Be True To You

The news about folic acid or folate seems to be decided mixed of late, so many of you may be asking whether you should supplement with folate or not.

 

Let me start first with a review of some of the recent studies, and then I'll help you put those studies into perspective.

 

Most of you are probably aware of the studies initiated by Dr. Smithells in England showing that supplementation with RDA levels (400 mcg per day) of folic acid prior to conception significantly reduced the risk of giving birth to babies with birth defects.

 

These were paradigm-shifting studies because they provided the first really good evidence that supplementation in advance could actually prevent a disease from occurring.

 

Check out Mental Acuity from Shaklee!

 

The data were so overwhelming that the United States now mandates enrichment of flour with 140 mcg of folic acid per 100 gm of flour - meaning that most Americans now are assured of getting at least 100 to 200 mcg per day of folic acid from their diet.

 

There were also a number of well done studies showing that supplementation with RDA levels of folic acid decreased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid byproduct thought to be associated with increased risk of heart disease and cognitive decline as we age.

 

However, the role of homocysteine in these and other diseases has become murkier in recent years.

 

So what do the recent studies show?

 

On the positive side, a recent Swedish study has shown that people who consumed RDA levels of folic acid from food and supplements were 44% less likely to develop invasive breast cancer than those consuming 160 mcg per day or less.

 

Two recent studies, one of which used supplements delivering 800 mcg of folic acid per day and a second in which participants were getting at least 400 mcg of folic acid a day from food and supplements, showed that those receiving the highest amount of folic acid had less cognitive decline than those consuming lower amounts.

 

Finally, a recent report showed that older women in the Nurses Health study who got 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day from food and supplements were 18% less likely to develop high blood pressure, and another study showed that supplements providing at least 500 mcg a day of folic acid lowered the risk of stroke by 18%.

 

On the negative side a recent study reported that people receiving at least 1,000 mcg of supplemental folic acid a day were more likely to develop pre- cancerous colon polyps than people on the placebo.

 

Another study reported that women consuming over 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day were 32% more likely to develop breast cancer than women consuming around 250 mcg of folic acid a day.

 

Of course, this study is in obvious contrast to the study showing that 400 mcg of folic acid per day decreased the risk of breast cancer by 44%.

 

Because of this sort of conflict between studies, it is clear that more studies need to be done before we can be sure that high dose folic acid has any detrimental effects.

 

But even if high dose folic acid has detrimental effects, what would this mean to you?

 

It is yet another example of the recent paradigm shift from the "magic bullet" approach to a holistic approach to supplementation.

 

In the 60s, 70s and 80s whenever an article appeared showing a beneficial role for a particular nutrient in reducing the risk of a certain disease, it would inevitably be followed by recommendations to take high potency supplements containing that nutrient.

 

Now we know that those recommendations can be counterproductive, possibly even dangerous.

 

Most likely, this is because a single nutrient at high doses can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and utilize other, similar nutrients.

 

Thus, a high potency supplement containing a single nutrient can actually create deficiencies of other essential nutrients.

 

For folic acid my recommendation is to get no more than 400 mcg of folic acid per day from supplements unless that folic acid is in balance with all of the other essential B vitamins.

 

We have heard similar reports in recent years about the potential side effects of high dose pure alpha- tocopheral and high dose pure beta-carotene.

 

Many experts now recommend no more than 200 IU per day of alpha-tocopherol unless it is provided in balance with all of the other naturally-occuring tocopherols and tocotrienols or no more than 2,500 IU of beta- carotene unless it is provided in balance with the other carotenoids and fat soluble antioxidant nutrients.

 

With this background you can really start to appreciate the science that went into the design of Shaklee's Vitalizer product.

 

It delivers 400 mcg of folic acid in balance with the other essential B vitamins, 200 IU of alpha-tocopherol in balance with all of the naturally occurring tocopherols and tocotrienols, and 2,500 IU of beta- carotene in balance with all of the naturally occurring carotenoids and other fat soluble antioxidants.

 

Vitalizer epitomizes Dr. Shaklee's goal of "providing the best of nature and science".

 

To your health,

Steve Chaney

 

P.S. My new CD "The Truth About Holistic Living"

is now ready for order! I'm proud to say it IS my best CD yet, and this is one you'll want to use with your customers, prospects, friends, and family.

When we envision our 'Golden Years' most people hope for both the wisdom gained over a lifetime and the mental clarity to be able to use that wisdom effectively.

 

On the flip side no disease conjures up more fear than Alzheimer's disease.

 

What good is a healthy body when your brain is shutting down?

 

That's why the latest research on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on mental clarity is such good news.

 

We've known for years that omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain development in the very young.

Newer studies are consistently showing that omega-3 fatty acids help prevent cognitive decline as we get older.

 

For example, two studies published in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease as we get older.

 

The first study looked at fish consumption and cognitive decline in 2,000 elderly Norwegians.

 

It showed a strong positive correlation between consumption of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive function in this group.

 

Study participants who ate at least 6 ounces of fish twice a week or more had significantly higher scores in all cognitive function tests.

 

In the second study Dutch researchers measured blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids (a good measure of

omega-3 fatty acid intake from both diet and

supplements) and followed cognitive decline in a groups of Dutch men and women in their 50s and 60s over a three year period.

 

Again, the group with highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids fared best.

 

In that group cognitive decline was 60-70% lower than in the groups with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood.

 

But, where should we be getting these important omega-3 fatty acids?

 

It is the long chain fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, which are found primarily in fish oil, that provide these benefits.

 

Most other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids contain the shorter chain fatty acid, ALA.

 

While our bodies can convert ALA to both EPA and DHA, that conversion process is inefficient.

 

We have to consume 1000 mg of ALA to end up with 100 mg of EPA or DHA. Most food and supplement sources of ALA simply don't provide enough ALA for us to be able to make significant quantities of EPA and DHA.

 

That narrows down our choices to cold water fish and fish oil supplements.

 

Which is better?

 

Until we succeed in producing toxin-free farm raised fish and clean up our polluted oceans, I recommend high purity, high potency fish oil supplements such as Shaklee's OmegaGuard or CarotoEOmega as our primary source of these important nutrients.

 

Follow the link below to learn more:

 

http://www.shaklee.net/betrue2you/prodNutOmegaGuard 

 

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By now you've probably heard that omega-3 fatty acids are good for you.

 

The buzz is that omega-3s reduce inflammation and inflammatory diseases, lower the risk of heart disease, reduce triglycerides and help prevent metabolic syndrome, help prevent migraines and slow the rate of cognitive decline as we age.

 

There are a lot more clinical studies to be done, but in the case of the omega-3s most of the buzz appears to be true.

 

So if you're like most people, you've made the decision to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

 

But, if you're like most people, you're a bit leery of relying on fish as your source of omega-3s.

 

That's because most fish in US restaurants and markets are farm raised, and farm raised fish are high in PCBs and other contaminants.

 

In fact the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that we eat farm raised salmon no more than once a month (if it was raised in farms located near Washington state or Chile) to no more than once a year (if it was raised in farms near Scotland or the Faroe Islands).

 

That's a far cry from the two to three times per week that most health experts are recommending.

 

Of course, wherever there is a problem like that the American food industry is more than willing to step in.

 

So you can go onto your favorite supermarket and purchase all sorts of foods and food supplements fortified with omega-3s.

 

Problem solved, you might think.

 

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

 

To understand why, you need to know a few things.

 

1) Omega-3 fatty acids are fats. They are macronutrients, not micronutrients. Thus, a fairly large amount is required to provide health benefits.

 

For example, the American Heart Association recommends 500-1,000 mg/day to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Clinical studies showing that omega-3 supplementation reduces the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis often use 2,000 to 3,000 mg/day.

 

2) Not all omega-3s are equal. It is the long chain omega-3s, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), that exert the health benefits.

 

The shorter chain omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has to be converted to EPA or DHA to exert its beneficial effects.

 

3) The conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is only about 10% efficient. That means we need to consume 1,000 mg of ALA to get 100 mg of EPA + DHA.

 

So you need to read the labels carefully. Look at the mgs of omega-3s provided and make sure that most of the omega-3s are EPA & DHA. If they don't tell you which omega-3s the food or supplement contains, check the ingredient list.

 

If fish oil is listed as the primary ingredient, the omega-3s are primarily EPA & DHA. If canola or soy oil is the primary ingredient, the omega-3 is primarily the low potency ALA.

 

Finally, if you are using a fish oil supplemental source of omega-3s, make sure that the supplement uses only the highest purity, triple distilled sources of EPA and DHA because even ocean fish can be contaminated with PCBs, pesticides and heavy metals.

Click to learn how you can get clean and SAFE Omega 3's from Shaklee.

One of the major reasons for supplementation is to assure that we are getting ALL of the essential nutrients from our diet.

 

It is clear to most of us that we are not eating an ideal diet, as defined by the USDA food guide pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov), so supplementation is an obvious choice.

 

But what if you feel like you are eating a balanced diet of whole, unprocessed foods on a regular basis?

 

Do the foods that we eat really contain all of the nutrients that the USDA database says that they do?

 

You see the USDA database of the nutrient content of the foods that we eat was developed 30-50 years ago and agricultural practices have changed dramatically since then.

 

In most cases food crops have been genetically selected (and in some cases genetically modified) for rapid growth, so that commercial farmers can bring in several crops a year instead of one or two.

 

This has been coupled with use of chemical fertilizers designed to maximize growth rate. In addition, the soil is in almost continuous use today whereas 30 to 50 years ago crops were rotated and the soil was allowed to lie fallow on a regular basis to prevent nutrient depletion of the soil.

 

Has this changed the nutrient content of the foods that we eat?

 

Unfortunately, there are very few studies addressing this important question. But the few recent studies that do exist suggest that this might be the case.

 

For example, one study compared the mineral contents of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown in England and the United States today compared with the mineral contents of the same fruits and vegetables as entered into the USDA database 60 years ago (White PJ.

et al.

 

Journal of Horticulture Science & Biotechnology.

2005;80(6):660-667). This study reported significant declines in the copper, magnesium, calcium and iron content of many vegetables and significant declines in the copper, magnesium and potassium content of many fruits.

 

Another study showed a 15-38% decline in calcium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin C content of 43 garden crops between 1050 and 1999 (Davis DR. et al. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2004 Dec;23(6):669-82).

 

Finally, another recent study reported a steady decline in protein content, with a corresponding increase in starch content, for corn grown in this country over the past 80 years (Scott MP. et al. Maydica. 2006; 51:417- 423).

 

What does that mean to us?

 

It means that even those of us who are eating a balanced diet of unprocessed foods on a regular basis may not be getting all the nutrients that we need from diet alone.

 

To your health,

Steve Chaney

 

P.S. My new CD "The Truth About Holistic Living"

is now ready for order! I'm proud to say it IS my best CD yet, and this is one you'll want to use with your customers, prospects, friends, and family.

 

Check it out now by going to

http://www.ChaneyHealth.com

 

You'll see the link when you login.

 

Karen is the May Cinchclub.com Story of the Month!

Karen, initially a Cinch Plan skeptic, is now 65 pounds healthier, 4 sizes smaller…and is still losing*

Karen had gained weight after an auto accident left her sedentary. Karen’s teenage daughter inspired her to try the Cinch™ Inch Loss Plan. "My daughter was intrigued by the new Cinch website, which we found charming, delightful, and fun," says Karen. "I knew by the fourth day that the Cinch Inch Loss Plan was different. Instead of feeling deprived, I felt satisfied. I told myself I would give it two weeks, and if I still felt that way I would make a commitment. After two weeks I still felt great and had lost some weight.  I said ‘I can do this!’ And I liked the way I felt, so I committed to twelve weeks. The weight started melting off."*

Karen’s advice to others? "First, give it two weeks. Once you are inspired and feeling good, you will be able to commit to the program.

"Second, find a shake you love (hers is a scoop of Café Latté Cinch Shake Mix, a scoop of Chocolate Cinch Shake Mix, nonfat milk, a smidgeon of freeze-dried espresso and lots of ice). Vary the milk—sometimes she uses soy milk or rice milk. And experiment with different flavors in your shake. Karen has used a touch of peanut butter, cinnamon, and almond oil. Be inventive.

"Third, plan for your snacks and have them ready. Almonds and a variety of raw vegetables are Karen’s favorites. "Try to avoid the carrot rut," she laughs.

"Fourth, become skilled at making an exceptional salad every day."

The journey has taken time and dedication. But one look at her big grin in that photograph holding up her old jeans tells you it’s SO worth it.

Congratulations Karen!

*Results not typical

And you can buy Cinch products online from Shaklee by going to their website.

 

Great article about the beauty line of products that are SAFE and effective. Here's an excerpt:

I have used many types of foundation. I have used department store brands and ones found at the drug store. No foundation seems to blend with my skin as well as Shaklee Minerelles Foundation does. There are many reasons why I think there should be attention directed towards this wonderful product.

Read the full article about Shaklee Minerelles Foundation.

And you can buy Shaklee Minerelles products online from Shaklee by going to their website.

Oprah really loves Shaklee! You should too. With Shaklee Get Clean line of products you can clean your home safely without toxins. Here's an excerpt of the article:

I must first admit that I do have experience with Shaklee products. I was using Shaklee products over 30 years ago, but was too young to tell any difference between them and any store brand. I was guided by my mother who told me they were much better for me and the environment. That was ok for me. Hey, I was just a kid! After all what did I care about the environment at 7 years old- I just wanted to go out and play baseball.

 Read the full article here

And you can buy Get Clean products online from Shaklee by going to their website.

This is a great article about how the AirSource actually CLEANS the air in your home. Here's an excerpt:

I have used a variety of popular air purifiers throughout my life to help reduce my allergies and have not been happy with any of them. I would spend thousands of dollars thinking it would keep the air clean and get rid of my allergies. Will none of them did with the exception of the Shaklee AirSource Purifier. The AirSource is wonderful for so many reasons.

Use the following link for the full article: AirSource Review

The Dreaded Diet Cycle

If you are like most people, you’ve struggled with your weight at one time or another. You’ve been on every fad diet. Initially you lose some weight, but then you gain it back and find yourself heavier than before. This is the dreaded cycle of yo-yo dieting. Yes, in the short term you can lose the weight, but every time you do this you may be doing more damage than good because your body thinks it’s experiencing a “famine.” In response to that famine, your body goes into survival mode and conserves energy by slowing down your metabolism. Your body does its best to hold on to the fat you have for as long as it can. So, with many diets the weight you initially lose is not from just fat, but muscle, too. And that loss of muscle slows down your metabolism even further because muscle burns calories. Muscle = Metabolism.

There are also common challenges—emotional and other physical ones that come along with dieting. Many diets are too restrictive or monotonous, or leave you feeling deprived and don’t teach you how to permanently change your eating and exercise habits. They leave you feeling hungry, tired, and craving the foods you miss most. You’ve about had it, so you return to your old eating habits and gain the weight back. And the sad part is, the weight you put back on is fat weight.

How Cinch Works

The Cinch Inch Loss Plan is different. It addresses one of the primary reasons why other diets fail. Cinch provides you a plan to lose the right way. Instead of losing weight from fat and muscle, the Cinch Inch Loss Plan is Powered by Leucine™ to help preserve muscle while you lose weight from fat.† Preserving muscle mass also prevents your metabolism from dropping. The Cinch Inch Loss Plan with leucine is scientifically formulated to help you lose weight, lose inches, and break the cycle of perpetual dieting.

The Cinch Inch Loss Plan is designed for real life, so it also addresses the physical and emotional challenges that come along with your weight control efforts. With proprietary formulas, the Cinch products will help you control your hunger, boost your energy, and keep you feeling satisfied. Plus, you’ll get healthy personalized menus, specific to your body’s needs and your individual preferences.

Learn more about Cinch!