IVL Products Health Watch - August, 2008
The Official IVL Products Health Blog

In This Issue...

 Discover The Health Enhancing Benefits Of Lignans
 Can the World’s Longest Living Thing Help You Live Longer Too?
 Are you ready to HEAR AGAIN all the sounds you hold dear?

Dear Reader, 

During the past few years holistic practitioners and other health experts have become increasingly sold on the health benefits of lignans. Lignans are a unique group of phytochemicals (plant chemicals) known as phytoestrogens, estrogen-like compounds that also act as antioxidants. Phytoestrogens, in addition to their antioxidant activity, may reduce the risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers, like breast cancer, by binding to estrogen receptors and thus preventing estrogen attachment.

The most noted of the phytoestrogens are the isoflavones of soybeans. Isoflavones have helped give soy its reputation as a health-promoting food. Lignans may do the same for foods like flax, already becoming popular for its content of omega-3 fatty acids.

Lignans have been associated with improved prostate health, stronger bones, cancer prevention, better heart health and reduction of inflammation. A diet rich in lignans is believed to reduce the size, aggressiveness and severity of tumors in mice that have been genetically engineered to develop prostate cancer, according to new research from Duke University Medical Center in the US.

One of the best sources of lignans is flaxseed. Contrary to popular belief, flaxseed is not a “new” discovery. Ancient Egyptians and Greek physicians (like Hippocrates) touted its ability to cure various ills. In the 8th century A.D., King Charlemagne believed that flax was so essential to health that he wrote a series of laws requiring his subjects to consume a certain amount each year.

More recently, classic herbal medicine texts have recommended flaxseed oil to relieve stomach and intestinal problems, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and colds. Flax is found in many edible forms like ground or whole seeds and oils and it is also an ingredient in some types of breads, muffins and cereals. As a food, flax contains a mix of beneficial nutrients, including fiber. Many people add flaxseed oil to foods to enrich their intake of important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. Ground flaxseed can be sprinkled on many dishes from salads to pasta and vegetables. It can also be consumed as flaxseed oil for use in salad dressings or mixed in with yogurts.

A truly amazing new discovery is that the best producer of the anti-aging nutrient, enterolactone, is the lignan found exclusively in the knot wood of the Norway spruce, and it’s much more concentrated than in the runner-up source, unrefined flax seed.

Most of us do not get enough lignans in our diet, therefore the amount of lignans available to us from our food is small. Fortunately, lignans are available in supplement form. In fact the market for lignan supplements has nearly tripled in the past two years as people have become increasingly aware of the benefits. Consider adding lignans to your diet to boost your immune system and help you achieve optimum health.

Yours in good health,


Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Can the World’s Longest Living Thing Help You Live Longer Too?

The amazing super-nutrient that's taken Europe by storm is found only in the knot wood of the Norway spruce tree. According to the National Geographic, one Norway spruce has been alive for over 9,500 years!

This super-nutrient is said to have 300% more anti-aging, disease-fighting power than any other nutrient!

Now, the longer-life secret of the world’s oldest living thing is found in a single super-powerful supplement: Life-Tree HMRlignans™


 

Are you ready to HEAR AGAIN all the sounds you hold dear?

RECONNECT™ is the 100% natural way to MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE ringing, whistling, roaring, hissing, chirping, buzzing, and cricket sounds in your ears. It combines amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs and antioxidants into ONE powerhouse, proprietary formula – unlike any other, to promote the health of the ear and to help prevent additional hearing loss, or in some cases restore hearing.

WITH RECONNECT™ your hearing restoration is accomplished in two ways. The first is to promote the health of the circulatory system while the second is to provide the super nutrient and antioxidant support that the inner ear needs to repair, rebuild and renew itself.

Lots of other hearing formulas promise a broad range of ingredients, but there are none like RECONNECT™ that contain such a powerhouse spectrum of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs and antioxidants –15 targeted super nutrients in all.


Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM

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


Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

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.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:18:58 PM (US Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Healthy Living  |  Trackback

In This Issue...

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"...In Times Like These???

Dear Reader,

Back in 1988, musician Bobby McFerrin wrote the song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," which went on to win Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal.  Well, Bobby, that sure seems more easily said than done! Many
of us might look back at 1988 and think of it as a simpler time, an easier time.  Yet every "time" we live in brings with it various ups and downs.  But right now feels as though our current time is wrought with more problems than usual, and problems on a much larger scale.  Many people feel steeped in stress, surrounded by bad news in every direction.  TV news, radio, newspapers, all bring to us the daily distress and disasters that seem to be plaguing humanity at every turn.

So how do we not worry, and be happy, while trying to deal with the barrage of bad news that seems to surround us on all sides?  How do we not stick our heads in the sand, yet still protect ourselves from all this negativity?  There are two major ways to help yourself and the global community. It may sound simple, but it's true:  think positively and take the best possible care of yourself.  By thinking positively, and consciously speaking more positively, you are sharing the "good stuff" with yourself and everyone around you.  There's a saying that each positive thought is 100 times more powerful than a negative thought.  By taking the best care of yourself, you're in a much better position to contribute the best YOU to yourself, your family and the world.  Here are a few ideas to help you along the way:

Take a break from the news.  It's one thing to keep informed, but it's another thing to be a chronic news watcher.  Bad news is toxic.  Keep a news diary for a week or two; and take a realistic look of how much news you're getting.  You don't have to eliminate it all, but chances are you can drastically decrease it, and you can still be informed of what's going on in the world.

Do not watch the news before going to sleep--why drag that negative energy into your mind before trying to rest your mind?  Instead watch or read something positive before going to sleep.  Chances are your dreams will be much sweeter!  On your commutes, try to listen to happy music, rather than listening to bad news while on your daily travels.  In fact, while detoxifying your mind you can just as easily detoxify your body while you sleep!

Make a change!!  A change of scenery is like a change in seasons: it helps to take us out of our daily routine, and reminds us to appreciate each moment and place. Think about some fun, positive places or things you've wanted to see or do, and make a point to include them in your life as much as possible.

Change your exercise routine.  Certain types of exercise are particularly beneficial from a mental perspective.  For instance, strength training using resistance bands, free weights or weight machines can help you to feel more personal empowerment.  Aerobic exercise, such as swimming, dance, or cardio machines can foster a cheerier outlook, by boosting the mood and energy levels. (Personally, I enjoy a morning bounce on my Healthbounder mini-trampoline. I've learned that it's impossible to worry and bounce at the same time!)  For nerve-calming exercise, try tai chi, yoga or Pilates, which emphasize a mind-body connection and are often useful in preventing and managing stress. Studies have shown these calming exercises tend to help lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.  And don't forget to replenish your body with all the necessary nutrients you expend during all that exercise!

Visualize a great day.  Take a few quiet moments in the morning to program your mind about the kind of day you'd like to have.  Get into a calm mindset, and decide to have a super day!  If anything starts to be less than you've envisioned, just take a deep breath, deal with what you have to deal with, and calmly move on.

Find a source of joy.  Look for something that makes you feel so good that you can't wait to get back to it.  Anything from dancing, painting, beading, artwork, gardening, bowling--whatever!! If it brings you happiness, then make a point to include it in your life as much as possible.

It's never too early for thanksgiving!  A mindset of gratitude is the core essence of inner peace. We are each surrounded by beauty and abundance; some people see it, some don't.  Create a gratitude journal and write about all the things, people, places and love in your life that you are grateful for.  Envision your cup as full, and it will greatly increase your potential of having it and keeping it full to the brim with joy.

Take a break and do nothing!  We tend to fill our lives and schedules clear to the top, and wonder why we feel pressured.  Learn to say no to some things, and schedule in time for NOTHING.  Decide to keep a day with no commitments clear, and write in your calendar, "do nothing."  See what happens. 

Become a "mono-tasker."  Many people struggle with doing nothing because their minds are busy racing to the next multi-tasking situation.  Become a mono-tasker, and intentionally do one thing at a time, with focus and concentration.  Not only will you do a better job, but you're mind will have a chance to give its full attention to only one thing for a change. 

Observe your breath.  Bring your attention to your breath; observing the inhale as it fills you, and the exhale release.  While in this state of breath observation, stress is brought to a halt.  Close your eyes, sit straight, feet on the floor and simply observe the breath right now.  To focus on the breath is to focus on right now.  While breathing consciously and deeply, you stop thinking about the past; you quit worrying about the future.  You simply breathe into the moment, which is the only moment; right now.

Listen to your heart.  During stressful times, if you listen to your inner voice, and become attuned to how you are truly feeling inside, you begin to see what is really important in your life.  Learn to reduce stress by effectively prioritizing what--and who--is important, and move forward from there.  We often spend useless hours worrying about things and situations that never even manifest. When you start to feel stressed about something, pause and ask yourself, is this really important?
 
So with just a few positive ideas, maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to not worry, and to truly be happy.  Maybe "Don't Worry, Be Happy" isn't as difficult as it sounds.  Perhaps peace is an inside job! 

Yours in good health,


Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Brought to you by The Institute for Vibrant LivingTM

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


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.

Monday, August 11, 2008 5:59:05 PM (US Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Healthy Living  |  Trackback

In This Issue...

 Bee Healthy, Bee Happy — And Feel Super!
 Failing Eyesight is Not an Inevitable Part of Aging
 How Can the Rooster Help Men and Women Keep Their Joints & Muscles Free of Pain?

Dear Reader,

If you were stuck on a desert island with only one thing to eat, which food would you chose? Chocolate? Nah, sorry. Corn? Doubtful. Brown rice? Maybe. While brown rice is thought to contain the perfect balance of acidity and alkalinity, it might have what you need to survive, but you sure wouldn't thrive on brown rice alone. So what food do you think you could survive and flourish with, on our imaginary desert island?

Well, the answer might surprise you, but it's bee pollen. Bee pollen has been shown to be one of nature's most completely nourishing foods. Bee pollen is a "superfood" and contains nearly all the nutrients required by the human body. Bee pollen can give your energy level a super boost too! About half of the protein in bee pollen is in the form of free amino acids, ready to be used immediately and directly by the body. Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein.

All of the essential components of life are contained in humble bee pollen. These rejuvenating, health-building elements remarkably exceed the elements contained in brewer's yeast or in wheat germ. Bee pollen corrects unbalanced nutrition, common in so many of our modern-day diets. Bee pollen is considered an energy and nutritive tonic in many cultures throughout the world. Bee pollen has an amazing number of health applications including improving endurance and vitality, extending longevity, aiding recovery from chronic illness, adding weight during convalescence, reducing cravings and addictions, regulating the intestines, building new blood, preventing infectious diseases such as colds and flu, and helping to overcome developmental problems in children. Bee pollen is a natural anti-biotic, and it is thought to help protect against radiation and to have anti-cancer qualities.

Bee pollen contains all the nutrients necessary to sustain life. Bee-gathered pollens are rich in proteins, free amino acids, vitamins, including B-complex, and folic acid. Bee pollen is truly an amazingly complete food, and it contains many elements that animal products do not possess. Bee pollen is richer in proteins than any animal source. It contains more amino acids than beef, eggs, or cheese of equal weight.

According to researchers at the Institute of Apiculture in Russia, "Honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries. Pollen is extremely rich in rutin and may have the highest content of any source, plus it provides a high content of the nuclei's RNA [ribonucleic acid] and DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid]."

Farmer's markets that carry honey and bee products often sell fresh bee pollen. You can simply swallow it with water or juice, or you can add it to smoothies, or muffins and sweet breads, or top off your morning cereal with it. It tastes sweet, kind of like crunchy honey. Many people take a spoonful of bee pollen mid-morning and mid-afternoon to naturally and safely balance their blood sugar levels.

So what do carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, pumpkins, onions, apples, squash, blueberries, avocados, cherries and almonds all have in common? None of these delicious and vital sources of vitamins and minerals can grow without the pollinating help of honeybees. Without these hardworking honeybees, none of these fruits and vegetables, or any flowering plants, would be able to survive. We rely on the efforts of healthy honeybees every day of our lives.

The awareness of the health properties of bee pollen seems to be increasing; however, beekeepers have been reporting the strange disappearance of bee colonies over the last few years. It seems that seemingly healthy bees were simply abandoning their hives en masse, never to return. Researchers are calling the mass disappearance Colony Collapse Disorder, and estimate that nearly one-third of all honeybee colonies in the country have vanished.

While scientists have not determined the exact cause of this phenomenon, they do believe a combination of factors could be making bees sick, including pesticide exposure, an inadequate food supply, and a new virus that targets bees' immune systems. While more research is needed to determine the exact cause of this problem, the Natural Resources Defense Council has a few tips to share that can help the bees, and help humans, since our food source relies on healthy bees.

Bee Friendly, Bee Safe: Here's How

Bees play a central role in our food supply. Congress has held hearings on the issue of vanishing honeybees, but needs to take quick action to support further scientific research into Colony Collapse Disorder, and help beekeepers affected by the disorder to revive their hives so our crops can keep growing. You can help keep bees healthy by making your yard and garden colorful, diverse and pesticide free. Here are some tips on how you can Bee Safe:

  • Bee Native: Use local and native plants in your yard and garden. These plants thrive easily and are well suited for local bee populations, providing pollen and nectar for bees to eat.
  • Bee Diverse: Plant lots of different kinds of plants in your yard. Plant diversity ensures that your garden attracts many different varieties of bees and gives them a range of flowering plants to choose from throughout the year. Make sure your yard plants vary in:
  • Color: Bees have good vision and are attracted to several different colors of flowers.
  • Shape: Different species of bees are better suited for different shapes of flowers. Give your bees some variety!
  • Flowering times: Having a sequence of plant species that flower throughout the year helps sustain the food supply and attract different species of bees.

  • Bee Open to Pollen: Pollen is bee food. Genetically engineered pollen-free plants trick bees into thinking they'll find food, and then leave them hungry. (Don't worry; flower pollen isn't a big contributor to most people's allergies.)
  • Bee Pesticide Wary: There are many natural methods to control pests in your garden. Researchers believe pesticides are a contributing factor to Colony Collapse Disorder. Moreover, some insecticides are harmful to bees and wipe out flowers that provide bees with food. If you must, use targeted pesticides and spray at night -- when bees are not active -- on dry days.

Luckily, we don't have to rely on one type of food to survive... but if we did, bee pollen would bee a good choice.

Yours in good health,


Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Failing Eyesight is Not an Inevitable Part of Aging

  • Prevent general oxidation-damage to your vision
  • Improve your night vision
  • Improve the microcirculation of retinal tissue
  • Protect your eyes from harmful sunlight
  • Keep your eyesight sharp and clear forever!

What are the two biggest culprits behind eye problems? Oddly enough, sunlight and pollution.

Your eyes (and mine) enjoy almost no protection from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. This bombardment of UV rays leads to free-radical damage responsible for the vast majority of vision problems.

Worse yet, because most of us live in or near cities, your eyes are overexposed to pollution and suffer from more free radical damage than any other organ in your body. Now for the good news.

The latest medical research reveals you can combat and defeat this constant, ever increasing free radical assault on your eyes by feeding your body with high powered, targeted antioxidants.


 

How Can the Rooster Help Men and Women
Keep Their Joints & Muscles Free of Pain?

100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, foot pain - you name it, we've got pain, all day, every day. In fact, joint and muscle pain cause more disability and missed work days than cancer and heart disease combined.

As we age, our joints and muscles lose Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and HA is the critical lubricant for your healthy joints, skin and eyes. This joint dryness is the principal reason why your cartilage - the shock absorber between your joints - becomes malnourished and starved, and why it starts to break down and disintegrate, causing terrible pain with each step.

HA is extracted from Rooster Comb and it's the best source for providing your body with a low molecular weight source of HA, which means higher absorption. HA is odorless, neutral in color, water-soluble and classified as a food. It is 100% natural and has shown to be effective in maintaining skin elasticity, joint flexibility and sharp vision among adults.


Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM

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


Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

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.


Friday, August 01, 2008 6:11:05 PM (US Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Healthy Living  |  Trackback