Swine Flu Shot

Is the Swine Flu shot: Safe? Effective? Should I get swine flu shots?

Let's talk safety first.

You may have heard reports that both the British Health Protection Agency and the US Centers For Disease control have sent out letters to neurologists in Britain and the US asking them to look out for an increase in a brain disorder called Guillian-Barre Syndrome - and to notify their respective governments of all cases of this disease that they diagnose in patients that have received the swine flu shot.

Guillian-Barre Syndrome is a disease that attacks the lining of the nerves, leaving them unable to transmit signals to the muscles. This can cause partial paralysis and, if it affects the lungs, can be fatal.

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.

The British and US governments simply view their warning letters to neurologists as a reasonable precaution under the circumstances.

Next is effectiveness:  There has been debate if one or two shots are required to give adequate protection against the swine flu.  Some scientists still think two shots are best.  However, a person will probably only receive one so that as many people as possible can be vaccinated.

Second, the swine flu vaccine does not protect against the seasonal flu and vice versa. 

There are people for whom the swine flu or any other type of flu can be deadly.  The people at highest risk are young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and people with preexisting diseases like diabetes.

The interesting part is these are the people for whom the flu shot is not very effective.  The best way to protect these people is to immunize everybody else so that they never get exposed.

Most immunizations make sense from a public health perspective, which is why they are so strongly supported by the medical community.

However for healthy individuals with strong immune systems and no preexisting diseases, the risk benefit ratios are not so clear cut.  Sometimes the risks outweigh the benefits.

Thirdly, 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 preexisting diseases like diabetes) this is a decision that you should make in consultation with your physician."

If you'd like another option that only has side benefits, go here. 

Thank you Dr. Chaney for providing this information. 

Always here to help.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Fish Oils and the heart

Recently there was another news story about fish oils.  The story talks about over the counter fish oils.  So let's look at over the counter supplements.

Questions that you should ask are:

1. Does the manufacturer conduct any testing on the raw ingredients that go into the supplement?
2. Many fish contain mercury.  Does the the company have a purification process in place to remove the mercury?  After all, if you're going to take a supplement, it is intended to be good for you.
3. Do they guarantee what's in the label is in each and every tablet, caplet, capsule, etc?
4. Is it important to you that the supplement has been approved by the FDA?

Okay question 4 is a trick question because no, supplements aren't approved by the FDA.  But if you look further into the FDA, you'll find that basically they receive their money from pharmaceutical companies.  So how often do they deny the approval of a prescription?

Be careful on what fish you eat.  Farm raised Salmon have many things in them that aren't good for you.  If you think about Atlantic Salmon, well how many cruise ships, naval ships, submarines etc are in those waters and release body waste, fuel, etc.  Go here to see which is the best salmon.

In reality it is difficult to get everything we need from our food supply.  That is why supplements are essential.  They don't replace food and they are not a crutch for bad diet.  They are a part of a healthy lifestyle formula (healthy diet, exercise, supplements)

If you'd like to take a look at the story I referred to click here.

Want to know what is a high quality fish oil supplement looks like?  Go here.

Before you go "fishing around" on the internet or your local store, contact me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.  I provide Nutrition Consultations and we work together so you have optimal health.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Are you washing your clothes in toxins?

Generally people know that what we breathe, drink, eat affects our health.  But if you think about it, what is the quickest way to get anything into the body?  Through our skin.

Pharmaceutical companies know this.  How many prescriptions are now in a patch form? 

When thinking about your purchases for laundry products, ask yourself:

1. When you wash your clothes, what do you use? 
2. Do you look at the ingredients?
3. Is price important?
4. Powder or liquid?
5. Fragrance?
6. Do you use fabric softener?
7. Do you use a separate laundry detergent for your baby/children?

Let's look at these questions and provide some answers.

1. Store bought products have name brands and generic.  Price may be a concern to you and whether you are on a septic field or sewer can determine your decision.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is not good for anyone.  Ingredients are listed in order of how much is in the product.
3. Look at how much each load requires to get your clothes clean.  Just because a container is larger than another brand, doesn't mean you will get more loads washed.
4. People use liquid because it typically doesn't back up piping or septic fields.  There are non toxic and biodegradable laundry products so you have the flexibility of using either.  Well known brands such as All and Tide actually have each granule coated with plastic to make clothes whiter and brighter, which is not good for piping and septic fields.
5. Clean doesn't have a smell.  I realize it is good to put clothes on that smell like the outdoors, and you can still have that smell if you want to hang them on a clothesline.  Fragrances have a negative impact on all of us, especially those with allergies and asthma.
6. Fabric softeners are good to prevent static cling and yes can make clothes smell nice.  Fragrances are toxic.
7. If you feel you should use a separate laundry detergent for your baby/children than the adults, think about this....those chemicals are still lingering in the washer and dryer.  Why not use a laundry detergent and fabric softener that is safe for everyone in the family?

Home is and should be the safest place on earth.

Happy laundering.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Looking for energy in your sports drink?

There is a difference between energy drinks and sports drinks.  Most energy drinks, if not all, contain caffeine.  Did you know companies are not required to list caffeine on food items, including drinks?  Caffeine is not a nutrient.  However some energy drinks do list caffeine content on their label. 

WARNING - look at the number of servings.  Again most energy drinks (ie Monster) have 2 servings in the container.  So double the sugar and caffeine.  There is also the hype that caffeine is good for energy and mental acuity.  No, it really isn't.

Think about your young athlete and you just have given them a Monster energy drink.  Yes they will have temporary energy, they are performing in their sport, and now their heart is going very fast.  Do you think that is good?

Have you seen professional athletes drinking Gatorade?  Did you know they put water in Gatorade so they are not getting the full force of all the sugar? 

Read the label, do the research, and have a healthy athlete.  When reading the label, know the item contains the most of the first ingredient and so on.  Also be aware of how many servings, source of sugar (sucrose is not good, fructose is), and sodium. 

A good sports drink will have potassium which prevents muscle cramping. 

If you'd like to view a couple of energy drinks and sports drinks click here.  Then go here to view what many Olympic athletes use.

It is crucial for an athlete to be hydrated during their sport.  It is important for all to be hydrated. 

Want to learn more?  Contact Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Sports Nutrition, 2000 Years Ago

Sports Nutrition has really evolved.  Two thousand years ago, meat was a staple of the athlete's diet. Even alcohol was accepted for use during training and before competition. It has been reported that marathon runners drank cognac to enhance performance in the 1908 Games, and at least one German long-distance walker is said to have consumed 22 glasses of beer and half a bottle of wine during competition!  (I guess they didn't have to walk a straight line :) )

At the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Mo., the gold-medal winner in the marathon was given only egg whites, brandy, strychnine, and a wet sponge to suck on over the entire 26.2-mile course. And in the 1952 Games in Helsinki, Finland, the average athlete consumed a high-fat diet with 40% of calories coming from fat, another 40% from carbohydrate, and the remaining 20% of calories from protein.

Then in the 1970s, researchers began studying trained athletes, and much of the initial research focused on hydration, sports drinks, and carbohydrate intake. In the 1980s, as the value of proteins and carbohydrate for recovery became clear, strength athletes began to more carefully consider their carbohydrate intake, and endurance athletes were better educated on the importance of protein consumption.

And in the past 25 years, hundreds of research studies have helped us to better understand the true value of sports-nutrition strategies. As a result, most of today's athletes preparing for competition are well versed in the benefits of proper hydration—as well as a healthful diet rich in carbohydrates and lean, high-quality protein, but with a limited fat intake. Best of all, we know that elite and recreational athletes alike can take advantage of a smart approach to sports nutrition before, during, and after exercise to maximize athletic performance.

What can you do to achieve peak performance?  Go here for simple and tasty sports nutrition.  Click here for lean muscle mass.

Here are Olympic Athletes that have used these products:

Corey Cogdell - Trap Shooter - 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal
Caryn Davies - Rower, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal
Troy Dumais - Diver, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal
Margaux Isaksen - Modern Pentathlon, took fourth for the best Olympic result by an American athlete in the modern pentathlon.
Eleanor Logan - Rowing, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal
Keith Sanderson - Rapid Fire Pistol Shooter, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal

Whether you're going for the gold or you (and your family) just want peak performance, choosing high end sports nutrition will provide the best for now and for your future health.

The definition of Prevention: To keep from happening.
The definition of Cure: recovery from disease.

I'm here to help.  Contact me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net

Soy Protein, Be Careful

There is controversy on Soy Protein.  Is it bad for you?  Is it good for you? 

It's about knowing the company who makes the soy protein. 

• Are the soy beans organic?
• Do they rinse the soy beans with water?
• In making the soy protein, is a cold processing system used?

You won't find this information on a label, but you should be able to find out in the company's website.  Any reputable company will provide that information. 

Non-GMO means the soy protein is not genetically modified.  A high quality soy protein will be non-GMO.  If you don't see non-GMO on the label. it is genetically modified.

Here is an article about Hexane and it may be lurking in popular Soy Protein Bars.

That is why Mama Bear Productions recommends Shaklee. 

Mama Bear Productions suggest:  Read the label, research the company, and look for Non-GMO on the label. 

I've used Shaklee's soy protein products for 14 years and feel wonderful!!  No hot flashes for me :).

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net

Horse Sense

If you or anyone you know owns horses, here is some great information.

A good friend of mine is a certified equine massage therapist.  She has seen some interesting things take place in various barns. 

For example some barns have a system where chemicals are sprayed on horses to reduce flies.  This Hmmm who else is the recipient of those chemicals?  Is it getting on their food as well?  What's the cost of those chemicals?

There are other ways.  America's Horse Daily says:  Feed-through fly-control products eliminate flies in manure by keeping fly eggs from hatching with an insect growth regulator. While the regulator is bad for flies, it won’t harm your horse.  If it's bad for flies, I question what it does to the horse?  They do have other suggestions.

What if you could provide a non-toxic, biodegradable, concentrated product that keeps flies away and yet doesn't harm the horse?  How about clinical studies that prove this product is safe for horses and horse owners, would that be important to you?  And if the cost was significantly less than what you are spending now, does that sound appealing? 

I'm not a horse owner, but George and Dede Shaw, owners of Show Place Farm, are.  Here's what they have to say about Basic H2 (the product I'm referring to) “For daily shampoo, we drop a half of a capful of Basic-H2 into two gallons of warm water. Their coats are cleaner, they aren't bothered by mosquitoes, and they're less susceptible to fungus infections. Flies appear to stay about 18-24" away from a horse who's been bathed in Basic-H2. When turning a horse out into a paddock or field, we mix a quart of Basic-H2 to 3 parts water and spray the entire animal. It controls flies and mosquitoes all day.”

Isn't about time to start using high end natural products that are safe for you, your horse, and the planet?

So stop "horsing around" and call Mary Beth  at 810-813-3308 to find out more. 

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net