Why Isotonix?

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Everything you eat and drink, including nutritional supplements, must be made isotonic before passing into your small intestine where it can be absorbed.

"Isotonic" means having the same fluid pressure as your other bodily fluids like blood and tears. When you eat food, drink a beverage, or take a pill or capsule, your stomach must first secrete diluting juices, enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and at least one vitamin-binding protein to continue the process of digestion. Muscular contractions of your stomach then mix the contents until a reasonably uniform solution is achieved. This process can take anywhere from 40 minutes to four hours.

In the time that it takes for most pills and capsules to disintegrate, and their contents to dissolve and transform to the proper isotonic state, much of their activity is lost. During digestion, the important micronutrients in pills and capsules can get trapped by fats, fibers, and tannins or inactivated by the highly acidic pH level of your stomach.

But Isotonix products are scientifically formulated with the perfect balance of fructose, d-glucose, citric acid, potassium bicarbonate and other ingredients to ensure that they are isotonic the moment they enter your body. When properly mixed with water and taken on an empty stomach, the isotonic solution flows into your small intestine almost immediately.

Isotonix products have been carefully formulated to clear your stomach at an optimal rate to maximize absorption. A pill does not fully deliver into your bloodstream the vitamins it holds within. Either the pill is dumped whole into your intestinal tract or the active ingredients pass through without being fully absorbed. Vitamins taken in Isotonix form do not have these shortcomings.

Isotonix delivers nutrient dense solutions which move from the stomach into your intestine in a fast, controlled way. And they're buffered to resist nutrient degradation and to be gentle on your system.

Defeating Diabetes: The Lifestyle Factor

From 1990 through 2010, the number of new diabetes cases in the United States has nearly tripled, increasing from 600,000 to over 1.7 million. Such numbers legitimately place diabetes at the top of the major health concerns of the 21stcentury.

In addition to the dangers it poses on its own, diabetes is also a precursor to otherlife-threatening complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. However, as a health disorder, diabetes—particularly type 2 diabetes, the variety which comprises nearly 95 percent of all cases—is unique in that lifestyle choices play the predominant role in prevention.  In this interest, the month of April has become Defeat Diabetes Month in the U.S.—a time when the Defeat Diabetes Foundation makes a special effort to promote both public awareness of the importance of preventative measures and the enormous value of people’s personal action in reducing their risk.

Physiologically, type 2 diabetes is the result a relative excess of intake carbohydrate and sugar intake without a corresponding need for these nutrients, such as occurs with regular exercise. Over time, the body’s cells become unresponsive to insulin, and blood sugar levels gradually elevate; this demands an ever-increasing release of insulin, with the unintended consequence of desensitizing the body’s cells to its effects. Left unchecked, this imbalance becomes cyclical, and increases until the body can no longer produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels at all.

As potentially vicious as this cycle might appear, the simple reality is that never has to begin. Taking decisive steps to manage blood sugar levels through proper eating, exercise and nutritional support play a pivotal role in maintaining normal insulin sensitivity, and reducing the risk for diabetes.

A key component is regular exercise, and all forms of exercise have proven effective for maintaining consistent blood sugar levels. Alternating between sessions of aerobic exercise and strength training, so that exercise is performed over the majority of the week, is the most common approach. For those who actually have diabetes, exercise frequency is of the highest importance, and it is recommended to engage in some form of physical activity (such as walking) every day.

Eating patterns also contribute enormously to blood sugar management, and the fact of the matter is that there are more foods available that will help regulate blood sugar than send it spiraling out of control. The well-known glycemic index, developed in 1981 specifically for diabetic patients, has since become a foundational reference in many popular nutrition programs. Making foods that fall on the lower end of this scale the basis of weekly eating , while also minimizing the intake of sugar and other high-GI carbohydrates, keeps both blood sugar and insulin levels in check.

For truly comprehensive nutritional support, there are a number of specific nutrients that have also proven effective for blood sugar management:

Chromium—this metal, available in various forms, is regarded by some experts as every bit as important as iron in human nutrition because of the benefits it offers for blood sugar management.

Fiber—certain forms of fiber, such as inulin and glucomannan, have proven effective in helping to minimize blood sugar spikes, and the corresponding insulin surge that occurs afterward.

Gymnema sylvestre—in its native India, this plant is known as gurmar (“destroyer of sugar”), and this concentrated extract has become well-known as a metabolic mitigator of blood sugar levels.

Niacinamide—also known as nicotinic acid amide and nicotinamide, this specific form of Niacin (vitamin B3) supports carbohydrate metabolism, and is believed to improve insulin response.

Vanadium—although recognized as an essential mineral, there is no established RDA for vanadium as of now. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated positive preliminary results for potentially offsetting conditions associated with diabetes.

With headlines warning of increasing numbers of people with diabetes and prediabetes, as well as grim predictions for the future, it is easy to become anxious and wonder if diabetes has become a matter of destiny. The good news is that nothing could be further from the truth, and that diabetes risk can be significantly reduced through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices. Organizations such as the Defeat Diabetes Foundation are working hard to encourage these choices, and their efforts represent a call to action for everyone involved in the health and nutrition community to do the same. 

Pesticides contributing to food allergies, study finds

Eating right is getting even more difficult. According to CNN Health, a new study reveals pesticide residue in both tap water and produce may be causing an upswing in food allergies.

Scientists have long known exposure to high levels of pesticides is toxic to humans. Now this study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology indicates small concentrations of pesticides might also negatively impact human health.

The study found that people with high urine concentrations of dichlorophenols had an 80 percent higher chance of suffering some form of food allergy. Dichlorophenols are chemical compounds used for repelling pests from produce and also for adding chlorine to tap water.

Scientists think dichlorophenols affect beneficial bacteria in the human intestine that help support the immune system. Without those healthy bacteria protecting the gut, people are more likely to develop food allergies.

Dr. Kenneth Speath of The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center said this discovery shows pesticides may have unpleasant effects on humans even in small doses:

Pesticides, and insecticides in particular, are inherently toxic to human health. This has been known for a long time in regards to large exposures. However, it is only in recent years that the harmful effects of low-level exposure from pesticides have begun to be revealed.

Fish, shellfish and peanuts are among the foods showing an increase in allergies. While the link between dichlorophenols and food allergies is not yet confirmed, the study shows a relationship between them is possible. It may also show a troubling new trend in pesticide related health problems for humans.

Writer Bennett Holleman contributed this report.

Digestive Disorder Support

Digestive Disorders
The digestive system is a complex one that can be disrupted by many factors including stress, diet, lifestyle or disease. Common digestive problems such as heartburn/GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can cause a wide variety of symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, constipation, stomach pain and stomach cramps.

Learn more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Many ingredients have been clinically shown to play a role in digestive health:

Probiotics play a critical role in achieving optimal digestive health by helping to maintain bacterial balance within the digestive tract. The digestive system naturally houses trillions of “good” bacteria that directly help the body digest, modify and convert the foods we eat, but disruptions to these populations of probiotics (good bacteria) are common. Probiotics must be kept at normal levels in order to overwhelm the other bacteria, which may begin to run rampant in the event the good bacteria levels decrease.

There are numerous strains of probiotics, all of which work to maintain optimal bacterial balance, promote bowel regularity and stomach comfort, improve gastrointestinal health and support the digestive system. Some important strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium infantis.

Fibersol-2® is a soluble fiber which has a positive impact on the elimination of wastes and colon cleansing. It also helps to maintain balanced bowels, support normal bowel regularity and fecal volume, and support healthy digestive function. Physiologically, the ingredient has been shown to promote normal bowel regularity and stool volume.

Fibersol-2 is also capable of increasing the amount of good bacteria (probiotics) within the large intestine due to the fact that most of this fiber is normally not metabolized by pancreatic enzymes and is transported to that specific area of the colon. Fibersol-2’s slow digestion helps maintain blood glucose levels.

Digestive enzymes are a key component in the digestive system and collectively support the breakdown of complex macromolecules into energy sources and promote the release of the nutrient content from the foods we eat. Ingredients such as DigeZyme® (which is a multi-enzyme complex composed mainly of amylases, proteases and lipases) sucrase and maltase supplement the gastrointestinal tract with enzymes to adequately support the body’s ability to digest food.

In addition to the physical discomfort caused by poor digestion, undigested food in the gastrointestinal tract serves as fuel to intestinal microbes, causing them to overpopulate and ferment. These fermenting microbes lower the pH of the colon and increase bacterial toxins in the gut. Supplementation with digestive enzymes provides the body with the additional support it needs for proper digestion. In addition to abdominal discomfort, there is also a connection between the function of the digestive system and the brain. Research suggests that promoting normal digestion may in turn support physical health.

Aloe Vera Juice has been used for centuries for numerous health benefits, including those for digestive health. The anti-inflammatory actions of aloe vera gel provide support for the proposal that it may have a therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel disease. Oral aloe vera taken for 4 weeks produced a clinical response more often than placebo when used as treatment for ulcerative colitis and appeared to be safe. Additionally, certain components of aloe may increase hydrochloric acid levels which provide a buffering effect on the GI tract. It also helps ease gastrointestinal discomfort and promotes mucus production and healthy gut flora.

Omega-3 May Help Slow Biological Aging

By Olivia Mungal

Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for a bounty of health benefits ranging from cardiovascular health to healthy joints, but according to a study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University, omega-3s may also help to protect your DNA from the effects of natural aging.

The study, published in the Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Peer Review Journal, found that regular omega supplementation for a period of 4+ months could help to slow the biological effects of aging. In the trial, participants took either 2.5 grams or 1.25 grams of active Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids compared against a third group given a placebo. Each omega-3 supplement contained a 7:1 ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

How do cells biologically age?

During mitosis, enzymes in the nucleus duplicate our DNA continuously, replacing old cells in the body with new ones. As we age, our cells are damaged by oxidation and some of our DNA’s nucleotide sequencing is also damaged during this process. Telomeres are a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences that cap the ends of each chromosome and protect them from deterioration or mutation.

Luckily for the human body, our DNA often comes with backup nucleotide sequences and repair mechanisms our cells use if the primary nucleotide sequences are damaged. However, the more oxidative stress experienced by our bodies, our cells become less able to repair and regenerate during cell division, and our telomeres become shorter and shorter as the years of oxidative stress chips away at our DNA’s protective barrier.

Courtesy of christophertims.com

What the study found:

Professor Kiecolt-Glaser led the study, and confirmed regular supplementation with omega-3 reduced oxidative stress by as much as 15% when compared to the placebo group. The researchers found omega supplementation transformed the natural ratio of omega-6: omega-3 fatty acids and preserved the length of the telomeres in each participant’s DNA. As that ratio became lower, the average length of each participant’s DNA-protective telomeres became significantly longer.

Why does this work?

Human beings naturally produce arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid which promotes cellular inflammation. EPA inhibits the production and release of AA, lowering the amount of harmful omega-6 fatty acids in the body. Most people simply don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet to achieve a low omega-6:omega-3 ratio, leaving the body and DNA especially vulnerable to oxidative damage.

“The telomere finding is provocative in that it suggests the possibility that a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference” says Ohio State’s  Dr. Jan Kiecolt-Glaser.

Natural Sleep Aids

Scientists have conducted specific studies of humans and animals and discovered that sleep plays a critical role in memory and learning, but also immune function and basic metabolism. It seems that sleep plays a role not only in how energetic we feel, but also the way in which we generate energy.

Natural Sleep Aids:

• Chamomile is a traditional herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times to fight insomnia and a wide range of other health complaints. Chamomile is sold in the form of tea, extract, and topical ointment. Chamomile is widely available in health food stores and supermarkets. Chamomile's effectiveness as a sleep aid has not been widely researched in humans, but in animal studies it has been shown to be a safe and mild sleep aid. 

• Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the brain and is often referred to as the “hormone of darkness” due to its association with secretion rates during light and dark cycles.  The pineal gland controls the timing and release of the hormone depending on light conditions.  Periods of darkness stimulate melatonin release while times of bright light drop the production rate.  This is why being exposed to bright lights in the evening or too little light during the day can disrupt the body’s normal melatonin cycles and cause an internal clock imbalance.
• Passion flower has a long history of use for promoting relaxation. German regulatory authorities cite passion flower as a potential help for “conditions of nervousness.”  Passion flower is a perennial vine, which reaches 30 feet in length. It grows naturally from the southeastern United States to Brazil and Argentina, and is cultivated as a garden plant in Europe. The blossoms are considered symbolic of Christ’s passion, which accounts for its name because the central corona represents the crown of thorns. The medicinal value is found on the above ground parts of the plants. Passion flower is available as an herb for tea and is also an ingredient in some sedative bath additives. 
• Magnesium deficiency is sometimes associated with frequent nocturnal awakenings. Nocturnal instrument monitoring reveals major disorders of sleep organization. The deficiency may be diagnosed on the basis of clearly low blood magnesium levels.  Thus, it may prove helpful to supplement with magnesium for sleep support.  
• L-Tryptophan  An essential amino acid that promotes the normal synthesis and structure of proteins. In the body, L-tryptophan is converted into niacin (vitamin B3) and serotonin, a neurotransmitter which promotes the body’s ability to regulate anger, aggression, mood, and sleep. By supplementing with  L-Tryptophan, serotonin production can be supported, which will promote sleep and enhance mood. 
  There are a few lifestyle changes you can make immediately that can help to improve sleep quality and optimize melatonin production.  Two of the most common factors that can make sleep elusive during the nighttime hours are light and temperature.  Avoid watching television an hour before you go to bed – the blue light tricks your brain into thinking it is daytime, which interrupts your internal clock.  It is also recommended to sleep in complete darkness and keep the temperature in your room no higher than 70 degrees.

When our bodies are operating at their optimal energy levels it affects our mood and overall health.  By now, we all know how important getting a good night’s sleep is and how being rested and alert can benefit our lives.  Supporting your brains ability to produce and release appropriate levels of melatonin through minor lifestyle changes or obtaining the hormone through supplementation is key to maintaining the balance of our internal clocks.  This balance is one of the first steps towards feeling younger, vital, and more energetic.

CRAVINGS! What they mean?

Who hasn’t experienced the overwhelming desire to eat some­thing specific, whether it be chocolate, potato chips, a burger, or some other food? We’ve all experienced cravings, but we should be careful about the way in which we satisfy them. Cravings are not the same as hunger, in fact they couldn't be more different!  Hunger is controlled by the stomach, but Cravings are controlled by the brain.  Hunger is all about survival, but cravings are about your body communicating with you.

By understanding what your body is actually deficient in you can get to the root cause of the crav­ings, and eventually kick them all together.

There are numerous possible meanings of cravings, depending on the type of craving and your eating habits. Before you satisfy cravings, drink a tall glass of pure water. Quite often we misinterpret our body’s signal for thirst as a signal of hunger.  Some experts estimate that up to 80 percent of the population is chronically dehydrated, so start with water before you try to decipher your cravings.

Craving this:	Reason is:	Restore with this:
COMMON FOOD
Cheese	Essential Fatty Acids deficiency	Omega 3′s (EPA and DHA)- Flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts
	Calcium deficiency	Sesame seeds/ tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes, mustard and turnip greens Calcium supplementation
Pasta, white bread, pastries	Chromium deficiency	Onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes, apples, sweet potato Chromium supplementation
Bread and toast	Nitrogen deficiency	Foods containing proteins, i.e.. Green leafy veg, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains
Red meat	Iron deficiency	Beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries,  Vitamin C Iron
Popcorn	Stress hormone fluctuations	Meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy greens, vitamin B and Vitamin C , Adrenal Support
Crisps	Chloride deficiency	Celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt
	Essential Fatty Acids deficiency	Omega 3′s (EPA and DHA)- Flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts
FLAVOR
Burned Food	Carbon deficiency	Fresh fruits
Acid foods	Magnesium deficiency	Raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, greens, fruit, Magnesium supplements
Salty Foods	Chloride deficiency	Celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt
	Stress hormone fluctuations	Meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy greens, vitamin B and vitamin C
SWEETS
Chocolate	Magnesium deficiency	Raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, greens, fruit,magnesium
Soda, fizzy drinks	Calcium deficiency	Sesame seeds/ tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes, mustard and turnip greens Calcium supplementation
General sweets	Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)	Fruit, high fibre foods (beans, legumes), complex carbs (grains), chromium (cinnamon)
	Tryptophan deficiency	Spirulina, pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, raw cacao, oatmeal, sweet potato, spinach, raisins, Tryptophan
	Chromium deficiency	Onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes, apples, sweet potato Chromium
	Sulphur deficiency	Cruciferous vege (kale, cabbage, etc), cranberries, horseradish, asparagus, carob powder, garlic, onion
	Phosphorus deficiency	Whole grains, pinto beans, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, lentils
STIMULANTS
Coffee or black tea	Sulphur deficiency	Cruciferous vege (kale, cabbage, etc), cranberries, horseradish, asparagus, carob powder, garlic, onion
	Iron deficiency	Beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C Iron
	NaCl (salt) deficiency	Himalayan or Aztecan sea salt, Apple Cider vinegar, kombucha
	Phosphorous deficiency	Whole grains, pinto beans, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, lentils
Alcohol, recreational drugs	Calcium deficiency	Sesame seeds/ tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes, mustard and turnip greens Calcium
	Glutamine deficiency	Cabbage, beetroot, beans, spinach, parsley, vegetable juice Glutamine
	Protein deficiency	Green leafy vegetable, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, beans Protein Powder
	Potassium deficiency	Citrus fruits, bitter green leafy veg, banana, tomato, pineapple, black olives, seaweeds Potassium supplement
	Avenin deficiency	Oatmeal, granola, cereals, whole grains
Tobacco	Silicon deficiency	Horsetail herb, nuts, seeds, oats, millet, barley, onions, whole wheat, beetroot. Avoid refined starches
	Tyrosine deficiency	Fruits (esp. avocado and banana), whole grains, oats, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, Vitamin C Tyrosine
EATING HABITS
Lack of appetite	Chloride deficiency	Celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan or Aztecan sea salt
	Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency	Whole grains, peanuts, seeds, beans, green and yellow vegetables B-Complex
	Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency	Peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bran and wheat germ
	Manganese deficiency	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, whole grains, green leafy veges, pineapple, blueberries Niacin Manganese
Often overeating	Tryptophan deficiency	Spirulina, pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, raw cacao, oatmeal, sweet potato, spinach, raisins Tryptophan
	Tyrosine deficiency	Fruits (esp. Avocado and banana), whole grains, oats, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, Vitamin C Tyrosine
	Silicon deficiency	Horsetail herb, nuts, seeds, oats, millet, barley, onions, whole wheat, beetroot. Avoid refined starches
Often snacky	No balanced diet, missing nutrients	Do a detox, substitute junk food for healthy meals
MORE BIZARRE
Crunching on ice	Iron deficiency	Beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C Iron
Laundry starch	Iron deficiency	Beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C Iron
Cigarette butts	Iron deficiency	Beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C Iron