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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Just in Time for the Olympics

Have you been watching the Olympics?  I've really enjoyed watching them. 

Olympians have to be very careful about what they put into their bodies.  The following is a study of  "sports nutrition products" that aren't what they appear to be.  Also word of caution, just because it is natural does not mean it is good for us.

First came an article in the July 18th edition of the British Medical Journal (Cohen, BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.ed737, 2012) saying that most sports nutrition products have little or no scientific backing.

And they named two of the biggest names in the industry, Pepsi-Cola (manufacturer of Gatorade) and GlaxoSmithKline (manufacturer of Lucozade Sport) as marketing products with little scientific backing.

So how was this study conducted?

A team at the Centre of Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford University evaluated the evidence behind 431 performance enhancing claims in advertisements for 104 different sports products, including sports rehydration drinks and protein shakes.

They contacted the companies and asked them to provide studies to back their claims. Many companies were unable to provide any evidence to back their claims.

However, several companies provided a total of 106 studies, which the team then evaluated. The scientific team concluded that only 2.7% of the studies were of high quality and low risk of bias.

They identified a number of major flaws in the remaining studies including:

- small sample size
- poor quality surrogate outcomes
- poor quality trial design including badly blinded or non-blinded studies
- data dredging using pre-defined outcome measures
- biological outcomes that did not necessarily correlate with improved performance
- inappropriate use of relative measures
- pre-study nutritional input manipulation
- changes in environmental factors - such as heat or cold - during the study

Suffice it to say that lots of the studies were really, really bad! Sadly, many of the sports nutrition products out there are based on hype and marketing, not science (Are you really surprised?).

As if that weren't bad enough, less than a week later the British Medicines and Health Care Regulatory Agency (MHRA) identified 84 sports supplements that should not be used by Olympic athletes (or any athletes, for that matter) because they contained dangerous ingredients.

Some of the supplements in question contained steroids or hormones that were not only dangerous, but could cause Olympic athletes to fail drug testing.

Others contained stimulants like DMAA, ephedrine, synephrine and yohimbe that can cause kidney failure, seizures, heart problems and death.

Most of the supplements in question were not publicly named. Instead, the MHRA simply advised shopkeepers in England to remove them from their shelves.

So there you have it. Most sports supplements are based on hype and marketing, not science. And many sports supplements are downright dangerous.

Your best bet is to stick with a reputable company with a history of working with Olympic athletes. And simply ignore all those claims about instant muscle growth super fast times.

Thank you to Dr. Stephen Chaney for providing this information.

Want the best for your athlete? Contact Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.  Also you can view some of the exceptional sports products by going here.

Be educated, read labels and for a source you can trust, contact me.

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net

Monday, July 30, 2012

Cancer proof your barbecue



We love to barbecue in the summertime!  But we also barbecue in the winter.  Not as much of course. 

You may feel a little overwhelmed at the list of things that can cause cancer.  But if you have never had cancer, GREAT, and wouldn't it be wonderful if you had another source of information to prevent cancer?  All the while enjoying foods cooked on the grill?

Go here and view ideas that will cancer proof your barbecue and also included is some tasty tips. 

If you're looking for exceptional barbecue sauces, and are gluten free, click here.  Dale is a friend of mine and he really knows how to grill!  Take a tour of his website and see all the services he provides.

As an added note, remember to keep hydrated and keep your skin moisturized.  One of the top reasons for skin cancer is people do not moisturize their skin.  For a high end sun tan lotion that doesn't smell like tropical fruit and you won't slide off the lounge chair, click

Enjoy the summer!

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

One little apple and what it can do

The old saying is "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".  What I believe they were really saying is to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into our diet.

Did you know that apples, along with other fruits and vegetables have numerous benefits?

You'd be surprised at the benefits of the fruits and vegetables you may already be eating.  If not, maybe it's time.  Check out this chart.


apples
Protects your heart
prevents constipation
Blocks diarrhea
Improves lung capacity
Cushions joints
apricots
Combats cancer
Controls blood pressure
Saves your eyesight
Shields against Alzheimer's
Slows aging process
artichokes
Aids digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Guards against liver disease
avocados
Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
bananas
Protects your heart
Quiets a cough
Strengthens bones
Controls blood pressure
Blocks diarrhea
beans
Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Stabilizes blood sugar
beets
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Protects your heart
Aids weight loss
blueberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Boosts memory
Prevents constipation
broccoli
Strengthens bones
Saves eyesight
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
cabbage
Combats cancer
Prevents constipation
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe
Saves eyesight
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Supports immune system
carrots
Saves eyesight
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Promotes weight loss
cauliflower
Protects against Prostate Cancer
Combats Breast Cancer
Strengthens bones
Banishes bruises
Guards against heart disease
cherries
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Ends insomnia
Slows aging process
Shields against Alzheimer's
chestnuts
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
chili peppers
Aids digestion
Soothes sore throat
Clears sinuses
Combats Cancer
Boosts immune system
figs
Promotes weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
fish
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Supports immune system
flax
Aids digestion
Battles diabetes
Protects your heart
Improves mental health
Boosts immune system
garlic
Lowers cholesterol
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
kills bacteria
Fights fungus
grapefruit
Protects against heart attacks
Promotes Weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
grapes
saves eyesight
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Enhances blood flow
Protects your heart
green tea
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Helps stops strokes
Promotes Weight loss
Kills bacteria
honey
Heals wounds
Aids digestion
Guards against ulcers
Increases energy
Fights allergies
lemons
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
limes
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
mangoes
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Regulates thyroid
aids digestion
Shields against Alzheimer's
mushrooms
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Kills bacteria
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
oats
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
prevents constipation
Smoothes skin
olive oil
Protects your heart
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
Smoothes skin
onions
Reduce risk of heart attack
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Lowers cholesterol
Fights fungus
oranges
Supports immune systems
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Straightens respiration

peaches
prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
aids digestion
Helps hemorrhoids
peanuts
Protects against heart disease
Promotes Weight loss
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Aggravates
diverticulitis
pineapple
Strengthens bones
Relieves colds
Aids digestion
Dissolves warts
Blocks diarrhea
prunes
Slows aging process
prevents constipation
boosts memory
Lowers cholesterol
Protects against heart disease
rice
Protects your heart
Battles diabetes
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
strawberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
boosts memory
Calms stress

sweet potatoes
Saves your eyesight
Lifts mood
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones

tomatoes
Protects prostate
Combats cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart

walnuts
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
boosts memory
Lifts mood
Protects against heart disease
water
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Conquers kidney stones
Smoothes skin

watermelon
Protects prostate
Promotes Weight loss
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
wheat germ
Combats Colon Cancer
prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
improves digestion
wheat bran
Combats Colon Cancer
prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
improves digestion
yogurt
Guards against ulcers
Strengthens bones
Lowers cholesterol
Supports immune systems
Aids digestion

Get your 2-3 servings and variety makes it more tasty and doable.

For printable chart, contact Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net
.