Welcome to the the Vital to Health and Wellness Blog!

The purpose of this blog is to talk about topics and news related to health and wellness for living a healthier and happier life.  The Vital to Health and Wellness blog will feature many different subjects such as managing arthritis and osteoporosis, nutritional supplements, exercise and nutrition.

There is so much information available on the internet today about health.  How do you even begin to sort through it all?  You can practically diagnose yourself before you go to the doctor!  We will try to discuss here, all in one location, up-to-date and relevant health information especially related to joint pain and arthritis, bone health and osteoporosis, having more energy and children's health.

But a little about myself first- I have been working in the supplement industry for over five years now and have enjoyed every minute of it.  Even before that I have always tried to live a healthy lifestyle and looked for alternative ways to get and stay healthy.  I am wife and a mother of two wonderful healthy children and I like to stay very active - hiking, volleyball, gardening, anything that gets me outdoors in the beautiful Northwest (when its not raining, of course).

We will also have experts contributing to our blog from time to time such as a certified nutritionist and a registered dietician to give us even more great information and tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle!  Stay tuned!

Please feel free to send me your comments or questions anytime.  I am very excited about reaching out to everyone and providing great information as well as learning from you!

Happy Easter and Happy Blogging!


Health Tip of the Week:  Go ahead and hunt those Easter Eggs too along with the kids or grandchildren - just remember to stretch well first!

 

Liquid sunshine in a bottle.

I am excited to announce the launch of our newest product, a liquid vitamin D supplement that's perfect for the whole family to take, ages 4 and up.  It tastes really good with a great natural berry flavor.  I took some home for my kids to try and they loved it!  It has 1000 IU of vitamin D3 in the recommended dosage of only 2 teaspoons for adults or 500 IU in one teaspoon for ages 4 to 12.  Read more

Why take vitamin D supplements?
Recent scientific studies report that as much as 50% of the US population is unknowingly deficient in vitamin D.  Most people don't regularly eat enough vitamin D rich foods (salmon, sardines) or drink enough milk to satisfy the recommended daily allowance.  You would have to drink 10 glasses of milk to get 1000 IU of vitamin D or take cod liver oil. 

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is converted into its active hormone form in our body.  New research shows vitamin D provides an array of health benefits.  For example, it supports a healthy immune system and help maintain bone and teeth health among many others.  Vitamin D helps promote calcium absorption and helps our body maintain adequate blood concentrations of calcium and phosphate which are used to mineralize bone.  

Vitamin D supplements are important for those who have darker skin, spend a lot of time indoors or live in a northern climate (I work in a cubicle and I live in the Northwest), or even if you go outside a lot but wear sunscreen.  D3 is the preferable form as it is the kind made by the body when exposed to sunlight.   

You will be able to purchase this product nationwide at Walgreens locations and soon at your local drugstore and online.  You can even get a $2 off in-store coupon now!

Winter is the perfect time to start taking vitamin D. Also make sure your family is taking it as well, especially during the cold and flu season.

A great resource is a book called "The Vitamin D Cure" by James, E. Dowd, M.D. and Diane Stafford.  See www.thevitamindcure.com

Have you voted yet for your favorite energy video?  All of our videos are being hosted on YouTube.com and can be viewed there as well as on our site.

"Surf's Up" by American Film Institute student director, Anna Hauger, is currently the most watched video on YouTube.  It is unique because it combines animation and real images in a really cool, entertaining way.  It is very well done and is definitely one of my favorites.  Watch it here!




Make sure to view all the videos and vote on which one is your favorite.  Plus, enter for a chance to win a year's supply of energy!

Winter has arrived.  It is pouring down rain here in the Northwest with flood warnings in affect.  November is notoriously a very wet month and it can get very depressing for many of us who live here.  That, along with the daylight savings time change, can make it very difficult to get any Vitamin D from the sun.

Those of us who live in the northern latitudes are often affected by depression this time of year.  Seasonal Depression also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Winter Blues is a common type of depression that can have a major impact on our lives.  Low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression and mood disorders.  Read study 

It can be also be very difficult to get enough vitamin D from food.  Simply taking vitamin D supplements each day can help alleviate symptoms of depression during these long winter months.

What dose of vitamin D supplements you need depends on several factors, such as the environment you live in, what time of year it is, your skin type, age and sun exposure.  Liquid supplements makes it even easier for children and adults who have a difficult time swallowing pills.

Lung Airway Cells Activate Vitamin D and Increase Immune Response

Press Release

Vitamin D is essential to good health but needs to be activated to function properly in the human body. Until recently, this activation was thought to happen primarily in the kidneys, but a new University of Iowa study finds that the activation step can also occur in lung airway cells.

The study also links the vitamin D locally produced in the lung airway cells to activation of two genes that help fight infection. The study results appear in the Nov. 15 issue of the Journal of Immunology, now online.

In addition to contributing to calcium absorption and bone health, vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency has been recently linked to increased risk of some infections, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, and some cancers.

"The more scientists have been studying vitamin D, the more we learn about new roles it plays in the human body," said the study's lead author Sif Hansdottir, M.D., fellow in internal medicine in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. "The active form of vitamin D is known to affect the expression of more than 200 genes, so we were interested both in the possible lung-specific production of active vitamin D and in vitamin D-dependent production of proteins that fight infections."

The first step in vitamin D activation takes place in the liver, where an enzyme called 25-hydroxylase converts vitamin D into a "storage" form. The next step takes place typically in the kidneys, but in recent years, tissue and organs such as skin, intestines, breast and prostate have been found also to express the enzyme that completes vitamin D conversion.

The University of Iowa team, based in the laboratory of Gary Hunninghake, M.D., professor of internal medicine and the study's senior author, used cells from deceased human donors to demonstrate that the presence of the enzyme 1 alpha-hydroxylase in the airway cells helps convert the storage form of vitamin D into its active form.

"When we put the storage form of vitamin D on the lung airway cells, we saw them convert it to the active form," Hansdottir said. "The next step was to investigate whether this active form could affect the expression of genes."

The team then showed that vitamin D activated by airway cells affects two genes involved in immune defense. One gene expresses a protein called cathelicidin that can kill bacteria. The second gene, called CD14, produces a protein that helps cells recognize different kinds of pathogens that could be a threat.

"Vitamin D converted by the kidneys circulates in the bloodstream, but vitamin D converted by other organs appears to stay within those organs and protect them from infection," Hansdottir said. "We were able to see this happen in cells lining the trachea and main bronchi."

The team also found that when lung airway cells are infected by a virus, they express more of the enzyme that activates vitamin D. Hansdottir said the team is very interested in pursuing studies on the role of viral infections in vitamin D production and subsequent effects on lung infections.

"Vitamin D not only increases proteins involved in bacterial killing but also can dampen inflammation," Hansdottir said. "Controlling inflammation through vitamin D is good because too much inflammation can cause problems such as sepsis and seems to contribute to autoimmune disease."

Hansdottir noted that vitamin D insufficiencies and deficiencies (which are more severe) are fairly common, particularly for people living in northern latitudes. While vitamin D can be generated through sun exposure, such exposure is generally not recommended as a remedy because of skin cancer risks. Instead, Vitamin D supplements can be used.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended that the vitamin D dosage for children be increased to 400 IU (international units) per day. Optimal daily intake for adults is still being studied but may be as high as 800 to 1,000 IU.

Contact: Becky Soglin
becky-soglin@uiowa.edu
319-335-6660
University of Iowa

Have a fun and safe Halloween!  Check out the blog post on "Healthy Halloween Treats" for some great ideas!  Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, my kids think they are too old to trick-or-treat this year.  That means no candy for me!

In celebration of Halloween, I picked one of our energy drink videos for you to watch which features a great costume.  This video by American Film Institute film student and director, Scott C. Silver, is titled "Stuntman".  It is one of the funnest films you can watch over and over again.  Don't forget to View, Vote&Win in our energy sweepstakes! 

Best Costume Video

 

Maintaining joint health is very important, especially as we get older.  Ordinary activities once taken for granted such as walking, climbing stairs or getting into your car, can be difficult and painful with arthritis.  I've noticed lately that my knees and back hurt when I am gardening and I can't work as long as I used to, which is very frustrating.

Don't let arthritis get the best of you.  There are steps to take to help overcome the symptoms of arthritis and live a full life. 
In my next few posts I will write about types of arthritis and different tips for managing arthritis in your daily life.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis suffered by millions of Americans.  Usually associated with older people.  OA can affect younger people especially through injury or repetitive use, such as athletes.

Cartilage, the smooth, rubbery substance that covers the ends of bones and acts as a cushion, can breakdown resulting in osteoarthritis in the joints. 

Causes vary such as genetics, obesity, or overuse.  Weight control is one way to reduce painful stress on the knees.  Also strengthening the muscles around the affected area may also help.  See exercises for managing arthritis post


Arthritis Tip of the Day:  It's fall bulb planting and clean-up time for many of us gardeners.  Try using a long-handled bulb planter for less bending.  Use a garden scooter bench to sit on when weeding or pruning instead of kneeling.  Ask your children, grandchildren, or neighbors for help!  Make it fun by offering treats and beverages.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements have been shown to be beneficial in maintaining healthy joint function, cartilage and flexibility.

My garden in the spring

....B Vitamins that is.

Not all energy supplements are created equal when it comes to B vtamin content.  Many energy drinks do not have any or only contain one or two - usually B12 and B6.  It's important to look for energy supplements that contain B Complex vitamins, a combination of all the various forms that work together to produce energy in our body.

B vitamins help convert food into energy; without enough B viamins, you may feel sluggish.  View a list of B vitamins and their food sources here.

Some Americans, especially those over 65 years of age, fall short either from consuming too little of a certain vitamin or from a decrease in absorption.  The most common deficiencies in this age groups are B12 and B6.

If you want to get your B's from an energy drink or shot, look for one with the most complete B-Complex formula.  Also choose energy supplements that contain antioxidants, herbs and amino acids to help the body sustain a healthy energy level.

Enter now for your chance to win a year's supply of energy - the natural way!

As a continuation on my post about choosing more natural energy drinks or shots as energy supplements, it's important to know how much caffeine it contains and caffeine sources.

Most energy supplements, whether they are drinks, shots or pills, contain some amount of caffeine.  Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing our attention span and focus, but there can be too much of a good thing. 

Individuals sensitive to caffeine may opt for a product with low caffeine content.  A typical cup of coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine.  Select one with no more than 100 mg especially if you are sensitive.

Compare the caffeine content now of leading energy drinks and shots.

Also, caffeine can come from many different sources.  Some energy products do not reveal exactly how much caffeine there is on the label so read carefully!

Caffeine is found in the beans, leaves or fruit of over 60 plants such as guaranine, coffee, black, green and white tea and even cholocolate or cocoa.  If the label doesn't indicat total caffeine content, don't buy it.  You may end up feeling more wired than simply alert and focused.

Don't forget to View, Vote & Win in the Viewer's Choice Sweepstakes!

Last week I wrote a post about the AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics, increasing their recommendation for Vitamin D for children from 200 IU to 400 IU per day. 

Read the press release from the AAP here.

Over the weekend, this story ran on several national news programs - Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN.  I just ran across a great blog, the Purple Medical Blog, that has a collection of videos about Vitamin D and the segment from MSNBC from the Today Show. 

According to an article on msnbc.com, Adrian Gombart, a vitamin D researcher at Oregon State University, said the new recommendations are safe and conservative but that 400 units "is probably not enough."

Gombart's lab work in human tissue has shown that vitamin D helps increase levels of a protein that kills bacteria. He said many experts believe that between 800 and 1,000 units daily would be more effective at helping fight disease.

It may be necessary to take vitamin D supplements each day to ensure you and your family are getting enough.  Especially if you live in a northern climate or stay or work indoors most of the time.  

I live in the rainy northwest where the sun does not show itself very often from October to May.  I will definitely be taking my vitamin D supplements and making sure my family does as well.
 
 

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released new recommendations for vitamin D supplements for infants, children and adolescents to 400 IU a day.  This is in response to mounting research showing that many children are vitamin D deficient.

Children can get 400 IU per day from two to three 8 ounce glasses of milk or from a nutritional supplement containing 400IU of vitamin D. 

Previous guidelines were only 200 IU per day, but with Americans using more and more sunscreen or staying indoors, the skin is not making enough. 

How many adolescents drink 32 ounces of milk, the amount needed to provide 400 IU of vitamin D?  I know mine do not, especially not every day.  It is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from diet alone.  That's where a high quality liquid vitamin D supplement can play a crucial role in making sure your children are getting enough each day.

There are so many energy drinks or shots available now - how do you choose?  Here is one important ingredient to take a good look at before purchasing your next energy in a bottle or can.

Amount of sugar
Try to look for ones containing no more than 15 g per serving.  Some energy drinks contain huge amounts sugar and calories, so the energy boost you get is actually your blood sugar spiking which will most likely cause a crash later on.

Dare to Compare the leading energy supplements, drinks or shots. 

Make sure to look at the energy supplements serving size when comparing - some cans or bottles contain as many as 3 servings and most people drink the whole thing at one time.  If there are 2 servings and you consume the entire container, you would need to double the ingredient amounts including sugar, calories and caffeine.

Choose either sugar-free energy supplements or look for products made with a small amount of natural sweeteners like organic cane juice.

I prefer the organically sweetened version.  It has a great flavor and no aftertaste.  I find the perfect time to take it is right after lunch.  It gives me enough energy boost to get through the afternoon when I sometimes get a little sleepy at my desk writing my next blog post!  It lasts long enough to get through my workout after work or for playing volleyball that night.

Don't forget to view, vote and enter for a chance to win a year's supply of all day energy shot!  Enter now!

 

The new energy shot site has been live for a few days and it has been very interesting and exciting to watch the results of the voting for the energy videos.  These videos were submitted by students from the American Film Institute in California, a very prestitgous film school.

I'm not going to reveal who is winning so far but I have to say it is very surprising! 

All of the videos are also featured on You Tube! 

"Castaways" is one of my favorites - watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWPQos78JA8 .  The quality of this video and all the energy videos is amazing.

Make sure to view, vote & win now!  You could win a year's supply of energy the natural way - an energy supplement drink without all the sugar or artificial ingredients and only 2 oz. 

Which ones are your favorite and why?  Send me your comments!

The new ALL DAY Energy website is now live at www.wellesseallday.com!  The new site features videos submitted by American Film Institute students.  You can view the videos, which are also featured on You Tube, and then vote for your favorite.  The videos are fun to watch and very well done.

After voting enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a year's supply of energy plus lots of other prizes.

The new site explains how the ingredients in the energy shot work together to give a natural energy boost and maintain mental focus and endurance in the "How it Works" section.  Once of the articles by expert Marie Spano, MS, RD, talks about what to look for in choosing an energy drink or shot.

Also included is information about B vitamins and caffeine and exercising.  Great information! 

The goal of this new site is to give the more comprehensive information than any other energy supplements or drinks currently on the web.  I think we have accomplished this in a fun and informative way.

Visit the new site now at www.wellesseallday.com and vote for your favorite video!

In case you haven't heard, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families.
 
You can check their website for more information at www.nbcam.org

This really hits home for me, as I have had two aunts on my mother's side suffer from breast cancer.  Both of them came very close to not making it and one is still very sick.  My grandmother also had breast cancer many years ago but is also a survivor.

I just turned 40 and am planning on getting a mammogram as soon as possible, although I know I should have had one before now.  But I know it's very important to get one for early detection and with my family history, it's even more critical.

Vitamin D & Breast Cancer

Newly available data on worldwide cancer incidence have shown a link between deficiency in exposure to sunlight and breast cancer according to researchers - see article  Those who were deficient in Vitamin D were nearly twice as likely to have their cancer recur or spread over the next 10 years, and 73 percent more likely to die of the disease. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. About 184,450 cases and 40,930 deaths from the disease are expected in the United States this year

Help celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and schedule to get a mammogram now and help spread the word to your women family and friends.

Here is a great blog about life with breast cancer - Kathy Ellen's Breast Cancer Blog

I love to walk and hike and I used to run, but the older I get the more my knees hurt.  Lately, I have noticed that my knees make a strange sound when I bend them.  A friend of mine recommended some great knee braces from Nikken and they do help a lot, especially when it is cold out. 

I also take the liquid glucosamine and chondroitin supplement on a daily basis.  My greatest fear is not being able to walk and hike when I get older because my knees hurt too much or needing to have knee surgery later. 

Strengthening the muscles above around the knees can also help tremendously such as the quadriceps and hamstrings.  Exercise keeps your joints from stiffening and provides needed support, making movement easier and reducing joint pain.

Here are some great exercises for these muscles from Jen Mueller, a certified trainer, from the Spark People website. 

STRETCHES

1. Chair knee extension: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair so the knee is slightly raised. Gently push the raised knee toward the floor using only leg muscles. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds and release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
2. Heel slide knee extension: Lie on your back, with left knee bent and left foot flat on floor. Slowly slide the left heel away from your body so both legs are parallel. Hold for 5-10 seconds, return to starting position. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
3. Knee flexion: Sitting in a chair, loop a long towel under your foot (resting on the floor). Gently pull on the towel with both hands to bend the knee, raising your foot 4 - 5 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
4. Hamstring stretch: Standing, put one foot in front of you, toes up. With hands on the small of your back (or one hand holding a chair for balance), bend the opposite knee and hip (not your lower back), until you feel the hamstrings stretch. The upper body comes forward at the hip. Hold for 5 -10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.

STRENGTH TRAINING

1. Wall slide: Leaning with your back against a wall, bend your knees 30°, sliding down the wall, then straighten up again. Move slowly and smoothly, using your hands on the wall for balance. Keep feet and legs parallel, and do not allow knees to go out over the toes. Repeat 5 -10 times.
2. Bent-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, straighten one leg in the air (without locking the knee). Hold for about one minute. Bend your knee to lower the leg about halfway to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Return to starting position. Work up to 4 reps on each leg.
   
3. Straight-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair. Lift the foot a few inches off the chair while keeping your leg straight. Hold for 5 -10 seconds. Return to resting position. Repeat 5 -10 times. (Also work on increasing the time, up to 2-3 minutes if possible.)
4. Abductor Raise: Lie on your side, propped on one elbow. The leg on the floor bent, the other straight. Slowly lift the top leg, hold for 5 -10 seconds, then lower. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity). Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
5. Hamstring Curl: Stand with the front of your thighs against a surface (a table or wall). Flex one knee up as far as is comfortable. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then lower slowly. If possible, do not touch the floor between repetitions. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity.) Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
6. Step-Ups: Stand in front of a step, like a sturdy bench or stairs, about two feet high (or less if necessary). Step up onto the support, straighten your knees fully (without locking them) and step down. Maintain a steady pace. If you are comfortable with your balance, pump your arms while doing this exercise. Start with 1 minute, slowly building your time. Gets your heart pumping too!
7. Stationary Bike: Biking is a good way to increase strength and range of motion. Make sure you have the right positioning of the legs. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, the bend in the knee should be 15 degrees. Start with 10 minutes and slowly increase your time.

Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. These exercises are designed to help, not hurt. If you experience pain at any time during the exercise, stop. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.

You can ice your knees for 10-20 minutes if they are sore after doing these exercises.


 

 

A new study just released revealed the five top reasons why physicians recommend dietary supplements to their patients.  The Life Supplemented Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study found that a majority of physicians - 79% - recommend supplements to their patients for these health reasons:

1. Bone Health 33%
2. Overall health and wellness 32%
3. Joint Health 29%
4. Heart Health 26%
5. Maintain healthy cholesterol 22%

The physicians were not asked to specify which supplements they would recommend for each condition; however, there are certain supplements that are widely recognized for each of these health areas.

1.  Bone Health - Calcium and Vitamin D are widely recognized and recommended for maintaining bone health and managing osteoporosis

2.  Overall health and wellness - This survey found that 72 percent of physicians think its a good ideas for patients to take a multivitamin. 

3.  Joint Health - Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been shown in clinical trials to aid in joint discomfort and mobility often caused by osteoarthritis.

4.  Heart Health - Omega-3's, EPA and DHA, found in fatty fish such as salmon are often taken for many health reasons, including a healthy heart.  Other supplements include vitamin E and B vitamins. 

5.  Maintain healthy cholesterol - Soluble fiber is known for its cholesterol-lowering effects and plant sterols are becoming popular also.

Top supplements used by the 72 percent of physicians who say they use a dietary supplement:

1. Multivitamin
2. Vitamin C
3. B vitamins
4. Vitamin D
5. Vitamin E
6. Calcium

Read more about this study here

 

Happy Friday!  I just came across a great new study recently released by the University of Michican on Calcium and pregnancy.  Although I am long past the pregnancy stage (my kids are 16 & 12), I think this is very important for all women who are pregnant or thinking about having a child anytime soon.  The more you can do to have a healthy baby the better.

This study shows that women who take 1,200 mg of a calcium supplement daily have a 31 percent reduction in the amount of lead in their blood, reducing fetal and infant exposure. 

" Lead exposure during fetal development and infancy can cause low birth weight or slow weight gain after birth, cognitive defects such as lower intelligence scores, lower motor and visual skills, or even miscarriage. Damage from lead exposure and poisoning is usually permanent."

Read more about this important study now!  Read

I'm so excited!  We are getting ready to launch a brand new website for our energy supplement very soon.  This is always one of the favorite parts of my job - creating and launching fresh new websites with all new features and graphics. It's like buying a new car or a whole new wardrobe. We have been working hard on this site for a couple of months now and its really looking great. 

We decided to do this as a separate website enable to give in-depth information about the energy 2 oz shot, but also present it in a really fun and dynamic way.  It will feature such pages as "Dare to Compare" and "People are Talking" and "How it Works".  Visitors will be able to get in depth information on the ingredients and other news and information regarding the energy drink.

The site will also feature videos for visitors to vote on.  These videos were submitted by first year film students from AFI - American Film Institute - a very prestigious film school in California.  Each film student was told to incorporate the energy product into the video in a fun and creative way.  They turned out amazingly great!  These students are really talented.  Make sure you check them out and vote on your favorite and then enter to win the Viewers Choice Video Sweepstakes for a year's supply of energy!

Check back soon to find out when the site launches and to vote on your favorite video!

Please come and join us at one of our largest events this year!  We will be attending the AARP Life @ 50+ show in Washington, DC, September 4-6.  We are excited to meet our consumers face to face and hear their stories about how our products benefit their lives and introduce them to our new product offerings.  The show will be held in the beautiful Walter E. Washington Convention & Exhibition Center in Washington, DC. 

Make sure to stop by and see us at booth #3135. 

We will have live samples available of our liquid glucosamine chondroitin, liquid calcium, and energy products.   Along with great exhibits the event will include celebrity speakers and concerts.   Attendance at the event is expected to be approximately 30,000 people giving us a chance to talk to many people while we are there.

Print this article and bring to the booth and you will get you a FREE gift at our booth!
 
For more information on this event click here.  See you there!

Life@50+ | National Event & Expo

Washington, DC, September 4–6, 2008