No Soup For You!

Levels of bisphenol A, a plasticizer suspected of causing a range of adverse health effects, shot up nearly 20-fold in people who ate canned soup daily for five days, researchers said.
In 75 healthy volunteers participating in a blinded crossover trial, urinary levels of BPA averaged 1.1 mcg/L when they ate homemade soup for five days, but reached 20.8 mcg/L when they ate canned Progresso soups, reported Karin Michels, ScD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues.
"The absolute urinary BPA concentrations observed following canned soup consumption are among the most extreme reported in a nonoccupational setting," the researchers wrote in a research letter published in the Nov. 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, for example, indicated that the 95th percentile for urinary BPA was 13.0 mcg/L, Michels and colleagues noted.
BPA is used in a wide range of consumer and medical products to soften plastics. Studies have shown that BPA can mimic the action of female reproductive hormones and may be linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver abnormalities. Infants' exposure is a particular concern because they may be more sensitive to these effects than adults.
Last month, researchers found that children whose mothers had high urine levels of BPA during pregnancy were more prone to behavioral problems.
The U.S. government, after initially dismissing concerns about BPA in baby bottles and other consumer products, reversed course in 2010 and promised a major research effort to pin down the health risks.
Because BPA is also used in food can linings, Michels and colleagues sought to examine whether canned soups would be a vehicle to increase human intake of the chemical.
They used five varieties of vegetarian Progresso soups, including tomato and minestrone, and five similar homemade soups. Participants were randomly assigned to start with the commercial or homemade soups, eating a serving of each variety at lunchtime daily for five days. After a two-day washout period, participants who first ate the canned products then had a week of the homemade soups, and vice versa.
Participants could otherwise eat what they pleased during the study.
Urine samples were collected in the late afternoon on the fourth and fifth days of each period. To minimize intraindividual variations, each person's samples from consecutive days were mixed prior to analysis.
BPA levels in urine were adjusted for dilution, using a formula that included the samples' specific gravity.
All the participants had detectable BPA in their urine after eating the canned soup, whereas 23% of samples in the homemade-soup phase were BPA-free.
The mean individual difference between mean adjusted urinary BPA levels following canned versus homemade soups, 22.5 mcg/L, was highly significant, with a 95% confidence interval of 19.6 to 25.5 mcg/L, Michels and colleagues reported.
Results were nearly identical for participants who started the trial with canned soup compared with those initially assigned to the homemade soups.
The researchers did list several limitations to the analysis. The study involved one institution (all participants were students or employees of the Harvard School of Public Health) and the canned soup came from a single manufacturer.
More important, Michels and colleagues indicated that "the increase in urinary BPA concentrations following canned soup consumption is likely a transient peak of yet uncertain duration. The effect of such intermittent elevations in urinary BPA concentrations is unknown."
But they argued that the magnitude of the peaks seen in their study is great enough to cause concern.
"Even if not sustained, [it] may be important, especially in light of available or proposed alternatives to [BPA-containing] epoxy resin linings for most canned goods."

 Primary source: Journal of the American Medical Association
Source reference:
Carwile J, et al "Canned soup consumption and urinary bisphenol A: a randomized crossover trial" JAMA 2011; 306: 2218-20

Have a Healthy and Successful Soup Free Day!

Tips To Keep Healthy During The Holidays!

Today is the start of my holiday festivities. We have family coming for dinner tonight, so I needed to remind myself to not get caught up in the moment. Seasonal festivities and pressures often sabotage healthy holiday eating attempts.

But it doesn't have to be that way. You can have a healthy holiday with family and friends and enjoy the holidays more than ever.

You don't have to give in to the unhealthy eating temptations brought on by the holiday stress of excessive demands on your time, shopping like crazy or coping with hordes of relatives (who you may not even like).

And lets face facts. Your past holiday plans to celebrate by eating it all now and losing it all later have never paned out the way you planned.

Top Ten Healthy Holiday Eating and Lifestyle Tips

By taking charge and planning for healthy holiday eating and a healthy lifestyle during the holidays, you can enjoy a happy healthy holiday and make it through the season with your health and waistline intact.

1. Taking control and plan ahead. Stick with your daily routine as much as possible and make a doable plan before each holiday party.

2. Make plenty of time for exercise. Physical activity helps prevent weight gain and relieves holiday stress. Since exercise helps offset an increase in holiday eating, take a 20 minute walk every chance you get.

3. Shift focus from food to fun. Instead fattening holiday sweets, bake non-edible dough ornaments to decorate. Play games, do puzzles, tumble on mats or go for a walking tour of decorated homes.

4. Always eat before each event. When it's time to gather with family or associates never arrive hungry. Have a light high protein meal beforehand.

5. Limit holiday food exposure. At holiday events, take water and tasty healthy snacks along and sit as far away from the food as possible. In your own home, just serve festive fruits and nourishing nuts.

6. Choose water as your beverage. Most non-alcoholic beverages are full of sugar and calories and alcohol also induces overeating. Make plain or flavored water and herbal teas your beverages of choice.

7. Take a low-calorie party dish. Your host will appreciate the gesture and you'll know there's at least one tasty healthy dish available.

8. Eat 5 or 6 light meals a day. Not feeling too hungry and eating small portions helps keep you from over-indulging at an event. Sit down, get comfortable, eat slowly, savor each bite and you'll eat less.

9. Prepare healthy holiday meals. If you must fix traditional holiday foods, substitute healthy ingredients, like skim milk instead of whole, mashed banana or stevia instead of sugar and applesauce instead of oil.

10. Be rigorous but realistic. Relax and enjoy the season. Unrealistic expectations can only lead to holiday stress and overeating. And don't try to lose weight during the holidays. Just shoot for maintaining.

Tasty food and holiday gatherings go hand in hand. But it's time to get it right. Use these ten healthy holiday eating and healthy lifestyle tips to have a happy HEALTHY holiday this year and for years to come.

Have a Healthy and Successful Holiday Season!

A Poison You May Not Even Know Your Taking

Aspartame, more commonly known as NutraSweet or Equal, is one of the most toxic substances being consumed today. The artificial sweetener, currently used in over 4,000 products worldwide, entertains a sordid past and has been one of the most tested and debated food additives in the history of the FDA. While the manufacturer maintains that aspartame is not a danger to your health, the scientific studies don't necessarily agree. The FDA has approved the product for mass consumption, in spite of overwhelming evidence that aspartame can have neurotoxic, metabolic, allergenic and carcinogenic effects. When you question how such a substance has not been banned, one simply needs to look at the billions of dollars generated by the sale of aspartame each year. In light of the staggering number of dollar signs involved, it's easy to see that the artificial sweetener industry has reached Big Tobacco status. With so much money at stake, the truth suffers almost as much as the health of the consumers, while the shareholders' wealth continues to grow exponentially.

The Ingredients
In 1965, James Schlatter, a chemist for G.D. Searle, was developing an anti-ulcer drug when he accidentally stumbled upon aspartame. Made up of aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%) and methanol (10%), aspartame is 200 times sweeter than natural sugar.

Aspartic Acid
Aspartate is a neurotransmitter in the brain, facilitating information from one neuron to another. Too much aspartate allows an influx of calcium into the brain cells, triggering an excessive amount of free radicals which kill the cells. Aspartate is referred to as an "excitotoxin" because of the nerve cell damage that it causes. Many chronic illnesses have been attributed to long term excitotoxin exposure, including multiple sclerosis, ALS, memory loss, hormonal problems, hearing loss, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypoglycemia, dementia, brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders.

In 1971, Dr. John Olney, neuroscientist and one of the world's foremost experts on excitotoxins, informed G.D. Searle that his research had revealed that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of mice. Searle did not inform the FDA of these findings until after aspartame's approval in 1981. This would prove to be one event in a startling pattern of lies and deception.


Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Human testing has shown phenylalanine levels in the blood are increased significantly in those who chronically use aspartame. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin to decrease, which can lead to depression, schizophrenia and make one more susceptible to seizures.

Studies conducted on rats by G.D. Searle found phenylalanine to be safe for humans. However, Louis J. Elsas, II, M.D., Director of Medical Genetics and Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine told the U.S. Senate in 1987 that, "Normal humans do not metabolize phenylalanine as efficiently as do lower species such as rodents and thus most of the previous studies on aspartame effects on rodents are irrelevant." Unfortunately, this fell on deaf ears and failed to garner additional testing.

Methanol
By far, the most controversial ingredient in aspartame is methanol (aka wood alcohol). An EPA assessment of methanol states that it is "considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidated to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are toxic." This oxidation occurs when methanol reaches 86 degrees F (30 degrees C).

Formaldehyde
A product broken down from aspartate is a known carcinogen and causes retinal damage, birth defects and interferes with DNA replications. The EPA recommends a consumption limit of 7.8 mg/day. A 1 Liter aspartame sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol, seven times the EPA limit. The most common maladies related to methanol poisoning are vision problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage and blindness.

Source: www.naturalnews.com

Most foods that say "Sugar Free" will contain aspartame. Here's just a few.
Breath Mints
Carbonated Soft Drinks/Pop
Cereals
Chewing Gum
Flavored Water Products
Fruit Spreads
Hard Candies
Instant Cocoa Mix
Jams & Jellies
Juice
Maple Syrups
Meal Replacements
Most Diet Drinks
Protein Nutritional Drinks
Vegetable Drinks
Yogurts, Drinkable, Fat & Sugar Free

These are consumed by people everyday. Read the label! If it has aspartame put it back!

Have a Healthy and Successful Sweetener Free Day!  

Do You Get A Cold Or The Flu? Not Anymore!

Even when you know how to be healthy, this is the time of year when colds, flu and viruses have a better chance of taking you down.

So here’s your 12-step program for how to avoid getting sick and stay healthy and well.

Although it’s an essential part of the plan, knowing how to stay healthy and well isn’t just based on starting out with robust health. Aggressive pathogens run rampant all day long on any surfaces you touch.

And no matter how well you take care of yourself, you MAY still get infected.

But, with these how to avoid getting sick tips, you can greatly improve your odds of making it all the way through this flu-season unscathed. And if you do get sick, your symptoms won’t be as severe or as long-lasting. I haven't been sick in years and now you can have a fighting chance too!

Here are your flu fighting down-and-dirty-dozen tips for how to avoid getting sick, prevent colds and flu, be well and stay healthy all season long:

1. Stay away from sick people. Although germs are all around us, they’re naturally more concentrated in sick people. So avoid close contact at social gatherings or work with anyone who seems under-the-weather. And, if you must visit somebody in the hospital, sit in a doctor’s waiting room or care for a sick child, which are all germ factories, wear a mask.

2. Eat only super healthy food. How well you eat has a huge effect on whether or not your body has the resistance necessary to protect you from germ invasions. So make sure you’re eating healthy foods, like lean protein, whole grains and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Maintain germ-free hands. Since much of your contact with the world is through your hands, and bacteria and viruses can live on surfaces up to 8 hours, keeping your hands squeaky clean helps protect you from getting sick. Here’s a list of some of the main germ hideout sites:

Malls	Handrails	Shopping carts
Money	Doorknobs	Gym equipment
Schools	Playgrounds	Public restrooms
Libraries	Office phones	Restaurant Tables

And also be wary of cafeteria, restaurant and all group shared foods.

4. Keep hands off your face. One of the best ways for germs to get into your body is through your mouth, eyes and nose. So even if you’re vigilant about washing hands, get in the habit of not touching your face.

5. Avoid breathing toxic fumes. Inhaling airborne germs from people’s coughs and sneezes are infectious. But smoking, second-hand smoke and traffic fumes can destroy vitamin C and also weaken your defenses.

6. Take immunity supplements. Combined with a healthy diet, nutritional supplements definitely help you to stay well. Along with the basic daily nutrients, antioxidant supplements, like A, C, E and selenium, plus vitamin D, enzymes and probiotics can all help you avoid getting sick.

7. Drink plenty of clean water. Drinking water is essential to staying healthy. Add some lemon with natural vitamin C to help fight off foreign invaders and stevia extract to turn it into healthy lemonade.

8. Be sensible about exercise. Staying active helps reduce stress and improves your immune system. But if you feel like you might be getting sick, skip the workout. Your body needs rest and all your extra resources in order to fight off whatever germs you’ve been exposed to.

9. Always get plenty of sleep. Your immune system is very effective at defending you against foreign invaders, but your body needs downtime in order to restore itself. This is especially true if you’re fighting off an infection. So learn how get a good night's sleep – every night.

10. Don’t share food or utensils. Germs can easily find their way into party dips, finger food or any shared dishes or drinks. And be sure to use your dishwasher or hot soapy water to clean dishes at home.

11. Avoid drinking excess alcohol. According to research, alcohol weakens your immune system for up to 24 hours. So, especially if you feel you might be coming down with something, lay off the booze.

12. If you get sick, be pro-active. Drink plenty of liquids (like water with lemon, herb tea and plain broth), avoid congestive foods and overeating, get lots and lots of rest and take extra nutritional supplements.

And be smart about antibiotics. While they’re effective with bacterial infections, like pneumonia or sinusitis, most colds, sore throats and flues are caused by viruses, which are totally unresponsive to antibiotics.

Plus, needlessly taking antibiotics will only weaken your immune system.

While learning how to avoid getting sick, stay healthy and be well takes effort, it’s a vital part of knowing how to be healthy all year long.

To order all you immune boosting supplements click HERE.

Have a Healthy and Successful Sick Free Winter!

Coffee. To drink or Not To Drink.

A cup of plain, black coffee has about 10 calories. But add milk, chocolate, whipped cream and other flavor enhancers and coffee-shop staples such as mocha lattes can contain more calories than a Big Mac. When you consider that many people have these drinks daily, the total calorie intake can add up quickly.If you are not ready to give up coffee just yet but want to steer away from the sugar-laden versions, try these simple steps: you'll still get the flavor, but with less sugar.

• Skip the chocolate sauce and instead opt for a small piece of high-quality dark chocolate on the side.
• Add cinnamon (which may aid digestion) rather than caramel or other sweeteners.
• Forgo the whipped cream; a modest amount of unsweetened half-and-half is a better choice.
• I love adding Mochatonix. It increases energy. Promotes the burning of fat. Helps heighten alertness and endurance levels.
• Leave the sugar in the cupboard and grab some raw honey. Raw honey  contains trace enzymes; minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium; amino acids; and vitamins, including a wide range of B vitamins such as riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin and pyridoxine.

Coffee is full of antioxidants and in moderation can have health benefits. Just make sure to leave out the high calorie additions.

Have a Healthy and Successful Day!

Holiday. Eat This Not That

Holiday parties are notorious for finger foods filled with high-glycemic carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. To help guide you to better nutrition choices this holiday season, use this list of appetizers to avoid:

 Dips. Skip the creamy, cheesy dips and opt for fresh salsa instead.

1. Cocktail franks and mini-meatballs. Neither is a good source of lean protein and both can pack a big serving of calories and sodium. Choose peel-and-eat shrimp or sushi instead.
2. Anything fried. From mini-eggrolls and quiche to chicken wings, deep-fried foods contain altered fats that are detrimental to the body. Wholegrain crackers and a small slice of low-fat cheese can satisfy a savory craving with far fewer calories and fat.
3. Alcohol. An abundance of the good stuff will not only pack on the calories but it will also give you the cravings for high fat, high sugary foods.

Here are healthy options for your cocktail plates!

1. Vegetables. The fiber in veggies will help fill you up, and they provide a nice, satisfying crunch. Choose a spectrum of colors (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are good choices) and serve with low- or non-fat plain yogurt. Add some fresh herbs and seasonings for flavor.
2. Mixed nuts. When eaten sparingly, nuts are a terrific snack. Walnuts are a favorite, as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds and roasted soy nuts are also good choices. Nuts can be high in calories and fat (even if it's the healthy monounsaturated kind) so don't overindulge.
3. Smoked salmon. Salmon (especially wild Alaskan sockeye salmon) provides omega-3 fatty acids, the anti-inflammatory, essential fats our bodies need for optimum health.
4. Filtered Water. Not only will it keep you hydrated but it will also help fill you up. Drinking plenty of water will curb the mindless munching. Need a warm drink? Try some green tea.

The holiday's are a time when many pack on the pounds. Keep in mind these few tips and you will survive packing on the pounds this holiday season.

Have a Healthy and Successful Christmas!

The Diet Myth

Many people try to lose weight by eating diet foods that claim to be prepared in a healthy fashion. Whether they are "nutritionally balanced" frozen dinners, supplement shakes or meal replacement bars, they are not truly healthy alternatives to whole food.

Why is Over Sixty Percent of The Population Overweight?

Lets face it. The main reason we gain weight and develop health problems is because of poor eating choices. People are looking for “the magic solution” by buying metabolism boosting drinks or taking meal replacement shakes that promise results. The truth of the matter is, the only way we are going to reverse the effects of bad eating habits is to reverse the cycle by developing good eating habits. 

Do Meal Replacement Bars and Shakes Work?

Meal replacement shakes, drinks, and bars are becoming more popular. They have been around for many years yet the obesity rate continues to rise at a record pace! My personal opinion is that I prefer people eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and fish that the earth provides us. However, if you choose a meal replacement bar or shake it is best to not skip your meals but use them as a morning or afternoon snack. It is NOT HEALTHY to replace nutritious foods with only synthetic bars and shakes. You can fool the body some of the time but not all the time.

Many of these prepared foods contain poor ingredients - especially unhealthy fats. Manufacturers love partially hydrogenated oils because they extend shelf life, but in my opinion they are dangerous. For one thing, these oils are sources of trans fatty acids (TFAs), which increase risks of both cardiovascular disease and cancer. TFAs are just as bad, if not worse, for the heart and arteries than saturated fats. They increase total cholesterol, raise "bad" LDL (low density lipoprotein) and lower "good" HDL (high density lipoprotein). Beyond that, TFAs may also have adverse effects on cell membranes and the immune system, and may promote inflammation and aging. 

To sum it all up. Choosing a diet with only meal replacement bars and shakes is not a healthy way to go. You must combine it with healthy balanced meals and exercise for the results to be effective (health wise).   

Stayed tuned to an upcoming blog on "The Perfect Diet" for health and weight loss.

Have a Healthy and Successful Day!

Holiday Stress Relief Tips for Healthy Holidays

Are you having trouble coping with holiday stress? Are healthy holidays even possible?

Holidays can be the best of times or the worst of times. But many people have holiday stress and depression with no stress relief.

If you're suffering from holiday stress or holiday depression and wondering what ever happened to seasonal joy and peace,  found you're not alone. A study from American Psychological Association.

During the holidays people feel burdened with holiday stress from:

• Credit card debt (23%)
• Never enough time (34%)
• Pressures of gift giving (42%)
• Or lack of enough money (61%)

And most everyone turns to over-eating unhealthy foods or drinking alcohol. Not only do we tend to eat and drink more, we have more heart attacks, exercise less and gain an average of 10 pounds.

Ten Top Tips for Healthy Holiday Stress Relief

While "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house" may sound fun, excessive holiday stress and post holiday depression can seriously undermine your health, happiness and finances.

So try these holiday stress tips to help you have a healthy holiday.

1. Take charge of your holiday. Hospital emergency room and police reports show more sickness, addiction, criminal activity and mental suffering during holidays. So make a list and simplify.

2. Always put yourself first. It's not selfish. Taking care of yourself is an essential part of taking care of others. Rethink the holidays with your well-being in mind. Plan ahead and do what works best for you. 


3. Eat healthy holiday food. The holidays don't have to be fat and sugar free-for-all. Overindulgence causes stress, causing more overindulgence. Healthy holiday eating is choosing an apple over apple pie. 


4. Exercise for stress relief. Walking is an excellent exercise to relieve anxiety and stress. If weather isn't conducive to a walk, go to the mall and weave your way around all the busy harried shoppers. 


5. Take time to rest and relax. Get a good nights sleep, go for a leisurely walk, practice deep breathing and listen to soothing music. Slowing down can actually give you more healthy holiday energy. 


6. Rein in excess shopping. Don't go crazy indulging everyone’s whims. Shop on the Internet and limit your gift-giving to a special few. Happy holiday memories are built on time spent with loved ones. 


7. Say "No thank you" often. Be kind but firm and people will learn to accept turned-down obligation invitations. And if they don't, that's their problem. Only say "yes" to what you really want to do.


8. Keep an attitude of gratitude. Staying positive is important to stress management. Make a daily list of what you’re grateful for.

9. Create your healthy holiday. You don't have to be a slave to holiday traditions. Keep those that work for you and discard the rest. You can always share yourself through e-mails and pictures.

10. Give the gift of joy and love. Holiday stress often puts people in a rotten mood. If you're happy and vibrating with joyful holiday spirit, you'll help others to have a happy healthy holiday spirit too.

Whether your holidays are the best or worst of times is up to you. Follow these ten healthy holiday stress tips for depression and holiday stress relief and have happy healthy holiday seasons for years to come.

Have a Healthy and Successful Stress Free Holiday!

The Truth about Prescription Drugs

Men's Health-by Lara Rosenbaum

How much do you think the prescription drugs you take help you? Chances are, you’re giving them too much credit. Most people assume medications work better than they do—and worse, the average person isn’t aware of a drug’s limited benefits—New Hampshire researchers recently found.

According to the study, 39 percent of adults surveyed believed FDA-approved drugs to be “extremely effective,” and 25 percent believed the FDA only approves drugs without side effects. Newsflash: Neither is true.

“Most people don’t realize that to garner FDA approval, a drug company only has to show the medication is better than nothing and the benefit outweighs harm,” says study co-author, Steven Woloshin, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. “The initial studies are also often conducted over a short period of time—usually 6 months.”

Take, for example, the sleep aid Lunesta. While it’s been proven to help people fall asleep faster than if they’d taken a placebo, it only helped folks snooze 15 minutes faster, Dr. Woloshin says. Yep. And those who took the drug experienced side effects, like feeling drowsier the next day.

To be fair, it’s not necessarily the FDA’s fault. “They’re under pressure to quickly bring new drugs to market,” Dr. Woloshin explains.

Dr. Woloshin has been working to get new “fact boxes” approved by the FDA, which feature clear, diagnosis-specific information on a drug’s benefits and risks so that you can be more informed. Until that happens, it’s up to you to talk with your doc, says Michael Steinman, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. He suggests these steps to help you choose wisely:
•DIY research. Dr. Steinman suggests using MedlinePlus, a service provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Browse by drug to learn the side effects, dosage instructions, and drug interactions.
•Know your needs. Some drugs treat a surrogate outcome, like high blood pressure. “If possible, choose one which has been shown to prevent an actual outcome, like a heart attack, stroke, or even death,” Dr. Steinman says.
•Older drugs can be safer. “It can take 3 to 5 years for serious side effects to show up (and for a medication to be pulled), and sometimes even 7,” Dr. Steinman explains. “Ask how long the drug has been on the market.”
•Remind your doctor what you’re taking. Says Dr. Steinman, “If you experience any negative health changes while taking medication, remind your doctor of your prescription. Sometimes doctors diagnose a new illness rather than see it as a side effect.”

Have A Healthy and Successful Day!

Omega-3 fats from fish oil and supplements prevent and slow arthritis progression

(NaturalNews) Humans have been consuming omega-3 fats from natural fish, nut and seed sources for countless generations. Our core genetic structure depends on a regular supply of the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA to form cell wall structures and perform millions of metabolic functions that we normally associate with vibrant health. Imbalance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats cause a surge in inflammatory cytokines that can lead to the painful and debilitating condition known as osteoarthritis. New research published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage has shown for the first time that omega-3 fats supplied by fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis as we age.

Researchers from the University of Bristol in England tested the effect of omega-3 fats on a breed of guinea pigs that are genetically predisposed to develop arthritis. Guinea pigs were chosen for this study as they develop osteoarthritis in a similar manner to humans. Anecdotal reports over the years provide support for the beneficial effect of fish consumption on joint health. Dr. John Tarlton from the Matrix Biology Research Group and his team set out to confirm the impact of omega-3 fatty acids, either sourced from fish oil or flax oil, in preventing or slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis.

Omega-3 Fat Supplementation Slashes Osteoarthritis Disease Progression by Half

The team fed one group of guinea pigs a diet including full-spectrum omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) and compared the results to a second control group of non-supplemented animals. Typical degradation of collagen in cartilage and the loss of molecules that give it shock-absorbing properties were both reduced in the omega-3 supplemented group. Researchers noted that omega-3 fats reduced disease by 50 per cent compared to the control group.

Upon examination of the results, Dr. Tarlton explained: "there was strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression, potentially controlling established osteoarthritis." This is a critical finding, as most people suffering from arthritis are prescribed a plethora of ineffective pain medications that dramatically increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or of suffering a heart attack.

Omega fat imbalance from a poor diet causes excessive joint inflammation and needless suffering. Researchers performing this study concluded "Most diets in the developed world are lacking in omega-3, with modern diets having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and too little omega-3. Taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as heart disease." Many health-minded individuals will want to supplement with a molecularly distilled form of fish oil (minimum 1200 mg EPA/DHA content) each day to combat inflammation and osteoarthritis

To get your Omega 3 oil today Click HERE

Have a Healthy and Successful Omega 3 Filled Day!

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Is holiday weight gain traditional for you? With all the seasonal pressure, holiday food temptation may seem just too hard to fight.

So every year you give in and pretend you’ll lose those extra pounds after the holidays.

But studies show the average 2 to 7 lbs. of holiday weight gain are rarely lost. Maybe it’s time to learn how to avoid holiday weight gain from the get go. The 7 steps below can help you have a happier, healthy holiday.

And instead of feasting on fatty food, you’ll feel fulfilled with festive fun!

Then come January 1st, you can begin the New Year with fresh new goals, instead of the same-old, same-old goal of undoing holiday weight gain.

7 Steps for How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Although the holidays may not be the best time to lose weight, by following these seven steps, you can easily maintain your current weight throughout the holiday season and end up weighing less without the stress.

1. Make a commitment & plan. For most people, eating unhealthy fatty foods and sweets is addictive. To avoid holiday weight gain, like any weight gain, start with a lifelong commitment to healthy eating. Figure out what’s more important to you than eating addictive foods and use your motivating desire to make a strong commitment and a foolproof plan.

2. Keep your eyes on the prize. Focus on your goal instead of addictive unhealthy foods. If you know what you want and your commitment and desire are strong enough, it’ll be easy to always choose plain, low calorie veggies, lean protein, whole grains, raw nuts and fresh fruit.

3. Prepare ahead for each event. Calmly think it through, make a plan and visualize a positive outcome for every holiday gathering. Eat a healthy, low-calorie (but filling) snack beforehand – NEVER go HUNGRY! And, if it’s appropriate, bring along a healthy dish to share with others.

4. Be active & exercise every day. Don’t let the busyness of the season or colder weather give you an excuse not to exercise. Physical activity not only burns calories, it also helps to reduce feelings of stress. So, besides your regular exercise routine, find other ways to stay active.

5. Drink plain water, avoid alcohol. Not only does holiday alcohol add empty calories, it also stimulates appetite and reduces your willpower. At social events, stick with a lemon twist in “bubbly” water and, if you must have a drink, use it as a relaxing reward when you get home. If you indulge have a water between drinks.

6. Manage control of your holidays. You don’t have to be a victim of frantic holiday obligations. You can tactfully turn down invitations, decline to go into holiday-spending debt and politely refuse to eat food that doesn’t serve your goals. You can host your own healthy holiday party or make reservations where you can order what works for you. You can take charge and do it your way to have a happy healthy holiday this year.

7. Maintain a positive frame of mind. Learning how to avoid holiday weight gain can be a challenge. But the holidays can also be a fabulously fun time of year. Just focus on nonfood fun. And if you mess up, don’t stress out over it. Forgive yourself and anyone else involved, get back on track and do whatever it takes to have a happy, healthy holiday!

Have a Healthy and Successful Holiday Season! Oh and Merry Christmas to all!

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I want to give YOU the easiest, most natural and effortless system EVER DESIGNED for losing FAT, losing weight, increasing energy, creating health, and looking and feeling better than you ever have before.

So many healthy, happy, physically fit men and women have learned about the power of this system. Now YOU can be one of them ... You tell me how much you want to lose. I don't care if it's 5, 10 or 100 pounds and I WILL make it happen for you!!! Just watch this video on how and why I guarantee your weight loss!

This complete system is truly the best solution on the market! Why? Because TLS is not a diet. As we know diets are temporary, and should not be followed long term. Cutting calories, meal replacements or starving yourself will actually do more harm than good! Watch this video called the "FAT FACTOR" it will explain "Diets" and what you should expect when "dieting"

 
Are you ready? Doesn't that make absolute sense? Why wait, it's later than you think. Get your FREE consult today. Not only is the consult FREE but if you contact me before the end of December you will save 15%!!! Save money and lose the fat, talk about a WIN, WIN!
What do you have to lose?

Have a Healthy and Successful Day!