How much of what I put in my mouth does something positive in my body?

Empty calories, empty promises. Consumers are so hoodwinked by the terms "natural", "organic", "wheat", "low fat", "light".  Advertisers know just what we're looking for and are eager to give the quick fix as busy Moms are rushing through the grocery aisles..If they can make their product look or sound nutritious, they have won the battle for our shopping dollars. Couple this phenomenon with trips to the Doctor's office for our various complaints and ailments.  We put "junk" in our bodies and the "cure" is prescriptions that may do some good...but have consequences of their own. It is a destructive, vicious cycle! We feel bad, we have no energy, we put caffeine and sugar laden-ed foods in our bodies to feel better temporarily. The cost?  Many of our dollars, but much more precious, our very health. A 2011 study from the University of Oklahoma shows that women who drink two or more sweetened beverages a day are more likely to gain weight, increase waist size, and develop other risk factors for heart disease... (from Health.com January/February 2012). Hey...I'll take a Spark any day!!!https://www.advocare.com/09094089/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=A2096&id=ALL&flavor=L&size=C

Unfortunately, our precious Doctors are often not equipped to help in the area of nutrition. My most recent visit with a Gastrointestinal Doctor is a case in point.  When asked if stress or nutrition had anything to do with my flair up of symptoms, the answer was "probably not".  Yet, if I follow the actual experiences of Crohn's and Colitis patients, they will tell you that their experience completely contradicts that assumption.

Let's turn the vicious cycles into healthy momentum.  If we feel better, we look better and perform better. Performance in life matters whether we are long distance runners or Moms making it through our endless to do lists!!  When we have more energy, we make better food choices.  When we have more energy, we make better choices in life.  Sometimes we just have to remember to HALT!!  Don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired! When we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired...we make rotten choices!! How many articles have we read about NOT grocery shopping on an empty stomach!!  We don't care that advertisers are luring us at that point...we just want out of the grocery store!

It has been said that fitness sculpts the muscles, but nutrition helps you see them! Perhaps, instead of watching our bathroom scales so obsessively, we should focus on how we feel, how much energy we have, and how our clothes fit. We all know that exercise and nutrition go hand in hand. "A lack of regular exercise can take years off your life, but having a well-rounded fitness routine can help you be able to do what you want, when you want to do it," says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Do something today to change the direction of your momentum.  Instead of the downward spiral, make a few small changes to turn your life and health around.  It doesn't have to be complicated but it does require making some decisions. Invest in your health, it's worth it.  AdvoCare's products don't perform miracles or heal your diseases, but so many of us have experienced such life changes that we feel like a miracle.  If I can help....www.advocare.com/09094089. I love AdvoCare products for many reasons.  Today, I'll just mention two.  Instead of investing in advertising, AdvoCare puts dollars into product development and research based on sound science. Instead of hiring marketing specialists, AdvoCare has a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board made up of members who are highly regarded and recognized in the fields of medicine, nutrition, and science. Instead of multi-million dollar contracts, AdvoCare has world-class athletes, coaches, and performers who use and endorse the products and ARE NOT PAID.  That speaks to me!

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Epigenetics: what we inherited (our "hard drive") can't be changed, but our genetic "software" CAN be cleaned up.

We all know that there is a difference in our biological age and our chronological age.  We have seen or heard about older folks who do incredible physical activities but we have all seen the converse.  Precious people who are old beyond their years.  People who get winded walking up a hill or can't enjoy physical activities with their children or grandchildren. It is tempting to blame these things on "heredity".  One of my life's passions is to challenge that thinking.  Whether we are talking about character issues, economic status, or our health.  Hear this:  IF WE CAN MAKE CHOICES TO LEAD TO PLACES WE DON'T LIKE, THEN OUR BETTER CHOICES CAN ALSO LEAD US TO PLACES WE DO LIKE.

Today, I want to talk specifically about inflammation.  Let's look at the various conditions that inflammation can cause in our bodies:

*joint pain
*GI Health
*obesity
*cardiovascular disease
*cognition and dementia
*Insulin resistance
*Muscle wasting
*Asthma

The ONLY conditions in this list that give us  immediate feedback are joint inflammation  and GI health. These other conditions can "sneak up on us" over months and years. How much is heredity and how much is lifestyle?  That answer if debatable.  It is true, however, that our genetic "software" can be cleaned up and altered.

50% of all premature deaths are preventable.  Follow that line of thinking, and you will see that many of these health issues are preventable. The MAJOR killer in the US:  Heart and vascular disease.  It is THE #1 killer for both men AND women (12X more deaths than breast cancer even though breast cancer gets a lot of press.) Leading causes of these deaths: tobacco use, high blood pressure, being overweight/obesity, and physical inactivity.

Enough for today's health lesson.  What is the prescription?  Because of the decline in nutrient  content in our foods, 72% of Cardiologists and 91% Orthopedists recommend nutritional supplements. 

I will just focus on one in this writing, CoQ10. It has been said that this supplement is like "a Mediterranean Diet in a bottle." CoQ10 regulates energy and cell function in our bodies and is terrific for our cardiovascular health.  If you are on statin drugs to lower cholesterol, these drugs may be lowering your CoQ10 levels.  CoQ10 can also help with muscle aches and pains.  (This information was provided by AdvoCare's Dr. Stanley Dudrick, the "Father of Total Parenteral Nutrition and whose student was the Nobel prize winner for lupitor.) The CoQ10 I personally recommend is pictured at right.  If you want to learn more, go to www.advocare.com/09094089, click on products and go to this product's page.  You will find ingredients, uses, and testimonies. 

Do SOMETHING to change your health today and set a great example for those watching you.  It does matter!  You were created to be a Champion!!~! 

Which supplements are right for YOU?

Supplements and more supplements, they are everywhere you turn!  In grocery stores, health food stores, drug stores, gyms, some hair salons, discount stores, etc., etc.  How does one decide?  What do I need?  What is a waste of my hard earned money? In a previous post...I asked "can you afford to NOT take supplements"? The answer is...nearly all people need some type of vitamin/mineral supplements because our diets have as many holes in them as swiss cheese. We don't eat like we should and many of our foods have the nutrition sucked right out of them...between processing or the way we prepare them. Adding to the confusion:  The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the supplement industry. (Not that their regulation would necessarily clear up much of the confusion!)

So what's a person to do?  We have to do our homework.  We have to talk with people we trust.  In addition...you want a "tour guide not a travel agent"!  By that I mean...a tour guide has been there and will show you the way.  A travel agent sells you...but may not have a clue as to the details!  AND...if someone thinks they have all the answers and wants you on a set regime...RUN!!! All of our bodies and all of our needs are different!

So....because the subject of supplements is HUGE, I am just going to do an overview in this blog post.  Details will follow regarding specific supplements.

MOST folks should be on a good Multivitamin.  This is "Swiss cheese" insurance.  And...as I've shared in previous posts...there is a vast difference in multivitamins.  You want one that is easily absorbed and won't wind up in your toilet. Look for well absorbed chelated minerals vs. simple (ionic) forms. They should have a high number of nutrients. We must be sure that we are getting enough vitamin D as this vitamin helps to incorporate calcium into the bones and slows the aging of arteries.  Most of us are not getting enough Vitamin D.  If your multivitamin does not contain enough...be sure your Calcium tablet contains enough when you combine them. (ex. 1.000 IU daily if you're younger than 60 or 1,200 daily if you're 60 or older.)


Omega-3's are the next supplement I would highly recommend. These are polyunsaturated fats vital for normal life functions like proper brain and nerve development, strengthened immune and cardiovascular systems, healthier skin, hair, joints, muscles and bones.  Since they cannot be made in the body, they must be supplied through diet.  Unless you have a diet loaded with salmon and other coldwater fish...Omega's are essential. These must contain the right balance of EPA and DHA (the right omega's in the right proportion).  Flaxseed oil, for instance, must be converted in the body before use and this is a very inefficient process.  The omega's need to be in a pure form (refrigerate your capsules...if they become cloudy...they are not pure).

That's quite enough "science" for me in one day!  I'll share more next time.  We'll talk about calcium and probiotics!


And of course, I can't close without telling you that I am a tour guide!  If you want to check out the supplements my family and I use...go to www.advocare.com/09094089. You can click on any one product and get facts, ingredients, uses, and testimonies.  Either way...do your homework and be a good steward of your hard earned money!!