Sunday, November 13, 2011

Scientifically Speaking The Importance of Research

Welcome to my second blog post here at The Living Connection! Often when talking to people I encounter testimony of disenchantment with supplements. People say "they just don't work". That is true in the majority of cases due to the inferior quality and in many cases the use of toxic materials such as lead and even mercury in so called nutritional supplements. One would think that regulation would be mandatory in an industry that makes upwards of 18 billion a year and about to peak at 1 trillion. Today I share with you a post from my company USANA health sciences that voluntarily follows GMP standards, is a certified pharmaceutical grade manufacturer and is NSF approved. Please take the time to learn and understand why your old supplements are "just not working". There are useful links here where you can read up on the health benefits of supplements in a 51 page paper the company has put together for you. Also check out our partners TOSH, The Linus Pauling Institute, Boston University and others.
To Your Health and Wealth!
Sincerely,
Ekayani Chamberlin
ID#4122822
Here at USANA Health Sciences, we take dietary supplements seriously.
You’re saying, well, of course you do. You make them.
Correct. However, it is not that simple.
USANA is not in the business of making products that fall into the latest trends. We are in the business of making products that help people live a healthier life.
One way, and possibly one of the most important ways, USANA does this is by using research. That’s right: research. In fact, it says it right on ourwebsite:
“At USANA, scientific research is at the heart of every product we offer. Whether in studies conducted by top scientists in our on-site laboratories or findings from the many research partnerships we have across the globe, USANA is fully committed to the research and development of cutting-edge nutritional technology.” — Dr. Myron Wentz
We do not bring a product to market, upgrade or enhance a product unless we have done thorough research.

Identifying Online Resources

This is a timely reminder, as there have been some stories in the news about supplements not being beneficial. There is also a great deal of research that highlights the benefits of supplementation. Here are a few resources for you:
Natural Product Association research has shown that supplementation can boost immune systems and help improve and maintain overall health, along with combating nutritional deficiencies. The healthier we are, the more we save in health care costs.
The Office of Dietary Supplements’ website is very comprehensive, and includes “Quick Facts” alongside more comprehensive “Health Professional” information. Many resources on the site are for consumers, and help consumers make sound decisions about supplementation.

A Word from LPI

One of our research partners, Linus Pauling Institute, discusses this topic on its website. In this article, they cite data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) stating that using supplements can help combat micronutrient deficiencies, which approximately 70% of the U.S. population suffers from.
It also points out that we are deficient in vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin A, and calcium. These micronutrients are important to our health, and if supplementation can help our bodies be more in balance, then I am all for it.
Linus Pauling Institute’s Rx for Health is great resource: it shares tips on proper supplementation usage, alongside healthy eating and lifestyle tips. All three work together, and it is important to remember that supplementation is not a one-stop fix.

Research for Yourself

USANA has put together a comprehensive paper on the Health Benefits of Nutritional Supplements (PDF). This paper is 51 pages of “an enumerative bibliography of peer-reviewed research.” Wow. Divided by health issue, this resource provides references to hundreds of studies that have been conducted that show how supplementation affects the body.
Not only does USANA seek out research, we conduct our own.
With partners such as The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH), Boston University, the University of Sydney, the University of Colorado Denver, Utah State University, University of Utah, Sanoviv Medical Institute, and the aforementioned, Linus Pauling Institute, we conduct research and clinical trials to test our own hypotheses and to help us understand how nutritional supplements can help the body under different circumstances.
As you can see, the support for dietary supplements is comprehensive. Please know USANA is committed to continuing to make nutritional supplements based upon sound research (read more about it here), to ensure you can trust the products you use.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Living Connection - My Why Is Found Here in 110 Years

Welcome to my first blog post. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and you are probably asking yourself upon whose shoulder I have my head propped up on in this picture taken in August 2011. The man I am leaning on is my motivation and has everything to do with why I am here today.  The occasion was his birthday. Meet my grandfather centenarian Bernando LaPallo, Jr.
 He is an author of a best selling book, a sought after guest speaker and at 110 years is rapidly becoming one of the worlds most famous people. (Yes, you read right.)
Why is he so famous?
 Do you think it's because he invented something? Perhaps a new gadget or get rich quick scheme? Or is it simply because he has lived as long as he has?  The last question forms the answer that would be partly right. The more complete answer speaks in a profound way to the state of our health today. My grandfather has become famous simply because he is healthy.  At 110 years young he is of sound mind and body with a memory like a steal trap for historical events and personalities... and baseball. (Huge Yankees fan.) He does not suffer from dementia, diabetes, cancer, arthritis or congenital heart disease.  And yes he can talk and then some. He does his own shopping, cooking and is able to shave his own face with a steady hand. He even has a new DVD series out demonstrating some of his popular recipes. Ever since I can remember him from age six on, I have been impressed with his vitality, strength, skill and his ability to set others at ease, meeting people wherever they are at and all walks of life. The one thing that has made the deepest impression upon me has been his lifelong commitment to understanding the human body and the vital and critical role food - and he means fresh food - is to maintaining health. In other words eating the way Nature intended.


Now I'd like to introduce you to another man who has had an enormous impact on hundreds and thousands of people who has embodied the same concerns and the same faith in the healing power of food based nutrition. This gentleman is a microbiologist and micro immunologist.   Dr. Myron Wentz is the recipient of the 2007 Albert Einstein Award for excellence in the Life Sciences, a best selling author, founder of the Sanoviv Medical Institute and the inventor of the most widely used testing kit for the Epstein Barr virus. Dr. Wentz is the founder and visionary behind USANA Health Sciences a pharmaceutical grade manufacturer of the best nutritional supplements available whose real genius perhaps lies in making them convenient for the worlds harried population.
I feel fortunate to have both these men in my life. My grandfather has shown me the benefits of having a nutrient rich diet, a regular exercise program and a positive mental attitude in REAL time.  Dr. Wentz has given us the tools to reap the benefits of good nutrition in convenient form that addresses the needs of the average person who finds themself surrounded by fast and processed foods and drugs that are pushed onto us incessantly. While I wholeheartedly advocate eating the freshest foods possible, I also know that today I'd have to eat eight oranges to get the same nutrition my grandfather would have received by just eating one when he was a younger man.
That's quite a contrast!
That is why I am so pleased and impressed that Dr. Wentz has met us more than half way. He has made it policy to have a full time staff of research scientists constantly leading the way in the industry for human supplementation. I am grateful that there is a potency guarantee on each and every product that Usana manufactures in house. Because my grandfather has given me the ability and criteria to value the importance of good eating habits through countless hours of conversation relating his real life experiences with the rejuvenating properties of nature  I was able to grasp Dr. Wentz's vision for a healthy human family as the genuine article.
To illustrate let me tell you a little story:
At this years International Convention 2011, I made sure to attend the panel on Healthy Aging moderated by Dr. Tim Wood who for years lead the research team at Usana. On the panel were Dr. Bart Moore, Dr. Heather Tick, Brian Dixon Phd, Dr. Monica Lewis and Dr. Tyler Banker of TOSH. Their observations based on their collective practices added up to about 100 years. This was something I wanted to attend because I have a bad ass grandfather! No matter what the panel spoke about be it managing chronic pain, exercise,  stress, attitude or the importance of diet versus genetics, I just kept nodding my head thinking "Yep, that's what Grampa said. Yep, that's what Grampa said." which made me realize that I had already taken this seminar all my life from my Grampa!
In conclusion, my passion for good nutrition and healthy living has found a vehicle in the personal and body care line and nutritional supplements made available in a convenient and highly bio available form by Dr. Wentz and Usana. Yes, let's get back "to the garden". Let's make sure we are healthy and strong to get us there and able to do the work required to heal this earth. Kindly examine the Usana opportunity as a customer or as a colleague seriously.
Sincerely,
Ekayani Chamberlin
 Learn more about Usana
Learn More About My Grandfather