Nopalea and Stem Cells

I attended an anti-aging conference recently. The discussions were about natural and pharmaceutical ways to slow the aging process and extend the vitality longevity of humans. There were 20 speakers from around the world. All 20 of these physicians and professors eventually discussed stem cells as a way to slow aging and speed healing.

Get your sleep: HgH is released during deep sleep.

Exercise vigorously: HgH is released during strenuous exercise.

Eat a rainbow: colorful foods contain nutrients needed for stem cell production.

Take Men's and Women's Wellavoh for a solid foundation of nutrients.
Take Super Sublingual B-12 for healthy DNA/RNA reproduction.

Drink Nopalea: Betalains may help increase your production of stem cells.


What are stem cells and how can they help us live long, healthy lives? Are there natural products that can assist us as we age?

What are stem cells?

At conception, cells begin to divide into what will become a person. Along the way the cells "differentiate" – that is, they become different tissues. Some become the heart, others the brain and so on until the complete human is formed. These are called "embryonic" stem cells. Highly controversial experiments are being conducted with samples of these cells.

Once a person is formed, does the human body stop making stem cells? No, because stem cells are part of our miraculous healing process. We make stem cells every day of our life. These are different from embryonic stem cells because they actually replace other cells. You see, every cell in your body has a life span. When that cell dies it needs to be replaced. Stem cells made in your bone marrow and other places in your body follow a chemical trail back to the place where the cell dies and "differentiate" into the type of cell that died.

Aging can be defined as the process of cell death and cell replacement. Premature aging is when more cells die than you can replace in a single day. Chronic disease and disability often accompany premature aging, as you might imagine. Stem cells replace dead cells.

So, the more stem cells you can make in a day, the slower you are aging, the more vital you may be, and the less likely you are to experience the chronic diseases associated with premature aging. All 20 of the experts at the anti-aging conference endorsed doing all we can to promote stem cell production by our own body.

Making stem cells

As I mentioned, we make stem cells every day. Dying cells release enzymes into your bloodstream. Your brain interprets the level of enzymes and sends an appropriate amount of Human growth hormone (HgH). When the HgH reaches the bone marrow or other stem cell "nursery," it triggers the release of a number of stem cells that roughly correspond to the amount of HgH.

The stem cells follow the chemical trail left by the enzymes of the dying cell. They follow the trail back to the space left by the dead cell and nestle into the tissues. Once there, they differentiate into the cell they replace – they literally become the exact type of cell they replaced.

Nutrients are required for making cells (including stem cells). If you are deficient in any critical nutrient at the moment you create stem cells, one of two things will happen:

Your bone marrow will refuse the order to meet that quota of stem cells, causing premature aging, or the cells will be made, but without the nutrients critical for the health and longevity of the cell. When a deficient cell matures it becomes the target for inflammation and disease.

Cells need nutrients. Without all of the appropriate nutrients on board at all times, we will not be able to make as many healthy cells as we lose in a day. The disparity between how many cells we lose and how many we can replace is premature aging.

More stem cells

Nutrients serve as the foundation for stem cells. However, specific nutrients also stimulate the production of stem cells. At the anti-aging conference, six stem cell-stimulating nutrients were identified. As one speaker neared the end of his presentation, he talked about "a curious bioflavonoid" found in great abundance in prickly pears from the Nopal cactus. Of course, he was talking about Betalains! It turns out that Betalains along with Vitamin B-12 may help your body increase the production of stem cells.

More healthy stem cells close the gap between the numbers of cells that die and the number of cells we replace every day. That equals slower aging. So, take your nutrients every day: Men's and Women's Wellavoh for the nutrient foundation we need, Super Sublingual B-12 and Nopalea to encourage an abundant crop of anti-aging stem cells!

TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]

Calories: Time to Burn!

Losing weight is a challenge. It requires the same careful consideration that you would give to any serious endeavor; don't fail to plan. But, create a plan that is realistic. Allow for interruptions such as sickness or travel. Plan to start during a quiet time in your life, not when work and family responsibilities are likely to be at their peak.

You may prefer to start with an exercise program and then add in dietary changes. Or you may want to do it the other way around. If you're really motivated, you may want to start both the exercise and diet segments simultaneously.

Your diet

Very few aspects of your life are as emotionally charged as securing your right to choose for yourself. From early childhood until today, one of the most frequent choices you make concerns your diet. You must have choices and they must be your own. Recognize that restricting yourself from available choices goes against your very nature. A restrictive diet is doomed to failure. Select a diet that is uncomplicated and appealing to you and you will have a greater chance for success.

The first challenge we face in diet selection is committing to the discipline of thinking ahead instead of eating impulsively. So, start with something small and attainable:

Many health experts recommend fresh fruits and vegetables daily

5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 servings for men

Add high quality protein to your diet

Drink plenty of water

These are easy steps that you can accomplish today! Remember, the time you spend selecting the right diet for yourself is an investment in your health and your future. Give it the attention it deserves.

Calories in – calories OUT!

We must burn more calories than we consume in order for weight loss to occur.

Exercise is the key to permanent, lifetime weight control. There is no way around it. However, exercise does not have to be a punishment; it can really be pleasurable. The key is finding something you enjoy doing. I suggest that you start with three forms of activity; this prevents exercise boredom. Add more activities every month. Get in the habit of participating in at least 30 minutes of activity every day.

There are basically two types of exercise that you need every week:

Aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that increases your need for oxygen. Aerobics make you breathe harder. You need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week.

Aerobic exercise can balance hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, and mobilize your energy for the great works of your life. Aerobic exercise speeds up your metabolism.

But where does metabolism originate? It comes from your lean body mass – your muscles! That is the domain of resistance training.

Progressive resistance training is defined as any exercise where the load to the muscle is increased by some mechanical means – weights, bands, springs, and many other methods. The key is to progressively increase the weight or resistance over time. This results in more lean body mass and less fat mass. If you increase your muscle strength, you increase the "engines" that produce muscle energy. Nothing builds metabolism (muscle energy) as well as progressive resistance training.

Supplements for weight loss

The Leanology Smart Weight Loss System can also be an important part of your weight loss plan. For many people it represents the critical difference between success and failure in lifetime weight control.

Fat burning capsules – Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help increase metabolism and energy to support your body's ability to burn more calories. Plus, they help limit cortisol production – the stress-induced hormone that can lead to abdominal fat.

Snack replacement chews – Leanology Appetite Control Chews contain ingredients that are clinically proven to help curb the appetite.

Nutritional shakes – Leanology Nutritional Shakes can be used as a low calorie meal substitute; they provide a healthy balance of wholesome carbohydrates, proteins, good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

However, you must always remember that these are supplements; they supplement a healthy diet and exercise program. Use them wisely as an important part of your total wellness program.

TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]

10 Steps to Better Health

Health is the consequence of healthy habits practiced daily. It is also the accumulation of all the thoughts, actions, words, intentions and feelings that you have now, or that you have ever had in your past or that you will ever experience in your future. As renowned neuroscientist Candace Pert stated, "Every thought, every feeling, every emotion we experience impacts us and is recorded in cellular memory."

Health is a choice. It is a decision you make every day. Nutrients create physical health and nurturing creates emotional and spiritual wellness. Make the healthy choice today by practicing the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. The 10 Essentials can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your everyday health.

1. Breathe Deeply – Air is the cornerstone of life. Every moment of every day your body exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen to keep each cell in your body alive and functioning.

Take several deep breaths throughout the day. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, making sure that your abdomen is rising and falling with each breath.

2. Drink Pure Water – Water is essential for everything your body does. In fact, your body is made up of approximately 70% water! Nutrient absorption, blood flow, respiration, elimination and your ability to see and hear require adequate consumption of pure, clean water.

Calculate your daily water needs by dividing your weight by 2. This is the number of ounces you should try to drink every day. Remember to drink extra water when you're exercising and if you're outdoors during warmer months.

3. Sleep Peacefully – Sleep is the only time your body has to repair and rejuvenate its organs and systems. Sleep deprivation causes cellular damage and limits the production of enzymes and hormones your body needs to keep your cells healthy and prevent premature aging. Sleep also has a strong effect on your emotional health.

Try to get eight hours of sleep every night. Keep your bedroom cool and dark – even the light from your alarm clock can disrupt your sleep.

4. Eat Nutritiously – Food has a powerful impact on your body. A diet rich in whole foods – combined with quality nutritional supplements created to meet your specific needs – will give you the energy you need today, and the disease-fighting strength you need to build a healthy future.

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables; 5 servings per day for children, 7 servings for women, and 9 for men. For a balanced meal, divide your plate in half; fill one half with fruits and vegetables, and divide the other half evenly between a lean protein and a high-fiber carbohydrate.

5. Enjoy Activity – Your body was created to move – and move often. Activity increases your circulation, speeding oxygen, nutrients and water to your cells. Your lymphatic system requires activity to purge your body of deadly toxins. Activity lifts your spirit and bolsters your immune system.

Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. If you have difficulty finding time, split your exercise into three 10-minute sessions. This can be just as effective. Find creative ways to incorporate activity into your day; taking the dog for a walk, working in the garden and even housework count!

6. Give and Receive Love – Like the ground we walk on, love supports us in all we do. Researcher Kenneth Pelletier conducted a five-year investigation of the benefits of altruism that offered evidence that the caring and loving influences of family and friends may be equally – if not more – important than our traditional risk factors for disease (poor nutrition, lack of exercise, etc.).

Call a friend or family member today just to tell them you love them. You'll be amazed at how good it will make you (and them!) feel.

7. Be Forgiving – It may surprise you, but research on forgiveness shows that those who hold a grudge have far more heart problems than those who forgive. Also, there are more symptoms of a poor immune system, depression, anxiety and physical pain among people who don't practice forgiveness.

Before you go to bed, make it a point to forgive anyone who has offended you. If you find forgiveness itself difficult, a great first step is just acknowledging that you're holding a grudge.

8. Practice Gratitude – Research studies indicate that self-centered people who do not express an attitude of gratitude are more likely to develop heart disease. Selfish, self-centered people are often lonely, and lonely people tend to have a short life expectancy.

Start a "Gratitude from A to Z" list; write down something that you're thankful for starting with "A" (apples, air, Aunt Ruthy, etc.), and add an item every day until you get to "Z." Then start over!

9. Develop Acceptance – All of us will face loss. The most stressful event that we will ever experience is the loss of a loved one. The intense and prolonged stress involved in bereavement has long been associated with illness. The landmark work by stress researchers Holmes and Rahe demonstrated that we carry stress from 2 to 10 years. Develop acceptance and release those stresses.

Identify the things you cannot change in life – but focus on those things you can change. Recognizing the difference is the first step toward developing acceptance.

10. Develop a Relationship with God – According to Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions and Relationships, people who regularly attend religious services have a much lower rate of illness than those who do not attend regularly, or do not attend at all. Formal worshippers have lower rates of heart disease, lung disease, liver disease and some types of cancer. Men who attend church frequently have fewer heart attacks and less heart disease. Those who do not worship regularly (or at all) have twice the risk of death from heart disease and four times the risk of death from liver disease.

Spend a few minutes every day in prayer and meditation. Dedicate a specific time of day to it; make it a priority!

By practicing the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness every day, you can move toward wellness, regardless of your current state of health.

TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]

Toxins in Our Air, Water and Food

We have one of the safest food and water supply chains in the world here in North America. That is, our supply chain is "safe" when we compare it to others that are worse. It is "safe" when we compare it to how it used to be here in North America. Our food and water supplies are "safe" when we think of how toxic they could be if we didn’t have the legislation in place that governs pollution in our food and water.

And yet, every expert recognizes two truths about the safety of our food and water: They are far, far away from how safe they could be, and the toxins in our food and water are getting worse every year.

Bad water, bad food

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.4 million children die each year from diseases related to polluted water. Tragedy for these families could quickly be eliminated if there were only minimum standards of hygiene applied to their drinking water. We enjoy this protection in "developed" lands. Yet, our drinking water is so polluted that water wells are frequently closed due to contamination.

Do you drink bottled water?

Many of us do; and yet, specific toxins called phthalates and parabens contaminate water bottled in plastic containers. Many of these toxins accumulate in our body. The chemicals are so new that science has no idea what the consequences are to human health as time progresses. We are learning that reproductive cancer rates increase when animals and people are exposed to parabens and phthalates over time.

Our food supply is contaminated with these chemicals as well as from pollution in our air and specific toxins used in agriculture. Certain fruits and vegetables are singled out as the most contaminated foods we eat:

Strawberries
Spinach
Bell peppers
U.S. cherries
Peaches
Mexican cantaloupe
Celery
Apples
Apricots
Green beans
Chilean grapes
Cucumbers

While we enjoy protection from acute bacterial infections that cause diarrheal diseases, we ultimately pay a price for this protection: a shift toward chronic disease from accumulated toxins.

Isolation and insulation

To improve our health we should limit our toxic exposure. Obviously, many people do not have the financial resources to implement all of the possible changes we need for truly "safe" air, water and food. Still, any improvement we make as individuals will benefit our health over time. And, as the old saying goes, we make ourselves either part of the problem or part of the solution by our everyday choices.

Water - We can begin insulating ourselves against toxic water through filtration. Loose-granular carbon filters will remove parabens and phthalates from drinking water. We also need these same interventions for bathing water, as our skin (our largest organ) absorbs chemicals in water. These are often low-cost solutions to water toxicity.

Food - Food, especially the fruits and vegetables listed above, should be grown organically and purchased locally. Try growing your own garden as a source of wholesome, nutritious, pesticide-free food.

Air - Green cleaning supplies can help immensely in cleaning up the air inside your home. More help for keeping your personal space toxin-clean can be found in libraries and on Internet sites - especially ones that end with .org and .gov.

Insulation from toxins is found by keeping our nutrient reserves high and taking nutrients with known anti-toxin benefits. Many toxins are fat soluble, so keeping our "good fats" high may allow us to pass bad (toxic) fats out of our system. Other toxins can be detoxified by internal body processes with common nutrients like Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C and green tea.

An excellent anti-toxin effect is seen in Betalains — a group of bioflavonoids in the Quercetin family. Betalains help protect healthy cells from certain poisons, help distressed cells return to normal when possible, and drain away toxic waste-water from around healthy tissues.

Conclusion

Health only comes from healthy habits practiced every single day of our life. To achieve the lofty goal of clean air, water and food we must begin with our own home and our own food and water supply. To insulate our fragile internal environment we must keep all of the nutrients "on board" that detoxify or displace toxic waste. In the end, we must not slip into complacency about the safety of our environment. Instead, we must be vigilant in order to be part of the solution!

TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]

What Your Brain Needs For Healthy Aging

Ever have a "senior moment"? It seems that forgetfulness increases with age. This is partially because the damage to our brain accumulates over time. "Brain shrinkage" from stress and nutrient deficiencies, plus brain trauma from injuries and toxicity contribute to memory loss, inability to concentrate and even Alzheimer's disease. New research on brain erosion suggests that those experiencing significant stress may experience volume loss (brain shrinkage) as early as age 30.

Some of the rapid aging of our brain and body is caused by nutrient deficiency. It is much harder to get the nutrients from our food as we did in the past.

Healthy brain, healthy body

We have to remember that every cell in our brain and body has a pre-programmed life span. This lifespan may be very short or very long. For instance, digestive cells in the small intestines live only a matter of hours and may be replaced up to six times daily. Some cells in our brain, nervous system and immune system may last our entire lifetime but become dormant and stop functioning if not properly nourished.

When the signal goes out that cell repair or replacement is needed, growth hormone accomplishes this with the nutrients we have available at that time. So, just imagine: A cell reaches the end of its normal lifespan and needs to be replaced. Growth hormone is present to facilitate this restoration.

Now, your body recruits the nutrient building blocks that it needs to build healthy cells:

Proteins
Fats
Carbohydrates
Water
Vitamins
Minerals
Enzymes
Antioxidants and many other nutrients

What if you don't have enough nutrients available to facilitate this replacement?

What if you are missing a vitamin or an antioxidant or fat or some other critical nutrient when it is needed most?

Well, one of two things will happen:

Either the cell will not be replaced and we begin to wither; or the cell is replaced, but without critical elements needed to keep it healthy. For healthy aging you simply must have the proper nutrients available at all times because a cell deprived of the proper nutrients will be prone to disease and premature aging. Your body must replace millions of cells each day. One single day of poor nutrition will mean that you will make deficient cells that day. These cells may live for many months or years and they will be the focus for disease and inflammation.

Premature aging is about losing more cells than we replace. Healthy aging is about closing the gap between loss of cells and repair or replacement of our cells - as triggered by growth hormone and fueled by nutrients. Men's and Women's Wellavoh™ is our newest contribution to the total nutrition you need for healthy aging!

Forgotten nutrients
All experts agree that the best way to get the phytonutrients we need is from whole foods. Most experts agree that the best way to ensure that you absorb your vitamin supplements is to take them with food. Men's and Women's Wellavoh are designed with whole-food complexes containing virtually every nutrient known to science. Many of these foods have known health values, such as pomegranate for the heart, cranberry for the kidneys and bilberry for the eyes. However, all of these superfoods belong in a healthy diet.

How can we have a healthy brain and body? Only from healthy living - based on healthy choices. If we make unhealthy lifestyle choices, our aging process can rush us into disability like a flooding river. If we make wise choices our aging process will move along almost imperceptibly - like a creeping glacier. This is true healthy aging!

Managing High Cholesterol

The guidelines for healthy cholesterol have changed. New targets have been established that tell us that perhaps our efforts to manage cholesterol and other blood lipids have been inadequate. This is especially true when we consider the target for LDL (low density lipoprotein), the so-called "bad" cholesterol.

Why should we be concerned with our LDL level? How did we get into such a deplorable state when it comes to managing our cholesterol? How can we use this information to improve our health?

What is LDL?

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are often considered to be a "bad" form of cholesterol. But this is an extreme mischaracterization of a very beneficial fat in our blood. You see, your body makes important things out of LDL: brain cells and nerves are shielded with LDL cholesterol-based fats. And hormones in your bloodstream and inside your cells are made from LDL cholesterol. So, LDL is not really "bad," just misunderstood!

The dark side of cholesterol metabolism occurs when a person over-produces LDL and when LDL particles become sticky, oxidized and inflamed. This is one cause of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which leads to heart attack and stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and other diseases of your blood vessels.

Why cholesterol is "high"

We also make hormones from good cholesterol. Most doctors recommend over 1,200 milligrams of Omega-3 fats for building healthy hormones and reducing "bad" cholesterol. OmegaPrime® contains beneficial Omega-3 fats. You may find that you need more OmegaPrime every day to build cholesterol into trophic hormones.

Estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone are examples of trophic hormones. They are made of the same substance: cholesterol. If your body is unable to convert cholesterol into these hormones you may see your blood levels of cholesterol rise. You can bring your cholesterol down and your low hormones up by supporting cholesterol-to-hormone conversion. We can help support healthy hormone metabolism with supplements such as OmegaPrime, Vitamin E, Balanced Woman® and Prostate Health Formula.

The most critical balance of hormones occurs between insulin and glucagon. When we sleep too little, when we are stressed too much and when we eat too much sugar - especially high fructose corn syrup - our insulin levels stay too high for too long and cause insulin resistance. High levels of insulin cause the liver to release high levels of cholesterol and LDL. Oxidized LDL inflames, gets sticky and clogs arteries.

Glucagon is a liver hormone that balances blood sugar and lowers cholesterol and LDL. We support glucagon metabolism with adaptogens for stress and Leanology® capsules to sustain healthy blood sugar. We assist with LDL "stickiness" by using robust levels of Vitamin C. We help your body reduce inflammation with Betalains found in Nopalea™.

Learning to listen

We should think of high cholesterol as a message from our body that something is wrong. Learn to listen to your body by taking stock of your lifestyle in comparison to the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness:

Are you keeping the impact of stress on your body in control? You do this by daily exercise of 30 minutes or more, sunshine in the morning and deep breathing exercises for peaceful sleep at night.

Do you drink enough water and eat up to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily?

How healthy are your relationships?

We can balance our cholesterol and meet the new guidelines for LDL through vigoroaus application of the 10 Essentials, meticulous supplementation and appropriate medical care.

Trivita's Weekless Welllness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]

How Nutrients Help Relieve Stress

Stress is defined as change that is seen by your body or mind as a threat - large or small, imaginary or real - or a change in your environment that triggers a rapid use of your reserves. Stress creates a demand on your resources. Soon, these resources become exhausted and you get sick.

Distress can come from your environment, your body or your mind. Rather than being just a single event, stress accumulates over time from all three sources. It strangles the joy and pleasure from your days and nights. It makes you miserable, and then it makes you sick. Once you are sick, stress keeps you from responding as well to medical care. Yes, stress is a killer!

Nutrients to the rescue

The opposite of stress is homeostasis. So, while stress is constantly trying to pull you apart, homeostasis is constantly working to put you back together. Homeostasis is the priority process your body uses to combat stress.

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential for homeostasis. If we have the nutrients we need at the moment we need them, we will thrive! Conversely, if we do not have the proper nutrient base in our system every day we will suffer loss of energy, poor mental performance and an increased risk for disease.

Supplements

The word supplement means an addition to something to make up for a deficiency. All supplements are an important addition to a healthy diet. They make up for the deficiency we face because of poor nutrient density in our foods. They also help out when we miss the mark of diet perfection.

Supplements are no substitute for good dietary choices. We simply must commit ourselves to eating a healthy diet. As you review your food choices for the past week, ask yourself, "Did I eat the right amount of fruits and vegetables every day?"

5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 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 of low nutrient value.

We need a multiple nutrient supplement every day to serve as a foundation for health and to combat the nutrient demands of a stressful life.

A new supplement

Staying on top of our nutrient reserve is important. Our body makes millions of new cells every day - heart cells, brain cells, bone and blood cells. Stress kills millions of vulnerable cells every day. 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 created Sonoran Bloom™ Wellavoh™ (wel-lah voh), a new multi-nutrient complex for men and women.

The destructive forces of stress come from inside and outside your body. The nutrient complexes of Wellavoh can help you build a bulwark against stress as it tries to pull you apart. Wellavoh supports homeostasis as the innate wisdom of your body tries to keep you functioning at your peak.

One more reason...

Perhaps an even more important reason exists for maintaining a robust supply of nutrients in our system daily. According to a recent report, chemical switches on our DNA are activated by nutrients. If a single nutrient is missing at the critical moment it is needed, one of these chemical switches will fail. This results in a change in our DNA that promotes disease - for up to three generations of our children! So, it is vital that we and our children have our nutrients available every day to reduce the impact of stress while promoting vitality today, health tomorrow and a solid wellness foundation for generations to come!

Trivita's Weekly Wellness Report [weeklywellnessreport@trivita.com]