Tag: Global Wellness Community

New Year Message from CEO Luis Kasuga

Published on by Nikken

Dear Nikken Global Wellness Community,

As I look back at 2022, I see how much we have accomplished. I also see clearly that there is so much more to do. According to analysts, 2023 is expected to be a challenging year. Yet, I remain optimistic. I would like to share with you, why.

At Nikken, the spirit of Humans Being More is how we can improve our own foundations and the key to growth during difficult times. This spirit serves as the solution to many conflicts and relates to our responsibility as a community to bring the message of well-being to one and all. This message of wellness is needed even more during difficult times and it is our mission to deliver it.

We can choose to be proactive and responsive rather than reactive and combative. We can choose to be kind rather than judgmental, and we can consciously make the best of the worst situations. Do you know the Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl? He was an Auschwitz survivor who wrote and lectured about the search for life’s meaning as the primary human motivational force. In Dr. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, life’s meaning comes from three sources: purposeful work, love, and courage when facing adversity. He explains that the discovery of life’s meaning can come about in three ways: by creating a work or doing a deed, by experiencing or encountering someone, and by facing unavoidable suffering with a positive and forgiving attitude.

In my 28 years with Nikken, I have found purposeful work, love and the courage to navigate the many ups and downs we have faced as a company. Together with our Nikken Team and leaders in the field, we have experienced many changes. It has not always been easy, and we have transparently aired our differences. Ultimately, we pledge to continue as a united front, moving forward with humility, compassion and forgiveness.

The idea of forgiveness is an integral part of this season of family celebrations and renewal of friendships. Forgiveness does not come naturally to everyone, but it can be a conscious choice. The reality is, when we don’t forgive others and stay angry or resentful, we are punishing ourselves. It’s not anyone’s responsibility to change to please someone else, and misplaced expectations may cause negative emotions that don’t work. For example, we have losses and gains in relationships, so we need to let go and forgive what didn’t work and hold on and be grateful for what does.

We need to start with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we need to forgive ourselves. We often are harshest with ourselves. So, let’s be kind to ourselves! We are humans and imperfect, so we are better off forgiving ourselves and trying to improve. And, hand-in-hand with forgiving ourselves is being grateful for what we have in every aspect of our lives. Humans Being More training teaches us to forgive through learning about ourselves and transforming into better versions of ourselves. This is an ongoing process for as long as we live.

What I wish for you during this celebratory time of year is peace in your heart as you approach 2023 and love and health for your entire family! Enjoy the new year, reflect on what you really want for yourself and others and go for it!

Your friend,

Luis Kasuga

President & CEO

Post-Graduation is One of the Most Stimulating Times of Life

Published on by Nikken

Transitioning from high school or university life to the work world can be daunting or exciting, depending on each graduate’s personal outlook on life. Personal growth, professional development and real world experience are all part of the transition.

Every graduate will deal with this major life transition in different ways. And, depending on the graduate’s mindset and individual characteristics, a “nine-to five” job may simply not be the best use of time. Others may even have job offers lined up and fall into a first out-of-school work opportunity with little effort.

New graduates are fortunate to live at a time when there are side hustles and other options to choose from. Side hustles are usually part-time or temporary situations, but in some cases, can lead to bigger jobs or full-time careers. Some graduates may already have experience with side hustles as they worked through school.

•          Dog walking is a perfect part-time job for someone who loves the outdoors and of course, dogs. People book dog walkers per walk and by the amount of time spent. There are dog walkers who specialize in senior dogs and special needs dogs as well as those who are strong enough to walk athletic dogs.

•          Those who love pets in general can become pet sitters. During the summer months when many people travel, pet sitters are highest in demand. People who love their pets as family members are often willing to pay to have them cared for in the comfort of their own homes when they go on vacation, travel for work or simply need to be away from home.

•          Graduates who are proficient on social media can make quite a bit of money when they become “influencers.” Whether it’s on TikTok, YouTube, podcasts, vlogs (video blogs) or any other platform, the more followers amassed, the more money advertisers are willing to pay. Influencers generally have specific expertise, and sometimes in surprising areas, such as makeup techniques, creating arts and crafts out of junkyard findings, and so many ways to cook or combine unexpected herbs and spices. Some young people develop entire musical or artistic careers by performing on their social media platforms and being found.

•          Graduates who feel fulfilled when they are of service can become helpers for senior citizens. This can involve driving the elderly to their appointments or anywhere they need to go. It can be about running errands, such as buying groceries or accompanying them for some outdoor time at a park.

•          On the other end of the age spectrum, graduates can help new and working parents with babysitting or nannying. Some parents will require licensed caretakers but networking with friends and families can produce lucrative childcare leads that are mutually beneficial.

•          There are websites and apps that pay people to test their functionality. There are websites that pay people to take tests and/or surveys.

•          Work as an online tutor or if willing, as an in-person tutor. Tutors generally specialize in particular age groups and subject matter. Tutors for high school math and elementary school reading are often in high demand. There are also tutors who specialize in college entrance exams.

•          Network marketing has been a source of income for many students and graduates. It’s not only a way to make money but also a way to stay in touch with old friends and make new ones. At Nikken, there’s a whole new generation of entrepreneurs who have decided to forgo corporate life to be their own bosses.

No matter what choices graduates make, this is truly an exhilarating time, full of possibilities and decisions. To make sure the transition is not overwhelming, here are some tips for graduates to succeed in their new lives:

•          Manage time. Be punctual to interviews, meetings, appointments and dates! It shows character and respectfulness. Do not procrastinate: do what you can do today.

•          Manage personal finances. Even if you win the lottery, always spend less than you have and put some away. Even if you don’t need it, you may be able to help someone who does. Learn how to create a monthly budget and adopt the green way of reduce, recycle and reuse.

•          Shy or outgoing? Both types can cultivate effective communication skills. Say what you mean and mean what you say. It will help in every relationship, personal or professional, through an entire lifetime. Be yourself and avoid pretense. Communicate in a way that errs on the side of kindness.

•          Be quiet for a little bit of time every day. Some call it meditation, but being quiet with yourself doesn’t have to be a time of deep meaning. It can be time to breathe deeply and give yourself a time out. Being quiet with yourself means no phones or electronic devices, no TV, no virtual assistants.

•          Maintain good health. Having so much going on at this time of life, it’s common for graduates to forget to eat regular meals, exercise daily, drink lots of water and get enough sleep. Developing Active Wellness habits will keep you functioning at high energy levels with an active immune system.

If you’re looking for a great gift for the graduates in your life, today is the last day to take advantage of the huge 30% off sale on all sizes of the Kenko Naturest® Fit mattress topper! Since the Fit is portable, it’s easy to roll it up and take it on vacation or when traveling.

Congratulations to all the graduates of the class of 2022 from Nikken! We welcome you to our Global Wellness Community!

Mental Health is Part of Men’s Health, Too

Published on by Nikken

Now more than ever, mental health is in the news. Perhaps triggered by the pandemic, more people are openly discussing issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias and eating disorders. Men, even more than women, often suffer in silence and it has a lot to do with the different ways boys and girls are brought up.

One of the most significant social stereotypes is that boys are in some way stronger or tougher than girls.1 Yet little girls grow up to be women who have to be tough enough to go through childbirth. This stereotype of masculine strength creates boys who grow into men who suppress their feelings. In other words, it has been engrained in them that feeling vulnerable is a sign of weakness and discussing their anxiety or depression is “unmanly.” Men need to be freed of the stigma attached to their feelings of imperfection, loneliness and helplessness—because all these so-called negative thoughts are part of being human and living through the various stages of life, regardless of gender. Simply feeling able to confide in a therapist, friend or any trusted person is a big step towards mental health.

Research supports the fact that men who cannot speak openly about their emotions may be less likely to recognize mental health issues.2 And, if they don’t recognize they are going through some kind of crisis, they are not going to seek help. Instead, they commonly turn to coping mechanisms such as drinking alcohol to excess, doing drugs or acting overly aggressive. Some other mental health symptoms in men include unexplained anger, irritability, frustration, trouble concentrating, persistent feelings of worry, engaging in high-risk activities, unusual behavior that impedes daily functions and thoughts of suicide.3

In fact, in England, the suicide rate is three times higher in men than in women.4 In North America, the rate is four times higher with men than women.5 Those contemplating suicide often believe no one feels the way they do. “You are not alone”— This statement alone can help someone who is suffering through a mental health crisis, because the knowledge that a specific feeling is not unique, makes it somewhat more acceptable as part of society at large.

Risk factors for mental health issues with men include social isolation, substance abuse, unemployment, military-related trauma, genetic predisposition, mood disorders and health challenges specific to aging in those 85 and older.6

In their 2018 report, the World Health Organization emphasized that cultural stigma surrounding mental health was one of the chief obstacles to people admitting that they were struggling and seeking help, and this was especially pronounced in men.7 Because so many men have been brought up to think of mental health as not concrete, the subject has become known by various media as a “silent epidemic” and a “sleeper issue that has crept into the minds of millions.”8

The fact that men’s mental health is trending in the news gives hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. New fathers and mothers can lead the way by treating boys and girls more equitably, by nurturing and encouraging both genders to articulate both thoughts and feelings, and to be generous and kind to as many as possible. It’s never too early to guide a child into living as an active participant in the Global Wellness Community.

Since June 19 is Father’s Day and June is Men’s Health Awareness month, Nikken is celebrating fathers and men’s health with a self-care pack that empowers men with Active Wellness. Our Father’s Day Pack, available June 1 through June 30, targets the immune system and gut health with one bottle of Kenzen® Immunity and one bottle of Kenzen Lactoferrin® 2.0. You also receive a bonus bottle of Kenzen® Mega Daily 4 for men at no cost, an added retail value of $53 US / $65 CA.

1 https://raisedgood.com/little-boys-more-fragile/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=little-boys-more-fragile&fbclid=IwAR0QajpmC_g1RJI1n-pOegAmQP5sbvMM6vt1tIwmACwZGedn_pxJwa6QYps&fs=e&s=cl

2, 3 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/men-and-mental-health#:~:text=While%20there%20isn’t%20a,rather%20than%20talking%20about%20it.

4 https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/mental-health-care-for-men#symptoms

5, 6 https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men

7, 8 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mens-mental-health-man-up-is-not-the-answer

Resolve to Reuse, Reduce & Recyle to Restore our Oceans

Published on by Nikken

As members of the Global Wellness Community, each of us is aware of plastic waste. Fortunately, we are capable of decreasing our personal plastic waste. If each one of us committed to less consumption of plastic packaging, imagine the cumulative outcome for the world! One of the simplest ways is to stop buying and drinking water sold in plastic bottles. Here’s why that is so important.

One component of ocean pollution that’s especially threatening to not only ocean life forms but human life, is micro-plastics. When plastic pollution enters the ocean, large pieces are broken down over time by exposure to sea elements and become tiny particles. These particles, the estimated size of a 5mm sesame seed, break loose from the large “garbage patch” and spread throughout the ocean.

Depending on its density, some sink, some float, and some just hover in the water column. Because the plastic resembles food, it is eaten by a huge range of animals throughout the food chain, including fish, birds, turtles, whales, and even microscopic plankton, eventually working their way up to humans.1

Micro-plastics are extremely difficult to clean out of the ocean, and since they are so tiny, they travel far and wide, basically making their way to every ocean in the world. This is why most ocean anti-pollution projects, such as The Ocean Cleanup, focus on removing larger pieces of trash, before they can degrade.2

Remarkably, in 2019 a then 18-year-old named Fionn Ferreira, invented an effective new method for removing micro-plastics from the oceans. Ferreira was kayaking along the coast in Ballydehob, his hometown in West Cork, Ireland, when he came upon a rock coated in oil. Ferreira noticed that small bits of plastic were sticking to the oil-coated-rock. “In chemistry, like attracts like,” Ferreira noted.  He decided to combine vegetable oil and magnetite powder to create a nontoxic ferrofluid, a “magnetic liquid,” or liquid that acts as a carrier for tiny magnetic particles—since ferrofluids and plastics attract when in the presence of water. Ferreira would add his ferrofluid to water samples full of micro-plastics, then remove the ferrofluid using a magnet, taking the micro-plastics with it. After hundreds of tests, Ferreira’s ferrofluid was able to successfully remove at least 87% of micro-plastics from the water samples.3

Since then, while pursuing a Chemistry degree at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, Fionn has established a company focused on micro-plastic removal technology. Early tests on ferrofluids as a tool for cleaning up oil spills have been promising, but Ferreira believes that the only true way to solve the massive problem of ocean pollution is to change our consumption habits.3

Fionn is part of the new generation of scientists that has never known life without plastic pollution. He and other innovative young scientists, such as Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao who developed bacterium to transform plastic into carbon dioxide and water, are committed to restoring our oceans.

The KenkoAir Purifier®, PiMag Waterfall® and PiMag® Sport Bottle are durable filtration systems that can help us reuse, reduce and recycle. The filters are recyclable and help decrease our carbon footprint. For the remainder of January, you can take advantage of four special filter packs that give you a bonus item when you purchase a PiMag Waterfall® filter cartridge and a KenkoAir Purifier® HEPA filter in the same order.

1 https://www.good.is/articles/end-plastic-pollution-pick-it-up-bin-it-take-three-for-the-sea

2, 3 https://www.good.is/microplastics-magnet-removal

Health Trends for 2022

Published on by Nikken

It’s no surprise that staying as healthy as possible will continue to be top priority this year. That priority has been the premise for each Nikken product in every category, whether it’s nutrition, magnetic support, PiMag® water or clean air, since the company began more than 46 years ago.

What are some of the health areas that people may focus on in the year 2022?

• According to the international health insurance company BUPA, Google searches for “gut health” are up by 83% and they predict more people will focus on it in 2022.1 The Nikken organic nutritional supplements that address this are Kenzen Lactoferrin® 2.0, Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox and Kenzen Vital Balance®. All three contain prebiotics and/or probiotics that enhance gut health.

• Some health experts predict that people will pay closer attention to their mental health in 2022. Mental health affects how the brain functions, and is also a byproduct of our individual ways of responding to stress. Relaxing strategies such as spending more time in green spaces or practicing self-care to reduce stress will continue to be a priority in 2022.2 You can also take nutritional supplements that support brain health such as Kenzen® Clarity, a fermented blend of 100% organic ingredients formulated to help you stay focused and mentally sharp, designed to help maximize your cognitive function.*

• The “green generation” of healthcare is growing. Green health professionals blend healthcare with an understanding of the environmental changes that affect people’s health in different parts of the world. They provide healthcare while advocating for the environment.3 Everyone understands the need for clean air and water for optimal health, and Nikken provides the stellar KenkoAir Purifier®, PiMag Waterfall® and PiMag® Sport Bottle that help us decrease our carbon footprint by minimizing plastic waste. Replacing the filters of these components keeps them in top shape for years. Through January 31st, check out our filters replacement promotion where you can get a bonus item whenever you purchase one KenkoAir HEPA filter and one PiMag Waterfall filter together.

• Plant-based-eating articles and meal plans were up 31% in 2021 and it is expected to grow even more as more people choose to eat healthier and more sustainably.4

• Perennial (as opposed to annual) grains like kernza (a new type of wheat) will explode. That is a good thing when it comes to fighting climate change, because perennial grains develop deeper root systems than annuals, and these deep roots help prevent soil erosion and trap harmful greenhouse gases underground, keeping them out of the atmosphere.5

• Kelp and seaweed will make their way into all kinds of products, not just food. Although common to many cultures, farming kelp has been found to pull carbon out of the atmosphere.6 Known as a great source of minerals, such as potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, seaweed is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins. A great example of using seaweed not just as food is the improved line of True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care. A variety of seaweeds are ingredients in these advanced formulations.

• A “new school” of vitamins and supplements will evolve in 2022. Known as “smart” and “forward-thinking” supplements, they not only effectively address nutritional sufficiency but also nurture specific areas of health, from our cells to the whole body. The advancements range from delivery format and options that consider our personalized genetic makeup to strategic ingredient combinations, environmental sustainability, and more.7 Nikken began using this smart, forward-thinking approach in formulating nutritional supplements years ago. Examples include the smart use of fermented ingredients in Kenzen Clarity, the natural stress relievers such as the adaptogen Ashwagandha, turmeric extract and Shisandra in Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox and the “bone buddies” delivery system of Kenzen Calcium Complex and Kenzen BDZ for optimal calcium absorption.

In essence, 2022 is the year that asks each of us how to become healthier and stronger personally while respecting and working together with the environment. At Nikken, we pledge to use and share what we learn to build a bigger, healthier and environmentally-conscious Global Wellness Community!

*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, 2 https://www.phillyvoice.com/2022-health-trends-diet-alcohol-reduction-male-fertility-sound-healing/

3 https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/doctors-are-becoming-leaders-in-environmental-movement

4, 5, 6 https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7935948/top-10-food-nutrition-trends-2022/

7 https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/new-generation-of-vitamins

New Year Message from CEO Luis Kasuga

Published on by Nikken

Dear Nikken Global Wellness Community,

During Nikken’s 47 years around the world and within my 27-year career with the company, I have seen over and over how new entrepreneurs are born. When people strive under uncomfortable and challenging circumstances, their smiling faces at the very instants of achieving their goals present me with some of my own happiest moments. I sincerely hope that we continue to be a space to encourage well-being and entrepreneurship.

Nikken is a successful and recognized brand in the field of wellness, not by mere chance but because you have chosen it to be part of your lives and have shared its benefits with hundreds of thousands of people. Those who have also chosen Nikken as their own business have set high goals. You do not give up in the face of adversity and have learned to rise to the challenges of being an entrepreneur, raising high the Nikken name. The truth is that I feel very fortunate to be part of this Global Wellness Community and, together with my colleagues from around the world, to be able to serve all of you.

I know that we had to face greater challenges this year than last year; the world has changed rapidly and continues to change. We adapt to circumstances and are committed to raising our standards in every region as a company. At Nikken, we are happy to take on the challenges we have and to improve wherever there is a need. The improvement and renewal process is ongoing because we have a dedicated and committed team of Nikken staff. We want Nikken to be a transformative experience because we know that each of you has a dream, a goal that you want to fulfill.

I will continue counting on you to carry on with our great community next year and onward. The objective is for your businesses to grow, just as you get closer to your professional and personal goals each day of every year. We are an unstoppable community.

This is a time of celebration, joy and emotion. We meet with our loved ones to welcome the New Year of 2022. It is a year that will bring us many new experiences as well as reasons to celebrate fresh accomplishments as we continue on our path towards Vision 2025.

I sincerely hope that this season and the beginning of the New Year fill your homes with blessings and joy. May you and your loved ones be blessed with family unity and the most precious gifts of love, peace and health. Happy Holidays and to a prosperous 2022!

Your friend,

Luis Kasuga

President & CEO

Find Your Super Power and Build Upon It

Published on by Nikken

Nikken held its annual Leadership Summit on December 10 and 11 this year. Guest speaker Antoine Zervudacki, CEO of Letsmake Innovation and a Nikken collaborator, spoke about the need for change and sustainable growth in management. He described four archetypes for transformative leadership; in reality, these archetypes may pertain to anyone in pursuit of self-development. We may see ourselves in each archetype or in one specifically.

The Visionary is always looking to the future. This archetype specializes in defining strategic vision, guiding teams and inspiring colleagues to action. The Visionary transforms with special powers of communication. Areas to work on include staying connected to day-to-day realities, teamwork skills and focusing on details.

The Insighter has ears and eyes open to opportunity. This archetype focuses on the client and specializes in research, trends, market expectations, data, deep analysis and nurturing intelligence in teams. The Insighter is gifted in understanding complex situations and turning them into opportunities but may need to learn how to be flexible when change is needed and to pay more attention to teamwork.

The Maker embodies hands-on energy and focuses on generating results through effective processes. This archetype specializes in managing projects, improving procedures and meeting collective objectives on time. The Maker knows how to solve problems in a timely manner and to create success out of failures. Due to a passion for achievement, the Maker needs to balance personal and professional lives as well as those of the team and try not to deviate from long-term strategies.

The Humanizer has a heart that beats for people. This archetype specializes in building trust, empowering team members, communicating transparently and transforming strengths into a winning advantage. Conflict resolution is a major strength while strategic dimensions and solid use of data are areas for growth.

We are constantly transforming as we practice Active Wellness, develop into Humans Being More and share the benefits with the Global Wellness Community. It’s definitely an adventure to explore the archetypes we embody in our changing roles as students, teachers, parents, children, artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, engineers and so much more. Let’s tap into our super powers and make 2022 the best year it can be!

Feeling Thankful

Published on by Nikken

We often hear advice such as, “Be thankful.” Or, “You should think of all the things to be grateful for.” “Just think how lucky you are.” The truth is, feeling thankful and thinking about it are two separate activities. We can be asked to think about it and we can choose to do so, but feeling grateful just comes over us.

Thinking about gratitude is intellectual—a mental exercise that is important to practice. It can help get us out of a bad mood and elevate our attitudes. When we think about gratitude, we choose to be grateful. When we choose to be grateful, we take a positive approach to living.

On the other hand, feeling thankful comes from the heart. It’s not something we do by choice. We simply give in to that warm, wonderful feeling. We may even shed a tear of joy or relief. Feeling thankful is a state of being that comes from within. External forces may enhance it or decrease it, but the source is in our hearts, or in some cases, our stomachs. We talk about the flutter in our hearts when in love and the knot in our stomachs when in fear. Neither is something we choose; they are feelings that overwhelm us. That is how feeling thankful works, too.

During the Thanksgiving season, we consciously gather with friends and family to share our communal gratitude. We feel thankful for friends and family year-round, but the holidays seem to be designated times for verbalizing or showing our gratitude by actions. Not everyone celebrates in November and the timing really doesn’t matter. What matters is to set time aside to show those we are thankful for that we are grateful to have them in our lives.

At Nikken, this Thanksgiving we want to express how thankful we are to the members of our Global Wellness Community. We are thankful for your community spirit, your steadfastness, your loyalty and trust. At Nikken, we feel gratitude daily, weekly, monthly and as the years go by, we are humbled and awed that together we continue on our adventurous journey as Humans Being More. We continue pursuing Active Wellness and sharing an energetic lifestyle. We share how to build a Wellness Home with everyone we care about. From the heart, we thank you for being part of our community and helping it to grow. On Thanksgiving and every day, we give thanks to you.

Celebrate World Vegetarian Month This October!

Published on by Nikken

October is World Vegetarian Month and there are many facts, historical and nutritional, that may be little known but of interest. By definition, a vegetarian is a person who decides to abstain from meat whether it be for health, religious, or moral reasons. The term “vegetarian” is believed to have come into existence in 1847, whereas prior to that, those who refrained from consuming meat were known as “Pythagorean.”1 There is no proof that the famous Greek mathematician and philosopher was vegetarian but many sources say he and his adherents followed a restrictive diet that did not include animal flesh.2

Some other historical figures who are known or purported to have been vegetarian include the esteemed artist and philosopher Leonardo da Vinci, feminist and author of Frankenstein Mary Shelley, the founding father of the United States Benjamin Franklin, and Indian activist and leader Mahatma Gandhi. Historians note that the Mahatma strayed from vegetarianism briefly but renewed his commitment when studying law in England, even though it required 10 to 12 miles of walking to find vegetarian restaurants!3

In North America, vegetarianism became a movement in 1850 and is attributed to William Alcott who helped start the American Vegetarian Society.4 He happens to be a relative of Little Women author Louisa May Alcott. In current times, many celebrities are known to be vegetarians and the movement is growing as scientists continue researching the the health benefits of plant-based living.

Globally, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians when compared to other countries, with roughly 30 percent of the population adhering to a plant-based lifestyle.5 Generally acknowledged by nutritionists and dieticians to be a healthy way of eating and even a way to sustain weight loss, it is important to know that some vegetarian foods can be high in calories and fat. For example, if you cut out meat but replace it with lots of cheese and nuts you could end up consuming the same number of calories or even more. On the other hand, eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, soy and moderate amounts of nuts can help you maintain a healthy weight.6

Here are some important nutrients to keep in mind when eating a vegetarian diet: 7

• Protein—Protein is important for maintaining healthy muscles, skin, bones, and organs. Ovolacto vegetarians may have an easier time getting enough protein but vegans should be sure to eat enough soy products, meat substitutes, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

• Calcium—This mineral is important for building strong bones and teeth. Vegetarians who do not consume dairy products can find adequate calcium in leafy greens, broccoli, fortified soy milk, and fortified juices.

• Vitamin B12—The body uses this vitamin to produce red blood cells and it is mostly found in animal products. Vegans must include a B12 supplement, consume enriched cereals, or drink fortified soy milk.

• Iron—Iron is a crucial component of red blood cells and lack of iron can lead to anemia, or iron deficiency. Dried beans and peas, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruit are good sources of iron. Be sure to combine the above foods with foods high in vitamin C (oranges, strawberries, hot peppers) because vitamin C aids in iron absorption.

• Zinc—This mineral is an essential component of enzymes and formation of proteins. Good sources of zinc include whole grains, soy products, nuts, and wheat germ.

Kenzen Nutrition is composed of a complete program based on organic ingredients. At Nikken, our goal is to help the Global Wellness Community fill the nutritional gaps in any daily diet. Founded on a whole-food philosophy, our organic-based solutions help bring your daily food regimen closer to nature and make it easy to practice Active Wellness.

1, 4 https://nationaltoday.com/vegetarian-month/

2, 3, 5 https://www.britannica.com/list/8-of-historys-most-famous-vegetarians

6 https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/get-the-facts-about-vegetarian-diets

7 https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality/pdf/SmartChoices2011_Veg.pdf

Introducing KENZEN True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care

Published on by Nikken

Good for You and Sustainable for Nature

Sometimes it’s possible to make a good thing better. That’s what we’ve done with the KENZEN True Elements® range of skin care products. Not only have we upgraded the already advanced formulas, but we also have a higher level of organic certification and have changed our packaging to be more eco-friendly.

We’ve added ‘KENZEN’ to the brand – Kenzen means “healthy” in Japanese – we are tying together our nutritionals with our skin care. In fact, you’ll notice the new True elements® contains an even higher level of natural and organic ingredients – making it a great nutritional addition for your skin. 

KENZEN True Elements® was always certified organic by EcoCert®, but now we’ve added COSMOS ORGANIC to our certifications. Adding this gold standard in international certification, COSMOS Organic means the True Elements® range must comply with even more stringent guidelines. Complying with COSMOS Organic certification ensures responsible usage of natural resources and responsibility towards biodiversity and eco-friendly production with high-quality natural and organic ingredients via processes that respect people and the environment.

We take our commitment to the environment and to natural organic skin care seriously. 

Our KENZEN True Elements® formulations are formulated along the same ingredient guidelines as our nutritionals. That means no GMOS, pesticides, parabens, polyethylene glycol (PEG), silicone, dyes, aroma, controversial ingredients, gluten, alcohol or aluminum salts.

Because we respect the ocean and its precious inhabitants, the seaweeds used in KENZEN True Elements® are harvested by hand and by boat from the Iroise Sea in Brittany France, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Just as it’s important to fish sustainably, it’s equally crucial to harvest seaweed and other marine plants respectfully. Harvesting by hand and boat helps to preserve resources and maintain a low carbon footprint.  Another step towards our mission to be ‘in harmony with nature’ and sharing Active Wellness with the Global Wellness Community.

The first three new and improved products are: Moisturizing Face Cream (item 2044), Youth Activ Serum (item 2042) and brand new Revitalizing Serum (item 2062). The two serums are formulated to complement the Moisturizing Face Cream. To be applied on a clean face before applying the Moisturizing Face Cream, the Youth Activ Serum targets anti-aging and dark pigmentation spots. The Revitalizing Serum is formulated to energize dull, tired-looking skin with marine minerals . Both serums help decrease the appearance of fine lines and boost the hydration of the Moisturizing Face Cream. Depending on the needs of your skin, you can choose which serum best suits you; however, you can also use one in the morning and the other at night.

The key ingredients in these advanced formulas include three different types of seaweed extracts: Organic Chondrus, Organic Laminaria, Organic Ulva Lactuca and sea plant: Organic Sea Fennel. Along with High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Organic Shea Butter and Marine Magnesium Concentrate. Take a look at the three new KENZEN True Elements® products in our Nikken shopping cart to read more about the features and benefits of each precious skin care product.

Nikken is committed to working in tandem with nature and Planet Earth, so KENZEN True Elements® are Good for You and Sustainable for Nature.