Protein Snacks

It is well established that the typical person eating a western type diet consumes more daily calories than he needs. High-calorie snacks filled with fats and sugars contribute to these extra calories. Protein packed bars, drinks, soups, and nuts are far superior to other snacks because of the inherent differences between protein and sugars and fats.

First off, protein is more satisfying than the other two macronutrients because of specific signals it sends to the brain. When we snack on protein instead of sugars and fats, the body feels more full which helps people control their appetite between meals, thus cutting calories and controlling their weight. Recent clinical research has supported this physiologic phenomenon.

A second reason for choosing protein as a snack is its thermogenic effect. This refers to the metabolic tax a food puts on the body after we eat it. This metabolic tax for protein is much higher than sugar or fat because the body uses more energy to digest it. This means that when you choose protein over the other two, you are burning more calories during the process of digestion. Having this higher tax rate is good because protein tends to be low in caloric content, so the body is working harder on fewer calories.

A third reason to choose protein snacks over sugars and fats is the body's need to replenish the building blocks of muscle tissue. Muscle is important for our daily activities and it determines our metabolism. So the more we maintain our healthy lean muscle mass, the higher we maintain metabolism.

So the next time you reach for a snack, choose a protein-rich bar, drink, soup. Avoid high-calorie chips, cookies, candies and sweets. They are generally much higher in calories, and they offer little nutritional value to the body.

Overweight Children

Children who watch TV while eating are twice as likely to eat "junk" food as opposed to fruits and vegetables.

Today’s sedentary lifestyle for children is raising their risk of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and other disorders.  Read how you can help reverse this alarming trend.

Today’s parents are having their pediatrician tell them their 11-year-old son has Type 2 diabetes or their 16-year-old daughter has osteoporosis. The “out-of-control” lifestyles fashioned by the adults of the past 40 years has led to a 50% increase in the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes–the kind of diabetes that used to be known as “adult onset” because this obesity-related disorder wasn’t usually diagnosed until age 50 or older!

Making wellness a family affair

If we begin to place an emphasis on eating healthy foods and increasing activity levels in our children, we can reverse these alarming trends. Here are a few guidelines for dealing with overweight children. Be sure the child has been evaluated by a medical doctor to assure there are no reasons why losing weight would be a problem. Children can begin their day with a Dinomins multivitamin tablet and a shake made with nonfat milk or soy milk.

Stopping the epidemic

Choose to set the example of picking up an apple instead of an ice-cream bar. Stop smoking. Turn off the television or computer and shoot some hoops with your children or go for a walk. Be sure to take your dog so you won’t have a overweight dog at risk for diabetes and heart disease–yes, they develop the same diseases as people! Let’s make the 21st century the century of wellness. Let’s start today.

Rev Up your Metabolism and Keep Your Weight Down

Bone Health: The Hard Truth About Brittle Bones

There’s plenty you can do to build healthy bones and maintain them as you age.

Our bones fight a never-ending battle against the causes of osteoporosis. Here are some tips for building healthy bone mass from childhood to adulthood.

Our bones fight a never-ending battle against the effects of hormone changes and general dietary and lifestyle factors–leaving both men and women with an increased risk of osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that affects over 25 million Americans each year. Almost 80% of osteoporosis is found in women, although a growing number of older men are also at risk.

Healthy bones begin with childhood
Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to build healthy bones and maintain them as you age. Children should eat three to four servings of calcium-enriched foods every day to build healthy bones. As an adult, it’s best to add a calcium supplement to your diet. Xtra-Cal™ is packed with calcium, in addition to Vitamins C and D, which helps absorb essential calcium.*

Soy also appears to benefit bones, replacing calcium-depleting animal protein in the diet and providing a great source of bone-building isoflavones. Our Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix, Protein Bars, , Formula 3 Personalized Protein Powder, and Roasted Soy Nuts with Cardia Salt are great sources of soy protein–making soy both “heart smart” and “bone smart!”

Making bone health a priority
Take control of your diet, increase your activity and curb such lifestyle habits as alcohol or smoking. With regular effort, you’ll give yourself the very best chance of having healthy bones–no bones about it!

Why SPF Daily?

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and often the most neglected. It is our first line of defense against pollutants, ultraviolet violet (UV) radiation and other environmental factors.

A regular skin regimen coupled with SPF sunscreen and topical antioxidants has proven effective in minimizing the damaging effects of the environment as well as helping to protect skin health.

Short bursts of time in the sun help the body to naturally produce vitamin D. The UV rays from sunlight stimulate vitamin D synthesis, which in turn supports calcium absorption to form and maintain strong bones.

Excessive exposure to sunlight without sunscreen, however, can result in sunburn and greatly increase one’s risk of developing skin cancer. UV radiation from the sun is increasing globally due to what scientists describe as the Earth's depleting ozone layer.  It strikes Earth as either UV-A or UV-B radiation (long and short wavelengths of ultraviolet light).

In addition, recent studies have shown that non-melanoma skin cancers are on the rise among young adults, particularly women.  Doctors have long encouraged sun protection to prevent skin damage. Sunscreens of at least Radiant C® Body Lotion SPF 15 can limit exposure to UV radiation. Antioxidants have been shown to help protect the skin from the damage caused by UV radiation when applied topically. The combination activity of antioxidants and SPF sunscreens provides superior skin protection. However, because additional factors can contribute to the formation of skin cancers, using a sunscreen alone is not a foolproof method for preventing the development of skin cancers.

Herbalife’s Radiant C® Body Lotion SPF 15 can help reduce your risk of sun damage and protect the health of your skin. It’s lightweight, great for all-over moisturizing and provides a broad spectrum of sun protection with Radiant C® Body Lotion SPF 15 and UVA/UVB for your skin without clogging pores.

• Use sunscreen with Radiant C® Body Lotion SPF 15 daily, even in winter.
• Remember to re-apply sunscreen after perspiring and swimming.
• Limit sun exposure and practice sun avoidance (especially midday).
• Wear protective clothing, sunglasses with UV protection and hats with wide brims.