Supplements for Immune System

A new study carried out by scientists from the Universities of London and Oxford may provide clues as to why the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by month of birth - it seems that vitamin D levels and immune system development vary according to month of birth in newborn babies.

MS is a disabling neurological condition which happens when the body's own immune system attacks and damages the central nervous system. This interferes with the transmission of electrical messages between the brain and the rest of the body - leading to problems with vision, muscle control, hearing and memory.

Previous population studies already indicate that month of birth can influence risk of getting MS. This effect is particularly evident in England, where MS risk peaks in individuals born in May and drops in those born in November. As vitamin D is formed by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, this effect may support a prenatal role for vitamin D in MS risk.

In this new study, blood was extracted from the umbilical cord of 50 newborn babies and analyzed to measure levels of vitamin D and autoreactive T-cells. Autoreactive T-cells are specialized immune cells whose role is to identify and destroy infectious agents such as viruses.

However, for some reason, some of these T-cells start attacking the body's own cells, triggering autoimmune diseases such as MS. Normally such self-harming T-cells should be eliminated by the immune system during its development by the thymus, a specialized organ in the immune system.

Study results showed that babies born in May had significantly lower vitamin D levels (around 20% lower than those born in November), along with nearly double the number of autoreactive T-cells compared to November babies.

In other words, lower levels of vitamin D in May babies are associated with twice the levels of autoreactive T-cells, which naturally increase the risk of damage to the central nervous system.

In the future, long-term studies are needed to understand whether vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women can impact immune system development and lower risk of MS and other autoimmune diseases.

Source:

Outbreaks of deadly diseases often occur during winter, when people tend to stay indoors more often and their vitamin D levels are low. A new UCLA study - particularly relevant to tuberculosis (TB) - reveals how bacteria manipulate such social and environmental factors to make us ill.

According to UCLA researchers, some bacteria pretend to be viruses when infecting us, hijacking our immune response and hiding out inside our cells. With nearly 9 million people falling ill globally with TB each year, understanding how these bacteria fool our immune system may lead to better, more targeted therapies.

Our immune system protects us against bacterial infections by releasing a protein called interferon-gamma, which uses vitamin D to destroy invading bacteria.

When bacteria pretend to be viruses, they trigger the immune system to launch an attack with a different protein called interferon-beta - which is meant to fight viruses, not bacteria. Not only is interferon-beta ineffective against bacteria, it actually makes things worse by blocking the action of interferon-gamma.

If a real virus infects the body, triggering interferon-beta, it diverts the immune system from attacking the bacterial invader. This may be the reason why viral flu usually leads to a more serious bacterial infection like pneumonia.

UCLA researchers first compared how much virus-fighting interferon-beta protein and the bacteria-fighting interferon-gamma protein is expressed in skin lesions from leprosy patients. They found that interferon-gamma was expressed more in patients with milder leprosy, while interferon-beta was significantly higher in patients with the more serious, progressive form of leprosy.

Even more interestingly, genes triggered by interferon-beta were more frequent in the skin lesions of serious leprosy patients as well as in the blood of patients with severe TB, which are two very different diseases.

Previous work by the UCLA team had shown that the bacteria-fighting interferon-gamma defense pathway depends on vitamin D, a natural hormone that plays an essential role in the fight against infections.

This new study shows that virus-fighting interferon-beta suppresses aspects of the interferon-gamma-triggered vitamin D pathway, preventing the immune system from killing bacteria.

In other words, a shift in the balance of these two interferon proteins may also shift the balance from mild to more serious disease - while therapeutic interventions that block or enhance specific interferon responses may alter the balance against protection from bacterial diseases.

Finally, relative changes in interferon protein levels may explain why some people are more resistant, while others are susceptible to TB or have a more serious progression.

Are you looking for the best vitamin supplement that can boost your immune system naturally?

Sources:

How Deadly Bacteria Trick the Immune System.

There are also several nutritional supplements that have powerful antihistamine properties, including vitamin E, quercetin, bromelain, and colostrum. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and natural antihistamine that has been shown to strengthen your immune system and its response to attack. Vitamin E is also a natural blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking an anticoagulant, such as warfarin, check with your doctor before using vitamin E.

Quercetin has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, which makes a favorite natural treatment among allergists. It is believed to work by controlling the release of histamine and stabilizing cell membranes, making them less reactive to allergens.

A natural anti-inflammatory in its own right, bromelain also helps your body absorb quercetin. This pineapple derivative reduces inflammation in your respiratory system while also decreasing the amount and thickness of mucus in your respiratory tract.

Lastly, colostrum—the pre-milk all women produce immediately after the birth of a baby—is rich in immune-building and immune-enhancing properties. Colostrum contains several immunoglobulins, antibodies that help boost your immune system, as well as

Energy drinks are very popular nowadays, especially with teens and athletes - perhaps you’re a fan as well.

A recent study looked at the benefits and risks that come with regular energy drink consumption. In 2003, 16% of teens reported consuming them regularly - however, consumption had risen sharply to 35% by 2008. In fact, one study found that 50% of students drank at least 1-4 of these drinks in a typical month.

A sharp increase in energy drink-related emergency room visits led to demands that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) look into the effects of energy drinks on health.

Currently, the amount of caffeine added to energy drinks is not regulated by the FDA, so labeled amounts are often inaccurate. Also, the claims made by manufacturers on the ability of such drinks to maintain energy levels have not been verified.

The study authors examined the most common ingredients - caffeine, guarana, taurine, ginseng, sugars and B vitamins - and assessed their effects on health.

Levels of caffeine, the main ingredient, vary widely between brands. Energy drinks may contain higher levels of caffeine than indicated on the label.

A typical cup of coffee contains 80-120 milligrams of caffeine, while tea has 50 mg and a 12-ounce cola roughly 65 mg. On the other hand, a 16-ounce Red Bull contains 154 mg while a 24-ounce Wired X505 contains 505 mg. While there is no prescribed safety limit for caffeine, excessive consumption has been linked to high BP, premature birth and even possibly sudden death.

Guarana is a South American plant that contains a caffeine-like compound called guaranine. One gram of guarana is equal to 40 mg of caffeine. In spite of this, guarana is usually not included in the total caffeine tally. And since the FDA has not tested guarana for human consumption, its risks and benefits are almost completely unknown.

Sugar in the form of sucrose, glucose, or high fructose corn syrup ranges from 21 grams to 34 grams in every 8 ounces of a typical energy drink. Teens who consume 2 or 3 drinks daily could be taking in 120-180 mg of sugar - or 4-6 times the maximum recommended daily intake - placing them at risk for obesity and dental problems.

Taurine is a common amino acid that supports brain development and regulates mineral and water levels. The amount of taurine consumed from energy drinks is higher than from a normal diet - as yet there is no evidence that this is unhealthy. In fact, many energy drinks that claim to be healthy contain excess, unregulated amounts of vitamins or minerals you can normally get from your diet.

The problem is, you never really know how much of these ingredients you are consuming, because the quantities are masked behind the term 'proprietary blend' or 'energy blend.'

Ginseng is believed to boost athletic performance, strengthen the immune system and improve mood. According to the study authors, there is not much proof of this - and there isn't enough ginseng in energy drinks anyway.

B vitamins and other additives in energy drinks can improve mood and even fight heart disease and cancer, but again their amounts in energy drinks aren’t enough to have any meaningful effects.

Adolescent consumers have no idea what these ingredients do. They assume that because they can buy it off the shelf, it must be safe for them. In reality, very little is known about the risks and benefits of various additives in energy drinks and how they affect health when consumed over the long term. Not much is known either about how energy drinks and alcohol interact as well as how they affect medications and antidepressants.

Therefore, study authors have urged physicians to be aware of energy drink consumption and suggest educating both teens and their parents on the potential negative health consequences of consuming energy drinks regularly.

Are you looking for a natural energy drink - check out the best natural energy boosting supplement here?

Sources:

What’s in Your Energy Drink?

You may have known this intuitively already, but now the results of five randomized trials on participants with heavy short-term physical stress have confirmed that vitamin C reduces the incidence of common cold by 50%.

Three of these trials looked at marathon runners, one studied Swiss school children in a skiing camp and one examined Canadian soldiers during a winter exercise.

Not only that, in a recent randomized trial carried out with adolescent competitive swimmers, vitamin C was shown to halve the duration of colds in men, although it had no effect on women.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that recycles other vitamins, for example vitamin E. It also strengthens the immune system. Vitamin C is found naturally in high levels in many fruits and vegetables including oranges, blueberries, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe and papaya, among others.

According to an updated Cochrane Review, vitamin C seems to be particularly beneficial for people who are experiencing heavy physical stress. Regular doses of vitamin C of one gram per day or higher were shown to decrease the average duration of colds in adults by 8% and in children by 18%.

At the same time, taking vitamin C every day to shorten infrequent colds may not be advisable. On average, adults have only a few common cold episodes per year and children typically only have some half a dozen colds per year.

The results of therapeutic trials - in which vitamin C was given after the first symptoms of a cold appeared - are not consistent.

However, given the consistent beneficial effects of vitamin C on duration and severity of colds in supplementation studies as well as the safety and low cost of vitamin C - it may be worthwhile to figure out for yourself whether therapeutic vitamin C is beneficial for you, when you’re suffering through an episode of common cold.

Sources:

Vitamin C is Beneficial Against the Common Cold.

A fascinating study of young twins in Malawi in sub-Saharan Africa reveals that intestinal bacteria might be responsible for a form of severe childhood malnutrition called kwashiorkor - associated with swollen bellies, liver damage, skin ulcerations, loss of appetite and wasting.

Experts have long wondered why some children in Malawi are malnourished in this way but not others - even those in the same household and who eat the same foods.

Gut microbes play a huge role in our daily lives, extracting nutrients and calories from our diet, synthesizing vitamins and nutrients and even helping to shape our immune systems.

Carried out by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, this study shows how gut microbes and a poor diet may be combining to cause malnutrition. In fact, gut microbes from malnourished children even caused dramatic weight loss and altered metabolism in mice fed a nutrient-poor diet, which didn’t happen with gut microbes from healthy children.

The typical Malawian diet of corn-based porridge doesn’t have enough vitamins and minerals for proper development. Interestingly, gut microbes from malnourished children don’t seem to mature normally the way they do in healthy children.

The standard treatment for malnutrition is a high-calorie, peanut-based, nutrient-rich therapeutic food. However, therapeutic food only has a transient effect. Once treatment is discontinued, intestinal microbes in malnourished children go back to being immature and dysfunctional.

Malnourished children do gain weight when treated with therapeutic food. But they still remain at high risk for stunted growth, neurological problems and even malnutrition and death after treatment is stopped.

This study followed 317 sets of twins during the first three years of their lives. During this time, half of the twin pairs remained healthy - while in the others, either one or both twins developed malnutrition. This occurred just as often in fraternal twins as identical twins, suggesting that factors other than human genes were involved.

The research team tracked gut microbes just before, during and after treatment with therapeutic food. Four weeks after therapeutic food was discontinued, the genes of gut microbes from malnourished children failed to mature or even regressed, while those from healthy co-twins matured normally.

Next, researchers transplanted gut microbes from either healthy or malnourished co-twins into groups of germ-free mice raised under sterile conditions.

They found that mice transplanted with malnourished children's gut microbes that ate a typical Malawian diet experienced weight loss, while those with the healthy twin's gut microbes and the same nutrient-deficient diet did not. And although the genes of malnourished mice matured when they were fed therapeutic food, they tended to revert to a malnourished state when the nutrient-poor village diet was resumed.

Further, the research team also found that mice with gut microbes transplanted from a malnourished twin carried bacteria associated with human illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Not only that, the combination of a nutrient-deficient diet and malnourished genes completely changed carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism and reduced sulfur availability in mice, which may have helped to cause weight loss.

Clearly, additional studies are needed to completely understand the role gut microbes play in severe malnutrition. One solution may be to trigger genetic development in gut microbes from malnourished kids - and supplementing therapeutic food with beneficial gut bacteria may be part of the solution.

Sources:

Gut Microbes and Severe Malnutrition.

Are one of the millions of Americans that struggles daily with lack of energy or chronic fatigue, then you are likely very familiar with those constant feelings of being tired and drained. But rather than turn to coffee, so-called energy drinks, or harsh stimulants for a quick pick-me-up, you might instead try supplementing with All Day Energy Greens! Not only boosts your energy, but enhances mental clarity, focus, and immune system!

Harvard School of Public Health explains: “It’s hard to argue with the health benefits...

“...of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits: Lower blood pressure; reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and probably some cancers; lower risk of eye and digestive problems; and a mellowing effect on blood sugar that can help keep appetite in check.”

The problem is that only a fraction of Americans get the veggies and fruits they need every day. The CDC recently reported that less than 1 in 10 people consume enough vegetables every day!

ALL DAY ENERGY GREENS delivers a whopping 38 fruits, veggies, herbs, enzymes, and even probiotics in a single spoonful.

Just sprinkle it in your favorite juice or water and enjoy! It takes 60-seconds... and you get a whole
 day’s worth of your fruits and veggies. That’s SO smart... and SO convenient.

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FIVE FRUITS AND VEGGIES TODAY? Probably not! ALL DAY ENERGY GREENS helps guarantee you never miss another day!

A nutritional supplement that contains live bacteria - known as a probiotic - may help burn off some of that stubborn visceral belly fat, according to a new study published in the Journal of Functional Foods.

This study was funded by Micropharma, which makes probiotic supplements.

The results indicate that this probiotic could be an effective weight loss tool. Normally we digest most of the food and absorb most of the calories we consume. Because this probiotic supplement interfered with intestinal fat absorption, fewer calories become available to pack on the belly fat.

However, it’s worth noting that this study only looked at a small number of people who were only slightly overweight to begin with. The slimming effect was also modest.

In other words, people aren't going to be able to just eat probiotics to reduce weight and there’s no reason to believe that probiotics will eliminate the need to maintain proper lifestyle habits, such as a healthy diet and exercise.

The term probiotic means ‘for life’.

Probiotics are beneficial forms of gut bacteria - found mainly in cheese, yogurt, fermented and unfermented milks, and kefir - that form the basis for microbial populations in the small and large intestines of animals, including us humans, conferring health benefits. Other probiotic containing foods include juices, cereal, smoothies and nutrition bars.

According to health experts, probiotics help with proper digestion of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, boost the immune system, relieve depression and even fight sinus infections.

Some evidence is emerging that probiotic bacteria may help burn fat and could play a role in the treatment and prevention of overweight and obesity.

In this study, 28 overweight volunteers were given a daily serving of yogurt. Half of them were given yogurt spiked with either the bacteria L. fermentum or L. amylovorus. After a month and a half, those who ate the L. fermentum probiotic supplements had lost 3 percent of their body fat, while those who ate L. amylovorus had lost 4 percent of their body fat relative to the study's start. Most of that loss was visceral belly fat.

Visceral belly fat - stored deep inside the body behind the abdominal muscles and surrounding the organs - is biologically active and releases hormones and chemicals called adipokines, which in turn cause more fat gain and muscle loss.

Men typically tend to have more visceral belly fat than women, placing them at a much higher risk for insulin resistance, type II diabetes and heart disease.

The liver secretes soapy chemicals called bile salts, which mix with fat in the intestines and help digest it. This particular probiotic supplement destroys bile salts, which is how it interferes with fat absorption - and unlike other weight-loss drugs that prevent intestinal fat absorption, they didn't cause unpleasant digestive side effects.

The researchers didn't follow the subjects for long, so we don’t know if they kept the pounds off.

Also, it’s worth remembering that not all probiotics burn fat. Each probiotic works in a different way, for totally different results. This particular probiotic supplement reduced belly fat, but other probiotics may do other things.

Sources:

Probiotic supplement prevents fat absorption.

Winter and colds just seem to go hand-in-hand. Fortunately, every mammal naturally produces the amazing, immune-boosting miracle that is colostrum.

All mammals produce this immune- and growth-enhancing pre-milk fluid in the last few months of pregnancy and just after birth. Colostrum has been shown to help fight off common illnesses like colds, flu, allergies, and bronchitis.

It contains numerous immunoglobulins, which help boost your immune system and provide protection against invading bacteria and viruses. It’s also a good source of the probiotic acidophilus, which helps prevent gastrointestinal infections, including diarrhea.

The most common form of supplemental colostrum is bovine colostrum. While it is very similar to human colostrum at the molecular level, it actually contains even more immune-enhancing properties. You can purchase bovine colostrum as a capsule, tablet, liquid, powder, and nasal spray. Just be sure that the colostrum you choose comes from free-range cows that have been raised organically, and have not received any hormones or antibiotics.

Every mammal naturally produces the amazing, immune-boosting miracle that is colostrum. This immune- and growth-enhancing pre-milk fluid is produced by all mammals in the last few months of pregnancy and just after birth.

Colostrum has been shown to help fight off common illnesses like colds, flu, allergies, and bronchitis. It contains numerous immunoglobulins, which help boost your immune system and provide protection against invading bacteria and viruses. It’s also a good source of the probiotic acidophilus, which helps prevent gastrointestinal infections, including diarrhea. Plus, colostrum has been shown to protect against viral diseases such as HIV and herpes.

But colostrum also contains other important compounds, such as proline-rich polypeptide, a substance that helps important in restrain an overactive immune system. This is important for people with autoimmune conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The most common form of supplemental colostrum is bovine colostrum. While it is very similar to human colostrum at the molecular level, it actually contains even more immune-enhancing properties.

You can purchase bovine colostrum as a capsule, tablet, liquid, powder, and nasal spray. Most experts agree that capsules and liquids are best. Also, be sure that the colostrum you choose comes from free-range cows that have been raised organically, and have not received any hormones or antibiotics.

The most commonly recommended dosage is 1,000–2,000 mg twice a day for prevention, and 2,000–3,000 mg twice a day if you feel a cold or flu coming on. Be sure to take it with an eight-ounce glass of water on an empty stomach. And take it early in the day (at breakfast and lunch), as colostrum can boost energy levels and cause insomnia if it is taken too late in the evening. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a thyroid or immune system disorder, or have cancer, be sure to consult with your physician before using colostrum.

As flu season approaches, it’s a good time to assess your overall health regimen and adopt protective measures. The cold winter months are a time when we spend more hours indoors, surrounded by friends, family, schoolmates and co-workers with their myriad germs. Our exposure to sunshine often is diminished, which effectively depletes our body’s natural Vitamin D defenses.

Aside from frequent hand washing – recommended by health experts everywhere – there are steps you can take to support your body’s immune system in its constant battle against viruses and bacteria. Here are some suggestions:

Clean your stuff – Doctors and other health professionals know how important this is in preventing the spread of germs. Use an alcohol-based cleaning agent to clean surfaces you and your family frequently touch: doorknobs, countertops, faucet handles, kitchen appliances, cell phones, the TV remote. At work, make it a daily ritual to clean your computer keyboard, phone, and desktop.

Eat more onion and garlic – Both are rich in antioxidants and selenium, members of the Allium family known for its health-promoting effects. Garlic contains antibacterial and antiviral properties, so add it to your recipes in abundance. Supplements are a good idea, too.

Keep your head clear – Healthy mucus membranes and mucus flow help your body flush toxins. When your sinuses and throat feel dry, they’re more likely to attract and harbor nasty microscopic invaders. Avoid treating a stuffed nose with nasal sprays, which tend to dry delicate tissues (you can use a saline spray or flush with a neti pot containing a saline solution). Make good old-fashioned chicken soup a mainstay of your winter menu. Researchers are discovering what grandma suspected all along – the ingredients in chicken soup (stock, carrot, onion, and celery) might actually have a medicinal effect on the body’s immune system.

Get plenty of exercise – Just because it’s cold outside, that’s no excuse for cutting out your workout sessions. Exercise boosts the immune system by clearing out the lymph system. It also boosts mood which is a protective factor in the prevention of illness.

Cut down on sugar – Just a few grams can diminish your white blood cells’ ability to resist infections for several hours. If you must sweeten your food and beverages, choose stevia.

Sleep better – Keep your body’s melatonin levels in balance with regular, good quality sleep. The immune system works best when the body is well rested.

Keep stress levels in check – Another way to wreak havoc with your immune system is to walk around with high levels of stress and anxiety. Practice a few minutes of deep breathing several times a day. Laugh more. Play with your pet. Start and end your day with a brief meditation – there are many good books and CDs that will help you.

Helpful supplements – Probiotics attack pathogenic bacteria and support your body’s white cells in their reaction to invaders. Vitamin D3 will help balance appropriate levels to support immune system function. Echinacea and zinc help protect against colds. And Vitamin C is an essential year-round immune system booster.

What is your favorite tip for keeping winter colds and flu at bay?

Sources:
WebMD
Natural Society

Whether you call it lime, asparagus, Kelly, jade, forest, or emerald—green is green. And whether you talking about algae, spirulina, chlorella, or cilantro—green foods are a definite go!

Green foods are packed with so many nutrients, it’s no wonder they are called the super foods of the nutrition world. They are exceptionally rich sources of chlorophyll and vital minerals, and have been found to alleviate depression and fatigue, support your immune system, eliminate toxins, promote a healthy gut and bowel, inhibit Candida, aid in weight loss, and even banish bad breath.

But in this field of verdant health, two green foods stand out—spirulina and chlorella.

Spirulina is a true powerhouse. This algae is made up of 55–70 percent pure protein, 95 percent of which is digestible, making it ideal for people with gastrointestinal disorders. Spirulina is packed with more than 30 different vitamins and minerals and 18 amino acids, providing three times more vitamin E than raw wheat germ, 35 times more beta-carotene than carrots, and is higher in the rare essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) than evening primrose oil. 

Like spirulina, chlorella is a fresh-water algae, containing more chlorophyll than any known plant on the planet. It is also high in protein, low in fat and carbohydrates, and packed with vitamin, minerals, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.

Research shows that spirulina can help to boost your immune system and even ease allergic reactions, while chlorella provide gentle support constipation woes, as well as helping to promote natural detoxification.

The best and easiest way for you to reap all of the benefits is to make green foods a part of your morning routine. Simply add 1–2 tablespoons of a powdered green foods, containing both spirulina and chlorella, to 8 ounces of either juice or water every day.

If you’re taking probiotics to improve your digestive health, current research suggests you’re not just helping your gut—you’re doing your entire body a favor! And if you’re not taking probiotics, you might want to consider starting. Read on to find out why!

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast in a person's digestive tract. These microorganisms are “friendly” (beneficial to the host). Among many benefits, they help degrade toxic and allergenic substances in the intestine and colon. Probiotics occur naturally in certain foods like yogurt and cottage cheese. They are also available as nutritional supplements which can be purchased in health food stores. 

How do probiotics help my whole body?

These tiny organisms can do some pretty amazing things! To name just a few:

They help you absorb nutrients. The friendly bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus helps with the absorption of the B vitamins and vitamin K, along with fatty acids and minerals such as calcium.

They improve immune function. Beneficial bacteria have a critical and powerful effect on your gut’s immune system and your systemic immune system. They also aid in the production of antibodies to pathogens.

A study* published in the journal Pediatrics in 2009 looked at the potential benefits of probiotics in children during cold and flu season. According to the authors, “Daily dietary probiotic supplementation for 6 months was a safe effective way to reduce fever, rhinorrhea, and cough incidence and duration and antibiotic prescription incidence, as well as the number of missed school days attributable to illness, for children 3 to 5 years of age.”

They have a systemic, anti-inflammatory effect. While mechanism behind this benefit is not fully understood, recent studies strongly suggest that the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus works against inflammation. One such study** looked at biological markers for inflammation in patients taking the probiotics and those take a placebo. The researchers concluded “…probiotic bacteria have strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults.”

Another study*** from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, looked at the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in infants with eczema, an inflammatory skin condition. The researchers concluded that infants receiving this probiotic had a significantly reduced risk of eczema symptoms.

Sources:

*http://www.umm.edu/pediatrics/residents/journal-club/probioticscolds.pdf

**http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?orig_db=PubMed&db=pubmed&cmd=Search&term=%22World%20journal%20of%20gastroenterology%20%3A%20WJG%22%5BJour%5D%20AND%202029%5Bpage%5D%20AND%202008%5Bpdat%5D

***http://www.umm.edu/pediatrics/residents/journal-club/Wickens%20Lactobacillus%20rhamnosus%20JACI%202008.pdf

A newly published meta-analysis of sleep studies found a link between inadequate sleep and obesity.

The research, published in a special issue of The American Journal of Human Biology, explores how lack of sleep can impact appetite regulation, impair glucose metabolism and increase blood pressure.

The analysis reinforces the new thinking among experts that poor sleep habits have negative health consequences that range far beyond the occasional grumpy morning-after. In fact, improving the quality of your sleep may be the simplest way to boost your immune system, among other benefits.

When you experience that occasional sleeplessness, it’s very important to nip it in the bud before one night becomes two, then seven, and eventually – a chronic condition requiring medical intervention.

There are some simple things you can do to establish what the experts call “good sleep hygiene.” The National Sleep Foundation recommends these fundamentals for sleeping smart:

1. Establish a regular bed and wake time.
2. Avoid nicotine altogether, and avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
3. Exercise regularly, but complete the workout at least three hours before bedtime.
4. Establish a consistent, relaxing “wind-down” bedtime routine.
5. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and comfortable.
6. Discuss the appropriate way to take any sleep aid with your health-care professional.

Once you’ve established the basics, any of the following nighttime rituals may help:

• Soft, relaxing music or relaxation CD
• Non-stimulating reading material (in other words – a boring book!)
• Aromatherapy eye pillow – this works to block light as well as soothe tired eyes
• Warm aromatherapy bath with relaxing essential oil such as lavender.

Additionally, there are some herbal remedies for sleep which are time-tested and safe. These can be taken in the form of teas available at your natural health retailer … or even grown in your backyard! Valerian, lemon balm, lavender, chamomile are some examples.

Finally, you may wish to try a natural, non-prescription sleep aid. Look for these ingredients in your all natural supplement: Melatonin, GABA, L-Glycine, and 5-Hydroxytryptophan.

Sources:
Science Daily, April 17, 2012
National Sleep Foundation

Spring is traditionally the time for cleansing, renewal, and immune system support. In the Ayurvedic healing tradition of India, cooks pay special attention to seasonal dietary preferences. In spring, we eat less dairy and meat and more vegetables, greens and bitter herbs.

 Here are some of the spring dietary suggestions from the Ayurvedic practitioners at Joyful Belly (www.joyfulbelly.com):

Ayurvedic practitioners say the general springtime diet should favor grains such as barley and corn, and warming spices like ginger and turmeric to ward off blood stagnation. Green foods, especially bitter greens like dandelion and arugula, will also aid in fat metabolism. We should increase fiber and take herbal supplements to keep bowels clear and aid the cleansing process. Avoid heavy, oily, sweet and salty foods such as red meat and dairy.

Potato and Leek Soup with Red Pepper Flakes

This smooth, peppery potato soup tastes like “fresh bright green” with fennel seeds and leeks. The recipe is from Chef Mark Reinfled of Blossoming Lotus, Hawaii.

4 potatoes
1 tsp fennel seeds
6 cups water
½ tsp mineral salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup leeks
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (chili)

Preparation:

Heat 4 cups of water on high. Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add to the water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, slice the leeks. Strain the potatoes after boiling for 10 minutes, saving the water. Add 2 cups cool water to the potatoes (to cool them for the blender) and blend. Pour back into the hot liquid and return to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.

Do you have a favorite springtime recipe?

“Eat healthy food” is advice we hear at least once a day. It comes from everywhere: TV, magazines, our doctor, well-meaning family and friends. So, we make smart selections at the grocery store and feel very good about choosing an orange for a midday snack rather than, say, a donut.

That’s a great start … but really, how do you know your body is getting the benefit of the healthy foods you eat? Unfortunately, your body doesn’t issue an itemized receipt every time, listing the calories and nutrients that were effectively utilized. In fact, you might be surprised at how little of the valuable nutrients actually reach their goal – that is, being absorbed and put to work doing what they are meant to do: keep you functioning at an optimum level.

Here are five simple ways you can increase the effectiveness of the food you eat:

1. Take a digestive enzyme supplement. Our bodies make their own digestive enzymes that break down food in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine into smaller, absorbable molecules. However, while all fresh food contains enzymes, our modern habits destroy them. We grow fruits and vegetables in depleted soil, gas them to prolong shelf life, and cook them at high heat. All of this reduces their enzyme levels.
2. Take a probiotic to increase friendly flora. Friendly bacteria help produce the enzymes we need to break down food. They also support immune health and help protect the vulnerable cells along the linings of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
3. Chew your food! Mom’s advice was sound. Chewing produces amylase that breaks down carbohydrates and stimulates digestive juices.
4. Slow down. The chemicals needed to for healthy digestion are produced when we are relaxed. A calm, quiet atmosphere signals the digestive system to kick in.
5. Avoid taking antacids. In the stomach, high levels of acid are necessary to break down food (and kill off bad bacteria like H. pylori that can lead to stomach cancer). There are natural ways to reduce the problems of heartburn and acid reflux. Drinking enough water, reducing salt, eating fewer fats, and taking digestive enzymes and probiotics can take care of the problem.

Do you take probiotics or digestive enzymes? Have you experienced benefits from them?

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defense against pathogens. However, as we age, our ability to regulate inflammation begins to wane. Then, rather than protecting us, inflammation becomes silent and systemic, morphing into a process of stealthy internal destruction.

Health experts sometimes refer to “silent inflammation,” an entirely different process than acute inflammation which we know by its outward signs – rubor (redness), calor (heat), tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain).

When inflammation turns silent, things turn ugly. Silent inflammation causes the body to turn on itself, its immune defenses attacking its own organs. It damages arteries, destroys nerve cells and organs, compromises the immune system, and promotes illness. If you have silent inflammation, you may feel well today but be assured you are headed for a world of pain tomorrow.

Fortunately, we can help our bodies maintain a healthy inflammation response by paying close attention to our diets.

The average North American diet is high in inflammation-promoting omega-6 fats but low in inflammation-reducing omega-3 fats. A chronic imbalance of these fatty acids can lead to an increase in systemic inflammation. Experts say the logical response to this situation is to reduce sources of omega-6 oils and supplement with high-dose omega-3s.

This can be achieved by increasing dietary intake of fatty fish (wild salmon in particular), eating raw nuts and grains rich in healthy fats, and supplementing with a high-quality fish oil or flaxseed oil.

At the same time, eat less red meat, eggs, high-glycemic foods, and foods high in saturated fats to further shift the balance in favor of the beneficial omega-3 fats.

To further combat the oxidative stresses that promote and encourage inflammation, a diet rich in plant foods will supply free radical-fighting antioxidants. Especially helpful are toxin-busting nutrients found in fruits and berries (citrus bioflavonoids); red grapes (resveratrol); turmeric (curcumin); and green tea (catechins).

Sound familiar? That’s because every “anti-aging” strategy we’ve seen or read about over the last 10 years includes these same dietary recommendations. It’s time we paid attention!

What is your favorite omega-3 food?

Today’s hectic lifestyles leave little time for making healthy food choices and pollutants in the air and water are perpetually pouring toxins into the environment that have to be processed by our bodies. Years of poor nutrition and environmental toxicity eventually take a toll and we can easily wind up with a compromised immune system that zaps our energy and leaves us vulnerable to a host of serious health maladies. 

What many people don’t realize is that a proper PH balance in the body can restore youthful energy and boost our body’s ability to stay healthy and strong.  The correct PH balance is achieved when we have the proper ratio of alkaline and acidic foods in our diets.  Alkaline foods include asparagus, artichokes, lettuce, peas, spinach, green beans and broccoli. Acidic foods include meats, dairy products, white bread, white pasta, chocolate, coffee and carbonated drinks. Nutritional experts recommend that at least 75 percent of our diets should consist of alkaline foods. Unfortunately most of us are not getting enough alkaline foods in our diet to stay healthy and energized. 

In recent years, green superfoods have emerged as a viable way to keep our bodies in balance. Green superfoods are nutrient rich and are derived from green plants, algae and cereal grasses.  These foods are rich in chlorophyll and they feature potent concentrations of digestible vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other beneficial substances.

There are several green superfood supplements on the market that make it easy to get a daily dose of these life-boosting nutrients.  One of the best is “All Day Energy Greens”. This easy-to-use powdered supplement dissolves quickly and easily into your favorite beverage and one glass contains a whole day’s worth of the nutrients your body needs to stay alkalized and balanced.  This supplement costs just pennies a day and could literally save you thousands of dollars in the medical bills that mount up when diseases invade the body due to a weakened immune system. 

More than 100,000 people have used this remarkable supplement and those who share their experiences report increased energy levels, decreased joint and muscle pain, improved regularity, radiant skin, superior mental clarity and reductions in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 

If you are one of the millions of people who are settling for a lackluster life caused by improper balance you should talk to your holistic health practitioner about adding “All Day Energy Greens” to your daily regimen. Join the thousands of people who have traded fatigue and illness for vim and vigor and feel the positive difference it makes in your life.

How do you increase your energy throughout the day?

Everyone has an occasional sleepless night that leaves them groggy, grumpy and unfocused the next day.  But restless nights and sluggish days are a way of life for the 80 million Americans who suffer from sleep disorders.  Sleep deprivation is more than just an inconvenience - it can be dangerous and potentially life threatening.   You may not remember the hours you spend sleeping, but your body does.

Insomnia has been linked to a host of health maladies including heart disease, diabetes, immune system deficiencies, anxiety, depression and mood disorders. The inability to get a good night’s sleep can also lead to depression because insomnia increases the activity of hormones and pathways in the brain that affect mood. 

During the past decade convincing scientific evidence has emerged that shows a clear link between lack of sleep and obesity.  A study conducted at Columbia University found that people who sleep five hours per night are 75% more likely to become obese than those getting seven to nine nightly hours of sleep. People getting six hours of sleep are 27% more likely to gain weight than people who get the recommended amounts.

Sleep deprived people are far more likely to be involved in traffic mishaps and serious workplace accidents. Traffic safety experts say that sleepy people have a delayed reaction time that is similar to those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. According to the National Sleep Foundation one in six deadly crashes can be linked to a drowsy driver.    

Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars in advertising each year to convince us that prescription medication is the key to a night of restful sleep.  Most of the medications have undesirable side effects such as memory loss or next-day drowsiness.  Many are habit-forming.

Fortunately, there are some natural solutions that can effectively promote restful sleep without dangerous side effects.  “Sweet Dreams,” which is available through the Institute for Vibrant Living, is an all-natural sleep aid formula that can help you get the rest you need to stay healthy and refreshed.  It is a proprietary blend of ingredients that are designed to increase the duration of dream states (REM sleep) so that the body can effectively repair and rejuvenate itself.  It also helps to ease tension by stimulating your brain’s supply of serotonin.   

Lifestyle changes can also make a positive difference in your ability to sleep. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation are often recommended by holistic health practitioners.  Hydrotherapy, therapeutic massages and acupuncture can also make a positive difference. 

If you are one of the millions of Americans who are tossing and turning instead of snoozing and dreaming, consider using a natural supplement to help you get the rest you need. A refreshing night of sleep is literally a dream come true because of the amazing difference it makes in your mental and physical health.  

Do you suffer from Insomina? What do you to help you sleep better?

Today’s hectic lifestyles leave little time for making healthy food choices and pollutants in the air and water are perpetually pouring toxins into the environment that have to be processed by our bodies. Years of poor nutrition and environmental toxicity eventually take a toll and we can easily wind up with a compromised immune system that zaps our energy and leaves us vulnerable to a host of serious health maladies. 

What many people don’t realize is that a proper PH balance in the body can restore youthful energy and boost our body’s ability to stay healthy and strong.  The correct PH balance is achieved when we have the proper ratio of alkaline and acidic foods in our diets.  Alkaline foods include asparagus, artichokes, lettuce, peas, spinach, green beans and broccoli. Acidic foods include meats, dairy products, white bread, white pasta, chocolate, coffee and carbonated drinks. Nutritional experts recommend that at least 75 percent of our diets should consist of alkaline foods. Unfortunately most of us are not getting enough alkaline foods in our diet to stay healthy and energized. 

In recent years, green superfoods have emerged as a viable way to keep our bodies in balance. Green superfoods are nutrient rich and are derived from green plants, algae and cereal grasses.  These foods are rich in chlorophyll and they feature potent concentrations of digestible vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other beneficial substances.

There are several green superfood supplements on the market that make it easy to get a daily dose of these life-boosting nutrients.  One of the best is “All Day Energy Greens”. This easy-to-use powdered supplement dissolves quickly and easily into your favorite beverage and one glass contains a whole day’s worth of the nutrients your body needs to stay alkalized and balanced.  This supplement costs just pennies a day and could literally save you thousands of dollars in the medical bills that mount up when diseases invade the body due to a weakened immune system. 

More than 100,000 people have used this remarkable supplement and those who share their experiences report increased energy levels, decreased joint and muscle pain, improved regularity, radiant skin, superior mental clarity and reductions in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 

If you are one of the millions of people who are settling for a lackluster life caused by improper balance you should talk to your holistic health practitioner about adding “All Day Energy Greens” to your daily regimen. Join the thousands of people who have traded fatigue and illness for vim and vigor and feel the positive difference it makes in your life.