The Dangers of Dairy

The Dangers of Dairy

All of those “Got Milk?” ads from the last decade or so would have us believe that dairy is a cornerstone of the healthy diet, providing essential nutrients, fortifying our bones, and knocking out osteoporosis left and right. But, is this true? Is consuming dairy necessary or even healthy for most people?

The truth is, dairy can lead to countless health issues and, for many, can cause more harm than good, here’s why.

It’s Highly Inflammatory

Dairy causes inflammation in a large percent of the population resulting in digestive issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea, as well as other symptoms including acne, and a stronger presentation of autistic behaviors. I believe dairy is one of the most inflammatory foods in our modern diet, second only to gluten.
What is it about dairy that causes an inflammatory response? Is everyone with a dairy sensitivity lactose intolerant? There are two components of dairy that tend to cause issues for people, the sugar and the proteins. People who are lactose intolerant don’t produce the lactase enzyme, which is required to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk, causing digestive issues whenever they consume dairy products. People who do produce the lactase enzyme but still react poorly to milk are responding to the two proteins found in milk, casein and whey. Casein is a protein with a very similar molecular structure to gluten and 50% of people who are gluten intolerant are casein intolerant as well.

It’s Acid Forming

Our bodies like to maintain a neutral pH balance, not too much acidity, not too much alkalinity. Milk, like most animal products, is an acid forming food, meaning whenever you consume dairy your body must compensate for the increased acidity in order to restore a neutral pH balance.
It does this by pulling from the alkaline “reserves” it keeps on hand in the form of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, that are stored in your bones. Pulling from these reserves weakens your bones, leaving them more susceptible to fractures and breaks, meaning milk might not be such a great preventative tool against osteoporosis as we’re told. In fact, research has shown that countries with the highest rate of dairy consumption also have the highest rate of osteoporosis.

It’s Often Full of Hormones and Antibiotics

Many times when people drink milk they’re consuming far more than just milk. American dairy farmers have long been injecting cows with a genetically engineered bovine growth hormone called rBGH to increase milk production. This forced increase in milk production often leads to an udder infection in cows called mastitis, which is then treated with courses of antibiotics, which can make their way into your dairy products.
All of these concerns about the health benefits and safety of dairy can lead to even more questions. Is all dairy bad, are alternative sources of dairy any better? Where will I get my calcium if not from dairy? Let’s take a look at these.

What About Goat’s Milk and Sheep’s Milk?

Some people who choose to eliminate cow’s milk from their diet still enjoy goat or sheep milk, as they find it much easier to tolerate. Although they have a similar lactose content to cow’s milk, meaning they will not be any easier to digest if you are lactose intolerant, they do have a different type of casein protein, which makes them easier for casein sensitive people to handle.
Casein exists in two variants, A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein, which are differentiated only by a single amino acid in their protein chains. A2 is considered the original beta-casein because A1 only appeared a few thousand years ago after a mutation occurred in European cow herds, and it’s often the A1 beta-casein that people react poorly to. Goat’s milk and sheep’s milk lack the A1 beta-casein, which is what makes them more tolerable, but because the A1 and A2 proteins are so similar, these milks can still cause problems for some.

What About Organic and Raw Milk?

If you aren’t casein sensitive, and still want to consume cow’s milk, organic and raw milk can certainly be a healthier and less chemical laden route to go. Organic and raw milk comes from cows that have not been injected with rGBH and have not been treated with antibiotics, which eliminates the concern that these chemicals will find their way into your milk.
Raw milk, although contentiously debated, does have many health benefits that pasteurized milk lacks. The pasteurizing process, which is intended to kill harmful bacteria, kills many of the helpful enzymes that occur naturally in milk as well. In fact, one of the enzymes present in raw milk that is missing in pasteurized milk is the lactase enzyme, meaning people who are lactose intolerant are actually able to drink raw milk because it contains the enzyme needed to break down lactose their body is unable to produce.
Ultimately the decision of whether or not to consume dairy and from what source rests with your body. Try eliminating dairy from your diet altogether and pay attention to how your body reacts, then try reintroducing dairy in its different forms and sources and notice how you respond.
If you do decide to eliminate dairy, fear not, there are plenty of other natural sources of calcium you can incorporate into your diet!

10 Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium

1. Almonds
2. Kale
3. Oranges
4. Collard Greens
5. Broccoli
6. Figs
7. Spinach
8. Enriched rice, almond, hemp and coconut milks
9. Sesame seeds
10. Tofu

Photo credit: MindBodyGreen
Originally published on MindBodyGreen

Study: Increased B6, B12 could protect from depression

by James Moffat

B-vitamins are important for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. B vitamin deficiency can lead to fatigue and lethargy, which is why B-complex supplements are excellent energy boosters and anti-stress formulas.

Now, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, two of these important B-vitamins – vitamins B6 and B12 – could protect older adults from the symptoms of depression.

Kimberly Skarupski, an associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and a team of researchers studied over 3,500 seniors (ages 65+) in the Chicago area and found that “increased intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 were associated with a ‘decreased likelihood of incident depression’. The intakes of the vitamins came from both food and supplements”:

Our results support the hypotheses that high total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 are protective of depressive symptoms over time in community-residing older adults.

World Health Organization statistics indicate that an estimated 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women world-wide will experience a depressive episode in any given year, making depression one of the most common psychiatric disorder encountered in general medical practice.

So why the link between vitamins B6 and B12 and depression? According to a 2003 European study, there is a “biologically plausible link” between B vitamin intake and depressive symptoms. According to that study’s authors, vitamin B12 may “inhibit the accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine, … which may lead to toxic reactions that enhance depression.”

nutraMetrix Isotonix Activated B-Complex delivers metabolically active forms of several vitamins and minerals in isotonic form, ensuring that your body receives and uses vital nutrients quickly and efficiently. B-vitamins can provide you with a number of health benefits, however, some B-vitamins, such as B6, B12 and folic acid, must undergo chemical changes before they can be utilized by the body. Furthermore, different factors, such as age and physical condition, may affect the body’s ability to activate vitamins on its own. If the non-active forms are used, the body is forced to work harder to gain the full benefit of the vitamin. These steps are eliminated when the forms used are already in their active states. By utilizing both the activated form of these vitamins, as well as the superior Isotonix delivery system, nutraMetrix Isotonix Activated B-Complex supports your body’s absorption and immediate use of beneficial ingredients.  http://bit.ly/Rj8eCo

6 Surprising Fat Burning Foods

From Loren's World

Did you know there are foods out there that can actually help you burn body fat? I know – this sounds too good to be true, right? Well, believe it or not eating “clean” can kickstart your metabolism and eliminate toxins while also helping your body to release fat. Check out my 6 favorite fat-burning foods to help you start switching out the junk foods and making clean eating a priority.

1. Kale – packs a punch of fiber. Try in a salad, throw it in your juicer or even make a green smoothie.
2. Brazil Nuts – These nuts bind up toxins that would otherwise end up in your fat cells. Just go for a handful of these or even try brazil nut milk.
3. Wild Salmon – the omega 3’s will be sure to help shed fat from your belly area.
4. Oysters – these delicious shellfish are a great option when you’re dining out. Low in calories, they have the highest levels of dietary zinc. A few oysters can actually help decrease the appetite!
5. Avocado – this fruit turns off the body’s fat storage hormones and boosts metabolism!
6. Broccoli Rabe – pretty delicious, this stuff has the power to stimulate an enzyme that helps your cells burn fat!

What are your favorite fat-burning foods?

Addressing Alzheimer’s: Nutritional Prospects

by Olivia Mungal

Getting older may be a fact of life, but it turns out that memory loss and Alzheimer’s may be preventable. That’s the conclusion of the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Research Foundationin Tucson, Arizona. By exercising and following a healthy diet — one low in saturated and trans fats, refined sugars and white flour products, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables — you can reduce the inflammation that often plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s.

Surprisingly, it seems that even if your brain tissue displays the microscopic plaques typically associated with Alzheimer’s, you may actually retain cognitive function if your other health markers—mainly those related to heart disease and diabetes—are in order. This is because your brain has the ability to create compensatory circulation, supplying oxygen and nutrients to those tissues the plaque could otherwise keep from functioning properly.

Results received from test subjects in the 10-year Nun Study, conducted by David Snowden, MD, confirmed this adaptation by showing that certain subjects whose brain tissue displayed an abundance of microscopic plaque displayed no symptoms of dementia. At the same time, others with lesser amounts displayed prominent symptoms of cognitive impairment.

Cross-examination of the comprehensive health records of these subjects suggested that this unexpected result was due to differences related to ongoing education practices, regular exercise and quality nutrition. Several specific nutrients have been indentified that offer benefits for both brain and body.

A Comprehensive Multivitamin/Multimineral: Folic acid reduces homocysteine, a known risk factor for heart disease and strokes, and is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. An intake of 400 mcg or more appears necessary to bring best results.

nutraMetrix® Isotonix® Multivitamin is an isotonic-capable food supplement containing 100 percent or more of the daily value of essential vitamins and minerals. There are wide varieties of vitamin and mineral supplements on the market today. Only Isotonix Multivitamin contains a unique blend of complementary vitamins and minerals with the superior delivery of Isotonix

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At the same time, vitamin C is an ideal complement to folic acid, and is itself a potent antioxidant that promotes the transmission of messages through the brain. While underestimated in the brain health arena, adequate vitamin C intake—especially when paired with vitamin E—is also associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. Recommended allowances are 500 – 1,000 mg for vitamin C and 15 mg for vitamin E

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 nutraMetrix Isotonix Vitamin C contains 500mg of vitamin C per serving, which is an optimal amount for immune system maintenance. 

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CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10): CoQ10 is an extremely powerful 

antioxidant and energy booster within all cells, and it’s particularly concentrated in the heart and brain. Aging is accompanied by a reduced production of CoQ10, and in its absence the brain can’t work at full efficiency. If you’re over 35, the recommend daily allowance is 200 – 400 milligrams. CoQ10 supplementation is extremely well researched and has been proven to both effective and safe.

As individuals age, the ability to synthesize coenzyme Q10 begins to decline. Sometimes this is due to poor eating habits, stress or infections, but the main challenge for most people is the ability to choose the right foods containing CoQ10 as well as the other nutrients needed to manufacture it in the body. It is a combination of both that provides the body with the best possible amount of CoQ10 for optimal health.

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DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid): It’s no secret these days that omega-3 fatty acids are essential to brain health. One of the main constituents of fish oil, DHA has been identified as the key component in fish oil that protects brains from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

nutraMetrix Heart Health Essential Omega III with Vitamin E is a superior product due to a number of factors. The best fish are used to produce a clean and safe product that is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also contains 3000mg of fish oil where most other commercial products contain a third of the total fish oil contained in nutraMetrix Heart Health Essential Omega III.  http://bit.ly/PsUDGl

In a study conducted among a group of 1,137 elderly Americans, those with the highest blood levels of DHA were about half as likely to develop dementia and 39% as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as those with lower blood levels of DHA over a 10-year period. The top 25% of those with the highest blood DHA got about 180 mg DHA a day, or three servings of fish a week, researchers said. In this study, the other major fatty acid in fish oil, EPA, had no effect.

Curcumin: In recent years, research has revealed that curcumin, an extract of turmeric, may also have significant implications in Alzheimer’s prevention. It is thought that curcumin may block the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, reduce inflammation and provide further antioxidant protection to brain cells.

There are many curcumin products on the market, but nutraMetrixCurcumin 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.

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It is estimated that 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s, but this devastating disease is not a normal part of aging and can be prevented. Act now to protect your brain with exercise, a healthy diet and brain-boosting nutrients.

About Olivia Mungal

Having studied Biology with a focus on Human Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, I aim to make recent breakthroughs in biochemistry and health research accessible and practical for everyone. Writing and publishing over the past decade, you can find my work on Web Marketing, Content Strategy and Health and Nutrition.

http://www.HealthyAzKids.com

Wellmune: An Immune-Boosting Ingredient

One of the most talked-about ingredients in the health & nutrition industry over the last few months is Wellmune, and there’s good reason why.

Wellmune WGP is a natural yeast beta glucan that works to activate immune cells, promoting them to respond more effectively without overstimulating the immune system.

How Wellmune Works

When Wellmune is ingested, immune cells in the gastrointestinal tract take it up and transport to the immune organs throughout the body. While there, these immune cells – called macrophages – digest Wellmune into smaller fragments and slowly release them over a number of days.

As they are released, the fragments bind to specific receptors (CR3) on neutrophils, which are the most abundant immune cells in the body. The activated neutrophils and prime them for their normal activity in the body, including anti-microbial and promoting immune health. Wellmune also stimulates the activity of phagocytic cells, which engulf and destroy foreign bodies, thus promoting immune health.

The Research Behind Wellmune                      

Clinical studies have shown Wellmune’s benefits for immune health in the categories of upper respiratory health, cold and flu, allergies and compromised immune systems from exercise and stress. Wellmune has been part of nine human clinical trials, with the following results reported:

• The Marathon Study: Wellmune reduced Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) symptoms – including nasal congestion, runny nose, sore or scratchy throat, and coughing – by 40 percent in 182 runners.
• The Exercise Stress Study: Wellmune reduced Immune Suppression that is normally associated with strenuous exercise.
• The Medical Student Study: Wellmune reduced the duration of cold/flu symptoms in 100 med students during a 90-day study conducted during the peak of cold and flu season. In this study, there was a “significant reduction” (18 percent) in the total number of days of reported upper respiratory tract infections.
• The Lifestyle Stress Studies: During these studies, subjects taking Wellmune experienced a 58 percent reduction in respiratory tract infections, 9.5 percent increase in overall well-being and an 11 percent increase in vigor.
• The Allergy Study: Wellmune provided relief to ragweed allergy sufferers, with a 27 percent reduction in average allergy symptoms and a 52 percent reduction in the severity of symptoms.
• The Cold & Flu Study: Wellmune maintained physical health and reduced down time over a 90-day period. Subjects had fewer incidences of fever, took fewer sick days from work and/or school, and, in general, increased their general health and emotional well-being.
• The Firefighter Study: Specifically tested with firefighters, those in this study reported improved health with Wellmune, with a 23 percent reduction in respiratory infections.
• The California Marathoners Study: More than five dozen subjects were given Wellmune, and reported 67 percent fewer instances of respiratory tract infection symptoms, a 48 percent reduction in fatigue and 38 percent reduction in tension.

In May 2013, Wellmune was awarded “Outstanding Application in Health Management” during the NBT Awards event at Vitafoods Europe in Geneva. Wellmune truly is an amazing ingredient that has proven in numerous trials to help boost the immune system and provide relief.

With its specific combination of immune-boosting ingredients — including the clinically-studied Wellmune®, Vitamin C & Zinc — and the unique delivery system offered only by Isotonix,  nutraMetrix Isotonix Immune will not only provide maximum absorption, it will also prime the natural immune response. Using Isotonix Immune on a daily basis makes it that much easier to stay active, strong and healthy throughout the year.

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Combine Protein and Fiber for Weight Loss

By Dr. Brian Veros   

There’s a saying I’ve heard from Lydia Martinez numerous times that I like to keep in the back of my mind: “Protein and fiber in every meal make losing weight no big deal.”

It’s definitely a saying to live by, especially if you’re trying to stick with a weight loss or maintenance program. A healthy complement of both protein and fiber consumed into every meal including snacks can greatly expedite your weight loss and proper maintenance of your new, healthier weight.  This is achieved by understanding the following basics:

Protein Forms the Building Blocks of Lean Muscle Tissue

Consuming a high concentration of protein within your daily diet will allow you to maintain your lean muscle mass and repair after an intense workout. This will ultimately increase your metabolism (muscle dictates metabolism).

A May 2008 article in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition cited the need for protein for weight loss. Researchers found that protein promotes satiety (feeling full) when compared to certain fats and carbohydrates. Additionally, it helps increase your metabolism through the process of thermogenesis (production of heat by your body).

In fact, protein has the highest thermic burn compared to fats and carbohydrates – meaning you burn more calories when you consume it.

Fiber Helps Satiety and Blood Sugar

Second, experts say we need to consume at least 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Fiber-rich foods occupy a lot of space within our stomachs without enormous amounts of calories; therefore, fiber plays a vital role in satiety.

In fact, soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance within the digestive tract when combined with digestive fluids.  This helps slow the digestion process, stabilizing blood sugar levels and ultimately yielding extended energy.

The Skinny

Combining protein and fiber in meals will synergistically help you lose weight – including that stubborn fat, not muscle – more than consuming these two vital ingredients independently.  Having a balance of both will regulate blood sugar levels and provide greater satiety, thereby keeping those hunger rumbles from down under at bay, preventing binge eating and controlling cravings due to an energy crash.

While eating more protein and fiber-rich foods is an obvious way to make sure you’re getting enough of these important nutrients, it’s not always easy. I know my schedule is hectic, and even I don’t get everything from my typical diet.

That’s why I advise my patients – and I follow this advice myself – to look into using nutrition shakes. Personally, I consume one or two of these shakes daily. The shakes I use provide me with 10 grams of fiber 18 grams of protein; a great way to supplement my regular diet when I’m short on time.

nutraMetrix® TLS® Nutrition Shakes provide a great nutritional alternative for active lifestyles. Available in two delicious flavors, nutraMetrix TLS Nutrition Shakes are formulated to deliver an optimalbalance of protein, carbohydrates and fats in every serving, along with 10 grams of fiber and over one-third the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 22 different vitamins and minerals.Whether you want to lose weight or build lean muscle, nutraMetrix TLS Nutrition Shakes provide a quick and easy snack between meals to satisfy hunger, and an alternative to fast food. 

As a proud member of the TLS training team, we not only teach our coaches and clients these fundamental nutritional principles, but also lead by example by implementing them into our daily routine.

Another convenient alternative that combines protein and fiber are these Choice Protein Bars.

Choice Protein Bars provide a great nutritional alternative for active lifestyles, and a delicious addition to any day. Delivering 15 grams of high-quality protein and 12 grams of fiber per bar.  They are also all natural, Gluten Free and contain no Sugar Alcohols.

Available in three great-tasting flavors, Choice Energy Bars are guilt-free treats designed to curb hunger and provide lasting energy. Designed to promote energy levels, Choice Energy Bars contain at least 13 grams of protein and five grams of fiber; and each are 160 calories or less. Whether the goal is to lose weight, help maintain an active lifestyle, or just stay ahead of a hectic schedule, Choice Energy Bars are a healthy snack alternative that can help you go the distance.

Dr. Brian Veros is a chiropractor who practices in Hamburg, NY, just outside Buffalo. He is a TLS Weight Loss Solution trainer and coach, and was a winner of the TLS Find Your Fit 2012 Fall Challenge.

http://www.HealthyAzKids.com

Study finds curcumin effective for depression

According to a new study in the journal Psychotherapy Research, the ingredient curcumin shows promise in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD.

courtesy of Emory University - Woodruff Health Science Center

Researchers provided subjects with 500mg of curcumin daily and continued to monitor their progress utilizing the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), developed in the 1960s and used to rate the severity of depression in adults by probing mood, feelings of guilt, suicide ideation, insomnia, agitation or retardation, anxiety, weight loss, and somatic symptoms.

Not only did researchers find that the use of curcumin improved subject’s ratings on the HAM-D compared to placebos, but that curcumin performed as well as prescription antidepressants:

The response rate of … curcumin (62.5%) on Hamilton depression scale observed in our study is within the known range of studies with currently prescribed antidepressants (31.6%–70.4%) and was higher than the maximum response rate expected with placebo (12.5%–51.8%).

Researchers also found a lower risk of side effects in patients using curcumin. According to the study’s authors:

[This] is the first randomized clinical trial that clearly highlights that curcumin may be an effective and safe agent when used as a modality of treatment in
patients of MDD. Curcumin … has proved to be safe even at supra-therapeutic doses [and] a combination of curcumin with other antidepressants has shown to synergistically increase the serotonin levels and enhance antidepressant-like activity.

The use of antidepressant medications is growing in the United States, as one out of nine Americans over the age of 12 are currently prescribed some form of antidepressant medication.

These medications, under the supervision of a health professional, can do tremendous good for individuals seeking help. However, between the common side effects of these drugs and the belief among some experts that antidepressants aren’t effectively treating patients, there’s reason to seek alternatives.

According to Dr. Steven Hollon, professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University:

I would say at least half the folks who are being treated with antidepressants aren’t benefiting from the active pharmacological effects of the drugs themselves but from a placebo effect. If people knew more, I think they would be a little less likely to go down the medication path than the psychosocial treatment path.

Natural alternatives for mental and cognitive health have always been on the table, but never fully confirmed through studies. That is, until recently.

Traditionally, curcumin has been known to have poor bioavailability, requiring high doses to promote health. Researchers used a specific curcumin – BCM-95 – due to its high bioavailability, which authors cited as a potential reason for the positive outcomes. In recent years, scientists have heavily researched curcumin for its  neuroprotective properties and has been believed a strong candidate for the promotion of neurological health and cognitive function.

Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and support the normal uptake of amyloid-beta in the brain, supporting the brain’s memory and learning abilities as we age. Another neuroprotective property of curcumin is its ability to promote normal levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the brain, helping  maintain the health of neurological tissues.

To read the study in its entirety, click here.

Way Beyond Energy! What Else Do B Vitamins Do?

Whether it’s for increased energy, cognitive performance, stress reduction or cardiovascular health, B vitamins play a critical role in your overall health. Moreso, B vitamin deficiency can lead to fatigue and lethargy, which is why B-complex supplements are excellent energy boosters and anti-stress formulas.

However, the benefits of B-vitamins go much further, playing critical roles in metabolism at the cellular level and hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body

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The B-complex is a group of eight vitamins, which include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5) pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cyanocobalamin (B12). These vitamins are essential for the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose, which provide energy for the muscles and brain. The B vitamins also aid in amino acid metabolism and act as coenzymes—compounds that unite with a protein component called an apoenzyme to form an active enzyme. These active enzymes are catalysts in the chemical reactions that transfer all available energy from food to the body. This is part of why the B-complex has come to be known as “the energy vitamin”

The other feature of B vitamins which helps them earn this name is the support they provide in the proper formation of every cell in the body—particularly in nerve cells. B6 and B12 contribute substantially to the formation of the myelin sheath around nerve cells, insulating them and speeding the transmission of synaptic signals throughout the brain

In addition to this support of the actual structure of nerves, vitamins B6 and B12 also work with vitamin B9 to aid in the manufacture of three very important neurotransmitters. Two of these are serotonin and dopamine, which work in tandem to regulate mood, motivation and cognitive abilities. Serotonin is a primary contributor to feelings of happiness and well-being, and plays a secondary role in memory and learning. Dopamine, on the other hand, is primarily involved in motivation, attention and working memory while serving as support in the biochemistry of mood and well-being. Together, they function as a complementary pair. The third neurotransmitter—gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA—regulates general excitability in the nervous system, making sure that all nerve cells are primed for full firing.

All of these neurotransmitters are crucial for optimal brain function and depend on readily available B-vitamins as precursors. B-vitamins are so functional in this regard it is even thought that supplementing with them offers potential benefit in moderating the symptoms of ADHD. As might be expected, a symptomatic lack of physical and mental energy—fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety anddepression—can all be signs of a B-vitamin deficiency. The fact that B-vitamins are water-soluble and are being constantly eliminated makes it especially important to have adequate intake and regular replenishment.

In summary, B-vitamins are as applicable to the physical aspects of energy as the mental. They are critically important not only for physically expediting the metabolism of energy, supporting nerve structure and providing for maximal neural conduction, but also for providing the brain with the chemical signals necessary to make it energized, invigorated and motivated.

nutraMetrix Isotonix Activated B-Complex delivers metabolically active forms of several B vitamins and minerals in isotonic form, ensuring that your body receives and uses vital nutrients quickly and efficiently

Omega-3s and Your Kids

Dr. Andrew Stoll of Harvard Medical School calls omega-3 fatty acids “wellness molecules.” And no wonder. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are not only great for the heart, but they also may support a child’s memory, focus, and learning.

What are Omega-3s?

Before you head to your local health food store, there are some things you need to know about omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of fats that come in three “flavors”: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Fish oil and cod liver oil are rich sources of the two most important fatty acids, DHA and EPA. The body converts the third kind—ALA, which is found in flaxseed and various vegetable oils and nuts—into DHA and EPA.

Omega-3s are vital fatty acids (EFAs). That means two things: one, the body can’t produce all the omega-3s from scratch, so these compounds must be part of the diet; and two (and even more importantly), these fats are crucial for staying healthy.

In the 1970s scientists started to study the health effects of omega-3s when they found the link between the low heart disease rate of the Greenland Eskimos and their diet of cold-water oily fish. But a healthy heart was only the beginning of the story. Numerous studies now indicate that the benefits of DHA and EPA are far more extensive than heart health and play an important role throughout your child’s life.

Your Children need Omega-3 Fatty Acids

As infants, DHA plays an important role in the development of the brain, eyes, and nervous system. This isn’t too surprising, since the retina of the eye consists largely of fatty tissue, and DHA makes up 20 to 30 percent of the brain. As toddlers, EPA and DHA can help improve their vision and cognitive and behavioral development. Once your children start elementary school, DHA remains a key component to their success, as it supports their memory, focus, and cognitive development.

Almost every study of behavioral and cognitive problems in children as well as in adults has shown a connection between low levels of omega-3s and severity of symptoms. Of course, as teens and young adults, DHA continues to play an important role. Recent studies have found that it may support hormonal and sexual health, help mood disorders like depression, and protect their hearts.

Getting your Children Omega 3 Fatty-Acid

It is easy for children to have a deficiency in DHA and EPA due to the fact they can frequently be relatively  fussy eaters. The typical American diet doesn’t help either. It’s loaded with omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oils such as corn and sunflower, and animals raised on grain instead of green vegetation), trans-fatty acids from fried foods, and hydrogenated oils, all of which interfere with the ability of the body to convert ALA to the much-needed EPA and DHA.

Since omega-3s and omega-6s are building blocks for all sorts of hormones and other important compounds in the body, it’s critical that they be in balance. Nutritionists believe that the ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the diet is somewhere between 1:1 and 4:1. Currently, most Americans consume a ratio of 20:1 or higher.

The easiest way to know your children are receiving enough Omega-3s is a dietary supplement. Adding omega-3 rich food will also help, there’s certainly a wide variety to choose from: eggs, dairy products, cereals, cereal bars, peanut butter, and infant formulas. But do they contain enough omega-3s? There is no U.S. recommended daily allowance, but most experts recommend getting anywhere from 500 milligrams (1/2 gram) up to a couple of grams a day of EPA and DHA. So while fortified foods may contribute, they don’t contain nearly enough omega-3s to make up for a diet that’s low in these important nutrients.

nutraMetrix DNA Miracles™ Essential Omega 3 contains ideal amounts of specific omega 3 fatty acids, which support your child’s brain health and immune function. Kids will like the delicious liquid-like emulsion because they won’t have to take hard-to-swallow pills; adults will like it because it allows for enhanced absorption and bioavailability for optimal absorption. nutraMetrix®DNA Miracles™l Omega 3 contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners – only the nutrients your children need.

http://www.HealthAzKids.com