Posts Tagged ‘solanova’

Have you been feeling down lately? Moody?  Depressed?  Well don’t blame the cold weather or the flailing economy for your poor outlook on life.  In fact, the catalyst  might be closer than you think.  Try your pantry, your fridge or the nearest fast food establishment.

In a study involving data collected from 3,486 middle-aged subjects (26% women, mean age: 55.6 years), higher odds of depression (assessed via results of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale) was found to be associated with consumption of a “processed foods” diet (heavily loaded by sweetened desserts, fried food, processed meat, refined grains, high-fat dairy products) (OR=1.58), while consumption of a “whole foods” diet (heavily loaded by vegetables, fruit, and fish) was associated with a decreased odds of CES-Depression (OR=0.74). These results highlight the importance of diet and its impact on mood disorders, such as depression.

So trade in that doughnut for an apple or a lean turkey sandwich.  Eating a proper and balanced diet, getting regular exercise and committing to a healthy lifestyle can not only affect your waistline, but also your overall mental health.

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Read more about healthy choices in our Health Concerns section of Solanova.com.  And stay tuned for more health information and special offers from us!

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38623, “Dietary pattern and depressive symptoms in middle age,” Akbaraly TN, Brunner EJ, et al, Br J Psychiatry, 2009; 195(5): 408-13. (Address: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. E-mail: tasnime.akbaraly@inserm.fr ).

Unless you’ve been living out in the sand dunes of the Gobi desert in Mongolia-and perhaps even then-you’ve heard about the possibility of a bad flu season this year.

It never ceases to amaze me how much we are willing to pay for a designer sweater, a fancy meal out, or the next hot tech gadget we don’t really need.  But when it comes to our health, we often scoff at the idea of a minimal financial investment.

Do we not realize that without our good health, we wouldn’t be going out, donning that new sweater, playing on that new gadget in the fancy restaurant?  It’s high time we got our priorities straight.

And it’s not so difficult.  Getting moderate daily exercise, monitoring your weight and fat intake, and investing in good quality vitamins and nutritional supplements can make all the difference to your health.  And this flu season, we need all the help we can get to fortify our immune systems.

Lately there has been much research concluding the health significance of getting and absorbing enough vitamin D.  In fact, some preliminary studies seem to indicate that vitamin D could possibly play an especially important role in thwarting-or lessening the effects of-the H1N1 virus.  Stay tuned for more information regarding this connection.

Vitamin D has also been shown to benefit heart patients.  A recent study hypothesizes that heart patients who had low vitamin D levels could have adversely affected cardiac function.  The study therefore suggests that supplementing with vitamin D could benefit heart failure patient’s treatment.

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Would you like to read more about the health effects of vitamin D?  Check out our health library here.  Some other products for good immune system support are MultiSential Plus, and Omega-Gel®.  Remember to make an investment in your health today and collect the dividends for a lifetime.

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38457

Reference: “Calcium and Vitamin D Status in Heart Failure Patients in Isfahan, Iran,” Garakyaraghi M, Kerdegari M, Siavash M, Biol Trace Elem Res, 2009 Aug 19; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan, Iran).

Sometimes I equate a really messy car-I’m talking gym shoes, old magazines, big gulp containers, and wrappers littering the backseat-with bad eating habits.  It seems as though, when I get off on the wrong track, i.e. it’s a Monday and I’m already in  the break room at work scarfing down cake from Friday’s birthday party, that I’ve sabotaged myself, and the only way to deal with it is simply to order a large pizza.

But take my word for it: this is a slippery (and fatty) slope.

We’ve all been tempted to just give up, even in the throes of healthy eating and systematic exercise.  Just like the old, trashed car that we drove around in college, it just seems easier to throw another steak on the bbq, just like we threw another big gulp container in the backseat, rather than committing to cleaning the car out.  The thing we have to remember is that the more trash we fill the car with-or that we stuff down our gullet-the longer and harder it will be to clean it (and get rid of the excess weight.)

It’s also important to understand what may be causing this self-defeating behavior.  Stress and anxiety can be catalysts to poor eating habits.  Getting enough sleep, taking a yoga class or going for a long walk can help.  And taking a natural supplement such as Solanova’s Relora®, which can alleviate stress, tension, irritability, and may regulate stress-related eating behaviors and subsequent weight gain, can also aid in your fight for control of your cravings.

Ban the it doesn’t matter now anyway self-sabotage.  Because in truth, it really Does matter.  So you had a piece of cake.  Hey, to eat junk food is human, to forgive yourself and not eat a sheet cake, is divine.  One 300-calorie indiscretion can lead to a 2000-calorie burrito-margarita-ice cream sundae glutton-fest.  Don’t give in to it.

There’s always a second chance for a healthy tomorrow. So get on it.  Oh.  And save me a piece of cake, will ya?

To learn more about healthy  habits, check out our health information section of Solanova.com.

Have you ever waited in a line that seemed completely futile?  Perhaps at a bank, a department store or the ever-popular DMV?  You probably felt like you would expire in line before anyone condescended to help you.  We’ve all experienced this kind of sub-par treatment.  It’s almost as if these institutions pride themselves on their lack of customer service.  And then, if that weren’t enough, oftentimes they aren’t very helpful or responsive once you actually speak to someone.

But then, as if a beacon in dense fog, you discover a company that does care about their customers, i.e. you, and it is almost shocking.  You are so thankful you practically forget what you wanted in the first place!

We at Solanova feel that excellent customer service is something that you should expect and deserve and we do everything within our power to make sure you have the best experience possible.  Do you need specific health information?  No problem.  Would you like your vitamins or supplements sent to you regularly at a discount? We can do that.  We take great pride in offering our customers proven, natural and highly absorbable vitamins and supplements that we ship to you in a timely fashion.  We’ve also reconfigured our website for easier navigation and have added more health information and will continue to upgrade and expand our product line.

And as always, we contribute 20% of all Solanova profits to the non-profit organization AAMF; a foundation that provides disadvantaged children with adequate nutrition, medication and education. We are committed to helping children and families around the world enjoy a healthy, hopeful life.

After all, helping people be healthy is what we do.

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Please visit us on Facebook and Twitter or leave a comment here on our blog.  We’d love to hear from you!

If you’ve been feeling blue and aren’t particularly keen to take a pill to feel better, there may be some natural alternatives that can work to help mitigate depression in both adults and children.

In a review of 3 studies investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of patients with depression – unipolar, bipolar, and childhood – supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) was found to have beneficial effects. In one study which involved 20 patients with unipolar recurrent major depression, significant improvements were found after 3 weeks of daily supplementation with EPA (in addition to antidepressant drug therapy) as compared to a placebo. In another study, involving 12 bipolar depression outpatients with depressive symptoms, supplementation with 1.5 to 2.0 g/d EPA for up to 6 months was found to reduce Hamilton depression scores by at least 50% in 8 of the 10 subjects who completed at least 1 month of follow-up. In the third study, involving 28 children between the ages of 6 and 12 with “childhood major depression,” omega-3 fatty acids were found to have significant benefits, according to ANOVA. The authors conclude, “Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to be more effective than placebo for depression in both adults and children in small controlled studies and in an open study of bipolar depression.”

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So kick those blues to the curb with Solanova’s Omega-Gel ®.  Our supplement contains two of the safest forms of omega-3 (oil of Sardine and Anchovy) and contains vitamin E and other antioxidants, all in our patented, highly absorbable softgel capsules! Want to start becoming healthier and feeling better?  Check out all our natural vitamins and supplements at solanova.com .

Want to read more about antioxidant support?  Check out Solanova’s health information.  We’re here to help you realize your health potential!

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38324

“Omega-3 fatty acids in depression: a review of three studies,” Osher Y, Belmaker RH, CNS Neurosci Ther, 2009 Summer; 15(2): 128-33. (Address: Ministry of Health Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. E-mail: yamy@bgu.ac.il ).

These days healthcare is on everyone’s mind.  No matter what your political stance is, we can all agree that quality healthcare is paramount to a happy life.  If you don’t have your health, it doesn’t matter what other things you possess.  Right now, perhaps more than ever, it’s very important to take your health seriously.  With staggering unemployment rates and company health care options uncertain, it is wise to take matters into your own hands as much as possible.

Make smart decisions.  If your cholesterol is on the high side, ban things like saturated fats from your diet.  And take up jogging, swimming, power walking, hopscotch or anything else that gets your body moving and off the couch (where you normally consume more than your share of beer and nachos).  In fact, you might want to ban the couch from your life all together-for a while anyway.

Muscles aching?  Don’t have enough energy to exercise?  It’s easy to find excuses not to be active and eat right.  The easy choice is to microwave frozen dinners and watch ER reruns on TiVo.  But you’re not one to back down from a challenge, are you?  Especially when healthy choices can enhance your quality of life, your overall longevity and even help you appear younger and more vibrant?

Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Besides, there are many ways to approach good health.  Spending time at a farmer’s market once a week can motivate you to cook with fresh vegetables and fruit, plus you can soak up a little immune system enhancing vitamin D while you’re at it.  As you embark on a healthier way of life you may find yourself actually liking it, which in turn, will encourage you to continue.  Those extra pounds might just melt away over time and with the extra energy you suddenly have, maybe you’ll do something unexpected, like run a half-marathon, or take a swing dancing class.

After all, the choice is yours.  Make it a healthy one.

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Get your life on the healthy track!  Check out our multivitamin, MultiSential Plus which is a complete blend of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, in a superior absorption formula promoting optimum health, nutrition and energy to jump start your health regimen.  You’ll be glad you did!

Want to read more about healthy living?  Click here.

Sometimes when I haven’t had enough sleep or if I’ve indulged in one too many double iced lattes my heart will let me know.  Once in a while it will beat a little too fast for my taste, only to abruptly slow down again, and then resume its steady (and comforting) regular pitter-patter rhythm.  This is a little reminder to adjust my caffeine consumption but also to start thinking seriously and proactively about my heart health.

I do try to exercise regularly, reminding myself that bike rides and hikes are supposed to be “enjoyable” and good for me.  I also attempt to eat heart healthy foods and to eschew saturated fats whenever possible, though this can sometimes prove difficult as I have a torrid love affair with cheeseburgers.

Lately I’ve been hearing (and reading) a lot about the nutritional supplement coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.  Numerous studies have shown that CoQ10 may be able to strengthen the heart muscle and enhance the immune system as well as provide the body with extra energy.  Additionally, new research suggests that CoQ10 therapy can help some effects of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, and possibly help to protect against dopamine depletion as well.

So now I’m adding another supplement to my regime of multivitamins, exercising and eating (relatively) well.  I feel stronger already.

Now.  Where did I put my bicycle?

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Would you like to learn more about the heart health benefits of CoQ10?  Click here.  And be sure to purchase Solanova’s highly absorbable Q-Gel® CoQ10 today for enhanced energy, endurance and immune system strength among many other benefits.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38358“Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases,” Yang L, Calingasan NY, et al, J Neurochem, 2009 June; 109(5): 1427-39. (Address: Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA).

Only a few short years ago (okay 25-30, but who’s counting?) I didn’t have to worry so much about what I ate, how much I exercised or my overall health, for that matter.  It was lovely.  When I wanted a sundae, by golly, I ate one.  When I felt like doing something active, I’d hop on my bike and take a ride downtown.  Or I’d walk to our neighborhood swimming pool.  In college, I’d usually hike through my large campus to get to the library or the lecture hall.  In essence, I lived my life in an active way, which is more than I can say for my present condition.  And what’s more, exercise was so programmed into my every day lifestyle that I didn’t have to give it much thought.  To paraphrase Nike’s slogan, I didn’t lament about it, I just did it.

Nowadays, everyone is so busy, rushing around, making appointments, slaving over hot computers and commuting long hours.  How, you might ask, can you possibly integrate those long lost, carefree days of swimming, biking, hiking, dance lessons, little league practice et al., into the hectic lifestyle of a grown person trying to navigate a crazy work/family schedule in 2009?

Well.  It ain’t easy.

But wait.  I take that back.  It may be easier than you think.  There are all kinds of interesting ways to fuse fun and working out.  For example, if you need a little stress reduction but have zero time to spare, perhaps check out a yoga class early in the morning.  Many studios allow you to drop in, and depending on the class, it may concentrate more on strengthening than sweating, which would allow you to roll from downward facing dog straight to your desk, feeling strong, relaxed and already done with you workout.

Embrace your inner dancing queen.  Take a ballroom class or make a night out of salsa dancing.  Single?  Join a hiking group in your area.  Not only will you get a good workout, but you can meet people too.  New in town?  Sign up for a softball team through your local recreation center.  The more you can mix your social time with activities that are fun and beneficial, the sooner you can indulge in those sundaes without guilt.

Pole dancing anyone?

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Want to discover a healthier lifestyle?  Check out our health concerns pages.  Still having problems finding extra energy?  Try our Q-Gel ® CoQ10 product. Our Q-Gel is a powerful, natural compound that can strengthen the heart, increase energy, slow the aging process and fortify the immune system.  Give yourself the energy to enjoy life!

What’s the matter? Can’t think of the exact word you need to convey your mood or tone?  Forgot the name of the neighbor down the block?  It’s right on the tip of your…your…you know!  All of a sudden you’re noticing that the synapses aren’t firing quite as quickly as they used to.  But don’t worry. Just like the body, it’s a wonderful idea to exercise the brain, or as Hercule Poirot might quip, it’s important to work out the little gray cells.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that many of us tend to forget things as we age.  But we aren’t powerless.  One easy way to combat brain “freeze” is to eat head-healthy foods.  Fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids is an indispensable part of a healthy diet.  Fish has been linked to improved memory capacity and also lowered risk of dementia and stroke.  Don’t like our scaly friends?  Try a high quality omega-3 supplement instead.  Other brain strengtheners include blueberries, whole grains, avocado, nuts and even (a little) dark chocolate.

Aside from normal exercise that can enhance overall health of the body and mind, try some brainteasers to increase your memory and alertness.  Learning a foreign language, doing the crossword in your paper every day, working through the latest Sudoku book or playing chess can all raise your mental acuity.

And who wouldn’t want that, smarty pants?

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Some other ideas on how to tease, work, and take care of your brain can be read about here.  Also try investing in our high quality Omega-Gel ® omega 3 supplement.  Our Omega-Gel® can enhance brain, eye and immune system function as well as help to raise HDL “good” cholesterol levels.

What is that line from the classic Aerosmith song Dream on?  Every time that I look in the mirror.  All these lines in my face gettin’ clearer… Sound familiar?  Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time scrutinizing every line and wrinkle and cursing the inevitable; growing older.  These days I vastly prefer candlelit dinners to well-lit brunches and wish it didn’t cost a small fortune to buy creams and potions to plump up my fine lines.  If only there was another way.

At the same time, I’m not a fan of unnecessary pain.  And therefore I’m not willing to do anything invasive to make myself look five or even ten years younger.  So now what?  I pondered my predicament for a long time.  Why was I so upset?  It seemed completely ridiculous and wasteful to spend my time lamenting about something I had no control over.  Then I finally asked myself, what is really important in life?  The answer came swiftly: being healthy, feeling good about myself, helping others and trying to make the world a half-way pleasant place to live.  Oh yeah, and strawberry ice cream on a hot day.

And I discovered something else rather amazing.  It turns out that I actually like being the age I am.  I didn’t want to be twenty-one, wondering who I was and what I was going to do with my life.  I’ve learned a few things in all the years since, and I’d be loath to give that wisdom up.

Then I came up with a plan.  Instead of wasting valuable time and energy with all my misguided worries about aging, I could instead spend more time with friends and family, read the classics, make healthy food and supplement choices, and seek out fun stuff to do.  And then something magical would happen.  I would look great, feel much happier and maybe, just maybe, capture some of that elusive youthful charm and energy, naturally.

Wouldn’t that be something?

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Solanova has many nutritional supplements to help you look and feel your best.  MultiSential Plus, our full spectrum, 100% RDA complete vitamin allows for maximum time-released absorption so you can be sure you’re receiving all of the nutrients your body needs.  Read more about our other  natural anti-aging supplements and ideas for feeling young, looking your best and staying healthy in our health archives.