Back to School Basics for Staying Healthy

One of the biggest complaints we often hear from parents when school starts is how hard it can be to keep them well.  This fall, don't be caught by surprise by passing germs.  There are some important and relatively easy things you can do to boost everyone's immune system, to cut down on illnesses and keep everyone performing at their best.

1) Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins! It may sound redundant, but Vitamin C and Vitamin D are super important for optimal health, especially when fighting off invaders!  These should be a part of our daily routine in the cold season and the entire line of Children's Sunshine Heroes covers all of your child's needs.  NSP's Chewable Vitamin C is easy to digest, delicious and great for adults and kids alike. Vitamin D is best consumed by going outside every day, but especially as it gets colder that's not always possible.  In those cases, here are a couple of options.  For kids, consider Calcium Plus D3.  For adults (or kids who can swallow pills), there's also a Calcium Plus D, but for extra protection Vitamin D3 is highly recommended.

2) Clean, Colorful Eating.  Whatever goes into your body either adds or takes away from the health of your immune system.  The cleaner and more colorful your diet is, the better position you are in to fight off colds and viruses. When children avoid eating fruits and vegetables or will only eat one thing, it can be a much bigger deal than parents realize.  Without a wide variety of nutrients coming from their food, the immune system suffers.  When the body consumes sugar and inflammation inducing grains for too long, sickness is just a matter of time.  Eating well is hard, even when you are actively seeking it.  It can be even tougher for kids who don't realize the importance.  Try introducing a new uncommon food every week.  Or make a morning smoothie loaded with spinach (since it doesn't change the taste of anything it is mixed with).  

3) Silver Shield Liquid/Gel - NSP's Silver Shield is a wonderful safe and effective product that reduces exposure to disease-causing agents while leaving the good bacteria in tact.  Taken internally before and after a day spent with the latest bugs passing around can cut an illness time in half or even better prevent infection all together.  The Silver Shield Gel takes immune boosting to another level! This gel can be safely place in any opening of the body so in or around the nose would be great protection from airborne invaders.  It also works as a great hand sanitizer! 

Also, Essential Shield  is a terrific topical essential oil blend that contains pure essential oils of clove, cinnamon, thyme, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, lemon, pine and peppermint that could be used to keep the air around you boosted with proactive forces!

4) Don't forget to SLEEP! When activities begin to pile up and homework gets behind, adequate sleep often gets the boot.  If you're trying to avoid illness, losing sleep is the worst thing you can do!  Sleeping helps the body fight infections and can determine how fast you recover if you do get sick. If you struggle with sleep or expect some stress surrounding a specific week that might affect your sleep, here are a few supplements to consider:

• Valerian Root - This single herb helps with relaxation and supports sleep.
• STRESS-J - Great for kids - it comes in capsules AND liquid! This herbal formula promotes feelings of calm and helps with occasional stress. A racing brain or overstimulated body can certainly prevent sleep.  STRESS-J can help with that!
• 5-HTP Power - Drinking a lot of caffeine? Caffeine wipes out serotonin and can definitely disrupt sleep patterns.  Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an important neurotransmitter that is converted into serotonin in the body. Improve your appetite, mood and sleep!
• Melatonin Extra - Melatonin encourages restful sleep and helps fight jet lag by promoting the body's natural sleep rhythm.

5) Elderberry - The health benefits of elderberries are powerful! Anytime you expect to be or fear you were exposed to something contagious (cold, virus, flu, etc.) we recommend Elderberry D3fense or Elderberry Immune (chewables for the kids).  It's a power punch to whatever is lurking in the air!  

6) Probiotics for Everyone! If you (or your child) have taken antibiotics, you can suppose with certainty that their friendly bacteria has been compromised.

In the gastrointestinal tract, there is a very delicate balance that exists between the host and the intestinal bacteria--at least 400 different species of microflora live in the human gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria alter the chemical composition of foods and drugs, break down dietary toxins, produce and break down vitamins, create toxins and antitoxins, and inhibit the growth of certain disease-producing organisms. When we upset this balance of intestinal microflora with antibiotic use, diet, and disease, we negatively affect the benefits of these microorganisms.

This is why probiotics are so important in our daily supplement regime. Lack of good flora in the gut has been linked to all kinds of disease, including brain dysfunction.

Make This Season of Life a Healthy One

Our busy lives are full of such complicated stories that our choices are rarely due to just one thing.  The health of your body is the compilation of events, choices and circumstances.  There is a theme, however, in those with general good health.  That health is a priority for them.  Yes, some inherit better DNA than others.  Yes, sometimes we are victims of accidents or events completely out of our control.  But wherever your beginning, a portion of health can be preserved by making healthy choices a priority.

In our American society, we are conditioned to think that our family has to have and do everything, but demand a healthy lifestyle.  None of us are promised tomorrow and yet so many are getting hundreds and thousands of tomorrows, but too many tomorrows are filled with chronic disease and pain that is hindering real living.  It's time to make your health a PRIORITY!

If you've wondered why joining an IN.FORM session would ever be right for you, consider this.

-Our culture is largely against healthy choices and going against the grain alone is hard.

-Going on a diet will NOT give you the long-term results you're after.  A lifestyle change is required and that involves time, a lot of restarts and support.

-The resources available to you, like herb education, the BioTracker, quality supplements, cleansing basics, and clean eating tips, are all in one spot!  And available to you for as long as you like!

The bottom line is that we believe in healthy living and its ability to change the quality of our lives.  Excess weight and subsequent health problems are ruining (and shortening) lives everywhere.  We know what it takes to turn the car of your life around and we want you to find that success!  Doing it together exponentially increases your chances of success too!

A new group is forming now with hopes of starting next month some time.  We would love for you to join us!  Even if you're just considering it, please get on our waiting list.  Questions? Give us a call! (405) 634-HERB

Probiotics for Everyone!

Are you aware of how important friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract is to your family's health? If you (or your child) have taken antibiotics, you can suppose with certainty that their friendly bacteria has been compromised.

In the gastrointestinal tract, there is a very delicate balance that exists between the host and the intestinal bacteria--at least 400 different species of microflora live in the human gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria alter the chemical composition of foods and drugs, break down dietary toxins, produce and break down vitamins, create toxins and antitoxins, and inhibit the growth of certain disease-producing organisms. When we upset this balance of intestinal microflora with antibiotic use, diet, and disease, we negatively affect the benefits of these microorganisms.

This is why probiotics are so important in our daily supplement regime. Lack of good flora in the gut has been linked to all kinds of disease, including brain dysfunction.

Can babies be given probiotics?

Yes! Babies SHOULD have plenty of beneficial bacteria passed on from their moms; however, if the mom had to take drugs and/or antibiotics during the pregnancy and/or delivery, this could and usually does affect the baby's intestinal flora. Some of the symptoms of this can be thrush, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, reflux to name a few.

You can open a Bifidophilus Flora Force capsule and sprinkle about a fourth of it directly into the baby's mouth. We have seen babies coo when administered this. It can also be put in a bottle as well.

When the child is old enough to chew well, they can have Sunshine Heroes Probiotic Power chewables.

Fighting Toxins Head On

Do you ever feel helpless against every virus or bacteria that goes around at work or school?  With antibiotic resistance ever increasing, wouldn't you like to avoid another round of them, but often feel like you have no choice?  In our 30+ years in natural health, we have found that when toxins aren't cleaned out of the body quickly enough or at all, they can lead to more severe complications.  There are some great alternatives that zero in on the culprit (like a virus or chemical), creating an environment for cleaning it out of your system.  Having alternatives on hand though doesn't necessarily give you an instant fix.  It takes a working knowledge of an individual's health combined with an understanding of how the specific alternative works.  And we would like to share that working knowledge with you!

Join us June 1st for a FREE class discussing Toxic Invaders & the Importance of Fighting Them Head On.  All who attend will walk away with some great handouts on what to do when you experience various invaders!  Not only will there be some giveaways, but if you bring a friend, you will be entered TWICE!

Do you have kids or grandchildren that you care for?  Plan to participate in our first Online Herb Party focusing on Children's Remedies!  There will be lots of information, games and giveaways, not to mention a great way to prepare yourself for caring for children with gentle alternatives.

Cough, Cough, Go Away!

Do you have a cough that just won't go away?  Maybe you had a round or two of all the flu, cold and such-like that has plagued us this season but just can't seem to be rid of the junk?  There are some wonderful herbs and herbal combinations that are known to soothe and nourish the respiratory system to help get you completely well.

Mullein - This single herb provides lymphatic support that is often needed when getting ill and supports healthy ears and lungs.  From nursing mothers with mastitis to children holding on to a cough, this herb is so important and versatile to curtailing complications from seasonal illnesses.

Bronchial Formula - The respiratory system regularly encounters airborne particles such as microorganisms, pollutants, pollen and dust, and protects delicate body tissues. As a result, the functions of the lungs and bronchi can be affected.  This Ayurvedic formula nourishes the lungs and bronchi and helps support the respiratory system. This formula, developed in concert with Indian Ayurvedic masters with herbs direct from India, provides nutrients necessary for respiratory health and function like reducing inflammation.  

CCA w/ Yerba Santa - This liquid combination is great for kids, but an important option for anyone battling respiratory illness.  Goldenseal, astragalus, sage and rose hips help boost the immune system. Mullein and yarrow provide respiratory system support. Capsicum provides circulatory system support. These things combined pack quite a punch toward beating the cough or cold that just won't leave.

Local Raw Honey is good for a lot of things, like allergies, but it is also helpful in calming down that cough that is keeping you up at night

With any kind of respiratory problem, it is very important to consider your diet.  Cutting out sugar, white flour and large amounts of dairy products is often necessary to reduce the production of mucous and inflammation.  Other things to consider might be infection or fungus build up of some kind.  Silver Shield, VS-C, Olive Leaf Extract and Yeast/Fungal Detox are all important to have on hand to help fight off bacteria, fungus or viral infections.