Flavanoids - yes they are important!

Good news for wine lovers - flavonoids are found in red wine. To answer Irene's question, Flavonoids are antioxidants supplied by nature. The keep our immune system healthy and functioning. Intake of flavonoids is part of path to staying youthful.

Research found that flavonoids reduce the risk of a number of diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, as well as in avoiding the flu and tooth problems. Yes, here come the "colorful fruits and vegetables". This is another way to point out to you how important a colorful diet is to the whole family from the very young to the aging.

In Shape Zone carries of a number of supplements that provide these required nutrients. Just one example from the Antioxidant Category is Black Cherry Fruit Extract, 90 Vcaps - Wild Black Cherries (Prunus serotina) are native to North America and were extensively used by Native Americans for their therapeutic properties. The fruit was eaten fresh or used in cooking applications, and the bark was believed to have astringent properties. Wild Cherries, like many other fruits, are a naturally rich source of flavonoids.

Other favorites containing high levels of flavonoids are:

• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Artichoke Hearts
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Avocado

The more fruits and vegetables that are brilliant blue, purple, green, yellow, red, and orange (not carrots) you eat, the more flavonoids you are getting.

Discount Supplements

To answer Tia's question "Where can I find Discount Supplements", I am happy to answer that In Shape Zone definitely has hundreds of supplements available at www.inshapezone.com. Please see the category entitled "Health and Wellness Solutions". The supplements are organized to help you narrow down your search to address the problem you are concerned about. I have lowered the prices to assist everyone, regardless of budget, in finding natural solutions.

We need to supplement as the soil, food, and water supply does not meet our nutritional needs in a consistent manner. A nutrient is something your body requires, but does not manufacture, so we must consume it in some form. I am available to help you design a personalized program. If you are interested in finding out which supplements will best meet your needs. Comment here or write to customerservice@inshapezone.com.

A Healthy and Easy Step

This is something we can all do.
Sugar and high fructose corn syrup is addictive. The more you eat the more you want. (I can attest) Excess sugar consumption is linked to numerous diseases such as obesity, kidney stones, heart disease, dental cavities and osteoporosis. So watch your food selections and minimize the amount of sugar you and your family are eating.

One thing I learned at Weight Watchers years ago, if you are craving sugar eat a dill or sour pickle. It will stop the craving. You can also take supplements that contain "chromium polynicotinate" as that will stabilize your blood sugar levels and eliminate sugar cravings. Another hint, start your day with a low sugar, protein shake. When you start your day with protein its starts a glycogen process. If you start the day with carbs and sugar it starts an insulin process - causing blood sugar level changes.

FRUIT VERSUS JUICE

If you are losing weight, a piece of fruit will assist in cutting calories versus drinking a glass of juice.
Health Tip of the Day "Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time" A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that people reduced their calorie intake by 20% when they substituted a piece of fresh fruit for fruit juice.

90-DAY PLAN FOR STAYING IN SHAPE THROUGH FALL

Summer has ended and now Fall is truly upon us. You may still have your tan and bathing suit shape now, but by Thanksgiving, how will you look and feel? Will your Holiday clothes be too tight? Can you still wear them without looking like a stuffed sausage?

Here is a 90-day plan to get you through fall "in shape". This is a three-pronged approach.

1. Maintain that lean body mass with the right amount of protein
2. Keep your energy up so you will stay active
3. Boost your immune system with the required vitamins and minerals to avoid colds and flu.

Maintaining your lean body mass is based on keep up with your protein requirements. In general, adult women require 100 grams of protein per day and men require about 150 grams of protein per day to maintain their lean body mass (bones, connective tissue, muscles). How will you do it? The best way for non-vegetarians to accomplish this is to incorporate both plant and animal proteins into each meal and snack. I highly recommend that only 1/3 of your protein (30-50 grams) be obtained through animal protein and 2/3 through plant proteins. Yes, that means finding soy, whey, soy/whey products that you like. Start your day with a healthy soy shake made with Soy Milk! Snack on soybeans, roasted or steamed, lower fat meats, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs etc. Buy a nutrition book that includes the protein count of the listed foods. Focus on getting your required amount of protein. You will have a strong lean body mass and your energy and desire for working out or at least walking will increase.

Keeping your energy up will be easier if you reach your protein requirements on a consistent basis as much energy comes from your muscles. However, their are additional ways to boost energy. There are energy drinks, coffee, tea, guarana, cola, and mate'. Use these to boost energy when fatigue strikes and to stay active. The more active you are, the more active you will want to be.

Boost your immune system naturally with 5 - 7 daily servings of

C O L O R F U L fruits and vegetables (including juices). However, you must supplement. The Western Diet has failed us and our produce is not always chock full of nutrients. Supplement with a quality multi-vitamin/mineral (WHAT IS ON THE LABEL IS IN THE PRODUCT AND NOTHING MORE). Further, consider adding the following supplements to your daily regimen.

Reishi Mushrooms, Pyconogenol, Shiitake, Bilberry, Quercetin, Green Tea, Astragalus, Vitamins A,C, & E, Rosemary, Schizandra, Lycopene, Lutein, Fiber, Aloe Vera, Protease, Vegetase, Omega 3 Fish Oil, Krill Oil, Garlic, Turmeric, Calcium, Magnesium, Alpha-Lipoic Acid.

This combination will assist you in avoiding becoming ill during the cold and flu season.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and absorb the protein and supplements completely.

Later in the Fall, I will post a Winter 90-day plan to avoid Holiday weight gain, loss of lean body mass, and the "blues".

Energy Drinks

I get many questions on Energy Drinks. Yes, they are effective for giving the user fast and definite results. Most contain vitamins as well as sugars. You want to watch that sugar count PER SERVING. Sugar is okay, but in reasonable amounts. I would recommend that you look at how many calories you are burning with activity before you decide on your daily intake amount. I encourage you to watch the sugar content when selecting an Energy Drink. You will definitely get a physical boost which will last several hours. Some Energy Drinks contain Guarana, Ginko Biloba, or other ingredients to provide a mental boost (more focus, more alert) as well.

Caffeine is in most Energy Drinks. You also need to watch your intake of caffeine as you can "overdose". You will benefit from keeping your caffeine count to a little over 200 mg per day. For example, OTC products for pain or for energy run between 64 and 200 mg per serving. 8 ounces of brewed coffee runs 135 while tea offers 0 - 100 mg per serving. Don't be too suprised to find that soft drinks run from 0 -55 mg per serving and even certain caffeinated waters provide 50 - 125 mg per serving. In addition frozen desserts include caffeine and these can run from 8 - 85 mg per serving. Chocolate offers 5 - 31 mg per serving.

Your best bet is to pay attention and intake a pre-determined amount of caffeine per day. If Energy Drinks are your "thing" count them first and then add on.

ANTIOXIDANTS - UNDERSTANDING AND IMPLEMENTATION

Cut an apple and leave half on the counter and as you know it turns brown. This is a result of oxidation. Rust on your car is due to oxidation. Oxidation is the interaction between oxygen molecules and all the different substances they may contact, from metal to living tissue. Sometimes oxidation is not such a bad thing, as in the formation of super-durable anodized aluminum. Other times oxidation can be destructive, such as the rusting of an automobile or the spoiling of fresh fruit. The process of oxidation depends on the amount of oxygen present in the air and the nature of the material it touches. True oxidation happens on a molecular level -- we only see the large-scale effects as the oxygen causes free radicals on the surface to break away.

So, what has this got to do with your health? Well, when a man oxidizes, we call it aging and sometime cancer. Antioxidants counter this process.

Nature gave us foods for our DNA to handle oxidation of our cells. The Stone Age population was hunter-gatherers and looked for colorful foods – up to 150 in variety throughout the seasons. These foods provided antioxidants. Anthropologists have stated that Harry and Sally of the Stone Age did not die of diabetes, cancer, heart attacks or stroke. They died from some traumatic event instead.

In addition to lots of colorful fruits and veggies, I strongly recommend supplementation. Afterall, unless you are buying at the farm stand, you are not sure what has been bioengineered or otherwise altered that may reduce the fruit or vegetables ability to protect you. I believe in supplementation. You just have no way of knowing the level of free radicals and antioxidants in your body at any given time.

When selecting an antioxidant supplement, I strongly recommend you find combination rather than single antioxidant as studies show they are more effective in combination. You need a team of antioxidants to boost your immune system and fight!

What to look for?

I suggest you consider products with the following ingredients:
Vitamin C and E
Beta Carotene (Vitamin A)
Selenium
Schizandra Berries

Making targeted food choices and supplementing with vitamins, minerals, and herbs will go a long way in keeping you healthy and slowing down the aging process. Why not avoid all those “preventable lifestyle diseases” when the answer lies before you?

For questions or additions to this blog, please comment.