Here is some good news to start the New Year, particularly if you are like most of us and have over indulged a little during the festive season.

According to research just published in the Journal of Nutrition, some Japanese researchers have found that Omega 3 fish oil can reduce body weight gain by boosting fat metabolism. At least in mice! The good news is that Australian researchers have also had had similar positive results in humans when using an Onega 3 DHA fish oil with similar specs to our own Xtend-Life...high DHA and lower EPA.

So, if you are inclined to eat a bit much which also forces up your trigylcerides then Omega 3 DHA fish oil will help keep them normal, and perhaps help with weight control.

For more info please click here.

We have been using isoflavones for years in both our Women’s and Men’s versions of Total Balance. This is because the active phytochemicals in them…genistein and daidzein are well proven to be of benefit in preventing many forms of cancer, and in particular breast and prostate. (We do not include the isoflavones in our Unisex version of Total Balance as isoflavones are not needed for teenagers.

This is the opening statement in a recent article which reports on a study in which 300 children were studied over 7 years.

Of course Omega 3 DHA does much more than just helping the child. It also greatly benefits the Mother as well, particularly with regard to post natal depression. The baby draws off the ‘inventory’ of the Mother’s DHA which is an essential fatty acid in the brain and necessary to maintain a sense of well-being. As we humans cannot make our own DHA it has to be replaced from either our diet or supplementation.

Over the next few days, most of the Western World will be celebrating the Christmas holidays which means different things to different people. For me, the most important part of this time of year is time spent with the family. It is also a time to reflect on just how temporary things really are as older members of the family pass on and new ones come into the world. As we get older we better appreciate the value of time and living in the present moment whilst doing our best to enrich the lives of all we come in contact with or influence in some way.

It is so easy in modern times to get caught up in materialism and lose sight of the most important values of life, which are inner peace and good health.

In 2008 try to focus on enjoying the present whilst planning for the future.

Question: from Mary

I am 50 years old. I have lupus, currently going through menopause. I really don't have a lot of energy. Do you have something that would help me? My sex drive is down and I definitely don't like that. Should I take the Complete Woman supplement that you have? I don't really like to take a lot of pills, so whatever you suggest.

I am on placquenil. I also take L-lysine, Vit.e, and Vit. C. The doctor told me to start taking Vit D. I take some stuff called venacure for varicose veins (I don't want to get them and I have a few) Do you have anything for that?

Answer: from Joanna (Medical Nutritionist for Xtend-Life)

I would recommend the below protocol for you to help with your problems:

Question: from Sherry

COULD YOU TELL ME OF ANY PRODUCTS TO HELP DEGENERATIVE DISK? COULD IT BE CURED? MY SISTER IS 30 AND FOUND OUT SHE HAS THIS.

Answer: from Joanna (Medical Nutritionist for Xtend-Life)

Degenerative disc disease can have a few degrees of severity depending at what stage it is at.

A healthy disc has a great deal of water in the centre portion. The water content gives the nucleus a spongy quality and allows it to absorb spinal stress.

Loss of water content causes the discs to lose some of their ability to act as cushions. This can lead to stress and tears on the disc. As the nucleus loses its water content, it collapses. Without the cushion effect of the discs, the vertebrae in your spine would not be able to absorb stresses or provide the movement needed to bend and twist.

Question: from Abraham

I am suffering from high triglycerides (360 mg). However, my total cholesterol and LDL are normal with HDL figure low (32 mg). Kindly let me know whether your product CHOLEST-NATURAL could help. I would be much grateful if you could give me an early reply so that I can forward the order without delay

Answer: from Warren

HDL levels are not easy to raise! Most customers do however get some benefit from the Cholest-Natural in the form of increased HDL as well as lowered LDL, but it can take 60 – 90 days and the increase in HDL may still only be modest.

It is important though that you are aware that an important component in raising HDL is exercise, in particular weight bearing exercise. It is likely that some good solid exercise will help raise your HDL more than any drug or supplement.

I feel that your main focus should be with reducing your triglycerides which are way too high.

The key message to be taken from this is, think twice before having a scan. Is it really necessary or is there an alternative diagnostic tool available?

Here is the article: