Is this another claim for an Alzheimer’s Cure? No, it’s just the results of a scientific study.  I’ll give you the facts and you can judge the results for yourself.

These results were reported by Dr. Scott Conrad and they are from a 2008 British study conducted over a five year period involving 107 adults between the ages of 61 and 87.

If your life has ever been touched by this terribly debilitating disease, the memory loss, confusion and erosion of the mind and body is heartbreaking to witness. I stood helplessly by and watched my grandmother become a shadow. She was no longer with us, she was afraid and alone and there was nothing I could do. It broke my heart. That was almost 15 years ago and still there is no cure and the incidence of Alzheimer’s is growing at an alarming rate.

But, out of this study comes some encouraging news.  There are some hopeful steps being taken in the fight against Alzheimer’s, and one in particular involves Vitamin B-12. The small but significant study I mentioned in the first paragraph was conducted at the University of Oxford, England.

The study reached this dramatic conclusion, ‘People with lower levels of B-12 were six times more likely to have brain volume loss, also called brain erosion, than those with higher B-12 levels. Since brain erosion is one of the results of Alzheimer’s, the finding led researchers to suggest that B-12 may protect against brain erosion, which is linked to reduced mental function.

The question asked by the researchers was simple; ‘What’s the link between Vitamin B-12 levels and Brain Erosion?’  To find the answer, according to results published in the medical journal Neurology, participants underwent annual blood tests, MRIs, physical exams and memory tests. None of the study subjects had any mental impairment when they began the project.

Five years later and the results were in, all of the participants had B-12 levels in the normal range, however, the differences in brain volume was significant between those in the low end of the normal range and those in the high end of the normal range. Significant brain erosion was six times more likely for those with the low normal B-12 levels.

The medical community has known for some time that people with Vitamin B-12 deficiencies can experience symptoms caused by decreased mental and nerve functioning. These symptoms can include mental confusion, forgetfulness, mood swings and even psychotic behavior. What’s new here is the connection between Brain Volume, Vitamin B-12 and diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Good enough for me to sit up and take notice, how about you?

TriVita’s HCY Guard contains Vitamin B-12 and also helps to lower dangerous homocysteine levels, which also can often lead to dementia, Alzheimer’s and other grave conditions.

To find out more about TriVita’s products, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: "brain erosion", alzheimer, b-12, Dr. Scott Conrad, hcy, TriVita, Wellness

Many people shared the same complaint: fatigue. People feel tired. What are the reasons for the epidemic of fatigue? What are some strategies for coping with low energy? What mindset may help us change the course of relentless fatigue before it is too late?

The message of fatigue
Feeling tired is a communication sent by our body to our consciousness telling us we need to rest – just as hunger is the feeling we get when we need to eat. Learning to listen to these messages will help us achieve and maintain optimum health. Listening to fatigue by resting is at the heart of Essential #3: Sleep Peacefully. Typically, a good night’s sleep will erase fatigue (it may take several nights). Cultivating the habit of sleeping 7 ½ to 9 hours every night – depending on our level of fatigue – will ensure that we feel fresh at almost any time and also help us have a healthier immune system.

We especially need rest:

* If our immune system is fighting an infection or trying to balance itself in an autoimmune condition
* After an injury or exposure to a toxin from outside or inside our body
* If we have deficiencies of water, oxygen or certain nutrients such as Vitamin B-12
* When experiencing the overwhelming tiredness that comes with emotional distress

We experience chronic fatigue when resting doesn’t relieve our feelings of exhaustion. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than six months. CFS is often a sign that we have pushed ourselves too hard for too long: we have been so deficient, so toxic and so stressed that we have collapsed our ability to cope with even daily demands. Our immune system and our nervous system are so damaged in CFS that they may take years to repair – if healing is even possible.

Coping strategies
We have a marvelous function inside us called homeostasis. This interesting word describes the struggle of maintaining balance. Just as an acrobat on the high wire appears to be still or motionless (stasis), our internal chemistry appears to be balanced every single moment of every single day with amazing consistency. We can’t see the effort the acrobat must contribute to maintain balance but we know intuitively that it must be extreme. Now, imagine the extra stress of wind, temperature, humidity, air quality, light and noise from the outside world. Next, imagine the added stress of low oxygen, dehydration, poor sleep, incomplete nutrition and lack of appropriate fitness. There are many, many elements trying to pull the acrobat off the wire just as there are many, many elements pulling you down as well. Homeostasis describes the extreme effort of your body, mind and spirit every moment to keep you balanced.

Fatigue is a sign of failure of the homeostasis mechanism. It is the message to stop what you are doing and attend to yourself for fear of falling off the high wire, so to speak. The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness are the tools that put you back in balance. They combat fatigue and help you develop a rhythm of energy that can be sustained every day. Set a pace in life that can be maintained indefinitely. Nourish and nurture yourself with the 10 Essentials to support homeostasis and erase fatigue.

Change your mindset
The era we live in is called “post-industrial revolution.” It describes a cadence in life that is more appropriate for machines, not for humans. Machines don’t get tired – people do! If we are to hear the message of fatigue and respond appropriately, we simply must learn to listen as humans, not machines. We need to resist many of the stresses of modern life. We need to embrace the mindset that people are more important than things.

People matter! Learn the rules of nourishment and nurturing that govern human health and place these as a priority in your daily life. Make sure you are cared for first and then you will be in a position to care for all of your duties, responsibilities, obligations and commitments. Learn to listen to the message of fatigue before you run out of energy. Value the amazing gift of homeostasis by living a life of balance.

This change of mindset is the first step to erasing fatigue.

To find out more about TriVita’s products, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: adaptogen, cfs, chronic fatigue, energy, fatigue, Nopalea, optimum health, sleep, sublingual b-12, Wellness

Vision is freedom. With good eyesight our world abounds with endless opportunities. With diminished or lost eyesight our world must get smaller as we rely on other senses and other people for mobility. No one can truly understand how much we rely on our vision until they are deprived of this precious gift.

Protection: The first step
Nourishing vision that will last a lifetime requires a combination of nutrients from within our body, and barrier protection from irritants outside our body. The most important of exterior protection is protective eyewear. Glasses, goggles and face shields provide barrier protection from injuries, toxins and poisons, sun and wind (select lenses or coatings that offer both UV-A and UV-B light filters).

Protecting our vision from the inside requires:

* Appropriate hydration (water) – We should calculate our body weight, cut that number in half and convert this final number into ounces of water we will consume every day. I weigh about 190 pounds. Half that number is 95. So, 95 represents the number of ounces of water I should drink every day for good vision.

* Intense nutrition – Nutrients must include vision-specific antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Other nutrients may be added depending on specific needs. For example, poor night vision responds well to anthocyanins – nutrients found in berries such as bilberries and schizandra berries. As the ancient physician Maimonides once said, “To heal an eye you must heal the head and even the entire body.” In keeping with this ancient wisdom, we need Healthy Aging nutrients as a foundation for eye health and a healthy body.

* Sleep – Is sleep really that important for healthy vision? Yes! Your eyes heal from all the stress and strain of the day. Also, as with any other body system, your eyes run on the nutrients mentioned above. These nutrients accumulate at a slow rate and are expended at a fast rate. Sleeping allows nutrients to accumulate so you can awaken with bright eyes! This is the reason I suggest taking TriVita’s VisionGuard™ at bedtime.

Maintenance and prevention

Imagine for a moment that you have perfect 20/20 vision (you see objects 20 feet away from you as if they are actually 20 feet away). You have no family history of vision problems at all. You drink enough water, get enough rest, take the appropriate nutrients and employ the best eye protection. Should you still get your vision tested? Yes, you absolutely should!

A healthy person should get their vision and eye health tested every decade of their life until they reach age 40. As you enter your 40s you should have your vision tested about every two years. This is appropriate maintenance.

If yours is not the fairy-tale world described above, then a solid, aggressive program of prevention is essential to help protect against these common eye conditions:

* Presbyopia is the inability to focus and clearly see objects that are within reading distance or closer. See a skilled optometrist for eye exercises which can help prevent or treat it.

* Cataracts form when the outside of the eye is damaged. Protect your eyes from smoke, injury and UV-light rays with appropriate eyewear and by simply staying away from dirty air. Insulate them from within with antioxidants known to slow the progression of cataracts. Hydroxytyrosol is a good example of a protective antioxidant, and it is contained in VisionGuard.

* Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up inside the eyes and distresses the optic nerve. If the nerve dies, your vision dies. Get regular eye-pressure tests to detect glaucoma and use nutrients that encourage normal pressure in your eyes such as Vitamin C and Alpha Lipoic Acid. Remember, glaucoma is a medical emergency and you must seek out the very best medical care to preserve your vision.

* Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in North America. The eyes simply wear out. Some of the premature aging of the eyes in AMD is because of poor interaction with genetics. For example, a person with a family history of AMD should take better care of their eyes than a person without that family history. They should apply these recommendations more aggressively instead of accepting vision loss without a fight!

The most common contributors to AMD are overuse and undernourishment of the eyes. Many people with AMD are exposed to environmental factors such as the bright lights of a welding torch. Again, aggressive protection can delay vision loss from external sources while appropriate water intake, sleep and nutrition can increase the health of the eyes.

Conclusion

Healthy vision means freedom. Being aware of the little things – and the big things – you can do every day to guard your vision is a step toward ensuring you have the mobility you need to meet the many purposes in your life!

Take Control of Your Health

* Use protective eyewear
o UV-A and UV-B filters
o Goggles and face shield with toxins or particulates
* Nourish your eyes
o Drink pure water
o Sleep peacefully
o Take “vision-specific” antioxidants, as found in VisionGuard
o Use Healthy Aging supplements every day

To find out more about TriVita’s products, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: amd, cataracts, eyesight, glaucoma, nutrition, presbyopia, vision

You’ve heard that the best defense is a good offense. This is especially true when it comes to your immune system. By practicing healthy lifestyle habits and reducing our exposure to infection (offense), we can better help protect against illness (defense) and that’s one way of looking at it when considering how to boost your immune system.

What determines if you get sick or not?
Louis Pasteur and Antoine Bechamp – physicians 150 years ago – were keenly aware of the same things you and I experience every year: during the cold and flu season, some people get sick and some people don’t. Pasteur spent his life looking for what makes sick people sick. Bechamp spent his career looking for what keeps healthy people healthy – and how we can be like them! They settled their argument with the discovery that illness visits people with poor habits much more frequently than those who care for their health.

It turns out that microbes prefer to wreak their havoc on people with compromised immune systems. Simple things can compromise our immune system, including:

* An imbalanced diet
* Alcohol and caffeine consumption
* An argument with someone you love

Just as Pasteur and Bechamp discovered more than a century ago, our health revolves around a healthy lifestyle more than the virulence of a microbe and that’s important to keep in mind when considering how to boost your immune system.

Help protect against illness
The phrase that describes our vulnerability or resistance to disease is “biological terrain.” The terrain or landscape of our health is made up of our genetics, our environment and, most importantly, our lifestyle. Vigorous application of the 10 Essentials yields the healthiest, most disease-resistant terrain. Skipping even one of these principles will change your terrain and leave you vulnerable to infection.

* A base of healthy nutrients
Establishing a base of healthy nutrients can provide us with a very resilient terrain. The more dense the base is, the more disease-resistant our terrain will be and that is just 1 way of how to boost your immune system. Taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement every day is an excellent start. Almost all physicians recommend an Omega-3 supplement as well. If your terrain is being remodeled by stress, you may need adaptogens to help you cope while remaining disease-resistant. Indeed, the long-term studies of adaptogens in Russia clearly demonstrated that these plants help you resist infections and speed healing.

* Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a favorite for protecting against and even treating virus infections and another consideration on how to boost your immune system. Russell Jaffe, MD, former director of the National Institutes of Health, recommends a loading dose of Vitamin C: one teaspoon of Vitamin C crystals every 15 minutes until you “flush.” By this, he means a complete bowel evacuation. After the flush, he recommends a daily serving of Vitamin C (for one month) that is equivalent to 75% of the amount it took you to flush. This should really improve your terrain!

* Echinacea
Echinacea is used in a similar way. Significant medical research from Germany suggests that an hourly dose of Echinacea will help reduce symptoms and may help shorten the duration of a virus infection. Taking a gram of Echinacea every hour for three days may even “abort” an infection that has already begun. Continue taking Echinacea three times daily for up to two weeks afterward to protect against a relapse.

Reduce your exposure
Here are some great recommendations for reducing your exposure to infection:

* Wash your hands
First, the largest contributor to infection is unwashed hands. Washing your hands with soap every few hours will reduce the chance for pathogens to gain access to your system. You should also make sure they are completely dry. Then, use the disposable towel to open the door out of the washroom. Many ugly microbes lurk on door handles – usually from people who have not properly washed and dried their hands.

* Clean surfaces
Next, disinfect surfaces that are shared by many people. For instance, public telephones bring you within kissing distance of hundreds or even thousands of people. Who knows what their hygiene habits were? In a typical day we may be exposed to germs from as many as 150 countries or more!

* Reduce stress
Reduce stress. Stress decreases the effectiveness of your immune system. Your immune system may begin to overreact or not react in time to stop an infection when you are under stress. The source of the stress really does not matter. For instance, job stress and an injury may seem like entirely different stresses to your mind but they are treated exactly the same way by your body.

Remember, building up your terrain and reducing your exposure are keys to a great offense… which will help improve your defense!

Take Control of Your Health

* Aggressively apply the 10 Essentials

* Take a “base” of nutrients:

o A multiple vitamin and mineral supplement
o An Omega-3 fatty acid supplement
o A stress-specific antioxidant supplement
o Vitamin C

* Reduce your exposure

o Wash your hands every few hours and dry thoroughly
o Disinfect common area surfaces

To find out more about TriVita’s products, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: echinacea, health, healthy nutrients, immune system, vitamin c

What are Nitric Oxide Supplements?   Nitric Oxide, or NO in scientific circles, is one of the most important molecules in our body. Not unlike a policeman directing traffic at a busy intersection, NO directs the communication between the busiest cells in the body: brain cells, blood cells, immune system cells and from all body systems where communication is most critical. Nitric Oxide is so important that no organ in our bodies could function without it.

An important study confirms that Adaptogen 10 Plus helps raise nitric oxide levels, essential for good health.

In 1998, three scientists were awarded the Noble Peace Prize in Medicine for discovering Nitric Oxide’s function in our bodies. Nitric Oxide keeps our blood pressure normal, helps us to think clearly, helps our bodies to fight off infection, prevents the development of blood clots and  atherosclerosis. Many ‘diseases of aging’ are simply a deficiency of Nitric Oxide.

A team of scientists lead by Nathan S. Bryan, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, recently tested Adaptogen 10 Plus for Nitric Oxide activity and confirmed the incredible value of Adaptogen 10 Plus. If you’re seeking nitric oxide supplements then you need to look at Adaptogen 10 Plus.

Dr. Bryan supervises cardiovascular research in the heart health field. His field of specialty is Nitric Oxide, how to get it and how to keep it. The patients in Dr. Bryan’s research center suffer from a host of Nitric Oxide related disorders, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, an seemingly endless list of maladies. In every case, Dr. Bryan sees that the patient benefits more the higher they can raise the Nitric Oxide level. Restoring Nitric Oxide production in the body, has become one of the main strategies in treating and protecting against many diseases.

Dr. Bryan and his research center discovered that Adaptogen 10 Plus contains natural Nitric Oxide metabolites that help to restore normal Nitric Oxide biochemistry within our bodies. This important benefit is in addition to its high antioxidant capacity and adaptive stress molecules. Our bodies gradually, over time, lose the ability to produce Nitric Oxide at sufficient levels to maintain optimal health. Stress, pollution, nutrient deficient diets also deplete our Nitric Oxide reserves. A healthy diet, sleep, exercise and the rest of TriVita’s 10 essentials contribute to Nitric Oxide activity and to good health.  That’s why many people who are smart in health and nutrition are seeking nitric oxide supplements and taking a look at Adaptogen 10 Plus.

The amount of Nitric Oxide in Adaptogen 10 Plus has been shown to protect against vascular inflammation, reduce injury from a heart attack or stroke and restore Nitric Oxide homeostasis in animal models. This unique blend of of antioxidants and Nitric Oxide metabolites is essential for brain and heart health. Combining a regimen of Adaptogen 10 Plus with TriVita’s 10 Essentials will help ensure optimal health.

TriVita did all of the heavy lifting with Adaptogen 10 Plus, all you need to do to create a better tomorrow for yourself and your health is try Adaptogen 10 Plus today.

To find out more about TriVita’s products including Adaptogen, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: adaptogen, Health Products, nitric oxide, nutritional deficiencies, Vitamin and mineral supplements

Eastern and western health knowledge have teamed up to create TriVita’s miraculous, health-enriching Adaptogen 10 Plus.

In this unique formula, 1940’s findings on Adaptogens come together with recent findings about the health benefits of antioxidants along with today’s improved nutrient delivery systems to create a ground breaking formula, Adaptogen 10 Plus that is part of TriVita’s many nutritional premium products backed by science.

In post-WWII Siberia, 1200 Russian scientist were busily cataloging the nutritional value of over 4000 plants. Their mission was to create a natural formula that would enable their elite athletes, cosmonauts and ballerinas become the best in the world. Dr. Nicholai Lazarov, the lead scientist, is credited with discovering a category of plant that would rock the very foundations of eastern herbal medicine. These plants had the unique ability to thrive in the very harshest environments. Think about the environment we are talking about - Siberia. These plants create a homeostasis, or an internal balance, that allow them to adapt to changing climates. Dr. Lazarov called these plants ‘Adaptogens’.

Early in the 1950’s adaptogen blends were given to factory workers in controlled studies. The results of these studies confirmed what Dr. Lazarov suspected: adaptogens created equilibrium, a balance within the human cell, which allows the cells to adjust to various forms of stress. Workers who took the adaptogen blends experienced tremendous and varied health benefits.

Eastern health is rooted in meticulous observation of natures and herbal medicine and adaptogens were proven by these studies to providing these benefits. One factory was experiencing an absentee problem among their truck drivers. After the drivers were given adaptogens for several months, their absentee rate dropped by a whopping 92.5%.

Russian athletes were also given adaptogens in the 1970’s and 1980’s, when they dominated the Olympic Games. Rumors spread that the Russian teams were using steroids, when in fact it was adaptogens that helped to improve the Russians athletic performance. The athletes were able to adjust to the stress of high level competition, allowing their bodies to perform at their best.

Years later, TriVita’s™ own Chief Science Officer, Dr. Brazos Minshew, discovered the varied and amazing results of adaptogen therapies. He wanted to apply current scientific knowledge with eastern knowledge with the discoveries recorded so long ago in Siberia, and to improve on Dr. Lazarov’s results.

Dr Minshew discovered that if the adaptogens were placed in an Aloe base, the health-enhancing properties of the adaptogens would reach the body faster and more completely. This added with the immune-strengthening OptiBerry™, a proprietary blend of antioxidants extracted from berries and other prime sources of antioxidants that resulted in Adaptogen 10 Plus, a super nutritional formula that helps restore Wellness by repairing our bodies at the cellular level!

Stress is just a part of our modern daily lives, whether it is mental, physical, emotional or environmental. It’s important to be aware of the damage that stress can cause to our bodies. Adaptogen can help us to relieve the damage of stress.

Stress creates a physical reaction within our bodies that often makes us feel bad or ‘out of sorts’, repeated stress will eventually lead to physical damage to our body’s system and can eventually lead to life threatening disorders.

Adaptogens help our bodies counteract the negative physical effects of stress by adjusting to our bodies’ unique reactions. If our muscles tense, adaptogens can relax them, if our blood pressure rises or our heart races, adaptogens help to normalize them. When we ingest adaptogens, they help our bodies reach a state of homeostasis or internal balance. In Adaptogen 10 Plus, the effects of the adqaptogens are enhanced with aloe vera’s outstanding nutritional delivery system and antioxidants free radical fighting properties.

The full effects of adaptogens are not yet known, preliminary reports indicate that whatever we’re trying to accomplish, adaptogens will help us perform better physically and mentally. By their very nature, adaptogens adjust our bodies to keep them in balance, all the time.

TriVita did all of the heavy lifting with Adaptogen 10 Plus, all you need to do to create a better tomorrow for yourself and your health is try Adaptogen 10 Plus today.

To find out more about TriVita’s products including Adaptogen, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: adaptogen, aloe, blood pressure, free radical fighting, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, stress, TriVita, Wellness

You’ve probably heard the expression, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This means that taking small actions now is better than doing nothing and then having to deal with a big problem later. This is especially important when it comes to your health because health disasters can be extraordinarily difficult to resolve.

With an infinite number of possible diseases how do you know which “ounce” of prevention is needed for your life? To start, ask yourself these questions:

1. What are the common behaviors that lead to disability and premature death?
2. What are my risks as an individual?
3. What strategies can I use to reduce my risk and improve my vitality?

Common (mis)behaviors
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the most common causes of death in North America are:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Respiratory disease
• Accidents
• Diabetes

The most common reasons why people lose their vitality and eventually their lives, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, include:

• Tobacco
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol
• Infections
• Toxins

From this you can see that tobacco, poor diet, physical inactivity as well as alcohol abuse can lead to disability and death from heart attack, cancer and lung diseases. So, we’ve just answered the first question and the first step in prevention would be:

• Don’t abuse tobacco or alcohol
• Do eat a healthy diet
• Engage in physical activity
• Take steps to protect yourself from infections and toxins.

Now, let’s look at question number 2.

What are your risks as an individual?
Your family can teach you much about your risk factors for disability and disease. You should pay special attention to your closest relatives: your parents, siblings, children and grandparents.

• How long did they live?
• What were their health challenges?
• How can I help avoid similar challenges?

Please see my article on Healthy Aging and indulge me as I share my own strategy which is based on my family’s personal history. My grandfather and great-grandfather died of congestive heart failure – so I add CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) to my Healthy Aging nutrients. My father and aunt were Type “A” performance-driven people (like me!) and both developed Alzheimer’s disease. Considering this, I take Adaptogen 10 Plus mixed with Optima4 to help reduce the impact of stress while increasing brain-specific antioxidants.

What is your family history telling you? What nutrient strategies can you use to help reduce the likelihood of disease and disability? By assessing your health risks as an individual you can create a program to help you reduce these risks. I encourage you to call one of our Wellness Consultants at 1-800-991-7116 so they can suggest appropriate nutritional supplementation.

A strategy and motivation for everyone
Most of us know we need to care for our basic physical, emotional and spiritual needs and to look at our family histories for disease risk. So, coming up with the right health recommendations from these actions is usually not too big a problem.

However, there could be a big problem between “knowing what to do” versus actually doing it. If we are motivated by fear of suffering and death, we will practice prevention for awhile; but as the sense of disaster fades from our mind, we’re likely to lapse into a more “comfy” lifestyle and not maintain a preventive approach. A powerful alternative to the “fear” approach is to be motivated by our sense of purpose. This approach is much more likely to give us the greatest sustained motivation to act correctly, and thus increase the vitality and longevity of our lives.

A sense of purpose takes us away from a fear-based motivation to a desire-based motivation. With a purpose - based life, we certainly will not abuse our gift of health because that would interfere with our accomplishments. We will want to care for our health in every way we can.

To summarize, you can help improve and maintain your health by using:

• The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness to create the physical, emotional and spiritual health you need for your many life purposes.
• Quality supplements to create the energy you need to succeed and as a bulwark against sickness.
• Use each moment of every day to fuel the fires of your own life purposes.

As Benjamin Franklin concluded, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” Start putting your ounce of prevention to work for you today!

To find out more about TriVita’s products including Nopalea, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: alzheimer, antioxidants, common ailments, coq-10, Healthy Aging, nutrient strategies, optima4

Many people have asked which is better for weight loss: low fat or low carb? Well, that question has finally been answered: neither… and both!

As it turns out, calories are the key. Whether they are from fat or carbohydrate is not as important as the total number of them. To lose weight and keep it off, we simply must adhere to the simple rule of “calories in, calories out.”

Be cautious about cravings
Our bodies were designed to communicate nutrient needs through cravings. Our bodies need protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber and water to be healthy. These are called macro-nutrients because they are large categories of food that contain smaller categories called micronutrients. A micronutrient is something we need in a very small quantity, like salt (sodium). We crave what we need.

Food manufacturers create products to tempt these cravings the way a fisherman uses a lure to catch a fish. We can be induced to buy one food over the other because of added ingredients. Three common additives that tempt our taste buds:
• Sugar
• Fat
• Salt
Salt has its own issues but sugar and fat are often hidden sources of calories.

Hidden calories
Are you watching your calorie intake? Use these tips when looking at labels:

Watch out for added-sugar foods. Recommendations for carbohydrate intake range from 60 to 250 grams daily for the average adult. These carbohydrates should come from whole foods to avoid the “empty calories” of added sugar. If the label lists “sugar” as an ingredient, select another food without the added sugar.

Watch out for added-fat and high-fat foods. Fat contains very few nutrients. While it is a good source of energy, a little goes a long way. Protein and carbs contain four calories per gram, yet fat contains a whopping nine calories per gram. Fat is often added to improve the “mouth-feel” of foods. If a label lists the daily value (DV) at 20% or higher, it is a high-fat food. The DV should be between 2% and 10% for a single serving. Never eat trans-fats.

Conclusion
As with most elements of life, selecting your diet is both a science and an art. Take a little time to learn the science behind food selections and then you can enjoy the endless, artistic variety of foods. Remember, moderation is the key!

Take Control of Your Health

· Get your nutrients from plant-based foods

· 5 servings of fruits and vegetables for children

· 7 servings of fruits and vegetables for women

· 9 servings of fruits and vegetables for men

· Take Leanology to help curb cravings

· Take VitaDaily AM/PM, Daily Men or Daily Women to fill in nutritional gaps

To find out more about TriVita’s products including Nopalea, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: food labels, Health Information, Nopalea, nutrition

We all can agree that losing weight is a challenge. Many healthcare professionals argue over the cause(s) of obesity: is it nature or nurture? Saying that the problem is “nature” (genetics) may make us feel like victims. Saying it is “nurture” (behavior) may make us feel guilty, like we are real failures. How can we come to terms with the obesity challenge? We can “lose the labels” and deal with weight loss in a positive and constructive way..

Remember, we are unique; we are “one of a kind.” We need a program that speaks to us as individuals because what solves the problem for us may not exactly be what someone else needs. However, one strategy that helps everyone in the weight-loss struggle is to create a deficit between the calories we eat and the calories we burn – fewer calories “in,” more calories “out.” This simple formula will give us the best chance for success with weight loss.

Your Diet
Very few aspects of your life are as emotionally charged as securing your right to choose for yourself. From early childhood until today, one of the most important choices you make concerns your diet. You must have choices and they must be your own. Recognize that restricting yourself from available choices goes against your very nature. A restrictive diet is doomed to failure. Select a diet that is uncomplicated and appealing to you and you will have a greater chance for success.

The first challenge we face in diet selection is committing to the discipline of thinking ahead instead of eating impulsively. So, start with something small and attainable:

• Many health experts recommend fresh fruits and vegetables daily
o 5 servings for children
o 7 servings for women
o 9 servings for men
• Add high quality protein such as seafood, poultry or lean red meats to your diet every day
• Drink plenty of water

These are easy steps that you can accomplish today! Remember, the time you spend selecting the right diet for yourself is an investment in your health and your future. Give it the attention it deserves.

Calories in – calories OUT!
We must burn more calories than we consume in order for weight loss to occur.

Exercise is the key to permanent, lifetime weight control. There is no way around it. However, exercise does not have to be a punishment; it can really be pleasurable. The key is finding something you enjoy doing. I recommend that you start with three forms of activity; this prevents exercise boredom. Add more activities every month. Get in the habit of participating in at least 30 minutes of activity every day.

There are basically two types of exercise that you need every week:
1. Aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that increases your need for oxygen. Aerobics make you breathe harder. You need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Some examples include walking, swimming and an exercise bike. If you’re new to exercise, start out slowly and get your doctor’s OK. As the weather gets cooler, look for indoor alternatives like a brisk walk at your local mall.

Aerobic exercise can balance hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, and mobilize your energy for the great works of your life. Aerobic exercise speeds up your metabolism.

But where does metabolism originate? It comes from your lean body mass – your muscles! That is the domain of resistance training.

2. Progressive resistance training is defined as any exercise where the load to the muscle is increased by some mechanical means – weights, bands, springs and many other methods. The key is to progressively increase the weight or resistance over time. This results in more lean body mass and less fat mass. If you increase your muscle strength, you increase the “engines” that produce muscle energy. Nothing builds metabolism (muscle energy) as well as progressive resistance training. You can get useful training tips at your local library or by going online.

Supplements for weight loss

The Leanology Smart Weight Loss System can also be an important part of your weight loss plan. For many people it represents the critical difference between success and failure in lifetime weight control. The Leanology System has three steps:

• Fat burning capsules – Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help increase metabolism and energy to support your body’s ability to burn more calories. Plus, they help limit cortisol production – the stress-induced hormone that can lead to abdominal fat.
• Snack replacement chews – Leanology Appetite Control Chews* contain ingredients that are clinically proven to help curb the appetite and contain fewer calories than other snacks.
• Nutritional shakes – Leanology Nutritional Shakes can be used as a low calorie meal substitute; they provide a healthy balance of wholesome carbohydrates, proteins, good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

However, you must always remember that these are supplements; they supplement a healthy diet and exercise program. Use them wisely as an important part of your total Wellness program.

Take Control of Your Health

· Plan a balance of calories and activity for lifetime weight control
· Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
· Plan 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week
· Do resistance training 2 to 5 times per week
· Supplement your weight loss program with Leanology

To find out more about TriVita’s products including Nopalea, go here or if you’d like to find out how you can earn an additional stream of income, call me on 856-264-7802.

Es Riggins
Independent TriVita Affiliate Member #13160615

Technorati Tags: diet, fat burning, leanology, Nopalea, nutritional shakes, obesity, snack replacement, TriVita, Weight Loss, weight loss plan, weight loss supplements

What is your experience? Does there seem to be more or less people with allergies these days? Do more or less children – and adults – seem to have asthma these days? Most people recognize that the prevalence of allergies and asthma is on the rise… and health statistics confirm it.

What are the causes of allergies and asthma? Why are we seeing so many more people suffering from these conditions? How can we find relief from these common conditions?

Antecedents, triggers and inflammation
We say we have allergies when we experience a certain set of symptoms (watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, etc.) in response to a trigger such as pollen or dust. We say we have asthma when we experience breathing difficulty related to constriction in our airways and inflammation in the immune system of our respiratory tract.

Antecedents – Certain people have allergies while others don’t. And certain people experience asthma while others don’t. The difference between those of us with symptoms and other people is found in antecedents (literally “what comes before”). Antecedents may be:

• Genetic (rare)
• Trauma from smoke, chemical burns, etc. (more common)
• Emotional distress (far more common)
• Toxins from the environment that permeate our air, water and food (the most common antecedent for allergies and asthma)

Triggers – Triggers are the myriad products or processes in our internal and external environment that create symptoms. For one person, wheat triggers symptoms. For another person cat dander triggers symptoms. Almost everyone reacts to ragweed! Your symptom triggers are unique because of the way your personal, internal chemistry interacts with the antecedents that come before allergies and asthma.

Inflammation – Inflammation is the final reaction in this chain. The symptoms we experience are all related to inflammation. Examples of inflammatory mediators are histamines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These are strange and difficult words that are all too familiar to people that suffer from allergies and asthma.

Defense strategies
We protect ourselves through the process of insulation and isolation. It is very important to isolate ourselves from trauma, stress and toxins. It is also imperative to insulate ourselves with anti-allergy nutrients.

Vitamin B-12 (especially Super Sublingual B-12) helps your body reduce histamine formation. Nopalea helps your body reduce inflammation in the soft tissues of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and pretty well all other tissues! These represent the best strategies for symptom relief.

Triggers (allergens) are sharp, jagged proteins that are like shards of broken glass in your system. The cells lining your airways (and pretty well all other tissues) are like delicate balloons that pop when allergens attack. Fortunately, we are able to resist most of these allergens. However, the ones we cannot neutralize create real misery. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) like OmegaPrime toughen up the balloon-like cells and make them much more difficult to pop. You will likely need two to three times the normal amount of EFAs every day for several months to achieve lasting relief from allergy triggers.

Antecedents are more difficult to address because genetics, toxins and stress are pervasive: they don’t go away. With patience, though, we can develop strategies to minimize the impact of antecedents. For example, we can breathe deeply to de-stress our mind and body. We can drink pure water and eat nutritiously to cleanse toxins from our body. This can also help protect against new poisons setting us up for allergies in the future. And we can modify our sensitivity by exercising appropriately (and safely) as well as sleeping peacefully to balance our immune system.

Conclusion
Allergies and asthma are more prevalent now than ever. We can prevent much misery by addressing the antecedents that come before these reactions, by strengthening our cells to resist triggers, and by reducing the inflammation that creates so much misery!

Technorati Tags: adaptogen, allergies, antecedents, b-12, coq-10, inflammation, Nopalea, omegaprime