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Tag: nutritional supplements

Food as Communication: What It Tells Your Cells

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In her insightful book, Good Energy, Dr. Casey Means presents a fascinating analogy: our cells are like military troops, and the foods we consume act as messages from the general, guiding and motivating them on what actions to take. Essentially, food serves as a communication tool, sending clear signals to our cells about what our bodies need to survive and thrive.

How Food Communicates with Our Cells

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, these essential fats send a message to our immune cells that says, “Put down your defense. Things are safe now.” This helps to reduce inflammation and promote a sense of calm within the body.
  2. Cruciferous Vegetables: Foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale communicate with our DNA, signaling, “It’s a tough time, and we must produce more defenses.” These vegetables are packed with antioxidants and compounds that support our body’s detoxification processes.
  3. Leucine: This essential amino acid, found in beef, yogurt, lentils, and almonds, tells our muscles, “It’s time to build. Let’s go.” Leucine plays a critical role in muscle protein synthesis, making it vital for muscle growth and repair.
  4. Magnesium: Present in avocados, leafy greens, and pumpkin seeds, magnesium sends a relaxing message to our neurons: “Relax.” This mineral is essential for nerve function and helps to alleviate stress and anxiety.
  5. Fiber: When we consume fiber, it communicates with our microbiome, saying, “I love you.” Fiber supports the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which is crucial for digestion and overall health.
  6. Intermittent Fasting: This practice sends a powerful message to our entire body: “We need to clean things up.” Intermittent fasting promotes cellular repair processes, including autophagy, which helps remove damaged cells and supports overall health.
  7. Synthetic Herbicides and Pesticides: Unfortunately, these substances send a detrimental message to our healthy gut bacteria, saying, “It’s time to die.” Exposure to these chemicals can disrupt gut health and negatively impact our overall well-being.

What Are You Telling YOUR Body?

The foods we choose to consume play a significant role in the messages we send to our cells. By being mindful of our dietary choices, we can foster better communication within our bodies and promote optimal health.

What messages are you sending to your body with your food choices? Consider incorporating more nutrient-dense foods into your diet to support your cells and enhance your overall well-being. Remember, every bite counts!

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

How do you ensure that you’re sending the right messages to your body?
Let’s create a community of health-conscious individuals who prioritize nourishing our cells!

 

The Difference Between Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods

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In today’s health-conscious world, the terms processed foods and ultra-processed foods are frequently mentioned. But why is there so much focus on these categories? The answer lies in their impact on our health, as both are often labeled as “toxic foods” by nutritional professionals. Understanding the differences between them is essential for making informed dietary choices.

What Are Processed Foods?

Processed foods are those that have been altered from their natural state for safety reasons or convenience. This encompasses a range of methods, including:

  • Milling: Grinding grains into flour
  • Pasteurizing: Heating liquids to kill harmful bacteria
  • Cooking: Preparing food for consumption
  • Canning: Sealing food in containers to prolong shelf life

While these processes can enhance food safety and convenience, it’s vital to focus on eating real, fresh foods as much as possible. The goal is to minimize the level of processing in our diets, opting for whole foods that provide essential nutrients.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, undergo multiple stages of processing and often contain various additives, such as:

  • Preservatives: Chemicals that extend shelf life
  • Sweeteners: Added sugars and artificial sweeteners
  • Artificial Colors and Flavors: Ingredients that enhance appearance and taste

These foods are typically “ready to eat” or “ready to heat,” making them convenient but often lacking in nutritional value. When we consume ultra-processed foods, we fill our bodies with unhealthy ingredients, which reduces the likelihood of choosing healthier options. This creates a double whammy of unhealthy decisions, yet Americans continue to overconsume these harmful foods.

Making Intentional Choices

Creating a healthy eating environment takes intention and planning. Here are some strategies to help you focus your choices in the right direction:

  • Stock Your Refrigerator with Fresh Produce: Fill your fridge with a variety of fruits and vegetables, making them easily accessible for snacking and meal prep.
  • Choose Quality Proteins: Keep your freezer stocked with lean meats, such as beef that is hormone-free and antibiotic-free, preferably sourced from the U.S.
  • Buy Fresh Fish: Whenever possible, purchase fish fresh on the day you plan to cook it to ensure optimal flavor and nutrition.
  • Avoid Harmful Foods: By not buying ultra-processed foods, you reduce the temptation to consume them, steering your household toward healthier options.

While perfection is not the goal, making healthy eating a priority in your home can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being.

Join the Conversation

How do you create an environment in your household that promotes healthy eating? Share your tips and strategies with the group, and let’s inspire each other to make better food choices!

Discover the Power of Grape Seed Extract

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Unlocking the Benefits of Grape Seed Extract (GSE)

Grape Seed Extract (GSE) may come from a simple source—the seeds of grapes—but this little extract does BIG things! Packed with numerous benefits, GSE is a powerhouse of health advantages that you might want to incorporate into your wellness routine.

Let’s explore the remarkable benefits of this extract:

1. Antioxidant Properties

GSE is rich in tannins, which act as antioxidants. These powerful compounds may help protect blood vessels and tissues from damage caused by free radicals, promoting overall cardiovascular health.

2. Anti-inflammatory Effects

Inflammation can lead to a variety of health issues. GSE has been shown to help reduce inflammation, making it a great ally in your fight against chronic conditions.

3. Support for Venous Insufficiency

For those experiencing symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency—a condition where veins struggle to send blood back to the heart—GSE may provide relief and improve circulation.

4. Blood Pressure Regulation

Research suggests that GSE may slightly lower blood pressure, particularly in healthy individuals and those with high blood pressure, especially if they are obese or have metabolic syndrome. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before combining GSE with high doses of vitamin C.

5. Eye Health Benefits

GSE may help alleviate eye stress caused by glare, making it a potential natural remedy for those who spend long hours in front of screens or in bright environments.

6. Allergy Relief

GSE has shown promise in reducing the severity of nasal allergies by decreasing the production of histamine, providing a natural solution for allergy sufferers.

7. Neurological Support

This extract may serve as a valuable therapeutic agent for various neurological disorders, including stroke, epilepsy, autism, and certain psychiatric conditions.

8. Anti-aging Properties

GSE may help protect collagen and elastin in the skin, contributing to a youthful appearance and reducing the signs of aging.

And so much more!

As someone who has taken Grape Seed Extract alongside resveratrol supplements for years, I can personally attest to its benefits. This combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract has become my favorite supplement duo, and I believe in its power to enhance overall health and well-being!

Conclusion

With its multitude of health benefits, Grape Seed Extract is a fantastic addition to any wellness regimen. Whether you are looking to support your cardiovascular health, manage inflammation, or simply promote healthy skin, GSE has something to offer.

Consider incorporating Grape Seed Extract into your daily routine and experience the difference for yourself!

Are Your Breasts Dense?

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Why Does It Matter? 

Effective today, mammography facilities are required to provide all patients receiving a mammogram with essential breast density notifications. It’s surprising to realize this wasn’t already standard practice—I’ve been told about my dense breasts throughout my entire “mammo life.”

On a recent episode of the Today Show, I learned just how challenging it is for technicians to detect cancer in dense breast images compared to fatty breast images. Women with dense breasts face a higher risk of developing breast cancer, which is why it’s crucial for us to be vigilant about our breast health and nutrition!

Here’s the truth: We ALL have cancer cells in our bodies at all times. Most of these cells die off, but a diet high in sugar can fuel their growth. If our immune systems are weak or compromised, those cancer cells gain an advantage.

Our goal should be to create an environment within our bodies where cancer cells cannot survive. Here’s how we can achieve that:

✅ Proper diet and nutrition
✅ Smart supplementation
✅ Regular exercise
✅ Sufficient rest
✅ Positive mindset

Let’s commit to doing our due diligence and living our best lives! Together, we can take proactive steps toward better health and wellness.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts below! 

#BreastHealth #HealthyLiving #WellnessJourney

Are You FOCUSED or are You DESPERATE?

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When it comes to achieving your health goals, your perspective on food, nutrition, and lifestyle choices can greatly impact your journey. The question to ask yourself is: Are you FOCUSED or are you DESPERATE?

The Importance of Focus

Having specific health goals can transform the way you view nutrition and the choices you make. When you are focused, every meal becomes an opportunity to fuel your body and move closer to your objectives. This is where having a solid plan becomes crucial.

  • Working with a Personal Trainer: When you hire a personal trainer, they should take the time to discuss your fitness goals and design a tailored plan that aligns with those aspirations. This personalized approach keeps you accountable and motivated as you work toward your targets.
  • Collaborating with a Nutritionist: Similarly, a nutritionist should do more than just suggest healthy meals. They should provide a comprehensive approach to good health, considering your lifestyle, preferences, and nutritional needs. This holistic view can help you create sustainable eating habits that support your long-term goals.

The Mindset Shift

However, you don’t need to hire a personal trainer or nutritionist to live a purposeful, healthy life. What you do need is the right mindset and a bit of planning. Here are some tips to cultivate focus in your health journey:

  1. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve, whether it’s weight loss, improved fitness, or better overall health. Write these goals down and keep them visible.
  2. Develop a Plan: Create a structured plan that includes your fitness routine, meal prep, and self-care practices. Having a roadmap makes it easier to stay on track.
  3. Stay Mindful: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Listen to what it needs and make adjustments as necessary. Mindfulness can help you distinguish between hunger and emotional eating.
  4. Seek Support: Whether it’s friends, family, or online communities, surround yourself with people who support your journey and encourage you to stay focused.
  5. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating your progress can boost your motivation and reinforce positive behaviors.

Where Do You Stand?

Do you identify more with being focused on your health goals, or do you find yourself feeling desperate for change? Reflecting on your mindset can help you shift your approach to health and nutrition. Remember, it’s all about creating a sustainable lifestyle that empowers you to reach your goals.

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Are you ready to embrace a focused mindset and take control of your health journey?
Let’s embark on this path together!

Breakfast bowl with yogurt, granola, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, banana slices, chia seeds; weekly pill organizer; glass of water; plate with avocado, cherry tomatoes, whole grain toast; cup of tea with lemon

ASPIRIN: AN UNEXPECTED ANTI-CANCER MEDICINE 

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Taking supplements every day, is great for your health. But did you know taking an aspirin first thing in the morning, is beneficial for cancer prevention and treatment. There are a ton of studies on aspirin. Check out these findings:

  • Regular post-diagnostic aspirin use was associated with 38% lower risk of breast cancer-specific mortality and a 28% lower risk of all cause mortality.
  • A history of daily aspirin use for over six months was associated with a 38% lower glioma risk compared to no daily use at all
  • Use of low dose aspirin is associated with a 54% reduced risk of gastric cancer and a 41% reduced risk of oesophageal cancer
  • Regular aspirin usewas linked with a 27% lower risk of colorectal cancer compared with non use.
  • Frequent aspirin use may lower risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Aspirin use after prostate surgery was linked to lower recurrence rates, including men with more aggressive prostate cancer.
  • Aspirin slowed the growth rate of melanoma cancer cells, reduced their ability to move and spread and increased cancer cell death. 
  • Aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Aspirin lowered the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, about 45% overall. The benefit increased with longer use.
Two empty glass test tubes in a wooden test tube rack on a wooden laboratory bench.

Understanding Cholesterol: Focus on Ratios, Not Just Numbers

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The REAL Truth About Cholesterol (Not Taught in Most Clinics):

Most people are told to panic if their total cholesterol is over 200. But honestly, total cholesterol is like a total grade average — it doesn’t show the real story.

The Real Markers That Matter:

  1. Triglycerides
  2. HDL (the “good” cholesterol)
  3. The Ratio: Triglycerides ÷ HDL

Expert Note: This ratio is one of the strongest predictors of heart health, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic function.

  • Ideal ratio: less than 2:1
  • Optimal reset-level: 1:1 or less (Beth’s is 1:1)

Example:

• Triglycerides: 70

• HDL: 70

• Ratio: 1.0 — Metabolic gold

Now compare this:

• Total cholesterol: 210 (looks high to a doctor)

• Ratio still 1.0 SO no danger.

In other words: you can have a total cholesterol of 230 and still be metabolically healthier than someone with a total of 180.

Why Your Doctor’s Solution (Statins) Is Not the Whole Answer:

Statins can lower total cholesterol… but at what cost?

They block your body from producing CoQ10, an essential nutrient for:

  • Heart energy
  • Brain function
  • Cellular repair

Low CoQ10 has been linked to:

  • Muscle aches and weakness
  • Brain fog
  • Increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders (like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s)
  • Hormone disruption
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction (your metabolic powerhouse)

I’m Not Saying “No Statins Ever” BUT Here’s What I Am Saying:

Know the full picture before panicking or popping a pill. Focus on lowering triglycerides and raising HDL naturally. Don’t chase numbers — heal the body and let the number correct itself.

If you must take a statin, support your CoQ10 (at least 100–200mg/day)

Stop letting fear take the wheel of your health. Your cholesterol number is just a conversation starter, not a death sentence. Stop staring at your total and start looking at the markers that actually matter. Leafy greens, fiber, clean fats, and sleep lower triglycerides. Prayer, protein, and purpose raise HDL. Learn your ratios, protect your brain, and stop taking prescriptions out of fear.

Various natural skincare ingredients including herbs, avocado, oils, and creams arranged on marble

Why Americans Are Making the Switch to European-Grade Beauty with Sei Bella

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Are you ready for an eye-opening truth about the beauty industry? Let’s dive into the revolutionary world of Sei Bella, led by Patrick Jones, who spent 20 years at one of the most prestigious beauty houses in the world—Lancôme. Imagine the behind-the-scenes drama of The Devil Wears Prada, but in the luxe realm of cosmetics. Now, Patrick brings a fresh perspective to beauty with his Wellness-Inspired Beauty approach at Melaleuca.

A New Era in Beauty

At Sei Bella, Patrick and his passionate team have crafted one of the most effective and clean beauty lines in North America. What sets Sei Bella apart? Patrick’s extensive experience in the conventional beauty industry taught him exactly what NOT to do. Let’s take a closer look at the harsh realities he uncovered about the traditional U.S. beauty market:

Marketing Over Efficacy

Big-name brands pour tens of millions into marketing rather than effective formulations. The so-called “star” ingredients they promote often exist in minuscule amounts—just enough to put on the label but not enough to deliver real, clinical results.

Minimal Research & Development

Research and development often take a backseat in the conventional beauty industry. Patrick himself admitted that he never brought prototypes home to his family because he didn’t trust their safety. That’s a red flag!

Profit First, Ethics Later

Many U.S. brands focus on creating the cheapest product possible to sell at the highest markup. Wellness and effectiveness become mere afterthoughts rather than priorities.

Sei Bella: The Gold Standard

In stark contrast, Sei Bella adheres to European cosmetic standards, widely recognized as the gold standard in product safety and efficacy. While the U.S. FDA allows over 1,300 questionable ingredients in personal care products, the European Union bans them outright. This alone is a compelling reason to switch.

3 Powerful Reasons to Make the Switch to Sei Bella

  1. Stricter Safety Standards
    The European Union prohibits thousands of harmful ingredients still permitted in U.S. products. Sei Bella voluntarily meets these higher European standards, guaranteeing cleaner, safer formulas for your skin.
  2. Clinically Effective Formulations
    Sei Bella products are formulated with clinically effective levels of active ingredients—not just trace amounts. This means you’ll see visible results, free from the empty promises often associated with traditional beauty products.
  3. Integrity Over Advertising
    Melaleuca doesn’t rely on traditional advertising, allowing more of the budget to be funneled directly into product development. This means Sei Bella can offer salon- and spa-quality beauty at a fraction of the cost—without compromising safety or performance.

The Secret to Radiant Skin

And here’s a surprising revelation from Patrick: his favorite “skincare” product isn’t a cream or serum—it’s our supplements. Because true beauty radiates from within! Healthy skin starts with proper nutrition, and Sei Bella’s supplements are designed to support your overall wellness.

Are you ready to elevate your beauty routine and embrace cleaner, safer products? Join the movement and discover the transformative power of Sei Bella—where wellness meets beauty! I am always happy to share.

I now offer R3 Coaching

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I am so thrilled to be Coaching others with this amazing protocol.
REAL FOOD!

I’m getting ready for the upcoming R3 Challenge, the first for 2026. I’m working on my final 20 pounds.
If you are interested in starting out this new year in creating a healthier you, do contact me. There is something
for every one in R3. After all, it’s a lifestyle—not a diet. I know it works. I lost 100 pounds in 2022 and it still hasn’t
come back!

Who wants to join me, a certified R3 Coach, in starting a new healthy chapter?

Helping others to feel better and get healthy is the best Career Choice I’ve ever made.

Staying Merry & Bright this Holiday Season

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Day 21: Activate C Immune Complex

Because being busy in high gear can wear me down, I kick my immune system into high gear with the power of Activate-C Immune Complex. Whenever I feel my defenses need a boost, I supercharge my immune system by mixing one packet with 6–8 fl. oz. water. Sometimes when I’m feeling especially run down, I mix it with hot water—that little bit of warmth is very much welcomed on cold days.

Each delicious glass contains 1,200 mg of vitamin C, 15 mcg of vitamin E, and 15 mg of zinc powered by Oligo, plus a powerful blend of scientifically selected botanicals, giving me the most powerful support for my immune system!

Are you ready to kick your immune system into high gear with the power of Activate-C Immune Complex?
$12.00 for 20 packets that’s $0.65 a glass!