Category: Health and Wellness

Traditional medicine is making a comeback and adaptogens are taking center stage. Integrative medicine experts, wellness gurus and holistic nutritionists are all talking about adaptogens and their many benefits including glowing skin, more energy and less stress. Actors, Actresses and social media celebrities are at the forefront of sharing the benefits of adaptogens. But what exactly are adaptogenic herbs? Here’s everything you need to know!

What are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are stress-response modifiers that increase an organism’s nonspecific resistance to stress by increasing its ability to adapt and survive. In short, adaptogens help your body cope – or adapt – to all kinds of stress.

As originally defined, an adaptogen must meet the following criteria:

• The substance is non-toxic and does not disturb body function;
• Influences many organs or body systems (non-specific) and increases the body’s resistance to physical, chemical or biological factors;
• Has a normalizing effect on a pathologic state

Sound too good to be true? These herbs and roots have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine because they promote homeostasis. Plus, the healing powers of adaptogenic herbs are confirmed by today’s medical research.

How do Adaptogens Work?

Adaptogens specifically support your central nervous system and adrenals. Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce hormones which manage your response to stress. They enable cells to access more energy and help eliminate toxic byproducts and work more efficiently.

Each herb has unique properties that make it effective for specific circumstances. Here are a few commonly used adaptogens:

Rhodiola Rosea

Known as Russia’s “golden root,” Rhodiola grows in the cold, mountainous areas of Europe and Asia. This herb has been used to help physical and mental performance while reducing fatigue under stressful conditions. One study found improvements in stress symptoms within just three days of use.

Schisandra Chinesis

This super berry grows on a woody vine from China and has been traditionally used for its cardio-protective benefits. Additionally, it has been used to increase endurance, coordination, mental sharpness and work capacity.

Eleutherococcus Senticosus

Commonly referred to as Siberian ginseng, this shrub is native to Northeastern Asia. Siberian ginseng is known to reduce cardiovascular response to stress while helping with overall stress adaptation.

How Should You Take Adaptogens?

It is common for adaptogens to be added to beverages, likes teas or juices, but you don’t receive the most benefit from single uses. For better results, it is recommended that adaptogens be consumed daily over a period of several months. Additionally, liquid supplements may be the best option because they are concentrated and may offer more bioavailability over pills or tablets.

“The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you or gives a sense of meaning, joy and happiness.” — Terry Orlick

Human emotional and spiritual fulfillment is designed in our hearts by our Creator to be found in the fidelity to a worthy purpose using our gifts, talents and resources. Yet at times, we behave as if we believe happiness and self –fulfillment is attained through self-gratification, only to discover its lack of fulfillment.

True happiness and fulfillment in your life are closer today than ever before. A quote I recently came upon puts finding purpose in life very simply; “The purpose of life is a life of purpose. A life of purpose is to contribute in some way in making our world better.”

Each of you has gifts, talents, resources and passions to make our world better. Take some time to reflect on how you can use yours for a better world. It is there that you will find happiness, self-fulfillment and well-being.

Aligning with our purpose in life is the optimal way of living. To determine if your actions align with your purpose, complete this ‘Purpose in Life’ test developed by Dr. Brian Burke. Take the quiz and see if you score above 50, indicating you are moving towards your purpose in life.

When Longevity Meets Vitality

Everyone wants to live a long and happy life, but what is another year without purpose, wellness and quality? Dr. Lorri Sullivan, Member since 2017, has long been living with purpose and wellness however her quality of life was less than optimal until she discovered MyoHealth. Lorri first heard about MyoHealth through a television program. “I’m a retired medical professional and I’m very selective about which products I use. I first learned of MyoHealth through an interview with Dr. Robert Wolfe. I was very impressed with his credentials, background in research and his lifelong commitment to health at any age especially for those recovering from trauma; as well as maintaining optimal quality of life throughout one’s senior years.” “I was so impressed with his background and the show that I was immediately prompted to try the product. When I received MyoHealth, I started taking it right away and took double the serving for the first thirty days because I was recovering from a total left hip replacement. Within the first four weeks, I started noticing a difference in my stamina. In the last six months, my friends and neighbors have been totally impressed with the difference they’ve observed in me. Before taking MyoHealth, I regularly needed help carrying heavy grocery bags. Several months ago I realized that I no longer needed help. I can lift and carry heavy bags of groceries into the house,” she recalls. “I visited my doctor after my hip replacement and found that my overall strength has vastly improved, as well as my stamina, muscle tone and endurance. I am so excited about this product. I take other supplements, but I’ll tell you something, this one is something I really can’t do without.” Lorri Sullivan, Ph.D., LCSW, worked in the healthcare industry for over 50 years and was keenly aware of what was healthy and what wasn’t. However, she admits that she didn’t always take care of herself. “If I’m going to be honest, when I was a busy professional working many, many hours a day, I did not always live an entirely healthy lifestyle. As most of us don’t when we are on a strict schedule, but I was cognizant of what I should be doing. I was immersed in problem-solving my patients’ needs and mine became secondary. Now that I’m able to shift gears, I can focus on my own health.”

Dancing has always been a passion for Lorri, but in recent years she was forced to slow down.

Since taking MyoHealth, Lorri has resumed line dancing and is the president of the Sun City Merry Makers. “I line dance three days a week for about two to three hours a day. I can dance twice as long as my counterparts who are half my age – they have trouble keeping up with me! I also do water aerobics. My stamina has improved and my muscle tone is excellent. Because of my improved muscle strength, I no longer have the issues I used to, and I recovered 100 percent from my total hip replacement. The only difference is that I’ve started using this product. And because of it, my musculoskeletal system is stronger!” “I’ve always been fairly active, and that’s the important thing. I get up early in the morning and walk a mile with my dog, Charlie. He keeps me active. I’m 79 years old, and this product has impacted my entire life because it has kept my weight down. When you are stronger and more active, you keep a healthier weight. But I also engage in a lot of social activity like different clubs and organizations. I’m proud to be president of the Merry Makers, as we sing and entertain at convalescent hospitals. This product gives me the foundation of strength to keep going and engage in all these quality of life activities. I’m amazed by the product and what the good Lord has done in my life. I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. I want to thank Dr. Wolfe for his work and TriVita for bringing a gift to this world. Lorri isn’t ready to slow down anytime soon. Concerning her physical goals, she says, “I want to maintain a healthy weight, live to 95 years and line dance until I’m 95! But I have a lot of other primary or spiritual goals. It all ties in together because if I’m happy, joyous and out there, then I’m able to bring light to others, to be a light to others in this world. As a Christian, that is my primary goal. I truly believe I will reach my goals!” “I’ve had health issues in the past, but that all has been overcome, and I know that with faith, positive thinking and the use of the wonderful products that God gives us that we can reach our goals. So keep believing in miracles!”

By Tammy Pon, M.D. When I reflect upon TriVita’s Essentials for Health and Wellness, the word “homeostasis” comes to mind. The goal of the Essentials is to help people “experience wellness,” which goes beyond supporting our biochemistry with nutrients and exercise.It includes emotional and spiritual health, all wrapped up together to help us stay in balance. So what does this have to do with homeostasis? A medical dictionary defines homeostasis as “a relative constancy in the internal environment of the body, naturally maintained by adaptive responses that promote healthy survival.” Many times people think this internal regulation of the body is something that is on auto-pilot and they don’t give it a second thought. For example, the body’s thermostat is set at 98.6°F (37° C) and has various mechanisms to maintain that internal temperature. These mechanisms are at work whether we are sweating bullets pulling weeds in our garden in the middle of a hot summer day, shivering trying to keep warm or trudging through a snowstorm on our way to work on a blustery winter day.

Homeostasis in action: putting on a coat

“Adaptive responses” can be automatic, like the example of the body self-regulating its temperature, but adaptive responses can also be supported—we can intentionally do something to help promote our own healthy survival. To stay with our temperature example, we can put on a coat before stepping out into frigid air to help our body maintain 98.6°. In a similar way, we can do something about what we ingest to help our body stay in balance: Essential #4, Eat Nutritiously. I’m not talking about just eating healthy foods, which is of course vital to wellness balance, but something more. Consider adaptogenic herbs, which have been used for centuries by Asian cultures to improve a person’s ability to cope with stress. In times of increased stress, these herbs normalize the physiological process of the body and help the body adapt to changes and move back toward homeostasis.

What people don’t realize is that homeostasis involves the body’s ability to adjust not only to changing conditions of the environment, but also to respond to psychological and social stressors.

We are not born with the inherent ability to know how to handle a demanding boss or strong peer pressure. These psychological and social stressors throw our bodies out of equilibrium. Our heart rate goes up. We begin to sweat. Our breathing becomes shallow. Our sleep is fitful. We crave comfort foods. Panic attacks occur. But we don’t have to be helpless victims.

True wellness, defined

Research shows we can help our bodies handle psychological and social stressors in very simple ways. An example would be practicing TriVita’s 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness. For instance, a 2014 study looking at 131 adults found that practicing Essential #7 (“Be Forgiving”) may help the heart by lowering blood pressure and improving heart function. Look at something more extreme: an organ transplant. Even in this situation, you can see more of the 10 Essentials at work: Essential #8 (“Practice Gratitude”) and Essential #9 (“Develop Acceptance”). When the body accepts the transplanted organ, the organ recipient is certainly grateful. An Australian study determined that organ transplant recipients had better outcomes when they saw themselves worthy of the organ gift and felt gratitude, wanting to “pay it forward.” Homeostasis may sound like a daunting medical word, but it really comes down to living in wellness balance. True wellness is striving for homeostasis in all areas of our lives. This article is intended for educational purposes only.

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References: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/#ref1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25195798 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25192762 Hamren K, Chungkham HS, Hyde M. Religion, spirituality, social support and quality of life: measurement and predictors CASP-12(v2) amongst older Ethiopians living in Addis Ababa. Aging Ment Health. Aug 30, 2014: 1-12. http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0120-53072014000200015&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en

Once upon a time, the “retirement years” evoked images of RV travel, hobbies galore and a general life of leisure. Today, expectations are completely different for those entering “retirement age.” Recent research from the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that a whopping 82% of those in their 60s expect to, or are already, working past age 65.1 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2022, the 65+ age bracket will be the fastest growing segment of the labor force.¹ Why? Most cite the need for income or health benefits.² Returning to the workforce can be daunting, especially with competition from younger generations. Although everyone’s background and skills are different, these tips can help in your search for an “encore” career.

Network

It literally pays to know someone. Contact former colleagues, clients, vendors, friends and family and let them know you’re seeking employment. You never know when a lead might come up.

Keep your resume short and to the point

You have a lifetime of skills and work experience, but they all don’t belong on your resume. Customize your resume for each position you apply for, highlighting the pertinent skills and experience. Limit your resume to one page, two at most.

Accept all interviews

Hone your interviewing skills by agreeing to all interviews, even for jobs that you don’t really want. This helps ensure you’ll be polished and ready for the job interview that really counts.

Don’t allude to age

Odds are good you’ll be interviewed by, or work for, someone younger than you. Avoid referencing age—theirs or yours. You don’t want to appear condescending or unintentionally reinforce any age bias they may harbor.

Stay on top of trends

We live in an increasingly tech-driven world; keeping up with the latest developments can help you stay competitive with younger job seekers.

Consider temp work

Bring in income while searching for that perfect job. For those who have been out of the workforce, it can also help you build up your resume.

Volunteer

Although you most likely won’t earn a wage, volunteering is great experience to include on your resume.

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References:

1. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2013/article/pdf/labor-force-projections-to-2022-the-labor-force-participation-rate-continues-to-fall.pdf
2. https://www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-source/resources/center-research/16th-annual/tcrs2015_pr_retirement_throughout_the_ages.pdf

By Mamiko Odegard, Ph.D. Are you ready to claim your true value without having to wait for others to like, accept, approve of and love you? Recognize the fear within you that needs the validation of your worth. What is it that is keeping you from that goal? Is it years of messages drawn from your earliest memories? Messages that you’re not good enough, not thin enough, not smart enough… even not lovable enough? It’s time to purge yourself from the agony of painful beliefs that you’ve carried all these years. Once you’ve identified your sabotaging beliefs, it’s time to formulate new ones that help you to heal and enjoy a happier and more successful life. If you find that you don’t believe these new, more supportive beliefs about yourself, then go back to your fears. Maybe you’re afraid that if you form affirming new beliefs that you are capable and worthy, you’ll be simply “fooling yourself.” Or maybe you fear being vulnerable and getting hurt. Yes, rejection does hurt. But remember, the price of pretending to be someone you’re not is high: it costs you your personal power, your well-being and your peace. You become what you think As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right.” It’s time to step up and be your own nurturing parent or friend. Give yourself these affirmations:

“I am learning to accept and love myself more and more each day.”

“I like this about myself: ________.”

“I am taking charge of my life: my thoughts, feelings and actions.”

“As I practice self care, I am showing love to myself.”

“I surround myself with those persons who are caring, supportive and loving towards me.”

By thinking and saying these affirmations daily, you will grow in your own esteem and acceptance. You don’t have to be perfect! You just need to start now and let yourself believe in, and let yourself be, the miraculous person you really are.

A lot has changed in 19 years, but our appreciation for our members has not. Watch this special message from founder and CEO Michael Ellison and other TriVita employees.

By Christa Orecchio For many of us, summer eating means outdoor cooking and lots of barbeques. Grilling is a longtime fun tradition for so many of us—but did you know there are healthy and unhealthy ways to grill? When we grill using high heat, proteins in meat and fish can get converted to something called heterocyclic amines or HCAs. These HCAs are chemicals that have been linked to tumors in animals as well as a greater risk of breast, colon, stomach and prostate cancer. What happens is the fat and juices of the meat drip onto the grill, forcing smoke to be produced that contains carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Then smoke rises past the food, depositing these PAHs on the surface of the food. Not to worry: I would never ask you to give up this time-honored tradition that has connected friends, family and neighbors since grills were first invented. There are many ways to take caution for safer grilling.

Outdoor cooking for safety, health

1. Avoid grilling processed meats at all costs.

Processed meats contain an entirely different set of potentially carcinogenic agents than unprocessed meats. So in my view, this means saying good-bye to hot dogs and sausages on the grill. Always grill unprocessed meats: grass-fed hamburgers or steak, organic, free-range chicken, and wild fish.

2. Marinate!

Studies show that marinating food prior to grilling reduces the levels of carcinogenic compounds. Lighter, thinner marinades seem to work best, as the thicker ones with sugar burn more easily. I’ve included two of my favorites, an Italian Marinade and a Mexican Pesto Marinade, both always winners in my household and cooking classes. Both can double as salad dressings or dips for your fun summer picnics.

3. Go lean.

Choose lean organic chicken and grass-fed beef or fish over fattier alternatives like ribs and sausage. There will be less drippings and therefore fewer PAHs.

4. Smaller cuts of meat.

Kebabs, anyone? Choosing smaller cuts of meat that take less time to cook will limit exposure to chemicals.

5. Mind the barbeque and hone your technique.

If you’re on grill duty, make sure you flip burgers every minute, keep food a good six inches from the heat source, and use cedar planks whenever possible to prevent the juices from dripping onto the grill. (Cedar plank wild salmon is delicious!)

6. Go for the veggies!

If you are a kebab type of person, try grilling fruit and veggies as well as meat or fish because they contain very little protein. So, there is no danger of conversion to the chemical HCAs that can cause harm. Having 50% of your plate as veggies is good for your health in many different ways. Grilled fruit and veggies make for fantastic salad additions when you add them to fresh, raw greens. Or just use them with dips for healthy picnic snacks or appetizers.

7. Ditch burnt meat.

As appealing as char-grilled may look, the charring is toxic and I always recommend cutting off burnt or charred parts.

8. Check your briquettes.

If you use charcoal briquettes, go for the natural ones made from either real wood or coconut, (there won’t be any coconut flavor in your briquettes). Not all briquettes contain the same ingredients. The largest briquette manufacturer lists their ingredients publicly.

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Reference: Harvard Health Publications and Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center

Mitochrondria is an intimidating word that’s thrown around a lot in medical websites and journals, but how many of us really understand its importance? Mitochondria are simply the tiny factories in each of our cells that turn the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe into energy. Aging speeds up when the communication breaks down between the central part of our cells and their mitochondria. Mitochondrial deterioration produces excess free radicals (damaging molecules), which in turn can cause your body to perform like an old car engine that produces a lot of smoke and runs poorly. The good news is that you can also reverse this process. When intracellular communication improves, the aging process slows down and overall health and vitality will improve. Energy, metabolism and cognitive powers are all enhanced, and improved mitochondrial health may also help prevent a variety of age-related diseases.¹ Healthy mitochondria Every person is filled with mitochondria—there are trillions of these energy factories in each human body. Certain organs and tissue require more energy, and that’s why more mitochondria are packed in their cells. You’ll find abundant mitochondria in our hearts, brains and muscles. A stronger heart is more likely to be dense with mitochondria than a weak one. So, if your body contains more healthy mitochondria, you’ll naturally feel better, with more energy and focus, and an increased ability to maintain high levels of activity without getting tired. Poor mitochondria Most of us start life with healthy mitochondria, but a number of factors can deplete or damage the supply. These include poor lifestyle habits, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, free radical damage, and exposure to infections, allergens and toxins. One of the major reasons for mitochondria depletion is a poor diet. So, unless we take care of our general health—and our mitochondria—we are more likely to feel tired and suffer from foggy brain. Mitochondrial deficits can also increase the risk for numerous ailments.² Care and feeding Eating a well-balanced diet and reducing stress are two keys to improved mitochondrial health. Targeted supplementation may also help reverse mitochondria depletion. Many adults are deficient in one or more important nutrients, so you might consider supplementing with a high quality multivitamin for improved mitochondrial health, especially CoQ-10.³ Experts agree, if you take care of your mitochondria your body will take care of you.

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References:

1. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders?show=all
2. Mitochondria and human evolution. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. December 20, 2001.
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC21173/

Blessed Beyond Measure

“God put all the right people in my life at the right time. It was incredible!” Marie de Haan grew up in Skagit County, Washington and loves the area. It has everything from the ocean to the desert and beautiful mountains for hiking. “My husband and I bought a fixer upper 20 years ago and committed never to leave,” Marie says. In 1999, Marie was one of TriVita’s first members joining shortly after the company was founded. She is a songwriter, piano teacher, wife and mother of three, avid gardener, author and cancer survivor. Nine years ago, Marie went to her doctor for a routine exam and learned that she had Stage III breast cancer. “I felt healthy, and this came out of nowhere. I slept great and had good energy. I just had this little lump that I thought was a cyst. They didn’t come out and tell me how long I had, but when a naturopath tells you to do chemotherapy because they cannot help you fast enough you know it’s bad.” After her diagnosis, Marie faced a flurry of appointments, tests and treatments. She endured a year of intensive chemotherapy and surgery. She explains, “Every year after you are worried it’s going to come back, but it hasn’t. Then you experience survivor’s guilt, and it’s a very eerie feeling.” One of the ways that Marie gives back and supports others dealing with cancer is by writing. She has authored two books about her experiences and also has her blog on cancer is a funny thing.com. “I always knew I wanted to write a book, I just always thought it would be a children’s book, but God had other plans! I don’t write books to be a bestseller and make money. I get phone calls from people that read my books and my blog and felt hopeful again, and that is why I do it.” Cancer is a Funny Thing: A Humorous Look at the Bright Side of Cancer… And There is One was her first book and her follow-up memoir, Cancer is a Funny Thing: Reconstructing My Life, was published last year, in which she touches on the most sensitive subjects with grace and humor. “The reason I say ‘cancer is a funny thing’ is that sometimes it can be a blessing. People were coming out of the woodwork to help and show support. It’s a lesson for all of us. If you know someone that is going through cancer or something difficult, just be there for them in any way you can.” When Marie thinks about the role her community played during her treatment and recovery, she recalls, “My family and friends are everything. I’ve had such a great support system, and not everyone has that. I know how lucky I am. People that I didn’t even know were helping my family when we needed it the most. God put all the right people in my life at the right time. It was incredible!” For Marie, her cancer diagnosis came out of left field. Since her first visit with a naturopath at age 14, she’s been serious about living a balanced lifestyle. “When I discovered Slow Dissolve B12 it changed my life. When you take it you don’t feel hyper; it’s when you stop taking it that you notice you don’t have as much energy. I was really happy to find that, and I still take it after all these years. It’s great for stress too, and cancer is definitely stressful!” In addition to Slow Dissolve B12, Marie’s favorites are Zamu Protect, Joint Complex, VitaCal-MagD K2 and GlucoManage. Of these products Marie says, “I take others as well, but I can’t be without these!” However, healthy living isn’t just about taking the right supplements; it’s about making better choices. “Make small changes one at a time. Get more sleep, drink more water, exercise more and take your vitamins. That’s why I like TriVita’s Essentials for Health and Wellness; it’s about common sense. You don’t need to complicate your health!” Through her difficult journey, Marie discovered her purpose to help and inspire others. “I feel strongly that God has a reason. You wake up every day; you put your feet on the floor, do nice things for other people and let them know that there is hope. You just do every day the best you can. I don’t have everything in control, but thank goodness God does.”