AntiAgingByDesign.com

What are the causes of aging? Why do we have a certain life span? Life forms have different life expectancies, from days to many years. Fortunately, humans can live very long lives. And science continues to find ways for us to live longer.

One person can age very differently from another. Did you ever hear someone say, ‘he’s a very young 75′ or, ’she’s 40 going on 80!’ It is really our cells that age, or make our organs sick. There are many factors that cause our cells to age, and many that we can prevent. We know a lot more about diet, exercise, and lifestyles than those that came even a generation before us. The choices we make, however, are not always reflective of what we know.

I was thinking the other day about the overweight and obesity rates that are so high in the United States right now. What if soda and other hidden-calorie drinks that are loaded with sugar were never invented. What if processed foods were not available for us to eat. What if fast food was non-existent? If we had to take the time to process (clean, peel, etc.) and/or cook vegetables
for every meal, and we choose to make them the significant part of our daily diet, think about what that would do for our health and for our weight.

Environmental factors can play a part in aging as well. Pollution, chemicals, and toxins are everywhere in our daily lives. Inside our homes, outside our homes, they are hard to avoid. We do have more options today with the many green choices of products we can buy, and there have been major green actions to help clean our planet including the air we breathe.

Our cells and organs are affected by aging in different ways. We have choices here as well, to help keep these organs working as they are meant to work and staying disease free to help us live longer, healthier lives.

The heart wall thickens and, over time, is not able to pump blood as efficiently as it should. As we grow older, the amount of oxygen we have for use during exercise decreases.

Arteries can become thick and stiff when cholesterol and calcium build up in them. When the arteries narrow and lose their elasticity, we get high blood pressure.

I thought it was frightening that our breathing capacity declines around 40 percent as we move from age 20 to age 70.

When the number of brain cells decrease, we see memory impairment and even Alzheimers. This is one of the scariest symptoms of aging for many people.

The important bladder can lose its tone and tissues weaken causing loss of control.

Body fat increases as we age and can cause many diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Losing bone density leads to osteoporosis and fractures.

Our eyes and ears are not to be ignored. Eyes and ears begin to fade as we age and issues with both can impact our lifestyles.

Even though we know that diet and exercise and lifestyle can make a great difference in the health of our organs, we still don’t always make the healthy choices.

Free radicals are causes of aging that we hear about most. To a certain extent, free radicals have a useful purpose. When they help destroy bacteria or other invaders to the body, they are good. It is when they are in excess that we have problems. And with factors like sun exposure, radiation, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, we do get an excess of free radicals.

Inflammation can be the root cause of many diseases of aging. There are many theories about why people seem to have more inflammation in their bodies, and many are centered around our diets. Deficiencies in hormones can lead to premature aging and various diseases. Our immune system declines as we age, and can be accelerated by things like stress and depression. We are not able to fight off illness and disease as well with a compromised immune system. There are many processes that go on inside our cells daily that can effect how and when we age.

What scientists have been studying for many years is how to impact these causes of aging in our cells. How do we help the body processes to perform as they should, at the cellular level? How do we prevent inflammation in the body, and keep optimal hormone levels present in the body? How do we neutralize the excess of free radicals?

When we activate specific processes in our cells, we can make an important difference in the health of them. Antioxidants can help the performance of our cells. Newly discovered resveratrol can activate a gene in the body that fights the diseases of aging. Diets that are high in fiber and balanced in protein and good carbohydrates, with enough fruits and vegetables help us maintain healthy weights and gives our bodies the nutrients they need for optimal health. Supplementing the diet with food supplements, like vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and targeted herbals, can fill the gaps that we don’t get from foods on a daily basis. Exercise is very important for overall health including heart health and joint health.

We already have many answers in regard to what causes aging. We must answer the question personally, “Are we following what scientists have discovered and what we now know about fighting aging and being healthy throughout our lives?”

The health benefits of resveratrol have only just begun to be discovered. It has been called the Fountain of Youth. It has been called the key to longevity. I have heard the terms healthy old age, beat the clock, rejuvenation drug, quest to put death on hold – all exciting in terms of living longer and being healthier. Resveratrol is found in high concentrations in the skin of grapes. It has been studied for years and a pharmaceutical drug is currently in development. Right now, we have natural supplements available with resveratrol.

So what health benefits can we expect from resveratrol? First, when we look at aging, we know that as the body ages we can develop diseases of aging like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimers. There is a longevity gene in our body that can effectively fight aging, and specifically these diseases of aging. Scientists have known about it for years. The problem is that it is only turned on during extreme dieting, or calorie restriction. Most people can not maintain that kind of daily diet because it involves cutting calories 30 to 35% and is very hard to do without being hungry all of the time. When we eat a lot of food, and many of us eat more food than our body needs each day, this gene is turned off.

What resveratrol can do, in the right amounts, is to trick the body into thinking it is on a calorie restriction diet so that the longevity gene can be turned on. In this way, the body can maintain healthy blood levels and healthy cells that fight the diseases of aging. Another scientific discovery that can partner with resveratrol in the fight against aging are polyphenols, powerful phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables.

There are four mechanisms of aging in our bodies. First, DNA damage occurs daily when the cells in your body are attacked and not able to function optimally. Next, we have genetic regulators that help build and repair cells. Third is the declining energy in our cells that occurs when free radicals damage cells. Last, there are AGE proteins that are formed when our cells are not functioning properly, and can cause cell death.

Current science has brought us natural supplements that include both resveratrol and polyphenols that can impact all four mechanisms of aging. It is up to the anti-aging consumer to do his or her homework and find a brand with the significant amount of resveratrol that is needed to turn on the longevity gene that prolongs life and vitality, and has the polyphenols to fight aging.

What are some healthy considerations you should know about resveratrol and polyphenols? Some resveratrol-only supplements have Emodin (a chemical laxative) that can be hard to tolerate in the digestive system. Others have very small amounts of resveratrol so that many doses would be needed daily to get the kind of effect that science has shown to work. The highest concentration of polyphenols can be found in the muscadine (super) grape which contains an extra chromosome (that no other grape has) and ellagic acid (also not found in ordinary grapes) that is associated with anti-aging.

There are challenges in the preparations of supplements like resveratrol and polyphenols. It is a fact that not all companies that produce one or the other have the science or the research to develop extraction methods that can preserve the full potency, complex formulations that get absorbed, and high quality ingredients that can provide results you can measure.

To learn more about what the health benefits of resveratrol are, visit the world’s only cellular anti-aging tonic of resveratrol and polyphenols.

When our digestive tracts are functioning properly, we feel a whole lot better than when we suffer from an upset stomach, reflux, heartburn, ulcers, constipation, Crohn’s Disease, or a host of other digestive illnesses. The body’s digestion system is so important for good health because it connects the nutrients in our body to our blood and to our cells that build better health.

Symptoms like gas, bloating, intestinal pain, and constipation, are not things we like to talk about. Many times we don’t even like to talk to our doctors about these uncomfortable subjects. The unfortunate thing is that these health challenges do not often get fixed without some attention to them. Plus, without either natural nutrition solutions, or medication if the problem is more serious, digestive issues leave your body less able to absorb the nutrients it needs.

How is digestion supposed to work? Let’s look at the processes our body utilizes to digest food. First, we have the mouth that is responsible for chewing our food. Our bodies use saliva to help break down complex carbohydrates and chewing prompts our digestive enzymes to do their job.

Next is the stomach, which is filled with acid to help digestion. When people experience problems like heartburn or reflux, there is a back up of the stomach contents into the esophagus. While this is unpleasant to live with, medications that neutralize stomach acid also make it hard for the stomach to digest food properly without that acid.

Our small intestines are the next part of the digestion process. It’s role is to finish breaking the food into the pieces that our body can absorb. When there is a problem in the intestines it is usually due to inflammation, and inflammation keeps our body from absorbing the nutrients it needs.

What causes the problems in each area of digestion? In the mouth, the first key to note about aging is that by age 30 we are already producing less of these digestive enzymes and some people are more affected by this shortage than others. People who are lactose intolerant or people who have trouble digesting foods like broccoli or beans without gas or bloating symptoms may need to supplement with some natural digestive enzymes.

Certain drinks like coffee and soda can interfere with digestion and cause symptoms like heartburn. Stress also affects the stomach and its ability to function properly. There are safe, natural stress relief solutions that can calm the stomach and the nerves.

Scientists believe that many people have an imbalance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in their daily diets. When this occurs there can be inflammation in the body. By increasing Omega-3’s and limiting Omega-6 cooking oils in the diet, the unhealthy ratio can be turned around.

We become what we eat. It makes sense that what we feed our body is going to produce good health or present us with challenges and illness. Eating fruits and vegetables, and avoiding processed foods as much as we can, builds better health. A healthy digestion system is needed to break down all foods, and yet if we haven’t been eating an optimal diet we may need to look at healing our digestive tract first.

Digestion is key to the staples of life for our bodies: proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. There are 20 amino acids in protein. Our bodies can make 12 of them and the other 8 we must get from our food. A healthy stomach will be able to process the proteins so they can be absorbed into the blood stream. Carbohydrates need a functioning stomach to break them down so that they can be absorbed and provide our cells with energy to power the body. Dietary fat is important to the body because our hormones, nerves, the brain, and the outer wall of our cells are mostly fat. It is processed in the small intestine and also absorbed in the body there.

It is easy to see that healthy digestion at each step is important for the body to absorb nutrients in order to be healthy, and also in order to feel good and not have the unwelcome symptoms and digestive problems that can occur. For many folks, this can be a vicious cycle instead of a normal process.

If digestive issues like upset stomach, reflux, heartburn, ulcers, constipation, Crohn’s Disease or other digestion related problems are a source of discomfort in your life, there are natural solutions for feeling better. Natural digestive enzymes can help the body process foods when it can’t do an optimal job on its own. Natural pre-biotics and pro-biotics can balance and heal the digestive tract.

There are natural, soothing herbs for upset stomach relief, and natural stress relief nutrients to calm the stomach. Natural, chewable calcium magnesium supplements can help with acid-stomach upset. Finally, omega-3 fatty acid supplements can improve the body’s balance of essential fatty acids and help eliminate inflammation. Natural supplements can be used in combination with each other if more than one is needed to address digestion issues. People who do not have life threatening illnesses that require medication, can find relief without side effects by using natural health solutions.

The CBS 60 Minutes show aired a special about anti-aging resveratrol back in January, 2009. This evening they updated the story. The laboratory research that began with mice and monkeys have moved to humans. First, there was a pre-diabetic group participating in resveratrol studies, and results were very positive. Right now there is a group of people with cancer that are participating in clinical trials.

As the doctors who lead resveratrol research discussed, the goal is for humans to live longer, healthier lives. While we might not be able to turn the clock back 30 years, scientists have found a way to slow down aging. There is a gene in all human bodies that is not an active gene. By finding a way to turn on the gene, it enables the body to fight aging including diseases like diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimers.

The scientists discussed the studies with the monkeys in the lab. Even the ‘fat’ monkeys – those that were not on calorie restricted diets – who were given resveratrol were healthier and lived longer. Their organs that were inspected after their deaths appeared very healthy and youthful.

This is great news for humans because, until now, the only option we have for effective anti-aging is what’s called calorie restriction. Restricting our daily diets by 30 to 35% of calories consumes will keep the human body younger, leaner, and healthier. The problem is that most humans can not sustain this kind of diet. The food is not desirable and most people are hungry all of the time.

The show featured a group called ‘The Skinnys’ who are part of a study of people who commit to staying on a calorie restricted diet. The food that they showed was not exactly appealing. The people were very skinny and looked healthy but it is doubtful that the majority of people could live that kind of lifestyle.

The option to be able to take a pill and know that we can have better health while living the same kind of lifestyle we are accustomed is exciting to most of us. This resveratrol pill may help people who are already aging to fight disease and let them be more active and have more energy and better quality of life.

It was stated in the show that this fountain of youth pill may be still 5 years from market, if it passes as a pharmaceutical at all. What we have now is resveratrol in supplement form. You have to do your homework on the amount of resveratrol you find in a particular brand. This is going to vary in a big way. Many companies have jumped on resveratrol like it is a fad and put together products that are not high quality or highly concentrated.

There are safe and effective pharmaceutical grade resveratrol supplements that have 10X more resveratrol than other brands. You will need higher concentrations in order to see results. It is also important to choose a reputable brand with their own science behind the product to insure that a formula is available that will actually get absorbed in your body in an amount that can impact aging in a measurable way.

To learn more about Shaklee Independent Distributor anti-aging resveratrol plus polyphenols from a super (muscadine) grape that takes resveratrol to a new level with 10X more power than resveratrol only supplements, visit http://revolutionarynutrition4you.com.

It seems you cannot turn on a news show without hearing about the latest research about hormones. There is research on how a woman’s hormone levels change during her life time. There is research on hormone replacement therapy. There is research in bio-identical hormone replacement. This is just the tip of the hormone research being done.

Women want to know how to deal with hormones or the lack of hormones because it affects their daily lives and impacts others also. Hormones, and the nasty symptoms they can produce like pms and during menopause, can make a woman feel like she is going crazy and how about the people in their lives. We have all heard stories of people having to put up with us when our hormones are on attack.

There are many hormones in our bodies, not just estrogen. They help with body functions by carrying messages to the cells. There are two types of hormones, steroids and peptides. Peptides are the hormones that take care of tasks such as growth and insulin. Steroids are the hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones regulate sexual maturity and fertility.

During a woman’s lifetime her hormone levels change. There is time in her early teens where she goes through puberty. Estrogen and progesterone are released and there are obvious changes. Breast development as well as the start of the monthly cycle is part of this change brought about by these hormones.

When a woman gets old enough to consider birth control one of her options is birth control pills. These are a form or estrogen and progesterone. There are benefits and risks to this method of birth control, but they are still the leading birth control.

An older woman going through what is commonly called “the change”, or menopause, may consider hormone replacement therapy. When a woman gets older, her body changes again. Less estrogen and progesterone are produced. This change can cause various signs and symptoms. She will no longer have a menstrual cycle. She may suffer from hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue and weight gain. All this is caused by the fluctuation of female hormones.

Many women suffer through menopause without any drugs. Others look for hormone replacement therapy or HRT. Taking low dose estrogen and progesterone can help elevate the symptoms. It has also been shown HRT can help a woman maintain bone density. A link between low female hormones and osteoporosis has been in many studies.

Another group of women which suffer through hormone deficiencies are those who have had hysterectomies. When the ovaries are removed the body no longer produces the needed amounts of estrogen. Women in their 20s and 30s which have had a hysterectomy or an oophorectomy, which is ovary removal, are often given ERT, Estrogen Replacement Therapy. At this early of an age the benefits outweigh the risk. Women who have these procedures later in life may be given the option of ERT or HRT, since they would be closer to menopause.

Women have to consider the benefits and risk of taking hormones at any stage of their lives. There are risks as well as benefits which have to be considered. HRT has been linked to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer and blood clots. It has also been linked to potential cardiovascular and gallbladder disease.

HRT or ERT may not be for you. The risks mentioned above, along with other negative things you may have heard other women experience or you read about yourself, may discourage you from choosing this course. There are other solutions.

Natural health offers an abundance of help in regulating hormones. Consistent daily use of targeted natural nutrition products can make a significant impact on symptoms and challenges of hormones throughout a female’s life. When we are able to give the body what it needs to balance the hormones, we feel that difference in our moods, our energy level, and our lack of all the nasty symptoms we might have otherwise had.

We all have hormones and at some point in our lives will have to deal with the issues hormones create. How we choose to deal with them is a personal decision and we need to make an informed decision. Do your research. Speak with your health care provider. Always keep in mind it is your decision and make the one that fits you and your lifestyle.

For more information about natural solutions for hormone challenges, visit www.yourhealthwebsite.net or contact me directly for in-depth information on natural health for women.

Guest post today by Nancy Cashman

If you are a woman between the ages of 40-50 you are either getting ready to go through, or are in, menopause. I was 42 and started to experience irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, and fatigue. I knew through family and friends that there were choices between natural menopause treatments of vitamins and nutrition, and doctor prescribed treatments that help women through the process of menopause.

Wanting to rule out a more serious medical condition, I first made an appointment with my medical physician. Never having been pregnant I did not have a regular obgyn. I had gone to the same general practice doctor since I was 18 years old, and had a lot of confidence in going through this new phase of my life with him.

After a blood test confirmed the start of menopause, I have to admit I was happy. Some may think I was crazy, but I figured after almost 30 years of monthly cramps, pms, and the other restrictions I had paid my dues.

As I said, my relationship with my doctor was great. He immediately offered to prescribe a hormone replacement drug to get me through the 3-5 years of menopause. After doing my own research I did not care for all the negative information I was getting. I thought it would be a more healthy option to target things like menopause treatments with vitamins and nutrition at the very first signs my body was changing.

Thankfully my sister was a Shaklee Independent Distributor and introduced me to a combination of natural products. I immediately started using them and sailed through menopause drug free. With reports of some of these very same drugs that are prescribed for menopause being pulled off the market, I am glad I chose the natural way.

Whether it is coping with menstrual cycle issues like PMS, or dealing with the transition to menopause, there are natural health solutions to help meet the unique health needs of women throughout every stage of life by giving the body what it needs in the form of nutrients targeted for women. When the body processes are functioning properly, you feel that in the form of feeling good because your body is not having the symptoms that make you feel lousy.

The products that I feel helped me the most are soy protein, an herbal menopause blend, calcium-magnesium, and a unique gamma linolenic acid formula (GLA). One difference that I have come to appreciate with Shaklee nutrition is that they combine ingredients in many of their products, allowing them to work together to give better results than individual ingredients. It was explained to me that they work synergistically to perform best. The definition of synergy is: a dynamic state in which combined action is favored over the sum of individual component actions.

There are also differences in the quality of ingredients and formulation processes that set this brand apart. For instance, the high quality energizing soy protein is water-washed so that it retains the critical isoflavones genistein and daidzein that provide health benefits associated with the whole goodness of soy. Other brands that are alcohol processed remove these beneficial isoflavones, and use chemicals that cross-contaminate. There are different options for using the soy, including my favorite, the Cinch Shakes.  They contain the same energizing soy, and are formulated into a full meal with fiber included, to make a perfect breakfast and wonderful nutrition start for the day.

A key product that made a difference for me once I knew that I had started menopause was the Menopause Balancing Complex, a combination of black cohosh, soy isoflavones, flaxseed oil, dong quai extract, red clover extract, and licorice extract. It is a unique combination of phytoestrogens that help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, promotes restful sleep, and helps reduce mood swings.

GLA promotes well-being for women during their menstrual cycles and is beneficial through menopause as well. The Shaklee formula contains GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that our bodies use to form prostaglandins – potent, hormone-like subtances that help the body to regulate many normal body processes, sunflower seed oil that is another source of health omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E.

Calcium is not to be underestimated in its value to girls and women throughout their lives. Other nutrients in this brand’s highly absorbable calcium blend include vitamins D & K, and magnesium. Benefits include reduction of PMS symptoms such as bloating, cramps, water retention, irritability, and moodiness.

Nancy Cashman represents Shaklee Independent Distributor brand Women’s Natural Nutrition Health Products. To learn more about high quality gluten free nutrition, contact Nancy through her website www.havegoodhealthforlife.com or www.nancycashman.com.

Today’s kids are faced with fast food choices and junk food because we live in a fast-paced lifestyle that often does not include meals centered around optimal nutrition. The majority of today’s children get 25% of their daily calories from junk food. Along with those calories are salt, preservatives and many other artificial ingredients. When a child takes their calories in through junk food they are depriving themselves of the nutrients they need on a daily basis.

Parents and adults are given the responsibility of teaching children good eating habits. The first step in teaching them is by eating healthy. A child mimics adult behavior they see. If the adult influence in their young lives is eating vegetables and whole grains and enjoying them, this increases the chance the child will also want to eat these foods.

Children need essential vitamins and minerals in their daily diets to ensure healthy growth. Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron and Zinc are all important. They ensure a child will have healthy bones and growth patterns.

Another concern with children and nutrition is childhood obesity. With the availability of bad food choices surrounding them it is a growing issue in developed countries. The number one vegetable choice for children is the french fry. Teaching our kids to eat healthy is important in raising a healthy generation. Children who make bad choices and become obese may encounter many health issues while growing up and into adulthood.

Have your child help with the menu. Children who play an active role in making the decisions on healthy food choices will more willingly eat healthy. Explain to them the benefits of healthy eating in terms they can understand. Children are intelligent. They want more than candy is bad for you. Explain to them the importance of nutrition and their growing bodies on a level they can grasp.

Do not totally outlaw unhealthy food. We all know when things are forbidden they are desired even more. We need to teach our children moderation. Eating healthy can be a huge source of frustration if we let it escalate to that point. Some parents think they can’t turn their child’s unhealthy eating around. Balance is key. If you start slowly, and address one meal at a time, utilizing the suggestions above, healthier eating patterns can be established in a short time.

Get your children out and get them active. A child exposed to sunshine ten to fifteen minutes several times a week will get a source of Vitamin D that is important to bone and teeth health. Keeping them active on a regular basis also helps them maintain a healthy weight.

We are all concerned our children do not get the proper amount of minerals and vitamins. Even if they are eating a well rounded diet with varied foods and limited junk food, we still worry. Talk to your health care provider. Many times they will recommend the child take supplements. Food supplements will make certain your child gets the recommended daily allowance of nutrients the AAP, American Association of Pediatrics recommend.

A quality multi-vitamin/multi-mineral can insure children get all the nutrients they need to be healthy and grow healthy. Science keeps us up-to-date on the specific vitamins and minerals we need to fill the gaps. Recently new immunity ingredients have been added to multi-vitamins, like the Shaklee Corporation being the first company in the U. S. to add lactoferrin to their new Incredivites product. Fish oil is like the new wonder food with its ability to help boost children’s performance at school, and help children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD, and dyspraxia. Since many children do not like to eat fish, there are high quality, pharmaceutical grade natural supplements available.

The health of our growing children should be a priority. That they receive the daily nutrients they need for strong bodies and minds is key to raising healthy kids. Teach them to try different foods. Lead by example and eat health foods yourself. Limit the junk food and fast foods consumed, and watch liquids that contain sugar as these are liquid calories and many have very little if any nutrition.

Get involved in your child’s food choices. As they get older they will make more of these decisions on their own. Giving them a strong foundation to make the right choices can help make a dramatic difference in the health they enjoy as they grow.

To learn more about pharmaceutical grade kids nutrition proven to work to build good health in childhood and lay the foundation for a healthy life, visit our healthy kids page.

Can you imagine starting at birth a plan to fight aging all of your life? Do you think it is too soon? I don’t. We already know that most of us are not getting the nutrients we need for optimal health on a daily basis, unless we supplement. Doesn’t it make sense that if we start young, even at birth, to fuel our bodies with high quality nutrition, that those bodies are going to be healthier and live longer? And wouldn’t it be great if children didn’t get sick as often?

Today, we see young people getting sick. Too much. My daughter who last week finished her junior year of college just told me about two young people her age, both engaged to be married, who got cancer and died quickly. That is tragic.. very sad. Younger children are getting cancer and many other kinds of illnesses. It seemed that 26 years ago when I was a new mother, we worried about our kids getting a cold or an ear infection. Kids are still getting those illnesses, some more frequently than others, and many more like asthma, allergies, digestive problems, overweight issues. I heard a shockingly high statistic about autism the other day, and then there are attention disorders and other illnesses that didn’t seem as common as before.

“You must have grown a foot!” is a comment often used when seeing children. Children grow more in the first five years of life than at any other time. It is a time when they are developing and growing at a rapid rate. Vital body systems are developing such as the heart, brains and lungs. Children need proper nutrition to ensure proper development. I remember first learning about nutrition the fact that the body requires optimal nutrients in order for the bodily processes to work the way they were designed. It makes sense. If we are not getting the amount of nutrients we need through our foods, it also makes sense to look at supplements.

Nutritional needs for children under five are different than older children and adults. Experts agree breast milk is best for babies. While breastfeeding, a mother’s nutrition is very important. Her doctor may put mom on special vitamins, and many moms design their own natural nutrition plans. This ensures both mom and the baby are getting the nutrients they need. In the first three to six months of life this is the main source of nutrition the baby gets.

There are some mothers who are unable to breastfeed. There are formulas on the market to meet baby’s needs. While these do not provide some of the antibody and other benefits they are a good substitute. Read the labels though. Different formulas provide different nutrients. It is important to consult a health care provider to receive their recommendation as well.

In the news lately there has been information on the lack of Vitamin D children receive. Many formulas are Vitamin D fortified. There is concern about those children which are breastfeed and older children not getting the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin D is important for growing children. Vitamin D is vital for bone growth. It helps bones absorb calcium. Children grow at such a rapid rate and their bones need the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D to ensure healthy bones. Sources of Vitamin D are foods which are not traditionally liked by small children. Cod liver oil and fatty fish. Exposure to the sun ten to fifteen minutes at a time several times a week can also provide Vitamin D. Unfortunately sunscreen prevents this. For children over one year milk and many brands of orange juice are fortified with vitamin D. A child will have to drink four to six cups a day to provide them with the recommend daily amount. The baby’s health care provider may recommend vitamin supplements to make sure they are getting the correct amount to build healthy bones and teeth.

Other nutrients growing babies need are B12, Calcium, Iron and Zinc. A breastfeeding mom needs to make certain she gets adequate sources of these nutrients. Once a baby starts depending more on solid food the parents need to see to it baby is getting the nutrients they need to have healthy bones and organ growth.

The first and best way to get nutrients is through diet. Having a well rounded diet with different food choices is the best method. We have to face it though; many young children are picky eaters. Their palates are not the same as an adult. They may not like certain foods which will provide them what they need. Offer them the foods, but don’t make an issue of it. As children age their taste will change and they will start to like the foods they once splattered across the high chair.

If you are concerned about your child’s nutrition ask your health care providers advice. There are many vitamin and mineral supplements which are gear specifically towards a growing child’s needs. The AAP, The American Academy of Pediatrics, makes constant revisions and recommendations for the nutrition of growing children. Supplements which will fit in with the recommended guidelines will help your child reach optimum health.

To learn about a new line of baby and kids nutrition products, developed with the latest scientific research by the #1 Natural Nutrition company in the United States, visit our Children’s Health page.

Guest post today by Nancy Cashman.

A good friend of ours was experiencing some health issues recently. He had stomach pain and diarrhea. It was starting to affect his daily living so he made an appointment with his doctor who ordered a biopsy.

It was discovered that he had an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and oats. He immediately thought, “How is this going to change my life?” When diagnosed, people are given all kind of information about ways to adjust, including gluten free vitamins and nutrition. There is a definite adjustment that has to take place and fear of the unknown can make you uneasy.

There is a genetic component with about 10% of people affected having a close relative with the disease. Gluten is believed to stimulate the production of certain antibodies that damage the inner lining of the small intestine, and can result in malabsorption of nutrients.

We know that most people are not getting enough nutrients in their diet for optimal health even without a challenge like this, so this decreased absorption makes it a significant concern on a daily basis. The small intestine’s normal surface and function are restored when the person stops eating foods containing gluten.

After doing some additional research on this condition I discovered that there have been various studies conducted and the results show a range of gluten allergies in children from 1 in 40 to 1 in 167. In regard to adults, 1 in 30 to 1 in 111 were affected by gluten allergies. The range where it is more common involves children and adults who were already having some symptoms. Overall, studies show that a gluten allergy is quite common, so that many kids and adults out there have uncomfortable guts.

There are many symptoms of a gluten allergy sufferer. They include: extreme fatigue, mouth ulcers, anemia, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, abdominal bloating, crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, depression, attention and behavioral problems, skin problems, irritability, and more. While having a few of these symptoms together might alert you to something being wrong, a proper test will determine if you have a gluten allergy. Since you are the one who has the uncomfortable symptoms, and if you have several of the above symptoms, insist on a test even if your doctor is hesitant.

People who must be on a gluten-free diet say that it changes their lives because they must read labels closely and really become aware of ingredients in foods, making gluten free nutrition including vitamins important to keep the nasty symptoms away. Not being able to eat bread as they always have is one of the hardest adjustments kids and adults will have. Of course it is not only bread that must be removed from the diet, but bagels, muffins, croissants, hamburger and hotdog buns, many cereals, pasta, breaded meats, and pizza.

Of course there are alternatives. Health food stores and now more grocery stores carry gluten-free products, including bread. It is important to make sure the label reads “100% gluten-free.” Corn and rice-based cereals, and rice noodles in place of pasta made with wheat, are good choices. Our friend and his wife are both professionals with a business of their own, and like so many of us live a very busy lifestyle. This health issue has affected his life in a lot of different ways and takes time to manage, but you have to be grateful that in most cases it is manageable.

Nancy Cashman represents Shaklee Independent Distributor brand products where the majority do not have gluten-containing ingredients. To learn more about high quality gluten free nutrition, contact Nancy through her website www.havegoodhealthforlife.com.

The body has its own defense system called the immune system. You can boost your immune system, your first line of defense for everything from the common cold to serious disease like cancer, to fight invaders and disease. Having a healthy immune system helps us stay healthy. Finding healthy immune boosters will ensure the immune system stays healthy.

Our immune system is at work each and every day.  We come in contact with germs, bacteria, toxins, and viruses continuously.  Our big fears are disease, such as life threatening cancer, hepatitis, and even the flu.  We have challenging common illnesses like infections and allergies, asthma, and viruses.

The components of our body’s immune system are bone marrow, the thymus, the spleen and the lymph nodes. There are cells that are part of the immune system as well. Cells such as T-cells, natural killer cells, B Cells, Granulocytes, Macrophages and Dendritic are key components. These all work together to form a complex response when the body requires one against disease, bacteria, and germs.

The immune system itself fights infection, illness, and disease through what is called the immune response, which is really a collection of responses.  Interferon is a protein in the body that optimizes the immune response without overstimulating.  There are three different types of interferon in the body, each with its own distinctive immune building job.

A natural interferon supplement can increase the body’s production of all three types naturally so that your body is better able to respond to threats. It helps balance the immune response in your body and prepares your immune system to better handle common invaders and more dangerous invaders that cause serious diseases.

When the immune system is activated it works to eradicate the invaders, no matter what they are. The immune system is a vital part of our good health. We need it in optimum condition to stay healthy and happy. There are measurable things we can do to build our immune system, and they are tracked in the form of good health and not getting sick. Do you hear people say that they have not been sick in a very long time? Chances are that these folks are making good choices in regard to nutrition and other factors that are keeping them healthy.

Our first course of action is to keep our overall health in the best shape we can. This means we eat a healthy well-rounded diet filled with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Ensure there is enough protein in the diet as well. Lean meat, poultry and fish are excellent sources of protein. Low fat dairy and cheese also provide the body with essential nutrients. If it is hard to get these items integrated in your daily diet, a high quality soy protein shake is an excellent choice for optimal nutrition from protein.

It is also essential we keep our bodies in the best shape. The healthier we are the better our immune system will function. You should have heard the following recommendations from many sources. They are not just words, they have truth for good health. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise regularly and drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Avoid things that are bad for your body. Excess alcohol, drugs and tobacco can negatively impact the body’s health and the immune system. These are things that will aid in building a healthy immune system.

Two very important minerals that affect the immune system are zinc and magnesium. Both are needed for a healthy immune system. Unfortunately these are two minerals we often lack in our daily diet. Zinc can be found in foods such as lean beef and pumpkin seeds. Magnesium can be found in dark green vegetables, nuts and grains. There are recommended daily allowances for all vitamins and minerals although even many doctors now feel that they are too low because they are seeing more deficiencies when patients have blood work performed.

There are herbs that will also act as immune boosters. Millions of dollars are spent every year fighting the flu and the common cold. One herb you can take to strengthen your immune system and fight off these two culprits is Echinacea. It is commonly called the coneflower. It grows wild and is cultivated in North America. Studies at the University of Connecticut show taking Echinacea can cut the chance of getting a cold nearly in half. It will also shorten the duration of suffering a cold or the flu. It is thought to be an Immunostimulant, a fancy title for an immune system booster. Echinacea is not taken regulary.  When you are exposed to illness, or feel like you are getting sick, you take it for about seven days to give an immediate boost to your immune response.

Natural interferon supplements can be taken year round to effectively build a healthy immune system.  They work similar to interferon treatments that are used to manage many diseases. Interferon therapy is used in tandem with radiation and chemotherapy for cancer patients. It is also used in Multiple Sclerosis and Hepatitis C treatments. Russia and Eastern Europe use interferon in low doses to treat common ailments of cold and the flu. There are very effective natural interferon supplements that are used safely to boost immune systems, help with allergies, asthma and other immune related challenges. Natural interferon does not have the side effects associated with more potent interferon.

On a daily basis our immune system is at work.  The healthier our immune system is, the better it is able to fight off the common and the more feared diseases. The more you do to boost your immune system the healthier you can be.

Watch this video to learn more about boosting your immune system with a patented, pharmaceutical grade natural interferon.

For more information on magnesium, zinc, and echinacea, visit pharmaceutical grade immune booster options here.