Healthy Anti-Aging Resources

I have been immersed in Dr Gundry’s book ‘Diet Evolution’ for 2 days.
Dr Steven Gundry is one more highly qualified medical specialist who is on the prevention (not survival) wave.

Dr Gundry explains clearly how our genes work in relation to our need for food.  He explains why our genes have responded to our changed diets in our Western world, which has created so much chronic disease (heart disease, cancer, arthritis, strokes, diabetes). He advocates removing grains (eg flour and cereals) sugar and sugar substitutes from our diet, and to eat more raw food.

The book is optimistic – it is possible to trick our genes into reversing chronic disease.  Dr Gundry provides patient testimonials of people of all ages – some with obesity and some ‘normal’ weight.

Dr Gundry provides eating plans for each phase, as well as what I think is the most crucial – an eating plan for the rest of our life.

Dr Gundry recommends that we eat meat that has grazed on plant food (not factory fed grain) to ensure that we humans get all the nutrients we need.  You may be surprised to learn that we not only get protein from meat – plant food contains protein too. He also advises topping up with nutritional supplements and provides dosage recommendations.

This is a book for people who are serious about getting healthy for life and/or longevity because it does take dedication and willpower to change from our lazy habits.  But it is so worth it, because the people who have already made the change are not only enjoying true health, they have more energy and are getting more enjoyment from living.

Here are links to videos of Dr Steven Gundry:
Contour Dermatology: Body, Mind, Spirit Seminar – Dr. Gundry (1/4)

Contour Dermatology: Body, Mind, Spirit Seminar – Dr. Gundry (2/4)

Contour Dermatology: Body, Mind, Spirit Seminar – Dr. Gundry (3/4)

Contour Dermatology: Body, Mind, Spirit Seminar – Dr. Gundry (4/4)

On the 5th May 2011 I find out that I have an ‘under-active’ or ‘low’ thyroid (also called hypothroidism).

Read my post: How to support your thyroid

My symptoms (and there are many others): Being overweight and feeling the cold terribly (it is now winter in New Zealand).

I had no idea that my thyroid was not healthy, but once I found out it explained why I find it difficult to release weight (my metabolism was not working correctly).

The program I was put on involved taking my usual nutritional supplements (advanced quality multi minerals/vitamins, vitamin D3, CoQ10, vitamin C, Calcium/Magnesium tablet, grape seed extract and omega-3 capsules) and adding in Iodral (iodine). Once the Iodral is finished, I have been advised to eat seaweed (add to food, sprinkle on salads) to keep up my iodine levels.

I set a goal to walk for one hour every day using wrist and ankle weights (I did not achieve that every day – more like 4 out of 7 days due to the winter weather and other commitments).

I ensured that I was drinking 1 1/2 litres of water daily.

I avoided products containing soy.

Three months later and my thyroid is ‘normal’.

This means that I now will find it easier to release the 10kgs of fat that has been clinging to my body.

My goal is to release fat so that I can reach a healthy weight by Christmas Day 2011 and then I can wear a beautiful dress I have hanging in my wardrobe, that at present is too small for me.

I am looking forward to letting you know when I have reached that goal.

How do we find out if our thyroid is healthy?  I had given no thought to this question so was surprised to find out that I have an ‘under active’ or ‘low’ thyroid (also called hypothroidism).

According to Doctor Ray Strand, Hypothyroidism or under active thyroid occurs when the thyroid gland is destroyed or is not producing needed amounts of thyroid hormone. This condition has also been called myxedema due to the potential harm possible to the body when there is no thyroid hormone. Patients can become edematous (filled with fluid), weak and fatigued, intolerant to cold, experience abnormal weight gain, notice changes in their skin and hair, and may suffer from total body pain. They can also develop congestive heart failure as well as significant increase in their cholesterol levels.

Learn more:  What does the thyroid do and where is it located?

My main symptom is being overweight (which of course leads to other problems like diabetes, heart disease and cancer), the other symptom is that I  feel the cold terribly (it is now winter in New Zealand). There are other symptoms so the best thing to do is to get screened.  (List of symptoms from the Mayo Clinic here.)

There are two ways to get the health of our thyroid checked out – the usual way is by a blood test.  But this may not be as accurate as a Thyroflex test  - in this video, Naturopath David Holden explains the Thyroflex test.

The other test that I had done was the VLA Test and that indicated that I need to exercise more to build up more muscle.  My healthy low-glycemic diet and the supplements that I take have kept me in good health – so the ‘only’ thing I need to work on is exercise.

The nutritional supplements to support a healthy thyroid are advanced quality multi minerals/vitamins, vitamin D3, CoQ10, vitamin C. Plus “Iodral” with supervision from your doctor or Naturopath.  I also take a Calcium/Magnesium tablet, grape seed extract and omega-3 capsules.  I am ensuring that I am drinking 1 1/2 litres of water daily and avoiding soy products for the time being.

My blood test results showed that my blood sugar levels are slightly elevated – again exercise is the key here too.

The exercise I enjoy is walking (so much so, I have a website ‘Short Walks in Auckland‘), however I hate walking in the cold and wet of winter.  But I must get out walking every day for one hour – so I will.

For sufferers of Hashimotos, Dr Steven Gundry suggests the following: “Most gluten free foods are made from corn, rice, and potatoes, all of which are lectins which contribute to Hashimotos. Please eliminate all grains, all peppers, potatoes, milk and milk products. You can have goat and sheep products. No pseudograins like quinoa! No Advil or Aleve. No stomach acid suppressants like Prilosec or Nexium. You will start to heal.”

My goal is to release fat so that I can reach a healthy weight by Christmas Day 2011 and then I can wear a beautiful dress I have hanging in my wardrobe, that at present is too small for me.

I am looking forward to letting you know when I have reached that goal.

This is a photo of me on holiday in Australia last week:

Recently I have had a few queries regarding natural therapy for healthy blood pressure.

My mother suffered from high blood pressure (hypertension) for many years and then died of a massive heart attack at the age of 71. The blood pressure medication she was on did nothing to prevent heart disease, nor did it cure it.

High blood pressure can result in a heart attack or stroke, and is called the ‘silent killer’ because there are no symptoms.

According to Bruce H Lipton PhD author of ‘The Biology of Belief”, ‘genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts’ and the environment, that impacts on the health of our body’s cells.

So what can we do?

First of all, and I am pretty sure that you would have heard it all before,  there are 3 major things that need attention:

1. Eat a healthy diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Cut out large servings of meat and dairy. Remove processed foods and takeaways from your diet. Reduce salt intake. Drink 8 glasses of water daily. Quit smoking.
2. Include moderate exercise in your daily life. Find something that you enjoy doing, so that it is not a difficult thing to keep on doing. Read more on what type of exercise is good for Hypertension here.
3. Relax! Take deep breaths. Meditate. Read. Listen to music. Whatever calms you down and slows you down. Even if you just start with 10 minutes a day.

If you can’t do those 3 things, then it is pointless taking the following nutritional supplements.
The nutritional supplements that I suggest are:
1. optimal quality anti-oxidants, vitamins and multi-minerals
2. a calcium supplement that also contains magnesium, vitamin D3 and Vitamin K.
3. a good quality omega-3 fish or flaxseed oil supplement

How effective are these supplements at reducing blood pressure? Government regulations do not allow me to voice an opinion, so allow me to hand over to my learned friends…

Here is some educational information that may help you to form your own opinion.
Dr Gerald Lewis is a cardiologist and GP. He is in the Who’s Who book for his work with blood pressure. Here is what he suggests for high blood pressure. Note that Dr Lewis says “Drugs are the treatment usually recommended by doctors. Today these are very effective and have fewer side effects (thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, calcium blockers, ACE inhibitors, A2 inhibitors), and in many cases are given together in lower doses, which further reduces the side effects” along with recommendations for nutritional supplements. Dr Lewis has also made a very informative video on coronary heart disease.

The Amazing Nutrient that Lowers Your Blood Pressure – Dr Mercola suggests that vitamin-d levels are linked to arterial stiffness

Personally, I take 4000iu of Vitamin D3 daily and I am about to go get my blood levels checked for Vitamin D.
I wrote this blog post last year and you will see that hypertension is listed in the section on disease prevention – Vitamin D does more than just prevent the flu.

• Recent research on how Combined Grape Seed Extract and Vitamin C Supplementation Improves Vascular Health
• Research news about how Grape seed, resveratrol and pomegranate provide potent blood pressure lowering effect
• A study was done on how fibre intake reduces the risk of heart disease (which includes hypertension).
• And if you still require further information, Doctor Ray Strand (Dr. Strand is a specialist in nutritional and preventive medicine and is quickly becoming one of the world’s leading authorities)  provides advice for Hypertension.

(Natural News) Increasing incidence of high blood pressure continues to be the most significant factor in death from a heart attack and advancing cardiovascular disease. Elevated blood pressure readings cause thickening of the coronary arteries as micro…read more Proper potassium balance essential to healthy blood pressure and reduced heart attack risk

Discover why eating sugar (and high glycemic foods/drinks) endangers your heart and overall health. This is an eye opening one hour presentation by Dr. David Diamond, Ph.D., of the University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences titled: “How Bad Science and Big Business Created the Obesity Epidemic”  Dr Diamond was diagnosed with heart disease in 2005 – high cholesterol included.  Find out why he is still alive….How Bad Science and Big Business Created the Obesity Epidemic

Should we make moderate changes or major changes to our diet? Take a moment and watch this 4 minute video: Must Know Tips: Dr. Oz and Dr. Dean Ornish discuss heart attacks and diet.

For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

If you would like to find out which nutritional supplements are recommended to support optimum heart health, please request my free eBook, by completing the form on your top right.  The nutritional supplements that I promote contain all of the above ingredients at optimal levels.

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Do you want a temporary skin fix or healthy skin for life? How much money do people spend on temporary fixes – cosmetics, botox, micro-dermabrasion, fillers and plastic surgery without thinking about providing nutrition for the skin from the inside? There is a now a new word ‘neutracueticals’ to describe taking care of our skin not only from the outside but also from the inside. Neutraceuticals are nutritional supplements that benefit our skin and the longer we take them the healthier and younger-looking our skin becomes.

You may have noticed that more and more companies are providing skincare products that contain herbs, nutrients and anti-oxidants – such as ‘amino peptide complex’, ‘Q10’, ‘feverfew’, ‘retinol’, ‘oatmeal’, ‘soy’, ‘lavendar’, ‘chamomile’, ‘ylang ylang’ as well as genes! The list goes on and on.

Our skin, being the largest organ in our body does require care. And using products on the outside that are chemical-free and healthy is just as important as what we eat and drink. It goes without saying that our skin thrives on a healthy diet, proper sleep and good clean water. A good quick test to check if you are hydrated enough is to pinch the skin on the back of your hand – it should bounce back quickly when you let go. If not, drink more water.

Last week I had a BodyTalk appointment with a lovely young practitioner. She asked my age and told me that I look about 10 years younger! I have been supplementing my healthy diet since the year 2000 and I believe it is really making a difference not only to my energy levels but also to my skin.

Which supplements nourish our skin from the inside?

Calcium with balanced levels of magnesium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K – helps with cells renewal, lipid barrier protection and antioxidant protection from DNA damage. A deficiency will manifest itself in dryness, itching, premature aging/wrinkling and an increased tendency to develop skin cancers. When there is a calcium deficiency, your body will ‘steal’ calcium from your bones and teeth.

Antioxidants and grape-seed extract – these have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and anti-acne capabilities. They repair aged skin, reduce wrinkles, reduces free-radical damage, have wound healing properties and contribute to a healthy looking, glowing complexion. They stop us from ‘rusting’ inside.

Omega-3 (from pure fish oils and flaxseed oils) – these block oxidation of skin oil and reduce acne. Without these essential fatty acids, dryness, skin irritation, whiteheads and blackheads will become regular features on the skin. They sooth inflamed skin and help prevent immature aging. They are essential for dry, sensitive skin.

Minerals – these act as essential co-factors for vitamins and help catalyze many biological processes. Copper together with Vitamin C and the mineral zinc, helps to develop elastin, the fibers that support skin structure from underneath.

Co-enzyme Q10 – it is better to be taken as supplement than to place it on our skin. It blocks oxidation of the oils in the skin and helps with the health of our skin therefore there is less chance of acne. It fights free radicals and improves the look of wrinkles. A vital nutrient if you are over 50, in so many ways.

Ginkgo biloba – helps to increase circulation, prevent capillary fragility, improves tissue irrigation and helps to boost collagen formation and create fibroblast.

Vitamin C – increases collagen production, (including dermal collagen) which is significant for wrinkle reduction, strengthening the skin’s barrier response, enhances the skin’s repair process and reduces inflammation. Lack of Vitamin C can also affect your nail strength and appearance.

Glucosamine – not only supports healthy joints but a study (American Academy of Dermatology) has shown that glucosamine could prove an effective treatment to reverse the effects of skin cells damaged by UV exposure.

Lutein – is not only good for our eyes but also contributes to increased skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content (according to a recent human clinical study).

Phytoestrogens – important for preventing skin aging.

Saw Palmetto – useful in the treatment of acne. Saw palmetto blocks the action of 5-alpha-reductase, reducing the amount of DHT in the skin and thereby reducing the stimulation of excessive sebum. Oral and tropical antibiotics can reduce the bacteria, which oxidizes skin oil. Antioxidants block the oxidation of skin oil and can reduce acne.

By looking after your skin from the inside, you may never have to pay for expensive skin treatments. Plus you will have the added bonus of more energy, better sleep and better health.

Further reading
Bea Kinnear, has written a very comprehensive book on skin care covering skin types to preservatives, hair types to natural ingredients. It will open your eyes to the sometimes ludicrous claims made by many popular beauty products.
Your Skin & You, 5th Edition

If you would like to find out which nutritional supplements are recommended for healthy aging plus more information about self-preserving skincare, please request my free eBook, by completing the form on your top right.

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For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

Lizards lie in it, cats nap in it, plants need it to grow. But over 60% of North Americans are not getting enough of it. Vitamin D from the sun is critical to our health. The “cover-up and slap on the sunscreen” messages have worked too well along with young people spending time indoors instead of being outside in the sunshine.

We are near the end of our 2010 winter season here in New Zealand. My husband is a dentist and we both do not believe in flu vaccines. At the start of  winter I began taking an extra 1000iu Vitamin D3 – total 3000iu daily. My husband just took his normal dose that is contained in the nutritional supplements we both take. My husband got the flu – possibly the H1N1 because I have never seen him so unwell. He is a man who normally shrugs off colds and flus, but not this one. He had to take time off work, pulled a muscle from his violent coughing and even stayed in bed. Meanwhile, as soon as he came down with the flu, I increased my D3 dose from 3000iu to 4000iu daily and I have stayed well.

Anyone keeping up-to-date with health news over the last few years will be aware that more and more research is uncovering the significance of Vitamin D and its effect on our health. The “cover-up and slap on the sunblock” campaign has helped to reduce skin cancer risk but in doing so, Vitamin D deficiency has affected the health of millions of people worldwide (you will not be surprised to find out that more than 1 billion people worldwide and 30-40% of the U.S. population between the ages of 15-49 are vitamin D deficient). Vitamin D affects over 200 genes in our bodies and about 6% of the human genome.

There is a variety of factors that limit the amount of vitamin D we are exposed to: where we live (geographic latitude), season, age, melanin content of skin, the use of sunscreen or sun-obscuring clothing, and a lack of outdoor activity. It is healthy to have bright sun exposure to our bodies for 15-20 minutes per day. People who live in temperate zones (latitude 37 degrees north and south of the equator) will not get the sun exposure required for our bodies to make the 15,000 to 20,000iu of Vitamin D it needs each day. However, overexposure to sunlight does cause skin cancer and wrinkles.

Can we overdose on Vitamin D? It’s not possible to overdose from the sun source because the body can inactivate excess Vitamin D. The body can also store excess Vitamin D in our tissues and use it as required.

So what about food? Vitamin D is unique because very little can be obtained through a normal diet.The Vitamin D that is available in food is insignificant compared to what the synthesis of the sun can provide. The principal source of Vitamin D is through sun exposure on our skin.

For instance, the following is a list of foods that we would have to consume on a daily basis to get the equivalent of 15,000 to 20,000iu Vitamin D from the sun:
Sardines – 30 cans per day or
Milk – 100-200 glasses per day or
Fortified cereal – 100-200 bowls per day or
Egg yolks – 500-1000 per day or
Wild salmon – 2 kilos or 4.5 lbs per day
I would not recommend any of the above to be consumed in such quantities on a daily basis.

Vitamin D has been shown to prevent the following diseases:
Heart Disease
Cancer – Breast, Ovarian, Colon, Prostate, Bladder, Uterus, Esophagus, Rectum, Stomach
Diabetes
Obesity
Dementia
Influenza – upper respiratory infections have shown to be reduced by 90% by supplementing with 2000iu of Vitamin D3. By boosting our Vitamin D3 to 5000iu in the flu season, we do not need to have the flu vaccine.
Bacterial Infection
Depression
Insomnia
Muscle Weakness
Fibromyalgia
Osteomalacia –soft and weak bones, makes you more prone to fractures.
Osteoarthritus
Rheumatoid Arthritus
Osteoporosis
Psoriasis
Hypertension
Multiple Sclerosis – if we do not have enough exposure to sunlight in the first 10 years of our life, we are more pre-disposed to getting MS. So if you grow up in a temperate zone you have a 100% increase in the risk of getting MS.

From Doctor Ray Strand’s desk:
a) “A recent study reported in the Archives of Neurology showed a correlation of a low vitamin D level and the increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This study included over 3,000 pariticipants. They followed these subjects for a period of nearly 30 years. Those subjects whose vitamin D levels were in the top 25% had over a 30% decreased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, when compared to those who had the lowest levels of vitamin D. This is just another study that shows the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. I have shared in past Health Nuggest, I like to see vitamin D levels above 60 ng/ml.”

b) “A four year clinical was done that involved nearly 1200 women. This is the kind of study physicians love and always talk about when it comes to pharmaceutical trials. However, very few of them realize that there are these kinds of studies regarding the health benefits of taking supplements. Subjects were assigned to take 1400 mg of calcium alone, or 1400 mg of calcium plus 1100 IU of vitamin D, or a placebo. After only 4 years, the risk of developing any type of cancer was 60% lower in the vitamin D group. If you excluded the cancers diagnosed in the first year because these cancers were most likely already present before the study, there was a 77% reduction in all types of cancer in the vitamin D group.

The researchers pointed out that vitamin D has an effect on at least 200 human genes and is critical in the normal functioning of our immune system and cell division. When there is less than an optimal level of vitamin D, the regulatory process involving cell proliferation and differentiation becomes defective. This can lead to abnormal cell division and thus cancer growth. However, if individuals simply supplement their diet with 1100 IU of vitamin D, they can significantly decrease their risk of all cancers.”

In summary: The research shows that nearly 70% of adults taking 600 IU or less of supplemental vitamin D have circulating levels below the minimum recommended threshold of 30 ng/mL. In fact, some people require up to 12 times that amount to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D. A suggested recommended daily intake of vitamin D3 is at least 4,000 IU per day. Of course every person’s individual needs are different, so it is best to work with your physician to determine what is right for you. If you live in temperate zones it is advisable to take a Vitamin D3 supplement every day and boost it to 5000iu in the flu season.

Expose yourself to bright sun 15 to 30 minutes daily as much as possible, before applying sunblock to your body. I recommend that you do not expose your face and neck though. Avoid over-exposure to sunlight. If possible, get your Vitamin D levels tested by your doctor to ensure that you are not deficient (“25 OH Vitamin D” blood test (also known as “25 hydroxy vitamin D”) and you want to be in the 50-80 ng/ml range).

Further Reading
The Vitamin D Council is a respected source of up-to-date information about Vitamin D.

(NaturalNews) Mike Adams recently interviewed the Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council, Dr. John Cannell, MD, in order to obtain more information about the nutrient which has been gaining ground as a proven necessity for cancer protection, good…listen to this hour long audio   Interview with Dr. John Cannell on benefits of vitamin D

Dr. Michael Holick is the world’s foremost authority on vitamin D and the healing power of natural sunlight. He’s the author of The UV Advantage, and in this interview, Dr. Holick reveals fascinating facts on how vitamin D is created and used in the human body to ward off chronic diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, mental disorders and more. This is one of the most eye-opening interviews you’ll ever read on health.

For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

If you would like to find out which nutritional supplements are recommended for healthy aging, please request my free eBook, by completing the form on your top right.

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A review of the book “Breakthrough – Eight Steps to Wellness, Life-altering secrets from today’s cutting-edge doctors” by Suzanne Somers

When I began to read “Breakthrough” my head was spinning. There is so much valuable information here and I wanted to soak it all up. Suzanne has interviewed 17 medical professionals who are at the cutting-edge of long-term anti-aging medicine. The book has 450 pages of life-altering secrets and it is packed into small print. If you want to live the rest of your life in vibrant optimum health – then this book is a must-read.

To quote Suzanne ‘Knowledge is power’. To anyone (and really everyone) who would like to enhance their health knowledge, then this book will certainly fill in many gaps. We can all be responsible for our own true health once we become armed with knowledge.

For me I had never heard of new technologies such as nanotechnology, stem cells and energy medicine. I did not understand the significance of bioidentical hormone therapy. I now have a deeper understanding as to why nutritional supplements are so vital for our well-being. The people who are at the cutting-edge of this new technology are passionate about what they are achieving.

I strongly suggest that you get your own copy of Suzanne’s book and read it with an open-mind.

Get your copy of “Breakthrough” now from Amazon.com

Read what Suzanne Somers has to say about curing and preventing cancer -(right click on this link) an interview about her book ‘Knockout’.

For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

If you would like to find out which nutritional supplements are recommended for healthy aging, please request my free eBook, by completing the form on your top right.

I trust you found this helpful. If you did, please share it with others by clicking on the Facebook and/or Twitter icons below. And be sure to leave your comments and questions below. Thank you!

This year I made a decision not to have any more mammograms. There, I have said it out loud! I have hated having my breasts squashed between two radioactive plates. On top of that, the people providing the screening do not provide any prevention education – they are there to make a profit as a result of proving that they can find cancer. I have educated myself and put into practice what I have learnt, to minimise my risk of getting cancer.

So can we prevent cancer?
Recent studies have confirmed that our genes do not control our health outcomes – that we, yes that’s us, have full control. We have full control on how we take care of our own health. How we choose to live our life impacts fully on our health outcomes. So it appears, that if your family members have a tendency towards cancer, then there are things you can do to stay healthy. Isn’t that great news?

Now, most of us know that the food that Mother Nature provides contains vitamins as well as antioxidants and minerals. And a lot of the man-made processed foods do not contain very much in the way of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. So we have a choice right there. The biggest cause of cancer is poor nutrition. Vegetables and fruit contain antioxidants which protect our cells from inflammation and oxidative stress which cause cancer. Eating a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables provides many antioxidants.

There are some things we do not have control over – like the air we breathe, the quality of the soil that our food is grown in, the pesticides and chemicals that are used on crops, the quality of our drinking water. All we can do in these cases is to minimize the effects of these toxins and pollutants by avoiding them if we can and by taking nutritional supplements. Food alone is not optimal enough to provide our cells with the protection they need from the toxins in our environment.

There have been endless studies done on how vitamins protect our body’s cells from cancer. The results of these many studies can be summed up – take the best quality broad-spectrum supplements that you can afford. Taking once-a-day supplements are a waste of money. And taking supplements that are not at optimum levels do not provide protection. Taking nutritional supplements helps to maintain a strong immune system. The latest studies show Vitamin D3 (the sunshine vitamin) helps to prevent breast cancer.

The American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2010 presented a study that showed a protective effect of vitamin and calcium supplementation against breast cancer. Participants who consumed vitamin supplements were found to have a 30% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not have a history of vitamin supplementation, and those who consumed calcium supplements had a 40% lower risk. The researchers stated that this is not an immediate effect; however, those individuals who consumed vitamins and calcium over a long period of time.

Other things we can do to prevent cancer are:
• To exercise hard enough to produce sweat.
• Get proper sleep
• Reduce stress – spend time relaxing or meditating or listening to music…New research may have uncovered the mechanism that links chronic stress to breast cancer progression. Even better, you can take advantage of the findings in about five minutes.
• Jump on a rebounder to clear your lymph glands.
• For women, massage your breasts.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
• Avoid recreational drugs.
• If you are overweight or obese, lose weight and get lean.
• Reduce/remove sugar from your diet
• Avoid getting sunburn but get out into the sunshine for 15-20 minutes daily and/or take Vitamin D3 supplements.
• Include adequate amounts of Omega-3 essential fats in your diet (salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and herring) and monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados). These healthy fats have powerful anti-cancer properties.
• Drink green tea.
• Eat a low-fat, high fiber diet.
• Avoid over-working and over-exercising to keep your immune system strong.
• Avoid refined foods such as white flour, baked goods, and many refined cereals. Follow a diet primarily made up of unprocessed, organic whole foods that are free of inflammation-inducing additives such as excess salt, sugars and trans-fats, as well as pesticide residues which are known to contribute to cancer. Choose fruits such as strawberries, blueberries and grapes, and vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower contain antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and other phytochemicals (beneficial plant compounds).
• Drink filtered water
• Continually learn from valid sources about what you can do to stay healthy – after all, when we lose our health, we lose our hope.
• Avoid taking H.R.T. Find a medical practitioner who can advise you about bio-identical hormone therapy.
• Avoid food additives like MSG and aspartame – you will find them in most processed foods are different names
• Avoid having mercury amalgam fillings placed and if you have them, consider getting them removed (using safe protocols).

Starting today what small change are you going to make to your life so that you do not become one of the 1 in 3 people who get cancer? If we treat our bodies like temples instead of tents then we can have a longer, healthier and happier life.

Further Reading
In his book “You Can Prevent Cancer”, Michael Colgan, PhD explains what cutting-edge science knows about the simple steps you must take today to help avoid cancer.

Considering a mammogram? New evidence reveals they really don’t work

Suzanne Somers Interviews Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer–And Learns How to Prevent Getting It in the First Place

For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

I trust you found this helpful. If you did, please share it with others by clicking on the Facebook and/or Twitter icons below. And be sure to leave your comments and questions below. Thank you!

About two years ago, a friend of mine who is in her 40’s came to me for advice about arthritis. Her doctor had told her that her neck was like a 65 year olds. Not only did she have arthritis in her neck, but in her feet as well. My friend is passionate about horse riding – how much longer will she be able to do that?

Both my parents had arthritis – my father’s was in his feet and hands, my mother’s in her back. My husband has arthritis in his knee – a result of a rugby injury and having cartilage removed. Arthritis is both painful and debilitating.

What causes arthritis?
There are two types of arthritis – osteoarthritis (the most common, caused by wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints due to an autoimmune disease).

Doctor Ray Strand says “Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process within the joints. Over 70% of the people over 50 years of age have some degree of degenerative arthritis. This is not a disease that will typically shorten one’s life, but will certainly cause significant pain and disability if left untreated.
“When researchers study joint fluid extracted from an inflamed joint, they note a significant increase in the number of excessive free radicals. In contrast, fluid from a normal joint has no free radicals present. Studies have shown a significant increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in those individuals who have low levels of Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium. Research has further indicated low levels of vitamin D and Vitamin C in patients suffering severe joint disease and whose disease progresses much more rapidly than the norm”.

My horse-riding friend is a ‘health nut’ – she eats organic food and has a healthy lifestyle. But that hasn’t been enough to prevent Osteoarthritis. My suggestion is to add advanced-quality broad spectrum supplements to a healthy lifestyle to support healthy joints and bones. And to also continue with exercise to maintain fitness, muscle strength, heart health, relieve pain and stiffness and to get better quality of sleep.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease – caused by a virus or bacteria. The immune system becomes confused and it attacks itself rather than the bacteria or virus. The joints become inflamed causing chronic inflammation, pain and joint swelling; and the joint fluid which is usually thick becomes thin, so the cartilage becomes less protective.

Further Reading
(NaturalNews) A recent study from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, has found that rheumatoid arthritis is on the increase among Caucasian women. And the culprit is likely an environmental one, like vitamin D deficiency, rather than a genetic one.

Do Glucosamine Supplements Work? an article by ‘Nutrition Diva’ Monica Reinagel, M.S., L.D./N.

Very informative article from the Linus Pauling Institute about Vitamin D and the health impact of not having enough of this critical vitamin in your body.

If you would like to find out which nutritional supplements are recommended for joint health, please request my free eBook, by completing the form on your top right.

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Recently I took part in an online poll asking participants why they were interested in nutrition. It was interesting to note the responses. The younger people tended to vote ‘looking good’ while the older ones were swayed to “staying healthy”.

Are you interested in nutrition primarily to lose weight, to look good, or to stay healthy/avoid disease?
option 1: I just want to look good
option 2: Don’t care how I look, I want to stay healthy
option 3: Want to stay healthy; looking good is a fringe benefit
option 4: Want to look good, staying healthy is a fringe benefit

What would your vote be?
There are a few things we can do to look good – what we wear, how our hair looks, what make-up we use, how often we smile, getting anti aging treatment to try to slow down the aging process; which are all very fleeting. If we had a nose shape we did not like or scars, or other physical problems, then looking good maybe a priority. Or maybe you just don’t care how you look – you don’t give it a thought.

I voted option #3 because when we are healthy we look and feel attractive; we have a zest for life that others are attracted to. When we look after ourselves because we care about ourselves, it naturally flows into caring about others. Once we lose our health, it can be very difficult to regain it – it is easier to prevent than to survive.

People who look after their health tend to be happy, have more energy and vitality, have better sex lives, have no problems with sleeping, have healthy glowing skin, and have stronger hearts and healthy livers, as well as good brain function. Because of that, they have an optimistic view on life, so they tend to enjoy themselves. They spend their money on good quality (organic if they can afford it) fresh food, top quality nutritional supplements, environmentally “green” products and other health foods and herbs.

I am now in my late 50’s and my Doctor rarely sees me. When my mother was the same age, she was on High Blood Pressure medication and suffered from arthritis. I don’t have either of those ailments.

While genetics plays a part in how we age, our lifestyle is a big factor in healthy aging. The establishment would rather have you believe that your genes control your health while glossing over the far more important point that it is your diet that controls the expression of your genes.

Some of the detrimental lifestyle factors are:
1) Stress – continual stress without rest
2) Poor nutrition – lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, too much red meat, too much sugar/high glycemic food, too many processed foods
3) Lack of exercise
4) Lack of sleep
5) Negative attitude
6) Poor oral health

The earlier we start investing in our health, the brighter and more fulfilling our lives can be.

What do you want to be doing when you are 70 plus?

The decisions we make today and are in the habit of doing daily affect us now and into the future. How much respect do you place on your own well-being?

Many people do not think when they eat and drink – it is not a priority for them to ensure they have a healthy lifestyle. When we continually eat high-GI foods, drink sugar-flavoured drinks, reject exercise, live in constant stress mode, how long do we think we can keep on doing that?

How do you want your life to be in 10, 20, 30 years and more? Who do you want to be with? What do you see yourself doing for fun?

Doctor Huber recently wrote:
“There are 80 year old people in nursing homes and there are 80 year old people on golf courses. Do you think they both made the same lifestyle choices? I don’t.
I hear people say “well, you gotta die of something.”
Well yes you do but before you die you have the choice of deciding how enjoyable those last 20 years of your life will be.
Unhealthy choices do not typically lead to a sudden stop at the end of the line. They typically lead to years of decay and painful erosion as you lie helpless in ICU beds and nursing home beds until the final end comes.
The quality of your life from this day forward to the end of your life is decided TODAY by the choices you make.
You and you alone can choose to follow a less common path, one that requires some planning and some inconvenience to arrive at rarified air where only the truly conscious exist.
You’ll meet some really cool people there and I look forward to making your acquaintance.”

For women 40+ who want to live life to the full and stay younger longer

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