Charlotte, NC - Americans are suffering the health effects of an increasingly stressful world these days and at the same time feeling the need to take new efforts to detoxify from the effects of their unhealthy lifestyles.

To that end, a Charlotte woman has created the world’s first ready-to-drink, all natural Detox and Fasting beverage, Simplifast™ "It is a ‘first of its kind’,” says founder Dianna Toomey, “because it is ready to drink, no mixing or kits required, and it very tasty, to boot!”

The Healthy Home Markets (formerly ‘Home Economist’) will host Toomey for special tasting events of Simplifast™ on November 15 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at their store located at 5410 East Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28212

Toomey, Inventor and President of Fast-Ade Beverage Company, spent two years of research, including a month in Thailand to find the best possible ingredients for creating Simplifast™. It is all natural, no preservatives, sugar, artificial colors and flavors. It is high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Toomey says more people are learning the real benefits of detoxing and cleansing the body. “People are thrilled with their increased energy levels, reduced allergy symptoms, weight loss, improved digestive function, reduced joint aches & pains and much more,” she said.

Participants in the initial test study lost over eight pounds. They also noticed immediate positive responses in their body that translated into permanent life-changing habits through food awareness, changes in cravings and many health benefits.

Toomey’s professional background includes working for several high profile and national spas. She had the opportunity to research and purchase many products over the years, but never found a fasting / detox program she felt comfortable with. “I am hypoglycemic, so most all of the detox products I tried left me dizzy or sick, and I ended up having to quit” said Toomey.

“We feel highly confident we have created an incredible new beverage solution that takes into account quality, convenience and most importantly – results” said Toomey, “The initial feedback and interest has been overwhelming, so much so we have

Whether it's detoxification or vitamin D that interests you, water purification or weight loss, this weekend's Vancouver Health Show will be a veritable buffet of information for the health conscious among us.

Now in its 18th year, the Health Show has seen trends and fads come and go, but the widespread interest in health and well-being has never waned.

This year, the ideas creating the biggest buzz involve detoxification and water purification, says Virginia Ritchie, director of the show.

"Everybody's saying 'Well, it's great that we can take all these supplements and all these vitamins, but our water isn't balanced and so we need better water to be taking these things with.'"

Water filtration systems will have a significant presence at this year's show, as will exhibitors showing off a variety of vitamins, detox aids, and skin care products. Yoga studios, wellness centres, and chiropractors will also be setting up booths for the two-day show, which takes place at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show also offers a long list of seminars, with keynote speaker Sam Graci appearing Saturday afternoon. Graci is a nutrition consultant, researcher and best-selling author who came up with the hot-selling formula for Greens+ more than 15 years ago. He will be speaking about energy-boosting foods and the importance of full-body detoxification.

The other seminars focus on topics such as the importance of vitamin D, fish oils, weight loss and how to improve your skin and mood.

Ritchie says about 13,000 people attend the show over two days and spend several hours attending the seminars and checking out the exhibitors.

"The show is a format for consumers to go and see all the different things that are available to them and make educated, intelligent choices that are individual to their own health needs," she says.

"We are much more empowered, intelligent consumers now, who are very clear on our own responsibility for our health."

The Vancouver Health Show takes place today and Sunday. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors.

aobrian@vancouversun.com

"I'm president of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli!" proclaimed George H.W. Bush in a 1990 news conference. America's 41st president disdained broccoli so much that he banned the vegetable from the White House menu.

Now 84, Bush may live to regret his broccoli bullying. New scientific evidence suggests that a chemical in broccoli may rejuvenate the immune system enough to ward off common diseases of aging.

At the University of California-Los Angeles, Andre Nel and colleagues recently discovered that sulforaphane, a phytonutrient in broccoli, activates antioxidant pathways at the cellular level.

"This is a radical new way of thinking about how to increase the immune function of elderly people to possibly protect against viral infections and cancer," Nel says.

Injected into the dendritic cells (immune cells in the skin) of old mice, the sulforaphane flipped on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes sufficiently to fight free radicals of oxygen to a standstill. The immune responsiveness of the old mice rose to that of young mice in the study. The researchers believe that broccoli may protect the immune system from such common accompaniments of aging as cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint diseases and diabetes.

"We have known for some time that free radicals are important in aging," says Nel. "But most of the past attention has focused on mechanisms that produce free radicals rather than addressing the pathways used by the body to suppress their production." Free radicals are everywhere in our body; they help kill off intracellular bacteria, but they also interact with DNA, leading to diseases such as cancer.

The sulforaphane in broccoli and other members of the cabbage family also protects against cancer via another mechanism. In the liver, it induces the production of enzymes that detoxify carcinogenic substances.

Understanding molecular pathways is vital in unraveling the mysteries of aging. But it may be just as wise to reassess the love-hate relationship Americans have with broccoli. The aroma it gives off while cooking puts some off, but broccoli contains so many traditional nutrients and bioactive compounds that it deserves a high ranking on anyone's must-eat list.

Broccoli has a ripple effect on the body, revitalizing the immune system, the brain, and bones, says dietitian Suzanne Moorse. She believes that Nel's study, published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, will kick off more research on the nutritional power of broccoli. Every vegetable has its own unique set of benefits for the body, she says, but broccoli seems to contain hundreds of vital nutrients.

"I would guess that this study is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the wonderful things broccoli and its vegetable friends can do for us," she said. For now, experts suggest a steady diet of cruciferous veggies — cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, as well as broccoli — for a healthy immune system.

(ARA) - Image is everything for a lot of guys. Whether you want to look good for a date, impress the ladies at the nightclub or present a professional image in the workplace, the last thing you need is for a pimple to appear on your face.

Whether you're 25 or 45, it's bound to happen though. Just by their very nature, guys are prone to pimples. They spend a lot of time at the gym, which is a hot, humid environment; and they're pretty active so they sweat a lot. When sweat combines with skin oils, dirt and bacteria get trapped in the pores, often leading to blackheads and pimples.

But there are things you can do to minimize the appearance of facial blemishes. If you aren't doing so already, take these preventive measures:

* Drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated (drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily) helps detoxify the body from the inside out.

* Exercise regularly.

This will increase blood circulation and oxygen flow to the skin, which may help with acne prevention.

* Shower immediately after sweating.

This will prevent dirt and bacteria that gets trapped in the pores from turning into pimples.

Even if you follow this process religiously, there always seem to be some pimples you can't prevent. Once those appear, you may be tempted to slather on creams and gels. Yet often times these determined pimples seem almost topical resistant. Even the best known topical brands are inconvenient to use, seem to take a long time to penetrate into the skin, and can often lead to discoloration or irritation.

Prominent dermatologists have found that the most effective way to treat acne is with heat, a practice almost as old as time. Today the celebrity jet setters use 'laser', 'light', or the latest, Thermal Pulse Technology, to improve the skin clearing effects of heat. But it all started centuries ago when people would travel to volcanic sulfer springs and submerge their bodies in the hot water to cure their acne. People don't do that anymore, but in Russia, teenagers have been known to place extinguished cigarette butts on their pimples to make them go away. In Argentina, they'll rub a ring until it gets warm then place it on the blemish.

"We have things a lot easier here in the United States," says Luiz Da Silva, inventor of ThermaClear, an FDA-cleared professional grade medical device that's now approved for personal in-home use. "We've been able to take the tried and true anti-bacterial benefit of heat and improve its effect and application using highly advanced pulse technology similar to laser. The result - faster, clearer skin at the touch of a button. It's truly amazing."

What makes ThermaClear so effective is its proprietary Thermal Pulse Technology that neutralizes acne causing bacteria, using a unique "Two Second" treatment application time. The device is able to quickly treat visible surface blemishes, as well as those blemishes that are beginning to form deep down under the skin, and neutralize them before they ever surface.

To use, simply turn on the device, place the treatment tip on your pimple and press the pulse button to send healing thermal energy directly where the bacteria is forming. "This neutralizes the bacteria so it ceases to multiply, and allows your body to win the war against the blemish. Treatment time is only two seconds per pimple," says Da Silva.

In an FDA-reviewed clinical study, ThermaClear was proven to treat pimples quickly, safely and effectively, clearing pimples in as little as 24 hours. Available without a prescription for home use, ThermaClear gives you a fast, easy and affordable professional grade treatment for pimples and breakouts. And unlike those old-fashioned treatments, you don't have to keep buying a new supply or new expensive components every few weeks, since this device can be used over and over again without any monthly tip replacement.

Log on to www.acneheattreatment.com for more information about the device or to place an order.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tammy Koby, 44, hadn't felt healthy in a long time. She was bogged down and overweight. Within a period of just a few years, doctors diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, liver problems, and Type 2 diabetes.

She wanted a holistic solution, but the Main Line resident said her doctors focused solely on treating her individual symptoms.

Then a friend through MySpace recommended the Master Cleanse diet. After doing her own research, Koby decided to try it.

It would require a 10-day regimen of nothing but nightly laxative teas, morning cups of Epsom salts, and glasses of a lemon-juice, cayenne-pepper and maple-syrup mixture.

Three weeks later, she can't wait to do it again.

The Master Cleanse diet - developed in the 1940s by Stanley Burroughs - is one of many detoxification regimens on the market. While each has different dietary requirements, all promise to improve health, increase vitality, and help you lose weight by removing impurities from your lungs, skin and colon.

And they're increasingly popular.

Svelte celebrities such as Beyoncé Knowles and Gwyneth Paltrow are said to detox-diet. Alumni, such as Koby, experience an "indescribable increase in energy" after the diet. And many books feature pictures (yes, pictures) of what can be eliminated from your colon - everything from sludge to parasites.

At the extreme end of the detoxification diet continuum are water diets and the Master Cleanse. On the other side: diets based on vegetable juice or raw foods.

Ultimately, these all are designed to expunge toxins from the body and give the colon a break from the prepackaged foods that make up the typical American diet, writes Roni DeLuz, author of 21 Pounds in 21 Days.

But some dietitians say the body doesn't need a break.

"I think a lot of people are on these diets because of the media exposure," said Stella Volpe, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. "People are hearing that they need to cleanse, but ironically, our bodies do that on their own. That is the primary function of our liver and kidneys."

Amy Virus, registered dietitian and president of the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association, agreed.

"You don't have to clean your digestive tract like you clean your carburetor," Virus said.

But the devotees - those who have a stake in the success of the detox market - say mainstream medicine pooh-poohs practices that follow untraditional methods.

Tom Woloshyn, author of The Complete Master Cleanse, tells his readers to distrust advice from the medical community. Peter Glickman, author of Lose Weight, Have More Energy, & Be Happier in 10 Days, says physicians aren't receptive to New Age healing methods. And DeLuz believes a sick clientele is economically fruitful for doctors.

So whom should you trust?

There have been no reputable medical studies on detoxification diets. For the most part, the detox dieting books root evidence in testimonials.

For example, Glickman writes that parasites are "more widespread than most people know."

"When did we all get parasites in our intestines?" Volpe said. "Those claims are not true."

Detox diets, she said, "go against everything we know to be healthy. We really need to be nourishing ourselves with food, not without."

Of course, most people associate diets with denial, and nothing achieves rapid weight loss like laying off solid food. That means people looking to drop a few fast pounds flock to diets like these.

But when the body is deprived of energy, it goes into starvation mode and breaks down muscle and fat tissue, Virus said. Because muscle is more metabolically active than fat, this type of diet actually hurts long-term weight-loss goals.

"A lot of us want to see rapid changes and immediate progress," Volpe said. "People are forgetting how long it took them to gain the weight in the first place."

Glenn Staub started doing the Master Cleanse 30 years ago and averages three a year. While some see the diet as a fad, he believes it helps people rethink their approach to food.

"The weight loss can be an incentive to improve your diet, but not the sole motivator," Staub said. "People who do the Master Cleanse to lose weight either don't finish or get discouraged when they regain some of the weight after the diet."

Ultimately, Volpe said, "any diet that says you should stop eating anything should be avoided" because a strict, unvaried diet does not provide the spectrum of nutrients and vitamins necessary for various metabolic processes.