Sunday, November 27, 2011

Protandim

Protandim

What is Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress represents an imbalance between the production and manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system’s ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage.

In plain English… when our bodies burn energy (from eating, breathing, exercising, living, etc.) our cells produce exhaust molecules. Those exhaust molecules are called “free radicals” and while we are young, our bodies produce millions of enzymes that gobble up those “free radical toxins” and function as a catalytic converter.

As we exit our 20’s, the Nrf2 pathways begin to misfire and our body begins the rapid decline in the production of those enzymes and the “free radical toxins” begin to increase in number resulting in “free radical damage”.  The basic “rusting” of our cells opens the door for disease states and we experience some of the downsides of the aging process (youth is wasted on the young!).

In humans, oxidative stress is involved in many diseases. Examples include Sickle Cell Disease, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Oxidative stress is not a good thing!

While conventional or direct antioxidants can neutralize only one free radical molecule, Protandim triggers the creation of the enzymes (we made naturally when we were young) that can each eliminate over a million free radical molecules per second without being used up.

What does this have to do with Protandim?
Protandim is not an antioxidant – it is antioxidant therapy. This supplement turns on your body’s production of millions of your natural, God-given enzymes that eliminate “free radical toxins” at a rate of 1 million free radicals per second, 24 hours a day for the life cycle of the enzyme. It’s like installing a sprinkler system in your house to combat the house fire – the house is not destroyed.

Protandim is the only supplement clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress by an average 40%, slowing down the cell aging process to the level of a 20 year-old.* While conventional or direct antioxidants can neutralize only one free radical molecule, Protandim triggers the creation of enzymes that can each eliminate over a million free radical molecules per second without being used up.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Supercharge With the Super Seven ~ How Do I Use Spices?

Click Here to Find Out More:  Check Out These Great Spices
With each pinch, dash and spoonful, spices can help boost the antioxidant power of practically
everything throughout the day, from snacks and entrees to soups and beverages. Here are a few
tips to get you started.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

7 Reasons Kale is the New Beef


Written by Jill Ettinger
Like the saying goes, the only constant is change. We may resist it all we want, but Time and its inevitable evolution of everything in its path is unaffected by our attempts to stop it. The resulting trajectory of humanity's nascent ascent appears to be positioning itself to sweep us into progressive new times, especially where our food choices are concerned, as nearly 7 billion people are now standing on the little scraps of land that we share with some 55 billion rather large animals raised for food each year. (As another famous saying goes: This town ain't big enough for the both of us.) So, beef (and all factory-farmed meat) may be going from rib-eye to relic as we transition to a greener world... literally -- as in leafy, green vegetables.
Environmentalists cite meat production as one of the biggest contributors to global warming, and the USDA's new food pyramid(MyPlate) suggests the healthiest choice is making vegetables and fruit the biggest part of every meal by reducing consumption of animal proteins. Kale is far more nutritious than other leafy greens, but these seven reasons why it is such an important futurefood may just surprise you.
1. Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is the number one cause of arthritis, heart disease and a number of autoimmune diseases, and is triggered by the consumption of animal products. Kale is an incredibly effective anti-inflammatory food, potentially preventing and even reversing these illnesses.
2. Iron: Despite the myth that vegetarians are anemic, the number of non-vegetarians with iron-deficiencies is on the rise. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef.
3. Calcium: Dairy and beef both contain calcium, but the U.S. still has some of the highest rates of bone loss and osteoporosis in the world. Kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy.
4. Fiber: Like protein, fiber is a macronutrient, which means we need it every day. But many Americans don't eat nearly enough and the deficiency is linked to heart disease, digestive disorders and cancer. Protein-rich foods, like meat, contain little to no fiber. One serving of kale not only contains 5 percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber, but it also provides 2 grams of protein.
5. Omega fatty acids: Healthy fats play an important role in our health, unlike the saturated fats in meat. A serving of kale contains 121 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 92.4 mg of omega-6 fatty acids.
6. Immunity: Superbugs and bacteria are a serious risk to our health. Many of these come as a result of factory farm meat, eggs and dairy products. Kale is an incredibly rich source of immune-boosting carotenoid and flavanoid antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C.
7. Sustainable: Kale grows to maturity in 55 to 60 days versus a cow raised for beef for an average of 18-24 months. Kale can grow in most climates and is relatively easy to grow at home or on a farm. To raise one pound of beef requires 16 pounds of grain, 11 times as much fossil fuel and more than 2,400 gallons of water.
Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger
Sources:

Monday, October 17, 2011

Welcome!





    There is no magical pill for achieving a healthy body, except perhaps courage and perseverance.



Welcome to my site..........browse around.............enjoy...........scroll down and listen to my workout music playlist!  

These traits will help sustain your motivation to improve your physical health. You can find these in many ways: from within, motivational books, websites, and even the support of your family and friends. We need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. As you embark on this journey, I will help you discover your motivation and guide you toward your goals.
Remember~

YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY WHAT YOU WEIGH - LET IT GO - everyone is worthy in their own right, in spite or despite their size or the numbers reflected on a scale. Hold true to that reality - guard it jealously, tenaciously...always!

Michelangelo said, "I saw an angel in the stone and carved to set it free."

You are the angel in the stone and you are your very own Michelangelo. You need to have the perseverance and the courage to carve away, day-by-day and bit-by-bit, to reveal the angel you are - your very own masterpiece!
I am honored that you have chosen to carve your masterpiece with me. 

Thank You and Welcome,
Claudia
 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

A Little Exercise Goes a Long Way to Cut Disease, Death Risk


Even 15 minutes a day seems to increase life expectancy, researchers say

MONDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Just 15 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce your risk of death by 14 percent and increase your life expectancy by three years, a new study suggests.
Current recommendations call for adults to do at least 150 minutes, or a total of 2.5 hours, of physical activity weekly.
But the new study finds that doing even less than that -- 15 minutes daily is about 105 minutes a week -- still provides benefits.
The study included more than 400,000 people in Taiwan who were followed for an average of eight years. Based on their self-reported amounts of weekly exercise, they were placed in one of five categories: inactive, low, medium, high or very high activity.
The people in the low-activity group exercised for an average of 92 minutes per week, or just under 15 minutes a day. Compared to those in the inactive group -- who did almost no physical activity -- those in the low-activity group were 14 percent less likely to die from any cause, 10 percent less likely to die of cancer, and had a three-year longer life expectancy, on average.
Every additional 15 minutes of daily exercise beyond the minimum 15 minutes further reduced the risk of all-cause death by 4 percent and the risk of cancer death by 1 percent.
The benefits of even low levels of physical activity were seen in all age groups, in both men and women, and in people with cardiovascular disease risks.
The study appears online Aug. 15 in The Lancet.
"In Taiwan, if inactive individuals engage in low-volume daily exercise, one in six all-cause deaths could be postponed -- mortality reductions of similar magnitude have been estimated for a successful tobacco control program in the general population," wrote Dr. Chi-Pang Wen of the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan, and colleagues.
"If the minimum amount of exercise we suggest is adhered to, mortality from heart disease, diabetes and cancer could be reduced. This low volume of physical activity could play a central part in the global war against non-communicable diseases, reducing medical costs and health disparities," they concluded.
The study results could help get more people off the couch, according to an accompanying editorial.
"The knowledge that as little as 15 minutes per day of exercise on most days of the week can substantially reduce an individual's risk of dying could encourage many more individuals to incorporate a small amount of physical activity into their busy lives," wrote Dr. Anil Nigam and Dr. Martin Juneau, of the Montreal Heart Institute and Universite de Montreal in Quebec.
"Governments and health professionals both have major roles to play to spread this good news story and convince people of the importance of being at least minimally active," they added.
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute offers a guide to physical activity.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: The Lancet, news release, Aug. 15, 2011
Last Updated: Aug. 16, 2011
Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=655863

Monday, September 12, 2011

List of Foods with Sodium Content


List of Foods With Sodium Content
Photo Credit Salt Shaker on Table- Portrait image by kellykramer from Fotolia.com

By Claudia Collins


Processed Foods

According the American Heart Association, the average American consumes 3,436 mg sodium daily. Up to 75 percent of the sodium ingested in diets comes from salt added by the manufacturers, whereas only 15 percent comes from salt added in cooking or at the table. Generally, processed and packaged foods have the highest sodium content. A slice of American processed cheese contains 406 mg of sodium and a cup of cereal may contain up to 350 mg of sodium.


Meats and Smoked Foods

Cured meats, processed meats, cold cuts, smoked meats, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, and fish canned in oil or brine are meats high in sodium and should be limited or avoided. A 3 oz. serving of
Canadian bacon contains 1,197 mg of sodium, a hot dog contains 600 to 800 mg of sodium and a large piece of beef jerky contains 438 mg of sodium. Shellfish often contains large amounts of sodium; for example, a 3 oz. serving of shrimp contains 119 mg of sodium.


Fast Food

One fast-food meal can easily provide more than the 2,300 mg of sodium, which is the recommended total daily maximum for healthy adults. According to a study conducted in New York City, Christine Johnson of the New York City Health Department and colleagues found that about 57 percent of fast-food entrees exceed the 1,500 mg level. According to their study, only one in 36 purchases of main entrees met the FDA "healthy" sodium limit of 600 mg for meals.


Food Additives

Be a label reader. Food additives such as monosodium glutamate, baking soda, baking powder, disodium phosphate, sodium alginate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrite, sodium propionate and sodium sulfite all increase the sodium in the foods to which they are added. These additives may not always taste salty and people are often surprised to learn that many cereals, cake mixes, puddings, muffins, ice cream and yogurt have high sodium contents because of this.


Soups and Sauces

Prepared soups are a major culprit for hidden sodium. One cup of chicken noodle soup contains 1,160 mg of sodium. Dr. Rachel Thompson of the World Cancer Research Fund has warned that people could increase their risk of stomach cancer by regularly eating soup with a high sodium content. Sauces are also a major source of hidden sodium. Consider this: 1/2 cup of alfredo sauce contains 1,080 mg of sodium; 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce contains 848 mg of sodium; and 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce contains 310 mg of sodium.


References
Article reviewed by Brian Peters Last updated on: Sep 12, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/248318-list-of-foods-with-sodium-content/#ixzz1boFmBdSJ

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Exercises to Relieve Restless Legs


Exercises to Relieve Restless Legs
Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

By Claudia Collins

Overview

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological disorder that causes a strong urge to move the legs, and this urge is often accompanied by feelings such as creeping, crawling, pulling, itching, tingling, burning, aching or electric shocks. RLS usually occurs more frequently at night and makes getting a good night's sleep difficult. Various exercises may provide relief for or even alleviate the symptoms caused by RLS.

Yoga

Yoga is an excellent way to fight restless legs syndrome because it incorporates both mental and physical activities to help calm your body. Yoga involves deep breathing, stretching and strength building, allowing your body to relax and strengthen at the same time. According to Alice Christensen, the founder and executive director of the America Yoga Association, yoga is a good way to handle restless legs syndrome because it may improve circulation.
Stretching
The Restless Legs Foundation recommends stretching and gentle massage of the legs both morning and night. Simple leg stretches that stretch the calves, hamstrings, hips, quadriceps and Achilles tendon may reduce or even alleviate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Leg stretches may also be performed during the night when the symptoms are actually occurring to provide relief.

Cardiovascular Exercise

A moderate amount of cardiovascular exercise such as walking, biking and taking the stairs has been associated with decreased symptoms of restless legs syndrome. The right amount of exercise and the timing of the exercise is key. Excessive exercise such as training for a marathon or intense exercise within two hours of going to bed may actually worsen your symptoms.

Isometric Exercises

Isometric or static exercises are performed when the muscle is flexed but not moving. Isometric exercises are good strength-training exercises and may provide relief of restless legs syndrome symptoms. Wall squats are performed by leaning against a wall and lowering your body as if sitting in a chair and holding for 10 to 30 seconds and repeating several times. Calf raises may be performed either seated or standing. Lift your heels high so only your toes are on the ground, hold for three to 10 seconds and lower back to the floor. Repeat several times.

Considerations and Warnings

Always consult your doctor regarding treatment for restless legs syndrome and before starting an exercise program. RLS may be treated with a combination of exercise and medications. RLS is sometimes caused by health conditions such as diabetes, iron deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney failure. Not getting enough sleep can cause you to feel tired and sleepy during the day, which may lead to other problems, including difficulty concentrating and and depression.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/419169-exercises-to-relieve-restless-legs/#ixzz1boInhREP

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Role of the Cardiovascular System in Exercise


The Role of the Cardiovascular System in Exercise
Photo Credit human image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com

By Claudia Collins


Overview

The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins and is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. The blood serves as a vehicle to carry gases like oxygen and nutrients like carbohydrates, fats and proteins to the organs, tissues and cells in the body. The blood also picks up waste products such as lactic acid and carbon dioxide from the cells and carries them to where they can either be expelled or metabolized. According the American Heart Association, inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.


Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins

Adults have approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels in their bodies. If these vessels could be laid out end-to-end they would be able to wrap around the Earth more than double. There are three kinds of blood vessels: arteries, veins and capillaries. The arteries are the pipes that transport blood into the body and the veins bring the blood back to the heart. The capillaries are the very narrow, thin-walled vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients and cellular waste products occurs.

The Heart

The heart is a muscle and serves as a pump. According to the Texas Heart Institute, the heart weighs between 7 and 15 ounces, is a little larger than your fist and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through it daily. Over the life of a person living into old age, the heart beats approximately 3.5 billion times. Cardiovascular disease most often occurs when the arteries that supply the blood to the heart become narrowed or hardened due to plaque buildup.


Effects of Exercise on the Cardiovascular System

Exercise places an increased demand on the cardiovascular system. According to the Texas Heart Association, exercise causes an increase in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, blood vessels and red blood cells. Because of these changes more oxygen and nutrients are transported to the body and more waste products are removed. According to the Sports Fitness Adviser, the cardiovascular system responds to exercise by changes in the size of the heart, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, blood flow, blood volume and blood pressure.


Significance

Sports Fitness Adviser states the cardiovascular system has five important roles during exercise. These roles are delivering oxygen to the working muscles, oxygenating blood by returning it the lungs, transporting heat from the core to the skin, transporting hormones and delivering nutrients and fuel to the active tissues. The cardiovascular system must regulate the changes caused by exercise in order to perform efficiently and meet the body's increasing demands.


Expert Insight

The American Heart Association recommends, for most healthy people, 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity be performed most days of the week. The 2008 Physical Guidelines for Healthy People recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week along with at least two days of strength training exercises. They also state that the 150 minutes may be obtained in 10-minute spurts as opposed to 30- or 60-minute workouts.


Warning

The American Heart Association recommends that you consult a doctor or health care provider before starting an exercise program if you have any of the following conditions: heart disease or have had a stroke, take medications for blood pressure control, diabetes, have experienced chest pain during exercise or anytime during the past month, are middle-aged or older and lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a bone, muscle or joint problem that may be worsened by exercise, have any other condition that may need special attention. Never ignore signs of heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heart beats.


References
Article reviewed by M.J. Ingram Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/268517-the-role-of-the-cardiovascular-system-in-exercise/#ixzz1boHMIdeV