Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:12:20 +0700WeeblyFri, 30 Oct 2009 14:10:58 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/vitamin-d-deficiency-associated-with-cardiovascular-disease-prevalence.htmlInadequate vitamin D levels are known to be associated with certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.  In a recent study published in Atherosclerosis, researchers examined data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a population-based sample of more than 16,000 U.S. adults.

 

In the total survey population, 1,308 subjects had some form of CVD. Using the standard definition of vitamin D deficiency (a serum level below 20 ng/mL), participants with CVD had a higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency (29.3%) than those without CVD (21.4%). After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, season of measurement, physical activity, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and vitamin D use, the researchers showed that subjects deficient in vitamin D had a 20% increased risk of CVD.

 

The results of this analysis indicate a significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and CVD prevalence in a large, highly representative sample of the US adult population.

 

Source: Atherosclerosis 2009 Jul; 205(1):255-60

 ]]>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:01:20 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/consumer-info-on-probiotics-some-faqs.html
Sources: http://www.usprobiotics.org/  and http://www.isapp.net/  

Frequently Asked Questions & Consumer Information

Consumer guidelines prepared by International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we naturally harbor probiotics in our bodies?
What is a recommended dose? Is more always better?
Is daily consumption necessary?
Are refrigerated products best?
To be good, does a probiotic need to be isolated from a human?
Do all probiotics function in the same way?
Many probiotic yogurts and other food products contain added sugar. Does this negate any health benefits from probiotics?
Are probiotics still alive when they are dried?
What is the difference between live active cultures and probiotics?
What information should product manufacturers provide for their probiotic products?
Which probiotic is the best one?
Can products containing live bacteria that have not been tested in human studies still be effective?
Are probiotics better when you get them from foods or from pills?
Can dead bacteria be probiotics?

Q. Do we naturally harbor probiotics in our bodies?

We naturally harbor many potentially beneficial bacteria. Probiotic bacteria are frequently, but not always, chosen among these normal colonizers of humans. Sometimes the term "probiotic" is used as a synonym to "commensal, beneficial bacteria", but this is an incorrect usage. Commensal microbes may be beneficial, but until they are isolated, characterized and shown in human studies to impart a health benefit, they cannot be accurately called "probiotic."

Back to FAQ

Q. What is a recommended dose? Is more always better?

No general recommendation can be made. The dose must be based on studies which show an effect. Effective levels range widely, depending on the strains and the clinical target. Some products are effective at 50 million; others recommend over 1 trillion live cells per day. The important thing to know is that different probiotics have been shown to be effective at different levels and a product containing a higher number of live probiotics may not be better than one with less.

Back to FAQ

Q. Is daily consumption necessary?

Frequency of administration should follow what was used in the clinical study showing the health effect. Since most published human studies have used daily consumption, this is typically what is recommended. In some cases, multiple times per day may be recommended.

Back to FAQ

Q. Are refrigerated products best?

In general, microbes survive better at lower temperatures. However, technologies for keeping probiotics alive at room temperature have been developed by product manufacturers. It is not necessarily the case that refrigerated products will be superior to those that are not refrigerated. Choose products from reputable companies that are labeled for viability “through the end of shelf life” and not “at time of manufacture”.

Back to FAQ

Q. To be good, does a probiotic need to be isolated from a human?

Researchers have hypothesized that a probiotic isolated from a human has properties that make it better able to function in a human. This is still a topic being researched. We do know that (1) bacteria that are native to one person are foreign to another, and (2) probiotics, even ones isolated from humans, do not seem to colonize long term. We also know that there are several probiotic strains that were not isolated from humans that have been shown to have health benefits (such as strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis). So more important than source of isolation of the probiotic is if clinical studies have shown it to be effective when it is administered.

Back to FAQ

Q. Do all probiotics function in the same way?

No. Probiotics are described by their genus (e.g., Lactobacillus), their species (e.g., rhamnosus) and their strain (e.g., GG). This degree of specificity in describing a probiotic is essential since functions can be strain-specific. For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may have different effects from L. rhamnosus GR-1. Look for probiotics that are supported by strain-specific research.

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Q. Many probiotic yogurts and other food products contain added sugar. Does this negate any health benefits from probiotics?

There is no evidence that the sugar added to sweetened yogurt negates the health benefits associated with the probiotics contained in the yogurt. Sugar is digested and absorbed in the small intestine and would not be expected to interfere with microbial effects farther down the intestinal tract. However, studies comparing identical probiotic products with and without added sugar have not been conducted.

Back to FAQ

Q. Are probiotics still alive when they are dried?

If bacteria are dried and stabilized properly, they remain alive (although dormant) and start to grow again after they reach the moist environment inside your body.

Back to FAQ

Q. What is the difference between live active cultures and probiotics?

Live cultures are microbes associated with foods, often as food fermentation agents. Many of these have not been directly tested for health benefits. Probiotics are live microbes that have been shown to have a health effect. Also, some probiotics would not typically be associated with foods (such as E. coli), and as such would not typically be referred to as a “live culture.”

Back to FAQ

Q. What information should product manufacturers provide for their probiotic products?

The following information should be available on the product label or accompanying website:

• Identification of the genus, species and strain of each probiotic present in the product
• Assurance that the product contains the level of each probiotic strain in the product through the end of shelf life
• Indication of the health benefit(s) associated with the product, including citations for published human studies have been conducted on the product or the specific strains in the product
• Contact information for the company
• Product information website
• Proper storage conditions
• Recommended usage based on the level shown to be effective in the published studies

Back to FAQ

Q. Which probiotic is the best one?

This depends on many factors. Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains of even the same species are not necessarily the same, and different commercial probiotics have been studied for different effects. Furthermore, each person has a unique set of colonizing microbes, and therefore each person has the potential to respond to probiotics differently. So choose a probiotic that is made by a reputable company, that has been tested for the effects that you are interested in, that is in a format that is appealing to you and that you find works for you.

Back to FAQ

Q. Can products containing live bacteria that have not been tested in human studies still be effective?

Some companies know very little about the specific health effects of the bacteria they are selling. These products should not be called “probiotics.” Scientific studies are expensive to conduct, and many companies have not sponsored them. If studies have not been conducted on a strain, it is impossible to know for certain if the strain can survive and function as a probiotic in the human body. An undocumented strain might be effective. But such a product cannot be strongly recommended. It is best to purchase a product made by a trustworthy company that can provide documentation of the health effects you are looking for.

Back to FAQ

Q. Are probiotics better when you get them from foods or from pills?

Probiotics from either foods or pills can be effective. The important consideration is that you are getting high enough numbers of a strain or combination of strains that have been tested for efficacy and works for you. Food sources of probiotics have the advantage in that they offer good nutrition along with the probiotic bacteria. Supplements can be more convenient for some people and may provide higher levels of probiotic, depending on the specific products.

Back to FAQ

Q. Can dead bacteria be probiotics?

No. Probiotics by definition must be alive when administered. Some publications have suggested that dead bacteria can have positive physiological effects. In fact, there are commercial products that specifically are comprised of dead bacteria. However, such products are not probiotics. The number of studies on dead bacteria are quite few and it is unlikely that dead bacteria could mediate the many positive effects demonstrated by live, probiotic bacteria.

Back to FAQ]]>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:58:20 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/probiotics-improve-natural-defense-function-in-humans.htmlThe natural defense systems of humans have been developed to maintain the host's health by fighting exogenous microbes.  Immune systems, which have functions to recognize and keep out exogeneous organisms, play a central role in the host defense systems.  Intestinal microflora are composed of approximately one hundred trillion microbes to protect our body as well as provide defense functions called colonization resistance to keep out exogenous bacteria.

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which confer a health benefits on the host.  A recent study conducted by Nesle Research Center in Switzerland reported multiple trials demonstrating the efficacy of probiotic strains Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 (LC1) and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 in relation to natural defense system in human. 

A 3-week trial using fermented milk with LC1 in healthy young females, middle aged adults and pregnent women significantly increased blood phagocytic activity - a biomarker for natural immunity, improved mild constipation in pregnant women.  In trials of LC1 in the elderly, the frequency of infection was reduced, the blood phagocytic activity was increased, serum TNF-a (inflammation biomarker) was lowered, and serum albumin (biomarker for nutritional status) was increased.  Trial using infant formula with Bb12 strains in weaning children also showed improved intestinal microflora and increased intestinal IgA production.

These results suggest that probiotic such as LC1 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 may contribute to the strengthenning of natural defense systems of healthy humans through natural immunity reinforcement and improvement of intestinal microflora.  Probiotics may also contribute to reduced infection through immune system modulation, activation of immunity and suppression of inflammation, and nutritional status improvement, thereby play a significant role in improving the QOL of human beings.

Source: BioScience Microflora 2007 Vol 26 (1):1-10

A video that presents the Science behind the USANA Probiotic Plus - :    

            http://tinyurl.com/ykmtuu4
]]>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:56:01 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/probiotic-supplementation-alleviates-the-symptoms-of-ibs1.htmlIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common diagnosis in gastroenterology. Reduced quality of life caused by IBS affect approximately 20% of adult Westerner.  Studies suggest certain probiotics to be beneficial, and provide a promising therapeutic alternative. 

To investigate the effects of multispecies probiotic supplementation on abdominal symptoms, quality of life, intestinal microbiota and inflammatory markers in irritable bowel syndrome, eighty-six irritable bowel syndrome patients participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled 5-month intervention.  Patients were randomized to receive daily either multispecies probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB12), or placebo. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, quality of life, microarray-based intestinal microbiota stability, serum cytokines and sensitive C-reactive protein were monitored.

The composite IBS symptom score (abdominal pain +distension + flatulence + rumbling) at the end of trial has decreased 14 points from baseline in the group with the multispecies probiotic supplement, compared to 3 points in the placebo group.  This represents a mean reduction of 37% in IBS score in the probiotic group compared to a 9% reduction in the placebo group.

In addition, distension and abdominal pain were significantly milder in the group with the probiotic supplementation group.  A stabilization of the microbiota was observed, as the microbiota similarity index increased with the probiotic supplementation, while it decreased with placebo

The authors conclude that the multispecies probiotic supplementation seems to be an effective and safe option to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and to stabilize the human intestinal flora.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2008; 27:48–57


New video presents the science behind the USANA Probiotic Plus - : http://tinyurl.com/ykmtuu4


 ]]>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:52:20 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/usana-in-the-melbourne-age.htmlUSANA featured in The MELBOURNE AGE on Saturday (19 September 2009) in the Careers Section.

The article "Know what's good for you" was an insight into USANA Health Sciences, health, supplements and scientific product information, network marketing and the role of USANA's regulatory affairs and technical scientist, Sheila Zhou. See excerpt below:
 
"Age and illness are part of life but scientific research shows nutritional deficiency occurs over many years before evident signs of disease and chronic illness.

USANA Health Sciences provides nutritional products, research and development that are distributed internationally through its network marketing programs.

But, according to Sheila Zhou, not all supplements are created equal. 'To reap the benefits of long-term health and wellbeing, Australians need to consider high-quality, balanced nutritional supplementation,' she says."

 http://www.usana.com/media/File/mediaCenter/ANZ/0909_Age.jpg]]>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:05:38 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/usana-good-information-for-vegans.htmlUSANA does not use type of animal testing. Here is a break down on the products:

 

USANA makes every effort to avoid using ingredients that contain animal products or by-products. However, it has not been possible to entirely eliminate such ingredients from some of our Nutritionals. Small amounts of gelatin are associated with the beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin D in some of our tablets. This gelatin is added by the primary manufacturer of these raw ingredients and is used to form the materials into dry, flowable beadlets. This beadlet form is necessary for the materials to be incorporated into dry tablets and it is essential for long-term stability. The gelatin used for the CoQuinone 30, E-Prime, Palmetto Plus, and BiOmega gelcaps is derived from beef and/or pork.

Currently there is not a reasonable alternative to the gelatin used in the gel-capsules. There is such thing as vegetable derived gelcaps, but the technology for these is not yet sufficient to maintain the standard of quality and stability that we require for our products. Vegetable capsules are very brittle, crack easily, and thus have a very poor shelf life. Vegetable capsules are also difficult to use in filling machines because of their fragility.

 

USANA continually researches methods to improve our products. If, in the future, vegetable-based capsules achieve better results, we may consider using them in our product line.

The gelatin used in our products is certified to be from BSE-free (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) sources by the manufacturer.

As a simple breakdown for the products:

- Mega Antioxidant: no animal by-products 

- Chelated Minerals (Multimineral): no animal by-products

- Body Rox and Usanimals: beta-carotene and vitamin D in gelatin beadlets

- Proflavanol and Proflavanol 90: no animal by-products

- CoQuinone 30: capsule

- TenX Antioxidant Blast: no animal by-products

- Hepasil DTX: no animal by-products

- OptOmega: no animal by-products

- BiOmega: fish oil, capsule

- E-Prime: capsule

- Poly C: no animal by-products

- Active Calcium: vitamin D gelatin beadlets

- BodyRox Active Calcium Chewable: gelatin beadlets, honey powder

- Procosa II: most commercially available glucosamine sulfate is derived from the outer shells of crustaceans. It is highly processed and purified, leaving no remaining animal constituents.

- PhytoEstrin: no animal by-products

- Palmetto Plus: capsule

- Visionex: lutein gelatin beadlets

- Ginkgo-PS: no animal by-products

- Nutrimeal and Fibergy: whey protein (Strawberry and Chocolate Nutrimeals) and a small amount of sodium caseinate (a milk derivative)

- SoyaMax: no animal by-products

- Nutrition Bars: Iced Lemon Fibergy Bar (kosher fish gelatin); Oatmeal Raisin & Peanut Butter Crunch (whey protein [milk])

 

The only ingredients in the Sense products that would be considered animal by-products are the beeswax in the Intensive Hand Therapy, and glucosamine HCl, which is ultimately derived from chitin, a compound found in the shells of shellfish. It is highly processed, however, and once it has been extracted and purified it does not contain any residual animal ingredients or protein.

 

Glucosamine HCl is found in the Eye Nourisher, Perfecting Essence, Serum Intensive, and Night Renewal products]]>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:07:45 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/10/probiotic-supplementation-alleviates-the-symptoms-of-ibs.htmlProbiotic Supplementation Alleviates the Symptoms of IBS
 
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common diagnosis in gastroenterology. Reduced quality of life caused by IBS affect approximately 20% of adult Westerner.  Studies suggest certain probiotics to be beneficial, and provide a promising therapeutic alternative. 

To investigate the effects of multispecies probiotic supplementation on abdominal symptoms, quality of life, intestinal microbiota and inflammatory markers in irritable bowel syndrome, eighty-six irritable bowel syndrome patients participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled 5-month intervention.  Patients were randomized to receive daily either multispecies probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB12), or placebo. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, quality of life, microarray-based intestinal microbiota stability, serum cytokines and sensitive C-reactive protein were monitored.

The composite IBS symptom score (abdominal pain +distension + flatulence + rumbling) at the end of trial has decreased 14 points from baseline in the group with the multispecies probiotic supplement, compared to 3 points in the placebo group.  This represents a mean reduction of 37% in IBS score in the probiotic group compared to a 9% reduction in the placebo group.

In addition, distension and abdominal pain were significantly milder in the group with the probiotic supplementation group.  A stabilization of the microbiota was observed, as the microbiota similarity index increased with the probiotic supplementation, while it decreased with placebo

The authors conclude that the multispecies probiotic supplementation seems to be an effective and safe option to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and to stabilize the human intestinal flora.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2008; 27:48–57

 

New video presents the science behind the USANA Probiotic Plus - : http://tinyurl.com/ykmtuu4
]]>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:34:18 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/09/what-you-need-to-ask-your-doctor-for-your-yearly-blood-test.htmlWhen you go for your yearly check-up and blood test, this is what you need to request to add on to your normal recommendations by your doctor.
 
Not all doctors are aware of the need of these tests.  These recommendations was taken from Dr. Ray Strand's website. www.drraystrand.com
 
 
Here are the things you need to request from you doctor when you go for a blood test:
 
1.   Comprehensive Blood Profile normally recommended by doctors.
 
ADD:
 
2.   HgbAIC - Hemoglobin AIC measures the amount of blood sugar in a red cell.
      SInce blood cells remain in the body for approx 140 days before   being destroyed, it is a great way to follow patients who already have diabetes.
 
3.  Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein
     Heart disease is NOT a disease of cholesterol, but instead of inflammation of
     your arteries.  The Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein actually measures the
     amount of inflammation in your arteries. This test is a great way to determine
     if you are at increased risk for developing heart disease or stroke.
 
4.  25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Blood Level
      Nearly 90% of the adult polulation is deficient in Vitamin D. Even if you
      are taking adequate levels of Vit D supplements, you still may not have
     adequate vitamin D Blood levels. This is a critical health issues because
     low Vitamin D levels increase your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes,
     and osteoporosis.  Consider adding this important test to your blood work.
 
5.  Homocysteine
      Over 15% of every heart attack and stroke in the US and the industralized
     world is due strictly to elevated homocysteine levels in our blood. This is
     a by-product of protein metabolism and tends to rise when you are deficient
      in folic acid, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6.
 
6.   Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)  For MEN
      The PSA is a very important test in determining early signs of prostrate
      cancer.  Even though this is not a diagnostic test for prostate cancer,
      it can indicate the possibility of early prostate cancer.

By the way, USANA Nutritionals were named the best of the best when compared to 1,500 other products.

Since then, USANA's Essentials have been reformulated to include maximum levels of vitamin D (1800 IU per day) because of recent research dowing that most people are  not getting enough vitamin D in their diet.

USANA'sHealthPak includes the reformulated Essentials and now also contains 30mg per day of reseveratrol, the amount found in 5 bottles of red wine.

Experience how USANA's science-based products can make you look and feel your best. http://www.myrnad.usana.com/

The USANA Health Assessment and Advisor is designed to help you:

Analyze your nutritional needs
Optimize your diet and supplement regimen
Realize your full-health potential

It is FREE

http://shop.usana.com/shop/jsp/onlineServices/healthassessment/start.jsp?ts=1252125592183&sessionId=615CEDA8EC03C79EC95022BF3D89F65B.worker9

 

With Warmest Regards,
Jackie Khor
"Enabling people to achieve their Vision"
Build Globally From Home
Brisbane, AUS
Mob: +61 413 342 967
Tel: +61 7 3890 1167
Email: jackie@besttruehealth.com


Work From Home Business On The Net
http://workfromhomebiz.hfteambuilder.com/go1/


Nutritionals You Can Trust
http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:12:07 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/08/super-pills.htmlAvailable exclusively in MyHealthPak, USANA is now offering Super Pills for three of our quality supplements. These Super Pills are a more potent form of the same products you trust on a daily basis, so you won’t need to add as many tablets to your customized AM/PM packets.

Proflavanol® 180: Double the strength of Proflavanol® 90, in one convenient dose.

CoQuinone® 100: More than three times the strength of regular CoQuinone® 30.

Visionex® DS: A full daily dose of Visionex in one convenient tablet.

USANA’s Mega Antioxidant is now formulated with maximum strength vitamin D, which is necessary for normal bone mineralization and growth. Recent reports show that populations around the world are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. The problem is widespread and increasing, with potentially severe repercussions not only for bone fracture rates but also overall health.

Also, USANA’s AO Booster in the HealthPak 100 now provides the antioxidant resveratrol in quantities 15 times larger than its previous formulation, to help prevent free radical damage and complement the activities of many of the other phytonutrients found in USANA supplements.]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:02:53 +0700http://jackiekhor729.weebly.com/1/post/2009/08/usana-essentials-multi-minerals-and-mega-antioxidants.htmlUSANA’s Mega Antioxidant is now formulated with maximum strength vitamin D, which is necessary for normal bone mineralization and growth.

Recent reports show that populations around the world are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. The problem is widespread and increasing, with potentially severe repercussions not only for bone fracture rates but also overall health.

Also, USANA’s AO Booster in the HealthPak 100 now provides the antioxidant resveratrol in quantities 15 times larger than its previous formulation, to help prevent free radical damage and complement the activities of many of the other phytonutrients found in USANA supplements.
]]>