The Wellness Times
Phytonutrients Revolutionize the Daily Multi...
by Eric Robert Santiago on 02/07/13
Your body uses more than just vitamins and minerals. Scientific opinion on daily nutritional supplementation is changing, with evidence suggesting that a multi that contains only vitamins and minerals may not be enough. In addition to essential nutrients, plants also contain thousands of phytonutrients that are known to support the body in multiple ways. Eating plans that are rich in phytonutrients from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices are associated with increased health and longevity.
Get multiple benefits from multiple phytonutrients. Scientists continue to uncover the many health benefits of phytonutrients, such as resveratrol, lutein, lycopene, citrus bioflavonoids, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Individual phytonutrients target different health systems to promote healthy functioning. They also complement other phytonutrients (and vitamins and minerals) to support the body in general ways like protecting cells from oxidative stress that can increase with age, pollutants, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and even certain processes with the body itself. Phytonutrients can also help protect the stability of the delicate genetic programming information in a cell (DNA) against damage that can negatively affect functioning and overall health. Similarly, phytonutrients can enhance cell-to-cell communication in favor of "healthy" signals to help the body run the way it should.
How many phytonutrients (and how much) do I need? There are no established daily intake requirements, but health experts already recommend eating a wide variety of colorful, plant-based foods to supply essential nutrients plus a broad spectrum of phytonutrients. When choosing a daily multi that contains phytonutrients, it's important to know that there's a scientific design and testing to support the combination of phytonutrients it contains.
How much do you know about Probiotics?
by Eric Robert Santiago on 01/28/13
How Much Do You Know About Probiotics? Awareness of the benefits of
probiotics is growing. “For life” is the literal translation of the
Greek-derived term probiotic, and a pretty good summation of its
benefits as well. Because a true probiotic supplement only contains
“good” strains of bacteria to help support digestive health and comfort,
as well as healthy immune system function—all that affect your quality
of living. Probiotics are no longer reserved for use only when digestive
symptoms appear. As more people understand their value, probiotics are
increasing in popularity as a proactive daily health maintenance
routine. In fact, a 2010 survey by MaCorr Research found that nearly 75%
of the 2000 American adult respondents correctly identified that
probiotics help support the natural balance of intestinal
microorganisms. What defines a true probiotic? The incredible growth of
probiotic products may seem like a good thing. Except a number of
so-called probiotics fail to meet recognized criteria, such as strain
identification, purity testing, and confirmation of beneficial and safe
use. Or they may be formulated with strains of bacteria without an
adequate amount of human research. In either case, you might not get the
health support you expect. Get personalized probiotic support.
Different probiotic strains have unique benefits and are useful for
specific applications to meet individual needs. Call today to schedule
an appointment and learn more about selecting the right probiotic for
you. Visit us at: www.vibranthealthcompany.meta-ehealth.com
Free Wellness Newsletter...
by Eric Robert Santiago on 01/24/13
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L-theanine for STRESS!
by Eric Robert Santiago on 01/22/13
Of all the supplements that the great and powerful Oz has spoken about on his popular syndicated TV show, L-theanine has elicited some of the most exciting responses from his viewers and consequently, our customers. Let's face it, unless your name is Cheech, and you've got an alternative strategy, almost everyone must manage a certain amount of stress in their lives, and a supplement that can help us cope with this stress, especially in these uncertain economic times is L-theanine.
L-theanine is a free (non-protein) amino acid found almost exclusively in tea plants, constituting between 1 and 2-percent of the dry weight of tea leaves. It is the predominant amino acid in green tea leaves, giving tea its characteristic umami or 5th taste (besides the four traditional tastes: sweet, salty, acid, and bitter). Attempts to isolate the L-theanine, with its physical and neurological benefits, from the tea leaves were once difficult, expensive, and inefficient. Economically feasible methods of producing the identical L-theanine now exist and do not require a mountain of tea leaves.
Green tea’s calming effect may seem contradictory to the stimulatory property of tea’s caffeine content but it can be explained by the action of L-theanine. This amino acid actually acts antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine on the nervous system.
First, research on human volunteers has demonstrated that L-theanine creates a sense of relaxation in approximately 30-40 minutes after ingestion via at least two different mechanisms. First, this amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation. Second, L-theanine is involved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect.
The regulation of blood pressure is partly dependent upon catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons in both the brain and the peripheral nervous system. Studies on spontaneously hypertensive rats showed an impressive blood pressure lowering effect with L-theanine. The lowered blood pressure effect was dose-dependent with the highest test dose creating the most significant drop. L-glutamine was used as one of the controls. Although L-glutamine is similar in chemical structure to L-theanine, it did not exhibit an anti-hypertensive effect. Preliminary studies report that L-theanine has been found to increase the anti-tumor activity of some chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin and idarubicin) and to ameliorate some of the side effects of these drugs. It appears to increase the inhibitory concentration of these drugs in the tumor cells, although the mechanism is not known. At the same time, L-theanine decreased oxidative stress caused by these agents on the normal cells, possibly due to its mild antioxidant activity.
Stress and anxiety are debilitating conditions that upset the balance of our hormones leading to a loss of our well-being, performance—even lifespan. Stress impairs the immune system, leaving us vulnerable to opportunistic infections, and can cause depression. In 1998, pharmaceutical sales of anti-anxiety drugs totaled over 700 million dollars, while sales of antidepressants totaled close to 5 billion dollars! People under stress can mitigate many of the harmful effects of stress with L-theanine without becoming sedated in the process. It should be noted that if an individual were already relaxed, taking L-theanine would not produce further relaxation.
Research into L-theanine is derived from the contradictory observation that green tea, with its high caffeine content, produces a very calming effect. The seemingly multi-dimensional reasons for this relaxation effect will continue to be studied. Current areas of ongoing research include using L-theanine to calm hyperactivity in children and adults, as support for PMS sufferers, to support healthy blood pressure levels, to sharpen mental acuity and concentration, and as an anti-cancer agent alone and in synergy with other cancer-fighting agents. L-theanine may find another area of application in reducing the negative side effects of caffeine brought on by the over-consumption of coffee, soft drinks, or other caffeine-containing substances.
The Medical Food Difference
by Eric Robert Santiago on 12/20/12
Looking for a different disease management approach? Medical foods are scientifically formulated from extracted or combined food components including macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals), and phytonutrients (beneficial compounds in plants and herbs) to nutritionally support the management of a specific disease or condition, and are to be used under the supervision of a physician or other licensed healthcare practitioner. A powdered beverage mix or bar may be required to deliver the number, types, and volume of nutrients that define it as a medical food. But that doesn't mean that ordinary nutritional powders or bars can replace medical foods. The Metagenics medical food difference. Metagenics has been an industry leader in the formulation, manufacture, and testing of medical foods for over 20 years. These exceptional formulas were developed through extensive laboratory and clinical research to deliver novel and patented ingredients in unique combinations. Metagenics medical foods offer a safe, personalized approach to many common chronic illnesses with no serious adverse effects reported to date. Metagenics offers research-based medical foods made to the highest quality standards to provide exceptional nutritional support for the dietary management of a variety of conditions, such as: ArginCor—peripheral artery disease Estrium®—premenstrual syndrome UltraClear® Plus pH—chronic fatigue syndrome UltraClear RENEW—fibromyalgia UltraClear® SUSTAIN—leaky gut syndrome UltraInflamX® Plus 360°—inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) UltraMeal® & UltraMeal® Bar—metabolic syndrome (altered body composition, insulin resistance, central obesity) UltraMeal® Plus 360°—metabolic syndrome & cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol) Visit us online at: www.innovative-nutrition.net |
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