Most people aren’t. Most Americans get about 15 grams of fiber daily. In 2002, the US government recommended that the average adult get between 21 and 38 grams each day. These recommendations were based on several large studies that found people who consumed 14 grams of fiber for each 1,000 calories had significantly lower rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many nutritional experts believe 35-45 grams would be even better. What is fiber? It’s the indigestible portion of plant foods. Most people think of fiber as bulk that helps move the bowels, but there’s much more to know about fiber. There are two kinds of fiber—soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber becomes gelatinous in the intestines. It’s soothing to intestinal walls and helps make bowel movements easier. Studies show it also decreases cholesterol. Insoluble fiber acts like an intestinal broom. Both kinds ease elimination by increasing fecal bulk and making stools softer. Both kinds of fiber absorb and remove toxins,…

Most people who call us at Beyond Health believe, as we do, that supplementation has become essential (see this report if you need convincing). What they want to know is how to get the most bang for their supplement buck. “What supplements do I really need?” is a common question. Well, the first thing to consider is this: The most expensive supplement you can buy is the one that doesn’t work AND does you harm! Unfortunately, that’s what you get with a lot of the cheaper brands. If money is tight, it’s always better to take fewer high-quality supplements from a company you trust than to buy cheap, low-quality brands. Next, what do you want to accomplish? What you purchase should always be related to your health goals. Our three wellness kits address different health goals. The Basic Wellness Kit For those who are healthy and want to stay that way, our Basic Wellness Kit includes our multi, EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Formula, and vitamin C. It costs about $2.50 a day. Everyo…

Necessary for the function of more than 300 different enzymes, zinc is “essential for virtually all processes in the human body.” But even though Mother Nature wisely put a little zinc into most foods, it’s still easy to come up short. Known as the cold-fighting mineral, zinc is needed for every aspect of immune function. Zinc is also used in the synthesis and function of DNA and RNA, making it essential for reproduction and growth. It’s needed for neurological, eye, and heart health, and for healthy bones and glucose metabolism. Vitamin A can’t function without it. Zinc reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, supports detoxification, and plays roles in digestion, metabolism and protein synthesis. But like other minerals, zinc is significantly depleted in US soils: A carrot today may have 95% less zinc than a carrot grown sixty years ago. Phosphate fertilizers and sewage sludge used in conventional agriculture are also highly contaminated with cadmium, which competes with zin…

It may seem like a simple mathematical equation:  One pound equals about 3,500 calories. If you want to lose one pound, you simply eat less and/or exercise more so that you consume 3,500 less calories than you’re burning. But the truth is more complex. Although if you eat less and exercise more, you can lose weight, most people who take this limited approach have a hard time and often wind up like our friend Debby who reported, “I exhausted myself losing five pounds, but they found me again!” As Raymond Francis says in Never Be Fat Again, overweight is a disease, a disease that can only be cured by normalizing body chemistry. This is done by permanently adopting a holistic lifestyle that supplies the body with all the nutrients it needs to be healthy, and eliminates toxins that interfere with good health. A body in optimal health sustains self-healing, self-regulating mechanisms that automatically shed excess pounds and then maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise is…

This month, it’s all about toxins. According to our founder, Raymond Francis, there is only one disease, malfunctioning cells, and only two reasons cells malfunction: either they don’t have the right materials to work with (deficiency) or they’re being disrupted with the wrong materials (toxins) that interfere with normal cell function.The barrage of manmade toxic chemicals we encounter today is unprecedented, and it’s taking a huge toll on our health.Though it’s still possible to be healthy for life, it takes knowledge and effort—avoiding as many toxins as you can, and using strategies to detoxify your body from those you can’t avoid.We’ve talked about detoxifying your home with air and water filters and recommended detoxing with frequent infrared saunas.But with all the fuss about environmental toxins, you might be surprised to learn that the most potent source of toxins for almost everyone today is digesting and metabolizing food!In making energy from food, the body produces loads o…

Quercetin (pronounced kwer՚-sa-tin) is one of Mother Nature’s most wonderful nutrients. Found naturally in many colorful fruits and vegetables, quercetin supports healthy cell function, providing myriad benefits to the body. Beyond Health considers quercetin foundational in building optimal health, and together with recommending a diet high in fruits and vegetables, we carry two quercetin products: Quercetin Pro and Cell Repair Formula.  Quercetin Pro is for maintaining health, while Cell Repair Formula is a more concentrated form for those who seek to restore compromised health or just want the extra support. Quercetin works synergistically with vitamin C to build collagen, the basic protein building block for constructing body tissues from the skin to bones, and may even prevent and reverse bone loss.  Both are powerful antioxidants that regenerate each other. As anti-inflammatories, studies show this dynamic duo is especially good at alleviating pain, acting as an ant…

“Virtually every human being on earth can now be considered physiologically and biochemically polluted by human-made chemicals.” — Toxicologist James Siow, MD, PhD, of the Australian National Institute of Integrative Medicine. We’re all in toxic overload, and this is having a disastrous effect on our health! The body has wonderful detoxification systems, but they’re being overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of man-made chemicals they’re forced to deal with.  According to toxicologist James Siow , with our current exposure to toxins, the average individual can process and excrete only about 40-60% of the toxins they’re exposed to. The remainder bio-accumulates in tissues and organs, doing more and more damage over time. According to a 2016 report commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO ), about one quarter of the global disease burden and more than one third of the burden among children is due to modifiable environmental factors.…

Do you seem to catch every cold or flu going around? Do you have an ongoing infection, like the yeast infection candida, that you can’t get rid of?  Or do you have the opposite problem—an overactive immune system leading to allergies or to an autoimmune disease? Do you have, or have you had cancer?  These are all indications that your immune system isn’t protecting you as it should, and it’s likely that a primary reason for that is that you don’t have enough glutathione. Glutathione is a critical protein that your body produces. It can also be obtained from food and supplements.  Glutathione has been called “the mother antioxidant” because our antioxidant system can’t function without it. Neither can our detoxification system. And neither can our immune system. Glutathione has the following six essential roles in immune function: Glutathione patrols the bloodstream directly killing many pathogens before they can begin…

How much thought do you give to dietary fiber? If you’re like most of us, it’s not a priority—but it should be! Dietary fiber is one of the most important determinants of your health! Almost everyone today does not get enough fiber in their diet. Our lack of fiber awareness has created a health crisis. Lack of fiber is a major contributor to our epidemic of chronic disease and can be a significant factor in causing diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, depression and other mental illness, allergies, autoimmune syndromes, and infections.   Why is fiber so important? Dietary fiber, plant material that can’t be digested, is essential to our health because it nourishes the healthy flora in our guts known as the microbiome and helps to maintain the health of our gut tissue. Your health is completely dependent on the health of your gut flora. Healthy flora helps to digest our food and enhance the absorption of nutrients. They produce certain essential vitam…

The most common complaint bringing patients to doctors’ offices these days is low energy.  Most often, if you go in complaining of fatigue, after a battery of tests, you will be told there’s nothing wrong with you. Well, although it may not show up in their tests, there is something wrong! Low energy means not only that you don’t have the energy to do what you want to do; it means your body doesn’t have the energy to do what it needs to do to keep you healthy. In fact, the amount of energy your body can make may be the single most important measurement of your health. It’s important to get to the bottom of what’s going on.  (A doctor who specializes in functional medicine may find answers that conventional doctors don’t.) One of the most common reasons for low energy today is a sluggish liver. The liver is the largest and most hard-working gland in your body, performing over 500 essential functions, and when it isn’t up to par, every other system in your body suffers as a…

Can Sauna Therapy Support Smoother, Healthier-Looking Skin? What if improving the look and feel of your skin wasn’t just about what you apply on the surface—but about how well your body releases what doesn’t belong? In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, participants who used infrared-based skin therapy for 12 weeks reported visible improvements in: Fine lines and crow’s feet Skin softness and smoothness Elasticity and firmness Overall tone and clarity These findings point to a compelling idea: supporting the skin’s natural detox and circulation processes may enhance its appearance over time. The Skin’s Role in Detoxification and Renewal The skin is the body’s largest organ—and one of its most active interfaces with the environment. It: Facilitates gas exchange Supports temperature regulation Participates in waste elimination through sweat When pores are congested by dead skin cells and envir…

Question"Last year I gave birth to a baby boy.  About three months later I had some blood work done just to check my state of health.  The blood work showed that my thyroid hormones are elevated (hyperthyroidism), my liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were elevated, and my cholesterol was off.  I am starting to feel the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (faintness of breath, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, insomnia, hair loss, etc.), but I don't want to take any medication.Is there a way and can you suggest ways to combat this thyroid problem naturally?  Are there methods of treatment I should avoid?" AnswerCongratulations on the birth of your son!  It’s an exciting time.I would recommend continuing taking the Multi, Bone, Cod, and Vitamin C, but I would add the Adrenal Support Formula and our Basic Liver Support Kit.  Adrenal Support Formula works to restore your adrenal energy. It greatly improves thyroid hormone function and enhances your i…

Addressing Frequent MSM QuestionsThere are some compelling reasons to add MSM to your supplement protocol, especially if you're dealing with pain and/or inflammation. MSM is also an excellent source of sulfur, known as the "beauty mineral." Sulfur provides support for strong, thick, lustrous hair; a complexion free from blemishes and wrinkles; and nails that are strong without being brittle. In addition, MSM promotes detoxification.But how much should you take? And what about the possibility of adverse reactions?One 500 mg capsule a day is good insurance for most people to prevent sulfur deficiency and support construction of healthy connective tissues, detoxification, and beautiful, strong hair, skin and nails.Treating specific health problems can require anywhere from 1,000-6,000 mg a day (and higher doses under professional supervision) depending on body size, age and severity of symptoms. MSM is particularly good for symptom-relief related to allergies, asthma, athletic injuries, a…