5 ways nutritional supplements improve your health

From ancient times people have been taking natural herbs, often homegrown and brewed into teas and tonics.

Now they have become more sophisticated and are available in all sorts of pills, capsules, liquids and, of course, teas of every variety.

What are nutritional supplements? 

Nutritional supplements are used to add nutrients that fill gaps in our diets that we don’t get from the food we eat. They are available in pills, powders, capsules, liquids and teas. They can be synthetic or from natural sources. They will contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Herbs

• Amino acids

• Saccharides

Why do we need nutritional supplements? 

Keep in mind, supplements are not intended to replace all our meals but enhance our diets. There are several reasons that we would be taking them:

• Environment: our environment has deteriorated over the years, and we are now getting more toxins from the air, the water and even in the foods we eat, than ever before. Our bodies have to work more to protect and rid ourselves of these unwanted substances. Therefore, it is wise for us to take nutritional supplements to help our bodies to do this.

• Stress: Stress will cause your body to function less efficiently. This will put your body at risk for a number of things, especially low resistance for disease. Supplements, especially Glyconutrients will help your body's immune system get stronger and also help your body function better.

• Poor eating habits: Due to busy lifestyles, our ways of growing food and green harvests we are not getting the important nutrients our bodies need to keep us in good health. We often do not even stop to eat proper meals. This makes it necessary for us to take supplements to enhance our diets and add important nutrients to our diets.

• Athletic activities: when we exercise more than normal, our bodies need more nourishment. A professional athlete or even someone doing extra workouts needs more dense nutrition. Dietary supplements would include proteins, minerals, vitamins and saccharides (glyconutrients).

• Part of a weight loss plan: when you go on a diet to lose weight you will be eating less and running the risk of not getting enough of the essential nutrients in your diet that your body needs. Therefore, you should be taking some nutritional supplements. Some supplements even help you lose weight.

Consider taking nutritional supplements to help you to improve your health and enjoy your life to the fullest.

How to optimize your wellness when diet and exercise are not enough

If you’re interested in eating a balanced diet to enjoy a healthy life, you may be thinking about adding vitamins or other supplements to your daily diet. There are some benefits that you can get from nutritional supplements. That being said, in order to make nutritional supplements an effective and appropriate part of an overall healthy living program, it is necessary to understand how supplements fit in your eating plan.

Nutritional supplements can be utilized as a means of supporting an otherwise healthy eating and exercise program. In simple terms, nutritional supplements can be used to better your overall balanced diet plan on two fronts:

1. Nutritional supplements can be used to fill in some minor nutritional gaps in your overall healthy diet.

2. Nutritional supplements can be used to assist in boosting the effectiveness of your overall companion workout routine making it more effective.

By properly balancing your overall diet, your exercise routine and the proper utilization of nutritional supplements, you will be well on your way to establishing a complete plan for healthy living. Through a regimented and appropriately crafted program you will enjoy better health and you may be able to add years to your life.

While there are a number of different resources that you will want to consider when it comes to making decisions regarding overall health, your priority in your research should be seeking professional guidance from a doctor or nutrition specialist.

For a plan with your wellness goals in mind, message me!

How to lose weight naturally

 Eat right, keep moving.

You just have read all that you need to know about how to prevent being overweight. That simple set of instructions should be easy to follow, but not for 35% of Americans who are unable to prevent being overweight.

Of course, once we are overweight, we usually want to trim down for a whole lot of reasons, some related to health, others, for an aesthetic. 

However, it is never too late to lose weight. But the fact is, it is a whole lot easier to prevent putting on pounds than to try losing them later on. And if there is one thing we all know, it is that weight gain is likely to happen if we do not have a plan.

Health experts say that most people who are on a journey to lose weight usually stray. They tend to go back to their old eating habits even after they learn to eat well according to their goals. They tend to return to sedentary ways even though they enjoy exercising.

Despite the momentum toward weight gain, you can stop it from happening, experts say. And there are plenty of good reasons to avoid excess pounds, reasons that go beyond vanity or social acceptance. 

In fact, some health experts contend that the significance of excess weight is more than cosmetic. They say that it takes a huge toll on people’s physical health.

But first, you need a plan

The nuts and bolts of eating right and maintaining a healthy weight is not all that complicated. So, losing weight the natural way should not be a problem at all…when you have a plan.

Consequently, a reasonable approach for losing weight naturally is to stick to a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, high in fiber, moderate in protein, and low in fat.

Most health experts say that dietary fat promotes weight gain because it is a very dense source of calories. Also, when you consume excess calories from dietary fat, you store those calories as body fat more efficiently than excess calories from other sources.

On the other hand, it can also help you lose weight naturally if you don’t fall into the “fat-free” trap. Manufacturers keep introducing low-fat or fat-free versions of their best-selling foods, but Americans still have trouble managing their weight.

One of the greatest delusions of the 1990s is that “no fat” means “non-fattening.” The truth is, you are often getting just as many calories from the no-fat version, even if the calories are not coming from fat, i.e. added sugar. If you start to believe that you can eat unlimited amounts of ‘fat-free’ foods, then you may fall into this fat-free trap. 

Experts say it would be better to try eating every three to four hours. As a CNC, I tend to agree.

If you’re feeling a little peckish, try replacing sweet or salty treats with some healthy snacks between meals. Keep in mind, if you practice eating meals that are rich in fiber and lean protein and healthy fats, the need to snack between meals will lessen over time.

Remember, if you want to lose weight naturally, get into the habit of keeping a journal to track your meals and activities. 

Losing weight naturally is a process and not a fad. Embrace it! It’s going to take a lot of determination, self-control, and discipline to achieve your ideal weight. 

For a plan that can put your goals in motion, start here!

Why Fiber Is Key For Dieting

In this article, I will reveal some little known facts about the fibers and the beneficial effect they have over your body.

First of all, let me explain what fiber is…  

Fiber is an indigestible part of all plant foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Your digestive system cannot stomach fiber, so it is excreted undigested. Well, you may think you don’t need fiber, because it’s excreted undigested, but that’s not true.

Let's imagine the following picture:

You overeat at least once or twice a week, more often on weekends, and your regular menu doesn't include much fiber. Well, this might be your lifestyle; however, you should consider that it may cause you lots of health problems like:

- indigestion

- discomfort stomach aches 

- gases in the digestive tract 

- constipation 

- hemorrhoids 

- you got tired faster 

- can't concentrate on what you're doing 

You become less productive at work and more irritable at home. Besides all this, you gain weight and that’s the moment when you realize you have a problem.

In order to solve a problem, you should first find the reason for it. In this case, it’s the lowered intake of fiber-rich foods and respectively - the higher intake of foods containing no fiber (like meat). The average amount of fiber intake is about 25-30 grams per day. Unfortunately, most people's regular diets include less than 10-15 grams daily. 

You should start consuming more fiber-rich foods:

- all bran cereal 

- beans 

- peas 

- spinach 

- sweet corn  

- whole meal brown bread 

- red cabbage 

- carrots 

- baked potato with skin 

- apples, bananas, oranges and all fruits 

There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. If you start eating more fiber-rich foods, you’ll be amazed by its beneficial effects over your body, health and way of life. 

Soluble fiber forms glue like gel in the intestinal tract. The gel softens stools (no more constipation) and improves your digestion (no more indigestion).

Fiber slows down the emptying of your stomach making you feel full longer. This effect helps you eat less, your body burns additional calories to digest fiber and you can lose weight.

Insoluble fiber is an excellent natural laxative, because of its abilities to hold onto water and to push waste faster along the intestines - this way fiber decreases the risk of colon cancer. 

You could do worse than eating more fiber-rich foods. Like many other people, I used to not include enough fiber in my diet, and as a result, I suffered stomach aches. Then I started to eat more fruits and fiber-rich foods in my daily menu. I must admit that it really worked for me, and now fiber-rich food is the most important nutritious part of my regular diet.

How To Eat Your Greens Everyday

Eating a lot of greens can have many health benefits to you. You may not know all the good things that greens can do for you, so read on.

A substance that is found in all plants is Chlorophyll. What it does is it acts as a blood detoxifier, which helps increase circulation to all your organs. It does this by dilating blood vessels and it is also a natural deodorant because it helps reduce offensive body orders. Wow, that’s multi-tasking I can stand behind! 

Super green foods come from young cereal grasses like wheat, barley, rye, alfalfa, oats, kelp, chlorella and many others as well. These have a whole lot of nutrients in them; they even have more nutrients than spinach, eggs, broccoli, chicken in calcium, iron, protein and all of the other categories as well. So, it would be better for you to opt for super greens.

Did you know that super green foods are the only vegetables that can help animals maintain their weight, strength and good health even if it is consumed alone? Super greens can help boost your immune system. They are powerful antioxidants that can help you grow and have many other health benefits as well. Bottom line is super greens are one of the greatest things you can do to your body. They do so much for our bodies, so we don’t have to worry much about being healthy. 

Also, another good thing is that there is no harm in eating super green foods, they give us so many nutrients and are the most natural way of getting everything your body needs to function and be healthy. So, go out there and start eating more greens, after all you want to be healthy right? Don’t forget to tell everyone you know about the benefits of greens as well so they can make that same decision as well. For a simple way to get all your super greens each day, start here!

Ahhhh... The Power of the Goji Berry

Modernization is wonderful, but there are also other factors in the modern life we live in that may subject our bodies to harm.  Understanding what can harm us and what will help us will be our best defense.

Free radicals, our body’s natural enemy, subject our body to more than 10,000 hits during a normal day.  If our body is not able to combat the harmful effect of free radicals, then it may give us disease and prematurely age our body including our skin.

The pristine valleys of Tibet and Mongolia have a solution to this problem.

What do you think is their secret?

Introducing goji juice, made from goji berries grown in the remote and unpolluted hills and valleys of Tibet and Mongolia.  Experts who want to save the people who live in this modern society studied what must be wonderful about these Himalayan diets and why they live so long and free from diseases. Their studies prove that their diet perpetually includes goji berries.

Further studies on goji berries prove that they are nutritious and contain vital nutrients necessary to combat free radicals.

Goji juice contains potent vitamins and minerals like no other berry.

Goji juice also contains 18 amino acids, 8 of which are essential for our bodies, but having all 18 adds to the beneficial characteristic of this wonderful red juice.

Based on studies by numerous health professionals including Dr. Earl Mindell, the author of The Vitamin Bible, goji juice made from goji berries can give your body all the nutrients it needs to help keep a healthy and happy life.

Goji juice, aside from the 18 amino acids also has 21 trace minerals, vitamins B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E.  All of these can help you live a healthy and active life.

Some of the beneficial effects of drinking goji juice are:

Energy and Strength – goji juice is considered as an adaptogen.  It increases exercise tolerance, stamina and endurance.  Goji juice may also enhance the recovery of ill patients.

Cholesterol level balance – goji juice contains beta-sitosterol may also help manage cholesterol.  It will also help avoid cholesterol deposit in the blood vessels, which supports a healthy heart.

Normal Kidney Function – your kidney is a vital organ that may possibly control the brain and other organs in the body.  It is essential for better health that you keep your body functioning optimally.  Goji juice is believed to be helpful in keeping this essential organ functioning properly.

Supports General Health – as mentioned earlier, free radicals harm our body in many ways. Thus, eliminating this natural enemy will help keep our body strong and healthy.  Goji juice is a potent antioxidant that may keep random illnesses at bay.

Other beneficial factors which may come from goji juice are enhanced sexual function, blood sugar level balance and supports good vision.

This is because goji juice contains more beta-carotene even compared to a carrot.  The vitamin C contents of goji juice, which is 500 times more in weight than orange, will help keep the immune system functioning properly to avoid illness.

These are only a few of the helpful and beneficial functions of goji juice and because goji juice is safe even for children.

If drinking this sweet and tasty juice excites you, you can also enjoy goji berries with your food.  You can eat them fresh or dried goji berries are also available.  Get creative and use your imagination and explore how you can enjoy these wonderful and amazing berries.

Beginners Guide To Healthy Eating

If you’re currently not eating a healthy diet, it can be difficult to start such a plan. However, healthy eating along with some exercise is very important for maintaining a good bodily function and goes a long way towards living a disease-free life. If you struggle with healthy eating, then you know that breaking unhealthy habits can be the most difficult part of the process. Therefore, if you truly want to live the best lifestyle possible, it is important to follow tips in order to start eating a healthier diet. 

Get rid of temptation.

A great first step when you want to start eating your way to a healthy lifestyle is to rid your home of all temptations that will distract you from following better eating habits. Ideally it would be a wise course to keep junk foods and beverages out of your house so as not be tempted to snack during the day. If you’re worried about getting hungry, keep healthy snacks like carrot sticks, yogurt, fresh fruit, or whole-wheat crackers on hand. If you find that you just cannot bear to toss out the sweets, try keeping something tiny on hand, peppermints or barley sugar. Eating a few, (emphasis on few) of these won’t ruin your diet but also will give you that little sugary fix you crave.

Learn how to listen to your body.

Another great step to healthy eating, when you’re first starting the process, is to take a few moments to learn what foods are the healthiest for you and how they work within the body. To begin healthy eating, we must start with a healthy mindset. Most people understand that fruits, vegetables, and lean meats and dairy products are good for you, but few people understand why. The key is learning about nutrients. When you understand how specific nutrients work and why you need them, it becomes more reasonable for you to make healthier choices for your body. Knowledge really is power!

Preparation is a major key when starting a new healthy diet. 

You must take into consideration your schedule for meals. If you often eat in a hurry at odd times of day, you are probably more inclined to grab fast food which will probably do more harm than good. So, plan ahead! Instead of grabbing a fast-food lunch on the go, take a bagged lunch to work, complete with a healthy wrap and some fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember not to forget your evening meal, a simple plan to have a meal ready before you get home would be perfect, but in our fast-paced lifestyle, sometimes this just can’t be done. One way to solve this problem is to plan out your evening meals for the week, on your days off. Perhaps just before you do your weekly shopping. Another warning: when going to the supermarket, do not go food shopping hungry because if you're anything like me, one or two chocolate bars won’t hurt! That becomes the first break in your healthy eating. 

Initially, many will find it very difficult to make those necessary changes to healthier eating. Along with the difficulty of change, you may not feel well for a short period of time. Usually this is normal as your body is adjusting to your new and improved lifestyle and is cleansing itself from the unhealthy toxins built up from poor eating habits. However, if this feeling continues or you are worried a visit to your doctor would be the correct thing to do.

Start with baby steps and give yourself some grace. 

Even if you only replace one soda a day with a glass of water, you are really improving your calorie intake. If you eat fast food every day for lunch, try replacing that half of the time with better quality foods. When you start by taking small steps you aren’t cutting out all the foods you love all at once. By taking your time to learn about your eating habits and slowly replacing them with better meals, by taking the time to learn and understand why you should be doing that and making the necessary changes in an orderly fashion, you will feel much better within yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally and well on the road to becoming as healthy as you can be.

Beans could be the answer to your diet nightmares

So, you’re a healthy eating convert, and you want to start making sure all your meals are perfectly balanced. If you’re on a limited budget, though, you might have a problem. There’s a reason why most people get too much carbohydrate and fat and too little protein: most kinds of protein are expensive. Meat and cheese, two of the best sources of protein, are also two of the priciest ingredients you can buy.

So, if you want to eat healthily on the cheap, what’s the answer? Well, it might surprise you. What you need is beans.

Beans are a cheap crop, readily available in large tins for not very much money at all, and yet they are an excellent source of protein, and taste good too. There’s no shortage of variety, either: you can get everything from baked beans to kidney beans to butter beans, all lined up there in the same section for you. If you’re not sure of what to do with them, find some vegetarian recipes, which tend to be very bean-heavy, and give them a try. 

It can even be nice to mix together a few different kinds of beans and have a bean salad with a sauce – a simple side dish, but an easy way to add protein to your meal. Pasta with a dairy-based pasta sauce containing beans is an example of an ideally balanced meal, as long as you don’t overdo it with the pasta, as is rice with bean curry.

Of course, I’m not recommending that you stick to beans for your protein all the time, as you’re bound to get sick of them eventually. If you can replace meat or cheese with beans even occasionally, though, you’ll save a lot of money without affecting the balance of your meal.

Tips To A Healthier Gut

There are many things to learn about when it comes to gut health. But the basic concept is “What goes in must come out.” Your body is like a machine: it takes what it needs from what you feed it and gets rid of the rest by urine and the bowels.

If you notice you have a problem with elimination, you should take it seriously. Many people have this problem. Don’t be uncomfortable unnecessarily. Irregularity can seriously impact your health.

The first step is finding out if there even is a problem. First, evaluate how often you "go". If you go at least once a day You may not have a problem. The more the better if you eat more often. However, if you find you are having one per week or 2 per month, then you have a serious problem.

For some people, they might say they don’t find the time to monitor their bowel movements. Besides, they would rather "go" at home rather than in a public bathroom. But let me tell you, you will keep your colon quite happy if you go several times for the day. In short, "go" when you gotta "go". If you are looking for a trick to making you bowel movements easier, eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, steamed beets and using digestive enzymes with your meals. It's okay to start slow, but in the long run, you'll reap the benefits.

I have just lightly touched on the subject, but if you have a problem, irregularity could just be 1 symptom of an unhealthy gut. Try an elimination diet that can help you improve your diet specifically for your needs and make "going" easier for you. As always, consult a doctor before starting any new nutrition or exercise program. Take care of it today and look forward to tomorrow. May you live a healthy and prosper life.