The Wellness Times
CoQ10, healthy aging, and you
by Eric Robert Santiago on 08/28/12
CoQ10 levels decline with age and other factors. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or ubiquinone is a vitamin-like, antioxidant compound necessary for you bodys cells to produce energy. This makes CoQ10 especially important in areas like the continually pumping heart. Although your body makes most of the CoQ10 it needs, production gradually slows after age 20. By age 40, CoQ10 levels in the heart may decline by 32% Furthermore, certain medicationsincluding diuretics and statins (for cholesterol)also reduce CoQ10.
Getting more CoQ10 is a challenge, but vital for healthy aging. CoQ10 also promotes healthy cell growth and maintenanceincluding protection against potentially harmful free radicals that can "speed up" the aging process by contributing to declining function and disease development. Food sources of CoQ10 are limited (primarily protein sources and vegetable oils) and provide only small amounts the body can't absorb easily. Supplements may also be difficult to absorb due to CoQ10's "fat-loving" properties. CoQ10 is also extremely volatile (sensitive to heat, light, and air), which dictates careful manufacturing and handling to maintain stability.
CoQ10 supplements with greater absorption potential offer greater success. Not all CoQ10 supplements are created equal. But those designed for better absorption can help you get more at a potentially lower dose. (This also makes them a better value.) Recent advancements include making CoQ10 particles smaller and/or more water-soluble for easier absorption and use throughout the body. Other advancements in CoQ10 delivery have led to a variety of product forms that help meet individual preferences: liquid, soft gels, and even chewable gels.
Lowering your Cholesterol Naturally.
by Eric Robert Santiago on 08/18/12
Concerned about your blood pressure or cholesterol levels? High blood pressure (hypertension) and blood lipid conditions (high triglycerides; high LDL “bad” cholesterol; low HDL “good” cholesterol) are early steps in the development of more serious diseases (metabolic syndrome, heart disease, type 2 diabetes) or cardiac events. Keeping blood pressure and blood lipids (fats) under control are one of the best health “ensurance” policies you can have.
Personalized nutritional support can help. While genetic factors (like family health history) play a role in developing blood pressure/lipid conditions, they're often preventable, manageable, and even reversible. Leading health organizations now recommend changing lifestyle habits—reducing body fat, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and eating healthy—before trying more aggressive therapeutic agents that can lead to serious adverse events with long-term use. Nutritional recommendations, such as concentrated fish oil supplements and condition-specific medical foods, are designed to make lifestyle recommendations for these conditions work even better...and faster!
Get some helpful advice and support. When it comes to improving chronic disease risk factors, it's hard to know what steps to take on your own. What should you eat? What nutritional supplements do you need? Where can you get them? We can help you go in the right direction. In fact, research often shows greater success for patients who have support and guidance from a healthcare professional than for those who try to go it alone.
Red Yeast Rice. Red yeast rice has gotten a lot of attention recently for its promise as a natural way to support healthy cholesterol balance. With the list of dangers associated with conventional methods for controlling cholesterol continuing to grow, many people are beginning to look for natural cholesterol balancing alternatives.
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Get relief for inflammatory pain without the risk.
by Eric Robert Santiago on 08/11/12
Many approaches for chronic inflammation can be a real pain. Autoimmune disorders are often characterized by recurring inflammation and pain that seemingly take over and control every part of your life. Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation carry potential adverse effects, including increased risk to infection, bone mineral loss, or elevated blood pressure or blood sugar. And nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or the more selective COX-2-specific agents have been linked to a higher likelihood of autoimmune disease exacerbationin addition to other serious and well-known risks to the stomach, heart, and other organs.
A safer approach for relief without the worry. The rise in chronic inflammatory diseases is attributed to modern lifestyles. Diet and environmental toxins can increase tissue damage and inflammatory mediators, as well as disturb gut flora that contributes to immune system function. In fact, many patients with chronic inflammatory conditions also discover that certain foods can exacerbate their symptoms. Modifying your diet can help, along with support from UltraInflamX® PLUS 360? Medical Food. This clinically evaluated medical food is specifically designed to support the management of inflammatory bowel disease, and contains a powerful blend of nutrients designed to work with your body to inhibit triggers for recurring inflammation and pain. It gently addresses underlying causes without interfering with vital body activities, so you can use it every day. It also supplies nutrients that may help those who have trouble absorbing key vitamins/minerals due to intestinal inflammation.
Detox with UltraClear & UltraClear Renew
by Eric Robert Santiago on 08/08/12Get a fresh start for promoting a healthy body composition with the new UltraClear program. Feeling out-of-sorts isn’t the best way to start (or re-start) a healthy body composition program when motivation is key. Low energy, foggy thinkin
Step 1: Get cleaner & healthier with a 10-day metabolic detoxification program. A quick “spring cleaning” may be just what you need to feel more energized and revitalized. UltraClear includes a variety of science-based nutritional regimens that are easy to follow and support the body’s natural detoxification activities. One is just right for you.*
Step 2: Get leaner & healthier with a comprehensive body composition program. Promoting a healthy body composition is a way of life, and it’s a lot easier with the right support—including professional supervision and targeted nutritional support to meet your specific health needs. UltraClear offers a wide range of personalized nutritional options, along with easy-to-follow eating plans and simple exercise guidelines. And follow-up visits help us monitor your progress and adjust your nutritional plan to help you achieve your long-term health goals.
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A 4-Point Plan for Protecting Active Joints
by Eric Robert Santiago on 08/07/12
Joint pain doesn’t have to be a natural consequence of growing older. By using a combination of new discoveries and time-tested therapies, you can help keep your joints
1. Lighten Up to Get Moving
If you’re overweight, losing some extra pounds is the place to start to help keep your joints performing their best and to prevent arthritis from setting in. Exercise is a key player in preserving healthy joint function by strengthening the muscles around the joints, enhancing local circulation, and raising levels of natural pain killers.
Be joint-friendly: While high-impact sports are not likely to cause arthritis, they can make cranky joints feel worse. Focus on exercises that minimize impact on the weight-bearing joints, like swimming, cycling, and walking. Remember to warm up with gentle stretches or add yoga to your routine to get the most out of your workout and to reduce the chance of injury.
2. Eat Your Way to Healthier Joints
What you eat affects how your joints feel and function. Certain foods are thought to cause inflammation in the body, increasing pain and interfering with the healing process.
The brighter, the better when picking produce: Colorful fruits and veggies contain powerful antioxidants that may combat inflammation. Feed your palate with the rich hues of blueberries, mango, kale, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and pomegranate.
Fit in some fish: Adding fish to your diet at least twice a week is a good idea. Rich in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, wild-caught salmon and farmed rainbow trout are good picks.
Think before you eat: Foods in the nightshade family—tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and potatoes—can make joint pain worse for some people with osteoarthritis. If you have this kind of arthritis, try avoiding these foods for a couple of months to see if your symptoms improve. Some doctors have observed that sugar, meat, and dairy may also negatively affect joints. The meat and milk from grass-fed cows are actually high in omega-3 fatty acids (much like fish); grain-fed cows, however, produce meat and milk that is high in a specific type of fatty acid (arachidonic acid) that may be pro-inflammatory. Choose 100% grass-fed meat and dairy products, and opt for unrefined sweeteners like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, and rapadura (dehydrated cane juice).
3. Consider supplements
With so many choices on the market for joint pain, here are some tips for finding the best bets for keeping your joints feeling supple:
Glucosamine sulfate/Chondroitan sulfate (GS/CS): These supplements can help improve joint function and lessen osteoarthritis pain. GS is the building block for the synthesis and repair of joint cartilage, and supplementation may relieve osteoarthritis symptoms and sometimes halt disease progression. CS is a similar molecule that may actually help heal the joints over time in people with osteoarthritis. It also significantly decreases pain and improves joint mobility. Recommended dosages: 1,500 mg per day of GS; 1,200 mg per day of CS.
Anatabine: Derived from a plant alkaloid, manufacturers have started marketing this supplement claiming anti-inflammatory effects. Until more is known about the safety and effectiveness of this supplement, people should check with their doctor.
Capsaicin cream: A cream made from an extract of cayenne pepper containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin can reduce joint pain and tenderness. Apply four times per day to affected joints for two to four weeks; decrease as symptoms improve.
Herbal aid: Plant-based remedies have been used for centuries to help ease joint pain. Look for products containing some or all of the following: boswellia, cat’s claw, ginger, holy basil, and turmeric. These herbs may facilitate the removal of proinflammatory substances from the body and shift the balance to those that promote tissue healing and calm inflammation.
Seaweed extract: Some seaweed extract products have shown promising results for treating joint discomfort and reducing the need for pain-relieving medications in people with arthritis.
4. Create a Home Spa
At the end of a busy day, take the time to nourish your body from the outside, too.
Soak away the pain: Epsom salt baths may be helpful for tired, achy bodies. Hot water allows the magnesium-rich salts to penetrate tissues, relaxing sore muscles and bringing relief to stiff joints. Don’t go light; add a full quart of Epsom salt to bath water and soak for as long as you like.
Make the most of marvelous mud: Recent studies have confirmed that mineral-rich mud packs can bring lasting relief to arthritic joints. Mud packs may be sold under the names “peloid” or “peat” packs.
