Remember last winter when we were shivering in our boots and praying for warmer weather to arrive? Spring and summer should be seasons when we enjoy getting out in the fresh air and sunshine. But when a heat wave hits, our bodies may have precious little time for acclimation. When our bodies are suddenly thrust into high temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness is much greater.

Heat stress is a burden that hot weather places on the heart and blood vessels, which comprise the backbone of the body's cooling system. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable yet thousands of people die each year from extreme heat, according to the Centers For Disease Control. Heat stress can cause medical problems such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart failure and stroke.

Several conditions increase the risk of developing heat related medical problems during periods of very hot weather. Elderly people with heart and circulatory problems, kidney problems, respiratory illnesses, skin diseases or who are obese are at a greater risk during heat waves than other members of the older population. In addition, numerous medications, especially those that interfere with the body's natural temperature control system, can predispose an individual to heat related medical problems.

When the weather is extremely hot you should avoid extreme physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day. Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you must work outside during the day, take plenty of breaks in shady areas or other cool environments.

In addition to medical problems, heat can also have adverse effects on our moods. Ever felt cranky and impatient on an extremely hot and humid day? Hot weather can cause us to become more irritable or short-tempered than we would normally be. In fact, surveys show that the violent crime rate is significantly higher when temperatures soar into the 90s and above.

So what can you do to keep your cool when the weather is extremely hot? Try these tips:

• Take a "time out." Although it may seem cliché, counting to 10 before reacting, or leaving the situation altogether, really can defuse your temper.

• Do something physically exerting. Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. Go for a swim, do some exercises or lift weights in a climate-controlled environment.

• Find ways to calm and soothe yourself. Practice deep-breathing exercises, visualize a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as "take it easy."

• Use humor to release tensions, such as imagining yourself or the other person in silly situations. Don't use sarcasm, though - it's just another form of unhealthy expression.

• Practice relaxation skills. Learning skills to relax and de-stress can also help you control your temper.
  

Yours in good health,

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.

Now there's a clinically-studied and effective formula from India that fights of pain while is boosts brain function.

GET READY to reduce metabolic wastes that trigger body inflammation and you may start to gain NEW flexibility, NEW energy, NEW mental alertness, and NEW cardiovascular health.

Why are Heart Disease and Stroke Linked to Gum Disease?

The surface of healthy mucous membrane in the mouth is rich with antibodies called "immunoglobulins" that protect us from viruses and bacteria.

As we age, the body makes less of them and we have less resistance to the 300 kinds of oral bacteria.

When oral bacteria enter the bloodstream through a gum tear, they have a direct pipeline through the carotid arteries to the brain.

This same bacterial plaque that causes periodontal disease can trigger an immune response and inflammation that, in turn, can cause the arteries to swell. And the swelling of the arterial walls results in a blood flow constriction that can lead to a higher rate of stroke and heart disease.

ORAL GUARD™ DENTAL SPRAY

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The use of probiotics has grown rapidly during the past five years as consumers and medical professionals have come to understand the critical role that "friendly bacteria" (aka the "good guys") can play in helping to maintain health. In fact, the use of probiotics has more than tripled since 2003.

The word probiotic is derived from the Greek word which means "for life." Probiotics are live microbial substances which improve intestinal balance and boost the immune system. Probiotics are found in many cultured dairy products (such as yogurt) and they are available in supplement form at health food stores.

To get the most health benefit from yogurt, look for a "Live and Active Cultures" seal on the label. This indicates a live starter culture was used. L. acidophilus is the most commonly added probiotic in yogurt. Be careful not to choose yogurt that is heavily laden with sugar. Nutritionally speaking, you can't beat plain nonfat yogurt with live active cultures and added probiotics. One cup provides 136 calories, zero grams fat, 14 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrate and 488 milligrams calcium.

The human body is filled with microorganisms (including bacteria) that live on the skin, in the gut and in other orifices. It is vital that the human body have friendly bacteria in order to maintain a strong immune system, and to aid in the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. The overuse of antibiotics in recent years has been detrimental to our nation and has even resulted in some resistant strains of bacteria that can cause serious, even fatal, illnesses.

Probiotics help the body digest foods by breaking them down into their individual components such as fats, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Another function of the friendly bacteria is to prevent or limit the growth of unwanted bad bacteria such as salmonella, clostridia and E. coli that can prevent proper nutrition absorption, create intestinal disturbances and eventually cause more serious illnesses.

Probiotics can help restore intestinal balance and repopulate the intestinal walls with beneficial bacteria that help us break down and digest foods, including those containing lactose. Many people who use probiotics report reduced symptoms of lactose intolerance. By consuming foods with probiotics, you can increase the number of healthy bacteria, boost your immunity, and promote a healthy digestive system.

Yours in good health,

Your colon is a battlefield filled with "friendly" and "unfriendly" bacteria. The friendly bacteria (also known as probiotics) help you to assimilate nutrients. They also prevent the attachment of "unfriendly" microflora, which can dilute the strength of your immune system.

A wide range of both traditional and alternative health professionals now agree that a continually replenished stronghold of "friendly" bacteria is essential for a robust and worry-free digestive system. Unfortunately, levels of "friendly" bacteria rapidly decline with age.

Like no other probiotic formula on the market,VIBRANT FLORA 15/50™ replenishes your colon with the vital microflora to counteract toxic pathogens that threaten your immune system and your colon's equilibrium.

The Length and Quality of Your Life Depends On How Well Your Liver Functions!

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!)

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Valid concerns about the dangers of aspartame have convinced millions of consumers to search for a healthy alternative. Aspartame has been linked to headaches, blurred vision, memory loss, multiple sclerosis, lupus, severe headaches, leg cramps, chronic fatigue and many other ailments. Recently Aspartame came under additional fire when researchers discovered that diet sodas containing the ingredient actually caused people to gain weight because it induces carbohydrate cravings. Children are particularly susceptible to Aspartame side effects and many who were diagnosed with ADD and ADHD became substantially better after this chemical was eliminated from their diets.

So how can you satisfy your family's sweet tooth without endangering their health? The safest way to sweeten anything is with a substance produced by nature. One natural sweetener that has gained popularity in recent years is Xylitol, which occurs naturally in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats and mushrooms. It tastes like sugar, but has 40% fewer calories. Xylitol is not only a safe, natural sweetener without the bad side effects of sugar and artificial substitutes, it's also good for your teeth, stabilizes insulin and hormone levels, and promotes good health. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1963, Xylitol has no known toxic levels.

Xylitol has been used in foods since the 1960s and is considered a safe food additive that does not affect insulin release or lead to tooth decay. In fact, using Xylitol instead of sugar has been shown to reduce tooth decay by 80%.

Pure Xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. Chemically speaking, it is not actually a sugar, but a sugar alcohol. It is different from other sweeteners because it has five, not six, carbon molecules. Sugar and artificial sweeteners are fermented by plaque-forming organisms in the mouth. When the same bacteria ingest Xylitol, their growth and ability to produce plaque becomes severely impaired. Streptococcs mutans, a bacteria commonly associated with tooth decay, is also linked to bronchial infections, pneumonia, sinusitis and middle ear infections.

Xylitol is one of bacteria's natural enemies. When certain harmful bacteria enter the body, they attach to the membranes of the nose and throat and cause infection and sickness. When exposed to Xylitol, harmful bacteria lose their ability to adhere to infected membranes and the bacteria are not able to grow. Unlike most antibiotics, which kill the majority of bacteria and leave the resistant "super bacteria" behind, Xylitol merely flushes harmful bacteria away.

Xylitol looks, feels and tastes exactly like sugar, and leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. It is available in many forms. In its crystalline form, it can replace sugar in cooking, baking, or as a sweetener for beverages. It is also included as an ingredient in chewing gum, mints, and nasal spray.

Yours in good health,

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.

SPRY CHEWING GUM or SPRY MINTS will please you - and your dentist!

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

IMPORTANT POINTS—Whether you walk alone, with your kids, or with your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind for the health of your body, mind and spirit.

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.