The Pinnaclife Bike Racing Team Is Off To A Successful Season!

Pinnaclife Bike Racing Team has recently accomplished two great victories, continuing their reign as an elite cycling team in Southern California.  The Pinnaclife racing team surpassed the competition and finished first in the California State Team Time Trial Championships.  The four man team set a new course record with a remarkable time of 47:48, defeating some of the best teams in Southern California.  The victorious, gold winning team is pictured below.

Pinnaclife Bike Racing Champions

The team also won the Dominguez Hills Grand Prix–Memorial Day race, making for a very triumphant weekend!  Pinnaclife is extremely proud of our cyclists, and we admire their passion and devotion to the sport.  Together Pinnaclife and our cycling team promotes good health to every person in every country of the world, and of all ages!

Your future baby and your health: Prenatal vitamins.

Hi and welcome back!

I hope that everyone is having a great week. Yesterday I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner with some friends, and as our conversation progressed we quickly got on the topic of babies. Most of my friends are married now and starting to plan their families, so I’m no stranger to baby chatter and the excitement and concern that seem to go hand in hand. Being in the nutrition business my friend asked me a question: “Kevin,” she said, “I was told that I should start taking prenatal vitamins for two years prior to getting pregnant. Is this true?”

My initial reaction was one of surprise, I immediately thought of several babies I knew personally whose mothers had not been taking prenatal vitamins two years prior to conception, or even two months after conception for that matter, and those babies turned out alright. But more importantly, I honestly did not know the answer.

So, I did a little digging. I reached out to my boss, Dr. Darlene McCord, and some very knowledgeable pharmacists from CarePro Pharmacies.

I’d like to first point out that when seeking opinions about your health, you must first have a good grasp on your own health. Where are you? How healthy are you? And how do you take control of your health? Everyone is in a different place and naturally, a woman planning a pregnancy should consult her Doctor and before taking any products.

But for my friend, and everyone else who may be planning on having a baby or is just curious, here is what I found out:

Two years is a bit of an overstatement. Naturally, if there is a nutrition deficiency affecting a woman, that deficiency needs to be addressed by a doctor. For example, in cases where women are severely deprived of basic nutrients due to illness, diet, eating disorders and other environmental factors, those depleted nutrients need to be replenished to not only bring the expecting mother back to good health, but also bring her body to a place where it can support the life of another.

For planning mothers who take care of themselves and their bodies, including prenatal vitamins in their diets should start approximately six to nine months before conception. This statement was agreed upon by all of my research outlets.

So now the question to answer is why.

Pregnancy is a very exciting and important time, and maintaining optimal health throughout this time is critical. For over thirty years, physicians have recommended prenatal vitamins and minerals as part of routine prenatal care, and the reasoning behind that is simple: Even with a close to perfect diet, it is still difficult for pregnant women to get all the nutrients they need to maintain optimal health. Prenatal supplementation is essential in the development of the fetus and the health of the mother.

During pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid and omega 3’s are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living. In addition, providing the body with ample omega-3’s promotes early brain development in the baby and prevents postpartum depression in mothers.

Here’s a fact about Folic Acid:

Taking a prenatal vitamin is the ONLY way to make sure you’re getting the amount of folic acid you need each day. All medical authorities recommend a daily dose of 400 micrograms (mcg) starting at least a month before you begin trying to get pregnant and at least 600 mcg a day once you know you’re pregnant. It is harder for your body to absorb folic acid from food than it is to absorb the folic acid found in prenatal vitamins. Research has shown that taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects in your baby by up to 70% (1)

Now Here’s something you may not have known:

Birth control pills deplete folic acid in the body. Many women use birth control pills as a form of contraception. Some women take birth control pills for years before trying to get pregnant. Therefore, the prenatal vitamins must be in place to replenish that depleted folic acid. Having good levels of folic acid in your body will increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Here’s another big one:

Co Enzyme Q 10. Without this, your body cannot survive. Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) is a serious complication of pregnancy that occurs in 16% of pregnancies (2). When the condition is detected, the only treatment is delivery. Sometimes this results in premature birth and its associated complications for the newborn child. In severe cases Pre-eclampsia can cause maternal death. Including Co-Enzyme Q 10 in a dietary supplement can prevent pre-eclampsia and the associated hardships.

Let’s talk about Balance and your future baby:

Mental health and heart health in both mother and child are dependant upon the correct balance of omega 3 to omega 6. During pregnancy, it is critical to supplement with high quality omega 3 oils enriched with a 3:2 ratio of EPA to DHA. Studies show that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of DHA have advanced attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first six months of life, these same babies had attention spans that were two months ahead developmentally of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels (3). DHA supplementation has also been suggested to decrease the incidence of postpartum depression (4).

So before getting pregnant, how many women have thought about their digestive health?

Nothing is more important to digestive health than fiber. Soluble fiber will cleanse toxins from the digestive system and in doing so allow valuable nutrients to become bioavailable. Adding a soluble fiber to a prenatal plan is essential for controlling unhealthy weight gain, preventing uncomfortable and even painful constipation associated with pregnancy, and encouraging the growth of probiotics (friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract). Healthy Intestinal tracts reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes from 34% to 13% (5).

What about minerals?

Magnesium and vitamin D3 combine and to control hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body that produce, transport and store cellular energy. It is impossible to survive without magnesium because of its importance in cellular communication and cellular division. This is true for mother and child.

And finally let’s look at the health of you, future Mom:

Olivamine10 contains hydroxytyrosol that has been scientifically proven to repair cells and enable them to live 20% longer in a disease free state (6). Hydroxytyrosol is the most powerful antioxidant available and is crucial to a successful pregnancy. Studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants can prevent obesity and glucose intolerance in children (7). Furthermore, including Olivamine10 in a prenatal plan will allow the mother’s cells to rest and revitalize and properly control and heal damage caused by oxidative stress. This will in turn allow all of the prenatal vitamins and their components to work properly and better.

And what are all these numbers and words?

1. DeVoir, G. (2010) Are You Using the Best Prenatal Vitamin for you and your baby? PrenatalVitamins.org. Ed. Dr. Greggory DeVoir. 2010 http://PrenatalVitamins.org/
2. Teran, E. (2009). Coenzyme Q10 supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 105(1), 43-5.
3. Columbo, J; et al (2004) Maternal DHA and the Development of Attention in Infancy and Toddlerhood. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00737.x
4. Leung, BM. (2009). Perinatal depression: prevalence, risks, and the nutrition link–a review of the literature. J Am Diet Assoc, (9), 1566-75.
5. Yeganegi, M. (2009). Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 supernatant and fetal sex on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine and prostaglandin-regulating enzymes in human placental trophoblast cells: implications for treatment of bacterial vaginosis and prevention of preterm labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 200(5), 532.
6. Sarsour, E; et al. (2011). MnSOD activity regulates hydroxytyrosol-induced extension of chronological lifespan. AGE DOI 10.1007/s11357-011-9223-7
7. Simmons, R. Antioxidants during pregnancy affect child. United Press International. Ed. N/A 2011. UPI.com 18 Mar 2011. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/03/18/Antioxidants-during-pregnancy-affect-child/UPI-99751300500309/

That’s just the research articles and respected health and nutrition journals I’ve taken my information from today. Education and knowledge is as much a part of health as diet, supplementation, exercise and happiness.

So for my friend, and for everyone, I hope this information helps you on your journey.

The key to success…

Some of the Pinnaclife Racing Team members

 

Dana Point, CA

Jet lagged and sunburned, I’m happy to announce that Nancy and I have returned safely back to Iowa from our trip out West. Once again we traveled to Southern California to meet with the men who ride for the Pinnaclife Racing Team. This time, the team was competing in the Dana Point Grand Prix. Unlike road races, Grand Prix’s are races that take place on a mile long course that is repeated over the duration of a specified time. They are quick and the turns are sharp. Tensions are high, and the dedicated can find themselves in a breakaway that can set them up for a win, while the inexperienced can find themselves flying face first over their handlebars and into the hay bails that line the sides of the course.

The Pinnaclife Racing Team is a top three racing team in Southern California. What sets them aside from the rest is that everyone on this team is over 40. In fact, most of the team members are well into their 50’s, and athletically and competitively, I can name only a few people in the 20’s who could even hold a candle to these guys.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting the team before and watching them race, so I was no stranger to the speed and succinct timing with which they operated. Nancy on the other hand, who was new to this, drove the Jeep with a dropped jaw the entire time I was filming. So dropped, in fact, that we met lots of curbs and shoulders and received some “less than pleasant” greeting s from other travelers on the road. I definitely have to thank Nancy though. Despite her love-affair with the brake pedal and the time I spent rolling around the back of the Jeep, I’m alive and I got some great footage that will really highlight the team.

After our road adventure, we sat down with the team and had a conversation that would surely set the tone for the entire trip. As we delved into the components of team cycling, we learned about preparing for a race and training in the off-season. We discussed the proper measurements of road bikes and the key elements to consider when getting fitted for a road bike. We discussed the various types of carbon fiber frames and personal taste versus professional performance. Team President, Dave Prechtl, opened up about the founding of the team and touched on the one simple and novel and important concept that affects the success of any team: Teamwork.

Prechtl commented, “Biking is a tough sport. You’ve got a hundred guys out there and every one of them wants to win. You’re shoulder to shoulder going sixty miles per hour and there’s not much room for error. We’ve got our strengths and we know each other. We count on each other to make it through the race. Sometimes that’s climbing. Sometimes that’s sprinting to the break away. Sometimes that’s winning and sometimes that’s sacrificing yourself so your team gets in the top three. I know these guys and I trust them. We’ll use our strengths to support each other.”

Now, when talking about wellness plans and really about health in general, we all talk about the personal side of things. “What I’m going to do to get healthy.” “How far I’m going to run.” Etc.… We rarely discuss health and wellness as a team effort. So I got to thinking: What if it was a team effort? Would that help me reach my goals? Would that help me get to where I wanted to be?

Teams, I know, by watching the Pinnaclife Racing Team, work together. When one person drops the ball, everyone fails. And that happens sometimes. In Biking, Dave Prechtl told me, “It’s not if you fall, it’s when you fall.” In business, my boss, Dr. McCord said, “It’s not if you fail, it’s when you fail.” But your team, your coworkers, your buddies, your bros, your girlfriends, your pals, you sisters your core, your whatever you call them, they’re the ones who will be there to pick you up. To make you get back on the bike, to remind you what it feels like to fall so you avoid it next time. They’re the one’s whose success depends on your success, whose happiness is affected by yours, or whose, in some cases, life depends on you. They’re the ones who are going to hold you accountable for your actions.

And we all know that holding yourself accountable is hard part. It’s really easy to let yourself down and be ok with it. I’ve done it. I’ve done it at the gym. I’ve done it with my diet. I’ve done it at school and at work (sorry past employers). One time, during a cross-country race in high school, I just stopped running. I wasn’t even that tired. I told my coach I was sick and he told me that I had “Yellow Fever.” At the time I responded, “maybe.” And a teammate said, “It’s not contagious is it?” Needless to say, since then I’ve dropped the ball a few more times and just let it roll down the hill.

Self-Accountability is the difference between waking up early and going to the gym and sleeping in. It’s the difference between choosing a salad for lunch or getting deep-fried take out again. It’s the difference between pushing hard to reach your goals or sitting back and complaining when things don’t go your way. And sometime, down the road, when you’re reaching thirty or maybe forty and your waist-line is a little bigger and your arms are a little smaller and beer tastes really good and so does the occasional cigarette and exercise is really less about the gym and more about walking to the car in the morning, and your hair hasn’t looked good for years, so why bother, and your clothes don’t fit as well, and your back hurts but really when was the last time it didn’t, and you’d like to play with your grand kids but it hurts to move, then, when you’re laying in bed wondering if that shooting pain in your arm is something serious or if it’s just the usual aches and pains of your everyday life, then self-accountability is the difference between life and death.

So the question is: How do you hold yourself accountable?

And the answer: Teamwork.

When you have a partner in health you have someone whose looking out for you. You’ve got an ally in your corner who is just as concerned about your health and your success as you are, or at least, as you should be.

Teams offer support when you need it most, and because the team’s success depends on the individual’s success, most teams aren’t afraid to hold you accountable.

The Pinnaclife Racing Team has found success through the hard work of each team member and the support system that they offer each other. As elite athletes, they’ve also found success with Pinnaclife as a sponsor because we at Pinnaclife are just as concerned with their health and the success of their wellness plans as they are.

As we develop our products at Pinnaclife and our resources like the Ask the Experts page on pinnaclife.com, we’re really providing a team of experts; expert people and expert products to help individuals like you and I achieve our goals and hold ourselves accountable for our own health and wellness. Cause lets face it, self-accountability is hard. Sometimes we need a lot of support and sometimes we just need a push in the right direction. After this weekend, I’m closer to pinpointing my direction and where I am on my path to wellness, and with hope, you’ll read this and know that if you need help getting started, you’ve got a whole team of people here at Pinnaclife who are ready and excited to be on your side.

Breakaway from Cancer raised money for Cancer Research at the DPGP

Pinnaclife Road Trip Day 4, 04/02/2011

Pinnaclife Racing Team

Hi! And Welcome Back! I’m letting you know in advance that today’s blog is going to be very picture-heavy. So if you’re one of those people who shys away from looking at fun pictures of great people doing cool things that may inspire you, then maybe this isn’t for you.

I had the opportunity today to do a couple of things: The first was to feel really self conscious about my physical state of being and the second — and far more memorable — was to meet a group of men who redefined fitness, health and wellness for me.

As you probably know, at Pinnaclife we’re committed to improving the health of every person in every country in the world. Some might hear that and think it’s a pretty lofty goal. Well, it is, but it’s one that Dr. McCord has been pursuing fervently for the better part of two decades, and one that I’ve gladly taken on as my own. In addition to providing the worlds best health and nutrition products — proven by science and by results — we reach out and support people and things that will help us reach our goal; that in themselves will improve the lives of the people whom they effect. We proudly donate funds to various scientific causes around the world, we give time, money and products to the Buruli Ulcer Foundation, we donate to a number of programs at the University of Iowa and we sponsor teams and events that are really making a difference.

The Pinnaclife Racing Team led by David Prechtl is one of these teams. Their mission is simple: to support and promote the sport of cycling through their experience and performance. The Pinnaclife team is a grassroots racing team made up of people who LOVE the sport of cycling and who compete at the highest level of Masters bicycle racing. They are truly ambassadors of their sport — each and every one of them committed to personal success and to supporting their teammates — and did I mention that team is made up of men all who are 45 years of age or older?

So it’s 7:00 in the morning. I’d gotten lost due to some detours on the 405 and I was anxiously checking the GPS while trying to eat my healthy (and not at all rushed) breakfast of coffee and tiny chocolate doughnuts. I pulled up to Cycle Pro in Lake Forest where the team was stretching, checking their gear and about to take off on their 45 mile practice race.

Team leader Dave Prechtl and his tandem bike partner Fritz Tomasello greeted us when we parked and after a brief safety introduction, we hit the road. With cameras in hand, I hung out the window of the rental car and recorded the team. Reaching speeds of up to 43.8 miles per hour, we coasted through the streets and towns of Southern California. At one point my hat and cellophane wrapper from my tiny chocolate doughnuts flew out the window. We turned the car around to pick them up and as I reached down and grabbed the sticky plastic from the pavement, I thought: Maybe I should have grabbed that apple on the way out this morning.

Every moment following was fast paced and exciting. Jumping in and out of the car to set stationary shots of the team. As a veteran of the US Army, Chris was excited to employ the skills learned in his anti-terrorism & anti-survealance driving school to the shoot. At times, I was terrified for my life, but he assured me that we were in good hands. Sometimes we would slow to barely moving and I thought I might fulfill a childhood aspiration of mine and barrel roll from the moving automobile. However, considering my breakfast, I wasn’t convinced I’d do much more than face-plant in the gutter. Stunts like these were better left to professionals and those who ate their Wheaties.

And suddenly, as quickly as it started, it ended. 45 miles on a bicycle completed in just under an hour. Feeling considerably more inspired than when we arrived, we eagerly jumped out of the car at Cycle Pro and congratulated the team. I brought out my still camera and conducted interviews with the athletes. There’s really only a couple words that can be used to describe the guys I spoke with. Awe inspiring, accomplished, dedicated, successful in sports and in life — to name a few. Their attitudes were contagious and the excitement they brought to the sport was felt by me and no doubt everyone they meet. But then again, they were winners. Winners who have worked hard to achieve their success and who continue to work hard to accomplish goals. They support healthy lifestyles and they support each other. Achieving health goals and finding success, I’m learning, is reliant on two things: Self accountability — finding the desire to compete, achieve and work hard. And, of course a little help from your friends.

Sunday, I’ll be heading to The Redlands to support the Pinnaclife Racing Team as the compete in the Redlands Criterium Mens 45+. Monday, I think I’ll buy that bike I’ve been talking about and eliminate tiny chocolate doughnuts from my diet.

PS Apparently saying that you are staying in Los Angeles when you are staying in Huntington Beach is as grave of a sin as saying you are from Chicago when you are really from Naperville. I’m still glad to be in Huntington Beach.

Pinnaclife Road Trip Day 3: 04/01/2011

Shooting the Chicago Legend at the NPPL tournament in Huntington Beach

We spent a total of five hours at the Hilton in Woodland Hills. Thankfully they had a coffee pot. I discovered something very special about myself in that five hours though, so it was not all a loss. Every time I hear a story about people losing something at a hotel; the frantic calls to the front desk, the accusations against housekeepers and the sincere disappointment felt because he or she was now without their favorite sock or phone charger or precious moments figurine, I think: you idiot. Keep your things in your suitcase and you won’t lose them. Well, as it turns out, I am that idiot. And let me be the first to say: It’s all my fault. As someone who is so naturally horrible at packing for trips, I have a ridiculous suitcase full of clothes that I’ll probably never wear. I opened said suitcase at the Hilton to get my Pinnaclife supplements and sure enough managed to remove all of the contents and spread them throughout the room! Needless to say, it was a choice I made, and now the lost and found box at the Woodland Hills Hilton will be richer (and maybe a little smellier) with one more pair of black socks.

After a period of mourning for my socks, I pulled myself together and headed to PureTek in San Fernando to interview father and son team Barry and Steven Pressman.

PureTek. The manufacturers of Pinnaclife Supplements and remedy skin care products

Barry is a Pharmacist and founded PureTek in the 90′s. He brought two of his sons into the business and has seen a lot of success. Barry stressed that it is very important that everything that comes out of his plant be the best. “It’s a family company.” He said, “I put my name on the line everyday, and I can do that because I believe in what we make.” Steven serves as the Executive VP of PureTek and handles the company’s sales and marketing. Talking with Steven really set the tone for the rest of the day and hopefully the rest of the weekend. In addition to being VP at a very successful company, Steven is also an accomplished athlete. He began his career as a marathon runner and worked incredibly hard to place in huge qualifying races around the country. Later, Steven moved into the arena of Iron Man Triathlons — a feat that is not for the faint of heart to say the least. Steven went on to talk about finding success in your work out; the importance of self accountability and setting goals for yourself. “You’ll fail.” He said, “Often. But learning from your failures and moving past them is how you get better. it’s how you succeed. It’s how you get to be my age and you’re still a top competitor.”

When we finished the interview I asked Steven about a framed picture on the credenza behind his desk. He told me that it was a photo of his mother who had passed away after a long battle with cancer. “She’s my inspiration,” Steven said, “Whenever I thought about giving up because my legs hurt or because I was tired or sore or thirsty or whatever, I would think about her and the battle she went through, and she gave me the strength to keep going.”

So if you’re reading this and it’s been a while since you told your mom that you lover her, maybe just give her a call.

Interview with Steven Pressman

We hit the 405 and pulled up to the Huntington Beach Hilton. Thankfully, the National Professional Paintball League Tournament was just steps from our front door. We checked into what would surely be the best room on or trip, changed into more appropriate clothing and hit the beach.

Dennis Olson is an entrepreneur from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and also an accomplished athlete. On the business side of things, Dennis runs a multi-million dollar company called Vision Performance and deals with direct marketing and sales in Japan. His sales team will be selling our TAY line of beauty products to their clients. Though TAY is still in the production stages, we are very excited about the potential it has. On the athletic side, Dennis leads the Chicago Legend Paintball team. I’d never actually seen a paintball match before so I didn’t know what to expect.

Let me sum it up for you: It’s awesome.

Try to imagine the most intense game of capture the flag you’ve ever played, add giant blow-up obstacles, padded pants and guns that shoot paint. The games are very fast paced and extremely intense. Dennis got us some VIP passes so we were allowed to go behind the scenes and talk to some of the players. Getting the opportunity to meet some of the players gave me a whole new respect for the sport. I’ll be interviewing Dennis tomorrow when he and the Chicago Legend play in the finals.

when you are nice to Hotel employees, you get sweet rooms with awesome views

Sunset at Huntington Beach. A tanker in the distance.

PS It was sixty degrees outside and I overheard a woman telling her husband that “it was freezing.” The end.