Optimal levels of vitamin A can actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other chronic illnesses.  Recent research has demonstrated that when vitamin A is low, the immune response to foreign invaders is also low.

So although toxicity of vitamin A is quite dangerous, it is rare and the amounts of vitamin A we receive from our diet is below what the body needs to perform the many physiologic functions associated with it.

Over 2,000 years ago, Egyptians physicians observed that eating liver could help reverse “night blindness.”  While they didn’t know why it worked, but they still helped those suffering from it. 

Here are some of the important functions of vitamin A along with what an insufficiency can cause:

1.  
   1. Vision- night blindness, impaired vision, total blindness.
   2. Immune function- increased susceptibility to infection, including viral infections, loss of immune tolerance leading to other health issues, including allergies, autoimmune disease.
   3. Skin health- hyperkeratosis, dry skin, dry hair, itching, brittle nails, hair loss, skin cancers.
   4. Regulation of cell growth and bone metabolism- increased cancers of the lung, colon, breast, prostate.  Bone loss.
   5. Stimulates hormone synthesis- estrogen, growth hormone and testosterone deficiencies.

One of the biggest obstacles we have in getting optimal amounts of vitamin A is in conversion and absorption.  Most of us get vitamin A through the conversion of ingested carotenoids in the intestinal lining cells.  Vitamin A synthesis from carotenoids is often impaired if the intestinal lining is suffering from any of the following;

•  
  • Helicobacter Pylori infection in the stomach.
  • Hidden Gluten Sensitivity
  • Food allergies
  • Abnormal gut micro-organisms
  • Parasites
  • Fat malabsorption
  • Pancreatic insufficiency
  • Gall bladder disease
  • Alcoholism
  • Gastric Bypass surgery

In addition, a low working thyroid otherwise known as hypothyroidism (low free T3 or high reverse T3 for example), will not allow the carotenoids to be converted to vitamin A.  If you notice the bottom of your feet cracking, or an orange tinge to the palms and soles, you may be suffering from a hypothyroid-vitamin A issue.  NOTE, measuring a TSH level is not an adequate way to screen for thyroid disease. 

SHOULD YOU TAKE VITAMIN A?

At a minimum, everyone should take at least 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily.  This dose is easily found in most high quality multivitamins. Women in their first trimester are generally advised not to take more than 10,000 – 15,000 IU daily because of increased risk of birth defects (although one study showed it to reduce birth defects).  In very high doses, vitamin A can be toxic to anyone, but there’s controversy about exactly what those levels may be.  A recent Venezuelan study showed that giving preschool children with anemia 200,000 IU of vitamin A showed improvement of their anemia.  In another study, for treatment of acne, teenage girls took 300,000 IU of vitamin A daily and teenage boys 400,000 to 500,000 IU daily for five months.  All showed improvement of their acne and none became toxic.  Combining mixed tocopherols (vitamin E- 800 IU daily) seemed to have made the vitamin A work better. 

However, these are high quantities of vitamin A.  If you use too much, early signs of possible vitamin A toxicity include headache (the first sign), fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, bone pain, and dry skin.  Don’t use hundreds of thousands of units of vitamin A at home for any longer than a few days to help chase an infection away without consulting with a physician skilled and knowledgeable in natural and nutritional medicine.  Be safe! 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

Retinol and retinal are known as preformed vitamin A.  Retinal is converted to retinoic acid, which is a form of vitamin A that acts like a hormone and affects the functions of more than 500 genes.  In medicine, we use retinoic acid in creams to get rid of wrinkles.  Pretty amazingJ

EVERY CELL IN THE BODY HAS CHOLESTEROL. WHY THEN ARE WE ALWAYS TRYING TO LOWER IT?

WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid metabolite found in all of our cell membranes where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity.

It is primarily made in the liver and transported in the blood to other places in the body where it is used to manufacture numerous other chemicals and cell structures.

For example, cholesterol is an important component for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones (such as testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, DHEA and Cortisol), and several fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E and K).

The name cholesterol originates from the Greek ”chole-” (bile) and ”stereos” (solid), and the chemical suffix ”-ol” for an alcohol, as François Poulletier de la Salle first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones, in 1769. However, it was only in 1815 that chemist Eugène Chevreul named the compound “cholesterine”.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF CHOLESTEROL?

The brain needs a high level of cholesterol. The brain represents only about 2 percent of your body weight, but actually has about 20 percent of your body’s cholesterol. There is strong evidence that cholesterol is important for synaptic function and is an essential component of cell membranes in the brain, and it is believed that partial defects in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the brain likely contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.

Cholesterol is also used for repair and is therefore seen at the “scene of the crime” in inflammation and injury and is therefore mistakenly implicated as the cause of diseases such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries leading to heart attacks and stroke), which is now being identified as an inflammatory disease (1). An atherosclerotic plaque is composed of cholesterol, white blood cells and calcium and not just cholesterol.

Although most physicians are obsessed with lowering cholesterol levels with statins, low serum cholesterol has been linked in numerous scientific papers to depression, suicide, accidents, and violence (2).

Low cholesterol has also been associated with an increase risk of cancer (3).

My favorite question to myself has always been- “Why did the cholesterol elevate in the first place?” Our body was designed to make cholesterol, so why are we always trying to lower it without first knowing why it elevated (i.e., to balance pathologically decreasing hormone levels, for repair of damaged cells and protection against cancer, depression, suicide and Alzheimer’s)? Also, ask yourself this… if the elevation of cholesterol is pathologic to all of us and is implicated in heart disease then why did a recent report find that 50 percent of people diagnosed with heart attacks in the emergency room, also have normal or low cholesterol levels (4) . Maybe we should be looking for the true cause of heart disease instead of blaming an “innocent bystander,” cholesterol.

Therefore, before you are told to go on a drug or natural substance to lower your cholesterol, maybe you should find out first if the cholesterol is causing any disease at all, and if lowering your cholesterol will reduce your risks for heart disease or worsen your risk for other serious medical conditions (5)  . Let this be food for thought.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

According to the article, Novak gained mental energy and was able to come from obscurity to a major contender in the world of tennis. 

Prior to this, an article entitled Winning Without Wheat written in Men’s Journal- February 18, 2010  reported how the Tour de France champions Garmin-Transitions pro cycling team’s performance was considerably enhanced after a going gluten-free.   

In every case, all of the athletes reported a notable increase in performance and recovery.

Removing gluten from the diet allows for more energy to perform necessary bodily functions rather than trying to breakdown a protein that we were never meant to eat in the first place.  At the same time, the immune system is allowed to rest and the adrenals left to do what they do best… “fight or flight”… only when it needs to and not when it’s having to continually fight gluten in the gut.

The following are Tips for Good Nutrition for Gluten-Free Athletes:

1.  
   1. Make sure you get enough calories- this is especially true for high intensity or long duration training.   If your basal metabolic rate (BMR- calories burned per day) at rest is 1500 calories at rest, you should multiple this number by 1.5 for moderate exercise and by 2.0 for higher level training.
   2. Eat enough Carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates help maintain blood sugar and also replace the glycogen (sugar stores) in muscle to prevent muscle wasting.   Athletic performance can be enhanced by eating 200 to 300 grams of carbs in a meal three to four hours before training of an event.  That’s about 2.5 to 4.5 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight (i.e. 120 pound person x 2.5 grams of carbs = 300 grams of carbs). Approximately 50 to 60 percent of energy used during the first one to four hours of continuous exercise is derived from carbohydrates.  Carbohydrate foods include starches such as rice, gluten-free pasta, quinoa, gluten-free oats, fruits, vegetables. 
   3. The other main source of energy after carbohydrates is from Fatty Acids derived from Fish Oil (Omega-3- Fatty Acids) as well as Nuts, Avocados and Olive Oil (Omega-9 Fatty Acids).  Athletes might not recognize the importance of fat, but 20 to 35 percent of total calories should come from fat.
   4. Protein is also important for athletes who should get about 0.5 to 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day (i.e., 120 lbs x 0.5 = 60 grams of protein per day at minimum).  Protein rich foods include lean meats, fish and poultry, eggs, cheese, yogurt and milk.  Greek yogurt is very high in protein.  Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils and chickpeas contain carbohydrates and protein and have a low glycemic index.   This is an exceptional choice for athletes to consume during training.   Sounds lke a GF Chicken Burrito Bowl with rice, beans and “extra” guacamole just might come in handy.
   5. For additional nutritional support I recommend supplements that will ”feed” the powerhouses of the cells- the Mitochondria.  Nutrients to support these organelles include CoQ10, Magnesium, d-oxy-Ribose or “Core Energy Plus” (the “D” in DNA),  Lipoic Acid, Resveratrol and Carnitine in addition to multivitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D and  calcium, which are commonly depleted in athletes.
   6. If finding the right foods seem to be a problem during an event, you can always find Gluten-free protein-carb bars specifically designed for working out.

I hope these tips will help you get the competitive edge the next time you’re out there on the playing field and give you the best and most natural performance enhancement you have ever had.  Go get ‘em!

Citing just one example, researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO; Spain), in collaboration with the Alberto Sols Institute of Biomedical Research (CSIC-UAB; Spain), have confirmed the pivotal role of vitamin D, specifically its receptor (VDR), in slowing down the action of a key protein in the carcinogenic transformation process of colon cancer cells. This protein, known as beta-catenin, which is normally found in intestinal epithelial cells where it facilitates their cohesion, builds up in large quantities in other areas of the cells when the tumor transformation begins. As a result of these changes, the protein is retained in the cell nucleus, where it facilitate the carcinogenic process, and this is the point at which vitamin D intervenes, or rather, the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The researchers then analyzed the effect of the VDR on human colon cancer cell cultures and observed that the concentration of the altered protein, beta-catenin, increased in cells without the VDR. These findings were repeated in the three types of colon cancer cells studied, and confirmed the results observed in the mice. In two-thirds of advanced colon cancer tumors there was a lack of VDR in the cancer cells, suggesting that this loss may contribute to speeding up the growth of the tumor.

Click the link to learn more about optimal levels of vitamin D3 and best source.

Reference:

Maria Jesus Larriba, Paloma Ordonez-Moran, Irene Chicote, Genesis Martin-Fernandez, Isabel Puig, Alberto Munoz, Hector G. Palmer. “Vitamin D Receptor Deficiency Enhances Wnt/[beta]-Catenin Signaling and Tumor Burden in Colon Cancer .” PLoS One, 15 Aug 2011.

We understand that humor is sometimes the only thing that can lift us up from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

Here is some stuff I found while looking at the lighter side of hormones- hope you enjoy.

“If women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn’t it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?”  -Gloria Steinem

“Teenage boys, goaded by their surging hormones run in packs like primal horde.  They have only a brief season of exhilarating liberty between control by their mothers and control by their wives.”  -Camille Paglia

13 things PMS stands for:

1. Pass My Shotgun
2. Psychotic Mood Swing
3. Perpetual Munching Spree
4. Puffy Mid-Section
5. People Make me Sick
6. Provide Me with Sweets
7. Pardon My Sobbing
8. Pimples May Surface
9. Pass My Sweets
10. Prissy Mood Syndrome
11. Poor Men Stink
12. Pack My Stuff
13. Potential Murder Suspect

The Hormone Hostage

The hormone hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his very life into his own hands! 

This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver’s license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant order!

• DANGEROUS:  What’s for dinner?
• SAFER:  Can I help you with dinner?
• SAFEST:  Where would you like to go for dinner?
• ULTRASAFE:  Here, have some chocolate.

• DANGEROUS:  Are you wearing that?
• SAFER:  Gee, you look great in brown.
• SAFEST:  Wow!  Look at you!
• ULTRASAFE:  Here, have some chocolate.

• DANGEROUS:  What are you so worked up about?
• SAFER:  Could we be overreacting?
• SAFEST:  Here’s fifty dollars.
• ULTRASAFE:  Here, have some chocolate.

• DANGEROUS:  Should you be eating that?
• SAFER:  You know, there are a lot of apples left.
• SAFEST:  Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
• ULTRASAFE:  Here, have some chocolate.

• DANGEROUS:  What did you do all day?
• SAFER:  I hope you didn’t overdo it today?
• SAFEST:  I’ve always loved you in that robe!
• ULTRASAFE:  Here, have some chocolate.

Let’s not forget- hormonal imbalance is a very serious subject.

We at the DaSilva Institute understand how difficult the journey is and how important it is to have a board certified doctor that can help you with your hormonal deficiencies. 

We understand how dire everyday life becomes when suffering from the symptoms of Menopause, Andropause or low hormone levels.

Our goal is to provide information and resources to help you discover how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help you Take Back Your Health™

For More Information Contact Us

To schedule an appointment at the DaSilva Institute, contact a Patient Services Representative at (888) 832-7458 or click Become a New Patient.

The tests used at the DaSilva Institute helps determine your risk of developing estrogen sensitive cancers, including breast, cervical, uterine, and prostate, by measuring six important estrogen metabolites.

The ratio of estrogens is determined using a simple, first-morning urine collection.

Good and Bad Estrogen  

Estrogens are anabolic hormones, producing tissue growth. Since these hormones exert great biological activity in small doses, it is very important that the body effectively eliminates them. 

There are large variations in how women, and some men, metabolize estrogens. Some estrogens are considered to be “good” because they are associated with reduced cancer growth or having anticancer effects. ”Bad” estrogens encourage tumor development and can cause DNA damage.
                       

The 2:16 Ratio 

An important ratio is the 2:16 ratio (2-OHE and 16α-OHE1). Studies have shown this ratio provides an important indication of risk for future development of breast cancer. A low 2:16 ratio can indicate increased long-term risk for breast cancer as well as other estrogen-sensitive cancers including uterine, ovarian, cervical, prostate, and even head and neck cancers. However, this ratio is modifiable!

The tests used at the DaSilva Institute are both easy to use and cost-effective. With one simple urine collection, for example,the estrogen metabolite test can determine levels of estrogens and how your body metabolizes them.

What is measured in this test?

• The “Good” Estrogen

o    2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE) – Sum of 2-Hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 2-Hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) - this “good” estrogen is ideal in high levels to reduce cancer growth.

o    2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) – exhibits anti-carcinogenic effects

o    2-methoxyestrone (2-OMeE1) – shown to have anti-cancer effects

o    4-methoxyestrone (4-OMeE1)- non-cancerous

• The “Bad” Estrogen

o    16-α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) – considered a “bad” estrogen, 16α-OHE1 encourages tumor development and is therefore ideal in low levels.

o    4-hydroxyestrone (4-OHE1) – may react negatively with damaged DNA.

• The 2:16 Ratio

o    2-OHE:16α-OHE1 (2:16 ratio) – 2:16 ratios less than 2 indicate increasing long-term risk of breast, cervical, and other estrogen sensitive cancers.  Importantly, studies also indicate that this risk is modifiable, implying that nutritional interventions can help raise the 2:16 ratios and decrease long-term risk.

o    2-OHE1:2-OMeE1 – a high level of 2-OHE1:2-OMeE1 may also indicate imbalanced estrogen metabolism and low activity in the COMT gene. Evaluation of methylation activity is recommended (another very important test that can be performed at the DaSilva Institute).
A woman’s unique biochemical makeup determines how much of each form of estrogen is produced. Studies have shown the ratio of these two forms of estrogen provides an important indication of the risk of developing breast cancer.

In many women, the primary cause of a low 2:16 ratio is dietary. A recent study shows that phytochemicals from cruciferous vegetables, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and diindolylmethane (DIM), can decrease the flux of estrogens converting to “bad” estrogen.

By increasing the amount of cruciferous vegetables and making other small changes, you can change your ratio.

Follow-up testing at the DaSilva Institute is recommended to monitor the efficacy of treatment plans over time. 

Improve Your Ratio

Cruciferous Vegetables

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts

Dietary Additions

• Ground flax seeds
• Soy isoflavones
• Fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids)

 
Lifestyle Modifications

• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Eliminate smoking
• Lower elevated body mass index (BMI)
• Exercise regularly

Powerful anti-cancer preventative supplements and therapies available at the DaSilva Institute

• I3C
• FemGuard+Balance
• Onco Rx
• Bioidentical Hormone balancing (BHRT)

For more info:

info@DaSilvaInstitute.com

A telomere is a DNA sequence that lies at the very end of a chromosome. It functions to not only protect the end of the chromosome and therefore the genes found within (thus preventing genomic instability), but also to insure maximum cell/DNA reproducibility.

Telomere length is associated with the longevity of cell reproduction or how many times a cell can divide before that cell dies. In other words, short telomeres are associated with cell aging, and the degradation of overall health. Telomeres can be shortened by oxidative or free radical damage.

Source: Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Prevents Cell Cycle Arrest and Elongates Telomere Length in Senescent Human Diploid Fibroblasts

• Formaldehyde: A colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is widely used to make resins for household items, such as composite wood products, paper product coatings, plastics, synthetic fibers, and textile finishes. Formaldehyde is also commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories, mortuaries, and some consumer products, including some hair straightening products. First listed in the 2nd Report on Carcinogens, there is now sufficient evidence from studies in humans to show that individuals with higher measures of exposure to formaldehyde are at increased risk for certain types of rare cancers, including nasopharyngeal (the nasopharnyx is the upper part of the throat behind the nose), sinonasal, as well as a specific cancer of the white blood cells known as myeloid leukemia.

• Aristolochic acids: A family of acids that occur naturally in some plant species. Aristolochic acids have been shown to cause high rates of bladder or upper urinary tract cancer among individuals with kidney or renal disease who consumed botanical products containing aristolochic acids.

• Captafol:  A fungicide that had been used to control fungal diseases in fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and grasses, and as a seed treatment.  Captafol was found to induce cancer in experimental animal studies, which demonstrated that dietary exposure to captafol caused tumors at several different tissue sites in rats and mice.

• Cobalt-tungsten carbide (in powder and hard metal form): Used to make cutting and grinding tools, dies, and wear-resistant products for a broad spectrum of industries, including oil and gas drilling, as well as mining. Evidence of lung cancer in workers involved in cobalt-tungsten carbide hard metal manufacturing.

• Certain inhalable glass wool fibers: Particularly, premium, special purpose fibers. These fibers that can enter the respiratory tract, are highly durable, and are biopersistent, meaning they remain in the lungs for long periods of time.

• o-Nitrotoluene: Used as an intermediate in the preparation of azo dyes and other dyes, including magenta and various sulfur dyes for cotton, wool, silk, leather, and paper. It is also used in preparing agricultural chemicals, rubber chemicals, pesticides, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.  Experimental animal studies showed tumor formation at many different tissue sites in rats and mice.

• Riddelliine:  A botanical agent, found in certain plants of the genus Senecio, a member of the daisy family; common names for Senecio plants are ragwort and groundsel. Found to cause cancer of the blood vessels in rats and mice, leukemia and liver cancer in rats, and lung tumors in mice.

• Styrene:  A synthetic chemical used worldwide in the manufacture of products such as rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, pipes, automobile parts, food containers, and carpet backing. People may be exposed to styrene by breathing indoor air that has styrene vapors from building materials, tobacco smoke, and other products. Evidence of cancer from studies in humans shows lymphohematopoietic cancer and genetic damage in the white blood cells, or lymphocytes, of workers exposed to styrene.

Interested readers may access the “12th Report on Carcinogens” covering 240 substances, at: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/roc12.

           You wake up with a scratchy throat, body aches and an overall run-down feeling and immediately begin to think of ways to knock out whatever virus is looming so you can make it to work the next day or enjoy the upcoming weekend with your family.  What should you eat to ward off colds, flu and chronic disease? Keep reading to find 11 excellent options.

Before heading out the grocery store to pick up some over-the-counter medicine, take a look in your pantry and fridge and make a list of these 11 immunity-building foods for a natural way to get your body back to optimal health.

By stocking your shelves with foods containing disease-fighting nutrients you are creating a win-win situation by not only opening the door to wellness within your body but also enjoying the taste of nutritious foods.

“Nutrition plays an important part in maintaining immune function,” explained George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., associate director of the division of nutrition at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts in an article published by CNN Health. “Insufficiency in one or more essential nutrients may prevent the immune system from functioning at its peak.”

David Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Connecticut added:

“There’s no question the immune system fundamentally is influenced by overall health — and a balanced diet is key.

Not only are essential nutrients critical for the production and maintenance of key germ-fighting cells in the immune system, but a balanced diet also has a strong effect on vascular function, and the immune system is dependent on blood flow. The bloodstream is the route along which infection-fighting cells travel throughout the body to where they’re needed.”

There is no one magic food or pill that will make you resistant to colds and viruses, yet a plateful of nutritionally packed fruits, vegetables and antioxidant-rich herbs, drinks and snack options is one of the best immunity-building line of defenses that you can weave into your life on a daily basis.

To help you build and maintain a healthy body year-round, below is a list of some of the best “super foods” to incorporate into your daily diet and recipes.

11 Super Foods to Put on Your Grocery List

1.) Greek Yogurt

The vitamin D benefits you consume from just one cup of yogurt a day can reduce your risk of getting a cold. When looking for a yogurt to buy, look for live and active cultures on the label as some research has shown these may work to trigger the immune system to help ward off diseases.

These live active cultures (also known as probiotics) are the healthy bacteria that protect and line your intestinal tract to keep it clear of disease-causing germs and improve your immune response by increasing the white blood cell count in the body.

Remember, 70 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive system. This means that if your gut is overrun with bad bacteria, there’s a good chance your immune system will not be functioning at its best. Eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt can help keep your digestive system functioning at its peak.
Look for plain Greek yogurt, as opposed to flavored varieties, as you’ll avoid excess sugar and sweeteners.

2.) Sweet Potatoes

Not only do they taste good, but sweet potatoes are gaining a lot of attention for their nutritional health benefits including high fiber content. Eating one sweet potato with the skin on is equivalent to the amount of fiber in a half cup of oatmeal, resulting in fewer bouts of constipation and reducing the risks of diverticulosis and colon and rectal cancers.

This dark orange member of the vegetable family is also a rich source of vitamin A (beta carotene). The amount of antioxidant beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes wipes out potentially damaging free radicals, works to slow down the aging process and in some studies has been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

3.) Mushrooms

Despite the fact they are made up of 90 percent water, these fungi are packed with immune-bolstering punch. With the mineral selenium, antioxidants and the B vitamins riboflavin and niacin, research has shown that mushrooms can aid in a variety of important immune functions such as suppressing both breast and prostate cancers and decreasing the size of tumors.

In a CNN Health article, Clare Hasler, Ph.D., a well-known expert in functional foods and executive director of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California, Davis, pointed out that mushrooms offer a healthy helping of the blood-pressure-lowering mineral potassium.

“Most people might be surprised to learn that while orange juice is touted as one of the highest potassium foods, one medium Portobello mushroom actually has more potassium,” said Hasler. “And five white button mushrooms have more potassium than an orange.”

Although virtually all mushrooms are good for your immune system, shitake mushrooms appear particularly beneficial. An active compound in shitakes called lentinan has been found to boost the immune system. In fact, studies have found this compound to be even more effective than prescription drugs for treating flu and other viruses, and it may improve the immune systems of people with HIV.

The bottom line is although they may not look attractive, these fungi are full of healthy nutrients that strengthen your immune system.

4.) Almonds

Almonds are another excellent source of riboflavin and niacin B vitamins but in addition contain 50 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin E that works to elevate your immune system.

And if you’ve had a stress-filled day, just a handful of these nuts or 1/4 cup has been shown to lessen the effects of stress. Also the rich amount of antioxidants found in almonds is comparable to those found in several fruits and vegetables. Researchers at Tufts University discovered that a handful of almonds equals the amount of antioxidants as a serving of cooked broccoli!

Since almonds are considered a low-glycemic food, they may also contribute to improved blood sugar levels after eating a high-carbohydrate meal. Proper blood sugar levels help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Another study revealed that almonds play a key role in keeping cholesterol levels in check by reducing LDL — otherwise known as “bad” — cholesterol, similar to the effects of using a cholesterol-lowering medication.

5.) Green Tea

Drinking a cup of green tea not only produces soothing effects on the body but also several health benefits due to its rich antioxidants. One of its powerful antioxidant flavonoids called epigallocatechin (EGCg) has been linked to anti-inflammatory effects, acting as a line of defense for the body and protecting it from the common cold and flu.

In your body, flavonoids act as powerful antioxidants that neutralize damage from free radicals. They’re known to:
• Help protect your blood vessels from rupture or leakage
• Enhance the power of vitamin C
• Protect your cells from oxygen damage
• Prevent excessive inflammation in your body

Studies have also found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers including skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder.
Drinking green tea is also good for your heart. According to one Chinese study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, there was a 46-65 percent reduction in hypertension risk in regular consumers of green tea, compared to non-consumers of tea.

Plant-derived antioxidants abundant in green tea, particularly catechins in EGCg, have been found to have stronger disease-fighting properties than vitamins C and E, play a significant role in reducing the risk of heart disease by blocking the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and improving artery function.

6.) Wild Salmon

The American Heart Association calls salmon a heart-healthy food, rich in omega-3 fats, and recommends eating it twice a week, especially for those at risk of cardiovascular disease. In a study of heart failure participants reported by the American Heart Association it was discovered that after one year of receiving omega-3 supplements, heart patients showed a 10.4 percent increase in heart function, compared with a 5 percent decrease among those taking placebo.

Other research has revealed that omega-3 fatty acids like those found in wild salmon decrease arrhythmia, triglyceride levels and slow the rate of plaque buildup. If you need more reasons to start eating salmon you can choose from one of the following: it’s low in calories, contains a lot of protein, is a good source of iron and is very low in saturated fat.

When shopping for your salmon be sure to pick out wild salmon over farm-raised for health and safety reasons. Studies have shown that wild salmon contains more of the healthy omega 3s than farm-raised salmon. Farm raised salmon, on the other hand, accumulates more cancer-causing PCBs and dioxins — in some cases up to 16 times more — than in wild salmon.

7.) Spinach and Broccoli

Winter marks the peak season for broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. You can easily add these staple vegetables to your salads, rice, soup or side dishes. Broccoli is loaded with a myriad of healthy antioxidants including vitamins A, C, E and K, strong anti-cancer agents and glucosinolates that work to stimulate the body’s immune system. All of these nutrients work together in harmony to keep your body and immune system working at its peak level.

Popeye the Sailor Man had the right idea by eating his spinach, too, to stay big and strong and now research is showing that he could have also reaped the benefits of healthier hair follicles from its abundance of vitamins A and C, which produce an oily substance called sebum that acts as a built-in natural hair conditioner.

This superfood also contains folate, a nutrient that plays a key role in generating new cells, repairing DNA and producing red blood cells. Folate also works at fighting depression and keeping your brain in a youthful state by slowing down the effects of aging.

8.) Grapefruit and Oranges

Fill your body with vitamin C and protect yourself from cold and flu season by having a grapefruit with your breakfast. This nutrient-dense fruit is packed with flavonoids and natural chemical compounds that have been found to increase the activation of the immune system.

If grapefruit is too tart for your taste buds then pick up a bag of oranges or tangerines to optimize your immunity, or if you’re in the midst of fighting off a cold, possibly shorten its duration with these vitamin C-enriched foods.

One important thing to keep in mind is that your body isn’t able to store vitamin C, so you need to replenish it every day with healthy citrus fruits and vegetables.
Citrus fruits also offer your body a great source of fiber to help move things along the digestive tract. They have even been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and lower the risks of certain types of cancer.

9.) Berry-Oxidants — Blue, Elder and Acai

Out of all the fruit families, blueberries rank the highest in antioxidants, protecting against damage caused by free radicals that may lead to dangerous health conditions such as blood vessel disease and some cancers. A few blueberries go a long way — just one cup supplies you with 14 percent of the recommended dose of daily fiber and almost a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

These wonder berries are also responsible for slowing down the normal aging process while warding off age-related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. They may also reverse some effects of brain-aging diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by helping improve memory and concentration.

A relative of the blueberry, the acai berry (native to Central and South America) has been stirring up antioxidant activity of its own with research showing it may help prevent diseases resulting from oxidative stress such as heart disease and cancer.

The richly colored elderberry, native to North America, grows on trees referred to as “the medicine chest.” It boasts anti-viral capabilities and an abundant source of flavonoids (quercetin and anthocyanins) that work in sync with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, fending off viruses and activating immune cells. One of the components of elderberries, lectins, has been proven in laboratory tests to stop the reproduction of 10 different strains of the flu virus.

10.) Garlic

This strong-smelling food will not only temporarily keep romance at bay, but also infections, colon and stomach cancers and bacteria, fungal and parasitic infections.

Often touted as a miracle food, garlic contains powerful antioxidants that battle foreign invaders from the body such as H. pylori, bacteria associated with certain ulcers and stomach cancers. Its immunity-building properties provide your body built-in anti-tumor and antioxidant properties that forge a wall against daily wear and tear on the body.

11.) Immune-Boosting Supplements

Fresh whole fruits and veggies are among your best sources of immunity-building nutrients, but you can also help fortify your immune system health with high-quality supportive supplements, such as:

Immune Support Supplements (Immunotone Plus, Omega 720,  Vitamin D Supreme, Tegricel Colostrum, C+Biofizz, Zinc: An all-encompassing comprehensive arsenal of immune-supportive herbs and nutrients to help build a strong immune defense. These Immune Support supplements may:

 Provide antibacterial and antiviral support
 Support white blood cell production (the body’s army)
 Support lymphocyte production, including natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, B cells
 Support cytokine synthesis, such as interleukin-10
 Raise glutathione levels (antioxidant involved in regulating the body’s immune response)
 Prevent pulmonary infections including respiratory tract infection
 Reduce age-related decline in the immune system
 Protect cell membranes from potential pathogens
 Support healthy function of the thymus gland

Flora Balance Plus. Regular consumption of probiotics may improve immune response and mucin production, as well as alleviate symptoms associated with diarrhea, constipation, dysbiosis, bacterial infections, and yeast overgrowth.

With probiotics, it’s all about survival. Probiotic organisms must survive three critical barriers to be of benefit — the manufacturing process, time on the shelf, and most importantly, survive transit through the acidic environment of your stomach. Flora Balance Plus is formulated to handle all of the above, presented in moisture-resistant biospheres that enhance stability and the ultimate delivery of probiotic organisms to the intestinal tract.

Allicillin™  is the first ever commercially available garlic supplement containing significant levels of ajoene and diithins, the most active compounds formed from garlic(call 941-388-0940 to order) .

Since the discovery and identification of ajoene and diithins, there have been many studies that have demonstrated their related health benefits, which may include
Anti-bacterial
Anti-lipidemic
Anti-fungal
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-parasitic
Anti-tumorigenic and Anti-mutagenic
Anti-thrombotic and Anti-platelet
**All supplements in this article are from health practitioners only so it is important to see your health care provider to discuss your nutritional needs and supplement options.
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