Smart Nutrition the Kenzen® Way

September at Nikken is about smart nutrition: eating healthy food, choosing nutrient-dense ingredients in cooking, committing to whole foods rather than processed ones and avoiding refined pre-packaged items that contain added sugar and salt. With our hectic multi-generational family lifestyles, dietary or nutritional supplementation can make a big difference.

Here’s a summary of what Kenzen® Nutrition is designed to do:

•          Kenzen® Calcium Complex and Kenzen BDZ® work synergistically to support bone health.* Added minerals in the Calcium Complex enhance absorption, while BDZ acts as the perfect complement with patented vitamin K and its unique marine plant complex to support bone structure and strength.*

•          Kenzen® Joint is formulated with high potency cetyl myristoleate, combined with gluosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and boswelia plant compounds—to support joint movement and connective tissue repair.* A topical version is CM Complex Cream that contains the same naturally lubricating properties.

•          Pink Collagen Complex stands out with its naturally pink color and exceptional formulation. Blood peach, rose apple and beet root combine their rosy tint with antioxidant powers and pleasant flavor, so there’s no fishy taste to the powerful type 1 collagen derived from marine peptides.

•          Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA contains heart-healthy omegas 3, 6, and 9 in one formula! The vegan formula is plant-sourced from cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil and red algae. Supporting digestive, hormonal and nerve health, it also benefits eyes and the brain.* It’s a formula chockful of omega fatty acids that even vegans can enjoy!

•          Kenzen Bergisterol® aims to support cardiovascular health and immune response.* Made with an exclusive strain of the bergamot fruit, it is rich in polyphenols and bioflavonoids.

•          Kenzen Super Ciaga® powder is a delicious way to support heart health, cellular functions and the immune system for overall well-being and natural energy levels.* It’s formulated with highly concentrated superfruits, such as maqui berry, elderberry, blackberry, raspberry and blueberry.

•          Kenzen® Immunity was providing immune support long before mushrooms became a trending topic.* Made with 14 different mushrooms, it is a standout in the market where supplements only contain single species or just a few.

•          Kenzen® Digestion 4-20 contains 20 different enzymes within the 4 categories of macronutrients: fats, proteins, carbs and fiber. This formula helps the digestive process by optimizing absorption of nutrients, allowing the body to convert fuel into energy.*

•          Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox supports the liver, which provides more than 500 functions!* This formula helps rid the body of toxins and other wastes, utilizing natural ingredients, such as organic chicory root, milk thistle and turmeric.

•          Kenzen Lactoferrin® 2.0 supports gut health while binding and transporting iron, so the body can absorb it.* The formula has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for overall health*.

•          Kenzen Jade Greenzymes® and Jade Greenzymes® Citrus are known as “nature’s perfect food.” That’s because organic barley grass has the full balance of enzymes needed to support healthy bones and tissue, skin elasticity and help maintain natural pH levels.*

•          Kenzen® Clarity supports cognitive function* with a fermented blend of ingredients. The formula is based on the gut-brain connection—fermentation helps absorption and digestibility of nutrients such as organic ashwagandha and organic bacopa leaf, supporting better memory, focus and concentration.*

•          Kenzen® Mega Daily 4 (in two formulas, one specifically for women and one for men) is a formulation of organic vegetables that provide the known types of water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants plus nutrients that support celluar function.*It offers gender-specific support for whole body renewal.*

•          Coming in October, new Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix contains 30% of the recommended daily allowance for protein in vegan form. MCTs support the brain while vitamins and minerals come from natural sources, making them more bioavailable. Prebiotics and probiotics promote effective digestion and absorption.*

Try smart nutrition the Kenzen® way for overall health and well-being—easy, effective and extraordinary.

*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.

Skin Care From the Inside Out

Healthy skin is often a sign of overall well-being—what you see on the outside can be a good indicator of what is on the inside—from a vigorous circulatory system to an efficient digestive system. In fact, what you eat and drink can affect not only your overall health, but it can also affect the appearance of your skin.

Here’s a sampler of what might prove beneficial not only to your nutritional intake but also to your skin:

• Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring supply omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and help keep the skin supple. You can obtain a healthy dose of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids from Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA.

• Honey, walnuts, blueberries, nutritional yeast, kale, collard greens, spinach, sweet potatoes, organic root vegetables, and avocados help skin to function properly and may aid in healing wounds.1

• Eat fermented foods—such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, olives, sourdough bread—because they contain probiotics, vitamins, minerals and lactic acid in addition to breaking down food into small particles that are more easily absorbed.

• Reduce sugar in your diet. Digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. Refined sugars and simple carbohydrates lead to insulin spikes that cause inflammation, and inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

• Cut back on alcohol. Excessive amounts of alcohol disrupt gut health, which in turn shows up directly on the face as dull, aging skin. If you choose to drink moderately, wine is made with fermented grapes, so that would be a better choice.

• Cut back on dairy. Dairy products are known to trigger acne. There are so many plant-based replacements for dairy products that it is now much easier to replace them. Try soy, nuts, oats, coconut and other non-dairy products.

• Drink green tea. It contains polyphenols that are plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There have even been studies that show drinking green tea helps the skin retain moisture.2

• Take your vitamins. You can obtain them through food or you can take Kenzen® Mega Daily 4 with specific formulas for Women and for Men. Here are a few specific vitamins that are beneficial to overall health and the skin:

-Vitamin A is known to support skin cell regeneration while suppressing the oil-producing gland. Vitamin A is found in abundance in red and orange colored fruit and vegetables.

-Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports collagen production and tissue repair and growth. Eat plenty of citrus and leafy greens.

-Vitamin E is another antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage caused by free radicals that can lead to premature aging. It’s easy to get vitamin E from a variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and plant-based oils.

-Vitamin D plays a role in determining your skin tone, as it helps create healthy cells. Salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms, tuna and mackerel are great sources of vitamin D.

• Collagen supports skin elasticity for a more youthful look. Include Pink Collagen Complex as part of your daily regimen!

Improve your diet, remember to include exercise daily, and get enough beauty sleep! See the difference in your skin within a few months or even earlier!

1 https://www.coloskin.com/dermatologists-in-denver/healing-your-skin-from-the-inside-out/

2 https://www.nutrisense.io/blog/green-tea-benefits-for-skin

Choose Mobility

Staying mobile and leading an active lifestyle are essential not only for longevity but for joyful living. Muscles. Joints. Bones. They are great friends. Keeping them healthy helps keep the entire body more youthful throughout a lifetime.

Your body talks to you every day, and if you listen with care, you will make the right choices to stay mobile. On days where mobility can be challenging, the instinct is to do nothing. If doing nothing results in restoring energy levels, then you are listening to your body and making the right choice. If doing nothing continues for days on end and you don’t feel any better, perhaps it’s time to force yourself out of inertia.

The neck, shoulders, hips and knees—areas that tend to lose elasticity and flexibility with age—are supported by the spine, so maintaining good posture is important. In recent years, chair yoga has become popular, because it helps even those who are not ideally mobile, stretch and build up core strength, so that eventually, they can resume a more active exercise regimen.

There are certain foods that support healthy joints and bones. Eating a well-balanced diet focused on key nutrients is the right choice in supporting healthy joints and bones.

•          Calcium is not a mineral that the body manufactures naturally, so it has to be obtained through food. It’s a key mineral for maintaining strong bones. Found abundantly in dairy products, vegans can choose kale, bok choy, broccoli, soy, seeds and almonds, figs, and more. On average, the absorption rate of calcium in dairy is around 30%, kale and boy choy 50%, and broccoli 60%.1

•          Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium. Sunshine is the most natural source, but supplementation may be a better guarantee of having the recommended 600 international units per day.2 Some natural food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, tuna, sardines, salmon and other fish, mushrooms that have been exposed to sunlight, fortified orange juice and fortified soy milk.

•          Magnesium is stored in the bones and plays a role in activating vitamin D. Seeds such as chia and pumpkin are great sources of magnesium, as are nuts such as almonds and cashews. Add a healthy amount of green leafy vegetables to your daily diet for a good dose of magnesium.

•          Collagen is found in the connective tissue of animals. As the most abundant protein in the human body, it’s found in skin, muscles, bone and tendons. Meat eaters get collagen through their diets, but vegetarians and vegans may look to foods high in vitamin C to boost production—such as beans, oranges, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and whole grains.3

•          Omega-3s can help protect the joints. The National Institute of Health recommends this healthy fatty acid because it is believed to help lower inflammation in the body. Found in fish and other seafood, flax seeds are a good vegan option.

Make smart choices for your strength and mobility. Keep moving and eating right. Make sure to stay hydrated, especially when sweating a lot during the summer months. Kenzen® Nutrition can help you fill in dietary gaps with “smart mobility” supplements such as Kenzen® Joint, Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA, Kenzen® Calcium Complex and Kenzen BDZ® (together in the Bone Health Pack) and Nikken Pink Collagen Complex.

1 https://www.vegancanada.org/news/article/2020/01/23/misleading-calcium-recommendation.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJanPRBNfbLZxWjWoAX4B6_7fkagD60WwFHEeCWbcyVoHCQ_d7iUTUxoC8d4QAvD_BwE

2 https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a28510495/foods-for-joint-health/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_rnw_md_pmx_hybd_org_us_18447042893&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJalkhrFPaPTwJCH8-IflR0zb3kApCa5Op184QWgUJ2p8wbQMBUVWAxoCA2YQAvD_BwE

3 https://www.webmd.com/beauty/vegan-collagen-what-to-know

Can Grounding Blast Spring Allergies?

Sniffles, sneezing, itchy eyes and throat—spring can be such a beautiful and rejuvenating time of year, but for those of us who suffer from allergies, it can put a damper on our outdoor activities! Unfortunately, allergies affect more than 50 million Americans yearly1 and can be obstacles in Active Wellness.

The most common way to fight allergies is to take antihistamines, but many of us really do not like the side effects that may occur, such as dry mouth, foggy brain and fatigue. What’s a body to do?

Reconnecting with nature by grounding has shown great promise in helping to overcome not only spring allergies but allergies in general. The reason for this is based in science.

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance—such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander—or a food that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. The immune system produces substances known as antibodies. When there are allergies, the immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. Once in contact with the allergen, the immune system’s reaction can inflame the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.2

Research has shown that grounding is a viable method to counter inflammation. Since the body runs through a type of electrical current, the Earth’s negative charges can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of the body’s systems. The body is naturally able to absorb the negative electrical charges from the Earth since the skin acts like a conductor.3 That’s why grounding requires skin contact with the Earth. Luckily, if we can’t breathe in the pollen-filled air outside, we can use the KenkoGround® directly on our skin while indoors.

The brain, heart and neurotransmitters all rely on electrical signals to function properly. When the electricity is off, certain aspects of health can be compromised and produce inflammation. Put simply, researchers believe that the influx of free electrons from grounding help to neutralize free radicals and reduce the acute and chronic inflammation that causes accelerated aging. Basically, the free or mobile electrons from the Earth can help relieve chronic inflammation by serving as natural antioxidants! 4

Other than grounding, some simple ways to help decrease the risk for allergy attacks include frequent hand washing, staying hydrated, keeping windows closed during high pollen seasons, vacuuming often, keeping your sinuses clear with water or a saline rinse, and helping to boost the immune system with dietary supplements such as Kenzen® Immunity, Kenzen® Omega Green +DHA and Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox.

1 https://www.westsidehn.com/are-allergies-a-sign-of-a-strong-immune-system/

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

3, 4 https://draxe.com/health/earthing/

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

3, 4 https://draxe.com/health/earthing/