Inspiring Health Magazine Canada English by florahealth

Volume 1 Naturopathic Medicine, Midwifery and Pediatrics Herbal Tonics pioneered by Bavarian doctor Probiotics designed for each family member Wholesome Formulas for you and your pet

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. Thomas Edison

CONTENTS

GREEN CORNER

26 WOMEN’S SOLUTIONS

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Inspiring Health 7

Natural Beauty The Dirty Dozen The following ingredient categories are used in many makeup, skin, hair and nail care products. Most are known or suspected carcinogens. All are harmful to fish and wildlife. 1.

BHA and BHT: These are suspected endocrine disruptors and BHA may cause cancer.

Coal tar dyes: Has the potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain.

DEA-related ingredients: Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer.

Dibutyl phthalate: Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Used in a variety of cosmetics, they slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben: These suspected endocrine disrupters may interfere with male reproductive functions.

Parfum: Can trigger allergies and asthma, also linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.

PEGs (e.g., PEG -60): Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.

Petrolatum: Can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.

10. Siloxanes: Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. 11. Sodium laureth sulfate: Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. 12. Triclosan: Suspected endocrine disrupter may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

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What you need to know about toxins In the spring of 2010, the David Suzuki Foundation invited Canadians to participate in a survey about toxic ingredients in cosmetics. They asked participants to check ingredient lists for 12 sets of chemicals — a Dirty Dozen ingredients – linked to health and environmental concerns including some cancers, reproductive disorders, asthma and severe allergies. The report shows key findings from the survey, highlights weaknesses in the legal framework governing toxic chemicals in cosmetics and outlines recommendations for strengthening Canadian laws and regulations. More than 6,200 individuals provided information for more than 12,500 personal care products. The results are disturbing: • Almost 80 percent of products reportedly contained at least one of the Dirty Dozen ingredients. • More than half of all products reportedly contained multiple Dirty Dozen ingredients. • Participants were unable to locate ingredient lists on more than 1,000 products. The Foundation also noted that Canada’s cosmetic laws have many loopholes: • Manufacturers are not required to disclose specific fragrance ingredients on the product label. Instead, the generic term “parfum” is listed, representing a mixture of potentially dozens of chemicals. • Products regulated as “drugs” on the basis of therapeutic claims

are only required to list “active” ingredients, not a complete list as required for cosmetics. • Although most ingredients in cosmetics have never been tested for their effects on human health and the environment, Health Canada does not require pre-market testing of chemicals used in cosmetics. • Chemicals that are prohibited or restricted may still be present in cosmetics as byproducts or impurities. • Manufacturers are not required to disclose specific fragrance chemicals on the label. • Products advertised and sold as “fragrance-free” or “unscented” may contain substances in the form of masking agents that prevent the brain from perceiving odour. Act now to avoid exposure to toxic Ingredients!

• Read the labels of all of your personal care products carefully and discard the products that contain toxic ingredients or don’t have ingredients listed. • Replace questionable personal care products with safer alternatives. Lavera Skin Care Products from Germany offers natural makeup, skin care and hair care products. • Participate in the online demand to the Government to safeguard our health and the environment by making improvements in the law to regulate personal care items at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/

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Children’s Health

Nutrition Vital for Growing Children Here are some startling facts: nearly 80% of young people don’t eat the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many experts concur that besides iron and calcium, additional nutrients commonly missing from children’s diets include vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as the minerals zinc, chromium, selenium and potassium. Certainly, vitamins A, C and E, as well as selenium all play an important role in immune health for our children. Studies also show that children with the best nutritional support do better on IQ tests as well as behaviourally than children with inferior nutrition status.

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Kindervital – Deep Green

Today, we speak of deep green, which means trying to live more harmoniously with nature. Kindervital is deep green in its nutritional value. The pesticide-free organic juice base in Kindervital includes carrots, wheat germ, rose hips, watercress, horsetail, nettle and spinach, which are rich in carotenes and minerals; mild digestive herbs such as camomile and peppermint to support healthy digestion and appetite; calcium, magnesium, In addition, only 15 to 19% of girls and 52% of boys phosphorous and vitamin D for bone health; orange receive enough calcium from their diet. About 25% of juice, orange peel and pear juice American teens are deficient in vitamin D that facilitates calcium for bioflavonoids that aid vision Our kids need help and immune health; and small absorption, yet 90% of bone mass is laid down by age 17. amounts of honey and maple in all ways, and we syrup for sweetness. Kindervital So what to do? Kindervital from Salus-Haus is our number one must take care of also provides vitamins A, B, C and E. In particular, vitamin A is choice. We tried a lot of children’s critical to immune health since multivitamins, even sugar and them nutritionally. it is essential to healthy mucous artificially coloured cartoon membrane function, our first line character products as well as of defence against infection. chewables from the health food store and, ultimately, for whatever reasons, the kids like Kindervital best. We can’t think of better health insurance for any Kindervital reflects an ageless European tradition of delicious nutritious liquid vitamins and minerals from plants, fruits and vegetables. The art of the tonic has been nurtured at Salus-Haus in southern Germany since 1916. The family-run company knows itself and its mission. Salus stems from a Latin word meaning health, well-being and flourishing; the root is also derived from the Greek goddess, Hygiea (guardian of health);

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children than a daily multiple vitamin or mineral. Sometimes, it is so difficult to get children to consume so-called natural food products because they are not as intensely flavoured or visually exciting as synthetically sweetened and coloured competitor pills, but with Kindervital there is no resistance. It tastes good and it is good for them. So from our kids to your kids, we say try Kindervital.

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Herbal Therapy

Possibly the World’s Greatest Herbal Discovery A traditional Ojibwa remedy comes to light Most herbal remedies are based on the healing qualities inherent in the whole plant. Orthodox medicine deals with the illnesses our bodies suffer by breaking apart complex substances to isolate the active principle. As a result, compounds are formed to deal with a specific set of “symptoms.” This, in turn, can lead to the symptoms of an illness being treated, rather than the cause. An additional disturbing aspect of this is the side effects these drug compounds can have on the general health of our bodies. These effects can be so devastating that they often appear worse than the illness. Since President Nixon’s call for a “war on cancer” in the late 1960s, the statistics have shown that we are losing this war. The grim figures we have today point out just how ineffective current treatment methods are. According to the American Cancer Society, a total of 1,529,560 new cancer cases and 569,490 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the United States in 2010. As this is the current scenario, we need to look at the alternatives that are available to us. We forget – to our own peril – that on this planet, all physical life totally depends on plants. As the creatures at the top of the food chain, we humans are more dependent on plants for our physical existence than any other life form here.

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“When I saw the appreciation in the eyes of the patients that were no longer in pain, …it repaid me over and over again.” – Rene Caisse Since the beginning of recorded history, there have been countless proven, documented healing methods available to us. The oldest preserved document on health and herbal healing was written by Chinese emperor Shen Nung about 5,000 years ago. The Bible refers to the healing powers of herbs and plants in many books including Genesis and Revelations. Unlike conventional drugs, the medicinal, healing qualities of plants work synergistically with each other, as plants have more than just a single healing component. As well, some whole plants will enhance the activity of other whole plants when they are taken with each other. In spite of all our research and “scientific study” over the last few decades, we have only just begun to look into the interactive complexities of nature. We have gained only fragments of knowledge about the actions and powers of the plants around us. In keeping with the concept that we are a part of the whole of nature, and that illness is a sign (or symptom) of a body out of balance, let us look then at a blend

of herbs that has been incredibly effective in its actions in helping people regain their health.

The 8-herb formula has helped thousands of people Possibly the world’s greatest herbal discovery was found in the small town of Haileybury in northern Ontario. One night, in 1922, at the hospital there, the head nurse, Rene Caisse, was making her rounds. She met an elderly lady patient dying of old age who was being given a bath. Rene noticed an unusual marking on her breast and spoke to her about it. The woman told her the following story: In the early 1890s, she came from England to be with her prospector husband in northern Ontario, and one day she noticed a lump in her breast. They were worried, so her husband spoke to the medicine man of the local Ojibwa people, with whom he had made friends. The medicine man suggested that the wife drink the tea that the Ojibwa used for their own people. Being skeptical, they decided instead to travel by foot, canoe and horse to the general hospital in Toronto, 500 miles to the south, to find out what the problem was. Once at the hospital, their worst fears were confirmed. She did have the serious problem they suspected. As usual, the only recommended treatment available was surgery. Keep in mind that this was 1892. There were no such treatments as chemo or radiation! The prospector and his wife had known a friend with the same problem. The friend had accepted surgery, and was now

dead. Being more skeptical of this procedure than the Ojibwa remedy, they went back north and the wife started taking the concoction. Within two months, she began to notice a change, and after a year of taking this tea daily, there was no sign of the disease, nor did it ever return. Rene persuaded the woman to pass the Ojibwa remedy on to her. She was given the names of eight different herbs, which Rene wrote down on a piece of paper and put it in her pocket. She didn’t think of it anymore until two years later when her aunt had been diagnosed with a major stomach growth. Her liver was involved too, and the specialists had given up hope. Rene and her aunt’s physician, Dr. Arnold Fisher, decided to try the tea. Rene gathered the herbs from the wild, brewed the tea, and gave it to her aunt while the doctor monitored. Her aunt’s health turned around in two months and she was declared free of the disease in every area of her body a year later. She lived for another 20 years. After this, Rene and Dr. Fisher started experimenting with the recipe, as researchers will do, to make it the best it could be. They changed the number of herbs, varied the proportions and even experimented with injections. Over the next few decades, more and more people found out about the tea, and many terminally ill patients were being sent to Rene’s clinic for help. Some of them did not survive, but many others did, living another 15 to 20 years after the doctors had declared them terminal. During these early years, the herbal remedy came to the attention

of the medical authorities. Twice Rene was almost arrested for practicing medicine without a licence. However, when the authorities with the arrest warrants understood what she was doing, and that she was not charging for her services, they went away without serving the warrants. Rene also went to the Passavant Hospital in Chicago where she treated and helped 30 terminally ill people. The doctors who monitored her work there concluded that Rene’s treatment “prolonged life, relieved pain and broke down the mass of the growths.” Many petitions were signed, one of them even garnering 55,000 names. Rene had support from people in all walks of life. Nevertheless, in the end, her work was “officially” stopped by the government in 1942. The Commission which looked at Rene’s treatment refused to approve her remedy without full disclosure of the ingredients, and Rene was fearful of her remedy either disappearing or being changed if she disclosed it. She had kept the formula secret, and therefore was no longer permitted to treat people.

Partners in Health In 1958, Rene Caisee formed a partnership with Dr. Charles Brusch of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had been the personal physician to President John F. Kennedy. Dr. Brusch was a wellknown and very respected physician with degrees in surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and psychiatry. He was known for his open mindedness about other treatment modalities, and for his use of them in his clinic.

Inspiring Health 13

When Rene and Dr. Brusch began their partnership, he knew she had begun with eight herbs, and he also knew that the Ojibwa did not know about injections, so they perfected the formula by bringing it as close as they could to the original eight herbs with which she had started in 1922. The partners worked on the blend to make it as synergistically active as possible, so it could all be taken orally just as the Ojibwa had originally used it. In 1978 Rene Caisse passed away at the age of 91, leaving the full eight-herb formula they had developed, worked on, and perfected to her partner, Dr. Brusch. In 1984, Dr. Brusch was interviewed by a long-time radio producer and broadcaster, Elaine Alexander, who was based in Vancouver, Canada. Elaine aired programs on many controversial alternative healing methods, including this herbal tea. There was a massive response to the programs on the tea from people suffering with some major illnesses. Over the next two years, seven 2-hour programs were produced covering every aspect of this remarkable tea. Elaine and Dr. Brusch became friends. He was impressed by her long research of the subject, and her genuine interest. In 1988, they legally became partners, deciding to try to get this herbal remedy out to the public as a tea, rather than as a medicine. The great demand created for this 8-herb tea persuaded Elaine to arrange for a local health products company with integrity and hig quality control standards to manufacture and distribute it for her.

14 Inspiring Health

Research Supports Herbal Tea Profile Today, many people are taking this powerful tea because they are suffering from minor difficulties or major problems. Serious health issues don’t develop overnight. They can take time to be detected first of all. It can take a long time to identify or diagnose a serious problem, and it usually cannot be corrected in a month or two. Some patience and perseverance is needed to see results when a long-term problem is involved, but it can be worth it. These herbs in this formula, so synergistically powerful in cleansing and healing, are very common plants that grow all over North America. They have been studied extensively and have a wide range of therapeutic properties: Burdock Root: Active ingredients include 45% inulin, essential oils, vitamins and a broad array of minerals. The Chinese consider burdock to be strengthening and nutritive, making it an excellent tonic. It is traditionally used to cleanse and detoxify. Burdock can help decrease cellular mutations and protect cells against several toxic chemicals (K. Morita et al. 1984: Mutation Research 129:1:25). Sheep Sorrel: This herb provides strong immune support and is a good source of vitamin C. Sheep Sorrel was traditionally used to cool fevers and to aid in the removal of wastes by increasing urine flow. Slippery Elm: Folk medicine ascribes many traditional uses to slippery elm bark, which contains large amounts of mucilage. It is especially noted for its property of soothing

inflammatory irritation and strengthening all the digestive organs. Turkish Rhubarb: This herb provides support to the digestive system, colon, liver and blood. This helps the body to detoxify, particularly in the bowels. It also helps neutralize harmful microorganisms in the gut. Blessed Thistle: It is prized for its bitter properties. Blessed Thistle studies have shown that the herb normalizes the flow of digestive secretions, relieving indigestion and liver congestion symptoms and normalizing bowel movements. Blessed Thistle is also anti-bacterial (Foster 1990: “Medicinal Plants”). Red Clover: It is a blood purifier and facilitates the elimination of wastes and toxins through the skin, kidneys and bowels. Red Clover has been used by many cultures to treat degenerative diseases as well as other serious illnesses. Kelp: Used traditionally for the nutritive benefits of its abundant minerals, kelp is a great source of iodine, which helps regulate energy levels. The alginates in kelp protect against radiation by products such as Strontium 90, plutonium and cesium and the diseases that can be a result of this radiation, (Int’l Journal of Radiation Biology & M. Castleman, “The Healing Herbs”). Watercress: An aromatic edible wild plant, this superior food is a rich source of chlorophyll, vitamins A and C and many minerals including iron and iodine. Watercress has been found to have value in treating arthritic complaints and some circulatory problems (Foster 1990 “Medicinal Plants”).

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Sun-Extracted St. John’s Wort St. John’s Wort is a yellow-flowering perennial plant that grows wild in many parts of the world. It was named after St. John the Baptist because it is usually in full bloom by the time of the Feast Day of St. John, June 24. “Wort” is the Old English word for “plant.” Flora’s St. John’s Wort is wild-crafted from flowers grown exclusively in the mountains of southern Greece. For centuries, the Greeks have referred to the plant as “Basalmo” or “healing balm.” In traditional herbalism, the use of the plant dates back at least 2,500 years. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, is known to have recommended St. John’s Wort for “nervous unrest.” In the Western world, Hippocrates (460 B.C. – 370 B.C.) is considered the founder of the medical profession.

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Throughout the history of folk medicine, St. John’s Wort has been regarded as a mild anti-depressant with no side effects. Among its many traditional applications, it has been used topically to treat injuries to the skin. In 1975 in the Southern Peloponnese Mountains near Mystras, Greece, Dutch native Stefan Doll first heard about St. John’s Wort from local shepherds and farmers. He met farmers who used the extract of the plant to heal saddle wounds on their mules as they had been doing for centuries. He discovered that the plant was revered in that part of the world for its healing, soothing, calming and strengthening effects. Investigating further, he discovered that it had traditional uses in Europe, Asia and Africa as a painkiller and as a tonic for nerves,

poor circulation, kidney and gastrointestinal problems, bacterial infections and sleep disorders. Ancient warriors used it topically to heal sword wounds. Throughout history, it has been used as a poultice for sunburn, sores, boils, abrasions and insect bites. Doll learned that in modern times, St. John’s Wort is extremely popular in Europe, particularly in Germanic countries. Even today, St. John’s Wort is the number one anti-depressant prescribed by physicians in Germany. As a result of his research, Doll decided he would make his own St. John’s Wort. For the past 35 years, he has devoted his life to gathering and processing the St. John’s Wort plant to supply health-conscious consumers around the world. Since 1990, Flora has been the exclusive distributor of Doll’s product in North America. “This isn’t just my product,” says Doll. “It’s my life’s work.”

The making of St. John’s Wort Oil Extract Each year, beginning the 1st or 2nd week of May, Stefan Doll travels to the Valley of Sparta where he gathers the St. John’s Wort from mountainsides 300 to 1,500 metres above sea level, harvesting the flowers of plants that grow wild throughout a 20,000 square kilometre area. “This is the hottest place in Europe where the temperature often climbs to over 100˚ F in the shade,” says Doll. “I begin at low elevations and then as the season gets hotter, I go higher.” Doll gathers a variety of different St. John’s Wort plants, doing the painstaking work manually, using only a knife to squeeze off the flowers and the top leaves of the plant. He harvests the St. John’s Wort in the early morning hours when the serum is at peak level. That same afternoon, he submerges the fresh flowers in jars of local, certified organic, extra virgin olive oil. Because the purity of the olive oil is important for preserving the active ingredients in the flowers, Doll uses only cold-pressed olive oil from the village of Mystras. The olives are carefully picked from trees rather than left to fall to the ground.

the flowers for several weeks in midsummer sunshine until it shines a brilliant, rich red. This slow, patient process maximizes the extraction of the plant’s full spectrum of ingredients into the oil. This process is the oldest documented method of successfully extracting the active ingredients from St. John’s Wort flowers. The St. John’s Wort oil is made with a 30% concentration of fresh flowers that are put in olive oil. The jars are placed in the sun for ten weeks so the flowers can steep in the olive oil while exposed to 1,000 hours of the hot Mediterranean sun. The golden yellow flowers contain red hypericin, which has the ability to absorb and store solar energy. “The power of the sun transfuses the properties of the flowers into the oil,” says Doll. “It’s scientifically proven that the longer the oil is exposed, the more active ingredients are synthesized in it.” By the end of August, the product is ready. Each batch is filtered through cheese cloth several times and then it is ready to be shipped to manufacturers who produce St. John’s Wort oil extract for world markets. Flora’s end product is bottled in environmentally friendly glass to ensure freshness and full potency. Year after year, Stefan Doll continues to return to Greece every spring when the St. John’s Wort flowers begin to bloom. “I am 70 years old now,” he says with pride. “But I feel great. Don’t be surprised if I make it to 120!”

A time-honoured tradition In a natural process that does not use any machinery or chemical solvents, Stefan Doll seals the mixture in glass jars, where the oil is then allowed to mingle with

Stefan Doll in Greece

Inspiring Health 17

Essential Nutrients

The Surprising Truth about the Calcium Crisis Tragically, research indicates that overconsumption of milk is actually leading to calcium deficiency rather than the bone health the dairy industry promises. How can this be? To understand more about how calcium functions in the body, we examined the entire process – from absorption, through utilization to excretion. The answers may surprise you, but take heart – it doesn’t have to be hard to get the calcium you need in a usable form.

Absorption – What Milk Got Right

Milk advertising – Do you remember the earliest hit TV ads – the penguins’ refrain “Milk, it does a body good?” Then came the long and entertaining series of “Got milk?” ads, with billboard and magazine photos featuring our favourite sports, movie and music stars sporting a fashionable creamy white mustache. We love these ads, but are they doing anything to help our bone strength?

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If you have been wondering what could be wrong with milk’s calcium, knowing that vitamin D is added to make it more bioavailable to you, you’re on the right track. Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium at the active transport sites (more on transport sites in a moment) and reduces bone breakdown. People create their own vitamin D through sun exposure, but our ability to produce the vitamin decreases as we age. The trouble with ending the discussion here, however, is that we have only begun to scratch the surface on how calcium works. Many other factors affect how calcium is absorbed and used.

As Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink, naturopath and midwife, laments over the problem of calcium deficiency, “We have overlooked things.”

How Calcium is Absorbed Inorganic forms of calcium include carbonate, phosphate, oyster shell, coral and bone meal. You probably recognize some of those forms from the labels of calcium supplements. There is nothing wrong per se with inorganic calcium, but it is useful to remember that it requires stomach acid to convert it into a soluble form that the body can use, and we can generally access a much smaller percentage of it than we can the calcium from an organic source. Organic forms of calcium include gluconate, lactate and citrate, which are basically the forms you will naturally consume in food. These do not require stomach acid for absorption.

Active Transport Sites At the beginning of the small intestine, 225-450 mg of calcium can be absorbed at a time if adequate amounts of vitamin D are present. Both organic and inorganic calcium

can be absorbed here, so long as the stomach acid is able to break down the inorganic calcium. According to Dr. Carlson-Rink, theory once held that calcium was only absorbed in the active transport sites, which led to the most studied and supplemented form of calcium in our supplements today – inorganic calcium carbonate. What we know now is, that the passive diffusion sites throughout the small intestine are also critical to calcium absorption, and that only organic calcium can take advantage of these passive diffusion sites.

Passive Diffusion Sites As it travels through the alkaline environment of the small intestine, inorganic calcium is unable to remain soluble, and returns to its solid form. “Take a look at the skin on your hand,” says Dr. Carlson-Rink. “If you put a pill on your hand, it’s not going to soak in. That’s what inorganic calcium is like. Organic calcium would be like a small amount of highly absorbable liquid on your skin that soaks right in.”

Passive diffusion sites are extremely important for calcium absorption, since they do not rely on stomach acid or vitamin D, and have a high absorption rate of 48%, regardless of dosage, unlike the active transport sites. The amount of calcium that can be absorbed in passive diffusion is limited only by transit time.

Colonic Absorption The colon can also absorb small amounts of calcium in the presence of helpful probiotics. Interestingly, the organic calcium gluconate stimulates the production of the probiotics it needs in the intestine, which in turn lowers the alkalinity of the intestine and makes calcium even more soluble.

Factors in Proper Calcium Utilization Once calcium is absorbed by the body, it is important that it is properly utilized and retained, rather than lost. There are other co-factors critical to proper bone formation along with calcium such as magnesium

and zinc. Zinc is needed for protein formation in the framework of the bone, while magnesium is necessary to lay the calcium down correctly. With insufficient magnesium, calcium forms abnormally shaped bones that may appear dense, but are still weaker than normal and will break more easily.

Magnesium Critical to Correct Calcium Placement “The problem with our approach to osteoporosis in North America,” explains Dr. Carlson-Rink, “is that we have simplified the disease. Throwing calcium at it alone simply doesn’t work, as evidenced by the countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis. In all of those countries, they also have the highest rate of dairy consumption and the highest ratio of calcium to magnesium consumption. Here in North America, for example, the standard ratio is almost 8:1, well over the needed 4:1 for assimilation into the body.” Dr. CarlsonRink goes on to mention that there is some debate as to whether a 2:1 or 1:1 calcium to magnesium ratio is best for supplementation in order to compensate for the rampant magnesium deficiency. She generally recommends a 1:1 supplement. But, if you examine labels closely, very few calcium supplements supply calcium and magnesium in a ratio even close to this.

Calcium Excretion – How we Lose the Calcium we Consume The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit group that has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the milk campaign for false and misleading health information, says that trying to cope with bone loss by consuming more dairy products is like “trying to make up for money that falls through a hole in your pocket by taking a second job.” That is, as Dr. Carlson-Rink puts it, “50% of the problem of calcium deficiency is estimated to be what is lost in excretion. In North America, we consume extremely high amounts of animal proteins and sugars in junk food and soft drinks. Excessive animal protein, phosphorus found in high amounts in carbonated and processed foods, salt, sugar and caffeine all pull calcium out of your body through urine. The calcium lost in this process would otherwise have been kept and used by the body.”

20 Inspiring Health

An overall improvement in the American diet could close up the “hole” that so much of our calcium “falls through,” and actually decrease the amount of calcium we need to obtain in the first place. Other than dietary factors that cause leaching and excretion of calcium, even supplementing haphazardly can lead to a deficiency. Calcium chelates, or bonds to many vitamins and minerals and is more aggressive at receptor sites as well. This competition that calcium always seems to win isn’t a good thing, however. Instead of winding up with a great supply of usable calcium, we get deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals that are necessary to process the calcium. Without them, we in turn can wind up with a calcium deficiency even when we are supplementing far above the RDA. That, in fact, succinctly describes the situation in North America.

Too Much Calcium? Our bodies are getting rid of our “excess calcium” as fast as they can, but much of it also stays in the body, causing conditions ranging from painful calcification of joints and kidney stones to life-threatening arterial deposits. Ironically, we do need the calcium that our bodies excrete to maintain our bones, heart health, skin condition, and to prevent muscle cramps, but without the necessary co-factors to use it correctly, all of that supplemental calcium is superfluous – and dangerous. An autopsy study of osteoporosis sufferers demonstrated that many with this disease actually had excessive calcium in the body, but it was not being used where it was most needed. Instead, severe calcification of the joints and arteries had caused even further suffering, instead of helping to alleviate fragile bones. In this study, a biochemical enzyme deficiency was implicated, meaning that the necessary enzymes to process the calcium correctly were not present. The authors also speculated that the subjects probably did not have the co-factors needed to get the calcium to where it was needed most. It’s not surprising that milk alone cannot cure our calcium deficiencies, when we consider what its true purpose is.

Bone loss begins in your 30’s

Strengthen and protect your bones Calcium is not enough. Magnesium is critical to make sure calcium is laid down properly in the bones. Salus Calcium-Magnesium balances out the North American diet by giving you a higher ratio of magnesium to calcium, plus vitamin D. This helps protect against bone loss safely and effectively for everyday osteoporosis prevention. The stronger and more flexible your bones are today, the less likely they are to fracture tomorrow.

• Contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D3 • Ideal calcium dosage in liquid form • Highly absorbable minerals for maximum absorption • No lead, pesticides, colouring or preservatives

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I m m u ne Health

“Tip your Hat to the Elder” “Tip your hat to the elder” is an old Austrian saying that demonstrates the regard held there for the elder tree and its dark purple berries. There, according to an article, the Beerenfrost Berry Grower’s Cooperative has seen a 100% increase in demand for elderberry in the last five years. In recent years, the co-op has frozen and shipped more than 8,000 tonnes of elderberries to companies throughout Europe and the United States for use in juices, yogurts and dietary supplements. “What is the reason for this berry explosion?” asks medicine hunter Chris Kilham in the October 2000 issue of Better Nutrition. “Surprising new science shows that elderberries are heart-protecting, vision-enhancing, cell defending, stress-reducing powerhouses. Research on elderberries now being conducted in Germany, Austria and Italy is focusing on purple antioxidant pigments known as anthocyanins.”

How Elderberry Disarms Flu Virus The key to halting the progress of flu is to prevent the formation of tiny spikes, which are called hemagglutinin, that cover the surface of the virus. Unchecked, these spikes, laced with a special enzyme called neuraminidase, penetrate the cell wall of the healthy organism, allowing the virus to produce what we know as flu. This is where elderberry is positively chicken soup for the cell. Much of our modern knowledge about the flu-fighting benefits of elderberry is the result of research carried out by viral specialist Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PhD, at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centre in Ein Karem, Israel, beginning in 1983. In the course of her studies, Dr. Mumcuoglu isolated several proteins and other active principles in Sambucus nigra (black elderberry).

The two active ingredients she isolated from the proteins of the black elderberry actually disarm the viral spikes by binding to them and preventing them from puncturing the cell membranes. Meanwhile, various bioflavonoids, which are present in high concentrations in the black elderberry, inhibit the action of the enzyme neuraminidase within 24 to 48 hours.

Ancient ‘Medicine Chest’ – Medicine of the Future Elderberries have long held a fascination among those who have looked for health benefits amidst the natural foods and herbs of the earth. They have developed a widespread reputation for curing a great number of health problems. In folk medicine books and journals both here and abroad are countless articles and anecdotes that concern this amazing plant.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW… • In Germany, studies led by Gerhard Rechkemmer show elderberry phytochemicals possess approximately three times the antioxidant capacity

of carotenoids. Elderberry protects us from environmental pollution, processed foods and stress.

• At the University of Graz in Austria, Drs. Werner Pfannhauser and Michael Murkovic have found that elderberry helps to neutralize potential damage

caused by low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, or bad cholesterol).

These traditions have been passed along for some 2,500 years and have been included in the writings of Plinius and Hippocrates as far back as the fifth century B.C.

• Additional research demonstrates that elderberry

In 400 B.C., Hippocrates referred to the elderberry as his “medicine chest.” Other distinguished classical healers including Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Galen also declared the elder and its rich purple berries “one of nature’s greatest healing plants.”

• Not surprisingly, elderberry appears to also help

inhibits abnormal blood clumping, reducing risk of atherosclerosis.

vision, much like that of the fabled European bilberry. The berry anthocyanins enhance night vision by regenerating rhodopsin, also known as

Among the things noted in the literature concerning the fruit of the elder tree are the identification of its high albumin content, its richness in vitamins B1, B2, B6, calcium and phosphorus, and its ability to yield certain bioflavonoids and anthocyanins in high concentrations.

visual purple, in the eyes, which enables the eyes

Favourite Formula

retina, leading to impaired vision and blindness.

We’ve done a lot of elderberry testing and Dr. Dünner’s Sambu®Guard is the best. The freshest, best tasting and, we think, most therapeutic. Excuse us for gushing, but when you’ve gone through as many bottles of elderberry in search of nothing but the best and you find it, you have reason to be excited. Get a bottle and try it. If you are coming down with the flu or a cold or you feel run down, definitely get it. But otherwise, keep it in the fridge and use it regularly, if not every day. You will see that it just promotes your health. Just don’t forget to tip your hat to the elder!

to adjust to darkness. These compounds also help

to enhance vision by reducing the permeability of fine vessel walls. This protects against retinopathy, a condition in which blood accumulates in the

• And then there’s the anti-stress benefits. Austrian endocrinologist Sepp Porta found that elderberry

normalized stress indicators such as glucose and magnesium levels. According to author Chris Kilham, “Porta’s research into the stress-

reducing effects of elderberry has interested the U.S. Air Force enough that some cadets are now

enlisted in a study with Porta to possibly validate his findings.”

Inspiring Health 23

Keep Your Best Friend Healthy, Too What About Our Pets? What has been said about our own personal health also applies to our pets. Unfortunately, commercial foods for them are as nutrient poor as human foods, and sometimes they are worse. Processed pet food has lost most of its nutritional value by the time it reaches your pet due to refining techniques which remove or destroy vitamins, minerals and fibre. Udo’s Choice® Pet Essentials offers a rich array of crucial nutrients to supplement your pet’s normal diet while remaining preservative and additive free. It contains a synergistic blend of allnatural, vegetarian source whole-

24 Inspiring Health

food concentrates such as certified organic flax, sunflower and sesame seeds, organic cereal grasses, bee pollen, organic soybean powder, plant enzymes and a wide variety of herbs and other phytonutrients.

Udo’s Choice® Pet Essentials is designed to deliver: •

Super nutrition

Udo’s Choice® Pet Essentials is carefully prepared to give your pet: • Optimum nutrition for increased energy • Enhanced calmness • Improved hair coat • Better regularity • No more excessive shedding • Cellular renewal • Tissue regeneration • Body repair

•

Naturally occurring active enzymes that help digestion

•

Improved general well-being

•

• •

A new generation of nutritional supplementation direct from nature

“Friendly” bowel microorganisms and the foods that feed them

Omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids in their natural, undamaged condition Plenty of soluble and insoluble fibre

Processing and packaging that protects the biological value of the fresh ingredients

Rejuvenate your Life

Declining health is a factor we all need to face as we age. Unfortunately, too many people unnecessarily accept their susceptibility for weakened digestion, cell degeneration, aching joints, a decline in energy and an array of more serious health conditions. Growing into your future with vitality and grace is now possible thanks to a remarkable herbal remedy that originated with our First Nations peoples. The precious regenerating powers of Flor•Essence® rely on the wisdom found in nature. The eight synergistic herbs have been carefully woven through decades of research and have helped restore the health of thousands of grateful users.

Trust Flor•Essence® to safeguard your day! Available at health food stores nationwide Visit www.florahealth.com and join Flora’s Sharing Health Community 888-436-6697

sharing the essence of health

Wo m en’s Solutions Cathy Carlson-Rink is a naturopathic physician and registered midwife who has been practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia, since 1995. She holds a doctorate of naturopathic medicine with a specialty in midwifery from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and is known as the first N.D. in Canada to also practice midwifery. Today, she practices, writes and conducts continuing education for health care providers who want to learn more about natural obstetrical and pediatric therapies. She is also an instructor of Obstetrics and Pediatrics at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.

Dr. Carlson-Rink meets with Shannon Dempsey and her infant son, Jack.

Naturopathic Medicine, Midwifery and Pediatrics D r. C a t h y C a r l s o n - R i n k Ta l k s About Essential Supplements for Women and Children WRITTEN BY

Melissa Lynn Block

26 Inspiring Health

A big part of Dr. Carlson-Rink’s practice involves promoting the best possible state of health and strength in women as they move through pregnancy – preventing problems for mother and baby through proactive, naturopathic means. She prescribes nutritional supplements to support each woman in that transition from early pregnancy through birth and continues to use them to promote balance after the baby is born. Her pediatric patients also take supplements once they’re old enough. Which supplements would such a discerning health care provider recommend? She is the spokesperson for Salus-Haus, a German manufacturer of nutritional products that has been in business since 1916. She is a firm believer in the purity and quality of their products and recommends them highly; in fact, she has used them herself since her teens. “I struggled with iron deficiency as a teenager,” she told us, “and started taking the

Floradix® iron supplement. I felt incredible resonance with the product. The standards for these products are very high. They have their own herb farm; they test all of their herbs for microbiological contaminants and pesticide residues. I took Floradix Iron all the way through N.D. school, and now I recommend it to all of my female patients.” “Calcium and magnesium are crucial for bone health,” maintains Dr. Carlson-Rink, and she recommends Salus products to guarantee adequate intake of these nutrients. She also recommends that all children take Kindervital multivitamin.

Iron Deficiency – A Significant Problem for Women Iron-deficiency anemia is a common consequence of pregnancy – and a common root cause of pregnancy complications like low birth weight and prematurity. Pregnancy increases blood volume dramatically, so that iron stores are spread through a larger blood volume. Pregnancy also requires that a mother’s iron stores be drawn upon heavily as the body of her baby is built inside her. Dr. Carlson-Rink tells us that only one in five women have adequate iron stores at the start of pregnancy. With each successive pregnancy, those stores are likely to be more depleted – unless the mother has begun to supplement with iron. “At the start of pregnancy, to not become iron deficient, you have to have serum ferritin levels of about 40 to 70. The average serum ferritin in women of childbearing age is 20.” Pregnancy isn’t the only time in a woman’s life when extra iron might be needed. Any woman who is menstruating regularly is at risk for iron deficiency. Heavy flow is an even more likely sign of excess iron loss. Infertility, PMS, extreme fatigue – all may be due to iron inadequacy. Women with ferritin stores below 40 have a hard time getting pregnant; in the huge Nurses’ Health Study, researchers found that women who were not taking iron supplements during their reproductive years had more ovulatory dysfunction than women who were taking iron. One study of women of childbearing age with fatigue found that two-thirds of them had low serum ferritin.

In premenopause, women can have heavy menstrual bleeding that further depletes them of iron. Because iron is needed for proper blood clotting, this continuing depletion worsens the bleeding, and a vicious cycle can kick in that drains the woman of energy. Even postmenopausal women, whose gastrointestinal absorption of iron falls with the passing of years, can have iron deficiency, and yet bounce back with appropriate replacement. “Low iron can have a huge effect on women’s quality of life,” says Dr. Carlson-Rink. “I see women who are so tired they can barely move. I measure their ferritin and supplement their iron supplies with Floradix, and they can’t believe it was so simple and easy a thing to address.” Floradix Iron Supplement is Dr. Carlson-Rink’s choice for getting iron levels to ideal ranges for women of all ages (and men, when they are measurably deficient). Floradix is a tonic containing iron cultured with yeast and based in a naturally sweetened liquid. It contains 20 mg of non-heme iron – the kind found in plants, not the kind found in meat – per daily serving, in addition to digestion-promoting herbs, ocean kelp, rose hips and wheat germ extracts that yield 60 mg of vitamin C, and trace amounts of vitamin K and B vitamins. The iron in Floradix is highly absorbable, and 83% of the iron absorbed from each dose is absorbed immediately, so that very little passes into the lower gastrointestinal tract to cause constipation. Those who are intolerant of gluten and/or yeast can use Floravit®, which is made without these ingredients, but still offers the same highly bioavailable, non-heme iron.

Other Supplements for Women’s Health – Magnesium and Probiotics Another mineral women are often deficient in is magnesium. This mineral stimulates bone formation and is instrumental in strengthening bone from a woman’s 20s to her early 40s. Magnesium deficiency is extremely common; as our food supply has become more and more processed, its magnesium content has fallen noticeably. Nutritional research suggests that we require about 500 mg per day. The average person takes in only about 150 mg a day. Although calcium gets all the press in terms of osteoporosis prevention, magnesium alone can offer

Inspiring Health 27

significant protection if it’s started during a woman’s reproductive years. Without adequate magnesium, calcium salts aren’t laid down properly in the bone-building process – particularly in trabecular bone, which is found in the hips and spine, a major area where fractures take place in osteoporosis. When taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, Floradix® CalciumMagnesium – a formulation with a higher dose of magnesium relative to calcium than other cal-mag supplements – may even help prevent osteoporosis in the infant, whose bones will be built strongly and completely because these minerals are abundantly available. Floradix Calcium-Magnesium with zinc and vitamin D may also help to relieve PMS, menstrual cramps, leg cramps, hypertension, and insomnia. Magnesium has a relaxant effect that counters some of calcium’s effects in muscles; Dr. Carlson-Rink sometimes gives Floradix Magnesium Liquid alone to aid in relief of anxiety, headache, stress incontinence and fibromyalgia symptoms, and to help relax the airways in people with asthma symptoms. These gentle liquid mineral tonics contain calcium gluconate, magnesium gluconate and citrate, forms of these minerals that are extremely bioavailable. Probiotics are an important part of prenatal and postpartum health for the new arrival. A woman’s balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria can affect her infant as it passes through the birth canal – the place where the child gets his or her first dose of probiotics. A baby born via C-section

28 Inspiring Health

doesn’t get this initial blast of good bacteria, and these babies have a balance of gut flora that is less than optimal from day one. Bottlefeeding and antibiotics reduce the baby’s populations of probiotics, further increasing risk of bacterial infection, eczema and asthma. Multiple studies suggest a link between imbalanced gut bacteria, eczema, digestive problems and even autism. Supplementing with a trustworthy probiotic combination may help protect children who have a family history of allergic diseases. In the mother, stress, chlorinated drinking water, medications and antibiotics in food can all reduce probiotic levels. For her, the result may be irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent vaginal yeast infections or systemic Candida yeast infections. To help with maintenance of healthy probiotic populations, Flora offers Udo’s Choice® probiotic formulas. In this line, there are probiotic supplements tailored to every age group and to special populations, including those with Candida overgrowths or who are over 55. Each supplement contains the appropriate strains of friendly bacteria in the appropriate concentrations for different age groups. The Infant’s Blend, for example, contains B. infantis, B. bifidum and B. breve, all essential for babies – especially those who have been born by C-section or who are formula-fed. The Children’s Blend contains bacterial strains needed for a child’s good health. Several versions are available for adults as well. These products are pure and quality-controlled, and are easy to use.

“Research where pregnant mothers take probiotics in the last month of pregnancy and breastfeeding shows that it significantly reduces eczema and asthma in the child,” says Dr. Carlson-Rink. “There is also research that shows infants who take probiotics for the first two years of life have less asthma and eczema. I also use it for infant constipation and infant colic, for diarrhea, and to help children recover from the flu. Research shows that it takes three months to return microflora to normal balance post-flu with probiotic supplementation.” Any child with a history of antibiotic use (meaning, virtually every child in any Western nation) or food allergies stands to benefit from probiotic supplementation. Probiotics are a required part of any Candida protocol. To learn more from Cathy CarlsonRink, visit www.requiredforlife.com

Are You Iron-Deficient? Here are some symptoms that can be caused by iron deficiency: •

Low energy and fatigue

•

Decreased ability to concentrate

•

Reduced endurance

•

Decreased resistance to infectious diseases

•

Brittle hair and nails

•

Cold hands and feet

•

Paleness or under-eye dark circles

•

PMS

•

Infertility

Required for Life

2010 alive gold award winner

Iron is essential for you and your baby – before, during and after pregnancy. A lowdose supplement (only 20 mg a day throughout the pregnancy) is proven to reduce iron anemia and deficiency at delivery – without constipation.* Supplementing with iron during pregnancy enhances energy, assists in proper placenta development, healthy fertility and optimum birth weight.* Plus it gives your baby enough iron for a healthy start in life. • Clinically proven to normalize low iron levels • Naturopathic physician and midwife recommended • Formulated for maximum absorption • No preservatives, heavy metals, artificial additives or pesticides

Floradix® puts back the iron that pregnancy takes out. Available in quality health food stores and natural pharmacies

Quality European Tonics Since 1916

www.requiredforlife.com 1.888.436.6697

EFAs: Women’s and Children’s Health by Udo Erasmus, PhD

EFAs are required for brain development and brain function. Women can provide a strong foundation for their health as well as any future children they may have by ensuring that they intake the correct ratios of omega-3 and omega-6. 30 Inspiring Health

The importance of EFAs Essential fatty acids play crucial roles in the complex workings of the human body. Every cell, tissue, gland and organ is dependent upon the presence of EFAs. Because of the large amount of EFAs needed for brain and nervous system development, it is important that an adequate amount is received on a daily basis. Ingested in adequate amounts and in the optimal ratio, EFAs have been found to: • Improve energy and stamina, relieve occasional sleeplessness and improve concentration • Support the immune system and our body’s normal fat-burning ability. • Maintain good digestion and yeast balance • Support normal joint function and help alleviate minor skin blemishes.

suffer from these problems 2 to 15 times more frequently than men do. The depletion of EFAs during childbearing predisposes women to these conditions.

Choose the right oil for your body’s EFA needs Mothers-to-be and breastfeeding mothers should take particular care to choose a fresh, EFA-rich, balanced and unrefined oil. Udo’s Oil™ 3•6•9 Oil is a special blend of carefully chosen, natural, unrefined, EFA-rich oils. It has a pleasant, nutty, buttery taste. It contains oils from fresh, certified organic flax, sesame, sunflower and evening primrose seeds as well as oils from rice and oat germ, providing minor ingredients with major health benefits. The importance of each mother’s choice of good oils and good nutrition during pre-conception, pregnancy and early childhood cannot be overstated.

• Diminish the normal symptomology of PMS and menopause.

Baby-Brain Building During pregnancy, the child draws EFAs from the mother’s body to build its brain, which is over 60% fat and very rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 EFA derivatives. The placenta contains receptors that ensure that omega-3 and -6 EFAs are transported from the mother to the baby. Often times, this leaves the mother depleted of EFAs, and with subsequent pregnancies, each child will get less EFAs than the previous child, unless the mother augments her diet with essential fatty acids. The child continues to pull EFAs from the mother after birth through breast milk. More than 50% of the calories contained in a mother’s breast milk comes from the fats her milk contains, and babies need this fat in order to grow optimally. The fatty acid composition of her milk reflects the fatty acids consumed by the mother. It is estimated that the child pulls 11 grams of EFAs from the mother daily through breast milk. Depletion of EFAs during pregnancy also provides a rationale for why women experience far more depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and more inflammatory, auto-immune and collagen diseases than men. Women

About Udo Udo Erasmus is an international authority on human health. In 1980, while working in agriculture, he was poisoned by pesticides. When conventional medicine was unable to provide help, he concluded that his health was his own responsibility and turned his attention to nutrition. Several years of research culminated in his best-selling book, Fats that Heal Fats that Kill. In 1983, Udo pioneered technology for pressing and packaging edible, unrefined oils made with health in mind.

Inspiring Health 31

Foundation for Life

For EveryBody Every Day The human body needs a daily intake of unrefined foundational fats to promote and maintain energetic health. Ensure you and your family are getting the right kind of foundational fats while avoiding destructive, processed fats. Udo’s Oil™ 3•6•9 Blend supports immune function, digestion, cardiovascular health, mental sharpness, lean body mass and beautiful skin.

“People need a tablespoon a day for every 50 pounds of bodyweight. You simply can’t get enough foundational fats from fish oil supplements or from processed supermarket oils. Udo’s Oil delivers an ideal 2:1 ratio of the finest quality organic seed oils available.” Available at health food stores nationwide Visit www.florahealth.com and join Flora’s Sharing Health Community 888-436-6697

sharing the essence of health

To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour. William Blake

P ro b i otic Power

Why Age-Specific Probiotics Make Sense for Your Body

34â&#x20AC;&#x192; Inspiring Health

Taking probiotics (supplements of friendly bacteria) is one of the safest and most beneficial things you can do to support your overall health. In fact, many public health officials say that probiotics are as important to regularly take as a multivitamin. That’s because so many current medical studies show that these good guys of the microorganism world safeguard you from harmful bacteria, yeast and fungi, while enhancing your immune function, improving your gastrointestinal health and helping support your colon health. Makes you want to run to your nearest health food store, doesn’t it? Not so fast. Microbiological research has revealed one amazing fact that almost every probiotic company has ignored: Which probiotics you should take is totally dependent on how old you are. That’s right, a toddler, young adult or 55-year-old should not be taking the same product, because the makeup of your intestinal flora changes over time. And so should your probiotic supplement. That’s why age-specific probiotics make so much health sense.

The Playing Field Probiotics have been on the shelves of health food stores since the mid-1970s and haven’t changed a whole lot in 30 years. Most of what you see is of the “one-size-fitsall” variety – acidophilus and bifidus supplements meant for anyone of any age to take.

But pioneering work in the late 1970s by the researcher Dr. Tomotari Mitsuoka, now emeritus professor at Tokyo University, showed different strains of friendly flora populate the GI tract during different stages of life. This would prove to be an incredibly important insight for your health. With this finding, Dr. Mitsuoka helped to cement his position as a major force in the study of human intestinal microflora. Babies and toddlers should have a predominance of bifidobacteria, such as B. infantis, B. bifidum and B. breve. Adults should naturally contain high concentrations of lactobacilli, such as L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum. But what is right for a fully grown adult is not for a teen. And when you’re over 65, your needs change again. Therefore, we should not all be taking the same probiotic supplement!

Why Age Makes a Difference Researchers have noted after the age of 50, populations of helpful bifidobacteria start decreasing steadily while colonies of harmful coliform bacteria start increasing. So adults in their later years will need higher potencies of the bifidobacteria strains than young adults. Probiotic expert Mark LaLonde says, “Immediately, you can see that depending on age, strain selection of bacteria [for a probiotic supplement] is important if you want to reflect the natural composition of an individual’s flora.”

WHO SHOULD TAKE PROBIOTICS? The most obvious candidates for probiotic supplementation are people who have digestive difficulties or who are battling more serious conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as IBS. However, other groups that should consider supplementation include: • Anyone who has recently taken a round of antibiotics • International travelers • Babies born through Caesarean section and those fed formula • Children who get frequent colds and infections, suffer from allergies, are lactose-intolerant or have diarrhea • Adults with high cholesterol • Women taking birth control pills or battling vaginal yeast infections • Anybody who has poor eating habits, high stress levels, or consumes an excess of alcohol. Because probiotics are entirely safe – you simply excrete what you don’t need – and play such a huge role in health promotion, we at Inspiring Health recommend they be one of your core nutritional supplements. And we know of no finer brand than Udo’s Choice® by Flora.

Inspiring Health 35

Probiotics – Proof They Work Allergies

How could beneficial bacteria possibly

help with allergies? Simple. They act as a sealant to the gut lining. Similar to

how a coat of polyurethane on your deck

seals out rain and mildew, friendly flora seal out pathogens and allergens. This

is important news for anyone with allergies, but particularly of interest to women

of childbearing age. One Finnish study found that children of women who took

the age-specific probiotic strain L. rhamnosus while pregnant were 43% less

likely to develop atopic eczema, an allergic skin condition, by age four than those whose moms took placebos.

Constipation

Two recent placebo-controlled studies

show that probiotics may help. The first found that elderly adults who downed a

combination of L. rhamnosus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii for four weeks increased their bowel movement frequency by 24%. The second found

that 89% of patients supplemented with

L. casei for four weeks experienced a positive effect on their constipation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance, which is characterized by nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea, is caused by a

shortage of the enzyme lactase. Some

probiotic strains actually produce lac-

tase, relieving symptoms of lactose intolerance. According to a review article in the esteemed British Journal

of Nutrition, “There is a high level of evidence for positive effects of some probiotics in the alleviation of lactose intolerance.”

CONTINUED

36 Inspiring Health

Udo Erasmus and His Age-Specific Probiotics Flora™ and Udo Erasmus have taken the time to help formulate a series of age-specific probiotic formulas that will continue to cement his reputation for bringing vital new health information and nutrition formulas to the public. With this innovative, quality-driven line, Erasmus has helped to advance the whole field of probiotics. Udo’s Choice®, a premium line of products, reflects the most current research on probiotics. This forward-thinking brand was not content to offer the same acidophilus and bifidus products as everyone else. It offers something entirely new – the first line of age-specific probiotics on the market. Mark LaLonde worked with Udo and Flora to create Udo’s Choice. “Every strain you find in every product was based on a complete literature review,” he discloses. “In the infant formula, the strains were selected based on clinical studies done on infants with similar strains; the same thing is true for the adult formula and the advanced adult formula.” Udo’s Choice® Toddler’s Blend could be the answer to the prayers of parents of colicky children everywhere. One of the biggest causes of death throughout the world is microbial diarrhea, often due to lack of clean drinking water. While obviously the global need for safe drinking water has never been greater, medical studies show probiotics can be successfully used to prevent and help treat this condition. These same probiotic strains can help to promote optimal digestion and immune health in infants.

Did you know that 60%of fullterm newborns conceived vaginally have colonies of Bifidus infantis, the most important beneficial microorganism in the large intestines of babies and toddlers? Yet, this beneficial microbe is rarely found in adults. Therefore, an adult has no need for this particular strain, but it’s critical to the health of infants and toddlers. For colicky babies and children having difficulty with dairy and other digestive issues, probiotics also have importance. The bifidobacteria, including B. infantis, B. bifidum and B. breve, should represent the largest population of beneficial bacteria in babies, whose immune defences are not yet fully working. Babies pick up these friendly bacteria from their mothers during their passage through a clean and healthy birth canal. This is why babies born by Caesarean section benefit from probiotics. Formula-fed babies also have significant differences from breastfed babies in the composition of their gut microflora too, because the heat used to pasteurize formulas kills all bacteria. According to the company, “The specific strains used in Toddler’s Blend have been specially chosen for their value to infant health and have been formulated to the viable count appropriate for infants.” (The infant formula is powder.)

Children’s health also benefits from probiotics. Having healthy intestinal flora cuts down illness and protects kids from harmful food pathogens including poorly cooked food that we’re all likely to encounter on our palate. A child’s healthy microflora will closely resemble that of an adult, but due to their smaller size, children need much smaller quantities of the same bacteria. The specific strains used in Udo’s Choice® Children’s Blend have been specially chosen for their value to children’s health and have been formulated to the viable count appropriate for children. An adult’s healthy microflora will closely resemble that of a child, but due to their larger size, an adult needs much greater quantities of the same bacteria. For adults, the team identified eight adult-specific bacterial strains that are available in Udo’s Choice® Adult’s Blend at an appropriate strength, designed specifically to reflect healthy adult microflora. For people over 55, Udo’s Choice Advanced Adult’s blend provides nine specific bacterial strains at an appropriate strength, designed specifically with a higher percentage and concentration of bifidobacteria. Seniors generally need a large quantity of beneficial bacteria and several varieties of bifidobacteria for optimum bowel health. High concentrations of acidophilus in the absence of bifidobacteria may tend to constipate. This formula has been specifically designed with an emphasis on the particular bifido strains necessary for health and longevity in seniors. This blend is also indicated for adults under age 55

who are experiencing lower bowel symptoms such as chronic diarrhea and/or constipation, often indicators of more serious conditions. The specific strains used in Advanced Adult’s Blend have been specially chosen for their value to lower bowel health and have been formulated to the appropriate viable count. What’s interesting is that while many other brands of probiotics are available, Udo’s Choice® agespecific blends is one of the newest yet most comprehensive microflora lines today. That is because it serves the entire familial spectrum, providing everybody with the opportunity to enjoy great intestinal health. Loren Michel-Shields and Sara Lovelady contributed to this report.

References

Probiotics – Proof They Work Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Gut-wrenching pain, multiple trips to the bathroom each day, alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation – this is the lot of those with irritable bowel syndrome

or IBS. No one is certain what causes

IBS, but probiotics appear to help. One

small study assessed the efficacy of L. plantarum in patients with IBS. Half received a liquid suspension of the real thing while half received a placebo for

four weeks. The results were impressive: 95% of those who took the probiotic experienced an improvement in their

symptoms, while only 15% of those in the placebo group felt better.

Colon Health

No single dietary supplement is going to

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org.

keep you cancer-free; however probiotics

Koebnick, C., et al. “Probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota improves gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation.” Can J Gastroenterol, 2003 Nov;17(11):655-9.

recent review article in the journal Nutri-

Lewis, C. “Irritable bowel syndrome: a poorly understood disorder.” FDA Consumer Magazine, July-August 2001. www.fda.gov. Marteau, P. & Boutron-Ruault, M.C. “Nutritional advantages of probiotics and prebiotics.” Br J Nutr, 2002 May;87 Suppl 2:S153-7. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: http://digestive. niddk.nih/gov. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: www. niaid.nih.gov. Niedzielin, K., et al. “A controlled, double-blind, randomized study on the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum 299V in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.” Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2001 Oct;13(10):1143-7. Ouwehand, A.C., et al. “Effect of probiotics on constipation, fecal azoreductase activity and fecal mucin content in the elderly.” Ann Nutr Metab, 2002;46(3-4):159-62.

do appear to have a protective effect. A tion and Cancer, which analyzed a wealth

of data from human, animal and test-tube

studies, concluded that, “Although the evidence is not conclusive and much further

research is required, the data reviewed constitute a promising body of evidence

supporting the protective role of milks fermented with probiotic cultures in colon cancer risk reduction.”

Resources

Udo’s Choice® products are available at

health food stores nationwide. For more

information or to find a store in your area,

Reuters Health. “Good bacteria may thwart allergies in toddlers.” May 30, 2003.

call Flora toll-free in the United States at

Saikali, J., et al. “Fermented milks, probiotic cultures, and colon cancer.” Nutr Cancer, 2004:49(1):14-24.

436-6697, or use their store locator ser-

Stewart, W.F., et al. “Epidemiology of Constipation (EPOC) study in the United States: relation of clinical subtypes to sociodemographic features.” Am J Gastroenterol, 1999;94:3530-40.

(800) 446-2110 and in Canada at (888) vice at www.florahealth.com.

Inspiring Health 37

S e n i o r Advisor Hawthorn is Heart Healthy One of the phytonutrients most widely used in Europe for maintaining healthy heart function, the standardized extract of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is derived from a spiny European tree whose berries, leaves and blossoms contain biologically active bioflavonoids, the pigments that give plants their deep colour. These bioflavonoids have been shown to lower cholesterol and reverse damage to the arteries in animal studies. Hawthorn is even more effective when combined with garlic. Particularly important for millions of people who’ve suffered a first heart attack or stroke is that these phytonutrients, when combined, strongly help to prevent tissue death that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart. A.G. Ciplea and K.-D. Richter of the Institute of Pathology at the University of Münster, in Germany, reported in 1988 in Drug Research that administration of low doses of garlic and hawthorn “led to improvement in enzyme activity and revealed a moderate protective effect” for preventing heart tissue death. At higher doses, the combination offered even better protective action. This phytonutrient has other heart protective functions. Hawthorn prevents constriction of blood vessels, optimizing healthy blood pressure. Its active compounds also cause an increase in the force of contractions of the heart muscle, which may be of benefit for people suffering from congestive heart failure.

38 Inspiring Health

Good News for Prostate Sufferers Due to its vital importance, the prostate gland is one of the most researched glands in the body. Because of this research, Flora™ has been able to develop the world’s most comprehensive, natural approach to improving and maintaining the health of your prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized organ below the male bladder that surrounds the urethra and contributes fluid to the semen. It’s a fact of life that as men age, the prostate gland grows larger. This can have a constricting effect, restricting the flow of urine. This condition is called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly known as enlarged prostate. Because it’s wrapped around the beginning of the urethra tube, an enlarged prostate can dramatically diminish the proper flow of urine. This condition, if left unchecked, may lead to far more serious problems. Typically a chronic and painful condition, an enlarged prostate may be accompanied by symptoms like chills, fever and body aches as well as pain in the back, pelvis or genitals. It may also cause the frequent and urgent need to urinate, and even burning or painful urination. Untreated symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis may lead to sexual and urinary problems, which can have a negative effect on lifestyle, relationships and emotional well-being.

The ProstaKit® Solution

This one-month program consists

of three powerful components that help address the complexities of prostate health: Saw Palmetto Plus formula contains zinc and vitamin B6. Zinc helps maintain immune function while both zinc and vitamin B6 help the body metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Saw Palmetto Plus conforms to the precise Saw Palmetto liposterolic extract (85% - 95% concentration) used in many scientific studies to prove the herb’s prostate benefits. Flax-O-Mega® is a source of essential fatty acids for the maintenance of overall good health. Flax-O-Mega® provides you with certified organic, cold-pressed, flax seed oil. It is a source of omega-3 and omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids, which are required for many biological processes. EFAs are an important part of men’s health. Pro•Essence® is used in traditional herbal medicine as a diuretic and as a urinary tract antiseptic to help relieve benign urinary tract infections. Pro•Essence® is the traditional urinary tract formula of the Ojibwa people brought into naturopathic medicine by the humanitarian nurse Rene Caisse. Pro•Essence® is comprised of burdock root, juniper berry, prickly ash bark, slippery elm bark and uva ursi, also known as bearberry. These powerful, yet gentle herbs work together synergistically as a detoxification formula to help flush toxins out of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract.

One-Month Program Prostate health is a complex and multifaceted challenge. Flora™ has determined that no single formulation can address the complexities of prostate health. That’s why we’ve combined three unique formulations to give you the full spectrum of natural ingredients at the proper strengths and dosages to create the ProstaKit®. Available in quality health food stores www.florahealth.com | 1.888.436.6697

sharing the essence of health

Evening Primrose Provides Other Essential Fatty Acid Molecules So much attention is paid these days to the miracle of omega-3 fatty acids, but, in truth, other essential fatty acids are also critical to include in a healthy diet. That’s why knowing about the virtues of Evening Primrose Oil is important to everybody, especially for parents of children with learning disorders, people with skin conditions and arthritis sufferers. Though not a true primrose, but part of the willow family, evening primrose is a tiny, short-lived bright yellow wildflower native to North America. The name simply comes from the fact that its flowers resemble those of the primrose plant. After discovering this New World plant, the Europeans took it back to the Old World where its healing properties for skin diseases and flesh wounds quickly earned it the name the “king’s cure-all.” Currently, evening primrose is grown in 30 or more countries, and the oil pressed from its seed is marketed as a valuable natural healing supplement. It is especially well documented for supporting skin health in cases of eczema and dermatitis. But other benefits include relief of premenstrual syndrome and arthritis-related joint pain.

40 Inspiring Health

Promise of Evening Primrose Oil Today, we know that the oil from the seeds of evening primrose contains a high amount of the active ingredient, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an oil quite similar to other essential fatty acids (EFA) of the omega-6 variety. In fact, evening primrose oil is one of the few substances found in nature that contains significant amounts of GLA. It was only as recently as the 1970s that researchers discovered the reason for its potential therapeutic benefits – GLA aids the body’s formation of important prostaglandins (known as PGE1) that moderate inflammatory processes. (Prostaglandins are molecules that act as vital cell regulators.) While the body manufactures gamma-linolenic acid from linoleic acid, one of the essential fatty acids, optimal production is often inhibited by dietary deficiencies, agerelated enzymatic deficiencies and intake of excess amounts of saturated fat. Indeed, it is interesting to note linoleic acid on its own has little to no biological activity in and of itself. Its true value is in its conversion to GLA. When we take additional GLA, we encourage increased formation of PGE1, which produces a variety of health benefits.

Health experts say the prostaglandin E1 series aids the body by inhibiting or reducing inflammation, blood clumping, blood clots, abnormal cholesterol production and formation of malignant cells. (In particular, GLA reduces risk of arterial spasm and abnormal clots, important factors in heart attacks and stroke. Another benefit is lowering blood pressure.) The PGE1 series also maintains important electrolyte balances and normalizes insulin secretions. Other health conditions that can benefit from gammalinolenic acid include arthritis; skin disorders such as eczema, acne, dermatitis; allergies and asthma; premenstrual syndrome; multiple sclerosis; fibrocystic breast disease; and depression.

Benefits Hyperactive Children

Helps Beautify Skin

The noted essential fatty acid researcher David Horrobin, MD, has made an incredibly important contribution to our understanding of the role that GLA plays in all facets of health. He notes, “…the level of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is of crucial importance to the body. A fall in the level of PGE (in the brain) will lead to a potentially catastrophic series of untoward consequences including increased vascular reactivity, elevated cholesterol production, diabetic-like changes in insulin release, enhanced risk of auto-immune disease, enhanced risk of inflammatory disorders and susceptibility to depression.”

In a double-blind trial conducted by researchers associated with the Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland, patients with eczema received either oral evening primrose oil or placebo for 12 weeks. In the evening primrose oil group, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the overall severity and grade of inflammation and in the percentage of the body surface involved by eczema as well as in dryness and itch. The patients receiving evening primrose oil also showed a significantly greater reduction in inflammation than those receiving placebo. In a study conducted by researchers at the Nutrition Research Centre, University of Bologna, Italy, 24 children with atopic eczema were treated with evening primrose oil or olive oil. After only four weeks, the eczema of essential fatty acid-treated children significantly improved in comparison with that of olive oil-treated children. Meanwhile, researchers from the Pediatric Clinic, Health Centre, Gripen, Karlstad, Sweden, conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study that included 60 children with dermatitis and the need for regular treatment with topical skin steroids. The children completed a 16-week treatment period with either evening primrose oil or placebo capsules. “The study demonstrated significant improvements of the eczema symptoms,” noted the researchers. Many other studies support use of evening primrose oil for a variety troubling conditions.

Dr. Horrobin notes in one such study: “About 20 children were treated with substantial benefit, which comprised two-thirds of them. Some responses were dramatic! In one case a boy whom they had threatened with expulsion from school because of his impossible behaviour was put on gamma-linolenic acid without the knowledge of the school authorities. After he was on GLA for two weeks, the teacher, who was unaware of the treatment, contacted the parents and said that in 30 years of experience she had never seen such a dramatic and abrupt change for the better in a child’s behaviour. Some children do equally well no matter if the oil is given by mouth or by rubbing into the skin. In others, there is the distinct impression that skin absorption, which will bypass malabsorption problems, may have a better effect.”

Inspiring Health 41

Eases Premenstrual Symptoms Women suffering from premenstrual syndrome experience symptoms such as irritability, depression, fatigue, water retention and breast pain. Women with PMS often have a metabolic block that interferes with the body’s ability to make GLA. Pure evening primrose oil helps alleviate this condition, easing premenstrual discomforts.

of every cell in the entire human body. These healthy fats are from the omega-3 and omega-6 families of nutrients. Efamol sources their EFAs from high quality fish oils and special strains of evening primrose plants, which are grown and harvested to provide up to 33% more GLA than other evening primrose oil products in the marketplace. Even their name demonstrates their commitment: Essential Fatty Acid MOLecule.

Prevents and Repairs Nerve Damage

Evening Primrose Oil:

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-term diabetes. Symptoms include loss of touch sensation (including hot and cold), muscle weakness, blood pressure problems, bladder problems, impotence, and stomach and intestinal upset.

• Normalizes inflammatory levels, thereby reducing

Efamol® Pure Evening Primrose Oil provides the essential fatty acids that help open up blood vessels and improve circulation around the nerves. Research indicates that pure evening primrose oil can prevent and repair neve damage caused by diabetes.

Efalex® and Efalex® Liquid Fatty molecules DHA and AA, often found in fish, maintain healthy brain and eye function in children and adults. Efalex is a unique combination of fish and evening primrose seed oils. Efalex has been shown to benefit symptoms of learning/behaviour disorders including dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder. The supplement maintains and supports learning ability, concentration, coordination and nerve transmission. It is clinically studied with excellent results and is the formula that the scientific literature recommends.

Selecting Quality Evening Primrose Oil The quality of evening primrose oils varies. Because oils are subject to rancidity, your provider should have taken important steps to insure its evening primrose oil is of an extremely high quality with low-temperature processing without chemical solvents to avoid formation of free radicals and ensuing rancidity. Efamol® is one of the world’s leading companies specializing in essential fatty acid (EFA) based products. EFAs are essential for the healthy functioning

42 Inspiring Health

risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.

• Lowers blood pressure. • Supports healing of the gastrointestinal lining and ulcer healing.

• Aids normalization of autoimmune conditions. • Has been shown to help women with fibrocystic breast disease or PMS symptoms.

• Might possibly help in cases of multiple sclerosis. • Definitely aids arthritis symptoms. • Supports health in cases of diabetic neuropathy. • Definitely helps in skin conditions such as acne and eczema.

• Can help prevent liver damage. • Enhances the body’s production and utilization of insulin.

Is there really a healthy fast food? Yes, in fact that’s what Udo’s Choice® Wholesome Fast Food Blend was specifically designed to be. Loaded with organic ingredients, our formula delivers optimum nutrition to help increase energy, maintain bowel regularity and healthy cholesterol levels when used as part of a healthy diet. In addition, we’ve included enough soluble fibre to escort cholesterol, toxins and heavy metals out of the body. This all-vegetarian formula is flavoured with almond and cinnamon and mixes well with protein shakes, juices, salads or other foods. So when you don’t have enough time to eat whole foods, reach for Udo’s Choice® Fast Food Blend and feel the difference.

sharing the essence of health

Medicinal Herbs

BIJA Healing Teas – the Obvious Choice for Quality ®

If you haven’t yet developed the tea habit, you should. It will do wonderful things for your health – normalizing blood pressure, reducing appetite, increasing met abolism and helping to support the immune system. Tea i s o n e h e a l t hy h a b i t .

We were very excited – almost trembling with anticipation, we have to admit – when we entered the exquisite world of BIJA® Healing Teas (at the recommendation of friends who told us these teas were special). You might think all teas are the same. But, BIJA is turning all of your thinking about teas upside down. People are astonished at the obvious differences in quality between BIJA teas and other brands. We recently cut open a tea bag of Cranberry with Rooibos and compared it with some of the other cranberry teas on the market. The BIJA tea was filled with bright, vibrant red cranberries. The difference with the other cranberry teas was remarkable (and appalling). Our investigative reporting has revealed why these differences are so apparent. Many tea companies use precut “teabag herbs.” Because such herbs might be six months or a year old, their medicinal value, potency and flavour can be compromised, which is not good for producing tea. But, Flora™, the manufacturer of BIJA Healing Teas, contracts with farmers around the world and cuts their teas themselves. This allows Flora™ to control both the flavour and quality of their teas. They take their tea very seriously. Another example: we compared the contents of the newly introduced BIJA Yerba Mate with some of the other leading brands. Of course, drinking yerba mate for health and energy is a South American phenomenon (you will rarely see anyone who is obese who consumes it regularly), although some people complain of the taste of some brands. Now we know why. We opened the tea bags and put some of the leading brands of yerba mate side by side with BIJA Yerba Mate. Everyone

44 Inspiring Health

Tea is the original method of capturing and partaking of the healing powers of herbal medicines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as practiced by the ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic, Tibetan and First Nations who all used teas to nurture their vital energy and health. Plus, if you really think about it, teas are the most economical way today of utilizing herbal remedies.

Inspiring Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 45

For taste, medicinal potency and value, there is probably no better tea line – and we’ve tried them all in our quest for the perfect cup of tea.

who saw both was shocked because most companies were using both stems and leaves combined, whereas BIJA was virtually all leaf (which makes a tasty tea). There’s no secret here. Not only can you see the visual differences between BIJA and other teas, you can also taste the difference. In this case, BIJA Yerba Mate was much smoother and did not have the bite associated with most other brands. It is also certified organic.

We spoke about value Based on our market analysis, no one has a larger teabag than BIJA (in terms of surface area) in the industry. The amount of herbs and spices in BIJA teas also makes their teabags substantially heavier than those from many other companies; this ensures you, the consumer, receives more of the valuable volatile oils and other healing phytochemicals present in tea that come out from steeping. Also, because of their size and weight, whereas a typical teabag is intended to brew one cup, each BIJA teabag brews a small pot or several cups. The value of purchasing BIJA goes further: each box of BIJA teas contains twenty – not

46 Inspiring Health

sixteen – teabags (with competitive pricing). Plus, the teabags themselves are not only dioxin-free but also adhesive-free. For taste, medicinal potency and value, there is probably no better tea line – and we’ve tried them all in our quest for the perfect cup of tea. No wonder BIJA Healing Teas from Flora™ are the fastest growing new tea line in America today, according to Spins, a marketing data organization for the natural health business. So if you want to improve your health today, start drinking tea. Taste, quality, value and their healing powers should make BIJA Healing Teas one of your very favourites.

BIJA ® Healing Teas are available at health food stores nationwide. For more information call Flora™ toll-free at (80 0) 446 2110 or visit www.florahealth.com.

Join Flora’s Sharing Health Community! Now is the time to come together and learn about healthy living for you and your family. Participate in informative lectures, educational seminars, practical workshops and exciting volunteer opportunities. Join us to share ideas on developing sustainable lifestyle practices for optimal health and green living for better nutrition and a better world. • FREE membership • FREE quarterly Inspiring Health Magazine (available at participating health food stores, or online)

• FREE Essence of Flora™ pictorial booklet (online)

• FREE product discount coupons

• Herbal encyclopedia and holistic practitioner directory • New product announcements • Webinars and community seminar announcements • To sign up, visit www.florahealth.com

sharing the essence of health

We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. T. S. Eliot