Posts Tagged ‘quality supplements’

Are you feeling deprived?  Working hard, running around all day long, trying to exercise and take care of yourself (and everyone else) to the point of absolute exhaustion?  And when you finally have a moment’s peace, you decide that you deserve a treat-something chocolately and gooey no doubt-because you’ve worked so hard and sacrificed for so long.

Maybe that’s not such a good idea.

If you truly are trying to live a healthy and active life, rewarding yourself (and your family) with sweet, fatty, and sugary treats is good for no one.  Aside from the obvious glut of fat and sugar, you are setting a dangerous precedent: food equals reward.

Some people choose food as a reward because it’s cheap.  But I would argue that’s not entirely true.  Healthcare costs are rising, and what about the new wardrobe you’d have to buy after you gain ten pounds from consuming all of the treats you “deserve”?

There is a better way.

Reward yourself and loved ones with a new CD or DVD, a beautiful candle, tickets to a sports event or concert, a pound of gourmet coffee, or even with a massage or pedicure.  Especially if you have kids (or grandkids), this will establish that rewards don’t have to be sugar/fat/food related.

And hey. You could even buy yourself or a loved one some favorite nutritional supplements and give the ultimate reward: Good health!

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To discover a healthier you and find all of your favorite nutritional supplements, visit our homepage.

“The sugar rush.”  Sometimes nothing else will do.  When I’m face to face with a box of candy, or a malted milk, I am truly powerless to resist.  And with a certain chocolate-centric holiday just around the corner, I have to tread lightly, or else I will fall into a different category, “the sugar coma.”

All joking aside, sugar is delicious and wonderful to enjoy, especially on holidays and birthdays.  But it is also full of empty calories.  For example, the average soda these days contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar.  10!  Even though I’m a sugar fanatic, I can’t bring myself to drink much soda anymore.  And that’s a great thing.  Instead I substitute milk, mineral water with a little lime, or even a small glass of wine and I save myself 100’s of calories a day.

Diabetes is on the rise.  It’s sad but true.  Some hypothesize that everything we eat nowadays is laden with sugar, and perhaps these ideas are not far off.  Be sure to check your food labels for hidden sugars, even in items like crackers, soups, and tomato sauces.  Awareness can make the difference in your health and also in your waistline.

Reward yourself properly.  As a society, we tend to reward a promotion, good grades, or any other success or special occasion with a big meal and lots of treats.  Choose wisely.  Now I love cake as much as the next person, but maybe it’s a better (and certainly healthier) idea to splurge on a massage, a night at the theater, or even a new outfit.  You will ultimately feel better, weigh less, and perhaps even spend a little quality time appreciating something you wouldn’t normally do.

Keep up the exercise, and work in lots of vegetables and fruits into your diet.  Take vitamins and supplements like Calcium, CoQ10, and Omega-3.  Get a proper night’s sleep as much as possible, and then, if all else fails, have that chocolate chip cookie with extra walnuts.  But just a couple.  Wash them down with a nice, cold glass of nonfat milk.  You’ve earned it!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Before you slather another piece of toast or a baked potato with loads of butter, think about what that added fat may do to your body and to your overall health.  Now that’s not to say that you can’t ever indulge in a dollop or two, but it has been discovered that it’s better to fill your life-and your plate-with “good fats” like olive oil, found most prevalently in heart healthy Mediterranean diets.  There has been myriad research indicating that a diet rich in good fats, vegetables, fish, fruits, and yes red wine, can be very good for you, your immune system and your heart.

In a study involving 3,042 men and women aged 18-89 years from the Attica region of Greece, adherence to a Mediterranean diet was found to be associated with increased levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and decreased levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol. Participants, who had no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, completed validated food frequency questionnaires from which a ‘diet score’ was determined, which assessed the level of adherence to a Mediterranean diet. After adjustment for confounding factors, TAC was found to be 11% higher and oxidized LDL-cholesterol concentrations were found to be 19% lower among those in the highest tertile of diet score, compared with the lowest tertile. While consumption of red meat was found to be inversely associated with TAC, consumption of olive oil and fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, were found to be positively associated with TAC. This study suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet, through its positive effects on TAC and oxidized LDL levels, may be of benefit in maintaining cardiovascular health.

So fill your plate high with rich, antioxidant foods and reap the rewards of a healthier, happier lifestyle.

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Ensure that you are getting the best possible antioxidant protection.  And don’t settle for subpar Omega-3 supplements.  For better health choose highly potent and absorbable Omega-Gel®. And read more about other antioxidants like Resveratrol and Ubiquinol, that both play an important part in fortifying the immune system.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/34703, “Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with total antioxidant capacity in healthy adults: the ATTICA study,” Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos DB, et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005; 82(3): 694-9. (Address: First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece, and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece).

You are what you eat.  Yes, a hackneyed expression, but nevertheless true.  I always feel better if I eat in a healthy way, and usually feel vaguely guilty if I’ve indulged in too much fat, sugar, or alcohol-and usually it’s a combination of all three-especially around the holidays.

If you’re anything like me, it can be very difficult to stay motivated.  For example, I like the gym, but I like sleeping more.  I enjoy sautéed Swiss chard, but I’d much rather have an oversized ice cream sundae dripping with chocolate sauce.  It’s very easy and tempting to stray off the healthy, antioxidant path.  There are cookie-laden forests and lakes of freshly whipped cream to explore instead!  But these empty calorie treats-as good as they may be-are nutrition traps.  What’s more, they aren’t doing anything to fortify my immune system.  I want to feel strong, healthy, and in control of my health destiny as much as possible.

So I recommit.  Every day to a healthy way of life.  For me, putting my continued good health at the top of my “to do” list empowers me to carry on with my eating-right-and-exercising-routine.  The fact that I will look better in my clothes is a nice byproduct, but not the main reason that I try very hard to take care of myself.  I cram as many antioxidant-enriched foods as I can possibly stand into my daily routine.  My body then has the tools it needs to fortify my immune system and defend against free radical damage and hopefully against various diseases and health conditions too.

In fact, there was a recent study conducted tracking midlife eating habits of Swedish twins.  It was hypothesized that those who fortified their diets with plenty of fruits and vegetables mid life seemed to lessen their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, compared with twins who did not eat as many antioxidant enriched foods.

I decided long ago to hedge my bets and eat a healthy, well-balanced diet replete with plenty of antioxidants.  I am also sure to take Omega-3 fatty acids and highly absorbable multivitamins and vitamin D supplements every day for better health.  By committing to good health habits on a regular basis, I can still have my sundae and eat it too-and that makes me very, very happy.

Be healthy and enjoy all of the holiday festivities!

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To read more about powerful antioxidant support, check out our health archives. Happy holidays from all of us at Solanova!

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38666, â€œMidlife Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Risk of Dementia in Later Life in Swedish Twins,” Hughes TF, Andel R, et al, Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 2009 Nov 10; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA, USA).

Most of us are aware that antioxidants are good for us.  They help fortify our immune systems and protect us from free radicals that can cause cell damage.  Antioxidants are found in certain super foods like berries, salmon, whole grains, many vegetables and quality supplements.  There has been myriad research regarding the relationship between a healthy diet replete with antioxidants and certain diseases such as cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD).

In a study involving 42 patients (27 men, 15 women) with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) and 49 apparently healthy subjects (33 men, 16 women), patients with CAD were found to have significantly higher cellular DNA damage, quantified via TL, which was significantly higher in patients with CAD (87.3 microm), as compared to healthy controls (79.3 microm). In addition, levels of plasma TRAP, vitamin C, gamma-tocopherol, and alpha-carotene were lower in patients with CAD as compared to controls. Erythrocytic catalase activity, on the other hand, was increased in patients with CAD. The authors conclude, “…reduced overall antioxidant status was closely connected to higher susceptibility of DNA damage in CAD patients.”

It makes sense to protect yourself from potential diseases and other unwanted health conditions.  Grab a salmon salad, some omega-3 supplements and blueberries with frozen yogurt and start enjoying a life filled with healthy, powerful antioxidants!

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We have a lot of information about antioxidant protection.  Read all about antioxidant support in our health concerns archives!  And for unsurpassed Resveratrol health benefits, try our Rubi QNol® CoQ10 supplements with Ubiquinol.

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38664

The holiday season is rapidly approaching like thoroughbred reindeer. At this time of year it’s fun to shop, go to parties, indulge relatively guilt-free in a variety of treats, travel to see loved ones and host dinner parties and family gatherings. But these holiday inspired activities are nearly impossible to enjoy if you are dragged down by a seasonal cold or flu.

Though it can be a crapshoot whether or not you get sick during the winter season, it behooves all of us to be prepared for germ warfare. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition (that doesn’t only involve holiday cut-out cookies.) Fortifying your immune system will help protect your body from getting too worn down. Then if you do contract a cold or the flu, it will most likely be of shorter duration and less severity.

And perhaps more to the point; don’t let a runny nose or a sore throat ruin your fun! Be sure to take your vitamins and drink plenty of fluids during the holiday season. We tend to commit to this after we catch a nasty cold. But by being proactive, you can strengthen your immune system and provide it with the proper tools to better fight off those annoying wintertime illnesses.

So while you’re navigating the crowds, struggling with gifts and packages while trying to hail a cab, do yourself a favor. Buy yourself the gift of health this holiday season. After all, you’re going to need your energy to enjoy all that holiday fun!

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We have more information on how to strengthen the immune system here. Take a look!  Solanova is always dedicated to giving.  We support the charity AAMF and donate 20% of all proceeds.  When you purchase nutritional supplements or any other product from us, you are also giving to a worthy cause.  And what better time than the holiday season?  Happy shopping!

It’s the time of year where we start to hunker down under blankets in front of the fireplace.  Instead of a glass of water or milk before bed, we might favor something warmer and more enticing like a steam mug of hot chocolate-with extra marshmallows of course.

And maybe all of a sudden, it doesn’t seem very appealing to run the track, take a hike through the local hills, or ride a bike on your trusty dirt trail.  It’s just too cold out!  So instead we become a bit more sedentary, venturing out to the gym only when it’s not raining or snowing.

Perhaps it’s somehow tied up with instinct.  After all, many animals hibernate during the cold months of the year.  They get to curl up in their dens, stuff themselves with food, and then sleep it all off for countless hours.  If only our lives could be that simple!  Unfortunately for we humans, we need to be a little more vigilant about our health habits.  It’s way too easy to put on extra pounds during the cold, holiday laden winter months, and very difficult to shed them.  Not to mention that extra weight can increase risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and possibly some kinds of cancer.   Research studies have concluded that maintaining a normal weight can help reduce the risk for many diseases.

One surefire way to keep warm and motivated as you exercise during the cold months is to take a Bikram yoga class.  This style of yoga is practiced in a very warm room, so as to keep muscles limber, promote strength and to prevent injuries.  Other exercise classes can offer protection from the elements and usually a temperate workout environment too.  It’s also important to keep your immune system strong during the cold and flu season, which includes exercise, eating nutritious foods and taking vitamins and supplements to ensure you aren’t deficient.

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Read more about immune system strengthening in our Health Concerns archives.  We have many supplements that can fortify your immune system and help to keep you healthy all winter long.  Rubi QNol® CoQ10 offers unsurpassed antioxidant protection and MultiSential Plus multivitamin, a complete blend of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/35039

Reference:

“Midlife body mass index and hospitalization and mortality in older age,” Yan LL, Daviglus ML, et al, JAMA, 2006; 295(2): 190-8. (Address: Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill 60611, USA. E-Mail: lijing@northwestern.edu ).

On a recent trip abroad, I found that I had neglected one very important aspect of trip preparation.  I had laundered all the appropriate clothing, grabbed my guidebooks, forwarded my mail, and arranged for my dog to be walked.  But the one thing I forgot to take care of was my digestive health.  And boy was I sorry.

I’ve always had a delicate stomach and generally try to be kind to it.  I make an effort to eat soothing foods usually, but one can’t subsist on rice and yogurt alone.  Especially when you’re in a relatively exotic place, with delicious, if not spicy, foods.  So I indulged, and indulged some more.  Then I didn’t feel very well.

I had been doing a little research about probiotics, which are good bacteria that can help guard against infections and intestinal disorders while helping to support overall proper digestion.  There has been research indicating that taking probiotics can exert a protective effect against diarrhoeal illnesses in children and adults and that it can not only help treat such illnesses but even potentially prevent them.

Next time I go somewhere, I’ll make sure to bring some special companions with me.  Probiotics, of course!

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Want to read more about digestive health?  Check out our article here. Try our Probiotic Buddies™, with 10 billion viable ”good” bacteria per vege-capsule.  Powerful protection against harmful micro-organisms in a convenient, easy to take form.  Probiotic Buddies™ is perfect for a world traveler, or for busy people on-the-go.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/34885” Effects of probiotics on the gastrointestinal tract,” Snelling AM, Curr Opin Infect Dis, 2005; 18(5): 420-6. (Address: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 IDP, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. E-mail: A.M.Snelling@Bradford.ac.uk ).

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the positive effects of vitamin D consumption.  And now there seems to be even more compelling news indicating a possible connection between low levels of vitamin D and incidents of breast cancer.

In a nested case-control study involving 142 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 420 matched controls, results indicate an inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and risk of breast cancer. Women with breast cancer showed significantly lower plasma 25(OH)D levels, compared with controls. Additionally, women in the highest tertile of 25(OH)D levels showed a 48% reduced risk of breast cancer, compared with women in the lowest tertile. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Risk of breast cancer was inversely associated with 25OHD levels. Randomized controlled trials are warranted in order to assess whether a causal relationship exists.”

We already know that vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and also may help to fortify the immune system.  Getting enough exercise, relaxing in (a little) sun once in a while and taking a quality vitamin D supplement can all be important aspects of good health.

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Click here to sign up for our AutoShip program and Save 10% on Every order!  To learn more about health related topics check out our health concerns archives.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38559“Reduced prediagnostic 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in women with breast cancer: a nested case-control study,” Rejnmark L, Mosekilde L, et al, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2009; 18(10): 2655-60. (Address: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: rejnmark@post6.tele.dk ).

If you purchase a lower end car at a deep discount, you can bet that the car probably doesn’t have the greatest track record in the world.  Furthermore, you wouldn’t expect this car to perform like a Porsche or a BMW, right?  So why would you want to deep discount your health?

Not all vitamins or supplements are created equal.  Not even close.  The ubiquitous “cheap vitamins” that you see for sale in drug stores or online claim to be powerful and effective.  But if you read the fine print, oftentimes you see additives and other ingredients that aren’t beneficial.  Or you discover that in order to achieve the promised efficacy of the supplement, you are required to take six or eight of them a day, instead of a couple.  This alone can make the “discount” supplements much more expensive than originally thought.  Yet you’re still receiving (and ingesting) lower quality product.

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is generally true.  High quality, natural supplements that are optimally absorbed into the body do cost more, because they work better than their cheaper counterparts.  Why would you bother to take supplements or vitamins at all, if you weren’t sure your body was using them to full effect?  If money is an issue, and these days it is for most of us, select two or three supplements or vitamins that you know you can’t live without and invest in a high quality, proven version of them.  In the end you’ll save money, time, and effort and can rest assured that you are making the best choices for your overall health.

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Want to learn more about what you can do to achieve good daily health? Read from our health concerns archives.  For some invaluable, potent and effective nutritional supplements, check out our new CoQ10 supplement, Super QNol®, our multivitamin MultiSential Plus and our ever popular Omega-Gel® for unsurpassed antioxidant protection.