Health Nut Shortcuts

Holy Basil, Batman!

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:20:00 +0000

What's Holy Basil? Also known as Tulsi, it is one of the most potent antioxidant herbs you can eat. Or drink... it makes an amazing tea. Stress reliever, blood sugar regulator, cellular cleanser, anti-ager.... The following article from Garden of Life explains all the benefits better than I ever could.

Brace yourself. You’re about to be amazed.

Holy basil may be one of the best kept secrets when it comes to its impact on health. Known as tulsi, holy basil touts significant health benefits, including soothing stress; promoting blood sugar balance; immune system support; gastrointestinal health; anti-aging and antioxidant power; heart health; joint health; cellular health; adrenal support; hormonal and reproductive equilibrium and much more.

What’s more is that holy basil contains vitamins A and C, and minerals including zinc, manganese, iron and calcium. It also contains chlorophyll. Additionally, the plant contains high levels of tannins, flavonoids and essential oils—all of them powerful antioxidants that prevent free radical damage to cells and to DNA. Likewise, holy basil provides anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.
Here are some of holy basil’s astounding health benefits in a little more detail:

Stress Soother: Holy basil is known for its adaptogenic properties that support the body’s naturally occurring responses to mental and physical stress. As a result, adaptogens often can halt the unhealthy fallout that can result from long-term stress. Stress hormones play a pivotal role in metabolism, inflammation and immune system responses, among others. When our bodies are stressed, our metabolic systems can suffer, our immune systems can be unfavorably altered, our nervous systems can be damaged, and we can have increased appetite and subsequent weight gain.

Blood Sugar Balance: Holy basil has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar by balancing insulin metabolism. Additionally, a study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry indicates that holy basil can work positively to alter some effects of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy, by the way, is a common symptom of diabetes that can lead to blindness.

Immune System Support: Holy basil is able to strengthen and support the body’s immune system, helping it to restore itself and to fight off illness more effectively. Since it’s an adaptogen, holy basil can “flex” with your body’s needs, allowing it to stimulate or calm your immune system as needed.

Antioxidant Power: Holy basil is an incredibly potent antioxidant which fights against free radical damage that can lead to cellular unhealth and much more. As mentioned, holy basil offers vitamin C and vitamin A content—both of which are known as strong antioxidants.

Heart Health: Holy basil has strong, positive effects on the cardiac system—managing unhealthy cholesterol, protecting the heart muscle and blood vessels as well as healthily thinning the blood. Additionally, holy basil can help fight stress-related high blood pressure by decreasing adrenaline levels in the body.

Those are only a few of the health benefits surrounding holy basil. There’s no doubt about it: holy basil is nothing short of amazing.

One of my favorite new products from Beyond Organic contains Holy Basil along with another powerhouse herbal, Turmeric. It's called Sacred Herbs, which is a sour source of health that you add to water.

HealthNutShortcuts.com

Searching for easier ways to do healthier things.

PLU Stickers Tell the Tale

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Before you rip off that little sticker on your fruits and veggies, you can use this infographic to help you decipher the code:

Conventional produce gets a four-digit number. This means the produce was sprayed with chemical fertilizers, weedkillers, herbicides or fungicides.

Organic produce gets a five-digit number that starts with 9. These numbers ensure that the produce was not treated with chemicals.

Genetically modified produce have a five-digit code that starts with the No. 8. This is produce that where man has intervened by manipulating the genes to produce a larger or brighter colored food. This produce may have been chemically treated.

source

HealthNutShortcuts.com
On the lookout for easier ways to do healthier things.

Whey or Soy, and Why?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:28:00 +0000

I've tried numerous meal replacement shakes over the years. I like a few, don't like most. It doesn't seem to matter how much sweetener or flavoring they add, if it tastes like Little Friskies I can't swallow it. I've found that whey tastes best to me, although there are a few that have soy protein that aren't totally disgusting and some that are made of pea protein that I really don't care much for but could live with if I had to. I've actually grown to like one that has a mix of pea, rice, and chlorella, and would say if you are vegan it is worth looking at (comment below if you want to know where to get it).

Turns out there is a difference between whey and soy as far as our bodies are concerned; muscles prefer to be made from whey protein, not soy protein. Lately I've been using one from Isagenix that comes from whey made by grass-fed cows in New Zealand - TRULY happy cows! I really like this one and find myself looking forward to the next time I can have it. If you've looked at Isagenix in the past, things have changed, so look again. Here's a story about some research that shows why:

source

Soy Protein About as Good as Plain Water for Muscle Building
According to a new study, soy protein does not compare to whey protein when it comes to muscle growth. Need another reason to choose whey protein over soy when trying to preserve and build lean muscle mass? A new study (1) from McMaster University in Canada found that when compared to whey protein, ingesting soy protein after a workout or at rest does about as much as plain water for muscle protein synthesis.

The study randomized 30 elderly men into three treatment groups to test the effects of ingesting 0 grams of protein, 20 grams of soy protein, or 40 grams of soy protein at rest and after a bout of resistance exercise. These effects were then compared to previous responses in similar aged men who had ingested 20 grams or 40 grams of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise.

Results showed that rates of muscle protein synthesis for ingesting 20 grams of soy protein were no different than ingesting 0 grams of protein. The higher dose of soy protein, 40 grams, only modestly increased rates of muscle protein synthesis after exercise in comparison to people who consumed no protein.

In contrast, previous data from the study authors showed that consuming whey protein at rest and after exercise has shown to induce muscle protein synthesis whether in a dose of 20 or 40 grams, with the larger dose having a greater effect.

“We report that soy protein isolate is relatively ineffective in its capacity to stimulate MPS [muscle protein synthesis] in the elderly when compared to whey protein,” wrote the researchers.

The findings from this study should speak to aging adults who are looking to avoid the muscle-wasting effects of sarcopenia, as protein source and dose are showing more and more to be critical in avoiding age-related muscle loss. Even though both whey and soy proteins are considered high-quality proteins based on the digestibility of their amino acids, and both are considered ‘fast’ proteins because they cause a rapid increase in amino acids available to be utilized by muscles, the actual digestion and muscle-building potential of whey and soy protein are quite different.

For one, whey protein has a higher percentage of the amino acid leucine, which has shown to be the “master” amino acid for the synthesis of muscle. What’s more, the current study found that a greater proportion of soy’s amino acids—including leucine—are diverted towards oxidation, making them unavailable for muscle synthesis. This goes along with the findings of prior studies (2, 3) that revealed the amino acids contained in soy protein are metabolized in the body by gut proteins. The amino acids in whey protein, on the other hand, are partitioned for use by skeletal muscle tissue—leading to greater rates of muscle synthesis. To top it off, soy protein products do not usually exceed 20 grams per serving and research is showing that we need closer to 30 grams of protein per meal (4).

Whey protein is not just for older adults looking to preserve their muscles. Whey protein has shown to be superior to soy in increasing muscle protein synthesis after exercise in young adults too (5).

Whether young or old, Isagenix has the whey protein needed for maximal muscle growth and maintenance for everyone. Maintain muscle mass by enjoying an IsaLean Shake with 24 grams of protein or an IsaLean Bar with 18 grams of protein. Older adults or those looking to maximize their muscle growth may also benefit from having IsaLean Pro with a supercharged dose of 35 grams protein.

There are many choices to consider when looking for the right protein supplement in your diet. Rest assured that at Isagenix we look to the science to bring you the right protein in the right amounts to maintain, repair, and build muscle.

References

Yang Y, Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, Breen L, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Myofibrillar protein synthesis following ingestion of soy protein isolate at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2012;9:57. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-9-57
Bos C, Metges CC, Gaudichon C et al. Postprandial kinetics of dietary amino acids are the main determinant of their metabolism after soy or milk protein ingestion in humans. J Nutr 2003;133:1308-15.
Fouillet H, Mariotti F, Gaudichon C, Bos C, Tome D. Peripheral and splanchnic metabolism of dietary nitrogen are differently affected by the protein source in humans as assessed by compartmental modeling. J Nutr 2002;132:125-33.
Symons TB, Sheffield-Moore M, Wolfe RR, Paddon-Jones D. A moderate serving of high-quality protein maximally stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis in young and elderly subjects. J Am Diet Assoc 2009;109:1582-6.
Tang JE, Moore DR, Kujbida GW, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Ingestion of whey hydrolysate, casein, or soy protein isolate: effects on mixed muscle protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in young men. J Appl Physiol 2009;107:987-92. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00076.2009

Can You Eat 90 Pounds of Raspberries?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:50:00 +0000

What's all the fuss, can raspberries really burn fat? If so, why not just eat a bowl of berries? Let's find out...

"Raspberry Ketones Actually Help to Slice the Fat Up Inside the Cell So it Can Seep Out Faster, So It Makes It Easier to Burn."

Raspberry Ketones In the News:

CNN: "While trying to find a substance which has a similar chemical structure to that of a capsaicin which is known to burn fat, we discovered that raspberry ketones, the essential oil of raspberries, melt human fat more than three times as much as capsaicin.

ABC: "A dietary supplement containing compounds from red raspberries has become nearly impossible to find in stores since Dr. Mehmet Oz proclaimed it as a fat-buster and "The No. 1 Miracle in a Bottle."

Dr. Oz: "Raspberry Ketone is a miracle weight-loss solution with no side effects."

Where you get your Raspberry Ketones matters. You want to be sure:

you're getting it from a reputable source.
you're getting what you pay for.
the product is pure and not packed with fillers and chemicals!

Benefits of GO Slim Raspberry Ketones:

The raspberry fruit itself has long been known as one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It seems to have endless benefits to the human body: more energy, healthy cholesterol levels, improved digestion, improved quality of sleep and a better immune system.

Add in the extracts from the GO Slim Raspberry Ketones, and you also have the extra nutritional value of proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Here are a few specific benefits of adding GO Slim Raspberry Ketones to your daily routine:

The Raspberry Ketones weight loss supplement have been tested in numerous clinical trials. As opposed to many other products that make promises in terms of weight loss with little evidence to back up their claims, the Raspberry Ketones enzyme has been found to be incredibly helpful at promoting weight loss.

Raspberry Ketones are made from 100% natural ingredients. Many health and weight loss products use artificial ingredients and chemicals to promote weight loss. You may be losing weight, but you are putting unhealthy products in to your body. This is not the case with Raspberry Ketones.

Many of the vendors that promote the product also offer to refund the consumer's money if they are not completely satisfied with the effectiveness of it. How many other products come with a guarantee like that? This gives consumers peace of mind, knowing that they WILL see results.

Raspberry Ketones are also attributed to other health benefits including improved concentration, improved short and long term memory, improved brain function and improved circulation.

One of the biggest benefits of taking a Raspberry Ketone supplement is how quickly it takes effect. Visible weight loss results can be seen in as little as two or three weeks when taking two capsules before the two largest meals of your day, with a glass of water, and also combining the supplement with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Raspberry Keytones from Green Organics

GMOs Can't Hide in California

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:03:00 +0000

There is growing concern among people who eat that our food is not what it seems to be. And without strict labeling laws we really don't know what that food has been up to before it reaches our table. Dr. Mercola is not afraid to call out "Big Food" when it comes to the health effects of questionable practices. An article on his website today shows how several organizations that demand honest food practices are standing up to the giants and they seem to be worried.

The Label Even Monsanto Considers a 'Skull and Crossbones'...

By: Ronnie Cummins of Organic Consumers Association

Monsanto and Food Inc.'s stranglehold over the nation's food and farming system is about to be challenged in a food fight that will largely determine the future of American agriculture.

"If you put a label on genetically engineered food you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it." - Norman Braksick, president of Asgrow Seed Co., a subsidiary of Monsanto, quoted in the Kansas City Star, March 7, 1994

A growing corps of organic food and health activists in California—supported by consumers and farmers across the nation—are boldly standing up to Monsanto and its minions, taking the first steps to expose the widespread contamination of non-organic grocery store foods with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and moving to implement mandatory GMO labeling through a grassroots-powered Citizens Ballot Initiative process.

This week, lawyers representing a broad and unprecedented health, environmental, and consumer coalition, including the Organic Consumers Association, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Center for Food Safety, Mercola.com, Nature's Path, Natural News.com, LabelGMOs.org, Food Democracy Now, and the Institute for Responsible Technology, filed papers with the California Attorney General's office to place a Citizens Initiative on the Ballot in November, 2012 that would require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and food ingredients.

If California voters pass this ballot initiative in 2012, it will likely be the beginning of the end for Monsanto and genetically engineered food in the U.S. According to Zuri Starr, a Southern California field organizer for the Organic Consumers Association:

"The California Ballot Initiative is perhaps our last chance to stop the Biotech Express, to overthrow Biotechnology's dictatorial regime and build a safe and sustainable food and farming system based upon the ethical principles of consumer choice and BioDemocracy."

Read the rest of this article here at Mercola.com

HealthNutShortcuts.com is on the lookout for easy ways to do healthier things.

Grass Fed Cows are Environmentalists

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:54:00 +0000

So by now you may be getting the idea that grass-fed animals make better food, but they are also better citizens of the planet. EatWild.com tells us how factory farmed animals are (unwillingly) leaving their carbon footprints all over their mucky soil...

Grassfarming Benefits the Environment
"When properly managed, raising animals on pasture instead of factory farms is a net benefit to the environment. To begin with, a diet of grazed grass requires much less fossil fuel than a feedlot diet of dried corn and soy. On pasture, grazing animals do their own fertilizing and harvesting. The ground is covered with greens all year round, so it does an excellent job of harvesting solar energy and holding on to top soil and moisture. As you will read in the bulletins below, grazed pasture removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more effectively than any land use, including forestland and ungrazed prairie, helping to slow global warming.

It’s a different story in a confinement operation. Here, the animals are crowded into sheds or kept outdoors on barren land and all their feed is shipped to them from distant fields. On those fields, the crops are treated with fossil-fuel based fertilizers, sprayed with pesticides, and planted, tilled, and harvested with heavy equipment. Each of these operations requires non-renewable fuel. Then the feed is shipped to feed manufacturers where it is dried, flaked or pelleted, and mixed with other ingredients and then, finally, shipped to the waiting animals, using yet more fossil fuel.

There is also a day-for-night difference in “manure management” on the two systems. On well-managed pasture-based farms, the animals spread their manure evenly over the soil where it becomes a natural source of organic fertilizer. The manure improves the quality of the grass, which increases the rate of gain of the animals. It’s a closed, sustainable system.

On factory farms, the excrement builds up in the feedlots and sheds where it fouls the air and releases ammonia and other gasses to the eco-system. The fumes stress and sicken the animals and farm workers, and they lower the quality of life of people in nearby homes. To get rid of the waste, it is shipped to nearby fields where it overloads the land with nutrients. The excess nitrogen and phosphorous pollute the soil and ground water and drain off into streams, rivers, and estuaries where it can create “dead zones” that threaten the fish population."

Get more info at EatWild.com

www.HealthNutShortcuts.com
Looking for easy ways to do healthier things

Be an insider and go Beyond Organic www.GreenFedFoods.com

Eating Organic and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Are You Eating Beyond Organic?

Many of you may know my good friend and natural health expert Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life, and author of The Maker's Diet.

Jordan is about to launch a new company called Beyond Organic, which will offer the world’s healthiest foods, including:

· Beyond Organic GreenFed Beef

· Beyond Organic raw cheese

· Beyond Organic 100% GreenFed cultured dairy beverage

· REIGN - mountain spring water with unsurpassed purity

· REIGN infused spring waters for enhanced performance in life

· Beyond Organic certified organic dark chocolate with probiotics and omega-3s

There are MANY significant features that set these foods and beverages apart from what you would find in health stores.

For example, we have all seen "organic" and “grass-fed” beef at Whole Foods. But did you know that organic beef requires that the cows consume 30% grass? Only 30%!

Jordan Rubin's new company is taking 8,000+ certified organic acres in Missouri and Georgia to raise cattle that are free roaming, Green-Fed, and genetically superior cows. (By the way, Green-Fed is a more correct description than grass-fed, and you will learn more about that in future newsletters). You can click HERE www.GreenFedFoods.com for several videos that describe the products.

One reason I am very excited about this company is rather than putting this food in health food stores; Beyond Organic will be skipping the middleman and will ship these foods directly from their farm to your family! It has always been a huge pain for me to try and get grass-fed beef, and especially raw dairy products. But now, with Beyond Organic, the foods and beverages come to me!

Another feature that sets this product line apart is the infusion of clinically studied probiotics. Probiotics are the naturally good flora that are so important to supporting digestive function and boosting immune system health.

Also, the dairy products are produced by cows with specialized genetics −producing milk that is highly tolerable and very digestible.

How to Live Beyond Organic

The really great news is you can literally be one of the first people in America to live Beyond Organic. Since Beyond Organic has not officially launched, from now until October you can become a Beyond Organic Insider. Anyone who is interested in learning more about these foods and beverages, or even the potential to get your Beyond Organic foods and beverages for free by sharing this message with others, can become an insider nearly four months before the rest of the world hears the good news about the new company.

There is NO fee to sign-up now through September and in that time, you will be educated on the Beyond Organic lifestyle, have the opportunity to try some of the products and discover how you can share the Beyond Organic message with friends, family, colleagues and for physicians, your patients.

All of you have recommended healthy eating options to others, and now you can share with those you know and love, how they can consume the healthiest foods and beverages available and be compensated for doing so.

Over a decade ago, Jordan started Garden of Life, one of the leading nutritional supplement companies in America in his parent's friend's garage with his dad's credit card and a dream. Now you can be part of Jordan's new vision! This is truly a ground floor opportunity, and I jumped at the chance to become a part of. And now, I am asking you to join me.

If you would like to get insider access to Beyond Organic at no cost, you can register here:

www.GreenFedFoods.com

Once you hold your place by signing up, you can then invite your friends to do the same.

Starting in October, you can become involved with Beyond Organic in one of three ways.

1) You can purchase these foods retail

2) You can become a preferred customer and purchase Beyond Organic products at a 20% discount

3) You can become a Mission Marketer, share these foods and beverages with friends and family, and have the opportunity to get your Beyond Organicfoods and beverages for free or even earn an income.

I have never been a huge fan of direct selling companies, which often sell products at inflated prices. However, these are literally the best quality foods and beverages I have ever seen, and they will provide real value to everyone who purchases them.

An area of focus for Beyond Organic that aligns very well with my beliefs is their mission to help feed and clothe widows and orphans by partnering directly with ministries and other non-profit organizations. Their groundbreaking program called “Give a Meal, Get a Meal” is powerful, and once you get set up as an Insider you can watch all these amazing videos and see the vision for yourself!

Healthy Food that Tastes Amazing!

I ONLY recommend to my readers what I eat, and these are the foods I will be eating every day. And now, I am inviting you to do the same.

Once you sign up as a Beyond Organic Insider you will receive your own enroller link and code. If you have friends and family who may also want access to these amazing healthy foods and beverages, please share this message with them on FACEBOOK or email your contact list.

To Learn More

Make sure once you sign up as an Insider, you go to the “back office” page to watch the video archives and get educated on Beyond Organic!

Looking for easy ways to do healthier things

HealthNutShortcuts.com

Less Potatoes, More Yogurt! – Amen Clinics

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:50:00 +0000

It's not as if we didn't already know this, but perhaps a study in The New England Journal of Medicine will provide the ooomph needed to get folks to think about what they choose to eat.

Less Potatoes, More Yogurt! – Amen Clinics

Do Doctors Use Dietary Supplements?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Ever wonder if your doctors practice what they preach? When it comes to taking supplements, certain specialists seem to be more likely to do what they tell their patients to do. The following article breaks it down into three specialities: cardiologists, dermatologists, and orthopedic surgeons...

A new survey of health professionals indicates that the majority use dietary supplements at least occasionally, and that even more of them recommend supplements to their patients. As would be expected, the physicians most often recommended supplements that related to their medical specialty.

Numerous reports have shown that the majority of the American population use dietary supplements. Dietary supplement usage is also known to be common among health professionals. A recent study analyzed the dietary supplement usage patterns within a population of health care professionals.

The "Life...supplemented" Healthcare Professionals 2008 Impact Study (HCP Impact Study) surveyed usage of dietary supplements by physicians in three specialties: cardiology, dermatology, and orthopedics. Respondents were 900 physicians, including 300 each from three specialties – cardiology, dermatology, and orthopedics.

Seventy-five percent of dermatologist said they use dietary supplements at least occasionally, as did 73% of orthopedists and 57% of cardiologists. Multivitamins were the most commonly used supplements, but more than 25% in each specialty claimed to use omega-3 fatty acids and over 20% said they used some botanical supplements. Consistent dietary supplement use was reported by 59% of dermatologists, 50% of orthopedists, and 37% of cardiologists. Ninety-one percent of orthopedists, 72% of cardiologists, and 66% of dermatologists said they recommended dietary supplement use to their patients. Cardiologists typically recommended dietary supplements for heart health or lowering cholesterol. The Dermatologists recommended supplements for benefits for skin, hair and nails, and Orthopedists for bone and joint health.

According to this survey, dietary supplement use was relatively common in this sample of physicians, and their dietary supplement recommendations tended to relate to their individual specialties.

Source: Usana Health Sciences
Reference: Dickinson A, Shao A, Boyon N and Franco JC. Use of dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists and orthopedists: report of a survey. Nutr J 2011 Mar 3;10:20.

No matter what your doctor says or does, it makes sense to choose a supplement that comes from only the most reliable sources. Not all brands are the same, and not all physicians are trained in the differences. Do your own homework, ask questions, choose manufacturers and suppliers that you trust based on your values and needs.

www.HealthNutShortcuts.com

Aspartame ~ Beneficial or Toxic?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:24:00 +0000

How do you decide between food and drinks that contain sugar (or worse - high fructose corn syrup) which can contribute to weight gain, spikes in blood glucose and insulin, and a crash that usually follows, or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (e.g., NutraSweet, Equal, etc.) which have no calories, but sometimes bring unbearable side effects and contribute to neurological damage? Seems like an impossible choice to make. It might help to have more information about the ingredients and effects of aspartame before you decide. The following is from an article by Dr. Mercola, author of one of the most informative free newsletters on natural health and alternatives:

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition by James and Phyllis Balch, lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.

Read the rest of this article here.

My experience with this seemingly impossible choice has been to try to avoid both whenever possible. Following my last ankle surgery I gave up soda for 3 months (which is always of the diet variety for me) and I found that my arthritis symptoms and unexplained muscle pain was greatly reduced. So I now only choose to drink my diet Dr. Pepper on special occasions. I still struggle with the idea of swallowing sugary drinks and almost always opt for unsweetened. I actually enjoy tea and coffee without sweetener, so that really helps. And while there are other problems with carbonated beverages, I will drink sparkling water when I crave the bubbles.

It's not about being perfect. For me it's about being educated and making choices based on information, not advertisements.

HealthNutShortcuts is on the lookout for easier ways to do healthier things.

A Week's Worth of Exercise in 1 Hour?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:35:00 +0000

Wouldn't it be nice if someone invented an exercise pill? Well, it looks like we may have the next best thing... it's called Interval Training. Here's what one expert has to say...

"High-intensity interval training is twice as effective as normal exercise," said Jan Helgerud, an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. "This is like finding a new pill that works twice as well ... we should immediately throw out the old way of exercising."

What is interval training, exactly? Rather than a long session of aerobic exercise like walking or running on a treadmill, or using the elliptical machine for, say 45 minutes, it may actually be more advantageous to do several bursts of strenuous exercise with rest breaks in between. Here's more...

Intense interval training means working very hard for a few minutes, with rest periods in between sets. Experts have mostly tested people running or biking, but other sports like rowing or swimming should also work. Helgerud recommends people try four sessions lasting four minutes each, with three minutes of recovery time in between. Unless you're an elite athlete, it shouldn't be an all-out effort.

"You should be a little out of breath, but you shouldn't have the obvious feeling of exhaustion," Helgerud said.

Cutting down on gym time is a great shortcut to a healthier body. It may also mean not having to join a gym at all, since there are many types of interval training exercises that don't require any special equipment. Look for more ideas by doing a Google search on interval training and see what others are saying about it. Also be sure to check out what Dr. Mercola is saying about interval training at http://fitness.mercola.com/

source: The Washington Post

Subscribe to the world's most popular natural health newsletter, Take Control of Your Health.

HealthNutShortcuts.com is on the lookout for easy ways to do healthier things.

Are your vitamins safe?

BPA in Plastic Bottles ~ FDA Now Concerned

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:41:00 +0000

This is a short but important bit of news coming from the FDA about the potential dangers of plastics that contain BPA, which is a type of plastic that has been accused of leaching toxic chemicals into the liquids that are stored inside. Baby bottles and children's sippy cups contain this type of plastic, as well as water bottles, the linings of cans used for food packing, and many other containers found in our food supply (see below* for more). Here's the latest...

WASHINGTON - -- Federal health officials Friday said there is "some concern" about the health risks to children and babies from the plastics additive known as BPA, but that they won't restrict use of the substance pending further study.

The announcement is likely to stir concern among some consumer advocates who had campaigned aggressively for a ban on bisphenol-A in food containers.

"In a word, FDA does support the use of baby bottles with BPA" because the benefits of sound infant nutrition currently outweigh the known risks from BPA, said FDA official Joshua Sharfstein, describing the agency's bottom line on the safety of the additive for babies.

source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-nwbrief1-0116jan16,0,6853519.story

* Bisphenol A (abbreviated BPA) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2C(C6H4OH)2. Bisphenol A, commonly used in plastics and polyesters, has become controversial because it mimics estrogen and thus could induce unhealthy hormonal responses.

The safest way to serve food and beverages to children (and adults) is in clean glass containers. There are some newer plastic bottles that do not contain BPA, so look for those when choosing a reusable water bottle or children's utensils.

This is my favorite reusable plastic water bottle from Nalgene. It is very easy to use, just pop open the cap which stays attached but does not hit you in the nose while taking a sip. The handy loop makes it easy to carry on one finger if you're loaded down with armloads of stuff on the way out the door, like I usually am.

www.HealthwwNutShortcuts.com is on the lookout for easy ways to make better choices about healthy living.

5 Quick HealthTips: Harvard's Healthy Eating Pyramid

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Following the Harvard School of Public Health Healthy Eating Pyramid makes good sense and it's easy to understand. Not only does it include a better proportion of food groups to the other food pyramid you have probably been used to, but it also includes regular exercise and a daily multivitamin supplement.

1. Start with exercise. A healthy diet is built on a base of regular exercise, which keeps calories in balance and weight in check.

2. Focus on food, not grams. The Healthy Eating Pyramid doesn’t worry about specific servings or grams of food, so neither should you. It’s a simple, general guide to how you should eat when you eat.

3. Go with plants. Eating a plant-based diet is healthiest. Choose plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, like olive and canola oil.

4. Cut way back on American staples. Red meat, refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, and salty snacks are part of American culture, but they’re also really unhealthy. Go for a plant-based diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And if you eat meat, fish and poultry are the best choices.

5. Take a multivitamin, and maybe have a drink. Taking a multivitamin can be a good nutrition insurance policy. Moderate drinking for many people can have real health benefits, but it's not for everyone. Those who don’t drink shouldn’t feel that they need to start. Read about balancing alcohol's risks and benefits.

Source: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid/index.html

www.HealthNutShortcuts.com is always looking for easy ways to do healthier things.

Subscribe to the world's most popular natural health newsletter by Dr. Mercola

More Industrial Food Facts Revealed ~ Food, Inc

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0000

A while back I wrote about the movie, King Corn, in which the two guys from the big city leased an acre in Iowa to grow corn. They wanted to know all about where our food actually comes from and be part of the process.

Kim Klaver, part owner of Whole Food Nation, just shared in her blog the following movie clip which shows how food has been so industrialized that it isn't actually food as we know it. Check it out...

So if you watched that and are as intrigued as I am, you can visit the official FoodIncMovie.com site, then Google it for local theater times. It's playing near me, think I'll go this weekend to get out of this heat.

HealthNutShortcuts is looking for easy ways to eat the right things while trying to avoid food-like substances that aren't really even food.

Antioxidants ~ Nature's Age Avengers

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Everyone wants to grow old gracefully. Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for a more natural way to maintain that healthful glow. The way to make peace with age can be found in the types of foods that we eat and the miracle ingredient they contain.

This hidden “miracle” is called antioxidants. They have graced the pages of magazines, medical journals and every product from hand cream to supplement pills. But what are antioxidants and what can they do to keep you looking your best?

Antioxidants are substances that fight the aging process that goes on in your body. They are not produced by the body so to get the benefit of these power-packed substances you must ingest them. A variety of foods contain antioxidants.

Let’s go back to the beginning. The body continually replenishes its cells. Through a process called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage. One by-product of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules that damage your body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron. To get another one and become stable, free radicals will steal electrons from cells. That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.

The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. Also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.

Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.

Where do you find antioxidants? They are all around us. Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce aisle in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants.

Examples of antioxidants include:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin E
* Lutein
* Lycopene
* Beta-carotene

Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.

Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold water fish, seafood and red meat. So, eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables and the foods just named will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of disease. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods. Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body.

While you might find your local pharmacy and supermarket shelves lined with bottles of vitamin pills which claim to contain antioxidants, it is not just the alphabetical list of ingredients that we need to keep us feeling and looking youthful. We need the whole food, not just the isolated vitamins and minerals, to get the greatest benefits. That is why the daily supplements we take need to be carefully chosen. Lab created vitamins often lack the phytonutrients and other substances found in the original source, so look for a daily supplement that is made from whole foods, not synthetic lab-goo.

HealthNutShortcuts is on the lookout for easy ways to eat things that help us look and feel younger, longer.

Check out The Pops, little capsules filled with dried whole foods (minus the fiber and water), if you are looking for daily antioxidant supplements.

10 Affirmations for Making Healthy Food Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:00 +0000

When you have "convenience" food bombarding you from every direction, it can be difficult to choose options that give your body the nourishment it needs. However, if you have daily reminders and effective tools at your disposal, you just may find that eating the right foods and feeding your body the best fuels becomes a lot easier. Of course, there will always be temptation, but when you equip yourself with anti-temptation tools, you will be able to quickly re-focus your mind on your greater goal of getting healthy!

Using Affirmations to Make the Healthy Food and Nutrition Choices

When everyone around you at the office is indulging in burgers, fries, and sugary drinks, it's awfully tempting to join in, isn't it? But what if you could stop that temptation in its tracks and actually choose to make a healthy choice? You don't need me to tell you that fatty and sugary choices are not the kinds of food that your body needs - you need to tell yourself!

It can be hard in moments of temptation to make the right choice, but with the help of positive affirmations, you can re-train your brain to replace the desire for junk food with healthy choices. Affirmations can help you stick to your diet, say no to temptation, and eat nourishing and satisfying foods. How? By replacing the negative spiral of thoughts in your mind with powerful, positive ones.

But first you have to believe that it is possible to gain control over your thirsts, desires, and cravings. The first step in making a lasting change in your life is to make the commitment to success. Are you committed? Do you believe that you can overcome your cravings? Once you've set your commitment in stone, you're ready to learn the top 10 affirmations to get you through moments of weakness.

Top 10 Food and Nutrition Affirmations

Before reading the list below, you should know that affirmations are most successful when you internalize the saying and repeat it frequently. Whether you're having a good or bad day, you need to be constantly repeating these positive statements in your mind. Temptation will strike when you least expect it, so it's better to be prepared!

1. I can neutralize bad habits with good food, exercise, and healthy living.

2. I am proud to reach out to my support network instead of leaning on food for comfort.

3. I am losing weight for me because I love me.

4. I set aside time just for me.

5. My good health and productivity are the rewards for the nourishing foods I eat.

6. Weight gain happens over time, so my weight loss equally requires time, patience, and lifestyle changes.

7. I use self-care, not self-control.

8. The more I take care of myself, the better I feel.

9. I am firmly committed to staying active and healthy.
10. I deserve a healthy body and mind.

When you look at these food and nutrition affirmations, they may seem like ideals - behaviors and thoughts that you only wish you could have - but each time you reaffirm them by saying them aloud, you're slowly changing your mindset. Over time, these ideals will become a reality through your thoughts and actions.

But remember, you must first believe you can change. Once you make the commitment to your success, you will change your attitudes about food and you'll be thankful you did!

HealthNutShortcuts is looking for easy ways to eat the right things, and trying to figure out what the right things are.

Pops ~ 77 Ingredients

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:56:00 +0000

The Pops are daily whole food multi supplements (capsules) which are made from 77 whole fruits, veggies (minus the water and fiber) and other healthful ingredients. They are not made from synthetic vitamin chemicals. They come in two versions: The Purples which are filled with fruits, veggies, and herbs that are more energizing; and the Greens which are filled with fruits, veggies, and herbs which are more calming.

I like to take two Purples in the morning and two Greens in the evening. That way I know I am getting some of my 5-9's everyday, along with enzymes so I digest my food better, and probiotics to keep my immune system in peak performance.

Here's a list of those 77 ingredients and why they are included in the Pops.

Wondering if your vitamins are safe? Free report here.

Health Nut Shortcuts looks for easy ways to put good things into our bodies.

Purple and Green Pops

Big B Stabilized Rice Bran

Jimmy Moore interviews Dr. Heidi - Atkins on Steroids?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Jimmy Moore of Livin La Vida Low-Carb lost nearly 200 lbs with Atkins, and has kept it off. He's been telling his story ever since.

When he heard about Dr. Heidi he was quite surprised by her take on Atkins and low-carb eating, so he decided to interview her for his popular website. Dr. Heidi teaches about shifting your fat-burning engine into high gear by eating REAL food, no processed stuff, no fake food: Grass-fed meat, pastured chickens and eggs, safe raw milk, real kefir - as close to natural as possible, which is not easy to find these days.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio...

Health Nut Shortcuts is all about looking for easy ways to eat the right things - and trying to figure out what the right things are.

Whole Food Nation - damage control for a fast food nation.
Little Spa - alternative food cycling, no rabbit food required.
Affordable Mineral Makeup - pure, radiant, mineral makeup at affordable prices.

Big B Stabilized Rice Bran is finally here!

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Big B is an extraordinary superfood in powder form, with a wonderful sweet taste. Most people use it to make smoothies. The three company owners also eat it by the spoonful as a treat or a quick snack. They’ve used it almost everyday for seven years.

The only ingredient in Big B is stabilized rice bran, one of the richest sources of B complex vitamins (see Supplement Facts). B vitamins are a natural source of energy. They help reduce stress and support your adrenals. They help sex drive and fertility.

Big B rice bran also naturally contains essential amino acids, essential fatty acids omega 6 and 3; the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium; the super enzymes glutathione peroxidase, methionine reductase, and super oxide dismutase; phytosterols including gamma oryzanol, plus over 100 antioxidants.

Common rice bran turns rancid very quickly. Stabilizing it allows the bran to stay fresh about a year or more after manufacturing and 60 days after opening. Big B rice bran is stabilized without chemicals or preservatives.

Whole Food Nation - damage control for a fast food nation.

ER Fat Burn - Is It For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Should you or shouldn't you?

Hear Dr. Heidi walk you through the ER Fat Burn program, the most talked about fat burning program since Atkins. Well, it is in my mind. Right HERE.

Only Dr. Heidi's program is health-giving AND fat burning.

You get immediate access to the ER Fat Burn member site the moment you complete your registration.

Only 13 Live spots available. (Where you get the weekly consultations with Dr. Heidi.)

Multi-Media memberships ready for the do-it-yourselfers.

The video alone is an eye opening experience.

What Dieting Mistakes Have You Made?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:54:00 +0000

If you feel like everything you've tried in order to lose weight has done nothing but kept you on the up and down diet rollercoaster, you're not alone. This nutrition professor tells the one secret that leads all dieters to the yo-yo effect. Do you know what it is?

Prepare to be surprised.

This video is pure content about how this one mistake keeps dieters on the yo-yo cycle - and how to change it.

Health Nut Wannabe is tired of making the same mistakes over and over again. You?

Vitamin D for Colds and Flu? Looks That Way...

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin." But did you know it isn't really a vitamin at all? It's actually a hormone that our bodies manufacture when sunshine hits our skin and converts cholesterol into what we call Vitamin D. So what happens when we stay out of the sun, cover up from head to toe, don't see the sun in the winter, or slather our skin with SPF? Nothing - in the way of manufacturing Vitamin D, that is.

We have all heard many times that we need Vitamin D to build strong bones and teeth, right? But what has been coming to light recently is that it plays many other important roles in our overall health. In fact, it has been found that people who live farther north of the equator seem to have more illnesses than those who live closer to it. Is it a coincidence that we get more colds and flu bugs in the winter months than other times of year when the sun is brighter and we spend more time outdoors? Apparently not....

"Forget the apple. The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu.

The finding is based on an assessment of vitamin D levels, nutritional habits and respiratory infection rates among nearly 19,000 American men and women.

'We don't want to jump ahead of ourselves,' said study author Dr. Adit Ginde, an assistant professor of surgery in the division of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. 'But our study provides support that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu. And people who have pre-existing respiratory disease -- like asthma an emphysema -- appear to be at an increased risk for this association.'"

When our Vitamin D levels are lower than optimal, not only are we at increased risk for colds and flu but may also be less protected from things like colon cancer, COPD, and Multiple Sclerosis. Not only that...

"And in December, a review of studies conducted by researchers at the Mid-America Heart Institute in Kansas City suggested that those with vitamin D deficiency -- a designation estimated to include about half of American adults and nearly one in three children -- might face an increased risk for heart attack and stroke."

YIKES!

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish like tuna, beef (grass fed), eggs (pasture fed), and some fortified dairy and juice products. If you are looking to supplement, use only Vitamin D3 which is the form that can be easily converted by the body. But the absolute best way, if possible, is to expose a good amount of skin to about 15-20 minutes of mid-day sun every day. No sunscreen, that defeats the purpose. If you stay out only for that short a period you will not likely be at risk for skin cancer (but check with your healthcare provider if you are predisposed).

Read the rest of the report here. Source: US News.com

Health Nut Wannabe is interested in ways to stay healthy without spending a fortune on medications, but instead by eating foods with medicinal properties.

Do healthy foods keep you fat? www.tinyurl.com/burnfoodwithfat

150 lb Weightloss Surprise

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Does everyone have it wrong about how a really big person got that way and stays that way?

Whether you have 150 lbs to lose, or only 5, the mechanism to burn fat is the same. Sometimes our fat burning mechanism quits working for a variety of reasons - and the fat just won't budge. Wondering why? Check this out...

Five minute delightful video where Dr. Heidi tells you a surprise about some of the big folks.

P.S. There's a little no cost "How to Eat" Guide from Dr. Heidi if you ask for it.

Some Good Foods are Bad for Fat Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Like many of you, I have become more aware of the effects of food on my body. I know that eating fast food like fries and burgers are not the healthiest choices and that fresh fruits and veggies are better for me than chips and cookies. I've made the switch from white bread, pasta, and rice to whole grains which is a bonus for my digestive tract. And I choose grass fed and free range meats whenever possible. All of these are nutritious choices that I'm sure will help me feel better and stay healthy for years to come.

But what I had not considered until recently was the effect that these very nutritious choices have had on my weightloss efforts. It seemed reasonable that leaving behind deep fried and sugary snacks would help me shed some pounds, but I never thought that eating whole grains and fruit could sabotage my ability to finally get rid of the extra fat I've accumulated over the years.

If you don't need to lose any fat then this probably won't interest you. But if you do, and you have been trying to eat right and yet still struggle to get those fat cells to budge, this new video from Dr. Heidi might just be the thing you needed to move forward. In case you don't know Dr. Heidi, she is a Harvard grad who teaches Nutrition to graduate level university students in Berkeley, the creator of the Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula, and designer of the Pops (whole food multi vitamins).

Watch this astonishing video to learn how "good" foods are making you fat.

HealthNutWannabe is looking for easy ways to eat the right things and understanding when to eat them.

ER Fat Burn Formula is Open for Biz

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Hasker) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:22:00 +0000

The Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula is now open for that determined dieter who's ready for a new bod.

Because this ER Fat Burn Cycle starts officially on Jan 31 with Dr. Heidi's live kickoff call.
There are two Live spots left right now (NOW CLOSED).

Or you can still go for the less pricey Multi Media option. It includes everything for the five weeks except the private weekly consultations with Dr. Heidi. Plus you go at your own pace.

All calls are recorded for anytime listening. Plus they're edited and transcribed so you can study those things you really want to dig into.

The forums are filled with active grads and newbies doing and asking and doing and getting slinkier and more energized.

OK enough already. If you want in just go register, but don't wait too long or you'll miss it.