With millions of toxins attacking your body every day, it takes a very special kind of warrior to neutralize the invasion. Of all the organs in your body, there is only one that is incessantly willing to rise to the occasion and serve as the main battle station where toxins are dismantled and eliminated. Working tirelessly, this fearless hero never backs down from a challenge, battling day and night to eradicate any enemy toxins looking to damage your internal fortress. A soldier unlike any other, your liver—the most resilient organ in the human body—plays the ultimate role in the battle of detoxification.
The battle of detoxification occurs in two key phases:
~The transformation of toxic enemy forces invading the liver into secondary substances.
~The neutralization or elimination of these substances through the lungs, intestines, skin, or urine.
It’s fascinating to think of just how integral your liver is to the overall health and functioning of your body. Destroying toxic chemicals is just one of the nearly five hundred other duties the liver performs, including:
Metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
Storing substances such as glycogen and fat-soluble vitamins
Manufacturing 13,000 different chemicals
Maintaining 2,000 enzyme systems
Filtering 100 gallons of blood daily
Producing 1 quart of bile daily
It’s no surprise that without a liver, we wouldn’t survive. These are all responsibilities that only the most capable of warriors are willing to take on. At least your liver is up to the challenge.
Keep in mind that the liver may be the most resilient organ in the body, but it was built this way because of how critical it is to maintain our lives. While this gladiator may seem untouchable, it’s a good idea to recognize that the liver is vulnerable to attack. Perhaps these signs might help you identify whether or not your liver is firing on all cylinders:
Poor skin tone
Yellow-coated tongue
Dark circles under they eyes
Itchy skin
Headaches
Excessive sweating
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s possible your liver is a little worn out. However, the resiliency of the liver is absolutely mind-blowing, and its ability to bounce back and continue functioning is truly amazing. A wounded liver is still an effective one, as it has six detoxification pathways of its own. Because of this, your liver is able to carry on fighting. Life goes on and the battle continues…
Usana Health Sciences
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Glycemic Index - You NEED to know...
The glycemic index, glycaemic index, or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion and release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more gradually into the bloodstream, have a low GI. The concept was developed by Dr. David J. Jenkins and colleagues[1] in 1980–1981 at the University of Toronto in their research to find out which foods were best for people with diabetes.
A lower glycemic response usually equates to a lower insulin demand but not always, and may improve long-term blood glucose control and blood lipids. A low-GI food will release glucose more slowly and steadily. A high-GI food causes a more rapid rise in blood glucose levels and is suitable for energy recovery after endurance exercise or for a person experiencing hypoglycemia.
Benefits of Low Glycemic Include:
◦Low GI diets help people lose and manage weight
◦Low GI diets increase the body's sensitivity to insulin
◦Low GI carbs improve diabetes management
◦Low GI carbs reduce the risk of heart disease
◦Low GI carbs improve blood cholesterol levels
◦Low GI carbs can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS
◦Low GI carbs reduce hunger and keep you fuller for longer
◦Low GI carbs prolong physical endurance
◦High GI carbs help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise
A few tips to try Low Glycemic eating:
Pumpernickel Bread
Basmati, Brown or Long Grain Rice
Al Dente Pasta
Most Fruits and Vegetables
Oats, Barley and Bran
...Just to name a few to start!
A lower glycemic response usually equates to a lower insulin demand but not always, and may improve long-term blood glucose control and blood lipids. A low-GI food will release glucose more slowly and steadily. A high-GI food causes a more rapid rise in blood glucose levels and is suitable for energy recovery after endurance exercise or for a person experiencing hypoglycemia.
Benefits of Low Glycemic Include:
◦Low GI diets help people lose and manage weight
◦Low GI diets increase the body's sensitivity to insulin
◦Low GI carbs improve diabetes management
◦Low GI carbs reduce the risk of heart disease
◦Low GI carbs improve blood cholesterol levels
◦Low GI carbs can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS
◦Low GI carbs reduce hunger and keep you fuller for longer
◦Low GI carbs prolong physical endurance
◦High GI carbs help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise
A few tips to try Low Glycemic eating:
Pumpernickel Bread
Basmati, Brown or Long Grain Rice
Al Dente Pasta
Most Fruits and Vegetables
Oats, Barley and Bran
...Just to name a few to start!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Multivitamins and Healthy Immune Function
Adequate nutrient intakes are required for the immune system to function efficiently. A good multivitamin can enhance the immune system by supporting the body’s natural defenses on both a structural and cellular level.
A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of select vitamins and trace elements in immune function.
Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition,infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Inadequate
intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.
Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity, and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. Vitamins A,B6, B12, C, D, E, and folic acid, and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work synergistically to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies.
Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin that includes these micronutrients can support the body's natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Absorption of Supplements
Nutrient bioavailability is an important
characteristic of nutritional supplements. It is a
measure of the extent to which the nutrients in a
supplement are absorbed by the body and
delivered to the blood stream. Many factors
affect the absorption of a given nutrient from a
given supplement (see Discussion), but in
general, relatively high bioavailability is
desirable because absorption is a prerequisite for
eventual activity and benefit. As such, quality
supplements are designed to provide optimal
nutrient bioavailability and absorption.
That said, claims of high bioavailability have
been misused in the supplement industry. Some
companies tout that their “revolutionary
formulas” promote “exceptional absorption,” but
then they provide no comparative data to
substantiate their claims. Moreover, such claims
seldom draw the important distinction between
percent bioavailability and total absorption.
What good does it do to take a supplement if it is not effective due either to low amounts of nutrients or poor bioavailability?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Why USANA?
As we now know, after years of researchers studying the importance and benefits of supplements in our body, we know they are essential. For many reasons such as nutrient depleted soils, processed foods, chemicals and additives in our food and our toxic environment, we need a defence to antioxidize the free radicals in our bodies..Supplements are Essential!
USANA's scientists have developed a line of world class scientifically advanced pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements and personal care (Sense) in their own state-of-the-art facility since 1992. They have a 100% potency gaurantee - so what it states on the label is exactly what you get inside the bottle, quality and disintegration gaurantee with every supplement produced.
http://www.jdezotti.usana.com/
USANA's scientists have developed a line of world class scientifically advanced pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements and personal care (Sense) in their own state-of-the-art facility since 1992. They have a 100% potency gaurantee - so what it states on the label is exactly what you get inside the bottle, quality and disintegration gaurantee with every supplement produced.
http://www.jdezotti.usana.com/
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