TriVita Article: Are You Getting Enough Nutrients in Your Diet?
March 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
by Brazos Minshew, TriVita’s Chief Science Officer
As you review your diet of the past week, ask yourself, “Did I eat the right amount of fruits and vegetables every day?” The recommended amounts are five servings for children, seven servings for women and nine servings for men. If you can say “yes” – congratulations! If you are like most people you did not reach that goal. And, if you are like most of us, you did not eat all of your fruits and vegetables from an organic source; so, the fruits and vegetables may have been lacking in nutritional value.Supplements
The word supplement means in addition to something – to make up for a deficiency. Vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken in addition to a healthy diet. They make up for the deficiency we face due to the poor nutrient density in our foods. Supplements also help out when our diet is less than perfect.
Staying on top of our nutrient reserve is important. Our bodies make millions of new cells every day: heart cells, brain cells, bone and blood cells. Every time a cell dies it should be replaced. If you do not have the right amount of nutrients to construct a new cell you will either make an incomplete cell or none at all. The outcome is bad in either case, so we really need to keep all nutrients on board at all times. This is why we suggest a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.
The simplest way to help support your nutrition is to take a general multi-vitamin and mineral supplement that provides a broad range of nutrients at standard nutritional levels. However, please keep the following points in mind:
- Some supplements contain very high doses of certain nutrients. When you take nutrients in extremely high doses, you are no longer in the world of nutritional supplementation and have passed into the riskier world of megadose treatment.
- Calcium and magnesium minerals are very bulky, and few multi-vitamin/mineral supplements provide the daily requirement. These minerals generally must be taken in the form of additional pills. Note: It isn’t possible for your body to absorb a day’s worth of calcium in a single dose. At least two doses are necessary.
The most common nutritional deficiencies
| Calcium | Helps with bone density, muscle contraction and digestion |
| Chromium | Helps with blood sugar control |
| Folate | Helps protect against birth defects, heart disease and depression |
| Magnesium | Helps protect against high blood pressure, kidney stones and migraine headaches |
| Vitamin B-6 | Helps protect against heart disease, depression and arthritis |
| Vitamin C | Helps with detoxification, immune system health and connective tissue |
| Vitamin B-12 | Helps protect against anemia and fatigue. Helps with nerve health and energy |
| Vitamin D | Involved in bone and skin health and helps protect against diabetes and obesity |
| Vitamin E | Helps improve circulation |
| Zinc | Helps protect against acne, ADD/ADHD, the common cold and macular degeneration |
Very few of us are so deficient in these nutrients as to show symptoms of outright malnutrition. However, subtle deficiencies may increase the risk of a number of conditions. For example, insufficient intake of calcium and Vitamin D may increase your chances of developing osteoporosis, and inadequate folate and Vitamin B-6 may speed the development of heart disease.
Besides vitamins and minerals, intake of essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is often inadequate.
A strategy for everyone
Finally, note that food contains many substances other than vitamins and minerals that may enhance your health.
Supplements won’t make up for bad dietary choices. We simply must commit ourselves to eating more fruits and vegetables. Still, the reality of life is that we don’t always attend to our diet perfectly. So, appropriate nutrient supplementation can help make up for the deficiency we face because of poor nutrient density in our foods and an imperfect diet.
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Source: TriVita Weekly Wellness Report March 7, 2009
Taking Care of Your Heart
February 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Heart Disease
by Michael R. Ellison, CEO & Founder of TriVita, Inc.
February is Heart Health Month. Because of the significant rise in heart disease, Congress passed a resolution on December 30, 1963 that each year the President would declare February our National Heart Health Awareness Month.
Heart disease is still the number one killer in 2009. With 64 million Americans, plus millions more in Canada being affected by cardiovascular disease, we want to inspire you to take action to create a lifestyle that will give you a healthy heart. Your heart health is also crucial to your overall health and well-being.
While your heart is a small organ about the size of your fist, it has major responsibilities. Every 60 seconds it must pump two gallons of blood through an entire cycle: from the heart, through the arteries, veins and capillaries, and back to the heart. Every cell in your body relies on the blood to carry oxygen and the nutrients your body needs to function properly as well as resist disease.
With us being so dependent on our heart functioning properly, isn’t it wonderful that the decisions we make can determine if we have a healthy heart. Some people act as if their heart is a machine that either works or doesn’t work – and there is nothing they can do about its health. Well, there is good news for all of you who care about your heart and want better health.
The American Heart Association and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic have much to say about improving heart health by choosing a lifestyle that promotes heart health. Basically, it comes down to three things you can do:
- Think smart
- Eat well
- Move more
That provides a simple guideline to the daily decisions we must make.
I would like to add that thinking smart is being aware of what we are thinking; many people do not realize the thoughts and feelings they dwell on are also a part of their daily diet for heart health. Every thought and emotion triggers a chemical reaction that is either good or bad for the heart. For example, when you have an angry thought or a fearful, anxious thought, your body releases significant adrenaline to help stimulate the muscles and mind for the fight or flight response needed.
That was great for our ancient ancestors when faced with a saber-toothed tiger, but where I live in Scottsdale, Arizona that is not likely to happen. However, there are plenty of opportunities for adrenaline rushes from rude drivers, snarled traffic, construction delays, or the fear of a poor economy that seems to be impacting many people. Thoughts and feelings from all kinds of issues we face create chemicals that are not healthy for the heart when they bombard us on a daily basis.
I would encourage you to read the article by Dr. Lundell on pages 4 and 5 [ of this issue of the TriVita VitaJournal]. Here is a viewpoint of one of the most outstanding heart surgeons who spent much of his career performing thousands of heart surgeries and consulting with his patients about heart health. We are pleased to bring this information to you as it gives another view as to what really will bring healthy hearts to those of us in the U.S. and Canada.
I am very excited about the development and introduction of our new product line Sonoran Bloom™, which we have been working on for the last two years. In fact, I am so enthusiastic about the wellness benefits of these products, that we are going to 30 cities in a pre-launch campaign to introduce the product to our Members. We will be giving a 32-ounce bottle of the delicious Opuntia liquid concentrate FREE to each person who attends. We want to hear about the amazing results our Members will experience from the product. This product has helped people with arthritis, joint and back pain, foot pain, muscle soreness, and overall aches and pains that are caused by inflammation.
This product addresses the hottest issue in medical research today: inflammation. Inflammation is being linked to many diseases. It weakens the body and enables disease to set in. You will learn a lot about what you can do to reduce and monitor inflammation. Our mission is to inspire people to experience wellness and create wealth for their life purposes! Helping people live a vibrant and healthy life is why TriVita was founded. Let us help you!
There will also be a brief introduction of the income opportunity for Affiliates who want to share information with those they know and care about. TriVita is proud of the way we do business with our customers in that we provide opportunities based on the desires of each Member: opportunities to simply purchase products for their own wellness as well as the chance to be involved with the sharing opportunity. It is simple and rewarding to help someone enjoy and experience greater wellness with TriVita products.
If you want to know more about this product in our prelaunch campaign and our mission of helping people experience wellness, please plan to join us in a city near you. On page 30, you will find a listing of some of the cities we will be visiting.
Make 2009 your year of experiencing greater wellness and take someone with you on your wellness journey!
Source: TriVita VitaJournal February 2009 pg 2.
Lose Weight, Lighten Up… To Help Your Heart!
February 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Weight Loss
dropping excess fat is an important first step to reducing your heart disease risk
As you probably know, a big risk for heart disease is excessive weight. Not only does it increase the strain on the heart but it also contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. A high-fat diet combined with little or no exercise is a major factor in rising cholesterol levels and heart disease.
In the United States, approximately one-third of the adult population weighs 20% or more over their ideal weight.
Can losing weight lower your cholesterol levels?
Being overweight has been shown to increase total cholesterol levels. It can also cause your cholesterol levels to get out of balance, raising levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol that clogs blood vessels and lowering levels of HDL (good) cholesterol by raising blood pressure and straining the heart.
Do you weigh more than you should?
Most of us have done the simple “mirror test” – we simply look in the mirror and see if we are overweight. If you can pinch an inch at your waist, chances are you need to lose weight. Also, if you weigh 10 to 15 pounds more than you did when you were 20, you may need to drop some weight with the help of the Leanology® Weight Loss System and lifestyle changes.
What is your ideal weight?
Your ideal weight is determined by lean body mass (everything but fat) plus the amount of fat you need for good health. This ranges from 10%-18% of total body weight for men and 18%-25% of total body weight for women. A health professional can estimate your own percentage by measuring your body fat with a skinfold caliper.
How body shape impacts heart health
Recent research suggests that heart health can be affected as much by body shape as by weight. For example, people whose waists are nearly as large as or larger than their hips have a higher rate of heart disease.
To determine your waist-to-hip ratio, measure your waist just above the navel. Measure your hips at their widest. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.8 for women and 0.95 for men indicates higher heart disease risk.
The different kinds of body fat – and their importance
Some of us carry excess weight in the hips and thighs while others carry it in the abdominal area. Several studies have indicated that excess fat in the abdominal area is more likely to cause health problems such as high cholesterol levels.
Since the measurement around your waistline reflects your level of abdominal fat, a waist measurement can provide a good clue to whether you have too much upper body fat. You may have too much abdominal fat if your waist measurement exceeds: • 40 inches for men • 35 inches for women
Fat around the heart may increase heart attack risk
A recent study from Wake Forest University indicates that having excess fat around the heart may also be a health risk. Even a thin person can have fat around the heart. Pericardial fat, or stores of fat around the heart, is known to cause higher secretion of inflammatory substances, which may accelerate the development of heart disease.
Weight control tips
- Eat more high-fiber foods, including fruits and grains.
- Use non-fat or low-fat dairy products.
- Eat only lean meats, fish, skinless poultry and low-fat vegetable proteins such as tofu.
- Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Keep serving sizes moderate and avoid second helpings.
- Get regular physical activity. Even a brisk walk is great exercise.
- Limit sugary desserts and soft drinks.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Celebrate your successes with non-food treats, such as a weekend getaway, a massage or a new look or hairstyle.
Since February is Heart Health Month, there’s never been a better time to get your weight and your health under control.
Source: TriVita VitaJournal February 2009 pg 12.
TriVita Asks, “Is Cholesterol Bad?”
January 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Cholesterol
Summary: Cholesterol and Your Heart: Where Do We Stand?
by Dr Brazos Minshew
Cholesterol. This article will explain the relationship between high cholesterol and heart disease, describe the different types of cholesterol, and review several ways to lower a high cholesterol level, including exercise, a low-fat diet, and medication.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol, judging from the thousands of food labels and TV commercials boasting “zero cholesterol” has quite a bad reputation. Cholesterol is a vital component of all cell membranes. Unfortunately, too high a concentration of cholesterol in the blood is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. A high cholesterol level is one of many risk factors for developing heart disease.
Where Does Cholesterol Come From?
Most of the cholesterol circulating in your blood is made in the liver from fat metabolism. Dietary cholesterol comes from animal products such as meat, milk, cheese and butter.
Cholesterol and fat are transported through the bloodstream in particles called lipoproteins, which are so named because they contain different proportions of lipid (fat) and protein molecules. Chylomicrons carry triglycerides (fat from the foods you eat) from the intestine to body tissues, where they are used for energy or stored as fat.
LDLs (Low Density Lipoproteins) are stuffed full of cholesterol. They hold about two-thirds of all the cholesterol in the blood. These particles, nicknamed “bad” cholesterol, are partially responsible for forming plaque (debris) along blood vessel walls. The more LDLs you have, the greater your risk of getting coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
HDLs (High Density Lipoproteins) are known as “good” cholesterol. Cholesterol and Heart Disease
Increased levels of cholesterol in the blood can contribute to atherosclerosis, which is the gradual build-up of cholesterol, fat, and fibrous debris along the walls of your arteries. In the heart arteries called coronary arteries this can lead to chest pain or angina when someone exerts themselves.
What’s Your Risk?
A high level of blood cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. But unlike other risk factors for heart disease that you can’t change or modify, such as age, sex, or a family history of heart disease, you can lower a high cholesterol level. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing heart disease.
Know Your Numbers
Cholesterol levels can be measured with a simple blood test. The higher the ratio (high total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol), the greater your risk for coronary heart disease. Your doctor can help assess the degree of risk associated with your particular cholesterol values:
| Lab Test | Desirable | Borderline | High Risk |
| Total Cholesterol | less than 200 mg/dL
(5.2 mmol/L) |
200-239 mg/dL
(5.2-6.1 mmol/L) |
more than 240 mg/dL
(6.2 mmol/L) |
| LDL Cholesterol | less than 130 mg/dL
(3.4 mmol/L) |
130-159 mg/dL
(3.4-4.0 mmol/L) |
more than 160 mg/dL
(4.1 mmol/L) |
| HDL Cholesterol | More than 39 mg/dL
(1.0 mmol/L) |
n/a | less than 40 mg/dL
(1.0 mmol/L) |
| Triglycerides | less than 250 mg/dL
(2.8 mmol/L) |
n/a | more than 250 mg/dL
(2.8 mmol/L) |
| Ratio of total Cholesterol:HDL | less than 3.5 | 3.6-4.9 | more than 5 |
Ways to Lower Cholesterol
Is your cholesterol or ratio of cholesterol to HDL too high? The most effective ways to lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease include exercise, a low-fat diet and medication.
Exercise keeps your heart and blood vessels healthy. Exercise raises HDL, the “good” cholesterol.
The National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP) dietary guidelines for lowering cholesterol have focused on lowering total fat, which often ends up increasing carbohydrate in the diet. Some nutrition experts have demonstrated that certain people on this diet may actually lower their HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. This often leaves the ratio of cholesterol to HDL unchanged. Other dietary guidelines include lowering cholesterol intake, changing the type of fat you eat, and increasing fiber.
General Tips for a Cholesterol-Conscious Diet
Reduce Total Fat
Depending on your cholesterol profile, a reduction in total fat may be beneficial. Less fat in the diet means that there is less “raw material” for the liver to use in making cholesterol. Reduce Saturated Fat
The type of fat you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Since the liver makes cholesterol more efficiently from saturated than unsaturated fat, changing the type of fat you eat can help to lower your cholesterol. Reduce Partially Hydrogenated Fats or Trans Fats.
To prolong the shelf life of foods, particularly margarine, snack foods and baked products, manufacturers use liquid vegetable oils, which have been partially hardened to form trans fats. Eating a diet containing these products has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Many foods now specify their content of trans fats; reading food labels can help you avoid these substances
Increase Polyunsaturated Fats
The type of fat found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna is particularly healthful. Since bile, a substance that helps digest fat, is made primarily of cholesterol, excreting it will help lower total cholesterol levels. Intriguing research has shown that the vegetable protein in soy may be able to lower blood cholesterol.
A registered dietitian (RD) can help you plan a cholesterol-modifying diet that’s appropriate for your weight, height, activity level, and blood cholesterol profile.
Source: TriVita Article Cholesterol and Your Heart: Where Do We Stand?
Cut Your Risk Of Heart Disease
December 22, 2008 by admin
Filed under Heart Disease, Vitamin C
“C” how simple: Five smart ways to keep your health on a steady beat
What’s at the heart of good health? Of course, it’s that amazing muscle that sets the rhythm of life: the heart. To keep our hearts beating strong and long, experts recommend several proven, simple approaches. You’ve probably heard many of them (and if you practice TriVita’s 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness, you’re already doing a lot to stay heart-smart). But one vital area – proper nutrients – may not always be part of the picture when it comes to lowering the risk of heart disease.
#1: vitamins like “C” are key
It’s a sad fact of modern life: Much of our food is so processed and preserved that it doesn’t really nourish us. So, we often miss out on the essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health. This is why it’s so important to take quality supplements that promote a healthy heart… especially Vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps our bodies in several key ways:
• Helps grow and repair tissues• Needed to form collagen for skin, scar tissue, tendons and blood vessels • Aids in healing wounds • Repairs and builds cartilage, bones and teeth.
If you asked your heart, though, it would say that Vitamin C’s best work is as an antioxidant. This means it blocks some damage caused by oxidation inside the cells of our bodies. The heart is dangerously vulnerable to this damage, which is often indicated by high levels of homocysteine (HCY).
Unfortunately, our bodies can’t make Vitamin C or store it. So, if you don’t always get the C you need from food, it’s important to take the highest quality Vitamin C supplement available: Non-Acidic Vitamin C Crystals and Time- Release Tablets from TriVita. (For a great savings offer, see the ad on this page).
#2: help your heart with knife and fork
It’s true: You can eat your way toward (or away from) better heart health. Try to limit the trans fats and hydrogenated oils in foods like margarine, fast foods and fried foods. Also, cut down on refined sugar from cakes, cookies and candy. To lower cholesterol, cook with extra virgin olive oil and garlic for flavor.
#3: Make exercise part of life
To help keep life – and your heart – pumping along, make exercise a regular routine: try for three to four times a week, for at least a half hour per activity. Remember to start off slow, stretch before and after exercising, and drink plenty of water. Be sure to check with your healthcare professional before beginning any exercise program.
#4: Don’t light up, lighten up
To lighten the load on your heart, don’t light up. If you smoke, do all you can to stop, and to avoid exposing yourself to secondhand smoke. Both of these can cause heart disease.
#5: Check in with check-ups
Your regular health check-ups should include blood tests for four different substances that can indicate possible heart disease. These are: cholesterol, triglycerides (fats), homocysteine and C Reactive Protein. Let these five steps move you toward a healthier heart, a healthier you.
Source: VitaJournal August 2008 pg 8
Super Fruits Essential To Good Health?
December 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under NutraFruits
| What are Super Fruits and why are they essential to your good health? | |
| Enjoy exotic fruits full of nutrient power in TriVita’s convenient NutraFruits
It seems like almost every month we hear about a new discovery with extravagant health claims. In years past, some of these claims were unbelievable. However, Super Fruits really do help provide protection from serious dietary deficiencies.
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| Battle inflammation and aging A definition for Super Fruits might include: a food that has exceptional nutrient density; a food that has extremely powerful antioxidant capacity; or a food that has the potential for reducing disease risk.
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| Can any food meet all of these requirements? The answer is definitely YES! Most Super Fruits deliver a full day’s requirement for specific nutrients in a single serving. Super Fruits also “put out the fire” of inflammation by generously donating anti-inflammatory antioxidants wherever there is a need. Super Fruit antioxidants help fight the battle against the calendar by turning back the clock on premature aging. So, Super Fruits really are super!
How they help As you know, we all need the nutrients provided in fruits and vegetables. Health experts agree that disease prevention is best effected with the following amount of fruits and vegetables daily: o Children: five servings According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, North American adults eat less than three servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This habit has caused the death rate from heart disease, cancer and many other causes to skyrocket. Worse yet, those who choose to reject the antioxidant protection from fruits and vegetables end their lives with nine to 17 years of disability. When we formulated TriVita’s NutraFruits we packed it with over 30 fruits and vegetables – including powerful Super Fruits. When Super Fruit consumption is high, disease incidence is low. Modern medical research confirms that people who eat Super Fruits regularly enjoy a reduction in diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s and heart disease to leukemia and prostate cancer. Of course, we still need to make dietary choices that give us a healthy advantage. In the context of a healthy lifestyle, Super Fruits can be a welcome addition. Take a variety of Super Fruits to take advantage of the strengths offered by each one. Use them daily to ensure a life of wellness and vitality! Source VitaJournal November 2008 pg 20 |
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Protected: Real Stories: From Real People
December 7, 2008 by admin
Filed under Testimonials
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DOES STRESS top your holiday list?
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| Nobody’s holiday wish list includes stress, but there it is, right at the top. It thrives on planning and shopping, get-togethers and gift-giving (and guessing), houseguests and house decorating. And all this, on top of our daily “to-do” lists for job, family and home.
What’s more, we’re “supposed” to also be upbeat and joyful. Even when our nerves are jingle-jangling more than a sackful of sleigh bells, there’s pressure everywhere to be merry and bright. Stress can just take all the “happy” out of holidays – if we let it. There are proven ways to squelch stress. A good start: recognizing the causes of stress at this time of year. What’s stretching you too thin this season? Experts tell us that there are three main issues that often lead to holiday stress or depression: 1. Money If you feel strapped for cash most of the time, you probably feel worse this time of year. Between gifts and travel, food and entertainment, it’s easy to put even more strain on finances. 2. Relationships With family and other loved ones around, old tensions and resentments can flare. (See article on Forgiveness, page 18). On the other hand, being without someone close at the holidays can tend to make us feel sad or lonely. 3. Health The holiday frenzy can boost stress, which disturbs sleep and harms our health. And, the temptations of the season can steal into our exercise time while we’re eating and drinking too much. This is why it’s smart to keep (or start) taking Adaptogen 10 at this time of year. Their stress-fighting nutrients help you feel calm while they protect your health. The unwanted power of stress: How it can hurt our health Stress all by itself is not a bad thing. In fact, we need a certain amount of stress to be alive and to function. But when we get overloaded with pressure and tension, day after day, our bodies and our health can pay a high price. Doctors and researchers have found that there are strong connections between stress and these medical conditions: • Heart disease We also know that too much stress, over a long period, can lead to these dangers (which can put us at risk for serious disease): • Overeating The good news! There are many proven techniques to help us handle stress in general, and holiday stress in particular. So when Yuletide fun seems like just another frenzied chore, relax. Take a deep breath (just like the Number One guideline on TriVita’s 10 Essentials). And remember why we celebrate this season in the first place. |
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Source: VitaJournal December 2007 pg 4
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
Women, Make Health Your Top Priority
November 28, 2008 by admin
Filed under Women Health
Summary
Taking care of yourself is essential to living a longer, healthier life
By Dr. Tammy Pon, M.D.
Only a few short years ago the life expectancy for women reached a peak in modern history, with most women living to an average 79 years of age! In honor of this very special issue that addresses women’s health, I’d like to discuss a few of these issues and the strategies needed to meet this new future of longevity and vitality.
Heart disease
Heart attacks and heart disease kill more women than any other cause. Women have a death rate from heart attacks that is 70% higher than men. There are two reasons for this: One is that a heart attack in a man does not look like a heart attack in a woman. The second is that women’s heart attack symptoms are often misdiagnosed in the emergency room (ER).
A heart attack in a woman is not always the “elephant sitting on my chest” feeling that accompanies a heart attack in men. Instead, there may be an “impending sense of doom” accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue and low back pain, jaw pain and shoulder pain. Also, if a man comes into the emergency room sweating, with shortness of breath and chest pain the ER staff will automatically assume “heart attack.” When a woman enters the ER with similar symptoms, many in the ER staff will assume “panic attack!” The delay in treatment to differentiate these two conditions may cost a woman her life.
A woman is not a man. Yet, medicine assumes that the heart attack symptoms commonly presented by men are the standard for measuring ER reactions. With aging women outnumbering aging men by more than 2:1, it’s time for emergency room staff to be more aware of women’s unique health needs.
How women keep healthy hearts
The key to heart health is to recognize our need for nutrients and nurturing. Women of average size should eat seven servings of fruit and vegetables every day and sleep from 7 ½ to 9 hours every night. And women need exercise, too. Weight-bearing exercises are important, too because they strengthen your bones and prevent osteoporosis.
Talk about your anxieties with another woman. Why? In one study, talking with a woman reduced the blood pressure of both men and women, while talking with men did not. Stress management along with consistent exercise, proper rest and plenty of fruits and vegetables holds the promise of a healthy heart. Be diligent about testing risk factors as well: blood pressure, triglycerides, blood sugar, body composition, homocysteine, C-Reactive protein and lipids.
Bone health
Another risk that comes with the blessing of a longer life is osteoporosis: thinning bones. Take Vitamin D supplements as well. Eat calcium-rich foods – especially fruits and vegetables. Remember, cows get the calcium for their own bones from vegetation. I’ve already mentioned exercise for heart health. Weight-bearing exercise becomes critical now for bone health. The extra weight increases bone metabolism and draws nutrients to the weakest areas of bone to strengthen them. Don’t rely on medications alone to promote healthy bones. Take charge of your bone health now to protect against osteoporosis.
Dealing with menopausal symptoms
At a certain age, a woman ceases to be fertile and her periods stop. Menopause is a new experience this century for women in our culture. A hundred years ago most women simply did not live long enough to experience menopause. Find expert healthcare providers who can guide you through these changes with a maximum focus on nutrients and nurturing and a minimum focus on medications. With proper care, heart health and bone health can be improved and menopausal symptoms may be reduced or even eliminated. Taking the appropriate supplements can help us face our increased longevity with enthusiasm and vitality.
Source: VitaJournal October 2008 pg 6.
For more information on menopause, visit trivita.com, click on health articles and then the VitaJournal archive.
