Carefast Blog

National Nutrition Month®, held annually in March is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics which helps focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and exercise habits. The campaign became a month-long observance back in 1980 when the public interest in nutrition began to grow. 

The American Heart Association (AHA), the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization is celebrating 100 years in 2024 as an organization to bring awareness and progress in the fight against heart disease. Despite a century of educating the American public about the risk and seriousness of this silent killer, more than half of Americans are still unaware that Cardiovascular Disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States (Harris Poll Survey, Nov. 2023).

October has become a month synonymous with Breast Cancer Awareness and seeing the pink ribbon on sports jerseys and events both locally and nationally to raise awareness in our country.  Breast cancer is not solely a woman’s disease. Men too, can get diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society,1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

September is a month that holds some very important health awareness campaigns- plus it’s Healthy Aging Month. Healthy Aging seems to be everyone’s mantra now.  From skincare to cellular health, everyone wants to age in the healthiest way possible. 

Most people are familiar with springtime as the start of allergy season, but many do not realize that there is a fall allergy season as well.  People with allergies know that fall is the “second act” of the season.  It’s that time of year again when allergy sufferers contend with a resurgence in allergy symptoms...

Skin health is important to focus on in the summer time since we are all spending more time outside and exposed to the sun's rays. July is UV Awareness Month and coming up in August is Summer Sun Safety Month. So let's talk about skin health and sun safety.  

June is Men's health month and all month long it's a great reminder for the men to schedule or visit their doctor for an annual physical checkup. Maintaining regular physicals is a very important part of keeping track of your health and for your doctor to track any changes in bloodwork results. As men age, keeping track of their PSA (or prostate-specific antigen) level is a number they want to know and get familiar with.  A man's PSA level begins to increase if problems or enlarging of the prostate gland begins and a very high number can signal prostate cancer. The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, many other conditions, such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate, also can increase PSA levels. Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is common in older men can increase PSA levels. "Wear Blue for men's health" is a public health awareness campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer.  1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, as opposed to 1 in 3 women.  That's why annual checkups are critical to maintaining your health. All too often there can be the beginning of an issue that a man simply has no symptoms of, but a blood test could signal to the doctor that further testing is needed. If you're over 50 and haven't had a physical yet, then schedule one this month!  Getting regular exercise and eating healthy is also important but it's also hard to do when you are busy with work or travel.  Products that can help keep you strong and healthy and that are made with premium ingredients are worth making a part of your daily routine. CareFast® Products collection of nutritional supplements and protein powders offers Complete Meal and Perfect 10 which are great options for men to include in their healthy eating plans.  Complete Meal is a meal replacement that contains 30 grams of protein per serving and essential vitamins and minerals as well as a probiotic and enzyme blend to support healthy digestion.  PERFECT 10 is a perfectly balanced blend of protein, heart-healthy lipids, and low-glycemic fiber to support healthy inflammation and maintain optimal nutrition and support cardiovascular health and healthy circulation. So take the time this month to make the annual exam appointment, get the bloodwork done and know where your levels stand.  It's never too late to be in the know, especially when it comes to your health and healthy aging.

Most people have probably heard that getting 10 minutes of sunlight per day is good for your health so that you are not deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is the Sunshine vitamin and you do need small to moderate doses to keep your immune system's defenses strong.  Current guidelines recommend that 600-800 IUs (international units) per day is sufficient for adults. Not getting enough can have negative health effects since vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium which is necessary for strong bones and development in children. In later adulthood, deficiency can lead to conditions such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. Fragile bones can increase your risk of fracture later in life- hips and pelvic.  Your body makes vitamin D when exposed to the UVB rays of the sun. Some people do not go outside enough to get adequate amounts and where you live affects the sunlight exposure during the darker winter months for people in the Northern latitudes. Also, sunscreens and protective clothing with SPF can block your skin's absorption of the sun's rays. So, eating a healthy diet and taking Vitamin D supplements can ensure that you maintain healthy recommended daily intake amounts.  Vitamin D can also be found naturally in a variety of foods such as dairy products, fortified juices & foods, fatty fish (salmon/tuna/trout/sardines), cereals, yogurt, egg yolks, cheese, and mushrooms. Supplements from CareFast® Products such as Immunity Builder or the Nanocelle D3 +K2 are great options to incorporate Vitamin D.  Immunity Builder combines Vitamins D, C, B6, Zinc, and L-Lysine for overall immune system support. The Nanocelle D3 + K2- delivers nanocelle particles that pass directly into your system to improve absorption and bioavailability.     To maintain optimal health, it's important to engage in regular physical activity, spend time outdoors, and consume a diverse array of foods rich in vitamins. Additionally, selecting high-quality health supplements can help ensure that you meet your daily vitamin and mineral intake requirements.

Did you know that every person has billions of bacteria living in their gut at any given time? Despite what most people think, a majority of this bacteria is known as “good” bacteria and will play a vital role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and metabolism.