Turmeric found to help with brain trauma and stroke

Many of us in the West know little of Curry or Turmeric. It is a spice used in Asian and Indian foods and makes the dish hotter. This is one of those natural spices that has great health benefits. The latest can offer neurological help for people that suffered ischemic stroke and and traumatic brain injuryTBI). An article in Science Daily.com says Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death of older people in the United States, while TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in both civilians and military personnel under the age of 45; in particular, it is the major cause of disability in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In both conditions, those who survive frequently have serious behavioral and memory deficits...Read more from Science Daily.com

Garlic might help against hip osteoarthritis

Sometimes you will hear women say a that moment through the lips and forever on the hips. Usually it is meant for avoiding desserts or other fatty snacks. There is a new study showing women that eat a large amount of garlic, onions, and leeks have reduced levels of Osteoarthritis in the hip...Read more from Science Daily.com

Snoring and Insomnia can lead to development of Metabolic Syndrome

A new study is reporting that loud snoring and some symptoms of insomnia can incease the chance of Metabolic Syndrome. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, metabolic syndrome is a group of obesity-related risk factors that increases an individual's risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. A person with at least three of these five risk factors is considered to have metabolic syndrome: excess abdominal fat, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

It is becoming clearer that sleep and a good night's sleep are just as important in maintaining your health as is diet and exercise...Read more from Science Daily.com

USANA's MyHealthpak is in Instyle

It's not much of a secret that over the last couple of years USANA Products are a big hit with celebrities. Many products were offered backstage at many of the awards shows including The Oscars, Emmys, & Golden Globes. USANA quickly has joined the ranking of "A" list status and becoming a favorite of the Stars. The momentum continues with MyHealthpak being featured in Instyle Magazine. It is part of celebrity fitness tips...Read more information about USANA's MyHealthpak at Instyle.com 

You can also click on the link at the top left of our Blog Page to take an online health assessment and adviser. You can determine your own health needs based on several factors including your age, sex, and lifestyle.

B- Complex Vitamins may help slow the progression of Dementia

If you  have an older family member or know of someone that is showing signs of Dementia you want to to do all you can to preserve the quality of life for that person. A two-year clinical trial in England has shown that B vitamins, including B-6, B-12 and folic acid, slow down mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition which is a major risk factor for Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia... Read more from Sciene Daily.com

exercise at work

Many people go to work each day and some have a job that is physically demanding while others sit at a desk for 8 or more hours a day. There are many things that result from sitting all day including back pains, headaches, getting tired, not to mention how it can affect your heart and your weight.
There are exercises and stretching you can do throughout the day to get your daily exercise in, feel better, and improve your health. Something as simple as getting up and talking and sharing information to co workers instead of relying on e-mails. You can take the stairs instead of elevators. There are a number of exercises for your hands that can help finger strength, extension, grip, wrist, as well as dexterity and coordination. There are also several Isometrics you can do while at your desk.
 Check out some additional information on working out at work.
Exercise at you Desk...WebMD.com
Office Workout...About.com
Isometric Exercises you can do at your desk...Entrepreneurs.about.com

Many of us feel like we are chained to our desks. There are very few places in our society where that notion is a reality. You can do many different things while at your desk or even an empty office. The benefits will improve your health, relieve stress, and give you more energy. Doing any of the things listed above may give you the feeling to actually whistle while you work.

Tainted Halloween candy. Is it for real?

Gather round as I am going to tell you a story that will send chills up your spine and rattle one of your deepest beliefs around all Hallows Eve. You ever wonder why your parents inspect all of the candy you receive after a night of conquest gathering more treats than tricks? There is a fear( insert deep evil laugh ha, ha, ha) that someone on your street is just waiting to give you rat poison in your Snickers or  put needles in apples. 

Ever since I was a kid, I was told that kids died from eating Halloween Candy that was poisoned, tainted or filled with razor blades or syringes. My Parents and later when we became parents knew there was an inspection of the candy at the end of the night to make sure it was okay to eat. Today parents still look closely at the candy and treats that are collected to make sure it was not tampered with or altered in any way.

Where did these stories come from? Are they based on fact, or perhaps they are part of the many urban legends that surround Halloween. There has never been a documented case of poisoning or sharp objects causing harm from Halloween Candy. It is a story that has been built around some half truths and then as the years went by, the tale becomes taller with each passing year. There are some actual stories of poisoning at Halloween but it was not done by evil strangers but by relatives...Read more on the myths about Halloween Candy from Fox News.com

It is important that you be aware of your children when they are out trick or treating and to follow many safety rules. They should always go out with an adult or an older Brother or Sister. Don't go up to houses alone and beware of predators. Be aware of busy streets and cross only when it is safe. Oncoming cars are one of the biggest concerns for safety. Make sure that if they are wearing a mask that they can see well enough not to trip or fall in the dark. '

Have fun and perhaps the one thing that will bring fear to many adults is the sound of many people going from house to house searching for the long awaited treasure. Finally they come to your door and you can hear the laughing and excitement building. You slowly open the door and hear TRICK OR TREAT!!! Boo.

Positive social living overrides bad health habits.

It's pretty easy to understand the negative ways that your health and even your outlook on life are affected from smoking, drinking or being overweight.. What affect does it have when there are actions in place to improve your lifestyle? A recent study showing the psychological aspects of health says that a decline in health could be delayed up to 10 years if you are taking steps to improve your lifestyle.
It goes on to say that the research identified physical exercise, social support and control beliefs, individually and in combination, as significant predictors of change in functional health, above and beyond the negative effects of the traditional risk factors.
"Control beliefs" refer to a person's sense of how much they can influence important life outcomes. Those who have a greater sense of control are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors, such as getting exercise and eating right. Supportive social relationships can promote health by reducing stress and encouraging healthy behaviors...Read more from Science daily.com

USANA announces record third quarter profits.

Everyday it seems like there is not much good news when it comes to businesses and the overall growth of the economy. USANA Health Sciences on the other hand is celebrating great news with the announcement of a record third quarter for sales. There were many great new products introduced at the USANA International Convention, USANA entered into China, as well as a new interactive presentation tool.

Read more from Business Wire.com

Poor Magnesium Status May Be Related to Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome has been defined as the presence of abdominal obesity combined with two of the following factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus. Magnesium is an essential cofactor for more than 300 enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

In a recent study, researchers enrolled 117 overweight and obese patients and measured serum magnesium levels together with fasting serum glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triacylglycerols. Researchers found a strong inverse relationship between serum magnesium levels and the presence of metabolic syndrome. In addition, as the level of serum magnesium decreased, the number of factors relating to metabolic syndrome increased. Also, there was an inverse relationship between serum magnesium levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).

The scientists concluded that decreased levels of serum magnesium are associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome, possibly due to a low-grade inflammatory process.

Angelos A, et al. An inverse relationship between cumulating components of the metabolic syndrome and serum magnesium levels. 2008. Nutrition Research 28(10):659-63. 

USANA Essentials of Health

Rainy Day workouts

Can rainy days and workouts co exist? Many people will take a rainy day as an excuse to skip the exercise. If you are committed to a fitness goal then a little rain should not get you down. Read more about rainy day workouts from Mens Health.com

halloween candy sugar rush

Halloween is just a little over a week away. Many kids(and adults) will fill up their bags, plastic pumpkins, and pillow cases with many snack size candy bars. One common thought is that since the bars are often bite size that there can be no harm in having 1,2,5, 10 or more before the night is through. Sometimes there are two types of candy to buy at the store. One to hand out to the kids and one to keep for yourself. The indulgence continues until all are gone. You might be amazed to know the sugar, calorie, and fat content of Snickers, Butterfingers, Kit Kats and all the rest of the snack size candy...Read more from Fit Sugar.com.

Coaching advice.

Vince Lombardi said, "Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate."At some time in your life a coach has made a statement to you that helped you improve your game and your life. There are coaches in all areas of our lives. They can be spiritual coaches, emotional coaches, relationship coaches, and oh yes sports coaches. Many Professional and College coaches legacy is the leadership they bring and their words.
Read more from Mens Health.com

Dr Strand Speaks on the Healthy for Life Program.

Contact us for more information

USANA Vitamin D

 It seems that we are posting news about Vitamin D once a week. USANA recognized the need to have Vitamin D in our lives and have a stand alone Vitamin D Product. Vitamin D can also be found in the Essentials, Healthpak, MyHealthpak, Biomega, and Active Calcium.


Vitamin D
Recent reports show that populations around the world are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. The problem is widespread and increasing, with potentially severe repercussions for overall health and bone-fracture rates. There is evidence that suggests vitamin D deficiency increases during the winter months because of decreased exposure to sunlight, although vitamin D deficiency may also occur during the summer months. USANA’s Vitamin D supplement is formulated with maximum strength vitamin D to ensure you get the vitamin D you need in one tablet..Read more about USANA Vitamin D.

Calcium and Vitamin D Enhance Heart Health Benefits of Weight Loss

 Recent research has shown that overweight individuals with low calcium and dairy consumption are at increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that adequate calcium intake could create a healthier metabolic profile.

Canadian researchers investigated this issue by testing cardiovascular benefits of long-term calcium supplementation in women with low calcium intake. Healthy, overweight or obese women with a daily calcium intake of less than 800 mg/day were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a group consuming two tablets/day of a calcium + vitamin D supplement (600 mg elemental calcium and 200 IU vitamin D/tablet), or a group consuming placebo. Both groups completed a 15-week reduced calorie weight-loss program.

Significant decreases in LDL cholesterol levels, as well as the ratios of total to LDL and LDL to HDL were seen the calcium + vitamin D group. These changes were independent of changes due to fat loss and reduced waist circumference. A tendency for more beneficial changes in HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol was also observed in the calcium+D group.

This was the first study to show that calcium and vitamin D enhance the beneficial effects of weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women with typically low calcium intakes.

Major GC, et al. Supplementation with calcium + vitamin D enhances the beneficial effect of weight loss on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. 2007. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 85(1): 54-9.

USANA Essentials of Health

Baseball been bery bery good to him.

Baseball is in the middle of the American and National League Championships. Also known as the NLCS & ALCS. The winners of each will face each other in the World Series. As a lifelong Angels Fan, I don't have a favorite in this years playoffs. One thing to notice is that year after year, Derek Jeter leads the Yankees into the post season. How does he motivate himself to not only be the team leader but continue to hon his workouts? Derek follows a workout routine that does many exercises quickly...Read more at Mens Health.com

Also an interview with Derek Jeter on Integrity and Character.

Eating a fun food to lower your blood pressure

Often we hear of eating certain foods that can raise or lower our blodd pressure. One food found to lower our blood pressure is watermelon. Many of us love to eat it on the 4th of July or throughout the Summer. watermelon is low calorie, high fiber, and provides nutrients such as Vitamin A, B6, C, and potassium. A study from Florida State University shows the heart healthy and fun benefits of eating watermelon...Read more from Science daily.com.

Memory can improve with practice tests.

When we were in school a fear would come into the minds of the kids when the teacher would announce a practice test. Some people excel on tests while others struggle because they can not retain the information studied leading up to the test. Actually practice tests can help our ability to learn and remember. Our Friday Blogs are all about living better one way or another. Memory is important in our early years and especially critical in our later years. A new study from Kent State University reveals how important testing is for improved learning...Read more from Science Daily.com

A pinch of spice as an Antioxidant against inflamation

Everything that is needed to improve our lives is already among in one form or another. One example is the spice Curcumin(turmeric extract or curry) as an antioxidant. Below you find the beginnings of an article by Dr. Ladd McNamara and the Health Benefits of Turmeric Extract.  

The Health Benefits of of Turmeric Extract- Ladd McNamara- M.D.

Researchers have long been aware of the health benefits of turmeric, the curry spice,  which is the source of curcumin (or turmeric extract). Curcurmin is the same thing as turmeric extract.  In India where turmeric (curry) is used daily, Alzheimer's disease is nearly absent (per the population size).  Curcumin (tumeric extract) is a powerful antioxidant and it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is one of the most destructive processes we're exposed to on a daily basis that damage our cells and organs, which over time leads to chronic disease and aging.

Researchers have long studied turmeric extract's application in fighting cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and reversing the process underlying Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia....Read more from Ladd McNamara.com

News in the USANA World

Some of USANA's recent and upcoming announcements are both newsworthy and timely for improving your health. First, the new Hybrid Technology that USANA introduced in August and an upcoming book by Dr Wentz & Dave Wentz.

The Nutritional Hybrid Technolgy developed by USANA combines two different formulas into one bi-layered tablet. This is the latest scientific breakthrough from USANA. It was recently reported in an industry publication...Read more from Nutriceuticalsworld.com

Dr. Wentz & his son Dave Wentz have written a new book that will be released next year titled The Healthy Home: Simplie Truths To Protect Your Family From Hidden Household Dangers. It is to raise awareness on toxins in our homes...Read more from Blogusana.blogspot.com

Pregnancy Complications may be Related to Low Vitamin D Levels

Early-onset severe preeclampsia occurs in roughly 2 to 3 percent of pregnancies, and it contributes to about 15 percent of preterm births in the U.S. each year. New research shows that pregnant women with low vitamin D levels are at higher risk for this condition...Read more from USANA Essentials of Health.

Working out in the home

With all the choices to workout from a gym, to any outdoor place, many people still perfer home. You can invest in large amounts of exercise equipment or use a mat on the floor. Home exercise equipment sales were over $5.3 billion in 2009 even with a bad economy.
One thing to remember is to balance cardio, strength, and flexibility/balance. You can get creative using everyday items for weights...Read more from Fox News.com

Season of the Harvest

If you have ever grown a garden, one of the best parts is to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Fall is a great time for planting vegetables that can provide many of the nutrients you and your family need. It is often recommended to get 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. What better way than to have some of it come from your own backyard. Many types of green leafy vegetables and squash including a winter squash that we know as pumpkins are planted and harvested in the fall... Read more from Helium.com. 

Happiness is a state of mind.

Abraham Lincoln said," Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." Our minds gather information and make decisions from the facts that we process. So if we gather information about  a certain topic such as happiness, it can be a great tool to our understanding it in our continuing pursuit of it. Things like our outlook, age, where we live, exercise, and our health are factors in determining happiness...
Read 20 amazing facts about happiness @ familyhealthgiude.co.uk

Food relationships matter

Perhaps you have heard that our nation is overfed and undernourished. Our eating habits have changed since even our parents generation. There are several reasons which include eating more fast food, eating more processed foods, portion size and much more. All of these factors plus a lack of exercise can lead to health issues such heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure arthritis, some cancers, and even mental health.
 Dr. Heather Tick practices Integrative Medicine, is an author, and was a member of the USANA Scientific Advisory Panel last year. She recently wrote about our our relationship to food.

Our Relationship with Food is Broken- Dr. Heather Tick.

The United States, despite being the most overweight nation in the world, is also undernourished. Canada is not so far behind. Part of the problem in North America is our relationship with food.
Most North Americans have left behind the traditional ways of eating of their ancestors and opted for over processed, manufactured, chemically altered, genetically modified products that have little in common with food...Read more from heathertickmd.com


Click below to take a free online health assessment.

How is your Liver?

Oct. is liver awareness month and it is a good time to learn more about the second largest organ next to your skin. Your liver is like an oil filter on your car, it filters almost everything in your blood stream. Any thing you put in your mouth goes through your liver and then to other organs.You liver also breaks down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Toxins build up in your body when the liver is not functioning right. If left in that condition, it can lead to short term and long term health issues.
Hepasil DTX from USANA can give your liver to help it needs to detoxify itself and you ultimately your body.
Read more about the science behind Hepasil.

Hepasil also contains Tumeric which is a spice from the ginger family and is found in curry... Read more about tumeric from the Linus Pauling Institute.

Vitamin D May Prevent Tooth Loss

There is news about Vitamin D almost weekly lately. A recent study shows that adequate vitamin D levels may help reduce the risk of periodontal disease, which in turn reduces the risk of tooth loss...Read more from USANA Essentials of Health.

Exercise anyone can do.

If you want to start exercising there are several ways to get started. Many people join a gym, Some get a personal trainer others buy the latest and greatest workout machine from a late night infomercial, or you can exercise on your own or with a friend. The basic exercises have been around for years and are still good choices. Click on the links for some good old exercise basics.

Learn to do a proper push up and increase the reps.  Push ups explained by ehow.com.

Sit ups are one exercise where everyone has a different opinion of their value and different ways to do them... Read more from answers.com

Jumping Jacks are good for adults and kids... Read how from e how.com

These will work on different parts of your body. You will also be able to drop and give someone twenty on demand.

Experience tailgating and good health.

When you go to a football game or even if you get a chance to go to a baseball playoff, often more people remember the tailgating instead of the game. Tailgating has become  part of the experience with the networking, drinking and mainly the food. Many foods taste great but are often high in fat, calories, carbs, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, or anything else unhealthy that will have you drop kick your diet hours before opening kickoff.

There are foods you can eat where you don't fumble your health and and still enjoy tailgating. Read more from fitnessmagazine.com

Is TV making you less satisfied and illness prone?

Many people watch TV and want to identify with the people they see if they are real or fictional. A recent study shows that people who watch TV for many hours are less satisfied with their lives and feel that they are more prone to illness. TV medical shows such as House often show rare and unique diseases and ilnesses and with that people often feel their own health is in jeopardy..Read more from Science Daily.com

Fibromyalgia and Sleep Disorders.

Recently, we shared a couple of video clips on Facebook that was an interview with Elizabeth Strand. She is the wife of Dr. Ray Strand and has battled fibromyalgia and chronic pain for many years. This week's Blog from the USANA Professionals is from Dr. Strand and how as a Physician he experienced fibromyalgia with his Wife & Daughter.

Fibromyalgia a Sleep Disorder by Dr. Ray Strand.

I have lived with fibromyalgia for over 30 years. No, I don’t have fibromyalgia; however, my wife certainly does. When she married a physician, she thought her health would improve. Boy was she wrong. Every year her health became worse and worse. She stated that she felt like she was 60 or 70 years old when she was only 40. I have also been blessed with a wonderful daughter who also happens to have fibromyalgia. It has been very difficult for me to witness this devastating disease first hand and see the personal struggles my wife and my daughter have had...Read more from Dr. Strand.

USANA Product of the Week: Rev3

Rev3 is the cleaner, smarter, stronger alternative to the crash and burn energy drinks.


Rev3- a better choice for Athletes.

Testing is Necessary for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D experts advise that testing for serum vitamin D levels is the only way to correctly diagnose and properly treat vitamin D insufficiencies...Read more from USANA Essentials of Health.

USANA is offering a free vitamin D blood test for Associates, PCs, and guests in the U.S. who would like to participate in a study assessing vitamin D status. For more information, please visit www.usanavitamindsurvey.com.

If you are not yet a USANA Associate or Preferred Customer please contact us for more information.

Free online Health Assessment and Advisor.

What is your reason?

I'm sure there is a good reason for not exercising or doing your workout today. There is always something that can keep you from your workout . The fact is with whatever you face in your workout, there are ways to overcome it. Here are six of the most common reasons men find for not working out..Read more from Menshealth.com

How sweet it is!

It seems that so much is dedicated to making our life sweeter from electronic gadgets, work saving appliances,  to our food. It's no wonder that there are so many choices for making our food taste sweeter. We often hear about sugar, high fructose corn syrup, splenda, equal and many other sugar substitutes. We found information that explains 10 sugars and sweeteners...Read more from Health.com

Don't skip breakfast and don't fill up on carbs only

Ah, a balanced breakfast. You can almost smell the eggs, bacon or sausage cooking as you pop the bread into the toaster. You enjoy some fresh fruit along with a glass of milk. Some of these may not be the healthiest but you do get the proteins and fats needed to compliment the carbs. Many weekday breakfasts(if eaten at all) consist mainly of carbs. Even oatmeal with blueberries is full of carbs and lacking on fats and proteins...Read more from Menshealth.com


A balanced meal on the go... Check out USANA's Nutrimeal

Getting unstuck

A number of years ago I was driving a pickup truck late at night off road and hit some soft sand and got stuck. After several attempts to go forwards and backwards I found that was getting stuck deeper than I was and each attempt made it worse.  This same thing happens in our lives. We often get stuck  and can't seem to go forward or backward and live below our potential. There are many things that get us stuck but often it is our own point of view. How we feel about ourselves, or being told that we can't fulfill our dreams, maybe we don't deserve them. Just like the truck we seem to dig our own hole deeper.
This Friday Blog is about finding a way to get our lives out of being stuck and getting out of our own personal barriers...Read more at the Personal Mastery Blog.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate

It is the time of year when the flu vaccinations are becoming available for the coming Flu Season. There are many differences of opinion if you should get the vaccination or not. When it comes to vaccinations for Children there is a common belief that it is best to get your child vaccinated against all popular diseases. Sometimes that option might not be in your best interest. Dr. Christiane Northrup is a Nationally recognised OB GYN, Published Author, and USANA Associate. She gives information about Pertussis, HPV, & Meningitus vaccines. The following is from Christiane Northrup.com.
In June 2010, there was an outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in California that reporters were calling the worst epidemic in 50 years. Although we’ve been vaccinating for pertussis for more than a half-century, California health officials’ answer was more vaccinations. They even went so far as to blame the outbreak on the increasing number of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. This led to fear, fear, and more fear, as well as more confusion. Because you are more likely to wrestle with whether to vaccinate your children (or yourself) when a new school year starts, I’d like to share some information that you may not know about pertussis and give you some insights about the HPV (human papilloma virus) and meningitis vaccine...Read more at Christiane Northrup.com

Glycemic Index & Glycemic Load

Not all carbohydrates are created equal. Some work to increase blood sugar in your body quickly and some do it slowly in a more timed released matter. The Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load are terms that describe the way your bodies receives and processes carbohydrates. This is important information if you are managing your carb intake for Heart Disease, Diabetes, or weight management...Read more from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Walk a mile in my shoes

We take our first steps around 1 yr old and sit down often when we become adults. Walking is one of the most common forms of exercise but you can be turned off easliy with poor fitting shoes. If you are walking as part of your regular exercise program don't forget about your feet. Walking shoes need to be comfortable and fit your feet...Read more from Mayoclinic.com.

Is there such a thing as healthy fast food?

Healthy Fast Food seems as much of a universe ending possibility as Mr. Scott saying you can't mix matter and antimatter in the old Star Trek TV Series. Just as the technology of that show is now becoming staples of our lives such as a flip phone cell phone, healthy fast food is also a staple of many fast food giants. In fact the menus are becoming more health conscious all the time while at the same time they are increasing the unhealthy options...Read more from Askmen.com

Living a good life and achieve your dreams

A couple of years ago Dr. Randy Pausch gave a wonderful and inspiring speech on how to live a good life and achieve your childhood dreams. He did this while battling Pancreatic Cancer and passed away a few months later. Here is the version of the speech he gave on Oprah.

Healthy lifestyles or weight loss surgery.

I've noticed recently that the ads on TV, Radio, and Billboards seem to be increasing for weight loss surgery, mainly the Lap Band. The main pitch they are making now is to due this procedure before changes come to health care. It is still your choice to release weight by developing a healthier lifestyle instead of going for a quick fix or magic bullet.
A few years ago Dr. Ray Strand wrote about this growing trend as people goes to drastic means to release weight. Here are the beginning of Dr. Strand's thoughts on weight loss surgery...

As severe weight gain continues to ravage western society, more and more people are considering severe measures to try to break out of the prison of obesity. Thousands and thousands of over-weight people are realizing the desperateness of their situation. Their lives are slipping away into illness, inactivity, and discouragement. Popular diets have a miserable failure rate, and there seems to be little hope. What can be done? More and more people are turning to radical medical procedures called "bariatric surgery." In fact, bariatric surgeries are now the fastest growing surgery in the United States. In this month's issue of the Healthy for Life Newsletter, I will focus on the risks and the results of these surgical procedures. Then, I will offer a powerful, healthy, inexpensive, and natural alternative. You can judge for yourself, but you'll see that going under the knife in order to lose weight is rarely a good or effective option...Read more from Dr. Strand.

Health begins in your mouth

Every time we visit the Dentist, they alway ask if you are brussing and flossing regularly. What is your answer? Both are important but the toothpaste you use could also cause you harm. Many popular brands contain chemicals and additives which can cause skin rashes and canker sores. Health teeth and gums can be achieved with USANA's Natural Whitening Toothpaste without all of the chemicals...Read more from What's Up? USANA.

Find out more at ShopUSANA.com

High Fiber Intake Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

It has been somewhat common knowledge for years to increase your fiber especially as you get older. Here is something to support that idea. High dietary fiber intake, especially from a variety of sources, is related to a reduction in many cardiovascular disease risk factors...Read more from USANA Essentials of Health.

Change of Seasons

The change of Season is almost upon us. In many ways it is already Fall for many people with School and Football already under way. Some parts of the Country can see the change in Seasons with the leaves changing color. Did you hit your Summer Goals for weight loss or fitness? If you did or didn't there are still things coming up to get you going again. It could be Halloween and wanting to wear a costume that is too small right now. It might also be the Holidays and wanting to be in better shape seeing Family. Whatever your reason you can benefit from workouts by Celebrity Trainer and USANA Spokesperson Kathy Kaehler...Kathy Kaehler Summer Workout #2 from What's up? USANA.

Saving money and eating healthy

Sometimes it seems that eating healthy is only a dream when you are on a tight budget. Many people are living with reduced incomes or additional expenses since the economy began to change a couple of years ago. You can eat healthy for about $3 a serving... Read more from eatingwell.com.

Many women with Bipolar Disorder are often mis-diagnosed

If someone in your family suffers from a Bipolar Disorder it can affect the whole family. If untreated many things can happen such as drive their spouse or family away, cause harm to themselves, or buy many things on impulse causing financial hardship or bankruptcy. There are new studies showing that women are often not diagnosed correctly with Bipolar Disorder...Read more from Health.com

Chickens fed flaxseed to study Ovarian Cancer

This month is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. There was a recent study that shows how chickens that were given flaxseed in their diets and that it decreased the severity and increased the survival for Ovarian Cancer...Read more from Sciencedaily.com.

Digestive health

USANA has been the leader in Nutritional Science since Dr. Wentz founded the Company in 1992. Dr. Wentz also created a Holistic Medical Facility in Baja California with a full hospital accreditation called Sanoviv Medical Institute. These two are working together with the creation of a new category of products for digestive health.
There are four products now available that compliment your body's natural processes for better digestive health. They are Probiotics, Hepasil, Fibergy Plus, and Digestive Enzymes. These products work towards digestion, detox (especially in the liver), and elimination. You can read more about each product.

USANA Probiotic- Digestive & Immune Health

Hepasil Dtx- Liver support promotes and balances the detox process for the body.

USANA Digestive Enzyme- Support your body's natural detox system.

Fibergy Plus- Low calorie fiber blend that promotes good digestive health.

Contact us by phone(714-679-6778) or e-mail(stevensfamilyhealth@yahoo.com) for more information.

Increased Magnesium Intake Linked to Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports a correlation between higher magnesium intake and a reduced rate of type 2 diabetes. Low magnesium intakes have previously been linked to insulin resistance and impaired glucose utilization.

Researchers evaluated data from 17,592 men and women aged 40 to 79 who took part in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk established between 1988 and 1990. Dietary magnesium was calculated using a validated questionnaire, and incidence of diabetes was defined by self-report of physician diagnosis.

At the five year follow-up, 459 new cases of diabetes were reported. Dietary intake of magnesium was inversely associated with age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes incidence in both sexes.

After making adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, participants whose intake of magnesium was among the top 25 percent had a 36 percent lower adjusted risk of developing diabetes.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in Asian countries, and this is the first study to examine the association between magnesium intake and the risk of diabetes in adults living in Japan. The results of this study are important for the development of potential health policies to help prevent and control this increasingly common degenerative disease.

Kyoko K, et al. Magnesium Intake and Risk of Self-Reported Type 2 Diabetes among Japanese. 2010. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 29, No. 2, 99-106.

USANA Essentials of Health.

Exercise your funny bone

It's Labor Day. OK, unless you are truly dedicated some of you will miss your workout today. You can still do some basics. Tim Conway gives some exercise tips to Johnny Carson in a preview of the Dorf videos that came around later. Enjoy the laughs and your day.

Grillng & good eating

The last (unofficial) weekend of Summer. You know at some point it's going to be about getting together and eating. Good eating can actually be healthy and taste good. The key is flavor added to your food. Click on the mmm's for great recipes from Fitness magazine and even desserts...mmm, mmm, mmm.

Overcoming adversity

This Blog is usually about your health and with a title of Overcoming Adversity, you might think it is not about health. Well you are right, however facing challenges in your life can affect your wellness or well being and eventually affect your health.
Everyone goes through difficult times and how you react is what defines your character. Recently I was reading the story of Job and everyone around him was telling him how bad his life was and the best thing for him would be to just deny God and die. We know that Job held true and ended up prospering throughout the rest of his life.
Many times in my life when things seemed to be at their worst, I have thought will this still be an issue in 6 months or five years? Brian Tracy gives four tips on overcoming a challenge in your life...Read Brian Tracy's Blog.

September health awareness

Every month, certain weeks, and even selected days are recognized nationally and sometimes throughout the World to help bring awareness for health and disease. There are several that affect many for the month includiing Childhood Cancer, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery, Cholesterol Education, Ovarian & Prostate Cancer, and even Yoga awareness. There are some awareness days you should also mark on your calender such as World Alzheimer's Day(21st), Family Health & fitness(25th and more Click on the link to find out the complete list..

Health Awareness.

Nutritional Hybrid Technology

Being a leader in Nutritional Health, USANA Health Science has provided high quality and highly rated products since 1992. Last week at the 2010 International Convention USANA announced that they are going to be one of the first companies to begin using Nutritional Hybrid Technology. This new technology can combine two separate formulas into one bilayered tablet...Read more.

Vitamin D: An essential nutrient

When vitamins were first discovered in the early 20th century, Vitamin D was found to help cure the childhood bone disease Rickets. Today there is a Vitamin D deficiency in children once again and Rickets is making a comeback.
Vitamin D is not just for kids anymore. Last week at the USANA International Convention, Dr. Myron Wentz said that Sunshine and Vitamin D are as essential to health as oxygen. He listed several chronic diseases that the risk can be reduced with Sunshine and supplementing with Vitamin D.
Some chronic diseases associated with adults are listed below.

Vitamin D Status and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease.

A new long-term research study conducted in over 3,000 individuals indicates that individuals with the lowest vitamin D levels are at increased risk of Parkinson’s disease...Read from USANA Essentials of Health

Vitamin D3 May Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer.

According to a new research study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, increased blood levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 40 percent...Read more from USANA Essentials of Health.

Exercise : The first step

Some people can hear the word exercise and it makes them tired. Exercise should be more than making a trip to the refrigerator or even worse the 12 ounce curls. Everyone knows they should do something but are often confused about what to do or do not have a gym membership or equipment at home.
There are a number of ways to get started. We have two ways for you to begin. The first comes from Celebrity Trainer and USANA Spokesperson Kathy Kaehler. This was a workout she designed for people that were on the USANA Reset Program. You can do this workout even if you are not on the program...Kathy Kaehler Workout Video #1

The second way includes even doing daily household chores such as gardening or number of beginning tips from WEBMD...Begin here.

Exercise helps you in many ways from weight loss to disease risk reduction. It is up to you to decide what is best for you. The main thing is to get moving.

Learning to read Nutrition Labels

Now that labels are on the foods we buy, the next question is how do you read them? The labels on our foods are filled with information about serving size, calories, fat, carbs, and many other things that sometimes have you scratching your head. It is important to understand the labels to make healthier decisions for you and your family...Read more from MSN.

Perseverance by Denis Waitley

Denis Waitley has successfully coached an mentored people in many areas such as Apollo Astronauts, Olympic Athletes, Fortune 500 Corporations and more. We are fortunate to hear him as one of the keynote speakers this year at the USANA Convention. Here is a valuable lesson he once taught about perseverance.

In the beginning

Thousands have traveled from around the World to be in Salt Lake City for the 2010 USANA International Convention. Looking back it all began with the vision of Dr. Myron Wentz to improve the health of people throughout the World. Watch this short video to see how it all began.

USANA Convention travel day.

Sonia and I are driving to Salt Lake City. Excited to be attending the USANA International Convention. There will be great speeches from the leaders in USANA and management, new products and more. Last week we learned that USANA Health Sciences acquired Baby Care LTD in China.
The presence of USANA will expand at a very large scale by entering China. A question was asked by Motley Fool.com recently if the management is up to the task... Read what was said.

Vitamin D May Treat or Prevent Allergy to Common Mold

It seems that there is daily news about Vitamin D. The latest comes from a study at LSU Health Sciences Center at New Orleans. Dr. Jay Kolls, Professor and Chair of Genetics and colleagues at the University, has found that vitamin D may be an effective therapeutic agent to treat or prevent allergy to a common mold that can complicate asthma and frequently affects patients with Cystic Fibrosis... Read more at Science Daily.

Middle age Women can cycle and walk to weight loss.

Women will not want to hear this but on average Women gain 21 pounds as they reach middle age. There is a way to reverse this for yourself that can help you feel like a kid again, it is riding a bike. There are some additional ways also including brisk walking, swimming, and hiking. A recent study from the Nurses Health Study II shows that as little as 5 minutes a day can help you keep your girlish figure... read more from Time.com



A related article says if you build it they will use it. If cities and communities want healthier citizens, then there needs to be an increase in the building of cross walks, side walks, and bike paths. .. Science Daily.com


A second related story two people biking 1100 miles to USANA Convention...What's up, USANA?

A great way to do healthy snacks

School will be starting soon. Celebrity Trainer and USANA Spokesperson Kathy Kaehler talked about health snacks recently on NBC Los Angeles.
Watch video.

Adult kids success and struggles affect parents.

As a parent, you are always concerned for the health and well being of your children. It is especially true when they are small. Many parents feel that when the children turn 18 that your worries are over. Those words could not be further from the truth. There is no finish line when it comes to being a parent. It doesn't matter if you have infants or are empty nesters. Parents share emotionally in the successes and failures in their kids lives. The health of parents is affected by divorce, self abuse with drugs or alcohol, and financial hardship...read more from Health.com

Oxidation is a bigger health risk than high cholesterol

If you believe every commercial, Americans Cholesterol levels are too high and need to be constantly lowered. Did you know that your body needs the LDL or bad Cholesterol we are constantly being told is too and high and we need to lower?
Dr. Ladd McNamara in his book the CHOLESTEROL CONSPIRACY says that the oxidated cholesterol in our bloodstream caused by free radicals is where the risk and damage comes from. He goes on to say," In fact, the majority of people dying of heart disease have NORMAL LDL cholesterol levels! The reason: because their LDL cholesterol and arteries are oxidized year after year and plaque develops despite normal LDL cholesterol levels. So, HOW MUCH good are we doing by simply lowering their LDL cholesterol with statin drugs?"...Read more on the Cholesterol Conspiracy.

USANA Health Sciences acquires Baby Care LTD in China

It was recently announced that China passed Japan as the number 2 World Economy. USANA Health Sciences has now acquired Baby Care LTD. USANA's CEO Dave Wentz said, “We are very excited about this acquisition and the opportunity that it provides for USANA to ultimately establish a business via BabyCare in China. BabyCare is a natural fit for us, as they share our philosophy for high-quality products and pristine manufacturing practices. In fact, 15 of BabyCare’s nutritional supplement products are qualified by SFDA, the Government’s highest level of product regulatory approval. As a company with over 11 years of in-country experience, and as one of only 25 companies operating with a direct selling license in China, BabyCare brings us both valuable knowledge of China’s direct selling market and the ability to expand our business in China via BabyCare. We believe this acquisition is the most effective way for us to enter this enormous market.”...read more.

A history of Vitamins

The word Vita means life and amine was once thought to be a compound in all vitamins. The science and research of vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements are expanding all of the time. Many early discoveries of vitamins were by accident and not of science. The benefits of vitamin A was discovered by The Ancient Egyptians. They were able to cure night blindness by giving the person liver. Vitamin C Scurvy was cured by giving a person oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
There were once vitamins F & G...Find out more.

Swim to fitness and find an app.

Rainy Days and Monday used to get people down. Mondays are also the day of the week when most people begin a diet or fitness program. Our Monday Blogs will focus on getting in shape, exercise, sports and other ways to improve your fitness. This week we have two ways to begin swimming and using technology.
The Dogs day of Summer seem to bark a little less when we can take a dip in the pool. Swimming is also a good way to get your workouts in, especially when the temperature is to hot for any other type of workout. You can do casual swimming which is low impact if you have joint or knee pain. You can also take it to the level of people that are in the best shape of their lives. Who do think for people in the best shapes of their lives? Trainers, Professional and Olympic Athletes and our Military. I recently looked at Military.com to see what type of workout they have. They have plenty to choose from...find out which workout to take on.

People are using technology to help them with their diet and fitness programs. You can download the right app. for your I Phone or other smart phone...read more from What's up? USANA.

Power foods

Food is our best source for providing our bodies with the needed antioxidants, proteins, and fats. What are the best foods for finding these? Check out this link from the Cleveland Clinic to see what are the best foods in each category...read more.

The weekend, time to remove stress?

It's Friday and that used to be enough for most be people to relax, unwind and lose stress. Today, especially if you have kids the weekend ramps up to be even more hectic and fast paced than the week. There are sports, birthday parties, shopping, driving to friends, waiting for them to get ready and so much more not to mention yard work and cleaning the house...whew!
In a simpler time the Man would come home and the wife would hand him a cold one when he walked through the door followed by the kids handing over the remote and then he could watch the game or just a mindless comedy or action movie. Even farther back in time the five o'clock whistle could generate enough excitement to yell "Yabba Dabba Do". The working Woman would on the other hand would expect that the husband would be attentive to her needs have a bath drawn and then take the kids away for hours. Well it's not quite that easy any more. (perhaps it never really was)
There are different ways Men and Women can remove stress together but here some ways individually.
Mens Health has 19 ways for Men including Being grateful and playing video games...read more.

Health.com has ways to turn your house into an Oasis for Women...read on.

Diabetes affects many families.

Our family has seen the slow and painful effects of Diabetes for over 30 years, first with my Mom and now Sonia's. It might come as a shock to you and the family when you find out someone has Diabetes but the progression of symptoms and lifestyle choices were building up for years. Sometimes it can be 10 years or more before Diabetes is diagnosed. Dr. Ray Strand covered Diabetes in one of his newsletters titled: Diabetes is a Choice. Here is the beginning of Dr. Strand's Newsletter.


One of the greatest challenges to our health care system is the dramatic rise in the incidence of both obesity and diabetes. In the U.S. and Canada, diabetes has increased more than 500% during just the last generation. More than seventy percent of adults and more than thirty percent of our children are considered to be either overweight or obese. In spite of spending more than 30 billion dollars each year on diets and weight loss programs, the rate of obesity has tripled in this country in the past thirty years. Even more alarming is the fact that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has projected that one-third of our children born after the year 2000 will become diabetic...read the full newsletter.

Nutritionals you can Trust.

The highest rated supplements in the World. It's a simple tag line but when it comes to your health, USANA is Nutritionals you can trust.

Dietary Supplements & Meal Replacements Help Prevent Nutrient Deficiencies During Weight Loss

Safe and effective weight control strategies are a necessary part of addressing the current obesity epidemic. In a recent study, dieters using fortified meal replacements were more likely to have adequate essential nutrient intakes than a group following a traditional “food group” diet. This comes from the Essentials of Health...read more.

Punching and kicking your way to fitness

Sometimes people get so frustrated with their exercise program that they are willing punch or kick something. Why not make that your workout? Kickboxing gives you a good workout to release a few pounds, build up your cardio and more. Health.com shows a simple program to get started featuring kickboxing...read more.

Popeye cartoons can help children eat their vegies.

Well blow me down! As a fan of Popeye and also someone that is known to do an okay impersonation, this is great news. A recent study shows that as children become more interactive learning about fruits and vegies that they will eat more vegetables. This was reported in Science Daily...read more.

Weight-Loss Strategies Can Affect Risk of Micronutrient Deficiencies

So you've decided it's time to lose some weight, that is a good thing. What are you going to do to make up for the Micronutrients your body will also lose?
A recent article from the USANA Essentials of Health explains that While losing weight carries many health benefits, cutting calories may inadvertently lead to cutting micronutrient intakes as well. Researchers have found an increased risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in females using certain popular diets...Read more about this research.

Sunshine and chronic pain.

We are in the middle of Summer and sunshine. This is the peak time of year that our bodies can produce Vitamin D. Did you know that there are new studies about Vitamin D and chronic pain? Check out this from health.com...read more.

Drink plenty of water before giving blood.

I think sometimes I am on the speed dial for the Red Cross. They always call me about giving blood or platelets. One of the best pieces of advice I learned when giving blood is to drink water before going in. One this will help the attendant find your veins. The second bit of advice comes from Men's Health.
Researchers from the American Red Cross found that drinking 16 ounces of water before giving blood reduces your risk of fainting by 20 percent...read more.

Got the Monday Blues?

Many people feel more run down on a Monday than any other day of the week. Do you know that your weekend sleep schedule can affect your Monday? A recent study that appeared in the Telegraph says that you should sleep in or lay in bed at least one day on the weekend. My wife will want to try this next weekend...read more.

Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com

Garlic is a great way to bring health into your life. It is good for your heart, lowers LDL Cholesterol and so much more...
Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Study shows Vitamin D Supplements taken early in life help prevent Osteoporosis

Young girls can benefit from Vitamin D & Calcium according to a study at the Australian Catholic University. The study indicated using a Supplement that contains a high quality Calcium plus Vitamin D improved bone density, mass and strength in girls 9-13. The USANA Active Calcium Chewables contains both Calcium and Vitamin D and could help young girls avoid future skeletal issues.
Read more

Fish Oil Supplementation May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

There are several different classifications of breast cancer. New research adds strong support to the use of fish oil in reducing the most common classification, known as invasive ductal carcinoma.

A recent study conducted by experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, included 35,016 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 76. Participants were members of the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) study group. Subjects completed a 24-page baseline questionnaire that asked about recent (current versus past) supplement use. Frequency and duration of supplementation were also recorded. The women were asked specifically about the use of supplements other than basic vitamins and minerals.

After six years of follow-up, researchers found that regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a 32 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. The reduced risk was limited to the most common form of breast cancer (the aforementioned invasive ductal carcinoma), which represents nearly 80% of diagnosed breast cancer cases. The highest level of benefit was also determined to be in women who were current users of fish oil.

Fish oil is a rich source of EPA (eicosapentoaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), two omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied extensively for prevention and treatment of various health conditions, including heart disease, arthritis and inflammatory conditions, macular degeneration, and depression. The results from this study give strong support to the possibility that regular fish oil consumption may also be associated with a reduced risk of the most common form of breast cancer.

Brasky TM, Lampe JW, Potter JD, Patterson RE, White E. Specialty Supplements and Breast Cancer Risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Cohort. 2010. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 19(7):1696-708.

Multivitamins Improve Mental Fatigue and Stress in Healthy Men

A major percentage of the general population reports regular use of multivitamin supplements. Among the common reasons given for doing so are helping combat mental fatigue and stress, although there are few studies that have analyzed the relationship between multivitamin supplementation and mental performance in healthy, non-elderly adults.

In a recent article published in the journal Psychopharmacology, researchers reported that multivitamin and mineral supplements taken daily for a month improved mental fatigue and stress levels in adult men.

Participants in this double-blind study included 215 healthy men between the ages of 30 and 55 who were regularly exposed to mental fatigue and stress in their full-time employment. Subjects received either a placebo or a multivitamin and mineral supplement which they took daily for 33 days. The multivitamin included moderate levels of vitamin C and the B vitamins, as well as the minerals magnesium, calcium and zinc.

Previous to and following the last day of treatment, subjects completed questionnaires that measured mood states, perceived stress, and general health. On the final day, further testing evaluated cognitive performance and task-related changes in mood and fatigue while walking on a treadmill.

When compared to the placebo group, participants receiving the multinutrient supplement experienced a significant improvement in perceived stress, general health and vigor, cognitive function, and mental fatigue.

While it isn’t possible to identify the specific mechanism of action responsible for these improvements, the results of the study support results from previous research indicating that supplementation of multivitamin/minerals in healthy, normal populations may provide beneficial effects on mental health, adaptation to stress, and cognitive function.

Kennedy DO et al. Effects of high-dose B vitamin complex with vitamin C and minerals on subjective mood and performance in healthy males. 2010. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 211(1):55-68.

Lutein Supplementation Slows Visual Loss in Adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a common form of retinal degeneration. This disorder causes a progressive loss of photoreceptor cells in the eye and can eventually lead to blindness. Daily intake of 15,000 IU of vitamin A palmitate is known to reduce the progression of the disease and can sometimes postpone blindness for many years.

In newly published research, scientists sought to determine whether supplementation with lutein – a nutrient found in yellow/orange and dark green leafy vegetables – could slow visual decline in patients with RP who were already receiving vitamin A.

A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial of 225 nonsmoking patients (ages 18 to 60) took place over 4 years. Each day, patients consumed a tablet of 12 mg of lutein or placebo. All participants were given 15,000 IU/day of vitamin A palmitate.

Over the course of the study, a decrease in visual sensitivity loss was seen in the lutein+vitamin A group. The average decline was smallest in the individuals with the highest serum lutein levels.

In this group of participants, lutein supplementation of 12 mg/day was effective at slowing visual sensitivity loss, and could therefore delay or prevent the occurrence of blindness even better than treatment with vitamin A alone.

Berson EL, et al. Clinical Trial of Lutein in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Vitamin A. 2010. Arch Ophthalmol 128(4):403-11.

Originally found at Weekly Essentials of Health.

Zinc supplementation may protect against heart disease

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are important risk factors for heart disease. Zinc is an essential mineral with both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Because of these properties, zinc may play a role in protecting the heart.

To examine the effect of zinc on markers of inflammation, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation in elderly subjects. Forty healthy elderly subjects (aged 56-83 years) were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group received placebo; the other received 45 mg of zinc per day for 6 months.

Compared to the placebo, six months of zinc supplementation increased plasma zinc concentrations and decreased several markers associated with inflammation. Higher zinc levels were also related to a decrease in markers associated with oxidative stress.

The findings of this research suggest that zinc may have a protective effect in coronary artery disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Bin Bao, et al. Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent. 2010. Am J Clin Nutr 91:1634-41.

Original post Essentials of Health

USANA Health Sciences wins five Communicator Awards

USANA is receiving recognition in so many areas in addition to having the highest rated supplements in the World, the Best Compensation Plan, a great workplace environment, and expanding into new markets worldwide, most recently announcing opening in China. The latest news is USANA Health Sciences won five Communicator Awards.... Read more

Lack of Sleep May Promote Obesity

It is known that short-term sleep deprivation increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin (a hormone related to increased appetite) and decreases those of leptin (a hormone related to satiety.)

In a randomized crossover study, researchers studied twelve normally healthy non-obese men to observe the effect of sleep deprivation on energy intake and physical activity. During the first night of each 48-hour session, subjects had either 8 hours (from midnight to 8:00 a.m.) or 4 hours (from 02:00 a.m. to 06:00 a.m.) of sleep. All foods consumed thereafter (jam on buttered toast for breakfast, buffet for lunch, and a free menu for dinner) were eaten ad libitum (with no restrictions.) Physical activity was also recorded. Sensations of hunger, perceived pleasantness of the foods, desire to eat some foods, and sleepiness were also evaluated.

In comparison with the 8-hour sleep session, subjects consumed 559 (22%) more calories on the day after sleep restriction, and hunger was higher before breakfast and dinner. Researchers observed no change in the perceived pleasantness of the foods or in the desire to eat the foods. Physical activity was slightly higher after sleep restriction than after 8 hours of sleep, even though the sensation of sleepiness was more apparent.

In this group of healthy men, one night of reduced sleep led to an increase in food intake and, to a lesser extent, physical activity-related energy expenditure. Although further research is needed to confirm the results of this small study, these results suggest that sleep restriction could be a factor that promotes obesity.

Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men. Laurent Brondel et al Am J Clin Nutr 91: 1550-1559, 2010.

From Weekly Essentials of Health

Supplemental Zinc Decreases Incidence of Infections in the Elderly

Adults over the age of 55 years are more susceptible to infections, immune dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and zinc deficiency. Since zinc has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, new research sought to determine the effect of zinc on the incidence of total infections in the elderly. Researchers also tested the effect of zinc on markers of oxidative stress.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation was conducted in 50 healthy subjects of both sexes aged 55–87 years. The zinc-supplemented group received 45 mg of zinc orally for 12 months. Incidence of infections during the supplementation period was documented. Plasma zinc concentrations and markers of oxidative stress were measured at the beginning and after supplementation.

After zinc supplementation, the incidence of infections was significantly lower, plasma zinc was significantly higher, and generation of oxidative stress markers was significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented group than in the placebo group.

Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of infections in the elderly: effect of zinc on generation of cytokines and oxidative stress. Prasad AS et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Mar;85(3):837-44.

From the Weekly Essentials of Health

Multivitamins can add Sparkle to young people.

Multivitamins are not just for the elderly. We found this Science Daily article posted on the USANA Experience on Facebook. Read more...

USANA Health Sciences to open in China.

USANA is going over the great wall and entering China. Read more...

DHA Supplementation Improves Memory in Healthy Adults w/Age-related Cognitive Decline

Recent research published online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association illustrates a benefit for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in a clinical trial of individuals with age-related cognitive decline (ARC). DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found most prominently in algae, fatty fish and fish oil supplements.

Participants included 485 individuals aged 55 and older with complaints of mild memory loss. The subjects were given a daily dosage of 900 milligrams of DHA or a placebo for 6 months. Memory and learning tests were given at the beginning of the study and at 12 and 24 weeks.

At the end of the study period, the group receiving the DHA supplement had improved test scores that correlated with an increase in plasma DHA levels. At 12 weeks there were no significant differences in the test scores of the two groups. However, at 24 weeks the group taking the DHA had a 2-fold reduction in the number of learning and memory errors tested compared to the placebo group.

The results of this study are the first to clinically confirm that DHA meaningfully improves memory and learning functions in healthy adults with age-related cognitive decline. Since it is estimated that up to one-third of the aging population in the U.S. will experience a decline in cognitive function with age, the benefits of a daily DHA supplement can have a significant impact on public health.

Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline. Yurko-Mauro K, et al. Alzheimers Dement 2010 Apr 29.

Post from USANA Essentials of Health.

Multivitamin Supplements Unrelated to Breast Cancer Risk in Large U.S. Study

Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently evaluated possible associations between multivitamin supplements and risk of breast cancer. At the beginning of the study, 37,920 cancer-free U.S. women aged 45 and older provided detailed information on multivitamin supplement use. Throughout an average of 10 years of follow-up, 1,171 cases of breast cancer were documented.

The use of multivitamin supplements was not associated with an overall risk of breast cancer in this large study group. High frequency of use (at least 6 times per week) and duration of supplementation (current use for at least 20 years) were not associated with an increase in risk compared to non-users. A small reduction in breast cancer risk was seen in multivitamin users who consumed 10 grams/day of alcohol or more. There was also a slight decrease in risk of estrogen receptor negative-progesterone receptor negative breast cancer among multivitamin users.

The researchers stated that although there was no overall statistically significant association between multivitamin use and breast cancer, multivitamins may reduce the risk for women consuming alcohol and in certain estrogen receptor negative cancers.

Ishitani K, Lin J, Mason JE, Buring JE, Zhang SM. A Prospective Study of Multivitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Breast Cancer. 2008. Am J Epidemiol 167(10):1197-206.

Soy Food & Isoflavone Intakes Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Research seeking to find a connection between soy food consumption and breast cancer risk has produced conflicting results.

A recent case-control study was conducted to assess the relationship between soy food intake and breast cancer risk according to the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) status of breast cancer. Participants included 438 Chinese women with primary breast cancer that were matched by age and residence (rural/urban) with 438 women free of cancer. Dietary intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire.

Researchers observed a statistically significant inverse association between soy isoflavone and soy protein intake with breast cancer risk. The women in the group with the highest soy isoflavone intake had a 46% decreased cancer risk compared to the group with the lowest intake. Women in the group with the highest soy protein had a 38% reduced cancer risk compared to the lowest intake group. A preventive effect of soy food was found for all subtypes of ER and/or PR status of breast cancer. The inverse association was more evident among premenopausal women.

This study suggests that consumption of soy foods and soy isoflavones may reduce the risk of breast cancer, and that the protective effects of soy do not seem to differ by ER and PR breast cancer status.

Soy product and isoflavone intake and breast cancer risk defined by hormone receptor status. Zhang C et al. Cancer Sci. 2010 Feb;101(2):501-7

Original post in USANA Essentials of Health