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Product Specials
"LINE DRIVES"
20% off
Country Life
30 % off
Country Life Real Food Multi |
Essential Oil of the Month
Eucalyptus
Known for its ability to open the respiratory passages and clear congestion, its is ideal for allergies, colds and coughs. Has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Perfect for diffusing in the air, rubbing on the chest in a carrier oil, or simply sniffing. Also a great mosquito repellant!!
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A Huge Breakthrough in Health Maintenance! 
My staff and I had the opportunity to attend a training last week about a new process that will allow consumers to have a genetic test done that will identify areas of potential health risk! A bio-science company called Genelink developed the test and did all of the research linking the gene markers to the risk of certain diseases. The tests are a simple swab of the inside of the cheek and will be available here at Walsh!!
Genelink then teamed with Solgar vitamin company to come up with natural formulas to mitigate the indicated risks. Consumers will be able to use this information to make wise supplement decisions and changes in diet. We will be devoting our article next month to this revolutionary testing, so don't forget to look for that!!
We encourage you to attend our program Restoring Sleep Naturally tonight!! (See below for details). See our article this month about fighting arthritis with natural means!
Here's to your Health!
Lynn Bednar
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 Real Food Multis By Country Life
Made from organic fruits, veggies, seeds, sprouts, legumes and more! This is the only vitamin on the market to deliver one full serving of fruits and vegetables per day, along with all of the basic nutrients you need. Their pre-harvest soil analysis, unique fermentation process, use of foods that have specific effects on important blood markers and mineral box (biodegradable) packaging make this is a great vitamin inside and out!! Country Life has also begun to use only renewable energy sources, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable living! Choose from the Real Food Your Daily Nutrition or Ultimate Daily Nutrition. |
 The Power of Tart Montmorency Dried Cherries!!
Due to popular demand, we have added to our repertoire of tart cherries!! Loaded with antioxidants, anthocyanins, melatonin and potassium. They promote healthy joints, restful sleep and healthy blood pressure. They are especially good for gout sufferers. Try our dried whole cherries or the CherriMax 1000 mg capsules. No pesticides are used, no GMOS, no preservatives and no food coloring. |
 ProOmega CoQ10 and ProOmega-D
Nordic Naturals has just made your favorite fish oils more complete! If you are taking your oils for heart or joint health try ProOmega CoQ10 with 60 mg of CoQ10 per serving. ProOmega-D adds 1000 I.U.'s of D3 per serving, providing important immune support, mood support, and cancer protection.
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 Natural News You Can Use: New Natural Certification Program and Seal of Approval for Personal Care Products
The Natural Products Association (of which we are a member) has just announced a new seal for personal care products. This will assure consumers that what they are putting on their skin and into our environment via their drains now adheres to strict standards.
Most consumers believe that the term "natural" or organic on skin care products is regulated in some way, however this is not the case. Unfortunately, this leads to products being marketed as natural when they contain ingredients that are synthetic at best and known carcinogens at worst. The seal will require that products:
- be made up of at least 95% truly natural ingredients
- have no ingredients with potential human health risks
- employ no production processes that alter the purity of the ingredients
- ensure that ingredients are renewable in nature
- use non-natural ingredients only when a natural alternative is unavailable and when it has no known health risks
Specific chemicals will be absent from products bearing the seal, many of which have been banned in European products for years. Look for the seal on products in the next couple of months. We applaud this huge improvement in consumer protection! |
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Restoring Sleep Naturally
Thursday, May 15th
7 pm
 Happening tonight! Having trouble sleeping? Join Archana Lal-Tabak, M.D. and husband Jim Lal-Tabak, Certified Yuen Energy Practioner and Yoga instructor, for an eye opening (and closing!) look at natural methods of restoring restful sleep with homeopathy, herbs, aromatherapy, nutrition, hormone balancing, yoga postures and more! Learn about the daily circadian routine and sleep cycles to help get the most out of your sleep. Feel refreshed and energized each day as you employ these methods that are without side effects! Learn more about Archana and Jim's practice at the Heart of Transformation Yoga and Wellness Center. |
 Feature Article: Ridding Yourself of the Pain of Arthritis!
Who of us a certain age has not felt that unfamiliar crack, shooting pain or stiffness in our bodies? When it is cold and wet out I feel like an old granny! Depending on what source you consult, up to 55 million Americans experience this kind of pain on some regular basis. Whether it is at a single site due to a previous injury or several different places in our body, arthritis can be debilitating, painful, or at the very least, annoying. If you enjoy being active and feeling young as I do, minimizing this pain is a must!
Traditional treatments for arthritis help reduce pain and swelling but can have unwanted side effects. Additionally, they do little to encourage joint repair and in my own experience, are quite temporary in the relief they provide. I have taken Celebrex and steroid packs that did little to nothing for me (except give me a stomach ache and cause me serious hot flashes, respectively). If you read the paper or watch tv you know about Vioxx being pulled from the market and the gastrointestinal bleeding and other problems related to NSAIDs! Natural medicines can be used to manage arthritis with fewer side effects and actually promote healing of the joints. You will have to be consistent, but the results will be longer term!
Arthritis is a catch-all term for several different conditions that result in joint pain, but may have very different symptoms. By far the most common of these is osteoarthritis, typically diagnosed in individuals 50 years old and up. Osteoarthritis is characterized by excessive wear and tear on the joints without the compensatory replacement of cartilage and other joint material. This results in a rubbing of bone on bone, causing pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is often found in the weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder and conversely, is characterized by generalized inflammation. It can affect younger individuals, and can result in pain throughout the body, even in the small joints like the hands and wrists. Other forms of arthritis or conditions that can cause arthritis-like symptoms include gout, ankylosing spondilitis, lupus, lyme disease, and psoriatic arthritis.
Remedies for the arthritis generally target one of two things: inflammation or joint repair. One goes hand-in-hand with the other in terms of healing joints. Certain supplements promote the physical joint material, while others reduce the inflammation, allowing the joint to heal itself. Additionally, there are topical medicines that can relieve pain near the surface of the skin, diet recommendations that can help alleviate pain, and homeopathic remedies tailored to an individual's symptoms.
We have a number of topical formulas that are very helpful for reducing pain, but will not discuss those here due to space considerations. Also, since homeopathic remedies are so particular to each person's symptoms, it is best for you to come in and look for a remedy that most closely describes the symptoms you are having. There are two remedies, rhus tox and bryonia, that are commonly used for arthritis pain. Rhus tox is for someone who feels better with movement, and bryonia typically feels worse with movement. See us for more details. A homeopath can also be helpful in recommending constitutional remedies that will promote deep healing along with remedies for symptoms. Let's talk about joint repair and inflammation.
Joint Repair
Certain nutrients are essential to the maintenance of joints because they promote the formation of joint material (cartilage, tendons, muscle and joint fluid), they protect against oxidative stress in the joints, or they relax muscles that can put pressure on joints. Although there are many nutrients involved, we will concentrate on those most directly related to the joints here.
Glucosamine--Glucosamine is an amino sugar that the body uses to make compounds found in tendons, cartilage, ligaments and synovial, or joint fluid. Many studies have been done linking the use of glucosamine to the resolution of pain related to mild to moderate arthritis. It is often found in combination with chondroitin in formulas, which is also a natural part of joint material. Typically, 1000 to 1500 mg per day is recommended, along with about 500 to 750 mg of chondroitin. Those with asthma should consult their practitioners, as the use of these supplements has been linked to a worsening of asthma symptoms. Also avoid the glucosamine sulfate form of this nutrient (use glucosamine HCl) if you have a shellfish allergy.
MSM (or methylsulfonylmethane)--MSM is a naturally occurring compound found in green plants such as horsetail, algae, fruits, vegetables and grains. MSM is a natural source of sulfur, and integral component of cartilage. It is known to promote joint repair, prevent joint deterioration, and reduce inflammation. MSM can be taken by itself or in combination with glucosamine/chondroitin. The recommended dose is 800-3000 mg per day.
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)--Found in every tissue in the body, SAMe is crucial to many functions in the body. A deficiency has been linked to an inability to maintain cartilage. In many clinical trials, it has been found superior to NSAIDS in reducing pain and improving function, with fewer side effects. It may take 30 days for results, compared to 15 days for NSAIDs. Do not take SAMe if you have been diagnosed as being bipolar or if you are antidepressant medication. The recommended dose is 600 to 1200 mg for two months, and reduce to 400 to 800 as a maintenance dose.
Magnesium--Magnesium is responsible for all of the relaxing function of the body and can benefit arthritis sufferers by preventing muscular excitability, tremors and spasms that may cause stress on the joints. Magnesium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the United States. A safe dose is 400 to 600 mg. Magnesium may cause diarrhea in large doses, but forms like magnesium glycinate can lessen this effect.
Vitamin E, Selenium or S.O.D.--Each of these nutrients protect the joints from oxidative stress and destruction by free radicals. Vitamin E also protects against muscle wasting (800-1200 I.U.'s, consult doctor if on blood-thinning medication). Recommended dose for selenium is 200 mcg per day, and avoid the form sodium selenite as it is poorly absorbed. Take S.O.D. as directed on the label.
Inflammation
Herbs, fatty acids and a few other nutrients are the primary means for reducing inflammation with natural medicine. Since inflammation is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, these are what is best used as a remedy for the pain it causes, particularly at the earlier onset. If the disease has progressed significantly, then one must look at the remedies for joint rebuilding above as well. The best herbs for fighting inflammation related to arthritis are Devil's Claw, Yucca, Turmeric, Ginger, Boswellia, and Alfalfa. White willow, whose primary constituent salicylic acid is what aspirin is made from, can be useful for temporary pain relief. Boswellia, an ayurvedic herb, must be standardized for 60-65% boswellic acids. As always, herbs must be checked for interactions with any prescription drugs you are taking, which we will be happy to look up for you. You may also want to consult your doctor.
Zyflamend is an herbal combination that is helpful for developing a healthy inflammation response in the body and therefore is useful in combating arthritis, among other things. If you are prone to inflammatory conditions in general, this would be an excellent formula for you. Many studies have been done using this product for osteoarthritis, showing significant reduction in symptoms.
Montmorency cherries, in concentrated juice, capsule or whole cherry form, are a great healer for joints. They are especially known for clearing gout, as they help remove the uric acid from the joint. These are a hit with our customers and staff alike. Cherries have the added benefit of promoting sleep due to the concentration of melatonin in them and also are helpful for high blood pressure because they are high in potassium!
The fatty acids, particularly those with GLA, will be very helpful in curbing inflammation. GLA can be found in black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil. These oils are often recommended for menopausal and premenstrual symptoms also, and thus will provide additional benefit for women. Fish oils and flax oil, which break down to the useful components EPA and DHA, are also great for fighting inflammation.
Flexcin is a joint formula combining a patented fatty acid molecule called CM8, glucosamine, MSM and an enzyme blend to help you digest the formula. We have had a great response from customers who have rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain and other arthritis symptoms.
Other nutrients that have been found to play a role in reducing inflammation are bromelain and pantothenic acid. Bromelain is an enzyme that is found in pineapple and is known to help with all kinds of inflammation. You will also see it recommended for stomach and sinus inflammation. People with rheumatoid arthritis have been found to be deficient in pantothenic acid (B5), showing the need for this vitamin in sufferers.
Dietary Suggestions
Although a change in diet may not be enough to completely relieve pain and rebuild joints, it can definitely lessen pain. Eat lots of fiber in the form of vegetables and low-acid fruit, which will help sweep away mineral and acid build-up and keep the digestive system free of harmful bacteria. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower also have anti-inflammatory properties. Other vegetables like asparagus, cabbage, garlic and onion are rich in sulfur, an important component of connective tissue, so eat up on those!! Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme helpful in fighting inflammation. Tart red cherries, as mentioned above, have pain-reducing effects.
Unfortunately the nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, white potatoes and eggplant) can aggravate arthritis symptoms. They have a substance called solanine in them that can interfere with the enzymes in the muscles, causing discomfort.
Fish (especially cold water fish) and flax seeds provide healthy oils that are useful in reducing inflammation. Water is also very important in flushing toxins and pain can be related to dehydration. Keep well hydrated at all times.
Foods that you will want to lessen or avoid include, red meat, saturated fats, sugar, foods high in gluten (pasta, breads and pastries), refined carbohydrates, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. All of these foods are known to increase inflammation in the body if used frequently, or if the person has a particular sensitivity to them.
And finally, as always, exercise!! You have heard about the benefits enough that I don't need to repeat them here. They are in every health article known to man!! The key for me is in variety. Find a number of activites that you enjoy doing and rotate them so you don't get bored. Make sure you pick at least one that is convenient enough to do just about anywhere (okay, planes are tough!). I'm sure you can think of something!
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