Starting this week, we’re giving you the chance to win cash and ReNew Life products just for producing a funny video about going to the bathroom in the How Does Poo Move You? Sweepstakes! Create and upload a video, no longer than 90 seconds, using your imagination and a touch of silliness to convey how elimination affects your daily life.

Video submissions will be judged based on overall artistry and humor, but judges will also take into account video votes, video comments and video sharing on the contest site, so contestants are encouraged to be shameless in promoting their video and soliciting votes through social media outlets. We will award the grand prize winner $3,000 in cash and $1,000 in ReNew Life products. If you don’t create the number 1 video on number 2, don’t worry – first, second and third runners-up will also win cash and ReNew Life products.

In addition to encouraging digestive health conversations, the How Does Poo Move You? Sweepstakes will also take aim at the global water crisis. Nearly one billion people lack access to safe water and over half of the world’s hospitalizations are due to water-related disease. So to show that we’re not just doing this for kicks and giggles, we’ll match all cash prizes with a charitable donation to Water.org. Water.org is a non-profit organization that helps provide safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries.

So if viral videos are your forte, stop by the sweepstakes website to learn about the contest. We’re looking for clever, sensational, and conversation-starting videos. The funnier the better, but be sure to keep the content clean and focus on the benefits of healthy elimination. Check out our creative brief for rules and guidelines to be sure your submission is appropriate for a broad audience.

New Total DIET Success™ from ReNew Life puts the power of healthy weight loss in your hands with a simple, twice-daily formula designed to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. Together with a high-fiber, low-calorie diet and regular exercise, it works on three levels to help with appetite control, calorie burning and fat metabolism. And unlike a lot of other weight loss programs, Total DIET Success™ can be taken daily for as long as needed to manage weight. Try it today!

Recently the magazine’s elite panel of judges declared CleanseSMART™ and Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion™ winners based upon reader feedback and surveys from experts in the medical and nutritional supplements industries. CleanseSMART shined in the Cleansing & Detox category, while Ultimate Flora won for Probiotics supplements. Votes were tallied based on a series of surveys that focused on 31 categories in all—everything from fish oils and antioxidants to multivitamins and herbs—and included questions about quality, ingredients, formulation, cost, customer satisfaction, popularity, and availability. 

CleanseSMART remains one of ReNew Life’s most popular total-body cleanses, with a combination of 23 natural ingredients to promote detoxification, better digestion and overall health. Like all ReNew Life products, it’s free of added ingredients, fillers or binders, because our motto has always been, “Why put more toxins in your body when you’re trying to get them out?”

Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion is also a favorite among our customers. The high-potency, high-Bifido formula contains 10 powerful strains of beneficial bacteria and provides powerful digestive and immune support by helping to reestablish a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Ideal for those with troublesome digestion or who are taking antibiotics, Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion uses our unique Enteric-GUARD™ targeted delivery technology and features our exclusive Potent-GUARD™ guarantee.

So thanks to all of you who chose CleanseSMART and Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion on your journey toward superior health—we couldn’t have done it without your support!

EpiCor is a unique combination of protein, fiber, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and other metabolites proven in studies to help boost resistance to seasonal health issues, support optimum respiratory health, and help the immune system cope with stress. It’s one of three proven natural ingredients in Ultimate Flora Advanced Immunity (along with a powerful probiotic and the potent antioxidant ResistAid™) that together help strengthen the body’s natural defenses and promote a balanced immune system during peak seasons throughout the year.

EpiCor received the recent honor due to several published studies showcasing its effectiveness against colds, flu and allergies. In studies published in the Journal of Alternative Medicine, Urologic Nursing, and Advances in Therapy, the powerful immunogen has been shown to help reduce symptoms after they appear, as well as help reduce the frequency and duration of symptoms. 

So congrats, EpiCor! ReNew Life is proud to be among such extraordinary company. And don’t forget to stock up on Ultimate Flora Advanced Immunity to ensure a sniffle-free season!

 If you have persistent gas and bloating, abdominal pain, or chronic constipation or diarrhea, here’s something you should know: More and more Americans are finding out that sensitivity to gluten may be at the root of their problems. But is it just gluten sensitivity or is it celiac disease? And what’s the difference? The following is a brief overview:

 Gluten sensitivity is a broad term used to include many different types of sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat. People who are sensitive to gluten may experience a wide range of symptoms, from mild inflammation of the intestinal lining to abdominal discomfort and occasional irritable bowel, but not everyone with gluten sensitivity develops celiac disease (those who don’t are considered Non-celiac Gluten Sensitive, or NCGS).

 However, people with gluten sensitivity may be experiencing the beginning stages of celiac disease. In essence, gluten sensitivity implies that the immune system cannot tolerate gluten in the diet. As a result, it forms protective antibodies to try to neutralize the gluten, in the same way it reacts to harmful bacteria or viruses. When these autoimmune reactions cause intestinal damage, a person is then considered to have celiac disease.

 Celiac disease is genetic and in some cases may be triggered by a traumatic physical or emotional event. More than 2 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, which can include severe abdominal pain and bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, and in some cases even severe anxiety and depression, skin problems, as well as bone and joint pain.

 The bottom line is this: If you have unexplained, persistent gastrointestinal issues and you and your doctor can’t seem to figure out why, gluten sensitivity may be the culprit. The best way to determine if you are truly gluten sensitive or if you have celiac disease is to have a simple stool test performed. Visit www.enterolab.com to find out more, and once you have the results you and your health care practitioner can take the next step toward better gastrointestinal health.

As part of her free lecture series on digestive health and nutrition, Brenda Watson will be appearing this month in Scottsdale, Arizona to talk about the link between a properly functioning digestive system and a healthy body—including how our increasingly toxic world is taking a serious toll on the state of our digestive health. Plus, you’ll learn more about the natural supplements that are essential for helping you look and feel your best every day. Don’t miss it!

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 13^th
7:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Sunflower Farmers Market
4402 N. Miller Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

RSVP:
480-941-6001

In technical terms, prebiotics are often defined as “non-digestible food ingredients” that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. So what does that mean? Quite simply, prebiotics are a food source for probiotics. So as they travel through the digestive system, they nourish all those good bacteria along the way and help them grow and multiply. The result? More good bacteria in the gut, which means better digestion and a stronger natural defense system.

So where do prebiotics come from? Well, mostly from soluble fiber sources such as oats, legumes, flax and almonds—and that’s where the “non-digestible” part comes into play. Dietary fiber—including both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber—really just refers to the parts of plant foods that our bodies are unable to digest and absorb, which is why it’s sometimes called “roughage”. Because prebiotics are not digested, they remain in the digestive tract where they can do their job of feeding their probiotic partners.

In addition to obtaining prebiotics through the diet, nowadays many probiotic supplements will actually include prebiotics to help you get the benefit of this dynamic duo (i.e. probiotics and prebiotics). For example, you may see something called FOS on the label. Short for fructooligosaccharide, FOS is extracted from soluble fiber foods such as chicory root and will help to feed and stimulate the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

So there you have it! Two powerful “p” words that can go a long way toward better digestion and a stronger natural immune system—talk about a winning combination!

Prebiotic Food Sources:

• Almonds
• Asparagus
• Bananas
• Barley
• Berries
• Chicory Root
• Flax
• Garlic
• Honey
• Leeks
• Legumes
• Oats
• Onions
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Whole Grains

So what exactly is a bedbug? They are (and a warning to the squeamish: You may want to stop reading at this point) small, parasitic insects that just happen to prefer human blood as their main source of sustenance. Members of the family Cimicidae, they are commonly referred to as “bedbugs” because, quite simply, that’s where they like to hang out—in beds, mattresses, sheets, and all sorts of snug-as-a-bug nooks and crannies where they can take cover and wait for an unsuspecting meal.

As you may have heard, a typical bedbug is about the size of an apple seed. What you may not have heard, however, is that bedbugs are essentially harmless. As insects go, they’re pretty clean. They don’t transmit any nasty diseases. And most of the time you wouldn’t even know if you were bitten by one. Still, there’s a hidden health threat associated with bedbugs that may come as a surprise to a lot of folks: toxins.

Back in the 40s and 50s the standard response to a bedbug infestation was a nifty little thing called DDT. You know, the synthetic pesticide banned by the EPA for its not-so-pleasant effects on the environment and human health? The problem is, those highly toxic chemicals seem to be the only thing that works on the almighty bedbug (think Superman vs. kryptonite), and despite our best efforts to come up with an environmentally friendly (not to mention human-health friendly) way to send the bloodsucking bugs packing, the end result will almost always involve chemical treatment.

Still, there are preventative measures you can take to keep bedbugs at bay, like taking fewer trips overseas, always checking hotel room bedding and mattresses, and keeping your own home (especially the bedrooms) clean and free of clutter. If you suspect bedbugs are present—common signs are blood/fecal stains on bed linens and tiny brown exoskeletons left behind when bedbugs shed their skin—do a thorough cleaning. Wash and dry all clothes and bedding on high heat, check dresser drawers and other bedbug-friendly spaces, and be sure to vacuum every possible crevice. Then, call in the kryptonite.

And that brings us back to toxins. The government may have banned DDT, but thousands more chemicals moved in to take its place, and today there is just no escaping the reality that no matter where we live our bodies are exposed to countless toxins that can contribute to poor health and disease. The key is to take a proactive stance when it comes to fighting back—one that includes reducing our daily exposure by choosing natural over synthetic products whenever possible, eating organically grown meats and produce, and cleansing regularly with a natural herbal detox program. Small steps, yes, but they can have a big impact—not unlike our tiny friend the bedbug.

Three people from the U.S. and two from Canada—all of whom had recently traveled to India—became severely sick as the result of the gene scientists are calling NDM-1, which seems to prefer latching on to bacteria that cause intestinal or urinary tract infections. India is well known for its overpopulation and widespread disease, and in each case the individual had either received emergency medical care while visiting or had gone there for medical treatment.  

In recent decades drug-resistant bacteria have become a growing concern, and many experts worry that America’s hygiene obsession and dependence on antibiotics will soon backfire, breeding more and more “superbugs” that don’t respond to normal antibiotic treatment. Essentially, antibiotic resistance happens when our bodies actually become resistant to the effects of a certain antibiotic (or antibiotics) over time because of misuse or overuse of those particular drugs. Widespread use of antibacterial soaps and cleansers also adds to the problem by actually increasing the resistance of certain harmful bacteria.

In addition to practicing good hygiene, experts recommend only taking antibiotics when absolutely necessary, always completing the prescribed dose, and never taking antibiotics prescribed for someone else. Taking a daily probiotic supplement is also recommended to help strengthen the body’s natural defense system, much of which is found in the gut.

Vitamin D directly affects more than 200 genes in the body, and studies show that it plays a significant role in stimulating a healthy immune response. In fact, a new study conducted by a team of British and Canadian scientists links too little vitamin D in the diet with an increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes, as well as a higher risk of certain cancers.

Researchers say it has to do with the way vitamin D binds with specific chromosomes, but the problem comes from a widespread lack of vitamin D in the diet. About one billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient, which may increase their susceptibility to certain diseases. And as people spend less time outdoors (the body produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight), the problem is getting worse.

Because too little vitamin D can lead to a breakdown in overall health, many experts are now recommending steps to remedy the problem. Certain foods such as eggs and fatty fish contain vitamin D, and many fish oil supplements will include vitamin D to help make up for what’s lacking in the diet. Pregnant women and young children especially may benefit from a daily vitamin D supplement for preventative health, and spending at least 10 minutes in the sun each day is also recommended.