Saul Katz: Low Glycemic for Life!

New Natural Low GI Sweetener Introduced

2008-05-26T11:05:27-06:00

Companies are lining up to introduce new low glycemic sweeteners into the marketplace, recognizing the huge need and market potential. The glycemic index is a scientific ranking of a food's impact on blood sugar. Wisdom Natural Brands recently launched a "natural" low GI SweetLeaf Stevia sweetener. Sweeteners currently on the market, such as Equal, NutraSweet and Splenda, are made from chemicals. Nutra-Sweet and Equal have glycemic indexes higher than sugar, making them less healthy products according to Jim May, CEO of the company. Wisdom's Stevia-based sweetener has no calories or carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. The company has sold Stevia-based teas and dietary supplements since 1982. Minnesota-based Cargill, in collaboration with Coca-Cola, developed a low glycemic sweetener called Rebiana.

Thirteen countries have already approved Stevia for use as a sweetener. In addition to Stevia's super sweetner capability, its leaves have more than 100 nutrients including glycosides. Multiple processes exist to extract the compounds, called steviosides, from the leaves. For its new sweetener, Wisdom developed a new process involving the use of water and filters to extract the compounds from South American leaves, which according to the company are the highest-quality leaves known at this time. The company says it is working with farmers and scientists in South America to grow the leaves and produce the product. Wisdom will sell the sweetener in powder, tablet and liquid forms. Widsom's products are sold at natural foods stores, Bashas' and some Fry's supermarkets in the US. Their tea and dietary supplements are also sold online.

Low Glycemic Index (GI) and Low Glycemic Load (GL) foods have been proven in studies to be beneficial: dieting; weight loss; obesity; diabetes; balancing blood sugar; sustained energy; sport nutrition; mental performance; acne; eye health; macular degeneration; heart disease and forms of cancer. See also Low GI Diet, Low GI Recipes, Low GI Food, Low GI Eating.

OUT ON A LIMB

2008-05-15T07:49:41-06:00

The actress Shirley MacLaine wrote a book of this title, going out on a limb with the hope that her reflections may help others see things more clearly or feel more sane in contrast to her musings. Authoring a blog provides me with a canvas and editorial privilege. So here I go out on a limb, with the hope that sharing my observations will also help make the world a better place. These underpinning beliefs are my anchors and guide posts, helping me to navigate with the current and explore within its grand design.

My underlying beliefs are grounded in nature, defined as ‘the physical world including all natural phenomena and living things’. Another observation that keeps me grounded and puts things in perspective for me is our stature in the universe. We are at the same time miniscule and exceptional. Modern radio telescopes measure the ever-expanding outer envelop of the “Big Bang”, yet we have not discovered another living planet.

With this frame of reference I hold all life on planet Earth to be exceptional. A fine balance is kept in check by the struggle to survive and competion to flourish. I believe in the infinite wisdom of nature. Nature is too brilliant to have redundant features; even the redundancies have purpose. Nature loves diversity. Each of us is intended to be different to ensure the survival of the human specie. For example, it may be the destiny of one soul living off a Calcutta garbage dump whose immune resistance withstands a devastating pandemic that threatens mankind; giving prophecy to the biblical doctrine, “the meek shall inherit the earth”. As such, our differences bind us. Each individual is equally important to our survival and we are each ‘g-d like’ in this vast universe. This teaches us that we must have mutual respect and appreciation for each other, and offer support when possible.

I believe we are each born ‘hard-wired’ for survival of the individual entity, the family unit, the tribe and the human specie in that order of priority. This program drives our behavior, our desires and our cravings. We are also preprogrammed to contribute to a tribe in a particular archetypical role.

However, in the recent past we have moved out of sync with nature and in that process we have upset the environment balance through urbanization, population growth and commoditization of our food supply.

What does this have to do with low GI? Read my upcoming blog “MOTHER NATURE WANTS US TO FATTEN UP”.

LOW GLYCEMIC – 2008 TRENDS IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

2008-04-14T22:57:42-06:00

You can have your (low glycemic) cake and eat it too!

Natural Marketing Institute's (NMI)* annual trend analysis suggests that if you want the most out of life, be a proactive-health active and tilt your equation towards WELL BEING. It’s easy, with small changes you can live the healthier Low Glycemic Lifestyle, opting for nutrient-dense low GI foods and increased physical activity.

The concept of a 'dual society' is the overarching theme across health, wellness and sustainability in NMI's 2008 trends analysis. This concept stems from a bifurcation of the population in the form of trends and countertrends. For example within NMI’s health and wellness segments of the U.S. population, two opposite groups are identified. The WELL BEINGS and the EAT, DRINK & BE MERRYS, each represent approximately 25% of the population, yet they exhibit opposite attitudes and behaviors towards health and wellness. The WELL BEINGS are a very integrated and healthy group comprised of values-based consumers. Their polar opposite is the EAT, DRINK & BE MERRYS who are the least concerned, least health active and least involved consumers.

NMI’s Top Trends ─ and Countertrends ─ for 2008
1. The Dual Society
The concept of a unified America has given way to bifurcation across many aspects of society including income, education, religious values, the environment, politics and even a stratification across health behaviors and attitudes, as the healthiest and the least healthy segments continue polarization.
Countertrend
Technology continues to be the great societal equalizer, exemplified by Web 2.0 initiatives and the growth of social and business networks. The desire for unification and connectivity appears to be at the core of this movement, manifesting itself in social collaborations of all kinds including facebook, Linked In, Family Post and Ancestry.com.

2. Generation Zzzzz
Generation Z represents an over-stimulated and burned-out generation, aged 25-45 subsisting on less than 7 hours sleep per night, surviving on caffeine-packed energy drinks and sleeping pills. The health implications of this behavior are just becoming known and include an increase in domestic violence, traffic accidents, obesity and stress among others.
Countertrend
In contrast to Gen Z are those seeking sleep alternatives through alternative medicine, meditation, a reduced schedule and a simplified lifestyle.

3. Stop, I want off!
The overabundance of technology, busier lifestyles, dual working families and instant gratification is driving many to “opt out” of the current consumer culture. From scaling back work hours to a renewed focus on “quality versus quantity” and even a rejection of technology, the consumer backlash reflects a growing recognition of the true “price tag” for such lifestyles.
Countertrend
While many are rejecting conspicuous consumption, the other end of the spectrum continues to embrace luxury, premiumization and 24/7 connectivity.

4. Dr. Me
Dr. Me reflects independent attitudes relating to healthcare decisions as more consumers research their own symptoms, diagnose their own illnesses and administer their own cures. Driven in part by dissatisfaction with healthcare, direct-to-consumer Rx advertising and access to online health portals, consumers are finding new, non-traditional ways to manage their health, including consumer directed healthcare plans, alternative medicine, preventative DNA testing and more.
Countertrend
Juxtaposed with Dr. Me health attitudes resides an epidemic healthcare crisis with increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

5. The Culture of Sustainability
It’s not a matter of whether we will run out of natural resources – it’s a matter of when. Sustainability will become the most significant social movement of our time. It will permeate every aspect of consumers’ lifestyles, business infrastructures and other societal constituencies.
Countertrend
Consumers are overwhelmed with many sustainability initiatives with significant “green washing” fall-out expected as consumers learn to discern its true meaning (and impact).

6. Golden Opportunities
The aging population is experiencing an unprecedented level of autonomy, choice and lifestyle participation. With those living past 80 the fastest growing demographic group, the idea of the ‘Golden Years’ is undergoing a radical transformation. From the workplace, to community, to caregiving, the implications are far reaching yet opportunistic.
Countertrend
Issues of loss of independence, control and even financial resources represent profound social consequences for seniors, caregivers, government and society.

7. The New Immunity
A rise in allergies and weakened immune systems is believed by many to be the result of toxic home and work environments, as well as a food supply manipulated by additives, genetic modification, antibiotics, hormones and herbicides. These concerns are driving a growth industry in non-toxic home and building materials, air purification systems, organic foods and allergy-free alternatives.
Countertrend
The lifestyle habits of many adults and children continue to decline in sharp contrast to the New Immunity awareness. NMI’s health attitude segment, EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRYS™ demonstrates the lowest awareness or interest in food ingredients, additives, environmental factors and their health impact.

8. Giving is the new Taking
Volunteerism, activism and participation in the non-profit sector are growing rapidly as consumers discover the emotional rewards of giving, rather than taking. To meet the challenge, corporations are engaging in CSR 2.0 in order to maintain brand allegiance, retain their workforce, and manage their stakeholders, among other activities.
Countertrend
Premiumization, the height of New Luxury, continues to evolve in strong contrast to a more values based, philanthropic culture. At times, premium brands are even co-opting ‘green values.’

*NMI is an international strategic consulting, market research, and business development company specializing in the health, wellness, and sustainable marketplace www.NMIsolutions.com.