Organic Whole Food Vitamins

How Healthy is Your Grocery Cart?

2010-04-26T12:32:00.001-07:00

It is difficult to know what is healthy in today's society. According to most major processed food manufacturer's advertisements, you could live to be 120 eating nothing but cereal out of a box, dried fruit 'snacks' and 'juice cocktails'. Unless you specifically buy from a store that focuses on all-natural ingredients, and really goes above and beyond the call of health (a great case in point is the Mt Capra whole food vitamins), even smart people are often completely misled. Today we look at some more common supermarket health fallacies.

Products 'free' of a bad ingredient

Just about every product on the supermarket shelves makes some sort of health claim. There are sugary gelatine lollies that are '0% fat!', cereals that are sugar free, and ice-cream that has 'no cholesterol'. These claims are technically true - but don't let them blind you to the fact that the overall product is probably not is one of the essential layers of the food pyramid.

Made with 'real' ingredients

Nobody wants to be eating fake food! But claims like 'Made with real chicken' that can found on packets of kids nuggets need to be evaluated critically. Look at the ingredients and see how far down the ingredient list the 'real' ingredient comes. Ingredients are always listed in order from most plentiful to least plentiful - so you might find that your 'real chicken' nuggets are actually 50% textured soy protein, 5% chicken.

'Flavored'

There are quite a lot of products on the supermarket shelves that piggyback on traditional recipe names, like 'guacamole', to con you into thinking they're made the same way you would do it at home. This is rarely true. Check the label … always! Even a wonderful selection of whole food multivitamins won’t save you from the dangers of 'guacamole-flavored dip'.

Zero grams of trans fats

If a product has less than 0.5g of trans fats per serving, the FDA allows manufacturers to make this claim. However, they may make serving sizes artificially small to be allowed to do so. Check the label … again!

Top Food Tips for Great Health!

2010-04-26T12:30:00.001-07:00

There is a lot of information available to the average you and the average me nowadays about what to eat. Kid's sugar-laden morning snacks are actually advertised as health food, the internet has a hundred different opinions on a single health subject, and while some people say you should never eat meat, others say that it's all you should eat. Today we look at some great, overall rules to remember to create a wonderfully healthy body for yourself. These mostly go back to the whole food supplement ideal - keep it as close to nature as possible.

You should eat…

· Anything that your great-grandmother would have been able to recognize and name: In many cases, new food is not good food. We don't eat liver or brains regularly anymore, we eat cereal bars and soy hot dogs … and we get cancer. This also includes margarine!

· Check the ingredient list: If there are ingredients in the list that have names that you can't pronounce, don't recognize, or have more than 5 words in them, keep these foods to an absolute minimum. There's no point in getting the highest quality natural Garden of Life vitamins if you end up putting poison over the top of them. The same applies for high fructose corn syrup.

· Does your food tell you that it is healthy? If it does, then it is probably one of the least healthy foods in the supermarket. Apples don't come with health claims, neither do carrots. Foods that are truly healthy won’t usually try to convince you to buy them for their healthy benefits. Of course, the rules vary for health supplements like goat protein powder, etc.

· Eat plants, leaves more than seeds: Bread is made from the seeds of a plant. However, when we look at bread in nutritional terms, it just doesn’t have the same value that spinach does. The same goes for potato chips! Potatoes might be a plant, and they might be cooked in 'vegetable oil' … but the only person you’re cheating if you call chips a vegetable is yourself.

· Eat until you're not hungry - not until you’re full: If you eat until your are full, you've overeaten. Remember that your satiety response takes a while to kick in.

· Be a fringe-dweller: That is, stick around the edges of the supermarket, where all the fresh food is kept.

· Have real meals and revel in your food: Being 'mindfully aware' of the process of eating is a key step in preventing overeating.

Heart Health for Chicks!

2010-04-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

Heart attacks are often seen as a man's disease. Sadly, heart disease is also the leading killer of women. The statistics are pretty much even for guys and girls when it comes to heart health -- and they are certainly not good. Women might think that breast cancer is their top concern - in fact, if you are over 25, you need to watch out for a heart attack more than anything else. So, what whole food supplements can you take, and what lifestyle changes can you make, to help keep the center of your womanly emotions in great health?!

Understanding risk factors

Understanding what puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack is the first step in reducing that risk! Here are the top risk factors for heart disease development, and heart attack death, for women.

Age
Family predisposition

You can't change either of these factors. But you can be aware that if you are over 55 or have a history of bad heart health in the family, you'll need to pay extra attention to these next factors.

Smoking cigarettes
Having high blood pressure
Not doing enough exercise
Having diabetes
Being overweight
Having metabolic syndrome
A waist measurement of 35 inches or more
Being under overwhelming, or long-term, low level stress.

The answers

For most of us, the answer is in the question. Look at the risk factors that apply to you … and reverse them. You can also help yourself get more energy for exercise, support your quest to stop smoking, and help yourself lose weight with organic vitamins and supplements like Garden of Life's Diet 360.

Symptoms of a heart attack

These can be very vague - but if you experience more than three of them simultaneously, take yourself to the hospital.

Fullness, discomfort, or tightness in the chest
Being short of breath
Pain in the upper abdomen
Feeling a fluttering in your chest, or a pounding sensation
Nausea and digestive upsets like vomiting
Sweating heavily for no reason
Being very weak and dizzy

Are You Sabotaging Your Sleep?

2010-04-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Around two thirds of Americans have problems with sleeping a few nights a week. And what that adds up to in real terms is a lot of avoidable arguments with partners and children, a lot of hours in lost productivity, a lot of mistakes that didn’t need to be made, and a lot of grumpy days that could have been happy ones! Today we're looking at some bedtime habits that can boost your quality of sleep, and some of theNew Chapter organic vitamins that can also help you switch off fully.

Set a schedule - stick to it!
It's actually really hard to go to bed earlier than you are used to, and when you get to bed later than normal, you often find that you can't sleep in to make up for it. Create a sleep schedule that you can stick to as closely as possible.
DON'T bring books to bed
This one sounds counter-intuitive. For many of us, reading is the only way we can get to sleep. However, when you don't have a book handy or you're travelling, this will increase insomnia.
Upgrade your mattress
Going from a $1000 mattress to a $2000 mattress might not make a difference to your sleep … apart from keeping you awake at night thinking about your credit card statement! However, if you're sleeping on a decades-old mattress, one that is exceptionally worn or exceptionally cheap, the discomfort could be seriously harming your sleep.
LED lights
The glare of LED lights can actually be a sleep destroyer for many of us, that even New Chapter Tranquilnite and organic vitamins can't fix! If you have an extra bright alarm clock, a night light, a VCR or stereo that stays on all night, start switching off at the wall.
Late exercise
It's important to get exercise. But if you exercise late at night you’re making a health trade-off … not a health improvement. The chemicals that your body creates when exercising are NOT conducive to sleep! Go to sleep earlier, then exercise in the early morning instead of late at night.
Don't persist too long
If you have followed all the checklists for good sleep and still just can't nod off, don't stay in bed. You'll just frustrate yourself. Hop up and balance a checkbook, read by a lamp or play Sudoku.

Your Tongue and Your Health!

2010-04-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

So many health conditions lay hidden under the surface for quite a while, before they erupt in spectacular fashion. Heart disease is probably the best known of these (many seemingly healthy people have died of sudden heart attacks), but there are actually many more conditions. However, there is a sneaky way to check on your body's general health, without spending the cash for a full checkup with the doctor. Simply stick out your tongue and have a look in the mirror! Here we look at how your tongue can tell you which organic vitamins you need to take.

White coating on your tongue

If your tongue is covered in white pasty stuff, it's usually an indication of candida overgrowth. Sometimes your diet actually contributes to candida overgrowth (too many refined carbs, too much sugar). It could also be a symptom of an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis or HIV. However, you would most likely have other prominent symptoms in conjunction with one of these serious diseases.

Brown or black tongue

This isn't a sign of sickness in itself … but does tell you that you’re drinking too much coffee, too much tea, or chewing/smoking too much tobacco! The papillae on the surface of your tongue can become stained easily. If your tongue looks black or brownish, your nutritionist will tell you to cut out the ciggies and caffeinated drinks.

Sore spots

If you've been drinking more citrus juice than usual or have a cold, then you are more predisposed to mouth ulcers. Having sore spots on your tongue usually tells you that your immune system is run down in general - take an immune boosting supplement like Probiotic Immune Support by New Chapter.

Bumps that hurt

Keep an eye on any bumps on your tongue, or the inside of your cheeks, that start hurting, and don't heal within a few days or a week. They could be signs of oral cancer.

Dark red, painful tongue

This may be caused by an extremely rare (nowadays) nutritional deficiency called pellagra, in which you don't get enough niacin. Since the introduction of breakfast cereals fortified with whole food vitamins, it hasn’t really been an issue in the Western World, though.

The Nutritionist's Take on: Depression

2010-04-15T19:32:00.001-07:00

It has only been comparatively recently that depression has begun to be accepted as a 'real' disease … and in some circles it hasn't even come that far. So it is unsurprising that there is little information available about the link between nutrition and depression. Treatments to date have focused almost exclusively on cognitive behavior therapy or on drugs affecting neurotransmitters. Both of these treatments have their places, but will be less effective if not supported by proper nutrition. Additionally, researchers are finding that depression can be prevented from developing, or from worsening, by maintaining a healthy diet with organic whole food vitamins. Today we look at the nutritionist's take on depression.

Depression and a balanced diet

When we become depressed, it is rare that we think of our problem as being within the body. Most of the time we tell ourselves that if our job was different, our spouse was different, or our finances were different we'd be fine. So it is difficult to recognize that it might be your diet that is causing or worsening the depression.

The key thing to remember is that if your body and brain were healthier, you would probably feel completely differently about your challenges in life. You would take an active rather than defeatist role when you come up against a problem. The peaks and crashes that many foods and drinks cause in our bodies only contribute to feelings of helplessness and not being able to cope. So, to change the way you feel about your problems:

Avoid caffeine: You'll first feel wound up and nervous, and then the crash will give you headaches and create a loss of focus. Wean yourself off coffee with tea, then switch to water.
Never skip a meal: The blood sugar crashes that this creates also affect your other hormones. And, as women especially know, hormones have an enormous role in creating your moods.
Cut out alcohol: Especially if you're also undergoing cognitive behavior therapy. Alcohol completely changes your 'cognition' - this is not something we generally have control over. If you are trying to be positive, alcohol usually doesn’t help.
Fruits and veg, or whole food multivitamins: These have all the nutrients that your body needs to create the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones you need to feel good.

Medication and proper nutrition

If antidepressant medication is recommended (though it usually is only for cases of moderate to severe depression), it often becomes difficult to maintain a good nutritional regime … and the lack of vital nutrients and swings in blood sugar will then counteract some of the benefits of the medicine. If you do need to take antidepressants and find them affecting your appetite, you should also take whole food multivitamins to help make sure your body has bioavailable nutrients.

The Nutritionist's Take on Menopause

2010-04-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

Menopause will happen to a significant percentage of the world's population … almost half of us! It is a time where women are often left to fend for themselves, information-wise. There are no friendly Health and Human Development teachers available to answer questions, and truthfully, some people seem to be a bit uncomfortable with the end of the reproductive stage of a woman's life. Today we look at menopause from anutritionist's perspective … what favours can you do your body during the second major change of life?

Take calcium

The lack of estrogen freely available in your body is linked to a sharp decrease in bone mass as we age, and it is critical that we have enough calcium freely available in our bodies that we are able to build bone mass up to an ideal point.

Vitamin D

Calcium without adequate vitamin D is almost useless -- vitamin D is needed for proper absorption of the calcium from the foods you eat. However, do check all of your multivitamins to make sure that you aren’t doubling up on vitamin D -- high does have been linked with adverse affects like kidney stones and abdominal pain.

Take ginger

Research from several countries around the world emerging recently suggests that the symptoms of menopause can be managed with a daily dose of ginger whole food supplements, like New Chapter's Daily Ginger. Ginger has been found to modulate prostoglandins, which has a stabilizing effect on your hormones during menopause.

Replace your fats

This is good advice from nutritionists at any stage of life, but particularly important at menopause, when the lack of sex hormones has quite an impact on our metabolism. So, replace saturated fat with unsaturated, animal fat for vegetable oil, etc.

Don't forget your fiber

Fiber is important after menopause because of the increased risk of developing colon cancer. Fiber adds bulk to the foods we eat and helps your bowel work properly. It's best to get your fiber from vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains. You'll need around 30 grams of fiber per day.

5 Tips for Better Digestive Health

2010-04-13T09:38:00.001-07:00

When your digestive health improves, so does your overall health -- so today we look at 5 quick ways to stop ignoring, and start looking after, your gut!

Go pro!
As long as you buy a reputable brand of probiotic dietary supplements, which contains a wide variety of different probiotic strains, there is little that science has to say about probiotics that could be construed as negative. It seems that it isn’t just your body you need to look after, but the little critters living inside it also!
Look at your lactose
It is estimated that around 80% of people over the age of 2 (yes, 24 months) are intolerant of dairy foods to some degree. This is more prevalent in people of African descent, of whom almost 100% are dairy intolerant. That means watch your cheese, yogurt and cream as well as your milk.
Watch your solids
Fried foods and your gut don't mix. Fats are very difficult to break down and digest; there isn’t anything wrong with giving your body a workout every so often, but eat too many fried foods and you could be in for some serious gut problems, like IBS.
Watch your liquids
Water is the only drink our body is designed to have on a regular basis. Unfortunately, most of us drink far more coffee, tea and alcohol than we do water. Keep a water bottle next to you at your desk, and in a handy spot at home so you can sip as you need to … and you won’t quench that thirst with a less healthy liquid.
Check your meds
The most common group of side effects in medications are gastro-intestinal ones. If you constantly feel nauseous, often get diarrhea or constipation, or always get heartburn, check those little pamphlets that come with your medication. Probiotic dietary supplements have a hard time overcoming the effects of many ordinary medicines.

The Five Best Foods for a Detox Diet

2010-03-31T08:53:00.001-07:00

There’s a lot more interest these days in the benefits of a Detox Diet to regain the vibrant health that is lost through the ingestion of so many chemicals in our food these days. This is something that could be valuable when you find yourself feeling drained all the time, unable to concentrate, when your hair has lost its shine, your eyes their sparkle.

While there are many approaches to Detox Diets, they all aim to lessen the “body burden” that makes us more vulnerable to illness and decreased well-being through these three elements: Increase in the consumption of foods that cleanse the system; minimize the food “pollution” (i.e., artificial chemicals) by sticking to organic, whole foods; and eat more high fiber foods and water that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

You can get a lot of help from whole foods vitamins shops and their health newsletter for figuring out what to eat. Here is a list that will get you started.

Vegetables: Eat your veggies! Make them fresh, and especially go for the cruciferous vegetables (high in anti-oxidants) such asbroccoli and cauliflower, as well as broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables. You can make beautiful, colorful salads that are good as good for the eye as they are for you!

Rice & Grains: Enjoy all forms of rice, including rice cakes, rice crackers and rice pasta, and especially whole-grain brown rice. Many North Americans are discovering the taste and value of the more exotic grains such as quinoa and amaranth, which can be eaten hot or cold. Don’t forget the old-fashioned ones as well, e.g., millet, and buckwheat. You’ll find all these at most health food store or in some grocery stores.

Beans: If you have problems with gas from legumes, start with the split yellow and green peas and lentils as they are easiest to digest, and have the added benefit of requiring the least soaking time. You can also use kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans. Again, you can use these hot or cold. A sprinkling of beans in a soup or salad is a great touch of fiber, protein, color, and texture!

Nuts and Seeds: The virtues of these are not as appreciated as they should be! Eat them unsalted as a snack, or in salads. Try flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. While some nut butters are permitted, peanut butter and peanuts themselves are not included in this diet.

Oil & Condiments: If you are not already using extra-virgin olive oil for its taste and nutrition, this is the time to make it a habit for cooking and salad dressings. For more flavor (with very few if any calories!) you can add vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, as well as aromatic herbs or spices.

Many people choose to supplement their cleansing diet with organic products (e.g., DetoxiFiber).

Here’s to the new, vibrant you!

Whole Foods Can Be a Whole Lot of Fun

2010-03-31T08:49:00.001-07:00

I met a most fascinating man on a business trip this month, and I can’t stop thinking about him. (No, it is not what you think!) During our cross-country flight, I happened to ask what he did for fun.

“I cook! In fact, that is one of our favorite activities as a couple. We love trying out new recipes. On weekends, we love going to the farmer’s market together, picking out the best-looking produce, doing the grocery shopping. Then later we put on some music, pour some wine, and start cooking. Then we light the candles, sit down, and enjoy something special together! It’s a high point of the week for us both!”

His face lit up as he talked about the joys of mushrooms, tomatoes, and leeks, of soups, salads and risottos, pestos and bruschettas, and the pleasure of sharing it with someone special. We both discovered that we have a passion for cookbooks—especially those with lots of great photos to inspire us to cook.

I loved hearing this guy talk about knives and pans and mandolins the way some guys talk about football or cars. It reminded me that it’s best not to stereotype or prejudge. People of all kinds who care about what they put in their bodies take the time to learn to cook and do it well. And it isn’t just about nutrition. It's about digestive health, too.

There’s something really great about taking the “long-cut” when you can in the kitchen. Have you noticed how a person can get excited about their culinary adventures? How about the pride in serving a steaming homemade clam chowder with a thick crusty slice of homemade bread? Or a crispy medley of greens tossed with other colorful vegetables, and maybe a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds? And the satisfaction from offering it to family and friends, whose gratitude is really the best dessert?

If you are at all like me, it can be all too easy to fall into a routine and start thinking of cooking as a chore. So talking to this fellow reminded me that if you add some spice, fixing food from scratch can be a meaningful part of the day. Furthermore, as we both agreed, we like using whole foods because we know that they offer us more nutrition, including those valuable micro-nutrients.

Of course it’s not always possible, and that is when I rely on whole food supplements and organic vitamins. As one wise person said, if you were given a car at age 18 and told it would be the only car you would ever have, how would you care for it? Would we do any less with our bodies? And why not make it fun?!

Making up for Stress

2010-03-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

So many of us live with high levels of stress, and being under constant stress is very hard on our bodies and is a contributor to many health issues. The more stress you have the more likely you are to suffer weight gain, insomnia, migraines, and heart related illnesses. If you are one of the thousands of people who have very stressful lives you might want to consider adding dietary supplements to your diet to help battle the effects of all that stress.

After extended quantities of stress you may begin to feel the effects; it generally shows up in your sleep patterns first. You may find it difficult to fall asleep. Once you start losing sleep other systems of your body begin to get affected, such as your immune system and digestive health system. When your body gets weak from lack of sleep it has to work harder to battle infections. It can’t always keep up with the demands and you become prone to easily avoided illnesses such as colds and flu.

Adding things like whole food supplements is an excellent way to avoid getting sick while under tremendous stress. It’s also highly recommended that you get some sort of exercise daily which is a good way to help relieve the stress in your life. Exercise tends to help you sleep better and if you can keep yourself from falling into an insomnia pattern, the risks of getting sick lessens.

It’s very hard to avoid the stress we deal with in our daily lives but there are plenty of ways to avoid the effects of stress. A healthy diet, plenty of exercise, proper sleep, and adding herbal supplements as needed to give you an extra boost, will help you stay healthy during your very stressful times.

What is Good Health?

2010-03-20T19:24:00.001-07:00

Certainly you can’t turn on the evening news without hearing something about the debate on health care reform. It is top priority in Washington these days but I often wonder if they aren’t taking the wrong approach. As a nation we need to be trying to get ourselves to that perfect weight America that is the foundation of a healthier population which will then reduce illnesses that are directly related to obesity and poor diets.

We can’t expect to fix the financial problems with health care if we don’t fix what is causing people to have to spend so much on health care; that is, we need to get people healthier. That can be achieved by educating people on proper diet, the importance of adding whole food supplements to that diet, getting proper exercise, and changing the way people look at food.

Food has been used as a crutch for far too long. People are driven by four basic needs; food, water, sex, and money. The problem is most people can’t control many aspects of their lives but they can control their food intake. So when they aren’t getting enough of the other things that drive them, they turn to the one thing they can control and that’s food. Weight loss diets don’t work because people look at food as a reward or for comfort. When they are denied the foods they enjoy they give up on the diet. We need to teach people that moderation is the key to weight loss and a healthier body.

I believe it’s vitally important that people understand about how food functions once it’s consumed. These are the things we need to be teaching those who are looking for a healthier life style. We need to show them how adding things such as dietary supplements and drinking more water can make a world of difference in how they feel. Health care reform needs to start with getting people healthy.

Can’t run without Fuel

2010-03-16T19:22:00.001-07:00

You wouldn’t expect your car to run well if you didn’t put the right kind of fuel in it and you shouldn’t expect your body to run well if you don’t put the right kind of fuel in it either. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells that carry the fuel from our food to the different organs of our bodies. These cells have to be nourished properly by eating the perfect foodcombinations. This doesn’t mean you can only eat these types of foods; it just means you need to include these types of foods into your diet.

Understanding how each of the systems of the body functions and what kind of fuel they need to function correctly is the most essential part of a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle. As a nutrition expert for over thirty years I have written countless articles praising the effects of whole food supplements and proper diet. It is never too late to change a bad eating or unhealthy lifestyle for a healthier more fulfilling lifestyle. The first step is often the hardest and that’s changing your attitude and thoughts about the foods you eat.

I enjoy rich, high cholesterol, fatty foods as much as the next person and I don’t always turn them down. I have found that I can have good health and still enjoy some of the bad foods in life as long as I take that in moderation. When you mention weight loss and diet to people they automatically think of having to eat tasteless meals and never getting any sweets. Food should be enjoyed; just not over enjoyed.

When you become disciplined in your eating habits and get into a good exercise routine you will notice a marked change in many different aspects of your life. Adding whole food vitamins to your routine adds even more benefits to your healthy lifestyle. You will likely see a change in your weight, energy level, the texture of your skin and hair, your sex life will improve, and you should notice that you are sleeping better. There are so many benefits to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Changing Lifestyle to Improve Life

2010-03-16T19:20:00.001-07:00

There has to be a conscious decision to make lifestyle changes to improve the quality and quantity of your life. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, eating the right foods, or getting enough exercise, your body will turn on you and essentially send out warnings that you need to make changes in your lifestyle. This is what happened to me and made me make drastic changes and to move into what I call my garden of life.

I wasn’t eating correctly nor getting enough sleep or exercise. I started my new life by changing the way I eat and addingwhole food vitamins to my daily routine. I started eating only organic foods and cut back dramatically the amount of red meat I had in my diet. I wanted to feed my body and not my emotions so I changed my thinking about the foods I ate and how they made me feel.

You see, so many people eat because they have cravings for certain types of foods. Even if they aren’t hungry, people will find themselves putting away donuts or chips because they satisfy a craving for sweet or salty. These can also be considered comfort foods which may comfort you but they also work against your body’s natural systems. By addingwhole food multivitamins to my daily routine along with healthy foods such as organic vegetables and fruits, I was able to use that food as the fuel for the important systems of my body, such as the immune system.

Not eating enough is just as bad as eating too much. Everybody is looking for perfect weight America and they think they can achieve this by starving themselves. It’s very important to make sure you are getting enough of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. To live healthy and happy there has to be a medium of good food, good exercise, and good nutrition.

Your Body the Machine

2010-03-09T12:05:00.001-08:00

Our bodies are designed to run like a fine-tuned machine. When that machine isn’t properly cared for it doesn’t run smoothly and often times will break down. Putting products into the machine that aren’t designed for maximum performance limits your body as to what it can do. But when you put in the perfect combination of products that are designed to be utilized in the most optimum way, your body performs amazingly. I realized this and found that by simply changing my diet and subscribing to a nutrition newsletter I began feeling much better.

Taking care of the individual systems of my body by feeding them important whole food supplements made those systems begin to function at top performance. Adding probiotics as well regulated my digestive system and made the food I ate work better for my body. Getting exercise also increased how well my body was performing which helped me to lose weight and become a healthier person. We only get one body in this life and it’s up to us to care for it the best we can.

So many foods that we are tempted to eat are full of products that work against our body performance. Because our bodies are designed to fight infections and illnesses, we have to be sure to make sure this system is being fed properly. Dietary supplements are an important part of a healthy body because we often don’t get enough of the vitamins and minerals we need by simply eating a healthy diet. Taking a whole food multivitamin is one excellent way to help your body get enough of the important vitamins it needs every day.

Your body is a machine and needs maintenance in order for it to keep working the way it was designed to. By making simple changes in your diet and exercise routines you can live healthier and happier for much longer. You can learn what supplements work best with your body by studying the vitamin code; you can find this by doing an easy online search.

For Better Health

2010-03-09T12:03:00.001-08:00

Several years ago I made a commitment to myself to eat better and get more exercise. I also decided I should start taking vitamins and minerals to help my body to function better. As I researched for the best types of supplements I came across whole food vitamins which caught my eye. I decided this was about as natural as vitamins come and decided to give them a try. It was possibly one of the best decisions I made to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

When considering the perfect weight, America falls quite short of where we should all be. We are a country of fat citizens and it has reached epidemic proportions. I, for one, began eating better, fixing healthier meals for my entire family, and also began educating my friends about nutrition and what is best for their bodies. I now host a rather large group that is dedicated to healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families. I feel like I’ve made a difference in helping to combat obesity in our community.

Once I began taking the whole food multivitamins it didn’t take long for my body to recognize the difference and to start functioning more efficiently. I found when so many of my co-workers were falling ill to seasonal flu or colds I was maintaining my health. Since I also put my entire family on these vitamins, my children didn’t miss a single day of school because of illness. The body is a machine and needs to be maintained, much like your automobile does. If you don’t properly maintain it, it’s going to break down and so will your body.

Whole food vitamins are as natural as natural can get and they work very easily with your body’s natural systems. In order for vitamins to work they have to be broken down and these vitamins break down much easier than the popular name brand vitamins on the market. I urge anybody who is looking to improve their health to try whole food supplements as the perfect way to get your body back in shape.

5 Unusual and Effective Natural Health Products

2010-02-18T19:04:00.001-08:00

We are used to seeing pills, powders and dried out mushrooms as part of the whole food multivitamin product range. However, as the industry becomes more developed and differentiated, manufacturers of holistic health products are coming up with more and more unusual, and effective, ideas! Today we are looking at 5 odd-seeming, but effective, nutritionist recommended products.

New Chapter Life Shield Throat Defense

We are used to taking our dietary supplements and defenses internally … but more usually as a pill than a spray! This odd product makes perfect sense - the lining of our throat is very thin, and there are so many airborne viruses and pollutants in our crowded modern world. This product is based on the immune-boosting properties of mushrooms.

MyChelle Guava Cactus Mask

Again, antioxidants are sually delivered via the teeth, tongue, throat and stomach … not the skin! This nourishing antioxidant mask has anti-aging ingredients like organic green tea and tocotrienols to clean up the antioxidants that can really damage our skin. Better out than in, in this case!

Tea Trio by Garden of Life

It is rare that tea manufacturers and whole food multivitamin manufacturers get together to create a product. Usually herbal teas have only scanty evidence for their health benefits - these teas are made by one of the pre-eminent manufacturers of natural health products.

Ginger Honey Tonic for Digestion

When was the last time you saw anything advertised as a 'tonic'? It was probably in an advertisement from the 60s, however the old-fashioned name is a disguise for quite an advanced product. Ginger and papaya support digestion, and there are an additional 12 anti-aging ingredients that neutralize free-radical activity.

Clenzology by Garden of Life

One of the few products that recognizes that good health and avoidance of disease is most easily achieved by simply killing germs before they get to your body … immune boosting is a very worthwhile exercise, but certainly limited in its effectiveness. This unusual product cleans under the fingernails as well as refreshing the breath … amazing!

5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Buy Organic

2010-02-18T19:03:00.001-08:00

Going organic is a big lifestyle change … it means paying more attention to what is in your home, going into your lungs, entering your stomach, and being put on your skin than you ever have in your life! However, there are thousands of people that swear they have much healthier, more vibrant lives because of the change to organic. It simply makes sense to live as close to nature as you possibly can. If you are thinking about a change to organic (or have started already), today we take you through five products that many people don't know there is an organic version of, from organic vitamins and gut bacteria, to organic t-shirts.

Fruit and vegetables

This is an obvious one. But while you probably know there are organic fruits and vegetables out there, what you probably don't realize is the range that is available. You can get just about anything, from raspberries to pawpaw to dates to baby corn to prepacked lettuce, spinach and squash. Look for stores online that will deliver to you -- you can often get a better price than in the supermarket.

Gift Hampers

There are a hundred stores that sell gift hampers, but only a few that sell organic ones. Hampers are a great way to introduce your friends and loved ones to the awesome taste and better nutrition that organic foods provide. Of course, you can always make up your own organic hamper, too!

Organic maitake mushrooms

Mushrooms are often heavily coated in chemicals to help protect them from environmental factors they are so vulnerable to. You can get the benefits of maitake mushrooms in organic form, with no counterproductive chemicals, from the famous whole food multivitamin company New Chapter.

Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have an aversion to chemicals, you probably avoid reading the back of your shampoo bottle … it is just too depressing. You can actually get organic shampoo and conditioner that is just as good as the synthetic version at cleaning and conditioning your hair … and much better at looking after your body!

Wine

Growing winegrapes can use a lot of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. Many people that drink organic wine claim the hangover is almost non-existent, compared to standard wine. Good enough reason for me!

Three FAQs About Organic Vitamins

2010-02-17T19:42:00.001-08:00

There is currently an unprecedented level of intrusion into our lives by chemicals … where we used to pick something straight out of ground and eat it (and in fact, evolved quite highly while doing so!), now there is chemical intervention in many areas of our lives. The exposure to chemicals and other non-natural particles and waves concerns many people, who believe that the diseases that currently plague our society could be almost wiped out by using organic products. You probably know you can get organic apples … but did you know you can get organic vitamins? Today we answer five question about them.

What is organic, anyway?

Anything that is labelled as organic should also have a certification mark from the USDA National Organic Program, otherwise it may not adhere to the strict standards needed for the term to be correct. Organic products should not contain, be treated with, or be exposed to any:

Pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers
Sewage sludge
Genetically modified organisms
Ionizing radiation
Antibiotics
Growth hormones.

In other words, they should be 100%, completely, all natural.

Why do organic vitamins cost more?

Like many other organic products, organic vitamins cost more than their synthetic counterparts because of the lower yields that organic crops have, and the effort involved in converting land to organic status (a 3 year process). However, most people feel the extra cost is well worth it.

There's no taste factor with organic vitamins .. why is it so important to buy organic?

One of the big reasons that people advocate organic food is the taste difference - they believe that organic food has a fresher, more natural, sweeter and fuller taste. Obviously, this doesn’t matter with vitamins, but there is another concern. Scientists have recognized for quite a while that it is better to get your vitamins from whole food rather than in a pill, and it is possible that the chemicals and process of isolating vitamins takes away their value to your body. This is why organic vitamins are recommended.

Symptoms of Candidiasis

2010-02-10T09:51:00.001-08:00

Candida overgrowth puts an enormous strain on the body's defences. Many of us are naturally prone to candida overgrowth, or you may be taking medications (such as antibiotics or the contraceptive pill) that break down your body's fungal defense systems and predispose you to candida overgrowth. However, you may not even know that you have it! Today we look at some of the symptoms of candidiasis, to help you know when to start a fungal defense course.

White patches in your mouth

These may appear on your tongue, inside your cheeks or in your throat. They are nothing more than little colonies of yeast cells, setting up camp in your pristine mouth. Ugh!

Frequent vaginal or penile thrush

Most of us have experienced the horrible itchiness that comes along with vaginal or penile thrush. If you have a general candida overgrowth in your body, you will be very prone to thrush outbreaks, the OTC medications that you get will take up to their maximum time to work and you'll usually have fast recurrence of symptoms.

Skin rashes in warm, damp areas

You might get a rash under your arms, under your breasts, around your groin or in other skin folds (which you'll notice more, the more skin folds you have). Yeast likes to live and breed in warm, moist places, and if you have serious overgrowth, even being occasionally exposed to the air like your armpits and the area underneath your breast are, won’t bother it. These rashes will usually be itchy, just like genital thrush is … a horrible, unsatisfiable itch that doesn’t stop until you've scratched it to the point of pain.

Skin blisters

In extreme cases, skin blisters may develop due to the irritation of little colonies of yeast living on it!

If you find that you are prone to yeast infections, or even if you are on the contraceptive pill or antibiotics, it is a good idea to take a fungal defense as a preventive action. It is much easier to stop colonies becoming established than fight them once they are.

Is Your Water Sabotaging Your Health Regime?

2010-02-10T09:48:00.001-08:00

We hear volumes about the health benefits of water … we are supposed to drink 8 glasses daily, use it wash our hands thoroughly, and shower in it every day. However, in some cases, your water might be sabotaging your health regime. The quality of our drinking water is actually fairly poorly regulated. While we certainly have developing country standards of water safety (where you can get typhoid or giardia just from your morning glass of water), there are still plenty of nasties in our water. Today we look at how to combat the baddies in your water!

Where do impurities in the water come from?

Our water supply is not a closed system. It comes from aquifers or dams, that are in contact with the soil. It is fed by rainfall, which can quite easily have low levels of harmful chemicals in it - think acid rain. Agricultural runoff (fertilizers and pesticides) and improper use of household chemicals are two of the major sources of chemical pollution in our water.

What do these chemicals do?

This is very difficult to say with any certainty - it would take decades fro scientists to properly study the effects of having isolated chemicals in the drinking water of a certain population … not to mention pretty unethical. However, many people believe that the increase in a wide range of degenerative diseases is caused by the constant low-level exposure to chemicals that we all deal with every day, some of which come from our water.

So, if you’re taking whole food multivitamins to help prevent osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis, for example, your water could certainly be sabotaging your health regime!

So, should I drink bottled water?

Not if you care about the environment! Current estimates are that it TAKES three bottles of water to CREATE one bottle of water. That is waste, water used in processing, water used in making the plastic, water used in transporting and refrigerating it, etc. Not to mention the affect of petrochemical production, fuel for transport... bottled water isn't even guaranteed to be a purer than tap water. Tap water is the best delivery system for water - it is just that it needs to be cleaned up a bit.

Water filtration systems

These are generally accepted as the best solution to the water purity/environmental conundrum. They require an investment, but your will use them every day for the rest of your long, long life … no more negating the effects of all those vege stir-fries and whole food multivitamins!

7 Groups at Increased Risk of Bone Diseases … and What to Do About It

2010-02-09T10:03:00.001-08:00

Our poor old bones … they are one of the most ignored parts of our bodies, after our spleens and medulla oblongatas! The terrible thing about that ignorance is, though, that in later life your mobility and capability is enormously reduced, if you might shatter a hip simply by steeping down off something the wrong way. Today we are looking at some groups that are at increased risk of bone diseases, and the organic vitaminsthey should be taking to offset that risk.

Athletes
Crazy, isn’t it … we are told that exercise is needed for peak bone mass, and yet athletes are at increased risk of osteoporosis! Before you throw your gym shoes in the corner in disgust at medical science's ineptitude, read on. It is only when people undertake elite level competition, during the main bone formation years up to 25 that they are at increased risk. When female athletes stop menstruating, that is a strong signal they are at risk of early osteoporosis. Organic vitamins can help.
Breast cancer survivors
Chemotherapy often destroys the ovaries' ability to produce and release eggs, and the resulting hormonal changes are a great danger to the health of breast cancer survivor's bones.
Early onset menopause
Every post-menopausal woman is at increased risk of osteoporosis, and needs to take special care of her bones, usually with gentle weight bearing exercise and whole food multivitamins. Early menopausal women may still be working, carrying children around, etc, and are at risk of fractures.
Eating disorders
When adolescents develop eating disorders, they have severely impacted peak bone mass, due to the malnutrition.
Elderly women
The combined action of menopause's hormonal changes, lack of ability to exercise and lowered appetite make elderly women prime candidates for osteoporosis.
Corticosteriod therapy patients
It is a well know n side effect of medications for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and some skin conditions that bone density loss can occur.
Over and Underactive thyroid
If you have an over or underactive thyroid, in addition to whole food multivitamins for glandular support, you should be taking a bone strength formulation.

Whole Food Multivitamins for Bone Health

2010-02-09T10:01:00.001-08:00

We tend to think that if we take the trouble to drink milk with our coffee a few times a day, our bones will be just fine well into old age. Unfortunately, that just isn’t so! Maintaining healthy bones might not be high on the short-term health watchlist, but it is vital to your wellbeing after menopause. Today we are looking at the whole food multivitamins, minerals and supplements that can help you maintain good bone health for life.

Calmag Bone Health by New Chapter

This blend contains calcium as well as the synergistic nutrients it needs to do its special thing with your bones, in a whole food base form. It contain calcium and magnesium in a 1:1 ratio, plus 6 other trace elements that are needed for bone health.

Bone Strength Take Care by New Chapter

Your body recognizes this supplement as food, so you get the benefits of drinking milk or eating cheese, but without the calories. You also get the beneficial effects of having the nutrients delivered in complex format rather than in isolation.

Living Calcium Advanced by Garden of Life

This whole food multivitamin contains MHCA calcium, as well as many supporting cofactors, minerals etc. It contains vitamin K as well as betaine and Poten-yme B Vitamins.

Capraflex by Mt Capra

This organic vitamin formulation supports not only your bones, but all those supporting structures that are necessary for movement - your joints, ligaments, and other connective tissues. Mt Capra is famous for delivering vitamins in natural, organic bases that make them easy to utilise.

In addition to all the whole food multivitamins above, you should endeavor to get 5-20 minutes of sunshine a day on your arms and face, just about every day. If you live above 42 degrees north latitude, you should spend more time than this outdoors for vitamin D synthesis. And don't forget to do 20 minutes of weight-bearing exercise a day -- jump around while you still can!

Life Worth Living

2010-01-19T20:02:00.001-08:00

The day I turned 40 years old I was 25 pounds overweight, lethargic, and seldom did any type of real exercise. At 40 I felt like a 60-year-old and to be honest, I looked the part as well. I took a good look in the mirror and decided to give myself the best birthday present ever; a new lease on life. I threw out all the junk that made me the fat, unhealthy person I was, and began taking dietary supplements, eating the right foods, and exercising. This was a decision that saved my life.

It was hard giving up all the many foods I had grown to love but the fact is they were slowly killing me. I began studying the vitamin code to figure out which foods supply what types of nutrients to the different areas of my body. I wanted to build a strong immune system so I researched which foods were best to do that. I made a diet plan and implemented all the essential vitamins and minerals into that plan. I also made a chart that explained what part of the body benefited from the foods I ate so that when I would eat that food I could visualize that area of my body getting stronger. This was an important exercise that helped me to stay on track.

I knew that a healthy digestive system was key in making sure all the nutrients I was taking in got to where they needed to go. I addedprobiotics to my diet to help regulate my digestive system to make sure it was functioning as efficiently as it could. After about two weeks of adding this to my diet I began to notice a huge change in how I felt.

The changes in my body weren’t immediate; it took a few weeks for me to notice all the improvements but gradually I began to drop my weight and as I was able to exercise more the changes came along faster. The combination of changing my diet to healthier foods, getting proper exercise, and taking a whole food multivitamin changed my life for the better and probably added many years to my life. I never really knew how unhealthy I was until I got healthy. I see food in a totally different way now; I eat for what food does for my body and not for how it comforts me emotionally. I am now 42 years old but I feel and look like I'm 30.

Whole Food Supplements

2010-01-19T19:58:00.001-08:00

We are told that we need to take vitamins and supplements in order to ensure the body gets the nutrients that it needs. Even though this is true, many of us are not sure what kind to take or what are the differences between vitamins and whole food supplements. It works like this: The body works better when digesting whole foods. For example, we know that oranges contain vitamin C and then think that taking an isolated vitamin C tablet is the same as eating an orange. This is not true; we also need the other micronutrients that are contained in the orange. All of these micronutrients and vitamins that are in fruits and vegetables work together in the body to help maintain optimal health. This is where taking a whole food supplement is better then taking an isolated vitamin.

Whole food vitamins are very different from the synthetic isolated vitamins that are sold at the local pharmacy. Whole food supplements are concentrates of real whole foods. These foods are dried and turned into powder form and then encapsulated into pill form. The supplement now contains the micronutrients that are found in whole foods unlike an isolated synthetic vitamin.

There are more than 25,000 different micronutrients that have been identified so far in vegetables and fruits. For this reason, it is very hard for one to consume the number of nutrients that are needed for the body to maintain optimal health every day. That is why it is important to take whole food vitamins such as Garden of Life supplements, since we do not get enough whole foods in our daily diet. Synthetic vitamins cannot provide these micronutrients as a quality whole food supplement can.

There are some companies that only make organic whole food supplements. Organic whole food vitamins are made from foods that are grown organically. That means that they are grown without pesticides or chemicals. With many now becoming more aware of the benefits of eating organic fruits and vegetables, there are also the option to take organic vitamins and supplements. Some companies are even making 100% vegan vitamins. One such company is called Vitamin Code.

Since whole food vitamins are made from whole foods, the body can absorb and digest them more efficiently. This also means that many can take them on an empty stomach with no irritation to the digestive track. The many benefits of taking whole food supplements outweigh synthetic vitamins by far.

Top 5 Complexes and Supplements for Women's Health

2010-01-16T20:04:00.002-08:00

We women are often considered to be a completely different species from men. In fact, there is a growing body of evidence that shows that men's and women's bodies have greater genetic differences than the lack of an extra leg on one of our chromosomes! The married segment of society has always intuited these differences (and hopefully, successfully learned to live with them). Now the whole food supplements industry is doing the same! Today we are looking at some of the best New Chapter organic supplements for women's health.

Every Woman II Vitamins

The herbs in this New Chapter organic supplement are designed specifically for supporting women's hormones needed for proper body functioning, especially pasat menopause. This blend contains 25 different vitamins and minerals, and 20 different herbs. It aims to cure stress, help with anti-aging and boost energy.

Every Woman's Inner Beauty

This formulation is specifically designed to support women's mental health in quite an indirect way … by helping them look better. The supplement aims to improve the health of skin, hair and nails. It includes 20 different herbs (just like Every Woman II), including supercritical ginger and turmeric extracts which are supposed to enhance bioavailability.

Perfect Prenatal

Natural is best when it comes to pregnancy, which is why New Chapter branched out into providing prenatal whole food supplements. The nutrients are delivered through whole food form rather than isolated synthetic compounds, which is thought to increase bioavailability.

Every Woman's Mineral Complex

Minerals are easy to miss out on in your diet, but essential to proper cell function. This mineral complex New Chapter organic supplement delivers its minerals in probiotic form, and includes 9 free-radical scavenging herbs.

Every Woman's Iron Support

Even women who generally eat quite a balanced diet and get good amounts of most vitamins and minerals can find themselves iron deficient. The regular loss of blood through menstruation is only one reason why your iron becomes depleted - pregnancy really saps your stores, and if you are like one out of every five women and choose to give blood regularly, then you'll have a hard time keeping up your iron without keeping up the fat from red meat. This whole food supplement has been very popular for this reason.

Living a Healthier Life

2010-01-16T20:04:00.001-08:00

Last year I became aware of the need to live a healthier life. I decided to change all my bad habits and replace them with a plan that I call mygarden of life. I went through my pantry and refrigerator and threw away all the food items that were not healthy and replaced them with foods that help my body function more efficiently. I began keeping a diary of all the things I wanted to change such as my weight, sleeping habits, and mental abilities such as my memory. Over the last year I have seen major changes in all these things.

I began taking a whole food multivitamin every day and after doing this for two weeks I noticed a huge change in the amount of energy I had throughout the day. I felt younger and more energetic. I also began an exercise routine to help tone up and rebuild my muscles. After the first month of my garden of life plan I had lost ten pounds and dropped two pant sizes.

I also changed the way I took care of my skin. I threw away all the harmful cosmetics that clog my pores and began using natural skin careproducts. I stopped going to the tanning salon and began taking good care of my skin by using the proper sunscreens designed for my skin type. My skin has never looked better or younger. For the first time in my life I can leave the house without having to put on any make up; my skin looks even and smooth all on its own.

Before I began changing all my bad habits I was having a difficult time sleeping and would often struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. I found myself waking up at least two times a night. I would get up in the morning feeling like I hadn’t gotten enough sleep. But after I began making the changes in my life by adding a whole food multivitamin to my diet, I began sleeping much better. I was able to fall asleep effortlessly and stay asleep throughout the night. I think the combination of the vitamin and the exercise helped me to overcome this annoying part of my life. I now feel well rested and refreshed every morning.

I recognized that I needed to make these changes in my life. My garden of life plan has benefited me in so many ways and I highly recommend that if you are feeling run down and unable to fully participate in life, that you make these same type of changes in your life. You will have a longer and more satisfying life if you do.

Vitamins and Supplements for Optimal Nutrition

2010-01-16T20:01:00.001-08:00

The majorities of us lead very busy lives and do not have time to eat healthy. We know that we do not always make the right food choices on a daily basis. Breakfast can be a cup of coffee and maybe a doughnut -- or even worse, fast food -- as we run out the door. Taking a multivitamin can help one to get the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to stay healthy.

With all the different vitamins on the market it can be confusing choosing the right one. Each one of use has different needs to help our bodies maintain optimal health. Looking at age, sex and nutritional needs will generally help one to decide on which vitamin to buy.

Have you considered organic vitamins? These vitamins are made from ingredients that do not contain chemicals, artificial coloring and flavors. With many of us trying to lead a healthier lifestyle these are a great choice and is a great first step.

There is also a lot of confusion on what whole food vitamins are. These are vitamins that are made only from natural sources. This means that the vitamins and minerals are not made from man-made materials. The ingredients come from plants, vegetables and fruits. They also do not contain any artificial ingredients like the organic vitamins.

Vitamins and multivitamins are not the same. A vitamin is considered to be an isolated vitamin where there are no other vitamins that are mixed in. A multivitamin is a mixture of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins that are made for women usually contain more iron and calcium, while vitamins that are made for men may contain things to promote prostate health. Children also have special nutritional needs when it comes to taking a multivitamin.

As science finds out more on how taking certain supplements can help our bodies to achieve optimal health, it is important to be informed on the many different types. For some of us a whole food vitamin is just what we need, while others may need to take organic vitamins. Either way, taking vitamins and supplements can help the body to stay healthy when faced with a busy lifestyle.

2010-01-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you think of your body as an automobile, you can understand how important it is to keep it maintained properly for optimal performance. If you don’t put oil in the engine of your car, the engine is going to lock up and stop working. If you don’t put the right things into your body, your body is going to slow down and possibly shut down. The most important thing you should understand is the vitamin code and what each vitamin does for your body.

The cells of the body require certain nutrients in order to function properly. Each system relies on each other to make sure the body, as a whole, is working well; if one system of the body is not maintained it will influence the rest of the body. The foods you eat or the dietary supplements you take are effective ways to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to work well. Maintaining the immune system is vital; maintaining the cells that destroy damaging free radicals is your first defense against sickness and disease. Eating foods or taking supplements that supply Vitamin C will help you to build a healthy and strong immune system.

There are many different types of vitamins you can take but the whole food multivitamin is probably the very best you can use. You will be getting the best part of what whole foods have to offer. Food is your fuel and just like you need gasoline for your car, you need food to give you the energy to keep going. The cells within your body need a multitude of vitamins in order to feed your internal organs. You can get these vitamins from foods that are readily available to you or in supplement form; either way your body requires them.

Digestive tract care is extremely important to your health; a healthy digestive system helps for the proper absorption of nutrients that you take in. One excellent way to keep your digestive tract working well is by using products with probiotics. Probiotics help to keep a balance in your digestive system and allows your body to run smoothly taking in all the vitamins and nutrients you are getting from the food you eat. A poorly maintained digestive system will flush the much needed vitamins you need and starving your cells of essential nutrients.

Whether you decide to get your daily nutrients completely through the foods you eat or by taking dietary supplements, getting these vitamins and nutrients are very important in maintaining your body for top performance.

Whole Food Vitamins and Supplements

2010-01-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

There are many of us out there that live a grab-and-go lifestyle when it comes to our eating habits. Many of us do not have time to eat as healthy as we would like. With busy schedules working and running our children from one activity to another, we have a tendency to eat on the go. We do not always get the proper nutrition that our bodies need on a daily basis. By taking whole food vitamins and supplements can help our bodies to get the proper nutrition that they so desperately need. Supplements that are made from whole foods are a smart choice in wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The difference in vitamin supplements and whole food supplements is that whole food supplements contain micronutrients. These micronutrients work in conjunction with the vitamins and minerals in a vitamin supplement. Micronutrients are found in nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables. As we all know, there are many of us that do not eat a wide variety of nutritious foods that are rich in micronutrients. Instead we are eating many foods that are full of preservatives. These types of processed foods only contain a small amount of nutrition that we need for optimal health.

By taking a whole food vitamin can help many to get the micronutrients that we all need in our diet. This type of vitamin that contains micronutrients has shown to increase the absorption of other nutrients when we eat other whole foods. This is very important for the body, because now science has found that the more whole foods we eat, our bodies have an easier time fighting off free radicals and other toxins that can attack the body. They also are great for immune system support. The immune system is what fights off many of the everyday germs that we are exposed to.

There are many brands of multivitamins now on the market. With so many to choose from, many nutritionists recommend taking organic whole food vitamins to help the body deal with everyday stresses. This type of vitamin is more nutritionally complete then many of the other multivitamins that do not contain micronutrients on the market today.

Whole food vitamin supplements can help many with getting the nutrients that we need for optimal health. Even though many of us try to eat right as much as we can, we still sometimes find ourselves eating processed foods. In order to keep our bodies healthy, whole food vitamins can help.

New Year’s Resolutions

2010-01-04T20:58:00.001-08:00

I’ve never been much to make New Year’s resolutions but this year I decided that I needed to move towards a healthier life style beginning with the care of my body. Specifically I decided I needed to begin incorporating items such as all natural skin care products into my daily routine. I have thrown away all my non-organic cosmetics and beauty products to go for a more natural approach. I did a bit of research and found that the all natural products are far better for my skin than the ones I had been using.

I wrote out a plan of action and titled it my garden of life plan. I figured if I had a step by step itinerary for myself I’d be more likely to stick to the plan. The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that most people wait until January 1st to make the changes; I didn’t wait; I began the day I wrote out my plan of action. Waiting until the first of the year seemed like procrastination to me and since I realized I needed to make these changes I figured there was no time like the present to begin.

Other things I have on my plan of action are concerning the way I eat and what I put into my body. Having a bit of knowledge concerning the vitamin code, I know how important it is to get the essential vitamins every day. Each vitamin has a specific job to improve the performance of the systems of my body. When a person gives the body what it needs to perform correctly, an individual begins to feel recharged and new. When all systems work perfectly and in sync with each other, longevity increases and life becomes more enjoyable.

I’ve also added probiotics to my daily routine. I wanted to do everything I could to ensure I was taking care of my body the best way possible. Adding this to my life has helped to make for a healthier digestive system which means I will get the upmost use of all the vitamins I get in the foods I eat.

My garden of life plan has been in effect for over a month now and I can honestly say I feel and look much better than I did prior to starting my plan. I am very glad I didn’t wait to begin this process until the first of the year; now I can start my new year with a brand new lease on life while I incorporate my knowledge of the vitamin code into my daily life, now and for the rest of my life.

Acid Reflux

2010-01-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

Many people suffer with acid reflux and heartburn symptoms in the United States. During the holidays, eating many traditional foods can really irritate this condition. I know, I have been suffering from this uncomfortable problem for the past three years and it got so severe that I have sought medical treatment for it. The reason that I went to see my doctor about it, is that I learned that leaving acid reflux untreated can destroy the lining of the esophagus and throat, and that can even lead to many more serious health issues.

Since my doctor has been treating me for this condition, I was on the lookout for other ways that could also help me relieve the pain of acid reflux. What I found was many of the Mt. Capra products could help me when dealing with the burning that would occur when eating many of my favorite foods. I checked with my doctor first to make sure that taking organic whole food supplements would not interfere with the medications that I was already taking. Giving him the information on each product helped me to decide on which natural product was right for my condition.

I started using the Mineral Goat Whey powder mixed in a glass of water to help relieve the burning. I got immediate relief from this product. The reason why I started using this instead of an over-the-counter antacid tablets is because I wanted a more natural product. With that being said, I also started focusing on my overall health. I learned that avoiding certain foods such as fried foods, spicy foods and caffeine would help me avoid food triggers that can cause acid reflux. So, I started taking organic vitamins to avoid many of the additives that are added to many other types of vitamins that could also be triggering some of my symptoms.

In conjunction with taking my prescribed medications for acid reflux, many of the natural supplements have helped me to better manage my condition. Knowing and understanding this painful condition has helped me in making better choices when it comes to food. Taking herbal supplements that can aid in digestion and my prescribed medication is helping me to experience that burning sensation less. This in turn has helped in the healing process of my esophagus thanks to the great products on this site.

3 Favorite Dessert Recipes with Garden of Life Coconut Oil

2009-12-15T11:55:00.001-08:00

Taking whole food supplements doesn’t have to be a matter of lining up dozens of pills on the bench in the morning like an army of intestinal soldiers. It can be a matter of tasting tarts and nibbling cake! Garden of Life does a great job of creating whole food supplemental products that can be incorporated into your daily diet in a myriad of different ways; Detoxifiber and Flax Seed are popular ones, but their Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is probably one of the least celebrated and most flexible whole food supplements in the range. Today we explore 3 sweet recipes that use Garden of Life Coconut Oil.

Coconut Cream Tart

Lord, save my keyboard from drool as I write this! The coconut cream tart recipe on Epicurious is delightful, and you can substitute the ½ stick of unsalted butter in the pastry with coconut oil. You can add a little extra to the coconut custard once it has been cooked, but while it is still warm if you like as well. It is a gorgeous recipe, but make sure you have plenty if friends to share it with … you won’t want to be eating too many slices yourself! It is calorie intensive, yet one of the healthier ways to eat dessert. It is also freezer-friendly, but must be thawed in the refrigerator rather than in the microwave.

Coconut Rice Pudding Parfaits with Mango and Pineapple

Another wonderful dessert recipe that can utilize Garden of Life's Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to delicious effect. It is incorporated into the macaroon crumble in place of the butter, so while the entire recipe is a little blander without the macaroon, the coconut oil rather than butter makes a big difference in the health stakes. It does take a while to make, but almost three quarters of reviewers will make the dish again.

Banana Cake with Coconut Frosting

Depending on your frosting recipe, you could just omit the regular butter and use Garden of Life Extra Virgin Coconut Oil instead. If you're a sugar-and-water kind of frosting cook, use the coconut oil in the cake itself, in place of ordinary butter. You'll get a lovely flavor parallel between the cake and the icing, though not overwhelming. Everybody has their own banana cake recipe, and while none tastes as good as grandma's,this one is a good starting point!

Arrrgggh! Herbal Supplements and Playtime for Stress Relief

2009-12-15T11:50:00.001-08:00

Stress is a constant in most of our lives.Today we are looking at one simple whole food supplement product and one simple technique that can be an enormous boost in coping with stress in your life.

Playtime

In the lifestyle that many of us lead, work comes first, cleaning the house comes second, watching television comes third, looking after the kids or your partner comes fourth, meeting essential social engagements fifth, and so on … and play comes somewhere in the triple digits of the must-do list! However, play of an adult form is essential in combating stress and leading a balanced life.

"We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing"

This is true. The human brain is designed to play throughout life -- this is more visible in children, but adults need their play as well. What exactly is play, and why is it a critical companion for your herbal supplements on the journey to a happy, stress-free life?

The definition of play, at least play which is positive in therapeutic terms, is:

An activity that is not done for any particular purpose other than pleasure and enjoyment
An activity which takes you away from a sense of yourself
An activity which takes you away from a sense of time

Think of the last time that half an hour raced by in the blink of an eye, or you forgot to eat for four hours because you were so absorbed in what you were doing. You were most likely playing! Even if you were doing nothing more than digging in the garden, reading a book, playing peek-a-boo with the kids, or coloring between the lines, you were playing.

Scheduling play time as therapeutic time

It can be difficult to use play as therapy for stress when you are busy out of your mind. But it is absolutely essential! One way to avoid being sucked into the black hole of work is to schedule classes in something you love. The financial commitment and the fixed time frame are usually great motivation. Alternatively, try to organize your life so that you can afford to follow your play whims wherever they take you sometimes - create enough financial leeway and time leeway that if you want to keep making sandcastles at the beach and get takeaway for tea instead of cooking, you can.

Holy Basil By New Chapter

This organic whole food supplement, New Chapter's Holy Basil, helps promote a healthy response to stress … that is, a short-lived and transient one! It also helps promote physical and mental endurance, and encourages your body to have a healthy response to inflammation.

8 Most Effective Foods and Whole Food Supplements for Bone Health

2009-12-14T19:43:00.001-08:00

If you don’t like milk and fear the waistline effects of cheese, you have probably resigned yourself to the category of the elderly that will need a walker in their latter years. Lactose intolerant people often have trouble with getting the calcium they need to maintain good bone strength as well. But despite what the dairy industry wants you to believe, milk is not the only food that's good for the Skelly-t inside all of us. Today we check out 8 top foods as well as whole food supplements.

1. Yogurt

Even the non-milk drinkers among us often love yogurt. You can get as much calcium from a cup of yogurt as from an 8-oz serving of milk. Yogurt is one of the easiest products to find in lactose-free form as well, so there is no need to compromise between digestive health and bone health.

2. Bone Strength Take Care by New Chapter

Where many calcium supplements on the market currently use limestone as a key ingredient, the calcium here comes from plant sources in a whole food supplement format.

3. Sardines

They are great in a salad or on a sandwich, and all those tiny fish bones are an ultra-concentrated source of calcium. Why waste one of the most nutrient-dense parts of an animal?

4. Bok Choy

Also known as Chinese cabbage, it is well known that it has around 3 times the amount of calcium that spinach does. For most people, it is also infinitely more palatable! It is one of the natural sources of calcium that whole food supplements use.

5. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Grow Bone System

This organic whole food supplement comes in vegan form, and includes both raw calcium and growth factor S to aid in its absorption.

6. CalMag Bone Health by New Chapter

One of the simplest and least expensive ways to get your daily calcium, and also superior in so many ways to the inorganic calcium that is found throughout the health section of most supermarkets. Calcium and magnesium are included in a 1:1 ratio, along with 6 other trace elements that are needed for bone health.

7. Soy foods

They contain calcium as well as isoflavones -- they have an estrogen-like effect and help return your bones to a pre-menopausal state.

8. Stay away from salt

Okay, so this one is more of an anti-food than a food. But it is worth including, because a leading cause of calcium leaching from your bones and being carried away in urine is excessive salt intake. When you consider that eating a few serves of processed foods like commercial bread, cold meats and cheese can put you over the salt limit you can understand how osteoporosis has become so prevalent.

4 of the Best Weight Loss Supplements

2009-12-14T19:39:00.001-08:00

Forget acai berry, forget the "one weird old tip", forget the grapefruit diet and forget the Atkins diet. You need a balanced diet which favors the nutrients your body needs for good health -- not what some other person's body needs. You need to exercise -- and you'll feel better when you do! And if you feel that it is all too hard, you need a helping hand. Organic whole food supplements can be an extremely useful part of a diet and exercise strategy for losing weight -- we look at 4 of the best products available.

Garden of Life Fuco Protein Bars - 12 bars, $30.48

Fucoxanthin is one of the biggest things in weight loss at the moment. It has a substantial amount of scientific research behind it, as well as promising (if not conclusive) results. Garden of Life's FucoProtein bars help stave off hunger for longer, and assist your body to burn fat at the same time. You get the full satisfaction of chewing, tasting and swallowing your food with this weight loss supplement!

Garden of Life FucoThin, 90 caps $34.97

This product works on the same principles as the FucoProtein bars, but is better for those who prefer to eat ordinary food, and simply enjoy the thermogenic benefits of fucoxanthin and pomegranate seed oil in a one-a-day formula. It is not a central nervous system stimulant like many weight loss supplements and will not cause jitters or sleeplessness.

New Chapter CinnamonForce, 120 softgel for $17.97

Cinnamon is said to help regulate your blood sugar as well as maintain a healthy blood lipid profile - and the less fat that is circulating in your blood, the lower your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Cinnamon whole food supplements help convert glucose into energy - rather than be stored as fat.

New Chapter Supercritical Diet and Energy, 60 tabs $17.97

This combination of herbal supplements has all the biggies -- thermogenics, adaptogens, phytoglycemics, antioxidants and cell protectives. This whole food supplement helps ensure your body burns fat rather than storing it.

Weight-Loss Blunders

2009-12-10T11:47:00.001-08:00

Weight loss sounds simple on the surface -- eat fewer calories, burn more calories through exercise. And when you follow this rule in moderation, you are almost guaranteed to lose weight … it's pure mathematics. However, the abundance of information we are exposed to complicates the issue enormously! Can you really eat foods that will only burn your belly fat and save your precious breast fat?! What of my metabolism? Should I exercise hard twice a week or mildly five times? Many diets sacrifice the vitamins that herbal supplements can provide along with calories. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings concerning weight loss -- today we are looking at some of the biggies.

1. Crash diets

Crash diets do not work! Ever. Full stop. Just like you won’t find a herbal supplement that magically burns all your fat away with no additional effort, crash diets are a dearly held Western myth. Eating so few calories trains your body not to burn what it gets as quickly -- your metabolism slows down. If you resume eating normally, you stack on the pounds ultra-quick.

2. Not eating breakfast

It isn't only the potential for unhealthy mid-morning snacking that is at work sabotaging your diet here -- it is that all-important metabolism.Herbal supplements can do great things for your diet -- but don’t go too far and confuse protein shakes with breakfast!

3. Overeating snacks

It's easy to forget about the dinner leftovers you finished from other's plates, the couple of bites of a rich dessert, the M&Ms that are in your top drawer at work. But your body doesn’t forget -- it stores them all as fat.

4. Only eating meals

Of course, snacking is good for you in one way -- it acts like herbal supplements can to increase your metabolism and natural fat burning potential. Just make sure you eat mindfully -- keep a mental tally of what you eat, and where it falls on the empty calories/healthy calories continuum.

5. Low-fat and low-sugar products

Low-fat products are often extremely high in sugar or salt. Low-sugar products are often extremely high in fat and salt. There aren’t really many healthy alternatives within the selection of processed foods in our supermarkets. Besides, the lower guilt factor often inspires overeating.

6. Forgetting drink calories

Water has no calories in it. By contrast, fruit juice, milk, take-out coffees, soda and alcohol can factor enormously in your calorie equation. Take your herbal supplements for weight loss with a tall glass of hydrogen and oxygen … water!

Have you OD'd … On Vitamins?

2009-12-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

People often assume that when it comes to vitamin and mineral supplements, you can’t have too much of a good thing. This is an unfortunate mentality, and patently untrue. You can actually overdose on vitamins just as you can with prescription drugs, and be suffering the consequences for quite a while. Children especially are quite prone to vitamin overdose - the fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K are common culprits and some children have actually died from vitamin overdose. Today we are looking at the dangers of common multivitamins, and how whole food supplements help counteract them.

Vitamin A overdose

This can occur as a result of eating too much liver, as well as taking single vitamin A supplements for too long a period of time. Effects include liver problems, hair loss, skin discoloration, birth defects in pregnant women, precursors to osteoporosis and loss of muscular coordination.

Vitamin D overdose

We hear about the benefits of vitamin D all the time -- but only in conservative amounts. Vitamin D is fat soluble and therefore remains in the body over a long period of time. It can cause dehydration, vomiting, lack of appetite, constipation, fatigue and irritability in overdose.

Vitamin E

Again, this vitamin is fat soluble. If you consistently have too much vitamin E in your diet, you are at risk for excessive bleeding and also for heart failure in the long term.

Whole food supplements -- one solution

If you switch to whole food supplements rather than single concentrated supplements, you won’t need to take as many vitamin pills to get the same effect. The reason that scientists always say that it is better to get your vitamins and minerals from food, rather than a pill, is that over 25,000 micronutrients have been discovered in food, that act to increase the absorption and efficacy of the vitamins they exist with. Whole food supplements put all this together in a natural form with far less potential for side effects than exists in single supplements.

5 Little Supplements with Big Immune Benefits

2009-12-10T11:35:00.001-08:00

We've been obsessed with immunity lately -- we're ensconced in the height of the flu season and with the holiday season in full swing, there's a lot of germ-sharing going on! All that can add up to trouble, if you don't ensure that you give your immune system the best chance to fight off all those infections lurking like a hunter behind a tree. We've looked at natural immune-boosting techniques like getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, cutting out sugar and generally eating well. Let's look at the whole food supplements that can help boost your immune system, along with all that good work you’re doing yourself.

New Chapter Probiotic Immunity Immune Support -- $17.97

This product contains ten live probiotics, delivered in a whole food supplement media. The ingredients are freeze-dried - one of the most effective ways of preserving benefits and extending shelf life. Elderberry, spinach and oregano are some of the ingredients.

New Chapter Host Defense -- $48.97

This 15-mushroom blend has been extremely popular -- most likely because of scientific studies showing that it increases killer T cell activity in test subjects by up to 300%. It comes in simple vegan capsules with freeze dried ingredients in whole food form.

New Chapter Immunity Take Care -- $23.97

New Chapter has a special focus on immune-boosting herbal supplements … in case you couldn't tell! These are fast dissolving lozenges rather than capsules, so the immune boosting factors are in your bloodstream within minutes, rather than hours. If you've just had a snotty child cough in your face (common scenario at my house!), you'll appreciate this aspect! They have a pleasant blueberry flavor.

Garden of Life RM-10 Ultra -- $37.77

This is a broad-spectrum immune support formula, and should be taken regularly as a preventive as well as general health-booster. It contains tonic mushrooms, betaine, vitamin B12, folic acid,methionine, L-theanine and others.

New Chapter C-Food Complex -- $32.97

No, not "seafood" -- C-Food! Vitamin C has many immune benefits (Captain Cook used sauerkraut as a source of it on long voyages, due to the scarcity of fresh food), and is most effective delivered in this whole food supplement form.

Immunity -- What is it Good For?

2009-12-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

We hear plenty about immunity boosters, protecting your immunity, and the benefits of a strong immune system. But if you don’t really care about the occasionally cold or flu, what does your immunity really matter to you? There is a wealth of immunity support herbal supplements -- today we are looking at what they do in your body and why people take them.

What is immunity?

Immunity is the natural ability of your body to fight infection and disease. The immune system recognizes a pathogen as foreign, and then creates an antibody specifically to fight it. In the lag time, sometimes you get ill. If you have a well-honed immune response, you will be sick less often and for shorter durations. Some diseases we cannot develop an immunity to naturally -- viruses, for example, constantly mutate so our bodies don’t have a memory of how to fight them.

Types of immunity

You can acquire immunity both naturally and artificially. Artificial means of acquiring immunity refer to vaccination or direct antibody transfer; if you naturally acquire immunity it means that your body has fought a particular infection or pathogen before and retains a memory of how to fight it again. You cannot acquire immunity through a herbal supplement; you would need either a vaccination or passive natural immunization to become immune to something specific. However, herbal supplements can support the complex web of bodily systems that make up the immune system if your diet is inadequate.

Boosting your immune system

Therefore, boosting your immune system involves taking whole food supplements or herbs that help boost the numbers of certain types of cells in the body -- or at least, provide the chemical bases to ensure that your natural immune system has all it needs to make numbers of immune cells up to its genetically predetermined limit. The types of cells that are involved in immune function are types of leukocytes, specifically :

Killer T cells
Helper T cells
B cells

How should I boost my immune system?

You should eat a balanced, varied diet including plenty of fruit and veges; get a full 8 hours of sleep per night (although the optimal timing for that will differ from person to person); drink plenty of water; eliminate processed foods and refined sugar as far as possible; and of course, take an immune boosting herbal supplement like Immunity Take Care.

Ginger Research -- What Science is Finding About Our Favorite Rhizome

2009-11-17T12:24:00.001-08:00

Although commonly referred to as a root, it is actually a rhizome of the plant Ziniger officinale. This sort of thing is important to the science nuts that tell us what we know about the excellent effects of whole food supplements! Today we are looking at ginger, and how it has shown up in various forms in the scientific literature of the past few years.

Ginger could save Third World babies

Third World babies often develop fatal diarrhea, due to unhealthy water supplies and bacteria in food. However, ginger is showing up as a promising alternative to the condition which is currently treated by drug therapy. Zingerone is the compound that is likely responsible for the antibacterial effect, which kills E.coli -- it has been shown to kill around 25% of human pathogens. Ginger whole food supplements would be a safe and fairly cost-effective way to deliver ginger

Ginger treating chemotherapy nausea

Chemotherapy may work for many cancer patients, but some wonder whether life is worth living while undergoing chemo. Nausea, weight loss, headaches and inability to concentrate are some of the most common side effects. Ginger has been shown to combat the nausea, at least, and one study showed it actually to be more effective than current anti-emetic drugs like Zofran, Novaban, etc. Ginger whole food supplements containing 0.5g or 1g of ginger, taken three times daily, reduced nausea by around 40%.

Gingerol could help colon cancer

Gingerol is the compound that gives ginger its flavor, and is chemically similar to capsaicin, found in capsicums and hot chillies. Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that mice who were fed gingerol three times weekly had slower rates of colon cancer growth than those who were not. The same researchers are now conducting experiments that will be more clinically relevant -- for example, giving the mice gingerol only after their tumors hit a certain (detectable) size. There is plenty of gingerol in ginger whole food supplements, but synthesized versions are low in the natural compound.

Breakfast Recipes for Detoxifiber by Garden of Life

2009-11-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

You've probably read lots of good things about fiber. It cuts your risk of heart disease, promotes healthy gut function, reduces your risk of gastrointestinal diseases, helps your liver do its job, and so on. And if you've ever tried to take your daily fiber serving in a tiny glass of water, or even by itself, you may have sworn that you didn’t care what happened to your liver! There's an easy way to have it both ways, though. Garden of Life DetoxiFiber doesn’t degrade under heat or by mixing, so why not incorporate it into a yummy recipe? Breakfast is the best time of the day for taking fiber, to allow your digestive system to process it while you’re awake -- here are some recipe ideas for next time you take your Garden of Life Detoxifiber.

Homemade muesli

There are a ton of homemade muesli recipes on the internet, and you'll need to find one that suits you. If your muesli recipe calls for seeds (sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds are common) you can omit these and replace with Garden of Life Detoxifiber. Alternatively, add a small amount of Detoxifiber on top of the other ingredients -- just experiment to make sure it doesn't get too gluggy.

Whole wheat pancakes

You might already have a favorite pancake recipe, or you might like to try out variations like chocolate pancakes, banana lemon pancakes, French pancakes, and so on. You can add Detoxifiber to any of these recipes -- the ones that basically require chucking all the ingredients together will handle your Garden of Life Detoxifiber best. If you prefer, you can add the Detoxifiber to your maple syrup, or blend it in equal amounts with sugar and drizzle lemon juice over the top.

Banana bread

Bananas have plenty of natural fiber anyway -- the thick, rich taste of Detoxifiber won’t be amiss in this recipe. Everybody has a favorite, and each is equally easy to prepare. Simply replace a quantity of the flour with your fiber powder -- make sure it is blended into the flour before you add the other ingredients, otherwise you may end up with little fiber pockets in your bread!

Granola breakfast bars

If you’re the sort of person that values sleep more than anything in the world (especially when the sun is just coming up), breakfast bars are probably a staple for you. You can make enormous batches of these and freeze them -- they are quite freezer friendly. You'll often find that they don’t take much defrosting either -- the honey keeps everything relatively stable. Many recipes call for flour, and here you can substitute Garden of Life Detoxifiber; for recipes that don’t use flour, simply add a small amount to the mix after you've added wet ingredients.

4 Best Garden of Life Products Under $30

2009-11-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Good health doesn't have to be expensive … even if fruits and vegetables are becoming more of a luxury item with every new economic pressure. There are still some very cost-effective, safe and natural ways to get your daily dose! Garden of Life holds quite a few of the top sellers under $30 -- today we are looking at their whole food supplements best for those on a middling to low budget.

Fungal Defense

Some cancer researchers are increasingly pointing towards long term candida infestation as a cause of cancer. Whether this turns out to be the case or not, candida infestation in the gut certainly means that you can't optimally digest nutrients from your food, and might experience bloating, nausea, and any of a dozen more low-level symptoms. 84 caplets is only $23.47!

Acid Defense

The acid-alkaline balance in our body has come under similar scrutiny recently for its ability to either promote disease or health. Alkaline environments are said to discourage cancer, heart disease, and normal aging and oxidative stress. The product helps relieve heartburn as well as giving you important enzymes. 360g of powder is only $21.57.

Fruits of Life

Do you eat between two and four serves of FRESH FRUIT (not tomato sauce, and not even dried sultanas) per day? If you don’t, Fruits of Life can help you boost your antioxidant intake with the goodness of whole food supplements freeze dried ingredients. It actually tastes good too! 150 grams of powder is only $27.57.

For Your Inflammation

Unlike the name suggests (to those with a quirky sense of humor!), the product doesn’t cause inflammation, but helps cure it. Inflammation has been linked to depression, Parkinson's and heart disease, as well as traditionally, rheumatoid arthritis. The blend contains chicken collagen, turmeric and bromelain, and also support antioxidant function in the body. 90 caplets are $27.57

Whole Food Multivitamins -- Myths and Facts

2009-11-11T20:32:00.001-08:00

Whole food multivitamins (indeed many formulations of multivitamins) have some awesome benefits in health. They have had their positive effects on physical health, mental health, disease fighting and overall wellbeing proven in many scientific studies. Unfortunately, they have been around long enough for quite a few myths about their use to have arisen as well! Today we are looking at what whole food multivitamins do, and don't do, in your body, and other general common myths about them.

Myth 1: Quantities matter, price tags don't

In many foods, a higher price tag simply reflects a greater marketing budget for the product. In whole food multivitamins, products which come at "everyday low prices" generally use the cheapest forms of ingredients, which may or may not be bioavailable. Even if they can list the same number of milligrams of a vitamin, you mightn't be able to use it. You may be paying for something that won’t dissolve in your body, and if it does, the nutrients won't be processed and reach your cells. Look for quality brands of whole food multivitamins, with discounts from business practices like online stores and buying in bulk to save money instead.

Myth 2: Multivitamins are completely unnecessary, a balanced diet will take care of your needs

This can be true. However, in reality, try to think of the last time you got your five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit in a day. When was the last time you ate fresh fruit or raw vegetables twice in a day? When have you got the greatest proportion of your calories from unsaturated fats, whole grains, lean meat? So yes, you CAN do without whole food multivitamins if you have a good diet. But do you have that?

Myth 3: If one whole food multivitamin is good, two is better

You should only take a single dose of one whole food multivitamin a day (even if that dose is split into morning and evening tablets, for instance). Mixing them may cause some nutrients to be locked out, and can also cause dangerous overdose related side effects.

How to Prepare Medicinal Mushrooms

2009-11-08T15:22:00.001-08:00

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries as a health aid -- they are one of the stars of traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, two cultures that are known to have especially low disease rates in some categories. Whole food supplements containing medicinal mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular, with cordyceps, maitake and reishi mushrooms now readily available through respected natural, organic suppliers like New Chapter. Today we are looking at the different ways you can prepare and take whole food supplements with organic mushrooms, that preserve the medicinal value and cater to different tastes.

Making a tea from your New Chapter Mushrooms

If you purchase dried mushrooms, sometimes the easiest way to take them is in a tea. Far from prolonging the agony of having to swallow something that tastes disgusting, for anyone averse to the taste of mushrooms making a tea mellows the flavor significantly, while preserving the medicinal benefits. To make a tea from your dried mushroom whole food supplements:

Grind your dried mushrooms to a powder in a coffee grinder
Place them in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Simmer at least 20-30 minutes, and for maximum benefit, simmer for 2-4 hours.
You can keep the grounds to reheat for another cup of tea -- just discard them when they stop coloring the water
Filter the tea through a coffee filter, and then drink!

The easy way to take New Chapter mushrooms

The easiest method for taking them is simply buying them in capsule form. Some people believe that absorption differs when taken in a capsule as compared to a tea -- the heated liquid medium may make a difference. However this is very small, and if you just don’t have the time to brew and drink mushroom tea then a capsule is infinitely preferable to not getting the benefits of these New Chapter mushrooms at all.

Extracts

Extracts can be mixed into hot or cold beverages (like smoothies). A benefit of this method is that hot drinks aren’t required -- and nor is swallowing capsules for those who have difficulty with this. Thirty drops of this whole food supplement extract are required, and it is best to mix these in with a savory or nutty flavoured drink to get the best flavor mixture.

3 Main Mushrooms in Whole Food Supplements

2009-11-08T14:45:00.001-08:00

There are hundreds of different varieties of mushroom in the world, as adventuring and tourism books like to remind us. Each of them has different properties within the human body -- some are simply a fairly nutritious addition to our dinners, some are poisonous, and some have an amazing number of compounds that our bodies love to have, but generally miss out on! Medicinal mushrooms usually fall into the latter category, and there are three main species of these. We have a look at the potential effects of cordyceps, maitake and reishi mushrooms as whole food supplements.

Cordyceps mushrooms

Cordyceps mushrooms look strange, and quite unlike what we think of when we hear the word "mushroom." Their species name is cordyceps sinensis, and they belong to the ascomycete fungi genus. They are long and sort of woody-looking at the stem, coming to a purplish head. Mushroom hunters in Tibet can earn $900 for an ounce of cordyceps!

Cordyceps has mainly been investigated for its effect on the blood glucose absorption, and its effect in diabetic or insulin resistant people. Whole food supplements made with cordyceps have also been seen to have an antidepressant effect, protect the liver from damage and protect against irradiation.

Maitake mushroom whole food supplements

Maitake is quite similar in taste to the common cooking mushroom shiitake. However, in whole food supplements it has a much greater protective effect in the body. Early studies show that it is rich in antioxidants, and could have immune system supporting effects.

At a base level, maitake whole food supplements have been seen by researchers to regulate blood pressure, help with glucosemetabolism and insulin resistance, could help people lose weight and metabolize fats.

Reishi mushrooms

The name is much less familiar, but the benefits are just as striking, Reishi mushrooms have been used in Chinese courts for centuries, and now scientists believe they may hold potent anti-cancer properties. They have been seen to boost the immune system, to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and also to inhibit platelet aggregation (beneficial for people with heart disease). An excellent all-round whole food supplement!

Fantastic Flax: Recipes Using Flax Seed

2009-11-05T09:08:00.001-08:00

You know about the benefits of flax seed whole food supplements, and you know how easy it is to mix into yogurt, smoothies and soup. If you are looking for more creative ways to utilize your flax seed organic whole food supplements in your everyday diet, check out these favourite recipes!

Banana Date Flaxseed Bread

Flaxseed bread is a popular product utilizing the healthful grain - this is a freezer-friendly, sweet twist.

You will need:

· 1/4 cup vegetable oil

· 1/2 cup sugar

· 2 eggs

· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 1/2 tsp baking powder

· 1/2 tsp baking soda

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1/2 cup chopped, pitted dates

· 2-3 ripe bananas-mashed

· ¼ cup flax seed whole food supplement

- In one bowl, mix the wet ingredients -- banana, oil and eggs -- with the sugar.

- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.

- Combine and bake at 350 F for 55-60 minutes in a greased loaf pan, checking for readiness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center.

Flaxseed Pizza Bread

If you prefer incorporating your flaxseed organic whole food supplement into savory recipes, the nutty flavor will be a hit in this pizza bread. You will need:

· 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes

· 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

· 1/2 cup light parmesan cheese

· 1 tbsp granulated sugar

· 1 tbsp baking powder

· 2 tsp oregano leaves

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1/4 tsp pepper

· 1 1/4 cups skim milk

· 2 tbsp canola oil

· 1 egg

· 1 small tomato, diced

· 1/4 cup diced green pepper

· 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

· ½ cup organic whole food flax seeds

- Whisk the oil, milk and egg together in one bowl

- Combine the remaining ingredients, apart from tomatoes, green pepper and mozzarella, in another bowl.

- Pour the first bowl into the second, and then pour into a loaf pan.

- Sprinkle the tomatoes, cheese and green pepper on top of batter -- they will fall through during baking.

- Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350 F, and enjoy your flaxseed whole food supplement in a yummy pizza bread!

Probiotics' Secrets Revealed by New Scientific Study

2009-11-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Scientists, bless them, are always trying to get to the "why" and "how" of questions about the workings of our bodies and worlds. We have known for centuries that certain foods can help with health conditions, and have known for quite a few years now that probiotics in these foods may be the reason that they promote good health. Science has now discovered the mechanism of action behind these substances in whole food supplements.

An international research team at the Institute of Biotechnology, and the Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences at the University of Helsinki have sequenced the genomes of LGG, or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The research team found that the particular good bacteria binds with the intestinal mucus, with a specific adhesion component. It is actually this binding feature, unremarkable as it sounds, that seems to be the mainstay of LGG's health benefits. The protein structure that enables it to bind to the intestinal mucus produces a positive immune system modulation.

The particular probiotics in question is a licensed trademark of Valio, however, most studies on probiotic's health benefits do not use a brand name of probiotic. This is a convenient way to get funding -- but definitely doesn't mean that any other probiotic whole food supplement is less effective.

As recently as the middle of last year, you could find a raft of scientific articles about the benefits of probiotics in humans, but nearly every one of them began with "Scientists don’t know exactly how probiotics work, but they have discovered another of their amazing health benefits!" These amazing benefits of probiotics as whole food supplements has included:

Decrease in serum CRP levels, which indicate an inflammatory response
A potential therapy for ulcerative colitis
Assisting with weight loss
Reduce the side effects of antibiotics
Treat bacterial vaginosis
Preventing allergies in caesarian delivered babies
Preventing diarrhea and other conditions caused by gut pathogens.

The different probiotics in different whole food supplements all have different effects -- you can expect to see many more studies of this type in the future!

Improving Health with Organic Vitamin Supplements

2009-10-15T21:12:00.001-07:00

As I found myself approaching middle age, I realize the full extent of how important it is for my body to have the right vitamins, nutrients and minerals. I have always prided myself on eating a healthy diet, got an adequate amount of exercise and avoided smoking and alcohol. However, once I started going through menopause, I realized that I could experience a wide variety of health issues that could be alleviated with the right organic vitamin supplements.

In my search to find the right vitamin supplements, I searched the internet and local supermarket, and asked friends and family members for recommendations. I was surprised when my sister-in-law recommended a website called beyondprobiotics.net. When I searched the website I was amazed to find such a wide variety oforganic vitamins and mineral supplements, I was able to find exactly what I needed and was looking for and at prices that were comparable or less than what average places charged.

I found a product I love called “7-Keto DHEA,” which is a naturally occurring hormone already found in the human body. With the supplement I was able to reincorporate an all natural supplement without any of the obnoxious side effects that other synthetic products produced. I am an organic food and organic vitamin fan and to be able to find a complete product line produced from natural ingredients was like a dream come true.

I recommend the products offered by beyondprobiotics.net to all my friends, family members and co-workers. The company takes great pride in being able to offer such high-quality products at affordable and reasonable prices. Without these products I do now know how I would ever have made it through this delicate time of my life. I have been able adjust to the various side effects of menopause and preserve vital bone content, reduce hot flashes and night sweats all from using the products I purchased from this great website.

If you are seeking a place to find great, economical, all natural organic vitamins, I highly recommend you search the inventory available from beyondprobiotics.net. You will find any type of supplement you need and much more, the products are geared towards helping women like you and I adjust to difficult health issues and improves overall quality of life and health. I cannot say enough good about this company and will continue to sing the praises of the vitamins and other products offered, it has helped me and it can help you too.

Eating a Proper Diet for Better Nutrition

2009-10-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

Most people are always on the go and have a tendency to grab something quick to eat -- but that's usually fast food. The American diet over the past twenty years has been poor to say the least. Many do not have the time to cook nutritious foods and usually go for dinner in a box or out of a can. By eating this way, there has been a steady increase of heart-related diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and intestinal problems that are affecting a large portion of the American population. Studies are now finding out that a poor diet high in saturated fats, refined sugars and sodium are one of the leading causes of these diseases.

But some people are finally becoming more health conscious and learning more about proper nutrition and the importance of taking the right kind of vitamins. Incorporating organic whole food vitamins into the diet gives the body extra vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay healthy. For many of us that are on the go, this type of supplement puts back into the body that stress and a poor diet take out of us.

When shopping in the local supermarket, many of us are noticing the increase of organic foods that are available without having to shop at a specialty store. This is now becoming a new trend and making the public more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. The vitamin supplements should also be the same. When shopping for vitamins, they should be organic whole food supplements. These types of supplements are absorbed much more easily in the body compared to vitamins that contain unnatural chemicals.

Studies are showing an increase of foods and supplements that contain probiotics are also essential for good health. By adding these to the diet helps the immune system fights off free radicals and many other types of viruses that can attack the body. With this being said, it is crucial to incorporate probiotics into our diets especially during the cold and flu seasons. People with a healthier immune system can fight off these viruses more easily than one that does not take supplements or eat whole foods.

Better health can only be achieved by a changing to a healthier diet, exercise and becoming more aware of what we put into our bodies. Many companies such as Garden of Life carry such vitamins and many other products that can help on well on their way to a healthier lifestyle.

Antioxidants -- Best Natural and Whole Food Supplement Sources

2009-10-12T19:53:00.001-07:00

As research goes on into diet and its implications for disease and health, one fact becomes more apparant -- antioxidants are essential for good health. Another fact is that most of us don’t get enough of them! Many people assume that if they don’t like blueberries or raw broccoli, their bodies will just have to go without. Well, antioxidants are found in a wide range of both raw and cooked foods, as well as in organic whole food supplement form. Today we are looking at the richest sources in food, and the best products to help you get the boost you need.

Food sources

Blueberries have been the poster child for antioxidants for some time now, but a recent scientific study showed that they are actually quite a way down the antioxidant list. Most of us buy cultivated blueberries, which have around a third less antioxidants than the wild variety. However, small red beans pack the biggest antioxidant hit, even more than in some organic whole food supplements. They have a capacity according to the study of around 13,700, compared to wild blueberries at 13,400 and cultivated ones at 9,000. Dried red kidney beans came in at 13,200, and pinto beans had around 11,800 in the study.

Here are some of the other foods involved in the study and their respective antioxidant capacities, rounded to the nearest hundred:

Cranberries, 8,900
Cooked artichoke, 7,900
Blackberry, 7,700
Raspberries, 6,000
Strawberries, 5,900
Red delicious apple, 5,900
Pecans, 5,100
Russet potato, 4,600
Plum, 4,100

Best antioxidant whole food supplements

Garden of Life is one of the most respected names in the whole food supplement industry, and also makes two of the most popular antioxidant products. Vitamin Code Raw Antioxidants is just over $15 for a 30 capsule pack and contains:

100% daily intake of vitamin C, E, A and selenium
Live enzymes and probiotics
Raw formulation - no cooking, treating or adulteration

Another popular Garden of Life product is the Fruits of Life Antioxidant formula. You may have noticed that just about all of the super antioxidant foods on the list are fruits, and this whole food supplement brings them to you in a convenient form. All of the fruits are organic, and there is also oat bran fiber included with its beta glucans.

New Chapter's Supercritical Antioxidants is heavily discounted at Beyond Probiotics, and has been shown to elevate detox enzyme systems. It contains turmeric, green tea, rosemary, parsley, peppermint and ginger.

Multivitamins in Pregnancy Reduce Risk of Low Birthweight

2009-10-12T13:21:00.001-07:00

A new study has shown that taking whole food multivitamins while pregnant can help reduce the risk of having a low-birthweight baby. While iron and folic acid supplementation is recommended by most doctors for pregnant women, replacing these with a multivitamin which contains the two could have more broad spectrum health benefits. Pregnancy is a time of massively increased demands on your nutrient stores, and taking natural whole food multivitamins has been shown by two recent studies to have benefits.

Whole food multivitamin study 1

One study was done at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, led by Dr. Prakash Shah. It showed through synthesized results of 15 other worldwide studies that micronutrient supplementation helps prevent low birthweight over iron-folic acid supplements alone. The study showed that around 1.5 million babies born every year could have significantly higher birth weight if their mothers had taken a prenatal whole food multivitamin. However, the authors did note that the variability in study conditions limited the results somewhat, including the composition of micronutrient whole food multivitamins, timing of the supplementation, characteristics of the study participants and duration of the studies.

Whole food multivitamin study 2

The other study was a randomized trila by Piyush Gupta of University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi. It involved 200 women between 24 and 32 weeks at the beginning of the trial, who were either underweight or had low hemoglobin. Around half of the women received a calcium placebo, while the other half received a capsule with a combination of 29 micronutrients daily. Babies of the mothers who took whole food multivitamins weighed almost 100 grams more on average, and were almost a half-inch longer. The mothers, previously malnourished, also gained more weight during pregnancy (by around a pound).

Why do we care about low birthweight?

Babies who have a lower than average birthweight are more susceptible to a range of illnesses throughout their lives … despite a common conception by mothers that smaller babies hurt less during delivery, there is actually far more benefit in having an average or high birth weight baby.

Low-birthweight babies have been shown to be more susceptible to respiratory illness for the entire term of their lives, blindness, cerebral palsy, SIDS and kidney problems. Worth taking an organic whole food multivitamin for, certainly!

The Omega-3 Power Series: Conditions Omega-3 Can Help With

2009-10-12T13:17:00.001-07:00

By now we've all heard of omega-3's, and most of us know that they come from oily fish (or at the least, from a clear capsule in a whole food supplement bottle!). Omega-3s are considered a super-nutrient by many dieticians and scientists -- today we begin the first of a two-part series looking at the conditions that omega-3 organic whole food supplements can help either treat or prevent, and how they do so.

Prostate cancer: This Western scourge kills tens of thousands of men every year -- it is one of the biggest male killers in the West, coming in after heart disease and lung cancer. However, omega-3 fatty acids help protect the body against advanced prostate cancer. In a study performed at the University of California San Francisco, researchers showed that men who had the highest intake of omega-3 fatty acids had a 63% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those in the lowest consumption group.

Medical complications of obesity: Being obese by itself is not a negative for your health, but complications arising from it such as liver damage and insulin resistance certainly will. While people are busy following a healthy diet and exercising to lose weight, they can also protect themselves from the insulin resistance and liver damage that obesity causes with the protectins and resolvins in omega-3 organic whole food supplements. Switching to canola oil and eating lots more fish can help while on the path back to good health.

Depression: Dr Michel Lucas at the Universite Lamal studied 120 women for eight weeks, giving half three EPA-containing capsules daily, and the other half sunflower oil capsules. The first group had significant improvement in symptoms of psychological distress and mild depression.

Age-related macular degeneration: This is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly, but a diet high in omega-3s could help protect against the condition. Consumption of a diet high in omega-3 whole food supplements can help slow the progression of already developing macular lesions, also.

An enormous range of inflammatory-based conditions: The shift from a diet high in omega-3s to a diet high in omega-6, which comes from meat and vegetable oils, can be a leading cause of inflammatory conditions. The 2:1 ratio that omega-6 to omega-3 consumption has stood at for most of our evolution has increased to a 10:1 ration in modern times, and this can cause inflammatory conditions such as asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Correct the imbalance by reducing meat consumption, and increasing omega-3 organic whole food supplements.

6 Best Whole Food Supplements Under $20

2009-10-12T13:14:00.001-07:00

You've probably heard about the benefits of supplementing your diet, especially if you are like the vast majority of Westerners throughout the world, and don’t eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables. Whole food supplements are the best way to add to your daily vitamin and mineral intake, providing you with a more natural form of the substance, and fewer potential side effects. Whole food supplementing doesn’t have to be expensive - today we're looking at six of the top nutritionist's whole food supplements under $20!

1. Chlorella regularis - 90 vcaps, $11.97

This is one of the richest natural sources of chlorophyll, missing from many people's diets and a potent antioxidant, just like spirulina. The regularis species is easiest for many people to digest -- and the price is equally easy for your wallet to digest!

2. NewChapter Every Woman's Mineral Complex, 90 tablets $17.97

This formulation delivers the minerals that women need every day, aimed at supporting bone strength and scavenging free radicals. The minerals are accompanied by herbs like orgenao cinnamon, rosemary, ginger and turmeric.

3. Garden of Life Perfect Cleanse, 10 Day Kit $17.97

This kit for a 10 day detoxification includes 3 patented Garden of Life formulation steps. Forst you purify, then capture, and finally remove with three different organic whole food supplement ingredients.

4. Garden of Life Primal Defense Probiotics, 45 caps $14.97

This product is so popular there is actually a waiting list -- it is the No. 1 selling probiotics across the whole food supplement industry. It contains homeostatic soil organisms, and promotes a healthy immune system and regular digestion. The soil organisms were once an everyday part of our diet, but modern farming and food processing has largely wiped them out.

5. Garden of Life Seasonal Relief, 63 caplets $17.47

This helps prevent and lessen the duration of colds and flus by supporting the immune system, with herbs such as elderberry, goldenseal and Echinacea. There are also plenty of supporting herbs such as garlic, onion, oregano, yarrow and peppermint leaf.

6. Garden of Life Tea Trio, 60 capsules $12.57

This blend mixes organic white tea, green tea and black tea for those who love the health benefits of the drink, but don’t like the yellowing teeth or running to the toilet every couple of hours! It can protect against many diseases, as well as increase energy and alertness.

Conditions That Science Believes Probiotics Can Treat

2009-10-11T19:20:00.001-07:00

The very concept of probiotics was absolutely foreign to the general public, only 20 years ago. Now we know much more about how friendly bacteria in our gut help support the functions of our immune system, metabolism, and digestive health. If you’re having trouble keeping track of what probiotics have been shown to be able to treat, we have a rundown on recent developments in the probiotics research world for you today!

1. Probiotics fighting cholera

Although cholera has largely been eliminated in the Western world, it is still quite prevalent in the Third World. It produces toxins that bind to complex sugar receptors on cells in the human intestine. Reserachers have found a way to copy that process, using molecular mimics attached to probiotics that prevent the disease itself from binding to the cells' surfaces.

2. Probiotics fighting E.coli and traveler's diarrhea

The same mechanism of action has also been shown to help prevent traveler's diarrhea and the common pathogen E.coli. However, some studies have shown mixed results on probiotics treatment for diarrhea. While it shows promise, it would be safest to check with your doctor if you have persistent diarrhea.

3. Preventing allergy development in Cesarian-delivered babies

Friendly bacteria can replace the exposure to microbes which is often thought to be one of the reasons that some children develop allergies, while others do not. Cesarian-delivered babies are not exposed to microbes from the mother's vaginal passage, and so the probiotics replace these flora. There was no extra protection observed for vaginally delivered infants.

4. Bacterial vaginosis treatment boosted by probiotics

It seems contradictory, but taking probiotics supplements alongside antibiotic tablets actually helps improve outcomes in cases of bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with increased risk of transmitting HIV.

5. Probiotics reduce sick leave time

Workers at the Tetra Pak factory in Switzerland who took a daily dose of probiotics were 2.5 times less likely to take sick leave for common illnesses such as colds and gastroenteritis than those who took a placebo. The effects were seen to be strongest in shift workers taking the whole food supplements.

6. Doctors to be washing their hands in Yakult rather than antiseptic

The reason that many doctors are reluctant to give their patients antibiotics is because of the possibility of creating drug-resistant forms of disease. However, antiseptic soaps used in hospitals may have the same effect. The current prevalence of methylcyllin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals is one striking example of what can happen in a highly antibiotic environment.

Also in recent research are some studies which note that probiotics don’t show a significant improvement in the condition of eczema patients, and they do not relieve all types of diarhhea.

University College Cork Researchers Show How Probiotics Help Prevent Disease

2009-10-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

It has been difficult to find a negative word about probiotics in the scientific literature recently. From advantages with weight control, to vaginosis, to allergy prevention and assistance for gastric bypass patients, probiotics are the new wonder drug. Now University College Cork researchers have found that they have the potential to stop a huge range of pathogenic bacteria, simply by introducing probiotics at the site of infection or damage to the body.

The researchers studied bovine mastitis, porcine salmonellosis and listeriosis in mice. In all three disease models, the specially-developed probiotics preparation gave the animals significant resistance to the infections. In fact, the probiotics treatment was found to be as effective as the best antibiotics that were available for the disease … but without the problems of potential resistance developing. It helped resolve the symptoms as well as eliminate the source of infection, the pathogens.

The way that the probiotics worked, interesting, varied from disease to disease. In one case, the probiotics directly killed the pathogen, and in other cases, the probiotics had an effect on the host animal's immune system, which in turn was better able to fight the infection. The probiotics which killed unwanted germs directly was Lactobacillus salivarius, and it produced an antimicrobial peptide that simply killed the listeria bacteria. For the cows with mastitis, the Lactococcus lastis used could elicit an immune response that overwhelmed the bacteria.

Probiotic therapy could soon take over antibiotic therapy, if broad enough spectrum probiotics could be found to target a range of different diseases in one hit. Probiotics can be taken in smoothies or yogurts, or cultured into a huge range of other foods and drinks. They do not create resistant bacteria -- currently physicians often will not prescribe the antibiotics that could help patients feel better, because the potential for creating resistant bacteria is not in the interests of the general population.

The researchers were planning to begin studying the molecular mechanism of action of the probiotics, in order to develop artificial or chemical strategies for reproducing their results. However, natural health experts often say that the complete package is the most useful way to take a remedy.

The probiotics the team used were lactobacillus, however these were newly isolated from human volunteers in the study. The team did not use any particular commercial product, so unfortunately we can’t recommend any!

Dietary Supplement Cautions -- What Every Health Conscious Person Should Know

2009-10-08T14:06:00.001-07:00

The reason that a varied, fresh, and healthy diet helps people feel so much better is that it generally provides the recommended daily allowance of an enormous range of minerals and vitamins that support our normal bodily functions. However, there is always the possibility of having too much of a good thing … and in that case, it turns quite rapidly into a bad thing. The FDA regulates prescription drugs, but doesn’t do the same for dietary supplements and herbal supplements, which can also be harmful to your health if taken in excess. Here we look at some guidelines for all dietary supplement takers.

Begin with one at a time

Unless you are taking a whole food supplement or one-a-day formulation, start on just one dietary supplement at a time. Take half the recommended dose for a week, then take the full dose for a week. Try to maintain a normal diet and exercise routine in these weeks. Note any unusual symptoms -- if you encounter negative side effects in these weeks, see if stopping the supplement makes them go away.

Exercise caution with fat-soluble vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins will simply be excreted by the body in most cases if you take too much. However, fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in the liver, brain and other bodily tissues and cause symptoms like joint pain, depression, nausea and dry skin. Taking a whole food supplement or a one-a-day formulation helps decrease this risk, but if you notice any adverse symptoms get the advice of a health professional.

Always ask about prescription drug interactions

Vitamins and minerals have real health effects -- that is why so many people take them. Their actions can compound with those of prescription drugs to cause some dangerous situations. Ginseng and gingko biloba are both blood thinners, so definitely aren't compatible with warfarin. There are a host of other cautions like this.

Pregnancy cautions

Adults have relatively enormous bodies, well-developed drug and chemical tolerance and better excretory systems than a fetus does. When you are pregnant, a drug that is common and safe for you can be extremely harmful for your baby. Excessive amounts of vitamin A are an excellent example -- they can cause birth defects, yet most ordinary multivitamins contain more than the recommended daily allowance. Whole food supplements are generally safer than the chemical variety -- but talk to a health professional or your pharmacist before starting any dietary supplement if you are pregnant.

Top 5 Men's Whole Food Supplements - What a Boy Wants!

2009-10-08T13:48:00.001-07:00

Men and women are different, and the vitamins and whole-food supplements that men and women need to support hormonal and bodily functions are different, too. Today we're looking at the top five whole food supplements and whole food multivitamin ingredients for men.

1. Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto extract is taken for one of the most common conditions affecting older men, benign prostatic hyperplasia. The extract has few side effects in healthy people. It is FDA-approved, and some trials have shown a mild to moderate increase in flow measures and an improvement in symptoms.

2. Lycopene

Lycopene is found in tomatoes. It is great for slowing skin degeneration, but the main benefit of this carotenoid for men is it is thought to help relieve symptoms of cardiovascular disease, cancer, male infertility, and diabetes.

3. Panax ginseng (Korean Red)

This herb is related to the garden-variety ginseng found in many whole food supplements and whole food multivitamins. This variety is especially good for men's health because it has an unusually high concentration on ginsenosides, helping improve erectile function and increasing testosterone levels in general.

4. Green tea

Green tea contains some ingredients that can help fight belly fat, namely epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). You can sometimes find whole food supplements that include green tea extract, if drinking it doesn’t quite fit with your manly image!

5. Zinc

One of the best known minerals for men, zinc helps with ensuring good semen volume, which maintains prostate gland function and growth of the reproductive organ. It also supports the function of the brain, liver, bones and kidneys. Muscles depend on zinc, and if you are looking to bulk up, zinc should be an essential part of your diet and exercise plan.

Please note that the FDA has recently reviewed its recommendations on selenium for men at risk of prostate cancer. While it is still an essential nutrient for all around health, it is not necessarily believed to be beneficial against the disease. Whole food supplements will include it simply for all-round health.

The Good News Cont.!

2009-10-03T20:32:00.001-07:00

As promised, here's the rest of the Fox News story that sings the praises of a probiotics regimen!

Good Bacteria vs. Bad

But with literally trillions of bacteria residing in the digestive tract, how do you know which ones are the good guys and which are the bad?

According to Renew Life’s so-called experts in digestive care, the two most prevalent probiotics are lactobacilli, which make up the majority of the probiotics in your small intestine, and bifidobacteria, which make up the majority of the probiotics in the large intestine.

Lactobacilli help regulate the immune system, digesting nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and milk sugars; and produce compounds and acids that create an unfriendly environment for harmful bacteria. Lactobacilli are also the most prevalent in the vagina and help guard women from yeast infections.

Bifidobacteria, on the other hand, is located in the large intestine and are present in much higher in numbers. This is because there is less constant movement in the large intestine compared to the small intestine, which makes it easier for harmful bacteria to build up and multiply.

Bifidobacteria also ferment soluble fiber and produce compounds including short chain fatty acid, vitamin B and K. However, studies show that the population of bifidobacteria significantly declines with age and with unhealthy lifestyle practices.

"If its balance and function is thrown off by a poor diet, lack of proper hydration, overuse of antibiotics, overweight conditions, constipation and lack of exercise, you are setting yourself up for chronic illness and premature aging," said Pennesi.

So what are different kinds of ways you can get more healthy bacteria in your body?

Here are Pennesi's Top 3 recommendations:

— Consult with your health care professional and take a high quality probiotic supplement

— Enjoy foods with Fructo-oligo-saccharides (FOS), which feed the healthy flora (probiotics) of the body, like bananas, onions, garlic, artichokes, barley and tomatoes.

— Eat more kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, umeboshi plum and yogurt that have the "live active bacteria" label on it.

However, Pennesi cautions that not all probiotics products contain both lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

"The best thing to do is find a breakdown of what probiotics are in the product. I encourage people to use the phone numbers on the packaging and contact the company who manufacture the product. Most are happy to answer your questions", she said.

Minimizing the use of synthetic antibiotics, as they kill off healthy bacteria in the body, is also a great way to keep your healthy bacteria counts up.

Get the Good News!

2009-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

So you’ve been toying with the idea of starting a probiotic regimen. Well, here’s something that may help catapult your interest. A recent story by Fox News indicates that probiotics ARE indeed a good choice for most people…

Recently, 57-year-old Anne Turner started researching gentle ways to treat her irritable bowl syndrome and chronic digestive issues.

"I was not getting any relief with conventional methods, so I went to my local natural food store and asked the nutritionist if she had any recommendations for my specific conditions," she said.

To her surprise, the answer was simple and pain-free—she needed to take a dietary supplement called probiotics to replenish her digestive flora.

Probiotics, meaning "for life," are the antithesis of antibiotics, which are designed to kill most bacteria in the body, both good and bad.

Probiotics are naturally occurring beneficial bacteria located in the intestines, whose job it is to help prevent the harmful bacteria from wreaking havoc.

After a few weeks of taking a recommended probiotic supplement and making small changes in her diet, Turner started feeling better than she had in years, affirming her decision to treat herself with probiotics.

According to holistic nurse Luanne Pennesi, almost everyone, especially in today's industrialized society, can benefit from taking probiotics to help strengthen the immune system, utilize certain vitamins effectively, and even possibly reduce the risk of developing cancer.

"Probiotics are vital for proper digestion of fats and proteins, synthesizing vitamin K, which is vital for the prevention of osteoporosis and many of our B vitamins, plus they detoxify the intestinal tract and reduce cancer risks," she said.

The digestive track is home to more than 500 million species of bacteria; ideally 80 percent should be beneficial bacteria and 20 percent harmful bacteria.

"Probiotics are helpful when it comes to maintaining the body's chemical and hormone balance. Their ability to protect the body from absorbing toxins from the GI tract also makes them vital to our health and longevity," said Pennesi.

There is more to this story…stay tuned to our next posting to read the rest of the report!

People Around the World -- Join Hands

2009-09-28T12:59:00.001-07:00

We’ve talked about this before, but we think it bears repeating…we, as Americans, are not the only people of the world who value the benefits of probiotic supplements. In fact, here’s something you may find interesting.

As you research probiotic health as a whole, you will find that the people involved with the probiotic movement believe they are making a major human contribution as they work on the cellular level and the bio-chemical level through the creation of supplements that help the body work in an organic way to remove toxins from the body.

You might be asking yourself how the production of probiotic health supplements can be helping Mother Earth. The link between probiotic health and Mother Earth can be found in the fact that some of the foods and plants grown for consumption are endangered. These plants and foods must continue to be grown so that they will continue to contribute to the physical well being of humans here on earth.

Probiotic health proponents have started organic farms in the distant lands of Costa Rica in an effort to save some of the endangered species of probiotic, naturally healthy foods, that assist digestion in a microbiotical way. If these foods were to stop being produced, then the food system of America would suffer. Going to Costa Rica, where the climate supports growth of healthy whole foods that are not typically grown in the United States anymore, is one way the probiotic health movement is supporting humanity as a whole. Organic farms are rare and with that, some of the foods we have used in the past are no longer grown because they won’t grow unless they are altered or sprayed with chemicals.

Much of the foods that naturally grew and were known to be healthy are diminishing from our planet. People of the Amazon and India share that they have to walk much further then they did in the past to find the foods they have come to instinctually know as the good foods that aid in optimum health. Thefarms created in Costa Rica are now sanctuaries where the good food can be grown and the growing can be sustained.

These organic farms, where the climate is conducive to good growth of healthy crops of organic food, will ensure that 10 to 20 years down the road, we will still have non-processed, non-chemically altered food for consumption. The botanical gardens are an asylum for medicinal food production. They are the Noah’s Ark of healthy foods in our world, preserving foods that are endangered and providing for the continued use of healthy foods in our diets for years to come.

Flu Immunity

2009-09-22T18:32:00.001-07:00

Some of the most common questions we get pertain to immunity and boosting the immune system. This is especially true now that cold and flu season are approaching. In the spirit of education, we’re going to discuss the facets of immunity and pass along some of our most recent research…

Approximately 70% of your body’s immune cells are found in your gut, a fact that’s got everyone talking about immunity and its relationship to the digestive system. We’re going to skip the technical jargon and break the immune system down into its 3 main types – innate, acquired, and passive immunity -- to help make the connection between healthy digestion and your immunity.

Innate immunity – you’re born with it, and it’s specific to you as a human. This is your body’s immediate response to foreign substances. The skin, intestinal lining, and the tiny hairs in your respiratory system all play a part in this defensive process.

Your digestive system is a key player in supporting innate immunity. Many foreign substances that enter your body through the digestive tract are targeted and eliminated. Sound like a scene from an action movie? That’s about right – your digestive system is a happening spot! Not only does it break down nutrients so they can be absorbed and used throughout your body, it works overtime to keep your immune system healthy.

The intestinal lining (which includes your mucosal immune barrier) is vital to this process. The mucous barrier, cells in the intestinal lining, and the junctions between these cells all form a sort of fortress that keep harmful substances from seeping into your body through the intestinal walls. Your intestinal lining is a very complex and intelligent player in your immune system.

It makes sense, then, that healthy digestion also boosts the digestive system’s other function – healthy immunity. Minimally processed whole foods that are rich in nutrients help boost healthy, functional digestion. Digestive support supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, colostrum and more are also becoming popular ways to support digestive health, intestinal lining health, and immune health.

Boost Your Body's Defenses

2009-09-21T14:35:00.001-07:00

You’ve heard us talk a lot about improving immunity and keeping the body functioning as it should in order to maintain optimum levels of health. If you’re still getting sick often, or you're facing bouts of flu this season and you're concerned about N1H1, boosting your immunity can help… but what can you do to boost your immune system in a hurry?

First of all, get back to a balanced meal plan. Summer means endless BBQs, ice-cream socials, picnics and very flexible eating. Getting back to the recommended 5-10 servings of fruits and veggies a day packs you full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, and will do wonders for your immune system. You can always add a super greens powder (found at your local health food store) to a smoothie to help meet your quota.

Try 3-6 months of probiotics . Probiotics support the immune system by supporting a healthy gut. About 70% of immune cells are found in the gut; probiotics support a healthy intestinal environment and help down regulate the immune system to a balanced response. A recent study conducted in China reported that children who took probiotics over a six-month period were healthier than kids who did not.

Your gut is actually considered the “outside” of your body because it’s exposed to substances and microbes from the outside world. Taking a probiotic supplement for at least a few months helps to replenish the natural flora in the gut that can be destroyed by certain medications, poor diet, an overabundance of stress, and even chlorinated water.

Cut back on stimulants like caffeine and sugar. Excessive caffeine intake can deplete your body of vital minerals and water. Caffeine also stimulates the nervous system, and regular stimulation can be taxing on the immune system. Sugar raises insulin levels which affect hormones in the body and can depress the immune system. A sugary diet also creates an internal environment that encourages the growth of potentially harmful microbes. Sugar is a lot tougher on our bodies than we realize and limiting your intake will boost energy and immunity.

What is the Probiotic Enthusiast Diet?

2009-08-18T20:40:00.001-07:00

We've all heard that becoming a probiotic enthusiast is healthy. It's true. Eating a probiotic enthusiast diet often minimizes human exposure to diseases that are typically animal-borne. These origin of these diseases are not totally pinpointed, but the elimination of animal byproducts from one's diet means both the known and unknown animal illnesses are avoided. Believe it or not, some people suffer so readily from animal-borne illness that the U.S. has documented more than 100 cases of death.

Aside from avoiding disease, becoming a probiotic enthusiast will also mean that you're not eating an overabundance of synthetic chemicals. In fact, switching to a probiotic enthusiast diet has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure levels, reduce the risk factors for heart disease and obesity, and actually help to significantly increase the life expectancy rate of its practitioners.

Aside from the fact that you’ll be improving major health factors, eating a probiotic enthusiast diet is also proven to help us lose weight, avoid disease, lower cholesterol and are triglycerides, as well as a host of other health problem. Eating probiotic enthusiast will also provide you with the peace of mind that ensures you're doing the best you can to make your part of the planet a little greener.

It is important to note that eating probiotic enthusiast does not necessarily mean eating well. It is possible to eat a poor probiotic enthusiast diet. On the vast benefits of a probiotic enthusiast diet are scientifically proven, but it’s also very easy for those individuals who have turned to the probiotic enthusiast lifestyle to suffer from a variety of nutritional voids, and even become overweight.

The good news is this, if you're eating a proper probiotic enthusiast diet, you'll be eating food that contain all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to thrive. A body that’s properly nourished heals faster. In fact, if you injure yourself, and you're eating a proper probiotic enthusiast diet, your rate of healing will increase dramatically.

While becoming a probiotic enthusiast means you’ll face a few sacrifices down the road, the rewards far outweigh the detriments. Take some time to study the probiotic enthusiast lifestyle and to look for retailers who supply probiotic enthusiast products.

Do Yourself a Favor - Get Healthy Now

2009-08-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Whole foods, organic and natural vitamins, along with dietary supplements and herbal therapeutics offered by some of the top nutritional companies can be found online. This makes living a healthier life very convenient and easy. Shipping to certain overseas address, even military address are possible so regardless of you location the whole foods and dietary supplements are available to you.

Because modern diets do not include the nutrition necessary to maintain optimal health, supplements derived from the fermentation of whole foods are a great option to boost immunity, enhance body function and restore health. Avoiding processed foods and getting regular exercise also are essential components to living a healthy lifestyle. That is why the advice available through Christine’s Cleanse Corner stresses the importance of making changes at all levels in your life to achieve true happiness and well being. The inclusion of the proper allocations of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other micronutrients—including phytonutrients or phytochemicals—can make all the difference. If you sign up for one of Christine’s newsletters and read through her books on probiotics, you, too, can be armed with the ammunition you need to change your life in a positive way.

Foods that are minimally processed and do not contain ingredients like refined sugars or flour, sweeteners, milled grains, flavorings or hydrogenated oils are considered natural foods. Now, this may sound like a tasteless diet -- however, you can enjoy replacing these items with raw honey, agave syrups, and maple syrup, which add a wonderful flavor to your foods. You can even continue using salt in your diet by replacing table salt with sea salt.

You don't have to settle for feeling sluggish or being overweight. In fact, the right combination of supplement, diet, and exercise can almost guarantee that you'll be looking and feeling your absolute best in record time. You don’t have to spend fortunes to feel better -- the natural plan is always best. Spend some time researching natural whole foods and organic supplements. Do yourself and your family a favor and do your best to get healthy today.

World Wide Phenomenon

2009-08-18T20:32:00.001-07:00

Probiotic health proponents have started organic farms in the distant lands of Costa Rica in an effort to save some of the endangered species of probiotic, naturally healthy foods, that assist digestion in a microbiotic way. If these foods were to stop being produced, then the food system of America would suffer. Going to Costa Rica, where the climate supports growth of healthy whole foods that are not typically grown in the United States anymore, is one way the probiotic health movement is supporting humanity as a whole. Organic farms are rare and with that, some of the foods we have used in the past are no longer grown because they won’t grow unless they are altered or sprayed with chemicals.

Much of the foods that naturally grew and were known to be healthy are diminishing from our planet. Peoples of the Amazon and India share that they have to walk much further then they did in the past to find the foods they have come to instinctually know as the ‘good’ foods that aid in optimum health. The farms created in Costa Rica are now sanctuaries where the good food can be grown and the growing can be sustained.

The organic farms in far off lands, where the climate is conducive to good growth of healthy crops of organic food will ensure that 10 to 20 years down the road, we will still have non-processed, non-chemically altered food for consumption. The botanical gardens are an asylum for medicinal food production. They are the Noah’s Ark of healthy foods in our world, preserving foods that are endangered and providing for the continued use of healthy foods in our diets for years to come.

So, as you research probiotic health as a whole, you will find that the people involved with the probiotic movement believe they are making a major human contribution as they work on the cellular level and the bio-chemical level through the creation of supplements that help the body work in an organic way to remove toxins from the body.

The Word is Getting Out!

2009-08-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

If you’ve been following our posts, then you know how often we sing the praises of whole food vitamins and natural supplements. As such, we thought you might find it interesting to know that we’re not alone! We’ve been reviewing articles and testimonials from other whole food enthusiasts and have decided that you don’t have to take our word for it…you can take theirs too! Below you will find an excerpt from an article written by a naturalist that promotes the use of whole food vitamins for health!

Many people live a hectic lifestyle and do not have time for a healthy and balanced diet. Processed foods fail to ensure the daily ratio of vitamins necessary for keeping healthy. Given the highly polluted environment we live in and all the unhealthy food we consume, an organic whole food supplement can significantly improve our state of health.

Increase your organic whole food vitamin supplement intake:

In modern society, very few people follow a correct diet and have 6-8 servings of whole food, such as grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables, every day. It seems like the current trend is consuming processed food and taking synthetic vitamins to supplement your diet. However, this is not the best way to ensure a balanced diet and it can even have bad long-term effects on your health.

You could increase your daily intake of organic whole food vitamin supplement instead. Eating vitamin and mineral-rich food, such as nuts, whole grains and seeds are a good way of completing your diet with natural vitamins.

Most vitamin supplements you can purchase today are made from synthetic ingredients. These are chemical substances which have been produced in laboratories to fake the molecular structure of natural vitamins.

Your body is built to absorb nutritional substances from food. Therefore, most health care professionals recommend an organic whole food vitamin supplement and taking your daily vitamins from whole food, not synthetics supplements.

The Benefits of Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplements:

· Organic whole food vitamin supplements have no synthetic or isolate ingredients.

· They contain only complete whole food vitamins.

· These supplements do not have any sea shell, rock or coral derived minerals.

· Organic whole food vitamin supplements include homeopathic minerals.

· They increase the intake of whole foods, such as seeds, nuts and grains

· They do not include any chemical, additive or synthetic ingredients.

Be a Cancer-Fighting Power House

2009-08-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

We've talked a lot about the probiotic lifestyle and what it can mean for your health. But in an effort to promote cancer awareness, we've decided to concentrate on the bit on how probiotic supplementation can help your immune system not only fight off cancer, but prevent you from suffering from this illness to begin with.

Your body is like a machine. Fueling your body with inadequate fuel can promote the development and growth of cancer cells. However, treating your body like a finely tuned instrument's can help it run smoothly. This is especially true for the function of your immune system.

Whether you're suffering from a bacterial infection or from, you guessed it, an invasion of cancer cells, your immune system will go into overdrive fighting often unwanted visitors. Unfortunately, what many people don't understand is that cancer cells exist in most all of us. The difference is, in some people cancer cells do not metastasize.

What is it about these people that helps them remain immune to the metastasis of cancer cells that is not present in people suffering from the disease? Under some circumstances, people suffering from cancer have in some way neglected to care for a physiological system that is vital for preventing and fighting cancer.

Probiotics and whole food supplements are designed to naturally provide the immune system with the components that it needs to fight off cancer cells effectively. In fact, getting your body the fuel it needs to fight cancer will also help prevent the metastasis of future cancer.

You don't have to settle for a cancer diagnosis and rely solely on radiation and chemo treatments if you have already been diagnosed with the disease. Believe it or not, it is possible to eradicate cancer through natural healthy methods that are both safe and effective.

Remember, there’s no better time than now for doing something good for yourself and your body. Consider looking into the benefits of probiotics and whole food vitamins for yourself. We can guarantee that embarking on a supplementation program will be just what the doctor ordered in terms of your health.

Power Your House with Natural Powerhouses!

2009-08-13T19:21:00.001-07:00

We’ve spent months discussing the benefits of whole food vitamins and probiotics. But did you know that these dynamic components are beneficial not only in vitamin form, but also as topical? It’s true, natural vitamins can be ingested or applied topically! Not only that, but these natural powerhouses have been proven to help aid in the fight against cancer! Read on to learn a little more about the benefits of whole food vitamins, natural topical, and probiotic supplements!

All natural vitamins and organic foods and supplements will provide you with solutions to cancer prevention, weight loss, skin care, and even the natural energy boost we’re all searching for; natural energy, after all, is not harmful to the body nor will it increase the heart rate in a dangerous way.

All natural means nature made, and as our bodies were intended to function naturally, avoiding synthetic chemicals is ideal for optimal health. Because the human body is a natural machine, it stands to reason that the components we fill it with should be natural as well. Manufactured isolated vitamins will never be considered as good as their natural whole counterparts. As a result of this, many Americans have turned to the utilization of whole food vitamins for their health and well-being.

Cooking with organic foods and a ingesting an adequate amount of natural vitamins and supplements will also give you an edge on the cold and flu season (especially helpful as we head back to school)… shopping online will allow for the inspection of natural cold and flu remedies. But the buck doesn’t stop there! Using the right online retailer will also allow you to explore the great big world of minerals and vitamins proven to fight off disease and maintain a healthy body!

Save your money and stop throwing it away on inferior synthetic over the counter vitamins and cold remedies. Instead consider researching and purchasing all natural vitamins and foods that are guaranteed beneficial to you and your family’s health!

Head Into the School Year Strong!

2009-08-02T19:35:00.001-07:00

Well, now that school is starting and we’ll be on the run again, it’s time to start thinking about the avoidance of convenience foods and the consumption of foods and vitamins that will keep us going through school, tests, sports, extracurricular activities, not to mention work and family life! Whether you’re a busy parent or an exuberant high school student, embracing proper nutrition will help keep you going through everything the world throws at you!

Common sense lends itself to the fact that not all calories are created equal. When you eat junky, processed foods, the calories you consume are of low quality. That means that while they do provide the cells of your body with a food source, that food source is often full of carcinogens or sugars that will deplete quickly. Your cells work more efficiently on good nutrition. So, when somebody says “empty calories,” they are more accurately referring to calories that don’t do your body a whole lot of good.

You’ve probably also heard people mention that cooking food ruins its nutritional content. Well, that’s not entirely true. Cooking food can lower the content and potency of certain vitamins and minerals (especially enzymes), but it won’t ruin your food. Some people can’t fathom the idea of eating 100% raw fruits and vegetables all the time. The good news is, you don’t have to. While eating raw, organic nutrition is wonderful for your overall health, if you happen to cook those organic carrots, you’ll still reap some awesome health benefits. The Vitamin Code raw multivitamins provide a healthy way to give your body raw, whole food nutrition that provides 100% active ingredients, while maintaining more of a traditional or cooked diet.

Is organic food really better? What about processed food and preservatives? They’re everywhere! How can we combat the intake of these foods when we can’t help it? Many people ask the question, “is organic really better?” and the answer is a resounding YES. Organic food is better for you because when you eat organic, you’re not ingesting any of the dyes, pesticides, and other chemicals that most of our food is treated with. These manmade chemicals feed your cells with material that is not designed to be used as food. Regular intake of these chemicals has been proven as the source for a great many diseases and cancers.

Nutrition from whole food vitamins and supplements provide the most complete sources of vitamins and minerals. They also contain important nutritional cofactors and mircronutrients that are missing from isolated vitamin formulas made in a lab. Because whole food vitamin supplements are made from whole food, the body recognizes them as food — so they are absorbed and utilized better by the body. Eating as close to nature as possible, from the Garden of Life, ensures that we are getting the best nutrition possible, instead of ingesting empty calories that may actually deplete valuable nutritional resources from our bodies.

Stay Strong and Healthy by Eating Strong and Healthy

2009-08-02T19:31:00.001-07:00

We all have improvements we wish to make with our bodies, but what about your body on the inside? Improving your body inside will help improve your body overall. What you choose to eat plays a major role in not only your bodily functions but your appearance as well, not to mention improving your body will give you the energy you have been missing. Whole foods are the perfect way to ensure the food you are putting into your body is healthy and will benefit you in many ways.

Whole foods not only aid in the well being of your body but also help keep the immune system resilient from disease. Studies have been done that proven that show a diet of healthy foods such as fruits, whole grains, and vegetables help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as many forms of cancer, and some whole foods are even antioxidants that protect your cells from damage – this includes all your cells, from brains cells to skin cells.

With your wide range of skin care products available on the market today it can be difficult to determine which product will best suit your needs as well as increase your skin's natural beauties. Most of the products today contain artificial chemicals and many harmful ingredients. With your choice of all natural and organic skin care products you no longer have to worry with the harmful ingredients you may find in your typical skin care products. Since your skin is so vital to your health and your body, shouldn’t you take care of it the best way possible? With the all natural skin care products you have to choose from you can protect your skin at a very reasonable price.

There is no need to deprive yourself of the foods you love in order to achieve a healthier body. With whole foods you can choose from fruits like blue berries, strawberries, black berries, apples, bananas and a host of others that will aid in keeping your urinary tract free of bacteria will also help lower your cholesterol and diminish the risks of certain cancers. And don’t forget your veggies! Just like your mom used to say, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, green beans, and onion are just a few of the veggies that will help you grow strong and healthy!

Take Charge of Your Weight

2009-07-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

In order to reach and maintain your perfect weight naturally there are three basic goals to keep in mind. The first goal is to improve your diet, which will entail eating for your individual needs regarding your body type, your age, your gender, and even the region in which you live. Be sure to reduce calories and increase your nutrient intake to be assured a healthy weight loss, as well as eating and cleansing with each season.

Your second goal is to change your life. By this you need to find an exercise program that fits your lifestyle and needs, as well as research and study supplements that are in your current diet. Are there some you can remove and are there important ones you cannot live without? Discover ways to remove the negative toxins inside and outside your body and reduce stress as well as get more rest so you can accomplish your weight-loss goals. Stay focused on your mental and emotional balance as well as your body, spirit, and mind wellness for well being.

The final goal to accomplish in achieving your perfect weight is to change your world by learning simple steps to live a green lifestyle, not only take the weight off your body but your planet as well, and finally include habits that encourage stability for the health of your planet as well as a healthy body for yourself.

The programs are very simple and easy to follow, you simply fill out a personal health questionnaire online, and in a short amount of time you will receive your own online health coach that was designed with your specific needs in mind. You will be able to track your progress as well as receive regular encouragement and support from knowledgeable team members. You will even receive some wonderful recipes as well as ideas for exercise programs. Your perfect weight is only a few clicks away so stop searching for programs that will aid you in achieving your perfect weight and invest in the program that will not only allow you to obtain your perfect weight but also lead a healthier lifestyle. These days, America is known for our obesity problems in adults as well as our children. The lack of a proper diet and importance of a good exercise program plays a major role in this problem – don’t succumb to the standard American ways.

Keep Your Reflux in Check

2009-07-21T10:09:00.001-07:00

Indigestion is also commonly known as dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is the term used to describe the symptoms of indigestion including burning in the upper and lower abdomen, pain in the stomach, as well as the feeling of uncomfortable fullness during your meal. A wide variety of conditions can cause the feeling of indigestion. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one such condition. Peptic ulcer disease, cancer, and any kind of abnormality in the bile ducts or pancreas can also called the feelings of indigestion. However, some people suffer with indigestion for reasons that cannot be pinpointed. These people typically experience symptoms of indigestion after eating specific foods or taking on specific activities.

If you suffer from heartburn or indigestion, you know exactly how excruciating it can be. You also know exactly how intimidating certain foods will become once you begin having heartburn on a regular basis. Believe it or not, indigestion is one of the most common gastrointestinal issues in the United States today. Today, we're going to explore indigestion and look into the many ways that probiotics can help treat and prevent the onset of heartburn.

It's important to note that common indigestion can be a symptom of a more serious illness. Indigestion is diagnosable by your doctor and you should contact your doctor if you're experiencing extensive symptoms such as frequent vomiting, bloody vomit, loss of appetite, dark stools, painful swallowing, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, sweating, radiating pain in the neck, jaw line, or arm, and if the symptoms accompanying your indigestion last for more than two weeks.

The regular intake of a probiotic supplement can help to treat indigestion at the source. Basically, the use of probiotic supplements can replenish the good bacteria in your intestine and stomach, thus allowing it to function at optimum levels. An optimally functioning digestive system is the first line of against acid reflux.

Try Nature's Anti-Aging Technique

2009-07-21T09:50:00.001-07:00

We spend a lot of time talking about how probiotics can benefit your body physically. But did you know that it is possible to improve the texture and clarity of your skin from the inside out? It’s true! Regular intake of probiotic supplements can, in fact, improve the quality of your skin.

We've talked before about how probiotics can be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of acne. It's also possible to turn back the hands of time. You see, your skin is the largest organ of the body and it is living and breathing every minute of every day. Cell turnover is the main component in maintaining youthful skin; however, cellular turnover in your skin slows as you age. As a result, wrinkles and lines as well as enlarged pores begin to become visible. Studies indicate regular probiotics supplementation will help increase the rate of cell turnover, improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

We live in the age of youth and beauty. Each of us is always looking for the next big thing to help improve the appearance of our skin and to turn back the hands of time to slow the process of aging. The beauty of probiotic supplementation is that they can help you to accomplish all of these goals via simple and noninvasive means.

Not only that, utilizing probiotics supplementation as the means for improving your skin care serves a multifunction purpose because, as you know, probiotic supplements benefit the human body in a large variety of ways.

Probiotics and natural vitamins, along with other dietary supplements and herbal therapeutics offered by some of the top nutritional companies can be found online. This makes living a healthier life very convenient and easy.These supplements also contain important nutritional cofactors and mircronutrients that are missing from isolated vitamin formulas made in a lab. Because whole food vitamin supplements are made from whole food, the body recognizes them as food — so they are absorbed and utilized better by the body.

So, build your youth from the outside in! Begin a probiotic and whole food supplement today. We can guarantee that you’ll be so happy you did!

Are Probiotics Safe Long Term?

2009-07-18T20:38:00.001-07:00

When it comes to probiotics, many people have questions that often go unanswered or about which they find little research. One such question is the safety of the intake of probiotics on a daily basis over the duration of a lifetime.

Many people become concerned that the intake of probiotics for a long period of time may be harmful to the health. To the contrary -- because probiotics are a natural part of human dietary intake and also naturally exist in the human body, it completely safe to take them for the duration of your lifetime. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that it's also recommended by most natural specialists.

Hundreds of years ago, men and women ate a diet that was much richer in bacterial content. It's only been since the advent of modern technology and our over-processed methods that have removed these rich bacteria from our food. Basically, the use of probiotic supplements can replenish the good bacteria in your intestine and stomach, thus allowing it to function at optimum levels.

By taking a probiotic dietary supplement on a regular basis, not only are you replenishing the healthy bacteria your body loses the natural process, you're also providing your body with something that should be there to begin with. You can obtain probiotic culture from foods like aged cheese, yogurt, and fermented vegetables. However, taking a probiotic supplement is often considered the best way to boost probiotic health. You should do your best to take in lots of unprocessed foods and consider supplementing regularly with a quality probiotic supplement.

Remember, probiotic supplementation is essential for health, but it's always smart to do your homework before you begin any probiotic or other vitamin regimen. If you have questions or concerns about your personal health and a probiotic supplement, consider contacting your physician's office with further questions.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?

2009-07-08T19:38:00.001-07:00

Let's face facts, the majority of the United States population does not now, nor will they ever, eat as healthily as possible. The good news is that there are a wide variety of resources available, either online, through standard research, and even through visiting a nutritionist or professional, that can help us find the right path when it comes to health and nutrition.

As they say, a healthy life is a happy life. Unfortunately, we've resigned ourselves to the fact that none of us will ever eat as 100% healthily as we should. As such, it’s time to start looking at other options to fill that nutritional void in our lives. One of the best ways to do this is through the ingestion of organic whole food vitamins. Natural vitamins are far more beneficial for the human body than are their synthetic counterparts. Synthetic vitamins are also known as isolates. Isolates are single compounds unlike anything found in nature. The ingredients in whole food vitamins are derived and packed just as they would be found in the natural world, the human body knows exactly what to do with them and how to use them to the benefit of bodily function.

Whole food vitamins are designed to provide the body with the same benefits of natural raw eating. When you eat food that has not been cooked or treated, you are eating the way nature intended. Raw food provides your body with the complete amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for your body to reach its maximum potential. If you are truly interested in creating a healthier you, the research is offered online for raw, whole-food multivitamins. By embarking on a whole food vitamin regimen, not only are you filling the nutritional void brought on by the standard American lifestyle, but are also providing your body with the much-needed nutrition that will help you fight off cancers, illnesses, infection, and even extra weight.

Don't settle for feeling tired, rundown, ill, exhausted, and just plain sick and tired of being sick and tired. Instead, consider embarking on a whole food vitamin regimen. You will find a whole food vitamin regimen can turn your life around.

Don't Carry Extra Weight to the Beach This Summer!

2009-07-08T19:36:00.001-07:00

It’s summer, and most of us have already thrown in the towel for this season and have resigned ourselves to the fact that we’re just doomed to carry extra body weight to the beach ONE MORE TIME. We typically tell ourselves that we’ll start trying in the fall, for the New Year, or what have you. Still, we’re envious of those who seem to have the perfect body right NOW. Have you ever wondered how celebrities and news personalities stay so trim and fit all year round? The answer is simple. Celebrities and fitness models can afford professional consultation with the utmost respected authorities in the health and nutrition industry. Unfortunately, most of us don't have this luxury. As a result of this we spent a lot of time and money on gimmicks and gadgets that just don’t work. The good news is that we can turn that around with a little education. Read on for more information on the best ways to maintain optimal levels of health and wellness while suppressing appetite and maintaining a healthy weight.

Believe it or not, the same health principles celebrities use to maintain a sleek and sexy physique all year round can be obtained through a simple, whole foods supplementation program. Organic whole food supplements contain the same nutrients and vitamins found in organic whole foods. Subsequently, this means that the average Joe can get the very same nutritional benefits from a whole food supplement that the most popular celebrities can receive eating food prepared by the private chef or nutritionist.

It stands to reason that celebrities and other media professionals count the maintenance of optimum health as part of their job requirements. As a result of this, you can rest assured that they spend much of their time securing the best possible information and advice on maintaining their premium levels of health. To do anything else would be career suicide. After performing some extensive research, we found that the very same principles applied to the lives of these media professionals can be found through the utilization of a whole food supplement. What could be simpler than taking a vitamin each day to help maintain not only optimum levels of health, but also a sleek and sexy physique?

Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars visiting a nutritionist or dietitian when you could change your overall outlook and your physique with one quick trip to the health food store -– or better yet, one quick click of your mouse? As always, we challenge you to try a whole food supplement for mere three weeks. At the end of three weeks you will find yourself healthy, happy, and very likely several pounds lighter!

Know Your Vitamins

2009-07-04T08:30:00.001-07:00

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself “what exactly is in my vitamin?” Chances are you probably haven't. Most of us take for granted that the label on the front of our vitamin bottle is the gospel truth as to ingredients inside. Unfortunately, nine times out of ten, if you were to turn the vitamin bottle over and inspect the ingredients label, you would find a list of about 10 to 20 synthetic variants that are basically unusable by the human body. The truth is that synthetic vitamins are not designed to be 100 percent absorbable by the human body. The reason for this is the fact is that it's scientifically impossible for people to make something that found in nature. No matter how hard we try, there is no way we can completely duplicate a natural occurrence.

Something found in nature that is naturally grown and actually harvested cannot be accurately duplicated by science. It's as plain as that. We can come close -- but it is impossible for people to develop a vitamin that is as beneficial as the consumption of whole foods.

The good news is, because science has come such a long way, we are now able to turn whole foods into vitamins. This means we can process whole foods into a form that is small enough to be consumed in the form of a vitamin. The content of a whole food vitamin is not manufactured, it's not synthetic, it's 100 percent natural, 100 percent organic, and will provide humans with the same benefits they would find should they regularly consume an organic whole food diet. So while it's impossible for us to completely duplicate the process found in nature, we can tweak that process and make it beneficial to us, even should we continue to live a standard American lifestyle.

The ideal situation for health and wellness would be to embark on not only a whole food vitamin regimen, but also a whole food diet. Can you imagine the health benefits you would reap should you begin consuming, whole foods on a regular basis, as well as continue to consume a whole food vitamin? Your body would want for nothing.

The fact of the matter is that eating 100 percent healthily is impossible. If you live in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, even Asia, chances are you're eating a diet that is largely preservatives and additives. However, this diet does not mean that you are doomed to be deficient in the nutritional areas recommended by health professionals. Even as you continue to partake of your current diet, you can improve your health simply by adding a regimen of whole food vitamins into your routine.

Whole Food Calcium Supplements Might Mean Less PMS

2009-07-04T08:27:00.001-07:00

Most people are familiar with the benefits and bone-strengthening properties of calcium. Unfortunately, too few people are taking the advice! According to government statistics, a mere 21% of people are getting their daily recommended dose of calcium. According to National Academy of Sciences, “Calcium accounts for 1.5-2% of an adult's total body weight and gives your bone its strength and rigidity.” However, ladies should pay special attention because calcium is also linked to a reduction in the most commonly complained of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

It has been estimated that somewhere between 8 and 20 percent of all women suffer from some form of PMS with symptoms ranging from mild mood changes, cramps, water retention and breast tenderness to severe cramps and anxiety. There is no concrete evidence to support the theory as of yet, but the current scientific indication is that the female body suppresses hormones that cause PMS if calcium stores are satisfactory, but will release these premenstrual hormones if the female is not getting adequate calcium. Women suffering from these typical symptoms of PMS usually have higher levels of PMS-manifesting hormones during a regular menstrual cycle.

Recent studies published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology indicted that, out of the 497 women who participated in the study, the women who took 600 mg supplements of calcium twice a day had far fewer PMS related issues than did the women who took a placebo supplement. According to the publications concerning the study, “The calcium group women noted a 54% reduction in commonly occurring aches and pains, while the placebo group actually had a 15% increase in commonly occurring pain symptoms. The overall severity of symptoms was reduced by 48% in the calcium group and improvement in the calcium group surpassed that of the placebo group in every category studied, both psychological and physical, and in 15 of the 17 symptoms evaluated.”

If you’re currently suffering from symptoms of PMS, why not consider a whole food calcium supplement? You just might find the relief you’ve been hoping for in one easy capsule. Quality calcium supplements are relatively inexpensive and may mean a world of difference in the way you feel!

Are you a skeptic?

2009-06-15T20:54:00.001-07:00

When it comes to making healthy changes to your lifestyle, including diet and exercise, are you skeptical about just how significant an impact these changes can have on your health and well being? Do you wonder if taking immune boosting supplements and eating whole foods is mostly hype, and more a marketing gimmick for companies to make money? When you purchase a substandard quality of products, or do not get sage advice about how to use supplements and incorporate healthy eating and exercise into your lifestyle, you are right to question whether there will be any personal value to you. When you purchase your products through Christine’s Cleanse Corner, you can rest assured that you will only receive the highest quality merchandise, the best and most complete information about lifestyle changes and suggested products, and information that supports the use of these products and the introduction of a consistent exercise routine.

Christine Dreher, a nutritionist, herbalist and author, as well as the founder of Christine’s Cleanse Corner, encourages you to ask questions. She wants you to be involved in the process of modifying your life to promote greater health and well being. She wants you to enter her site with lots of questions and leave with all of your answers and more. The author of The Cleanse Cookbook, Christine Dreher started the company in 1995 and has a competent staff of experts who field and answer customers’ questions, recommend products and lead them to educational resources, when appropriate.

Often times people ask the questions: “What are whole foods and why are they important?” To provide the simplest, yet most complete answer; whole foods are foods that are unrefined and unprocessed. These foods are the most nutritionally dense, packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, antioxidants and micronutrients. The human body needs these powerful ingredients to stay well and fight off illness; however, in our modern diets of fast food and high calorie and fatty cuisine, we often do not get enough whole food ingredients, thus do not maintain proper nutrition levels and need to take dietary supplementation. These dietary supplements do help optimize health and energy; however, eating nutrient-rich foods, too, is a necessary step to take. Getting regular exercise allows your body to properly use the nutrients it takes in, thus strengthening your immune system and making your body work more efficiently. Whether you decide to use any of the products available on the site—Garden of Life, New Chapter, Mt. Capra, MyChelle natural skin care products—you can be sure that they have been well researched and their efficacy has been well established. And some trial sizes and pre-mixed packs are available for purchase, to make “trying and seeing” products affordable and easy.

Probiotics are the answer to health questions

2009-06-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

I never realized by making such simple changes, I could so drastically improve the quality of my life, and my general health and well being. Several months ago, I learned about the Beyond Probiotics Web site. I had been searching for ways to naturally increase my energy and stamina, as well as improve my overall health. I started reading about the benefits of eating whole foods, such as organically grown foods that are rich in essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and micronutrients. Through the online advice offered by herbalist, nutritionist and author Chrstine Dreher, founder of Christine’s Cleanse Corner Inc., I have been able to take charge of my health and my life. I even read the book, Restoring Your Digestive Health Program, written by Jordan Rubin, which was filled with so much insight and relevant information. I have recommended it to my family, my friends and my coworkers.

The products available through Christine’s Cleanse Corner are of the best quality. I really appreciate the fact that the site provides a details description of each of the products it offers for sale, as well as specific information about the ingredients. Currently, I use New Chapter’s line of specialized probiotics, Mt. Capra’s CaproBiotic probiotics and CapraZyme digestive enzyme. Using these products has made a significant difference in how I feel, as well as how I function day-to-day and how I look. I don’t just look and feel better, I feel younger than I have in years.

I have been so pleased with the probiotics that I purchased that I decided to give the MyChelle line of skin care products a chance. I have always been told that my skin looks so pale and dull, and almost grayish at times. So, I decided to check out the skin care line and find out what was available that might improve my appearance. I have gotten wonderful results and people tell me all the time now what beautiful skin I have. I currently use the apple brightening cleanser, the apple brightening mist, the apple brightening peel and the apple brightening serum, as well as the fresh eyes cream. I also use the bare foot treatment, the hand cream, the Love Your Lips in pasticcio coconut, Sun Shield for sun protection and the Lip Plumping Treatment in pina colada. I am so in love with the skin care line that I even purchased MyChelle samplers for both of my sisters, my two nieces, my mother and my mother-in-law.

Free advice from Nutritionist, Herbalist, Author worth so much

2009-06-10T20:16:00.001-07:00

Free advice from a health-care provider or a lawyer or a professional can be worth its weight in gold. That’s why when you get advice from Christine Dreher through Christine’s Cleanse Corner, you should treasure it and follow it. The harsh reality is that most people in the

U.S.

and around the world do not get enough of a variety of whole foods dense in nutrients in order to maintain proper levels of nutrition. Modern diets lack nutrition and are full of processed or fatty foods that have little value and an overabundance of calories. In order to maintain a healthy body and mind, it is essential that you consume the right amounts of quality whole foods, which include the right type of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other micronutrients. You can be sure that the vitamin supplements that you purchase through Christine’s Cleanse Corner will contain essential micronutrients, including phytonutrients or phytochemicals, which work with the vitamins and minerals in your body to promote proper synthesis. Synthesis is the combination of two or more elements to help establish something new—a unification.

Christine’s Cleanse Corner offers a great introduction to the power of whole foods, as well as to a world of products and merchandise that can vastly improve their lives and the quality of their mental and physical well being. Drawing from the wisdom of food researcher and Ph.D. Vic Shayne, the site explains how whole food nutrition requires that individuals consume natural products. He stated, “Since whole food ingredients are natural, they contain a host of nutrients that exist within a complex. A food complex includes not only vitamins and minerals, but also many cofactors (helper nutrients) that are found in nature’s foods as a result of the evolutionary process. Cofactors and food complexes therefore cannot be made in a laboratory nor can they be duplicated by scientists.”

The supplements made available for sale through Christine’s Cleanse Corner are the product of the fermentation of whole foods. This allows the manufacturers to maintain product integrity and ensure that the vitamins, minerals, terpenes, trace mineral activators, enzymes, co-enzymes, chlorophyll, lipids, essential fatty acids, fiber, carotenoids, antioxidants, flavonoids, pigments, amino acids, whole proteins and other ingredients are present; whereas, these important nutritional components cannot be included in lab created supplements. Research supports that these biological components are necessary for the body and mind to properly function, as well as to cleanse the body of inside and outside toxins. These natural ingredients work together to feed the body’s cells and promote each other’s positive work within the human body.

Christine’s Cleanse Corner helped me gain control

2009-06-10T10:21:00.001-07:00

I am a 45-year-old woman who has always struggled with weight. I have a great husband and two beautiful daughters ages 15 and 13. For as long as I can remember, I have used food as comfort. Through research I conducted at Christine’s Cleanse Corner, I have learned how to use food as a fuel for my body, in order to get the nutrition I need to achieve the goals in my life; to harness my positive energy to fulfill my daily commitments and obligations, as well as take advantage of the many opportunities that surround me. I have started taking a morning yoga class three times a week, and about three months ago, I began walking with my husband every evening. Once I learned the secret to proper nutrition, other elements of my life started to fall into place.

It all started last summer when I took my daughters to the local outdoor pool. When I took off my towel to step into the water, I noticed they avoided being around me. My excessive weight embarrassed them. I was devastated and hurt. I realized then that I needed to do something to address my weight problem. Christine Dreher, a nutritionist, author and herbalist showed me how to change my life in a positive way through her wonderful site, Christine’s Cleanse Corner. I learned how whole foods are the best source of nutrition for the body, and that the best source of nutrition is vitamins and minerals. Now, I pay attention to what I put into my mouth. I choose whole foods that contain necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other micronutrients to improve my health and well being.

Also, I have begun the Perfect Weight America program, which has been such a blessing in my life and has truly made a difference. The program has educated me about how to change my diet and my life by helping me eat for my “perfect weight,” and how to customize my plan according to my body type, age, gender and geographic region. I have been able to maximize my intake of nutrients, while lowering my calorie consumption. This has helped me engage in healthy weight loss. I have also figured out the importance of eating and cleansing my body with the seasons. Perfect WeightAmerica, through Garden of Life — a reputable, high-quality brand of whole food and holistic products. I have incorporated regular exercise into my life, as well as learned the importance of nutritional supplements and eliminating toxins from inside and outside the body. I have been able to reduce my overall stress, find time to get more rest and focus more on myself and my mind, body and spirit. It is a summer later, and my daughters now look to me as an inspirational role model, which is how it should be.

Change your life one step at a time

2009-06-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Visit Christine’s Cleanse Corner and find out how you can change your health and your life one step at a time. When you take living multi-vitamins that contain probiotics produced by whole food fermentation, you can rest easy knowing that you are helping to restore the natural digestive balance in your body. This simple step will not only improve your digestive health; it will help fortify your immune system against illness and disease. You can strengthen your body and mind, as well as reduce inflammation in your body, when you take the right herbal and/or dietary supplements. Christine’s Cleanse Corner arms you with the right information, allowing you to feel confident that you are making an educated decision when it comes to choosing products. And merchandise for sale on the site is not only of the highest quality; it is extremely affordable. Whether you are using FYI Ultra, OmegaZyme Ultra, MR-10 Ultra, Goatein, Perfect Food Original, Perfect Meal, Super Seed, Super Seed Fiber, Fucoprotein, Capra Cleanse, Mineral Goat Whey, MyChelle Natural Skin Care products, coenzyme B food complex, Every Kid Vitamins, all flora probiotic, Cinnamonforce, Supercritical DHA 100 or any of the other multitude of products available through the site, you can breathe easy knowing that the products are tirelessly tried and tested to ensure the ultimate efficacy and safety. You can read the Life Bridge Book and the Vitamin Code Book to learn more about what steps you can take – small or large – to improve the quality of your life. You will be amazed at the array of products and the wealth of information available through the site about each and every one. There is a section that contains articles about the benefits of individual ingredients that are found in the products, as well. It’s like your very own private virtual library. There is a link to testimonials so you can see other people’s experiences and suggestions. You can also contact someone through Christine’s Cleanse Corner with your questions. Whether you are perusing health topics or looking for just the right article to address concerns, you will be amazed and pleasantly surprised by all that Christine’s Cleanse Corner has to offer. The site will educate and enlighten you. And if you’d rather speak to someone, you can call one of the knowledgeable, experienced customer service staff members to get the answers you seek. In business for more than 13 years, you can depend on the information you receive through Christine’s Cleanse Corner, which was established by Christine Dreher, nutritionist, herbalist and author of The Cleanse Cookbook.

Changing your life is simpler than you think

2009-06-08T13:53:00.001-07:00

I decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle, but still had some reservations. I had read about the benefits of incorporating whole foods into your diet and about three months ago, I stopped eating all fast food and processed foods. It was a huge change. In fact, I didn’t realize how big of a change it would be. I used to only eat fast food about once a week, and I really had no idea how much processed foods I was consuming. I replaced the unhealthy, fatty, processed foods that were loaded with carcinogens and useless carbohydrates with foods that contain essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and micronutrients. These healthy components are so necessary to establish and maintain good health. The products I found through Garden of Life at Christine’s Corner Inc. online have given me such a sense of confidence and control as I have begun my new life. I feel great. I no longer feel like collapsing when I get home from work most nights. I have lost weight. I have energy and stamina to work all day, make a quick dinner, run the kids to soccer practice, have a nice chat with my husband when he gets home and THEN go to bed. I feel so alive and so ready to conquer the day when I wake up each morning.

I have introduced my family to the Garden of Life products as well. We all take high-quality whole food vitamins and supplements to maintain good physical, as well as mental health and well being. Because they are made mostly from organically grown nutrients that are packed with whole foods from all over the world, you know that you are buying and using a high-quality product. The probiotics available in many of Garden of Life products are produced through the Poten-Zyme fermentation process, which makes these nutrients more easily absorbed in your body.

Friends and family have noticed the changes in me and my family and have asked me for the secret. I steer them to Christine’s Corner for more information on great products. We also use the MyChelle line of skin care products. The all natural skin care products are plant-based and infused with essential oils, antioxidants and antimicrobial extracts. I know that the products I order through Christine’s Corner will be reasonably priced and of the highest quality. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for ways to embrace natural living and a healthier life.