Get Smart and Get Rid of Sugar

PUBLISHED ON August 10, 2017

Why is it so hard for so many of us to get rid of added sugar in our diets? It makes us gain unwanted weight, it’s bad for the teeth and it virtually shortens our lifespans. And, more research continues to show how bad it is.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health conducted a number of studies on fructose and its impact on heart health. One large study found that people who drank two or more servings of sweet beverages a day had a 35 percent higher risk of developing heart disease, and people who drank at least one serving daily had a 16 percent greater chance of stroke, when compared to those who had none.1 In addition, research showed that people who drank one or two sweet drinks a day also had a 26 percent increased risk of developing diabetes.2 

As explained by physicians, sugar calories provide no nutrients yet contribute to weight gain and even obesity, which puts consumers at a greater risk for heart issues. According to Robin Miller, MD, “Fructose is dangerous to the heart because of the way the body metabolizes it—in the liver. This can cause fatty liver disease, higher levels of fat in the blood and insulin resistance. I urge all my patients to stop drinking them.” 3

Carbonated sugar-filled sodas aren’t the only beverages that add to the risk of heart problems, stroke or diabetes. Every type of sugary drink contributes to the risk factors. These include sports drinks, sweet teas and fruit juices with or without added sugar.

According to Robert Lustig, professor of pediatrics and member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco, about 10 percent of the U.S. population are true sugar addicts and research indicates the cravings are similar to those induced by addictive drugs.4 Lustig says, “There is not one person who wouldn’t benefit by eliminating added sugar from their diets.” His research revealed that when obese children eliminated added sugars from their diets for only nine days, every aspect of their metabolic health improved.

Registered dietician and co-author of “The Sugar Detox: Lose the Sugar, Lose the Weight—Look and Feel Great,” Brooke Alpert is a proponent of going cold turkey off sugar, even if it’s just for three days. Speaking of her clients, she explains, “It was just ineffective to ask people to eat less of something when they’re struggling with this bad habit. When they would go cold turkey, the number one positive effect was that it recalibrated their palate. They could now taste natural sugars in fruits, vegetables and dairy that they used to be so dulled to.” 5

Alpert’s sugar detox takes place over 31 days. During the first three days on a sugar detox, she recommends no fruit or starchy vegetables, no dairy, no grains and no alcohol, in addition to no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Different foods are gradually re-introduced into the diet, with the exception of sugar. Dairy, grains, fruit and vegetables are all incorporated and by the fourth week, you are allowed five glasses of red wine per week.

“Depending on how intense your addiction is, you can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as brain fog, crankiness and fatigue…but if you can push through and stay well-hydrated, you can really break your cycle of sugar addition,” Alpert concludes.

In support of Active Wellness and sugar-free eating, Nikken has several nutritional supplements that are especially helpful during a sugar detox: Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox, Kenzen® Ten4® Energy Drink Mix to replace sugary drinks and Kenzen® Clarity to help with brain fog.

 Click here to learn about Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix

 Click here to learn about Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox

Click here to learn about Kenzen® Clarity

For information on all Nikken products go to www.nikken.com/jsj

1, 2, 3 www.sharecare.com/health/heart-attack/article/sugary-drinks-increase-heart-attack-stroke-risk

4, 5 www.cnn.com/2017/06/09/health/sugar-detox-food

What's the Scoop on Grape Seen Extract

What’s the Scoop on Grape Seed Extract?

PUBLISHED ON August 22, 2017

People who are concerned with Active Wellness and longevity have known for years that drinking a glass of red wine daily can product benefits, most notably for heart health. What if you don’t drink red wine? The good news is that you can benefit from the many varieties of grape without turning them into wine.

The seed of the grape is often considered waste, but its extract holds a secret that is being examined and used to help in healthy living. Scientists are continuing to study the myriad benefits that grape seed extract can help provide. Grape seed extract contains healthy ingredients, including protein, lipids and polyphenols—these come in the form of bioflavonoids known for their potent antioxidant activities. Scientific studies show that the antioxidant power of polyphenols is 20 times more than vitamin E and 50 times greater than vitamin C.1

One particular type of phenol found in grape seed is called procyanidin. Scientists believe procyanidins help protect the body from premature aging by increasing vitamin C levels in the cells and helping the organs scavenge and get rid of toxins. 2Procyanidins also bond with collagen to help cell health, promoting skin elasticity and protection from sun damage.3 (Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and a key component of skin, gums, bones, teeth, hair and tissues.)

More than just helping skin stay young-looking, polyphenols in grape seed extract have shown the ability to help the body fight inflammation, which may improve joint flexibility and the health of the circulatory system.4

In addition to procyanidins, grape seed extract also contains resveratrol, which scientists have found to have the ability to assist the brain in functioning efficiently. In rats, this has proven to have life-prolonging effects and testing is being conducted to see whether it has the same effect on humans.5

Although grape seed extract is not an ingredient in commercial grade grape juices, you can find it in Kenzen® Ciaga®V. In fact, grape seed extract is specifically added to the superfruit blend that makes up Ciagav to increase its antioxidant value, notably high at 1,500+ units per ounce. With Kenzen CiagaV, you get so much goodness in a single ounce and it’s delicious to boot!

Click here to learn about Kenzen Ciaga

Would you think it would be wise to take contaminates out of shower and drinking water? This post is for you.

Water that Makes Sense with PiMag®

Access to clean water is a problem of global proportions, as we head towards a water crisis. Global warming and other changing climate patterns are threatening lakes, rivers and other primary sources for drinking water. In addition to the dearth of water due to insufficient rains, there is the other end of the spectrum with contamination from flooding.

Contaminated water is a huge health risk not only in third world countries but also right here in America. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, runoff of rain and snow from rooftops and roads pick up toxic chemicals, dirt and a multitude of germs as it makes its way to rivers and seas. As fortunate as we are to live in a nation where free running water is taken for granted, we are no longer guaranteed that what comes out of our faucets are safe to drink. In fact, rather than drinking tap water the way our grandparents did, the trend to purchase “name brand” bottled water has taken root in our culture, giving rise to yet another huge problem: landfills overflowing with non-biodegradable plastics.

The solution to drought or global warming is clearly too complex for the average brain, but doing our best not to contribute to landfills by filtering tap water rather than purchasing bottled water, is something everyone should do. It is such common sense that yes, if you’re not doing it, you should reprimand that image in the mirror. 

Click here to watch a video about PiMag water

Click here to learn more about PiMag water products

Would you think it would be wise to take contaminates out of shower and drinking water?

Erin Brockovich shares in an interview, the very serious problem we all face with municipal water systems and what needs to be done to keep our families healthy and safe.

Here is a video of her short interview: https://vimeo.com/223467471

Notice that Erin says, “The only filter you should be using….absolutely has to have “Ion Exchange.   

Why are Omega Fatty Acids Important?

Why are Omega Fatty Acids Important?

PUBLISHED ON August 15, 2017

The “3” in Omega-3 refers to the three major types of fatty acids that are found in food and used by our bodies. They are: ALA-alpha-linolenic acid, EPA-eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA-dicosahexaenoic acid. Once consumed, the human body converts ALA to EPA and DHA. Because the human body can create EPA and DHA in this way, they are not considered essential fatty acids. On the other hand, ALA cannot be produced by the human body and is considered an essential fatty acid that needs to be obtained from the diet. Omega-3s are important components of virtually all cell membranes, so having a balance of these fatty acids are necessary to maintain good health.

ALA is found in land-based plant foods, especially nuts, seeds, soybeans, green leafy vegetables, and some refined oils like walnut and flax seed oil. Since EPA and DHA are found in so few food types, when you hear people say omega-3 fatty acids, they are almost always referencing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).1

Due to the many reported health benefits, many healthcare professionals recommend daily supplements, whether they’re omega vegetarian capsules made from algae, from fish oil (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, tuna, etc.), or from a crustacean (krill). For those with shellfish allergies, krill oil should be avoided.

Known as a primary source of omegas, supplements made from fish oil are by far the cheapest. Given how polluted the oceans are, fish oils can be contaminated with a variety of toxins. The process of detoxifying fish oils increases the oxidation and diminishes the omega and nutrient content. In addition, the world’s fish supply is diminishing in direct contrast to the increasing toxic load of the fish.

Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 oils have been identified as being especially important. An omega supplement must offer all three of these oils to be of greatest value. The importance of supplementation with omega fatty acids for heart health and brain health2 is in direct conflict with the risk of ingesting toxins through fish oils.

Nikken has been aware of this dichotomy for years. The answer is .Kenzen® Omega Green+DHA

The plant sourced omega fatty acids for Kenzen Omega Green + DHA are cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil and red algae, each of which is easily renewable.

• Cranberry seed oil contains naturally occurring substances called phytosterols that structurally resemble the human body’s cholesterol. Phytosterols reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) but do not affect HDL (good cholesterol). Eating foods with phytosterols may cut the risk for heart disease when consumed as part of a healthy eating plan, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 3 Cranberry seed oil is considered unique among fixed oils because it contains a very high essential fatty acid profile in addition to a high antioxidant load. 4
• Flax seed oil contains ALA and has been advocated to combat cardiovascular disease. The use of flax seed oil as a nutritional intervention for the prevention of heart disease has received increasing amounts of research attention. 5
• Red algae has been used for thousands of years as a food source, especially in Asian cultures. It is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are easily utilized by the human body to help boost the immune system and nourish skin.  The main benefits of red algae are its ability to promote healthy circulation in the body, to help regulate blood sugar levels and to help lower bad cholesterol levels. High in dietary fiber, it is also a rich source of calcium and magnesium so it contributes to bone health.6

Consuming Kenzen® Omega Green+DHA  gives you all the benefits of an omega supplement and none of the risks. It helps carnivores, vegetarians and vegans to obtain the right balance of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 for Active Wellness without the risk associated with fish oil toxins.

For more information on this product and others my Nikken check out www.nikken.com/na/jsj

  or call 713-725-1842 and ask for John St. John.