Tag: eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle

Small but Mighty: The Powerful Blueberry

Published on by Nikken

Blueberries are part of the genus Vaccinium. The main types of blueberries are highbush, lowbush, rabbiteye and half-high hybrid varieties. The most common blueberry for commercial cultivation is the highbush type. There are many varieties of blueberries each with their own characteristics in terms of size, growing season, flavor and ability to withstand cold.

Globally, blueberries are grown in high volumes in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Morocco, but the United States is the largest producer. In Europe, Poland used to be the leading producer of blueberries but has been overtaken by Spain. Increasing demand for this delicious “snacking food,” as it’s often referred to in Europe, has resulted in new plantations being established in countries such as Ukraine, Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, and Georgia.

In both Maine and eastern Canada, First Nation people, notably the Wabanaki tribes, were among the first to discover and use wild blueberries for nutrition and healing purposes. Fast forward to the modern world and the American Heart Association has certified blueberries as a heart-healthy food. Here are some of the reasons why:

•          Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutrients. A single cup (148 grams) serving contains 4 grams of fiber, and RDI (recommended daily intake) of 24% Vitamin C, 36% Vitamin K, 25% Manganese plus smaller amounts of other nutrients. Made up of 85% water, one cup of blueberries only has 84 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates, making it one of the fruits allowed on virtually every type of diet regimen.

•          Blueberries are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables. Available year round in both Europe and North America, it’s an easy and delicious way to incorporate a healthy fruit into a daily diet.

•          The antioxidants in blueberries have been shown to help reduce a primary risk factor for heart disease by preventing oxidative damage to “bad” LDL cholesterol.

•          Several studies suggest that blueberries and blueberry juice may help reduce DNA damage.

•          The blue color in blueberry skins are known as anthocyanins, which are a type of antioxidant that have associated traits, including the possibility of promoting maximum brain function and delaying mental decline. Anthocyanins also show evidence of reducing the risk of heart attacks.

•          Several studies have shown that blueberries have anti-diabetic effects by helping to improve insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels.1

•          Research suggests that blueberries may aid muscle recovery after strenuous exercise, so more studies are being conducted to gather additional data.2

Wild blueberries are slightly different from cultivated ones. Wild blueberries are smaller and grow on lower bushes. Many wild blueberries are harvested using hand-held berry rakes, but some are machine harvested. Both wild and cultivated blueberries are usually sorted, cleaned, and processed within hours of being picked. Those not sorted for fresh fruit markets are separated and partially frozen for easier transport and longevity.

Kenzen® Super Ciaga® is an immune-boosting antioxidant superfruit powder made with a combination of berries— Organic Elderberry, Organic Blueberry, Organic Blackberry, Organic Maqui Berry, Organic Raspberry.

From now until September 30, you can save 20% off the Summer Active Wellness Pack. It contains three Nikken technologies—nutrition, magnetics and PiMag® water— with a jar of Kenzen® Super Ciaga® powder, a pair of Kenko Insoles (choose mStrides or mSteps) and an eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle.

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187542/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124147/

You Can Have Filtered Alkaline Water On-the-Go

Published on by Nikken

Seasoned travelers know that airports don’t allow liquids to be carried on board airplanes. In fact, most airports do not allow liquids to go past security checkpoints. We are left with the options of purchasing high-priced bottled water at kiosks near the departure gates or drinking from water fountains, if there are any.

The PiMag® Sport Bottle is a game changer. It is portable so you can take it backpacking, on a walk, on the metro, on a cruise and on the plane—you can take it just about anywhere! It has a replaceable, patented nano-fiber filter that helps reduce contaminants, alkalize potable water and is made of eco-friendly materials. As long as you replace the filter, this bottle just keeps on working. This means you can fill it with water from taps, drinking fountains and any source of potable water. It’s the ideal travel companion!

Here are just a few testimonials from avid PiMag® Sport Bottle users who are committed to not drinking bottled water that adds to plastic waste and landfills:

“The PiMag Sport Bottle has been my life saver whenever I leave my house and especially when I travel! It’s so convenient being able to fill my bottle with even tap water. It eases my mind to know that I’m drinking clean, chemical-free alkaline water that tastes amazing!” S. DiMuccio

“I love traveling with my PiMag® Sports Bottle so I can have great water on planes. They won’t let us take water on the plane so I use my PiMag® Sport Bottle to clean the bottled water they give us. Also, I feel safe drinking the water when I ‘Nikkenize’ the l water that comes from the tap!” H. Rapp

“I love my PiMag® Sport Bottle.  I just returned from traveling for two weeks and at no point did I need to buy or concern myself with great quality water.  The airports now have depots where you can fill up your water bottles with semi-filtered water, but then I have PiMag® water filtration ready to go in my hands and I am so grateful!  It helps me stay hydrated and healthy as I am traveling.” B. Bertucci

“My husband and I have traveled across the United States, around Europe, South America and Japan with our PiMag® Sport Bottles. A few years ago, I met with the Head of the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh, N.C. We had lunch and I had my PiMag® Sport Bottle. He was taking his family back to visit in Mexico and he wanted a water bottle for each person. I was happy to be able to assist in making his trip better. Everyone loves PIMag® Water on-the-go!” K. Sargent\

“Whether I’m on a short five-mile hike with a fellow firefighter to help a patient or traveling long distances on a plane, the PIMag® Sport Bottle is our families’ go to source for great water. It’s small and lightweight and will fit anywhere.” V. Rogers

The eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle is such an easy way to make a personal commitment to planet Earth. In doing so, you’re also paying attention to self-care in the form of hydration and alkalinity. You’re also being a good role model for the younger generations.

This is the perfect time to begin or renew your commitment to staying hydrated while decreasing your carbon footprint. The Summer Active Wellness Pack is composed of three Nikken technologies that work to support walking, nutrition and hydration. It comes with one PiMag® Sport Bottle, one pair of energizing magnetic insoles (choose your size of Kenko mSteps® or Kenko mStrides®) and one Kenzen® Super Ciaga® Powder (for a superfruit antioxidant and immunity boost). You get the pack at 20% off from now through September 30.

Drinking Water Helps Boost Your Immunity

Published on by Nikken

March 22, 2020 is World Water Day. It’s an annual United Nations observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water and its sustainable management and promotes awareness about everything related to water. Whether you participate in celebratory local events, educational seminars or simply incorporate filtered, not bottled, water usage into your Active Wellness regimen, you can spread the word to help save Planet Earth.

Currently, the number one topic covered by global news media seems to be the pandemic. Schools and businesses are shutting down, events are being canceled and people are self-quarantining. This creates a new level of mental and physical discomfort that promotes a feeling of helplessness. But there are basic things we can do daily to help maintain our wellness. Things, such as washing our hands frequently, observing social distancing and leaving your dwelling only when necessary.

Water plays such an important role in helping to maintain a healthy body. Your immune system is the first defense against germs, bacteria and free radicals. How can you keep that immune system operating at optimal levels? Water helps carry oxygen throughout the body to organs, tissues, and blood cells. Since blood is composed of more than 90% water, water feeds those carrier blood cells.1 Keep your immunity up by drinking plenty of water to help stave off infection. Staying hydrated helps your body naturally eliminate toxins that may cause illness.2

Lymphocytes are white blood cells located in the lymph nodes in the immune system. Their job is to detect foreign antigens and produce the antibodies to destroy the waste material, which keeps the immune function intact. Drinking water works like a waterfall that helps the body’s digestive system work efficiently to process nutrients while ridding it of waste. In other words, drinking plenty of water helps boost the immune system by preventing the buildup of toxins in the kidneys and the liver.  Add Kenzen® Lactoferrin 2.0, Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox and Kenzen® Immunity for even more support!

All cells and organs need water to function properly. So, drink lots of water and this year, celebrate World Water Day in your own way. Don’t join the panicked crowds lining up to buy single-use bottled water. Simply make sure you and everyone you care about have at least one PiMag Waterfall® at home to filter your tap water. When on-the-go, make sure you have portable eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottles to filter out bacteria and other pathogens wherever you fill up—from water fountains and taps. Drink to your health and to reduced plastic waste for Planet Earth!

Most importantly, remember to change your water filters regularly to insure optimal performance from your Waterfall and Sport Bottle!

1https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290814

2https://www.fishertitus.org/health/boost-your-immune-system

 

 

Drink Filtered Water for Active Wellness and Reduce Bottled Water Use for Earth Wellness

Published on by Nikken

For the first time in history, human use and pollution of freshwater have reached a level where water scarcity will potentially limit food production, ecosystem function, and urban supply in the decades to come. The primary reason for this shortage is population growth, which has increased at a faster rate than food production for some years and will add up to three billion or more people by the middle of the 21st century, mostly in poor and water‐short countries. Water quality degradation has also contributed significantly to a number of problems of global concern, including human drinking water supply and species survival.1

Here are some daunting facts2:

  • Today one in three people or 2.2 billion people around the world lack safe drinking water. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
  • Over half of the global population or 4.2 billion people lack safe sanitation. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
  • Approximately 50 liters of water per person per day are needed to ensure that most basic needs are met while keeping public health risks at a low level. (WHO, 2017)
  • 207 million people spent over 30 minutes per round trip to collect water from an improved source. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
  • Hygiene promotion is the most cost effective health intervention. (World Bank 2016)
  • Two out of five people or three billion people around the world lack basic handwashing facilties at home. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
  • In urban areas, for every $1 invested in basic drinking water, an average of more than $3 is returned in saved medical costs and increased productivity. For every $1 invested in basic sanitation, the return is $2.5. In rural areas, the return on investment is even higher: with every $1 invested in basic drinking water, an average of nearly $7 is returned in saved medical costs and increased productivity. And in the case of basic sanitation in rural areas, every $1 returns on average more than $5 in saved medical costs and increased productivity. (Hutton et al. 2015)

Clean water is not something we can take for granted. And for those of us who have easy access to drinkable water, now more than ever it’s our responsibility to help decrease our plastic waste and carry water bottles everywhere instead of drinking single-use bottled water. With an eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle, you not only get clean pi water, you help decrease plastic waste and your personal carbon footprint!

This March, Nikken Registered Customers get a US $50 cash discount on any PiMag® Water Pack purchase as Nikken participates in World Water Awareness.

 

1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065211307950014

2 https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-sanitation-and-hygiene/

 

Don’t Take Your Eyes for Granted

Published on by Nikken

Eye health is important and those with good sight often take it for granted. Even if your eyes feel healthy, you could have a problem and not know it. That’s because many eye diseases don’t have any symptoms or warning signs. Getting older increases the risk of some eye diseases and a dilated eye exam is the only way to check for them early on, when they’re easier to treat. You might also have a higher risk of some eye diseases if you are overweight or obese, or have a family history of eye disease.1

People often believe that failing eyesight is an inevitable result of aging or eye strain. In truth, a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of eye health problems. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), published in 2001, found that certain nutrients — zinc, copper, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene — may reduce the risk of age-related decline in eye health by 25 percent.a2 This study was updated in 2013 to test different versions of the original formula. The variations included omega-3 fatty acids, zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene; the study found that certain combinations may work better than others. Further studies agree that omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA), copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin are vital for eye health.

The AREDS reports support 10 nutrient-rich foods.

  1. Fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Choose Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA for a vegan option.
  2. Nuts and legumes are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, plus high in vitamin E, which can protect the age from damage.
  3. Seeds are high in omega-3s and rich in vitamin E.
  4. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is recommended to fight age-related eye damage. Kenzen Mega Daily 4® is a great source of vitamin C.
  5. Leafy green vegetables are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin as well as vitamin C—all beneficial for optimal eye health.
  6. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A plays an essential role in vision and is a component of rhodospin, a protein that helps the retina absorb light.3
  7. Sweet potatoes are similar to carrots in being filled with beta carotene. They’re also a good source of vitamin E. Kenzen Mega Daily 4® provides more than the daily requirements for both!
  8. Beef is rich in zinc, which has been linked to better long-term eye health. Zinc can help delay age-related sight loss and macular degeneration. The eye itself contains high levels of zinc, particularly in the retina and the vascular tissue surrounding it.4 Chicken breast and pork loin also contain zinc but at lower levels than beef. Kenzen Mega Daily 4® for the win again, as a healthy source of zinc!
  9. Eggs are great sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help reduce the risk of age-related sight loss. Eggs are also good sources of vitamins C, E and zinc.
  10. Water is essential to eye health as it helps prevent dehydration, which in turn helps reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. Carry an eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle with you everywhere and drink up!

Eye health is crucial to Active Wellness. Kenzen Mega Daily 4® is formulated with a variety of foods that are organically grown in regions where the soils are not depleted by decades of commercial farming. MegaDaily4This ensures that more of the natural, whole-food nutrients are present and correspond more closely to the requirements of the human body than conventional vitamins. For overall health and to help maintain clear vision, Mega Daily 4® is a force to be reckoned with!

 

 

 

1 https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/keep-your-eyes-healthy

2, 3, 4 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321226.php

Get the Benefits of Winter Sports without Injuries

Published on by Nikken

Winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, ice hockey and sledding are invigorating ways to experience the great outdoors during the cold months of the year. They’re high speed and therefore can also be perilous, causing many common injuries. These include fractures, sprains, strains, concussions and dislocations. Snowboarders tend to have more wrist injuries as well as tailbone contusions and concussions whereas skiers have more knee injuries.1

Take care of yourselves and properly prepare children for outdoor winter activities. Here are a dozen precautions to take when participating in winter sports:

  • Wear the appropriate protective gear such as helmets, goggles, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, as well as sunscreen. Check out Nikken KenkoTherm® Wraps for comfortable support for muscles, ligaments and joints.
  • Make sure all equipment is in good working order.
  • Wear layers of clothing that include a breathable base layer, one or two insulating layers and a water- and windproof outer layer to help you stay warm and dry. Layering helps accommodate your body’s changing temperature.
  • Wear comfortable footwear for warmth, dryness and ankle support. If you have weak ankles to begin with, try wrapping them with KenkoTherm DUK® Tape for extra support before putting on your Nikken Sport Socks.
  • Stay hydrated. Breathing cold air can be dehydrating, so bring along a good size water bottle and sip steadily. Convenient and giving you the bonus of ultra high-tech filtration, the eco-friendly PiMag® Sport Bottle is a must-have carry-along. Orthopedists recommend drinking a pint before exercising and another pint after you’re done, with sipping every 20 minutes or so in between.3
  • Warm up. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are more injury-prone.
  • After warming up, stretch. Hold each stretch for 10 to 20 seconds, then slowly and carefully release it. Inhale before each stretch and exhale as you release. Do each stretch once, always with control and never bounce on a fully stretched muscle.2
  • Learn how to fall. Shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries can result from trying to brace a fall. According to the Canadian Ski Patrol, the harder you try to stay upright, the harder it is on the knees and the more risk of ligament breaks, strains or tears.4
  • Do not ice skate on frozen lakes, rivers or ponds unless you are absolutely sure they have not started to thaw. The safest way is to ice skate on frozen water masses only where posted signs indicate it’s safe.
  • If snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, be sure to bring a map and a compass. Also be constantly vigilant of changing weather conditions.
  • Never participate alone in a winter sport. If you must go alone, be sure to inform friends and family of your location and expected time of return.
  • Know your limitations and those of your children. Unless you are an athlete training under supervision, rest when tired, and choose slopes and maneuvers that match your skill level.

One of the most enjoyable parts of winter sports is the rest and relaxation afterwards! Why not revive yourself with a hot cup of Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix and treat yourself to a gentle massage with KenkoTouch®?

 

1 https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/perfect-10-winter-sports-safety-tips

2, 3 https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/

4 https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/fitness/9-safety-tips-for-winter-sports/