For some reason a couple of weeks ago I gave up my morning coffee and swapped it for a cup of green tea instead.  I’m not sure how or why this transition took place, I’ve always loved a cup of joe first thing in the morning.  The smell of coffee brewing can make it more addicting then the actual caffeine but for some reason i just didn’t like the taste anymore. This is not to say i will never have a cup again but i find it strange that after years of being an avid coffee drinker the switch to tea happened so easily. 

I am happy to hear however, that switching to drinking green tea has many health benefits such reducing the risk of many cancers.  Antioxidants such as various polyphenols that are high in green tea make this possible.  Green tea also keeps your heart strong and your blood pressure normal and it can takes years off your life by keeping your arteries healthy which will prevent heart disease and stroke.  For those of you who need a metabolism boost drinking 2-3 cups of green tea a day will help to increase calorie burning so you lose weight.  So even if you still want to drink your coffee maybe throw in a couple of cups of green tea.  My favorite - Jasmine Green Tea.  It can only do your body good.

I started taking this supplement about a month ago called Methylsulfonylmethane or short form MSM.  It’s basically an odorless, tasteless form of natural sulfur that is found in low levels in our body as well as in seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits and cow’s milk.  I stubbled upon it accidently after researching vitamins and antioxidants. From the many articles and forums I read through I found many women that had been able to get rid of melasma after several months of use and even though this hasn’t happened for me yet I have, however, experienced it’s other effects which includes a more even complexion, softer skin and not just my face but I noticed a huge difference on the skin of my heels which became alot softer and less dry and cracked. Another noticable effect was some of my old scars had softened up and became less noticeable.  The daily dose I am currently taking is 1000mg 3 times per day of pure MSM.  It is recommended to start on a low dose and work your way up so your body can adjust to it.  Taking MSM with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will increase it’s effects since they work synergistically together and Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis.

Since MSM is naturally occuring in the body you cannot overdose on it and it is completely safe.  Sulfur can actually help slow down the aging process since it is an essential mineral for the formation of collagen which as we age our body is unable to rebuild damaged collagen so we therefore develop wrinkles.  Our body does not produce enough MSM so taking a supplement keeps a steady amount circulating in our system.  What your body does not absorb will pass through your body naturally. It’s up there with water. MSM is the fourth largest mineral in the body.  It helps the cells to become more permeable and therefore increasing the flow of nutrients to the cells and removing toxins. MSM is called natures “secret beauty mineral” because not only does it make your skin more youthful but it also promotes strong and healthy joints, hair and nails.  I have to say my hair has been growing faster and also looks more glossy since taking this.  MSM aids in detoxing the body and controls acidity in the stomach as well as helps in the production of choline in the liver and has many other benefits I have not mentioned.  Just one more supplement to add to your list of many…

We all know the importance of consuming enough fish in our diet, especially the fish high in Omega 3 and low in mercury such as wild salmon and tuna and the advantages this will have to our overall health.  The problem is most of us don’t eat our 3-4 servings of fish per week and this can wreak havack on our bodies causing heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, learning disorders and skin problems to name a few.  Omega 3 fatty acids are  important for us since our bodies do not produce this source on it’s own.  By eating enough fish or supplementing with Omega 3 we can avoid alot of unnecessary health problems. 

PharmaOmega makes this easy for us.  They have created different formulations of Omega 3 for specific needs like keeping our heart healthy, fighting inflammation, for pregnancy, children, focus etc.  Omega 3 is great for children of school age who have difficulty with concentration.  It helps to improve their behaviour and attention span. For mom’s it ensures a healthy pregnancy and after. Omega 3 is great for aches and pains and it’s also called “brain food” for a reason, it helps to keep our minds healthy.  Omega 3 has also been known to inhibit cancer and diabetes.  The list goes on… you’ve heard the benefits now make sure you get your daily dose.

I picked up an excellent book a couple of weeks ago at the drugstore that I couldn’t put down called The Antioxidant Miracle by Lester Packer, Ph.d.  Dr. Packer is a scientist who specializes in antioxidants and how they function in our bodies.  He is the director of the Packer Lab at Berkley, California State University, and who for the last few decades has focused on 5 key antioxidants that when combined produced increased effectiveness than when just taken by themselves. The network antioxidants include Lipoic acid, CoQ10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Glutathione. 

If you are interested in reversing or preventing the signs of aging, keeping skin supple and wrinkle free, preventing cancer, diabetes, gum disease, increasing your energy, not to mention your sex life! as well as reversing bad genes you need to read this book.  Even though it’s been years since it’s been written the information still holds true and knowledge is power and if taking antioxidants will keep you healthy and strong way into your older years then we all need to know about it.

Lester Packer goes on the explain the benefits of each antioxidant in the antioxidant network.  His main focus was on the effects of lipoic acid and even though I won’t go into too much detail here on each I will touch upon what he mentions… sorry too much information to write in one post.  Firstly, in order to understand antioxidants you need to understand their opposite side “free radicals”.  Free radicals are in all of us and they are necessary - they can be helpful or hurtful.  When free radicals attack we need antioxidants to neutralize their effects.  Antioxidants are basically stopping the free radicals from destroying your healthy cells.  Now since the antioxidant has stopped the free radicals and eaten it up it is able to recycle and regenerate itself with the help of other network antioxidants. I find this completely amazing.  With age our body does not produce enough antioxidants to do this therefore it is necessary to supplement.  Certain antioxidants are not even produced by the body such as Vitamin C so taking a daily dose is recommended especially if you are not getting it from nutritional sources. 

Through Dr. Packer’s work, Lipoic acid was shown as being the most powerful antioxidant in the entire network - it actually helped to increase the levels of effectiveness of Glutathione, Vitamins C and E and CoQ10.  In another post we will go on to discuss each of these antioxidants, their importance and how it affects the other network antioxidants.  But I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Antioxidant Miracle since the information is so vast but easily read and understood.

I am all about fast, immediate results and that includes detoxing my body.  I write about detox products alot… detox foot pads, detox foot bath, detox diet, and only because I use them and am a big believer in different ways to detox your body so it’s in prime optimal condition.  This liquid detox is a new one available from Verseo - the 48 Hour Cleanse.  A purifying and revitalizing formula made with natural antioxidants that offers a fast acting way to cleanse your body of waste and regenerate it with powerful nutrients.  This natural colon cleanse is fortified with fruits and vegetables.  The perfect aid to your new diet or to just detoxify and cleanse your body.  Feel healthy fast. Visit Verseo for more info.

Detox foot pads are becoming so popular in the US that even Avon has their own brand Healthy Remedies Detox Patches that detoxify and purify your body of toxins while you sleep - contains wood vinegar and green tea.  Even though i haven’t tried the Avon brand of detox foot pads I have been using the Verseo Detox Foot Pads for a while now and have seen the results first hand.  If there is one thing you should do for your body this year it’s to detox it!  The foot patches are an easy and effective way to eliminate toxins and you will feel the difference in your body the day after. Ingredients are 100% natural and it only does your body good!

With the holidays here it’s hard not too over indulge in yummy desserts and greasy foods.  Definitely not the best feeling afterwards but there is a way to justify it all by using the Hollywood Detox Body Wrap .  The celebrities have been detoxing their bodies and benefiting from the results and at one time the Detox Body Wrap was only available in select spas but now you don’t have to leave your house to have one done.  Not only will the detox body wrap draw out toxins from your body but imagine also losing up to 6 inches!  The great thing about this body wrap is that it produces immediate longterm results.  Just think being able to eat what you want without gaining an inch! Works on our most common target areas - the butt, thighs, chest and arms. It also tones and tightens. There are so many wonderful benefits to this detox wrap and a must especially if you want to fit into that little black dress:)

I’ve mentioned Detox Foot Pads in the past and of course, since I’m using them again I wanted to mention how amazing they are.  It’s something we should all use to detoxify and cleanse our body of toxins.  They are so easy to use and you feel such a difference in your body especially if you suffer from fatigue, circulatory problems, abdominal issues, pretty much any issue.  The patch can also help rejuvenate collagen fibers and slow the aging process. 

When I use the detox foot pads I notice a huge difference in how my body feels the very next day.  I’ve had stomach problems since I can remember from eating foods I shouldn’t and maybe even after a few too many glasses of red wine.  I have to say that these are a perfect liver detox. My stomach actually feels lighter and I don’t have to worry about eating certain foods when i use the detox foot pads… it’s kinda nice. 

The detox pads are quite popular in Japan and China and are catching on in the US.  They improve the body’s immune system and help with circulation and other issues by drawing out impurities through the reflexology points on our feet which are reflective of our internal organs.

The patches consist of tourmaline which is able to emit far infrared rays which allow for a therapeutic, relaxing feeling and distilled bamboo vinegar which aides in drawing out the toxins.   Attach to the bottom of one or both feet at night and in the morning remove and what you see will probably disgust you but just think of how good you will feel.  Initially use if for 14-30 days straight or more and then a patch here and there when you need it!

Check out Verseo Detox Foot Pads for more information.

I am a big fan of total body detox.  I have been using the Detox Foot Pads almost everynight for the last 60 days and have noticed a huge improvement in my body and energy level.  The Detox Foot Spa is another great way to detox your body by drawing out impurities through your feet which each have 2000 pores.  Thirty minutes in a foot bath is all you need to remove toxins your body collects from everyday pollutants.  You just feel better especially if you have been suffering from fatigue or something else that is slowing you down physically or mentally. 

Ok everyone here we have it… I received my box of the Body Detox Foot Pads which are the #1 selling product in Japan in it’s class 12 times in a row!  Last night prior to bedtime i applied one pad to the bottom of my left foot. Since the bottom of our feet have reflexology points that connect to each of our organs detoxing from the bottom of the feet makes sense since it is drawing impurities out from the associated organs like your kidney, liver etc.   I left the pad on for about 8 hours (recommended is 8-10 hours) and upon waking i removed it … I wasn’t sure what to expect but i didn’t expect this.  I couldn’t believe all the yucky stuff that came out of my body… this foot detox pad was actually working.  I can see why this product is a must for everyone.  If you are suffering from health problems, circulation, fatigue you need to try this.  Toxins also cause us to age prematurely. By removing these toxins we look and feel better.

For more detailed information click here.

Whether we know if or not, our feet are channels to the rest of our body. This is where this great new product comes in - Body Detox Foot Pads have the ability, once applied to the sole of the foot to detoxify your body.  The herbal foot pads are able to absorb toxins, stimulate circulation, increase your metabolism, fight fatique and help to build up your immune system.  From the before and after pcitures below you can see the difference it makes and just imagine how it will make you feel. 

It’s easy to use, just wear while you sleep. Only wear on one foot and alternate feet each night. Wear for a period of 30-90 days.

Ingredients are: Pads contain wood vinegar and bamboo vinegar extract, houttuynia cordata extract, loquat leaf extract, chitosan, tourmaline, dextrin, vegetable fiber and vitamin C.

**Do not wear if you are pregnant.

Body Detox Foot Pads