Your heart needs health

Whenever people ask me which supplements they should be taking, at the top of the list are the omega-3 fatty acids. Since this is the month for love and heart health, I thought I’d take the time to explain the importance of omega-3 for our most poetic (and important) of organs.

You probably know that there are fats you need to avoid (like trans fats and saturated fats) if you want to have a healthy heart, but you may not know that there are other fats that you actually NEED to have in your diet to help your heart be healthy.

The omega-3 fatty acids (also known as EPA/DHA) are considered “essential” because you must get them in your diet—our bodies do not make them, so if your diet does not provide adequate amounts of these fats you may be missing these necessary nutrients. While the omega-3 fatty acids are important for many bodily functions, they are incredibly important for heart health.

Researchers have been investigating the link between omega-3s and heart health; let’s take a look at some key findings:

•Omega-3 fatty acids may help you lower your overall cholesterol levels. In fact, not only do they seem to reduce cholesterol in general, they also may help to raise HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels. Other studies have shown that supplementing with 2 to 4 grams of omega-3s also may lower triglyceride levels.

•As you may know, chronic inflammation in our bodies is bad and can be especially harmful to our heart. The omega-3 fatty acids also have a role to play in inflammation, where they help to produce chemicals in our bodies (called eicosanoids) that may reduce inflammation.

•Other studies have shown the omega-3s were able to help lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, and even seem to reduce irregular heartbeats.

•Another study has shown that eating at least one to two servings a week of fish (that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids) appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, particularly sudden cardiac death.

•A new report titled Smart Prevention—Health Care Cost Savings Resulting from the Targeted Use of Dietary Supplements suggests that if people at high risk for Coronary Heart Disease would take 1 gram of EPA+DHA a day that the cost saving (from prevented heart disease) would be more than $480 million dollars per year in health care cost savings.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating one to two servings of cold-water fish every week.  Since so many people have a hard time making that goal, another recommendation is supplementing with at least 1 gram per day of EPA+DHA.

The best way to take care of your heart is to eat healthfully, avoid fast foods, get to a BMI of 25 or below, become more active, and add at least a gram of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, through a healthy diet including fish and/or supplementation.

Info thanks to Shaklee Health Wise Blog

Shaklee’s Omega Guard™ delivers a full spectrum of ultra-pure, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy heart, joint and brain function*. It is made with a proprietary multistep molecular distillation process for the utmost purity and potency of omega-3s fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=21252 

I hope you have a healthy and productive day!

MJ 

Brussel Sprouts Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Brussels sprouts fall under the cruciferous category of veggies, which likewise consists of broccoli and cabbage.

Brussel sprouts are small leafy green buds resemble like mini cabbages in look. The buds are incredibly full of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which work wonders to eliminate many health difficulties. In reality, a renewed interest rates are growing about health advantages these sprouts have to offer you.

Brussel Sprouts Nutrition Facts

A brussels sprout is a little, green veggie that looks like a cabbage. Even though it’s gotten a rap to be a globally disliked veggie, brussels sprouts are full of vitamins, particularly vitamin C, and might even help avoid cancer.

Brussels sprouts are winter season crops, flourishes well in cool weather and lightweight frost conditions. Well-grown plant reaches about 90 cm tall. The sprouts are produced all across the stalk, starting from the base and moving up.

Brussel Sprouts Benefits

Brussels sprouts contain helpful nutrients that raise the body’s defenses and control diseases. Study has proven that these cruciferous veggies manage cancer cells by promoting healthy DNA, and have cleansing effects.

Cholesterol

Our prime fiber material (over 15 % in our RDA) of Brussels sprouts lowers our cholesterol by binding with bile acids the liver produces from cholesterol for absorbing fat. Due to the fact that a number of these bile acids are coupled with fiber, the liver is confronted with producing more bile acid to absorb fat, and for that reason requires more cholesterol to do so, eventually decreasing the cholesterol quantity within our bodies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is vital for normal development and development. The vitamins and mineral keeps your defense systems strong and assists keep the health of the skin, teeth and gums. Vitamin C secures your cells from damages too, which can minimize your risk of heart problem and cancer. A 1/2-cup serving of Brussels sprouts consists of 48.4 milligrams of vitamin C, that’s to do with HALF of exactly what men require every day and about 65 percent of exactly what women need every day.

DNA

Recent researches have actually revealed that particular compounds in Brussels sprouts block the game of sulphotransferase enzymes that can be harmful to the wellness and stability of DNA within white cell.

Inflammation

Glucobrassicin, a glucosinolate especially rich in Brussels sprouts, has actually been shown to fight swelling on a hereditary level as soon as changed into the molecule indole-3-carbinol. Furthermore, 1 1 / 2 cups of Brussels sprouts consist of about 430 milligrams of omega-3 crucial fatty acids that are a vital part of our body’s anti-inflammatory messaging molecules. Lastly, the insightful vitamin K found in Brussels sprouts has actually been revealed to successfully regulate our inflammatory responses.

Cancer Prevention

Glucosinolates in Brussels sprouts and their detox-activating isothiocyanates are provided to fight against as well as prevent various cancers, consisting of bladder, bust, colon, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancer.

Antioxidants

Brussels sprouts include specific anti-oxidants compounds that provide safety perks. Preparing Brussels sprouts can leach these useful compounds in the veggie, though even cooked Brussels sprouts still provide nutritional benefits.

Cardiovascular Support

Brussels sprouts keep the isothiocyanate sulforaphane made from glucosinolates. This effective compounds not just causes anti-inflammatory activity in our heart but could also prevent as well as potentially help reverse flow system damages. By managing inflammation in the human body, Brussels sprouts can combat against the beginning of heart attacks, ischemic heart condition, and arteriosclerosis. Additionally, the lowered cholesterol pointed out earlier can also lessen the possibility of arterial clog.

Digestion and Diet

Single serving of Brussels sprouts consists of 4 grams (16 % from the RDA) of dietary fiber, which can help with food digestion, avoid constipation, preserve reduced blood sugar level levels and inspect eating way too much.

Shaklee 57 years and counting as America’s number one natural nutrition company: http://mjshealthyway.com 

Have a healthy and productive weekend! 

MJ 

The Landmark Study Conducted by Shaklee

I thought it would be a great idea to review the Landmark Study conducted by Shaklee in 2007. It covers how proper supplementation can enhance health and prevent long term chronic diseases. 

BACKGROUND

Dietary supplement use in the United States is prevalent and represents an important source of nutrition. However, little is known about individuals who routinely consume multiple dietary supplements. This study describes the dietary supplement usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users, and where possible makes comparisons to non-users and multivitamin/mineral supplement users.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional study design, information was obtained by online questionnaires and physical examination (fasting blood, blood pressure, body weight) from a convenience sample of long-term users of multiple dietary supplements manufactured by Shaklee Corporation (Multiple Supp users, n=278). Data for non-users (No Supp users, n=602) and multivitamin/mineral supplement users (Single Supp users, n=176) were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002 and NHANES III 1988-1994. Logistic regression methods were used to estimate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Dietary supplements consumed on a daily basis by more than 50% of Multiple Supp users included a multivitamin/mineral, B-complex, vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin E, calcium with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, lecithin, alfalfa, coenzyme Q10 with resveratrol, glucosamine, and a herbal immune supplement. The majority of women also consumed gamma linolenic acid and a probiotic supplement, whereas men also consumed zinc, garlic, saw palmetto, and a soy protein supplement. Serum nutrient concentrations generally increased with increasing dietary supplement use. After adjustment for age, gender, income, education and body mass index, greater degree of supplement use was associated with more favorable concentrations of serum homocysteine, C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as lower risk of prevalent elevated blood pressure and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This group of long-term multiple dietary supplement users consumed a broad array of vitamin/mineral, herbal, and condition-specific dietary supplements on a daily basis. They were more likely to have optimal concentrations of chronic disease-related biomarkers, and less likely to have suboptimal blood nutrient concentrations, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes compared to non-users and multivitamin/mineral users. These findings should be confirmed by studying the dietary supplement usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of other groups of heavy users of dietary supplements.

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Always wishing you a healthy and productive week! 

MJ 

Proper supplementation through Shaklee really works! 

http://mjshealthyway.com  

PART 2 Shaklee's Energizing Soy Protein

Are You Concerned About the

Nutritional Content of Your Food?

If so, you’re not alone. A 1999 survey indicated that 87% of consumers reported changing their eating habits due to specific health concerns. Among the greatest worries were heart health and dietary cholesterol intake. The major dietary concern (reported by almost half of those surveyed) was reducing fat.1

Animal protein is a major contributor to the fat in the average American diet. Americans eat plenty of protein, but it is mostly from meat, eggs, and dairy sources, which are usually high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

In contrast, Energizing Soy Protein is high in protein, that is naturally low in fat, and naturally lactose and cholesterol free. It also provides all the amino acids, including the nine essential ones your body needs but cannot manufacture itself. Using the newest methods for assessing the quality of protein, soy protein that given the score of 1.0 — the highest rating possible and equal to that given animal proteins such as those from eggs and milk. Energizing Soy Protein products are also good sources of calcium and iron.

In addition, Energizing Soy Protein provides naturally occurring beneficial plant compounds that are being extensively studied. Soy contains isoflavones, especially genistein and daidzein. These are intriguing to researchers because they are phytoestrogens and may be related to soy’s ability to regulate hormonal balance and deliver long-term health benefits.

Some soy protein products are alcohol-processed, which removes isoflavones. Energizing Soy Protein is water- washed to retain naturally occurring isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein. Shaklee uses only non-genetically modified (GMO) soy protein certified through an Identity Preservation Program (IPP). This program assures that the soy we use is tightly monitored and controlled from planting and harvesting to processing.

Here is a direct link to Shaklee’s Energizing Soy Protein:

It comes in three yummy flavors! Natural Vanilla, Creamy Cocoa, and Regular 

http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20670

Have a healthy and productive week! 

MJ 

Shaklee, America’a number on natural nutrition company since 1956! 

Take a look! http://mjshealthyway.com  

COMING TOMORROW, PART 3 of Shaklee’s Energizing Soy Protein! 

Heart Healthy Foods That Lower Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty compound that’s essential for the body and too much cholesterol in the blood can cause wellness issues.

Healthy eating can help to reduce cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a fatty compound that’s discovered in the blood. It’s mainly produced in the body. Cholesterol plays a vital job in how every cell within the body works. Nonetheless, too much cholesterol within the blood can increase your danger of heart problems.

Heart Healthy Foods

Healthy eating begins with having the right heart-healthy foods in your kitchen. They assist lower cholesterol and keep your blood pressure under control. If you are not sure which foods to purchase, print this list to take to the grocery store.

Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include margarine spreads and oils for example sunflower, soybean and safflower, oily fish, and some nuts and seeds. Foods high in monounsaturated fats consist of margarine spreads and oils for instance olive, canola and peanut, avocados and some nuts.

Roasted almonds-with the skins

Just a fistful of almonds packs an amazing 9 grams of monounsaturated fat, helping lower bad cholesterol, while enhancing the good kind. Picking almonds instead of a doughnut, chips, or crackers for 2 snacks a day could minimize your ‘bad’ cholesterol by nearly 10 percent. Natural vitamin E within the almond’s ‘meat’ plus flavonoids in this nut’s papery skin also help stop the intro of artery-clogging plaque.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is rich in dietary fiber, which lowers the amount of cholesterol your intestines take in. Pursue at least 10 grams every day to decrease your low-density protein levels.

Avocados

Women and guys that consumed one avocado daily for any week had a decrease in total cholesterol of 17 %. The impressive information: While their levels of unhealthy LDL and triglycerides fell, great HDL levels really rose-thanks, possibly towards the avocado’s high levels of ‘good’ monounsaturated fat. This fatty fruit can also be full of cholesterol-cutting beta-sitosterol.

Pistachios

Pistachios consist of selenium, an antioxidant that avoids heart disease.

Canned salmon

Among omega-3-rich fatty fish, salmon is king: One serving includes about 1.8 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vital omega-3s which help cut your risk of lethal out-of-rhythm heart beats, reduce bad cholesterol, cool inflammation, and may even prevent atherosclerosis and the development of embolism.

Olive Oil

Powerful antioxidants present in olive oil reduce the low-density lipoproteins in your system. Extra-virgin olive oil is most efficient.

Shaklee also has a Cholesterol Reduction complex that can aid in the natural reduction of cholesterol. check out this link: http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=21219

Have a healthy and productive day! 

MJ 

Shaklee, America’s Number One Nutrition Company.

http://mjshealthyway.com  

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