Your Best You: weight management

Showing posts with label weight management. Show all posts

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Putting Your Heart First

During the month of February, our minds may be on Valentine’s Day romance, but we shouldn’t forget to give a little love to our hearts. Our hearts work tirelessly, without rest or pause, over the course of our lifetimes providing us with an average of 70 to 75 beats per minute, or more than 100 thousand beats a day.

When given regular exercise and a healthy diet rich in nutrients, a typical human heart will beat around 2.5 billion times by age 70. Unfortunately, statistics point out that too many hearts fall short of that milestone. As it’s American Heart Month, it’s time to spread awareness that one in every three deaths is from heart disease or stroke.

What’s more worrisome is that risk of heart disease may be underestimated, according to a new 50-year-long analysis performed by University of Texas Southwest Medical Center researchers. The researchers categorized for “high-risk” markers of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight or obesity, history of smoking, and diabetes and found that the risk of death from heart disease for most adults remains high over a lifetime with:

White men having 36 percent risk
Black men having 33 percent risk
Women (both black and white) having 27 percent risk

Previously, doctors have only flagged the presence of all or most of the risk factors as a cause for concern. The researchers, who published their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine,demonstrated that this approach is not adequate to predict development, at least in the long-term. They showed that people with just two or more risk factors increased their lifetime risk of developing heart disease by about 34 percent in men and 17 percent in women, compared to people with less than two risk factors.

Their findings may help explain why, according to the latest report (2) released by the American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one American dies of cardiovascular disease every 39 seconds, with nearly 33 percent of these deaths occurring before the age of 75, well before the predicted average lifespan for Americans of 78 years.

Once again, these statistics are presented alongside the baffling reality that heart disease is completely preventable. Every risk factor can be mitigated or eliminated by simply choosing a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

How to begin the journey of taking the strain off your heart? Regular exercise and quitting smoking are critical, and so is eating a diet rich in antioxidants and fiber, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Excess weight, the kind carried around the middle in particular, can put major strain on the heart and contributes to risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.

For help doing away with risk factors, there’s Isagenix—the Cleansing and Fat Burning System with Ageless Essentials Daily Pack is nutritionally sound and is clinically shown to help people meet their weight-management goals. The system’s Shake Days help control calories and its Cleanse Days help trigger healthy fat burning and promote natural detoxification while resting the liver. In addition, the system maximizes nutrition, providing all-important antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E and coQ10, while also including fish omega-3 fatty acids to keep the heart going strong into old age (3-4).*

Regular add-ons such as SlimCakes or FiberSnacks! are also excellent for supplementing a fruit-and-vegetable-rich diet for heart-healthy fiber, which is largely absent in the American diet.** IsaDelight Plus chocolates can also be included as delicious, guilt-free snacks that can curb cravings assisting with weight loss (5).

Regardless of how we take care of ourselves, every heartbeat should serve as a small reminder this month of the statistics given above, the role of the heart, and to make choices showing we appreciate what it does for us daily as long as we live.

If you are ready to start changing your life, go here. I recommend the 30 day system. I started with it and you will see a difference. http://latriceh.isagenix.com

References

1. Berry JD, Dyer A, Cai X et al. Lifetime risks of cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 2012;366:321-9.

2. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM et al. Executive Summary: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics–2012 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2012;125:188-97.

3. Shargorodsky M, Debby O, Matas Z, Zimlichman R. Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2010;7:55.

4. Strom M, Halldorsson TI, Mortensen EL, Torp-Pedersen C, Olsen SF. Fish, n-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular diseases in women of reproductive age: a prospective study in a large national cohort.Hypertension 2012;59:36-43.

5. Buitrago-Lopez A, Sanderson J, Johnson L et al. Chocolate consumption and cardiometabolic disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d4488.

*Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Ageless Essentials Daily Pack provides 1,200 milligrams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content.]

**Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Five Ingredients For a Better Brain

When most people think of aging, they think of gray hairs and wrinkles. Because we live in a society so obsessed with the external signs of age, we often forget that humans age on the inside, too.

For instance, there’s the aging brain. As we age, our brains undergo physical changes in size and composition that manifest into slower cognition, impaired memory, decreased ability to learn, and weakened sensory perception.

The way your brain ages isn’t necessarily tied to chronological years. Just like the physical symptoms of age, lifestyle plays a big role. Physical activity, a healthy diet, and low-to-moderate alcohol intake are associated with better brain health (1).

To combat internal aging, Isagenix, in collaboration with nutritionist and acclaimed author Michael Colgan, Ph.D., created a proprietary blend of ingredients specifically designed to target the biochemical pathways involved in brain aging.

Let’s take a look at five of the natural ingredients found in Isagenix Brain Boost & Renewal™:

Turmeric is an Indian plant commonly consumed as a dietary spice in curry-rich foods and is rich in curcumin. Studies have shown that curcumin can help slow cognitive decline by reducing oxidative stress in the brain (2). Another recent study found that curcumin also helps alleviate muscle soreness in athletes (3).
Piperine is a bio-enhancer. This means that it promotes the bioavailability of certain bioactive compounds. For example, studies have shown that supplementing with piperine, along with curcumin and resveratrol, significantly enhanced their bioavailability (4, 5).
R-alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that has the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and protect against oxidative stress in the brain. It also helps improve mitochondrial function, allowing cells to better make use of ATP energy (6, 7).
Acetylcarnitine is often paired with R-alpha-lipoic acid and have been shown to work together in supporting brain health. On its own, however, acetylcarnitine is also shown to support better mood and improve memory in laboratory animals (8, 9).
Citicoline is the precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is necessary for the communication between brain cells. This compound is also a potent neuroprotectant, meaning that it’s protective of brain cells (10).

Together these ingredients, along with others such as green tea, Macuna pruriens, and L-carnosine, work together to support healthy brain function, increase cognitition, and delay some of the internal symptoms of aging. However, Brain Boost & Renewal™ is not just for older adults. Some adults start suffering from a decline in brain function as early as in their 20s and 30s (11).

When Dr. Colgan and Isagenix scientists first put together the Brain and Sleep Support System, they also never meant for it to be taken alone, but paired with brain-supporting melatonin from Sleep Support & Renewal™ spray. In addition, the two products were designed for use alongside the Ageless Essentials Daily Pack to fill nutritional gaps. The Ageless Essentials Daily Pack™ contains valuable vitamins and nutrients such as for fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 that are critical to brain health.

No matter what age, it is never too late—or too early—to invest in the health of your brain.

Go ahead and invest in yourself. Order Today! http://latriceh.isagenix.com

Friday, April 15, 2016

Nutritional Cleansing With Cleanse for Life

I personally recommend this product. I have experienced weight-loss and increased energy.

Confused about all the different types of cleanses out there? The concept of cleansing in general can be completely foreign to many people. Add on conflicting information on the Internet and so many options to choose from and it’s no surprise that there can be misunderstandings about cleansing, how cleansing works, or how to complete a successful cleanse. For health-informed consumers, Isagenix offers a different approach to nutritional cleansing that is supported by clinical studies. A key difference in cleansing with Isagenix is intermittent fasting. The scientifically supported system incorporates intermittent fasting on Cleanse Days and calorie restriction on Shake Days.

The combination of Cleanse and Shake Days is shown to be more effective than traditional dieting for initial weight loss and weight maintenance (1). When used as directed in our system guidelines, Isagenix products including Cleanse for Life® as part of Cleanse Days and IsaLean® Shake as part of Shake Days have demonstrated excellent results.

Cleanse for Life 101

Intermittent fasting is the term used for an eating pattern that involves the regular abstinence from normal foods and meals. Fasting normally is performed for a period of one or two days per week or month.

While weight loss or weight maintenance is seen as a primary benefit from intermittent fasting, the practice has demonstrated efficacy for reducing abdominal fat (visceral fat) and, as a result, an improvement in insulin sensitivity and overall cardiovascular health (1-3).

Additionally, research has found that fasting initiates the recycling of old and dysfunctional components of cells through enzymatic pathways termed “autophagy” (4). Autophagy is thought of as a cellular self-cleaning mechanism that is suggested to have benefits for overall health.

Cleanse for Life is the nutritional support that is considered a key distinction of intermittent fasting with Isagenix. Its inclusion is what defines Cleanse Days and separates them from normal fasting completed only with water. The inclusion of the drink as a Cleanse Day companion provides nutrient-packed benefits along with a greater chance for a successful cleanse. Cleanse for Life contains a mixture of botanical extracts and nutrients to support detoxification. This proprietary blend is especially designed for use in conjunction with intermittent fasting. With its addition of turmeric and ashwagandha, Cleanse for Life is shown to be effective in studies for influencing antioxidant and detoxification pathways in cells (5). The support for the body’s own antioxidant and detoxification systems offers a complete cleanse experience and better overall health.

How to Use Cleanse for Life

Cleanse for Life is available in both a liquid concentrate and powder form. It’s consumed either as a concentrated shot or diluted with water. Additionally, it can be served chilled, poured over ice, or mixed with hot (but not boiling) water to be enjoyed as a hot tea.

The product can be taken every day for daily antioxidant and detoxification support or on Cleanse Days.

Daily Cleansing – As a daily supplement, directions for taking Cleanse for Life are to consume one to two fluid ounces or one scoop up to twice daily. There’s no wrong time to take Cleanse for Life. However, while it’s not so important when the product is taken, some report better results when taking a daily dose before they go to bed.

Deep Cleansing – Double the daily serving (four liquid ounces or two scoops) and take four times spread throughout the day. The four servings of Cleanse for Life on a Cleanse Day are designed to be accompanied by up to six Isagenix Snacks™ per day and plenty of water. Other optional Cleanse Day support products include taking one Natural Accelerator™ capsule twice daily, one to two IsaFlush® capsules, up to two IsaDelight® chocolates, up to two e+™ shots, Ionix® Supreme, t+ Chai, or up to four cups of black Isagenix Coffee.

Cleanse Day routines can vary among different participants, depending on individual goals. Some cleansers may also need to modify dietary intake on a Cleanse Day so that it includes more than suggested guidelines call for to support blood sugar control depending on their situation.

Those seeking weight loss can often find Cleanse Days intimidating or requiring quite a lot of effort. New cleansers are encouraged to take it easy—not immediately jumping into performing full Cleanse Days or two consecutive days of Deep Cleansing. Starting out with Shake Days allows for a more gradual reduction in calorie intake. Some may wish to attempt half a Cleanse Day before working up to a full Cleanse Day.

No Juices, Laxatives, or Diuretics

A common concern about cleansing is the involvement of either drastic starvation plans, use of sugary juices, or use of dangerous ingredients that act as laxatives and diuretics. There are no laxatives or diuretics in Cleanse for Life. Unlike other cleanses, the Isagenix System includes cleansing that is clinically shown to be effective and safe.

With the right preparation and a little self-motivation, participants are often pleasantly surprised at how effortless Cleanse Days can be. After seeing and feeling the results in the form of consistent weight loss and improved health, they may also find that Cleanse Days become the favorite part of their week.

This product works and did not have me running to the bathroom.

Place your order today! latriceh.isagenix.com