(The Energy article that is posted down below this one is more technical but also a great read for understanding more about how we get energy from our bodies.)

Low energy is a very common complaint from people, in fact maybe the #1 reason people go to doctors.  That low energy or fatigue report from a patient will often lead to a full blood work up, checking for thyroid problems, anemia, and even cancer.  When you consider the large numbers of people nationwide, more often than not the usual outcome is that everything is normal.

The reason for low energy is often not a disease, but dietary and lifestyle factors that affect energy production in our cells.  Some questions to consider:  Do you feel tired on a regular basis, or just certain ebbs of low energy?  Do you wake up tired and never feel like you have energy?  Or do you feel fatigued only when you don’t get enough sleep?

Some examples:  a young mom who is always tired may want to consider what her sleep patterns are, if she is eating balanced meals, how much stress is in her life, if she has recently lost or gained weight, and how much support she has at home.

Athletes:  it should be determined if they are eating the right balance of carbs and proteins, getting enough sleep and adequate recovery between training, and if they are not getting the best results from workouts or are tired frequently?  We will discuss more in a minute about how an extra boost can help an athlete get to the finish line.

It helps to determine what is behind the low energy, and to be smart and proactive about taking care of yourself.  The body needs adequate rest and has definitie nutrition needs for the demands of each day.

Supplying a little extra energy to certain parts of the body can safely boost the body’s energy.  When you get those low energy or tired feelings, think about why your body needs that energy boost.  Have you eaten lately?  Are you under stress?

The first thing to realize is that a donut or sugary soft drink is not answer, because a little while after you will have a blood sugar crash.  Food that is a balance between protein, carbs and fat will help you for a much longer time.

Sometimes you don’t actually need more food, and your body can benefit from a small boost to your system.  This is what caffeine will provide – either coffee or tea.  Caffeine can speed up your heart rate, blood flow, and respiratory rate for several hours, and help give your metabolism and overall energy a measured boost.

Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system, giving you better focus, and an improved mood.  Green tea is also a good way to boost metabolism.  Both coffee and tea contain antioxidants and polyphenols that can have healthy benefits.  The key is to realize that you can get these energy boosts with a cup or two of coffee or tea.. not the whole pot.

In terms of the energy drinks and shots on the market, there are some big promises made.  What’s important to consider is that, in addition to a possible energy boost, you might be getting some ingredients that are not good for the body.  High amounts of sugar and calories can cause you to crash an hour later, and these drinks can contribute to weight gain and more.

Artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and artificial preservatives are all associated with various energy drinks on the market, and not a welcome addition to a healthy diet.

So what is the optimal fuel for our body?

1)  Eat a good breakfast with 15-25 grams of protein, fruit or whole grain cereal.  This will jumpstart your energy for the day.  Skipping breakfast takes longer for the body to start burning calories.  Eating small meals throughout the day helps keep energy level up.

2)  Increase activity because it increases energy – even walking is better than no exercise.

3)  Consider taking a power nap, especially if you didn’t get adequate sleep the night before – and even if you did if your days are busy.  Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night is highly recommended.  Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health have determined that a 60 min power nap can reduce the mind numbing effects of information overload, and may help us better retain what we are learning

4)  Reduce stress and deal with anger.  Stress has a negative effect on our health AND stress impacts our metabolism by redirecting blood flow away from the digestion system and preferentially storing fats around the vital organs where it is harder to reduce
through exercise.  It is important to understand that stress is the result of anxiety, and anxiety uses up a whole lot of our energy.  When low but chronic levels of stress erode energy levels, over time you find yourself doing less but feeling it more.

Note:  while for many folks increased exercise burns off the chemical effects of stress and anger, others find relief in quiet pursuits:  listening to music or just talking on the phone.

5)  Eat more whole grains and eat less sugar – the key is to keep blood sugar levels steady so your energy can be consistent.  Whole grains provide a steady release of fuel for your body.

6)  Drink more water and less alcohol -  thirst can also masquerade as fatigue.  It is important, after exercise when body is craving fluids, to drink water that will help boost energy.  Many types of alcohol are loaded with sugars and leave you dehydrated.

7)   Don’t forget the sustaining power of protein – a protein shake can provide 15-25 grams of protein and is very energizing.

When our lifestyle choices are not quite enough, and we need an energy boost to get through an athletic event, a busy day of meetings, or staying up late to study, there are healthy energy boosters to consider.  Many energy drinks on the market, or capsules, chews, etc. have artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, too much caffeine, and too much sugar.  A better choice would be an all natural energy chew that not only provides organic ingredients along with that extra energy to the body, but has a healthier formula that also increases focus and clarity.

This is a more technical explanation for how our bodies make and use energy.  The post that will follow will contain more in terms of lifestyle choices that we can make to create more fuel and help us feel energized throughout the day, every day!

Did anyone ever tell you that what you feed your body can have a direct result in how you feel?  Every cell in our body has to convert nutrients into energy in order to help do things like:  grow hair, pump blood through arteries, send nerve signals to the brain, or move muscles.

How is energy produced in our body?  Metabolism is the process where  nutrients are converted to energy.  Metabolism converts food into a constant supply of energy that every cell in the body needs.

We need a steady diet of energy foods that are converted into sustained energy that are used at e cellular level in order to feel like we have energy throughout the day.

In simple terms,  metabolism refers to the rate at which we burn calories.  And a more complex explanation – you may remember from high school biology class – is that metabolism is the  sum total of all the complex chemical and hormonal processes related to digesting, absorbing, converting and ultimately using food to produce cellular energy.

So where do we get energy?  It all starts with the food chain, and with photosynthesis – the way plants capture the sun’s energy from sunlight and combine with carbon dioxide from the air and  water and minerals from the ground to create sugar which the plant stores for energy and oxygen which gets released into the atmosphere.

Whether you eat the plant matter directly, or animals that have consumed the plant matter, there are 3 basic classes of micro nutrients that are vital for life:  amino acids from protein, mono and polysaccharides (sugars from carbohydrates), and fatty acids from fats.

All metabolic reactions fall into one of 2 categories:  1) catabolic – creation of energy from breaking down large complex compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller units, and 2) anabolic – uses smaller building block compounds like amino acids, monosaccharides like glucose, and fats to build cells, tissues, and eventually organs.

The most important source of energy in human metabolism is glucose – when glucose is metabolized in the body it produces carbon dioxide, water, and a few nitrogen compounds, and most important, energy which can be utilized by the cells.  Some of this energy is released as heat which is essentially the burning of calories – the rest is used to drive another process in the body called ATP (synthesis of adenosine triphosphate).  ATP is the key molecular unit of currency that transfers the energy released by catabolic reactions to the energy requiring anabolic reactions.

in other words, catabolic reactions provide the chemical energy that anabolic reactions need to maintain and grow cells.  What initiates catabolic reactions?  Many different hormones in the body including cortisol and adrenaline.

This explains why stress impacts metabolism – there are also many other hormones and other processes that influence metabolism.  And while metabolism occurs during the digestion of food, there are other catabolic reactions in the body.

If the body is not getting enough energy from food, the body will break down muscle protein and turn the amino acids into fuel while it holds on to fat.  Fat stores are only used on pure starvation mode.

How do we store energy?  If catabolic reactions break down matter into small units to produce energy, anabolic reactions will consume energy to construct tissues (build muscle
and fat cells) that are stored as potential sources of energy if needed.

A processes that will influence energy production is blood glucose regulation – while low energy is frequently due to low blood sugar levels that can be effectively managed by daily diet, the entry of glucose into most tissues is dependent on the presence of the
hormone insulin.

Insulin controls the uptake and metabolism of glucose in your cells and plays a major role in regulating blood glucose concentrations in the body which has a direct influence on a person’s energy levels.

Overeating – taking in more energy than your body needs – will, over time, lead to the cells of your body becoming insulin resistant.  That results in cells not being able to utilize glucose which can lead to elevations in blood glucose circulating in body, and can be damaging to cells and tissue.  Ultimately, this excessive energy intake will lead to Type 2 Diabetes which can damage arteries, lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and even blindness.

How is cellular energy produced?  All cells of the body contain dozens to hundreds of mitochondria (organelles in the cell) – think of them as cellular power plants.  They are what actually generates ATP to power cellular activities.  The number and efficiency of mitochondria decline over time.  As we age, our cells have both fewer and less efficient mitochondria.  Current thinking is that this mitochondrial decline contributes to diseases of aging.

How is what we eat turned into energy?  Macronutrieints are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  Carbohydrates come in three forms:  simple sugars, complex carbs (starch) and undigestible carbs (fiber).  Our diets tend to contain plenty of sugars and starches but often not enough fiber.

Simple sugars and starches are most easily utilized as direct sources of energy for our cells.  If your body takes in more carbohydrates than you actually need, these excess carbohydrates can be stored temporarily as glycogen – in either your liver or in your muscle – and this can be converted into fats, amino acids, and glucose as needed.

The body needs both simple and complex carbohydrates.  Simple carbs are the simplest form of sugar and most basic building blocks.  Complex carbs like starches and fiber form larger building blocks.  Since body tissues need glucose at all times, diets need significant amounts of carbs to yield glucose through digestion and metabolism.  Most diets contain carbs as more than half of daily diet.

Protein is the chief muscle and tissue builder of the body – and also helps to make hemoglobin in blood, carry oxygen to cells, form antibodies to fight infection, and supply
nitrogen for the production of DNA and RNA.  Protein also helps to supply energy for the body.

Digestion breaks protein down into its individual amino acids.  If amino acids are in excess of the body’s requirement, they are metabolized to nitrogen and can be stored as fat – for later energy metabolism, or they are eliminated by the kidneys.  The most common dietary protein sources are meat, fish, and dairy sources including milk.  They can all be high in fat because they are all animal products.  Soy beans and other legumes are vegetarian sources, have less fat, and are far more heart healthy.

Fats make up part of the structure of cells, form protective cushion and heat insulation around vital organs, carry fat soluble vitamins, and help store energy.

Many of us get too much fat in the diet.  On a weight basis, they contain more than twice as much stored energy or calories as carbohydrates and protein.  Fats  provide 9 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates and protein.

Other important nutrients that help energy in the body are B-Vitamins, and Magnesium that is involved in 300 chemical reactions in the body, including the breakdown of glucose for energy.  Women who have low levels of magnesium in their bodies may have higher heart rates and require more oxygen – their hearts and lungs will need to work harder to accomplish same amount of work.  Zinc, potassium, and iron are other nutrients involved in energy production by the body.

*Information above was obtained from the scientists who represent our brand.

According to Wikipedia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or autumn, repeatedly, year after year.

Exercise, eating well balanced meals, and staying active in social groups, can all help with the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Natural nutrition supplements, including St. John’s Wort and a high quality B-Complex source, have also produced some great results.

St. John’s Wort has been used for many years to help with mild depression.  Results can be measured in a short time and so you can be the judge of whether it will work for you.  As with all natural nutrition supplements, you have to choose a brand that you can trust the quality, safety, and efficacy because they are not regulated by any governing body – and so there can be a lot of ineffective products out there.  St. John’s Wort can be combined with inositol that is found to be at lower levels in people with the ‘blues’.   A 100% money back guarantee is also a great incentive to give it a try.

B-Complex is a water soluble vitamin that is best taken at different times of the day so it remains in the body to provide the desired benefits.  Water soluble means that the body will excrete what it isn’t using at the time – it does not store this vitamin.  High quality B-Complex (100% money back guaranteed) supplements have balanced amounts of all 8 essential B vitamins – they work best when they work together.  There is science and research that tells the correct balance, and this is not found brand to brand.  It is important to do one’s homework and find a source that is safe, effective, and has high quality ingredients in the right combinations (trust your brand that it will insure this for you).

There’s a lot of snow to shovel in all areas of the eastern United States that were hit by this storm.

Important to remember:

1-  The American Association warns that for most people, shoveling snow may not lead to any health problems, however, the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling may increase.  (Be smart about shoveling, and ask for help if you need it.)

2- Snow shoveling can be compared to weight lifting, and even a workout on a treadmill!  Be sure to pace yourself and not over-do.

3- When you go to lift the heavy snow, try to keep the shovel close to your body. Bend at your knees—not the waist or back, and use your legs to lift (not straining your back).

4- Sore muscles are another possible result of too much shoveling.   Stretching before going out to shovel is a good idea, and knowing when to stop or take a break will help in terms of how those muscles feel later.

5- ENJOY THE SNOW!  Play with the kids!  Play with the pets!  Enjoy the beauty of a fresh fallen snow – more than you worry about clean up!

Last night, we had no idea what we would end up with this morning.. although we did (personally) estimate that snow was coming down at about an inch an hour at our home..

Some of us will have a lot of fun with the abundance of snow.. and some of us will only see work ahead to clear it so we can get out. People are usually instructed to stay home unless they really have to go out.

We have all been saddened by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the devastation that continues to exact a severe toll on the Haitian people.  Our hearts go out to all who have suffered from this tragedy.

In the 3 weeks since the disaster, the Shaklee Cares program began working with a variety of non-profit partners to hand carry donated Shaklee product packs to those in greatest need.  The help that we will be able to offer is significant, but the need is very great, and the effort to rebuild will not be brief.

It is now easy for anyone who would like to make direct donations of food product packs. Follow the instructions below for either a food pack or a cleaning package.  Both will do an excellent job of addressing the short and long-term needs of people who are at this time still highly concerned with the survival issues of basic nutrition and sanitation.

Call 1-800-SHAKLEE and give them ID# JA71616 to order a Care Package.

There are 4 choices.  Give the product number(s) for the package(s) you would like to donate:

• #80114 Shaklee Cares Nutritional Pack
  
  • $84.15
  • Designed for regions and individuals that have water sources, the pack is best used with a home disaster, community disaster and for individuals need of basic nutrition and food.  This pack is valued by relief agencies for the impacted regions when bulk items are needed in shelters, temporary housing.  For ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts related to the Haiti Earthquake, this pack will be for longer term relief efforts.  Included in this pack are:  one Vita Lea Multivitamin/Multimineral Dietary Supplement without iron, one box of Cinch Shake mix Soy-Vanilla packets, one Cinch Shaker, one box of Cinch Meal-in-a-Bar (7 bars), Berry Almond Crunch.
• #80395 Shaklee Cares House Cleaning Pack
  
  • $32.10
  • Pack designed for recovery efforts when individuals, schools, comunity service locations are moving back in the the impacted facilities.  Included in theis pack are:  one Basic H2 Organic Super Cleanin Concentrate, (16oz), two Scour OFf Heavy Duty Paste, Super Microfiber Dish Sponge, Get Clean Spray Bottles (3-pack),a nd Miracle Scrubber Pads (1 case).
• #80397 Shaklee Cares Global Relief Pack
  
  • $78.05
  • The pack includes one box of Cinch Meal-in-a-Bar, Berry Almond Crunch (7 Bars), for the adults, One box Cinch Snack Bars (10 Bars) for the children, Vita-Lea without iron high potency Multivitamin/Multimineral Dietary Supplement (120’s), Shakleekids Incredivites Multivitamin/Multimineral Dietary Supplement  chewable option for elderly and children.
• #80398 Shaklee Cares Global Relief Basic-G® Germicide Pack
  • $30.30
  • Includes two 32 oz bottles Basic-G Germicide and two Basic-G Germicide spray bottles.  This pack is distributed with training on product usage.

Thank you in advance for making whatever contribution you can to this important effort.  This disaster serves as a potent reminder of how fortunate we are and how important the gifts of life and health are to all of us.

Any questions, please contact me directly through this website (email address is on the left side).

While a bonfire is something that may be great fun to enjoy with family and friends, if you compare a bonfire with what happens inside your body when you have digestive problems in the abdominal region, it may not be pleasant.   I recently read about this analogy where the author described the effectiveness of a bonfire burning strong – the same as our digestive process should do.

When our digestion system is functioning at that level, it is efficient at breaking down food to produce fuel for the body.  However, when a bonfire is dwindling down it is burning at a much slower rate.  When our digestive systems work at a similar slower pace, not all of our food gets digested.  Some is left undigested and can cause the following symptoms:  fire in gut, indigestion, leaky gut, food allergies, candida, and other challenges.

Food needs broken down small enough to get into our cells.  That is where our bodies get the energy they need.  In our bodies, the digestive ‘fire’ that we need to break down our food are what is called enzymes.  Digestive enzymes are required to efficiently process the food that we eat.

You may have heard about people supplementing with enzymes because their body does not have enough of them.  Being deficient in these enzymes can cause all kinds of digestive issues.

Let’s look at the process that happens from the time we eat food until it is digested the way that it should be.  It all begins before food even hits the mouth.  When we see food that looks appealing, and smell food with a wonderful aroma, there are sensations that actually stimulate saliva to get ready for the intake of this food.

Next, the food enters the mouth where we chew it up and where enzymes in our saliva start the digestive process.  Once the food is swallowed we have very little control over what happens next.  The eating and chewing of the food is where we have the power.  Chewing well is best because when larger chunks of food are swallowed, we are making it harder for our bodies to completely digest it.

In our stomachs there are more enzymes and hydrochloric acid that help break down our foods.  Stomach acid also is needed to kill bacteria that may have been present in the food we ate.  As we age, our acid levels are reduced.  This is also the time many people turn for help with digestive aids.

There is a lot happening in the stomach and we can think of it as the organ of fire – if it is functioning properly.  It needs its acid to digest the food and yet many people struggle with a balance of this acid.  All organs have a certain way that they function optimally, and all kinds of chaos can occur when they don’t – including a burning gut.

The small intestine is where food spends 2 to 6 hours in the chemical part of the digestion process, including more enzymes.  It is a looping, twisty journey.  If the intestines have not been affected by problems like constipation, alcohol, drugs, a daily diet with a lot of processed foods, or a lack of good bacteria, there will be a better chance of the body absorbing nutrients it needs.

There is a complex process that happens in the small intestine.  Problems like Crohn’s disease, Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other health issues arise when the small intestine is not able to perform its work efficiently.

At the end of the digestion process is the large intestine, also called the colon or bowel.  By the time what’s left of the food we eat reaches this area, the nutrients should be gone from it and elimination is the main purpose.  The process can take varying times and that is due to individual factors in terms of how healthy this area of the body is functioning, as well as the food type that was consumed.

Problems such as constipation and diarrhea occur once we are at this stage.  Eating lots of fiber every day and drinking enough pure water are key to colons that work properly.

There are many digestive problems that people deal with on a daily basis, including an abdominal area that may feel like it is on fire.  Some people live with these symptoms, uncomfortably, for years.  Some are on medications to help control the process, and others seek natural alternatives like digestive enzymes in supplement form.

In addition to meds or natural nutrition, there are recommended lifestyle modifications.  First, it can be very helpful to change the diet and there are quite a few resources available to explore options for that.  Some people find benefits by drinking a little apple cider or lemon juice before they eat a meal.  There are high quality protein sources available that help the body produce enzymes needed for digestion, and stomach acid also.  Finally, raw foods consumed daily, in good amounts, are great for digestion.

We already mentioned that a high fiber daily diet and significant clean water every day are very beneficial to the entire digestion system.  Most of us probably do not think about what happens to our food once we enjoy the taste, chew and swallow it.  Our bodies will tell us more if our digestive function is not good.  A burning gut is not a good feeling at any time.

Let’s start with some anti-aging newsmakers:

I must say that it is fascinating to me to learn of the links between diet and illness, about nutrients in the body and how lack of them can cause disease, and how natural nutrition can build good health.  I have always been one to seek out the natural alternatives to address non life-threatening health challenges.  I believe that nature can heal the body, or just get it to function like it is intended to work.

One example is inflammation.  There are many scientists who believe that inflammation in the body is the root of many diseases that we get.  There are different causes of inflammation and one can be related to diet.  What we eat, and nutrients we add to our diets, can also manage inflammation.  It is a two-way street and there are answers to help us get the outcomes we want.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one such ailment that is associated with inflammation.  It is a chronic disease that results in pain, stiffness, swelling, and did I mention pain?  There may not be a cure, but there is help.  Losing weight is suggested, dietary changes are recommended, and there are natural remedies as well as pharmaceutical drugs that are used to manage symptoms.  The USA Weekend (print version) for January 22-24, 2010 included an article, ‘Getting Older & Better.  It noted a study where after dental problems that arthritis sufferers had were treated, their arthritis symptoms improved (another link to treating root of inflammation?).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C gets a boost for its help with aging skin in the same USA Weekend edition.  It talks about how there have been claims for a long time about Vitamin C benefits for skin.  Now researchers say that Vitamin C can not only promote skin healing but also protect against free-radicals that age skin.  The opportunity to undo DNA damage should put Vitamin C on close watch for aging baby boomers.

It never ceases to amaze me when I read something like this.. that we are always ahead of the industry!  We have talked about the fact that Dr. Shaklee (and now the Shaklee scientists) were many years ahead of their time.  We have had a unique, aging skin repair system WITH VITAMIN C for years now.  And Shaklee science found a way to stabilize the Vitamin C present in the product so that high levels will be available to the skin in order to provide such fantastic results.  And of course, like all products from this brand, there is a 100% money back guarantee (that’s how sure we are that you will get results!).

Vitamin D

Are you deficient?  There is an astounding 8 million American women and 2 million men who have osteoporosis, and 34 million more at risk (USA Weekend).  Wow.  Having enough Vitamin D in your body can help prevent osteoporosis, and also heart disease.  Many folks are finding out through regular blood work that they have low levels of Vitamin D.  It might be worth getting it checked out if you have symptoms like .  A supplement is recommended in many cases because it is hard for people to get enough from their diet, especially if they are already deficient.

Disease

Some new links to disease:  Cancer association with cholesterol?  New research links having high HDL (good) cholesterol to a 14% lower risk of cancer in men over 50; and for guys over 55 there was a 59% lower risk of prostate cancer when total cholesterol was less than 200 mg/dL.

Diet

Salt intake needs to be minimal for a number of reasons and studies show that one in particular is linked to heart disease and stroke.  People are salting their foods more than is recommended and simply cutting back by 5 grams per day – that is a little less than one teaspoon – can reduce the risk of having a stroke by 23% and lower cardiovascular disease risk by 17%.

Resveratrol

Book review on Aging Getting Better with Wine (resveratrol).

And last.  There was doubt posted this week about the benefits of resveratrol.  It was in reference to the ongoing research on a pharmaceutical product.  You have companies in competition with each other and one is saying that the research of the other is not holding up.  When you look closer, they are not doing the same studies and you always have to wonder what the agenda is when one company attacks another.

I choose to stick with the science and research of the supplement brand resveratrol that I use every day because 1) I trust the science and integrity of this brand, 2) I am getting great health results, and 3) there is no pharmaceutical product out yet – and maybe there never will be.  It might be just enough resveratrol in natural supplement form to help us live longer and healthier.

There is news every day about how to fight aging, more specifically the diseases of aging.  Many times the focus is on living a healthier lifestyle, eating the right foods, getting both  exercise and enough sleep every night, and of course our mindset.

We read about our bodies being deficient in something, having too much of something else, being exposed to environmental factors that cause illness, at risk because of smoking, alcohol, diet, and even about how our medications can make us sicker.

Being sick is not fun.  It can age us even faster than the normal process of growing older.  And it can also be very scary.  Growing old is scary also.  There is illness and disease and aging everywhere we turn.

So what can we do?  How do we fight aging?  The good news is that we have so much news.  Science has brought us revolutionary discoveries in terms of how we age, why we age, and some very real ways we can fight the process.  And,here in 2010, that information is right at our fingertips.

All we have to do is to listen to the news, Google for specific information we seek, and then take some action.  There are reputable news and education web sites that have every kind of topic imaginable.  There is almost too much information, but that shouldn’t hold us back.

We can tap into what we need to know in several ways:  1)  we can research aging in general and discover what people are doing successfully right now to fight the aging process; and 2)  we can research specific challenges that we are personally facing, that has already started in our bodies, and learn how we can impact what is happening or even reverse it.

For example, some aging processes that many people experience are memory issues, joint problems, and heart disease.  There are lifestyle choices including diet that play a huge role in our health, and also natural supplements for aging that have been proven to help people in significant ways – both produce great results for those types of aging issues.

What we feed our bodies many times determines not only how we feel throughout the day, but our overall health.  If you think about it, our food is the fuel our bodies need to perform many different functions in all of our organs.  Junk in, junk out.. so the saying goes.  And it does make sense.

Resveratrol and fish oil are natural supplements that have exciting research behind the results people are getting for joint pain, memory issues, and heart health.  The science and research is ongoing but that is not stopping people from using these ingredients in natural supplement form.  They are not drugs and do not have the side effects associated with prescription drugs.

The key to using supplements is that they must be taken everyday in order to get the desired outcome.  While not as potent as medication, they function very well in the body, working along with normal body processes and regulating them so that they work the way they are intended to work.  I remember hearing that same fact over 28 years ago.. about how starting a nutrition program will help the body work in the healthy way it should.  It is amazing the results you can get when you follow a plan.

I encourage you to use the resources that we have today, and find the answers that you seek in terms of aging and fighting disease.  We are privileged to be able to access that kind of information anytime that we want, and then be armed with the tools we need to get what we want.

If there is anything that I can help you with in regard to your personal health challenges, don’t hesitate to write or call.

First, even though it ‘all sounds easy’ – are we doing it? Second, are we doing it consistently?

Here are 5 Basics for feeling younger, high energy, and overall wellness.

1- DIET

Limit (LIMIT – you can cheat sometimes) the following foods: saturated fats, food additives, fried foods, smoked meats, high cholesterol foods, white sugar, white flour, alcohol, fast food, convenience food, skin of meats and chicken, organ meats.

Eat more (MORE): fruits, vegetables, gains, beans, seeds, nuts, lean proteins (soy is excellent) including fish, chicken and meat (make them smaller portions than your healthier side dishes. There are many choices within these groups (rice, noodles and pasta are ok in limited quantities).

You will not only have more energy from a diet like this, but you will lose weight and be fighting off certain diseases that could be life-long challenges.

2- DRINK

This is a category by itself because today more than ever we are drinking a lot of junk. It is so easy to consume many ounces of high calorie, low nutrition drinks that are making us both fat and sick – and providing us unbalanced energy like when we have spikes and then big drops in blood sugar levels.

Drink mostly pure, clean water. Sure you want more variety and it’s ok to add a glass or two of other liquids such as coffee, tea, natural juices (without a lot of added sugar) every day. However, overall, water is the healthiest choice. Sodas and other high sugar drinks have little or no nutrition and A LOT of hidden calories.

5 to 8 glasses of water each day is a great amount to target. Hydrate throughout the day so that you feel energized and aren’t tempted to reach for the soda or extra cup of coffee.

3- Exercise

Being active can not be underestimated in terms of health benefits, such as stress relief, better heart health including better cholesterol levels, bone health, and immune system – and reducing risks of diabetes, memory loss, depression, high blood pressure, and certain forms of cancer.

Plus, even people who resist exercising regularly because they can’t find time, or have some reason why they don’t exercise ‘enough’ will say that they FEEL BETTER when they do work out. It is a fact. There are chemical and hormonal reactions in our bodies that help us feel good when we exercise. SCHEDULE it into your day and your body will reap the benefits.

Include aerobic (cardio) and resistance – weights or some other form such as with bands or sit-ups, push-ups (I find that using a workout ball for sit-ups and push-ups is much easier on my back and I do it more often if it doesn’t hurt!!).

4- MIND

Did you know that what we THINK has a tremendous effect on our health? The positive or negative thoughts that are in our heads go hand in hand with how we feel each day.

Many scientists believe that virtually all of the diseases that we get can be linked to a defeat of our immune systems. In addition, the strength of our immune systems is related to how we manage our thoughts and feelings.

From depression to anxiety to stress or even sleeplessness, how we feel in terms of happiness can have an effect on all of these. Some effort in the area of positive thinking, relaxation, and everyday good self-talk can produce dramatic results in terms of how we feel and how healthy we are.

5- Natural Nutrition

Even though we eat an optimal diet, or try to, there is a very good chance that we don’t get all of the vitamins and all of the minerals and other nutrients that our bodies need everyday to build healthy cells.

Being healthy at the cellular level means that we can fight disease, both common and serious, and feel younger and healthier. There are now long-term (20+ year) clinical studies that have proved the fact that natural nutrition supplements produce better health overall than not taking any vitamins at all.

What goes in our mouths can determine our overall good health. Having that extra insurance of nutrition can help us fight current challenges and also target better health for the future.

We get energy from nutritious foods that we eat, from daily exercise, and from feeling good about ourselves. We have control over all of these things. Each of us has the power to decide what we eat, if we will work out today, and the thoughts that are going through our heads right now. That is power! Don’t you think so?

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