Health Tips: 3 Easy Ways to Save $$ on Supplements

When it comes to buying supplements, the bill can be downright scary, especially people who are trying to cut costs and live frugally. Luckily, there are simple ways that you can cut costs related to your supplements--and that's exactly what we are going to cover in the health tips offered in this article. Just because you cut costs does not mean you have to cut quality when it comes to your supplements. Just read through the 3 following health tips and see if they don't seem quite logical (and cost-saving) to you!

Cut Costs Tip #1 - Skip the Weekend
Many people think that they need to take all their supplements all the time. As a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and health counselor, one of the most frequent health tips I offer is that the body needs a rest from supplements from time to time. Depending on the supplement, of course, the body can need a break every weekend, one week out of the month, one week every several months, or one month a year. This "taking a break" approach does not, of course, apply to allopathic or Western medications--you need to check with your physician about these. I am referring to wholefood supplements like slippery elm or aloe, blue-green algae, probiotics, etc.

To cut costs and give their bodies a break, many people will skip a portion of their supplements one to two days per week. Whether you can use this health tip to cut costs on supplements depends on your general health, and the reasons you take the supplements that you take. For instance, some people take an energy-supporting supplement like AFA blue-green algae. Since many of these people tend to be less stressed and more rested on the weekends, they feel they can skip a day or two of taking this supplement on the weekend (or at least reduce the amount that they take). On the other hand, I never recommend that people who tend to suffer from digestive ailments skip taking supplemental enzymes on the weekends. As you can see, this health tip to cut costs on supplements is entirely dependent on your overall health, health needs, and health goals. Often, you will know what you can and can't skip in terms of supplements. If you are not sure, check with your healthcare providers. This approach also works very well for animals and certain whole food supplements that we add to their diets.

Cut Costs Tip #2 - Buy Quality
When you start out with quality supplements, you need to take less to get more benefit. This is best demonstrated with a supplement like probiotics, which are the beneficial bacteria (such as acidophilus and bifidius) that live in your gut and support your digestion and immune response. If you look at price, the least-expensive probiotics are often the ones that are not stored in the refrigerator. Many probiotic capsules are not even "active"--meaning there are no live strains of bacteria in each capsule--when tested in a lab. Other probiotic strains are not strong enough to pass through the acidic environment of the stomach. Finally, still other strains are easily destroyed by stress, chlorinated water, and other lifestyle habits. So when you go to by probiotics, buy the best quality you can get. My two favorite forms are acidophilus and bifidus, both lab-tested and quality approved by experience!

Cut Costs Tip #3 - Common Sense
You know what they say about common sense--it's the least common item around! Well, when it comes to health tips that cut cost, using your own common sense is one of the best action steps you can take. What do I mean by common sense? I mean the simple stuff. Get some regular exercise, even if you just walk around the block a few times. Eat right--shop for good food and cook it at home. Keep the gut bombs to a minimum. Have fun and laugh a lot--laughter truly is good medicine. Get enough restful sleep so your body can recover and rejuvenate. These are all common health tips that you have no doubt read somewhere and already know. So just put one or two into action, and your body will thank you!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

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Problems Sleeping? Turn Off That Blue Light and 5 Other Natural Solutions

Did you know that more than 60% of Americans report having problems sleeping (according to the Sleep Foundation)? Add to that the fact that at least 25% of people in the US take some form of sleep medication, and most still don't get enough sleep (6 hours or less).


 
All of these problems sleeping are not good for us, especially since sleep deprivation can result in:

• 32% decrease in daytime alertness
• poor memory and cognitive function
• poor quality of life
• stress in relationships
• auto accidents--100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Yowza! Luckily, if you have problems sleeping there are natural solutions that can help you get the eight or more hours of beauty sleep that your body really needs to rest, rejuvenate, and recover each night!

Natural Solutions for People Who Have Problems Sleeping
So get this: blue light, such as the kind from smart phones or PDAs, have been shown by research to interfere with natural sleep. Of course, other types of light don't help, either, but in our modern society blue light is a big-time culprit when it comes to sleep problems. One way to get a better night's sleep is to turn off all electronic devices that emit a blue light (don't forget the television), and cover any electronics that you can't turn off. In addition, we have five other natural solutions that can help you get a better night's sleep!

Tip #1: Take Short Naps
Many people take naps when they hit that afternoon slump. However, research shows that naps can definitely interfere with sleep during the night. If you must nap, take a short 20 minute power snooze in your chair rather than going down for several hours. This may relieve your problems with sleeping at night. Better yet, instead of napping, go out for a brisk walk around the block or chat with a co-worker for 20 minutes or so to get yourself motivated again.

Tip #2: Take Bifidus at Night
Bifidus (also called Bifidobacterium) is one the friendly forms of bacteria that live in your large intestine. This form of bacteria not only helps you with digestion, but also produces the calming and soothing B-vitamins that can help you relax and wind down at night. Bifidus is one of the biggest sources of immunity during a child's first two years of life. It's no wonder that it is present in mother's milk as well as in the birth canal during birth. On a mental-emotional level, Bifidus is linked with feelings of self-esteem, as well as feeling supported and nurtured in life. All of these factors combined make bifidus a perfect natural solution for those who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Tip #3: Create Your Own Bedtime Ritual
Routine can make a huge difference when it comes to sleeping through the night. One of the ways to create routine around sleep is to come up with your own bedtime ritual. Whether you take a warm bath with aromatherapy oils, read something soothing, meditate, or drink a warm glass of milk, taking the time to intentionally create calm and peace before you go to bed will help you sleep better at night. If your mind just won't stop at night, some experts suggest writing down all your worries and jotting quick solutions or ideas next to each worry. Promise yourself that you will return to these thorny life issues tomorrow, and then go to bed with the full intention of sleeping deeply and waking refreshed. Your intention has a lot to do with how well you conquer your problems sleeping at night.

Tip #4: Skip That Heavy Meal
One mistake that many Americans make at night is eating a heavy meal right before bed. Digestion requires a lot of energy, and can definitely interfere with sleep. Not only will a heavy meal keep your body awake and working, you may also suffer from symptoms of indigestion like acid reflux, stomach discomfort, gas, or bloating. Instead, focus on eating a light and healthy dinner at least one hour before bed. To assist your body with digestion, you may also want to supplement your meal with extra enzymes. Extra enzymes reduce the workload on your digestive system, ensuring a good night's sleep.

Tip #5: Stay Out of Bed Except for Sleep or Sex
Some of the people who have the worst problems sleeping have the bad habit of bringing all kinds of activities to bed other than sleep or sex. For instance, many people watch TV in bed, work in bed, read in bed, work on the computer in bed, or talk on the phone in bed. All of these activities "program" your body to be active while in bed when what you really want to do is rest and unwind in bed (or have a good snuggle). To get a better night's sleep, reserve the bed for just two activities, and do everything else in your living room, den, office, or family room!

Try these simple lifestyle changes and see if they don't help you get a better night's beauty rest! These tips are simple, relaxing, and can help you better unwind from a stressful day!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.  

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Are You Ready for Better Energy? 7 Natural Solutions for Better Daily Energy

Did you know that Americans are among the most sleep-deprived people in the world, which means that almost every adult in this country could use better energy! The bad news is that most Americans turn to coffee and energy drinks to get going in the morning, and then need sleep medications to slow down at night. This continuous cycle of uppers and downers confuses the body, not to mention stressing internal organs such as the liver and kidneys.

The good news is that there are many natural solutions for improving your daily energy, and all of them are simple--even for the busiest of people! If you want better energy and you want to avoid drinking an entire pot of coffee to keep you going all day, read on. We offer 7 natural solutions that are daily energy boosters. Follow these tips and learn how to improve energy naturally, in tune with your body's natural rhythms.

7 Natural Solutions for Better Daily Energy
You may be surprised at the simplicity of these tips for how to improve energy. They include the foods you eat, the amount of sunshine you get, various ways to get your body moving, plus simple supplements that go a long way toward supporting your body's natural energy production. Ready for simple natural solutions for better energy that really work? Then read on, McDuff!

#1 Better Energy Through Diet
You are most likely familiar with the energy boost that you get from sugar or caffeine ... grabbing a candy bar is so simple when you hit that energy lull around 3 pm. More than likely, you are also familiar with the "crash and burn" that comes an hour or two later, when the sugar has worked its way through your system, and fatigue returns with a vengeance. Not good. Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee or a sweet roll, look for foods that keep your blood sugar steady and signal your brain to produce good-mood chemicals. For instance, whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread will feed your body over a long period of time. Plus, studies show that whole grains increase the production of "feel good" brain chemical serotonin. Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts--all high in magnesium--play an active role in converting sugars into energy ... without a sugar crash later!

#2 Suck It Up -- On Cinnamon, That Is
Few people know about the many health benefits of cinnamon. Studies have actually shown that taking a whiff of cinnamon can make you feel more alert and increase your daily energy levels. Sucking on a cinnamon stick produces similar results. As a bonus, cinnamon has natural health-protective properties. If you don't have any cinnamon handy, suck on a peppermint candy instead. Peppermint has similar fatigue-fighting properties.

#3 Get Enough Sunshine
Want to know how to improve your energy in 10 minutes or less? Simple. Take a walk on a sunny day. Research shows that exposure to sunshine does everything from enhancing mood, memory, and even self-esteem. This is because exposure to sunlight increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in the brain. Getting enough sunshine is a simple natural solution for those who live in sunny states. If, on the other hand, you live in a state with fewer sunny days, you can still get enough sunshine into your system ... and just as easily. Just add foods rich in chlorophyll to your diet. Chlorophyll is that substance that captures sunlight and converts it to usable sugars and foods. Dark leafy greens are great sources of chlorophyll. AFA blue-green algae is also excellent, since this form of algae also increases the production of mood-elevating substances in the brain, including typtophan, endorphins, serotonin, and PEA. AFA blue-green algae is literally like sunshine in a capsule ... how neat is that?

#4 Sniff Some Good Stuff -- Aromatherapy as a Way to Better Energy
Just as sucking on a cinnamon stick can boost your daily energy, sniffing certain aromas can give you an energy boost. For better energy any time of the day, consider sniffing essential oils such as grapefruit, peppermint, or lime. These have been shown to have the effect of making you more alert for a certain period of time.

#5 Eat Light to Be Bright
One of the biggest "sins" when it comes to how to have better energy is to gorge yourself at lunch! Digestion takes a lot of energy, and if you eat a huge lunch you can expect to feel sleepy an hour or two afterwards. One natural solution for better energy is to eat a good breakfast, a lighter lunch, and an even lighter dinner. Research shows that people who eat less and follow this schedule of eating are healthier and live longer. To give your body additional support in the digestive process, take one to two capsules of enzymes with each meal. Enzymes help your body break down foods more quickly and efficiently, so your body doesn't have to work quite as hard to process your lunch!

#6 Have Some Chocolate -- In Moderation, Of Course!
Yup, that's right ... we said chocolate. Studies show that chocolate can give you better energy because it is a mild stimulant. Chocolate also has other health benefits, such as lowering cardiovascular risks and boosting your memory. But don't go crazy with the hot chocolate with the little marshmallows ... that will only result in a sugar crash later in the day. Instead, try mixing up a cup of unsweetened cocoa with stevia (as a sweetener) and skim milk (for protein). This healthy recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth, give you better energy, and help you avoid a sugar crash later.

#7 Stretch Yourself
Whether you sit behind a desk all day or do heavy manual labor, chances are that your muscles don't get enough stretching. Even those who have a very active physical lifestyle often neglect stretching their muscles. If you have been sitting in one position for long periods of time, a gentle 10-minute stretching routine will re-invigorate fatigued muscles, increase circulation, and bring oxygen to those muscles. For those who engage in heavy manual labor, stretching elongates muscles shortened by heavy labor. Either way, the increased circulation and oxygenation from stretching is one of the best ways to have better energy. Stretch multiple times per day to increase the benefits of this natural solution to daily energy.

Pick One Solution or Pick 'Em All
As you can tell, none of these natural solutions to better daily energy is difficult. In fact, they are downright simple, not to mention sheer common sense. So if you are one of those sleep-deprived Americans (and chances are you are!) then choose one of the solutions above for better energy ... or pick 'em all. Making simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in the amount of daily energy you have. When you consider the above tips, how to improve energy is literally a "no-brainer"!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.  

Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/sherifjohan/

Graceful Aging: Foods for Healthy Skin

Is your skin not participating in your program for graceful aging?

Is it perhaps aging faster than the rest of you? Few things are more demoralizing than looking in the mirror and realizing that your skin makes you look older than your actual age! The good news is this: just as it is never too late to have a happy childhood, it is never too late to give your skin a boost to keep it looking and healthy. In this article, we will give you tips on foods for healthy skin at any age!

Risk Factors for Aging Skin
Before we dive into the menu of great foods for healthy skin, let's first take a look at the risk factors that age our skin over time.

These include:

• sun exposure
• smoking
• drinking alcohol
• sleep position
• genetics
• loss of fat under the skin (causing wrinkles)
• gravity
• poor diet (more on this in the next section)

Most people know that exposing skin to the sun's harmful rays, especially between 10 am and 3 pm, can cause a lot of damage (called photo-aging). Sun exposure in early childhood often shows up more prominently as we age. Smoking and alcohol are also common "no-no's" when it comes to the graceful aging of skin. Smokers develop lines and wrinkles much faster than non-smokers, mostly because smoke contains so many damaging ingredients, not to mention the constant drying effect of smoking wafting over the skin. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can contribute to dry skin and wrinkles. In addition, alcohol dilates the blood vessels, contributing to broken veins and redness in the skin.

The first three items on the list of risk factors above may be no surprise. What can be a surprise is that sleep position is a risk factor for aging facial skin. If you sleep in the same position for years--and your face comes in contact with the pillow while in that position--you might end up with a permanent "sag" plus wrinkles wherever your face touches your pillow. Experts now suggest sleeping on your back to avoid this problem. Genetics, loss of fat under the skin, and gravity are three other factors that can prevent graceful aging of the skin.

Finally, diet is a big deal when it comes to having healthy young-looking skin. What you eat literally shows up on your face. Who knows? You might have egg on your face. That's why the next section is dedicated to foods for healthy skin!

Foods for Healthy Skin
Foods for healthy skin are generally foods that are healthy for our bodies. The state of our skin is a reflection of the state of our general health, so some doctors can literally tell the quality of your diet based on the condition of your skin. Luckily, integrating foods for healthy skin into your diet isn't difficult at all. Here we list a few simple dietary additions that can have a big impact on the health of your skin.

Water
True, technically water is not truly considered a food. However, dehydration is one of the major causes of aging skin. If you want healthy skin, drink plenty of water. In addition to keeping skin healthy and rejuvenated, drinking enough water also supports the body in flushing toxins, preventing water retention, and keeping our internal organs functioning at top efficiency. How much water should you drink to keep your skin healthy? Most medical experts suggest using this formula:

• calculate 75% of your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, this would be 112.5 pounds
• convert that figure to ounces (112.5 ounces, or about 14 glasses of water, 8 ounces each)
• add 16 ounces each for a dry climate or strenuous exercise to get your total suggested water intake

Foods High in Probiotics
Foods high in probiotics equal foods for healthy skin, not to mention a super-healthy body. Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in our intestines. They not only help us digest our food properly, but also play a major role in skin health. For instance recent studies indicate that adding daily probiotic-rich foods may reduce the incidence of eczema in children by more than 55%! This shows the correlation between probiotics and healthy skin, since eczema is a major skin problem. Eczema is also a sign of immune dysfunction, so adding probiotics to your diet can also support your overall immune health. Foods rich in probiotics include most fermented foods, such high-quality yogurt (such as low-fat and low-sugar Greek yogurt) or kefir. If you are not a fan of fermented foods, you can supplement your diet with probiotic capsules. We have found these strains of acidophilus and bifidus to be effective supplements for healthy skin, not to mention overall health.

Foods High in Essential Fatty Acids (mostly Omega-3)
Skin looks young when it has a lot of elasticity, and foods rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) play a big role in helping your skin stay elastic rather than sag. Since saggy and wrinkly skin definitely has no place in a regimen of graceful aging, we suggest adding foods high in EFAs to your diet. There are two major types of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. To have healthy skin, you need foods that have 3 to 4 times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids. Most Americans get just the opposite--eating foods that give them 10 to 20 times as much omega-6 fatty acids (the wrong type!) as omega-3 fatty acids!

You can solve this problem by eating foods that have the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs. These types of foods include: seafood (especially deep-water fish like salmon and tuna), fresh fruit, dark-green leafy greens, micro-algae, seeds and nuts, and flax and olive oil. Adding just a little of each of these foods to your diet can make a significant difference to the appearance of your skin.

If your diet is just plain SAD (the Standard American Diet) and you don't have time to fix it, try supplementing your diet with this strain of AFA blue-green algae, which has the exact ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making it one of Earth's perfect foods for healthy skin!

Foods High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are those great molecular warriors that roam around our bodies, preventing damage from oxidative damage and boosting the body's immune response. Antioxidants prevent damage to the body, including our skin, making them among the top foods for healthy skin. What foods are high in antioxidants? Try these: fresh and dried fruits (especially berries), vegetables (including broccoli, spinach, carrots, sprouted greens, and kale), nuts, and even green tea or black coffee (both taken in moderation). For people with hectic schedules, fruits and veggies are now available in condensed capsule form --no kidding! These are handy ways to get your antioxidants when you are on the run!

At the End of the Day
If you haven't realized it by now, eating foods for healthy skin is also greatly beneficial for your entire body's health and immunity. Educating yourself about healthy foods is the first step toward younger-looking healthy skin. Actually eating those foods is the second step. One way to ensure that you eat healthy is to pick one day a week to prepare nutritious meals for the entire week. Just cook up a big batch of the foods suggested in this article, package them into meal-sized containers, and stick them in your fridge. That way, when you're on the run, you don't have to stop and think about what to do. You can just grab a container, eat, and go! Another alternative is to add supplements, including fruit-and-vegetable capsules plus probiotics and microalgae, to your diet. After all, if astronauts can eat healthy (kind of) in space, there's nothing wrong with getting your healthy food in capsules, right?

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo Credit: http://ow.ly/her7u

How to Improve Energy on Sluggish Days

Whether you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or just feel plain sluggish in the mornings, we have some great tips for you on how to improve energy when the sun rises!

Tips on How to Improve Energy
Most of these tips are based on sleep studies as well as research into the body's circadian rhythms. Some of these tips on how to improve energy are, well, plain common sense. But you know what they say about common sense: it isn't that common!

Tip #1:  When the Alarm Calls, Get Up!
While it's definitely tempting to keep hitting the snooze button on sluggish days, sleep studies show that the snooze button is detrimental to better energy. Once you have been awakened by the alarm clock, snoozing interrupts your hormone cycles, which could make you tired and cranky later in the day. A better plan would be to set your alarm for when you REALLY want to get up, then put the clock across the room so you actually have to get up to turn it off. Then get moving!

Tip #2: Flip on the Lights
Light is apparently one signal that tells your body to "Wake up!" According to Michael Terman, PhD, director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, either artificial or natural light can help you wake up, have better energy, and get going in the morning. If you have to use artificial light, opt for cooler whiter light rather than yellowish light. The whiter light is better at mimicking natural light, and works better to help you wake up.

Tip #3: Get a Move On
It might seem ridiculous to tell you to get moving if you already feel sluggish in the morning, but exercise and sleep science suggest that a short leisurely walk 3 times a week is an option when you are considering how to improve energy. Note that we said "leisurely walk." If you are already tired, an intensive workout can fatigue you further and drain your batteries. Instead, according to a study done by the University of Georgia, people who took short walks 3 times weekly had 20% better energy on a regular daily basis.

Tip #4: Take a (Legal) Pep Pill
Research indicates that the hormone spike that gets us going in the morning tends to slump in the afternoon, usually after lunch. This is perfectly normal, but it does tend to interfere with getting work done. If this happens to you, consider taking a supplement mid-day to boost your energy.

One energy-boosting supplement that we have found works well is this form of the AFA blue-green algae. This supplement contains easily assimilated nutrients including: essential fatty acids, active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, proteins, complex sugars, and phytonutrients. In layman's terms, that means this supplement provides your body with nutrients it can easily use for better energy. It's a no-brainer (see the end of this article for proof!)

Tip #5: Move Every 90 Minutes
Science shows that the human body isn't meant to focus on a single topic or issue for more than 90 minutes. That means if you find yourself sitting at your desk for more than 90 minutes, you are draining your batteries and your productivity is starting to suffer. The solution is simple: just get up and move around. Even if you have to stay in your office, get a long phone cord and walk around as you talk. Better yet, go outside and breathe some fresh air (assuming the air is fresh) and take a quick walk. When it comes to how to improve energy, exercise is one of the best ways!

A Little Story about AFA Blue-Green Algae
In 1994, upon returning from the hospital after a sudden illness, I was totally lacking in energy. As I huffed and puffed my way upstairs, grasping both handrails, I wondered what kind of future I had. I began researching what I could do for myself, and four months later stumbled upon a tape recording about blue-green algae. What a change! After taking AFA blue-green algae  for two months, I noticed that my energy had returned and I was cooking a festive holiday dinner for family and friends. Now, 14 years later, I am in excellent health at age 80!

B. Tisdell

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.


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Want to Slow Aging? Forget Time, Think Healthy Cells Instead

Do you believe that aging is the result of time? Not really. Check out this enlightening quote from health and nutrition counselor Carlson Wade:

"It is not the passage of time that brings on aging. Instead it is the destruction of your cells by free radicals that destroys your youth."

If you want to stay youthful, forget about the passage of time. Instead, think about keeping your cells healthy. How do you keep your cells in top shape? I've got just one word for you:

Antioxidants.

Antioxidants and Youth: The Link
The word "antioxidant" may sound complicated, but in reality the concept of antioxidants is simple. When you think about antioxidants, just think about "anti-aging." Here's why.

Our bodies are made of over 75 trillion cells ... that's a lot of cells! These cells are under constant attack by unstable molecules called free radicals. Some of these free radical molecules are the result of natural processes in the body, while others come from the daily stresses of life, including air pollutants, smoking, alcohol, over-exertion, heavy exercise, and poor diets.

As your 75 trillion cells are constantly attacked by free radicals, the result is aging. Specifically, free radicals can react with your cells' DNA and RNA, the blueprints by which your cells duplicate themselves. You can guess the results: heart disease, chronic pain, and other ailments related to aging.

Luckily you can keep your cells healthy and slow the aging process. That's where antioxidants can help. Antioxidants not only stabilize the unstable free radical molecules, but also help with cellular repair, if and when your DNA is damaged.

Says Carlson Wade: "Antioxidants act as cleansers or scavengers by searching out neutralizing free radicals, often before any molecular damage is done." Pretty neat, huh? When you view aging in this way, antioxidants become the equivalent of an anti-aging solution (or a reverse time machine).

Which Antioxidants Are Right for Your?
Now that you know the benefits of antioxidants in slowing the aging process, the trick is to pick the right antioxidant for maximum effect. Commonly-known antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E. Another well-known source of antioxidants is blueberries. Your body also makes many of its own antioxidants.

The key to choosing the best anti-aging antioxidants is to weight the ORAC value of each antioxidant. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity, and measures the ability of an antioxidant to slow aging and neutralize free radicals. In fact, ORAC is becoming an industry standard for measuring antioxidant capacity.

For instance, blueberries have an ORAC value of about 26. Now get this: blue-green algae has an ORAC value of 128! That's five times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries. The great news is that antioxidant compounds like blue-green algae are effective at very low concentrations, so you don't have to add huge quantities of antioxidants to protect your cells.

Adding even modest quantities of antioxidants with high ORAC values like blue-green algae, wheat sprouts, coenzyme Q10, Gingko biloba, turmeric, or garlic can make a big difference in the aging process.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Anti-aging doesn't have to be complicated. Just add a dash of antioxidants to your daily regimen to slow the effect of time on your body.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddwick/2484464390/

Home Recipes for Healthy Glowing Summer Skin

Are the heat, sun exposure, and dry summer air making your skin look like a piece of parchment? If so, then don't panic. You can take some simple steps at home to transform your skin from a piece of parchment to skin with a healthy glow. In this article we give you three simple recipes to exfoliate, cleanse, and nourish your skin.

Healthy Skin Recipe #1: Exfoliant
One of the keys to having glowing healthy skin is to remove all the dead or sun-damaged cells that have accumulated on your skin. You can make this simple skin scrub with ingredients you will find in your kitchen cupboard.

Mix 1 part cornmeal with 1 part organic oatmeal, and store in a sealed container. (If you have sensitive skin, mix 1 part cornmeal with 2 parts organic oatmeal for a softer scrub.)

To use this mix, dampen your face (or any part of your skin you want to exfoliate) with warm water. Pour a handful of the mixture in your palm and gently rub it your skin. If the mixture starts to feel too dry, just add more warm water. After you are done scrubbing, rinse the area with warm water, and then pat dry. Moisturize with an antioxidant lotion. NutraBeautiful is an amazing restorative lotion. Burt's Bees products are also wonderful.

Healthy Skin Recipe #2: Cleansing Mask
Another key to having glowing skin, especially on your face, is to cleanse and tighten your pores. A mask is the perfect way to do this. This simple recipe works well, and gives you that requisite salon "funny green face" look.

Mix 2 capsules of acidophilus, 2 capsules of enzymes, and 2 capsules of blue-green algae with spring water to form a paste.

To use this recipe, apply it evenly over your face, paying special attention to any problematic areas, such as the oily T-zone. Avoid putting this paste around your eyes. Allow the paste to dry, and then rinse with warm water. Pat dry and moisturize. The acidophilus and enzymes will pull toxins and other pore-cloggers out of your skin, while the blue-green algae provide direct nourishment to your skin cells. This formula also works well on skin problems elsewhere on the body, including feet that feel itchy foot fungus.

Healthy Skin Recipe #3: Moisturizing and Soothing Mask
If you have dry skin, this cooling mask is perfect for you. It will soothe and moisturize your face, and is simple to use.

Mix the whites from 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Be sure to mix well.

To use this mixture, apply it to your face and leave it on for 2-4 minutes. Rinse well afterwards with warm water, and then pat dry with a soft washcloth. Moisturize as needed.

Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toob/46305922/

How to Get Runner's High Without All the Sweat

If you're not an exercise fanatic then chances are that hearing an avid runner talk about his "runner's high" can be a real downer. True, the runner's high part sounds like great fun, but boy does it take a lot of work, unless ... you go straight for the molecule that causes runner's high, without all that silly running!

What the Heck is Runner's High Anyway?
Dedicated exercisers have described runner's high as a sensation of "floating" or "being free" or simply feeling "very happy." According to Daniel DeNoon in his article 'Is Runner's High a Cure for Depression?" this sensation is caused by phenyl ethylamine (PEA). It's a compound found in a very high concentration in chocolate (explains bingeing on chocolate, doesn't it?).

DeNoon says that PEA "is a natural stimulant produced by the body. It is related to amphetamines but without the long-lasting potentially dangerous effects." Wow, talk about a clean and legal "high." Runners have long had access to this legal high but now people not so fond of sweating can get it, too, since the cause of 'runner's high' is a natural compound.

On the flip side of the coin, studies show that depressed people tend to have low levels of PEA. This explains why exercise can have an anti-depressant action.

What's exciting about this discovery is that now people can get the mood support they need without all the grunting, sweating, and exercising. Says Hector Sabelli, MD, "If you give PEA to people with depression, about 60% show an immediate recovery--very fast, a matter of half an hour."

So where can you get some PEA for mood support when you've got the blue meanies?

Foods Rich in PEA for Mood Support
The two foods most noticeably rich in PEA are chocolate (no surprise there) and AFA blue-green algae. Author and researcher Michael Liebowitz, author of the popular 1983 book "The Chemistry of Love," stated that chocolate is loaded with PEA, which started a media flurry about the food. No doubt eating chocolate helps many people with mood, but chocolate has some unfortunate fatty side effects.

AFA blue-green algae is another rich source of PEA, and can help support one's mood without the side effects of weight gain or chocolate addiction! Some studies show that the PEA in blue-green algae is highly bioavailable, making it easy for the body to absorb and use. Plus, blue green algae comes in convenient capsule form, so you can get some mood support in just a single gulp. In short, AFA blue-green algae gives you the PEA boost without the sugar and guilt of chocolate!

There are also many forms of encapsulated PEA available on the market, however, studies show that PEA, by itself, is quickly metabolized in the body and thus doesn't reach the brain, where it can provide mood support.

So your two best options for a PEA kick in the pants are chocolate and AFA blue green algae. Go for both if you feel like it ... or choose the one that fits your diet plan best!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lululemonathletica/3438348387/

Natural Wound Care: A Goo That Really Works

Summer is just around the corner, which means that most of us will be heading outdoors to cut the lawn, dig in the garden, or jump on those summer projects.

It also means that we'll be smashing our thumbs with hammers, slicing ourselves with sharp tools, and generally wounding ourselves, despite our best efforts.

That's why having some natural wound care "goo" on hand is a great idea. That way, when you slice, dice, and mash a body part, you can slap on some wound care "goo" and get on with your day.

Natural Wound Care: What Goes Into the Goo?
This natural wound care "goo" recipe is one that I have been using for 25 years or more. It is soothing to bruised tissue, helps clot bleeding cuts, and supports your body's natural immune system in general.

So, what's the recipe? The ingredients are all available from Simplexity Health. What's even better is that they all come packaged in convenient daily packs in the form of Essentials. So here's what you need (everything but the water is in the Essentials):

• blue-green algae in 2 forms, with and without the cell wall
• enzymes
• acidophilus
• bifidus
• pure spring water

To mix the goo, empty the capsules from one Essentials packet (basically everything listed above) into a small jar. Then add just enough pure spring water (no chlorine please!) to the mixture to form a paste. Now you have your own natural wound care "goo."

When you injure yourself, just slap the goo on the injury, put a big bandaid over the whole thing, and get back to your outdoor project. No biggie, no only.

Be sure to store the "goo" in the fridge to keep it fresh all summer long. You may, from time to time, need to add more spring water to the mixture to get the right consistency.

What's the Secret to This Natural Wound Care Recipe?
Everything that goes into the "goo" helps your body recover. The blue-green algae has a lot of vitamin K, so provides a clotting factor for cuts and scrapes. The algae, especially the Omega Sun form that has the cell wall removed, provides many of the amino acids your body needs to heal the wound.

The acidophilus and bifidus act as natural forms of antibiotics. They are actually called probiotics, which means "for life." Finally, the enzymes digest away any foreign substances that don't belong, and also reduce your body's natural histamine reaction so you don't end up with excessive swelling and redness.

The recipe works quickly and well. A few days ago I sliced my thumb deeply, down to the bone. My wife immediately got out the "goo" and slapped it on with a bandage. Today, the thumb is healing nicely with no infection and very little swelling.

The goo works on most wounds as long as they aren't gaping holes the size of Detroit. Use it with common sense, of course, and seek professional medical attention when and if you need it. Use the goo on owwies that hurt, itch, sting, bleed, or just need some TLC.

And, of course, enjoy your summer!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/483539408/

Dealing with Viruses: Go for the Big Guns of Natural Immunity

Have you noticed the amount of wiping, sanitizing, and germ and virus destruction that's going on all around us? Do you find it a bit mad that we have to wipe off every surface that's been touched before we can touch it, lest we catch the "deadly illness" from someone else?

I personally find it beyond ridiculous!

Working out at the gym has become more of a sprint to get away from germs and viruses than an exercise in cardio fitness. The way I see it, all that wiping and sanitizing might put your mind at ease, which is a good thing, but really doesn't do much to combat the actual germs and viruses.

Don't Be the Boy in the Bubble
We are surrounded by germs and viruses, and they don't just live on the hand grips of the grocery cart. They are flying through the air and we are breathing them in. In fact, if you read the book "Lives of a Cell," you'll discover that our cells are made of germs and viruses that have been incorporated into our genetic makeup over time. So what exactly are we running from? Ourselves? After all, we have germs and viruses in our cells, doing productive work.

So unless you are prepared to at least wear a face mask all the time, wipe down every surface, and refuse to shake hands (much in the fashion of Adrian Monk), I don't think that the "boy in the bubble" approach is really going to make life better for you. You won't necessarily be any healthier, and you might end up a whole lot crazier.

Instead of doing all this wiping and avoiding, I suggest you go for the big guns to fight harmful germs and viruses:

Your body's own immune system.

Your Body's Immune System is the Best Defense
The reason we get sick isn't because we come into contact with germs and viruses. Actually, we are in contact with germs, bacteria, viruses, and all sorts of unseen particulate beings all the time. We breathe them in. We touch them. We eat them.

Normally, despite being virtually bathed in a "germ bath" all the time, we don't get sick because our bodies have the ability to deal with them, escorting the harmful ones out before we become ill.

Nope, we get sick when our basic immune defenses become weakened by factors like excess stress, poor nutrition, poor digestion, and too little physical exercise. So if you truly want to fight viruses and other "germy" things with real firepower, focus on building up your body's immune system rather than wiping down every surface in site with an anti-bacterial wipe.

Boosting the Body's Innate Immunity: An Example
Here's an example of what I mean. A client I counsel about nutrition called me up one day asking for help. Her child had been catching every virus that came down the pike. She couldn't figure it out. They had tried antibiotics and numerous other medications, but to no avail. She asked me if I had any "big guns" in my arsenal to help kill off all these in viral infections.

After I questioned her about her son's diet, digestion, level of exercise, level of stress, and so forth, I realized that he was not getting enough basic nutrition to keep his body's immune system healthy. The many courses of antibiotics had killed off the healthy bacteria that were supposed to live in his gut. These healthy bacteria, like acidophilus and bifidus (also called probiotics), are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders. They are also crucial for digestion, and produce B vitamins, which keep us calm and healthy.

In addition, her son had many food allergies, which meant it was difficult for her to get him to eat a well-rounded and healthy diet. He also had a number of environmental allergies, which made him more prone to being infected by viruses and other "germs."

I suggested that my friend immediately start her son on a daily regimen of oral acidophilus and bifidus to replenish the probiotics killed off by the antibiotics. I also suggested adding blue-green algae to his diet, as this would help cover any nutritional "gaps" created by his food allergies. To combat his environmental allergies and susceptibility to viruses, I added a nutritional supplement called ImmuSun, with WGP Beta Glucan, an known immune booster that has be lab-tested as strong enough to conquer even anthrax.

Within a few weeks on this nutritional regimen, the boy's allergies had subsided greatly, and he had not fallen victim to a single virus, despite a raging virus that was going through his school. In addition, his digestion vastly improved, thanks to the probiotics, which helped him feel a great deal more comfortable on a daily basis.

The Moral of the Story
The moral of the story is that when it comes to viruses, infections, bacteria, and other "germy stuff," we have the big guns to fight them off. Our bodies are built to withstand and handle all kinds of germy attacks, as long as we support our immune systems. The nutritional regimen discussed above actually boils down to a very simple formula of two products from Simplexity Health:

- 1 packet of Essentials (blue green algae, acidophilus, bifidus, and enzymes)

- 1 capsule of ImmuSun (WGP Beta Glucan)

This combination is simple to take and highly effective. If you are tired of constantly wiping, sanitizing, and otherwise de-germing your environment, you might want to give this formula a try!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bratha/ / CC BY 2.0