I made a recent discovery. In preparation for surgery (a minor procedure to my left eye), the surgeon’s assistant called me to discuss my medications and how to alter my diet to reduce bleeding. I take no prescription medications so that part was easy. I told her that I take supplements. She directed me to stop taking any supplements that might thin the blood.
For years I’ve been taking various supplements by Shaklee to prevent heart disease (which runs in my family). The list is long:
Garlic: May help lower blood pressure, does interfere with blood clotting
Fish Oil: EPA may help blood flow into small arteries; may made blood slippery and more fluid
Vitamin E in two forms, tablet and gel cap: May increase bleeding
Blood Pressure Complex: may increase blood circulation. Contains quercitin, beet root, spinach all of which may reduce inflammation.
CorEnergy: contains ginseng and green tea which may thin the blood
Pain Relief Complex: works as an anti-inflammatory.
CoQ-heart: specifically designed to produce CoQ-10, an anti-inflammatory important to heart-health which we do not produce sufficiently as we age.
Six days ago, I stopped taking all the above supplements. On day seven I caught my forearm skin on a sharp piece of metal. Normally a wound like that would have sent blood running down my arm until I got a cotton swab to press on the injured skin and a tight Band-Aid applied immediately. On this day, just six days after eliminating all these blood-related supplements, the wound coagulated instantly, forming a clot. A Baid-Aid was not even necessary.
Imagine my surprise and my delight.
Many people with heart issues get a prescription for blood thinners and then must restrict their intake of green vegetables that have Vitamin K in them, such as broccoli and kale/spinach/collards. I have successfully kept my blood heart-healthy thin with Shaklee’s supplements! If you want to find out about these individual supplements made by Shaklee, go to my shopping page www.HiHoHealth.com and explore the various suggestions for a healthy heart.
My doctor will be happy that I probably won’t bleed very much during the surgery. As soon as the procedure is over, I’ll go back to helping my heart remain healthy as I age. One could argue that a prescription would cost nothing or be partly covered by health insurance. Supplementation is expensive. I prefer to use a plant based, scientifically researched vitamin or herb created by Shaklee scientists to do the job of helping me maintain excellent health even though it costs quite a bit of money each month. Some websites I researched suggested you can get all these heart-healthy anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants from your food. I tried that before I met the person who introduced me to Shaklee and it wasn’t working. I can’t eat enough kale to do the job. Can you?
Be well, Do well, and Keep Moving, Betsy
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My friend called urgently asking for just one pill to take care of her increasing blood pressure. Her doctor had doubled her medication and she didn’t like that. She doesn’t like taking pills and only learned to swallow medication at age 75! She chews her Shaklee Vita Lea and Calcium Magnesium. I shook my head. She could try Shaklee Blood Pressure tablets made from spinach, beet, quercitin and magnesium. I have successfully lowered my blood pressure (it was high normal). On the bottle it says “for people with healthy blood pressure”. In other words, it is an herbal recommendation for someone who is trending upward in blood pressure or has a family history of elevated blood pressure. Shaklee herbals and vitamins are not medication. They are prevention.
My next question was about her day. What was she doing in the evenings, watching the news? “oh, yes, we watch a couple hours of news every night and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Forget the news, why don’t you?”
“But I’ll miss something.”
“There is no emergency. Someone will tell you the important new thing. .. . Look outside into your garden. Beautiful, isn’t it? Spring blossoms and seedlings sprouting. All is well in your corner of the planet in this moment, right?”
I recommended meditation. It helps me. Perhaps it would help you, Dear Reader. My preferred meditation leader is Tara Brach, a Zen Bhuddist teacher in Bethesda, MD whose meditations and teachings are available wherever you get your pod casts. www.tarabrach.com to sign up.
How low should blood pressure go? A recent article in the NY Times indicates that the number has changed over time: Successive guidelines have since decreased the recommended threshold for what constitutes high blood pressure, from 160/95 millimeters of mercury in 1973, to 140/90 in 1997, to 130/80 in 2017. The article urges caution about trying to get your blood pressure lower than 130/80. In fact, the author suggests that the diastolic blood pressure (the second number, which is the pressure as the heart relaxes) might be healthier at 85. Low blood pressure can have negative effects like dizziness: Lightheadedness, particularly lightheadedness that occurs upon standing, is the cardinal symptom of low blood pressure. At its extreme, lightheadedness may result in fainting. Fainting may be a sign that blood pressure is dangerously low and requires prompt medical attention. Other possible symptoms of low blood pressure include nausea, fatigue and blurry vision.
My friend had a blood pressure taking machine and was told to take her pressure every day. Now, I’m not a doctor, but wouldn’t worrying about your blood pressure so much that you went to your machine to test it drive it up?
Chill, everyone, chill.
Be well, Do Well and For Heaven’s sake, Keep Moving. It could be the best answer there is.
Celebrating 100 years of productinnovation, on the eve of our 100th anniversary of uniting science & nature, Shaklee introduces 4 newproducts. I am writing from the annual Global Conference in Long Beach, CA, where Shaklee begins the celebration. Ninety-nine years ago, Dr. Forest C. Shaklee recognized the degredation of American foods and the increasing inability of our raw food sources to build health. The roller mill threw away the core of the wheat kernel—and its vitamins—in favor of white flour. New chemical fertilizers took over the agriculture. Dr. Shaklee developed Vitalized Minerals to fill in the gaps in his chiropractic patients’ nutrition. This breakthrough innovation in 1915, preceded the discovery of vitamins.
In this same spirit of scientific breakthrough, the Shaklee scientists and advisors continued to introduce products for the health of the environment and all of us. This short list highlights a few innovations.
General nutrition supplement (Vitalized Minerals 1915)
Anti-aging cellular help for the DNA (Vivix 2008).
Leucine-based fat loss program (180 Turnaround Weight Management 2013)
This year, the eve of our 100th anniversary of uniting science and nature to improve health, Shaklee introduces 4 new products:
MindWorks | 3X improvement in memory, focus & reaction time versus a control group and supports long-term brain health
Over time, neural connections in the brain become less efficient, impairing our ability to recall, think, and respond. A key nutrient in MindWorks, Chardonnay grape seeds–but only one tiny aspect of that grape seed–was shown in multiple clinical studies to significantly enhance memory, sharpen focus, and improve reaction time within 6 hours.
Protects against age-related mental decline, the loss of brain mass beginning at age 21.
Key nutrients in MindWorks were shown in laboratory studies to promote the formation of new neural connections and in a clinical study to reduce brain shrinkage rate by 30% over two years (based on study of 223 adults with mild cognitive impairment).
MindWorks key nutrients were shown in laboratory studies to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. Blood circulation is critical for delivery of oxygen and key nutrients to the brain. It is linked to neural activity. Contains B vitamins and calcium both of which help circulation. Also supporting circulation is our carefully selected guarana extract which has been extensively tested—guarana has long been used traditionally by Amazonian Indian tribes. It helps improve cognitive performance and contains less caffeine than a medium cup of decaf coffee.
with Vivix, OmegaGuard and Nutriferon, both of which are eligible for free membership with new join orders. New people can also get free shipping (up to $20) when they join by September 30.
Blood Pressure | Help retain healthy blood pressure
Healthy Heart Program
Our Smart Heart program now includes Blood Pressure, a vitamin and herbal formula that helps create healthier blood vessels. It contains nitrates from spinach and beets, quercitin, vitamin c and magnesium. After you take a Blood Pressure tablet, your body converts the vegetable nitrates into nitrous oxide which help relax the blood vessels.
Your complete supplement support for heart health includes Blood Pressure, CoQ Heart, OmegaGuard and Cholesterol Reduction Complex. Rather than an allopathic approach to high blood pressure and developing heart disease, these four products may help prevent the need for medication. Vitalized Immunity™ |
Drop, Fizz, Drink Boost Immunity
Ideal for everyday immune support, and when you’re facing stress, pollution, poor nutrition or busy schedules. If you have been slipping a packet of Air-born in your cart as you check out of the grocery or drug store, you might want to compare labels and choose Shaklee’s new immunity boost: no artificial flavors, a broad combination of natural ingredients in addition to vitamin C. Try it out to see if changing brands makes a difference. Remember Shaklee offers you a money back guarantee. Vitalized Immunity is naturally sweetened with Monk Fruit, and contains as much vitamin-C as 16 oranges. It includes a proprietary blend of 19 vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
Helps support your immune system*
Delicious effervescent formula
Provides nutritional support your immune system
Vitalizing Protein™ Vanilla and Chocolate|Optimized nutrition for sustained energy
A Protein shake plus 80 nutrients in a convenient strip
I am super excited about this new addition to our protein offerings. 180 shakes can be confusing to the person who doesn’t need to lose weight. My introduction to Shaklee included Energizing Soy Protein. Back in 1985, soy protein on a daily basis made all the difference in my health when added to the Vita Lea, B, C, Calcium, Alfalfa and Herb Lax. It was, and still is, the protein shake every morning that contributes to that satisfied energy-producing feeling all day long. Now Shaklee offers Vitalizing Protein, 15 grms. of protein (23 when mixed with non-fat milk or soy milk), fiber, vitamins including antioxidants to mix and drink with your Vitalizer strip every day. If you want the complete meal, buy 2 cannisters a month (15 servings in each). If you are a snack kind of person, add one scoop to your yogurt or coffee in the morning and the canister will last all month. Vitalizing Protein is included in the Healthy Foundation Regimen along with Vitalizer. The Healthy Foundation Regimen is eligible for free membership with new join orders. And new people can also get free shipping (up to $20) when they join by September 30.
If you are already getting Vitalizer in a monthly auto ship, you might want to consider adding the Vitalizing Protein for the best foundation. Dr. Shaklee used to say, “if you take my Vita Lea and Protein for a month and don’t feel better in some way, I’ll give you your money back.” Many people take me up on this challenge.
I will have a taste-and-try party at my house in West Seattle on Thursday, Sept. 4. 7:15 – 8:30. Let me know if you would like to join us. We will watch some videos about the products and the science beind them, plus try the new shakes and the Vitalized Immunity. We always have a great time, so join the fun.
