Juicing Tips

-          Always serve juice immediately. Juice is at its peak when freshly squeezed. After seconds, it starts to lose vitamin potency. So juice, stir and drink up! When juicing for a group do it just before serving.

-          Always turn the juice machine on before inserting fruits and vegetables.

-          When juicing a mix of fruit and vegetables, juice the softer items first, then follow up with a firmer one. For example, juice tomato first, then celery; juice papaya, the apple.

-          Bananas cannot be juice in any juicer. To enjoy their taste and benefit, add them to your juices in a blender. The consistency of banana will turn juice in a smoothie.

-          Use apples to sweeten vegetable juices.

-          The sweet taste of carrots blends well with fruit juices.

-          When you find juices you like you can try variations, adding other fruits or vegetables for a change of pace and added nutrients.

-          Juice the vegetable of your choice and stir sour cream or yogurt to thicken. If you want to watch your weight use non-fat sour cream or yogurt.

Citrus Tips

-          Orange and grapefruit peel is bitter in taste and it should be removed. When peeling, leave the pith on (white soft layer between peel and fruit) and juice it to get all the vitamins.

-          Lemons and limes are used to flavor dishes and may be left on for more flavors when juicing. Keep the pulp and add it to spice up Caribbean and South-of-the border style dishes as well as lemon or lime bars, cookies and pies.

Health tips

-          Drink Juice before meals can help to curb appetite

-          Adding vegetables and fruits pulp to cooked dishes aide the digestive tract, as well as providing additional vitamins and minerals.

-          Caffeine junky? Replace that morning cup with a glass of juice for energy and a boost that your body will appreciate.

Vitamin and mineral Health

Fruits and vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients. Get them naturally by fitting more of them into your diet through joys of juicing. Identify the properties which suit your lifestyle and health needs and drink up.

APPLE:                  boron, cellulose and pectin

CHERY:                  calcium, vitamin C, iron and potassium

CRANBERRY:      antibiotic and anti-viral elements

ORANGE:             natural aspirin and boron

PAPAYA:              vitamin A and potassium

PEACH:                 boron, antioxidants, vitamin C and beta carotene

PINEAPPLE:        bromelain, manganese and vitamin C

PRUNE:                sorbitol, natural aspirin (sorbitol is a natural laxative)

BEET:                     folic acid, iron, calcium and potassium

BROCOLI:             beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron, folic acid and chromium

CABBAGE:           antioxidants, calcium and potassium

CARROT:              beta carotene, vitamin A and C, pectin, fluorine and potassium

KALE:                     antioxidants, calcium, iron, vitamin A and C

PARSLEY:             antioxidants, folic acid, iron, vitamin A and C

TOMATO:            beta carotene and vitamin C

SPINACH:            antioxidants, potassium, iron, calcium and vitamin C

Vitamins. How much do we need and where do we take them from?

With the long days of summer quickly approaching, our sun exposure is likely to increase.
While we indulge in outside activities, it is important to remember to protect our skin from the sun’s potentially damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV exposure can cause more than just sunburn. Skin cancer, premature aging, and ocular damage all have been attributed to excessive time in the sun.
Three common types of skin cancer exist, each named after the type of cell from which it arises;
basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually.

1. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is
the most common of all cancers and accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
2. Extended sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. The effects of sun exposure are cumulative, and contrary to popular belief 80 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18; only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.
3. In 2004, approximately 34 percent of adults reported experiencing at least one sunburn in the previous year.
4. Even though sun exposure may be unavoidable, sunburns are preventable. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends following the “ABCs” to prevent a sunburn. “A” stands for stay  away from the sun in the middle of the day, “B” stands for block  the sun’s rays by using an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, and “C” stands for  cover  up using protective lothing such as long sleeves and a hat.
5. NSP Natria Sunscreen SPF 30 (Stock No. 6018-2) provides  comprehensive UVA and UVB protection, and contains soothing plant extracts and antioxidants. Additional skin care products with sunscreen include: Natria Balancing Daily Defense Lotion SPF 15 (Stock No. 6006-8), Natria Nourishing Daily Defense Lotion SPF 15 (Stock No. 6005-2) and Natria Lip Balm SPF 15 (Stock No. 6019-0).
Despite the importance of the sun to vitamin D synthesis, getting vitamin D primarily from sun
exposure is not advisable. When considering the best source of vitamin D, the American Academy of Dermatology says, “Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.”
6. Sunscreen with an SPF of 8 can inhibit more than 95 percent of vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and our ability to manufacture vitamin D from sun exposure also declines with age.
7. Experts are finding that most people would benefit from a greater amount of vitamin D than the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of 400 IU. Considering the latest research on vitamin D, NSP Vitamin D3 (Stock No. 1155-1) provides a wonderful source of this needed nutrient. Each tablet supplies 2,000 IU.

References:
1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2008.
2. Robinson JK. Sun Exposure, Sun Protection, and Vitamin D.
JAMA 2005; 294: 1541-43.
3. Godar DE, Urbach F, Gasparro FP, Van der Leun JC. UV Doses of Young Adults. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2003, 77(4): 453-457.
4. Armstrong, B.K., and A. Kricker, How much melanoma is caused by sun exposure?, Melanoma Research, 1993: 3:395-401.
5. Available at: http://ymghealthinfo.org/content.asp?pageid=P02855
6. Available at: http://www.aad.org/public/sun/smart.html
7. Holick MF. “Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease”.

Created by: Larisa Wright
Health Sciences

Antioxidants definition.

Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect the body from, harmful free radicals. Many different factors can lead to an excess of free radicals as: exposure to radiation, whether from the sun or from medical x-rays, environmental pollutants such as tobacco and automobile exhaust, household chemicals, a diet high in fat. By destroying free radicals, antioxidants help to detoxify and protect the body.

Thousands of antioxidants naturally occur in plant foods. The most well known are vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and selenium. Foods rich in natural antioxidants are tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and peppers. Vegetables and fruits that have a rich color are high in phytonutrients. Blueberries, spinach, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe and mangoes are also containing antioxidants. Citrus fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Vegetable oils such as olive oil, soybean oil, safflower oil and whole grains such as wheat, brown rice and soybean provide natural antioxidants.

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are the powerful plant compounds that work as antioxidants. Tomatoes contain lycopene - a red carotenoid that exhibits antioxidant properties. Higher consumption of such foods is known to maintain and boost immune functions. Green tea is rich in polyphenols and flavenoids that have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral properties.

Where to find?

Some of most known antioxidant supplements include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Selenium and Zinc. Other antioxidant enriching substances are green tea extract, gingko biloba and flavonoids such as grape seed extract and red wine.

Although colorful fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants, and should be a part of our diet, it can be difficult to consume the right amount every day to ensure that we are getting all of the antioxidants that our body needs. This is where antioxidant supplements can be helpful, and should be considered an essential part of your supplementation program.

Health problems

Health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer etc are all contributed by oxidative damage. Indeed, a recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.

Nature's sunshine new products

Nature's sunshine anounced and released new products for kids on their anually conference in Las Vegas in September.

Theare called Sunshine Heroes and they are 6 new or improved products for kids as follow:

SUNSHINE HEROES CALCIUM PLUS D3 (90 SOFT CHEWS)

SUNSHINE HEROES MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERAL (90 SOFT CHEWS)

SUNSHINE HEROES OMEGA 3 WITH DHA (90 SOFT CHEWS)

SUNSHINE HEROES PROBIOTIC POWER (90 CHEWABLE TABLETS)

SUNSHINE HEROES WHOLE FOOD-ANTIOXIDANT (90 SOFT CHEWS)

SUNSHINE HEROES WHOLE FOODS-PAPAYAZYME (90 CHEWABLE TABLETS)

For more info on all new products please go to New Products

General info

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body needs in small but steady amounts for normal growth, function and health. Together, vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients. Your body can't make most micronutrients, so you must get them from the foods you eat or, in some cases, from dietary supplements.

Vitamins and health.

Vitamins are essential to good health. Vitamin A helps to develop and maintain body tissues such as bone and skin; it also helps the body’s vision, nervous system functioning, reproduction, and growth. The B vitamins are responsible for increasing the production of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates as well as assisting with metabolism, building red blood cells, and maintaining the protective covering of the nervous system.

Vitamin C helps form tissues, cells, bones and teeth; heals wounds; and improves the immune system’s performance. Vitamin E protects the outer cell membranes from harm, thus assisting the immune system in fighting off diseases. Vitamin K helps the body’s blood lot in wounded areas.

Minerals.

Minerals also have a broad range of functions. As many as 20 minerals play significant roles in the body. “Microminerals,” or minerals that the body only needs traces of, can fight off serious illness. These include copper, iodine, chromium, iron, fluorine, tin, zinc, nickel, vanadium, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, and selenium. “Macrominerals,” or minerals that the body needs large amounts of include magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur.
Zinc is responsible for helping metabolize proteins and keeping enzymes functioning. Copper is needed by enzymes for metabolizing. Iodine assists the thyroid gland in working properly. Calcium and phosphorus build bones and teeth. Iron delivers oxygen to the body’s cells. Potassium helps muscle contraction, maintains the fluid balance of cells, helps transmit messages through the body’s nerves, and keeps the kidneys and heart working correctly.
How they interrelate. Vitamins and minerals not only help the body function, but they work to strengthen each other. The body absorbs iron through the help of vitamin C. Vitamin D helps the body absorb phosphorus and calcium. Vitamins D and K are the only vitamins the body can supply for itself. The skin creates vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin K is produced by intestinal bacteria. Outside sources must supply the body with all other vitamins.