Thursday, January 31, 2019

Healthy Aging: 7 Tips You Can Use Today

Healthy aging is definitely something to be sought after. For instance, did you know that within the last 3 years, people over 65 in the United States reported that they felt unwell MORE THAN 1/6 of the time? This is according to the Centers for Disease Control. That's a lot of time to feel unwell, which indicates the need for lifestyle changes that lead to healthy aging rather than just aging!

Healthy Aging and Aging Gracefully
While we can't dodge the effects of time altogether, there are definite ways that we can all change the process from simply aging to aging gracefully! We can all take simple steps to look better, feel better, and feel younger than our chronological age. There are people out there who show us that healthy aging and aging gracefully are not only possible, but positively enjoyable.

Aging Gracefully: 7 Tips for You
There are tons of tiny little changes you can make to your lifestyle that will have a big effect on the aging process. Aging gracefully doesn't have to be difficult or make you cranky. In fact, just the opposite is true. These 7 tips we offer in this article should allow you to feel better, look younger, and begin the practice of healthy aging!

Aging Gracefully - Tip #1: Realize You CAN Do It!
When you wake up tired and sore in the morning, feeling motivated to get moving and stay young can be a chore. But the key to healthy aging begins with the mind and spirit. Before you can start to change your life for healthy aging, you have to DECIDE that you want to change your life for the better. More importantly, you have to believe that you can do it. One way to start is simply to be willing to try. Consider the process of aging gracefully to be a life experiment of sorts ... don't worry too much about the results right now, just be willing to try something and see if it has a positive effect on your life. By being willing, you have already taken a step in the right direction. Personally, we like Nike's approach to healthy aging (or anything that requires motivation): "Just Do It!"

Aging Gracefully - Tip #2: Pick a Place to Start
While the internet is chock full of information on healthy aging, too much information can be overwhelming. So instead of getting into data overload, just pick a place in your life where you KNOW you need to make a change. We're sure that if you look around, you can find a single place to start. For some people, that means getting just a bit more exercise by parking the car further away from the store. For others it means avoiding that single pastry every morning and replacing it with a healthy alternative like oatmeal. If eating oatmeal every single morning seems like too much, then just try to eat oatmeal a couple of times a week. Really, keep it simple but keep doing whatever you choose. Any little change you make in the present will result in a definite and noticeable change in your future!

Aging Gracefully - Tip #3: Get a Checkup
We know that visiting the doctor isn't really one of your favorite things to do, but getting a regular checkup can give you a couple of benefits. First, you'll discover if you have any health issues that need to be addressed. This is especially helpful when it comes to prevention and early detection ("An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and all that!). Second, if you do get a clean bill of health, then you can rest easy at night knowing that all is well. Plus, you can feel free to embark on exercise and nutrition programs without worry.

Aging Gracefully - Tip #4: Cover Your Nutritional Bases
As we age, we may find it more difficult to cook and eat healthy, especially if we are cooking for one. That's OK. One way to fill in any nutritional gaps is to take a complete supplement that covers your nutritional bases. The supplement should feed your mind and body, and assist with digestion so that you can get all the nutrition possible from the food you put into your body. Our favorite supplement is a daily packet that covers all of these areas. Look HERE  for more information on this simple yet essential nutritional source.

Aging Gracefully - Tip #5: Stay Social
One of the most important keys to healthy aging is maintaining an active social life. Many people over 100 years old who are still happy and healthy will tell you that a strong social network is one of the most important factors to keeping them young-at-heart. Any expert of healthy aging will tell you the same thing. Having social engagements keeps us moving forward toward events in life rather than stagnating in the same place. We are also more likely to stay active, make the effort to look and feel our best, and be mentally alert. Whether you stay social by actually leaving the house or having people visit you or staying connected on the computer, be sure to feed and nurture your social network. What you put into your social network will definitely pay you back!

Aging Gracefully - Tip #6: Support Your Body
Aches, pains, and general feelings of physical unwellness can keep us from aging gracefully. If you have specific physical ailments that are keeping you down, consult with your doctor or other types of healthcare providers to see what you can do to stay on top of your symptoms and feeling well. For those who favor natural solutions, adding adult stem cell support supplements to your daily regimen can do wonders. HERE is one example of an adult stem cell support supplement that can really support your body in replenishing its cells and help you feel more youthful!

Aging Gracefully - Tip #7: Take a Nap or Lots of Naps!
While napping may be considered "lazy" by some, research suggests that people who nap regularly are more likely to remain healthy than people who nap only occasionally or not at all. For instance, people who take regular naps are 37% less likely to die from heart disease than people who don't nap regularly. Experts believe that napping tends to reduce stress hormones in the body, allowing us to relax and enjoy life. Now if that's not a key to healthy aging, what is?

Aging gracefully isn't only possible, it's positively necessary! After all, who wants to age ungracefully or unhealthily? So take a gander at these 7 simple tips and see if any of them (or all of them) could be easily integrated into your life. Then you will be on your way to healthy aging, no matter your current age!


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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Sleep Your Way To Better Energy

Sleep is one of the ways the body recharges itself to have enough energy for the next day. But it's not just the hours of sleep alone that recharges your energy level. Good quality sleep is also important.
About an hour and a half after a person goes to sleep, they enter the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep. This is an important stage to enter for quality sleep. This is the stage of sleep that restores the body and the stage where we have dreams. If sleep is interrupted in this stage you can find you have trouble concentrating the next day, have a lack of energy and find yourself becoming drowsy during the day. To make sure you get the good quality sleep you need to recharge here are some nutritional solutions that can help.

Bluegreen algae with the cellwall removed:
Taking 1-2 capsules of this form of algae before bed can help relax the brain and help you to get a good night's sleep.

Bifidus:
Bifidus is an important part of early childhood development, and strongly affects our self-esteem, confidence and sense of wholeness. Adding 2-4 bifidus capsules to your evening regimen can help you wake rested, confident and ready to charge into your day!

Enzymes:
Digestive enzymes not only help us digest our food, but on a metaphysical level, they can help us digest and "work through" the problems of the day. Take 2-4 enzymes before bed, go to sleep with a problem and chances are that you'll wake up with a solution.

Using these natural solutions for nutritional support will help you get your zzz's and help you sleep your way to better energy.

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, January 24, 2019

Foods for Healthy Hair

When we think of hair loss, we mostly think of men. Why? Probably because men complain about hair loss a lot ... and with good reason. By age 35, 40% of men have experienced noticeable hair loss. By age 85, that figure doubles to 80%. No wonder men are concerned about hair loss!

But women have the same problem with hair loss. In fact, women make up 40% of the population that suffers from hair loss. And most women can't "solve" the problem by just shaving their heads. So what should you do, whether you are a man or a woman, to prevent hair loss (or prevent further hair loss)?

Well, a great place to start is with the food that you eat.

Foods for Healthy Hair
It turns out that what you eat has a lot to do with how much hair stays on your head. True, genetics is a major determining factor as to whether you will have hair loss. At the same time, you can offset the effects of your genetics by eating a healthy diet and taking the right supplements. To figure out which foods for healthy hair you need to add to your diet, let's first take a look at what nutrients promote healthy hair.

Here are the most important nutrients for healthy hair growth and retention:
  • biotin
  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • protein

BIOTIN
Most people have heard of the nutrient biotin as an important ingredient for healthy hair. Bioton is an essential B vitamin that does a lot for your hair. Biotin promotes healthy hair growth, increases hair elasticity (prevents breakage), and protects against dryness. The neat thing about biotin is that it also contributes to the healthy digestion of fats and carbohydrates. So biotin is a definite "must" to add to your diet.

Where can you get biotin? This nutrient is found in beans, breads, egg yolks, fish, liver, meat, dairy products, nuts, peanut butter, whole grains, and poultry. But do you want to know the absolute BEST source of biotin? The BEST source of biotin is the biotin that your body makes on its own. It turns out that the probiotics--the healthy bacteria that live in your large and small intestine--actually manufacture a lot of biotin. And this source of biotin is most readily absorbed and used by your body. This source of biotin is your fastest route to healthy hair. So if you want to support your body in making more biotin, all you have to do is supplement your diet with high-quality acidophilus and bifidus, which are the two main probiotics in your gut. Adding these probiotics means that you don't have to be so stringent in your diet, and your body will supply a ton of biotin to support healthy hair growth. Perfect!

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
While biotin is great for your hair, omega-3 fatty acids do a lot to promote a healthy scalp. Since healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp, taking care of your scalp is just as important as focusing on the hair itself. Find omega-3 fatty acids in fish, nuts, and leafy greens. To ensure that you get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the best wholefood supplements you can take is AFA blue green algae. This humble algae contains one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids of any food on the planet. Plus, popping a couple of pills daily is a very convenient way to get your omega-3's on a consistent basis.

PROTEIN
Healthy proteins can also support a healthy scalp and healthy hair growth. Fish, nuts, leafy green, beans, carrots, and white meat are all great sources of healthy protein. AFA blue green algae is another rich wholefood source of protein.

Other Tips for Healthy Hair
In addition to adding probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and high-quality proteins to your diet, you can also take certain actions to promote healthy hair. For instance, occasionally rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar will unblock hair follicles, stimulate scalp circulation, and slow hair loss. Also, avoid rinsing your hair with hot water. Instead, use lukewarm water, which won't strip the protective oils from your hair and protects your hair from breakage. Finally, don't brush wet hair. Use a comb instead to reduce breakage. When brushing dry hair, use a brush with ball-tipped bristles to protect your hair.

Simple, Right?
As with most healthy habits, the ones mentioned in this article are simple, simple, simple. It's not rocket science. If you want healthy hair, just eat the right foods for healthy hair and follow a few simple guidelines. You'll be surprised how fast your hair responds to all of this pampering!



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.


Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Healthy Aging with Brain Superfoods

Part of healthy aging that many of us are concerned about is brain health. I know seniors who are very sharp mentally, stay active and enjoy their senior years. Then I know those who have dementia or Alzheimer's. The first group is the one I definitely want to be in as I age. To ensure that I stay in that group, I strive to add brain superfoods in my healthy aging plan. After all, good nutrition is a key ingredient in healthy aging. That includes the types of foods we eat and the amounts we eat. Food is where we get our energy and nutrients for a healthy body that works at its peak. A brain that is not properly nourished cannot stay sharp.

Among the brain superfoods for healthy aging are whole grains for fiber, fruits and vegetables for antioxidants, lean protein, and essential fatty acids for healthy brain function. As we age it is also better to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day than to continue the 3 meal habit of breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is because of changes in hormone levels and our metabolism slowing down as we age. Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps keep the metabolism stable. Be sure however to start the day off with a good healthy breakfast, then move to the smaller meals or snacks throughout the rest of the day. Numerous studies show that those who eat a healthy, well balanced breakfast in the morning have better energy and concentration throughout the day, as well as improved short-term memory and attention.

Fight Off Free Radicals
Antioxidants in the diet are especially important in healthy aging. Our bodies' 75 trillion cells are under constant attack by unstable molecules called free radicals. Some of these free radical molecules are the result of natural processes in the body, while others come from the daily stresses of life, including air pollutants, smoking, alcohol, over-exertion, heavy exercise, and poor diets. As your 75 trillion cells are constantly attacked by free radicals, the result is aging. Specifically, free radicals can react with your cells' DNA and RNA, the blueprints by which your cells duplicate themselves. This can result in heart disease, chronic pain, and other ailments related to aging. Antioxidants are the body's protection from free radical damage because they not only stabilize the unstable free radical molecules, but also help with cellular repair, if and when your DNA is damaged. Foods high in antioxidants include bright colorful vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, blueberries, carrots, and leafy greens. The antioxidant vitamin E, from foods such as nuts and seeds, has been shown to help maintain cognitive abilities as we age and the antioxidant properties in dark chocolate has been found to help with mental focus.

Fuel Your Brain
Glucose the body makes from carbohydrates and sugars you eat, are one of the main fuel sources for the brain. The best brain superfoods to get your brain the glucose it needs are whole grains high in fiber, dairy foods and fruit. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids are another of the brain superfoods. Studies show people with diets rich in omega-3 have a lower risk of stroke, reduced chance of developing dementia, and maintain sharper mental faculties and memory functions as they age. In fact 60% of your brain is fat of the fatty acids type that form the cell membranes that cover neurons and other cell organs. These fats are also the main ingredient in your synapses and dendrites, which are the connections between your neurons. In other words, these fats form the parts of your brain that allow you to think making foods rich in fatty acids like omega-3 so important to include in your brain superfoods diet. Foods high in omega-3s include coldwater fish like cod, mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring and lake trout, fresh fruit, dark-green leafy greens, AFA blue-green algae, seeds and nuts, and flax and olive oil.

Keep Blood Flowing to the Brain
Nutrients and oxygen are carried to your various body organs through the blood. If you have a diminished blood flow the heart and brain are especially affected. Including whole grains and monounsaturated fats in your diet can help reduce buildup of plaque, support healthy blood circulation, and keep blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels stable. Peanut butter, avocados, nuts, olives and oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and canola oil are all brain superfoods with monounsaturated fats.

Supplement Your Brain
AFA bluegreen algae is loaded with omega-3 to support brain health. The form of algae with the cell wall removed is small enough to slip through the blood brain barrier to feed hungry brain cells and help with mental clarity and stamina. This form of bluegreen algae is the heart of the algae and is an abundant source of raw materials for enhancing brain activity. Amino acids found in this type of algae are the building blocks of healthy nerve cells and neurotransmitters needed for the brain to function properly. This type of algae also provides essential omega-3 fatty acids and helps maintain normal, healthy blood chemistry that feeds the brain. With this supplement you not only get the nutrition of  organic wild bluegreen algae, but the added bonus of eleuthero, Ginkgo biloba, Lion's Mane, bee pollen, wheatgrass juice, and noni that was created especially for high-performance athletes and those with active lifestyles who depend on concentration and mental clarity. The blue green algae is a good source of whole food nutrition, 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, and Gingko biloba has been used for a long time to promote increased memory and mental concentration by increasing circulation and providing increased oxygenation of brain cells. With all these combined, you can see how this combination is perfect for the support of brain health in healthy aging.


If you are concerned about your mental faculties and brain health as you age, consider adding some of these brain superfoods to your healthy aging plan. They can help make the difference in what mental state you will manifest as you reach your senior years. Personally, I want to enter my senior years with as much brain function as possible. How about 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.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate?ecd=wnl_lbt_091813&ctr=wnl-lbt-091813_ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3d

Thursday, January 17, 2019

How to Improve Energy on Sluggish Days

Whether you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or just feel plain sluggish in the mornings, we have some great tips for you on how to improve energy when the sun rises!

Tips on How to Improve Energy
Most of these tips are based on sleep studies as well as research into the body's circadian rhythms. Some of these tips on how to improve energy are, well, plain common sense. But you know what they say about common sense: it isn't that common!

Tip #1:  When the Alarm Calls, Get Up!
While it's definitely tempting to keep hitting the snooze button on sluggish days, sleep studies show that the snooze button is detrimental to better energy. Once you have been awakened by the alarm clock, snoozing interrupts your hormone cycles, which could make you tired and cranky later in the day. A better plan would be to set your alarm for when you REALLY want to get up, then put the clock across the room so you actually have to get up to turn it off. Then get moving!

Tip #2: Flip on the Lights
Light is apparently one signal that tells your body to "Wake up!" According to Michael Terman, PhD, director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, either artificial or natural light can help you wake up, have better energy, and get going in the morning. If you have to use artificial light, opt for cooler whiter light rather than yellowish light. The whiter light is better at mimicking natural light, and works better to help you wake up.

Tip #3: Get a Move On
It might seem ridiculous to tell you to get moving if you already feel sluggish in the morning, but exercise and sleep science suggest that a short leisurely walk 3 times a week is an option when you are considering how to improve energy. Note that we said "leisurely walk." If you are already tired, an intensive workout can fatigue you further and drain your batteries. Instead, according to a study done by the University of Georgia, people who took short walks 3 times weekly had 20% better energy on a regular daily basis.

Tip #4: Take a (Legal) Pep Pill
Research indicates that the hormone spike that gets us going in the morning tends to slump in the afternoon, usually after lunch. This is perfectly normal, but it does tend to interfere with getting work done. If this happens to you, consider taking a supplement mid-day to boost your energy.

One energy-boosting supplement that we have found works well is this form of the AFA blue-green algae. This supplement contains easily assimilated nutrients including: essential fatty acids, active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, proteins, complex sugars, and phytonutrients. In layman's terms, that means this supplement provides your body with nutrients it can easily use for better energy. It's a no-brainer (see the end of this article for proof!)

Tip #5: Move Every 90 Minutes
Science shows that the human body isn't meant to focus on a single topic or issue for more than 90 minutes. That means if you find yourself sitting at your desk for more than 90 minutes, you are draining your batteries and your productivity is starting to suffer. The solution is simple: just get up and move around. Even if you have to stay in your office, get a long phone cord and walk around as you talk. Better yet, go outside and breathe some fresh air (assuming the air is fresh) and take a quick walk. When it comes to how to improve energy, exercise is one of the best ways!

A Little Story about AFA Blue-Green Algae
In 1994, upon returning from the hospital after a sudden illness, I was totally lacking in energy. As I huffed and puffed my way upstairs, grasping both handrails, I wondered what kind of future I had. I began researching what I could do for myself, and four months later stumbled upon a tape recording about blue-green algae. What a change! After taking AFA blue-green algae  for two months, I noticed that my energy had returned and I was cooking a festive holiday dinner for family and friends. Now, 14 years later, I am in excellent health at age 80!

B. Tisdell


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, January 10, 2019

Fat Fighters: 7 Ways to Fight Fat

Fat fighters ... that's what this blog is all about today, and it's a topic that is hot on everyone's mind. The holidays are over, New Year's Resolutions have been made ... and guess what? The most common resolution is to LOSE WEIGHT!

No big surprise there. Here is a big surprise: only 8% of people will be able to keep that resolution. But don't worry. The tips in this article will help you keep your resolution to slim down and fight fat all year long. It's simple if you break it down into itty-bitty little chunks. In fact, we give you 7 little knowledge nuggets about fighting fat that are, well, easy to digest!


Fight Fat Tip #1: Eat Fat Fighting Foods
Fat fighting foods? Yup, there are actually foods that you can eat that will help you fight fat. It doesn't get much better than that! Most fat fighting foods are high in protein and fiber, low in carbohydrates. For instance, Greek yogurt is one of the best fat fighting foods because it is so high in protein. Protein stays in your stomach longer, so you feel full longer when you eat high-protein foods. Plus, your body burns more energy digesting protein than carbohydrates, making Greek yogurt (especially non-fat and sugar free varieties) a definite fat fighting food. For high-fiber foods, look at whole grains and fruits like grapefruit, which is low in calories and high in fiber. Eat these foods, feel full, and fight fat.

Fight Fat Tip #2: Take Enzymes with Meals
Do you know what happens when you eat fat but your body can't digest it? It goes rancid and literally clogs up your intestines, leading to that unattractive muffin top or beer belly. While our bodies should produce enough digestive enzymes to process and fight fat (you need the specific enzyme called lipase to process fats), most of us are short on the necessary enzymes. As we age, our bodies decrease their production of digestive enzymes, which is why we tend to gain weight as we age. For instance, the average 70 year old produces only half the digestive enzymes as the average 20 year old! To fight fat and counteract this problem, take digestive enzymes with each meal. Be sure to take enzymes that contain a full variety to digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. My favorite fat fighting power enzyme is THIS ONE, which comes with extra cayenne for an extra digestive kick! I take 1-2 capsules per meal and have stayed slim throughout my life (plus I don't suffer from any of those embarrassing signs of indigestion, like bad breath, heartburn, or gas).

Fight Fat Tip #3: Add Cinnamon
While cinnamon isn't a specific fat fighting food, this additive does stabilize the body's blood sugar, which can reduce cravings for food, especially sweet, salty, and oily foods. When you talk about fighting fat, these are definitely the types of food that you want to stay away from!

Fight Fat Tip #4: Spice Up Your Food
Are you a fan of hot chilis and other spicy foods? Then you are already on your way to fighting fat. Adding spicy foods like hot peppers gives your body an extra digestive kick (which I why I choose an enzyme supplement that has cayenne). The main ingredient in hot peppers that helps digestion is called capsaicin. Studies show that capsaicin tends to speed up your body's metabolism for a short period of time and improve digestion. As an added bonus, people tend to eat less when the food is spicy. So go for the hot stuff and fight fat while you're at it!

Fight Fat Tip #5: Take the Probiotic Acidophilus
Another simple way to fight fat and aid digestion is to add the probiotic (or beneficial bacteria) Acidophilus into your daily regimen. This beneficial bacteria lives in your small intestine, and aids your body in digestion. Since fats are digested in the small intestine, having enough beneficial bacteria can really help with fat breakdown. Specifically, fats are broken down in the small intestine by bile from the liver and the digestive enzyme lipase. The Acidophilus helps your small intestine keep everything moving smoothly, and helps the body distribute the resulting glycerol and fatty acids. Since the word "probiotic" literally means "for life," this is definitely one of the simpler and better ways to fight fat and improve your overall health. When choosing a strain of Acidophilus, be sure and pick one that can survive the acidity of the stomach and is certified live at the time of purchase.

Fight Fat Tip #6: The Caffeine Fix
Take this tip with a bit of caution. In the battle to fight fat, caffeine does actually have a very beneficial effect. The caffeine found in green tea or black coffee does boost your metabolism for a short period of time, and can help you lose weight. However, most people cancel out the effects of this benefit by ordering coffee with too many fatty additives, like cream and sugar. If you can't stop ordering the mocha lattes, a better choice may be green tea. Studies show that green tea can often help the body burn abdominal fat and can stimulate the metabolism for a brief period of time. To get the most benefit out of green tea, drink several cups per day, hot.

Fight Fat Tip #7: Add Vinegar
Studies show that vinegar, a no-calorie substance, can aid the body in breaking down fats. While some old-time home remedies call for drinking apple cider vinegar straight on a daily basis, this can have adverse effects for people with certain health conditions. Instead, focus on using vinegar in salad dressings and other types of food flavorings. The good news is that vinegar is tasty by itself, so you don't need to dress it up much. Use vinegar as a seasoning to fight fat, add taste to your food, and enjoy a no-calorie goodie!

Hopefully these 7 fat fighting tips will give you some ideas on how you can slim down and stay slim in the New Year. All of these tips are simple and easy to implement, even if you are the busiest person in the world. As an added bonus, most of these tips make your food taste better while helping you fight fat. Whoo-hoo!


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.






Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Unplug, Unwind, and Feed Your Mind!

Now that the holidays are over do you feel like you've blown a circuit in your mind or have overworked your brain? Having a good holiday with family and friends is often worth it, but it does involve extra work and juggling all the extra activities and preparations in your mind. Actually though working your brain more is a way to keep your mind sharp, so even though it feels like you've overworked your brain, it's more likely that you are just physically exhausted or over stressed. Stress is very detrimental to your brain health as it releases cortisol in the body which among other things can cause poor memory and decreased cognitive function. Now that all the holiday hustle and bustle is over it's a good time to take some time to relax, de-stress, and get your mind back on track. After all, you need your brain and mind sharp just to deal with everything you have to do and remember in normal life and that is sometimes challenging especially as we get older and find ourselves more forgetful and possibly having some decline in your brain power. There are specific things you can do however to keep your mind sharp and support your brain health. Here are a few tips that can help with this.

Relaxation Time
As we mentioned already, stress is one of the things that can negatively affect brain health. Cortisol released by stress, is especially bad for certain areas of the brain such as the hippocampus which deals with short term memory. This is why it is so important to make time for relaxation and find ways to cope with your stress. It isn't realistic to think we can totally get rid of all the stress in our lives, but taking up a hobby, listening to music, doing deep breathing exercises, taking up yoga or whatever you find relaxes you is an important step towards not only brain health, but overall general health. Eating lots of leafy greens, halibut, oysters, nuts and seeds can give you the extra nutrition you need to support your body through the times you are coping with stress as these are some of the foods that contain the stress relievers magnesium, B vitamins and chlorophyll. As your body becomes stressed it uses up these stress relievers more quickly so that just when you need them the most, they are the least available to you. When you are under a lot of stress, increase these types of food in your diet.

Sleep It Off
Getting enough good quality sleep is not only helpful in dealing with stress, but also helps your brain work better. If you are not well rested, it is hard to concentrate and remember things. Sleep is also a time for the body to regroup and that includes the brain. You've surely heard people say, "Let me sleep on it." That is good advice as your brain is still working as you sleep and you often make a better decision the next morning when you are well rested and have had some down time to remove yourself from any trauma, drama or emotion of the situation. If you have learned new information, the brain uses sleeping time to store that information for later recall.

Learning Is For a Lifetime
No matter what age you are, it's never too late to learn something new. This keeps life interesting and helps keep the mind sharp. Take up a new hobby or learn a new skill. If you were fortunate enough to learn to play a musical instrument when you were young, that will also pay off for you as you get older. Children who learn to play an instrument early on show an increase in memory, planning abilities and clear thinking when they are older. If you didn't experience musical interests as a child, it's not too late. You can still benefit from learning to play no matter how old you are. Even if you don't master the skills you start out to learn, it still gives your brain some good exercise and that's what counts. Brain exercise doesn't stop with mental exercise either. Physical exercise is also important as it increases blood flow and brain nerve cells as well as reducing heart disease risk which is important for the brain.

Brain Nutrition
Some types of foods are better brain foods than others. The brain demands a lot of nutrition to keep it working properly, but it also is protected behind the blood brain barrier which makes it more difficult to get the nutrition it needs to it. The blood brain barrier is a layer of cells that only allows the smallest fat-soluble molecules and micronutrients to reach the brain. To improve brain health, concentrate on eating foods that have the specific nutrients the brain needs that can also pass through the blood brain barrier. Glucose, specific amino acids, and essential fatty acids are all necessary brain foods.

Glucose - Glucose is the sugars your body makes by digesting carbohydrates. Complex carbs are healthier for you than simple carbs so adding whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa, and starchy vegetables like potatoes, beans, peas and lentils to your diet will help feed your brain. Glucose is a small enough molecule to be able to pass through the BBB, but these molecules must first be paired with the appropriate proteins before they will be allowed to pass. Eating whole grains also help in lowering cholesterol levels and create brain power by reducing plaque buildup which increases blood flow to the brain.

Amino Acids - The brain needs protein to function properly however proteins are not able to pass through the blood brain barrier until they break down into amino acids. Fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids in not only a great protein source for brain health, but also has the healthy fats that are important for the brain. Studies have found that people who include fish regularly in their diets are at less risk for dementia, stroke and declining mental faculties.

Essential Fatty Acids - Since the brain is 60% fat, it needs healthy fats to nourish it. Besides fatty fish, flaxseed, olive oil, walnuts, chia seeds, dark-green leafy vegetables and bluegreen algae are all good sources for omega-3.

In addition to what you eat to support brain health, it is also important how you cook these foods. For example, baking or grilling your fish is much healthier for your brain than frying. When you do cook with oil, make sure you use the healthy ones like olive, canola, safflower, and sunflower oil instead of butter and other saturated fats. This kind of cooking also helps with lowering cholesterol levels which reduces your risk of dementia.

Nutritional Supplements
You can get glucose, essential fatty acids and amino acids for feeding the brain all from AFA bluegreen algae especially the form with the cell wall removed. Bluegreen algae is a rich source of phenylalanine, an amino acid that crosses the blood-brain barrier faster than any other amino acid and has all 20 amino acids our bodies need for the building blocks of healthy nerve cells and neurotransmitters needed for proper brain function. It also provides a perfect ratio of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, helps maintain normal, healthy blood chemistry that feeds the brain, and provides an ideal balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, complex sugars, and fiber. In addition to AFA bluegreen algae alone, another whole food supplement that lends support to the brain is this supplement with blue green algae that has the added ingredients of bee pollen, vitamin A, enzymes, antioxidants, gluten-free wheatgrass juice, Hawaiian noni, eleuthero, ginkgo, and turmeric. 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. Gingko has been used for a long time to promote increased memory and mental concentration by increasing circulation and providing increased oxygenation of brain cells. Curcumin, found in turmeric, has been the basis of much research and found to have benefit for enhancing memory, for enhancing nerve growth in areas of the brain and as an antidepressant.

Feeding your brain what it needs, giving it the right exercise and finding ways to deal with stress will keep your brain power working for you. So take a deep breath and relax. Rest your brain and your body knowing that the holidays are over for another year.

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/brain/ss/slideshow-fit-brains?ecd=wnl_lbt_092714&ctr=wnl-lbt-092714_nsl-ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate?ecd=wnl_lbt_092714&ctr=wnl-lbt-092714_nsl-ld-stry_1&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3d

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Age is Only a Number. Feel Young Naturally at Any Age!

We all know seniors who certainly don't look, feel or have behaviors we typically associate with aging. They probably don't have access to a fountain of youth, but do live lifestyles that support healthy aging and staying youthful. Scientific research shows that there are things we can all do to keep our minds and bodies more healthy as we age. 

Exercise
One study reported that exercising 20 minutes daily can increase the number of adult stem cells we have. These stem cells are used to replace injured or dead cells so the more we have working for us the better. Adding adult stem cell support supplements to your daily regimen can help provide nutrition that supports the growth of stem cells and provides antioxidants that protect existing stem cells from free radical damage. Research also has shown that regular exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, depression, and mental decline. Just two and a half hours a week of exercise can help lengthen your life. John Robbins, author of Healthy at 100, looked at centenarians around the world and found that engaging in cardiovascular exercise 30 minutes daily as well as doing some yoga and weight training increased longevity. Dr. Oz advises maintaining flexibility as a youth maintaining tip and stretching warm muscles keeps you feeling young. For this reason, after a hot shower is a great time to get stretching in.

Diet
Dietitian Manuel Villacorta reminds us that what we eat makes a big difference in our aging. Sticking to a dietary regimen with lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains and healthy fats with a minimum of sugar and calories greatly reduces the risks for developing diseases that often appear in old age and reduce our life span. This includes diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. John Robbins reported this type of diet in his book Healthy at 100 as being a common factor as well as eating beans instead of meat as a main protein source. The more brightly colored fruits and vegetables are, the more antioxidants they tend to have which are good for helping us stay young feeling. Antioxidants are important to fight off the damage to our cells from free radicals. The antioxidants, vitamin C, zinc, and beta-carotene, can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration that is a common cause of blindness in those over the age of 64. Vitamin C has also been shown to help keep skin looking more youthful and research has reported yellow and green veggies as best for preventing wrinkles. Dr. Oz also suggests that foods red in color are great for healthy aging. For example, red cabbage can reduce the risk of cancers and beet juice relaxes blood vessels. He also recommends drinking a cup of black tea everyday as it increases the chance of surviving after a heart attack by 28%.

In the healthy fats category, foods with omega-3 fatty acids are very important to add to your diet to stay youthful. Omega-3 can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, mental decline, arthritis, inflammation in the body, and plaque buildup in blood vessels. Your body doesn't make omega-3 on its own so food or supplements are the only way to get them. Coldwater fatty fish, nuts, broccoli, edamame, olive oil and AFA bluegreen algae are all sources for omega-3's.

Other diet tips for healthy aging include eating foods with calcium and fortified with vitamin D to keep bones healthy and strong and reduce the risk of osteoporosis that often occurs as we get older. Avoid adding salt to dishes when you cook and check package labels for excess salt or sodium. Too much salt can increase blood pressure which can damage kidneys, eyes, and brain. One way to fill in any nutritional gaps is to take a complete supplement that covers your nutritional bases. The supplement should feed your mind and body, and assist with digestion so that you can get all the nutrition possible from the food you put into your body. Our favorite supplement for this is a daily packet of capsules that covers all of these areas. Another helpful supplement with aging is this enzyme/algae supplement that helps support active lifestyles and combines the plant-based proteolytic enzymes bromelain, papain, protease, lipase, and serratiopeptidase, as well as AFA bluegreen algae. These type of enzymes have been found to support the body in fighting off inflammation, fight off stress, and nourish cells. And finally this supplement can help maintain an active lifestyle by supporting healthy, flexible, and strong joints and supporting cartilage with a combination of vegetable-based glucosamine, chondroitin, UC-II® undenatured collagen and AFA bluegreen algae.

Stress

You can actually slow down aging at a cellular level by reducing your stress level. Research reports findings of stress being connected to shortening of telomeres that have an effect on the aging of cells and increase risks of disease. Telomeres are found on the ends of chromosomes and according to Eli Puterman, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and author of a study on this topic, the more stress their older women subjects were under, the shorter their telomeres. On the other hand women that stayed active, had healthy eating and sleeping habits and coped well with stress did not show a shortening of the telomeres. There have also been findings reported that eating healthier and exercising can increase production of an enzyme that will increase the length of telomeres.

Being Social
Scientists also have reported finding through studies that maintaining social connections and engaging in regular social activities can increase life span. When picking friends it can also be helpful to find those that keep healthy lifestyles as we are more likely to do the same if our friends do. For example, one study reported that having an obese friend increases your chance of being obese by 57%. In his book Healthy at 100, author John Robbins found that relationships in which you feel "recognized, upheld, and cherished" can lead to healthy aging.

You can feel young naturally at any age. Don't let the number representing your age define your life. Take charge now by making some lifestyle and nutritional changes that will help you make healthy aging and a long healthy life a reality 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.sharecare.com/health/fitness-exercise/article/exercise-20-minutes-a-day-to-keep-muscles-young?eid=1010716381&memberid=54397827&_sid=null&#cmpid=sceml00

http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-omega-3-health-benefits?ecd=wnl_wmh_080614&ctr=wnl-wmh-080614_nsl-ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20140729/healthy-habits-may-slow-cellular-signs-of-aging-study-finds?ecd=wnl_day_073114&ctr=wnl-day-073114_nsl-hdln_2&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-longer-life-secrets?ecd=wnl_men_070914&ctr=wnl-men-070914_ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3d

http://www.oprah.com/health/Healthy-Aging

http://www.oprah.com/health/Habits-That-Could-Help-You-Live-To-100-Doctor-Oz

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/anti-aging-diet?ecd=wnl_men_070914&ctr=wnl-men-070914_ld-stry_1&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D