One of the most important times in a woman’s life nutritionally is when she is pregnant, and passing the nutrition she takes in to a growing baby. Which prenatal vitamins are best becomes an essential question to both mother and baby. You should note that no prenatal vitamin will provide all the nutrition that a mother-to-be and the baby need. Plus, a woman should focus on a healthy diet because simply taking a vitamin won’t make up for a bad diet.
If you think all prenatal vitamins are alike, you’re wrong. We know that there are differences. For example, there are studies that showed only 3 out of 9 prescription prenatal vitamins provided the amount of folate that was stated on the label. If the ingredients are not released and absorbed in your body, you can’t get the benefit. The reason this can happen is that vitamins are not regulated by any governing body. It is up to an individual company to make sure their product will get absorbed in your body.
Unfortunately many women think that a prescription vitamin is better than a non-prescription, maybe because the doctor orders it. The reality is that what’s more important is the ingredients in the vitamin, the quality of those ingredients, the delivery system in your body so that you will absorb the full amount that is stated on the bottle, and personally, I feel that a natural vitamin is an essential requirement.
Synthetic vitamins are made made in a test tube in a lab, to resemble the real thing. The problem is that this can be toxic to the body and can do more harm than good. It’s not real food you get when you take synthetic vitamins. There are no enzymes in synthetic vitamins and there can be side effects. Recent studies have shown that synthetic vitamins can actually be harmful to a women’s health.
It’s important to note that vitamins only have to be 10% organic or natural to say it on the label. The problem with that is the other 90%. The heating process used in making this type of vitamins results in weak enzymes, and unwanted components can include low quality raw materials, and harsh binders and fillers.
Whole Food Vitamins
Natural, unaltered, whole food supplements is the best answer when you ask, which prenatal vitamins are best. This type of vitamin retain all enzymes so that you get nutrition that is as close to nature as possible – that feed and actually improve cells. Natural, unaltered vitamins are balanced and able to be absorbed by your body. The most reputable brands will be able to show that their vitamins contain safe, high quality ingredients that get absorbed.
From Shaklee:
One of the difficulties in offering a prenatal vitamin is that one product may not meet the needs of individual mothers to be. A customized selection of Shaklee supplements will provide nutrition that is superior to most prenatals on the market. If one checks labels, one will find that many off-the-shelf and even prescription prenatal vitamins contain artificial colors and/or flavors. Shaklee, of course, formulates its supplements without these artificial and unnecessary ingredients.
As a general rule, nursing mothers and pregnant women need higher amounts of several essential nutrients than women who are not. Such higher level nutrients include protein, calcium, vitamin B, and vitamin A to name a few.
Two options:
1: Vitalizer* + extra B-Complex (to make sure mom gets enough folic acid) — and extra calcium and/or iron if doctor recommends it
2: Vita-Lea+Iron, extra B-Complex, and consider CarotoMax (for extra vitamin A) and Fish Oil — and extra calcium and/or iron if doctor recommends it
Also consider protein shakes (Either Meal Shakes or a serving of Cinch meal shake prepared as directed, and used as part of healthy breakfast or midday snack provides a mother and her growing fetus with an additional 270 calories, 24 grams of high quality protein and 6 grams of fiber).
Here’s what Shaklee Vita Lea has (and why I used it for four very healthy pregnancies):
contains all essential 12 vitamins and 7 minerals in proper balance
contains 27 whole vegetable sources which are readily absorbed by the body
contains live phytochemicals and the live enzymes not found in synthetic vitamins
contains 100% of the RDA of Biotin
And here’s what Shaklee Vita Lea doesn’t have:
no chemicals
no herbicides
no pesticides
no sugar
no artificial colors, flavors or additives of any kind
Cinch Meal Bars or Snack Bars could be added as convenient snacks (not meal replacements) to make sure the extra calories needed during pregnancy are packed with good health and nutrition.
Every month should be heart healthy..
February is Heart Health Month 2012, though we should really be thinking about our hearts every day of the year. Below is some additional heart prevention information to target for yourself and share with a loved one – a top 10 list of tips from Dr. Jamie McManus MD, FAAFP, Chair, Medical Affairs and Education, The Shaklee Corporation.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, every 26 seconds, someone living in the United States suffers a heart attack, and every minute one person will die from a heart attack. But, there is good news – we know more and more about how to prevent heart disease. It is well within your power to reduce your risk for heart disease because it’s all about diet and lifestyle!
1. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
One of the best weapons for fighting off heart disease is eating a healthful diet. So forgo the hamburger and French fries and fuel up on whole grains and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Lose weight, especially belly fat
Excess belly fat has been linked to high cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. Losing just 5% – 10% of your body weight can make a big difference in reducing heart disease risk.
3. Boost your vitamin D intake Vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones, but recent research suggests it may also play a role in heart health. If you’re like most Americans and not getting enough from your diet or sun exposure, supplements can be a great option.
4. Consume more fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish help reduce risk factors for heart disease, including high triglycerides and high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends consuming two servings of fish per week. Consider fish oil supplements, especially if you don’t eat fish.
5. Consider CoQ10 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance vital for energy production especially in the heart. As an antioxidant it also helps promote healthy arteries. While your body does make CoQ10, factors such as aging, poor diet and the use of statin drugs for cholesterol lowering may increase the body’s need for CoQ10.
6. Move more – aim for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days of the week
Regular physical activity promotes a healthy heart. It helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, helps control weight, reduces anxiety, and improves blood circulation.
7. If you are a smoker, get help to stop today!
Cigarette smoke can damage your heart and blood vessels as well as increase your risk for many cancers. When it comes to heart disease prevention, any amount of smoking is bad.
8. Don’t forget regular health screenings
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar are all risk factors for heart disease. Talk to your doctor today about these important health screenings.
9. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
Moderate alcohol intake may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for a woman and two drinks a day for a man.
10. Take time to de-stress
Over time, chronic stress can wreak havoc on our bodies – slowing digestion, weakening immune function and increasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. So take time to de-stress your life. Think about what you truly must get done, set priorities, and learn to say “no.”
Your body contains trillions of ‘friendly’ microorganisms that mostly live in your colon where they do a lot to help you maintain good health. One of their most important roles is to balance out the bad bacteria that enters your body.
Who might have challenges maintaining enough good bacteria? If you take an antibiotic, it destroys the ‘bad stuff’ that is making you sick, but the problem is that it kills all bacteria – even the ‘good stuff’ that your body needs. You have to find a way to get the good bacteria back.
Sometimes your diet choices will upset the balance of your good bacteria. Also, if you do foreign traveling, you could be at risk for imbalance of your good bacteria.
So how do you get healthy microflora levels back in your body?
Normal, healthy colonies of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria can help you maintain a healthy balance of intestinal microflora. There are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria supplements available to take. There may be a problem absorbing these since they need to make it all the way to the colon, which is past your stomach digestion, in order to be most effective.
Unlike other probiotics that may disintegrate prematurely and never reach the lower intestine, the state-of-the-art, triple encapsulated, seamless capsule OPTIFLORA is guaranteed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach to deliver live beneficial bacteria to the intestine.
Below are testimonies from people who received great results using Optiflora.
Tick Bite, Stomach Pain & Optiflora
Anita D was experiencing extreme stomach pain recently. She thought it might be from the second round of a very strong antibiotic she had taken because of tick bites. The pain would wake her up at night and she was getting scared that it might be something very serious.
She decided to try a triple dose of Optiflora one night before bedtime. That night she slept through the night and the next morning felt much better. She continued to take a triple dose the next day and a single dose that evening. She did that for one more day and the pain was totally gone.
Could her pain have been from the antibiotic causing a gross deficiency of friendly bacteria in her intestines and colon?
Beneficial bacteria help defend your body against illnesses and disease, and also help your gastrointestinal system function well. It’s not fun to have digestive problems on an everyday basis. Sometimes meds work and sometimes they don’t. They can have side effects. It’s worth a talk with your doctor to find out whether natural supplements (that don’t have side effects) might be of benefit to you.
Optiflora, BW and Traveling on the Job!
Vickie L had trouble for years when she traveled anywhere. Any small amount of water from another area would send her to the bathroom in great pain. She suffered from diarrhea and would have to bring her own water from home. It got to be time consuming since she only drank water.
She was asked to go on a work trip where she would have to fly and wondered what she would drink since she could not take enough of her own water with her. She decided to try Optiflora to see if it could help.
For three days before the trip she used Optiflora and took it along with her. She held her breath after drinking the local water – and nothing happened. She continues to take Optiflora and can drink water in different areas – thankful to live a more normal life!
Helpful bacteria help boost immune function, can reduce food allergies, and can help prevent certain infections. There is ongoing research that supports good bacterial may be associated with lowering your cholesterol and helping fight cancer.
Crohn’s Disease and Optiflora
Suzanne C has Crohn’s Disease, an inflammation on the intestinal wall that can cause her to be very sick at times and gives enough discomfort that she needs to stay at home and rest. The goal of a Crohn’s Disease patient is to try not to let the disease take over his or her life.
Suzanne had several flare-ups after being diagnosed. She had surgery to remove 12 inches of her small intestine and was symptom free for awhile. When she started to have pain again she attributed in part to stress and the rest to the disease returning. When she reported the symptoms to her doctor he said that if it continued he would have to put her back on antibiotics.
She did not want to go back on antibiotics and decided to try Optiflora after a friend told her about it. Optiflora has been a godsend to Suzanne! She avoided the antibiotics and was surprised how quickly the Optiflora helped her. She wishes GI doctors would learn more about it and prescribe it to their patients!
Optiflora is a unique, two-product system that:
Provides dietary support for the normal, healthy balance of intestinal microflora
Promotes colon health by supporting the growth of healthy microflora naturally found in the colon.*
Delivers guaranteed live probiotics Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, along with the
prebiotics FOS and inulin and provides gammatocopherol, a nutrient associated with colon health.*
Optiflora Prebiotic Complex
Provides a welcome environment for the friendly, beneficial bacteria that live and work in the colon.
Pleasant tasting powder provides nutrients—including FOS and inulin—that selectively feed friendly bacteria,
encouraging their growth and multiplication.*
Optiflora Probiotic Complex
A unique capsule transports live beneficial bacteria safely through the acidic conditions of the stomach
Optiflora’s triple encapsulation protects the helpful bacteria so they can be delivered live to the intestines
Learn More About Optiflora
Optiflora is a unique, two-product system that:
Provides dietary support for the normal, healthy balance of intestinal microflora
Promotes colon health by supporting the growth of healthy microflora naturally found in the colon.
Delivers guaranteed live probiotics Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, along with the prebiotics FOS and inulin and provides gammatocopherol, a nutrient associated with colon health.
Optiflora Prebiotic Complex
Provides a welcome environment for the friendly, beneficial bacteria that live and work in the colon.
Pleasant tasting powder provides nutrients—including FOS and inulin—that selectively feed friendly bacteria, encouraging their growth and multiplication.
Optiflora Probiotic Complex
A unique capsule transports live beneficial bacteria safely through the acidic conditions of the stomach
Optiflora’s triple encapsulation protects the helpful bacteria so they can be delivered live to the intestines
To purchase Optiflora from the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the United States, visit: Helpful Bacteria.
It’s that time of year when our immune systems are challenged at a higher rate and may possible fail us if we don’t build up immune system and have it primed to fight the invaders. I hate to get sick. I wake up in the morning and I expect to feel good and have lots of energy all day long. I really don’t have time to get sick.
Watching a Dr. Oz show while exercising last week I thought it was interesting how he described why we get sick more in the winter. He talked about the fact that there are germs year round that can make us sick. But it’s the air in our environment that makes the difference.
In the winter there is less humidity in the air and so the air does not support the germs. Those nasty germs can get wherever they want to go, and make us sick in the process. Unless: you are ready with a strong immune system.
Build Up Immune System
So how do you boost your immunity, or your response to illness? When the germs, bacteria, or any type of invader move in to attack your body, how do you help it remain prepared at all times? First, understand that your immune system is a very powerful force in your body, made up of trillions of cells just waiting to fight back.
Now there is a very complex operation that makes up a functioning immune system. We aren’t going to get into the science of all that here. Let’s just say that it is awesome and should be well respected. However, it can fail us.
Instead of discussing immune terminology such as macrophages, t-helper cells, b-cells, antibodies, cytokines, antigens or receptors, let’s talk about how we can improve the very first line of defense in our bodies when we are exposed to illnesses.
Important factors like getting enough rest, exercising that helps build your immune system, managing stress successfully, eating well and even taking supplements can all help your immune system fight off colds, sore throats, the flu and other chronic illnesses like allergies or asthma.
Vitamins Boost Immune System
You may have a weak immune system from recent health challenges or maybe you’ve had one all your life. If so, you may need something stronger than a multi-vitamin or some extra vitamin C. There are other vitamins and minerals associated with strengthening your immune system. They include: zink, vitamin E, B-Complex, fish oil, garlic and probiotics.
A few years ago we were given another option for boosting our immune systems: a clinically proven complex of several ingredients that stimulate the natural immune function by strengthening that first line of defense we mentioned is responsible for kicking out invaders before they have a chance to make you sick.
Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima, an immunologist and professor, isolated interferon in his own scientific research in the late 1950’s – at the same time two European scientists publicly discovered interferon. Interferon is a powerful medication used to treat certain health conditions but also has harsh side effects.
Build Up Immune System Naturally
Dr. Kojima went on to study over 200 herbs that in some way could impact your immune system and prevent illnesses, along with the need to take potent medications. Together with Shaklee scientists they developed a natural interferon supplement, with supporting ingredients pumpkin seeds, safflower flower, Japanese honeysuckle flower buds and plantago seed.
The formulation that Dr. Kojima developed allows these ingredients to work synergistically together in order to help you build a powerful immune system. And of course there aren’t side effects, only side benefits to build up immune system such as feeling healthier and having an immune system ready for immediate response.
Just as important as choosing the right natural health ingredient to take is choosing the brand you will trust. Remember that vitamins and herbs are not regulated like medications are so it is essential to choose a company that guarantees what they put on the label is what you get in the product. Companies that go a step further and develop delivery systems that insure the nutrients get to the right part of the body before they are released so that they can get absorbed, and that do safety tests on individual ingredients as well as whole products, have formidable science and research departments behind their products.
There is no guarantee that you will never get sick, but we do know that a weak immune system can’t fight as well as a strong immune system. To learn more about Nutriferon, Shaklee’s natural interferon complex, visit Build Up Immune System. Be sure to click on all the tabs for supporting science information.
In honor of the Royal Wedding today, and for what’s more the reality at this time of the year for us common folk (spring cleaning), I thought I would write about green cleaning and my royal cleaner of choice. Green cleaning is new to lots of people but for one company it has been the common way to clean – and do business – for many, many years.
Green Cleaning
The Shaklee Corporation’s Basic H was actually the official green cleaning product of the very first Earth Day in 1970. I would say that honor, along with the company’s impressive environmental efforts for all of these years, puts Basic H at royalty status in our country!
Walmart was in the news recently with promotion of their recent green efforts, which are commendable. While I didn’t like one of the comments in the article, in regard to people who live paycheck-to-paycheck not being necessarily concerned with lofty environmental efforts, I do applaud their green policies. Individuals and families from all economic levels care about our environment, the air we breathe, water we drink and how toxic products can affect our health.
Green extends far beyond Shaklee and Walmart. It doesn’t look good if a company is doing nothing to contribute, and most want to do their part. Some have grander efforts than others and together they ‘make a difference’ – the same as all the smaller efforts that individual families can do will combine to take a significant difference.
Green Cleaning for Families
Green ideas for families – ways to help make our planet cleaner and safer – can take many forms from green light bulbs to green paper products to limiting use of disposable items and countless others. My favorite way to contribute to the environment, as well as to improve the health and safety of my family and our home, is to use green cleaning products that take chemicals, toxins and fumes out of the air we breathe as well as save measurable energy output.
Do you know the connection between athletes and losing weight? The scientists at Shaklee do! For years they worked with professional and Olympic athletes from different sports. What they discovered is a breakthrough in weight loss, including losing fat and inches and keeping lean muscle that continues to burn fat.
The source of the discovery is the amino acid leucine. Since it cannot be made by the body, athletes consume leucine in the form of protein shakes and other supplements that have leucine.
Leucine helps with muscle recovery by preventing muscle proteins from breaking down from either trauma, the impact of hard exercise and also severe stress. Serious athletes benefit from leucine because the stress they place on their body day after day.
So leucine helps repair muscles, but it has other roles as well. Leucine helps regulate blood sugar and gives your body energy. Scientists found that all of these factors about leucine can help you lose weight in addition to taking care of your muscle.
You know that muscle burns fat. You want to keep your muscle when you are on a diet or trying to lose weight. You want to lose the fat and the inches, but not your muscle.
January is traditionally a time when new resolutions are made and weight loss ranks up at the top of the most popular resolutions.
Have you tried diet programs in the past? Chances are the answer is YES. Many of us have and the number of diets ‘out there’ are proof of this.
Why don’t diets seem to work? Why do we start diets and then stop them? Why are we always looking for the next magic diet?
These are good questions. I am not sure anyone has the answers, unless it is because some of them are not realistic to keep on an ongoing basis, or maybe because you lost the 20 lbs that was your goal and don’t like the diet enough to stick with it.
Dieting can be very hard. The reason you need to diet may be a health matter. Maybe you must lose weight. Your weight may be affecting your health in serious ways, or you are tired of having low energy levels and don’t like your quality of life.
For others it might be reasons like a wedding or another special event. Maybe you are not happy with your appearance and it’s starting to affect your self-esteem.
Would you feel better knowing that your tap water filter is getting rid of all the harmful chemicals it is targeted to do? After you read this article, you will!
The Real Dirt on Clean Water
Does it seem like healthy people are getting sick and there are in general a lot more illnesses and diseases today? We know that there are many more chemicals in use today than there were even 30 years ago. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that they established a “Chemicals of Concern” list and are increasing measures to protect human health. Is there a connection? Continue reading Tap Water Filter: Why You Should Take Charge of Your Safe Drinking Water
We are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Basic H that was originally the ‘Blue Cleaner’ remembered by many folks. It was doubled in strength to new Basic H2 a few years ago and changed to its present clear color.
Forty years ago, in 1970, Shaklee Basic-H was named the official GREEN cleaning product of the very first Earth Day celebration. What an amazing formula that is gentle enough to bathe in and yet can clean some pretty nasty dirt.
My husband showers in Basic H. We have a dispenser unit that attaches to the shower head. You flip a switch when you want Basic H to come out with the water and then turn it off to rinse. The best part is that it keeps the shower so clean. It is cleaning while you shower!
In addition to it being a powerful cleaner and constantly being impressed with ways it will clean yet another tough job, a 16oz bottle can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of other (non-green) cleaning products. Not only are those other brands unhealthy for us (with the toxins and fumes and chemicals they have), they are unhealthy for the environment.
Welcome! Living healthy so that you live longer and have the best quality of life your whole life long starts at birth and continues throughout your life.
We hope that you find information here that is useful to you and can make a difference in your life. Contact us anytime.. we would love to talk with you!
SHAKLEE INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR AND BUSINESS LEADER
Google Love..
Meet Us Online
If you see an 'Online' button here, we are in the web conference room. Come on in! Just click the ONLINE button and enter your name (no password required).
Here's your chance to ask a question about a health challenge you have OR how a natural nutrition supplement can help you get the results you want.
vicki@yourhealthwebsite.net
