10 Fat-Burning Foods to Add to Your Shopping List

Fight fat with food simply by picking the right snacks and ingredients. Peta Bee shows you how

Want to lose weight but don’t have the time or the energy to do more at the gym? Then the solution could be to fill your shopping basket with the right fat-burning foods. Here we reveal the top ten foods that are guaranteed to give you a head start in the fat-loss stakes:

GRAPEFRUIT

Remember the grapefruit diet of the 1980s? Well, it wasn’t as faddy as you might think. A study, published in Nutrition & Metabolism showed that a pre-meal snack of grapefruit or grapefruit juice really can boost weight loss. Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that obese adults who consumed half a grapefruit or a glass of 100 per cent grapefruit juice before their three main reduced calorie meals, lost an average 7.1 percent of their body weight - or 15 pounds per person - in 14 weeks.

BLACK PEPPER

When you are asked if you want black pepper sprinkled onto your food, you should always answer ‘yes’. Why? Because Korean scientists reporting in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that piperine - the flavoursome substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste - can block the formation of new fat cells in the body.

CINNAMON

Add a sprinkle of this spice to your breakfast cereal and coffee every day and you could offset some of the ‘fat’ calories you consume. That was the outcome of a study conducted by Penn State University researchers who showed that cinnamon and turmeric reduces the body’s negative responses to high-fat meals. “Normally, when you eat a high-fat meal, you end up with high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood,” said Sheila West, associate professor of biobehavioral health, who led the study. “We found that adding spices to a high-fat meal reduced triglyceride response by about 30 percent.”

EGGS

Long derided as unhealthy, eggs have transformed their image in recent years and are now among the foods most widely accepted to help you shift body fat. Last year, experts at the University of Missouri found that a breakfast rich in protein, such as eggs, significantly improves appetite control and reduces unhealthy snacking on high-fat or high-sugar foods in the evening. Being low in calories (an egg contains only around 75), an egg or two is a great way to fill up without packing on the pounds.

APPLES

When you eat apples, always keep the peel on. Why? Because it is an excellent source of a substance called ‘ursolic acid’ that has been shown to aid fat-burning. Trials on obese rats have shown that those fed ursolic acid (also found in cranberries, rosemary, lavender and prunes) were able to eat more than their counterparts who weren’t given the substance but still lose more weight and gain a greater amount of lean muscle tissue.

GREEN TEA

There have long been rumours that green tea aids weight loss by triggering the body to burn abdominal fat, but can they really be true? Many scientists think so thanks to specific tphytochemicals in green tea called catechins. In 2013 a group of Korean scientists showed how extract of green tea not only aided weight control, but improved symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. Effects were amplified when the green tea was consumed with a compound called polyethylene glycol and researchers said you could easily drink your way to good health by sipping several cups a day.

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries for health

They are packed with beneficial antioxidant vitamins, but that’s not all you get from eating blueberries regularly. Scientists at the University of Michigan showed that obese rats given meals enriched with blueberries lost fat from their stomachs and, they say, the same could be true for humans. In the study, researchers used freeze-dried blueberries crushed into a powder and added two per cent of the preparation to the animals’ meals. ( try Isotonix Orac or Isotonix OPC-3 ) After 90 days, they had less abdominal fat and lower cholesterol. Benefits were linked to the high level of phytochemicals - naturally occurring antioxidants - contained in the fruit. Why not try Vicki Edgson’s blueberry and almond milk smoothie recipe?

ALMONDS

If you have a snack attack, then you could do worse than opt for some almonds. A team of scientists from Pennsylvania State University looked at the effects of consuming a small handful (30 grams) of almonds compared with a calorie-matched, high carbohydrate snack on body weight in 52 adults with raised cholesterol. After 6 weeks, weight loss did not differ between the two groups, but the almond diet proved to be a fat-buster, reducing overall abdominal fat, and waist circumference compared to the other snack.

CHILLIS

Eating chilli peppers, or even milder red peppers to your menu can actually increase your body’s consumption of calories and “oxidise” layers of body fat, found researchers at the University of California. The ‘heat’ in peppers comes from an active ingredient called capsaicin - the hotter the peppers, the more of it you get. Other trials have shown that capsaicnoids in peppers not only boost fat burning but also trigger the stores of ‘good brown fat’, which gobbles calories, into action.

COFFEE

Marley Coffee - 100% Organic

As long as you take it black, then your coffee could aid fat-burning. But so could cola or another caffeinated drink. Sport scientists have previously shown that caffeine consumption prior to exercise can help the body to utilise fat stores before relying on carbohydrate (glycogen) for fuel. And last year, a paper in PLOS One journal that analysed how cyclists responded to a java jolt found those who drank caffeine or coffee moved almost 5 per cent quicker during a workout than those who hadn’t taken the caffeinated beverage. A greater workout output translates to greater calories burned, so it’s a double winner on the fat-burning front.

Healthy Skin From Within

Healthy Skin From Within

Studies support the idea that nourishing the skin via dietary supplementation yields positive results.by Robert M. Blair , Ph.D., Strategic Research Scientist

Healthy Skin From Within

While it is important to take care of our skin the summer with the application of topical products, taking care of our skin by consuming skin-healthy foods and supplements is also important.  Some of the more amusing ingredients to keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy this summer include Pycnogenol, vitamin C, resveratrol and hyaluronic acid.

Pycnogenol 

A number of studies have shown that Pycnogenol can support normal skin health. One of the early studies on Pycnogenol reported that supplementation for eight weeks helped the skin resist effects of ultraviolet rays, suggesting that it can help protect the skin from sunburn.  Another study reported that consumption of Pycnogenol helped to improve skin hydration and elasticity in postmenopausal women. This was possibly due to an observed increase in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of collagen.

Vitamin C

Vitamin see is an antioxidant vitamin that is essential for collagen formation. A recent study reported that consumption of Vitamin C could increase the skins ability to scavenge oxidative free radicals, with a dose of 100 mg vitamin C/day increasing this ability by 22% any dose of 180 mg/day increasing this ability by 37 percent.  A population-based study reported that higher vitamin C consumption was associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance and reduce skin dryness with age.  Combining vitamin C supplementation with vitamin D supplementation has been reported to reduce the skins sensitivity to sunlight.  

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound found in various fruits, nuts, and berries, but is most abundant in the skin and seeds of grapes.  It is April antioxidant it has been reported to have numerous potential health benefits including skin health benefits.  Several in vitro and animal studies have reported that resveratrol can suppress UV – induced skin damage when applied topically; however, few clinical studies have examined the skin health benefits of resveratrol supplementation.  In one recent study, supplementation with a blend of grape extract (containing 8 mg resveratrol) and pomegranate extract for 60 days resulted in an increase in the skin hydration and elasticity and decrease in skin roughness and wrinkle depth.

Flawless Skin From Within

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the major skin matrix substances in which many of the skin's components ( cells, collagen, a lasting, etc.) are embedded, giving structure to the skin.  The loss of hyaluronic acid as we age is thought to be partly responsible for wrinkle formation and the loss of elasticity as we get older. To date only a few studies have examined the benefit of dietary consumption of hyaluronic acid on skin appearance; however, the study suggested consumption of hyaluronic acid might help hydrate the skin and give it a smoother appearance.  A small pilot study demonstrating that the consumption of a blend of a hydrolyzed collagen type two, low – molecular – wait hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate lead to a reduction in skin dryness and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.

While all of these ingredients are excellent choices for supporting healthy summer skin from within, they are also excellent choices to look for in your topical skin care products. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest Pycnogenol, vitamin C, and resveratrol can have anti-aging benefits for the skin and protect the skin from UV induced damage, while hyaluronic acid has been shown to help moisturize the skin at low doses. Combining a topical and dietary approach with skin-healthy ingredients is the ideal approach in order to deliver these ingredients to all the layers of the skin.   Learn more here 

Ingredients That Improve Bone-Joint Health

Bone and joint health is one of the most common areas of health that people deal with on a daily basis. The numbers back it up:

• The CDC reports that 30 percent of Americans experience some type of joint pain each month. That number increases depending on who’s doing the reporting.
• One in five people suffer from chronic pain and the same amount, according to the CDC, have been diagnosed with arthritis by their doctor.
• By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans ages 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

These statistics have led to a surge in the bone & joint health industry, as experts predict that the sale of bone and joint supplements will exceed $9 billion globally by 2017. This booming market has led researchers to identify the top ingredients for bone and joint health – not from a marketing perspective, but to let the public know what actually works to help improve your bone and joint health.

Outside of calcium and vitamin D – long proven to benefit your bones – there are a multitude of ingredients and products claiming to improve your bone and joint health. So what works? Recently, the experts weighed in, and here’s what they found:

Vitamin K: The correlation of vitamin K to cardiovascular and bone health directly focuses on supporting proper calcium utilization. Known as the calcium paradox, it simply means getting calcium in the right place: into the structure of the bone structures instead of the artery walls). One particular form of vitamin K – vitamin K2 – promotes the synthesis of proteins involved with calcium utilization, thereby supporting bone retention and arterial health.

Magnesium: According to researchers, up to 80 percent of people do not get enough magnesium. This can have a lasting effect on bone & joint health, as magnesium is a critical component of the mineralized part of bone and supports the normal metabolism of potassium and calcium in adults. Magnesium – the fourth most abundant mineral in the body – also supports more than 300 enzyme systems, including nerve function, adaptation to stress, metabolism and more.

Glucosamine: Naturally produced by the body and a key component of cartilage, glucosamine is concentrated in joint cartilage, and has been scientifically proven to support healthy joint function and promote the normal production of synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and regenerates cartilage.

Omega 3s: We’ve written about the benefits omega 3 fatty acids have on inflammation before, and the bone and joint health industry is catching up. The American Heart Association has recommended omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of inflammation not just to improve your heart health, but your overall health, as well.

One ingredient the experts failed to mention that has been shown to help the body’s inflammatory response is Pycnogenol. Research has shown that Pycnogenol – a water-soluble, flavonoid complex extracted from the bark of the French Maritime Pine tree – may inhibit the activation of NF-kappa B and AP-1, both of which are proinflammatory mediators. In addition, studies have shown the ability of Pycnogenol to cross-link collagen fibers and strengthen connective tissue proteins.

Autism Linked to decreased microbe diversity in the gut: Study

Autism linked to decreased microbe diversity
in the gut: Study
By Nathan Gray, 03­Jul­2013


The diversity of beneficial bacteria in our guts may be associated with the development of autism, according to the first comprehensive analysis bacterial analysis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The race to map and understand the microbial microflora that inhabits our guts is one of the hottest topics and greatest challenges in current research. The suggested links between the microbiota and a whole range of health conditions and wellness measures – including digestion, body weight, immunity, mood, and heart health – are only now beginning to be understood.
Writing in PLoS One, the research team led by Rosa Krajmalnik­Brown of Arizona State University present findings from the first comprehensive bacterial analysis focusing on commensal – or beneficial – bacteria in children with ASD, finding that children with autism had significantly fewer types of gut bacteria and had significantly lower amounts of three critical bacteria, Prevotella, Coprococcus, and Veillonellaceae.

"One of the reasons we started addressing this topic is the fact that autistic children have a lot of GI problems that can last into adulthood," Krajmalnik­Brown said. "Studies have shown that when we manage these problems, their behaviour improves dramatically."

"We think of Prevotella as a healthy, good thing to have," she added. "We believe that a diverse gut is a healthy gut."

Significant study 
Commenting on the research, Dr Alex Richardson of University of Oxford ­ and founder of UK­based charity Food and Behaviour (FAB) Research ­ suggested that the study is important in confirming that 'distinct abnormalities' of gut microflora are present in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

might-a-mins spectrum probiotics

"Obviously these latest findings are only correlational, but they need following up," she said.

"Given what we know about the very strong links between the health of the brain, the gut and the immune system, we urgently need more research into their possible implications – particularly for developing new treatment approaches," she said.

"Children with autism often have other health problems that an unhealthy balance of gut flora – and its effects on the immune system – might plausibly help to explain."

Richardson added that many parents and health professionals already maintain that dietary changes can not only improve the general health of children with autism, but can also have an impact on the autism symptoms ­ "and there is no question that diet affects the gut microbiome," she added.

Study details
The research team analysed gut microflora from faecal samples in a cohort of 20 healthy and 20 autistic
participants aged between 3 and 16 years using high­throughput method – known as pyrosequencing – which allows many DNA samples to be combined as well as many sequences per sample to be analysed.

might-a-mins spectrum digestive enzymes

In doing so, Krajmalnik­Brown noted that the new study is the first to approach autism from a different angle, by examining the possible role of commensal gut bacteria.

Analysis of the high­ throughput data showed that a lower diversity of gut microbes was positively correlated with the presence of autistic symptoms in the study ­ detecting significantly decreased microbial diversity in the 20 autistic subjects whose faecal samples were analysed.  To learn more about the study click here

To learn more about probiotic supplements that could help improve microbial diversity that could help click here.

The Benefits of Berries

 By Ryan Saba

Berries have been shown to be some of the healthiest foods on the planet.  Low in calories, high in fiber, and containing vitamins and mineral your body needs to function optimally, berries are nutritional powerhouses.

Extremely powerful antioxidants, berries protect your body from inflammation.  With their high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values – a method of measuring antioxidant capacities – berries help to prevent negative effects on the body by turning off inflammation signals, making them a vital part of our diet. These little power foods may be simple but they have been shown to poses a variety of amazing benefit from protecting the heart all the way to enhancing vision. Try Isotonix Maximum ORAC 

Heart Protection
One of the primary benefits of berries is their ability to improve heart health and blood flow throughout the body.  One way this is done is by reducing the buildup of harmful plaque on blood vessel walls, which reduces the risk of arteries hardening.  By keeping arteries clean and avoiding the buildup of plaque, the heart can work more efficiently, reducing the potential of heart attacks and other heart disease related conditions. 

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Below is Dr. Steven Lamm a practicing internist, faculty member at New York University School of Medicine, and the Director of Men's Health for NYU Medical Center discussing Pycnogenol and its amazing benefits in Isotonix OPC-3

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Also, incorporation of berries into your diet has been shown to reduce oxidation of LDL – or “bad” – cholesterol. Oxidation, the process by which cells and tissue break down, is a key factor in heart disease because oxidized LDL can inflame arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks. Reducing the oxidation levels of LDL cholesterol not only improves overall heart function, but also reduces long term risks of heart disease. Learn more about an exclusive isotonic form of Pycnogenol in (OPC-3)

Powerful Antioxidants
Even though taste is often what we like most about berries, their color is what makes them so good for us.  The rich blues, deep purples and bright reds are a result of a group of phytochemicals called flavonoids. These pigments help to counter cell damage in our bodies caused by free radicals.  Over time, free radicals contribute to disease and are one of the primary factors in the aging process.

Antioxidant compounds protect our bodies from the oxidative damage that is caused by everything from poor diet, environmental toxins and even vigorous exercise.  By neutralizing free radicals, flavonoids may help to reduce the risk of cancer and aid in memory and other brain functions that begin to decline as we age.

Vision Enhancement
Various forms of berries contain lutein, a carotenoid important for healthy vision. Reduced eye function and the degeneration of vision are some of the most common problems associated with aging.  With the ability to protect against glaucoma and cataract progression, berries have been show to promote overall eye health. Berries have also been shown to enhance vision, especially at night, by supporting the regeneration of rhodopsin in the eyes.  This process helps the eyes to adjust better during periods of darkness and also reduces the permeability of the fine blood vessel walls throughout the eye. Berries have also been shown to protect against retinopathy, a condition the leads to impaired vision and blindness due to blood accumulation in the retina.

Sometimes the simplest things offer the best benefits.  Berries are some of the most powerful (and delicious) disease-fighting foods available. Introducing them into your diet – ideally two or three types each day – can improve various areas of health and overall well being.

Nutritional Support for Nagging Headaches

by Crystal Shelton

Headaches are a very common ailment and most everyone experiences one at some time in their life. It is estimated that 45 million Americans suffer from headaches, and over 60% of those specifically suffer from migraines. Among the other classifications (tension and cluster headaches), migraines are the second most common and are typically much more intense and painful. While many use prescription medication to help with their symptoms, there exists a nutritional alternative that has also been studied and shown to be beneficial.

The mineral magnesium is getting a lot of attention for its numerous health benefits, most recently being called “the new calcium”. As a supporter in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body, magnesium is a necessary nutrient that many do not get from their diet. Its varied roles include positive effects on muscle cramps and promoting optimal nerve function. Additionally, magnesium serves as an important component of bone, promotes the normal regulation of blood pressure and also helps facilitate normal platelet activity. It may be this role in blood vessel health that helps explain its effects in providing relief of headaches.

Headaches and migraines can be caused by many factors, including stress, neurological imbalances, food allergies and the list goes on. Normal blood flow is supported by blood vessels that are strong and resilient. When these characteristics are compromised by blood vessel constriction, blood flow is reduced. Magnesium works to stabilize the walls of blood vessels promoting normal blood flow.

Additionally, blood platelet aggregation has been shown to be altered in migraine patients, suggesting that it plays a role in migraines. When platelets aggregate, they release serotonin and other active chemicals which can cause the blood vessels to constrict. Magnesium works to decrease platelet aggregation, which in turn reduces the formation of these inflammatory mediators that factor in to migraine occurrence. Clinical studies shown oral magnesium also helps reduce migraine frequency while lowering the duration and intensity of the attacks.

Isotonix Magnesium 

Low brain levels of magnesium are strongly correlated to headaches. Evidence suggests up to 50 percent of migraine patients have decreased levels of magnesium during a migraine attack. Magnesium is also an important mineral for promoting healthy sleep quality. It has been noted that regular sleeping patterns are also very important to migraine sufferers.

While magnesium’s health benefits are far-reaching, its roles on blood vessel health and platelet aggregation make it a noteworthy candidate specifically for the control of headaches and migraines. With a magnesium deficiency being so common in many migraine sufferers, it makes sense to make sure this mineral is at sufficient levels in the body. It serves as an adequate nutritional alternative with proven safety and efficacy.

Isotonix Magnesium provides the body with 100 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium in a highly-bioavailable formula. Thanks to its unique formula, which includes two different types of magnesium to increase its absorption by the body, Isotonix Magnesium helps maintain normal blood pressure and supports bone health and sleep quality, while promoting head comfort and optimal muscle health. Learn more here

Folic acid in pregnancy tied to lower autism risk

Folic acid in pregnancy tied to lower autism risk

By Genevra Pittman (Reuters Health) 

Women who took extra folic acid in the weeks before and just after becoming pregnant were less likely to have a child with autism, in a new study from Norway.

Because lack of folic acid has been tied to brain and spinal cord birth defects, groups including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) already call for women who may become pregnant to take daily supplements containing the B vitamin.

The new study "provides an additional reason to take folic acid, in addition to the preventive effect that we already know it has against neural tube defects," said Dr. Pal Suren from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, who led the research.

"It underlines the importance of starting early, preferably before the pregnancy," he told Reuters Health.

One in 88 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number has risen in recent years, but it's unclear whether that's due to more kids with symptoms or doctors who are more likely to recognize and diagnose autism.

The new study, which appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association, doesn't prove low folic acid in pregnant women causes their babies to develop autism, or that high doses can prevent it. And Suren and his colleagues didn't see an effect of folic acid on other autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger's.

They followed just over 85,000 women and their children, born between 2002 and 2008.

When women were about halfway through their pregnancies, they reported on any supplements or vitamins they'd taken in the few weeks before becoming pregnant and the two months afterward - the time when folic acid is thought to have the strongest effect on development.

By the time their kids were between three and 10 years old, 270 had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, including 114 with autism itself.

Isotonix Activate B Complex (w/Folic Acid)

Suren's team found one in 1,000 babies born to women who reported taking folic acid early in pregnancy had autism, compared to about two in 1,000 of those whose moms didn't take folic acid. On the other hand, there was no link between fish oil taken during pregnancy and autism risk.

That suggests it's something about folic acid, in particular, that influences a baby's autism risk.

"The biggest problem we have is, how do you know it's folic acid and not just a more health-conscious mother?" said Cathrine Hoyo, who has studied folic acid supplementation at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

"Doing that (analysis) really added another layer toward convincing us that there is something to it," Hoyo, who wasn't involved in the new research, told Reuters Health.

BEFORE PREGNANCY, TOO

Researchers said folic acid's effects on genes and DNA repair could explain its role in brain development disorders in growing babies, including autism.

Isotonix PreNatal --Healthful diets containing adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect

The USPSTF recommends all women who are planning to or could become pregnant take between 400 and 800 micrograms of the vitamin daily. The U.S. and Canada have also required flour to be fortified with folic acid since the late 1990s to cut down on birth defect risks.

Still, "The message for folic acid before pregnancy has been a little bit lost," said Rebecca Schmidt, who has studied prenatal vitamins and autism at the University of California, Davis.

"If you are not even just planning a pregnancy, but able to get pregnant, then you should be taking some sort of folic acid supplement," she told Reuters Health.

SOURCE: bit.ly/JjFzqx Journal of the American Medical Association, online February 12, 2013. 

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Isotonix® Activated B-Complex

What Makes Isotonix® Activated B-Complex Unique?

Isotonix Activated B-Complex delivers metabolically active forms of several vitamins and minerals. This is important because traditional forms of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid found in most other B complex products must undergo chemical changes in order to be utilized by the body. Several factors including age and nutritional status may decrease the body’s ability to activate these vitamins. By providing the metabolically active forms of these vitamins in isotonic form, you can be certain that your body is getting the vital nutrients it needs quickly and effectively.*

A vitamin B-complex is a mixture of the eight essential B-vitamins that play a critical role in metabolism at the cellular level. B-vitamins are important for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. B vitamin deficiency can lead to fatigue and lethargy, which is why B-complex supplements are excellent energy boosters and anti-stress formulas.*

Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state.

Isotonix dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to in obtaining maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results. Try it here

Calcium and Vitamin D Boost Body Fat Loss

Calcium and Vitamin D Boost Body Fat Loss
by Olivia Mungal

If you, like millions of other people, recently just started a new diet for your New Year’s Resolution, you may be in luck. A recent study shows adding calcium and vitamin D supplements to a calorie-restricted diet may boost the loss of body fat more than the diet alone.

The Study 
Chinese researchers from the Shanghai Institute of Health Sciences in China tested 52 obese or overweight adults. All participants were asked to follow an calorie-restricted diet (-500 kcal/daily), but half were randomly selected to take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement, and the other half were given placebos.

"The calcium and vitamin D group achieved 55.6% augmentation of fat mass loss compared with the control, despite the face that there was no significant difference in body weight change between groups,” researchers noted in the Nutrition Journal.

About a quarter of the US adult population is obese, and even more are considered overweight. Over 300,000,000 adults are considered obese worldwide, according to statistics from the WHO and the International Obesity Task Force.

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Isotonix® Calcium Plus

What Makes Isotonix® Calcium Plus Unique?

Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones. Isotonix® Calcium Plus provides the body with an optimal blend of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin C and boron in an efficient isotonic solution that is readily absorbed by the body. Isotonix dietary supplements are a replica of the body's own fluids, such as tears, plasma and breast milk. All fluids in the human body have a certain concentration, which is called the osmotic pressure. The body's common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of all body tissues. In order for a substance to be used in the body's metabolism, it must be changed to the isotonic state.*

The efficiency of absorption is also affected by the digestive system. All substances that are used in the stomach go through a degradation process (breakdown) before they can be passed through the opening from the stomach to the small intestine to allow absorption. The digestive process can cause substances to lose some nutritive value, and this whole process takes time!

The secret of the isotonic process is probably now becoming clear! When an isotonic substance enters the body, it will be absorbed into the bloodstream rapidly. With isotonic fluids, little nutritive value is lost making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient. There is nothing artificial about it. An isotonic fluid is nature's own nutrient delivery system.

Isotonix Calcium Plus paves the way for powerful results since it is in an isotonic form rather than a tablet. Calcium in tablet form is difficult for your body to absorb. People may fail to absorb tablet calcium supplements because the calcium supplement is not blended with vitamin D and magnesium; these are necessary to aid in the absorption and use of calcium. 

Even if the calcium tablet is blended correctly, it may be difficult for the body to utilize or break down the calcium. One explanation may be that many calcium brands use calcium from eggshell or oyster shell. These may not be well absorbed by the body. Another reason calcium may not be absorbed from a tablet is because of DCP, which is a binding agent used to hold the tablet together. DCP does not break down in the body.

  

In addition to binders, some calcium supplements may have additives such as chlorine and other chemicals. Even assuming no binders are used in the calcium tablet, the body must still break down a hard-press 
ed tablet into a usable form. If the tablet cannot be broken down sufficiently in the stomach, then the calcium will not be absorbed. If you can't break down the calcium, your body is robbed of the calcium needed to support bodily functions.

Ordinary calcium tablets require stomach acid to dissolve their compounds, but Isotonix Calcium Plus has no need of stomach acid to be utilized. It delivers an efficient calcium solution that is more readily absorbed by the intestine. Its natural lemon-lime flavor is preferable to the chalky taste of typical chewable calcium wafers or tablets. 

Many calcium supplements exist in the marketplace, but only Market America's Isotonix Calcium Plus delivers a potent package of calcium and complementary nutrients through an isotonic system of delivery. This translates into a lower cost overall when compared to calcium supplements in pill form by making more of the active ingredients available to the body. Don't be misled by ingredient amounts. What really counts is the amount of active ingredients that your body can ultimately use. 

Click Here to try Calcium with Vitamin D or Vitamin D with K2

Dr. Oz touts skin health benefits of Pycnogenol

Dr. Oz touts skin health benefits of Pycnogenol
ma blog

We already know Dr. Oz loves astaxanthin. Now he’s on a new quest: to tell everyone about the wonders of Pycnogenol for achieving younger-looking skin.

In a recent segment on his show, Dr. Oz discussed how Pycnogenol – an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree – can help your skin cells regain their moisture to give you a smoother appearance.

“Could [Pycnogenol] be the secret to looking seven years younger?” Dr. Oz asked his audience. “I researched it, and the consensus is yes.”

The secret, Dr. Oz says, behind Pycnogenol’s superior anti-aging effects is its “incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers” that help boost the body’s hyaluronic acid levels by 44 percent. Hyaluronic acid, which plays an important role in tissue hydration, lubrication and cellular function, “is the primary agent that keeps skin tight and wrinkle-free,” Dr. Oz says.

“That means that in about 12 weeks of taking [P]ycnogenol, you may see smoother skin, a reduction in fine lines, and more supple skin,” Dr. Oz says on his website.

To longtime Market America customers, the benefits of Pycnogenol are no secret. Since 1995, Market America has be providing millions with the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol in the world in Isotonix OPC-3. Since then, Isotonix has been proud to include its isotonic form of Pycnogenol in other nutritional supplements, including:

Prime Joint Support Formula - Get it Here

• Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend, formulated to promote skin elasticity, support healthy collagen production, replenish essential vitamins and minerals for the skin, and provide the skin and body with improved antioxidant defenses;
• Might-a-Mins Spectrum Isotonix OPC-3, which provides a strong antioxidant defense which is especially beneficial for children who need neurological, metabolic, or digestive support;
• Prime Joint Support Formula by Isotonix, endorsed by Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, the only joint supplement on the market to deliver three primary bone & joint ingredients – glucosamine, Pycnogenol and hyaluronic acid – in isotonic form;
• and Isotonix Champion Blend Plus, endorsed by basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony, which helps the body needs to preserve your muscles with essential nutrients, keep your body’s defenses up with powerful antioxidants, and provide you with a huge boost of energy from great vitamins.

While other supplements on the market can claim to have Pycnogenol, the superior Isotonix delivery system ensures that its ingredients – including Pycnogenol – are absorbed by the body in the most efficient, effective manner. Without the need for fillers and binder found in most pills and tablets, Isotonix nutritional supplements deliver maximum results in each and every serving.

also look at  Rosemary Ellis, editor-in-chief at 7 Years Younger by Good Housekeeping 

Pill Coatings Interfere with Absorption By Olivia Mungal

Pill coatings, also known as enteric coated pills, have been long believed to protect the stomach, but there is little evidence the coating protects the stomach better than a non-coated pill. Authors of a new study by the University of Pennsylvania found most, if not all of assumed drug resistance cases may actually be caused by pill coatings.

For over a decade, cardiologists and drug researchers have claimed that anywhere from 5% to 40%  of the population is “aspirin resistant”.  In the study, researchers did not find a single case of true aspirin resistance out of the 400 healthy people who participated in the study. Instead, they found the coating on aspirin interfered with the way that the drug entered the body, making it appear in tests that the drug was not working at all.

These studies question the value of coated, low-dose aspirin. This product adds cost to treatment, without any clear benefit.” said Dr. Garret FitzGerald, chairman of pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Although the study was partially financed by the world’s largest aspirin manufacturer, Bayer, this study leaves many doctors and pharmacologists wondering if enteric coating could be blocking or reducing absorption for other pharmaceuticals and supplements. Bayer claimed there was no difference between the effectiveness of a coated or uncoated aspirin, but Dr. FitzGerald argued there was no reason patients should use anything other than uncoated pills. Taking supplements without binders or coatings may make all the difference.  Not all supplements are created equal. Learn More 

Acai counteracts oxidative stress, lengthens lifespan in fruit flies

Source from: Emory University

Bewildered by the array of antioxidant fruit juices on display in the supermarket and the promises they make? To sort out the antioxidant properties of fruits and berries, scientists at Emory University School of Medicine turned to fruit flies for help.

They found that a commercially available acai berry product can lengthen the lives of fruit flies, when the flies' lives are made short through additional oxidative stress. Under certain conditions (a simple sugar diet) acai supplementation could triple flies' lifespans, from eight to 24 days. Acai could also counteract the neurotoxic effects of the herbicide paraquat on the flies.

The results were recently published by the journal Experimental Gerontology, which awarded the paper its inaugural "Outstanding paper" prize. The lead author is Alysia Vrailas-Mortimer, a postdoctoral fellow in Emory University School of Medicine's department of cell biology.

Vrailas-Mortimer says she didn't start out focusing on acai. But acai worked better than several other antioxidant products such as vitamins, coenzyme Q10 and lutein.

"One thing that makes our work distinctive is that we tried commercially available supplements," she says. "We went to a health food store and filled up a basket."

She says she began the project with the help of undergraduate student Rosy Gomez, and narrowed her focus after initial success with acai. Vrailas-Mortimer took advantage of a discovery she had made working with Subhabrata Sanyal, assistant professor of cell biology. They had previously found that flies with mutations in the "p38 MAP kinase" gene have shorter lives and are more sensitive to heat, food deprivation and oxidative stress.

P38 mutant flies lived an average of only eight days when they were given a simple sugar water diet. However, their lifespans tripled when their diet was supplemented with acai. Ginger was used as a control for the diet supplements.

Acai also protected normal flies against oxidative stress, in the form of hydrogen peroxide or paraquat. Acai can protect against oxidative stress when flies are exposed to hydrogen peroxide before being given acai, but the protective effect does not hold up if the order is reversed.

The effects of paraquat on circadian rhythms are visible here.

Paraquat is an herbicide that has neurotoxic effects that resemble Parkinson's disease. Under the influence of paraquat, flies' sleep-wake cycles gradually become chaotic (see graph). Acai can also help soften the effects of paraquat on flies' circadian rhythms.

"I think this is important," Vrailas-Mortimer says. "We show that whatever is in acai that is lengthening lifespan, it can also keep the flies functioning better for longer when faced with paraquat exposure. It is maintaining quality of life rather than just preventing them from dying."

When flies were fed a more enriched diet of a standard cornmeal/molasses mush, the effects of supplementation with acai were more pronounced in males than in females. Males' lifespans were almost doubled with acai (20 to 40 days) but the effects on females were not as strong (30 to 34 days). On an enriched diet, male flies were more sensitive to paraquat than females as well.

Implications for human clinical trials of antioxidants

Isotonix Acai

Large clinical trials studying the effects of antioxidants such as vitamin C and E have not shown clear benefits on human health. Using fruit flies under oxidative stress as a model can be a way to dissect which components of acai are beneficial. Probing the effects on flies' circadian rhythms can be a way to quickly screen several compounds or regimens, since the effects are apparent even before most of the flies die.

Acai berries contain a variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as anthocyanins. Sanyal says it may be better to study the components of acai together rather than in isolation.

"There may be a combinatorial effect, and if you separate the components from each other, you may lose the active principle," he says. "In addition, it seems to me that anti-oxidant therapy will not work after the damage has been done. So human clinical trials that don't take this into account are likely to have disappointing results."

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