What is the difference between fish oil and flaxseed oil?

Both fish and flax are good sources of omega-3's, and for people who will not consume fish for any reason, flax will do. Flaxseed oil is also less expensive, which can be an important consideration as well. The main difference is that flaxseed oil contains only alpha- linolenic acid (ALA), which is the parent compound from which other omega-3 fatty acids are derived. This leaves it to your body to do the conversion to the other forms it needs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The problem is that the conversion is not always that efficient, and the body often uses the ALA for extra energy, leaving less for conversion to the other types. Fish oil, on the other hand, contains the other forms and delivers them directly to your body with no conversion necessary. Whatever form you decide to take, nutritionists recommend to back it up with an extra 400 IU of vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols) to prevent the fatty acids from breaking down too rapidly in your body.

For consumers looking to live healthier and nutritionally enriched lives, Mannatech Inc. offer hope. Based in Coppell, Texas, Mannatech sells more than 24 proprietary and scientifically validated glyconutritional supplements and products for adults and children that address health and wellness issues, weight management and skin care.

What are some of the indications of an immune response?

The immune system consists of an integrated constellation of various cell types, each with a specifically designated functional role. In addition, secreted molecules (cytokines) are responsible for interactions, modulations, and regulation of the system. The proper functioning of the immune system depends on its ability to distinguish "self" from "non-self" and "normal" from "abnormal". A healthy immune system, therefore, involves accurate recognition of foreign, harmful invaders and abnormally altered cells within the body followed by a natural, healthy reaction to eliminate them.

The healthy immune system uses powerful weapons designed to kill pathogens (viruses, bacteria and other organisms), destroy abnormal tissue and rid the body of foreign toxic compounds. These weapons of a strong immune system include inflammation, fever, swelling, sweating, etc. This can be temporarily uncomfortable, causing fatigue, altered appetite, aches, pains, nausea, skin rash, etc. These responses are, however, extremely important evidence of an active immune system. For example, failure to develop a fever in the course of a severe infection foretells a poor outcome. Thus, what are sometimes perceived as negative effects of a virus or other pathogen are actually positive manifestations of a strong immune system as it responds appropriately to the challenge.

“The world as a whole is becoming much more aware of the need for wellness, rather than just the need to manage illness,” says Mannatech’s vice president of international finance. “And with science increasingly validating the essential role of the glyconutrients in our patented and patent-pending products, Mannatech is uniquely positioned to provide the missing ingredient in the wellness puzzle.”

Good Health’s Missing Link

Compelling new evidence shows that consuming dietary saccharides can result in numerous health benefits. While science has only begun to understand the body’s use of saccharides, we’ve already learned some very intriguing facts.

Probably the most important fact revealed so far is that optimal human health is supported by glyconutrients that are found in plants. Glyconutrients may be the virtual “missing link” between what we eat and what our bodies need for optimal health.

The saccharides in glyconutrients are very different from common table sugar since the body uses them for many important functions beyond energy production. Of course, few of us don’t know that Americans already eat far too much sugar—in fact, about four times the recommended daily limit for added sugars. However, these sugars are primarily high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar, or sucrose, which is very different from the essential saccharides.

In addition, the exploding obesity problem in the U.S. and its connection with refined carbohydrate consumption is forcing us to reconsider whether bread really is the "staff of life". Most of us eat far too many refined carbohydrates, primarily in the form of refined breads, pastas, cereals and other baked goods. These foods are rich in starch (a polysaccharide composed entirely of glucose molecules).

To understand the potential consequences of not eating properly, let’s consider four reasons everyone (yes—everyone!) can benefit from glyconutritionals:

1. Our bodies were designed for much higher levels of saccharides than most of us get.

2. Very few people eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Fresh fruits and vegetables have significantly lower saccharide content than they did as recently as 30 years ago.

4. Cooking and processing deplete foods of their saccharide content.

The human body’s for glyconutrients can be summarized with two concise statements:

- Proper cell-to-cell communication equals function.
- Proper function equals wellness.

It’s just that simple!

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and supplementing your diet are your best game plan! Feeling terrific and preserving youthful vitality may be less difficult than you ever imagined it could be. Let Mannatech's Optimal Health System be the nucleus of your lifetime health program. It will help you feel more confident, energetic, alert and less stressed-ready to make every day a great day!

The Truth about Low Carb Diets

With all the information in the media lately about high protein/low carb diets, you may be wondering whether you should be switching to bacon and eggs for breakfast, and holding the toast. While there is some research to suggest that diets higher in protein may have benefits for short-term weight loss, there is no proof that they help with managing weight in the long term. There are many concerns about the potential long-term health implications of this type of eating plan; one which restricts wholegrains, fruits and many vegetables.

For example, research indicates that:

• A high intake of fruit and vegetables has been proven to protect against many types of cancer.
• Higher intakes of wholegrains are associated with reduced risk of diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
• High intakes of saturated fat, found mainly in animal foods, are linked with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
• High intakes of red meat, particularly charred and processed meats, may increase the risk of developing cancer.
• High intakes of animal protein may worsen kidney function for those with underlying kidney problems, while plant proteins, particularly soy protein, may protect the kidneys. This is particularly important for people with diabetes, an increasing health problem in our society.
• Over the long term, a high animal protein intake may have harmful effects on bone health, possibly increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Vegetarians living in western countries typically have very good health, with lower rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and many cancers as well as increased longevity. Vegetarians also generally have a lower body weight than non-vegetarians, despite the fact that they usually consume a diet higher in carbohydrates.
• The US Weight Control Registry, which has studied people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off, found that only 3% of these people followed a low carb diet to achieve success. Most were following a low fat diet and exercising for at least one hour per day.

The only way to achieve permanent weight loss, whilst also improving your health, is to follow a sustainable healthy eating plan in combination with regular exercise. Your eating plan should include plenty of fruits, vegetables and wholegrain breads and cereals, moderate amounts of lean protein foods and small amounts of healthy fats. When it comes to carbohydrates, you don’t need to cut them out, just choose the right ones. Carbohydrate foods which have a low glycemic index

(GI) have many health benefits and can help you lose weight; they fill you up for longer and keep your blood glucose and insulin levels lower, making it easier to burn fat.

Mannatech have been gifted with a technology that stands alone in the emerging wellness industry. Former U.S. patent examiner and Mannatech Independent Associate, Dr. John Rollins stated that he believes the discovery of glyconutrients was the most important discovery in health care he’d seen in his 23 years of service at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Chocky a day keeps the doc away

EATING a piece of dark chocolate a day could help lower blood pressure, new research has found.

Just 30 calories, or 6g, of the treat taken daily reduces blood pressure without weight gain or any adverse effects, according to the results of a trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association today.

The 18-week trial, conducted by researchers at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, led by Dr Dirk Taubert, saw 44 patients aged between 56 and 73 given 6.3g a day of either dark chocolate or white chocolate.

All suffered untreated upper-range prehypertension (blood pressure between 130/85 and 139/89) or stage 1 hypertension (BP between 140/90 and 160/100).

Researchers found those given dark chocolate had a slight reduction in their average blood pressure, without changes in body weight or lipid (cholesterol) levels.

In addition, the prevalence of hypertension declined from 86 per cent to 68 per cent.

There was no change in those given white chocolate.

Previous research has indicated that eating large amounts of foods containing cocoa can lower blood pressure.

It is believed this is due to the action of cocoa polyphenols (chemical substances found in cocoa which are thought to have health benefits).

But the effects of regular low amounts of cocoa on blood pressure was unknown.

The study's authors said: "Although the magnitude of the BP reduction was small, the effects are clinically noteworthy.

"On a population basis, it has been estimated that a 3-mm Hg reduction in systolic BP would reduce the relative risk of stroke mortality by 8 per cent, of coronary artery disease mortality by 5 per cent, and of all-cause mortality by 4 per cent.''

Source: The Sunday Telegraph

One leading economist has predicted that the wellness industry will become the next trillion-dollar industry due to an enormous shift taking place in the healthcare industry. Mannatech has positioned itself through its nutritional discoveries and patents to play a significant role. Mannatech's record growth is a testimony to the efforts of those who have chosen to share this amazing story of hope with those so desperately looking for answers.

PEs

Plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens (PEs), are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that are similar to estrogenic hormones. Epidemiological evidence indicates that dietary PEs may provide protection from the development of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and menopausal symptoms. Dietary PEs are absorbed from the intestines, detected in the blood and urine of humans and animals, and excreted in the urine and feces. PEs bind to estrogen receptors on cells and exert a weak estrogenic effect that is 100-1000-fold less than estradiol or estrone, the principal circulating estrogens of most mammals. PEs act to inhibit cancer cell growth in intact animals by binding to and occupying estrogen receptors on cancer cells, thus blocking cancer cell stimulation by natural estrogens. They also exert an anticancer effect in animals by non-estrogen receptor-mediated mechanisms, which either decrease estrogen production and/or bioavailability or inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor invasion. Dietary PEs appear to be protective against breast, prostate, and intestinal cancers. They also act to lower blood cholesterol and inhibit lipid peroxidation, which are primary factors in cardiovascular disease. Additionally, PEs appear to ameliorate estrogen-deficiency symptoms, such as hot flushes and osteoporosis, in postmenopausal women. Based on recent reviews of the scientific literature, no human data suggest that PEs in the diet are harmful at any age.

To consumers, the basic building blocks of nutrients are well known: essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. What Mannatech has discovered is a brand new category of important nutrients: glyconutrients. Following their initial breakthrough discovery, Mannatech filed patents across the globe. Ambrotose® complex has now been issued patents in 29 countries, including the United States. Securing its position of leadership, Mannatech dedicates approximately 30 employees to its science department, and continues to develop new technologies, review research, and conduct studies.

Advances

Taking a broad historical perspective, ten major advances/concepts in the field of nutrition made over approximately the last two hundred years are briefly described. They include: the concept that foodstuffs supply energy and heat for the body; carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the major constituents of foodstuffs; certain amino acids are essential in the diet for growth and health; the concept of vitamins; the discovery of fat-soluble vitamins; a treatment for pernicious anemia led to the discovery of vitamin B12; the dietary importance of minerals, as exemplified by the prevention of goiter by iodized salt; the discovery of insulin; understanding the role of cholesterol and fats in coronary heart disease; and the development of public health measures to secure the safety of foods and water. These and many other advances have powered nutrition into becoming a science that has contributed immeasurably to the health and welfare of billions of people around the globe.

Mannatech was founded in November 1993 by current CEO and Chairman Sam Caster. During its first two years, the company focused on products that contained aloe vera extract. Mannatech announced its flagship product, Ambrotose, 1996 based on the discovery that the body’s immune system needs eight plant-based sugars – also known as glyconutrients – to function properly.