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Adrienne’s Journey: The Power of Turmeric

Click Play & Hear from Adrienne…

 

Outside San Antonio, Texas, Adrienne began a fine day in July 2018 as she usually does, riding the ring with her horse Dusty.

But what happened next wasn’t usual.  Spooked, Dusty reared up and threw Adrienne to the hard ring floor. “I shattered my ankle and my talus and several bones in my lower leg,” she recalls.

Adrienne’s road to recovery was long and arduous. She needed five surgeries to reconstruct her right ankle and years of physical therapy to relearn how to walk. And she struggled to get back to the life she once had. According to Adrienne, “I have a lot of bone death. I have a lot of necrosis and have a lot of arthritis.”

Adrienne found it too painful to ride or work. “I was very limited mobility-wise. I couldn’t stand for very long.  I couldn’t walk very far,” she said.

But the most challenging part for Adrienne was struggling to care for her three young children. “You don’t think about the things that are easy to do until they’re not easy to do anymore.”

Another frightening part of Adrienne’s medical ordeal was the health-threatening medications she took every day to deal with her pain and inflammation.

“Meloxicam is a prescription medication, and I was put on it for the constant pain and inflammation,” Adrienne explained. “My doctor was concerned; he just said you know you’re basically one minute away from a heart attack.”

Fortunately, Adrienne’s doctor had a plan, “My doctor actually said I would really like to get you off of that meloxicam, and I would love for you to try turmeric.”

Yes, Adrienne’s doctor recommended Turmeric to help with swelling and inflammation and replace one of the toxic medications threatening Adrienne’s health. “I was surprised that my doctor recommended trying something other than a prescription.  I trusted that he wanted the best for me physically, and so I figured it would be worth a shot,” she said. 

But, Adrienne’s doctor didn’t suggest just any turmeric. “He told me, ‘Don’t just go to the store and get something. You want something that’s high quality with at least a thousand milligrams.” Adrienne explained. “Stonehenge was at the top of the list, so I figured I’ll give that a shot.”

It didn’t take long – precisely ten days – for Adrienne to feel how Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger was working. “I really didn’t expect to get quite the benefits that I did from it,” Adrienne said. “I’m able to go and do a lot of stuff that I never thought I would be able to do. And a lot of it is because I don’t have the inflammation that I used to have.”  

And the best part, Adrienne is finally able to be the mother she used to be. “My youngest daughter has just now gotten to the point where she will ask me to tuck her in at night because she finally realizes that it’s not such a big deal for me to go up the stairs anymore, and for several years I couldn’t do it,” Adrienne said.

Adrienne is back to work, back to riding, and back to living her life fully. “Turmeric with Ginger lets me go about my typical day, which doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but for me, it’s a really big deal.”

Turmeric with Ginger

Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger is a powerful blend containing 1,600 milligrams of turmeric curcumin complex with 140 milligrams of ginger root extract. BioPerine has been added to improve bioavailability, ensuring your body gets the maximum daily benefit possible.

Add daily exercise and a positive attitude, and you’re well on your way to a more mobile, happier, healthier life!

Ask your doctor if adding Turmeric with Ginger to your daily health and wellness routine could be right for you, and confirm with your doctor before you stop taking prescription medications.

Turmeric with Ginger has helped thousands of people, and it could just want your body needs to help reduce inflammation and get you back doing the things you love, just like it helped Adrienne.

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Recipe: Golden Chicken Noodle Soup

 

With autumn upon us, I thought it would be a fun idea to share my version of everyone’s favorite comfort food recipe, especially when you’re feeling a cold or flu coming on – Chicken Noodle Soup! 

This flavorful recipe includes Ginger and Turmeric for when stuffy noses and sore throats need soothing. And once you have the basic soup made, you can take it in all sorts of delicious directions. 

Replace the egg noodles with rice, white beans, spaghetti, or any stray bag of pasta you have in the cupboard. I like mine with Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Noodles. And of course, load it up with extra vegetables to make it even healthier. 

I use rotisserie-cooked chicken from the grocery store. It’s easier and reduces the amount of prep time. When you’re not feeling your best, an easy recipe is key.

From start to finish, my chicken noodle soup should take no more than 45 minutes to prepare.

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoonFresh Grated Ginger
1 tablespoonOlive Oil
1Small Yellow Onion (chopped, about 1 cup)
3 stalksCelery (chopped)
3Carrots (chopped)
½ teaspoonBlack Pepper
½ teaspoonSea Salt
½ teaspoonFresh Thyme (chopped)
2 teaspoonsFresh Grated Turmeric        
2 cartons (8 cups)Chicken Broth 
2 cupsWater
3 cupsRotisserie Chicken (shredded)
8 ouncesWide Egg Noodles
¼ cupFresh Parsley (chopped, to garnish)
1 teaspoonFresh Grated Ginger
 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large pot, turn heat to medium/high, add olive oil.

2. Once the oil is hot, add in onion, carrots, and celery; cook for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent – about 7 minutes.

3. Add grated Ginger and grated Turmeric, cook with vegetables for 30 seconds.

4. Add in chicken broth, water, black pepper, salt, thyme, shredded chicken, and egg noodles.

5. Stir the chicken and noodles down to the bottom.

6. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 20 minutes.

7. Divide soup in bowls, garnish with parsley, and enjoy!

 

Get More Turmeric in Your Diet

For thousands of years throughout many cultures around the world Turmeric has been used to calm, soothe, and aid the body in balancing and healing itself. I know I’m giving my body a gift when I add this golden spice to any recipe. 

You can add Turmeric to almost anything – soups, stews, and smoothies. Add a teaspoon to rice while it cooks, or add 1/4 teaspoon to a cup of tea. Sprinkle it over your hummus or use it to spice up roasted meats and vegetables. Add a pinch of pepper with your Turmeric. And adding black pepper helps your body absorb its therapeutic properties.

An easier, more manageable way to add Turmeric to your diet is through a supplement.

Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger provides 1,600mg of curcumin complex and 10 milligrams of BioPerine, a pepper extract, for increased absorption. A powerful turmeric supplement ensures you’re consuming enough to provide your body with the fullest possible health benefits.

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6 Signs You May Have Chronic Inflammation & What to Do About It

If you’re focused on keeping yourself healthy for now and as you age, then there’s one thing you should pay close attention to, perhaps more than anything else, and that is chronic inflammation. 

Inflammation is a good thing. It’s a self-limiting response to infection or injury. For instance, if you sprain your ankle, your body signals to your immune system that it’s injured and that repair is needed. You’ll see and feel redness, warmth, and swelling in the injured area. But once the inflammatory response has done its job and the injury heals, the inflammation should disappear. 

Chronic Inflammation is Different

Inflammation becomes “chronic” when the inflammatory response won’t shut down once the injury heals and can last for months to years. And when that happens, tissue in your joints and organs slowly degrades, and scar tissue builds.

Beyond pain, chronic inflammation can cause permanent damage and affect your life span. Not surprisingly, chronic inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases, affects about 40% of the population, and increases as you age.

Signs of Chronic Inflammation

1. Stomach Pain

Chronic inflammation can lead to chronic stomach pain for a few reasons. First, several inflammatory diseases originate in the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gastritis. Secondly, research shows that your stomach is highly sensitive to even low levels of inflammation.

2. Fatigue

This fatigue isn’t the staying up late and missing sleep kind of tired. This is exhausted all the time, no matter how much sleep you get. Fatigue is similar to the way you feel run down when you are sick. Your immune system uses a lot of your natural energy when it remains active and works overtime to regulate itself.

3. Skin Conditions

Skin conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis occur when your immune system triggers the inflammatory response to attack skin cells. Rashes, red itchy patches, and scales are common in various autoimmune diseases known for causing systemic inflammation.

4. Depression

Certain inflammatory compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier and decrease serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, altering its function and mood regulation. Furthermore, the hormone cortisol released during the fight-or-flight stress response can further exacerbate the risk for depression.

5. Nose and Throat Mucus

Do you find yourself constantly needing to blow your nose or clear your throat? 

Mucus is good when it’s part of the immune response to toxins, bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Mucus protects the cells in the respiratory, urogenital, and digestive systems and keeps your nasal cavity from drying out.

Several inflammatory diseases, allergies to foods, and environmental factors can trigger mucus production. Mucous cells that are consistently irritated can cause chronic mucus production.

6. Body Aches

The most prominent and common signs of chronic inflammation are consistent pain and stiffness in your muscles and joints. Immune cells produce inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that trigger the inflammatory response. These chemicals are present at high levels in diseased joints and tissue linked to classic inflammatory diseases such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, and arthritis.

If any of these symptoms are regular and uncomfortable occurrences for you, talk to your doctor about getting a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ways to Minimize Chronic Inflammation

More and more health experts agree that eliminating excessive, long-term inflammation helps keep your joints and muscles pain-free and your organs in better working order. Here are four ways to help you minimize chronic inflammation…

1. Control Your Stress

Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routines,  such as walking, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.

2. Sound Sleep

Sleep is one of the most effective stress reducers. Regular sleep restores your body, improves your focus and judgment, and helps balance your mood. You are better able to cope when you are well-rested.  Getting seven to nine hours per night is essential.

3. Exercise

From walking to lifting, exercise offers your body and mind a wealth of benefits, including helping your body fight inflammation.  When you move your muscles, they release a protein called Interleukin 6 (IL6) that helps suppress inflammation-causing chemicals.

4. Eat This…

Foods such as apples, grapes, chocolate, and olive oil are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that may help protect and reduce chemicals in your body that cause chronic inflammation.

Some foods have been shown to support a healthy inflammation response, like Turmeric specifically. 

But, unless you absolutely love the taste of Turmeric, you may not be able to use enough in your cooking to make much of a difference in your overall health. You see, the compound that gives Turmeric its anti-inflammation ability is curcumin. In numerous studies, curcumin has been found to fight against the inflammation caused by arthritis, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. 

Turmeric supplements provide higher levels of curcumin than the spice alone. Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger is a potent 1,600mg of Curcumin Longa Root Extract with 95% Curcuminoids, Ginger Root Extract, and BioPerine® to maximize absorption and help reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Take Turmeric with Ginger daily as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. 


Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
knowingneurons.com/2021/07/05/depression-the-role-of-chronic-inflammation/
Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases (nih.gov)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932180/
The 6 Best Anti-Inflammatory Exercises | Livestrong.com
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7 Fun Grown-Up Summer Bucket List Ideas

This post-pandemic summer, you deserve to make it the most fun ever and an excellent place to start – checking off a few bucket list adventures. If you don’t have ideas of your own and need some inspiration, take a look at our suggestions below. This grown-up list will get you out of the house and into your local community and the great outdoors, connecting with friends and making new ones.

1. Music Festivals

If you’re longing to connect with like-minded people in a positive, warm feeling environment, there’s no better place than a music festival. Although some festivals have been postponed or toned down, there’s still one or two historic and iconic ones happening this summer. Just pick your genre, pack your sunscreen and sunglasses and go.

Country Jam Colorado in Grand Junction, CO – June 17-20
Newport Folk Festival 2021 in Newport, RI – July 23-28
Musikfest Fest 2021 in Bethlehem, PA – August 6-15
Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN – September 2-5

2. Long-Distance Scenic Trails

There are countless amazing long-distance hiking trails in America, including, of course, the “Triple Crown of Hiking,” the Continental Divide Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.

Unlike a weekend camping trail with beer and gear in tow, a long-distance trail (we’re talking up to a week, although you can go as long as six months) is an exercise in physical and mental endurance.

But the payoff is the unique experience of having your everyday life fade into the background with your only cares becoming the next fantastic water source and place to pitch your tent. You’ll need to plan and prepare with a specific distance and goal in mind yet be flexible enough to take any curveballs that get thrown your way.

3. Glamping

Imagine hiking a scenic trail all day and then settling into a comfy tent complete with plushy king-sized bed and mountain top views. Glamping (aka glamor camping) is the ideal adventure for those looking to mix the rugged outdoors with a bit of pampering.

Glamping offers gourmet food, hot showers, and flush toilets, and some even offer perks like hot tubs and spa treatments. Some places you can camp in comfort this summer:

Dunton River Camp – Dolores, Colorado
Firelight Camps – Ithaca, New York
El Capitan Canyon – Santa Barbara, CA.

4. Volunteer

There are hundreds of reasons why volunteering is a great idea – making a difference and helping others top the list. Studies show that volunteers are happier, healthier people. And volunteering later in life is more beneficial to your mind and body than only focusing on exercise or eating well, leading to a longer life.

A few places can use your help – no matter what your age – Volunteer to get America Vaccinated, your local animal rescue, or your local food bank.

5. Read a Classic Book

Although they aren’t on today’s bestseller list, there are many reasons why you should consider the dusty golden oldies. I mean, they are called classics for a reason.

You’ll find quality literature that offers intriguing stories with universal lessons. If readers have loved “The Great Gatsby,” “Wuthering Heights,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Macbeth” for a long time, you may find that you do too.

6. Museum Hop

The pandemic shut down so much of what makes our lives richer, including museums, where tourists and residents alike experience art, science, and different cultures. As the pandemic fades, museums are finally opening their doors. If not for the sheer joy of strolling the great halls, go because the museum community needs your support.

7. Try a New Restaurant + New Cuisine

America has more food cultures than it has states. There are delicious cuisines to be had all over this nation, and you don’t need to travel very far to find them.

Start by planning your culinary adventure right in your own community. Have you tried the vindaloo or ceviche at your local Indian or Mexican places? What about the pho, falafel, moussaka, or pad thai?

If you don’t recognize these dishes, it’s time to find out what your community has to offer, culinarily speaking.

How to Support Your Active Summer

Long-distance hiking, hopping from museum to museum, or strolling your local festival takes energy, stamina, and comfortable mobility. If you plan to check off items from your summer bucket list or reengage with people and places you’ve been missing because of the pandemic, add this one thing to make it all more comfortable and easier to do – Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger.

Turmeric contains a potent phytochemical called curcumin that has been shown unequivocally in numerous studies to block enzymes that cause inflammation which translates to reduced joint discomfort and improved mobility. Curcumin also has an analgesic effect, meaning it relieves joint pain as much as over-the-counter pain killers.

Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger contains 1,600 milligrams of turmeric curcumin complex and 140 milligrams of ginger root extract. Black pepper extract is added to improve bioavailability, ensuring you get the most benefits out of the supplement.

There’s something about clear skies and warm weather that invites us to insert adventure and joy into our lives. Don’t let joint discomfort stop you from enjoying every moment of this summer.

Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8156559/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594223/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12676044/
cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/35941/InTech-Oxidative_stress_cause_and_consequence_of_diseases.pdf

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Ginger and Turmeric: The Dynamic Duo for Better Health

No two spices have been as extensively studied for their healing ability as turmeric and ginger. Both are staples in Ancient Chinese Medicine used to treat a variety of conditions from headaches to stomach upset. They’re also two spices ubiquitously used in Asain dishes for their aromatic flavor – and for the health boost, they bestow on those that consume them.

Ginger is the root of the ginger plant. It adds a zesty flavor to stir-fries and sauces and can be found year-round at your local organic produce store.

Turmeric, a staple of Indian cuisine, belongs in the same botanical family as ginger. Its deep yellow hue adds vibrant color to curries and other dishes.

 

The Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is best known for settling the stomach since it can eliminate intestinal gas and soothe the intestinal tract. Several studies show that ginger can help prevent motion sickness, including seasickness. Ginger is widely used as an antiemetic, meaning it can prevent vomiting, especially during pregnancy.

Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, particularly from osteoarthritis and rheumatism. One study found that a powdered ginger supplement taken for three months reduced pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general muscle pain. This same study also indicated that a 250-milligram capsule of ginger is as effective as ibuprofen and mefenamic acid for relieving menstrual cramps.

Several studies show that ginger may help inhibit oxidative stress. Some additional evidence supports ginger for better cardiovascular function. In several animal studies, ginger had not only anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but also antiplatelet, hypotensive, and hypolipidemic effects.

 

The Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric, like ginger, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and reduces symptoms associated with inflammation. This makes it an effective way to help prevent a range of inflammatory diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Curcumin is the active agent that gives turmeric its vibrant color and is also responsible for its healing ability. Consuming curcumin supplements can significantly improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, including less pain and better physical function. One study found that, like ginger, curcumin worked as well as ibuprofen for reducing discomfort, and with no side effects.

Metabolic syndrome is a health condition that occurs when several ailments are stacked together like heart disease with type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is often a consequence of metabolic syndrome, as are hyperglycemia, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Curcumin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Curcumin may improve kidney function by reducing bile duct blockage and delaying the damage that eventually causes cirrhosis — reducing beta-amyloid plaque, which is a marker of brain senescence. Curcumin also lowers plasma alanine aminotransferase and beta-amyloid plaque, both markers of liver damage.

Research shows that even low doses of curcumin can provide health benefits for healthy people, helping to prevent a range of diseases and conditions.

 

Curcumin and Ginger Supplements for Therapeutic Doses

A healthy diet that includes plenty of ginger and turmeric can help prevent or improve inflammatory conditions and other woes and enhances your overall health and wellbeing. Together, these two spices are a powerful one-two punch against inflammation and oxidative damage.

But here’s the truth. Unless you love the taste ginger and turmeric and prepare every daily dish with these spices, it’s unlikely you’ll get enough curcumin and ginger to experience the full benefit of their health-boosting ability.

Stonehenge Health’s Turmeric with Ginger is a powerful blend containing 1,600 milligrams of turmeric curcumin complex with 140 milligrams of ginger root extract. BioPerine has been added to improve bioavailability, ensuring your body gets the maximum daily benefit possible from these two amazing nutrients.

Now, add daily exercise and a positive attitude, and you’re well on your way to a happier, healthier life!

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/

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5 Secret Ways to Improve Your Mood

Everyone will have days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed. It’s normal to have a bad day occasionally, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to sit idly by as your lousy mood worsens or turns into full-on depression. It also doesn’t mean you can’t prevent many of these bad feelings from forming in the first place.

Daily exercise, eating right, and getting enough shut-eye are three distinct ways to boost your mood and improve your overall mental and physical health. There are however a couple less obvious ways to get your mind right and improve your mood.

Here are five secret mood-boosting recipes:

#1 Make Out More

Kissing, as it turns out, is not only good as foreplay, it is also beneficial in and of itself. Kissing, even a couple pecks, increases levels of dopamine in the bloodstream, the body’s natural reward system. Kissing also has been shown to lower cholesterol in both men and women alike.

#2 Sing in the Shower

Whether you’re crooning with Sinatra, bustin’ a rhyme, or pouring your guts out with Adele, singing in the shower is a great way to start your day. Corny as it sounds, belting lyrics to your favorite jam might help turn your morning frown right-side up. A recent German study even showed that singing helped create antibodies used to fight disease. Make sure to cite that research when the neighbors complain.

#3 Journal the Good Stuff

Tracking the positive things that happen in your life is an excellent way of reinforcing positivity. At the end of every day, take out a notebook and jot down three good things that happened to you that day. It could be as seemingly innocuous as a joke you heard that made you laugh, a video you saw that made you smile, or the way the sun shone through the trees outside your office.

Tracking positive things is a great way of filtering out the bad and focusing on the good. Being grateful for even the small things in life is an essential ingredient to being happy. Plus, once you’ve been writing for a while, it’s a joy to look back through all the happy moments of your life.

#4 Dust off the Old Photo Album

Not just good for laughs (OMG would you look at that haircut?), it turns out that flipping through old photographs is a proven way of lifting our spirits. A study at Open University in the United Kingdom showed that looking at old family photos was a more efficient mood booster than drinking alcohol, watching TV, listening to music, or even having a piece of chocolate! In fact, rediscovering that old photo album can make you feel 11% better (every little bit helps).

#5 Take Natural Mood-Boosting Supplements

Before you take anti-depressants, which can have a whole host of severe side effects, it’s important to exhaust all the natural ways of improving your mood. Two great natural supplements for mood improvement are probiotics and turmeric. Both are proven means of not only helping the body but helping the mind as well.

Turmeric has been used around the globe for thousands of years. It has been shown in multiple studies to help reduce pain and inflammation, fight off free radical damage, and improve overall mood.

Probiotics, the good bacteria in the belly that fight off disease, have been shown to be very useful in improving mental and physical health. Adding these beneficial bacteria to your gut or “Second Brain” as medical experts often call it, can be an incredibly effective mood booster. These single strains of “good” probiotic that can help the digestive system can be found in dark chocolate, kefir, sauerkraut, microalgae, miso soup, pickles, tempeh, and yogurt (especially handmade). However, taking a potent probiotic supplement is a faster and more efficient way to balance your GI tract and improve your overall mood and outlook. Getting your “Second Brain” feeling good with probiotics and the “first” brain will follow.

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A Simple Way to Improve Your Immune System: The Science Behind Stonehenge Health

In the 19th Century, Louis Pasteur’s germ theory of disease made an audacious and unthinkable claim. He asserted that most diseases are caused by invading microscopic organisms—little bad bugs that make us sick. This theory revolutionized medicine and saved millions from plagues like smallpox which had devastated populations for centuries.

However, as the adverse effects of antibiotic overuse on the immune system become increasingly clear, there has been a return to the seemingly simple words of the Ancient Greek father of medicine Hippocrates, the who famously proclaimed: “All Disease Begins in the Gut.”

 

Your Immune System is Under Attack

The simplest and most effective way of improving your immune system is to maintain a healthy, balanced gut microflora. Today, this can be harder to do, than perhaps ever before.  Even if you think you maintain a healthy diet and you aren’t prone to intestinal discomfort, your gut is in worse shape than you may realize. And it’s not your fault.

The truth is that our modern industrialized food systems have created a monster in the form of processed foods. Mix that with chemical food additives, plus an overuse of antibiotics, and household chemical cleaners, and you can start to wreak havoc on your entire digestive tract. A perfect gut-wrenching storm is brewing in your belly, a storm that leaves behind a wake of carnage in the form of digestive and immune system disruption.

 

The Human Gut: Our “Second Brain”

Our digestive system is an incredibly complex piece of human machinery. From a macroscopic view, we know the gut breaks food and liquids down into their chemical components (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, etc.), which the body uses for energy and cellular regeneration. But the gut also plays a critical role in hormone and immune system regulation, and it houses the body’s largest concentration of mood-altering neurotransmitters, including serotonin. That’s why many scientists refer to the gut as the body’s “second brain.”

On the microscopic level, this second brain is home to “good” guys and “bad” guys — good bacteria who fight off disease, and bad pathogens who seek to do you harm. The more “good” bacteria you have fighting for you, the more balanced your gut microbiome will become, which will lead to you having a healthier and stronger immune system.

 

Probiotics: The Key to a Strong Immune System

Think about your gut as your body’s gas tank. Probiotics are the premium fuel that your body needs to thrive. Probiotics are those little aforementioned “good” guys, healthy bacteria that help fortify your gut from an onslaught of invading “bad” bacteria which can cause gas, bloating, discomfort, and disease. The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that, when properly balanced, keep our bodies running like well-oiled machines, helping fight off disease.

 

Where to Get Probiotics?

There are several excellent sources of probiotics that you may be eating already. Yogurt, (especially homemade) is one of the best sources along with pickled foods, sauerkraut, kefir, dark chocolate, microalgae, miso soup, and tempeh. But just changing your diet isn’t enough. Often foods that contain probiotics only contain a small number, and the variety of probiotic strains can be insufficient.

To ensure a proactive stance against the barrage of digestive destroyers that seek to weaken your immune system, you should add a probiotic supplement to your system. Probiotics are the most natural and effective way to improve your immune system, this is why it is critical to take a daily probiotic supplement with high levels of CFUs and strain variety.

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The Surprising Link Between Inflammation and Our Mood

“I had butterflies in the stomach.” 

“She showed real Intestinal fortitude.”  

“He’s got guts.”

These are just a few common expressions that reflect our deep intuition about the connection between our bellies and our brains.

Ever get so nervous you vomited? Ever get queasy on a first date? A growing body of evidence is confirming what we always knew intuitively: There is an inextricable link between our minds and our bodies.  What’s more, the effect of inflammation in the digestive system on our mood is even stronger than we ever imagined.

The Mood-Changing Power of Inflammation

Your gut plays a critical role in your body’s hormone and immune system regulation. The digestive system houses the body’s largest concentration of mood-altering neurotransmitters, including serotonin and is the reason behind how the health of our gut can and does affect your mood. That’s why so many scientists now refer to the stomach as the body’s “Second Brain.”

A balanced gut microbiome or “Second Brain” is one that contains a ratio of about 85% “good” bacteria (probiotics), and about 15% “bad” bacteria (pathogens, that cause inflammation and disease). The more probiotics, the more balanced your gut will become. The more balanced your stomach is, the less swelling and the less inflammation you will experience, causing your body to be more stable and you to experience more positive moods.

One startling example of the link between belly and brain happened in 2015. Following a gastrectomy, a patient developed their first manic episode. Researchers hypothesized a connection between their bad gut bacteria buildup and their bad mental state—and they were right.  The patient was given activated charcoal, which absorbs inflammatory cytokines and acts by neutralizing the effect of inflammatory mediators in the stomach. After 15 days of treatment, the patient’s mania disappeared, and he remained manic-free for the subsequent eight months of the study.

Scientists have long known that depression is commonly found in sufferers of autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, type 2-diabetes, and cancer–diseases synonymous with chronic low-grade inflammation. In many cases, treating the inflammation has treated the mood disorder.

Get a Healthy Second Brain, and the Mind Will Follow

If you want to improve your mood, you must stop inflammation first. To prevent inflammation, some of the things you can do include: follow a healthy low sugar diet, get adequate exercise, meditate, and, perhaps most importantly, introduce a daily dose of natural supplements such as turmeric, krill oil, and probiotics. If you take good care of the “Second Brain”, the mind is sure to follow.

Top 3 Inflammation-Killing, Mood-Improving Supplements

Research of anti-inflammatory agents such as Omega-3 rich krill oil, probiotics, and turmeric supplements have shown to be helpful in treating a host of mood and mental maladies.

Probiotics

With the added help of probiotics, you can maintain optimal gut flora for optimal digestive health and inflammation reduction.

Shopping Tip: Look for probiotics with the highest number of CFUs, unique strains, and adequate packaging.

Turmeric

The natural spice turmeric has been used for millennia and has been clinically shown to be one of the most effective ways of fighting inflammation and improving overall mood.

Shopping Tip: Look for Turmeric Curcumin with 1000 mg as the daily dosage. Also, make sure it contains BioPerine to help absorption.

Krill Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids (best taken in the form of krill oil, a safer, more effective alternative to fish oil) have long been shown to reduce inflammation, decrease anxiety, and improve depression.

Shopping Tip: Look for a krill oil that is carefully tested and contains a daily dose of at least 1,500 mg of Pure Krill Oil with high levels of EPA, DHA, Phospholipids, and Astaxanthin.

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Three Easy Ways to Improve Your Joints

Joint pain and weakness is a problem for millions of Americans. Not only does it cause significant discomfort, there is nothing more frustrating than having the desire to exercise but not being able to because your joints are either too weak or too inflamed.

Joints are the critical pieces of connective cartilage that hold your bones together, but the connections get weaker as you age. Even if you have good joints now, you should still take proactive measures to ensure your joint strength continues well into your later years.

Easy Option #1: How to Become Joint-Healthy

 

There are many ways to help improve joint health, including:

Choosing joint-friendly exercises like swimming over joint-destroyers like running

 

Beginning a workout with a mild aerobic workout before you stretch

 

Practice Yoga a few times per week

 

Ice problem areas to reduce swelling and pain

 

Improve core strength with exercise

 

Reduce your weight

 

Eat omega-3 rich fish to help reduce inflammation

 

But That Will Only Take You So Far …

Just like weak joints make it difficult to travel long distances, the above prescriptive measures will only take you so far on your path to healthy joints. After all, you would have to eat a whole lot of salmon to get perfect joints. Luckily, there are a couple of natural wonders Mother Nature has provided to help you strengthen your joints so you can enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.

 

Easy Option #2: The Joint Healing Power of Krill Oil

Krill Oil is becoming one of the most used and sworn by supplements on the market. Filled with Omega-3 essential fatty acids in the form of EPA and DHA, krill oil has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation. Studies indicate krill may help treat arthritic joint tissue by neutralizing pro-inflammatory activity.

A recent study showed that individuals inflicted with arthritic pain saw a 100% drop in C-reactive protein activity in just one month of taking 300mg of krill oil per day.

Krill oil is preferred over fish oil because, while they are both excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil is more bio-friendly and requires less processing for your body to absorb them. Derived naturally from krill shrimp deep in the pristine, unpolluted waters of the Antarctic Ocean, krill oil doesn’t come with the fear of mercury poisoning and other pollutants—a fear increasingly associated with fish oil and other fish products. Krill Oil also contains Astaxanthin, a super-antioxidant and potent anti-inflammatory which may further help promote joint health.

 

Easy Option #3: The Ancient Joint-Healing Properties of Turmeric

New studies are confirming what the ancient peoples of Asia have known for thousands of years. Namely, that there is a very special spice called Turmeric that can work absolute wonders on the human body.

Commonly found in Asian food, turmeric is the main spice in Indian curry. The yellowish color of this satiating spice is caused by the curcumin, the substance also responsible for Turmeric’s numerous health benefits.

Multiple studies have shown that Turmeric Curcumin can help reduce pain and inflammation, fight off free radical damage, and even improve overall mood. Recent studies at The University of Arizona showed that Turmeric decreased joint inflammation by blocking the production of the protein that turns on the gene responsible for the growth of tiny blood vessels. Subsequent studies have concluded similarly startling evidence of Turmeric’s inflammation-fighting effectiveness.

 

Give a Jolt to Your Joints

Why not try all 3 options? Your joints are critical to your ability to move comfortably through life and you need to treat them with care. While there is no magic elixir for perfect joints or perfect health, there are things we can do to dramatically improve our health and happiness that don’t require a major lifestyle adjustment.

Adding powerful anti-inflammatory supplements like krill oil and turmeric to your daily routine can help turn those inflamed, aching joints into the strong and elastic joints you so deserve.