Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
We’re heard the term “hormones” since our early teens. Many individuals associate hormones with the reason you start to get acne as a teen or the reason women go through menopause. But, you need to answer the questions, what are they exactly, and what do …
In the United States, products like soap, makeup, perfume, and hair care products mostly consist of chemicals that can cause damage to your body. The extent of the damage seems to be an ongoing investigation – until now. A new study, published in Environmental Health …
The Importance of Understanding Endothelial Dysfunction
By Dr. Alan Pressman, DC, CNS, DAC, BN
Endothelial dysfunction is a fancy word for a condition where the inner linings of blood vessels are not functioning correctly. This is because of three issues – reduced vasodilation (the opening of the artery when the heart pumps), inflammation of the lining of the artery, and the formation of clots. The endothelium (a layer of cells that line the blood vessel) is like a retaining wall with tiny leaks; without the leaks, the wall would crack and fall apart. In the case of the artery, tiny gaps between the cells that line the artery allow for important cells, fluids, nutrients, gases and waste to move in and out of the circulatory system.
The artery has three layers – a thick outer layer of connective tissue, a middle muscular layer and a very thin, delicate inner layer known as the endothelium. There are a number of theories about how the innermost part of an artery can become scorned and damaged. One theory is called the “inflammation theory”, which states that very low grade inflammation (almost too small to detect) irritates the endothelium, causing scarring. This results in the formation of plaque and eventually blockages.
Another theory is the “low grade scurvy” theory , which says that people with low vitamin C levels in their diet have susceptibility to artery weakness because of weakened collagen. Collagen is the glue that holds us together. Without strong collagen, arteries get leaky and plaque forms in order to plug the holes. Nonetheless, preventing plaque in the vascular system is essential for avoiding heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease – the number one problem for diabetics.
Jerry Hickey is a pharmacist and radio personality and fills the esteemed role of Scientific Director and President of Invite Health. He has spent his professional life analyzing nutritional information and medical studies with the aim of creating the highest quality and most natural nutraceuticals …
An InViting Concept… Created by Industry Leaders InVite® Health is a brand created by leaders in business and healthcare who understand the need for integrity in our field. Our exclusive line of vitamins, supplements and other wellness products help enhance personal health and wellness, naturally. …
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35% of United States adults do not get enough sleep, an issue that can lead to increased risks of developing a number of diseases and conditions.
Sleep is an important part of good health, as it is the way you recharge your body; the same way you recharge your cell phone every night. If you do not put your cell phone to charge, it is virtually useless. In the same way, your body needs sleep to perform to its highest ability. About 1 in 3 (an estimated 83 million) U.S. adults reported usually sleeping less than 7 hours in a 24-hour period, based on data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a study with data compiled from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
So what can happen if you do not get the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night? The CDC reports, “Sleeping less than 7 hours per night is linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and poor mental health, as well as early death.”
Many times, if you have a hard time falling or staying asleep, insomnia may be to blame. Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, CNS, former Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health, explains, “In order to be diagnosed with insomnia, sleep difficulty must occur at least 3 times per week and must be a problem for at least 1 month.” She continues, “Nearly 50% of older adults have insomnia, with difficulty of getting to sleep, early awakening, or not feeling refreshed on waking. With aging, several changes occur that higher ones risk for insomnia, including age-related changes, environmental and lifestyle changes, and decreases in nutrient intake, absorption, retention, and utilization of these nutrients.” There are so many different options that you can introduce into your life to help combat your insomnia and some of them have been listed below.
The CDC recommends some tips that may help to improve your sleep health[1]:
Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, CNS, suggests other natural insomnia remedies that may be just what you need to begin getting the sleep you deserve[2]:
Read Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, CNS’s full article, Your Natural Sleep Routine, here.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/features/getting-enough-sleep/
[2] http://www.invitehealth.com/ARTICLE-sleep-routine-millie-lytle.html
