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Look Younger Now: Avoid These 5 Aging Habits

by Paula Gallagher | April 27, 2011

Recently, on a popular morning news program, the topic of aging was discussed. I wasn’t surprised that smoking and lying in the sun can make you look years older, but some other habits were a bit more unexpected. For many people, most of these habits can be changed relatively easily and will also help you feel more energized, in general.

1. Not getting enough sleep. Juggling work, kids and a personal life can take a toll on your sleep, but getting enough sleep is important. Research links lack of sleep to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and even just looking tired and older. Aiming for 7 to 8 hours sleep per night is about right for most people.

2. Eating too much sugar. Not only can a diet packed with sugar affect your waistline, but now experts also believe it can make your skin dull and wrinkled, too. (more…)

Tags: anti aging, essential fatty acids, Exercise, heart health, omega 3
Posted in Health Concerns |
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Salmon: What You Should Know Before You Eat It

by Paula Gallagher | April 7, 2011

Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and it supposed to be very good for you. Farm raised, wild caught, organic…these are all labels that can be found on salmon packaging, but how do you know which one to buy?  Dr. David Carpenter from the Healthy Child Science Advisory Committee has a few clarifications and debunks some myths about salmon.

Originally posted on MSN Health on Feb 2, 2011

According to Dr. David Carpenter:

MYTH: Organic is best.
TRUTH: There’s no standard for organic fish, so go with wild. Organic implies antibiotics aren’t put in the water, but the salmon still get feed that has contaminants.

MYTH: Skip all farmed salmon.
TRUTH: If you can’t get wild, opt for farmed Canadian, which has fewer contaminants than farmed European.

MYTH: Mercury is the issue with farmed salmon.
TRUTH: Salmon has little mercury. Dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other toxins are the culprits.

MYTH: Wild salmon has more omega-3′s than farmed.
TRUTH: Farmed salmon has more. They’re fed fish oil. But the toxin risks outweigh the benefits of the fatty acids.

* * *

The same should be considered when purchasing fish oils.  Stick to companies like Pathway, Nordic Naturals, Carlson, and Xymogen for a high-quality supplement.

Tags: farm raised, mercury, omega 3, polychlorinated biphenyls, salmon
Posted in Diet, Health Concerns |
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Omega 3: DHA

by Paula Gallagher | March 30, 2011

One of my favorites products, Nordic Naturals Pro DHA is on sale now. DHA is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. It is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system. It seems to concentrate in areas where there is lots of electrical activity such as the synaptosomes, where nerve cells communicate, and the photoreceptors of the eye. This is why a deficiency of DHA can result in poor brain development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, memory problems and poor visual development.

Supplementation of DHA is especially important in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children. Some infant formulas are now fortified with DHA because in the past, baby formula has contained less essential fatty acids than breast milk.  I am 31 weeks pregnant and I have been taking it religiously! I even give my 2-year-old a softgel and he loves the yummy strawberry flavor.

Tags: ADHD, DHA, omega 3
Posted in Village Green News |
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Spring Cleaning for Your Body

by Paula Gallagher | March 21, 2011

April is around the corner and hopefully so is the nice weather! This is a great time do some spring cleaning for your body, and not just your house. Cleanses can be difficult and limiting, but there are simple things that anyone can do to feel more energized and healthy. By following a cleanse filled with high fiber and nutrient-dense foods, you give your body the opportunity to “clean out the pipes.”

Here are some tips to get you on your way:

1. Skip the caffeine: Coffee and sodas are acidic, as well as act as diuretics. Instead of coffee, I recommend drinking herbal tea, green tea or white tea for the antioxidant effect and to help you get rid of any coffee withdrawal headaches.

2. Eat lots of colorful foods: Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, filled with minerals, vitamins and plant chemicals called phytonutrients that prevent and even help treat disease. (more…)

Tags: cleanse, multivitamin, omega 3, probiotic
Posted in Diet, Health Concerns, Nutritional Supplements |
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New Study: Omega 3 Improves Function in Heart Failure Patients

by Paula Gallagher | January 6, 2011

A small study has shown that fish oil has benefits for heart failure patients. “Adding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, even in patients that had a major improvement [on standard treatment], showed a further improvement in heart function and exercise capacity,” said study co-author Dr. Mihai Gheorghiade, a professor of cardiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

This shows that even in patients who respond to therapy, “we can make them much better,” he added. “This opens the door for the potential of a natural therapy – so-called macronutrients – in the management of heart failure.”

For more about fish oil, contact Village Green Apothecary at 800-869-9159

Tags: fish oil, heart failure, omega 3
Posted in Health Concerns, Nutritional Supplements |
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