Happy New Year 2014

Have a safe, Happy & Healthiest of New Years in 2014 and Thank you for reading my blog!!! 

The number 1 New Years Resolution (probably every year) is to get healthier, lose weight, exercise, etc. This can be your LAST year to have to resolve to lose weight! Shaklee can help you lose the weight and keep it off - I know - it's been 7 years for me!!! Here is my story at 5 years. Check out our new 180 flavors and new kit and get started TODAY!! You will never have to make another new years resolution to lose weight again and that is SO FREEING!!! Please share this with your friends and family and let me help you and them - it's so fun to lose weight and then share and help others to do the same!!

And, to help you with that, Shaklee just introduced a great new incentive, FREE Shipping for a YEAR, expires January 2014!!!

I invite you to listen to our 2014 North American Broadcast as well. If you are interested in better health, weight loss, making money, changing lives, giving back, and/or helping others, this is for you. You probably vowed to change something in your life this year, why not see what we have for you?!

NEW flavors and NEW 180 kit!!!!

YAY, we have some new 180 flavors, Mango Smoothees, White Chocolate Cinnamon Meal Bars, and, cherry almond & chocolate coconut snack bars!!!! I am so excited and cannot wait to try these!

 
Also, for those wanting to just drink 2 smoothees a day to lose a quick 5-10# or to get on track to get healthier, we have a brand new 180 kit with 4 smoothees canisters of your choice of flavors! That's about a $15 savings over purchasing separately (at member price)! 

You can get 3 for free with this kit as well! What does that mean? Order 1, get three friends to join you, and get your next kit free! Your friends can do this, too, and, every month that they continue to order, you get yours free and so will they if they have their 3 friends who order!

Get healthier and get it free - what's not to like?!

Ask me about our Facebook contest where you can win a 180 kit or an iphone 5s! Contest ends 1/26/14. #MakeItStick!

Understanding the Latest Media Attention on Multivitamins

Dear Shaklee Family,

Many of you have probably seen the headlines regarding multivitamins and their inability to prevent chronic disease in the past few days - the result of three studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Starting from a 30,000-foot view, the premise of these studies is the first problem: looking at the use of a multivitamin alone as a way to prevent disease. The purpose of a multivitamin is to fill in nutritional gaps and provide optimum levels of vitamins and minerals. It is well established that the vast majority of Americans fail to obtain even adequate levels of these nutrients.

Prevention of any disease is a multi-factorial process that has to include diet, weight management, and lifestyle. To expect to see disease prevention accomplished by virtue of taking a daily multivitamin is a flawed premise. So, why are these large-scale (and very expensive) studies undertaken? It is simply the model of research that scientists and physicians understand - studying a single drug to determine what effect it may have on a single disease. Studying nutrition is far more complex.

While a drug has a primary effect (usually something positive), they also have a myriad of side effects (which are usually negative and even life threatening). Every year pharmaceuticals are removed from the market because of these serious side effects. A study published in JAMA in 1998 showed that as many as 125,000 Americans die each year of properly prescribed pharmaceuticals - wow! When was the last time a vitamin was removed from the market?

Vitamins and minerals all have multiple positive functional roles to play in our bodies - which is why so many Americans pop a multi each day. People simply feel better when they take a multi because they are filling in those all too common nutrition gaps.

All three of these studies showed that multivitamins have an excellent safety profile. Well, of course they do - they are essential for life! The only “potential harm” that continues to be mentioned every time we have a study such as this published is the slight increased risk of lung cancer in smokers who took beta carotene . My response to that is - smokers: stop smoking!

Let me quickly summarize these studies. The largest one is another report from the Physician Health Study - previous publications of data from this large government funded study did show an association of reduced cancer associated with multivitamin usage.

The next study looked at cognitive decline in physicians - who are at the upper end of the intelligence scale and pretty well nourished. Showing a significant change in cognitive decline in this population is going to take some intervention beyond a multi - as this population is most likely doing lots of the right things to protect their brain function.

The third study tried to show that higher doses of specific vitamins decrease the likelihood of a second heart attack in folks who have already had a heart attack. Hmmm. Maybe we should look at weight reduction, cholesterol, blood pressure lowering, and blood sugar management as opposed to putting the burden of prevention of a second heart attack in someone with heart disease on vitamins!

I have been recommending a multivitamin (and beyond) to my patients, and consumers in general, for my entire 30 years as a physician - and nothing in these studies changes my mind. The statistics on inadequacies in our American diet are clear - most everyone is deficient in multiple nutrients. Here at Shaklee, we have the Landmark Study, published in the journal Nutrition in 2007 that showed a nice correlation of better health with multiple supplement usage, starting with a multivitamin. We have over 100 published studies that validate the connection of nutrition and health. I urge you to continue taking your Shaklee supplements - but also, to remember the importance of eating healthfully, avoiding fast foods, and getting to a healthy weight on your journey to better health.

Be well!

Dr. Jamie McManus, MD, FAAFP
Chair of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education for Shaklee Corporation

FREE* Shipping Through Dec. 11th!

If you are new to Shaklee and/or need help with this, please just ask me and I will help you through the process! You may leave a message here or contact me through my website. Please share! Thank you.

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Take advantage of FREE shipping* (up to $20) when you place an online or mobile order of $200 or more and we'll throw in a Box of Assorted Shaklee 180™ Energizing Smoothee Packets or a Shaklee 180 Vanilla Smoothee – up to a $50 value -- while supplies last. Offer ends December 11

Promotion Details

1. Offer available from Monday, December 2, 2013 through Wednesday, December 11, 2013.
2. Eligible orders include online orders and guest orders.
3. Offer does not include Autoship orders or orders placed through SBOSS.
4. New join orders will receive the Free Shipping Credit, even if they begin as an Autoship.
5. Gold PAKs and drop shipments are eligible.
6. Shipping and handling credit up to $20. Standard shipping and handling on most Shaklee product orders is $8.99.
7. If calculated shipping and handling on the order is less than $20, shipping and handling will be free. If calculated shipping and handling is greater than $20, then the credit will be applied first and the remaining shipping and handling charges will be shared, if applicable, between the upline and the downline.
8. Order must be $200 to qualify. This means $200 order total at price tier of order before shipping and handling and taxes are applied.
9. This offer does not apply to orders placed through the Call Center, the Shaklee Los Angeles Sales and Training Center, or SBOSS.
10. Applies to standard shipping only, not expedited service.
11. No limit to the number of orders a customer, Member, Distributor, or Associate may place.
12. Free box of Shaklee 180 Smoothee Mix in assorted flavors while supplies last.

15 Day 180 Jump Start Challenge!

Must order by Mon. (12/02) or Tues. (12/03) for products to arrive by Dec. 6.

 Start with your choice of flavors - 2 canisters of 180 Smoothees for the 15 day challenge.

 

Then, you may order a 180 kit, or more individual products, if you want to continue your healthy journey right through the holidays, and/or after Christmas and New Years. From now through January 31, 2014, new Members, Distributors and Specialists who join with a Shaklee 180™ Kit or PAK and complete three consecutive months of AutoShip (including their join month) will be rewarded with up to $100 of free Shaklee products!*

*contact me for more details 

Happy Thanksgivukkah!

I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgivukkah with family and friends today - this last happened in 1888 and, according to one calculation, won’t happen again for another 77,798 years: the convergence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. So, please enjoy this once in a lifetime occurrence! And, Happy Thanksgiving as well!

Thank you for your business and your support. I greatly appreciate it.

What Grain Is Doing to Your Brain

Have you seen this article? 

Too many carbs in our diet, says one expert, are spurring dementia and a national Alzheimer's crisis

I agree with this statement:

<< How We Got Here

Perlmutter's book is propelled by a growing body of research indicating that Alzheimer's disease may really be a third type of diabetes, a discovery that highlights the close relationship between lifestyle and dementia. It also reveals a potential opening to successfully warding off debilitating brain disease through dietary changes.>> 

I would just be making different dietary changes than he suggests. I believe in BALANCE. I personally would not recommend 75% of diet to be healthy fats and only 5% carbs! I don't think that is healthy and I understand people who try those zero carb diets to have trouble thinking or concentrating, so how is that helping their brain? 

I like Shaklee's suggestion of 30/40/30 (protein/carbs/fats) for weight and inch loss, or 20/50/30 for normal healthy living. Either way, healthy fats are 30% of the diet. Carbs do not have to include much, or any grain, if we don't want them. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables, and they are carbs! I believe in balance, and therefore, I will not be cutting grains out for now! I'll just keep taking my Vitalizer, Vivix, B-complex (see: Should you be taking vitamin B to protect against Alzheimer's?), Shaklee 180 Smoothees, etc. for my brain health. The more Smoothees I drink and Meal Bars I eat, the less grains I eat, naturally! After all, you can only eat so much in a day :) 

I understand those who need a gluten free diet will be eating less grains - not all grains have gluten though. 

Your thoughts? 

 

Shaklee Cares® and Typhoon Haiyan - Roger's matching donations again! - LIMITED TIME!

Dear Shaklee Family,
 
We are all tremendously concerned as we witness the plight of those in the Philippines, where so many lives have been devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, a storm of unprecedented magnitude. In addition to the thousands who have tragically perished, an incredible 600,000 or more people remain at risk - homeless, desperate for food, clean water, medical assistance and shelter.  We send our love and prayers to the people of the Philippines, and to their families and friends who grieve and worry here in the States as well.  We want to help in any way that we can.
 
Shaklee Cares is working with a US-based partner organization to direct your product donations to those in need in the Philippines.  Because Shaklee products are convenient to transport, easy to dispense and rich in high quality nutrition, they are extremely helpful in situations like this one.  
Listed below are some ways that you can participate in this important relief effort.  I will personally match whatever you contribute today through Sunday, November 17, doubling the impact of your generosity.
     
The need may seem overwhelming. But in Shaklee, we know that the cumulative impact of each of our small, positive actions changes lives, changes communities, and ultimately changes the world.  Thank you for being part of the Shaklee Effect.

	Warm regards,
	Roger Barnett
	Shaklee Chairman and CEO

Shaklee Cares®
 
Shaklee Cares, originally established in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated parts of Florida, is a charitable organization dedicated to providing assistance to individuals, families and communities recovering from natural disasters. Since its inception in 1992, Shaklee Cares has donated millions of dollars in cash and Shaklee relief products to those in need.

Shaklee Cares Donations
 
If you would like to support the relief efforts that Shaklee Cares will be coordinating with our US-based partner organization, there are several ways that you can help:

• Shaklee Family Members can call 1-800-SHAKLEE or purchase Shaklee Cares Relief Packs online. (Search "Shaklee Cares" in the search box and click on "Product Pages" [on the LEFT side] to take you to a list of the packs available for donation.) The packs are donated directly to Shaklee Cares inventory and you will receive a tax donation letter each year you make your donation. (If you need help, ASK me and I will order for you! If you are not a member and want to call yourself, my ID# is XE89787).
• Send a check or money order to:
  Shaklee Cares
  4747 Willow Road
  Pleasanton, CA 94588
• Use PayPal to donate cash (visit ShakleeCares.org and click on the "Make a Donation" button).

100% of your cash or product pack donation goes to help someone in need and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. And of course, added benefits to donating to Shaklee Cares are the ability to earn PV and 1 point toward trip qualification for each Shaklee Cares pack purchased, up to 10 points per year.

Shaklee Holiday Gift Guide!

Click on picture to shop! FREE Shipping on orders of $200 or more through Wed. 12/11/13!!! (Thank you to the person who created this nice guide!) PLUS, FREE 180 Smoothees while supplies last!

Click here to shop! FREE Shipping on orders of $200 or more until Dec. 11, 2013 - 
PLUS FREE 180 product while supplies last!  

A Rant - Shark Tank Episode on Friday 11/1/13

I LOVE Shark Tank and I am for sure not bad mouthing them, nor the products I am about to mention. I just want to set the record straight because I couldn't believe this when I heard it. 

That first team of presenters on Shark Tank, when asked about competition - he said he doesn't know of any, and the sharks just believed that! WHAT?! I just couldn't believe what I was hearing!! Obviously, no one did their homework, as Shaklee has been making safe & natural, effective cleaners for about 50 years! Our Get Clean products are super-concentrated, which means much less packaging as well. I highly doubt that they are the largest in this space either. I don't know our numbers, but I'm quite certain that we are. How can you compete with 50 years?

I will say, I went to their website (I don't wish to name the product but I'm sure you can find it if you want), and, I applaud them for calling out their other competitors who say they are green or safe and are just green washing! Although I have no proof, it seems this new company may be a bit more like Shaklee, really green, really safe and really effective. Follow the Leader, as they say! :) But, again, I don't know because I have no proof of that, only what they say. I'm not going to bash or endorse them - at least they may have brought some more awareness to what's going on out there and I, for one, appreciate that. 

As far as saving the environment (being green) and saving money, we have them beat by FAR. I just found their concentrated gallon size of what looks to be an all purpose cleaner - it makes 20 - 32oz bottles (that = 5 gallons) and costs $77!!!!!!! OUCH. Basic H² Retails at $43.80 for a 1/2 gallon and makes, are you ready? 192 GALLONS of all purpose cleaner!!! Which one SAVES YOU MORE MONEY????!!!

Of course, we both have smaller sizes as well, our 16 oz Basic H² super-concentrate retails at $12.15. One bottle of Basic H² equals the cleaning uses of 5,824 bottles of 26 oz. Windex^®*! Their window cleaner comes in 32 oz and makes 32 oz of window cleaner. Cost, $6.99 on sale. Which is the better deal?! I choose to think you are smart enough to figure that out. The Shaklee prices I listed here are retail - most people join us and pay member price, which is even less expensive. 

When a product is not concentrated (or super concentrated as in the case of Shaklee products), the main ingredient is usually water. Pick up any window cleaner that you may have on hand and read the label - what's the first ingredient? Water? Are you paying for water in your cleaners? Dr. Shaklee knew that we could get water from our tap and so many years ago he decided that we would only ship the cleaner - you add your own water. Saves money and the environment. Seems smart to me.

Ok, I've spoke my peace - your turn to comment! FYI, I will not accept nasty comments or advertising your products here. I will approve comments that are respectful and have to do with the topic at hand. Thanks. 

Roger Barnett: 2013 Shaklee Live Keynote Address

I encourage you to take the time (45 min) to listen and watch as Roger Barnett, Shaklee Chairman and CEO, shares with us during his opening Keynote Address in Nashville this year. He is an amazing, intelligent and talented Leader. I think this video will make you smile....and may even change your life!

I mean really, when was the last time a multi-billionaire was willing to share with you for 45 minutes?! I think I would listen!!!  

Shaklee Videos: Roger Barnett 2013 Shaklee Live Keynote Address


If you are interested in anything you see or hear, please drop me a line and let's talk about it!

Multivitamin Use Reduces Breast Cancer Mortality

I was going to post this after I received my ConsumerLab newsletter, but Frank beat me to it, so, thank you Dr. Frank Painter for this timely information!

This newly published study reports that women, who were already diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, but used daily multivitamins, experienced a 30% reduction in mortality in a 7 year followup. 

Unfortunately, recent testing by ConsumerLabs revealed defects in nearly 40% of the multi-vitamins they tested. That's why I recommend Shaklee supplements, because ConsumerLabs testing has always always found them to be accurately dosed, potent, and pure. Why take chances with your health???

ConsumerLabs is very peculiar, in that they don't care if the supplements they test contain synthetic versus natural nutrients. They don’t care if supplements contain preservatives, food colorings, or chemicals or toxins below the FDA’s “acceptable limits”.

When they recently tested a Vitamin E supplement that only contained synthetic alpha tocopherol, they graded it as a “pass”, merely because it contained the amount listed on the label. Based on that logic, they appear to suggest that this synthetic supplement is comparable Shaklee’s Vita-EComplex, even though Shaklee’s Vita E contains all 8 of the naturally occurring forms of vitamin E, in proper balance.

In the scientific literature, it’s well proven that synthetic vitamins are poorly absorbed and are also excreted by the body more quickly. 

This is what sets Shaklee apart from the competition: they have never cut corners by using lower cost synthetic nutrients. There IS a huge difference! (We call it The Shaklee Difference!)

I hope you will find this study of interest! 

Multivitamin and mineral use and breast cancer mortality in older women with invasive breast cancer in the women's health initiative

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 (Oct 9)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24104882 

Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Shaklee Cares for Colorado - Roger matches donations until Monday 9/23!

Shaklee Cares® for Colorado

Dear Shaklee Family,
  
A week of torrential downpour claimed several lives and left many families stranded by the flood in Colorado. Our hearts and our prayers are with those in the communities devastated by this natural disaster. Our thoughts and gratitude are also with those first responders who continue to help in the rescue and recovery effort.
 
We are grateful to our Business Leaders in Colorado for their help in our outreach effort to support the communities affected. Area Business Leaders are coordinating the distribution of Shaklee Cares Relief Packs, including distribution of our First Responder Packs to the National Guard who are leading the search and rescue efforts in Colorado. If you need more information regarding our relief efforts in Colorado, please contact me and I will re-route to the right person.
 
Shaklee Cares is also ready to accept grant applications for cash relief, to help those Shaklee Family Members in need of financial assistance.
 
Listed below are some ways that you too can participate in this important relief effort. And I will personally match whatever you contribute today through Monday, September 23rd, doubling the impact of your generosity.  
The need is great, so whatever you can do to help will be so much appreciated.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected by this natural disaster.  We look forward to doing all that we can to support and assist in their recovery.

	Warm regards,
	Roger Barnett
	Shaklee Chairman and CEO

Shaklee Cares®
 
Shaklee Cares, originally established in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated parts of Florida, is a charitable organization dedicated to providing assistance to individuals, families and communities recovering from natural disasters. Since its inception in 1992, Shaklee Cares has donated millions of dollars in cash and Shaklee relief products to those in need.

Shaklee Cares Donations
 
If you would like to support the relief efforts that Shaklee Cares will be coordinating with our local Field leaders, there are several ways that you can help:

• Shaklee Family Members can call 1-800-SHAKLEE or purchase Shaklee Cares Relief Packs online. (Search "Shaklee Cares" in the search box and click on "Product Pages" to take you to a list of the packs available for donation.) The packs are donated directly to Shaklee Cares inventory and you will receive a tax donation letter each year you make your donation.
•  
• Send a check or money order to:
  Shaklee Cares
  4747 Willow Road
  Pleasanton, CA 94588
•  
• Use PayPal to donate cash (visit ShakleeCares.org and click on the "Make a Donation" button).

100% of your cash or product pack donation goes to help someone in need and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. And of course, added benefits to donating to Shaklee Cares are the ability to earn PV and 1 point toward trip qualification for each Shaklee Cares pack purchased, up to 10 points per year.

Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - Where are they now? Jacqui McCoy

What happens to the contestants after they get off the show? Well, here is just one persons story, Jacqui McCoy. Happy birthday today as well, Jacqui!!!!! 

If you would like to get on the Shaklee 180 plan that Jacqui is on, that is my specialty as well, and I will help you every step of the way. You can find out more about it here. And you can join me here. Here is my 5 year story, 2 years ago - and I am still within 2lbs of my lowest weight!

If this is too small, click pic to see on Google docs - you must be logged
into your Google account to view. 

And here is Laura's incredible transformation!

Thank you Laura! From a size 12 to a size 2!!!

Today I was so very excited to host a Shaklee 180 TurnAround Party with Laura, Senior VP at Shaklee in attendance!!! Thank you so much, Laura, for coming to my home and my party! I am honored and grateful. You are so much appreciated by us in the Shaklee field and I hope you know it!

I would love to do a party for you, just ASK!!! Thanks for reading my blog :)

57th Annual Global Conference Recap ~ Shaklee Live 2013

Hello friends & family!!!

Shaklee's 57th Annual Global Conference has recently come to a close. As always, there are some exciting things going on in Shaklee that I want to share with you!

This years Global Conference theme was The Shaklee Effect! Can you just imagine all the people that you can have a good effect on by letting them know about Shaklee!? Please share this gift of health and freedom that we have at Shaklee! You will feel good, and your friends and family will thank you!! I know (because they tell me!) that I am having a positive effect on people's lives and health everyday, and it's a great feeling!

Here are some very fun, cute & short videos from Nashville this year!

You can watch the (archived) live broadcasts here.There's ALWAYS tons of fun at the conferences!! Roger & family singing and playing on stage (if you're on FB I can send you video), Olympic Athletes speaking and sharing how they are using Shaklee so they do not have to worry about any banned illegal substances in their vitamins (yes, that has happened with other brands), Jacqui McCoy (from Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition) & Harley Pasternak (trainer to the stars), both using and recommending Shaklee 180!! Shaklee doctors, scientists and home office staff speaking on stage, and, available for us to mingle with and ask any questions - and get answers. Celebrating Shaklee Family Members on stage, and, much, much more! You really have to be there to experience a Shaklee Live Conference! There's NOTHING like them!


Dr. Jamie with over 200 people, all Shaklee 180 weight loss success stories!

Shaklee Live 2014 will be in Long Beach, CA!!! YAY - Aug. 13 - 17th, 2014. If you want to go to Long beach with me, start planning NOW to attend! Register by 8/31/13 for best pricing!


Long Beach, CA

ANNOUNCING!

2 NEW Shaklee 180 flavors!! Vanilla Chai Smoothees (limited time) and Toffee & Chocolate Crunch Snack bars!!! YUM!!! Order yours TODAY!!!

This season, The Biggest Loser China will be using Shaklee 180 products!!! Woo hoo!!! If you can watch it, or you know anyone who can, please share this info!

The 2014 Dream Trip is to Playa del Carmen!!! And, the Top Acheivers International Trip is to Bali in Indonesia!!! Would you like to go on either or both of these trips for FREE? All you have to do is earn them! Please talk to me when you are ready to do the work, which is much more fun than work, but we'd have to start ASAP to be able to earn these trips!

Shaklee is now in our 8th country! Indonesia!! If you have family or friends in any of the countries that we are in, you may build a seemless business beyond borders, and/or, help them to have a business of their own! With the internet, it is EASY to meet new people if you don't know anyone in these countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Tawain, Malaysia, China & Indonesia.

I hope to see you soon and please let me know if you would like to have any more information about our products, the conference, or about starting your own healthy Shaklee business so you can help others to get healthier, and, earn cars, trips & cash. This is just a little of what Shaklee offers each and every one of us. We really only have 2 products: Health & Freedom.
Let's spread #TheShakleeEffect

~~Thank you~~

At Shaklee, we offer A Healthier Life for Everyone and a Better Life for Anyone^™

Another Happy & Satisfied Customer! Shaklee Smoothees & Meal Bars

When I asked Traci about the Shaklee smoothee she had tried for the first time for breakfast today, here is my reply from her:


 

<I have tried many meal replacements, Marcia, however, Shaklee's has got to be the most delicious and filling!! WOW! Oh my yum!!! Oh I forgot to mention... The energy it gave me too! WOW YAY! Shaklee's smoothees are amazing!! They are delicious and are a great way to start the day. I also was not hungry till lunch! YAY! I love them!! Thanks, Marcia, you truly are a wonderful health coach, and business leader!>>

Thank you Traci :) And then, about the Meal In A Bar for dinner (part of the Shaklee 180 TurnAround is having 2 meals per day of Shaklee 180):

<<I had the shaklee bar for supper and nearly fell on the floor (okay not really) with excitement. I literally have tried a lot of replacement bars. They either had a horrible flavour, texture or they would not keep me full. Shaklee bar was beyond filling. It took me awhile to eat it, for the flavour was amazing, AND the texture was great!! I am beyond impressed!! I even ran to my kitchen to show dad the bar... LOL I was just that excited!!! I am literally FULL! I am sooo excited about this!!!>> 
I think that says it ALL! Thank you Traci for your thoughts & comments and I'm glad you LOVE Shaklee!! As I do! :)

Shaklee Home Office Employee Shaklee 180™ Healthy Competition Success

We’re doing a Turnaround™ with you! We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of the first 90 days of our Shaklee 180 Employee Healthy Competition. Nearly 80 Shaklee employees participated in Turnaround journeys! 79 employees completed 90-day Turnarounds - 72 of whom used the Turnaround Kit for weight loss, and 7 who used the Lean & Healthy Kit - focusing on fitness, gaining muscle, and just helping support everyone else! And, judging by the sound of the blenders throughout the day, there are even more Shaklee employees who did not compete, but who are using Shaklee 180 products and trying to be more active.

Here is the summary of the amazing 90-day journey of the 72 employees who have lost weight:

Total weight loss: 757 pounds!**

Average weight loss: 10.51 pounds
 
Improvements in health: Priceless!
 
Top Winners (% of body weight lost):
Third Place:

Overall: Anthony Nusom, Assistant Facilities Manager, Operations - 16.4%

Top Female “Loser”: Jasmine Feng, Voice of the Customer Manager, Field Support - 13.5%

Second Place: Jim Charon, Project Manager, Events - 22.7%

First Place: Juan Cuevas, Manager, Field Support, who lost an amazing 23.7%! Wow!

We’re so proud of all of our winners, as well as everyone who is taking steps every day towards getting healthier! Congratulations to all of you who are doing a Turnaround with Shaklee!

** Results and experiences from the Shaklee 180 Program are unique for each person, so results may vary.  People following the weight loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week.

Fish Oil and Prostate Cancer study

Here's Dr. Chaney's (a noted Cancer Researcher) response to the recent "Fish Oil and Prostate Cancer study" My favorite fish oil product listed below.
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My phone has been ringing off the hook. My email in-box is full. It seems that everyone wants to know if the headlines about omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer are true.

In case you have just gotten back from a vacation on some deserted island with no newspapers and no internet, let me bring you up to date. The headlines are saying things like "Fish Oils May Increase Your Risk of Prostate Cancer" and "Latest Study Links Fish Oils to Prostate Cancer".

Once again, it seems like just when you've figured out which foods that are good for you, someone tells you they could actually kill you. It's no wonder so many of you have been asking me to cut through the hype and put this latest study in perspective.

As usual, let me start with the study itself (Brasky et al., Journal of the National Cancer Institute, doi:10.1093/jnci/djt174). 

On the surface, it appears to be a reasonably well designed study, and the conclusions were dramatic. They reported that subjects with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were 43% more likely to develop prostate cancer, 44% more likely to develop low grade prostate cancer, and 71% more likely to develop high grade prostate cancer compared to those with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood.

Case closed you might be tempted to say. However, once you dig a little deeper, the study does have two important weaknesses.

1) It used data from another study that was designed for a totally different purpose. They went back and analyzed blood samples from a previous study that was actually designed to measure the association between vitamin E and selenium intake and prostate cancer. That's a scientific no-no. Let me explain why.

If they had designed a study to investigate the association between omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer, they probably would have selected participants with a wide range of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood at the beginning of the study. The subjects in this study actually had a very narrow range of omega-3 fatty acids in their bloodstream.

They also would probably have done a diet analysis and found out whether the subject's omega-3 fatty acids were coming from fish or fish oil supplements. They might have even asked whether the omega-3 fatty acids were from farm-raised fish or inexpensive fish oil supplements known to be contaminated with PCBs. This study collected none of these data.

2) This is a single study, and individual studies often provide misleading results. For example, if you examine their data closely, it looks like heavy drinkers and smokers might have a decreased risk of prostate cancer. I think that's unlikely, but weird associations like that often pop up in individual studies.

That's why expert scientists aren't swayed by individual studies. We prefer to look at the "big picture" that emerges when you combine the results of many studies. For example, a meta-analysis of 24 studies with 461,402 subjects (Symanski et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92: 1223-1233, 2010)
found no association between fish consumption and prostate cancer risk.

Individual studies ranged from a 61% decrease in risk to a 77% increase in risk, but the overall effect was zero! Even more importantly, fish consumption decreased prostate cancer deaths by 63%. 
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So what is the bottom line for you?

1) Don't panic. Don't change what you are doing based on the latest sensational headlines. This study has been way overblown. We have come to expect sensational headlines and hype from journalists and bloggers because that's how they get people to read what they write.

However, I find the comment from the senior author that "We've shown once again that use of nutritional supplements may be harmful" to be very irresponsible, especially since they have no data showing that anyone in their study actually used fish oil supplements. 
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2) The authors make a big deal out of the fact that this study replicates the results they obtained in a previous study (Brasky et al, British American Journal of Epidemiology, 173: 1429-1439, 2011). 

However, they neglect to mention that 4 previous studies showed
decreased risk, and the totality of all published studies shows no effect of fish or fish oil on prostate cancer risk (Symanski et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92: 1223-1233, 2010). 
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3) The benefits of assuring optimal omega-3 fatty acid intake clearly overshadow the risks. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower triglycerides and blood pressure, reduce inflammation and depression, and may even help prevent dementia. 
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4) This study does raise a caution flag, but I would not recommend reducing your omega-3 fatty acid intake on the basis of these data alone - especially since most published studies show no increased risk of prostate cancer. There are much better designed studies underway that should clearly show an increase in prostate cancer risk if it is a real effect. I will monitor those studies closely and keep you abreast of any new developments.

To Your Health!
Dr. Stephen G Chaney

Here's what I take: Omegaguard and it is wonderful!!! Has helped me with so many things!