ASTAXANTHIN: A NEW POWERHOUSE!

I recently started taking a new collagen product and one of the main ingredients is Astaxanthin. I was unfamiliar with this antioxidant so I started doing some research and I think I have a new favorite nutrient! It’s a powerhouse!

Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment found in algae that many consider the “king of the carotenoids.” Look at what all it does:

  • Fights Osteoarthritis — Research shows that Astaxanthin can not only help maintain the balance between new and deteriorating cartilage cells, but it may also reduce inflammation in joints. It also may slow osteoarthritis progression and address symptoms, giving you a better quality of life as you age.
  • Protects Against UV-Induced Skin Aging—A 2018 study compared moisture retention after UV exposure in subjects who were given 4mgs of Astaxanthin versus those who were given a placebo. Results indicated that there was a significant difference between the two groups. Those who took Astaxanthin showed marked moisture retention and less damage to their skin after the equivalent of 1.5 hours in the sun.
  • May Help Retain Cognitive Function in Early-Stage Dementia & Alzheimer’s —In a 2018 clinical trial looking at the effects of Astaxanthin on subjects with mild-cognitive function early-stage dementia, results showed there were significant improvements in cognitive functions related to the ability to understand and complete complex tasks quickly and accurately.
  • Fights Mental Fatique —Brain exhaustion, foggy brain, etc. Studies show that Astaxanthin helps to recover more quickly from brain fatigue.
  • Reverses the Appearance of Wrinkles & Crow’s Feet —Multiple studies showed that both oral consumption and topical application of Astaxanthin resulted in significant improvements in theappearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet in men and women over 8 weeks. Improvements in reducing the appearance of age spots and helping the skin retain more moisture were also observed.
  • Helps Manage Diabetes —A 2018 study found that patients increased their HDL cholesterol (that’s the good one!), reduced blood pressure, and actually improved the metabolism of sugars.
  • Helps with Menopause Symptoms —A 2010 study treated a group of menopausal women with a combination of vitamins and supplements that included Astaxanthin. They found that the women reported a significant reduction in 34 menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, bladder problems, and joint pain.
  • May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease —Studies show that Astaxanthin may reduce LDL cholesterol levels in overweight patients, as well as improve HDL levels after 12 weeks of supplementation. A 2006 study revealed that Astaxanthin may improve the thickness and elasticity of arterial walls. This can help regulate blood pressure and prevent heart failure.

My new Collagen supplement, Vitality for Life Collagen Boost, contains Astaxanthin. Do you see why I’m so excited about this!

An Ounce of Prevention…

Prevention has always been my passion in sharing my wellness journey but I just had to learn how to share it.
Well, I’m sharing now since I lost nearly 100 pounds and my health markers are on point. I’ve been on this healthy prevention journey close to 20 years. Proof is in the blood and my health markers are remarkable. They are even better since I joined the R3 Challenge last June. Prior to 2004, I did nothing to improve my health I was pretty healthy overall. .My bloodwork was fine, so I had allergies and asthma, but they were under control.

Some of you may know know that Dr. John Folts, BSEE, MS, PhD. Professor of Medicine and Nutritional Science, Director of Coronary Thrombosis Research and Vascular Biology at The University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin studied for forty-four years of what he called “fun research” in cardiology. He introduced Provex CV to my online shopping club years ago. Provex CV which is one of those life changing products that does a whole lot more than an “aspirin a day”.ProvexCV delivers a powerful and diverse dose of polyphenols for unparalleled antioxidant protection, optimal cardiovascular health, and a healthy immune response!

I Googled this below and thought of sharing it with those that are healthy now (me included):

“Seemingly healthy people are “suddenly” having heart attacks because, as it turns out, their arteries are not perfectly healthy and they don’t know it. With the proper noninvasive tests, these diseased arteries would have been identified, and the heart attacks wouldn’t have happened.”— April 22, 2019

I believe taking ProvexCV is what has kept my blood pressure at super healthy levels and my heart in good shape. I wouldn’t be without it!

Collagen—do you take it?

Finally found a collagen I can stand behind – and I’ll be honest, I’m a little over the moon about it.

While on a girls’ trip, I heard from one of my fellow vacationers how she was looking for a good collagen supplement. I never knew much about it until now. If my brand didn’t it make it, I wasn’t going to purchase it at the store—since who knows how long it’s been sitting on the shelf. 

Since that discussion, I’ve learned quite a bit about Collagen. Collagen’s main role is to provide structure, strength and support throughout your body. Your body produces less collagen as you age, and existing collagen breaks down at a faster rate. 

Did you know there are different kinds of collagen? I surely didn’t. I learned about four types of collagen from the Cleveland Clinic

Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen—Though collagen can come from many different sources, bovine has been found to be the most potent and effective. Furthermore, when collagen is hydrolyzed it essentially means the amino acids within it have been broken down, so they’re easier for your body to absorb.

Marine Collagen—A problem with marine collagen is that you never know what you’re getting. “Marine” is a blanket term for any aquatic creature whether it be a jellyfish, shellfish, or shark — these sources are not easy for the body to absorb.

Liquid Collagen—Liquid collagen drinks tend to have a longer list of ingredients compared to powders. Additives and flavorings, whether artificial or natural, typically mean empty sugar calories. 

After learning this, I was wondering, what kind of collagen should I take?
NEW Vitality for Life Collagen has 10 grams of a proprietary collagen blend in every serving! This collagen boost supplement is clinically, proven to improve skin elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! This powder wins on potency, fewer additives, cost savings, and eco-friendly edge.

Here’s to aging gracefully! 

Here’s an exceptional example of how our collagen compares to the leading brands 

Online shopping

20,000 people in North America switch to this store every month!

Why?
CLEANER greener safer products
The BEST immunity support
Necessities for every home 450+ products
AFFORDABLE , high quality too
MADE in and distributed from North America
DEBT FREE company
Highest quality beef
100% Satisfaction guaranteed

Click! Click! Ship!
(usually faster than Amazon)
I’m a loyal 19-year shopper.

Some facts about aspirin

I confidently told my surgeon “no” to an aspirin a day to prevent blood clots after surgery.  I’ll tell you why in a minute.
If you are taking an aspirin a day for whatever reason, research what is being said here:
According to The Paleo Cardiologist, Dr. Jack Wolfson, (Natural Heart Doctor) “On May 5, 2014, the FDA banned Bayer from recommending aspirin for the primary prevention of a heart or stroke. The FDA did not find evidence supporting aspirin use for those who have never had a heart attack or stroke.” 

He goes on to say, ” In addition to GI bleeding here a few other side effects of aspirin: 

  1. Increases uric acid, which can lead to gout, a painful form of arthritis. (When people are in pain they take more aspirin.) 
  1. Decreases kidney function. 
  2. Leads to blindness. aspirin increases the risk of “wet’ form of macular degeneration. 
  3. Increases the risk of blood clots in surgical patients. 
  4. Leads to hearing loss.” 

He also, states, the side effects of aspirin use for heart disease are far greater than the benefits, especially for women. All that is from Dr. Wolfson’s book 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑜 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑡.

In 2004, I was introduced to Provex CV originally created by the R&D of my wellness manufacturer and Dr. John Folts, one of the discoverers of aspirin therapy for heart disease, a world leading authority on platelet behavior and cardiovascular disease, and the clinical researcher who has overseen the major testing of Provex CV for cardio health. 

At that time, he said Provex CV worked 59% better than an aspirin a day and twice as well as vitamin E for keeping the blood flowing. It has more helps: https://shorturl.at/FHMN1

When you know better, you do better – as the saying goes.

HAVE YOU PEAKED

The first of 5 different ways to support your immune system is Daily nutrition and supplements. None of us get all we need from our daily diet. Even if you ate all the right proportions of protein, vegetables and fruits, you are still lacking because of the way most of our food is grown and processed. It is essential to find a quality supplement that your body can actually absorb.

I’ve been taking such a quality supplement for the last 20 years. It has 3 independent studies and a documented 85% absorption rate. You also need to be sure you are hydrating your body and at the same time providing it with essential electrolytes. It’s important to provide yourself and your family with healthy snacks and if you have to have a substitute for a meal, make sure your are picking one that is actually going to nourish your body. That’s why I take the Peak Performance Nutrition Pack (Longevity 50+) it works.

It Pays to Learn How to REALLY Read a Label.

Have you noticed how Centrum has added these icons, suggesting that they the supplement helps with bone health, brain health, etc. They charge you more for this, by the way.

Take a  look at the label, has anything been added for these additional health benefits?

BRAIN HEALTH: If you want to protect your brain (or any other organ), it takes more than icons on a label. The supplement I take has an amazing ingredient, Phosphatidylserine, (which helps to prevent memory and cognitive decline), Ginkgo Biloba (which helps to promote serotonin and dopamine) and Bacopa (which protect brain cells from free radicals). It doesn’t appear that Centrum has added any of these to help with brain health.

EYE HEALTH: Lutein is amazing for the prevention of macular degeneration, and this label shows it has 300 mcgs. But research shows we  need a minimum of 6 mg’s per day of Lutein. Let’s do a little math…. One (1) mg = 1000 mcgs.
Six (6 )mg = 6000 mcgs. Centrum’s label shows it has 300 mcgs, less than one mg. Based on their technology, most of those 300 mcgs aren’t getting absorbed by the body. A person would need to take 20 Centrum tablets per day day to get the minimum Lutein requirement. That’s a lot of pills and expense!

My mother developed macular degeneration later in life and had what the doctors called “low vision”. She was able to prevent total blindness by taking a supplement rich in Lutein. I don’t want macular degeneratio to happen to me. So, to prevent it, I take the same  supplement she did with 10 mgs of Lutein, plus Zinc, and Zeaxathin— all noted for promoting eye health.

So don’t waste your money on store brand supplements. They have low absorption, synthetics, and they lack the necessary ingredients to make a difference with your health!

How are your Vitamin D levels?

VITAMIN D is a super essential, powerful vitamin for everyone. Yes, you can get vitamin D from the sun, but you have to get outside and expose some skin for a minimum of twenty minutes a day. It’s great if you live in warm climates, but what about those cold, dark dreary winter days? It makes it hard to obtain it from the sun, doesn’t it?

Vitamin D been shown to prevent and improve survival in many forms of deadly cancer; it can also prevent fatal heart attacks; improve survival in kidney disease; strengthen our bones and prevent and cure depression. Vitamin D is also a potent weapon against diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); high blood pressure; inflammation; Sjogren’s Syndrome; thyroiditis; Crohn’s disease and obesity—all of these have been linked to low vitamin D levels . The benefits of Vitamin D now fills volumes in medical libraries.  

Needless to say, I am a Vitamin D devotee!  I love bright sunny days and become sluggish in those grey days of winter. I do admit my February Blues have practically disappeared since I started taking Vitamin D daily. This one I use is working great for me, as the Vitamin K in it helps the D to work.️

 Check it out and see if your Vitamin D levels needed to be “fixed” like mine did.

Anyone taking Elderberry?

Cold and Flu season is upon us and many are looking for natural ways to boost their immune system and prevent flu. Elderberry is an “old wives” tried and true remedy and it does help to boost the immune system.

I have found two products that have been working for me and find them so much better than Elderberry. The first is ProvexCV. It’s a small capsule proven to have highest absorption rate in the country. I take it daily. It has a lot to offer the immune system with the protective power of 10,000 purple grapes in every bottle, blood pressure benefits for healthy individuals are only the beginning! ProvexCV delivers a powerful and diverse dose of polyphenols for unparalleled antioxidant protection, optimal cardiovascular health, and a healthy immune response

The second product is Activate-C Immune Complex.It’s a proprietary blend of vitamins A, C, and D, zinc powered by Oligo®, plus quercetin and beta-glucan to optimize cellular response, helping the immune systems work harder and faster.

It comes in tablet form and a drink mix in two flavors, raspberry and orange. I like the drink version. The orange one reminds me of Tang that I used to drink as a kid. When it’s cold out I like to drink it warm. It’s comforting and makes me feel better instantly. I know this is one product that keeps my immune system operating at its peak with this blend of clinically proven ingredients.

Consider the value of prevention starting today. Make sure to stock up on immune boosting products that work! 

The exact timing and duration of flu seasons varies, but flu activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although significant activity can last as late as May Are you ready for a cold and flu season ?

Beating Winter’s Health Challenges

The Post- Holiday Season typically presents challenges to both our physical and emotional health. Whether it’s the rush of it all, overextending ourselves physically, Seasonal Affective Disorder from the short days, dealing with difficult relationships, financial stress, inclement weather, or a host of other issues, it can be a tough time.

I’m not an authority on this subject, but I have observed a number of things that can help keep you physically and emotionally healthy through this winter season.

PHYSICAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

There’s are fewer daylight and your skin is almost totally covered with clothing such that your natural vitamin D production is almost nil. Those short days also lend themselves to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can not only depress your immune system, but also affect you emotionally. Your home and workplace is shut up against the cold, so you have a lack of fresh air and a greater exposure to disease-causing microorganisms. That closed environment also makes it easier for you to get infections from those around you.

Colder temperatures are also more stressful on your body, requiring greater adaptation to stay healthy. So what can you do:

1. Be sure to take at least 5000 i.u.’s of Vitamin D-3 daily — you may need 10,000, especially if you live in a non-sunny climate.
2. Get some fresh air in your home, even if that’s just opening some windows for a few minutes or leaving a window cracked in your bedroom at night.
3. If you are particularly bothered by the short days, consider getting one of the specially designed full-spectrum lights and expose yourself to it in the early morning and late afternoon.
4. Take other immune system stimulating supplements, such as L-Lysine, echinacea, IP6, etc.

I personally take Peak Performance Packs year round to help keep my siystem at optimal health. What do you take or do for the winter?