7 Good Reasons to Love Strawberries

Today I'm getting ready for the 14th Annual Bradford County Strawberry Festival.  I'll be there with the Live Fit Team promoting the Ultimate Body Challenge. 

I love strawberries and have them just about every morning at breakfast.  Not only are they yummy, here are 7 other reasons to love them!

1.  Antioxidants - Antioxidants protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to environmental hazards like smoke, radiation, etc. Free radicals damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases, including wrinkles (not a disease I know but still...).  

2.  Anti-inflammatory - Strawberries have phenols which fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis, similar to the way that aspirin and ibuprofen do but without unwanted side effects like stomach and intestinal bleeding you get from excessive use of pain relievers.

3.  Combat Cancer - Free radicals and inflammation are at the root of most cancer.  The combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of strawberries are a good line of defense in preventing some cancers!  (1+2=3)

4.  Healthy peepers - This is an important one for me because I'm blind as a bat and macular degeneration runs in my family.  The Archives of Ophthalmology recently published a study saying that  three or more servings of strawberries per day can decrease the possibility of contracting age-related macular degeneration by over one-third. I think 3 servings of strawbereris is a lot when you consider the sugar and would recommend you incorporate some of these other healthy-eye foods to defend against macular degeneration:  kale, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, eggs, sunflower seeds, salmon and garlic)

5.  Fiber -  1 cup of strawberries has 3 grams of fiber and only 45 calories.  Fiber aids in healthy digestion, helps control blood pressure and helps prevent overeating. 

6.  Vitamin C - 1 cup of strawberries has about 90 mg of Vitamin C, another powerful antioxidant that can help lower blood pressure, build up the immune system, and prevent eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts.

7.  Bone building - Strawberries also contain potassium, magnesium, manganese, and Vitamin K, all of which are important for building healthy and strong bones. 

So, come out to the Strawberry Festival and see us or go to your local farmers' market and pick up some fresh, sweet strawberries!

Give me a K...

...he's strong to the finich cause he eats his spinach

Last week I told you about Vitamin D, D3 to be specific. Since then I've learned that a Health Claim has been filed with the FDA for Vitamin D. Now that may sound scary, but what it actually means is that since there have been certain scientific evidence that allows producers to make specific claims about the benefit of the product.

This week I want to share with you what I've learned about Vitamin K. This is the 2nd of the 8 ingredients that make up the new, most advanced wellness product available in the United States today, 8Rx. Most people talk about Vitamin K if they have used or know someone who uses Coumadin, an anticoagulant drug that works by inhibiting the body's blood clotting process. But it does more than just help the blood clot. Look here at the benefits:

• Helps prevent osteoporosis
• Helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• Helps fight cancer
• Helps maintain healthy blood clotting
• Helps prevent excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging
• Cofactor in helping to prevent atherosclerosis of arteries
• Cofactor in bone metabolism by acting synergistically with Vitamin A & D

Vitamin K deficiencies are evident if you have symptoms related to problematic blood clotting or bleeding, like heavy menstrual bleeding, gum bleeding, bleeding within the digestive tract, nose bleeding, easy bruising, blood in the urine, prolonged clotting times, hemorrhaging, and anemia. Bone related symptoms can include loss of bone (osteopenia), decrease in bone mineral density (osteoporosis), and fractures-including common age-related fractures like that of the hips. Another set of vitamin K deficiency-related symptoms involves excess calcium in soft tissues like hardening of the arteries or calcium-related problems with heart valve function.

People with digestive issues tend to be prone to a Vitamin K deficiency. Particularly those with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, and digestive tract surgeries (like intestinal resection), or problems with pancreatic function, liver function, or gallbladder function.

Vitamin K can be obtained naturally from spinach, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, kale and mustard greens, green peas and carrots.

I also read that Vitamin K may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions:


* Bone fracture
* Chronic liver disease
* Cystic fibrosis
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Liver cancer
* Pancreatic cancer
* Kidney stones
* Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
* Thrombosis

The new 8Rx formula contains a synergistic blend of Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, DHA (Omega 3 - Fish Oil), Olive Leaf Extract/Sesame Lignans, 2-AEP Calcium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Turmeric Powder/Piperine, and Green Tea that is unavailable in any other single supplement. There are over 1500 clinical studies published proving the health benefits of these ingredients supporting that they may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Stay tuned for more info on the benefits of these all-natural components!

Click here to hear testimonials from people already finding results using the new 8Rx.

Don't forget about our Season of Love promotion!! All online orders are 10% off until Valentine's Day!