Go Beyond Basic Immune Support
Maintaining a strong immune system is key to staying healthy. The immune system provides multiple layers of protection to support health and vitality. The strength of this protective barrier can make a difference between whose health is impacted and whose isnt.
Phytonutrients: The Colors of Health
Phytonutrients help plants and people be healthy. Phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals) are thousands of bioactive plant compounds that help protect plants from environmental stressors, including insect attack, disease, and other damaging influences. Many phytonutrients also contribute to the rich and different hues of fruits, vegetables, and other plants foods, such as nuts, herbs, and spices. Scientists continue to uncover the many antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health-promoting benefits to humans from phytonutrients, such as resveratrol, lycopene, and citrus bioflavonoids. Phytonutrients can work individually to support specific health functions (e.g., heart, brain, prostate), as well as work synergistically with other phytonutrients to promote overall health.
Feeling Distracted? Overwhelmed? Disorganized?
Increased focus can help you feel less anxious. We all live in an era of distraction heightened by stress, time pressures, lack of sleep, and balancing multiple, simultaneous incoming messages (TV, computer, cell phone). Even mild symptoms of distractedness can increase feelings of stress and anxiety. Likewise, anxious thoughts can keep us from focusing on tasks. "Go to" focus-enhancing beverages like colas, energy drinks, and coffees may also contain sugars and/or synthetic caffeine. Sugar causes a temporary energy spike followed by a crash. Likewise, synthetic caffeine is digested more rapidly and produces a similar spike and crash. And a higher caffeine intake can actually increase anxiety and tension, along with a physical "jitteriness." Furthermore, stimulant medications for diagnosed attention disorders carry a higher risk of dependency and potential abuse, and can fail to address potential underlying issues without appropriate measures (e.g., behavioral counseling).
Women's Health Focus: Probiotics
Maintaining a healthy feminine ecosystem is important for women's urogenital health. Among other benefits, a healthy balance of "good" microflora can help protect against complications like bacterial vaginosis (BV). Nearly 1 in 3 women in their reproductive years will suffer from BVcharacterized by itching, burning, abnormal discharge, odor, or (commonly) no symptoms at all. BV may increase a woman's susceptibility to urinary tract infections, post-surgical infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. It can also lead to complications during pregnancy, such as low birth weight and preterm delivery. Recent antibiotic use and smoking can also increase BV risk.
Feeling Forgetful?
Now is "maintain your brain" time. It's never too late or too early to start thinking about protecting your memory and other important brain functions. Your brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and change to help maintain and repair important communication functions in the body. This "neuroplasticity" is greatly aided by eating a healthy diet and making other positive lifestyle changes—including quitting smoking and losing weight. Keeping your body in good working order—like controlling blood sugar levels and reducing chronic inflammation or stress—also helps keep the brain and entire nervous system functioning in a much healthier manner.
Does Your Body Need A Little Spring Cleaning?
Help your body get a fresh start for better health. Feeling out-of-sorts, low energy, foggy thinking, and many other complaints are associated with environmental overload from everyday pollutants that may outpace your bodys ability to eliminate them. A quick spring cleaning for your body may be all you need to feel more energized and revitalized. Plus it's a great yearly habit to keep you feeling your best.*
Are Sleep Troubles Keeping You Awake?
Sleep insufficiency is a growing epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 to 70 million US adults may have a sleep or wakefulness disorder, including insomnia. And over 6 out of 10 American adults experience difficulty sleeping several nights per week. A lack of sleep may contribute to a number of health hazards, such as nodding off while driving or having difficulty performing work tasks that can result in accidents. But it may also increase your risk to a number of chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and cancer. And, according to a recent study, sleep insufficiency is also one of the best predictors of job burnout. So getting adequate, quality sleep is important for maintaining your health and quality of living.