Month: June 2010

Nutritionists have known for a long time that seafood is a low-fat source of high-quality protein. Eating seafood is one of the best choices for children, adults, and the aging population, and the health benefits are simply amazing. In fact, many studies have shown that eating seafood can decrease your risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, hypertension, and even decrease, or in some cases, total reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is a process in which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals help protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.

“When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body are released into the blood or affected tissues. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection and may result in redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling. This process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.” [2]

The immune system, a complex array of organs, tissues and specialized cells, protects us from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens and from harmful insiders, such as infected cells and toxins. However, the immune system is not segregated (immune) from disease that attacks the human body.

“Several chronic diseases involve the immune system. The most common are rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis (an inflammatory skin condition), and some allergies. In these conditions the immune system overacts and the inflammation that results contributes to the disease symptoms – painful joints, itchy skin, swelling, redness, wheezing, etc. These overactive immune responses can be toned down by the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. For this reason, the oils in fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, rainbow trout, and sardines, can be helpful in reducing the severity of the symptoms of these conditions. Omega-3s cannot prevent or cure these conditions, but they may make a noticeable improvement in the discomfort associated with them.”[1]

A diet that consists of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can provide an added benefit one needs to ward off disease and illness. However, many people may not like fish. If that’s the case, there are plenty of omega-3 supplements.

One Omega-3 supplement that I’m thinking of, contains a premier and unique blend of four different types of the most highly regarded Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) oils – Fish, Flaxseed, Evening Primrose and Perilla Seed. It also uses only contaminant-free fish oil that has undergone a 10 stage distilling process.

Start taking control of your health by adding omega-3 to your diet. Take advantage of what the nutritionists have known for a very long time – fish, high in omega-3 fatty acids, is needed to maintain a health body.

You can find additional information on Omega-3 supplements and many other nutritional products by going to My TriVita Product Site.

Jeffrey Sloe
Independent TriVita Business Owner – #12871028
440-725-3729

The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources
[1] http://www.alaskaseafood.org/health/documents/staying_healthy.pdf
[2] [3] www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-inflammation

Healthy Food Choices

I know many of you have been trying to lose weight ever since your new year’s resolution, and if you’re like most people, it’s been a struggle. Why is it that losing weight is so hard? Why do so many people struggle with their weight? Well, it may be that you are not receiving the proper information, thus you are not educated enough on the “mechanics of weight loss.”

There are certain things you need to know about your body and what it takes to lose weight. It’s quite possible that this is what you’ve been missing. And, who better to explain weight loss than TriVita’s Chief Science Officer, Brazos Minshew. I’ve posted his latest Wellness Report article below.

Tools for Summertime Weight Loss
by Brazos Minshew

Nearly half of all people in North America make a resolution at the beginning of the year to lose weight. The next most common time for embarking on a weight-loss program is in the summertime: the “swimsuit season.” So now is the perfect time for an encouraging article on how to reach your weight-loss goals.

Unfortunately, being overweight is not simply an ornamental problem; it’s not simply about how we look. It is about how well we are. It’s about how much energy we have for the people we love, and how much vitality we have for the commitments we make. It’s about how successful or unsuccessful we will be at reaching our goals and living a life of purpose and meaning. It’s that serious.

Mechanics of weight loss

Let’s review several steps for weight loss that we have gathered from expert sources:

1. Find your Ideal Body Weight range using the Body Mass Index chart below.

2. Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) using the calculator below. This is the amount of energy you burn at rest. Reduce your daily calorie intake to match this number.

3. Decide how much weight you want to lose each week. Please understand, weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week is unrealistic and probably dangerous. Your goal is to lose fat; rapid weight loss usually comes from water (which you need), muscle (which you need) and bone (yes, you need that too!).

4. Get started: Reduce your caloric intake to match your BMR and increase your activity to burn 1/2 to 2 pounds of fat per week.

• Always eat breakfast.
• Never eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
• Morning exercise is better than evening exercise, but both are good.
• Never consume more than 400 calories in an hour.
• Eat according to an organized plan. For example, The South Beach Diet, Eat More – Weigh Less by Dean Ornish, The Sonoma Diet (my favorite Mediterranean diet plan), etc.
• Do both aerobic and resistance exercises most days of the week to meet your fat loss goals.

Remember, your sense of purpose will dictate your actions step by step!

Speed bumps

Somewhere along the way you are going to experience discouragement, disappointment or despondency. It may be when you hit a weight loss plateau. It may be when you see others doing what you used to do and the old habits pull at your heart. It may be when those inner voices – I call them my “counsel of critics” – start to tell you lies about failure and success. What do you do when you hit a speed bump?

The answer to this question does not lie in the “how – when – what” of weight loss. The answer lies in the “why.” Your personal “why” gives you energy. It inspires you, motivates you and drives you to complete your journey.

Supplements for weight loss

Some supplements are also an important part of weight loss. In many people they represent the critical difference between success and failure in lifetime weight control. However, you must always remember that they are supplements; they supplement a diet and exercise program. Use them wisely as an important part of your total wellness program.

Remember to let your desire fuel your action; let your actions harmonize with your sense of purpose. Simply be resolved to live a life of purpose and you will have the energy to get beyond the speed bumps. ** END of ARTICLE **

Ok, now that you have a better understanding of the “mechanics of weight loss”, what are you going to do about it? Are you struggling with your weight? Are you looking to shed a few pounds so you can finally look good in your swimsuit? Well then, it’s time to take action! Mr. Minshew has laid the foundation, but it’s up to you to get started. No one can do it for you. Weight loss is personal, and until you take the necessary action to finally loss weight, nothing’s going to happen. So, let’s get started!

To learn more about TriVita’s weight loss system, click on the previous link.

Jeffrey Sloe
Independent TriVita Business Owner – 12871028
440-725-3729
Visit My TriVita Business Site

The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Vitamin D has always been called the sunshine vitamin. However, is it advantageous to spend large amounts of time in the sun? Is the sun harmful to your body? If the answer is yes, on the safe side, how much time can we spend in the sun?

Some of these answers will be answered in the article, To Sun or Not to Sun: The Benefits and Risks by Brazos Minshew, TriVita’s Chief Science Officer. I’ve posted the complete article below, and added some links so you can learn more about vitamin d, and other TriVita products.

To Sun or Not to Sun: The Benefits and Risks by Brazos Minshew

Humans have existed on earth for many thousands of years. Until recently, we spent entire days in the sun. Now, physicians and scientists say that sun exposure is “bad” for us. Is that true? When did the sun become our enemy? How much is enough and what is the best way to maintain balance when it comes to sun exposure?

Sunlight: crucial for life, health and happiness!

• Life – Sunlight is crucial for life because all life on earth depends (to a greater or lesser extent) upon photosynthesis. This is the process in green plants by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. Most forms of photosynthesis release oxygen as a byproduct.
• Health – Sunlight is crucial for health because sunlight creates Vitamin D as it interacts with our skin.
• Happiness – Sunlight is crucial for happiness because sunlight activates hormones in the brain that create a sense of euphoria.

Humans are diurnal: we are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. We are designed to live in sunlight. Our skin interacts with sunlight to create Vitamin D, an essential part of our metabolism.

Vitamin D interacts with our bones to make them hard; without Vitamin D we get soft, deformed bones (rickets). Later in life we are at risk for osteoporosis if we have low levels of Vitamin D. This means if your bones are tender, or if you have a low blood level of Vitamin D, you may need to increase your sun exposure (see the “Take Control of Your Health” section below). Vitamin D also interacts with our hormones to balance our blood sugar. And it activates our immune system to help protect against cancer. Vitamin D is good for us in many ways. So it stands to reason that sunlight would be good for us too, wouldn’t it?

The Dark Side of light

Sunlight activates melanocytes. These are pigment-containing cells in our skin that help protect us from too much sun – and too much Vitamin D – by turning dark. Most people will “tan” or darken in the sun. If the sun exposure is prolonged or too intense for this melanocyte system, we will “burn.”

Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative stress similar to radiation burns from exposure to nuclear material. That’s because the sun itself is a huge nuclear furnace. A radiation burn from the sun can start a chain reaction in the melanocyte and other cells. This may lead to cancer in a year or two or in a decade or two. Oxidative stress from sunburn is insidious and dangerous.

Where’s the balance?

The skyrocketing incidence of diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers definitely says that we are not getting enough Vitamin D. And the increasing incidence of insomnia and seasonal depression says that we are not getting enough early morning sun.
We need more sunlight. But how do we make it safe?

Safe sun exposure

First, it’s important to recognize both the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the high ultraviolet rays that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of over exposure.

Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the late afternoon with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the late afternoon than at midday. So either early morning or late afternoon sun will provide you with many of the same benefits, while decreasing your risk of over exposure.

As for midday sun, never expose your skin to it for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.

Nutrients for healthy skin

Certain nutrients work well to protect against sun damage. Essential fatty acids interact with Vitamin D in your skin to help protect against harmful radiation. Vitamin C helps quench smoldering fires of oxidative stress once they have begun. Antioxidants, such as green tea and those found in berries, help protect against DNA damage from radiation. All these are excellent nutrients for dealing with the stress of too much sun.

So, is the sun our enemy? It can be if we are not careful! For most of us, however, sunlight may be the difference between good and poor health; or even between life and death! Get your sunlight, but be careful – too much of a good thing can cause trouble.

*** End of Article ***

Just like in any other aspect of our lives, moderation is the key, and since the sun is important, you need to have some exposure to the sunshine. However, many of us may not get enough sunshine, especially if you live in the northern hemisphere. Our summers are short and the winters are long, which leads to a shortage of sunshine, especially in the winter months. I believe it’s important to add a vitamin d supplement to your diet. There are a lot of great vitamin d and calcium supplements in the marketplace.

Some vitamin D supplements provide, five forms of chelated calcium, over 20 bone-fortifying vitamins and minerals, 100% RDI of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Vitamin D, and Chlorophyll-coated tablets that protect valuable nutrients, time-releasing optimal absorption.

To learn more about vitamin D, click on the previous link.

Jeffrey Sloe
TriVita Independent Business Owner, 12871028
Visit My TriVita Business Site

The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.