Here's to your physical health at any age!

If you don’t have your health, it is difficult to function on a daily basis no matter what age, and the “enemy” is inflammation.  It’s not just the athlete, but it’s the stressed mom with young children, it’s the single parent working several jobs to just put food on the table, it’s the professional doctor, teacher, CPA with high demands and expectations on their time who’s getting little beneficial sleep, it’s the main bread winner working full time but also going back to school at night, and, yes, even our young college students meeting the demands of all the assignments, projects, mid-terms, finals.  All of these examples are people with some level of inflammation. 

According to Dr. Lyndon McGill, chiropractor out of Salem, Oregon, “our bodies are bombarded with pro-inflammatory conditions.  Inflammation is a response; our bodies want to fight this invader.”  There are two types of inflammation.  The first is acute inflammation which is our body’s initial response to an injury or trauma and is a good thing, it can even be life-saving.  However the second type of inflammation is chronic inflammation.  This, on the other hand, is definitely a problem. Too many things are perpetuating this inflammatory response with the result being autoimmune diseases and more.  According to Dr. McGill, “so many people are headed toward dialysis because of the damage to the liver and kidneys due to medications such as prescription meds and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.”   

Having dealt with rheumatoid arthritis since I was 36 and being on an injection of methotrexate once a week for over 13 years, I've definitely been concerned about the implications for my health long-term.  However, I’m also learning, there are a multitude of reasons our bodies, at ALL ages, are fighting inflammation.  It’s not just that sore shoulder or knee due to over use playing golf or tennis as a recreational sport.  It’s not just the former college/pro athlete who now, later in life, is “feeling the effects.”  It is EVERY ONE of us.  We are surrounded by challenges such as: chemicals in the environment, allergies, migraines, job-related stressors, lack of sleep, lack of good nutrition, high consumption of junk food and junk beverages, joint aches and pains, obesity, and the list goes on and on. 

With all that said, I want to introduce you to a product that has changed my life as well as many others.  Hear me out. DO NOT stop reading.  I am not someone who will bombard others “advertising” products, however, this one is changing lives, its proprietary, clean, and the focus is on reducing chronic inflammation.  What is it?  It’s a small beet capsule called Limitless.  Like a vitamin/mineral benefits us, this small capsule taken two times a day, preferably on an empty stomach serves to strengthen your body and how it functions.  Testimonials range from high school athletes, to my 87 year old mom, to former college and pro athletes, those of us concerned about aging, and also ob/gyn professionals, dentists, and even veterinarians. 

What makes this capsule so powerful?  It contains one ingredient which is a targeted concentration of pure beet root powder containing a superior source of betalain.  The patent-pending process to extract the betalain allows for the purity, zero calories, and zero sugar.  What are the benefits:  *fights fatigue   *fights free-radicals   *promotes joint health   *improves mental alertness   *promotes healthy aging   *reduces chronic inflammation     Did you know there is even a correlation between obesity and inflammation markers?  Not only is there more stress on the joints, but fat cells themselves cause a release of inflammatory markers around the fat cells creating an adverse environment to losing weight. 

The latest “buzz word” is beets.  Even Dr. Oz proclaims that red is the “new green.”  Whether you do or do not like beets will not be an issue as the capsule is tiny and easy to swallow.   In addition, you will receive the benefits of eating 500 beets to get the amount of betalain nutrition in only one Limitless capsule but NO sugar. 

Jon and I have been taking this product for almost two years now, and we will continue with Limitless as part of our daily routine just like taking our vitamin D3 tablet.  There is a 100% money back guarantee if you try this product for 84 days.   We are all about helping people be the best they can be physically and mentally in order to have a high quality of life, and it starts with acknowledging chronic inflammation is a huge problem for all of us at any age.

Here’s to a healthy week.  Message me back if you’d like more information about Limitless.  For those of you who are already taking Limitless, I celebrate your focus on your own health now and in the future!!

Soda? Diet Soda? Energy Drink?

Soda – Diet Soda – Energy Drink?

What’s your preference?

I’m not a doctor, I don’t presume to know all the science behind nutrition, but I am aware of the topic of sugar from Dr. Oz and many others.  I’m sharing a few key points for you to reflect on and pay attention to this week.

 

How often do you drink a soda (pop) on a daily basis?  Is it a diet soda or regular soda?  Or is your drink of choice an energy drink?

According to an article in Women to Women, they referred to statistics from Beverage Digest, “overall sales of soda (sugar and diet) were 10.2 billion cases in 2005; about 828 eight-ounce servings a year (or 2.5 servings per day) for every man, woman, and child.  That number is actually down from 849 last year, mostly due to the rise in energy drinks – which come with their own concerns.”

“A regular 12-ounce soda contains the equivalent of nine teaspoons of sugar, usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup….is it any wonder we are gaining unprecedented amounts of weight and even our children are developing type 2 diabetes? 

So doesn’t it make sense to drink diet?  Yes, diet does have fewer calories than a regular soda, however, it appears that “artificial sweeteners can actually set us up to gain more weight.”  There are different views on this, but “many scientists agree that artificial sweeteners may interact with our body’s sense of sugar satisfaction…some experts are exploring the possibility that artificial sweeteners confuse our taste buds and all those brain measures of satierty which we base what we eat.”  Remember…it is artificial..

Ok, I’ve heard all the concerns about sugar in soda and the problems with diet soda, so energy drinks must be better, right?  Besides I am always tired and need more energy.  Sound familiar?  Dr. Oz says this…”energy drinks are risky.  It’s important to understand what is actually in these drinks.”  (Check out his website in reference to energy drinks.)  “Although known as ‘energy drinks’ many of these products don’t provide any real energy as you would get from carbs, for example.  Instead, they provide a stimulant caffeine. Labels typically don’t tell you exactly how much caffeine is in a product.  At ConsumerLab.com, we recently tested caffeine levels in three popular energy drinks.  A five-ounce bottle of Monster Energy M-3 Super Concentrate contained 206 mg of caffeine and 5-Hour Energy contained about the same amount but in just 2 ounces meaning that 5-Hour Energy is even more concentrated than Monster. In comparison, a full 8-ounce cup of regularly brewed coffee has just about 95 mg. of caffeine.  Details are in ConsumerLab.com’s Product Review of B Vitamins Supplements and Energy Drinks (available through the 24-hour free pass to Dr. Oz viewers).

Now what do I do?  I know I need to drink water, which I do, but I also need something more at times. In this past year, I have found a clean, natural and healthy alternative.  Evolv Activate is a cellular energy activator that has science-driven results.  I drink it for my workouts, others drink it while running, skiing, students are drinking it for more energy and focus while studying, and it’s also a great drink for that 3:00 slump.  

What makes this drink different?  ActivateATP!  “It’s a cellular energy activator that works gently with your body’s own energy pathways to give you a boost right where it begins: at the cellular level.”  This is a proprietary drink, includes green tea extract, only natural lemon flavor and no artificial sweeteners.  Click on the link below for more information about the Activate Fuel drink. 

http://www.evolvhealth.com/activateatp/

This is now my drink of choice.    I have a steady level of energy throughout my workout and throughout the day, I am more focused, there are no peaks and valleys in my energy level unlike the drinks with all the sugar, and I know I’m putting clean, natural ingredients into my body.

Pay attention this week to what you are drinking, how much you’re drinking, how you’re feeling, and read the labels.  I would enjoy hearing your comments.

YOUR Health and Wellness - How's That Going For YOU?

I recently purchased the book The Dr's Diet by Dr. Travis Stork who is the host of the Emmy award-winning show, The Doctors.  He's also very cute.  :)

As I've been focusing on inflammation these past few blogs, I came across more information from Dr. Travis.  "On one hand, inflammation is an amazing biological response that we couldn't survive without.  It's our immune system's response to danger...our body 'turns up the heat' in an effort to protect us from this invasion." 

"On the other hand, when there's too much inflammation, it can damage healthy cells as well as invaders.  The excessive inflammation goes too far, harming the cells and tissues it's suppose to be helping."  As I mentioned earlier, "there's a wide range of diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's - pretty much all the major killers in our society. Genetic factors may also play a part."

In this particular book, there is a focus on weight management and eating right.  I've read may other books as well, but this one resonates with me much more than some of the others.  I like practical, easy, sensible, and guilt free.  The health information is presented in an easy to understand way with every day life examples and comparisons. There is information in the beginning and then easy, quick recipe for meals.  I would highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in either losing weight, restoring your health, and/or good solid information about your health.

"By improving your diet and losing excess fat, you can turn the heat down on inflammation.  In doing so, you lower your risk for developing the many diseases associated with chronic inflammation - the very diseases that so often cause premature death and disability."

So, now comes the real "meat."  In order to change something in your life, YOU have to change.  Not earth shattering news but REAL!

My goal in these blogs is to give you "food for thought" and hopefully help some of you make a lifetime change and commitment.  I want to Help People Evolv in all areas of their lives. 

Have a great week!