AstaReal®- Astaxanthin - !!!

Will the REAL Astaxanthin Please Step Forward:

Click on image above to view larger version

Last week I had a post about the "dark side" of supplements. There's a lot of "junk science" out there....and some of it leads to illegal formulas. This is unfortunately part of the supplement industry &  as the consumer you need to be aware. 

Take for example, the super antioxidant , astaxanthin. 

To be sure astaxanathin is a very powerful antioxidant. It is especially effective in cardio vascular benefits as well as eye health and skin. All extremely important as we age! (read multiple benefits here:  Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, synthesized by plants and algae, and distributed in marine seafood. In other words its what helps make shrimp & flamingos pink.

AstaREAL®

Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula is the "real deal". It's formula uses AstaReal® astaxanthin. With high quality and stability, AstaReal® astaxanthin ranks among the purest and most powerful antioxidants available. AstaReal® uses precision cultivation techniques in state-of the-art facilities, producing only 100 percent natural astaxanthin in a purified, sterile environment.*

The providers of this product have exclusive rights to the purest astaxanthin on the market.To learn more about a pure astaxanthin with no synthetic, illegal ingredients click here: Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula. No back orders right now! (Although after a couple of weeks of it's initial debut it was on back order. Nevertheless the producer never resorted to synthetic, illegal means to make Prime Astaxanthin).

Nice to know there are some companies out there with integrity!

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

The Dr. O Effect -

The "Dr. O " Effect:

Not too long ago my dad recorded a popular show we'll call "Dr. O",  that included some info on the health benefits of mulberries. About a week later I started looking for mulberries or mulberry tea. It was nowhere to be found! I went to a local health food chain & they stated that every since Dr O had a show on mulberries everyone is asking about it daily. This is what is fondly referred to as the "Dr O Effect".

I finally did find a lone online company that just happened to have a couple of bags of dried mulberries left. They are good. But once I run out will have to wait for the "mulberry frenzy" to calm before reordering.

Booming Demand CAN Lead to "Dark Side":

According to NUTRA Ingredients - (read entire article here >> The "O effect" can spike a demand that leads to a "potential dark side".)
Suppliers for many dietary ingredients can't be ramped up fast enough to meet the demand once an ingredient has been has been
introduced by Dr. O.

The article goes on to illustrate an example of astaxanthin, a super antioxidant. It became an "overnight super star", that was demanded over tenfold, after a Dr. O episode featuring, you guessed it, astaxanthin. Because of the demand, some supplement suppliers began to market synthetic astaxanthin, illegally. Which may have "serious safety concerns".

So buyer beware: Not all supplements are created equal!!!

Do you know where to get organic dried mulberries or mulberry tea??? If so, don't keep it a secret, please post it :-)

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Good Carbs - Addictive Carbs

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Carbs 

A few years ago my dad was hospitalized. He is a diabetic and the hospital insisted that his food tray was "diabetic" food. It was loaded with bread, potatoes, rice - just "half the servings" as non diabetics. They "counted" the carbs. 

Knowing that food was my father's "drug of choice",  and also knowing the "rest of the story" about carbs, my sister & I took turns guarding his door and quickly circumvented trays brought to his room. We would "inspect & dissect" the food. We would bring in healthy foods to add to his diet. Until one day neither of us could be there to stand guard...

In their "carb counthing" they put a small cup of ice cream on his tray. When I arrived he was almost incoherent. Slumped in his bed, acting as if he'd been drugged. Too weak to sit up. I tried to get him to tell me what was wrong, he could barely speak. I then finally got the piece of information that he had eaten the ice cream. ...I immediately called the nurses station. What happened next stunned me.

They ran in, checked his blood sugar and gave him an insulin shot, of which although he is type 2 diabetic, has NEVER been on insulin. Then with in a few minutes, checked the blood sugar again, and, they came at him with what looked like a tube of toothpaste & squeezed it in his mouth. It was straight glucose, which effected his blood sugar like an elephant being dropped from a 10 story building. They then wanted to inject him with insulin again. I said "enough". If the ice cream had not been on the plate none of this would be happening. They responded the dietitian has counted the carbs and it was in " range" for diabetics.....I spoke with the dietitian, and yes she was "counting the carbs". But the truth is not all carbs are created equal. It's all about the GI - Glycemic Index.

Your Brain on Carbs

According to "Bottom Line". Publications -Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly because they’re so simple that our bodies have little left to do with them before converting the food to energy. Such foods are said to have a high glycemic index (GI) because they trigger a fast and pronounced increase in blood glucose levels. But soon after high-GI foods are eaten, blood glucose begins to plummet again…and by about four hours later, it winds up even lower than after a 12-hour fast. That’s the crash that people complain of—and it triggers big hunger.

In contrast, low-GI foods (most vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and minimally processed grains) cause more gradual and less extreme increases and decreases in blood glucose levels. That why they keep you feeling fuller longer and don’t trigger intense cravings. (To look up the GI for various foods, visitGlycemicIndex.com.)

For the study: Researchers wanted to gain a better understanding of what goes on inside the brain after a person eats carbs. Participants included men who were overweight or obese but otherwise healthy. Each came to the lab on two separate mornings, several weeks apart, after fasting for 12 hours, and was given a milkshake-type breakfast that was either high-GI or low-GI, depending on the ingredients used. Cornstarch and regular 1%-fat milk were included in the low-GI (slow-digesting) drink…corn syrup and lactose-free 1%-fat milk were used in the high-GI (fast-digesting) drink. Both breakfasts contained about 500 calories, had the same basic nutrients, and looked, smelled and tasted virtually identical. If a man was served the high-GI meal on his first visit, he received the low-GI meal the second time…and vice versa.

Before the meal and then every 30 minutes thereafter, blood was drawn to measure participants’ glucose and insulin levels. The men also rated their hunger levels on a scale of one to 10. The blood tests and hunger assessments continued for five hours.

Four hours after the meal, which is when blood glucose levels typically are at their lowest point—and which is a time likely to influence eating behavior at the next meal—each participant had a functional MRI (fMRI). This special scanning technique traced and measured actual amounts of blood flow through various brain regions.

 Carb Addicts: 

What the scans showed: Blood flow in a brain area called the right nucleus accumbenswas 8.2% higher four hours after the high-GI meal than after the low-GI meal. Now, you might think that extra blood flow would be a good thing—but this particular brain area is a “reward center” that’s involved in cravings and substance abuse/dependence. This suggests that eating high-GI foods may trigger a neurophysiological response similar to that involved in addiction. After all, cravings are one of the hallmarks of addiction.

In addition, this increased blood flow in the brain’s reward center directly corresponded with changes in glucose and hunger levels. As expected, compared with the low-GI meal, the high-GI meal caused glucose to spike faster and higher and then to drop farther…and led to significantly higher hunger ratings afterward.

For those reasons, the researchers suggested that the sharp decrease in blood sugar that occurs a few hours after high-GI foods are consumed not only stimulates greater hunger, but also makes the brain find the very idea of high-GI carbs more pleasurable and rewarding. Thus the cycle of overeating is propagated.

UNIQUE APPROACH

This study is not the first to show that specific foods cause special changes in the brain, but it is unique for several important reasons. For one thing, the two test meals looked and tasted virtually identical and contained the same number of calories and nutrients. Neither the participants nor the researchers collecting the data knew which meal was being served. Earlier studies compared dissimilar foods—a piece of cheesecake versus vegetables, for example—so those test results could have been skewed by participants’ liking for or aversion to a particular food.

Also, by using new technology, the researchers could measure direct brain responses. Many previous fMRI studies were unable to quantify the amount of the blood flow changes in the brain.

This study actually brings some good news: The findings suggest that, if people succeed in avoiding high-GI foods, they may be able to interrupt the vicious self-perpetuating cycle of carb cravings. In other words, if you can muster the strength to stay away from simple carbs for a while, it will get easier for you keep off of them. And that is motivating in itself! {This is why a 7 day or even 3 day "cleanse" or detox is sooo powerful. Gives your body & your brain, a much needed rest!}

Source: David Ludwig, MD, PhD, professor, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, and director, New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, all in Boston. He also is the author of Ending the Food Fight: Guide Your Child to a Healthy Weight in a Fast Food/Fake Food World (Mariner). His study was published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. EndingTheFoodFight.com

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selecthebesthealth.com

Pineapple Power!

Pineapple Power!

Bromelain is a proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme that is found in high concentrations in the stem and fruit of pineapple. Originally discovered in the late 1800s, Bromelain’s benefits have prompted many health professionals to use it for the prevention of illness and irritation since the late 1950s.

This enzyme is often used as a supplement to aid various ailments and boost general health. The benefits it offers are based on Bromelain’s unique ability to hydrolyze, or break down, a wide variety of proteins related to the inflammatory response. This makes Bromelain a natural anti-inflammatory that can assist in the reduction of pain and swelling brought on by inflammation, as well as facilitate the healing of wounds and bruises in the body.

There are also additional, lesser known, health benefits that Bromelain can be beneficial for beyond the most common uses. It has been linked to better heart and circulatory health, improvement in asthma and other breathing conditions and improved immunity associated with cancer.

Inflammation

Research has demonstrated Bromelain’s ability to reduce the swelling and inflammation of soft-tissue injuries. Because it is considered a proteolytic enzyme, Bromelain has the capability to fight off inflammation which may affect the tissues and organs in the body. The anti-inflammatory effect of Bromelain comes from its ability to prevent the formation of kinins—protein molecules that play a major role in inflammatory reactions. Similarly, Bromelain is also recognized for its ability to decrease bruising by breaking down those proteins that prevent blood from leaving injured tissues.

Healing

Beyond the minor inflammation associated with swelling and bruising, Bromelain is also beneficial in the body’s healing process. Research shows that the Bromelain enzyme has the ability to stop bruising, speed up healing time, and reduce discomfort. It commonly administered to patients after surgery to help reduce pain and swelling in the body post-surgery. This enzyme is also helpful for individuals who are nursing injuries involving minor muscular issues, such as strains and sprains in muscle tissue.

Bromelain has been thought to kill some viruses & bacteria.

Cancer

In addition to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, Bromelain has also shown promise as a powerful immunity booster and a complementary treatment for cancer. Bromelain provides an asset to cancer treatment by helping to restore balance to the immune system and increase the absorption of vital chemotherapy drugs. Many recent studies have indicated Bromelain has the ability to activate immunity-enhancing receptors in the body. This results in a strengthening of T-cells – the body’s front line defense – which enhances the response of the immune system and helps to kill cancer cells without harming the patient with more aggressive interventions.

Even better, it has been thought to effect abnormal cells, by "eating" the protein around abnormal cells - so the body can "identify" the bad guys and put up the bodies defenses, before cancer has a "fighting chance".

In summary, this simple pineapple extract is actually one of nature’s most powerful and well kept secrets. Whether suffering from minor inflammation or dealing with major immune-compromising issues like surgery or cancer, Bromelain has the potential to provide a powerful asset.

Interactions - As always, check with your doctor if you are taking blood thinners as bromelain is a natural blood thinner. Bromelain also "enhances" antibiotics. Which actually can be beneficial, increasing recovery - either way check with your doctor.

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Heart to Heart Health

Omega III Fish Oil - Essential to Heart Health

Touted in recent years for multiple health benefits such as: maintaining normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promoting healthy blood pressure levels, helping to maintain healthy levels of C-reactive protein, and helping maintain normal blood flow!

An unhealthy diet of processed, high-calorie, and high-fat foods can contribute to poor heart health. But for the past 10 years, many Americans have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements for its benefits. Read on to find out what makes Heart Health Essential Omega III with Vitamin E a must-have product!




Heart Health Essential Omega III with Vitamin E is superior to similar products in the market for many reasons. We use the best fish oils to produce a clean and safe product that is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also contains 3000 mg of fish oil where most other commercial products contain a third of the total fish oil contained in Heart Health Essential Omega III.

Also, Heart Health Essential Omega III comes from small fish where other competitive products use large fish which are more likely to accumulate toxins. It provides a high quality, high purity product with significant percentages of the health promoting EPA and DHA.

Let's talk "Heart to Heart" - Taking Heart Health Essential Omega III - is a critical step to optimizing your heart health!

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Vitamin D Deficiency: Are You At Risk?

Vitamin D deficiency: More Common Than You Think

With the increased popularity of using sunscreens with high sun protection factors (SPFs) to prevent sun damage and skin cancer, Americans are unknowingly increasing their risk of becoming vitamin D deficient. The National Center for Health Statistics published in March that 36% percent of American adults surveyed from 2001-2006 were at risk of vitamin D deficiency or inadequacy. Additionally, the Journal of Pediatrics published in 2009 that 70% of children in the US are not getting enough vitamin D.

We all know that unprotected sun exposure can damages our skin and cause skin cancer, but sunlight is also used by our bodies to produce Vitamin D. When using SPF, our bodies have a more difficult time absorbing vitamin D from the sun. Even Using SPF 8 cuts the amount of vitamin D absorbed from sunlight by 95%. Higher SPFs reduce absorption to almost zero. Vitamin D is essential to our bodies because it aids in the absorption of calcium. Too little vitamin D, and the body has a hard time absorbing enough calcium, leading to weak bones, osteoporosis, and rickets. Vitamin D is also important to the immune system. People who are deficient in vitamin D can be more prone to infection.

Are you at an increased risk? 

Since natural sources of vitamin D come from animal products, strict vegetarians and vegans can be more likely to become vitamin D deficient. Also likely to be at risk are those who suffer from Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease. These diseases affect the intestine’s ability to absorb vitamin D from food. 

Shorter days can make one SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

As winter approaches with shorter days, some people experience "winter blues". Some have experienced improvement with supplementation of vitamin D. 

So how do you know if you are vitamin D deficient? Unfortunately, symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are subtle, but if you are experiencing bone pain or muscle weakness, you could have cause for worry. The most precise way to measure your vitamin D level is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test, a blood test performed by your doctor. Normal levels of vitamin D range from 30 to 74 nanograms per milliliter. Levels lower than 30 indicate a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D fortified Milk has long been relied upon to provide Americans with the vitamin D that they need. However, in 2001 Cornell University sampled 648 cartons of vitamin D fortified milk in New York state. As a result, researchers at Cornell found that 46.3% of the milk was under fortified and did not contain the 400 international units (IU) per quart as listed on the label. Other sources of vitamin D include dairy products such as yogurt and cheese and fatty fishes like tuna and salmon. Since the natural sources of vitamin D are few, it is unlikely that you can eat enough of these foods on a regular basis to satisfy your body’s vitamin D requirements. The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements recommends 600 IU of vitamin D daily for adults and children. However, many doctors speculate that we actually need closer to 1000 IU in order to prevent brittle bones and osteoporosis. Web MD recommends that both adults and children supplement with 1000 IU daily.

When choosing a vitamin D supplement, there are two important factors to consider.

• Choose D3. Vitamin D supplements that contain the naturally active form of vitamin D, D3, are much more effective than ones that contain vitamin D2.
• Look for a vitamin D supplements that contain vitamin K2, which can help maintain bone density. Taking vitamins D3 and K2 together can help improve the absorption of calcium.

So remember, while the use of sun protection is rising, so is the risk of vitamin D deficiency. However, rather than exposing ourselves to sun damage, it is safer to take a vitamin D supplement. It is hard to be certain exactly how much vitamin D we get from our diets alone, and supplementation can make sure that we are receiving the nutrients that our bodies need. Remember to consult with your primary care physician before starting a new supplementation plan.

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Low on "Bugs"?

Are You "Moving Things Along" Daily?

Granted your digestive tract is not something you usually talk about at a cocktail party. However, we probably should be having more conversations about it, as colon cancer is right up there with the top 3 cancers in this country!

As we get "older" & our bodies are subjected to abuse from meds, poor diets & running in the "fast lane. We get "sluggish" or constipated. And some folks are "proud" if they are "moving things along" once a week! Yikes!! We should be "moving" stuff out of our bodies daily, in fact multiple times a day! 

So if you're sick several times a year, have taken a ton of antibiotics in the past or have a fast lifestyle with a subpar diet - you may be low on "bugs". 

Bugs you WANT IN YOU:

There's a lot of science out there about the benefits of probiotics now. In fact from infancy, breast milk introduces prebiotics to a newborn, among other significant nutrients that are beneficial in building the immune system. 

Did you know that your digestive tract is home to over 400 different types of microbes / aka "bugs"? These microbes include healthy bacteria called probiotics, and potentially unhealthy bacteria. With all those different types of bacteria, finding the best way to maintain optimal digestive health can be daunting.

Probiotics Supplements -Not All Are Created Equally!

When choosing a probiotic supplement, it’s important to select a product that provides your body with numerous strains of probiotics. While many products on the market deliver a high total probiotic count, they are only coming from one or two strains. NutriClean® Probiotics  was developed to deliver comprehensive support by providing the body with 10 different strains of probiotics with patented LiveBac® and Bio-tract® technologies. Each strain has a unique purpose and work together to support everything from immune health to digestive regularity.

Rather than listing each probiotic individually and bogging you down with hard-to-pronounce names like Lactobacillus plantarum, let’s talk about how these hand-picked probiotic strains benefit you. Probiotics are probably best known for promoting good digestive health and bowel regularity. NutriClean® contains several strains that have been shown to do all that plus promote overall digestive comfort. And let’s be honest: there’s nothing worse than being an on-the-go, busy person who suffers from the discomfort resulting from an occasional irregular digestive tract.

In addition to promoting good digestive health, NutriClean® includes probiotic strains that play a major role in supporting your metabolism and immune system, while at the same time reducing potentially unhealthy bacteria that are naturally present in the body. Your body is a bacteria battlefield; NutriClean® can give you the support you need to stay healthy and win the fight for digestive health!

FYI I had a friend that recently went to Europe for vacation, and took a couple of bottles of NutriClean with her. She was so pleased that the product helped her stay "regular" & not "bloated" while traveling. And a bonus was they don't have to be refrigerated, due to the patent that makes them shelf stable! 

If you need to get things moving along, what do you do??

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Whey Better!

Why Whey?

It is widely accepted by athletes, body builders and even doctors that protein is the single most important supplement for building, growing, and repairing muscle. Whether you’re looking to shed fat, get ripped, or bulk up, protein is a major component of any good exercise regimen. Men and women alike can benefit from protein supplements, especially whey and casein varieties.

Whey protein is a natural byproduct of cheese production and is also the highest quality protein available. This is because whey has the ideal amount of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), which are essential for building, repairing and growing muscle tissue. Aside from physical benefits, whey also helps stabilize mood and blood sugar levels, increase concentration and attention, and promote a healthy immune system. The stabilization of blood sugar levels reduces food cravings and increases energy levels, both of which aid in weight loss.

Building muscle isn't just for "meat heads"; it also aids in burning fat. Since muscle weighs more than fat, many dieters may weigh themselves and perceive an increase in weight as an increase in fat. In fact, the opposite may be true. An estimated 500 calories is burned for every 10 pounds of muscle. With this in mind, an individual that gains a pound of muscle can consume 50 more calories per day without gaining weight. Thus, muscle building aids in weight loss by increasing the amount of calories burned.

If you bend down to tie shoes, lift groceries, stretch to the back seat of your car, walk through the mall or breathe, your will thank you for the right whey protein for all your "heavy lifting" in life.

But not all whey products are the same - TLS Whey is Whey Better! 

• 21 grams of Whey Protein
• rBGH free
• Sourced from grass fed cows
• Promotes optimal body composition and muscle growth

Helping YOU to Select the Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Does Your Multi Make You Feel Different?

Do you feel differently when you take your multivitamin? Or do you notice if you "missed" taking your multi? 

What is a "Good" Multivitamin?

Even the AMA (American Medical Association) says it's a good idea to take a daily multivitamin. There are myriads of choices, where do you start? Not all multivitamins are created equal!
.

The fact is there's a lot of "junk science" out there! Pills & tablets that contain binders & fillers, block absorption. Some absorption can be blocked by up to 90% -  100%. Some are even coated with "plastic"! YIKES!

A multivitamin in isotonic form has no binders or fillers! A fine powder that you mix "fresh" every day with an exact amount of water & drink on an empty stomach. The isotonic solution gets into your bloodstream within 5 minutes!!! Unheard of with pills, tablets or even liquids! Isotonix are the closest thing to an IV there is, without the needles. Feel the difference!

How do you feel about your health today?

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Drugged....

Drugged:

Photo from Bottom Line Secrets

Years ago I read a book by John Abramson, MD, who is a lecturer in health-care policy at Harvard Medical School in Boston and author of Overdosed America: The Broken Promise of American Medicine (Harper). It changed my mindset about pharmaceuticals. Don't get me wrong, there's a time and a place for "drugs". However, the last 20+ years or so, folks have started taking pharmaceuticals like they were "candy". 

It's All About Marketing:

And it's no wonder! With all the "slick ad" campaigns you'd think that all the drugs are going to solve your every problem. Even though they always put in the "disclaimer", while soothing music is being played and healthy looking people are going about their lives, a calm, low voice says something like: 'could cause diarrhea, headaches, stomach upset or death. Ask your doctor about it today!'

I came across this article in Bottom Line with an interview with Dr. Abramson, MD. (click here to read entire article) Dr Abramson stated: "What we all need to keep in mind is that the fundamental purpose of drug advertising is to get people to buy newer and more expensive drugs, not to provide public health education.” 

It’s also worth noting that the FDA does not approve drug ads before they are published or aired. Instead, it only warns companies afterward—sometimes months later—if violations are spotted. YIKES!!

To make matters worse, doctors are "wooed" by pharma-sponsored trips, perks, free samples and other incentives designed to convince doctors to prescribe the same drugs that their patients see advertised on TV or in print.

So we, the "consumers" have to be aware of "tricks of the trade" which the article enumerated on.
Here's their list:

• Misleading language
• Glossed-over side effects
• Medicalization of normal conditions 
• Skewed clinical study data
• Patient programs designed to get you hooked

Remember EVERY drug has side-effects!! So "pick your poison", so to speak. The "illness" or side-effects & drugs that are routinely prescribed to "counter the side-effects", which also have, you guessed it, more side-effects! Causing a cascade of prescription medicines to be taken. 

Did you know that most prescription drugs delete or destroy vital vitamins and nutrients from the body? So if you are taking medications you likely need to be supplementing to offset what the drugs are zapping from your body!

There may very well be things you can do naturally, alongside drug therapy or avoiding drugs altogether.  Do your research, there's a lot of science & evidence based info regarding the benefits of Functional or Complementary Alternative Medicine.(CAM)

This is why I am so passionate about Wellness!

Because: Health is NOT an "alternative".

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

How Old is "Old"?

"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age".

 Victor Hugo

Aging is relative to how old you are! With each decade of life we gain a new definition and perspective of what "old" is. 

Helping YOU to Select the Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

How to Enhance Performance LEGALLY!

Boost Performance LEGALLY!

Weekend Warrior or Professional Athlete:

Either way - Champion Blend Plus will help you get your "game on"!

Everyone can benefit from the cutting-edge ingredients in Isotonix® Champion Blend Plus. Its formula includes select activated B vitamins to help provide energy for the muscles, decrease stress, and improve your mood, making work and play much easier and enjoyable.

The addition of vitamin D3 supports optimal bone health and immune function. This nutritional powerhouse completes the package by helping to minimize occasional muscle fatigue and promoting muscle growth instantized branched chain amino acid.

ONE Shot - Change the Way You Take Vitamins:

Thanks to its unique formula, Isotonix® Champion Blend Plus provides rapid absorption and superior delivery without the additions of binders and fillers included in other products on the market. It is specially formulated to provide you with everything you need to be a true champion, which is why it is approved by basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony.

Champion Blend Plus is designed to deliver a variety of health benefits, utilizing the most advanced delivery system — Isotonix®. 

Some of the many benefits of Champion Blend Plus:

• Promotes bone and muscle health*
• Helps reduce occasional muscle fatigue*
• Provides antioxidant protection to minimize the effects of free radicals*
• Contains activated forms of select B vitamins to promote optimal utilization by the body*
• Promotes cardiovascular health*
• Helps decrease stress and improve mood*
• Instantized Branch Chain Amino Acids (IBCAAs) (3 g) - promote healthy muscle growth & retention.

To help you stay performance-ready, Isotonix® Champion Blend Plus provides antioxidant protection with Pycnogenol®, helping to combat free radicals and promote cardiovascular health.


What do you do take to "enhance performance" legally?

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com

Study Finds Spice Effective for Depression

Study finds curcumin effective for depression:

Explore Supplements.com highlighted the following: According to a new study in the journal Psychotherapy Research, the ingredient curcumin shows promise in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD.
Researchers provided subjects with 500mg of curcumin daily and continued to monitor their progress utilizing the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), developed in the 1960s and used to rate the severity of depression in adults by probing mood, feelings of guilt, suicide ideation, insomnia, agitation or retardation, anxiety, weight loss, and somatic symptoms.

Not only did researchers find that the use of curcumin improved subject’s ratings on the HAM-D compared to placebos, but that curcumin performed surprisingly as well as prescription antidepressants:

The response rate of … curcumin (62.5%) on Hamilton depression scale observed in our study is within the known range of studies with currently prescribed antidepressants (31.6%–70.4%) and was higher than the maximum response rate expected with placebo (12.5%–51.8%).

Researchers also found a lower risk of side effects in patients using curcumin.

Click here for entire article...www.exploresupplements.com 

Curcumin has long been touted for it's anti-inflammatory properties. Now it's been found to be a natural antidepressant....If you or someone you know suffers from depression you may want to check with your doctor regarding curcumin and see if it's a good fit.  

Helping YOU to Select the Best Health,

Sherry 

www.selectthebesthealth.com 

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

Cheap DIY Organic Kefir!!

What is Kefir?

Kefir is milk that has been fermented by a bacteria culture that is present in kefir grains. Kefir grains are made up of yeasts and bacteria that exist symbiotically in a community of proteins and sugars. Simply put, kefir is fermented milk with a loads of probiotics (friendly, beneficial bacteria- Good BUGS! see my previous blog: Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs).

Benefits of Kefir

Kefir is packed with enzymes, folic acid, vitamins (B and K) and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. It also contains "digestible protein". The types of protein found in
kefir are not meat-based. Kefir will help in rebuilding cells, organs and systems. If you've never tried kefir you don't know what you're missing. It's delicious, almost buttermilk thick consistency, tangy and comes in many flavors. Almost like a liquid yogurt drink.

Water vs Milk Kefir

Turns out you can make kefir from water or milk! Who knew?! Kefir, specifically water-based kefir, also has lactic acids. While milk kefir grains (the more popular type of kefir) ferment milk by feeding on lactose, water kefir grains feed on sugar. If you are lactose intolerant, you can get the kefir water "grains", and add small amount of sugar-water, to ferment them. Kefir water makes a fizzy, carbonated water kefir drink, which many consider a healthy "soda" substitute. So far, I have only used the "milk" version, but want to try the water version soon!

DIY (Do It Yourself) Organic Kefir - On the CHEAP!!!

I have been "dabbling" in DIY dairy products for a while now. I first started making my own Greek yogurt, which is not that "complicated". (of course I have a friend that her eyes glaze over when I mention a stove or ingredients! LOL)  But making Greek yogurt IS much more complicated compared to making Kefir!  No cooking, temperature monitoring, stirring continuously, straining thru cheesecloth for hours. Kefir is sooooo easy to make, seriously! And very economical!

It's All About the Grains:

Kefir grains look a lot like small pieces of cauliflower, (see picture to your right), but more translucent, like tapioca. Kefir grains, are sort of like sourdough starter for bread, it's something you must have to "start" your own batch.

A friend of mine, introduced me to it by giving me some of her kefir grains. You don't need very many grains, my friend put about 3 in a ziplock bag for me to take home. She told me to go home and pour a cup of milk over them in a clean jar, cover it with paper towel & a rubber band, so it could "breathe", wait 24 hours, strain the milk from the grains & pour fresh milk over the kefir grains and you would have an endless supply of kefir each day. "Rinse & repeat" - (figure of speech, don't RINSE your grains!) . It took about a week of doing that, for me to get the hang of it & for the kefir to start tasting "right".  

{TIP: If you have a "friend" that has kefir grains, ask for some of their grains, eventually they will be multiplying so fast, they will gladly "share". If you don't have any "kefir grain friends" you can order grains on the internet. }

 I will caution you, I have read never use a metal anything (strainer or spoon) as have read it can adversely affect microorganisms. Killing the live kefir grain. Not sure if that's folklore, but just to be sure, I don't use metal. 

Become a Kefir "Pro"!  Less mess - very little clean up!

• Buy a gallon of organic milk & start pouring 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups or so of milk over the "grains", daily. (After you have grains & milk in place, put a paper towel or coffee filter over the jar with a rubber band, so it can "breathe" while fermenting for that 24 hours. Nats love this stuff, so keep it covered!)

• After 24 hours of sitting on the counter, room temp, give it a good stir with a long plastic spoon. 

• Forget the colander: Easier to hold the jar with the kefir stuff up over a clean jar, and gently stir and "hunt" for the kefir grains. Once you find one, put it in the clean jar, (it's ok to have some of the kefir milk is clinging to the grain), continue until you have found the bulk of them. (The grains will start to "multiply" after a week or so. When they do, you can share some of those grains with friends) It won't hurt you to ingest them if they end up in your drink, fyi. 

{TIP: Keep empty, clean jars handy (old salsa or olive jars are fine, just so your spoon can fit down into it-  don't use the lids directly on them so your kefir doesn't end up with a "funky smell" - also as Kefir ferments, it builds up bubbles, needs air to breathe, otherwise might blow the lid off! YIKES!) Make certain jars are very clean & dry, before putting "new batch in it, with the kefir grains. (clean dry jars help prevent bad bacteria from developing in your kefir)}

• After the kefir grains have been separated from the kefir milk, add the "kefir milk" to a glass pitcher or quart size jar, you will keep in the fridge.  Pour the newest "batch" over the previous "batches" in it, and start "building" a quart of kefir. Once I get a pitcher 1/2 full about a quart, (doesn't hurt to save up for a week or so if you want), I whirl the batch in my blender with 1/2 pound frozen strawberries and 1/2 a frozen banana, add a 1/2 dropper of liquid stevia & voila'! Delicious organic kefir for pennies on the dollar!!!! (you can drink it "plain" but I find it is far too tart for my taste:-)

                  Quick Video on Finished DIY Kefir! 

I add Organic Kefir to smoothies, drink it for breakfast, a quick snack or dessert! I LOVE that it is super easy, inexpensive & so nutritious!!!

{TIP: If you ever want to "STOP" for a while, simply pour fresh milk over the grains, sit in the fridge. Can stay there for a month, then take out, strain and pour fresh milk over the grains. Start fermentation cycle all over again. May take a week or so to "jump start" the good bacteria growth. Worth the wait!}

Do you like Kefir? What flavor do you like best? Do you have an easier way to make it? What do you use your kefir for? Would love to hear from you!

Helping YOU to Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com