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Recent research has found at least 70% of American children are extrememly low of vitamin D, and in fact 50-75% of ALL Americans do not get enough of this crucial nutrient.
Low vitamin D has long been associated with bone problems such as osteoporosis and rickets, but newer research is now indicating a link with several cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and even conditions like infertility, memory loss and weight.
In keeping with the latest research findings, Shaklee has increased the amount of vitamin D present in its Vita-Lea multivitamins, including Vitalizer and the children’s chewable Incredivites. Since many Americans only get a fraction of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D through food, it is all the more important to make up the difference through supplementation.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: health, multivitamins, nutrients, nutrition, Shaklee, supplements, vitamins, wellness
Despite recent economic woes, sales of vitamins and nutritional supplements have increased. For many people, a trip to the doctor or filling a prescription is too costly. So, consumers are turning to preventive measures to keep themselves healthy. It has been said that for every $1 spent on supplements, one is saving approximately $28 in healthcare costs down the road–no small change, for sure!
Not too long ago, the Washington Post reported on dietician Danielle Omar, who was attempting to create a diet that met the government guidelines for daily nutritional standards, without the aid of a daily multivitamin. When all was said and done, Omar concluded that supplementation is wise.
For one thing, our food supply is not as nutritionally dense as it was several decades ago. In an era of convenience, people turn to more prepared items and processed foods. Even our fruits & vegetables contain less nutrients than before, due in part to a decrease in soil quality and agricultural practices. The best insurance to getting adequate nutrients and minerals is a balanced diet partnered with a quality food-based multi.
Not All Multis Are Equal!
If you take vitamins, have you ever given much thought to what goes in to them, or how they are manufactured?
There are 3 types of vitamins. The first are test tube or synthetic vitamins, typically found in the drug store aisle. These are man-made, contain inorganic substances, have no enzymes, and may even contain stimulants or cause side effects. (Doesn’t sound like something I want to put in my body!)
The second category are formed with isolates or extracts, often found in a health food store. Though weak, these contain some enzymes. However, they may also use chemical or heat extraction methods, which degrade the quality of the nutrients. They do contain organic substances, though generally low quality raw materials. They often still contain harsh binders and fillers. Labeling can be misleading: these types of supplements need only contain 10% of natural ingredients to be classified as containing *natural ingredients*!
The third category is the most beneficial, because the nutrients are in a natural or unaltered state. They present a strong enzymatic action, and are produced via a low heat and low pressure process. The organic substances used are of the highest quality raw materials, and because they are as close to nature as possible, they feed and improve cell health.
The previous 2 categories of vitamins are classified by the USFDA as *drugs*; whole food supplements are classified as *food*. Now which type do you think the body better processes: synthetic nutrients created in a laboratory, or whole food nutrients? The answer should be obvious!
Many brands of multis will also skimp on the more *expensive* vitamins, like the B vitamins biotin and folic acid. In fact, when I looked at the majority of multi labels in the drug store, all but one contained 10% of the DV for biotin, which is a catalyst for energy production!
In 2002, the American Medical Association revised its position on multivitamins. Previously they maintained that having a balanced healthy diet was enough to consume adequate daily nutrients and minerals. They now state that regardless of age, health concerns or activity, everyone should take a multivitamin.
In addition to that multi, there are times when additional supplementation may be necessary. We are often deficient in one area or another. For a free self-assessment to determine where to start supplementing, send an email to HealthByNature@Shaklee.net with *wellness profile* in the subject field.
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People often ask me, “How do you do organic with a family of 5?” To that, I say, “I don’t.”
Much as I would like to be able to 100% shop organic, let’s face it, it’s expensive and not readily available. One thing to take into account is that organic doesn’t *necessarily* mean better. One needs to look at other factors; for example, sometimes choosing local over organic.
First, consider what your family uses a lot of. When we started switching to organic, we began with milk, eggs, and apples. Next, refer to the *dirty dozen* list. This is the top 12 foods that are most likely to retain pesticide residue. You can print a handy list of the dirty dozen and keep it in your purse or wallet: http://www.foodnews.org/ (There’s even an iPhone app of the list!)
Certain fruits & vegetables tend to *not* have pesticide residue, such as bananas, avocados, onions, broccoli, asparagus, mangoes, kiwi and pineapple. With these, buy conventional if you like. Next, fruits & veggies which are in season tend to be cheaper, so plan your menus around what’s in season. In summer, the farmer’s market brings you lovely local produce at great prices. This also helps minimize the environmental impact, since your produce will not be using fuel and energy to be shipped cross-sountry.
Private label organics also tent to be cheaper, since they cut out the middle man. More and more chain stores are creating an organic line. We like Dominick’s/Safeway’s O Organics, and Trader Joe’s organics are often cheaper than the conventional counterparts found at the larger chain grocers.
Small changes can make a big impact–on your health, your wallet, and the environment. Don’t feel like you have to take an all-or-none approach. Change comes about one step at a time!
Filed under: health, natural, nutrition, weight management, wellness | Tags: cooking, health, splenda, sucralose, sugar, wellness
Alternative Isn’t Always Better
My latest aggravation in my grocery shopping experience is *hidden* artificial sweeteners. Look closely at those items that claim *light* or *no added sugar* and often you’ll find the sweetener sucralose, often by its brand name *Splenda*. Sometimes the Splenda brand-name symbol adorns the package, other times it may list sucralose in the ingredients.
Splenda’s marketing slogan is deceptive: “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar.” Although Splenda does start off from a sugar molecule, the finished product is far from natural. Sadly, our short-sightedness when it comes to dieting in this country prevents many people from really investigating what they are consuming, and products with artificial sweeteners are often consumed in high daily quantities.
In a nutshell, Splenda is a synthesized chemical. A molecule of sugar is chlorinated by removing 3 hydroxyl groups (atoms made up of hydrogen and oxygen) and replaced with 3 chlorine atoms. This makes Splenda hard for the body to metabolize or digest, and so it is mostly *passed* through one’s system intact.
If you visit the Splenda homepage, you’ll even find the company state: “Although sucralose has a structure like sugar and a sugar-like taste, it is not natural.” That about does it for me. Interstingly, there were no long-term studies to determine sucralose’s safety prior to the FDA approving it as a food additive. Even more interesting is now the herb stevia was just recently approved, even though there was no chemical manipulation to produce it. How long did people consume saccharin before it was discovered that it carried potential health risks? Will Spenda see a similar fate in the future? Only time will tell.
I am a big believer in moderation. I will use sugar or other natural alternatives instead of artificial sweetners; however, I pick and choose where and how much I consume.
Some safer alternatives:
I previously mentioned stevia. It is an intensely sweet herb with zero calories. Last summer we grew a big pot on the deck, and adding fresh sprigs to iced tea, mojitos and other drinks was so refreshing! You can purchase packets of dried stevia at some stores. One caveat: stevia doesn’t hold up well in baking.
Agave nectar has 20 calories per teaspoon. It comes from the blue agave plant, just as tequila does! It tastes very much like a simple sugar syrup. It is 75% sweeter than sugar, so you can use less.
Honey also has 20 calories/tsp. Like agave, it is versatile; plus, it contains antioxidants and enzymes for added benefit.
Maple syrup(pure) has 17 calories per teaspoon. Another versatile sweetener, it also contains minerals. Trader Joe’s now has an excellent maple syrup/agave blend that is really good!
Other sweeteners like barley malt powder and brown rice syrup can successfully be used in baking. They are not as sweet as sugar, but contain some nutrients. There is an excellent cookbook by Heidi Swanson called “Super Natural Cooking”, which has an entire chapter devoted to natural sugar alternatives and has some interesting recipes. I highly recommend it for someone looking to expand their cooking horizons while remaining whole-food based. Also look for Heidi’s website 101cookbooks.com
In the meantime, be vigilant about what you are consuming and read labels carefully. An informed consumer is a healthier consumer!
Filed under: Shaklee, green, health, home business, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: finances, health, home-based business, MLM, money, natural, recession, Shaklee, supplements, wellness
Tinley Park, IL. – July 1, 2009 – The latest economic indicators for May bring some hopeful tidings, but also some significant concerns. The U.S. unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 25 years, and there is continued concern about sizable job losses to come. The recession has been a source of severe stress for many throughout the country.
According to the recent Multi-Sponsor Surveys’ 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 49% of employed adults expressed worry about potential job loss, while 32% admitted to “significant” financial troubles.
But amid numerous reports of havoc and despair created by the current economic climate, Lisa Hummitsch, a local small-business entrepreneur here in Tinley Park, reports a very different experience during this recession.
“If it weren’t for the additional income my health-and-wellness business generates, I think my family would probably be in a very different place,” says Hummitsch, who operates a Shaklee business out of her home.
“My business helps us not only continue to pay the bills on time, but it also generates additional income which we save to have on hand for unexpected situations, or use when we want to do something special, like take a trip, buy a new car, or remodel the kitchen—things that would otherwise be outside of our budget.”
Hummitsch credits her home business for helping to alleviate much of her family’s stress and says her business has eased financial concerns while providing flexibility—qualities that can insulate a family from the changing tides of the economy. Most people who run a business from home work only part time, so there’s freedom to plan business activities around the busy schedule of a young family.
“When I began my business,” says Hummitsch, “it was on a very part-time basis. Since I started, I’ve increased the amount of time I spend working with it. Using the Internet and communicating my business online makes my work much more efficient and flexible at the same time, making it possible for me to work on my business pretty much whenever I have downtime from my other responsibilities. Plus, it was easy and inexpensive to get started, and there’s no need to make space in our home for any inventory since the company ships directly to my customers.”
Home businesses have drawn considerable interest from people who may be having a difficult time finding employment and from those looking for an income opportunity that also resonates with their personal beliefs—characteristics that most jobs likely do not offer.
“Because I recommend products that help people to be healthier, that help our environment to be cleaner, and for homes to be safer, I feel good about what I do. And because I also offer the chance for other people to do what I’m doing—to achieve independence in a way they may not have thought possible—there’s an incredible feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I can help make a real difference for people looking for extra income right now.”
According to the 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 60% of adults are now interested in operating a home business in response to the economic downturn.
“To me, there’s a great sense of security knowing that my business is backed by a company that has a proven track record and more than 50 years of experience giving people the means to thrive, even during the most difficult economic times,” says Hummitsch. “Shaklee has grown during each of the prior recessions since it was founded in 1956.”
For more information about Shaklee, please visit www. Shaklee.net/HealthByNature.
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About Shaklee Corporation
Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. Through Social Marketing™, Shaklee offers an economic opportunity to anyone regardless of background or experience, and has paid more than $4 billion in commissions to its independent distributors worldwide. With a robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors around the globe and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China. For information about Shaklee, visit www.Shaklee.com.
When it comes time to dye Easter eggs, go green. Create brightly colored eggs by using natural ingredients from your fridge and pantry. Stay away from those egg-dyeing kits sold in craft stores and supermarkets—they contain coal tar and other petroleum-based products. Plus, studies have linked certain food dyes to health problems like allergies, chromosome damage, and cancer.
YELLOW DYE: Mix 2 tsp. of ground turmeric powder with 2/3 cup of boiling water and 1 tsp. white vinegar. Let the mixture cool before coloring your Easter eggs.
PURPLE DYE: A cup of frozen grape juice from concentrate and a tsp. of vinegar creates a beautiful purple hue. Let the mixture sit overnight before dyeing.
RED DYE: Use 4 Tbsp. of freshly grated beets, 2/3 cup boiling water and 1 tsp. white vinegar for a vibrant red color. Mix the ingredients together and begin dunking eggs immediately.
Quick tip: Make your egg-decorating party even more eco-friendly by using organic, free-range eggs and composting leftover materials when you’re done.
Adapted from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do To Make a Big Difference by Jodi Helmer (Alpha Books, 2008)
Filed under: Shaklee, health, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: autoimmune diseases, calcium, cancer, cardiovascular health, diabetes, health, health by nauture, magnesium, MS, multiple schlerosis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Shaklee, supplements, vitamin D, vitamins, wellness
It’s common knowledge that vitamin D is good for your bones. But did you know all the other health benefits this vitamin has to offer?
As we age, we lose muscle strength which can lead to risk of falls which result in bone fractures; studies show that supplementing with vitamin D helps maintain both muscle strength and balance, lessening these risks. Vitamin D also aids in the absorption of calcium. Our Osteo supplement provides 100% of the daily value for both calcium and vitamin D, as well as 100% of the daily value of magnesium, to help incorporate calcium into bones and strengthen them.
Vitamin D can also help alleviate chronic pain; muscle pain and weakness can often be attributed to a vitamin D deficiency.
Studies also suggest that vitamin D may protect against cancer by helping regulate cellular growth. It is believed to strenghthen the immune system and reduce inflammation, offering protection from type-1 diabetes, MS and rheumatoid arthritis. In one particular study, researchers discovered a 40% lower risk of MS in women who supplemented with at least 400 IU of vitamin D daily.
Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of congestive heart failure.
While the body naturally produces vitamin D through natural light exposure, most people still need a supplement to reach recommended levels. We are the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S., so you can be confident that our products are safe and pure–never synthetic or artificial.
Filed under: Shaklee, health, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: anti-aging, antioxidants, cardiac, coenzyme Q10, coQ 10, free radicals, health, health by nature, heart, nutrition, premature aging, resveratrol, Shaklee, supplements, vitamins, wellness
Coenzyme Q10–or CoQ-10, is a compound that is naturally produced in the body. Its potent antioxidant properties aid in cell regeneration and protects them against damage that could lead to heart disease, premature aging, and even cancer.
CoQ-10 is rich in foods like sardines, mackerel, spinach, peanuts & sesame. It helps counteract external factors such as harful UV light and pollution, which can destroy coenzymes and other antioxidants. Your antioxidant levels drop significantly after age 30, and CoQ-10 is the first to decline, which in turn slows down your cells’ ability to repair themselves.
CoQ-10 also affects your skin. It helps repair free radical damage, prevent damage from the sun, and limit the destruction of collagen, helping keep skin’s firmness.
Most CoQ-10 supplements are poorly absorbed by the body and therefore offer little, if any, benefits. Our CoQ-10 supplement uses patented technology to provide enhanced absorption using only natural ingredients–nothing synthetic or artificial. It also contains resveratrol, believed to be the most beneficial antioxidant. For more info on this and other quality natural supplements, visit the Health By Nature website.
Filed under: Shaklee, health, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: carotenoids, carotonoids, cataracts, eye health, eyesight, health, healthbynature, lutein, macular degeneration, minerals, nutrition, prevention, Shaklee, supplements, vision, vitamin e, vitamins, wellness, zeaxanthin
The leading cause of blindness is age-related macular degeneration. The glare from computer screens, sunlight, and intense headlight beams all take their toll on even the healthiest eyes, and can contribute to macular degeneration. Carotenoids, found in brightly-colored fruits and veggies, can help combat vision problems.
In a recent study investigating the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, scientists found that supplementing with these carotenoids over a 6-month span significantly increases macular pigment optical density in healthy adults with normal eyesight.
The Women’s Health Study finds that when you add in vitamin E to these carotenoids, it decreases the chance of developing cataracts. In addition to eating plenty of fruits & veggies (including a variety of leafy greens), our Carotenoid supplement provides maximum potency of 6 of the most beneficial carotenoids, and like all our supplements, do not contain synthetic material. You’d have to eat 285 servings of pink grapefruit to get the same lutein & zeaxanthin content in one serving of our supplement!
Additionally recommended supplements are the Vitamin E complex or Vitamin E tablet, both with 400 IU of E.
