Posts Tagged ‘antioxidant’

A new study shows that consumption of calcium and vitamin D while on a diet regimen, actually helps to facilitate further weight loss:

In a study involving an analysis of data collected from a 2-year trial involving 322 subjects (mean BMI: 31 kg/m(2), mean age: 52 years), of which 126 were followed for 6 months for serum vitamin D changes, higher dairy calcium intake and increased serum vitamin D were found to be associated with greater diet-induced weight loss. According to multivariate logistic regression modeling adjusted for age, sex, baseline BMI, total fat intake, diet group, vitamin D concentration, and dairy calcium, a 1 SD increase in dairy calcium intake increased the likelihood of weight loss >4.5 kg in the preceding 6 months (OR=1.45), and a similar increase was seen for serum 25(OH)D at 6 months as well (OR=1.7). The authors conclude, “Our study suggests that both higher dairy calcium intake and increased serum vitamin D are related to greater diet-induced weight loss.”

In addition, vitamin D & calcium can offer some protection against Osteoporosis and are thought to enhance the immune system.  So get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy, low fat diet, drink milk, and be sure to take a highly absorbable calcium/vitamin D nutritional supplement for stronger bones and better overall health.  Your bones, waistline and health will all thank you!

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Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39386, “Dairy calcium intake, serum vitamin D, and successful weight loss,” Shahar DR, Schwarzfuchs D, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2010 Nov; 92(5): 1017-22. (Address: S. Daniel Abraham Center for Health and Nutrition and the Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. E-mail: dshahar@bgu.ac.il ).

For some, fall means crisp, clean air, beautiful walks through the foliage and a plentiful and delicious Autumn harvest.  But for many, fall instead represents the madness of back-to-school activities, shopping and carpooling, not to mention the crazy fiscal 4^th quarter dash to make year-end company goals, all racing toward the hectic holidays and a spanking new year so we can do it all over again.

It’s enough to tire even superwomen out.

So what can you do to help keep calm and centered in the face of utter scheduling chaos?  Make a list.  It sounds simplistic, but it works.  Keep a small notebook in your purse and write tasks and appointments down as you think of them.  You’ll feel better and less stressed out as you cross them off your list.  And if you don’t get to everything, don’t worry. Tomorrow is another day.

Exercise your right to say “no”.  Sometimes in life, we just have to learn when to say when.  Taking on an extra project at work, throwing that dinner party for 12 of your closest friends, and volunteering to help paint sets for the school play may not all fit into your regular (and busy) schedule.  Pick and choose what is most important to you, and let go of the rest.  You will be amazed at how liberating it is not to feel overextended.

Say yes to “me” time.  Even if you can only carve out 2 hours a week to start, do it.  Make that manicure appointment.  Window shop with abandon.  Take that spin class and then a luxurious, candlelight bubble bath.  Go see a first-run movie in the theater, and buy your concession stand favorites.  In other words, quiet your mind and remind yourself that life can be fun, silly, and joyful.  You’ll feel a lot less stressed and better able to handle all of life’s responsibilities.

To help keep stress at bay, try our natural Relora®  nutritional supplement.  For superb free radical protection and enhanced energy, take our Super QNol®  CoQ10 with Ubiquinol.

We all know that Curcumin (an extract of Turmeric), is a delicious spice that can brighten up many dishes, but a new study now concludes that supplementing with Curcumin can also help reduce the chances of colon cancer:

So go ahead and spice things up!  Not only does it taste great, but Curcumin may very well help us increase our immune power.

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To help ensure joint and cardiovascular health try our Curcu-Gel Ultra 500, with natural supplement properties.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39284 “Chemopreventive effect of dietary curcumin on inflammation-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice,” Villegas I, Sanchez-Fidalgo S, et al, Mol Nutr Food Res, 2010 Sept 16; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain).

When it comes to either chronic health conditions or a troubling diagnosis, many of us feel powerless in the face of what is happening to us or to a loved one.

But the fact is the body is an amazing, resilient piece of equipment, and given the proper fuel, rest, and care, it can help us fight disease and perhaps overcome insurmountable odds.

We, however, need to help our bodies.

Make sure you are getting enough sleep.  The body regenerates as we rest, and if we can’t squeeze in more than a few hours, we may lose some of this benefit.  Lack of sleep can also affect how (and what) we eat, stress level, and our motivation to exercise, which in turn can make us even more lethargic.

Don’t underestimate a daily walk or a trip to the gym a few times a week.  Exercise helps to keep our blood pressure and stress level down, it can contribute to a stronger immune system, and can make us produce more endorphins, the “feel-good” hormone.  Not to mention, exercise tends to keep our weight in check, making us look and feel great!

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and cutting back on sugar and fats can help give your body the proper nutrition and fuel it craves.  Taking nutritional supplements can also contribute to better health.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a health condition or disease, eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising as much as possible all help to empower our bodies to be as strong and resilient as they can be, even when facing adversity.  Be strong and be well.

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To help enhance brain function and strengthen your immune system, try our omega-3 fatty acid supplement Omega-Gel®.  And for superior and powerful antioxidant protection, take our Rubi QNol® CoQ10 with Ubiquinol.

I tried something crazy last month.  At first, it was simply impetuous, but now I’ve continued to do it and have actually seen results.  I’m wearing things I had no hope of squeezing into before and feel better than I have in years.

I take my dinner plate, and I cut it in half.  Yep. That’s the secret.  I load up with all the food I think I want and then divide half of it into Tupperware to take to work the next day for lunch.  Not only does this save me roughly $50 a week in lunch costs, but I’ve also lost about 6 pounds with minimal effort.

I don’t feel deprived-I’m eating what everyone else eats for dinner.  But I’m eating less.  And I’ve discovered something fascinating.  Less is actually plenty.

I’m enjoying another unexpected result from this food experiment.  I have more energy.  I no longer experience that stuffed feeling of remorse as I push away from the dining room table, ready for a nap on the couch.  Because the better I feel and look, the less I want to gorge myself.  It’s a very simple concept.

In addition, I feel so good that I find I want to do more to enhance my health.  I am starting to actually look forward to going to the gym-albeit with trashy magazine in hand-and am dedicated to cutting down on the caffeine, alcohol and sugar in general.  My sleep patterns have improved, and frankly, so has my outlook on life.

Sound dramatic?  Maybe.  But it’s working.

Are you ready to find your catalyst for better health?  Try something unexpected and see what happens.  You may just find yourself $200 a month richer and a size or two smaller.

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Try our natural stress-reducing supplement Relora® to feel more rested and fend off food cravings. And for improved energy and enhanced heart health, take our acclaimed Super QNol® CoQ10.

Many of us enjoy a nice, hot cup of green tea on a daily basis.  Its delicious taste can range from subtle and sweet, to nutty and forceful.  However you choose to brew it, a recent study shows that green tea has significant genoprotective effects:

In a controlled, crossover study involving 18 healthy adults, results indicate that green tea intake may protect against DNA damage. Using a crossover design (with a 6-week washout period) subjects were assigned to 2 x 150 ml/d (2 cups) of 1 % (w/v) Longjing green tea or ’screw-shaped’ green tea or water (control) for a period of 4 weeks. Green tea intake was associated with a 20% reduction in DNA damage. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’.”

So let them call you “teetotaler”, you don’t mind.  You’re able to call yourself something much more impressive:  Healthy.  Cheers to green tea!

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For super antioxidant protection and improved immune system function, try our Omega-3 fatty acid supplement Omega-Gel® with Vitamin E.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39257, “Genoprotective effects of green tea ( Camellia sinensis) in human subjects: results of a controlled supplementation trial,” Han KC, Benzie IF, et al, Br J Nutr, 2010 Sept 1; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong).

Do you ever find yourself unhappy, dwelling on the fact that you don’t own a Bentley or a house on Lake Como?  It’s natural to feel mildly envious of others’ good fortunes, but it’s important to keep that envy in check.

One of the secrets to happiness is to remind yourself of what you do have.  You may not jet off to Brazil every year for Carnival, but that annual camping trip you go on with friends or family is just as wonderful in its way.  And one thing we can all be thankful for is good health.

Encourage your body to be as healthy as it can be by eating well, exercising as much as possible, cutting down on stress, and allowing yourself to enjoy a little R & R when warranted.

At Solanova, we have many ways to help you ensure continued good health.  Take a look at our health concern articles, with heart health, and everything in between.  And our highly absorbable, quality vitamins and nutritional supplements will help keep your health humming.

So the next time you feel a little jealous that you don’t have that 3- karat diamond ring or house in the Hamptons, put it in perspective.  You have your friends, family and hopefully very good health to be thankful for-and therefore already possess the best things in life.  Enjoy these last weeks of summer!

The next time you cheerfully chop up avocados, tomatoes, crisp lettuce and anything else you’d put in your “healthy” salad, beware.  Even if you’re using olive oil and not ranch or blue cheese dressing, there are still calories that add up.  For example, a tablespoon of olive oil has about 120 calories.  Not so bad in and of itself, but stop to consider how many tablespoons you are using for a whole salad.  2? 3?

And as much as we LOVE beautiful, creamy avocados, it’s important to think about how caloric they are too.  A medium sized avocado can contain up to 300 calories.  This velvety fruit is a favorite and is considered a “good” fat, full of antioxidants, but again, if you’re trying to cut back on the calories, avocados aren’t going to help you.  Substituting a cucumber, or a few toasted walnuts, shelled edamame, or flavorful herbs like tarragon or basil can liven up any salad without busting the calorie bank.

Or if you must have your avocado and eat it too, add less olive oil, and cut the avocado in half, which not only helps your waistline, but also your pocketbook.

It’s a really wonderful thing to commit to eating more vegetables and consuming fats that are mono-saturated, but remember if you decide to “just eat a salad” for dinner, you might be consuming many more calories than you intended.

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For superior omega-3 fatty acid antioxidant protection, try our Omega-Gel® supplements.

It turns out that the powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E, has something else up its sleeve.Vitamin E is thought to be very good for the immune system, and can enhance both skin and eye health, it is also one of the best anti-oxidants.

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on the immune response of healthy older adults was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects (n = 32) resided in a metabolic research unit and received placebo or vitamin E (800 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) for 30 d. Alpha-tocopherol content of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test (DTH), mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, as well as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, prostaglandin (PG) E2, and serum lipid peroxides were evaluated before and after treatment. In the vitamin E-supplemented group 1) alpha-tocopherol content was significantly higher (p less than 0.0001) in plasma and PBMCs, 2) cumulative diameter and number of positive antigen responses in DTH response were elevated (p less than 0.05), 3) IL-2 production and mitogenic response to optimal doses of concanavalin A were increased (p less than 0.05), and 4) PGE2 synthesis by PBMCs (p less than 0.005) and plasma lipid peroxides (p less than 0.001) were reduced. Short-term vitamin E supplementation improves immune responsiveness in healthy elderly individuals; this effect appears to be mediated by a decrease in PGE2 and/or other lipid-peroxidation products.

It seems that now is the time to start (or continue) a healthy, easy-to-take vitamin regimen that includes a high quality, super absorbable, full spectrum vitamin E supplement to help ensure continued good health.  In this case, “e” stands for excellent immune system protection!

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Experience free radical protection while promoting heart health with our full spectrum Tocospan Vitamin E.

Reference: Vitamin E supplementation enhances cell-mediated immunity in healthy elderly subjects. Meydani SN, Barklund MP, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990 Sep;52(3):557-63.

The birds are singing and the sun is shining brightly.  So why are you feeling down again?  Is it because you can’t squeeze yourself into your bathing suit, no matter how much sun tan oil you slather on?  Or is it that your summer shorts make you feel like a stuffed sausage?

Yep. We’ve been there.

When the hot weather hits and the layers of winter clothes come off, there’s no place to hide.  It’s frustrating we can’t shrug off the extra winter pounds as easily as our heavy overcoats.

However, the great news about summertime is that it stays warmer and lighter in the evenings.  Even if you’re working like the dog days of summer, there’s still enough daylight to take a walk after work, or depending where you live, swim or even hike.

And if you live somewhere really warm, chances are your appetite may be affected.  You may crave things like cold salads for dinner, and choose to eat lighter based upon what your body tells you and not just predilections for certain foods.  You’ll undoubtedly drink more water and other liquids too, which can help fill you up and facilitate weight loss (as long as they’re not too sugary).

Keeping your immune system strong is key.  By eating as healthy as possible, getting plenty of sleep and taking quality supplements, you are providing your body with the fuel it needs to hike, bike, swim and workout.  Beware of insidious summer colds-nothing is more miserable than lying in bed on a beautiful, sunny day.  Strive to stay healthy and active and you’ll be surprised how quickly those shorts and bathing suits magically become the right size for you again.

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