Have Good Health For Life

Best Diet Supplements: Do Your Homework

2012-01-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

Best Diet Supplements is a term widely searched by people. We've come a long way since our brand, the Shaklee Corporation started in 1956. Long before that, in the 1920's, Dr. Shaklee was pioneering the wellness industry when he discovered 'vitalized minerals' and made these vitamins for his patients. This was one doctor, in one practice, starting a revolution.

Back then vitamin was not a household word like today. It's taken a long time for the world to catch up with what Dr. Shaklee believed way back then: that natural nutrition can help the body heal and build better health. That belief has only recently been proven in Shaklee's long-term (20 year) landmark supplement study (Shaklee is the only brand to ever do a long term study like this).

Below is a recent communication withing the Shaklee family, from our Health Sciences Department that keeps us up to date with health and wellness science and research, and keeps us healthy with the #1 Natural Nutrition Company (in the United States) high quality food supplements.

We really do have to be in charge of our own good health and be proactive in looking for reputable information and ways to build better health so that we enjoy a great quality of life.

Good News Doesn't Always Make the Headlines.

When you think about supplementing your diet with vitamin packs, minerals, herbal remedies and other natural nutrients, you can think of it as insurance so that you are covered when your diet doesn't provide all of your nutrition needs, and with all the science and research that is being delivered to us, you can also count on these vitamins to give you better health.

I’d like to take a few moments of your time to provide some perspective on recent media attention to supplementation. It can be challenging to know what to trust, and we urge you to critically read articles about health and vitamins before assuming their validity - just as you would for any other reports from the Internet, a newspaper or the evening news.

Each year, hundreds of positive studies about nutrients and supplementation are published, the vast majority of which never make the news. Some examples of recently published clinical studies that have shown positive health outcomes include:

Calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis prevention
Folic acid for preventing progression of cervical dysplasia, which are precancerous changes in the cells that line the cervix
Omega-3 fatty acids for reducing the risk of sudden death in people with existing heart disease
Vitamins C, E , beta carotene and zinc for reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Just recently, a study from the Netherlands showed positive metabolic effects in obese men taking resveratrol for as little as 30 days.

That’s good news, but it’s really only a very small part of it. And focusing on the positive contributions of dietary supplements is not only good for the people who use them, but for all of us. The Lewin Group, a healthcare consulting firm, actually estimated the U.S. could save $24 billion over 5 years if our elderly used a few basic nutritional supplements.

We are very committed to contributing to a broader understanding of nutrition and supplementation. Our dedication to clinical and scientific research separates Shaklee from the competition and has resulted in over 100 scientific papers—90 of them published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Recent examples of Shaklee sponsored studies are:

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism study from February, 2011, “A Resveratrol and Polyphenol blend suppresses the oxidative and inflammatory stress response to a high fat, high carbohydrate meal”

Our vitamin D intervention study published August, 2011 in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition entitled “Effects of Vitamin D supplementation on 25(OH)Vitamin D, HDL Cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk markers in subjects with elevated waist circumference”

Visit www.clinicals.shaklee.com for more information and to see our most recently published studies.

A great way for you to read more about these and other studies and to receive regular updates on the latest research published on nutrition, supplements and health, is to bookmark this page and come back often.

I sincerely believe that each of us has the choice to make an ongoing commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and include natural nutrition supplements as part of our diet every day because they have been proven to work. To learn more about that proof, visit the Landmark Supplement Study.

All the best to you on your journey to a longer and healthier life.

Be well!

To incorporate Shaklee supplements into your daily healthy lifestyle, feel free to contact me or visit Have Good Health For Life.

Earth Day Healthy Home Pack + Join Shaklee for Free

2011-04-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

Now available: Shaklee Earth Day Healthy Home Pack

It's $61 worth of Shaklee products for only $30.00 PLUS it qualifies you for a FREE Shaklee membership that will give you 15% off all future orders as well (this is an $81 value and an excellent way to introduce you to the Shaklee brand of products).*

Read on to learn how you can benefit.

For the Shaklee Family, every day is Earth Day. But this is a great time of year to show you how easy - and thrifty - it can be to make a difference for yourself, for your family, and for the planet.

One healthier home at a time.

Did you ever think about the number of bottles of cleaning products that end up in landfills? Or how about the cost to manufacture these bottles and ship them all over the country?

Most of the contents of cleaning products is good, old fashioned water! Why ship the weight of water all over when you can add your own water to green, concentrated cleaner in a re-useable spray bottle?

This is also a way for you to use non-toxic, chemical-free cleaning concentrate. For every 16oz bottle of Shaklee's non-toxic, biodegradable Basic H2, used as a window cleaner, one family can keep the equivalent of 5,000 bottles of conventional 'ready-to-use' glass cleaner like Windex out of landfills.

And, in addition to helping keep our planet cleaner, by purchasing and using a 16 oz bottle of concentrated Basic H2, along with 2 spray bottles, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars from your family's budget.

Here's how:

Window Cleaner - at less than .01 cent per 16 oz bottle, you can save thousands of dollars when you mix your own window cleaner.

All-Purpose Cleaner - at about .03 cents per 16 oz bottle, you will save hundreds of dollars when you mix your own all-purpose cleaner.

In honor of Earth Day, Shaklee has some very special offers happening right now that can give you more incentive to think green and save green ($$):

1) Join Free with a $30 order*. A Shaklee membership, that entitles you to 15% off all products, is normally priced at $19.95. *Now and until May 20, 2011, that membership fee will be waived when you order a new membership with a $30 order.

2) In honor of Earth Day, beginning April 22, 2011, and as a special promotion with the Farmville community from Facebook, Shaklee has introduced an Earth Day Healthy Home Pack for you to use as your qualifying order. Just call 1-800-SHAKLEE and ask for Product Number 59729 and you can order this package (details below) and get a FREE membership along with it!

This is a great incentive because the value of the products in this package exceed the regular price if purchased separately. Also, this is a great assortment of products to introduce you to the Shaklee family of safe, pure, high quality and very unique and effective products that are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Here's what's in the package:

Basic H2 (16 oz) - the super concentrated cleaner for 100+ household jobs
Two Spray Bottles - to mix Basic H (very small amounts + water)
Get Clean Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (awesome to use)
Get Clean Dish Wash Liquid Concentrate (very gentle on your hands as it cleans)
Get Clean Fresh Laundry Concentrate (32 oz) (also a great spot remover)
Shaklee Energy™ Chews (get that extra energy you need to Spring Clean!!)

*Limited Time Offer. Beginning April 22, 2011, look for: Earth Day Healthy Home Pack

Farmville & Shaklee Team Up for Healthy Homes

2011-04-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Are you familiar with Farmville? Don't worry if you are not - I have an exciting announcement below that is for everyone (we can just thank Farmville for helping us save money and get extraordinary products to use in our homes!)

Farmville is the second most popular online game on Facebook, with an estimated 35 million people playing every day. Now Shaklee is furthering our mission of making people and the planet healthier by introducing Shaklee Healthy Homes to the Farmville community.

A special Farmville edition of our Healthy Home Pack will be offered to all Farmville members. This special assortment of products is being offered at an amazing low price, and combined with an existing Shaklee offer of free membership with a $30 product order - so the $19.95 membership fee is waived for additional savings.

All new Shaklee members joining under this offer will also enjoy 15% off any future order they place as part of their membership benefits.

The Healthy Home Pack is being offered to Farmville members in May for only $30 (a significant savings from regular member prices) - and is detailed here:

Basic H2 (16 oz) - the super concentrated cleaner for 100+ household jobs
Two Spray Bottles - to mix Basic H (very small amounts + water)
Get Clean Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (awesome to use)
Get Clean Dish Wash Liquid Concentrate (very gentle on your hands as it cleans)
Get Clean Fresh Laundry Concentrate (32 oz) (also a great spot remover)
Shaklee Energy™ Chews (get that extra energy you need to Spring Clean!!)

I am excited to announce that I can offer this same package to everyone, beginning April 22*, 2011. So you don't have to be a Farmville participant, or even be familiar with what Farmville is!

To learn more about these individual products, visit our order website and be sure to look for the special Shaklee Earth Day Healthy Home Pack, Product Number 59729* (*begins April 22, for a limited time) that is coded with the sales price of this offer: Farmville Shaklee Offer

Also attached is a green cleaning sheet for Shaklee's Basic H2, a safe, super-concentrated, green, biodegradable, very effective multi-purpose cleaner that will help you tackle many cleaning jobs in your home. Basic H2 is a surfactant so that it penterates the dirt, getting under it and lifting it off of the surface.

Basic H2 is gentle enough to bathe in (it's not promoted that way but people use it to clean themselves because it has the same pH as your skin) and yet cuts through grease better than any product I have ever used!

Some of the interesting uses of Basic H2 include using it as an 'invisibhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifle glove' when you are using products like paint or anything else that you don't want to stay all over your hands. Rub full strength Basic H2 on your hands, complete the job and simply wash your hands.

Washing fruits and vegetables with a teaspoon of Basic H2 added to one of your 16 oz spray bottles gets these foods clean and ready to eat in a very economical and easy way (I have seen small bottles, approximately 8 oz, of fruit and vegetable cleaner in the grocery store for $4.99 and it probably costs a quarter to mix 16 oz Basic H2).

Here's the link to 30 uses for Basic H2: Green Clean Your Home Without Toxins and Chemicals You and Your Family Don't Need.

Exercise for Your Heart

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

February is National Heart Month and so there's lots in the news lately about eating healthy. We know that our diets have a huge impact on the state of our health. With the rise in overweight and obesity rates we have been hearing more about diet AND exercise the past few years.

How about exercise? How important is it for us to exercise on a regular basis?

Actually, we can talk a long time about the benefits of exercise. Let's quickly review some really interesting new information from a brand new study that pretty much says it all.

Published in a January 18, 2011 issue of the Journal of American College of Cardiology, this study found that spending too much leisure time in front of a TV or computer screen appears to dramatically increase the risk for heart disease and premature death from any cause. Perhaps, regardless of how much exercise you get.

Uh oh. Does that sound like you?

Data from that study showed that compared to people who spend less than 2 hours each day on screen based entertainment like watching TV, using the computer or playing video games, those who devote more than four hours a day to these activities are more than twice as likely to have a major cardiac event that involves hospitalization, death, or both.

And these associations were independent of traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, BMI, social class, or exercise.

So, basically, what this means is that you just can’t spend half an hour at the gym or take a walk and then come home and sit in front of the computer or TV the rest of the day. You really need to take that fit walk or do that work out at the gym, of course, but then, continue to be as active as you possibly can throughout the day.

And realistically, we know that many of us do sit at computers for more than an hour or two everyday. So this study really, really enforces the importance of taking breaks and trying to be as active as possible. Take a walk, up a few flight to stairs, park your car, a block or two from your destination, go bike riding on the weekend, and be sure you walk your dog everyday, or borrow your neighbour's dog if you don’t have one. In other words, move more.

Your takeaway for National Heart Month: focus on eating a healthy diet AND get regular exercise. Together, they both lower heart disease risk. And if you do sit a lot during the day, get up and move around a few times in addition to your exercise time each day.

If you need to lose weight, focusing on losing just 10 lbs at a time makes your goal more achievable! There's a Just 10 campaign going on across America today. It's sponsors include Dr. Oz and Shaklee. To learn more about Just 10 and how Cinch can help you tackle those pounds, visit:

Just 10 Pounds

Cinch FREE offer

Fish oil Pregnancy, Kids, Adults: Omega 3 Fatty Acids are Better Health for Everyone

2011-01-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

The benefits of fish oil for pregnancy, pure DHA for kids - associated with behavior and learning - and omega-3 fatty acids for heart or joint health for adults are now part of our lives and working well for people.

If you read about health, watch health segments on television or listen on the radio, you have heard about omega 3 fatty acids or fish oil. If not, be sure to click on the link below and hear what Dr. Oz has to say because he will 'catch you up'!

The television segment that Dr. Oz did on omega fatty acids was excellent. Most doctors talk about treating illness and disease, although lately more of them are talking about fish oil for building better health. I follow Dr. Oz because he really hits us hard with prevention and taking fish oil is something very good that we can do for ourselves.

I have heard for years about the omega-3 and omega-6 imbalance in our bodies. This is due to the foods that we eat and is important because it can also determine how we feel and the state of our health. Omega-6 fats contribute to inflammation that can result in anything from arthritis to heart disease and many other diseases.

Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in our bodies. Fish oil can make our joints feel better and a whole lot more. Dr. Oz says that we can't get too much Omega-3's and we don't need to worry about getting any more omega-6 fats because our food provides more than enough of those. We want our body's ratio to be no more than 2 to 1, omega-6 to omega-3 (1 to 1 is even better) and we will feel the difference.

The problem with getting enough omega-3 fatty acids every day is that most of us don't eat enough fish every day and other sources of food can increase our calories too much if we eat in excess. That would be true for walnuts. I love walnuts but my weight goals might be in trouble if I ate walnuts all day long!

In order to get a good supply of fish oil every day, most of us need to supplement. Fish oil when consumed in supplement form is something easy that we can do every day. Leave that bottle of fish oil out on your counter. Don't miss your daily serving and within a short time I would be surprised if you tell me anything other than you feel enough of a difference that you will stay faithful!

It is important to find a high quality fish oil brand because there are different grades of fish oil and the manufacturing process differs from brand to brand. Since food supplements are not regulated, it is essential to find a brand you trust and that uses pure, quality ingredients.

What you put in your body will determine what you get back in terms of health. Another issue is the odor. People have been turned off to supplements that leave a strong fish odor in your mouth. Finding a better source of fish oil is a solution to this problem as well.

EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are well studied for helping reduce heart disease, helping retain normal blood pressure, and supporting healthy joint function, vision and brain.

Here is the link to the Dr. Oz show on omega fatty acids. You will open to the video of the first part. Under that video are links to the other 3 sections - there are 4 short videos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Dr. Oz: Know Your Omega Fatty Acids

To learn more about a pharmaceutical grade fish oil, made with a proprietary distillation process that removes mercury, lead and other harmful compounds while keeping seven naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, visit: : Omega 3 Fatty Acids are Better Health for Everyone.

Free Leucine to Keep Your Muscle That Helps You Burn Fat and Lose Weight

2011-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is a fact that most people do not stick to diets. We have good intentions but it is hard to stick to them. There are constantly new diets being introduced and we think the next new diet will be the one that 'will work'.

There is a problem with starting and stopping all these diets. When you stop the diet because it either isn't working for you or you can't be consistent with it, you go back to your normal level of calories consumed. In the meantime, you have lost muscle along with the fat you (hopefully) lost. Along with that lost muscle, you lost the ability to burn calories efficiently because muscle burns fat for all of us.

So now, when you start eating more again, the extra calories turn more easily into fat. The body now has even more fat than before - and less muscle than before. People who have gone on repeated diets are in a cycle of losing muscle and gaining and re-gaining fat.

A pound of fat burns only 2 calories per day. So if you are 20 lbs (of fat) overweight, and you multiply 2 by 20, you are only burning 40 calories per day. If that extra weight were muscle, it would burn 50 calories per pound and result in 1000 calories.

A person damages their metabolism with this kind of yo-yo dieting, making it almost impossible to lose weight.

Now that you understand more about the connection between muscle and weight loss, there is something that can help. Weight loss and weight management programs with amino acids called leucine help the body build and repair muscle tissue and burn fat!

Leucine is the amino acid that signals your body to preserve muscle during weight loss. We say that 'Cinch is Powered by Leucine' because it helps you keep your muscle so you lose your fat.

When you use a leucine powered weight loss/management program, you can actually keep 100% of your important muscle mass - a healthier option because it is your muscle that burns your fat and improves your metabolism. This means the weight you lose is all FAT!

Some athletes take leucine because it initiates protein synthesis in the muscles for muscle building. In weight loss, this muscle building counteracts muscle breakdown that happens when you eat fewer calories (when you are on a diet).

Consuming leucine can be as easy as having a protein shake every day for breakfast, and if you need to lose significant weight it can be two meals for you each day. Eating snack bars or meal bars with leucine in place of other foods that are higher in calories or don't have the nutrition you need when you are trying to cut calories and lose weight are easy options. Sipping on tea that gives you energy and helps you get from one meal to the next without snacking is a Cinch!

If you need to lose some weight and have been thinking about trying Shaklee products, we have a special gift for you that has never been offered!

New Shaklee members can get free Cinch products powered by Leucine during January, 2011.

Anyone who signs up as a new Member or Distributor (with a minimum $70 order) or as a new GOLD Ambassador with the purchase of a GOLD or Super GOLD Mission PAK will get a Cinch Sampler Pack at no additional cost.*

The Sampler Pack includes:
1 canister of Vanilla Cinch® Shake Mix (soy protein blend)
1 box of Cinch® Snack Bars, Peanut Butter Crunch flavor
1 box of Cinch® Energy Tea Mix, Pomegranate flavor
1 Cinch Program Guide
1 Cinch Pedometer - (while supplies last)
CinchWellness.com - three months of introductory membership. (You are not required to keep this membership. You will need to cancel the cinchwellness.com membership after the third month if you don't want charges to apply in fourth and subsequent months. You will still be a Shaklee member with a 15% discount on all future product orders.)
This is a $86.60 product value.

To become a Shaklee member, order products at www.HaveGoodHealth4Life.com and choose to become a Shaklee member once you checkout with a $70 qualifiying order. You will automatically get the Cinch Sampler Pack sent with your order.

*Limited-time offer, ends Jan. 31, 2011

Healthy Weight Loss One Way to Prevent Diabetes

2010-12-06T18:05:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is a disease that involves elevated glucose or blood sugar levels because there is not enough insulin production in the pancreas or there is insulin resistance in your body's cells. Diabetes is thought to be caused by obesity, possibly by an unhealthy diet. High blood sugar levels are damaging to your cells and can produce short and long term health problems.

Pre-diabetes is a condition where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not so high as to be classified diabetic. If you are pre-diabetic you are at risk to develop type 2 diabetes (adult onset diabetes), heart disease and stroke. Being overweight and physically inactive are associated with both diabetes and pre-diabetes.

The good news is that both of these blood sugar conditions can be prevented. There has been extensive scientific research and studies to measure risk for diabetes and how prevention can affect the development of diabetes. When you lose weight and increase your physical activity level you can prevent or delay diabetes, and help your blood sugar levels return to normal range.

A large, three-year prevention study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, showed that losing 5 to 10% of participants' initial body weight reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58%. For people aged 60 and over the reduction was even higher at 71%.

When you get to a healthy weight level you also have a better chance of preventing other illnesses and disease that are associated with being overweight or obese, such as arthritis, heart disease, stroke and cancer. In addition you will increase your energy levels and have a better quality of life.

To learn more about healthy weight loss, here is an audio presentation that offers some great information and hopefully some motivation for you if getting to a healthier weight has been a challenge:

Healthy Weight Loss

Information about individual natural nutrition and healthy weight management products can be reviewed at http://havegoodhealth4life.com.

The Importance of Vitamin D

2010-11-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D doesn’t just build strong bones. It has many roles in your body.

Every cell in your body has its own DNA tracker that tells the cell how to respond to anything that might affect it. The activity of the tracker, a very important job in the body, is triggered by vitamin D.

This is why Vitamin D is important in many of the functions in your body, and affects a great number of various diseases and health conditions, including heart disease.

Vitamin D production in your body through sunlight exposure can affect these physiological systems that also help fight heart disease:

increase in your body’s natural anti-inflammatory properties
suppress vascular calcification
inhibit of vascular smooth muscle growth

Depending on where you live, what time of the year it is, and your skin color—you may be among the many Americans who aren’t getting enough of this essential nutrient.

Scientists have proven through multiple research studies that if you optimize your vitamin D levels it can help maintain a healthy heart:

Researchers have found that people with the lowest average vitamin D levels had a 124% bigger risk of dying from all causes and a 378% greater risk of dying from a heart problem.
A study in Finland showed that when compared with the participants with the highest vitamin D, those with the lowest levels had a 25 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. When only stroke was looked at, the lowest levels had twice the risk as those with the highest.
When women take vitamin D supplements, they lower their risk of death from heart disease by one-third.

Being Vitamin D deficient leads to increased risks for heart disease – risks that could be avoided simply by optimizing vitamin D. If you can’t get enough Vitamin D in your diet or your doctor is telling you that you are low or deficient in Vitamin D, you may want to consider a natural supplement.

Vitamin-D3 is clinically proven to be the most potent form of vitamin D. You can take a vitamin D3 supplement in combination with your multi-vitamin or nutrition foundation program.

Learning About Our Brand..

2010-11-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Two common questions that I am asked are:

1) How is Shaklee different from other brands?

2) What is the history of Shaklee - the company?

Today I would like to share information to help answer those questions. The second question is answered in the link at the end of this post and is taken from a long-time member of the Shaklee field (a distributor familiar with the origins of the company).

But first, the Shaklee difference.

When I was first introduced to the company, I remember hearing that the science and research that this brand has always been committed to is a major factor that sets this company apart. And the quality of the products is so good that you EXPECT them to work - to give you the results that you seek.

That level of quality and integrity and science extends across all products of the brand - from anti-aging skin care to personal care products and green home cleaning products. The standards that are set have always been very high and distinguishes the brand in the market.

Products are not brought to market unless they can be proven to be effective and also scientifically proven to be beneficial. There has never been a product of the month or product of the year simply because it is popular at the time. Years of research and testing go into a product before it is released. This is, at times, to the frustration of all of us in the field who are anxious for a product like the recently new Vitamin D3 that distributors had requested for the past few years.

It's very interesting to attend a company event and talk with Shaklee scientists. They are great at explaining scientific information in ways that non-medical people like myself can understand. You learn about things like the unique delivery systems in the nutrition products - there are 4 delivery systems in Vitalizer alone - so that the nutrients break down in the part of the body where they can be absorbed best and work best.

When a new product is finally announced, there is a great deal of documentation that supports the science behind it. In a product manual there can be hundreds of pages of specifications to make sure the detailed instructions of how to make and test that product are always met. There are extensive quality checks on all materials before they are accepted from vendors and over 600 inspection tests of raw materials before they used to make products.

The manufacturing and processing controls exceed standards used by other companies and include rigorous testing throughout the development of products. Post-production testing ensures products are potent and fresh. The commitment to quality is evidenced by the 100% money-back guarantee that has been offered on all products since the company started.

After using the products for years, I can testify that the science, research, and quality that attracted me to this company in the first place keeps me a loyal user today. When you find something that WORKS, you stick with it!

We don't like to compare ourselves to other brands. Partly because of our philosophy of doing business by The Golden Rule which for us means not putting down another brand, and also because there aren't many brands that can be compared. Natural nutrition products cannot be compared to synthetic vitamins and supplements. And you can't compare a brand that does extensive scientific studies and testing of raw ingredients and finished products to companies that do not.

To me what matters a great deal is that the products WORK - they give me the results I want in building better health. I was told from the first day I was introduced to the brand that if the products don't work, you get your money back. There's no risk involved, only the benefits you can get when the products start working for you. This has been true for me and it's why I am a loyal user.

In a future post we will look at some unique stories about this brand.

Here is the link to the information about the history of the company: Shaklee History

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

2010-10-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

A report from The National Center for Health Statistics states that over 80 million adults in the U.S. have unhealthy cholesterol levels. That’s 1/3 of the American population. Many kids also have unhealthy cholesterol numbers.

If your cholesterol numbers are not in the healthy range you may be on medication to lower your bad cholesterol and improve your good cholesterol. If you aren't taking meds yet, you may be looking for natural ways to lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL.

Scientific research, including 80 studies over the past ten years, on plant sterols and stanols show that they can help people achieve healthy cholesterol numbers naturally.

We have known for a long time that cholesterol is a big risk factor in developing heart disease. It is important that you know ‘your numbers’ because there’s a lot you can do to impact having healthy total cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that occurs naturally in your body. It is an essential part of your cell membranes and used to both create and repair cells. Your body makes cholesterol and you get it from the foods you eat as well. You can control the cholesterol you eat if you stay away from foods that have unhealthy cholesterol.

In August, 2010, the Annals of Internal Medicine stated that people who have high cholesterol in their 20’s are more likely to have signs of heart disease by the time they reach their 40’s.

High cholesterol numbers are associated with high blood pressure, vision loss, Alzheimers disease and dementia. People with high cholesterol levels in their 40’s may have a higher risk of developing dementia.

These may be scary statistics but science, research and clinical studies have given us lifestyle choices that can help us build better health.

Diet is one area where you have control over healthy choices: cut down on high cholesterol foods like trans fats and saturated fats and increase lean meat, eat fish more often and consume foods with high fiber content (or at least eat more fiber overall each day. These actions will help your cholesterol levels.

Everyone should be getting some form of daily exercise. It is good for your overall health and even 30 minutes per day can help lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol numbers.

Plant sterols and stanols work in the body by preventing absorption of cholesterol that leads to heart disease. It would be hard to consume the amount of sterols and stanols by eating them in fruits, vegetables and grains in your daily diet. You need to take the 2000 mg daily that has been proven to positively impact your cholesterol levels in supplement form. It is a way to reduce cholesterol naturally, and without all of the calories you would be adding to your diet if you tried to get them from food.

2000 mg of sterols and stanols each day is available in a gluten-free supplement form. Results should be expected in 4 ot 6 weeks and you should have your doctor check your cholesterol levels after that time.

There are no significant side effects of supplement sterols and stanols. They are highly effective even if you are already on a heart healthy diet, and safe to use with statin drugs. Your doctor should monitor your blood levels of cholesterol since the dose of meds you take may need adjusted when natural cholesterol reducing sterols and stanols are also lowering your overall cholesterol numbers.

Lowering your cholesterol by 10% reduces your risk for heart disease. Clinical studies show that taking plant sterols as a natural way to lower cholesterol can help lower your overall cholesterol number 5 to 15%.

Click this link to listen to a comprehensive discussion about: CHOLESTEROL.

1000 IU Vitamin D & Your Healthy Heart

2010-10-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

In this video Dr. Oz shows you a healthy heart and a diseased heart. Note how he mentions that all a sick heart can do is 'enlarge'. Dr. Oz teaches us ways to build good health and in this case that includes supplementing your daily diet with vitamin D.

If you listen to the end, you will see him recommend 1000 IU of Vitamin D every day for your heart health, and he states how vitamin D helps your calcium be absorbed where it is supposed to be absorbed in your body.

Dr. Oz delves into the organ he's dedicated his life's work to, and gives you two vital tips for a healthy heart. Sponsored by Medtronic Inc.

To learn more about a pharmaceutical grade vitamin D and how you can get an EXTRA 15% off until 10-17-10, visit: 1000 IU Vitamin D.

Vitamin D3.. Will You Get Enough This Winter?

2010-10-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here Comes the Sun..

It was a beautiful fall day here in central Pennsylvania today and we enjoyed the sun and some fall sights, and some others got a great sailing day! This year the fall foliage is not expected to be brilliant like we usually enjoy due to the hot, dry summer this year.

Soon we will not see nearly as much of the sun. The long winter months can be challenging to get through. Since we go days, or longer, without seeing the sun or getting outside long enough to get our vitamin D, many of us are looking for alternatives to make sure we are not deficient in this essential nutrient.

Why are you at risk for vitamin D insufficiency? There are several factors that influence the amount of vitamin D in your body each day. Vitamin D is formed in the body when your skin is exposed to sunlight, or it's consumed in vitamin D-rich foods. For many people it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from their daily diet.

Other critical factors that can create a greater need for vitamin D include increasing age, being overweight, lack of exercise, and low intake of fish and other vitamin D-rich foods in your diet. Even people who live in warm climates year round may not get enough vitamin D if their skin is not exposed due to sunscreen use.

Vitamin D is associated with heart health, immune function, bone health and not having enough has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. A high-quality dietary supplement of vitamin D3, the most potent form of vitamin D found naturally in the human body, is an option you have to insure your body has enough on a daily basis to help give you the good health you desire.

Vitamin D and Pelvic Strength, Incontinence and Slimming

I read a question in regard to vitamin D and incontinence in a woman's magazine. It was stated that a research study at SUNY Upstate Medical University and the gynecology and urogynecology unit at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, both in Syracuse, NY, linked vitamin D intake to improved pelvic-muscle strength, which also helps incontinence. Another vitamin D benefit that would be beneficial to many people trying to lose weight is that it can help speed slimming. The article also stated that doctors are recommending daily servings of 1000 IU vitamin D to patients and that it only takes a week or so to build up adequate healing amounts of this nutrient in your body.

We have our own substantial team of highly regarded doctors and research scientists on staff at Shaklee. It took several years for our brand to develop and introduce a stand alone vitamin D3 supplement - that's not unusual, it's the Shaklee way to provide science, research, a proven need and high quality ingredients. We had between 800IU and 1000IU in the multi-vitamins and Vitalizer servings and many of us get even more when we take our calcium supplements or drink a Cinch Shake. Still, it was determined that the separate supplement is needed for people who need even more daily vitamin D3 or don't take those other products on a daily basis.

To learn more about pharmaceutical grade, high quality supplements, including the very affordable vitamin D3 ($7.95 for a 3 month supply) that are 100% satisfaction, money-back guaranteed, visit Vitamin D3.

Filtering Your Own Drinking Water

2010-07-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Would you feel better about filtering your own drinking water? After you read this article, you might!

The Real Dirt on Clean Water

Does it seem like healthy people are getting sick and there are in general a lot more illnesses and diseases today? We know that there are many more chemicals in use today than there were even 30 years ago. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that they established a "Chemicals of Concern" list and are increasing measures to protect human health. Is there a connection?

Here are the facts:

More than 300 agricultural and industrial pollutants were found in tap water of 45 states according to an Environmental Working Group study. Many of these pollutants do not have drinking-water safety standards.

Up to 20% of lead exposure originates from drinking water - in infants and children the risk is reduced IQ, learning disabilities and impaired growth, in adults the risk is kidney problems, nerve disorders and high blood pressure

Public water utilities violate the Safe Drinking Water Act (more than 700,000 times in the past 7 years)

What is in your drinking water?

1) Disinfection by-products: we know that if you have long-term exposure you may have an increased risk of cancer or liver, kidney or central nervous system problems

2) Heavy metals - associated with behavioral problems and learning disabilities

3) Agricultural pollutants - increased risk of cancer and eye, liver, kidney, spleen, blood and nervous system problems

- Atrazine is one of the most frequently detected pesticides in ground water, surface water, and drinking water; it is outlawed in Europe and 70 million pounds are used per year in the U.S.; long-term exposure may cause cardiovascular and reproductive problems

4) Industrial pollutants - long-term exposure may cause increased risk of cancer and blood, nervous system, kidney and liver problems.

- Benzene: up to 6 million pounds are released into the U.S. each year; long-term exposure may cause anemia, decreased blood platelets and increased risk of cancer

Problem:

We need to disinfect our public drinking water in order to control waterborne disease. The problem is that the chemicals used can form by-products in our treated water that increase the risk of cancer.

Bottled Water not the answer

1) 100s to 1,000s more expensive than tap water

2) bad choice for the environment
1.5 million barrels of oil are used to make bottled water each year
1,640,000 tons of packaging waste
only 34% of water bottles are recycled

3) may not be contaminant free - 10 popular brands had a total of 38 contaminants

Answers:

1) Educate yourself: go to epa.gov/safewater/ccr to learn what is in your water

2) Look for water filtration systems that are independently certified to reduce contaminants that are hazardous to your health

3) Filter your own water and use a re-usable water bottle - enjoy cleaner, healthier water and help the environment

To learn more about the most effective and affordable water filtration systems, visit our clean and safe water pitcher filtration page.

Sources: ewg.org/tap-water/executive-summary; EPA.gov/ogwdw000/hfacts.html; epa.gov/safewater; epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm

The Immune Response

2009-10-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

Guest Post by Vicki Zerbee

Doctors and nutritionists believe that the average American’s immune response is only functioning at about 70%. That means their immune system is about 70% effective. Is that good enough? For some, maybe. But if you’re getting sick too much, probably not. Your immune function may be well under that national average.

Chilly weather is here, and this is the favorite time of year for the flu and many other seasonal health challenges. There is fear that we are going to be a sick nation this year with the addition of the Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus). I prefer to focus on prevention. The same as we do at home, I sent my daughters to college loaded with natural supplements that will help build their immune system - college campuses are known for fast spread of illnesses. Still it is challenging. However, when your immune system is strong, your body is more prepared than it might otherwise be, and even if you do get some part of the ‘bug’, it is likely that the symptoms will be less and the recovery time will be quicker. That is what my goal is for myself and my family.. we have to be pro-active if we want to get good results.

Whether you do or don’t get the flu shots because of supply and demand, or your own personal choice, and even if you do get the shots, there are preventive measures to take as well. Everyone talks about washing your hands, but don’t let that lessen your observance of it. Wash your hands. Often.

We know that nutrition can help us be well, and yet most of us don’t eat the best diets every day. And we eat fast foods. And we eat processed foods. And we are stressed. And many of us don’t exercise enough or sleep well. These things and more can put us in the less than national average immune system statistics. And it can make us sick more than we want to be.

I don’t know about you but I hate to be sick, even with the common cold. I am faithful to an array of supplements every single day of the year, and it pays off for me. When I am exposed to something, or maybe feeling tired (one of the first signs of getting sick), I take a special echinacea blend for a week to ten days. Almost always, I can beat it.

I may get the flu, one of them, this winter. Of course I hope that I don’t. All I know is that I am doing everything I can to prevent it, and that is all I can do. Besides supplementing with the nutrition that I know I don’t get enough of in the foods that I eat, I try to do other things that are associated with a healthy immune system: sleep enough hours every night, exercise, balance stress, and think positively. These may sound like things you’ve heard before, and brushed off, but bottom line is: they work.

Science tells us these things. They are proven. They are not even that hard.. it just takes desire. I answered a question on LinkedIn yesterday. Someone was asking why people don’t succeed at something when they have proven answers or ways to be successful. My answer is that it is all about desire.

We have to want things for ourselves. There has to be a ’strong why.’ It is what will drive us each day. It will keep us going. It will make sure we do what we need to do. And it will bring us results.

I started this article writing about the Immune Response, and went a little off-track (especially if you were looking for an all-technical article). What I wrote about is still associated with our immune response because the immunity results we get can be very closely related to the choices we make. We have to want wellness for ourselves.

Immune System News from the Science Department..

2009-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Shaklee Family,

Back to school shopping, anxiety over who your child’s teacher will be this year, sending your oldest (or youngest) child off to college—all very exciting activities, but not without a bit of stress for all involved. And to add to all of these very typical types of activities and concerns, we have some new and additional threats to staying healthy. So it has never been more important to focus on doing all you can to protect your family’s health—beginning with arming yourself with the latest information.

Your ability to stay well and not fall prey to circulating pathogens rests upon the vibrant functioning of your immune system, and an optimally healthy immune system occurs when you are doing a few simple things:

1) Eat a healthy diet, full of antioxidants and immune supporting nutrients. This means avoiding the fast food restaurants (generally empty calories) and committing to eating at least FIVE servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day—salads, stir-fry vegetables with chicken breast or salmon or hearty stews or soups made with plenty of colorful vegetables!

2) Be sure you are taking supplementation to support immune health. Your favorite version of Vitalizer along with Nutriferon provides a solid nutritional foundation for immune function. Sustained Release Vita C (or Chewable Vita C), Optiflora Probiotic, and Defend and Resist Complex can be added for additional support on an as needed basis. For children ages 12 and younger, choose Incredivites with immune supporting lactoferrin and more vitamin D, and for infants and toddlers age six months to four years, our terrific ShakleeBaby Multivitamin & Multimineral Powder with clinically tested prebiotics and more Vitamin D to help support immune function.*

3) Get plenty of rest. Your immune system can be very negatively impacted by inadequate sleep. Your school age children require at least nine hours of sleep each night so be sure that becomes a routine as the school year gets started. And Moms and Dads, you need seven and a half to eight hours yourself!

4) Talk to your doctor about immunization. We encourage everyone to speak with your doctor to determine if vaccination is right for you, especially if any member of your family falls into one of these target groups at higher risk identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children six months through four years of age, and children five through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions. Click this link to learn more: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm.

5) Wash your hands frequently. You don’t need antibacterial soaps; in fact, many experts are concerned that the widespread use of antibacterial products may contribute to the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria that antibiotics do not work against! So, use plain ordinary soap, warm water, and wash your arms and wrists and lather up for 30 to 60 seconds before rinsing off. When hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizers are sometimes recommended.

6) Wash down your countertops, bathroom wash areas, and other hard, non-porous surfaces that your hands contact with an effective germicidal product such as Shaklee Basic-G. Basic-G has been tested and shown to be effective in neutralizing influenza type A viruses as well as a host of other microorganisms and the EPA has issued a statement that it believes, based on available scientific information, that the currently registered influenza A virus products will be effective against the 2009 - H1N1 flu strain and other influenza A virus strains on hard, non-porous surfaces.

Kids Fish Oil Part of Overall Kids Health

2009-10-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

(Guest Post by Vicki Zerbee)

The health of our kids has changed dramatically in recent years. We have solutions that target good, even great, health. And yet we have higher rates of overweight, obesity, asthma, and other health challenges than ever before. Scientists have discovered that kids fish oil can make a difference. It can play a beneficial role in brain and eye development, learning, moods and behavior, and in specific areas like with asthma, and issues associated with heart disease and high cholesterol from being overweight or obese.

Did you know that today 30% of our kids are either overweight, obese, or at risk of becoming overweight? There are issues that go along with these, and kids fish oil can play a role in helping young children. That’s important because overweight teens have an 80% risk of being overweight as an adult as well. Children who are overweight or obese suffer greatly from low self esteem, and those feelings can impact them throughout their lives. The risk for having heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and arthritis in adulthood is greater when overweight and obesity are part of childhood.

Research tells us that good health is not only essential for physical growth and development but to a child’s ability to learn as well. As parents, we have choices that we can make to have a positive impact on our child’s daily diet and overall health and well being. Parents are responsible for introducing their kids to healthy foods, and having good eating habits demonstrated in the family. It starts during infancy and early childhood, when vitamins and minerals are key to growth.

These choices we have can help our children in many areas: brain development, learning skills, and even behavior. Studies are showing that kids fish oil improves learning and concentration, and calms behavior in children who need it. Since children do not like fishy tastes, and most do not get fish in their diet on a regular basis, science tells us that kids fish oil supplements can fill the gap and insure that fish oil is consistently present in the child’s body.

Food has been linked to behavior for a long time, mostly focused on being able to recognize foods to avoid if they cause an unfavorable reaction. Kids fish oil can be a nutrient that we want to add to our children’s daily diets in order to give them the healthy benefits associated with it.

Does your child get sick often or struggle in school? Nutrient deficiences affect growth and the ability to learn, and increase risk of frequent illnesses. They also set the stage for developing more serious illnesses later in life.

Health challenges like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and immune challenges are being diagnosed in young children today. This is very sad when you think how it can be a life-long health struggle for many, and it is frustrating because these illnesses in young children are almost completely avoidable.

With the high numbers of children with asthma, I was excited to learn that researchers discovered children who used kids fish oil from the time they were weaned from breastfeeding, until age three, were 10 percent less likely to have chronic coughs—a good predictor of asthma—than those who didn’t. The reason can be that fish oil contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids, reducing inflammation in children’s airways. It’s always good to hear these things confirmed, even though we have had many children benefit from kids fish oil and they know it works without having to read about a clinical study because they can ‘feel’ it working.

As I dig deeper for information about kids fish oil, I find some very interesting stats. In a study with ADHD kids from Australia, there was a 40-50 percent improvement in behavior for two groups of children using kids fish oil for 30-weeks, and a 30-40 percent improvement for ADHD kids using fish oil for 15-weeks. If you compare that with results of studies of Ritalin and Concerta, drugs that are prescribed for ADHD, fish oils were more effective.

When measured in blood tests, the levels of omega-3s in children who have ADHD are lower than in kids who don’t have it. Some pediatricians have been recommending kids fish oil supplements for these children for quite a while because they get such great results. You have to wonder why a natural supplement, that has no side effects AND can produce measurable results, is not more widely known about and suggested.

To learn more, visit our Kids Fish Oil page.

You Can Make a Green Difference When You Green Clean

2009-09-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

GO GREEN

The GREEN message is now everywhere we look. It's on television, it's on the radio, it's in the newspaper and magazines. People, groups, and government are sharing the cause. More and more folks are doing what they can to help, and by doing so they are getting healthy benefits back for themselves and their families. One of those things is choosing to clean your home with safer, healthier, non-toxic, GREEN cleaning products.

What most folks do not realize is that individually, we truly can make a difference.

And you will still get cleaning power.. there's a good chance this brand was already tested against the popular store brand you may use. These are some Green Clean Testimonies.

To learn more about how you can be green when you green clean, visit our Green Clean website.

Don't hesitate to email or call me for more information.

Swine Flu Good Reason to Build Immune Systems Now

2009-07-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

The body has its own defense system called the immune system. You can boost your immune system, your first line of defense for everything from the common cold to serious disease like cancer, to fight invaders and disease. Having a healthy immune system helps us stay healthy. Finding healthy immune boosters will ensure the immune system stays healthy.

The components of our body’s immune system are bone marrow, the thymus, the spleen and the lymph nodes. There are cells that are part of the immune system as well. Cells such as T-cells, natural killer cells, B Cells, Granulocytes, Macrophages and Dendritic are key components. These all work together to form a complex response when the body requires one against disease, bacteria and germs.

When the immune system is activated they work to eradicate the invaders, no matter what they are. The immune system is a vital part of our good health. We need it in optimum condition to stay healthy and happy. There are measurable things we can do to build our immune system, and they are tracked in the form of good health and not getting sick. Do you hear people say that they have not been sick in a very long time? Chances are that these folks are making good choices in regard to nutrition and other factors that are keeping them healthy.

Our first course of action is to keep our overall health in the best shape we can. This means we eat a healthy well-rounded diet filled with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Ensure there is enough protein in the diet as well. Lean meat, poultry and fish are excellent sources of protein. Low fat dairy and cheese also provide the body with essential nutrients. If it is hard to get these items integrated in your daily diet, a high quality soy protein shake is an excellent choice for optimal nutrition from protein.

It is also essential we keep our bodies in the best shape. The healthier we are the better our immune system will function. You should have heard the following recommendations from many sources. They are not just words, they have truth for good health. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise regularly and drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Avoid things that are bad for your body. Excess alcohol, drugs and tobacco can negatively impact the body’s health and the immune system. These are things that will aid in building a healthy immune system.

Two very important minerals that affect the immune system are zinc and magnesium. Both are needed for a healthy immune system. Unfortunately these are two minerals we often lack in our daily diet. Zinc can be found in foods such as lean beef and pumpkin seeds. Magnesium can be found in dark green vegetables, nuts and grains. There are recommended daily allowances for all vitamins and minerals although even many doctors now feel that they are too low because they are seeing more deficiencies when patients have blood work performed.

There are herbs that will also act as immune boosters. Millions of dollars are spent every year fighting the flu and the common cold. One herb you can take to strengthen your immune system and fight off these two culprits is Echinacea. It is commonly called the coneflower. It grows wild and is cultivated in North America. Studies at the University of Connecticut show taking Echinacea can cut the chance of getting a cold nearly in half. It will also shorten the duration of suffering a cold or the flu. It is thought to be an Immunostimulant, a fancy title for an immune system booster.

Interferon treatments are used to manage many diseases. Interferon therapy is used in tandem with radiation and chemotherapy for cancer patients. It is also used in Multiple Sclerosis and Hepatitis C treatments. Russia and Eastern Europe use interferon in low doses to treat common ailments of cold and the flu. There are very effective natural interferon supplements that are used safely to boost immune systems, help with allergies, asthma and other immune related challenges. Natural interferon does not have the side effects associated with more potent interferon.

On a daily basis our immune system is at work. We come in contact with germs, bacteria and viruses continuously. Our big fears are disease, such as cancer and hepatitis. The healthier our immune system is, the better it is able to fight off the common and the more feared diseases. The more you do to boost your immune system the healthier you can be.

Watch this video to learn more about boosting your immune system with a patented, pharmaceutical grade natural interferon -Click on View the Video Clip in bottom right corner.

For more information on magnesium, zinc, and echinacea, visit pharmaceutical grade immune booster options here.

Can Resveratrol Help Us Live Healthier and Longer?

2009-07-17T13:35:00.001-07:00

Guest post by Vicki Zerbee

Why do our bodies age? How does a natural substance like resveratrol help keep us younger? First, it is our cells that age, not specifically our bodies. Hold that thought and we will look at that in a minute. We grow older because of a combination of factors, including 1) genetics, 2) lifestyle, 3) environment, 4) stress, 5) hormones, and 6) immune system, and 7) inflammation.

To break that down, genetics is only one influence of aging. Currently, lifestyle choices including what we eat, how much stress is in our lives, if we smoke, drink excessively, get too much sun, and our exposure to toxins, chemicals viruses and bacteria, influence aging at a greater rate. These factors in turn affect hormones, immune systems and inflammation in our bodies.

Hormones can create havoc and cause one person to age faster than another. Are you tired all of the time? Do you feel lousy or just out of balance? Do you get sick too much? Are you having problems with your heart, cholesterol, or your bones? Is your skin sagging or looking too old for your age? Are you forgetting things? Do you have weight issues that you can’t control? Hormones have been related to all of the above, and they in turn to our cells’ aging. The good news is that we can balance our hormones and that can help keep us younger.

The immune system is very powerful when it is strong because it is constantly fighting invaders to our cells, and we aren’t sick as often as someone who has a weak immune system. Unfortunately, mental stress, poor diet choices, and other lifestyle factors can weaken our immune systems so that they can’t fight off the diseases of aging. The good news is that we can enhance our immune systems so they can fight the diseases of aging.

Inflammation can be equally destructive to our cells and our bodies. Inflammation is a good thing when it protects us from infection. For example, if we get cut with an object that might produce an infection, the inflammation that responds, in combination with our immune system fighting off the infection, is good. However, we can also have inflammation when there is no invader, and at those times it is our own bodies that are hurt. Inflammation is connected to and can predict many of the diseases of aging like heart attacks, heart failure, diabetes, Alzheimers, and even cancer. Scientists have known for a long time that inflammation increases with age. The good news is that research has found ways to control inflammation in the cells which can help us live longer and healthier.

All of these causes of aging are happening at the cellular level, so it is the cells within our bodies that age and make us not only get old but get sick. If we can find a way to help our cells repair themselves, survive longer and even prevent cell death, we will live longer. We will also live healthier which makes a lot more sense that simply growing older.

Scientists have been studying aging and natural ingredients that can trigger the aging process in our bodies for many years. Resveratrol, a natural substance found in grape skins and red wine, is a revolutionary discovery that can work directly on our cells, triggering the aging gene in each one of us. Finding a way to make a natural resveratrol supplement in a formula that can impact aging, and be safe and affordable for all, has been a challenge that has recently been solved. Pharmaceutical grade resveratrol supplements are a choice that we have to help keep our cells healthy and give us quality of life in terms of feeling younger, having more strength and endurance, and fighting disease.

Anti-Aging Skin Care Can Give Amazing Results

2009-07-17T13:32:00.001-07:00

Healthy Skin Care -

Natural Menopause Treatments of Vitamins and Nutrition that Let Me Sail Through Menopause

2009-05-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

If you are a woman between the ages of 40-50 you are either getting ready to go through, or are in, menopause. I was 42 and started to experience irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, and fatigue. I knew through family and friends that there were choices between natural menopause treatments of vitamins and nutrition, and doctor prescribed treatments that help women through the process of menopause.

Wanting to rule out a more serious medical condition, I first made an appointment with my medical physician. Never having been pregnant I did not have a regular obgyn. I had gone to the same general practice doctor since I was 18 years old, and had a lot of confidence in going through this new phase of my life with him.

After a blood test confirmed the start of menopause, I have to admit I was happy. Some may think I was crazy, but I figured after almost 30 years of monthly cramps, pms, and the other restrictions I had paid my dues.

As I said, my relationship with my doctor was great. He immediately offered to prescribe a hormone replacement drug to get me through the 3-5 years of menopause. After doing my own research I did not care for all the negative information I was getting. I thought it would be a more healthy option to target things like menopause treatments with vitamins and nutrition at the very first signs my body was changing.

Thankfully my sister was a Shaklee Independent Distributor and introduced me to a combination of natural products. I immediately started using them and sailed through menopause drug free. With reports of some of these very same drugs that are prescribed for menopause being pulled off the market, I am glad I chose the natural way.

Whether it is coping with menstrual cycle issues like PMS, or dealing with the transition to menopause, there are natural health solutions to help meet the unique health needs of women throughout every stage of life by giving the body what it needs in the form of nutrients targeted for women. When the body processes are functioning properly, you feel that in the form of feeling good because your body is not having the symptoms that make you feel lousy.

The products that I feel helped me the most are soy protein, an herbal menopause blend, calcium-magnesium, and a unique gamma linolenic acid formula (GLA). One difference that I have come to appreciate with Shaklee nutrition is that they combine ingredients in many of their products, allowing them to work together to give better results than individual ingredients. It was explained to me that they work synergistically to perform best. The definition of synergy is: a dynamic state in which combined action is favored over the sum of individual component actions.

There are also differences in the quality of ingredients and formulation processes that set this brand apart. For instance, the high quality energizing soy protein is water-washed so that it retains the critical isoflavones genistein and daidzein that provide health benefits associated with the whole goodness of soy. Other brands that are alcohol processed remove these beneficial isoflavones, and use chemicals that cross-contaminate. There are different options for using the soy, including my favorite, the Cinch shakes. They contain the same energizing soy, and are formulated into a full meal with fiber included, to make a perfect breakfast and wonderful nutrition start for the day.

A key product that made a difference for me once I knew that I had started menopause was the Menopause Balancing Complex, a combination of black cohosh, soy isoflavones, flaxseed oil, dong quai extract, red clover extract, and licorice extract. It is a unique combination of phytoestrogens that help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, promotes restful sleep, and helps reduce mood swings.

GLA promotes well-being for women during their menstrual cycles and is beneficial through menopause as well. The Shaklee formula contains GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that our bodies use to form prostaglandins – potent, hormone-like subtances that help the body to regulate many normal body processes, sunflower seed oil that is another source of health omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E.

Calcium is not to be underestimated in its value to girls and women throughout their lives. Other nutrients in this brand’s highly absorbable calcium blend include vitamins D & K, and magnesium. Benefits include reduction of PMS symptoms such as bloating, cramps, water retention, irritability, and moodiness.

Gluten Free Diet Including Vitamins and Nutrition

2009-04-26T18:51:00.001-07:00

A good friend of ours was experiencing some health issues recently. He had stomach pain and diarrhea. It was starting to affect his daily living so he made an appointment with his doctor who ordered a biopsy.

It was discovered that he had an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and oats. He immediately thought, “How is this going to change my life?” When diagnosed, people are given all kind of information about ways to adjust, including foods, overall daily diet, and gluten free vitamins and nutrition. There is a definite adjustment that has to take place and fear of the unknown can make you uneasy.

There is a genetic component with about 10% of people affected having a close relative with the disease. Gluten is believed to stimulate the production of certain antibodies that damage the inner lining of the small intestine, and can result in malabsorption of nutrients.

We know that most people are not getting enough nutrients in their diet for optimal health even without a challenge like this, so this decreased absorption makes it a significant concern on a daily basis. The small intestine’s normal surface and function are restored when the person stops eating foods containing gluten.

After doing some additional research on this condition I discovered that there have been various studies conducted and the results show a range of gluten allergies in children from 1 in 40 to 1 in 167. In regard to adults, 1 in 30 to 1 in 111 were affected by gluten allergies. The range where it is more common involves children and adults who were already having some symptoms. Overall, studies show that a gluten allergy is quite common, so that many kids and adults out there have uncomfortable guts.

There are many symptoms of a gluten allergy sufferer. They include: extreme fatigue, mouth ulcers, anemia, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, abdominal bloating, crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, depression, attention and behavioral problems, skin problems, irritability, and more. While having a few of these symptoms together might alert you to something being wrong, a proper test will determine if you have a gluten allergy. Since you are the one who has the uncomfortable symptoms, and if you have several of the above symptoms, insist on a test even if your doctor is hesitant.

People who must be on a gluten-free diet say that it changes their lives because they must read labels closely and really become aware of ingredients in foods, making gluten free nutrition including vitamins important to keep the nasty symptoms away. Not being able to eat bread as they always have is one of the hardest adjustments kids and adults will have. Of course it is not only bread that must be removed from the diet, but bagels, muffins, croissants, hamburger and hotdog buns, many cereals, pasta, breaded meats, and pizza.

Of course there are alternatives. Health food stores and now more grocery stores carry gluten-free products, including bread. It is important to make sure the label reads “100% gluten-free.” Corn and rice-based cereals, and rice noodles in place of pasta made with wheat, are good choices. Our friend and his wife are both professionals with a business of their own, and like so many of us live a very busy lifestyle. This health issue has affected his life in a lot of different ways and takes time to manage, but you have to be grateful that in most cases it is manageable.

The Shaklee Independent Distributor brand tests and compares gluten content in nutritional products based on testing standards and threshold levels set forth by the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed law, and will soon include the “gluten free” claim on their labels. A majority of Shaklee vitamin and nutrition products do not have gluten-containing ingredients.

To learn more about high quality gluten free nutrition, contact Nancy Cashman through her website www.havegoodhealthforlife.com.