To some of us, the stresses of the holidays are just part of the chaos that makes up the holiday season, and we can take it with a grain of salt.  But to many of us, the holidays are a very unhealthy time.  Stress ( from shopping , cleaning and cooking for Passover )  has been shown to raise heart rate and blood pressure levels.  Even after the holidays are over, we have the stress of paying the bills for all the kosher for Pesach food that we have purchased and we are beginning to think about paying and doing our taxes.

Every challenge to the mind and body creates a demand on the adrenal glands, the walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney.  These glands release a particular group of hormones that bring about physiological changes that help our body cope with stress.  When these hormones are released over a long period of time they have negative effects.  They can contribute to insomnia, belly fat production, weight gain, high blood pressure, migraines and poor immune function.

Taking active steps to beat stress and calm your nervous system is essential for optimal health.  Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to take the edge off in stressful situation.  During times of stress, most of us take shallow breaths from our chest.  Abdominal breathing is much healthier, more relaxing way to breathe. Just four deep belly breaths will do the trick and get your body out of the “flight or fight mode” so common with stress.  Simply inhale for four seconds (while expanding your stomach like you are filling up a balloon) and then exhale for four seconds.  Pause for two seconds before the next breath and breathe this way for a minimum of four breaths.  Studies have shown that massage increases endorphin release, which is excellent for treating anxiety.  Going for a massage during your lunch hour or after work may do you a world of good.  Many nail salons offer 10 minute mini-massages. Done on a regular basis, yoga and meditation combat abnormal responses to stress.

It is important to take care of your adrenal glands so they respond appropriately to stressful situations.  Consumption of caffeine, tobacco products and alcohol are believed to exhaust the adrenals.  Also, high fat diets and diets loaded with sugar should be avoided since they put the adrenals through an unneeded workout.  Eating a well balanced diet, having a solid workout regimen and proper hydration all help the health of the adrenal glands.

Pure Encapsulations ‘  Phyto-ADR  Formula  can assist in keeping the adrenal glands healthy . Their Cortisol Calm Formula may help reduce anxiety.  Order them online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com
Questions? Contact me at [email protected] or 516-538-6799.

***These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure disease.

The best way to start controlling your fasting blood sugar level is to monitor your daily sugar intake. Your fasting blood sugar should be no higher than 85.  Limit yourself to 10 teaspoons of total sugar a day including the pasta and breads that are converted to sugar.  Packaged foods are labeled according to grams of sugar and carbohydrates, not teaspoons. Use this formula to find out exactly how much sugar is in your food:

(total grams of carbs-total grams of fiber) divided by 5= total teaspoons of sugar.

This will give you the total teaspoons of sugar in a serving of that food.

If you seek additional support for sugar control, try adding the herb cinnamon to your coffee and recipes .   Pure Encapsulations’  Glucose Control Formula  is a combination of many herbs that can also assist in blood sugar control. Order it online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com

***This product is not meant to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.

SeroPlus Functions:
• Promotes serotonin synthesis to promote relaxation, moderate occasional stress, and support healthy eating behavior*
- – Supports serotonin production with cofactors vitamin C, vitamin B6
and Metafolin® L-5MTHF; L-5MTHF is the form of folate that easily
crosses the blood brain barrier*
• Enhances healthy sensitization of serotonin receptors and nervous system function with inositol*
• Maintains healthy serotonin activity and reuptake with taurine*
• Supports serotonin production with cofactors vitamin C, vitamin B6
and folate; L-5MTHF is the form of folate that easily crosses the blood brain barrier*
- In a randomized controlled trial involving elderly individuals, magnesium (contained in this product)
offered statistically significant support for positive mood*
- In another double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial involving
young women, zinc (in this formula) supplementation offered statistically significant
support for positive mood*
Magnesium is required for supporting the overall integrity of this pathway. When released into the synapse, serotonin is subject to reuptake or degradation by MAO. The remaining serotonin binds to serotonin receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, which use inositol-mediated signal transduction to translate the message into signals that support relaxation, moderation of occasional stress, and healthy eating behavior.*
Recommendations
Pure Encapsulations recommends 2-4 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects Or Precautions?
Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. Certain ingredients have been associated with gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence. Rarely, inositol has been associated with fatigue, headache or dizziness. Consult your physician for more information.
Are There Any Potential Drug Interactions?
These products are not intended to replace SSRI, MAOI or other psychiatric medications and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Do not use concurrently with SSRI medications or MAO inhibitors. 5-HTP may be contra-indicated with sedative medications.

 

Consult your physician to discuss using this product as the first line of attack against depression, stress and anxiety.
SeroPlus
two vegetarian capsules contain v 00
vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)…………………………………………………………………………………… 100 mg
niacin (as niacinamide)……………………………………………………………………………………………..20 mg
folate (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF)…………………………………………………………………………. 500 mcg
magnesium (as di-magnesium malate)…………………………………………………………………….100 mg zinc (as zinc picolinate)……………………………………………………………………………………………..10 mg
5-hydroxytryptophan………………………………………………………………………………………………..100 mg
inositol (as myo-inositol)………………………………………………………………………………………… 500 mg
taurine (free-form)………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 200 mg
pyridoxal 5’ phosphate (activated B6)………………………………………………………………………..10 mg
other ingredients: vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water)
2-4 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.
Metafolin®

For more information and to order this product, go online to HeleneKaplanHealth.com

 

***This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

     Headaches are one of the most common reasons people see their primary care physician, and they account for 20 percent of outpatient visits to neurologists.
According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic or recurring headaches.
Many can include migraine, tension-type, cluster and others. Some are due to  TMJ (jaw) joint disorders and cervicogenic headaches, which are attributed to disorders of the neck.  Headaches are often caused by a combination of factors including musculoskeletal, psychological and neurovascular issues as well as chemical imbalances in the brain. Thus, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary with any onset of a new or ongoing headache.  Dysfunction to the joints and discs of the upper cervical spine is another cause often seen in patients with headaches.

Allergies and magnesium deficiencies  can also lead to headaches.  Stress can be another cause of headaches.
Headaches can be  treated by various clinicians including nutritionists, dentists, massage therapists and physical therapists.
Physical therapy offers a wide range of options for patients who wish to treat their headaches without medicine.
Correcting postural dysfunctions can be done through postural education which includes instruction in proper work station set-up, sleeping positions or proper body mechanics for every day activities.
Postural retraining generally consists of developing a program focused on stretching shortened muscles, while strengthening weak muscles.
Physical therapists can also improve the mobility of the upper cervical spine and jaw through numerous hands-on techniques which can result in reducing the occurrence of headaches.
Nutritional counselors and nutritionists can help a headache sufferer determine if his headaches are due to a nutrition- related problem. A good idea is to keep a food journal and note times of headaches as well. Headaches can occur when an allergen is consumed up o 48 hours before the headaches begins.  Foods that can trigger headaches include nuts, chocolate,  onions, caffeine, artificial sweeteners  and alcohol.  Food allergy testing is a good option as well.

Tension headaches can be caused by abnormal reaction to stress. Yoga and meditation are stress fighters.

 

Pure Encapsulations’  offers headache sufferers various magnesium supplements to cope with a possible magnesium deficiency.  (Those with a magnesium deficiency can also suffer from body muscle tightness and spasms.)    Pure Encapsulations  also offer products like their Daily Stress Formula and  Cortisol Calm to reduce stress. Order them online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com

***These products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

As men age, there is a tendency to convert testosterone to estrogen. Testosterone levels decrease by approximately 1-2% annually.  Testosterone becomes less available to protect the heart and circulatory system. Other effects of reduced testosterone levels are decreased libido and weaker erections. Loss of height and energy, along with sadness and decreased resistance to infection also occur with declining testosterone levels.

Chrysin is a natural flavone found in small amounts in plants. Like many polyphenol flavones, Chrysin has powerful antioxidant effects and may lower cellular inflammation.  Chrysin also has a favorable effect on blood vessel walls easing blood flow and supporting healthy blood pressure. However, the main use for Chrysin is to support male function. It  has been shown to enhance sex drive, support performance and intensity of pleasure, support male function in many respects, and restore testosterone-related functions in older men by inhibiting its conversion to estrogen.

Pure Encapsulations’ new product Tribulus Formula, offers a combination of tribulus, chrysin, hesperetin and D-aspartic acid to support healthy testosterone balance. Order it online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com  Questions? Email: [email protected]

Warning: If pregnant or nursing, consult your health care practitioner before taking this product.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Did you know that one fried potato latke has approximately 140 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat?  Although this holiday is filled with wonderful customs, what do all the doughnuts, latkes and chocolate gelt mean for your health?  Among other things, these treats will raise your CHOLESTEROL.
Elevated blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing heart disease.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  Is all cholesterol “bad’ for you?
Cholesterol is transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins.   Low density lipoprotein or LDL, is know as “‘bad” cholesterol.  High density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol.  These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides make up your total cholesterol count.
When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol (below 100mg/dl, is optimal) circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.  Together with other substances, it can form plaque and clots that lead to a heart attack or stroke.
HDL, (the “good “cholesterol), carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver where it is released from the body.  Exercise raises HDL, so get to it!
A triglyceride is a form of fat made in the body.  Elevated levels of this fat can be due to obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol and sugar consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (latkes included).  Triglyceride levels lower than 100mg/dl are ideal.
So, what can be done to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range?  Firstly, limit total fat intake to 35 percent of your total calories each day.  Substitute saturated/trans fats (from fried and baked goods) with foods high in Omega 3 and 9’s fats (fish, olives, nuts, avocado, and seeds).  Pile your plate with lots of fruits and vegetables.   These foods are filled with antioxidants which help your arteries get rid of calcified plaque.  Fiber, found in foods such as whole grain bread, pasta, oats, legumes and brown rice also helps your body maintain plaque -free arteries.
If you’d like be even more proactive, The National Institute of Health recommends adding plant sterols to your diet to improve cholesterol reduction.  Plant sterols prevent the absorption of bad cholesterol into your bloodstream.  In addition, consuming Policosanol (a mixture of plant substances called “cosanols”) is beneficial for helping to manage blood fats.  Pure Encapsulations’ pharmaceutical grade Policosanol and CholestePure (plant sterols) can be purchased online from HeleneKaplanHealth.com   Questions? Contact me at 516-538-6799 or [email protected]
***These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.