Category: promotion

Why Ecocert is a Big Deal

Published on by Nikken

When something is certified by Ecocert, it means the product has met the strict standards set for its specific category. Ecocert is an inspection and certification body established in France in 1991 by agronomists aware of the need to develop environmentally friendly agriculture and the importance of recognizing those committed to sustainable development in production.

Product categories open for certification include natural and organic cosmetics, natural and organic home perfumes, natural cleaning products, fair trade, ecological outdoor areas, organic textiles, eco-sustainable golf course, reforestation and solidarity, organic and ecological spa, ecological and recycled textiles, climate commitment and biodiversity commitment.

Now an international network dedicated to helping people and their environment, Ecocert is affiliated in 26 countries:

  • Europe: France, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey
  • Africa: Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia
  • Asia: China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
  • Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, United States

Still very involved in promoting organic farming, Ecocert today works with French and international institutions in supporting project development. By winning the confidence of professionals and consumers, Ecocert has become a benchmark in organic certification worldwide.

In the EU, Ecocert is accredited by the Cofrac (French Accreditation Committee). In the USA, Ecocert is accredited by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) for the National Organic Program (NOP) and in Japan, Ecocert is accredited by the MAFF (Agricultural Department) for the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS)

Companies voluntarily request Ecocert certification to prove:

  • control and traceability throughout the supply chain.
  • commitment to environmental protection.
  • integrity of raw materials and ingredients.
  • high standards within the specific industry, e.g., food and/or cosmetics.

True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care is certified by Ecocert, a distinction that very few products — even those labeled as “organic” — can claim. A complete line of products that support the Active Wellness lifestyle, True Elements® skin care products are derived from various seaweeds and abundant in natural minerals that are well absorbed by skin. The entire line is formulated with a combination of ingredients that works synergistically to offer remarkable benefits. True Elements® is synonymous with skin care that is safe to use and made with organic ingredients from sustainable sources.

In a Nutshell, Eat Nuts for Health

Published on by Nikken

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Approximately 17.3 million deaths annually are attributed to a cardiovascular incident and the AHA projects that these numbers will increase each year in the coming decades. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise play a large role in maintaining heart health, but genetics can also influence risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

In the largest study of its kind, scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who ate a handful of nuts daily were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than those who didn’t consume nuts. Their report, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also found that those who ate nuts regularly were more slender than those who didn’t.

“The most obvious benefit was a reduction of 29 percent in deaths from heart disease,” says Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber, senior author of the report. The reduction in mortality was similar both for peanuts and tree nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pecans, pistachios and pine nuts.

Higher nut consumption also has been linked to reductions in cholesterol levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, obesity and insulin resistance. The Nurses’ Health Study provided data on 76,464 women between 1980 and 2010, while the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study yielded data on 42,498 men from 1986 to 2010. Participants filled out food questionnaires every two to four years and were asked to estimate how often they consumed one ounce servings of nuts.

Dr. Ying Bao, MD, ScD of Brigham and Women’s hospital and first author of the report explains that “in all these analyses, the more nuts people ate, the less likely they were to die over the 30 -year follow-up period. “Those who ate nuts less than once a week had a seven percent reduction in mortality; once a week, 11 percent reduction; two to four times a week, 13 percent reduction; five to six times per week, 15 percent reduction, and seven or more times a week, a 20 percent reduction in death rate.”

Based on these and other smaller reports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has concluded that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts “may reduce the risk of heart disease.” So if you like nuts and have avoided them because they’re high in calories and fat, you can rest assured that a handful of nuts every day is good for you. They’re delicious, help give you energy and are perfect for an Active Wellness regimen.

 

 

 

 

Why go organic?

Published on by Nikken

No one would ingest pesticides given a choice for cleaner food, right? So why doesn’t everyone choose organic food? The main concern with purchasing organic food is cost, because organic farming practices are more expensive than conventional approaches.

“Organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming meets environmental and sustainability goals to:

  • Enhance soil and water quality.
  • Reduce pollution.
  • Provide safe, healthy livestock habitats.
  • Enable natural livestock behavior.
  • Promote a self-sustaining cycle of resources on a farm.

Organic farming adheres to a disciplined commitment to growing food and livestock that is not only safe to ingest but is kind to planet Earth. Take a look at what is not permitted in organic farming:

  • Synthetic fertilizers to add nutrients to the soil
  • Sewage sludge as fertilizer
  • Most synthetic pesticides for pest control
  • Irradiation to preserve food or to eliminate disease or pests
  • Genetic engineering, used to improve disease or pest resistance to improve crop yields
  • Antibiotics or growth hormones for livestock

Instead, organic farming practices may include:

  • Plant waste left on fields (known as green manure) livestock manure or compost to improve soil quality.
  • Crop rotation to preserve soil quality and to interrupt cycles of pests or disease.
  • Mulch to control weeds.
  • Predatory insects or insect traps to control pests.
  • Certain natural pesticides and a few synthetic pesticides, used only as a last resort in coordination with a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certifying agent.
  • Healthy living conditions and access to the outdoors for livestock.
  • Pasture feeding for at least 30 percent of livestock’s nutritional needs during grazing season.
  • Organic foods for animals.

Whether you decide to go organic or not with your fresh foods, you can rest assured that with the NikkenWellness™ nutritional supplements designed to promote Active Wellness, you’re getting only organic ingredients. We’re committed to helping you live with optimal health while being kind to planet Earth.

Fighting Toxins is a Full-Time Job

Published on by Nikken

Realistically, no matter how careful we are, we ingest some toxins every day through the food we eat, the water we drink or bathe in, the air we breathe and the personal care products we use. These toxins end up in our liver, kidneys, fatty tissue and lymphatic system. When too many toxins stay in the body and are not flushed out, we become incapable of absorbing and using the nutrients we need for Active Wellness.

Disorders from a sluggish liver are so common that the market is flooded with liver cleanses—some are natural, some are medicinal, some take a couple of days, some are long-term. What they have in common is that they’ll make you uncomfortable in various ways and involve complicated steps to take. You may need to drink gallons of multiple concoctions and stay close to a bathroom.

Whether you go to a health food store, drug store, supermarket or specialty juice shop, commercially sold liver cleanses are time consuming and expensive. You may need to purchase 20 or more herbal ingredients to mix and brew. Or chop, peel, grind and juice a dozen fruit and vegetables. You could choose the “grab and drink” cleanses but that’ll cost you even more. And once you’re done with those cleanse and detox routines, your body reverts back to whatever dysfunction it had: abdominal bloat, digestion problems, heartburn, itchy skin and unexplained weight gain.

Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox has bragging rights because it’s so easy to incorporate into a healthy regimen. It’s a gluten-free, organic nutritional supplement that lives up to its name by promoting a healthy way to help cleanse and detox the liver while assisting metabolism and supporting weight management.* Made with our Proprietary Synergistic Cleanse & Detox Complex, the NikkenWellness dietary supplement is 100 percent organic. It is naturally high in compounds that aid liver function* such as organic Roasted Chicory Root, Milk Thistle extract, Turmeric extract, Bupleurum extract, Shisandra and Ashwaghanda. Each of these organic ingredients serves multiple purposes on its own, but together, work synergistically to produce optimal results. Simply take three capsules every day 20 minutes before a meal. No fuss, no muss.

  • 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.

Are you earning money with Nikken?

Published on by Nikken

If you are a Nikken Independent Consultant, you have the potential to earn money. Whether you’re working your Nikken business part time or full time, you have the ability to generate income.

The formula for earning is simple. The more products you sell, the higher your sales volume and the more you earn. Unlike many other network marketing companies, with Nikken you’re not expected to personally purchase products in order to earn money. Our business model encourages you to sell at least 500 points worth of product to customers every month, develop at least three frontline entrepreneurs who do the same and duplicate the process. As your organization’s sales volume increases, you will naturally advance in rank and gain even more financial benefits.

When starting out, it’s not necessary to think about rank advancement if you stick to the simple formula. Sell at retail. Sell a lot. It’s not often that a company lowers prices substantially and Nikken did just that a couple of years ago to help Consultants move lots of product and earn retail profits.

The Nutrition, Personal Care and Magnetic Support products have the lowest prices so new prospects will be able to try Nikken quality for a small expenditure. They’re what are known as “door openers” by our industry. Once people experience their superb benefits, they‘ll naturally be interested in other products, as long as you do your job and follow up.

To make sure your monthly sales stay consistent and grow, get your Registered Customers to go on Autoship. That way they won’t run out of product, will receive a substantial price discount and are guaranteed a certain amount of sales every month. Each Registered Customer you have on Autoship just adds to your monthly volume. You can also think of Autoship as the easiest way to retain your customers. Again, you personally are not required to spend money on purchases.

As you continue to build a strong customer base, you should also be sponsoring people who want to earn an income instead of just consuming products. You should start them off right by explaining the merits of selling as many products at retail as possible and retaining their own customers by placing them on Autoship. Even if your sponsor or upline leader hasn’t taught you these easy ways to earn right away, you can start putting this formula into practice and teaching it to your new team members.

This may sound like facile training, but the truth of the matter is that keeping it simple is what makes it work. Think of it this way: You’re giving people a deal that shouldn’t be passed up—great products that help create Active Wellness and a more balanced lifestyle.

 

Nature’s Own Liver Supporter

Published on by Nikken

The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have catalogued more than 400 scientific studies of Milk Thistle and its active compounds in their database. Milk Thistle is widely thought to be one of the most beneficial herbal remedies used globally.

Used for more than 2,000 years to support the liver naturally, Milk Thistle gets its name from the white fluid that comes from the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed. Over the past 40 years, intensive chemical, pharmacological and clinical research has confirmed the therapeutic value of Milk Thistle in a wide range of liver-related as well as non-liver-related conditions.

  • The active component in Milk Thistle is known as Silymarin, a flavonoid that is both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, which may help decrease oxidative stress.* According to Web MD, Silymarin is sometimes used as a natural restorative for liver and gall bladder issues.
  • Milk Thistle is known to help protect the liver from toxins, including the effects of alcohol. In the EU, Milk Thistle is sometimes prescribed as medication.
  • The American Botanical Council published a study on August 16, 2004 showing that Milk Thistle exhibited promise for “stimulating cell regeneration in the kidneys.” Milk Thistle’s effect on kidney health is believed to “closely mirror the herb’s effects on the liver.”
  • The same study showed that Milk Thistle “appears to raise levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol and may also help reduce blood pressure.”
  • The renowned Mayo Clinic has published insights on Milk Thistle, including findings that show the herb “may improve blood sugar control.”
  • Milk Thistle even “appears to have neuroprotective properties.”1

Take a look at the label of Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox. The botanical you see is the Milk Thistle plant. It is an important ingredient of the Proprietary Synergistic Cleanse & Detox Complex.

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

1          Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(11):2299-306.

 

How does Chicory Root help Cleanse & Detox?

Published on by Nikken

Our bodies simply do not function at 100 percent when it comes to absorbing good nutrients and expelling toxic or nontoxic waste. Retention of toxins can make us sick in various ways. Fatigue, headaches, indigestion, constipation, insomnia and “mystery” discomforts can all be attributed to toxins doing their evil work in our bodies. Even mental conditions such as depression, anxiety and an inability to focus may result from toxins trapped in the body. They can reside in the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin and the entire lymphatic system.cleanse ans detox picture

Image courtesy of lifehack.org

No wonder many people go overboard with colon cleanses to detoxify and end up with even more problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Colon cleansing can sometimes be harmful. In fact, coffee enemas sometimes used in colon cleansing have been linked to several deaths. Colon cleansing can also cause less serious side effects, such as cramping, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Other concerns with colon cleansing are that it can increase your risk of dehydration, lead to bowel perforations, increase the risk of infection and cause changes in your electrolytes, which can be dangerous if you have kidney, heart disease or other health problems.”

A gentler and far more comfortable way to help the body cleanse and detoxify is to take an organic nutritional supplement, especially one that targets the liver, the organ that is key to the elimination of bodily wastes. Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox is a NikkenWellness proprietary blend with roasted organic Chicory Root as one key ingredient. Roasted organic Chicory Root helps support the breakdown of fats by increasing the flow of bile through the liver.* Chicory Root is high in antioxidant compounds, contains a soluble fiber that helps feed digestive flora in the intestines and is a mild laxative.*

Herbalists use Chicory Root as a natural protector of the liver. The ability of Chicory Root extract to protect against chemical-induced free radicals and possible toxicity to the liver was reviewed in a 2015 medical review. Subjects were divided into four groups, according to treatment type, levels of damage and antioxidants reviewed during the process. Pretreatment with Chicory Root extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and prevented cell damage, ultimately improving liver conditions due to toxicity.1

Chicory Root is also a natural prebiotic, which promotes gut health. Inulin is the substance found in Chicory Root that is considered a prebiotic fiber, because it is easily fermented and helps to promote the growth of probiotics in the digestive system. Pre- and probiotics work best in tandem.

The inulin in Chicory Root also helps to relieve constipation. The impact of daily consumption of 15 grams of chicory on elderly constipated volunteers was examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over 28 days. Volunteers in the inulin group reported increased satisfaction with digestion and decreased constipation.2

We’ll be taking a look at other key ingredients in the Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox formulation in the next few weeks.

*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.

  1. PLoS One. 2015 Mar 25;10(3):e0121549. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121549. eCollection 2015.
  2. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Mar;62(2):164-70. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2010.527323. Epub 2010 Nov 23.

Cherries are delicious AND good for you!

Published on by Nikken

Who knew something so delicious would be so good for us? Cherries are one of nature’s gifts to mankind—beautifully dark red, juicy, sweet or tart—and full of antioxidants that are known to be good for our health! Here are just a few reasons to eat cherries:

  • In a study of more than 600 people with gout, those who ate a half cup serving of cherries (about 10 to 12 cherries) daily had 35 percent lower risk of a subsequent attack. Gout results from too much uric acid forming crystals in the joints, with pain as the body’s inflammatory response. 1
  • According to one study, women with osteoarthritis who drank tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks had significant reductions in inflammation markers. The researchers noted that tart cherries may have the “highest anti-inflammatory content of any food.”2
  • Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that helps calm excess inflammation and stress; however, it also plays a role in sleep and bodily regeneration. Cherries contain natural melatonin!
  • Athletes who consumed tart cherry juice prior to long-distance running experienced less discomfort than those who did not. It is believed that cherries have a protective effect that helps reduce muscle aches during strenuous exercise.3
  • Michigan is a world leader in the production of tart cherries, producing up to 75 percent of the U.S. crop. The state’s universities conduct ongoing studies. One study from the University of Michigan’s Cardiovascular Center found that rats that had a high-fat diet tended to gain less weight when tart cherry powder was added to their diets. Researchers believe this is evidence that switching less healthy foods for tart cherries may help in any weight management regimen.4
  • Central Michigan University researchers found that mice that ate cherries performed better in memory–related tests than those that did not. Researchers acknowledge that far more research needs to be done before concluding that cherries can slow neurodegenerative diseases but early signs are very promising.5

In the United States, cherry season ranges from early April/late May through August, with major growers in Michigan, Washington and California. Something we can all enjoy daily, regardless of season, is Active Wellness.

1          Arthritis & Rheumatism, Vol. 64, issue 10.

2          Medical News Today, June 1, 2012.

3          J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2 010 May 7; 7:17.

4          Presented by E. Mitchell Seymour, M.S., Experimental Biology, 2008.

5          Gary Dunbar, Journal of Medicinal Food, 2012.

Go Mediterranean for Good Nutrition and Health

Published on by Nikken

March is National Nutrition Month®, a nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to remind people to return to the basics of healthy eating. Although the right diet depends on each individual’s personal needs and state of health, the Mediterranean diet is one that is often recommended.

Eating Mediterranean style is actually easy and best of all, delicious. Here are 10 basics:

  1. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. They have a lot of water content and help to provide a feeling of fullness. Preferably, eat locally grown fruits and vegetables that retain the highest nutrient content.
  2. Choose olive oil as your main source of added fat. It’s rich in vitamin E, beta-carotenes and monounsaturated fat.
  3. Incorporate healthful grains into your everyday diet. Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press, but in the Mediterranean diet, moderate consumption of whole grains are a source of energy for a life of Active Wellness.
  4. Consume moderate amounts of dairy products, especially fermented ones such as yogurt, as it is known to contain live micro-organisms that can help improve the balance of good gut bacteria.
  5. Be sure to incorporate fish into your meal plans. Eat it at least once or twice a week. Cold water fish are known to contain omega fatty acids, beneficial for heart health.
  6. Eat eggs. They’re perfect alternatives to meat, high in quality proteins and fat. Once given a bad rap, eggs are now considered a complete food.
  7. Replace baked goods and other desserts with added sugar with fresh fruit. Eating fruit, such as dates, for dessert is common not only with Mediterranean cultures but also in Asian and African traditions.
  8. More than any other beverages, drink water. Water truly sustains healthy living. The Mediterranean diet also incorporates red wine as a healthful beverage, but only in moderation. Nutritionists recommend limiting consumption to no more than one portion daily for women and two for men.
  9. Eat red meat in moderation. If possible, use meat in combination with vegetables, such as in stews. Choose lean meats for their protein content and iron.
  10. Don’t eat processed foods. Processing removes valuable nutrients and enzymes, so you end up with empty calories.

With NikkenWellness organic nutritional supplements to fill in dietary gaps, it’s even easier to get back to the basics of healthy eating!

Sources: dietamediterranea.com, eatright.org

Stevia by any other name would taste as sweet

Published on by Nikken

On our Active Wellness blog, we’ve discussed the harmful effects of sugar consumption. We’ve also shown the hard-to-access monk fruit as a wonderful zero-calorie sweetener. But what can we use as a sweetener that doesn’t have harmful effects and is easily available?

Given the dual epidemics of diabetes and obesity, it’s a good thing that there’s a natural sweetener that has shown virtually no side effects with long-term usage. Unlike artificial sweeteners, stevia has the benefit of zero calories but doesn’t produce adverse effects.

The raw leaves of the stevia plant can be 20 to 40 times sweeter than cane sugar, while the powdered derivative is 200 to 300 times sweeter! What this means is that a little bit of stevia goes a long way. For example, a single teaspoon of stevia extract may have the same sweetening ability as an entire cup of sugar. This ratio varies between brands.

The active compounds of stevia are steviol glycodes (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside). Studies have shown that stevia seems to help in balancing blood sugar levels. Usage of stevia by diabetics has shown significant results. In one of the studies, type 2 diabetic patients took either one gram of stevioside with a meal or one gram of maize starch. The group taking stevioside had a reduction in blood sugar by about 18 percent. 1

Does stevia taste as good as sugar when added to beverages and food? It depends: Some are more concentrated, some contain filler, some have artificial flavoring and some are extremely diluted. Some stevia extracts may also leave a bitter after-taste. And, because stevia is so intensely sweet, it’s important to use it sparingly when replacing the sugar that is generally called for in baking. It may take a bit of trial and error before you decide on the form (liquid or powder), the substitution ratio (sugar vs. stevia) and your preferred brand.

Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix uses high quality stevia extract from organic stevia leaves as a sweetener, in addition to the mild sweet taste of the organic brown rice solids. Drink to your health!

  1. Soren Gregersen, Per B Jeppesen, Jens J Holst, Kjeld Hermansen, Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic subjects, Metabolism Clinical and Experimental Jan 2004 Vol 53, Issue 1, Pages 73-76.