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Cranberry Benefits- Spring 2008 Catalog

Posted on February 2, 2009 by stevetallent

by Nancy Webster

If there were a religion for cranberry juice drinkers, my mother would join it. A chronic sufferer of cystitis (bladder infections), Mama has kept a supply of cranberry juice in the fridge for years. Although she still has flare-ups, she vows that the juice keeps them from being as bad or as frequent as they otherwise would be.

Health experts affirm her conviction. The virtues of pure, unsweetened cranberry juice-especially for the urinary tract-are unparalleled. Drinking it, though, is not without its downside unless you happen to enjoy a severely bitter daily beverage. For a person with even a mild sweet tooth, drinking six to eight ounces of cranberry juice twice a day may be an unendurable torture no matter what the benefits.

Is There a Bitter End?

Many people aware of cranberries’ benefits but averse to the harshness of straight juice drink cranberry juice cocktail instead. It’s cheaper and tastes much better, but it’s also doctored with high fructose corn syrup, an ingredient so pervasive and so bad for you another entire article would be necessary to explain it. Cranberry juice cocktail is simply not a healthy substitute for plain cranberry juice.

So why drink cranberry juice instead of tastier orange or apple juice? People have known for centuries that raw cranberries are beneficial for the urinary tract although they thought for a long time the benefit comes from the acidity of the little red fruit. Now, however, scientists know cranberries contain a natural compound called proanthocyanidins which effect a chemical and physiological change in the lining of the urinary tract. They make it “slippery” so that E. coli, the bacteria responsible for urinary infections, cannot adhere and cause sickness. Only cranberries (and to a lesser extent blueberries) inhibit bacteria from sticking. Orange and apple juices may be friendlier, but they won’t do the job.

If you suffer from chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), cranberries are a must. And now, the end of bitterness is at hand with healthful, handy, and less expensive Beeyoutiful Cranberry Power Cleanse. Three vegcaps per day (two in the morning and one in the evening or vice versa) provide the same protection as those two glasses of juice doctors recommend, but there’s no bad taste, dirty cup, or refrigeration to dissuade you from using it regularly.

Cranberry Power Cleanse also contains the herb uva ursi, long used for its healing powers over UTIs, cystitis, and kidney stones. The primary compound in uva ursi is arbutin, which the stomach absorbs and converts into a substance with disinfectant, antimicrobial, and astringent properties. Arbutin fights infection, soothes irritation, and reduces inflammation.

Not Just for Bladders Any More

Even if you don’t suffer from ongoing urinary tract infections, there are a multitude of benefits for the rest of your body that make Cranberry Power Cleanse worth adding to your health arsenal. Here are two that matter to everyone:

Oral Health. The anti-adhesion properties of cranberry may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers, and the benefit starts in your mouth. The removal of tooth plaque is the most important reason to visit a dental hygienist regularly. Plaque is a build-up of oral bacteria that have attached themselves to tooth and gum surfaces and to each other. This biofilm hangs on in spite of the best brushing and is largely composed of S. mutans-one of many strains of Streptococcus- and the main bacteria which causes dental caries and gum disease. Thanks to the “no- tick” property of cranberries, these destructive bacteria are less able to attach in the mouth.
Gastrointestinal Health. If you think stomach ulcers happen only to people who let stress get the better of them, think again. Helicobacter pylori, a virulent bacteria that thrives in the mucosal lining of the stomach and upper intestinal tract, is increasingly considered to be the culprit for peptic ulcers in adults as well as children. Left untreated, H. pylori infection has been linked to stomach cancer, acid reflux disease, and gastritis (inflamed stomach). Again, the anti-adhesive quality of cranberries, makes it hard for the bad bacteria to stick in gastric mucus.

Antioxidant Power!

The buzzword in health products these days is antioxidants. These stalwart disease fighters are compounds that are both naturally manufactured by the body and ingested by eating fruits and vegetables. But because of the many harmful molecules we are exposed to every day, our bodies can’t keep up with the need for antioxidants.

Cranberries contain copious amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart attack, cancer and other diseases. To the antioxidants in the cranberries themselves, Cranberry Power Cleanse adds grape seed, known for its superior antioxidant capabilities.

Antioxidants help protect you from atherosclerosis, plaque build-up in the arteries that restricts blood flow. This “bad cholesterol” leads to chest pain, blood clots, and even heart attacks. The American Heart Association says one person in the U.S. dies every 33 seconds from a cardiovascular illness, and that startling number suggests most of us are at risk if we don’t protect ourselves with a diet high in antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables.

Ranking far higher than strawberries, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, and oranges in antioxidant power, cranberries have been shown in animals to protect brain cells from free radical damage and the consequent loss of motor and cognitive function.

I wouldn’t blame you if you just can’t bring yourself to join Mama in a toast with pure, unsweetened cranberry juice twice a day. But nothing’s stopping you from filling your glass with water and chugging it down with a couple of Cranberry Power Cleanse Vcaps®. You’ll toast health to your urinary tract, your mouth, stomach, heart, and your brain cells. And that’s no bitter pill.

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Wonderful Water- Spring 2008 Catalog

Posted on February 2, 2009 by stevetallent

by Stephanie J. Tallent

“How much water are you drinking each day?” asked my health care professional. You see, I am expecting our second child and have placed myself in the hands of a dear lady for my own health as well as that of my unborn baby. With test results in her hand showing that I was not drinking enough water I had to fess up. “Probably not enough,” I replied sheepishly. Looking me square in the eyes she said, “I want you to drink at least three quarts a day. Get three, one quart jars and fill them up each morning. Then make sure you drink them each day.” Although she said it very nicely, I knew it was more of a prescription than a request.

While I know water is important, she had me wondering why it is so necessary that she would practically order me to drink sufficiently each day. So I did some research, and here is what I found.

Hydro-Significance

Did you know that nearly three-quarters of your body is made up of water? It infuses every cell and tissue. Each day our body can use 64 ounces of water just for basic body functions such as regulating temperature, aiding in digestion, keeping skin hydrated, and giving us energy. Water is the foundation of our blood. It helps maintain strong muscles, lubricates joints, hydrates organs, flushes toxins, and much more. Without water, your body simply cannot function.

Water is the most common and important compound on earth and is made of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen-hence the familiar chemical formula H2O. Studies confirm numerous health benefits of water. Because our bodies are made up of so much water and because it is responsible for almost all the vital processes that occur, it is important to replace, replenish and rehydrate each day.

As we grow older it becomes more important to pay attention to water intake. Mature adults retain less cellular water. A major contributor to this loss of water is the lack of sensitivity to the body’s cues for thirst. For instance, we often misinterpret the feeling of hunger. Sometimes we think we are hungry when our bodies are actually crying out for water. Try this to see if you confuse your signals: next time you crave a snack, take a drink of water and see if you remain hungry. Your body may be needing water, not food, especially if it is not meal time yet. Because fruit is largely made up of water, it is often a perfect choice for a snack if you still think you are hungry.

Studies have shown that most of us require 6 to 10 glasses of water a day for proper hydration. The more you drink, the more you help your body cleanse itself of toxins absorbed from the environment. Since some of these toxins can show up in skin, drinking more water may rejuvenate your skin and help ward off some types of facial acne. Is your hair dull and lacking the luster it used to have? Drinking enough water each day may help bring that shine back to your hair.

Because of the rapid cell growth and reproduction that takes place when moms are expecting, water intake needs to increase for the demands of the growing baby. In fact, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj in his book You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty, believes that morning sickness is a thirst signal for both the mom and the unborn baby. Increased water intake is also needed during lactation as we provide both water and food for our babies.

No Substitutions, Please

What if you’re “just not a water drinker?” Can other fluids take its place? In a word, no. Other fluids cannot replace the results we can get from water. Juice contains water, but your body will get more nutrients from eating the actual fruits. Milk provides needed calcium and Vitamin D but is still not a replacement for water. In fact, drinking too much milk can have a constipating effect-the opposite of what water helps your digestive tract to do.

What about coffee, tea, and sodas? Though they have a water base, they are actually diuretics and will dehydrate you. For every 6 ounces of caffeinated or alcoholic drink a person consumes it requires an additional 10 to 12 ounces of water to re-hydrate.

Are other health benefits obtained from drinking water? In days past, our parents and grandparents recognized the importance of water, and today, we hear the message from nutritionists and health experts. They confirm that the health benefits of water are numerous. Yet our most common health problem is dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when the body starts drawing water from its own tissues, cells, and skin to replenish itself. Although a very serious condition, it can be avoided simply by drinking the proper amount of water. Since water aids in flushing toxins from our bodies, it is helpful for proper functioning of our kidneys and liver, whose job is to capture and cleanse our bodies of those toxins.

Water has also been shown to possibly reduce heartburn. Heartburn signals a water shortage in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The use of antacids or other medications does not correct the dehydration so the body continues to suffer from a lack of water. Over time, these corrective medications will cause other problems that could have been avoided by drinking a glass of water.

Water can help reduce the pain of arthritis and lower back pain which are also possible signs of a water deficiency. Lack of water in the spine, spinal column, and discs is very painful. The discs are water cushions that support the weight of the body. Intake of water and small amounts of salt have been shown to help reduce some of the pain of arthritis and lower back problems.

Colitis can signal water shortage as well. It is associated with constipation and dehydration as the body squeezes every last drop of water from the excrement. This extraction in turn causes pain as the body tries to eliminate non-lubricated feces. This can potentially lead to diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, polyps, and other more serious gastrointestinal problems.

How Much, How Fast?

But can you drink too much water? Surprisingly, it is indeed possible, though rare. The condition is called Water Intoxication and is caused by drinking too much too fast. The recommended daily water intake is 8 to 12, 8 ounce glasses spaced throughout the day. When you drink too much water-a gallon or more in an hour- Water Intoxication can set in. The debilitating results range from swelling of blood vessels to brain swelling and kidney overload.

Water Intoxication occurs when too much water enters the body’s cells. The tissues swell with excess fluid. As the over abundance of water accumulates the normal saline serum in your body is diluted. Your body tries to compensate for this by sending in more of the saline solution to help balance the excess water. While your body does its best to compensate for the excess water, sometimes it cannot. For already saturated cells, too much water can be like drowning.

Symptoms of Water Intoxication include irregular heartbeat, fluid in the lungs, and fluttering eyelids. The swelling of cells can put pressure on the brain and nerves which can cause seizures, coma and even death. A complete recuperation can occur if water is restricted and additional salt and electrolytes are administered.

But the problem lies not in how much you drink, so much as in how fast you drink it. Your kidneys can process 15 liters (roughly 4 gallons) of water a day, so you are unlikely to experience Water Intoxication as long as you drink over a period of time. Most adults need about three quarts a day. You might need to drink more in warm weather to compensate for perspiration or if you have been exercising or are on certain medications. In my case, though-and likely some of you other busy moms-we suffer from not drinking enough water rather than intoxication.

Quality, Not Just Quantity

The quality of water also matters. If you live in the city, your water has been cleaned and infused with many different things which may include chlorine and fluoride. If you live in the country, you may have well water that should be tested on a regular basis for impurities such as sulfur. No matter where you live, it is a good idea to invest in some form of water purification system to insure that you and your family have the purest water possible. Incidentally, my last checkup showed that my water intake had properly increased! How about you? Do you drink enough? Make sure you get plenty of wonderful water during your day!

(If you would like to further explore the wonders of water, you might want to read for yourself some of the sources I used for this article: Your Body’s Many Cries for Water and You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.; Also Dr. Ben Kim and Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., for articles on Water Intoxication.)

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How Now? from the Cow- Spring 2008 Catalog

Posted on February 2, 2009 by stevetallent Leave a comment

by Nancy Webster

Admitted coffee lovers that we are, our family couldn’t resist naming this fall’s baby cow De-Calf, but we could just as well have called him Debt-Relief. We owe the local 4-H cattle project the first cow from my daughter’s big brown heifer since she was donated to us (the heifer, not my daughter) by the area Cattlemen’s Association. So keeping the little bull-to-be healthy from the start has been a high priority. Thankfully, his mother (the cow, not me) has done her duty since the night he was born. Unlike some animals we’ve endured, she’s blessed with sufficient maternal instincts to nurse De-Calf freely-which means he received healthy doses of colostrum during his first few days of life.

Colostrum is the nutrient-rich, pre-milk fluid produced by all mammals immediately after giving birth. It’s essential for jump-starting a newborn’s immune system-including baby humans. That’s why breast-feeding advocates encourage mothers who plan to bottle-feed their babies to nurse them for at least a couple of days, in order to impart this life-changing substance.

How Does It Work?

From observing the results of blood transfusions, health researchers about 60 years ago discovered the value of “immune response factor protein molecules.” When these key compounds are transferred from a healthy blood donor to a sick recipient, the recipient’s recovery improves. It came to be called a “transfer factor” because it was first recognized in blood “transfers” from one patient to another.

Because of HIV and hepatitis dangers, blood transfusion nowadays is a risky way to boost a person’s immune system. But a risk free way to the same benefit was discovered about ten years ago in the form of bovine (cow) colostrum. Bovine colostrum is packed with transfer factors like hydrogen peroxide and immunoglobulins (antibodies), and even though it comes from cattle, it is effective “cross-species” which means the benefits are as pronounced in humans as in cows.

Healthy cells make hydrogen peroxide on their own to regulate metabolism and fight off invading pathogens, but sick cells need the reinforcement colostrum can provide. The immunoglobulins provide another layer of immune system support. Children and adults boost their immune systems by taking a small, white capsule of colostrum such as Beeyoutiful’s Colostrum Transfer Factor.

How Does It Help?

Although cancer cells are always developing in our bodies, our immune systems usually kill them before they spread and do damage- unless we are weakened or unhealthy. Most of us are compromised in some way these days because of diets “rich” in processed and over-preserved foods, so colostrum is a vital supplement to fortify your body.

I’ve wondered if this colostrum factor accounts for some of the health differences between my younger sister and me. Our mother bucked the bottle-feeding trend of the time and nursed me, but when little sister was born less than two years later, our by-then overwhelmed mother kept her on a bottle from day one. Throughout our early years and into adulthood, I have never been sickly, but my sister, who fell victim to seemingly every stomach bug and cold that swept through our elementary school, is now a breast cancer survivor and suffers from frequent sinus infections and bronchitis.

Recently on a family trip, our five-year-old son’s chewing gum fell out of his mouth onto the floor of a gas station restroom. Before we could stop him, he’d popped the gum back into his mouth and managed a couple more chews! The next morning he woke up with a low-grade fever and severe diarrhea which continued for two days straight. On Day 2 I remembered the anti-diarrheal ability of Colostrum Transfer Factor, and since he can’t yet swallow a pill, every two hours I opened two capsules into a bit of yogurt or applesauce which he ate happily. By Day 3 his stool firmed up and the diarrhea stopped! Although Beeyoutiful gave it a happy ending, this story now tops the list of absolutely gross things one of our eight children have done.

How Do You Change the Past?

Researchers believe the benefits of colostrum don’t end with infancy. If, like my sister, you or your loved ones did not get the benefit of colostrum as a baby, Beeyoutiful gives you a second chance!

While an organic, natural diet, free from processed foods, is the ideal protection against disease, you’re probably all too aware of the difficulty of achieving exemplary eating patterns. I, for instance, know my family’s weakness for cookies (and did I mention coffee?) and how Real Life throws my healthy cooking intentions out the window more than I’d like. I’ve worried over how we would fare if an epidemic swept our country like the Ebola outbreak in Uganda a few years ago. Fortunately, colostrum is a great help in boosting natural immunity.

In his book The Anti-Aging Manual, Joseph B. Marion describes many conditions that have to do with intestinal function. He describes how Colostrum aids in intestinal function. Bear in mind that colostrum is a form of probiotic, the opposite of an antibiotic. While antibiotics can disrupt digestive functioning because they kill all bacteria-good and bad- probiotics balance the effect. So if you have to take an antibiotic, you might want to offset the downside effects with a probiotic. In addition, if you are a frequent user of NSAID drugs like ibuprofen, your stomach will appreciate the acid neutralizing powers of colostrum. Try alternating Beeyoutiful’s Colostrum Transfer Factor with Tummy Tuneup.

Rapidly approaching 50 and feeling my metabolism slow down, I’m encouraged by what the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing offers: “colostrum can boost the immune system…, increase vitality and stamina, and have an anti-aging effect.”

So whether it’s the offspring from a 4-H heifer or cows in general for providing a proven health helper like colostrum, to our bovine friends I say: We owe you!

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