CUSTOMIZE YOUR ANTIOXIDANTS : A-Z List!

THE ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS:

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals from doing damage to your body.
(Free radicals are what cause disease) A lot of folks think, I take Vitamin C, "I'm good to go". Although Vitamin C is very good for us, it's really just the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to antioxidants! There are 100's of different kinds of antioxidants...many of them work together in synergy,  as "cofactors" or catalysts to enable them to work better.

Each antioxidant has a specific role and 

“specializes” in certain areas.

Here is a very useful A-Z List that helps to customize antioxidants to optimize health.

DIFFERENTIATING
ANTIOXIDANTS: 

ASTAXANTHIN
Increases strength and stamina
while reducing recovery time,
reduces eye strain and fatigue,
supports cardiovascular health,
and improves skin quality

CHROMIUM
Boosts the immune system,
protects DNA and RNA, and
maintains proper cholesterol
levels

COENZYME Q10
Involved in mitochondrial energy
production (ATP), maintains
brain health, supports the
immune system, and promotes
cardiovascular health

FLAVONOIDS
Contributes to the maintenance
of heart health and boosts
cellular antioxidant defenses

LUTEIN
Improves hydration and
elasticity of skin, plays an
important role in eye health
as we age, and may help to
prevent and treat macular
degeneration

LYCOPENE
Contributes to the maintenance
of prostate health, acts as
an internal sunscreen, and
prevents age-related macular
degeneration and cataracts

OLIGOMERIC 
PROANTHOCYANIDINS
(OPCs)
Possesses high anti-inflammatory
properties, contributes to the
maintenance of heart health,
supports a healthy complexion,
and supports immune health

POLYPHENOLS
Maintains healthy vision,
supports cardiovascular
health, and improves cellular
antioxidant defenses

*PYCNOGENOL®                             
Enhances the effects of other
antioxidants, stimulates
production of antioxidant
enzymes inside cells, boosts the
immune system, and supports
cardiovascular health                                                  

SELENIUM
Reduces the risk of heart
disease and maintains healthy
hair, skin and eyes

SULFORAPHANE
Enhances detoxification of
undesirable compounds and
improves cellular antioxidant
defenses

VITAMIN A
Improves immunity, aids in eye
lubrication, lowers cholesterol,
and helps to repair old tissues

VITAMIN C
Reduces inflammation, helps
to improve mood, provides
resistance to infections, and
protects the skin from UV
damage

VITAMIN E
Primary defender against
oxidation, protects skin
from the sun, speeds up cell
regeneration, and helps to
improve immune function

ZEAXANTHIN
Helps protect the eye from UV
damage and prevents free radical damage to the retina
and the lens of the eye

ZINC
Improves stress levels,
strengthens the immune
system, and shortens the
duration of colds

*Pycnogenol® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd.
Use of this product may be protected by one or more U.S. patents and other international patents.

Which antioxidants do you take and why??

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selecthebesthealth.com

DIY Veggie Wash

01 Uses for Grapefruit Seed Extract - GSE

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) has a myriad uses! It's an extremely versatile product that can do everything from disinfect to purify water, as it has antimicrobial properties. GSE also has antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral properties.

You can find GSE in health food stores & some grocery stores. It's not cheap, but the bottle will last a LONG time and you can use it for so many things!

It's the perfect travel companion, as you can put a couple drops in a glass of water to purify it. (it can be "bitter" so 1 - 2 drops will do it.) I have a friend that lived in Ecuador & routinely used it to prevent dysentery. Carry a small empty spray bottle & GSE on your trip. Add a couple of drops of GSE to the spray bottle & fill it with water. Voila'! You now have a disinfectant for the bathroom toilet, sink & tub in your hotel.

And GSE is a prime ingredient in my DIY Veggie Wash!!


DIY Veggie Wash

Kids would have fun helping with this one!

Every couple of months, I routinely make a DIY Veggie Wash & keep it at the kitchen sink in a spray bottle. The recipe, (see below), includes 10 - 12 drops of GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract). The "formula" is a lot like a "science experiment" with white vinegar & baking soda included in the mix. So gradually add the ingredients together into a gallon pitcher, down in your kitchen sink, so there is plenty of room for it to "grow" & even "boil over". LOL

DIY Veggie Wash: (I usually double the recipe)

1 TBSP. Lemon Juice
2 TBSP. Baking Soda
3/4 cup white vinegar
8 ounces water
10 - 12 drops of GSE

Gradually add the vinegar into the mix, stir it down to keep it from overflowing. Add to a spray bottle & you have your own inexpensive veggie wash.




Do you use GSE? If so, how do you use it?

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Clogged legs???

Natural Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.)

You are walking or climbing up a set of stairs, and suddenly you notice a dull, cramping pain in your leg. Before you write off the pain as simply a sign of overexertion or just a normal part of growing older, consider this: You may have intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

What is PAD?

PAD, also known as peripheral vascular disease, is a condition in which arteries and veins in your limbs, usually in the legs and feet, are blocked or narrowed by fatty deposits that reduce blood flow.

PAD Symptoms:

Intermittent claudication, leg discomfort (typically in the calf) that occurs during exertion or exercise and is relieved by rest, usually is the first symptom of PAD. But other possible symptoms may include leg sores that won’t heal (chronic venous ulcers)…varicose veins (chronic venous insufficiency)…paleness (pallor) or discoloration (a blue tint) of the legs…or cold legs.

Why is “a little leg trouble” so significant?

If it’s due to PAD, you have got a red flag that other arteries, including those in the heart and brain, may also be blocked. In fact, people with PAD have a two- to sixfold increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

Some 8 to 12 million Americans—including up to one in five people age 60 or older—are believed to have PAD. While many individuals who have PAD experience the symptoms described earlier, some have no symptoms at all.

Those at greatest risk: Anyone who smokes or has elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes is at increased risk for PAD.

What you need to know…

BETTER TREATMENT RESULTS

"I eat plenty of "fast food" but just seem to be getting slower and slower!" - "fast food" IS one of the problems!

The standard treatment for PAD typically includes lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking, getting regular exercise and eating a healthful diet).

Medical treatment may include medication, such as one of the two drugs approved by the FDA for PAD—pentoxifylline (Trental) and cilostazol (Pletal)—and, in severe cases, surgery.

For even better results: Strong scientific evidence now indicates that several natural therapies—used in conjunction with these treatments—may help slow the progression of PAD and improve a variety of symptoms more effectively than standard treatment alone can.



Do not take more than one of the following therapies at the same time—this will increase bleeding risk.

These Natural Therapies Can Boost Your Treatment Results

Among the most effective natural therapies for PAD…

• Grape seed extract. Grapes, including the fruit, leaves and seeds, have been used medicinally since the time of the ancient Greeks. Grape seed extract is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that integrative practitioners in Europe use to treat varicose veins, chronic leg ulcers and other symptoms of PAD. 

Scientific evidence: In several recent studies, grape seed extract was found to reduce the symptoms of poor circulation in leg veins, which can include nighttime cramps, swelling, heaviness, itching, tingling, burning, numbness and nerve pain. 

• Ginkgo biloba. A standardized extract from the leaf of the ginkgo biloba tree, which is commonly taken to improve memory, is one of the top-selling herbs in the US. But the strongest scientific evidence for ginkgo biloba may well be in the treatment of PAD. 

Scientific evidence: Numerous studies currently show that ginkgo biloba extract can decrease leg pain that occurs with exercise or at rest. The daily doses used in the studies ranged from 80 mg to 320 mg.

• Hesperidin. This flavonoid is found in unripe citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines. 

Scientific evidence: Research now shows that hesperidin may strengthen veins and tiny blood vessels called capillaries, easing the symptoms of venous insufficiency. Hesperidin also has been shown to reduce leg symptoms such as pain, cramps, heaviness and neuropathy (burning, tingling and numbness). Some hesperidin products also contain diosmin (Daflon), a prescription medication that is used to treat venous disease...vitamin C...or the herb butcher’s broom—all of which strengthen the effects of hesperidin. 

• Horse chestnut seed extract. The seeds, leaves, bark and flowers of this tree, which is native to Europe, have been used for centuries in herbal medicine. 

Scientific evidence: Several studies now indicate that horse chestnut seed extract may be helpful for venous insufficiency, decreasing leg pain, fatigue, itchiness and swelling. 

• L-carnitine. Also known as acetyl-L-carnitine, this amino acid may improve circulation and help with PAD symptoms. 

New finding: Taking L-carnitine in addition to the PAD medication cilostazol increased walking distance in people with intermittent claudication up to 46% more than taking cilostazol alone, reported researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in a recent issue of Vascular Medicine.

• Inositol nicotinate. This is a form of niacin (vitamin B-3) that is less likely to create the typical “flushing” (redness and heat) that is produced by high doses of niacin. 

Several studies show that it is helpful in treating PAD. It is commonly used in the UK to treat intermittent claudication.
Policosanol. This is a natural cholesterol-lowering compound made primarily from the wax of cane sugar. Comparative studies show that policosanol treats intermittent claudication as effectively as the prescription blood thinner ticlopidine (Ticlid) and more effectively than the cholesterol-lowering statin lovastatin (Mevacor).

• OPC's - A family of bioflavonoids. (which include Grapeseed extract)

Studies have shown the efficacy of OPC's in strengthening blood vessels and increasing circulation. Pycnogenol, a patented ingredient has over 200 studies demonstrating scientific, evidenced based optimization of many health conditions, including, but not limited to circulation & blood vessel health. With over 40 years of research dedicated to Pycnogenol's safety, efficacy and quality. http://www.pycnogenol.com/

OPC-3 is the world's sole provider of patented isotonic formulated Pycnogenol.

As always, check with your doctor to be certain any of these "options" are a good fit for you and your particular situation. As many of these alternatives are natural blood thinners, which can be a  "good thing" if you are not already taking pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Source: Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, cofounder of the Somerville, Massachusetts–based Natural Standard Research Collaboration, which collects data on natural therapies, and senior attending pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She is also the author of Natural Standard Herbal Pharmacotherapy andNatural Standard Medical Conditions Reference (both from Mosby) and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dietary Supplements.

Helping YOU to Select the Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

~Meet YOUR NEW SUPERHERO- OPC-3!!!

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's your new Superhero ~ OPC-3!!!

OPC-3 is a Super Antioxidant that is a natural anti-inflammatory. 

Inflammation centers around all disease! 

Watch the video below by Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD, and see why patented Pycnogenol®, found in OPC-3, works to optimize so many areas of health. 

 Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD 

Multiple Health Benefits of Pycnogenol®

Reasons To Love YOUR SUPERHERO Isotonix OPC-3

OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of patented Pycnogenol® in the world.

Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals.

And the list goes on & on....

• Combats free radicals
• Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins
• Helps maintain joint flexibility
• Helps promote cardiovascular health
• Helps reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain
• Helps support visual health/visual acuity
• Potent free radical scavenger
• Promotes healthy blood vessel dilation
• Promotes healthy nitric oxide levels
• Supports a healthy complexion
• Supports healthy blood glucose levels
• Supports healthy platelet activity
• Supports healthy sperm quality
• Promotes sinus comfort
• Supports immune health

Get to know your new Superhero - OPC-3

Rapid Absorption, No Binders or Fillers, JUST RESULTS!!!

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

I'm eating WHAT????

There's some crazy ingredients in your food...know it or not!

Would you like your soda with or without flame retardants? And how about some yummy petroleum in candy & cereal with all those "fun" colors. Add just  a touch of titanium dioxide in your salad dressing. And don't forget to order meat laced with flesh-eating bacteria. YUMM!!

Check out this article from Hungry For Change:

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/the-7-nastiest-things-lurking-in-your-supermarket

Be mindful of your mouthful!

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Anti-Aging 4 Pets

Pets and Aging:

Pets age and have "aches and pains",  just like we do. As pets become older, antioxidants become even more important in the fight against free radicals, and their associated effects on cells in joints and other tissues. All animals are at risk for declining joint health. Many factors can affect joint health and the integrity of cartilage, including diet, genetic make-up and activity levels.   

Each animal's genetic code, for example, can influence the thickness and durability of its cartilage and its overall joint health. Proper nutrition, especially antioxidant supplementation, is critical in maintaining healthy joints. Glucosamine has been shown to promote the retention and normal regeneration of cartilage, support normal movement and flexibility of joints and promote joint comfort.

Anti-Aging Tip for the 4 Legged "Family" Members":

Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways: chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant, such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilizes free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventive antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.


PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine is a food supplement made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts, citrus extract bioflavonoids and glucosamine, designed to promote healthy joints and provide a strong antioxidant defense. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to your pet’s body. 

Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine offers a unique, great-tasting powder that is sprinkled over your pet’s regular food. It represents the latest technology available today in naturally based pet food supplements. PetHealth OPC Formula is available in a tasty beef flavor that your pets will love - and you'll love knowing that you're doing all you can to help your pets stay healthy and live long, healthy lives. 

TRUE STORY:

We had an outdoor, feral cat, that loved to climb trees, kill mice and live the "free life". When she was about 15 years old, ("human years" that's OLD!), she became very sick and crawled off to die. We found her & there was a big discussion of putting her "down". However the OPC PetHealth had just come out and I decided to try it out on her. Mixing a little of the powder with some water, I shoved it in front of her, she took a couple of laps of it and walked away. I thought that was the end. However the next day, she showed up on the upstairs deck! I shoved some more OPC PetHealth at her. 

Long story short, we never took her to the vet. She came every morning for the next THREE YEARS to the back door on the upper deck and waited for her OPC PetHealth. She would dip her paw in it and lap it from her paw. She lived a "productive" life, lots of energy and tree climbing, up to the very end. I would HIGHLY recommend OPC PetHealth  Formula to anyone that wants to keep their pet healthy & ageless for as long as possible, without spending a fortune on Vet bills!

Do you have any "pet tricks" in keeping your pet healthy??

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com