Plant Sterols and Stanols: What they Are and Why they Are Important

Plant sterols and stanols are found naturally in the cell walls of plants; they occur in very small amounts in foods such as fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils, seeds, beans, and cereal grains. More than 80 clinical studies support the benefits of plant sterol and stanol consumption for lowering blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL ("bad") cholesterol, without lowering levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.

How they Work: Plant sterols and stanols have been shown in numerous studies to lower LDL cholesterol. Because they're similar in structure to cholesterol, they compete for absorption in the intestines. So with regular consumption of plant sterols and stanols, less cholesterol gets absorbed into the bloodstream, and the better your chances for lowering your LDL cholesterol.

Don't Miss Out on the Benefits of Plant Sterols and StanolsSo if you want to lower your cholesterol levels, try following the guidelines from the National Institutes of Health: Reduce your intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, exercise daily, lose weight if needed, and eat plenty of fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. And don't forget to get the extra cholesterol-lowering benefit that comes from adding 2,000 mg of clinically proven plant sterols and stanols to your diet every day.

Check out Shaklee and our Cholesterol Reduction Complexhttp://mike-lucas.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=21219 

Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai Will be Sadly Missed

Earlier this week, the world mourned the loss of a great woman. Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai was a tireless pioneer and advocate for freedom, self-sustenance, and for what she called our “beautiful blue planet.” She was also a remarkable woman, a dedicated mother and grandmother, and a beloved member of our Shaklee family.

In each generation, there are a few who live their life with such passion, determination, and inspiration, that they make a lasting impact on millions of people. Wangari was such a person. She was the first woman from Central and East Africa to earn a doctorate degree and then became the first person to win a Nobel Peace Prize for the environment. Wangari did so by providing over a million people with the ability to earn an income by planting trees - and through her example and theirs, inspired the rest of the world to follow.

Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai joined Shaklee Chairman and CEO Roger Barnett in planting the One Millionth Tree.

It is difficult to express what Wangari Maathai has meant to me personally. It has been a privilege to know her. What I will remember most about her is her wonderful smile that would light up the darkest of days. And her gentle, but never-take-no for an answer, constant advocacy to rise up and do more for people and our planet. I will miss her deeply, but I know that her memory will remain vivid and strong for all of us. We will continue her legacy that each of us can make a difference, that we can be the hummingbird in the forest, doing what we can. And through the collective force and power of all 1.2 million members of the Shaklee Family, we too can make a difference that will last for generations.

Our prayers and heartfelt sympathy go to Wangari’s children Wanjira, Waweru, and Muta and to her granddaughter, Ruth Wangari. We offer them our love and support, and the certain knowledge that their mother’s work endures in all that we do.

Joint Health Complex Success Stories

Family and friends,

Here are a few testimonials on a Product I carry called Advanced Joint Health Complex. If you know anyone that would benefit from this product, let me know. All my contact info is below. Also, here is the link to the Joint Health Complex http://mike-lucas.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20281

Read and enjoy! :)

With Advanced Joint Health Complex I ceased to feel the slightest aches and pains in any of my joints or back. It was striking. It feels like my entire body has been oiled, and I have complete freedom of movement. Its evident when I'm cycling or playing tennis. Its a joyful feeling to have my body feel like it did decades ago.

---Bob Ferguson, Fairfield, Iowa

Chris' Story

Bob's friend Chris replied to his story on Facebook:

"I agree Bob. After a month on the new formula I can tell a big difference. Last year in Anaheim I broke my ankle in three places. What a major ouch that was! Now a year later I can walk a couple of miles or do 15 minutes on the eliptical at the gym and over a mile on the treadmill without pain. I've even been able to cut back on Pain Relief Complex. Oh am I'm just a year behind you in age. Yeah 60's!!

---Chris Hartmann Schmelzer, Centennial, Colorado


Susan's Story

We have some pretty steep hills in the Tucson mountain area where I live. The hill next to our home is very steep. My knees started complaining after climbing it on my road bike--not sharp pain but some discomfort. That was a wake up call to me to start taking care of them before things got worse. I got a bottle of the original Joint Health Complex. In a few days, the discomfort was gone and my knees felt like they had been oiled from the inside. They used to snap sometimes when I walked, like cracking knuckles. A doctor told me once that it was a lack of synovial fluid. My dad had the same problem, so it was probably genetic. The original Joint Health Complex also got rid of my snap, crackle and pop after a few days!

Our old dogs--a black lab mix and a Vizsla mix-- were having problems getting up and down off the patio, so they got my Joint Health Complex. I opened one capsule on their dog food once a day. Before I knew it they were moving like young dogs again.

I just got a bottle of the New Advanced Joint Health Complex today. I can't wait to see what it does too!

----Susan Boettcher, Tucson, Arizona

Fiber-Thats whats in it!

Here is some great info on our Cinch products and fiber. I was reading an article about fiber. Most of us know we need fiber in our diet. There are two kinds of fiber soluble and non-soluble. I found out that when the toxins are dumped from our cells into the blood they are carried to the liver for removal. The liver removes the toxins from the blood and sends them to the intestine in what is called bile. When in the intestine the toxins get attached to the soluble fiber and carried out of our bodies. If there is no soluble fiber the toxins get reabsorbed back into the blood.

I took a look at my Shaklee Cinch shake and found that it contained 6 gm of soluble fiber. In fact that was the only fiber that was in it. The organic high fiber cereal that I have been eating made by Kashi had 6 gm fiber but only 1 gm of it was soluble. I would have to eat 6 bowls of Kashi cereal to get that same amount of soluble fiber that is in one Cinch shake. I also noticed when I was at the store that a lot of products just say fiber and don’t tell you what kind is in it. My guess would be that those may not have any soluble fiber at all.

Have a great Day!

Live Healthy my friends!

MJ

Comparing Shaklee's Vitalizer to Other Leading Brands

This is an interesting cost comparison put on my a Shaklee leader! Check it out!

This is interesting - a cost comparison done by Doug Smith.

I did a line-by-line label comparison of Walgreens and GNC to Shaklee Vitalizer with iron. All comparison's were done online on 1/14/11.
Note that GNC's multi contains no bioflavin, quercetin, nickle, tin, vanadium, or boron.

Otherwise, to get the same amount of vitamins and minerals as Vitalizer, you would have to buy:

Walgreens- 30-day supply
Centrum Performance multivitamin/multimineral: $11.99 X 4
MegaRed omega fish oil: $29.99 X 2
Naturemade probiotic: $11.49 X 1
Total: $119.43

GNC- 30 day supply
Women's Ultramega: $39.99 X 1
Triple strength fish oil: $38.99 x 1
Ultra probiotic: $39.99 X 1
Total: $118.97

Shaklee
Vitalizer w/iron 1 box/30-day supply
Total: $85 Member price ($76.50 on AutoShip)

Wow! Why not Shaklee?