Monthly Archives: December 2019

Most Read Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Articles of 2019

Most Read Articles of 2019Susan Brown Health and Wellness Editor

Season’s Greetings from Professional Supplement Center! As 2019 comes to a close, we would like to extend our appreciation to our loyal customers and our weekly Your Good Health Newsletter subscribers. With every edition, we strive to provide articles of interest, that not only inform and enlighten, but deliver current content to help support our customers’ health and lifestyle objectives. As we all gear up for our individual wellness and fitness goals for 2020, we pledge to continue to provide useful information, as we believe that achieving and maintaining good health is much more challenging without proper knowledge and support.

We hope you look forward to receiving our informative newsletter each week. If you do not currently receive our Your Good Health newsletter, sign up by clicking here: http://www.professionalsupplementcenter.com/  Then simply scroll down to Sign Up and & Save and enter your email address. In addition to the newsletter, signing up keeps you in the know on new and current products, and entitles you to receive special offers, coupons, and subscriber-only sales promotions. As well, subscribers are automatically entered in our monthly drawing where three lucky winners each receive a $100 gift certificate to Professional Supplement Center.

The entire team at Professional Supplement Center extends our warmest wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday season along with our hopes for good health, happiness and prosperity in 2020! The following links will take you to the most widely read Your Good Health newsletter articles and blog posts of 2019:

Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss:

The Surprising Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed with Weight Loss?

Proper Nutrients for Healthy Brain Aging

Seniors, Strength Training and Protein Intake

Goodbye Paleo – Hello Keto?

Exercise and Fitness:

The True Value of Exercise

For The Love of Your Heart, Exercise!

Maintaining Life Quality with Aging

Good Reasons to Add Strength Training to Your Exercise Routine

Chronic Pain? Yoga May Help

 Overall Wellness:

Restorative Sleep and Brain Health

Maintaining Life Quality with Aging

Sleep, There’s a Time for Everything

Stress: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

To Maintain Health, Protect the Gut Barrier

Health Information:

Are “Health” and “Wellness” The Same?

Neurotransmitters – The Great Communicators

What is Inflammaging?

Does BMI Still Matter?

Think Twice Before Gifting a Pet for The Holidays

Think Twice Before Gifting a PetSusan Brown Health and Wellness Editor

What could be more fun than waking up to find a new furry family member waiting to be discovered? There are many reasons why people like the idea of gifting a pet — a youngster may be begging for a puppy or a kitten, you may think your aging relative or neighbor could use some companionship or you just can’t resist the tug on the heartstrings when there are so many shelter animals in need of a loving, forever home. One can surely imagine the sweetness of the moment upon discovery of a baby animal wrapped up in a bow. While adopting a pet is in itself a wonderful idea, there’s much to consider before bringing what should become a lifelong family member into your own household much less someone else’s.

Animal welfare organizational policies state that surprising someone with an animal at any time, especially during the holidays, may simply be an emotional decision rather than a rational choice. Adding an animal companion to the family is a decision that requires sincere heartfelt and financial commitment for the life of the pet. Even though the adorable photo opportunity may be delightful, that happiness may be fleeting as the reality of pet ownership sets in. Experts disagree on the pros and cons of surprise pet gifting, as it does have the potential to backfire when not done with care, preparation and consideration.

When considering surprising your family with a pet, be prepared to be the pet’s primary caregiver. It would appear that the only time pet gifting is actually appropriate is when you are the person taking responsibility for the pet. With the exception of young children, those receiving the pet should be physically willing and able to meet the demands of pet ownership. As well, one must be prepared for the additional costs of adopting a pet, as the animal’s welfare, comfort and security must be the top priority. Chosen pets should be healthy, socialized, have the right temperament and be the appropriate size and breed for the receivers’ lifestyle.

Before you make a pet a part of the family, be sure that everyone truly desires to share their home, time and life with a pet. With the exception of immediate family, always ask the gift recipient directly to be sure your gift is actually a good idea. While a surprise may feel more festive, you’ll want to be sure your gift has a happy ending for all. Once a decision is made to provide a pet with a forever home, and you’ve decided on the type and breed of pet, and you’ve determined that a pet is wanted and warranted:

  • With the exception of parents who have decided to surprise their child or children with a pet, no pet should come as a complete surprise to the recipient. Gifting a pet to someone within your own household must be done thoughtfully and responsibly.
  • Avoid impulsive decisions when it comes to pet gifting. As the holidays are an unusually hectic time, consider waiting until after the holidays to adopt so you have time to devote to helping the pet adjust to the new environment. If the family is really ready to commit to a pet, wrap a leash and collar and perhaps a book on dog or cat breeds and give that as your present. Then, do your research, get all the supplies you need and head down to the local shelter with the family to choose and welcome the right pet for you or your loved ones. Choosing a pet that fits your lifestyle is a personal decision, as the bond between owner and pet can develop very quickly.
  • If you are determined to gift a pet, consider giving a shelter gift certificate that covers adoption fees. This will allow the new owners time to adequately prepare for a new arrival, as well as determine when they can accompany you to the shelter and allows the recipient to choose the proper pet companion themselves.
  • When purchasing a pet for your own household, avoid online sellers, classified ads and pet shops. These often very expensive pets are generally sourced from commercial breeding mills with unethical or questionable practices that put profit over animal welfare. Puppy and kitten mills are simply breeding grounds with animals housed in cramped, shockingly poor conditions, without medical care or any hope of love or freedom.
  • Those seeking a purebred pet should research reputable breeders who care enough about their dogs to vet buyers and sell directly to owners, not pet shops. Be sure to thoroughly research the breed before purchasing to ensure compatibility with the family, the size of your home and your ability to meet the needs of the breed.
  • Adopt from the local animal shelter or a rescue organization. Shelters and rescue groups are regularly overflowing with happy, healthy, often housebroken and crate trained pets that have been abandoned or surrendered through no fault of their own. Shelter animals are vetted for health and behavioral issues, are typically spayed or neutered and are given required vaccinations.
  • When you adopt a pet from a local shelter, you not only save a life but are also helping to put unscrupulous puppy mills out of business. Adopting a shelter pet not only rescues your pet but makes room for another to have a second chance. Plus adoption fees go directly to the shelter to help care for the animals taken in.
  • Non-profit animal rescue organizations specialize in matching adoptable animals with owners. These animals are often rescued from high-kill shelters and are placed with foster families until ready for adoption. Expect to be thoroughly vetted by these high standard groups and consider fostering the pet before adopting to ensure it’s the right pet for you or your family.
  • Consider adopting an older or mature pet with an established temperament. Senior pets make excellent companions for the young and elderly alike. Many adopters of mature pets claim that the pets know they have been saved and, as such, are deeply grateful to their rescuers and reward them with their faithfulness, comfort and emotional support.

There’s good reason why dogs are deemed “man’s best friend,” as humans are naturally drawn to their companionship. In addition to unconditional love, pets have been shown to be emotionally, physically and psychologically beneficial to their owners. While some believe that dogs are more affectionate, studies show that cats remember kindness and often return the favor. Cats have a reputation for being aloof, but actually make quite good, easy care companions. Petting a cat has a positive calming effect that helps to lower their humans’ stress and anxiety levels. Whether one decides to make a permanent commitment to provide a home to a dog, a cat or both, the mutually beneficial health benefits positively affect one’s overall mental and physical wellbeing.

References:
Holiday pet adoptions present challenges for shelters, families. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-pets-in-shelters-st-1212-20161212-story.html
The Holidays Are a Good Time to Adopt Pets-and a Lousy Time to Give Them. https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/12/22/you-shouldnt-give-a-pet-for-christmas-but-adoption-is-great/
Top reasons to adopt a pet. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/top-reasons-adopt-pet

DesBio-Deseret Biologicals – Featured Brand

DesBioSusan Brown Health and Wellness Editor

Professional Supplement Center now offers DesBio, a professional line of effective synergistic homeopathic, nutritional and botanical products. Developed by world-class medical experts, DesBio formulas are designed to deliver the latest in integrative medicine. Products are manufactured according to strict manufacturing practices (cGMPs) in routinely audited FDA-registered facilities, ensuring that rigorous quality and safety standards are met. Raw materials, sourced from qualified ethical suppliers worldwide, are inspected and quarantined until all identity and quality tests are complete.

Continuing research assures the latest technology is utilized to enhance bioavailability, as well as realize the highest level of efficacious bioactive compounds. Finished product testing ensures purity, safety, and the absence of heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs. Homeopathic products are tested according to the German Pharmacopoeia, an international standard adopted by U.S. Homeopathic manufacturers. Any water used in the manufacturing processes is subjected to microbiological and purified water testing according to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards.

To view the line of DesBio products, please visit professionalsupplementcenter.com

ThyroSynThyro-Syn: This nutraceutical formulation provides glandulars, nutrients and botanicals for targeted support of the thyroid and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. As part of the neuroendocrine system, thyroid homeostasis is responsible for metabolism regulation, and contributes to a healthy stress response. Ingredients include milk thistle, selenium, ashwagandha and bovine glandular extracts.

HGH Vitality™HGH Vitality™: This homeopathic formulation is specifically designed to temporarily relieve age-related symptoms of fatigue, minor joint pain and muscle soreness. An alternative to traditional hormone replacement, HGH Vitality™ supports and enhances pituitary gland function, optimizes HGH production and stimulates cell production and growth without side effects.

Intestinal RestoreIntestinal Restore: This multifaceted powdered supplement provides support for intestinal integrity and digestive health. Ingredients include Tegricel® colostrum, a source of serum antibodies and immunoglobulins that support healthy immune function; glutamine for cellular regeneration of the intestinal wall; digestive enzymes to encourage healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients; and additional ingredients that soothe and support the health and healing of the intestinal wall.

Please note: As DesBio products are available solely through licensed healthcare professionals, a free consultation with one of our healthcare practitioners is required prior to purchasing.