TRUE HEALTH & FINANCIAL FREEDOM

VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTS REDUCE THE RISK OF ALS

2006-09-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

Vitamin E, one of the most powerful antioxidants known, plays a critical role in the body by protecting LDL and cell membranes from oxidation damage. Vitamin E also helps maintain healthy DNA in the interior of cells. Vitamin E works with other antioxidants to provide optimal health to cells and organs. Several laboratory and clinical studies have shown the importance of vitamin E in supporting good cardiovascular health and a strong immune system in the elderly.

My dear father-in-law passed away this past year with a degenerative disease very similar to ALS. Even though we tried many things including a trip to Mayo Clinic, we were too late. A good quality supplement with proper antioxidants is crucial in fighting degenerative diseases.

Here's more proof of the value of Vitamin E:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease causes degeneration and death of nerve cells. Harvard researchers found that people who used vitamin E supplements for over ten years experienced less than half the risk of dying of ALS than those who did not use vitamin E supplements. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease". ALS is a progressive disease that causes degeneration of some of the largest of all nerve cells, called motor neurons. The disease causes the motor neurons to degenerate and eventually die. New research has found an association between the use of vitamin E supplements and a lower incidence of this degenerative disease. Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health followed 957,740 participants in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II for ten years. A follow-up of 170,000 subjects in 1992 showed that people who used vitamin E supplements for over ten years experienced less than half the risk of dying of ALS than those who did not report using vitamin E supplements. Although vitamin E was the only nutrient examined that was associated with a lower risk of ALS, it is not possible to rule out interactions with other nutrients or factors, since people who use vitamin E also tend to use other supplements and may share other healthy lifestyle habits.

Ann Neurol 2005 Jan;57(1):104-10

For more information about USANA products including a good Vitamin E supplement, please contact me. I would love to hear from you!

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

MULTIVITAMIN USE LOWERS PREECLAMPSIA RISK

2006-08-15T12:15:00.000-04:00

High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) can result in serious complications for the mother and child. Results from a new study show that regular use of a multivitamin supplement in the months before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia by as much as 71%. Lean women who used multivitamins before and during their pregnancies reduced the risk of preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by elevated blood pressure, swelling of the extremities and protein in the urine. If untreated, the condition can progress to eclampsia, which can lead to seizures, coma, and the death of the mother or child.

The study involved 1,835 pregnant women enrolled in the Pregnancy Exposures and Preeclampsia Prevention Study. All women were at less than 16 weeks' gestation and were asked whether they regularly used multivitamins or prenatal vitamins in the past six months. Women that reported using a multivitamin or prenatal during the previous six months had a 45 percent lower risk of preeclampsia than non-users. The reduction in risk was more significant among lean women. When lean women were analyzed separately, those who used multivitamins had a 71 percent lower risk of preeclampsia than nonusers.

These results suggest that regular use of a multivitamin supplement in the months before and during pregnancy may help to prevent preeclampsia, particularly among lean women.

Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Jun 13; [Epub ahead of print]

Author, educator and biochemist, Lyle MacWilliam, has proven USANA supplements are the best dietary supplement when compared to over 500 products on the market in the United States and Canada. You can order his book, Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, through the Amazon link in the sidebar. If you would like more information about the USANA products, please send me an e-mail. I'll be happy to send you more information and to answer any questions you may have.

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity

VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF CERTAIN CANCERS

2006-08-02T20:39:00.000-04:00

Researchers suggest that improving vitamin D status could reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Since it is difficult to get adequate vitamin D from foods alone, scientists suggest that a vitamin supplement may help raise vitamin D intakes to protective levels.

A recent published report concluded that vitamin D deficiency may account for several thousand premature cancer deaths annually.

The research team reviewed 63 studies on the relationship between vitamin D and certain types of cancer worldwide between 1966 and 2004. The majority of studies found a protective relationship between sufficient vitamin D status and lower risk of cancer, especially in cancers of the colon, breast, prostate and ovary.

Vitamin D is found in milk, as well as in some fortified orange juice, yogurt and cheeses, usually at around 100 international units (I.U.) a serving. Researchers suggested that people might want to consider a vitamin supplement to raise their overall intake to 1,000 I.U.s per day.

Taking more vitamin D could be especially important for people living in northern areas, which receive less vitamin D from sunshine.

American Journal of Public Health, Vol 96, No. 2 252-261 February (2006)

USANA's HealthPak 100's provide a daily dose of 550 IU's of Vitamin D, as well as antioxidants, chelated minerals, calcium, and much, much more. Click here for more information, or send me an e-mail - I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

Multivitamin Use Before Pregnancy Reduces Risk of Preterm Births

2006-07-05T19:13:00.000-04:00

Preterm birth is associated with many health risks, as well as a lower rate of infant survival during the first year of life. Women who take a multivitamin before conception have only half the risk of preterm delivery than those who wait until after becoming pregnant to start taking nutritional supplements.

A study published in the November 2004 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that the use of multivitamin supplements by women prior to becoming pregnant was associated with fewer preterm deliveries. Preterm birth is defined as birth at less than 37 weeks of gestation and is associated with a lower rate of infant survival during the first year of life.

Researchers utilized data from the Pregnancy, Infection and Nutrition Study which recruited 2,010 women during their 24th to 29th week of pregnancy. They compared the incidence of preterm delivery among women who took multivitamins prior to conception, before conception and during pregnancy, during pregnancy only, or not at all.

Women who took a multivitamin supplement before conception had half the risk of early and late preterm delivery than those who took no vitamins. Women used multivitamins during pregnancy only had approximately the same amount of preterm births than women who took none at all.

This study, as well as many previous studies, reinforces the concern that waiting until pregnancy is diagnosed may be too late for nutritional intervention to benefit many pregnancy outcomes.

Am J Epidemiol. 2004 Nov 1;160(9):886-92.

USANA supplements have been proven to be the best dietary supplement when compared to over 500 products on the market in the United States and Canada. If you would like more information about the USANA products, please send me an e-mail. I'll be happy to send you more information and to answer any questions you may have.

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

DIETARY ANTIOXIDANTS LINKED TO LOWER MACULAR DEGENERATION RISK

2006-06-15T16:49:00.000-04:00

What is an Antioxidant? Every day environmental pollutants bombard us with free radicals that cause damage to the cells in our bodies. Antioxidants help our bodies fight these free radicals. Here's an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that antioxidants help lower the risk of macular degeneration. More proof we need to supplement with a good, high quality antioxidant!

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"High dietary intakes of the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the most common cause of permanent blindness in the developed world. AMD is a retinal degenerative disease that causes progressive loss of central vision, and the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of 55 in the developed world. Although it rarely causes total blindness, AMD destroys the central vision necessary for performing many of the daily tasks we take for granted such as: recognizing faces, colors, watching television, reading, driving, performing finely detailed work, and safely navigating stairs. The risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age. A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that individuals whose diets contain high amounts of the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc have a significantly lower risk of developing AMD than people whose diets contain lower levels of the nutrients. This study included 4,176 men and women at risk of AMD who were participants in the Rotterdam Study, which enrolled 7,983 men and women aged 55 or older. Nutrient intake was assessed via food frequency questionnaires completed by all subjects. Participants underwent eye examinations upon enrollment, and three times during the eight year follow-up. 560 subjects were diagnosed with new macular degeneration during the follow-up period. Participants with an above-median intake of all four nutrients including beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD compared to those whose intake of any of the nutrients was below average. This study suggests that the risk of developing AMD can be modified by diet; in particular, by the dietary antioxidants beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. " JAMA 2005;294:3101-3107.

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Take steps now to protect your vision later! USANA's Essentials contain a full range of antioxidants for comprehensive, "full-body protection" from oxidative stress. If you are looking for more information about a quality antioxidant, please contact me. I can be reached at KarenVanSprange@usana.com.

HIGHER ANTIOXIDANT INTAKES REDUCE RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN MALE SMOKERS

2006-05-25T14:26:00.000-04:00

Don't avoid antioxidant supplements if you are a smoker or former smoker. Research in the 1990's seemed to indicate that high dosages of beta-carotene supplements may increase lung cancer risk in smokers. However, a new analysis of dietary records from one of these studies came to a different conclusion. Male smokers with the highest overall antioxidant intake, including beta-carotene, actually had a reduced risk of lung cancer. In observational studies, a high intake of individual antioxidants was related to increased lung cancer risk in male smokers. However, data from many experiments suggest that there are interactions among antioxidant nutrients; therefore, consideration of multiple antioxidants simultaneously may be important in terms of assessing risk.

Yale University researchers evaluated dietary records of participants in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (ATBC). A group of over 27,000 Finnish male smokers aged 50-69 had food records analyzed along with intakes of carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin C. After evaluating the overall intake of antioxidants in this group, the conclusion differs somewhat from the original study. According to this new analysis, the men with higher overall intakes of antioxidants had lower relative risks of lung cancer, regardless of their assigned study group (beta-carotene or placebo). While researchers of the ATBC study concluded that high-dose beta-carotene supplementation may increase lung cancer risk in male smokers, these findings support the hypothesis that a combination of dietary antioxidants reduces lung cancer risk in men who smoke.

Am J Epidemiol 2004 Jul 1;160(1):68-76

USANA Essentials contain your daily supply of Chelated Minerals and Mega Antioxidants. For further information regarding the Essentials or any other item from our product lines, simply click on the title of this post, or you can reach me via e-mail at KarenVanSprange@usana.com.

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

A Motivating Taxi Driver

2006-05-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

-- by Zig Ziglar

One morning in Houston, Texas, I caught a taxi (to go to a breakfast meeting) and during a short ride I heard one of the finest sales talks on America and free enterprise that I ever heard. The cab driver had been a professional health care provider in his native Nigeria, but he preferred living in a free society, with the opportunity to do what he pleased, and so he was very excited about being a cab driver in Houston. During our conversation my immigrant friend quickly turned to motivator and his enthusiasm led him to give me some rules for success! I offer them here so that you might benefit from them, too.

1. Pay your bills.
2. Obey the laws.
3. Keep your eyes on God. God is in charge.
4. Run from lazy, crooked people.
5. Make your workplace your home.
6. Love and honor your boss.
7. Keep your promises.
8. Mind your own business.

I was motivated by the cab driver who was excited about his dream and having the opportunity to live it. He had set his goal long ago. He was living his dream. He wasn't waiting until he could get into something better; he was performing with the opportunity he had. He was happy with what he had and was enthusiastically giving life his best shot. That, my friend, is marvelous preparation for a better tomorrow!

-- Zig Ziglar

This article is by Zig Ziglar author of How to Stay Motivated 3 Vol. Program, Secrets to Closing the Sale, Courtship After Marriage and Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World. This week Zig is one of our featured authors in the 10 Great Graduation and/or Mother's/Father's Day Gift-Giving Ideas (and for yourself)! For a complete listing of our great gift ideas, visit http://gift.jimrohn.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

Zig Ziglar is one of my absolute favorite motivational authors! Not only is he knowledgeable, he's also humerous and easy to read and listen to. If we all followed his advice, this world would be a better place for us all. If you're interested in purchasing any of his books (or any other books you may be interested in), click on the Amazon link in the sidebar. I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

PROFESSIONAL BOXER & USANA ASSOCIATE, JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA

2006-05-07T20:34:00.000-04:00

Professional Boxer and USANA Associate Jose Antonio Rivera will take on WBA super welterweight champion Alejandro Garcia in a championship fight at the DCU Center TOMORROW, May 6.

Rivera has been through vigorous training and nutritional changes to prepare him for this fight. Part of his nutritional changes included implementing USANA supplements into his regimen.

An article from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette explains Rivera’s pre-fight preparations:

"........Rivera made other changes besides abandoning the welterweight division. He replaced longtime trainer Luis “Chico” Lopez with former Hartford cruiserweight John Scully, added a new personal trainer (Radovan Serbula of Boston), and expanded his nutrition program to include USANA, which Rivera credits with bolstering his energy, recovery time and overall health."* —Bud Barth, Reporter, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Are you interested in the supplements this champion is taking to bolster his energy, recovery time and overall health? If so, click on the title of this article above to go to my website. From there, click on "Products". Or, you can simply e-mail me at karenvansprange@USANA.com, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

PLEASE DO THESE THREE THINGS

2006-05-03T19:35:00.000-04:00

- by Ron White

I am extremely leery of any quick fix solution or overnight formula for success. In my opinion, they don't exist. With that said, the following formula is one that I have recently shared with 2 members of my family to encourage them to break through the rut they are in and experience success. Therefore, if I would share it with my family, I must believe in the principles. I suggested that they begin to regularly do these three things:

1. Surround themselves with positive people who believe that this life is not all that there is. Personally, I find this at my local church. This email goes out to thousands of people all over the world. I know we don't share the same faith in all cases. This message is not about my faith. It is about you finding a group of people who regularly meet together and have a belief that there is more to life than what we see. This is the first step to a positive outlook on life.

2. You must exercise weekly in order to stimulate endorphins and maintain an energetic life. The exercise of walking to the kitchen or curling 12 ounces does not count as exercise. I run 1 mile twice a week and 2-3 days a week do strength training. This is nothing difficult but it makes a major difference on my attitude.

3. You MUST educate yourself through reading. The average CEO in America reads 4-5 books per month. The average American reads one book per year and 60% of us don't get past the first chapter! Make a promise to yourself to read at least one book per month. Read anything! Regardless, of what you read....develop a passion for reading and learning and you will see your attitude and outlook on life begin to change. Any person who faithfully invested their time in these three areas may not break world records in levels of success. However, everything in me believes that they would see dramatic improvements. I believe in those three things so much, I encouraged my family to invest their time in these areas.-- Ron White

Ron White has spent over a decade training business professionals and students how to improve their memory, grades and income. He has appeared on FOX television, broken a Guinness Record by memorizing a 28-digit number in 75 seconds, been a guest on over 35 radio programs in the United States and Canada, and his articles have appeared in print across the country. Ron's live workshops sell out every time! To learn more about Ron's upcoming Memory Training Seminar on May 15th & 16th, scroll down to #4 below or go to http://seminar.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.

Reproduced with permission from the Ron White Ezine. To subscribe to Ron White's Ezine, go to http://www.memoryinamonth.com or send an email with Join in the subject to ronwhite@yoursuccessstore.com Copyright 2006 All rights reserved worldwide.

WHAT IS YOUR 'WHY' FOR BEING HEALTHY?

2006-04-29T10:59:00.000-04:00

People who are passionate about health usually have a strong "why". They have a strong reason why their health is so important to them - a reason that drives them to make healthy lifestyle choices every day for a lifetime. For me, it's the desire to enjoy life to the fullest with energy and passion. I want to travel the world - maybe take my children and grandchildren with me.

What is your "why"? Click on the Comments button below, and in 50 words or less, tell us why you are passionate about being the healthiest you can be. Once done, I'd like to publish some of the responses I receive. Who knows? Your "why" might just inspire someone else to find theirs.

I wish you Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

Karen

DOCTOR OF THE FUTURE

2006-04-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame and in the cause and prevention of disease."

- Thomas Edison

Good, quality supplements are crucial in the maintenance of the "human frame" and in the "prevention of disease." Go to my website, http://karenannshealth.usana.com to learn more about USANA and the quality of our supplements.

Got Wealth? Here's Five Simple Reasons Most People Won't Get Rich...and How You Can!

2006-04-23T20:51:00.000-04:00

by: Jason Oman

What did I learn about wealth building from interviews with over 43 self-made millionaires? After going through one interview after another, I realized many of the secrets that make them rich while others continue to struggle. When you understand and do what self-made millionaires do, you get to become build wealth like them too. If you don't understand and do what they do, you don't get wealth. It's really that simple.

Here are five simple reasons most people will never get rich and how to make sure you do:

Reason 1: Waiting to Start
Most people don't want to wait for success. But, at the same time, they are willing to wait before getting started on the road to success. Do you see the problem here? The longer you wait to get started, the longer it will be before you get the money, success, and lifestyle you want. Many people are waiting for everything to be perfect before they get going. Therefore, they never get going and never get the rewards. No race has ever been won (or even finished) by someone who never left the starting line. Don't wait to get going. Start today on the road to success.

Reason 2: Being Financially Illiterate
The cornerstone of all wealth is understanding the difference between assets and liabilities. The difference is this: Assets put money IN your pocket. Liabilities take money out of your pocket. Most people think their home, car, and other possessions are assets. But, the truth is that in most cases those things take money out of your pocket. They cost you money. They don't make you money. Therefore, by the true definition above, those things are liabilities. They take money out of your pocket each month. When you have more money coming in from real assets than you have going out to pay for liabilities, you will be financially free. There is only one way to do this. Which brings us to...

Reason 3: Focusing on Linear Income Instead of Passive Income
One of the millionaires interviewed said it simply... He said, "If you're not making money while you sleep, you'll never be rich." Linear income is what you get from a job. You work for an hour and get paid only one time for that one hour's work. That's it. Passive income is when you work once but continue to get paid over and over again from work you're no longer doing. Investing in or creating true assets that provide passive income for you is your ticket to wealth.

Reason 4: Not Understanding or Using Systems for Making Money
A system for making money is anything that allows you to make money without your own effort. In other words, it's an automated way to make money. All true assets are simply "systems" of one sort or another. Once you create or invest in a proven system for making money, there is no limit to the money you can make. Becoming a master of money systems can bring you riches beyond your dreams.

Reason 5: Not Being Persistent or Patient Enough
To finish any race, you have to leave the starting line and follow through to the finish line. Most people create their own failure by either not getting started or not following through, or both. To get rich, successful, and happy you must have the patience and persistence to cross the finish line. You must not only get started, but also follow through. This may sound obvious, but it's still the cause of most failure. Only by joining the small percentage of people who are willing to do the five things mentioned above will you have the greatest chances for wealth and success.

It's really quite simple...
Decide to do these things and you can get rich too.
If you don't do them, then - like most people - you may never get rich.
Decide now to master the ideas mentioned above and begin your road to success now. Then follow through and watch the difference it makes.

About The Author
Jason Oman is the #1 Best-Selling Author of Conversations with Millionaires. The blockbuster book people around the world are raving about! Get your copy for FREE when you visit http://StealThisEbook.com.

For an excellent opportunity to create another stream of Residual, Passive Income, go to my website at http://KarenAnnsHealth.usana.com. Read the articles and view the online videos. Then contact me at KarenVanSprange@usana.com.

CO ENZYME Q10 PROTECTS NERVE CELLS

2006-04-18T20:19:00.000-04:00

Cells in the brain and nervous system depend on optimal mitochondrial function for energy. A recent study in the journal Neurobiology of Disease showed that oxidative stress causes mitochondria to produce excessive free radicals, leading to nerve cell damage and destruction.

Due to its function in the mitochondrial energy process and its role as an antioxidant, researchers evaluated CoEnzyme Q10 for its ability to protect nerve cells. The results of this study revealed that CoEnzyme Q10 inhibits the production of free radicals by the mitochondria and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane when nerve cells are subjected to oxidative stress. CoEnzyme Q10 may therefore have a potential benefit in reducing the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurobiol Dis. 2005 Apr;18(3):618-27

If you would like information about quality supplements, please e-mail me at KarenVanSprange@usana.com

VITAMIN D LEVELS LINKED TO INSULIN RESISTANCE

2006-04-15T12:41:00.000-04:00

Vitamin D intake may be linked to insulin resistance. Researchers administered oral glucose tolerance tests to 126 healthy volunteers who had no obvious symptoms of glucose intolerance. Blood glucose levels declined more slowly in test subjects with low vitamin D levels. These subjects were also more likely than their peers to show signs of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance. The results from this study suggest that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Am J Clin Nutr 2004 May;79(5):820-5.

If you would like more information about a quality supplement, go to the Products section of http://KarenAnnsHealth.usana.com; or e-mail me at KarenVanSprange@usana.com

VITAMIN D & CALCIUM REDUCES RISK OF DIABETES

2006-04-11T21:18:00.000-04:00

The incidence of type-2 diabetes is lower among women who get adequate calcium and supplement with vitamin D. Researchers used data from the Nurses Health Study, which includes over 83,000 women, to study the relationship of calcium and vitamin D intake to type-2 diabetes. After 20 years of follow-up, it was concluded that a combined daily intake of over 1,200 mg of calcium and more than 800 IU of vitamin D was associated with a 33 percent lower risk of type-2 diabetes. Interestingly, dietary vitamin D intake did not appear to provide any statistically significant benefit. But the women who supplemented with at least 400 IU of vitamin D had a 13% lower risk of diabetes when compared to those who took less than 100 IU per day. Both dietary and supplemental calcium resulted in decreased risk of type-2 diabetes, and those with overall intakes above 1,200 mg had a 21% lower risk than those who got less than 600 mg per day. Elevated intakes of calcium and vitamin D, especially from supplements, are significantly associated with lower incidence of type-2 diabetes.
Diabetes Care 29:650-656, 2006

If you are looking for a quality Supplement with Vitamin D and Calcium, please e-mail me at KarenVanSprange@usana.com

FISH OIL FOR ASTHMA

2006-04-05T16:29:00.000-04:00

The January 2006 issue of the Journal Chest reported that supplementation with Fish Oil reduced the severity of exercise induced bronchoconstriction. In a randomized, double blind, crossover study, 16 asthmatic patients who suffer EIB were given 3.2 g/d of EPA and 2.0 g/d 20 of DHA. Eight of the patients in the study who were given the fish oil had a significant reduction in inflammation. The use of bronchodilators also decreased. Of interest is that the study was just three weeks duration. The power of nutrition is amazing; that the body can respond in such a shorttime will provide powerful encouragement and hope to anyone who suffers with Asthma. Here's the report:
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Chest. January 2006;129:39-49.) 2006 American College of Chest PhysiciansProtective Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Asthma*Timothy D. Mickleborough, PhD; Martin R. Lindley, PhD; Alina A. Ionescu, MDand Alyce D. Fly, PhD* From Human Performance and Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory (Drs.Mickleborough and Lindley), Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Section of Respiratory Medicine and Communicable Diseases (Dr. Ionescu), University of Wales College of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital, NHS Trust, Penarth, UK; and Department of Applied Health Science (Dr. Fly), Nutrition and Dietetics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Correspondence to: Timothy D. Mickleborough, PhD, Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, 1025 E Seventh St, HPER 112, Bloomington, IN 47401;
e-mail: tmickleb@indiana.edu

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that fish oil supplementation has a protective effect on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in elite athletes, which may be attributed to its antiinflammatory properties. Since EIB in asthma involves proinflammatory mediator release, it is feasible that fish oil supplementation may reduce the severity of EIB in asthmatic subjects.

Study objectives: To determine the efficacy of fish oil supplementation on severity of EIB in subjects with asthma.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, crossover study.

Setting: Lung function and exercise testing in a university research laboratory.

Patients and measurements: Sixteen asthmatic patients with documented EIB entered the study on their normal diet and then received either fish oil capsules containing 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 2.0 g of docohexaenoic acid (fish oil diet, n =3D 8) or placebo capsules (placebo diet,n =3D 8) daily for 3 weeks. At the beginning of the study (normal diet) and at the end of each treatment phase, the following pre-exercise and postexercise measures were assessed: (1) pulmonary function; (2) induced sputum differential cell count percentage and proinflammatory eicosanoid metabolite(leukotriene C4 [LTC4]-leukotriene E4 [LTE4] and prostaglandin D2 [PGD2]) and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1=DF and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-{alpha}) concentrations; and (3) eicosanoid metabolites leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene B5 (LTB5) generation from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMNLs).

Results: On the normal and placebo diet, subjects exhibited EIB. However, the fish oil diet improved pulmonary function to below the diagnostic EIB threshold, with a concurrent reduction in bronchodilator use. Induced sputum differential cell count percentage and concentrations of LTC4-LTE4,PGD2,IL-1=DF, and TNF-{alpha} were significantly reduced before and following exercise on the fish oil diet compared to the normal and placebo diets. There was a significant reduction in LTB4 and a significant increase in LTB5 generation from activated PMNLs on the fish oil diet compared to the normal and placebo diets.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that fish oil supplementation may represent a potentially beneficial nonpharmacologic intervention for asthmatic subjects with EIB.

If you would like further information on quality supplements including fish oil, click on the title of this Blog. For special pricing, please contact me at KarenVanSprange@usana.com.

RETIREMENT 'OVERCONFIDENCE'

2006-04-05T12:27:00.000-04:00

Workers Have Retirement 'Overconfidence'

By EILEEN ALT POWELL, AP Business WriterTue Apr 4, 2:20 PM ET

The majority of American workers think they'll be able to retire comfortably, but most aren't saving nearly enough to meet that goal, according to a new study. The Employee Benefit Research Institute's annual retirement confidence survey, released Tuesday, found that about 68 percent of workers are confident about having adequate funds for a comfortable retirement, up slightly from 65 percent in 2005.

At the same time, more than half of all workers say they've saved less than $25,000 toward retirement, according to the Washington, D.C., based research group. Even among workers 55 and older, more than four in 10 have retirement savings under $25,000.

"`Overconfidence' is the word that comes to mind," said Jack VanDerhei, co-author of the study. He said that the poor savings performance was especially troubling because it comes as many of the nation's employers are eliminating the defined benefit plans — better known as pensions — that have buoyed the retirements of current workers' parents and grandparents. Many companies also are eliminating retiree health care coverage or asking retirees to contribute more for it.

"It's clear that people currently working should factor into their retirement planning the long-term trend away from traditional defined benefit pensions," VanDerhei said. "That means people need to be saving more than they are."

Not all was doom and gloom in the report, the 16th in a series begun in 1991. More than 70 percent of workers say that they or their spouses have saved something toward retirement — a percentage that's held fairly level for the past six years, EBRI said. And while many have meager savings, others are doing quite well at accumulating retirement nest eggs, the study found.

While more than half of workers have less than $25,000 set aside, 12 percent have $25,000 to $49,999; 12 percent have $50,000 to $99,999; 11 percent have $100,000 to $249,999; and 12 percent have $250,000 or more. As would be expected, older workers generally have more set aside than younger workers, with 12 percent of those 55 and older reporting account balances of $100,000 to $249,999, and 26 percent with accounts of $250,000 and up.

VanDerhei believes that people would save more if they took the time to project what their costs in retirement are likely to be. But just 42 percent of workers say they've done such a calculation.
He suggests that people who are comfortable with managing their own accounts can do well with online calculators, including the Ballpark Estimate calculator that can be found on EBRI's sister site at http://www.choosetosave.org/ballpark.

"But some people are absolutely clueless about this and frozen into inactivity as a result," he said. "They really should find a fee-based professional to help them out. It's going to cost a couple of hundred dollars, but you'll make that amount up many times in the future."
The study also found that workers are eager for help in saving more.

Nearly 70 percent of workers said they were either strongly favorable or somewhat favorable to 401(k) and other retirement plans setting up automatic enrollment for new workers, and almost the same percentage favored automatic increases in employee contributions. Dan Houston, senior vice president for retirement and investor services with Principal Financial Group Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa, said that if workers are told they aren't saving enough, most are willing to increase their 401(k) contributions — including automatic increases each year. He added that workers should aim to save enough to replace 85 percent of their preretirement income when they stop working, not the 70 percent that many workers believe is adequate. That may sound daunting, but Houston said a 25-year-old man or woman entering the work force today who immediately starts saving 15 percent of income will be able to retire at 60 with enough savings to do that.

"If you adjust your standard of living right after school, and learn to set aside 15 percent — either by salary deferral or company match — it's doable," he said. A number of large companies have begun introducing automatic enrollment into their plans to try to get higher participation by younger and lower-income workers, but adoption hasn't become widespread.

The survey was conducted by Mathew Greenwald & Associates, a survey research firm based in Washington, D.C. It involved phone interviews with more than 1,250 individuals, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Principal Financial was among the underwriters of the study.

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HEPATITIS C VIRUS LIVES IN YOUR LIVER

2006-04-01T10:39:00.000-05:00

Hepatitis C Virus Lives In Your Liver by: News Canada
(NC)-Your liver works 24 hours a day, performing over 500 vital functions for your body. Most of the blood that returns to your heart passes through the liver. Your body can't function without it.

The hepatitis C virus lives in your liver. It inflames liver cells, which, over time, affects the way your liver functions. The effect of the hepatitis C virus varies from person to person. There is no way to predict how your body will react to it. There are, however, some things that are known:
You can live with hepatitis C for many years without experiencing any major symptoms, or you might simply feel tired. Symptoms can come and go over time. Their presence or absence does not tell you the degree to which liver damage may or may not be occurring.

Chronic, long-term inflammation of the liver can cause liver cell damage and result in fibrosis (liver scarring), or even cirrhosis. This damage can occur in as little as five years, or as long as 30 years.

About 20% of chronic hepatitis patients develop cirrhosis within 10 to 20 years.
Use of recreational drugs or alcohol can speed up inflammation and the development of fibrosis or cirrhosis.

There is an increased risk of liver cancer in people with cirrhosis.

The good news is that current drug treatments can be very effective for people with hepatitis C. Combined with proper nutrition, plenty of rest, and avoidance of recreational drugs and alcohol, these treatments help many who have the virus lead relatively healthy lives.

If you think you may be at risk of getting hepatitis C, see your doctor. The virus can be detected by a simple blood test. For more information on how to keep your liver happy and healthy, visit Health Canada's Web site at www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

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THE VALUE OF SOY PROTEIN

2006-03-31T20:39:00.000-05:00

Soy and cruciferous vegetables reduce cancer risk by enhancing DNA repair Nutrients found in soy and cruciferous vegetables have recently been shown to have anti-cancer activity for hormone-responsive tumors (i.e. breast and prostate cancers). The February 13, 2006 issue of the British Journal of Cancer reported that genistein (a soy isoflavone) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) found in vegetables such as broccoli, enhance DNA repair. After adding increasing doses of I3C and genistein to two prostate cancer and two breast cancer cell lines, the scientists found a rise in levels of certain proteins which repair damaged DNA. Additionally, when researchers added I3C and genistein together in low doses to the cell lines, the results were synergistic, providing greater benefit than that obtained by either compound alone. The finding could explain, in part, the protective effect these compounds have shown against some cancers. The study is also among the first to discover a cellular explanation behind the ability of increased vegetable intake to reduce the risk of cancer. British Journal of Cancer (2006) 94,407-426.

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GLUCOSAMINE FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS?

2006-03-22T14:27:00.000-05:00

Efficacy Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate May Depend On Level Of Osteoarthritis Pain
2006-02-23 - NIH/National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine*, the popular dietary supplement combination of glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate did not provide significant relief from osteoarthritis pain among all participants. However, a smaller subgroup of study participants with moderate-to-severe pain showed significant relief with the combined supplements. This research was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers led by rheumatologist Daniel O. Clegg, M.D., of the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, conducted the 4-year study known as the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) at 16 sites across the United States.
"GAIT is another example of NIH's commitment to exploring the potential of complementary and alternative medicine to prevent and treat disease in a manner that is fair, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous," said Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., NIH Director.
GAIT enrolled nearly 1,600 participants with documented osteoarthritis of the knee. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of five treatments daily for 24 weeks: glucosamine alone (1500 mg), chondroitin sulfate alone (1200 mg), glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate combined (same doses), a placebo, or celecoxib (200 mg). Celecoxib is an FDA-approved drug for the management of osteoarthritis pain and served as a positive control for the study. (A positive control is a treatment that investigators expect participants to respond to in a predictable way; it helps validate study results.) A positive response to treatment was defined as a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain at week 24 compared to the start of the study.
The researchers found that participants taking celecoxib experienced statistically significant pain relief, as expected, versus placebo--about 70 percent of those taking celecoxib versus 60 percent taking placebo had a 20 percent or greater pain reduction. For all participants, there were no significant differences between the other treatments tested and placebo. However, for participants in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup, glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate provided statistically significant pain relief compared to placebo--about 79 percent in this group had a 20 percent or greater pain reduction compared to 54 percent for placebo. In the subgroup of participants with mild pain, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together or alone did not provide statistically significant relief compared to placebo.
"This rigorous, large-scale study showed that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appeared to help people with moderate-to-severe pain from knee osteoarthritis, but not those with mild pain," said Stephen E. Straus, M.D., NCCAM Director. "It is important to study dietary supplements with well-designed research in order to find out what works and what does not."
"Because of the small size of the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup, the findings in this group for glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate should be considered preliminary and need to be confirmed in a study designed for this purpose," said Dr. Clegg, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Rheumatology at the University of Utah, School of Medicine.
On entering the study, a participant's level of pain was assessed as either mild or moderate to severe using standard pain assessment tools and scales, such as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Of the 1,583 study participants, 78 percent were in the mild pain subgroup and the other 22 percent were in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup. Level of pain was evaluated at weeks 4, 8, 16, and 24 using the WOMAC scale and other tools. In addition to taking their daily study treatment, participants could take up to 4000 mg of acetaminophen daily for pain, except for the 24 hours before they were assessed by study staff. The use of acetaminophen, however, was low, overall averaging fewer than two 500 mg tablets per day. Participants could not take other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or narcotic (opioid-based) pain relievers during the study.
"More than 20 million Americans have osteoarthritis, making it a frequent cause of physical disability among adults," said Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., NIAMS Director. "We are excited to support studies looking at new treatment options that could improve the symptoms and quality of life of people with osteoarthritis."
GAIT was conducted under an Investigational New Drug application filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thus, all of the products used in the study were subject to the FDA's pharmaceutical regulations and evaluated and manufactured by an FDA-licensed clinical research pharmacy center. The glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate used were tested for purity, potency, quality, and consistency among batches. Products were retested for stability throughout the study. The dosages selected were based on the prevailing doses in the scientific literature. Few side effects from any of the treatments were reported. Those reported were generally mild, such as upset stomach, and distributed evenly across the treatment groups.
"The GAIT team's goal was to assess whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which we saw our osteoarthritis patients using, provided pain relief," said Dr. Clegg. "I urge people with osteoarthritis to follow a comprehensive plan for managing their arthritis pain--eat right, exercise, lose excess weight, and talk to your physician about appropriate treatment options."
The GAIT team continues their research with a smaller study to see whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can alter the progression of osteoarthritis, such as delaying the narrowing of the joint spaces. About one-half of the participants in the larger GAIT study were eligible to enroll in this ancillary study. The results are expected in about a year.
###

Study Shows Supplements Relieve Osteoarthritis PainCombination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Helps Patients Suffering the Most
--NIH-Sponsored Trial Supports Previous Research on Pain Relief--
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 22, 2006 — Offering hope for millions of people who suffer the most from osteoarthritis, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has found that the combined use of two dietary supplements—glucosamine and chondroitin—provided significant pain relief from the most common form of arthritis.
The clinical trial, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that using a combination of the two supplements "significantly decreased" knee pain in osteoarthritis patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain. Results of the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) appear in the Feb. 23 issue of NEJM.
"GAIT adds to a growing body of scientific evidence that shows the two supplements can safely alleviate pain from osteoarthritis," said Andrew Shao, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition. "This rigorous clinical trial offers strong evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin can provide significant relief from knee pain for those who suffer the most from osteoarthritis," Dr. Shao said.
Osteoarthritis—a chronic condition known as the "wear-and-tear" kind of arthritis—afflicts 21 million Americans each year, a large percentage of whom suffer moderate-to-severe knee and joint pain.
The six-month GAIT study involved 1,500 osteoarthritis patients who were given a placebo or daily doses of 1,500/mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and/or 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate or 200 mg of the common prescription pain medication celecoxib. In the NEJM article, Daniel O. Clegg, M.D., the principal author, and his colleagues note that an analysis of patients with moderate-to-severe pain "demonstrated that combination therapy significantly decreased knee pain related to osteoarthritis."
The GAIT findings are supported by the vast majority of more than 50 published clinical trials that have demonstrated the safety and benefit of the two supplements, Dr. Shao said, adding that glucosamine and chondroitin may help others at risk for osteoarthritis or those experiencing joint discomfort, including athletes in high-impact sports such as basketball or running.
"We believe that the results from this study not only indicate that more research is needed to determine the full potential of glucosamine and chondroitin, but also to reconfirm that these supplements can help the growing number of Americans with joint problems reduce the pain of osteoarthritis," he said.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices. For more information visit the CRN website http://www.crnusa.org/.
Note to Editors: To arrange an interview with Andrew Shao, Ph.D., CRN's vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, or John Hathcock, Ph.D., CRN's vice president of scientific and international affairs, please contact Judy Blatman at 202-204-7962

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U.S. & CANADIAN OLYMPIC TEAMS

2006-03-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

US & Canada Speedskating/Cross Country Teams

Deliver Outstanding Performances

USANA would like to congratulate Chandra Crawford for her gold medal win for
Canada in the cross country women’s sprint race. Beckie Scott and Sara Renner
both won silver medals for Canada in the cross country women’s team sprint. As
the official supplier of nutritional supplements for Cross Country Canada, USANA
is proud to recognize these outstanding athletes.

In speedskating news, Chad Hedrick won the silver medal for the US in the 10,000
meter race. Hedrick has now won Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for his
outstanding performance at the Tornio Games.

USANA would also like to congratulate Joey Cheek from the US speedskating team who has been selected to carry the US flag in tonight’s closing ceremonies. This is a duplicate honor for the US speed skating team as his teammate, Chris Witty, was selected to carry the US flag in the opening ceremonies of the games.

Cheek explains, "When Chris carried the opening ceremonies flag, I was really a big supporter of her doing it and I was so excited for her because I felt like she's a veteran who's done so many things over the years," Cheek said. "I did not think I would have ever been considered. It's an honor and I'm humbled by it."*

Cheek leaves the 2006 Torino games with a gold and silver medal for his outstanding speedskating achievements. He's part of a speedskating team that has won seven of the 23 American medals at the games.

As the official supplier of the nutritional supplements to the US speedskating
team, USANA is proud to recognize the outstanding performance of all the
athletes that earned medals at the Torino games!

*Quote from Salt Lake Tribune article written by reporter, Michael C. Lewis

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Olympians are using, Click here.

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FINANCIAL FREEDOM

2006-02-27T20:31:00.000-05:00

Seeds of Greatness by Denis Waitley (These quotes were taken from Denis Waitley's Excerpts from The Seeds of Greatness Treasury booklet)

Seeds of Discipline: Excellence is a Habit We learn by observation, imitation and repetition. Habits begin as offhanded remarks, ideas and images. And then, layer upon layer, through practice, they grow from cobwebs into cables that shackle or strengthen our lives. Habits are like submarines. They run silent and deep. First we make our habits, then our habits make us. Habits are like comfortable beds. They are easy to get into, but difficult to get out of. Winning and Losing are both learned habits.

Reproduced with permission from the Denis Waitley Ezine. To subscribe to Denis Waitley's Ezine, go to www.deniswaitley.com or send an email with Join in the subject to subscribe@deniswaitley.com Copyright 2006 Denis Waitley International. All rights reserved worldwide.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBER

2006-02-16T21:27:00.000-05:00

Fiber Intake Associated With Reduced Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Increased dietary fiber intake is associated with reduced levels of a number of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The results of a study published in the December 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds to a growing body of evidence linking higher dietary fiber intake with a lower risk of heart disease. Nearly 6,000 men and women were selected from participants in an ongoing trial designed to evaluate the effect of antioxidants on cancer and heart disease incidence over an eight year period. The highest total and insoluble dietary fiber intakes were associated with reductions in the risks of overweight and elevated waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B, apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I ratio, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and homocysteine. Fiber from cereals was associated with a lower body mass index, blood pressure, and homocysteine concentration; fiber from vegetables with a lower blood pressure and homocysteine concentration; and fiber from fruit with a lower waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure. Fiber from dried fruit or nuts and seeds was associated with a lower body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and fasting apo B and glucose concentrations. The findings of this study illustrate the significance of increasing fiber intake from various dietary sources. The results also indicate that 25 grams total dietary fiber per day is the minimum intake required to attain a significant protective effect against cardiovascular disease, and that total dietary fiber intakes of 30-35 grams/day will likely provide an even greater protective effect.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 6, 1185-1194, December 2005

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Cardiovascular Disease in Women

2006-02-16T20:44:00.000-05:00

A study published in the July 6 2005 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that vitatmin E significantly reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. To date this is the largest and longest trial ever conducted on vitamin E, involving over 40,000 healthy women. When compared to placebo, there was a 24 percent reduction in cardiovascular deaths among the 20,000 women in the treatment group. Women over 65 received an even greater benefit, reducing their risk of heart attack incidence by 34 percent and heart attack death by 49 percent. These findings are important since previous studies have examined unhealthy populations and then used the results to reach conclusions about the safety of vitamin E in healthy individuals. Many nutrition experts hope this will dispel some misconceptions about vitamin E and inspire other researchers to continue to study vitamin E and its potentially beneficial effects. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 294, 56-65, July 2005.