SuperHealth Awards for BioActive Nutrients

Good is good, but exceptional is better. 2010 was a great year for BioActive Nutrients. The Wisconsin based supplement company has snagged 8 different awards for 4 of their quality products - Whey Protein, Beyond Colostrum, Oil of Oregano, and Green Sweep.

Here's some background on the accredited SuperHealth Group:

The SuperHealth Group began as a local health radio show in Oklahoma City 4 years ago by Mickey O'Neill and Kyle Drew. Mickey and Kyle are growing it into a network of professionals in media, health freedom advocacy, clinical nutrition counseling, product formulation, and nutrition industry watchdogging.

They are exposed to and evaluate nutritional products each year. Their goal in giving awards is to point people to the finest, most cost-friendly, effective products available in several different categories. They believe that if people would spend their nutrition dollars with companies like BioActive Nutrients, the remaining remnants of "snake oil salesmen" would be forced out of business, and the true effectiveness of dietary supplements would be realized. Their ultimate goal, as an organization, is to inspire people to SuperHealth and help turn the tide of massive chronic disease in America through great nutrition, superior supplementation, exercise, and healthy habits, and to reduce the demand for potentially dangerous prescription medications.


Congratulations, BioActive Nutrients! Winner in 8 categories!

Protein of the Year: Whey

I'm Sick Remedy of the Year: Oregano

Immune Health Product of the Year: Beyond Colostrum

Fiber of the Year: Green Sweep

Innovation of the Year: Beyond Colostrum

Best New Product of the Year: Beyond Colostrum

Product of the Year: Beyond Colostrum

Value Priced Company of the Year: BioActive Nutrients

Try them out!

A Butterfly

...shaped gland at the base of the neck is the thyroid gland, which excretes a hormone that controls how energy is used by our cells. Abnormal function of the thyroid gland can exhibit excessive or insufficient amounts of hormones in the bloodstream. Insufficient amounts of the thyroid hormone is called hypothyroidism and is the most common thyroid problem. It also affects more women and people over the age of 60 than any other groups.

According to the American Thyroid Association, the major causes of hypothyroidism are:

• Autoimmune disease,
• Removal of all or part of the thyroid, resulting in a decrease of thyroid hormone production,
• Radiation treatment,
• Congenital hypothyroidism,
• Inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an autoimmune attack or infection,
• Reaction to medication,
• Too much iodine,
• Damage to the pituitary gland,
• Disease that impairs thyroid function.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are not consistent from individual to individual, and can develop very slowly over a period of time. Symptoms can be difficulty in losing weight, dry skin, lethargy or fatigue, hair loss, recurrent infections and sensitivity to cold. They should be unusual to typical daily feelings to consider them a thyroid issue. Also, check with family members for a history of thyroid disease or problems, because it is genetic.

If you think hypothyroidism is the problem, get tested. A simple TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) blood test can determine if you suffer from low levels of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The T4 hormone is the most critical because of its affect on every cell in the body. If the results show a hypothyroid issue, take the initiative to start controlling the disorder.

To control hypothyroidism, thyroxine (T4) needs to be replaced. Sounds simple, however, it will be a lifelong commitment. Controlling hypothyroidism can be done by supplementation with a natural Thyroid Formula to balance hormone levels, or there are other alternatives. For individuals with a minor hypothyroid disorder, symptoms should subside within a few weeks after taking a TSH, but a more severe thyroid imbalance may take longer with other factors influencing relief.

Good health should be taken seriously, so if you haven't focused on symptoms in your body, start paying closer attention. Consistent feelings of lethargy, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold may not be because you're going through the normal aging process, but because that butterfly-shaped gland in the base of your neck is, well, gradually becoming more than just a pain in the neck.

From Eeyore to SpongeBob

Oh-h-h-h, bother! And it is for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Their daily life is overcome with fatigue, depression, hopelessness, lack of interest and social involvement, weight gain possibly due to carbohydrate cravings and irritability, or any combination of the symptoms. SAD, or the "Winter Blues," affect people most often in the winter months, due to the lack of sunlight and shorter days, particularly people who live north of the equator, but can also affect people in spring through fall. The disorder during the warmer, sunnier days of the year, has the opposite effects, creating insomnia, loss of weight, agitation and normal to high mood swings.

The shorter days during the winter have an affect on the majority of the population in northern climates, and are not considered a disorder unless symptoms persist for days at a time. If eating and sleeping habits change, and social activities are avoided for days and weeks, SAD may be the issue. The difference between feeling down on overcast days and having a problem with SAD is the ability to change your mood.

The main reason for SAD is unknown, but can be linked to age, genetics and a person's chemical makeup. According to mayoclinic.com, the disorder may be from a disruption in a person's biological clock, an increase in melatonin and a decrease in serotonin levels, which change with shorter days and the lack of  sunlight.

So, what are some solutions to SAD?

1) Create a bright environment, at work and home. Let the sun in to brighten overall mood.

2) Eat right. Stay away from foods high in sugars that will give temporary highs and send the mood into a downward spiral shortly after.

3) Exercise. Exercising increases serotonin levels which are known to relieve stress and anxiety, and improve mood.

4) Supplement with vitamin D, a good multivitamin/multimineral and fish oil.  Research has shown low vitamin D levels to be linked to SAD and other forms of depression, and a number of other well-known diseases. Improper diet results in improper nutrient intake to keep a body functioning properly. When one area of the body is weakened, others are affected. EPA and DHA in fish oil, taken daily, has shown many benefits in boosting brain health.

So, with all this in mind, look at winter in a more positive light. It doesn't have to be the same dreary season year after year. All it takes are some minor changes to make any season look optimistic and go from thinking like Eeyore to feeling like SpongeBob.