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How

The HolidaysCan Knock 25 Years off Your Life

Happy 4 Holi-days,

Dr. Ben Lerner Co-Founder of Maximized Living

3 ANSWERS FROM THE SOURCE

4 BEAT THE RUSH

6 CHANGED LIVES

7 STAYING FIT & HEALTHY

8 CHAMPIONSHIP FORM

10 ADJUSTING TO THE HOLIDAYS

13 THE VERDICT IS IN: PROPER NUTRIENTS

16 5 ESSENTIAL HOLIDAY TREATS

Once, a large truck was driving through one of the busiest tunnels in New York City. The truck was so large, in fact, that it got stuck in the tunnel and could not back up or move forward. Traffic eventually backed up for miles and miles. Dozens of traffic, accident, bridge, road, and truck experts were on the scene for hours trying to figure out what to do. Just as the situation and the frustration of the experts was beginning to get out of hand, a 10-year-old girl poked her head out of the window and said, “Why don’t you just let the air out of the tires.” The dilemma was resolved.

When something isn’t working out, reassess everything!

Even though the holidays make up no more than four days – Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day, most people refer to all 68 days comprising November, December and the first week of January as “The Holidays.”

Since it’s “The Holidays,” you can throw all caution to the wind. You can put all sorts of horrible holiday foods in your body, stop exercising, miss adjustments, spend too much money, and put important things off because—after all—it’s “The Holidays.”

In all, you end up with a 6-10 week reign of terror on your life and body.

If you add to these two months all the other times you tend to abuse or ignore your health (parties, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, weekends, and other “holidays” like Secretaries Day, etc.) you’ve ended up being irresponsible for your health for three months of every year. That’s 25 percent of every year!

In other words, by the time you are 40 years old, you will have spent 10 years doing serious, possibly irreparable harm to your body, your finances, and in fact, your whole life. This could be one major reason why people are supposed to live to 100, but only average about 75 (25% off).

The holidays should be a joyous time of year. They are a time designated to celebrate, take a break and be with friends and family, and a moment to truly appreciate God’s blessings. Make it 5 or make it 10, but let’s not make it 68 days dedicated to shortening your lifespan.

18 MAX KIDS

19 BE A WORLD CHANGER

In view of the complex, individual nature of health and fitness problems, this magazine and the ideas, programs, procedures, and suggestions in it are not intended to replace the advice of trained medical professionals. All matters regarding one’s health require medical supervision. A physician should be consulted prior to adopting any program or programs described in this magazine, or any of the Maximized Living™ resources. The contents of this magazine are based upon the opinions of the authors. The authors and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this magazine.

This magazine is not intended to make recommendations related to getting on or off prescription or over-the-counter medication. If you face any current health concerns, or are currently taking medication, it is always recommended to seek the advice of your physician before starting a new health care program. Only your medical doctor can prescribe drugs or tell you to get off of drugs. Our role is to make you aware of the hazards of poor lifestyle decisions while helping you to create optimum function and healing in your body. In time, you must begin to judge for yourself whether your medications are keeping you alive, merely palliating symptoms of an unhealthy body, or actually causing some of the ailments you suffer from. With the guidance of your prescribing physician, you need to make your own best decisions on medication. As you heal, work with your medical doctors to help you reduce or eliminate the drugs you’re on.

The information in this magazine is intended to be educational and should not replace consultation with a competent health care professional. This magazine is intended to be used as an adjunct to responsible health care supervised by a healthcare professional. The authors and Maximized Living™ are not liable for any misuse of the material contained in this magazine.

Contact us: Maximized Living1170 Celebration Blvd., Suite 100BCelebration, FL 34747P: (321) 939-3060

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1. I am new to Maximized Living. What exactly are the 5 Essentials and how did they evolve?

Dr. Greg - The 5 Essentials evolved out of necessity. Unfortunately, over the last two decades the overall health of people in the U.S. and other developed countries has declined drastically, despite spending more than ever on healthcare. The 5 Essentials offer a new path for you and your family to get the proactive healthcare you need, and they provide everything you need to be truly well:

1. Maximized Mind. A true understanding of health, and how the body naturally heals and functions.

2. Maximized Nerve Supply. Your brain and spinal cord control your body's every action. Your doctor is trained to detect and remove all interference to that system.

3. Maximized Quality Nutrition. Your body is constantly rebuilding and repairing. It requires high

quality nutrients. 4. Maximized Oxygen & Lean Muscle. Motion is life.

Our cutting-edge exercise protocols help you get maximum benefits in the least time.

5. Minimized Toxins. While most know that toxins lurk in our foods, environment and household products, we provide the resources to help you detoxify safely.

2. I saw a news report that the milk industry wants to add aspartame to milk to get kids to drink more milk. Why is it so difficult for the food industry to leave nature alone?

GL - This is why you are so important to making the changes we need! As more and more people demand that large industries (pharmaceuticals, insurance, food) serve people and not profit, the industries will change.

However, as we continue to transition, it is important to recognize the safest choices for you and your family (in this case, unsweetened almond milk or full-fat coconut milk). Maximized Living is committed to being your go-to resource for health information, so be sure to sign up for our newsletters, blogs and attend your doctor's powerful workshops.

3. Do you have any recommendations or favorite places to shop for foods? Any online stores? What is your opinion?

GL- Depending on where you live, access may vary. I don't have an online preference. Try to utilize locally grown food. We encourage you to find nearby farmers markets, where local farmers often provide cleaner, safer meats and produce. Many communities also offer CSAs (crop share associations) where you pay a fee for weekly delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, your best resource may be the person sitting next to you in your Maximized Living clinic.

4. What can I do to reverse disc degeneration? Or is there no hope?

GL - Great question! Although the current medical world may have told you this is hopeless, our doctors often see dramatic changes in disc degeneration. The discs consist mostly of water, and they often degenerate due to misalignment (subluxation), excessive pressure, lack of motion and poor nutrition. The great news is that, as you begin to correct those issues, people often see improvements and almost always see a reduction in the progression of the degeneration. This is why it is so critical to be in the hands of an expert trained in the 5 Essentials.

ANSWERS FROM THE...

SOURCEEach issue, we will look to Maximized Living co-founder Dr. Greg Loman to answer some of the burning questions we receive from our readers. If you want to ask Dr. Loman a question, you can email him at letters@maximizedliving.com.

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Stress tends to run rampant throughout the holiday season. Whether we’re hustling through a jam-packed shopping mall or

stuck huffing and puffing in airport security lines, it is very tempting to let our discontent shine through.

But do those scenarios really fit with the reason for the season?

Doom, gloom and displeasure obviously don’t mesh with most people’s idea of the holidays, but these feelings manifest themselves anyways. For what seems like three straight

months, we are bombarded with obligations specific

to this time of year.

Shopping trips for nieces, nephews and

second cousins. Cooking a buffet’s worth of food for a house filled with more people than we care to count. Paper cuts and cramped hands from golden gift wrap and hundreds of Christmas cards.

Beat the

RUSHIn between cooking, shopping and wrapping gifts, people tend to forget about themselves. Count your blessings to remain calm this winter.

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Dr. Fred Luskin, the senior consultant in health promotion at Stanford University, recognizes and empathizes with the seasonal hustle and bustle. But he keeps a keen eye on the bright side—and for a good reason.

“There are a billion people tonight going to bed without food. You’ll be alright waiting in line at Whole Foods or sitting through a visit from your in-laws,” Luskin says. “If Mom’s coming to visit and you don’t like Mom, what you can do is take a deep breath and quiet down. You will counter-condition the stress response in your system.”

Luskin is one of the world’s leading experts in helping people manage stress and learn to forgive, both of which have a powerful physiological impact. People have too much going on and far too little down time, Luskin says, and that leads to a system flooded with adrenaline, the human body’s primary stress response (think fight-or-flight).

One of the great costs of our constant, collective hurry is the tendency to lose sight of the good in our lives. Once we feel rushed, our adrenaline kicks in and we feel stressed. As these feelings increase, we may get tunnel vision, all we start to see are obstacles, and we increasingly perceive them as being difficult and limiting. If these feelings persist, then our bodies adapt to a continual state of stress.

Our constant rushing teaches our bodies to expect constant stress. This leaves us feeling restless, threatened and causes our brains to feel “jangled,” Luskin says.

Around the holidays, this negative state often shows up while you’re running last-second errands or preparing a big meal for family and friends flying in from out of state.

“They’re not going to hate you if the tree isn’t perfect or your mashed potatoes aren’t wonderful, but adrenaline makes it feel that way,” Luskin explains.

Fortunately—just like your Maximized Living doctor has explained—your future actions can change what your previous actions have created.

Your doctor has referred to these Maximized Mind practices as establishing your Big Why and overcoming your limiting beliefs. If you doubt your own ability to achieve something, write it down. Every morning when you get out of bed, read the line to yourself. In less than a month, you’ll have a positive new habit instead of a negative, limiting belief.

This kind of change can—and does—happen, Luskin says, but it is much easier to adapt positive change when your body isn’t flooded with adrenaline.

“We have two ways to manage stress: diaphragmatic breathing and positivity. And they both have survival benefits,” Luskin says. “When I get frustrated I can say I hate this or I’m bored or I’m angry, but I can also take the time say, ‘Hey, I’m lucky to be married to someone who will listen to me.’"

Luskin suggests finding a stress management technique that works for you (your doctor can offer tips!) and to use it whenever necessary. Using it a few times a day can breed big change because the minute you stop to think, your whole body relaxes.

“People have no time and money’s tight, but feeling better requires no money and almost no time or effort, and has a phenomenal effect on your nervous system,” Luskin says. “The stress on our body decreases dramatically.”

These practices apply year-round, but use them this holiday season so you can indulge in the joy of family, friends and celebration.

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Clearing Things upBy Pastor Terry Peaks-Cash,New Greater Zion Wall House of MiraclesDurham, N.C.

This June, I woke up one morning and realized my eyes were messed up.

I went to a doctor, and he put me through a few tests. With my glasses on, I was unable to read many of the letters on the chart. At the end of the appointment, the doctor told me that the nerves to my eyes were damaged. And I wouldn’t be able to drive anymore.

I’ve also been diabetic for years. It was always a battle to control my blood sugar. I felt sluggish all the time and, with my sweet tooth, it was really hard to fight off the urge for an occasional Snickers. Even worse, the left side of my body ached constantly.

My sister-in-law was a patient at a nearby Maximized Living clinic, so she introduced me to the doctor and the 5 Essentials.

I decided to attend a Community Dinner event in June. The doctor spoke about why we should care about our spines and our nerve systems, and it all made a great deal of sense. He also talked about how we often depend too much upon outside medications instead of the natural healing power of the body.

I chose to give Maximized Living a shot. I scheduled my first appointment for the very next week.

Over the first few visits, they gave me a few basic examinations and took a few X-rays. They showed what was happening to my spine and explained how that was causing problems throughout the rest of my body. I was excited to get started on my care plan.

After my first two adjustments, I went back to my eye doctor for a follow-up appointment (it was now July).

This time, I could read far more of the lines on the chart—without my glasses. My eye doctor was astonished. So much progress after just two adjustments!

I started making other small changes to my lifestyle, and now I can really tell a difference. I get adjusted three times a week. I’ve definitely been changing my eating habits, and I have used some different Maximized Living breakfast recipes. I still struggle to fight off cravings for Snickers bars. Now though, I make a mix of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and nuts to take care of my sweet tooth more naturally.

The pain in my left side was gone after just two months. I have a ton of energy now, so I’ve been walking a lot more, too. I’m working my way toward MaxT3 classes. It amazes me how good I feel.

My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal. I’ve also reduced my a1c test (a way to monitor average blood sugar levels) from a 9 to a 5, and have even lost a little bit of weight. My diabetes is under control.

I’m amazed at how good I feel, and I’ve seen improvements in the other patients around me. One woman was using a wheelchair when I started care a few months ago, and now she is up and walking around.

I’m a pastor, and I invited my Maximized Living doctor to hold an event for the people of my church. They really enjoyed it. A friend of mine, who is also a pastor, attended the event and now she's working to hold a Maximized Living event in her church.

The Body of Christ can be just as sick of the rest of the country, so I definitely want to host another event—one that focuses on diet. I told the congregation that we need to change our eating habits, and they're excited about it because they liked the first Makeover so much.

Now, I always tell people how good I feel. I got results and I got them fast. I’m so glad I looked into Maximized Living.

* This is the testimonial from a real Maximized Living patient. If you would like to contribute your story to this series, please contact us at: testimonials@maximizedliving.com. Results may vary. Consult your physician before beginning any new health or fitness program.

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Protein is the essential building block of your body. When consumed in the proper form, protein will help your body create muscle, build bone, speed up your ability to burn calories and even remove accumulated toxins from your system. However, protein supplements that have been processed in high heat or derived from second-rate sources can actually bring more toxic substances into your body, acting more like a wrecking ball than a building block. Fortunately, not all protein supplements are created this way. Perfect Protein is made from whey, the type of protein that is most readily absorbed by your body. Whey protein is derived from cattle. However, Maximized Living’s Perfect Protein comes from 100 percent grass-

fed cows that have never been treated with hormones, steroids or fed genetically modified food, so you get all the essential amino acids and none of the toxic chemicals. Best of all, our protein comes from 100% concentrate whey protein, which means it hasn’t been chemically processed. It’s whey protein, the way nature intended it. Unlike other whey protein powders, Perfect Protein has added vitamins and probiotics, and remains intact through our delicate, low-temperature processing. And it’s naturally sweetened with stevia, so it contains no artificial flavors, additives or colors. Available in both chocolate and vanilla, Perfect Protein is a delicious snack that offers the compounds and nutrients you need to stay fit throughout the holiday season.

Stay Fit

Through the

Holiday Season

Talk to your doctor about the benefits of whey protein from 100% grass-fed cows TODAY!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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For more than four years, USA Wrestling (USAW) and Maximized Living have been teaming up to maximize the performance of each and every USAW athlete. Maximized Living’s Sports Performance Council (SPC) works hard every day

to provide these elite athletes with the same world-class care you receive from the Maximized Living office in your neighborhood. Most recently, Dr. Jay Villella (Columbus, Ohio) joined USAW athletes in Stillwater, Okla., for the World Team Trials competition. Here are a few photos commemorating the trip.

Dr. Jay Villella adjusting Tervel Dlagnev, who earned his spot on Team USA by dominating the competition in the 120-kilogram weight class.

Jordan Burroughs vanquishes yet another

opponent. Burroughs is the undisputed

king of the 74-kilogram weight class.

He has received Maximized Living

care for almost two years now.

Dr. Michael Banman of Kelowna, British Columbia (left) and wrestler JD Bergman pause for a picture. Bergman—an outspoken advocate of Maximized Living—won the top spot in the 96-kilogram weight class.

Dr. Jay Villella poses with four champions from the 2013 USA Wrestling World

Team Trials. From left: Reece Humphrey (60 KG); Tervel Dlagnev (120 KG); Dr. Jay

Villella; Keith Gavin (84 KG); JD Bergman (96 KG).

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Dr. Jay Villella poses with four champions from the 2013 USA Wrestling World

Team Trials. From left: Reece Humphrey (60 KG); Tervel Dlagnev (120 KG); Dr. Jay

Villella; Keith Gavin (84 KG); JD Bergman (96 KG).

Optimal levels of the “sunshine vitamin” offer your body life-improving benefits. Vitamin D3 is primarily gained through exposure to midday sun. But with so much of our days spent

indoors or under cloudy skies, it’s no surprise that an estimated 75% of Americans are vitamin D-deficient.

Talk to your MaximizedLiving Doctor about checking your Vitamin D levels and a whole food-based solution.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Subluxation Safety and the Holidays It is starting to look a lot like Christmas, and that means people's health will get exponentially worse. It is supposed to be the best time of year, filled with family gatherings, delicious meals and gift exchanges. Unfortunately, for most people, their health will take a beating.

I know you probably think I’m referring to the nutritional vacation that is holiday eating, but—while it is easy to point that out—this time the issue isn’t solely with the thick eggnog, delicious holiday cookies or the several days of gravy-smothered Thanksgiving turkey.

I’ve noticed a common theme in the majority of my patients over the years: Their spinal health seems to regress during the holidays. Once I noticed the trend, I started to wonder, “How?” How is it that this time of year is causing more subluxation and more spinal dysfunction?

Here at Maximized Living, we perform re-evaluations when patients are not responding properly, and it was in these evaluations that I discovered what was leading to this unseen decline in health during the holidays.

It never failed. During our conversation, my patients and I would always uncover something holiday-related that led to the root problem. After doing thousands of these re-evaluations, I realized that one of three culprits was always responsible for this decline in health:• Rushing• Doing things outside our normal routines• Skipping our positive habits

Slow Down for your SpineRushing around to knock out all of our holiday errands leads to physical stress that damages the spine through ergonomics and acute injury.

“If everyone would just take an extra moment to think before doing a task, there would be far fewer injuries,” says Brian Kuglich, who creates educational tools on home safety for the nonprofit consumer awareness group the National Safety Council.

You can see this everywhere during the holidays. Trying to carry one extra bag of groceries. Speeding through holiday traffic. Lifting loads of gifts or decorations without waiting for help. Each of these seemingly harmless activities triggers the development of subluxation.

While the idea of waiting an extra minute to guard ourselves from possible injury isn’t complicated, most of us simply don't have that on our mind during the holidays.

There are three easy ways to avoid the constant rushing that causes subluxation: prepare a list, do not over-promise, and always ask for (and accept!) help.

Lists help you stay organized and prepared, so you don’t have to speed through your errands and then frantically backtrack when you forget something.

Promising more than you can deliver—especially to loved ones—puts pressure on you to do the unrealistic. The holidays are busy enough as is, so don’t try to play superhero; you’re less likely to throw your back out shoveling snow if you know you have plenty of time to get the job done.

And finally, asking for and accepting help doesn’t make you dependent, it just reaffirms that you’re human and helps you avoid injury. Put your pride aside and you’ll save yourself some strain.

Share the Task, Save Your BackDecorations make the holidays feel special, but they also hike up our risk of subluxation. According to Money Magazine, more than 150 million strings of lights are sold every year. Displaying those lights usually requires us to scale a ladder over and over again. It did not take long for me to notice this activity was the most common reoccurring theme leading to my patients’ spinal subluxations.

A simple solution would be to get someone to hand you the lights to save yourself the constant up-down, up-down, up-down that can damage your spine.

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Break While You BakeWho doesn't love a holiday meal? Sadly, the preparation of that meal can actually be a pain-causing experience that most of us would never expect.

Some of my patients spend hours—if not days—preparing these meals! That means they’re standing over a stove, table or cutting board for extended periods of time in one position—and they’re usually not focusing on proper posture.

This static position can cause the bones of your spine to subluxate, leading to pain and discomfort days later. Taking appropriate breaks and getting more hands on the job can lighten the load significantly.

Trust Your Everyday HabitsOf all the common holiday risk factors, though, the greatest risk stemmed from using the excuse "It’s the holidays" to ditch the habits that keep us healthy and well.

Amid all the stressing, rushing, decorating and preparing, patients miss appointments, skip home care, sleep less, forget supplements, and do MaxT3 less frequently during the holidays.

At holiday time, we should be doing more to take care of our spines, not less.

When you’re adding activities to your routine that lead to potential problems, then skipping out on the factors that make your body more resistant to spinal subluxations isn’t the most logical of choices.

Over time, I’ve become more attuned to this holiday phenomenon, and have since started recommending that my patients ramp up their care to counter these holiday obstacles.

We hope you will maximize your holidays by focusing on what the they should be about: Staying subluxation-free so you can enjoy time with your family, friends and all the people you care about.

Happy Holidays!

• You may have the secret recipe, but you can employ helpers.

• Before you begin, break your process into small tasks that don’t depend on cooking ability.

• Ask someone else to chop the veggies, boil the water and fetch items from the bottom shelves of the pantry. Delegating these duties won’t disrupt your final product.

• Get out of the kitchen. As soon as you have a moment, take a seat, stretch or perform a few basic homecare exercises.

• Recruit table-setters. You’ve done the heavy lifting; outsource the small stuff.

• The entire project may take eight hours, but do what you can to insert periodic breaks. Your body—especially your spine—will appreciate the relief.

Hanging Lights

• Grab a team of three to share the workload.

• Have one person on the ladder and two feeding the light strands.

• Once a section of lights has been placed, swap duties so that the person who was on the ladder is now feeding the lights.

• This simple system minimizes the amount of awkward stretching and straining required to hang lights, and also reduces the amount of time needed to finish the job.

Finding Time to Exercise

• Respect your time, but be realistic. An effective MaxT3 workout can be finished in less than 25 minutes (including warm up and cool down).

• Create an exercise schedule mixing MaxT3 Upper and Lower Body workouts.

• Determine the exact dates you will work out and assign yourself a specific time.

• Write or print out your schedule and stick it on your refrigerator.

• Grab a partner to motivate you and keep you on schedule.

• Weather-proof your workouts. If you wake up to bitter cold, allot some extra time to warm up and take your surge training inside. Remember to stay properly hydrated.

Preparing the Feast

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Did you know that stress, anxiety and depression can be aggravated or even caused by an imbalance in your diet?

Unfortunately, the modern North American diet creates a serious nutritional imbalance that negatively impacts mood and cognitive development and can even lead to the kind of plaque formation in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Most Americans’ diets are overloaded with Omega-6 fatty acids, causing a problem known as fatty acid imbalance. Omega-3 fatty acids are the perfect complement to Omega-6 fatty acids. However, the solution isn’t just to pound down Omega-3s. There has to be just the right balance to achieve both mental and physical health. Maximized Living’s Perfect Ratio Omega was created from all-natural ingredients to help you achieve a healthier balance of these essential fatty acids, so your brain and body stay fit. A few of the key ingredients include:

Fish Oil. Excellent, well-known source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Protects your brain, helping relieve anxiety and depression while reducing the risk of dementia.

Flax Seed Oil. Another great source of Omega-3s. Essential to proper brain functioning and development, especially in children.

Astaxanthin. Found naturally in salmon and yeast. Studies have shown the benefits of this antioxidant in improving ulcers, asthma, diabetes and acid reflux.

Using our nutrient-dense matrix of 100-percent whole food ingredients, Perfect Ratio Omega offers the compounds and nutrients needed to stay calm, collected and healthy for the holidays.

Talk with your Maximized Living doctor about the benefits of Perfect Ratio Omega TODAY!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Your body needs an abundance of nutrients to function at its best and avoid disease. In the past, those nutrients were obtained through our diets. Your grandparents, for example,

ate plenty of home grown fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat, and whole grain breads – all of which were local, naturally grown, preservative free and minimally processed. In addition, the topsoil in their garden was deep, fertile and full of nutrients. They were also very physically active. Your grandparents, for the most part, may not have needed a multivitamin supplement.

Will a similar supplement-free, healthy diet work today? First, most Americans don’t follow a healthy diet. They don’t get 45 to 65 percent of their daily calories from natural, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains. They don’t get 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day to maintain healthy sugar and cholesterol levels. They don’t limit sugar to less than 150 calories per day. They don’t limit their protein to 10 to 35 percent of their daily calorie intake, with an emphasis on plant based-protein, such as beans, lentils, soy products and unsalted nuts. When they do eat meats and poultry, it’s not always lean and low fat. They don’t limit fats to 20-35 percent of calorie intake—making sure those fats are immune boosting, unsaturated fats from lean poultry, fish, olive oil and various nut oils.

But even if you are one of the few who do follow the above guidelines, are you receiving all the nutrients you need to stay strong and healthy? Unfortunately, even when following a healthy diet, those nutrients are much harder to come by than in previous generations, due to nutrient-depleted soil, toxic pesticides, harsh processing and dangerous preservatives. Fruits and vegetables are often harvested before they ripen in order to survive the long, cross-country shipment time. Not allowing the food to ripen robs it of its nutritional potential. Water, sugar and fat are commonly used to prop up depleted foods. The way we store and cook foods often withdraws more nutritional value. In addition, physical and mental stress from pollution, overcrowding and hectic schedules further deplete our bodies of vital nutrients. The overall result is inadequate nutrition.

High Cost of Nutrient DeficiencyAntioxidants are crucial to preventing and overcoming illness. Antioxidants such as Vitamins E and B12, selenium, manganese and magnesium have displayed varying abilities to fight diseases. Due to the issues described above, maintaining adequate levels of these nutrients can be extremely challenging.

Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 comes mainly from meat and dairy products. In addition to problems associated with growth hormones, antibiotics and other nutrient-depleting practices, older people may have difficulty absorbing the vitamin B12 that may be present. Vegetarians are also at a high risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to anemia. Its symptoms include memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations and tingling in the arms and legs. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also play a role in dementia and Alzheimer’s. While gastrointestinal problems are very common and there are a variety of contributing factors, inadequate vitamin B12 levels can result in diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.

CONTINUED...

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Several studies have linked high levels of homocysteine with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Vitamin B12, along with folic acid and vitamin B6, plays a key role in metabolizing dangerous levels of homocysteine into methionine, a key building block for creating new proteins. Without enough B12, folic acid and B6, this recycling process becomes inefficient and homocysteine levels increase.

Vitamin EA deficiency in vitamin E, which is very common, can result in abnormal fat deposits, red blood cell disintegration and cellular oxidation. Vitamin E causes dilation of the blood vessels, permitting a fuller flow of blood to the heart. It can reduce liver oxidative damage and the effects of hyperthyroidism. Vitamin E may even protect against brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Finally, even though vitamin E is a potent antioxidant on its own, its effects are magnified when combined with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium.

SELENIUMSelenium is often listed as a nutrient in foods, but its nutritional value is easily compromised by processing and over-farmed, nutrient-depleted soil. Selenium is important for proper hormone metabolism and immune function.

Selenium not only increases the nutrient effect of vitamin E, it also enhances vitamins A and C as well. The synergistic effects of vitamins E, C, B12 and selenium can protect against colorectal cancer.

MagnesiumMagnesium regulates heart rhythm, eases insomnia, helps regulate the passage of nutrients in and out of cell walls, assists in normal blood clotting, helps maintain proper nerve and muscle function, lowers blood pressure, is important to normal kidney function, reduces the incidence of colon cancer and decreases blood cholesterol levels. Magnesium works in conjunction with calcium to build and maintain bones and teeth. Magnesium also supports mood stabilization and better sleep.

ManganeseManganese, which is difficult to find in most foods, works with other nutrients like vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, zinc, copper and selenium to help prevent cellular damage and slow aging.

Combined, manganese and copper help produce superoxide dismutase. This powerful byproduct works as an antioxidant enzyme to protect cells from free radical damage. Manganese also helps boost energy levels needed for regular physical exercise.

Vitamin DVitamin D is scarcely available in food, so unless you are in the sun for long periods, you are almost guaranteed to be lacking this essential nutrient. Most Americans need vitamin D supplementation.

The VerdictThere are many reasons why obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease are far more prevalent today than in previous generations, but one of the primary culprits can be controlled and improved on a daily basis: the quality of the foods we consume.

Today, many foods both simultaneously lack natural nutrients and contain man-made poisons. And while supplementation poses an obvious solution to our lacking nutrients, conventional supplements often contain synthetic chemicals. The body cannot readily absorb these man-made nutrients, thereby negating the potential benefits. For that reason, an organic whole-food multivitamin supplement offers the greatest bang for the buck. Your body gets the nutrients it needs, in a form that is natural and easy to absorb.

Talk to your Maximized Living Doctor TODAY about whole food supplementation solutions!

*The information presented within this article is derived from the research sources comprising the ML Dietary Supplements Handbook. If you have any specific questions regarding the benefits of the foods, vitamins and minerals referenced above, please consult your Maximized Living wellness doctor.

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Did You Know?Ë Young cereal grass juices such as barley, alfalfa,

oat, wheat and kamut are some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Ë Sprouting is a term that refers to the process where you unlock the nutrient potential within a seed and is a great way to increase the digestibility of seeds, nuts and legumes while maintaining their raw nutrient density.

Ë The enzymes found in all raw foods enhance the body's ability to digest and assimilate nutrients, while probiotics maximize the function of the digestive system.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Sugar is cheap and addictive. These two qualities make it the favorite additive of food manufacturers everywhere, which is why nearly every boxed

food in the grocery store is overflowing with sugar.The sugar keeps you coming back for taste, without offering any of the nourishment your body craves. Unfortunately, these products leave you hungry and unsatisfied—not to mention at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

The holiday season offers no break from the sweet stuff. Instead, holiday parties tend to tempt us with treats and sugar galore. Stand strong against sugar this holiday season. Use the five following sugar-free recipes to nourish your body this winter.

Zucchini Gingerbread (makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients• Extra virgin olive/coconut oil• 1 cup xylitol• ¼ cup molasses• ¼ cup coconut oil• ¾ cup full-fat Greek yogurt• 3 cage-free organic eggs• 2 tsps ground cinnamon• 1 tsp ground ginger• ½ tsp ground nutmeg• ½ tsp ground cloves• 1 tsp baking soda• ½ tsp baking powder• ½ tsp kosher salt• 2 ½ cups shredded zucchini• 3 cups almond flour

Directions• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat loaf pans

with the extra virgin olive/coconut oil.• In a large bowl, mix together the xylitol,

molasses, coconut oil, yogurt and eggs until thoroughly combined. Stir in all the spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gently mix in the shredded zucchini and almond flour. Pour the batter into the greased loaf pans.

• Bake 50-60 minutes, until the loaves are browned and springy to the touch. (A toothpick inserted should come out clean.) Allow to cool in pans for about 10 minutes before removing.

Chai SpiceSmoothie

Ingredients• ½ can coconut milk (be sure to

get BPA-free cans like Native Forest)

• ½ cup ice• 1 scoop Vanilla Perfect Protein

or Perfect Plant Protein• 1 pinch cinnamon• 1 pinch ground cardamom• ¼ - ½ tsp ground cloves• 1 pinch ginger

Directions• Simple: Put everything into a heavy-duty

blender like a Vitamix and blend. You can adjust the spices to your liking.

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PeppermintBark(makes 1 family-sized serving)

Ingredients• 8 ounces 73-plus percent dark

chocolate or baker’s chocolate• 5-10 drops pure liquid stevia

(can also use naturally flavored peppermint stevia)

• 2 tsp peppermint extract

Directions• Line a 10×10-inch baking sheet with all natural

waxed paper. • Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or create

your own with 2 pots!).• Add the liquid stevia and peppermint extract.• Pour onto natural waxed paper and use

a spatula to spread chocolate about 1/4-inch thick. Allow to cool and dry 6 hours or overnight.

• Once dry, break chocolate apart into uneven chunks, store in airtight container until ready to serve.

GrainlessCarrot Cake

IngredientsCake

• 3 cups almond flour• 2 teaspoons sea salt• 1 teaspoon baking soda• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg• ½ cup erythritol (like Swerve) or

spoonable stevia to taste• 5 large organic eggs• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or grape

seed oil• 3 cups shredded carrots• 1 cup raisins• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting• 2 8-ounce packages of organic

cream cheese, softened• ½ cup plain Amasai or organic heavy

whipping cream• 1 tablespoon vanilla• ½ cup erythritol (like Swerve) or

spoonable stevia to taste• ½ cup shaved coconut (optional)

DirectionsCake

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans with butter and dust with almond flour.

• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil and eggs. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold in the carrots, raisins and walnuts (if desired).

• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. The batter will be a bit thick so try to even it carefully by pushing the batter down rather than spreading it.

• Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 1 hour before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting• Mix all ingredients together with a hand mixer until

well combined. For a thinner consistency, add more Amasai or whipping cream. Sprinkle coconut on top.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Ingredients• ½ - 1 scoop Vanilla Perfect

Protein• ½ can organic pumpkin

(check labels!); you can also use pumpkin puree

• 1 tsp cinnamon• 1 tsp nutmeg• ¼ cup pecans• ½ cup almond milk (check

labels!)• ½ cup ice

Directions• Mix all ingredients and blend.• Enjoy!

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As parents across North America begin to fully understand the dangers of sugar consumption, another problem has surfaced. The use of artificial sweetener is rising—and rising fast.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., recently released a comprehensive global report on artificial sweeteners markets. The report states that the global market for artificial sweeteners is expected to reach $1.5 billion by the year 2015.

This industry has become a major economic player with major influence to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies controlling food product approval. But what are the dangers of consuming these chemical sweeteners?

Though they’re marketed as safe, zero-calorie alternatives to sugar, the three most common artificial sweeteners each fall into a class of chemicals known as excitotoxins, which mean they can cause severe nerve damage.

What’s worse, these products are everywhere! Something as simple as a lemon-flavored bottled water now contains these chemicals. It’s time we examine the dangers of these products—specifically regarding our children’s developing brains and organs—and help guide you to the best decision for your family.

Say No to These Sweeteners Aspartame (NutraSweet® and Equal). This is the most common artificial sweetener, but it's also the most

dangerous because it contains methanol. Also known as methyl alcohol

or wood alcohol, methanol is linked to more than 90 symptoms,

including memory problems, headaches, anxiety, depression, dizziness

and seizures, to name a few.

Sucralose (Splenda).This is probably the sneakiest of all because it sounds similar to

sugar (sucrose), so some might assume it to be natural. Sucralose is

manufactured by chlorination of sugar. It is not sugar, and is not similar

to sugar in any way.

BY: Dr. Renee LopezDr. Ashly Ochsner

Maximized Living Doctors

Saccharin (Sweet’N Low®).This one is widely used in a variety of products, including infant formula.

Negative reactions to saccharin have been reported in infants and

children, ranging from irritability and diarrhea to muscle dysfunction

and more.

Institute these Sugar SubstitutesSteviaA plant native to South America that

has been consumed for hundreds of

years. The FDA has classified it as “GRAS”

(Generally Recognized As Safe).

Erythritol & XylitolThese are classified as sugar alcohols.

These low-calorie sweeteners don’t

raise blood sugar like refined sugar or high glycemic index sweeteners.

Interestingly, xylitol is known for its positive dental health. It has been

used to prevent cavities, dry mouth and even prevent ear infections in

youngsters!

Pure Natural SugarIf diabetes and blood sugar imbalances aren't immediate concerns, then

the additional options of local honey or pure maple syrup can be good

alternatives.

5 Steps to a Sweetener-Safe Home• Pick one day a week to plan meals, lunch boxes and

snacks.• Pick one day a week to shop.• Pick one day a week and prep as much as possible

(dividing larger quantities into baggie-sized portions, etc.).

• Plan for healthy and easy grab-and-go snacks for the kids on ball game nights or gymnastics/dance nights.

• Follow your plan. A whole foods diet rich in fresh organic fruits and vegetables, clean proteins and healthy fats is essential to optimum health. In today’s fast-paced, drive-thru dinner world, a plan is necessary to ensure success.

As the old proverb says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” and we want our kids to be victorious! You are giving them the foundation for their lifetime.

Substituting

Sugar

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The rapid growth of Pinterest has been one of the big social media stories of the last few years. With more than 48 million passionate users, this popular

social sharing website is a self-organizing collection of how-to’s, recipes, wish lists, inspiration, and goals for better living. (Sounds like our kind of place!)

On the Maximized Living Pinterest boards we post recipes, event reports, MaxT3 fitness tips, and much more. We hope you’ll use it as a place to pin your favorite updates and share them with your friends. But more than that, we hope you’ll get involved, too.

Here are two ways you can join our Maximized Living Pinterest Community:

As you cook and prepare recipes from the Maximized Living blog and Maximized Living Nutrition Plans book, we encourage you to share your favorites on Pinterest. Be sure to use the hashtag #MaxLiving so we can find and share them as well.

We’re also sharing and on the lookout for your tips and tricks to living the 5 Essentials.

• Do you have a favorite natural cleaning product?

• What do you add to your Perfect Protein Smoothies?

• Do you incorporate any special equipment into your homecare?

Take a photo and post your most useful ideas with the hashtag #MaxTips, so fellow Maximized Living patients can benefit from your knowledge of the 5 Essentials.

Follow us at: www.pinterest.com/maximizedliving

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