The Top Five Things Women Must Know to Protect Themselves from America's No. 1 Killer

Cardiovascular disease has been the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States for decades.

1. According to the American Heart Association, more than 480,000 women will die this year from heart disease - that's nearly 10 times the number who will die from breast cancer.

2. A recent study conducted by a major university found that exercising 60 minutes a day, three times per week can reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by about 50 percent. Aside from protecting you from developing atherosclerosis, exercise burns calories, helps to control cholesterol levels and diabetes, and may lower blood pressure. Exercise also strengthens the heart muscle and makes the arteries more flexible. Studies show that those who actively burn 500 to 3,500 calories per week - either at work or through exercise - can expect to live longer than people who do not exercise. Even moderate-intensity exercise is helpful if done regularly.

3. Balancing your body's pH can dramatically reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. pH imbalance creates toxicity and conditions under which the body will begin to attack itself and break itself down. You can balance your pH by eating more fruits and vegetables, eating fewer processed food and addressing your stress and negative, acid forming emotions. Taking Växa Buffer pH+ is a safe, natural way to balance an acidic pH and reduce your risk of developing many degenerative diseases, including heart disease.

4. Using an oral chelating cleanse each year can help you safely remove the toxins, debris and heavy metals known to contribute to the development of heart disease. Växa Tricardia+ is a safe and effective alternative to costly IV chelation therapy.

5. Taking a homeopathic supplement for cholesterol will naturally lower your LDL (or bad) cholesterol while boosting your HDL (good) cholesterol. Växa Cholesten-LDL helps inhibit your body’s own cholesterol production to lower cholesterol, naturally metabolizes and reduces fatty acids within the bloodstream, heart tissue and inside arteries and regulates appropriate levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Allergy patients don't have to watch life pass by.

Several years ago, an ear institute in California conducted a study to determine the quality of life for those who suffer from allergies. The results were shocking. Allergy sufferers rated their quality of life poorer than the general American population in all of the study’s scales, including physical, emotional and social functioning.

Those with allergies report a significant lack of quality sleep, which results in a decreased ability to think and function at work, and contributes to work-place injury. They also said they believe they are moodier than their friends and co-workers, both from lack of sleep and from general physical discomfort.

Studies have found that children who suffer from allergies also have performance and attendance issues. Children with allergies often suffer from daytime sleepiness – just like adults – and their learning abilities are impacted. A number of studies in children have demonstrated poor memory, examination performance, and impaired ability to recall information taught during class. Hearing loss due to Eustachian tube dysfunction or middle-ear infection can also interfere with academic performance.

Antihistamines can make these problems worse

While treating allergies with antihistamines may alleviate some of the more uncomfortable allergy symptoms, studies have proven that antihistamines make quality of life worse for allergy suffers.

Studies have proven that even when sleepiness is not recognized, use of these antihistamines slows reflexes and decreases the ability to drive a car safely. In one study of work-related injuries, antihistamines increased the risk of injury by 50 percent. Even taking a sedating antihistamine at bedtime can make people sleepy the next day.

Relief without side effects

Natural allergy remedies offer relief from allergies without the side effects commonly associated with over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications. While over-the-counter allergy medications attempt to alleviate the discomfort of allergies after your immune system has gone into overdrive, Växa’s homeopathic allergy medicine, Aller-Sine, works in harmony with your immune system.

Växa Aller-Sine works to prevent an allergic reaction from ever happening in the first place. Växa Aller-Sine has been shown to provide natural allergy relief for all types of allergic reactions. It eases common allergy symptoms like congestion, sneezing and watery eyes while reducing the drowsiness caused by allergies. Växa Aller-Sine also lessens inflammation and pain from allergies.

Another solution? Try a saline nasal rinse with the Växa Neti Pot and Aromatic Salt. Done two or three times per day, rinsing flushes out excess mucus and pollen hanging around in your sinuses. The salt solution also helps shrink inflamed blood vessels in your nose much like decongestants do.

Don't Give Up!

You can still achieve your New Year’s weight-loss resolution

Even if you didn’t say it out loud to your friends and family, it’s likely that you are resolved to lose weight in ’08. Everyone wants to lose a few pounds. Some want to lose more.

If your intentions of hitting the gym five times a week and giving up all desserts may have already fallen by the wayside, you’re not alone. Statistics show that a gigantic portion of New Year’s resolutions don’t survive the first weekend of the New Year. It’s still not too late to commit to a reasonable weight-loss goal.

Start now!

Making small changes to your diet and lifestyle can net big weight-loss rewards. Try following some of these tips for a few days and see if you can make them healthy, life-long changes:

• Banish all negative self talk. Just because you had a bad day, week, month, year, or decade doesn’t mean you are a bad person, and it certainly doesn’t mean you will never be able to lose weight.

• Avoid processed meats. Instead of high-fat, high-sodium deli slices, use leftover chicken breast or fish from your dinner as a topping to a huge veggie salad (and skip the cheese – it’s not worth the calories and fat!).

• Load up on colorful veggies. Deep green veggies offer the best nutrition. They're filling, high in fiber, and low in calories. If you don’t have time to make a big salad, try mixing VäxaGreens with your favorite juice. VäxaGreens contain as many nutrients as five large mixed greens salads.

• Snack on fresh or dried fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth.

• Pile on the fiber! Eating more fiber will help you stay fuller longer.

• Exercise. Taking a leisurely stroll around the block isn’t going to give you abs of steel, but it’s more productive than sitting on the couch, watching reruns on TV. In order to lose weight, you need to do a minimum of one hour of exercise every day. If that’s not realistic right now, do what you can. Work your way up to more.
• Drink only pure water and herbal teas. Don’t fall into the diet soda trap.

Studies have shown that diet soda drinkers not only have trouble losing weight, they usually gain weight steadily.

• Don’t deprive yourself! Completely swearing off your favorite foods is unrealistic. Allow yourself to eat a few bites of your favorite dessert at least once a week.

• Supplement. Växa Nite-Lite supports the body’s safe release of human growth hormone for fat burning and weight loss. Växa Nite-Lite boosts your metabolic rate to burn fat and stored calories while you sleep.

New Year's Resolution? Resolve to clean up your act!

Did you resolve to be healthier and lose weight this year? How’s that going? Do you wish you could undo some of the damage you did to your health – and your weight – during all of that holiday reveling? With cleansing, you can!

Cleansing is the process of clearing toxins from the body and clearing excess mucus and congestion. Many of these toxins come from our diet, drug use, and environmental exposure. Through detoxification, we clear and filter toxins and wastes and allow our body to work on enhancing its basic functions.

Who needs to Cleanse?

Almost everyone needs to cleanse. If you only eat a balanced, organic diet, devoid of excesses, you may need less intensive detoxification. Our body has a daily elimination cycle, mostly carried out at night and in the early morning, up until breakfast. However, when we eat a congesting diet higher in fats, meats, dairy products, refined foods, and chemicals, detoxification becomes more necessary. After all those holiday meals and sweets, New Year’s is the perfect time to cleanse!

Common toxicity symptoms include headache, fatigue, mucus problems, aches and pains, digestive problems, "allergy" symptoms, and sensitivity to environmental agents such as chemicals, perfumes, and synthetics.

Oral chelation therapy

"Oral chelation" is a term that describes a vitamin formula which will grab toxic metals in your body, get them to pass through the kidneys and eliminate them through the urine. Växa Tricardia+ is a safe and effective form of oral chelation therapy. It has been shown to reduce hardening of the arteries and plaque buildup inside artery walls, inhibit heart problems by cleansing the cardiovascular system and improving blood flow and detoxify and protect blood-filtering organs like the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system. Växa Tricardia+ also enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body by removing toxins, wastes, and heavy metals and supports efficient function of all the body’s major organs.

Colon cleansing

Natural colon cleansing is an easy way to detoxify your body, increase your energy levels, ease abdominal pain, and support healthy digestion. Since proper digestion is essential to good health, a colon cleanse benefits your whole body.

Växa Colon-Aid+ is a safe and effective choice for colon cleansing. Växa Colon-Aid+ has been shown to help cleanse the lower gastrointestinal tract of undigested debris, kill and expel worms and inhibit the adhesion of disease cells such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, reduce intestinal bloating and relieve chronic abdominal pain.

What becomes of the broken hearted?

It’s a fairly common scenario: An elderly woman suffers what appears to be a massive heart attack immediately after hearing shocking news.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have recently discovered that heart attacks resulting from sudden emotional stress may not be heart attacks at all. They say that tragic or shocking events can stun the heart and produce classic heart attack-like symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. The resulting condition is actually a stress cardiomyopathy - or, more poetically, “broken heart syndrome” - not a true heart attack.

Calling a stress cardiomyopathy a broken heart is misleading.

Broken heart syndrome is caused by a surge in adrenalin and other stress hormones that temporarily “stun” the heart. These chemicals can be temporarily toxic to the heart, effectively stunning the muscle and producing symptoms similar to a typical heart attack, including chest pain, fluid in the lungs, shortness of breath and heart failure.

Sometimes broken heart syndrome is caused by a happy occasion, such as a surprise party. But more often the trigger is bad news, including court appearances, being robbed or a fierce argument.

Researchers found that the damage caused during cardiomyopathy is reversible, and that the heart actually heals itself from the event relatively quickly. Recovery rates for those with broken heart syndrome are much faster than typically seen after a heart attack. Stressed patients show dramatic improvement in their hearts’ ability to pump within a few days and generally recover completely within two weeks. In contrast, partial recovery after a heart attack can take weeks or months and, frequently, the heart muscle damage is permanent.

Most heart attacks are caused by a complete blockage of a heart artery due to a blood clot forming at the site of narrowing from fatty buildup (atherosclerosis). In broken heart syndrome, the heart arteries are not blocked, although blood flow may be sluggish.

Broken heart syndrome happens significantly more often for women than men (at least 9 times out of 10) and researchers say that while stress cardiomyopathy is not as common as a typical heart attack, it occurs much more frequently than doctors realize.

What can you do to lower your stress and decrease your chances of developing broken heart syndrome? Vaxa Extress replenishes essential nutrients burned up by the body during times of stress. Extress has been clinically proven to diminish emotional sensitivity and mood swings, help calm and focus attention, help relax muscles safely and help reduce the possibility of stress-induced head pain and muscle aches

Pair Vaxa Extress with Vaxa Deprex to help offset the emotional lows that often accompany high-stress situations.

Deprex helps elevate mood by raising circulating serotonin levels and assuring proper utilization and restores the appropriate production of the mood-elevating hormones, serotonin and norepinephrine. It also restores clear thinking while calming and curbing oversensitivity.

Is Asthma Running Your Life?

Over 20 million Americans have asthma - maybe not you, but a loved one or friend. Asthma might be triggered by allergies or constrictive respiratory reactions, but both can pose a life-changing problem. If you think emergency inhalers are the only answer to this serious breathing problem, it will continue to be that way.

Most asthma sufferers find that over time, their favorite inhaler isn’t working any more. Or they’ve developed new ailments like skin rashes, food allergies or even more shortness of breath. They want to try something new, but in listening to all the side effects in TV advertisements, they’re afraid.

Sound familiar? If you’re a sufferer, ask yourself this question:

Do you want your lifestyle to adjust to your asthma, or do you want your asthma to adjust to your lifestyle?

There are other solutions in addition to steroidal inhalers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other chemically compounded relief for the symptoms of asthma. There are two reasons I accentuate the word “symptoms”:

1. Every health symptom has a deeper cause - they don’t happen by themselves. For instance, dairy foods, soy and heavy starches can thicken mucus. Some people are more susceptible to thicker mucus than others, like sinus and asthma sufferers. Thick mucus can get trapped in our bronchial tubes. This is very bad for asthma. A deficiency in antioxidant vitamins and minerals, or a shortage of essential “fatty acids” in our bodies, can also be responsible for respiratory ailments. Your asthma medicine will never replenish these.

2. We must make sure that asthma is the correct diagnosis. Take Barry*, for example. As a child, Barry’s family loved potatoes and ate them almost every day. By bedtime, he would be wheezing and gasping for air. He was diagnosed with asthma, given an inhaler, and told to withdraw from his strenuous athletic activities. When Barry went away to college, he finally realized that he never had breathing problems unless he ate potatoes! Although allergies can indeed trigger real asthma attacks, in Barry’s case it turned out to be strictly an allergy to potatoes. Barry gave up potatoes and was able to resume playing the sports he loved with never another episode.

So how can real asthma sufferers find more relief, and have fun?

Before putting a screeching halt on the lifestyle you love just to avoid the frightening anticipation of another breathing attack, try some of these things:

Write down what you ate before an attack. You may need to exchange dairy products or some other food for alternatives easily found in health food stores. It might be a sacrifice in restaurants, but in a few months you may notice a real difference.

Start feeding your body some safe, natural nutrients it obviously isn’t retaining on its own:
Anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals. Anti-oxidants prohibit “free radicals” – unwanted molecules which can enter through the respiratory system and damage living cells. Check out Växa’s Anti-Oxin+.

Lung Formula is a specific homeopathic medicinal for conditions like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Its ingredients promote the body’s own natural respiration process, can help relax bronchial muscles and control mucus amounts.

Omegacin+ supplies “Essential Fatty Acids” – oils and nutrients from fish and other foods we don’t eat enough of. Like a car, the body needs some oils to function well, and EFAs also assist in the transport of oxygen.

Try just one or two things at a time or you won’t know what’s working.

NOTES: (1) Växa does not advise cold-quitting inhalers or other respiratory medicine. Consult your doctor or a complementary practitioner. (2) Barry is not the real name of the potato allergy sufferer. He is the friend of a Växa employee.

Skin Allergies and Your Immune System

Earlier this month, new study results were announced by Children’s and the University of Washington (UW). This study reinforces what we in the complementary and homeopathic medical fields have known for years – that there is a connection between autoimmune diseases – malfunctions of the Immune System – and skin allergies like atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema.

“Autoimmune diseases” refer to chronic illnesses of some of the body’s ten most important systems: Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, and Nervous Systems, for example. It also includes the severe diseases that come from lowered immune systems like HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Lupus, and an Immune System depressed by chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

The immune cells (B and T cells) become disoriented, and instead of the Immune System providing protection and healing for its host, the person’s immune capabilities attack their own body.

How does this affect the skin?

The skin – or epidermis – is a major organ of the body; in fact, it is the largest one! When things go wrong on the inside, they will likely manifest themselves outside as skin allergies, and vice versa.

Both an immune disease and, unfortunately, the treatment for the disease can attack healthy skin cells and cause many disturbances. Atopic dermatitis is just one of the skin allergies that can result.

Atopic dermatitis and other chronic skin allergies which can be considered “allergic diseases” may run in families, and be related to hay fever and asthma. Its symptoms are:
• extremely itchy, red and inflamed skin
• rashes on the cheeks, arms and legs
• swelling and “weeping” skin
• cracks behind the ears
• scaling and crusting

Atopic dermatitis is not contagious from person to person, but scratching the itch will further irritate and can enlarge the site.

Topical Treatment helps Symptoms, but hurts in the Long Run

Using the usual over-the-counter or prescription hydrocortisone creams on a long term basis for skin allergies is detrimental. These creams are “corticosteroids”, in the steroid family, and can have side effects on many parts of the body by distorting the Immune System even further:
• irritability
• raised blood pressure
• osteoporosis
• cataracts
• muscle weakness
• stomach ulcers

Keep your Immune System at Full Function

Växa’s Immune-Aid+ is specially formulated to help the body increase the cells that help fight infection. It can help the rate of recovery from an ailment or keep the Immune System from sliding any further downhill.

Another thing very important to your Immune System is the balance of good and bad bacteria in your intestines. Healthy “gut” flora, as it is also called, can mean the difference between staying healthy or being susceptible to allergies and illness. “Probiotics” can be taken to replace your good bacteria if you’ve been ill, if you’ve taken or must stay on antibiotics or anti-inflammatories for an autoimmune disease for long periods of time. Re-Flora+ is Växa’s “probiotics” formula – a safe and wholesome replacement to re-balance natural bacteria.

How Much Do You Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder which affects 15-20% of the American population. Also called “spastic colon”, “colitis” or “nervous stomach”, this very irritating, sometimes life-interrupting condition can have any or all of these symptoms:

* Constipation for 3-5 days or even 10 if severe, followed by recurring diarrhea
* Throbbing headaches or migraines
* Abdominal cramping or pain
* Stomach distention (“swollen stomach”)
* Acid reflux or nausea due to putrefied substances not being eliminated
* Fatigue and flu-like feelings

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is hard to Diagnose

IBS doesn’t show up in tests. Doctors usually diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome after a sufferer tests negative for abnormalities like polyps or colon cancer. The IBS patient may even be told that it is “all in their head” or “stress-related”, but many Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers say the IBS itself is their biggest source of stress, and can also cause anxiety and depression.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers, take heart!

IBS is not “all in the head”, although it can be more active during stressful situations. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome is now defined as a disturbance in the interaction between the intestines, brain signals, and nervous system that alters the regularity of the bowel’s function. It is not known why it happens in some people and not in others.

“Colitis”, as Irritable Bowel Syndrome is sometimes labeled, should not be confused with “Ulcerative Colitis”, which is much more serious and considered a possible precursor to colon cancer. IBS is not characterized by the pain, bleeding, or severity of explosive loose bowel associated with ulcerative colitis, and IBS is not shown in any study to cause more serious colon conditions. It is “chronic” because there’s no absolute cure and can be with a person from childhood through old age.

There’s help for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS sufferers could improve by following these dietary and intestinal cleansing instructions:

* Eliminate sugary baked goods, fried foods, and dairy products. They all slow down the digestion. Replace cow’s milk and cheese with vitamin-fortified rice or soy milk products (unless allergic to soy). Greek feta cheese and goat’s milk may be consumed infrequently.

* Don’t take advice to “eat more wheat” as fiber for your constipation. Wheat – and also barley, white rice and oats – contain “gluten” which irritates the intestines and colon. Replace these with breads, pastas and cereals made from brown rice, millet, or quinoa – found in health food outlets or health aisles at some grocery stores.

* The IBS sufferer should get their 25 grams of fiber per day from dark green vegetables, beans, lentils, a limited amount of fruits with skins (apples, plums, etc), and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can have 5 more grams of fiber than a dish of spinach. Or choose our fiber supplement VäxaGreens – it equals 5 salads!

* Avoid pork and alcoholic beverages. Pork takes a long time to digest and can putrefy in a person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Alcohol contains lots of sugar, yeast and can attract parasites. Speaking of which…
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be exacerbated or accompanied by bad bacteria, yeast, or parasites. A 30-60 day colon cleanse can help, using Parasitin+ to rid parasites (now known to inhabit 85% of us, most don’t easily show up in medical tests!), Colon-Aid+ to re-regulate intestinal movement (“peristalsis”), cleanse and repair damaged tissues, and ReFlora+ to inhabit the intestines with “good” bacteria (“probiotics”). Follow this with 30 days of Candid-Free to cleanse yeast overgrowth, which also normally isn’t revealed in tests, but breed from sugary/starchy diets, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. IBS sufferers should take “probiotics” like ReFlora+ every day.

April is National Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month. Be considerate of folks with Irritable Bowel Syndrome if they announce an inability to partake of certain foods and drink!

Grown-Ups Get Acne, Too!

You’re frustrated because you had a great complexion as a teenager and young adult. Now you’re 35-ish, 40-ish or 45-ish, and you’ve got all kinds of stuff popping up on your face!

There’s that little white thing you thought was a whitehead, but it won’t pop (naughty you for trying). Your forehead is oily and bumpy, you’re trying to pass the blackheads off as freckles, and then there’s the “watchamacallit” - the red bump that won’t come to a head and hurts to the touch. And those are on your neck, too.

You may have what is classified as “adult acne”.

But you’re not alone. Approximately 50% of women and about half as many men have adult acne.

Some adult acne and other middle-aged skin breakouts don’t become the same acne that you saw on those poor guys in school – with large red, pus-filled boils and pimples. However, it can manifest itself in:

• Sebaceous cysts – tiny lumps with black or brown surface appearance like blackheads; when drained they exude white or yellow sebum, an oily secretion that clogs pores and sometimes carries a foul odor.
• Pustules (that’s the little white thing, with or without redness around it), also secreting white pus when drained.
• The blackheads, red nodules and whiteheads (yes, some of them will be whiteheads)

What causes adult acne?

So many factors can cause adult acne. Remember, you’ve lived a lot longer than a teenager. You’ve likely had more illnesses and taken more medications. If you’re a man, you’ve shaved longer. If you’re a woman, you’ve been wearing makeup longer! Here are some major contributing factors to adult acne:

• Lost nutrients from poor diet (eating on the run, too many chocolate lattés?)
• Stress (job or financial pressures, taking care of baby or playing chauffeur to the kids’ rigorous schedule?)
• Hormone imbalance (starting menopause, entering middle-age?) Hormonal imbalances lead to overproduction of sebum.
• Not enough sleep (working overtime?)
• Clogged pores or hair follicles
• Sweating from exercise or hard work
• Bacterial, yeast and fungal infections
• Medication for an illness – antibiotics, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Just plain aging and a change in complexion (oily to dry or vice versa)

Treating your skin on the outside won’t get to the inside problem.

Try Växa’s homeopathic, all-natural Clearin. Clearin is not a skin application. It’s a capsule formula which addresses your body’s needs from the inside out, specifically made to support the body’s own ability to heal adult acne and other skin blemishes.

Note: Rosacea, the red rashy cheek, forehead and chin syndrome, is not a form of acne but is often confused with adult acne as it primarily hits people between age 30 and 50. Its other symptoms are small visible blood vessels on the face, bumps or pimples and watery or irritated eyes.

For either adult acne or rosacea, you might need a good antioxidant vitamin/mineral formula like Växa’s Anti-Oxin, or some Essential Fatty Acids – the “good” fats known as Omega 3-6-9, as in our Omegacin+. A poor complexion lacks all of these, and when your body doesn’t produce or synthesize these items on its own, supplements are needed. Both formulas work inside to enhance your outer glow and skin health.

Goodbye, adult acne!

How Much "Bling" Are You Wearing IN your Body?

Our younger generations have a word for expensive metal jewelry these days. They call it “bling”.

Did you know you might be wearing harmful levels of heavy metals in your cardiovascular system, kidney and liver?

We’re not talking trace elements of metals like copper, zinc, iron and selenium that are absolutely essential for human health, although these metals would be dangerous in higher levels.

What is the solution?

All humans who take part in society ingest, inhale or are exposed to excess amounts of some “dangerous” heavy metals which accumulate internally from external sources:

* A community’s supply of water (lead pipes)
* Rain breaking down the elements in the soil which permeates the lungs (multiple metals)
* Flame retardants in clothes, bedding and drapery (antimony)
* Cooking pots and foil (aluminum)
* Eating too much tuna (we need a little mercury, but could pick up too much this way)
* Batteries (cadmium, nickel)
* Paint, cement, rubber (chromium)

How about the fillings in our teeth? In recent years it’s been confirmed that “silver” tooth fillings, which are really mercury, can have grave effects on the entire immune system. After being in the mouth for long periods, the metals begin breaking down and releasing into the gums and saliva, then into the bloodstream and traveling throughout the body.

Severe headaches, repetitive infections, digestive problems, changes in heart rhythm and many more ailments are being associated with deterioration of metal dental fillings and other heavy metals.

You can stop eating tuna and have metal fillings replaced with composite resins and porcelain, but that will just solve the mercury problem. To ensure cleansing your organs, blood and entire immune system from accumulated heavy metals, plus unclog your arteries of other unwanted plaque, debris and toxins, a better choice is to periodically “detox” in a process called oral chelation.

You may have heard of intravenous chelation, which can replace some types of invasive surgery for serious heart and circulatory problems.

But Växa’s TriCardia+ is an oral chelation regimen, taken in capsule form and totally non-invasive. It pays particular attention to the organs which these unwanted particles target (heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, lymphatic system), while also cleaning out the arteries.

TriCardia+ is the only oral chelation on the market with 32 necessary amino acids plus 1.2 grams of EDTA (the chelation agent necessary for isolating and sequestering metal ions), and homeopathic medicinals. It will give your body a “roto-rooter” type of cleaning and can ensure good health for years to come.

Are You In Touch with Your Colon?

The first reaction one often gets when discussing matters of the intestines, colon and what they produce is “Ugh!” Well, we need to get over it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer (also called colon cancer) is the all-around Number Two Cancer Killer in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be.

We could lower that ranking and keep ourselves from joining the statistic with a willingness to get regularly tested. Colon cancer screening, called a “colonoscopy”, becomes vitally important every 3 to 5 years if you’re 50 or older, but is also gaining momentum for the under 50 crowd. It is one test for which you don’t want to wait until you are symptomatic. Colorectal cancer develops with few, if any, symptoms.

Too little, too late – What ARE the Symptoms?

Colorectal cancer took the health news spotlight in 1998 when TV anchorwoman Katie Couric lost her husband, Jay Monahan, to the disease. Thanks in part to Couric co-founding the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance in 2000, awareness of the deadly cancer has been heightened.

Colorectal cancer generally involves both the colon and the rectum. Monahan, who died in his early 40’s, didn’t exhibit any symptoms of colon cancer until it was too late. However, if symptoms are present, they may include:

* A change in bowel habits, blood in or on the stool, strangely narrow stools
* Unexplained stomach discomfort
* Recurring pains, gas, indigestion
* Chronic fatigue
* Unexpected or drastic weight loss

Approximately 90% of cases occur in people over 50, but risks for colorectal cancer in people of any age can include:

* Chronic intestinal diseases like Crohn’s or Colitis
* History of colorectal cancer or polyps in colon and rectum, self or family
* Lifestyle factors like:
- Sedentary habits (low physical exercise – i.e., couch and computer potatoes!)
- Insufficient intake of vegetables, fruits, and fiber
- High-fat diet
- Obesity
- Regular alcohol consumption or smoking

What happens during a “colonoscopy”?

In a colonoscopy, the large intestine, colon and rectum are examined with a “colonoscope” – a long flexible tube with a camera on the end – inserted through the anus while the patient is under light sedation. It detects pre-cancerous polyps which can be removed during the procedure, and the doctor can also take biopsies for cancer testing.

Prior to the colonoscopy, the patient must thoroughly cleanse out the colon. Many of us have heard about the “awful liquid” that must be consumed the day before the procedure!

Some doctors will do a “sigmoidoscopy” first, which examines the last third of the large intestine; possibly when there is less suspicion of colon cancer, or the insurance company will not pay for a colonoscopy without a prior sigmoidoscopy.

Lower your chances for colorectal cancer!

Maintain a healthy diet with fiber, fruits and vegetables, get plenty of exercise, and do some painless internal cleansing on your own! Växa offers a homeopathic colon cleansing program in capsule form called Colon-Aid+, made with gentle, all-natural herbs and other ingredients. Done over a thirty day period or longer by choice, Colon-Aid+ cleanses the lower gastrointestinal tract, improves bowel function, inhibits bacteria, fungus and parasites, and – uncommon to many other colon cleansers – can actually repair damaged intestinal tissues and accelerate gastric ulcer healing.

Also, be sure to have plenty of “good” intestinal bacteria to counter bad bacteria and toxins. This can be done by adding Växa’s Re-Flora+ to the program, which guarantees the proper ratio of probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus, etc.) in the intestines.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Be proactive – Take Colon-Aid+ and then schedule your colonoscopy.

(Colon-Aid+ may not replace the cleanser your doctor will prescribe for the procedure).

Zero in on the many benefits of Zinc

When it comes to the ABC’s of vitamins and minerals, we must look to the end of the alphabet to find one of the most essential minerals for good health.

Zinc is always included in the “Big Five” antioxidant combination, along with vitamins A, E, C and the mineral Selenium. “Antioxidants” help to ward off “free radicals” - atoms or groups of atoms floating in the atmosphere with unpaired electrons which can attach to and damage cell membranes. When this occurs, cells may function poorly or die and our immune system goes down.

Zinc’s powerhouse potency

Zinc has anti-inflammatory capability and should normally be found in every cell in our body. It is one of the keys to a healthy immune system, as it helps build white blood cells (T-lymphocytes) that fight infection.


Probably best individually known for its ability to prevent colds or shorten their cycle (especially as zinc gluconate, well tolerated and absorbed in lozenge form), zinc is also very instrumental in the following processes:

* Aiding in normal conception, fetal growth and development as well as childhood and adolescent growth and health
* Maintaining our senses of smell and taste
* Boosting enzyme activity
* Healing wounds
* Absorption of other minerals
* Healthy skin and hair
* Anti-inflammatory effect on acne
* Preventing heart disease and diabetes

A zinc deficiency can commonly be caused by poor diet, suppressed immune system from infection or an ongoing disease, high alcohol intake, breast feeding, or frequent diarrhea.

In the case of poor diet, zinc deficiency doesn’t only occur in meat lovers, vegetable haters, junk food junkies or chocaholics! Vegetarians need almost one and a half times the zinc, because it is harder to absorb from most green plant foods (with the possible exception of spinach) than from beef, shellfish, pork, lamb and poultry. Other good sources are beans and oatmeal.

For maintenance against zinc deficiency, 30 mg per day is the norm. When ill, that can be doubled or tripled in 2 to 3 separate doses at different times of day along with extra A, E, C and Selenium.

Anything over 150 mg per day can possibly cause a copper deficiency (copper should be taken at small amounts of 1 to 2 mg per day).

Zinc should not be taken on an empty stomach as it can cause gastric discomfort in the form of pain and cramps in the lower abdomen. So it should be taken after meals.

At Växa, we include zinc in our antioxidant formula Anti-Oxin, and vitamin supplement Daily Essentials, as well as in many of our other products because zinc is so proficient in helping the immune system, which in turn will aid in staving off osteoporosis (by promoting absorption of calcium), heart conditions, high and low blood sugar problems, childhood illnesses, and so many other health challenges. Remember that our bodies will only absorb approximately 75% of most supplements we take – less when sick – and they are best absorbed with an active lifestyle. Think about Zinc!

The Healing Power of the Cranberry

The cranberry has long been associated with the holiday season, and no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without at least a few cranberry dishes. In addition to the delicious taste of the cranberry, however, this wholesome fruit has many important health benefits as well. The cranberry is very high in a number of important nutrients, in particular, a variety of important antioxidant vitamins. Nutritionists and other experts all talk about the many benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and cranberries are an excellent way to fit five servings a day of fruits and vegetables into even the busiest lifestyle.

How nutritious is the cranberry?

In addition to its role in optimizing overall health and fitness, the cranberry is thought to play a role in reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infection. The reason for this effect is thought to be the proanthocyanidins (PACs) contained in cranberries. These PACs have been shown to prevent certain types of bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

The PACs contained in the cranberry are also thought to help prevent gum disease and stomach ulcers, using the same anti-adhesion mechanism.

There is growing evidence that the phytonutrients and antioxidants contained in the cranberry and other fruits may help to protect against a variety of diseases, including such potentially life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

Antioxidants gain their healing power through their ability to fight the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are part of the normal processes of the cells of the body, but they can be quite damaging to health. Antioxidants work to mitigate the damage caused by free radicals, and therefore they are thought to play an important role in preventing degenerative diseases and even retarding the aging process.

Fortunately for those who want to include more cranberry products in their diet, these products are plentiful, inexpensive and available all year long. Fresh cranberries are available in many major grocery stores and supermarkets for the majority of the year, and when they are not available, there are plenty of canned and frozen cranberry products to take their place.

In addition to fresh, canned and frozen cranberries, there are a number of excellent cranberry based products on the market. In addition to the cranberry sauce that is part of every traditional Thanksgiving celebration, there is cranberry juice and even cranberry pudding. With all these choices, it is easy to fit more cranberries into just about any diet. And with all the health benefits cranberries contain, there is no reason not to enjoy more of this tasty treat.

To further bolster your immune system, try Anti-Oxin+, Växa’s unique free radical scavenger. Anti-Oxin+ is one of the most potent proactive antioxidants available, containing a number of biologically active nutritional compounds such as grape seed extract (Activin), Pycnogenol

Hawthorne Berry - An Age - Old Heart Health Aid

Hawthorne berry is an herb that comes from the hawthorn shrub, which can grow up to 40 feet in height. The berries are usually bright red in coloration. They have been used medicinally since the time of the ancient Greeks for such things as insomnia and nervousness.

Hawthorne berry today is most associated with its widespread use as a tonic for the heart. Specifically, it protects arterial walls, has the ability to dilate (enlarge) coronary blood vessels (the vessels supplying the heart with vital oxygen, blood, and nutrients), and strengthen the heart's pumping ability. Because of these powerful cardiac benefits, it is now one of the most prescribed heart remedies in Europe.

Hawthorne Berry – A Potent Nutrient For Optimal Heart Health

People who suffer from angina would most likely benefit by hawthorne berry's ability to increase blood flow through the arteries. Additionally, for the same reason, those afflicted with hypertension (high blood pressure) may alleviate their condition since narrowed arteries require the heart to work more strenuously in getting blood through them.

People who suffer from tachycardia (rapid heart beating) and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beating) may also find relief. It also has antioxidant properities which may help offset arterial damage from plaque formation and accumulation. In short, hawthorne berry is seen by some as an all-purpose heart medicine.

Potential side effects are rare, and usually superficial in nature. For some, these include nausea, sweating, and fatigue. In addition, those individuals who are not afflicted with any heart condition may experience a significant drop in blood pressure if very large doses of hawthorne berry are consumed. Other than these considerations, it is generally seen as a safe herbal remedy.

The evidence for hawthorne berry's efficacy is significant, especially given its lengthy history of use. Many studies have shown that this herb performs admirably as a medicine for heart health. However, those already on some sort of prescribed heart drug should take special precaution to avoid possible drug interaction, though none are known at the present time.

Dosage can range from 25 mg up to 300 mg per tablet or capsule. Those people who fall into the risk group for heart disease may wish to take at least 100 mg of hawthorne berry daily. For others, 25 mg would normally suffice, assuming standardized extract is being used.

For extra help, try the products in Växa’s Cardiovascular Care Line. They are non-invasive and carry no side effects. These advanced homeopathic medicinals can protect your body against an acidic pH, as well as provide your cardiovascular system with a rich supply of essential nutrients such as Coenzyme Q10 and “Heart Smart” Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Circulin is a homeopathic medicinal designed to address the problems associated with high blood pressure or hypertension. Heart Formula is formulated to strengthen and support the circulatory system, focusing most of its action on stimulating the heart. Omegacin+ offers 29 bioavailable Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids and essential lipids, plus phytosterols and antioxidants. Tricardia+, Växa’s oral chelation formula, is designed to detoxify the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys.

The Amazing Health Benefits of the Humble Pomegranate

The humble pomegranate is yet further proof of the reasoning behind the Mediterranean diet being hailed as the healthiest diet in the world. For many centuries these rather unexciting and overlooked fruit have grown on farms all around the Mediterranean area and have been a taken for granted seasonal part of the diet. However, research has uncovered substantial benefits to our health from the consumption of pomegranates.

So Why Should We Eat Pomegranates?

Firstly, they can not only protect against atherosclerosis, i.e. the thickening of arterial walls which can cause heart attacks and strokes, but have been reported to actually reverse this thickening and thus return your arteries to a more youthful state.

Research has also shown that they have the ability to lower blood pressure in addition to which they can effectively reduce your levels of bad cholesterol and help increase levels of good cholesterol. The powerful antioxidants found in pomegranates can improve blood flow in all areas of the body and thus lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes and impotence. The general antioxidant effect of pomegranates is three times greater than that of either red wine or green tea and should be included in everyone’s diet.

Pomegranates tend to have a fairly short season and do not store very well. However, if you want to make the most of the health benefits of pomegranates all year round then buy them when they are in season and therefore plentiful and cheap and freeze them.

The easiest way to prepare pomegranates for freezing is to cut them in half, immerse them in a deep bowl of water then break the segments apart and pry out the seeds. The seeds will sink and the pith and skin will float. Skim this off the top and then strain the seeds, pat dry on a clean tea towel and freeze in polythene bags excluding the air.

Heart attacks and strokes are the number one killer for men and women alike in the western world so if you are only going to adopt one element of the healthy Mediterranean diet then this should definitely be at the top of your list. The effect pomegranates can have on maintaining a healthy heart should be a health benefit we should all be taking advantage of.

One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. It is also a rich source of folic acid. Pomegranates are high in polyphenols. The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranates are hydrolysable tannins, particularly punicalagins, which have been shown in many peer-reviewed research publications to be the antioxidant responsible for the free-radical scavenging ability of pomegranate juice.

Växa’s Anti-Oxin provides you with the ideal means to provide your body with an all-natural anti-oxidant, in addition to the entire spectrum of Vitamin C-esters. Växa’s Heart Formula is a homeopathic medicinal formulated to strengthen and support the circulatory system, focusing most of its action on stimulating the heart. Systemex provides you with a convenient complete cardiovascular health shake, engineered to help support the function of the cardiovascular system.

The Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease and Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

Over 50 million Americans have cardiovascular problems, and most other Western countries face high and increasing rates of cardiovascular disease. It is the number 1 cause of death and disability in the United States and most European countries. By the time that heart problems are detected, the underlying cause (atherosclerosis) is usually quite advanced, having progressed for decades. There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise and avoidance of smoking.


Attempts to prevent cardiovascular disease take the form of modifying risk factors. For example, eating oily fish at least twice a week may help reduce the risk of sudden death and arrhythmias. Studies of individual heart cells showed that the fatty acids blocked excessive sodium and calcium currents in the heart, which could otherwise cause dangerous, unpredictable changes in its rhythm.


Recent studies have cast doubt over the effectiveness of essential fatty acids, prompting further study and investigation...


The Debate Is Over – Omega-3s Are A Solid Preventative Of Cardiovascular Disease


The recent debate surrounding the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be put to rest. A recent review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reinforces past evidence which has linked Omega-3s from oily fish and supplements to the reduction of CVD and risk of sudden death. According to an independent editorial by Richard Dickelbaum and Sharon Akabas from Columbia University, the new review takes “a large step forward in helping resolve the controversies related to the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on CVD outcomes.” One of the problems with reviewing and pooling previous studies comes from the fact that many of the studies are not directly comparable, with long- and short-term trials being grouped together.


Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to a wide range of health benefits, including CVD prevention, good baby development during pregnancy, joint health, behavior and mood, in addition to certain ulcers. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids classified as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body; they must be obtained from food. Important omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition are: a-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).


The following additions will supply your body with an abundant supply of essential fatty acids:
• Fish and shellfish
• Flaxseed (linseed)
• Soya oil
• Canola oil
• Hemp oil
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
• Leafy vegetables and walnuts
•
Those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet tend to have higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Similar to those who follow a Mediterranean diet, Inuit Eskimos, who consume high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, also tend to have increased HDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides (fatty material that circulates in the blood). In addition, fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA have been shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides. Finally, walnuts (rich in ALA) have been shown to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol.


For those of us who live the standard busy lifestyle, Växa provides the ideal solution in the form of Omegacin+. Omegacin+ offers 29 bioavailable fatty acids and essential lipids, plus phytosterols and antioxidants. This doctor-formulated homeopathic medicinal can help strengthen cell membrane integrity, help repair cellular and tissue damage and help optimize neurological transmission and brain function.

Non-Prescription Choices For Women With Hormone Imbalance

Not so long ago, menopause was a word you did not say out loud in public, and you had to go to a medical library to find a book on the subject. Today, every Barnes and Nobles, Borders, and other book stores carry literally dozens of titles on the subject of hormone imbalance or menopause.

With 40 million menopausal women in America and some 20 million baby boomer women on the brink of menopause, it is no wonder this is such a major topic of discussion today. Many women are educating themselves and "doing their homework", not readily accepting the "gold standard" so quickly suggested by their doctors of taking synthetic hormones like Premarin (from pregnant mares' urine) to assist them through this normal transition of life.

After all, menopause is not a disease but only a transition between one's childbearing years and the large segment of life that follows, when one no longer need be concerned with monthly cycles and the responsibility of pregnancy. Menopause is by design and not a mistake of mother nature... Today there are many natural alternatives that have proven to be beneficial in helping women to balance their hormones without the risky side effects of the synthetic hormones. I encourage you to take personal responsibility for your own health, and consider getting started on natural hormones today!

Summer Is Almost Over? Tell That To My Hot Flashes!

Summer may be coming to an end, but for many menopausal women across the country, the discomfort of hot flashes and night sweats will remain. Hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness and irritability are just some of the symptoms women are likely to experience during menopause. These symptoms are caused by a natural depletion of estrogen levels, causing many women to turn to Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) in order to alleviate their symptoms. While this form of treatment can be effective, widely publicized potential health risks such as increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease have motivated women to seek alternative forms of treatment.

Approximately 80-90% of women in the United States are thought to experience the aforementioned symptoms during menopause, whereas only an estimated 30% of women in Asia experience the same symptoms. Why? The answer is soy. Menopausal symptom relief is just one of the many benefits associated with the regular consumption of soy. The typical Asian diet ensures that adequate amounts of soy are consumed on a regular basis, resulting in an all-natural method of reducing menopausal symptoms before they even surface. Soy isoflavones not only alleviate hot flashes and night sweats, a recent study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility indicated that soy isoflavones can also reduce emotional instability and may improve cognitive function in women with menopause. The use of soy as an all-natural, non-intrusive and risk-free alternative to traditional ERT methods is becoming more common across the nation.

In addition to adding dietary supplements containing soy to your daily health regime, the following ingredients will provide you with the adequate amounts of soy isoflavones:

Soybeans
Fortified soymilk
Tofu and tempeh
Soy flour


The products within Växa’s Women’s Health Line also cater to the specific needs of women during this delicate time. Preserve Cream for Women is an all-natural soy-based HRT balancing cream. The cream is rapidly absorbed through the skin where it starts to work immediately. Preserve is a homeopathic medicinal specifically formulated to address the problems and discomforts of menopause by providing the body with a rich supply of safe, naturally occurring phytoestrogen complexes and calming herbs.

Longevity...Is It In You?

While we all want to live a long, healthy life, several factors come into play which determine your overall quality of life. You have probably heard the expression, “Play the hand you are dealt,” obviously meaning that genetics influences your chances of being healthy or living with disease.

Personally I feel a positive mental attitude towards life, a balanced diet, plenty of rest to assist the immune system, and regular to moderate exercise are key. Bottom line…age is a state of mind, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

Is The Fountain Of Youth In Your Genes?

We have all heard of the George Burns type who drink and smoke and live long healthy lives, which leads to a debate about how much lifestyle and inherited genes have to do with life longevity. According to an article in the New York Times, “Live Long? Die Young? Answer Isn’t Just in Genes,” life span is simply random. “The likely reason is that life span is determined by such a complex mix of events that there is no accurate predicting for the individuals. The factors include genetic predispositions, disease, nutrition, a woman’s health during pregnancy, subtle injuries and accidents and simply chance events, like a randomly occurring mutation in a gene of a cell that ultimately leads to cancer.”

This is good news, folks. Look at it this way. Some of us whose mother or father died early on are expecting the same for themselves, but that is not necessarily going to be the outcome. Also, in this article it does in fact point out that how we live our lives does have a strong influence on the quality and longevity of it. The article discussed many studies by various leading experts, who all agree that genetics is not a strong indicator of life span. There have been many studies following identical twins and fraternal twins and found that it was even impossible to judge life spans in identical twins.

Reading between the lines and showing a connection to lifestyle, there was a set of identical twins in the study who are both alive at the age of 92. Their lives are not concurrent however, as one sister is very healthy and very active, and the other sister has many old age type illnesses (incontinence, hip replacement, poor vision and dementia). The healthy sister claims to have been very active in tennis most of her life, obtained a master's degree, enjoyed a successful career as a teacher and was very headstrong. The healthy sister describes her twin as always having been more of a fragile individual who did not do well in school, obtaining only a high school degree.

On this same note, The Associated Press published an article titled, “Want to be 100? Listen To These 5 Centenarians.” They interviewed 5 women over the age of 100 and came to the conclusion that “the key to longevity is working hard at a job you love and taking care of your body while you’re at it.” All of the women had very positive outlooks on their current life. Commenting on how they hear all the time how some people do not want to live to be their age and they cannot understand why.

How long you live and what the quality of that life is does depend greatly on the individual. Yes, some of us may be affected by genetics, and some may have traumatic and random accidents. However, we are not chained to any one specific occurrence, rather living life to your highest and happiest potential, and incorporating healthy decisions is your best bet for a long healthy life. For additional tips, a must read is Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. Specifically part one, “Understanding the Elements of Health.”

You will find many Växa products featured in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing, such as Attend, Buffer-pH, Parasitin and Cell-U-Lite. Although, many of these products are symptom specific, Buffer-pH and Parasitin are two products that are vital in creating a healthy environment for longevity.

Bacteria Can Be Good For You!

When we think of bacteria, we generally think it is bad. While this can be true, many of us are not aware that certain forms of bacteria can in fact be good for us. “Good” bacteria essentially combat the development of “bad” bacteria, which in turn strengthens our immune system and wards off disease. While the body naturally produces a supply of “good” bacteria, the lack of nutrients in the Standard American Diet, the use of antibiotics, prolonged illness or stress can deplete this supply, making it necessary to consume probiotic supplements in order to replenish “good” bacteria supplies. So, how do probiotics actually work?

The Benefits Of Probiotics

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast, however lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common microbes used. LAB have been used in the food industry for many years, because they are able to convert sugars (including lactose) and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This not only provides the characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, but acts as a preservative, by lowering the pH and creating fewer opportunities for harmful organisms to grow.

Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring flora within the digestive tract to reestablish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for candidiasis.

The rationale for probiotics is that the body contains a miniature ecology of microbes, collectively known as the gut flora. The number of bacterial types can be thrown out of balance by a wide range of circumstances including the use of antibiotics or other drugs, excess alcohol, stress, disease, exposure to toxic substances, or even the use of antibacterial soap. In cases like these, the bacteria that work well with our bodies may decrease in number, an event which allows harmful competitors to thrive, to the detriment of our health.

Maintenance of healthy gut flora is, however, dependent on many factors, especially the quality of food intake. Including a significant proportion of prebiotic foods in the diet has been demonstrated to support a healthy probiotic flora and may be a more effective and sustainable means of achieving the desirable health benefits promised by probiotics.

Experiments into the benefits of probiotic therapies suggest a range of potentially beneficial medicinal uses for probiotics. For example, research has indicated that ingestion of probiotics may aid individuals with lactose intolerance, those with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Probiotics have also been linked to prevention of colon cancer and the improvement of immune system functions thereby reducing the risk of contracting infections.

In addition to consuming probiotic supplements, the inclusion of the following foods also help promote a healthy environment within the gut:

Kefir
Yogurt
Sauerkraut
Kimchi


To ensure that your body is getting sufficient amounts of probiotics, try ReFlora. ReFlora contains a special complex of 10 different and beneficial bacteria, phytomedicinals and other nutrients to help the body restore healthy bacterial flora.

Have You Had Your Fruits and Vegetables Today?

By now, we are all aware that eating more fruits and vegetables is as central to a healthy nutritional plan or program as drinking more water, consuming more omega 3 essential fatty acids, or eliminating sugars from the diet. While most vegetables are good, some are clearly better than others from a nutritional standpoint. The general rule is - the greener the better - and of course some red, yellow, and orange colored vegetables are healthy too. Remember, to practice having a colorful plate, not just white and brown foods.

Obviously, the Government's Food Pyramid Guide has been less than ideal in educating people about balanced diets. I saw a study recently that showed that less than one-third of Americans eat enough fiber ( fruits and vegetables) in their diet. It is no wonder that the incidence of chronic degenerative conditions continue to climb each year, namely, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. I would have to agree with Hippocrates the "Father of Medicine" who so aptly stated.."Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food."

Remember, if you choose to be healthier, you must make smarter food choices!!!


Your Parents Were Right – Fruits and Vegetables are Good for You

The importance of fruits and vegetables has been essentially drummed into us since childhood by parents and grandparents alike. While we all know that fruits and vegetables are good for you, many of us are still in the dark when it comes to knowing the reasons behind the importance of consuming them.

Our diet lays the foundation for our overall well-being and health. Like any other living organism on this earth, without correct nutrition, our bodies will simply start to wither and fail us. A balanced diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables provides our bodies with the ideal tools to facilitate optimum organ function, large supplies of vitality and energy to cope with day-to-day life, and the maintenance of a strong immune system to ward off disease.

A diet containing the correct amounts of fruits and vegetables is intricately related to the prevention of America’s top two causes of death, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has predicted that 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 500,000 will die from it. The role that diet plays is clearly demonstrated by the fact that 32% of these deaths could be related to eating patterns. The CDC has also reported that the consumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown by recent studies to be associated with cardiovascular disease prevention.

In an effort to guide the American population into leading healthier lifestyles, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlines dietary recommendations in the MyPyramid food guide which is available to everyone. In the past, the MyPyramid food guide has recommended an average of five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. This is no longer the case. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle and combat serious illness, the USDA now recommends that we consume 2-6 and a half cups of fruits and vegetables per day – an obvious increase.

Now, you may be thinking that not many people will actually commit to including 6 cups of fruits and vegetables in their diet on a daily basis. Sadly, you are probably right. A study conducted by researchers at the USDA and the Cancer Institute found that 60% of the American population failed to keep up with the previous MyPyramid guidelines between 1999 and 2000. This does not bode well for the new, more stringent recommendations.

We live in an age of convenience which has greatly influenced the Standard American Diet. The “24/7 society” has forced many of us into making a choice between convenient food which we can prepare quickly and eat on the go, over foods which take longer to prepare but are rich in the nutrients our bodies require. A few simple adjustments to your dietary regime can easily set you on the right path to a healthy lifestyle:

... Replace potato chips with raw vegetables.
... Add fruit to your breakfast cereal.
... Replace coffee, tea and soda with juice.
... Explore your supermarket’s produce aisle. You will realize that many items such as raisins, grapes, cherry tomatoes and bananas can be used as great “on the go” food.

In addition to making dietary adjustments, Växa’s Daily Nutrition Line will help you make sure that you are supplying your body with all the necessary essential nutrients. For example, one serving of VäxaGreens is the equivalent to consuming 5 whole green salads, Nutritionizer is a balanced meal replacement shake which offers a quick and tasty way to get 100% of the USRDIs of 36 vitamins and minerals, and Daily Essentials will ensure that your body is never lacking in optimum nutrition.

Did You Know ADD/ADHD Has Been Around For About One Hundred Years?

That's right!! Attention Deficit Disorder has been described in medical literature for about one hundred years, when a well-noted Pediatrician, George Still M.D., described a group of children who were hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive. Fast forward to 2006, and currently ADD/ADHD affects approximately 7 percent of the population.

Since the new school year has begun across the country, I felt this article could be timely, and help you or someone you know or care about to consider all your options. I recently saw a study that stated that approximately 2 million prescriptions were written for children of all ages last month alone for ADD/ADHD. That is a lot of prescriptions for any condition, which tells me that the awareness for ADD/ADHD is at an all-time high.

So as a take home message this week, just remember that a diagnosis from a qualified professional of ADD/ADHD in your child is not a crisis (although I realize it can be challenging for the whole family in certain situations). Many of America's brightest and most successful adults admit to having some form of Attention Deficit disorder as a child, and learned how to turn symptoms that are perceived to be lemons, into "Lemonade."

ADD/ADHD: Back to School Tips

No matter where you live in the United States, school is back in full force by now. We wanted to take this time to talk to you about some ways of working with a child that has ADD/ADHD this school year. The number one fact to keep in mind is that any change, sudden or otherwise, is going to affect that child. So be very cautious when deciding to make a change in the normal routine. Evaluate the change and be sure it is the best decision for the child. Also, be very aware of who their teachers are and what events, tests, etc. are going on at school. This is important because these changes may also cause a disruption for your child. School holidays, socials and sports tryouts may also cause added stress on your child.

It is true that many of these things can cause stress to any child, but it is important to note that the stress induced on a child with ADD/ADHD is greater. Let’s imagine that your child was adjusted to their teacher and was keeping up in class. Then the teacher goes on a maternity leave and now your child has to adjust to another teacher for the next few months that has a totally different teaching style. Your child could fall behind while trying to adjust to the new teaching style, which could affect them for the remaining school year. Another scenario could be that a standardized test is coming up and the pace of the class has increased in order to prepare for the exam. Your child could get left behind and overwhelmed with the stress of keeping up, and maybe even give up all together.

As a parent or guardian of a child with ADD/ADHD it is more than a full time job. You really have to dig in there and be your child’s biggest advocate. For example, it may not be the best idea for your child to be in a classroom where another teacher may have to fill in for two months. Nor will it be easy to convince the school to make the change without hurting someone’s feelings, but it may be the best for your child. Also, it may be a good idea to get the study guide for a standardized test ahead of time from the teacher and begin to have brief study times before the class even starts to prepare, that way your child will be more comfortable and prepared for the faster paced environment.

In a recent article by Healthwise, “Behavior therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” they give several helpful tips for all aged children. And as you read through each and every one of these tips you see some very distinct commonalities. The overall ideas in their tips are these:


. Know your child’s routines and create for them a structured environment supporting their educational efforts, need for playtime and family chore time.
. Reward positive behavior.
. Be consistent and set clear instructions for tasks.
. Be a good role model, including such behavioral traits as patience, calmness and good listening skills.


Attend is a valuable and helpful tool in addressing your child’s ADD/ADHD needs. For those customers of ours whose child is taking Attend this school year we would like to give you one more additional tip. Once you have gotten your child through the loading dosage of the Attend and have gotten to the results you were looking for, keep in mind that it may be necessary during times of stress to go back to the loading dosage until the child has adjusted to the stress. During important standardized tests and after returning from a school holiday may be a good time to return your child to the loading dosage.

Every child has their quirks and deserves special one on one attention. We hope this school year is one of bonding for both you and your child. Many of Växa products are suitable for your child, so if you have other health needs for them just give us a call (1-800-248-8292) and our customer service representatives will be glad to help.

Are You Having Fun Yet? Pay Attention To Body Signals and Enjoy The Rest Of Your Summer!

Since August is both Pain and Psoriasis Awareness month (Fun Month Right?) I wanted to comment on both of these and their associated manifestations, as well as offer some alternative therapeutic options.

Pain is universally understood as a signal of disease and often the most common symptom that brings a patient to see their doctor. Pain is an unpleasant sensation localized to a part of the body. It is described with terms like burning, stabbing, twisting, tearing, squeezing, or an emotional reaction like terrifying, nauseating or sickening. Any pain of moderate to high intensity is accompanied by anxiety. It is the task of medicine to preserve and restore health and to relieve suffering, i.e. pain.

Pain can be emotional, physical, psychological or spiritual. When pain is acute it is accompanied by a stress response, which produces increased blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter and plasma Cortisol levels. Psoriasis itself is an emotional and painful disease (in more ways than one), let alone factor in its relationship to psoriatic arthritis in susceptible individuals. The good news is by making lifestyle changes today, many of the symptoms can be reduced or in some cases alleviated all together.

Psoriatic Arthritis And Treatment Options

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 10-30% of people living with psoriasis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and connective tissue that can be very painful and even disabling depending on the severity of it and how early the diagnosis is made. The cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, however, the immune system, genetics and environmental factors (emotional stress, toxins, etc.) are thought to be contributors. The onset of psoriatic arthritis typically appears between the ages of 30-50; earlier onset may result in a more severe form of the disease.

A person can have psoriasis for up to 20 years before ever developing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis; however, on average the symptoms begin to show 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. Although 85% of patients have psoriasis prior to psoriatic arthritis, there are a small number of cases when symptoms of psoriatic arthritis appear first. Early diagnosis will allow for the best possible prognosis. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are generalized fatigue, nail changes such as pitted nail beds, redness and pain of the eye, swollen fingers or toes; along with joint stiffness, pain and tenderness, as well as sensitivity around the surrounding tissue of the joints. If you have psoriasis and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please inform your dermatologist or general practitioner. He or she will refer you to a physician who specializes in arthritis, often a rheumatologist.

There is no single test that can diagnose a person with psoriatic arthritis. Often it is diagnosed through a process of elimination and observation of symptoms. Many of the traditional tests to diagnose various forms of arthritis do not show conclusively that someone is suffering from psoriatic arthritis; they do, however, conclude that the patient is not suffering from some other form of arthritis.

Traditional treatment of the condition includes: anti-inflammatory medications and disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate. Other treatments include: diet, exercise, climate change, surgery, physical therapy, splints and nutritional supplementation. Arthritin is a natural arthritis treatment specifically formulated to help reduce the pain and discomfort of common arthritis and joint degeneration. No other natural arthritis treatment is as comprehensive, or as powerful. Within Arthritin, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic ingredients create a powerful formula more effective than other brands or than any one ingredient by itself.

Another important note is that since part of the cause is due to environmental factors such as a build up of toxins (from smoking, alcohol consumption, pollutants and pharmaceutical medications) many of those who suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis improve with cleansing and detoxifying the liver. Liver Formula is a homeopathic medicinal formulated to naturally support the body's ability to: promote circulation within the liver, accelerate the regeneration of damaged liver tissues, filter toxins from the bloodstream and help promote the production of bile.

Lastly, the control of psoriasis symptoms may also help to control symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and early diagnosis is your best defense. Don't ignore symptoms of any kind and actively seek treatment for both

The Lifestyle Change Approach To Healthy Weight Loss

Researchers have been baffled for years on why people gain weight, and for those who are obese, why it is so difficult to lose the excess pounds. I am here to tell you that since I have been involved in medicine, this topic has been a medical challenge, and yet no clear-cut explanation exists. Unfortunately, America is becoming more obese and the incidence of associated chronic disease onset is rising at a comparable pace.

There are literally hundreds of diets and diet programs that claim to be the answer to the problem of obesity. Dieters are constantly being bombarded with the latest and greatest diet or products.

It is apparent that a successful program for obesity or weight loss is consistent with the basic tenets or premise of naturopathic medicine/holistic medicine - a proper diet with adequate fiber, plenty of good pure drinking water, moderate exercise and a positive mental attitude. Remember, mind and body do not stand-alone; they work together.

Weight Management & Health Maintenance Should Be A Year-Round Priority

Just as the New Year inspires many of us to make the New Year’s resolution to lose weight, the advent of summer tends to inspire us to make a concerted effort to revise our dietary and exercise habits in order to wear our summer clothes comfortably.

Unfortunately, this type of motivation and enthusiasm has the rather annoying habit of waning as time progresses, causing us to yet again hide in the clothes we normally reserve for the fall and winter months. If you did not achieve your weight loss goals, do not lose hope. By making several realistic lifestyle changes which you can incorporate into your daily regimen on a permanent basis, your body will be more equipped and prepared to handle future weight loss goals. The holidays will soon be here and the temptation to overeat and slack off from exercise will be greater. Resist the temptation to over-indulge during the upcoming holidays, this way, your weight and health targets will be much more attainable.

“Over 300m adults are obese worldwide, according to latest statistics from the WHO and the International Obesity Task Force. About one-quarter of the US adult population is said to be obese, with rates in Western Europe on the rise although not yet at similar levels.” – Nutraingredients-usa.com, 7/31/2006.

The statistics outlined above are indeed alarming. By making the effort to incorporate at least some of the following tips into your lifestyle, you will be making some progress in avoiding becoming one of these statistics:

* Eat raw fresh fruits and vegetables several times a day.
* Eat plenty of fiber in the course of the day, especially beans.
* Eat breakfast regularly.
* Try to eat small meal portions and healthy snacks in between meals to boost your
metabolism.
* Avoid soda or any overly sugared drinks.
* Drink plenty of purified water.
* Avoid foods with saturated and trans fats, high sugar content and high levels of salt.
* Cut out as much refined carbohydrates as possible (white starches).
* If you feel like indulging in a desert, try to make wise choices and stick to a small portion.

If you make these lifestyle adjustments weight loss will be achievable, but more importantly you will be healthier.


Most of us are well aware of the fact that exercise is a fundamental element in any weight loss program. A common excuse for not exercising is that we simply do not have the time. The common misconception that effective exercise regimens require a large investment in time is what prevents most of us from even making an attempt to include it in our daily routines. By dedicating as little as 15-30 minutes of your day to exercise, you should be able to reach your weight loss goals.

Deciding to exercise more does not automatically mean you have to invest in a gym membership. There are several simple lifestyle changes that can cumulatively achieve the desired effects. This includes:

* Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
* Going for walks with family members or loved ones.
* Close your office door (if you have one) and do some sit-ups on your lunch break. Repeat this routine a couple of hours before you retire in the evening.
* On the weekends, instead of going to a movie or renting one, try something more active such as bowling, golfing, swimming, roller skating