Get to know the ‘good’ parts of red wine!

When the “French Paradox” first aired on 60 Minutes back in 1991 it began opening the eyes of both consumers and researchers across the U.S. on the health benefits of red wine. So much, that red wine sales quadrupled. The “French Paradox” outlined how the French outlive Americans and suffer 40 percent fewer heart attacks despite their tendency to smoking and consume a diet rich in fat. What’s the secret? It boils down to wine, food and lifestyle.

What’s in the wine? Grape Seed Extract and Resveratrol
The interest in both Grape Seed Extract and Resveratrol originated from the “French Paradox” theory. Due to the way red wine is fermented, using both the grape’s skin and seeds, it increases the antioxidant activity in red wine versus white wine.

To put into perspective the antioxidant power of grape seed it has been found to be 20 times more powerful than vitamin E, and 50 times greater than vitamin C. Grape seed is an excellent free radical scavenger (scavenges molecules responsible for premature aging and disease), and even referred as the “secret anti aging vitamin”. Grape seed extract also strengthens the lining of the heart and blood vessels contributing to a healthy functioning heart.

Grapes also have a naturally occurring compound within the skin of the grape to help protect the plant from fungal infections, injury, stress and UV radiation. This powerful compound is called Resveratrol. It’s considered a part of the plant’s natural defense system, protecting the tissues from illness and disease. Resveratrol has shown to provide these same protective features on human cells and tissues, making its effect on human health a popular ingredient to supplement with.

Each of these ingredients can be obtained by drinking a glass of red wine or in concentrated doses without the alcohol by choosing a quality nutritional supplement. Sequence XO Spa Nutrition products such as Radiance Age Less Formula and Fusion Antioxidant Formula. To find out more on Sequence XO’s Spa Nutrition product line please visit our official website at: www.spanutrition.com.

Eating Your Exhaustion Away

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons that people visit their doctors. Many of the contributing factors include: stress, depression, anemia, allergies, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, weight gain, caffeine and lack of sleep. Whatever the fatiguing factors may be there’s one ingredient that underlies most cases – poor nutrition. One important aspect of beating most cases of fatigue is giving your diet a good ‘fall’ cleanup by tossing old energy-robbing foods and bringing in a fresh set of energizing foods.

Nutritional tips to pump up your declining energy levels

Iron: Anemia, which is often caused by iron deficiency and usually causes fatigue in women of all ages. Women tend to shy away from iron-rich foods, so they have depleted iron stores, says Susan M Lark, M.D. in her book Chronic Fatigue and Tiredness. Without iron, red blood cells can’t do their job – transporting oxygen to all the places it needs to go in the body. The result is fatigue.

Excellent sources of iron from non meat sources include Cream of Wheat, tofu and quinoa (a grain that can be cooked like rice).

Supplement options: Choose a nonheme iron supplement or 500 milligram capsules of hydrolyzed (liquid) liver extract a day, says Michael T. Murry, N.D.

Caffeine Craze: Too much coffee, soda or energy drinks may be the cause of your energy loss. Caffeine steals B vitamins from the body and interferes with the absorption of essential minerals like iron. Without sufficient amount of B vitamins, your body has a tough time converting the nutrients from your food into energy. Plus the more chronic your caffeine consumption becomes so does the energy dips.

If you can’t eliminate caffeine from your diet completely try limiting your consumption by consuming only 1-2 cups of coffee or switching to tea. That’s about 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.

Supplement options: Choose a B-complex vitamin supplement that will help keep energy levels naturally stable throughout the day.

The Sweetest Pair: Nothing goes better with a cup of coffee than a crumble coffee cake – right? Unfortunately, sugar, like caffeine, provides the body with a false sense of energy. Sugar can also deplete your B-vitamins and essential minerals, which increases anxiety, forgetfulness and irritability. Sugar has also shown to decrease energy and impair your immune system.

Instead reach for high fiber packed foods like dried fruit (1/2 cup), nuts (1/4 cup) or yogurt (satisfy that sweet tooth).

Nutrients Vital For Life & Energy
It’s no secret, our food is less nourishing than in past decades, we over eat and we don’t exercise enough. Add to the mix our high stress lifestyles, polluted environment and overly medicated society and our bodies become depleted of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential proteins, good carbs and fatty acids. Supplementing is key to maintaining a healthy body both inside and out!

Most experts recommend that people with fatigue issues take a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Make sure you have a healthy B-complex vitamin for healthy brain function and energy regulation. Don’t forget your beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that sweeps up free radicals, keeping the body healthy and with loads of energy.

To see Sequence XO’s supplement line please visit our website at www.spanutrition.com.

Tip of the Week: Feed your mood

Are you eating healthy but still feel sluggish? Change the order of your food selections. Foods high in carbohydrates, increase levels of the brain chemical called serotonin, which are known to improve your mood and can make you drowsy. On the other hand, high-protein foods like turkey, fish and yogurt trigger the release of the energizing brain chemicals dopamine and nor-epinephrine. If you know you crash after lunch, skip the heavy or high-carb mid day meal and eat a light, protein-rich lunch, such as tuna sandwich, fruit and soy milk instead. Then when you want to wind down at the end of the day, go for a carb dinner.

Anti-Aging Secrets from 9 Breakthrough Ingredients

Beauty From Within Series

So it may be true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but some surprising ingredients may also have those same powerful anti-aging secrets. Ingredients like green tea and olive oil may hold the key to keeping a healthy immune and cardiovascular system, while keeping wrinkles at bay. Next time your purchasing your favorite cosmeceutical or moisturizer make sure they have some of these key ingredients:

Learn how these breakthrough ingredients can keep you looking young:

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) moisturizes skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles and acts as an internal cosmetic to hydrate skin. HA is also important for healthy joints and connective tissue.

Olive oil
Olive oil is known as a healing fat for its high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil.

White Tea
The secret of white tea lies on how the buds are plucked. White tea undergoes less ‘processing’ than green tea leaves and instead of air drying, the unwithered leaves are steamed. Leaving the tea leaves closer to their natural state, enabling the tea to contain more polyphenols, the powerful antioxidant that fights disease and aging. Also in 2004 a study at Pace University concluded that white tea can help boost your body’s natural defenses by protecting the immune system.

Green Tea
The secret of green tea lies in its rich epigalloatechin gallate (EGCG) content. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant for the heart, immune system and has shown to inhibit blood clots. Some of the newer research on EGCG has linked green tea to actually rejuvenate dieing skin cells. "Cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper layer of the skin getting ready to die, but EGCG reactivates them," said Dr. Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist in the Medical College of Georgia.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, found in tomatoes and other red fruits known for its antioxidant and sunscreen protection. Plus lycopene has shown very positive results in reducing the risk of prostate issues and improving skin texture.

Alpha-Lipoic-Acid
Alpha-lipoic-acid, is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that is found inside every cell of the body, where it helps generate the energy that keeps us alive and functioning. Lipoic acid is a key part of the metabolic machinery that turns glucose (blood sugar) into energy for the body's needs. As well as providing the body with natural energy, lipoic acid has shown to be a powerful topical treatment for sun-damaged skin. Ingesting lipoic acid can help naturally neutralize harmful chemicals known as free radicals – molecules that cause aging and disease.

Olive Juice
Researchers in Japan tested the anti-inflammatory response of olive juice but were pleasantly surprised to find that the study participants enjoyed better skin. The study showed that the use of olive juice had a positive affect on inflammatory skin conditions and improved skin health dramatically after just two months of consuming a dietary supplement containing olive juice.

Lutein
Known for its eye protecting properties researchers began exploring other benefits Lutein may have. A recent human clinical study showed 10 mg of lutein daily increased skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content. This is the first research to show improvement in skin health through lutein supplementation alone. Lutein research has also suggested that it may improve breast health.

Cocoa
Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. Now, new research published in the 2006 Journal of Nutrition, reveals the potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa in skin health. The study found that certain components in cocoa may actually help improve the appearance of the skin by increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and helping to support the skin’s defense against UV damage.

More energy, great skin, and a healthy immune response for the fall!

It’s late August and that means Fall is just around the corner. It’s the time where the seasons begin to change and the days seem a little busier. Our bodies need a little more energy, our skin may need a bit more moisture and our immune response may need a jump-start. Luckily there is a superfood from the Amazon called acai (pronounced ‘a-sah-ee’) loaded with powerful antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and fiber to keep energy levels in full gear this fall.

Acai it’s an antioxidant phenomenon
The acai berry is a dark berry grown in the Brazilian Amazon in some of the richest soil on the planet. As a result, each berry is packed with the most naturally complete nutrients in the world to provide the body with what it needs to increase energy, keep skin looking luscious and keeping you from missing essential school or work days.

Acai Berry Supports Healthy Immune Response
Nothing is more essential to living a healthy life, than having a strong immune system. Antioxidants are vital to strengthening the body's immune response by destroying free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that feed off of our healthy cells destroying them and leaving us prone to disease and unhealthy aging.

Acai Berry Increases Energy
While the immune system is perhaps the most important benefit from the acai berry, many people also use it to boost their energy levels. The failure of people to eat a diet high in antioxidants leads to drastically decreased energy levels as they grow older. Many people have reported having increased energy, stamina, and vitality comparable to when they were in their twenties when they added acai berry to the diet.

Acai Berry For Luscious Skin
Perhaps the most important health benefit of the acai berry, however, is its strong impact on the aging process. As a matter of fact, acai is generally acknowledged to be one of the top superfoods for anti-aging. The amino acids and vital trace minerals found in acai provide proper regeneration, thereby slowing damaging effects to the skin that cause signs of aging. The fatty acid found in acai is similar to that of olive oil and is high in monounsaturated oleic acid, which produces suppler skin and greatly reduces inflammation, inflammation being one of the leading causes of aging.

Radiance – Skin Care, Sun Care and Energy Boosting Beverage
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it’s also in a 16-ounce water bottle. You think the outside looks good; just wait until you see what’s inside. Have a glass a day and help bring out some of that inner beauty. It’s a makeover from the inside out. So go ahead, drink yourself beautiful.

Radiance includes green tea, white tea, acai berry, gogi berry, mangosteen, blueberry, cranberry, strawberry, hyaluronic acid, lutein, lycopene and much more! To see all the ingredients click here. Every serving has 3 grams of fiber. Try it today!

Save 50% off and receive a free gift with every order. Enter promo code: radiance08 at checkout.

Stress – Some Good, Some Bad

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Did you know that some types of stress can actually be good for you? That’s right, some forms of stress can be good, but other types of stress can also cause major health issues. It is reported that 85 percent of lifestyle diseases, such as heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, even obesity are linked to over stress. But stress can be something that we can use to our advantage. Stress is an incredible asset that stretches capacity and fuels creativity.

Good stress vs bad stress
Good stress is known as acute stress. It is fueled by adrenalin and provides the immediate sources needed to think clearly and react quickly. Bad stress is often referred to as chronic stress. When you lose control of good stress, it becomes persistent and never-ending. Symptoms include an increase in blood pressure, insomnia, depression and fatigue. During hard times, it’s easy to lose control of your stress levels. When we let chronic stress take over, we become less productive and efficiency goes down. That is a bad recipe for anything we do in life. Understanding how to use stress to push us and give us the motivation we need to push forward is beneficial in any aspect. Below are some tips on how we can better find a balance between good stress and bad stress:

Step 1: A healthy mind = a healthy body
The average person has 60,000 thoughts a day, and nearly 80 percent of them are negative. Imagine what this is doing to your body! This negativity affects your thought patterns and behaviors subconsciously, and this has an unhealthy impact on your body.
Rephrase the way you say things to yourself. You can actually change the response of anxiety by repeating affirmations, which will introduce a new positive pattern behavior in your thinking. Instead of being anxious, give empowering messages to yourself: I am strong, I am grateful, I can get through this. Repeat these positive affirmations throughout your day to transform the stress and change your attitude.

Step 2: Cut back on stimulants
Stress, anxiety, insomnia, and a racing mind are byproducts of taking in too much caffeine. Researchers show that vitamins like B complex, C and E along with minerals like manganese, selenium and zinc are helpful in relieving stress. Foods and dietary supplements that include these essential nutrients are ideal when the body is exposed to chronic stress. Try adding Sequence XO’s Spa Nutrition products to your daily diet and exercise routine to help balance your stress levels. Learn more about Spa Nutrition.

Step 3: Relax and take a deep breath
If you are in a stressful situation, you may notice that your breathing becomes very shallow. Unfortunately, many adults breathe this way all the time; somewhere along the way, we stopped breathing abdominally, as we did when we were babies. This habitual shallow breathing mimics the bodily actions of stress, which can actually induce your body to feel anxiety.

When you learn to breathe deeply all day - by breathing from your diaphragm - you will reduce general anxiety and gain other proven benefits, such as lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Also, it is estimated that 70 percent of the toxins and wastes in our bodies are eliminated through respiratory breathing. So start breathing deeply!

Here's how: Make it part of your every day schedule to practice 20-30 minutes of deep breathing every day, and your body will respond by being relaxed all the time.

Step 4: Try the Nutrient GABA
A healthy brain needs a balance between neural chemicals that excite the nerves and those that calm the nerves. GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) is the primary neural transmitter for calming the transmission of nerve signals. It can help prevent anxiety-related messages from reaching the brain. Having low levels of GABA can increase anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and depression. Look for dietary products, like Sequence XO’s Calm, that contain GABA to help support relaxation and de-stressing.

Step 5: Get out and help others
Most of us could sit around all day agonizing in our heads about bad news and working our way into a negative inner dialogue. The way to get out of our own head is by doing something good for someone else. Offer to help someone else and completely focus on his or her needs. Give a friend a hand with moving or planning an event. Volunteer for a charitable cause. It's amazing how taking the focus off yourself can reduce your stress and anxiety.

Complexion Boosters: Keep summer skin beautiful

Summer is well under way! It’s the time of year where we need to protect our skin from the damaging effects of UV exposure that can lead to wrinkles, photo-aging and even the beginning stages of skin cancer. In recent studies, researchers have found that an array of antioxidants can protect specific skin cells against UVA and UVB induced damage. Exposure to UV light accounts for 90 percent of the symptoms associated with premature skin aging, and most of the effects by age 20.

Keep your skin youthful from 20 to 60

Skin in your 20’s: Your skin tends to be more stable than in your teens, usually oiliness and spots will disappear. You really do not see any visible facial lines yet, but if you look closely you will notice your expression marks will start forming. Some men and women will still see some acne depending on hormonal changes and cravings.

Solution: Make sure your diet is full of antioxidants like lutein, gogi berry, mangosteen, tomatoes and blueberries to support sun protection and skin elasticity. Drink lots of water and avoid smoking.

Skin in your 30’s: This is definitely a decade where you will begin seeing any overexposure to smoke, alcohol, pollution and UV light on your skin, that occurred in your teens and 20’s. You will begin to notice visible fine lines around the eyes and mouth and your cellular repair process begins to slow, which leads to weakened collagen. Skin may look duller and darker and may take longer to recover from late nights or stress.

Solution: Spend a little more time on learning what is good for your body. Choose the types of foods that enhance your metabolism, energy and provide beautifying properties from within. Supplementing with antioxidants like pomegranate, grape seed, green tea and alpha lipoic acid, which provide protection from free radical damage (the rusting effect of our cells). Increase your diet with vitamin A, E and C to boost your immune and diet for healthy looking skin and body. Try Sequence XO’s Fusion antioxidant supplement to help protect your skin. Learn more about our products

Skin in your 40’s: Wrinkles and spider veins will become more apparent during this stage of our lives if we did not protect our skin in earlier decades. Discoloration, uneven skin texture, dryness and dullness are more apparent.

Solution: Avoid yo-yo dieting, this will only add to dullness of your skin and create havoc on your hormones. Instead try portion control and don’t forget the most important meal of the day – breakfast. Women who eat breakfast tend to be 10 pounds lighter than woman who skip it all together. Try drinking your breakfast with yogurt, protein blended with a low-carb antioxidant beauty mix, like Sequence XO’s Radiance beverage powder. Learn more about our products

Skin in your 50’s and 60’s: Pigmentation and sagging skin are usually the biggest problems in this stage of our lives. Unless you have exercised regularly, you will see the effects in loss of tone and muscle. Also cellular regeneration and circulation will slow causing flaky patches, dullness, goose pimples and fragile skin spots.

Solution: Diet and exercise is very important to keep skin and muscles healthy. Increasing your protein and essential fatty acids like omega 3’s are crucial in keeping bones and joints healthy. Adding supplements with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, phyto-nutrients, protein and minerals are very important to the health of your collagen (muscles, connective tissue, joints, skin, hair and nails). Try Sequence XO’s Radiance to boost protein and phyto-nutrients in your diet. Learn more about our products

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