Planning A Family?

Get a head start on healthy nutrition

The most important time to pay special attention to nutrition is during preconception and pregnancy. Eating well while planning to have a baby will not only increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant, but also will lower the risk of pregnancy complications and improve the health of your future child. Here are just a few of the critical nutrients to consume, why they are important, and where to find them:

Folic Acid

Importance & New Findings

Low levels of this B-vitamin can lead to neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It’s important for women to consume folic acid before and during early pregnancy. Studies also suggest that folic acid may lower the risk of cleft lip and palate in infants, having a baby with low birth weight, and giving birth prematurely.

Sources
Enriched cereals, breads, pastas, rice, and other grain products are fortified with folic acid. Green leafy vegetables, beans, oranges & bananas are good sources. Taking folic acid containing supplements is also recommended.



GNLD Supplements
Formula IV
Multi
Vitamin B Co. (S/R)

Iron

Importance & New Findings

The amount of blood in the body increases during pregnancy by almost 50%, so you need iron to make more haemoglobin and supply the growing foetus and the placenta. The Centers for Disease Control report that (African American and Hispanic) women, particularly, are at risk for iron deficiency

Sources
Dried beans, fruit, egg yolk, fortified cereals, liver, lean red meat (especially beef), oysters & poultry.



GNLD Supplements
Multi Mineral plus Alfalfa
Formula IV
Chelated Iron

Iodine

Importance & New Findings
Iodine is especially important in women during childbearing years to ensure the best possible brain development of the foetus during pregnancy. According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, iodine levels are low in women aged 20-39 year

Sources
Iodised salt, seafood, dairy and eggs.



GNLD Supplements
Formula IV
Multi
Multi Mineral plus Alfalfa

Omega-3 Fats

Importance & New FindingsDHA is an omega-3 fat that supports foetal brain and eye development during the third trimester and in infants up to 18 months of life. EPA and DHA may also play a role in determining the length of pregnancy and in preventing post-pregnancy depression

Sources
Found in cold-water fatty fish like salmon or sardines. Because women tend to get inadequate omega-3 from their diet, and due to concerns about mercury content of larger fish, some experts recommend fish oil supplementation.



GNLD Supplements
Pro Vitality +
Omega-3 Salmon Oil Plus
Omega-3

Good Nutrition Can Also Improve Fertility in Men

For men, some nutrients have been shown to affect fertility. One study has linked higher folic acid intake with a lower risk of chromosome abnormality (aneuploidy) in healthy men. Also, those in the study who got more zinc and beta-carotene had fewer instances of other sperm abnormalities. In a new, preliminary study, a diet high in saturated fat was negatively associated with sperm concentration in healthy men, while higher
intake of omega-3 fats was positively linked to sperm quality.

Article from GNLD Lifestyle Magazine Southern Africa 02/13
References in GNLD Lifestyle Magazine Southern Africa 02/13

What's For Breakfast?

Everyone knows the importance of good nutrition and a safe environment. However, so many products today make so many claims that you need to exercise your mind before you make the right choices for your body, your home, and your family.

After an hour or two at work, do you still feel energized and focused, or have you hit a mid-morning slump? How about your children? Are they staying alert and engaged in class, or are they nodding off at their desks? If you're looking for reasons to explain these declines in alertness, begin by looking at the food on your breakfast table. Breakfast is when we're supposed to replenish the important nutrient reservoirs that have been depleted throughout the night. While you are sleeping, your body is working hard to rejuvenate, and in doing so, all available nutrients are being utilized. Break the fast! By breakfast time, the average person has been fasting for approximately 12 hours. Your body is now depleted of important nutrients. It needs macro nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Additionally, your body needs micro nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and an array of phytonutrients.

For You
Your first meal sets you up for a successful day. A nutritious breakfast that delivers a balanced abundance of the nutrients your body needs sets your metabolism for the rest of the day. In addition to providing stable energy levels, it helps keep your mind clear and focused throughout the day and even helps prevent unhealthy cravings, which lead to over-eating and unhealthy snack choices. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity, breakfasts based on the wrong nutrients can sabotage weight-loss efforts. People who began their day with high-quality protein over refined carbohydrates were able to lose 65% more weight, and also reported higher energy throughout the day. 1

For your Children
For children, breakfast is even more important. A poor breakfast can undermine their health, weaken their immune systems, and disrupt academic focus. Conversely, studies have shown that children who have a nutritious breakfast perform better academically 2 and in general, those who have healthy eating habits when young are more to have healthy diets as adults. 3

So, encouraging a healthy breakfast, and eating one yourself provides important nutrients, establishes healthy habits, and makes you a positive role model!
While we may have many options for breakfast, for most people convenience and speed are the top criteria. In an effort to begin our hectic schedules, we need some version of "fast food." But does "fast" necessitate poor nutrition? The ideal breakfast is rich in protein, balanced with carbohydrates and fats, and provides vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Options for quick and easy breakfast foods are plentiful, but in order to avoid sugar or fat-packed options, review the nutritional value of your choices. Good nutrition and good health deserve more than quick satisfaction. While a breakfast pastry may sound delicious, the 38 grams of carbohydrates (17 grams of sugar) and only 2 grams of protein make this a poor breakfast choice.

GNLD's GR2 Control Meal Replacement Protein Shake is a well-balanced meal in the convenience of one glass! This calorie-controlled shake provides 18 grams of protein-including all 22 amino acids, two grams of fibre, and 11 grams of carbohydrates to promote good health and high energy. It is clinically tested and proven to control glycaemic responsehelping you to avoid the highs and lows caused by many foods. And it's quick and easy! In less than five minutes you can have a tasty breakfast that will get your day off to a solid start. A great breakfast choice for school going kids is GNLD's
Nutrishake. One serving provides 10 grams of complete protein with all 22 amino acids, 8 grams of carbohydrates and only 1 gram of fat. It is enriched with extra vitamins and minerals and your kids will love that it comes in three great tasting flavours – strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. Give your children the best start to their day with Nutrishake!
Your mother was right. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast or choosing the wrong type of breakfast will set you (and your family) up for failure. You can begin your day with high calorie, low nutrition choices. Or you can begin your day with a GR2 Control Meal Replacement Protein Shake or Nutrishake, convenient, well-balanced meals that will help you sustain energy throughout the morning.
You Decide.

Percentage daily values are based on a 2000 calorie per diet.Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Click here to view the newsletter!   References: 1. Vander Wall JS, et al. Egg breakfast enhances weight loss. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Oct; 32(10) 1545-51. 2. Kleinman RE, et al. Diet, breakfast, and academic performance in children. Ann Nutr Metab. 2002;46 Suppl 1:24-30 3. Story M. The third School Nutrition Dietary assessment Study: findings and policy implications for improving the health of US children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Feb; 109 (2 Suppl):S7-13. Chart: http://www2.kelloggs.com/Product/Product Detail.aspx?brands+154&product=450&cat= http://www2.kelloggs.com/Servelmage.aspx ?BID=54792&MD5=5fc893c4f75604d9d74fe d591e54d39d Article from GNLD Lifestyle Magazine Southern Africa 04/11

Painful Joints and Bones

We can all agree that exercise is good. It keeps you fit and healthy. It does however, also put more wear and tear on your joints. This is especially true when it comes to jogging. Even if you do not run, you still run down the cartilage in your joints over time.

In this post we will look at keeping your joints in working condition, whether the cause of the problem is damage due to physical demand, osteoporosis, arthritis or any other bone and joint related disease.

The human body needs certain nutrients to keep your bones strong and healthy. We all know about calcium, but there is also magnesium, omega-3 and vitamin D to name a few.

Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide. One of the reasons women tend to suffer from osteoporosis is the fact that their estrogen levels are low, which is one of the side effects of menopause. Osteoporosis however does not only affect women. Men suffer from osteoporosis as well. One of the reasons for this is low testosterone levels. For healthy bones and teeth an adequate amount of magnesium and calcium is needed. Vitamin D is also important as it helps with the absorption of calcium. For a natural supplement one could look at GNLD’s Cal-Mag and Vitamin A & D. It is however important to note that pregnant women should not exceed the RDA of vitamin A. The correct use of these nutrients, especially calcium and magnesium could significantly reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life, as well as making a difference to those suffering from osteoporosis.

Over time the cartilage in your joints gets worn out. Cartilage serves as the cushioning between bones, and without it, it would be bone on bone. Causing severe and pain, and could even lead to disability. Glucosamine, a nutrient that naturally occurs in your body has been shown to stimulate the regeneration of healthy joint cartilage. To ensure that your body produces enough glucosamine supplements such as Full Motion can be used. This is especially important in cases where joints get put under a lot of pressure, such as the joints of those of us who exercise regularly.

The last product I would suggest for healthy bones and joints is a well known one: Omega-3. Not only is omega-3 vital for cardiovascular health and brain function, but it also promotes joint comfort and balances inflammation.  

Enhancing your health

It has always bothered me how often some people get sick. And by some people, I mean most people. Now, you’d find that most of them defend their ill bodies. They say things like ‘it runs in my family’, or ‘I have always been a sickly child’. Sure, it is true that genes can affect your health, but even those that are more prone to certain diseases than others do not have to confine themselves to bed and soup. In fact, those more prone to disease should be even more cautious as to how they feed their bodies!

Let us look at one of the more serious immune-related diseases; HIV. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) slowly causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which simply put, destroys the immune system. Your immune system is what fights off infections. Without it, you’re a sitting duck. On that same note, there are many people living healthy lives with the virus. They take their Anti-retroviral drugs, eat the right food, and get sufficient exercise.

These people should be an example for us all. Doctors are important, but before we run off to them every few weeks, maybe we should take a look at our lifestyles. Are you getting the nutrients you need? If you have a specific medical condition, are you feeding your body the right foods to live a normal, healthy life?

CRITICAL NUTRIENTS FOR ENHANCING HEALTH:

 

MACRO NUTRIENTS		MICRO NUTRIENTS	PHYTO NUTRIENTS
	Protein Carbohydrates Fats Fibre	Vitamins Minerals	Carotenoids Flavonoids Cruciferous compounds

Once again, this is a very wide subject as there are many different nutrients that are needed, all of which should be in your diet. Although it is very difficult to get these nutrients in your diet, there are products that focus on feeding your body. Click on the specific nutrients above for the relevant products.

It is very important to realize that most diseases and conditions can be fought by giving your body the right nutrients to fight them! If people living with HIV or cancer can live healthy, happy lives, then so can you!
If you have a specific question on this matter, become a member to comment, or send us an email at werner.brynard@gmail.com

Tired all the time?

Do you wake up tired? You are not alone. Feeling tired is a common problem that most of us experience. There are many possible reasons for this, and many solutions. From a nutritional point of view, many of these reasons can be solved by means of the correct use of nutrients.

Malnutrition is a world wide problem, although we do not always notice it in first world countries. Your body requires a certain amount of nutrients to function at its best. This would be the RDA you see on food packaging; Recommended Dietary Allowance. Since there it is very difficult to get your RDA from your daily meals, there are products that can help you with this. Products such as GNLD’s Nutrishake. Even though getting your daily nutrients is important as an adult, a child’s nutrition is even more important as they are still developing their bodies and minds.

Products such as the above mentioned Nutrishake is also rich in Protein, which is essential to help build and maintain muscle mass. Studies have shown that starting the day with a protein and nutrient rich breakfast allows us to enjoy both physical and mental energy throughout the day.

If you are getting your Recommended Dietary Allowance, but you still feel tired all the time, your problem might be on a cellular level. If your cells are unhealthy, then they cannot take in nutrients and eliminate waste. Every cell in the body is surrounded by a lipid membrane which needs to be kept healthy, just like your body itself does. To keep these cells healthy, you require lipids and sterols, which can be found in whole grains. Products like Tre-En-En can feed your cells with these critical lipids and sterols.

There are many other reasons why tiredness is caused, such as stress, depression, Anemia  lack of sleep, drug withdrawals, etc. Be sure to read future articles on these subjects.