Summer is quickly approaching and I’m sure everyone is starting to think about their family vacation. You might be going to a state park, an amusement park or visiting friends and family. No matter where you are planning to spend your family vacation, you are sure to think of your family’s safety first. With that said, one part of your family’s safety is keeping them healthy during travel.

During your vacation it is important to have your children wash their hands before eating, use the antiseptic wipes at crowded places and avoid contact with anyone coughing or sneezing. But, equally, if not more important, is for you and your children to take a probiotic supplement daily.

I would recommend starting one a week before your scheduled travel and take it religiously throughout your trip. A good probiotic supplement will help keep your family’s immune system stay strong and ready to fight off bacteria and viruses you may come into contact with on your vacation.

I would suggest ReNew Life brand FloraSmart probiotic. This probiotic supplement is great for travel because it is “shelf stable” so it does not need refrigeration. Plus, the tablets are individually wrapped, which makes them easy to shove into your purse or pocket. There are several different strengths including a 6, 12 and 24 billion culture strengths. For travel I would suggest at least the 12 billion culture strength. This is suitable for your entire family. This means that children from age 3 and up can take the same adult probiotic supplement. This will make your travels easier knowing you only need one option on hand.

So, go out there, have fun and enjoy your family vacation.

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Brenda Watson, Children, family vacation, FloraSmart, Probiotics, Summer Vacation, Supplements

In this video blog I discuss a new study from Columbia University that looked at CT scans of over 1,700 persons and found that those who grew up with smokers had more “emphysema-like” holes in their lung tissue. Why is smoking so addictive? What are you exposed to when you light up? Why can’t you stop? I answer these and more in this video.

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Brenda Watson, dangers of second hand smoke, detoxification, emphysema, Smoker's Cleanse

As of May 12th the first US state has banned the use of the chemical BPA in baby bottles. The state of Minnesota has ruled it illegal for manufacturers of baby bottles and sippy cups containing the toxic chemical BPA to sell them to retailers in the state. Similar bans are under consideration in California, New York and Connecticut. A nationwide ban has been proposed to Congress.

I think this is the first step to the realization of how toxic this chemical is to human health. Just like with DDT it unfortunetly takes us (meaning the US government) 40 to 50 years to acknowledge the harmful health effects of a chemical we (meaning the US government) put into commercial circulation.

BPA, which is Bisphenol A, has been used in commerce for more than 50 years, even though the first evidence of it being hazardous to human health was shown in the 1930s. It is one among many chemicals used that is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can mimic the body’s own hormones but with terrible health consequences. It is especially harmful to babies in early development. The ban of use of BPA in baby bottles is only the first step to ridding the environment and the human body of this chemical. It is a key component in the production of almost everything made of clear, hard plastic, as well as used in medical and dental devices, dental fillings and sealants, household electronics and coatings on the inside of almost all food and beverage cans.

The best thing for babies and young children is to avoid using or buying products containing BPA, such as the baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings, pacifiers, and toys. There are many companies now that are making such items as BPA free.

For those adults also concerned about the health effects of this chemical, as we all should be, in addition to trying to avoid use of products with the chemical, consider a round of detoxification programs. This would be programs including Renew Life’s CleanseSMART, Liver Detox, and Kidney Cleanse products. These products can help stimulate the natural elimination of chemicals such as BPA from your body.

In the meantime, avoid buying BPA containing products, and keep your fingers crossed all of the United States will join Minnesota’s lead.

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BPA, Brenda Watson, CleanseSMART, Cleansing, Cleansing & Detox, detox strategy, detoxification, Kidney Cleanse, Liver Detox

In this blog I discuss the new information being released about defective drywall coming from China and how this could impact your health. But, did you know that you are exposed to toxins everyday. What can you do to help you and your family in our modern toxic environment?

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Brenda Watson, chinese drywall, Cleansing, detox strategy, detoxification, inferior drywall, lead in chinese toys, off-gasing, RENEW, total body cleansing

We all know that mercury is found in higher concentrations in fatty fish, right? But do we know how it gets there? And do we know how to avoid it without having to avoid the health benefits of the healthy omega-3 oils that are found in some fatty fish? What’s more, do we know how to help rid the body of the mercury that we may have already unknowingly consumed? These are all important questions that I will address here.

A recent study from the United States Geological Survey looked at mercury contamination from a different point of view. Instead of studying atmospheric pollution emissions, they looked at how ocean currents carry pollution. They discovered that algae at the surface, which carried mercury, would sink to greater depths as it died. At these depths, bacteria in the water decomposed the algae, and in the process methylmercury was formed (this is a particularly dangerous form of mercury). From there, the methlymercury moves up the food chain from tiny phytoplankton that are eaten by small fish who then store the mercury in their fat. The small fish are then eaten by bigger fish who further concentrate the mercury, and so on up to the largest fattiest fish, which contain the highest amounts of mercury.

In fact, one of the authors mentioned that up to 40 percent of all human exposure to mercury is from tuna harvested in the Pacific Ocean (where the study took place). Through this modeling of ocean currents, it was discovered that the mercury had traveled very far distances from the coast of Asia.

So now we have an idea of the far reaching effects of pollution. What can we do to avoid the ill health effects of mercury, but still be able to get the beneficial marine omega-3s EPA and DHA? Well, look for fish oil supplements that are highly purified. The purification process removes mercury and other pollutants. The best standards out there are the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS). IFOS standards are even higher than Norwegian Standards! Make sure the fish oils you take are IFOS certified. Renew Life’s Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils are IFOS certified and provide concentrated amounts of EPA and DHA.

But what can you do if you suspect that you may have eaten one too many sushi rolls or tuna fish sandwiches? Cleansing and natural detox formulas that target the seven channels of elimination can help support the body’s natural detoxification process. But first, it is important that you are having regular elimination (2-3 bowel movements per day!). A total body cleanse that addresses constipation is the first step to detox your body and eliminate toxins. Renew Life’s First Cleanse and Total Body Rapid Cleanse are great body cleansing formulas. After this cleanse, you can target the mercury with a detox that is specific for heavy metals. Heavy Metal Cleanse was formulated for just this purpose.

Always remember that they more you know, the more you can empower yourself to take better care of your health.

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Brenda Watson, DHA, EPA, First Cleanse, Heavy Metal Cleanse, IFOS, mercury, mercury in your diet, Norwegian Gold Fish Oils, Omega-3 Oils, Total BOdy Cleanse

During these tough economic times every penny counts. That is why I am doing a new series on “Staying Healthy in an Unhealthy Economy.” In part four I discuss some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to improve your eating habits.

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Brenda Watson, Cleansing & Detox, detox strategy, fiber 35 diet, healthy foods, organic produce, organic veggie wash, simple recipes

There has been a lot of press lately about the new strain of flu, H1N1 or as most know it, the swine flu. It seems that as of today cases have been confirmed in 36 states. The CDC, the news channels and even President Obama have been telling everyone to take precautions, such as wash your hands religiously and cover your mouth when you cough.

Surprisingly, I’ve not heard much talk about keeping your immune system strong. You would think now would be a time when strengthening your immune system is suggested more than any other. One of the best ways you can help keep your immunity high against is to take a very therapeutic potency probiotic supplement. Those of you who know me, know how much I tout the benefits of probiotics. Well this is exactly one of the situations where everyone needs to be taking a probiotic supplement. I would suggest the highest potency multi-strain formula you can find such as my Renew Life Ultimate Flora Super Critical 200 Billion sachet probiotic.

This is one of the highest multi-strain probiotics on the market. Along with probiotics you should drink plently of clean purified water, get plenty of rest, try to eat well which means avoiding processed and refined foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables have phytonutrients that will help keep your immune system strong. During these times of stress and sickness we need to take extra precautions on the inside not just on the outside such as washing the hands. Over 70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract. And that is where you need to start in order to keep healthy. Pick up your probiotic today!

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benefits of probiotics, Brenda Watson, CDC, H1N1, immune system, phytonutrients, President Obama, Probiotics & Gut Flora, swine flu