Here is some great information from the NOF.

Who
is at Risk?
Age is an important risk factor. Everyone, both men and women, loses bone strength as they grow older. Women have higher risk for osteoporosis than men do as women often have smaller, thinner frames. Women also are affected by the change-of-life, known as menopause.

After menopause, women produce less of a hormone called estrogen. Estrogen helps protect women against bone loss.

What
is fracture risk?

The Achilles provides information about your own risk of bone fracture in the same way as a cholesterol test indicates risk of a heart attack. A diagnosis of osteoporosis cannot predict a bone fracture, just as high cholesterol cannot predict a heart attack. Instead, it means that the risk of having a fracture is higher than that for normal bones. Achilles results combined with other factors give your overall risk of fracture. Knowing your risk of fracture is important. There are a number of ways to prevent osteoporosis, and to reduce your risk of fracture. Your doctor may suggest a number of steps including exercise, changes in diet, hormone therapy, or other medicines known to build bone strength.

What is a T-score?

Your T-score is a comparison between your bone density to that of a “young adult” reference population at peak bone density. A T-score of -1 represents a roughly 16% decrease in bone density from the “young adult” reference population.

Your Z-score is a comparison between your bone density to that of other people your age and gender. A Z-score of -1 represents a roughly 16% decrease in bone density from other people your age and
gender.

Wherecan I get more information aboutbone
measurements and osteoporosis?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is one of the leading sources of information about osteoporosis and bone measurements.

Contact
the NOF:

National Osteoporosis Foundation
1232 22nd Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1202
(202) 223-2226
(800) 231-4222

www.nof.org

Like other organs in the body, bones are constantly changing. Throughout childhood and young adulthood, bones grow in strength and in size. Around the age of 30, bones reach their peak strength and then naturally become weaker with age. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak to the point of breaking. This weakening may be due to aging, or caused by other factors that combine with age. Symptoms of osteoporosis do not occur until a lot of bone strength is lost. The most visible symptoms may include loss of height, along with curvature of the upper back. Osteoporosis also can result in a crippling and painful fracture, occurring most often in the hip, back, or wrist.

Important Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• female

• advanced age

• history of bone fracture

• a small thin frame

• a family history of

osteoporosis

• removal of the ovaries

• early menopause

• a low calcium diet

• lack of exercise

• eating disorders

• certain medicines

(such as steroids or

anticonvulsants)

• alcohol and tobacco use

How does the Achilles work?

The Achilles passes ultrasound through the heel. The heel is measured because its bone is similar to that found in the spine and hip, where osteoporotic fractures occur most. Ultrasound does not travel well through air. Therefore, during an Achilles test, warm water fills membranes that contact your heel to provide a path for the ultrasound energy to follow. Isopropyl alcohol is used to provide coupling between your heel and the membranes.

What can I expect during my Achilles test?

The Achilles test requires a bare foot. Remove your sock, stocking, or panty hose. An Achilles test takes about 1 minute. During the test, keep your heel as still as possible for best results.

Is the Achilles test safe?

Yes. The Achilles is approved by regulatory agencies.

Caution: Avoid Achilles tests if you have a sore on your heel or sole. Please tell the health care professional operating the Achilles of any such problems to help prevent transmission of an infection.

What information will Achilles give my doctor?

The Achilles is an aid to doctors in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The Achilles test compares your bone density to that of a “young adult” at peak bone strength (T-score). It also compares your results to people of your same age, called “age-matched” (Z-score). The risk of osteoporotic fracture falls into three categories:*

*The World Health Organization has developed categories that define
the amount of

bone loss such as
Normal: a T-score above -1;
Low bone mass: a T-score between -1
and -2.5; Osteoporotic: a T score less than -2.5.

Relative Fracture Risk T-score

Low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . above –1

Medium . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1 to –2.5

High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . below –2.5

This information, along with other factors, will help your doctor to gauge your risk of osteoporotic fracture and what course of action should be taken.

What is the next step if I am found to be at risk?

Based upon your Achilles results and other factors, your doctor may suggest a follow-up DXA scan. A DXA scan is a painless test performed on an x-ray densitometer that takes only minutes, and measures your bone mineral density and body fat distribution. Information from a DXA scan can provide your doctor with valuable information to aid in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

SEE YOU AT VitaZen!

APril 2013 Schedule TCV

The Centre at VitaZen
12787 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite 103 (rear entrance)
Hardy, VA 24101
540-721-9365
www.TheCentreAtVitaZen.com

This year’s cruise is a 7 night cruise to Bermuda
and sets sail out of Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, October 25th 2013.
Oceanview Staterooms start at $594, Inside Staterooms start at $535
and Balcony Rooms start at $1019 (all prices are per person).
As an added incentive you will receive a $75 per stateroom on board credit.

We are working on an awesome yoga class schedule for this cruise.
We will be offering up to 12 free private classes (for our group)!
We will keep you updated as details become available.

Mary Anne Kauffman & Associates (A Cruise One Dream Vacation Specialist)
are setting up this wonder cruise for us.
Check out their website (acruise4you.biz) for more details on cruising.

Glenda and I are looking forward to enjoying this late fall vacation to the beautiful Island of Bermuda
and would like to invite all over our current and future friends to join us on this vacation
of a life-time! And a little (or lot) of yoga too!

So call Mary
Anne (540-525-2004) today!

Join us on the pink sands of Bermuda!

Our Hardy Honey is a huge hit every year, with people consuming it for allergy control, its nutrient rich properties and just because it is quite possibly the best tasting raw honey in the Smith Mountain Lake Region! Swing by VitaZen today to pick up your local honey. We are at 12787 Booker T Washington Hwy. Hardy, VA in between Grand Furniture Outlet and BB&T Bank (Next to Sherwin Williams). We can be reached at 540-721-9365.

This years Hardy Honey is now in stock! Hardy honey is the BEST LOCAL HONEY at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. So stop by and stock up. VitaZen now carries 3 sizes (12oz honey bear, 1lb and 2.5lbs).

VitaZen still has lots of Hardy Honey. This is the perfect honey for everyone in the Smith Mountain Area (from Martinsville to Bedford and from Lynchburg to Roanoke)! Helps boost the Immune System, keeps allergies in check and TASTE AWESOME!

We are cruising out of Baltimore this year.cThe 7 night cruise sets sail on October 25th and will be going to Bermuda on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. Join us for more details on this years cruise. You don’t have to be a yogi or even a VitaZen Customer! Just be here on Friday March 1st to here all about it. Anyone can tke advantage of this great offer, whether you live at Smith Moutain Lake or not. If you cant make it Call Mary Anne for more info. 540-525-2004!

Anyone signing up on cruise night will receive

* FREE 10 pack of yoga tickets

* $75 On Board Credit (one per cabin)

Cuise Night at The Centre
Friday March 1st at 6:00pm
The Centre at VitaZen
12787 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite 103
Hardy, VA 24101
540-721-9365

This months promo:
BioNutrition Cholesterol Wellness
50% OFF!

All you have to do is redeem 100 Karma Kard Points!  Don’t have a Karma Kard?  It is FREE!  So, if you live in the Smith Mountain Lake, VA stop by VitaZen and sign up today.

VitaZen
12787 Booker T Washington Hwy.
Suite 103
Hardy, VA 24101
540-721-9365

Healthy Resolutions 

1. Eat 1 more serving vegetables per day, five days a week.
2. When you eat out, order water to drink (just part of the time!)
3. Exercise 30 minutes more per week than you already do. This doesn’t sound like much, but it will get the ball rolling.
4. “Sit in Silence” start your day off with just 2-3 minutes of sitting in silence. Use this time to reflect on the positive things in your life.
5. Be kind to others! Sounds kind of silly for a resolution, but the inner peace it brings you will pay off ten fold.
6. Watch 1 hour less television per week. Use the time to read. This will exercise and expand your mind!
7. Get your annual physical. It is hard to measure progress if you don’t know where you stand.
8. Recycle your metal cans and plastic bottles. 
9. Start using stainless steel water bottles. No waste & no chemical leaching into your water. This will also make #8 less work:)!
10. Take your vitamins (I almost forgot this one!).

These are just a few ideas for easily obtainable New Year’s Resolutions. Chose one or two, don’t be an over achiever, chose them all, not complete them, & give up! Stick with the one or two you chose. You can always have a mid-year goal; there are no rules against it!

may your new year be healthy & prosperous,

Brett

Wine contains phytochemical, plant derived chemicals. Flavonoids are the class of nutrients in wine that have a large array of potential health benefits, ranging from heart health to potential anti cancer benefits.

 Potential Health Benefits

• Prevent cancer causing hormones from attaching to normal cells
• Help lower the risk of breast cancer
• Help protect against heart disease & strokes
• Chemical detoxifying properties
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Helps metabolize cholesterol (Lowering overall cholesterol levels)
• And many more potential health properties are being studied every day 

Moderate consumption of wine seems to have many positive benefits when it comes to your health. One often overlooked benefit is the process of sitting down, relaxing and enjoying that evening glass of wine. Taking time to reflect on the day and unwind. 

What if you don’t drink? You can purchase a supplemental version of the active ingredients at your local health store. Most are marketed under the “Resveratrol” name. The Resveratrol Formula’s contain resveratrol (a tannin of the flavonoid family), red wine extract, and grape seed extract. This provides a safe effective, alcohol free alternative for those of us who aren’t wine drinkers.