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Optimized content for Hall Group Properties, A Sotheby’s Realty Top 100 Team Worldwide in 2024.
Product descriptions and extended content for Zealandia Designs.
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Blog articles
Your Immune System and Digestion
Approximately 70% or your body’s immune cells are found in your gut, a fact that’s got everyone talking about immunity and its relationship to the digestive system.
We’re going to skip the technical jargon (sorry, no lymphocytes this time!) and break the immune system down into its 3 main types – innate, acquired, and passive immunity – to help make the connection between healthy digestion and your immunity.
Innate immunity – you’re born with it, and it’s specific to you as a human. This is your body’s immediate response to foreign substances. The skin, intestinal lining, and the tiny hairs in your respiratory system all play a part in this defensive process.
Your digestive system is a key player in supporting innate immunity. Many foreign substances that enter your body through the digestive tract are targeted and eliminated. Sound like a scene from an action movie? That’s about right – your digestive system is a happening spot! Not only does it break down nutrients so they can be absorbed and used throughout your body, it works overtime to keep your immune system healthy.
The intestinal lining (which includes your mucosal immune barrier) is vital to this process. The mucous barrier, cells in the intestinal lining, and the junctions between these cells all form a sort of fortress that keep harmful substances from seeping into your body through the intestinal walls. Your intestinal lining is a very complex and intelligent player in your immune system.
It makes sense, then, that healthy digestion also boosts the digestive system’s other function – healthy immunity. Minimally processed whole foods that are rich in nutrients help boost healthy, functional digestion. Digestive support supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, colostrum and more are also becoming popular ways to support digestive health, intestinal lining health, and immune health.
More next week on acquired and passive immunity!
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Tips for Maintaining Adrenal Health
Last week’s post covered adrenal gland function and signs you may be experiencing an adrenal imbalance. This week it’s all about the good news.
The good news is that your adrenal function can return to healthy rhythms (once any adnreal disease have been ruled out) with some simple lifestyle adjustments.
Knowledge is power, and the first thing to do is check in with your natural health practitioner to see if they can administer a test that monitors your levels of stress hormones throughout the day. A healthy cycle is an increase in the morning and a gradual taper off toward bed time.
If you suspect an imbalance, listen to your natural health practitioner’s advice and try these tips to help reset your adrenal health:
• Reduce stressors. Easier said than done, right? But it turns out just being aware of your stressors helps you to manage them better. Be selective and firm. Is this kind of stress necessary in my life? (usually, not) and how much of my stress is self-imposed?
• Cut out stimulants, including sugary carbohydrates. Oh, no! I can hear the groaning now (as an erratic “carbie” myself, I definitely relate to any tantrums on this one). But the spike and crash cycle that sugar, carbs, and caffeine promote does no good when you’re shooting for a reset.
- Sleep. Create a regular pattern of solid 7-9 hour sleep cycles. Discipline yourself into a routine and your circadian rhythms will follow suit.• Talk with your natural health practitioner about a supplement, diet, and exercise program that can help support healthy adrenal function.
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Tired? It Could be Your Adrenal Glands
If you’re noticing some unexplained fatigue, weight gain (and trouble taking the pounds off), irregular sleeping patterns, and mood swings, your adrenal glands may be imbalanced.
What is referred to in the natural health community as “adrenal fatigue” is not yet an officially recognized diagnosis in conventional medicine, according to the Mayo Clinic.1 Still, many natural health practitioners play close attention to their patient’s complaints – complaints that may point to adrenal fatigue, or imbalanced adrenal gland function.
All About Your Adrenals
You have two adrenal glands that sit atop your kidneys, both about the size of a walnut. These miraculous glands play a vital role in your endocrine system by releasing hormones and steroids including:
• Cortisol to help metabolize fats, proteins, and carbs
• Corticosterone to help regulate inflammation and immune function
• Aldosterone to help regulate sodium levels for blood pressure support
Your adrenal glands also release stress response hormones which eons ago would have helped you hunt game or flee predators. Today, these stress hormones kick into gear in traffic jams, during stressful days, or even during an argument:
• Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood flow, and glucose synthesis for a rapid energy burst
• Noradrenaline to help increase blood pressure
Overflow
Our adrenal glands are necessary for overall health. It is important that they be able to release all their specialized hormones and steroids when needed. That’s the catch… when needed.
It’s no secret that, while we may no longer be fleeing wild beast predators, we live in a stress-inducing world. Combine this with the fact that many of us live in such a constant state of stress that we are hardly aware of it, and therefore cannot begin to manage it, and you may have an adrenal assault on your hands.
Overworked adrenal glands can result in a flood of the very hormones and steroids designed for specific and occasional release and a possible depletion of the adrenal glands’ routine functioning.
Some symptoms of an imbalance may be:2
• General fatigue (especially in the morning), and constant reliance on stimulants for energy
• Irregular sleep patterns with energy levels rising toward bedtime, instead of winding down
• Impaired digestion and immune health
• Slow bounce back from stressors or illness
• Salt and sugar cravings, mood swings, and a fuzzy head
Check back next week for tips on maintaining healthy adrenal function and what you can do if you suspect an imbalance.
1 Nippoldt, Todd B. MD. Adrenal Fatigue: What Causes It? Mayo Clinic.com. 11/10. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adrenal-fatigue/AN01583.
2 ick, Marcelle OB-GYN NP, Marcy Holmes. Adrenal fatigue — the effects of stress and high cortisol levels. Women to Women. 11/10. http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx .
Health whitepaper
Cancer and Nutrition
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, second only to heart disease. While millions of Americans have recovered from cancer, the statistics (cancer is responsible for 23% of American adult deaths) are still staggering and the dollars spent on research, treatment, and related costs are astronomical.[1]
The National Cancer Institute does offer some good news in a new report. We are seeing a decline in death rates overall and a slight decline in the incidence, or number of new cancer diagnoses.[2] The report goes on to say, however, that growing health problems including excess weight from poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are forming what the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society calls, “[…] the most important risk factors for cancer,” after smoking.[3] Nutrition is today, more than ever, taking center stage in cancer prevention.
Cancer and Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins (carcinogens) are everywhere, from our food and water supplies to the everyday household products we use. It’s impossible to avoid all toxins, which is why I advocate a regular cleansing and detoxification program for your body. A step by step process has been proven to be the most effective and comfortable way to detoxify and it can be done from home to fit into most schedules. Specific herbs, vitamins and minerals are combined to support proper organ function and to optimize the immune system, promoting vitality and wellness naturally for disease prevention.
- For the first time cleanser, a total body cleanse opens and supports the channels of elimination—the skin, blood, lymph, colon, lungs, kidneys, and liver – in a comprehensive way. Many people realize that toxins build up in the colon, but are surprised to learn that it is also essential to support and detox the other channels as well when cleansing. Herbs and minerals such as ashwagandha, red clover, burdock root, turmeric, dandelion, cape aloe, rhubarb, triphala, slippery elm and magnesium can be used.
- Detoxification of the liver, the body’s primary toxin-processing organ, is essential for health overall. Nutrients such as N-acetyl cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), green tea and phosphatidylcholine may be combined.
- Heavy metals can build up in our bodies in so many ways – “silver” fillings, fish, fumes and cooking utensils for example – interfering with normal cellular and organ functions. B-vitamins, folic acid, selenium, zinc, ALA, garlic and kelp can assist in natural chelation and detoxification of metals.
Cancer and Inflammation
We now understand that chronic inflammation causes disease, including cancer, and that inflammation has its root in poor nutrition, among other causes. The result is damage to the intestine, and subsequently to the immune system (80% of your immunity begins in the gut!). Foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats add greatly to inflammation levels. Many processed foods contain trans fats and have been shown to increase cancer risk. These foods also contribute to weight gain and difficulty taking the weight off. We now realize it’s not just the high calories in processed food that adds on the pounds. Research now shows that the inflammation cycle which ultimately affects a person’s metabolism may be even more damaging overall. Fiber-rich whole foods are the smart choice over any processed foods, especially for someone fighting cancer or seeking to prevent it.
Fiber and Omega-3’s for Optimal Nutrition
Constipation and inflammation go hand in hand. A big reason we are seeing both conditions on the rise is the SAD (Standard American Diet). Yes, what the “average” American eats really is sad. The lack of vital fiber in the daily meal plans is a fast track to digestive issues. Fiber moves waste and toxins out of the intestines and binds with the building blocks of fats. Scientists agree that fiber also has potent anticancer benefits. An estimated one-third of cancer-related deaths could be prevented through eating more fibrous fruits and vegetables, combined with lifestyle changes.[4]
Fiber is critical to keeping weight down, greatly impacting that key risk marker for cancer. Even better, fiber is found in many nourishing, phytonutrient-rich foods that help fight off tumors. Fiber has also been found to bind with estrogen, escorting it out of the body through the bowels. Increased estrogen stimulates breast tumor growth and is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer.
- Soluble fiber (also good for the heart and blood sugar) is found in apples, barley, lentils, peaches, pears, carrots, beets, and oranges.
- Insoluble fiber (moves waste through the digestive tract) is found in flax seed, cauliflower, whole grain pastas and cereals, vegetable and fruit skins, and beans.
I recommend building up to 35 grams of fiber daily, which can be tough to do through diet alone these days. If you’re choosing a fiber supplement, look for one that contains beneficial flax, acacia, and oat fibers.
Our SAD diet is also critically low in omega-3 fats. These beneficial fats are found in cold-water fish, seaweed, and in vegetarian foods such as flax seed, chia seed, kale, and turnip greens. Omega-3 reduces internal inflammation and helps burn off excess accumulated fat.[5] Two types of omega-3, EPA and DHA, have been researched for the part they play in preventing certain types of cancers. If mackerel and turnip greens aren’t your favorites, I’ve found that supplementation is a great way to ensure adequate omega-3 intake.
Phytonutrients and Cancer
Phytonutrients found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts have shown remarkable cancer-risk reducing benefits in clinical studies conducted by the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center.[6] Specific phytonutrients called phytoestrogens have been studied and shown to reduce the risk for certain types of cancer in both men and women.[7] Isoflavones found in chickpeas and red clover are particularly beneficial, as well as lignans in carrots, spinach, broccoli, and flax plus the coumesterol found in beans, sprouts, and peas. The phytonutrients found in garlic and apple skin are powerful cancer-cell fighting foods.
The best step to preventing stomach and GI cancers is to eat fewer calories, along with making the switch to fiber-rich whole foods rather than processed foods. This commitment to whole nutrition can cut risks for digestive organ cancers by 60 percent.[8]
Replenish to Strengthen Defenses
The gut-cancer connection is often overlooked, but it ties directly into nutrition and bodily toxin load.
A poor diet plus medications such as antibiotics and acid-blockers contribute to both a deficiency in digestive enzymes, which properly break down food, and to dysbiosis, an imbalance of important gut bacteria. Dysbiosis and poorly digested foods promote inflammation in the gut, making the intestinal membrane more susceptible to toxins and food particles leaking into the blood stream. This leakage triggers more inflammation and immune dysfunction and may contribute to the development of cancer or impact the body’s ability to fight an existing cancer.
A full-spectrum enzyme supplement with betain HCl helps replenish lost enzymes and ensure food is broken down properly. The single most powerful route to correcting gut dysbiosis is to feed the intestines the beneficial bacteria they need in the form of probiotics. I urge clients to choose a probiotic supplement with multiple strains (up to 10), a high potency (at least 10 billion per capsule) and a delayed release action. In our toxic world, I believe that probiotics are literally the Gut Protection System (GPS) for a healthy life.
Whether you or someone you know is fighting cancer or simply seeking the right balance of healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices to prevent this disease, gut health is key. Eliminate toxins wherever possible, stabilize your intestinal health with probiotics, fiber, omegas and enzymes, nourish healthy cells with whole, organic foods, and for total body maintenance, cleanse and detox regularly. As we move forward toward a prevention model in health care and disease control, positive momentum builds with what we put into our bodies.
[1] Cancer. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – NIH. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/cancer/index.cfm (accessed April 8, 2012)
[1] Eheman C, et al. Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2008, Featuring Cancers Associated with Excess Weight and Lack of Sufficient Physical Activity. Cancer; Published Early Online: March 28, 2012
[3] Ibid.
[4] G. Danaei et al. Causes of cancer in the world: comparative risk assessment of nine behavioral and environmental risk factors. Lancet 366(9499):1784-93 (2005).
[5] M.V. Chakravarthy et al. “New” hepatic fat activates PPARalpha to maintain glucose, lipid, and cholesterol homeostasis. Cell Metabolism. 1(5):309-22 (2005).
[6] J Limpens et al. Combined lycopene and vitamin E treatment suppresses the growth of PC-346C human prostate cancer cells in nude mice. Jnl of Nutr. 136(5): 1287-93 (2006).
[7] M.B. Schabath et al. Dietary phytoestrogens and lung cancer risk. Jnl of Am Med Assoc. 294(12): 1493-504 (2005).
[8] Watson, B. & Smith, L (2007). The fiber 35 diet. New York. Free Press.
Press release
Nutri-Health’s Flora Sinus Probiotic Supplement Turns Seasonal Nasal Sinus Congestion on its Head
Cottonwood, AZ – Nutri-Health Supplements’ (www.nutri-health.com) exclusive probiotic and antioxidant powerhouse, Flora Sinus®, is changing the way sinus sufferers tackle nasal congestion and sinus complaints with a 100% natural blend of immune and mucus-busting ingredients.
“This is the season of suffering for so many with nasal sinus issues,” says Michael Lee, Product Development Director for Nutri-Health. “You aren’t sick but you are definitely stuffed up. The air is suddenly full of irritants and the sinuses react with a drastic increase in mucus.”
Lee emphasizes that a mucus increase is a healthy reaction to irritants and adds it is critical that mucus stay fluid and free-flowing to help flush irritants out of the nasal passages. “This is where a sinus sufferers run into trouble,” says Lee. “The common remedy is to dry up nasal mucus, but this approach tends to leave mucus and irritants trapped in your sinuses.”
Nutri-Health’s Flora Sinus takes the opposite approach. A key antioxidant in the product, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), helps break up sticky or dry mucus to allow it flow naturally, flush out irritants, and relieve sinus pressure. NAC has long been used in medicine and supplements as a potent detoxifier and mucus-busting ingredient.
In addition to targeting a major complaint for sinus sufferers—trapped mucus—Flora Sinus also addresses the important nasal microflora immune balance with select probiotic strains used in a successful Swiss clinical study. Researchers Ulrich Gluck and Jan-Olaf Gebbers tested four specific probiotic strains and found that these four, when taken together orally, helped support the balance of microflora, or positive immune microbes, in the nasal sinuses.
“Flora Sinus is the only product available with NAC and the four specific probiotic strains used in the Swiss research study,” says Lee. “Stuffy sinuses get the mucus breakdown benefits of NAC plus the nasal immune benefits of the probiotics.”
Flora Sinus offers complete seasonal sinus support:
- Breaks up mucus with NAC to relieve stuffy sinuses and allow better drainage
- Helps flush out nasal irritants with a healthy mucus flow
- Supports a balanced nasal immune response with 4 clinically studied probiotic strains, bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and S. thermophilus.
- Can be taken daily for seasonal and year-round support – all ingredients are 100% natural
“Flora Sinus has dramatically changed the way those looking for a natural solution manage their sinus issues,” says Lee. “Loyal Flora Sinus customers agree that they can’t do without it.”
Nutri-Health Supplements has made new ingredient technology, expert nutrient blends, and current consumer health concerns their company focus for over 20 years. Nutri-Health is committed to bringing innovative nutraceuticals backed by clinically researched ingredients to the marketplace. For more information on Nutri-Health’s Flora Sinus or additional products, visit www.nutri-health.com or contact Nutri-Health by phone at 1-800-914-6311.