The Benefits of Supplementation

It's a tough world out there. Our air and water are often full of toxic chemicals and many of our food choices are less than nutritious. Most of us have highly busy lives and devote too little time to being physically active. Despite the fact that nearly 7 out of 10 Americans are overweight to obese, we are ironically often under-nourished. In fact, up to 90 percent of Americans are lacking key nutrients in our diets.

Ensuring we are getting the nourishment needed to support our bodies optimal function can be a challenge, but nutritional supplementation can help fill in those gaps that exist in just about everyone's diet. Countless research studies and health experts agree that supplementing with key nutrients, including a multivitamin, adequate vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids provide a good nutritional foundation.

To understand the relationship between supplementation and long-term health, a first-of-its-kind Landmark Studyii was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University Of California, Berkeley, School Of Public Health.

Researchers gathered a group of Shaklee long-term (20+ years) multi-supplement users and compared their health to non-supplement users. Results were adjusted to account for a number of potential confounders, including age, sex, education, income, and body mass index (BMI).

Questionnaires, on-site physical examinations, and blood work were used to compare nutritional status, serum biomarkers of health risk, and self-assessed health status between the three groups.

The dietary supplements consumed on a daily basis by more than 50 percent of the multi-supplement users included a multivitamin/multimineral, B vitamin complex, vitamins C and E, antioxidants, calcium with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotic, soy protein, glucosamine and an herbal immune supplement.

Researchers discovered that the overall health of long-term multiple supplement users was dramatically different than that of non-supplement users.

The multiple supplement users had improved levels of important heart-healthy biomarkers including 33 percent lower triglycerides, 36 percent lower homocysteine, 59 percent lower C-reactive protein levels, along with 11 percent lower cholesterol to HDL ratio when compared to the non-supplement users. As expected, the multiple supplement users also had higher blood levels of vitamin A, C, E, D, folate, and iron than non-supplement users.

Risk of disease was also much lower in these multiple dietary supplement users than nonusers. As a group, the multiple supplement users had lower risk of high blood pressure (39 percent), lower risk of diabetes (73 percent), and multiple measures of cardiovascular risk were directionally better with supplementation. Multiple supplement users were also four times more likely to describe their health as "very good" or "excellent" compared to non-supplement users.

In most cases, the single supplement users' health markers fell between these two groups, suggesting that multiple supplementation use was both safe and effective.

Quality supplements can help fill nutritional gaps left by less than optimal food choices, our overworked bodies, and our toxic environment.

Info Thanks to Shaklee Corporation

Have a healthy and productive week! 

MJ 

Shaklee, America’s Number one natural nutrition company: http://mshealthyway.com  

Healthy Foods To Stay Energized Every Time

Natural energy foods provide you with important vitamins and revitalize your body. Energy increasing foods that you could carry out into your diet plan to aid improve your energy.

Healthy Foods

Natural energy foods might assist keep you awake, energized and alert. Additionally they provide you with important vitamins and revitalize the body. Your body gets energy from calories, that can originate from protein, fat and carbohydrates. There are many food alternatives out there that might offer your body with energy.

To obtain a power supply that serves would be to use existing food in the kitchen area. Energy enhancing foods that you might implement into your diet plan to aid increase your energy level without ruining your diet plan or dish plan.

Almonds

Almonds help take control of your appetite between dishes and provide an excellent source of healthy fat and protein. Proteins are crucial for maintaining long-term energy stores. Simply do not go too insane making use of the almonds, given that the calories in nuts do add up.

Goji Berries

They’re also a fantastic resource of anti-oxidants and polysaccharides and enhance cell-to-cell communication. Keep in mind that these are simply a few examples of foods that supply you energy and can be an exceptional replacement for coffee or various other quick repairs. It’s still crucial that you follow a raw food diet which will provide you with nutrients, energy and alkalinity.

Beans

Beans are a good source of both proteins and carbohydrates, triggering them to be a fantastic choice when aiming to obtain energy. You can add them to your salad, soup, previous dish or on rice to include additional protein to your diet plan and supply your body with long-lasting energy.

Oranges

Oranges are an execllent energy source since of their high Vitamin C content. When you exercise, your muscles experience small splits and Vitamin C helps repair those. Any fruit which has a high amount of Vitamin C is an exceptional natural energy source. You can go beyond simply consuming the fruit itself, with the addition of a orange to some Greek yogurt, milk along with other fruits to produce a smoothie which will taste good and offer your energy a boost.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are wonderful to maintaining a good density of lean muscle mass in addition to boost energy levels. Furthermore, when one keeps a good density of lean muscles, metabolism can likewise be enhanced. When there’s a boost in metabolism, your body becomes a reliable fat burning device. Mainly, egg-whites have excellent protein contents.

Bananas

Bananas are wonderful sources of potassium, excellent filler and booster, also. Banana’s micro nutrient submissions are essential for keeping optimal degree of energy for the body’s day-to-day requirements. In addition, banana’s potassium material might assist prevent tiredness. Consume at least one fresh banana daily for better energy.

Spinach

Spinach is packed with tiredness combating folate. Folate is really a B vitamin that’s needed to prevent anemia, and it could lower the likelihood of establishing depression. B vitamins are likewise revealed to improve energy levels so make sure to take in a lot of this leafy green veggie to help keep not just boost your energy level but aid you stay feeling good too!

Brown Rice

Brown rice is not simply loaded with complicated carbohydrates. This ingredient is another wonderful source of magnesium. There’s a truth that low magnesium levels can impede your body’s energy metabolism. You’ve to merely consume a cup of cooked brown rice to obtain more than 1/4 of the magnesium a lady requires everyday and 1/5 the total quantity a man requires.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is amongst the most popular energy source selected by athletes since it’s absorbed gradually, offering sustained energy. It may be available in practical single-serve bundles which are easy to warm up, specifically on the run. You can add in fruit and nuts to produce an even higher-energy source snack. Merely to be sure to stay clear of the instant oatmeal which has actually had flavor and sugars included into them.

Have a healthy and energetic holiday season. 

Info thanks to Diet and Nutrition Advisor

MJ

Shaklee Energy, a natural way to boost your energy! Check it out at: http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20158  

Office: 715-817-8787

Cell:    218-428-4448

Email  mike@mjshealthyway.com  

Understanding the latest media attention on multivitamins

Many of you have probably seen the headlines regarding multivitamins and their inability to prevent chronic disease in the past few days – the result of three studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Starting from a 30,000-foot view, the premise of these studies is the first problem: looking at the use of a multivitamin alone as a way to prevent disease. The purpose of a multivitamin is to fill in nutritional gaps and provide optimum levels of vitamins and minerals. It is well established that the vast majority of Americans fail to obtain even adequate levels of these nutrients.

Prevention of any disease is a multi-factorial process that has to include diet, weight management, and lifestyle. To expect to see disease prevention accomplished by virtue of taking a daily multivitamin is a flawed premise. So, why are these large-scale (and very expensive) studies undertaken? It is simply the model of research that scientists and physicians understand – studying a single drug to determine what effect it may have on a single disease. Studying nutrition is far more complex.

While a drug has a primary effect (usually something positive), they also have a myriad of side effects (which are usually negative and even life threatening). Every year pharmaceuticals are removed from the market because of these serious side effects. A study published in JAMA in 1998 showed that as many as 125,000 Americans die each year of properly prescribed pharmaceuticals – wow! When was the last time a vitamin was removed from the market?

Vitamins and minerals all have multiple positive functional roles to play in our bodies – which is why so many Americans pop a multi each day. People simply feel better when they take a multi because they are filling in those all too common nutrition gaps.

All three of these studies showed that multivitamins have an excellent safety profile. Well, of course they do! The only “potential harm” that continues to be mentioned every time we have a study such as this published is the slight increased risk of lung cancer in smokers who took beta carotene. My response to that is – smokers: stop smoking!

Let me quickly summarize these studies. The largest one is another report from the Physician Health Study – previous publications of data from this large government funded study did show an association of reduced cancer associated with multivitamin usage.

The next study looked at cognitive decline in physicians – who are at the upper end of the intelligence scale and pretty well nourished. Showing a significant change in cognitive decline in this population is going to take some intervention beyond a multi – as this population is most likely doing lots of the right things to protect their brain function.

The third study tried to show that higher doses of specific vitamins decrease the likelihood of a second heart attack in folks who have already had a heart attack. Hmmm. Maybe we should look at weight reduction, cholesterol, blood pressure lowering, and blood sugar management as opposed to putting the burden of prevention of a second heart attack in someone with heart disease on vitamins!

I have been recommending a multivitamin (and beyond) to my patients, and consumers in general, for my entire 30 years as a physician – and nothing in these studies changes my mind. The statistics on inadequacies in our American diet are clear – most everyone is deficient in multiple nutrients. Here at Shaklee, we have the Landmark Study, published in the journal Nutrition in 2007 that showed a nice correlation of better health with multiple supplement usage, starting with a multivitamin. We have over 100 published studies that validate the connection of nutrition and health. I urge you to continue taking your Shaklee supplements – but also, to remember the importance of eating healthfully, avoiding fast foods, and getting to a healthy weight on your journey to better health.

Info thanks to Shaklee Health Wise Blog

Have a happy and productive holiday season! 

MJ 
mike@mjshealthyway.com 

Shaklee, made naturally with no man made synthetics since 1957! 

http://mjshealthyway.com

Shaklee’s Vita-Lea a perfect daily supplement: http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/pws_search.html?q=vita+lea+ 

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.

source

Always wishing you a healthy and productive week! 

MJ 

Proper supplementation through Shaklee really works! 

http://mjshealthyway.com  

Supplements-Are they helping you or harming you?

Although nutritional supplements can play an important role in supporting your health, they can also harm you if you are not taking them in the right way. In my holistic nutrition practice, I meet many clients who take so many different supplements. Usually they take them for specific health care problems as a safer alternative to drugs or as an insurance policy to make for nutrient deficiencies in their diet. Most of the time, I find that people are taking either unnecessary supplements, taking them in the wrong way or wrong form or using poor quality ones.

It is important to note that taking a single nutrient can cause depletion in other nutrients and that low quality supplements filled with fillers and additives can end up harming your body instead of helping it. Moreover certain supplements have to be taken in specific doses or for a specific duration to be effective. Also if you are taking medications you have to check for supplement drug interactions because certain nutrients can decrease or increase the effect of medications. Another important point is that some drugs can deplete your body of specific nutrients making it essential to supplement. Choosing an appropriate supplement and creating a supplement program requires careful thought and consideration and sometimes help from a qualified nutritionist.

Some might say why take supplements if we are eating a whole foods diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits every day. The reality is most people don’t eat healthy on a daily basis, besides processed and low quality foods are prevalent in our diet. With conventional agricultural methods used now and the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, our food and soil have lost a big percentage of nutrients compared to the food our grandparents used to eat. Furthermore there are a number of factors that deplete nutrients from our bodies such as stress, environmental toxins and drugs. Nutritional supplements are sometimes necessary not only to make up for dietary deficiencies but also to help manage and prevent specific health conditions. 

There are so many supplements available and they can all be beneficial for you, so it is important to choose the ones that suit your diet, lifestyle and health needs. For example, the supplements I would recommend for an athlete are different from those for a pregnant woman or a child. You have to look for supplements that address your specific health needs and any underlying medical problems., for example:

• Vegetarians and vegans may have difficulty getting all essential nutrients from diet alone. They may be lacking iron, B12 and calcium.
• Children who are picky eaters may be lacking in various nutrients.
• Teenagers who do not eat a healthy diet may be lacking calcium and other minerals. 
• Women of child bearing age may need extra calcium and iron especially if they have heavy periods. If they are planning to get pregnant, higher amounts of folic acid is recommended.
• Athletes require extra antioxidants to compensate for free radicals generated during intense exercise.
• Seniors require extra B vitamins especially B12, calcium and vitamin D, while they should avoid iron containing supplements. Other supplements may also be needed depending on health condition and prescription drugs used.

A certified nutritionist can help you with creating a targeted program that focuses on your concerns and corrects nutritional imbalances.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a supplement. It can be a tough task to choose a good supplement from so many different choices available at health food stores. Here are some tips to help you in making the right choice:

• Look for food based natural vitamins and nutrients versus synthetic chemical ones.  Although they may be higher priced, they are much better absorbed by the body and have no long term side effects. Synthetic vitamins may be used when high doses are needed of a specific nutrient for certain periods of time to address specific health conditions.
• Choose liquid and powder forms over capsules and tablets as they are better absorbed by the body. Avoid large time release pills as they are hard on our digestion.
• Avoid supplements with sugar, starch, corn, wheat, dairy, salt, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives. These are unnecessary ingredients that can cause allergies in some people. You will be surprised toknow that famous brand children multivitamins are loaded with this harmful ingredients.

• Buy from a reputable manufacturer with quality certifications.

• If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have a chronic medical condition or allergy, make sure to ask a nutritionist before taking any supplements.
• Read the labels carefully for the ingredients as well as expiration date and manufacturer information.
• If you have questions about a certain brand, call the manufacturer and ask your questions.
• Don’t take a higher dosage of a product than recommended on the label unless advised to do so by your health care provider or nutritionist.

• Avoid using single nutrient supplementation unless under supervision of a nutritionist.

One thing to keep in mind is that supplements are intended to complement not replace a healthy lifestyle. Eating a natural, alive and good quality whole foods diet is key for optimum health. It ensures getting nutrients in their natural best absorbable form and in context with other hundreds of nutrients that act as cofactors ensuring maximum absorption and assimilation. Besides there are forces in nature that are necessary for life, but cannot be recreated in a lab and this life force is present only in living foods. In studies carried out on food –based vitamin C, research has concluded that it acts very differently from synthetic vitamin C. Food-based citrus extract vitamin C was 12 times more bioavailable than ascorbic acid.

This is why I recommend Shaklee’s Vitalizer and Vita-Lea. The contain no artificial colors, flavors or fillers. 

Check out Vitalizer and Vita-Lea in these two links

http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/vitalizer.s.html

http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20286

Have a healthy and productive week! 

MJ 

Article source

Shaklee's Vitalizer-The Perfect Supplement Solution For Any Age!

Vitalizer is the most advanced multinutrient supplement pack in the marketplace today, and it features a patent-pending delivery system designed to enhance absorption of key nutrients. Vitalizer is more than just a single multivitamin—with 80 bio-optimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life, it's the only comprehensive multinutrient supplement pack you need. There's a Vitalizer that's right for everyone.

Backed by 55 years of nutrition science, a first-of-its-kind Landmark Study, 12 clinical trials, and with formulas that target the specific health needs of men, women, and active adults, Shaklee Vitalizer is the first step toward an optimal nutritional foundation.

Learn more: Vitalizer Info

I take the Shaklee Vitalizer daily and can truly feel the difference at age 43. I have more energy and feel like I have that extra spring in my step. Shaklee's Vitalizer is worth its weight in gold. Check out this link Shaklee Vitalizer and contact me with any questions! 

Have a healthy and productive day! 

MJ 

http://mjshealthyway.com

Feel Better Now!

Confused about which vitamins to take? Women's bodies have very special nutritional needs; they typically need fewer calories but more nutrients than men to be at their best. Unfortunately most women aren't getting enough necessary nutrients.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

Women place a large demand for nutrients on their bodies as they negotiate a busy world full of stress and toxins. Eating on the run, too many processed and prepared foods, and not enough fresh foods adds up to more calories and less nutrientsⁱⁱ (exactly the opposite of what women need).

Not getting the right nutrients can actually increase your risk for many long term diseasesⁱⁱⁱ, but not having enough nutrients also means that you probably don't feel at your best right now.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Here are the top nutrients every woman could use:

A Multivitamin is a great place to start to support overall well-being and can help fill in the gaps in your diet. A good multivitamin for women will have iron (if you are still menstruating), folic acid if you are planning to get pregnant, and a good mixture of antioxidants.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA) are almost non-existent in our diets. Omega 3s calm inflammation and that is part of the reason why they are so helpful to women. EPA/DHA has been shown in studies to be important for memory,^iv heart,^v mood, and even for healthy-looking skin. Most doctors recommend around 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of EPA/ DHA a day.

Calcium and Magnesium: Peak bone mass in women occurs somewhere around 30 years old. That makes calcium an important nutrient to include in your diet or take as a supplement. Your bones, however, are more than just calcium. Magnesium is just as important as calcium in building strong bones and vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract. Zinc, copper and manganese are needed for building bone.

B Vitamins: Everyday life (with its stress, toxins) puts great demands on our bodies for extra B vitamins. The B vitamins act as coenzymes and are indispensable for metabolism. It is hard to name a system in the body where B vitamins are not needed. They are part of the immune system, the creation of red blood cells, reproductive system, brain, and energy production.

These essential nutrients can make a change in your long-term health, but they are also important to help you feel better now.

Have a healthy and productive Friday! 

MJ 

GO Shaklee

http://mjshealthyway.com

http://weightloss180.info

Info compliments of Shaklee Health and Wellness

Feeling Fatigued?

Fatigue and lack of energy is one of the more common complaints a doctor hears from patients. If you find you don't have the energy you used to have, there is a lot you can do right now to get back on track to a more energetic you. 

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

It is no surprise that women are tired; they are busier than ever. Many are juggling work, children, family and endless responsibilities — it is a recipe for fatigue. All of this hustle means that women are not taking care of themselves; not eating right, not getting enough nutrients, nor are they getting enough exercise or sleep.

Our busy lives leave us with low energy, irritability, stress, worn down immune systems, and may even lead more serious conditions like depression.

WHAT CAN I DO?

You might think that drinking coffee or taking other stimulants is a solution, but these are only temporary fixes that often lead to more fatigue in the future. If you are looking for a better way to ensure your long-term energy needs, try these energy boosters:

Exercise is an important part of your fatigue-fighting routine. Research has shown that regular exercise releases endorphins which help us feel good and exercise has been shown to reduce tiredness.

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the best tools in your fatigue-fighting arsenal. Try going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine late in the day, or read a book instead of watching TV.

Food is the fuel for your body; try eating healthier, avoiding sugar and processed foods, and don't skip meals.

Take care of yourself. A massage, lunch with friends, a walk in the woods can all help. Take time during the day to relax (even 10 minutes alone can help).

Supplementation:

Multivitamin: even if you try to eat healthy, you may be lacking some key nutrients, so a good multivitamin is a great place to start.

B-Vitamins (including B12 and folate) are important in many metabolic processes in the body and have long been used for people looking for energy. In a study, supplementing with extra B vitamins improved energy, stress, mental health, and improve cognitive performance.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the more common deficiencies in America, with close to half of people in the US not getting enough.ⁱⁱⁱ Magnesium is required for over 300 processes in the body, including the breakdown of glucose into energy. The best form of magnesium to take is a time-release formula; to ensure a steady stream of magnesium.

Iron is an important mineral for women who are still menstruating and low iron can lead to lack of energy, especially in young women who have heavy menstrual bleeding. 

Your lack of energy can be turned around with a little effort and good nutritional supplementation. Remember that fatigue can be a sign of an underlying condition. If your fatigue persists, check with your health care provider.

Shaklee has great alternatives to helping you naturally with Shaklee's Core Energy and Shaklee Energy Chews. Here are the links to the products and I hope you have an awesome Thursday! 

Core Energy: http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20732

Shaklee Energy: http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20158

MJ

http://mjshealthyway.com

http://weightloss180.info

Info Compliments of Shaklee Health and Wellness