Category: Detox

Hydrate Wisely, not Randomly

Published on by Nikken

According to research published in the journal Current Biology, the human body uses 30% to 50% less water per day than our closest animal cousins. In other words, among primates, humans evolved to be the low-flow model. Lead author Herman Pontzer, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University explains, “An ancient shift in our body’s ability to conserve water may have enabled our hunter-gatherer ancestors to venture farther from streams and watering holes in search of food. Even just being able to go a little bit longer without water would have been a big advantage as early humans started making a living in dry, savannah landscapes.”1

To maintain hydration within a healthy range, the human body, like other animal bodies, is likened to a bathtub. Water coming in has to equal water going out. For example, when water is lost through sweating, the body signals us to drink. When we drink more than the body needs, the kidneys get rid of the surplus.

For each individual in the study, the researchers calculated water intake via food and drink on the one hand, and water lost via sweat, urine and the GI tract, on the other hand. When the researchers tallied the inputs and outputs, they found that the average person processes about 12 cups of water each day. Without enough water, our physical and cognitive functions decline. Without any, we die within a matter of days. In this way, humans are more dependent on water than many other mammals are.2

Exactly how much water is healthy differs between populations and even from person to person. Currently there are two different recommendations for water intake, which includes water from food. The first, from the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, recommends 15.6 cups of water a day for men and 8.4 cups for women, while advising pregnant and lactating women to increase their intake by about 1.5 to 3 cups, respectively. The second, from the European Food Safety Authority, recommends 10.5 cups for men and 8.4 cups a day for women, with the same increases for pregnant and lactating women. Men need more water than women do because their bodies are larger and have more muscle on average.3

Regardless of how much water you drink, choose wisely. Depending on where you live, the tap water may or may not be potable. Even potable tap water has tested out to contain minute amounts of contaminants, and nano-plastics are a global issue.

To make it easier and more affordable to drink safely, why not take advantage of the PiMag Waterfall® and the PiMag® Sport Bottle? They not only help filter out contaminants but also emulate the most hydrating type of water: spring water. PiMag® water declusters the water molecules, making them smaller and more easily absorbed. The PiMag Waterfall® also is environmentally-friendly as it’s made of biodegradable materials and the PiMag® Sport Bottle helps reduce single use plastic bottles to decrease landfill waste. You’ll stay hydrated and feel good about doing your part for the environment.

Ditch single use plastic bottles, drink more absorbable and hydrating PiMag® water and share your knowledge of smart hydration with everyone!

1 today.duke.edu/2021/03/humans-evolved-be-water-saving-ape#:~:text=That%20water%20needs%20to%20be,than%20our%20closest%20animal%20cousins.

2, 3  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-evolution-led-to-an-extreme-thirst-for-water/#:~:text=Without%20enough%20water%2C%20our%20physical,adapted%20to%20quench%20that%20thirst

Ease Your Stress at Work

Published on by Nikken

The so-called “9 to 5” grind can get you down, whether you’re a worker bee or a manager. Some stressors for employees include low salaries, workloads that are too heavy, lack of growth or advancement opportunities, limited or no managerial support and the feeling of having no control. On the other hand, being a boss can be overwhelming with endless meetings, hard-to-make decisions, budgetary concerns, disgruntled workers and decreased earnings.

So, what’s a body to do when there’s too much stress at work? Be self-aware. Listen to what your body is telling you as it reacts to stress. Once you identify the stressors, be proactive so those stressors do not chronically bother you. Here are some possible stress-busters:

•          Write it down. Make this recording of your experience as detailed as possible. Who or what was the source of the stress? How did you feel? Where were you? How did you react? Was the issue resolved to your satisfaction? If it occurs again, would you behave differently? Writing it down helps clarify what actually happened. It also helps you have closure and to put it in the past so you can move forward.

•          If the tension is caused by a person, talk it out when calmer and even if you don’t achieve the ideal response, you will feel better having given it your best effort.

•          Exercise regularly. The reason health experts are constantly encouraging exercise, exercise, exercise, is because it works. Exercise helps you relax, sleep better and have a calmer mindset.

•          Get grounded. Many therapists recommend the 5-4-3-2-1 technique because it engages all five senses. List things around you, working backward from 5. You could start by listing five things you see, then four things you hear, three you can smell, two you can touch or feel, then one you can taste.1 Connect to nature on a regular basis.

•          Breathe! Be mindful of your breath and inhale slowly, hold, then exhale slowly. Try this right in the middle of a stressful situation, and you might be happily surprised at how quickly it works to calm you down.

•          Don’t take work stress home with you. Give yourself boundaries and permission to relax and recover from daily work stress.

From now until May 31, you can get the KenkoGround® earthing mat and the Kenko Precision Set at 40% off. They may help you bust your stress!

1 https://www.tcimedicine.com/post/managing-stress-with-grounding-techniques

Mother Earth vs. Plastics

Published on by Nikken

Earth Day is April 22. It has grown to become the largest global civic event, activating billions of people from 192 countries with one purpose: to protect Mother Earth so that future generations may have a brighter future. The theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics” with the commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health. The goal is to reduce plastic production 60% by 2040.1

Plastics don’t just create tons of waste for landfills and oceans. The health ramifications of ingesting micro- and nano-plastics are jarring. Even though just how detrimental they may be has not been fully understood, evidence is growing that plastics, microplastics and their associated additive chemicals may pose serious health risks to humans and other species, but especially to babies during key developmental stages, such as crawling, teething and tasting of inanimate objects.2

Plastics have invaded our cities, towns, villages, and farmland. We use different types of plastic in every facet of industry and manufacturing: from making utensils to building cars to creating computers. Practically everything we use in the modern world has some component made of plastic. This ranges from fishing nets and furniture to microbeads found in soaps and toiletries, as well as items like tires, single-use water bottles, medical equipment, vitamin capsules, medicines, and beyond.

Perhaps most alarmingly of all, plastics and microplastics have been found bioaccumulating inside many living species, including inside us. The quantity of microplastics detectable in ambient air also depends on where you are in the world. Airborne microplastic concentrations range from 0.01 particles per cubic meter in parts of the Pacific Ocean to several thousand particles per cubic meter in cities like London and Beijing.3

Decreasing the use of plastic water bottles is such a simple way to help Mother Earth, and at least this knowledge is growing globally. Aside from the benefits of drinking PiMag® water for its alkalinity and nature-inspired filtration system, using a PiMag Sport Bottle when on-the-go and a PiMag Waterfall® at home, is an effortless way to ditch plastic water bottles. And, did you know wearing clothes made of natural fabrics, such as cotton or wool, also can help make a difference, because synthetic materials release microplastic fibers into the air?

At Nikken, we’re committed to supporting Mother Earth, so our products are inspired by nature and her timeless solutions. It’s really up to each individual to make small changes so that Mother Earth can be sustained for future generations to live well.

How do you connect to nature—are you listening to Mother Earth and her lessons?

1 https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/

2,3 https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BVP-Report.pdf

Bovine Collagen vs. Marine Collagen

Published on by Nikken

About 28 types of collagen have been identified, but the dominant collagen is collagen type I. Over 90% of the collagen in the human body is collagen type I because of its wide prevalence in almost all connective tissues.1 Collagen types I, II, and III are used for supplements. Collagen type I is mainly found in marine collagen. Collagen type II is from chicken collagen and bovine collagen. A mixture of collagen type I and type III can be obtained from porcine collagen and bovine collagen.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), collagen supplements originating from various sources such as marine, bovine, and porcine can improve skin integrity and lessen skin aging. They are effective in wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation, and skin aging reversal. Due to its high biocompatibility with the human body, collagen type I is the most used in beauty products. with collagen supplementation becoming prevalent in recent years.

Collagen of porcine and bovine origins come from cow and pig skins as well as their bones. Due to religious constraints concerning the avoidance of porcine and bovine products or other reasons such as the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), the marine collagen source is being highly considered by the industry as an important alternative. In fact, marine collagens have the advantages of being highly sustainable as they can be obtained from invertebrate marine animals, such as jellyfish as well as a wide range of fish species.

Why would some manufacturers prefer bovine collagen when there is a risk of transmitting disease? Mammalian collagens have higher thermal stability than fish collagens. Thermal stability is related to body temperature and the low thermal stability of marine collagens restricts its applications.2 The mechanical strength of marine collagen is poorer than collagen extracted from bovine because it is less crosslinked. Cross-linking is a simple method known to improve degradability, biological and mechanical properties of biomaterials by enhancing chemical and physical interactions between polymers.3 After the crosslinking treatment, marine collagen can be used as a biomaterial in tissue engineering. Despite some limitations, the marine collagen is an appealing option for product developers because of its sustainability and there being no risk of BSE. In the latest 20 years, more than 175 chemical entities and 28 marine natural products were discovered. Marine organisms, as well as their wastes, are good sources of collagen.4

Marine resources of collagen have many advantages over land animals and other sources. Not only are they available in abundance, have no religious constraints and are easily accessible, there have been few reported toxic effects at effective doses. This is significant as a major source of collagen is from cattle, which have a risk of transmitting highly dangerous BSE and TSE. In addition to its promising safety profile, the use of marine collagen is environmentally friendly. Fish skin, bones, and scales are vast sources of collagen. By using marine collagen, useful waste is reduced, and no further organisms are harmed in the isolation of collagen. Furthermore, collagen has a variety of applications in many fields, such as drug delivery, wound healing, skin aging, and tissue regeneration.5

Marine collagen can be used as a biomaterial because it is water soluble, metabolically compatible, and highly accessible. Marine collagen and its derivatives also have proven beneficial and useful for both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis prevention and treatment. Marine collagen bioactive peptides are known to aid in the absorption of calcium and zinc, which are important components of bone and are beneficial for osteoporosis prevention. Other bone-related issues may also be targeted by collagen, as it is capable of increasing bone mineral density, mineral deposition, and importantly, osteoblast maturation and proliferation.6

Because marine collagen peptides carry a smaller molecular weight, they are more easily absorbed. They are therefore favored to help reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and enhance the overall structure and appearance of skin.7

Bovine collagen or marine collagen: the choice is yours.

1, 2, 4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8620403/

3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8902548/

5, 6, 7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8780088/

Spring is in the Air

Published on by Nikken

Warmer weather has arrived and for many people, spring is a time to venture back outdoors and become more active. Depending on where you live, the scenery changes, generally to be greener, with many species of flowers budding or blooming. You can hear different birds calling in their own special ways as they flock to suburban neighborhoods and rural areas.

Air temperature affects air movement and therefore, air pollution.  Some types of pollution are worse in the summer heat, while others are worse in cold winter weather. Air pressure, temperature and humidity all affect air quality. The same atmospheric conditions create weather patterns. For example, low pressure systems create wet and windy weather that can transport air pollutants to other areas, producing a sense of clear skies. On the other hand, high pressure systems tend to produce stagnant air that is “dead” or doesn’t move. In these instances, the pollutants from car exhausts and factory fumes hover and create unpleasant air quality.1

As we move out of cold weather, many of us begin some frenzied activities known as “spring cleaning.” Ironically, this well-intentioned cleaning that is aimed at letting the fresh air in and the stale out, has its own set of issues. Cleaning supplies that are purchased from retail stores generally are full of chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds. So, as we clean and inhale these chemicals, we’re also polluting our indoor air. Returning to old-fashioned ways of cleaning with water, vinegar and baking soda can help, as well as wearing a mask while cleaning, and airing out after cleaning.

If you have pets, spring is also a time of intense shedding, adding to the dust- and mite-filled air. Combined with the pollen released from the new spring growths, allergic reactions may well be triggered. During the spring season, concentrations of particulate matter tend to be higher, another source of allergies. And, on warm sunny days, the concentrations of ozone are also higher when the air is stagnant. A HEPA air filtration system is practically a must-have, especially if you are prone to any respiratory challenges. Spring air can be the most polluted of the year.2

Nature gives us the beauty and renewal of spring but also challenges us with its companions of pollen, dust and fluctuating air quality. If you don’t already have a KenkoAir Purifier®, this is the perfect time for it to make a difference in your household.

And through March 31, check out 20% off all sleep products and receiving free shipping on them!

1 https://scied.ucar.edu/search?search_api_fulltext=spring+air+quality

2 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/09/spring-is-not-the-only-thing-in-the-air

Show Your Love with the Gift of Health and Hydration

Published on by Nikken

There are so many ways to show your love and it should be a year-round effort. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world as a special day to show your love to your beloved, and the standard gifts are chocolates, flowers and jewelry. If you step out of that box, what about a gift that benefits the health of those you love?

Hydration is something people often take for granted, until they suffer the consequences of not having enough water in their systems. There are many reasons to stay hydrated, including to help digest food and absorb the nutrients, to lubricate our joints for smooth movement, to help remove waste from the body and even to help regulate body temperature.1 Proper hydration also helps ensure the teeth, gums and entire mouth stay healthy—water helps you make saliva, which helps keep food away from your teeth, as well as aiding in chewing, tasting and swallowing.

Did you know that water helps to produce hormones and neurotransmitters? Water also helps protect your internal organs and tissues and deliver oxygen throughout the body, while supporting the growth and reproduction of cells. In other words, water helps the body’s natural cycle of renewal.

What happens if you don’t stay hydrated? You will definitely not feel like your usual self, as your body doesn’t function well when dehydrated. You may feel dizzy, brain fog, fatigue, dry mouth, and even faint. Dehydration also puts you at risk of kidney stones, constipation, urinary tract infections and recurring headaches.

Depending on your activity levels, gender, age and diet, how much water you need to drink for health, varies. Since approximately 20% of the water we need comes from food, people who don’t eat plenty of fruits and vegetables need to drink more water. Rule of thumb: men need about 10 cups a day, women need about 8 and children need between 4 to 8 cups.2 The more active you are, the more water you need, especially if you exercise a lot and sweat. You need to replenish the water your body secretes.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day (February 14), why not give your loved ones a PiMag Waterfall® or PiMag® Sport Bottle so they not only can keep hydrated at home and on-the-move but also benefit from filtered alkaline water, almost like drinking spring water from nature? You will also be helping them use fewer plastic bottles and decrease their carbon footprint. And, through the end of this month, filter replacements are 20% off!  Happy Valentine’s Day from Nikken!

1,2  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health#not-enough

Do You Know About Plastic Microfibers?

Published on by Nikken

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mc. They come from household items such as synthetic clothing, furniture and packaging. Every year, about 16% of the plastic produced in the world consists of textile fibers. In recent decades, production has grown by 6% and now equates to 60 million tons per year. Synthetic clothing is responsible for endless amounts of microfibers, which can even be found in drinking water.1

Microplastics washed off from synthetic clothes contribute up to 35% of the plastic particles polluting our oceans. When we do laundry, an average of nine million microfibers end up in wastewater treatment plants that cannot filter them.2 These unfiltered microfibers add to the plastic waste in the oceans.

Microplastics have been filling the oceans for years, but they also can be found indoors, especially within the dust on floors. Research shows that individuals may ingest microplastics at the rate of 11 particles per hour, and this occurs more through household dust and textiles than through consuming seafood, such as mussels. Researchers have found that the microplastics in wild mussels were low compared to those found in household dust.3

Until recently, research was focused on microfiber pollution through laundry washing. A recent study, however, shows how simply wearing synthetic clothes can pollute the environment. As many microplastic fibers are released into the air whenever we wear synthetic clothing as when we do laundry.4

To help reduce the amount of microplastics indoors:

• Choose products with less plastic packaging.

• Wear natural fabrics, such as cotton and wool, instead of synthetics, which are derived from petroleum-based chemicals.

• Wash synthetic clothing on a gentle cycle to decrease shedding.

• Use a HEPA air filtration system because it is effective at capturing microparticles.

From now through February 29, 2024, take advantage of 20% off select replacement filters! Be sure to check your KenkoAir Purifier® and keep its HEPA filter up-to-date. PiMag Waterfall® filter cartridges, PiMag® Sport Bottle filters and PiMag® Shower Systems filters are available at 20% off. Even Air Wellness Pro and Aqua Pour replacement filters are included in this special offer!

1, 2, 3, 4 https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2018/03/how-damaging-is-breathing-in-microplastics/#:~:text=Plastic%20microfibers%20are%20not%20just,of%2011%20particles%20per%20hour.

Minimize Your Risk of Ingesting Micro- and Nano-Plastics

Published on by Nikken

Bottled water. There probably isn’t anyone you know who doesn’t drink it sometimes. It’s just so convenient, it’s hard not to take advantage of it. Almost all of it is in plastic bottles and has been a major contributor to landfill and ocean waste. Just this month, bottled water is prominent in the news for yet another bad reason: microplastics and nanoplastics within in specific brands. The researchers are not disclosing the actual brands, but they’re letting the public know what the issues are.

A liter of bottled water contains nearly a quarter of a million pieces of nanoplastic on average, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.1Nanoplastics measure less than a micron, so picture a speck of household dust and think of a tiny part of that speck. The new research showed that nanoplastic particles in bottled water measured between 10 to 100 times higher than previously estimated.

Researchers contend that nanoplastics and microplastics, which are about the size of a grain of rice, end up in food and beverages during the manufacturing process as well as through plastic tubing used in machinery and leaching from packaging such as plastic bottles. How exactly they affect our overall health is being studied. So far, it is known that these nano- and micro-plastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, enter the placenta and even show up in urine.2

Dr. Konstantinos Lazaridis, a gastroenterologist who studies the role of environmental factors in liver disease at Mayo Clinic says, “It’s possible that tiny plastic pieces simply pass through most people’s bodies without causing much harm, or it might be that these environmental particles only have an impact in people who already have genetic predispositions to disease.”3

Nevertheless, it seems that avoiding bottled water may be most prudent. Douglas Walker, an analytical chemist at Emory University says, “Additives and chemicals found within plastic, like BPA, have been linked to increased blood pressure and type 2 diabetes; PFAs may affect fertility; and phthalates may interfere with hormones.4

So, what is the best way to limit your exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics? Drink filtered tap water whenever possible. Filters that have a pore size of one micron or less can help reduce microplastics in your water; smaller micron pores will be better at filtering out smaller particles. Dr. Walker warns not to use filters that are made of plastic and to use ceramic or carbon filters instead.5

From now through February 29, 2024, take advantage of 20% off select PiMag replacement filters! And while you’re filtering your tap water through the PiMag Waterfall® and PiMag® Sport Bottle, why not check your KenkoAir Purifier® and keep its filter up-to-date as well?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/live/bottled-water-nanoplastics.html

Make 2024 a Year of Fresh Air and Clean Water

Published on by Nikken

Nikken has been at the forefront of water and air filtration for years. Our water and air filtration units are inspired by nature. PiMag filters mimic the natural filtration processes found in waterfalls as they flow over streams and rocks. The KenkoAir Purifier uses negative ion technology that replicates the fresh air quality found in natural surroundings such as forests and lakes. Using Nikken filtration systems not only keeps your indoor air and water supply fresh and clean, they help bring nature into your Wellness Home.

Not only do Nikken air and water filtration units perform above expectations, they have unusually long lifespans, which decreases your carbon footprint. However, to maintain their potential longevity, the filter replacements should be regularly changed according to specific schedules.

  • The PiMag® Sport Bottle uses state-of-the-art filtration technology that exceeds standards for reducing particulates, chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor, cysts, lead, bacteria, VOCs, MTBE and more.

The recommendation for changing the filter is approximately three months of average use or up to an estimated 250 refills per filter. Choose item #13503 for the Replacement Filter Pack.

  • The PiMag Waterfall® is the eco-friendly Sport Bottle’s counterpart for the home and office. It also exceeds standards as mentioned above.

The recommendation for changing the filter is 3-6 months or 238 gallons or 900 liters, whichever comes first. Choose item 13845. Mineral stones should be changed annually. Choose item #13846.

  • The PiMag MicroJet® Shower System has been tested and effectively helps reduce chlorine exposure. While most chlorine-reduction systems in shower filters merely trap chlorine or add other chemicals to counteract it, the PiMag MicroJet uses a reduction/oxidation process to neutralize chlorine ions. The MicroJet injects air into the shower stream to increase the electronegative potential of the water for more effective filtration. Micro-bubbles are released through the nozzle to provide an exceptional cleansing action.

The recommendation for changing the filter for the hand-held model is every 6,600 gallons or 22, 700 liters or three months, whichever comes first. Choose Item #14661.

The recommendation for changing the filter for the wall mount model is every 12,000 gallons or 45,400 liters or six months, whichever comes first. Choose Item #13831.

  • The KenkoAir Purifier® exceeds the measured efficiency of capturing up to 99.95% of 0.3 micron particles in the air. It’s more efficient than standard store models and unlike typical air filters, this advanced system helps generate negative-ions similar to those found in natural environments.

The recommendation for changing the filters is every six months. Be sure to clean the reusable prefilter when the other filters are replaced. Choose Item #1445.

As we ring in 2024, take advantage of the replacement filter offer of 20% off, now through February 29!

Mushrooms Can Be Functional Foods

Published on by Nikken

Mushrooms seem to be everywhere these days! The most common button mushrooms have always been abundant, but to procure specialty mushrooms, you used to have to go to the Asian markets.   Now, you can find a pretty wide assortment in supermarkets, grocery stores and farmer’s markets. The demand is great, so suppliers are happy to increase varieties and quantities.

The New York Times named the mushroom “the ingredient of the year” in 2022. If mushrooms started to take off a few years ago, a number of factors have kept them in the spotlight. The growing interest in foraging and wild foods, in which mushrooms feature prominently and the 2020’s lockdowns played a key role in prompting people to experiment with new ingredients in their home cooking. And, the growth in medical psilocybin research increased public interest in mushrooms.1

At the same time mushrooms have taken center stage, so has public interest in bolstering immunity—again, coinciding with the 2020’s lockdowns. Mushrooms have been consumed regularly in Asian cuisines for thousands of years and not just for their umami flavors but for their medicinal value. The ancients somehow knew what contemporary researchers have confirmed—certain mushrooms (designated medicinal) have been shown to help keep the immune system in balance. When there’s something to fight, the immune system is stimulated to act, known as “upregulation”; however, keeping it in balance requires it to “downregulate” when it becomes overactive.2

Cordyceps mycelium has long been recognized as an important medicinal mushroom in China. Its pharmaceutical properties were recorded in the book “Ben-Cao-Bei-Yao,” edited by Wang Ang in 1694. It is one of the mushrooms that researchers are devoting time to— Cordyceps shows promise in the areas of boosting exercise performance by helping to improve the way the body uses oxygen, supporting blood sugar levels within a healthy range, and helping fight physical irritations. It even shows promise in promoting heart health.3

Agaricus blazei is another medicinal mushroom that is receiving a lot of attention from researchers. Originally from Brazil and highly prized for its multiple benefits, including supporting the immune system and working as an antioxidant,4 the mushroom has been studied as a novel functional food in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

Interested in adding mushrooms to your diet? There are lots of cookbooks that include mushrooms and if you’d like a supplement, Nikken has been offering Kenzen Immunity long before fungi became a hot topic!

1 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/02/mushroom-food-trend#:~:text=Mushrooms%20frequently%20top%20food%20trends,doubled%20in%20the%20same%20timeframe.

2 https://www.the-well.com/editorial/how-mushrooms-boost-immunity

3 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits

4 https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1165/agaricus-mushroom