Antioxidants and Arthritis

I discovered the connection between antioxidants and improvements in arthritis quite by accident several years ago. At the time, I had a lot of inexplicable pain in my muscle tissue, on top of some nagging arthritis that I had come to accept as part of the deal of growing older. A friend of mine recommended an antioxidant for the pain, explaining that body aches can be caused by chronic inflammation which can be a by-product of free radical damage. Since free radicals in the body cause a degenerative effect known as oxidative stress (think of the way an apple browns after you cut it in half and expose it to oxygen), an anti-oxidant can help mitigate the effects.

I had no idea what she was talking about. I just took the stuff.

Then, lo and behold, my pain began to improve. Over the following weeks of taking an isotonic version of an antioxidant made from pine bark extract (“Pycnogenol”) known as Isotonix OPC-3, the pain slowly ebbed away. Which was exciting enough. But then I also realized that it wasn’t just the muscle pain that was reduced; my arthritis was better as well. My flexibility improved so that I could fully flex my hands again, and the swolen feeling in my hands and knees over time was eliminated completely. Four years of taking this supplement almost daily and I have had only a few flare ups with the arthritis during particularly stressful periods.

I learned that I was not the only one. As I did a bit of research, I found that there are many many stories like mine. I began to share my story with other people, to help them get ahold of the supplement, and to collect testimonials. What follows is a testimonial I would like to share by a young women with not only an early case of arthritis, but tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and fibromyalgia as well….

But first, I want to make an important statement. This gal talks about getting off of her medications, and I want to be very clear that I never recommend this to anyone, unless they are under the supervision of their doctor. Working with your doctor on your wellness plan is absolutely critical. Now if your doctor will not discuss supplements and lifestyle changes with you, I will admit that you have a challenge there. You may want to interview doctors that will have this discussion.

If you have read any of my past writings, you know that I work with health practitioners to help them incorporate wellness solutions into clinical practice to improve their patient outcomes. Wellness as an adjunct to traditional medicine represents a paradigm shift in our society that eventually all of modern medicine will need to be completely on board with. And you can help make it happen by letting your doctor know that you want him or her to work with you to optimize your health. There are educational programs for them, and guidance through Nutraceutical and Anti-Aging Consultants such as myself where they can get the information they need to truly and proactively help their patients live better longer.

Alright, that’s my soap box speach of the day. Without further ado, here’s the cool testimonial from a young woman who improved her arthritis with two powerful antioxidants known as Isotonix OPC-3 and Isotonix Antioxidant Fomula.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to you for your Isotonix products.  It has given me back my life.  I am twenty-six years old and have been diagnosed with combined conditions of chronic tendonitis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, a non-degenerative muscle disease. Modern medicine failed me. I was unable to treat any of the conditions in a conventional manner because of the adverse reaction it would have on one of the other conditions.  It was recommended that I give up working and accept a life of constant pain.

I am a production worker and due to that type of work, I have developed carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries.  My hands deteriorated to the point of being unable to hold a coffee cup by the handle.  One of the most difficult things for me to do was to purchase a soda from a vending machine.  My writing had become illegible and I had to start printing again.  I was unable to pick up change from a flat surface. This is just a small list of the changes which affected the quality of my life.  I remember at one point when my husband shut the bedroom door before leaving for work and it took me a half hour to get it open.

My mornings started by soaking my hands in hot water to remove some of the stiffness so I could hold a cup of coffee with two hands.  After using OPC-3 and the Antioxidant Formula for a week, I can do all the things I have mentioned and then some.  These products have given me the most relief I have experienced to date. I stopped taking all of the prescription medication two months ago due to constant nausea that was a side effect of the drugs, so I am positive the results I am experiencing are solely from the Isotonix products.  I have an increase in flexibility, mobility, a decrease in swelling, and best of all, a drastic reduction in pain which has remained at a tolerable level without any medication.  Please try it!!

I have so much hope for the future. I feel great. It is incredible. 

Diana“

If you know of anyone with chronic aches and pains, repetitive stress challenges, or arthritis, please send them a link to this blog entry, and give them a ray of hope. You may be able to do a world of good. And by all means, let your physician know that there are natural solutions that should be evaluated as part of their work with their patients. I would be happy to have this discussion with any health practitioner.

To your health!

Jayna

Arrhythmia – Dysrhythmia – Palpitations – Oh My!

Heart irregularities come in many forms and by many names. They can be mild and unpronounced, or serious and even life threatening. There’s a great description on Wikipedia of the vast array of conditions that fall into the category of Cardiac Arrhythmia.

What’s exciting to me is that nutrition and lifestyle changes can play a role in promoting regular heart beat and reducing the severity of cardiovascular risk factors. For example, mild irregular heart beat that is set off by periods of anxiety or extreme stress can often be improved with stress reduction techniques, such as medition, yoga, and regular deep breathing practice. Practicing breathing may seem almost silly when you think about the fact that breathing is an unconscious act that happens from the moment we are born and throughout our lives, whether we think about it or not. And yet, the way we breathe can be affected greatly by the stresses of an over-scheduled life.

To practice improving your breathing technique, sit quietly for a few minutes each day, clear your mind, place your hands gently over your stomach, and focus on your breathing. With each inhalation, you should feel your stomach gently distend outward as oxygen fills your lungs. With each exhalation your stomach should feel like it is slowly shrinking. Test yourself to see if you have this backwards. If so, or if you feel tension in your stomach, chest, or shoulders when you try it, or you have “monkey mind” and cannot force your to-do list out of your consciousness, it’s a good sign you need to practice healthy breathing and stress reduction. If you regularly experience mild arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), good breathing techniques and stress reduction may help.

When symptoms are more severe, your doctor may recommend medication. You may also want to try nutrients that can have a positive impact on heart function, such as Omega-III fish oils and antioxidants. Some of the most heart healthy antioxidants are Coenzyme Q-10, OPC-3, and Resveratrol. Because heart health can be severely impacted by bacteria and toxins, antioxidants can play an enormous role in supporting healthy heart function. I have many testimonials regarding improved cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels with the use of antioxidants, so please feel free to contact me if you would like this information.

The testimonial I want to share with you today is from the wife of a heart patient with an irregular heartbeat who experienced some excellent improvements with the use of OPC-3 and Resveratrol.

“My husband was diagnosed with irregular heartbeat in March 09. . . . His heart ejection fraction number was 45%. Normal is about 65%. Got him on OPC-3 immediately. Added Reservatrol in June 09. He had a couple follow-up appointments and the doctor was pleased with progress.  He’s on digoxin, cardizem, water pill and potassium. Has a tiny leak in one valve. Got to the point  where he was having a hard time breathing.

 

Anyway, saw doctor on 10/9/09 and I ordered another echocardiogram. The doctor said he heard a lot less noise in his heart and was very pleased with his progress. HIS HEART EJECTION FRACTION NUMBER WAS 55%!!!!!  THIS IS A HUGE INCREASE!”

The doctor was truly impressed with the patient’s progress and asked what he was doing differently. The patient explained that he was taking two antioxidants each day, and he was very excited not only to see the difference in the numbers, but to feel much better as well.

I think as a society we often undervalue the importance of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, and the impact they can have on our daily lives and long-term health. And doctors that face perplexing challenges each day such as heart arrhythmia can certainly have a hand in better patient outcomes by employing these principles in their clinical practice. Together we can make the world a healthier place.

To your health!

Jayna

Are you Calcium Deficient?

Many people don’t concern themselves with calcium requirements or calcium supplements. Why? Because they believe they are getting the calcium they need from milk. But… did you know that here in the U.S. we consume more milk than any other nation, and an estimated 70% of our population is deficient in calcium? Here are some interesting notes on calcium!

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It makes up 1.5 to 2 percent of the total body weight, and our bones contain more than 99% of the body’s calcium. In addition to its major function in building and maintaining bones and teeth, calcium is important in much of the body’s enzyme activity. The contraction of muscles, release of neurotransmitters, regulation of heart beat, and the clotting of blood all depend on calcium.

Men need calcium too. The recommended dosage is 1,200 milligrams daily for women and 800 mgs. daily for men 25 years and older.

What about that bowl of cereal in the morning and the glass of milk you have with your afternoon cookie? Can’t you get the recommended daily allowance through your diet? Well, the fact is, there is about 118 mgs. of calcium in a serving of whole milk. You would need to drink at least 8 glasses daily! The best source of calcium in our diet is kelp, and there is 1,093 mgs. in a 3 ½ ounce serving of kelp. But it may not be what you’d call convenient to reach for a serving of kelp each time you would otherwise pour yourself a glass of milk. So think about other leafy greens, like broccoli and kale, both of which are rich sources of dietary calcium.

To insure we have our daily allowance of calcium, the best bet is to take a high quality calcium supplement. And of course there is a vast array of choices on the market. What calcium supplement should you take… and which should you avoid? As a cautionary note, several studies indicate that some calcium supplements may contain substantial amounts of lead. Lead is a toxic metal that affects the brain, kidney, and red blood cell manufacture. In 1981, the FDA cautioned the public to limit its intake of calcium supplements derived from dolomite or bone meal because of the potentially high levels of lead in these calcium supplements.

Researchers measured the lead level in 70 brands of calcium supplements. The unrefined calcium carbonate group displayed the greatest range of lead content, one containing a whopping 25 mgs. of lead per 800 mgs. of calcium.

Calcium is used in the treatment of osteoporosis and high blood pressure. There are several conditions that predispose women to osteoporosis:

• Post menopause
• White or Asian
• Premature menopause
• Positive family history
• Short stature and small bones
• Low calcium intake – Inactivity
• Never pregnant
• Hyperthyroidism
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use

Calcium must contain Boron, Magnesium, and Vitamin D for its highest absorption. The best absorption is in an isotonic form of calcium; the human body will absorb approximately 88 % of the supplement. This is the highest level of absorption. The Isotonix calcium is lead free, and contains Boron, Vitamin D, and Magnesium.

As a final note, it is important to understand that Tums is NOT a good form of calcium supplementation and should not be taken as one. Over taking of antacids ultimately leads to an increase in bone breakdown and calcium excretion. And because the cells in our stomach lining are adaptable, they will simply produce more acid to combat the effects of an antacid.

So, think about a very high-grade calcium supplement. And one more great tip. A good calcium supplement is calming to the central nervous system, and it’ll help you sleep.

To your health!

Jayna

Doctor, Do You Speak the Language of Wellness?

The world is changing. Do you remember when the word “wellness” was a newfangled term that seemed to arrive from out-there-where-the-busses-don’t-run? Then the concept eeked into the press, and gradually became a household word. Everyone wants it, especially us Baby Boomers. We want to live life to its fullest, strong and well, and then keel over the day after our 110th birthday following a brisk walk and a hearty breakfast. 

And we want our health practitioners to help us with this goal. Yet today, many health professionals are not yet on board. Why?

The term “alternative” no longer applies. We need a complete melding of all the disparate fields called “health” into one universal health concept that addresses the fact that all we really want is to stay alive and kicking with as much gusto as possible for as long as possible. I talk to many people about this on a daily basis, and I know I am not off target here.

My contention is that all doctors need to know what wellness is. They need to take some time, read some science-based literature on true health and wellness, and if they are feeling like it’s a weak area of knowledge, to go get some.

People are taking their health into their own hands. They’re on the internet, they’re educating themselves, they’re asking for advice at GNC, for better or for worse. What if they could turn to their “health professional” to talk about “health” and if they could do so when they are still well with the aim to stay that way, instead of waiting until the symptoms begin and then attempting to restore health that has been lost?

Now I know there’s a lot of prevention talk in medical practice today. You know you should watch your fat intake, get off the couch and get some exercise, and probably think seriously about drop-kicking the smoking habit.

But what if the health professional had a complete kit bag of ideas, resources, high quality supplements (not the toilet bullets you get at the drug store), a weight management program that was run right out of the physician’s office, and advice on how to live a less toxic lifestyle so that you wouldn’t lop 15 or 20 years off your life due to poor choices?

One of the most exciting resources I’ve seen emerge in my lifetime is a non-profit organization devoted to educating health practitioners in the science behind nutritional interventions. With this knowledge, they can evaluate how they might incorporate well-researched nutrition and wellness principles into their practice. The non-profit organization is called the nutraMetrix Educational Institute (www.nutrametrix.org/nei). As a nutrition consultant, I am a proud supporter of this organization. In my work– helping health practitioners to incorporate wellness solutions in their practices– I strongly encourage practitioners to attend the NEI’s AMA-accredited CME course. You can view the course agenda on the NEI site. It’s ground-breaking. Imagine being knowledgable enough about the properties of certain oils and their effect on heart health, and the importance of an anti-inflammatory diet and anti-oxidants, and so on, to really make a difference in the choices your patients make each day, your patient outcomes, and the vital health of your community?

The next course is being scheduled now and is likely to be in Florida in February, a great time to take a rejuvenation break. If you would like to get on my list of health professionals that want to receive notice as these CME courses are scheduled, you are welcome to contact me.

To your health!

Jayna

Vitamin D Can Save Your Life

Did you know…?

• Vitamin D is now being heavily researched and new information is emerging almot daily
• Almost every cell in your body has a receptor for Vitamin D
• Immune system health is associated with adequate levels of Vitamin D
• The CDC has stated that children with adequate levels of Vitamin D in their systems are better able to fight off swine flu
• Low levels of Vitamin D are linked to breast and colon cancers
• Vitamin D is critical in the absorption and utilization of Calcium, and provides enormous benefits for bone health
• Mental health is associated with adequate levels of Vitamin D, and epidemiological evidence shows an association between reduced sun exposure and mental illness
• Vitamin D helps promote elasticity of blood vessels as well as normal blood pressure levels, and is critical for cadiovascular health
• Studies have shown that people with low levels of Vitamin D have difficulty losing weight
• An estimated 100 million Americans are deficient in this vital nutrient
• Current Vitamin D recommendation is 400 IU, which is now believed to be far below what the average person actually needs; new recommendations are likely to be in the range of 5,000 IU
• Many health professionals today are recommending supplementing with Vitamin D; some are recommending therapeutic dosages in the range of 10,000 IU for those with certain health challenges
• It is difficult to get enough Vitamin D from diet alone; for example, it would require consumption of 8 or more eggs daily to get enough Vitamin D
• Those who avoid the sun cannot obtain enough Vitamin D without supplementation; in the winter, those in northern climates cannot obtain enough Vitamin D from the sun between November and April

See the ABC News Brief with Dr. Oz: “Vitamin D Can Save Your Life” http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=dr%20oz%20vitamin%20d

A great source of Vitamin D (5,000 IU) is Isotonix Vitamin D with K2.  It’s drinkable and tastes like Sweet Tarts.

The Vitamin D Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people and preventing needless deaths from Vitamin D deficiency, reports on the myths of Vitamin D toxicity at http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml

To your health!

Jayna

Probiotics Help Reduce Children’s Cold and Flu Symptoms

A new study from Danisco provides data supporting the use of probiotics, specifically the strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in reducing cold and flu-like symptoms in children. Read more…

My kids like the yummy probiotics in the Might-a-Mins Spectum line.

To your health,

Jayna

Nutrition in Clinical Practice

An upcoming CME course in September 2009 offers education to health practitioners in the science and research supporting nutritional interventions in clinical practice. What are “nutritional interventions”? These are lifestyle changes such adopting a low-glycemic index diet to manage weight and blood sugar, and choosing appropriate supplementation. For example, we all know that Omega-3 fish oils can help to promote heart health. And the benefits of vitamin D for everything from depression to cancer prevention is currently getting tons of press. But understanding the science behind these nutritional choices is key in helping patients to know how to prevent disease and manage chronic health challenges more effectively.

If you are a practicing physician, nurse, or licensed health professional, this course will help you learn about the latest research and clinical studies to help you make the best determination about what to recommend for your patients, and why.

This course will help you:

Understand how poor dietary trends have lead to alarming rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic diseases in the US.

Explain how oxidant stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, cancer, aging, retinopathy and other diseases.

Recognize the impact, advantages and limitations to various food pyramids.

Appreciate what constitutes the fundamentals of healthy eating.

Recognize the need for appropriate nutritional supplementation- based on literature review, government surveys and guidelines.

Review the scope of the obesity epidemic and its impact on health.

Understand the importance of low glycemic index foods for weight control and optimal health.

Learn the structure, role and importance of the macronutrients, micronutrients and minerals.

Review the composition and role of fats and oils.

Know the various bioflavonoids, antioxidant vitamins and minerals.

Know the key cell types, cytokines, eicosonoids and adhesion molecules involved in the inflammatory process.

Understand the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid metabolic pathways.

Understand the role of Vitamins B-6, B-12 and folate in homocysteine metabolism.

Know the importance of homocysteine in inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

Understand the importance, role and effects of insulin resistance in contributing to abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.

This CME course offers 12 continuing medical education units to most categories of health practitioners, including M.D.s, nurses, DO’s, and optometrists. It takes place the weekend of September 11th to 13th at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is offered by the nutraMetrix Educational Institute (NEI), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. The mission of the NEI is to educate and enlighten all health professionals on the role of nutrition, nutritional interventions and nutraceutical applications for clinical practice. The course not only provides an excellent educational opportunity for health practitioners in all medical disciplines, but also helps physicians to network together and share information.

For more information or registration materials, please contact me. My role is to assist health practitioners in establishing effective nutritional programs in their clinics, and to help individuals interested in nutritional consultanting to learn how to provide this service to physicians.

Letter to a Doctor – The “Why’s” of Nutraceuticals

I wrote this letter today to a physician who requested information on nutraceuticals. As I clicked Send, it occurred to me that it would make a nice blog entry. So here it is, my Letter to a Doctor:

I’m happy to share some information with you about nutraceuticals. I’m sure you know some of the why’s and wherefore’s, but I’ll give you my personal view on why they are so critical and beneficial.

 

The term “nutraceuticals” refers to pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements. As you know, the quality of supplements on the market varies widely. Many people think they are doing something for their health by taking an over-the-counter supplement like Centrum every day. But the bio-availability of these pills is very low. In fact, they are often referred to as “bed pan bullets.” You can actually see them in x-rays, passing slowly but surely through the digestive system, intact. When I began working in wellness, I chose a company whose supplements are third-party tested and quality approved through the same rigorous testing measures as pharmaceuticals.

 

For many years I did not take any supplements at all. I disliked taking them, and felt no different whether I took them or not. My “conversion” to supplements began about 10 years ago. I had visited my doctor asking for help with prevention, and of course she really had no answer for me. It was not in her parlance. I was very concerned, though, because in a very short period of time I had lost three members of my family to cancer, which made me realize that I probably had some genetic issues. In addition to cancer, my father had had heart disease and very painful rheumatoid arthritis. He was allergic to all pain medication, so he suffered daily in immense pain. I felt utterly helpless. And when I lost him, I wanted to know what I needed to do for prevention. After listening to my fears, my doctor’s decision was to put me on a medication to handle the anxiety I was feeling about my health. Needless to say, this was not the answer I was looking for. I disliked it as much as I disliked supplements, and felt no real benefit. So very soon I quit taking it.

 

Over the course of the next few years, I developed inflammation, arthritis, and pain throughout my body. I had no idea what to do. I went to chiropractors, worked out and stretched frequently, but nothing helped significantly. One day I began talking with a woman at my child’s school who was a nutrition consultant. I became fascinated by what I learned from her. I learned that pain and inflammation can be caused by the body’s response to toxins, stress, free radical damage, and an over-loaded immune system. She recommended a super-antioxidant made from powerful natural compounds– proanthocyanidins– found in pine bark extract, red wine extract, and grape seed extract. It was a powdered supplement, referred to as an “isotonic-capable delivery system.” When you add water, the nutrients become isotonic, and are perceived by the body as the same as body fluids. They are transported very rapidly to the lower intestine where our nutrients are absorbed. It is a very efficient and effective way to get nutrients into the body, and is truly the next best thing to an injection.

 

I had success with this supplement right away. My pain began to get better within a week. In three months it was gone completely. And the seasonal allergies I had experienced since childhood disappeared too. I got my flexibility back. My arthritis disappeared. I was so excited. I began to take more isotonic nutrients, including a multi-vitamin, calcium, vitamin C, a B-complex, and some additional anti-oxidants. My energy and zest for life returned. I truly had a transformative experience with supplements. And reflecting back, I knew for certain that I could have helped my father. I could have gotten him out of his extreme pain if I had known about these supplements.

 

As a result of that experience, I developed a new life mission to help people who are suffering from pain and other difficult health situations. I became a nutrition consultant, and began guiding people with regard to their health, prevention strategies, and supplement choices. Now I help people with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, mood disorders, diabetes, weight problems, asthma, allergies, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and many other issues through supplementation and lifestyle changes. And a few years ago I became certified through my company to help health practitioners to implement wellness, nutrition, and weight loss programs in their clinics.

 

It is important to note that our nutritional program is designed to augment, not replace, traditional medicine. Many doctors today are being asked for their help and opinion on what supplements are best, what people should be taking for prevention and for various health challenges. We put the tools and the knowledge into the physicians’ hands so they are equipped to offer the proper resources to their patients. Instead of sending these patients to the untrained care of GNC or a pharmacy aisle, the doctor becomes equipped to offer wellness and prevention guidance, and pharmaceutical-grade nutritional resources.

 

The business program behind these nutritional programs is a cash-based system that helps fuel the financial well-being of the clinic. We know we need to provide a competitive program that eliminates the need for a health professional to choose between prevention guidance on the one hand, and financial gain from prescribing pharmaceuticals on the other. We provide excellent financial incentive to the health practitioner to be a true steward of their patients’ health. In doing so, the physician can simulataneously provide an enhanced level of service to their patients, build their patient base, and create a solid financial foundation for their clinic.

 

What’s more, we provide a physicians’ Continuing Education program with 12 CEUs for practitioners that attend our weekend course. This course provides a comprehensive training in the science behind nutritional interventions. Our physicians come away from this experience truly empowered to address chronic conditions through better nutrition.

 

I know this is a lot of information. And of course there is much more. I recently developed a 300-page book with some of the testimonials we have received from people that have improved their weight, their triglycerides, their blood pressure, their cholesterol, their circulation, their pain, their blood sugar, their energy, their diabetes, their fibromyalgia, their children’s health, and so on…. It is not formally published. I provide a copy of this book to each of the practitioners I work with as a resource for their patients.

 

I invite you to begin your analysis of our program, and to direct other health practitioners to me for information. We can truly help people with their vital health, their prevention of disease, and their longevity.

 

Thank you for your time and interest.

 

–Jayna

Black Cohosh Study – Fight Breast Cancer

If you have read my blog before, you know I’m a big fan of Dr. Andew Weil. One of Dr. Weil’s recent blog entries describes a study on the effect of black cohosh on breast cancer: “Research from the University of Pennsylvania found that women who used black cohosh had a risk of breast cancer that was 61 percent lower than women who didn’t use the herbal preparation.” Black cohosh is a key ingredient in “Feminene,” from Market America, and the “Female Support Formula” from nutraMetrix.

I get so excited when there is scientific evidence that natural interventions can help reduce our risk of disease. This kind of evidence-based information is, I believe, the key to converting our society from sickness-oriented to wellness-oriented.

I think it is so important that our health professionals continue to increase their understanding of the science behind nutrition and begin to incorporate these principles in clinical practice. My company has a division devoted to helping health professionals to incorporate wellness and nutrition in their clinics. See more details at www.nutrametrix.com, or contact me  for more information. Additionally, we have an AMA-accredited non-profit educational institute, www.nutrametrix.org/nei, which is dedicated to educating physicians in the science behind nutritional interventions, and nutrigenomics, which is the practice of addressing genetic predispositions with nutrition.

If you are a health professional, I can guide you in the process of evaluating nutrition and supplementation as an adjunct to your practice. We also have a great need for people with a background in health to train as nutraceutical consultants to assist practitioners in incorporating nutraceuticals and natural prevention strategies in their clinics. We have upcoming trainings for nutraceutical consultants in several U.S. cities. Please contact me for more information.

To your health!

Ms. Jayna

Avoid Golf Injury

Golf season is in full-swing, and it’s an important time to take care of your joints. Those of you that were off the course all winter will be more prone to repetitive stress problems or injury due to loss of muscle tone.

Some interesting thoughts from FineLiving.com:

• There are 24 million new golfers each year.
• Many golfers get injured on the first tee because they aren’t properly warmed up. So always be sure to warm up. (Light jog, stretch and bend, lunges, swings.)
• Stretch well after your golf session.
• Don’t sit on your tusch between holes!

Okay, that last one was my phrasing. They said “Walk between holes,” which is much nicer. But I think this gets at a really key point, which is that many of us suddenly get active after months of being relatively sedentary. And we don’t realize until we’re injured that moving our mass is really key to staying limbered up and flexible.

As always, I have lots of great advice from a supplement perspective. Yes, supplements can help immensely with bone health, joint health, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and blood flow.

1. First, a phenomenal supplement for keeping inflammation at bay is a high-quality omega-III fish oil. I really stress “high quality” because there are some bad ones out there. You want a fish oil like Market America’s Essential Omega-III fish oil with Vitamin E that was made from wild-caught fish from the purest water, that has been filtered for PCBs and heavy metals, and tested for purity by a third-party source. Some fish oils are produced from farm-raised fish, but it’s ocean fish that develop the beneficial EPA and DHA fats. So you want to check your labels and see what the amounts are of the EPA and DHA in the supplement. For example, Market America’s Omega-III fish oil has 870 and 570 mg, respectively, vs. Nature Made at 94 and 187.

2. A super-antioxidant is my next recommendation, especially one that is known for helping to address chronic inflammation. For countless people with injuries and arthritis, Isotonix OPC-3 has had great results. In fact this is the supplement that helped me to get out of pain and eliminate my arthritis.

3. And my final recommendation is a glucosamine supplement, such as Glucosatrin, that does not contain chondroitin. As we all know, chondroitin was all the rage for awhile. But the trouble is that chondroitin is a much larger molecule than the glucosamine molecule. The two bind together, and the chondroitin actually inhibits the absorbtion of the glucosamine. Glucosatrin (from the Glucosatrin web page) has many benefits, including:

• Promotes skeletal health
• Helps maintain strong bones
• Promotes normal movement and flexibility of joints
• Promotes the retention and normal regeneration of cartilage
• Helps maintain joint comfort
• Promotes joint health and flexibility as you age

So, those of you out there practicing your swing, remember to take great care of your joints so you last the season.

Take my poll on how golf affects your health.

Have a healthy day!

Ms. Jayna