Dear Reader,

They're lurking everywhere.  They're in your bread.  They're in your margarine.  They're in your snack crackers.  What are they?

Hydrogenated oil and high-fructose corn syrup.

Just walk into any typical grocery store, pick up any typical packaged food, and read the ingredients.  There's a very big chance you'll come across either hydrogenated oil or high-fructose corn syrup.

So, why are they so bad?  They both lead to obesity, for starters.  And obesity is a huge risk for developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Hydrogenated oil is any ordinary oil that has been rendered unhealthy in the laboratory.  Any type of oil--even healthy polyunsaturated oils such as corn oil, safflower oil or sunflower oil--can be rendered unhealthy by adding hydrogen to it.  Food scientists whip hydrogen into oil to prolong a product's shelf life and to create a more creamy texture.  Hydrogenated oil wreaks havoc on your arteries, making them rigid and clogging them.

The hydrogenation process creates trans fatty acids.  In other words, hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils are types of trans fats.  And if you've been following the news, a few cities-even big cities such as Chicago-are banning trans fats in restaurants because they're so unhealthy.  Many restaurants use hydrogenated oil to deep-fry their french fries.  Fast-food french fries often contain partially hydrogenated oil and are cooked in several partially hydrogenated oils, including soybean, corn, canola, cottonseed and sunflower.  Here's the list of ingredients for french fries at a popular fast food chain:

Potatoes, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural flavor (beef, wheat and dairy sources), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (to preserve natural color). Cooked in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (may contain partially hydrogenated soybean oil and/or partially hydrogenated corn oil and/or partially hydrogenated canola oil and/or cottonseed oil and/or sunflower oil and/or corn oil). Contains derivatives of wheat and dairy.

Add to that the ridiculously huge portions that are available in fast-food restaurants, and you've got a heart attack in a to-go sack!

Trans fats are the worst kind of fats imaginable.  Trans fats, like saturated fats, dramatically raise overall cholesterol levels, including LDL cholesterol, the "bad" kind.  And they dramatically lower HDL cholesterol, the "good" kind.  Trans fats can also cause type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

Hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils are also common in vegetable shortening, stick margarine, and all manner of packaged foods.  The more labels you read, the more you realize that it's everywhere!  Some healthier processed foods, such as non-dairy butter substitutes, organic foods or vegetarian foods, advertise very clearly on their packaging that they contain no hydrogenated oils.

Read your packaged food labels very carefully, and avoid any hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.  That holds true even if the oil is ordinarily a healthy oil.  This includes polyunsaturated oils-such as corn, soy, safflower or sunflower--and healthy monounsaturated oils, such as canola, olive or nut oils.  Normally polyunsaturated oils lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol; and monounsaturated oils also lower bad LDL cholesterol-but not when they're hydrogenated!

And while you're reading those packaged food labels, you'll probably also come across high-fructose corn syrup or corn syrup.  High-fructose corn syrup is engineered to contain up to 80 percent fructose and 20 percent sucrose.  Natural fruit, on the other hand, is about 50-50.  The fiber in natural fruit allows all cells in the body to easily absorb the fructose and convert it to energy.  But the fructose in high-fructose corn syrup is so concentrated that it must be metabolized solely by the liver.  The liver is primarily responsible for burning fat, so essentially it puts fat burning on hold to process high-fructose corn syrup.  So this excessive fructose leads to obesity.  The liver is also the organ primarily responsible for ridding toxins from the body; so excessive fructose processing probably compromises its other important functions, at least short-term.

Like hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup can cause diabetes, and it elevates cholesterol levels.  It also robs the body of nutrients, can create blood clots and prevents white blood cells from protecting against unhealthy invaders.  High-fructose corn syrup even impedes the heart's ability to process magnesium, copper and chromium.

High-fructose corn syrup is used so widely as a sweetener in packaged foods because it's much cheaper than ordinary sugar.  That's why it has gained popularity in the food industry as a food additive since the 1970's.  High-fructose corn syrup can be found in everything from fruit juice to ketchup to tomato soup.

One food item that is rife with hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup is the buns at fast-food restaurants.  And you can probably find many more by reading packaged food labels!

The best thing to do for your health is to avoid hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup.  Read food labels carefully--it will help you enjoy a longer, more vibrant life!

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Discover the true cause of heart disease and how to get on the fast track to total heart health - regardless of your age or current physical condition.

As a surgeon who has performed over 5,000 open heart surgeries, Dr. Lundell discovered that inflammation was the only common denominator between all his heart patients. 
 
    *  NOT high cholesterol 
    *  NOT high blood pressure
    *  NOT saturated fat 
    *  NOT a high meat and egg consumption

When you lower inflammation, all sorts of inflammation-related problems start to clear up including arthritis, colitis, bursitis,  diabetes, depression and many others.

Read on to learn more...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/dr_lundell

It's easy to become tired, weak, imbalanced, and dull-witted like there's a bag of wet wool around your head. You become congested in your lungs, liver, kidneys, and colon.

But let's face it, it's hard to eat enough salads and enough fruits to get all the fuel you need. Hard to get the right mix of proteins, amino acids, healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants. Harder yet to accomplish this regimen, day in and day out.

Now with one anti-aging super cocktail, Long Life Food Source(tm), you'll be able to switch on a secret source of energy and strength every day for the rest of your life!

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/long-life-food-source

Until now, scientists thought the thousands of brain cells that die each year couldn't be replaced. But an ancient remedy seems to regenerate nerves, according to a recent clinical study.

We've taken this ancient herb and mixed it into a balanced formula designed to help you keep 100% of your brainpower.

      *  Flower extract dilates your vessels, lets more blood flow into your     brain
      *  Herbal extract Vinpocetine improves brain's oxygen use
      *  Natural Huperzine A protects cells against glucose deprivation
      *  Super-Nutrient CDP Choline increases brain cell energy
      *  Ancient Ayurvedic herb, Bacopa, protects brain from free radicals

See how a 71-year-old could think and remember better than a bunch of 25-year-old hotshots...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/mind-clear

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or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

Dear Reader,

Because it is so versatile, many people refer to aloe as "nature's perfect plant." The aloe plant has been heralded for centuries for its diverse healing powers. Aloe has the unique ability to heal both internally and externally. As a drink it can be used to treat internal stomach problems like irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis.  Externally, the gel from the aloe plant speeds healing of damaged skin, fights infections, minimizes scarring, reduces pain, retards aging and moisturizes and retains moisture by carrying added emollients deep into the layers of the skin.
Aloe is a lily-like, green and sometimes spiny shrub with very little, if any stem. Basically, it looks like a cactus plant even thought it is a member of the lily family. The outer leaf is smooth and rubbery and inside is the gel that is believed to give aloe its healing properties.

Because they are so easy to grow and maintain, many people keep aloe plants in their kitchens for quick first aid if a burn occurs. The plants are sold at almost all garden centers. Aloe Vera thrives in a pot on a windowsill and is well suited to the hot dry conditions of the average home. They will tolerate a few hours of sun a day, but should thrive anywhere as long as there is a lot of bright indirect sunlight. Aloe plants need to be watered only once a month. They will thrive on an outdoor patio as long as they don't get excessive amounts of hot sun.

Aloe Vera cuttings are very easy to root. Put at least one third of the cutting under the dirt in the pot. Keep the soil moist for the first few weeks while it develops roots. The stalk may shrivel a little while it lives off the stored energy but this is normal. Resist the temptation to over water because like all succulent plants Aloe Vera will rot if it sits in a wet pot.

Always use the lowest leaves, the closest to the ground first. The bottom leaves are older and larger so they contain more juice. The waxy surface of the aloe plant acts like a plastic wrapper, keeping precious water inside.

The Aloe Vera plant is about 96% water. It also contains essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Aloe Vera contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. Aloe Vera naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over acidity - a common cause of indigestion.

Aloe Vera is available in a concentrated capsule form and as a juice. One concentrated capsule is typically equivalent to two ounces of pure Aloe Vera juice. One bottle of 100 capsules is equivalent to more than six quarts of pure Aloe Vera juice with no added water.

Daily supplementation with aloe has been proven to stimulate the immune system, improve wound healing and stimulate the production of a wide range of antioxidant enzymes that act to detoxify the body.

Because most products that contain Aloe Vera are non-toxic, they should be included in your child's first aid kit that you send with them to summer camp. When choosing an aloe product, be sure to read the ingredients and select only products that list aloe as the primary ingredient.

Aloe Vera is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a vegetable juice. It is approved for external use in cosmetics and for treatment of minor burns, skin irritations and sunburn. Because it has so many uses, aloe is the one plant that you can't live without.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

You need protein every day, but... what kind of protein, that's the question. Protein is essential for muscle growth, brain function and energy. Without it, you'll drag, droop and drop before your time.

You need protein for the manufacture of hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissue repair. And maybe most importantly, protein helps your body maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance in the body.

I spent over two years testing and tasting other people's protein powders and I discovered three things that turned me off big time...

* Turn off #1 All of them tasted bad!

* Turn off #2 All of them were impossible to dissolve!

* Turn off #3 All of the soy products were high in fat, carbs and sodium.

So, I set out to make a super high-energy protein drink...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/green-power-protein

Remarkable New Super Antioxidant Discovered.

What's the discovery? It's an amazingly useful and rejuvenating antioxidant that longevity researchers believe boosts the immune system to help ward off those threats to your health that you face as you grow older.

And if all that weren't enough, this antioxidant has also been shown to help protect against eye problems... relieve the aches and pains of old age... even restore strength and energy.

This new antioxidant is called "astaxanthin" (pronounced asta-ZAN-thin).

Now, I know what you might be thinking. You think you know all about antioxidants. In fact, you're taking one or two now. And you figure one is as good as another. But, astaxanthin is no ordinary antioxidant. Far from it.

Just Imagine...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/zanguard

It's Estimated That By the Year 2010, Some 40% of Americans 65 and Older Will Have Diabetes.

Despite regular reports in the national press about the near epidemic level of diabetes, people persist in thinking about diabetes as simply blood sugar levels that are a little high or low. No big deal! Wrong!

First and foremost, diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Why?

Because when you have rapidly rising and falling glucose levels, those extremes "destabilize" your heart.

The excess insulin produced by the pancreas to respond to the glucose spikes causes high blood pressure problems, which further taxes the heart with oxidative stress. Which is why...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/gluco-balance

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To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245
or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

Dear Reader,

This summer, make a promise to yourself that you will spend more time swimming and less time swatting.  One of the most profound pleasures of spring is a picnic by the lake or in the woods. And some of the worst irritations of spring involve insects that bite and sting.

Of all of the insects that conspire to make our summer outings less than perfect, mosquitos take center stage. There are more than 2500 species of mosquitos throughout the world, including about 200 species in the United States.

Although commercial pesticides are widely used and sometimes effective, do you really want a chemical repellent on your skin or in your environment that contains poisons? The same chemicals that are toxic to unwanted insects may also have adverse effects on humans. In fact the long term effects of chemicals like DEET still haven't been determined and the EPA has concluded that products containing DEET and similar chemicals are definitely not safe for long term use. So what can you do?

The good news is that there are many natural, non-toxic alternatives that can keep mosquitos and other biting insects at bay while you and your family commune with Mother Nature and explore the great outdoors. So when you need a repellent, instead of heading to the pharmacy or hardware store, head to the nearest garden center or health food store for natural products.

Citronella is among the most popular herbs used to control insects. Many people plant it in pots on the periphery of their property or put it on windowsills to discourage insects from entering the house. Citronella has a fresh lemony scent that goes well with sweeter scents. It is particularly fragrant when blended with lavender or mint. Most garden centers sell citronella candles that can safely be used on your patio or deck. You can also mix citronella with water in a spray bottle to take for hiking. Be sure to shake the bottle vigorously before applying to your skin.

Here are some other natural mosquito control measures you can try:

*  Take one vitamin B complex tablet per day. Many people find that when they  add B vitamin supplements to their daily routines they get fewer mosquito  bites.

*  Plant marigolds around your yard. This method works well as a bug repellent  because the fragrance of marigolds is offensive to many insects, including  mosquitos. This is a way to beautify your yard and keep insects at bay  without using chemical poisons and insecticides.

*  Dress in light colored clothing. Believe it or not mosquitos are drawn to  dark colored clothing because it is easier for them to see from a distance.

*  Avoid fruity or floral fragrances in your perfume, soap, hair products etc.  as these scents draw mosquitos to you.

The best way to keep mosquitos from biting is to prevent them from ever coming to your yard in the first place. Mosquitos reproduce and thrive in standing water. Any amount of standing water will do, so don't think you are safe from mosquito larvae just because you don't have a pool or lake nearby.

Some of mosquitos' favorite breeding areas include:

Water buckets and rain barrels
Bottles and cans
Empty plastic pots from the nursery and other concave odds and ends you may have thrown in a pile behind the garage
Clogged rain gutters and clogged drains
Birdbaths
Pet water bowls
Children's wading pools
Old tires

Walk around your property and make sure that you aren't inadvertently preparing breeding grounds for mosquitos. Control mosquitos the natural way so that you and your family can enjoy nature without suffering from painful, itchy bites.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

How Does Increased Pollution Wear You Out?

In the midst of compromised sources for our water, air, food and soil...

Your 5 channels of elimination - liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and skin - all have to work harder to neutralize and eliminate toxins. And that adds up to organ stress and exhaustion, which helps contribute to cellular stress and finally - daily, life-draining fatigue - which is also a breeding ground for illness and disease.

The end result of poor diet and increased pollution: we are more wrung out, strung out and dragging from one day to the next.

Now, there's an easy, fast, super convenient, all natural, way to jumpstart and maintain your energy all day long and gain powerful, new health protection for your entire body, at the same time.

Learn more now:

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/go-ruby-go

Good Caffeine? You Bet!

Green tea is unique: it's made from pure, unfermented leaves that are harvested at their peak perfection and then stabilized through exposure to both humid and dry heat - giving green tea the highest concentration of polyphenols and locking in the tannins.

Tannins ensure that caffeine is taken to the brain in only small amounts so it can be easily used. This helps green tea drinkers improve their vitality and stamina without the up-and-down effect of black tea.

Tannins inhibit the oxidation of your body's DNA material, a leading cause of cell destruction and mutation.

Green tea tannins help clear urinary tract infections, stimulate digestion, reduce unwanted body fat, increase hair growth and support saliva secretion to keep teeth free of plaque.

Pretty amazing, don't you agree?

Learn more now:

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/green_tea

Can You Live Better Longer by Solving Gut Problems?

We all want to live better longer. But how?

In the cover story of the November 2005 issue of National Geographic called The Secrets of Living Longer, Dan Buettner talks about three groups of people who "produce a high rate of centenarians, suffer a fraction of the diseases that commonly kill people in other parts of the developed world, and enjoy more healthy years of life."

In case you haven't read this life changing article, I'll share it with you now, then tell you about another group who also enjoy increased longevity and wellness when no one else thinks it's possible and how you can too...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/vibrant_flora

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To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245
or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

Dear Reader,

With health costs in a never-ending upward spiral and growing concerns about the safety of prescription medications, it is easy to understand why millions of people from around the world are turning to holistic medicine to achieve and maintain good health.

Holistic health is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of independent parts. The earth is made up of systems such as air, land, water, plants and animals. If life is to be sustained they cannot be separated, for what is happening to one is also felt by all of the other systems. In the same way, an individual is a whole made up of interdependent parts, which are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Holistic health is an ongoing process. As a lifestyle, it includes a personal commitment to keep moving toward the right end of the wellness continuum. No matter what their current status of health; people can improve their level of well-being.

The US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention report that the key factors influencing an individual's state of health have not changed significantly over the last 20 years. Quality of medical care is only 10%. Heredity accounts for 18% and environment is 19%. Everyday lifestyle choices are 53%. The decisions people make about their life and habits are by far the largest factors in determining their level of wellness.

Holistic health is based on the premise that illnesses and premature death can be traced back to lifestyle choices. There are the well-known dangers connected with drugs, alcohol, nicotine and unprotected sexual activity. Less recognized health hazards included the impact of sugar, caffeine and negative attitudes.

When you combine these hazards with insufficient exercise, overeating and low self esteem, they gradually accumulate harmful effects. With time they diminish the quality of the "environment" within a human being and can set the stage for illness to take hold. Quality of life, now and in the future, is actually determined by a vast number of seemingly small choices that are made each day.

Holistic health also focuses on reaching higher levels of wellness. People are motivated by how good it feels to have lots of energy and enthusiasm for life. Most people find holistic health principles easy to practice once the proper habits are formed.

More and more physicians are using the holistic approach to health and healing with their patients. Holistic physicians embrace a variety of safe, effective options in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients, including:

* Education for lifestyle changes and self-care
* Complementary alternatives
* Conventional drugs and surgery

People who practice holistic health in their own lives may have fewer chronic illnesses or major health problems. However, if conventional medical care is required for an accident or illness, a medical doctor who follows the principles of holistic medicine should provide the care.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

What is this "Hawaiian miracle?"

The noni plant has withstood the test of time. For literally thousands of years it has been flourishing in Hawaii's lush, nutrient-rich soil. Down through the ages, healers and shamans in Hawaii and the South Pacific have depended on the benefits of this versatile plant to ease the pain and remedy the health problems of the people under their care. They realized juice from the noni fruit had amazing healing powers of restoration. The noni was - and still is - considered sacred and vital to the health of every islander.

In his book, "Noni: The Tropical Fruit with 101 Medicinal Uses," Dr. Neil Solom discusses a survey of 8,000 people who used Hawaiian Noni for a variety of medical conditions. When doctors and other health professionals interviewed them, they found that Hawaiian noni helped 78% of the people who used it.

Steven Hall, M.D., of Providence Hospital in Washington, has treated patients with Hawaiian noni for inflammatory problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Hall revealed that "noni is incredible because it offers help to people who could not be helped by traditional medical science." Dr. Hall also reported that "not only does noni provide many benefits on its own, but it also increases the effectiveness of other treatments."

Master Herbalist, Rita Elkins, author of "The Noni Revolution," states, "As an investigative author, I have concluded that noni has more than enough credibility to justify its use. . .for improved health. Supplementation with noni appears to optimize health."

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/hawaiian_noni

Cool your mouth and fight dental cavities at the same time.

Used by dentists worldwide for oral health, xylitol, also called wood sugar or birch sugar, is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables. It is roughly as sweet as sucrose but is a "tooth friendly" sugar. In addition to not encouraging tooth decay (by replacing dietary sugars), xylitol may actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by dental caries.

When bacteria enter the body they hold on to our tissues by hanging on to a variety of sugar complexes. The open nature of xylitol and its ability to form many different sugar-like structures appears to interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere.

Xylitol can also be applied nasally through a saline solution containing xylitol, such as Xlear Nasal Wash.

See xylitol products...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/xylitol

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/kidney_clear

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To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245
or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

Dear Reader,

Everyone knows that too much sun can be dangerous, but did you know there are also dangers associated with not getting ENOUGH sun?  Everyone feels more alive and vibrant when the sun comes out, but sunbathing has received such negative press for so long that many of the benefits of sunlight have been forgotten.

Spring brings welcome relief to the millions of people who suffer from "seasonal affective disorder." During the long dark days of winter, people who suffer from SAD have low serotonin levels, which makes them feel depressed and lethargic.

Many of us notice tiredness, a bit of weight gain, difficulty getting out of bed and bouts of "the blues" as fall turns to winter.  But for people with seasonal affective disorder, the symptoms are severe. The typical symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include depression, lack of energy, increased need for sleep, a craving for sweets and weight gain. Symptoms begin in the fall, peak in the winter and usually resolve in the spring. Some individuals experience great bursts of energy and creativity in the spring or early summer. To help alleviate the symptoms, many people use specially designed "light boxes" during the cold winter months that imitate the healing properties of the sun. Recent studies have estimated that 5-20% of the U.S. population suffers from some level of seasonal affective disorder.
 
In recent years, researchers have found that sunlight can help protect you from many types of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer. Many decades of studies of people who live in sunnier climates and people who are exposed to sunlight through their work situations revealed that sunlight can actually decrease the risk of colon and breast cancer. Low vitamin D has also been associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease.

In one study, patients who were put in hospital rooms that were sunny requested less pain medication than patients in windowless rooms. Whether the pain is lessened by the sunlight or the patients' awareness of their pain levels decreased during the study is unclear.

Because of these important findings, many medical professionals are rethinking their stand on moderate sun exposure. But, as with most things, moderation is the key. Bear in mind that it is not necessary or advisable to burn or tan to get the exposure you need. Most experts agree that 20 minutes of safe sunbathing a day is sufficient. Avoid burning by staying in the shade when the sun is intense. Remember to take extra care with children. Young skin is delicate. Keep babies in the shade, especially in the hottest part of the day.

Sensible sun exposure for adults depends on a person's skin type, where they live and what time of year it is. There is no doubt that too much sun for a long time will increase the speed of skin aging. The face is particularly vulnerable, so you should always wear sunscreen and a hat when you are in the direct sunlight. 

Keep in mind that if exposure to sun is moderate, the benefits outnumber the dangers. And the beautiful thing about the sun is that it is free and is available to everybody.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Medical studies reveal that each and every day we're exposed to harmful substances, not only in the form of common air pollution, but through the very foods we eat. The Standard American Diet (or SAD for short!!) is loaded with preservatives, antibiotics, pesticides, and dangerous chemicals - all waiting to inundate your system, from your organs, to your bloodstream, from your head down to your toes, robbing you of the vibrant good health that you deserve.

But once these harmful substances are removed from your system, you'll begin to look and feel dramatically better...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/pain-and-brain

Impaired liver and gallbladder function have been linked to accelerated aging, weakened immune system and dozens of major illnesses and diseases including asthma, coronary heart disease, cancers, migraines, allergies, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and kidney disease. When your liver can't cleanse your blood, all the toxins you ingest and absorb are passed unchecked into your bloodstream where they poison your lungs, your skin, your kidneys, your reproductive organs, your bones, and every cell in your body!

Why? Because your liver is your body's mastermind detoxifying agent and blood filter and your first and most powerful line of defense in a polluted world. (That's why the traditional Chinese doctors call the liver "the general in the army," and why the oldest healing systems on earth always clean the liver first!)

Learn more...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/liver-clear

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To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245
or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

Dear Reader,

Although the spiritual and psychological benefits of meditation have been lauded for centuries, in recent years physicians and holistic practitioners have come to understand the significant physical health benefits that it offers. In fact, many medical centers now incorporate some form of meditation for patients as an additional path to healing.

Several large studies have concluded that people who include meditation as part of their recovery plan for illness or injury have reduced pain levels and faster healing rates. Children who are affected by Attention Deficit Disorder can reap massive benefits from meditation, once a physician, counselor or holistic practitioner guides them through the process.

Research has proven that meditation can:

* Lower oxygen use

* Decrease respiratory rates

* Increase blood flow

* Slow the heart rate

* Lower high blood pressure

* Reduce the pain and tension associated with chronic headaches

* Increase mood-enhancing serotonin production

* Speed postoperative healing.

* Boost the immune system

The purpose of mindfulness training is for participants to gain greater insight into their perceptions, reactions and behaviors, all of which have direct relationships to our physical health. There are many types of meditation, most of which have their roots in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and some other components of the National Institutes of Health, are sponsoring studies to find out more about meditation's effects, how it works, and what diseases and conditions may be improved by it.

The basic premise is that meditation, which uses deliberate thought and contemplation, is one of the safest things you can do to achieve better spiritual, emotional and physical health. Accessing the depths of the subconscious mind to boost your body's natural ability to repair and readjust itself can only been done through deep hypnosis or meditation. When your conscious thought processes step aside and your body relaxes, the suggestions and affirmations that you use will have greater influence on the part of the mind that controls the body.

Doctors and nutritionists often prescribe meditation for patients who need to lose weight because practicing visualization and meditation can make weight loss much easier. When you use meditation for weight loss, for example, you may visualize yourself walking along the beach. Imagine your healthy, trim reflection in store windows as you go to purchase your new "skinny" clothes. Feel how much lighter and how much more energetic your body feels.

Because meditation helps you relax and improves your self awareness, you are less likely to give in to emotional "binge" eating which is the enemy of most dieters. One of the most significant aspects of meditation may be your ability to be non-judgmental of your former eating habits.

There are various techniques used in meditation. Some may call for the individual to be motionless with their eyes closed, while others may require focusing on a flame or a candle. For some people, slowly reciting scripture or other passages puts them into the perfect frame of mind for meditation.

The good news is that meditation is readily available to anyone who is willing to embrace it. The only things you need for meditation are:

* A serene location: Meditators need a quiet, serene place with no distractions.

* Comfortable posture: Depending on the type of meditation you use, it can be done while sitting, lying down, standing, walking or in other positions.

* Focus: A large factor in meditation is the ability to focus. Sometimes a mantra is used to help stay focused.

* An open mind: Having an open attitude during meditation means letting distractions come and go naturally without stopping to think about them.

Give meditation a try. You will be pleasantly surprised at the positive difference it makes in your emotional and physical health.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Most of us eat 80 percent acid foods and 20 percent alkaline foods and just the opposite ratio is the one that will guide you to disease-free vibrant health - for life!

What are we to do? Become rabbits and eat carrots and celery all day? No way! There are too many foods to love and too much variety to enjoy. Too much we can't give up, at least not overnight.

The answer is simple...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/energy-greens

It's true. This is not about merely relieving symptoms, but a way to help protect against colds and flu in the first place...

Just think of it... no more runny or stuffy nose ...no more coughing and sneezing all day long... no more feeling you can't get warm enough no matter how many layers you have on.

And no more spending a fortune for drugstore "medicines" that may temporarily relieve your symptoms, but only make you drowsy and all dried out.

Read on to learn more about seven of the world's most potent immunity builders in one safe, easy-to-take capsule...

http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/anti-virall

Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant Living^TM

To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245
or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com

* The antioxidants, Vitamins A, C, E. As stated earlier, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in third world countries. Vitamin C is a major antioxidant and is found in concentrations in both the lens and the vitreous humor (the liquid found between the lens and the retina) 10-15 times higher than in the blood. Lack of vitamin E in animal studies resulted in damage to the structure of the retina.

* B-complex vitamins are important in cell functions and in the recycling of antioxidants.

* Minerals like zinc and selenium are essential for eye health. Several studies are focusing on the role that zinc plays in ARMD while selenium is a key component of glutathione an important enzyme for eye health.

* The brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain a wealth of the phytonutrients that are necessary for maintaining the maximum eye health. Remember this " if its bright, its right". Many phytonutrients are essential for better vision as you age.