Trouble is, there is still a lot of confusion about which omega-3s to take and what the exact benefits are. EPA and DHA (two of the most important omega-3 molecules in fish oil) are the building blocks of our brain. We can’t think, grow or evolve without them! And we are not getting enough in our daily diet. In fact, most of us are critically deficient of these nutrients.

How is that possible? Well, several factors play a key role: the over-abundance of processed foods (no one hunts or fishes for their meals anymore); the limited consumption of fatty fish in our diets (the FDA doesn’t recommend we eat more than two servings per week because of toxic fish!) and a few misconceptions about where to find EPA and DHA to begin with.

Here are a few myths to watch out for and a guide to help you understand the importance of omega-3s.

Myth 1: The best omega-3s can be found in flax and walnuts. They’re healthier for you than fish.

It’s true that there are omega-3s found in flax and other plant-based foods. But they are not the best version of omega-3s. All omega-3 fatty acids are “essential” fatty acids (EFA) because they are vital for normal metabolism and cannot be synthesized or created by the human body.

There are three main types of omega-3s: EPA, DHA and ALA. Foods like flaxseed, leafy green veggies and walnuts all have the ALA form of omega-3s, and while they are very healthy for you, our bodies need to work to convert them into something recognizable that we can actually use—EPA and DHA. Fish and high-quality fish-oil capsules contain EPA and DHA, so they’re already in the form your body recognizes. The fish in the sea have done all the work for you! No extra work needs to be done to convert anything. EPA and DHA are required in high amounts for optimal heart and brain heath.

There are also two issues with ALA that prevent it from being the best form of EFA:

1. Some people’s bodies have trouble converting ALA to EPA and DHA, or they simply cannot convert it at all.

2. If you are taking an omega-3 for the prevention of heart disease, the ALA form has not been shown in case studies to lower triglycerides significantly, whereas EPA and DHA have. In fact, most studies on omega-3s have been done on EPA and DHA, simply because these molecules have already been converted. They are also the two essential fatty acids that make up the brain.

Myth 2: Omega-6s are just as important.

While this is a true statement, it’s a little misleading. Both omega-3s and omega-6s are essential. We need them to survive and we need to find them in our diet because our bodies cannot make them. While omega-3s are found in fish, omega-6s are found in plant-based vegetable oils. Trouble is, we ingest 14-25 times more omega-6s than omega-3s when the ratio should be balanced. Years ago, our intake of omega-3s compared to omega-6s was closer to a 1:1 ratio. Our diets consisted of a lot more fish and grass-eating wild game animals and a lot less vegetable oil, corn and soy products (did you know that corn oil or a variety of it is found in almost ALL our snack foods as a processing agent?). Today, it is grossly imbalanced. In fact, “Some researchers believe an imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may lead to a variety of mental disorders, including hyperactivity, depression, brain allergies and schizophrenia.” (fi.edu)

The other problem is inflammation. Even though omega-6s are essential, they tend to cause inflammation, whereas omega-3s reduce inflammation. When we have a 1:1 ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s, our chance of inflammation—including that associated with heart disease—is vastly lower.

Did you also know that scientists studying the evolution of man’s brain found that “early humans who lived near water sources and ate seafood experienced the big brain change!” Conversely, “the inland Australopithecines did not have access to omega-3 essential fatty acids and got stuck at a brain capacity that was not much bigger than a chimpanzee for three million years.” (fi.edu) Omega-3s in the form of EPA and DHA grow your brain!

Myth 3: I get enough omega-3 from fish.

There’s no question, eating fish is healthy for you. Not only do you get valuable amounts of EPA and DHA in fish, but they are also an excellent source of protein, vitamin B-12 and iron. There are also trace amounts of iodine, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A and D found in most fish.

Trouble is, fish can be contaminated with various toxins including metals like mercury and lead, industrial chemicals like PCBs, and even pesticides like DDT and dieldrin. Some fish are so contaminated that the federal government and environmental protection agencies recommend limited or no consumption of those fish. As an example, wild-caught Alaskan salmon is a relatively safe fish to eat, whereas farmed Atlantic salmon is one of the worst.

And yet, as a rule, we are still only supposed to eat a maximum of two servings per week. How can we balance our ratio of omega-3s with omega-6s if we can only eat two servings per week while getting 25 servings of omega-6s? Cutting back on omega-6s can help, but supplementing with omega-3s is crucial in maintaining better health and a more balanced metabolism.

Myth 4: Supplements such as fish oil don’t do anything for you.

This one is false. For the past 30 years, research has only grown to include more and more reliable, well-respected studies on the benefits of supplementing with EPA and DHA. In fact, in 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave “qualified health claim” status to EPA and DHA fatty acids. In short, EPA and DHA have been found to improve cardiovascular disease, decrease triglycerides, reduce inflammation, improve immune function, improve memory, increase eye health and much more. According to some, “high-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical miracle as we will see in the 21st century.” For hundreds of customers’ feedback on what supplements can and will do for you, please see our Testimonials page.

Myth 5: Fish oil is only for people who are sick.

False. They don’t call omega-3s “essential fatty acids” for nothing. They are essential to every living thing on the planet that has a brain. They are not just required for superhuman health, but to keep us alive and generally well on a very basic level. Unfortunately, our bodies do not make them on their own. That means we need to find them in our diet. As short as 50 years ago, fish and wild-caught game were abundant. But now with the onslaught of processed foods and meats procured from animals that are now exclusively grain-fed (instead of grass-fed), there are virtually no omega-3s in our diet. According to some experts, we only eat 23 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day. That’s way below the recommended 950 milligrams of omega-3s necessary for our survival. It’s no wonder that heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other kinds of brain disorders are astronomically high. Without omega-3s, people become sick.

Res-Q Product of the Week

Res-Q 1250 is an omega-3 supplement that provides health benefits for the entire body.

Res-Q Calamarine is a high-potency DHA supplement that helps provide extra omega-3 for brain and eye health.

My Res-Q Story:

I have been trying to get my triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels down for twenty years to no avail. I’ve taken all the latest meds for this and all they did was burn my stomach and harm my liver. I’ve had surgery for carotid arteries and also have a nylon aorta down the front of me. I was diagnosed in 1990 with fibromyalgia and have eaten hydro-codeine for years for pain. So, I consider myself the bionic woman at age 70!!

Six months ago I had a blood test that showed the above levels at 704 and 356. My doctor prescribed more meds. I learned about how Res-Q products were helping people and knew many of these people. So, I started taking Res-Q 1250, red yeast capsules; Orosine, CellPower and now Resveratrol.

Two weeks ago I had new blood work done. My levels have changed so much I thought I had someone else’s report. They are now 242 and 240.

In six months!!!! I have lost 28 lbs. I am very seldom taking pain medication. I look better and cannot begin to say how much more energy I have. My children and friends mention how “changed” I am these days.

Thank you very much for your wonderful products. Just think; people my age should try some of these products and extend their lives!!

Sincerely,

Sylvia Smith
 
 

Hi Tom.

My wife and I started Res-Q 1250 two weeks ago, and WOW! Our pain is all but gone. My wife had so much pain in her wrist she could not use her keyboard for more than a few minutes at a time before the tears. We both suffered pains in neck and back. Eat pain pills like candy. This past week we realized we had not touched the bottle of pain pills, and we are pain free.

Thank you Tom…wished we had listened to you months ago about this amazing product.

Faithful Listener,

Gene & Joyselyn

WCBM Radio Listener

Tom Marr is the Host of the Res-Q Healthline Radio Show in Baltimore, MD
  
 

To N3 Oceanic (makers of the heart-healthy Res-Q products and owners of nature’s shield)

I had been having angina pains in my chest for at least two years when my wife telephoned me one day in late July of 2002. She had heard a radio broadcast on channel AM 1210 in Philadelphia, where a doctor had been recommending Res-Q 1250 to help protect one’s heart.

I thought that since my late father had died of heart disease at the age of 72, and had been having angina pain for many years and was taking digitals medication for several years, that I, who was at that time 57 years old, should try Res-Q 1250, to see if I could reduce my chest pain and reduce my cholesterol.

My bad cholesterol at that time was over 300. I immediately placed an order for several bottles of the product to see if it could help me. I was not on any medication for the angina pain at that time. After taking Res-Q 1250 for several months I had my cholesterol checked again at the laboratory and I had reduced my cholesterol 100 points, to the 200 level.

Most importantly, I had almost completely stopped having angina pains in my chest. I have taken Res-Q 1250 each day ever since. I also have been taking Natural Wellness Formula’s L-D-L less, and other products to keep my heart healthy. I am now 66 years old and I am much healthier than many of my friends, who are about the same age as I am. My wife and youngest daughter have been taking Res-Q 1250, right along with me. Many years ago I decided that the statins drugs were not me and refused to even consider taking them. Thank you, N3 Oceanic, for making a fine product.

James from Newark Delaware



To: Jennifer Lynn

I made sure that I emailed you as soon as I got home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Before taking Res-Q 1250 and LDLless, triglycerides were 102, total cholesterol was 237, HDL was 47 and LDL was 170.

Since talking to you June 25th, I have been taking three Res-Q 1250 capsules in AM and at bed and two L-D-L less capsules 2 hours after breakfast and another two at bedtime. Here are the results from the blood test for lipids for this morning, July 22nd: triglycerides 43, total cholesterol 133, HDL 52 and LDL 72.

Your products are amazing!!!

Unbelievable.

Thank you again.

Your products are all action and not just talk!

Tom A.

Hagerstown, MD

Know the source.

When buying fish (and thus, fish oil), it is essential to know the source of where that product comes from. When companies try to cut corners they tend to buy fish oil on the open market for the lowest price, which means they (and you!) never know the source of those raw ingredients. Some days the cheapest fish oil comes from China (trust me, you never want to buy your fish oil from China!), other days South America, Europe or the U.S. Certain waters of the globe are more contaminated than others. Research has shown that the best fish oil comes from Norway; the best companies in the business know this.

Try to avoid cheap brands of fish oil with moderate-to-low levels of EPA and DHA.

Pure fish oil with high concentrations of EPA and DHA generally costs anywhere from .three to 10 cents per 100 milligrams of EPA and DHA. Any more than that and you’re probably paying too much. Any less than that and you may not be getting a good quality product. 

Pay for milligrams of EPA and DHA, not amount of capsules per bottle.

Don’t compare apples to oranges. Remember, you are not buying a capsule; you are buying the milligrams of EPA and DHA within that capsule. When a product looks more expensive it may be misleading. For example, if a product has 700 milligrams of EPA and DHA in just one capsule, the price will be higher than a product with only 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA in three capsules. But that doesn’t mean you are buying an expensive product; it simply means that you are buying EPA and DHA in bulk. One fish-oil capsule can generally hold about 1250 mgs of liquid. A good company will try to fill that capsule with as much EPA and DHA as possible. A not-so-reputable company may fill that same capsule with 250 mgs of EPA and DHA and then add cheap fillers to take up space and cut cost. Make sure the product tells you exactly how much EPA and DHA, not just “fish oil.” 

Check serving size and capsules per bottle.

Some have only 100 capsules per bottle, whereas others have more. A $40 bottle of fish oil with 300 capsules sounds great compared to a $56 bottle with only 200 capsules! But if each of those capsules in the $40 dollar bottle contains only 250 mg of EPA and DHA, while the other has 850 mgs, you’re getting ripped off if you buy the $40 bottle. 

Make sure it says on the label that the fish oil is from Norway.

Not only are the arctic waters in Norway known to be the cleanest, but the fish caught are plentiful as opposed to krill, which when taken and used in products, depletes life-sustaining food for millions of fish and underwater creatures. 

Check for molecular distillation.

Many companies do not purify their product and may contain higher toxins like mercury. Some companies purify, but not well, and so they have higher traces of contaminants within them. Make sure the company tests for purity.

Make sure the product comes from a safe, clean facility.

Some cheaper omega-3 products sit on the shelf too long or have not been packaged and/or sealed properly. This is highly dangerous and may cause a rancid product. Rancidity in fish oil is a known health threat, as the oxidation in the product removes all nutritional benefits and may produce serious levels of cancer-causing free radicals. You think you’re taking fish oil to improve your health, when all along you’re making yourself sick. 

Check for a product with third-party testing.

For example, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) now offers companies that follow strict manufacturing guidelines a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) label which ensures a product’s reliability. The CGMPs inspect the product and the manufacturer for:

•  raw materials quality assurance 
•  record-keeping of substances throughout the creation process
•  standards for cleanliness and safety
• qualifications of manufacturing personnel
•  in-house testing
•  production and process controls
• warehousing and distribution

Most quality fish oil isn’t found on a pharmacy shelf.

Pharmacies know one thing well: drugs. It wasn’t until they saw that money could be earned selling vitamin supplements as well that they added things like fish oil capsules to their inventory. Trouble is, they did so randomly. I go into the pharmacy all the time to fill prescriptions or pick up cold medicine and I look at the quality of their supplement section. It’s nonexistent! Many good vitamin and mineral supplements are sold directly to the consumer, where there’s no surcharge for retail and no middleman. This keeps pricing down and sales direct.

Res-Q Product of the Week:

In order to produce a superior supplement, Res-Q’s line of omega-3 supplements undergoes an extensive purification process for both purity and potency. Our fish are not farm raised. The omega-3 oil for Res-Q 1250 is derived from a specific species of fish containing the highest sources of omega 3! These small, cold water, open-sea fish from the sardine and herring family consume phytoplankton, a sea plant rich in omega-3. Additionally, Res-Q’s Calamarine oil, our newest technological advancement, utilizes calamari, a rich source of DHA (active ingredient in fish oils, algae and other marine life), and an environmentally-sustainable source of omega-3. Res-Q 1250+ is a mixture of Calamarine oil and 1250 oil with vitamin D added for optimal health.

After the fish or calamari are harvested, the oil is extracted and detoxified in order to ensure that the finished product is free of heavy metals. The active ingredients EPA and DHA are maintained and concentrated while residual fish oil is discarded. The fishy taste is removed and a hint of natural lemon oil is added to further enhance the taste. The entire purification process takes place at a licensed facility which follows cGMP Guidelines (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) and utilizes a multi-step purification process involving molecular-distillation.

Furthermore, after this extensive purification process and to ensure that each batch of oil meets manufacturing specifications, each batch of oil is third-party tested for mercury, Pcb’s, dioxins and other environmental pollutants prior to encapsulation. Then, and only then, after the oil is assayed, showing a pure and potent product, is Res-Q oil encapsulated or bottled.

For further information or to place an order, call 1-800-26-ALIVE. Press “2″ to speak with one of our product consultants. Our consultants will be happy to provide you with any specific information that you need and  advise you as to which omega-3 product would be right for you.

Alternative medicine has been around prior to the invention of the Food and Drug Administration, an agency created to help keep us safe from harm.  But does it?

Vioxx was an FDA-approved medication yet there were five billion dollars spent in lawsuits because it caused heart attacks and strokes! It has been estimated that there were more than 27,000 deaths before this FDA-approved drug was removed from the market.

Requiring an FDA approval on beneficial, dietary supplements or banning all-natural products altogether would only hurt people. Supplements tend to have fewer side effects and are usually quite safe.

Among the prime examples are omega-3s. The omega-3 fatty acid EPA naturally competes with the omega-6 fatty acid AA for space in the body’s cells and also for the same enzyme [NEJM 1985]. The end result: anti-inflammatory benefits without any undesirable side effects!

People with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and asthma depend on omega-3 supplements for the improvement of their health and quality of life.

If supplements were regulated, then people might be forced to go without alternative medicine; drugs with many side effects and unsafe prescriptions would go free while, ironically, bearing an FDA-approval stamp. 

Links to Supplement News:

Do You Take Supplements? Kiss them Goodbye

Is the FDA Trying to Take Away Your Vitamins?

Nutritional Health Alliance

Sandy’s Insights

Applicable Res-Q products:

NOT A FISH OIL SUPPLEMENT

Res-Q oil is filtered to concentrate the omega-3 part (EPA/DHA) while at the same time discarding the least beneficial parts of the fish oil—the excess oil. This ensures clean, pure omega-3 oil that is free of environmental toxins. Res-Q 1250 contains the proper balance of omega-3s to reduce inflammation and encourage cholesterol well-being. The newest all-natural Res-Q product, Res-Q 1250+, combines vitamin D and high omega-3 DHA in just one formula!

To order Res-Q supplements, please telephone us.
Toll free: 1-800-26-ALIVE. (262-5483) 
Local customers or cell phones users may prefer to dial 215-541-9890.

Guest blog by Dr. Frederick Vagnini, MD, FACS, Heart, Diabetes & Weight-Loss Centers of New York

If you’ve recently listened to me on the Res-Q HealthLine radio shows, I recently indicated that there were four silent killers. But now, due to expanded research and more and more problems coming through my centers in New York, I have expanded them to eight.

First of all, what is meant by a silent killer? Well, it’s simple. It’s something you don’t feel until a heart attack occurs, or until you fracture a bone, or you have a stroke. These silent killers include:

1. High blood pressure: Many times you could have a blood pressure of 200 and you don’t feel it.
2. High cholesterol and triglycerides: There’s typically no pain in the arteries. Unless you get your lipids checked, you’re not going to realize that your arteries are clogging up.
3. Inflammation: Inflammation is the backbone of pathophysiology for cardiovascular disease and aging, which is very prevalent in Western culture. It can be anything from a swollen toe to inflamed arteries, the latter of which you cannot feel.
4. Oxidative stress: Damage from free radicals and oxidative stress is when the body’s antioxidant system becomes overwhelmed. Oxidative stress accelerates the aging process.
5. Blood glucose: Another silent killer is blood glucose. Many people are coming into my office with 200-300 blood-sugar levels. They don’t feel a thing.  But they are pre-diabetic or diabetic and they have been doing damage to their bodies for many years before they even realize it. High blood-glucose levels can not only lead to diabetes, but also eye disease, blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease or death.
6. Glycation: (sometimes called non-enzymatic glycosylation) is something that accelerates heart disease, cellular damage and aging, and it is simply a problem with glucose that adheres to proteins lipids and DNA to create something called “Advanced Glycation End Product” (AGE)
7. Telomere shortening: Telomeres are the tips of chromosomes and when they shorten you have progressive aging. What happens to accelerate this aging process is inflammation and oxidative stress.
8. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to an increased risk of fracture. It is another silent killer simply because you don’t feel your bones weakening until you’ve lost four inches of height.

What can we do to prevent these silent killers from leading us into cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and accelerated aging? Well, I developed a protocol in my Centers based on the following:

• Diet: a modified, low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet
• Exercise: Any exercise is good; cross training is the best, which is when you do a combination of resistance training with aerobics.
• Stress reduction: Stress reduction is critical. It’s one of the leading factors that influence degenerative diseases and especially cardiovascular disease.
• Supplements: The right supplements can combat high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure oxidative damage, high blood sugar, arthritis, weight reduction, diabetes, fatigue, and basically all of the degenerative and cardiovascular problems.
• Pharmaceuticals: Medical drugs are prescribed when necessary.

Prevention Through Supplements & Nutrition
Years ago, I developed a program called Cardio Nutrition, and that is simply a program, along with diet and exercise, in which we use supplements. Here’s a list of some of the “silent killers” and what Res-Q products will work best to combat them.

High Cholesterol/Triglycerides:

•  L-D-L less (red yeast rice)
•  Res-Q LDLx2 (polycosanol) with or without niacin
•  Res-Q 1250, which is primarily a triglyceride-lowering agent
•  Res-Q Land ’n’ Sea Fiber is excellent for lowering lipids
•  Res-Q Multi, as it has 300 milligrams of garlic
•  Res-Q HDL+ (raises your good cholesterol)

When it comes to cholesterol we also worry about the oxidative damage and we have a number of antioxidants including Res-Q Multi, Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10), Res-Q Resveratrol, Nature’s Shield Superfoods and Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein Support, which all protect the LDL against oxidative damage.

Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure:

• Res-Q Multi vitamin, which has taurine, hawthorn berry, garlic and L-carnitine
• Res-Q Orosine
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Smart Cal (with vitamin D3)
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q Mg (magnesium)
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein
• Res-Q Sleep

Oxidative Stress

• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q Mega Acai
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein
• Res-Q Resveratrol
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Sleep

Glucose Levels:

• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q 105MAX (specifically designed to lower blood sugar)
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Resveratrol

Telomere shortening:

Research now shows that an omega-3 supplement can prevent telomere shortening

• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q Calamarine
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi

Osteoporosis:

• Nature’s Shield SmartCal is great for osteoporosis
• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi

Inflammation:

• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q Calamarine
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Res-Q Orosine (repairs at the cellular level)
• GlycoMarine

Glycation:

• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Resveratrol
• Res-Q Multi

Weight and Digestion:

• Res-Q All Essential Enzymes
• Res-Q Probiotic
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Nature’s Shield Weight Control
• Res-Q Trim System

Be sure to look for these important ingredients in your energy supplement:

We all need a perk every once in a while—something to give us a little extra energy throughout the day. But if your daily cup of joe isn’t doing the trick and you simply have no time for a cat-nap, energy supplements may help. Here are some key ingredients you should look for and one you should stay away from:

Fat burners: Fat burners increase the body’s natural metabolic rate so that everything is processed faster. It is a direct path to both energy and effective weight loss. But be sure to avoid fat burners with risky substances like ephedra. Stick to something with hoodia or green tea leaf extract.

Caffeine: Try to stay away from caffeine! “Caffeine stimulates the body by activating the sympathetic branch of the central nervous system (CNS), which leads to an increased heart rate, improved blood flow and blood pressure to the muscles….”¹ A small amount of naturally-occurring caffeine can be found in supplements containing green tea but if the company has to add extra mega-doses of caffeine to produce energy, this is a short-cut route. Most energy supplements that claim to boost energy or workout performance just contain plant-based fat-burners that really work in a similar way to increase the rate of metabolism (how fast you metabolize) also called metabolic rate.²

Forslean: Most products that claim to produce weight-loss or increase energy include fat burners or stimulants that work like caffeine. One exception is Forslean, a fat burner that directly activates the release of stored body fat to be burnt off as energy. Unlike almost all fat burners sold today, Forslean does not stimulate the central nervous system, which makes it different from all of the other fat burners found in most weight-loss/energy supplements.

Green tea: This is another great supplement that has been shown in studies to increase energy expenditure and produce weight loss but it also contains lots of antioxidants and detoxifiers with health benefits and does something good for the body as well.

Vitamins and Enzymes: Some products that claim to increase energy also include multiple vitamins in their formula because a multivitamin is important for metabolism. One reason is because if you take a look at almost any energy supplement, it has B vitamins. However, some products may contain less than others, so look for a multivitamin that has potent B vitamins. This commonality in energy supplements is impossible to ignore. The B vitamins are so important for energy metabolism. They help convert food into energy which is how energy is created in the first place: from the foods we eat. Energy takes place on a cellular level, so having proper cell nutrition is key. 

CoQ10: Most of the research focuses on cardiovascular health but energy metabolism relies on enzymes and co-enzymes assist them. CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is often included in some energy supplements.

Res-Q Products: TrimSystem (weight-loss, energy and blood sugar) / Res-Q Multi (energy and overall wellness) / Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10 plus antioxidants and vitamin C)

Footnotes:
1. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=EnergySupplements
2. http://www.allstarhealth.com/energy_supplements.aspx

On Monday, a relatively unknown, small, scientific study called the Iowa Women’s Health Study came across the newswire. Articles were written about it. Bloggers were blogging about it. It was even on the nightly news. The problem is that the study itself mildly claimed one thing while the media claimed something else entirely.

The claim? Vitamin supplements are killing us.

In a matter of hours, news agents were reporting fact-based articles entitled, “Study finds vitamin supplements unnecessary for most people,” “ Vitamin supplements: New evidence of too much of a good thing,” and “Harmful Vitamins.”

All pretty serious headlines in the news. But where were the facts?

The Study
For starters, the study’s goal was essentially to figure out if the distribution of body fat predicts the incidence of chronic diseases, and to “determine to what degree diet and other lifestyle factors influence risk of chronic disease.” The team of researchers, in order to meet these goals, based their findings on a rather specific group (not so randomly chosen) of roughly 39,000 older Iowan women, living in rural areas—mostly farms—who were asked to fill out three surveys, in 1986, 1997 and 2004. Participants were able to freely fill out the surveys on their own, self-reporting over the course of roughly 20 years, sharing the vitamin supplements they took, the foods they ate, and other health-related questions they could answer.

Participants had to write down, for example, if they took a multivitamin. But they were not required to state the brand, the quality, the density of ingredients or whether the multivitamin was all-natural or synthetic. They were also required to list many components of their lifestyle—whether or not they smoked, drank alcohol, exercised, ate their veggies and so on. On the flip side, they weren’t required to include things like the status of their memories, as in whether they had incidences of Alzheimer’s, dementia or Parkinson’s. Keep in mind that these women would have been turning 80 by the end of a 20-year study. They were expected to remember, through their own self-reporting, if they took a certain vitamin seven or eight years between studies. Lastly, the group was divided in two: those who used supplements and those who didn’t. Fairly straightforward, but not entirely reliable as far as data collection is concerned.

The findings were then reported in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Archives of Internal Medicine, which were then picked up by the press. Which, in turn, took a fairly positive report on vitamins and somehow turned it ugly.

Because there are so many choices on the market when it comes to fish oil, the idea of purchasing the best can be a little daunting. They all vary in capsule size, capsule count, potency, processing, purity levels and even what type of fish was used. Here are some important factors to consider!

Fish or Flax?
Fish oil is still recognized for one thing–the omega-3 fats: EPA and DHA, the “long-chain forms of omega-3” in fish, calamari or algae. Walnuts, flaxseed, canola and soybean contain the short-chain form of omega-3, which has to be converted to long-chain in “order to make use of it …” And while flax and walnuts are great for a vegan diet, studies show that they do not have the potency or power of long-chain forms of omega-3s, which have been found to have a more profound effect on lowering cholesterol and improving heart health.

Sustainability
The environmental impact a product has on the market is huge. Try to find an omega-3 that uses sustainable methods. “Sustainable fisheries produce species that are ‘abundant, well-managed, and caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways.” For example, Calamarine oil employs safe fishing methods, is certified as sustainable by Friend of the Sea and is made from the trimmings of food-grade calamari which has a short lifespan and high growth rate, thus providing a sustainable source of omega-3 DHA oil.

Choose a product that is molecularly distilled
Fish oil naturally contains DHA, EPA and saturated fat. Molecular distillation involves separating the omega-3 fatty acids from the fat (ethyl ester form). And that’s a good thing. You don’t want extra fat in your fish oil! Not only that, but fish oil that isn’t highly-refined may have more toxins. Both molecular distillation and cold-pressed methods involve purification of the oil but cold-processed fish oils tend to leave behind chemicals and high-heat processing often destroys the potency of omega-3. Molecular-distillation, on the other hand, maintains the omega-3 fatty acids because the process uses a low heat. The end result is a cleaner fish oil that does not contain all of the allergens, purines or harmful impurities, like mercury, known to be in fish. So…check for molecular distillation for a cleaner product.

Cost? Think Goldilocks.
The cost of a good product should not be too high, not be too low, but just right. Cheap fish oil is just that—cheap. Manufacturers who put cheap fish oil on the market may have bypassed a more expensive refining process, or may have purchased the cheapest fish on the market that day

Here’s another thing to watch out for. A pure fish oil that seems to cost less per bottle may actually be a lot more expensive. How so? The cost for EPA/DHA may be higher. Many fish oils sold in stores do not contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids per capsule. Look at your cost for 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA. You’re not buying a whole fish! You’re buying milligrams of EPA and DHA. You also should not have to pay such a price for good fish oil either. A competitive price usually means a conscientious company.

Purity
Access to clean, healthy fish, rich in omega-3 is a growing concern. The truth is that our oceans are polluted and the Environmental Defense Fund has posted strict, seafood restrictions on how often to eat several species of omega-3 fish because of environmental pollutants like mercury and PCBs. Tuna fish is a great example. The FDA recommends only two servings per week. Even The New England Journal of Medicine reports on of the dangers of mercury. A fish oil supplement, however, can provide omega-3s free of the kind of pollution in fish. When choosing a fish oil, it is important to choose a fish oil that has been molecular-distilled and tested for mercury. Fish oil capsules are not equal in purity. Some fish oil capsules were found to contain undesirable levels of PCB’s and/or mercury that were above the manufacturing standards. A good quality fish oil should not exceed total PCBs of (.09 mg/kg) 9/100ths of 1 part per million. How do you find out how well a product has been purified? You can check a third-party researcher who checks for these things, or you can check the product’s manufacturing certifications. A good company will always provide with their certification. Lastly, check to make sure the company uses or exceeds Good Manufacturing Processes (there should be reference to it either on their bottle or website).

Fish quality and source
Many fish oil companies have brokers that bid on the cheapest fish that arrives on the market on a given day. When this type of exchange takes place, they never know where their fish oil will come from! The cheapest of the day could come from the unclean, toxic waters from China. A good company does NOT do business like this. A good company always knows the source and the quality of fish caught. A really good company even knows their fishermen! The safest, purest, most pristine waters in the world are in the Arctic sea, off the coast of Norway. If a product does not list the source, don’t buy.

Triglyceride or Ethyl ester?
After molecular-distillation, the ethyl ester can be re-converted into triglyceride form but this is neither natural nor necessary; the truth is that the performance of the product is based on the amount of EPA and DHA consumed daily and not whether the omega-3 oil is a triglyceride or an ethyl ester. In a two-week comparison trial, both forms were equally absorbed: “the amounts of EPA and DHA in total serum lipids and in serum phospholipids were essentially identical.”

Some people prefer the ethyl ester form. “Some companies selling fish oils claim that the triglyceride form is more natural, has better stability, and is better absorbed than the EE form. None of these claims are true. The recombined triglycerides are not necessarily in their natural form, they are not more stable, and they certainly are not better utilized by the body.” Dr. Dyerberg prefers the triglyceride form but acknowledges the latest research in a recent interview: “The latest research that I have seen suggests that all are about equally absorbed. The triglyceride forms enter the lymph and bloodstream earlier than the ethyl esters, but in the long-term, all are about equally absorbed, though at different rates at different periods of time.” – Dr. Dyerberg in Interview

All stress is not bad. Most temporary stress is based on the body’s ability to send chemical messages to other parts of the body that need to take action. Noticing an accident within a few hundred feet ahead of you, stress chemicals known as cortisol are released and you immediately slam on your brakes. When the threat, or the perceived threat is over, your body works to return to normal. In most cases, this goes off without a hitch.

But sometimes, stress lingers and your body continues to sense a threat, real or imagined. When this happens, the sympathetic nervous system stays chronically stimulated, risking long-term health problems, which can include anything from migraines, anxiety disorders, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, a compromised immune system, alcoholism, muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia and even death.

Taking action to de-stress is crucial to your health and overall well-being. It means finding a MANAGMEMENT PLAN that works, and getting your body and mind back in shape. As a supplement to your “plan,” these essential vitamins and minerals offer some a serious boost to mood.

Omega-3s (EPA and DHA)
Nothing has proved more potent than the effects of EPA and DHA on brain health. And let’s be real, that’s one of the first things anyone who craves de-stressing needs to address first. Calming their mind! With hormones fluctuating and moods rapidly changing, a good omega-3 can do wonders to regulate mood and improve overall brain health.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
B vitamins are commonly utilized for depression, occasional stress, fatigue, irritability, healing, digestion and a potent dose of Vitamin B1 isn’t an exception. B1 may help mental function, thinking clearly and mood.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 has been used for fatigue, stress and migraines. It plays an important role in the metabolism of amino acids and fats that are beneficial for the brain.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinimide)
There are two types of B3:  niacin, for cholesterol, and niacinimide, the form used for anxiety. Make sure to supplement with niacinimide for stress.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
This B5 vitamin, the alleged anti-stress vitamin, aids the use of other B vitamins and helps produce neurotransmitters like acetylcholine that balance dopamine’s effect.

Vitamin B6
Serotonin, the “feel good” chemical and an important key chemical for mood and sleep, is made from an amino acid that uses an enzyme generated from vitamin B6. Enough said!

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
Any deficiency in B12 or folic acid may lead to a series of biochemical reactions that can impair neurotransmitter production. Vitamin B12 is one of the most important vitamins in the B group.

5-HTP
This is an amino acid derivative, much like tryptophan, and basically works to safely elevate mood and levels of serotonin. “Serotonin promotes a sense of well-being, decreases depression, and makes the glass look half full–and 5-HTP helps the body synthesize more serotonin in a more natural way,” says Russell Canfield, M.D., a clinical assistant professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque. Take 50 to 100 mg once or twice a day to start and then you can increase dosage over time. If, however, you are taking an antidepressant, be sure to consult your doc on this first. Too much serotonin may cause confusion, increase heart-rate and loss of coordination.

CoQ10
CoQ10 is manufactured by the body but decreases with age or after ingestion of certain medications over time. It may also decrease with long-term stress. So it is imperative to supplement with CoQ10 if you are trying to de-stress. It’s known to help relieve migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome and heart conditions.

Keep in mind there isn’t any “happy pill.” Even anti-anxiety meds don’t cure stress or remove the underlying cause of it. All stress can not be eliminated from your life but it can be managed. Be sure to talk to your doc before taking any drug or all-natural product.

What the Heck Is Selenium?

Selenium

Selenium is one of those wonderful trace minerals that we acquire inadvertently through our food supply. It’s in the dirt. So, the amount of selenium in the soil, on which animals graze or plants grow, determines how much selenium can be found in foods.  It’s also one of those minerals we need, as it helps make many body processes work efficiently and it even increases the effectiveness of antioxidants. Certain areas of the globe however, like New Zealand, Finland, parts of China and Africa, and spots in the United States (the Great Lakes, New England, and parts of the Atlantic Coast and Pacific Northwest) have very low levels of selenium.

 Foods that Provide Selenium

Brazil nuts have an unusually high amount of selenium (six nuts have almost 800 micrograms of selenium), making them the highest source of this trace mineral. But if too many are consumed every day, they could actually cause toxicity (brittle hair and nails, upset stomach and more). Safer sources of selenium are turkey, beef, chicken breast, seafood and shellfish. Some other dietary sources of selenium are oatmeal, eggs, legumes and whole grains like brown long-grain rice. Refined grains lose their selenium due to processing, but oftentimes are enriched, which simply means that selenium was added back into the grain.

How Much Selenium Do I Need?

The recommended daily allowance for selenium is 55 mcg (Brazil nuts contain 70-90 micrograms per nut, whereas other foods high in selenium generally contain 30-50 micrograms of selenium per serving). Balance is key as too little selenium is very harmful. According to one nutritional health resource: “low selenium levels weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to stress and illnesses.”  The maximum amount of selenium you need per day is 400 micrograms, which should not be exceeded because too much selenium can be toxic.

 Selenium Deficiency

A deficiency in selenium in the US is usually rare, but can occur as a consequence of gastrointestinal disorders. Mild forms of deficiency over a long period of time are associated with high blood pressure, arthritis and even some cancers.  However, in order to combat deficiencies, make sure you are getting at least 55 micrograms daily.

Health Benefits of Selenium

Healthy Cells

Selenium helps maintain healthy cells and was shown in some studies to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, selenium has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of bladder and prostate cancer. Selenium works in the body to protect cells from damage.

Healthy Immune System

Selenium is also excellent for the immune system and in a study, selenium was linked with protection against the flu. In another study on the elderly, supplementing with selenium encouraged white blood cell function.

Healthy Arteries

Selenium has antioxidant properties that may help maintain healthy arteries. Oxidized LDL cholesterol can damage the arteries and oxidative stress may play a role in the progression of coronary arterial disease, a type of heart disease.

What Selenium Does—How It Works in the Body

The Office of Dietary Supplements says, “Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant effect of selenoproteins helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals,” which they describe as “natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.”

Where Can I get Extra Selenium?

Res-Q Products that contain selenium:

Res-Q CellPower contains the best form of selenium for supplementing.  Res-Q CellPower is an antioxidant supplement that helps maintain healthy arteries and cells. Other Res-Q products that contain selenium include Res-Q Multi, a potent multiple vitamin and mineral complex designed for both heart health and general supplementation; and Res-Q Super Prostate Health for the senior man, designed specifically to help maintain a normal prostate size, thus improving both urinary function and prostate health.

References:

http://www.nrjournal.com/article/S0271-5317(10)00222-8/abstract
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Selenium-may-reduce-prostate-cancer-markers-Study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100831134820.htm
http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(08)00789-8/abstract
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Selenium-supplements-may-boost-heart-health-Study
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium/
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diet/fightcolds.cfm
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diet/legumes.cfm
http://www.ajcn.org/content/53/5/1323.full.pdf+html