5 keys to long-term FAT BURNING: gimmicks vs wellness

Obesity is described as the #1 health problem today. But what exactly is a health problem? I’d like to define it this way: a health problem is an obstacle to good health.

As I have said many times, obesity is the doorway to disease. Sixty-seven percent of Americans are either overweight or obese today. And for the first time, obesity exceeds those that are overweight. Approximately 34% of Americans are obese. Just think about that for a minute. What a hopeless statistic.

And the numbers, unfortunately, are not improving. Look at our children. More children battle obesity than ever before. The statistics in children is alarming, with up to 17% of children and adolescents being obese. Worse yet, this is a three-fold increase in just one generation.

Metabolic syndrome is in many ways the result of obesity. Metabolic syndrome, once only an adult disease, is now frequently diagnosed in children. As obesity goes, so goes metabolic syndrome. As metabolic syndrome goes, so goes disease. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is39.7% in moderately obese children and 49.7% in severely obese children.

All this to say, we, as a nation, need to lose weight. But we need to lose weight the right way. The reality is this: helping people lose weight is not difficult, but helping people to lose weight and maintain the weightloss proves to be very difficult. If it was so easy, everybody would do it.

Just look around us. There are weight loss “gimmicks” all over the place. According to the free dictionary, a gimmick is defined as “a device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick.” Gimmicks come in all forms: prepackaged meals, shakes, prescription drugs (Adipex, Xenical), HCG and even weight loss surgeries. All these gimmicks have in one thing in common – failure. Yes, they will help you lose some weight, but they fail miserably in the maintenance department. The short-term success of weightloss through gimmicks results in long-term failure due to a train-wrecked metabolism, making your long-term weight loss that much more difficult.

Let’s look at a few examples. Adipex is commonly prescribed drug that helps people lose weight. It is an amphetamine-like compound that speeds up the metabolism and suppresses the appetite. It works short-term, but without lifestyle change, rebound will occur. The rebound is worse as Adipex alters the body’s ability to lose weight through muscle loss and thyroid dysfunction. Oh, and did I forget to mention the addiction?

Let’s look at HCG. So if you take HCG, does that mean the cause of your obesity is a deficiency in HCG? Really, whose cause of obesity is an HCG deficiency? Throw in the fact that the HCG diet consists of 500 calories daily. A diet of 500 calories daily will cause starvation and actually changes your thyroid metabolism, triggering a slowing of metabolism. So when you come off the HCG and the 500 calorie diet, rebound weight gain occurs. Who can maintain a 500 calorie diet anyway?

And the worst gimmick? Weight-loss surgeries. Let’s objectively think about this. What do the numbers say about weight loss surgery? A recent 10 year study of Lap Band, considered the safer weightloss surgery, revealed only a42% weightloss maintained over 12 years with a quality-of-life scale unchanged. Let’s contrast that with the risks. Up to 50% of the patients required removal of their lap band with a repeat surgery risk at 60%, up to a third of the bands eroded, and over 40% encountered serious complications. Couple this with the bone loss seen in adults and children with weight loss surgery, and the question asked should be this: What are we doing to ourselves and our children?. 

Now that we’ve discussed the gimmicks, let me offer a solution: "  Whole body nutritional cleansing and replenishing system" my  primary objective  is to provide solutions for you to be healthy and well! I don’t just want to help people lose weight.  I want to help people lose FAT and keep it off. That is the only path to long-term health and wellness. The definition of a successful fat burning program is not whether weightloss occurs: it is whether the weight-loss is maintained. One of the greatest obstacles to wellness is inflammation. Fat itself produces systemic inflammation. Fat cells trigger inflammatory signals, called cytokines. Fat cells have been shown to release the cytokines: TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6. To reduce inflammation, one must lose fat.  Only through fat loss and long-term maintenance, can wellness be achieved. We want to glorify our creator in all that we do. To do that, we must look to His creation to find the answers. His creation is our bodies. His signature is our biochemistry. That should be where we are looking, because that is where the causes are.  And yes, there are always multiple causes. God created us to be unique and different. Our causes of weight gain will also be unique and different. There are 5 pillars of health to reach our goals: 
1) Nutrition (nutrient dense food) 
2) Exercise 
3) Hormone balance 
4) Inflammation
5) Detoxification and cleansing your body 

These 5 Points of Wellness are the keys to proper metabolic functioning. They are God-created and they are the only means to long-term fat burning and weightloss. Through the 5 Points of Wellness, you will get the results you want. 

Contrary to what you see today, healing can and does occur. But, healing only comes through our creator. To do that, we must look to His creation first, our bodies, for the means to achieve healing

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You Can Prevent Sarcopenia Lifelong

By Michael Colgan, Ph.D.       

Loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with aging is calledsarcopenia. It is deadly. Sarcopenia includes loss of muscle quantity and quality, loss of motor neurons that enable muscles to contract, loss of strength and especially muscle power, and a steep decline in muscle repair and recovery. In addition, there is a progressive increase in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and pain.  

Because muscles supply the immune system with the glutamine required to make immune cells, loss of muscle also causes a loss of immune function (1). By complex effects, including a decline of oxygen to the brain because of reduced muscle contraction, sarcopenia is also linked to death of brain cells and loss of cognition and memory with age (2). Frequently, being overweight masks the appearance of sarcopenia, and only adds to the problem.

Since 1989, when it was first measured accurately, sarcopenia has grown to epidemic proportions in the US and Canada (3-6). In otherwise healthy people over 40, it can be as high as one in every four tested. Researchers on aging generally agree that it is a self-inflicted outcome that is almost 100 percent preventable.

The Right Protein

Here are the two simple steps to prevent sarcopenia lifelong: First, you have to have sufficient high-quality protein in your diet to maintain lean muscle. Because muscle protein synthesis becomes less efficient with age, only first–class protein will do it. Numerous studies, the latest just published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition in May 2011, show that whey protein, similar to that found inIsaLean Shake, is the best (7). It stimulates muscle protein uptake better than other proteins common in shakes.

Research shows that for people over age 40, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein [0.8 grams per kilogram] may not be sufficient. A controlled study found muscle was not maintained in subjects fed the RDA (8). Following this type of research since the 1990s, the Colgan Institute has recommended increased protein, especially for those who exercise regularly (which we hope is everyone). Consequently, in addition to protein in meals, we generally recommend a minimum of two protein shakes per day. Each shake should contain 20 to 25 grams of whey protein, one taken upon rising in the morning, and one within 30 minutes after working out (these are the times when the body most needs it).

The Right Exercise

The second step to maintain your muscle power for life is the right type of exercise. Sorry to say that jogging or aerobics classes will not fill the bill. Numerous comparative studies now show that resistance exercise is the only effective way (9-11). But it has to be the right resistance exercise. Many gym programs use slow, restricted machine exercises to increase strength and muscle size. I suggest they do not work to prevent sarcopenia, because the major loss in sarcopenia is a neuromuscular loss of power. Power is strength multiplied by speed in free movements. Usual gym strength training does not increase power (12-15).

Balance exercise is a key component to preventing falls in old age.

The Colgan Power Program was developed specifically to train power in athletes, and we have since adapted it for general muscle training to inhibit the sarcopenia of aging(14). There are many factors involved, so I can mention only a couple of the most important here. To get a full explanation you can consult the book(14). 

First, as you age, gravity gradually compresses your spine. Most back problems stem from that compression, not from disease. After age 30, you do not want to do a lot of resistance exercise that adds to that compression. So, our first rule for lifelong resistance training, is to do exercises that lengthen the spine while contracting the muscles. We have developed hundreds of these exercises, now used by many thousands of people worldwide.

Our program gets people into the habit of working out daily for 30 minutes, with two protein shakes, one in the morning, and one immediately after workout. Many people who have adopted this simple routine over the last two decades, are physically more robust than their peers, enjoy better health than their peers, and are measurably aging more slowly. For them sarcopenia is not an issue.

The second factor I will note is balance. As part of sarcopenia, kinaesthetic and proprioceptive senses decline, and balance and coordination decline with them. That is why the biggest risk for healthy older people is a fall. Their balance systems no longer register the falling until it is too late. With the right resistance training, with a balance component, you can prevent loss of balance lifelong (16).

References

1. Colgan M. Optimum Sports Nutrition. New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993.
2. Johnston AP, De Lisio M, Parise G. Resistance training, sarcopenia, and the mitochondrial theory of aging. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008;33(1):191–199.
3. Hughes VA, Frontera WR, Roubenoff R, Evans WJ, Singh MA. Longitudinal changes in body composition in older men and women: role of body weight change and physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(2):473–481
4. Sehl ME, Yates FE. Kinetics of human aging: I. Rates of senescence between ages 30 and 70 years in healthy people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(5):B198–B208.
5. Roubenoff R. Sarcopenia and its implications for the elderly. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(Suppl 3):S40–S47.
6. Vandervoort AA. Aging of the human neuromuscular system. Muscle Nerve. 2002;25(1):17–25.
7. Pennings B, Boirie Y, Senden JM, Gijsen AP, Kuipers H, van Loon LJ.Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May;93(5):997-1005.
8. Campbell WW, Trappe TA, Wolfe RR, Evans WJ  The recommended dietary allowance for protein may not be adequate for older people to maintain skeletal muscle. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Jun;56(6):M373-M380.
9. de Vos NJ, Singh NA, Ross DA, Stavrinos TM, Orr R, Fiatarone Singh MA. Effect of power-training intensity on the contribution of force and velocity to peak power in older adults. J Aging Phys Act. 2008;16(4):393–407.
10. Peterson MD, Gordon PM.Resistance exercise for the aging adult: clinical implications and prescription guidelines. Am J Med. 2011 Mar;124(3):194-198.
11. Miszko TA, Cress ME, Slade JM, et al. Effect of strength and power training on physical function in community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003;58(2):171–175.
12. Macaluso A, De Vito G. Muscle strength, power and adaptations to resistance training in older people. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;91(4):450–472.
13. Bottaro M, Machado SN, Nogueira W, Scales R, Veloso J. Effect of high versus low-velocity resistance training on muscular fitness and functional performance in older men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007;99(3):257–264.
14. Colgan M. The New Power Program. Vancouver: Apple Publishing, 2001.
15. Henwood TR, Riek S, Taaffe DR. Strength versus muscle power-specific resistance training in community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008;63(1):83–91.]
16. Orr R, Raymond J, Fiatarone Singh M. Efficacy of progressive resistance training on balance performance in older adults: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Sports Med. 2008;38(4):317–343.

Dr. Colgan

Dr. Michael Colgan, a world-renowned research scientist and leading expert in the inhibition of aging, recently joined the Isagenix Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Colgan has served as a consultant to the U.S. National Institute on Aging and is widely recognized for several best-selling books on health and nutrition, including Your Personal Vitamin Profile, (New York: William Morrow, 1982), a definitive guide for accurate, scientifically researched nutritional information that has been in continuous print for the last 28 years. He is also the author of numerous research papers in a wide range of journals including Science, The Journal of Experimental Psychology, New Zealand Medical Journal, The Olympic Scientific Congress, and Nutrition and Health. As director at his eponymous Colgan Institute, a consulting, educational and research facility concerned with the effects of nutrition and exercise on athletic performance, along with prevention of chronic degenerative disease, and prevention of degeneration of the brain, Dr. Colgan has provided nutrition, training and anti-aging programs to more than 11,000 athletes, including many Olympians.

Fiber is Key to Preventing Belly Fat and Living Longer

Getting your daily requirements for dietary fiber may be the answer to helping you stay free of belly fat that is linked to chronic disease. Two new studies published this year show a connection between increased soluble fiber intake and less accumulation of belly fat, as well as an association between increased total fiber intake and longer life.

In one study, published in the online journal, Obesity, by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, results showed that for every 10 gram increase in soluble fiber there was a 3.7 percent decrease in visceral adipose tissue (belly fat). The study explored the effects of lifestyle factors—diet, physical activity and smoking—on fat that builds around the midsection. Over the course of five years, the researchers collected data from 1,114 African-American and Hispanic men and women. Of the factors observed, the two that reduced belly fat the most were engaging in vigorous physical activity and increasing soluble fiber intake from beans, vegetables, and fruits.

So why should we be concerned about belly fat anyway? Besides from not letting you look your best in a swimsuit, fat around the midsection builds up fatty deposits around your internal organs and has been shown to lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. The other type of fat that accumulates in the body, subcutaneous fat, or fat that deposits just under the skin, is not so much the health concern that belly fat is. As more of the population is struggling with their weight and finding themselves with that “ring” of fat around the middle, researchers from this study conclude that “increasing the intake of dietary fiber may be a possible approach for prevention.”

Also building the case for increasing fiber in your diet is a study by researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute that found diets higher in fiber, especially fiber from grains, significantly reduce the chance of dying from cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases. This study followed over 388,000 American men and women over the course of nine years and found that, overall, people with the highest intakes of fiber—an average of 25 to 30 grams a day—were 22 percent less likely to die from any natural cause than those consuming just 10 to 13 grams.

Now that we know how much fiber we need (face it, we know most of us aren’t getting enough) and that research is backing up the reasons to get more in our diet, what exactly is fiber anyway? Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate that’s present in all plant foods including grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. There are several ways to classify fiber, such as by its origin or whether or not it will dissolve in water. For example, fiber found in grains is called cereal fibers and fiber that’s dissolvable in water is referred to as soluble fiber while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. Usually there is a mixture of both in fiber-containing foods, and both provide you with various health benefits.

Soluble fiber has long been known as a health-promoting powerhouse because it helps lower blood cholesterol levels, helps improve blood glucose levels, and helps form soft stools. Insoluble fiber supports regular bowel movements. Previous studies have implied that a combination of dietary fiber of both types might help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. The current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend consuming 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed, or 28 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. These recommendations don’t seem to be getting through though to many people—recent estimates indicate that, on average, US adults are getting about half the dietary fiber they need. To give you an idea of what you might need to meet the requirements, here’s a list of some typical foods and their fiber levels:

Food	Serving Size	Dietary Fiber (g)
Oatmeal	1 cup	4
Whole Wheat Bread	1 slice	2
Apple, raw with skin	1 medium	3.7
Orange	1 medium	3.1
Blueberries	½ cup	2
Black Beans	½ cup	7.5
Broccoli	½ cup	2.3
Green Peas	½ cup	4.4
Source: USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

 What may be apparent here is that it takes a lot of good, healthy food to get your recommended amount of fiber in every day. It’s understandable that many people don’t meet their recommendations given the typical American diet of overly-processed, highly-refined, and fiber-less food. Fact is, food manufacturers have long focused on leaving fiber out of their products because of its interference with flavor. Indeed, when people think of high-fiber products, it’s likely that images pop up of products with bland, cardboard-like flavors.

Isagenix seeks to change the way people think of high-fiber products. For example, Isagenix SlimCakesare a cookie-like product so delicious it’s hard to believe they provide 5 grams of fiber each andFiberSnacks!, providing 6 grams of fiber each, could easily compete with any candy bar in terms of flavor. Another product Isagenix produces is FiberPro, a completely flavorless powder that will add 5 grams of fiber by the scoop to any beverage or shake. With choices like these, getting enough fiber is a cinch!

Bottom line? However way you obtain high-fiber foods in your diet, soluble or insoluble, it is good for your heart and blood sugar, helps cut down on belly fat, and helps you live longer. Be sure to add fiber to your diet gradually though, and drink plenty of water to avoid gas, bloating and constipation. Other than that, time to load up!

References

Park Y,Subar AF, Hollenbeck A, Schatzkin A. Dietary Fiber Intake and Mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Arch Intern Med. 2011 Jun 27;171(12):1061-8. Epub 2011 Feb 14. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.18.

 K. G. Hairston, M. Z. Vitolins, J. M. Norris, A. M. Anderson, A. J. Hanley, and L. E. Wagenknecht. Lifestyle Factors and 5-Year Abdominal Fat Accumulation in a Minority Cohort: The IRAS Family Study. Obesity.(Silver.Spring), 2011. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.18.

Ignored Since the 1950s - Now a 'Miracle' High-Protein Super Food?

Imagine a plant that can nourish your body by providing most of the protein you need to live, help prevent the annoying sniffling and sneezing of allergies, reinforce your immune system, help you control high blood pressure and cholesterol and help protect you from cancer. Does such a “super food” exist?

Yes. It’s called spirulina.

Unlike plants you may grow in your garden, this “miracle” plant is a form of blue-green algae that springs from warm, fresh water bodies.

Spirulina vs Chlorella -- Similarities and Differences

Chlorella is another form of algae that is sometimes confused with spirulina. The fundamental difference between spirulina and chlorella is that spirulina is many thousands of years older and does not possess the hard cell wall that makes chlorella closer to being a plant than algae.

Chlorella is an excellent way to detoxify your body from mercury, which most of you are contaminated with if you’ve ever had dental fillings, received a vaccine, used certain types of cookware or eaten fish. Spirulina simply is unable to remove heavy metals like chlorella as it lacks a cell membrane.

Chlorella has also been proven to be of benefit to those who suffer from degenerative disease. This report, however, will focus on the specific benefits that can be attributed to spirulina in particular.

Spirulina History -- Could This Super Food Help End World Hunger?

Spirulina is a simple, one-celled organism that got its name from the Latin word for ‘helix’ or ‘spiral’ because of its spring-like physical characteristic. Its scientific name is Arthrospira platensis, and it belongs to the cyanobacteria family.

The use of spirulina as a food source dates all the way back to 9^th century Chad and it is believedspirulina was used by the Aztecs in 16^th century Mexico. Historical records report the harvesting and selling of cakes made from spirulina harvested from Lake Texcoco. It was rediscovered in the 1950’s in the same place where it has said to have its origins by a European scientific mission. The spirulina was being harvested and sold in dried flat cakes called, “dihé” at the local markets where natives would use it as a staple for many of their meals.

Spirulina didn’t come into commercial production until the 1970’s when a French company began the first large-scale spirulina production plant. Within a few years, America and Japan began producing their own spirulina.

Today, these nutrient-rich algae are being used around the world to help treat illness and are being seriously discussed as a sustainable source of food with the potential to end world hunger. Unlike most plants, which need to be cultivated and nurtured, spirulina is a survivor, able to withstand extreme temperature variations and neglect and still thrive. According to studies, spirulina is being successfully used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including those who’ve been poisoned by arsenic-contaminated water.

How Spirulina Helped Save Millions from Arsenic Poisoning

Most of us take clean, healthy drinking water for granted. Unfortunately, in some countries like Bangladesh, it is a luxury. As I stated in this previous article, much of the Bangladesh water supply is loaded with arsenic and up until the mid-1990s, little could be done to treat dying arsenic poisoning patients.

Bangladeshi researchers conducted a three-month-hospital-based study where spirulina was given to 33 patients while 17 received placebo doses. 82 percent of those taking spirulina showed tremendous improvement.

An Immune-System Power-Boost -- Spirulina’s Impact on Candida and AIDS

According to a study done by the Department of Aquataculture in Taiwan, spirulina shows significant immune-boosting properties. Researchers exposed white shrimp to seawater containing a hot-water extract of spirulina before transferring them to seawater with a pH level of 6.8. The control group was not exposed to spirulina.

The shrimp exposed to the spirulina seawater showed a faster and more promising recovery rate to the high levels of pH than those not given the dose of spirulina first.

Now, let’s take a look at what this immune-system boosting power can mean for you:

Candida

If you have an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lupus or fibromyalgia, chronic candida yeast can both cause and worsen your symptoms. Spirulina has been shown to encourage and support the growth of healthy bacterial flora in your gut, which can help keep candida overgrowth under control.

HIV and AIDS

Drugs such as AZT used to treat HIV and AIDS patients can actually cause the symptoms they are supposed to cure. However,spirulina has been shown to help inactivate the human immunodeficiency virus associated with HIV and AIDS.

Nothing to Sneeze At

If you suffer from seasonal or perennial allergies, you’re not alone. Millions of people are allergic to pollen, ragweed, dust, mold, pet dander and a myriad other environmental contaminants, ensuring the makers of Kleenex will always stay in business.

Unfortunately, many people who have allergic rhinitis treat it with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that often do more harm than good. Antihistamines are designed to suppress your immune system, which leads to decreased resistance to disease and dependence on the drug. Certain asthma drugs have been linked to serious side effects as well.

This is where natural methods such as the use of spirulina come in. According to one study, patients treated with spirulina reported relief of symptoms commonly associated with allergic rhinitis, such as nasal discharge and congestion, sneezing and itching when given spirulina.

Balances Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a serious health concern that affects millions of Americans today. If you have high blood pressure, you are at increased risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

The good news is, following a healthy nutritional plan, getting adequate exercise and applying stress modification techniques such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can help normalize blood pressure and get you back on track to optimal health. According toa study done by the Department of Biochemistry in Mexico, 4.5 grams of spirulina given each day, was shown to regulate blood pressure among both women and men between the ages of 18-65 years with no other dietary changes made during the 6 weeks the experiment was run.

For more information about high blood pressure and how to normalize it without resorting to potentially dangerous drugs, please seethis link.

Help to Normalize Cholesterol Naturally

Are you on a cholesterol medication? Tens of millions of people take cholesterol-lowering medications every day and, according to “experts”, millions more should be taking them, including children! If you are skeptical about this recommendation please see this page, which contains a list of articles addressing the dangers of statin drugs.

Statin drugs are responsible for a host of unwanted and dangerous side effects including:

·         Sexual dysfunction

·         Anemia

·         Immune depression

·         Acidosis

·         Pancreas or liver dysfunction (including a potential increase in liver enzymes)

·         Cataracts

·         Increased cancer risk

Cholesterol-lowering medications have also been linked to severe muscle problems such as polyneuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet) and rhabdomyolysis (a serious degenerative muscle tissue condition). There is even evidence to suggest that taking statins can increase your risk of developing Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Thankfully, there are natural ways to lower your cholesterol. Avoiding fructose and grains, and getting appropriate exercise top the list (for more information, please see this previous article), but spirulina may also help. According to a study done on elderly male and female patients ages 60-87, those given 8 grams of spirulina per day for 16 consecutive weeks showed lower cholesterol levels than those who were given a placebo.

Lowers Stroke Risk

Those with sickle-cell anemia or congenital heart defects are at greater risk for a condition called brain ischemia or cerebral ischemia. Brain ischemia refers to a lack of blood flow to your brain, which causes oxygen deprivation and can lead to a stroke. Just ten seconds of interrupted blood flow to your brain can cause unconsciousness and lead to serious health consequences.

In a study done by Dr. Andhra Pradesh of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology in India, it was found that a dosage of 180mg of spirulina had a protective effect on the brain and nervous system of rats exposed to high amounts of free radicals, compared to rats not given the spirulina before the experiment. This lab test shows the promising effect of spirulina on stroke prevention.

Helps Reduce Cancer Risk

Cancer is the leading killer of adult Americans under 70 and in the case of this frightening disease, prevention is worth much more than a pound of cure. It could literally save your life.

My first recommendation in cutting your cancer risk is to eliminate sugar/fructose, grains, and processed foods from your diet. Additives such as fructose feed cancer cells and help them to thrive. I also recommend healthy sun exposure, which will boost your levels ofnatural vitamin D and help cut your cancer risk by half!

But spirulina may have potential benefits here as well. According to a study done in China, selenium-infused spirulina inhibited the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Healthy for Vegetarians -- More Protein than Red Meat

When you think of protein, you probably imagine sitting down to a meal of organic eggs or grass-fed beef or maybe even drinking awhey protein shake.

If you’re a vegetarian, you may turn to plant-protein sources such as nuts, beans, lentils and soy products. Unfortunately, soy is not the health food it claims to be. None of the above-mentioned sources of protein compare to the protein punch delivered by spirulina.Spirulina is 65-71 percent complete protein compared to beef, which is only 22 percent, and lentils, which is only 26 percent.

In addition to being protein-rich, spirulina is an excellent source of vital amino acids and minerals easily assimilated by your body. You would need to consume only two tablespoons of spirulina as a protein substitute for a meal.

Optimal Spirulina -- Types and Dosing

There are many types of spirulina out there so it is important to do your homework before making a purchase. Since spirulina grown in an uncontrolled environment has the potential to become contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins, it is important to choose organic spirulina from a reputable source.

Spirulina comes in capsules, tablets, powders and flakes. Dosing depends on what you plan to use spirulina for and to whom it is given. Here are some typical recommendations:

·         Child’s maintenance dose: 5 grams per day

·         Child’s disease-fighting dose: 10 grams per day

·         Adult’s maintenance dose: 10 grams per day

·         Adult’s disease-fighting dose: 20 grams per day

·         Athlete’s dose: 60 grams per day

Remember to increase your intake of spring or filtered water when taking spirulina to help it absorb into your system.

An Important Note on Dosing

In addition to being your powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals, spirulina is a potent detoxifier. For that reason, it is best to start with a small dose and work your way up.

For example, if you are an adult who wishes to take the typical maintenance dose of 10 grams per day, you would benefit from beginning with one quarter or half this dose to start. Once you see how your body responds, you can then gradually increase your intake to the full recommended dose.

Potential Adverse Reactions

Spirulina is a safe source of protein, nutrients, vitamins and minerals that has been used for centuries. Though there are no known side effects associated with spirulina, your body may react to it based on your current state of health. Let’s take a look at some of those reactions, what they mean, and what you can do to alleviate them.

The most prominent reactions you may experience are:

·         Slight Fever -- The high protein content in spirulina increases metabolism, which may elevate body temperature.)

·         Dark Green Waste Matter -- Spirulina can remove accumulated waste product in your colon, which may cause darker stool. Also, spirulina is high in chlorophyll. This will also turn waste matter green.

·         Excessive Passing of Gas -- This may indicate that your digestive system is not functioning properly or you have an extreme build-up of gas.

·         Feelings of Excitement -- Your body is converting protein into heat energy, which may cause temporary feelings of restlessness.

·         Breakouts and Itchy Skin -- This is caused by colon cleansing process and is only temporary.

·         Sleepiness -- This is caused by the detoxification process and may indicate your body is exhausted and needs better rest.

Remember, your body may go through an adjustment period with spirulina and your best bet to reduce reaction is to dose gradually to see how your body will react. Increase your water intake, reduce your stress levels, eat according to your nutritional type and get plenty of rest.

Important Contraindications for Spirulina

Even though spirulina is entirely natural and generally considered a healthful food, there are some contraindications you need to be aware of.  You should not take spirulina if you have a severe seafood or iodine allergy. And, if you are pregnant or nursing or have hyperthyroidism, consult your healthcare provider before taking spirulina.

Conclusion

As you can see, spirulina can serve as a potent ‘super food.’ Just remember to do your research and arm yourself with knowledge. It is the best way to take control of your health!. Now guess what: Spirulina is one of the main ingredients found in Isagreens: a super food that have nutrient rich plants, balanced formula of specific herbs, vegetables to boost overall health. 

Does your Multivitamin Really Provide What's Listed on Its Labels?

A new lab report released on the efficacy of multivitamins has drawn attention to the vastly different interpretations of “quality” that flood the supplement industry. While numerous studies have documented the value of multivitamins as a dietary insurance policy, the efficacy of most manufacturer’s supplements or their proper labeling is anyone’s guess.

Earlier this week, ConsumerLab.com released the results of a comprehensive examination of multivitamin and multimineral supplements on the market in the United States and Canada. Out of 38 tested, 13 of the supplements, or one in three, failed their inspection.

These findings are not so startling, but has heightened the awareness that not all supplements or manufacturers are equal. It’s important to choose a brand and a company that does not compromise on quality. Among the infractions that were discovered in this review, supplements frequently contained fewer nutrients than promised on the label, provided far more nutrients than claimed, had incorrect labeling of ingredients, or simply failed to disintegrate in the allotted time for proper absorption.

Taking dietary supplements can be a gamble if you do not trust the manufacturer. Isagenix independently tests all of its supplements, which includes the Men’s and Women’s Essentials Multivitamin, to ensure they are always within the standards specified by Health Canada and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We allot for shelf life and deliver highly absorbable, quickly disintegrating tablets.

In fact, Isagenix adheres to a “no compromise” policy that guarantees our products will deliver the nutrients we promise. We include the right amount of nutrients listed on the label, often with a responsible overage, to be sure that the product will deliver the same potency for the duration of its two-year shelf life. All raw materials are tested for purity and potency. Isagenix even ups the ante by performing Finished Product Safety verification through independent, third-party laboratories.

Isagenix values excellence. We only associate with suppliers that meet or exceed current Good Manufacturing Practices. All ingredients are of the highest quality—and third-party tested for safety, evaluating for content of pesticides, microbes and heavy metals. While not every company embodies the diligence that is seen in Isagenix—rest assured that all of our supplements undergo rigorous testing to ensure that you get the nutrients our labels promise.

4 Essential Nutrients Missing From Your Diet

Sluggish around 3 p.m.? Wishing you could rekindle that child-like energy that makes everyday life feel like a cinch?

You could be missing the four essential nutrients to unlock that vibrant energy.

Many times, that tired feeling we get as we trudge through the day is our body’s way of saying “I need more nourishment!” Even though you may be fitting in all of your calories, that doesn’t mean your body is getting the essential nutrients it needs to function at its utmost.

Here are four essential vitamins you need every day to kick that sluggish feeling to the curb:

1. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. According to a recent study by the British Journal of Nutrition, you should be consuming at least 250 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA daily to protect your heart and keep it functioning optimally. To get 250 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids every day, you’d have to eat a serving of tuna or cod that’s the size of a deck of cards!

Easily and conveniently get your intake with IsaOmega Supreme®. You’ll be flooding your body with 2,000 mg of healthy fish oil daily (1,200 mg long-chain, 600 mg EPA and 480 mg DHA), a great way to boost your heart health. Another plus? Did you know that fish oil can help you lose weight and might even help you keep it off?

2. Vitamin D. Our bodies create Vitamin D thanks to the sun, but most of us neglect getting enough of the “sunshine vitamin” because we’re stuck indoors too much, are carrying extra weight or simply live in a place where certain times of the year yield less of the direct rays than in others. To solve the issue, adding a daily supplement with at least 2,000 IU of Vitamin D. By taking your daily dose of Vitamin D, you’ll be helping to protect your body from the effects of aging and helping to ward off brittle, weak bones, too.

Ageless Actives™ offers 1,000 IU of Vitamin D along with a synergistic blend of other nutrients such as CoQ10 and Resveratrol to support heart health as well. Essentials for Women™ and Essentials for Men™ multivitamins offer another 1,000 IU of Vitamin D. Together, they provide the daily dose of 2,000 IU for your body. Here’s a little more about why you need Vitamin D.

3. Vitamin C. We all know that the key to a healthy immune system is plenty of Vitamin C, but how often do you grab that orange and how much do you really need? Researchers stated in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that people need to maintain an ongoing and constant vitamin C intake to sustain tissue concentration. That means your Vitamin C intake goes even beyond keeping the sniffles at bay! 

Thanks to C-Lyte®, you get 520 mg of Vitamin C, the equivalent of drinking more than five cups of orange juice! With three different types of Vitamin C included such as mineral ascorbates (to buffer acidity), your stomach will thank you for providing such a gentle formula. Learn more about the importance of Vitamin C .

4. Calcium. A study published in the Journal of American Dietetic Association reported that U.S. adults aren’t getting the adequate amount of calcium needed to maintain strong bone health. Whether we’re trying to cut down on our fat intake, we’re lactose intolerant, or we just aren’t big milk drinkers, most of us aren’t getting the amount of calcium we need on a daily basis to keep our bones strong. To make sure you’re getting what you need (1,000 to 1,300 mg daily), supplementation is necessary.

The Essentials for Women multivitamin offers 900 mg daily while the Essentials for Men multivitamin provides 800 mg daily, a great supplement to your regular IsaLean® Shake, leafy greens, fortified cereal and low-fat milk.

Wondering how you can fit in all of these supplements AND save money? We have a simple solution that will save you nearly $30 off wholesale pricing of each individual supplement while also providing a convenient way to take them! 

The Isagenix Ageless Essentials™ Daily Pack for Men and Ageless Essentials Daily Pack for Women features two small daily packets that contain just the right amount of these vitamins and minerals along with blends of antioxidants, botanicals and other key nutrients. The best part? Isagenix Master Formulator and Founder John Anderson says pairing this dynamic vitamin pack with the 30-Day Cleansing and Fat Burning System and all of the Isagenix products actually improves the nutritional benefits and is “essential” to your Nutritional Cleansing and Replenishing lifestyle!

Visit your Back Office “My Orders” section and select “Rejuvity” to order your Ageless Essentials Daily Pack today, or try the 30-Day Cleansing and Fat Burning System with Ageless Essentials Daily Pack on your Autoship for even BIGGER savings!