LIVE LONG - LIVE WELL - ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST

LIVE LONG & WELL

Living LONG is GOOD, however living long while enduring chronic health problems is not as pleasant as living LONG while in a state of WELLNESS. Most, if not all, chronic health issues are a result of premature aging of the body.

Preventing premature aging allows us to live LONG without being OLD. Biological aging is a result of what happens in our cells, NOT with the tick of the clock or when the pages turn on our calendars. Throughout the life cycle of the cell it can be damaged in many different ways including exposure to any of the following:

Ø Stress

Ø Injury

Ø Lack of proper nutrients

Ø Exposure to toxins

Any one of the above conditions will cause the production of free radicals and inflammation in the body. Free radicals and inflammation are the major causes of premature cell death, resulting in the premature aging of the body as a whole. Imagine how much damage is being done in your body at this very minute! In our culture today we aren’t just occasionally exposed to a single one of these conditions, our bodies are bombarded with cell damaging stress and toxins constantly. Our fast paced society also leads us to ignore our nutritional needs, as we rush along seldom taking the time to eat as nutritiously as we should. When more cells die than your body can replace, premature biological aging occurs. Our bodies need the highest quality nutrition possible in order to win the battle and prevent these causes of premature cell death.

God designed your body to be a “healing machine”, supplied with the proper fuel and rest, the body works miraculously well. When properly maintained our body’s immune system is able to repair the damage caused by the daily wear and tear of “life”. The problem begins when we expose our bodies to the stress and life style of our modern age. When the body’s immune system is overwhelmed with damaging conditions, cells begin to die at abnormal rates and chronic inflammation begins to contribute to overwhelming cell damage. Dead and severely damaged cells must be removed before infection and further illness occurs, using more of the resources the body needs to heal. At this point, a vicious cycle has begun and the body begins to age prematurely; often at a much accelerated rate.

HOW DO WE LIVE LONG & WELL?

Preventing premature aging requires us to consciously supply our bodies with the necessary components needed to prevent our immune system from being overwhelmed. The damaging factors listed above must be avoided when possible. At the same time, we need to be realistic. Obviously, our culture does not allow us to completely eliminate stress, exposure to toxins or accidental injury. Following these basic guidelines will aid immensely in protecting our bodies from premature aging:

Ø REDUCE THE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE AND LEARN HOW TO RELIEVE THE STRESS YOU ARE FEELING (Some great ways to deal with stress are found here: FREE STRESS RELIEF)

Ø AVOID EXPOSING YOUR BODY TO UNNECESSARY TOXINS AND SUPPLY YOUR BODY WITH GOOD ANTIOXIDANT FOODS AND POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTS

Ø SUPPLY YOUR BODY WITH HIGH QUALITY NUTRITIONAL FOODS AND THE HIGHEST QUALITY SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE (It is very difficult in our culture to supply your body with adequate nutrition without using high quality supplements.)

Ø PROPERLY CARE FOR ANY INJURIES AIDING THE BODY IN HEALING THE INJURY QUICKLY (Not properly caring for an injury can quickly lead to chronic inflammation)

Ø FIGHT CHRONIC INFLAMMATION WITH THE FINEST NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AVAILABLE TO YOU

Many scientific studies indicate that chronic inflammation is at epidemic levels in our culture and contributes to a host of serious health problems including:

Ø CHRONIC PAIN

Ø FIBROMYALGIA

Ø DIABETES

Ø ALLERGIES

Ø ASTHMA

Ø ALZHEIMER’S

Ø ARTHRITIS

Ø AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

Ø CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Ø NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

Ø RESPIRATORY AND MORE!

IN CONCLUSION

We can live lives filled with WELLNESS by following a few basic practices that allow our bodies to function the way God intended. WELLNESS will allow us to live the quality of life we desire; enjoying our time with family to the fullest. Let’s begin a journey to greater WELLNESS today!!!

IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL CLARITY, MEMORY & FOCUS

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BRAIN

Most people believe that once they reach mid-life the quality of life generally declines from there on. The bad news is that statistics tend to indicate this to be true in our culture, as two thirds of the population experience some form of mental decline after the age of forty. Over twelve percent of the population reaching the age of 65 can expect to develop Alzheimer’s disease. That’s right! Approximately one person in every eight will suffer from Alzheimer’s.

The GOOD NEWS is that YOU don’t have to become one of the statistics. You don’t have to allow your brain to severely deteriorate with age. There are preventive measures that can be taken to protect your brain and increase your mental clarity; improve your memory and aid you in being able to maintain your focus. In order to accomplish this you will need to begin to pay attention and take action NOW!

Ø  Feed your body fuel that will protect your brain and help your brain function at its peak ability. Being sure that you feed your body high quality anti-oxidants will fend off free radicals in the brain and decrease inflammation. Inflammation has been shown to greatly increase the progression of dementia as well as cause severe health problems for other systems in the body. There is no better anti-inflammatory than the betalains found in the fruit of the nopal cactus.  Click here to find more information about betalains: BETALAINS and MORE BETALAINS

Ø  Your diet needs to include adequate levels of Omega 3 fatty acid. Omega 3 is commonly found in oily fish and some forms of algae. Omega 3 is one of the best brain nutrients available and is very easy to supply to your body even if you don’t eat oily fish or algae. Here is an unsurpassed source of Omega 3 that will aid you in your quest for mental acuity: OMEGA 3

Ø  The journal Neurology recently published a study that supports the link between B-12 and staying mentally sharp. The study concluded that people who get plenty of Vitamin B-12 have a significantly lower risk of developing a brain disorder that involves memory loss, confusion and other serious symptoms of mental decline. The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, wrote a conclusion which stated that there is strong evidence supporting B-12’s role in helping to protect against memory loss. For more information on Vitamin B-12 deficiency and its detrimental effects on your health go to these sites: VITAMIN B-12 and THE IMPORTANCE OF B-12

Ø  Be sure you are getting enough sleep. Your body needs at least 8 hours a day. Sleep aids the brain in consolidating and storing memories and experiences of the day. Your brain simply will not function at its peak level without the correct amount of rest. Getting adequate amounts of rest increases energy, reduces stress, improves memory, allows the brain to concentrate and focus, and provides much higher mental clarity. Before bed, do 20 minutes of deep breathing to improve the quality of sleep and greatly relieve stress levels. Check out this link for more information on the benefits of deep breathing: DEEP BREATHING

Ø  Keep your brain active, challenge it with a wide variety of activities. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are fine, but don’t limit your brain challenges to just these. Challenge your brain by learning something totally new like a foreign language, how to play a musical instrument or try your hand at a new business venture. Building a new business will challenge your brain in new ways daily and the rewards won’t be limited to a greater state of mental health.

Ø  Exercise regularly. Consistently participating in some form of aerobic exercise improves brain functioning and improves synaptic activity. Brain function is improved by the increased oxygen intake and improved circulation of blood to the brain. Optimum brain function requires that you work out at least 3 to 4 days a week for a minimum of an hour. Your exercise period will result in immediate natural stress relief, enhanced mental clarity and an increase in your confidence level.

Ø  Spend some time each day with GOD. Studying God’s word and meditating on what you’ve read will lower stress levels and anxiety. Giving you a much greater sense of wellbeing, which in and of itself results in a lower stress level. Stress and anxiety are major drains on brain function and contribute greatly to that “brain fog” sensation that comes with feeling overwhelmed. Studies by neuroscientists show that people who regularly meditate have significantly higher levels of gray matter in the right orbitofrontal cortex of the brain. This area of the brain is responsible for memory.

WELLNESS... Are you living your life in a state of wellness?

Wellness

What is the definition of wellness? While there is no universally-accepted definition of wellness, there are some common characteristics that are typically associated with being well. The following short definition might be as good as we will be able to find.

Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University gives this definition of wellness: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.”

Now all we have to do is decide what constitutes "quality of life" and "a sense of well-being". I'm not sure that is any easier. Each of us will need to decide what we desire to improve in our lives in order to be able to say that we consider ourselves closer to our idea of wellness. More importantly, for some of us, will be the decision of what we are willing to remove from our lives in order to get closer to our elusive goal of wellness.

Your journey to wellness can begin at any stage in life. Most people begin when they are made aware of how much the quality of life can be improved by a few basic steps. Maintaining a well body is much easier than healing a body suffering from a chronic disease. However, having said that, it in no way infers that it is not possible and desirable to improve the quality of life at any stage by following a few simple steps. These basic steps will allow your body to heal and protect itself. The body is a great healing machine when it is fueled with the proper nutrients and not subjected to harmful lifestyle patterns. Helping your body perform at its peak is not difficult. Let's start your journey to greater wellness today.

Some conditions are definitely not conducive to feeling well:

·    Low Energy Levels

·    Chronic Pain

·    Memory Loss

·    "Stressed Out"

·    "The Blues" - Mild Depression

·    Severe Depression - Seek professional help NOW

·    Any Condition - "Causing you discomfort"

The following principles will help anyone live a life journey that will improve their state of wellness and guide them toward a fulfilling and joyful life.

Wellness Essentials

·    eat nutritiously

·    drink AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF PURE water

·    nourish your soul

·    engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily

·    practice deep breathing for at least 10 minutes daily

·    allow enough time to rest

·    nurture relationships

·    discover your "life purpose"

·    DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Fulfilling Your Body's Nutritional Needs

·    Drink at least one half of your body weight in ounces of pure water each day. If you weigh 100 lbs., you need at least 50 oz. of pure water every day.

·    In our society today, daily diets seldom provide the nutrition our bodies need to battle the toxins that attack our health daily. The soil that our food is grown in is depleted, foods are processed, preservatives are added, hormones are used to increase livestock growth rates and we no longer have the time to prepare nutritious meals even when we can get the ingredients. Supplements are necessary to provide our bodies with the building blocks necessary to maintain wellness. If your body is starved of the nutrition needed to maintain wellness, you are much more susceptible to chronic disease and premature aging. On the other hand, your body is capable of healing itself in a near miraculous manner, if you ingest the nutrition needed to maintain a state of wellness.

·    Check out the information on the following pages to feed your body the nutrition it needs to keep you feeling WELL: "The Power of Betalains", "The Power of Vitamin B12", "The Need for Vitamin D" and "The Importance of Increasing Bone Density".

THE SECRET KILLER LURKING WITHIN

WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation is a complex biological response in the body caused initially by damaged cells, toxins, irritants, pathogens or any other harmful agents that are introduced to the body. Acute inflammation is a protective attempt by the body to remove an injurious stimulus and to initiate a healing process. The acute inflammation response is a necessary process for the body to heal. Without acute inflammation, the body would not be able to heal itself. Acute inflammation is a short-term process, usually appearing within a few minutes or hours and ceasing upon the removal of the injurious stimulus.

THE DANGERS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Acute inflammation is an absolute necessity for the body to heal. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a disease. The system has gotten hung up, and instead of protecting the body, it starts to kill the organism. Slowly but surely chronic inflammation results in a variety of severely damaging conditions in the body. This is why the bodily functions normally control inflammation very closely. Scientific studies have tied chronic inflammation to many of the most common diseases suffered by the human race, including:

v  Cardiovascular Disease

v  Cancer

v  Autoimmune Disorders

v  Diabetes

v  Stroke

v  Depression

v  Hay Fever

v  Rheumatoid Arthritis

v  Chronic Pain

v  Alzheimer’s Disease

v  Asthma

WHAT IGNITES THE FIRE OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?

The word inflammation is derived from the Latin word inflammare – to set on fire. This description is appropriate for all types of inflammation, red and hot. Inflammation has another characteristic in common with fire. When it is out of control, it can do a great deal of damage in a short amount of time. The original cause that ignites the fire differs from person to person and may have been: repeated or prolonged infections, smoking or gum disease, for example. Obesity, too, makes you prone to inflammation, as fat cells churn out inflammatory proteins called cytokines. But the end result is the same: An endless trickle of immune cells interferes with the body's healthy tissues triggering genetic mutations that can lead to cancer; the bursting of plaque in an artery wall; or a host of other conditions leading to any one of the diseases mentioned above.

Understanding the dangers and causes of chronic inflammation are only the first steps. How do we know if we are at risk? How do we find out if we already suffer from the beginning stages? Most importantly, what can be done to prevent chronic inflammation and to reduce chronic inflammation once it is determined to be present?

DO YOU HAVE OR ARE YOU AT RISK OF HAVING CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?

Chronic inflammation is a silent and secretive killer. Most people are not aware that chronic inflammation is present in their body until the symptoms of a serious disease become apparent. By the time symptoms are noticed, damage to the body is often so severe that the healing process may take years and, in fact, may be irreversible. Typical routine checkups by your medical professional will not detect the early stages of chronic inflammation. One blood test that will provide an indication of chronic inflammation is the blood test for CRP (C-reactive protein). Scientific research has shown that high levels of CRP are indicative of chronic inflammation in the body. In fact, on January 28, 2003, the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) jointly endorsed the C-reactive protein test to screen for coronary-artery inflammation to identify those at risk for heart attack. One condition that is easily checked is your waistline. Having a large waist measurement—at or above 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man—means you're likely to have excess inflammation. Here are some other conditions that typically indicate a high probability for increased inflammation: high triglycerides (150 mg/dL or above, measured by a cholesterol blood test), high blood pressure (a measurement at or above 130/85 millimeters of mercury), and high levels of glucose (at or above 100 milligrams per deciliter after fasting). According to the American Heart Association, these all point to an inflammatory condition called metabolic syndrome, a common precursor of diabetes and heart disease.

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Many common products provide short term relief from chronic inflammation, but VERY FEW IF ANY provide long term healing to the body. Some of these commonly used products, known as NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, have serious side effects, including: kidney damage, stomach problems and thyroid problems. Occasionally, the side effects may be fatal, when used for extended periods of time. Common examples of NSAIDs would be: aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen, Oxaprozin and Celecoxib. Taking excess amounts of acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol) can cause liver failure that is permanent. This is the reason that warning labels exist on many over-the-counter medications that contain acetaminophen and why prescription narcotic-acetaminophen combination medications (for example, Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Tylenol #3) limit the numbers of tablets to be taken in a day.

A PHARMACEUTICAL CAUSE OF SERIOUS INFLAMMATION

Statin medications are commonly prescribed to control elevated blood levels of cholesterol. Even when taken in the appropriately prescribed dose, liver inflammation may occur and can be detected by blood tests that measure liver enzymes. Stopping the medication usually results in return of the liver function to normal.

SAFE HEALING TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

The best and surest way to control chronic inflammation in the body is with powerful anti-inflammatories called betalains. Scientific research has conclusively shown that ingesting adequate amounts of these natural anti-inflammatories will greatly reduce the levels of chronic inflammation and promote healing within the body. Over 200 scientific studies have been done on the health benefits available through a regimen supplementing the diet with betalains. Benefits that have been documented include: healthier cholesterol levels; more controllable blood sugar levels; eliminating hay fever symptoms; lessening asthma symptoms; and elimination of chronic pain. Betalains provide ALL OF THESE BENEFITS AND ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE EFFECTS. Scientific studies are ongoing and continue to discover new health benefits provided by the betalains found in the fruit of the nopal cactus. The VERY BEST SOURCE OF BETALAINS can be found here: BETALAINS

The following practices have proven to be beneficial to anyone fighting chronic inflammation:

Ø  IF YOUR WAISTLINE FALLS INTO THE “LARGE” CATEGORY DESCRIBED ABOVE – LOSE WEIGHT

Ø  STAY ACTIVE IF YOU ARE – GET ACTIVE IF YOU’RE NOT – DON’T OVERDO IT – 60 MINUTES MAX

Ø  EAT A DIET RICH IN FRUITS, VEGETABLES, LEGUMES, NUTS, OLIVE OIL, AND FISH

Ø  PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE TWICE A DAY – BRUSH AND FLOSS

Ø  REDUCE STRESS LEVELS – PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING AND SUPPLEMENT WITH ADAPTOGEN 10+

Ø  GET ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF RESTFUL SLEEP

IN CONCLUSION

Reducing chronic inflammation is important to maintain optimum health. Healthy bodies allow us to do the things we want to do with family and friends without suffering from the symptoms of the diseases described previously. The practices that reduce chronic inflammation also greatly contribute to overall wellness in all areas of the body. Following the practices to reduce inflammation listed in the previous section will result in:

Ø  Increased energy levels

Ø  Improved mental clarity and alertness

Ø  Greater physical stamina

Ø  Substantial reduction or complete elimination of chronic pain

Ø  Tremendous enhancement of quality of life

TODAY is the first day of the rest of your life. The quality of life you will lead as you age will be greatly affected by the decisions you make or choose not to make TODAY!!!

AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

What are they and what causes them???

Autoimmune conditions begin when some trigger sends the immune system into battle. In order to better protect the body during an attack by a foreign agent, the immune system reduces the number of proteins needed for identification, thereby making it harder to differentiate between the enemy and normal, healthy cells. After destroying the enemy, the immune system attacks any tissue that resembles the enemy. Now, any cell that shares even a few identifying characteristics as the invader will be attacked.

When we consider a list of the common autoimmune diseases, it’s easy to see why autoimmune disorders are a serious health concern in our society today:

Ø  Multiple Sclerosis

Ø  Diabetes

Ø  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Ø  Lupus

Ø  Rheumatoid Arthritis – Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, its inflammation can affect organs and areas of the body other than the joints. Examples of other areas that may be affected include:

§  Sjogren's syndrome is inflammation of the glands of the eyes and mouth.

§  Rheumatoid inflammation of the lung lining (pleuritis).

§  Tissue inflammation surrounding the heart, called pericarditis.

§  Rheumatoid disease can reduce the number of red blood cells (anemia) and white blood cells.

§  Decreased white cells can be associated with an enlarged spleen (Felty's syndrome).

§  A rare and serious complication is blood-vessel inflammation (vasculitis). Vasculitis can impair blood supply to tissues and lead to tissue death. This is most often initially visible as tiny black areas around the nail beds or as leg ulcers.

Each type of autoimmune disorder is a unique disease with a different combination of symptoms, but they also have basic similarities:

ØStress reduction aids in the alleviation of autoimmune disorder symptoms in most cases.

§  Deep breathing reduces stress.

üThree deep breaths can break the cycle of tension.

üTen minutes of deep breathing cuts stress hormones in half.

üTwenty minutes of deep breathing restores hormone balance and gives you deeper sleep to restore your mind and body. Twenty minutes of deep breathing also increases the level of growth hormone by 300%. Growth hormone is essential for your body to heal and reduces the effects of aging.

ØBalanced diet and rest aids in overall health and improves the body’s ability to deal with the symptoms associated with autoimmune disease. Be sure to include:

§  Lean proteins

§  Whole grains

§  Plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Ø Activity is crucial to the health of the human body! Exercise at whatever level you are able, each and every day. You will feel better, have more energy and have a better outlook, even if you exercise at a very modest level

Ø  Vitamin B-12 and Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) are critical to the health of anyone suffering with an autoimmune disease.

§  Vitamin B-12 repairs the holes in your nerves caused by your overactive immune system attacking the lining tissue of the nerve system. The cell outside your nerve, called a Schwann cell, "patches" the holes with B-12. A majority of the population suffers from Vitamin B-12 deficiency, especially once you pass 40 years of age your body is unable to absorb adequate Vitamin B-12 from the normal digestive process and the sources of usable B-12 are quite limited. Here is the best source of Vitamin B-12 available.

§  EFAs help the immune system work smarter, not harder. They improve the identification process causing the immune system to discriminate better because many of the identification proteins are coded in fat. If you have an abundance of healthy EFA, you will identify good, healthy body tissues from invaders. Further, EFA helps to reduce inflammation.

Ø  Research has shown that chronic inflammation plays a significant role in autoimmune disorders; in fact Time Magazine did a cover story on chronic inflammation, “The Secret Killer” in 2004. Time discovered that chronic inflammation played a major role in several serious health conditions, including:

§  Fibromyalgia

§  Diabetes

§  Allergies

§  Asthma

§  Alzheimer’s

§  Arthritis

§  Autoimmune

§  Cardiovascular

§  Neurological

§  Respiratory and more!

Scientific research clearly shows that your health can be improved by following the basic principles discussed above. Begin today to build a healthier YOU:

Ø  Practice deep breathing for a set amount of time each day.

Ø  Eat a balanced healthy diet.

Ø  Participate in some form of physical activity each day. Begin at a level you are comfortable with and increase the level of activity, as you are able.

Ø  Begin a regimen of Vitamin B-12 and Essential Fatty Acid supplements immediately.

Ø  Reduce the levels of chronic inflammation in your body BEFORE there is irreversible damage to your health.

Following the above guidelines will aid autoimmune disease sufferers in their battle. It could also reduce the risk of having your body begin the autoimmune cycle, if you don’t currently have an autoimmune disorder.

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