The Healthy Choices Wellblog

Introducing a new homeopathic remedy for herpes:

New Health Remedies Added
for expectant mothers and new moms

Digital Pulse Analyzer Test Not Happening Now

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

Organic skincare scrutinized by The Organic Organic Consumers Association. Carcinogenic ingredients found in leading brands

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I buy organic whenever I can. It matters to me that the food I eat and the products I use in my home and on my body are the purest available. In the interest of informing others who might have similar interests, I am posting information on a new report on carcinogens in organic skin care and beauty products:

I’ve used some of the organic skincare and hair products brands that are listed in this report on carcinogens in organic skincare report presented by the Organic Consumers Association. I’ve used JASON Pure Natural & Organic, which is on the list for containing a carcinogen called 1,4-Dioxane. I’ve also used Kiss My Face, which apparently contains 1,4-Dioxane as well.

What is 1,4-Dioxane and why do some organic beauty care manufacturers using it?

1,4-Dioxane is a by-product created when companies create their products through a money-saving process called Ethoxylation, to reduce the harshness of some ingredients. Ethoxylation results in the production of an ingredient called Ethylene Oxide which then offsprings the byproduct that is in the news, the carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane. This ingredient is listed as a known carcinogen and is additionally suspected of being toxic to the kidneys, the respiratory system and the neurosystem.

Which organic products do not contain this carcinogen?
You can see the full list on the website. I was happy to see one of my favorites, Dr. Bronners, was on the carcinogen-free list. A few others were
Aubrey Organics, Terressentials and the Nourish brand Sensibility Soaps.

How much Vitamin D is safe to take? Can a person overdose on Vitamin D or is Vitamin D Autointoxication a Myth?

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I’ve been researching Vitamin D and cancer, specifically a highly absorbable form of Vitamin D, called Vitamin D3.

I became interested in this link after reading information included in my package when I started on the CardioCocktail, that suggested most of us may be Vitamin D deficient and that, particularly in the winter, most could benefit from upping their daily dosage of this important vitamin.

The link between cancer and Vitamin D is being explored and some feel that this link is very significant. However, there’s a lot of info out there about what amount of Vitamin D is safe and at what dosage Vitamin D Autointoxication can occur. I watched one doctor on youtube who swears that there is really no unsafe amount, unless you are taking insane amounts. This is also the view of other sites I checked, some authored by medical doctors or researchers.

However, in continuing my online research, I see that the opinion on Vitamin D Autointoxication varies greatly. Just two examples…..

Wikipedia article on the subject notes that an absolute safe dose of vitamin D for long term use is not known, but states that up to 2,400 i.u.’s per day are generally considered safe for otherwise healthy individuals and that, among reported cases of Vitamin D intoxication, none have been reported in people taking 1,000 i.u.’s or less per day.

Another site that I find a bit annoying because it branches off so many ways that I never seem to be able to follow a path from start to finish says that toxicity can occur with a dosage of as little as 1,600 to 2,000 vitamin D i.u’s per day, if taken longterm.

From what I’ve read, the primary concern appears to be renal. If there were an undiagnosed kidney problem, taking too much vitamin D could be harmful because Vitamin D increases calcium absorption so, potentially, “might” contribute to urinary or kidney stones over time. I think this would be more apt to happen if a person was prone to kidney or urinary stones already. I also saw some indication here and there that suggested those with liver problems or liver damage might not tolerate high doses of vitamin d as well over time.

Vitamin D Autointoxication would be less likely, I would think, in areas where less sunlight is available too….in the winter months, in those parts of the country, less would be available through the action of sunlight so more might need to be consumed.

I have read enough to convince me that Vitamin D3 deficiency could definitely be a factor in the development of cancer and I’m interested to see what new research comes forward about that in the future.

Update on Cardiovascular Health Experiment with Cardio Cocktail and Arginex

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I had a retest on my cardiovascular system today. It’s been 3 months since I took the first test and I had planned to post a product review on the Cardiococktail and Arginex products today.

However, because I reduced my dosage and switched from Cardio Cocktail to Arginex in that three-month period, I am just posting yet another update. I will retest again in 3 months time and give my final product review then.

Note that I started on Cardio Cocktail at the recommended one-ounce per day but ran into complications and troubling symptoms. I wrote in detail about these in earlier posts.
I reduced the Cardio Cocktail to 1/2 ounce per day and then, to 1/4 ounce.

Instinctively, I sensed that I would do better on the arginex so I switched after consuming about 1/2 bottle of the Cardio Cocktail. Since then, I’ve been taking about 1/2 ounce of argenix with 2,000 i.u.’s of D3. Vitamin D3 was noted as being very significant in the Cardio Cocktail formula so, while I did not want the EDTA it also contains, I did want the benefits of the D3. This combination and dosage seems to work very well for me.

However, someone with more serious cardiovascular concerns might try finding a doctor who suggests Cardio Cocktail to their patients, and there are apparently quite a few doctors who do so.

It will be very helpful to read the previous posts on this subject before reading this update.

Earlier posts, by date:
1/4/08 The cardiovascular test that started it all
1/7/08 My concerns about this product for people with herpes or shingles
1/8/08 More information on arginine and herpes
1/23/08 Update on Cardiococktail Results
1/24/08 EDTA, Magnesium and Arginine
2/08/08 Cardiococktail / Argenine Update

DPA RETEST RESULTS:
I am impressed with some differences I see between this second test and the one I first had done three months ago. Most significantly, my ETc (cardiovasular ejection rate went from
368 to 324. This is significant because ejection rate is a big factor in cardiovascular health. It says that my heart is improving in the strength of it’s pumping action.

Another significant difference was my resting pulse rate. In the first test it was 92 bpm. Amazingly, the second test, my resting pulse rate was 78.

And finally, the age of my arteries changed from B 52 (meaning I had the arteries of a 52 year old woman three months ago) to B 48. My arteries are now three years
younger than my physical age, instead of being one year older than my physical age.

My dicrotic notch, another important factor indicating elasticity of the blood vessels, showed very, very slight improvement.

However, two areas that were worse this time: Carotid artery and capillaries. Both were closer to normal range last time. The person who gave me these tests said that it was not unusual for
capillaries to be the last thing to improve. Since I didn’t have my old test in front of me, I didn’t know I was low on that part of the test so I didn’t ask her why that would be.

Overall, I am very impressed with these results.

If you’d like to know when I post the final product review, please post a comment. You’ll be asked to register, free, and then you can subscribe to the
product review and cardio cocktail categories. That way, you will be notified immediately when I have posted my review or further updates.

GoChi Goji Juice - Double-Blind Scientific Study Proves Benefits!

Important: If you are on potassium-sparing diuretics or taking a potassium supplement, are on blood thinners or under the doctors care for any known condition, also read about potential drug interactions with goji juice

This announcement courtesy of Green Barley. See link to website below.

Many of you have been drinking Himalayan Goji Juice for several years - now with the launch of GoChi , the power of the Goji Berry has been captured in an even more potent form. A randomized, double- blind, placebo controlled study has shown 13 positive benefits from drinking GoChi.

These include Less fatigue, improved athletic performance, increased energy, reduction of stress, feeling calmer, increased ability to focus sharper mental acuity, better quality of sleep, easier ability to wake up, feeling healthier, feeling more content, feeling happier and bowel regularity.

This Gochi product is sold through MLM distributors and I’m not one of them but the site that sent me the info is, so I’m including their website. They don’t have it listed there but you can contact them once you get to the site, and ask for more info on Gochi.

Green Barley is a GoChi Distributor

Zrii is making news as the first product ever to be endorsed by the prestigious Chopra Center. What is Zrii?

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

Being online as much as I am, I hear about almost all new products as they come out. I first heard mention of a product called Zrii, which is a liquid nutritional with a distinct difference among liquid nutritionals: Zrii is the the only product endorsed by Deepak Choprah. The Choprah Center Endorsement was enough for me to give Zrii a look.

I had a similar reaction as I did to the CardioCocktail when I realized that, like that unusual and particularly important nutritional, Zrii was an MLM product. I wasn’t too thrilled about that.

I’ve seen a trend recently, where very wealthy businessmen in the national limelight, have decided to buy and promote nutritionals through multi-level marketing programs. Network marketing is the preferred term they use, over MLM.

I contacted a Zrii distributor and requested a sample, which was sent.

I can say that the Zrii is very tasty. I liked it.

I also felt it had energetic resonance.

However, like most products in the network marketing arena, it is expensive.

The primary Ayurvedic herbs in this formula are Amalaki, also known as Indian Gooseberry, ginger and tumeric.

Amalaki is promoted as a natural antioxidant with detoxing and rejuvenating properties. Of course, many other antioxidant juices exist so one question I had was whether this particular one is superior or whether it is the synergy of the other ingredients specific to Ayurvedic Medicine that make Zrii different.

I use both ginger and tumeric and find both to be good herbs. Both are fairly inexpensive to purchase so their addition alone wouldn’t excite me enough to purchase Zrii. Amalaki was a new one for me….I had not ever researched it before and didn’t know what the addition of this Ayurvedic Herb might mean to the synergy of Zrii.

After admittedly preliminary research, I believe Zrii could be a valuable addition to the diet of those suffering with digestive problems, in particular. The synergy of the ingredients is such that I would suspect Zrii could have a very positive effect on digestion.

While it is also promoted for eliminatory health and help with constipation, I feel there are other formulas out there that can effectively address that whereas I don’t know of any that truly make a lasting, healthful impact on the digestive process and feel that Zrii might be that product, if used over time. If it is, it would be a valuable addition to the holistic health practitioner.

I am not certain I find enough information to invest in a month supply of this product to test it myself so I’m hoping to get feedback here from others who are using it. I will not post Zrii distributor websites but will post comments from Zrii users so if you use it, let me know what you think of Zrii.

Have you noticed marked improvement in digestion and elimination while using it? Have you noticed other health benefits that could only be attributed to the addition of Zrii to your diet?

Healthy and delicious, these organic food recipes are sure to please those who love healthy eating

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I eat organic foods whenever I can get them. In rural Alabama, that’s sometimes a trick. I grew up thinking that, because almost everyone had a garden and grew their own vegetables that I was eating healthy but have since learned about toxic pesticides that negate that homegrown nutrition myth, at least for me.

I do not have an organic foods store nearby so I’m grateful that Ingle’s supermarkets carry a little organic produce and some organic options in canned goods and snacks. I hope this trend continues.

Anyway, I fully support online companies that sell organic foods and products and this one, called E3 Live, has a wonderful list of delicious recipes you can try out.

They all call for E3 Live ingredients and if you don’t already have a source for organic health products you could see what they have to offer or substitute other ingredients.

Their mouth-watering recipes include salsa, almond milk (easier to make than I would have thought and so healthy - Edgar Cayce sometimes suggested eating almonds as a cancer preventative), raw coconut chewies and a wide range of healthy smoothies including their
E3 Ginger Zing Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Choco Smoothie and Melon and Mint Smoothie. Oh yum, I can taste one now!

Organic Eating - Healthy Recipes Here

What is fucothin and why is it different than other fat burners? Can fucothin (primary active ingredient being concentrated amounts of fucoxanthin) help you lose weight safely?
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved.  tips for healthy weight loss

I just read about a new fat burner called fucothin, which is a concentrated source of fucoxanthin (a naturally occuring substance in brown seaweed).

The research on fucothin indicates that those who use it lose weight faster than the placebo group in the same double-blind studies, losing an average of 14.5 lbs in 16 weeks.

What impressed me more than the weight loss were the other properties of this concentrated fucoxanthin and pomegrante, which included:

1. The promotion of normal cardiovascular function

2. Support for healthy liver function

3. Support for healthy C-reactive protein levels and healthy anti-inflammatory response

(This one was of particular interest due to my own feelings about chronic inflammation being an underlying cause of many illness. read more about chronic inflammation as a factor in disease

4. The maintaining of healthy triglyceride / cholesterol levels

5. The maintaining of health blood pressure levels.

I contacted the company that makes fucothin , Garden for Life, and requested more information on this product. If what I read is as impressive as what I’ve found online, I may give it a try and do a product review here afterwards. If you want to be notified of future info on fucothin or other subject on my blog, just subscribe! Update…..got the info but nothing new there. Just have to read what’s on the website and on the web.

It should be noted that brown seaweed has long been studied for health benefits and that there are other products containing fucoxanthin out there besides this one. What is said to be different about fucothin is the concentration of fucoxanthin the manufacturers have been able to gather into this fat burner formula, due to some pretty high-tech photobioreacters and large cultivation tanks filled with pristine seawater that greatly concentrates the amount of fucoxanthin that is actually contained within the brown seaweed itself.

ps. It may also be of interest to different people and for different reasons that Jordan Rubin is the founder of Garden of Life. Jordan is well-known and well-respected in the fundamental Christian community for his books on health that are based on biblical principles.

Just checked for Fucothin on amazon and they have it, of course. They have the retail price at $49.95 but had it on sale there for $34.99 when I visited. On the official Fucothin website, there appears to be no way to order online so if you are looking for Fucothin, they do offer a store locator and I’ve also added an order link from amazon below, for convenience. If you scroll down on the amazon order page, you can also read some user results that have been posted. Oddly, Fucothin seems to affect urine smell and cause discomfort in some. I can understand the odor, given that Fucothin is made from seaweed and that might impart some kind of different odor to the urine but not sure what would make it cause burning sensation……might be something to watch if you take it.

Order Fucothin from amazon
Official Fucothin Website