OPC-AX and Ultimate Health!

In March of 2018 we took delivery of our reformulated OPC-AX™ ultimate antioxidant. This represents a huge advance in broad range antioxidant and anti-aging protection.  I had tons of emails asking for the details of the product and the changes we made with the new formula so here goes.

When people are afflicted with unbalance in their bodies due to excessive “toxic load”, the result may be diseases such as Arthritis, Allergies, Asthma, ADD, Fibromyalgia, Joint Inflammation, Body Inflammation, Pain, High Cholesterol, Cancer, Premature Aging, Skin Wrinkling, Lowered Cardio Function, Arteriosclerosis, Eye Cataracts and more. The drugs used to treat these conditions certainly may help but the root causes of the conditions are not addressed. So the process continues and western medicine continues to treat the “symptoms” without promoting true healing. That is where Your Holistic Life comes in.

I am not anti-big Pharma, I’m just pro-holistic healing as the front line of defense. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself if given the correct raw materials. The combination of using western medicine PLUS prevention and nutritional support can be powerful weapons to affect total health, healing and long term wellness. If a person makes the decision to be informed and use all the weapons in the arsenal to move toward wellness, there are huge benefits.

By far the biggest “bank for the buck” in the Holistic Supplement industry is the use of a VERY strong antioxidant OPC product. This is what I consider the “baseline” product for complete health and wellness. I have used OPC products for over 20 years and these products have positively impacted challenges I have had since childhood like severe allergies and recently joint pain from sports injuries. If it were not for using a good OPC product, my quality of life would be limited and I may have turned to prescription pharmaceutical drugs to limit the pain, inflammation and allergy misery. People also notice that my physical “age” does not seem to correspond to my chronological age, that I simply do not look 61 years old. This is the power of quality antioxidants and of course physical activity.  Also there is cancer in my family so it is critical that I keep toxic load under control and my healing potential at its peak.  OPC-AX™ is the front line of defense for any of this.

So when I selfishly decided to formulate and sell our own OPC product, I worked with very good biochemists on the strength of the formula and the “ratios” of different OPC’s and polyphenols to influence a broad range of possible conditions. Our new formula is extraordinary!  

First is the comparison between other OPC products on the market today. Most of what is on the market has 125 to 150 mg (milligrams) of OPC’s per dose and are vastly more expensive at $40 to $69 per bottle. Our new OPC-AX™ has 420mg of OPC’s per dose, huge by comparison and the Wholesale Member Price is only $29.99 (a one month supply) clearly besting the other products on the market!

Then there is the formula and the “ratios” of different OPC’s. By increasing the Grape Seed extract to 100mg per dose and the White Pine to 50mg, the strength of this formula may help to suppress mast cell degranulation meaning mast cells (that line the sinus, ear, nose and throat) are less prone to respond to allergy proteins potentially helping people with allergies, asthma and even ADD.

I also included 100mg ofa Resveratrol  for superior cardiovascular protection and maximizing endothelial cell function. These cells are the lining of the blood vessels, arteries and capillaries. The more “relaxed” and open they are with less inflammation, the more efficiently blood is transported to all cells to deliver oxygen and nutrients. There is a nitric oxide function that also relates to this that allows blood vessels to be open thereby lowering blood pressure. It also has a big effect on male erections as the nitric oxide function is what makes it happen and it also affects women in a similar function.

According to an article in Pub Med.gov labeled Nitric Oxide. 2009 Sep;21(2):77-91. Epub 2009 Jun 2. Modulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide by Plant-Derived Products. University of Vienna, Department of Pharmacognosy, Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria. c.schmitt@ucl.ac.uk:

“Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is recognized as a central anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic principle in the vasculature. Decreased availability of NO in the vasculature promotes the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that a growing list of natural products, as components of the daily diet or phytomedical preparations, may improve vascular function by enhancing NO bioavailability. We will discuss red wine, highlighting polyphenols, oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) and Resveratrol as modulators of endothelial NO production. “

Although this is rather technical, it highlights the power of natural compounds to powerfully influence big challenges faced by society namely cardiovascular disease and systemic inflammation and pain. This is not some pie in the sky nutritional voodoo; it is science based nutritional technology!

I added the newest and most innovative bioflavonoid Fesitin in combination with Resveratrol so this new formula becomes a powerful anti-aging formula! Recent studies have shown the combination of both of these affect gene expression potentially delaying the aging process, disease from aging such as cancer and in theory potentially reversing it. The impact for anyone afflicted with disease due to inflammation or impaired immune function is profound. 

When the immune system is supported by powerful immune system modulating compounds like broad range OPC’s, Resveratrol and concentrated Pomegranate, the chance to positively affect disease is greater and gives a person a shot to combat the onset of disease. 

The bottom line is that a good OPC product is imperative for the person desiring better health and quality of life as they age. Our incredible IsoFizz™ powder to liquid delivery system also affects how efficiently our innovative OPC-AX™ is used by the body. The great tasting liquid is a grapy and fun start to the day that promotes quick results and is actually felt! 

We may not be able to turn the clock back 20 years yet, but we can support the body’s innate healing ability thru the use of an easy to take and powerful antioxidant, OPC-AX™!

Philip Stoetzner, Founder & Director of Product Development at Your Holistic Life

http://yourholisticlife.com/OPC_AX.jsp

Whole Food Nutrients, Why They are SO Powerful!

There are many supplements on the market such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients. The question most people ask is; what gives the biggest bang for the buck for supporting greater long term nutritional support? The most popular option by far is a Multi Vitamin offering broad range nutrients to rationally plug holes from our fast paced American nutrient deficient diet.

Although this is sound advice, the vast majority of “off the shelf” multi vitamins are synthetic nutrients refined in a lab from many sources including petroleum products and are known as “isolates”. The challenge is that isolates in a highly refined form are devoid of nutritional cofactors that are present in the foods we eat, things like amino acids, fibers, enzymes, antioxidants, protein wrappers and trace elements. It is precisely these cofactors that are SO important for the proper utilization of nutrients.

Without them, synthetic nutrients are viewed by the body as a drug where it seeks to eliminate this foreign substance by way of the liver and kidneys. This point cannot be stated strongly enough. The idea of taking a multi vitamin is to get nutritional benefit so if a multi vitamin offers little in the way of benefit, why take it?

So the real questions to ask is; “what kind of Multi Vitamin SHOULD I take to get the biggest benefit?” The answer is a vitamin that has a “delivery system” whereby the nutrients are more available for utilization, simple! Now several companies make vitamins that offer delivery systems such as liquid isotonic delivery and other companies use a “wrapper” of organic matter like fructose or glucose or amino acids mimicking nature’s delivery system of supplying nutrients in the form of food.

You see our body has coexisted with food as its main supply of nutrients and energy for millions of years. Your body is intelligent and recognizes food nutrients in a vastly different way than it recognizes a “once per day” vitamin which simply does not stack up to food as a good nutrient or energy source. A good example; the last time you ate asparagus you may have gone to the bathroom literally minutes after eating the asparagus and experienced a peculiar smell from your urine, that is asparagusic acid. This highlights the effectiveness of how quickly food nutrients can be absorbed by the body.

Traditional once per day synthetic vitamins may use mega doses in the attempt to get enough nutrients into the system for some sort of use. Whole Food Multi Vitamins do not require mega doses to be of use to the body and typically a person actually feels a difference when they take their first Whole Food Multi Vitamin.

Why is this so? When nutrients and micro nutrients are truly being used by the body, they support the proper production and balance of hormones, enzymes and the ATP energy cycle, a not so subtle byproduct of proper nutrient utilization. By maximizing these functions you also allow the body to effectively deal with “Toxic Load” much more effectively. Each day our bodies are faced with cascades of damaging Free Radicals (see previous post for an excellent description of free radicals), chemical preservatives in our food, air pollution and subpar water that is laced with petro chemicals, damaging fluoride and microorganisms like Guardia and cryptosporidium. Your body has to be in top form to deal with this toxic load and amazingly, great nutrition is our best defense!

In addition to a broad range of vitamins and minerals Active Essentials Whole Food Multi Vitamin includes:

* Fruit Complex* Vegetable Complex
* Digestive Enzyme Complex
* Antioxidant Proprietary Blend
* Neurological Support Proprietary Blend
* Mixed Greens, Super Nutrients & Antioxidants
So one of the best investments a person can make for optimal health is taking a Whole Food Multi Vitamin as their choice as a support supplement. Now they are more expensive but in my opinion, well worth it. Any time I take a supplement and it makes me feel better and gives me more energy, I am far more likely to continue to take it for life!

 

By: Philip Stoetzner, Director of Product Development, Your Holistic Life

http://yourholisticlife.com/Greens.jsp

Recent Discussion About Cholesterol and Steps to Take!

Recently a good friend Sue asked a general question on Facebook for feedback concerning the results of her blood workup and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Of course the second I saw her post I had to respond as I know full well that cholesterol can be impacted by a combination of diet, activity and supplementation.

This blog is to elaborate on what I recommended to Sue as this is a hugely important topic. For her it was a shock as she is in great shape has an awesome figure but still her triglycerides were elevated and the doctor proposed statin drugs which scared her due to side effects like muscle weakness, neuropathy and low energy. She had seen this first hand with her own father and wanted alternatives. So first let’s examine the combination of causes for higher cholesterol levels as it’s never one thing especially when you take genetics into account. Such genetics does not mean you are on the road to lifelong prescriptions with horrible side effects. It means you must realize that there are a group of actions you must take to maximize your natural healing ability to control high cholesterol and maximize health.

The root causes of high cholesterol may surprise you. It is a combination of the aging process whereby hormone levels and enzyme levels are not in balance, diet and activity/exercise levels which influence body processes that keep “homeostasis” or balance in hormone production and enzyme production. As we age there are actions we must take to keep us off prescription drugs and the dangers of foreign chemicals. These are non-negotiable by the way; ALL must be employed for life, quite literally.

If you are over the age of 40 and are not exercising 3-4 time per week, you will experience some sort of health challenge. Sorry about that, but the truth shall set you free. Exercise prompts the body to maximize hormone production, enzyme production and energy production. Most people do not know that high cholesterol has a basis in blood sugar swings, the improper production of insulin or in most cases the resistance that is developed to insulin. If you are producing a lot of insulin BUT the insulin receptors are resistant to the signals of insulin, you end up with blood sugar swings and the whole hormone “feedback loop” is upset. The hormones insulin, testosterone, estrogen, thyroid are all out of balance and the result is high cholesterol, moodiness, lack of energy, depression, lack of ambition, lack of sex drive and finally the onset of disease.

So on the exercise front, 20-30 minutes of some sort of cardio/strength training exercise (walking, running, cross trainer at the gym) will start the process of moving back toward homeostasis or balance. Strength training using free weights or machines is key to developing lean muscle as muscle burns more fat and creates much more energy promoting fat loss. At my age I prefer a circuit training as I complete it in 35 minutes with a full body workout and add 20 minutes of cardio.  You do not have to look like Arnold to get the benefit of strength training; you can look lean and sexy and be a fat burning machine!

Next is diet; increasing quality protein and veggies of the colorful variety is key. I like whey protein shakes for complete protein for breakfast as it starts the day with usable protein, good energy and does not spike blood sugar like sugary cereals and empty carbohydrates.  Those are banned from our diet as staples but I enjoy carbs in moderation as a "treat".  I add several frozen strawberries to my shake and a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil, one of the healthiest fats on the planet with many health benefits and add a big scoop of full fat yogurt for probiotics and additional protein.  This prompts your metabolism to start the energy burning process (read weight/fat loss).

The rule is to minimize carbohydrates that are refined like white sugar or refined grains like white bread, potato’s and white rice. My motto is, “If it’s white, do not bite. Green or Brown, chow it down!” This will serve you well. Although this is a simplification of what the details are, in the future you can read more in my upcoming book; "The 10 Non-Negotiable Rules for Wellness and Healthy Aging".  I have evolved on eating saturated fats from quality grass fed meats, poultry and fish.  I'd rather see someone eating the "real" fats from grass fed butter while eliminating empty carb's and grain based breads as the insulin spikes are devastating.  Eggs and quality proteins are a great addition so fear not the fat!

Next is supplementation. Since we are a society that thinks that there is some ”magic” pill for everything we have to get ourselves out of that mentality. Make no mistake, prescription drugs are targeted, specific and powerful assaults on some symptom or cause in the body. They are like a sledgehammer, not subtle but very specific and usually devastating. We get relatively instant results which we like but the side effects are a disaster. Supplementation on the other hand supports the normal body process of self-healing and takes time. If it took you 48 years to get high cholesterol then please do all the steps mentioned consistently and give it at least a year to be fair.


So for high cholesterol, in addition to the activity and diet changes, here are the major supplements that will have a big impact: Red Krill Oil or a pure Omega 3 fish oil.  B-12 in sub lingual  form: spray, lozenge or drops.  Vitamin D-3.  An OPC antioxidant product and Co Q-10.

Krill Oil is more concentrated in Omega 3's than most fish oil supplements plus its rich in Astaxanthin a key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that also reduces cholesterol and helps in stopping lipid oxidation which is dangerous (oxidation makes cholesterol gummy).

A sub lingual B-12 (under the tongue or spray) also helps control excess Triglycerides and the stress hormone cortisol that contributes to weight gain, unstable bile production in the liver that results in higher cholesterol in the blood.

I recommend that everyone take 2000-4000 IU of Vitamin D-3 per day as well as this too influences proper hormone production and thereby cholesterol. Vitamin D-3 is really a Pro Hormone rather than a vitamin but it is called a vitamin. D-3 influences many other body functions as well so it is cheap insurance for many things. I get mine from Costco (I get both Krill Oil and B-12 from Costco and both are cheap!).

Taking a powerful OPC product is critical to lowering cholesterol in anyone especially in people that are prone to genetically heightened lipids in the blood. This helps prevent something called “lipid peroxidation” (meaning the oxidation of cholesterol thereby making it “sticky” and dangerous). OPC also prevents blood platelet aggregation which is the stacking of blood cells leading to clots and cholesterol blockage.  OPC's are very useful in anyone prone to sickle cell anemia as well.

OPC’s can be bought in the form of Grape Seed Extract and the most potent and effective forms of OPC's are in my new OPC-AX™ and is great insurance for many indicators of health. 

If I had to recommend one supplement for a person to take that had the most profound benefits with the lowest financial cost, it would be my powerful and effective OPC-AX™.  With 420mg of OPC's per dose at a cost of only $13 per month (for YHL Members), this represents superior protection at an astonishing value!  http://yourholisticlife.com/shopnow.jsp

As a last resort, there is a natural form of statins that can be bought at Costco or Vitamin Shoppe called Red Yeast Rice (I know that sounds very strange). The reason we have statin drugs is that statins were isolated in Japan from yeast growing on rice. The challenge is that synthetic statins are very powerful and of course have side effects like muscle weakness, cramps and the WORST thing; it inhibits the production of Coenzyme Q 10, the co-enzyme responsible for each cell producing energy in your body! Imagine a statin suppresses Co-Q10 thereby making your muscles produce less energy. The largest muscle and user of Co-Q10 in your body is your heart and statins suppress the very thing it needs to beat to give you life, totally messed up!

In every country in the world (except the USA) a doctor is required to prescribe Co Q10 when they prescribe a statin and there is a warning on the drug that the statin suppresses Co Q10 right on the label! So even if you use Red Yeast Rice, you still need to supplement with Co Q10.

The bottom line is that the 3 cornerstones of health as we age; Exercise, Diet Changes and Supplementation are all required to achieve balance and general health. As I said, none of this is negotiable specifically as we age. I hope this helps and if you would like to visit me on Facebook, here is the link. Be well!

By: Philip Stoetzner, Director of Product Development, Your Holistic Life

www.facebook.com/philip.stoetzner