Organic Baby Skin Care Products & Vitamins

On May 1st, Shaklee launched their new Shakleebaby and Shakleekids product line. And once again, Shaklee is leading the way on product disclosure with these great personal care and natural nutritional products for children.

One of their new products: Shakleebaby Gentle Wash, is 99% natural, contains 76% organic ingredients, pediatrian tested, no parabens, no artificial colors or fragrance, no 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, etc.

You can watch some short videos about the organic baby care products, as well as the natural multivitamins for children.

Also, Shaklee is running an offer which ends Friday, May 22, 2009, for new members with a qualified minimum order. Check the website for more information about this discount. Essentially, a minimum 50 PV (Point Value) of products in your first order, waives the $19.95 Member Fee and gives you 15% off of Retail pricing.

If, you'd like more information, you can contact me by just clicking on the "Click To Chat With Me Right Now" icon, below my profile in the right-hand column of this blog.

Click here for a link to a mini online catalog of these new products.

Ten Tips To Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

In 2008, an estimated 1.5 million people in the United States were diagnosed with cancer, including over 700,000 new cases in men and nearly the same number of new cases in women. There were also over 650,000 cancer deaths last year, which ranks cancer second only to heart disease as a leading cause of death

Cancer is caused by changes in genes that control the growth and death of cells. The disease develops when cells continue to grow and divide instead of dying off when they get older as they would normally do. As cancer cells multiply, they can damage nearby tissues and can also spread to other parts of the body and develop into new tumors. While improvements in detection, diagnosis, and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer, we also encourage doing all you can do to prevent the disease as a core strategy of your prescription for optimal health.

With prevention in mind, here are 10 things we can all do to reduce the risk of developing cancer:

1. Avoid tobacco products and second-hand smoke

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women. Ironically, it’s also the most preventable type of cancer. Some 87-percent of lung cancer deaths are attributable to exposure to tobacco smoke including roughly 3,000 deaths each year in non-smokers due to second-hand smoke. Of the 45 million Americans who still smoke in 2007, 30-percent of male and 21-percent of female high school students reported using some form of tobacco in the prior month. If you smoke, take the necessary steps to quit for the health of you and your loved ones.

2. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight increases your chance of developing certain types of cancer, including cancer of the esophagus, colon and rectum, and pancreas. Obesity also increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by roughly 50-percent, and endometrial cancer by about three fold. And carrying too much extra body weight is believed to account for up to 30-percent of kidney cancers in both men and women. Make smart food choices, control portion sizes, and fill up on fruits and vegetables to help manage your healthy weight and reduce your risk of cancer.

3. Get moving

The American Cancer Society recommends regular exercise as a way to prevent cancer. Regular exercise burns calories and can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Pick something that gets and keeps you moving like walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, team sports, and even dancing. Consider biking or walking to work, or take a walk during your lunch break. Be sure to gradually work up to 30-45 minutes of exercise a day for five or more days per week.

4. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Fruits and vegetables are naturally rich in dietary antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and a whole family of carotenoids that may help to protect your healthy genes from oxidative damage. Recent research suggests that eating tomatoes may help to protect against developing prostate cancer, while eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts may help to protect against bladder cancer. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber which can speed the transit of food through the digestive system and may reduce the absorption of cancer-causing chemicals. So eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables may be the best way to ensure broad spectrum protection.

5. Fresh is best

Until about 20 years ago, stomach cancer was the most common cancer worldwide, perhaps due to cultural preferences for eating large amounts of salt-preserved foods such as cured meats and pickled vegetables. This finding underscores the point that when it comes to eating most foods, it’s generally best to eat fresh rather than salted, cured, or pickled. In general, the less processed the food, the healthier it will be for you.

6. Limit alcohol intake

Excess alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of cancers of the oral cavity, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast, and possibly the colon and rectum. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women, and aside from carrying too much body weight, alcohol intake is the only other established risk factor for this disease. It’s recommended that men who drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than 2 drinks per day, while women should limit their intake to no more than 1 drink daily.

7. Practice sun safety and check for changes in your skin

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is damaging to your skin. The genetic damage it can cause to skin cells can lead to skin cancer, a disease that is increasingly common, especially among young people. Be aware that the sun’s peak time is between 10 am and 3 pm and that sunlight exposure can be intensified by up to 50-percent when reflected from sand, water, snow, ice, and concrete. When outdoors, cover up exposed areas and wear sun screen with an SPF of 15 or more. Know your skin and be aware of the location, size, and shape of moles and skin spots, and report any changes promptly to your physician.

8. Reduce your exposure to potential carcinogens

There are many substances in the environment with the potential to put you at higher risk for developing cancer. On the job, minimize your exposure to fumes, dust, solvents, and chemicals. Try to reduce your everyday exposure to potentially-toxic environmental chemicals in the home and…

Dust and vacuum regularly to rid your home of toxins attracted to dust
Open windows and use fresh air to freshen and minimize indoor pollution
Filter your drinking water to remove pollutants
Switch to green cleaning products that are safe but still powerful
9. Know your family history and get screened

Some 5-10-percent of cancers are due to a genetic predisposition to cancer. Family history is a risk factor for common types of cancer including breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer. If you have a family history of cancer your physician may recommend genetic testing to see if you have the type of gene that can increase your chance of developing cancer. For individuals with an average risk of cancer, the following cancer screening guidelines are recommended:

Breast cancer: Women should begin yearly mammograms at age 40 and conduct regular breast self exams starting in the 20’s.
Colon and rectal cancer: Men and women should have one or more screening tests including a colonoscopy starting at age 50.
Cervical cancer: All women should begin cervical cancer screening no later than 21 years of age.
Prostate cancer: Men should have the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination annually beginning at age 50.
10. Choose your dietary supplements wisely

Whether it’s vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, the antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and the carotenoids, fiber, or emerging phytochemicals, nutrition surveys have made it clear that your diet is unlikely to be providing all the essential nutrients and other dietary factors you need to be at your healthiest. And dietary supplement studies have yielded compelling evidence that supplements can help to reduce the chance of developing cancer in undernourished individuals.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington published a study in Nutrition and Cancer1 that evaluated the association between dietary and supplemental zinc and prostate cancer in 35,242 men participating in the VITAL cohort, a study specifically designed to evaluate the impact of dietary supplements on cancer risk. In this study, long-term supplemental zinc intake was in fact associated with reduced risk of clinically relevant advanced disease.

And as reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine2, National Cancer Institute researchers found that among postmenopausal women, the greater their total calcium intake from dietary supplements and food up to about 1,300 mg per day, the lower was their risk of developing cancer. For men and women, a diet rich in calcium from supplements and food was associated with a lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive system such as colon cancer. These findings are consistent with randomized clinical trials which have shown that calcium supplementation reduces the recurrence of colon polyps, which are precursors to colon cancer

Clearly, dietary supplements play a key role in making up the nutrient shortfalls in your diet, and they provide a means of achieving optimal nutrient levels needed to achieve and maintain the best of health.

1Zinc intake from supplements and diet and prostate cancer. Gonzalez A, Peters U, Lampe JW, White E. Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(2):206-15

2Dairy food, calcium, and risk of cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Park Y, Leitzmann MF, Subar AF, Hollenbeck A, Schatzkin A. Arch Intern Med. 2009169(4):391-401

Above information provided by Shaklee.

Greening Up Inside & Out

As my husband and I continue on our quest to making more conscientous choices that positively affect the environment, we are also focusing on greening up our diet. Although, we realize that we have a LONG, LONG way to go, I do believe we're on the right track. YES..YES..YES !!! It's all that stuff that we already know, shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, eating natural, organic, raw, food, etc.

But also to be taken into consideration, is the addition of vitamins and supplements, into ones health maintenance program. I think that it's pretty much common knowledge that even raw and natural foods today, don't provide enough of the nutrients that our bodies were designed to use. The choices for alternative health products are so numerous, that I'm sure many folks just don't know where to start. I too, had this dilemna a couple of years ago, when I felt that my physical health was getting pretty bad.

Back then, it seemed like I was ALWAYS feeling exhausted and tired, no matter how much rest I got, or how calm of a place my life was in, at that time. So, I began to read books, research on-line, and watch programs that focused on natural health. I learned some basics about what defined a "good" vitamin or supplement, and began to purchase some of them on line and from a local health food store.

I started out by adding soy into my diet, probiotics and prebiotics, fish oil, and other vitamins and supplements. Over a period of time, I began to feel a little more energy and less fatigued, but was still seeking more information to improve my overall health.

Then, in April 2007, I stumbled upon Shaklee, when they were featured on Oprah's Earth Day program. I went online to research Shaklee and their green cleaning products, and discovered they are the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S. I did some serious homework on Shaklee, printing off their product labels and comparing them to the products that I was currently taking. I also researched their quality control and products standards. Ultimately, I made a decision to try the Shaklee natural vitamins and supplements, and haven't looked back since!

Since adding the natural vitamins and supplements that Shaklee offers into my daily regime, my health has improved tenfold. My previous issues with fatigue, memory loss, and overall mental attitude, have improved drastically. I work a full-time job, as well as a part-time home based business. There's a lot of commuting between the two occupations and of course, a loving husband to spend time with.

Today, February 2009, I feel more empowered in making positive life choices for myself, my family and the planet. I realize that the quest continues, but I'm going to enjoy the journey along the way....AND FEEL BETTER WHILE DOING IT !!

Resveratrol - Slowing Down Our Clock

Living longer, healthier and productive lives is what everyone wants. And, we all know that the foods we eat, the exercise we get, and the situations and emotions that we allow ourselves to be exposed to, have a significant affect on our health and quality of life. We know that you really can't turn back the clock, but researchers now believe they've found a way to slow it down.

The amazing discovery relates back to the "French Paradox" and the drinking of red wine. From red wine, and specifically the muscadine grape, comes a product known as Resveratrol. Resveratrol has been tested and proven that when used in high concentrations, it will fight age related illnesses, AT A CELLULAR LEVEL.

Here are the key mechanisms of cellular aging:

1 - DNA Damage: Every day, every cell in your body is bombarded by up to a million DNA-damaging assaults. These assaults can damage the cell's genetic database, creating a "typo" that may compromise cell function and longevity.

2 - Genetic Regulators: Genetic regulators contribute to age-related cellular deterioration.

3 - Declining Cellular Energy Production: Mitochondria is our cells creates energy we can't live without. As mitochondrial efficiency decreases, cell function declines.

4 - Accumulation of AGE proteins: Excess accumulation of Advanced Glycation End products (AG) can cause cellular damage that can compromise cell integrity and longevity.

New clinical tests have shown that using resveratrol based products, can markedly reduce cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Most of these tests have been to animals, but are now moving into human trials, and specifically focusing first on cancer patients.

Last night, 60 Minutes aired a story about this amazing substance, resveratrol. The episode focuses around a pill that is in the testing phases in the pharmaceutical world. But, what wasn't mentioned in the 60 Minutes story about resveratrol, is that there is already a natural resveratrol product on the market that doesn't require a prescription, and is 10 times more powerful than resveratrol alone. It's called Vivix, and it has undergone numerous tests and research already.

The all-natural, patent pending product, is exclusive to Shaklee. One of the Dr's interviewed in the 60 Minutes episode, is the resource that Shaklee used in obtaining the natural version of this anti-aging wonder drug. Shaklee has taken the super polyphenols from a "Super Grape", known as Vitis rotundifolia. This is the only grape found in nature with an extra chromosome, which scientists believe greatly enhances its polyphenol profile and potential health benefits.

So, while the drug companies are out there researching and developing a synthetic version of Resveratrol, we really don't have wait for a pharmaceutical product, nor rely on a pill, when there's already an all-natural anti-aging extract available. We can enjoy all the benefits with just one teaspoon a day, right now! Viva La Vivix!

Cellular Anti-Aging & Living Longer

Most of us have heard of the "French Paradox". It relates to people from France, living longer and being healthier, and that being attributed to their regular and avid consumption of wine.

For years, there has been a belief that red wine has benefits for good heart health. But now, researchers are finding that it has benefits against cancer, dementia and other age-related diseases. The secret in the wine is what is known as "resveratrol". One, of many good resources to read on resveratrol and polyphenols, is available on the National Cancer Institute's website, where red wine and cancer prevention is discussed.

Dr David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School has been a key player of numerous studies about resveratrol and was interviewed by Barbara Walters about this revolutionary, anti-aging product. Dr Sinclair is now also a member of Shaklee's Scientific Board, and Shaklee is very pleased to be associated with his mission to improve world health through new scientifically based innovations with respect to aging and longevity.

Resveratrol is created from several different natural plant sources, but the most beneficial known source is the grape; specifically the muscadine grape. Resveratrol has been referenced in over 2,000 research publications, including multiple studies conducted by Harvard University, at the National Institute of Aging, at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Environmental Science.

Another great thing about resveratrol, is that it has not been found to be toxic or have adverse effects on humans. And because of that, Shaklee offers a resveratrol product based on Dr Sinclair's research, that is 10 times more powerful than red wine. My website provides more information about the science and the product, known as Vivix.

Shaklee designed the Vivix dietary supplement for adult men and women who are concerned about cellular aging and who are committed to a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. Vivix is a unique blend of polyphenolic ingredients that provides an amount of resveratrol that cannot be normally obtained in a typical diet, but is carefully chosen based on the available evidence and the emerging laboratory research that points to both the potential antioxidant and cellular anti-aging properties of resveratrol.

Conflict of Interest - The FDA?

Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel posted an article about a potential conflict of interest involving the recent report published by the FDA on the supposed safety of BPA (Bisphenol A), to humans. Apparently, the group responsible for completing the FDA's report, had members who's personal interests may have been seriously influenced by the "plastics industry".

As previously mentioned on this blog, the FDA came out recently with a report that there were no known hazards to humans, caused by BPA. Yet, Canada and numerous other independent groups have done studies that prove otherwise.

The FDA (Food & Drug Administration), has also previously asserted that Aspartame is safe, but stevia is dangerous to use in foods; Vioxx is safe, but cherries are dangerous to use in the treatment of arthritis pain; and the list goes on.

I don't know about anyone reading this, but I'm getting almost "weirded out", by the abuses that are taking place amongst the agencies that are supposed to be looking out for my well-being, health and safety.

Just another reason why I am so proud to be associated with Shaklee. They are a company that is very open about their products and maintains standards far in excess of the natural nutrition industry. Shaklee's products undergo over 80,000 tests annually, to guarantee their safety and efficacy.

Shaklee is a leader in environmental integrity. After all, Dr. Shaklee created a "green" cleaning product, (Basic H2®), back in 1960, when "green" was just a color! And, the line-up of respected scientists and doctors on Shaklee's Scientific Advisory Board, is more evidence of the standards that Shaklee keeps and continues to improve upon.

Yes, there are a lot of "things" out there that can harm you, but let us at least, lower our exposure to those things, that we're aware of....or even, leary of.

Kick the CAN & Supplement !!

I've talked a lot about BPA (Bisphenol A), being in the plastics that we use on a daily basis, most commonly, plastic water bottles. But, I haven't really addressed some other commonly used containers that often contain this hormone disrupting chemical, that can make its way into our bloodstreams.

BPA has also been found in foods packaged in Tetra Packs and also the linings of cans used for the packaging of canned foods. Yes, that's right, those good ole' canned green beans may have traces of BPA that has leached into them.

What can you do?
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, eat less prepackaged foods, and prepare more of your meals from scratch. Yes, I know, that still may not protect you from all the contaminents that are out there, but at least, it's a step in the right direction.

Supplement with natural and safe products.
As we become more aware of the poor quality "food value" that our foods have, it is only obvious that we need to fill in the gaps with other sources. That's where vitamins and supplements come in. But, not all vitamins & supplements are created equal.

Shaklee Corporation performs over 80,000 tests each year, to ensure the quality and efficacy of their nutritional products. They are the #1 Natural Vitamin company in the United States and are regularly setting the bar, for the natural supplement industry. Shaklee's final products meet or exceed the industry's standards of Current Good Manufacturing Practice.

Which products are right for you?
Access the tool from here to select the nutritional products you are currently using and see what products Shaklee offers. All of Shaklee's products carry a 100% money-back guarantee, too.