Longevity League

Pfizer is Right...Lipitor Does Stink

2010-12-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Once again, another drug recall.

Pfizer has just announced it is recalling 19000 bottles of Lipitor tablets, the worlds best selling drug.

It turns out a chemical which is on the wooden pallets the drugs are stored on is leaching through and when people open up the bottles, they notice a musty odor.

This same chemical odor was responsible for the Tylenol and other recalls earlier this year.

...And back to Lipitor, so far in 2010 there have been four different recalls totaling 388,000 bottles...AND THIS IS THE WORLDS BEST SELLING DRUG.

This is the job our government and FDA does in ensuring safe medicine creating, distribution and utilization...should we really be trusting them to be able to manage over 80% of our nations food production?

I think its time we make it a point to get healthier, educate ourselves and become less reliant on long term need of medications, and while looking to the future, make plans for effective food production at home...if its not about the escalating prices, recalls and back-orders we can expect for foods (just look at pharmaceuticals), then it is a must for our health.

What The S 510 Food Modernization Act Might Mean To You

2010-12-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Do we really need our food to be modernized?

I can certainly say I am not excited about the passing of this bill, I do not believe there is a need for it, nor do I believe it will provide a benefit to our society, and more importantly will result declining health, increasing food shortages, as well as increasing prices.

Have we not learned yet that the FDA can make bad decisions in what is deemed safe and effective through their approval of drugs and chemical food products such as artificial sweeteners like aspartame? Results speak for themself.

I think what we define as 'food' is constantly being diluted to more of a 'franken food' designation.

With CODEX constantly looming on the horizon, this food bill has been passed without any problem, which many believe will give control of all food product and supply into the hands of multi-national corporations.

Yes, the same corporations pushing genetically modified foods down our throats which if you look at the science (and not talking head propaganda and B.S.) one cannot honestly say are safe.

I am all for capitalism...in a fare and free trade. And one could guess this is about more than just the mighty dollar.

And what about the farmers? I live in an area ripe with family farms, and where they have undergone numerous challenges over the years...this is icing on the cake.

Looking ahead, I can only predict what we might be seeing.

Financial challenges for the family farms to continue to operate.
Shortages in foods on our grocery store shelves.
Increasing prices of foods at the check out.

Is this really what we need?

I'm just saying.

Depression Screening Urged for Women With Depression Like Symptoms

2010-12-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Young women with a ‘menopause-like’ condition called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) should be evaluated for depression, a new study suggests. Symptoms of POI include developing hot flashes, infertility, and what is now believed an increased risk for depression.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition where women stop producing normal amounts of reproductive hormones, or produce them in an unbalanced fashion. POI can develop as early as the teens or 20s, according to the researchers, from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The investigators evaluated 174 women with POI and found that 67 percent either currently had depression or had been clinically depressed at least once in the past. That rate is more than twice the rate found among women in general, the researchers noted.

The finding was released online in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The important thing to recognize here is that all hormones work in symphony together; this is inclusive of reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, as well as thyroid.

Symptoms of what is called estrogen dominance, where a person might have excess estrogen and/or deficient progesterone levels, include depression. Efficient progesterone utilization has a direct effect on the health of thyroid as well.
What doctors should do, however, was made clear by the study, according to one of the study's senior authors, Dr. Lawrence M. Nelson, head of integrative and reproductive medicine at the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

"Because of the strong association with depression, our results indicate all women diagnosed with POI should be thoroughly evaluated for depression," Nelson said in an NIH news release.

In addition to that, we recommend to have a balanced hormonal, lifestyle, medication and diet assessment. There is a direct correlation to the foods that we eat, medications we take, exercise, levels of stress and how we manage it, and our hormone levels.

Tummy Fat...A Threat To Women's Bones

2010-12-21T06:15:00.001-08:00

We have heard that carrying extra fat around the middle may increase a woman's risk of heart disease and diabetes, new research suggests it also ups a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis.

In a study of 50 premenopausal women of various sizes, Harvard researchers found that women who had more fat around the abdomen were more likely to have lower bone mineral density, which can eventually lead to osteoporosis.

Historically we have looked at the ‘usual suspects’ and risk factors to osteopenia and osteoporosis including low estrogen (why we recommend to have your hormones adequately tested), deficient levels of calcium and vitamin D, certain medications which can lead to such nutritional depletions, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of weight bearing exercise, consuming too much alcohol and smoking.

What research is showing us is that all fat is not the same, and where it resides can provide unique challenges to health. “Tummy fat has a damaging effect on bone health," said the study's lead author, Dr. Miriam Bredella, a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Tummy fat is often representative of what is known as insulin resistance, the bodies’ inefficiency to balance insulin secretion and blood sugar balance, often due to dietary issues. The good thing is we can greatly affect this condition with changes to the diet and proper nutritional utilization.

Historically extra weight was previously believed to somewhat protect against bone loss, said Dr. Bredella. This belief was linked to extra weight is often associate with extra fat which produces estrogen, which can be beneficial to bone density, although in the right balance.

Where the fast was is what made the difference. Women who had more visceral fat, meaning fat around the mid-section, were more likely to have a lower bone mineral density. In addition, an association between visceral fat and the levels of bone marrow fat was noted.

"Being a healthy weight and trying to control visceral obesity is becoming important from so many different angles," Bredella stated. "You need to make lifestyle changes that focus on overall health and wellness, and exercise is very important for helping prevent osteoporosis and other illnesses. If you haven't been moving, just try to get out and go for a walk. Ideally, you'll work up to regular exercise, but get out and get some exercise," she advised.

Muffin Tops Affect Breast Cancer Risk

2010-12-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

In an interesting finding in regards to breast cancer and body fat distribution, new research shows that there is an element that might not be sex hormone related.
Much of the information that you hear in regards to hormone mediated cancers points to estrogen as being a major culprit. To give you a simple example, estrogen makes tissue (and tumors) grow, progesterone directs the tissues to grow healthy and die healthy.

That is why we recommend to look at hormones with balance, assess properly and make the proper adjustments whether nutritionally and/or hormonally.

It turns out that researchers have just discovered that premenopausal women who carry excess fat around their abdomen or have a large waist relative to their hip size may face a higher risk for breast cancer that is estrogen receptor (ER)-negative. This excess fat distribution is usually a result of a condition called insulin resistance, basically the bodies’ inefficiency to balance insulin release and blood sugar management, often as a result of diet.

The research team noted that such body fat distribution was linked more strongly to the risk for developing this particular type of cancer than it was to a risk for ER-positive breast cancer.

Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer means that the cancer lacks receptors for the female hormone estrogen, so the hormone does not stimulate the cancer to grow.

The research team led by Holly R. Harris of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston and her colleagues focused on data from more than 116,000 women who had been enrolled in the Nurses Health Study II since 1989, including waist and hip circumference, recorded in 1993.

The fact that ER-negative breast cancer was more strongly linked to abdominal fat and the waist-hip ratio than ER-positive breast cancer suggests, according to the researchers, that the means by which body fat distribution influences cancer risk sidesteps sex-hormone pathways.

The findings "may suggest that an insulin-related pathway" related to abdominal fat is involved in the development of premenopausal breast cancer, the researchers concluded.

For more information on how diet and excess fat and weight gain can affect your health, contact us here at Longevity league.com

What I Think About Resolutions

2010-12-21T05:18:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are, right in the middle of “The Week”; the time between Christmas and New Years which means a lot of different things for people.

This week seems the perfect time to take unused vacations from the previous year. Some will spend it traveling, other’s hanging out at home, decompressing from the previous year (and holiday stress), while others will finally be getting around to knocking out that to-do list.

Then there are those tying up the loose ends of 2010, getting ready for 2011 to come rolling around.

Have you made your resolutions for this year?

What if I was to ask you not to? Well, maybe just one very special resolution.
I have always thought that New Years’ Resolutions come with a bunch of added pressure. And the fact of the matter is that in some ways they have gained acceptance of not being completed, like its ok. We just kind of make them…just to make them I guess.

Case in point. Have you ever been a member of a gym or athletic club? Have you ever noticed how busy things are the first few weeks of January, and then by month’s end things fall back to normal. That is the result of ‘Resolution Apathy’…the excitement builds for a few weeks and then, Wham! Life happens again.
Remember last week how I talked about the snowball effect that starts as multiple goals are attained? That’s why I feel creating goals regularly throughout the year is a much better option than basing your whole years success on grandiose resolutions.

So I did say I would like you to make one resolution though, and it will be the same one that I would wish you to make next year, and the following year.
Ready? “2011 Will Be The Year of YOU”

Now, I cannot say this is original. Actually, remember the T.V. show friends? Well, Joey declared 1999 to be “The Year of Joey”, and I think that’s a great idea.
As you know our job here at www.longevityleague.com is to provide you the support in attaining your health goals and allowing that to be a catalyst to achieving many more goals in your life. So I would like to share with you 3 tips to make 2011 your best year yet.

Goal number one is actually, to set a goal. See yourself attaining this goal, keep it in your vision…visit it throughout the day.

Goal number two is to log your results. In wellness consulting practice this is a tool which we implement with our clients. This is a tremendously effective to not only see how much closer to your goal you are getting, but in issues of increased goal resistance, will allow you to identify factors which might be holding you back.

Goal number three is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who have similar goals. It has been proven that greater result’s can come from the ‘buddy-system’, and it’s more than just being about support. Have you heard the saying that you become the average of the five people you spend most of your time with? It’s like osmosis, something happens when you not only share the motivation, but when you see successful results in others and they see it in you-it’s that snowball effect again.

Are you ready to make 2011 your healthiest year yet? Contact us here at longevityleague.com

info@longevityleague.com

What Every Patient Needs To Know About Vitamin D

2010-12-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

A Government Not For The People, But For The Corporations

What Every Patient Now Needs To Know About Vitamin D

I was recently discouraged by the report that was released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). It turns out that the United States and Canadian Government enlisted the IOM to assess the need and nutritional requirements of Vitamin D.

First, a little bit about the IOM. The IOM website says that the The Institute of Medicine (IOM) acts as an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public. Established in 1970, the IOM is the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

The national Academy of Sciences (NAS) was established by an Act of Congress that was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on March 3, 1863, which calls upon the NAS to "investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art" whenever called upon to do so by any department of the government.

Keep in mind the IOM’s history and lineage; I feel it is safe to say that it is not necessarily independent, acting outside of government. In fact, one might feel safe to say that the IOM is actually overseen by Congress, which is heavily subsidized by the pharmaceutical industry.

Why does this matter?

There is an overwhelming amount of research and evidence, contrary to the IOM’s report saying Vitamin D is only good for bone health, linking Vitamin D deficiency to heart disease, stroke, depression, hypertension, auto-immune disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, and even cancer.

And not to go down the roads of conspiracy, but the pharmaceutical industry makes a lot of money on medications that “treat the diseases” above. The pharmaceutical industry could stand to lose a lot of money, if something so beneficial with such a proven safety record and so cheap can make even a minor dent in the above conditions.

The committee within the IOM even went as far as to say that supplementing with Vitamin D could be harmful. There are several studies in fact proving the safety level of much higher levels of Vitamin D than the IOM recommends.

Scientists at The Grassroots Health (www.grassrootshealth.net) consist of a panel of 41 expert vitamin D researchers and medical practitioners who maintain their position based on the evidence that they see that the serum level should be between 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L), which equates to their recommendations of 600 IU/day with an upper limit of 4000 IU/day.

“There is an impressive body of scientific evidence supporting levels higher than the IOM panel is currently recommending, and for reasons that are not entirely clear, the panel has discounted that evidence. The public needs to know that that evidence exists so that they can make up their own minds. It's helpful in making those decisions, to know that intakes higher than the IOM recommends are safe. For me, that makes the decision easy. Even if the evidence for a higher intake were uncertain (and I don't believe it is), intakes 2-5 times the IOM recommendations would carry a good chance for benefit at essentially no cost and no risk.

I believe that the presumption of adequacy should rest with vitamin D intakes needed to achieve the serum 25(OH)D values (i.e., 40-60 ng/mL) that prevailed during the evolution of human physiology" Robert P. Heaney, MD, John A. Creighton University Professor, Creighton University.

What should you do?

Have your levels measured, find your baseline and speak to a health care practitioner on what options are best for you.

Americans Among the Most Sleep Deprived

2010-11-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

What probably won’t be much of a surprise at all, A new survey has found that Americans are among the most sleep-deprived people in the world.

The researchers found that the majority of Americans (49%), Indians (54%) and Singaporeans (43%) reported not getting enough sleep because they were too worried or stressed out.

New York has the special distinction of being the most sleep-deprived city in the world.

Sleep is vital to your physical and mental well-being! If you’re not getting enough sleep at night it can be a number of different things; from not being able to “turn the mind off”, to hormonal imbalance such as too little progesterone, or even subclinical thyroid activity.

For more information on how you can battle problems with sleep, contact us here the longevity league.

Dietary Changes to Help With ADHD

2010-11-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

The numbers are alarming. Ten percent of US children have been diagnosed with ADHD — an increase of almost 25 percent in four years.

Unfortunately, the medicine prescribed to treat ADHD can come with a downside. It can cause dietary problems and increase the rate of cigarette smoking in the child taking it.

Some doctors have taken a different approach to fixing the problem, and have studied how dietary changes that can help ease symptoms of ADHD.

Here are some of the findings:

· About 70 percent of children who crave sweets have much more control over their behavior when their food is low in added sugar.

· Many kids with ADHD have food allergies that contribute to the symptoms. The foods to which children with ADHD most commonly had allergic reactions were cow's milk (which included milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream), corn (an additive in many prepared foods), wheat, soy, eggs, gluten, casein, and food colorings.

· Hyperactive children often benefit greatly from the right supplements. High quality fish oil supplements high in DHA can be a tremendous benefit (and they don’t have to taste bad), magnesium and calcium are essential minerals many people might be deficient in. For more information on how supplements can help, contact us at the pharmacy.

So before you get a prescription for medicine, ask your doctor or contact us for a consult to see about making nutritional changes in your child's diet.

Energy Drinks...Rev You Up, But Can Bring Your Health Down

2010-11-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

From weekend warriors to hard core athletes, energy drinks have woven themselves into the fabric of high performance sports and activities, although not without some ramifications to the users health.

Researchers found that users of these hugely popular energy drinks faced potential health risks by using such products as they can seriously dehydrate users due to their high amounts of caffeine.
Researchers from the University of Texas Medical School, Houston also warned that users who mixed drinks with alcohol also faced increased heart rates and blood pressure and mental problems.

The study, reported in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, adds weight to previous research that found such energy drinks can affect a person's health such as heart attacks and seizures and in some extreme circumstances lead to death.

"What we know is that a typical energy drink can have as much as a quarter cup of sugar, and more caffeine than a strong cup of coffee," said John Higgins, who led the study.

"The possibility of dehydration and increased blood pressure make water or lower-octane sports drinks, which contain electrolytes, some minerals and carbohydrates, a better choice."

The researchers reviewed medical literature on energy drinks and their ingredients between 1976 and 2010.

They found that the caffeine content of energy drinks ranged from 70 to 200 mg per 16-oz serving. By comparison, an 8-oz cup of coffee could contain between 40 to 150 mg of caffeine.

They warned that some ingredients not mentioned on the labels such as herbal stimulant guarana, the amino acid taurine, might produce adverse affects with caffeine.

Dr Higgins said that by not publishing ingredients added to the problem.

"Manufacturers can put whatever in them, advertise however and people consume however. Whenever you have a situation like this, you are going to run into problems," he said.

Non-athletes should drink no more than one a day, never mix them with alcohol, and drink lots of water after exercising.

People with hypertension should never drink them, and people with health conditions such as heart disease should consult their doctors before using the drinks, he said.

"Manufacturers can put whatever in them, advertise however and people consume however. Whenever you have a situation like this, you are going to run into problems," he said.

How Fast Is Stress Aging You?

2010-11-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

Have you had your telomeres studied lately? One of the most profound advancements in identifying on how healthy and how fast people may age, the condition of one’s telomeres are showing a direct link to how one manages stress.

In 2004, scientists started to study telomeres, which are the tips of strands of DNA designed to protect the chromosomes in our cells. As our cells divide over time, because of damage, the telomeres get shorter and so become an accurate marker of biological ageing.

Picture these telomeres to be like the tips on the end of a shoelace. Telomeres stop DNA from fraying. When it frays, the cell stops being healthy: if it is a skin cell, it will cease to function properly and will appear aged. If the DNA frays in a brain cell, memory will lapse.

With the identification of these telomeres there has been increasing research on what keeps them healthy, and what leads to their damage.

Recent research implicates mis-managed stress to be a major factor in leading to their destruction, leading to ‘premature aging’.

And it’s important to highlight that it is mis-managed stress, because the fact of the matter remains that the body does need stress to strengthen and grow, although it needs it followed by periods of rest and repair.

A perfect example of how stress can age someone is to look at what might be perceived as a stress full job, president of the United States. Just look at any photo of any president from before they took office to a year or two into their job.

Look at president Obama, profoundly grayer and it only took a few months.

The good news is, when stress is managed, or extreme stress is eliminated, the body can ‘de-age’ itself a bit. Take a look at President George W Bush and President Clinton. Each of them looks much younger now than when they left office if you look at the health of their skin and how they present themselves.

And sure, you might say this evidence is anecdotal, although take a look at what research has shown us.

Scientists studied parents who were looking after very ill children which can be a very stressful situation from the caring of the child to the economical challenge it can provide.

They found that those who felt under the most stress had telomeres that were ten years shorter than should have been. The more stubby and shorter the telomeres, the less protected our DNA.

Here is the remarkable thing about the human body. Telomeres can be stimulated to grow again, actually reversing the effects of ageing. The telomeres of women who had been caring for a husband with dementia were measured, and then measured again when the husband went into a home. Almost immediately, the telomeres were rejuvenated.

So how is your stress being managed? What shape are your telomeres in?

Schedule a wellness consult with us for customized tips and techniques on how to measure and manage how your body responds to stress, and even find out how to measure your telomeres.

Bumper Sticker Chuckles

2010-11-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

They say laughter is the best medicine...so here are some Holiday bumper stickers poking fun at who else, but the TSA.

If we did our job any better we’d have to buy you dinner first

Don’t worry; my hands are still warm from the last guy

We are now free to move about your pants

We rub you the wrong way so you can be on your way

It’s not a grope, it’s a freedom pat

We handle more packages than UPS

Walking In Gratitude

2010-11-25T07:55:00.001-08:00

Ok, I might be getting a bit mushy and woo wooey here, but I found it appropriate to write today about the practice of Gratitude.

Gratitude is just as big a part in the success and happiness in ones life.

One might say…the more attention you apply with gratitude to a particular thing (love, friendship, money, family) the Universe will send you more.

I think it’s true.

I am very Grateful for Thanksgiving…I love this day. To me its one of those FREE DAYS in life, no obligations, no calls, kind of a having fun, letting the ‘right brain flow’ kind of day, wrapped within a bunch of silence.

And I have a LOT more to be Grateful for.

I am Grateful for my wife, my dogs, my family…the friends we have, certainly our health, the fact that I laugh every day…and I love what I do.

…I am Grateful I can do something creative everyday that helps change the landscape of health care…I am Grateful to have such great clients (via Wellness practice, Pharmacies, and other Health Care Practitioner’s) who take it upon themselves to make changes in their own health and their practice, thus changing the course to a better way of life.

I have read about Gratitude through many different sources over the years, from Louise Hay, The Dali Lama, and others, and I used to practice it almost automatically when life was simpler.

I remember going for hikes on top of the mountain behind our house in Jackson Hole Wyoming and focusing on good things…how much I loved our lifestyle…I called it Walking In Gratitude.

Gratitude is magnetic…the more you walk in Gratitude, the smoother your day will go, the more you will have to be Grateful for.

The time for resolutions is just around the corner…and it’s the time to begin planing your New Year out…goals you want to accomplish, things you want to do.

Gratitude can play a big role for you.

I admit, I sometimes slip…and fall off of the Gratitude path…and the results of my day will show it.

It’s time to make it automatic again.

I’m beginning today, and by the time Jan 1 comes around…I will have this habit in place-automatic.

Write down five things you are grateful for.

Read them at least once or twice a day, maybe upon waking up and going to sleep,

As the pattern develops, begging adding Gratitude within your steps throughout the day, Walk in Gratitude.

Begin to notice how it makes you feel, how much smoother your days go, how much you achieve, how your business grows, the compliments you receive from your friends, customers and clients.

I warned you, this might get a bit woo wooey…but their you go,

Have a Happy (and Grateful) Thanksgiving Day!

Robert and Amy

My Favorite Nutrient For Healthy Weight During The Holiday Season- Cut Cravings and Lose Weight!

2010-11-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

Have you tried Irvingia?

This is a great product, and when I carried it in my pharmacy it worked great!

I recommend Life Extension's Irvingia with Calorie Control Complex, and what I really liked about it is that it does so much to help with portion control, one of the biggest factors of weight gain in our 'super-sized' society.

Other benefits are:
Support weight loss of over 20 pounds on average in 10 weeks all by itself.¹ It works by supporting sensitivity to leptin, the hormone secreted by fat cells that tells your brain you’ve eaten enough and facilitates the breakdown of stored fat. Plus four other science-based ingredients.

Phase 3™ Sucrase Modulator to help delay rapid absorption of sucrose.
InSea²™ seaweed extract to help modulate levels of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes to reduce the caloric impact of sugary foods.
Green tea phytosome to positively influence the absorption of dietary fat.
And a white kidney bean extract to help delay digestion and absorption of starch calories.

...And right now you can get it for $16 OFF plus a FREE 6 month membership to their membership - with is a great publication included.

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5 Great Apps To Bring In A Healthy New Year

2010-11-24T06:02:00.001-08:00

Hooked on technology? Here are 5 great health app's to ring in a healthier New Year!

1) iFitness- Have you ever started at a new gym and felt self-conscious about how to properly do an exercise? You see all the weathered gym veterans using extra care in not what they do, but how they do it? This is a great app to show you how to do the exercise correctly, without having to drag along a book. There are over 300 exercises to choose from, and each one is explained with pictures and some video. If you want to target one part of your body, you can pick exercises targeted exclusively for that area. You can also keep track of your BMI, weight, and food on iFitness.

2) Pocket Yoga- This app offers three different types of yoga at three different levels for three varying durations, which means you'll have the choice to pick between 27 different routines. The app provides excellent depictions of the poses in case you need to check yourself. Another great feature is that it allows you to play your own music from your iPod if you want to.

3) Get Running- If you have trouble staying motivated while your out on a run, this app may be perfect for you. "Get Running" says encouraging and motivating things into your headphones while you run, which helps you keep going.

4) iHormones-  Did you know you cannot work out as efficiently, lose weight and build muscle if your hormones are not in check. This problem is, many people don’t know the facts and fall into ‘mis guided’ information because most schools of medicine don’t teach it optimally. And it’s not just hormones! You get references, resources, nutrition, food charts and more.

5) My Fitness Pal This app is the closest thing to a personal trainer you can get on a phone. It has tons of recipes and workouts and it helps you figure out how many calories you’re burning so you can make sure you stay on track.

Tips To Cut Down On Calories While Enjoying Your Food More This Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

The Thanksgiving dinner is estimated to provide a whopping 3000 calories.

Did you know that eating less will allow you to enjoy it more?

I understand, it’s a bit difficult to make sense of that in the throws of temptation, although its quality not quantity…and remember the greatest thing about all of this?

Leftovers!

Here are some tips to help you ‘pace yourself’ and enjoy the ‘quality over quantity’ this Turkey Day.

1) Don't go to the Thanksgiving dinner hungry: Often we here, “I’m not going to eat all day so I can feast over dinner”. You might want to consider this philosophy because we often eat faster and more when we are hungry, so take in a hearty, healthy breakfast or lunch on the big day.

2) Think about where you are going to start the event: Fill your plate half with vegetables, one quarter with a lean meat and the rest with a starch of your choice. Eat slowly and stop when you are full.

3) Turkey - go skinless: I know, this is practically a sacrilege right? But it works and once you make the decision and bite into the moist and tasty meat, you wont miss the skin. Choosing your 4-oz turkey portion skinless will slash away some fat and cholesterol, as well as saving some room for some healthy side dishes.

4) Make sure side dishes don’t become the main course - watch your portion size: go for smaller portions in an effort to sample all of the different foods! Always eat in moderation. You know how it feels to be TOO FULL to try that dish everyone is raving about.

5) Drink plenty of water: alcohol and coffee can dehydrate your body. Drink calorie-free water to help fill up your stomach and keep you hydrated.

Hopefully those tips help you stay on track with your diets this holiday season (if you want to, at least), but remember to enjoy your meal and if you take in a few too many calories, just hit the gym a little harder than usual after shopping on Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Great Article Thing To Keep In Mind For Travelers

2010-11-24T05:33:00.001-08:00

New Scanners Believed To Emit 10 to 20 Times Radiation,

Great Article...CLICK HERE

Great Tips For Winter Skin

2010-11-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Great Options for Winter Skin

With the winter season coming upon us, many people are affected by issues of “winter skin” including skin so dry it results in flaking, cracking and further aggravating conditions of rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema.

Where many of the conditions differ in their causes, one thing they all can have in common is inflamed, itchy, irritated skin which can all benefit from a little moisture. The winter time finds many more people spending time indoors, in heated conditions which have the ability to dehydrate the skin, only exacerbating the above conditions.

As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out, and it doesn't matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry.

There are many treatments, depending on the individuals’ situation, from prescription medications containing steroidal preparations to cut down on the inflammation, and a litany of over the counter products, from broad based total body moisturizers to very narrow focused preparations, designed to treat a specific condition.

One thing we find is true is that everyone could use a little moisturizing and it’s not just an ‘outside game.’ Here you will find some tips to help provide you much needed moisture, from the inside out.

1. It is important to stay hydrated. Many people do not realize the importance of hydration, and it’s not until someone is feeling parched, they take action to hydrate. Many conditions of the skin can be improved by adequate hydration with clean, pure water.

Water should be your best friend, any time of year, and just because you are not baking under the hot sun or running around in the back yard, does not mean you do not need to keep up with the water.

An average daily allowance of water would be to divide your body weight in pounds by 2…and that number in ounces would be the average amount of water to consume for the day. For instance, if someone weights 150 pounds, their goal should be approximately 75 ounces of water each day. And one must not forget the extra re-hydration needed after consuming beverages that can further dehydrate: caffeinated drinks like soda pop, coffee and alcohol.

2. Consider a Humidifier. Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly, and can provide a tremendous benefit to those hacking, dry, nighttime coughs.

3. Use a water based moisturizer which saturates the skin while allowing it to breathe, not congesting it like many oil based skincare products. Our favorite choose would be one in a water soluble based utilizing Hyaluronic acid. Unlike any other moisturizer, in addition to be super hydrating, Hyaluronic acid stimulates growth factors prompting cellular renewal for wound healing.

And don’t forget to make the most of the night hours when the body naturally recuperates, utilizing a highly effective moisturizer at night hydrates, nourishes, protects and rejuvenates skin while you sleep.

4. Get Your Fish Oils In- Fish Oil has so many benefits, an average dose is between 1000 mg and 2000 mg of a high quality, toxin free, stable fish oil...contact us here to see which fish oil is best for you. (caution: in high doses, increased bruising and blood thinning has been reported, especially when combined with blood thinners)

To Healthy Happy Skin This Season!

Want to Quit Smoking?…Let the Great American Smokeout Day Get A Jump Up On Resolutions

2010-11-22T05:54:00.001-08:00

We know how difficult quitting smoking can be, here are some great tips to make it easier.

1. Exercise. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax and make you feel better about yourself – much better than cigarettes can.

2. Over-the-counter crutches. Where cold-turkey has always shown to be the most long lasting, stop-smoking aids like gum, lozenges, and patches really do help ease withdrawal symptoms.

3. Chew away your cravings. Keeping your mouth busy will keep your mind off of smoking – make the decision to occupy it with healthy snacks, ALTHOUGH CAUTION…do not create another addiction in comfort or ‘addicting’ food choices such as refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol or drugs.

4. Distract yourself- Find ways to get your mind off of the smoking. Technology can be a great help. Handy apps for your smartphone like Quitter calculates how much money you're saving by not buying cigarettes, or even brain teaser’s and fun app’s like Sudoku and Bejeweled will not only help you quit and save you some cash, they can make you smarter and aid you in problem solving.

5. Avoid the ‘same ol’ triggers. Do you smoke when you drink alcohol or coffee? Identify the things that make you want to smoke and avoid them! Remember, everything we do is all about patterns, so it’s time to disassociate with the negative patterns and realign with some healthy ones.

6. Let it be about vanity. Get those pearly whites white again, notice how good your cloths now smell (and your breath). Once you see how much quitting smoking can do for your ‘beauty factor’ you will be motivated never to turn back to it again.

7. Find other ways to de-stress. Let’s face it, many people smoke to deal with stress, so look to replace that dirty cigarette with a relaxation technique like meditation, deep breathing, a walk in the wood’s or even a long bath.

8. Hypnosis? Many people have found hypnosis can help them kick the habit…might be an option for you to explore!

9. Natural Supplements. Natural Supplements can be a great way to "take the edge off",
one of our favorties is Relora. Relora is designed to modulate and adapt adrenal hormones and provide a a calming effect.

Winter Nutritional Survival Guide- 6 Best Supplements

2010-11-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Looking for a Natural Solution to Upper Respiratory Infections or an acute Sinusitis?

Andrographis is certainly a nutrient no medicine cabinet should be without, quickly become a nutrient rock star in itself.

Andrographis provides known antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, immune-stimulant properties, and has the ability to reduce fever.

Andrographis has shown to be very useful for prevention as well as to decrease the severity as well as the duration of an upper respiratory infection, including acute sinusitis.

--->Click here<--- to purchase and email me with any questions

Have You Ever Been Caught With A Nasty Caught, Where No Prescription or Over The Counter Med Touches It?

This stuff is proving to be AMAZING...Proven safe for children and adults, free of side-effects, every home can benefit from English Ivy preparation. Ivy Calm by Integrative Therapeutics is our go to recommendation for cough, inflammation, and spasms of the bronchials, plus it acts as a great expectorant, loosening that annoying chest phlegm.

English Ivy preparations such as Ivy Calm have shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and even fever reducing capabilities.

Ivy Calm comes in a tasty liquid formulation and if you are looking for additional virus fighting ability can be used with Sambuchol.

--->Click Here<--- to purchase and email me with any questions

How About A Safe and Effective Treatment of The Flu With No Drug To Drug Interactions or Side-Effects?

One of my favorites. Oscillococcinum has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms.

Oscillococcinum works rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” at 48 hours. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment was significantly greater in the group that received the active drug than in the placebo group.

Unlike other flu medicines, Oscillococcinum has no known side effects such as drowsiness, and has no known or reported drug interactions. Oscillococcinum has show to be safe for both children and adults.

Oscillo works best when taken early, so it’s helpful to keep it on hand. Take Oscillo at the first signs of flu-like symptoms.

--->Click Here<--- to purchase and email me with any questions.

How Else Wants To Have On Hand One of The Most Potent Anti-virals Given To Us By Nature?

Sambucus Pro Black Elderberry is a virologist tested extract containing a high potency of naturally-occuring levels of BioActives® constituents proven to be "bioavailable" and active within the body for optimal effectiveness. For centuries the dark berries of European black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) have been traditionally used as a winter remedy. In recent years, medical researchers have proven its efficacy in clinical trials as being affective against nasty winter viruses.

Sambucus Pro comes in both adult and children preparations.

--->Click Here<--- To purchase and ask any questions

Don’t Let Winter Colds Get You Down With ViraClear EPs Cold Care

ViraClear, a winter time favorite here at the pharmacy has shown to shorten the duration and reduce severity of cough, congestion, sore throat, sinus & bronchial infections.

ViraClear EPs 7630^™ is a homeopathic remedy containing a proprietary extract - obtained from the roots of the South African Pelargonium sidoides plant. ViraClear has proven safe for both adults and children and is an excellent remedy for the entire family.

For best results, use at first sign of symptoms and continue to use for an additional 48 hours after symptoms cease.

--->Click Here<--- To purchase and ask any questions

Looking For Effective, Natural, Immune Support This Winter Season?

Astragalus has long been used to support the immune system to help ward off the attackers of the winter blues while providing the immune system adaptogenic support, which means it does not stimulate the immune system, but helps the immune system to adapt to challenges.

Astragalus has been proven effective as a preventative at only one 500 mg capsule every day.

Astragalus has also shown to help the ‘post viral chest burn’ which often hangs around after a cold or illness has cleared.

--->CLick Here<--- To purchase and ask any questions

Simple Tips to Overcome Emotional Eating

2010-11-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it…we all eat emotionally; the challenge is how we manage it?

The holiday season often brings many challenges on how to quell the urge to give in to over-indulging on all the culinary temptations holiday gatherings bring. And of course we want to enjoy ourselves and partake in the holiday fun, although I want to share with you some tips that you can use not just for the holiday season, but for the New Year to come.

1) Slow Down, Drink Water and The 80/20 Rule. The two biggest challenges for people is portion control and managing cravings. A lot of people might tell you that it’s all about willpower, although while in “the eye of the storm” this might be easier said than done.
Some of the tips we recommend are to drink plenty of water throughout the day, to eat slow and implement the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule dictates to eat until you are 80% full. This allows your digestion to catch up, and within 20 minutes after eating you will be noticeably satisfied, but not overly full.

2) Stay in Touch With Your Feelings…Stay Present. Especially in the hurried and stressful holiday season, we tend to go through the day in a blind blur, not keeping in touch with our feelings and emotional reactions to events of the day. This is one of the biggest reasons for ‘emotional eating’ where before we know it we have taken a ‘simple snack’ past the point of no return.

Check in with your feelings throughout the day; ask yourself how you are feeling. Allow this to become a new pattern and with implementing any new pattern we could use a little help. Utilize your schedule to help out; maybe when you are driving to work, having a meal, hopping in the shower – pick consistent things you do every day and couple these times with an emotional check in.

3) Examine Your Cravings. Cravings are one of the biggest challenges, and we often give into them without even giving it a thought. Well, think about it. Before acting or reacting to a craving, ask yourself what the source of the craving is. By just the time it takes to examine the source, often separates you from the emotional connection.

4) Shift Your Focus- Don’t allow yourself to become a deer in the headlights, with that temptation locking you in. When you find a craving or temptation grabbing a hold of you…get out of the headlights, walk away or visually change your focus to something else, a picture on the wall, a scene out the window, or begin a new conversation, far removed from food.

Let’s make this a healthy and happy holiday season, preparing ourselves for an even greater and healthier New Year. For more information on how we can help you cruise through holiday temptations poised to take on the New Year, give us a shout.

What Every Patient and Medical Practitioner Should Know

2010-11-18T18:32:00.001-08:00

Here Are Some Tips To Protect You From Your Cell Phone

2010-10-21T09:18:00.001-07:00

Cell phones have become so engrained into our daily lives, although the amount of research on how they may affect our health is building, linking disease states such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Brain fog, Heart disease, miscarriage, infertility, insomnia, learning impairment, anxiety and depression.

Here are some great tips to help decrease your exposure to the EMF rays they emit.

1. Text, don’t talk whenever possible

2. Use speaker or headphones from an ipod to keep the phone as far away from your head as possible.

3. Disconnect- When you are not using your cell phone shut it off, especially at night when you are sleeping…do this for your in home wireless router as well.

4. Don’t carry it in your clothing; pockets, etc…get it away from your body.

5. Don’t use it in tight spaces that can become small EMF boxes (elevators, cars, buses, trains, subways)- in these places the signal amps up for coverage.

6. Purchase a phone with a low SAR (specific absorption rate)

7. Consider a cell phone diode to attach to your phone.

Vitamin D and Lung Cancer

2010-10-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

It hardly seems a week can go by without new research coming out on the benefits of vitamin D.
New research out of the Loyal Universty Health System is showing how Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a significant increase in lung transplant rejection.

In every lung transplant case (as well as other transplant surgeries) there is a significant chance that the body will reject the organ. Researchers believe that Vitamin D plays a very big role in supporting the immune system to allow the body to accept the organ.

In the study, 122 patients were evaluated beginning with Vitamin D levels after the surgery. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significant increase in rejection for 51.7 percent of the patients during the first year following the transplant. In addition, Vitamin D deficiency also showed a trend toward increased airway inflammation in 16.7 percent of the patients.

Zero Calorie Sweetner Linked To Lung Cancer

2010-10-21T09:15:00.003-07:00

The evidence mounts on why chemical treatments to lose weight are not the healthy answer.

From yet another diet drug being taking off of the market due to increasing chances of cardiovascular disease, to a long history of artificial sweeteners leading to maladies of health, now new research is emerging on more of aspartame’s potential for carcinogenic activity.

A new study by Dr. Morando Soffritti at the Ramazzini Institute demonstrated that aspartame administered in feed to Swiss mice induces significant dose-related increases in hepatocellular carcinomas and of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinoma in males.

If you don’t know, aspartame has a long and sorted history of being a major toxin to one’s health. To this day, it is the number one reason of complaints called into the FDA for varied health issues from headaches, to nausea, to nerve pains and more.

Even before it was approved by the FDA, in 1985 toxicologist, Dr. Adrian Gross told Congress that at least one of Searle’s studies “has established beyond any reasonable doubt that aspartame is capable of inducing brain tumors in experimental animals and that this predisposition of it is of extremely high significance”

Aspartame today is found in over 6,000 products and among its heaviest users are children and women of childbearing age, as well as individuals with multi-factorial disease states such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

One would have to ask why, given all the research is aspartame still allowed to be on the market, especially in light of the Delaney Amendment which makes it illegal to allow any residue of cancer causing chemicals in foods.

This is a debate which will probably carry on for years, and most likely at the hands of some very powerful financial sources.

The answer to you and I should be simple. Avoid it altogether. Choose whole healthy foods, not chemically ridden science experiments which have the potential to leave us as a victim of ignorance.

And as an added point to mention, there have been numerous studies that have shown people losing weight after eliminating artificial sweeteners from their diets in place of healthy alternatives.