5 Steps to Help You Slim Down

Last week superstar Beyonce and her personal trainer revealed how his advice to eat one vegan meal a day has helped Ms. Knowles to shed all of her 60 pounds of post pregnancy weight.

The Genetix Program has been touting the weight loss and health benefits of going vegetarian, even
part-time, for several years now. Genetix counselors often recommend that their clients eat at least three vegetarian plant-based meals a week, including the all popular vegetarian Mondays.

One Oxford University study of nearly 38,000 adults found that meat-eaters had the highest BMIs for
their ages and vegans the lowest, with vegetarians and semi-vegetarians in between; and there are
several explanations for this trend.

People who eat a plant-based vegetarian meal tend to have higher amounts of antioxidants and fiber,
which are both tied to weight loss, and researchers have seen an increase in calorie burn after vegan
meals. But in order to reap the benefits, you need to do vegan right. In other words, a diet of processed vegan donuts and fake meat isn’t going to transform you into Beyonce.

Here are five steps for building nutritionally balanced plant-based meals that will slim and satisfy:

1. Start with fruits and vegetables
3 our of 4 Americans fall short of the recommended daily minimum of two fruit and three vegetable per day. When produce serves as the foundation of a plant-based meal, it’s easy to fill that gap, or exceed the target, and this alone can help shrink your fat cells.

Recently University of Florida researchers developed an index that ranks the phytochemical index, or PI score of meals, which is essentially a measure of antioxidant consumption. A vegan diet (excluding liquor and refined sugars) could have a perfect score of 100, whereas a typical American diet, heavy in animal and processed foods and low in produce, would score below 20. Scientists found that even when two groups consumed the same number of daily calories, those with higher PI scores had smaller waist measurements, and lower body fat percentages. In other words, the quality of your calories counts–a lot.

That said, by going veg, you’ll likely slash calories. For example, a snack of eight cheese cubes and eight club crackers provides 260 calories, compared to 165 in a dozen baby carrots and a quarter cup of hummus.

2. Add a whole grain
Whole grains are linked not only to a lower risk of not only obesity, but a number of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In one study researchers randomly assigned volunteers into one of two groups. The first was asked to consume whole grains exclusively, and the second was instructed to select only refined grains. Over 12 weeks, both groups were advised to exercise and follow identical diets.

At the end of the study, body weight decreased in both groups–between 8 to 11 pounds on average. But the whole grain group lost more belly inches, and experienced nearly a 40 percent drop in a blood marker for inflammation, a known trigger of aging and disease. In a plant-based meal, a small serving of whole grain provides bonus antioxidants, additional fiber, and slow-burning carbs that keep blood sugar and insulin levels regulated. Great choices include oats, barley, quinoa, corn, and brown, red, and black rice.

3. Pick your protein
Protein speeds up your metabolism and while simultaneously improving muscle mass, so it is important to include a source in every meal. Just trade meat, poultry or seafood for a small scoop of beans or lentils in a taco salad, stir fry, or whole grain pasta primavera.

4. Don’t forget the fat
Vegetarian sources of fat are critical for weight control because they add the satisfaction factor to each meal. Fats delay stomach emptying, and they’re needed to absorb antioxidants, which hitch a ride as fats are shuttled from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. There are many delectable plant-based options, including nuts, seeds, and natural nut butters, ripe avocado, Mediterranean olives, and a variety of plant oils, from extra virgin olive oil to sesame, sunflower, and coconut oil.

5. Season it up
Including herbs and spices in each meal is a fantastic way to add aroma and flavor without sodium or sugar, and studies show that these plant-based ingredients pack a powerful weight loss punch. Natural seasonings like cinnamon, ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper have been shown to boost calorie burning, improve satiety, and they’re much more potent in antioxidants than even fruits and veggies. In one Penn State University study, consuming two tablespoons of herbs and spices within a meal, specifically rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, garlic powder and paprika, resulted in higher blood antioxidant levels and a 30 percent reduction in blood fats compared to subjects who ate the same meals without seasonings.

I call this meal building approach the ’5 piece puzzle,’ and there are dozens of delicious ways to solve it. Vegan meals that incorporate each key component include:

• Asian veggies stir fried with fresh grated ginger and chili pepper over a bed of wild rice topped with
edamame and sliced almonds

• Mediterranean veggies sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with garlic, tossed with fresh basil, whole grain penne and cannellini beans

• Fresh greens tossed with cilantro and lime seasoned pico de gallo, topped with black beans, roasted corn, and fresh avocado

• Sound yummy? More vegetarian options can add some variety and excitement to your meal portfolio, and by using the puzzle, you won’t be stuck with a simple salad.

Many of our clients are amazed at the lack of hunger and boundless energy they experience after vegan meals, and feel inspired to experiment with their own plant-based puzzle combinations, even if they don’t want to become vegan.

Boy George Shows Off Dramatic Weight Loss

Boy George recently took the Twitterverse by storm by posting a picture of his new dramatic weight loss on Twitter.

The 51-year old karma chameleon singer tweeted “Rock n roll Sunday,” and shared a picture with his fans that showed off a much thinner body. The British star turned back the clock to the height of his fame in the 1980s, as compared to how we’ve seen him in the last few years.

The singer credits his new slim body to “eating right and exercise”. The Culture Club singer has also been documenting his new healthy lifestyle, including his fondness for exercise and a recent healthy breakfast:

“Mmm, porridge with cherries & a dash of cinnamon! Cook the cherries with the porridge! Bloody gorgeous!” he tweeted on Feb. 8.

The singer also seemed quite pleased that news of his weight loss was buzzing online, as he tweeted, “I love that the size of my ass is trending worldwide!”

Fight depression: The best foods to elevate your mood

Every year around 3.5 million people in America are diagnosed as depressed. And half of those people aren’t even married! Jokes apart, certain types of foods have certain properties that can stimulate certain glands and hormones to elevate an individual’s mood. In lite of the month of Valentines and love we thought we’d explore 20 foods that cause happiness and deter depression and negativity.

Depression: Food for happiness

Coconut

A lot of states in America barely touches the water, making coconut the forgotten fruit. But did you know that coconut is responsible for your mood? The tricky thing is that, as with every other food, moderation or the lack of it influences how much you’ll benefit from this coastal plant.

By consuming limited portions, coconut milk can be a healthy fat that helps re-build tissue and improve body functions. However, if you eat too much, you will invite unhealthy weight gain, especially if your coconut milk intake is not proportionate to your exercise and physical activity levels. Fresh coconut contains certain fats that enhance your mood. By eating coconut shavings, you’re not only boosting your mood but also improving the health of your brain.

Walnuts

From essential omega fats to protein and fiber, there are several reasons why you should consume walnuts and you have several ways to add walnuts to any dish. But today we’re talking about how walnuts improve your mood. There are three properties present in walnuts that make you happy and avoid depression:

Magnesium is responsible for boosting your mood, strengthening your body and cell growth. It is helpful for insulin production.

Polyphenols and antioxidants present in walnuts improve neural connections and the health of the brain that makes you more alert.

Cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are sold in abundance in America. Besides the fact that they ‘look-so-cute’ and make a great ingredient in salads, cherry tomatoes can also ward off depression.

The key component in cherry tomatoes, lycopene, has antioxidants that are responsible for enhancing your mood. The regular tomatoes include this property as well. Be sure to cook the tomatoes just enough to wrinkle the skins, and add a healthy oil like virgin coconut oil, olive oil or canola oil. This
releases the lycopene and makes it usable by the body.

Spinach

If there’s one thing Popeye taught us, its that Spinach is a versatile vegetable with many health benefits, but did you know that spinach works wonder for your mental health as well?

Besides iron, spinach has folic acid too that makes you feel better. Folic acid improves the health of red blood cells and your immunity, protecting you from diseases that soak out your happiness.

Eggs

Eggs have multiple health benefits including baking, improving fitness, rich source of proteins, vitamin B, zinc and Omega 3. Eggs are also a great way to start your day; they give you that boost of energy needed for an entire day’s activities, including workouts.

In terms of fighting depression, eggs can prevent hunger and unnecessary food cravings, which in turn help you eat less food. This helps you maintain a healthy weight that is free of unhealthy indulgences, and more importantly – blood sugar spikes from unhealthy snacking. This process itself makes you happier, you eat less, you avoid junk food and you can lose weight.

Whole grain

There are good carbs and there are bad carbs. The good carbs help you fight sadness and depression. This is another reason why you should not fear carbohydrates.

Whole grains, in particular, relieves you from constipation and provides energy; you can’t have a hearty laugh if you’re exhausted. Selenium present in whole grains fights free radicals and boosts immunity. It is an effective tool to ward off diseases; it also relieves you from constipation, which can cause discomfort.

Honey

Honey is a sugar substitute and it is organic. Kaempferol and quercetin are two properties present in honey that improve the health of the brain as well as reduce inflammation in the brain. If you dip strawberries in honey, it works as an aphrodisiac and improves your mood. Perfect for a romantic evening!

Cheese

Yes… Cheese is fattening in large quantities and difficult to digest. Yet you cannot fight the creamy and cheesy flavors of this dairy product. You may be tempted to empty out the cheese can or generously sprinkle cheese over pizza, no doubt it tastes delicious but also make you pile on the pounds.

Therefore, portion control is your best friend when it comes to cheese consumption. But why are we mentioning this here? Because in the right quantity cheese, especially low fat cheese, can make you happy. Zinc is the core property that you need to fight depression. Your body does not produce enough zinc, so cheese is a good source. Zinc helps in cell development, improves the texture of your skin and hair, and builds your cognitive responses.

Asparagus

One of the keys to fighting depression is with folic acid. A low level of folate is linked to depression. People usually rely on pills for folate, but did you know that asparagus has high levels of folate and tryptophan?

Tryptophan produces serotonin in the brain that stabilizes moods. Therefore asparagus is a great vegetable to improve you mood as it contains both, folate and tryptophan.

Turkey

This Thanksgiving day miracle bird puts you to sleep, but did you know that besides being a good source of protein and nutrition, turkey can also make you happy? Earlier we mentioned that tryptophan present in asparagus fuels happiness and this route is a great way to fight depression. If you’re a hard core carnivore, then turkey is your source of tryptophan. It produces serotonin to balance and improve your mood.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate has many benefits from weight loss to spicing up your sex life. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, chocolate is the most popular gift for most couples. Pour it over fruits or nuts or drink it from a cup, remember the magic of cocoa lies in dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is an antioxidant that improves blood and prevents premature ageing. Cocoa is a potent source of serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine. Top three well-studied neurotransmitters, they help in keeping depression at bay and are associated with the feel good factor.

Again… Everything in moderation. This one’s good for your day off. Make sure you talk it over with your Genetix counselor first.

Red beans

Consuming beans without soaking or cooking the right way may cause flatulence in some people, but these are also good sources of proteins for vegetarians. To be more specific, red beans contain antioxidants far richer than berries. Amino acid in proteins and iron helps fight brain disorders. A healthy brain is a happy brain.

Salmon

Why is salmon such a popular ingredient with nutritionists? Salmon is popularly known as a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 reduces blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and reduces inflammation in the body. The fats present in salmon are good for the nervous system and the brain. Healthy fats from salmon improve the brain and keep it healthy and keep you smiling.

Beetroot

Beetroots contain several nutrients and vitamins that are responsible for fighting depression:
- Folate
- Magnesium
- Uridine

These properties help in enhancing your mood as they work as neurotransmitters.

Bananas

The next you feel depressed, eat a banana, it provides energy, helps in development of cells, and promotes the health of the nervous system. If you are irritated, angry, stressed or depressed you are low in vitamin B, and bananas are the place to get your daily dose of vitamin B.

Sweet potato

Beta-carotene and B6 are found in sweet potatoes. These two components are responsible for your mind and B6 works as a mood enhancer. B6 is used to treat those with mood disorders.

Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is easily available in the U.S. The emergence, awareness and demand for Greek yogurt has gone up in the last one year. Greek yogurt is rich in proteins and is great as a probiotic. Opt for full fat Greek yogurt as the fats present in the curds act as brain boosters.

Grass fed beef

Organic is a word that is used often to promote good health. It is also said that consuming grass fed meat is healthier than factory bred cattle. When the cattle are grass fed, the fats are healthy and improve the mind. Experts believe that cattle that are bred naturally are healthier.

Blue potato

Lastly, this ingredient seems mythical but it is true. Blue potatoes do exist so do purple cauliflower and carrot. If you find blue potatoes you will be happy. You’ll be happy not because you found it, but blue potatoes contain antioxidant called anthocyanins that prevents inflammation of the brain. This property relieves you of stress and depression. Before we forget, it also improves your memory.

Peas

Yes fresh green peas are among the healthiest foods that contribute to a happier yiu. Peas contain high amounts of folate, a nutrient which helps body to produce serotonin. Make sure you select fresh, frozen peas rather than canned ones as they have a minimal quantity of nutrients left. Peas are very easily included in salads and various other gravies.

We hope you are happy with learning of these happy foods and we also wish you a very happy Valentines Day!

Top 10 Reasons New Year’s Resolution Diets Fail

Top 10 Reasons New Year’s Resolution Diets Fail

Evy year thousands of Americans follow an unfortunate pattern. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they begin to gorge themselves on delicious but unhealthy holiday food. Then, come January 1, they swear off their poor eating habits in the name of better health, only to fall back into them within a few weeks or months.

The dismal success rate of these New Year’s diet resolutions is discouraging but it isn’t particularly surprising, since 80% of all dieters fail to lose weight, and one-third even gain additional weight. But the upside to these depressing statistics is that they have given researchers the impetus to find out why losing weight is so difficult. So in hopes of keeping those resolutions alive, let’s take a look at why so many well-intentioned weight loss efforts fail every January.

1. New Year’s diet cliché

New Year’s diet has become such a cliché is that willpower is often no match for all the variables that influence eating habits. According to a 2009 study published in the journal Appetite, for example, the sheer complexity of most diet schemes, Weight Watchers in this case, may be enough to discourage many people from maintaining their weight loss efforts. The researchers found that the 390 study participants were more likely to give up their diets prematurely if they were “… not able to recall or process all required information for deciding what to eat.” Higher “self-efficacy,” the belief that they could lose weight, did encourage the participants to stay on their diets, but simplicity of the diet was still a better predictor of success. The researchers also noted that environmental factors, like keeping junk food around, could subdue willpower as well.

2. Dieting to Restrict Certain Foods

A healthy diet is designed to moderate your consumption of certain foods. These foods often are unhealthy, or if consumed in excess they can pose a risk to your health. When you feel that certain foods are completely off limits to you, you are more likely to abandon a diet.

3. Being Required to Purchase Diet Products

Some diets require using commercial food products to follow the proposed diet. Keeping a supply of these products can be difficult, not to mention costly. Due to constraints on time or even low inventory of the supplier, when you have trouble purchasing these products, the diet ceases.

4. Food Fatigue

Many diets have recommendations on the types of foods you eat. While there is generally room for flexibility, you might grow tired of eating certain foods. This can lead to temptation to eat other foods, which are usually unhealthy.

5. Guilt

You might be successful on your diet for some time, but because circumstances can be unpredictable, at some point you might eat something that is not expressly a part of your diet or you might eat more than you should of a certain food. Some people believe that this is a sign of failure. Due to their guilt about overstepping a boundary in their diet, they quit. It’s important to understand balance. No one is perfect; progress can be regained as long as the mistakes are not repeated.

6. Dieting to Be Thin

Some people diet with the goal of being thin, but being thin does not necessarily mean you are healthy. If you are not following a balanced diet, you might encounter health issues that could result in having to stop the diet.

7. Diets Can Cause or Affect Certain Medical Conditions

There are certain diets that can cause or exacerbate certain medical conditions. For example, if you are following a diet that eliminates fat from your diet, you might notice a change in the feel and appearance of your skin or hair. This is because you need a certain amount of fat in your diet to keep these things healthy. In addition, if you have a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, eliminating the fat from your diet could make the condition worse.

8. Low on Time

Eating healthy often means cooking more and making meals at home. When you are low on time, it can be difficult to stay organized and prepare foods in advance.

9. Misunderstanding of a Diet’s Benefits

Many people eat and drink whatever they like and don’t experience any visible signs that their health is compromised. If you are one of these people and you start a particular diet or take steps to improve your diet, you might not see the benefits of the diet because you weren’t having any issues prior to that. Over time, you might not believe that the diet is necessary.

10. Some Progress Becomes Enough

You start a diet and start to see results. The key to a successful diet is implementing it and managing it over time. You might be tempted to start the diet and once you see some signs of results, you resort back to your old habits.

Studies in psychology and neuroscience like the ones done on the Genetix Program may ultimately help explain why weight loss is an insurmountable challenge for many, but a related and arguably better explanation may be that dieting itself is actually the problem. In a 2011 Nutrition Journal article, a team of researchers argued that placing the emphasis on weight loss, as opposed to overall healthfulness, sets dieters up to fail. Encouraging people to modify their diets and exercise specifically to lose weight, though successful in the short term, often leaves people no slimmer or healthier than when they started, and frustrated that they can’t reach their goals. By the way, that sounds exactly like what happens to many Americans each and every January.

There’s no doubt that permanently changing eating habits is difficult, but it is doable. There is clear evidence that people can successfully lose weight and keep it off, regardless of the psychological or genetic stumbling blocks that may be in their way. The Genetix Program key is making dieting decisions based on the available science. And it’s certainly a strategy that could save people a lot of frustration come the first of the year.

Processed and preserved foods

It May Be Simple, But Is It Safe?

How much do you know about the processed and preserved foods you are eating

Let’s be honest, in the world we live in today processed foods may not be the most ideal, but they sure are realistic. When do Americans have time to prepare meals from fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats? Could this be the leading cause as to why we are such an obese nation? More junk food and less fruits and veggies can put you on a fast track to gaining weight. Processed foods tend to have higher sodium in order to preserve the food and make it last. Salt (sodium) is a number one contributor to cholesterol and heart problems, so are processed foods safe?

According to the International Food Information Council Foundation “processed foods” have been the subject of growing negative perceptions in terms of their nutritional value and impact on health, as well as their safety. However, there are many safe, high-quality, and nutritious processed foods, and in many cases, processing can help make our food safer and more nutritious.

Here at the Genetix Program

We know how hard it can be to always have a meal made of fresh food. We feel that if you have a balance of fresh food and the occasional processed foods for convenience then you can still lead a healthy life and lose weight. Bottom line, processed foods aren’t the worst thing in the world for you, but we should definitely practice eating them in moderation and incorporating a healthy lifestyle with exercise and fresh fruits and veggies to balance out those
occasional processed foods in our diets.

Eating eggs helps women lose weight

Eating Eggs Helps Women Lose Weight

Good news ladies. If you want to accelerate their weight loss we have an eggcellent suggestion. According to a new study from the Rochester Centre for Obesity in America, eating eggs, particularly early in the day, will help to limit your calorie intake throughout the rest of the day, by more than 400 calories.

In the study, 30 overweight or obese women ate either an egg-based breakfast (2 eggs) or a bagel-based breakfast, containing the same amount of calories and almost identical levels of protein. The researchers recorded the women’s eating habits and found that just before lunch, the women who had eaten eggs for breakfast felt less hungry and ate a smaller lunch as a result. Better still, over the next 36 hours the group eating the egg-containing breakfast consumed, on average, 417 calories less than the bagel-eating group.

Obviously the study suggests that women who ate eggs for breakfast felt fuller for longer so that they would eat less at their next few meals. This is great news if you are trying to lose weight as it means you may find it easier to cut calories without feeling hungry. In fact, based on these results you could expect to lose an extra 4 pounds a month, simply by eating eggs for breakfast!

Eggs are packed with a variety of nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12, but contain just 85 calories each. Old advice to limit eggs to just a few each week has also been abandoned. According to the Food Standards Agency, there’s now no limit to the number of eggs you can eat in a week as part of a healthy balanced diet. If you fancy starting the day with eggs we suggest you avoid frying them and combine them with wholemeal toast and a glass of vitamin C-rich unsweetened orange juice, which will help the body make the best use of the iron in the eggs.

More studies support the growing body of research on the nutritional benefit of egg consumption including that eggs promote weight loss and aid brain and memory function. A randomized study at Louisiana State University found that overweight and obese women who consumed a breakfast of 2 eggs a day for 5 or more days a week for 8 weeks, lost 65% more weight, had an 83% greater reduction in waist circumference and reported greater improvements in energy levels that the women who consumed other foods with the same number of calories. This confirmed a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, which found an egg breakfast induced greater satiety and significantly reduced short-term food intake compared to a calorically equivalent bagel breakfast.

Eggs contain choline, which is an important and essential nutrient needed for normal functioning of all cells especially brain cells. Choline is also critical for brain and memory development in fetuses. Iowa State University recently assessed choline intake and found all Americans are deficient in choline, particularly pregnant women. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 425-550 mg choline per day for most adults. 2 eggs = 250mg choline or 50% of our daily requirement 3 oz. beef liver = 355mg 1 c brussels sprouts = 63mg 3 oz. salmon = 56 3 oz. cod = 71mg 1 c broccoli = 62mg 2 T wheat germ =22mg For the past 30 years eggs were thought to increase heart disease by raising blood cholesterol levels. Now it turns out eggs don’t raise cholesterol in most people and actually provide many important nutrients including good quality protein, folate, vitamin D, choline, zinc, iron, lutein and zeaxanthin that benefit our health.

Look at the benefits of eating eggs:

• Improve immune function
• Keep eyes healthy
• Lower cancer risk
• Lower heart disease risk
• Reduce osteoporosis

Eggs are versatile, economical and nutritious. They contribute many important nutrients to the diet: protein, iron, zinc, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin, folate and vitamin D. Eggs contain the highest biological value protein of any food. Iron and zinc are important for a healthy immune system, while choline is needed for brain development and memory. Lutein & zeaxanthin are carotenoids that prevent macular degeneration & atherosclerosis.

Folate lowers homocysteine, heart disease & cancer risk and vitamin D is needed to utilize calcium. A problem with egg consumption is the risk of salmonella poisoning. If eggs are handled & cooked properly, the bacteria are killed and the disease avoided. Much of the early egg research was flawed, and researchers found no evidence of a significant association between egg consumption and the risk of heart disease or stroke in men or women. In fact, the American Heart Association published 2 studies showing healthy men and women could eat 2 eggs a day while on a low fat diet without significantly raising blood cholesterol levels or their risk of heart disease.

Bottom line: Eat more eggs and say good by to your appetite!

No Whey

No Whey!

First of all let me start of by saying Whey protein is a great muscle-building supplement. But as with anything you put into your body, it’s very important to know the facts about whey protein. And fortunately, you’ll find that most of the facts about whey protein make it one of the best bodybuilding supplements on the market FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE.

Fact #1: Whey protein burns fat

Perhaps the most attractive quality about whey protein is that it helps people burn fat at an accelerated rate. The reason why whey protein helps bodybuilders burn fat is because it contains high amounts of calcium. After ingesting whey protein, the calcium prevents your body from storing high amounts of fat (the body typically stores large amounts of fat on low calcium diets). In addition to preventing fat storage, the calcium also promotes a breakdown of fat thus steering your body composition towards lean muscle.

Fact #2: Whey protein helps you take advantage of an anabolic window

After a workout, your body begins changing proteins and carbohydrates into muscle instead of fat. Unfortunately, this highly anabolic state shuts down after just 2 hours of activity. Seeing as how you have such a short amount of time to take advantage of this window, you want to maximize this time. Luckily, whey protein can help you take full advantage of this time period since it’s absorbed at a rapid pace. Once the whey protein is absorbed, it aids the body in changing proteins and carbs into muscle.

Fact #3: Whey protein helps digestion

Sure having better digestion isn’t as sexy as having a lean, sculpted body, but you’ll thank whey protein later on in life when you avoid digestion problems that plague others. Lactose, which is found in whey, turns into galacto-oligosaccharides that are used by intestinal bacteria. The intestinal bacteria are then better able to break down food and help your digestive tract.

Fact #4: Whey protein does not cause kidney damage

One of the worst myths regarding whey protein is that it somehow causes damage to the kidneys. But all of the whey protein users and potential users should be happy to know that no study has proven whey to be a kidney damager. Of course, you should always be careful with how much whey protein you ingest each day since any supplement can do harm when overused. Case in point, stick to the recommended servings of whey protein when you use it.

Fact #5: Excessive amounts of whey protein can cause dehydration

While most of the facts associated with whey protein are extremely beneficial, you do need to be careful with your intake as pointed out in fact #4. Failure to stick to the guidelines on whey protein packaging can lead to dehydration. Fortunately, this isn’t as serious as heart or kidney damage in the long-term, but it’s still no fun walking around with cottonmouth because you took too much whey protein.

Fact #6: Whey protein can prevent future illnesses

Besides helping athletes build muscle and burn fat, whey protein also enables people to ward off future illnesses and medical problems. Because of the fact that whey protein stabilizes blood sugar, it is very effective at preventing diabetes. Whey protein has also been linked to preventing prostate cancer and chronic periodontal disease. Aside from the physical diseases it helps prevent, whey battles depression too since it slows the production of the hormone cortisol and helps release serotonin (this is a calming neurotransmitter).

Fact #7: Whey protein is the most powerful muscle-building protein

While lots of proteins can help you pack on muscle and live a healthy lifestyle, no protein is as effective at building muscle as whey. When tested against other proteins, whey comes out on top in terms of its ability to be absorbed by the body quickly, how it’s used by the body, and how well the body retains whey protein.
This coupled with all of the other great facts about whey protein certainly make it worth a try next time you work out.

So you can see that if you are a bodybuilder and you are using whey protein as a supplement to your resistance routine you can expect great things. However, if you are a person that is finding an easier way to lose weight, just say NO WHEY. Whey protein is not a long term solution to weight loss and weight maintenance and should not be used as such.

Talk to your Genetix Counselor to see if whey protein can be used to help supplement your diet.

Why Your Kids Will Be Fat!

As I walked through my neighborhood Wal-Mart today to buy a pair of headphones for the gym, I ran across the following:

“Game over!” I thought to myself. Children don’t stand a chance.

Parents, whose children see a giant bin of candy, know that their kid is about to behave like… well like a kid in a candy store. And for most parents that are on the fence between their child’s health and their desire to put an end to the arduous screams of a whiny kid, the low price of 98 cents usually tips them to the latter.

The candy is not the issue however. The real issue is why this giant bin of candy was sitting in the middle of the store (near the video games…hmmm) and that nobody in the store thought that it was in the least bit odd. Ask yourself this: If you walked through a Wal-Mart and saw a giant bin of broccoli would you stop and stare? Probably so. How about a giant bin of fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, etc.)? At the very least you would probably say to yourself, “That’s odd”. But we’ve gotten to a point in our lives where a giant bin of sugary candy is looked upon as normal; even expected in some instances.

As a parent with a little boy, I know it’s only matter of time before I have to stop telling my kid that if he eats candy and soda that the police are going to take him away, and start telling him the truth. But what is the truth? And what do I say when my kid asks me, “Daddy if it’s so bad for you, then why do adults sell it in giant piles like this? Don’t they realize that over stimulation of glucose receptors in the pancreas can lead to type 2 diabetes in individuals who are genetically predisposed to endocrinal disorders at a young age?” And do I really want my kid pulling at that thread?

Much like a child’s personality is formed around the time that he or she reaches 13 years of age, so is their appetite. Hunger-based survival instincts can be persuaded by longstanding behavior that has been implanted in a child for years. Therefore by allowing your child to eat things just because the opportunity is in front of them you are changing your child’s appetite from their normal nutritional instinct to a dangerously unhealthy conditioned response; much like Pavlov did when he conditioned his dogs to salivate to the sound of a bell even when there was no food to be found.

As parents we are the last line of defense for our children against a corporate society that is preying on the primitive instincts of children. These corporations are counting on the fact that overworked, guilt-ridden parents would rather desperately find a quick fix to appease their kids rather than taking the time to make the right decision.

Bottom line: Your child doesn’t need candy and soda… Not now, not on special occasions, NOT EVER. Stop feeling guilty that you are depriving your kid of things that he or she should have. Because you’re not. Would you feel that way if your son or daughter saw a giant bin of crack cocaine and asked for some? No, then what’s the difference? Besides the fact that one may kill them right away and one might kill them later in life?

Be responsible enough to say “No” to corporate greed and product placement. Realize that there are healthier options that your kids can eat that they will love (i.e. frozen yogurt, peanut butter, fruit, roasted duck with mango chutney).

Your future prom king or queen will thank you.

Weight Loss and the Pursuit of Happiness

Weight Loss and the Pursuit of Happiness

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

Nothing could be truer when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off.

I get asked by clients all the time “I’m doing everything right why am I not losing more weight?”  These clients actually are working very hard so it breaks my heart to tell them they have what we refer to as, a negative attitude or negative outlook on their health and perhaps on life in general.

The fact is that if you are not a happy dieter it will be harder for you to lose weight. Now you might think that the term “happy dieter” is an oxymoron, but clients who have focused on the positive aspect of weight loss i.e. what they are gaining and not what they are losing, or in this case what they are gaining is what they are losing instead of concentrating on what foods they can no longer eat for a couple of months.

Positive thoughts are absolutely empowering. A negative attitude can set processes in motion that makes losing weight difficult, if not impossible. Berating yourself every time you eat the wrong foods, constantly focusing on what you cannot eat and approaching your exercise regimen with dread are all ways that negative thought patterns can sabotage your weight loss efforts.

When you hold a negative image of yourself, you rob yourself of much-needed energy. When feeling powerless, depressed or unmotivated, it’s easy to skip your daily workout or eat a bag of potato chips to feel better. However, tuning into how you feel, acknowledging those feelings and transforming those thoughts into something more positive can actually help you to achieve your weight loss goals faster.

Strategies for Increasing Positive Thinking

A common response to those who tell you to think more positively is often: “I feel what I feel. I can’t help how I feel.” Positive thinking is only effective if it is in alignment with your true feelings. If you sincerely feel down about your body weight, telling yourself that everything is okay will often create internal discord.

The trick is to tap into those feelings that ring true for you. For example, keep a daily journal in which you write down your negative thoughts and feelings. If you feel you are lacking in willpower or just can’t overcome your cravings, write those thoughts down. When you acknowledge the darker emotions, they often tend to have less power over you.

It is important to then make a conscious effort to transform your thoughts. It may be true that you often cannot overcome your food cravings or stick to your diet. However, if there are times when you are able to stand strong, then focus on those moments and celebrate the triumphs. Maybe you put less sugar in your coffee today and said no to a second slice of pizza. Giving attention to the positive things will help to create greater self-esteem and motivation to continue with your weight loss efforts.

The Truth Behind Body By Vi

The Truth Behind Body By Vi

So we here at the Genetix Program have gotten a lot of enquiries from clients regarding the truth about the multi-level marketing company ViSalus and their new shake product Body By Vi. Everything from the shake’s ingredients to the validity of the entire company as a whole has been placed under the microscope to give consumers a better insight of what they are actually doing with their time and money.

In the research that we have conducted in the past year as the Body By Vi popularity has grown we have gathered information to help our counselors and clients gain a better understanding of what we call the newest “diet fad”. However, in order to report a truly UNBIASED account of the information we realized that we needed a professional opinion from an accredited third party medical professional as well as inside information from a person inside the organization. So that’s EXACTLY what we did.

1. Our Research on Body By Vi Shakes

Problem – They advertise the Vi-Pak as “all natural”, which it is not.

Ingredients

Kosher Gelatin

Since gelatin comes from cow hooves, I’m not sure how you get a kosher version of it. Glycerin inhibits the absorption of nutrients, which the capsules are made of. Research has shown that vitamins like this do not allow your body to absorb all of the nutrients. So, why would Body By Vi use it? Because it is cheap to make.
Soybean oil – It sounds healthy, but in fact is genetically engineered, and creates numerous problems for the body. It inhibits the absorption of minerals, particularly iron, and is loaded with goitrogens that cause the thyroid to slow down and even the drug manufacturers tell you not to use ANY soy when taking Synthroid because it interferes with the action of the drug; it’s that potent of a problem.

Titanium Dioxide

Is that natural? I’m pretty sure it is white paint. Head over to an art store and look on a paint can. Look at the ingredients and you will find Titanium Dioxide.
Pharmaceutical glaze – an alcohol based solution of various types of food grade shellac. It is also known colloquially in the manufacturing world as beetle juice due to shellac’s derivation from the lac insect Kerria lacca (which is not a beetle, but a scale insect).

Trans Fat

Each of the “super charged antioxidants” contain 355 milligrams of the TRANS FAT – Magnesium Stearate. You’ll find 39.5 milligrams of TRANS FAT. in the anti-aging pill, and another 80.21 in the Omega Vitals Magnesium Stearate – is a trans fat. It inhibits the absorption of nutrients, by as much as 80%. They do not put it into the pill for your health. It is in there to make it easier for them to make it, sacrificing quality for cost. It is also a known carcinogen. Add to that the fact that they use 20,000 psi pressure to squeeze the pills into a form. This high pressure generates a lot of heat that alters the pill contents.

A lot of people look at all of the hype around the company right now, and they don’t take the time to do their research. Yes, there are some people making money right now. In fact, they expect Body By Vi to do almost $80 million in sales this year. Not bad, right. That is a lot of money. Unfortunately, I will point out that their target demographic seems to be opportunity hoppers that have the more “lottery ticket” mentality. While I will not say that Body By Vi is a scam, I will say that I expect it to come and go, and the top earners are just going to jump into another company and build up the hype. In the end, Body By Vi is exactly what Wikipedia calls them an MLM – Multi Level Marketing Company a.k.a a pyramid scheme, selling a product of little or no value so that ignorant and yes desperate people will sell it while the upper level presidents and executives get rich until the entire thing collapses.

2. Third Party Medical Professional

Dr. Michael Haley is an expert in the field of organic medicine and nutritional supplementation. He is the owner of Stockton Aloe 1, a company that provides Raw Aloe Vera Gel and Dr. Haley also owns and sees patients at Agape Chiropractic in Pompano Beach Florida. Furthermore, he is a Senior Vice President Mission Marketer for Beyond Organic. He offers his opinion on ViSalus and the entire Body By Vi Challenge.

“When it comes to supplements, I have seen this particular scam one too many times. I hope this video explanation helps put a stop to it. I am certainly not against supplements. What I am against is telling lies to mislead potential customers.”

IN THIS VIDEO:

0:00 Introduction
1:50 DVD Presentation Review (listen closely for the scam)
3:02 The deception is explained
7:14 Who to NOT get nutrition advice from

3. Inside the ViSalus/Body By Vi Organization

Mary Lee Lucas is a former ViSalus/Body By Vi employee that gave her opinion about the company and its product. We have also included her own mother’s very touching response to her daughter’s opinionated article.

I am personally writing to you, maryleelucas blog follower’s, to give you my personal reason’s for leaving ViSalus Body By Vi. I have, up to this point, been very quiet about my decision.

I like many others was a religious follower of the “hype”. Everyone was either taking ViSalus, at minimum had heard about it. It seemed like the “dream come true” for me for a year. I personally grew tired of the Rally (cult) calls and didn’t fully understand why my upline was being so insistent that my team be on these. Seemed odd for me that my entire team had never received any guidance or help from above, yet the burden was apparently placed upon our shoulder’s to make them climb the rank’s! It didn’t take long before I realized that the rich were getting richer and everyone from presidential down were sitting still. I was soon stuck with my very own $572/mth BMW payment! I personally spoke with my upline seeking advice and was asked that I not return my car to a certain dealership as she didn’t want that to affect “her” business! Yes, that was the type of “help” alway’s given. This was one of the biggest clue’s that I was not part of the company I was told I was in. Many promises were made to me personally, visions of the greener grass, smoke and mirrors as I call them (to be more accurate) as long as I “followed the system”.

A couple month’s into 2012 I was told that my attendance was expected at a meeting with one of my 2 star ambassador’s. I stayed the course and followed the direction placed upon me and met with him for dinner. A very small group of “follower’s” attended to hear the gospel from the upline. There was something odd about part of the conversation that night that has never left me. Perhaps that was where I had been enlightened, my extensive research started very shortly after that meeting. I asked a question about the main component of ViSalus, the shakes, being from Canada it seemed odd to me that we were still (after months of telling us 30-60 days) only able to receive the US product’s (at a much higher cost for Canadians). The answer was shocking to me coming from someone that was a self proclaimed “good buddy” of the CEO in ViSalus. With laughter (and I quote) I was told to “keep those Canadian product’s, they will make a good science project one day, not good for anything else”. Excuse me?! I was frustrated, confused, doubting the very belief I had put so much of my time, energy, family into.

With due diligence I HAD to get to the bottom of such a comment! THIS is where the entire picture became very clear for me personally. The following statement’s are my very own personal opinion, belief’s and personal experiences. I started my research by diligently looking over EVERY ingredient in the “nutritional” shake. This was the “core” of the 2 star’s comment, so this seemed like the perfect place to start. It didn’t take me long to discover a horrifying fact, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE was tested, researched, and proven medically to be the cause of long term health issues!

Protein is an important natural compound needed by the body, and both children and adults need this in order to build good muscles and repair bad tissues. Protein is such a popular natural compound in fact, that athletes and health buffs now include protein powders as part of their daily diet. Protein may be sourced from whey, egg and soy. Of these three, the most interesting source is soy, as it provides two forms of soy protein for consumption: soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate. Of these two, people must be wary of the risks in ingesting soy protein isolate.

Soy Protein Isolate Dangers

The American Dietetic Association warns the public that soy protein isolate contains certain anti-nutrients that may cause the body to experience delay in digesting food and in effect, a delay in absorbing nutrients.

Further, the following effects may result from ingesting soy protein isolate:

• Sustaining hormonal imbalances. Soy contains phytoestrogens, which replicate the effects of estrogen in the human body. This may in turn cause hormonal imbalance on people taking soy protein isolate.
• Suffering from the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
• Experiencing rapid weight gain or weight loss due to a flawed thyroid gland.

Truth in Labeling.org offers information on monosodium glutamate (MSG), a hidden ingredient used in the processing of soy protein isolate. It includes a link to “Industry Data and Monosodium Glutamate Toxicity” by Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D. The article cites soy producers’ use of processed free glutamic acid, a component of MSG, hidden in the list of ingredients of food products, including soy protein isolate, as a serious health concern contributing to problems such as cardiac irregularities.

Additional Risks

Fallon and Enig also state that genistein, an isoflavone in soybeans, may have a negative effect on the development or worsening of breast cancer. Goitrogens contained in soy affect thyroid function, while the phytic acid content can block the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc—a mineral essential to the functioning of the nervous system. Their article also addresses the questionable relationship between osteoporosis prevention and soy, due to the product’s interference with calcium absorption and its lack of vitamin D.

I was horrified! Imagine, finding out the the business you had put so much of yourself into was not what you had been “trained” it was. Could this explain the odd comment said to me?! This was a moment of truth for me personally. I had a life altering decision to make, could I continue on with a better then average income, in exchange for the information I had now been given?

I decided that for me personally, my integrity was NOT for sale! I could in no way trade promoting a product that can cause these health issues for a pay check. I in turn left ViSalus. I have done more than my fair share of research now and have made the conscious decision to promote a product that is 100% all natural! I will not put the health of my family, friends and client’s at risk. I understand that money talks for most people, but for me, my moral compass is far to strong.

I have endured compliance letter’s threatening legal action if I say ANYTHING regarding the dangers of soy isolate in reference to ViSalus. I have had negative, personal attacks from “ambassadors” on my personal page, I have had numerous comment’s made about me on friend’s personal pages. This was all just clarification to me that I had certainly made the right decision in leaving this company.

I have since experienced personal research indicating that in CANADA, the product’s being shipped are not health Canada approved..certainly I will be finding out if these allegations are true or not. The alway’s heard about M2B, could this be nothing more then a marketing tactic for the last installment for payment to Blythe industries rather than any form of recognition regarding health? It is my personal opinion that yes, it is a hidden agenda, but you can research that on your own as well.

It is my personal opinion and experience that this company bares no responsibility for it’s less then mediocre product just to turn a buck! I would personally do my own research before considering becoming involved in ANY company that has soy isolate as an ingredient. I am ashamed to say that I played a part in promoting a product that has more than potential of making people very sick.
I have paid my dues since leaving the company I was involved in. I have to live with the fact that I was a willing participant in feeding this product to my children, my ill mother, nursing moms, my friends, my clients. I know I made the right decision and hope that my followers will understand who I am and why I couldn’t promote this anymore. I know that with my decision, I can finally sleep better knowing that my integrity and character are very much intact!

Nancy Cable June 9, 2012 at 12:41 pm

We always wonder if, as Mother’s, we have made all the right decisions in teaching our children to be good, honest and morally responsible adults. From the moment of conception, the love we feel for the child inside of us, that will be half of us, is such that it changes our whole way of life; panic, anxiety and horror at the mere thought that it’s a dirty world in which we live. We need to equip our children as they grow with the tools to become the very best that they can be.

To give back to our planet and its inhabitants ten times more than we take away. I feel that I have done this; there have been a few bumps along the way, nothing worth accomplishing is ever without the bangs and bruises that make our feats rise up and make us proud. My daughters have made me so proud! They have both gone years and years beyond my own borders! Mary, your integrity, your care for your fellow man, as well as your love and protectiveness of your own family, have shown me that I excelled in giving you such a wonderful sense of who you are, and where you are going in your life. I wish to honor your integrity; the intense study of the product that could affect so many in the length and overall enjoyment of their lives. I thank you for not taking the easy road; instead, confronting head on the shame that this company should be feeling for creating and marketing a product that is not what we believe it to be. Shame on you Visalus. Mary, you make me proud!

By the way, these thoughts and words are my own. As a believer and former consumer of the Body by Vi product, I no longer will be duped by a company that has no morals or integrity. They have sold this product to me, knowing it to have an unhealthy and dangerous ingredient. Signed, Nancy Cable