Advanced Functional Nutrition Healthline
Weight Loss is a Side Effect of Good Health!
The science of Success... Learn the truth about fat! If you have ever had trouble losing weight..it’s not your fault! As much as we want to point fingers and think that someone who is overweight or obese is at fault for their condition, believe it or not, this is more a result of the sneakily engineered, addictive food supply (lowered fat and added sugar!) and poor advice from a food pyramid that suggests that we eat carbohydrates (bread, cereal, sodas and juices, etc) as the highest proportion of our daily diets. This is taking advantage of a majority of the population who are insulin resistant (carbohydrate intolerant) and leading to weight gain and unprecedented levels of inflammatory metabolic disease, such as Type II diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. It is the consumption of an excess of carbohydrates, in addition to high levels of unhealthy plant oils (soy, corn, etc.) in the diet, which leads to unwanted fat storage, high levels of “bad” cholesterol, inflammatory disease and weight gain. Carbohydrates, especially sugar, are highly addictive and are hidden in most processed foods (i.e., Low Fat = High Sugar!). This excess is the primary factor which has led us to where we are today, with the prediction that over 50% of the US population will be diabetic or pre-diabetic by the year 2020! News flash – Genetics loads the gun -- Environment pulls the trigger. We are all born with our predisposition for insulin resistance! It is a matter of our genetics, and is exacerbated by a high carb lifestyle and gets worse as we age. Insulin resistance is not the disease -- the metabolic disease is caused by a lifestyle, primarily our diets, which are not accommodated by our genetics. Even if you are thin and exercise frequently [...]
Ready for Cold & Flu Season?
Late-breaking science… Learn how to boost your immune system! When we get an infection, there are two basic classes of infection: bacterial (from unfriendly bacteria) and viral (from viruses). With a few rarely-divulged facts, you can learn how to help prevent getting sick this season from these infections, as well as a few options to mitigate the effects from them and shorten their duration if you do get sick. Let’s talk about bacteria and you….Did you know that 90% of the cells in our bodies are not human? Along those lines, did you know that therefore the DNA contained in our bodies is only 1% human and, you guessed it, almost 99% bacterial? The digestive tract constitutes 80% of the immune system and billions of those bacteria live there: 15% of them potentially harmful, but 85% of them are beneficial to us. Keeping the good bacteria alive and active is key to not only preventing respiratory infections but lessening their severity and duration. Therefore, when you feel that your immune system is under attack from a bacterial infection, consider loading your system with probiotics (the beneficial bacteria for your body which fight and keep things in balance against infectious bacteria). There are over four hundred strains of bacteria in the human gut and each of us have a mix of strains that is unique to us. The balance of good and bad bacteria in your body can be imbalanced not only by the use of antibiotics but also by stress, excessive alcohol use, diseases, smoking, and toxins in the body which allow harmful bacteria to thrive. To bring your body’s bacteria back into balance, good bacteria are needed to repopulate the gut. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, children aged three to five years were treated with two [...]
It’s MORE Than JUST an Antioxidant!
Helping to Prevent Oxidative Stress is a key step in the prevention of Inflammation and Aging....Numerous studies have highlighted the key role of oxidative stress and inflammation in age-related diseases such as arthritis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In aging cells the natural antioxidant capacity declines compared to younger cells and the overall efficiency of repair systems against cellular damage becomes impaired. Research gives us convincing data that supplementation with polyphenols (a highly beneficial class of plant-based phytonutrients) containing resveratrol, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and catechins as found in a select group of plant extracts can increase cellular antioxidant defenses and promote overall health of the individual. These beneficial compounds are found in plants such as red grapes, grape seeds, French Maritime pine bark, green tea, pomegranates, persimmons, curcumin, dandelions and bilberry. Recent research reveals that these powerful polyphenols are shown to activate the Nrf2 defense pathway, which acts as a “master regulator” of the cellular antioxidant response of over 250 phase 2 genes referred to as pro-life genes Endogenous biological substances are those originating or produced naturally within your body’s tissues or cells. The activation of the body’s endogenous antioxidant defenses and Phase 2 enzyme systems is through activation of the broadly researched and highly conserved evolutionary defense pathway called the Nuclear Erythroid 2 Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. • Nrf2 regulates the expression of a large battery of genes involved in the cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways as well as in mitochondrial protection • Nrf2 therefore acts as a master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response of over 250 phase 2 genes (and greater than 90% of the anti-oxidant genes) that should be referred to as “pro-life genes” since they save cells from cell death. • Nrf2 activation can at once [...]
Joint Pain & Arthritis
Making a Real Difference Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints and can affect anyone from young children to seniors. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent joint disease, for which there is no cure. All available medical treatments aim at reducing symptoms, such as pain and inflammation. Importantly, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) — such as meloxicam (Mobic), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), celecoxib (Celebrex), etc. — inhibit the downstream inflammatory mediators, and in the process may increase joint cartilage breakdown. Research on phytochemicals, such as those contained in OProCyn (resveratrol, proanthocyanidins such as in grape seed and Fr. Maritime pine bark), demonstrate these naturally occurring phytonutrients may: Protect against cartilage degradation or breakdown by preventing the breakdown of collagen and cartilage by inhibiting the matrix metalloproteinases and collagenases (powerful enzymes that are implicated in the progression of arthritis). Reduce inflammation by modulating the levels of NF-kB (the master regulator of the inflammatory response) and by reducing the downstream pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokines) which promote and sustain chronic systemic inflammation with ongoing cartilage destruction. Reduce oxidative stress. In summary, the ingredients in OProCyn may reduce pain and inflammation, while protecting the cartilage and joints allowing for improved mobility.