Air pollutants, toxins, cigarette smoke, cell metabolism, exposure to the sun, and other environmental factors initiate free radicals, which can cause dangerous reactions that destroy cells and damage DNA, proteins, and fats. Free radicals also interfere with collagen production and integrity, resulting in loss of elasticity and, ultimately, aging skin. Although this is a natural and unavoidable by-product of metabolism, an overabundance of free radical damage can cause premature aging and wrinkles. Fortunately, there's a nutritional way to fight the elements.
Coenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10 and ubiquinone, is a fat soluble, vitamin-like nutrient present in virtually all cells and considered the spark plug of the body, helping to produce and regulate energy as well as fighting free radicals as an antioxidant.
CoQ10 levels are highest during the first 20 years of life and decline with time, so much so that at age 80, CoQ10 levels may be lower than at birth. Yet the body's demand for CoQ10 increases with age. Furthermore, statin (cholesterol-lowering) medications can further deplete the body of CoQ10.
The recommended daily CoQ10 dose is 30 mg, in combination with alpha lipoic acid and vitamins A, C, E, and selenium. Foods highest in CoQ10 include sardines, beef, peanuts, spinach, and albacore tuna. However, it would take a pound of sardines, two pounds of beef, or two-and-a-half pounds of peanuts to provide 30 mg, and cooking foods at high temperatures degrades the enzyme. Consequently, CoQ10 supplementation is likely necessary to achieve therapeutic effects.
CoQ10 can also benefit topically as it's a small molecule that can easily penetrate the skin. When CoQ10 is combined with vitamins C and E in creams or lotions, the synergistic effect can neutralize free radicals, thus reducing wrinkles.
Supplementing with CoQ10 is not only a good antiaging strategy for the skin, it can also enhance energy, cognition, heart health, stroke prevention, and immune support. CoQ10 is often referred to as the spark of life because of its profound effects on our overall health.
For a free 32-page informative booklet on “Coenzyme Q10: Discover the Spark of Life” and to learn about how this significant nutrient helps with heart disease, cancer, and more, stop by my office or give me a call.
Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns a clinic, La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza. More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Immunity: Power Up Your Natural Defenses
How do we survive and even thrive in this world that is teeming with microorganisms? The answer, in short, is our immune system. Our immune system is composed of millions of cells circulating throughout the body. Like a finely conducted orchestra, these specialized body tissues and organs create an elaborate and complicated symphony of defense against infection and cancer. The organs and cells of the immune system are an integral part of our skin, respiratory system, and digestive system. They protest us by fighting off microscopic enemy invaders such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, fungus, and parasites. We also depend on the immune system to identify mutated cells and to destroy them before they can replicate into cancerous tumors. The immune system recognizes and attempts to destroy anything that is foreign to our normal cells and tissues.
The health of the immune system is greatly influenced by our daily thoughts and our daily activities. We know that sleep, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption influence our immune system. How much sleep we do or don’t get, how much exercise we do, whether we smoke and how much alcohol we drink all significantly impact immune function.
Just like any of our bodily processes, our immune system relies upon good nutrition to function at its best. Optimal digestion occurs when we chew our food thoroughly, eat in a relaxed manner, eat nutrient-rich foods that contain their own enzymes (raw foods), and avoid processed and synthetic foods that can inflame the digestive tract and do not contain sufficient immune-enhancing nutrients. Maintaining healthy digestion and eating a nutritious diet will create more vigorous immune function.
A well-functioning immune system is integral to vital health. Our immune system is complex and adaptive and acts as a solid barrier against infection and diseases such as cancer. Keeping our immune system healthy will reduce sickness, autoimmunity and cancer.
A healthy immune system requires lifestyle improvements. Obtaining adequate sleep and exercise, along with managing stress and eating well, will support strong and balanced immunity. Quitting smoking is another critical factor for robust immune function. Diet is especially important, with an emphasis on consuming falconoid (colored vegetables and fruits), good fats, organically grown foods, and minimizing sugar and alcohol. Immune function is also enhanced with dietary supplements, such as Echinacea, garlic, olive leaf, astragalus, coenzyme Q10, vitamins B and C, and zinc. Remember, however: Supplements can never replace a wholesome diet. All of these daily practices and interventions will support the intricate and dynamic immune system, our most essential life-sustaining protection.
For a free 32-page booklet on your immune system, how it works, and supplement strategies to power up your defenses, stop by my office or give me a call.
Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns a clinic, La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza. More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.
The health of the immune system is greatly influenced by our daily thoughts and our daily activities. We know that sleep, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption influence our immune system. How much sleep we do or don’t get, how much exercise we do, whether we smoke and how much alcohol we drink all significantly impact immune function.
Just like any of our bodily processes, our immune system relies upon good nutrition to function at its best. Optimal digestion occurs when we chew our food thoroughly, eat in a relaxed manner, eat nutrient-rich foods that contain their own enzymes (raw foods), and avoid processed and synthetic foods that can inflame the digestive tract and do not contain sufficient immune-enhancing nutrients. Maintaining healthy digestion and eating a nutritious diet will create more vigorous immune function.
A well-functioning immune system is integral to vital health. Our immune system is complex and adaptive and acts as a solid barrier against infection and diseases such as cancer. Keeping our immune system healthy will reduce sickness, autoimmunity and cancer.
A healthy immune system requires lifestyle improvements. Obtaining adequate sleep and exercise, along with managing stress and eating well, will support strong and balanced immunity. Quitting smoking is another critical factor for robust immune function. Diet is especially important, with an emphasis on consuming falconoid (colored vegetables and fruits), good fats, organically grown foods, and minimizing sugar and alcohol. Immune function is also enhanced with dietary supplements, such as Echinacea, garlic, olive leaf, astragalus, coenzyme Q10, vitamins B and C, and zinc. Remember, however: Supplements can never replace a wholesome diet. All of these daily practices and interventions will support the intricate and dynamic immune system, our most essential life-sustaining protection.
For a free 32-page booklet on your immune system, how it works, and supplement strategies to power up your defenses, stop by my office or give me a call.
Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns a clinic, La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza. More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)