What is ProOxy?

ProOxy is a complete acne treatment system with four steps:

Cleanser - The ProOxy cleanser is a new formulation that cleans your skin thoroughly, without oils, soaps, or perfumes. 

Facial Spray - The facial spray delivers a concentrated amount of oxygen to the face, protecting your face against the bacteria which cause acne. 

Moisturizer - Dry skin is a huge problem for patients with acne. Not anymore! The ProOxy moisturizer is an oil-free, fragrance-free, balanced moisturizer that compliments the other steps. 

Face Masque - Surf the web for awhile and you'll find many recipes for home made face masks for acne. Don't use these! They can be harmful, especially if they are contaminated with bacteria. Instead, use the ProOxy face masque twice a week to remove old, dead cells safely, cleanly. 

Do you want to get rid of acne forever?

Of course!

Then try our ProOxy acne treatment system, available for a limited time at a special price. 

Dear Friend of WisdomAndHealth,  

You probably know that eating fish and other foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids is important. For decades, scientists and physicians have been recommending fish oil supplements containing omega 3 fatty acids to reduce triglycerides and promote overall heart health. 

Today, we understand a lot more about how omega 3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can enhance our overall health.

We mentioned cardiovascular health already, but did you know that EPA and DHA may help in other ways? Here are a few examples:

Central Nervous System - Omega 3 fatty acids, especially EPA, may help kids dealing with ADHD. For example, a detailed review conducted at Yale University concluded: 

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, particularly with higher doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), was modestly effective in the treatment of ADHD...given its relatively benign side-effect profile and evidence of modest efficacy, it may be reasonable to use omega-3 fatty supplementation to augment traditional...interventions or for families who decline other psychopharmacologic options.

Another study from the University of South Australia concluded that ADHD children may benefit from omega 3 fatty acid supplements.

Bone Health - The National Institutes of Health suggest that omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements may decrease the risk for osteoporosis. So a combination of omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin D is perfect for anyone concerned about bone health.

Eye Health - A number of studies in mice suggest that fish oil, especially fish oil high in DHA, may have some benefit in eye health, especially retinal health. There are also scattered studies suggesting that EPA/DHA supplements, when combined with Vitamin D, may have a benefit in folks at risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and can cut the risk of eye disease.

Inflammation - Fish oil fatty acids, especially DHA, has been shown in studies to have positive benefits for inflammation and allergies, especially in folks with high triglycerides.  

Memory and Brain Health - A number of studies have tried DHA supplements for memory and brain health, especially in Alzheimer's Disease. Unfortunately, these results have not shown that DHA has much of a benefit on memory and brain health. 

But, we have a problem...

Too many companies produce supplements that use cheap, inefficient methods, such as distillation, to extract the essential oils from fish. Processes like distillation lead to impure products with low levels of EPA and DHA. 

The solution…Quell Fish Oil!

Unlike cheap supermarket fish oil supplements, Quell Fish Oil uses a special Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction process developed in Germany. This process is a gentle, but highly effective way to purify fish oil. This results in a product that is very pure, highly concentrated, and with more oil able to pass from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream where it is needed.

Which Quell Fish Oil is right for me?

The following chart may serve as a guide for selecting the right supplement for you:

EPA/DHA with Vitamin D (Product Number 200981) is available here.

High EPA (Product Number 200979) is available here. 

High DHA (Product Number 200980) is available here. 

Remember, you can buy fish oil supplements anywhere, but only Quell Fish Oil has:

• Highly pure product
• Scientific support
• Blends suited to individual needs

Thanks, 

Carlos

P.S. Don’t let those cheap supermarket or megavitamin store brands fool you. Only Quell uses a sophisticated technology to purify the fish oil!

Fibromyalgia Natural Treatment Options is a lengthy article about the disease, the different types of symptoms, and some suggestions for products that might help. 

Do you prefer a video version? This video walks you through the different classes of symptoms and how to deal with them.

If you're looking for natural pain relievers for fibromyalgia or any other condition, take a look at these suggestions. 

If fatigue and sleep are your primary concerns, this page has a series of products specifically for that. 

We plan on adding more pages to focus on stomach and digestion problems that fibromyalgia can cause. So look for updates soon!

Fibromyalgia, also known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), or "fibro" by its closest friends, is a debilitating, chronic disease characterized by:

• Body aches
• Pain in specific pain points around the body
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating (the so called "fibro fog")
• Mood disturbances, especially mild depression, but also anxiety

Historically, many doctors did not think fibromyalgia was even a real disease. But over the past few years, fibromyalgia is becoming increasingly recognized as a real disease, especially since the cause of the disease is somewhat better understood. 

How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed

There are now official criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. They include:

• Widespread muscle pain
• Specific tender points on the body, especially around the shoulders     
  

  The location of the nine paired tender points that comprise fibromyalgia.
  

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

There is increasing evidence that trauma increases the probability of developing fibromyalgia.

By trauma we mean something like a fall, a car accident, surgery, or a sports injury. It is likely that fibromyalgia patients are born with a hereditary predisposition towards the disease.

But then the traumatic event somehow triggers the disease to come forward and develop. 

Food allergies, especially undiagnosed food allergies, are another potential cause of fibromyalgia.

Some researchers speculate  that gluten intolerance, for example, can trigger the immune system to over-react, and in turn triggering widespread chronic inflammation, and the disease we call fibromyalgia.

Similarly, environmental allergies, such as allergies to mold, food additives, and other allergens are believed to trigger widespread inflammation, and in turn trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. 

Fibromyalgia Treatment Options

Looking at the list of symptoms above, it's clear that fibromyalgia is extraordinarily difficult to treat.

The basic goals for treating fibromyalgia are:

• Decrease pain/increase overall comfort
• Improve mood
• Improve sleep
• Improve energy levels

As a result, the exact treatment strategy depends a lot on the actual symptoms experienced by the FMS sufferer. 

While there are prescription options, such as pain killers and anti-depressants available, these drugs are fraught with side effects. So natural fibromyalgia treatments are highly sought after by patients. 

What are some natural fibromyalgia treatment options?

Again, there is no single magic fibromyalgia treatment that will work for everyone. It really depends on the overall symptoms and treatment goals.

Inflammation - As mentioned earlier, the root problem with fibromyalgia is widespread pain caused by chronic, widespread inflammation. Prescription anti-inflammatories may help, but they have significant side effects. Some examples of safe, all-natural fibromyalgia options to fight inflammation include:

Curcumin Turmeric - Turmeric is a yellow spice with strong anti-inflammatory properties. One of the challenges with turmeric supplements is that turmeric is not absorbed well from the intestines into the circulation. Fortunately, there is one product that has solved this problem.

The other issue with turmeric is that many people give up on it too quickly. Taking it for a day or two will not provide instant relief. Rather, take it daily for a month or two before giving up on it. 

Omega 3 - Fish oil supplements are being increasingly recognized as having good anti-inflammatory properties. So we would definitely include them as a member of the natural treatment options for FMS especially fish oil products which are high in EPA. 

Bromelain - Bromelain is an enzyme that is found in pineapples, especially their stems. Bromelain is an excellent digestive aid which also has anti-inflammatory properties. Given the link between food, digestion, and fibromyalgia, it may be prudent to include a digestive aid as part of your natural fibromyalgia treatments. Bromelain is available either plain or in combination with other ingredients to improve its performance. 

Pain - Body aches and pain are hallmarks of fibromyalgia. And, like other nerve inflammatory diseases such as sciatica, FMS pain can be difficult to treat. Taking anti-inflammatory measures mentioned previously will help. But when pain relief is needed, there are a few natural treatment options, which we divide accordingly:

Local Pain - While fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, many patients have areas of the body where the pain is more intense than other areas, such as the shoulders or lower back.

For local pain, we recommend topical pain relievers, such as pain patches and roll on pain relievers. Don't dismiss topical pain relievers! Some of them are unbelievably strong!

Heating pads are also an excellent alternative.

Plus, all of these methods can be used with any oral prescription drug, non-prescription drug, or dietary supplement. In other words, the combination of an oral and a topical pain reliever can provide the pain relief you're looking for. 

Systemic Pain - Traumeel tablets are the only natural pain reliever we recommend for fibromyalgia. Too many natural pain relievers are out there making claims which are not supported by clinical proof. But Traumeel is different. It has the proof, and is the only one we feel comfortable recommending. 

Mood and Sleep - There is some evidence that fibromyalgia is associated with low levels of serotonin in the body. This is thought to be the reason why:

a) some FMS patients suffer from mood disturbances and mild depression

b) why many FMS patients have difficulty sleeping

c) why certain anti-depressants which block our body's ability to eliminate serotonin actually provide some benefit in FMS. 

So the two, disturbed sleep patterns and changes in mood, may be linked in fibromyalgia patients from disturbances in serotonin levels. 

In fact, physicians tend to label "true fibro" patients as having all of the symptoms associated with low serotonin:

• Poor sleep
• Increased pain
• Irritable bowel symptoms
• Brain fog
• Anxiety
• Depression

Unfortunately, one cannot simply take serotonin as a supplement. The side effects of taking this potent hormone are unknown. Plus, it's difficult to get serotonin into the system from an oral pill.

5-HTP provides a better option. 

What is 5-HTP? Simply put, 5-HTP is the body's natural precursor to serotonin. Our bodies already make 5-HT and convert it to serotonin as needed. 

So a 5-HTP supplement can help boost serotonin levels, which can improve both mood and sleep. 

Similarly, melatonin is a well-known natural supplement which helps many people improve their sleep patterns. However, as with serotonin, it's difficult to get melatonin into our circulation. 

With melatonin, sublingual tablets which dissolve under the tongue are the best approach. As the tablet dissolves, the melatonin passes through the thin membranes in our mouths and enters the blood stream that way. 

So melatonin could be a good natural treatment option for fibromyalgia patients who are experiencing sleep disturbances. 

Don't want to take a supplement to help with sleep? Try a new pillow! 

Other Approaches

Exercise - It might seem backwards to think exercise can help fibromyalgia. But for many patients, light, regular exercise, such as walking and cycling, are a great way to stay fit, elevate the mood, and relieve anxiety. Plus, getting tired from exercise can help FMS patients fall asleep faster.

Yoga is another excellent way to gain fitness while fighting FMS. 

Summary

There are a number of natural fibromyalgia treatments available. This is great news because it means that the treatment approach can be highly customized, depending on the symptoms being treated. 

One final piece of advice...be cautious with any natural fibromyalgia treatments which claim they can "cure" fibromyalgia.

FMS is not a disease which is easily treated, let alone cured. A cure may be in the future someday, but for now, no cure is available.

The best thing we can do now is to customize the therapeutic approach based on symptoms. 

Our video explains all!

If you experience muscle soreness and muscle pain from rheumatism, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or even running and other sports, then Sombra is a great way to help relieve that pain.

But which one should you use?

Sombra Warm or Sombra Cool?

We've tried both of them, and share our opinion with you. 

Still not sure? Try both!

The roll on is very inexpensive.

So trying one of each for a few weeks is the best way to choose one over the other. 

Below, we have a short video explaining the difference. 

After watching, check our Sombra Warm and Sombra Cool!

Earlier this week we read a disturbing article about diclofenac, a powerful, but commonly-used pain reliever.

The article points out that diclofenac has significant cardiovascular risks:

Researchers looked at cardiovascular risk data for individual non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from meta-analyses and found that diclofenac, rofecoxib and etoricoxib were consistently ranked highest in terms of cardiovascular risk, compared with non-use, and naproxen was associated with the lowest risk.

In fact, the editorial which accompanies the article makes an alarming statement:

The adverse cardiovascular profile of NSAIDs includes risk of atherothrombotic events like myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, which can be fatal.

The increased cardiovascular risk has been observed both in people with a prior high risk of cardiovascular disease and in previously healthy individuals, and this risk appears to be dose dependent...diclofenac is the agent most associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events: a 40%–60% higher relative risk of serious cardiovascular events, compared to non-use of NSAIDs, has been reported. 

Yet, despite this risk, diclofenac use is growing at an alarmingly rapid pace. 

So what can you do if you suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other painful condition?

First, if your doctor has prescribed diclofenac, then you should discuss the risks and the benefits. It is especially important that you take diclofenac for as short a time period as possible, and at the lowest dose possible. 

Second, don't simply depend on diclofenac for the pain relief! Augment the diclofenac with pain patches, natural anti-inflammatory products, topical pain relievers, diet, exercise, and anything else to reduce the pain. 

The objective is not to depend on any single approach to reduce your pain. 

Rather, it's a combination of things which will safely reduce your pain and increase your mobility. 

• The identity of the best, most common foods with anti inflammatory properties

• The common spice that is a great anti inflammatory food, but which won't give you the benefit without solving this problem first

• A dietary supplement that be a convenient alternative for anti inflammatory foods

Please feel free to leave your comments or recommendations for other anti inflammatory foods!

Can a lack of sleep cause weight gain?     

This is a really interesting question. 

One of the better summaries we've seen comes from Harvard. In this article, they summarize a number of studies which tried to answer this question.

The evidence looks pretty strong that a lack of sleep can cause weight gain, or can at least be an important factor in weight gain:

The largest and longest study to date on adult sleep habits and weight is the Nurses’ Health Study, which followed 68,000 middle-age American women for up to 16 years. Compared to women who slept seven hours a night, women who slept five hours or less were 15 percent more likely to become obese over the course of the study.

 Another study concluded:

But not getting enough sleep is known to impair mental function and increase the risk for heart disease, among other ill effects. Accumulating evidence also suggests that even short-term, partial sleep deprivation could pave the way for weight gain and other negative metabolic consequences.

So what can we do to get more sleep and avoid weight gain and other health problems that a lack of sleep can cause? Here are a few ideas:

Identify causes - It's important to first understand why it is that you re not sleeping well. Is it too much late-night TV? Eating meals or drinking coffee late in the evening? Noise? Stress? Is it related to a health issue, such an pain?

Address Problems Directly - A chat with your doctor may be in order if there is an ongoing health issue that is causing you to lose valuable sleep time. For example, neck pain can be easily addressed with a new pillow. Back pain can be addressed with back pain patches (plus, if you're not swallowing pain medicines, you avoid any chance of stomach upset keeping you up at night!). 

Stick With What Works - Finding the right solution for sleeplessness can be a lengthy series of trials and errors, especially if the cause is unknown. Sometime an inexpensive, simple solution, like a pain patch, can make all the difference between a lack of sleep and a full night's sleep. But once you find that combination of solutions to your problem, then stick with it! You'll get more sleep, and avoid health problems now and in the future. 

Pleasant Dreams!