen algae. Based on extensive published research, it is widely accepted that the beta 1,3 glucan derived from baker's yeast is a potent anti-infective beta glucan immunomodulator. Add in this combination of bluegreen algae and mushrooms and you have a powerful immune system friend on your side.

Winter can be a great time of year, but not if you suffer with winter allergy symptoms. We hope you have a great winter season, a happy holiday season and an allergy-free season. Try out some of these natural solutions to winter allergy symptoms for yourself and find what works for you.

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  on our website.


Sources: 
http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Natural-Ways-to-Ease-Allergies
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/second-allergy-season
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/avoid-allergies-7-surprising-holiday-triggers
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/stop-seasonal-allergiesnaturally
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/winter-allergies
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/allergy-relief-without-drugs

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

5 Natural Weight Loss Strategies

Are you ready to get off the diet roller coaster and keep the weight you lose off for good? If so then you're not the only one as 50% of women that have lost weight report they gain it back in six months or less. Extra weight puts stress on your organs, bones and joints; it slows you down, can contribute to diabetes, and reduces your energy level. If you are already eating a healthy diet, watching your calorie intake and getting enough exercise, then these 5 ways to lose weight may help you raise the bar to get those few extra pounds off and keep them off.

1. Ways to Lose Weight: When and How to Eat
If you have been trying to lose weight then you probably concentrate more on what you are eating, but when you eat and how you eat can also be a factor. With our busy lives demanding so much of our time, we usually eat too fast, don't chew our food enough and end up eating more than we would if we slowed down. Not only does slowing down give your stomach time to tell the brain when it is satisfied, but according to Aaron M. Cypess, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine at the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, chewing triggers peptide hormones in the intestines that suppress appetite. One study showed participants chewing a bite of food forty times ate around 12% less than those chewing only fifteen times. Another tip on how to eat for weight loss comes from Pamela Peeke, MD and author of The Hunger Fix who advises eating small meals or snacks every three or four hours. This keeps your body from getting to the hungry state and makes you more likely to be able to resist unhealthy snacks or overeating. And if you just can't say no to dessert then follow the advice of JJ Virgin, author of The Virgin Diet, who says go ahead and get dessert, but just take three small bites and then stop. This will let you get a taste of the sweet stuff to satisfy cravings and leave you feeling like you haven't deprived yourself of anything, but still avoid the calories of a full portion. When snacking or having a dessert, go for the healthiest ones you can find with the least amount of sugar, simple carbs and transfats. I like to take my own healthy snack bar along to substitute for dessert. This bar tastes great and has the nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae, sprouted grains and greens. Make sure you stop eating anything about three hours before going to bed for the night as according to Mark Hyman, MD, author of UltraMetabolism, your metabolism is naturally slower during sleep so anything you eat too close to sleep time will end up being stored as fat instead of being burned off. Other tips on how and when to eat for losing weight include taking lunch from home instead of eating out as studies from 2012 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics report you can lose as much as 5 extra pounds this way and lose six extra pounds by keeping track of what you eat in a food journal.

2. Ways to Lose Weight: How to Exercise
To lose weight you have to burn off the extra calories that you put on and that means movement and exercise. The more muscle you have the faster your metabolism will work so exercise that builds muscle is important. You can work all your muscles and trim down just by doing exercises that use your body weight and gravity. So even if you sit a lot during the day, get up periodically and do some jumping jacks, squats or lunges. Walk around any chance you get and just get your body moving. Bob Wright from Hilton Head Health spa recommends walking for 15 minutes after eating to burn off 100 calories right away. Aaron M. Cypess, MD, PhD suggests getting one type of fat, brown fat, to work for you in losing weight and you can activate this type of fat with exercise. Since brown fat is loaded with mitochondria that create heat, you can burn up 20% of your calories just by getting two ounces of this fat activated. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard found that exercise triggers the release of irisin which is a hormone that turns nasty white fat into brown fat. Taking just 30 minutes five days a week to exercise can get your brown fat going and working for you on weight loss.

3. Ways to Lose Weight: Get Your Sleep
Getting enough good quality sleep is also important for weight loss. If you aren't getting a good six to eight hours of sleep each night then you may be producing too much ghrelin. This is a hormone that increases appetite. When we don't get enough rest we also tend to be more stressed and this can lead to an increase in cortisol that can contribute to belly fat storage. The author of Eating Free, Manuel Villacorta, RD, recommends combating this by finding time to work in some stress reduction techniques like short periods of deep breathing or meditation.

4. Ways to Lose Weight: Supplements
According to a study at the University of Minnesota, participants that had more vitamin D in their systems were able to lose more weight than those with lower levels. This could be due to vitamin D stimulating leptin which is a hormone that lets the brain know when you are full. Digestive enzymes are another supplement that you may find helpful in your weight loss program as undigested food sits in the gut and shows up as belly fat. They help break down food so you absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat and have also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties according to the Cleveland Clinic. Make sure the enzymes you take have lipase which are the digestive enzymes that digest fat. I like these enzymes that have high quality ingredients and include amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, and lactase to help break down fats, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber and have the extra nutritional punch of AFA bluegreen algae. Probiotics such as acidophilus, bifidus, or a full spectrum probiotic supplement can also help keep your digestive system working at its best so you get the most nutrition from the foods you eat for your body to use and avoid having undigested food sitting in the gut.

5. Ways to Lose Weight: Drink Off the Pounds
EGCG found in green tea has been found through a study at Penn State to decrease fat absorption and according to Joshua D. Lambert, PhD it also helps your body eliminate more fat. Green tea also gives a boost to your metabolism and has antioxidants to help with cellular repair for damage from free radicals. Drinking between three and five cups daily can help you shed some extra weight and keep your body fit for exercising. Water is another great thing to be drinking for weight loss. By drinking cold water your body burns up more calories by having to warm the water up to body temperature. Drinking water throughout the day helps you feel fuller which keeps you from eating between meals and drinking before you exercise releases hormones that help in muscle building to help you get the most out of your exercise regimen.

There you have it! Five extra ways to boost your weight loss plan up to the next level. All of these are simple to do and easy enough to find time to work into any busy schedule. So if you are serious about losing weight and keeping it off, make sure you are eating a healthy diet with lots of veggies, fruits, healthy fats, lean protein and whole grains, getting in your exercise and adding in these extra tips. Nothing to lose by giving it a try..... other than that extra weight!

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  on our website.

Sources: 
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20645166,00.html
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/weight-loss/tips/how-to-lose-fat-for-good/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/277532-how-to-use-digestive-enzymes-for-weight-loss/

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Can Whole Food Supplements Reduce Your Food Budget?

Nutrition experts agree that the best way to get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs for good health and to function properly is from unprocessed whole foods of the highest quality. In fact your body absorbs more of the nutrition it needs directly from whole foods. We all know that even those of us that try to eat healthy find it hard to always get all the vitamins and minerals we need. Most Americans don't eat enough fresh vegetables and fruits, eat too many pre-packaged and processed foods and it is reported that 25% eat at fast food restaurants daily. That makes us a country of people eating lots, but not getting the proper whole foods nutrition.

Why Take Supplements
If you are not one of the fast food/fast meal crowd and mostly eat a diet of raw fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, raw dairy and avoid sugars and processed or fast foods you still may not get all the nutritional value you should be from foods. This could be due to food sources coming from nutrient poor soil, farming methods that use pesticides and chemical fertilizers or even cooking methods that deplete nutrients from foods. Research has reported that the mineral content of our soils had 85% less nutrients in 1992 than 100 years earlier. Organic farming methods add nutrients back into soil which is a good reason to buy organic products. But these healthy types of food are usually also higher in price. Many of us just can't afford to shop for all our food at organic health food type stores. We may prioritize which items we will definitely buy organic and then have to settle for less nutritious selections on other items. Finding locally grown organic farmer's markets to buy from is another option for some, but it takes more planning and time to shop this way which many find hard to fit into their already chaotic schedules.

Even if you are committed to eating a totally healthy complete diet there are conditions that exist that can affect the nutrition your body is getting from the foods you eat and may have you turning to supplementation. For example, taking NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) pain relievers (including aspirin and ibuprofen), antibiotics or antacids affects the probiotics in your intestines which can affect the absorption of nutrients. If you have an inflammation or chronic pain, your body needs many more nutrients than a person without these conditions. And whether we like it or not, there is no way to escape the environmental toxins we are exposed to daily. These toxins not only can destroy probiotics that help with healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients but cause us to need specific nutrients to help detoxify the liver. The more of these types of toxins you are exposed to, the more nutritional help your body needs. These type of toxins can range from smog to cleaning products to household cleansers to plastics and paint in your home.

When any of these conditions exist, people often turn to taking vitamin supplements.

Getting Good Vitamin Supplements
If you are looking to supplement your diet for any of the above reasons, make sure you are getting high-quality whole food nutrition supplements. Many of the off the shelf vitamins don't have some of the minerals that are essential for good health. Read the label of any vitamin supplement you are considering. Does it include enough potassium, magnesium, calcium and other minerals to really make a difference in your nutrition? Look to see if it is a synthetic vitamin or one from whole food nutrition. Synthetic vitamins are not readily absorbed by the body, so even if it looks like there are adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals listed on the label, your body won't be getting the benefits. According to Josepha M. Mercola, DO, multi-vitamins without additives, synthetic nutrients and that give you more than the RDA and RDI guidelines that include essentials minerals can help fill in some of the nutritional gaps in diet.

Whole Food Supplements
Whole food supplements are made from real food sources rather than from synthetic isolates. This means the body will absorb them more readily and be able to utilize the benefits from them. Taking whole food supplements can help you get the most nutrition out of the food you eat, help stretch your food budget, and provide the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids and proteins you need to stay healthy. For example, taking digestive enzymes helps you absorb more nutrients from the food you eat. Then probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus help your body process and digest the foods you eat and keep them moving through the digestive system. The AFA bluegreen algae we recommend comes from a unique eco-system in southern Oregon, fed by pure lake and mountain spring waters and is nourished by the rich mineral content of the volcanic soil found there. Nutritionally it includes:

  • all 20 amino acids, providing a complete source of protein in an amino acid profile nearly identical to human breast milk
  • essential fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 in the right balance 
  • phenylethylamine (PEA), the mental energy activator 
  • powerful antioxidants, such as chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and phycocyanin
  • dozens of essential vitamins (including B12), minerals, and trace elements
  • an ideal balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, complex sugars, and fiber.

If you are looking to supplement your diet with whole foods nutrition to stretch your food budget or any of the other reasons mentioned here, just be sure you are getting a high quality, complete nutrition supplement. Stay away from synthetics as they are usually a waste of money. And when you're on a tight food budget you certainly don't need to be throwing money away. If you can't get all the nutrition you need from eating whole foods, supplements can definitely help as long as you know you stick to getting the "good stuff".


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  on our website.


Sources:
http://products.mercola.com/multivitamin-vital-minerals/
https://www.standardprocess.com/Why-Whole-Foods
http://treetopacupuncture.com/SeattleAcupuncture/tag/whole-food-supplements

Thursday, October 13, 2016

How to Slim Down with Chocolate, Really!

Are you looking for how to slim down? Well, did you know that one of your healthy food options for how to slim down is with chocolate? Yes, really, I said chocolate! There are actually studies showing that eating chocolate can help in weight loss. Now when we're talking about chocolate for how to slim down, we're talking about real, dark chocolate and preferably organic with 65% cacao or more. Chocolate bars with corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, soy and other additives do not qualify as healthy food options. So be picky about the chocolate you buy. We also are not advocating an all chocolate, all the time diet of course. You have to also consider the calories in the chocolate you select, so you do want to eat it in moderation.

Antioxidant Power
Polyphenols are compounds we get from eating plant based foods such as fruits, vegetables, teas, and cocoa. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties and can help protect cells from oxidative damage from free radicals. One type of polyphenol is flavonoids. Flavonoids are the type of polyphenols that we most often get in our diets from the healthy food options we eat. Chocolate has a type of antioxidant called catechins which is one type of flavonoid. This type of antioxidant can help increase metabolism, provide extra energy and reduce cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that among other things leads to belly fat.

Magnesium
Dark chocolate is also a good source for magnesium. Magnesium can help you get a good night's sleep thus stabilizing metabolism and hormone levels such as cortisol. If you are not getting enough good quality sleep, your cortisol levels may increase and so does your belly fat.

Chocolate – More Than Just For Weight Loss
Eating chocolate has also been found to have other health benefits besides weight loss. It can support healthy blood circulation, stabilize blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart disease, protect skin cells from damage from the sun, help maintain blood sugar levels, and improve mood. Unsweetened dark chocolate has the amino acid tryptophan which helps with mood boosting and chocolate can give an extra boost to brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This leaves us able to concentrate better and maintain calmness. PEA, which is short for phenylethylamine, is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is linked to energy, mood, and attention. It is a vital part of your brain function and is responsible for feelings of pleasure as well as mental acuity. Chocolate and AFA bluegreen algae are both good sources of PEA. That's a lot of benefit from eating something that also feeds your sweet tooth.

Another Option for How to Slim Down
If you're just not a chocolate lover (although I personally can't imagine such a thing), or if you're just looking for another healthy food option to give you the same benefits as chocolate, here's something that may interest you. This supplement regimen provides a lot of the same benefits that dark chocolate does. One box gives you a month's supply of supplements in convenient packets to take with you anywhere. The capsules inside give you a variety of supplements with whole food ingredients known to promote mental clarity and concentration, combat the stress of cellular oxidation, provide cellular nutrition, support increased energy, and support your body's inflammatory response. These benefits are partly due to the bluegreen algae contained in them and partly due to other ingredients such as a combination of medicinal mushrooms, turmeric, wheat grass juice, Ginkgo biloba, plant-based proteolytic enzymes, noni, and green tea. And all this superfood nutrition leads to help with how to slim down.

So if you're looking for how to slim down with healthy food options, consider these superfood packets and some high quality dark organic chocolate to kick start your body into fighting off that unwanted belly fat while maintaining optimal health. Slimming down makes you look better, feel better about yourself, feel better in general, and has tons of other health benefits. A healthy diet, the right diet supplementation and exercise can head you in the right direction for losing weight in a healthy and stress-free way.

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  on our website.


Sources: 
http://www.askdrmaxwell.com/2013/12/lose-weight-with-chocolate/


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Build Your Best Body Naturally

We all know to build the best body we can, we need to exercise and eat healthy. While exercise is a good thing, it can also be demanding and exhausting on a body. Exercise puts stress on muscles, tendons and joints and breaks down muscle tissue. Too much exercise can cause your body to generate a response to inflammation to repair damage and cause you to feel fatigue. If you are a weekend warrior, amateur or professional athlete, or just engage in strenuous exercise, your body needs specific nutrition before and after workouts to prepare and to recover. The best way to eat healthy and help your body get the most from exercise and training is by eating whole foods. Here are some of the best body foods to add to your diet if you are engaging in strenuous exercise.

Eat Healthy Before Exercise
Your body uses food to fuel itself and make energy. Good nutrition is essential to have the energy levels to engage in sustained workouts and training. The best body foods for exercise are those that will keep blood sugar levels stable, keep a steady stream of energy available rather than foods that give you a quick energy burst and then fizzle out and that build strong muscles, bones and connective tissues.

Fruits and Veggies
Vegetables and fruits are a must for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Raw fruits and vegetables have the most nutrition as cooking causes food to lose nutrients and enzymes. Sprouted foods such as clover, broccoli, alfalfa and radish sprouts are easy for the body to digest and are packed with protein, enzymes and antioxidant power. Cherries and cherry juice are very high in antioxidant properties and are one of the best fruits not only before workouts but for recovery after. Research on runners drinking tart cherry juice two times a day every day had a decrease in muscle pain after long distance running. Bananas are another good fruit for before workouts and for recovery after workouts. They are a rich source of potassium and vitamin B6 and help keep blood sugar levels low. Sweet potatoes, also high in antioxidant value, give athletes potassium, iron, manganese and copper necessary for strong muscles and helps keep blood pressure levels low.

Complex Carbs and Fiber
For the best body you can have for exercising, lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates are also necessary fuel sources. That means eating grains high in soluble fiber like oatmeal which also has lots of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and maintains a steady supply of fuel for energy. Chia seeds are also loaded with antioxidants and are very high in fiber. Adding Chia seeds into your diet also provides protein, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids without adding a lot of calories to your meals. Kale is not only high in fiber, but also rich in carotenoids and flavonoid antioxidants and has been reported to regulate inflammation in the body.

Protein and Healthy Fats
Protein, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids are all crucial in muscle building as well as for repairing damage done to muscles through exercise. Salmon is an excellent choice to add to the diet as it not only is a rich source of protein but also is high in omega-3 fatty acids, is a heart healthy food, has selenium and vitamins B6 and B12. Whey protein isolate is another great source of protein for athletes as it has all the needed essential amino acids and the body digests and absorbs it quickly. This powdered protein based shake mix not only has the protein power of pure organic whey, but also wild bluegreen algae, sprouts and protein digesting enzymes for a quick and easy way to get 22 grams of protein in each serving at home or on the go.

Best Body Foods After Exercise
After your body goes through a strenuous workout, it can be left depleted of fluids and electrolytes, fatigued and with muscle tissue and red blood cells broken down. Eating healthy within the first 30 minutes after a workout is important for helping your body recover from exercise and keeping it in shape for future exercise. After working out is the time to eat protein to repair damage to muscle tissue, re-hydrate for several hours after intense workout to replace the fluids and electrolytes you have sweated out, boost your immune system to deal with needed repairs to the body and eat carbohydrates to restore glycogen and glucose levels.

Bananas are good for before workouts, but also after workouts as they help restore electrolytes and have vitamin B6 with anti-inflammatory properties. Cherries are another fruit that is a good choice for before and after workouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants make it a good recovery food after heavy exercise. Pumpkin and squash seeds give you iron, fiber, healthy fats and protein that can help replace red blood cells that take oxygen to muscle tissue and help prevent fatigue. Brazil nuts are a good source of protein, healthy fats, B vitamins, selenium and magnesium that support immune system function and help repair bones and the connective tissues. Eating protein and carbohydrates together allows muscles to repair faster and restores glycogen levels which makes milk a great food for after working out as it is a good source of both and helps restore electrolytes. Yogurt and fish are other good protein food choices for after workout. Some experts recommend eating small amounts of carbs every half hour for up to 3 hours after working out to bring glycogen and glucose levels back up. Beets are another good after workout food as they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and carbohydrates to help keep energy levels up.

Before and After Exercise Supplements
Your body needs the whole food nutrition we've talked about so far if it is going to be engaging in strenuous workouts and exercise. But we also know that busy schedules sometimes make this difficult. This is when whole food supplements can be a good solution. This supplement program was designed especially for high-performance athletes and those with active lifestyles and has convenient packets of supplements included for before workout and after workout. With whole food ingredients such as wild organic AFA bluegreen algae, wheatgrass juice, green tea, noni, edible mushrooms, glucosamine, chondroitin and plant-based proteolytic enzymes, these supplements give you the antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrition, joint support, and all the omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, minerals and nutrition the body needs to support it before strenuous exercise and after. No reason to skip the nutrition you need just because you are on the run.

If you are going to be engaging in intense training or workouts or just have an extra busy and physically demanding lifestyle, give your body the nutrition it needs to build your best body naturally and support it through the extra physical demands you are putting on it. Just by being aware of the special nutritional support your body needs under these conditions and adding certain foods before working out and after, you can stay strong and active and make sure you will be in good shape to enjoy future workouts

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  on our website.

Sources:
http://www.healthline.com/health/6-foods-naturally-enhance-athletic-performance
http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/eating-to-recover-how-and-what-to-eat-post-workout
http://www.1vigor.com/article/rest-recovery-health-athletic-performance/
http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/top-10-superfoods-for-endurance-athletes

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Not All Calories Are Equal

If you've ever been on a diet then you know that calorie counting is often a part of the process. If you counted every calorie but still didn't lose as much weight as you wanted, it might be because not all calories are equal.

Studies show that calories from fat produce the most weight and fat gain, and calories from excess carbohydrates run a close second. The reason is that the body doesn't need to burn any calories to use fat. When you eat fat, it gets stored as fat right away. As they say, a bite of ice cream is "a second on the lips, an eternity on the hips."

Excess carbohydrates also present a problem. When you eat more carbohydrates than your body can easily digest, it converts those carbs to fat for easy storage. Calories from fiber and protein are less likely to be stored as fat since the body simply eliminates any fiber or protein it can't digest. Plus, the body burns calories as it digests fiber and protein.

So the next time you're counting calories and thinking about substituting ice cream for an equal calorie low fat dessert, think again. Fat calories become fat in your body. Reach for something healthy instead. One of my favorite healthy snacks is this delicious algae and sprouts snack bar. I can also fill up on extra fat burning protein by making a smoothie with this whey protein and algae powder that has 22 grams of pure organic whey protein from rBGH-free cattle and is GMO free, plus has the antioxidant power of sprouts and protein-digesting enzymes. AFA bluegreen algae itself is one of the lowest-calorie, highest energy whole foods your body can use. This type of algae has been found to increase metabolism, boost energy, and cleanse cells.

Getting the most nutrition for the calories is important when losing weight. So make sure you are getting lots of low cal veggies and fruits, lean proteins, only the healthy fats your body can use, fiber to help you fill fuller longer, eat your algae, and you can lose the extra pounds without sacrificing your 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  on our website.


Thursday, September 22, 2016

Why Natural Supplements Beat Synthetic Ones for Mood and Memory

Our bodies need a variety of vitamins in order to function. If we don't get enough of the vitamins we need we can experience fatigue, brain fog, depression, and our organs will not work properly. Our bodies for the most case don't make vitamins and we depend on the foods we eat to supply them. The problem today is that the foods we have access to are much less nutritious because of factors such as pesticide and fertilizer use, mineral depleted soils and genetically modified foods. For this reason, many people are turning to adding supplements to their diets to get all the vitamins they need.

Food, Mood and Memory
Many researchers and doctors now agree that food has a dramatic impact on our moods and brain functions. Specific food for the brain is needed to keep our brains healthy and our moods stable. There are many studies showing the negative and positive effects that foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar and fats have on mood and brain function. For example, Prevention Magazine reported results from one study in rats, that eating chicken soup led to better agility, better sleep and feeling better in general. According to Kate Geagan, RD, we need a combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to build energy and the ability to handle life starting at our body's cellular level. That is what she believes we should strive for rather than a quick sugar or caffeine fix that causes a short lived rise in blood sugar levels and leaves us tired or cranky after the crash.

Elizabeth Somer, Registered Dietician and author of Eat Your Way to Happiness has this to say about the food mood link:
 "Most people understand the link between what they eat and their physical health. But the link between what you eat and your mood, your energy, how you sleep, and how well you think is much more immediate. What you eat or don't eat for breakfast will have at least a subtle effect by mid-afternoon, and what you're eating all day will have a huge impact today and down the road." 

And Jennifer Nelson, M.S., RD. and Katherine Zeratsky, RD. sum it up like this:
"...when you eat fruits, starchy vegetables and whole grains throughout the day you keep your body fueled and your blood sugar level on an even keel. And you're getting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Combining carbohydrates and proteins enhances the availability of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter said to have a calming effect and to play a role in sleep. In addition, simply knowing you are taking care of yourself can boost your mood. And we're all familiar with the power of comfort foods. For example, drinking a glass of milk before bedtime can trigger a comforting memory of your childhood."

The Problem With Synthetic Vitamins
You can see how important vitamins and minerals and the right foods are to our moods and brain functions. You may have already realized this and are eating a balanced diet of whole foods to get the nutrients you need naturally. If so, then we applaud you. But most people in this country aren't doing this. With their busy lifestyles and fast paced schedules, they are not getting the optimal nutrition in their diets and instead are consuming way too many fast food and processed refined foods. If they are aware that their diet is not optimal, then they may be supplementing, but with what? It's easy to pick up some bottles of vitamins at the supermarket while shopping and too many people are doing this thinking that it is improving their health. The problem is that most of these vitamins are synthetic. Not only do synthetic vitamins not work the same way in the body as vitamins from whole foods, they can actually be bad for you.

Vitamins have various components such as enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, and activators that must all work together to produce the results your body needs. Whole food vitamins and supplements are made from concentrated whole foods and have all these parts naturally whereas synthetic vitamin supplements only have a part of the components. So when you take a synthetic vitamin and it needs a component it is lacking it takes it from your body's stores. This can lead to a depletion of those nutrients in the body. This is why sometimes when you start taking a synthetic vitamin, you feel positive results for a while. These positive results then start to drop off because the vitamin has used up the components it was taking from the body to make it work and now has nothing to complete it. For example, synthetic vitamins don't have the trace minerals needed and therefore takes them from the reserves the body has which can cause a mineral deficiency. An additional problem with synthetic vitamins are some of the additives they contain to allow them to have a long shelf life and increase the potency. For example, many synthetic vitamins are created from coal tar derivatives. Coal tar is a carcinogen. Yuck! At the very least, these vitamins are often a waste of money because since the isolated vitamin can't be used by the body in many cases, like if there are no stores of the components it needs for it to steal from the body, then the body simply eliminates it through the urine. Have you ever taken certain vitamins and then noticed a bright yellow color to your urine? If so, you were more than likely taking a synthetic vitamin and literally flushing money down the toilet. Not only is this hard on your wallet, but also on your kidneys.

How To Judge Your Vitamin Supplement
So how do you know if a supplement is synthetic or natural? First take a good look at the label. If it says "100% natural", then you are off to a good start. If it only says "Natural", then keep looking. That's because manufacturers are allowed to say a product is natural as long as it has 10% natural food sources included. The other 90% could still be synthetic. Next look for the list of ingredients. If the ingredients contain actual food names that have the vitamins in them then you have a whole foods product or a natural supplement. This means that the nutrients and vitamins are coming from foods the natural way the body was intended to receive them rather than synthetically made. For example, if the label says Vitamin C, then you have a synthetic, but if it says Vitamin C from acerola cherry powder then that is a natural supplement. Another clue on the label as to whether you have a synthetic or natural whole foods supplement is to see if there are ingredients ending in –ate or –ide. These are salt forms which are synthetics added for increased stability. If you see acetate, bitartrate, chloride, hydrochloride and other similar ingredients listed then that is a clue it is a synthetic product. Also, anytime you see the "dl" form of a vitamin listed then you have a synthetic. An example of this is "dl-alpha tocopherol" for the form of Vitamin E.

To insure you are getting high quality natural whole food supplements and vitamins, look for ingredients that come from real foods so they are as close as can be to the natural way the body should be getting its nutrition. Another thing to check is the company that is manufacturing the product. See what types of ratings the company has or certifications that cover all aspects from harvesting, to processing, manufacturing practices, testing, packaging and quality control. Make sure it is also a company that is of long standing with a good reputation for quality and that can show clinical studies to support product claims.

Natural Whole Food AFA Bluegreen Algae
Our AFA bluegreen algae products you can be assured will always show you the whole food sources right on the label along with a variety of certifications they qualify for including certified organic. This is a company of long standing with a list of scientific studies behind it supporting the benefits of bluegreen algae and whose products are manufactured in a NSF Good Practices registered facility ensuring that the product contains only what is listed on the label and nothing else.

When it comes to food for the brain to boost mood and memory, this supplement not only gives you the whole food nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae, but also eleuthero (a form of ginseng), Ginkgo biloba, Lion's Mane, bee pollen, wheatgrass juice, and noni for extra antioxidant power and foods found to increase mental clarity and concentration. Bee pollen is reported to have a high amino acid content useful for stimulating memory and concentration. Wheatgrass juice has been found to provide nutrients that support brain health and clearer thinking. Many people have used gingko for a long time to promote increased memory and mental concentration by increasing circulation and providing increased oxygenation of brain cells.


This form of algae with the cell wall carefully removed provides you with an abundant source of raw materials from whole foods for supporting activity in the brain. But don't just take our word for it. Take a look at what others have to say about their results with AFA bluegreen algae.

"I eat Super Blue Green Algae because it is a whole, wild-grown food that has helped me build a strong, healthy, energetic body and a sharp mind. I will be 64 this year going on 40 and I live my life accordingly. "
- Marylin Ash, Peterborough, NH


"I looked for something for more energy and less stress for the past 30 years. I never got the results from the vitamins, minerals, and herbs I have tried. I am sure I tried them all. I received information on the algae in 1995, thought it was too good to be true; it wasn't. I will never be without my algae. I love feeling energetic and being able to handle everything with such focus and stamina."
- Pat Shoup, Mansfield, OH

For optimal health, eating a balanced diet of organic whole foods can't be beat. But when you need some help getting the nutrition your body needs and turn to supplements, make sure you are getting natural whole food supplements. Synthetic just won't do the job and can do more harm than good in some cases. Hopefully we've given you some things to think about when it comes to your nutritional habits and you'll know how to find the best products to supplement your diet.

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  on our website.

Sources:
http://www.goodmoodsupplements.com/stories/
http://www.goodmoodsupplements.com/expert-opinions/
http://www.goodmoodsupplements.com/testimonials/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/01/19/whole-food-supplements.aspx
http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/natural-vs-synthetic-vitamins/
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/synthetic-vs-natural-vitamins/
http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/how-to-tell-if-a-vitamin-is-natural-or-synthetic
http://drbenkim.com/articles-vitamins.html

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

What Causes an Allergy and Avoiding Fall Allergies

Many people associate seasonal allergies with Spring when plants start blooming, but if you consider what causes an allergy you'll see that Fall allergies are also a real possibility. In these days of global warming when more moderate temperatures last longer Fall allergies are affecting more and more people that were accustomed to getting some allergy relief in winter months. Leonard Bielory, MD, researching impacts of climate change of allergies, warns that with rising levels of greenhouse gases and temperatures, the pollen season will be longer. In fact his research has shown that pollen counts can be doubled by these conditions (http://www.oprah.com/health/Seasonal-Allergy-Cures-Relieving-Allergies). This is bad news for the 35 million people who suffer with symptoms from seasonal allergies. Stanley Fineman, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, concurs that these milder fall and winter temperatures trigger pollen and mold to be released earlier than normal causing fall allergies to start sooner and allergens usually introduced in late summer linger on into the milder fall weather conditions. (http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms)

What Causes an Allergy?
Basically, what causes an allergy in the case of seasonal allergies is the body is reacting to ingestion of pollen and other like substances such as pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites. Once we ingest any of these substances, the body produces histamine to wash away these irritants. Ideally, the body would have enough digestive and metabolic enzymes, protease in particular, to break down the protein skin around the pollen that protects it from sprouting prematurely, which would neutralize its impact. People who suffer with allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes and nose and coughing, may have a deficiency in digestive and metabolic enzymes or do not produce enough histamine or produce weakened histamine.

Natural Solutions to Fall Allergies
There are natural solutions seasonal allergy suffers can use to reduce the misery of allergy symptoms without having to lock themselves away in a sterile bubble. Here are a few that can help you find some relief from those pesky spring and fall allergies.

1. Know Your Enemy
First it is helpful to know what causes an allergy attack for you. Not all allergy sufferers show symptoms to the same things. You can either do this by keeping an allergy journal and finding out what counts are high on the days you have the worst symptoms or you can see an allergist and get tested. A skin test can be done where the allergist scratches your skin and introduces a small amount of various allergens. The doctor then watches for a reaction of the scratch turning red and/or itching to see which allergens you are allergic to. Blood tests are also able to determine some types of allergies. Once you know what you have reactions to, you can plan accordingly to reduce your symptoms.

2. Keep Your Air Clean
Keeping your windows closed and using an air purifier can help keep pollen out of your house and reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in. HEPA filters in an air purifier can filter out 99% of the pollen, dust and mold that may be in your home. Opening windows allows pollen to invade your home and settle into carpet and furniture, so keeping windows closed can help reduce the amount of pollen able to get inside. Stanley Fineman, MD recommends using an air filter that has a MERV rating of 8 or more to reduce the chances of reacting to pollens that do get into your house (http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms). Using a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your house to below 50% can also help in controlling dust mites and mold.

3. Eat Your Probiotics
Supporting your immune system is one of the best ways to help control symptoms from fall allergies. The stronger your immune system is, the more allergens it is better able to tolerate. One study in the Journal of Nutrition compared subjects who ate 7 ounces of yogurt a day for a year to those who did not eat yogurt and found the yogurt eating bunch to have less allergy symptoms. These results are attributed to the probiotics found in yogurt, as introducing the good bacteria into your digestive system gives your immune system a boost. If you get your probiotics from yogurt, make sure to read the label and look for "live active cultures". If you aren't getting enough probiotics from foods, consider taking a high quality probiotic supplement.

4. Cover Up
Spring is not the only time of year that yard work needs to be done. Many people plant fall gardens and others have leaves to rake. These activities can trigger pollen and mold being released into the air. If you have allergy symptoms as a result, start covering your nose and mouth with a mask when working outside. Disposal masks are available at most hardware stores and are fairly inexpensive.

5. Keep It Clean
If you know you have allergic reactions to mold, watch for mold in places like shower curtains and carpet, and get rid of them as soon as you see signs. Using hot water to wash sheets and blankets weekly, and using allergy friendly pillows and mattress covers can also help reduce your symptoms.

6. Up Your Nose
One of my favorite natural solutions to fall allergies is to use a neti pot. Dr. Oz has also cited this as a good way to wash allergens out. The first time I heard about using a neti pot I didn't think I'd be able to pour saline water in one nostril and let it run out the other nostril. That just sounded gross to me and possibly painful. Once I gave it a try though, it was nothing like what I thought and I am a true believer now.

7. Supplements
Make sure you are getting enough digestive enzymes to help reduce symptoms of fall allergies. Protease and other digestive enzymes can help fight off symptoms when pollens are ingested. Support your immune system by beefing up your antioxidants. Bluegreen algae, whole algae and without the cell wall, acidophilus, bifidus and our favorite sprouts supplement help support not only your immune system, but nourish and strengthen every cell organ system and body function. You can get almost all these powerful superfoods in convenient daily packets with acidophilus, bifidus, enzymes and 2 kinds of algae to take on the run and help stretch your budget.

Fall can be a wonderful time of the year. Getting ready for holidays, spending time with family, fall gardening, watching the leaves change color, and cooler weather can all be more enjoyable by understanding what causes an allergy and following some or all these tips for beating the symptoms of fall allergies.

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Sources:
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms
http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Natural-Ways-to-Ease-Allergies
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/winter-allergies
http://www.oprah.com/health/Seasonal-Allergy-Cures-Relieving-Allergies