TriVita’s Food Fact or Fiction Survey Part Two

(1). Fiction. Your goal should be to keep your total daily intake within 20-35% of your calories, but that doesn’t mean every single food you eat must be low in fat. The idea is to balance high- and low-fat items over the course of a day or two within a healthy eating pattern.

(2). Fact. Healthy snacks like whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese, or fat-free yogurt with fresh fruit, can keep you fueled, and help you eat sensible meals.

(3). Fiction. If you eat too many calories from any source (carbohydrates, fat or protein) and don’t exercise, you’re more likely to gain weight. Excess calories from any source are stored as fat.

(4). Fact. It takes planning and care, but vegetarian eating can be healthful. A plan should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy or alternatives, along with protein that may include eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, beans and nuts.

(5). Fiction. Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin in the body. Foods high in sugar are often also high in calories. Overeating these foods can lead to weight gain, and people who are carrying too much weight are at increased risk for diabetes.

(6). Fact, BUT – when they do work, it’s only for a short time. Any weight loss is unlikely to be maintained over the long term. The eating plan that works is one you can follow for life, combined with physical activity.

(7). Fiction. Color is not a reliable way to identify healthy food products: the food label is. To get all the benefits of whole grains, eat three or more servings daily.

(8). Fact. Most people’s daily sodium (salt) intake should be 2,300 milligrams or less. That’s about the amount of salt in one teaspoon. Most of the sodium we eat comes from processed foods, so check food labels to see how much sodium is contained in each serving.

(9). Fact. An extra 100 calories daily adds up to about a pound of weight gain per month. On the other hand, you can lose 10 pounds a year by cutting 100 calories per day and increasing your physical activity.

Source: TriVita VitaJournal March 2009 pg 30

TriVita Article: Get a Big Boost From a Little Activity

In an article written by TriVita’s correspondent Jan 2009 it relates -

Experts agree: Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health! It can help lower your risk of everything from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to depression and certain types of cancer. Plus, it can help:

• Give you energy
• Enhance your mood
• Improve your sleep
• Strengthen your heart and lungs
• Restore your libido
• Put zest in your life – because it can be fun!

Big benefits from just a little time

Adults gain “substantial health benefits” from 2.5 hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 1.25 hours of vigorous physical activity, according to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Examples include:

Moderate

• Brisk walking
• Water aerobics
• Ballroom dancing
• Gardening
• Slow biking Vigorous
• Race walking
• Running
• Jogging
• Swimming laps
• Jumping rope
• Martial arts
• Tennis (singles).

For even more health benefits, try to get five hours of moderate-intensity exercise or 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise a week. Try to include strength training in your exercise regimen at least twice a week. If you have a medical condition or disability, talk to your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program. But everyone can benefit from exercise!

Keeping out of the cold

Is the winter chill keeping you indoors? Try any of these fun (and warm!) activities:

Dance – Dancing is a great way to stay active during the winter months. Community centers, municipal recreation departments and community colleges offer low-cost dance classes to suit any preference. Whether you want to waltz, swing or cha cha, there’s sure to be an option you’ll enjoy.
Walk the mall – Check with your local mall to see if they have a mall walkers program. Gradually increase your laps around the mall so that your body is constantly challenged.
Work out at the gym – Many health clubs offer reasonably priced memberships. You can use cardio machines such as treadmills and elliptical trainers, lift weights, take water aerobics, swim laps, or even drop in on a yoga or Pilates class.

As a side note the same TriVita article goes on to say :

Staying Safe and Avoiding Injury These tips can help you stay safe while you are active:

• If you haven’t been active in a while, start slowly and build up
• Learn which types and amounts of activity are right for you
• Choose activities that are appropriate for your fitness level
• Build up the time you spend on one activity before switching to a more strenuous one
• Use proper safety gear and sports equipment
• Choose a safe place to exercise
• Do a warm-up before beginning your activity.

Source TriVita VitaJournal January 2009 pg 10.

Brain Erosion Can Start As Early As Age 30

by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D. Most everyone has “senior moments.” You’ll be talking with someone and suddenly you can’t remember your best friend’s name or the movie you saw last night. These are fairly common place occurrences for people as they age and nothing to worry about as long as they don’t happen very often. However, if your age is creeping up to 40, 50 or 60 then you have reason to be concerned if: • Your memory is starting to slip • Your agility, coordination and balance may be off • It’s harder for you to focus and concentrate • Your attention span is shorter • Your concentration is scattered • It’s more difficult for you to start or sustain a conversation • Your handwriting is becoming sloppy or illegible • You are starting to wonder whether you are getting dementia.

If one or more of these is happening to you, it could be the result of brain erosion. Brain erosion means that the brain actually erodes or shrinks. Can the brain really shrink? Yes it can! The human brain may lose from 10 to 25 percent of its total volume due to the effects of stress. That’s scary enough, but now brain erosion is happening to people at a much younger age than in the past. Statistics from the 1970s and 1980s found brain erosion only in people over 50. However, a major study conducted by Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri) detected brain volume loss as early as age 30. Researchers also discovered that this brain volume loss often leads to dementia. People under the age of 30 may also lose cognitive function as a result of asthma, ADHD, allergies, digestive issues or diabetes. These medical issues can result in a much lower B vitamin absorption rate. That means the brain is literally “starving” for the right kind of nutrition. B vitamins, especially B-12, are so important because they help increase the effectiveness of other essential nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids. Why are we seeing this dramatic change over a few decades? Stress and its damaging effects on our bodies is a major reason. Stress may come from the pollution in our environment, lack of nutrients in our foods, the accumulation of small and large injuries that we carry with us, the relentless expectations that we place on ourselves and the pressure of other people’s expectations of us. Stress places such a demand on us that it overcomes our body’s ability to cope. Brain erosion is one result. How can you tell if your brain is shrinking? You may initially have a nagging feeling that your mental performance is starting to slide – that you are no longer at your peak. When this happens, it’s easy to feel frightened, depressed or frustrated, thinking that your mental abilities are slipping away. But don’t despair or lose hope, because there is a lot you can do to slow and even repair brain erosion. Vitamin B-12 is the answer Your brain may be lacking some of the essential building blocks it needs to thrive – especially B-12 or Omega-3 fatty acids. This lack can cause your brain volume to shrink. But Vitamin B can help protect against this. This was confirmed by a University of Illinois study which stated that people with greater B-12 intake were also able to maintain greater brain volume for a longer period of their life. So, how eager are you to do whatever it takes to improve brain fitness now and help protect against much worse problems like dementia from developing? I know I’m dedicated and that’s why I’m such a strong believer in B-12 supplementation. Based upon research studies, it should begin as early as age 30. While there’s nothing that’s going to stop you from having an occasional “senior moment”, you should feel heartened to know that Vitamin B-12 is readily available and easy to take. Now’s the time to turn back the clock on brain erosion. Don’t lose any more brain cells to poor nutrition, stress and bad habits. Reclaim your mental energy, ease irritability and slow brain erosion with Vitamin B-12. B-12 is the key to reclaiming your mental energy Source: VitaJournal June 2008 pg 6

Study Confirms The Value Of Adaptogen 10 Plus

Our research team discovered that it helps raise nitric oxide levels – essential for good health
By Dr. Nathan S. Bryan

Nitric oxide or NO is one of the most important molecules in our body. Like a policeman directing traffic in a busy intersection, nitric oxide directs the communication between the busiest cells in the body: brain cells, blood cells, immune system cells and cells from every body system where communication is critical. Nitric oxide is so important that no organ in your body could function without it. In fact, a Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to three scientists in 1998 responsible for discovering its actions. It keeps our blood pressure normal, helps us think clearly, helps our body fight off infections, and even prevents the development of blood clots and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Many of the “diseases of aging” are no more than a deficiency of nitric oxide.

Recently, my team tested Adaptogen 10 Plus for nitric oxide activity. This study helps confirm the incredible value of Adaptogen 10 Plus. We discovered that it contains natural NO metabolites that help to restore normal nitric oxide biochemistry within our body. This important benefit is in addition to its high antioxidant capacity and adaptive stress molecules.

As we age, our body gradually loses its ability to produce nitric oxide. Stress, pollution and a nutrient-deficient diet also reduce our nitric oxide reserves. A healthy diet, sleep, exercise and the rest of the 10 Essentials (see pg. 2) contribute to nitric oxide activity – and to good health!

As a professor of medicine, I supervise cardiovascular research in the heart health field. My field of specialty is nitric oxide: how to get it and how to keep it. The people in our research center suffer from a host of nitric oxide-related disorders including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease – the list seems endless.

In every case I see that the higher we can raise the nitric oxide levels, the better the patient responds. Restoring nitric oxide production has become one of the main strategies at treating and protecting against many diseases.

It makes sense that Adaptogen 10 Plus would activate a high amount of nitric oxide because research has revealed that most high-antioxidant foods nourish NO. TriVita’s Adaptogen 10 Plus helps us combat stress, a nitric oxide killer.

The amount of NO in Adaptogen 10 Plus has been shown to help protect against vascular inflammation, reduce injury from a heart attack or stroke and restore NO homeostasis (a sense of balance) in animal models. This unique blend of antioxidants and nitric oxide metabolites is essential for brain and heart health. Combining a regimen of Adaptogen 10 Plus with the 10 Essentials will help ensure optimal health.

Source: VitaJournal December 2008 pg 20.

New Hope For Diabetes Sufferers

Proper nutrition, exercise and vitamin supplementation can help people with diabetes enjoy a healthy, productive life By Dr. Samuel N. Grief, M.D., CCFP, FCFP

Diabetes is a silent enemy

Every year, millions of Americans live their lives not noticing that they have subtle warning signs of diabetes. These less obvious signs, such as change in vision, fatigue, sleepiness and trouble fighting off infections, may not necessarily make you think of diabetes… but they should! It is usually the more obvious symptoms, such as unintentional weight loss, excess thirst and urination and fainting that signal the onset of diabetes and spur people to action.

Remember, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, life does not end! However, change is required in order to correct some of the imbalances that led to the development of diabetes in the first place.

First, take stock of your weight

Obesity causes approximately 60% of all cases of type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. Losing weight is very likely to lessen the need for prescription medicine to control diabetes. Second, learning to count carbohydrates is necessary for all people with diabetes in order to keep the blood sugar relatively stable and free of any wild fluctuations. Limiting carbohydrate intake may also minimize the need for insulin.

Third, exercise will help improve your body’s natural sensitivity to its own or to any injected insulin you provide. Many people are not sure why they end up with diabetes. For most, a combination of genetic predisposition and lifestyle habits sets off a slow and steady decline in pancreatic function. This decline is inevitable unless the above lifestyle modifications are introduced. Taking supplements to help keep diabetes away is tempting. But do they really work?

Good news from the scientific world regarding vitamins and diabetes prevention

A recent study of middle-aged and older men and women was undertaken to see whether the rate of developing diabetes would be affected by how much Vitamin C was circulating in the blood among the study population’s participants. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant and promotes the well-being of several organ systems, including the heart, blood vessels, skin, gums, teeth and the immune system. This particular study concluded that those individuals with the highest blood levels of Vitamin C were significantly less likely to develop diabetes over the 12-year study than those with the lowest levels.

This is outstanding news! Translating this news into real-world practical advice, if you or any member of your family would like to lessen the risk for developing diabetes, consider eating more Vitamin C-rich foods. Specific Vitamin C-rich foods include:
• Oranges and other citrus fruits
• Sweet and hot peppers
• Cantaloupe
• Potatoes (baked, not fried)
• Cherries.

Vitamin C can also be obtained through supplements

If you choose to supplement, be sure you take a high-quality one that contains the appropriate amount to boost your blood level. Healthcare professionals recommend anywhere from several hundreds to several thousands of miligrams of Vitamin C per day.

Finally, diabetes is a known risk factor for heart disease, eye disease, skin infections and kidney disease. Fortunately, Vitamin C is known to help improve blood flow and as an antioxidant protects against sun damage to the eyes and skin, as well. The bottom line is this: eat a healthy and balanced diet, stay active and supplement with the right combination of vitamins and minerals to help stave off or keep your medical conditions under control, especially diabetes.

Source VitaJournal November 2008 pg 10.

TriVita’s Vitamin C supplements

Vitamin C, A Boost To Your Health & Well-Being

Summary
As cooler temperatures arrive, many people like to load up on Vitamin C to ward off colds.

Vitamin C and your body

Humans are one of the few mammals that can’t produce Vitamin C. That’s right; your body doesn’t make or store this vital nutrient so you must replenish your body’s supply of it every day. Why?

Bones – All the minerals in your bones require Vitamin C to turn them into health-building materials.
Blood – Your blood needs Vitamin C to convert iron into hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells.
Collagen – Vitamin C is required to form collagen; collagen in turn forms the body’s connective tissues such as blood vessels, tendons, ligaments and bones.
Gums – Vitamin C helps maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Immune system function – Vitamin C activates immune cells called lymphocytes. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your body from free radicals; these damaging molecules can result from metabolism, environmental toxins and stress. Free radicals have been implicated in conditions ranging from heart disease and cancer to arthritis and inflammation. In addition to protecting against free radicals, Vitamin C can help expand the lifespan of other antioxidants such as Vitamins A and E.

Vitamin C and diabetes

A study in the July 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine showed that those with higher Vitamin C levels had a 62% lower risk of developing Type II diabetes than those with lower levels of Vitamin C. That’s great news considering that 24 million people in the United States alone have diabetes (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Vitamin C and cancer

A 2008 study from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Kansas showed that when Vitamin C was administered intravenously to mice, it reduced the weight of ovarian, brain and pancreatic cancer tumors by 41 to 53%! The body will only allow a certain amount of Vitamin C to be absorbed when it’s taken orally, so researchers wanted to test the results of intravenous Vitamin C. What they found is that while Vitamin C shrank cancer tumors, it did not affect normal cells. Other conditions that Vitamin C has been shown to help include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• High cholesterol
• Macular degeneration
• Aging skin.

Vitamin C and you

So now the question is: How much Vitamin C do you need? Individual needs for Vitamin C depend on a variety of factors; one way to determine how much your body can use is by doing the Vitamin C Flush. savings on TriVita Non-Acidic Vitamin C, see page 12.) The Vitamin C Flush helps you figure out how much Vitamin C you should be taking each day. Plus, the Vitamin C Flush can help detoxify your system. Your need for Vitamin C may diminish when you eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. You may need more Vitamin C if you are:

• Sick
• Running a fever
• Recovering from surgery
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding

The bottom line? A diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as high-quality supplements can help ensure you get the Vitamin C you need for optimum health. By actively taking control of your health now, you can help avoid the usual sniffles, sneezing and coughing that come with colder weather – and you can reap the protective health benefits of this amazing vitamin

Source: VitaJournal November 2008 pg 4.

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Are You At Risk? What’s Your Homocysteine Level?

High homocysteine often leads to serious, debilitating conditions including: Stroke Heart Attack Coronary Heart Disease Diabetes Osteoporosis Dementia Alzheimer’s

Help reduce the risk of degenerative diseases Homocysteine (HCY) is like cholesterol. An elevated homocysteine level is very dangerous… it can wreak havoc when it’s too high! You can’t feel dangerous, elevated HCY levels The damage can rarely be reversed. Most North Americans are poorly prepared to handle the effects of a stroke. It’s hard to fully recover from a stroke, so that’s a good reason to start taking TnVita’s HCY Guard immediately to help reduce your risk. When your homocysteine level is too high, your body suffers During the methylation cycle, when HCY fails to recombine the “leftover’ protein into methionine, this excess HCY escapes into your bloodstream. It may begin to build up and cause destructive explosions to the most delicate tissues in your body. For example, it can damage your arteries, brain, bones and even your DNA. The results can be devastating This is the kind of damage that high levels of homocysteine can cause inside your body and brain: Thickening and hardening your arteries and weakening heart tissue —this can lead to strokes and heart attacks by shredding your most delicate tissues and inflicting thousands of tiny paper cuts inside your arteries and brain • Building fibrous webs in the synapses of your brain — this may lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease • Impacting DNA function, causing potentially dangerous cell or DNA mutations • Leaving your bones unable to absorb calcium, causing weak bones and osteoporosis • Contributing to the damage done by many degenerative diseases. Risk Factors A family history of: Cardiovascular disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Osteoporosis, Diabetes • Low Vitamin B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid levels • Gastric disturbances, breathing difficulties or kidney issues • Age aver 50 • Pregnancy • High stress • Poor eating habits • Lack of exercise • Excessive smoking or coffee drinking. Source: TriVita Magazine, November 2008 pg 10. TriVita’s HCY Guard helps maintain healthy homocysteine levels, get yours here today!