Mens Health Month Chp. 3

“If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it.”

— Muhammad Ali

June is Men’s Health Month

This month we encourage men to ‘make the time and take the time' to improve their health.

One of our core principles of the Self Care Awakening is quality sleep. We have blogged extensively about this and our body’s need for sleep.

Part of the problem with sleep is that for decades we have considered sleep an unproductive part of our day, when from a physiological standpoint it is the most important part of our day. As self care advocates let’s change the paradigm of people bragging about how little they sleep to boasting about getting a full 8 hours a night of quality sleep. 

As Matthew Walker, professor of Neurobiology and Psychology at the University of California, Berkley states, “Sleep is a non-negotiable biological necessity,” that includes the quantity and quality of our sleep.

Sleep Matters

For many men, sleep is just one more thing at the bottom of the list of all that needs to be done in a day. It seems like wasted time that prevents them from getting any work done. These mistaken ideas about sleep prevent men from tapping into the power of a well-rested mind and body.

Often, men don't realize that they need more sleep. They interpret sleepiness as an indicator that they must be working hard. They get accustom to feeling tired, and they think that's the way it's supposed to be. They believe that they just must fight through it and try to catch up on the weekend. Not a good plan, as this has been proven to be a myth about sleep and we have a very difficult time in making up for lost sleep.

Every person has their own need for sleep. This need varies from one person to another. On average, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested. Many men do not get this much sleep on a regular basis. As a result, they are not able to function at a maximum level of health, energy and concentration.

Gender differences in sleep are a fascinating and important area of study. Research has shown that men and women have different sleep tendencies. Some of these differences might be a factor as to why in general, men don’t sleep as well as women and may be a factor as to why women are healthier and live longer than men. 

 A 2011 study suggests that there are marked differences in the circadian rhythms of men and women. In this study, researchers observed the circadian cycles of 157 men and women between the ages of 18 to 74, measuring melatonin levels and body temperature in order to track the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. Researchers found significant differences between men and women in both the timing of their circadian clocks (which help govern sleep times and wake times) and the interval of the circadian clock.

Women’s circadian clocks are set to an earlier hour than men’s, making them more inclined to fall asleep earlier and to wake earlier. Women demonstrated a stronger inclination for activity earlier in the day than men. In other words, the body’s natural rhythms make it more likely that if you are a man, you will be a night owl, and for women, an early bird.

 While eight hours per night on average is ideal for both genders, it turns out that men are harder hit by periods of sleep deficiency. Lack of sleep causes work performance to suffer more for men than for women, and men recover less quickly from lack of sleep than women do. 

Most men will sleep much better if they simply develop the habits of good sleep. Sleep hygiene consists of basic tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. 

Sleeping in later is not an option for most people who must be at work early in the morning. Not too many employers are going to let you take a daytime nap, either. The solution is to go to bed earlier. Plan to go to bed early enough so that you will have eight hours before you must get up in the morning. Set it as a goal and make it a priority. After doing this for a while, you will have a better idea if you need even more than eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed when you wake up.

Men’s Health Month Tool Kit:

As Nikken consultants and part of our International Wellness Community we can be of service to the millions and millions of people that struggle with sleep deficiency. We can educate on the importance of sleep and share solutions we have in our Nikken Kenko Sleep System and Kenko Sleep Products.  Here is a link to a recent video we did on Sleep Matters that illustrates why The Nikken Kenko Sleep System should be pat of your Men’s Health Tool Kit.

As a go-to sleep resource, we want to help everyone get a quality night’s sleep and Be Healthy by Choice. Sweet Dreams.

Mens Health Month Chp. 2

“Be the type of guy that makes other guys want to step up their game. ”

— Clint Eastwood

Men’s Health week, June 10th to 16th

Men’s Health Week is celebrated during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day and serves as a time to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men. The week also includes Wear Blue Friday on June 14th to support awareness of Men’s Health Week.

As we mentioned in last week’s Impetus, more boys are born than girls, females live longer than males, and the ratio of men to women declines with increasing age. On the average, women outlive men by 5 years.

Each year Men’s Health Week becomes bigger and more well-known, so if you’re a man that wants to do more, or a woman that wants to inform a man you love about it, then start spreading the word! The more well-known the week becomes; the more men will feel like it’s OK to talk about their health issues and not just push them to the side and ignore health problems away!

Men's Health Matters

This week especially we are encouraged to ‘make the time and take the time' to improve their health.

The first principle of the Self Care Awakening is proper hydration (Water Matters) and we have blogged extensively about this and our body’s need for our most essential nutrient, water.

In general, men need to drink more water than women. Hydration differences between men and women are significant. Because of the different composition of their bodies, the average water consumption per day to keep men and women hydrated is also different. Men tend to have higher levels of fat and need more water because of this. 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women We advocate that a good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of healthy water per day, or 3.3% your body weight in kilograms in liters per day.

Keeping your body hydrated is one of the easiest ways to improve your health, yet research shows, that nearly 70 to 80% of us are dehydrated. If you don’t drink enough, it can affect your body temperature, energy, brain function, digestion, mood, performance, and joint health. Dehydration has been called the mother of all epidemics and the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.

Here are some tips to stay hydrated and make hydration a healthy habit. 

• Start and end your day with water. When you wake up, drink a glass of water. This will replace fluids lost during the night and jumpstart your hydration and metabolism for the day. Keep a glass of water at your nightstand and bathroom vanity. Before grabbing your morning coffee, drink a glass of water first. Sip on water as you watch television or read a book before bed. Worried you will be up all night? Watch this short video “I don’t want to stay up all night”

• Make drinking water convenient. Keep a bottle of water in your vehicle, at your desk and other areas you frequent often during the day.  When you have water close at hand you are more likely to drink more and more often. As your body needs water, you will instinctively develop a habit of sipping water throughout the day.

• Add some color. If plain water just isn’t palatable, there are lots of colorful ideas to make it more appealing. Add squirts or slices of lemon or lime, a few springs of mint or basil, cucumber or orange slices and berries or watermelon pieces. 

• Include water-rich foods in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, beans and oatmeal have high water content to help hydrate your body and give you a feeling of fullness.

• Drink a glass of water at every snack and meal. In the busyness of the day it’s easy to forget to drink water, so making sure to drink whenever you eat is a great way to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day. I know many people that set an alarm to remind themselves to drink water and stay hydrated.

• Teach your children to have a taste for water. With so many sugary and flavored drink options, children may never acquire a taste for water if you don’t regularly give it to them and teach them about the importance of drinking water over other beverage choices. I constantly remind people that water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient.

• During summer travel with your family, times in airports and on airplanes can be very dehydrating. It’s easy not to drink as much as you usually do when you’re on the go, and airplanes are known for low-humidity air that contributes to low hydration statuses during flights. We highly suggest packing an empty refillable water bottle in your family’s carry-on bags and, after going through security, fill them up with water. Many airports now have water fountains designed specifically for refilling water bottles. Skip the vending machine soda and, when the beverage cart passes through the cabin on your flight, opt for water. Soft drinks do a poor job at hydration and the high sugar concentration can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb water and is not a healthy choice (Weight Matters).

• Looking at the color of your urine is the easiest way to monitor your hydration. If your urine is darker than lemonade, you’re dehydrated. It will give you a good idea of how well you’re hydrating in the morning. If your urine isn’t clear, drink water immediately and work to hydrate better the rest of the day. If your urine is a light lemonade color, it’s likely that you are properly hydrated. Dark yellow urine (as in dark or darker than apple juice) typically signals dehydration and need for immediate rehydration.

• Swimming and hydration. Summer is the time for water sports and leisure activity. I remember my kids swim team coach saying, just because you’re in water doesn’t mean your going to stay hydrated. Drink water before, during and after swimming. Of course, that also applies to any physical activity that can increase your need for more water.

Men’s Health Month Tool Kit:

Healthy Water on the Go:

To help stay hydrated all day long we suggest the Nikken PiMag Sports Bottle. I have mine with me just about everywhere I go and sip on it all ay long. This remarkable and affordable water bottle not only filters the water but enhances it. The patent-pending filter has the ability to significantly reduce certain harmful pathogens in potable drinking water. It’s also a green choice: You won’t be adding to landfills and polluting ocean waters with plastic. Environmentally responsible, both the bottle and the filter can be recycled, and you’ll be saving a fortune by not paying for commercially bottled water.  The filter’s alkalizing media increases the pH from 7 to 8.5, representing a 15 to 25 fold increase in pH value, going from an acidic to an alkaline range. Alkaline water decreases oxidation-reduction potential and helps offset the effects of harmful free radicals.

Four 4,600+ gauss neodymium magnets help decluster the water molecules, improving bioavailability to the body’s cells because smaller clusters of water molecules are easier to absorb.

The Sport Bottle is ideal for travel. Heather and I both have ours on vacations and business travel.

 Healthy Water at Home:

We recommend the PiMag Waterfall for healthy water at home. Filtering our tap water is convenient, cost effective and the best way to provide ourselves and our families with healthy water. Imagine if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? This is the strategy behind the Nikken Waterfall.  The Nikken Waterfall System is an advanced, technically sophisticated, well designed countertop home filtration system that converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multi-stage filtration process which cleans, alkalizes, mineralizes, ionizes, energizes and oxygenates the water, the Waterfall produces a light, velvety fresh-tasting water which is highly absorbable and healthy. The PiMag Waterfall works without electricity or plumbing and can be used in any location. Heather and I often take the waterfall with us when camping, it fits perfectly on the counter of our cab-over camper.

Put simply, the Waterfall produces water the way nature intended water to be. Free of contaminants but maintaining an alkaline pH with minerals that are added back after the filtration process. The water is run through a magnetic field that provides a water structure as it occurs in nature.

For the best value, check with the person that sent you this blog about our cost-effective water packs, that include, the PiMag Waterfall, Sports Bottle and our Micro-Jet Shower system and replacement filters. It’s not too late to give the gift if health for Fathers’ day. We have hydration solutions to accommodate any budget.

To quote former New Mexico Governor and Congressman Bill Richardson, “Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.”

For the next few weeks in honor of Men’s Health Month we will concern ourselves with simple self care actions to be Healthy by Choice.

June is Men’s Health Month

“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. ”

Hosted by Men’s Health Network since 1992, the month of June is dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness through a broad spectrum of national screening and educational campaigns.

Men’s Health Week is celebrated during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day and serves as a time to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men. The week also includes Wear Blue Friday on June 14th. You can show your support and encourage your colleagues to wear something blue to show concern for the health and well-being of men. From the current research I have been doing in this area, we need it!

We instinctively assume that males and females each constitute half of any given population, but the reality is that the ratio of the sexes varies by age throughout the life course. In most societies, more boys are born than girls, females live longer than males, and the ratio of men to women declines with increasing age.

According to Dr. David Gremillion of the Men’s Health Network, “There is a silent health crisis in America, it’s that fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.”

Men die at higher rates than women from 9 of the top 10 causes of death and are the victims of over 92% of workplace deaths. In 1920, women lived, on average, one year longer than men. Currently, men are dying an average of 5 years younger than women and lead in nine out of 10 of the top causes of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men are at greater risk for death in every age group. More males than females are born (105 vs 100), but by age 35, women outnumber men.

Men’s Health Is A Family Issue

To quote Congressman Bill Richardson, “Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.” Of the 9 million+ older persons living alone, 80% are women. More than 1/2 the widows living in poverty were not poor before the death of their husbands.

One of the problems is that men are less likely to invest time, energy and money into prevention and self care, than are women. Women are 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men according to the CDC enabling them to address issues at early stages and adopt self care and health services to improve them. Depression in men is largely undiagnosed contributing to the fact that men are four times as likely to commit suicide. More than half of premature deaths among men are preventable. But you can’t prevent a problem if you don’t know it exists.   

The first step is becoming aware of the problem and taking steps for a healthier life., which is our definition for the Self Care Awakening. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “What price can you put on your health?

For the next few weeks we will concern ourselves with simple self care actions that we all can do to be Healthy by Choice.

Healthy Bedtime Routine

“Sleep is a non-negotiable biological necessity.”

— Matthew Walker, PhD

You’re Making Me Sleepy

As we wrap up “better sleep month” we hope we have impressed upon you the importance of a healthy night’s sleep. We also hope we have provided for you some natural ways to improve your sleep. The director of the Center for Human Sleep Science, Matthew Walker, PhD has two main tips for improving sleep, the first is regularity and the second is to keep it cool.  We highly recommend you watch/listen to Matt Walker’s TED talk “Sleep is your superpower.” Scheduling your sleep and maintaining that schedule even on the weekends may be the number one key to getting a good night’s sleep but how do you tell your body it is now time to shut the brain off and go to sleep? For this, you really need a healthy bedtime routine.

Author of the “The Power Source,” Lauren Roxburgh states that “ Finding ways to unwind, become present, and transition from the yang (doing) of the day to the yin (being) part of our day is important for getting a full night of sleep to truly feel healthy and happy.”

A good way to start your routine is to schedule a time when you turn off the electronic devices. It is now common knowledge that blue light inhibits your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone in your body that plays a role in sleep.  Schedule a time at least an hour before your scheduled bedtime to turn off all of your device or put them on sleep mode. I also recommend ending your workday by scheduling the next day or making tomorrow’s to-do list. This helps to declutter the mind and give it a cue that you are done for the day.

Find ways to clear your mind and release tension, especially, before you try to sleep. I like to take a nice warm shower/bath then lay on the bed, cooling off and running a “systems check.” I check in with my body starting at my toes and work my way up to my mind. If there is any tension in any area, I take a moment to concentrate on releasing that tension. I am cooling down because not only do you need to drop your room temperature to a cool temp (68 degrees F works for me) Matthew Walker also advises that our body temp needs to cool a couple degrees for optimal sleep.

Some other ways that you can begin to transition into sleep mode is to not drink stimulants late in the day, avoid a late heavy dinner and try not to eat after 7:30 pm. I like to unwind with a chamomile or lavender tea while listening to an audiobook. Aromatherapy: also helps to signal the brain that it is time chill.

Your bedroom can play a very significant role in healthy sleep. Make sure your bedroom is decluttered and a place of sanctuary in your house. Your bedding should also cocoon you in natural fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. A pillow and pillowcase that incorporates ceramic reflective technology to help keep your head a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of your body is essential for a good night’s sleep. Our favorite mattress topper is the Kenko Naturest Mattress Topper. The Naturest combines advanced scientific technology and natural materials, in a design that does the work for you in promoting healthy and refreshing sleep. Naturest features advanced sleep innovations — including a radical new design in magnetic technology and traditional materials that are not only environmentally responsible but help you sleep soundly and wake feeling relaxed and energized.

So, what if it is bedtime and you are not even close to sleepy? Don’t try to force yourself to sleep. As Dr. Walker says, “you don’t sit at the dinner table until you are hungry.” Instead try winding down again or a slow quiet walk in the cool air. Write down what may be keeping your mind from shutting down or read a book. Don’t force yourself to sleep. Reminds me of bedtime when I was 5, that was the worst… but I did sleep. Schedule yourself a bedtime and schedule downtime before your bedtime. Pleasant dreams and be Healthy by Choice.



Better Sleep Month

I don’t understand what people mean by ‘I have to get ready for bed.’ I am always ready for bed.

Sleep Matters

Getting a good night's sleep is very important and increasingly difficult to accomplish in today's distraction-laden world. Sleep deprivation has become so prevalent that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls it a public health epidemic.

Part of the problem with sleep is that for decades we have considered sleep an unproductive part of our day, when from a physiological standpoint it is the most important part of our day. As self care advocates let’s change the paradigm of people bragging about how little they sleep to boasting about getting a full 8 hours a night of quality sleep. We know that getting 8 hours of sleep each night has a long list of benefits, including helping you maintain a healthy weight, feel energized, concentrate more easily and protect your long-term health. Insufficient sleep, on the contrary, has devastating consequences. It causes a host of illnesses, compromises health and safety, productivity and quality of life.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the first thing people should do to improve sleep is stick to a regular schedule. "Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night”. For more information and tips to a better night’s sleep, see Sweet Dream Are Made Of…

I recently became aware of an excellent book, “Why We Sleep”, by Dr. Matthew Walker professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkley. Dr.Walker has made it abundantly clear that sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when it is absent. As he points out, lack of sleep will prevent your brain from making new memories. It will also lead to a build of a toxic protein in the brain, beta-amyloid which has been associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. The lack of sleep effects the body in many ways. The link between poor or inadequate sleep and cancer is so strong that recently the World Health Organization classifies any night-time shift work as a possible carcinogen. One poor night’s sleep can reduce your body’s immune function as much as 60 to 70%. We also know that lack of sleep effects our cardiovascular system. It is during deep sleep that our heart rates and blood pressure go down and as Dr. Walker explains, provides a natural blood pressure medication that reboots our cardiovascular system. If you are getting six hours of sleep or less, you have 200 times increase in having a fatal heart attack or stoke during your lifetime. 

One illuminating concept that Dr. Walker talks about is: What is the recycle rate of a human being? In other words, how long can we last without sleep before we start to see declines in brain function or impairments within our bodies? It seems to be about 16 hours. Once we get past 16 hours, research shows that’s when we see mental and physiological deterioration in the body. Take look at Dr. Walker’s informative five minute video, “Why We Sleep”.

As Nikken consultants and part of our International Wellness Community we can be of service to the millions and millions of people that struggle with sleep deficiency. We can educate on the importance of sleep and share solutions we have in our Nikken Kenko Sleep System and Kenko Sleep Products.  As a go-to sleep resource, we want to help everyone get a quality night’s sleep and Be Healthy by Choice.

Self Care for the Entrepreneur

“The main advantage of working at home is that you get to find out what cats really do all day. ”

— Lynne Truss

You Are The Boss

When you work from home separating your work from personal life can be very difficult. This makes self care and an active wellness lifestyle crucial to your success as a work from home entrepreneur.

 Here are some simple tips for working from home:

1.     Make your health a priority.

Working from home often means scheduling around the needs of your clients. While your schedule most likely needs to remain fluid. Schedule time for exercise or short walks throughout the day. Exercise has been proven to boost motivation and increase productivity.

2.     Set a sleep schedule.

When you work from home it can be very tempting to sleep in or work very late and not get a good night’s sleep. Often, we perceive sleep as an unproductive part of our day but from a physiological standpoint, it is our most important part of our day. Get eight to eight and a half hours of sleep each night. Sleep Matters!

3.     Get up and get a glass of water.

This is a twofer. You stand up, move, get your circulation going and you are hydrating. Make a point of drinking water. We have friends that actually set an alarm on their phone to remind them to drink a glass of water every hour. Water Matters!

4.     Create a meaningful and rewarding morning routine.

Take time have a good breakfast or a healthy protein shake. Our favorite is a healthy Kenzen Vital Balance pea protein shake. Heather likes to have her shake outside on the patio while soaking up the sun for 20 min and receiving a healthy dose of vitamin D. This is also a great time meditate, pray or make your daily to-do list and get ready for the rest of your day.

5.     Eat Healthy.

We have already mentioned the Kenzen Vital Balance shake as a great way to start your day but it is also perfect for lunch break, especially, if you schedule is tight. Don’t forget to drink your veggies. Yes, you read that right. Kenzen Jade Greenzymes made from organic barley grass is a perfect way to get a serving of veggies into you diet. Jade Greenzymes powder is also a healthy vegan alternative. Don’t forget the fruit. Have you fruit in a delicious glass of organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate Kenzen Super Ciaga.

6.     Read to lead.

Take time every day to improve your mind. This is rewarding not only in learning something new, but it also helps keep your mind sharp and improve memory.

7.     Get out of the house.

While sometimes it is tempting to stay safe in our Wellness Home. Getting out to socialize or network to create new relationships are at the heart of growing your business.  Creating new meaningful connections are also at the heart of self care. Growing your community or tribe keeps you connected, stimulated and motivated to share. Sharing is what we do. Heather and I enjoy meeting new people by engaging and attending events that interest us both. This has the added advantage of connecting with people with similar interests and passions. Depending on your personality, pick activities that you enjoy. We often head to a coffee shop to work; it affords a different environment and opens the opportunity to connect with new people or people we have met there before. Working from home provides us the opportunity to take a break and go for a walk, swim or any activity that helps boost our creative juices, reset and refocus. We love that flexibility.

8.     Stay Connected.

We routinely schedule on-line conferencing with individuals or teams throughout the week. In lieu of in person meetings, this is our favorite way to connect with our team members and potential clients. It doesn’t supplant the face to face live meeting but being able to see the person you are talking with in the video chat room is invaluable for a better conversation and productive meeting. Being able to share tools, concepts and ideas by sharing your screen is a real time saver and learning tool, especially for the 65 to 70% of us that are visual learners.

9.     Support Matters.

Whether you are self-motivated or need some help in getting you where you want to go, plug into your support group. Connect with your upline support group and get to know each of them. You will most likely resonate with a leader or leaders that can be of tremendous help and guidance in building your business and keeping you on track.

Remember, you are your greatest asset. Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

Silent Disease

“A Healthy Outside Starts form the Inside.”

The Skeletal System

One aspect of health that is often misunderstood or ignored is bone health. The skeletal system is the body’s second largest organ consisting of 206 bones in adults and provides several physical and physiological functions. Many people perceive our bones as a static, rigid structure when the exact opposite is true. Our bones are a dynamic organ that is a state of constant renewal and rebuilding. This is called bone remodeling and through this process we replace our entire skeletal structure every 10 years, or about seven times in our lifetime.

Through the process of bone remodeling minerals are released from old bone by specialized cells called osteoclasts and new bone is replaced by bone builder cells, osteoblasts. Good bone health is a balance of this resorption of older bone and formation of new bone for stable and strong bones. Healthy bones are vital to our joints and our whole body.

Regardless of age, we all need to keep our bones healthy. Children continue to build bone mass as they grow.  Bone mineral density peaks between the ages of 20 and 30. Up to the age of 30, the body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, so bone mass increases. After that, the pace of healthy bone formation slows down so that more bone is lost than formed. This decrease in bone density results in weaker bones that are more susceptible to fracture. Maintaining bone health becomes more challenging and more critical as we grow older for a variety of reasons.

The main issue in this decrease in bone density is directly correlated with calcium and the body’s ability to absorb and utilize dietary calcium which diminishes with age.

Osteoporosis is a global disease. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. In fact, a bone will break every 3 seconds because of this disease. This has an enormous human and socio-economic impact. Many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until their first fracture, which is why it’s called the ‘silent disease’. Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million people globally, with 55% of people over 50 currently at increased risk of fracture due to low bone mass.

Natural ways to help your bones and joints:

• Exercise, particularly anything that uses your body's weight to move, can help build strong bones. I suggest walking, jogging or dancing.

• Get some sunshine, at least 20 minutes a day for Vitamin D

• Eat the right foods. Green leafy vegetables are calcium rich and alkalizing. Greens give you calcium but are also good sources of vitamin k, potassium, and other minerals and nutrients needed for healthy bones.

• Avoid sodas and carbonated beverages. Limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

• Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Bones are 25% water. Being hydrated is one of the best things you can do for joint health.

• Supplementation

Kenzen Bone Health Pack

We need to supplement our bodies with minerals, we do not make them. However, no matter how much calcium we consume from calcium rich foods such as yogurt, milk and green leafy vegetables, or by nutritional supplements, such as Nikken’s excellent Kenzen® Calcium Complex, the most important aspects are absorption and utilization. If the body doesn’t absorb calcium, the bones cannot utilize it and be fortified. The launch of Kenzen BDZ™ is a giant step in rectifying this dilemma. Kenzen BDZ™ provides a unique and scientifically validated formula for calcium and other nutrients that are required for maintaining healthy bone structure, bone density and calcium absorption, by combining three patented blends of nutrients.

1. Aquamin® is derived from marine algae found in the pristine waters of Iceland. The minerals that make up Aquamin® provide a combination of benefits, not just for bones, but research shows that it helps support the health of our digestive system as well. This is important once again because absorption is key.

•       Marine derived multi-mineral complex with 72 trace minerals.

•       Rich source of minerals essential to life and critical biochemical pathways.

•       Research shows benefits: helps preserve bone structure and strength, helps prevent loss of bone mineral density, helps the mineralization and maturation of bone cells, helps reduce stiffness in those suffering from osteoarthritis.*

To date, they are over 32 peer reviewed publications for joint and bone health for Aquamin®.

2. ParActin® is the result of 20 arduous years of research and development with more than 20 studies, including in vitro, animal models, and clinical studies in humans.

ParActin® is an innovation of world-renowned field researcher and scientific investigator Dr. Juan Hancke. His recently published study on 103 subjects with osteoarthritis showed reduction in discomfort, stiffness and fatigue while helping to improve physical function and Quality of Life scores with consistent intake of patented ParActin. *

ParActin® increases osteoblast and has a mineralizing effect on the bones with the increase of calcium deposits. Therefore, it could be beneficial in osteoporosis.*

3. Vitamin K2 as MK7 from MenaQ7®:  For decades calcium has been the most obvious choice of dietary supplement for improving bone health. However, several studies show that supplementing with calcium exclusively is not enough.  Our bodies need to optimize the use of calcium because excess calcium will accumulate in the blood vessel walls, making them stiff and less elastic. MenaQ7® is the optimal solution to utilize calcium in the body by binding calcium to the bones. A new 3-year study with MenaQ7® and 244 healthy women demonstrated for the first time clinically statistically significant protection of the vertebrae and the hip (femoral neck) from bone loss.

This action supports healthy bone metabolism:

            • Helps regulate calcium levels in bones and arteries.

            • Vitamin K2 as MK-7 has the highest bioavailability and bioactivity of all Vitamin K vitamins.

            • Helps support the maintenance of healthy bones and cardiovascular health.

            • Helps maintain bone mineral density within normal ranges.

Kenzen BDZ™ is the partner product to Kenzen® Calcium Complex. Formulated specifically to help the body absorb and utilize calcium for healthier bones and joints. This combination of products helps support the body's ability to preserve bone density and assists in the preservation of joints and cartilage. 

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Benefits of KENZEN® Bone Health Pack (Kenzen BDZ™ and Kenzen® Calcium Complex)

•       Helps stimulate bone growth.*

•       Helps increase bone mass and strength.*

•       Helps increase bone mineral density.*

•       Helps reduce risk of osteoporosis.*

•       Supports increase in flexibility and mobility.*

•       Supports healthy cartilage function.*

•       Supports healthy skeletal muscle strength.*

Make healthy bones part of your self care routine and Be Healthy by Choice.

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

Healthy Kokoro

“It’s a beautiful mission. ”

— Annette Jackson

The Healthy Heart of Nikken

Heather and I recently attended the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Nikken in North America. It was a spectacular event, followed by the equally inspiring Aspire field event in Del Mar, California. Thank you to Nikken Corporate and Ben and Kim Woodward for hosting these incredible events.

One of the presentations we enjoyed most was the Heart of Nikken award. This is traditionally given to the person who has unselfishly contributed the most to the field. Our global president, Mr. Luis Kasuga started the presentation by describing two words for heart in Japanese. The first describes the actual organ in our body, shinzou. The word kokoro, refers to the emotional and feeling heart, our passion. Following a drum roll and a silent room of expectant consultants and guests waiting to hear who would receive this prestigious honor, Mr. Kasuga announced that, “the winner is……(dramatic pause), All of You”. All of us, how awesome! Everyone received a heart pin, a kokoro, inscribed with Be Nikken 30th Anniversary. This really exemplified the passion and enthusiasm that we all feel in sharing Nikken. This was put into context with recognition for Dr. John and Annette Jackson for achieving the rank of Diamond. As Annette said from stage, “Nikken products are too incredible to not share”. Dr. John added that it is “a moral obligation to share Nikken” and that “we all serve our way to the top”. Congratulations to Dr. John and Annette, well deserved recognition and rank advancement. They have always inspired me personally and the thousands of others they have served. Their passion and perseverance inspire us all.

"We all serve our way to the top."

At our closing Beach Party celebration, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. John and Annette. In the video they tell their story and reasons as to why Nikken and the Wellness Home has been an answer to prayer and a vehicle to empower others for better quality of life. As Annette says, “it’s a beautiful mission”.

Our kokoro is what drives us all. Our collaboration, sharing and servant leadership is what defines us and empowers us all to help anyone be Healthy by Choice and live a Life in Balance.

Of course every mission has to have an element of fun…

The Dread Pirate Dr. Gary

Sunset at the beach with friends. A healthy choice.

Wellness Home on the Go.

“The greatest gift you can can give your family and the world is a healthy you. ”

Hodophiles and the Wellness Home

“Every Home a Wellness Home” is our vision and one of the coolest things about the Wellness Home is that it can travel with you. Heather and I love to travel, we are true hodophiles. Our trips usually include work and vacation time which is a great aspect of being self-employed and having a business that can be done just about anywhere.

Heather and I are embarking on a weeklong trip to Southern California and whenever we travel, we like to take our Nikken Active Wellness products with us. It is reassuring that we will get a good night’s sleep, healthy water for hydration, nutritional support and enjoy the day to day products that we depend on for recovery and relaxation.

Included in our travel Wellness Home products are the PiMag sports bottle for healthy hydrating water.

For a good night’s rest, we rely on the Nikken Cocoon, our Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillows,  Pillowcases and our Kenko PowerSleep Masks.

Recently we have included our KenkoGround earthing mats to our traveling Wellness Home.  I experience a better night sleep while using it with my Nikken sleep products and it has been wonderful for helping Heather release tension. Here is a link to  short video about the KenkoGround.

The Nikken KenkoGround serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet and use it under your feet while working, on your mattress while you sleep or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is best. This can be a great product to take with you on the go, especially if you are traveling to areas where weather may prohibit grounding or to big metropolitan areas where grounding can be problematic.

Our Kenzen Vital Balance, Jade Greenzymes and Super Ciaga are vital for our daily nutritional needs and supply our daily requirements for protein, veggies and fruits. This is very important when traveling and dining out more than usual. 

We also include many other Nikken products that we rely on and use daily. The Kenko MagDuo®, Kenko PowerBands®, Kenko jewelry,  Kenko mStrides® insoles and of course our Kenko MagFlex®. We also include a tube of our wonderful CM Complex Cream.

This may sound like a lot of stuff to travel with, but Heather is a master at packing the suitcase.  We travel in style and assured that our Wellness Home on the go supports us to Be Healthy by Choice anywhere we travel.

Healthy Society

“Health is a human right; everyone should have the information and services they need to take care of their own health and the health of their families.”

— World Health Organization

This Sunday, April 7th is World Health Day. This day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) which was founded on this date in 1948.

World Health Day is a chance to celebrate health and remind world leaders that everyone should be able to access the health care they need, when and where they need it. Advocacy events will be held around the world to fuel the momentum of the #HealthForAll movement and to highlight the goal of achieving a fairer, healthier world – in which no one is left behind. The tagline for World Health Day 2019 is: Health for all – everyone, everywhere.

World Health Day’s message for 2019 is simple: giving people access to healthcare without the prospect of financial hardship. This is regardless of where they’re from; they could be in Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, Europe or North America. What matters to the World Health Organization is that there’s “Health for All”.

As WHO explains, “Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. We believe this is possible and it starts with strong primary health care. Primary health care is a whole-of-society approach to health and wellbeing centered on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. To make health for all a reality, governments need to invest in quality, accessible primary health care. Health workers need to care and advocate for patients and educate them on how to get and stay healthy. Individuals and communities need to be empowered to take care of their own health. Health is a human right. Together, we can make health for all a reality.”

Primary care is defined as healthcare at a basic rather than specialized level for people making an initial approach to a doctor or nurse for treatment.  Primary care can not only help an individual after being diagnosed with a disease or disorder, but actively prevent such issues by understanding the individual as a whole. The focus of health care must be on prevention since the greatest strides can be made there.

Empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. The Self Care Awakening series was designed to help anyone become aware of and make choices for a healthier life.

We think being healthy is difficult when it's pretty simple if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about our personal choices.  Knowing this I think it’s safe to say that we would all prefer to be healthy. Our tag line Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance is a simple but very empowering statement. One thing we can all do for World Health Day, is talk to someone about the Self Care Revolution.  One easy way to do this is by sharing the Self Care Awakening Magazine. Offer the gift of health that the Nikken Wellness Home provides. Empower them and their families to Be Healthy by Choice and support World Health Day in the goal of “Health for All”. At the same time, we are supporting the Nikken philosophy of a life in balance through the Five Pillars of Health: Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances. Together, we can make health for all a reality.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

and share those choices with others.

My Nikken Story, Yoko Tsuye, Top Nikken Retailer

Don’t think too much - take time to look around, and you may discover great opportunities.

This week Yoko Tsuye, top Nikken Retailer tells her story. Yoko tells us why she chose self care, Nikken, shares her top tip and what she thinks will be the future of network marketing.

You can follow Yoko on Instagram @Live2ThriveBetter, Facebook @Live2Thrive and Pinterest Live 2 Thrive

Nikken Business Models

A few weeks ago, Heather and I took a trip, kind of a business vacation that included a few stops for presentations with some of our friends and colleagues.

Heather took the time to interview Yoko Tsuye, one of our good friends and one of the consistent top retailers in Nikken in North America. As Heather was conducting her interview with Yoko it reminded me of the different types of opportunities that Nikken offers to help anyone improve their financial pillar.  

Many people that know of Nikken and its business model know that it is a Network Marketing company. But as such, it offers three different, but complementary business models for people to choose from.

The Retail Model is where we gather clients and sell Nikken’s result-driven products earning commissions that are paid weekly. The larger your customer base, and retention with repeat orders, the larger your checks. I have many friends in our business that choose this model. Most of them started as customers and from their personal product results decided they would like to earn income and share them with others. Your personal web page (provided by Nikken) is your on-line store and as a retailer your primary activity is engaging people looking for Self Care products to improve and maintain good health. One advantage of Nikken as a retail business is unique, superior products at competitive prices and a wide range of products at different price points. Yoko has become a master at engaging and helping others improve their health with healthy choices from Nikken’s Wellness Home product line. 

The Franchise Model is simply duplicating your retail model with others looking to make money. In my experience, this many time occurs in the same natural progression from one of your customers who has had benefitted from the products and then asks if they can sell them too. This has the advantage of earning you, the sponsor, income based on their sales volume and your own. Your responsibility is to support them and help them in their endeavors.

The Network Model is the model that I choose for my business, but it went through the same organic progression for me personally. I started as a customer, got great results from the product line and decided that I would enroll as a Nikken distributor and share the benefits of the products.  As I became more aware of the stability of the company and its philosophy of living a life in balance the more intrigued and engaged, I became in the network model. The Five Pillars of Health, Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances has been the foundation for Nikken since 1975. When I truly looked at these aspects of my life it became apparent that the only pillar that was in balance for me was the financial pillar, pretty much at the expense of the others.  As I built my network, I talked with the people in my life that had similar imbalances in the Five Pillars as myself. I engaged entrepreneurial spirited individuals that wanted more out of life than being an employee or a business owner. For most of us, the biggest challenge was time freedom and multiple sources of income with reproductive residual compensation was the right choice and continues to be.

Currently my Nikken business includes Retail, Franchise and Network models. It is each person’s choice as to which business model best suits their needs and desires.

Nikken’s Wellness Home offers a product line that allows anyone to be Healthy by Choice. Our varied but complimentary business models offer anyone who wants to improve their financial pillar the opportunity to do so.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Nutrition Matters

“Every time you eat it is an opportunity to nourish yourself.”

National Nutrition Month

Spring has Sprung, at least here in Northern California, mid 70’s all week. Blossoms in bloom and pretty much the time for spring cleaning, fresh air and of course the annual yard and garage clean up. Thank goodness for the longer days, we might even get some golf in.

The first day of spring in North America is March 20th. Spring is the time of the year for renewal.

March is also National Nutrition Month. This is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign, celebrated each year during the month of March, focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

One of the main principles and advantages of a Nikken Wellness Home is that it makes healthy choices easy on a day to day basis, so we can all Be Healthy by Choice.

Making healthy food choices is a challenge for many of us. Think about it, one of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not. We have previously discussed the importance of limiting sugar consumption and the Wellness Home products that help us accomplish that goal. Heather and I try to include as much whole foods, while eliminating processed foods in our Wellness Home. Most of our fresh fruits and veggies come from our local farmers market and we do enjoy our home-grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans and indoor herb garden.

Whole food nutrition is the basis of our Nikken Active Wellness product line and much of our nutritional support in our Wellness Home is provided by Nikken.  Nikken Wellness Organic-Based Nutrition is designed to bring the daily diet closer to nature. Each ingredient is carefully selected and where possible the organic content is maximized. One way that we help ourselves and our family to make healthier food choices is by incorporating the Nikken Active Wellness nutritional products into our everyday lives. Heather is very creative and has been using many of our Nikken nutritional products in recipes for healthier choices.

Essential nutrients are compounds that the body can’t make or can’t make in enough quantity. According to the World Health Organization, these nutrients must come from food, and they’re vital for disease prevention, growth, and good health. We have all been taught that we all need daily servings of protein, vegetables and fruits to supply the vital nutritional components.

The three staple nutritional products that we rely on daily to accomplish this is what we call our Core Nutritional Pack.  These three products ensure that we are getting the three essential components of healthy nutrition.

Kenzen Vital Balance® (our protein)

Kenzen Vital Balance

We all start our day with this organic and delicious protein shake. It really starts the day off right, with energy and alertness. Many people have substituted KVB for coffee in the morning to get going with a healthier choice.

 Kenzen Vital Balance® contains organic moringa and naturally sweet monk fruit in addition to organic pea protein and organic vegetables. It is designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism as well as promote healthy brain function and the elimination of toxins in the body. With pre- and probiotics to assist in digestive and immune system activity, the Kenzen Vital Balance formula is food for action and food for thought and is suitable for people of all ages.

Jade GreenZymes® (our veggies)

Kenzen Jade Greenzymes

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. The barley grass in organic Jade GreenZymes® is beneficial in helping balance pH, supporting a strong immune system, and assisting in maintaining blood glucose levels that are already in the normal range.

Made with organic barley grass and our Proprietary Blend of organic acacia and organic pearl barley seed extract powder. It is Kosher and vegan certified, USDA Organic, certified by QAI and Gluten-free.

We have two servings of Jade Greenzymes daily. This product also comes in a capsule form, but I personally love the fresh green taste in a glass of Nikken PiMag Water.

Kenzen Super Ciaga® (our fruits)

Kenzen Super Ciaga

Super Ciaga is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. Certified-organic, Super Ciaga supports individuals who want to feel more energized as well as those who need assistance with poor eating habits. A great replacement for sodas, simply mix an ounce of Super Ciaga to a glass of PiMag® water or seltzer for a naturally sweet and healthy beverage! One of our favorite beverages.

Healthy Water

We would add to the list drinking plenty of water, dehydration is a major problem and a focal point of Self Care. Water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily, get your protein, vegetable and fruit servings in a convenient, effective and cost-efficient way with the Wellness Home Nutrition Pack and Be Healthy by Choice.

*Note Special offer on Chocolate Kenzen Vital Balance®

From now through March 31,2019, take advantage of our special on chocolate Kenzen Vital Balance® at 33% discount—Get 3 containers for the price of 2! Chocolate KVB is formulated and manufactured in the USA.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Environment Matters

“An unhealthy mind even in a healthy body will ultimately destroy health.” ”

— Manly P. Hall

Genetic or Environmental?

Just this last week, I did a video call with an individual that claimed that most of her health issues were a consequence of her genetic makeup. She cited several times that she had conditions that were common in her family, and her poor health was a result of bad genes. While this may be true in some cases and diseases, this is not the common situation. As I asked questions and we talked, most of her chronic conditions appeared (at least to me) to be lifestyle and environmental causes and not so much genetic in etiology.

Later that evening, my brother texted me about a movie he was watching and recommended I look at it. I followed his advice and spent an interesting 2 hours watching Heal. Released in 2017, director Kelly Noonan Gores’ documentary explores scientific and spiritual modalities pointing out that our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions have a huge impact on our health and ability to heal.

As I watched, what I found most fascinating was reviewing the segments by the contributing scientists in the film. It prompted me to review a book in my library, The Biology of Belief. I recall when first reading it, how interesting the concepts put forth and how powerful epigenetics can be for our bodies and our health. To paraphrase the message from the book’s author, Dr. Bruce Lipton, it is the environment of the cell that determines its fate, not the genetics of the cell. Dr. Lipton, a stem cell researcher, observed that genetically identical cells when placed in culture grew into different cell types depending on their type of culture media. In other words, their genetic expression to become a certain type of cell was dictated by their environment. This has had a profound impact on how we look at disease and chronic conditions, while highlighting the fact that we need to provide a proper environment for healing and health to persist.

The implications of this research radically changed our understanding of life, showing that genes and DNA do not control our biology; instead, DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, it’s environment, not only physical, but including energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts. This synthesis of the latest and best research in cell biology and quantum physics has been hailed as a breakthrough, showing that our bodies can be changed as we retrain our thinking.

A good example of this in addition to the personal stories of healing covered in the film, is the observation of organic chemist, Dr. David R. Hamilton. While working in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Hamilton was fascinated with observations that in drugs studies, very often 30 to 70% of test subjects receiving a placebo drug improved. As he states in the movie, sometimes at an effectiveness equal to those receiving the test drug. His conclusion was that their thoughts were acting on a cellular level to produce the results.

The placebo effect is a substantial argument that belief can alter biology.

The placebo effect is a substantial argument that belief can alter biology.

Our bodies are amazing and we have discussed this in previous blogs. There are over 10 trillion cells in the human body, and we need to replace six billion a day to stay healthy. The body is constantly replacing old cells with new ones at the rate of millions per second. By the time you read this sentence, 50 million cells will have been replaced by others. Even as a physiologist, I find this incredible and astounding, while also reassuring that if we give our body the right tools it can heal and protect itself.

It is becoming apparent that not only is good health a result of a healthy environment physically but also emotionally and spiritually.

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health and lifestyle concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters, nutrition and can address financially concerns. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day. The awesome thing about a Wellness Home is that any home can be a Wellness Home, by utilizing Nikken products and technologies to make your home the healthiest environment possible for you and your family. Our motto is: “Every home a Wellness Home”.

Nikken’s philosophy of living a balanced life through the Five Pillars of Health is one way to access the emotional and peace of mind that can help us all be Healthy by Choice. A Healthy Mind requires the other four pillars of health. Healthy Finances, Healthy Body, Healthy Family and Healthy Society.

The five pillars of health are the foundational pillars of a Nikken Wellness Home.

I suggest watching the documentary “Heal,” it is now available on Netflix and YouTube.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Have You Had Your Plastics Today?

“Over time a single plastic bottle can break up into over 10,000 pieces of microplastic.”

Plastic and Our Environment

A few weeks ago, Heather and I were visiting Long Beach and strolling down the beach after a storm. Every few 100 yards were piles of debris that had washed ashore. As we approached these piles, we were appalled at the amount of plastic that had been scooped into piles with the other debris that had washed up. Plastic water bottles, bottle caps, straws, cups, and plastic bags everywhere! It is one thing to read about this and another to experience it with your own eyes.

The Nikken Sport Bottle is 100% biodegradable

The effect of plastic on our environment has been documented and although we have an awareness of the problem it is getting worse not better. Plastic trash is littering the land and fouling rivers and oceans. But what we can see is only a small fraction of what's out there. Since modern plastic was first mass-produced, 9 billion tons have been manufactured. And when it's thrown away, it doesn't just disappear. Much of it crumbles into small pieces. Scientists call these tiny pieces microplastics which measure under 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) in length, about the size of a sesame seed or smaller.

Plastic is the most common form of rubbish found in the world's oceans, and microplastics are so small that they can evade methods for collecting or filtering plastic trash; studies have shown that microplastics are present in nearly every environment on Earth and can be found in many types of sea birds and marine life, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Even more concerning, microplastics are in drinking water, both bottled water and tap water.

Microplastic particles in bottled and tap water

Sherri Mason, a professor of chemistry at the State University of New York in Fredonia, conducted analysis of bottled waters from 19 locations in nine countries on five continents. As told to BBC News: "We found [plastic] in bottle after bottle and brand after brand." It's not about pointing fingers at particular brands; it's really showing that this is everywhere, that plastic has become such a pervasive material in our society, and it’s pervading water - all of these products that we consume at a very basic level."

A few Facts about Single use Plastics

1.      Single-use-plastics frequently do not make it to a landfill or are recycled. A full 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. This is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050. By 2050, this could mean there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. Choosing to buy products with less packaging or no packaging altogether makes a big difference.

2.     Even when single-use plastics are sent to landfills (there are 3,091 active landfills in the U.S. alone), they aren’t harmless. Landfill liners can leak harmful pollutants into the watershed and plastics on the tops of landfills can be carried away by the wind. The best way to curb single-use plastic pollution is to reduce your personal plastic consumption!

3.     Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every person in the U.S.! That means by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. You can find more facts by clicking here.

Currently, 75% of us drink bottled water and over 1500 plastic bottles are in our landfills or oceans every second. We all want the healthiest water possible, then why would we package it in a potentially harmful substance that not only leaches chemicals but also minute particles of plastics into our bodies and our Environment.

"We found [plastic] in bottle after bottle and brand after brand."

Despite numerous reports that bottled water is challenging from both an economic and environmental standpoint, its popularity hasn't diminished. If you're a diehard water-drinker, and we all should be, investing in a quality filtration system and reusable bottle can cut down on how much you're spending, improve the quality of water that you are drinking, and you'll be helping Mother Earth in the process.

As self care advocates and Nikken representatives we recommend the Nikken Waterfall for home use and the Nikken Sports bottle for on the go. Drink half your body weight in ounces per day of healthy water and Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance not only for yourself and family but for our planet too.

The Self Care Revolution

If there was ever a time for a Self Care Awakening it is NOW.

Our nation faces a health crisis due to the increasing burden of chronic disease. Currently, 7 of the 10 leading causes of death are chronic diseases, and almost 50% of us live with at least one chronic illness. People who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and arthritis experience limitations in function, health, activity, and work, affecting the quality of their lives as well as the lives of their families.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), treating people with chronic diseases accounts form 86% of our health care costs. Nearly 70% of our population are on some type of prescription medication, with an average of nearly 15 per person. Many chronic and degenerative conditions are becoming epidemic.

From reading the preceding paragraph you might surmise that I am talking about the United States, but these same figures (or very close) apply globally.

 Global Health Crisis.

Although the United States currently leads the world in almost every disease and chronic condition.  This is not just a problem here in the U.S., it is global. One-third of adults worldwide suffer from multiple chronic conditions. Disease rates from these conditions are accelerating globally and advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. Chronic disease is responsible for 70% of deaths globally and pharmaceutical consumption continues to increase globally driven by a growing demand for drugs to treat chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

 In a recent presentation for the United Kingdom, I summarized the epidemic of chronic disease that Britons are experiencing. In the UK, a 47 percent increase in prescription drugs dispensed over the last decade as reported by the National Health Service. Currently, one billion prescriptions are written every year, with medication reaching a shocking level of 15 prescriptions per individual and 50% of Britons taking prescription medication.

Part of the problem for this dramatic and epidemic rise is due to poor choices. Nearly 90% of Britons are chronically dehydrated.  Sleep deficiency is on the rise across UK, two-thirds have sleep problems and this is called a public health epidemic. The average sleep per night per individual in the UK is less than seven hours.

According to a recent official Health Survey for England 2017, the UK has a weight problem. Nearly two thirds of adults are either overweight or obese, with one third of these obese. The number of people with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled in the last twenty years, Diabetes UK. 2018. Once again, excessive sugar consumption is fueling this problem, with the average Brit consuming nearly 100 grams of sugar daily. Well above the daily recommended consumption.

The four main principles of the Self Care Awakening are not a panacea for all chronic conditions. There are many other factors involved depending on the disease being examined. However, these principles are vital to the health of us all irrespective of our current status of health.

All can benefit from reducing our body burden of toxic chemicals, being hydrated, well rested and reducing our daily sugar consumption and maintaining a healthy weight.

 Chronic disease is not a normal part of life. Up to 80% of chronic conditions can be prevented. My hopes are that this information and corresponding Self Care presentations have enlightened and empowered anyone to employ and share our battle cry for the Self Care Awakening,

 We invite you to look at our most recent video, Self Care Awakening, UK Edition.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

Bone Remodeling

One aspect of health that is often misunderstood or ignored is bone health. The skeletal system is the body’s second largest organ consisting of 206 bones in adults. Many people perceive our bones as a static, rigid structure when the exact opposite is true. Our bones are a dynamic organ that is a state of constant renewal and rebuilding. This is called bone remodeling.

The skeleton serves many physical and physiological functions. It provides structural support, movement and a protective armor for our vital organs. The bones are the site for production of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to our cells and produces white blood cells for a healthy immune system.  Recent advances point to the skeleton as an endocrine organ that modulates glucose tolerance and testosterone production by secretion of a bone-specific protein, osteocalcin.

Our bones are the mineral bank for our entire body. All vital organs and tissues require minerals to be released from the bones daily. Our body’s organs receive calcium from the bones.  For example, the heart needs 100 mg of bone calcium a day for steady beats. The brain needs 150 mg of bone calcium to keep sharp and our intestines require 600 to 900 mg of bone calcium daily.

Through the process of bone remodeling minerals are released from old bone by specialized cells called osteoclasts and new bone is replaced by bone builder cells, osteoblasts. Good bone health is a balance of this resorption of older bone and formation of new bone for stable and strong bones. Healthy bones are vital to our joints and our whole body.

Bone and joint health is a major problem in our society. The Surgeon General of the United States reported that astounding numbers of Americans have bone and joint issues. Twelve million have osteoporosis with 40 million having low bone mass (osteopenia) and 66 million with joint problems such as arthritis, cartilage loss and calcium deposits. That represents nearly 1/3rd of the population. The cost to U.S. society in 2004 was $840 billion dollars (JAMA, 2009).

The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass. Studies suggest that one in two women and one in four men age 50 or older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

In December 2012, a study on the Global Burden of Disease and the worldwide impact of all diseases and risk factors found musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and back pain affect more than 1.7 billion people worldwide, are the second greatest cause of disability, and have the 4th greatest impact on the overall health of the world population when considering both death and disability. Bone and joint disorders account for more than one-half of all chronic conditions in people older than 50 years of age in developed countries, and are the most common cause of severe, long-term pain and disability.

You will not fall and break your bone

You will break your bone ...and fall

Osteoporosis is a silent disease because we don’t perceive our bones weakening. Breaking a bone is often the first sign of loss of bone density or osteoporosis.  Osteoporotic bone breaks are most likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. Twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year from complications related to the broken bone or the surgery to repair it. Many require long-term nursing home care.

Half of all Americans over the age of 50 are expected to have osteoporosis by 2020, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. While our bones naturally age as we do, there are things you can do to prevent osteoporosis and joint problems regardless of age.
 

Natural ways to help your bones and joints:

• Exercise, particularly anything that uses your body's weight to move, can help build strong bones. I suggest walking, jogging or dancing.

• Get some sunshine, at least 20 minutes a day for Vitamin D

• Eat the right foods. Green leafy vegetables are calcium rich and alkalizing. Greens give you calcium but are also good sources of vitamin k, potassium, and other minerals and nutrients needed for healthy bones.

• Avoid sodas and carbonated beverages. Limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

• Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Bones are 25% water. Being hydrated is one of the best things you can do for joint health.

• Supplements can help.

Our Favorites!

Dr. Gary & Mr. Bones

Promote strong, healthy bones and enjoy natural probiotic benefits with the Nikken Bone Health Pack. For lifelong bone maintenance. This combination of products help support the body's ability to preserve bone density and assists in the preservation of joints and cartilage. 
OsteoDenx is designed to promote both aspects of bone health— the release and absorption of mineral compounds, and the formation of new bone tissue. It can work to complement the body’s natural tissue growth. Kenzen Calcium Complex, an optimized blend of calcium and magnesium, and a source of vitamin D, vitamin K and folate, can help provide the materials needed for this bone regeneration. As bone health depends on the absorption of ingested minerals, Lactoferrin 2.0 serves as a digestion potentiator (a gastroferrin), and is lactose-free.

Kenzen® Joint

The High Potency CM Complex in Kenzen Joint is an advanced formulation that nutritionally supports collagen, bone and connective tissue repair. This formula has a high concentration of cetyl myristoleate and combines this with glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and compounds from the boswellia plant, which has long been used in Ayurvedic and other complementary practice. Cetyl myristoleate possesses natural surfactant and lubricant properties, in support of smooth joint movement.

CM Complex Cream

Relief from surface soreness is essential for good health as well as comfort. It allows for greater mobility and can help improve quality of life at any age. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just a weekend warrior, Nikken CM Complex Cream can help soothe the discomfort that comes from living an active life. CM Complex is endorsed by the estate of Dr. H. W. Diehl, the National Institutes of Health researcher who discovered cetyl myristoleate.

Author: Gary Lindner, PhD

Your Health Your Way an Interview with Michelle Bussell

Meet Michelle

Michelle Bussell the Director of Development and Operations for Autism Pensacola, kindly took the time to answer some questions about her past, present and future as a Network Marketer and Self Care Advocate.

Q.

Why did you choose Network Marketing?

A.

I think we live in a time where people need multiple streams of income. Network Marketing works for those of us who have a full time job. 

Q.

Why Nikken?

A.

“I was a new person with energy I hadn’t had in 5 years.
I was hooked!”

Nikken found me in 2012 when I was experiencing a medical crisis. A coworker suggested I try the products to see if they would help me. I noticed slight improvement on days 1,2, and 3 but day 4 was the turnaround. It was amazing how much better I felt on day 5. By day 21, I was a new person with energy I hadn’t had in 5 years. I was hooked!

Q.

You and your husband make a great team. How important is that to your success?

A.

I was single for 39 years. I was pretty introverted and didn’t like to talk to strangers or large groups of people. When Terry and I met, he brought me out of my shell. He speaks to everyone naturally. He challenges me to speak to people I don’t know. We work very well together. 

Q.

Your social media handle is @urhealthurway. What does that mean to you and your clients?

A.

Each person has a choice on how s/he gets healthy. One person may want to lose weight, another may want to sleep better, and another may want to build muscles. So it’s your health your way. 

Q.

What do you see in the future for Network Marketing via Social Media? 

A.

I visualize more collaborations among connections as more people get to know each other and their products. I also see more people posting more videos using Facebook Stories and IGTV (Instagram Stories TV). 

---

More about Michelle and Terry… Michelle has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas. Michelle has a background in office management and customer service in a variety of small business and professional service settings. She was also a nanny and an elementary school teacher in her early career. She has a heart for children. Michelle and her husband, Terry, relocated to Pensacola, FL from Dallas, TX in May 2016 where they are happy to live close to the beach and a bit closer to Walt Disney World. 

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

What is Magnetized Water?

Water is essential for life and we have blogged extensively on its importance. It is the primary solvent and conveyance element in our bodies. Nutrients are carried into our cells on water. All waste is carried out on water. Our blood flows because of water; our nerves transport electric charges via water. Proper hydration is essential to a healthy life. Water comprises over two-thirds of our body weight and is one of the most essential elements to maintaining well-being. If you consider our composition in terms of molecules, we’re practically all water, nearly 99 percent! 

Water is important in every physiological process. Water helps your body with circulation, assimilation, digestion, elimination and temperature control. But not all water is created equal.

What is magnetized water and why would this be important.

I get this question frequently as all our Nikken water products utilize magnetic energy to enhance the water that we consume and bathe in.

We really can’t magnetize water. What we are really doing is exposing water to a magnetic field. Therefore, we are in essence treating water with a magnetic field and some interesting results ensue.

“Drink half your body weight in ounces every day of healthy bioavailable water.

”

— Gary Lindner, PhD

Bioavailability

Although all water consists of the same basic H₂0 molecules, water varies as to how these molecules bond together to form "water molecule groups". Simply stated, it is the size of these molecular groupings that change when exposed to a magnetic field. Water is a very polar molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, hence H₂0 forms very large groupings. The larger the groupings the more inefficient water is at being absorbed.

The smaller the groupings, the more bioavailable the water is and the more easily it can pass through cell membranes to transport nutrients and remove waste.

Exposing water to a magnetic field results in a smaller molecular structure. Magnets can activate water molecules to change their structure to a hexagonal configuration making the water more bioavailable and easily absorbed into our cells. In addition, there's a strong secondary benefit. Applying a magnetic field to water can not only make it more bioavailable, but it can also raise its pH (up to a full point, depending on the water), resulting in a more alkaline water.

As stated by Gina Bria, Cultural Anthropologist, “Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and it is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.”

I concur and add, drink half your body weight in ounces every day of healthy bioavailable water.

Be Heathy by Choice, not by Chance.

Bottled Water vs Tap Water: Blind Taste Test Edition

“Water is the driving force of all nature. ”

— Leonardo da Vinci

Water Choices

One of the most important aspects of the Wellness Home is to provide ourselves and our families with clean, healthy water.

Water is not just a beverage choice, it is an essential nutrient. We have been saying this for years and the reason why is we tend to choose just about everything else to drink other than water. That is the main reason why over 75% of us walk around dehydrated every day. In a recent article in the Epoch Times, Gina Bria states, “Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.”

“Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.”

We have choices for different types of drinking water: tap water, filtered water and bottled water.

Many people, nearly 75% of us drink bottled water. Over 25% drink only bottled water. It has puzzled me for years why people would pay more than 2000 times the cost of bottled water than tap water.  Consider that 4,787 bottled waters could be filled with tap water for $2.10 and every time you buy a bottle of water for $1, you are paying 2,279 times what you would if you filled that same bottle with tap water. Spending $1 on a bottle of water every now and then isn’t that big a deal, but when you make a regular habit of it, it really adds up. If you buy just one $1 bottle of water each day, your annual spending on bottled water comes to $365. Getting the same amount of water from your tap would cost you less than $0.10.

When I ask someone the question, why do you drink bottled water?  The three common responses are:

1.     Bottled water is healthier than tap water.

2.     Bottled water is convenient.

3.     Bottled water tastes better than tap water, (the most common).

For today’s The Impetus let’s examine if bottled water really tastes better than tap water. Given that this is an individual choice or preference, let’s look at blind taste tests that have been conducted by many organizations and in many different geographical locations.  

Bottle Water Versus Tap Water Taste

In a blind water taste test by Good Morning America, New York City tap water came out the clear favorite among testers:

New York City Tap: received 45% of the vote

Poland Spring: received 24% of the vote

O-2, Oxygenated Water: received 19% of the vote

Evian: received 12% of the vote

And this test was no fluke. Time after time, tap water is rated as good or better tasting than bottled water blind taste tests. You can see similar results in numerous cities, both in the U.S. and abroad:

In 2011, Boston University conducted a blind taste test to compare tap water with Vermont Pure bottled water, the brand used in the student lounge’s water cooler. Dozens of students sampled both waters and were asked to determine which was which. Of the 67 testers, only one-third of the respondents correctly identified the tap water sample. Another one-third thought it was the bottled water, and the rest said they couldn’t tell the difference.

Washington, D.C. The Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health at the University of the District of Columbia conducted a blind taste test with 218 participants, most of whom said they preferred to drink bottled water at home. Testers tried samples of four waters – tap water, spring water, distilled water, and mineral water – and ranked them in order of preference. Tap water wasn’t the top pick, but it came in a close second, with 30% of the vote.

Cleveland. ABC’s NewsChannel5 Cleveland invited residents to try samples of three waters: Sam’s Choice Purified bottled water from Walmart, Aquafina bottled water, and Cleveland tap water. Once again, tap water wasn’t the favorite, but it came in a close second to Aquafina. Both samples were preferred by more than two to one over the Sam’s Choice water – which most people guessed was tap water.

San Francisco. In 2009, testers at Mother Jones magazine compared samples of their local San Francisco tap water – both filtered and unfiltered – with samples of eight different bottled waters. The unfiltered tap water came in third, beating out expensive brands such as Voss, Evian, and Fiji Water.

Belfast, Ireland. In a BBC News story, pedestrians sampled three different waters. The first, “harvested from icebergs in the Canadian Arctic,” sells for more than 26 pounds, about $40 per bottle; the second, made from the sap of maple trees, costs the equivalent of $24; and the third came from the tap. Most tasters couldn’t correctly identify the expensive waters from tap water, and one described the $40 sample as “horrible.”

Let’s face it, many people prefer bottled water as a result of excellent marketing by bottled water companies. This was hilariously exemplified a few years ago by popular magicians, Penn and Teller. This YouTube clip shows an elaborate con in a “very trendy Southern California restaurant,” where they created a phony “water list” of six different imported bottled waters selling for as much as $7 per bottle. All six bottles, from “Mount Fuji” to “L’eau Du Robinet,” which is French for “tap water” were filled with a garden hose on the patio. Restaurant patrons claimed to be able to taste distinct differences among the various brands, and consistently agreed that they were much better than tap water, which is exactly what they all were. Consumers think it tastes great as long as it’s served in a fancy bottle and with a fancy price.

Bottled Water Vs. Tap Water Conclusion

Tap water tastes as good, it’s as pure, it’s better for the environment, and costs under 1/2,000th as much. In my opinion, it’s justifiably nuts to pay for and drink bottled water, unless you have no other choice.

The solution to our global water issues and the plastic pollution of our planet is very complex and people often wonder what they can do as individuals to make a positive impact. One thing we all can do is to not to contribute to landfills by filtering tap water rather than purchasing bottled water. In recent blogs we have talked about the pollution problem with bottled water and about how to choose a water filtration system.

Filtering our tap water is convenient, cost effective and the best way to provide ourselves and our families with healthy water. Our personal choice for water filtration is the Nikken Waterfall. Imagine if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? This is the strategy behind the Nikken Waterfall. 

Water Matters and is a vital component of every Wellness Home.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The Reason I Joined a Network Marketing Company by Marian Timms

I The reason I joined a network marketing company was to firstly facilitate mass healing through the products and secondly to generate a retirement fund as my NHS pension and state pension (if I ever get it) was not going to facilitate the lifestyle I want to have in my latter years. It is challenging, hard work and fun, and with supportive in-house mentoring and training.
I have met like minded individuals who care about the state of the nation's health and have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know that the Nikken ethos is the way forward to counter all the damage that electromagnetic frequencies are doing to our health and our childrens' health; epidemic sleep deprivation, inflammation, fatigue, autoimmune dysfunction, and allergies.

YES! It is all linked to gut health and stress, environmental pollutants, food additives, antibiotics, micro plastics, pesticides, fluoride, chlorine, pharmaceuticals are all taking their toll on our health and our water quality in some parts of the UK leaves a lot to be desired.
We are all far too reliant on the good old NHS to sort us out instead of taking responsibility for our own health at a basic grass roots level.

"Another growing reality that could benefit MLM and related businesses is the increasing number of baby boomers who are disenchanted with their current careers. They’re worn-out from years of the corporate grind and don’t feel the connection between their job and the people it impacts outside their office walls or company grounds. They’re shifting their focus from accumulating a giant nest egg to a desire to be part of something bigger and better… to have a positive effect on others... and working in retirement. Facets of life that can be fulfilled with specific types of products and service available through some MLM or Direct selling opportunities." Robert Laura

Original Article by Nicki Edgell, clinical Psycho-neuro-immunologist, Metabolic Balance Coach, Natural Nutritionist and Independent Nikken Consultant.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance