Tune Up Your Immune System

The information below is a must read! Thanks to my friend

Dr. Steve Chaney for sharing it with us. Check it out!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Friends,

Many of you have been saying to me:

"All I hear about in the news is shots and drugs. Is there a holistic approach
for strengthening my immune system?"

My answer is yes! Here are my suggestions:

1) Start by eating a balanced diet composed of whole, unprocessed foods

without a lot of fat and simple sugars. A great place to start designing a

balanced diet that is perfect for your age, gender and activity level

is www.mypyramid.gov.

2) Get plenty of sleep. The experts recommend 8 hours of sleep a night,

but a majority of Americans get far less than that.

3) Exercise on a regular basis. Both too little and too much exercise

can weaken the immune system (You might have guessed that the

problem for most of us is the "too little", not the "too much"). The

experts recommend at least 30 minutes every day.

4) Maintain ideal body weight. Those excess pounds really zap

our immune system.

5) Minimize your reliance on medications. Many common medications

weaken the immune system (Just listen to the disclaimers in the TV

commercials for examples).

But you must work with your physician on this. Once your physician

knows that you are willing to do take personal responsibility for your

diet and lifestyle, they will generally be willing to minimize the number

of medications that they prescribe.

6) Focus on the positive. Studies show that optimists are healthier

and life longer than pessimists. And the good news is that anyone can

cultivate an attitude of optimism. For most of us it is a lifestyle

choice - not something that we were born with.

7) Add a supplement program to assure that your immune system is

functioning optimally. In the ideal world supplements wouldn't be

necessary, but there are very few "saints" who do a great job in all

6 of the areas that I mentioned.

A well designed supplement program fills in the "gaps". We want to make

sure that we are getting adequate:

- B vitamins and protein because our immune cells need to divide

very rapidly when we have immune challenges.

- Antioxidants because our immune cells create lots of free radicals.

- Trace minerals, especially iron and zinc, because they are required by
important enzymes of the immune system.

- Vitamin D because it is vitally important for a strong immune system

and most of us are not getting enough.

- Probiotics (healthy bacteria) because "bad" bacteria and yeast in our
intestines can weaken the immune system.

- Omega-3 fatty acids to modulate the immune system once it has taken

care of the invading bacteria or viruses.

We don't need megadoses. We just need enough.

One final thought: A holistic approach to strengthening our immune

system is not an "either - or" proposition.

The flu short is 66% effective in preventing the flu for people

with a strong immune system and only 33% effective in preventing

the flu for people with a weak immune system.

To your health!

Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
Shaklee Master Coordinator
http://www.chaneyhealth.com

P.S. My personal recommendation for the supplement component of your

holistic approach to a strong immune system is the Shaklee Vitalizer

Wellness Program (Vitalizer, Cinch and Nutriferon) with Defend and

Resist Complex in your medicine cabinet for when you first sense that

you are "catching" something.

P.P.S. For more on tuning up your immune system, order my "Tuning

Up Your Immune System CD" at:
http://www.chaneyhealth.com/

Breast Cancer Awareness

Today is the first day of
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What does this mean to you?

(1) Statistics. We all know someone (perhaps it is ourself) who has or has had breast cancer. You may want to consider that aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

I am a breast cancer survivor. I am also a Reach for Recovery Volunteer with the American Cancer Society (ACS). I am committed toward helping people educate themselves toward healthy choices. I am committed to prevention and early detection. I recognize that sometimes the benefits of medicines and treatments outweigh the risks. It is important that we all recognize that we have a choice in how we treat our bodies. It is part of the beauty of living in a free country.

(2) Resources. If you google the words, "breast cancer support", you will find that there are many resources available, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. and the American Cancer Society.

(3) Prevention & Early Detection. Can you prevent cancer or reduce your cancer risk? How can you detect cancer early? What are the risk factors for different types of cancer? Concerned about cancer because it runs in your family? Frequently exposed to tobacco or environmental hazards? Just want to stay healthy?

I believe it is important to look at as many options as possible when looking at prevention and early detection. Don't wait for your doctor to suggest options for you. Be pro-active in your quest for information.


(4) Positive Affirmations Toward Health. I believe that our mind and our emotions can influence illness. Therefore, I believe that it is extremely important to focus on positive affirmations when it comes to our health. A few positive affirmation examples are shown below.

• I have the power to control my health.
• I am in control of my health and wellness.
• I have abundant energy, vitality and well-being.
• I am healthy in all aspects of my being.
• I do not fear being unhealthy because I know that I control my own body.
• I am always able to maintain my ideal weight.
• I am filled with energy to do all the daily activities in my life.
• My mind is at peace.
• I love and care for my body and it cares for me.

I'd love to hear back from you. I wish you healthy blessings always!

--- Cheryl

****LINKS

(1) Statistics

• http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/

(2) Resources

• National Breast Cancer Foundation: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-NBCF/
• American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.as

(3) Prevention and Early Detection

• ACS: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_0.asp
• My Shaklee site: http://babyboomerhealth.myshaklee.com/us/en/whynow.html
  (Prevention includes healthy nutrition, healthy weight, healthy beauty--what you put on your skin, healthy babies & kids--getting our families started in the right direction, and a healthy home--nontoxic cleaners help keep our environment safe for our families.)

(4) Positive Affirmations Toward Health

• http://www.mjbovo.com/Affirmations.htm

Shoo the Flu

Flu, flu, flu--we can hardly watch television or listen to the radio without hearing something about the flu. Experts are everywhere, all eager to share their opinions. This season we have a new flu challenge-- the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. How can we stay healthy amongst all this adversity?

Consider the following basic preventative measures.

1. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. One of the easiest ways to avoid colds and flu is to be scrupulous about washing your hands. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the bathroom door to avoid re-contamination.
2. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Cough and sneeze into your shoulder or the crook of your elbow instead of your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to reduce the spread of germs.
3. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
4. Don’t share drinks, cosmetics, cell phones, etc., with those who appear sick.
5. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
6. Practice other good health habits.
   o Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can lower the immune system's ability to react when needed and hampers its essential nightly repair work.
   o Be physically active
   o Manage your stress
   o Drink plenty of fluids
   o Eat nutritious food. Plenty of nutritious food is essential to building a healthy immune system. A well-balanced diet provides sources of energy and nutrition.
   o Augment your diet by adding vitamins and other supplements to your daily routine. Vitamin C is useful in warding off colds, but there are other supplements that you should consider as well. Having the immune system working at peak efficiency before getting sick is far more effective than waiting until getting sick.
   

The author suggests other supplements from the Shaklee Corporation. Below is a link that shows the Immune Support supplements. For over 50 years, generations of families have counted on Shaklee to do what no other company can do quite like it—make products that are naturally safe AND proven effective. Shaklee is the the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the United States. Shaklee products support the immune system to help it respond when needed.*

http://babyboomerhealth.myshaklee.com/us/en/category.php?main_cat=Nutrition&sub_cat=ImmuneSupport

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

Kidney Stone Study compares Shaklee Performance to Gatorade

Kidney Stone Study ...
with Shaklee Performance
compared to Gatorade

When you are the leader in the natural food supplement
industry, people sometimes test your products without
you even knowing about it.

That was exactly what happen with a recent study
comparing the effects of Shaklee's Performance and
Gatorade on the risk of kidney stone formation.

This was the ultimate independent study.

Shaklee didn't initiate it. They didn't support it.
And, in fact, they didn't even know about it until it
was published a couple of weeks ago (J.W. Goodman et
al, Urol. Res., 37: 41-46, 2009).

Before I get into the results of the study, perhaps I
should start with an explanation of why you would even
want to do that kind of study.

Let's start with the problem - kidney stones. They are
extremely painful, and they can damage the kidney -
particularly if they form over and over again.

To a urologist the solution is simple - just drink two
liters of water a day.

The problem is that you have to really, really, really
like water to drink two liters a day, and most people
just aren't that into water.

In fact, previous studies had shown that even when
patients had a previous kidney stone and were told by
their urologist to drink two liters of water a day, the
everage result was an increase of only 0.3 liters a day
of water.

So this group of urologists asked what people were
drinking instead of water.

The latest trends show that soft drink consumption is
decreasing and consumption of sports drinks and energy
drinks is increasing. And, there was absolutely no
information on whether sports drinks increased or
decreased the risk of kidney stone formation.

So they decided to look at two well-known sports
drinks, Shaklee's Performance and Gatorade, to see
whether they would increase or decrease the risk of
kidney stone formation compared to the consumption of
an equivalent amount of water.

They looked at the effect of each sports drink on the
amount of citrate in the urine and by how much they
increased the pH of the urine because each of these
decreases the risk of kidney stone formation.

They also looked at the effect of each sports drink on
the amount of sodium and calcium in the urine because
each of those increases the risk of kidney stone
formation.

Performance significantly increased the amount of
citate and the pH of the urine, while Gatorade had no
effect on either of them.

Neither Performance or Gatorade had an significant
effect on sodium or calcium levels in the urine.

Thus, they concluded that Shaklee's Performance was
superior to either Gatorade or water alone at deceasing
the risk of kidney stone formation.

Now you might be tempted to say that this study was of
more interest to urologists than the general public.
but my guess is that if you have ever suffered through
a kidney stone this study is of great interest to you.

But to me the more important conclusion is that, once
again, independent clinical studies show the
superiority of Shaklee products.

To your health!

Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
Shaklee Master Coordinator

P.S. Coming soon: My latest CD "Tune-Up Your Immune
System". Look for it at:
http://www.chaneyhealth.com

CHECK OUT SHAKLEE PERFORMANCE AT LINK BELOW.

[COMES IN ORANGE & LEMON-LIME FLAVORS]

http://babyboomerhealth.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20351

Breakfast of Champions and NURF TOO??

Thank you Dr.Chaney for this great synopsis of the Vivix / Nrf2 study!!
http://www.shaklee.net/babyboomerhealth/product/AntiAging

Many of you have been asking when you will hear about Shaklee's clinical studies with Vivix. Your wait is over.

At their August 2009 global conference in St. Louis Missouri Shaklee released some results from one of their key clinical studies on Vivix.

This was a randomized, placebo controlled clinical study, the most rigorous kind of clinical study.

It was also an independent study performed not by Shaklee, but by scientists at State University of New York at Buffalo.

In short, this was the real deal!

In this study, a group of volunteers consumed a 910 calorie breakfast from Burger King. One half of the group took Vivix immediately after breakfast and the other half took a placebo.

For the group consuming Vivix a key genetic regulator of longevity called Nrf2 (pronounced Nerf 2) increased dramatically within the first 3 hours after the meal. For the placebo group Nrf2 levels actually declined.

If you are feeling a bit under whelmed at the moment, it's probably because this is the kind of study that needs a bit of additional explanation before you can fully appreciate it.

Let's start with the breakfast, which I have somewhat jokingly referred to as the "breakfast of champions".

You see that Burger King breakfast is loaded with the wrong kinds of fat - saturated fat & trans fat. That's the kind of fat that clogs your arteries.

Not only does it clog your arteries, but it also causes your arteries to contract dramatically right after the meal. If those arteries are already clogged from previous high fat meals...You guessed it...It can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

If you're lucky it could mean a trip to the emergency room. But, the most frequent symptom of heart disease is sudden death - often triggered by that fat laden "Happy Meal", If you'll pardon the mixed metaphor.

And it isn't just Burger King. Almost any fast food meal will do.

Now that I have your attention, let's talk about the protective effects of antioxidants.

In fact, you may have heard about previous clinical studies showing that supplementation with vitamin E or other antioxidants immediately after the "Happy Meal" can prevent that narrowing of the arteries and perhaps save you from that trip to the emergency room.

You might be asking "What does that have to do with Nrf2 and Vivix?" Be patient, I'm getting there.

You see when we are young, a "Happy Meal" will trigger an increase in Nrf2 which in turn increases production of our body's own antioxidant defense mechanisms.

Nrf2 also triggers our detoxification pathways so that we can get rid of all of the artificial food additives and preservatives in that "Happy Meal".

Nrf2 triggers our immune balance pathways (high fat meals depress the immune system and can also cause inflammatory and autoimmune responses).

Finally, Nrf2 triggers our anti-stress pathways (high fat meals trigger cortisol production, which can accelerate the aging process) and much, much more.

But when we get older, Nrf2 is no longer triggered by those high fat meals and we lose our natural protective mechanisms. When that happens the aging process, and our risk of heart attack or stroke, is increased by every high fat meal that we consume.

By now you are probably starting to understand why the ability of Vivix to activate the Nrf2 gene is such a big deal.

But, I don't want you to think of Vivix as simply an antidote to a bad diet. You see Vivix turns on Nrf2 whether you are consuming a high fat meal or not.

Just think how much more beneficial it will be to keep your natural antioxidant defense mechanisms, your detoxification systems, your immune system, and your anti-stress systems in tip top shape without wasting those resources having to compensate for the effects of a bad diet.

So let me summarize what this study shows:

- Vivix activates the Nrf2 gene, which is a master regulator of longevity.

- That shows that the dosage of resveratrol and ellagic acid in Vivix is appropriate, that those beneficial polyphenols get into your bloodstream (they are bioavailable) and that they have their intended anti- aging benefits.

- In short the study shows that Vivix works in real people like you & me.

- Nrf2, in turn, activates the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms, detoxification mechanisms, immune balancing mechanisms and anti-stress mechanisms. These are all mechanisms that slow down cellular aging and reduce the risk of degenerative diseases.

- Vivix can reduce the damage caused by a high fat diet, but will be even more effective at slowing the aging process if used along with a good diet and a lifestyle that includes weight control and exercise.

The study actually shows much more than this, but Shaklee can't release the other data until the manuscript has been accepted for publication. So stay tuned for even more exciting results in the future.

To your health!
Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
Shaklee Master Coordinator

DHA For Smart Babies

[Information below from my Shaklee friend, Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD.]

* * *

Every mom wants the best for their kids. Every mom would like to be able to give their kids an edge in life if they could.

According to a recent study there is one very simple thing that every mom can do to give her kids an edge.

A study published in the June 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that when expectant mothers supplemented with DHA during pregnancy their infants had better problem solving skills at 9 months.

This was the very first study to look at the effect of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on problem solving skills at such a young age. Basically, the results of the study just mean that when the moms supplemented with DHA their kids were smarter - and were smarter at a very early age.

First, let me give you a little bit of background.

Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that occurs naturally in fish oils. It is found in particularly high concentrations in specific regions of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, synapses and retinal rod photoreceptors.

DHA consumption is especially important during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester when DHA accumulates in the fetal brain at a very high rate. It is during that third trimester that the fetus forms the majority of brain cells that they will have for an entire lifetime.

In order to support brain development in the fetus, the recommended level of intake of DHA during pregnancy is 300 mg per day. Yet in the United States and Canada, DHA intake during pregnancy is only 10-15 mg/day.

Unfortunately, many food sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the American diet, even many omega-3 fortified foods and supplements, are primarily composed of the omega-3 fatty acid linolenic acid, and the conversion of linolenic acid to DHA is extremely limited.

Now let's look at the clinical study in more detail:

It was a double blind, placebo controlled study (the best kind of study) and was performed at the University of Connecticut.

The women were divided into two groups. The placebo group was consuming only 10-15 mg of DHA/day (normal for the American population). The other group received an additional 300 mg of DHA/day.

The women were given the placebo or DHA supplement starting at 24 weeks of gestation and continuing through delivery.

A two-step means-end problem-solving test was presented to all of the infants in their own homes at nine months of age to evaluate their ability to execute a series of steps to retrieve a toy.

The steps involved pulling a covered toy within reach and uncovering the toy. The UConn researchers found a statistically significant difference between the problem solving abilities of the two groups, with the infants whose mothers had consumed a DHA functional food during pregnancy faring better.

Michelle Judge, the scientist who conducted the study said: "Our finding of better problem-solving abilities in the group of infants whose mothers consumed a prenatal DHA supplement supports the idea that DHA plays an important role in the development of attention required for infant goal-directed behavior and suggests that DHA consumption during gestation is particularly important for infant cognitive development."

She went on to point out that: "These findings support previously published studies that have established links between prenatal DHA consumption and/or infant DHA consumption and improved attention and eye-hand coordination in toddlers and higher IQ later in childhood."

Of course, I always recommend a holistic approach to health. DHA alone won't substitute for good diet, avoiding potentially toxic substances and a holistic approach to prenatal supplementation.

However, if you are looking for that one additional gift that you could give your baby, DHA appears to be it.

To your health!

Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD
[contact info available upon request]

P.S. In case you were wondering Vitalizer provides 180 mg of DHA, each Mighty Smart chew provides 100 mg of DHA and each capsule of OmegaGuard provides 125 mg of DHA.

HOME BUSINESS OFFERS REFUGE FROM RECESSION

Local Entrepreneur Enjoys Flexibility and Financial Stability

[Grand Haven, Michigan]. – June 27, 2009 – The latest economic indicators for May bring some hopeful tidings, but also some significant concerns. The U.S. unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 25 years, and there is continued concern about sizable job losses to come. The recession has been a source of severe stress for many throughout the country.

According to the recent Multi-Sponsor Surveys’ 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 49% of employed adults expressed worry about potential job loss, while 32% admitted to “significant” financial troubles.

But amid numerous reports of havoc and despair created by the current economic climate, Cheryl Legg, a local small-business entrepreneur here in Grand Haven, reports a very different experience during this recession.

“If it weren’t for the additional income my health-and-wellness business generates, I think my family would probably be in a very different place,” says Legg, who operates a Shaklee business out of her home.

“My business helps us not only continue to pay the bills on time, but it also generates additional income which we save to have on hand for unexpected situations, or use when we want to do something special, like take a trip, buy a new car, or remodel the kitchen—things that would otherwise be outside of our budget.”

Legg credits her home business for helping to alleviate much of her family’s stress and says her business has eased financial concerns while providing flexibility—qualities that can insulate a family from the changing tides of the economy. Most people who run a business from home work only part time, so there’s freedom to plan business activities around the busy schedule of a young family.

“When I began my business,” says Legg, “it was on a very part-time basis. Since I started, I’ve increased the amount of time I spend working with it. Using the Internet and communicating my business online makes my work much more efficient and flexible at the same time, making it possible for me to work on my business pretty much whenever I have downtime from my other responsibilities. Plus, it was easy and inexpensive to get started, and there’s no need to make space in our home for any inventory since the company ships directly to my customers.”

Home businesses have drawn considerable interest from people who may be having a difficult time finding employment and from those looking for an income opportunity that also resonates with their personal beliefs—characteristics that most jobs likely do not offer.
“Because I recommend products that help people to be healthier, that help our environment to be cleaner, and for homes to be safer, I feel good about what I do. And because I also offer the chance for other people to do what I’m doing—to achieve independence in a way they may not have thought possible—there’s an incredible feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I can help make a real difference for people looking for extra income right now.”

According to the 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 60% of adults are now interested in operating a home business in response to the economic downturn.

“To me, there’s a great sense of security knowing that my business is backed by a company that has a proven track record and more than 50 years of experience giving people the means to thrive, even during the most difficult economic times,” says Legg. “Shaklee has grown during each of the prior recessions since it was founded in 1956.”

For more information about Shaklee, please visit www.shaklee.net/babyboomerhealth.


# # #
About Shaklee Corporation
Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. Through Social Marketing™, Shaklee offers an economic opportunity to anyone regardless of background or experience, and has paid more than $4 billion in commissions to its independent distributors worldwide. With a robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors around the globe and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China.
For information about Shaklee, visit http://www.shaklee.com/.

Daily Survival Kit

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT
Items Needed:

Toothpick

Rubber Band

Band Aid

Pencil
Eraser
Chewing Gum
Mint

Candy Kiss

Tea Bag

Why?????

TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
- * Matthew 7:1

RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want,
but it will work out. - * Romans 8:28

BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours

or someone else's.
- * Colossians 3:12-14

PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday.
- * Ephesians 1:3

ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay.
- * Genesis 50:15-21

CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything.
- *Philippians 4:13

MINT - to remind you that you are worth a mint.
- * John 3:16-17

CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday.
- * John 4:7

TEA - to remind you to relax daily and go over your list of blessings.
- *1 Thessalonians 5:18

* Relevant Scriptures

--Author Unknown

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

With the events of the past couple of days (all the media about the deaths of celebraties Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson plus others I have heard about), I just had to share one of my favorite Gospel songs that describes my thoughts about the future...


I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
by Ira F. Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future for I know what Jesus said;
And, today, I'll walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand.
But, I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand!

Every step is getting brighter as the golden stairs I climb.
Every burden's getting lighter; every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining; there no tear will dim the eye.
At the ending of the rainbow where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand.
But, I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand!

I don't know about tomorrow; it may bring me poverty.
But, the One who feeds the sparrow is the One who stands by me.
And, the path that is my portion may be through the flame or flood,
But, His presence goes before me and I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand.
But, I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand!





Do you know who holds your future?





[Video below from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wiFCjeqOvM]

Eating Your Veggies: Not As Good For You?

Eating Your Veggies: Not As Good For You?

How Do You Know Your Dietary Supplement Is Really Regulated?

Is Your Dietary Supplement Really Regulated?
Dietary supplements – vitamins, minerals, botanicals, sports nutrition, weight management and specialty supplements (such as glucosamine/chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids, to name just a few) – are regulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state agencies have clear authority over dietary supplements through the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and the FTC Act. FDA is charged with inspecting manufacturing facilities, reviewing labeling and monitoring products for safety. FTC pursues deceptive, false and misleading advertising. Claims that dietary supplements are not regulated or are “loosely” regulated are inaccurate. Dietary supplements have always been regulated, and are more rigorously regulated today than they were even five years ago.

How Do You Know Supplements Are Safe?
The FDCA, as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), established that dietary supplements that were in commerce prior to 1994 have a history of safe use, and therefore, can remain on the market without additional safety review. All new ingredients marketed after that date, however, must submit a formal 75-day notice along with evidence that the product is reasonably expected to be safe. This is referred to as a new dietary ingredient (NDI) notification. If FDA has concerns about the ingredient or its safety profile, the agency has clear authority to request more information or to reject the notification and deny the product’s entry into the market. Since the passage of DSHEA, FDA has rejected approximately 70% of the NDI notifications filed. It is patently illegal to add a prescription drug or an anabolic steroid to a product and call it a “dietary supplement.” Once a dietary supplement enters the stream of commerce, the FDA may remove a product if it is “adulterated” or “misbranded.” A product is considered adulterated if it contains unlisted ingredients or is not prepared or packaged under good manufacturing conditions. It is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading. In either case, the agency has enforcement authority to seize and destroy the product, impose fines or even imprisonment. In addition, FDA can remove a product from the market if it “presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury” under conditions of use recommended in its labeling. A separate provision gives FDA authority to declare a product “an imminent hazard to public health or safety.” In lesser dramatic situations, FDA can request manufacturers to modify products and claims or to provide warnings to consumers. While mandatory recall authority is not currently available, a request from FDA to recall a product from the marketplace voluntarily is viewed seriously by manufacturers and is usually implemented quickly.

How Do You Know Supplements Do What the Label Says?
Some people think a supplement producer can put whatever they want on a label – that’s just not true! Providing consumers with information about a product’s uses is an important aspect of consumer education, but it is equally important that manufacturers and marketers ensure that the claims they make about their products are truthful, and not misleading. Dietary supplements are required to have a standard Supplement Facts box on the labeling that describes the suggested use, serving size, amount per serving, percentage of the daily value and list of ingredients. If the label does not provide this information along with the quality and quantity of ingredients, then the product is misbranded and subject to penalties.

When describing a dietary supplement’s benefits, the law permits products to use certain claims, provided there is appropriate scientific support. The FDCA allows products to make nutrient content, structure/function, and health claims.

• Nutrient content claims characterize the level of vitamins and minerals in the product.
• Structure/function claims describe effects of the product on the body. However, the law requires these claims must have substantiation (i.e., scientific support) that the claim is truthful and not misleading; FDA must be informed of these claims; and it may request to review the substantiation. A disclaimer must be added to a product’s label stating that the structure/function claim “has not been evaluated by” FDA.
• Health claims describe the relationship between a substance and a disease (e.g., folic acid can reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects). These claims must be submitted to and approved by FDA and be supported by “significant scientific agreement.” FDA has approved a handful of health claims for key ingredients like calcium and vitamin D, folic acid, and psyllium (fiber). FDA may also consider granting qualified health claims when there is some evidence of a health benefit, but not complete scientific agreement, if qualifying language can be developed that truthfully describes the state of the evidence.

In addition, the FTC regulates advertising for dietary supplements. It imposes a similar standard, asking if the claims in an ad are truthful, not misleading and adequately substantiated. Armed with the ability to impose civil fines, disgorgement of profits, and restitution to consumers, FTC frequently brings enforcement actions against dietary supplement ads that go too far. The FTC’s efforts are supplemented by a voluntary industry program of the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), funded by CRN, that reviews supplement advertising and makes recommendations for modification or withdrawal of ads that may be deceptive.

How Do You Know the Ingredients Are Pure and Uncontaminated?
Good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements are specific rules for the manufacturing processes of vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, amino acids and all other supplements. Finalized in 2007, these rigorous practices impose higher standards on dietary supplements than food GMPs applied to conventional foods. Dietary supplement GMPs include thorough requirements for identity testing for all ingredients as they arrive at the manufacturer’s site. Manufacturers must qualify their suppliers before receiving goods, incoming ingredients must be quarantined until their identity is confirmed using scientifically valid methods of analysis, and all components of dietary supplements must meet specifications established by the manufacturer regardless of where the ingredient was sourced. Manufacturers are accountable to FDA for the manufacturing process as well as the ingredients. During an inspection, FDA has access to all the manufacturers’ records, including access to the country of origin of all supplement ingredients. The existing bioterrorism law already requires all parties in the production and distribution of dietary ingredients to keep records of suppliers and customers (“one up and one down”) that permit the agency to trace the pedigree of ingredients back to their original source. In addition, the GMP rules examine sanitation, batch records for production, employee training, validation of the manufacturing procedures, and testing final products for conformance with the label.

If There Are Problems or Concerns, How Does FDA Know?
It’s important to note that pre-market approval is no guarantee of safety, as witnessed by other FDA-regulated products that have been approved by FDA, only to be later recalled due to safety concerns. That’s why postmarket surveillance is so important. Dietary supplements do not undergo pre-market approval, but a law enacted in 2006 requires manufacturers to report information they receive about all serious adverse events to FDA. A “serious adverse event” is a negative health-related experience such as hospitalization This information alerts FDA to possible signals of a problem and could identify concerns with ingredient safety, manufacturing issues, contamination (of either raw ingredients or finished products), tamperings, and bio-terrorism. The fact that there are relatively few adverse events reported for dietary supplements (compared to other FDA-regulated products) demonstrates the wide margin of safety for this category of FDA-regulated product. But if there is a concern, adverse event reporting gives FDA an early warning of the potential problem.

FDA states that dietary supplements are regulated under a “different set of regulations from those covering ‘conventional food’ and drug products” but this does not mean they are unregulated. In fact, with over 150 million Americans using dietary supplements annually with little problem, it is clear that supplements are held to strict requirements, ensuring their safety and efficacy. 060509

# # #

Lessons We Learn From Geese

Lessons We Learn From Geese

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we, too, will stand by one another in difficult times and help the one who has dropped out regain his or her place in the formation.

Source: Dick E. Bird News cited in Ann Landers, date unknown

And you thought you knew about plastic

Could you give up plastic purchases for one entire week?
[Like not one single thing - including sliced bread bags (just try and buy sandwich bread without 'em) and those teeny things that attach price tags to new clothes. A challenge for this mostly mainstream family, to say the least.]

Want to know more about plastic?

*****

ADDICTED TO PLASTIC
There are more things we don't know about plastics, than things we do...

From styrofoam cups to artificial organs, plastics are perhaps the most ubiquitous and versatile material ever invented. No invention in the past 100 years has had more influence and presence than synthetics. But such progress has had a cost.

For better and for worse, no ecosystem or segment of human activity has escaped the shrink-wrapped grasp of plastic. Addicted To Plastic is a global journey to investigate what we really know about the material of a thousand uses and why there's so darn much of it. On the way we discover a toxic legacy, and the men and women dedicated to cleaning it up.

Check out the upcoming video at: http://www.crypticmoth.com/plastic.php
ADDICTED TO PLASTIC is a feature-length documentary about solutions to plastic pollution. The point-of-view style documentary encompasses three years of filming in 12 countries on 5 continents, including two trips to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. The film details plastic's path over the last 100 years and provides a wealth of expert interviews on practical and cutting edge solutions to recycling, toxicity and biodegradability. These solutions - which include plastic made from plants - will provide viewers with a hopeful perspective about our future with plastic.

WATCH IT ON Sundance Channel USA - Premieres April 28, 2009, at 10PM (http://www.sundancechannel.com) -- also shows again on April 29, 2009 at 3:45AM

*****

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PLASTICS

Take a moment to count all of the plastic things in your house.
How many things can you find?
________________
Does our trash have to sit in a landfill? Or can we get more use out of it?

List five things you can do with your plastic waste (other than throwing it away).

Plastic Bag Treasure Hunt!

What does your family do with their shopping bags after they get home from the store?
==============================

What YOU can still do!

Reuse your plastic shopping bags:

• use them as trash so as not to buy others that are more energy wasting;
• use them for storage;
• use paper bags rather than plastic bags when you are given the choice, but keep in mind that paper bags generate 70 percent more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags, and it takes more than four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a plastic bag.

*****

PLASTIC CONTAINERS BUYING GUIDE
[from http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/plastic-containers]

Environmental Impact
Pollution
Considering that plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum and natural gas, it's not surprising to know that plastic manufacturing is a major source of industrial pollution. Producing a 16-oz. #1 PET bottle, for instance, generates more than 100 times the toxic emissions to air and water than making the same size bottle out of glass. Major emissions from plastic production processes include sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides (both of which contribute to global warming) and the chemicals styrene, benzene and trichloroethane.

Plastics Are Forever
When the plastics we throw away escape from garbage trucks or landfills, they get blown into trees and waterways where they're eaten by animals that mistake them for food. In the North Pacific, a floating island of plastic waste the size of Texas has accumulated, doubling in size over the past six years. Some estimates place the load of plastic floating in that area, killing both birds and aquatic life, at 3 million tons.

Nothing in nature, not even sunlight and oxygen, can break apart the bonds that hold plastic together, so it lingers on our planet indefinitely. Rather than biodegrading, plastic photodegrades into dust, winding up in soil and in the air. In bodies of water, the plastic particles absorb other harmful chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the pesticide DDT. Those particles then get eaten by fish, which wind up back on our dinner plates.

Recycling
Despite the problems with plastic, virtually all types can be recycled a few times before becoming too weak. However, confusing municipal recycling laws and limited access to recyclers who accept all types of plastic have kept recycling rates low; in 2006, a mere 6.9 percent of plastic garbage we generated was recycled.

Personal Health Issues
From production through use and disposal, plastics can expose us to chemicals that are hazardous to our health, including dioxins, phthalates and bisphenol A.

Phthalates: Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses and other foods sold in delis and grocery stores are wrapped in PVC. To soften #3 PVC plastic into its flexible form, manufacturers add "plasticizers" during production. Traces of these chemicals, known as adipates and phthalates, can leak out of PVC when it comes in contact with foods, especially hot, fatty foods. Adipates and phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects and damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in mice. Phthalates are also suspected of interfering with hormones and the reproductive development of baby boys.

Bisphenol A: Many #7 polycarbonate bottles (including baby bottles), microwave ovenware, eating utensils and plastic coatings for metal cans are made with bisphenol A (BPA). Many studies have found that BPA interferes with hormones, as phthalates do, and a March 1998 study in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) found that BPA simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer cells. A growing number of scientists are concluding, from animal tests, that exposure to BPA raises your risks of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity.

Plastic Containers-- What to Look For
Plastics are classified by their "resin identification code"—a number from #1 to #7 that represents a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you'll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.

Here's a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:
#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)Examples: Disposable soft drink and water bottles
#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)/Examples: Milk jugs, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles
#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)Examples: Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes
#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)Examples: Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags
#5 polypropylene (PP)Examples: Cloudy plastic water bottles, yogurt cups/tubs
#6 polystyrene (PS)Examples: Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers
#7 other (plastics invented after 1987; includes polycarbonate, or PC, and polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources as well as newer plastics labeled "BPA-Free")Examples: Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers

What To Buy:
#2 HDPE, #4 LDPE and #5 PP: These three types of plastic are your best choices. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they're generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.

#1 PET: Fine for single use and widely accepted by municipal recyclers; avoid reusing #1 water and soda bottles, as they're hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.

PLA: plastics made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content; although you can't recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap.

Plastics to Avoid:
#3 PVC: Used frequently in cling wraps for meat, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor.
#6 PS: Polystyrene-foam cups and clear plastic take-out containers can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food.
#7 PC: The only plastic made with bisphenol A, polycarbonate is used in baby bottles, 5-gallon water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. Bisphenol A has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as heart disease and obesity.

Shopping Tips
Plastics are classified by their "resin identification code"—a number from #1 to #7 that represents a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you'll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.

When purchasing cling-wrapped food from the supermarket or deli, slice off a thin layer where the food came into contact with the plastic and store the rest in a glass or ceramic container or wrap it in non-PVC cling wrap.

Usage Tips
Avoid storing fatty foods, such as meat and cheese, in plastic containers or plastic wrap.

Hand-wash reusable containers gently with a nonabrasive soap; dishwashers and harsh detergents can scratch plastic, making hospitable homes for bacteria.

A "microwave-safe" or "microwavable" label on a plastic container only means that it shouldn't melt, crack or fall apart when used in the microwave. The label is no guarantee that containers don't leach chemicals into into foods when heated. Use glass or ceramic containers instead.

World's Largest Crazy Cake Walk

World's Largest Crazy Cake Walk

No foolin...have your cake and eat it, too!

Host: Daneen Rabideau
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Fair Haven Ministries
Street: 2900 Baldwin St.
City/Town: Hudsonville, MI

VIEW MAP http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2900+Baldwin+St.,+hudsonville,+mi&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.494074,78.75&ie=UTF8&ll=42.909417,-85.854292&spn=0.032061,0.076904&z=14&iwloc=A

Phone: 616.862.5842
Email: neenr4jesus@hotmail.com
Description Pretty much just like the name says...we are trying to have the world's biggest cake walk. It's not Guiness, but it's going to be GINORMOUS. Come help us try to beat an unofficial record.We have WJQ doing a live remote. We have a CRAZY walk planned. AND...WE HAVE CAKE!!! ALL of the proceeds go to help these organizations: Children's Hunger Fund, Love Inc., and Hand 2 Hand Ministries.

Want to help by bringing a cake or two?

Contact Daneen

[Phone: 616.862.5842 or Email: neenr4jesus@hotmail.com]

NEW! A 'Shakleebaby' product line!

NEW LINE OF SHAKLEE BABY PRODUCTS, AVAILABLE 1st of MAY!

Exciting news!
The Shaklee Corporation is holding a conference call

this week for its business leaders to

officially announce

its newest product line, Shakleebaby!

We are so excited!!

Gather up the “Green”

Good for the entire family - It’s Springtime!

Gather up the “Green” . . . many older generations remember “picking greens” in the spring to give their families a needed nutrient boost after a long gray winter. But you do not have to pick dandelion greens, etc—here is a great idea for you:

ALFALFA is the perfect SPRING TONIC! Provides so many trace
minerals you don’t even know are needed by your body—so many benefits:

• copper & Molybdenum for red blood cell buildup,
• nickel to trigger enzymes,
• tin for protein and other growth factors,
• thyroid regulation by iodine,
• and more!
  

ALFALFA is a natural source of dietary fiber and chlorophyll…
SHAKLEE ALFALFA is organically grown:

• NO fungicides,
• NO bactericides,
• NO synthetic hormones or growth regulators,
• NO chemicals.

ALFALFA provides a wide range of nutrients—
many people find allergy relief since it acts as an
antihistamine & decongestant.

Start today for maximum benefits this springtime!

Deeply Rooted Nutrition. As a product and a plant, alfalfa has deep roots. Alfalfa Complex, developed in the 1950s, was one of Dr. Shaklee's original formulations. A half a century later, it continues to be among Shaklee's top sellers. Reaching as deep as 20 feet into the soil, the roots of the alfalfa plant, A.K.A. the "father of all foods," brings forth minerals in their most natural form. Recognized for centuries for its healing properties, alfalfa offers a wide range of nutrients: calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, chlorophyll, bioflavonoids, trace minerals, and vitamins.*

*FROM http://www.shaklee.net/babyboomerhealth/product/20160

The Great-Skin Diet

The great-skin diet
All sorts of supplements, special eating plans and complexion drinks promise glowing skin from the inside out. But not everything that is being dished out is based on science. SELF digested the research and polled experts to determine which foods to add to your diet to truly benefit skin, which may be worth an occasional munch and which to pass up. Get ready to eat, drink and be beautiful!
By Beth Janes
From the October 2008 Issue (SELF)


Proven complexion perfecters
Pile these on your plate.

All pack nutrients essential for healthy skin.
Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli

Beauty benefit: a smooth texture
Eat-right evidence: Vitamin C, plentiful in this produce, is vital for the production and formation of collagen, skin's support structure, says Toby Amidor, R.D., director of nutrition for DietTV.com in New York City. And a strong support layer helps smooth what's on top and prevent wrinkles, she says.
Aim for:

• two 1-cup servings of fruit and
• 1 cup of red peppers and/or broccoli a day
• Sunflower seeds and almonds

Beauty benefit: sun protection
Eat-right evidence: These seeds and nuts are loaded with vitamin E. Collectively, antioxidants act like an army, protecting skin from UV-spawned free radicals. But E is on the front lines; skin's top layers contain high levels that guard cells' outer membrane so cells stay healthy. Plus, strong membranes hold water in, keeping skin hydrated.
Aim for:

• 2 tablespoons hulled seeds or 23 almonds daily
• Dark orange, leafy green and red veggies

Beauty benefit: a fresh complexion
Eat-right evidence: Squash, sweet potatoes and spinach are full of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Your body converts it to vitamin A, which regulates cell production and turnover so skin's surface is smooth, says Valori Treloar, M.D., coauthor of The Clear Skin Diet (Cumberland House Publishing). Carotenoids may also decrease skin's sensitivity to sun.
Aim for: three 1-cup servings a day

• Fortified cereal,
• lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters

Beauty benefit: a youthful glow
Eat-right evidence: You'll get zinc and iron, minerals key to skin functioning. Zinc contributes to cell production, plus natural cell sloughing, which keeps dullness at bay. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen to skin, helping give you a glow, says David Bank, M.D., a derm in Mount Kisco, New York.
Aim for:

• 1 serving of cereal (a cup),
• 1 palm-sized serving of meat or poultry or 3 oysters per day

Water
Beauty benefit: dewy skin
Eat-right evidence: Skin cells contain mostly water, and if you're dehydrated, skin will look and feel parched, too. But you needn't chug 8 cups a day; University of Pennsylvania researchers found no studies to back up the recommendation. Simply ward off dehydration—and dryness—by drinking when you're thirsty.
Aim for:

• 6 cups a day.

It's a good starting point, says Keri Gans, R.D., of NYC.

Smart skin suggestions
New research hints at these foods' beauty power, but effects aren't totally proven yet.
No need to wait, though; the goodies are part of a healthy diet.
Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts
Beauty benefit: fewer wrinkles
Eat-right evidence: These fish and nuts, plus fortified eggs, are bursting with omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation in the body caused by sun and stress. "Inflammation produces free radicals, and free radicals contribute to aging by attacking collagen," says Susan Taylor, M.D., a dermatologist in Philadelphia. But research still needs to connect the dots definitively and show that the anti-inflammatory abilities of omega-3s translate to younger-looking skin, she says. One study did find that older people who consumed more fish and veggies over their life had fewer wrinkles than those who ate more meat, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports. The research didn't focus solely on fish, however; vegetables' antioxidants, for example, may have been a factor.
Aim for:

• two 5-ounce servings of fish per week;
• on other days, 1 oz of walnuts or 2 omega-3 eggs

Whole wheat and grains
Beauty benefit: clearer skin
Eat-right evidence: In the past, derms have maintained that unless you wipe greasy fingers on your face, food doesn't cause zits. But some are rethinking the party line: Australian researchers found that a low-glycemic diet (more whole grains, protein and produce versus refined carbs such as white bread) may reduce acne. One explanation: Low-glycemic foods keep insulin steady, and refined carbs and sugar spike it. The surges may boost production of androgens, hormones that, when elevated, can cause zits. After 12 weeks of a low-glycemic diet, subjects' pimple counts dropped 20 percent, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. More studies are needed to prove the link, but no doctor will discourage you from eating whole grains and veggies!
Aim for: 3 servings a day (one serving equals a slice of bread or 1/2 cup cooked grains)
Today's special: gorgeous skin
If your complexion could choose everything you ate for the day, here's what would be on the menu, says Keri Gans, R.D., who put together this plan.

• Breakfast
  1 cup whole-grain, fortified cereal such as Total
  1 cup skim milk
  1 cup sliced strawberries or 1 medium grapefruit
  1 cup green tea
• Lunch
  Grilled chicken sandwich
  5 oz chicken breast
  2 slices whole-grain bread
  2 slices tomato
  1 leaf lettuce
  1/8 of avocado
  1 tsp mustard
  1 medium apple
• Dinner
  5 oz wild salmon
  Spinach salad
  2 cups fresh spinach
  1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
  1/2 cup chopped tomato
  1/2 cup broccoli
  Toss with 1 tbsp each olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  1 medium baked sweet potato
• Snacks/dessert
  8 oz nonfat plain yogurt or 1 part-skim string cheese
  1 oz sunflower seeds
  1 small orange or 1 cup baby carrots
  1 oz dark chocolate or 1 glass red wine
  

Beauty treat? or trouble?
Guess which foods are good or
bad for your skin — and find out why

1. Sweets
   __Treat
   __Trouble
2. Dark chocolate
   __Treat
   __Trouble
3. Milk
   __Treat
   __Trouble
4. Spicy foods
   __Treat
   __Trouble
5. Wine
   __Treat
   __Trouble

ANSWERS

1. Sweets Trouble. Chowing candy and other sugary snacks may make you feel like a kid, but it’s likely aging you. The rush of glucose into your bloodstream sets off a process known as glycation, in which sugars attach to proteins and form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These molecules naturally build up in skin as you get older, but the more sugar you eat, the more AGEs you have. Bad news: They cross-link with collagen and elastin fibers, making the normally resilient tissues weak or inflexible, Dr. Bank says. And skin that doesn’t bounce back easily leads to wrinkles and sagging. In fact, the study showing fish lovers had fewer wrinkles revealed the opposite for those with a sweet tooth.

2. Dark chocolate Treat. Although there might be some truth to the claims that sugar-laden chocolate contributes to acne (and wrinkles), the high-quality, dark variety — 70 percent or more cocoa — may actually be good for your skin. Preliminary studies found that cocoa's flavonols (a potent type of antioxidant) can help increase blood flow, supply skin with oxygen, improve skin hydration and reduce sun sensitivity. But dark chocolate is high in calories, so treat yourself to only 1 oz a day.

3. Milk Trouble. Got acne? Milk may not be doing your skin good. Three new studies have found a connection between teens’ milk intake and pimples. This could potentially translate to adults; however, it’s not been proven. More research is under way, but the probable explanation is hormone-related. Androgens naturally found in milk (even organic versions without added hormones) may add to a drinker’s own level of androgens, which are associated with oily skin and acne. Milk also raises insulin levels and contains growth factors that act like insulin, Dr. Treloar says. Both may lower the production of molecules that bind to and deactivate hormones—meaning there may be more free-roaming androgens able to cause pimples. It’s too early to prescribe a dairy ban for anyone zit-plagued. But it may be worth experimenting with a milk-free diet if you have excessive, stubborn breakouts, Dr. Treloar says. (Be sure, however, to take a calcium supplement with vitamin D.)

4. Spicy foods Trouble. Rosacea sufferers know to avoid five-alarm meals. But if you have fair, sun-damaged skin, hot-and-spicy foods may lead to the condition or to a red, blotchy complexion. “UV exposure weakens blood vessel walls. If your skin then repeatedly flushes, which swells vessels, they may not be able to shrink back down,” Dr. Treloar says.

5. Wine Treat. Reds are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help fight skin-damaging free radicals. But sip no more than one glass a day, says Katherine Brooking, R.D., of NYC. Excessive alcohol halts your body's release of its antidiuretic hormone. As a result, you make extra visits to the ladies' room and end up not only feeling dehydrated, but having skin that looks dry, with a dull tone and more visible wrinkles. So enjoy wine in moderation — and make a toast to great skin!

— Beth Jane, SELF magazine