Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases
June 20, 2009 – http://www.trivita.com

We are a people on fire!

Less than a hundred years ago the common health challenges we faced were infections. With the discovery of pathogenic bacteria and the advent of proper hygiene, death from these problems became less common. Inflammation has become the new epicenter of disease, disability and death.

Inflammation and the immune system
Our immune system uses heat to destroy invading bacteria. A specialized cell called a macrophage douses the invader with inflammatory enzymes (like acids) and the heat generated in this battle destroys the invading bacteria.

Sometimes our own healthy cells become the focus for disease. This often happens because of toxic exposure. When we eat, drink or breathe a toxin, or if it is absorbed through our skin, our detoxification system works to remove it before the poison can compromise our health. Unfortunately, many of today’s poisons are simply too strong and they overwhelm our detoxification system and enter healthy cells. These cells now become the target of disease, infection and inflammation. Our immune system must treat them as hostile and use heat to destroy them.

Autoimmune diseases arise when our immune system becomes so overworked that it can no longer tell the difference between healthy cells and sick cells. It attacks all cells of a particular type equally. This body system is never able to heal and chronic inflammation sets in.

The weakest link
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. You are only as healthy as your weakest body system. How robust you are depends mostly on lifestyle choices, somewhat on your environment and a little on your genetics.

When a toxin overwhelms your detoxification process it will likely settle in your weakest system. The immune system melts these polluted cells in an effort to save healthy cells. This is acute inflammation. With chronic toxicity comes the opportunity for chronic inflammation. In the case of chronic inflammation, the immune system attacks any sick cell as well as any healthy cell that looks like the sick one. If the immune system attacks connective tissue we say a person has lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas we say they have type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints we say they have rheumatoid arthritis.

These are only a few of the more than 200 autoimmune diseases. Yet they all share one common attribute: inflammation.

Putting the fire out
Inflammation arises because of:
Toxins
Injuries
Emotional distress
Nutrient deficiency
We simply must reduce our toxic exposure to reduce the chances of developing an autoimmune disorder. And we must also develop emotional coping strategies and have all of the nutrients we need in our body in the right quantity – every moment of every day. These are the first steps to reducing inflammation.

We can directly douse the fire with anti-inflammatory Betalains such as those found in TriVita’s Nopalea. Betalain is a protein-antioxidant complex found in certain plants grown in hot climates. The hotter the climate, the more Betalains the plant needs to survive and the more we can benefit.

Nutrient strategies
According to most authorities, everyone needs to be taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement every day. This is even more important for people trying to tame their immune system in an autoimmune flare-up. We also need to eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and take Omega EFA supplements. These fats not only reduce inflammation but they also make your immune system work smarter, not harder. Antioxidants are critical to putting out the fire of inflammation. Betalain “protein-antioxidants” are extremely powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients. Finally, Vitamin B-12 and adaptogens form a bulwark against the blues and physical stress.

We are a nation on fire. This is at the heart of the near epidemic of autoimmune disorders we are facing. Strategies of nutrients and nurturing will help us fight inflammation and help us with what we do best: heal!

Take Control of Your Health

Remove household cleaners from your living space
Keep clear of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides
Select certified organic foods when possible
Take a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement
Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Salmon, tuna, herring and other fatty fish
Walnuts (especially English walnuts)
Take an Omega EFA supplement
Help your body reduce inflammation with Betalains found in Nopalea
Protect yourself from emotional distress with B-12 and adaptogens

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

© 2009 TriVita, Inc.

Weight Loss with Leanology
March 28, 2009 -TriVita

What makes Leanology capsules so great?

Leanology weight loss capsules provide nutrients, instead of stimulants, to assist you in your weight loss goals. Moreover, the effectiveness of our weight loss capsules has been confirmed through a clinical study. During the four months of this study, participants lost weight every week and actually gained lean tissue at the same time.

The formula features a four-stage blend of nutrients that target specific areas of concern that impact weight loss.

Stage 1: Energy & metabolism

Key ingredients: Green Tea, L-Theanine, B Vitamins, Vitamin C,
Manganese

Thermogenic nutrients increase lean body mass in older age groups –
even without exercise. This is a critical component to the formula
because as one ages, lean muscle mass becomes more difficult to attain
– and lean muscle mass is essential for a healthy metabolism.

For example, L-Theanine helps increase our body’s natural
energy-producing capabilities. Mitochondria, sometimes described as
“cellular power plants,” are found within our cells. They help convert
food molecules into energy. L-Theanine is an antioxidant that
specifically recharges the mitochondria to help it reproduce energy.

Stage 2: Cortisol & anti-stress

Key ingredients: GABA, Korean Ginseng, Poria Cocos, Vitamin D,
Dimethylglycine, Copper gluconate

Stress is a problem at any age, though stress-related obesity seems to
be more prevalent after age 40. Many trophic or “muscle-building”
hormones begin to decline as we age. Stress accelerates this process.
Fat-storage hormones are produced in response to stress.

Modern biochemistry has discovered that a protein receptor in your
brain called a “GABA receptor” is responsible for stress sensitivity.
By increasing GABA, a simple amino acid, we reduce the impact of
stress on our nervous system and hormone balance.

Stage 3: Appetite control

Key ingredients: Glucommanan, Biotin, Magnesium, Zingiber rhizome
(Ginger)

Leanology contains specific nutrients that signal your brain to
recognize signs of “fullness” earlier in the meal. It also restores
the balance of signaling chemicals from your stomach to your brain.
These chemicals can be weakened after a long, exhausting, stressful
day. Therefore, Leanology minimizes evening cravings.

Weight gain is a direct response to a calorie surplus. If you do not
burn the calories you consume, they will be left behind as fat –
especially if the calories are from unhealthy sources. Leanology works
to minimize your cravings and therefore assist you in lowering your
total caloric intake.

Stage 4: Blood sugar control

Key ingredients: Garcinia camobogia, Gymnema sylvestre, Bitter melon,
Cinnamon bark, Alpha Lipoic acid, Chromium polynicotinate, Vanadyl
sulphate, Zinc gluconate

Blood sugar control is the most critical component of any weight loss
program. Elevated blood sugar causes the body to store sugar as fat
rather than using it as energy. Leanology contains nutrients that help
to utilize the carbohydrates and sugar we consume as energy – to keep
them from being stored as fat. It also helps reduce the cravings for
sweets and carbohydrates.

We are more likely to develop insulin resistance as we age. The more
processed and refined food we eat, the more insulin we require to
metabolize it. The more insulin in our blood, the less responsive our
cells become. As we age, this continual exposure wears out our
tolerance for refined carbohydrates and sugar, and reduces our
sensitivity to insulin. Therefore we are less likely to convert sugar
and carbohydrates into energy, and more likely to convert them into
fat.

Take Control of Your Health

Commit yourself to the process of weight loss. Learn the important steps you will need:

Calorie content of common foods

Calories burned in common exercises

The effect of stress, sleep and hydration on weight

Use Leanology Capsules for effective weight loss

Use Leanology Shakes Appetite Control Chews as needed

Use Leanology Shakes to control calorie intake

Continue your healthy aging supplements

Most important: Record the reason WHY you want to lose weight.
Hint: the more compelling the “why,” the more likely you
are to be successful!

The word betalain comes from the Latin name beet (beta vulgaricus). The deep red color of beets and several cacti result from the presence of betalain pigments. Betalains can be found in any part of the plant including the petals of flowers, leaves, stems and roots

According to the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis of betalains from 10 lines of Prickly Pear fruit grown in Mexico showed that the betalain pigments are responsible for the color of the fruit which is comparable to that found in red beet. As a result it was considered that betalains, water soluble nitrogen containing pigments would be a potential source of yellow and red natural colorants. These colorants would be excellent alternatives to artificial food colors such as tartrazine and quinoline.

The pigments of both the beet and the cactus pear have been found to have potent antioxidant activity. There has been a growing interest in the use of betalains Betalains, according to a report from Henrietta Azeredo in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology has stated that’s the relative scarceness of the betalains has made research more difficult but “some studies have indicated their potential as antioxidant pigments” Azeredo highlights the health benefits of these antioxidant pigments.

Wikipedia states that as well as being identified as natural antioxidants they may also exhibit anti cancer activity. Betalains from the prickly pear have shown considerable free radical scavenger properties.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews