How to Sleep Better and Have More Energy

From Oprah.com-
Inadequate sleep is now associated with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, among other chronic diseases. Recent investigations have helped prove that eight hours a night is optimum for cellular rejuvenation, and yet, according to one study, 71 percent of Americans get less than that—and are sleep deprived. Much of our sleep debt has been run up by choice—people just don’t want to turn out the lights. But insomnia is also on the rise. One study put the national price tag of treating it at $14 billion.

Remedies

• Good Bedding
• Light Therapy
• Dark Therapy
• Behavioral Therapy
• Acupuncture

Melatonin
It’s the master hormone for regulation of the sleep cycle. Melatonin levels in the body rise just before you fall asleep and decline through the night, hitting a low point about two hours before you wake. (Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant that enhances the reparative function of sleep.) Studies show that ingesting the hormone as a supplement can help reset the body clock, which is why it’s used to alleviate jet lag. Melatonin can also gradually help insomniacs feel sleepy at an earlier hour: Take 1 to 3 milligrams two to three hours before the desired sleep time. Remember: While melatonin can help normalize sleep patterns, it is not a sleeping pill.

Try Pinnaclife’s Sleep Support! Contact us for information on how to test this new product! inquire@pinnaclife.com

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/health/How-to-Sleep-Better-and-Have-More-Energy/1#ixzz2TwZ7Cvfw

National Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celebrating National Celiac Awareness Month

Not many years ago, the autoimmune condition celiac disease was considered rare, affecting perhaps 1 in 10,000 or maybe 1 in 5,000 Americans.  Over the past decade knowledge about its associated genes, scientific underpinnings, and treatment has expanded dramatically.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease has been known by many different names in the medical literature over the years, including gluten-sensitive enteropathy and celiac sprue (to differentiate it from tropical sprue). CELIAC DISEASE can be defined as a permanent intolerance to the gliadin fraction of wheat protein and related alcohol-soluble proteins (called prolamines) found in rye and barley. CELIAC DISEASE occurs in genetically susceptible individuals who eat these proteins, leading to an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system starts attacking normal tissue. This condition continues as long as these food products are in the diet.

The resulting inflammation and atrophy of the intestinal villi (small, finger-like projections in the small intestine) results in the malabsorption of critical vitamins, minerals, and calories. Signs and symptoms of the disease classically include diarrhea, short stature, iron-deficiency anemia and lactose intolerance. However, many patients will also present with “non-classical” symptoms, such as abdominal pain, “irritable bowel”, and osteoporosis. Patients may also be screened for celiac disease because of the presence of another autoimmune disease, such as type I diabetes or thyroid disease, or a family history of celiac disease, without having any obvious symptoms. Serum antibodies can be utilized to screen for celiac disease. However, the key to confirming the diagnosis remains a small intestinal biopsy, and the patient’s subsequent clinical response to a gluten-free diet. Clinicians in the United States must maintain a high index of suspicion for this disease, as it is significantly under-diagnosed in this country.

Gluten Free Diet

Celiac disease (CD) is a lifelong digestive disorder found in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Damage to the small intestine is caused by an immune-mediated reaction to the ingestion of gluten. This does not allow foods to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods affect those with celiac disease and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even in the absence of symptoms. Gluten is the generic name for certain types of protein contained in the common cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and their common derivatives.

ALLOWED grains and flours
Rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, beans, garfava, sorghum, quinoa, millet,
buckwheat, arrowroot, amaranth, teff, Montina and nut flours.

NOT ALLOWED in any form
Wheat (durum, graham, kamut, semolina, spelt), rye, barley and triticale.

Understanding Labels
The key to understanding the GF diet is to become a good ingredient label reader. The following ingredients should not be consumed. They are derived from prohibited grains: barley, malt or malt flavoring (can be made from barley), malt vinegar (made from barley), rye, triticale, wheat (durum, graham, kamut, semolina, spelt).

Pinnaclife is Gluten Free!

All of Pinnaclife Supplements are Gluten Free! Our Prebiotic Fiber can help with your digestion problems and our Antioxidant blend Olivamine10 can help with inflammation. For more information visit: www.Pinnaclife.com

Resources: American Celiac.org

Nectarine and Strawberry Parfait

Ingredients:

• 3/4 c. sweet white wine, such as Sauternes or sweet Riesling
• 1/2 c. Hy-Vee honey
• 2 ripe but firm nectarines, thinly sliced
• 2 c. quartered hulled strawberries
• 1/2 c. whipping cream or heavy cream
• 1 c. Hy-Vee nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• Pinnaclife Prebiotic Fiber – optional for added nutritional benefit!

Instructions:

1. Combine wine and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil until reduced to about 1/2 cup, 6 to 10 minutes. (Add fiber to hot liquid if desired)
2. Combine nectarines and strawberries in a medium bowl and toss with 1/4 cup of the wine syrup. Refrigerate the remaining 1/4 cup syrup for at least 10 minutes to cool.
3. Beat cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold or beat in yogurt and the cooled wine syrup just until combined.
4. Spoon a scant 1/4 cup yogurt-cream into each of 4 dessert glasses or bowls and top with about 1/2 cup of the fruit mixture. Repeat with another layer of each.
5. To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate the fruit and yogurt cream in separate containers for up to 4 hours.

Hy-Vee Recipes

National Women’s Health Week

National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health and its importance. It also empowers women to make their health a priority and encourages them to take the following five steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases:

• Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet, and texting while driving.

Click photo to see full size PDF

 

Roasted Garlic Guacamole with Help-Yourself Garnishes!

Great Hy-Vee recipe for a summer dish!

Ingredients:

• 6 large cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 6 medium ripe avocados
• 1/2 c. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, plus more if desired
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 (16 ounce) bag Hy-Vee organic yellow corn tortilla chips
• Garnishes
• 3/4 c. finely crumbled or grated Mexican queso fresco, queso añejo, salted pressed farmer’s cheese, firm goat cheese, mild feta cheese or Romano cheese
• 3/4 c. toasted pumpkin seeds
• 3/4 c. Hy-Vee sliced pickled jalapeños
• 1/2 c. crumbled crisp-fried Hy-Vee bacon
• Pinnaclife Prebiotic Fiber – optional for added nutritional benefit!

Instructions:

1. Place unpeeled garlic in a small dry skillet over medium heat; cook, turning occasionally, until soft and blackened in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool, then slip off the skins; finely chop. Scoop avocado flesh into a large bowl. Add the garlic, cilantro and lime juice to taste. Coarsely mash everything together. Season with salt. Transfer to a serving bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. To serve, spoon a little guacamole on a chip and top with your choice of garnishes.

Hy-Vee Recipe