Dr Michael Colgan - Daily Amounts of protein - Part 3

WHEN YOU EAT PROTEIN WHAT DOES IT DO?

A GUIDE FOR ATHLETES:

PART 3: DAILY AMOUNT OF PROTEIN
Dr Michael Colgan 4 March 2015
In response to the unexpected hundreds of questions from readers, I have to review where we are in this series. In Part 1, I documented the huge advances in the Proteome Project since 2005, confirming how protein is far and away the most complex nutrient in your diet (1).

You Are a Protein Machine
We know now that food proteins provide the environmental signals to release the DNA codes for over 350,000 different proteins that compose every working unit in your body. All other nutrients, essential fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are simply supports for your protein system (1). There is no controversy regarding this science. It is accepted by all major scientists I know.
Food proteins provide not only the signals to your DNA, but also provide the raw materials to make each of your body proteins, in response to the release of its code. Each body protein code is precise. Different proteins can differ from each other by many thousands of lines of code. Your structure is built of, and you are operated by, these proteins. The quality of the protein you eat, determines the quality of the proteins that compose all the muscles that move you, and all the brain cells that operate your mind (2).

You Are Controlled by Light
I also explained how the manufacture, life, and regular death of all the proteins that compose us, (and all other creatures), developed under the tight control of light. This first occurred when life began on Earth over 400 million years ago. The life of all our proteins is still controlled by light today (3,4). By stimulating an area called the suprachiasmatic nucleus in our brains, the changing light of the revolution of the Earth, imposes a circadian rhythm which controls every aspect of human biology, 24 hours a day, including the birth, and life, and death of all our proteins. To achieve optimum performance, the quality, type, amount, timing, and frequency of your protein nutrition, and its integration with athletic training, have to be in synchrony with this circadian rhythm (3,4). In combination with correct training, protein nutrition provides what we first termed THE ADAPTIVE STIMULUS in 1982. The body responds to the adaptive stimulus each night to repair and remodel the muscles stimulated by exercise that day. To achieve best results, the adaptive stimulus must be provided EVERY DAY. Otherwise, that particular circadian cycle finishes that night with little remodeling of muscle, and that day’s opportunity for growth of muscle and strength is lost forever (3,4).

Most Proteins Now DegradedIn Part 2, I explained how the bulk of proteins in America, from livestock, poultry, (and farmed fish) has been progressively degraded since 1950. Stupid errors in government farming policies - now constantly denied and swept under the Washington carpet - have forced most animals off the land into feedlots and battery farms. Over the last 65 years, they have been fed unnatural diets, and inbred into animal grotesques (5). These degraded animals provide proteins so inferior they have no place in the athlete’s diet. Eat battery chicken for your protein and you will devolve progressively into a battered chicken. You will run with battered chicken legs, and think with a battered chicken brain. Even if you manage to retain sufficient wits to change to a healthy protein diet, it will take several years to undo the damage (5).High BCAA Whey Proteins BestI also showed why the government classification of complete proteins by the PDCAAS system, developed in the 1970s, is obsolete and untenable (6). The PDCASS is retained today only to support agribusiness profits. I documented how modern science shows clearly that incorporation of a food protein into muscles, organs, and brain, depends on its amino acid profile (7-10 ). Proteins with the highest content of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are incorporated into muscle best. Leucine however, is the sole amino acid able to trigger the DNA code system to release the codes for many muscle proteins. Whey proteins have the highest content of leucine, making whey the amino acid profile of choice (7-11 ).

Proteins also differ greatly in their speed of digestion and absorption into muscle. The fastest proteins yield the greatest muscle recovery and growth (7-12). Solid proteins from meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and vegetables are slowly digested and absorbed over 2-4 hours. Almost all protein bars, especially bars high in casein or soy, and all casein and soy drinks, are also slowly digested and absorbed over 2-3 hours. Whey protein concentrate dissolved into a drink is rapidly digested and absorbed, over about 45 minutes, making whey an ideal protein source for athletes (7-13). Whey is also the only commonly available protein that can take advantage of the 90-minute ANABOLIC WINDOW immediately after training. This is the crucial period we first identified in 1992, during which muscle will take up more protein than at any other time (2).

Cold MAP Processing EssentialThe whey, however, has to be from range-fed animals eating their natural diet, and also has to remain undenatured. That is, it must be cold-extracted and minimally processed, using what is termed, modified-atmospheric-protection (MAP) technology. MAP technology excludes light, heat, moisture and air (2).

Range-fed cows, cold-extraction, and MAP processing, are essential to maintain the quality of the whey: to preserve its amino acid profile, sulfur bonds, di-peptides, tri-peptides, and live immunoglobulins. Most commercial whey proteins do not fulfill these conditions.

Unfortunately bogus claims are rampant on ads and labels, owing to the lack of government control of protein, which can be sold freely as a food. Food labelling was initially meant to be an exercise in revelation, to inform the public what they are buying. Over the years, it has become largely an exercise in deception.

If you buy nutritional supplements by comparing labels, you have fallen for this deception. Buy only from companies with a long-term, spotless reputation, companies with a reputation to lose. Remember, you can buy a watch that looks like a Rolex in any airport for $20. But a real Rolex costs at least $4,000. It is the same with protein. The real thing is likely to be expensive, but worth every penny.

Integrity of Protein Must Remain Until You Eat ItThe exclusion of light, heat, moisture, and air has to prevail until you eat the protein. Once opened, all tubs of protein powder immediately begin to oxidize. Just like an opened bottle of wine, once opened, tubs of protein quickly spoil, and lose their ability to build muscle or brain. This basic science is well appreciated by biochemists who have to prevent oxidation, in the laboratory. But about 90% of protein powders now on the market do nothing to prevent oxidation, and are next to useless for athletes.
Oxidized protein is a major reason why results from using many protein powders are generally poor to none. It is also why all athletes on Colgan Institute programs only use shakes made with whey protein powders sold in single-serve, sealed, opaque, foil or plastic packets. If kept cool and dry, these remain good for two years on the shelf.

Daily Amount of ProteinThe next question is how much protein to use every day. Modern science has long since rejected the obsolete, government stipulation of 0.8 grams per kilogram bodyweight per day. Controlled studies show clearly that this level of protein intake leaves even moderate exercisers in chronic deficit (14).

Back in the 1980s, we calculated from basic principles of biology that maximum muscle remodeling in lean athletes would occur at an average intake of top quality protein of 1.8 grams per kilogram bodyweight per day (15). Actual measures of nitrogen retention in lean, fit, young men doing intense exercise, by protein expert Dr Peter Lemon at Kent State U, showed maximum incorporation of protein into muscle of at 1.7 grams per kilogram bodyweight, almost identical to our theoretical calculations (16).

For a lean athlete of 70 kg (154 lbs), in hard training, that is about 130 grams of top quality protein each day. In the Colgan Power Program, it equates to three of our 36-gram shakes of whey protein concentrate, plus two small meals of free-range meats or eggs, wild meats, or wild fish, plus unlimited organic vegetables, seeds, and nuts, each day.

We generally eat little to no grains, milk, cheese, or sugars. Two of the protein shakes are taken immediately after training, as all our athletes train twice per day, six days a week. (Seventh day is light training only.)

More recently, respected sports scientists have done meta-analyses of the best controlled studies. Results indicate that additional remodeling of muscle, plus remodeling of gut, vascular, and mitochondrial proteins, continues to occur over 24 hours after training, with timed protein intakes up to 2.4 grams per kilogram lean mass per day (17-19). There are no reported side-effects from this level of intake, rather, considerable benefits.

This high level of protein is especially suitable for power athletes, such as weightlifters, bodybuilders, powerlifters, football players, and field athletes, whose training is focused on maximum muscle and strength. For an athlete of 70kg (154 lbs), that is about 170 grams of top quality protein per day. In the Colgan Power Program, it equates to four of our 36-gram shakes of whey protein concentrate, plus two small meals of free-range meats, or wild meats, or wild fish, per day. Excepting for potatoes, that are all now degraded in the US, we eat vegetables, nuts and seeds freely.

Eat between 1.8 and 2.4 grams of top quality protein per kilogram lean weight per day. In conjunction with the right timing and frequency of intake, and the right training, it will provide the adaptive stimulus you need to release the enormous genetic power you have latent in your genes.
I will cover the optimum timing and frequency of protein nutrition, and its integration with training, in Part 4.

Thanks a million for the huge response to this series, over 80,000 hits on our pages and blogs in the last week, and for the enormous number of great questions. The only way I can answer readers is to add a little more depth to each short article in the series. I will enjoy revealing the new findings of sports science, that I am confident will help you release your athletic potential. Go for the gold ! It is waiting in your genes.

If you believe you can be a fit for our winning team, go to, drmichaelcolgan.com

1. Wang K, Huang C, Nice E. Recent advances in proteomics: towards the human proteome. Biomed Chromatogr. 2014 Jun;28(6):848-57. doi: 10.1002/bmc.3157. Review.2. Colgan M. Optimum Sports Nutrition. New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993.3. Erren TC, et al. Light, timing of biological rhythms and chronodisruption in man. Naturwissenschaften, 2003;90:485-494.4. Dawson KA. Temporal organization of the brain: Neurocognitive mechanisms and clinical applications. Brain Cogn, 2004;54:75-94.5. Colgan M. Nutrition for Champions. Vancouver: Science Books, 2007.6. Schaafsma, G. The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score. J. Nutr. 2000;130(7): 1865S–1867S. PMID:10867064.7. Tipton, K.D., and Witard, O.C.. Protein requirements and recommendations for athletes: relevance of ivory tower arguments for practical recommendations. Clin. Sports Med. 2007;26(1): 17–36. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2006.11.003. PMID:17241913.8. Tipton, K.D., Ferrando, A.A., Phillips, S.M., Doyle, D., Jr., and Wolfe, R.R.. Postexercise net protein synthesis in human muscle from orally administered amino acids. Am. J. Physiol. 1999a 276(4): E628–E634. PMID:10198297.9. 8.Tipton, K.D., Gurkin, B.E., Matin, S., and Wolfe, R.R.. Nonessential jamino acids are not necessary to stimulate net muscle protein synthesis in healthy volunteers. J. Nutr. Biochem. 1999b; 10(2): 89–95. doi:10.1016/S0955-2863(98)00087-4. PMID:15539275.10. Phillips, S.M., Tang, J.E., and Moore, D.R. The role of milk- and soy-based protein in support of muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein accretion in young and elderly persons. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2009;28(4): 343–354. doi:10.1080/ 07315724.2009.10718096. PMID:20368372.11. Drummond, M.J., and Rasmussen, B.B.. Leucine-enriched nutrients and the regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin signalling and human skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Curr. Opin. Nutr. Metab. Care. 2008;11(3): 222–226. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e3282fa17fb. PMID: 18403916.12. Pennings, B., Boirie, Y., Senden, J.M., Gijsen, A.P., Kuipers, H., and van Loon, L.J. Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2011;93(5): 997–1005. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.008102. PMID:21367943.13. West, D.W., Burd, N.A., Coffey, V.G., Baker, S.K., Burke, L.M., Hawley, J.A., et al. Rapid aminoacidemia enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis and anabolic intramuscular signaling responses after resistance exercise. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2011;94(3): 795–803. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.013722. PMID:21795443.14. Tarnopolsky, MA, et al. Evaluation of protein requirements for strength trained athletes. J Appl Physiol; 1992;73:1986-1995.15. Colgan M. The Anti-inflammatory Athlete. Sound Concepts: Indian Fork, UT, 2012.16. Lemon P et al. Protein requirements and muscle mass/strength changes during intensive exercise in novice bodybuilders. J Appl Physiol, 1992;73:767-775.17. Kreider RB, Campbell B. Protein for exercise and recovery. Phys Sportsmed. 2009 Jun;37(2):13-21. doi: 10.3810/psm.2009.06.1705.18. Areta J.L., Burke, L.M., Camera, D.M., West, D.W., Crawshay, S., Moore, D.R., et al. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestions following short-term energy deficit. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2014,306(8): E989–E997. doi:10.1152/ajpendo. 00590.2013. PMID:24595305.19. Areta, J.L., Burke, L.M., Ross, M.L., Camera, D.M., West, D.W., Broad, E.M., et al. Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis. J. Physiol. 2013,591(9): 2319–2331. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2012.244897. PMID:234

Why a Recovery Shake?

We are often asked what the one thing is that a client can do to improve their results. Assuming you are already working out 2-4 days per week, it would be to drink a Recovery Shake immediately following your workout. It's what you do outside of the workout that gets you results, and this is the first step of the process.

So what makes up a Recovery Shake?

A Recovery Shake needs to contain whey protein (preferably a whey isolate, not a whey concentrate) and a quick absorbing form of carbohydrate to replenish depleted glycogen stores. The best sources of carbohydrate are fruit and crushes fruit purees.

So just how will a Recovery Shake benefit you?

Research has shown that individuals who drank a whey protein shake after a workout lost 9.2 pounds more than those who only dieted.
Provides nutrients to the muscles after exercise to begin the repair process. And these nutrients do not just come from the whey protein, carbohydrates are also an important part of the shake to help replenish glycogen stores in the muscles that have been depleted during the workout.
Helps to build muscle tissue, which will increase metabolism and burn more calories. 

 

  Can you drink a Recovery Shake after your workout in place of a meal?

This a common mistake many people make. After your workout you want to drink your Recovery Shake and then follow that up with a meal. The shake gives your body the nutrients it needs to start the recovery process, but a meal within and hour to an hour and a half later will give your body the fuel and calories it needs to function properly. The calories from your shake go in and replenish nutrients lost during the workout, resulting in free calories.

What happens if you skip a Recovery Shake?

By skipping your shake you put your body in a catabolic state, meaning muscle wasting. This catabolic state is the result of your body looking for nutrients to start the recovery process, but not having any available. So in order to get those nutrients your body breaks down muscle tissue to get what it needs. This is not a good thing as it results in your metabolism running slower which means less calories burned. And those less calories burned are not just during your workout it's less calories all day long. Research has shown that people who participate in strength training actually burn calories at an elevated rate for about 48 hours after their workout. The shake maximizes this effect.

So after your next workout reward yourself with a tasty Recovery Shake for working hard and sweating your hind end off for the past 45 minutes!

Source : Josh Proach

What is Isagenix?

AND WHAT IS NUTRITIONAL CLEANSING?

•  It is an all natural system of products that is organic where possible and doesn’t contain artificial flavours colours, fillers or sweeteners and uses the highest quality  ingredients.
• Nutritional cleansing is about bringing the body into balance by gently cleansing away toxins while feeding it high quality nutrients and minerals.
• It’s not a ‘’single organ” cleanse….. EVERY SINGLE CELL in your body, including your brain is cleansed without the nasty, ill effects that some detoxes result in.
• Our Nutritional Cleansing System is actually not a “weight-loss program’’. As your body moves into an optimal state of health, excess fat and fluid are released while preserving your precious lean muscle mass. In fact, the same program used to lose weight is used by elite Olympic Athletes like Jana Pittman and Natalie Cook that have very little body fat!
• The system is not a liquid or starvation diet, you continue to eat frequently and abundantly throughout the day and your body is rejuvenated and replenished with natural botanicals, trace minerals, enzymes and incredible nutrients that are all scientifically proven to allow the body to be the miracle it is.
• Ever wonder why you get that Yo-Yo effect with diets – lose weight then get it all back plus 10% more than you started with? It’s because they don’t address one of the main causes of weight accumulation – Toxicity. The body is protecting our organs from these toxins by creating more and more fat cells with which to coat the toxins and chemicals. Simple isn’t it? Get rid of the toxins and the body doesn’t need to create more and more fat cells.

Isagenix is for anyone that wants to look better, feel better and sleep better or just to de-stress. The ultimate goal is to get the mind and body in perfect balance through cleansing the body of toxins and providing it with all it needs nutritionally. The aim is to move the body from an acidic to an alkaline state and to reduce inflammation in the body. It’s fantastic to support gut and brain health and to boost the immune system by up to 500%.

To be ‘on a diet’ is depressing and boring. They are often hard to stick to and require a lot of motivation and effort. If something is too hard to maintain you won’t stick with it. The Isagenix system is not a diet or a quick fix, it is a lifestyle change. If a pack isn’t right for you for any reason, you may benefit by just using a couple of the products, be sure to contact us.

If you are on prescription medication you need to be monitored by your regular Doctor. Please see FAQ’s.

If the products are not suitable for you or for any other reason, there is a 30 day money back guarantee.

Isagenix does not intend to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. 

TRADITIONAL DIETING

The main reason why a lot of traditional diets fail is that many actually starve the body of what it needs nutritionally. The body needs nourishment to function properly.

Some diets and detoxes are so extreme, the body needs protein and if it does not aquire that through good nutrition it will start to break down muscle tissue. You think it’s fat and fluid loss that you see on the scales and it might be but it also might be the breakdown of your muscles. Lean muscle mass is so important for your metabolism and burning calories.

The Isagenix systems flood your body with all it needs nutritionally and at the same time assists it in removing the toxins and impurities that make us sick, tired and fat. All the products are 100% natural and all sourced from  the highest quality ingredients. The products are all food. Superfoods in fact.

Pure protein vs manufactured protein

Which whey protein is right for you? With Isagenix, the answer is easy: New Zealand whey. See our “Which Whey Protein is Right for You?”  by clicking here

If the old saying, “you are what you eat,” is right, you will rethink consuming products from grain-fed cows. A new study shows that cows fed high-grain diets have a higher incidence of metabolic disorders related to the build-up of several toxic and inflammatory compounds as well as changes in amino acid profiles in their digestive fluids compared to cows on low-grain diets. Having these metabolic complications (and the need for antibiotic use) negatively affects the quality of dairy products produced, including the whey protein found in milk.

In the study, cows were fed diets consisting of 0-, 15-, 30-, or 45-percent barley grain. Scientists used a combination of measuring techniques to identify 93 metabolites in digestive fluid samples taken from the cows. What they found was shocking. The cows that were fed the high-grain diets (>30 percent) had significantly increased amounts of toxic and inflammatory compounds in their digestive fluids including:

• Putrescine—a foul-smelling organic chemical compound that is produced in the breakdown of amino acids in living and dead organisms. It is responsible for the odor produced during flesh decomposition and contributes to “bad breath.” It is toxic in large amounts.
• Methylamine—organic compound with a strong odor similar to fish that is used to make agricultural chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
• Ethanolamine—a toxic, flammable, corrosive liquid used in the production of detergents, polishes, and pharmaceuticals.

The anatomy of a cow was built to live off a diet of grass and shrubbery. However, due to high market demands, farmers have turned to grains such as corn for feed because of convenience and money. It is a lot more economically sound to confine cows to feedlots and feed them grain, which can be digested faster allowing them to “fatten up” quickly. In the eyes of a businessman, this is advantageous; however, science is showing that high-grain diets promote the development of disease and illness because cows are not built to digest grains.

The several perturbed amino acid profiles in the digestive fluids of cows fed high-grain diets included phenylalanine, ornthithine, lysine, leucine, arginine, valine, and phenylacetylglycine. While microbial protein in the rumen (main digestive organ of cows) is an excellent source of high-quality protein, it is not sufficient enough to meet the requirements for high levels of milk production. If amino acids are disrupted in the rumen, their ability to be absorbed is severely reduced.

Unfortunately, it is not just high-grain diets that are of concern here. Byproduct “feedstuffs” are used as cheap fillers in feed for cows and include poultry feather pellets, animal fat, potato waste, soy cakes, poultry carcass, and meat processing waste.

Dairy cows have been turned into machines with the goal of pumping out large amounts of milk at the expense of their health, and consequently, the quality of dairy products. You can trust that Isagenix is not one to choose convenience over quality. Isagenix uses an undenatured whey protein blend sourced exclusively from grass-fed dairy cows raised on the pristine pastures of New Zealand. The “Cheerful Cow Certified” label on IsaLean, IsaLean Pro, and IsaPro shakes is a reminder of the unbeatable quality you receive from Isagenix.

 Source Rob H / CFL
 

The Science Behind Adaptogens

 Stress has real physical consequences that can weigh on your health. That's where Adaptogens come in. These are plants that produce special substances originally intended to help them to adapt to and overcome stressors in their own environments. In humans, Adaptogens work by normalizing the body’s functions and taking them daily improves mental and physical performance while reducing fatigue.

 When coping with stress and temporary bouts of fatigue, most Americans reach for that extra cup of coffee or energy shot to get through the day.  Others resort to alcohol, high-calorie snacks, cigarettes, or TV and the couch for an escape. But these habits are counter-productive; they can bring on disrupted sleep, withdrawal symptoms, or weight gain that eventually worsens mental and physical performance.
There may be a better way: adaptogens.
Swedish Herbal Institute researchers Alexander Panossian and Georg Wikman examined randomized, clinical trials on extensively studied adaptogens including rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), schizandra berry (Schisandra chinensis), and eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus). They found that these and other adaptogens not only reduce stress and fatigue, but also improve attention and focus.
According to their recently published scientific review on adaptogens published in Current Clinical Pharmacology (1), the reason these herbs are effective may be because they stimulate biochemical pathways that help mediate the harmful effects of stress on the body. Among the findings from studies the authors included in their review were the following:

• Rhodiola improved levels of emotional stability, self-esteem, and attention while also reducing fatigue and insomnia.
• Eleuthero root reduced feelings of fatigue and increased resistance to low-oxygen settings, such as in deep-sea diving or high altitudes.
• Schizandra increased work accuracy and feelings of general well-being, and decreased feelings of sleepiness and exhaustion.

From the Greek word “adapto” meaning “to adjust,” the term adaptogen is applied to any botanical that enhances resistance to stress without the side effects of conventional stimulants. Caffeine, according to the researchers, works by “tricking” the brain to make it more alert, but depletes its energy and resources. On the other hand, adaptogens increase the work capacity of the body or brain by being “stress-protective” or “restorative”.
Stress Vaccines
One of the main questions Panossian and Wilkman sought to answer was how adaptogens work. In their paper, they propose that adaptogens may help the body adapt to stress by inducing a mild stress response in the body. Acting like a “stress vaccine” adaptogens then inoculate against future sources of  stress.
In a sense, adaptogens mimic stress, creating an adaptive response in the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune and gastrointestinal systems. The authors suggest that through the regulation of stress with adaptogenic herbs, consumers may enjoy “enhanced mental and physical performance, and, possibly, increased longevity.”
Writing in a second review published in Pharmaceuticals in 2010 (2), the same authors wrote that these herbs normalize homeostasis (balance in the body) through several mechanisms akin to mild stress hormones. For example, active components of rhodiola, schisandra and eleuthero are structurally similar to catecholamines—primary regulators of stress—and other components resembling corticosteroids that help to inactivate a stress response.  Fortunately, what adaptogens won’t do is impair mental function or cause addiction.
Ionix® Supreme: Adaptogen-rich Stress Tonic

Ionix Supreme, deemed “nature’s answer to stress”, is an adaptogen-rich drink designed with potent amounts of rhodiola, shisandra and eleuthero—as discussed by Panossian and Wilkman above—along with other beneficial herbs including:

• Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) acts as an adaptogen and an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health and increased mental and physical performance (3-5).
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) operates as an antioxidant for maintaining good health as well as stimulates liver detoxification (6). It may also support the brain (7) and immune function (8) while increasing the body’s resistance to stress (9).
• Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) acts as an antioxidant in the maintenance of brain health (10) and has been found to help maintain normal memory and cognitive function (11, 12).

With these herbal ingredients acting synergistically, drinking a shot or two of Ionix Supreme daily offers consumers an advantageous way of obtaining the protection adaptogens provide against stress. The drink can also help improve focus, attention or athletic performance.
Several recent studies also suggest that better management of psychological stress and minimizing its effects may also support more graceful aging. For example, a recent study published in August’s issue of Nature discovered that mice chronically infused with adrenaline, a hormone released by the body in reaction to stress, resulted in injured DNA (13). This study may help to explain why those individuals subjected to chronic psychological stress have shorter telomeres (14), the  protective caps on chromosomes whose length is considered a biomarker of aging.
Researchers are already studying several ways of combating the ill effects of stress on cells and their telomeres, including the role of exercise. What role will adaptogens have? Adaptogens in a supplement such as Ionix Supreme could be the key to beating stress, supporting healthier aging, and increasing longevity.

 References  and Source

How Athletes Can Build a Stronger Immune System

Whether training for a race or competitive sport, one of the worst challenges that athletes can face is sickness or injury. But athletes come with the added risk of a compromised immune system because of frequent and extreme trainings.
A strong immune system depends on a healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrients, but it’s not always easy to achieve. For athletes, who are often looking for ways of pushing themselves to the limits, a little extra support is needed. This is where Isagenix can help—with four steps using convenient nutrient-dense products that provide various ingredients that nourish the immune system.
Step 1: Push protein whey up
Protein may not be the first nutrient people think of in regards to the immune system, but it’s the most critical. Like other systems in the body, the immune system depends on adequate intake of protein and amino acids for optimal functioning.
Whey protein, in particular—a foundation for several of Isagenix protein options—can better help the body maintain optimal protein status because of its rich content of essential amino acids. Whey protein also helps in other ways, as in supporting muscle maintenance and growth, as well as in stimulating the immune system directly to encourage an optimal response (1-3).
Step 2: Think zinc, echinacea and colostrum
Extreme bouts of training are when the immune system is at highest risk. Fortunately, studies have found that there are a few ingredients that can target the immune system in key ways to give it a boost in nourishment.

• Athletes should consider zinc their best friend for staying healthy. The mineral has a critical role in proper function and development of immune cells, such as T-cells. Any deficiency of zinc comes with unnecessary risk of a compromised immune system (4, 5).
• Echinacea, a flowering plant whose roots and leaves have been used for centuries by Native Americans for their medicinal qualities, is also shown in randomized controlled studies to have beneficial effects on the immune system (6).
• Colostrum, the first form of milk produced by a cow after giving birth, contains a range of immune-protecting substances. These include immunoglobulins, proline-rich polypeptides, and lactoferrin that can help protect the immune systems of athletes after long trainings (7, 8).

All these ingredients are available in the form of a spray like Isamune® Plus with Zinc. The product makes for a convenient way to bolster defense daily, before and after exercise.
Step 3: Get the sunshine vitamin all year round
For athletes who often train outside in the sunshine, obtaining enough vitamin D is not a problem normally. But during winter months, levels can drop significantly. The decline can mean problems since the body depends on the hormone-like vitamin for proper immune system response (9, 10).
Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D from diet can be a challenge since so little foods contain enough, but any low status is easily corrected through supplementation. A convenient way to get a daily dose of 2000 IU is available with Ageless Essentials™ Daily Pack and it comes along with another vitamin closely associated with immune status, vitamin C.
Step 4: Sleep it off with melatonin
Perhaps one of the most influential lifestyle habits to support an athlete’s immune system is getting adequate sleep every night. Research has shown that even just one week of insufficient sleep alters the activity of some 700 genes including genes involved in the immune system response (11).
When getting proper shut-eye is a problem, choosing a good supplement like Isagenix Sleep Support and Renewal Spray is the solution. It provides melatonin and other calming compounds such as tart cherry and valerian root in a unique peppermint spray formula that’s fast acting and convenient.
Keeping the immune system strong should be a daily pursuit and one made easier with the nourishment provided in products like those of Isagenix.

References

1. Dawson BM, Axford S. Nutrition as a part of healthy aging and reducing cardiovascular risk: improving functionality in later life using quality protein, with optimized timing and distribution. Semin Thromb Hemost 2014;40(06):695-703.
2. Freeman SL, Fisher L, et al. Dairy proteins and the response to pneumovax in senior citizens: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010;1190:97-103.
3. Badr G, Ebaid H, Mohany M, et al. Modulation of immune cell proliferation and chemotaxis towards CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-21 and CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-12 in undenatured whey protein-treated mice. J Nutr Biochem 2012;23(12):1640-6.
4. Hemila H. Zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: a systematic review. Open Respir Med J 2011(5):51-58.
5. Prasad AS, Beck FWJ, Bao B, et al. Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of infections in the elderly: effect of zinc on generation of cytokines and oxidative stress. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85(3):837-44.
6. Kim HR, Oh SK, Lim W, et al. Immune enhancing effects of echinacea purpurea root extract by reducing regulatory T cell number and function. Nat Prod Commun 2014;9(4):511-4.
7. Shing CM, et al. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables in highly trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol 2007;102: 1113-1122.
8. Crooks CV, et al. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary igA in distance runners. Inter J Sport Nutr and Exercise Metabolism 2006;16:47-64.
9. Aranow C. Vitamin d and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011;59(6):881–886.
10. Walllace, TC, McBurney M, Fulgoni VL. Multivitamin/mineral supplement contribution to micronutrient intakes in the United States, 2007-2010. J Am Coll Nutr 2014;33(2):94-102.
11. Möller-Levet CS, Archer SN, Bucca G, et al. Effects of insufficient sleep on circadian rhythmicity and expression amplitude of the human blood transcriptome. PNAS 2013 Feb 25

Paleo Plan’s Simple Coconut Milk Yogurt

Not only is coconut milk yogurt a fantastic idea, it’s really delicious. It’s tangy, creamy, and satisfying like yogurt should be. One thing to note is there’s pretty much no protein in it, so you’ll have to get your grams somewhere else. I add in Isagenix Isalean Pro  serve to add variety sooo good


What You’ll Need for 2 servings , I've found it makes more when mixed with other raw nuts , berries etc





1 can 13.5 oz full fat coconut milk (Organic Native Forest is great) any brand is okay
1 tablespoon Inner-Eco fermented coconut water probiotic kefir or
1 capsule of any probiotic to use as your starter
A lidded glass jar big enough to hold the contents of the can of coconut
An oven that’s free for up to 24 hours

Directions:

Step 1: Refrigerate Your Canned Coconut Milk (Optional).

Not the watery stuff in the carton: the full fat stuff in the can. Native Forest is a good brand because they don’t use BPA in the linings of their cans. If you want thicker yogurt, refrigerate the can (don’t shake it up) for at least a few hours so that the cream rises to the top.

Then, just use the cream and not the water at the bottom of the can. If you don’t want to waste the water at the bottom of the can, you can always put it in a smoothie or…drink it?

I use the entire can of coconut milk — water and all — because I don’t mind if my yogurt is a little thin. One might even call it “runny”. By the way, the amount of yogurt you get from this recipe is equal to the amount of coconut milk you use. So if you use an entire 13.5-ounce can, you’ll get the whole 13.5 ounces, or about 1¾ cups.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients.

Yes, there are only 2 ingredients — whoopee! Place the coconut milk, or just the cream if you choose, into a sterilized glass jar with either the tablespoon of Inner-Eco or the contents of the probiotic capsule. If you’re working with the probiotic capsule, just open it up and dump in the powder. Then mix it up with a plastic or metal spoon.

Step 3: Wait. Put the sealed jar of yogurt in the oven with the light on. DO NOT TURN THE OVEN ON. Just close the oven door and turn on the oven light. Even in the midst of a freezing cold winter in Colorado, the closed oven and the light generate a stable temp of about 105-110°F, perfect conditions for the coconut milk to incubate.

You could also put it in a cooler with a heating pad in the cooler or covering it. The longer it sits, the more yogurt-y it becomes, so I leave mine in for 24 hours. Normally, you’d let dairy milk sit for 7 hours after heating it up on the stove to get it to that 110°F, but I’m using a shortened preparation process here because we’re all busy. It’s not necessary to heat up either dairy milk or coconut milk before letting it incubate. More questions about making yogurt in general?
If you’re squeamish about leaving things out unrefrigerated, just remember that this is how that grocery store yogurt is actually made — by letting it sit in a warm-ish place. The same goes for buttermilk, kefir, and all other deliciously tangy fermented things.

Suggestions for Use

You can do so many things with this yogurt! The same things you’d do with normal yogurt, like eat it plain, put it in a smoothie, put some berries or nuts in it, blend it up with a bit of banana for an extra creamy consistency, make an Indian yogurt sauce — the options are limitless.

I personally like to mix it with unsweetened applesauce and some berries. That combo has a really nice consistency and the applesauce gives it that sweetness I’ve always associated with yogurt. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Let us know in the comments how it turns out!


Source : Neely/Paleoplan.com

Why we need to add Supplements in our Daily Nutrition….

I used to be that person who believed wholeheartedly in only eating “whole” foods. What does the term “whole” mean anyways? Well, it is defined as a food that is processed and refined as little as possible. So in essence this means all of your fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. As a health nut, I honestly believed this was the ONLY way to go, and some still do. It is simply a matter of opinion and your beliefs. I still felt as if I was missing something because I felt sluggish, tired, and had cravings all the time. I know I was eating enough food and taking in all of the right nutrients (so I thought), but what was I missing? Did you know that our fresh fruits and vegetables are missing 80% of their nutrients!? WHAT!?? Even when we do have good intentions of eating the right foods, we are still missing out on all of this wonderful nutrition we are supposed to be getting. THAT IS INSANE!!

There are quite a few reasons as to why our fruits and vegetables are so nutritionally bankrupt and other reasons why we need the supplementation from other sources….
1. Herbicides and pesticides are being thrown on our fruits and vegetables to kill all the bugs eating them. Here is the kicker, “kill”. So, this was made to get rid of these creatures, which sure, it does, but it also kills most of the nutrition. Should we really be consuming it?
2. Our foods today are highly processed and prepared in a way which again, destroys much of the nutritional value.
3. Depleted soils! When you have a diet high in fruits and vegetables, chances are you are getting them from a fairly natural source. The problem is most soils are used over and over again to grow fruits and vegetables. With each growth, the mineral content becomes insufficient.

4. Skipping meals! In today’s society, it seems the norm has now become to sleep in as late as we possibly can, then grab a poptart or a bagel on our way out the door….OR we just skip breakfast all together and do not eat until lunch time. These do not count as an entire meal because they are not nutritionally dense and only leave you feeling hungry. 

5. STRESS is another big factor! We all live busy lives; constantly running from place to place leaving little time to eat or even think about getting proper nutrition into your body. Did you know that fueling your body with the right nutrition can help to normalize your bodies functions and help rid it of stress!?
 

These are the biggest factors that come to mind when thinking about supplementing in nutrition. Now, there are MANY supplement companies out there promising to be the very best and that they deliver everything you need, but what they don’t tell you about are all the artificial flavorings and chemicals poured into these supplements that are just as harmful to your body as not getting the nutrients at all. Like many of you, I was a HUGE skeptic of any type of supplement bought off the shelves or any of these fad meal replacement shake companies. I tried many protein powders, but all just left me feeling bloated and crappy.
What to look for in a supplement or meal replacement shake….
1. Soy free
2. Gluten free
3. No sucralose (Splenda) http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2013/06/splenda-the-little-packet-of-death/
4. Non GMO
5. Where your shakes are being manufactured
6. Belief in the company producing the products
7. Natural ingredients
8. High quality ingredients
My choice of supplementation is Isagenix. Let me tell you, I have NEVER been a supplement person before. I had taken various protein powders before, but all they left me with was a sour stomach. I was strictly whole and organic foods, but as mentioned before, even that is not always enough. Isagenix protein is undenatured whey and comes from what I like to call “happy” cows in New Zealand. They are strictly grass fed and even fed and milked according to season. Because my body is getting the nourishment it needs, I am left feeling the way our bodies should, ENERGIZED AND HAPPY!!

 

 Want to know more about Isagenix Products Isagenix Online

Recovery Redefined: How Much Rest You Actually Need

The reality of exercise is that you don’t make progress when you work out— you make progress when you recover from the workout. The workout is the stimulus, while recovery and improvement is the physical response.But what does recovery mean and what can you do to help yourself and your clients
recover from the physical demands of training? I will answer this question based on the insights I’ve gained through formal learning and my experiences as a 15-year, multiple award-winning fitness professional. Proper recovery is as important as proper training—and it is also often just as confusing as there are many strategies claiming to be the correct way to train and recover. There are rarely—if ever—any training or recovery strategies that will serve everyone universally. Manipulating the bigger concepts to fit a specific individual can take some trial and error, but it yields a more sophisticated understanding of what the body needs.
Rest Day Defined
To most of your clients, “rest” means absolute stillness. A period of stillness can be helpful for both body and mind, but stillness should not last an entire day. The one important factor to remember about recovery is that it is largely about tissue regeneration and nutrient delivery. Exercise creates a physical stimulus for the body to get better at the challenge with which it was presented and that can only happen if there is blood flow. Circulation brings nutrients to the tissues, nutrients provide the material to facilitate the improvement, and circulation is enhanced by movement.
Thus, a “rest” day is characterized by a need for some movement—not by being sedentary on the couch all day. Each day of the week should contain decent amounts of movement, while some days will also contain a challenging workout. Movement is a daily occurrence. A rest day is really any non-training day—a day where you remove the challenge of hard exercise. So it might even include some exercise-type activities, provided the intensity is manipulated to avoid providing a physical demand that is at or above current abilities.
How Much Is Enough?
How much recovery is enough is dependent on a wide range of individual variables, such as current physical abilities, sleep habits, dietary habits and lifestyle activity outside of exercise. An appropriate workout creates a sense of mild soreness, where you can feel that the muscles experienced a challenge; it should not be a debilitating, painful soreness that lasts for several days. That is a poorly designed workout. Many clients wrongly believe that a workout must be so hard that you should feel significant soreness for several days (unfortunately, many trainers mistakenly deliver this type of workout as well).
So how much recovery is enough? It’s when the soreness is gone from the muscle. A workout that is too hard and results in intense painful soreness, requires waiting until the soreness is gone to exercise again. So, if a client’s soreness lasts five days, then he or she should have five days before working out hard again. This is why it is important to train just above—but not far above—one’s current abilities: better fitness is not achieved by long gaps between training days. An appropriately challenging workout will, in general, require one to two recovery days.
If most of your clients' workouts consist of a consistent pattern of full-body training over time, then more frequent training may be possible because better, faster recovery is also likely going to occur in a well-trained individual. After all, a gardener or anyone who performs physical labor professionally does not work only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
How Can You Tell It’s Time to Have an Off-day?
Easy. When you really feel like one. This is your brain’s way of telling you that your body needs to rest. Ignore it at your own risk. Many fitness pros are obsessive about all high-intensity training, all the time, but this is a battle you are sure to lose. When your mind resists the idea of exercise, there is typically a reason. This is mostly true for consistent exercisers. For those new to exercise, it can take time for the body and mind to fully absorb the routine of regular exercise and there may be inaccurate mental signaling for an off-day. In this case, it is imperative to coach your clients on how to tell the difference between the mental pull of their former, stubborn, less-active selves and the brain’s signaling that the body needs a genuine break from the stress of exercise.
In general, even if you have manipulated the variables to allow for different workouts for several consecutive days, it is wise to allow a recovery day or lighter workout day at least every three to five days.
What is the Difference Between Rest and Recovery?
Rest is part of recovery. Recovery is everything that happens after the end of one workout and before the start of the next one. So rest includes sleep, time for stillness—both mental and physical—as well as participation in activities that provide mental and/or physical rejuvenation. This can include some Frisbee time, hitting some tennis balls, playing with your dog, etc. Rest can certainly include some movement as long as it avoids the threshold of providing a challenge to the body. Even lighter workouts can be useful as their main benefit will be to enhance circulation.

Check Out Isagenix Ionix Supreme  Ionix Supreme is a nutrient-rich herbal tonic infused with natural vitamins, minerals and plant-based Adaptogens– perfect for combating the effects of stress and fatigue. Ionix is a powerful asset for building endurance and improving overall personal performance. Ionix Supreme

What Protein to you use to make sure you get the best you ?

For more information and to Buy IsaPro WHEY Protein go to: Link

 Getting to the gym and putting in a high-intensity workout can be challenging. So when you set aside the time to hit the gym and work yourself to exhaustion, don’t you want to make it count?
According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, what you eat before exercise can influence two vital hormones for muscle growth and recovery—testosterone and cortisol—and determine whether or not your workout pays off (1).
Researchers looked at the effects of supplementing with whey protein, soy protein, or carbohydrate in resistance-trained men. For two weeks at a time, the subjects ingested each of the fuel sources before performing a heavy bout of weight lifting. After completing each of the two-week protocols, the researchers compared the effects on testosterone and cortisol levels.
Exercise naturally can lead to higher levels of testosterone. But when compared to whey, soy protein supplementation resulted in significantly decreased levels of testosterone production for 30 minutes immediately following training. Soy protein even resulted in lower testosterone levels than when subjects supplemented with carbohydrate. This blunting of testosterone could lead to reduced gains in muscle and strength, meaning your hard work at the gym is a waste.
Additionally, whey protein supplementation resulted in significantly lower levels of cortisol for 30 minutes immediately following training. Whey’s effects probably had to do with its action on inducing a better insulin response. Although elevated cortisol levels following exercise are normal, a quicker insulin response and a decrease in circulating levels of cortisol can help lead to faster and more efficient recovery.
 Testosterone and Cortisol for Optimal Performance
What does higher testosterone and lower cortisol following resistance training mean? More muscle building and faster recovery!
As one of the main anabolic hormones, testosterone plays a major role in both men and women in body composition. Research has shown that declining levels of testosterone are correlated with an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat mass (2). This is due to the role testosterone plays in increasing muscle mass and strength, as well as boosting bone density and strength.
Cortisol plays a wide range of roles in the body, but as a stress hormone, being highly elevated for longer periods of time could be damaging to health. In regards to exercise, cortisol naturally increases after physical activity and researchers continue to try to determine how much of a cortisol response can be considered neutral and not damaging to the body (3).
Beyond Hormones: Why Whey Wins
Whey’s superior effect over soy when combined with resistance exercise has a lot to do with amino acids. Even though both proteins are considered “complete” proteins, meaning they contain all essential amino acids, whey has a higher amount of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). These include leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are considered the most effective moderators of muscle growth and make whey an almost undisputed choice for attaining gains in muscle size and strength (4).
Why spend the time and dedication going to the gym and putting in the hard work if your protein source isn’t going to work just as hard for you? Don’t choose a protein that may even work against gains and recovery. Be sure to choose whey over soy.

Sources

1. Kraemer WJ, Solomon-Hill G, Volk BM et al. The effects of soy and whey protein supplementation on acute hormonal reponses to resistance exercise in men. J Am Coll Nutr2013;32:66-74.
2. Vermeulen A. Ageing, hormones, body composition, metabolic effects. World J Urol 2002;20:23-7.
3. Gerber M, Brand S, Lindwall M et al. Concerns regarding hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress in exercise and sport science. J Sports Sci Med 2012;11:571-81.
4. Phillips SM. The science of muscle hypertrophy: making dietary protein count. Proc Nutr Soc2011;70:100-3.

Cleanse for Wellness

What Attracts Athletes to Isagenix products?

What Attracts Athletes to Isagenix products? - Trainer: Research Nutritionist II Katie Coles

check out this EPIC podcast , I'm keen to hear what you think ? 
http://isagenixpodcast.com/what-attracts-athletes-to-isagenix-products/

If your keen to get in touch with me to get these AWESOME products head on over to
http://bit.ly/damianlisagenix

Processed Food: What Makes Isagenix Different

A food revolution is starting across America. It’s one where consumers are no longer purchasing any kind of food-like stuff that comes in a box, a bag, or a wrapper in an act of defiance against the culture created by the food industry; with its seemingly endless products that drive us to overeat, gain weight, and from which we derive little nutrition.

Replacing these hyper-palatable, overly processed foods is a new food trend epitomized in a few words from the acclaimed food writer Michael Pollan, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants” (1). In his books, this is taken to mean whole-type, or minimally processed “real food”, containing only recognizably few ingredients. And it means cooking more at home, plus choosing to prepare meals made up mostly of fruits and vegetables.

From the outset, it’s easy to find value in the movement. The huge increase in the diversity of processed foods in the supermarket in the last half-century has been anything but helpful for people’s waistlines. The general formula food companies used in creating these has not been nutrition. In fact, the very definition of “processed” in this regard has been to remove all that doesn’t taste that great or that is satisfying—namely protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols—and leave only sugar, salt, and fat.

The goal of laying sugar, fat, and salt on top of each other is to arrive at what other writers including Michael Moss and David Kessler have called the “bliss point” or the “you can’t eat just one” phenomenon (2). In perspective, an epidemic of obesity rising in an environment where food companies have been focused entirely on hijacking the brains and taste buds of people to eat limitless amounts of their products is not surprising.

But not all processed foods are the same in their design to encourage overindulgence. There’s a point where even the simple advice of shunning all processed food can go too far. To borrow a phrase, there’s risk of throwing out the processed baby with the salt-sugar-fat bathwater. Also, while the general idea of adhering to a diet comprising of mostly whole foods is praiseworthy, it’s well known that 90 percent of people who try them can’t stay on them for long.

Wherein processed foods are formulated with express intent to improve and satisfy nutritional requirements and appetite is a major difference. Bringing some perspective is a recent review in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition that makes the case for several processed foods being useful in enhancing nutrition in foods and making them available for more people, as well as reducing food waste (3). These include canned fruits, vegetables, and protein-foods like beans, meats, yogurts, trail mixes, and meal-replacement shakes and bars. It’s unfair to place these types of foods in the same category of potato chips, ice cream, pizza, and soft drinks.

Here’s where Isagenix is completely different from most people’s perception of processed food. As opposed to formulating foods where protein, micronutrients, and fiber are removed for the purpose of accentuating salt, sugar, and fat, Isagenix does exactly the opposite. The company focuses on putting back the protein, micronutrients, fiber, as well as other bioactive components of food from fruits, vegetables, and herbs—and of the highest quality, as determined through rigorous testing—in food in a way that is also convenient and tastes delicious.

The company’s meal replacements shakes, bars, and soups as well as snacks, are formulated for nutrient density, portion control, and appetite satisfaction. The company also invests heavily in clinical research for substantiation of their use within systems for healthy weight management, lean muscle gains, and nutritional support. For this alone, Isagenix deserves to be set apart in its own category for advancing the definition of nutrition and health through food technology in improving people’s health.

References

Pollan M. In Defense of Food (1st ed.). New York: Penguin Books. 2009.
Moss M. The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food. The New York Times. 2013 Feb 13. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html
‘0wWeaver CM, Dwyer J, Fulgoni VL, King JC, Leveille G, MacDonald R, Ordovas J, Schnakenberg D. Processed foods: contributions to nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Apr 23;99(6):1525-1542. [Epub ahead of print]

What a Health Coach and Nutrition Specialists says about Isagenix

By Charity Majors on Saturday, March 1, 2014

What a Health Coach and Nutrition Specialist says about Isagenix

By Charity Majors on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 3:15pm

From Charity Majors - CPT
Health Coach
Nutrition Specialists
Certified Personal Trainer

As a Trainer, Health Coach and Nutrition Specialist, I whole heartedly believe in great, whole food nutrition, and I am also not unaware as to the holes that our current food system creates, thus we need to make sure we are each getting the proper vitamins, minerals, phyto-nutrients, carbs fats and proteins for proper bodily function!

Isagenix is an all natural nutritional TOOL, FROM WHOLE FOOD, that fills in the gaps of every day life and the things that our food system lacks. Isagenix is not a quick fix, it is NOT having shakes all day every day for the rest of your life, and nothing else. That would be unrealistic, not feasible, and kind of stupid  We are human, and this is real life! We have birthday parties, wine, and no one can eat perfect all day every day for the rest of their life!

Isagenix is a NATURAL healthy lifestyle TOOL that provides our bodies with the proper intake of vitamins, minerals (some of the best trace minerals in the world, actually), carbs/fats/proteins, herbs and botanicals that help with toxicity from our environment, food, the air we breathe, and the chemicals we touch/put on our skin/drink in our water.

Whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into your liver within 7 minutes…what does your lotion bottle have in it? If we don't eat produce within 48 hours of it being picked, it loses up to 70% of its nutrition…how long has your apple been sitting on your counter?  And if we are missing even just ONE of the 90-essential nutrients, our body will still CRAVE SOMETHING. The absorption of the nutrients we put in our bodies is like a circuit board…if one nutrient is missing, it shuts off the ENTIRE circuit of absorption.  It isn't about calories anymore…it is about proper nutrient take and absorption.  If our body is clogged or is missing something, it doesn't absorb the nutrients we do put into our body, thus having our body malfunction.  With the holes in our food system and with most people not eating all organic, all the time, from their freshly grown and picked garden (and we are talking about a LOT of food if this is even realistic), most people DO NOT get the essential nutrition their bodies need for proper function and most people have an overloaded system that isn't able to deal with the toxicity from our environment.

What is Crossfit

“CrossFit is a strength and conditioning programme built on constantly varied, if not randomised, functional movements executed at high intensity” – Founder Greg Glassman

 

You haven't heard of CrossFit? Let me tell you about CrossFit.

CrossFit is a lifestyle in which you are prioritizing your health. The ability to do many different things at a high level of intensity.
I think it's the absolute best way to help you reach your fitness goals.
 

For me, it's making me happy. A fun way to get fit with a lot of people. The last person finishing is the just as important as the first one.

It's this team atmosphere that ends up making you better as an individual. It's camaraderie, that family that you end up building and the energy that you get back from it yourself, that's CrossFit to me.
You come to a CrossFit gym everybody knows your name, everybody loves you and you're a part of something bigger than just getting a workout.

CrossFit gave me that something extra that I kinda needed in life.

It's my outlet, I love it. It's my passion. It's commitment. CrossFit is a sport now.

I like the challenge, I compete with myself, I'm healthier, I am stronger. Even though I was sore, I was, you know, getting a little discouraged, you know ... I felt accountable because my community, or I felt accountable to my class because they were looking for me there.

Finding CrossFit and then having to work really dang hard for whatever your goal is ... whether its to compete or just get a damn pull-up. I love it 'cause the workout's different everyday, I can come in and I don't know what I'm doing.

Everyone is welcoming, everyone is cheering you on. They don't let you quit even if you wanna quit.
We all share this experience, which is emotional. It doesn't look emotional, it looks like people working out ... but it's emotional. I mean it's raw, it's intense, it's incredible, it's freakin' awesome. I'm gonna keep doing it for a long time, I hope.

CrossFit, to me, is a fitness program where the reward for doing well is the ability to express your fitness in everyday life in as many different planes or as many different activities that you can possibly imagine.

People walk through the door and say, 'Hey, where's all the machines?' We're the machines!

Source: http://journal.crossfit.com/start.tpl

 

 

Raw Cacao Power Balls

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried fruit (try 3/4 cup dates  + 1/4 cup of dried apricots)
• 1 cup nuts (I used almonds and cashews)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup organic raw cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Method:

Soak medjool dates (if using them) for 15 minutes in warm water to soften.  While waiting blend nuts on high speed until they reach a fine crumb/meal texture. Remove nuts from bowl and set aside. Blend dried fruit, cacao powder,1/4 cup of shredded coconut, coconut oil and seeds until it reaches a smooth texture.  Add the ground nuts and blend together until combined. Once the mixture is completely combined, remove the mixture from the processor with a spoon and roll into small balls.  Coat in shredded coconut and store in an airtight container in the fridge.  Leave them for at least a few hours so they reach a firmer texture.  These can also be stored in the freezer. The awsome part about this recipe is you can really get creative with the fruit and nut selections and you can also add your favourite seeds, superfood and Isagenix powders to make them even better.

LORI HARDER INTERVIEW - COVER MODEL TIPS ON DIET & HEALTH

Lori Harder, cover model, competitor and trainer, has enjoyed so many wins which include Ms. Bikini Universe 2010 Champion, Ms. Figure America 2010 Champion, and Ms. Bikini America Champion, that we just had to get some of her tips to help our readers excel too.  Gorgeous, intelligent and driven, she certainly had some really valuable ideas to share.

Gabrielle Reilly:  What motivates you to stay in such great shape?

Lori Harder:  My drive to stay in shape comes from knowing that my happiness depends on it.  When I was younger, I didn't lead a healthy lifestyle, and I always felt like I was lacking energy, motivation, and drive to do anything in life.  Knowing what is on the other side keeps me on the move now!

Gabrielle Reilly:  What weight/cardio training do you do in a week?

Lori Harder:  I do three full body strength training/Plyo days.  I also do one to two days of Yoga or Yoga Sculpt, and I walk the lakes around my home with my dog and husband for cardio every day.

Gabrielle Reilly:  How do you fit your overall training/dieting into your lifestyle?

Lori Harder:  I put it first, and make a plan for it every single day.  I really try to get it all done in the morning as a priority so nothing else can push it off.

Gabrielle Reilly:  Do you have days when you don't want to exercise?

Lori Harder:  Every day!!  Action spurs motivation though, so I know that I have to get my rump moving first thing each morning in order to find it.

Gabrielle Reilly:  What time do you normally work out?

Lori Harder:  First thing in the morning, starting with our cardio walk.

Gabrielle Reilly:  How much sleep do you get?

Lori Harder:  I get 8-9 hours per night.  Sleep is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  It keeps your appetite at bay, and helps you repair your body and burn fat.  Not to mention, it keeps me from being crabby to everyone in my life each day too!  LOL

Gabrielle Reilly:  How do you prevent yourself from becoming bored with working out?

Lori Harder:  I make sure to always change it up, and keep it really challenging.  I actually base my Online Training Program for others off of what my own plan is each month, so this motivates me to keep it changing.  Oh, and fresh new music and cute new workout clothes on a regular basis sure helps too!  You can check out my online training here http://loriharderfitness.com/training/online-personal-training/ for some other great ideas!

Gabrielle Reilly:  What attributed to you achieving such great physical success?

Lori Harder:  I was an overweight child growing up.  My whole family was overweight because we showed our love for each other socially around meals.  I knew I didn't feel good about myself on this path, so I decided to change it as an early teen.  Now I do it to help motivate others to change their family tree as well.

I also attribute my physical to success to surrounding myself with right people in life.  I have made some tough choices and learned that sometimes you have to avoid the people that bring you down or create a negative environment.  I was blessed to find my coach Cathy Savage in my mid twenties.  Having their expertise and guidance on show prep changed my life!  This also opened the door to meet so many other like minded amazing women.  You need to create an environment for success.  That may mean you need to branch out and make new friends that support your healthy goals and lifestyle!

Gabrielle Reilly:  How many calories do you consume a day off-contest and pre-contest?

Lori Harder:  I don't ever count calories.  I know that seems crazy, but I have an idea where my protein is, and I keep my diet very balanced with carbs, proteins, fruits or veggies at every meal.  I've actually turned to Isagenix meal replacements to help me achieve this balance, and it is so much easier for me now!  I eat 5-6 times per day, of which 2-3 of those are Isagenix shakes or bars.

I use almost their entire line of products and vitamins.  When you lead a very busy and active, healthy lifestyle it is a blessing when you can find something that is all natural that you can use on the go and know you are getting the nutrients your body needs to keep up.  Isagenix and high intensity compound training has saved me, especially now that I am traveling and speaking so much.  As far as pre contest, I stay pretty close to show shape at all times.  This becomes easier as you start to live this as a true lifestyle.  For me, food is related to how I feel mentally, physically, attitude wise and my happiness.  I know have to feel great to be successful in motivating others and myself to take action!  I usually take about 2-3 weeks before a show or a shoot and just clean up the little extra treats or any cocktails.  My training before show does not change much, but I will add in a bit more cardio and functional training the last two weeks to really tighten up.  www.loriharder.isagenix.com

Gabrielle Reilly:  Do you have allocated binge days/meals?

Lori Harder:  I really don't have binge days anymore.  I just eat what I want, when I want, but in moderation.  So, if I want a Mocha and a little chocolate on a Wednesday, I eat it.  This keeps me from binging by no longer feeling deprived for defined periods of time.   This has resulted in a surprisingly balanced way to eat.

Gabrielle Reilly:  What do you do when you feel like breaking your diet?

Lori Harder:  I have whatever I'm craving in portion control, and keep the rest of my meals extremely healthy that day.  I also try to alter the meals that I'm craving in a healthy way, and dedicated a website, www.busygirlhealthylife.com to these recipes.

 Gabrielle Reilly:  What are your top three healthy snacks?

Lori Harder:  My top three healthy snacks are Isagenix Shakes or bars, protein pancakes from my website, or Greek Yogurt with berries and nuts.

Gabrielle Reilly:  When you were about 5 or 6 what did you dream you would do when you grew up?

Lori Harder:  I wanted to be either a singer, gymnast or performer of some sort. so I guess I've been living that out through my fitness routines now!

Gabrielle Reilly:  For parents out there concerned about their children's health and obesity what words of advice would you offer them on fitness, motivation and diet for children?

Lori Harder:  Lead by example, and be a healthy active parent, always incorporating healthy food into their diet instead of keeping a bunch of junk around the house.  The junk food should be something you leave the home for as an occasional treat.  Try not to put so much emphasis on it being healthy, instead make it fun, rewarding the family with fun activity instead of food.

Gabrielle Reilly:  What are your measurements?

Lori Harder:
Height: 5'8
Weight: 138
Measurements:  (Bust, waist, hips.) 36-26-34
Dress size: 4

Gabrielle Reilly:  What is your body shape?  

Lori Harder: Straight, not very curvy, athletic.

Gabrielle Reilly:  Do you have any brands of cloths you prefer that fit your body shape well? 
Lori Harder:  I love BCBG, lululemon and bebe.

Source : http://www.theglobaltownhall.com/lori_harder
 

Isagenix Athlete Lori Harder

 Isagenix has improved my body and taken my fitness to a whole new level. I swear by it and would only recommend a product I truly believe in to my clients and loved ones. I use Isagenix products every day and only wish I found it sooner! I have never felt better or seen more results from my clients.
 

~ Lori Harder

 

Why Doctors Recommend Isagenix

Paul: My name is Dr. Paul Anderson. I am a Canadian medical doctor and a nutritional formulator of the IsaDelights Chocolates. One of my favorite products is the IsaLean Shakes. These are delicious, low calorie and nutritionally complete meals, full of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids that you need. It supports nutritional cleansing. One of the things that make the IsaLean Shakes different than a lot of other meal replacement shakes is the form of whey they’re using. They use the highest grade of whey. It’s from happy New Zealand cows. They exceed the USDA organic regulations. The cows are pasture-fed, they don’t get hormones or antibiotics. Now they’re using a new proprietary technology that’s making the whey protein even better than before, and there’s less lactose so it’s easier on digestion. They add enzymes that make it easier to digest, but also it’s better for the body and absorption.
Nicole: My name is Dr. Nicole Kafka. I am a colorectal surgeon in New York City. One of the wonderful things about Cleanse for Life and the cleansing program is that it does not zap your energy. On a cleanse day, most people, including me, feel more energy at the end of the day than they had when they started. Even doing two days in a row can improve that feeling further, and you’re not hungry when you finish. In fact, your appetite may even be decreased for several days afterwards.
Carlos: Hello everybody. I’m Dr. Carlos Perez Cortes. This is a very extraordinary product that balances the body. It’s a nutritional enriched rejuvenated drink that restores and protects the body from stress and helps increase your ability to perform mentally and physically. It enhances the cognitive capacity. It contains over 100 specially-stored active ingredients in a [inaudible 00:02:23] from around the world and no other product, believe me, competes with this exclusive combination of quality ingredients that are tested for maximum potency and purity. It also contains [adapting] that energize cells, adapting your body to any form of stress. It also contains our advanced super-charged blend of trasiantic minerals which support the body vital functions. Over 200 powerful nutrients help rejuvenate the body. A focus on the brewing [causes] enhances the benefits of antioxidants and at the beginning had to support mental and physical performance.
Cheryl: My name is Dr. Cheryl Hart. I have been a gynaecologist for 30 years. On every cleanse day, you’ll want to include low-calories snacks. This is a perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats to help fulfil your body’s nutritional needs. They contain quality proteins that help reduce your cravings. They come in two delicious flavors, natural chocolate and French vanilla.
Mark: IsaPro is the essential part of Isagenix product line. This is a superb supplement for people who have a high-demand lifestyle, whether it be a professional athlete, an amateur athlete or a busy high stressed individual, and even for people that just want to ensure that they have the best protein available for their body. The building blocks of our muscles and our muscle system are amino acids and the proteins that go along with them. So what happens is, IsaPro allows the body to build lean muscle mass. It contains the highest quality whey protein concentrate available. It uses a new and proprietary processing technology for the whey protein that’s contained within it. It actually has a higher amino acid profile and lower lactose levels. It gets down to something as detailed as even the way that the cattle are processed. It’s been shown that because of the rest that the actual amino acid content and the protein available elevates in cows that are rested. Most commercial cattle never have that.
So what happens is, they use a New Zealand dairy group, whose standards actually exceed USDA organic regulations. The cows are pasture fed and not treated with hormones or antibiotics. Many cattle are fed grain, and grain contain chemicals, and things that can be absorbed by the cow, and it can become harmful when consumed. So the whey that is contained in this product, is sourced through New Zealand because it is the highest quality that exists. It contains ionic Alphalfa and it contains an advanced super charged blend of chase minerals that supports the body vital functions. It helps with stubborn weight loss plateaus, it curbs hunger and just one scoop of IsaPro contains 18 grams of nutritious lean building whey protein. It’s also ideal for athletes who really want to increase and build their lean body mass, and they can do it in a way that’s hormone and antibiotic free. I truly believe if every athlete on the planet knew the superior quality of this whey protein, they would all be on it.
Nicole: The oatmeal berry slim cakes are wonderful, wonderful healthy snack. They are good for your heart, your gut, and everything in between. They are low in calories. They are nutritionally packed. They contain five grams of fiber, which is one-fifth to one-sixth of the total fiber that we need in our diets today, which is something that almost none of us achieve otherwise. That fiber comes from whole grain oats, oat bran, amulet and flaxseed, wonderful sources which is also sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to be good for your heart and your bowel function. They contain blueberries and cranberries. They are sweetened with natural agave which has a low natural glycemic index, what that means is that they keep your blood level and your insulin levels steady. This is great for your metabolism. It’s great for your weight. It makes you feel better. You don’t get those sudden spikes of energy and then just falls of energy that comes with sugar. They’re cholesterol and preservative free. There are no transfats and they are a delicious, delicious snack. It tastes great.
Cheryl: Essentials for Women, this product is a powerful multi-vitamin formula that activates and supports advanced health for women, especially during aging. Premium vitamins, minerals, and fido nutrients create the foundation for the optimal health. Bone nourishing minerals for lasting bone strength also contains specialized herbs that reduce discomfort from monthly cycles and life transitions, often eliminating the need for hormones. This product also contains minerals for stronger hair and nails.
Mark: The other wonderful product that exists for men is Essentials for Men. This is an especially designed blend of premium nutrients that sustain and support the best possible health for men. Comprehensive B vitamins support stamina, energy, endurance, and mental concentration. Adaptogens included in the product support all-around health, endurance, and reduced symptoms of stress. Saw palmetto is also a key ingredient because it also promotes a healthy prostate.
Nicole: Natural Accelerator naturally enhances the body’s fat burning ability, but it does that without making you feel wired or speedy. It contains carefully selected natural thermogenic ingredients, that mean they help your body up its metabolism and burn fat. Those ingredients include cayenne, green tea, cinnamon and ginseng, and they help your body easily release unwanted pounds. This product does not contain any ephedrine or ma huana or any other stimulant that makes you feel wired and it’s completely caffeine free. These thermogenic herbs help your body to lose weight naturally and in a healthy way. It provides what are called lipotropics nutrients, which support you liver’s ability to metabolize fat quickly, and it contains a rich supply of the vitamin niacin. This helps to reduce your appetite and keep your metabolism chugging along. Finally, this contains royal jelly extract, a great source of natural B vitamins.
Announcer: I’m glad to see that Isogenix has an antioxidant formula. This antioxidant formula is very, very important because it contains a full spectrum of antioxidants that help protect from damaging free radicals. Denholm Harmon, back in the 1950s, came up with the theory of aging, which was associated with free radicals. He, at that time realized that by taking antioxidants you might be able to prolong this aging process. Isagenix provides one of the strongest antioxidants that is available on the market. It protects you from free radical damage and may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancers. Antioxidants promote wellness and protects against illness as well. It tends to reverse accelerated aging and boosts energy.
Nicole: IsaFlush is a collection of herbs and minerals which help the gut to work better. It effectively and safely encourages regularity and helps to soothe intestinal discomfort. It includes magnesium, which supports improved water absorption. It helps with improved digestion and reduces intestinal discomfort, and it supports heart and lung health. IsaFlush helps to support a balanced digestive system which improves your ability to withstand stresses, physical, emotional, and environmental, and keeps you in balance. It helps you to remain regular, which is important for the body to eliminate waste, maintain water balance, lessen fatigue, and support cardiovascular health.
Paul: One of my favorite Isagenix products is Want More Energy.

 It’s a natural energy drink. It’s loaded with vitamins and nutrients that replenish the body. The thing I like about it is low calorie. It only has 35 calories, but it helps increase your mental and physical performance. One of the best ways I know to use this product is about a half hour before exercise, combine it with IsoDelight. It has tremendous good results. You can also use it on cleanse days. It really helps you get through those long cleanse days.
On non-cleanse days, to support you when you start to get some cravings, and I can see why it isn’t a knockout. One of the best apects about it is that it doesn’t contain caffeine, ma huang, epinephrine. There’s no artificial sweeteners or coloring. It’s caffeine-free. It provides a natural energy boost and it’s just a great product that I love to use personally, and I recommend it to you.


Content by Steve Deane
These statements relating to Isagenix, have not been evaluated by the FDA. Isagenix products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. An unpublished 2008 university study showed a statistically significant weight loss of 7 lbs during the first 9 days of the Cleansing and Fat Burning System. This Web site is owned and operated by an Isagenix Independent Associate and is not endorsed by Isagenix International, LLC. Any opinions on this Web site are that of the Isagenix Independent Associate and should not be construed as a representation of the opinions of Isagenix International, LLC. Information provided on this Web site and on all publications, packaging, and labels is for general purposes only and designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or health-care professional. Read the full Isagenix disclaimer