Changing seasons? In bed with a cold? Here is how to ensure Consistent Health throughout the year…

It’s that time of the year, the weather’s all over the place – freezing cold, brief sunshine, wind, rain, some sleet at some places. Because of these changes in weather conditions, we become susceptible to colds and bugs and stay in bed! Saying that, our body, given the right conditions, is a powerful self-healing organism. It is only when we let down our guard and don’t provide those “right conditions” that ill health creeps in.Here is how to put the Right Conditions in place, Right Now and defend your health…

Let’s start with stress!

Our modern lifestyle means that many of us are under constant pressure. Stress releases a flood of chemicals that should only really be triggered in life-threatening situations. These chemicals must be eliminated, which is a process that depletes essential nutrients needed by the body to maintain health.

This is where daily moderate exercise, preferably in the fresh air, becomes essential. It distracts us from our daily troubles, enlivens the body, oxygenates the blood, and like laughter, releases healing endorphins. Exercise also improves the flow of lymph around the body – the lymph system is the body’s waste disposal system, essential for toxin elimination.

To minimise stress, you also need to relax and rest properly. At the end of each day, escape for 15-30 minutes, sit quietly, empty your mind and focus on gentle breathing to minimise stress. Just 60 seconds focusing on your breathing can take you from fast, anxious breathing, to calm, controlled breathing, curbing a stress response and saving your body a lot of unnecessary work.

You need 6-8 hours sound sleep every night so that your body can concentrate its efforts on repair and maintenance. Go to bed in good time, avoid loud, upbeat music, intense exercise or heavy meals three hours beforehand – a busy digestive system doesn’t contribute to restful sleep.

Finally, the key to a healthy defence system is a rich supply of hard working nutrients – antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and colourful carbohydrates.

GROUND RULES:
Fill your plate with colourful carbohydrates – seasonal fruit and vegetables: include a generous salad every day (raw food provide more nutrients than cooked foods). Choose light steaming or quick frying when cooking, to preserve nutrients.

Go for organic. This reduces your intake of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, growth promoters and other chemical toxins (toxins overload the organs of elimination, wasting precious energy and nutrients).

Eat fruit on an empty stomach, not with other foods, to ensure proper digestion.

Eat when relaxed, chew properly, take your time and enjoy.

Five portions of fruit and vegetables daily is the minimum. Double up for double protection!

FOCUS ON:
Sprouted Seeds
They are living foods bursting with vitality and nutrients – a must for winter health maintenance.

Vitamin C rich foods
Such as citrus fruit, kiwis, blackcurrants, dark green leafy vegetables, strawberries and red peppers. Vitamin C enhances immunity and can shorten the duration of colds.

Winter berries
They also help protect against colds and flu. Try blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, cranberries.

Vitamin A rich foods
Vitamin A helps to fight infections and accelerates healing. Found naturally in oily fish, offal, yellow, orange, red and dark green vegetables, egg yolk, milk and dairy products, yellow and orange fruits.

Zinc rich foods
Zinc helps to fight infections and accelerates healing. Found naturally in lean meat, shellfish, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, wholegrains, eggs, seeds and nuts.

Antioxidant rich foods
These include apples, berries, carrots, citrus fruits, garlic and onions, greens, red grapes, seeds, soy foods, sweet potatoes, green tea, turmeric, walnuts, winter squashes…

Healthy Fats
They protect and insulate the cells. Increase your intake of Omega 3s, found in oily fish. If you do not like fish, take a supplement (such as Herbalifeline).

Hot spicy food
Include a hot curry once a week with garlic, which helps fight infection, ginger which relieves cold and flu symptoms and turmeric for its powerful antioxidant properties.

Water
Drink eight glasses of water daily, vital for the transport of precious nutrients!

Herbalife Solution: Take out extra health insurance with our potent antioxidant supplements:

RoseOx
Stone Age man knew instinctively how to protect his health; his diet was rich in seasonal berries, fruit and plants, all loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants support the body’s natural immune function, which is far busier during the cold season, fighting off bugs and colds. Modern Day man can turn to nutritional science for an equally effective supply of antioxidants, in the form of RoseOx. This powerful supplement provides a daily top up of antioxidants within its exclusive blend: Rosemary extract, Sage leaf, Extracts of Curcuma (Turmeric), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrot, Tomato and Clove. It works synergistically with the body’s own resources, helping to regenerate Vitamins C, E and carotenoids, and replenish precious nutrients lost daily through pollution, stress and poor diet. More about RoseOx.

Schizandra Plus
The colourful berries of the Schizandra plant have been highly regarded by Chinese and Asian herbalists for centuries and more recently, the berries have been recognised by western civilisation for their positive effect on the body as an “adaptogen” – a sophisticated substance that can help the body adjust to environmental conditions. Together with Kelp, Vitamins C, E, B6, B5 and amino acids L-Phenylalanine and L-Cysteine, Schizandra Plus provides a powerhouse of antioxidant nutrients to help fight bugs and viruses, perform 24-7 repair and maintenance and disable free radicals. More about Schizandra Plus.

ShapeWorks Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex
Most health experts recommend taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement, with good reason: depleted soils produce harvests with reduced nutrient content, modern fast foods typically have all the goodness “processed out”, poor diet, smoking, alcohol, stress, pollution, excess weight, all create a demand for a higher intake of vitamins and minerals. The kindest habit you can adopt for your health is a daily multi-supplement; it’s the most authentic all-year-round form of health insurance and Herbalife’s Formula 2 is one of the best quality multi-supplement you can find around! More about Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex.

Have you ever wondered why we Age, get Disease?

I found it rather interesting to hear recently doctor saying that it is NOT normal for people in their sixties or seventies to be running active lifestyles to the point of running a marathon or something similar. Well, regardless what this particular doctor may think, we are what we eat (and drink and think and do) and that diseases, regardless at what point in our lives they happen, are most probably caused by what goes into our bodies and that will determine whether we will be visiting doctor’s surgery on a weekly basis once we are 50 or even a lot earlier, or we will more frequently visit local sport centre and still play tennis at the age of 70…

As our brain uses only 10% of it’s potential, the same could apply to our physical abilities – if we were to give our bodies 100% throughout our lives, the outcome would have been a lot more different than what wellness trends report each and every day… Well, not so long ago, diseases were indeed accepted as unfortunate but inevitable facts of life, but we know now that diseases are caused by what we eat or don’t eat. What you put in, you get out as our focus shifts towards prevention of disease, not it’s treatment!

Our body’s health depends on the health of each and every cell and to slow down the aging, limit sickness and prevent disease, those cells need proper protection and nourishment. We have all heard of Free Radicals. What are those exactly? Well, each and every cell is made up of many atoms and when those are healthy, the cells are too and when healthy cells replicate – our body remains young and free from the disease.

On the other hand, we have another type of an atom that is damaged due to smoking, stress, sunlight, pesticides in our food, pollution, travel, medications, foods and it’s additives, x-rays, exercise, chlorine in water, Mercury in tooth fillings and seafood and many more factors. Those unhealthy and damaged atoms have only one instead of two electrons and are called Free Radicals. Free Radicals alter and eventually destroy cells. And it is exactly those cells that die and cells that replicate themselves in a damaged state that are the cause or contribute to premature aging, sickness and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and many others.

THE SOLUTION ARE ANTIOXIDANTS!
Antioxidants are super atoms that have extra electrons that they can give to those Free Radicals to neutralise them and eliminates their harmful effects. Antioxidants are indeed a body’s defence against destructive free radicals and they help prevent aging, sickness and disease.

Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, oils, beans. Organically grown local produce will have more antioxidants than non-organic alternatives that have travelled for miles, even across different countries or continents. Antioxidants are also found in high quality supplements as most adults do not eat the right foods to properly feed their cells.

“Don’t underestimate the threat free radicals pose to our health. Scientists now believe that free radicals are causal factors in nearly every known disease, from heart disease to arthritis to cancers to cataracts. In fact, free radicals are a major culprit in the aging process itself. By controlling free radicals, antioxidants can make the difference between life and death, as well as influence how fast and how well we age.”, Lester Packer, Head of Packer Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley

Heart Disease and Cancers are the most common killer diseases that are caused by the damaging effects of Free Radicals.

Heart Disease mostly comes from the build up of fatty deposits on the inner surfaces of arteries, which stops the normal blood flow and could lead to heart attack or stroke. Recent research has highlighted that those fatty deposits are influenced by free radicals, which cause it to become sticky and stick more easily to the walls of arteries. Antioxidants can therefore help in reducing the risk of free radicals oxidizing the fat and making it more sticky.

The common explanation for Cancer is that damaged and altered DNA that controls cell growth, development and replication, is the cause for the disease. The DNA has been proven to be damaged by Free Radicals, which is believed to be the main cause for most cancers. Antioxidants, once again, not only can protect DNA from free radical damage, but can also repair it.

So, the importance of antioxidants can not be overemphasized and next time when you get a simple cold remember that it is a symptom of your body lacking antioxidants in order to fight free radicals. It does not need medication, it needs nutrition, antioxidants.

And for the question Why should you take Vitamin and Mineral Supplements, please read on related article on The Importance of taking Supplements. Be careful, not all supplements are created equal!

The role of vitamins and minerals in your body: Why we must supplement?

Vitamins and minerals are natural substances found in living things such as plants and they are vital nutrients for bodily functions and prevention of disease. In a massive study of 26000 people it was concluded that not one person received nutritional requirements set by Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). This pretty much does it for an archaic argument of “I can get everything I need from food!” Well, no, you can not!

The fact is that every one of us will eventually die, however, how you look and feel for the last 20 to 50 years of your life will depend on your lifestyle and vitamin and mineral intake throughout your life as Vitamins and Minerals influence the following:

Your Immune System: They help build up your immunity as heart disease, cancer and other illnesses and ailments are created due to deficiencies based on what you eat or don’t eat.

Your Energy Levels: Optimum consumption of vitamins and minerals will increase your energy levels and vitamins and minerals are involved in the release of energy from digested foods. Strong and long lasting energy levels are pretty good indicators of a healthy nutrition.

Your Appearance: Vitamins and Minerals influence the appearance of your skin, tone, elasticity, hair strength, thickness and colour, fingernail strength, colour and texture, etc. Ever came across someone who looks 50 at 30 or someone who actually looks 30 at 50?

Your Intelligence: Brain function, ability to concentrate and memory are boosted by proper vitamin and mineral intake.

According to the research in the US alone, 96% of Americans die of disease attributed to NOT getting proper nutrition. This figure will be close to majority of the Western countries. Considering that the UK is The Fat Capital of Europe, straight after the USA in the World, this figure could be closer to the UK than any other country.

“A deficiency of a vitamin or mineral will cause a body part to malfunction and eventually break down – and, like dominos, other body parts will follow“, James F. Balch, M.D., Prescription for Nutritional Healing

Here are the reasons why there is an increasing evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation is absolutely necessary:

Crop nutrient losses – decades of agriculture have overworked and depleted soils of minerals.

Poor digestion – eating too much or too quickly and stress can cause indigestion, which, in turn, reduces absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Over-cooking – can easily destroy valuable food nutrients.

Microwave cooking – easily alter the nutritional structure and value of food

Food storage – length of storage and freezing deplete the nutritional value of most foods.

Food selection – eating a too limited range of different food groups will result in nutrient deficiency.

Food omission – allergies to foods, crash dieting and poorly designed vegetarian diets omit significant dietary sources of nutrients.

Environmental factors – herbicides and pesticides are used on crops, leaving them wit low nutritional value.

Antibiotics – interfere with the intake of essential nutrients.

Poor lifestyle habits – smoking, alcohol and caffeine can inhibit the absorption of vitamins and minerals or accelerate the loss of nutrients.

Stress – be it physical or emotional, it can increase body’s requirement of vitamins and minerals.

Out of balance – the level of each mineral and vitamin in the body has an effect on others, so, if one is missing or out of balance, all will be effected. All combined enhance the power of the others.

Nutrient variance – there are substantial differences between one fruit or vegetable and another. One tomato can have 10 times more nutritional value than another – which one did you eat?

“Insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic diseases… Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomised trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements”, American Medical Association.

Vitamins and Minerals in your body work in synergy as a network of nutrients working together and if one nutrient is missing, it will throw the entire network of nutrients out of balance. That is why supplements should include many different types of vitamins and minerals, combined in the right proportions.

Please note that not all supplements are beneficial. For a supplement to be beneficial to your body, it must be absorbed by your body. Research has proven that many, especially low cost supplements from high street stores, “name brands”, would do you absolutely no good as the x-rays have shown that they simply remain in your colon, completely undissolved!

Herbalife’s products are Cellular Nutrition and, as such, guarantee to be of the highest quality and completely absorbed by your body. That is why people say that they feel a difference when taking Herbalife products. Find out more about Herbalife’s Cellular Nutrition Technology.

So, considering the above and the fact that your health, intelligence, energy levels and your looks are dependent on you replenishing your vitamins and minerals several times per day, have you decided which life are you designing for yourself?

Omega-3 and soy may protect against pollution harm: Study

Supplements of omega-3 or soy may protect the heart against certain damaging effects of air pollution, according to a new study from an international team of researchers.

Exposure to high levels of particulates from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions is known to detrimentally affect the heart, possibly by inducing oxidative stress. Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres may also inhibit the action of protective antioxidant enzymes in the body, such as copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese SOD, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px).

Supplementation with omega-3 or soy may cause an increase in Cu/Zn SOD activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, according to findings of a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

The greater protective effects were observed following omega-3 supplementation, which the researchers said could be due to the different types and amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the two supplements: fish oil contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), while soy oil contains ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

“This is the first study to evaluate the impact of supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on biomarkers of response to oxidative stimuli related to air pollution exposure among individuals in a non-controlled environment,” wrote lead author Isabelle Romieu from the Mexican National Institute of Public Health.

Study details

Romieu and her co-workers recruited 52 elderly nursing home residents (average age 76.5, average BMI 26.1 kg/m2) and observed them for seven months. An initial three-month stage with no supplementation was followed by four months of receiving either fish oil or soy oil supplements. There was no placebo group, and the subjects acted as their own controls.

Analysis of blood samples taken before and during supplementation showed that consumption of the omega-3 supplements was associated with lower levels of oxidative damage in blood cells, with the greater effect observed in the fish oil group.

Moreover, Cu/Zn SOD activity increased by 49 and 23 per cent in the fish and soy oil groups respectively. GSH levels increased by 62 and 55 per cent in the fish and soy oil groups respectively, report the researchers.

While no effect on levels of lipoperoxidation (LPO) products – a marker for oxidative stress – was observed in the soy oil group, a 72.5 per cent decrease in LPO products was recorded in the fish oil group.

“A major concern with dietary supplementation is the effective dose,” stated the researchers. “The fact that fish oil appears to be more effective against oxidative stress related to PM2.5 exposure than soy oil suggests that the small amount of ALA – further elongated in EPA and DHA – in soy oil might be insufficient to protect against the adverse effects of PM2.5 exposure.”

“We based our results on a limited sample size but suggest that essential fatty acids might play an important role in modulating the impact of PM on health, which warrants further investigation in larger populations,” they concluded.

Source: NutraIgredients.com
Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 116, Pages 1237-1242, doi:10.1289/ehp.10578, “The Effect of Supplementation with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Elderly Exposed to PM2.5”, Authors: I. Romieu, R. Garcia-Esteban, J. Sunyer, C. Rios, M. Alcaraz-Zubeldia, S. Ruiz Velasco, F. Holguin The journal is open access. The full article is available here

Herbalife Solution
High quality Omega 3 Fish Oils are found in Herbalifeline – a premium-grade nutritional marine lipid complex (Omega – fish oil) capsule with special nutritional and herbal factors.

Also, our Formula 1 Nutritional Shake mix and Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex are ideal combination to increase body’s defence against environmental effects such as chemicals, fumes, dust and smoking…

Vitamin C: Overview of facts and figures

Vitamin C is the primary water soluble antioxidant vitamin within the human body, protecting the aqueous cytoplasm within the main body of the cell from damage by free radicals.

Vitamin C acts synergistically with the major lipid soluble antioxidant vitamin E, which protects cell membranes from free radical damage. Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataract formation in the eye, and in aging. Vitamin C is essential for tissue growth and repair, playing a vital role in collagen formation and strengthening capillary blood vessels. Vitamin C strengthens ligaments and tendons, prevents bruising and promotes wound healing. Vitamin C promotes healthy gums, enhances immune function and prevents scurvy.

Clinical studies have shown the following benefits of vitamin C:

Vitamin C benefits patients with cardiovascular disease
Vitamin C reduces the risk of developing cataracts
Vitamin C reduces the risk of certain types of cancer
Vitamin C reduces the incidence of periodontal disease

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring vitamin that is present in many fruits and vegetables. It is easily absorbed by the human body and is responsible for over 300 bodily functions form fighting disease to regulating hormones and balancing the endocrine system and, therefore, plays a vital and central role in the human body.

James Lind undertook a classic experiment on scurvy in 1747 and this was the basis for the British Navy adopting the use of Lime juice to prevent the disease occurring on long sea journeys. In 1928, Szent-Gyorgy, isolated a sugar-like substance which was crystalline in nature and similar to the properties of anti-scorbutic factors in citrus fruits (Found while researching the Adrenal Glands in Oxon).

Dr. Szent-Gyorgy was joined by Sir Walter Haworth and in 1932 the substance was identified and named Ascorbic Acid including the molecular structure and chemical formula. Both men received Nobel Prizes in 1938.

It was discovered that Vitamin C played a vital role in combating stress and found that the creation of adrenalin released by the adrenal glands was balanced by Vitamin C and that Vitamin C was essential to the body and many functions related to hormone balance and creation.

Further research also identified that Vitamin C could be used to remove heavy metals such as lead from the human body and could therefore detoxify individuals that had been poisoned from doses of heavy metal.

Vitamin C in large doses (typically administered intravenously) have been found effective against many types of viruses. Dr. F.R. Klenner who researched the use of Vitamin C in fighting many diseases, cured of polio, encephalitis and meningitis in three to four days with high intravenous doses of sodium ascorbate (the sodium salt of Vitamin C, also called buffered Vitamin C as it has an almost neutral PH value) Ascorbic Acid has also been shown to be effective against bacterial diseases such as Whooping Cough, Pneumonia, Typhoid Fever and tuberculosis at 28 grams per day Vitamin C also is effective against B. diphtheria and staphylococcus. Cancer treatment has been developed using high doses of Vitamin C for certain types of tumors.

Vitamin C has been used and shown to reduce the growth phase and slows down the progression of the tumors and life expectancy was increased 4.2 times for the majority of the research group with ten percent of the group surviving twenty times longer than the control group.

Vitamin C is important to Humans because it is vital to the production of collagen and is fundamental for building strong tissue.

Vitamin C is also important because it helps protect the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.

Vitamin C prevents and cures the disease scurvy, and can be beneficial in the treatment of iron deficiency called anemia.

Vitamin C is also required for the absorption of trace minerals from foods and liquids. Collagen is one of the most prevalent substances in the body as it is found in abundance in the fibres contained in connective tissue. Connective tissue gives our body form and supports our organs.

Collagen is required in all these areas of the body:

Type 1 – Connective tissue of skin, bone, teeth, tendons, ligaments, fascia, organ capsules
Type 2 – Cartilage
Type 3 – Connective tissue of our organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, etc.)Type 4, 5 – The separating layer between epithelial and endothelial cells as well as between skeletal or smooth muscle cells (basal lamina), kidney glomeruli, lens capsule, and Schwann and glial cells of the nervous system. As you can see, collagen is everywhere in the body, and vitamin C plays a role in the formation of collagen.

So, how is vitamin C involved in collagen synthesis? When collagen is produced, Vitamin C is used during a complex series of events that occur both inside and outside the cell.

Vitamin C is contained within the C where it adds hydrogen and oxygen (hydroxylates) to two amino acids called proline and lysine. From this reaction a precursor molecule is formed called Procollagen which then creates collagen on the outside of the cell.

Vitamin C is used in the endocrine system to produce a wide range of hormones and is required to balance the effects of stress and the release of adrenaline in the blood stream. Failure to counteract stress hormones can have major implications in the rest of the body including the creation of weak collagen as all available Vitamin C is being used in the production of adrenaline or producing the balancing hormones that counteract adrenaline release.

Linus Pauling and Mattias Rath stipulated that heart disease was a condition of insufficient Vitamin C and not a disease as classified by western medicine. The more a person is subjected to stress the less Vitamin C is available to perform bodily functions such as creating collagen, this in turn leads to weak collagen that is then prone to leaking blood on a micro level around the capillary walls, veins and arteries. The bodies’ short-term reaction to this is to stop the leakage by using cholesterol. However, this is only a short-term response and if Vitamin C is still depleted on a long-term basis the resultant build up of cholesterol ends up blocking the natural blood circulation which eventually leads to strokes, heart attacks and other associated circulatory illnesses.

By increasing Vitamin C intake the body reduces the level of cholesterol production, as it is no longer required to fill the gaps left by weak collagen. The blood vessels can be built stronger if the optimum amount of Vitamin C (Linus Pauling took up to 10 grammes of Vitamin C per day) is ingested and therefore the collagen that is created is not weakened by the lack of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is an important nutrient which must be obtained from the diet or by supplementation, as it cannot be synthesized by the human body. Major dietary sources of vitamin C are green vegetables and fruit. Vitamin C is one of the most labile dietary nutrients, being easily destroyed by cooking or food processing. Levels of vitamin C are reduced by smoking, drinking alcohol, as well as by certain drugs (e.g. anticoagulants, antidepressants, oral contraceptives.

Herbalife Solutions:
The following Herbalife products, guaranteed by our Cellular Nutrition Technology, contain high levels of Vitamin C ensuring you take optimum amount of Vitamin C on a daily basis, inside and out:

Formula 2 Multivitamin Tablet (150mg per daily dosage – 250% of EU RDA)

Herbal Complex Tablets with Vitamin C & Iron (83.3 per tablet (3 per day) – 139% of EU RDA)

NiteWorks for Healthy Heart (500 mg per daily serving – 833% of EU RDA)

Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix (15mg per shake – 15% of EU RDA)

Schizandra Plus and RoseOx – powerful antioxidants

Radiant C and NouriFusion – powerful outer nutrition ranges feeding your skin with antioxidant Vitamin C.

NEW: H3O Pro™ Isotonic Drink from Herbalife – Powering Exceptional Performance – Demand more from your sports drink!

Top athletes push their body to the limit to deliver an exceptional performance. Two crucial factors aid an exceptional performance: energy and hydration.

Developed with experts in sports nutrition and in consultation with our Nutritional Advisory Board, H3O Pro™ is an innovative isotonic drink helping to power exceptional performances. As we demand more from our bodies during exercise, it’s vital that we support our body and provide what it needs. Herbalife’s new isotonic drink, H3O Pro™, has some unique advantages over the leading brands, which will be highlighted below.

Whatever your sport, whether you are a keen team player in a sport like football or hockey, a fan of challenging endurance activities such as marathons or triathlons, a fitness enthusiast who enjoys activities such as gym sessions, or game of tennis – hydration and energy are vital in achieving results to be proud of.

Here are the H3O Pro™’s key benefits:

Hydration: Sweating during exercise causes loss of essential electrolytes (or salts) such as sodium as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride. Replacing electrolytes can aid rapid hydration and help you avoid the negative effects of dehydration such as muscle cramps, fatigue and headaches.

Energy and Stamina: Energising carbohydrates provide your body with immediate and sustained energy to prevent unwanted performance dips – keeping you at the top of your game!

Absorption: Energy releasing B-vitamins help improve absorption of essential nutrients which means that your body can react faster to the number to the nutrients provided in H3O Pro™ helping to power your performance.

Protection: Oxygen production during exercise increases free radical production which can cause damage to the body’s cells. Key antioxidants Vitamins C & E and mixed tocopherals help protect the body’s tissues against the potentially damaging effects of free radicals.

Extensive research and development by our NAB experts has resulted in a science-based sports drink which offers more than other leading isotonic drinks available to consumers. Here are the key ingredients in H3O Pro™ and why they are important in an isotonic drink:

Source of sugar which forms the carbs in the drink: Isomaltulose: Isomaltulose is a naturally derived source of sugar that acts as the key carbohydrate in H3O Pro™, providing immediate and sustained energy to prevent unwanted performance dips – it will not create a quick spike and crash energy as some sports drinks do which contain glucose syrup/ maltodextrin instead of Isomaltulose

Key electrolyte: 140mg potassium: H3O Pro™ is over 3 times higher in potassium than leading competitors. Potassium is essential for water and electrolyte balance throughout the body and helps support muscle function.

Calcium (120mg) and Magnesium (50mg): H3O Pro™ is 12 times higher in calcium than leading brands and it also contains magnesium, unlike leading brands. Calcium is essential for bone health and combination of both calcium and magnesium is great for muscle function especially for muscle cramps during and after excercise.

B-vitamins: contains 15% RDA for each of the five B-vitamins to help the body to absorb the nutrients in H3O Pro™ to power your performance. Leading brands contain 17% RDA of four B-vitamins only.

Antioxidants: Vitamin C (15mg), Vitamin E (2.5mg), Mixed tocopherals (30mg): Unlike any leading competitor, H3O Pro™ contains key antioxidant vitamins C & E and mixed tocopherals – a powerful combination to help protect the body’s tissues and immune system against the potentially damaging effects of free radicals often induced during exercise.

Exceptional performance – exceptional taste!
For many athletes and sports people taste is a critical factor in choosing the right sports drink. Whether you are exercising for 45 minutes or four hours you need to be sure that it won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth. Many sports drinks are made with artificial flavours producing an over-sweet taste which some people find overwhelming and sickly – H3O Pro™ doesn’t contain artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives.

We’ve carried out extensive taste-testing with professional athletes and sports people to develop a clean isotonic drink with a hint of tangy lemon, guaranteed to keep you refreshed, hydrated and performing at your best whatever your sport.

For an exceptional performance, water alone is not enough
Your body is 60% water so, for the results to be proud of, your body fluid must be kept at its optimum level. When you exercise, you sweat which increases the risk of suffering from the negative effects of dehydration such as headaches, fatigue and cramp.

Today, isotonic drinks are the preferred choice for most fitness enthusiasts and athletes wanting exceptional hydration and energy. Isotonic drinks have a similar carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration to your body meaning they are absorbed as fast, if not faster, than water.

Balanced osmolality
An osmolality level of 270-330 Mosm/kg in an isotonic drink helps to maintain the required concentration of electrolytes in your blood. Water alone has a very low osmolality level as it typically does not contain electrolytes. Although it is a great hydration, water also stimulates urine output which reduces its effectiveness during your exercise or any sporting performance.

Getting the best from H3O Pro™
Available in convenient single serving sachets, H3O Pro™ is easy to use. Simply pour contents of one sachet into a water bottle and add water to produce 500ml of H3O Pro™. One serving of H3O Pro™ in 500ml is recommended for every 60 minutes of strenuous exercise.

The best time to enjoy H3O Pro™ is during your workout to keep you hydrated whilst providing a supply of energy, electrolytes and antioxidants to help power an exceptional performance. However, H3O Pro™ can also help you stay hydrated and energised before your work out.

Top Tip: Sports scientists recommend that you consume isotonic drinks at room temperature to help the body absorb it more effectively.

Please call Sanela on 01225313218 for more information or to order or text “H3O Pro” on 07737053498. Or order online

Study: Green tea’s heart benefits gain support!

Regular consumption of green tea may improve the function of endothelial cells – cells lining the walls of blood vessels – and boost cardiovascular health, according to new research from Greece.

The small study with 14 healthy adults found that the benefits of the beverage was not related to the caffeine, indicating the possible role of green tea polyphenols, previously linked to protection against certain kinds of cancers and Alzheimer’s.

The study is published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

“These findings have important clinical implications,” said study co-author Charalambos Vlachopoulos from Athens Medical School in Greece.

“Tea consumption has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in several studies. Green tea is consumed less in the Western world than black tea, but it could be more beneficial because of the way it seems to improve endothelial function.

“In this same context, recent studies have also shown potent anticarcinogenic effects of green tea, attributed to its antioxidant properties,” added Dr Vlachopoulos.

Study details
The Greek researchers randomly assigned the volunteers (average age 30) to one of three groups. The first receive six grams of green tea, the second received 125 mg of caffeine (equivalent to the caffeine dose from six grams of tea), and the third group received hot water.

The volunteers consumed each of the interventions on three separate occasions, and the effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), the measure of a blood vessel’s healthy ability to relax, measured 30, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption.

Green tea increased FMD by 3.9 per cent 30 minutes after consumption, while no changes in FMD were observed following consumption of caffeine or the hot water placebo.

“Green tea consumption has an acute beneficial effect on endothelial function, assessed with FMD of the brachial artery, in healthy individuals,” wrote the researchers and “this may be involved in the beneficial effect of tea on cardiovascular risk,” they concluded.

Source: European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation 2008, volume 15, Pages 300-305, “The acute effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals”, Authors: N. Alexopoulos, C. Vlachopoulos, K. Aznaouridis, K. Baou, C. Vasiliadou, P. Pietri, P. Xaplanteris, E. Stefanadi, C. Stefanadis

Herbalife Solution

Herbalife has been promoting the healthy benefits of Green Tea for over two decades. Our Thermojetics Herbal Beverage contains green tea extract and is rich in polyphenol antioxidant nutrients.

Also, if interested in Heart Health in general, please have a look at our Healthy Heart Programme.

Green tea for sports nutrition?

Antioxidant-rich green tea may counter the effects of resistance exercise by reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, suggests a small trial from Brazil.While the thought of athletes knocking back a cup of green tea after a workout may seem strange, it may signal a possibility for antioxidant-rich green tea extracts to be supported by science like the new study from the May issue of the journal Nutrition.

Researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and the Center of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Sports of Santa Catarina State University studied the effects of daily green tea consumption for seven days in athletes undertaking resistance training, which can increase the production of free radicals beyond the tissues’ antioxidant defense capacity, and causing oxidative stress.

“The inadequate intake of dietary antioxidants among the physically active populations must be considered,” wrote lead author Vilma Simoes Pereira Panza.

“This study suggests that green tea intake may offer a protective effect against oxidative damaged induced by resistance exercise.”

Study details
Panza and co-workers recruited 14 healthy men aged between 19 and 30 to consume either water or green tea three times per day for seven days. The average polyphenol content of the tea was 771.0 micrograms per mL, while the average intake of green tea polyphenols was calculated to be 4.6 micrograms per day.

After seven days of consuming the beverages, the volunteers were required to perform a bench press exercise (four sets, 10 to 4 repetitions). The researchers analysed blood samples and calculated the total antioxidant capacity according to the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay, and levels of reduced glutathione and lipid hydroperoxide.

According to the results, consumption of green tea was associated with a 64 per cent reduction in the levels of lipid hydroperoxide after exercise, while blood levels of polyphenols were approximately 27 per cent high before and after exercise.

Moreover, post-exercise levels of glutathione, a protein that is important in protecting the body from oxidative (free radical) damage, were approximately 37 per cent higher in the green tea group.

“There is evidence that supplementation with antioxidants may decrease the oxidation of blood GSH after exercise,” stated the researchers. “Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that dietary strategies, such as daily GT intake, may also benefit the glutathione system of athletes by elevating blood GSH levels before and after effort.”

Consumption of green tea also provided pre-exercise benefits, with the pre-exercise FRAP value about 21 per cent higher compared with the control group.

“Consumption of green tea, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasised,” concluded the researchers.

Panza and co-workers also noted that future studies should elucidate the time course and recovery periods associated with green tea consumption, while other studies “should corroborate our findings using other polyphenol-rich foods and beverages, thus widening the dietary strategies applied to training.”

The analysts state that science is the reason for the Green Tea’s growing popularity, and that it is generally accepted that green tea has a beneficial role in reducing Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, cardiovascular and oral health. Many researches also support claims that green tea can aid weight loss.

Herbalife has been promoting the healthy benefits of Green Tea for over two decades. Our Thermojetics Herbal Beverage contains green tea extract and is rich in polyphenol antioxidant nutrients.

Source: Nutrition (Elsevier), May 2008, Volume 24, Issue 5, Pages 433-442
“Consumption of green tea favorably affects oxidative stress markers in weight-trained men”, Authors: V.S. Pereira Panza, E. Wazlawik, G.R. Schutz, L. Comin, K.C. Hecht, E.L. da Silva

The nutrition choice of world-class athletes… Herbalife nets results!

Luigi Gratton, a nutrition advisor to the LA Galaxy, talks about the importance of nutrition for professional athletes.

“Good nutrition is important for everyone, but especially plays a key role for professional athletes. In fact, it is one of the most important factors for improving performance.

Athlete’s lives are often so busy that one of their greatest challenges is preparing nutritious meals on a regular basis. That’s why Formula 1 shakes are the perfect healthy meal for athletes constantly on the go.

LA Galaxy players, like many athletes, have higher activity levels that the average person and have higher nutritional demands. Simply put, the more active the athlete – the more important their nutrition.

Whenever I’m offering nutritional advice, I point out the importance of Herbalife® products like Formula 1 Shake Mix. I know from personal experience that science-based products can make a huge difference in an athlete’s performance and overall wellbeing.

Ultimately, I advise all athletes to maintain their nutritional conditioning not only for games and athletic events, but all the time. A programme with Herbalife® products, together with a healthy, active lifestyle, is a winning combination for all athletes as well as anyone interested in maintaining his or her wellbeing.”

Herbalife and the LA Galaxy: a winning combination
As the Official Nutrition Company and Presenting Sponsor of the LA Galaxy, Herbalife is on a mission for nutrition, giving people an opportunity to change their lives with proven products and a proven business opportunity. We are taking the mission for nutrition across the galaxy. Herbalife and the LA Galaxy are two world-class players that have come together to make one amazing team.

With some of the world’s most famous soccer players, like Chris Albright and Joe Cannon, this all-star association is showing that Herbalife is the nutrition choice of world’s class athletes.

“Running up to six miles every game against some of the greatest athletes in the world is a demanding challenge. But since I started using Herbalife, I have felt more energetic and that allowed me to have one of my best seasons ever as a pro in 2006. Thanks, Herbalife, for offering a simple effective nutrition routine that I enjoy following each day.”Chris Albright, 2006 Defender of the Year LA Galaxy

 

“Every time I take the field, my single goal is to stop others from scoring. When you have a ball travelling towards you at up to 85 miles-per-hour, that means you need incredible mind-body reaction time. My solution? Simple… I use Herbalife® products during every practice and every game. Nothing I’ve tried before or since has given me a more competitive edge.”

Joe Cannon, Two-times MLS Goalkeeper of the Year LA Galaxy

More LA Galaxy testimonials at http://www.herbalifesoccer.com/

Perfect for professional sports athletes…
Outstanding performance doesn’t happen by chance – you need the ultimate nutrition strategy to support your training regime. If you want to maintain your finely tuned body and perform at your absolute best then respect your body’s nutritional needs and fuel it with high quality nutrition:

Start with the Herbalife core products
Formula 1 Meal Replacement for Weight Management and Healthy Nutrition, and Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex - this duo delivers balanced levels of key vitamins and minerals, healthy carbohydrates, plant-based protein, beneficial fats, dietary fibre and antioxidant nutrients. These core products provide a strong foundation for those who are serious about their sport.

Add protein to repair and refuel
Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder provides a blend of high quality whey and soy proteins and allows you to personalise your protein intake according to your training regime. Essential for muscle mass maintenance and growth, and post match recovery and repair, simply add this Protein Powder to your Formula 1 shakes or use in sauces and soups.

Antioxidants can help protect against cell damage and may assist recovery
Schizandra Plus is enriched with Schizandra, a nutrient-rich plant which helps increase the body’s ability to distribute oxygen effectively. It also contains antioxidant vitamins and aminoacids to help support the body’s immune system. Schizandra Plus can help support any busy, stressful or sporty lifestyle!

RoseOx* – Rosemary extract contains more than twelve antioxidants. Antioxidants can help protect your immune system by fighting free radicals and replenishing important nutrients lost everyday. This supplement contains powerful antioxidant polyphenols which help to regenerate vitamin C back to its active form.
* The RoseOx brand is the property of Zuellig Botanicals Inc.

Source: Inspire Today – Herbalife’s Today Magazine – Dec 2007

Herbalife products to suit fitness-minded individuals…

Q. What are the specific nutritional requirements of fitness-minded people and how can Herbalife’s core products help fulfil these requirements?

A. Fitness-minded individuals can benefit from Herbalife’s Intelligent Nutrition concept – based around core products Formula 1 Meal Replacement for Weight Management and Healthy Nutrition and Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex. People who take their fitness seriously should provide their bodies with healthy nutrition to help improve their performance and recovery times. The soy protein in Formula 1 shakes can help to build lean muscle mass when used as part of a fitness regime, plus a shake makes a light, healthy meal, which won’t weigh you down. When used along with Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex, Formula 1 offers people confidence that they’re achieving 100% of their key vitamin and mineral RDA’s (important as vitamins and minerals can be lost through sweat).

Q. Which products from the Targeted Nutrition range will benefit fitness-minded people?

A. An intense fitness regime places stress on the body. These complementary products work together to offer a range of beneficial nutrients:

• Schizandra Plus offers fitness-minded people protective antioxidant support plus the benefits of the Schizandra Berry, to help the body maintain its ability to distribute oxygen efficiently. Another antioxidant product that works in synergy with Schizandra Plus is RoseOx.

• Those wishing to build lean muscle mass can personalise their programme with Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder – with soy and whey protein – which will help build and repair muscles after exercise.

• Liftoff™ energy drink is a low-calorie drink which can help fitness-minded people stay focused as well as providing 100% RDA of B-vitamins for efficient energy production.
Q. As well as nourishing their bodies using Herbalife® products, what other steps can fitness-minded people take to help maintain good health?

A. A physically active body may benefit from:

• At least two litres of water a day – more in warm climates. During exercise our bodies sweat so it’s important to replace lost fluid to avoid dehydration.

• A varied and balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables (high in beneficial vitamins and minerals). Alcohol, caffeine and sugary and fatty foods should be
kept to a minimum. Keeping an eye on your salt intake is another important factor.

• Recovery days. Time for muscles to rest and recover should be incorporated into any weekly fitness programme.

• Not smoking – this will reduce the risk of various health problems including high blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health, also monitor your alcohol intake.