Fat Burning Supplements-Hype or Help Conclusion

The Bottom Line:

1)    In the sports nutrition industry, it is buyer beware. There are lots of rogue manufacturers out there who care more for their bottom line than your well being. Do your homework and search for reputable companies with a long track record of product quality and ethical standards. There are some out there.

2)    Ignore the outlandish claims, no matter how appealing. Once again, stick with establishing companies with a track record of product integrity. Only use sports supplements that are backed by clinical studies showing that they are both safe and effective.

3)    Be particularly cautious about sports supplements that claim to burn fat or give you energy. They generally contain metabolic stimulants, and often those stimulants are poorly characterized. Most have not been proven to be effective, and some have the potential to do more harm than good.

4)    Fat burning supplements are often cross marketed as weight loss supplements. They are just as dangerous for dieters as they are for athletes.

5)    Don’t assume that just because the ingredients supposedly come from a natural source (geraniums, Bael trees or dendrobium orchids, for example) they are safe.

Keeping your health in Focus,

Mary Beth Potrykus

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

Thank you Dr. Stephen Chaney for providing this valuable information.

Fat burning supplements--Hype or Help

OxyElite Pro and Aegeline
In case you thought that was an isolated case, the same sports supplement manufacturer has recently been involved in a second case that sounds all too familiar.

•    The FDA recently advised consumers to stop using OxyElite Pro after reports of 24 cases of acute non-viral hepatitis (a very rare disease) in users of that sports supplement in Hawaii. Two of those patients required liver transplants, and one of them died.
•    In this case the manufacturer stopped domestic distribution of the product, but argued that the product is safe. They claimed that counterfeit versions of OxyElite Pro were being sold in the US market.
•    On October 11, 2013 the FDA sent a warning letter to the manufacturer stating that the active ingredient, aegeline, was not a lawful dietary ingredient. The manufacturer replied that it was a natural constituent of the citrus fruit tree Bael. (I’m not sure why that makes it safe. I don’t know about you, but I don’t eat a lot of Bael fruit.)
•    As of a few days ago England, Denmark, Spain, Australia & New Zealand have warned consumers in those countries not to use OxyElite Pro.

It’s too early to tell how this story is going to turn out, but my money is with the FDA.


Craze and DEPEA
And, in case you thought the problem was with a single rogue manufacturer, there is a developing story around yet another popular sports supplement, Craze, made by a different manufacturer.

•    Researchers from the NSF, Harvard and the National Institute for Public Health in the Netherlands recently published a paper claiming that Craze contained DEPEA, a methamphetamine-like compound.
•    The manufacturers claimed that the researchers did the chemical analysis incorrectly and their product actually contained a close analog of DEPEA that is found in dendrobium orchids. (Again I’m not sure why that makes it OK. I don’t think people eat a lot of dendrobium orchids either).

Stay tuned. I’m sure this story will have some interesting twists before it’s finished.
 
Check in November 7th for the conclusion of this insightful information. 
 
*Thank you to Dr. Stephen Chaney who has provided this information. 

Fat Burning Supplements-Hype or help?

Are Fat Burning Sports Supplements Effective?
Because sports supplements are considered to be foods rather than drugs, the FDA cannot require sport supplements manufacture to prove that their products are either safe or effective. As a consequence, most sports supplement manufacturers don’t conduct clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of their products. Their claims are based on animal studies and testimonials. However, in most cases there is no objective evidence that their supplements actually work.

Are Fat Burning Sports Supplements Safe?All stimulants carry some risk. Even small amounts of caffeine can be problematic for some individuals, and many sports supplements contain massive amounts of caffeine. But, it is not caffeine containing sports products that are the most worrisome.

Many sports supplement manufacturers are firm believers in the “better living through chemistry” motto.

•    They start with an herbal ingredient that has stimulant properties
•    They label it a fat burner, prepare their claims and they’re ready to go to market

Case Study #1: Jack3D and DMAA
•    After a couple of marines died after using Jack3D prior to a workout, the US military ordered that the product not be sold on their bases. The manufacturer continued to make the product. GNC stopped selling it on military bases, but continued to sell it in all its other stores.
•    Eventually the FDA stepped in and recommended that Jack3D not be sold. The manufacturer claimed that the active ingredient, DMAA, was found in the geranium extract they used in their product. Since that was a food ingredient, they claimed the FDA did not have jurisdiction.
•    The FDA denied that claim based an extensive testing of geranium extract. At that point the manufacturer stopped making it (They have since resuming making the product with yet another poorly tested stimulant). GNC said they would stop selling Jack3D “as soon as their inventory was used up”.
•    The FDA finally had to raid the GNC warehouses to get the product off the market.

Check in tomorrow for the rest of the story.

This information is provided by Dr.Stephen Chaney (Health Tips Professor)

What's in (or not in) your protein?

What's in (or not in) your protein?

31% of Protein Powders & Drinks Fail ConsumerLab.com Review 

ConsumerLab.com set out to find what's really in a scoop of  “protein powder,” and the results weren’t all that impressive. In some products they found a lot less protein and/or a lot more carbohydrates than expected, and even more alarming, some contained high qualities of lead. ConsumerLab.com purchased, tested and reviewed the quality of a broad range of protein powders and drinks used for everything from bodybuilding to dieting. Nutrition Business Journal has reported that Americans spend over $3 billion each year on sports nutrition powders and formulas.

ConsumerLab.com found problems with the quality of five of the 16 protein products it selected for testing and confirmed these findings in a second independent laboratory:
•a protein powder from a popular brand was missing 16 grams of protein per scoop — the majority of the protein it promised. Instead, it contained an extra 16 grams of carbohydrates (including an extra 3 grams of sugar)
•a powdered meal replacement shake was contaminated with 12.7 mcg of lead per serving (far more than permitted in California without a warning label)
•a popular protein energy meal with spirulina had an extra 6.7 grams of carbohydrates (including an extra 4 grams of sugar) and an additional 25.7 calories per serving
•a protein powder — from a "GMP certified" facility — claiming "0" cholesterol really had 10.2 mg
•a protein supplement claiming 5 mg of cholesterol actually had 14.2 mg

The cost of an equivalent serving of protein from products approved for quality by ConsumerLab.com ranged from just 61 cents to over $5.

“What sets these products apart from other types of supplements and energy foods is protein — typically about 10 to 30 grams per serving,” said Tod Cooperman, M.D., president of ConsumerLab.com. “They can be a convenient way to get specific types of protein to build and maintain muscle, but some protein powders come with unwanted surprises, like lead contamination, extra carbs, or even less protein than advertised.”

The new Protein Powders and Drinks Review provides results and comparisons for 27 products — 16 selected by ConsumerLab.com and 11 that passed its voluntary Quality Certification Program. Products include those made with whey protein (concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates), casein protein, soy protein, rice protein, and pea protein.

Products reviewed in the report are Atkins Day Break, Body Fortress Whey Isolate, Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein, EAS 100% Whey Protein, Endurox R4, Genisoy Soy Protein Shake, GNC AMP Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60, GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein, GNC Total Lean - Lean Shake 25, GNC Total Lean - Lean Shake, Jay Robb Whey Protein, Marked 100% Whey Protein Complex Gourmet, Marked Mass Gainer Gourmet, Metagenics UltraMeal Rice, to name a few.

If you want a brand you can trust and a person you can trust, I'm here.  Email me at Marybeth@mamabearproductions.net

Mary Beth

www.mamabearproductions.net

Busy, busy people.

Did you know the average American goes on a diet 4 times in one year?  Why?  The diet was too restrictive, the products didn't have a pleasant taste, it didn't work with their schedule, and/or once they attained their goal weight they didn't know how to maintain their weight-but they wanted to keep their results.

We develop tools to make people have no excuses.  For example:

• No time?  Make a protein smoothee.  Takes about 2 minutes.
• Don't have time to exercise?  We have an application to provide you with a few simple exercises that you can do at home.
• Don't know what to eat?  Simple healthy recipes online to simplify your life. 

Did you notice how often the word simple is used?  It is not by coincidence.

Most people I know are busy.  Working, commuting, getting their children to their sports, and just spending a lot of time in their car.  Pretty stressful, right?  If you're like me, you want something that is quick and easy, tasty, and that is good for the body and mind.  Something that will get you the results you want and keep those results.

What can you do?  Go here and take 13 minutes to watch the video.  It will be worthwhile.   

The body is what the body is fed.  The mind is what the mind is fed. ~David J. Schwartz, Ph.D

I'm here to help.  Email me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net and we can set up a time to talk about what you can do to be optimal you. 

Many blessings,

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Medicine or vitamins

Recently my father (who is a young 89) has been in a nursing facility receiving physical therapy after a fall, then surgery, and dealing with pulmonary edema/pneumonia.  He has been on more prescriptions in the last month than he has the last 20 years. 

In my conversation with a physician's assistant, he was concerned that my dad was on too much medicine and it may be hindering his recovery from the pulmonary edema. In our conversation he referred to vitamins as medicine.  Really?

Here's the thing...I know there are vitamins (supplements) that are synthetic, just like prescriptions/medicine, but my dad is taking Shaklee products, which are whole food supplements.  Better quality than the food he is receiving at this facility.  Why?  Well I'm pretty confident in saying this facility is serving genetically modified food.  Whereas Shaklee's products are above organic grade. 

All in all I was glad to speak with this person as I reduced the number of prescriptions (the true medicine, not vitamins/supplements), my dad is receiving, by 3.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

By the way, if you know someone who wants whole food supplements and may be tired of being a victim to the medical maze, I'm here to help.  They may reach me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.

Many blessings,

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Fast Food

Have you heard of healthy fast food?  That is what I call Shaklee 180 Smoothees, meal bars, and snack bars. 

Shaklee 180 is not just about losing weight, it's about getting the body in balance. 

I am inspired by Anita, my Shaklee 180 customer.  She has had several health issues, which include, psoriatic arthritis and IBS.

Since Anita has been on the program (she started April 2, 2013), she has:

• Lost 16 pounds and 15 inches
• Her psoriasis is clearing up
• Arthritic pain is reduced
• Because of this, she is sleeping soundly at night which hasn't happened in years
• No symptoms of IBS
• Energy has increased
• Can walk up the steps to her place of employment without being winded
• Co-workers have commented her skin is glowing

Why has all of this happened?  When you give the body pure nutrition, the body responds positively. 

Go here to learn about this unique and amazing program.  Then email me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net and we can set up a time to discuss how this program may work for you. 

One last thing....There are amazing incentives when new customers sign up with this program by May 31, 2013. 

Arnold Glassgow says "Our body is the baggage we must carry through life.  The more excess baggage, the shorter the trip." Extend your trip.

Many blessings,

Mary Beth

I hate to clean

I really do hate to clean.  But after I clean (with the help of my son and daughter), I feel productive. 

Clint and Hannah have been cleaning their own bedroom for 10 years (since then additional duties have been added).  I didn't have exercise caution with them on the products they use to clean as they use Get Clean products.  Why are they safe?

• Basic H2's (household cleaner) main ingredients are coconut oil and corn oil
• Scour Off's (like Soft Scrub) main ingredient is crushed cherry pits (has a nice smell too)
• Basic G's (germicide) active ingredients are: didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.  Trust me, much safer than bleach.

These products are tough on dirt and gentle on your wallet.  For example if you use Basic H2 strictly as a glass cleaner, one 16 ounce bottle is equivalent to 6,000 26 ounce bottles of Windex. 

If you are looking to teach your children how to clean and want them to be safe, go here.  In addition to them being safe, your home will be safer for you and your pets. 

If you want to hear how using these products has a positive affect on our planet, call 925-924-3000.  It's only a few minutes of your time and the information is priceless.

Happy Earth Day!  Actually shouldn't every day be Earth Day?

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

The Truth About Soy from Dr. Brouse

Soy

Dr. Brouse conversation

Shaklee has known how to separate soy with cold water extraction for 30 years. Dr. Shaklee was one of the earliest researchers in soy in the USA.

The effects of soy was first measured in birds which showed they changed foliage and matured very young as well as slowing down the thyroid function. After this observation they realized there was an anti-tyrosine property in raw soy beans.

Dr. Shaklee had to separate the protein from the raw soy bean and leave behind the enzymes that contained the anti-tyrosine substance.

Another problem is when you cook soy, in order to de-nature compounds like the anti-thyroid substance, then you begin to rearrange the amino acid substance in soy which then becomes a toxic substance.

Two years ago Vegetarian Times ran an article telling their customers not to eat soy products because they are poison. Shaklee has known this for a long time.

There is a process called a "Mallard" reaction - whenever you cook a food you de-nature it and make it into something different. That's why the Chinese would take tofu, which is a water extract of soy curd, and cook it and eat it right away, before there was any time for degradation.

There is no word in the Chinese language for hot flashes because they don't cook things and store them to eat them later, especially soy.

Dr. Shaklee knew that too. By using a cold water extraction technique, you get the very best of the soy and all of the positive things like the phytoestrogens which inhibit breast cancer and prostate cancer in men.

There are over 1500 studies showing the positive benefits of soy and only 12 to 20 negative studied showing that when you alter and de-nature soy you end up with junk. Dr. Shaklee knew the difference.

Some people today don't read the fine print to realize there is a difference in soy. The Veggie burger group and several other companies' textured vegetable protein products produce cancer, we know that. So it's just coming to the news media, and they are making a good point.

The difference in Shaklee is that they did the research long before people even started talking about this stuff. You can go on the net and get an article written by Chris Jenson about the anti-thyroid affects of soy.

Soy Quality Control Checklist

Do not purchase soy powders and expect them to produce positive health results unless you know that the following "ESSENTIAL SEVEN" quality controls have been met by the manufacturer:
1. ___ The beans must be organically grown
2. ___ The beans must NOT be genetically engineered
3. ___ Each batch must be checked to confirm that it contains the 9 essential amino acids
4. ___ In the manufacturing process to produce the soy isolate, the crushed soy flakes must be water washed (not alcohol washed)
5. ___ The anti-thyroid/anti-growth substance MUST be removed
6. ___ The process must be without heat
7. ___ The soy isolate must have calcium added (when the oil is removed it becomes an acidic food - when calcium is added it makes it neutral again)

 

The attached explanations will help you to clear up confusion.

a) Were the soybeans ORGANICALLY GROWN? ..... studies have shown decreased levels of food nutrients and increased levels of nitrates in chemically fertilized crops, when compared with their organic counterparts.

There is a connection between the ingestion of nitrates & CANCER! Therefore, it is important to know that pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides have not been used during the growing process.

In particular, with soy beans, since they are such a hardy plant, a powerful and DEADLY weed spray called Round-up is usually used. For your safety, you must know that your soy products are organically grown.

b) Were the soy beans GENETICALLY ENGINEERED? ..... genetically engineered soybeans are much cheaper to purchase, and most companies producing soy products look for ways to save money.

c) Does your soybean powder contain ALL of the nine essential amino acids? ...... One of the most valuable features of the soybean is that it is a complete protein and provides ALL nine of the essential amino acids. The body requires these daily to produce hormones, digestive juices, antibodies, and enzymes. HOWEVER, not all soybeans are created equal ..... quality and amino acid content will vary based on soil conditions, and variable growing and harvest conditions.

If one essential amino acid is missing, the immune system can be depressed 30%, and many important body functions are delayed or stopped. Therefore, it is essential that each batch of soybeans be checked for amino acid content if we want to depend on the soy isolate to provide a GUARANTEED supply of the nine essential amino acids.

d) Were the crushed soy flakes washed in alcohol or water? Alcohol washing destroys isoflavone content up to 88%! It is the isoflavones that reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer! As well, it is the isoflavones that are so beneficial in hormone balancing and increasing bone mass.

e) Was the "anti-thyroid", "anti-growth" substance in the raw soy removed? ...... Orientals, who have consumed large amounts of soy for years, have known that RAW soy contains an "anti-growth", "anti-tyrosine" substance.

Tyrosine deficiency will cause low blood pressure, low body temperature, and restless leg syndrome. Therefore, Orientals always lightly cook their soy foods to deactivate the "anti-tyrosine/anti-growth" substance.

Shaklee has designed an extracting process that removes this substance, yet keeps the soy in a raw form in order to maintain the HIGHEST LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS and ISOFLAVONES which are very sensitive to heat.

f) Is your soybean food RAW or heated?

Amino acids are very sensitive to heat. In some studies, cooking protein has been shown to destroy up to 50% of some ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. If an individual consistently consumes a diet that is lacking in all of the essential amino acids, inadequate brain development and hormones, or other body tissue development can be the result.

g) Has CALCIUM been added to your soy powder?

Some negative reports about soy say that soy powders are VERY ACIDIC and cause bone loss because it causes calcium to be drawn from the bones!!!!

The raw soy bean is a NEUTRAL food ..... neither acidic or alkaline. However, the removal of the soybean oil (which is essential so the soy powder will not go rancid very quickly), makes the powder very acidic. Therefore, adequate calcium (which is very alkaline) must be added to cause the powder to be neutral again, or it can cause the above stated problem. Many protein powder manufactures do not add any or enough calcium.

h) Do soybeans cause cancer?

It is true that "overcooked" soy does contain "carcinogenic" compounds. When soy is extruded through high temperature, high pressure steam nozzles to form what is called "textured vegetable protein - TVP for short", this form of processing renders the soy "meat substitute" carcinogenic or cancer-causing. TVP is what is used in soy dogs and soy burgers, and should be avoided.

i) What about roasted soybeans?

Whole soy beans are high in plant fat. If soybeans are roasted to eat as soy nuts, the heat alters the fat and makes it a trans-fatty acid, which causes both cancer and heart disease. As roasted soy nuts sit on the shelf or in the cupboard in storage, the oils are becoming more and more rancid and carcinogenic. AVOID roasted soy beans.

j) But I've heard that soy protein is hard on the kidneys!

Animal protein is much harder to digest than vegetable protein. Since many people have digestive difficulties, protein that is not thoroughly digested is very challenging to the kidneys. Powdered protein is in a predigested state, and the BEST protein source to choose! Protein is not the enemy - it is essential for life. It is true, however, that EXCESSIVE protein is hard on the kidneys, so if a person consumes more than 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, AND does not consume adequate carbohydrates with it, this could cause kidney damage.

k) But I have breast cancer, and I've been told I cannot have soy!

It is true that soy is a "phyto-estrogen" food, which means it contains substances that have hormone-like components. However, their estrogen strength is 1/1000th that of the body's own stronger estrogens. Therefore, you want to load your digestive system with quality controlled raw soy powder, because these weaker estrogens will block the estrogen receptor sites from receiving your body's own stronger estrogens and therefore be very protective against estrogen fed cancer

I'm Lovin It



Would you like to look like the lady on the left?

 

You can with a simple program.  Best of all you will feel amazing!

 

 

 

 

Do you know a grandma like this?

Maureen’s story: So, where do you start in retelling the past 50+ years of your overweight life? I have always (in my memory) been overweight, sometimes more than others, but a good majority of the time MORBIDLY OBESE!! Yes, that is what the Doctor put on my chart. It sure isn’t anything I would brag to anyone about and it was just another one of those feelings I would just push down inside of me, along with all of the rest of the insecurities that go along with MORBIDLY OBESE!! 

Not being able to hold my grandchildren on my lap.  Why?? Because I had no lap! Going with my family to the Zoo and saying “I’ll wait for you here.” Why?? Because my knees were bothering me so bad, and being tired from walking and huffing and puffing up the inclines. 

Having people look at you and imagining what they are thinking. Having people laugh at you. Trying to look ahead when the hostess is seating you in a restaurant to make sure that wherever they are taking you, you will be able to squeeze through. Getting on an airplane and being worried about who is around you when you board and wondering if they will hear you when you try to quietly ask the Flight Attendant for a seat belt extender. 

Then it was all the different weight loss plans. Weight Watchers (how many times did I join??? I can’t even remember), TOPS, Diminishing Dimensions, Low Carb diet, and finally attending a meeting for Bariatric Surgery. Did I lose weight on any of these diets? Definitely. Did I gain the weight back? Absolutely! And, the pounds I lost had a lot of friends that they brought back with them! 

Then, in November of 2011, our son and daughter-in-law Josh & Kate Virkler from IL came to CT for our family Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday. They had started a Shaklee business previously and we had become distributors under them and begun using some of the products. We especially liked Joint Health Complex, NutriFeron and Defend and Resist. 

Josh came to me with a bit of trepidation as a concerned son who, at that time, was the father of three. He had already spoken with the rest of the family, and they had all agreed to start a Shaklee weight loss program together to help me find the motivation and will power to do something with my health problem so I would be around to enjoy my family. 

I agreed to try…with some reservation. Let me just say it was one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life!! 

NEVER have I been on a weight loss program that is as easy as this. NEVER have I been on a weight loss program that I have lost this much weight. NEVER have I been on a weight loss program where I have seen such improvements in my health. NEVER have I been able to stay on a weight loss program for this amount of time. 

I am down 70+ pounds, dropped many sizes in clothing, and been able to go OFF my diabetes medication totally!!! 

I am continuing my weight loss journey as I am about 50-60 lbs. from goal but I know that this is a lifestyle change and I feel that I can live happy and healthy with Shaklee for the rest of my life. 

P.S.  Just so you know, I can now hold my grandchildren on my LAP!! J

Fat and Muscle What do they look like



How much space do 5 pounds of fat take up in our body?  About 3 grapefruits. 

 

How much space do 5 pounds of muscle take up in our body?  About 3 tangerines.

 

So if you could have lean muscle (3 tangerines) versus fat (3 grapefruits) which would you prefer?

 

If you said the tangerines, go here and see how you can reduce the fat, keep the muscle.

 

I'm here to help. 

 

Mary Beth

marybeth@mamabearproductions.net

www.mamabearproductions.net 

That's the fat Jack

Visceral fat isn't good for Jack or anyone else.  What is Visceral Fat?  Visceral fat is the fat surrounding the major organs in the body.  You have visceral fat, if your waist is more than 1/2 your inches in height, you have visceral fat (ie: you are 64 inches tall and your waist is more than 32 inches).

So let's talk about the heart.  Take your fist, and have it pump like our heart would.  Then take your other hand and cover it with the hand that is pumping like your heart.  Is it difficult to have your hand move?  Well that is what visceral fat does to your heart. 

How can you get rid of visceral fat?  Go here. 

I'm here to help.  Contact me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Diet Soda dramatically increases depression

I've known for awhile that aspartame has negative effects on the pancreas (stimulates insulin production), increases our appetite and negatively impacts our mental acuity.  So it makes sense that Diet Soda dramatically increases depression.

Go here to view the article on Diet Soda dramatically increases depression. 

If you can't go "cold turkey" on diet pop, then wean yourself off and replace each pop with a water.  You'll be amazed at how much better you feel.

Also, for every 8 ounces of cold water, you burn 40 calories.  Why?  Your body is busy warming up the water. 

If you drink diet pop to save calories, I have a better way.  Contact me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net to set up a time to talk.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Shaklee 180: You're Invited

We all know the number one New Year's Resolution is to lose weight.  In January we are all motivated, this is the time, and then what happens?  With lack of: results, support, and a simple plan many fail.

I'm not judging, it's just a fact that people lose interest.  Why?  Maybe it's too hard, too restrictive, no support, no incentives, and/or expensive. 

But with the Shaklee 180 program, all of these excuses are gone.  People not only see but feel results. Long lasting results. 

Go to this video and check out Shaklee 180.  Shaklee Videos: Shaklee 180: You're Invited

Then contact Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net to schedule a 180 party.  You can learn how to get your products for free.  It really is simple.

Isn't it time you did something for yourself and also has a positive impact on your family?

We're here to help.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Super Mom

So you think you can do it all?  I thought I was accomplishing a lot.

What happened was holidays. You know over endulging and not getting enough sleep.  But I still ate some good foods, took my supplements, and exercised (but not as much as I usually do).

Then...BAM!  I've been sick for 5 days.  I have never been this sick.  I've doubled up on my supplements daink a lot of water but although I'm certain it helped I still wasn't feeling 100%.  Finally went to the doctors so that I can feel good again.  I truly cannot tell you the last time I was on an anti-biotic it's been that long.

Why am I confessing this to all of you?  Well I've reflected on what I need to do and to let you know that not one thing is the cure all and, don't be shocked, I'm not perfect.

2013 is going to be (for me) organized, more exercise, and successful businesses. 

I encourage you to write down what will be better for you this year, repeat it every morning and just do it.

Don't feel like you have to be super mom or super dad.  Stick to your calendar and you will be an accomplished person.  Most importantly give yourself time to relax.  Whether it's meditating, praying, or yoga.  And being with family is the best! 

Many blessings and Happy New Year.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

Don't do drugs

When I say don't do drugs, I'm not referring to the kinds of drugs you might be thinking of. I'm talking about weight loss drugs.

Once again we are at the beginning of a new year, and everyone is looking for an easy way to lose weight. And what could be easier than just popping one of those weight loss drugs? In fact, if you go into one of those medically supervised weight loss centers, weight loss drugs might be the first thing that they recommend.

Of course, we've seen lots of weight loss drugs come and go over the years as they have all been found to have unexpected toxicities. So are the new weight loss drugs any different?

For example, the drug Xenical or Alli was approved for weight loss by the FDA in 1999. In May of 2010 the FDA was forced to announce a consumer warning that Xenical had the potential for liver toxicity. However, at that time they considered it a rare side effect.

But a study published just this month (D Xiao et al, Biochem. Pharmacol., doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.11.026) suggests that the potential dangers of Xenical are much greater than previously supposed. This study showed that Xenical blocks a key enzyme called carboxylesterase-2 which plays an essential role in detoxifying the liver and kidneys and the entire gastrointestinal track.

And the same enzyme is important in the metabolism of many medications. For example, loss of this enzyme activity reduces the effectiveness of cancer treatments and increases the effectiveness of aspirin - raising the possibility of uncontrolled bleeding.

And it's not just Xenical. The FDA has just approved two new weight loss drugs, Belviq and Qysmia, that it initially rejected in 2010 because of safety concerns, including heart risks and birth defects.

Belviq has a similar mechanism of action to Fen/Phen, which was taken off the market in 1997 because it damaged heart valves. Qysmia increases the risk of birth defects, and the long-term effects of both of these drugs on the risk of heart attack and stroke is currently unknown.

A physician colleague of mine always told the freshman medical students that "The only safe drug is a new drug". He went on to say that the longer the drug has been on the market the more we know about its side effects.

Don't misunderstand me. If you have a serious medical condition and a drug treatment is called for, the benefits often outweigh the side effects. But the clinical studies show that these weight loss drugs only give about 5% weight loss over a 12 month period.

That's very little benefit in relationship to the risks

- both known and unknown.

So when it comes to weight control medications, my advice is "Don't do drugs".*

You can find all kinds of weight losses online but can you trust them?  20/20 investigated online "miracle" weight loss programs.  Click here to watch that episode and be aware that just because it's online does not mean it's reputable.

If you are ready to take the first step in managing your weight, I'm here to help.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net

*Thank you to Dr Stephan Chaney for providing this valuable information.

All natural doesn't mean no GMOs

First, do you know what GMO is?  Genetically Modified. 

Second, all natural or natural on food and supplement products does not mean it isn't GMO.  The label must state non-GMO.  Go here for detail information.

If you're looking for a reliable source for non-GMO supplements, meal replacements and weight management, click here.

What are GMOs doing to our body?  Click here for an interesting article from Kaiser Permanente

It's important to know what you're putting into your body.  It could save your life.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net