Human Atlas

The Human Atlas is a range of medical animation content developed by Blausen Medical Communications (BMC) in the US. BMC has the world's largest library of 3D medical imagery with more than 4,000 animations and 7,000 stills. Over a ten-year period BMC has developed an international reputation for quality, detail and scientific accuracy. Some of the content from this library is available online via the Everbody Website – click through and view the list of available content – it is quite fascinating and you can learn a lot in just a few minutes.
Click the following links for some video examples (once there press play button to view).

• Vitamins and Minerals
• Allergies
• Breast Self Exam
• Cystic Fibrosis
  
• Drug Addiction
  

Healthy for Life Program - reset your body in 5 days

USANA have created a sophisticated web site primarily focusing on training, motivating, challenging, and holding you accountable in your commitment to developing a healthy lifestyle. You will record every meal, your daily exercise activity, and your consumption of the recommended supplements in your Personal Lifestyle Journal provided on this web site. It will take you less than two minutes a day to record this information. Your Personal Lifestyle Journal will be automatically graded, which will guide you in where you need to improve the most.

The Healthy for Life Program is a unique online support tool based entirely on available scientific evidence. This program has proven effective in evaluating, documenting, encouraging and holding individuals accountable for their own health. Follow the Healthy for Life Program and enjoy a new way of feeling, new energy levels and a greater sense of well-being.

The winning formula to a healthy lifestyle combines three distinct parts:

1. Healthy diet
2. Modest exercise program
3. High quality, complete and balanced nutritional supplements

When you make one or two of these lifestyle changes, your health will definitely improve. However, when you make all three lifestyle changes together, the results are phenomenal. The Healthy for Life Program provides you with the framework and step-by-step support you need to make these lifestyle changes.

Email me margot@ourhealthyshop.co.nz if you would like to join and I can buddy up with you for support.

Try our Online Health Assessment

Check out our new online Health Assessment – click the image above or click here.

Please Note: It may take a little time to load this interactive assessment – any problems visit me at www.margot.usana.com and click on the Health Assessment Tab.

Lack of Vitamin D linked to Teen Health Problems

The following is an article from - TV 3 Lifestyle leads with this article on lack of vitamin D linked to teen health problems.

New research in teenagers links low levels of vitamin D to high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which can lead to ominous early health problems. The "sunshine" vitamin is needed to keep bones strong, but recent research has linked vitamin D to other possible health benefits. The teen study confirms results seen in adults, linking low levels with risk factors for heart disease, the researchers said.

Teens in the study with the lowest vitamin D levels were more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure and high blood sugar. They were also four times more likely to have metabolic syndrome, defined as have three of more conditions that contribute to heart disease and diabetes – including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, big waists and high cholesterol.

The study's leader, Jared Reis of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said more research will be needed to determine if vitamin D is really behind the health problems and whether getting more would make a difference.

"We're showing strong associations that need to be followed up," he said.

The findings were being presented Wednesday at an American Heart Association conference in Palm Harbor, Florida.

A former president of the heart group said there's much to be learned about the apparent connection.

"We're at the tip of the iceberg," said Dr. Robert Eckel.

The body makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight's ultraviolet rays. Getting about 15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week is generally enough.

Vitamin D is also in fortified foods like milk and in salmon and other oily fish.

The American Academy of Paediatrics recently doubled its recommended amount of vitamin D for children and teens to 400 units daily - the equivalent of drinking four cups of milk. The paediatricians group said kids who don't get enough should take vitamin supplements.

The teen study looked at about 3,600 boys and girls ages 12 to 19 who took part in a government health survey from 2001 to 2004. The researchers used measurements of vitamin D from blood tests.

On average, none of the teens were getting enough vitamin D. Whites had the highest levels, blacks had the lowest levels and Mexican-Americans had levels in between.

One reason for the difference, experts say, could be that it takes fair skin less time to absorb vitamin D from the sun than darker skin. Also, Reis said, blacks may be skipping milk because they are more likely to be lactose intolerant.

Dr. Randal Thomas, director of the cardiovascular health clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said that it's likely that vitamin D deficiencies in teens stem from unhealthy diets and lack of exercise outdoors.

"If their diet includes chips and soft drinks, they're probably not getting enough vitamin D," said Thomas.

Experts say there are many questions that still need to be answered about vitamin D, including how much people need.

"As time goes on, we're getting a better idea of what we need and how it's functioning in our bodies," said Adrian Gombart, a vitamin D researcher at Oregon State University.

AP

Mobile Phones - do they scare you?

Let’s cut to the chase – I have always been concerned about radiation from mobile phones especially the old ‘brick size ones’. Some of the mobiles I have had I have even felt ear and head heating up on the mobile phone side. When this happened I always cut short any call. This week I received this link to a Popcorn video online – now I am even more worried. Don’t expect long mobile chats from me anymore. Click here to view

Is Organic Enough?

I received the following 2 stories about eating organic and thought I would share them with you.

Laura Brownwood - laura@the-beachhouse.com

In Oregon (1975) I had an organic garden and orchard. For several years I didn’t feed my family anything from a box, bottle jar or can. We grew it, ground it, sprouted it and dehydrated it. For example our salad dressings were made from organic sunflower seeds, seasonings (all organic, most grown in our garden) and lemon juice. My bread I baked was from sprouted wheat, etc, etc, etc.

Then we bought a natural food store where we sold organic everything! I taught nutrition classes and thought we would be getting all that we needed from the amazing food we were eating.

Fast forward to the mid 90's when I have a medical problem. I go six years undiagnosed until I find Sanoviv. After two days they told me I had mercury poisoning and was low in nutrients. If I was low in nutrients, what is the rest of the nation?

The doctor’s gave me a big handful of supplements to take and six years later I am most appreciative of my well-being!

Love this company (USANA) and use almost every single product they manufacture!

Laura Brownwood, Laguna Beach, CA

Joan Baumann - jebaumann@videotron.ca

Years ago, I met Dr. Shiv Chopra* at a health seminar in Montreal. After he finished his lecture, I approached him to ask:

"Dr. Chopra, if we were to eat organic food all year round, would we need to take supplements?"

He gave me a gentle smile and said,

"Sad to say, yes. We live in such a toxic world that even eating organic food is insufficient. You need supplements."

In health, Joan Baumann - Database Administrator www.Nutrisearch.ca

Dr. Shiv Chopra http://shivchopra.com

Wikipidea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiv_Chopra

Peanut Products Recall

US salmonella outbreak threatens NZ through peanut butter products - This is a copy of a recent article featured on the TV3 Website (Wed, 21 Jan 2009)

There are concerns a salmonella outbreak that has killed at least six people in the United States may spread to New Zealand.

The Kellogg Company is recalling 16 products in the United States after officials confirmed salmonella contamination at a Georgia facility that sold peanut products to 85 food companies.

And Abbott Nutrition has recalled three food bars exported to New Zealand because of the possibility of salmonella contamination.

They are the ZonePerfect chocolate peanut butter bar, the peanut toffee bar and the NutriPals peanut butter chocolate nutrition bars.

Read it for yourself - online TV3 Report

Special Note – if you eat USANA nutritional products please read the following.

USANA continues to manufacture products you can trust! USANA Headquarters assures us that their products that contain peanuts are perfectly safe due to our strict manufacturing guidelines (GMP).

If you wish to read more about the ‘Peanut Products US Recall’ click here to view a complete list and read more on this topic.

Ageing

The following article on ageing is courtesy of the BBC Health Site – and was last medically reviewed by Dr. Rob Hicks in July 2007. First published in March 2000.

Age limits

Modern health, medicine, sanitation and lifestyle have done remarkably little to extend the overall maximum lifespan of the human species, but they have made a difference to the number of people reaching old age in good health.

Why we age

“Ageing is the result of a build-up of damage in our bodies' cells”

Ageing is the result of a build-up of damage in our bodies' cells. It takes a long time for the damage to get to a level where it may harm us, but eventually we can no longer overlook it.

The protein fibres keeping our skin and artery walls elastic go through changes that lead to loss of that vital flexibility. The DNA strands inside our cells get damaged, too. Ultimately, the cells' energy production systems fail.

An important type of damage is oxidisation, the result of attacks by free radicals. Oxidisation rusts metal, makes fat go rancid and causes browning of peeled fruits and vegetables. It also helps to make us age.

Our bodies have evolved powerful antioxidant enzymes to guard cells against free radicals, but these defences aren't 100 per cent.

Role of genes

Longevity tends to run in families. The genes influencing the ageing process seem to be those that influence how well the body maintains and repairs its cells.

The risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's also appears also to have a genetic component.

Lifestyle factors

We can control some aspects of the process

Aging isn't all down to our genes. We can control some aspects of the process.

The lifestyle choices we make are important. We can eat food that burdens our bodies with saturated fats, for example, or we can eat food that's high in natural antioxidants to aid the body's defences.

We can exercise so our natural systems for renewal and repair keep our muscles, lungs and blood circulatory system in good shape, and we can stretch our minds to reinforce the networks of connection between brain cells.

Uncertain future

We know ageing catches up with all of us in the end, but we don't know exactly what lies in store.

Some people keep their mental faculties intact until they're 100, while others can get dementia in their 50s. Some people retain their mobility, but others with conditions such as arthritis find it more difficult.

Green Tea - is it good for you?

Every day 3 billion cups of tea are consumed around the world, but what tea do you drink? Black tea with a drop of milk? Or have you joined one of the newest health trends of drinking green tea?

Some people have started drinking it because they have heard it is good for you.
And they are right. Research is still in its infancy, but already scientists say drinking green tea could help such things as diabetes, cholesterol, weight loss and even cancer.

Campbell Live spoke to Massey University nutritional biochemist Suzi Penny, and organic food store owner Joyce Lowyim to find out if it was all too good to be true. Go to Video on Demand.

What do Vitamins and Minerals Do for You?

Build up your Immune System - Illness and disease are not "caught". one doesn't catch cancer, heart disease or a cold. You create these ailments with deficiencies based on what you eat or don't eat.

Increase your Energy - Vitamins and minerals are involved in the release of energy from digested foods. Strong lasting energy levels are good indicators of healthy vitamin and mineral intake.

Enhance your Appearance - Skin clearness, tone, and elasticity; hair strength, thickness and colour; fingernail strength, colour and texture all depend on vitamins and minerals. Some people look 50 years old at 30. Some look 30 at 50.

Expand your Intelligence - Brain function, ability to concentrate and memory require proper vitamin and mineral levels. Everyone will die, but how you look and feel for the last 20-50 years depends on your lifestyle and vitamin and mineral intake throughout your entire life

When it comes to nutrients stick with reputable companies producing pharmaceutical grade products that are guaranteed for potency.

How do vitamins/minerals leave the body?

Vitamins and minerals are "used" by the body. As they perform their function, they often use themselves up in the process, which is the case with most of the critical disease fighting antioxidants.

Even thinking uses vitamins and minerals. Exercise and stress use a lot of vitamins and minerals; the use of diuretics (substances that increase the discharge of urine) such as drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea and sodas - washes vitamins and minerals out of the body creating deficiencies - this can create a major health problem!

Tobacco and alcohol can also inhibit the absorption of vitamins and minerals, or accelerate the loss of them.

Your Health, Your Intelligence, Your Energy, and Your Appearance are Dependant on you Replenishing your vitamins and minerals several times per day.

Should you take Vitamin & Mineral Supplements?

Vitamins and minerals are vital nutrients for bodily functions and prevention of disease. There is an archaic argument of "I can get everything I need from food." Are you? In a large 26,000 person study it was concluded that not one person received the nutritional requirements set forth by the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). 96% of the US population dies of a disease - we are NOT getting proper nutrition.

"Insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic diseases... Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

American Medical Association

Vitamin & mineral supplementation is necessary for the following reasons:

1. Crop nutrient losses - Decades of agriculture have overworked and depleted soils of minerals.
2. Poor digestion - Eating too much or too quickly and stress can cause indigestion. Indigestion reduces absorption of vitamins and minerals.
3. Over-cooking - Can easily destroy valuable food nutrients.
4. Microwave cooking - Studies suggest that microwave cooking alters the nutritional structure of food.
5. Food storage - Length of storage and freezing deplete the nutritional value of most foods.
6. Food selection - Eating a too limited range of different food groups will result in nutrient deficiencies.
7. Food omission - Allergies to foods, crash dieting and poorly designed vegetarian diets omit significant dietary sources of nutrients.
8. Environmental factors - Herbicides and pesticides are used on crops, leaving them with low nutritional value.
9. Antibiotics - Antibiotics interfere with the intake of essential nutrients.
10. Poor lifestyle habits - Smoking, alcohol and caffeine can inhibit the absorption of vitamins and minerals or accelerate the loss of nutrients.
11. Stress - Be it physical or emotional, can increase the body's requirement of vitamins and minerals.
12. Out of balance - The level of each vitamin and mineral in the body has an effect on others} so if one is out of balance (missing), all are adversely effected. With antioxidants, one is not nearly as strong as several combined as each greatly enhances the power of the others.
13. Nutrient variance - There are substantial differences between one fruit or vegetable and another. One tomato can have 10 times more nutritional value than another - which tomato did you eat?

Where do vitamins/minerals go in the body?

Vitamins and minerals go from your stomach to your intestines. They then go through a very complex allocation system whereby the body distributes certain vitamins and minerals to parts of your body based on its own priority system.

If a nutrient is needed in a certain organ that it (the body) deems more important, it will take the nutrient from a less important organ, and allocate it to a more important organ. Sort of a "rob Peter to pay Paul" action. That's why it is critical to maintain proper vitamin & mineral levels.

Vitamins and minerals in your body should not be viewed as independent substances, but rather as a cooperative network of nutrients working together. If one nutrient is missing, it throws the entire network of nutrients out of balance.

"A deficiency of a vitamin or mineral will cause a body part to malfunction and eventually break down - and, like dominoes, other body parts will follow."

James F. Balch, M.D. - Prescription for Nutritional Healing

How do vitamins/minerals get in the body?

Vitamins and minerals get into your body when you eat plants such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and spices or when you take a vitamin/mineral supplement. You can also get some vitamins and minerals into your body by eating meat as most animals eat plant food.

Vitamins and Minerals - where do they come from?

VITAMINS are natural substances found in living things such as plants. Vitamins must be obtained in the body from foods or supplements as they cannot usually be produced by the body.

MINERALS are found in plants. Plants get their minerals from the soil - soil gets minerals from water washing over rocks. For vitamins to do their job, they require minerals. Minerals must also be obtained from food or supplements.

ANTIOXIDANTS are specific vitamins or minerals that protect body cells from the damaging effects of Free Radicals. Free radicals come from or are caused by smoking, sunlight, stress, exercise, etc., and are one of the primary causes of premature aging, sickness and disease.

SUPPLEMENTS are vitamins and minerals that have been extracted from a plant or created in a laboratory and put into a form that can be ingested and used by the body.
There are effective supplements, ineffective supplements and hazardous supplements. Uneducated consumers are at risk from two sides.

1. Consumer knows they should supplement but doesn't know how to select an effective supplement, therefore wastes their money, time and health.
   
2.  Consumer is uninformed (or given bad advice) on the need to supplement and sacrifices their health.