DIRECT ACCESS Health Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome to the first edition of DIRECT ACCESS. We are in the midst of a “Self Care Revolution” which is being driven by you, the consumer. Your attention to wellbeing and thousands of others just like you have decided it s time to take a more active role in your healthcare choices and we are heading the call.
For many years, as I sat at my desk consulting with clients, it was my desire to empower those interested in having access to the very information I had at my fingertips.
DIRECT ACCESS is just that…a place where you can learn about practitioner protocols and have direct access to some of the finest nutritional supplements and homeopathic remedies manufactured today.
Keeping It Simple…
Each week in DIRECT ACCESS you will find two sections. The first discussion will pertain to a particular health issue and corresponding protocol (along with access to the unique products I would suggest as a health care practitioner) and the second section will discuss a more acute situation that requires a home pharmacy remedy.
The plan is to get you up to speed on many different types of health issues, and while we have your attention, help you to build a home pharmacy. When was the last time you looked in your medicine cabinet and reviewed its contents? Are you prepared for a cough that keeps you or a family member up all night? How about a topical application for that annoying skin condition? How about a remedy for the first sign of a cold or flu? Well now you will have an opportunity to, over time, build that supply of necessary first aid and acute remedies that will aid in almost any situation.
There are many surprises we ll be rolling out, like discounted products, free shipping opportunities, specialty items and much more. You won t want to miss an issue.
If you decide at any time to discontinue your DIRECT ACCESS newsletter, feel free to unsubscribe at the bottom of the page.
To Your Health,
Elena Upton, PhD
Today s Features:
First Things First, What Supplements Should I Take?
Since Direct Access is all about self-care and the knowledge to make informed decisions, let s start with some basics. A question I m often asked is, “What supplements do you take?” I usually reply that we are all different, therefore need different solutions for our body to function at an optimal level. However, having said that, there are a few basics that almost everyone needs.
A good multivitamin/ mineral combination
A complex mineral only, if your diet is on target
B-complex for stress and brain food
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for brain function and overall health
Supplement your greens
WE NEED MANY ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS EVERY DAY.
Each vitamin and mineral has a specific role in the body, and all the vitamins and minerals are necessary for good health. The goal of a healthy diet is to meet all your nutritional needs first by eating a variety of foods.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are meant as a safety net, not as a replacement for a healthy diet.
Since many people don't receive all of the nutrients they need from their diet, whether they can't or don't eat enough, or because they can't or don't eat a variety of healthy foods, multivitamin-mineral supplements can provide the needed vitamin and minerals that their diets often don't.
THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE THAT TAKING A DAILY MULTIVITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENT MAKES SENSE FOR MOST ADULTS.
In addition, supplements may be required by certain groups of people who have special dietary concerns. Strict vegetarians may need a supplement containing vitamins and minerals they miss from when no animal products (milk, meats, eggs, cheeses) are eaten. Individuals with specific food allergies may also need a supplement. Women of childbearing age need to take a supplement containing 0.4 mg of folic acid together with a diet rich in foods containing folate to prevent birth defects. Pregnant women may need to take a multivitamin-mineral supplement if nutritional intake is inadequate. Older adults may also need a multivitamin-mineral supplement if a poor diet is consumed or if they are unable to eat certain foods. Individuals recovering from surgery or who have specific medical conditions may require a vitamin and mineral supplement to aid in recovery.
While most people get enough vitamins to avoid the classic deficiency diseases, relatively few get enough of five key vitamins that may be important in preventing several chronic diseases.
These include:
Intake of several vitamins and minerals above the minimum daily requirement may prevent heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and other chronic diseases.
One of the few times I suggest suspending a multi-vitamin is during a candida cleanse. In this case, the vitamins feed the candida and it is counter-productive until the candida cleanse is completed.
BALANCING STRESS AND BRAIN FOOD
Did you know that stress “eats up” your B Vitamins and B Vitamins are essential to balanced brain function? That s why a good complex B Vitamin is always part of my daily regimen. Here are a number of other facts about B Vitamins…
Thiamine HCl (Vitamin B1) helps change glucose into energy or fat, helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins and balances nerves.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is necessary for normal cell growth and respiration. It also assists in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, forms some enzymes and is part of some coenzymes. Riboflavin reduces the effects of stress and can help to minimize acne and other skin disorders. It also helps increase immunity and can help prevent free radical damage.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is involved in 50 different metabolic reactions in the body, including glycolysis, cholesterol metabolism, sex hormone synthesis, and proper digestion. Niacin is also important in circulation, healthy activity of the nervous system, and in healthy skin. Niacin is used as nicotinic acid to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Niacin is effective in lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6) helps prevent muscular weakness, converts amino acids and is essential in metabolism of proteins and fats.
Folic Acid helps the body form red blood cells and aids in the formation of genetic material within every body cell.
Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin. B12 is essential in nervous system functions, and it stimulates growth and appetite in children. B12 aids in red blood cell formation, increases energy level, and helps the body to use carbohydrates, fats, and proteins efficiently. Vitamin B12 is also important in RNA and DNA synthesis. Most deficiencies seen today are developed from poor absorption rather than lack of B12 in the diet. Poor absorption may be caused by many factors, including inflammatory bowel disease or gastric surgery. Pernicious anemia is the most common result of B12 deficiency. Many older people have pernicious anemia due to a decrease in intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of B12. B Complex contains intrinsic factor and other ingredients that are essential for B12 absorption.
Biotin (Vitamin H) is important in cell growth and respiration due to its role in RNA and DNA synthesis. Biotin is needed to maintain healthy hair and nails. A deficiency causes premature graying or loss of hair, and brittle finger and toenails. Biotin deficiency also adversely affects the immune system. Biotin is used to treat cradle cap in infants.
Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5) is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol, the release of energy from fats and protein, cell oxidation and synthesis of triglycerides, phospholipids, all steroids and important amines in the brain.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS
If you choose not to take a multi-vitamin, then a mineral supplement is an important choice. There is an aspect of mineral supplementation that is even more important than vitamins, since modern farming practices has stripped most minerals from the soil and a balanced diet alone will no longer fulfill the requirements for good health. Some facts about basic necessary minerals…
Iron is an essential mineral that has many physiologic functions. Iron is part of the hemoglobin and myoglobin molecules that carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also required for enzymes involved in cellular respiration, detoxification, and protection against free radical damage.
Iodine is an essential constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine, tetraiodothyronine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). Iodine deficiency impairs normal growth and development.
Zinc is a component in over 200 enzymes in the body. It is required for a healthy immune system and has been shown to reduce infection and speed wound healing.
Selenium is an effective antioxidant that protects intracellular structures by preventing the formation of damaging free radicals. Selenium slows chemical aging and helps maintain the elasticity of bodily tissues, organs, and the cardiovascular system.
Copper is required for hemoglobin formation, producing and releasing energy, and the development and maintenance of skeletal structures. Copper conducts electrical impulses and helps maintain the myelin sheath around nerve fibers.
Manganese participates in numerous biochemical functions of the body including steroid biosynthesis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and bone and protein formation. It is essential for brain function.
Chromium GTF potentiates insulin's actions and therefore influences carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. It works with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and decrease serum cholesterol.
Calcium is critical to the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. It also plays an important role in controlling the heartbeat, maintaining proper blood pressure, clotting blood, transmitting nerve impulses, contracting and relaxing muscles, and maintaining the integrity of mucousal membranes.
Magnesium is essential to many metabolic reactions, including lipid metabolism, amino acid activation, the glycolytic cycle, and the citric acid cycle. Its primary function is as an enzyme cofactor, thus producing energy, synthesizing lipids and proteins.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FATTY ACID BALANCE
Balance of omega-6 to omega-3 acids is necessary for a healthy body. It is estimated that one hundred years ago diets consisted of a 1:1 omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Today, modern diets often include large amounts of vegetable oils that have high concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are converted to inflammatory prostaglandins while Omega 3 acids are anti-inflammatory, make the blood less sticky, and increase circulation.
The typical American consumes about 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 supplementation benefits the support of cardiovascular health, boosting immune response, promoting brain function and wellness, improving joint mobility and function, and promoting healthy, beautiful skin.
Research released in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association has shown that increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids also has the following benefits:
* Decreased risk of sudden death and arrhythmia, an irregularity in the force or rhythm of the heartbeat
* Decreased thrombosis (blood clot)
* Decreased triglyceride levels
* Decreased growth of atherosclerotic plaque
* Improved arterial health
* Lower blood pressure
The American Heart Association recommends consuming omega-3 fatty acids to protect your heart.
VEGETABLES PROMOTE ALKALIZATION
One of the most important health advantages associated with vegetables is the impact they have on the pH balance of the body.
A powerful dietary alkalizer can change the pH of urine and saliva in a matter of hours from acid to basic. The optimum pH for the urine and saliva is between 6.4 and 6.8.
VEGETABLES PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF NUTRIENTS TO SUPPORT CELLULAR METABOLISM.
They can also contribute to an increase in energy levels –– naturally. Vegetables have been shown to help improve immunity. Chlorophyll and antioxidant vitamins also aid in the detoxification process.
Properties found in vegetables improve the quality and appearance of the hair, skin and nails. Powerful antioxidants found in vegetables protect against free radical damage and help to reduce signs of aging. In addition, vegetable material helps promote a healthy heart by balancing the pH of the body and improving circulation.
One of the most difficult aspects of a healthy diet is the intake of sufficient greens on a daily basis.
I was thrilled to discover Bio–Greens, a proprietary blend of juice extracts from broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, spinach, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, cabbages, celery, kale, asparagus, green peppers, cauliflower, parsley, barley greens, wheat grass, alfalfa, dandelion leaves, spirulina, and chlorella.
Juice powders are derived from juicing the vegetables, and then dehydrating the juice under low heat in order to extract the water content. What is left is a super concentrated form of juice powder. The ratio of juice powder is 33:1, meaning that it takes 33 lbs of vegetables to create 1 lb of powder.
There are many juice concentrates available on the market, but none of them combine the best properties of grass concentrates, vegetable concentrates and concentrates from the whole foods spirulina and chlorella algae, which contain nature's highest levels of chlorophyll, all in one product. You can get all that nutrition in four to six easy to swallow capsules per day. Each capsule is equivalent to 34 ounce of vegetables.
In conclusion, the following are recommendations for basic supplementation to help promote health and wellbeing.
Bio-Naturalvite is a complete vitamin and mineral supplement that meets and exceeds daily minimum requirements.
Super-B consists of a proper balance of B Vitamins needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
Bio Mins is a great mineral supplement that supplies the listed minerals in correct proportions for maximum benefit.
Bio-EPA added to your diet and the monitoring of your omega-6 intake can improve the ratio for a healthier life.
Bio-Greens gives you the benefit of five servings of vegetables in easy to swallow capsules.
Home Pharmacy
Are You Prepared For The Next Cold Or Flu?
The first home pharmacy topic is Immune Enhancement. Since we are in the midst of winter it is important to feed the immune system as much as possible. This of course includes proper diet, sufficient rest, monitoring stress and boosting the body to ward off germs. Learn more…
Vitamin C…our old standby
Vitamin C detoxifies toxins and is effective against small viruses, bacteria of all kinds, certain fungal diseases, drug withdrawal and heavy metal poisoning. Vitamin C protects cells from oxidation, helps form bones and teeth, heals capillary walls, strengthens blood vessels, cartilage, ligaments, and helps prevent hemorrhages. Vitamin C builds intestinal walls, bone marrow and joints. Vitamin C assists in the secretion of hormones from the adrenals, Epinephrine and norepinephrine, and converts folic acid to folinic acids. It has both antihistamine and diuretic actions and promotes healing. Vitamin C also strengthens the lens of the eyes, thereby decreasing cataracts, inflammations and infections of the eyes.
Oscillocox-Flu Drops
Support the immune system and help to abate the uncomfortable symptoms of the flu. Take at the first signs of flu.
OLIVES AND OLIVE LEAVES CONTAIN A DESIRABLE CONCENTRATION OF ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS
The vitamin concentrations in olive leaves are believed to bolster the body's immune system. Olive leaves are known to contain properties that naturally fight both viruses and bacteria.
HEALTH BENEFITS FROM MUSHROOMS
According to Natural Health, mushrooms have unique and varied chemistries, producing a variety of compounds not found elsewhere in nature. The journal asserts that many [mushrooms] increase resistance to all disease agents and promote general health, vitality, and longevity. Some mushrooms have anti-viral and anti-tumor properties. Others have been proven to contain anti-inflammatory agents. Your Health reports that Shiitaki mushrooms, have been found to fight colds and flu and other viral illnesses, prevent tumor growth, aside from enhancing the immune system.
Here are some suggested products to add to your medicine chest so you ll be prepared at the next sign of a cold or flu…
C-1000 TR - 60 Tablet
C-1000 TR - 180 Tablet
C-3000 Powder - 8 OZ
C-3000 Powder - 16 OZ
Oscilliocox-Flu Drops 1 oz
Olive Leaf-Mushroom - 30 Veggie Caps
Olive Leaf-Mushroom - 90 Veggie Caps
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