What is the insurance company’s role in supplements?

I came across this intriguing story on the AP wire. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091103/ap_on_he_me/us_med_unproven_remedies_insurance      It’s an interesting read since it opens some speculation into why some insurance companies would sell supplements to their members.  Is it for our benefit or theirs?  I would hope that it’s for our benefit, but the aura that surrounds these companies is not one of trust right now whether that’s right or wrong.   The two most striking quotes are attributed to the same R. Douglas Metz of American Specialty Health.  I’ll let you read them and decide what context they are meant to be used.

In Health, NBPI

www.livergard.com

 

A good picture of the H1N1 flu

Helping people grasp this pandemic is of utmost importance if we’re going to understand it’s implications and the potential for future issues with even more virulent flu’s.   The following link does help paint a picture of how quickly it hits, how long it stays in the body, etc.      http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091020/hl_nm/us_flu_academy         Additionally, knowing how viruses replicate in the body is important to know so that you can support the natural processes in place to combat this flu ( or any other flu).  This excerpt helps explain this:  http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/glossary/virus.html

In the body, the liver is responsible for metabolizing toxins including those released when the host cell of the virus ‘explodes’ releasing new viruses to infect healthy cells.  Similar to the effects of consuming too much alcohol, the liver becomes sluggish and the resultant build up of toxins in the body ends up producing the achy muscles, headache, shaking, etc. obviously making things miserable.  This is where nutrition targeting the liver becomes even more important as speeding the rate of elimination of these toxins reduces the time that it takes for the body’s immune system to do it’s job in the antibody creation.   Foods that fit this are artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, beets, and garlic.  Those are also good for general daily health but really support the liver.  Supplements with these ingredients can certainly help; there are plenty of garlic selections to choose from and artichoke is widely used.  I recommend LiverGARD since it is only artichoke and sarsaparilla and provides a tremendous antioxidant boost as well.

Stay healthy and keep washing those hands!

NBPI

Improving the health and lifestyle of the wine drinker

Why do people drink wine?  I’ve asked quite a few people over the past few weeks trying to understand their motivation to open a bottle of wine and the answers are all over the spectrum.  From complementing a meal, to improved heart health, to socializing, and even as a habit.  What was clear through all of the words was the nuance of ‘lifestyle’.  Some took their wine drinking seriously; others simply because it was right in front of them.   For most the enjoyment was not so much the flavor, texture, or finish of the wine as it was the events surrounding the moment.  To top off my questions, I asked if any of them had ever experienced a headache or a little ‘fogginess’ the next day as a result of their wine ‘enjoyment’.  Though not astounding to me, the answer I received was an affirmative.  What was astounding to them was the fact that when they thought about it, it was quite often that they had these negative consequences, yet these effects were not so severe as to have them rethink their lifestyle choices.  That’s when our conversation would turn to the question:  What if you could do one thing different that would eliminate the ‘bad’ things without changing anything else?   Obviously, that was the lead in for LiverGARD as clearly these folks were NOT going to stop drinking.  That’s what we, and I, have been preaching for almost 10 years now.  As LiverGARD is carried more and more at wineries ( in their tasting rooms) and in stores that sell wine ( and spirits and beer ), this message is being validated.   Anything that improves the experience is positive and if health benefits are realized as well, then that’s icing on the cake.  Whether you sell wine or drink it, it’s time to consider improving the experience for yourself and/or your customers.

In health,

NBPI

Do we really remember what day it is?

Are you sure???  I’m perusing today’s rag and the only mention of the events in NYC, Washington, and Pennsylvania in 2001 is a story about the politics of using today to volunteer or put yourself in service for another.  To some it’s a leftist agenda, to others it’s a self serving opportunity for marketing.  REALLY NOW!   Is it too much to ask to put aside this petty thinking and  use the remembrance of the 3000 people killed to rekindle the hope, the drive, the community, and the collective coming together that permeated the world ( not just the USA)?    For the sake of respecting the victims of 9/11 and the many service members placed in harms way as a fall out from the attacks since, let’s use today to reflect and find within ourselves the will, desire, and strength to come together and stay together every day.   It’s the minimum we owe ourselves, as well as the fallen.

From here on the shores of Santa Cruz to ground zero in NYC, DC, and PA we stand as one with you today.  We do remember what day it is and will always remember.  It’s 9/11.

In health, NBPI

A thistle tale

Good morning,

As I was reading the newspaper this morning, there was a great story on the death cap mushroom and some poisoning that occurred here in the SF Bay Area.  We have a doctor in the Santa Cruz area that knows how to deal with poisoning and his efforts have prevented deaths and liver transplants for these patients.   How was this accomplished??  Through the use of an intravenous form of milkthistle, also known as the wild artichoke.  Why is this important??  Well, the fact that milkthistle has clear hepatic (liver) protection qualities due to it’s flavonoids, primarily silymarin, supports natural products in a big way.  Even more important to you is the fact that LiverGARD is even more potent a liver support mechanism.  LiverGARD utilizes the entire cynara floridanum artichoke ( not the globe or scolamus version you see in the stores ) and sarsaparilla to enhance the liver supporting plant chemicals.  The resulting extract is the basis behind our product and it’s effectiveness, especially as compared to any of the milkthistle products in capsule form.  Most milkthistle products are standardized at 80% silymarin making this flavonoid the primary component.  In the case of LiverGARD, our complex of flavonoids includes quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, (+)-catechin, silymarin, cynarin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid.  To read more about how valuable our supplement is, check out the following link, http://www.naturalbridges.ws/full_study.html.  Let me be very clear…I have no knowledge of LiverGARD’s ability to work with mushroom poisoning, but I can state factually that customers with elevated liver enzymes due to statins and/or painkillers have reported significant improvements, customers have reported improved digestion, and without a doubt customers have been using our formula for years to prevent the symptoms of too much alcohol, often referred to as the hangover.  Your liver deserves to be treated well, especially since we don’t always do the right thing to our bodies.   Make LiverGARD part of your daily longevity program.

All the best, NBPI   www.livergard.com   www.naturalbridgesproducts.com

Liver health helping the body cope with colds and flu

As we enter a cold and flu season that has many experts concerned, especially with the H1N1 (Swine) variety estimated to impact up to 120 million of us in the USA this year.   Viruses, whether the cold or influenza variety, are different than bacteria in how they replicate.  As they commandeer the protein system in a cell, more viruses are created and the residual effect of the ‘leaking’ of fluids, proteins, etc. from the infected cell must be metabolized.  The huge number of viruses infecting the cells in the body releases a toxic soup that ends up slowing down the metabolizing ability of the liver.  The result is headache, achy muscles, lethargy, or in other words – misery.   (This is similar to the effects of too much alcohol consumption or the alcohol hangover, in fact most of the ’symptoms’ of the hangover mimic the flu. )  In most cases, the misery only lasts from 3 days to 2 weeks depending on the strength of your immune system.  This is where you can help yourself now.  Eating plenty of vegetables/fruits, getting plenty of rest, a decent amount of exercise, and frequent washing of hands should be the norm.  A supplement like LiverGARD can provide much of the daily antioxidant levels needed daily and keep the liver function top notch and when the inevitable strikes, your body will be in the best possible shape to quickly rid yourself of the viruses.

In health, NBPI   www.livergard.com

PS.  A good, but older article on colds/viruses can be found here:

http://www.healthieryou.com/cold.html

heart health and wine but what about the liver?

It’s an interesting question to me and is  actually relevant to about 80% of the adults that I know.  So many of us drink wine from the occasional glass with dinner,  a tasting party with friends at a winery, or the ‘crush your own grapes and we’ll make some ourselves’ crew.  Knowing that there is mixed evidence of the  heart health benefit of wine (and more specifically red wine) here is some information from the Mayo Clinic that helps us understand where the research is currently:

‘The studies supporting red wine suggest antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. These antioxidants come in two main forms: flavonoids and nonflavonoids.

• Flavonoids. These antioxidants are found in a variety of foods, including oranges, grape juice, apples, onions, tea and cocoa. Other types of alcohol, such as white wine and beer, contain small amounts, too, but red wine has higher levels.
• Nonflavonoids. These antioxidants found in red wine have recently been of particular interest because they appear to help prevent arteries from becoming clogged with fatty blockages. However, these studies mostly involved mice — not humans. Resveratrol is the nonflavonoid that’s received the most attention from researchers.’

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089

The rest of the article at the above link is good information as well.  The final recommendation that people shouldn’t start drinking in order to get the health benefits due the other health concerns associated with alcohol consumption is why I’m pointing out the liver in all of this.  Of course the liver is impacted, especially if too much alcohol is consumed.  So, the question begs…if we’re not going to stop drinking wine ( or beer or whiskey ), what can we do to get the heart health advantage without the negative liver consequences?  THAT, I do have an answer for…and if you read the MayoClinic information you’re going to see that my answer may also have heart health benefits that I haven’t even thought of.  My answer is a product called LiverGARD.  A food product extract comprised of artichoke and sarsaparilla, it provides nutrition to the body that allows the liver to continue it’s normal efficiency under the duress of moderate alcohol consumption.  It’s extremely high in antioxidants ( two capsules = 3-4 cups of blueberries );  high in polyphenols and flavonoids.  Exactly what is good for you in the red wine  for your heart and in this case the liver.  It’s no wonder then that it actually prevents the dreaded hangover that usually effects who???  Yeah, the light to moderate drinker or more pointedly, YOU.   So as we come in to the holiday season and football starts up and the grape crushing parties are underway, get yourself some LiverGARD and have it on hand for everyone.  You’ll be doing your heart, liver, and lifestyle a huge service.  Check out www.livergard.com

In health,

NBPI

My son missed the bus

…which turned out really well.  We were able to talk about the fires burning in SoCal, soccer practice tonight, homework plan of attack; all of this in the extra ten minutes I got with him just because we were late for the bus.   Fortunately, my current situation allows this luxury.   I didn’t have to get frantic or pass blame and make the situation worse.  It was another important lesson to myself to see opportunity instead of an obstacle.   Running this company has been a case study in this lesson and I’m finding the opportunity again in what we do versus the constant battles to beat back obstacles.  It’s lesson for all of us.  For those of you interested, our company is Natural Bridges Products (www.naturalbridgesproducts.com) and our product is LiverGARD (www.livergard.com)    See what opportunities LiverGARD opens for you.

In Health,

NBPI

the smoke is gone but life is still a bit hazy

It’s just another summer day here on the edge of the continent.  The smoke from the nearby fires has cleared a bit and now it’s only the fog that remains.   Too bad that fog affects my focus at times.  Oh well, that’s just my life.   Fortunately the kids are back in school and I can once again spend a few hours working peacefully towards building the company before chaos descends and I have to start up homework and prepare for whichever sport is being played today.

Branding a product that deals with liver health is a significant challenge.  It’s very hard for any of us to think about something that we absolutely take for granted and only impacts us when it isn’t working.   As a society we’ve worked really hard at raising awareness for the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, etc.  All of these organs are of obvious interest to our everyday lives yet the one organ that ensures that we can survive the daily assault on our bodies from the environment, the food we eat,  the fluids we drink, and the lifestyle we choose gets so little mention.  The liver is that important, yet it’s not the sexiest topic.   I get it!

Perhaps, though, I can help common sense break through and gain some of your attention in why it might be a good idea to pay closer attention to your liver.  Did you know:

- that the liver is the organ responsible for metabolizing all toxins that enter the body.

- significantly aids in the digestion process

- becomes sluggish under the duress of toxins such as acetaminophen, highly processed foods, cold/ flu virus, and alcohol

- is less efficient as we age

What does this mean??  It’s a pretty important organ and we pay too little attention.  Supporting liver health by always eating healthier, avoiding alcohol/tobacco, never eating fast foods, never getting sick, never going out,  or never taking an OTC or prescription drug is unlikely all of the time in our culture.  For most of us, our lives are fast paced and we don’t always make the right decisions for our health.  When we’re younger these decisions don’t impact us as much, but as we age we certainly feel the effects when we don’t take care of ourselves. That’s why I’ve learned that liver health is too important to blow off.   All of the typical advice like getting more rest, eating more fruits and vegetables, minimizing alcohol intake, no smoking, is very valid so where you can, make those changes too.  The most important change though is to consider adding a product called LiverGARD to your life.   This all natural supplement is ultra high in antioxidants ( 1650 ORAC units per serving ) and is only two easily recognizable ingredients (artichoke/sarsaparilla).   This makes LiverGARD ultra safe and the nutrition targets liver function and allows the liver to continue it’s natural process at high efficiency even under the duress of toxins.  I, by accident, discovered that it actually helped prevent my hangovers when I chose to drink which is what triggered me to study the raw material further.  If it works on an acute toxin like ethanol, just think how it can help your liver when eating at the local burger joint.

In my day to day world, I’m called coach.   That’s for sports related functions but I hope that you will see that I’m coaching you all in a different domain.  Your lifestyle is important to you, as mine is.  I hope you will see the value in doing what I do each day and that’s take LiverGARD.  It will make a difference for you and your family, and you get to keep the lifestyle you like.

All the best from Life on thEdge! and NBPI

Coach Greg

trying to figure out the demographics

It’s difficult to run a company in these times.  Who are my customers?  Why are they my customers?  Why aren’t they?  How to I get more?  How do I help people understand the benefits of becoming a customer?  How do I help them understand my company and our product(s)  and what and who we are so they want to be customers?  We’re always struggling with this…especially since we know we have an incredibly useful product for essentially everyone.  This is probably part of our problem because we can’t find a reason for anyone NOT to use our product.  It can be used strategically or tactically and sometimes both at the same time.   It is safe for almost anyone; even children.  There is both a health and lifestyle benefit from use.  It’s that GOOD.  From Maxim Magazine to the Santa Cruz Sentinel we’ve been positively reported on.  So after all this, what is the product?  That answer is LiverGARD.  What is LiverGARD?…it is a food, a supplement, a lifestyle enhancer, an energy provider, digestive aid, and yes…a HANGOVER PREVENTATIVE.   A food?  yes, as the sole ingredients are artichoke and sarsaparilla.  As a supplement you are getting 1650 ORAC units from every two capsules.  That makes up for several cups of broccoli and some blueberries.  Think about our kids getting their nutrition more efficiently and without complaint.  If your lifestyle includes such thing as working out, massage therapy, or yoga, then liverGARD helps clean out the body from the toxins released into the bloodstream.  Out of energy, then let’s look at why that could be before we take energy shots or drinks.  Since LiverGARD aids digestion and better metabolization, the foods we eat will be more adequately be used by the body.  This means more energy as sugars a more easily metabolized and converted to use.  See, these are all reasons for all of us to use LiverGARD every day.   LiverGARD; it’s not just to prevent a hangover anymore!  See for youself!