Doc's Nutrition Depot April Health News Letter

Docs Nutrition Depot April 2008

April has been known as Stress Awareness Month for 17 years now. Between the stock market Flux and a lot of people out of work, this couldn’t have come at a better time. Stress is a major Silent killer among adults, and the cause of most disease. Our main goal in this Months blog is to give you some of the basics signs of stress, and how to help yourself manage it.

Stress can manifest itself in a variety of emotional, behavioral, and even physical symptoms, and the symptoms of stress vary among different individuals. Common Physical symptoms often reported by those experiencing excess stress include sleep disturbances, muscle tension, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and fatigue. Emotional and behavioral symptoms that can accompany excess stress include nervousness, anxiety, changes in eating habits including overeating, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and normally mood changes.

A first step in Stress management is Exercise. We usually handle our stresses while sitting at our desks, standing at the Window, or behind the wheel stuck in traffic. Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones. Exercise can help avoid damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. In fact, studies have found that exercise is a potent antidepressant, and sleeping aid for many people.

Meditation is another option for dealing with stress, it teaches you how to control your thoughts and helps give you time to clear your head. We recommend at least 20 minutes a day, If done correctly it’s been known to have the same affects as taking a power nap. There are a lot of different ways to meditate, the way I learned was to find a place to sit that’s quiet (Do not lay down or you will fall asleep) make yourself comfortable for example by putting a pillow behind your back and sitting against a wall. Close your eye’s and Think of something positive, and in a word or two describe that thought and say it over to your self slowly and quietly. Your mind will want to wander while doing this, but you must discipline yourself to immediately bring your mind back to that positive thought. You will feel your body almost limb by limb starting to relax. This is basically it if you do it correctly when your done you will have an overwhelming feeling of calm, every time I do it I feel as if I have slept for an hour. Oh yea don’t forget to set your alarm clock, it is easy to lose track of time.

The last part is supplementing, there are a number of vitamins and herbs which can greatly benefit you when dealing with stress. Please take a look at the category section on our front page under Antioxidants & relaxation and sleep aids. We recommend a good multi, B complex, Antioxidant supplement and we also have herbs to try and help relax you. For further suggestions please feel free to respond to this blog at sales@docsnutritiondepot.com , or you can also call us anytime during regular business hours.

References – Docs Nutrition Depot, Medicinenet.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

Doc's Nutrition Depot March Health News Letter

Docs Nutrition Depot March 2009

Joint pain has many different causes, from the simple twisted ankle to a chronic pain caused by arthritis (of which there are many varieties). In this blog we will lightly touch on the basics of joint pain, focusing mainly on the pain caused by Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis. In any case if you are experiencing joint pain you should consult your physician as it is occasionally an indication of a greater problem.

Arthritis unfortunately has many different forms and incidence increases as we age. Basically it entails the wearing away of cartilage and or the production of inflammation in your joints. There are many causes to the start of Artheritis, Risk factors including injury that never quite healed correctly and continued with an inflammatory process that destroys the surrounding joint tissues, Being overweight, and repetitive stress of the affected joint, for example a typists nightmare carpel tunnel .

Cox 2 Inhibitors are a class of prescription and over the counter drugs which selectively inhibit COX-2, an enzyme involved in the production inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors are the newest of the NSaids (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and compared to many other drugs they are taking the Arthritis world by storm. Most Joint products take a month or two to take affect, where a good Cox 2 Inhibitor taken at the right doses can take affect normally by the second week. To combat the destructive inflammatory process, there are many supplements and foods that can help. One product we sell allot of is Zyfamend a product made by New Chapter that is derived from some of the best quality herbs available (http://docsnutritiondepot.com/search.aspx?find=zyflamend). Omega-3 fatty acids are another natural ant-inflammatory and many studies have indicated that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits for your health.

There is also a lot of talk about glucosamine and chondroitin in the treatment of arthritis; some of it good some of it uncertain. However, many people have had success using Glucosamine and chondroitin (Met-rx Joint Guard) is one product we recommend highly in the treatment of joint pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural components of normal cartilage. Many physicians recommend a trial use of glucosamine and chondroitin for at least a 3 month period. MSM or methyl sulfonylmethane is a natural sulfur compound found in all living things.

Many studies have shown these products have been used to treat a wide variety of symptoms including Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis. As always, it is important to check with your physician before beginning any supplementation program. And we hope the information provided here helps and sparks your interest on learning how to live an arthritis free life.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

References: Docs Nutrition Depot,Web MD,MsNBC

Doc's Nutrition Depot January Health News Letter

Doc's Nutrition Depot January 2008

WeightLoss for many people is an On going problem. Many Times Losing weight is temporary, unfortunately mostly because of an unrealstic dieting approach. Most popular diets are unsuccessful in the long run because they fail to address the complicated nature of what successful long term weight loss demands.
We at Doc's nutrition depot have put together some helpful hint's and what we feel are realistic approaches to helping you meet your desired goals. They of course require a little effort on your part, but what doesn't in todays society the bottom line is it doesn't have to be impossible.

Our first tip is about the benefits of portion size & eating foods that are not only healthy for you but also give you natural sources of the vitamins and minerals your body craves and needs.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with valuable fibers and antioxidants. They fill up your stomach quicker so you feel full faster. One serving of most meals in the United states are much larger then they should be. Most restaurant servings are 4 times larger to keep you, the customer happy and full ! You do not need to finish your plate, You can simply ask to take home the leftovers. We are not telling you to eat a quater of what you would normally have but cutting down your portion size by 20% would be a great beginning and a realistic approach to a new you.

The reasoning behind smaller portions are that your stomach cells shrink as your portion size decreases therefore leaving you less hungry and feeling fuller faster. The trick is pushing away from the table before you are completely full or stuffed. The best part is it actually benefits you to eat more often, small portions periodically throughout the day speed up your metabolism so your body is consistently digesting. Eating foods that are healthy and beneficial to you which includes vegetables with your three main meals and fruit in between leading to healthier digestion.

For me at least, eating vegetables with every meal 7 days a week is not realistic. My main goal is to base my diet mostly with vegetables and fruits but in order to make dieting realistic cheat meals in moderation are a crucial part of any diet regimen. In my experience when it comes to weight loss, the closer you come to reaching your goal, the chances of hitting your plateau increase, therefore a stricter diet at that time becomes essential..

"Working Out" a hot topic and for most people one of the hardest. A disciplined workout plan with a diet regiment is truly challenging for the majority. The benefits of working out are tremendous, if you exercise properly 5 days a week with 30 minutes of cardio and light weight training, you can double the amount of weight you lose compared to just eating healthier meals. I am proof of the statement above, I recommend seeking out a good personal trainer and signing up for at least a 10 session package. In this process an experienced trainer has proven to be very useful. The lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

In Conclusion losing weight should be a great experience that you feel good about. If you wake up everyday dreading the challenge, then you need to seek the proper weight loss program for you. Initally everyone is motivated but its maintaining that motivation which seperates the individual with results versus the average.

References - Docsnutritiondepot.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

Doc's Nutrition Depot December Health News Letter

Doc's Nutrition Depot December 2008

As the seasons change and the days get shorter, some people develop symptoms of depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is related to seasonal changes in the amount of daylight that can bring about feelings of hopelessness and sadness, a drop in energy level, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and avoidance of social situations, changes in appetite, decreased physical activity, and sleeping for long periods of time. Symptoms of SAD tend to reoccur at about the same time every year. Four to six of every 100 people are diagnosed with SAD. Some people experience symptoms severe enough to affect their quality of life, and 6 percent even require hospitalization.

There are a number of ways to help fight against depression, but we always prefer suggesting more of a natural approach. One of the main keys to prevention of SAD is exercise. In a study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine researchers found that working out 3 times per week in a supervised exercise group reduced the signs of depression in 45% of their group, Researchers believe exercise enhances the mood by releasing norepinephrine and serotonin.

Our recommendations for exercise include aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times per week with light strength training. Some other suggestions we can make are Yoga, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Racket Ball etc, The key is finding something you enjoy so you look forward to doing it. Exercise helps to build the immune system reduce cholesterol, and acts as an antidepressant and helps with your overall health.

There are a couple of Supplements http://www.docsnutritiondepot.com would like to feature this month, To help you combat stress and help with mental wellbeing. The first one being

:1) New Chapter - Mood Take Care - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/newchaptermoodtakecare30sg.aspx Mood Take Care promotes balanced brain chemistry, and modulates serotonin for a positive emotional health.

2) Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals - Seroprin 24 - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/hitechpharmaceuticalsseroprin-2430t.aspxSEROPRIN-24 was designed for men and women to help support mood elevation, promote relaxation, and reduce stress and frustration.

3) Himalaya - Stress Care - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/himalayastresscare60c.aspxStressCare is a unique complex rejuvenative tonic with strong adaptogenic action that helps cope with life's daily stress. It offers a broad range of health benefits and balances all the body's organs and systems for increased mental alertness and greater physical fitness.

In Conclusion, Depression affects millions of people. There are a number of medications that can be taken for it, But we have always felt if you can help something naturally why not give it a shot. We also suggest going to your doctor before starting any supplement or program to make sure that is the real solution, But it never hurts to do your own homework and if anything present the findings to your doctor.

References - National mental health information center
Doc's Nutrition Depot

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

Doc's Nutrition Depot November Health News Letter

Twenty five years ago, November was designated as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. At the time, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer's. Today as many as 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's can occur as young as age 35, and is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the country. By 2050, 11 to 16 million people will likely have Alzheimer's. Dementia is an acquired syndrome in which intellectual ability decreases to the point that it interferes with daily function. Cases of dementia increase substantially after 75 years of age, making it largely a disease of older persons.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with diffuse neuron injury and death, with characteristic pathologic findings of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Currently, it is believed that there are two major causes of dementia in older persons: Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Reliable estimates of the presence of the various causes of dementia in primary care settings are not available, but the best estimates indicate that approximately 60 percent of dementing illnesses are due to Alzheimer's disease, 15 percent are due to vascular dementia and many of the remainder involve concurrent Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia ("mixed dementia").
Clinically, persons with Alzheimer's disease demonstrate a slow, progressive decline in multiple areas, including acknowledgment and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Behavior disturbances, ranging in severity from repeated questioning to physical violence, are common. The average duration of the disease is 10 years, during which afflicted persons progress from mild memory loss to the need for 24-hour supervision to total dependency and death.


While there is much we don't yet know about Alzheimer's disease, tremendous progress has been made since 1983," said James Wessler, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter. "In November we focus on raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and shedding light on the importance of finding breakthroughs in diagnosis, prevention, treatments and, eventually, a cure."
A recent clinical trial was done with vitamin E supplementation. This study supports the consideration of vitamin E supplementation in persons with dementia or those who are at risk for the disease. Dosages of up to 2,000 IU daily are used. Ginkgo biloba extract, which contains antioxidants similar to vitamin E, have been recently reported to delay symptom progression in dementia also. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen also have been associated with a lower incidence of dementia. This lower incidence is due to a reduction in inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease and herbally another great anti inflamatory is a product called Zyflamend by New Chapter.

Family Members who care for persons with dementia should consider asking there physicians about prescribing medication and herbal remedies to slow disease progression. Over the past decade research and innovations in care have increased the options available to physicians who care for demented patients and their families. While no dramatic breakthroughs have occurred, the overall management of dementia is becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is likely that this trend will continue during the next decade.

References
www.docsnutritiondepot.com
AAFP.org
Medicalnewstoday.com

Doc's Nutrition Depot October Health News Letter

October is national lung health education month

This is why we chose to talk about the disease Influenza (the flu) that is contagious and caused by a virus. The changing of the seasons and temperatures are upon us, with the temperature constantly fluctuating people have a tendency to under dress. The people most affected by this are young children with immune systems still developing and the elderly who are not quite as strong as they were in there younger years. As a result they have named October the beginning of Flu Season, which is a sickness overlooked by most, but is rated to be one of the most deadly.

Influenza and pneumonia combined are the eighth leading cause of death among all Americans and the sixth leading cause of death among all Americans over the age of 65. When influenza attacks the lungs, the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. The tissues temporarily become swollen and inflamed but usually heal within two or more weeks. Influenza is often complicated by pneumonia, especially in the elderly. Adults 65 years of age and older who get the flu are more likely to have serious complications which can affect their health and independence.

Influenza, along with its complications, is a serious respiratory illness, killing an average of 36,000 Americans and hospitalizing another 226,000 each year. More than four out of five Americans nearly 250 million people are now recommended to receive a yearly influenza vaccine.

Some of the symptoms associated with influenza are:
• fever
• body aches and pains
• chills
• sore throat/dry cough
• loss of appetite
• weakness

The ALA recommends Annual flu shots for all persons, we at Docs Nutrition Depot also recommend natural immune boosters to help keep you healthy against a serious illness like the flu.
There are a number of necessary Vitamins & Herbs that should be taken. A couple of the basics being a good Multi Vitamin, Echinacea especially during the entire flu season, Greens, Vitamin C and E. All these can be found on www.DocsNutritionDepot.com website under Immune boosters.

One thing to keep in mind during all of this is getting sick is never fun and taking all these suggested items may not work 100% of the time, but they do greatly increase your odds against getting sick. Educating yourself on how to stay healthy is one of the best decisions a person can make, most people take this for granted and don’t realize the importance of their health until they lose it.
Annual Doctors visits, Exercise, Healthy eating and the right supplementation is one of the smartest decisions you could ever make for yourself.


References – (The American Lung Association) & (Docs Nutrition Depot).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

DOCS NUTRITION DEPOT SEPTEMBER HEALTH NEWS LETTER

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Understanding Cholesterol greatly reduces the risk for many problems, Two of the most important being Stroke & Heart Attack. If your total blood cholesterol is below 200 mg this puts you at relatively low risk for heart disease. Even with a low risk, it’s still smart to Exercise at least 3 times a week and eat a Heart Healthy diet. Determining how your cholesterol levels affect your risk of heart disease, your doctor will also take into account other risk factors including age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.

The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. In general, LDL, HDL and Triglyceride levels fall into these categories:

LDL Cholesterol Levels

Less than 100 mg Great

100 to 129 mg Normal

130 to 159 mg Borderline High

160 to 189 mg High

190 mg And Above Extremely High

HDL Cholesterol Level
Category

Less than 40 mg
(for men)
Less than 50 mg
(for women)

Low HDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

An HDL of 60 mg and above is considered protective against heart disease

Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high triglyceride levels. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex.

Triglyceride Level Category

Less than 150 mg Normal

150–199 mg Borderline High

200–499 mg High

500 mg and above Extremely High

You should now understand the benefits of maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. Once you begin making better dietary choices, you will realize how easy it actually is getting used too. Some doctors and health organizations recommend that everyone older than 20 be checked for High Cholesterol. How often you should be checked depends on whether you have other health problems and your overall chance of heart disease.

Most experts agree that the following people should have their Cholesterol checked:

• Anyone who has strong risk factors for heart disease
• People who have a strong family history of heart disease
• Men ages 35 to 65
• Women ages 45 to 65

An adult who has Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) should have a cholesterol test at least once a year.

An adult who is being treated for high cholesterol may need more frequent tests, depending on his or her cholesterol level and the type of treatment being used.

An adult who has Diabetes should be tested once a year.

Below are Two important Herbs That Can be taken For Keeping a healthy heart, Please go to www.docsnutritiondepot.com & Visit the Heart Health Section for additional Items & information.

1) Policosanol is a blend of long-chain fatty alcohols (LCFA) derived from sugar cane, a superior source of these natural plant waxes. Non-clinical studies have shown that the fatty alcohol constituents in Policosanol possess considerable antioxidant activity, can protect serum lipids against free radical attack and support healthy immune function. Policosanol can support cardiovascular health through these and other mechanisms.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2) Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10) is a micronutrient essential to all human life. It is a naturally occurring nutrient that works as a co-factor in the body’s electron transport system where all of the body’s energy is derived. CoQ10 regulates the flow of oxygen moving in and out of the mitochondria, which are the cell’s power plants. The body’s cellular power plants can’t function without CoQ10. Declines in CoQ10 levels occur with advancing age and appear to be correlated with deterioration of the immune system. Supplementation with CoQ10 could help to boost energy levels, strengthen and protect the heart and blood vessels, enhance the immune system and protect against free radical damage. Like all muscles, the heart needs adequate energy to contract, and CoQ10 facilitates the production of that energy. In those with coronary heart disease, supplementation may reduce the frequency of angina episodes and increases the amount of physical exercise that a person can perform before developing angina pain. Tissues that need the largest amounts of CoQ10, like the heart, are those that require the most energy.

References WEB MD, American Heart Association, Now Foods, Olympian Labs