Three Ways to Help Children Eat Healthy

Every parent wants their child to be healthy and energetic, but many will choose to avoid confrontation when it comes to eating habits. Below are three ways to help children eat healthy. 1) Don't Tell Them It's Healthy: For children, the term "healthy" quickly develops a negative association. They will automatically assume anything you call healthy is not going to be sweet, and won't taste very good. It creates a situation when you struggle to get your children to try anything healthy for them. You can re-establish a positive association by placing healthy snacks in special containers like cartoon characters. Making the special containers exclusive to their healthy snacks can add to the positive association. 2) Make The Food Interesting: A creative way to improve children's eating habits is to arrange the food in a new and interesting way. Cutting up vegetables and using the pieces to build an animal or vehicle will shift their focus away from the food, and onto the object you've created. Your kids will take great pleasure in destroying your creation one healthy piece at a time. And 3) Let Them Choose A Healthy Snack: Children are told what to do all day long, which feeds into their need to capture some control of daily activities. You can take advantage of this desire by giving them the authority to choose a healthy snack. Give them two or three options, all healthy, and tell them they can choose whichever they want. A good trick is to add a healthy snack you know they hate. Introducing the snack they hate first, will make the subsequent choices more appealing Ashley Greene Trudy says It's always good to find out specific healthy foods for your child through a blood test done with their own blood cells. Then, you will know the best choices and the worst choices for them in particular! You can click on food testing on our website to read more about it!
T.E

C3 Curcumin

Doctor, I can't remember anything! I forgot what happened yesterday.

I forgot what my car looks like. I can't even remember my own name.

How long have you had this problem?

What problem?

A combination of vitamin D3 and curcumin, from turmeric,

may boost the immune system, and help clear the protein

plaques linked to Alzheimer's, says a new study. Previous research by same scientists found that there are two types of Alzheimer's patients: Type 1 patients, who respond positively to curcuminoids and Type II patients, who do not. This depends on the genes MGAT III and TLR-3 that are associated with the immune system's ability to better ingest amyloid beta, said the researchers. C3 Curcumin Complex is a patented, unique composition of three bioactive, health-promoting curcuminoids: Curcumin, Bisdemethoxy curcumin, and

Demethoxy curcumin. These are the strongest, most proactive and best researched constituents of the herb turmeric.

Source: 1a, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D {3} Interacts with Curcuminoids to Stimulate Amyloid-B

Clearance by Macrophages of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Benefits shown in research using curcumin extracts:

IMMUNE SYSTEM REGULATION

· Inflammation - injury, post-operative,
joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis)
· Allergic reactions - asthma
· Autoimmune activity reduction-
rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis in
animals
· NK cell activity increase
· Reduced cancer development and spread
in certain animal models of carcinogenesis:
breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic,
glioma, ovarian

ANTIMICROBIAL

· Antiviral Epstein Barr and HIV virus
· Antibacterial, antiparasitic1

GI PROTECTION & HEALING

· stomach ulcer, Crohn's or proctitis

CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION

· reduces cholesterol oxidation and levels,
increases HDL
· reduces fibrinogen
· reduces platelet aggregation

BRAIN PROTECTION

· reduced brain damage following ischemia
(reduced blood flow)
· reduced development and regression of
Alzheimer's disease progression in animal
models
· reduced gliomas (brain tumors)
· antidepressant effects

LIVER PROTECTION from alcohol and

aflatoxin (peanut fungus)

TOXIC METAL CHELATOR

· Effective chelator of copper and iron

ANTIOXIDANT

BILE SUPPORT

· enhances bile flow and solubility

Trudy's Comments:

There are certain conditions where curcumin is not recommended so do not take it without supervision!

Great Recipe!

Notable Nutrients
(2 medium green kiwifruit)

Calories: 92
Vitamin A: 266 International Units (5% DV)
Vitamin C: 114 milligrams (190% DV)
Vitamin E: 2 milligrams (10% DV)
Magnesium: 46 milligrams (12% DV)
Potassium: 504 milligrams (13% DV)
Fiber: 5.2 grams (16% DV)
Lutein + Zeaxanthin: 181 micrograms

DV= Daily Value



Kiwi and Quinoa Salad

1/2 cup of quinoa
2 green kiwifruit, peeled, quartered, sliced
2 gold kiwifruit, peeled, quartered, sliced
1 cup red seedless grapes, cut in half
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup red onion, diced
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground


1. Rinse quinoa under running water for one minute.

2. Place quinoa and one cup water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and let cool completely.

3. Place quinoa in a large bowl. Add kiwi, grapes, tomatoes and onions; set aside.

4. In small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over quinoa mixture, tossing slightly until blended. Serve immediately.

Serves six.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
155 calories, 3 grams protein, 6 grams fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, 54 grams vitamin C, 31 grams folate, 33 milligrams magnesium, 343 milligrams potassium, 3 grams fiber, 100 milligrams sodium.

Recipe courtesy of Zespri Kiwifruit.

Why Designs for Health?

Hi All,

Are you enjoying your fabulous Designs for Health products?!? I have been enthralled with my personal use of DFH products for 10 years now!

Here is an article that I read on-line this morning, which is one of the reasons I use Designs for Health products. ALL ingredients are listed on the labels and they are third party tested prior to each batch being released which is part of the requirements of being USP grade. There are no magic pills to create health. It has to become lifestyle.

Trudy

US regulators warn about some Web-sold diet pills which they say are dangerous
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is warning dieters to avoid close to 30 weight-loss products that contain unlisted and possibly dangerous ingredients.

The pills are advertised as "natural" fat busters and have intriguing names like Imelda Perfect Slim and Zhen de Shou. Some suggest they are innovative "herbal" remedies from Asia.
The Food and Drug Administration says the concoctions contain unlisted ingredients. including powerful appetite-suppressing drugs and a suspected carcinogen.
The FDA says the pills pose a risk to the public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and in some cases prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages.
FDA lab testing found 28 dietary supplements that could land unsuspecting users in a hospital emergency room.
Many contain sibutramine, a powerful appetite suppressant that is a chemical cousin of amphetamines. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, heart palpitations and other problems.
Some contain phenolphthalein, a chemical long used as a laxative, but which is now being withdrawn from the market because of cancer risks.
None of the supplements lists the dangerous ingredients on the label.
The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies, because they have not responded to requests for recalls.


The products are:
Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power. 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hour Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, 7 day Herbal Slim, * Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

Also,
Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim 5x, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula, Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, TripleSlim, Zhen de Shou, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

P.S. In June, all nutraceutical companies will be under FDA control.

Trudy’s Take - I just love documenting new information which confirms or refutes previous information! Hope you enjoy these!


•Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels helps preserve brain function as you age, whether or not you have diabetes, according to researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. They used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 240 whose average age was 80. The MRIs showed that the area of the brain related to age-related cognitive decline was damaged by high blood sugar levels. The researchers concluded that lowering blood sugar might benefit cognition in older people and suggested that exercise could help.
-Annals of Neurology, December 2008.



•A high intake of meat and fat seems linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer. That’s what Australian researchers concluded after studying the dietary habits of 1,460 women, half of whom had ovarian cancer; the other half were healthy. Women with a pattern of eating that included the most meat and fat were two and a half times more likely to have ovarian cancer than those whose eating pattern was least tied to meat and fat. Wine also was linked to much less risk, whereas as fruit and vegetables seemed to offer no protection.
-The American journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2009.



•Cranberry extract is almost as effective as antibiotics for delaying the recurrence of chronic urinary tract infections (UTI) in women. So Scottish researchers found, when they tested 137 women who had been treated with antibiotics for at least two UTI in the previous year. Half of the women got 500 milligrams a day of cranberry extract; the other half got the antibiotic trimethroprim (100 milligrams daily) for six months. Not only was the cranberry extract nearly as affective as the antibiotic, but it had fewer side effects.
-Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, February 2009.

Save Thanksgiving!

Save Thanksgiving – and Your Taste Buds

Thanksgiving: the holiday that tempts you to toss nutritional judgment out the window for an all-day smorgasbord of eating and drinking until you can't sit up. You've heard the advice about portion control and carb-overloading, but what about all that stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pie? Is it possible to enjoy Thanksgiving and keep some of that nutritional judgment in check?

Quick fixes

Small changes in recipes can make a big difference nutrition-wise. What they say is true: you can gain up to five pounds during the holiday season. Save yourself hundreds of calories and numerous grams of fat and carbohydrates with some simple tweaking of those cherished family dishes.
Below are some star ingredients in traditional Thanksgiving dishes, along with healthier substitutions that will let you maintain the same flavor.

Instead of	Try
¼ cup sour cream	¼ cup low-fat or fat-free plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp mayonnaise (for salads)	1 Tbsp mayonnaise + 1 Tbsp plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek or regular yogurt + pinch of lemon zest or splash of hot pepper sauce
1 Tbsp butter (in baking or sautéing)	1 ½ tsp canola, olive or other heart-friendly oil + 1 tsp butter
1 cup sugar (in baking)	¾ cup turbinado sugar + pinch of sweet spice, such as ground cinnamon, and/or extra ¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 oz regular cheese	¾ oz high-flavored regular cheese, such as extra sharp cheddar instead of mild cheddar cheese
1 oz chocolate	3 Tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder + 1 Tbsp canola oil
1 cup bleached all-purpose flour (in baking)	½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour + 1/3 c up whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt	½ tsp sea salt + up to twice the amount of herbs or spices already in recipe
¼ cup vinaigrette	¼ cup natural low-fat vinaigrette or puree of ¼ cup cubed fruit + 1 Tbsp oil + 1 Tbsp vinegar

These substitutions are taken from the American Diabetes Association's world-renown All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook, by Jackie Newgent, RD. ©2007 by the American Diabetes Association.


Trudy's Comments:

If you'd like to e-mail us with your success stories of your Thanksgiving meal changes after the Thanksgiving weekend, we would love to hear from you!

trudyephd@earthlink.net

Multivitamins Exposed!

Multivitamins Exposed

Recently, a supplement-testing company published their findings that 11 popular multivitamins that they tested had problems.... big problems. Included in the analysis were popular vitamins from Swanson, Nature's Plus, The Vitamin Shoppe, Andrew Weil M.D. and Hero Nutritionals. One was contaminated with lead, several were found not to disintegrate, some were sub potent in listed nutrients, and one actually contained no amount of several vitamins listed on the label.



Dr Ekstrom's Comments:

I pride myself on prescribing nutritional supplements that are verified by independent laboratory testing to guarantee potency, authenticity, and to ensure herbal and nutritional ingredients have maximum freedom from contamination (heavy metals, chemical solvent residue, aflatoxins, herbicides and pesticides, bacteria & mold). Would you want it any other way? I wouldn't. I took the time to find companies that offer objective evidence and proof of their comprehensive testing practices and results.





CAN'T GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D NEWS!

Every time I pick up a medical journal, there is another exciting study about the benefits of Vitamin D. In December 2006, the Journal of American Medical Association reported that higher levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis by up to 62%. Add this to studies showing that vitamin D helps to prevent osteoporosis, depression, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and high cholesterol, it is easy to understand why we all need to have our vitamin D levels checked on a regular basis.

BPA

BPA

It could be in the plastic in that impact-resistant baby bottle or spill-proof toddler “Sippy” cup, or the water bottle you drink on your walks, or the plastic storage containers in which you stow your leftovers, or the plastic knives, forks, and spoons you occasionally use, or the dental sealant in your mouth. It’s also in the inside linings of just about every food or soda can. So it’s no surprise that bisphenol A, or BPA, is in the bloodstream of nearly every person in the United States. And studies in animals suggest that, at least for fetuses, infants, and children, BPA may be harmful.

How to Minimize Your Exposure to BPA

· Avoid plastic containers made of polycarbonate. Any bottle or container made of polycarbonate has the No. 7 on the bottom. But the number can also appear on plastics that don’t contain BPA.

· When possible, prepare or store food- especially hto foods and liquids – in glass, porcelain, or stainless steel dishes or containers.

· If you have polycarbonate plastic food containers, don’t microwave them. The detergent may break down the plastic, which could release BPA.

· Use instant formula bottles that are made of glass or BPA-free plastic. BornFree (newbornfree.com) is one of many companies that make them.

· When you can, replace canned foods with foods that are fresh, frozen, or packaged in aseptic (shelf-stable) boxes. At least one manufacturer – Eden Foods- lines its cans with BPA alternative made from plant extracts.

· A good alternative to polycarbonate is polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which has the recycling No. 1 on the bottom.

· Avoid older versions of Delton dental sealant. (Dental sealants are plastic resins that a dentist bonds into the grooves of the chewing surface of a tooth to help prevent cavities. Delton is made by DENTSPLY International of York, Pennsylvania.) Most dental sealants are free of BPA. However, older Delton sealants contain a compound that breaks down into BPA, mostly during the first day after it comes into contact with saliva. The newer Delton Plus (or Delton+) sealants don’t contain the compound, but DENTSPLY still sells the old sealants to dentists who prefer them.

** Sources: Adapted from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and DENTSPLY.

UNLUCKY “7”

The recycling numbers that appear on the bottoms of most plastic bottles and other containers were designed by the plastics industry in 1988 to help recyclers separate different types of plastics. Some – but not all – plastics with the recycling No. 7 are polycarbonate, which has BPA. Here’s what each number means.

Dr Ekstrom's Comments:

If you are curious about your body's toxicity due to these type of pollutants, come and get tested!

There is an easy urine test that finds plastic sources of toxicity!

Truth About Fat Pills

Don't expect dramatic results from today's anti-obesity medications. Canadian researchers reviewed 30 trials of three weight-loss drugs: Orlistat (marketed as Xenical and as over-the-counter product ALLI), Sibutramine (Meridia) and Rimonabant (not available in the United States). The nearly 20,000 people in the trials weighed an average of 220 pounds. Their weight loss? An average of 5 percent of total weight, or less than 11 pounds. "Most patients will remain considerably obese or overweight even with drug treatment," concluded the reviewers, led by Raj Padwal, M.D., of Canada's University of Alberta. "These results are indeed modest," says Gary D. Foster, director of Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education. "You don't lose 50, 60, 70 pounds of body weight." On the other hand, Foster says, even a drop of 5 percent of body weight can improve blood pressure and levels of blood sugar and cholesterol. The study was reported in the Dec. 8 British Medical Journal.


Dr. Ekstrom's Comments:

Very interesting results with the Alli, Meridia & Xenical. The excitement about them makes one think everyone who takes these is reaching their ultimate goal weight and body composition!

Paleomeal and Whey Cool

Here is some information regarding the Paleomeal/Whey Cool protein quality. I also included some tips for increasing absorption that you may find interesting.

Paleomeal and Whey Cool incorporate full range, biologically active, non-denatured, native whey proteins that are not by-products of cheese manufacture. All other whey products are by-products of cheese manufacture which damages/denatures the vital immune and regenerative components. Currently even the most expensive dietary supplement whey products available, which are isolates, ion exchange, concentrates and hydrolyzed forms, are denatured by-products of cheese manufacture. They have definite limitations in preserving the biological activity of the whey proteins. The milk goes through a heating process (approx. 163 degrees F), chemical modification and pH regulation to produce cheese. Each of these steps denatures the whey proteins. the damaged proteins are then filtered out and what remains is a narrow range of proteins that have survived the cheese manufacturing process. Additionally the vital protein bound fats have been removed. From this point on there is little heat added and some of these whey proteins products are then referred to as undenatured/ cold process. It is not possible for a protein to be undenatured.



Paleomeal and Whey Cool contain the highest amounts of covalent bonded cysteine. This is the critical precursor (required nutrient) for the intracellular production of Glutathione (GSH). Glutathione is our crucial Master Antioxidant, Detoxifier and Immune Booster, and the optimal way to maintain healthy levels is by consuming Native Whey Proteins. Additionally they contain the full range and highest levels of the most important protein components: Lactoferrin, Immunoglobulins, Serum Albumin, Active Peptides and Growth factors. They also contain a complete amino acid profile and all the advantages of organic natural grass pasture fed cows. Grass fed cow's milk has many times highest levels of CLA and proper balance of essential fatty acids.

To enhance protein delivery:

• Do not use hot or warm liquids above body temperature. Native whey proteins can denature when exposed to heat


• Drinking water, milk, semi-liquid dairy products or a dairy substitute are all appropriate to mix Paleomeal/Whey Cool


• Best method of delivery is to use a container to shake it. You can also use an electric blender but use a low speed for a short duration to minimize protein damages.


• If possible, drink slowly and let mixture circulate in the mouth before swallowing to increase absorption.


• Mixing Paleomeal/Whey Cook with any other types of food may induce a pH change and slow the transit time in the stomach via digestive response to the solid food. Liquids that are not neutral in their pH can also denature proteins (i.e. most fruit juices, coffee, and tea.)

Trudy's Comments:

All whey protein drinks are not heated the same! Know that you are getting the best with Designs for Health!

Call or e-mail if you have questions on your protein drink.

Can You Afford the Extras?

Stopping at Starbucks on your way to work? Looking for a snack to get through the mall? Thinking of dessert? Here's how much exercise a 150-pound person would have to do to burn off the calories in some popular foods.



650 calories
Slice of Cheese Pan Pizza = 1 hr. and 10 min. Playing Tennis
(like Sbarro)


450 calories
Muffin = 1 hour Jogging
(like Starbucks)



400 calories
Caffe Mocha = 40 minutes Swimming Laps
(20 oz with whipped cream, like Starbucks)



700 calories
Slice of N.Y. Style Cheesecake = 2 hrs. and 40 min. Brisk walking
(like the Cheesecake Factory)



200 calories
2 Chocolate Trouffles = 20 minutes Bicycling
(like Godiva)



500 calories
Bagel w/Cream Cheese = 2 hrs. and 30 min. Ballroom dancing


400 calories
Chocolate Chip Cookie = 40 minutes Stair machine
(like Starbucks)


120 calories
Tablespoon of Oil = 30 minutes Raking leaves


(Medical Science Sports Exercise Vol. 32: s498, 2000.)


Comments from Trudy:
This is some great practical knowledge to understand how much work it takes for some of our favorite foods to be enjoyed but not gain weight on our bodies!

Produce and Pesticides

What's In Your Fruits & Vegetables?, An Article From Nutrition Action Health Letter

...If you want to avoid pesticides but don't want to buy everything organic, use this [list] to find out which organic produce makes the most difference. It was created by the Washington, DC-based non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG)...

The Dirty Dozen:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (Imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

The Consistently Clean:

• Papaya
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Bananas
• Kiwi
• Sweet Peas (frozen)
• Asparagus
• Mango
• Pineapples
• Sweet corn (frozen)
• Avocado
• Onions

My Comments:

This list is wonderful when buying produce. You can lower your pesticide exposure by almost 90% if you avoid "The Dirty Dozen" and eat the 12 least contaminated instead. You can buy organic and eliminate the problems from eating the traditional versions of "The Dirty Dozen." If you don't buy organic, you are better off eating fruits and vegetables with pesticides than not eating fruits or vegetables at all.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

From SAD to Glad, An Article From Health & Wellness Weekly News:

For many women, the start of autumn means the start of SAD, seasonal affective disorder. If you've recently spent an afternoon curled up on the couch eating a bag of potato chips and sobbing over a movie on the estrogen channel (or if you've wanted to), it's time to trade that bag of chips for a bottle of fish oil.

To bring balance to your mood and your food, cut back on sources of omega-6 fatty acids, like the corn, safflower, and sunflower oil in most processed snack foods, and boost your intake of the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty fish, walnuts and flax seed. It's the imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 that contributes to depression. The American diet is so skewed towards omega-6 that it makes sense to add an omega-3 supplement to your daily routine. You can use fish oil or one of the vegetarian supplements.

You'll be up and dancing in no time.


My Comments:

In Las Vegas, SAD is not as large of a problem as the northern cities because we still see so many sunny days in winter. However, keeping our omega 3 fats high enough for our brains to be healthy, alert and happy is always a good thing to do. When you choose your fish oils, like our krill oil or Omega Ultra Marine, make sure they are heavy metal free.