Have you ever heard of the French Paradox?

We all know that high saturated fat and high cholesterol foods are bad for our hearts, right?

The French consume more of these foods than we do, yet they enjoy significantly better heart health. This finding seemed to contradict other research that clearly linked fat-laden diets with increased risk for heart disease.

Many researchers attribute this paradox to the heart-healthy components of grapes. While the French may eat more fatty foods, they also drink more wine with their meals. The grapes used to make the wine are an extremely potent source of natural antioxidants including flavonoids.

Of all the potential vegetables, fruits, herbs, exotic berries, nuts, and roots that lead to a healthier heart, none compares to the purple grape. Purple grapes are filled with polyphenols that positively impact the interior of blood vessels unlike anything else.

That said, drinking wine every night is not a wise move for many for obvious reasons.

That’s supplement my diet with two of my very favorite ingredients daily!

Grape Seed/Skin Extract: A super-concentrated, natural extract associated with maintaining healthy blood pressure and supports healthy endothelial function. Grape skin includes many critical natural compounds that are extremely useful for a healthy cardiovascular system, called Anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are powerful polyphenolic compounds that are especially helpful in maintaining a healthy endothelial function.

Resveratrol: A polyphonic compound found in grapes and some berries. Resveratrol has been shown in lab tests to neutralize free radicals and is associated with a wide variety of beneficial physiological effects, including cardiovascular health. It is also associated with helping maintain healthy endothelial function. It’s suggested in several studies that resveratrol has a positive impact on diseases such as cancer.

Question: Do you look at the ingredients in your supplements? 

Dry skin doesn’t stand a chance

Dry skin doesn’t stand a chance this winter! Keep your skin soft, smooth, and nourished with Renew. Infused with rich, hydrating ingredients, this lotion soothes irritation and locks in moisture for all-day softness.

Just a Spray a Day

Keeps Hard Water Stains Away!

We covered a glass sheet with hard water. On the left we sprayed No Work 12x and on the right we just let the water dry. It’s easy to see how No Work 12x helps prevent soap scum and hard water buildup, so your shower stays sparkling day after day—with no scrubbing!

Pancakes that get you fiber

I made some scrambled eggs and pancakes for breakfast this morning.

I watch my carbs, so I made my special low carb/high fiber pancakes that I find to be nutritious and delicious. Since I love cinnamon, I made a cinnamon pancake for me.
To make my protein pancake I start with Proflex Vanilla Protein Shake and I to add extra fiber to it,. I use Fiberwise. I simply added a scoop of it. It’s great replacement for flour as well—if you’re making conventional pancakes. Anyway, ,y Protein plus fiber pancakes always come out fluffy and yummy!

Everyone needs fiber and Fiberwise gives me a simple way to add extra fiber in my diet. Two scoops of Fiberwise contains 16 grams of fiber. I used only one scoop this morning.

Plus, Fiberwise is great for baking and can be used just like flour! The container label offers all sorts of ways to incorporate it into your diet.
Fiberwisemakes it easy to be certain you’re getting enough fiber! After all, it is nature’s scrub brushes for your gastrointestinal tract!

Is There Anything a Carrot Can’t Do?

Someone one once asked me “What do carrots do?” I absolutely couldn’t answer, other than providing vitamins for the eyes and vitamin A I had no idea of what carrots do!

Since then I’ve learned that there are three compounds found in carrots: falcarinol, luteolin, and beta-carotene, can all cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. Luteolin and beta-carotene are very anti-angiogenic, which means they help stop blood vessels supply to tumors.

Luteolin upregulates the tumor supressor gene p53 that is normally downregulated in cancer. It also down regulates the WNT-beta catenin, which is normally over-expressed in many cancers.
Luteolin downregulates P13k pathway. P13k regulates cell survival, proliferation and increased expression is associated with tumor progression.  When over expressed it reduces apoptosis (cell death) and allows proliferation.
Luteolin downregulates MUC1; a sticky protein that coats cancer cells in a protective layer, making it difficult for anti-cancer substances and medicines to permeate the cancer cell.
Luteolin activates AMPK . AMPK inhibits MTOR another pathway related to cancer progression.

Luteolin and Beta-carotene downregulate VEGF pathways that are over expressed in many cancers. VEGF pathway stimulates cancer cell growth.
Luteolin and Beta-carotene enhance insulin sensitivity!

Beta Carotene, luteolin, and falcarinol help repair normal function to the PPAR pathway, which regulates how certain genes are expressed and how fats and glucose are used in the body. It plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Beta-carotene and luteolin down regulate MMP. MMP (matrix metalloproteinases) contributes to angiogenesis or blood supply to the tumor.

Falcarinol, betacarotene and lycopene lower inflammatory pathways by effecting TNF-A, IL-1, IL 6, and Cox-2.
Falcarinol suppresses the Notch pathway and shows the potent antiproliferative activity by selectively killing colorectal cancer cells and repressing tumor growth, without affecting normal colon epithelial cells! The study can be found here!
Falcarinol is a POTENT immune stimulator. Beta carotene and luteolin also stimulate the immune system.
Falcarinol, Luteolin activates PTEN, a major tumor suppressor gene.
Falcarinol induced a gut bacteria change in rats that led to a decrease in chemically induced neoplasms. Study here!
Falcarinol is antifungal and antibacterial!

Here’s a great article on retinoids in carrots potently repairing common dysregulated pathways in colorectal cancer, even the APC “genetic” polyp disorder associated with some colorectal cancers!

Endocannabinoid system- THC binds with CB1, so does carrots! Study here!

Carrots and terpenes. Carrots have 31 terpenoids! Terpenoids have been shown to potently inhibit cancer!

Carrots are high in pectin surprisingly! Pectins make it hard for cancer cells to adhere therefore, carrots help prevent metastasis. Pectins can also cause direct cancer cell death for some types of cancer. If you want more pectin, Modified Citrus Pectin is a supplement some people take.

If you’ve made it all the way through this article to ask “What about all that sugar?” A friend’s fasting blood sugar was pre-diabetic at 110 prior to diet change. Averaging about five pounds of carrots a day plus a fruit smoothie, it’s now around 70 NON-FASTING! Natural sugar is processed differently and each molecule of fruit/veggie sugar contains a plethera of anti-cancer substances!

If you’re interested in learning more about carrots and cancer, I highly recommend the book  Killing Cancer with Carrots!

What does the little “e” mean?

The tiny “e” symbol on products means the products meet strict European Beauty and Health Standards. Why is that important to know? Well, the European Beauty and Health Standard are known to be a safer, healthier standard with healthier people.

Here’s why that matters:
In Europe, more than 1,300 ingredients are “banned”. Yes, banned—over 1,300 ingredients—in personal care products because of health risks.
In the U.S.? Only 11 ingredients are banned. Shocking, right?

Even crazier—some companies actually create two versions of the same product: a safer, European-standard one and then a less-regulated version for the U.S.
It’s not about protecting us; it’s about their profits. I know this from Guyana. Coke and Pepsi even do this with their soda. I will drink it there, but not here!

I now look for products with the “e” label. They’re usually pricier, but, thankfully, I shop with a manufacturer that makes safe, high-quality products affordable around the Wellness Store. This isn’t just for the ladies—guys, your health matters too!
Switching to healthier, toxin-free options doesn’t have to break the bank.
If you’d like help making the change, I’ve got some tips to share!

My clean kitchen

These are the products that I consistently use in my kitchen. I use the original Rustic Touch on the counter tops and stainless steel appliances. I dilute the Lemon Brite and shorten a spray top for the bottle. I like the ease of spraying the dish detergent on pans, dishes, etc. I use diluted
Sol-u-Mel to eliminate odors. Tough and Tender is a wonderful all-purpose cleaner. DiamondBrite and Rinse Aid in the dishwasher for sparkling clean dishes and glasses. What do you use in the kitchen?

I Love Olives

Picture an olive branch. It’s a symbol of both health and longevity.

And rightfully so. Olives contain components that benefit the brain and heart, reduce cancer risk, aid in weight loss and increase longevity.
Olives are high in monounsaturated fat. Studies show that a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids are great for heart health because they

  • Reduce LDL cholesterol
  • Decrease Blood Pressure
  • Decrease A1c numbers
  • Improve Insulin sensitivity

Eating olives also increase our glutathione levels, which support our immune function. Plus, olives are fermented and fermented foods boost our microbiome and digestive health!

I add them to my salads or as a snack with my favorite cheese!

USA Made

I buy American-made products wherever and whenever I can. I am thankful that I found an American brand manufactured right here in
the good ol’ U S of A! Every family I can switch to this online American manufacturer. Think about it — switching to American-made is a victory
for our economy, workers and their families.

Plus you know that there ia no child labor, no harmful toxins, and most of all no supporting countries that don’t like us.

Magnesium

Did you know…

that over 600 processes in your body revolve around magnesium?

Processes like creating energy, protein formulation, gene repair and maintenance, muscular movement and the nervous system.

  • Magnesium helps with exercise performance.—One study involving athletes showed that a magnesium supplement boosted their physical performance by creating energy when it is need immediately. 
  • Magnesium helps Type II Diabetes. —Studies have shown that blood sugars and A1c levels improve with consistent use of magnesium.
  • Magnesium helps Inflammation.— Supplementing with magnesium helps to control or reverse inflammation, which if left untreated leads to early aging, chronic diseases and obesity.

As with any supplement, not all magnesium supplements are created equal. I use a powdered formulation—which makes it easy to add to lemonade, water, protein shakes, and more. It also has Vitamin B6, which is essential for delivering the magnesium directly to the cells.

Magnesium ranks high in order of importance when it comes to your health, so if you aren’t taking magnesium, maybe now is the time to start!