Highest Rated Supplements in The World

October 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I don’t normally write about supplements.  The main reason being that lots of people believe that a personal trainer recommending supplements must be doing it soley for personal gain.  The negativity will never stop!  However, I thought it time to spread the word about the brand that I have been taking for nearly four years because I am proud of the company and more importantly the products.

USANA Health Sciences produce nutritional products that you can trust.  Their commitment to cutting-edge research and uncompromising quality standards are the foundation for products that are, according to independant research, proven to be the best in the world.  The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements awards USANA the Gold Medal.  Click here to read further details.  Leading physicians, world-class athletes, and smart customers (like me) trust their health to USANA.  The list of accolades for USANA is extensive, from corporate accolades to athletic accolades – the products are truly unrivalled.

USANA is committed to nutritional research and development. They have a group of in-house experts dedicated to the latest scientific findings and clinical studies. USANA is also consults regularly with the Scientific Advisory Council—a group of independent health-care professionals dedicated to helping USANA create the best products possible.

On a more personal note, the reason why I started taking these products was to overcome an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in my gut (potentially dangerous and nasty bacteria).  I used to struggle to get out of bed in the morning and then suffered from lack of energy throughout the day.  I also lived my life trying to keep the overgrowth of candida from flaring up.  The symptoms were not pleasant!!!  I was really having a tough time…and I was supposed to be supporting and motivating people in my role as a personal trainer!  After a short while of taking the Essentials™ (daily multi-vitamins and antioxidants) along with a daily BiOmega™ (ultra pure fish oils), my energy levels started to improve and I felt a whole lot better.  The vitamins and minerals support my digestive system and I no longer suffer from my previous problems.

A client recently asked if she could try some of the products.  After taking the ‘Essentials’ for a month, she sent me  this short testimonial which I think says it all:

“I really have felt the benefits of Usana from lovely strong finger nails and toe nails, hair growing quicker to having more energy. I can stay up later now and get out of my pit in the morning, feeling more than 1/2 human!”

USANA offer a wide-range of products from daily nutritionals to amazing skin care products (see my earlier post from June 2009).  For further information click here.

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Eat the Summer Rainbow!

July 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Summer is here and July is the time to enjoy fresh, seasonal, local foods in abundance!  I’ve always followed the saying, “Eat the rainbow.”  If you put lots of variety and foods of different colours on your plate each day, you will give your body a wide range of nutrients that are all vital for health.  Remember from my earlier posts the reasons why seasonal and local foods are so good? 

- The fresher the food, the more nutrients remain intact, allowing your body to gain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

- Avoid paying a premium for food that has travelled from the other side of the world, thus helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

- Allow nature to rebalance it’s cycle of food production.

Here’s how I classify the summer rainbow and exactly which foods are best eaten during July:

Red – tomatoes, radishes, beetroot, raspberries, strawberries, cherries

Yellow – sweetcorn, corn-on-the-cob

Blue – blueberries, blackberries

Green – broad beans, cabbage, courgettes, cucumber, lettuce, runner beans

Spring onions and garlic should also be featured in this list!

If you want to avoid pesticides and other harsh chemicals, organic is better, unless you are fortunate enough to be able to grow your own without the use of such nasties.  It’s amazing how much better food tastes when it is fresh, seasonal and full of nutrients!  Get the recipe books out.

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June – What's Best to Eat?

June 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

June has arrived, so it’s time to find out what the best seasonal foods are for this time of year.  Remember, if you want to make the most of the food on your plate and give your body a boost of nutrients, then it’s best to eat foods that are fresh and in season.

The three easy to understand reasons for eating seasonal foods are these:

- The fresher the food, the more nutrients remain intact, allowing your body to gain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

- Avoid paying a premium for food that has travelled from the other side of the world, thus helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

- Allow nature to rebalance it’s cycle of food production.

During the month of June, the best vegetables that are local to the UK are: artichoke / asparagus / aubergine / broad beans / broccoli / carrots / courgettes / fennel / mangetout /rocket / runner beans / spring onions.  The best fruits are: cherries / strawberries / gooseberries.  If you want to avoid pesticides and other harsh chemicals, organic is better, unless you are fortunate enough to be able to grow your own without the use of such nasties.  It’s amazing how much better food tastes when it is fresh, seasonal and full of nutrients! 

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Surrey Personal Training Expert Explains Why Supplements Can Be a Waste of Money!

May 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

If you drive an unleaded car, would you fill the tank with diesel and expect the car to operate without a hitch?  If that same car breaks down, do you take it to a mechanic to get it fixed straight away, because you can’t live without it?  Now consider the same for your body.  You think that you are doing the best you can to stay healthy by taking vitamins and minerals each day….that should save you from having to visit a mechanic!

Nutritional supplements can differ so much in strength and bio-availability (quality) that you should always read the label and understand just what you are paying for and putting inside your body.  Major supermarkets, pharmacies and online retailers are amongst the many places that sell supplements in abundance.  There is so much choice….how could you possibily know what’s best and right for you? It’s easy to choose the cheapest option.  After all, vitamin C is vitamin C, right? 

We all know the saying, “You get what you pay for.”  Where supplements are concerned, it usually rings true.  This is why choosing a supplement that has been formulated by one of the world’s leading scientists, a supplement that has been independantly tried and tested, means that you can be confident of it’s quality and strength.  Founded in 1992 by immunologist and microbiologist Dr Myron Wentz, USANA Health Sciences is a science-based company that develop and manufacture scientifically advanced nutritional supplements and beauty care products.  Every dietary supplement produced by USANA carries a potency guarantee – what is stated on the label is actually contained in the product.  Don’t waste your money on cheap supplements that cannot guarantee exactly what’s in them or how they have been manufactured.  Always do your research before buying!  For more information, click here.

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Spinach Made Easy

May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Following on from my posts about olive oil and eating seasonal foods, I want to share this very simple way of making a delicious bowl of spinach.  You will need:

- A bag of spinach, washed in cold water

- Glove of garlic, crushed

- Enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a large frying pan

Place the washed spinach in a large saucepan and cover with a lid.  Do not add any additional water as the leaves will have some water left on them.  Steam the spinach for a few minutes until it has reduced down.  Take the saucepan off the heat and drain off any excess water.

Meanwhile, heat the crushed garlic in the olive oil in the frying pan.  When this starts to soften, add the spinach to the frying and saute for a minute, making sure that the spinach is coated with oil and garlic.

Voila!  It couldn’t be more simple.  Great served with grilled fish.

Spinach has some excellent nutritional properties.  It is full of vitamins A and C, antioxidants and folic acid. 

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May – What's Best to Eat

May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I love this time of year.  Flowers are blossoming (my bright red geraniums look stunning lined-up and overhanging my balcony – very Italian), and I hear everyone talking about eating salads!   Nutritionally, if you want to make the most of the food on your plate and give your body a boost of nutrients, then it’s best to eat foods that are fresh and in season.

The three easy to understand reasons for eating seasonal foods are these:

- The fresher the food, the more nutrients remain intact, allowing your body to gain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

- Avoid paying a premium for food that has travelled from the other side of the world, thus helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

- Allow nature to rebalance it’s cycle of food production.

During the month of May, the best fruit and vegetables that are local to the UK are: asparagus / broccoli / rocket / spinach / spring onions / rhubarb / kiwi fruits.  If you want to avoid pesticides and other harsh chemicals, organic is better, unless you are fortunate enough to be able to grow your own without the use of such nasties.  It’s amazing how much better food tastes when it is fresh, seasonal and full of nutrients! 

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