Hi there,

My patients and friends often ask me what exactly antioxidants are, so I would like to introduce you to some of the ideas that make me realise why they are so important for our health. Take a look at this:

Part I of IV: Antioxidants – What are they?

Oxidation is a natural process that happens to all cells in nature, including the cells in your body. Antioxidants provide an important defense against the daily assault of free radicals on healthy cells. This Essentials of Health four-part series will review the function, benefits, sources, and safety of dietary antioxidants.

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane.

Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital tissues and cells are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin/mineral) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium.

The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet. In addition, there are literally hundreds of plant derived nutrients (phytonutrients) that act as important antioxidants in the diet. It is impossible to avoid damage by free radicals.

Free radicals arise from sources both inside (endogenous) and outside (exogenous) our bodies. Oxidants that develop from processes within our bodies form as a result of normal breathing, metabolism, and inflammation. Exogenous free radicals form from environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol. Our antioxidant systems are not perfect, so as we age, cell parts damaged by oxidation accumulate.

Source: USANA Health Sciences

http://www.usana.com

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

Please join me for an “Introduction to Nutrition” webinar at 8:30pm (UK time) on Wednesday 14th April.
Simply visit www.goawebinars.com at the time above. See you there!

-Alison

True healing really does start from within. We need to feed our body the right foods, in the right portions, at the right times, for optimal weight and health. Usana takes the guesswork out of getting started on the right path to great nutrition and weight loss!

With thanks to Usana:

It’s no secret that the key to effective weight loss is making positive changes in diet and exercise. However, making those healthy lifestyle changes can often seem like an insurmountable task. Usana’s Healthy Weight Management products are designed to jumpstart healthy eating habits and help individuals begin to make a clean break from unhealthy food.
Simple and convenient to follow, USANA’s RESET™ Program takes the guesswork out of obtaining good nutrition and offers three core health benefits:

1.    Discover Low GI Benefits

2.    RESET Your Body

3.    Enjoy Healthy Living

The 5-Day Jump Start is an intense phase to kick off the program. Follow with Phase 1 Transform for continued improvement, and then Phase 2 Maintain to help you consolidate your new, healthier lifestyle. With your purchase of a Phase 1 or 2 product pack, you will receive member access to the Healthy for Life ANZ Program – a unique online tool that will support you on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.

*USANA RESET™ Program is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.It is suggested that you take these products to your healthcare professional and secure his or her advice if you intend to change your diet, begin an exercise program, are pregnant, lactating, have allergies, are taking medications, or are under the care of a doctor. The Macro- Optimizer components of the USANA 5-Day Reset Program are FOOD, not DRUGS.As with any health or fitness program, a sensible eating plan and regular exercise are required in order to achieve long-term weight control. Results will vary.

“Ben Affleck was spotted sipping a Rev 3 Energy Drink at a press conference for The Company Men at USANA/Keri Feinstein Sundance Style Lounge.”  (Source: Feb 8, 2010 Issue of OK! Magazine)

It’s great to know that high profile celebs are finding out the benefits of USANA! But wait… What is Rev 3 anyways?

(With thanks to Usana!)

The REVelation: Cleaner. Smarter. Stronger.

Rev3 Energy

Cleaner — Crisp, light pomegranate taste

• No artificial flavors
• No artificial sweeteners
• No artificial preservatives
• No artificial colors

Smarter — Smart source of nutrients

• Contains natural caffeine from a blend of teas to improve mental alertness and stamina
• Supplies numerous beneficial ingredients, including potent antioxidants*
• Uses low-glycemic sugars for sustained energy*
• Provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support energy metabolism at the cellular level*

Stronger — Powerful, energy-producing ingredients

• Uses more than just sugar and caffeine
• Contains a complete and proprietary Energy Complex with L-carnitine, tea, ginseng, Rhodiola, cacao, citrate, malate, and coenzyme Q10

Click Here for the FULL Facts on Rev 3!    Click Here to See the OK! Magazine Article!

Whatever you are doing today, be happy, healthy, and FULL of energy!

-Alison

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

The evidence is everywhere… We now know that probiotics are of vital importance in immune and digestive health. I personally recommend probiotics to people who enquire about their benefits, provided people can find an effective and proven make. I am ecstatic to say that USANA has added probiotics to their wonderful product line; see the video below for details!

Keep Healthy!

Alison

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

While I was still a student, we were just beginning to notice and study the obesity epidemic in the United States, which directly correlates with the large number of people eating fast food.

 Sadly, it appears that the people of the UK have followed America’s lead in this un-healthy diet trend. The problem here does not lie in the obesity and diabetes epidemics alone, but in that we are actually relying on junk food for our “nutrition,” perhaps without even realizing it! Not only is “fast food” generally un-nutritious, but people generally felt less well when eating this type of food. Lack of energy, low mood, and general lethargy after meals can ALL be mapped back to high-glycemic foods, many of which are part of the junk food that we eat for convenience.

Take a look at this recent survey in the United States outlined below. Also, be aware that we can each begin to change our diet and lifestyle, one tiny step at a time, to improve our own health and well being, both now and into the future.

Alison 

With Thanks to USANA…

 Research out of the University of California, Berkeley reveals that nearly a third of American’s calories come from “empty calorie” foods such as sweets and desserts, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, with another 5% coming from salty snacks and fruit-flavored drinks. Lead researcher Gladys Block, a professor of epidemiology and public health nutrition at the university, used data previously collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Block analyzed responses from 4,700 adult participants who were asked to report everything they had consumed in the previous 24 hours.

“We know people are eating a lot of junk food, but to have almost one-third of Americans’ calories coming from those categories is a shocker. It’s no wonder there’s an obesity epidemic in this country,” Block said in a statement.

Sodas contributed 7.1 percent of the total calories consumed. By category, “sweets” topped the list, followed by hamburgers, pizza, and potato chips.

Fruits and vegetables made up a mere 10 percent of calories in the average diet.

“It’s important to emphasize that sweets, desserts, snacks, and alcohol are contributing calories without providing vitamins and minerals,” said Block. “You can actually be obese and still be undernourished with regard to important nutrients. We shouldn’t be telling people to eat less, we should be telling people to eat differently.”

Block G. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. Volume 17, June-August 2004, 439-447.

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.