National Women’s Health Week ~ May 12 to May 18

 Aging, Heart Disease, Nutrition  No Responses »
May 162013
 
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In honor of of all women, I want to share with you a few tips I have learned even recently about women and their health.  (These tips can apply to men as well).

Did you know that 80% of the healthcare decisions made in the home are made by women? I definitely knew that from my own experience in raising a family. And their needs always came before mine, something that we know will eventually catch up with us!

Although I have always been interested in nutrition and healthy living, it was not until I faced my own health issues that I began to realize that in order to keep myself in optimal health and to avoid the common debilitating diseases, I would have to design my own plan for a healthier lifestyle and keep to it.

Fortunately, at that time I was introduced to natural supplements. This provided a preventative maintenance program which I am on to this day and at 70 I find myself full of energy and prescription free. I would have to add to that program exercise. (I also believe exercise reduces stress, a factor that can often lead to heart disease because of high blood pressure).

Dr. Weil states in his book Why Our Health Matters the toll of preventable disease ~

  • Chronic diseases cause 70% of deaths in America and are responsible for 3/4 of health-care spending
  • Half of all American men and 1/3 of all American women will develop cancer
  • One in twelve Americans will have asthma
  • One in fourteen Americans will have diabetes
  • One in seven Americans will develop Alzheimer’s disease

Weil does not feel that these chronic diseases are inevitable consquences of growing older and that to maintain health and vigor into the late nineties and beyond, environment and lifestyle factors can actually modify genetic expression and influence risk for age-related diseases.

Regarding the environment I have chosen to use only non-toxic products in my home.  If the air outside is bad, at least I can do whatever I can to keep the air inside my home as clean as possible since it increases the risk of respiratory diseases of all sorts, weakens our immune system and even makes us more susceptible to cancer  And we are not even yet discussing the threat to the health and welfare of the whole planet by affecting the earth’s protective ozone layer.  I also try to  buy  organic when I can.  A great list of 10 foods to definitely buy organic can be found here ~ rmdy.hm/kam

In the June 2013 issue of Oprah, Dr. Oz shared some interesting healthy tips, one of which included checking your pulse. Before you get out of bed, press your index and middle fingers against the inside of your wrist below your thumb; count the beats for 30 seconds.  Then double that number.  A 2010 study found that compared with a resting rate of less than 60 beats per minute, a rate of more than 90 triples a woman’s risk of dying from heart disease.  If your heart rate is high, consider adding more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.  Adding omega-3 fatty acids from sources like olive oil and nuts and fish may help improve lipid levels as well.

Another tip he included was making sure to get enough magnesium (about 265 mg for women).  Apparently nearly half of Americans do not get this.  Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and may lower blood pressure by as much as 5 points in people with mild hypertension.  (Try cooked spinach and pumpkin seeds).

With the high price of health care than any other people in the world, we need to educate ourselves on more safe and effective alternatives to drugs.  Shifting our health care efforts from disease intervention to disease prevention and health promotion is a mission we all need to have.

One of the tips on the National Women’s Health Week website included the following infographic which I found very informative:  NWHW-Infographic-508

I would love to hear what you are doing in creating a more preventative approach to your own health,

 

 

 

My Seven Steps Of Prevention That Have Led To Better Health

 Aging, Nutrition, Positive Thinking, Toxic Chemicals, Vegetarian Diet, weight loss  No Responses »
Feb 262013
 

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I turned 70 today. It is a real milestone for me, especially since when I look back to turning 50 (which was a big milestone as well) I was facing some real serious health issues. Fortunately I took responsibility for my own health and began reversing some unhealthy habits and taking steps that made the difference. Today I feel younger than I did at 50, am prescription-free and full of energy! So I feel empowered to enter the next decade prepared and full of excitement, feeling much stronger and healthier than I ever have felt before.

So what are these seven “steps” that made the difference? Here goes…….

(1) I replaced all household toxins from my home ~ no more bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde, phthalates, butyl cellosolve… any household cleaners that were “outgassing” toxic odors and fumes into the home (including laundry products) with nontoxic, concentrated biodegradable cleaners and fragrance-free laundry concentrate. This really helped my husband who is highly allergic to dust and strong chemicals.

(2) I replaced all of my personal care products with nutrient based, pH balanced, hypoallergenic (never animal tested) healthy beauty products, formulated without parabens, FD&C or D&C dyes, propylene glycol, animal products or by-products, mineral oils or petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate and phthalates. Basically my skin care products include only antioxidants and nutrients my skin craves (nutrition therapy skin care system). My soaps are “soap-free” – containing soothing oatmeal, vitamin E and wheat germ oil that softens my skin. It is also biodegradable and pH balanced.

(3) I eliminated all meat from my diet and concentrated on lots of vegetables and fruits, preferably organic and legumes such as lentils and black beans. I still occasionally eat wild salmon. Avoiding highly processed and refined foods and concentrating on more nutrient-dense foods has become my mission. This, of course, leads me to purchase primarily perishable food rather than prepackaged food. I start each morning with a nutritious shake with 24 grams of protein, 6 grams of dietary fiber, lactose free, low glycemic index, gluten-free, with 35% of the DV of 21 vitamins and minerals. It also contains Leucine which helps me retain muscle, not fat. This has enabled me to drop almost 25 pounds this past year. This program is helping me to be at a more healthy weight and body mass index.

(4) I avoid cans and plastic as much as possible because of the BPA (bisphenol A) which is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen, a cancer causer in lab animals, and possible source of hyperactivity and other behavioral disorders in children. The plastic containers marked with a number 7 on the bottom can leach BPA, making them a no-no. If I use plastics in the kitchen I look for those marked number 1, 2, 4 or 5. These are the safest ones. A good resource to use to learn more is the Green Guide, the Web site run by National Geographic Magazine (thegreenguide.com). Just click on the section called “Buying Guides” and then click on “Plastic Containers” under “Kitchen.” I have found my choice is to use glass containers in the kitchen.

(5) The water I drink is always filtered with a water system that uses a refillable carbon-block filter system, (filtering 80 gallons of water per filter). It saves me money and gets rid of the chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals and industrial pollutants that can be in our drinking water. Since the body is made up of about 70% water, water is linked to all the body’s functions. In the colon, it is essential to flushing out waste matter and toxins.

(6) I literally replenish my cells each day with nutrient-dense foods such as broccoli, kale, dark leafy greens, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. Unfortunately food is not as nutritious as it once was (According to data collected by government agencies in the U.S. and U.K., modern harvests are lower in many nutrients than those in the 1940s and 1950s because of poor soils and synthetic fertilizers) so I have chosen to supplement with products that are tested for harmful contaminants resulting in products of the greatest purity and potency possible. I supplement daily with multivitamins (that support overall nutrition and may help prevent chronic illness by simply providing the basic micronutrients often missing from modern diets), Omega-3 fish oil which help reduce inflammatory conditions and protect against heart disease, cancer and other chronic illness, and calcium, vitamin D and magnesium which helps to protect my bones (with vitamin D helping to decrease the risk of some cancers. I also take a liquid dietary supplement that contains the power of both resveratrol and a proprietary phytonutrient blend that improves cell defense, increases cell energy, promotes cell repair and optimizes cell performance.

(7) I have incorporated exercise into my daily routine. Most studies do agree that for optimal health it is important to exert yourself aerobically for 30 to 45 minutes at least 3 to 4 times a week. Even dividing this into several smaller increments has shown to be beneficial. I have joined the YMCA and love the water aerobics program they offer. I actually lift weights and “kick-box” in the water 3 days a week. This has really helped me with my weight loss as well.

So there you have it! It is interesting that Time Magazine, just this week, (Vol. 181, No. 8, 2013) published an article called Bitter Pill ~ Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us by Steven Brill, which is a powerful examination of America’s health care costs. It is actually frightening to read and I am so happy that I chose, 20 years ago, to take charge of my health and practice prevention. It has enabled me to lead a much healthier and more robust life and I look forward to reaching my 80′s and 90′s with the same vigor!

And We Thought Smoking Was Bad

 obesity  No Responses »
Jan 252013
 

lifestyleDid you know that obesity affects more people than smoking, heavy drinking, or poverty?  This is according to a recent study by two RAND researchers, health economist Roland Sturm and psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Wells.  And research just recently printed in the British Medical Journal found non-smoker teens who are obese are just as likely to die early as heavy smokers.

Drs. Sturm and Wells note that “Americans haven’t given obesity the same attention as other risks, like smoking, but it is clearly a top health problem and one that is on the rise in all segments of the population.  More effective clinical and public health approaches are urgently needed.”

A survey done by this team had nearly 10,000 participants, asking them to self-report on 17 chronic health conditions (including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, and cancer), height, weight, poverty, smoking status, problem drinking, health-related quality of life, and a variety of demographic factors.  It revealed the link of obesity to very high rates of chronic illnesses, much higher than smoking or drinking.

In my own life I do not remember a time before 1980 that obesity even was in the news.  Now we learn that what is considered “obese” (BMI over 30) grew by 60% between 1991 and 2000!  Last year at my business convention, we were all asked to measure our BMI.  That is when I learned that I fell into that “obese” range!  I was just one point into it but nevertheless, it was a wake-up call for me.  I came home determined to change that category and have managed to be just two points now away from normal (18.5 to 24.9).  Overweight is considered to be 25 to 29.9.   I am losing the weight slowly and keeping it off and feeling a lot more energy.  The program I am using helps me lose the fat and keep the muscle and as I drop dress and pant sizes I can really see that happening.  If you would like more information about the program I am using click here.

So what can be done to change these statistics?  One in five Americans are obese and three in five are overweight or obese.  I just heard on the news yesterday that two out of every three people in North Carolina fall into the obese category!   Unfortunately our lifestyle of being sedentary (eg. watching tv, computer games, working non-stop at desks without moving) and exercising less is having a real impact.  We are basically eating the same or more and moving less.   The RAND study suggests increased education, access control (including smoking bans in many buildings nationwide), taxation, better enforcement of laws relating to minors, curbs on advertising, and increased clinical attention.

We all are aware of New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomburg’s  ban on large sugary drinks in an effort to curb obesity, making it illegal for food service establishments such as restaurants, street vendors, sports venues and movie theaters to serve sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces.  According to Bloomberg, New York City spends $4 billion a year on health care for overweight residents, and sugary drinks are the most significant factor in the increasing number of obese or overweight New Yorkers.

One suggestion to help with weight loss  from a study (published online December 10, 2012 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine)  involved the use of a “weight-loss app” with coaching.  They found that because this “weight-loss app” provided immediate feed back – it showed users how many of their daily calories they had already consumed, and how close they were to reaching their physical activity goal plus the app sent information to a coach, giving people the sense that someone was “watching”  even if the coach did not interact with the person very much (if they stopped uploading, they would contact you), on average, participants in the mobile app group had lost about 8.6 pounds more at every checkup (which took place at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months) than those in the control group.  The findings resulted in the fact that a mobile app teamed with diet and exercise education can help people lose weight.

I was very happy to learn that the program I have been on just recently launched free access to an exclusive app which includes meal trackers, recipes, workouts, etc. as well as personalized support.  They are even offering amazing rewards to motivate my success (as long as I track my daily meals, etc. on my app).

The recent HBO documentary that came out last May (The Weight of The Nation, To Win, We Have to Lose) suggests major actions/policies to make the big changes to the systems that govern the food we grow; the economies that drive the food we manufacture; the policies that regulate what we market and serve, particularly to kids; the values we place on the overall quality of schools to which we send our children; the design of our communities, parks and roads so they promote health; and the perspective of our health care system so that it is focused on preventing illness from happening, rather than just treating it once it develops.  USA Today, Monday April 30, 2012

 I am on a mission to eat healthy foods (avoiding such things as sodas of course), exercise daily, track everything on my “app” and use that personal support to reach my goals.  What about you?  Where do you fall in America’s “obesity” statistics?  And if you are not in that normal range, what are your plans?

 

Tips To Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

 Aging, Nutrition  No Responses »
Jan 172013
 

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I found this statistic very alarming. I had no idea Alzheimer’s Disease was so prevalent; basically, one in eight older Americans have the condition. My post this week is about ways to protect our brain from this deadly disease.

We cannot prevent getting older just as we can’t change the genes we inherited from our parents. But we can do something as simple as moving our bodies. According to Dr. Oz, exercise may not only protect the heart, they may protect us from Alzheimer’s. In fact, in animal studies, exercise has been shown to clear beta-amyloid better than any pharmaceutical we know of. (Beta-amyloid circulates in human blood and in cerebrospinal fluid and is deposited into plaques and found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease).

Dr. Oz recommends 20 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 or 7 days each week. In fact, new research actually shows increased growth of the brain’s “memory center” in people who exercise regularly. All the more reasons to hit the gym or take that extra set of stairs instead of the elevator! Research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference in July suggests that strength training could be the best exercise intervention.

Among the small studies presented, one demonstrated that women between ages 70 and 80 benefited from weight-lifting, walking and balance exercises, but those who used weights showed the most improvement. I was excited to read this as I have been lifting water weights 3 days a week at the Y!

Did you know that Alzheimer’s Disease is now being called type 3 diabetes? Check out this post for more information about this. According to Dr. Oz, in his book YOU:Staying Young, this is because Type 2 diabetes (the kind associated with being overweight) increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, probably by increasing inflammation or arterial aging, but also because too much of the hormone insulin in the brain can stimulate beta-amyloid buildup.

We are definitely talking about lifestyle changes here; obviously diet plays an important role as well as exercise. One study even indicated that the more negative your overall demeanor the more it will affect your health, possibly leading to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. Avoiding sugar and highly processed refined foods is critical in establishing optimal digestive health and improving our immune response, yet another lifestyle choice to preventing this disease. Neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease contain aluminum (an element that makes up 14% of the earth’s crust) according to Dr.Oz. He suggests that although there is no evidence suggesting that aluminum causes memory problems, it’s better to try to avoid it. Use sea salt instead of table salt, which is processed with aluminum to avoid caking. Other things that contain aluminum include nondairy creamers, antacids, cans, certain cookware and antiperspirants.

One of the best ways to feed our brains are omega-3 fatty acids – the kinds of fat found in fish like wild salmon. These healthy fats not only help keep your arteries clear but improve the function of your message-sending transmitters. Eating about 15 ounces of fish each week can achieve this or simply take purified, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fish oil capsules with DHA.

What about you? Are you concerned about memory loss? What are you doing to prevent this from happening?

Keeping Those New Year’s Resolutions On Track

 Nutrition, Positive Thinking, weight loss  No Responses »
Jan 102013
 

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Since this is my first post for the new year I wanted to begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!   I also loved this picture!  We all know along with the beginning of a new year, resolutions are usually made.  So how  are yours coming along?  Have the pressures of everyday life had an effect on your personal goals?

Did you know that at least 40 to 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year?   It has been stated that it takes 30 to 40 repetitions to create a habit;  perhaps that is why only 64% of those who make resolutions still keep going after the first month!  According to a study presented by the University of Scranton in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, basically 88% of all resolutions end in failure by the end of the year!

So what can help us keep on track?  One thing I found that keeps me going this time is that I have chosen very specific goals.  I have given myself a time frame and made my resolutions realistic.  Being accountable to another person has helped as well.  Making a point to hydrate myself often has also really helped.  Since my goals are centered around weight loss, I am trying to drink at least 6 glasses of water each day (Stanford University researchers analyzed the diets of 173 overweight women and found that those who drank six glasses a day consumed about 200 fewer calories than their water-skimping peers).  I have also found that keeping a food diary has made me more mindful of my food intake.

Because part of my program involves shakes, I make sure to put it into an attractive clear glass (my sister and I actually found some great vintage “soda fountain” glasses and we each purchased some for just this purpose).   Somehow I enjoy my shake more when I take the time to prepare it this way.  I  purchased a wonderful mug online that is colorful and covered with my favorite affirmations ~ ” Hello Possibilities” & “Hello Gratitude”  ~  and love drinking my energy tea in it each afternoon.  Andrea Sullivan, owner of BrainStrength Systems, which uses neuroscience insights in its consulting, coaching, and public speaking services, states, “When we repeat an affirmation, our prefrontal cortex sends signals throughout the brain telling it to come into alignment with our intention.  In effect, we are rewiring our brains in accordance with new, empowering thoughts (‘I can do this’) that help us produce the results we want.”  So who knows the power behind those sweet little sayings written on a mug?

Making the decision to exercise each day has also been very beneficial.  No matter what my goal, commitment seems to be at the root of success to reach it.  I have  chosen exercise that I enjoy.  Because it involves classes (I joined the Y) I made sure to pick instructors that I enjoyed working with.    Being committed to something that is not enjoyable would not be a wise choice, no matter what the results.

Building all of these tools into unthinking, automatic choices, I believe, will help me reach my goals this year; in other words, creating all of these new habits and keeping them that will help me succeed.   What about you?  What tools are you using to keep those new year’s resolutions?

Checked Your BMI Lately? Studies Link High BMI With More Cancer Risk

 Nutrition, weight loss  No Responses »
Aug 292012
 

Are you at a healthy weight?  I am sure many of us are asking ourselves that when so much is being said about the dangers of obesity.

I just recently returned from my company’s yearly convention where one of the featured speakers was  Jacqui McCoy, the young woman featured on Extreme Make Over Weight Loss Edition several months ago.  It was amazing to see her transformation ~ she actually was able to lose 200 pounds!   She actually  became the biggest weight loss by percentage in weight loss television history at above 58% lost.  Although our particular weight loss products were not a part of her program, she did use the supplements and found them extremely helpful.   As you can see from the picture on the left, she truly did transform her body.

The most serious epidemic in the United States is definitely obesity, a term referring to  having considerably more weight than what is considered healthy for your height.  Using your weight and your height to calculate a number called body mass index (BMI) determines this.  Typically an adult with a BMI greater than 30 is considered to be obese.

Since the subject of weight loss was one of the main focuses of this convention, we were all asked to check our BMI while we were there.  I enthusiastically went to the “weighing station”,  feeling assured that I would easily fall into the “Normal” category of the BMI index.  I was shocked to find that my weight put me right on the edge, at my height and weight, of Obese, one point away from Overweight!  In order to get to Normal my weight would need to be no more than 144 pounds.  (Normal at 5’4″ is between 114# and 144#).

This information really impacted my thinking about my health.  As I said in last week’s post, my decision to take charge of my health 19 years ago has helped me to reach 69, prescription-free.  Now I seem to have joined the ranks of those with unhealthy weight, which adds to my risk of developing future health problems.

Just this week  a new study from trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of women with stage I, II and III breast cancer emerged, stating that among women who have been treated for breast cancer, heavier women are more likely to have their disease come back AND more likely to die of cancer.  Apparently certain hormones that are linked to body weight may also fuel tumor growth in the most common form of the disease, known as estrogen-receptor-positive cancer.

My concerns really grew when I read that Dr. Joseph Sparano, associate chairman of medical oncology at the Montefiore Einstein Center of Cancer Care in the Bronx, New York, stated, “Obesity seemed to carry a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and death – even in women who were healthy at the time that they were diagnosed, and despite the fact that they received the best available chemotherapy and hormone therapy.”

This study found that despite optimal treatment, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, the increased body mass index — which usually corresponds to the body’s fat content — significantly increased women’s risk of cancer recurrence and death. Additionally, the more obese the patient is, the more likely they are to have breast recurrence and death from this cancer.

So what will I do with this new information?  I felt like I was sent back in time, 19 years ago, when my health was diminishing at 50.  I am so glad that I made the decision I did and my journey of health began.  Now I am being faced with another HUGE decision….My weight and high BMI score.  That is why I have made the decision to lose the necessary pounds to reach that optimal BMI and to do it before my 70th birthday!

I will be keeping track each week on my Facebook page.  Drop by and check on my “transformation!”  If you are interested in the clinically tested products I will be using for this weight loss journey, feel free to contact me.  The program includes Leucine, a muscle-building amino acid found in protein rich foods.   There are nine essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from our diet.  The phrase “Powered by Leucine” as used with this  weight loss program is trademarked by our company.   It  is a proprietary formula that helps you “keep the muscle you have, burn the fat you don’t need and lose inches you don’t want”. When you lose muscle, which we don’t want to do, your metabolism drops. So, you see why Leucine is so important.

Exercise, of course, is a big part of my program.  Each morning my daughter and I plan to go the YMCA to walk the track and use the weight machines.  It’s a great way to start the day.

I have several others who will be joining me on this “transformation journey” and we are going to be connecting each Monday evening 8:00 pm (EST) – 8:15 pm just to let each other know our challenges and triumphs!  If you would like to join us, here is the link to the meet-up room, Conference call #: 218-862-6114 Access Code: 063678.  These calls will begin on Monday, September 10th and continue weekly.

The choices we make every day lay a critical role in shaping our future health ~ scientific research confirms that losing weight, eating healthfully, smart supplementation, and minimizing exposure to toxic chemicals in the home can help reduce the risk of future health problems.  I look forward to celebrating many years to come, enjoying my grandchildren and great grandchildren!  Won’t you join me?

 

 

 

Tools for Anti-Aging

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Dec 142011
 

As I look at my little snowmen marching across my mantle, I cannot believe another year has passed.  The holiday season is upon us and I feel like summer had barely ended.

Is that what “getting old” does to us?   It doesn’t seem possible that the children in our lives are so grown up!  It makes me want to even more take the time to enjoy the present.

One thing for certain ~ I am paying more attention to ways I can improve and instill habits that will help me live healthier long into the future.  I loved this video by Dr. Oz where he shows us in just 7 minutes how we can get going.
I came across some interesting health trivia the other day ~

  • At age 20, our health is affected by genetics 80%, by the environment 20%
  • At age 30, genetics is a 50% factor in our health and the environment 50%
  • But, by age 50, genetics is responsible for only 20% of our health ~ the environment and our lifestyle choices contributes 80% to our health!
  • AND the average 50 year old weighs 15 to 20 pounds more than they did at 30

One of the things I have done consistently for the past 18 years is to take a protein shake each morning.  It is a complete meal for me (24 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, lactose free, non-GMO protein, gluten free, and low glycemic  index.  I often add frozen organic berries (which are filled with antioxidants and help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress).  At times I just mix it with water and add organic kale and berries for a “green shake.”

Taking a break in the afternoon with an Energy Tea Mix (I love my Pomegrante tea) is a great alternative to sugary snacks and coffee (particularly since I have had to give up coffee) for a quick energy lift.

Probably the most helpful addition to my diet has been to add a resveratrol and proprietary phytonutrient blend liquid dietary supplement each day.  I just learned that in a  well-designed human clinical study, (Cell Metabolism) researchers showed that taking a resveratrol supplement for 30 days significantly lowered multiple markers associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other chronic diseases.  This was very exciting new to hear about.

Of course we all know that stress plays a big role not only in the breaking down of our immune system   According to Deepok Chopra, M.D., in his book, Ageless Body, Ageless Mind, most of the time our cells are occupied with renewal ~ roughly 90% of a cell’s energy normally goes to building new proteins and manufacturing new DNA and RNA.  When the brain perceives threat, however, the process of building is set aside.  Whatever you decide to do in fight-or-flight situations, your body needs a massive burst of energy to propel your muscles.  To allow this, the normal style of metabolism that builds the body, called anabolic metabolism, converts to its opposite, catabolic metabolism, which breaks down tissues.  This adrenaline launches a cascade of responses ~ blood pressure rises,  muscles tense, breathing becomes shallow and rapid, sexual desire and hunger are suppressed, digestion stops,  and the brain becomes hyperalert.  At times this stress response is vital, but if not terminated in time, Chopra states that the effects of catabolic metabolism are disastrous, leading to such illnesses as hypertension, ulcers, impotence, wasted muscles, and diabetes,  all of which are common signs of aging

I just recently learned that processed meats such as bacon, sausage and hot dogs, all of which contain nitrates, may be linked to Alzheimer’s.  Perhaps that “fake bacon” is not so bad after all?  In a society that eats half of its meals at fast-food stands and runs record-high rates of obesity,, alcoholism, eating disorders, and crash dieting, we can see that improper diet is clearly linked with disease and premature aging.  Choosing a diet consisting largely of plant-derived foods, with occasional bits of meat and fish,  along with nuts, seeds and grains and certainly eliminating sugar as much as possible (average American diet contains 130# of sugar per year) can help add to our healthy years.

My other “tool” to avoid aging too fast has been to take care of my skin.  I chose a product that was nutrient based, pH balanced, never animal tested, always hypoallergenic, with no Parabens, FD&C or D&C dyes, Propylene glycol, animal products or by-products, mineral oils or petrolatum, Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate as well as no Phthalates.  As a result, my skin looks and feels great.

What about you ~ what are your “anti-aging tools?”  In closing I found this quote and found it very appropriate:

“People don’t grow old.  When they stop growing, they become old.”

The Current Buzzword….Prevention

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Jan 182011
 

Since we are at the beginning of a new year, I wanted to remind myself why I feel such a passion about the word prevention.  It truly motivates me.

I am one of those lucky few who have been able to reach my late 60′s without any drugs.  I attribute that to a decision I made 17 years ago to literally take control of my health myself.  When I read Dr. Frank Lipman’s statement about what it takes to prevent those familiar deadly chronic diseases such as diabetes 2 and heart disease, I realized what a wise decision that was.   I truly had become a “master of my own health,” simply by making a few lifestyle changes.

Dr. Frank Lipman, Integrative Physician, states, “In a true health care system, we must use modern western medicine for what it is good at -

(1)  crisis care

(2)  acute medical

(3)  surgical emergencies

and natural, non-toxic and non-invasive therapies whenever possible.

He further states that the most effective ways of preventing and treating most chronic diseases are:

(1)  Diet

(2)  Supplements

(3)  Exercise

(4)  Stress management and other benign modalities.

And herein lies the rub. Although guidance may be helpful, lifestyle changes can’t be imposed from above – they have to come from us.   There is no greater reward than being the master of our own health.”

With Americans spending more on health care every year than we do educating our children, building roads, even feeding ourselves, (an estimated $2.6 trillion in 2009, or around $8,300 per person), we need to begin taking personal responsibility for our own health and well-being, particularly when over 45 million Americans have no health insurance whatsoever.

Even the National Institutes of Health is advocating prevention. It has research that shows that type 2 diabetes..the most common kind of diabetes…is 100% preventable!  “It’s absolutely related to diet and lifestyle,” says Holly Lucille, ND, RN, a West Hollywood, California-based naturopathic physician.  “In fact, there have been clinical studies showing that diet alone can often be effective as a sole factor in treating and reversing diabetes.”

Losing a pound per week, a healthy, attainable goal, eating smaller meals throughout the day packed with dietary fiber (shown to slow the release of dietary glucose and increases tissue sensitivity to insulin) and walking just 30 minutes per day, five days per week, can reduce your chance of diabetes by 58%.  (57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, meaning their blood sugar is above normal and they’re at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes).

Another tip towards prevention is to watch your anxiety level.  Yoga, meditation, a nice long bath, or just a stroll out in nature can help eliminate unwanted stress.  When we get stressed  our blood pressure may rise,  and/or our body may release hormones that can increase insulin resistance, thus restricting the functioning of our pancreas.

I now look at prevention as my life insurance policy. I love spending time with my grandchildren and am so happy that I have the stamina to keep up with them.  When I was approaching my 50′s that was not the case.  I was not treating my body wisely.   Fortunately I took the time to educate myself about proper supplementation, diet and exercise and have never looked back.

I would love to see your comments on how practicing prevention is working for you.


Rally with Sally for Bone Health?

 Uncategorized  3 Responses »
Jan 072011
 

Most of us will recognize that smiling  female celebrity on those tv commercials,  constantly reassuring us about the perfect remedy for our bone loss.    Not only is she a very popular television series star,  but a spokeswoman for Boniva, a bone-density drug.  The market for such drugs is now estimated at $3 billion.  Is it any wonder we are constantly hearing the drug companies pitches to us through all those television commercials?

Now patients and health care providers are being warned about a clear link between  thigh bone fractures  and the long term usage of bone-strengthening drugs called bisphosphonates, like Fosomax, Actonel and Boniva.

I wonder how Sally Field feels about this latest news. It makes me think about Dorothy Hamill and Bruce Jenner, well-known athletes  who endorsed Vioxx (a pain relief drug that was recalled due to patients on it having heart attacks).  And then there was Lauren Hutton endorsing hormone replacement therapy.  (When doctors learned of  the benefits of high estrogen levels given before menopause to help protect women against osteoporosis, it was not known until much later (and many prescriptions given out) that estrogen may also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, not a very good tradeoff).

What causes osteoporosis in the first place that would create such a market for drug companies? According to Dr. Dean Ornish, osteoporosis is a disease caused by bone demineralization (depletion of calcium).     Calcium deficiencies usually are caused by two factors:  too little calcium in the diet, or too much excretion of calcium in your urine.  If either of these occurs, then your body begins to absorb calcium out of your bones in order to maintain a constant calcium level in your bloodstream.  Over time, your bones can become demineralized (depleted of calcium), leading to osteoporosis.  If the bones become sufficiently depleted, they fracture more easily, even from everyday activities.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs created to reduce the rate of osteoporotic fractures…fractures that can result in pain,  hospitalization, and surgery…in people with osteoporosis.   According to RADM Sandra Keweder, M.D., deputy director, Office of New York Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “The FDA is continuing to evaluate data about the safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonates when used long-term for osteoporosis treatment.  In the interim, it’s important for patients and health care professionals to have all the safety information available when determining the best course of treatment for osteoporosis.”   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recommending a labeling change and Medication Guide, reflecting the risk of thigh bone (femoral) fractures for those using bisphosphonates.

Back to Dr. Ornish’s “real cause of osteoporosis.” He believes it is not insufficient calcium intake, but excessive excretion of calcium in the urine.  Interesting to note that vegetarians excrete much less calcium, and this is why they have very low rates of osteoporosis even though their dietary intake of calcium is lower than those on a meat-eating diet.

To substantiate this even more, at the University of Texas Medical School at Dallas, scientists conducted a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 1988, comparing urinary excretion of normal subjects who were given two different diets:  one diet contained only vegetable protein while the other contained only animal protein.  Both diets had the same amount of protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium.

Urinary calcium excretion was 50 percent greater on the animal protein diet than on the vegetable protein diet.  The authors concluded that the inability of the subjects to compensate for the animal protein-induced loss of calcium in their urine might predispose them to develop osteoporosis as well as kidney stones.

Many of us are familiar with the work by Dr. T. Colin Campbell,  author of  The China Study. In his study of 6,500 Chinese, he found that although most Chinese consume no dairy products and obtain their calcium from vegetables, osteoporosis is uncommon in China even though the people there consume only half the calcium as Americans.  According to Dr. Campbell, “Ironically, osteoporosis tends to occur in countries where calcium intake is highest and most of it comes from protein-rich dairy products,” which cause the body to lose more calcium than consumed.  The U.S. has one of the highest rates of dairy consumption and calcium intake, yet has one of the highest rates of osteoporosis.  Makes me think of that famous commercial, “Got Milk?”

So what is the answer? Exercise of course has many benefits, one of which is increasing bone density so there is less risk of osteoporosis and fractures.   And eating one cup per day of nonfat milk or yogurt provides some extra calcium to help insure against osteoporosis without increasing protein intake excessively.    Consuming less animal products and focusing more on a plant-based diet can certainly help.

I have implemented the following 3 things into my lifestyle and do not “rally with Sally” for my own bone health!

  • I have chosen to exercise more (to let the bone know that the body is active and needs stronger bones)
  • I am making more plant-based diet choices
  • I supplement daily with  a comprehensive, easy to swallow supplement that provides 1,000 mg. of elemental calcium, 400 mg of magnesium and of course Vitamin D3, all that have been clinically proven to be absorbed.  (for the body to use calcium to build and maintain strong bones, calcium must first be absorbed)

What about you? What is your strategy to make sure you have good bone health?

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