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+ 

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

Diabetes-Postive Results in 6 Weeks With Shaklee

Here is another awesome testimonial on diabetes and how Shaklee helped naturally to combat this disease.

Enjoy!

When my daughter was born, I developed adult onset diabetes. For 20 years I have been taking medication and trying to watch my diet. I am 61 years old and walk almost every day. My energy levels were low and the skin on my elbows crack and almost bleed. I also had fatty tissue lumps under my skin on my arms. Recently my doctor wanted to start me on insulin shots because she said that my diabetes was not under control and the pills would no longer work. I was taking Rezulin and had to have my liver tested monthly for toxic side effects to the tune of $100.

I decided to sit in on an “I Love Dieting” session and thought that maybe this type of diet was for me. I started the diet the next day and continued to take my blood sugar several times a day. Here are my test results before the diet and 6 weeks after starting on the diet:

• Cholesterol were 223 now 175
• HDL (good) were 56 now 58
• Triglycerides were 305 now 158
• LDL were 106 now 85

As you can see, I have had great results in just 6 weeks. My vital statistics have improved and my outlook on life is brighter. When my doctor saw these results, she cut my medication from 400 mg to 200 mg. I was so happy. But I want to tell you how my life has changed. In the area where we live, it is quite hilly. I used to dread walking and had to stop because I was out of breath. Now I can walk easily and enjoy looking at the trees and listening to the birds. What a difference! I have more energy and am not always thinking about food. I am not hungry on this diet. My beauty operator even said she noticed a difference for the better on my hair texture and fingernails. The skin on my elbows is now like baby skin and I no longer have lumps on my arms.

I am taking Vita-E Plus, Vita-Lea, Alfalfa, Lecithin, B-Complex, Shaklee 180 Weight Loss Program with Instant Protein and Fiber everyday and it sure is helping. Also, I love the Fiber Crunch for breakfast in the Slim Plan.

It is now 12 weeks into the diet and I have lost 17 1/2 pounds and 10 1/2 inches. I feel wonderful. I have surpassed my goal. I haven’t weighed this little since high school.. This last time I was at the doctor, my doctor looked at the ingredients in the supplements I’m taking and said stay on everything. It’s working for you. The best news of all is this last week my doctor said I no longer have to be on Rezulin and may soon be taken off of the 6 mg. of Prandin. Hooray!

Marie Schlesak

Have a Healthy and productive day! 

MJ Shaklee rocks! Check them out at http://mjshealthyway.com

Testimonial compliments of Vitabooks4u.com 

Shaklee Vitamins vs The Others

Good afternoon folks, I'd like to talk a little about the different between Shaklee's Vita Lea Vitamins and other brands. First of all, Shaklee produces and their vitamins go through a rigorous process for purity and do conduct over 80,000 tests to be sure you're getting the finest natural vitamin on the market.

Other competitors brand Vitamins contain many artificial colors and preservatives. One preservative that comes to mind that I have researched is call magnesium stearate which is used as a lubricant to speed up the production of mass quantities of vitamins. I have also found that magnesium stearate does can cause liver cancer in laboratory testing. WHY would you take cheap processed supplements that put poisons in them to speed up the production process? It's a simple no brainer that Shaklee's Vita Lea is the natural solution to daily vitamins.

Also, a clinical study was conducted back in 2007 with 3 different supplement users, Shaklee users, over the counters users, and non-supplement users. And of course, the Shaklee supplement users showed a decline in disease related illnesses compared to then the other two users. Check out these results at http://landmarkstudy.com

If you want more information on these awesome daily vitamins, click on the link:
http://mjshealthyway.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20286

Have a healthy and productive day!

MJ

My Personal Success Story with Shaklee's Alfalfa Complex

After I published the last post on the success of Shaklee's Alfalfa Complex getting rid on a man's hay fever, I came to realize that I also used to be a hay fever sufferer years back. Since 2009, I have taken 10 of the Shaklee's Alfalfa Complex everyday since then and have not suffered any signs of hay fever the last 4 years and counting. No one likes the watery eyes and running nose feeling on a warm spring day and during the summer months. I recommend you give it a try and if it don't work, send it back for a full refund.

I hope everyone is enjoying the blog and I'll try to be consistent with 1-2 posts a day.

Happy Spring day!
MJ
http://mjshealthyway.com
GO SHAKLEE!!!