Juice Plus+® Health News

America Is Phytonutrient Deficient

Too few fruits and vegetables, along with too few a variety of colorful choices of those foods... that's one or the primary reasons we recommend adding a whole food nutritional supplement like Juice Plus+. You get nutrients from a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables when you supplement with Juice Plus+. -- 

There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy diet. Disease prevention, living longer, and living at an ideal weight are all results of a healthy diet, eating healthy. It is important to know which foods to buy, because it is confusing, let alone what foods to consume. There is one way to decide that may make it easier. And that is to look at the color. For improving your health and increasing your chances of prevention of sickness and disease, there may be a color associated with what you need. Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals which are packed with vitamins and minerals. Phytochemicals help protect against aging, sickness, diseases like heart disease and a plethora of other health problems. One of the main things that phytochemicals contain are antioxidants that fight free radicals, those chemicals that can contribute to the increased risk of health problems.

Fruits and vegetables come in many different colors. The colors of each can be associated with certain types of phytochemicals, nutrients, and vitamins that help in the prevention of certain conditions and support of certain systems and organs of the body. Categories that include red, blue/purple, yellow/orange, white and green are the most common. For instance, those that are bananas, garlic, onions and potatoes are in the white category and help with heart health, lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of some cancers. Cantaloupes, mangoes and sweet potatoes are all part of the yellow/orange category and help with the eye and heart health. Green grapes, kiwis, broccoli and spinach also help with vision and reducing the risk of cancer.

There is much talk about anthocyanins that are present in the skin of certain berries, specifically blueberries which have an effect on helping reduce aging (by the way, Juice Plus+ has a Berry Blend with nutrients from 9 different grapes and berries).  You can use one of the government's websites to help ou decide which fruits and vegetables are helpful for what parts of your body if you're unsure. The site, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can be found at www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov. There are obviously variables to consider - such as age, gender, your level of activity, and so on - that will influence how many servings of fruits and vegetables you need. It is important to think about a variety of fruit and vegetables for your daily consumption and just as importantly, a variety of colors. Different colored foods will provide different types of phytonutrients, which will all work together for the support of your good health. There are  a lot of things you can do to make your diet healthier with a variety of fruits and vegetables. For one, if you have trouble eating those different types of foods, try buying 100% fruit juice plus avoid those with any additives like high fructose corn syrup or anything. Get the juice that is squeezed from the foods.  You could also try using a juicer so that you can get fruits and vegetables in your diet, as many people find the taste of certain vegetables (in particular) to be too unappealing to consume. You want to eat them raw so as to keep the nutrient-value as high as possible and this is one way to do it.

One thing NOT to do is keep vegetables cut up in your fridge. The reason? As soon as you cut open a fruit or vegetable, it begins to lose some of its nutrients through exposure to light and oxygen. (This is the reason the freeze-drying was such a helpful invention in the transport of foods).  You want to keep as much of the nutrients in the food as possible - why waste your money if you're not going to get the full 100% value of phytonutrients as when you bought them. So DON'T cut them up and put them in your fridge. 

There are many combinations of foods that can make eating raw vegetables much easier. One option that we did as kids (less often now) is to put peanut butter on celery sticks. Use organic peanut butter or organic almond butter - and not much, just enough to provide a taste.  You can also make shakes and put in fruits and even add some soy and/or ice in order to make a smoothie. There is also a Juice Plus+ Complete that contains fruit and vegetable nutrients and soy protein that we use, and add a banana or other fruit to give it even more taste. “Fruits and Veggies — More Matters” is one program that the CDC in involved in, in order to help promote an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. The number one problem we have with our diet today is a lack of fruit and vegetable consumption. We have to consider the many ways that we can consume more, as mentioned. Food combinations, getting a variety of vegetables and having hummus with them, making a shake with a variety of fruits, or even juicing with several different types of either food... all ways to help get more in your diet. The CDC has in some way mentioned that if we can just consume more fruits and vegetables - the minimum would be best - then we could reduce many of the conditions and diseases that are reducing not only the quality of life for so many people, but also reducing the years of their life.

Bottom Line: The healthiest diet you can plan is one where you are consuming at least the minimum recommended raw, ripened whole food fruits and vegetables each and every day. If you don't or won't or can't, please add a whole food supplement like Juice Plus+ to your daily intake. But still work on improving your diet to include more of those whole foods.

Dr. J. Patrick Havey
The Health & Wellness Institute, PC
Official Juice Plus+ Independent Distributor

Fruits And Vegetables Best Source of Sugar

Too much added sugar in a diet can be counterproductive to good health. Many people don't realize just how much extra sugar they are getting in their diet - be it from juice drinks, cookies, jam, or other. There are so many sources that are not as healthy, or not at all healthy, as opposed to the natural form found in fruits and vegetables.  Keep in mind that the healthiest way to get these natural sugars is from the consumption of whole food fruits and vegetables.

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, provides specific guidance on limiting the consumption of added sugars. This document also offers AHA's recommendations on specific levels and limits on the consumption of added sugars.

The statement says that most women should consume no more than 100 calories, or about six teaspoons, of added sugars per day and most men should consume no more than 150 calories, or about nine teaspoons, each day. In contrast, the statement cites a report from the 2001-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that showed the average intake of added sugars for all Americans was about 22 teaspoons per day.

The study classifies all sugars and syrups added to foods during processing or preparation, as well as sugars and syrups added at the table, as added sugars. It states that a high intake of added sugars, as opposed to naturally occurring sugars, is implicated in the rise in obesity and also associated with increased risks for high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and inflammation, which is a marker for heart disease.

According to the statement, sodas and other sugar-sweetened or juice beverages are the number one source of added sugars in Americans' diet, with one 12-ounce can of regular soda containing about 130 calories and eight teaspoons of sugar.

The statement's lead author Rachel K. Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., associate provost and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont in Burlington, says that sugar has no nutritional value other than to provide calories.

The American Heart Association recommends a dietary pattern that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and contains low-fat dairy products, high-fiber whole grains, lean meat, poultry and fish. This statement expands on earlier recommendations by recommending a specific upper limit on added-sugars intake and also recommends that no more than half of a person's daily discretionary calorie allowance come in the form of added sugars. Added sugars, solid fats in food, and alcoholic beverages are categorized as discretionary calories and should be eaten sparingly.

"This statement simply reinforces the fact that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for the prevention of many chronic diseases," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation, the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® national public health initiative. "Eating a variety fruits and vegetables provides a wide range of valuable nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals, without added sugars." (source)

Bottom line: A diet rich in whole food fruits and vegetables is going to support healthy arteries, normal blood pressure, and overall better cardiovascular health... than a diet without fruits and vegetables and/or that contains lots of fatty fast foods or high-salt foods.  The body was not designed to be fed lots of processed foods with man-made chemicals and additives. Good health, including a normal weight, is much better maintained by eating predominantly ripened, raw whole food fruits and vegetables.

If you don't or won't get the minimum recommended each day, add Juice Plus+ to your daily consumption.

Pumpkins Packed With Vitamins, Nutrients

It's the time of year when most people will have a pumpkin in one form or another. With Halloween just around the corner, carved pumpkins are making their way onto many a front porch. But the distinctive orange-colored household item can do more this time of year than fend off evil spirits; its crisp seeds and nutty flesh have many under-reported health benefits.

Pumpkin seeds -- whether toasted or raw -- are packed with protein and vitamins. One serving of roasted pumpkin seeds contains one half of daily recommendations of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and Vitamin K, nutrition experts say.

Pumpkin seeds have also been linked to bladder and prostrate health and studies have found that they help prevent the formation of kidney stones. The seeds are also instrumental in maintaining bone health because of their high amounts of zinc; furthermore  they are a natural anti-inflammatory and contain a compound thought to be naturally effective against depression (L-tryptophan).

Pumpkin seeds also contain phytosterols that lower levels of so-called "bad" cholesterol (LDL) in the blood and many cultures have also used the seeds as a natural treatment for tapeworms and other parasites.

Pumpkin flesh is also highly nutritious and contains phytonutrients that can protect from the damage of UV rays. Studies have found that it could reduce the risk of melanoma and other skin-related illnesses. Rich in fiber, pumpkin also contains immunity-boosting vitamins C and E, plentiful amounts of potassium that can prevent hypertension, and carotenoid pigments like alpha-carotene (vitamin A), beta-carotene and lutein, known to ward off a number of illnesses including certain cancers.

So instead of chucking the flesh while carving your jack-o-lantern this year, snack on some pumpkin seeds or spoon out the rich meat and incorporate it into a hearty, nutritious meal. (source)

Comments: Have a safe Halloween. And don't forget to make use of the nutrition that comes in a pumpkin - not necessarily pumpkin pie!

For more nutrients from fruits and vegetables, add Juice Plus+ to your diet.

The Health & Wellness Institute, PC

Nutrition Labels Going Government Control

I've often said that labels shouldn't be much of a concern when you do your grocery shopping. Why? Because most of the foods you should be buying should come from the fruit and vegetable isle... and you don't see labels on those foods (although we should be concerned about their quality). Since most people don't or won't eat enough, you've heard me say that adding Juice Plus+® can help you get more nutrients from those foods.  With over 400,000 consumables that are offered, it is no wonder that we have loud and persistent advocates for proper labeling. Well now, to reduce confusion that many food and/or nutrition labels may cause, the government may be implementing guidelines (another word for 'pass a law') for a standard in 'proper' labeling. Here's more --

The Food and Drug Administration is planning to propose new standards to regulate front of container nutrition information provided by food manufacturers such as the Smart Choices labels developed by the food industry that some critics say even help promote clearly unhealthy products such as Froot Loops.

The labels, which include a green checkmark on different packages, are expected to be seen on hundreds of products in the coming months, including some choices that Harvard School as Public Health nutrition department chair Walter C. Willet calls “horrible.”

The FDA had said that it intended to monitor whether the labels caused consumers to change their food consumption habits, but now the agency says it will develop standards by early next year to regulate the content of nutrition label on the front of packages.

It’s expected that food manufacturers will have to list both positive and negative nutritional information on the front of packages, including information about vitamins, fiber, fats and sugar.

The head of the FDA, Margaret Hamburg, says that the huge number of different labeling schemes currently being used by manufacturers is confusing to consumers and the standards need to be put in place so that consumers will understand which products truly give them healthier choices.

At several points during a press conference about the forthcoming regulations, Hamburg mentioned the front-of-package labeling systems used in Great Britain, which include green, yellow, and red lights to illustrate healthy and less healthy choices. She said the front-of-package labels would not be required on packages if food companies did not want to use them.

About Smart Choices
The Smart Choices labeling program was developed by a panel of nutrition experts and industry representatives, who say the guidelines conform to government standards for healthy choices. One representative said Froot Loops met the standards for the program because of its levels of fiber and vitamins A and C and it does not exceed the program limits for fat. But critics argue that the cereal, at 12 grams of sugar per serving, is 41 percent sugar by weight.

A representative from Kellogg’s says that no food should be judged on the basis of one single nutrient, and notes that even a sugary cereal is a better choice than some other options, such as a doughnut.

The program has been embraced by 10 major food manufacturing companies, including Kraft, General Mills, Tyson Foods, Unilever and ConAgra. The companies involved pay up to $100,000 a year to be able to use the logo on their products. The Smart Choices logo would replace various logos the individual companies have used to promote healthier choices among their product lines. (more...)

Bottom Line: There are important reasons for having some guidelines for nutritional labeling. But more importantly, we need to focus more on a diet that doesn't have labels - foods straight from Mother Nature with thousands of phytonutrients. Fruits, Vegetables, Berries, Legumes, oats, bran, breads - foods that support good health and are rich in antioxidants.

Companies should not be allowed to mislead consumers into thinking that their product is somehow healthier because it has more Vitamin C for example. Yet, the best way to avoid this confusion is to fill your shopping cart with plenty of ripened, whole food fruits and vegetables. Avoid the juice drinks, sugary drinks, sugary foods, processed foods, or any of those that have a label with something that you can't pronounce or sounds like a chemical. You'll be surprised at how many products fall into this category! Stick with fruits and vegetables, primarily. You may find that you lose some weight, have more energy, sleep better, think clearer, and just feel better without all those "un-natural" foods and beverages!

For those of you who don't get enough fruits and vegetables, you are not doing your health any favors. Eat more of them. Be sure they are ripe. Eat them in their raw form. And add Juice Plus+® to get more nutrients from a variety of those foods. Juice Plus+ has been thoroughly researched for its efficacy. 

Blueberry Juice May Assist With Weight Loss

Juice Plus+® -
Nutrients from whole food fruits and vegetables

While we are interested in helping those who need to supplement their diet find the right nutritional choice to cover the vitamins and nutrients needed for good health, ocassionally a report of interest surfaces that provides more evidence and reason for adding more fruits, vegetables, and even berries to your diet. Learn about the power of blueberries on your health and weight --

Juice extracted from North American lowbush blueberries, biotransformed with bacteria from the skin of the fruit, holds great promise as an anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agent. The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, was conducted by researchers from the Université de Montréal, the Institut Armand-Frappier and the Université de Moncton who tested the effects of biotransformed juices compared to regular blueberry drinks on mice.

"Results of this study clearly show that biotransformed blueberry juice has strong anti-obesity and anti-diabetic potential," says senior author Pierre S. Haddad, a pharmacology professor at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine. "Biotransformed blueberry juice may represent a novel therapeutic agent, since it decreases hyperglycemia in diabetic mice and can protect young pre-diabetic mice from developing obesity and diabetes."

The scientists tested the effect of biotransformed blueberry juice on a group of mice prone to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension. Incorporating biotransformed blueberry juice into the water of mice reduced their food intake and their body weight. "These mice were an excellent model that closely resembles obesity and obesity-linked type 2 diabetes in humans," says Dr. Haddad, who is also director of the CIHR Team in Aboriginal Anti-Diabetic Medicines at the Université de Montréal. Biotransformation of the blueberry juice was achieved with a new strain of bacteria isolated from the blueberry flora, specifically called Serratia vaccinii, which increases the fruit's antioxidant effects. "The identification of the active compounds in biotransformed blueberry juice may result in the discovery of promising new antiobesity and antidiabetic molecules," says Dr. Haddad.

As for the impact of blueberry products on diabetes, says Tri Vuong, lead author and recent PhD graduate from the Université de Montréal's Department of Pharmacology: "Consumption of fermented blueberry juice gradually and significantly reduced high blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. After three days, our mice subjects reduced their glycemia levels by 35 percent." This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Fonds de recherche sur la nature et les technologies. (source)

Bottom line: A variety of colorful, ripened, raw whole food fruits and vegetables...and berries... are an excellent source of nutrients that will help support your good health and assist in the prevention of sickness and disease. These types of foods are some of the most powerful natural source of antioxidants that you should be eating. If you're not getting enough, we recommend adding Juice Plus+® Fruit and Vegetable Blends, while you also may want to consider the Vineyard Blend® which contains nutrients from 9 different grapes and berries.

The Health & Wellness Institute, PC

Frequently Asked Questions | Juice Plus+®

Juice Plus+ is a simple, convenient, and inexpensive way to add more nutrition from fruits and vegetables to your diet, every day.

Taking Juice Plus+ is the next best thing to eating fruits and vegetables. Of course, there is no substitute for eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. But because most people simply can’t, don’t, or won’t Juice Plus+ helps fill that gap.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
About Juice Plus+® Products

Q: What is Juice Plus+®?

A: Juice Plus+® is the registered brand name for NSA’s fruit and vegetable based nutritional products. These products contain concentrated juice powders from a variety of fruits, vegetables,
and grains.

Q: Why is Juice Plus+® unique?

A: Juice Plus+® is unique because of its ingredients. The whole food base is made using the concentrated juice powders from fruits, vegetables, and grains, and is produced through a proprietary juice drying process. Juice Plus+® is convenient, affordable, and bioavailable nutrition in a form which is easy to consume.

Q: How is Juice Plus+® made?

A: The Juice Plus+® powders are made specifically for NSA using a proprietary methodology developed by the company. The juices are dried in such a way as to retain as much of the nutrient content as possible from the original fruits and vegetables. These powders are blended with a few other food ingredients before being encapsulated and bottled.

Q: What does “bioavailable” mean?

A: Bioavailable is another way of saying “highly absorbable.” The nutrients in Juice Plus+® are recognized by the body and readily assimilated. This has been demonstrated by independent studies at a number of well-recognized universities and research centers around the world.

Q: Is Juice Plus+® a substitute for fruits and vegetables?

A: Juice Plus+® is not a substitute for fruits and vegetables. The company encourages everyone to eat at least 7 to 13 servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily, as recommended by health professionals worldwide. Juice Plus+® is a complement to a healthy diet rather than a substitute for one.

Q: If someone already eats fruits and vegetables, do they need Juice Plus+®?

A: The key to a healthy diet is balance, variety, and regularity. Most people do not manage to eat the recommended 7 to 13 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Adding Juice Plus+® provides whole food based nutrition from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily.

Q: How many servings of fruits and vegetables per day do the experts recommend?

A: The new U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults should eat 7 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, depending on age, gender, and level of physical activity.
You can go to the website www.mypyramid.org and plug in age, gender, and level of physical activity to get the U.S. recommendations for any individual. (Don’t forget that 1 serving = 1/2 cup). If you want to see the maximum recommendation of 13 servings a day, plug in the data for a 24-year-old male who exercises over an hour a day.

Q: How much of each fruit and vegetable is in Juice Plus+®?

A: Juice Plus+® is created using concentrated fruit and vegetable juice powders, so a direct comparison to whole fruits and vegetables would not be meaningful as water and some fiber are removed during the production of the juice powders.

Q: When should I take Juice Plus+®?

A: NSA recommends taking the products every day at a convenient time. The most important thing is to develop a regular habit so that it becomes part of your daily routine. Many people find that mealtime is a good time to remember to take their Juice Plus+®.

Q: I have trouble swallowing the capsules. What do you suggest?

A: Try taking one capsule at a time with a glass of water, or try holding one capsule in the mouth for 15 seconds to soften it before swallowing with water, holding the chin down. Other options include emptying the contents of the capsules onto food or taking the Juice Plus+® chewables instead of the capsules.

Q: Can I take my Juice Plus+® with coffee, tea, or cola?

A: Juice Plus+® capsules are best consumed with an 8 oz. glass of water. However, they can be consumed with any liquid.

Q: Who can take Juice Plus+® capsules?

A: Juice Plus+® capsules are nutritional products intended to be used by people over the age of three years. As with any change in diet, people on medication or with specific medical conditions should consult their doctor before starting to use Juice Plus+®.

Q: Will Juice Plus+® cure or improve certain diseases or conditions?

A: Juice Plus+® is not a medicine and is not a treatment or cure for any disease or condition.

Q: What can I expect to happen when I take Juice Plus+®?

A: Juice Plus+® is whole food based nutrition. It provides the good nutrition from a wide variety of fruits and vegetab les so often lacking in the diet. The products provide the benefits of these nutrients, and several studies have demonstrated these benefits in a variety of ways.

Q: Can you take too much Juice Plus+®?

A: While the company does not have any evidence of adverse effects from high intakes of Juice Plus+®, we do recommend individuals follow the serving directions provided on the label.

Q: Will I experience any side effects while taking Juice Plus+®?

A: Some people may notice changes when they add Juice Plus+® to their diet. Most of these will be positive; however, a few people have noticed gastrointestinal changes for a few days after starting Juice Plus+®. Taking the product mid-meal can help reduce these early effects.

Q: Can Juice Plus+® products be taken during pregnancy or by nursing mothers?

A: Juice Plus+® is whole food based nutrition and should be suitable for use by anyone who can eat fruits, vegetables, and grains. However, it is not a substitute for standard vitamins or minerals recommended for use before or during pregnancy or lactation. Anyone who is under the nutritional guidance of a doctor should consult him/her before starting Juice Plus+®.

Q: If I have allergies to certain fruits and vegetables, can I still take Juice Plus+®?

A: The fruits and vegetables used to make Juice Plus+® are listed on the label. If you are allergic to any of these we advise taking the bottles to your doctor to discuss this with him or her.

Q: Can diabetics use Juice Plus+®?

A: Diabetes is a medical condition. We advise any diabetic who would like to use Juice Plus+® to take the bottles to his/her doctor, so that the doctor can see that two Juice Plus+® capsules have approximately five calories and approximately one gram of total carbohydrate.

Q: Will Juice Plus+® affect someone taking Coumadin?

A: Because a small quantity of vitamin K is present in Juice Plus+ Garden Blend®, anyone taking this prescription medication should check with his or her doctor before taking Juice Plus+®.

Q: Is Juice Plus+® compatible with the prescription medications I am taking?

A: Anyone taking prescription medications should check with his/her doctor before taking Juice Plus+®. For example, if a medication is to be taken on an empty stomach, then Juice Plus+® should not be taken at the same time.

Q: Should people continue to take other vitamins or minerals with Juice Plus+®?

A: If your supplementation was prescribed or recommended by your doctor we recommend that you follow his/her advice. Otherwise, we recommend that people decide for themselves. Juice Plus+® taken consistently, over time usually supports excellent nutritional status.

Q: Is Juice Plus+® gluten-free?

A: All Juice Plus+® products meet the proposed FDA regulations for gluten-free food products.

Q: Are Juice Plus+® products dairy-free?

A: All Juice Plus+® products are dairy-free, including Juice Plus+ Complete® (unless a consumer mixes it with milk). Juice Plus+ Complete® powder has been formulated using plant based ingredients.

Q: Is Juice Plus+® kosher?

A: Juice Plus+® Orchard and Garden Blend are certified kosher.

Q: How do I store my Juice Plus+® products?

A: To ensure that your Juice Plus+® products maintain their high quality, we recommend that they be stored in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.

Q: Are the Juice Plus+® powder blends in the capsules also used in Chewables and Gummies?

A: Yes, Chewables and Gummies are based on the same blend used for the capsules. Chewables and Gummies contain additional ingredients to provide the proper texture and flavor.

Q: What type of testing and quality control is done on Juice Plus+® products?

A: NSA’s manufacturing partners monitor the quality of all ingredients during all phases of the production process in accordance with strict specifications. Each individual batch is subject to many different types of quality control procedures. All are designed to ensure that at each phase of the process only high quality ingredients are used in the manufacture of Juice Plus+®. The company also carries out a number of tests on the finished product to ensure that each batch meets our exacting quality standards and consistently delivers the good nutrition that our customers have come to expect.

Q: Is Juice Plus+® tested for pesticides and herbicides?

A: As part of the ongoing quality assurance program NSA regularly tests all products for herbicides and pesticides. This comprehensive testing is performed to meet both the US Food and Drug Administration and European Union standards.

Q: Where are the fruits and vegetables used to make Juice Plus+® grown? Are they organically grown?

A: The fruits and vegetables used to make Juice Plus+® are obtained from high quality growers mainly in North America. Locations vary due to climactic requirements of the various fruits and vegetables. The company uses as much organic produce as possible; however, the organic content varies with the supply available.

Q: Has Juice Plus+® changed over the years?

A: In over a decade of manufacturing Juice Plus+®, NSA has always focused20on product improvement. The company regularly assesses the quality of the ingredients and the processes used to manufacture Juice Plus+®. This has led to continual product improvements in the past, and these will continue in the future.

Q: What about copycat products?

A: NSA has a policy of not commenting on competitors’ products. The company has an unparalleled track record, with years of success and hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers in many countries. The pioneering role of NSA in proving the efficacy of Juice Plus+® in numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies is also un matched by any other branded nutritional product on the market.

Q: Where can I see the clinical research conducted on Juice Plus+®?

A: An overview of the published research is available on our website www.juiceplus.com.

Q: Why has there been so much research on Juice Plus+®?

A: The independent, published scientific evidence for the efficacy of the product provides validation and reassurance to NSA customers of the benefits of Juice Plus+®.

Q: How can so much nutrition be packed into a small capsule?

A: The proprietary juicing and drying procedures have been designed to retain as much of the nutrition from fruits and vegetables as possible while removing the water and bulk. The resulting whole food based powders contain the nutrition of the fruits and vegetables in concentrated form.

Questions? Comments?
Email JuicePlus@inlink.com
The Health & Welllness Institute, PC
Official Distributor of Juice Plus+® Products

About Juice Plus+®

Readers have been emailing their questions about what Juice Plus+ is, after seeing mention of it on TV shows, YouTube, other websites, and even this weblog. Here are further details that may answer some questions. Juice Plus+® is whole food based nutrition, including juice powder concentrates from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains. Each ingredient is specially selected to provide a broad range of nutritional benefits. Juice Plus+ is a complement to a healthy diet. Juice Plus+ is the simple, convenient, and inexpensive way to add more nutrition from fruits and vegetables to your diet, every day. Juice Plus+ is supported by clinical research conducted by researchers at leading hospitals and universities around the world and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Juice Plus+ is recommended by thousands of doctors and health professionals around the world. Juice Plus+ comes in convenient capsule, chewable, and gummy forms. Clinical studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated that:

·  Juice Plus+^® delivers key phytonutrients that are absorbed by the body.

Investigators at the Tokyo Women’s Medical University and the Medical University of Vienna studied the bioavailability (absorption by the body) of select nutrients found in Juice Plus+ and concluded that Juice Plus+ effectively increases antioxidant nutrients and folate. Other published studies have also shown various phytonutrients in Juice Plus+ are bioavailable. These studies were conducted by independent researchers at the Georgetown/UCLA, University of Sydney in Australia, King’s College in London, Brigham Young University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Texas Health Science Center.

·  Juice Plus+^® reduces oxidative stress.

Several of these bioavailability studies also reported improved antioxidant capacity and reduced lipid peroxides, a key indicator of oxidative stress. In addition, researchers at the Medical University of Graz, Austria and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro found that Juice Plus+ Orchard, Garden and Vineyard Blends together were effective in reducing a marker for oxidative stress associated with aerobic exercise.

·  Juice Plus+^® helps support a healthy immune system.

A healthy immune system protects the body, and good nutrition is important for a healthy immune system. Published clinical research indicated that Juice Plus+ supports several measures of immune function – in law school students at the University of Florida and in elderly people in a study conducted at the University of Arizona.

·  Juice Plus+^® helps protect DNA.

A diet rich in nutrition from fruits and vegetables is also important to protect DNA from oxidative damage, which can weaken the structural integrity of DNA. DNA becomes damaged and fragile when exposed to oxidative stress; antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can help protect DNA from this damage. Studies conducted have shown a reduction in DNA damage after taking Juice Plus+ in young adults at the University of Florida and in an elderly population at Brigham Young University.

·  Juice Plus+^® positively impacts several key indicators of cardiovascular wellness.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found in the blood. Maintaining healthy homocysteine levels is important for the heart and cardiovascular system. A clinical study at the University of Sydney in Australia reported a reduction in homocysteine levels – even though the levels of the Australian subjects were already within an acceptable range. Researchers in Foggia, Italy also found a reduction of homocysteine levels in subjects with elevated levels of homocysteine.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that subjects who consumed Juice Plus+ were better able to maintain the elasticity of arteries, even after a high-fat meal.

Investigators at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine monitored several measures of vascular health in a low risk population who took Juice Plus+ for two years and noted various improvements with no adverse side effects.

Questions? Contact The Health & Wellness Institute, PC 
1-800-908-3001 or JuicePlus@inlink.com .

Are Mega-dose Vitamins Risky?

We are an advocate of a healthy diet rich in ripened, raw whole food fruits and vegetables first and foremost. Yet many people (most, actually) do not get the minimum recommended each day which is why we recommend Juice Plus+® as it has nutrients from a variety of those whole foods. Yet many people still continue to believe that a supplement of mega dose vitamins is beneficial, contrary to what many new studies are showing. Here's more --

People taking high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements may be doing more harm than good, an expert has said.

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), said it was difficult to predict the impact vitamin supplements had on the chances of cutting cancer.

While low dose supplements can be a "valuable safety net", high doses could be harmful. Research over the last few years has suggested some vitamins can actually increase the risk of some cancers. For example, beta carotene can increase the risk of lung cancer in people who already smoke.

Prof Wiseman said: "Many people think they can reduce their cancer risk by taking supplements, but the evidence does not support this. "Just because a dietary pattern that provides a relatively high level of a particular nutrient might protect against cancer, it does not mean that taking it in tablet form will have the same effect.

"In fact, at high doses the effect of these micronutrients is unpredictable and can be harmful to health.

"Although there are some studies that have shown a reduction in cancer risk from high-dose supplements, others have not, and these supplements have normally only been tested on a select group of people.

"This means we simply do not know enough about what the effect will be for the general population to confidently predict the balance of risks and benefits. Some people may be doing themselves more harm than good." (source)

Bottom line: A diet filled with plenty of vine-ripened fruits and vegetables each day will provide the benefit to keep you healthy and help prevent sickness and disease. Eating a variety of colorful whole food fruits and vegetables is best for your diet.

The Health & Wellness Institute, PC

Juice Plus+ Complete - A Healthy Snack, or Meal Replacement

There is another Juice Plus+® product that is often used by those who want to get a quick healthy snack without getting a load of sugar or otherwise unhealthy calories - that is, the Complete shake. Made with soy protein, the Complete also contains some of the nutrients from a variety of whole food fruits and vegetables as is included in the Juice Plus+ Capsules. So not only are you getting a well balanced meal replacement / healthy snack, but an array of antioxidants to support good health.

You can use water and add some ice to make it a thick smoothie, or even add some additional fruit to give it taste and more antioxidants. The choices are endless for how many ways you can make your shake healthy, tasty, and a filling on-the-go snack or meal.

They come in Vanilla or Chocolate, or a variety pack is 2 of each. We recommend the Vanilla because you can change the Vanilla flavor to any flavor by adding your choice of fruit. With chocolate, you can add more flavored fruits, but you'll always have the chocolate taste - and, with vanilla you can always add chocolate to make it taste that way.

Try the Juice Plus+ Complete shakes. Great for weight management too!

The Health & Wellness Institute, PC

Slowing Down Aging With Nutrition

With lots of whole food nutrition from raw fruits and vegetables, you will support the fight against free radicals and therefore slow the aging process. We recommend Juice Plus+® because it contains nutrients from a variety of fruits and vegetables which may help add antioxidants to your body. Here's more on why to eat a healthy diet and how Vitamin K plays an important role to your good health.

(NaturalNews) Here's a compelling reason to eat a variety of green, leafy vegetables regularly, including cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard and spinach: they could slow down the aging process and prevent a host of serious, life threatening diseases. The veggies' secret? These foods are rich sources of vitamin K. And a new analysis of dietary intakes of this nutrient strongly suggests that adequate amounts of vitamin K may prevent a wide range of age-related conditions such as weak bones, arterial and kidney calcification, cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

The study, conducted by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute scientists Joyce McCann, PhD, and Senior Scientist, Bruce Ames, PhD, involved reviewing data from hundreds of published articles dating back to the 1970's. Dr. Ames has been on the trail of how vitamins and other micronutrients positively affect health for years. In fact, back in 2006 he proposed his "triage" theory which states diseases associated with aging like cancer, heart disease and dementia -- as well as the rate of the aging process itself -- may be unintended consequences of mechanisms developed during evolution in order to protect humans when there were shortages of vitamin and mineral rich foods.

The new analysis, slated for publication in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, strongly supports this theory and could have huge implications for preventive medicine because Dr. Ames believes even modest vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which are common, could result in age-related illnesses. His theory calls for a new scientifically based and consistent strategy for establishing what vitamin and mineral intakes are truly optimal and for looking for early biomarkers of chronic disease.

"Encouraging support for the triage theory from our vitamin K analysis suggests that experts aiming to set micronutrient intake recommendations for optimal function and scientists seeking mechanistic triggers leading to diseases of aging may find it productive to focus on micronutrient-dependent functions that have escaped evolutionary protection from deficiency," Dr. McCann said in a statement to the media.

Dr. Ames and Dr. McCann have announced plans to conduct a series of scientific literature-based reviews to test the basic ideas behind the triage theory. Their goal is to document how micronutrients may help halt disease. In a press release, a reviewer of the current vitamin K analysis stated it "...provides a unique perspective of consequences of vitamin K insufficiency and may serve as an important future reference, as new vitamin K dependent proteins are identified and new (non-clotting) functions of vitamin K are elucidated. More broadly, an assessment of micronutrient sufficiency from the perspective of triage theory may provide a valuable point of view, as current recommendations for nutrient intakes are reconsidered."

Interesting facts about vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin derived from the German word "koagulation", which refers to the fact the vitamin is essential for blood clot coagulation. However, while about half of the 16 known proteins that depend on vitamin K are necessary for blood coagulation, other vitamin K-dependent proteins are involved in a variety of different functions involving the skeletal, arterial, and immune systems.

In addition to food sources, vitamin K is made in the body by bacteria that line healthy gastrointestinal tracts. But people living in both the United States and the United Kingdom have been found to have far less than currently recommended intakes of the vitamin K. Moreover, those recommendations are only based on the amount of the vitamin mecessary for adequate blood coagulation, not for optimal health. The new analysis by Dr. McCann and Dr. Ames supports what many nutrition experts have claimed for years: higher intakes of vitamin K are needed for health than are currently recommended by mainstream medicine. (source)

Bottom Line: A healthy diet rich in whole food fruits and vegetables is the best approach for staying healthy and slowing the aging process.

The Health & Wellness Institute, PC