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Category: Nutrition

Do you get enough fiber?

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Believe it or not, fiber is a great way to lose weight, keep your gut in great working order and curtail hunger. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can help with that, but what if you don’t want to consume all of those calories or can’t handle the sugar from all of the fruit?

Well, I’ve found Fiberwise is a great way to get some extra fiber in my diet. It’s great to take about 30 minutes to an hour before dinner. It helps you not want to overeat. It has 14 grams of fiber in one serving! Good stuff for the digestive tract.


Facts about Coenzyme Q10 

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CoQ10 is a nutrient that is naturally found in the body. As we age, our bodies produce less of this important nutrient plus our bodies break it down at a faster rate. It’s a very important nutrient. Check all that it does:

Cardiovascular Health: CoQ10 may improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart disease by acting as an antioxidant and supporting energy production in heart cells.

Antioxidant Activity: CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that contribute to aging and disease.

Energy Production: CoQ10 is essential for the production of energy in the body’s cells. It may improve physical performance and reduce fatigue.

Muscle Function: CoQ10 may support muscle function and reduce muscle pain and weakness, particularly in individuals taking statin medications.

Neurological Health: Some studies suggest that CoQ10 may benefit individuals with certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and migraines.

Fertility: CoQ10 may improve fertility in women by enhancing the quality of eggs.

Other Potential Benefits: CoQ10 may have anti-aging effects, improve skin health, and regulate blood sugar levels.

You can find CoQ10 in beef, pork, chicken, fatty fish, eggs, spinach and broccoli but not in the amounts that we need, o supplementation is key.

Also know that if you are on a statin drug, that Rx stops your body’s natural production of CoQ10 so supplementing is critical.

Protein Shakes? How Much Protein Do You Need?

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Caring for your health includes fueling your body with protein.
Protein isn’t just for athletes. It builds muscle, strengthens bones and boosts immunity. It keeps you satiated and keeps hunger at bay, so it’s an important tool in weight loss.

Here are some general guidelines:

  • Under 50: Multiply your weight by 0.38 grams
  • Over 50? Multiply by 0.45 grams
  • For a 55-year-old at 150 lb., that’s 67.5 gram of protein daily, or about 22.5 g per meal.

It’s important to address your personal physical goals as well. You may want to drink a protein shake every day. A normal shake is two scoops, totaling 30 grams of protein; but if you don’t eat a lot during the day, you may want to use three scoops for a total of 45 grams of protein.

Typically, it is recommended a woman take 20 grams of protein in her shake UNLESS she’s trying to build muscle (which most of us need to do), and in that case, she could add 30 grams of protein to her shake.

Make certain to check your labels.I use a shake that has ZERO sugar. Stay away from convenient shakes like Ensure. Ensure only offers 9 grams of protein but has 10 grams of sugar, plus a blend of vegetable oils!

Knowledge is protein power.

Do you “Shake”?

Heart Health Month is in full swing!

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What have you been doing to support your hardworking heart?

The Peak Performance Heart Health Pack and FiberWise make an incredible team for supporting your heart and your overall wellness. From healthy cholesterol support and antioxidant protection to gut-health support and toxin cleanup, these two exceptional products fuel your heart and body with the comprehensive nutrition and fiber power your body needs every day!*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Olive Oil and Lower Dementia Rates 

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A 28 year scientific study with over 92,000 participants found that those who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil daily had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death.

Interestingly enough, this statistic held true after adjusting for diet quality, genetics (including the APOE ε4 gene, which increases dementia risk), and lifestyle factors.

Why is olive oil so protective?

It’s packed with monounsaturated fats, polyphenols, and vitamin E, which have been shown to:

  • Protect brain cells from oxidative damage
  • Reduce neuroinflammation, (inflammation in the central nervous system), a key driver of cognitive decline
  • Support vascular health and maintain blood flow to the brain The study also found that replacing just 5 grams of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with an 8–14% lower risk of dementia mortality. This highlights how eliminating harmful trans fats and switching to brain-supportive fats can make a measurable difference.

    Dementia rates are on the rise so these findings reinforce that what’s on our plates directly impact our brain health. Prioritizing extra virgin olive oil may be a simple yet powerful strategy for brain health!

Staying “Focus”ed

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I have been taking this product since June 2024. I have to say that it is an absolute game changer for mental clarity and consistent focus ability.
One small capsule per day first thing in the morning, and it literally lasts all day long. I feel amazing. I am fully alert and focused throughout the entire day.

Happy Valentines Day!

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This is a day that is often filled with roses, cards and CHOCOLATE!

Believe it or not, dark chocolate is a heart-healthy choice (when not loaded up with sugar and saturated fat). Combine it with almonds and it gets even healthier because almonds can help reduce blood clots. When enjoyed in moderation, studies show that Dark Chocolate can be a heart healthy choice.

Dark Chocolate can help in:

  • Making platelets in the blood less sticky and able to create clots, which can cause heart attack or stroke.
  • Processing nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow throughout the body, including the brain.
  • Lowering the risk of insulin resistance, which reduces the risk of diabetes.
  • Controlling chronic inflammation, which can lead to heart disease..

Keep in mind the higher the percentage of cocoa, the greater the amount of flavanols, but also the greater the bitter flavor. Just a bite or so a day is all you need to reap the cardiovascular benefits.

New Finding on Vitamin D Levels!

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New research reveals that vitamin D may play a more significant role in overall health than previously understood. A comprehensive review of 99 randomized, controlled trials involving over 17,000 participants worldwide offers new insights into the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation.

Key findings suggest that taking an average of 3,320 IU of vitamin D daily may lead to improvements in several health markers:

  • reduced blood pressure
  • lower overall cholesterol
  • decreased Hemoglobin A1C
  • improved fasting blood glucose and insulin levels

Many of you only take 2000 IU’s, and this suggests that may not be enough. Remember that D3/K2 is critical to help get the vitamin D out of the blood (which can lead to calcifications) and to the bones where it is needed!

The Olive Oil Deception 

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Did you know that olives are a fruit?
And just like fruit juice, olive oil tastes best and is the most nutritious when it’s fresh.

Fresh-pressed olive oil has the highest levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and a unique anti-cancer compound called Oleocanthol.

But there’s a problem:
According to Forbes, “It’s been reliably reported that 80% of the Italian olive oil on the market is fraudulent. A study last year by the National Consumer League found that six of 11 bottles of Extra Virgin olive oil from three major retailers—Whole Foods, Safeway, and Giant—failed to meet Extra Virgin requirements.”
Yes, many olive oil companies produce low quality olive oil diluted with other oils, and some companies sell “olive oil” that isn’t even made from olives!

In his book, Extra Virginity, olive oil expert, Tom Mueller, warns of contaminants and cancer-causing agents in these fake olive oils:
“Italian investigators have found hydrocarbon residues, pesticides, and other contaminants in fake oils, and pomace oil, a common adulterant, sometimes contains mineral oil as well as PAHs, proven carcinogens that can also damage DNA and the immune system.”

So how do you know if it’s authentic?

The Label: The label should indicate the harvest date and whether the oil has been blended with other oils. Look for a quality seal from the International Olive Council (IOC) for European oils or the California Olive Oil Council for American oils, which indicate that the oil has been tested and meets certain standards.

The Bottle: The bottle should be dark colored glass to protect against UV Ray exposure

The Taste: Authentic EVOO has a bright flavor with hints of fruit, grass, and almond, and a slightly bitter, peppery aftertaste. Low-quality or “fake” EVOO may taste dull, greasy, waxy, or crayon-like, or have no flavor.

So shop carefully and read those labels!

Have you ever heard of the French Paradox?

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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?