Immune Health

The immune system – which is made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs – defends people against germs and microorganisms every day. In most cases, the immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy and preventing infections. But sometimes problems with the immune system can lead to illness and infection.
Components of the Immune System
The most obvious part of the immune system is what you can see. For example, skin is an important part of the immune system, since it acts as the primary boundary between germs and your body. Skin is tough and generally impermeable to bacteria and viruses.
Your nose, mouth and eyes are also obvious entry points for germs. Tears and mucus contain an enzyme (lysozyme) that breaks down the cell wall of many bacteria. Saliva is also anti-bacterial. Since the nasal passage and lungs are coated in mucus, many germs not killed immediately are trapped in the mucus and soon swallowed. Any bacteria or virus that wants to gain entry to your body must first make it past these defenses.
Once inside the body, a germ deals with the immune system at a different level. The major components of the immune system are:

• Thymus
• Spleen
• Lymph system
• Bone marrow
• White blood cells
• Antibodies
• Complement system
• Hormones

Types of Immunity
Humans have three types of immunity — innate, adaptive, and passive:

• Innate Immunity: Innate (or natural) immunity is the basic protection our bodies provide. This includes the body’s external barriers to germs and disease (the skin and mucous membranes), which are the first line of defense. If this outer defensive wall is broken (as through a cut), the skin attempts to heal the break quickly and special immune cells on the skin attack invading germs.
• Adaptive Immunity: Adaptive (or active) immunity develops throughout our lives. Adaptive immunity involves the lymphocytes and develops as people are exposed to diseases or immunized against diseases through vaccination.
• Passive Immunity: Passive immunity is “borrowed” from another source and it lasts for a short time. For example, antibodies in breast milk provide babies with temporary immunity to diseases the mother has been exposed to.

Everyone’s immune system is different. Some people never seem to get infections, whereas others seem to be sick all the time. As people get older, they usually become immune to more germs as the immune system comes into contact with more and more of them. That’s why adults and teens tend to get fewer colds than kids — their bodies have learned to recognize and immediately attack many of the viruses that cause colds.
Problems of the Immune System
Disorders of the immune system fall into four main categories:

• immunodeficiency disorders (primary or acquired)
• autoimmune disorders (in which the body’s own immune system attacks its own tissue as foreign matter)
• allergic disorders (in which the immune system overreacts in response to an antigen)
• cancers of the immune system

For more information about vaccines and antibiotics and how they play a role in your immune system, click here.
What Affects Immunity
Much like soldiers who grow weary in battle, your immune cells can also lose some of their protective effects when your body is constantly battling poor health habits. As such, it’s not surprising that doctors frequently recommend certain lifestyle changes as a way to optimize the function of your immune system. One of the most important steps someone can take to help the immune system is to achieve balance and adopt the fundamentals of healthy living. This includes reducing stress, as there is ample evidence that stress negatively impacts one’s health. Lowering stress can help the body maintain both physical and emotional health.
Nutrition and diet
The functioning of the immune system, like most systems in the body, is dependent on proper nutrition. It has been long known that severe malnutrition leads to immunodeficiency, while receiving too many nutrients can lead to diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Specific foods may also affect the immune system; for example, fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in certain fatty acids may foster a healthy immune system.
Antioxidants and immune health
One of the best ways to keep your immune system strong and prevent colds and flu might surprise you: Shop your supermarket’s produce aisle. Experts say a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you ward off infections like colds and flu. That’s because these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants.
What are antioxidants? They are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Many experts believe this damage plays a part in a number of chronic diseases, including hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), cancer, and arthritis. Free radicals can also interfere with your immune system. So fighting off damage with antioxidants helps keep your immune system strong, making you better able to ward off colds, flu, and other infections.
A diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and nutrients can boost immunity to help fight infection. Researchers believe that when the balance between free radicals and antioxidants is upset, it can contribute to developing cancer and heart disease, as well as age-related diseases.
For additional information about antioxidants and free radicals, click here.
Things that can zap your Immune System
Lack of exercise: Studies show that regular, moderate exercise – like a daily 30 minute walk – can help your immune system fight infection. When you’re a non-exerciser, your risk of infections – such as colds — increases. Also, a sedentary lifestyle can interfere with sleep quality at night and can lead to obesity and other problems that increase your risk of illness. Getting your heart rate up for just 20 minutes just three times a week is associated with increased immune function, and a brisk walk five days a week can help reduce your risk of catching a cold.
Being overweight: Studies show that being overweight or obese can impair the immune system. For example, studies have shown that obese and overweight mice make fewer antibodies after receiving common vaccinations. Antibodies are a measured immune response to vaccination.
Eating foods high in sugar and fat: Consuming too much sugar suppresses immune system cells responsible for attacking bacteria. Even consuming just two 12-ounce sodas reduces the ability of white blood cells to overpower and destroy bacteria. This effect is seen for at least a few hours after consuming a sugary drink. A diet high in saturated fat has a similar effect.
Experiencing constant stress: While short-term stress may actually boost the immune system – the body produces more cortisol to make “fight or flight” possible – chronic stress has the opposite effect. It makes you more vulnerable to illness, from colds to serious diseases. Chronic stress exposes your body to a steady cascade of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which suppress the immune system.
Fatigue increases your susceptibility to illness: You’re more likely to catch a cold or other infection when you’re not getting enough sleep. Like stress, insomnia can cause a rise in inflammation in the body – possibly because lack of sleep also leads to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. Although researchers aren’t exactly sure how sleep boosts the immune system, it’s clear that getting adequate amounts – usually 7 to 9 hours for an adult – is essential to good health.
Being socially isolated: Having strong relationships and a good social network is important to your physical health as well as your mental health – and specifically your immune system. Several studies support the idea that people who feel connected to friends – whether it’s a few close friends or a large group – have stronger immunity than those who feel alone. Another recent study found that isolation changed the immune system on a cellular level: Being lonely affected the way some genes that controlled the immune system were expressed.

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The Unknown of Biotin

by Olivia Mungal

As a health conscious person, you already probably know that the B-complex vitamins play an essential role in metabolizing energy, but you may not know as much about the actions of the individual B vitamins such as Biotin. You will also sometimes hear Biotin called either vitamin B7 or vitamin H. You have Biotin present in your body naturally, and it is very helpful in several of your bodily functions, especially those related to your metabolism.
Biotin, along with the other B-complex vitamins, has the main functions of helping your body to process energy, and of carrying carbon dioxide through your body. Your sweat glands, nerve tissue and bone marrow also function at their peak efficiency when you have proper Biotin levels.
You can also get other, much lesser known, benefits from the Biotin in your body or from the Biotin that you ingest via supplements. Biotin supplements may be an option for you if you would like to try to intensify the positive effects of this vitamin. While the main reason that you would normally take a Biotin supplement is to correct a Biotin deficiency, you can potentially get other positive effects as well.
Biotin Metabolism Benefits
Biotin is essential for your metabolic process. This vitamin processes nearly every type of food that you ingest, including carbohydrates, protein and fat. When biotin levels are at the proper levels in your body, the food that you take in will be processed quickly. Your doctor may even prescribe a biotin supplement if you suffer from metabolic issues, since it can help get your metabolism up to normal functioning levels quickly. If you are trying to lose weight, a Biotin supplement may help, since it is sometimes thought to speed up weight loss, due to its clear effects on metabolic levels.
Biotin Blood Sugar Benefits
Biotin plays a major role in your blood glucose production. Since biotin is heavily involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates within your body, it is largely responsible for keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels. If you suffer from diabetes, you may be given a Biotin supplement as a way to get your blood sugar levels up to properly functional amounts.
Biotin Hair & Nail Growth Benefits
Biotin may have an important role in the growth and maintenance of your hair and nails. If you suffer from a Biotin deficiency, you will typically experience hair loss and brittle nails, and taking supplements of this vitamin may help to halt this process. In many cases, taking a Biotin supplement may even help you to stimulate new hair and nail growth. Even though hair loss is rarely caused by a Biotin deficiency in your body, this problem can quite often be helped if you take Biotin supplements regularly. Even if you have normal Biotin levels, you may choose to take Biotin as a supplement in the hopes of capitalizing on its ability to stimulate rapid hair and nail growth.
Biotin General Health Benefits
Biotin, like all of the B-complex vitamins, has an essential role within your body. If you suspect that you may be suffering a Biotin deficiency, make sure to check with your doctor, and give consideration to a Biotin supplement. Biotin offers your body much more than just a metabolic boost – it can help virtually every part of your body to achieve and maintain good health.

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Detoxify your liver for a Fresh Start

by Dr. Robert Blair

Our lifestyle choices often expose us to chemicals harmful to our bodies. These toxins can come from air pollutants, smoking, pesticides not fully cleaned from the foods we eat, and daily stress to which we expose ourselves. Our liver is an amazing organ that works hard to filter these compounds from our bodies; however, our liver is not always able to keep up with the toxin load to which we expose our bodies. This can result in a buildup of toxins in our body, particularly in our body fat. Detox diets and supplements that support normal liver health are two potential ways we can help reduce the buildup of toxins in our bodies.

Detoxifying Through Diet

Detox diets have become tremendously popular and for many people they can be a great way to kick start their diet plans. But what exactly is a detox diet? Detox diets come in a variety of forms, but when one breaks it down to the basics they are very low calorie diets, which promote certain foods and omit other foods and that are followed for a very short period of time.

While such diets do tend to be low in calories, the goal of a detox diet is not necessarily weight loss. Many people who are already at their target weight detox on a routine basis throughout the year for reasons of health, while others might use them as a means to help mobilize stored body fat at the beginning of a weight-loss program. In both cases, however, detox diets are designed to be devoid of unhealthy foods and drinks, minimize consumption of toxins from the environment, and are rich in fruits, vegetables and water.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. This makes them an important part of a detox diet in order to help the dieter still get the nutrients they need. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber, a nutrient that supports regular digestive tract function to help eliminate toxins. Fruits and vegetables also contain numerous polyphenols, natural plant chemicals that have a variety of functions, including supporting normal liver detoxification enzymes. Drinking plenty of water helps keep our kidney’s functioning regularly, which in turn helps flush toxins out of our system.

Detoxifying Through Supplements

Another important part of detox diets are dietary supplements. Dietary supplements can help us meet our nutritional needs as well as support healthy liver function. However, it is important to choose the right supplements to optimize the detox diet. Some of the best dietary supplements include:

Multivitamin/Multimineral. Anytime we follow a restrictive dietary pattern where we limit the amounts and types of foods we eat, there is a risk of not obtaining all of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Taking a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement can help us avoid a nutrient deficiency during a detox diet.

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Broccoli Extract. Broccoli and broccoli extracts are sources of the natural plant chemicals indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane. These compounds have been reported to support the normal production of phase II liver detoxification enzymes and promote our body’s natural antioxidant system. These benefits help protect our bodies from oxidative stressors and help promote the natural clearance of toxins from our body. Other cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, and kale, also contain these beneficial plant compounds.

Curcumin. Curcumin is the most well-known compound derived from the spice turmeric. In addition to its potent antioxidant properties, curcumin has been reported to have several different activities that support normal human health. For example, it has been suggested that curcumin promotes normal cellular antioxidant enzymes, and supports production of the phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase. These activities help our body’s clear environmental toxins to which we have been exposed and fight oxidative stress.

nutraMetrix Curcumin Extreme with broccoli seed extract promotes liver detoxification, promotes healthy glutathione levels and normal cellular regeneration. Broccoli seed extractis a potent source of sulphoraphane glucosinolates. Sulforaphanes support the normal production of Phase II liver detoxification enzymes, including glutathione synthase, heme-oxygenase and catalase
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Milk Thistle. Milk thistle contains a group of active chemical compounds called flavonolignans that are commonly referred to as silymarin. Silymarin has antioxidant properties that fight free radical-generated oxidative damage. When our liver detoxifies environmental contaminants, free radicals are generated that can cause damage; silymarin has been shown to protect our bodies from this oxidative damage. One of the main components of silymarin is silybin. Research studies have reported that silybin can support normal liver health and liver enzymes and thus help support the liver’s ability to clear toxins.

Green Tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidant compounds called catechins, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). In addition to the ability of green tea polyphenols to support cellular antioxidant compounds, it has been demonstrated that green tea compounds can support detoxification enzymes, helping to protect our bodies from oxidative stress and environmental toxins.

Timeless Prescription™ Oxygen Extreme is a combination of vitamins, minerals and special herbs including Milk Thistle and Green Tea in a capsule form that helps protect our body from the negative effects of free radical
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N-Acetyl Cysteine. N-acetyl cysteine is derived from the amino acid cysteine, which is an important component of the cellular antioxidant glutathione. N-acetyl cysteine has been shown to have numerous health benefits including protection from acetaminophen poisoning. Additionally, some studies have suggested that N-acetyl cysteine protects liver health from exposure to heavy metals and other environmental contaminants.

nutraMetrix NutriClean HepatoCleanse contains proven herbs and botanicals like N=Acetyl Cysteine & Milk Thistle that encourage the liver's detoxification of harmful toxins that have built up, hindering optimal liver functioning.
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If you choose to follow a detox diet for a short-term cleansing, remember to take a good multivitamin/multimineral to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. In addition to following the plan of your favorite detox diet, consider giving it a boost with the addition of dietary supplements like the ones above that can provide antioxidant support and promote normal detoxification systems. But since detox diets might not be for everyone, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting.

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Curcumin: A Foundational Antioxidant

 by Sean Wells

Along with numerous nutrients that have been deemed as required in human nutrition, there are others for which no RDA exists, but that most of us should perhaps be more interested in, given the benefits they offer. In this category, one compound that seems to represent a bit of an unsung hero is curcumin.

Found in turmeric—a common spice of the Middle East—curcumin has a lengthy history in ancient culture, both in culinary and medical circles. The popularity of turmeric has recently increased in America as well, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimating that approximately 2,400 metric tons of turmeric are imported into the U.S. annually.

Along with this increase in general use, curcumin has stimulated an increase in the clinical research community. Studies thus far suggest the spice derivative possesses potential benefits in regard to inflammation, a primary precursor of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

These far-reaching benefits are a product of curcumins powerful antioxidant properties. All three of the above ailments are accompanied by inflammation, and according to some research prompted by it. It is in combating this ongoing cellular damage that curcumins value resides. These benefits can include virtually all the body’s tissues, including brain tissue. One particularly exciting application for curcumin is in the support of treatment for both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

In the past, a minor impediment to research was product potency. Most commercial turmeric preparations consist of only two to eight percent active curcumin. Recent innovations in manufacturing technology, however, have produced the next generation of this spice derivative. Known as BCM-95®, it has been shown in several studies to display a bioavailability of over six times that of conventionally prepared curcumin—this translates to a 400 mg dose of BCM-95 delivering the same usable amount of curcumin as 2,700 mg of standard extract.

Although, as mentioned, there is no RDA for curcumin, this same 400 mg dose is around the average recommendation of most experts, with some therapeutic studies using 10 times that amount in certain therapeutic-level applications.

It is important in the pursuit of optimum nutrition to be as comprehensive as possible in our collective research; it is the eventual discovery of compounds such as curcumin that more than compensate for our time and effort. This writing hopefully has delivered some insight into the benefits of one of the slightly lesser-known nutrients, and encouraged additional exploration.

 

There are many curcumin products on the market, but nutraMetrix Curcumin Extreme with BCM-95® has superior bioavailability and absorption. Curcumin Extreme promotes liver detoxification, promotes healthy glutathione levels and normal cellular regeneration. Taking Curcumin Extreme every day may help detoxify impurities in your body that can build up over time.* http://bit.ly/TweHrB

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3 Minerals For Managing Blood Pressure

By Kerri Whatley / Intern

Approximately 68 million Americans suffer from hypertension; of that number, 60,000 of them will progress into a potentially fatal stage of cardiovascular disease. By taking a few basic steps, however, it is possible to defy these statistics.
There are many ways that high blood pressure can be managed effectively, many of which are natural and relatively simple. Trying to relax more often whenever possible is one way; making sure to get some type of exercise on most days of the week is another. A third element that is very important is proper nutrition. In particular, vitamin and mineral intake can have an almost surprising benefit for helping to maintain normal blood pressure.
3 Minerals That Can Help Manage Blood Pressure

• Potassium: Potassium does a lot for our bodies and immune systems; one of its many responsibilities is removing bodily waste (a cause of high blood pressure). Researchers at Duke University found that getting more potassium could help relieve high blood pressure up to 20 points for people most at risk. The recommended intake would be 4700 milligrams a day.
• Magnesium: Most of the time potassium and magnesium work hand in hand. However, on its own, magnesium is an essential part of normal muscle and nerve function, steady heartbeat, strong bones and a healthy immune system. The suggested intake would be 500 milligrams daily.
• Calcium: As people age, calcium content in bones reduces, and intake of calcium-rich foods tends to decline; unfortunately, lower levels of calcium have also been linked to high blood pressure, making this particular mineral doubly important. The recommended dosage would be 1250 milligrams a day.

Although it has been established that these minerals will help maintain healthy blood pressure, it is important to employ the measures related to stress reduction and regular exercise mentioned as well. In addition, it is recommended that all adults over the age of 35—especially those with a family history of heart disease—have their blood pressure measured annually.

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nutraMetrix Isotonix Magnesium provides the body with 100 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium in a highly-bioavailable formula. Thanks to its unique formula, which includes two different types of magnesium to increase its absorption by the body, Isotonix Magnesium helps maintain normal blood pressure and supports bone health and sleep quality, while promoting head comfort and optimal muscle health.
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nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete paves the way for powerful results since it is in an isotonic form rather than a tablet. Calcium in tablet form is difficult for your body to absorb. People may fail to absorb tablet calcium supplements because the calcium supplement is not blended with vitamin D and magnesium; these are necessary to aid in the absorption and use of calcium.

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Children and Calcium

Milk and other calcium-rich foods have always been a must-have in kids’ diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. But more than 85% of girls and 60% of boys ages 9 to 18 fail to get the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.
That’s not surprising when you consider that many kids now drink more soda than milk, which is one of the best sources of calcium. But at every age, from infancy to adolescence, calcium is one nutrient that kids simply can’t afford to skip.
What Does Calcium Do?
During childhood and adolescence, the body uses the mineral calcium to build strong bones — a process that’s all but complete by the end of the teen years.
Teens, especially girls, whose diets don’t provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures from weakened bones. Younger kids and babies with little calcium and vitamin D intake (which aids in calcium absorption) are at increased risk for rickets. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that causes severe bowing of the legs, poor growth, and sometimes muscle pain and weakness.
Calcium plays an important role in muscle contraction, transmitting messages through the nerves, and the release of hormones. If blood calcium levels are low (due to poor calcium intake), calcium is taken from the bones to ensure normal cell function.
The current calcium recommendations are:

• 1 to 3 years — 500 milligrams of calcium daily
• 4 to 8 years — 800 milligrams
• 9 to 18 years — 1,300 milligrams

Getting enough calcium is just part of the equation. All children — from babies to teens — also should get 400 IU of vitamin D daily. If you don’t think your child is getting the nutrients needed, talk to your doctor about modifying your child’s diet or giving vitamin supplements to your child.

Many calcium supplements exist in the marketplace, but only nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete provides the body with an optimal blend of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin C and boron in an efficient isotonic solution that is readily absorbed by the body. This translates into a lower cost overall when compared to calcium supplements in pill form by making more of the active ingredients available to the body. Don't be misled by ingredient amounts. What really counts is the amount of active ingredients that your body can ultimately use http://bit.ly/OuITmo

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How to Defeat Holiday Stress

It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season might sometimes make you feel a little bah-humbug. Planning the parties. Family coming to town – all of them. Buying gifts on the credit card. Even in good times, stress is something we cannot escape. And unless contained and controlled, stress can take physical and emotional tolls on you.
When you’re under stress, you may find it harder to eat healthy. You become a stress-eater: someone who eats in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, even when you’re not hungry. Most of the time, you’re not reaching for celery stalks – out come the cookies, candy canes and every other non-healthy holiday option.
Plus, your body’s hormones begin to get out of whack. Your adrenal glands – which give the body bursts of strength and energy – kick in more frequently, which can lead to fatigue, sluggishness and imbalanced blood sugar levels. Plus, constant stress can cause the body to create and store more fat. Combined with stress-eating, your body begins to gain excess belly, which is known to be a bit harder to lose. This combination – can lead to excess holiday weight gain, a major reason the weight loss industry comes alive after the holidays (New Year’s Resolution, anyone?).
In addition to the physical problems, excess stress leads to quick loss of temper, outbursts and difficulty with focus. Plus, who wants to feel more frustration, anxiety and tired around the holidays? You want to enjoy your holidays, meaning you need to cut your stress levels as much as possible. Here are some tips and techniques on how to deal with stress so it doesn’t get the best of you this holiday season:

• Before eating, ask yourself why you’re eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
• If you’re tempted to eat when you’re not hungry, find a distraction.
• Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.
• Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
• Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

Supplements have also been studied for their affects on relieving stress, with certain ingredients being shown to have an impact on stress levels:

• L-Theanine: A major amino acid found in green tea, theanine has historically been used for its relaxing effects. It is believed theanine may work for relaxation by promoting normal levels of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid and serotonin.
• Rhodiola: Also called roseroot, this ingredient has long been associated with increasing the body’s resistance to the harmful effects of stressors, in addition to its potential for supporting learning and memory.
• Ashwagandha: An Indian herb also known as Winter Cherry, its antioxidant and sedative properties have been proven to help inhibit occasional fatigue, boost energy, promote emotional well-being and counteract the negative effects of stress.
• Passion Flower Extract: Research suggests apigenin – a flavonoid found in passion flower – can bind to receptors in the brain, possibly causing relaxation and helping regulate mood without impairing memory or motor skills.

The season is meant to bring the best out of everyone, not the worst. It’s about family, friends, and fellowship. Following these tips can help ensure that the holidays don’t stress you out.

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