STRESS AND YOUR HEALTH

There are four common causes of imbalance that affect our health:

Trauma
Toxins
Deficiency
Emotional distress

Stress triggers a flood of hormones that sacrifice healthy organs in order to solve the stress crisis. Chronic stress causes us to wear out and age prematurely.

According to the book, "Who Gets Sick?" stress is reducing the quality and quantity of life of most people in North America – including you! It strangles the joy and pleasure from your days and nights. It makes you miserable, and then it makes you sick. You become susceptible to diseases such as heart attacks, cancer and diabetes. Once you are sick, stress keeps you from responding as well to medical care. Yes, stress is a killer!

Know your enemy!

Stress is short for distress. Distress describes an unpleasant influence by forces outside or even inside your body trying to tear you apart; it can come from your environment, your body or even your thoughts.

Stress triggers the fight or flight mechanism. Your body will prioritize resources to meet specific demands of stress. In fight or flight, your body prepares to do battle or run away. Either of these actions will require fuel – and right now!

Where do you get that fuel? From organs you don't need at that moment to survive.

So, if you are being chased by a lion, you don't need digestion. Stress will take nutrients from digestion as fuel to meet this particular crisis. The same is true for other organs and systems: Stress will literally rob nutrients from your reproductive system, your bones, and aspects of your immune system, your nervous system and more – all in an attempt to survive.

Now, assuming you survive the stress, are the nutrients returned to those systems? No, not at first. They are taken out quickly and returned slowly, just in case there is another lion around.

Gradually, you begin to show signs of chronic stress that we call premature aging: your blood sugar becomes more difficult to control; your arteries begin to clog up with cholesterol; and your muscle and bone mass begins to melt away. Then, enzymes in your cells begin to turn off and caramelized sugars begin to damage your brain and nerves. You can't think and you have no energy. Your body cannot stand that kind of stress and it breaks down.

Fighting back

This illustrates why we need nutrients from food and supplements to combat stress. The more nutrients we have "on board," the less fuel your body will have to rob during a crisis.

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. It requires nutrients to function. So, a key strategy for helping reduce the impact of stress is to take Healthy Aging nutrients (including a robust supply of Sublingual B-12) every day.

Rather than being just an isolated event, stress accumulates over time. A single stressful event can affect you for up to two years or more. Therefore homeostasis must be constant, relentless and dynamic in working to return you to a normal state. It must do this no matter which direction stress is pulling you.
Homeostasis is a very important process in our body and we need to support it in every way we can. Homeostasis encompasses all of our resources: our brain and nervous system, our immune system, our hormonal system and every other body function.

Adaptogens support homeostasis in all body systems. Adaptogens are "non-specific" in that they help your body reclaim balance. Adaptogens are non-toxic at any level, so you can feel free to take an added serving of Adaptogen 10 Plus as needed in order to break the cycle of stress. A daily serving of adaptogens can help keep you calm and relaxed.

A specific target of stress is the thyroid gland. Specific proteins found in Energy Now! support healthy thyroid function when stress creates thyroid imbalance.
Healthy Aging nutrients along with Adaptogen 10 Plus and Energy Now! can help protect against the relentless stress we all face. We need nutrients and nurturing; these lifesaving resources are found in the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. Learn them and live them, and you will be able to resist the relentless killer: stress!

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Take Control of Your Health

Practice deep breathing at least 20 minutes daily
Exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week
Eat high protein foods; avoid sugar and caffeine
Take Healthy Aging nutrients
Use adaptogens to fight off the effects of stress
Support your thyroid with Energy Now!

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

TEST YOURSELF FOR "D"EFICIENCY

With your thumb, press on your sternum (breastbone). Is it tender or painful? Now, press on the tibia (shin bone) of both your legs. Is it sore or tender? If the answer is "yes" to both of these tests then you have a 93% chance of being Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D may be the most prevalent vitamin deficiency in our culture. What is Vitamin D and what does it do for us?

Function of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a vitamin (vital amine) and a hormone. It acts as a vitamin when it binds with calcium for proper absorption. Humans cannot digest calcium without adequate amounts of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a hormone (a messenger inside your body) because it directs cells, organs, muscle and bone in daily activity. It is a hormone because your body creates it in response to sunlight on your skin. It participates in weight loss, the function of your immune system, blood sugar regulation and basic human metabolism.

Humans mobilize essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3, with Vitamin D. In order to properly use calcium and Omega-3 you simply must have enough Vitamin D. Yet, many people don't.

Signs of deficiency

The test above is one way of checking for low levels of Vitamin D. You see, calcium and other minerals are delivered to an area in your bones that is like a gelatin matrix. This gelatin matrix hardens into sturdy bone. Calcium can only arrive in this matrix if it is escorted by Vitamin D. If you are deficient in Vitamin D, this matrix will revert back to gelatin near the surface of the bone. Tenderness and bone pain will result.

This kind of bone pain can be seen in cases of osteomalacia (softening of the bones), as well as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and even the pain associated with chronic depression.

Further, Vitamin D deficiency can result in:

Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Psoriasis

Eventually, Vitamin D deficiency may lead to cancer (especially breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer), osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Reasons for deficiency

The primary reasons people become deficient in Vitamin D are cultural. For instance, women that wear veils in certain cultures are almost universally deficient in Vitamin D, as are submariners who spend extended time submerged. Neither group spends much time with their skin exposed to direct sunlight. The most common reasons for Vitamin D deficiency in North America also relate to lack of exposure to sunlight and infrequent consumption of cold-water fish. Cold-water fish such as wild salmon, mackerel and sardines are good food sources of Vitamin D – as well as good sources of calcium and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Many foods have been supplemented with Vitamin D, but this has not resulted in an overall increase in Vitamin D levels. This is likely because food and supplement manufacturers rely on an inexpensive form of synthetic Vitamin D called "ergocalciferol" – a form of Vitamin D-2. Food sources of Vitamin D and supplements such as TriVita's Bone Growth Factor, VitaCal-Mag D and Leanology Capsules use Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol), which is the same form that your body makes from sunshine.

What to do?

If your bones are tender or if you have a low blood level of Vitamin D the solution may be as simple as increasing your sun exposure (see the Weekly Wellness Report, "Is the Sun our Enemy?"). Spend 20 minutes daily in the sunshine with 40% of your skin surface exposed. Morning and evening sunshine is best; afternoon sun is acceptable. Never allow yourself to sunburn.

When supplementing with Vitamin D always choose D-3. It is also good to remember that this is a "fat soluble" vitamin. That means that you can store the nutrient for many days.

I will often suggest two capsules of TriVita's Bone Growth Factor or two tablets of VitaCal-Mag D to be taken at every meal. Test the tenderness in your sternum and shin bones every 6 months. Reduce your supplements to one capsule or tablet per meal when the tenderness has disappeared from the sternum and shin bones.

If Leanology Capsules are a more appropriate source of Vitamin D for you (if you are overweight and otherwise in a low-risk category for osteoporosis), taking two capsules at each meal is a good strategy. However, since most overeating occurs in the evening and since Vitamin D reduces appetite, it may be best to take three to six Leanology capsules all in the evening.

It is good to get a blood test for appropriate blood levels of Vitamin D twice a year and a DEXA scan of your bones at least every two years to help you structure a supplement program.

Eventually, health comes down to healthy habits practiced every day. Every day we should nourish our body and nurture our spirit for sustained health.

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Take Control of Your Health

Spend time in the sun daily
20 minutes in the morning or evening sun
10 minutes morning and evening work also
Expose 40% of your skin surface to sunshine
Never allow yourself to sunburn!
Eat foods high in Vitamin D
Cod liver oil
Fortified milk
Salmon, mackerel and sardines
Egg yolks
Beef liver
Take Vitamin D supplements
Make sure to select D-3
Spread the dose of Bone Growth Factor and VitaCal-Mag D throughout the day
Consider taking 3 to 6 Leanology Capsules in the evening
Take Vitamin D supplements with food – especially foods high in Vitamin D

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

INFLAMMATION HOT SPOTS

The process of inflammation starts with injury, toxicity, deficiency or emotional distress. One particular deficiency that causes inflammation is a genetic deficiency called MTHFR. This deficiency is relatively common – perhaps the most common genetic deficiency in North America. It is related to the way we manufacture proteins. A sign that we have MTHFR deficiency is elevated homocysteine.

MTHFR deficiency creates pools of homocysteine that ignite inflammation like bonfires in specific tissues of your body. The strategies for reducing this inflammation depend greatly on where the bonfire starts. And, like many forest fires, inflammation often features multiple fronts that require different strategies for quelling its flames.

Burning brain

The delicate tissues of the brain are common victims of inflammation from an MTHFR deficiency. Elevated homocysteine feeds the fire that melts fragile neurons. Movement disorders like Parkinson's disease and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease are associated with elevated homocysteine. Further, inflammation in the brain associated with MTHFR and elevated homocysteine are also implicated in autism, ADD/ADHD, bipolar depression and schizophrenia.

MTHFR deficiency is addressed by increasing folates in the diet. Folates describe a B vitamin from foliage – leafy green vegetables. Actually, all fruits and vegetables contain some folate. Eating the optimum amount of folate can go a long way to filling the deficiency associated with MTHFR and elevated homocysteine.

Remember, the optimum number of servings for fruits and vegetables is:

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

Make sure you eat vegetables of every color – eat a rainbow!

Supplements such as HCY Guard® provide nutrients that help "re-methylate" homocysteine in the presence of this MTHFR deficiency. Inflammation is normalized by the anti-inflammatory Betalains found in Nopalea™. Essential fatty acids and EFA supplements such as OmegaPrime® serve as primary building blocks for a healthy brain. Also, Omega-3 EFA, Betalains and ECGC polyphenols in Energy Now!® serve to help the body protect DNA strands and create stem cells that are needed to repair delicate, fragile brain tissues.

Burning bones

Bones are living tissue. Osteoblast cells lay down a matrix of collagen proteins and build minerals around it. Collagen provides tensile strength for the bones and minerals provide compression strength for the bones. Homocysteine shatters this matrix and melts the collagen in your bones (and elsewhere), resulting in brittle bones. Further, without collagen, minerals cannot form and the bones become porous. The end result is often osteoporosis.

Folates and plant hormones such as Vitamin K found in leafy green vegetables help reduce the impact of MTHFR deficiency and increase the opportunity for osteoblasts to make healthy bone. Healthy bones also require significant amounts of Vitamin D. Sunshine is the best source of Vitamin D; however, in North America it is not always possible to get enough healthy sun exposure to meet our Vitamin D needs. Supplements such as Bone Growth Factor and VitaCal-Mag D can help give us the nutrients we need for healthy bones. HCY Guard can help the body reduce inflammatory homocysteine and Betalains from Nopalea can help reduce the impact of inflammation.

Burning blood

MTHFR deficiency was discovered when scientists began searching for the reasons why heart disease and stroke seemed to cluster in certain families. It was discovered that these families shared a genetic deficiency that required far more folate than their diet provided. Folate deficiency depletes Vitamin B-12 and compounds the homocysteine problem. Homocysteine ignites LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the bloodstream and creates the inflammation at the root of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke.

A high folate diet focusing on leafy green vegetables can fill this deficiency. Supplements such as HCY Guard, Nopalea and OmegaPrime can help the body ease' the fire in the delicate tissues lining the blood vessels. According to the VISP study (Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention) this comprehensive strategy can fill the deficiency created by MTHFR, put out the fire fueled by homocysteine, and reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

Conclusion

Inflammation hot spots build fires around your body in places like your brain, your bones and your heart.

A high folate diet can fill the deficiency that causes these body bonfires.

Safe daily sun exposure along with exercise and peaceful sleep can help build a solid foundation for wellness.

Appropriate supplementation can help satisfy the needs created by MTHFR while putting out the fires of inflammation and creating vigorous cells for health today and a healthier tomorrow.

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Take Control of Your Health

Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruit and vegetables
Eat a rainbow – include leafy green vegetables (see "Dietary Sources of Folate" below)
Supplement appropriately:
HCY Guard to help reduce inflammatory homocysteine
Nopalea to put out the fire
OmegaPrime for a healthy brain and heart
Bone Growth Factor for healthy bones
Sleep peacefully every night and enjoy activity every day

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

NOPALA IN THE NEWS

There is an old saying, "You are what you eat!" That is very true: Each cell in our body is comprised of elements we extract from our food. If we eat a healthy diet we will build healthy cells. If we eat an imbalanced or deficient diet we will build imbalanced cells. It is really that simple: We are what we eat!

Nopalea™ contains a family of bioflavonoids (plant compounds known for their antioxidant activity) called Betalains. Nopal fruit from the Sonora Desert contains all 24 known Betalains. These are "orphan" nutrients; the main family of Betalain-containing fruits and vegetables is now extinct. How can we be sure that Betalains are recognized by our body since they have not been seen in the human diet for thousands of years?

Bioavailability

Foods that are absorbed during digestion and carried into the bloodstream are called bioavailable foods. If they are good for us they are called bioactive foods. If they neither improve our health nor detract from it they are called bio-neutral foods and if the foods we eat are toxic for us they are called biocidic foods.

The question we have is: How do we know that Betalains from Nopal cactus fruit are bioavailable and bioactive? The answer is provided by research from Palermo, Italy.

What you eat

Professors at the University of Palermo Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology have been involved in the study of Betalains from Nopal cactus species around the world. They are primarily responsible for identifying the different types of Betalains and their activity. Recently, these Betalain experts answered the question of how efficiently Nopal Betalains are absorbed. The answer to this puzzle helps us understand the bioavailability and bioactive nature of Betalains.

Research showed that anti-inflammatory Betalains protected fats from being oxidized and turned into "bad" fats. Methyl linoleate (ML) is a common fat used in manufacturing detergent and other products. It can become carcinogenic (cancer-causing) if it oxidizes.

Betalains protected ML from oxidizing. This antioxidant activity hindered the formation of inflammatory chemicals. Betalains slowed down the domino effect of toxic, rancid fats from becoming carcinogenic before they ever started!

Remarkable results

Research continues around the world into the potent anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin action of Betalains from the Sonora Desert. The more we learn, the more remarkable Betalains become. Now we have conclusive proof that Betalains are readily recognized by our body though we may have never consumed them before our first serving of Nopalea. Further, we see that Betalains are both bioavailable and bioactive.

If we truly "are what we eat," we can improve the health of our cells, help our body reduce inflammation, oxidation and the impact of toxins by taking Nopalea.

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Take Control of Your Health

Health comes from healthy habits:

Breathe Deeply
Drink Pure Water
Sleep Peacefully
Eat Nutritiously
Enjoy Activity
Give and Receive Love
Be Forgiving
Practice Gratitude
Develop Acceptance
Develop a Relationship with God
Take Nopalea to help protect against toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress and premature aging

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

THE PHYSICAL SIDE OF STRESS

According to health experts, we need about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. The benefits of this are too numerous to list but include:

Heart health
Increased energy
Decreased obesity
Improved mood
Exercise has been called "the best thing we can do for our body."

We also need resistance training to build lean body tissue and strong bones. Resistance training increases the ability of our individual cells to accept sugar and insulin. Indeed, resistance training is seen by some as the antidote to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.

Stress in – stress out!

Despite all the benefits of exercise, it must be recognized that exercise is stressful. Exercise is work; it is a struggle against gravity and in the end, gravity always wins! That said, there are nutrients that can help us succeed in the struggle against gravity and help us meet our desired objectives of fitness and wellness.

First, we need energy to exercise (and then exercise gives us energy). Energy comes from metabolism, and the sensation of being energetic is "stored" in the nerves.

Our polyphenol product Energy Now! helps convert about 200 calories of energy from stored reserves per serving. This is the amount of energy we need to walk about two miles.

Sublingual B-12 adds to our energy delivery system by nourishing the nerves. Have you ever had a day when you felt light as a feather? Conversely, have you ever had a day when you felt like you were weighted down with lead weight? Most of us have that experience from time to time. Much of the sensation of feeling energetic is related to the potential of our nerves to conduct energy. Vitamin B-12 facilitates that energy delivery so we have more "light as a feather" days.

Sublingual B-12 also helps in another way. When we exercise we contract one group of muscles and stretch an opposite group of muscles. Vitamin B-12 facilitates muscle stretching – so muscles can stretch with ease.

When muscles ache after exercise it is because we have exceeded the limits of the muscle group at that moment. As we learn to listen to our body we really have only two choices: either don't exercise so we will never feel that pain or take discomfort as a signal that we need to increase our nutrient reserves. Adaptogens are a group of nutrients from specific plants known to help us resist the stress of exercise while speeding a return to "normal" after exercise. Adaptogens are non-toxic by nature. So, if you find yourself sore after exercise, take more adaptogens!

Of course, pain is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat accompanied by loss of function). Nopalea contains anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids called Betalains. Reducing inflammation quickly can help our body repair and return to normal function more quickly.

My routine

I am often asked about my exercise routine and the supplements I take. The answer really depends on what goal I am working on at the moment. If I am preparing for an event (like a bicycle race or triathlon) I will train every day, but I will only work out with weights twice a week. On the other hand, if I am preparing to hike the Grand Canyon, I may run a few miles a day but increase my weight training to five days a week. However, I always begin my workout routines with four ounces of Adaptogen 10 Plus and four ounces of Nopalea.

I use Healthy Aging supplements and add Energy Now! just before performing – it really gives me a boost!

I don't like to exercise but I really do like to play! As an adult my "play" is more structured and organized than when I was a kid. It is also much less frequent. Still, I know that the more I move, the more I will be able to move and the more I will enjoy activity. Conversely, the less I move, the less I will be able to move and the less I will want to move.

Happiness and self-esteem come from setting and achieving worthwhile goals. One worthwhile goal is to enjoy activity daily and use nutrients and nurturing to combat our inevitable opponent: stress!
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Take Control of Your Health

Start slowly, warm up, stretch
Pick several activities to avoid burnout
Use Energy Now! to raise metabolism
Use Sublingual B-12 to aid muscles and nerves
Use Adaptogen 10 Plus to help with recovery
Use Nopalea to help break the cycle of inflammation
Set and achieve worthwhile activity goals

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

HOW TO AVOID SABOTAGING YOUR WEIGHTLOSS GOALS

This is the perfect time for an encouraging article on keeping your weight loss goals. Nearly half of all people in North America make a New Year's Resolution to change something in their life. The most common commitment is to lose weight. Second is to exercise more. Third is to stop smoking.

Within a few weeks the number of people sticking to their resolve declines dramatically. Given the importance of improving our behavior, an encouraging word from an ally may be just the thing we all need to keep our resolve!

Mechanics of weight loss

Let's review the best advice for weight loss that we have gathered from expert sources over the last several years.

How: Reduce your calorie intake to match your BMR (basal metabolic rate). BMR represents the number of calories your body needs at rest; in other words, your body burns these calories through basic functions. Click here for a BMR calculator (labeled Basal Metabolism). So, BMR represents the ideal number of calories you should eat in a day. Additionally, increase your activity to burn 1–2 pounds of fat per week.

When: Never eat within two hours of bedtime. Morning exercise is a bit better than evening exercise. Never consume more than 400 calories in an hour.
What: Eat according to an organized plan. For example, South Beach, Ornish, Mediterranean, etc. Do both aerobic and resistance exercises most days of the week.

Why: Your sense of purpose will dictate your actions step by step.

Speed bumps

Somewhere along the way you are going to experience discouragement, disappointment or despondency. It may be when you hit a weight loss plateau. It may be when you see others doing what you used to do and the old habits pull at your heart. It may be when those inner voices – I call them my "counsel of critics" – start to tell you lies about failure and success. What do you do when you hit a speed bump?

The answer to this question does not lie in the "how – when – what" of weight loss. The answer lies in the "why." Your personal "why" gives you energy. It inspires you, motivates you and drives you to complete your goal.

Remember to let your desire fuel your action; let your actions harmonize with your sense of purpose. Simply be resolved to live a life of purpose and you will have the energy to get beyond the speed bumps.

Common setbacks

Lack of support – Losing weight with an uncooperative family is very difficult. In fact, diet failure is far more common with kids at home than among empty-nesters. A great solution is to turn those sources of distraction into cheerleaders. Recruit your family into your support group. Ask them for help and you may be surprised how helpful a supportive family can be.

Social functions – Parties and family gatherings are another trigger for setbacks. Food and a festive environment are catalysts for overeating and skipping exercise. Careful planning in advance can really help with food selection and an exercise schedule. And if you do overindulge, remember the "calories in, calories out" rule and increase your exercise for a week or two to burn off the extra calories.

Emotional issues – Depression, discouragement and despondency are also common triggers for diet failure. Remembering the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness can be a good antidote. For instance, Essential #6 teaches us that we need to Give and Receive Love for excellent health. Love moves us to make commitments, committing ourselves to a life of purpose. Purpose is the reason for action. Therefore, love can help us balance autonomy, commitment and purpose with fear, shame and doubt.

Conclusion

When we commit ourselves to such noble pursuits, they deserve our very best attention. We need to define our purpose as the foundation for success. Purpose is an important motivation to help us reshape our thinking. Purpose is the antidote to self-sabotage.

Ponder over each of these life-changing rules for healthy living. You will soon see that each of these gems reflect the light you need to see beliefs that no longer serve your best interests. You can confront self-sabotage and slay the dragons that keep you from reaching your goals. Also, learning and living the 10 Essentials provides you with powerful tools to reshape your attitudes into the very ones that can help you to reach your goals, live the life you want and fulfill your purpose.

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Take Control of Your Health

Plan a balance of calories and activity for lifetime weight control

Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily

Plan 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week

Do resistance training 2–5 times per week

Supplement to support the four stages of weight loss:

Energy and Metabolism:

Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help increase metabolism and energy to support your body's ability to burn more calories at rest. Adaptogen 10 Plus contains aloe vera to help you absorb nutrients and improve your digestive system.

Cortisol & Stress Management:

Leanology Weight Loss Capsules help to limit cortisol production in your body – cortisol is the stress-induced hormone that can lead to abdominal fat. Adaptogen 10 Plus contains all ten adaptogens that have been proven to help the body "adapt" to stress.

Appetite Control:

Leanology Appetite Control Chews help reduce the natural hunger signals in your body, minimizing cravings

Blood Sugar Control:

Leanology Nutritional Shakes help your body use the nutrients you eat as energy, rather than storing them as fat.

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

TAKING THE "FLAME" OUT OF INFLIMMATION

We usually describe the process of inflammation like a series of dominos all set up and ready for something to tip over the first domino and start the chain reaction. The first one tips over the second one, which tips over the third one and so on. This is called the "domino effect." Clever people can set up these dominos in an amazing array of complicated designs.

Inflammation is a process much like that. A single event may trigger a domino effect of inflammatory reactions. While many of the reactions are fairly predictable, many others are not. They seem to involve amazingly complicated patterns unique to the individual. Still, all inflammation exhibits five basic signs caused by four basic triggers.

Signs of inflammation

With tissue injury, inflammation is part of the healing process:
Redness: An injured area needs an increased supply of nutrients and proteins carried in the blood. So, blood supply increases and the tissue turns red (Latin: rubor).

Swelling: The injured area is bathed in healing proteins and substances to control bleeding, as well as an increased supply of plasma for transport of waste. This causes the injured area to swell (Latin: tumor).

Pain: The injured area needs to be protected. We instinctively guard an injury because we feel or anticipate pain (Latin: dolor).

Heat: The damaged tissue now becomes weakened and so it is susceptible to infection. White blood cells rush to the area and defend the fragile cells from microbes. A sign that this is working is heat or fever in the damaged area (Latin: calor).

Loss of Function: This process is accompanied by a reduction in function of the injured area until it is healed (Latin: functio laesa).
The "dominoes" fall in the same predictable pattern if the injury is a sprained ankle or heart attack! No matter what triggers the inflammation, the process is the same.

Inflammation triggers

Inflammation is the response to four basic triggers: trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress. All four of these triggers cause tissue injury. Our body responds to injury with inflammation.

Trauma

We usually think of trauma as a direct injury that causes pain and distress. However, a sedentary lifestyle is also a serious cause of trauma. Why? Because our body was made to move! The more we move, the more we are able to move – and the more we want to move. The less we move, the less we are able to move. Our muscles and other tissues shorten and atrophy. Then, any movement causes injury. So, the less we move, the less we want to move.

Toxins

Toxicity causes cells to rupture in the same way that a needle causes a balloon to pop. Is there any doubt that we live in a toxic world? An article in National Geographic estimated that humans create 700,000 tons of pollution and waste every day! Between these "exotoxins" (toxins created outside our body), and "endotoxins" (toxins created inside our body), we are bathed in inflammation-producing poison every moment of every day. Any successful strategy for reducing inflammation must address the level of toxins we face.

Deficiency

Deficiencies also cause inflammation. For example, an omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency leaves the cell walls weak and unable to function normally. Again, cells are like balloons. If the balloon membrane is too thin, even a normal amount of air will make it pop. If the cell wall is too thin because of an omega-3 EFA deficiency, even normal cell activity will cause the cell to pop and trigger the domino effect of inflammation. Similarly, deficiency of other nutrients can have a catastrophic effect on cells within your body. (A deficiency in oxygen, water, sleep and circulation can also trigger inflammation.)

Stress

Emotional distress is also a cause of inflammation. When we appraise a situation to be stressful, our brain releases chemicals called catecholamines that trigger the release of many inflammatory processes. For example, stress causes the release of insulin – a pro-inflammatory hormone. Too much stress over too long a period of time will cause insulin resistance (IR), which is associated with obesity. Other stress-related chemicals reduce circulation to our digestive and reproductive systems and trigger inflammation from blood deficiency. Stress is a serious cause of inflammation!

First steps

We are made with the ability to respond to trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress with inflammation. Therefore, inflammation is not the enemy; however, runaway inflammation is definitely our enemy! Stop the domino effect of runaway inflammation before it starts by learning and living the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.

Reduce basic nutrient deficiencies through our Healthy Aging program.
Help reduce the effect of harmful toxins with Nopalea™.
Ease the disturbances caused by emotional distress with anti-stress adaptogens.
A word about Nopalea

Once runaway inflammation is triggered it follows an amazingly intricate course leading to catastrophe. It is as if tens of thousands of dominoes are falling in an extremely complex design. Many of the steps are known to medical science, but many are not. One thing we know and have known for thousands of years: stop the runaway inflammation and health will always improve! So, no matter what the "condition" is that is causing distress, reducing excess inflammation will always improve the way we feel.

Betalains in Nopalea are anti-inflammatory nutrients. They help your body do what it does best: repair with controlled inflammation while dousing the flames of runaway inflammation. So, we can say with confidence that if runaway inflammation is the problem, reducing that inflammation is part of the solution. Address the root causes of runaway inflammation by following the 10 Essentials, and taking Healthy Aging nutrients, adaptogens and Nopalea!
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Take Control of Your Health

Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Include a rainbow of colors, including leafy green vegetables.

Supplement appropriately:

Healthy Aging nutrients to fill deficiency
Nopalea to put out the fire and drain toxins
Adaptogen 10 Plus to help counteract damage caused by stress
Sleep peacefully every night and enjoy activity

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

HOW TO JUMPSTART YOUR WEIGHT LOSS

Weight loss is the number one "resolution" people make when they decide to improve their health. When weight loss occurs it comes from a loss of body mass: water, fat, lean body tissue and bones. Wouldn't it be great to focus weight loss on fat only? It certainly would. In fact, weight loss that selectively targets fat and preserves or increases lean body tissues and bones is the only way to permanently lose weight.

Sounds difficult, right? Well, don't worry: We have a solution!

Suicidal weight loss

Many people lose weight rapidly by starving themselves. I call this suicidal weight loss for three reasons:

*Rapid weight loss is water loss; water loss is dehydration and dehydration is death.

*Rapid weight loss comes from lean body tissue (brain, heart, muscle, collagen, etc.). Sarcopenia (age-related loss of lean body tissue) is death.

*Rapid weight loss comes from bone. Bone loss is osteoporosis; osteoporosis kills more women in North America than breast cancer!

*Rapid weight loss by starving yourself is slow suicide.

*Lifetime weight control.

An alternative to this kind of weight loss madness is to select a strategy that focuses on weight loss from fat only. This is not done by accident. We must select fat loss by choice. This choice implies knowledge; knowledge means that we must learn the lesson of obesity and battle it for the rest of our lives.

Calories – Obesity in simplistic terms is about consuming more calories than you burn in a single day. Multiply these extra calories over time and you have what we all see: an obesity epidemic. However, it is not merely the number of calories we eat; we must include the right kind of calories for lifetime weight control. Organizations such as the American Heart Association and the America Cancer Society recommend eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (5 for children, 7 for women and 9 for men). These are the best calories.

Movement – Our body is made to move. Daily exercise is necessary for lifetime weight control and targeted fat loss. Aerobic training for 30 minutes on most days of the week and weight training (resistance training) 2 to 5 times per week will keep the fires of your metabolism burning fat.

Other tips:

*Deep breathing for 20 minutes daily reduces fat-building hormones like cortisol.
*Get your sleep: The less you sleep, the more you will weigh.

*Eat small meals: Eating more than 400 calories at a single meal causes our cells to suffocate from insulin.

Why supplementation is important

Taking certain supplements can help you lose weight, but you really have to be careful! One supplement that was heavily advertised on television was shown to cause 74% weight loss from lean body tissue. Another supplement that seemed to be the most popular weight loss supplement of the time caused 55% lean body loss. That is suicidal weight loss!

Beneficial supplements exist. For example, Leanology Weight Loss Capsules were studied in a top-of-the-line, scientific clinical trial through Arizona State University. They were shown to reduce weight entirely from fat! Yes, 100% of the weight loss came from fat!

Also, the plant antioxidant ECGC (found in Energy Now!) can increase metabolism by over 200 calories per gram.

My favorite fat loss supplement to "jump-start" a weight loss program is Vital C. This is primarily because of the nature of fat: a toxic dumping ground for chemicals and poisons your body could not eliminate. Vital C is a pH-balanced form of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Ascorbic acid neutralizes many of the toxins we store in our fat cells. For rapid weight loss that targets fat cells, use a Vitamin C Flush, Energy Now! and, especially, Leanology.

Conclusion

Good health only comes from healthy living. Take time to learn the rules of healthy living. Practice healthy habits every day. Soon, the "deposits" you make into your health account will begin to yield real dividends: a lean body functioning at peak efficiency!

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Take Control of Your Health

Eat your vegetables and fruits
5 servings for children
7 servings for women
9 servings for men
Exercise daily
Reduce stress through deep breathing
Sleep peacefully
Detoxify fat cells with pure water and Vital C
Increase metabolism with Energy Now!
Lose 100% of the weight from fat with Leanology

Learn More...
Get strong with strength training
Get thin – stay thin
Upcoming Weekly Wellness Reports...
Nopalea Stem Cells
Multi-Vitamins

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

ARE YOU NUTRIENT DEFICIENT

Are you nutrient deficient? Your parents can partly be to blame
For the first time in recorded history, children born in North America today are not expected to live as long or as well as their parents. This startling trend may have its roots in the nutrition of our parents or grandparents. The trend continues through our generation. Truly, the "sins of the parents" are visited upon their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.

How did we get into this predicament and what can we do to change the trend?

Poisonous fruit

Along with the advances in agriculture that reduced famines and starvation, the farming practices of the last century produced some pretty scary trends. For example, food grown in mineral-depleted soil has fewer nutrients to offer us. Food processed for increased storage is further reduced in nutrients. Flavor-enhancing additives, such as refined sugar, further impose a burden on our system. It is as if we are over-taxing our personal health resources and the "deficit spending" of this course is being passed on to our children.

Some scientists recognized this disastrous course 100 years ago. General awareness of the importance of nutrition has increased significantly in the past 50 years. However, commercial and other interests have kept the debate suppressed until recently. A landmark article was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) June 19, 2002. It defined the need for nutrients in disease prevention. Though it was met with resistance, this article clearly opened the door for debate while confirming the truth we have known for a century: A body deprived of nutrients and nurturing will be prone to disease, disability and untimely death.

Further scientific exploration into the link between low nutrient reserves, a shortened lifespan, increased disease and unhealthy children was published that same year in the European Journal of Human Genetics. It clearly detailed the link between poor nutrition in a person and the increase in disease in their children and grandchildren. The "root" of poor nutrition has erupted into obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases that extend through generations. Habits and practices of 100 years ago are bearing "fruit" in our children!

Solutions

With this knowledge, the discussion around human nutrition has never been more important. We simply must change our habits if we are to change our destiny. For example, we must select food grown in mineral-rich soil and endorse farming practices that support ecology.

We must also discipline ourselves to take our nutrients every day. By doing this, we increase the opportunity for having healthier children. If we are past childbearing, taking our nutrients daily will improve our health and give us the opportunity to "model" responsible behavior for our children and grandchildren. Healthier kids mean a healthier family, a healthy community and even a healthier species.

The power to change the trend is in the choices you make every day.

Wellavoh

Men's and Women's Wellavoh (wel-lah vōh) is a multi-nutrient complex built upon the science of proper nutrition. Wellavoh is constructed to give you the nutrients you need today to help your body change the trend: the trend toward wellness. It contains the classes of nutrients we need to fill in the gaps left by poor diet and foods grown in nutrient-depleted soil.

Wellavoh is designed for adults and children age 10 and over. Take your nutrients every day and model healthy behavior for your children and grandchildren. Become part of the solution to declining health by making better choices in nourishing and nurturing your body today!

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Take Control of Your Health

Learn and live the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness
Take healthy aging nutrients:
Men's and Women's Wellavoh – the "multi-nutrient" complex
Nopalea
Sublingual Vitamin B-12
OmegaPrime
Vitamin C
A Vitamin D supplement (found in VitaCal-Mag D and Bone Growth Factor)
Eat organic, locally-grown food when possible

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