It's a new year and you've resolved to make some major changes in your life. Whether it's to eat better, stop smoking, or drop some pounds, if there's one health principle that I can tell you is super important to your optimal health, it's EXERCISE.

Give me a regular daily exerciser as a patient, and s/he will see me less and get well faster; though, admittedly there are always exceptions. Still, if you want to be well and stay well, stay away from doctors and hospitals, have lower medical insurance rates and bills, have more vitality, and better function into your senior years, then you need to move every day! Starting now! 

Thinking about how we evolved and the amount of movement done by healthy aging cultures, we need to exercise every day not three days per week, but every day, for a minimum of a half-hour per day. With that said, remember that something is always better than nothing. If you can't hit your ideal time, be sure to do something. Fifteen minutes of walking is always, always better than nothing because the benefits of exercise are cumulative!

But daily structured movement has to become as essential to your life as brushing your teeth, taking a shower, combing your hair, and other normal and expected activities of daily living. When you get to the point where not exercising feels "not right," the way you'd feel if you didn't brush your teeth for the day, then you have built what I call the exercise habit. For example:

• When you don't go home from work until you exercise, you have built the exercise habit.
• When you don't turn on the TV before you exercise at home, or at least turn on the TV at the same time you exercise, you have built the exercise habit.
• When you are looking for ways to exercise when you are away from home on business or vacation, you have built the exercise habit.
• When you don't try to make an excuse for not exercising, you have built the exercise habit.
• If you say, "Some exercise is better than no exercise" when you can't do your regular exercise routine, and you do something else involving movement, you have developed the exercise habit. 

If you are new to the exercise game, it is going to take three to nine months before you build the exercise habit and it becomes "part of you." What you must do first is to create the space (time) to incorporate exercise into your life. Fifteen to thirty minutes is acceptable to start. The second thing you must do is to shoot for exercising on a daily basis. It doesn't matter at first what type of exercise, as long as it is some type of aerobic, big muscle-moving exercise and is safe.
 

Building the Habit

Keep in mind that success with exercise is more about consistency and time than it is about technique and intensity. If you build in the time to exercise as part of your normal day and are consistent with your exercise program, you will see results and will naturally start to pick up the intensity/duration of the exercise after a few weeks.

Now, some hard core exercisers will probably disagree with me on this, but to me "pain is no gain." For the average person, it is far more important to have lots of victories to keep your exercise program alive than it is to push through pain, injure yourself or be so sore that you quit altogether. Nagging injuries, persistent soreness and pain are surefire "killers" to those trying to build an exercise habit. Down the road, after exercising three months to a year, if you really want to push yourself, give it a try. You will be less likely to quit exercising then because you will have built the habit. 

Since time is precious to all of us, it is very important that we make exercise time-efficient and as fun as possible. One way to make sure to get your exercise in even when you're busy life (excuses…excuses) is preventing you from getting to the gym, is to do as much "non-exercise" exercise as possible. Here are a few examples of "non-exercise":

• Get up off the couch and change the TV channel instead of using the remote control.
• Get up for 5 to 10 minutes for each hour of sitting. Use breaks to walk or stretch.
• If you watch television, do aerobic exercise in front of your favorite television show daily.
• Do isometrics periodically while sitting (contracting and relaxing of muscles) or, better yet, pick up some dumb bells while sitting (and use them!). If you are older and don’t have dumb bells, use canned goods as dumb bells.
• Restrict sitting to activities that require it, such as eating, learning, writing, keyboarding, and essential driving.
• Sit on a ball while at your home or at work instead of a traditional chair.
• Walk briskly while doing chores, shopping, or errands.
• Do your own gardening or mow your own lawn.
• Take the stairs versus the elevator or escalator.
• Walk in an airport instead of using the moving walkway.
• Park in the parking lot in a far-away spot. Don't drive around to get the closest spot.
• Walk to a local restaurant around your work place at lunch.
• Ride your bicycle or walk to work.
• Walk to public transit and use it versus hopping into your car.  

Just think: These basic examples only cover the simple things we can do as a part of our daily routines. They don't even begin to account for all the exercise opportunities just waiting to be incorporated into our "fun" time! 

As a reminder, your goal when it comes to exercise, should be to do a minimum of one half-hour DAILY with a goal of one hour daily of aerobic exercise. That means you need to be doing something where you are moving your big muscles (like your legs and arms) to the point where you get your heart rate up. You should still be able to talk but you should definitely be working out enough so you are breaking a sweat. 

What types of activities constitute aerobic activity?

• Walking
• Hiking
• Running
• Biking
• Swimming
• Roller skating
• Jumping Rope
• Using the stair-climber, elliptical rider or treadmill at the gym.
• Taking a martial arts or dance classes 

The types of aerobic exercise are endless. Keep in mind that spending hours in the gym isn't necessary. Just doing something daily that gets your heart rate up (aerobics), challenges your muscles (strength training) and causes you to extend and contract ligaments, muscles, and tendons (flexibility), is the key. And don't forget to eat as much whole, unrefined plant foods as possible. 

More about Kirk Hamilton

Kirk Hamilton graduated from the University of California, Davis Physician’s Assistant Program through their Department of Family Practice in 1983. 
 

Since 1986 he has been a practicing Physicians Assistant at Health Associates Medical Group in Sacramento, California, a nutrient oriented general practice. Kirk has worked in a variety of practice specialties including: Family Practice, Nutrition, Prevention, Cardiology, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement, Allergy, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. He is the author of Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane.
 

About Kirk’s Book

Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane simplifies the causes and effects of modern chronic diseases by outlining the five dietary changes over the last century that have led to excess calorie consumption, and along with reduced physical activity, have resulted in the epidemics of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

Kirk Hamilton's website is Prescription2000.com

Follow Kirk:

	www.facebook.com/kirkhamilton.author
	www.youtube.com/thesloppyvegan
	www.twitter.com/kirk_hamilton
	www.prescription2000.com

Energetic Nutrition Suggests:

Along with whole foods and increased exercise, try Almased Natural Weight Management and Dietary Supplementation 

Lose weight in a healthy way by taking advantage of your body's own metabolic processes. Almased uses your body's own mechanisms and processes to burn long-term fat deposits without the use of stimulants or artificial fillers. Its formula prevents the loss of lean muscle mass, which means more calories burned. It reduces blood sugar and insulin fluctuations that cause cravings during other diet programs.

Evidently we are. The problem is the average American doesn't get that 7 of 10 deaths in the United States occur from chronic diseases that are largely preventable, and many times reversible with low-fat, unprocessed vegan diets like Dr. Barnard recommends in his 21 Day Kickstart Program. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) state that these chronic diseases are related to four risk factors: poor diet, inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use.The WHO further states…. if these risk factors were eliminated, 80 percent of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and 40 percent of cancers would be eliminated. That would be the greatest health discovery ever if implemented.  

Why do we keep relying on drugs and surgical procedures to treat these chronic conditions when they are clearly reversible and preventable through diet?

I really believe, aside from ignorance and laziness, it's because insurance companies cover treatments with drugs and surgery that are really ineffective at treating the cause of these illnesses. People would rather take a pill or have a surgical procedure that is paid for by insurance than get off their butts and do an aggressive diet like Dr. Barnard's which has been shown by a variety of researchers using similar diets to reverse or dramatically slow the progression of diabetes, heart disease, obesity related illnesses and cancer (prostate). If insurance companies would only cover catastrophic illness, such as traumas and infections, but not heart or vascular disease related illnesses (except genetic structural disorders), type 2 diabetes, obesity related illnesses and other chronic conditions people would either sink (die) or swim (live)?

It’s Pure Insanity!

If you think I am cruel or crazy remember this definition of insanity by Ben Franklin, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." We will never have a chance at real healthcare reform, a viable economy, or a healthy population if we keep eating the Standard American Diet (SAD). In fact, with the tsunami of boomers that are arriving into their senior years, the American fabric of life may be destroyed because we have no means to take care of all these chronic diseases, and we will go bankrupt spending an ever escalating part of our GDP (17% presently) on healthcare. "In the Long-Term Budget Outlook that the Congressional Budget Office released in June 2009, total spending on health care was projected to reach about 31 percent of GDP in 2035 and about 46 percent in 2080 under the extended baseline scenario." If we didn't pay for medication or surgical procedures with insurance, each individual would be forced to change or die, or pay out of pocket. With the latter they might be more motivated to change. Sound extreme? So is the definition of insanity. Think about it.

About Kirk’s Book

Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane simplifies the causes and effects of modern chronic diseases by outlining the five dietary changes over the last century that have led to excess calorie consumption, and along with reduced physical activity, have resulted in the epidemics of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

But there is good news! By applying the 9 Simple Steps to Optimal Health TRIAD Wellness Program you can prevent, delay or reverse the course of chronic disease and create real Healthcare Reform.

Within these pages are simple rules for efficient and effective diet, exercise and mind-body practices that make this program easy for even the busiest person. 

Energetic Nutrition Suggests:

Along with whole foods, try Almased Natural Weight Management and Dietary Supplementation.

Lose weight in a healthy way by taking advantage of your body's own metabolic processes. Almased uses your body's own mechanisms and processes to burn long-term fat deposits without the use of stimulants or artificial fillers. Its formula prevents the loss of lean muscle mass, which means more calories burned. It reduces blood sugar and insulin fluctuations that cause cravings during other diet programs.

More about Kirk Hamilton

Kirk Hamilton graduated from the University of California, Davis Physician’s Assistant Program through their Department of Family Practice in 1983.

Since 1986 he has been a practicing Physicians Assistant at Health Associates Medical Group in Sacramento, California, a nutrient oriented general practice. Kirk has worked in a variety of practice specialties including: Family Practice, Nutrition, Prevention, Cardiology, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement, Allergy, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. He is the author of Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane.

Kirk Hamilton's website is Prescription2000.com

Follow Kirk:

	www.facebook.com/kirkhamilton.author
	www.youtube.com/thesloppyvegan
	www.twitter.com/kirk_hamilton
	www.prescription2000.com

See this video by our friend Kirk Hamilton, P-AC:

• Take 2 days off of work during the holidays
• Fill up on as many healthy foods as you can before going for the treats
• Substitute bean dip for high fat creamy dips and dressings
• Stick to whole grain snacks to fill you up vs. refined and starchy snacks
• Try to eat a salad every day so your food choices for the rest of the day are better ones
• Take a walk after meals to settle your stomach
• Get some exercise first thing in the morning to keep your day going well
• Load up on the Vitamin C in the morning and evening to help with energy
• Limit your alcohol intake

About Kirk’s Book

Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane simplifies the causes and effects of modern chronic diseases by outlining the five dietary changes over the last century that have led to excess calorie consumption, and along with reduced physical activity, have resulted in the epidemics of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. But there is good news! By applying the 9 Simple Steps to Optimal Health TRIAD Wellness Program you can prevent, delay or reverse the course of chronic disease and create real Healthcare Reform. Within these pages are simple rules for efficient and effective diet, exercise and mind-body practices that make this program easy for even the busiest person.

The Importance of Vitamin C

Antioxidants like those included in Systemic Vitamin C can help boost immune function, while protecting our cells and DNA from free radical damage. These antioxidants can also serve as a preventative measure against many different health issues from colds and flu to more serious disorders like cardiovascular disease.

More about Kirk Hamilton

Kirk Hamilton, PA-C graduated from the University of California, Davis Physicians Assistant Program through their Department of Family Practice in 1983. Since 1986 he has been a practicing Physicians Assistant at Health Associates Medical Group in Sacramento, California, a nutrient oriented general practice. Kirk has worked in a variety of practice specialties including: Family Practice, Nutrition, Prevention, Cardiology, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement, Allergy, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. Kirk Hamilton's Website is Prescription2000.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, and women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths. Heart disease is the third leading cause of death among women aged 25–44 years and the second leading cause of death among women aged 45–64 years.  The average age for a first heart attack for men is 66 years and almost half of men who have a heart attack under age 65 die within 8 years. (1) Half of men and almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. (2)

Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, which occurs when the arteries become clogged and narrowed, restricting blood flow. Without adequate blood flow from the coronary arteries, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly. A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when a plaque ruptures, allowing a blood clot to form. This completely obstructs the artery, stopping blood flow to part of the heart muscle, and that portion of muscle dies.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, stress, and secondhand smoke are risk factors associated with heart disease. Other conditions that affect your heart or increase your risk of death or disability include arrhythmia, heart failure, family history, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

The good news is that many cases of heart disease can be prevented and even reversed by the application of a strict diet, exercise, and stress management practices. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future. Healthy aging populations have dramatically reduced the incidence of heart disease when following their traditional lifestyle, while younger generations adopting the modern Western diet and lifestyle are developing heart disease at the same rate as those in the West.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack.  Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Call 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms. These are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
• Signs in women may be different than for men.  Read our blog: Women and Heart Attacks: Identify the Signs, Save a Life

Healthy Lifestyle: Diet and Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness  

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease. Many people make it harder than it is. It is important to remember that it is the overall pattern of the choices you make that counts. As you make daily food choices, read nutrition labels and base your eating pattern on these recommendations:

• Follow a healthy diet abundant in vegetables and fruit
• Choose good quality (hormone and antibiotic free) lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
• Legumes are an excellent source of protein and fiber.
• Eliminate, or select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.
• Choose healthy fats like olive oil and avocado and cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
• Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
• Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.
• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks per day if you're a man.
• Keep an eye on your portion sizes. 

For an even more in depth program for healthy eating, we highly recommend Kirk’s book, Staying Healthy in the Fast Lane.

Providing your body with the extra support it needs can go a long way in keeping your heart happy. These excellent supplements are available at Energetic Nutrition.

	Omega-3 fats like the ones found in ArcticPure Omega-3 are a critical component of any heart health plan. Omega-3 fats have been shown to reduce inflammation, raise HDL, support healthy circulation and promote heart health by thinning the blood, dilating blood vessels, and supporting healthy blood pressure. It also has components that inhibit inflammatory mediators.
	VitalzymSEB is a unique enzyme formula designed specifically to support heart health by supplying enzymes that may cleanse the blood of excess fibrin and arterial plaque.  It also lowers C-Reactive Protein levels, which is the cause of vascular inflammation.
	Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant which has been shown to safeguard LDL cholesterol from oxidation.  CoQ10 is a critical component in the primary energy cycle, and is most abundant in the heart. Deficiencies in CoQ10 strongly correlate with heart disease.
	Antioxidants like Vitamin E have been shown to help neutralize destructive free radicals and support cardiovascular health by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol and inhibiting plaque formation. Oxidized cholesterol is an unstable molecule that damages the integrity of arteries.
	A good quality multi-vitamin like Life Essence Multiple provides essential vitamins and minerals along with anti-oxidants, amino acids, and countless other co-nutrients necessary to keep your body strong and your heart whistling a happy tune.
	Estrogens play a complex role in non-reproductive tissues including the cardiovascular system. The risk of stroke and heart disease is increased dramatically when a person is estrogen dominant.  DIM is an excellent hormone balancer, particularly in an estrogen dominant body.
	Antioxidants like those included in Systemic Vitamin C can help boost immune function, while protecting our cells and DNA from free radical damage. These antioxidants can also serve as a preventative measure against many different health issues from colds and flu to more serious disorders like cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity in your daily life is an important step to preventing heart disease. Moderate exercise 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes is essential to support circulation, vitality, and heart health. You can take a few simple steps at home, at work, and at play to increase the amount of physical activity in your life.

Stress is a major concern when it comes to hypertension and heart health. Keep those stress hormones in check and that blood pressure down by taking time to relax, meditate, walk, take a bath, or do whatever it is you do that relaxes you.  Even if it is only for 5-10 minutes per day, it makes a difference.

You can live a heart-healthy lifestyle that contributes to your longevity. Don’t be a statistic.  For extra support, get your friends and family involved in living a healthy and energetic lifestyle.

References

1. Roger V, Go, A, Lloyd-Jones, D, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2011 update. A report from the American  Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee . Circulation 2011;123:e1-e192.
    
2. Lloyd-Jones D, Adams RJ, Brown TM, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2010 Update. A Report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2010;121:e1-e170. 

According to an article in the New York Times titled Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack, “Scientists are coming to realize that inflammation may underlie many other common chronic diseases that come with aging, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Inflammation is also implicated in asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, some bowel disorders, psoriasis, meningitis, cystic fibrosis, and even cancer. 1

What is internal inflammation?

According to WebMD, inflammation can affect our internal organs, especially in cases of autoimmune disorders. This type of inflammation can cause many different symptoms, including pain; however, pain may not be a main symptom of internal inflammation due to the fact that many of our organs contain only a few pain-sensitive nerves. 2

Symptoms may depend on which organs are affected. For example:

• Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may cause vague chest pain or fluid retention
   
• Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure
   
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) may cause cramps and diarrhea
   
• Inflammation of the eye (iritis or uveitis) may cause pain or decreased vision
   
• Inflammation of the muscles (polymyositis) may cause achiness or weakness
   
• Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) may cause rash, headaches, or internal organ damage
   
• Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs (bronchiolitis) may cause shortness of breath similar to an asthma attack

As you can see, inflammation of the organs can be responsible for many different symptoms and conditions. Therefore, getting inflammation under control can be very important for overall health and proper organ function.

There are many medications available to help decrease pain and inflammation, such as Celebrex, aspirin, and ibuprofen, but they do not come without the risks of side effects. Using systemic enzymes like those in Vitalzym can naturally help reduce pain and inflammation without the use of prescription medications or over the counter pain relievers.

Inflammation and C-Reactive Proteins

C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and is a clinical marker of general and/or cardiac-related inflammation.  When internal inflammation is present, CRP levels can rise.  According to Thomas "Tate" P. Erlinger, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins,  "higher levels of C-reactive protein are linked to an increased risk of several apparently distinct, chronic diseases: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and now colon cancer." http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2004/02_10_04.html

The New York Times article continues to say “two large studies — one in men and one in women — have demonstrated that the higher a person's C-reactive protein level, the greater the risk of a heart attack or stroke.  Doctors nationwide are adding the C.R.P. test to cholesterol screening to assess people's risk of atherosclerosis. 1

CRP testing can be useful in assessing patient’s with: 3

• Heart disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Some forms of arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

CRP can be used to screen otherwise healthy people for the following conditions. However, in these cases, the more sensitive high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein test (hsCRP) will be ordered:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD)
• Cardiovascular disease

A health care professional may test someone for elevated CRP levels to check for internal inflammation or to help determine a person’s risk for heart disease.  However, a low CRP level does not necessarily mean that inflammation is not present.  For example, those with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (inflammatory conditions) may or may not have increased levels of CRP; the reason for this is not known.

Reducing Inflammation and CRP Naturally

A primary goal for heart attack prevention, should be to keep inflammation to a minimum, says Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s hospital, and others. 1

Research results regarding the connection between CRP, inflammation, and degenerative diseases are on the rise, which is leading many health care professionals to believe that lowering CRP levels can also help reduce internal inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic, degenerative diseases. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, systemic enzyme therapy has been shown to help reduce elevated CRP levels, inflammation, and symptoms associated with such conditions. 

We offer these systemic enzyme products that can be helpful in reducing inflammation:

	Vitalzym was formulated specifically for pain, inflammation, and systemic fibrosis of the organs and tissues. This formula is the best choice for tissue and organ inflammation, and fibrosis conditions.
	VitalzymSEB is a formula that was created with the cardiovascular system in mind. It contains an enzyme called nattokinase in combination with other "heart healthy" enzymes that have been shown to reduce the levels of CRP and vascular inflammation, which may lead to heart disease if left unchecked, as mentioned above.

http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/nattokinase_&_cardio_health.pdf

http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/landmark_dev_for_cardio_dis.html

Suggested Further Reading 

Definition of Inflammation

http://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/serrapeptase.html#insect

Journal of the American Medical Association related articles and extracts

Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein

FDA cautions of using over the counter pain relievers

References

1. New York Times article, Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack
    
2. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-inflammation
    
3. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/tab/test

Further, what many people are not aware of is that for optimal wellness there needs to be a balance of omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats. Because omega 6 fats are far more abundant in our modern diet than omega 3 fats are, most people have a skewed ratio of omega fatty acids in their body.This imbalance is believed to be contributing to various factors that can lead to chronic diseases. Source Naturals ArcticPure Omega-3 fish oil can help balance the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids for better health.

Omega Fatty Acids in Our Diet

Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids must be obtained from our diet, as we cannot make them on our own. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in many oils, meats, and processed foods are more common than omega-3 fatty acids.  Sources of omega-3’s are primarily found in plants, nuts, and fish oils, such as salmon, tuna, anchovies, mackerel, and sardines.  Unless you eat 3 to 4 ounces of cold water fish at least two times per week, you may not be getting enough omega-3’s in your diet in comparison to omega-6 fatty acids.

Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can include:¹

• Fatigue
• Poor memory
• Dry skin
• Heart problems
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Poor circulation

According to the University of Maryland, “lack of omega-6 fatty acids, is extremely rare in diets of those living in certain Western countries, particularly the United States… In fact, North American…diets tend to have too much omega-6, particularly in relation to omega-3 fatty acids.”¹

This imbalance contributes to long-term diseases, such as:¹

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Depression

Balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

It is beneficial to maintain an appropriate balance between omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, as these two substances work together to promote health.  Most medical experts consider an optimal omega-6/omega-3 ratio to be 2:1 or even 1:1. Americans commonly range from the 10:1 to the 50:1 ratio. This unbalanced ratio can have critical health consequences.  

Omega-3s are an essential part of the structure of every cell in the body as an integral component of the cell membrane. This cell integrity enables each cell to accomplish its function.²

A Balanced Ratio of Essential Fatty Acids are critically essential in the following key areas:

• Supports brain cell function and development
• Provides cardiovascular support
• Supports eye and retina health
• Promotes healthy mental function
• Supports the immune system

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Benefits 

There are two critical omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, that the body needs. EPA and DHA are the building blocks for hormones that control immune function, blood clotting, and cell growth.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the following:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol. According to a number of studies, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can lower blood pressure. Fish oil can also cut triglyceride levels by 20% to 50%.
   
• Cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower the overall risk of death from heart disease. Fish oil may reduce arrhythmias, and people who take omega-3 supplements after a heart attack cut their risk of having another heart attack. Eating fish once or twice a week seems to significantly lower the risk of stroke.
   
• Inflammation. Omega-3’s reduce inflammation throughout the body, including blood vessels and joints.
   
• Rheumatoid arthritis. A number of studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce stiffness and joint pain. Omega-3s also seem to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.
   
• Depression. Researchers have found that cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s have lower levels of depression. Fish oil also seems to boost the effects of antidepressants. Fish oil may help reduce the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.
   
• Prenatal health. Studies show that EPA and DHA supplementation during pregnancy boost the health of pregnant women and the development of their children. DHA appears to be important for visual and neurological development in infants.  
   
• Osteoporosis. Studies suggest that foods or supplements with omega-3s can improve bone density.
   
• Asthma. Some evidence suggests that fish oil might improve lung function and reduce the amount of medication a person needs.
   
• ADHD. A few studies have found that fish oil can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in school-age children and improve their cognitive function.
   
• Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The evidence is preliminary, but some research suggests that omega-3s may help protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia. However, more research needs to be done.
   
• Other conditions. Although the quality of the evidence varies, there's research showing that omega-3s might have a role in treating or reducing the risk of many other conditions. These conditions include painful periods, diabetic kidney damage, obesity, skin conditions, some cancers, Crohn's disease, and lupus.
   

Source: WebMD Medical Reference3

Purity and Quality

Pure, concentrated fish oils are one of the most important additions modern people can make in their daily health programs. However, due to the growing concerns over heavy metal toxicity in fish these days, consuming lots of fresh fish is becoming questionable.  Therefore, one can take a high quality fish oil supplement like Source Naturals ArcticPure Omega-3 fish oil, which is a great way to include omega-3 essential fatty acids to your diet without the added toxins. 

Source Naturals ArcticPure Fish Oils are premier omega-3 oils with outstanding levels of purity and are among the highest potencies available today. They are an effective, powerful tool to support your health and vitality.

Does Source Naturals have to go to the ends of the earth for the best omega-3 fish oils? Yes, as a matter of fact they do. Their commitment to quality doesn’t stop at searching the world’s oceans for the cleanest, most abundant sources of the highest-quality fish. The quality of the omega-3 fish oils and their benefits to your body depend on the purity and freshness of the oil in all phases of its manufacturing and production.

Source Natural's bottling and encapsulation processes follow the highest standards, meeting and exceeding purity standards and pharmaceutical protocol of the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Their commitment to quality ensures that you have the finest, purest, most potent oils available.

References
 

1. University of Maryland Medical Center
    
2. Simopoulos AP, (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomed Pharmacother. 56:365-379.
    
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet / WebMD 

The Facts

According to the American Heart Association, more than 42 million women are currently living with some form of cardiovascular disease.  More than 200,000 women die each year of heart attacks.  If this is not enough to make you sit up and take note, consider this: While many people think of heart disease as a “man’s condition”, the surprising fact is that more women than men die of heart disease each year than men.  Further, women are less likely than men to receive appropriate treatment after a heart attack, often because they are unaware of the signs and symptoms.

Women Most at Risk

The most common risk factors for women include:

• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Diabetes
• Poor diet
• Being physically inactive
• Age: 55 years or older puts you at a higher risk
• Race/ethnicity: African American, Hispanic, and Native American women are all at greater risk of developing heart disease than Caucasian women
   

Identifying a Heart Attack: Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of heart attack in women can vary from those usually associated with men.  Common female heart attack symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Unusual fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness
• Lower chest discomfort
• Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that may feel like indigestion
• Throat discomfort
• Back pain

A study² was done on 41 women and 59 men who suffered heart attacks.  The results show that while some heart attack symptoms are similar for men and women, women may in fact experience varying symptoms that often get brushed off as being something else.

Here's how the participants described their heart attack symptoms:

• Pain, shortness of breath, fatigue. No gender differences
• Right-side chest discomfort. 4.7 times more likely to be reported by men
• Throat discomfort. 12 times more likely to be reported by women
• Discomfort. 2.7 times more likely to be reported by men
• Dull ache. 3.9 times more likely to be reported by men
• Pressure in the chest. 7.3 times more likely to be reported by women
• Vomiting. 3.9 times more likely to be reported by women
• Indigestion. 3.7 times more likely to be reported by men
   

Men were also five times more likely than women to recognize their symptoms as being related to their heart, say the researchers. 
 

Prevention: What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States—and it’s preventable.  The high statistics are not hard to believe when you stop and look at the way most American’s are living today.  The high stress lifestyle, combined with a nutrient poor diet and the many chemicals we are exposed to daily make many women susceptible to heart problems and complications that we did not have to face in generations past.

So what can you do to protect yourself?  You can start be evaluating your lifestyle and making adjustments where needed.

A healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of heart disease. If you already have heart disease, a healthy lifestyle may prevent it from getting worse. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Following a healthy diet abundant in vegetables and fruit, good quality (hormone and anti-biotic free) protein, legumes, and moderate amounts of healthy fats like olive oil and avocado.
• Being physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress

Important: If you or someone you know is experiencing a heart attack, crush or chew a full-strength aspirin (swallow with a glass of water) to prevent further blood clotting, and seek medical help immediately. Read more about cardio health in the blog article:  You’re All Heart.
 

Products to Support Heart Health

	VitalzymSEB is a unique enzyme formula designed specifically to support heart health by supplying enzymes that can cleanse the blood of excess fibrin and reduce inflammation within the body.
	Omega-3 fats like the ones found in ArcticPure Omega-3 are a critical component of any heart health plan. Omega-3 fats have been shown to reduce inflammation, raise HDL (the good cholesterol), support healthy circulation and promote heart health by slightly thinning the blood and dilating blood vessels.
	Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant essential to manage inflammation and support a health heart. Deficiencies in CoQ10 strongly correlate with heart disease.

Heart Health Resources for Women:
 

• The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease: http://www.womenheart.org/resources/cvdfactsheet.cfm
• Heart for Women: http://www.heartforwomen.org/
• American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200011

References:

1. The American Heart Association, June 2011 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200011
    
2. WebMD, June 2011
   http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20050218/men-vs-women-confusion-over-heart-symptoms?page=2
    

Well, yes. But, it comes down to more than just calories consumed vs. calories burned!

Most often, the blame for this epidemic gets placed on poor eating habits: Too many French fries, not enough vegetables. This philosophy is no doubt frustrating for people who are making lifestyle changes, eating better, exercising, and still not losing weight. Recent studies, however, may be able to shed some light on this. The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity along with many research studies are now reporting that while eating a balance diet certainly plays a vital role in healthy weight management, there is also another critical factor that plays a part in how well our bodies can manage weight: Hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that work much like a switchboard operator, transferring information and directing cells to do one thing or another. When hormones become out of balance (and there are many ways for this to happen), then weight control can become hard to manage.

How Do Hormones Become Out of Balance?

Hormones can become out of balance in several ways.

If your body is not able to adequately metabolize hormones, which is common today due to a myriad of factors including genetics, stress, and diet and lifestyle, then excess hormones may begin to circulate and get stored in your body. This would be considered an endogenous, or, internally influenced hormone imbalance, as it is caused by an insufficient internal biological function (detoxification). Long term circulation of hormones can lead to an excess of certain hormones, particularly estrogen, in the body tissue. We will further discuss estrogen’s role in weight management later in this article.

Additionally, if your body is exposed to exogenous, or, external hormones or hormone like substances, then this too, can throw your body off kilter. You may be surprised to learn that most of us are being exposed to many hormone like substances every day that may be directly contributing to weight gain and persistent poundage. These substances, which are actually able to mimic hormones in the body, are now being called “obesogens”, a term coined by biologist and UC Irvine professor and researcher, Bruce Blumberg. Obesogens may be a contributing factor in why so many people today are struggling with frustrating and stubborn weight gain.

Examples of EDCs/obesogens that many of us encounter every day include:

• Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides found on conventional produce and in tap water. Instead, try to buy organic, or at least wash your produce thoroughly. Be sure to drink pure filtered water.
• Conventionally raised meat and dairy which often contain hormones and antibiotics.
  Instead, buy organic or hormone and anti-biotic free.
• Plastic cans and bottles, many of which contain Biphenyl-A (BPA). Instead, use glass jars or metal (try to avoid aluminum) water bottles. Avoid leaving plastic water bottles in the sun or exposing to heat, especially microwaves.
• Non-stick Pans (Teflon pans), which contain Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Instead, use cast iron or hard anodized aluminum (processed so that aluminum cannot leech into food).
• Vinyl products and air fresheners, which contain Phthalates. Instead, use natural products.
• Creams and lotions containing estrogenic ingredients like parabens. Instead use natural products and oils. See Energetic Nutrition’s all natural EDC free RegenaCell anti-aging cream.
• Common cleaning chemicals which omit toxic fumes. Instead use natural, non-toxic formulas. You can even make your own cleaning supplies.

Why Do Obesogens Make Us Fat?

Blumberg and other researchers have concluded, following much study on endocrine disrupting chemicals/obesogens, that they are actually able to disrupt normal function of metabolic hormones. Metabolic hormones are produced in the endocrine system, and are responsible for a wide range of functions in the body. Metabolic hormones do everything from regulating hunger, to deciding where and how body fat is stored and/or burned in the body.

The endocrine system consists of:

• The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, also known as the “master glands” because they control much of the other endocrine gland functions.

• The thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, temperature, and weight.

• The adrenal glands, which moderate mental and physical stress.

• The reproductive organs or, gonads (testes/ovaries), which produce sex hormones including testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.

• The pancreas, responsible for blood sugar regulation and enzyme production.

• The pineal gland, responsible for secreting melatonin, the “sleep” hormone.

Obesognes affect the endocrine system in several ways.

According to Blumberg’s study, obesogens are actually able to target signaling proteins to tell a growing fetus (yes, it really does matter what you eat and what you are exposed to while pregnant) to make more fat cells. This can have lifelong consequences, and increase the likelihood of body fat accumulation as a person ages. It can also make it more difficult for a person to lose excess weight. This may be a key factor in the rising childhood obesity epidemic.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals can promote weight gain and obesity in that they increase the number of fat cells a person has. This can change the amount of calories burned at rest, affecting energy balance and the metabolisms of ghrelin and leptin, the chemicals which control hunger and satiety.

Estrogen and Weight Gain

Many Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals/obesogens, including those listed above, can also be known as xenoestrogens, or substances that mimic estrogen in the body. Xenoestrogens work by docking onto estrogen receptor sites in the body, and in doing so, can actually mimic estrogen. This can create a circumstance of too much estrogen, also known as estrogen dominance. It is important to note that both women and men can be estrogen dominant. Estrogen Dominance can occur as a result of too much estrogen, or as a result of insufficient progesterone, or both. Read more on estrogen dominance here. Symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

• Thyroid dysfunction
• Adrenal fatigue
• Excess weight, particularly in the abdomen and chest
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Uterine fibroid tumors
• Endometriosis
• Estrogen positive cancers
• Prostate problems
• Fibromyalgia
• PMS and/or painful cramping
• Irregular or heavy menstruation.

Estrogen dominance can play an important role in stubborn weight gain, and likewise, weight gain plays an important role in estrogen dominance. Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, thighs, and the back of the arms are common in people who are estrogen dominant. When a person is overweight, often excess estrogen is produced by a process in which an enzyme called aromatase converts adrenal steroids (hormones) into estrogen. Then, in a cruel twist of biological fate, that estrogen prompts the formation of more fat cells, and the cycle perpetuates itself. This can be especially troublesome for men and women in middle age, as hormone production shifts from the gonadal glands to other parts of the body, including the adrenal gland and adipose (fat) tissue. Because the body is trying to find ways to maintain adequate hormone production as we age, we will often hold on to body fat, as body fat can synthesize hormone production. So, if a person is overweight, then likely they have excess estrogen in their tissues, which as we now know, promotes the creation and storage of more fat.

Stress Plays a Part

Also important to consider is stress. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland, blocks weight loss. This is a basic biological function intended to protect us from starvation. When we experience high levels of stress, we produce high levels of cortisol, and our bodies store fat, sort of like an emergency backup plan. So if you’re leading a high stress lifestyle, and wondering why you can shed those pesky pounds despite your best efforts, finding a way to de-stress is a must.

Creating Hormone Balance to Support a Healthy Weight

There are many components to a successful weight management program, including a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, and hormone balance. If EDCs/xenoestrogens and/or poor biological estrogen metabolism are contributing to hormone imbalance and excess fat storage in your body, then ensuring you take the steps to restore hormone balance is a must. This means eliminating xenoestrogens from your everyday life, limiting phytoestrogens, and supplementing with high quality products designed to support healthy estrogen metabolism and hormone balance.

Products to Support Healthy Estrogen Metabolism

	DIM is a phytonutrient found naturally in cruciferous vegetables. DIMPRO, an exceptional bioavailable form of DIM, promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism and healthy hormonal balance for both women and men. This optimizes the ratio of estrogen metabolites that is crucial for breast, uterine, cervical, and prostate health, and for healthy weight management. Dr. Michael Zeligs reports that DIMPRO reduces the levels of estrodiol (the problem or “active” form of estrogen) and promotes its conversion into more healthy estrogen metabolites that can actually burn fat.
	Myomin is a Chinese herbal blend suitable for both men and women. Myomin has been shown to help metabolize unhealthy estrogens and promote proper hormonal balance within the body. Studies show that Myomin can effectively inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgens (testosterone) into estrogen.Additionally, Myomin competes with estradiol at estrogen receptor cites, and may therefore be especially effective for estrogen-dominant conditions including hormone related weight gain.
	Calcium D-Glucarate is a relatively common nutrient found in many fruits and vegetables. Many believe that this nutrient aids the body in the elimination of many harmful substances and helps to lower abnormally high levels of steroid hormones including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.One tablet (500 mg.) of Source Naturals Calcium D-Glucarate is equivalent to the phytonutrient activity found in 82 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. This nutrient is currently the subject of numerous clinical studies and is proving to have great potential for addressing various health concerns.Supplementing with Calcium D-Glucarate can help support healthy estrogen metabolism and detoxification, thus promoting healthy and sustainable weight loss.
	Natural progesterone like that found in Progesta-Care is used to maintain a normal level of progesterone and a balanced ratio of estrogen to progesterone. It is especially helpful for those who are estrogen dominant due to a deficiency of progesterone. Symptoms of progesterone imbalance include: Moodiness Hot flashes Depression Weight gain Bloating Low libido Breast tenderness Premenstrual syndrome Menopausal symptoms  In the right amount, bioidentical progesterone can help: Have a calming effect Enhance moods Normalize sleep Increase sex drive Use fat for energy Regulate fluid balance Reduce symptoms of fibrocystic breasts Decrease the risk of osteoporosis Stabilize blood sugar, thyroid function, and mineral balance
	Cleansing is an important component of weight loss, as we now know how accumulated toxins can affect the body. The Complete Body Cleanse Kit offers a 14 day program that is designed to help improve your health by dealing with the toxins that accumulate in your body. It not only supports the body's own detoxification mechanisms, but at the same time enhances them, while addressing the areas of greatest concern, including the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

The Role of Diet in Balancing Hormones and Losing Weight

It is important to note the critical link between insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to bring glucose into cells and balance blood sugar) and body fat. Many people today are on a low fat, high carbohydrate diet that includes an abundance of processed foods like bread, pasta, crackers, etc. When we consume more carbohydrates than our body can burn, our blood sugar rises. Over time, this creates what is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance promotes fat storage and long term “communication damage” to insulin receptor sites, meaning that if you have become insulin resistant, even the best diet will likely not be enough to shed the pounds. To counter insulin resistance, a low carbohydrate diet high in non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, and a moderate amount of good quality fat, along with moderate daily exercise is recommended.

Ketsumeisei, a proprietary herbal blend, has been formulated to improve metabolic and microcirculatory disturbances like those associated with Type II diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance.Ketsumeisei has been found to help maintain stabilized blood sugar and improve insulin resistance by helping to lower free fatty acid in the body, according to clinical studies.Insulin resistance and free fatty acid have been identified as being contributing factors to the onset of diabetes. Our rapidly changing modern lifestyle has also resulted in a sharp increase in the incidence of Type II diabetes mellitus, which is now a major problem for society.

Weight loss can be a very complicated and frustrating topic. As we begin to understand the important roles that hormones play in weight loss, however, it becomes easier to better tackle the increasing problem of obesity in America. If you are dealing with frustrating weight gain and can’t seem to shed the extra pounds, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Then, take the information provided above, and put it to good use! Diet, exercise, and healthy hormone balance, along with avoiding those substances known to disturb hormones and health, will go a long way to living a happy, healthy, energetic lifestyle.

References:

Connelly, A., Zeligs, M, . (2000). All About DIM. New York: Avery a Member of Penguin Putnam Inc.

Lee, J. (2004). What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. New York: Time Warner Book Group.

Mercola, J. (2011). Complications Regarding Progesterone Cream. Mercola.com. April First, 2011
http://www.mercola.com/article/progesterone/cream.htm

Pick, M. (2005). Estrogen Dominance- Is It Real? WomenToWomen.com. April 1st, 2011.http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/estrogendominance.aspx

The Endocrine Society. (2009). Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. The Endo-Society.org. April 1st, 2011
http://www.endo-society.org/journals/ScientificStatements/upload/EDC_Scientific_Statement.pdf

University of California, Irvine. (March 2009). Endocrine Disrupters as Obesogens. PubMed Central. April 1st, 2011.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2713042/

U.S. Surgeon General. (2003) The Obesity Crisis in America. Surgeongeneral.gov. April 1st, 2011. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/testimony/obesity07162003.htm

White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity. (May 2010). Solving the Problem of Childhood ObesityWithin a Generation. Let’s Move.gov. April 1st, 2011. http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/TaskForce_on_Childhood_Obesity_May2010_FullReport.pdf

When it comes to heart health, women need a wake up call! Heart disease is often considered a man’s diagnosis, however, according the National Institute for Health, heart disease is actually the No. 1 killer of both men and women in America today.

 A staggering 1 in 4 women die from heart disease, whereas 1 in 30 women die from  breast cancer. The U.S. Department of Health reports that nearly two-thirds of American women who die suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms. Yes, that should be shocking! Yet, this is a preventable disease.

Why Are These Numbers So High? 
Likely it is a combination of stress, the Standard American Diet (also known as S.A.D.), lack of exercise, smoking, and other environmental toxins and lifestyle choices that have become a common way of life for many people. 

What Can You Do to Stay Healthy and Heart Happy? 
Think preventative!  Or, if you have already been diagnosed with having heart disease or being at risk of heart disease, then consider making efforts to  bring your body back into balance.  This means taking the time to get to know your body, and then doing what you need to do to thrive!

Where to Start?

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol is key.  It’s all about the ratio. 

We have all heard that high cholesterol is bad.  Many in the health care field, however, believe that “high” is relative, and what is equally important as total cholesterol is the ratio of HDL (“good” cholesterol) to LDL (“bad” cholesterol).  This is not to say that you should throw your total cholesterol number out the window, but rather, educate yourself on the importance of an appropriate total cholesterol, as well as the ratios of HDL and LDL mean. 

Mary Enig, PhD and author of the book “Know Your Fats,”  has spent her life’s work studying the importance of fats and their role in good health.  She states that “blood cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dl are normal… and in fact they have been shown to be associated with longevity.”  Total cholesterol is determined by combining HDL and LDL, along with other markers like triglycerides.  To obtain a truly accurate evaluation, we must examine the ratios within those numbers.

What Do Healthy Cholesterol Levels Look Like?

• HDL:LDL ratio of  4 or less.  This ratio is determined by dividing HDL into LDL.  For example, if a person’s HDL is 60 and their LDL is 150, their ratio would be 2.5.  Because their ratio is less than 4, many would consider this to be a healthy.  
• HDL (good) cholesterol: at least 40
• LDL (bad) cholesterol: below 100 (slightly more may be alright if HDL is high)
• Triglycerides: below 150
• Total cholesterol below 240.  Remember, it is important to make sure HDL is high and that LDL is low.

The Inflammation Factor

There are many factors that play into high cholesterol, one of the key factors being inflammation within the body.  Inflammation can occur for a number of reasons, some of the more common being:

• Oxidative stress with in the body.  This means you have more free radicals (inflammation promoting atoms which damage cells) in your body than you do antioxidants to quench them.
   
• Poor diet high in trans or damaged fats.  Examples of damaged fats include fried foods, highly processed fats like partially hydrogenated oils, and fats that have been oxidized by heat or light.
   
• Inadequate omega-3 fats.
   
• Exposure to inflammatory toxins.  These may include everyday substances from products like cleaning supplies, pesticides from conventionally grown foods, lotions and shampoo products.
   
• Elevated Homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body during the process of methionine metabolism.  It has been shown that elevated homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of cardio vascular disease, likely because homocysteine has an inflammatory effect on the arteries.  This promotes the oxidization of LDL, making it more likely for plaque to be laid down in the arteries. The metabolization of homocysteine requires abundant B Vitamins, which help to quickly break down and move homocysteine through and out of the body.  Supplementing with B Vitamins is an excellent way to support healthy homocysteine levels. 
   
• Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a bloodtest which measures a special type of protein in the blood that is present during times of inflammation. It IS possible to have inflammation in the body, even with a low CRP test result.  A high CRP  test result, however, is a good indication that there is either acute or chronic inflammation in the body that needs to be addressed.   

Weighing In

Maintaining a healthy body weight really does matter.

• Become familiar with your waist to hip ratio.  Women should have a waist to hip ratio of about 0.80, and men about 1.0.  If excess fat is stored in the waist (belly) area, there is a higher risk of heart disease associated.  You can evaluate your waist to hip here.

Are You At Risk?

The most common risk factors include:

• Being overweight
• Eating a nutrient poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking cigarettes
• High blood pressure
• Metabolic Syndrome. Risks for metabolic syndrome include:
  1. High fasting glucose levels
  2. High (poor ratio) cholesterol
  3. High blood pressure
  4. Being overweight, especially in the abdomen

What You Can Do About It

Providing your body with the extra support it needs can go a long way in keeping your heart happy. These excellent supplements are available at Energetic Nutrition.

→ Healthy Heart Support 

	VitalzymSEB is a unique enzyme formula designed specifically to support heart health by supplying enzymes that may cleanse the blood of excess fibrin and arterial plaque.  It also lowers C-Reactive Protein levels, which is the cause of vascular inflammation.
	Omega-3 fats like the ones found in ArcticPure Omega-3 are a critical component of any heart health plan. Omega-3 fats have been shown to reduce inflammation, raise HDL, support healthy circulation and promote heart health by thinning the blood and dilating blood vessels.
	A good quality multi-vitamin like Life Essence Multiple provides essential vitamins and minerals along with anti-oxidants, amino acids, and countless other co-nutrients necessary to keep your body strong and your heart whistling a happy tune.

→ Detoxify

Environmental toxins have a tremendous impact on heart health. A simple herbal spring cleanse (see our Complete Body Cleanse Kit) can help support the natural release of stored toxins that collect over the winter months. Combined with delicious organic foods and some sweating, your heart will surely be grateful.

→ Hormone Balance

Estrogens play a complex role in non-reproductive tissues including the brain and cardiovascular system. The risk of stroke and heart disease is increased dramatically when a person is estrogen dominant. Water logging of the cells and an increase in intercellular sodium, which predispose a person to high blood pressure or hypertension, frequently occur with estrogen dominance.Balance is key. 

	DIM promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism and healthy hormonal balance.  DIM protects against hormone-related cancer and heart disease.
	Myomin is an all-natural Chinese herbal blend ideal for normalizing estrogen levels in both men and women. Additionally, Myomin can also induce more interferon in the system, which activates natural killer cells, a major component of the immune system.

→  Fuel Your Body with Antioxidants
 

	Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant which has been shown to safeguard LDL cholesterol from oxidation.  CoQ10 is a critical component in the primary energy cycle, and is most abundant in the heart. Deficiencies in CoQ10 strongly correlate with heart disease.
	Antioxidants like Vitamin E have been shown to help neutralize destructive free radicals and support cardiovascular health by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol and inhibiting plaque formation. Oxidized cholesterol is an unstable molecule that damages the integrity of arteries.

Eat for Health

A healthy diet goes a long way to longevity.

Choose an array of organic, hormone-free and antibiotic-free whole foods.

Portion size is important if you are trying not to overeat. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep blood sugar regulated and dietary stress at a minimum.  Try to include: 

• Up to 7 servings of delicious garden vegetables, especially leafy greens
• Two servings of juicy fresh fruits.
• Meats, poultry and fish without fillers and chemicals.  A serving size is about the size of the palm of your hand and the thickness of a deck of cards.
• Nuts and seeds, healthy oils, avocados and olives in moderation. Be sure you are getting  adequate fiber (at least 30 g/day), as fiber has been shown to lower LDL by helping to escort it out of the body.

Keep That Body Moving

Moderate exercise 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes is essential to support circulation, vitality, and heart health.  Consider exploring the outdoors, getting to the gym, or even just sweating it out at home. Swim, run, bike, dance or do whatever keeps your heart pumping. Add in some weight training a couple of days a week and treat your muscles to some stretching or yoga and you’ll have a recipe for a healthy metabolism and a happy, strong heart.

Stress Less

Stress is a major concern when it comes to hypertension and heart health. Keep those stress hormones in check and that blood pressure down by taking time to relax, meditate, walk, take a bath, or do whatever it is you do that relaxes you.  Even if it is only for 5-10 minutes per day, it makes a difference.

Electromagnetic stress from things like cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices also contribute to our “total load,” or the total amount of stress that our body is required to deal with. Keeping EMF’s at bay while using your favorite electronic tools can make a difference in your health.

The Aulterra Neutralizer and Enhance by Aulterra are both excellent to reduce EMF stress and protect the body on a cellular level.

We sometimes forget that our heart is working day in and day out to keep us moving.  It is easy for women to overlook heart health, especially with so much emphasis being put on so many other health issues today.  Recent statistics on women and heart health, however, are showing that our hearts are in need some extra love!  So consider taking the time to give your heart the support it deserves, it will surely appreciate the extra TLC.

While it is true that our bodies are built to be able to naturally cleanse and detoxify (say thank you to your liver ever day!), in modern times, unless you live in a bubble, it is virtually impossible to avoid toxins and harmful substances that can overwhelm our bodies and leave us feeling sluggish and unwell.

In today's world of technology, fast foods, pharmaceuticals and toxic chemicals, our bodies can be affected in many ways, from energy levels and stamina to how well our organs are able to function. The amount of pesticides, herbicides, fossil fuel emissions, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals that we are exposed to on a daily basis have reached record proportions, leaving our bodies struggling to keep up with all of the detoxifying that has to be done. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has reported that traces of toxic chemicals can now be found in nearly every American. Clearly our bodies are having to detoxify more today than they ever have before. This is where regular cleansing comes in. Many health care experts believe that in today’s modern world, it is a good idea to do a gentle cleanse at least a couple of times a year, to help remove excess toxins from your body and keep you looking and feeling great.

 What are Toxins?

A toxin is any compound that has a detrimental effect on cell function or structure in the body.  Some toxins cause minimal negative effects, while others can cause  more serious effects, or even death.  Toxins are often divided into four categories:

• Heavy Metals- Including lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum.  Heavy metals tend to accumulate in vital organs, often disrupting their function.
• Liver Toxins – Including drugs, alcohol, solvents, formaldehyde, pesticides, herbicides, and food additives.  Our livers are usually overloaded with these toxins because they are so prevalent in our diet and in our environment.
• Microbial Compounds – Including toxins produced by bacteria and yeast in the digestive tract can be absorbed and transported throughout the body, significantly disrupting bodily functions.  These toxins can also include toxic amines, toxic derivatives of bile, various carcinogenic substances, and endotoxins and exotoxins from bacteria.
• By Products of Protein Metabolism – The kidneys are largely responsible for eliminating toxic waste products of protein metabolism, such as ammonia and urea.  Excessive protein consumption and lack of water can inhibit proper kidney function. 

Toxins can be found just about everywhere; in our homes, in our workplaces, in our food, in our water and even in the air we breathe. More specifically, toxins can be found in:

• Plastics, especially when heated or microwaved
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Mold and other fungus
• Carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture
• Conventional cleaning supplies
• Unfiltered drinking water
• Wall paint, especially older paint
• Dry cleaning chemicals
• Processed foods
• Conventional beauty care products including lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, and body wash

Periodic cleansing can help to flush out accumulated toxins, and keep your body working well.

Internal Housekeeping

Imagine what the inside of a house would look like if you never cleaned it. Dirt, toxins, and pathogens would begin to build up and create an unhealthy and uncomfortable environment.

A similar scenario can occur inside of our bodies when the liver and other bodily systems responsible for detoxification become over-burdened. When this happens, we can experience a range of health problems including:

How to Gently Detoxify Your Body

Detoxification is a process in which potentially harmful compounds are excreted from the body. The liver, lungs, skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract all play a part in detoxification. The purpose of a cleanse is to support these organs so that they can function optimally, thus resulting in a cleaner, healthier you.

There are many ways to do a cleanse. Some of the supposed “cleanses” out there can actually be quite dangerous, as they include fasting, limiting protein, and possibly ingesting substances that are in fact not conducive to cleansing at all. When considering a cleanse, it is important to take a couple of things into consideration:

First, you need to make sure your diet and your living environment are clean. Eliminate refined foods, sugar and coffee. You may also want to eliminate gluten, dairy, soy, and corn, as these foods are difficult to digest. People often find that after eliminating these foods for a couple of weeks they actually have a sensitivity to them and were not aware of it. Many people today have become accustomed to feeling less than optimal. When they clean up their diet and do a cleanse, they often experience increased energy and wellness they did not know they were missing.

• Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, organic when possible. This should be the bulk of your diet while cleansing. Fruits and vegetables will provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber essential to an effective cleanse.

• Include plenty of clean, good quality protein to support the liver during detoxification. Try to get in a moderate serving at every meal.

• Drink water! On a regular day, you want to get in at least 8 large glasses of water. When cleansing, it should be closer to 10 or more.

Second, make sure you choose a high quality, gentle and effective cleaning product that includes all aspects of cleansing: Liver support, digestive support, and a gentle chelating formula to bind and remove heavy metals from the body.

The Complete Body Cleanse Kit from Life Flo includes all three of these elements, and is an excellent way to jumpstart your cleansing experience.

Last, you need to get your body moving! Exercise promotes cleansing by increasing circulation in the blood and lymph, and increasing oxygen to cells in the body. Exercise is an integral part of an effective cleansing program, and should be done at least 3-5 times per week.

Also important to consider is when to do your cleanse and for how long. A seasonal cleanse is an excellent way to remember to cleanse every 3 months. The Spring and Summer months are especially great for cleansing, as fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant during these times of year. Generally a cleanse can last from 1 to 3 weeks, and depends on your lifestyle and what you feel your body needs.

It is important to note that when cleansing, you need to have at least one bowel movement per day, to ensure you are eliminating toxins that have been stored in the body and are being released with cleansing. It is also important to drink plenty of water to help flush toxins that pass through the kidneys.

Products to Help with Cleansing

The Complete Body Cleanse Kit to Support Total Body Detoxification

The Complete Body Cleanse Kit is a Triple Action Detoxification System created by Life-flo.  It is designed to help support, detoxify, and rejuvenate us.

The Complete Body Cleanse Kit not only supports the body's own detoxification mechanisms, but at the same time enhances them. This triple action system works on the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and the circulatory system where a lot of heavy metals and other toxins can reside.  These compounds are either generated by the body as by-products of cellular metabolic processes, or acquired through exposure to the environment. 

Benefits of use:

• Helps cleanse the liver and colon
• Helps remove toxic heavy metals
• Helps increase weight loss results
• Helps increase energy levels
• Helps improve the health of your skin
• Helps promote overall well being

Calcium D-Glucarate to help remove toxins from the intestinal tract

D-Glucarate is a phytochemical that can be found in fruits and vegetables, such as apples, oranges, broccoli, cabbage, bean sprouts, and brussels sprouts.  It is also made in small amounts by the body. Many believe that this nutrient aids the body in the elimination of many harmful toxins and lowers abnormally high levels of used steroid hormones including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. 

D-Glucarate also inhibits an enzyme known as beta-glucuronidase, which suppresses the body’s ability to detoxify many toxins using the glucuronidation pathway. When levels of this enzyme become elevated, it reverses the glucuronidation process and releases the toxins back into the bloodstream. (6)   When detoxification involves Calcium D-Glucarate, it is called glucuronidation, which is the process that occurs when toxins or carcinogens are combined with water soluble substances, allowing such toxins to be more easily removed from the body.  Research supports a role for glucuronidation in protecting cells (especially those of hormone-sensitive tissues such as the breast and prostate) from dangerous environmental chemicals.(7)

When beta-glucuronidase becomes elevated, it reverses the glucuronidation process and releases the toxins back into the bloodstream. (6) Consider supplementing with Calcium D-Glucarate to keep the detoxification pathway moving forward. This will preserve the amount of glucuronic acid available to eliminate toxins, and limit the amount of free estrogen that is reabsorbed in the body.

Benefits of use:

• Helps eliminate toxins and carcinogens
• Helps eliminate used hormones
• Helps reduce the risk of certain diseases
• Has been shown to reduce estrogen receptors

Green Foods to Assist Detoxification

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants and algae that is responsible for their color.  Historically, chlorophyll has been used to help improve health, including: 

• •Bad breath
• • Constipation
• • For use in detoxifying
• • As an antioxidant
• • As an anti-inflammatory
  • For wound healing (1,2)

Some evidence suggests that chlorophyll helps detoxify cancer-promoting substances, suggesting that chlorophyll may reduce the risk of cancer. (3,4)

According to the PDR for Nutritional Supplements, some experimental data suggests that chlorophyll may have some antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potential, may help protect against some toxins, and may ameliorate some drug side effects. (5)

You can find excellent dietary sources of chlorophyll in dark green leafy vegetables, spirulina, chlorella, algae, wheat grass, and barley grass. Those who do not consume a variety of green foods in plentiful quantities may lack chlorophyll in their diets. Therefore, including a good “green foods” supplement like LifeSource SuperSprouts which contains sources of chlorophyll, can help you get this important nutrient into your diet or cleansing program.

Neutralize Environmental Toxins in Your Body with Aulterra Enhance

Enhance is a homeopathically activated combination of natural paramagnetic and diamagnetic elements which neutralize the effects of heavy metals and other toxins on human DNA.

In several studies, it clearly shows that the energy of Enhance neutralizes the negative effects of toxic elements. In 1996, the University of Idaho conducted toxic soil recovery studies utilizing Enhance powder. Samples of soil contaminated with lead and zinc were mixed with small quantities of Enhance powder. The pre-mix soil contained 200ppm of lead and the zinc measured 26.8. Two days after mixing Enhance into the soil, the lead measured .5ppm and the zinc measured 6.5ppm.

In 1998, Lockheed Martin conducted a study to determine if Enhance could neutralize radioactive elements. After six months, Enhance successfully reduced the gamma radiation of the control substance by 80%.

Enhance’s unique properties activate DNA causing what is known as the quantum oscillation effect. This “winding and unwinding” of the DNA is associated only with healthy, normally functioning DNA. DNA exposed to toxins will not behave in this same manner. When exposed to Enhance, human DNA begins to repair itself, eventually achieving the quantum oscillation effect. With Aulterra's Enhance, your body can be in a constant state of healing.

Benefits of use:

• Activates DNA
• Enhances cellular activity
• Neutralizes toxic substances
• Reverses cellular aging

The Neutralizer for RF/EMF Protection

Studies have shown that cellular phones can damage the DNA in sensitive areas of your brain. Wireless equipment, computers, microwave ovens, televisions, and other electronic devices also emit EMF’s that may be harmful to your health.

When Kim Dandurand, Aulterra Neutralizer's inventor, created the Neutralizer, the most significant criteria he recognized was that the product could never be practical if it relied on either blocking or absorbing radiation. Instead, it had to neutralize it.

The Aulterra Neutralizer works by retuning the EMF frequencies of electronic devices like cell phones, computers, and other electronics to transmute the energy so it no longer causes harm to the body's DNA.

The Neutralizer is effective against harmful EMF/RF radiation when applied to any of the following devices:

• Any cellular phone

• Computer terminal

• Microwave oven

• Cordless telephone

• Television

• Video game equipment

Maintaining Your Post Cleanse Glow

After completing your cleanse, it is important to continue to nourish your body with high quality foods, fluids, and supplements, to keep you feeling great. While we cannot control all of the toxins we are exposed to, we can certainly take precautions to ensure we keep our exposure to a minimum and provide our bodies with everything it needs continue to detoxify efficiently.

• Reduce/eliminate your exposure to toxins in the home by choosing all natural cleaning products.
• Use all natural beauty and anti-aging products like RegenaCell, free of parabens and synthetic chemicals and hormones.
• Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fiber from vegetables and whole grains.
• Take a high quality superfood supplement regularly.
• Maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Take a high quality probiotic daily.
• Repeat maintenance cleanses throughout the year.
• Have regular bowel movements (1 to 3/day is ideal).
• Continue to drink plenty of pure filtered water.
• Get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Eat organic, non-processed whole foods.
• Exercise moderately on a daily basis.

Make it a Habit

Cleansing your body regularly can lead to improved health and a reduction in many symptoms that may be contributing to poor health. Therefore, it is suggested to detox your body at least once year if not more (many people like to do a seasonal cleanse, as a reminder to cleanse every few months), while maintaining your improved health by following the above suggestions.

References 

1. Rudolph C. The therapeutic value of chlorophyll. Clin Med Surg 1930:37;119-21
2. Chernomorsky SA, Segelman AB. Biological activities of chlorophyll derivatives. N J Med 1988:85;669-73.
3. Gruskin B. Chlorophyll-its therapeutic place in acute and suppurative disease. Am J Surg 1940:49;49-56.
4. Hayatsu H, Negishi T, Arimoto S, et al. Porphyrins as potential inhibitors against exposure to carcinogens and mutagens. Mutat Res 1993:290;79-85.
5. Thomson, PDR for Nutritional Supplements. New Jersey: Thomson PDR 2002;89
6. Dwivedi C, Heck WJ, Downie AA, et al. Effect of calcium glucarate on beta-glucuronidase activity and glucarate content of certain vegetables and fruits. Biochem Med Metab Biol. 1990; 43:83-92.
7. Walaszek Z, Hanausek-Walaszek M, Minton J, Webb TE. Dietary Glucarate as anti-promoter of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Carcinogenesis 1986;7:1463-1466