Lower your risk for stroke with a simple vitamin...

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US and is responsible for the deaths of 140,000 people every year. Many of these cases are caused by years of a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet choices that are in most cases preventable! Those suffering from the effects of stroke usually have long term disabilities that lower their quality of life and can make mobility an issue. This decreased mobility can cause or even contribute to other health conditions such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc and joint disease, and many others. Since 3 out of 4 stroke sufferers are over the age of 65 and already suffering from the beginning stages of these diseases, this issue can be very concerning. The good news is that studies have shown lowering levels of an amino acid called homocysteine can decrease your risk for stroke.

Studies on homocysteine have shown that a broad spectrum of B vitamins can lower their levels in the blood.  Since many of us don't eat the green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, almonds, or leafy greens that contain these vitamins and the vegetables we do eat have lower vitamin counts, most of us aren't getting enough B vitamins in our diet! So where can you get the vitamin B that you need? Supplementation seems to be our only option to really get the amounts we need since 80% of Americans aren't getting the recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. According to a US Government study of 21,000 people, not one person was getting all of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins and mineral.

In the 1980's the American Medical Association said that no one needed a multivitamin but due to new research in 2002 their policy changed and they are touting that everyone needs a multivitamin in order to receive the essential nutrients our bodies need to function properly. They have claimed that getting the right nutrients can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and even osteoporosis. Read more about why to take a multivitamin.

So how do you chose a multivitamin? Well since supplements are not regulated in the US, you must be very careful about selecting a product that doesn't contain harmful ingredients such as lead, mercury, or copper. Read more about dangerous ingredients in multivitamins. Many of these dangerous ingredients may be present in the multivitamin you are taking every day due to poor quality control and can lead to health problems such as ADD, decreased brain function, and even metabolic concerns. In addition, you should be careful about selecting cheap products off the shelf because the content is most often the cheapest ingredients that aren't going to be effectively absorbed in your body and you are literally going to be flushing your money down the drain.

So what can you do to lower your risk for stroke and make sure you're getting the nutrients you need?

1) Eat a diet rich in lean meats and a range of colors of  fruits and vegetables. This will ensure you get a broad spectrum of nutrients and vitamins and it will lower your bodies pH for even more chronic disease prevention. Read more about pH here.

2) Take a high quality multivitamin everyday. I recommend Daily Balance for adults or Pedia Balance for children due to the full label disclosure, high quality control measures, and product guarantee.


3) If you're low on energy or have a family or personal history of heart disease, talk to your doctor about beginning to add a broad spectrum B vitamin in addition to your multivitamin. Active B is a great sublingual tablet for maximum absorption.

4) Drink plenty of water. 75% of us are dehydrated which can slow function in our bodies and starve our cells of the water they need. In addition water can help to lubricate your joints and muscles to help speed healing and reduce pain.

5) Get up and move. Movement and exercise can also lower your risk for chronic disease. If you're in too much pain to exercise you need to talk with a doctor. AlignLife offers same day consultations for those interested in relieving pain so they can return to an active and healthy lifestyle. Call 309-689-6200 to schedule your appointment today.

Are you eating enough of these every day?

If you're not getting enough of these every day then you are putting your body at risk for chronic diseases, stroke, and even cardiovascular disease. I addition you may be starving your body of the essential nutrients and vitamins your body needs to function at 100%. So what are "these" and how do you know if you're getting enough?

Well fruits and vegetables of course! We all know that getting the right nutrition in our bodies is essential for their optimal function, but did you know that it also aids with digestion and even lowering your "bad" LDL cholesterol? Fruits and vegetables provide a rich source of fiber in our diet that can help to speed along the digestive tract so we have regular bowel movements and along the way they pick up excess cholesterol and harmful substances that can cause cancer in our bowel. These fruits and vegetables also supply many nutrient enzymes we need to aid in our digestion, so if you have irritable bowel syndrome, crohn's disease, or even celiac making sure you're getting your daily serving of fruits and vegetables can really pull though in a punch of an attack!

So much is enough? Well the American Medical Association recommends at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. However about 70% of Americans aren't getting the recommended amount and may be putting their health and bodies at risk because of it. The AMA recommendation doesn't take into consideration the age, calorie intake, or even the stage of development for this recommendation, so a better guide would be:

Children 2-6 years of age, less active women, and older adults should be getting about 1200 calories/day and should be advised to have 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables everyday. In contrast, most men, active women, teen girls, and older children should be consuming about 2200 calories/day and should be getting 3 servings of fruit and 4 servings of vegetables. Active men and teen boys should aim for 2800 calories/day and should be consuming 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day.

So how can you make sure you're family is getting how much they need?

1) Plan your meals for the week so that you make sure you have a good variety of fruits and vegetables for your family to chose from when it comes to meal or snack time.
2) Make sure you're utilizing a variety of colors when you head to the grocery store or farmer's market. Even better, bring the whole family to the store or farmer's market because children that pick out their fruits and vegetables tend to be more likely to eat them!
3) When it comes down to it 100% fruit juice that is NOT from concentrate can be a great source of your daily servings that is fast, easy and can be mixed together for different tastes.
4) Encourage yourself and your family to reach for fruit at snack time or before sports activities because it'll bring them closer to their daily recommendation plus it will provide some extra energy to kick start their bodies.
5) Try a greens supplement to help kick start your daily intake and put your mind at ease throughout the day. Absolute Greens has a fresh minty taste that is sure to please.
6) Try some new recipes or put a spin on salad by adding colorful fruits and vegetables to please the eye and the stomach. See some great recipes below.

Strawberry Crunch Salad: Toss some salad together with chopped grilled chicken, sliced strawberries, walnuts, and feta cheese and drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette for a summer twist that will sure to please.
Tomato and Basil Finger Sandwiches
Roasted Corn with Shallot Vinaigrette
Tropical Cucumber Salad
Grilled Chicken Polenta with Blackberry Nectarine Salsa
Peach and Berry Cobbler
Melon and Apple Granita

This popular beverage to be relabeled for cancer risk...

This popular beverage may have to be relabeled in California due to caramel coloring byproducts in processed cola beverages. In a recent study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina, this byproduct has been linked to alveolar or bronchial adenoma and carcinomas in mice and mononuclear cell leukemia in female rats. Read more about this byproduct here.

This byproduct is called 4-methylimidazole or 4-MI. It is produced when ammonia or ammonia sulfites are used to produce caramel color used in many food products. That's right ladies and gentlemen it does not do ANYTHING for taste and is only present to make the product look better. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) calculates that the levels of 4-MI in Pepsi, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, and even Whole Foods 365 Cola are responsible for causing approximately 15,000 cancer deaths in the US each year. The Archives of Toxicology found in a 2008 study that 4-MI is toxic and can be linked to clonic seizures, hyperactivity, impaired gait, chronic inflammation, fatty changes of the liver, and the same adenoma, carcinoma, and leukemia results as the NIEHS in the study above.  Due to some of the resounding evidence on the harmful qualities of this byproduct, the CSPI petitioned the FDA to remove caramel coloring produced this was from the "Generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) list. Read the petition here. After the FDA refused this request, Californians have voted to have labels on food products relabeled with cancer warnings under the Californian Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.

Corporate beverage giants are currently trying to spin the story that 4-MI is safe while they try to figure out a way to produce caramel coloring with less 4-MI to meet threshold levels so they don't have to relabel. These same corporations are founding that the evidence mounting against this byproduct is "scientifically unfounded" and insuring us that the cancer link has not been found in humans. Unfortunately, these beverage giants won't be making changes nationwide to their labels, even though the CSPI study found an average of 140 mcg in each 12 oz can of cola!  Less toxic methods have to be found to help protect the health of our nation.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family?
1) Talk to your legislature about your concerns.Click here to find out who to contact. 
2) Read the labels on your food products and skim for caramel color. Beware that products containing caramel color have this byproduct present in varying quantities.
3) Switch to water! I've mentioned this numerous times but many of us are dehydrated and not getting enough water for our bodies or our joints to function properly.

10 Ways to Protect Your Joints from Arthritis...

Arthritis rates are on the rise. Arthritis literally means joint inflammation by arthr= joint and  itis=inflammation. 1 in 6 Americans is now suffering from debilitating arthritis according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In adults over 65 the arthritis prevalence is over 50%! These statistics are staggering, however what many Americans don't realize is that arthritis is not a normal part of aging. That's right, read it again!!! Arthritis is an abnormal degeneration of a joint that is caused by improper alignment and stress on a joint. That means that if we correct the alignment and reduce stress on a joint arthritis and degeneration will minimize and pain will decrease as a result. Read more about what your doctor isn't telling you about arthritis here.

So what can you do to minimized arthritis and improve your joint pain? Well I'm glad you've asked because I have some great healthy habits for you today! :)

1) Visit your chiropractor for a checkup on your spine and other joints that are painful. They will be able to check your joints for improper alignment and perform a chiropractic adjustment to correct that alignment so the joint doesn't further degenerate.

2) Improve your posture. Standing up straight with your weight over the major joints of your body (head over shoulders and hips over ankles) will make sure that your bones and joints stay strong and also make sure to distribute the weight over your joints the way it was designed. This will also minimize stress on your joints and minimize pain as a result. Your chiropractor should be able to give you some great postural correction exercises to do at home.

3) Maintain a healthy weight. This will minimize stress on your joints, in fact one extra pound of weight puts 7 pounds of excess pressure on your knees. 

4) Get regular exercise. This will help to strengthen your muscles to support the weight and stress associated with movement and it will take the stress away from your joints to delay or decrease joint degradation. However if you're in pain, visit a natural healer such as your chiropractor to decrease the pain so that you can return to normal exercise and recreational activities. If you're experiencing neck pain the most important muscles to strengthen are the ones in the back of your neck and between your shoulder blades, however if you're experiencing low back pain the most important muscles to strengthen is your core muscles which includes those in the low back.

5) Stretch regularly to increase muscle length to normal size. This will increase their working power and protection for joints. This will also get circulation flowing in the joint as you relax your muscles for better joint performance. If you're experiencing neck pain the most important muscles to stretch are your chest muscles, however if you're experiencing low back pain the most important muscles to stretch are the ones in the backs of your legs and your feet.

6) If you're experiencing arthritis pain already, use ice over the joint to reduce inflammation.

7) Make sure to soak your muscles in warm water or a hot shower after exercise. This will relax and  loosen muscles and thus relieve excess joint pressure.

8) Make sure you're drinking enough water. 70% of people are dehydrated and not having enough water in your body will affect the fluid in your joints which can further increase arthritis pain and cause further joint inflammation.

9) Make sure you're getting enough fruits and vegetables. If you're not getting at least 7 servings of fruits or vegetables daily then you're body is most likely already more acidic than it should be. This can lead to increased body inflammation body-wide leading to even more arthritis degeneration and also decrease healing time for injuries.

10) If you're not taking a multivitamin every day, you should add it to your daily regime. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, taking a multivitamin is "insurance" against low nutrient intake. Read more about the multivitamin study here. However, you must be careful when selecting a multivitamin as they aren't regulated by the FDA and many contain harmful additives such as heavy metals which can lead to toxicity or have such low quality ingredients that you are literally flushing them down the toilet. I recommend a multivitamin such as Daily Balance or Pedia Balance for kids that is formulated, processed, and packaged with quality control standards and a satisfaction guarantee.


Read more about reducing arthritis pain here.

Here are some helpful presentations to attend:

Online Webinar - Uncover the Cause of Your Arthritis compliments of AlignLife of Peoria

Saturday June 23rd @ 2pm - 5 Ways to Start Living Younger Today
 This free presentation will take place at Alignlife of Peoria, 4812 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria IL
  Don't miss this wonderful opportunity! Seating is limited.
  ** Must call (309) 689-6200 to RSVP.

Tuesday June 26th @ 6pm - 5 Ways to Start Living Younger Today

  This free presentation will take place at Alignlife of Peoria, 4812 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria IL
  Don't miss this wonderful opportunity! Seating is limited.
  ** Must call (309) 689-6200 to RSVP.

How to protect your skin this summer...

Skin cancer statistics are everywhere and sunscreen advertisements have new restrictions this year.  These restrictions include testing for sunscreens labeled as broad spectrum and doing away with label terms such as "sweat-proof", "water-proof", and "sun-block". In addition sunblocks can no longer state that they have over 50 SPF or that they can protect for over two hours without application since heat exposure from sun will deactivate the active ingredients. Everyone knows that you need to wear sunscreen to protect yourself from burning in the sun and thus from skin cancer, however many don't know that studies have shown that medium sun exposure without burning will actually DECREASE your risk of melanoma, a specific kind of skin cancer. Here's a chart of skin cancer trends in the US over the years. 

There are two different types of sun rays to protect yourself from, UVA and UVB. UVA makes up about 95% of sun rays throughout the day and causes damage to the underlying skin layers. It is also thought to be the culprit for premature aging. UVB rays are responsible for helping your skin to produce the Vitamin D your body needs but they are usually low in the morning and evening but high at midday. But at any part of the day UVA rays are at high levels and usually constant so you have to be careful about getting your Vitamin D.

So what's the big deal about Vitamin D? Vitamin D supports your cardiovascular, bone, teeth, and immune system health. It also promotes healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in memory loss and learning disorders and many other health conditions. Read more here. In order to make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D you need these key ingredients: magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin A, zinc, and boron. If you don't have enough it may put you at risk for Vitamin D deficiency or disuse of Vitamin D in your body.

Many people rely on sunscreen to help combat damaging rays, however they don't realize that there are plenty of chemicals in the formulas they are applying on their skin and if they aren't getting sun exposure without sunscreen they can be blocking 99% of their natural vitamin D production. Many of these chemicals in sunscreen have been linked to cancers and other damaging health concerns. For example, octyl methoxycinnamate or OMC has been found to kill the cells of mice even at low levels while butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane has also shown toxic properties. Check your sunscreen labels for methoxy formulas, parabens, any form of salicyclates, or any form of benzone. These are questionable ingredients that can cause harm to your skin, coral reefs, and our water system.

 So what can you do to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer while making sure you're getting the Vitamin D you need?

1) Get 10-30 minutes of sunlight exposure without sunscreen two to three time per week in order for your skin to get exposure to produce vitamin D. Start out aiming for 10 minutes if you have pale or easy burning skin or in the beginning of summer. Aim for 30 if you have darker or olive colored skin that takes awhile to burn.

2) Check the label on your sunscreen even if it says its "natural" and make sure to apply it regularly while outside. Check labels for methoxy formulas, parabens, any form of salicyclates, or any form of benzone which can cause damage to your skin. Safe alternatives include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

3) Try to stay in the shade when the sun is directly overhead as the rays are most powerful at this point and can cause damage even if you're wearing sunscreen.

4) Wear wide brimmed hats and clothing that covers a lot of skin if you're going to be outside for a long period of time so that you can limit your skin and sunscreen exposure. White has long been toted to help to reflect rays however if the weave is open and you can see light through it the protection will be lacking.

5) Store sunscreen in a cool place as heat or sun exposure to the bottle may actually deactivate the ingredients and make it less effective.

6) Read the lables on your pills as many can increase the effects of UVA rays. Many medications such as ibruprofen, naproxen, certain antibiotics, birth control, and diuretics can cause your skin to burn easier. If you need a pain killer opt for a natural alternative such as Pain-X.

7) Don't forget to protect your pets! Make sure they stay in the shade and have plenty of water. Also look for symptoms of sunburn such as redness or tenderness of skin and cracking on the ears or loss of fur.

Note: If you do get burned, safe and effective ways to cool the skin after a burn include cool water, witch hazel, and aloe vera gel. There are aerosols and sprays available if your skin does burn and is hard to touch.

Don't underestimate this power packed fruit!

Many of us enjoyed an extra long weekend and were able to remember those that sacrificed their lives in an effort to protect our country and our rights. I want to extend my gratitude for those that fought and served in the  military and those currently still enlisted. I also know many of us probably aren't fully awake today so I'm going to make this post short and simple today.

This powerful fruit is often taken for granted among many more colorful and exotic fruit in the supermarket aisles these days. Just one cup of this fruit packs only 46 calories, 20% of your daily value of vitamin C, 17% of vitamin A, and a good amount of potassium and lycopene for lower blood pressure and lower rates of heart disease. Lycopene is also a great antioxidant that can help to keep cholesterol from sticking to your blood vessel walls and reducing inflammation associated with asthma, arthritis, and even reduce your risk for colon cancer. This fruit is also packed with citrulline and arginine which has been shown to further help lower blood pressure, prevent erectile dysfunction, and also help lower insulin sensitivity associated with syndrome X and diabetes.

So what is this mega fruit? Watermelon! :) This fruit is related to cantalope, squash, and pumpkin and originated in Africa and also found a cultivational home in Egypt where water was scarce in the hot sun. This fruit is also home in China and now in Russia where most commercial watermelon is grown and even used to make a potent wine.

A single slice of watermelon is very juicy and has an extremely high water content  of 92% to help you cool off on a hot day while enjoying the other health benefits associated with daily fruit intake. Eating fruit on a daily basis has been shown to help keep your body's pH at a healthy level which can help keep the body functioning at an optimum level, reduce inflammation, and even ensure that healing happens in a timely manner.

A study in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men eating lycopene rich foods such as watermelon and tomatoes in addition to drinking green tea were found to have an approximately 80% reduced rate of prostate cancer. In this study 130 prostate cancer patients in 274 hospitals were studied and it was found that those drinking the most green tea had an 86% reduced risk of prostate cancer while those eating lycopene rich fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya, and guava had an 82% reduced risk. Click here for more.

Another study in the Archives of Ophthalmology found that those eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day had a lower rate of age-related macular degeneration which is responsible for vision loss in older adults. Three servings can lower your risk 36% compared to those eating 1.5 servings of fruit or less each day. Read more here.

So here's some healthy tips to enjoy some watermelon and its many health benefits:

1) When shopping for watermelon look for a creamy yellow spot which would indicate it was allowed to fully ripen before being picked,  a uniform shape indicating good growing conditions, and a heavy melon which indicated juicy slices for all to enjoy.

2) Store an uncut watermelon at room temperature to raise levels of lycopene by 20%.

3) Need some ideas to incorporate it into summer?

• Have a seed spitting contest with your child.
• Try tossing some slices into a pitcher of water to get a hint of flavor.
• For a summer spritzer, blend some watermelon with a spoonful of honey, a splash of lemon or lime, and     some seltzer water.
• Use watermelon in place of tomatoes in salad and add some feta cheese for another tasty alternative.
• Mix diced watermelon and cucumber, chopped cilantro, minced jalapelo pepper, and a splash of lime for a spin on salsa.
• Grill it for 5 minutes after brushing with olive oil and sprinkling on fresh sea salt and freshly cracked ground pepper.
• Blend watermelon together with cantalope and kiwi for a cool soup that will do ya good on a warm day.
• Save those seeds and toast them with a sprinkle of spices for a healthy bite of fiber, protein, and magnesium.

Check out some more recipes here.

Is the answer to use more chemicals on our food?

Genetically modified (GMO) foods have been in use in the United States for almost twenty years and are a substantial part of the crops that we consume on a daily basis. They were originally created to increase farmer's crop yield so that we could feed more people including world wide use for those with food shortages. They were also created to have a tolerance to pesticides and a resistance against cold, disease, and draught conditions. Moreover scientists have also been working on discovering a way in which to place vaccines inside of crops so they could be shipped overseas while not having the special storage considerations needed for many vaccines.  When they were first introduced, it was discussed that there was potential for harmful human side effects, environmental factors such as disturbances to wild life and insect populations, and super weeds and gene spreading to non GMO crops resulting from cross breeding.

So what are GMO foods?
The genetic code for many of our crops including corn, soybeans, tomatoes, canola, papaya, zucchini, rice and cotton have been broken apart by scientists and a small portion of genetic code from another species such as fish, soil bacteria, and even other plants are inserted in the crop's gene. This results in the crop having certain characteristics that are wanted such as no bruising in tomatoes, common crop disease resistance, or pesticide tolerance. Check out the video below for more information.

How prevalent are GMO foods?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 94% of all US soybeans, 88% of corn, and 90% of cotton. Read more here.


Have they helped?
Numerous studies have shown that in fact crop yields have NOT INCREASED. The tolerance and resistance have held, but the environment and the potentials we were trying to protect against have adapted and mutated.


How did they propose to prevent this?
Long term studies on human side effects, environmental side effects, and sterile crops to prevent cross breeding.

Did any of this come true?
In the US there are three different agencies that are regulating these products including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The EPA is responsible for monitoring the environment, the USDA is responsible for finding out if its safe to grow, and the FDA whether its safe to eat. The FDA has ruled that GMO food is substantially equivalent to unmodified "natural" food and thus does not need to be regulated. What do they mean by substantially equivalent? They mean that the GMO food or food product has the same use and characteristics of earlier food that has passed FDA standards or that the different characteristics is as safe as the previous food with no new safety issues and thus NO ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED. 


Monsanto, the GMO mega company with ties to the pharmaceutical industry as well, in an open letter from Monsanto CEO Robert Shapiro to Rockefeller Foundation President Gordon Conway that it would not pursue technology to render seeds sterile. 


What is the big deal?
Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a world authority on plant lectins, did some research on GMO potato plants and rats. He found that those that ingested the GMO potatoes had significant weight changes and immune response changes. The Rowett Institute also announced the study findings on the GMO jackbean plant with ConA and the toxic effects that it produced. Independent environmental studies have found effects on monarch butterfly caterpillar deaths after eating GMO soybeans as well as other studies finding toxic and other harmful environmental effects. Critics have attempted to discredit these studies and say the science and experiments used to obtain these results were flawed.

The controversy and pressure has also led Gerber baby food to stop using GMO corn and soy in their baby food. Many other companies have also felt pressure and a few months ago Kashi food was also targeted for using GMO in their "all natural" products. They are still feeling the pressure from that one!

Many crops of farmers not using GMO crops have been cross contaminated and there are now the super weeds that are pesticide resistant. They are further contributing to a decreased crop yield. The solution is now to use more pesticides and herbicides and multiple types of pesticides to our food to protect us. The agricultural industry is also pushing for deregulation of 2,4-D, the highly toxic chemical component formerly used in Agent Orange in the Vietnam War that was responsible for the maiming or death of 400,000 people and the birth defects of 500,000 children born after the war. Read more here.

What can you do?
1) Talk to your legislators and voice your concerns.
2) Do research on the companies you are buying your products from and read labels. 
3) Buy organic. It can make a difference in your life and your families.
4) Start a vegetable garden at home with organic seeds.