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For better gut bacteria, eat more oily fish Darrell Miller 9/20/17
Scientists: Children need microbes, not antibiotics, to develop immunity Darrell Miller 8/22/17
How safe are heartburn medications and who should use them? Darrell Miller 8/11/17
How to keep an eye out for eating disorders in loved ones Darrell Miller 3/15/17
The Conversation US: 13 ways to keep free radicals away, and why it's so important Darrell Miller 1/8/17
Health Check: what makes it so hard to quit drugs? Darrell Miller 12/17/16
10 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor Darrell Miller 11/17/16
Does eating fat make you fat? This physician says no Darrell Miller 11/9/16
The Holiday Sugar Trap; All There is to Know Darrell Miller 10/4/15
DHA for Attention and Focus Darrell Miller 9/29/08
Depression and Vitamins Darrell Miller 4/17/08
Marilu Henner: Energy Personified! Darrell Miller 6/14/05




For better gut bacteria, eat more oily fish
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Date: September 20, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: For better gut bacteria, eat more oily fish





The oils in fish are fatty but have benefits. They need not be avoided altogether. They are good for skin and hair. They are also good for your heart. One more benefit is that they support gut bacteria. You actually need that so you can digest food more easily. These are good bacteria and when they get off balance you will feel unwell so it's important to eat things which support it so you can feel your best all the time.

Key Takeaways:

  • It has been shown that those with more omega 3 fatty acids in their blood had a greater variety of bacteria in their guts, which is a good thing.
  • These bacteria produce substances which reduce inflammation such as colitis, through producing substances like butyrate.
  • The focus on a healthy gut used to be on just eating more fiber, but now the shift is towards looking at increasing intake of omega 3s.

"So, could it be that omega-3 makes bacteria in the gut produce other substances that are particularly good for us?"

Read more: http://theconversation.com/for-better-gut-bacteria-eat-more-oily-fish-83513

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=5264)


Scientists: Children need microbes, not antibiotics, to develop immunity
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Date: August 22, 2017 05:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Scientists: Children need microbes, not antibiotics, to develop immunity





To vaccinate or not to vaccinate… that is today’s question. You will not find a more polarizing discussion in today’s world. Not even Trump can compare to this question. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, etc pick one side and one side only. Have you ever tried having a simple educated conversation on this topic? Attacks and attacks only are the product of that debate not doubt. Check out this video for a very interesting point of view. It challenges the notion that immunity can be created by microbes. Think about that for a moment, a totally new way for us to think about immunity.

[video mp4="https://www.healthnutnews.com/scientists-children-need-microbes-not-antibiotics-to-develop-immunity/"]

Key Takeaways:

  • Microbes are needed in the human body to help program our immune systems to fight off diseases.
  • Use of hand sanitizers and certain soaps has killed microbes in the human body resulting in an immune system that is weakened and unable to fight disease.
  • Humans are not born with any microbes but rather they come into contact with them over time.

"While we’ve known for decades that hand washing is important, for some reason, about a decade ago people started freaking out about dirt and started over sanitizing everything."

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=5158)


How safe are heartburn medications and who should use them?
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Date: August 11, 2017 04:14 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: How safe are heartburn medications and who should use them?





Heartburn medications that are currently prescribed might not be the most effective in treating heartburn. Many people suffer from heartburn and many of those people are prescribed what is known as "protein pump inhibitors." These medications prevent stomach cells from producing stomach acid, which causes heartburn. However, these medications often need to be taken for long periods of time and may lead to early death. While studies show proton pump inhibitors are effective at reducing heartburn, one study found a small increased risk of early death for those taking these medications and other studies have linked negative side effects, like vitamin B12 deficiency, to proton pump inhibitors. Nevertheless, the benefits outweigh the risks. Yet, it seems as though too many proton pump inhibitors are being prescribed than are necessary. Therefore, only those suffering from extreme heartburn should be prescribed proton pump inhibitors, as they can be very beneficial to treating their condition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Acid reflux is classified in two types, one with clear erosions and non-erosive.
  • Protien pump inhibitor doses of 5 mg a day were effective in significantly improving symptons in non-erosive reflux.
  • Protein pump inhibitors should not be used for extended time periods and only when necessary, as many are over prescribed and used indefinitely.

"A study found these drugs were very effective for treating reflux disease, with eight weeks of therapy with standard (once daily) dosing healing acid damage in more than 80% of patients."

Read more: http://theconversation.com/how-safe-are-heartburn-medications-and-who-should-use-them-80809

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=5109)


How to keep an eye out for eating disorders in loved ones
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Date: March 15, 2017 04:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: How to keep an eye out for eating disorders in loved ones





It can be very hard to determine if someone you know has an eating disorder. It may not be able to be noticeable with obvious signs, sometimes its the things you least expect. As much as you want to look out for your loved ones when it comes to an eating disorder, they are going to be as discrete as they can be. This s why this article presents a list of things one should to watch out for eating disorders, that way if you see certain signs you will know what to do.

Key Takeaways:

  • If you notice signs of an eating disorder, raise your concerns with that person when you have enough time and space to have a good conversation
  • Individuals who struggle with eating disorders feel a lot of shame about their illness
  • You don't want to ignore it, but if you try to push too much, it can lead to more control issues

"Hundreds of South Africans have eating disorders, but it can be difficult for family and friends to detect these problems in loved ones, a doctor warns."

Read more: https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health24.com%2FDiet-and-nutrition%2FHealthy-diets%2Fkeep-an-eye-out-for-eating-disorders-in-loved-ones-20170303&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGmZjNGVlYTM1NDU3YmZmOGU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNEX1cAzXEB4qfyGZgH85ST6LZmXDg

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=4153)


The Conversation US: 13 ways to keep free radicals away, and why it's so important
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Date: January 08, 2017 10:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The Conversation US: 13 ways to keep free radicals away, and why it's so important





Free radicals are molecules that are missing one or more electrons. They can damage your cells, which has been linked to health problems from wrinkles to cancer. Eating a diet rich in anti-oxidants fights the proliferation of free radicals, but the holidays, with their rich array of fatty, starchy, and sweet dishes, can make it more difficult to get those healthy anti-oxidants -- in the form of fresh fruits and veggies -- into your diet. But with a little diligence and pre-planning, you can have a healthy and delicious holiday season.

Key Takeaways:

  • raditional holiday meals are laden with salt, fat and sugar, which can spike blood glucose and insulin levels when eaten in excess all in one day. They also, alas, can increase the amount of free radicals, or molecules with unattached electrons, in the body, which can do serious cellular damage.
  • If a substance is “oxidized,” it has lost electrons to another substance. In contrast, we say a substance is “reduced” when it has gained electrons from another substance.
  • Our mitochondria, which operate like little factories in our cells, are responsible for burning fuel from food and producing energy in each of our cells via a process called oxidative phosphorylation.

"The oxidizing agents that have accepted electrons become free radicals if the unpaired electrons don’t bind to other molecules. These free radicals mess with our cellular metabolism, even interfering with our DNA."



Reference:

//www.huffingtonpost.com/the-conversation-us/13-ways-to-keep-free-radi_b_13870866.html

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=3757)


Health Check: what makes it so hard to quit drugs?
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Date: December 17, 2016 10:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Health Check: what makes it so hard to quit drugs?





The brain becomes primed to repeat drug taking over and over without actually thinking about it. When the dopamine system is damaged in that part of the brain, it makes it much harder to think through consequences and make considered decisions, so drug use becomes more automated. The wiring of the dopamine reward system makes it compelling to use drugs, and the damage to the system makes self-regulation more difficult. The brain and body adapt over time to taking drugs and react when the alcohol or other drugs leave the system.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alcohol and other drugs eventually make their way into the brain via the bloodstream and Once there, they affect how messages are sent through the brain.
  • Every drug affects different neurotransmitter pathways in different ways. Some affect more than one neurotransmitter.
  • When large amounts of dopamine are released, the brain has trouble keeping up production and can temporarily run out of dopamine.

"Every drug affects different neurotransmitter pathways in different ways. Some affect more than one neurotransmitter. But most drugs impact the dopamine system in some way."



Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=//theconversation.com/health-check-what-makes-it-so-hard-to-quit-drugs-69896&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGjFmZmViMTExOGM5Mzg5YTQ6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNGO6zaJThWJmDvaY7DhZ0IkPYkAxA

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=3662)


10 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor
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Date: November 17, 2016 04:59 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: 10 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor





When you make a visit with the doctor, take the time to get to know your health a little bit better. After all, that is what the doc is there for. To get you started, these 10 important questions all should be included on the list of things that you ask your doctor. Getting the conversation started is always the hard part, but it doesnt need to be.

Key Takeaways:

  • When you head to the doctor for your annual check-up, it's easy to be swept in and out in 15 minutes or less, leaving you flustered and wondering whether it was really all that productive.
  • Tests typically involve a quick blood draw or saliva swab, and it's best to have it done during the first few days of your period.
  • She adds that it's an easy form of preventative medicine, so don't shy away, especially when there's a family history.

"Tests typically involve a quick blood draw or saliva swab, and it's best to have it done during the first few days of your period."



Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=//www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/a56711/questions-to-ask-your-doctor-at-every-age/&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGmZmMDFkMTU2YWMzMmQ5OTU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNEgAJBBhNRq0traRS_UK_v3KkXqvw

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=3461)


Does eating fat make you fat? This physician says no
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Date: November 09, 2016 04:54 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Does eating fat make you fat? This physician says no





One big myth surrounding weight loss is that in order to lose weight, you must not eat any fat. However, that is not the case. Mark Hyman says that dietary fat, like those found in avocadoes, actually helps cut fat, and even goes to say that all calories are not the same. Healthy fats can also speed up metabolism and cut cravings. Hyman suggests consuming foods such as spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and peppers along with up to six ounces of protein.

Key Takeaways:

  • "The misinformation that has been pushed on our population by the food industry and our government, which is that all calories are the same - that's true in a laboratory, when you burn them," Hyman said. "It's not true when you eat them."
  • In a blog post on his website last year, Hyman compared the effects of consuming 750 calories of soda vs. 750 calories of broccoli, pointing out the many adverse effects of the former, including an insulin spike, which increases the storage of belly fat. In our conversation, he noted, "Fat, on the other hand, does not raise insulin."
  • What healthy fats can do, Hyman wrote in his forthcoming book, "The Eat Fat, Get Thin Cookbook," is "shut down cravings, speed up metabolism" and "help prevent and reverse heart disease, not cause it."

""The misinformation that has been pushed on our population by the food industry and our government, which is that all calories are the same - that's true in a laboratory, when you burn them," Hyman said. "It's not true when you eat them.""



Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=//www.omaha.com/livewellnebraska/nutrition/does-eating-fat-make-you-fat-this-physician-says-no/article_dc0b686a-a139-11e6-a1bc-1f3340b19a50.html&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGjY3NzEzYzg1MjE0ZjUwYzU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNHgcAxerkA5N1emhd7ojAUK9WfBUA

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=3416)


The Holiday Sugar Trap; All There is to Know
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Date: October 04, 2015 10:02 PM
Author: Darrell Miller
Subject: The Holiday Sugar Trap; All There is to Know

The festive season can be a tempting affair to any healthy eater. Hopping from one party and family gathering to another might easily see you indulging in unhealthy dishes and drinks. It is quite difficult to hold back on the wide varieties of delicious treats unless your will is exceptional. Counting the calories in the food you eat when in the middle of a conversation with a long lost friend or family members isn't easy. What you regard as 'just a once off affair' might ruin the rest of the year for you. There is a lot of hidden sugar in holiday treats such as; syrup, cakes, flavored pop corn, cookies, soda, juices, lemonades and ice cream.

Holiday Feast


Reasons to Avoid Sugar During the Festive Season
Added sugar has been proven to have harmful effects on your health. There are some known risks that you might be exposing yourself to just by having an extra cupcake.

  • Tooth decay

Sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay. Plaque, a harmful bacteria responsible for tooth decay, uses sugar as a form of energy. This way, the plaque multiplies and becomes thick hence making it difficult for it to be washed away by saliva. Sugar is also used as a form of glue for the bacteria to firmly stick to the teeth.

  • Weight gain

Added sugar for instance fructose corn syrup contains a lot of empty calories with zero nutrients.These calories do not contain any protein, minerals, vitamins nor any essential fats. It is purely energy which is converted into fats in the body hence weight gain.

  • Sweet tooth/ Addiction

Did you know that indulging in all that sweetness at the Christmas table might be the beginning of your sugar addiction? Sugar shuttles tryptophan in the brain which further converts to serotonin hence having a physiological addictive effect.

  • Increased Blood Pressure

When the refined sugar intake is high, the body might be forced to produce more leptin and insulin. This is due to the high carbohydrate and processed food diet. When these two rise, blood pressure might go up leading to leptin and insulin resistance. Insulin is responsible for the storage of magnesium meant for the relaxation of muscles in the body. When the insulin is interfered with, the lack of magnesium in the cells may lead to the inability of your your hearts' vessels to fully relax hence narrowing them. This overworks your heart hence increased blood pressure.

  • Cholesterol

Refined sugar has been proven to cause diabetes, obesity as well as other conditions that put your heart at risk. New studies have linked sugar with unhealthy cholesterol and increased triglyceride levels. When you consume a lot of refined sugar, the excess is stored in the liver as tryglecirides (a form of fat that sticks to your arteries). This fat travels through the blood stream and may clog it up.

That extra can of soda might leave you struggling with life altering health conditions. It is important to consider healthy alternatives to refined sugars. A perfect example in this case would be unsweetened or stevia calorie free sweetners. Sweet leaf and Truvia are made of stevia which is a natural herbs that are commonly found in South and Central America. Stevia is 40 times sweeter than sugar yet contains no empty calories which makes it a suitable alternative. These sweeteners are easily available in local stores and can be used in almost anything; tea, coffee, cereal, yogurt and even fruit.

References

//www.webmd.com/food-recipes/best-sugar-substitutes
//healthyteeth.org/what-about-sugar/
//articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/25/sugar-blood-pressure.aspx
//healthyeating.sfgate.com/sugar-intake-raise-cholesterol-levels-4101.html

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=3226)


DHA for Attention and Focus
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Date: September 29, 2008 05:33 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: DHA for Attention and Focus

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder emerged in scientific research at the turn of the 20th century when Dr. George Still was introduced to a disobedient, troubled, nine year-old boy. Today, research still just touches the edge of this serious disorder, but our understanding has steadily grown throughout the 20th century. Dr. Still believed that ADHD is not just the result of bad parenting, but also of some sort of condition in the brain. The symptoms that comprised ADHD were considered minimal brain dysfunction or minimal brain damage in the 1940s or 1950s, while others called it hyperactivity. By 1987, scientists were referring to the condition as ADHD.

Today, no one has yet to pinpoint the exact cause of ADHD, but there has been some interesting research that has lead to the discovery of many different facts. Identical twins are much more likely than fraternal twins to both suffer from ADHD, as identical twins share genetic material, causing researchers to believe that ADHD may have a genetic component. A study of adults with ADHD showed that ADHD brain cells were less active by eight percent and used glucose less effectively in the areas of the brain that involved attention control. About seventy percent of ADHD children continue having ADHD when they become adults. Additionally, a study found that fifty-seven boys with ADHD suffered from a slight structural abnormality in the brain, with the prefrontal cortex, caudate, nucleus, and globus pallidus being slightly smaller on the right side than in fifty-five boys who didn’t suffer from this disease. All of these areas are parts of the brain that are believed to inhibit our actions.

The American Psychiatric Association says that children can have ADHD if they have six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, or inattention for six months or longer. Other possible symptoms include: frequently not paying close attention to details; frequently having trouble staying focused on tasks; frequently not following through on instructions; frequently having difficulty organizing duties and activities; frequently failing to listen when directly spoken to; frequently avoiding or hesitating to be involved in tasks requiring continued mental effort; frequently losing objects needed for duties or activities; frequently distracted by external stimuli; and frequently forgetting daily activities.

Other symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity would include: frequently fidgets with hands or feet; frequently squirming while sitting down; frequently leaves seat in places where remaining seated is the accepted norm; frequently running around or climbing in places that are inappropriate; frequently having difficult playing quietly; frequently appearing on the go; frequently speaking excessively; frequently blurting out answers before questions are completed; frequently having trouble waiting his turn; and frequently interrupting conversations or games with others.

The most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD is medication, often being Ritalin, which is a stimulant that helps to enhance the effect of the brain chemicals that help nerve and brain cells to receive messages from each other. Ritalin can help ease the suffering of a child with ADHD, making them more attentive and less aggressive. However, there are many drawbacks to the use of Ritalin, which include it being a form of amphetamine, becoming a popular drug to abuse, having many significant side affects, and being psychologically addictive. Natural alternatives are available such as Dha or essential fatty acids which are suppose to promote proper brain function.



--
Buy DHA at Vitanet ®, LLC

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=1904)


Depression and Vitamins
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Date: April 17, 2008 11:20 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Depression and Vitamins

Most men dealing with depression have stories that are very similar, waking with a heavy head even in the happiest of times. A bad day is described as one in which you can’t get out of bed and it feels as if there is a dark cloud hanging over your head. Today, as the NFL season moves towards playoffs, many athletes are living with depression related to multiple concussions. A study of over 2,500 retired NFL players concluded that three concussions triple the chance of experiencing depression. This is extremely important in a sport in which brain trauma is so often and easily dismissed.

Just like helmets cover the faces of men playing a violent game, the angry aggression that is so commonly associated with normal guy behavior may actually be a mask for depression and physical injury is not needed to suffer its effects. It has actually been discovered that depression is more common in men than anyone ever knew, as male depression has often been under-diagnosed because the standard diagnostic manual portrays the depression symptoms more commonly associated with women. About six million men will be diagnosed with depression in 2008, not counting the one million more that will go undiagnosed.

The sad weepiness that is commonly associated with depression is much more commonly found in women, while a man is more likely to be short-tempered, fatigued, and uninterested in sex, work, or hobbies. However, it is work that provides depressed men a distraction to their painful inner feelings. Men are more likely to try downing their pain in alcohol or drugs instead of getting treatment. Untreated depression explains why the male suicide rate is more than four times the rate of female suicide. Although there are hormonal differences in depression of the different genders, the common factor is stress.

Although some men are open to being told they are depressed, most only act out with more anger. An effective, but not exactly subtle approach to telling a man he may have depression is leaving and article or book around the house for him to pick up. Severe depression requires immediate attention by a trained practitioner, along with various medical interventions. Once the worst is over, it is important to try to maintain a depression-free lifestyle. This can be done by reduction stress and finding social support as well as dietary changes.

This is a difficult step for men who are used to conversations which revolve around scores and transactions, but good places to start are men’s groups at houses of worship (church) or those groups such as AA if substance abuse is part of the problem. By fortifying the brain with depression-fighting nutrients, including a B vitamin complex, one can maintain and promote normal mental functioning. Many depressed people are extremely deficient in folic acid as well as dietary essential fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are needed to build healthy brain cells, along with phosphatidyl serine. Other herbs, including eleuthero, rhodiola, and ginseng, can help the body to adapt to stress, while St. John’s wort and SAMe work as natural antidepressants.

The most severe mistake that can be made is to play down depression, which applies to raging men just as much as it does to weeping women. Both genders need to seek help if feeling this way. If you feel you are experiencing depression, seek professional help as well as look into dietary changes, exercise, and the support of family can be a good start to a healthier outlook on life.

--
Vitanet ®, LLC

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=1759)


Marilu Henner: Energy Personified!
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Date: June 14, 2005 11:50 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Marilu Henner: Energy Personified!

Marilu Henner: Energy Personified! by Stephen Hanks Energy Times, January 3, 2005

Marilu Henner is an actress, dancer and author, a health, fitness and cooking guru and a devoted mom. Now she's also an advocate for nutritional supplements. In this revealing interview, she offers her thoughts on the battle to support consumer rights and to create a better health care system in America.

"So, you want to know what my schedule is after I finish talking with you?" Marilu Henner says, in an almost breathless voice. "Today's Tuesday, right? Tomorrow morning I leave Los Angeles [where she lives] for New York City so I can do the Tony Danza Show first thing Thursday morning, Then, I take a 9 am flight back to LA because my son has a sleepover birthday party. I have a 7 am flight to New Jersey the next morning because I'm speaking about mental health at a conference at a big country club. The next morning, I catch a 7 am flight back to LA for my son's soccer games, one at noon and the other at 2. Whew!"

Trying to keep up with Marilu Henner would make anybody feel out of breath because the woman is energy personified. At 52, her schedule includes acting in movies, on television and in the occasional Broadway show, writing books (she's authored seven, including Total Health Makeover and Healthy Life Kitchen), teaching online diet and exercise classes through her website (marilu.com), taking Pilates classes three times a week and raising two sons, Nicholas (10) and Joseph (8).

But now, on top of all that, the former star of the TV show Taxi has become a health and nutrition activist, speaking out in favor of the use of dietary supplements whenever she can. This past September, Henner testified at a hearing of the House Subcommittee for Human Rights and Wellness to advocate increased funding for research and full implementation of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). During her testimony, Marilu described why she believes consumers should have access to more information about supplements and why the products should be made more accessible through both government initiatives and private health plans. "I believe that dietary supplements should be part of a campaign to improve our nation's health," Henner testified.

Energy Times recently caught up with Marilu at her Los Angeles home for a freewheeling conversation. Here, this vibrant yet down-to-earth celebrity displays her passion for health, nutrition and consumer issues.

Energy Times: You've become one of the most high profile celebrities to advocate a consumer's use of dietary supplements. What was your motivation to get involved in such a public way?

Marilu Henner: As a teenager, I had been a yo-yo dieter. I could be around 135 pounds and balloon up to 174. I knew I needed a different way of looking at my life. I couldn't concentrate on those stupid diets where I could lose 20 pounds in a week and then gain it all back over a weekend. But after my mom died at 58 in 1978, I said to myself, "It's not really about my body anymore, it's really about my health." I just became obsessed with health. I read everything I could get my hands on. I starting taking human anatomy classes, going to medical libraries and seeing nutritionists and doctors. And I started experimenting on myself, turning myself into my own guinea pig. It took me about eight years to put together a program. I always say that my health birthday was 1979, but it wasn't until 1987 that I could say I was living a completely healthy lifestyle.

ET: Were you ever really heavy when you were performing in a show? MH: Sure. When I first performed the role of Marty in "Grease" more than 30 years ago I weighed about 175 pounds. But I hid it well. When you wear those 1950s clothes you can get away with it.

ET: When did you start incorporating supplements into your health program? MH: Before I became pregnant with my first son in 1993, I had never been a supplement taker. But I started taking prenatal vitamins and dietary supplements when I was breastfeeding and they made me feel really good. After the pregnancy, I just kept taking them because I was getting the essential nutrients that I couldn't get from food alone. I was getting great stuff from my food, but with all the travel I do-you know, the eating on planes and in restaurants-I couldn't always shop for organic food. I had a doctor who understood the value of dietary supplements and encouraged me to use them. I've taken them ever since and I recommend them to my family and friends, as well as to people through my books and classes.

ET: What supplements other than vitamins do you find helpful in your total nutrition program? MH: I take vitamin E, omega-3 fish oils, antioxidants, garlic, coral calcium and echinacea supplements.

ET: So let's get back to why you decided to testify before Congress in support of supplement use. MH: I know that as soon as you put a celebrity face on an issue, people tend to pay a little more attention. When I was in Washington, I was able to tell Congress the personal stories I've heard about people who turned their lives around-from debilitating illness to vibrant health-when they got the information they need to make good choices. By good choices, I mean rejecting the manufactured foods of our society, with their over-reliance on sugar, meat and dairy, and the chemicals, hormones and steroids that usually accompany these products. Instead, we should be moving towards an organic, vegan diet that produces a sense of physical health. I also believe that a healthy diet includes the use of appropriate dietary supplements.

ET: Do you think that government is moving fast enough to reduce the restrictions on safe supplements? MH: Things could always move faster. But I remember years ago writing letters on behalf of people who wanted supplements without needing a prescription. When I would tell people about the benefits of soy products or supplements, they'd think I was nuts. Now those ideas are mainstream. The floodgates are open and people want to know more. You can't even keep up with all the information. I think that the government knows they're not going to get away with making people have a prescription to take their vitamins.

ET: What is the citizen's responsibility in all this? MH: We're in a real transitional phase and people should take responsibility to educate themselves. You have to question your doctors and recognize when something is or isn't working. You have to find a health practitioner who really knows their stuff.

ET: As you said, there's so much information out there, how do you decipher it all? How can someone be an educated information consumer?

MH: I know it's very difficult because there are so many options. Believe me, I've been doing this a long time and I'm glad I did the research. I think you have to read everything. You have to find a nutritionist/herbalist/doctor who's the real deal and knows what they're talking about. You have to recognize the symptoms in your own body and try to figure it out. I think if you start out with a good multivitamin, a calcium supplement, fish oils and vitamin E, that can be your base and you can't go wrong.

ET: Isn't a diet built on buying organic foods much more expensive? MH: Sure, it's a little more expensive. But there's nothing more expensive than bad health. There's nothing more expensive than food being thrown away because it doesn't taste right. Organic fruit tastes so much better than the perfect-looking fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides.

ET: What's your advice to people who want to start a workout and weight-loss program? MH: I'm always saying to people, "Look, you walk your dog, your cat stretches, your hamster runs on a hamster wheel. You're an animal, too, so go move, go do something." I know a lot of people believe that when you want to lose weight you have to go on these 1,200-calorie-per-day diets.

Well, my weight is always between 120-124 pounds and I eat close to 2,000 calories a day, but everything I eat is of quality. And I burn a lot of calories because I wear comfortable shoes and I move around in my life. I'm always strong, I never get sick and I feel like an animal.

ET: How do you view the future of healthcare policy in this country and where do you think nutritional supplements fit in? MH: I strongly believe that the general public needs more access to dietary supplements to maintain essential good health. American research and development has come up with really great products, but the American Medical Association and the drug companies have stigmatized supplements. So what's the result? Most Americans don't have access to safe supplements because they are not covered by their health plans, nor recognized as effective by the federal government. This really needs to be changed.

I think we should take 90% of what we're spending on drugs that barely keep people alive and start spending it on prevention, nutrition and changing lifestyle habits. In this country we're all about curing the disease rather than curing the patient. We don't look at the patient holistically and try to find out how the disease developed. Your doctor should be in charge of keeping you well, not keeping you in that strange state of, what I call, "dis-ease." It's like the medical and pharmaceutical establishment wants to keep you just sick enough so you'll continue to be a paying customer. They've convinced people to think they've got to take a pill to cure themselves rather than use their own bodies.

ET: Do you think medical schools will start training doctors to treat patients holistically and focus more on preventative medicine?

MH: I think we're seeing a lot more nutrition and alternative medicine specialists these days. And the general public is becoming more aware of health and nutrition issues then they were years ago. There's this groundswell of people saying "Wait, I need more information. Wait, my doctor's no longer God. I can't just keep taking these pills and trying to figure out all these warning labels and side effects."

ET: Do you plan on becoming more politically active on these issues? MH: Absolutely, I want to work with any organization that wants to improve school lunch programs, improve the healthcare system and get people more involved in understanding nutrition and disease prevention.



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