Tag: digestive health

What is the Foundation for Vitality?

Published on by Nikken

What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to vitality? What do you think provides you with that feel-good sense of being able to take on the world? Is it a healthy heart or a great set of lungs? Is it your clarity of mind?

It may be surprising to know that your digestive system plays a crucial role in how you feel! The microorganisms that live in your gut contribute to a balanced (or unbalanced) microbiome. When it’s balanced, nutrient absorption is working at optimal levels and the key to energy production. In other words, a digestive system that is breaking down food very well, is enabling the body to extract and absorb as many nutrients as possible, resulting in high energy levels.

The “feel good” neurotransmitter is serotonin, and it is vital to the connection between gut health and whole body energy, since about 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. A healthy gut produces ample amounts of serotonin, which helps mood and sleep, two essential factors for maintaining high energy levels.1

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are all essential for energy production. Even if you eat balanced whole foods, if your digestive system is not functioning well, these nutrients cannot be absorbed efficiently. If your body does not absorb enough nutrients, you may feel tired, lethargic or have an overall feeling of fatigue.

What you eat plays a significant role in gut health and energy levels. Professional athletes adhere to a strict diet regimen because it directly impacts their performance. The same holds true for all of us—a poor diet that is high in processed foods with added sugars and unhealthy fats will disrupt the balance of gut bacteria. By choosing whole foods rich in fiber, you can actually create a healthy and balanced gut, which in turn produces high levels of energy that help you to feel good every day.

Eating naturally colorful foods, mostly found in fruit and vegetables, helps provide a broad range of nutrients that include antioxidants. Since fiber is so important for a healthy gut, incorporate whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and oats. Fiber will help you stay regular, another important aspect of gut health. Include lean proteins found in fish, poultry and legumes, as they will help you maintain muscle mass and energy levels.

Probiotics and prebiotics are found in fermented foods and are known to promote balance in the gut. If you like the taste of yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi or garlic and onions, you can incorporate them into your daily food regimen. You can also supplement with Golden Gut Formula, an advanced, integrated nutrient source uniquely designed to support gut health. It not only helps to balance the microbiota in the gut, it provides prebiotic support to help the probiotics work more efficiently and to deter bad bacteria from growing. Always remember to drink lots of PiMag® water to stay hydrated, knowing that water helps digestion!

Good nutrition is key to gut health, but physical activity is also important. Regular exercise helps maintain digestive health and support gut motility. You don’t have to be a high-performing athlete to achieve an improved gut: simply choose an activity you can do consistently—whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, yoga, Pilates or chair exercises—your gut will feel the difference and your overall energy levels will improve, so that you can experience vitality—the essence of feeling good every day—and the empowered living lifestyle.

1 https://greaterorlandogi.com/2025/01/13/how-digestive-health-affects-your-energy-levels/

Basic Health Trends for 2019

Published on by Nikken

Some notable health trends for 2019 are carried over from 2018 as more people take on the Active Wellness lifestyle. Here’s a look at what’s coming up for 2019 and amazingly, how Nikken products continue to be trendsetters throughout the years.

  • Medicinal mushrooms and herbs are finding their way into everyday food and drinks. Adaptogenic herbs can now be found in coffee bars and tea shops.1

Adaptogens are found in Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox, Kenzen® Clarity, Kenzen Lactoferrin™ 2.0 and Kenzen® Immunity, which is formulated with 14 different species of mushrooms!

  • More gadgets are popping up to help us recover from strenuous activities. According to CEO Martin Tobias of Upgrade Labs, “Modern recovery technologies use stronger signals like vibration, infrared light, targeted compression, intense cold, intense heat, powerful detoxification, and advanced nutrition to speed recovery and development.”2

Virtually every Nikken nutritional supplement targets not only health maintenance but helps the body recover from daily stresses. In addition, the KenkoTouch®, the MagCreator, CM Complex Cream and the KenkoGround™ specifically help overcome muscle fatigue.

  • Last year, sales of plant-based meat grew to 23% and is forecast to continue expanding in 2019. Plant-based dairy was 13% of all milk sales in 2018 and also expected to grow in 2019.
  • Plant–based fish and seafood, which reported sales increase of 72% from 2017 to 2018, is predicted to really expand in a big way.5 New companies are entering the market as it heats up. Managing Partner T.K. Pillan of PowerPlant Ventures says, “If awareness of the negative impacts of ocean fishing and contaminants spread quickly, plant-based fish could follow the plant-based meat market in its recent accelerated growth.” 3

Adds Eric Schnell, co-founder of Good Catch, a company that focuses on plant-based fish for vegans and those with fish allergies, “There are 300 marine animals that are fished around the world for consumption and only 30 land animals, so the opportunity to disrupt the marine category is 10 times bigger than chicken, beef and pork.”4

A prime example of using renewable plant sources rather than depleting marine supplies is Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA with omegas 3, 6 and 9 derived from flaxseed oil, red algae and cranberry seed oil.

  • As awareness of the importance of sleep for overall health grows, people are tracking their sleep patterns to find ways to improve the quality of their resting hours. According to virtually every sleep expert, it’s important to maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule. That translates to waking up and going to bed at the same time, as much as possible, and not deviating too much on weekends or days off from work. At Nikken, we believe the Kenko Sleep System can help poor sleepers achieve their best rest!
  • Digestive health is set to become a significant trend in 2019. The Kroger Company in Cincinnati put out information stating that “medical studies show that a healthy gut is the foundation of overall wellness, and more than ever before, consumers are seeking foods that support self-care and healthy immune systems.” 5

Kenzen Lactoferrin™ 2.0 and Kenzen® Digestion Complex 4-20 support optimal digestion*, nutrient absorption*, the proliferation of good gut bacteria* and overall health.

  • As we continue to live in a world where instant gratification is so desired, fast food is not going away. The good news is that there is a growing trend toward healthy eating in the form of meal replacement shakes, salads to go and nutrient-dense take-out food. According to Mintel, a market research firm that forecasts data for thousands of consumer goods markets worldwide, “On-the-go consumers are shopping for grab and go breakfasts, quick snacks and dinner time solutions. Consumers are expecting high-quality food and beverage options that fit into their fast-paced, time-crunched lifestyles without having to sacrifice health goals or flavor.”6

Look no further than Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix, which can be a meal or a snack, depending on your needs. It’s convenient and versatile, suitable for vegans and contains MCTs for your brain! It is an instant meal that supports the GI tract with an enzyme blend combined with probiotics.

*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 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2019-health-trends-forecast-300759858.html

2, 3, 4, https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/wellness-trends-2019

5 https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/12959-digestive-health-a-top-trend-heading-into-2019

6 https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2018/11/30/Mintel-s-top-food-trends-for-2019-From-healthy-aging-to-convenient-food-hacks#

Are you confused about what to eat?

Published on by Nikken

Did you know that the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation conducts an annual Food and Health Survey to gauge consumer interest and knowledge of food and its health benefits? The most recent survey showed some alarming results.

“As in previous years, the Food and Health Survey has shown that Americans feel overwhelmed by conflicting food and nutrition information,” said IFIC Foundation CEO Joseph Clayton. “But this year, we’re finding troubling signs that the information glut is translating into faulty decisions about our diets and health. As policymakers work to revise the Nutrition Facts panel and define ‘healthy’ on food labels, it’s more crucial than ever before that we empower consumers with accurate information based on the best available science, in terms they can easily understand and put into action.”

What to eat and what to avoid can be confusing when you’re getting conflicting information from various sources. Food labels vary and advertisers search for loopholes. For example, sugar is disguised by alternative words such as fructose, sucrose, pure cane sugar, barley malt, dextrose, maltose and so on. It gets complicated.

At Nikken, we have always encouraged people to read ingredient lists and Nutrition   Facts on any food products before purchasing them. We also take the utmost care in complying with Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations on labeling and truth in advertising. We go out of our way to make sure our Consultants and customers are clear on exactly what you’re getting: organic-based nutrition with an emphasis on natural ingredients culled for their maximum antioxidant and nutrient values.

According to the IFIC, almost all consumers seek out health benefits from what they eat and drink, with the top benefits being weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy and digestive health. It’s no coincidence that NikkenWellness organic nutritional supplements address not some, but all, of those concerns.

  • Weight loss: Active Wellness lifestyle with NikkenWellness nutritional supplements
  • Cardiovascular health: Kenzen® Bergisterol™, Kenzen Super Ciaga®, Kenzen® Omega Green +DHA
  • Energy: Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix
  • Digestive health: Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix, Kenzen® Digestion Complex 4 -20, Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox

The IFIC has found that 59 percent of consumers rely most on their family and friends for dietary decisions. Given this inclination, each individual who has benefited from NikkenWellness organic nutritional supplements has the knowledge to educate an entire circle of family and friends on what to eat. NikkenWellness replaces confusion with healthy, organic-based nutrition. Nothing complicated about that!