New Stuff, 13 Essential vitamins, New product review

Today there was an article in the local newspaper about an exercise that combines elements of martial, dance and healing arts to try to enrich the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Looks very good to me and it is taught by one of my friends, Connie Berlingeri. The exercise is called Nia(neuromuscular integrative action) and is a non-impact exercise. It is done in a darkened area so as to promote self-awareness and remove awareness of other students. It is done barefoot to help center the body and blends three arts: martial arts, dance and healing. The good news is that Nia does not center on just one discipline of the body but promote full body wellness. It also offers something that is really appealing to me in that it encourages participants to move at their own pace and ability, employing a variety of choreographed steps set to music. So, the way I read it you don't have to have a lot of rhythm since you move at your own pace and feel. Connie says that Nia really changed her life and in the process she healed a back injury and her emotions. If you are close to Lubbock you can find these classes at the Lubbock YWCA, Flex 24-7 Fitness and LakeRidge Methodist Church. This sounds very inviting to me and since I have flirted with Yoga only to be turned away from it by my very stiff body and intimidating instructors. I think I might just try this Nia(also found on the web site). Also, for the complete story go to: Lubbockonline.com under the Local heading, and the article is-Healing Moves.

Just so everyone knows this there are 13 essential vitamins that the body needs, and if you are eating a very well balanced diet you are probably getting them. But everyone tells us we are not doing that so we need vitamin supplements. Just beware since some are water soluble and flush with your urine but others are not and can be toxic. So, before pursuing the vitamin pill I would consult a vitamin expert, not your local doctor since they generally don't know squat about this, with rare exceptions(my Dr. Gray being one of the exceptions). One vitamin in particular can be very toxic and that is Vitamin D, which is naturally delivered from the sun rays. But if one does not like to get out in the sun then a supplement may be in order for this vitamin but must be done with professional recommendations. The following represent the 13 essential vitamins needed by the human body: Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6-B12, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and folate. A good multi-vitamin will supply all of the above and always eat a balanced diet. Plenty of fruits and vegetables are always recommended in a good diet, plus Omega 3 fish oils. Salmon is always high on any list for healthy foods and can be eaten as many times as the desire is there. Vegetarians must be careful to replace the vitamins that are provided by meat alone, i.e. the B vitamins are mostly found in meat. With a deficiency in B-12 the body has a tendency to become exhausted much quicker. Again, consult a health food consultant and now a days there are plenty to talk to.

For the past two month or so I have been experimenting with a new exercise supplement called Enlyten. While it has 4 main products(electrolytes, antioxidants, melatonin, and energy) I have only tried the electrolytes, and energy during exercise and competition. I have found them to be very effective having used them during training and in triathlon events. The energy strips(put between you gum and cheek for rapid delivery to your system) really work and for a long period of time. For a sprint distance triathlon that can take up to one and a half hours I take two of the strips and they last through out the competition. The electrolyte strips have completely eliminated the calf cramps I was getting when going from the bike to run transition. So, I am really sold on these products. The only complaint I have is when my hands are sweaty and I try to put one in my mouth while on the bike I have a tendency to remove more than one, so I am working on that. The web site for this product is: enlyten.com and you can find out all of the details on these products there.

mike greer

Miscellaneous Health Tidbits, Preserving Mental Function

Well it has been a long time since I have posted on this site and for good reason. The month of June is consumed with our largest event of the year, the Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman 70.3 triathlon. This was the 20th year anniversary of the event and it really went off with a bang. Our numbers were the largest in the history of the event and the competition was world class. We appreciate the 42 states and 13 countries that send us these great athletes. These folks are fit and ready and even read this site every once in a while.

Tidbits: It's time to double up on your whole grains, a recent study shows that fiber-rich foods can give you a longer lease on life, so says USA Weekend. A recent study that followed 14,000 adults ages 45 to 64 over a 13 year period found that those who consumed just one extra serving of whole grains- such as cereal, oatmeal or whole-wheat bread- each day reduced their chance of heart failure by 7%. How they determine this is really kind of a mystery to me unless they just compare the intake of fiber rich foods in each of the 14,000 adults in the test. So, that is 980 and I would want to be in that group. Just cut out that white bread, substitute some whole wheat bread and a piece of fresh fruit to your daily diet and you could end up in the lucky 980.

Exercise study: Researchers evaluated 2,205 men who started exercising at age 50. They surveyed them again at ages 60, 70, 77 and 82. Guess what? No surprise that the ones who exercised the most lived the longest. It didn't mention what the form of exercise was but I would bet it had to do with exercising the ole heart muscle. You know, 3-4 times per week at 75% of your maximum heart rate, and no matter how you get it there it is a good thing.

Just recently a good friend of mine, who is only 43, suffered a stroke. Not only is he young but he is also a supreme triathlete, so heart muscle exercise is his middle name. Regardless of that it did happen to him and due to his fitness level he will recover completely. But, the one thing his doctor told him was to take 2 children's aspirin per day for the rest of his life, and that would provide some good insurance to never having a stroke again. So, take note of this and consult your family doctor before swallowing those little white pills.

In all the cases I know of personally that have Alzheimer's or dementia they have one thing in common, they quit working early and quit thinking at the same time. I am a firm believer in keeping the thinking cap moving and shaking. While I am not a believer in early retirement, sometimes shifting gears to another profession altogether is a good thing. When you do that you need new training, meet new people and really have to think more than just staying in the ole status quo situation. I have started a new profession in Life Coaching and I have met new people, have taken certification courses, and now have my business plan put together to start the practice. This has required a whole new mind set and has really been great to keep me on my toes and be thinking outside the box on a daily basis. Recently I found some interesting dietary and lifestyle changes that might also help against these dreaded diseases. Dr. Weil of "Healthy Aging" fame has put together seven supplements that might help against these two afflictions:
1. Daily multivitamin-we take a good one from E-Caps, but most health food stores can recommend one.
2. Ginkgo-extracts of ginkgo tree leaves increase blood flow to the brain and have shown to slow the progression of dementia.
3. Phosphatidyl serine, or PS-This naturally occurring lipid is considered a brain cell nutrient and may help concentration and memory.
4. A daily low-dose aspirin-here we go again with this recommendation, must be a good thing or it wouldn't keep coming up.
5. DHA-This Omega-3 fatty acid, is essential for normal brain development and has been linked to healthy cognitive function.
6. Turmeric-A natural anti-inflammatory, this spice may have a specific protective effect again Alzheimer's disease.
7. Acetyl L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid-When combined, these micro nutrients promote improved mental alertness as well as increased energy.

There you have Dr. Weil's recommendation for fighting the Big A and the little d. I am off to the health food store tomorrow, since some of my supplements do not have all of these items.

mike greer