The 2010 "Sleep in America" poll released by the National Sleep Foundation reports that most American adults, regardless of ethnicity, are sleep-deprived. Sleep experts recommend that adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for good health and optimum performance, yet many get considerably less. Inadequate sleep is linked with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Experts attribute the epidemic proportions of this problem to our 24/7 society, where millions of people trade sleep for longer work shifts, the Internet, email, and cable TV. 

The poll was conducted by WB&A Market Research for the National Sleep Foundation, with a targeted random sample of 1,077 adults between the ages of 25 to 60. For the first time, the annual survey examined difference in the sleep habits of ethnic groups including African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and whites. The researchers analyzed how much sleep Americans are getting, their bedtime habits and use of sleep aids.

The researchers found that less than 50 percent of participants reported getting a good night's sleep most nights. Although all ethnic groups reported sleep deprivation, African Americans reported the least amount of sleep. Asians reported getting the best quality sleep and least sleep problems. Hispanics reported being kept awake by financial, employment, relationship or health concerns.

The National Sleep Foundation offers the following sleep advice, in a press release: 

"Go to sleep and wake at the same time every day, and avoid spending more time in bed than needed.

Use bright light to help manage your "body clock." Avoid bright light in the evening and expose yourself to sunlight in the morning.

Use your bedroom only for sleep to strengthen the association between your bed and sleep. It may help to remove work materials, computers and televisions from your bedroom.

Select a relaxing bedtime ritual, like a warm bath or listening to calming music.

Create an environment that is conducive to sleep that is quiet, dark and cool with a comfortable mattress and pillows.

Reduce or eliminate your intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

Save your worries for the daytime. If concerns come to mind, write them in a "worry book" so you can address those issues the next day.

If you can't sleep, go into another room and do something relaxing until you feel tired.

Exercise regularly, but avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime."

Moderex Natural Sleep Remedy

Progressive Health's Moderex is a natural sleep remedy including GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), inositol, valerian, kava, lupulin (hops), glutamic acid, magnesium, niacinamide, passion flower, thiamine HCL and 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HTP). Moderex has been designed to relieve occasional sleeplessness and chronic insomnia or restlessness, for a full night's rest.

Breast cancer hormone therapy such as aromatase inhibitor treatment can cause side effects such as joint pain and stiffness. The joint symptoms can become so severe that it may lead to discontinuation of the treatment. Now for the first time research reports that acupuncture can help relieve joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients being treated with hormone therapies.

The randomized, controlled, blinded study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, investigated whether acupuncture relieves joint pain in breast cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy. Researchers at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center administered either true acupuncture (TA) or sham acupuncture (SA) (a placebo) for 6 weeks to 43 breast cancer patients. The participants were receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy and had joint pain and stiffness.

The researchers found that the true acupuncture group had significant improvement in joint pain and stiffness. They also experienced an improved sense of well-being. Furthermore, 20 percent of the patients taking pain relief medications did not need them after receiving acupuncture. This benefit was not seen in the sham acupuncture group.

"Women with AI-induced arthralgias treated with TA had significant improvement of joint pain and stiffness, which was not seen with SA," the study authors conclude. "Acupuncture is an effective and well-tolerated strategy for managing this common treatment-related side effect."

Acusil Promotes Joint Health

Progressive Health's Acusil helps relieve joint pain and stiffness, reduce the duration of recovery from joint inflammation and promote joint health. Acusil provides a potent blend of clinically proven nutrients including methylsulfonyl methane (MSM), curcumin, boswellia, willow bark extract, and ginger.

Your Thoughts

Are you using alternative therapies to promote joint health? We'd love to hear about it! Please share with us below.

Research suggests that obesity may adversely affect a man's fertility.  Sperm motility, the percentage of spermatozoa moving actively forward, is used to predict fertility. Now research reports that obesity is linked with lower sperm motility. The study also found that obese men had lower levels of NAG (neutral alpha-glucosidase), an enzyme secreted into the epididymis. The epididymis is a duct of the testis,where sperm mature and acquire motility. Low levels of NAG suggests poor epididymis functioning.

The study, published in Fertility and Sterility, evaluated the sperm quality of men seeking help for fertility problems. Researchers at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina, analyzed the semen samples of 749 men with different BMIs (body mass indexes). Sperm quality, NAG, fructose, citric acid and testosterone levels were evaluated.

The researchers found that 155 obese men had lower sperm motility than normal weight men. Furthermore, the obese men had lower levels of NAG. This is the first study to suggest that obesity may have negative effects on epididymal function.  

"Results found in our study support a deleterious effect of obesity on seminal quality, probably by alterations in the function of the epididymis (i.e., in epididymal maturation)", the study authors conclude.

Exitor Promotes Weight Management

An effective way to promote weight management is to eat a healthful diet, exercise, and supplement with natural nutrients.

Progressive Health's Exitor is a breakthrough weight management supplement designed to burn fat and calories and boost your metabolism. Exitor contains researched ingredients like guarana, caffeine, green tea, citrus aurantium, DMAE, tyrosine, gum guggle, garcinia cambogia, theobroma cocoa and horse chestnut.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, causes chronic inflammation and weakness of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Now research reports that blueberries eaten with or without probiotics can reduce GI inflammation and treat IBD. Blueberries are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to promote GI health and immunity. 

The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, examined the therapeutic effects of probiotics, blueberry husks and rye bran on lab rats with colitis. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden administered either a fiber-free diet alone or with probiotics and/or blueberry husks and rye bran to laboratory rats. The scientists induced colitis in the rats.

The researchers found that blueberries with or without probiotics significantly reduced intestinal inflammation while increasing good bacteria levels. Furthermore, blueberries combined with probiotics increased butyric acid and propionic acid levels in the blood. Butyric acid and propionic acid are known to have anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects in the intestines. Findings also revealed that rye bran increased butyric acid and propionic acid levels, but with a less favorable effect than blueberries.

" A combination of probiotics and blueberry husks or rye bran enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects compared with probiotics or dietary fibres alone", the study authors conclude. "These combinations can be used as a preventive or therapeutic approach to dietary amelioration of intestinal inflammation."

Ablene Promotes GI Health 

Taking natural nutrients can help promote GI health and reduce IBD symptoms.

Progressive Health's Ablene is a GI-health promoting remedy containing olive extract, cat's claw, licorice, betaine, l-glutamine and essential vitamins and minerals. Ablene restores lost nutrients while preventing inflammation; helping to relieve symptoms and promote digestive health.

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The Mediterranean spice saffron is rich in potent carotenoids including crocin and safranal. Previous studies suggest that saffron may have antitumor and antioxidant effects. Now breakthrough research reports that saffron may help treat and prevent eye problems such as macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of age-related permanent vision loss. The macula, a small area of the eye's retina, deteriorates in AMD, causing blindness. There is no cure for AMD and treatments have limited effectiveness. 

The randomized, double-blind study investigated the effects of saffron supplementation on vision. Researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia and the University of L'Aquila in Italy administered a saffron supplement daily to one group of subjects with AMD for three months. They were then administered a placebo supplement for three months. Another group of participants were given the supplements in the reverse order. Eyesight measurements were obtained from the participants.

The researchers found that all of the participants had improvements in their vision while taking saffron. However, the vision benefits disappeared when the participants stopped taking the saffron supplement. 

"Saffron appears to affect genes which regulate the fatty acid content of the cell membrane, and this makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient," says study author Professor Silvia Bisti, a visiting scholar based at The VisionCentre at the University of Sydney, in a news release. "Measurements using objective eye sight tests showed patient's vision improved after taking the saffron pill. When they were tested with traditional eye charts, a number of patients could read one or two lines smaller than before, while others reported they could read newspapers and books again."

Promote Vision Health with Visulyn

Progressive Health's Visulyn is a potent vision support formula specifically developed to maximize vision health, improve clarity of vision and reduce the risk for developing eye disease. 

Visulyn's scientifically developed formula includes lutein, zeaxanthin, grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, coQ10, gingko biloba, selenium and taurine. 

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New research reports that high altitudes may cause weight loss in obese people. The obese participants did not go on a diet or exercise more. However, at high altitudes the obese participants had increased metabolisms and levels of leptin, causing them to naturally eat less. Gut hormones such as leptin are known to produce feelings of satiety (fullness).

The study, published in the journal Obesity, examined the effect of a low-oxygen environment (hypobaric hypoxia) at high altitude in obese people.  Researchers at the University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany analyzed data from 20 obese male participants, with an average weight of 230 pounds. The researchers monitored the participants' diet and activity levels for one week, while staying at a mountain research facility 8,600 feet above sea level. The subjects were then followed for four weeks when brought down to sea level.

The researchers found that the participants lost about 3.3 pounds. Furthermore, their leptin levels and metabolic rate were significantly increased. Food intake and blood pressure were significantly decreased. These findings suggest that the participants lost weight due to decreased appetites and increased metabolisms. 

"This study shows that obese subjects lose weight at high altitudes," the study authors write. "This may be due to a higher metabolic rate and reduced food intake. Interestingly, leptin levels rise in high altitude despite reduced body weight. Hypobaric hypoxia seems to play a major role, although the physiological mechanisms remain unclear. Weight loss at high altitudes was associated with clinically relevant improvements in diastolic blood pressure."

Lipitrex Promotes Weight Management 

An effective way to promote weight management is to eat healthfully, exercise regularly, and supplement with natural nutrients.

Progressive Health's Lipitrex is a weight management supplement that curbs appetite, burns fat, jump starts the metabolism and increases energy. Lipitrex contains scientifically evaluated nutrients like pinnothin, CLA, bitter orange, chromium, green tea, guarana and caffeine.

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Have you noticed a weight loss effect when on a mountain holiday? Please share with us below.