Tag: Health

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Possible Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

Microphone and computer; early warning signs of a thyroid problem.
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Autoimmune diseases are on the rise and the cause is not completely known. Genetics, environmental toxins, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and poor eating habits are all believed to contribute to the development of certain autoimmune diseases. Fortunately, there are many changes you can make to help promote a healthy immune system. In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss some possible symptoms of autoimmune diseases and some changes you may want to consider making.

There are many possible symptoms of an autoimmune condition, including, but not limited to:

  • Skin Rashes
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Aches
  • Joint Pain
  • Hair Loss
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Numbness or Tingling in Hands and Feet
  • Swelling
  • Vision Changes or Vision Loss
  • Chronic Pain

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

GI Immune – AC-11® is a patented, water-soluble botanical extract of Uncaria tomentosa shown to uniquely support immune function, healthy inflammatory response and the body’s natural defenses at the molecular level against oxidative stress, supporting DNA integrity.† This formula combines AC-11® and larch arabinogalactan to support immune responsiveness and the body’s natural DNA repair capacity.† Arabinogalactan is a polysaccharide that stimulates beneficial immune cells resulting in a powerful immunomodulating effect.†

Thyroid Essentials – This formula combines iodine and tyrosine, the two constituents necessary for the synthesis of thyroid secretions.* The minerals selenium, zinc and copper have been added as cofactors needed for normal thyroid function.* In addition, this formulation has the Ayurvedic herbal extracts from guggul and ashwagandha to complement its nutritional support components.*

You can also listen to Possible Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease on our YouTube channel here.

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Overwhelmed By OCD, Anxiety or Depression?

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With mental health disorders like anxiety, depression and OCD being diagnosed more often, many people have turned to therapy, prescription medications, diet changes, and relaxation techniques to try to ease some of their symptoms. However, everyone is different and the same treatment does not work for everyone. If you are overwhelmed by OCD, anxiety, or depression, then adding a supplement regimen to your daily habits, along with some lifestyle changes, may help ease some of the symptoms. In this week’s episode, we discuss some natural approaches you can take to help give you peace of mind and a better mood.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

EZ Relax – We’ve teamed nature’s greatest stress management ingredients to create a uniquely effective combination. Formulated with Ashwagandha, valerian extract, L-theanine, and GABA.

Pantothenic Acid Complex – This formula contains Cordyceps, Rhodiola Extract, Eleuthero Extract, and Pantothenic Acid to help support adrenal function. The ability of the adrenal gland to respond to physiological stress is supported by botanicals with recognized adaptogenic properties. Eleuthero and rhodiola act on neurotransmitter function, the central nervous system, and cardiovascular function to help the body adjust appropriately when faced with biological, physical, or chemical challenges.†

Stress Response – A comprehensive formula of nutrients and botanicals with demonstrated and unique neurosupportive effects creates a robust and multifactorial approach to support daily brain health and function.† The brain’s complex metabolism requires many different nutrients for optimum cellular communication and a balanced response to stress. Excessive or chronic release of adrenaline and cortisol, accumulated effects of environmental exposures, and oxygenation can affect the brain with an impact on mental alertness, memory, and other functions.

You can also listen to Overwhelmed By OCD, Anxiety, or Depression? on our YouTube channel here.

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What to Know About Cholesterol

Pomegranate seeds shaped like a heart; what to know about cholesterol.

Saturated fat and cholesterol have been demonized for many years, leading to the rise in low-fat diets that cut out egg yolks, meat, and healthy oils like coconut and olive oil. However, over the last several years there has been a resurgence in high-fat diets like keto, and many people have begun wondering if fat and cholesterol are really as bad as some experts had claimed them to be. There are many things that influence cholesterol levels in each person, and there are some steps you can take to help keep them balanced. Let’s discuss what you need to know about cholesterol and what you can do to help your levels stay balanced.

What Is It?

Cholesterol is a substance found in the body and some foods that is similar to fat. It is necessary for healthy brain and nerve function, and the production of vitamin D, hormones, and bile. The liver, brain, and intestines all produce most of the cholesterol you need, and cholesterol from your diet has been to shown to have little to no effect on total cholesterol levels in the blood. However, unhealthy fats like trans fats and vegetable oils, and a sedentary lifestyle have been linked to higher LDL or “bad” cholesterol. High LDL levels have been linked to inflammation, heart disease, arterial damage, and increased risk of stroke.

Possible Solutions

Cholesterol is necessary for many things in the body like hormone production and healthy digestion, so having a cholesterol level that is too low could potentially have negative effects on your health. Ideally you want a healthy ratio of HDL “good” to LDL “bad”, along with a healthy triglyceride level. Eating more healthy fats and greatly decreasing starchy, high-carb foods is a great start. Avoiding bad fats like vegetable oils (canola, vegetable, and corn) and trans fats which can be found in fried foods, margarine and shortening is also important. You can replace these fats with healthier ones like cold-pressed, unrefined olive oil and coconut oil.

There is also emerging research showing that exercise can help your body move LDL cholesterol to the liver where it can be converted into bile for digestion, which may decrease blood LDL levels, in addition to all the other benefits exercise can bring. There are also some supplements that can help support healthy cholesterol levels like Bergamot and Meta-Balance. Meta-Balance is a unique product because it contains a fiber that binds to fat so it can be excreted with minimal absorption. Supplementing with a fish oil like Omega Supreme is another good way to get in more healthy fats.

It can be hard to add more fat into your diet after hearing that it’s unhealthy for so many years, but healthy fats are essential to many functions in the body, and you shouldn’t be scared of them. So, look into the keto diet, or just work on adding in a little more healthy fat into your diet each day, and be more active throughout the week.

You can listen to our Is Cholesterol Your Friend or Enemy? podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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Is Cholesterol Your Friend or Enemy?

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Cholesterol has been demonized for many years, but with the rise of high-fat diets like keto, many people have begun wondering if cholesterol is really as bad as it was portrayed. The topic of cholesterol is a relatively complex one because there are so many things that can affect cholesterol or be affected by it including hormones, thyroid function, liver function, and diet and lifestyle choices. There are also many different opinions on what is a healthy cholesterol level, the rise in statin prescriptions, and much more. In this week’s episode we’ll cover some of the more common questions about cholesterol and learn if cholesterol is your friend or enemy. We’ll also go over some lifestyle changes you can make and supplements that may help promote healthy cholesterol levels.

Products Mentioned In Today’s Show

Meta Balance – Meta Balance contains the soluble fiber, alpha-cyclodextrin, a prebiotic patented as FBCx®. FBCx has been researched for over a decade. Clinical studies show that Meta Balance assists in supporting healthy cholesterol and triglycerides and helps to maintain triglycerides after meals.†

Omega Supreme Liquid – Omega Supreme Liquid provides concentrated triglyceride-form omega-3 EPA, and DHA derived from fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are often called “good fats” due to the numerous roles they play in supporting health, including supporting a balanced inflammatory response, assisting triglyceride metabolism, and supporting heart, joint, skin, brain, and nerve function.†

Bergamot – Emerging clinical research has demonstrated that Bergamot may help maintain healthy total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride (TRI) levels. Research has also demonstrated that it may provide antioxidant-balancing properties and help maintain normal inflammatory balance to help preserve coronary arteries.

You can also listen to our Is Cholesterol Your Friend or Enemy? on our YouTube channel here.

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What Could Be Slowing My Weight Loss?

Woman tying shoe to exercise; tips for healthy weight management.

Losing weight is one of the most common New Years resolutions people make each year, but few are able to actually lose the weight they want to lose. People often ask us what they can do to lose weight, or why they are not losing weight even though they are eating healthy food and exercising more often. There are several things that can slow weight loss including high estrogen levels, imbalanced cortisol, or a blood sugar issue. Let’s take a deeper look at what could be slowing your weight loss, and what you can do about it.

Estrogen Dominance

Some experts have claimed that hormones essentially make up who you are, and that if your hormones are imbalanced then your mood, metabolism, appetite, etc. will likely not be balanced either. One common hormonal condition is called estrogen dominance, and it can affect men and women of any age. There are several reasons as to why estrogen levels in Americans have risen over the years, but many experts believe one of the causes is the high number of endocrine disruptors (hormone disruptors) we encounter each day in our plastic products, perfumes, soaps, etc., and the decline in fruit and vegetable consumption. Constipation may also contribute to high estrogen levels because excess estrogen is metabolized by the liver and excreted through stool, but when a person does not have regular bowel movements, the stool may stay in their intestines for longer than normal, allowing the body to reabsorb the estrogen it was trying to get rid of.

Abnormally high estrogen levels can cause several different symptoms in men and women, but some of the most common include mood swings and increased fat deposits especially around the stomach, hips and thighs. High estrogen can also contribute to gynecomastia, a condition in which the breast tissue in a man begins to grow. Eating more organic vegetables and drinking plenty of water each day may help you have regular bowel movements to help balance estrogen levels. You can also take DIM 150 which helps the body metabolize estrogen into the safer forms, and may help balance the effects of high estrogen.

Imbalanced Cortisol

Cortisol is often called the stress hormone, and it is released by the adrenal glands when the body experiences any kind of stress. With the high-stress lives that a large portion of Americans lead, it is easy to have high cortisol, or burned-out adrenal glands which lead to low cortisol. Both high and low cortisol have their own negative health effects and it is to have these tested to make sure yours are balanced. Cortisol can hinder weight gain by increasing our cells’ resistance to insulin, which can cause high blood sugar and weight gain. Imbalanced cortisol can also increase sleep issues, and lead to decreased energy levels which can make exercising more difficult. There are supplements formulated for high and low cortisol, but if you have had not had your cortisol levels tested, a supplement like Pantothenic Acid Complex might help provide the nutrients your body needs to regulate cortisol levels.

Insulin Resistance

Blood sugar issues are increasingly common in America, and is largely due to our high-sugar, high-carb diets. When high amount of carbohydrates (carbohydrates are converted into glucose in the body) or sugar is consumed, blood sugar levels quickly rise. This causes the body to release insulin in an attempt to use and store the sugar, and to keep it from damaging nerves and organs. When this is done every day, the cells eventually start to respond to inulin less and less. This is called insulin resistance, where the cells essentially “ignore” the insulin being produced. So, the pancreas begins to excrete more insulin to try to bring the high sugar levels down, but this taxes the pancreas, and it too will start to get tired and struggle to produce the same amount of insulin it used to.

High insulin levels can contribute to weight gain because it makes the body store the excess sugar you consume as fat. So, if you eat a lot of sugar, then the pancreas produces more insulin which makes the body store more of that sugar as fat. Over time, this cycle of high blood sugar and increased insulin production can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and other health conditions. Reducing the amount of sugar and processed carbohydrates you consume is arguably the best step you can take towards balancing your blood sugar levels. Being more active may also help lower blood sugar levels and help the body’s cells respond better to insulin. There are also some supplements like Gluco Support that contain nutrients that may help your body regulate blood sugar levels.

There are many things that may make it more difficult to lose weight, but don’t give up. You can run blood tests through us to see if your hormones, cortisol and insulin levels are balanced and see if any of those could be slowing your weight loss. You can also try some of the supplements mentioned above, along with a diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates, and more time spent being active. We would love to help you reach your goals this year!

You can listen to our Burning Up Those Stubborn Calories podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Burning Up Those Stubborn Calories

Microphone and computer; are vitamins just expensive urine?
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Losing weight is one of the most common resolutions people make at the beginning of each year, but this is often easier said than done. We often get questions about why some people struggle to lose weight when they are eating healthy and exercising. There are actually many things that can contribute to slow weight loss, even when you are burning up those stubborn calories each day. In this week’s episode, we discuss some things that can make losing weight more difficult, and what you can do about them.

Some things that could be hindering weight loss include:

  • High Insulin and/or Insulin Resistance
  • Cortisol Imbalance
  • Low Adiponectin
  • High Estrogen

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Amino Complete – Amino Complete supports GI health, the repair and rebuild of healthy muscle and connective tissue, and provides essential nutrients for healthy hair, skin, and nails.†

Omega Supreme Liquid – Omega Supreme Liquid provides concentrated triglyceride-form omega-3 EPA, and DHA derived from fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are often called “good fats” due to the numerous roles they play in supporting health, including supporting a balanced inflammatory response, assisting triglyceride metabolism, and supporting heart, joint, skin, brain, and nerve function.†

Turmeric Complex – The herbal extracts in Turmeric Complex contain multiple, beneficial compounds with documented ability to help modulate COX enzymes, scavenge free radicals, and promote physiological balance in susceptible tissues in a safe and harmonious fashion.† Meriva®brand turmeric, a key ingredient in Turmeric Complex, combines turmeric extract with phosphatidylcholine forming a bioavailable turmeric phytosome complex that is significantly better absorbed than regular turmeric extracts.

You can also listen to Burning Up Sweet Calories on our YouTube channel here.

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Supporting Energy Levels Naturally

Girl jumping to show energy; supporting energy levels naturally.

Low energy levels and fatigue are common problems today. Many people don’t have the energy to perform necessary chores around the house, let alone enough energy to exercise each day. While some cases of fatigue may be related to a medical condition, many people have low energy levels due to something simple like not getting enough sleep each night, being stressed out, or consuming too much sugar. Let’s discuss some common causes of low energy, and how you can help support energy levels naturally.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night can help increase energy throughout the day, improve mood and immune health, and improve the body’s response to stress. While a person’s sleep needs vary, the minium amount of sleep you should get each night is seven hours, with eight or nine being ideal for most adults. Children and teenagers often require ten or eleven hours of sleep per night. However, the quality of your sleep is also important. If you struggle with sleep apnea or another condition that affects your sleep, you may not be getting all the benefits from a full night’s rest. You may also be struggling to sleep deeply or stay asleep due to stress and/or anxiety. Stress-reducing techniques like meditation or taking a warm bath may help.

Diet

While getting good sleep is an important part of increasing your daily energy levels, diet may be even more important. Eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables typically leads to increased energy levels. This is likely due to the nutrients found in those foods, but also due to the effects sugar can have on our energy levels. Sugar and refined carbohydrates like those found in bread and pasta can give you a short boost of energy, but many people find that they experience a rapid drop in energy levels shortly after eating. This drop in energy often leaves you feeling more tired than you did before you ate.

This drop occurs because of the body’s production and release of insulin. When your body senses that there is too much sugar in your body, more than it is accustomed to, the pancreas begins to quickly produce insulin so that blood sugar can be stabilized. However, this quick drop in blood sugar from the insulin can cause energy levels to quickly decrease. This is one of the reasons it’s important to limit sugar consumption, and eat foods that help maintain a healthy blood sugar.

What Can You Do?

Not having enough energy all the time can be frustrating, so try some of these tips on supporting energy levels naturally and see if it improves. You should do your best to get a minimum of seven hours of high-quality sleep each night. You should also consider making some dietary changes like consuming less sugar and refined carbohydrates, and including more organic fruits and vegetables in each meal. There are also some supplements that may help increase energy levels like Immune Essentials which contains mushrooms that not only help support immune health, but also help support cognitive function and healthy energy levels. Pantothenic Acid Complex is another great option that helps improve the body’s ability to handle stress which may help improve sleep quality and energy levels. We always recommend that you talk to your doctor if you are experiencing unexplained fatigue or any other symptom that you are concerned about to make sure it’s not a serious health condition. We want you to feel your best, and have the energy to get through the busy holiday season!

You can listen to our Enjoy Extra Energy Naturally podcast episode on our website here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Enjoy Extra Energy Naturally

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.
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This time of year can be exhausting with all the stress of the holidays, not to mention the increase in colds and flus. Many of our patients have been asking what they could do to boost their energy levels, so we wanted to do a show to discuss what you could take to help you enjoy extra energy naturally for Christmas and the rest of the holiday season.

Some natural ways to help increase energy levels include:

  • Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night
  • Taking a B12 supplement
  • Eat less sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Exercise several times a week
  • Drink plenty of water each day
  • Consider taking a nap in the afternoon

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

  • Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.
  • Pantothenic Acid Complex – This formula contains Cordyceps, Rhodiola Extract, Eleuthero Extract, and Pantothenic Acid to help support adrenal function. Eleuthero and rhodiola act on neurotransmitter function, the central nervous system, and cardiovascular function to help the body adjust appropriately when faced with biological, physical, or chemical challenges.† Cordyceps mushroom, known for its revitalizing effects, and pantothenic acid, a B vitamin required for adrenal hormone formation, are also included.†

You can also listen to Enjoy Extra Energy Naturally on our YouTube channel here.

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Winter Essentials for Health

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As it starts to get colder outside, sicknesses start to become more common. This is not due to the decrease in temperature, but is likely due to the increased time spent indoors and close to people who may be sick. Couple that with the decrease in vitamin D levels from less sunshine, and you can see why rates of sickness tend to go up during this time of year. In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss some winter essentials that may help improve the health of your immune system.

Some things that may help impove immune system function include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Supplementing with vitamin C
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Wash your hands often
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Get enough sleep each night
  • Practice stress-reducing techniques

Practicing these habits daily can help you be healthier any time of year, and with the new year coming up, you could try adding some of these to your New Year’s resolution.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

  • Liposomal C – Liposomal Vitamin C provides this key foundational nutrient formulated with liposomal technology. Liposomes are spheres made of phospholipids—the primary building blocks of cell membranes. Owing to this structure, liposomes bond easily with cell membranes to facilitate intracellular delivery of their nutrient cargo.
  • Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

You can also listen to Winter Essentials for Health on our YouTube channel here.

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Causes and Solutions for Insomnia

Person holding alarm clock; insomnia causes and solutions.

Trouble sleeping is a problem most people have had at some point in their life, but when it is frequent and begins to affect your day-to-day life, you may have a type of insomnia. Insomnia is a common problem, and it can come in the form of chronic, acute, middle, late, initial onset, and comorbid insomnia, with each referring to different types of sleeping issues. Insomnia tends to be more common in people who have depression and/or anxiety, and it can have several different causes. Let’s take a look at some of the causes of insomnia and what you can do about it.

Causes

As is the case with most health problems, insomnia can have many possible causes, which can make it more difficult to find the solution for each person. Insomnia can come in many forms and may be due to certain medications, drug and alchol usage, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and/or poor sleep habits. When these issues are addressed and improved, it usually becomes easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. It is important to try to determine the cause of insomnia because it may make it easier to find a solution that works for you.

Solutions

Having insomnia can make sleep a stressful thing which may worsen the problem. Practicing stress-reducing techniques like yoga or taking a hot bath, and getting into a daily bedtime routine may help you fall asleep each night. Avoiding screens at least one hour before bed is recommended because the blue light emitted from phone screens, televisions and tablets can negatively affect your sleep. You should also try to avoid caffeine for about seven hours before bedtime. If your insomnia is caused by restless legs you can try a mineral supplement like Active Multiminerals may help reduce muscle spasms and cramps. If you need something to help you relax before bed, EZ Relax may work for you. It contains L-theanine, GABA, ashwagandha extract, valerian extract and passionflower extract to help promote relaxation.

It is important to get enough sleep each night as chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to the development of many different health conditions, and can affect your emotional health and energy levels. Do your best to form good sleeping habits and work on reducing stress so you can feel your best each day.

You can listen to our Counting Sheep, Need Some Sleep? podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.