Making that New Year's Resolution? Is loosing weight at the top of your list?
The good news is that you will have lots of choices for losing that weight.
The bad news is that most of those choices are bogus!
You see each diet book and Internet marketer will have a "magic formula".
Sometimes it will be a "magic" diet composition - low fat diets, low carb diets, high protein diets - or don't eat protein and carbohydrates together.
Despite all of the hype that you will hear, weight loss is solely dependent on the difference between calories in and calories out.
There is no "magic diet formula", no "magic diet composition" and no "magic diet food". Calories rule!
The diet doesn't have to be weird to be successful. In fact the diet is most likely to succeed if it includes foods that are familiar to you. However, if you're a "meat and potatoes" person, a vegetarian diet is not likely to be successful for you. Plus we are all different. Some of us will lose weight successfully on one diet. Other people will be more successful on a different diet. That means the diet that worked so well for your friend may not work at all for you.
Intrigued? Find out more next week.
"Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart."
- Sarah Ban Breathnach
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Colon Cancer
At my physical, I received from my doctor the paperwork to schedule my first colonoscopy. I asked my doctor, why is 50 the benchmark for a colonoscopy? He explained that if there is no colon cancer history in the family, that it is consider middle age and young enough to prevent colon cancer. If there are polyps, then the surgeon removes the polyps, and reduces the chances of the polyps developing into cancer cells.
I'm not looking forward to it, but feel positive as I do so many things to prevent colon cancer.
What are those "things"?
Prevention is the cure!
I'm not looking forward to it, but feel positive as I do so many things to prevent colon cancer.
What are those "things"?
- Eat healthy 80% of the time. Eating protein, fiber, water (half my weight in ounces)
- Knowing that eating chocolate, white sugar, white flour and alcohol fuels stress
- Exercise
- Use whole food supplements, including a probiotic (which gets the good bacteria into the colon)
- AND a unque immune booster which helps to produce Interferon, naturally
Prevention is the cure!
Monday, November 30, 2009
You're never too young
I work with an all girls amateur hockey team. They think at 11 and 12 they are invincible, just like we did at their age. They are healthy. But what about prevention to injury and illness/disease? With hockey being an extremely physical sport, it is necessary to do everyting possible to be healthy and have a strong body.
According to Dr. Stephen Chaney, there was a study conducted at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, IL
The women, ages 17 to 35, were divided into two groups with one group receiving daily supplements containing 2,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D, and the other group receiving placebo pills.
The scientists in charge of the study said "What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time. Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks."
For example, the study may also have implications for nonmilitary athletic populations, such as high school track and field athletes, in whom stress fractures also occur frequently.
The lead investigator concluded: "It appears that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D provides a health-promoting, easy and inexpensive intervention that does not interfere with training goals."
So are you too young for supplementation? I don't think so! Dr. Stephen Chaney.
Want to know which supplements are right for you? Call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 for your complimentary Personal Nutrition Consultation.
According to Dr. Stephen Chaney, there was a study conducted at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, IL
The women, ages 17 to 35, were divided into two groups with one group receiving daily supplements containing 2,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D, and the other group receiving placebo pills.
The scientists in charge of the study said "What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time. Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks."
For example, the study may also have implications for nonmilitary athletic populations, such as high school track and field athletes, in whom stress fractures also occur frequently.
The lead investigator concluded: "It appears that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D provides a health-promoting, easy and inexpensive intervention that does not interfere with training goals."
So are you too young for supplementation? I don't think so! Dr. Stephen Chaney.
Want to know which supplements are right for you? Call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 for your complimentary Personal Nutrition Consultation.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Take care of yourself first
Does that sound selfish? Let's think about it. If we teach our kids to put themselves last, and everyone else first what does that say? If we are sick, who takes care of our spouse and children?
We lead by example. When we are healthy, we can take care of our family.
My mom taught me at pre-teen/teenage years a good diet. Limit my: simple carbs intake, sweets, white milk vs chocolate milk, and other simple things. What she didn't know about was to supplement our diet. That we can't get everything we need from food. Also, back then people didn't realize the horrible affects of aspertame. She used Nutrasweet as her primary sugar, thinking that it was better than natural sugar as it had less calories. Unfortunately, aspartame and other artificial sweetners have been linked to neurological problems such as memory loss. It is a mind set too. People know diet pop has only 1 calorie, so they feel they can eat more food, which actually increases calories. Artifical sweetners slow down the metabolism. Both cause weight gain. If you are using artifical sweetners, you may want to reconsider and use natural sugars such as Sugar in the Raw, Stevia, or Xylobrand.
Did you know that only 3% of the American population eats according to the Food Pyramid Guide. Design your own balanced diet. A great place to start is http://www.mypyramid.gov/. A well balanced diet is a great prevention against the flu, cancer, lupus, etc.
Want additional help from a live human being? Mama Bear Productions offers Personal Nutrition Consultations. If you want a reliable source, someone who has your best interest in mind, with 10 years of experience in the nutrition field, call Mary Beth Potrykus at 810-813-3308 for your free Personal Nutrition Consultation. Consultations are confidential and are available in person or on the phone.
To your health and happiness,
Mary Beth
We lead by example. When we are healthy, we can take care of our family.
My mom taught me at pre-teen/teenage years a good diet. Limit my: simple carbs intake, sweets, white milk vs chocolate milk, and other simple things. What she didn't know about was to supplement our diet. That we can't get everything we need from food. Also, back then people didn't realize the horrible affects of aspertame. She used Nutrasweet as her primary sugar, thinking that it was better than natural sugar as it had less calories. Unfortunately, aspartame and other artificial sweetners have been linked to neurological problems such as memory loss. It is a mind set too. People know diet pop has only 1 calorie, so they feel they can eat more food, which actually increases calories. Artifical sweetners slow down the metabolism. Both cause weight gain. If you are using artifical sweetners, you may want to reconsider and use natural sugars such as Sugar in the Raw, Stevia, or Xylobrand.
Did you know that only 3% of the American population eats according to the Food Pyramid Guide. Design your own balanced diet. A great place to start is http://www.mypyramid.gov/. A well balanced diet is a great prevention against the flu, cancer, lupus, etc.
Want additional help from a live human being? Mama Bear Productions offers Personal Nutrition Consultations. If you want a reliable source, someone who has your best interest in mind, with 10 years of experience in the nutrition field, call Mary Beth Potrykus at 810-813-3308 for your free Personal Nutrition Consultation. Consultations are confidential and are available in person or on the phone.
To your health and happiness,
Mary Beth
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
B Vitamins and Breast Cancer
The following information is from Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University via Dr. Stephen Chaney.
Today we're going to look at a study called the "The Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study".
I've already told you that in the same study vitamin E reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 23% for those women with a previous history of cardiovascular disease (Cook et al., Arch. Intern. Med., 167: 1610 - 1618, 2007).
Today I'm going to talk about the results of another part of the study - the effects of B vitamins on the risk of invasive cancer, particularly breast cancer, in women.
In this portion of the study 5442 female health professionals received a daily vitamin pill containing
2.5 mg of folate, 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 1 mg of vitamin B12 or a placebo and were followed for an average of 7.3 years.
The headlines that you may have seen said "B vitamins do not prevent total cancer or breast cancer in women".
But, once again, the headlines did not tell the whole story.
In the women who were 65 years old or older, B vitamin supplementation reduced the risk of total invasive cancer by 25% and the risk of breast cancer by 38%. So the headlines could just as well have said "B vitamins reduce the risk of total cancer and breast cancer in older women".
But I guess that wasn't deemed to be newsworthy.
Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
How you can get all B vitamins, is simple. Click here.
Today we're going to look at a study called the "The Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study".
I've already told you that in the same study vitamin E reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 23% for those women with a previous history of cardiovascular disease (Cook et al., Arch. Intern. Med., 167: 1610 - 1618, 2007).
Today I'm going to talk about the results of another part of the study - the effects of B vitamins on the risk of invasive cancer, particularly breast cancer, in women.
In this portion of the study 5442 female health professionals received a daily vitamin pill containing
2.5 mg of folate, 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 1 mg of vitamin B12 or a placebo and were followed for an average of 7.3 years.
The headlines that you may have seen said "B vitamins do not prevent total cancer or breast cancer in women".
But, once again, the headlines did not tell the whole story.
In the women who were 65 years old or older, B vitamin supplementation reduced the risk of total invasive cancer by 25% and the risk of breast cancer by 38%. So the headlines could just as well have said "B vitamins reduce the risk of total cancer and breast cancer in older women".
But I guess that wasn't deemed to be newsworthy.
Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
How you can get all B vitamins, is simple. Click here.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
An aspirin a day
Another popular myth has been busted!
I'm sure that you have heard this one before.
Many doctors advise their patients to take a baby aspirin every day to reduce their risk of heart attack.
Is this good advice?
Probably not, accordingly to a new study done by Dr.
Gerry Fowlkes of the Wolfson Unit for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Edinburgh Scotland.
In a study that he presented at the most recent meeting of the European Society for Cardiology in Barcelona Spain he and his colleagues followed 3,000 men at very high risk for developing heart disease for an average of eight years.
Half of the group was randomly assigned to take an aspirin every day and the other half was given a placebo.
At the end of eight years there was no difference in the rate of heart attacks or stroke - or risk of death from any cause - between the two groups.
In other words, an aspirin a day did not decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke and had no discernable health benefits in this study.
Even worse, there were 34 major bleeds in people taking the aspirin compared to only 20 in people taking the placebo.
And if you looked at internal bleeding that was so serious that it required hospitalization, the risk was almost double for the aspirin users compared to the placebo users.
The conclusion of this study was that for otherwise healthy people the risks of taking aspirin outweigh the benefits.
The scientists cautioned that for people who have already had a heart attack the benefits of taking an aspirin a day might outweigh the risks.
But I would encourage you to investigate natural alternates rather than relying on a drug to reduce your risk of heart disease.
For example several recent clinical studies have shown that as little as 500 mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from fish or from supplements, can reduce the risk of a second heart attack in someone who has already had one heart attack by 30-40%.
And, of course, the Landmark study showed that people who have used the Shaklee supplements for 20 years or more have 1/3 the incidence of angina, heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure as do people using other company's multivitamins or no supplements at all.
Information was provided by Dr. Stephen Chaney
For information on Shaklee products, click here.
I'm sure that you have heard this one before.
Many doctors advise their patients to take a baby aspirin every day to reduce their risk of heart attack.
Is this good advice?
Probably not, accordingly to a new study done by Dr.
Gerry Fowlkes of the Wolfson Unit for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Edinburgh Scotland.
In a study that he presented at the most recent meeting of the European Society for Cardiology in Barcelona Spain he and his colleagues followed 3,000 men at very high risk for developing heart disease for an average of eight years.
Half of the group was randomly assigned to take an aspirin every day and the other half was given a placebo.
At the end of eight years there was no difference in the rate of heart attacks or stroke - or risk of death from any cause - between the two groups.
In other words, an aspirin a day did not decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke and had no discernable health benefits in this study.
Even worse, there were 34 major bleeds in people taking the aspirin compared to only 20 in people taking the placebo.
And if you looked at internal bleeding that was so serious that it required hospitalization, the risk was almost double for the aspirin users compared to the placebo users.
The conclusion of this study was that for otherwise healthy people the risks of taking aspirin outweigh the benefits.
The scientists cautioned that for people who have already had a heart attack the benefits of taking an aspirin a day might outweigh the risks.
But I would encourage you to investigate natural alternates rather than relying on a drug to reduce your risk of heart disease.
For example several recent clinical studies have shown that as little as 500 mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from fish or from supplements, can reduce the risk of a second heart attack in someone who has already had one heart attack by 30-40%.
And, of course, the Landmark study showed that people who have used the Shaklee supplements for 20 years or more have 1/3 the incidence of angina, heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure as do people using other company's multivitamins or no supplements at all.
Information was provided by Dr. Stephen Chaney
For information on Shaklee products, click here.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Swine Flu--Shot or Not
If you are questioning whether you should get the Swine Flu Shot(s), yes doctors recommend two shots, here is reliable advice from a friend of mine, Dr. Stephen Chaney. Take a moment to read this valuable information and then decide.
The concern of the British and US governments is based solely on the fact that a similar swine flu vaccine killed more people than it helped in the US in 1976.
Shortly after swine flu vaccinations started in 1976 people started coming down with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. By the time vaccinations were halted 10 weeks latter, 500 people had developed the disease and 25 people had died - more than were killed by the virus itself.
It was estimated that one in 80,000 people who were given that swine flu shot developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome, compared to the one in a million who develop the disease when given most seasonal flu shots.
However, I want to emphasize that there is no direct evidence that the current swine flu shot increases the risk of Guillian-Barre Syndrome more than the regular seasonal flu shots. The British and US governments simply view their warning letters to neurologists as a reasonable precaution under the circumstances.
In short, the risk of developing Guillian-Barre Syndrome or some other serious complication (miscarriages and sudden death are the other complications of most flu vaccines) from the swine flu shot is probably very, very small. It may be no greater than the one in a million chance of developing the disease that is associated with most flu vaccines - but it is not zero.
Now let's turn to the issue of effectiveness. There are several things that you should know about the effectiveness of the swine flu shot.
In the first place, there has been an active debate in the scientific community as to whether one shot or two shots will be required to give adequate protection against the swine flu.
Some scientists still think that two shots would be the better option. However, stocks of swine flu vaccine are limited so the recommendation is probably going to be for one shot so that as many people can be immunized as possible.
Secondly, you should know that the swine flu vaccine offers no protection against the seasonal flu and vice versa. Since both strains of flu will be around this fall & winter you need to be vaccinated against both if you really want to avoid the flu.
Finally, there is an interesting age distribution in regard to the susceptibility to the swine flu. It turns out that it is the young people who are most susceptible to the swine flu.
Those of us who are over 50 were apparently exposed to something similar to the current swine flu virus in the past, so we have some residual immunity.
That's important because it turns out that the swine flu virus is no more deadly than the usual seasonal flu virus. What that means is that the age group that is most susceptible to the swine flu is also the age group for which the swine flu is most likely to be merely a 3 to 5 day inconvenience.
The bottom line is that most immunizations make great sense from a public health perspective and for high risk individuals, which is why they are so strongly supported by the medical community.
However, for healthy individuals with strong immune systems and no pre-existing diseases the risk-benefit ratios are a not so clear cut. Sometimes the risks can outweigh the benefits.
That brings me to the last question - should you get a swine flu shot?
If you are a healthy individual that is a very personal decision, and I won't presume to make it for you. I've just given you some facts that you may not have known about to ponder as you make that decision.
For people who are at risk for developing severe complications from the swine flu itself (young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and people with pre- existing diseases like diabetes) this is a decision that you should make in consultation with your physician.
To your health!
Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
The concern of the British and US governments is based solely on the fact that a similar swine flu vaccine killed more people than it helped in the US in 1976.
Shortly after swine flu vaccinations started in 1976 people started coming down with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. By the time vaccinations were halted 10 weeks latter, 500 people had developed the disease and 25 people had died - more than were killed by the virus itself.
It was estimated that one in 80,000 people who were given that swine flu shot developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome, compared to the one in a million who develop the disease when given most seasonal flu shots.
However, I want to emphasize that there is no direct evidence that the current swine flu shot increases the risk of Guillian-Barre Syndrome more than the regular seasonal flu shots. The British and US governments simply view their warning letters to neurologists as a reasonable precaution under the circumstances.
In short, the risk of developing Guillian-Barre Syndrome or some other serious complication (miscarriages and sudden death are the other complications of most flu vaccines) from the swine flu shot is probably very, very small. It may be no greater than the one in a million chance of developing the disease that is associated with most flu vaccines - but it is not zero.
Now let's turn to the issue of effectiveness. There are several things that you should know about the effectiveness of the swine flu shot.
In the first place, there has been an active debate in the scientific community as to whether one shot or two shots will be required to give adequate protection against the swine flu.
Some scientists still think that two shots would be the better option. However, stocks of swine flu vaccine are limited so the recommendation is probably going to be for one shot so that as many people can be immunized as possible.
Secondly, you should know that the swine flu vaccine offers no protection against the seasonal flu and vice versa. Since both strains of flu will be around this fall & winter you need to be vaccinated against both if you really want to avoid the flu.
Finally, there is an interesting age distribution in regard to the susceptibility to the swine flu. It turns out that it is the young people who are most susceptible to the swine flu.
Those of us who are over 50 were apparently exposed to something similar to the current swine flu virus in the past, so we have some residual immunity.
That's important because it turns out that the swine flu virus is no more deadly than the usual seasonal flu virus. What that means is that the age group that is most susceptible to the swine flu is also the age group for which the swine flu is most likely to be merely a 3 to 5 day inconvenience.
The bottom line is that most immunizations make great sense from a public health perspective and for high risk individuals, which is why they are so strongly supported by the medical community.
However, for healthy individuals with strong immune systems and no pre-existing diseases the risk-benefit ratios are a not so clear cut. Sometimes the risks can outweigh the benefits.
That brings me to the last question - should you get a swine flu shot?
If you are a healthy individual that is a very personal decision, and I won't presume to make it for you. I've just given you some facts that you may not have known about to ponder as you make that decision.
For people who are at risk for developing severe complications from the swine flu itself (young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and people with pre- existing diseases like diabetes) this is a decision that you should make in consultation with your physician.
To your health!
Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
Monday, August 24, 2009
Guard Dog
Do you have a Guard Dog? Actually I am not referring to the four legged kind. We each have our own Guard Dog, it is our Immune System.
Here are some facts about the immune system:
Here are some facts about the immune system:
- Having a balanced immune sytem guards against cancer, lupus, MS and the common illnesses" such as colds, flus and viruses
- Exercise boosts the immune system
- The immune system is the "heart" of our healt
Here are things that negatively impact the immune sytem:
- Stress
- Sugar
- White Flour
- White Sugar
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
What can you do to have a balanced immune system?
- Exercise
- Healthy diet. Eat healthy 80% of the time, 20% of the time eat what you want and enjoy it. Healthy consists of: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, and water
- Supplementation. You know vitamins, minerals, herbs.
A product exclusive (a world wide patent) to Mama Bear Productions is Nutriferon. Nutriferon is a potent up-regulator of Natural Killer Cells, which are specific white blood cells that target tumor cells and cells infected by pathogen like viruses.
This summer two people in my life passed away. They both had cancer. People are waiting for a cure, but if you could do everything you could to prevent it, wouldn't you? Follow my 1,2, 3s and you are on the road to doing just that.
For your Personal Phone Nutrition Consultation, call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308. The fist consultation is complimentary.
Creating a healthy family is like a game of Follow the Leader. Take care of yourself first!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Belly Fat is DANGEROUS
In an inteview with Dr. Oz, he discusses how belly fat (aka Omentum Fat or Visceral Fat) really harms our health and how it affects the major organs in the body.
- Poisons the liver. The fat gets from the stomach to the liver. Basically the liver is the body's filter. So the poisons from belly fat are now distributed to the rest of the body.
- Omentum fat (belly fat) is actually under the muscle. It blocks the Pancrease from functioning, which means it can't produce insulin, causing diabetes.
- The omentum fat squeezes the kidneys. This causes blood pressure to go up.
So belly fat causes: High blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Those three things are called Metabolic Syndrome. Now Metabolic Syndrome is the cause of:
- Number one cause of heart attacks
- Number one cause of strokes
- Causes imputence, wrinkles, etc.
How can you determine if you have excess belly fat (omentum fat)? Get a tape measure and measure your waist at the navel (belly button). Your waist size should be no more than 1/2 the inches of your height. For example, if you are six feet tall (72 inches), your waist should not be more than 36 inches.
On the average less than 37 inches of belly fat for men and 32 1/2 inches for women. BUT the best way to know if you have belly fat is the above formula.
Belly fat can take 15 years off your life!
To listen to this interview, click here.
Belly fat's worst enemy, Cinch.
Mary Beth Potrykus
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Summer Schedule
How is your summer going?
Summer for me is always great, no matter what the weather is. I am blessed with my health and my family's health, we have a lovely home, and business is good. However, my schedule...well let's say I really don't have one.
With my children being out of school I am spending more time with them and taking them to places. The one constant is how I start my day. I start it with my delicious soy protein smoothie and take my supplements. This has been my regiment for almost 12 years now. It was a habit I got into. I thought in the beginning "WILL I BE DOING THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?" YOU BET! Why?
I had my children late in life. I was 36 when I had my son and 39 when my daughter was born. They are now 15 and 12 (do the math and you'll know how old I am). My goal is to see my great granchildren and be active with them. It is always nice to see the shocking look on people's faces when they find out how old I am!
Now I don't always get as many fruits and vegetables in my diet that I would like. That is where supplementation comes in. Vitamins supplement my diet what I don't get in my food and what foods I can't always eat daily. It is my health insurance plan.
So many people are getting cancer, MS, Lupus, fibromyalgia and I am doing everything I can NOT TO! What is in you, on you and around you becomes a part of you.
My good friend introduced me to this lifestyle and I am so grateful. I've learned a great deal over the past 12 years from doctors, nurses, nutritionists and people who have chosen a healthy lifestyle for decades. They are my mentors.
If you are a savvy mom or savvy dad, and life is busy for you and you have the same goal as I do, click here and look at the healthy prescription.
Mama Bear Productions offers a wide variety of services. The one that is in most demand is Personalized Nutrition Consultations. The consultation can be done in person or by telephone, with the convenience of the internet. The consultations are confidential and the first one is at no charge.
Call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 to find out more about the consultations.
Happy summer and many blessings!
Summer for me is always great, no matter what the weather is. I am blessed with my health and my family's health, we have a lovely home, and business is good. However, my schedule...well let's say I really don't have one.
With my children being out of school I am spending more time with them and taking them to places. The one constant is how I start my day. I start it with my delicious soy protein smoothie and take my supplements. This has been my regiment for almost 12 years now. It was a habit I got into. I thought in the beginning "WILL I BE DOING THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?" YOU BET! Why?
I had my children late in life. I was 36 when I had my son and 39 when my daughter was born. They are now 15 and 12 (do the math and you'll know how old I am). My goal is to see my great granchildren and be active with them. It is always nice to see the shocking look on people's faces when they find out how old I am!
Now I don't always get as many fruits and vegetables in my diet that I would like. That is where supplementation comes in. Vitamins supplement my diet what I don't get in my food and what foods I can't always eat daily. It is my health insurance plan.
So many people are getting cancer, MS, Lupus, fibromyalgia and I am doing everything I can NOT TO! What is in you, on you and around you becomes a part of you.
My good friend introduced me to this lifestyle and I am so grateful. I've learned a great deal over the past 12 years from doctors, nurses, nutritionists and people who have chosen a healthy lifestyle for decades. They are my mentors.
If you are a savvy mom or savvy dad, and life is busy for you and you have the same goal as I do, click here and look at the healthy prescription.
Mama Bear Productions offers a wide variety of services. The one that is in most demand is Personalized Nutrition Consultations. The consultation can be done in person or by telephone, with the convenience of the internet. The consultations are confidential and the first one is at no charge.
Call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 to find out more about the consultations.
Happy summer and many blessings!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wellness in Harsh Times
The economic grind has contributed to this particular blanket being thrown off, and food supplements are revealing themselves to be more than capable of surviving the economic chill.
In the US, market analyst, IRI, notes food supplement sales were up eight per cent in the period ended December, 2008, over the same time a year previous. Similar trends are being reported elsewhere from China to Europe, South Korea, South Africa and Australia.
US vitamin retailer, Vitamine Shoppe, notes 20 per cent of customers in the past six months are first-time food supplements buyers of the likes of omega-3s, multivitamins, herbal extracts, probiotics, glucosamine and chondroitin.
US natural foods merchandiser, Whole Foods, reported its first-ever negative quarter recently, but noted food supplements were the star performer in its nationwide chain of stores.
Self-medication
With fewer shekels in the coffers of household budgets around the world, food supplements are increasing in appeal as fear-ridden consumers look for ways and means to dodge the potential budget-busting hell of the mainstream medical system.
Doctors in white coats; hastily scribbled prescription notes; drug store visits for high-powered and high-cost drugs; hospital stays; clinic visits…no thanks.
As Uwe E. Reinhardt, a professor of economics at Princeton university in the US, told The New York Times last week: “When you go to the formal health system, you very quickly lose control over what this costs you.”
This information was provided by Food Quality News.
Mama Bear Productions provides Personalized Nutrition Consultations. The consultations are confidential, help us to determine which supplements are right for you, the consultations are available in person or over the telephone, and with a high level of customer service to ensure you are getting results.
Contact Mary Beth Potrykus at 810-813-3308 for your initial complimentary consultation.
In the US, market analyst, IRI, notes food supplement sales were up eight per cent in the period ended December, 2008, over the same time a year previous. Similar trends are being reported elsewhere from China to Europe, South Korea, South Africa and Australia.
US vitamin retailer, Vitamine Shoppe, notes 20 per cent of customers in the past six months are first-time food supplements buyers of the likes of omega-3s, multivitamins, herbal extracts, probiotics, glucosamine and chondroitin.
US natural foods merchandiser, Whole Foods, reported its first-ever negative quarter recently, but noted food supplements were the star performer in its nationwide chain of stores.
Self-medication
With fewer shekels in the coffers of household budgets around the world, food supplements are increasing in appeal as fear-ridden consumers look for ways and means to dodge the potential budget-busting hell of the mainstream medical system.
Doctors in white coats; hastily scribbled prescription notes; drug store visits for high-powered and high-cost drugs; hospital stays; clinic visits…no thanks.
As Uwe E. Reinhardt, a professor of economics at Princeton university in the US, told The New York Times last week: “When you go to the formal health system, you very quickly lose control over what this costs you.”
This information was provided by Food Quality News.
Mama Bear Productions provides Personalized Nutrition Consultations. The consultations are confidential, help us to determine which supplements are right for you, the consultations are available in person or over the telephone, and with a high level of customer service to ensure you are getting results.
Contact Mary Beth Potrykus at 810-813-3308 for your initial complimentary consultation.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tip of the Week July 7, 2009
Savvy moms helping their child's immune system.
The immune system is just develop9ng in young children. That's why they are so susceptible to colds and allergies.
Did you know that those colds are good things, to a certain extent. They create the "immune memory" that they will need to fight off colds and infections in the future.
It is also means that children are particularly susceptible when something really nasty comes along. It is no coincidence that many of the recent victims of the Swine Flu were small children.
When we talk about immunity we need to also talk about intestinal health. It turns out that 80% of the immune system originates in cells lining the intestine. And when bad bacteria populate the intestine, those intestinal immune cells are so busy fending off the bad bacteria that the rest of the immune system can't function optimally. That's why it is important to make sure that our intestines are populated by friendly bacteria.
If children have frequent colds or infections they are often given lots of antiobiotics. Unfortunately, antibiotics wipe out the good guys in their intestines and leave the door wide open for bad guys like yeast.
Now that we understand why your child's immune system is so important and the role that friendly intestinal bacteria play in keeping their immune system operating optimally, it's time to turn our attention to oligofructose-enriched inulin.
We'll start with inulin, which is a complex carbohydrate that comes from foods like the Jerusalem artichoke and chickory root. It is poorly digested - so foods that are rich in inulin tend to be low in calories and high in fiber. Oligofructose-enriched inulin is simply obtained by a partial enzymatic digestion of the inulin.
This is all very medical stuff, right? How easy is it to purchase Jersualem artichoke or chickory root and will your children/family eat them? These are available in supplements made by Shaklee. Click here and find out how you can get the good guys into your child's intestines easy.
The above information was provided by Dr. Stephen Chaney.
The immune system is just develop9ng in young children. That's why they are so susceptible to colds and allergies.
Did you know that those colds are good things, to a certain extent. They create the "immune memory" that they will need to fight off colds and infections in the future.
It is also means that children are particularly susceptible when something really nasty comes along. It is no coincidence that many of the recent victims of the Swine Flu were small children.
When we talk about immunity we need to also talk about intestinal health. It turns out that 80% of the immune system originates in cells lining the intestine. And when bad bacteria populate the intestine, those intestinal immune cells are so busy fending off the bad bacteria that the rest of the immune system can't function optimally. That's why it is important to make sure that our intestines are populated by friendly bacteria.
If children have frequent colds or infections they are often given lots of antiobiotics. Unfortunately, antibiotics wipe out the good guys in their intestines and leave the door wide open for bad guys like yeast.
Now that we understand why your child's immune system is so important and the role that friendly intestinal bacteria play in keeping their immune system operating optimally, it's time to turn our attention to oligofructose-enriched inulin.
We'll start with inulin, which is a complex carbohydrate that comes from foods like the Jerusalem artichoke and chickory root. It is poorly digested - so foods that are rich in inulin tend to be low in calories and high in fiber. Oligofructose-enriched inulin is simply obtained by a partial enzymatic digestion of the inulin.
This is all very medical stuff, right? How easy is it to purchase Jersualem artichoke or chickory root and will your children/family eat them? These are available in supplements made by Shaklee. Click here and find out how you can get the good guys into your child's intestines easy.
The above information was provided by Dr. Stephen Chaney.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tip of the Week--June 29, 2009
Menopause, Part 2
Weight
We think as we age that it is more difficult to loose and/or keep the weight off. Our metabolisms do slow down, which may be due to feelings of tiredness and a lack of energy. An increase in calories take place. Now fewer calories are burned. To increase the metabolism naturally, have more energy and take in good calories can be a Cinch. Cinch is a weight management program that helps to loose the fat and inches while retaining muscle mass. One pound of fat the body burns 2 calories. One pound of muscle the body burns 50 calories! Big difference.
Mood Swings
Menopause is a process rather than an illness.
As estrogen levels drop, hormones are out of whack and can cause mood swings in even the most placid women. Another overlooked cause of mood swings is fatigue. Night weats and hot flashes can affect sleep patterns, causing tiredness and moodiness. To help combat the symptoms of menopause and make these years more bearable, there is Menopause Balance Complex.
Soy Isoflavones and flax seed lignans, which are currently being studied for their bone, breast and heart health properties, are included in Menopause Balance Complex to help keep your body in good health.
Mama Bear Productions provides Personal Nutrition Consultations. These consultations are available over the phone or in person. To schedule your consultation, call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 or email marybeth1957@sbcglobal.net
Weight
We think as we age that it is more difficult to loose and/or keep the weight off. Our metabolisms do slow down, which may be due to feelings of tiredness and a lack of energy. An increase in calories take place. Now fewer calories are burned. To increase the metabolism naturally, have more energy and take in good calories can be a Cinch. Cinch is a weight management program that helps to loose the fat and inches while retaining muscle mass. One pound of fat the body burns 2 calories. One pound of muscle the body burns 50 calories! Big difference.
Mood Swings
Menopause is a process rather than an illness.
As estrogen levels drop, hormones are out of whack and can cause mood swings in even the most placid women. Another overlooked cause of mood swings is fatigue. Night weats and hot flashes can affect sleep patterns, causing tiredness and moodiness. To help combat the symptoms of menopause and make these years more bearable, there is Menopause Balance Complex.
Soy Isoflavones and flax seed lignans, which are currently being studied for their bone, breast and heart health properties, are included in Menopause Balance Complex to help keep your body in good health.
Mama Bear Productions provides Personal Nutrition Consultations. These consultations are available over the phone or in person. To schedule your consultation, call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308 or email marybeth1957@sbcglobal.net
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tip of the Week--June 22, 2009
To D or not to D
About 10-15 years ago scientists realized that wasn't just bone-forming cells that were affected by vitamin D. Almost every cell in our body has receptors for vitamin D.
So scientists set out to discover what else vitamin D does. The short answer is "a lot".
About 10-15 years ago scientists realized that wasn't just bone-forming cells that were affected by vitamin D. Almost every cell in our body has receptors for vitamin D.
So scientists set out to discover what else vitamin D does. The short answer is "a lot".
- Vitamin D is essential for a strong immune system. Some experts think that may just be why winter is cold & flu season.
- Significantly reduces the risk of several types of cancer, especially colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer. Plus, some studies suggest that adequate vitamin D intake may make cancer treatment more effective.
- May reduce heart disease risk as well. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation reduces the levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for the inflammation associated with heart disease. In addition, a combination of vitamin D, calcium and magnesium can also lower blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
- Finally, there are a number of studies suggesting that vitamin D is beneficial in preventing auto-immune diseases. For example, in the Nurses Health Study just 400 IU of vitamin D was sufficient to reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis by 40%.
Ask your doctor to test your blood levels of vitamin D when you go in for your next physical. We are all unique individuals. What may be perfectly adequate sun exposure and vitamin D intake for someone else may not be adequate for you. Only by having your blood levels tested will you know if you are getting enough of this vital nutrient.
Where can you get Vitamin D? From sun exposure and your diet. Ten to 15 minutes per day in the sun will give you adequate amounts of vitamin D. Forget the old advice to slather yourself with sunscreen every time you set foot outside of the house. You still want to avoid prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen. If you plan on being out in the sun, click here for a natural sun block, that nourishes the skin and allows vitamin d into your skin.
Osteomatrix (click) is a food based supplement with an RDA of of 400 IU (100%) per serving.
HAPPY SUMMER!!
Mary Beth
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tip of the Week, June 15, 2009
UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE
A business associate of mine, Dr. Bruce Miller, provided the following information.
The postmenopausal stage begins one year from the woman's last period. During this stage, the ovaries produce little or no estrogen, no progesterone (the hormone involved in pregnancy), and no longer release eggs.
Most women experience all some type of symptoms of menopause, which may include:
A business associate of mine, Dr. Bruce Miller, provided the following information.
The postmenopausal stage begins one year from the woman's last period. During this stage, the ovaries produce little or no estrogen, no progesterone (the hormone involved in pregnancy), and no longer release eggs.
Most women experience all some type of symptoms of menopause, which may include:
- Irregular periods
- Decreased fertility
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot Flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood Swings
- Increased abdominal fat and weight gain
- Thinning hair
- Loss of breast fullness
- Bone loss
Let's first address Bone Loss. Estrogen helps bones to absorb calcium from the blood stream, as well as slow calcium loss from bones.
- Eat calcium rich foods
- Get plenty of vitamin D
- Exercise
- Decrease activities which lead to bone loss, such as smoking and drinking alcohol
- Get frequent bone density tests.
Tune in for next week's Tip of the Week, for The Rest of the Story.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tips for a Safe and Happy Summer June 8, 2009
Reduce Sun Eposure During Peak Hours
UV rays are strongest and most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so the less time you spend outdoors during these hours, the better. That doesn’t mean you have to ditch out on all the fun. For instance, instead of heading out to the pool at 2 p.m., wait a few hours and go at 5 p.m. The sun will still be up and there’ll be plenty of light out. And don’t be fooled on an overcast day—you can still get burned because up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. If you can, stay in the shade.
Cover Up Be fashionably smart. Wear protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. Remember to cover your hair and head with a wide-brimmed hat. You might even consider carrying an umbrella for shade. The more protection you have the better off your skin will be.
Protect Your Eyes
Always wear sunglasses. Not only are they great for complementing your wardrobe, they also deflect harmful UV rays that reflect off of water, sand, and other surfaces. This helps reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions. And, you won’t have to squint!
Apply Sunscreen Generously (click)
Don’t be shy. Apply a liberal amount of sunscreen evenly on all areas of the skin—and don’t forget your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, feet, and head (if necessary). Do so at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure and remember to re-apply every two hours, especially after swimming.
And Arm Yourself with Antioxidants! (click)
What’s the big deal? Environmental assaults such as sunlight, pollution, stress, and even normal metabolism produce free radicals in our bodies, that can damage cells, alter DNA, and cause skin to age prematurely. Phytonutrients such as carotenoids and flavonoids—antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and plants—combat these free radicals and protect your body against cellular damage. So be sure to include lots of antioxidants in your diet. Your skin—and your overall health—will thank you.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
UV rays are strongest and most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so the less time you spend outdoors during these hours, the better. That doesn’t mean you have to ditch out on all the fun. For instance, instead of heading out to the pool at 2 p.m., wait a few hours and go at 5 p.m. The sun will still be up and there’ll be plenty of light out. And don’t be fooled on an overcast day—you can still get burned because up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. If you can, stay in the shade.
Cover Up Be fashionably smart. Wear protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. Remember to cover your hair and head with a wide-brimmed hat. You might even consider carrying an umbrella for shade. The more protection you have the better off your skin will be.
Protect Your Eyes
Always wear sunglasses. Not only are they great for complementing your wardrobe, they also deflect harmful UV rays that reflect off of water, sand, and other surfaces. This helps reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions. And, you won’t have to squint!
Apply Sunscreen Generously (click)
Don’t be shy. Apply a liberal amount of sunscreen evenly on all areas of the skin—and don’t forget your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, feet, and head (if necessary). Do so at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure and remember to re-apply every two hours, especially after swimming.
And Arm Yourself with Antioxidants! (click)
What’s the big deal? Environmental assaults such as sunlight, pollution, stress, and even normal metabolism produce free radicals in our bodies, that can damage cells, alter DNA, and cause skin to age prematurely. Phytonutrients such as carotenoids and flavonoids—antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and plants—combat these free radicals and protect your body against cellular damage. So be sure to include lots of antioxidants in your diet. Your skin—and your overall health—will thank you.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tip of the week June 1, 2009
LIFE'S A CINCH
Okay we know that's not entirely true, but some things are a Cinch.
Now that we are in June, we want to look good and especially feel great in that bathing suit and shorts. Here are 3 diet myths from Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
Okay we know that's not entirely true, but some things are a Cinch.
Now that we are in June, we want to look good and especially feel great in that bathing suit and shorts. Here are 3 diet myths from Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
- Bananas are fattening - FALSE. One medium banana is only 105 calories, a good source of fiber (3 grams), magnesium (32 mg), potassium (422 mg!) and B6 (.4 mg). Also, low glycemic level, which means the natural sugars in a banana gradually get into the bloodstream and cells.
- Certain foods can help you loose belly fat - FALSE Contray to what some diet books and artifcles preach, certain foods cannot magically melt away the fat off your belly (or any other part of your body). Where fat tends to settle is typically all in your genetics. Burn more calories than you take in. Exercise regularly (3 times per week at least 30 minutes per time), you'll burn calories, strengthen muscle mass and will strengthen your immune system.
- The more you sweat during exercise, the more weight you loose - FALSE While it's true that exercise helps you loose weight by burning more caloires, in order to loose one pound of real fat weight during your workout, you'd need to burn 3,500 calories. Heavy sweating only indicates how much "temporary" water weight you've lost.
Did you know that a pound of fat the body burns 2 calories, but a pound of muscle burns 50 calories?!
Any successful weight loss program includes: lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, exercise, drink water (an 8 ounce cold glass of water the body burns 40 calories), and exercise.
You say you've tried that and it works temporarily but then the weight comes back and then some? Click here for that missing link.
May you have a healthy, happy and safe summer!
Mary Beth Potrykus
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tip of the Week May 25, 2009
Can 409 make you fat?
What if the toxins you are exposed to on a daily basis affect weight loss and a host of health issues?"During this century, we have been exposed to substances that have been shown to cause profound damage to all of the systems involved in weight control." Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
I am conscious of what I eat (my diet), drink water (1/2 my weight in ounces), and exercised. But my weight would fluctuate. I never thought that the products I used to clean my home and wash my clothes would affect my weight. I was wrong. Here is what I've learned. Chemicals are stored in the fat of the body. Lean muscle mass and less fat = healthy body and ideal weight and less toxins in the body.
By addressing the toxins in my body and home environment, I have been able to maintain my weight and no worries about asthma and allergies.
Thrift and Shift --Do you think going organic costs more? Contact me at marybeth1957@sbcglobal.net and I will send you a cost comparison. Click here to see the products my family and I use.
What if the toxins you are exposed to on a daily basis affect weight loss and a host of health issues?"During this century, we have been exposed to substances that have been shown to cause profound damage to all of the systems involved in weight control." Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
I am conscious of what I eat (my diet), drink water (1/2 my weight in ounces), and exercised. But my weight would fluctuate. I never thought that the products I used to clean my home and wash my clothes would affect my weight. I was wrong. Here is what I've learned. Chemicals are stored in the fat of the body. Lean muscle mass and less fat = healthy body and ideal weight and less toxins in the body.
By addressing the toxins in my body and home environment, I have been able to maintain my weight and no worries about asthma and allergies.
Thrift and Shift --Do you think going organic costs more? Contact me at marybeth1957@sbcglobal.net and I will send you a cost comparison. Click here to see the products my family and I use.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tip of the Week
Mother's Day is May 10th. So the tip of the week is for Savvy Moms.
Family is important, in fact top priority. Which would be most likely to describe your view point about setting an example with food in your family:
_____ Do as say not as I do
_____ We are all in this together
_____ Forget the kids it's all about me
If your kids ate like you do, would they get the proper nutrition every day?
_____ Yes ______ No
On the average, what do you think you spend on a monthly basis on products that are totally non nutritional? For example: pop, chips, snacks, Starbucks, Gatorade, candy, fast food
_____ $100 _____ $200 _____ $500
So after reading this and answering these questions, what do you think?
Mama Bear Productions' says Savvy moms know that taking care of themselves is their smartest investment and taking care of their family is the best insurance.
Family is important, in fact top priority. Which would be most likely to describe your view point about setting an example with food in your family:
_____ Do as say not as I do
_____ We are all in this together
_____ Forget the kids it's all about me
If your kids ate like you do, would they get the proper nutrition every day?
_____ Yes ______ No
On the average, what do you think you spend on a monthly basis on products that are totally non nutritional? For example: pop, chips, snacks, Starbucks, Gatorade, candy, fast food
_____ $100 _____ $200 _____ $500
So after reading this and answering these questions, what do you think?
Mama Bear Productions' says Savvy moms know that taking care of themselves is their smartest investment and taking care of their family is the best insurance.
Are you a Savvy Mom? Click here.
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