Action Healthy Life

What is Insulin Resistance

2012-02-04T15:31:00.005-05:00

Notice in the IR cell, how little glucose enters, yet increased insulin outside of the cell.

‎*Insulin is an inflammatory hormone. The more the body produces, the more inflammation you will have.

*All carbohydrates are converted to glucose (sugar)

*Did you know that: Insulin's primary use is to shuttle sugar/carbohydrates from the blood stream into the body's cells to be used as energy.

*If the cell doesn't accept the insulin (Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes), the pancreas will make even more insulin in order to convince the cell to accept the glucose.

At this point you can become **Hyperglycemic** (too much sugar in the bloodstream) causing the following complications.

Stroke (cerebral vascular disease)

Heart attack or Congestive Heart Failure (coronary heart disease)

Circulation disorders and possible amputation (peripheral vascular disease)

Kidney disease (nephropathy)

Nerve damage (neuropathy)

Eye disease (retinopathy)

Or you can become **Hypoglycemic** (too little sugar in the bloodstream) causing the following complications.

Sweating

Rapid pulse

Shakiness, dizziness, weakness

Decreased coordination

Difficulty concentrating

Blurred vision

Headache

Trouble performing routine tasks

Note: Symptoms can vary from person to person and episode to episode.

With continued Insulin Resistance, insulin over-production increases which eventually leads to Hyperinsulinemia.

Hyperinsulinemia is associated with the following pathologic conditions:

Obesity

Hypertension

Atherosclerosis

Heart attack

Stroke

Deep Venous Thrombosis

Pulmonary Embolism

Gout

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Sleep Apnea

Hypogylcemia

Type II Diabetes

Any glucose that doesn't make it into the cell as energy is taken to the liver and converted to a triglyceride (stored fat). In fact belly fat is a direct indication of insulin issues.

*The triglycerides on a cholesterol test can indicate how well your body metabolizes carbohydrates. The higher the triglycerides, the less efficient carbohydrate metabolism.

The Benefits of Online Counseling

2012-01-27T08:13:00.004-05:00

Professional counseling assists many individuals at all stages of their lives and with a variety of problems. Many people are familiar with spiritual counseling from a pastor or a rabbi; life counselors assist people to get organized or improve the quality of their lives; addiction counseling is available for those seeking to break the cycle of dependence on drugs, alcohol or gambling; Health Coaches assist in wellness and nutrition. Everyone has been counseled at some time in his or her life; teachers are ‘education counselors’, after all.

Online Counseling

Online counseling is a relatively new option that is open to anyone, but it is particularly useful for individuals living in rural or very remote areas. It is also ideal for those who may feel anxious or embarrassed about participating in counseling face-to-face. It is also a great option for those that have real doubts that counseling can actually help them. This is a very good way to try counseling for the first time to assess the benefits. Once an individual has reaped some benefits from online counseling, he or she may then decide to continue with some in-person counseling.

The Internet, as with most other things, provides choice: you have the ability to select from a wide variety of counselors rather than being limited to the counselors located close to your home or office. You can interview several and choose the one that you are most comfortable with. The online format often feels safer - especially to those participating in counseling for the first time - than does an in-person appointment with a counselor they have never met before.

Considerations

One of the primary considerations, of course, is that you need to have a good Internet connection. However, online counseling can be accomplished via live ‘chat’ sessions or email, and if you are comfortable with the email option, even a dial-up Internet connection can work just fine. When choosing your preferred contact method think about how you will be most comfortable when expressing yourself. If you like the written word and are a fast typist, email or text ‘chat’ sessions may work well for you. If you are more comfortable conversing, consider a video chat session where you can speak directly to your counselor. If you want or need counseling at odd hours of the day or night, search for a counselor in a time zone that will allow you to schedule sessions at a time that best suits you.

Benefits of Online Counseling

Online counseling allows you to schedule sessions at whatever time works for you and your counselor. In many cases you will have a permanent transcript of your counseling session, either by saving the chat record or via email messages, which gives you a chance to go back and reread what your counselor has covered or to see how far you have progressed. This is an advantage with this type of counseling that in-person counseling doesn’t offer. The variety of counselors available for online counseling is likely to be greater than what is offered in your city or town. By visiting a website offering a selection of counselors, you can find a counselor who specializes in the type of counseling you seek - even down to a sub-specialty. For example, someone looking for an accredited, professional counselor can find someone who specializes in eating disorders, work addiction or grief counseling.

Whiplash What are the Symptoms

2012-01-25T12:04:00.001-05:00

Neck Pain/Inflammation

Neck pain is often the most common symptom of whiplash due to the nature of the injury. Whiplash occurs when the tendons and ligaments of the neck are overstretched or are forced beyond their usual movement. This vigorous movement can lead to a dull ache and inflammation immediately after the injury has occurred. In more severe cases, it may be difficult to turn the neck in either direction.

Dizziness

Any injury relating to the neck will often cause increased dizziness. The physical force of whiplash can lead to a state of unconsciousness or a feeling of being ‘out of it’. This can also lead to an increased sense of tiredness.

Headaches

Headaches are often an immediate symptom of whiplash due to the often powerful nature of the collision and how it may shake the head in an unusual fashion. Though headaches usually dissipate after time, they may lead to blurred vision in more serious cases.

Other Symptoms

Whiplash also impacts on other parts of the body. Pain in the shoulders and lower back is a common symptom of acute whiplash. Whiplash can also cause difficulties in swallowing, memory loss, poor concentration, irritability and tinnitus. There are also a variety of psychological factors that could arise. These include social isolation and increased anger issues.

Delayed Whiplash Symptoms

In some cases, whiplash injuries do not appear immediately. Inflammation around the neck area may take up to three days to appear, while aching could present itself over a month later. Discomfort and tightness in the neck, pain in the arms and legs, pins and needles, mouth pain and difficulty eating are among the common delayed whiplash symptoms.

What to Do

Whiplash will usually get better without extra treatment due to the fact that it is a self-limiting condition. Gentle neck exercises are now thought to be more beneficial for the injury than using a neck brace. Painkillers can be used to ease any discomfort in the short term, though those suffering from chronic whiplash are advised to visit a chiropractor or physiotherapist for treatment. You can receive compensation for any financial losses or hardship that arose as a result of a whiplash injury by making personal injury claims.

Causes of Whiplash

Car Accidents

The most common cause of whiplash is car accidents. The injury usually occurs following rear-end collisions, even those at low speeds. These conditions cause the neck to be violently thrown back and forth due to the acceleration of the vehicle after it has been hit. Both drivers and passengers can make a personal injury claim if another party caused the accident.

Work

Suffering whiplash at work is a possibility if appropriate health and safety precautions have failed to be put in place during certain tasks. Unfortunate accidents could also occur due to the negligence of a fellow colleague or superior.

Sports

Players taking part in contact sports such as football, rugby and boxing can often sustain whiplash due to the frequent nature of collisions. You can make a personal injury claim if an organisation or individual is found to be at fault.

Vivix Improves Mitochondria And So Much More

2012-01-09T21:47:00.003-05:00

May be purchased HERE

Shaklee Published Clinical Trials

2012-01-06T19:51:00.001-05:00

Found Your Spironolactone Blog Today!! A story like my own....

2012-01-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

I received this letter in response to an article I wrote about my life changing experience with a drug called Spironolactone. This woman has graciously allowed me to share this so that others will find answers and help.

Hi Sonja,

My name is PS and I am usually a healthy 62 year old female who eats properly most of the time, frequents my local health food store more than supermarkets, and believes in naturally treating the problem rather than seeking an Rx to treat symptoms. I even presented seminars for natural, bioidentical, transdermal hormone creams 12-15 years ago, encouraging others to do saliva testing for hormone balance rather than blood tests. I reside in Michigan and I have been going to my family's cottage up in northern MI since I was 5 years old. What a

great area of our State!

I'd like to congratulate you on your current studies and wish you much success along your chosen path.

I'm so glad I found your blog today. I was beginning to believe my recent bouts of vertigo and dizziness along with recurring headaches, mental confusion, fatigue, and short-term memory issues were related to my Spiro, and now I am sure of it. I have been on the drug, 100 mg. in 2 doses of 50 mg. twice daily, for my adult acne, (onset at menopause when I was 47 years old), for about 3-4 years now. (Spiro is the only prescription I am on.) It was prescribed when the topical Benzyclin, which was very effective for me for about 2-3 years, finally stopped working when my acne became immune to it and nothing else seemed to work. (In fact, because I hated all of the potential side effects listed on the drug insert, the Spiro stayed on the shelf for about 9 months before I could bring myself to start taking it, and I only relented because I had some big presentation I was scheduled to do and my chin was such a

mess from the acne.)

Well after all this time, three weeks ago this Monday morning at 2 AM, I sat up in bed to go to the bathroom and my whole room started spinning. I was powerless to sit there and flopped back on the bed. My blood pressure has always been on the low side of normal so I immediately thought it must be really low and perhaps I sat up too quickly. I carefully eased myself to an upright position and as soon as I was vertical the room started to spin and I flopped back on the bed again. I tried to sit up once more and was finally able to sit upright for the 15 to 20 seconds it took for the room to stop spinning. I walked hand over hand along the bedroom wall to the bathroom and back to bed

again. As soon as I was horizontal in bed the room started spinning again for about 15 to 20 seconds.

I laid there awake for another hour and did the same thing to go to the bathroom again 3 AM, and gratefully I had the presence of mind to grab my wastepaper basket on my way back to bed because by 4 AM I was totally powerless to get up and became very violently sick to my stomach, which morphed into the dry heaves until 5:30 PM. My significant other went to pick up an extremely expensive anti-nausea Rx my doctor finally called in for me late afternoon and brought back some Gatorade to help replenish my electrolytes, ( The ginger ale and dry toast earlier in the afternoon did nothing for my poor stomach.), and the vomiting finally stopped after 13+ hours. He bundled me up and off to the nearby med center we went.

I had no fever, no diarrhea, no aches or pains like the flu, just the vertigo and the non-stop vomiting, so the doc presumed I had a virus infection of the inner ear causing the vertigo, which in turn caused the vomiting, and he thought it would subside in 3 - 4 days. He gave me 2 Rx's: 20 Meclizine 25 mg. for the vertigo - take 1- 4 times day for 5 days, with 1 refill; and a suppository for nausea, in case I couldn't keep down the expensive oral med my own doc already prescribed. (I elected not to fill the suppository at that time because I had already spent a bundle and I live only a mile from the pharmacy in case I needed it later - but I never did fill it.) Your reporting on recent studies of androgen receptors in the inner ear was particular fascinating to me. (I have a BS in Psychology, which required heavy human sciences: A&P, various biologies and chemistries, etc., with a minor in Communication Arts, and I'm a real sucker for studies and new findings.)

Noticing the "MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS" sticker on the Spiro, I stopped taking that med 3 weeks ago so I wouldn't compound the problem. I did refill the Meclizine because the vertigo was not gone in 3-4 days, and I took all of the refill but saved the last 25 mg. pill just in case I had another really bad episode. I continue to sit up very slowly to get out of bed and the vertigo has gradually gotten a little better over the past 3 weeks. I still have some headaches and dizziness at times when I walk across the room. I still have mental confusion, inability to focus, and short-term memory issues and feel a little spacey - just not myself. I'm very fatigued and can sleep very easily sleep 11 to 12 hours at

night.

Well, 3 or 4 days ago I decided I was getting better and could resume a partial dose of my Spiro as a trial because I was starting to breakout on my chin again. We were at a Super Bowl party last evening and I drank 2 bottles of water from 6 to 10 PM and had a few cups of green tea before we went to the party. I honestly don't believe I was dehydrated at all. In the middle of the night I wanted to throw back the top comforter because I was too warm and in my half-asleep state I sat right up in bed to toss the covers, completely forgetting to sit up slowly....and did my world ever start to spin...the worst since 3 weeks ago.

I called my pharmacy this AM to inquire about the vertigo in connection to my resumption of 50 mg., a half dose, of the Spiro, and then I started looking things up on-line...and I finally landed on your blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you...I will NEVER take Spiro again. Knowing how much I appreciated having the case histories of my hormone clients, I thought you might like to have my personal story regarding Spiro and its horrific side effects to add another piece to this puzzle.

I would be most interested in hearing about how your health journey and current studies are going and would be open to perhaps even connecting this summer when I'm in the northern Michigan area.

Take good care and enjoy!

Yours in health,

Health Concerns Microwaving with Plastic

2012-01-06T13:08:00.001-05:00

This time of year, with all the holidays, parties and get-togethers, there is an overabundance of leftovers stuffed in refrigerators across America. Most of us, without giving it thought, will grab the plastic container of hot n spicy weenies and place them into the “magic warmer” known as the microwave. But the combination of these two technological wonders, plastic and the microwave, may not be beneficial to your health.

Studies have found that all plastics commonly used for food packaging or storage can leach chemicals into the food, especially when heated. The fats and oils in food along with the heat allow the chemicals to penetrate into the food.

Most toxins/chemicals are fat soluble and are therefore stored in our adipose tissues. This means the more obese you are, the more storage you have for toxic substances.

The International Plastics Task Force (IPTF) recommends avoiding these plastics

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl) - Used to make Reynolds Wrap and Polyvinyl Films. This is what most grocery stores use to package meats and other items.
Polystyrene (PS) in it’s inflated form is called Styrofoam, but is also used in it’s non-inflated form in some brands of disposable plastic cups and bowls and in most opaque plastic cutlery.
Polycarbonate (and other resins) which contains biphenyl-A. Most plastic baby bottles are made of polycarbonate as are clear plastic sippy cups, storage containers and some brands of clear plastic cutlery.

The IPTF also advises that the safest way to store foods is in glass or ceramic containers and to avoid heating/microwaving foods in plastic. They aren’t alone, even Dr. Rolf Halden, (PhD, PE, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and the Center for Water and Health at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) when asked “What about cooking with plastics?”, Replied:
“In general, whenever you heat something you increase the likelihood of pulling chemicals out. Chemicals can be released from plastic packaging materials like the kinds used in some microwave meals. Some drinking straws say on the label “not for hot beverages.” Most people think the warning is because someone might be burned. If you put that straw into a boiling cup of hot coffee, you basically have a hot water extraction going on, where the chemicals in the straw are being extracted into your nice cup of coffee. We use the same process in the lab to extract chemicals from materials we want to analyze.

If you are cooking with plastics or using plastic utensils, the best thing to do is to follow the directions and only use plastics that are specifically meant for cooking. Inert containers are best, for example heat-resistant glass, ceramics and good old stainless steel.”

Many of the chemicals found in plastics mimic the chemical structure of estrogen therefore causing an increase in estrogen dominant symptoms in both males and females. One way to limit these estrogen like chemicals is to use other options besides plastic derived material when cooking or storing food/drinks.

So how do you avoid plastic containers and cling wrap from touching your food? With Kinetic Go Green Glass-Lock Storage Food Containers.

I came across this product and was elated to find an airtight storage solution alternative to plastic containers. The Glass-Lock storage containers are:

Microwave safe
Tempered glass (Tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, making it harder than normal glass.)
Top rack dishwasher safe
Silicone air and liquid tight lid (this is the only part of the container that is not microwave safe.)
Freezer safe
Can safely go from freezer to microwave

What Brand of Supplements Should I choose

2011-09-29T12:51:00.000-04:00

As a Certified Holistic Health Coach, I'm quite frequently asked what brand of nutritional supplements I recommend? To qualify my answer let me first tell you a bit about myself. Besides HHC certification, I have also been trained and certified on the proper use of supplementation to improve health. But before any of my training I questioned whether there is really a need for nutrients outside of food sources and came to the conclusion, absolutely YES. You can read why here.

Through my research, I found that....

MOST VITAMINS

can be labeled natural and still contain 90% synthetically created vitamin.

Synthetic vitamins are not exact replicas of natural vitamins. This becomes blatantly obvious when a beam of polarized light is passed through; The light always bends to the right in natural vitamins. When passing through synthetic supplements, the light splits and bends to the right AND to the left. Under "optimal" conditions, only 50% of the nutrients in synthetic vitamins versus 100% natural vitamins are able to be absorbed. Dr. Charles Scheider, Ph.D., professor of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati concluded wisely, "Per energy unit or per use, the natural will be cheaper."

aren't proven to be absorbed

Very few supplement companies allow their products to be independently tested, clinically researched and published in peer reviewed medical journals. So how do we know that the label of ingredients reflects what is in the product and that it will be assimilated into the blood stream for the body to use? Yet, these same companies will spend millions of dollars on advertising and packaging claims. If supplements are not properly formulated and Ph balanced (according to each nutrient) for proper absorption then they will be excreted from the body.

For example: Omega 3's must make contact with bile (at the beginning of the small intestine) in order to be absorbed but most brands of fish oil capsules open up in the stomach and cause "fish burps".

Folic Acid must be absorbed in the stomach but in most vitamins they are highly compacted with binders and fillers that do not allow the vitamin to breakdown before it passes through the stomach and into the intestines.

are imported from China.

Up to 90% of all vitamins come from China. China is the major supplier of Vitamins C, A, B12 and E. They also have the reputation of poisoning their own people and exporting tainted product to the U.S. which I've written about here. According to a CNN interview it's almost impossible to tell which ingredients came from China.

That is why I stand behind Shaklee brand products.

Founded on the philosophy of offering products in harmony with nature and good health since 1956
Proven to contain what is stated on label and absorbed!

To view Shaklee's clinical studies published in peer review medical journals, click here

Made in the USA

To Purchase Shaklee Brand products please visit http://actionhealthylife.myshaklee.com

All future Auto-ship purchases include FREE shipping.

Natural Therapies; PCOS and Other Metabolic Disorders

2011-06-04T21:15:00.006-04:00

Although this article is about PCOS, it may be useful information for many other disorders because PCOS is a “syndrome” made up of multiple conditions that interact with one another. Many of the suggestions can be used for individual conditions such as, Insulin Resistance, High Cholesterol, Obesity, Diabetes, Anovulation, Acne, Alopecia, Hirsutism, Hormonal Imbalance and others.

Seeing me at our local coffee house, you would not suspect that I had PCOS because I’m thin, have no unusually hair growth and my hair is healthy and abundant. I also have two children that I conceived without effort. I believe this is why it has taken till now, at 42, to be diagnosed as having Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome. I present a-typical but if you dig a bit deeper you’d find that I’ve:

· Struggled with my weight for the last ten years and can only keep my slim figure by eating foods that don’t activate my insulin; also known as insulin resistance.

· Had acne since puberty and worsening as I’ve gotten older.

· Can only keep my triglycerides down by eating low carb and my LDL has been over 300 even when I was thin and running.

· Had irregular menstruation over the last 5 years.

· Wrestled with melasma for 3 years.

Possible conditions that point to PCOS; you may have most of these or a combination of a few of these:

Male Pattern Baldness (Alopecia)
Over growth of hair in unusual areas ie; stomach, chest or above upper lip (Hirsutism)
Obesity
Irregular Menstruation
Menstruation without Ovulation (Anovulation)
High LDL and /or Triglycerides
Acne
(Mottled dark spots on forehead, cheeks and/or above upper lip (Melasma)
Cysts on Ovaries
Low Vitamin D
Low Intra-Cellular Magnesium
Insulin Resistance
Diabetes

Practically all of the above conditions are induced by an imbalance of hormones (yes insulin is a hormone).

Although I've struggled with this for years, I’ve been able to improve my condition through diet, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes.

As a result of my research I’ve found that these elements of nutrition play an important role in PCOS. Over the next several weeks I will be writing additional information on the items listed below. Clicking on a highlighted word will take you to more extensive information:

v Alpha Lipoic Acid

v Apple Cider Vinegar

v Bilberry

v Biotin (B7)

v Calcium D Glucarate

v Chromium

v Cinnamon

v D-Chiro Inositol

v Diet

v DIM

v Evening Primrose Oil

v Exercise

v Fiber

v Glucose Regulation Complex

v Green Tea

v Gymnema Sylvestre

v Liver DTX Complex

v Magnesium

v Manganese

v MSM

v Myo-Inositol

v Omega 3 Fatty Acids

v Probiotics

v Saw Palmetto

v Stevia

v Turmeric

v Vitamin B complex

v Vitamin C

v Vitamin D

v Vitamin E

v Vitex (Agnus Castus)

If you would like additional information on how to use nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes to improve your PCOS or related conditions please contact me for a free consultation.

Gluten Free Low Carb Portabella Mushroom Pizza

2011-05-20T19:04:00.001-04:00

Ingredients:

4 Portabella mushrooms, washed with stems removed and bottoms lightly coated with olive oil
1/3 cup bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup tomatoes, diced
1/4 onion, diced
4 slices of bacon, cooked
2/3 cup of goat cheese, shredded
black olives, for garnishment

*Any of your own favorite pizza toppings may be substituted.

3 Tablespoons of butter
4 fluid ounce of heavy whipping cream
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of Romano cheese
1 egg yolk
salt to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place mushrooms in baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and discard liquid in mushrooms.

While baking mushrooms, combine ingredients 1 through 5 over medium heat, stirring constantly till melted. Then mix in egg yolk and simmer over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes till thickened.

*You may substitute with red sauce.

Fill each mushroom with enough sauce to cover the bottom, then layer toppings. You may drizzle any remaining sauce over the mushrooms, then place back in oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Found Your Spironolactone Blog Today!! A story like my own....

2011-02-08T12:19:00.004-05:00

Hi Sonja,

great area of our State!

I'd like to congratulate you on your current studies and wish you much success along your chosen path.

mess from the acne.)

again. As soon as I was horizontal in bed the room started spinning again for about 15 to 20 seconds.

night.

I would be most interested in hearing about how your health journey and current studies are going and would be open to perhaps even connecting this summer when I'm in the northern Michigan area.

Take good care and enjoy!

Yours in health,

How To Get Rid Of A Plantar Wart

2009-09-22T21:10:00.017-04:00

I was lucky enough to enjoy a couple vacations this past summer, the first being a trip to Georgia. After lots of walking and sightseeing, I came back with a tan, souvenirs and a plantar wart. I wanted to share with you an inexpensive and easy remedy that I used to get rid of my unwanted hitchhiker. But first let me explain what a plantar wart is and how to know if you have one.

A wart is actually a virus that is very common and easy to spread. The word plantar just denotes the location being on the bottom of the foot. When the wart first starts, it may appear as a raised area and will be painful when pressure is placed on it. As it grows or if you carefully peel back the very top layers of skin (make sure anything you use to touch the wart is clean and sanitary) you will notice an uneven surface that resembles cauliflower and disrupts the print of the skin. You may see some pinpoint black dots that connect the wart to your blood supply.

It's important to try to get rid of the wart as soon as possible to prevent spreading the virus to adjacent tissue. Warts can be very stubborn to get rid of, therefore it is of great importance to be diligent when following the protocol.

Weapons:

Bragg Organic Apple Cider
Cotton Swabs
Duct Tape
Sanitized File

Protocol:

Tear off the very tip of a cotton swab, making sure it is just a tad larger than the wart.
Pour 1/2 teaspoon of Bragg Organic Apple Cider into a small cap or bowl.
Dip the tip of the cotton swab into the apple cider and place on the wart.
Tear off a square piece of duct tap that is large enough to stick to the skin and press over the cotton swab.
After 12 hours, remove the duct tape and swab to examine wart. Take a sanitized file and sand down the dead white skin.
Repeat protocol until wart is gone

There may be times when the tape and swab will need to be replaced more often due to daily activities that may loosen the adhession of the tape.

Sometimes in the beginning few days of starting the protocol, you may notice a swelling of the tissue in the first couple hours after applying the apple cider soaked swab. This is because it is being absorbed by the skin and may cause some additional pain.

Spironolactone, My Personal Story

2009-05-03T11:47:00.011-04:00

Spironolactone (Spiro) is a mild diuretic that has been
used for decades, most commonly prescribed in combination with other drugs to elderly patients that have hypertension/edema due to heart disease.

*Click here to read a letter from a blog reader in response to this article

Unlike the diuretic Lasik which rids the body of potassium, Spiro forces the body to hold on to it by inhibiting the hormone aldosterone (which is secreted by the adrenal glands). This in itself can be quite dangerous and lethal if not properly monitored. Potassium in high levels can cause heart failure; in fact Potassium Chloride is used in chemical executions.

This drug may adversely affect the liver and there are warnings against prescribing it to individuals that have renal dysfunction because there is evidence that Spiro induces renal insufficiency.

In more recent years, doctors are prescribing this drug to younger women who are struggling with acne, hirsutism, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and male to female transgendered people resulting in more information about Spiro and it's many side effects. Younger individuals, in general, take less medications and have less disease than their counterparts therefore it's easier to trace adverse reactions to a specific drug like Spironolactone.

Because Spiro obstructs testosterone (androgen) receptors, it can upset hormonal balance causing women to experience irregular periods and men to develop breast tissue. Interestingly, it was recently discovered that there are even androgen receptors located in the inner ear that this drug may target.

Besides the many body systems this drug affects, there is also a box warning that taking Spiro (which is actually a synthetic steroid hormone) could cause tumors. Sadly many women don’t realize this drug is added to the hormone concoction known as the birth control pill Yasmin (YAZ) by the pharmaceutical company, Bayer AG.

I’m 40 and have personally used Spiro for at least three years. 100 mg twice daily was prescribed by my doctor to control my excessive acne. I really never experienced any problem while on this medication until May 1st, 2008 when I suffered the following symptoms in varying degrees over an 11 month period.

Right eyesight dimmed/blurred for 30 seconds, 7 different times
Vertigo - Severe spinning sensation
Nystagmus - Eyes darting left to right
Disconnected and unable to stay focused
Mental confusion and struggle with short term memory recall
Dizziness lasting for 11 months in various degrees
Muscle spasms/twitches
Pain feeling like a hot nerve located deep in the left side of my head
Heart palpitations/arrhythmia
Low blood pressure
Pain in my left shoulder when I ran.
Cholesterol total jumped a 100 points

The second doctor I saw wasn’t familiar with the use of Spiro for acne and recommended that my dose be cut in half (Sept 2008). Around February, 2009 I started to use a transdermal magnesium spray that alleviated many of my symptoms and spurred me on to re-examine why I was having a mineral imbalance. Through my research I discovered other women in my age group experiencing similar symptoms that were taking Spironolactone. I decided to stop taking the magnesium and the Spironolactone to see if my symptoms would vanish.

Within four days, my twitches/spasms, heart arrhythmia and pain in my head stopped. I don’t experience any shoulder pain when I run, in fact I run better and faster now. My blood pressure is back to normal and I’m hoping for even more improvement as my hormones adjust and become balanced.

What happened to me frequently occurs to the elderly. They are placed on a drug and everything seems fine. But slowly the drug causes a deficiency or imbalance that the body can’t continue to compensate for and a symptom appears. The doctor doesn’t think that the culprit for the new symptom is the original prescription but believes it to be the beginning of a new disease or syndrome. The doctor then gives the patient another prescription and the process starts again.

I’ve seen many doctors over this past year that wanted to give me prescriptions for my symptoms instead of put the time into researching and figuring out what was wrong with me. Be your own advocate; educate yourself and never give up!

CoQ10, Magnesium For a Healthy Heart

2009-03-19T17:47:00.024-04:00

The human heart beats an average of 2.5 billion times and pumps one million barrels of blood throughout the body in the average lifespan. Amazingly, a healthy heart can take a beating. It is a self-contained, self-propelled and energy-efficient wondrous pump that works 24/7.

Many of our lifestyles, though, are quite destructive and can cause a “broken heart”, but there are ways to support and even invigorate this all important muscle. Besides adding a light aerobic activity to strengthen the heart muscle and eating a diet that minimally impacts insulin levels, supplementing with a few nutrients can quickly help to support and mend a broken heart.

Magnesium (Mg) is used regularly in emergency rooms in cases of cardiac arrest and stroke and is safe enough to commonly be used to stop labor in preterm pregnancies. Everyone concerned with heart health can benefit by supplementing with magnesium since 85% of Americans are deficient in this vital mineral.

Boosting your Mg levels relaxes your heart muscle and blood vessels, increasing blood flow and flexibility (protects against atherosclerosis) and therefore lowering the pressure in blood vessels. Because magnesium helps to control and balance calcium levels, it’s an ideal alternative choice for someone considering taking calcium blockers to control blood pressure.

Up to 1000 mg a day, keeping with a calcium to magnesium ratio of 1:1 for heart health
Example: if you get 500 mg of calcium per day in your diet then you would supplement 500 mg of magnesium
Magnesium should be taken alone and may be hard to assimilate if the stomach does not secrete enough hydrochloric acid. An option for quickly absorbing Mg is to use transdermal magnesium on the skin.

The high metabolic demands of the heart require sufficient levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to energize and strengthen the heart cells, while also being used as an antioxidant to clean the blood of debris.

Although the body does produce some CoQ10, as we age we loose the ability to make enough for optimal health. Also, cholesterol lowering drugs called statins inhibit the body’s production of this important heart enzyme and it is imperative to supplement.

30 to 90 mg per day for heart health
50 to 150 mg per day if taking a statin drug.

Vitamin B6, B12, B9 (Folic Acid) are especially important in controlling homocysteine levels in the bloodstream. High levels of homocysteine are associated with atherosclerosis and other circulatory problems.

All B vitamins are water soluble and need to be replenished daily. Some individuals may not be able to assimilate B12 because their stomach does not secrete enough hydrochloric acid and may use a patch or opt for an injection. Most importantly is to choose a supplement that includes all B vitamins because supplementing with only these three can cause a deficiency in the others.

B6 - 50 to 100 mg daily for heart health
B12 - 100 mcg for heart health
B9 (Folic Acid) - 400 mcg for heart health

Because over one-third of all deaths in the United States involve heart disease, it is important to be proactive and care for your heart before you have a “broken heart”.

Learn more about our coronary artery bypass surgerythat provides fewer complications and faster recovery.
Learn more about our coronary artery bypass surgery that provides fewer complications and faster recovery.

Probiotics Feed Your Gut, Improve Your Health

2009-03-12T20:47:00.009-04:00

Did you know that, at any given time, you have more bacteria in your body than the total number of people who have ever lived on the planet? About 1 pound of your current weight is made up of these tiny micro-organisms living primarily in your gut. These invisible “bugs” are fundamental to your health.

For optimal health, there is a delicate balance of 85% “good bacteria” that keeps the 15% “bad bacteria” in check and manageable. Micro-organisms such as E. coli, salmonella and Candida yeast have the potential to reek havoc in the body when this balance is disrupted.

The most harmful substances to the delicate intestinal balance are:

Fluoride
Chlorine
Antibiotics in food production
Prescription antibiotics
A diet high in processed carbohydrates (including sugar and starches)

They lower the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria, allowing the unhealthy bacteria to multiply, leading to gas, bloating, constipation, intestinal toxicity, poor absorption of nutrients and a lowered immune system.

Whereas antibiotics kill all intestinal bacteria, probiotics feed the gut with desirable bacteria such as the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. By supplementing with a probiotic capsule, millions of live bacteria are implanted into the intestinal wall resulting in the:

Prevention of bad bacteria growth
Improved absorption and assimilation of vitamins & nutrients
Stimulation of the body’s immune system
Production of certain vitamins including the all important B vitamins.

Because the environment of the stomach is sterile and acidic, it’s important to take a probiotic that has a specially designed coating that protects and delivers the micro-organisms to the intestine.

Your intestine is like an open field; if cared for properly it can flourish into a garden, if left to chance, the weeds move in. Antibiotics do not discriminate, they destroy all bacteria and if good bacteria is not purposefully replenished, then the bad bacteria instinctively move in. Don't leave your health to chance.

Magnesium Deficiency, Diabetes and Insulin Connnection

2009-02-24T13:53:00.013-05:00

It is believed that magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) can be both a consequence and a cause of diabetic complications. Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder associated with hypomagnesemia; having 25% to 39% occurrence.

In a normal healthy individual, eating minimal unprocessed carbohydrates, insulin actually supports the uptake of magnesium (Mg) into the cells. But in the typical American diet, high in carbohydrates and processed foods, the opposite occurs.

The principal use of insulin in the body is to move excess glucose out of the bloodstream because too high of levels can be life threatening. When carbohydrates are consumed, they are quickly turned into glucose. The pancreas produces insulin to promptly remove it from the bloodstream and into cells for energy. But if the cells’ receptors become insulin resistant (precursor to diabetes) from the constant barrage of insulin, day in and day out, glucose is then turned into stored fat (triglycerides). If the cells are ignoring the insulin then as a consequence, magnesium isn’t permitted into the cell.

High levels of insulin also increase magnesium depletion through urination as do lipid-lowering drug treatments for type-2 diabetics

Magnesium is primarily an intracellular mineral, which means it has to be moved from the blood serum into the cells to be able to do it’s job. The typical blood test doesn‘t give an accurate picture because it only tests serum levels. A better choice would be an intracellular test called MG RBC or the newer “Blood Ionized Mg Test”

Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral in the body and the second most common intracellular mineral. It also plays a role in every enzymatic energy exchange in the body, and therefore it is essential that our diet offers adequate amounts. 95% of Mg is leached out of food due to refining, processing and heating, also known as, the American diet which leads right back to the beginning of this article.

Even the American Diabetes Association (ADA) acknowledges the connection between hypomagnesemia and diabetes. Furthermore, there are many studies that suggest supplementing with Mg may lower risk of diabetic complications or becoming insulin resistant in the first place.

Additional information about magnesium.

The bottom line is what you eat determines how much insulin you need. If you eat foods lower in carbohydrates then your body needs very little insulin. This results in your cells' receptors becoming more sensitive to insulin and therefore you need less insulin to move the glucose into the cells to be used as energy.

Too much insulin causes your cells' receptors to become insulin resistant, slowing the uptake of glucose to be used as energy and not allowing magnesium into the cells. If glucose isn't used as energy then it ends up being stored as triglycerides.

Stevia, Natural Sweetener That's Sugar-free

2009-02-15T18:37:00.013-05:00

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana {Bertoni} or S. rebaudiana) a South American shrub whose leaves have been used as a sweetener for centuries by natives of Paraguay and Brazil, in more recent times in Japan (since the early 70s) and countless other countries.

Many of you are well aware of the use of this herb as a no calorie, non-insulin activating sweetener. It's 300x the sweetness of sugar yet is perfect for diabetics and others concerned with their sugar intake. Only a drop or two added to your cup of coffee or glass of ice tea will sweeten it right up.

Not all Stevia is created equally. Some brands will have a bitter aftertaste due to processing.

The more stringent quality control, separating out as much of the stems, roots and leaf veins as possible will have a much better, sweeter taste, without the bitter aftertaste.

Here in the U.S., you won't find this sugar alternative on the shelves next to Sweet'N Low (saccharin) or Equal (aspartame) because it hasn't received FDA approval as a sweetener. In fact it has been turned down three times, stating in 1994, that there wasn't enough data to conclude that the use (in food) would be safe.

Ironically though, the FDA has approved the isolated sweet compound of the Stevia plant, called rebaudioside A, can be legally used as a "natural" sweetener under the trade name Rebianna. Both Cocoa-cola and PepsiCo are now marketing products (Turvia and PureVia), that contain Rebianna.

But there is concern that once the compounds are isolated, rebaudioside A is metabolized at a different rate and the long term toxicity risks are still unknown according to UCLA Toxicology of Rebaudioside A: A Review.

The S. rebaudiana plant contains a number of elements, as do other herbs, that work in synergy; likely allowing healthful benefits with very few (if any) harmful side effects. Many times, non-active compounds provide a safeguard against the potentially damaging effects of the active ingredients. Manipulating natures' design is not always best and can result in unexpected consequences.

Hmm, is the FDA looking out for our best interest? Only if it's advantageous to their other priority of helping large corporations. How else can aspartame and saccharin along with many others get FDA approval but an herb used as a sweetener for centuries can't unless it's main component is isolated and trademarked?

For now Stevia can only be purchased as a dietary supplement usually found in health food stores, down the supplement isle or online.

MSM Benefits Asthma, Arthritis Sufferers

2009-02-10T17:40:00.013-05:00

About four years ago, my Mom asked me to look into something that would help alleviate her asthma. She had suffered with it for over 30 years and felt that she would most certainly die from an asthma attack.

I started researching and came across MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane), an organic sulfur (macro-mineral) that is found naturally in plants, animals and the human body. It's the fourth most plentiful mineral in the body and utilized in every cell.

It allows the cells to be more permeable, therefore allowing nutrients to enter more easily. MSM improves the cells insulin sensitivity and enhances glucose uptake into cells.

Sulfur is essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. It stimulates bile secretion and helps to maintain proper brain function. When combined with vitamin C, it disinfects the blood and resists bacteria, parasites and fungus. MSM helps the muscles, skin and lungs maintain flexibility while controlling the body's inflammation.

One of the most powerful ways adequate sulfur levels can impact the body is when new cells are created, sulfur is incorporated into the cell's wall allowing it to be more permeable to nutrients. Without sulfur, nutrients have difficulty entering the cell wall.

Sulfur originates from the evaporation of the waters of the Oceans and through precipitation is then found in plants. If rain water isn't used in farming, but substituted with city or purified water then sulfur won't be found in the produce.

Some plant sources of sulfur are Asparagus, Garlic, Onions and Green Leafy Vegetables especially Water Cress and Swiss Chard. It's best to eat these raw and uncooked because sulfur is easily destroyed by heat.

Supplementing with MSM can benefit arthritis sufferers by improving joint flexibility, reducing stiffness, swelling and pain, increasing circulation and cell vitality.

Sulfur is useful to asthmatics by preventing inflammation and regulating the fluid that covers the airway surface of the lungs. It allows the lungs to be more flexible, increasing lung capacity. MSM actually helps to heal the lungs, not just alleviate symptons.

Methylsulfonylmethane is considered extremely safe and toxicity is virtually unheard of. In fact, no toxic effects were shown in humans given up to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight (70 grams or more) per day for 30 days.

My Mom started taking 1 - 2 grams (1 gram is equal to 1,000 mg) daily, working up to 8 grams for a period of 3 to 4 months then weaning back down. She went from using her "puffer" everyday to never using it. She doesn't take any steroids or other medications anymore and is free from asthma for the last 4 years.

Side Note: sulfur should be broken into at least two servings a day since its half life is only 12 hours in the body.

Some other conditions that can benefit from adding sulfur supplementation are:

Diabetes
Allergies
Wound Healing
Pain Relief
Eye Problems
Cramps (and PMS)
Stress
Snoring
Skin Conditions including psoriasis
Parasitic Infestation
Toxic Metal Poisoning

Ancient Minerals - New Product Line

2009-02-08T22:18:00.016-05:00

After reaping many benefits from using transdermal magnesium, I am now offering Ancient Minerals for purchase. Please click the contact link to the left with your selection. You can choose from:

8oz spray oil - (it has no oil in it) This is perfect for maximum dosing and is quickly absorbed. If you have sensitive skin, this can be diluted with water.
8oz gel - contains aloe and may be better suited for sensitive skin. Perfect for massage since it stays moister, longer.
6.5lbs flakes - add to bath or a foot soak. Although this is the least potent of the three, it’s unique in that it uses heat and water to open the pores for absorption. This is perfect for really sensitive skin and leaves no residue. I use it daily.

Low Carb Creme Brulee Recipe

2009-02-01T20:29:00.025-05:00

This is an easy recipe with few ingredients but brings lots of oooohs & aaaaahs. Super creamy and very satisfying.

2 cups Whipping Cream
4 Egg Yolks
2 Tbsp liquid Splenda or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp liquid Stevia
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Dash of Salt

Heat whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles start to form.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In a bowl, whisk together ingredients 2 through 5.

Gradually add heated whipping cream to the combined ingredients in bowl, whisking continually.

Strain mixture and divide into 4 custard cups.

Bake in a water bath for 40 to 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Custards should be set, but still jiggly in the center. You can add a dash of cinnamon to the top of each custard then chill in refrigerator for 2 - 3 hours.

2.3 Carbohydrates per serving. Yields 4 servings.

TOPPINGS:

Butter-Pecan Topping:

1 Tbsp Butter
1/8 cup Salted Roasted Pecans - finely chopped
1 tsp Splenda or 1 to 2 drops of Stevia

In small sauce pan melt butter.
Stir in pecans and Splenda.
Heat just until nuts begin to brown, being careful not to burn!

Add topping to each of the 4 custard cups and place back into refrigerator for an additional 10 minutes.

.5 Carbohydrates per serving

Crunchy Topping:

4 tsp Granulated Sugar

Sprinkle 1 tsp sugar on each of the custard cups. Using a kitchen blow torch, caramelize sugar then place in refrigerator for an additional 10 minutes.

4.2 Carbohydrates per serving

Fruit Topping:

Add blueberries, raspberries or strawberries

2 carbohydrates per ounce

Other Options:

Splenda can be substituted with Sugar-free Davinci Syrups. These syrups are made from Splenda with added flavor extracts.

Transdermal Magnesium - An Ancient Mineral

2009-01-26T20:32:00.019-05:00

I was recently contacted by LL’s Magnetic Clay, Inc. and asked if I’d be willing to test a product called Ancient Minerals - transdermal magnesium and write a review. After doing research on the company and products I agreed.
Unbeknownst to the company, I’ve been suffering with a condition since May ‘08 (associated with a severe case of vertigo) that this product had the potential to help. Even though I’ve tried taking quality magnesium supplements for a month without success in ending the continual muscle twitches, I was hopeful that a transdermal application might do the trick.
LL’s Magnetic Clay, Inc. sent three Ancient Mineral products: magnesium flakes, magnesium gel and magnesium oil. All three contain Magnesium Chloride which is extracted from the Ancient Zechstein Seabed in Europe, 1600 to 2000 meters deep in the interior of the Earth.

Magnesium Flakes Ingredients: 47% Genuine Zechstein Magnesium Chloride bath flakes
Magnesium Gel Ingredients: Water, 28% Genuine Zechstein Magnesium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Certified Organic ACTIValoe, xanthan gum
Magnesium Oil Ingredients: Water, 31% Genuine Zechstein Magnesium Chloride

I decided to test the magnesium spray first. I sprayed my feet, calves and arms; rubbed the liquid into my skin, per the instructions, so that more of the magnesium would be absorbed. Like magic, my twitches slowly stopped within 30 minutes.
I was so shocked that I called my husband and told him. My eyes welled as I experienced for first time in months, the feeling of relaxation. But I was still a little cynical and thought maybe it’s just a fluke.
The oil leaves a slight residue that can be wiped off with a damp cloth. It reminded me of when I was a young girl visiting Myrtle Beach. We’d spend the whole day at the ocean and have a little salt residue on our bodies. I didn’t have any tingling, as some people can experience with the Mg oil spray since it is the most potent of the three products.
Later that same night I tried the magnesium flakes in a foot soak. I poured about 1 cup of the flakes in and filled my foot tub with warm water, soaked my feet for about 30 minutes then dried them off. I noticed that I had no residue after using this product. Although it is considered the least potent of the 3 products, it uses moisture and heat that opens your pores and facilitates the absorption into your tissues and bloodstream.
While performing this routine for a week, I didn’t experience any muscle twitches. Muscle twitching can be an early sign of magnesium deficiency which I talked about in my last post.
I decided to stop using the products for a couple days to see what would happen. Sure enough, my twitches came back. So I started with the foot soak and within 20 minutes, POOF!, my muscle twitches disappeared.
I then sampled the magnesium gel. It’s a tad less potent then the oil but more than the flakes. I rubbed it into my arms and calves and noticed that it stayed moist a little longer than the spray did. It has aloe in it and that may work better for people who have sensitive skin compared to the magnesium oil which contains water. Like the oil, this did leave a slight residue that can be quickly wiped off if that’s your preference.
I am so impressed with these products and how they have impacted my life that I am in the process of ordering Ancient Minerals and offering them for sale through Action Healthy Life. I believe transdermal magnesium has many applications from deep tissue massage (helping relax knotted muscles) to sufferers of digestive disorders who can‘t absorb Mg properly.
For more information on conditions and symptoms that can benefit from transdermal magnesium please read my previous post.
UPDATE:
After 1 1/2 weeks of use, the deep pain I was feeling in my ear which I believe to be associated with the vertigo is gone. This a pain that I would have to take acetaminophen for because it affected my daily life.

Magnesium Deficient? Calcium Intake Could be One Reason

2009-01-20T21:52:00.035-05:00

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential macro-mineral that must be obtain from one’s diet. Named after the Greek city Magnesia where large deposits of magnesium salts were discovered, it can be found in the earth, water and plants. In Fact, magnesium is the core constituent of chlorophyll which gives plants their green color.

65% of magnesium is contained in teeth & bones. Of the remaining 35%, highest levels are found in the brain, tissues, fluids, blood and significant amounts in the heart.

Magnesium and calcium have a yin yang relationship. As calcium causes constriction and excitability on muscles, blood vessels and nerves; magnesium has the opposite effect bringing calmness and relaxation.

For example: When magnesium is low it allows calcium levels to rise into the vascular muscle cells causing them to contract and leading to higher blood pressure. Magnesium relaxes the blood vessels allowing blood to flow more freely and as a result lowers blood pressure.

Although magnesium has a calming effect on nerves and muscles, it is also used in several hundred enzymatic reactions including the most important of which produce, transport, store and utilize energy in every cell of the body. So not only can magnesium calm muscle spasms and nerves, it can increase energy. Booth Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome sufferers may benefit when magnesium levels are increased.

Magnesium has the ability to increase the solubility of calcium and therefore possibly preventing kidney stones and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Recent studies reveal, 65% of individuals having Insulin Resistant Syndrome are deficient in magnesium and would benefit with supplementation. One theory is that IRS impedes magnesium’s ability to enter the cells, allowing most of the magnesium to leave the body through urination. Many IRS suffers go on to become diabetics and it’s possible that the low magnesium level is what increases the diabetic's risk of heart disease as this study indicates.

According to Drs. Bella T. Alturas and Burton M. Altura s, up to 75% to 80% of the U.S. population is magnesium deficient. How can this be, you ask?

Commercialized farming that doesn't rotate crops or add minerals like magnesium back into the soil but will use fertilizers containing nitrogen to give the plants that “green healthy look”. I previously wrote about this problem here.
Much of the American diet is made up of processed foods that are enriched with vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium but not magnesium which leads to an imbalanced ratio. Current calcium to magnesium ratios are between 5:1 to 15:1 but should ideally be 1:1 to 2:1.
Due to water purification (bottled water, osmosis, city water), Mg is filtered out.
During times or stress or sickness magnesium reserves are depleted.
Sugar (including fructose), antibiotics and alcohol consumption reduces magnesium levels.
Magnesium is easily leached out of food during cooking or boiling and as a result it's not found in processed foods.

Most doctors will test blood serum levels of magnesium which can give false adequate numbers. This is because it is an intracellular mineral and is better measured with an intracellular test called MG RBC. There is another test call “Blood Ionized Magnesium Test” but it's not as readily available at this time.

Dr. Carolyn Dean recommends supplementing magnesium levels up to 1000 mg as long as calcium levels are adequate. Calcium to magnesium ratios should be between 1:1 to 2:1. For every 1000 mg of calcium consumed, magnesium can supplemented 500 to 1000 mg. Smaller doses throughout the day are better absorbed then one or two larger doses.

Best taken on an empty stomach because Mg needs adequate levels of hydrochloric acid to be assimilated in the body. It’s also a good idea not to take a combination calcium/magnesium supplement given that they would be competing for absorption.

Magnesium can lessen your need for certain medications including blood pressure & diabetic medication and interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics. It is of the utmost importance to notify your doctor if you plan on increasing your magnesium intake.

The IMVA (International Medical Veritas Association) has been investigating different forms of magnesium and has recommended that magnesium chloride is the most versatile, best absorbed, and safest in toxicity profiles. But it is recommended in the form of "transdermal" application instead of oral intake. This is a slightly oily lotion that can be applied to the skin or used in baths, foot baths....or many other ways. It is not used to treat constipation as many oral magnesium products are. It is used to increase body levels of magnesium, which is beneficial in preventing diabetes, cardiac problems, relieving stress, promoting sleep, reducing hypertension, reducing cholesterol.....and much more. It is an essential mineral that needs to be maintained at proper levels in our bodies. Studies of use of magnesium chloride oil in a foot bath with body spraying by Dr. Norm Shealy has shown that this method increases levels of magnesium faster than any oral supplements can. Transdermal magnesium is absorbed directly into the cells, bypassing the digestive tract.

The following condition may benefit from magnesium supplementation:

Muscle Twitches, Tics, or Spasms
Headaches, Cluster Headaches, Migraines
Diabetes & Insulin Resistance Syndrome
PMS
Depression
"Charlie Horse" (the muscle spasm that occurs when you stretch your legs)
Stiff and Aching Muscles
Constipation
Heart Attack
Insomnia or Restless Sleep
Bones & Joints that need continued Chiropractic Treatment
Hyperactivity
Angina
Irregular Heartbeat
Stress
Weakness
High Blood Pressure
Kidney Stones
Attention Deficit Disorder
Back Pain
Hypoglycemia
Osteoporosis
Aggressive Behavior
Hiccups
Seizures
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/fatigue
Stroke
Anxiety/Nervousness
Constipation
Fibromyalgia

Inspiration, Motivation - We all need it!

2009-01-09T18:51:00.016-05:00

If you’ve read about my weight-loss, then you’ll know that at one time I was an avid runner. I have so many wonderful memories including crossing the finish line with my husband at the Cherry Festival 10K.

Fast forward to now. I haven’t been running for quite some time. After I lost my excess weight, I was going to start a fitness program, but that changed when in May ‘08 I was diagnosed with Vertigo. It has been a long recovery which I’ll speak more about in the spring; If you have questions now about it you can email me at sonja@actionhealthylife.com .

My eleven year old daughter recently came home from school and said she would like to participate in the school’s cross country club. Mind you, we live in northern Michigan and my town is known for it’s snow accumulation and low temperatures.

My daughter also isn’t naturally built to run. She’s only 4’ 4” and one of the shortest students in her class.

But my daughter is persistent and told me she really wanted to run. So we went shoe shopping and looking for yak traks to provide some traction on the snow.

I was overwhelmed with awe at my sweet daughter and her ambition. I remember once when she said to me, “If I put my mind to something, I do it”. Her words echoed in my head and I made a commitment to her that I’m going to start back running so we can run in a race and cross the finish line, together.

So this last week I started running on the treadmill and I’ll be quite honest, I’m not very fast. In fact, I announced to my 17 year old son that I’ve taken up running again. He asked, “So what’s your speed?” I told him I’m at 13 mins/per mile and he questioned, “Are you walking?”

Thinking about this, it came to me that we all have to take our first step in taking control of our health. Whether we are trying to lose weight, change eating habits or manage a condition/disease, we have to start somewhere. But if we keep going, step by step, our lives will become healthier than they were. It’s when you give up, then you have loss the opportunity to change your future.

Earlier today, a friend sent this video to me and again I was inspired: Nick Vujicic

Low Carb Parmesan Chicken Recipe

2009-01-05T17:23:00.014-05:00

This is a very flavorful and satisfying recipe. Chicken is moist and I love the creamy coating.

1 to 1 1/4 pound of chicken breast - skinless, boneless and cut into tenderloins. Approximately 10-13
1/2 cup of Mayonnaise
1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese - grated
1/2 Tablespoon of Oregano
1/2 Tablespoon of Basil
1/2 Tablespoon of Parsley
1/2 teaspoon of Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
1/8 teaspoon of Salt or Salt to taste
Up to a 1/4 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream or Half n Half

Combine ingredients 2 through 9. Add enough Whipping Cream (10) to the mixture so that the consistency is similar to sour cream.

Place chicken (in a single layer) in a 9' x 13" glass dish. Gererously coat the top of chicken with the above mixture.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. Do not over bake.

If made ahead of time and stored in refrigerator, increase cooking time up to 20 - 25 minutes.

Each tenderloin is less than .5 carbohydrates.

Accidental Melamine Contamination?....I Think Not.

2009-01-01T18:25:00.012-05:00

All three of the macro-nutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) are composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen; with protein having an additional element of nitrogen that makes it very distinguishable.

In fact, nitrogen content is usually displayed on dog food and cattle feed labels in order to confirm protein content. Protein is essential to life and therefore products with high protein content are considered quality foods.

Many of you may remember dishes and serving pieces stamped "Melamac" on the bottom that became big in the 60s and 70s. This hard plastic was made of Melamine, an industrial chemical used to make laminates and fertilizers. It's original state is a white powder with no odor or taste and can only be detected with a specific test. It's main characteristic is a high nitrogen content.

This is where we can see it's not an accident that many products are being contaminated with melamine. Unscrupulous industries are fraudulently elevating the protein content of substandard foods by adding the chemical melamine.

The FDA has reported many U.S. products tainted with melamine including: dog & cat food, hot chocolate, infant formula, farm & fish feed and nutritional & medical supplements. The list is even longer for other countries and includes such items as ice-cream and chocolate. Most of the melamine laden products are coming from China and being shipped here and other places for consumption.

Recently the Chinese government prosecuted a ring of dairy companies who were diluting their milk up to 30% and replacing the protein content with melamine. Over 3,000 babies were sicken by the contaminated dairy and 6 died. Of the 21 dairy companies facing prosecution, only one (Sanlu Group) will face imprisonment and the others will most likely be fined.

Over exposure to Melamine can lead to kidney stones and irreversible kidney damage which can lead to death. People with kidney conditions, children and the elderly have a higher risk of death.

On a side note, this is one reason I use Shaklee supplements - They are not made and imported from China. 95% of all supplements sold in the U.S. are made and imported from China.