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

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

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!

Youth athletics…a mirror to the real world

Here we go again…the world of youth athletics.  If we wonder why we have real problems in the world, we can once again look at youth athletics as window into why we can’t solve these problems.  For example, if the parents of the kids I coach spent as much time focusing on other things than trying to get little Johnny to the major leagues by the time he is 16, we’d get somewhere.  Let’s get real folks…do the homework, research, etc. and realize that Johnny is NOT going to be a MLB player at age 16.  No matter how much you spend, how much you trash your coaches, complain at umpires, and continue to teach that it’s not about the team, but ONLY YOU Johnny.   Let’s take the fun out of the game, let’s teach our kids that selfishness is the right approach, let’s make sure the coach hears how Johnny should be at first base every inning because he’s the only one that has any ‘real’ future, and that he should never, ever sit out.   GET A GRIP and STEP BACK.   This mentality must change for  all of our sakes.   Have we forgotten what we’re supposed to be teaching our kids??  What has happened to talking to your child everyday about what is going on?  What they like, what they don’t like.  Specific to sports, what has happened to encouraging your child to work harder and earn the position or playing time?  Why is it that you are not teaching your child to talk directly to the coach and ask what he/she can do to earn more playing time?  Why are you not teaching your child compassion for those that are making mistakes?  Is your kid that perfect??   We’re to build our children up BUT not at the expense of tearing someone else down.  At what point did this become acceptable to you?  Are you really so indifferent and selfish that you don’t care if Johnny gets what he wants??  I guess the problem I have is that fully a third of the kids I deal with are being raised this way.  I do what I can to change this thinking and I’m pretty good at that, but it only takes another parent ( and sometimes even another coach) to destroy the values that I work so hard to instill.  Since I’m not a quitter this is going to be my fight.  The kids I coach who buy into participating as a true teammate both on the team, their community, and in their life are the ones I want running for office, making decisions that shape the course of our future.  We’ve seen what happens when we let those that don’t believe in this run our country…it’s why we are where we are.  We, as parents/coaches, hold the key to a future that allows us to be teammates with other countries, other ideologies, etc.  Take a step back and buy in to this thinking and let’s reap the rewards this way; together.

In health, NBPI

visit us at www.livergard.com        find us on FaceBook (fan of LiverGARD), and follow our updates on Twitter (Life on th Edge )

ponderings of the little league mind

It’s Friday and it’s beautiful out…going to get out in a few and take in all in.  In the meantime, it’s one of those pondering days….and little league baseball is where my mind is.  I’m experiencing the whole scene for the second time ( my two boys are 7 years apart) andthis time it’s much more fun.  It’s so much more enjoyable to see the game for what it is – a GAME.  It’s another reminder of the the little lessons we need to see what’s in front of us.  Let’s remember WHO is playing the game and what it means to them, not us.  Let’s help these kids play free of the fear of making mistakes.  Let’s remind ourselves that part of playing any game is learning it, therefore mistakes are inevitable.  Opportunity counts as well and they all deserve opportunities…both to play and to learn why they aren’t playing.   We, as parents, cannot forget that we are the teachers in this as well.  So to all of you watching youth baseball tonight or anytime in the future – ENJOY IT for what it is!  Play Ball!

oh yeah,  this is coming from a coach (HS, Sr., LL)

In health,

Natural Bridges Products, Inc.

www.livergard.com

another day on the edge…

It’s just after 10:30 am and the sun is coming out!  It’s been a long gray spell of marine layer out here on the left edge of the country so the sun is welcome.  I’m looking forward to a bike ride in a few minutes to take advantage of this; probably down on the beach.   After a great meeting this morning, I’m actually energized into writing again.  The past few months have been a blur of work, baseball, and the dynamics of family in the midst.  My energy today revolves around the topic of life on the edge.  Here in Santa Cruz, it has both a literal and figurative meaning.  With all that is going on around us, the idea of being on the ‘edge’ is too real.  There is always the conversation of balance but I’m of the belief that it is not necessarily achieving balance that is the goal but accepting that imbalance is part of the equation.   So, enjoy life on the edge and we’ll see you back here often with more ramblings…took my liverGARD, now off to ride!

In health, NBPI