Do you have the urpy burpy, too many barbecues or too much summer travel blues?

Your tummy ache solutions could include these medicinal herbs: 

Acidopholus/ Bifidus: Travelers diarrhea is more common than one might think – This particular brand guarantees half a BILLION live beneficial bacteria directly to the small intestine. A balance of healthy bacteria has been shown to boost the body’s natural defense capabilities.

(see detailed commentary below)

Peppermint/ Ginger:  Perhaps you get an upset stomach from driving, flying or boating.  Plan ahead for motion sickness. Using a blend of herbs including peppermint and ginger this product will ease motion sickness and it’s accompanying queasiness and nausea.

Senna:  Constipated?  The herb Senna, which has been used for thousands of years is a natural laxative.  Senna and several other herbs provide a gentle and effective colon flush – it does not cause “emergency” trips to the bathroom – just a gentle encouragement of the muscles of the colon to get things moving again. This product is a “signature” formula for this particular company.

Plant based digestive Enzymes:  Gassy? Bloated? Enzymes assist the digestion of all the foods you eat – many enzyme products are animal based – but this brand is a multi action plant based product – better digestion means better absorption of your food.

*Summer is upon us!  Some of us will be taking trips to foreign lands, and some will be hanging out in the yard around the Bar-B-Q pit. All of us will be adapting to the hot weather and the stresses of summer. Summer heat is perfect for the growth of bacteria, and some of us may succumb to digestive distress after eating.

The human body is continually protecting itself from the outside world. To shield itself from harmful environmental stimuli, the body employs our immune cells, biochemicals, organs and tissues. The complex interaction of these physiological systems produces our immunity. Some of these systems have dual roles: The digestive system, for example, not only extracts and absorbs nutrients from foods but also destroys pathogenic organisms that may be present in those foods!

Acidopholus/ Bifudus is an important addition to our diet for support of our immune function.  Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria species (probiotic organisms) have been shown to increase numbers of circulating lymphocytes, stimulate phagocytic activity of white blood cells, elevates antibody responses, and can increase production of immune-modulating chemicals such as gamma interferon. This particular probiotic product also contain the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS). FOS are carbohydrates that support the growth of probiotic organisms in the gastrointestinal tract. A recent study in Lancet showed that oligosaccharide molecules can bind to pathogenic microbes, thereby preventing their attachment to host cells.  (1)

Probiotics secrete anti-toxins that can help reduce the impact of exposure to agents that usually cause "traveler's diarrhea".  We tend to be resistant to the bacteria and viral agents that we have been exposed to in the past, once we have developed “antibodies” to them.  Eating strange foods, or drinking water from strange places can introduce new bacterial strains that our immune system may not have processed previously.  Using a Acidopholus/ Bifudus for a few months before taking that trip, to prepare our digestive tract for potential threats.

Over the last 10 years several investigative newspapers like the Washington Post and the LA Times have gone to “health food stores” and purchased cross-sections of popular supplements like Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, and St. John's Wort.  They tested them in independent labs and found that many of those products contained impurities, reduced, or non-existent levels of the active ingredients listed on the labels.  This finally forced the FDA to propose a new regulation to require current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) in the supplement industry. The proposed rule would, for the first time, establish standards to ensure that dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are not adulterated with contaminants or impurities, and are labeled to accurately to reflect the active ingredients and other ingredients in the product.  (2)

Evidence of the health benefits of lactobacillus and other probiotics – also known as “friendly bacteria” – is impressive. Many studies have investigated the role of various strains of bacteria in preventing and treating such illnesses as inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and even colon cancer. Last year the American Journal of Gastroenterology published an entire supplemental issue dedicated to the use of probiotics in disease treatment. (3)

Perhaps the most important function of probiotic organisms is to limit the growth of pathogenic organisms. These potentially harmful microbes naturally reside in the human intestinal tract but do not overpopulate when sufficient numbers of probiotic organisms are present. Probiotic bacteria not only compete with these pathogens for nutrients and space, they also secrete substances--lactic acid and other organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and potent antibiotic agents known as bacteriocins--that inhibit the growth of harmful organisms. Many studies demonstrate the ability of probiotics to antagonize pathogenic microbes and treat the intestinal infections caused by these harmful organisms. (4)

The statement "the best defense is a good offence" reminds me that taking Acidopholus/ Bifudus at this time of year is the most effective way to enjoy the summer without the risk of succumbing to food toxins.

REFERENCES:

(1)   A Nutritional Approach to Immunity

(2)   FDA Moves On Dietary Supplements

(2)   Probiotics Effective Against Viral Infections

(3)   A Probiotics Primer

*sourced from former newsletter


Flickr image credit - taken at the signapore zoo - too funny


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

 

        

One excellant barometer for an absolutely perfect summer day is the blueness of the sky and the fluffyness of the clouds.

When combined and viewed from an especially thick patch of grass laying flat on your back (that's what I did when I was little - did you?  ) It is totally what summer daydreams are made of.

Remember that the clouds are there, at least in my opinion anyway, to foster all that is dreamy about our world.

Take a moment and ponder.


Flicker Image Credit - blueness and fluffyness superbly rated

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 
 

        

Spending my morning at Stroger today -- Thought you'd appreciate an update



Surgery January 2009 - Ulna Shortening - Second of Three Casts



Therapeutic - Putty Thumbs Up July 2009

Progress is incremental, methodical, sometimes painful and frustrating.  I lack hand strength, and still swell alot. I think the swelling is what bugs me the most.  My rehabilitation is self guided. Proudly I haven't missed a session. I'm determined to get full use of my hand.

        

summer fruit taken by Karen

        

Do you wear  sunscreen?

Protecting your skin is no longer an option.

Some compelling statistics:

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US

Skin Cancers comprise more than 1/3 of all reported cancers

Melanoma is the second most common cancer of woman during their 20's

One blistering sunburn will quadruple your risk for getting skin cancer

Clothing, clouds and tree shade only block about 20% of UV rays

Low level UV sources halogen lamps, and flourescent fixtures, may increase skin cancer

UV rays are most concentrated between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

References to these statistics and other compelling data re: Skin Health

The revolutionary product I recommend is designed for all skin types, including the most sensitive skin. It's patented, waterproof, oil-free formula smoothes easily into your skin and absorbs quickly, without leaving a sticky residue. Soothing and moisturizing, it does not irritate the skin. It has a special ingredient system that contains antioxidant vitamins and botanicals. The formula offers BOTH UVA and UVB protection and adds an extra defense against premature skin aging. This protection is not offered by all sunscreens.

 

Ask any dermatologist what the number one skin care essential is, and they'll say a quality sunscreen with a high level of sun protection. Nothing is more important to the quality and health of your skin.

A bit of information about SPF.  The SPF provides a multiple for how much longer you can safely stay in the sun when wearing the product.  If you have very fair skin and you would typically burn in 5 minutes, an SPF 30 would provide you with 150 minutes in the sun before burning.  If you reapply at the end of the 150 minutes, you don't get another 150 minutes because your skin has already received as much sun as it can safely handle, and you should go indoors.  (High SPF is really critical for this type of person, in particular, because if the same person had only used SPF 15, he/she would only have 75 safe minutes in the sun.)

At the other end of the spectrum, if you have darker skin and it would typically take 12 minutes for your unprotected skin to burn, an SPF 30 would provide 360 safe minutes in the sun (6 hours).  For this person, reapplication IS important, because over the course of the 6 hours, some product will probably rub off/wear off due to sweating or swimming.

Be sure to add a sunscreento your every day skin care regime.



sunny sunflower flickr image credit


K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

        

        

Did you know that in the emergency room there is an actual term for the rash caused by typical dryer sheets known as "Bounce Blush"?

( this just horrifies me )

Natural Health Magazine featured a small blurb on dryer sheets it said:  

"Conventional dryer sheets coat clothes with wax and perfumes and are very slow to break down once they're discarded."  


Consider a 100% veggie-derived dryer sheet  that is completely  fragrance free, biodegradable, recyclable and effective.

Another hazard that many folks are not aware of is that the waxy build up from conventional dryer sheets leaves a residue on the lint screen that can actually cause fires! 

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer's lint screen?

Check out these informative comments from our local home inspector. 

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

My son's bike has a reputation.

He's very serious about his bike as his method for getting place to place. Gotta love his commitment to it. Rain, snow,subzero temps you will see him - on his bike. If he has places to go - his bike is what gets him there.

He picked up a rusted to heck green ten speed Schwinn, for $60 at Working Bikes Co-op. Someone had converted it to an 8 speed.  Already that's a tad odd.  He switched it out to fixed gear, added an aerospoke so that he'd never have to true a wheel again.  Recently the bike got a new seat.

The thing is a mutt.














photographs by karen

        

Someone told me that if you take a portabello mushroom and marinate it for DAYS, that it's exceptional grilled.  So I tried it, and sure enough. It was just superb. 

I began experimenting with stovetop grilling and found that I liked that too!

An even better trick is to create salad-centric meals and apply the marinade concept to meats/veggies as a plan ahead mechanism for ease of preparing summer meals. 

( like that word salad - centric ? It's a mother earth - ism )  

Salad - centric meals means meals centered around lots of salad and raw veggies. When it's this hot it's the perfect thing.  I make a plate of mixed greens, I usually include spinach, a bitter green of some sort; I am on an arugula kick right now and lots of raw veggies - I go for color, texture and variety. Fresh herbs are wonderful if you can clip them from your garden to add accordingly - dill, basil, chive, oregano, mint. parsley, cilantro - yum!

I purchased sirloin tip, cut into steaks at about 6.99 a lb, ( nice inexpensive cut - when marinated this meat is just astounding on the grill and perfect for steak salad.)  I also bought boneless chicken breasts for a cobb salad, and marinated extra of both to freeze once grilled for added convenience. Lastly I thickly sliced some summer squash to marinate.

Why am I saying all of this?

Tonight I prepared 2 marinades, am soaking a bunch of stuff overnight to do a super duper grill off tomorrow so then I will have like 4 meals ready to rock. Or 2 meals to eat and 2 to freeze.  

Great way to stay out of the kitchen and enjoy summer

Thai Marinade - I use this for the steak - it is applicable to anything really - it's my favorite - the hot pepper makes if very sassy

1 T fish sauce 
juice of one fresh lime
1 T soy
1 T of water 
fresh ground black pepper
1 serrano pepper sliced - today i used a red jalepeno
fresh cilantro 
3 cloves crushed garlic 

mix together, place meat or veggies in a shallow glass dish - never marinate in metal ( why is that ? someone told me that too )   pour over and cover

Citrus Marinade - I used this for the chicken and the summer squash

Juice of an orange
1 T white wine
1 T of soy
3 cloves crushed garlic
fresh ground white pepper
lots freshly grated ginger ( martha tip - keep fresh ginger bits in the freezer in a glass jar - grate when needed - fabulous way to have that fresh grated ginger taste all the time )

Mix together. Again place meat or veggies in shallow glass, pour marinade over and cover. 
 
Spice Rub -  I use this for chicken and turkey with the skin on

2 T of sweet paprika
1 teas of chile powder
1 teas of thyme

mix

oil fingers and rub on skin of the meat, rub in dry spices, add crushed garlic and peppers and rub, doing this the night before makes for great flavor - wash hands well, the pepper and chile powder in your eye is way not fun. Making a double batch of the dry spice part of this and keeping it in a jar is a great time saving tip also.

Happy Summer Grilling! 


marinade flickr image credit



spicerub flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD is part of our illustrious field team.

His credentials include:

BS in Biophysics Duke PHD, Biochemistry UCLA

Prof Biochemistry & Biophysics in Dept of Nutrition,

UNC Chapel Hill teaches Med Students. Runs an active Cancer Research Program

Published 95 Peer reviewed studies ( found in Medical journals plus 2 reviews & 2 chapters of one of the leading biochemical textbooks used by medical students today. )

Teacher of year, Medical Alumni Distinguished Teacher Professorship

What I enjoy most about Dr Chaney is the way he explains things.

The information below is sourced from one of his emails - thank you Dr Chaney for the resource that you are to the field

It's really hard to know who to trust in the food supplement industry.

Everyone claims that their product is backed by solid science. But most companies rely on "borrowed science"or "marketing science" to back their product.

What do I mean by " borrowed science"?

Simply put they are citing references that show that an ingredient in their product has a desired effect. They aren't actually doing studies with their product

Why is that important?

In some cases the reports are simply wrong. There have been several times that our Scientific Advisory Board have recommended that our company do their own studies before marketing the product.

They did. Products didn't work, and they never marketed it.  Examples include chromium picolinate and policosanol.

In each case studies showing that those ingredients didn't work were eventually published. In the meantime many other companies were making lots of money marketing products that didn't work.

We won't do that. We don't rely on borrowed science. We only market products that have been proven to be both safe and effective. That's part of our company difference.

So what do I mean by "marketing science"? By that I mean that when most companies actually do a clinical study with their products, they design the study solely with marketing in mind. They don't really care about the science. They just want to be able to make a marketing claim.

Again this is where our company stands head and shoulders above their competitors. We design our studies in such a way that they actually advance scientific knowledge.

The vitamin D study recently presented at the annual National Lipid Association meeting in Miami is a perfect example.

Several previous studies had suggested that vitamin D lowered the risk of heart disease, but nobody knew quite why.

Our scientists hypothesized that vitamin D might have a beneficial effect on HDL levels (which reduces the risk of heart disease) and metabolic syndrome (which increases the risk of heart disease). We worked with Dr. Kevin Maki of Provident Clinical Research in Glen Ellyn IL to test that hypothesis.

The Landmark Study, the first independent long term (20 year) study done by U Cal Berkeley, had already shown that people taking quality nutritional supplements on a regular basis generally had adequate levels of vitamin D in the blood.

Our company took blood samples from attendees at their 2008 New Orleans conference so that the study would have a large number of subjects with adequate vitamin D levels.

Dr. Maki then  recruited a number of non- quality supplement users from local clinics so that the study would also contain a significant number of subjects with low levels of vitamin D in their blood.

The results were striking! HDL levels increased as the blood levels of vitamin D increased and markers of metabolic syndrome decreased as blood levels of vitamin D increased.

This study cannot be used for marketing purposes because a claim that our supplements increased HDL levels would be a health claim. However, this study did advance the science around vitamin D and heart disease risk. We now have a better understanding of how vitamin D reduces heart disease risk. This is what I call "real science" as opposed to "marketing science",

Dr. Maki said: "Results from population studies suggest that a low serum vitamin D concentration is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and cardiovascular risk factors in a group that includes a large number of vitamin D supplement users."

 

 

        

Top Ten Nutrients that Promote Heart Health For Men

... plus a product for regulating cholesterol  

Multi/Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Independent clinical research concludes the completeness and bioavailability of this multiple vitamin. Shortage of levels of basic nutrients will put blood lipids out of balance. Also available w/o Iron and a superb over age 50 formula Multi-for seniors

Soy Protein A complete, low fat, low calorie protein drink mix that stabilizes blood sugar, rebuild cells and hormones. Isoflavones are the special substances in soy that help lower cholesterol, reduce risk of cancer, help control PMS and menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of kidney and gallstones. Our Soy Protein has been proven effective as reported in the Arteriosclerosis Journal of Medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine states 38 studies showing soy itself lowers cholesterol by 12 to 13% and 11.5% is LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Articles of interest and research re: soy and stroke

Acidophilus/Bifidus Friendly bacteria supports the growth of health microflora naturally found in the colon. Our product delivers a guaranteed 500 million live bifidus and acidophilus to the lower intestine. Acidopholus/ Bifidus lowers cholesterol in three ways:

1. Limits cholesterol production in the liver;

2. A healthy acid environment the probiodics converts cholesterol into a form the body cannot absorb;

3. Probiodics consume the cholesterol (like pac-man) and cholesterol is eliminated.

Fiber Our unique blend of four types of soluble fibers can significantly help you lower your blood cholesterol when combined with a low-fat diet. It is easy to add to your soy protein shake. Our Fiber has been clinically tested and proven at Stanford University School of Medicine. Two studies were reported in the American Journal of Cardiology that our Fiber lowered total cholesterol in just 4 weeks, by 15%; LDL (bad cholesterol) lowered by 22% and HDL (good cholesterol) stayed the same. For each 1% drop in total cholesterol you reduce your heart attack risk by 2%. This 15% decrease means that heart attack risk has been reduced by 30%. To get the amount of fiber in one serving of our Fiber, one would need to consume 20 slices of whole wheat bread or 6 apples or 3 ½ bowls of oatmeal. Get results with no side effects as found with  medications.

Essential Fatty Acids Reduces 3 risk factors for heart disease: reduces clots in blood vessels; lowers triglycerides and raises HDL (good cholesterol). Omega-3 fatty acids like those in cold water fish and EPA, play a role in the formation of prostaglandins, which are hormone like substances which regulate blood clotting, inflammation and normalize blood pressure. EPA is nature’s Teflon because it makes arterial walls more slippery and red blood cells more flexible, thus improves blood flow. Easier blood flow means the heart doesn’t have to pump as hard to move blood. That translates to lower blood pressure. Lecithin may also be added to the program when dealing with stubborn high cholesterol levels, as it emulsifies fat.

Articles of interest and research re: EFA's and stroke

B Complex Why do people with low cholesterol levels have heart attacks? The natural by-products of metabolism called homocysteine are collecting in the arteries. High levels of homocysteines, as reported by the New England Journal of Medicine creates a 30 times greater chance of heart attack no matter what cholesterol levels are. B vitamins especially folic acid, B6, and B12  totally protect you from high homocysteine levels. 90% of Americans are deficient in B complex. Stress, sugar and processed foods rob the body of B vitamins.

The B Vitamin niacin is one of the oldest & most effective treatments for high cholesterol. However it is best taken as a B-complex to prevent "niacin flush". Niacin is also needed for proper circulation, healthy skin & nervous system, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and in the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system.

Articles of interest and research re: B Complex

Vita-E  Heart disease risk factors are reduced by 30 to 40% when taking 400IU of Vitamin E. This study was done with 87,000 nurses and 35,000 physicians. One would have to consume 4 pints of peanut butter a day to get 400IU of vitamin E. Our Vitamin E, selenium and grapeseed extract deliver potent antioxidant protection from free radical cell damage. By preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and by protecting arterial walls, vitamin E is an important factor in promoting hearth health and in maintaining a normal cardiovascular system. Confused about News about Vitamin E ? Click here

Articles of interest and research re: Vitamin E

Our Calcium product Studies show that calcium and magnesium help balance the delicate ratio of minerals in our cells that affect blood pressure and the proper function of the heart. Cal-Mag also promotes the mineralizing of the skeleton system thus preventing osteoporosis.

Vita-C  Tufts University reports higher vitamin C levels relates to higher HDL levels. Vitamin C enhances the oxygen supply to the blood stream. It also protects supports the collagen of the cell. Our Vita-C contains the entire vitamin C complex (bioflavonoids etc) and is gently released continuously over a 24 hour period.

Garlic In addition to lowering cholesterol, garlic has also been shown to lower elevated blood pressure, triglycerides and blood glucose in diabetics. It acts as a natural antibiotic, protects the liver from toxins, kills intestinal parasites and is used as a treatment for colic when breast-feeding.

CoQ10 At least 35 controlled clinical trials in Japan, Europe and the U.S. have demonstrated the benefit of CoQ10 therapy in congestive heart failure, angina and ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. CoQ10 levels in heart tissue decline disproportionately with age. At age 20, the heart has a higher CoQ10 level than other major organs. At age 80 this is no longer true, with heart levels cut by more than half. CoQ10 pioneer Karl Folkers (1985), in agreement with earlier Japanese studies, found lower CoQ10 levels in patients with more severe heart disease and showed that CoQ10 supplements significantly raised blood and heart tissue levels of CoQ10 in these patients. Cholesterol medications deplete CoQ10.

Our Co-enzyme Q10 is up to 500% more bio-available than dry powder products, up to 333% more bio-available than soft gels

Articles of interest and research re: CoQ10

AND...

Our cholesterol regulating product is a unique blend of clinically proven ingredients that can help you retain normal cholesterol levels. This proprietary blend of natural ingredients inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol and increases HDL ("good") cholesterol. It does all this without interrupting production of coenzyme Q10, a nutrient important to heart health because it helps cells produce energy.

sourced from a former newsletter 

Heart health research articles: nutrition and heart disease


medical protocol flickr image credit

^{karen hanrahan | wellness educator and consultant | writer
nutrition ~ green clean ~ inch loss  ~ anti-aging}
 

        

Bless me Mother Earth for I have sinned, it's been absolutely ages since my last eco confession.

This post is for this month's Green Mom's Carnival. hosted by author Jenn Savedge at The Green Parent

These are just a few of my recent not so green ways:

My container garden with all my best grow my own food intention is overgrown with weeds. It doesn't help that it's rained and rained and rained.  As I have done in the past I plant my seeds and then typically ignore. I should be ashamed of myself. This time I stupidly planted seeds and then completely forget to write down what I planted in each container. As things started to sprout I found I didn't know which was a weed and which was the plant, now it's even harder to tell. Is that parsley??  I'll have to wait a bit longer to find out. I have enjoyed two types of lettuces and spinach from starts, and I think the seeds I planted will produce more leafy edible greens if the weeds don't crowd them out. Part of me thinks if I weed,  will I destroy half the garden by picking out the wrong thing?

Maybe I wasn't meant to be a gardener. Or maybe I should be more attentive and not take my garden for granted. Maybe when it isn't raining I should get out there and weed the darn thing

In preparation for my move....yes, I am moving!! ( more on that in a later post ) I have purchased the forbidden plastic bags, my favorite moving trick of the century, my last black plastic bag purchase was seven years ago.  I have purchased oodles of tape and will use oodles of tape. I find I am absentmindedly leaving all my lights on, running all my fans and occasionally I have eaten take out food for convenience sake.

I could be making my own mayo, mustard, salad dressings, and yogurt...but as I look at the inside of the fridge I  think about using things up. Not making more. The less food stuff I have to move - the better

I am decidedly purchasing food for snacking, grazing, quick cook and grab and go. It's not about being domestic queen right now. Yet the more I have on hand the less temptation there is to get something " to go"

In all my effort to get rid of, purge eco mindedly,  I am finding my patience is absolutely nil, yesterday I put things to curb - plastic things, things that I know someone else might find of use and thankfully someone did pick them up.  I felt bad however because if someone didn't find them useful and take them,  then my garbage would have just been something else added to the landfill.

I have resourced a friend who is hosting a Craig's list sale for me. I could just kiss her for her help. She asked that I take pictures and I find myself completely overwhelmed. How did I accumulate so much?  There is so much to sell. I'll be truthful -- It would be a heck of a lot easier to just pile the porch for Amvets to pick it all up instead. Give me the strength to strive forward please - couldn't it just be a tad easier to be green?

In the positive way to go green mama category, I am using packing boxes that I have had since 1985. I kid you not, I am packing in boxes that I have had for 24 years - I am also re-using packing newsprint.  I have been blessed that where ever I move I have the storage to hold onto these items. Since 1985 I have moved eight times and those really great dish pack and wardrobe boxes have been rather handy! 

Finally, this move has me putting on the car mileage. With money being incredibly tight and or flying out the window at the speed of light I have not yet planted trees to offset.  

Once I have settled in --I will calculate the mileage and do some offset planting.  I promise.



flickr image credit

        

What You Need To Know About Metabolic Syndrome

Thank you to Dr. Jamie McManus MD, FAAFP for this informative health bulletin

You’ve been told you have high blood pressure and maybe your blood sugar is higher than it should be (but you don’t have diabetes yet). You are also carrying that “spare tire” around your waist. If so, you may actually have something called Metabolic Syndrome. Also known as Syndrome X or Insulin Resistance Syndrome, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that together increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Having just one of these conditions – high blood pressure, central obesity, elevated cholesterol or blood sugar – contributes to your risk of these serious diseases. However, when present in combination your risk increases exponentially.

Research into the complex underlying process linking this group of conditions is ongoing and as the name suggests, metabolic syndrome is linked to the body’s metabolism and in particular to something called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when the body can’t use the hormone insulin efficiently. Insulin is made by the pancreas and is responsible for transporting glucose from the blood into cells of the body where it can be further utilized. Some people are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance but many people develop insulin resistance as a direct result of being overweight, like excess body fat (especially around the waist), and physical inactivity.

Not all experts agree on the exact definition of metabolic syndrome. But physicians have talked about this combination of risk factors for years and regardless of how it’s exactly defined, this collection of risk factors appears to be becoming more and more common. Risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome include: age (increased prevalence with age but it does occur in school aged children too); race – Hispanics and Blacks seem to be a greater risk than other races; obesity – a BMI of >25 and an apple vs. pear body shape; family history of type 2 diabetes or a history of diabetes during pregnancy. In addition, having other diseases such as hypertension or polycystic ovarian syndrome also contributes to an increased risk. Today, it is estimated that over 50 million Americans have metabolic syndrome.

The American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommend that the Metabolic Syndrome be identified as the presence of three or more of these components:

1. Elevated waist circumference:
Men – equal or greater than 40 inches
Women – equal or greater than 35 inches

2. Elevated blood triglycerides:
Equal to or greater than 150 mg/dL

3. Reduced HDL (“good”) cholesterol:
Men – less than 40 mg/dL
Women – less than 50 mg/dL

4. Elevated blood pressure
Equal to or greater than 130/85 mm Hg

5. Elevated fasting glucose:
Equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL

If you know you have at least one of these risk factors you could have the others and just don’t know it, so it’s well worth checking in with your doctor and asking about whether or not you should be tested for other components of this syndrome.

Whether you have one or all of the five risk factors, diet, weight management and lifestyle are the place to start. Committing to a healthier diet, getting more physical activity, losing weight and if you smoke, quitting can help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Smoking cigarettes increases insulin resistance and blood pressure and worsens the health consequences associated with Metabolic Syndrome. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program today.

Your diet should be balanced and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein foods like fish and white meat chicken. It’s important to cut back on foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Avoid fast foods, sugar laden sodas and cut down the use of the salt shaker. To boost your physical activity level – find activities you really enjoy and set a goal to engage in moderate intensity activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, or swimming for 30 to 60 minutes a day, most days of the week. If you haven’t been very active recently, have physical limitations or a chronic health condition, talk to your doctor first about the right exercise program for you. Start slow and gradually increase the frequency and duration of your activity.

Do you have a lot of weight to lose? Don’t worry, even losing as little as 5 to 10% of your body weight can significantly improve how your body uses insulin (increases insulin sensitivity), can also lower your blood pressure, raise your HDL (“good”) cholesterol and decrease your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Supplements can provide additional value when dealing with Metabolic Syndrome. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to healthier triglyceride and blood pressure levels. Magnesium supports healthy blood pressure too - and more than 80% of Americans may be deficient or consuming inadequate amounts. For weight management, soy protein based meal replacement shakes along with key nutrients such as chromium and green tea catechins should become a part of your daily life. And remember, as you make these lifestyle changes be sure to work with your doctor to monitor your weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels to make sure your lifestyle changes are working.

double middle aged male trouble flickr image credit

 

        

Once upon a time there was a food guide pyramid, in it's wisdom the guide said that if you eat like this every single day you will have all the nutrients you need to be healthy.

If.

In review:

You need 5-6 servings of 100% whole grains.

( how many folks do you know that eat this much bread or pasta,  and that all of it is quality whole grain ? )

You need 5 veggies a day.

( celery, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms don't really count - variety is key, deeply rich in color and substantial vegetables preferred - yesterday I had red pepper, green beans, yellow squash, raw spinach, onions and garlic - organics provide nutrient density and veggies not tainted with chemicals - organic consumption is on the rise and something I am happy to spend my consumer dollars on ) 

How about you? Have you had your 5 lately?

3 fruits - every single day.

( Fruits tend to be easy to consume, but are you having 3 every single day? I had watermelon yesterday. OOPs I forgot the other 2 servings - whew - good thing I took my high quality multi-vitamin)

Dairy - 3 servings daily.

(This is so we get calcium. We are the most osteoporotic nation in the world - are we really getting enough calcium in our diet ? Through dairy consumption?  I say we are not.)

Protein - meat, poultry, fish and legumes. 3 Servings. 

(When was the last time you had legumes? We are a protein deficient nation. Protein ideally should be present at all 3 meals. Most of our protein sources are tainted with heavy metals, anti-biotics and growth hormones. 70% of the antibiotics sold in this country goes into animal feed. Stop eating, or don't eat enough in this category and you are missing a very important ingredient needed for cell rebuilding)

Folks just don't eat the above way each and every day.  If they do, the main stream grocery foods they purchase are tainted, have traveled 3000 miles, have been picked way too early, gassed to ripeness, often they are from other countries and pesticide ridden, They are grown in nutrient depleted soil.  Allergies have eliminated for some entire portions of the food guide pyramid.

What happens to your bones when you don't eat dairy anymore?

Health experts agree, according to JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association, every adult should supplement their diet with a high quality multi-vitamin to assure and maintain good health. Research shows that intake of additional nutrients strengthens the immune system and promotes long term health

I call it daily nutritional insurance.

Our high quality multi-vitamin provides 23 essential vitamins and minerals at clinically proven levels. 

Comprehensively it's the most perfect multi-vitamin on the planet. No more, no less. 

Let's talk about the typical one a day. You know the one you might be taking now that you picked up at Costco, Target or Walgreens. Is it complete? Is it petroleum sourced? ( many are- especially the low cost ones - that means they are coal tar derived or are made from the same stuff that paves our streets ) Is it bio-available, meaning does it absorb into the blood stream or is it too compressed ? Most manufacturers push and press way too much into one pill, the one a day concept is for convenience - not for bio-availability, and certainly not for health. 

The multi-vitamin product I advocate is a 2 a day deal, sourced from foods, manufactured with low heat, pressed just enough to tablet, available into the blood stream very efficiently. 2 a day. That nutritional insurance thing.

Our product has:

5 x more beta carotene
2 x more vita e
2 x more vita c
3 x more selenium
2 x more calcium
6 x more boron
2 x more magnesium
3 x more vita k
10 x more biotin 

than any other brand.

The food guide pyramid below is for the native American Indian - it touts more grain - almost double, and shows pictures of deer and rabbit as protein sources, it adds a little cacti for good measure. I added it here because I think it's kindof cool, it also teaches where one might find added sugars and fats.  






native food guide flickr image credit 


There is a completely different food guide pyramid for the elder citizen, it's emphasis is on water - most seniors don't drink enough water, dehydration is huge - it insists also in adding B Complex and Vitamin E in the form of a nutritional supplement.

The food guide below is owned by Harvard Medical School, It acknowledges the need for essential fatty acids, it touts the importance of exercise, and weight control, and says to eat red meat, butter, refined grains and sugared drinks sparingly - This food guide pyramid recommends a high quality multi-vitamin,

I personally think adding alcohol in moderation confuses folks. Take your resveratrol instead.



flickr image credit and copyright info

Are you taking a high quality multi-vitamin daily?

Based on the information above would you like to? 

Please consider me as a resource for guidance and superior product recommendations.

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Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

I bought this purse at a garage sale for a song. I have never been into purses however this purse helped me understand how one could totally get into purses. I absolutely LOVE this purse. I love the way it looks, the size of it, the way it clasps, falls open for me to view and manage it's contents. I love it's handles and when I carry it -- I feel pretty darn spiffy! I especially enjoy how summery it looks!

I have had woman offer me money for this purse. One woman offered me $300!

Imagine that ...

purse envy!

It's not for sale.




pics taken by Karen

        

Keeping up with this month's theme of Men's Health. I wanted to share some  great information about the medicinal herb Saw Palmetto.

sourced from a article shared with the field

One of the most common health issues for men, with onset beginning for some by the late 20's, is "benign prostatic hyperplasia" (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland, which causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms as men get older.

The prostate is a muscular gland associated with reproduction, which is walnut shaped, and is surrounded by a tough fibrous capsule. The gland is stimulated to grow (or "hypertrophy") by the male hormone testosterone.

The natural solution for BHP is the medicinal herb Saw Palmetto  

Health problems arise from the fact that the urethra passes through the center of the prostate. When it hypertrophies (enlarges), the outer capsule prevents the muscle from expanding, and this compression of tissue encroaches on the space occupied by the urethra, and traps the urethra, causing the typical urinary symptoms .

Those urinary symptoms include decreased force and caliber of the urine stream, urinary hesitancy at the start, feelings of urgency, post-void dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder leading to increased need for frequency, dysuria (discomfort), and nocturia (up and down all night).

The standard pharmaceutical therapy for BPH is the drug Proscar® (finasteride), a 5-AR inhibitor.

A six-month, double-blind study of 1,098 BPH patients over 50 years of age compared Proscar (5 mg per day) with a standardized Serenoa extract (160 mg.). Both treatments decreased BPH symptoms equally, and improved quality of life. ¹ In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 110 BPH patients, 160 mg of a standardized Serenoa extract significantly improved nocturia, dysuria, post-voiding residual urine, flow rate, patient self-rating, and the physician's overall assessment.²

In an open trial, 67 percent of patients on Serenoa described their subjective symptom relief as "excellent", while 25 percent characterized their relief as "good".³ No side effects or toxicity were noted. The first American randomized clinical trial of saw palmetto showed that the plant also reduces swelling in enlarged prostate tissue. The study was published in the March 1999 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Urology.

According to Dr. Leonard Marks, the study's lead investigator and clinical associate professor in the Department of Urology with the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, "The 21 participants who supplemented their diet with saw palmetto were satisfied with the results. In fact, 19 elected to continue supplementing after the study concluded. I believe urologists may now consider saw palmetto a viable, natural, alternative treatment for many men with BPH."

¹ Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia; A randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate 1996;29:231-240.

² Champault G, Patel JC, Bonnard AM. A double-blind trial of an extract of the plant Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Pharmac 1984:461-462.

³ Carreras JO. Novel treatment with a hexane extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Arch Esp de Urol 1987;40:310-313.

 "Analytical Accuracy and Reliability of Commonly Used Nutritional Supplements in Prostate Disease" (J Urol 2002; 168 (1) Jul: 150–154)   Canadian researchers decided to "determine the analytical accuracy and reliability of commonly used nutritional supplements for amounts of active ingredients of several brands of vitamin E, vitamin D, selenium, lycopene and saw palmetto. They also compared the amounts of active compound in different lots of the same brand to determine the consistency of the manufacturing process."

What they found was that "commonly used nutritional supplements for prostate disease vary widely in measured dose. Saw palmetto demonstrated tremendous variability with some samples containing virtually no active ingredients. "

Blogger's Note: As  you have read here  not all Saw Palmetto supplements are created equal.

Be sure to find a brand that selects the very best raw materials, uses standardized formulations and delivery methods.  

If your having symptoms of BPH,  I can tell you that the many male  clients who take  our Saw Palmetto have been pleased with the results very satisfied

Testimony:  I'm at the age where Saw Palmetto has improved the quality of my life, and it's a great relief (excuse the pun!) to know that your  quality Saw Palmetto is guaranteed to be an accurate, pure and uniform dose, from capsule to capsule and from bottle to bottle.

Other quality saw palmetto research

flickr image credit - love this!

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

 

        

Ladies - if your man looks like the one below, perhaps he's got some hormone balancing to manage!

Gentleman - perhaps there is an actual physical reason for the energy you seem to have lost.

Andropause is the male version of menopause. It's caused by a reduction of the male hormone testosterone. 

When I went to look it up on the internet one of the symptoms included falling asleep in front of the TV. Ha!

Pretty classic- don't you think ?

The medical approach to Andropause is hormone replacement therapy, the risk of which, could cause prostate cancer.  Often Dr's will treat additional symptoms separately, however treating one thing like depression - a common andropause symptom with drugs can actually exasperate the sexual dysfunction men also experience with andropause.

From a nutritional consulting perspective I have assisted many woman through menopause - but not a single male has ever inquired about andropause and the natural approach.

We don't have a section at our nutrition website that accommodates this stage of life for men

It's like a big mystery. 

Andropause symptoms include:

Decreased mental quickness and sharpness

Decreased energy, strength and endurance

Less desire for activity and exercise

Decreased muscle and increased body fat

Mild to moderate depression and irritability

Depression and/or loss of eagerness and enthusiasm for daily life

Decreased sex drive

Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity

This website speaks to the fact that men being men and all, really don't discuss this concern. It's not the manly thing to do, men don't need help being male. Please note that I am not endorsing the products mentioned on this site, how could I ? I have no experience with them, however I did find this site very informative.

If I had a chance to work with a male client suffering from Andropause, I'd offer information on high quality nutritional supplements that support brain function, enhance blood circulation,  increase bone density and safe standardized medicinal herbs that are known to promote vitality.

These would be a few of my nutrient and herbal suggestions:

BComplex
Zinc
Lecithin
Calcium/Magnesium
Vitamin E
Anti-oxidants
CoQ10
Gingko Biloba
Ginseng
Saw Palmetto
Soy Protein



classic andropausal male flickr image credit


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

Summer is a Great Time for Sports Nutrition Products 

Are you exercising more now that it's summer?  Perhaps casually;  on your bike, taking walks, or creating your annual garden?  Maybe you are an amateur athlete in volleyball, baseball leagues or preparing for a tri-atholon? 

Sports nutrition products can help hydrate you or relieve those aching, tired muscles.

Not all sports hydration products are created equal!  Some are loaded with artificial sweeteners, food dyes and  high in sodium. Some have marketing science behind them vs clinical trial science and worst of all many are very trendy if not down right dangerous.

The hydration product I recommend is 67% more effective than Gatorade. We use this beverage alot in the summer time - I even mix it in with diluted juice for excellant homemade popsicles. The team pack designed for 5 gallon containers is an exceptional bargain.

For muscle repair, or basically when you ache all over because you just picked all the thistles in the back yard. Try a product that by design fuels repairs and rebuilds muscle tissue...so that you can go finish that thistle picking again tomorrow. This product helps increase lean body mass and is a safe, effective alternative to steroids.   While excellant during the summer it's also great after shoveling snow!!

Other uses for a hydration or muscle repair products include delivering a baby, post surgical procedures, or when struck with virus or flu.

Snack Bars. Many on the market are sourced poorly, high in sugar, don't deliver well to the bloodstream or worst yet taste like cardboard.  A snack bar can be handy dandy energy boost during training or for on the go lifestyles.

We eat these for snacks or we like this one for a 15 gram source of protein when we know we might have to skip a meal or something.

Glucosamine is a well researched nutrient that helps rebuild cartilage. This particular product offers a whopping 1500 mg of glucosamine, without the high sodium chondrotin often found in other brands .  

Pain Relief Cream - a friend of mine told me that when she knew she was standing on her feet all day especially working a convention or walking on all cement floors that she would use this cream on her feet. I thought what a great idea!! I also know alot of my athletetic clients  really appreciate the deep liposome delivery.

 

I enjoy being a resource for all your wellness needs. Those seeking an athletic edge might enjoy my complete sports nutrition information sheet. I'll  be happy to send it to you.


sculpture in running motion flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

 

 

        

This E - Newsletter comes to you on or around the 5th of each month because you either requested it, gave me permission to send it to you, or I thought you might find it of interest. If for any reason you'd like to no longer receive this communication - please reply accordingly.

I have great regard for your time - thank you for allowing me to be a resource for you.

Health-E NEWS June 2009

Announcements

A friendly reminder: nutrition consultations are by phone appointment

If my voice mail alerts you to my goofy summer schedule it's best to leave a message. That way you will get a return call from me.

Topic of the Month - Men's Health

I have fewer male clients than female clients. Why is that? Many say purchasing power in general is ruled by woman. I know because lots of my male clients tell me that their wife or girlfriends makes those decisions.

That's OK by me - just introduce me to your wife or girlfriend!

The guys I work with are discerning consumers. 

My company and our products have earned their trust …They are fiercely loyal and I appreciate that. 

My male clients tell me that I educate and offer quality factual information so that they can make their own best choices - I think that's pretty cool.

In June I will addresss as many  male health challenges as I can. .

This hot off the press:

Why would an endurance runner extraordinaire who has been saluted by Outside magazine as "America’s Greatest Runner". Hailed as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential People in the World" by TIME magazine and whom Men’s Fitness says may be the "fittest man on the planet" partner with a nutrition company ?

Because Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner relies on quality sports nutrition products to fuel his race winning performances.

"My philosophies are aligned with this companies philosophies. Not only do I believe in quality, but in authenticity of products. I think this company, more than any other nutrition company I have worked with, thoroughly researches their products," said ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, "I believe in them. That’s why it’s a great honor for me to be affiliated now with the # 1 Nutrition company in the United States, and I look forward to years of development and growth ahead."

"For more than 50 years, backed by the best that science and nature have to offer, our company has set the standard for natural nutrition, powering today’s elite athletes," said Roger Barnett, CEO and Chairman, , "We are so proud that an accomplished top athlete like Dean is using clinically-proven nutrition products as part of his regimen."


Stay Hydrated: According to a study published in 2006 in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 46% of exercisers are likely to go to the gym dehydrated. Dehydration reduces aerobic endurance and can result in increased body temperature, increased heart rate, disorientation, and
even physical collapse! Karnazes stays healthy and hydrated by drinking a quality hydration product.

Eat a Light Meal Before Your Workout: Eating a large meal prior to a workout may leave you feeling sluggish or with cramps because your muscles and digestive system are competing for energy sources. To the contrary, not eating can result in hunger or low blood sugar levels leaving you feeling weak or faint. For optimal performance, Karnazes eats a quality snack bar  or meal-in-a-bar one to two hours prior to his workouts - both are powered by Leucine® to help preserve muscle mass.

Replace Protein After a Workout: To stick to your training regimen, help enhance recovery from exercise by drinking a quality muscle repair product after your workout. This gives you the nutrients you need to rapidly recover and repair muscle tissue after exercise. Whey Shakes are also a perfect post-workout option. Whey protein is one of the richest known sources of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids, including leucine which plays a critical role in muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth.

Keep your Joints Healthy: Getting that last mile in, struggling for that last weight-lifting rep, or playing that extra game of tennis can all be tough on joints. Joint health can be affected by many factors, including exercise and simple day-to-day activities. A quality glucosamine joint repair product is a key building block for larger molecules such as proteoglycans, which give cartilage elasticity, strength and resiliency.

Daily Nutrition is Key: Athletes need to make sure that their bodies are in top form and that means getting important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients every single day. Karnazes is always traveling, so our ultimate daily nutrient strip play a vital role in ensuring that he gets the nutrients he needs because when he’s on the road, it’s hard to eat as well as he’d like to. This scientifically advanced product contains more than 20 antioxidant compounds in its formulation and pure, powerful omega-3 fatty acids, but it also offers a comprehensive approach to nutrition and health that can translate into better nutrition and improved vitality.

Karnazes is author of the best-selling autobiography Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner


dean karnazes with a little help from photoshop flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

When my daughter was born she nursed fast and furiously. It was as if she had places to go -- people to see. She was a child who wanted to do absolutely everything. Fearless. Precocious.Talented. Utterly Joyful. 

Turns out my daughter is a very passionate and confident performer. Poise, grace, charm, humorous and dramatic are just a few of the words I'd use to describe her

She plans to dive into acting studies this upcoming fall.

Recent weeks have been full of performances, recitals, awards and remembrances - all of which have found me bursting with joy and pride.  One performance was a dance for the baccalaureate ceremony.  Since she's only officially studied dance in gym class the experience was utterly unexpected

My daughter enrolled the entire audience in a whimsical, animated, playful and remarkably joyful series of movements. Her face in particular shared with all of us, hey I'm totally having fun here...It had me weep it was so positively joyful

The dance reminded me of how she still is able to be expressed and true to her inner child

Man oh man what an example she is

When she did these drawings below, between the ages of three and five, her teacher pulled me aside.  She said not all students do belly buttons, fingers for hands, eyebrows or acknowledge that the body has a top and bottom. She emphatically stated - SAVE THESE  -- they are positively precious. I did save them, along with many
( probably way too many ) other what I view as absolutely precious creative expressions.  

These however are especially precious because they are her in every way

Expressed!

Happy High School Graduation --  my dear daughter!! Love, Mama













drawings by kate

        

I had the opportunity to write an article for a sassy organizer who wanted to tuck in a bit of green into her newsletter, what a fun writing project ! 

In writing the piece below we wanted clients not to feel overwhelmed.

There is certainly enough of that in the world already 

Greening your garage requires organizing too 
By Karen Hanrahan

If you are beginning to ponder greener pastures with regards to your garage, consider taking an inventory of what’s actually in your garage and see where shifts can be made. Be mindful that going green is a gradual process. Incremental steps are better than doing nothing at all.

Should you consider a clean sweep, Pure Organization is here to help

Not sure what your attitudes are ?

Values regarding how green you want to be are very individual. Certainly today you have more eco-conscious products available to you than ever before. Determining your personal philosophy is about identifying products and techniques that accomplish your goals while not harming the environment.  

Toxic products

▪ If you have toxic products are they stored safely?

▪ Are you prepared to replace them with green alternatives?

▪ Do you know where or how to dispose of toxic products?  

Recycling

▪ What could you do differently to make your recycling efforts more productive?

▪ Are you aware of how to properly dispose of various electronics ?

▪ Did you know that CFL lbulbs have mercury in them and are not curbside recyclable?

Gardening

▪ Would you consider mulching, composting and collecting rainwater?

▪ Have you considered natural pest control?

▪ What power tools could be replaced by hand tools?  

Seasonal needs

▪ Are there lawnmowers that are more eco friendly?

▪ What snow salts are less harmful to the environment?

▪ Could I start riding my bicycle again? 

Useful websites:

Earth 911

American Horticultural Society

Where to recycle those curly bulbs?

Green Cleaning Products

Blog: Best of Mother Earth

Pure Organization



Karen Hanrahan is a wellness educator/consultant, author of the Blog: Best of Mother Earth, and is an advocate of the green movement.  

 

        

It's that time of year when it's definitely hot enough to enjoy popsicles again. I have always been a tad horrified by those plastic tubes with food dye colored popsicle treats.  

Something that turns your mouth blue just doesn't seem very natural. 

The expense of alternative fruit juice pops has always seemed too high.

For years and years we make our own popsicles by combining water diluted fruit juice with a hydration product - today we made orange mango ones! 

What makes our popsicles more nutritionally valid is we add a remarkable sports nutrition hydration product .  

When it gets this hot, you feel limp. Electrolytes get lost. Water is hydrating,  but a quality sports nutrition product hydrates you faster and restores your energy.

The list of high powered and impressive athletes who rely on our sports nutrition for their winning edge is amazing.

The history of the design of this high quality hydration product is pretty darn cool

This product was designed to fuel an athlete on a 72 mile human powered airplane flight over the Agean Sea, called the Flight of the Daedalus.

Comes in delicious orange and lemon lime flavors and a very cost effective sports team pack.



flickr image popsicle stick credit


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

The sun these days causes damage to your skin - that's a no-brainer.

The only thing that ages or damages the skin more than the sun is exposure to the sun PLUS exposure to environmental pollutants.

Do we all get exposed to environmental pollutants ? 

Do you ever go outside? 

These pollutants turn into free radicals on our skin.

When free radicals attack your skin, a complex chain reaction occurs. 

Products containing small amounts of a few anti-oxidants only partially address this equation and are simply not enough to stop the damage that contributes to what we know as accelerated aging.

Want protection?  

Look for a sunscreen that combines patented broad - spectrum UVA and UVB protection. One that has true anti-oxidant protection.

The sunscreen that I personally use has a proprietary combination of  anti-oxidant ingredients that offers a breakthrough approach with a synergistic, comprehensive, highly derma-available complex that is designed to actually break each link in the chain of free radical damage.

(wow,  that's a verbal mouthful plus a whole lot of sun protection)

It filter's out the sun's harsh rays to help prevent skin damage.

It provides a very high protection against sunburn for blondes, redheads and fair-skinned persons.

It's non-irritating, especially designed for sensitive skin.

Perhaps you'd enjoy this profound plant-based highly protective sunscreen as part of your skin care program.

Don't forget that your  lips need sun protection too

when I was young, oh ever so long ago, I soaked up the sun big time.  As a teenager I felt invincable ( remember that ? ) Oh, I don't need sun protection.  I did get wise when I was pregnant for the first time actually, so I thought, and started to use a sunscreen when I was beaching it.  

I used a sun protection product that had been sitting for a year ( leftover from the summer before)  and got a terrible reaction.  I was told I had formaldhyde poisoning - the preservatives used to pickle the sunscreen had pickled me ! I still have the bleaching and scarring on my arms. To this day I am now ultra careful in the sun, but since that occurance I have had sun poisoning symptoms several times. All of this is because of the type of chemical I had applied to my skin that I thought was protecting me - didn't. This topic is really important to me. There are so many chemicals in typical skin care products - it's frightening.

If and when you do get "bit " by the rays I use this as my "after" sun relief product,  (please note the clinicals for this product) This serum is great on bug bites, rashes and wind burns too.

For every day care and protection of your face I use this 5 in one product.  It falls into the anti-aging category with loads of nutrients that are actually available to the skin.

I love this quote , "I don't know what's in this stuff,  but it's feeding my face!"


sunshine flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

 

        

My dog has been away since December while I recovered from surgery.

We missed her tremendously, visited when we could, and were truly blessed that the family that cared for her loved her as much as we did.

The other day we brought her home and my daughter documented the ride.
 
This pictoral essay just cracks me up.














note the mouth flapping in the wind

        

Why Take Care Of Your Face? Because You Are Beautiful!

Use Plant Based Nutrient Rich Anti-Aging Skin Care

Why Cleanse?
To remove dirt without stripping precious natural oils

Why use Cleansing Masks?
Occasional deep cleansing – goes beyond the surface layers

Why Refine or Polish?
To remove surface dead skin cells 

Why Tone?
To pick up traces of cleanser left behind, to prepare for treatment or moisture, turn off iron in the tap water

Why Treat your skin?
To encourages cell turnover, to brighten dark circles and spots, to minimize lines and wrinkles, to recaptures firmness and softness , to protect the skin from photoaging.

Why Moisturize?
To quench your skins thirst for moisture, minimize fine lines and wrinkles                                                                                                              

Look for these healthy features in your product purchases:

•Water free
•Products specifically designed for the eye area
•Plant based products
•Oil free
•Soap free
•Dermatology tested
•Won’t clog pores
•Not tested on animals
•No animal derived ingredients

Avoid these ingredients in your product purchases:

•Animal derived ingredients/testing
•Avobenzone – preservative found in sunscreens that decomposes when exposed to UV light
•Oils – mineral and vegetable – moisture sealants – block skins natural oils
•No soap – high alkaline – often animal derived
•No isopropyl palmitate – guaranteed to induce black heads
•No propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate – these ingredients are questionable –   carcinogenic
•No dyes – not necessary in any product – can irritate skin
•No DEA – common foaming agent – currently under investigation by the NTP (National Toxicology Program)
•Fragrances other than those that are hypoallergenic

Finally, This was me, I developed systemic candida and severe allergies to fragrances - I believe the preservatives listed below were part of what contributed to my ill health 

•No imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quartnium 15 – common preservatives that “out gas” releasing formaldehyde – sensitivity to formaldehyde is on the rise – may provoke auto immune response




whimsical floral image flickr sourced

 

 

        

ACNE

Acne can have a genetic component

All adolescents experience some form of acne in their teenage years

50% of all adults suffer from this persistent condition

Acne is a complex cycle of events…

( I found the description below, sourced from a field plant based anti-aging skin care  document,  absolutely faascinating.  After reading this cycle it makes one want to wash your face,  doesn't it? )

1. Begins with the sebaceous gland ( found at the bottom of the hair follicle) this gland produces an excess of sebum

2. This natural skin oil travels up the hair follicle and spreads on the skin’s surface – the result sometimes is merely oily skin

3. The sebum becomes degraded from the ever present microorganisms – as the sebum continues to degrade the chemical byproduct this causes skin cells lining the hair follicle to fall off – The sebum and shedded skin cells create a plug at the opening of the hair follicle or pore

4. If the plug does not completely block the pore it becomes darkened – known as a blackhead

5. If the plug is completely blocked and no air can get in or the sebum can’t get out then a whitehead is formed

6. In this lovely low oxygen environment another type of microorganism thrives propionibacterium acnes (p.acnes) and begins to flourish.

7. This microorganism further degrades the trapped sebum creating skin irritating chemicals that cause redness often associated w/ acne

8. Free radical reactions also occur in the sebum resulting in more damage to the cells lining the follicle. The body sends white blood cells to repair the damage – this causes a battle inside the follicle causing pimples on the surface of the skin

9. As sebum, skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria continue to accumulate in the blocked pore the lining of the follicle can rupture.

10. The contents then spill out into surrounding skin tissue and potentially lead to more blocked pores

11. The reason we produce excess sebum is not completely understood but one significant trigger is an enzyme that is produced during hormonal changes.

Look for products that encourage the healing of blemishes and control the factors that contribute to the cycle of Acne.

Manucka and Tea Tree Oil are often found usefel
Nutrient or Herb Based – A, E, Zinc, B’s, Licorice, Burdock, Watercress, 
Avoid high dosages of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide

This particular nutrient and herb rich acne product stops the cycle of acne
Keeping your face clean helps too!

Treatment for acne when I was a teen was a long dose of tetracycline, followed by a nasty yeast infection that nooone ever talked about. I certainly didn't know about friendly bacteria way back then

The antibiotics got rid of the zits but created health problems for me later.

I was so allergic to the preservatives in mainstream products that my skin got horrifically dry
 
It wasn't until I was 33 years old that I discovered a skin care system that worked for me.


flickr image credit

        

Many woman struggle with their weight.

This fall I will celebrate three years on this quality weight loss program

To update you, I am down another size from when this picture was taken in 2008

 

me - a size 16, the overalls size 24.
Thanks John of Digital Studio Inc  for taking this picture

I feel weight loss is like a chemistry project. A big ( no pun intended ) very complicated, individual, unique equation that requires all the variables to be working together. 

Some of the variables include:

Foods - do you eat for taste or for nutrition?
Fiber - are you getting enough?
Fluids - many of us have replaced water with soda or coffee - what do you drink ?
Function - are we stressed, do all our body systems work well ? 
Fitness - we movin it ? daily ?
Finesse - do we have the gumption to have healthy eating be a life long lifestyle ?
Fight - willpower is part of the plan - what are you willing to let go of ?

I believe each of us have intent to lose weight but don't combine ALL the variables.

When all the pieces aren't in place, that intention as well as any results get deflated pretty darn fast. 

I was completely apathetic to my weight. I had given up. I was fat.  I had decided to accept fatness as my fate and call it a day. 

I needed more than help, I needed hope.

Two weeks on these safe and natural weight loss products gave me the tools I needed to lose weight and the hope.

Simply - on this program I felt good, I began to see results and I felt I could move forward. 

I believed.

Here it is years later and not only am I maintaining my weight loss, I still feel really wonderful.

Below are a few weight loss posts that I hope will help you understand my journey as well as the products that helped me with my big complicated weight loss chemistry project: 

Change the World: One Pound at a Time

Weight Loss and Detoxification

Twas the Diet After New Years

Inch Loss Weight Loss Program

Green,Red and White Energy Tea

By the way you can lose weight too!   Please let me know if I can be of assistance

        

 
Ask ANY woman you know if they adore their personal skin care regime and you will find that most are rather devoted to their particular brand.

I know this because I sell skin care.

Shifting any woman over takes some pretty hefty selling. 

If I could provide you with 665% increase in skin firmness, 421 % reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and 88% reduction of fine lines would you be interested?

What if the product line is plant and nutrient sourced and NOT tested on animals?

There are MANY reasons use a high quality plant based anti-aging skin care regime.

Mostly your double chins, neck wattles, and age spots will thank you. 



What is Chronological Aging vs Accelerated Aging ?

Chronological Aging is defined as accumulated physical changes normally associated with the passing of time.

·Epidermis thins

·Cell turnover slows down

·Moisture retention decreases

·Loss of pigmentation creates age spots


Accelerated Aging is defined as accumulated damage caused by exposure to environmental pollutants and UV radiation.

·Iron in the tap water creates surface damage

·Free radicals impair cell integrity

·Enzymes triggered by free radicals breakdown collagen

·Sun damaged cells initiate pre cancerous changes in cells

The Decades of your Skin Aging:

Age 20 – 30

Consider your 20’s "the age of prevention" – where lack of good skin care can cause future skin care issues:

·Clogged pores

·Whiteheads/ blackheads

·Squinting and not using moisturizer can contribute to the beginnings of fine lines around the eyes

·Smoking, alcohol, and little sleep can dull the skin

·Serious sunburn sets the stage for skin cancer

Age 30 – 40

This is the decade of laugh lines, crow’s feet and double chins.

·Skin begins to loose it’s firm, supple texture - caused by the breakdown of collagen –

·The sebaceous glands become less active and produces less sebum -

·Poorly lubricated skin may not retain moisture as well – dry skin

·Cell turnover begins to slow down – dulling the complexion

·Brown spots and uneven color blotches appear

Age 40 – 50

·By 50 cell turnover takes twice as long

·Old skin stays on the surface masking natural skin color and radiance – accentuating the bags, sags, and wrinkles created by continued loss of collagen

·Epidermis continues to thin contributing to droopy eyelids and neck wattles.

·Pigment becomes uneven, creating shadows, blotches , dark circles under the eyes and age spots on the face and back of hands.

Age 50 – 60

Your face is mature now

·Your face shows more of it’s angles and hollows, bags form, facial bones shrink, menopause contributes to reduce oil production

·Significant dryness occurs

·Skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkling and drooping, more patchiness and uneven skintone

Age 60+

·Poor circulation robs your skin of it’s healthy glow

·Continued thinning and drying skin makes it more prone to irritation.


glow flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

   

        

A post titled what the heck is Menopause, about the topic so many woman face at this lovely biological phase in their life probably would have made sense to write first.

Being that it's this week's theme and all.

Instead I wrote first about the Natural Approaches to Menopause and then about Menopause and Calcium.

What do they call that? Putting the cart before the horse? The carrot behind the rabbit?  Dessert as a first course ?

Duh.

They say mental acuity is sometimes challenged during Menopause.

When I first started my nutritional consulting practice I was 33. What did I know about Menopause? 

I knew my mom didn't talk about it and her butt got really big. I knew that my older girlfriends had it and they cried alot. I knew that there was this physical phenomenon that had one's skin temperature fluctuate

As clients approached me about this very natural end to the bearing children phase of life. I  managed it rather clinically. What symptoms were they experiencing and what nutrients and herbs benefit those symptoms?  That's my job. I didn't have a relatedness to the concern, as I don't really have a relatedness to high blood pressure either, I just knew that if I listened, and if they did as I recommended and really understood that science does support natural methods- my clients could feel better without taking drugs.

To this day I marvel at the wisdom of the human body.

A woman's ovaries shift into low gear during Menopause, when that happens the hormonal system produces less progesterone and estrogen. This fluctuation of hormones starts a wonderful  chain reaction in the many other systems of the body.
 
When happens it causes a bit of havoc 

Common symptoms include:  

Hot flashes
Insomnia
Mood Fluctuations
Anxiety
Forgetfulness
Bone, Heart, Colon and Breast health risk increases
Vaginal health can also be of concern

During this time, 65 percent of the requests for treatment are due to night sweats, and 45 percent are due to psychological syndromes.

More specifically 5 areas of the body are affected: 

Vasomotor: Hot flashes, palpitations, spontaneous sweating, panic attacks and the inability to sleep.

Psychological: Anxiety, mood swings, depression, poor memory and lack of concentration.

Urogenital: Sexual organ atrophy, dyspareunia (pain during sex), trigonitis and frequent and urgent urination.

Skeletal: Osteoporosis, vertebral crush fractures and femoral neck fractures. Symptoms usually begin well into menopause.

Cardiovascular: Ischemic heart disease and/or cerebrovascular disease. Symptoms usually begin well into menopause.

The average age for those seeking treatment for menopause is 44.

It used to be that the most prescribed hormone replacement therapy was Premarin, a form of estrogen ( sourced from the urine of a horse- no thank you very much )  and this drug  alleviated some of the symptoms of menopause .. . and increased, at the same time, the risk of hormone-dependent cancers.  

In 2002 a huge study was halted when the risks of this drug far outweighed the benefits.  

Some versions of this medical approach are still being prescribed today.

What solutions are you seeking? Does the medical approach confuse you, or even horrify you, like it does me?

What about all the zillions of natural solutions offered on the Internet? 

I read somewhere that standing on your head was good for menopause - sure wish I had bookmarked that one!

I am skilled at helping woman sort the trend and the hype.

I can provide a sensible personalized high quality nutritional supplement approach that will give you the results you are striving for. 

Additionally I am utilizing a natural approach myself as I am entering in this wonderful lovely phase of my life.

Can I now relate? You bet I can.

If you or anyone you know would like assistance with regards to supplementation and Menopause, I'd be absolutely delighted to help.

May the Menopause be with you.  


arty hot flash relief flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

 

        

I was having a Martha moment, drinking tea and savoring my latest Martha Stewart magazine when an ad caught my eye.

It said...

"raise your hand for a drug that reduces risk of invasive breast cancer and provides osteoporosis treatment postmenopause..."

there is a picture of three woman wrapped in sheets one of which is susan sarandon
 
it's very woo woo

hmmm ...turn the page and there is a two page spread of drug information.

Some of which says things like:

*serious and life threatening side effects can occur while taking this lovely drug

*increased risk of blood clots in the legs can occur while taking this lovely drug - deep vein thrombosis, especially after you sit too long 

like on an airplane?  doesn't that imply that you shouldn't ever fly or else you might clot your legs if you are taking this lovely drug?   

*if you have had any heart concerns taking this lovely drug may increase the risk of death from a stroke...death

excuse me, it said DEATH

*common side effects from this lovely drug include; hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling of the feet, ankles and legs, flu syndromes, joint pain, and sweating. 

uh ...are we not taking this lovely drug to avoid those symptoms ?  

these are not ALL the side effects of this lovely drug it further says ( but were going to keep the rest of them a secret )

By taking this lovely drug you will make your bones stronger and less likely to break, and if you have osteoporosis and you are at high risk of breast cancer then take this lovely drug can maybe lower your risk of breast cancer..however it will not totally get rid of your chance of getting breast cancer it says.

WHO would actually take this drug?

Do you recall in 2002 when the U.S. federal government halted the hormone trial of the Women's Health Initiative early – a study designed to evaluate the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy on disease prevention.  

The reason: Not only had HRT failed to be the protective fountain of youth doctors and women had long since believed, evidence was mounting that taking it may actually be harmful.

HELLO ...a woman’s risk of breast cancer as well as heart disease, blood clots and stroke actually increased by taking HRT. Yikes!!

Why are new versions of this drug still on the market?

This stuff completely infuriates me. 

Prevention lesson number #1.
 
From a calcium perspective. If you take care of your body along the way - you will be less likely to become osteoporotic.  We are a milk drinking nation, milk is supposed to provide us with all the calcium we need - yes? Yet,  as a milk drinking nation we have the highest osteoporosis in the world. Does that tell you something? 

Did you Know?

44 million americans are at risk for osteoporosis
50% of woman over 50 are at risk
78% of woman over the age of 20 get less than the 100% RDA for calcium

What can you do ?

Eat Broccoli!  Take your calcium. Best yet, take a high quality calcium/magnesium supplement - one proven to absorb into your blood stream.

Guess what...your bones really need it.

Not all calcium products are created equal and many are not absorbed in the body. It's one thing to have elemental calcium from nature's most concentrated and easily absorbed sources.

One also needs a matrix of other nutrients to assist it's assimilation - does your current calcium have Vitamin D, Magnesium, Boron, Vitamin K, Zinc, Copper and Manganese?

These additional nutrients are crucial to building healthy bones
 
Caltrate 600 = D has no magnesium in it and very little boron
Citrical=D has no magnesium and no boron

Prevention lesson number#2

Move it. Excercise!

A good approach includes taking your very high quality calcium and doing excersises for flexibilty

A better approach is to take your very high quality calcium and do excercises for flexibilty and add weight - bearing activities such as hiking, stair climbing and low impact aerobics - these activities will slow mineral loss in your body 

The very BEST approach is to take your very high quality calcium, do excercises for flexibilty and add weight - bearing activities, plus strength - training excercises with weights. This increases bone mass and strengthens muscles. 

Vitamin D has an impressive following and body of research that supports it's anti-canceer properties.  Vitamin D is going to be a nutrient to watch as more and more findings appreciate the value of Vitamin D. Of course as we all avoid the sun and use sunscreens how can we get the Vitamin D we need? Supplement it! 

Of course any immune system strengthening regime as well as avoidance of toxins are also cancer preventative. As it stands Cancer is in all of us at some level.  Striving for a healthy lifestyle is the best cancer prevention around. 

I assist women, perhaps just like you, who are seeking natural approaches to Menopause. 

I have hundreds of success stories. 

It would be my pleasure to assist you. Set up a phone consultation today.


alarming picture of an osteoporatic woman flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

This Menopause Herbal Cooling Cream  is affectionately known as "hot flash cream".

Are you a woman who experiences dramatic skin temperature fluctuations ?

This cream contains a proprietary, synergistic blend of more than a dozen natural herbs including black cohosh, soy isoflavones, evening primrose extract, flaxseed, and jojoba seed oils.  

Massage it onto your neck and chest and then breathe in the aroma from your hands . The aromatherapy helps constrict blood vessels in the nasal passage sending cooling signals to the brain.
 
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Note .. this product has no progesterone, which is listed in California as a potential cancer-causing agent.

Great for PMS also!

Conveniently packaged to fit into your purse.  One might need one for your car, your night stand, your office desk drawer, your gym bag .... hooked up to an IV!!

flickr image credit

        

Menopause:: The Natural Way 

For women who are more comfortable using natural alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy, the following nutrients have been reported to be helpful for a women’s reproductive system in general, and to delay and reduce menopausal symptoms in particular.

I have recommended variations of this program to countless woman seeking natural alternatives to Menopause. I say variations because each has had a different need or chemistry that they were dealing with. Despite all the different variables my clients have been remarkably happy with this safe,natural and very effective approach to menopause.

It would be my pleasure to assist in crafting the right natural supplement approach to Menopause for you. Look in my side bar for Mother Earth is in contact information  


A Core Nutritional Supplement Program is a great place to start:
This program was written by my mentor and nutritional consultant Barbara Lagoni. Thank you.

Soy Protein
Protein is the building block for ever cellular function in the body. Plant proteins contain phytochemical compounds, called isoflavones, found only in Soybeans. Soy reduces cholesterol levels, helps prevent osteoporosis and hip fracture, reduces the risk of breast and prostate cancer, helps control PMS and hot flashes (due to natural phytoestrogens), helps prevent fatigue, irritability and hunger. Not all soy products are created equal. Many are rinsed in alchohol, destroying the isoflavones. Ours is water rinsed and non-gmo sourced.

A High Quality Multi-Vitamin
For excellent multi-vitamin, multi-mineral absorption.
B Complex
B vitamins have been shown to lower homocysteine in the blood stream,which may be a greater contributor to heart disease than smoking or cholesterol. 
Vitamin C
In addition to Vitamin C’s antioxidant qualities, it has also been shown to reduce risks for cataracts, cancer, colds & viruses. Our Vitamin C has a unique sustained-release system based on all-natural plant gums & waxes, maintaining high levels of Vitamin C for an amazing 24 hours in the blood. 
Vitamin E
Several studies have indicated it may reduce risk of death of heart disease by a whopping 40%! Our Vitamin E contains grapeseed extract which offers additional antioxidant protection for the heart. When combined with antioxidants Vitamin - C and Caratonoids, the protection may be even greater

All of the above nutrients plus an astounding acidophilus may also be found in our remarkable daily strip - taken once a day.

Nutrients and Herbs specific to the concerns of Menopausal women:

Calcium/ Magnesium
Osteoporosis and low bone mass are major health problems that affect 44 million Americans over the age of 50. Today 10 million people, 80% of whom are women, have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. And in the future more women will die from the complications of osteoporosis than from breast cancer, cervical cancer, and heart disease combined. In fact, one out of every two women over 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime. Fortunately, you can do something about osteoporosis. In addition to weight-bearing exercise, a healthy diet with enough calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life, especially among young Caucasian and Asian women, who are at greater risk. Studies have shown that adequate daily intakes of calcium and other bone-health vitamins and minerals, such as boron, copper and manganese can help build strong teeth and bones in the first three decades of life. And as you age, continued calcium intake can help slow the rate of bone loss. Our Calcium/Magnesioum is an improved, powerful bone-health supplement that meets the new Recommended Dietary Intakes for calcium published by the Institute of Medicine. This unique blend combines 1,000 mg of elemental calcium with vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, and other bone-building nutrients that the body needs.

Helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Builds strong teeth and bones

Promotes colon health

Helps retain normal blood pressure

Helps to reduce PMS Symptoms. 

Herbal Solution for Menopause
This product contains the well-researched herb, Black Cohosh (which has been successfully used in Germany for 40 years) to regulate hormonal balance in women during the transitional period of menopause, along with phytoestrogens from soy and flaxseed. Similar in structure to human estrogen, soy isoflavones and flaxseed lignans can bind to estrogen receptors thereby exerting an estrogen-like effect. It also provides phytoestrogens from Dong Quai, red clover, and licorice. These appear to reduce the symptoms of hot flashes, sleep disorders, mood swings, etc. They also may provide a protective effect against osteoporosis, heart disease, breast disease, cholesterol levels and other health issues often associated with menopause. Those who take these herbs seperately report that they don't get the same results, it's the synnergy of nature and this particular well researched combination that offers relief during menopause

Gamma - Linolenic - Acid
GLA contains oil from the seeds of the borage plant; the most concentrated natural source of gamma-linolenic acid available. Our bodies are supposed to produce GLA in order to form prostaglandin’s, potent hormone like compounds that impact virtually every system in the body. Prostaglandins are important in regulating normal body processes such as blood pressure, blood clotting and inflammation. Reduces the symptoms of PMS, breast tenderness, bloating, normal headaches, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, eczema, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, reduces tremors associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Many factors inhibit our ability to produce adequate GLA such as stress, aging, smoking, diabetes, viral infections, consumption of alcohol, processed fats, deficiency in B-Complex, zinc and genetics.

Cooling Cream
This is made of menthol and black cohosh and is affectionately known as "hot flash cream". Massage it onto your neck and chest and then breathe in the aroma from your hands . The aromatherapy helps constrict blood vessels in the nasal passage sending cooling signals to the brain. Note .. no progesterone, which is listed in California as a potential cancer-causing agent. Great for PMS also!

dab a small amount on your fingertips, smell, then apply on the back of your neck

Other nutrients suggested :

Fish Oil (Omega-3 )
Omega 3 fatty acids are critical for immune, circulatory and hormonal health. They reduce 3 risk factors for heart disease by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and elevated blood pressure: also a natural anti-inflammatory.

Valerian
Improves quality of sleep, has a relaxing effect, reduces anxiety, relieves tension and restlessness, antispasmodic action on gastrointestinal tract, lowers blood pressure and stabilizes irregular heart rhythm.

Ginkgo Biloba
Contains the herb Ginkgo for a clear mind, healthy heart and improved circulation. The brain is 2% of our body’s weight but requires 20% of the blood supply. In numerous studies, ginkgo increased blood flow in younger patients by 20% and older patients by 70%. Acuity also contains four herbs that have anti-oxidant properties to protect brain cells and improve circulation. Three complementary B vitamins that protect the body from homocysteine that produce a higher risk of heart disease than smoking, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Improves memory, attention span, perception, language ability, dementia and early Alzheimer’s. Used as an antidepressant and used to treat vertigo and tinnitus.

Magnesium
Deficiency in magnesium is associated with irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, sleep difficulties, muscle soreness, depression, confusion, numbness or tingling and even seizures. Magnesium is depleted by some medications, stress, alcohol consumption and diabetes. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar. Our Magnesium is released in a gel diffusion technology that prevents intestinal and laxative issues typically associated with magnesium supplements.

The difference between one nutritional product versus another

Our products are born from painstaking research and development. From the pioneering work of our founder, in 1915 and through the decades, Our company is the US leader in nutritional products. Over $100 million has been invested in maintaining the integrity of our company's science. We also lead the industry in analytical methods of testing purity and efficacy. As many as 63,000 laboratory tests are performed on nutritional products alone. No animal testing is ever done in the researching of our products.



artist kim carney flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

taken yesterday in best of mother earth's garden

        

This post is an entry for this month's Green Mom's Carnival. The topic is Gardening.

This Mother Earth's green thumb is more a beautiful shade of brown. My outdoor gardens over the years have usually been meager attempts at live vegetation. Truth is I am lazy. I have in the past planted and then let nature do the rest. Meaning weed overgrowth or sun scorching. I feel terrible that this has been a reality for me but I thought I'd be truthful

However I am getting "better"

I finally have tomatoes figured out.  I have three small raised beds, beautiful tall sturdy tomato cages and my soil is wonderfully porous and rich.  I also did basil successfully last year.  I kept it simple and enjoyed the small yield which  was just enough for my personal needs. It was plenty for many tomato, mozzarella and basil salads and even a few batches of pesto


first cherry tomatoes from last year


Last year I started composting, well my landlord did, and I got to add my veggie scraps. This curbside garbage reduction method makes me so mother earthy happy I can't stand it - composting is so cool.

I have also accomplished the container garden.  In years past I just did flowers.  While these have sometimes been beautiful they haven't been edible

This year I planted lettuces, spinach, serrano peppers and more herbs all in containers. I am also planting seeds which I have not ever had luck with, but am determined this year to give it a go.  I am doing part starts and part seeds.   




pre-planting raised beds and containers

I am inspired very much by Janis King of Walnut Grove Farm,a woman I befriended when my daughter and I were doing college searches. 

She hand tills these huge plots and has rows and rows of greens, herbs and flowers for eating and drying.  Her garden is just beautiful.

Last summer she handed me scissors and said have at it - make yourself a salad!  Of course it was positively delicious. 

I thought what if I could do this in my very own back yard?  

I don't have any great gardening tips just yet. 

This brown thumb is still becoming green




Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

Posts this week are about high quality nutritional supplementation and pregnancy.

My heart always goes kerplunk when a pregnant woman chooses the prenatals her doctor recommends versus the high quality nutritional supplement we offer instead.

Some tell me that they choose what their doctors recommend because they want to do what their doctor tells them, others tell me they choose to get prescription prenatals because their insurance will pay for them.  

I can understand this

Yet -- I like to offer anyone who is newly pregnant information on the prenatal vitamins their doctor recommends.   

The following list of pharmaceutical prenatal ingredients was not something I compiled, and it's an older list of sorts.  I share it simply because of how alarming it is

I hope if you are pregnant it has you pause and reconsider what you are taking   

Zenate - Solvary Pharmaceuticals
Carnauba wax – when heated emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes
Magnesium Stearate – when heated causes toxic fumes
Contains Polyethylene Glycol which may produce brain and kidney damage
Contains Stearic Acid which may cause intestinal obstruction
Skin sensitization is common
Contains Titanium Dioxide which may cause pulmonary irritation
No Biotin
No Pantothenic acid
Low Magnesium
No Copper
No Phosphorus

Precare Caplets – Northampton Medical
No Vitamin A
No Vitamin B1
No Vitamin B12
No Biotin  ( improper balance of B Vitamins causes a nutrient dumping which causes improper utilization of vitamins B6 and folic acid.)
No Phosphorus
No Iodine
No Pantothenic acid

Natalins Tablet - Mead Johnson 
No Biotin
Low Calcium
Low Magnesium
No Phosphorus
No Pantothenic Acid
Contains Polyethylene Glycol which may produce brain and kidney damage

*Natalins RX – Mead Johnson
No Phosphorus
No Iodine
Contains Hydrochloride which may be a direct pulmonary and inflame the conjunctive of the eye.
Contains Cyanocobalamin which may cause sensitivity reactions including: gastrointestinal distress, thrombosis and itching rash

Niferex PN – Central Pharmaceuticals
No Vitamin E
No Magnesium
Very Low Calcium
No Phosphorus
No Biotin
Contains Methylcellulose which may cause intestinal obstruction if dehydrated

Prenate Advanced - Bock
No Biotin
No Pantothenic Acid
No Magnesium
Very Low Calcium

Materna Tablets – Lederle
Only 19% Calcium
6% Magnesium
No Phosphorus
Contains Methylcellulose which may cause intestinal obstruction if dehydrated
Contains Methylparaben which may cause gastric upset
Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate a typical compound found in anionic detergents

*Stuart Prenatal 
No Biotin
Low Calcium
No Magnesium
No Phosphorus
No Iodine
Contains Hyroxpropl Methylcellulose which may cause intestinal obstruction if dehydrated

*StuartNatal – Stuart
No Biotin
Low Calcium
No Magnesium
No Phosphorus
No Iodine
No Pantothenic Acid
Contains Cyanocobalamin which may cause sensitivity reactions including: gastrointestinal distress, thrombosis and itching rash

*These were the prenatals I tried 20 yrs ago - I experienced the GI distress and the itchy rash - it is interesting to me that these are still on the market.

References:

University of Mississippi Learning Resource Center
Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products - 5th Edition Gosselin - Smithlodge
Chemical Exposure and Human Health - Cynthia Wilson
Handbook of Poisoning - 12th Edition - Robert H. Dreisbach - William Roberison
Posioning Toxicology - symtoms and treatments - Jay Arena - Richard H Drew
Hazardous Chemical Desk Reference - 2nd Editon - Richard J Lewis

*thank you to a peer who share this with our field

This is the High Quality Multi-Vitamin that I'd recommend:

Contains all essential 12 vitamins and 7 minerals in proper balance
Contains 27 whole vegetable sources which are readily absorbed by the body
Contains no chemicals
No herbicides
No pesticides
No sugar
No artificial colors, flavors or additives of any kind
Contains phytochemicals and live enzymes not found in synthetic vitamins
Processed by low-heat method keeping enzymes alive
Contains 100% of the RDA of Biotin.

Which would you want to take ?



expecting any time now flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean 

        

Omega-3's are hugely important for baby’s brain and visual development. 

Supplementing EPA/DHA is necessary since dietary sources are limited .

95% of Americans are deficient. 

Wow.

Breast-fed babies of mothers who supplemented with Omega-3’s, years later,scored higher on standardized tests of reading, visual interpretation, nonverbal skills and math.  Researchers found that boys with ADHD have significantly lower levels of both EPA and DHA than those without the disorder. 

Mayo Clinic investigators state: “The mental apparatus of the coming generation is developed in (the womb) and the time to begin supplementation is before conception." 

A normal brain cannot be made without an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids and there may be no later opportunity to repair the effects of an Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency once the nervous system is formed.
 
It’s important for mom to continue supplementing after delivery to reduce postpartum depression.

Continue supplementing with Omega-3 during breast-feeding or add one capsule to the day’s supply of formula.  Add to baby’s food and give one to baby to chew when teeth appear. 

Fish oil is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory.  Reduces the occurrence of ear infections, colds and viruses.

Remarkably clean source of Fish Oil

the above information was sourced: barb lagoni - nutritionist


whimsical fish art flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean  

        

Below is an article written by Dr Steve Chaney, who is a high level sales leader in our field, remarkable published researcher and professor in the department of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of North Carolina's Medical School.

I have always appreciated Dr Chaney's way of explaining things and after reading this felt it would be a great addition to the 2 posts I wrote about prenatals, especially for the role folic acid plays in preventing birth defects.

A few comments: 

As long as I have explored research as a tool for understanding or prooving the validity of one nutrient or another - I often find more than one opinion and often opposing sides.  I find articles come and go - the best always rise to the top.  There is also plenty of really bad research. This is why I appreciate the perspectives of others to help me understand.

I remember when my company touted the importance of folic acid, especially for the prevention of birth defects.  After testing many brands most didn't deliver any folic acid to the blood stream. I found that appalling. My company equally horrified, explored the remarkable value of folic acid and said what can we do differently. Now our B Complex has its folic acid in it's exterior coating  The ever important folic acid is the first nutrient to hit the blood stream. This process is now patented. Isn't that cool??

When I was learning about the value of B Complex I was taught that most companies skimp on Biotin and Folic acid because they are expensive.  Time and time again I would see this on other brands labels.  Sometimes Biotin would be completely missing. Additionally I was taught how all eight b vitamins need to be present and in balance to each other in order to assimilate well into the body. Yet so many competitors would have very high doses of one b, none of another and most of the time not in balance to each other

Dr. Chaney speaks to the concept of isolating nutrients, and how that's NOT how it works. Nature is a symmetric project.  Plants need air, water, soil and sunshine in order to grow - remove part of the equation and a plant will wither. The same for our bodies human.

I will add one more thought and that is that it doesn't say what type of folic acid was used in the studies that had negative impact. If it was a low quality or petroleum derived product could that have impacted the study?

Here is what Dr. Chaney has to say:

The news about folic acid or folate seems to be decided mixed of late, so many of you may be asking whether you should supplement with folate or not.

Let me start first with a review of some of the recent studies, and then I'll help you put those studies into perspective.

Most of you are probably aware of the studies initiated by Dr. Smithells in England showing that supplementation with RDA levels (400 mcg per day) of folic acid prior to conception significantly reduced the risk of giving birth to babies with birth defects.

These were paradigm-shifting studies because they provided the first really good evidence that supplementation in advance could actually prevent a disease from occurring.

The data was so overwhelming that the United States now mandates enrichment of flour with 140 mcg of folic acid per 100 gm of flour - meaning that most Americans now are assured of getting at least 100 to 200 mcg per day of folic acid from their diet.

There were also a number of well done studies showing that supplementation with RDA levels of folic acid decreased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid byproduct thought to be associated with increased risk of heart disease and cognitive decline as we age.

However, the role of homocysteine in these and other diseases has become murkier in recent years.

So what do the recent studies show?

On the positive side, a recent Swedish study has shown that people who consumed RDA levels of folic acid from food and supplements were 44% less likely to develop invasive breast cancer than those consuming 160 mcg per day or less.

Two recent studies, one of which used supplements delivering 800 mcg of folic acid per day and a second in which participants were getting at least 400 mcg of  folic acid a day from food and supplements, showed that those receiving the highest amount of folic acid had less cognitive decline than those consuming lower amounts.

Finally, a recent report showed that older women in the Nurses Health study who got 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day from food and supplements were 18% less likely to develop high blood pressure, and another study showed that supplements providing at least 500 mcg a day of folic acid lowered the risk of stroke by 18%.

On the negative side a recent study reported that people receiving at least 1,000 mcg of supplemental folic acid a day were more likely to develop pre- cancerous colon polyps than people on the placebo. Another study reported that women consuming over 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day were 32% more likely to develop breast cancer than women consuming around 250 mcg of folic acid a day.

Of course, this study is in obvious contrast to the study showing that 400 mcg of folic acid per day decreased the risk of breast cancer by 44%.

Because of this sort of conflict between studies, it is clear that more studies need to be done before we can be sure that high dose folic acid has any detrimental effects.

But even if high dose folic acid has detrimental effects, what would this mean to you?

It is yet another example of the recent paradigm shift from the "magic bullet" approach to a holistic approach to supplementation.

In the 60s, 70s and 80s whenever an article appeared showing a beneficial role for a particular nutrient in reducing the risk of a certain disease, it would inevitably be followed by recommendations to take high potency supplements containing that nutrient.

Now we know that those recommendations can be counterproductive, possibly even dangerous.

Most likely, this is because a single nutrient at high doses can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and utilize other, similar nutrients.

Thus, a high potency supplement containing a single nutrient can actually create deficiencies of other essential nutrients.

For folic acid my recommendation is to get no more than 400 mcg of folic acid per day from supplements unless that folic acid is in balance with all of the other essential B vitamins.

We have heard similar reports in recent years about the potential side effects of high dose pure alpha- tocopheral and high dose pure beta-carotene.

Many experts now recommend no more than 200 IU per day of alpha-tocopherol unless it is provided in balance with all of the other naturally-occuring tocopherols and tocotrienols or no more than 2,500 IU of beta- carotene unless it is provided in balance with the other carotenoids and fat soluble antioxidant nutrients.

Thank you Dr Chaney for your perspective.

Other Research about B Complex.


artist rendition of birth flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean  

        

Everyone knows that caloric intake rises while pregnant.  Our nutritional needs rise enormously too. It's common sense to increase ones consumption of fruits and vegetables, choose low-fat, high quality sources of protein such as chicken, fish, beans and legumes. It is also highly recommended to add high quality nutritional supplements to enhance and insure the health of both the mother and child. 


Not all nutritional supplement products are the same. I am very particular about the products I share with my clients and choose only one company's products. Why? The answer is scientific integrity. Each and every supplement is actually bioavailable—meaning it breaks down, enters your blood steam and ultimately goes to the cell where life’s energy processes begin. This gets results for my clients. Over and over the quality shines through. This company sets extraordinary standards for raw materials and finished products. They tests every incoming raw material batch to confirm that its stringent product specifications have been met and they do numerous tests on its finished product to insure that what is listed on the label is actually in the tablet or capsule. This is hugely important to me. The products I am recommending to you are the industry leader in conducting and publishing clinical research. Proudly I have adopted their mission of Creating Healthier Lives, as I think it describes best what it is that I do.  

Below are recommendations utilizing high quality nutritional supplements for an expectant mother. Other supplement companies may not invest money into the testing of their products and may contain harmful contaminants that would not be advisable for a growing fetus. Please do your research before taking large quantities of supplements from other manufacturers.

most of this information below are excerpts from Nutritionist Barbara Lagoni's Writings - thank you! Barb has mentored me forever. Sure wish I knew her or about supplements when I was pregnant. 

Why Supplement During Your Pregnancy? 

For basic nutritional insurance - healthier, brighter, non-colicky babies and ease of delivery 

Where to begin:

A high quality multi-vitamin - if you do anything - do at least this.

Specific prenatal nutrient suggestions:

B-Complex - Patented folic acid coating makes this nutrient more available for absorption by the body

Soy Protein - For added protein (easily digested and utilized by the body) and for increased energy (Incidence of gestational diabetes is lower because of protein.)

Fish Oil- 1st and last trimester is when fetal brain development occurs

Friendly Bacteria- helps with the absorption of food and supplements, brings remarkable benefits to the colon  

Senna - helps with constipation and detoxifies the blood - take when needed and start with only one right before bed
 
Calcium - a natural muscle relaxer - helps relieve labor pains ( calcium is drawn from mother to child )

Natural remedies during your Pregnancy:

Morning Sickness - Soy Protein shakes before bed, or right when you wake up along with B Complex helps (nausea is due to low blood sugar levels)

Nausea/Upset Stomach/Heartburn - peppermint ginger tea and chewable calcium

Prevent Toxemia - our natural laxative, zinc, soy protein, our hydration product, B Complex and Calcium/Magnesium

Fluid Rentention/Swollen Ankles - alfalfa ( natural diuretic), our hydration product, exercise, water and soy protein

Leg Cramps/ Back Aches - Calcium/Magnesium, Vitamin E

Birth Defects/Late Delivery/Difficult Labor - Zinc

Varicose Veins - Vitamin E ( important for circulation )

Increased Energy - Soy Protein, B Complex

Prevent Stretchmarks - Vitamin C

Excessive Hair Loss or Acne post birth - Saw Palmetto, Zinc

* additional information about the healing mineral zinc
 
Stop Breasts from Lactating - apply green cabbage leaves to breast area  - break cabbage leaf veins first with a heavy can ) and wear inside your bra - high sulfur halts milk production

For an Easier delivery and Faster Recovery Dr. Shantha Sutton OB/GYN recommends:  

Labor - chewable calcium- helps ease contractions - calcium relaxes muscles 

Bleeding or Hemmorrhaging in Labor - alfalfa ( contains a natural form of Vitamin K )

Recovery after Birth - our muscle repair product, designed to repair muscle tissue after strenuous exercise or strain from surgery or labor 

Who do you know that could benefit from this information?
Are you pregnant and seeking quality supplements for your pregnancy? 
May I be of assistance?  I'd absolutely love to help.


nutrition facts flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean  

        

This is pointer post to a Mother's Day Green Mom's Carnival hosted by the ever influential DianeMacEachern of Big Green Purse  that I participated in.


arrow flickr image

        

In the month of May I want to address as many women's health issues as I possible can...

When this Mother Earth was a young girl becoming a woman was a bit of a wow. 

The joke for my parents was the note I left under my mother's pillow " I desperately need a bra " ( Couldn't they see that? ) When I got my trainer bra I proceeded to sortof bust ( excuse the pun ) right out it it! My mom exclaimed, "where the heck did those come from?" 

Compared to most of my high school girlfriends the only drama I had in relationship to getting my period was the one my mother created when I didn't rinse out my underpants.  I never had all the pain and suffering my friends had. Thus premenstrual syndrome just wasn't part of what I knew. In HS, I had a normal cycle, normal period,  no concerns. Tons of my friends lost days from school, took drugs, had flow issues, slept with heating pads, and were on the pill to help regulate.  

Until my senior year.

Symptoms of PMS: 

weight gain
tender breasts
mild to severe cramping
lower back pain
moodiness 
moderate to severe food cravings - usually in the form of chocolate and salt  
periods longer than 3 days
heavy bleeding

My senior year in high school was intense for about six million reasons. Whatever the reasons were I was stressed and it showed up physically. As I continued to be stressed, to eat poorly and to start life out on my own, my symptoms increased.

I was nutritionally deficient.  Severely.

Stress pulls nutrients from the body. One nutrient in particular,  B Complex regulates hormones, contributes to the brain, helps convert food to energy. 

In my child bearing years I had horrific first tri-mesters. With what I know now I can't help but wonder if all those years of nutrient depletion contributed to that.

When trying to conceive my second child I began to read about ovulation. I began to notice a very specific pattern in the way I felt after I ovulated. The pattern was so specific it was rather frightening. It's not something I ever talked about with my mom or my sisters OR my friends. We didn't have the internet to discover that tons of woman had these symptoms too.  I never felt I could ask my friends hey do want to cry all the time? I felt like a freak.

After I ovulated, or two weeks after my last period stopped, I'd get tender very full breasts - I'd have to wear a completely different bra. I'd get indescribable lower back pain, I'd start to gain weight - I'd fluctuate up to 10 lbs,  I'd get so moody and weepy. Just about anything would make me cry. I found my ability to cope limited.  This was often more than I could bare - I at times felt deep despair. I'd start cramping about three days before getting my period and then once it began I'd cramp severely and bleed heavily for about seven days. This pattern was worse after the birth of my first child.  I thought this was the way it was supposed to be - the woes of being female. We all go through this, don't we? I had heard others complain so I thought to myself - I am just like them.  It's normal to be so miserable. I at one point remember asking my husband if during these times - during the especially weepy emotional times if he could just be nice to me - I actually begged him.  This was not a particularly good time in our marriage.

In addition to this I had blood sugar issues. I had a horrible habit of skipping breakfast. I ate junk. I'd wake each and every morning trembling - I'd eat, only to get a headache - start trembling again a few hours later.  More headaches.

This Mother Earth was a mess.

By the time I had gotten through my second pregnancy, there was nothing left of me - I gave birth to every healthy living cell.

Several years followed. I was a stay at home mom with two kids. My marriage issues intensified. Stress and fear ruled my universe.

I got scared. I began to shift my focus - I wanted my life to be more positive. I began to investigate healthy living, I started Jazzercising - I started to learn about food choices - I began to question things.  A  very wonderful person encouraged and introduced me to supplementation

She asked me to take 2 high quality multi - vitamins, 3 B Complex and a Soy Protein smoothie each morning. While I purchased these three items I heard like heck about it from my husband. He said, you bought what?? I felt undeserving, he was a skeptic. I wasn't sure this would help me but I wanted to believe her.  I wanted to feel different.  I only took 1/2 of what she recommended. I noticed a little bit more energy and on the days I had a smoothie in the morning. I had no headaches.  She continued to encourage me. I finally took on the protocol she suggested. Four months later ALL my PMS symptoms disappeared.  Everything.  I was a completely different person.

The difference in my health is what precipitated my sharing wellness with others, the more I learned the more I wanted to share. With the income potential I also began to see a way out of my first marriage. Courage and boldness followed.

I have not had PMS symptoms since 1993.  I began menstruating when I was 12 - since 1997 I had PMS symptoms.  16 years! 

I have been absolutely free of PMS symptoms now for 15 years!

I am a huge advocate of supplementation for woman.  A simple regime of a Multi-Vitamin, B Complex and Soy Protein could assist your PMS symptoms too.

Perhaps you know of someone who is wondering if their monthly symptoms are normal or who might be questioning their sanity?

It's so not normal to have PMS symptoms.

More information about B Complex

Research about B Complex

Not all B Vitamins are created equal.



flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean  

 

        

This post is for Robert Hruzek's What I learned from From monthly writing project - the theme of which is Community.

What I Learned From Community Is That It Comes And Goes.

1n 1996 I was eeking my existence as a single mom. Everything I knew about family had shifted and we were starting anew. 

I had gotten involved in some personal growth curriculum.  One course, which was known as Self Expression and Leadership, asked us to define our communities.  At the time I thought I had very few.  Yet, as I thought about it I had community with the ladies I food cooped with, jazzercised with, trained with for my business, and I was delving into the school volunteering community.

One thing that occurred to me is that moms as a whole is a community, dads, those who bowl, drink at bars, play softball or knit together.  Those are all community defined.  A gathering of like minded individuals, sharing a dream, a passion, or a bit if imbibement from time to time!!

What these communities meant to me were a different story.

The food coop was a way to access alternative foods, non-main stream grocery items at a way better price. We had to work to get it unloading trucks, dividing cases of foods and managing the money transactions. For me, it was an answer to a prayer, at the time grocery stores around here didn't carry organics, or foods without additives.  The coop fit into my ideals about how I wanted to feed my family

Jazzercise was undeniably my stress relief, my being a mom saving grace --I always felt stronger, more energized and believe it or not one heck of a lot calmer if I kept at my jazzercise classes.  I can't say I found my next best friend there yet I knew that all of those woman were there for the same reasons as I. It made us a better person, a better mom. 

At the time I was just starting to build my nutritional consulting business. I had alot to learn, not only about the products I was selling, but about being a business woman.  Weekly around the table strategizing meetings  fueled my drive to keep on keepin on with regards to my work.  Every product I learned about, every sales technique method I explored and every goal I achieved was all enveloped with others doing the same.  We relied on each other when we failed, when we got confused and most of all when we triumphed!! I give huge credit to that tableside training and the success of my business!

Finally, the very first day at a brand new school I was the mom on the playground shaking hands with another asking if they could watch my kids.  At the time I was desperate, I had landed an interim job and I needed an hour of help after school each day. Thankfully,  I did find the help I needed from a perfect stranger no less.  I find often the generosity of folks ever so humbling!  

The school mom community became a fourteen year path of discovery for me. I got very involved, gave my time, my creativity and often got in way over my head. Like the year I chaired a huge fundraiser, or the year I chaired fifteen events in relationship to the school's centennial, or the pilot program for an alternative green germicide. My involvement in these projects were a large part of my personal growth over the years. The communities created at a children's school are to me astounding!!

As I reflect on these years of community I have to say my biggest observation is the transient nature of community. They really do come and go. You leave one community to join another. You might be a soccer mom for years only to dive into field hockey later. A grade school mom is very different to that of a high school mom. Interests evolve, devolve and shift. I am not into the food coop thing anymore.

Blogging and the blogosphere is one of my current communities. A virtual one at that! What Robert provides for us with this writing project - community, my green moms carnival group - community - participating in SOBCON09 without attending - community - woman's business networking groups - community - those who are into photography, writing, authors, the green movement and advocacy --- these are ALL community!

Lastly, our families are also community.  They too shift from diaper changing patrol, to little league and ballet, to science fairs and prom. Each was a layer of community to participate in. One of the reasons I joined community along the way is I wanted to example a vibrant citizen.  I wanted my kids to see involvement at a variety of levels.  I wanted them to know I wasn't the only one raising them! Giving back, giving time, sharing and being a leader were all things I wanted them to see as they grew.

Robert - You are a constant.  A reliable cheerful, thought provoking man that I am ever so grateful to know.  I love watching the WILF writing project evolve. I also enjoy reading the varied expressions and contributions. Thank you Robert for exampling such remarkable leadership in our online community.


community flickr image credit


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

  

Moms have a gut instinct that rules the universe.

When we are new to motherhood, we have to learn to trust this gut feeling. 

This inner mama drive has us know when to hug, when to yell, when to scream and when to say exactly the right thing at the right time.

It's pretty darn amazing.

Last year on Mothers Day, the phone rang and it was my son. He was riding his bike in the pouring rain and hit a pot hole. His bike was trashed, he - thank goodness was fine.  He said the incident had him roaring with laughter.

Phone calls like that make my mother earth heart palpitate.

So we go - my daughter and I, and we picked him up. He was soaked, his bike was mangled and he was still laughing about it.

He got pretty scraped up. He allowed me me to get the cotton balls out and the hydrogen peroxide that I always have had on hand,  these past 21 years - just in case.

I was flooded with memories, other moments in the bathroom - other scrapes attended to, other times when batman band-aids came to the rescue - major deja-vu. 

We had been here before.

I was filled with so much love I could hardly stand it. 

The logical part of me thought to myself son, what are you nuts riding in the rain thirteen miles, I could have picked you up!

The proud part of me thought how his determination and his affection for riding his bike is just way too cool.

The mom in me, the one that no kid really wants to hear from -  thought of about four other horrific scenarios of "things that could have happened" 

I quickly told myself - don't go there. 

See -- the part of me I am becoming and the current mom learning curve I am on simply thought - mother earth - let it go.

Be there for him now - be what he needs you to be now.

I have to trust this thought process, this deep inside gut instinct and remind myself of my mom knows best radar. 

the above piece was my entry for a local newspaper columnist position...that I landed!!


bikekill flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

 

A 2008 National Poll Finds 95% of American Mothers Believe Household Cleaning Products can be Toxic, yet only half believe their kids are being exposed to household toxins.

Seriously?

The EPA says that the average household generates over 20 lbs of hazardous waste each year. That's 1.6 million tons or 3.2 million pounds. 176, 000 tons of which comes from cleaning products. 

Lovely. Hazardous Waste. AND large volumes of it are going into our landfill.

My company - the #1 Nutritional Company in the US, recently enlisted Harris Interactive to do a poll. 

...a telephone survey of 1,108 moms across the U.S. with children under the age of 18 living in their households, were asked about home cleaners and safety.

The poll results revealing misconceptions, contradictions and a HUGE need for more education. 

The need for more education is an understatement.

Our company urges Americans to look at what's under their own kitchen sinks.

"Many people seeking cleaner, greener lifestyles consider the impact of climate change, but very few think about the chemicals we are exposing ourselves to every day in our own homes," says Roger Barnett, Owner and CEO.

Following are some key contradicting poll results and some expert implications:

Almost all moms -- 95% -- agreed that household cleaning products can be toxic.

88% agreed that home cleaning products can be harmful to their health and their families' health.

61% agreed that the fumes from cleaning products bothered them.

However, two-thirds of moms (70%) also agreed that home cleaning products are safe to use around their family, and only 49% agreed that their children may be exposed to household toxins.

SAFE? Excuse me?

95% of moms agree that cleaning products are toxic yet only 1/2 think that their kids are being exposed to those toxins ? Does that make ANY sense to you?

"Moms already know household cleaners can be hazardous if swallowed or spilled directly on your skin," said Jane Houlihan, VP for Research at Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C. "But most don't make the connection that when these products are used as directed on floors, sinks and tubs, their families are exposed to them 24 hours a day."

Acute Asthma Awareness: 81% of the respondents agreed that household cleaning products may trigger asthma in children and adults, reflecting high awareness of the suspected link between chemicals and what many call an epidemic. "Unfortunately asthma has become a common serious disease of childhood," says John Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Department of Environmental Health at Harvard University. "When reviewing the rapid increases of asthma rates in America, it is critical to recognize the link between pollution and human health, including chemical and biological pollutants in indoor environments." In 1998, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994(2) and in 2007, the EPA reported that an average of one out of every 13 school-age children suffers from asthma.(3)

Murky on Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution: Only a little more than one-third (38%) of respondents agreed that the air inside their homes is more toxic than the air outside their homes, despite the proven fact. A five-year study by the EPA found that the organic pollutants inside the typical American home are two-to-five times higher than the air outdoors, caused by pollutants from common household products, including cleaners such as solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, air fresheners and more. According to the EPA, health effects of organic pollutants include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.(4) Additionally, many cleaning agents yield high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including glycol ethers, which are regulated toxic air containments, and terpenes that can react with ozone to form secondary pollutants including formaldehyde and ultra-fine particles.(5)

Kidding Themselves about the Kids: Only half (49%) are concerned about their children coming in contact with the chemicals they use to clean their floors, and only about one-third (35%) believe that some rashes on their children's skin are reactions to chemicals in the products they use. Only a small fraction of the more than 80,000 registered chemicals have been tested for human health concerns.(6) "We are conducting a vast toxicologic experiment in our society, in which our children and our children's children are the experimental subjects," says Dr. Herbert L. Needleman, University of Pittsburgh pediatrician and co-author with Philip Landrigan, MD MSc, Ethel H. Wise Professor of Pediatrics -- Chair of Community and Preventative Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Healthy Child Healthy World Board of Directors Member, of Raising Children Toxic Free: How to Keep Your Child Safe from Lead, Asbestos, Pesticides, and Other Environmental Hazards.

Seeking a Safe Clean: "94% of moms said they would stop using their favorite cleaning product if they found out it may be harmful to their families' health," notes Barnett. "To become educated, go to the National Institute of Health Household Products Database to search by chemical, find out which brands contain it, and uncover its links to health effects."

Full article and references.
Toxic Household Chemical Facts and Statistics
32 Green Advocacy Posts April 2009

Why are people still buying and using the same toxic stuff? 

The other part that completely baffles me is why are these horrific products still being manufactured?  

I just don't understand.


stickers to label toxins flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

This E - Newsletter comes to you on or around the 5th of each month because you either requested it, gave me permission to send it to you, or I thought you might find it of interest.

If for any reason you'd like to no longer receive this communication - please reply accordingly.

I have great regard for your time - thank you for allowing me to be a resource for you.

Health-E NEWS May 2009

Topic of the Month - The Stress of Being a Mom Affects Their Health - resourced from from our company monthly email - thank you health sciences bulletin

Moms do it all don't they? They work, they cook, they clean, they juggle, they shuttle, they worry. It shows up in stress which takes it's toll on the body, and it's now showing up more than ever before. Moms are tired, maxed out, they can't sleep, they are overweight. Woman according to a 2008 survery by the American Pysycholigical Association, are more affected by stress than men. Unhealthy behaviors like comfort eating, poor food choices, smoking and inactivity now shows up in their physical health. Stressed woman are at risk for serious health concerns down the road

The stress response, also known as flight or flight is a very automatic function of the nervous system. It's one thing to have it kick in and give you the ability to run like heck when you need it. Yet if the response becomes chronic it can really goof up our hormonal and physical chemistry. This can show up in your heart rate, your blood pressure and your blood sugar. It can actually effect major systems of the body like the immune system, the digestive system, and our reproductive and growth processes.

Normally the stress response is self regulating. Example: a child gets lost - we go into a full alert panic as we try to find him or her, yet once we find resolve ( and the child ) our bodies become calm again. Balance.

However nowadays everything has become full alert, the body never gets a chance to chill out - it never gets to recharge.

Which are the areas of the body that feel it most?

Digestion - when digestion shuts down it manifests itself physically; a stomach ache, diarrhea, or constipation - if you are stressed and shutting down digestion due to fight or flight responses you are creating a chronic concern. Our digestive system was not meant to be in constant stress. Woman experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome 3 times more than men

Immune Response - suppressed immunity occurs after repeated call to action. The immune system is a very complex balancing act, when it's in full working order it's pretty darn miraculous. Yet our full and rigorous lives have us increasing our immunity risk not only to infections but to more serious disorders. Auto-immune diseases are more prevalant in woman.

Cardiovascular Health - if you are constantly stressed you actually raise your heart rate altering your personal chemistry - this chronic acceleration increases risk for heart attack and stroke. Constant fight or flight response can cause an overproduction of cortisol and may have you feeling anxious and depressed

Nervous System - brain cells lose their ability to function and structure when stressed. This shows up in memory function. I thought my classic where is my car parked syndrome was a function of getting older!

Sleep Deprivation - chronic stress and anxiety contributes to sleepless nights, while normally this was thought to be a new mom syndrome, it is now is found in all stages of their lives - woman aren't getting enough sleep more than ever before. Woman tend to have more insomnia than men. Sleep is what recharges the cortisol connection.

Obesity - the collection of central obesity or the accumulation of abdominal fat is seemingly a direct corrulation to the levels of cortisol in the body, this apple type body shape increases the risk of heart disease dramatically.

SIX Ways to Manage MOM Stress

Being a single mom of two has had it's moments, however parenting by far has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Some of my very roughest times were managed simply by taking care of me first, being a better me - created me as a much better mom

ONE - Identify the stressors, we can not fix what we haven't identified. Strive to find solutions. Be determined. Besides creating less stress, strident problem solving is a great example for our families

TWO - Schedule personal relaxation times - simply pausing several times a day to breathe, collect and organize your thoughts can recharge even the busiests of moms. Additionally actually scheduling something, anything outside the home regularly can provide just the right relief valve, don't have the money? A walk with a friend is free. Just do it.

THREE - Eat right. We all know this. I have personally had success with being mindful, eating a variety of foods, and not buying the junk- if it's around - I'll eat it!

FOUR - When is bed time? We establish that routine for our kids perhaps it would benefit us as moms too. If our child doesn't get their nap are they cranky? fatigued? Why would we think anything less for us as moms - go to bed!

FIVE - Movement stimulates all the systems of the body. 10 minutes each and every day is better than nothing. Start with 10 minutes of anything after a big glass of water each and every day and see what a difference that makes for you

SIX - Oh my goodness -- Take your vitamins!! Nutritional gaps are inevitable, a really good multi-vitamin is a great start, yet often we need more. Not sure what you need ? I'd love to help.

Choose high quality nutritional supplements that can assist your stress free path.

Below are some specific and targeted solutions:

Stress

Immune Function

Heart Health

Sleep Assistance

Weight Loss


retro flickr image credit

Let's not forget that a sense of humor goes a long way too!

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

Product label misrepresentation occurs every day.

Here is another example.

This was sent to me via an email last fall:

Seventh Generation, Method, and other leading personal care and cleaning brands may soon face lawsuits if they do not strike the word "organic" from their labels and marketing efforts by September 1, according to the Organic Consumers Association, which found a carcinogenic ingredient in many products.

The OCA analyzed over 100 organic cosmetic, personal care, and household cleaning products and found that almost 50% of them have detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, an ingredient known to cause cancer in lab animals, . None of the manufacturers disclose this information on their labels, even though some had levels 1,000 times what is deemed acceptable.

Note: OCA is a non-profit consumer advocacy group, not a government agency.  

What is 1,4 -dioxane anywho?  It's a surfactant and sudsing agent used in all kinds of products. It's an ether. When it's distilled  and concentrated it becomes explosive. It's known in addition to being carcinogenic, to irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys, workers exposure to it - accidental and all - has resulted in death.
 
workers working with it die --- lovely.

BEST part, ready for this?? 1,4-Dioxane, like any solvent, contaminates ground water supplies and is resistant to the naturally occurring biodegradation process!

How is this ingrediant even viable in a product labeled "GREEN"  or something good for the environment?

Seventh Generation posts it's response to the labelling issue  here

It's one thing to dispute labelling between organic and natural. 

My issue with any of these companies is them having toxic ingrediants in their products at all.

At any level, safe levels of toxins means diddly squat to me. 

Toxins are toxins.  There should be no toxins.

I certainly can't run around saying that Method or Seventh Generation products are toxic, but if an ingredient like 1,4-dioxane is in their stuff it makes me really happy that I don't advocate or purchase anything by these two companies.

In my mind I also now question that these products are truly biodegradable.

Isn't that part of the whole point of green in the first place?

I remember I use to buy a particular laundry powder that said it was phosphate free, I later heard it had safe levels of phosphates or negligable amounts and I thought how can a label say free of phosphates if it isn't??
That's just plain misleading.

Boy am I glad I use this laundry product line instead. You can too!

You can also choose products that are NOT harmful to bath your children in.

Always Safe, Always Gentle, Always Healthy

Watch this delightful video to learn more 

Please order baby products through me, as they are not listed on my website just yet. 

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean



let it be forest green, green green flickr image credit


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean as seen on Oprah

 

        

Phenol is an extremely caustic chemical that burns the skin. Absorption of phenol through the lungs or skin can cause: central nervous system damage, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, heart-rate irregularities, skin irritation, kidney and liver damage, numbness, vomiting, and can be fatal

Phenol is a very common chemical and is regularly found in the following common products: air fresheners, aftershave, bronchial mists, chloroseptic throat spray, deodorants, feminine powders & sprays, hair spray, decongestants, mouthwash, aspirin, solvents, acne medications, antiseptics, calamine lotions, cleaning products, detergents, furniture polish, hair setting lotions, lice shampoo, polishes, cold capsules, all-purpose cleaners, aerosol disinfectants, anti-itching lotions , carnex , cosmetics, disinfectant cleaners, hand lotions, lip balms, sunscreen and lotions, insecticides, cough syrups, just to name a few…

sourced from Toxic Household Chemical Facts And Statistics





deoderant flickr image credit

Your personal care products do not need phenol in them.

You can choose products that are NOT harmful to bath and pamper your children with.

Always Safe, Always Gentle, Always Healthy

Watch this delightful video to learn more 

Please order through me, as these products are not up on my website yet. 

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance. It is a known cancer-causing agent. It damages the neurological connectors in the body. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may cause: skin reactions, ear infections, headaches , depression, asthma, joint pain, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, disorientation , phlebitis , fatigue, vomiting, sleep disturbances, laryngitis

One in five people are sensitive to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is commonly found in: drugs, mouthwash, hairspray, cosmetics, cleaning products , perfumes , waxes, hair setting lotions, shampoo, air fresheners, fungicides, fingernail polish, floor polishes, dry cleaning solvents, toothpaste, laundry spray starch, Anti-perspirants, just to name a few…

Due to the increase in toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to. Bodies now start to decompose within 7 to 10 days after death. During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese bodies started to decompose within 24 to 48 hours. However, Americans didn't start to decompose for 4 to 5 days. Twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person 20 years ago compared to today.

How many of these names would you have recognized as formaldehyde? Formalin, Methanal, Methyl Aldehyde, Methylene Oxide, Oxymethylene, Bfv*, Fannoform*, Formol*, Fyde*, Karsan*, Methaldehyde, Formalith*, Methylene Glycol, Ivalon*, Oxomethane, Formalin 40, Formalin, Formic Aldehyde, Hoch, Paraform, Lysoform*, Morbocid, Trioxane, Polyoxmethylene,
* denotes trade name

Warning labels on containers refer only to toxic hazards from ingestion; however, only 10% of health problems from chemicals are caused by ingestion.  90% are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption of particles.

sourced from Toxic Household Chemical Facts And Statistics




no more tears flickr image credit


You can choose products that are NOT harmful to bath your children in.

Always Safe, Always Gentle, Always Healthy

Watch this delightful video to learn more 

Please order through me, as these products are not up on my website yet. 

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

        

This article came my way recently - Chemical In Grapes Inhibits Flu Virus

Research touting the benefits of resveratrol is rather compelling.

I certainly can't claim that resveratrol will kick swine flu, yet the details of this article are very interesting. 

What if we took on the idea and action of prevention, like taking supplements including a quality resveratrol product ?

Perhaps one might be protected from things like swine flu. 

Our immune systems know what to do!

May 31, 2005 (CIDRAP News) – Resveratrol, a chemical found in grapes and other fruits, inhibits the reproduction of influenza viruses in cell culture and mice, according to a recent report in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Rather than directly attacking the flu virus itself, resveratrol seems to block host-cell functions that are essential for viral replication, says the report by Anna T. Palamara and colleagues at the University of Rome. 

They write that the substance holds promise as a possible weapon against flu.  

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in at least 72 plant species and is known to help protect the heart and nervous system and help prevent cancer, says the report. The researchers did a series of experiments in which they exposed cells to a flu virus and added resveratrol an hour later. They also exposed groups of mice to the virus and treated them with resveratrol or a placebo.  

In an initial cell-culture experiment, treatment with resveratrol at 20 mcg/mL reduced flu virus replication 90%, and treatment with 40 mcg/mL blocked replication completely. However, because the higher concentration damaged the cells, the lower concentration was used in further tests.

The researchers also tested the effects of starting resveratrol treatment at different intervals after infecting cells with the virus.  

Treatment was most effective—reducing viral growth 87.5%—when treatment began 3 hours after virus exposure. Effects were lower but still significant when treatment began 6 hours after infection, and treatment had no significant benefit if delayed until 9 hours after infection.

Given these and other findings, the researchers concluded that resveratrol interferes with the manufacture of proteins made late in the viral replication process, such as hemagglutinin, and limits the transport of viral ribonucleoproteins from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm. The authors also determined that the molecular mechanism for resveratrol's effects has to do with the inhibition of protein kinase C activity and its dependent pathways.  

In the tests on mice, the researchers found that resveratrol treatment increased survival by 40% in treated mice, compared with mice that received a placebo. The level of virus found in the lungs 6 days after infection was 98% lower in treated mice than in the placebo group.  

"We have shown that RV [resveratrol], a natural polyphenol whose concentration in red wine is 1.5-3.0 mg/L, can inhibit the in vitro and in vivo replication of influenza A virus without producing any significant toxicity," the article states.  

The apparent ability of resveratrol to block host-cell functions that flu viruses rely on offers important advantages, the researchers say. Compared with existing anti-flu drugs, resveratrol would be less likely to induce resistance by flu viruses, and it would probably be effective for all types and strains of flu virus.

"For these reasons, RV merits further investigation as a potential weapon for combating the growing threat of influenza," the authors conclude. 

Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Aquilano K, et al. Inhibition of influenza A virus replication by resveratrol. J Infect Dis 2005 May 15;191(10):1719-29 [Abstract]

Other thoughts about Resveratrol:

The Power of Polyphenols according to Dr. Oz

Research and Resveratrol

A superb source of resveratrol

Quality Vitis Rotundifolia

What is Resveratrol?

What is Orac? Compare resveratrol products



the best resveratrol grape - the muscadine flickr image

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author 
Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

 

        

taken by karen

        

a word about organic labels
the process is evolving

The market is inundated with illegally labeled products making false claims says Cindy Latham our VP of Marketing.

A number of competitors use the “organic” term on labeling, but that does not necessarily mean the product is organic or even uses a high percentage of organic ingredients.

When marketing our new baby skin care products, our company stands behind the fact that they are made with real, certified organic ingredients and processed in facilities authorized to produce certified organic products. We are proud of this achievement and publish the amount of organic ingredients in each an every  product for all the world to see.

You won’t find this information on the majority of competitors’ packaging, if at all.

Examples Nature’s Gate Organics and Burt’s Bees, lotion, wash, and rash products have less than 10% organic ingredients, which means more than 90% of the ingredients are not organic!  Burt’s Bees claims a high percentage of “natural” ingredients, but no certified organic ingredients.

Certified organic ingredients are from organic farms, organic handling facilities, and other facilities that have been certified under the United States Department of Agriculture's Nationa Organic Program, which guaruntees that the certified ingrendient is grown and handled without peteroleum-based or sewage-sludge-based fertilizers,most conventional pesticides, irradiation, genetic modification (GMO) or sourced from GMO plants, or other restricted substances ( source: baby personal care product FAQ)


organic all in a row flickr image credit