Children and Autism: Many nutrients have been clinically shown to play a role in kids’ health:

Children and Autism

Autism is a severe developmental disorder that is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but have issues in areas of communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. It’s currently unexplained, but the prevalence of autism in males is 4:1 compared to females. There are milder versions of autism, such as Asperger’s Syndrome, that are referred to as being on the autism spectrum.

Some common symptoms of autism include decreased social interaction, an aversion to physical contact, repetitive behaviors such as rocking or hand-flapping, poor eye contact, insensitivity to pain, hyperactivity, and attention deficits, to name a few. There is also a very high incidence of gastrointestinal problems, auto-immune disease and mental retardation in those with autism. In fact, 90% of these children suffer from gastrointestinal challenges. Autistic individuals also have reduced glutathione levels, which contribute to higher oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress may explain the high incidences of gastrointestinal and immune abnormalities seen in autism.

Many nutrients have been clinically shown to play a role in kids’ health:

Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin and minerals are essential components for numerous processes in the body related to growth and development.  Get all your vitamins and minerals  here.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Multivitamin

Beta-Carotene is a nutrient found in plants that the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A may be useful for the treatment of autism because it is involved in cell growth and differentiation in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and brain; areas that are problematic for those with autism. Some studies have reported improvements among autistic individuals supplemented with vitamin A, such as language, eye contact, socialization and sleep patterns. Vitamin A deficiency is also common among those with autism. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for vitamin A is 22:1, meaning when supplemented with beta-carotene, 22 autistic individuals got better for every 1 that got worse.

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B6. The conversion of B6 to P5P in the liver can be problematic for some autistic children, so it is best to use the P5P form. This form has not been associated with toxicity. Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for numerous metabolic pathways in the body. One specific function is its involvement in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain and peripheral nerve cells, which are critical for the development of language, attention, alertness, etc. B6 is also required for the production of glutathione which is crucial for detoxification. Another proposed mechanism of action is the role of vitamin B6 as a cofactor for enzymes that degrade oxalates (organic compounds that appear increased in autistic individuals). Vitamin B6 is the most studied nutrient among autistic children and is often given in combination with magnesium.

Significant improvements in common autism symptoms, such as behavior, better eye contact, fewer tantrums, improved sleep patterns, better speech, etc., have been consistently reported using vitamin B6 and magnesium. In fact, the combination of B6 and magnesium has been described by many as a “breakthrough autism intervention.”

Methylcobalamin (B12) is a water-soluble vitamin needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication, and production of the mood-affecting substance SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). B12 is a necessary component for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in the body. Because those with autism may have fewer beneficial bacteria in the gut to make vitamin B12 or they have a reduced synthesis of Intrinsic Factor, or more simply, autistic children don’t get enough B12 in their diet due to their food choices, a deficiency is common.

Folic Acid (Folinic acid) is essential for numerous processes in the body and is critical for development of the nervous system. Folinic acid is the metabolically active form of folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin essential for numerous processes in the body and is critical for development of the nervous system. Additionally, folic acid aids in the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to glutathione, and this antioxidant is extremely important in autistic individuals.

Many studies have documented improvements in sleep, communication, social interaction and other behaviors with supplementation with folic acid in autistic individuals. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for folic acid is 11:1, meaning 11 autistic individuals supplementing with folic acid got better for every one that got worse.

Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, synthesize proteins, aid in the development and maintenance of the brain, help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among many other functions. When zinc levels are down, copper levels are often increased. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, 90% of autistic children have this abnormal zinc to copper ratio. Because zinc helps facilitate the excretion of excess copper, it is important to make sure a multivitamin has an adequate amount of zinc. The B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for zinc is 17:1.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Probiotics

Probiotics play a critical role in achieving optimal digestive health and help children maintain a bacterial balance within their digestive tracts. The digestive system naturally houses trillions of “good” bacteria that directly help the body digest, modify and convert the foods we eat, but disruptions to these populations of probiotics (good bacteria) are common. Probiotics must be kept at normal levels in order to overwhelm the other bacteria, which may begin to run rampant in the event the good bacteria levels decrease. There are numerous strains of probiotics, all of which work to maintain optimal bacterial balance, promote bowel regularity and stomach comfort, improve gastrointestinal health and support the digestive system. Some important strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium infantis.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are a key component in the digestive system and collectively support the breakdown of complex macromolecules into energy sources and promote the release of the nutrient content from the foods we eat. Ingredients such as DigeZyme® (which is a multi-enzyme complex composed mainly of amylases, proteases and lipases), sucrase and maltase supplement the gastrointestinal tract with enzymes to adequately support the body’s ability to digest food. In addition to the physical discomfort caused by poor digestion, undigested (and consequently unabsorbed) food in the gastrointestinal tract serves as fuel to intestinal microbes, causing them to overpopulate and ferment. These fermenting microbes lower the pH of the colon and increase bacterial toxins in the gut. Supplementation with digestive enzymes provides the body with the additional support it needs for proper digestion. In addition to abdominal discomfort, there is also a connection between the function of the digestive system and the brain. Research suggests that promoting normal digestion may in turn support physical health.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum OPC-3 with Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol® is natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France. This pine bark extract is an all natural combination of proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. It is one of the most potent antioxidants backed by clinical research. As one of the most potent natural scavenger of free radicals, Pycnogenol combats many aggressive free radicals before they cause oxidative stress to vital organs. Trebaticka et al treated 61 children with ADHD with Pycnogenol for 1 month. They saw a significant reduction in hyperactivity, as well as improved attention, coordination and concentration. The placebo group had no positive effects, and one month after termination of Pycnogenol administration a relapse of symptoms was noted.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions. It is essential for tissue repair, wound and bone healing, immune function among other things. Its role as a cofactor for dopamine production may help to explain the improvement in symptoms of those with autism when supplemented with vitamin C. One study even showed an improvement in sensory motor scores and sleep patterns. Also, several studies have shown children with autism have significant oxidative stress, so supplementing with a proven antioxidant, like vitamin C, is helpful in combating free radicals. Vitamin C also elevates glutathione levels, another important antioxidant in the body. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for vitamin C is 16:1.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “essential”: they are vital for life and they are not able to be produced by the body. While most other nutrients – vitamins and minerals, for example – can be synthesized by the body, certain omega-3s (including EPA and DHA) cannot. They are especially important in childhood, when the brain – which is made up of approximately 60 percent fat – and immune system are developing.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3

Unfortunately, many children are not receiving adequate omega-3 fatty acids from food sources. According to the American Dietetic Association and the Dieticians of Canada, nine out of 10 children are deficient in the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Children need ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to support their brain and immune health. Ensure your children receive the omega-3s they need with Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3.*

for more Information go to Explore Supplements

To find children’s health products or more information about children’s health products, click here.

Simple steps to help ensure a longer life span. Rules for Immortality

Simple steps to help ensure a longer life span.

Rules for Immortality 

from Dr. Ronald Klatz and Dr. Robert Goldman: Who Wants to Live to Be 150?

• Drive a big car (2,800 pounds or more)
• Avoid stress and depression.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.
• Sleep seven to eight hours a night.
• Consume little or no alcohol.
• Don’t smoke.
• Try to keep your weight at, or even five percent lower, than the ideal body weight (IBW).
• Maintain optimum antioxidant vitamin blood levels.
• Drink eight to ten glasses of water per day.
• Get blood tests and comprehensive anti-aging physical exams yearly, early detection is key in both heart disease and cancer.
• Limit harmful fats in your diet.
• Think young.
• Do not accept “just getting old”.

And remember the three rules for immortality:

1. DON’T DIE!

2. DON’T GET SICK!

3. DON’T GET OLD BIOLOGICALLY!

Bioavailable curcumin matches prescription drug for joint health benefits

Bioavailable curcumin matches prescription
drug for joint health benefits
Supplements of a patented, high bioavailability curcumin may match a prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug for joint health benefits, but with fewer side effects, suggests new data. 

Eight weeks of 1 gram per day of the patented curcumin ingredient BCM-95 provided the same reductions in swelling and pain as 100 milligrams per day of the prescription drug diclofenac sodium, according to findings published in Phytotherapy Research.
In addition, Dr Ajay Goel from Baylor University Medical Center (USA) and Dr Binu Chandran from the Nirmala Medical Centre (India) report that there were no drop outs due to adverse effects in the curcumin group, but 14% of participants in the diclofenac sodium group withdrew due to adverse effects.
“The drugs used for people with rheumatoid arthritis can have severe adverse effects,” explained Goel. “Our study is the first to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, and highlights the need for future large-scale trials to further validate these findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions.”

Try This Curcumin with BCM-95

To read more about joint health, glucosamine, curcumin and the anti-inflammatory effects click here

Bottom Line is:

“Our observations that curcumin alone was able to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in this study are quite encouraging, and these results provide an ideal springboard for investigating the potential of curcumin in other chronic diseases arising in the setting of dysregulated chronic inflammation."  

      

7 Ways to Become Healthier Today

7 Ways to Become Healthier Today

7 things to do starting today 

" One thing we Americans have going for us: We are always up for a challenge. So try these healthful Blue Zone-and Cold Spot-inspired ideas.

• Take 20% off. "In every Blue Zone, they eat less than we do, by at least 20%," Buettner says. One trick for slashing portions: "Instead of putting big platters of food at the center of the table, fill each plate at the counter," Buettner says.
• Pile on the plants. Not only are plant-based diets rich in antioxidants and other good-for-you nutrients, they're also better for your waistline. "A plate of food in Okinawa has one-fifth the calorie density of a typical American meal," Buettner says. "You can chow down for a fraction of the calories." Buettner suggests thinking of meat as a condiment rather than the main event, and subbing in more beans, legumes, and nuts.
• Learn to love the foods that love you back. A diet of berries and elk or tofu and sea vegetables might seem utterly foreign-but taste buds can be retrained. "Americans love fat, salt, and sugar because that's what 9 of 10 we're used to," Katz says. "But studies show that if you eat more wholesome foods, you can learn to prefer them." An easy way to start: Search for stealth sugar, which Katz says is found in many packaged foods. "Once you get rid of that hidden sugar, you'll start to prefer less-sweet foods," he notes.
• Sit down-and slow down. It might be too much to cook every meal. But we can sit at a table to eat our takeout instead of scarfing it down in the car. Savor each bite as the French do; stretch your meals out for 20 whole minutes. You'll end up eating less and enjoying more.
• Get up. "The longest-living people don't think of exercise as a chore," Buettner says. Instead, little bits of movement are a constant part of their everyday lives. Make like a French woman and take a short walk after dinner. Shovel your own snow instead of paying the kid next door; make extra trips carrying laundry up and down the stairs.
• Get out. Every Blue Zone is known for its strong social and family bonds. Besides spending quality time at home with family, surround yourself with healthy-living friends-good health habits are contagious, research shows. Be sure to get involved in your community, too, whether it's at church, a gardening group, or a volunteer organization. These connections can add years to your life, Buettner says.
• Take it easy. Even the world's healthiest people get stressed out sometimes. What they all have, Buettner says, are daily strategies to shed stress. Meditate, go for a run, make a dinner date with your best friend-and don't worry about your inability to be a French woman or a Greek farmer.

It's OK to enjoy the occasional cheeseburger. What matters is a cumulative lifestyle pattern of enjoying healthful food, staying connected to others, and keeping yourself moving. That's how I plan to live to be 100 in the Brooklyn Blue Zone.
to read more click here

Introducing! Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula.

Introducing!
Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula. 

Designed for both men and women, this powerful anti-aging antioxidant delivers health support for the heart, eyes, skin and muscles with 6 mg of precision-cultivated AstaREAL^® astaxanthin.* Learn more about Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula at marketamerica.com!

Primary Benefits of Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula:

• Supports cardiovascular health*
• Helps maintain normal cholesterol levels by helping to maintain normal serum* triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels*
• Promotes healthy blood flow to and from the heart, supporting the body's delivery of nutrients and removal of wastes*
• Helps maintain normal blood pressure*
• Protects LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidative stress, which promotes healthy arteries*
• Promotes healthy vision* 
• Helps to prevent oxidative stress in the eye* 
• Helps reduce the occurrence of occasional eye fatigue and eye strain associated with visual electronics*
• Supports healthy blood flow in the eye, promoting nourishment for the eye and helping to maintain proper eye function* 
• Supports healthy visual focus*
• Provides powerful antioxidant defense*
• Promotes healthy skin by improving skin moisture and helping to maintain skin elasticity*
• Supports muscle endurance and muscle performance by protecting the skeletal muscle from oxidative stress generated by physical activity*

Learn More here

Isotonix®: Shop Your Favorite Brands at SHOP.COM

The Science and

Advantage of Isotonix

Healthy supplementation is about more than just ingredients; it’s about delivery and absorption. by Dr. Jim Wilmer

The Advantage

When we eat food, drink a beverage, or ingest most nutritional supplements, the stomach must secrete diluting juices, enzymes, hydrochloric acid and at least one vitamin-binding protein to begin the process of digestion. This process requires both energy and time — about 40 minutes or more, depending on the size of the meal. Isotonix products are delivered into the small intestine nutritionally concentrated, maximizing the opportunity for absorption of nutrients across cell membranes.

What Is Isotonic?
Isotonix® is a word, and that’s all to a lot of people. What does it mean? Broken down to its roots, “iso” means “the same” and “tonic” means “pressure” or “tone.” When isotonic is used to describe solutions for human consumption, it means having the same fluid pressure as body fluids. Tears, blood, plasma, lymph and other body fluids are all isotonic.

When we ingest food, gastric (or stomach) juice is secreted onto the food and muscular contractions of the stomach mix the contents until a reasonably uniform solution is achieved. The solutions of food (or chyme) that enter the small intestine for absorption are made isotonic by the action of the stomach in a time-consuming process. The fluid pressure of food or isotonic solutions across semi-permeable membranes, such as the walls of the small intestine, is generally referred to as having a particular osmolarity or tonicity. It can be said that when solutions on opposite sides of the membrane have the same osmolarity, they are iso-osmotic or iso-tonic. Normal human blood serum (the fluid portion without cells and platelets) has an osmolarity of 288mOs/kg, as do most other fl uids in the body. Therefore, in physiological terms, when a solution’s osmolarity is the same, or nearly the same, as that of normal human blood serum, it is referred to as isotonic.

Gastric Emptying Time

Why is gastric emptying so important? The answer is simply this: the longer the supplements stay in the stomach, the longer the time before absorption can begin, because no appreciable absorption occurs from the stomach.  Why is gastric emptying time stressed when talking about Isotonix?  Because the fastest emptying time occurs when isotonic solutions enter the stomach.  When the biological sensors in the gastrointestinal tract detect that the ingested solution is isotonic and at a correct pH, the pyloric or duodenal valve at the lower end of the stomach remains open and the solution is squirted into the small intestine. Absorption of the nutrients by the intestinal mucosa then starts to occur.

Concentration and Absorption

Concentration and absorption are factors that go hand in hand for the proper use of nutritional supplements.  Concentration, the amount of nutrient dissolved in a given amount of solution, is directly related to the efficiency of nutritional absorption. It is known that the greater the concentration (as milligrams of nutrient per milliliter of solution at the absorption site), the greater

the rate and amount of absorption. Because Isotonix solutions experience little dilution in the gastrointestinal tract, they arrive at the absorption sites in high concentration to assure effi cient absorption.  Isotonix®

Jim L. Wilmer, Ph. D. is Chief Science Officer at Market America and has been employed by the company for over 15 years. He earned a doctorate from Cornell University in environmental toxicology (1991), a master of science in biolog y from East Tennessee State University (1974), and a bachelor of science from Wofford College (1972). Dr. Wilmer has 44 peer-reviewed publications in journals, including Cancer Research, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Mutation Research, Environmental Mutagenesis, Cell Biology and Toxicology, Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics, Angiology, and Phytotherapy Research.

Ten Tips to to avoid holiday weight gain

Research shows most adults gain 5-10 pounds over the holidays.  But don't despair, because this year can be different. How can you try to maintain your weight during such a tempting time? 

Here are a few tips to serve to surviving the holidays.

1. Get moving. Though it's tempting around the holidays, you shouldn't skip your workout. Exercise is a great way to burn those extra calories you may be taking in this time of year.

2. Curb those cravings. Controlling even the slightest chance of coming in contact with tempting foods is one way to effectively reduce your intake. Mentally planned out Halley you will avoid tempting situations.

3. Fruits and veggies. Not cookies and milk. Try to eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Not only is it healthier, it will fill you up faster than traditional snack foods.

4. Limit the sweets. It's okay to allow yourself a cookie or piece of candy doing the holly season. Just remember to compensate for it later in the day by reducing your total caloric intake Wortby bring a few extra calories by exercising.

5. Never go to a party hungry. Before you go, eat a healthy snack Britchen fiber. That way, you won't be creating appetizers and finger foods when you arrive.

6. Small plates, please. Smaller plates will stop you from taking too much food and reduce the risk of
over eating. And try to stick with one serving, not three or four trips.

7. Keep desserts healthy. There are plenty of options the best low-calorie choice is or fruit, Jell-O, putting, unfrosted mini muffin or angel food cake. But remember to get the good stuff in parentheses lean protein, veggies and water in the parentheses before the junk parentheses drinks and desserts.

8. Watch the Alcohol. If you plan to consume an adult beverage, have a light beer or wine instead of a heavy eggnog. After that, stick with Callery free drinks such as unsweetened iced tea, hot tea or coffee. And remember: drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

9. Say no politely. You might feel forced to eat because people keep putting me in front of you. As long as you're polite, you'll find saying no isn't so hard.

10. Focus on socializing. Focus your energy on making conversation with others instead of focusing on foods. Conversation is Callery free.

Take a look what the A4M (www.WorldHealth.net the leading portal for anti-aging and longevity) had to say for Diet Rich in Fruit and Vegetables Can Modify Heart Disease Risk Genes

Side Effects of Statin Drugs - Heart Health Nutrition | Dr. Sinatra

Side Effects of Statin Drugs - Heart Health Nutrition | Dr. Sinatra

Side Effects of Statin Drugs

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 by Stephen Sinatra

Despite positive results in some patients, I’m troubled by several aspects of statin drugs, the powerful medication usually prescribed to help you maintain good cholesterol levels.

The most common side effects reported by statin users are:

• Muscle pain and weakness;
• Flu-like symptoms; and
• Generalized soreness.

Other side effects of statins include: liver dysfunction with elevation of the liver enzymes; problems of the nervous system such as a condition called peripheral neuropathy or polyneuropathy; and total global amnesia, which means forgetting where and who you are for a few minutes to several hours. (If LDL cholesterol levels get too low, they can interfere with neurotransmitter mechanisms in the brain.)

One of the many problems with statins is that they interfere with the body’s production of CoQ10, a natural substance that’s absolutely essential for cellular energy production. Such interference causes fatigue, muscle pain, and, as a Swiss study showed, subtle muscle cell damage—even without symptoms.

Given that the heart is made of muscle tissue, it’s not much of a stretch to think these drugs could lead to diastolic dysfunction and, subsequently, congestive heart failure. Research appears to verify the connection between statins, depletion of CoQ10, and congestive heart failure.

I would never take a statin without the added insurance of supplemental CoQ10. Anyone taking a statin drug for an appropriate reason should be chasing it down with a minimum of 200 mg of hydrosoluble CoQ10.

Adhering to a smart cholesterol lowering diet, like the PAMM diet I talk about so frequently, is a wonderful way to maintain healthy cholesterol. You’d be surprised by how just eating the right foods can help you lower your LDL cholesterol levels, while you increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Did you know: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US! Protect your heart with these great Heart Health products from Market America

Get all of what you may need in one Customized formula for health and longevity from www.CustomizeME.com