Why should someone start taking a fruit/vegetable supplement? That's a fair question. Just what is up with the recommendations of servings of fruits and vegetables? Why are there minimum standards, and why are there optimum recommendations that are different? Let's take a look at this whole idea here.
First, 100 years ago, at the turn of the 20th century, our grandparents, great grandparents etc had a certain lifestyle. That lifestyle had more deaths from what we now consider treatable diseases such as infections from cuts and other illnesses. Now however, the death tolls for the current generation have more to do with diseases of lifestyle, meaning diseases that we bring on ourselves due to our way of living (this includes eating, resting, mental health and exercise). Now our health issues with things such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and many cancers are significantly higher than 100 years ago. Is that because suddenly, in the span of 2 generations our genes have changed that much? I am sure you would agree that the reason is probably not found in sudden DNA changes in that short period of time.
What is different in how the older generation ate, compared to how we eat now? Well one of the easiest answers would be fast food, but let's not spend time jumping on the mega doses of McD's that we take in these days. Instead, let's look at what's missing. The former generation in general did NOT have the amount of pre-packaged foods that we have. Almost all they ate was fresh food. Recently killed meats, recently picked fruits and recently picked vegetables were the order of the day. Prepackaged dinners? Never heard of them at that point. Foods that would keep forever on our shelves? Not even a thought in their lives. Today though, those are the order of the day in our generation. How much nutritional punch do those types of foods have? None, at least none in the positive sense of the word. The nutritional punch they DO have is unhealthy, filled with preservatives (read chemicals) and the like. How many things on an ingredients list of the prepackaged foods can you no pronounce? Probably quite a few! That's a good indication that it's not a healthy substance, not real food, and quite toxic over the long haul in your life.
So that's part of the equation, we've replaced too many of the fresh, real foods in our lives with non nutritional, toxic junk, that eventually poisons our systems enough to cause early death (the current generation of children is the first expected to NOT outlive their parents in age). Fruits and vegetables are the foods filled with substances that are amazingly powerful. There are too many to name, but understand that they do things such as lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, fight off infections, fight off cancers, fight obesity and more. Doesn't that sound like the perfect remedy for all of the diseases of lifestyle we are suffering from? Doesn't it sound better than turning to a plethora of medications (chemicals) to try to get healthy after we've begun to get ill? Wouldn't THAT be considered real HEALTH CARE vs. Sick Care?
That is what we have in the power of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, it is too easy to eat the other junk. It's cheaper too, but ONLY in the short run. In reality it is cheaper to stay healthy than it is to pay for sickness care, and it's cheaper for the whole nation if we are a healthier nation not depending on drugs and surgery to stay alive. Keep that in mind when comparing a frozen pizza to the ingredients you need to bake chicken, make a salad and cook up some veggies.
But even if we know it's better, it's hard to eat 5 or more fruits and veggies a day. And even so, much of the fruit and vegetables consumed may be have toxins involved due to fertilizing and pesticide spraying in the growing of them. Organic would obviously be the best choice, but that can be even more expensive (farmers markets are the best place to get locally grown organic fruits and veggies for the price). Studies show that for OPTIMUM health, to deal with all the toxins that get in our body regularly in our western culture, we need more like 8-10 multi colored and varied fruits and vegetables a day. Jeeez, the good news keeps getting harder and harder doesn't it?
That's where a fruit and vegetable supplement comes in such as the NanoGreens and NanoReds we carry at our office. In one scoop, the equivalent of 8-10 servings of ORGANIC fruits and veggies are consumed, for less than $2.00 per scoop. Double blind studies in two different colleges (the most recent at the University of Miami) show that Nanogreens produce enough healthy punch to lower the blood pressure in those with hypertension enough to be equal with a person having been put on a anti-hypertensive medication. Again, is it better to get lower your blood pressure artificially with chemicals, or would it be better to do it more naturally? I think you know the answer. Food is the best medicine we can take.
We'll have a "Go Green Day" on the greenest day of the year, St. Patricks Day (March 17) this year. Free taste testing samples will be given out that day, and all the Nano products will be discounted that day. Door prizes will be drawn for at the end of the day too. If you're in our area, make plans to stop by between 9-noon or 3-7 pm that day and experience Nanogreens or NanoReds and our Superfood Solution Shake!
www.superfoodsolution.com
Until next time, Be Well!
Dr. Bruce
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Getting Enough Fruits and Vegetables?
Who wouldn't be healthier if we ate more fruits and vegetables, particularly organic ones? The minimum requirement for daily intake is 5-6 servings of various colors of fruits and veggies. For optimum health it is recommended that we consume 8-10 servings. In my opinion, when we consider the amount of junk that we either put in our body, or gets into our body through the environment (city living, toxins on foods we take in, 2nd hand smoke) and toxins that are created in our body from stress, it is important to go for more than the minimum. We should be shooting for the higher amounts for optimum health, and preferably organically grown. If you read my stuff regularly, you know how I preach eating well, moving well, thinking well and resting well. The fruits and vegetables are a major part of eating well.
So, you say to me, how in the world can we get 8-10 servings of organic fruits and vegetables a day? Good question. On my best days, I can only get about 4-5 and they are usually not organic. Years ago, I began investigating ways to consume more. I found many supplements that either tasted horrible, or were attached to a multi-level marketing program. (OK, so that I don't get any rants, I have nothing against MLM's in general, I just don't want to carry their products in my office, to avoid the appearance of selling products for reasons other than optimum health). I checked out two different ones particularly. One was called Greens First, and the other was called NanoGreens 10. Both products were palatable, and both had a good track record, but one showed better absorption rates than the other. That was the product we've chosen to carry in our office.
NanoGreens10 won out. Since beginning to use it personally, I've been sick much less, and felt my energy levels increased drastically. Patients have enjoyed similar results in our office and many are continuing to use the NanoGreens and it's associated products (more on the other products later). Other testimonials include improved bloodwork, decreased blood pressure, better digestion and more. Their website can be viewed at www.superfoodsolution.com
This is NOT a substitute for eating fruits and vegetables, it is a SUPPLEMENT. Please don't use this to replace your intake of fruits and veggies. It is always best to go with the real thing.
In addition to the NanoGreens, there is also NanoPro (a great protein supplement), NanOmega 3 (a vegan source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids) and now NanoReds which is similar to NanoGreens but with a focus on red fruits such as pomegranate. The greens and reds drink when used daily (1 scoop in water or juice) is the equivalent 8-10 servings of ORGANIC fruits and vegetables daily, in addition to other great ingredients for your health.
The questions I want you to ponder are "Are you getting the optimum level of fruits and vegetables daily?", "Do you think you would be healthier if you did?", "How tough is it for you to consume enough?" and "Would you like to consume the equivalent of 8-10 servings daily?". If so, the NanoGreens and NanoReds products may be for you. You can add in some of the other products for a very healthy "Superfood Solution Shake" that can act as a meal replacement for you to help in healthy weight maintenance.
All of these products are very affordable. If you use one scoop of NanoGreens, it costs about $1.66 providing the equivalent of 8-10 servings of organic fruits and veggies. For a healthy shake, the combination of 3 of the products would run a approximately $4.50. Where else can you get that kind of nutrition for that kind of price?
Go to their website and read the study on High Blood Pressure, a study that was duplicated and found substantial reductions in blood pressure by just using the NanoGreens. Also on there are multiple testimonials that you can read through that are very compelling. Check out the entire site and learn about the company, it's worth the time investment.
We are excited about how this product can affect people's health and move them a HUGE step forward toward total wellness! If you have questions about these products you'd like to ask, view the website or or give us a call or email!
Until next time, BE WELL!
Dr. Bruce
So, you say to me, how in the world can we get 8-10 servings of organic fruits and vegetables a day? Good question. On my best days, I can only get about 4-5 and they are usually not organic. Years ago, I began investigating ways to consume more. I found many supplements that either tasted horrible, or were attached to a multi-level marketing program. (OK, so that I don't get any rants, I have nothing against MLM's in general, I just don't want to carry their products in my office, to avoid the appearance of selling products for reasons other than optimum health). I checked out two different ones particularly. One was called Greens First, and the other was called NanoGreens 10. Both products were palatable, and both had a good track record, but one showed better absorption rates than the other. That was the product we've chosen to carry in our office.
NanoGreens10 won out. Since beginning to use it personally, I've been sick much less, and felt my energy levels increased drastically. Patients have enjoyed similar results in our office and many are continuing to use the NanoGreens and it's associated products (more on the other products later). Other testimonials include improved bloodwork, decreased blood pressure, better digestion and more. Their website can be viewed at www.superfoodsolution.com
This is NOT a substitute for eating fruits and vegetables, it is a SUPPLEMENT. Please don't use this to replace your intake of fruits and veggies. It is always best to go with the real thing.
In addition to the NanoGreens, there is also NanoPro (a great protein supplement), NanOmega 3 (a vegan source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids) and now NanoReds which is similar to NanoGreens but with a focus on red fruits such as pomegranate. The greens and reds drink when used daily (1 scoop in water or juice) is the equivalent 8-10 servings of ORGANIC fruits and vegetables daily, in addition to other great ingredients for your health.
The questions I want you to ponder are "Are you getting the optimum level of fruits and vegetables daily?", "Do you think you would be healthier if you did?", "How tough is it for you to consume enough?" and "Would you like to consume the equivalent of 8-10 servings daily?". If so, the NanoGreens and NanoReds products may be for you. You can add in some of the other products for a very healthy "Superfood Solution Shake" that can act as a meal replacement for you to help in healthy weight maintenance.
All of these products are very affordable. If you use one scoop of NanoGreens, it costs about $1.66 providing the equivalent of 8-10 servings of organic fruits and veggies. For a healthy shake, the combination of 3 of the products would run a approximately $4.50. Where else can you get that kind of nutrition for that kind of price?
Go to their website and read the study on High Blood Pressure, a study that was duplicated and found substantial reductions in blood pressure by just using the NanoGreens. Also on there are multiple testimonials that you can read through that are very compelling. Check out the entire site and learn about the company, it's worth the time investment.
We are excited about how this product can affect people's health and move them a HUGE step forward toward total wellness! If you have questions about these products you'd like to ask, view the website or or give us a call or email!
Until next time, BE WELL!
Dr. Bruce
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sleeping Problems, Chronic Inflammation, And Our Kids
I just read an article on sleep issues and inflammation. Our bodies react poorly to a lack of sleep, and I see in our children significant issues with sleep. Many are allowed to stay up late playing games, some are on their phones texting late at night, often unknown to their parents of course. This bodes poorly for their health: cognitive issues, high blood pressure, obesity and general lack of well being. Combine this with their diet that is high in things such as High Fructose Corn Syrup (anytime you read this, think "worst toxin we regularly put in our body), and we have the recipe for disaster. It's no wonder hypertension and high cholesterol are being found in our kids. It's no wonder we have such an obesity issue with our kids, and that diabetes is becoming much more rampant in our kids.
We have to create good sleep habits with our kids, we have to teach them how to deal with anxiety, both of which we do in our office with great results. We as parents have to be responsible for helping them get good rest, which means we have to have them on a schedule.
Here's a brief excerpt from the article I was reading by Byron Richards, Certified Clinical Nutritionist:
Inflammation, Oxidative Damage, and Poor Cognitive Ability
Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles have shown that even one bad night of sleep turns on the core inflammatory gene signal (NF-kappaB) within cells of your body. This is not good. Once the NF-kappaB gene signal turns on, and starts overheating (as in a number of bad night’s sleep), then massive numbers of antioxidants will be required to offset the damage.
What if your child doesn’t have enough antioxidants? Answer: brain damage to a greater or lesser degree. Such inflammation and lack of antioxidants underlies depression and poor mood. But even on a lesser scale it reduces intelligence and cognitive potential. How can a child learn well under such circumstances?
Data coming from the Cleveland Children’s Sleep and Health Study is showing that even in perfectly healthy teens who do not have sleep disordered breathing (snoring/sleep apnea) a lack of sleep is adequate to begin the process of adverse changes in their cardiovascular system.
Of course this is only one way it can affect our health. Proper rest is important to undo all the damage that occurs in our body from daily living. When we don't rest well, our body deteriorates a bit, we become more susceptible to illness and disease, we are less clear brained and make poorer decisions (which can create a vicious cycle if our poor decisions lead to poor eating, which in turn further affects our health).
Remember our "Be Well" formula includes eating well, thinking well, moving well and RESTING well.
Until next time, Be Well!
Dr. Bruce
We have to create good sleep habits with our kids, we have to teach them how to deal with anxiety, both of which we do in our office with great results. We as parents have to be responsible for helping them get good rest, which means we have to have them on a schedule.
Here's a brief excerpt from the article I was reading by Byron Richards, Certified Clinical Nutritionist:
Inflammation, Oxidative Damage, and Poor Cognitive Ability
Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles have shown that even one bad night of sleep turns on the core inflammatory gene signal (NF-kappaB) within cells of your body. This is not good. Once the NF-kappaB gene signal turns on, and starts overheating (as in a number of bad night’s sleep), then massive numbers of antioxidants will be required to offset the damage.
What if your child doesn’t have enough antioxidants? Answer: brain damage to a greater or lesser degree. Such inflammation and lack of antioxidants underlies depression and poor mood. But even on a lesser scale it reduces intelligence and cognitive potential. How can a child learn well under such circumstances?
Data coming from the Cleveland Children’s Sleep and Health Study is showing that even in perfectly healthy teens who do not have sleep disordered breathing (snoring/sleep apnea) a lack of sleep is adequate to begin the process of adverse changes in their cardiovascular system.
Of course this is only one way it can affect our health. Proper rest is important to undo all the damage that occurs in our body from daily living. When we don't rest well, our body deteriorates a bit, we become more susceptible to illness and disease, we are less clear brained and make poorer decisions (which can create a vicious cycle if our poor decisions lead to poor eating, which in turn further affects our health).
Remember our "Be Well" formula includes eating well, thinking well, moving well and RESTING well.
Until next time, Be Well!
Dr. Bruce
Friday, February 5, 2010
When The Facts Don't Count
I had a conversation last night with some people from our LIFE group at our house. One person was talking about disciplined people, and what that looked like. He said he was jealous of several people in the group that were disciplined in how well they took care of themselves physically. He wishes he could do the same. It got me to thinking.
One of the things we do in our office is lifestyle counseling. We help people learn to integrate our Be Well formula into their lives. There is a saying that goes "Nothing happens without a dream". It's a true statement. In lifestyle counseling, I like to say, "Nothing happens without a 'Why'". In other words, no changes occur on a permanent basis without a big enough reason. And, when the "why" is big enough, the facts don't count. When the "why" is big enough, nothing will stand in our way of making changes. That is so true, that you can call it an undeniable truth. It's like gravity, it always works (well some would say gravity might have not been in full effect for some in the 1960's, but that's another story).
Here's how I know it's true: If I told you that you were going to die in 6 months if you didn't start walking 45 minutes/day 5 days a week, what would you be doing tomorrow? Answer: Walking. And the next day? Answer: Walking. Now that is an exaggeration to a certain degree of course, but you can obviously see that when the "why" is big enough, we'll do whatever it takes to make change.
We help people develop their "why" in our office with some simple, yet profound and effective exercises. It works every time, and if it isn't working, then they aren't focusing on their "why" enough, or they haven't made their "why" big enough. If you need help with developing your own personal "why", please contact us. It can mean the difference between a life with an abundance of energy and vitality and health, or one were you just exist, where your "get up and go" get's up and leaves you behind, and you're left wondering what happened, instead of making things happen.
Until next time, Be Well.
Dr. Bruce
One of the things we do in our office is lifestyle counseling. We help people learn to integrate our Be Well formula into their lives. There is a saying that goes "Nothing happens without a dream". It's a true statement. In lifestyle counseling, I like to say, "Nothing happens without a 'Why'". In other words, no changes occur on a permanent basis without a big enough reason. And, when the "why" is big enough, the facts don't count. When the "why" is big enough, nothing will stand in our way of making changes. That is so true, that you can call it an undeniable truth. It's like gravity, it always works (well some would say gravity might have not been in full effect for some in the 1960's, but that's another story).
Here's how I know it's true: If I told you that you were going to die in 6 months if you didn't start walking 45 minutes/day 5 days a week, what would you be doing tomorrow? Answer: Walking. And the next day? Answer: Walking. Now that is an exaggeration to a certain degree of course, but you can obviously see that when the "why" is big enough, we'll do whatever it takes to make change.
We help people develop their "why" in our office with some simple, yet profound and effective exercises. It works every time, and if it isn't working, then they aren't focusing on their "why" enough, or they haven't made their "why" big enough. If you need help with developing your own personal "why", please contact us. It can mean the difference between a life with an abundance of energy and vitality and health, or one were you just exist, where your "get up and go" get's up and leaves you behind, and you're left wondering what happened, instead of making things happen.
Until next time, Be Well.
Dr. Bruce
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
How Are Y ou Doing?
30 days into the new year, how are you doing on those resolutions? Chances are, you've at least fallen down a bit on some of them. Guess what? Me too.
The way we stay on track, or get back on track, is to have a big enough "why". I like to say that if the "why" is big enough, the facts don't count.
Think about it: If I told you that you were going to die next week if you don't start walking, or stop smoking, or eat better etc, what would you do? You'd make that change I am sure.
The key is to create a big enough why, using both positives and negatives and make it so real that you have no choice but to make whatever change it is you wish to make.
Get in touch with us if you want to learn just how to make a "why"!
Until then... Be Well!
Dr. Bruce
The way we stay on track, or get back on track, is to have a big enough "why". I like to say that if the "why" is big enough, the facts don't count.
Think about it: If I told you that you were going to die next week if you don't start walking, or stop smoking, or eat better etc, what would you do? You'd make that change I am sure.
The key is to create a big enough why, using both positives and negatives and make it so real that you have no choice but to make whatever change it is you wish to make.
Get in touch with us if you want to learn just how to make a "why"!
Until then... Be Well!
Dr. Bruce
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