Can you believe that 2013 is only weeks away?! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was pulling weeds in my yard at 39 weeks pregnant and the next morning we were welcoming our son, Rylan Conner, into the world. And he has been the happiest most joyful little thing :)
So it's been months since I've updated this blog. In honor of the approaching new year we are starting to form our New Year's cleanse groups. We are SUPER excited about helping people improve their health and well-being in the coming year and we want you to be a part of it! If you have been wanting to do a cleanse, if you want to feel better, have more energy and just clear out the junk then this is for you. No, this is not a "pooty" cleanse. This is a cellular nutritional cleanse. Here's how it works. You prepare to cleanse using nutrient-dense superfood shakes then support your body's natural cleansing processes with an aloe-based botanical cleanse juice on cleanse days (1 day per week or 2 days back-to-back each week if you want to be really gung-ho about it) which are followed by replenishing days of healthy meals and the super-food shake.
Many health professionals recommend periodic cleanses to help rebalance our bodies. The problem with most is that they support cleansing but they don't replenish the body of vital nutrients that can be lost on typical juice cleanses. Our cleanse DOES.
If you would like to join our cleanse group or would like more information please don't hesitate to email me or you can comment below and we'll get in touch via email, Facebook, text or phone call. Don't delay! Orders for cleanse packs must be made by December 20 to ensure delivery in time for the event! Are you ready for better health?
So I felt like doing something a little different today. As a science teacher I love experiments and this one is right up my alley. Recently I was helping another associate out with a question about the quality of a generic fish oil. There is a simple way to test the quality of the oils in your own home. This is your step by step guide. You'll need approximately 6 oz of water PER oil you want to test and as many styrofoam cups/bowls and glass bowls (Example: 2 oil capsules means 2 cups and 2 glass bowls).
I used Styrofoam bowls simply because that is what was in my kitchen. The oils used were the IsaOmega Supreme (an Omega 3-6-9 blend) on the left and a liquid Omega 3-6-9 that was in my refrigerator.
Instructions:
1. Heat water to boiling.
2. Place each cup/bowl in it's own glass bowl. Pour approximately 6oz of boiling water in each cup/bowl.
3. With scissors, snip the end of each capsule and squeeze the oil into the cups. Don't mix the oils (I used 1/2 tsp of the liquid oil in the 2nd bowl, approximately the same dose as one capsule).
4. Now watch and wait.
While waiting, ponder this...
Fish oil is great for reducing bad cholesterol in the arteries. Styrofoam is an oil byproduct and this test represents the effect of fish oil on cholesterol. Here is a great summary from LIVESTRONG.com on why fish oils are recommended for a healthy body.
Back to the experiment -
Within only seconds, you should see something happening to the cup/bowl with a good, high quality oil. The oil should eat through the cup just as it would eat away at cholesterol buildup in your body. If it doesn't then you may need to look for a new Omega supplement.
After I added the IsaOmega Supreme to the water I could instantly hear it working on the Styrofoam and had to rush to take this picture. Within only seconds it ate a complete ring around the bowl. Now THAT is an effective fish oil! Absolutely nothing happened to the bowl with the liquid oil supplement.
IsaOmega Supreme is available for individual use and is also included in the Isagenix Daily Essentials for men and women. I am currently supplementing with just the oil and an organic prenatal vitamin until our little baby boy is born. My husband takes the Daily Essentials AM and PM packs. Please use the links below for more information.
Should you try this test on your own, I would love to hear your results! Please post them in the comments section and include pictures if possible. Thanks for stopping by!
Most people don't think about how unseen factors in their environment can effect their health and their weight-loss efforts. In 2010 I was told I had a condition that doctors couldn't find a cause for and therefore, could not find a cure. My own research led to the conclusion that this was an effect of toxicity in my body. One source even stated that people with my condition were "the epitome of toxic." This video spoke volumes to me and led me to a program that has changed my life.
Prior to starting the 30 Day Cleansing and Fat-Burning program, I had been using one of my favorite workout programs, P90X, to try to lose weight. In 6 weeks I had lost 4 pounds and 9 inches. After just 3 weeks on Isagenix, I lost the same amount in only 3 weeks. My results doubled! In addition, I no longer have the daily discomfort associated with my condition. I can function just like a normal person but with a lot more energy.
How does toxicity affect your life? Are you toxic?
How has this helped others? Here are some testimonials. Will you be next?
With three herniated discs in my lower back and not being able to exercise, the IsaLean® Shakes and 30-Day System in general have helped me to lose over 50 pounds* in just a matter of months and therefore decrease the pain in my back and allowed me to achieve a weight that I haven’t been at in about 10 years." - Eric S., California
"The 30-Day Cleansing and Fat Burning System was perfect to help me change the bad eating habits that I previously had, especially addiction for candy bars, sweets and pop...leaving these poor choices behind and substituting for Isagenix products has given me a much better complexion, increase in energy, and just a much better feeling "Me"." - Kathleen P. British Columbia
"After 3 days of being on my first 30-Day Cleansing and Fat Burning System , I noticed an increase of energy that I hadn't felt since I was in my twenties. I wanted to exercise, which I have never done in my life, so I joined the gym and started walking in the morning. I stopped wanting to eat everything in sight and I ate healthy food and was satisfied. It made me aware of my food intake and I was able to wean myself off of fast-food easily and completely! I have dropped the weight and I eat very healthy now and I consider Isagenix a lifestyle change, not a diet!" - Mary G., Washington
"The 30-Day Cleansing and Fat Burning System is the basic miracle dissolving the cocoon of obesity which has camouflaged me most of my adult life. As it teaches me to build a healthier lifestyle, cleanses me of debilitating toxins and floods my body with essential nutrients, I am emerging as a more positive and energetic woman who believes in her ability to achieve her most creative goals." - Sue R., Ontario
*The weight-loss testimonials presented apply only to the individuals depicted, cannot be guaranteed, and should not be considered typical. An unpublished 2008 university study showed a statistically significant weight loss of seven pounds during the first nine days of the Cleansing and Fat Burning System.
There is a lot of hype now around new vegan protein shakes that are beginning to hit the market. In light of this, many have asked why Isagenix has not yet produced a vegan shake for those who do not consume animal protein for whatever reason.
Simply put, the quality of the whey Isagenix uses just cannot be matched with a plant-based source of protein. The health benefits of undenatured whey from pasture-fed, happy dairy cows are amazing! It is important to remember that Isagenix focuses on HEALTH. Not just producing a product to be used for weight-loss as some others do. There is a huge difference.
So what are the benefits of this type of protein? I'll draw from a few sources I have found so you don't just have to take my word for it.
This is one of my favorite speakers, Dr. Michael Colgan. He is 72 and continues to train athletes and is very active himself. This video was taken at a conference where he discusses the benefits of the Isagenix protein - IsaPro. He his a brilliant man and leads the Colgan Institute. He has written numerous books including The Anti-Inflammatory Athlete, Nutrition for Champions, The Right Protein Booklet, and more. He states that he was writing about this undenatured whey protein before Isagenix was even in existence. He already knew it to be the prefect form of protein, especially for athletes. Take a quick look at this video.
Even Dr. Mercola suggests using high quality whey protein as the #1 source of glutathione. The whey used in Isagenix products meets his recommendations -
The overall top food for maximizing your glutathione is high quality whey protein. It must be cold pressed whey protein derived from grass fed cows, and free of hormones, chemicals and sugar. Quality whey providesall the key amino acids for glutathione production (cysteine, glycine and glutamate) and contains a unique cysteine residue (glutamylcysteine) that is highly bioactive in its affinity for converting to glutathione. (source: www.mercola.com)
So we know that the best source for glutathione is undenatured whey protein but WHAT exactly does glutathione DO?
From Dr. Mercola again -
How Glutathione Works
The main function of glutathione is to protect your cells and mitochondria from oxidative and peroxidative damage. As you age, your body’s ability to produce glutathione decreases.
Glutathione isn’t just an endogenous antioxidant--it is also an essential factor in energy utilization, detoxification, and preventing the diseases we associate with aging. Glutathione deficiency has been linked to:
Age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Coronary and autoimmune diseases
Arthritis, asthma and other inflammatory conditions
Cancer
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Muscle weakness and fatigue
Synthesis of glutathione depends upon adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the molecule that provides cellular energy. It follows that glutathione levels are linked to energy deficiency, or low ATP.
This is a major reason why exercise is so beneficial for your overall health—among other things, it boosts your glutathione levels!
If you can enhance internal glutathione production, you will strengthen your immune system in a way that will shield you from many of the adverse effects of aging.
So in conclusion, the shake that Isagenix includes in their systems already contains the BEST protein which is easily absorbed by the body and provides the most health benefits possible. While we continue to hear that a vegan shake is in the works, it will be difficult to match the quality and the health benefits that are gained from using undenatured whey protein. If there is one thing I've learned in my experience with Isagenix, it is that they will not put out a product that is questionable or inferior in quality. For that I am extremely grateful.
Recent studies have shown that women who don't get a minimum of 1,100 mg of quality calcium on a daily basis tend to struggle more in their weight-loss efforts (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, link)
So does this mean guzzling more milk? America consumes more cheese, milk and dairy than nearly any other country (with the exception of Finland and Sweden) yet our rates of osteoporosis remain higher than nearly every every other. The calcium being consumed through dairy is obviously not doing the trick. All that calcium in all that dairy is not going where it needs to go.There are other factors that can contribute to this such as the high amounts of animal protein that can actually cause calcium to leach from our system. Check out this chart and information about calcium/dairy consumption myths from http://www.natural-pain-relief-guide.com/milk-and-osteoporosis.html
It is essential that we supplement our bodies with the right type of calcium without overloading it with other things that will actually cause a loss of it. This will promote even more healthy weight loss and stronger bone structure. Enter the Bedtime Belly Blaster!
Associates of mine have been using a new protocol at night 30-60 minutes before bed. They mix 1 scoop of high quality IsaPro (whey protein) and 1 scoop of IsaCalcium with 8-10oz of water and some crushed ice. They are reporting better sleep (calcium deficiency has been linked to many diseases and poor sleep), and a dramatic decrease in their belly sizes.
All the reports I have received of success using the BBB have come from associates who are also using the Isagenix 30 Day Cleansing and Fat-Burning program however we feel it could be effective for individuals not on the program based on the simple fact that a lack of quality calcium will inhibit weight-loss. We cannot guarantee that the BBB will have the same results but we anticipate that we will see more success stories like Renee's.
Take a look at Renee's results after just three nights using the BBB and the 30 day Cleansing and Fat- Burning Program.
"WOOO~HOOOO!!! I am down 4 INCHES IN MY TUMMY!!!!!!!!!
I noticed too that I have slept better at night with this Bedtime Belly Buster!!!" ~Renee
"BBB update--my 15 yr old who is still eating whatever she wants but doing 1/2 a shake before a few hours before bed then her BBB much later has shed over 3 1/2 inches in belly area in 2 days. SHE SAID SHE'S STICKING TO HER BBB :) I, BTW shed 7" in 2 days!"
So here is the recipe again:
Add 1 scoop IsaPro to 8-10oz of room temperature water in a shaker-cup with small wisk (such as this)
Add 1 scoop of IsaCalcium to the mixture. Shake or mix well.*
Add 1 cup of crushed iced and shake or mix again (optional - I don't use ice, just cold water)
Enjoy 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
*avoid using a blender for this recipe as it will make the shake extremely frothy and may cause some gas buildup in the stomach. I have found using a small wisk works perfectly!
Additional information about IsaCalcium:
IsaCalcium provides your body with the calcium it needs, as well as essential vitamin D and magnesium, for healthier and stronger bones.
Reasons why IsaCalcium gives your body powerful nourishment:
• IsaCalcium contains over 1000 milligrams of calcium per scoop — that is more than three times the amount of calcium found in an 8-ounce glass of milk!
• Calcium is an essential nutrient and necessary to help build and maintain healthy teeth and bones. It also helps keep the heart, blood, nerves and muscles working correctly. A calcium deficiency in both men and women can lead to bone frailty, as well as osteoporosis. IsaCalcium is a convenient way for people to maintain healthy levels of calcium in the body.
• IsaCalcium contains vitamin D and magnesium, both of which are necessary for your body in order to form and maintain strong, healthy bones. IsaCalcium also contains Ionic Alfalfa™, our proprietary blend of minerals for optimum health.
• IsaCalcium comes in an easily absorbed, delicious, powdered mineral drink that can be added to water, juice or your IsaLean® Shake. IsaCalcium is also an excellent alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Please contact me for information in ordering your supplies for the Bedtime Belly Blaster or the 30 Day Cleansing and Fat-Burning Program.
Three times in the last week I've been specifically asked about the difference between Shakeology and Isagenix. This is a tough one only because my last posting was about The Ultimate Reset. I don't want people to think I am trying to "bash" Beachbody by any means. They are a terrific company, I love their workouts and their coach network is great. But being in the business of health and wellness I get a lot of these questions and need to put my research and information all in one place for easy reference (and so I'm not typing them out every time I am asked about them).
First, let me tell you my experience with the shakes and then we'll go into more objective details. Obviously, since we're just talking Shakeology, I am not going to do a comparison between that and an entire Isagenix program, just the IsaLean Shake. This is one of the core products in any Isagenix program.
I started using Isagenix products in February of 2010. I was cleansing on a regular basis, putting top notch nutrition in my body and my body was responding in ways I thought it never would. I felt great inside and out. The following December I decided that I wanted to also become a Beachbody coach because I loved health and wellness and physical fitness cannot be separate from that. I joined the network of coaches and was promoting the workouts through my old blog, Facebook and through word of mouth. I had a few people purchase programs through me but it became more difficult since people don't purchase a program every month. In order to make this a successful business venture I was going to have to share a consumable product that would have to be reordered every month. At that point the #1 consumable product Beachbody had was Shakeology. I bought some to try and share. I figured if people didn't want a whole program, they could at least do a shake a day right?
Observation #1 Two or three days a week I would have Shakeology in place of one of my IsaLean shakes. I noticed some gurgling in my stomach but there were no other noticeable differences in how I felt. I did, however, notice one HUGE drawback to the shake... the taste. I tried everything I could to make it palatable and the only thing that worked for loading the chocolate shake with milk, banana and peanut butter. The greenberry version - forget it! Nothing worked for that one.This was hard for me because my IsaLean shake was simply added to 8oz of water, blended for about 10 seconds and it tasted like a Wendy's Frosty. I had sent samples of the Shakeology to friends and I received the same response from them - they hated the taste and there was no way they were going to do that everyday.
Observation #2
After a few months I decided that I needed to do a few consecutive days of the shake to see if it would change how I felt or my performance during workouts. Instead of doing my IsaLean shake for breakfast, I substituted the Shakeology (with much doctoring for taste). I only made it three days. On day two I began having some digestive issues and was in the bathroom a little more than normal. By day three it was BAD. If I felt the urge to go and didn't it was going to be all over for me. This was especially difficult as I am a teacher and you can't just leave your classroom at anytime. You have to WAIT for another teacher to stop what they are doing so they can watch your students. I decided that day that there was NO WAY I was going to share this experience with anyone else. Oddly enough, this was the most common issue asked about in the coach network groups I was in on Facebook. "What do I tell a client who has developed digestive/gastrointestinal issues with Shakeology?" The "go-to" answer was to tell them that their body was adjusting to the dense nutrition and to give it time. My body was used to dense nutrition and I still had a horrible experience with this. I could not accept that answer. The Shakeology was returned the next day. Now, those two observations I had while using Shakeology were just that... MY EXPERIENCE. I am not saying everyone who uses it has those issues but they aren't that uncommon from what I've heard from friends and other coaches. I would definitely not recommend it for someone who is already suffering from gastrointestinal issues. So enough of my experience... let's move to a more objective comparison between Shakeology and the IsaLean shake.The first issue that always comes up is... you guessed it... price! Price Comparison
Shakeology - Chocolate, Greenberry, Tropical Strawberry, Vanilla or Chocolate Vegan (1-30 ct bag, 30 servings)
RETAIL@ $129.95 = $4.33 per shake (updated 11/24/13)
*TEAM MEMBERSHIP @ $107.96 = $3.60 per shake
**COACH PRICING @ $71.97 = $2.40 per shake (assuming a 40% discount as I used to receive)
These prices do not include the cost of items added to the shake to enhance flavor such as fruit, milk, soymilk, peanut butter, PB2, etc. that I required.
*Rewards membership cost: $29 annual, no monthly fees Summary: Let's assume that the nutrient content in either shake were equal, per serving at a retail price the IsaLean shake is clearly the better choice. Upon first glance the Coach pricing for Shakeology seems to have the IsaLean shake beat but I can't help but wonder what the price WOULD be if you factor in the monthly and annual fees to get the Coach and Rewards pricing. Want to do the math one more time?
Shakeology @ $2.40 per shake (coach pricing)
Annual fee: $40 / 365 days = $0.11 daily
Monthly fee: $14.95 / 30 days = $0.50 daily
Total daily shake price: $2.40 + $0.11 +$0.50 = $3.00 per shake per day
IsaLean Shake @ $2.85 per shake (rewards pricing)
Annual fee: $29 / 365 days = $0.08 daily
Monthly fee: NA
Total daily shake price: $2.85 + $0.08 = $2.93 per shake per day
In my book the IsaLean shake comes out in front in terms of price. Now for some price is not an issue, for me (living on a budget with a toddler who eats everything in sight), price is definitely an issue and although it might not be much (only a $2.10 savings per month for IsaLean over Shakeology) that is still money in the bank for our household.
Nutritional Comparison
There is no doubt in my mind that the ingredients in Shakeology are top notch. Most of those berries and extracts you can't find in your local market. The IsaLean shake has some of those too. Where I see a huge difference is in the protein base of the shake. Both shakes have whey protein. Whey has been proven better at helping burn fat and calories than soy however... here's a little bit of education for you. Did you know there is a big difference between protein isolate and protein concentrate? I was not aware of this until recently.
This excerpt is from Dr. Mercola's website in regards to choosing the right whey protein. You can view the entire article here.
Whey Protein Isolates have Dangerous Forms of Protein
All whey protein isolates are devoid of nutritional co-factors including alkalizing minerals, naturally occurring vitamins, and lipids, which are lost in the processing... This renders them deficient and overly acidifying. Unlike whole protein food concentrates which does not acidify your body due to its alkalinizing minerals, whey protein isolate are over acidifying.
Whey isolate can be a serious liability.
If chronically consumed in large amounts (such as with bodybuilders or athletes) without alkalizing foods, it can acidify your body and over time may lead to metabolic acidosis with consequences that include waste of muscle and bone tissues, total metabolic shut down, and increased vulnerability to degenerative disease.
Many cheap whey protein isolates are produced from acid cheese; they're byproducts of acid processing, which is a cheap way to separate whey from the curd. Most of these whey products are rated below pet foods because of the inferior quality of the protein, which is actually more of a nitrogen waste product than one that will produce health benefits that are mentioned in the featured study.
Additionally once the fat has been removed from whey protein isolate, you lose some of the most important components of its immunological properties, such as phospholipids, phosphatidylserine and CLA. All of the IgG immunoglobulins, which are an excellent source of glutamine and glutamylcysteine, are also bound to the fat globule, and therefore lost in the processing of whey isolates.
So the bottom line is that if you want to use whey protein, PLEASE do not use an inferior whey isolate as there is no doubt in my mind it will cause more damage to you than benefit."
This is the protein that is in the Shakeology formula (with the exception of their new vegan Tropical Strawberry flavor which uses brown rice protein). Personally, this frightens me. Instead of protein isolates, Dr. Mercola says to choose a high quality protein concentrate for the following reasons (also found at the link above):
"There's no shortage of whey products on the market, but unfortunately most of them will NOT give you the health benefits associated with high-quality whey. First of all you want to use a whey protein concentrate. High quality whey protein concentrates also have glutamylcysteine, the major precursor to glutathione, which is another phenomenal anti-aging nutrient.
There is probably no other area of processed foods where you need to be careful than in selecting a high quality whey supplement.
Most whey proteins are processed from ultrapasteurized milk and many are exposed to acid processing. Heat and acid damages the protein and makes it insoluble in water. This is one of the key ways to differentiate high quality whey protein from inferior ones."
Isagenix makes no effort to hide the source of their whey protein. It is sourced out of New Zealand from grass-fed happy cows. Why do they call them happy? These cows are only milked during their natural milking season. They are not given hormones to keep them in a constant state of lactation. This keeps their stress levels down thus.... Happy Cows! In addition, the whey is undenatured, meaning it is processed at a low heat, so the natural and live enzymes are not killed off. It does not go through the acid processes mentioned in Dr. Mercola's article therefore it is soluble in water and easily absorbed by the body. You can read about this process here.
I also want to include this link to a comparison chart I found very informative about the whey Isagenix uses compared to the most competitive brands Chart
Summary: Again, there is no doubt that Beachbody has included some of the finest quality ingredients that you just can't find in your local grocer. I am actually excited to see they use Himilayan sea salt and other great nutrients for flavoring such as stevia instead of nasty artificial flavorings. For me all of that is over-shadowed by the fact that they utilize an inferior protein source for their shake which is actually acidic to the body. Part of the reason I chose Isagenix was because I had been diagnosed with a condition that was highly reactive to acidic foods and beverages and I knew that their products were designed to help neutralize the body. At the time I was not aware of the difference between the two protein sources. Had I known then there is no way I would have ever put Shakeology in my mouth. I later found out that disease loves two things - and acidic environment and lack of oxygen. Guess I should have done more research early on, right?
Meal Replacement Comparison
The last question I'll address is that of these shakes being a full meal replacement. This is a statement made by Livestrong.com
As a rule of thumb for weight loss, a meal replacement should contain fewer calories than you would normally eat in a meal. While 200 calories is likely too few to tide you over until it's time to eat next, 500 may be too many, so try to pick options between 300 and 400 calories.
One serving of Chocolate Shakeology contains 150 calories and 18 grams of protein. You could easily increase this count by adding fruit, milk or juice however you are also adding to the amount of sugars which most people on a meal replacement plan are highly sensitive too. Not to mention the added grocery costs making the shake more expensive. This was required for me to make the shake palatable enough to drink. One serving of the Newly reformulated IsaLean shake contains 240 calories and 24 grams of high quality protein (the former formula had 23g of whey protein). When on a weight-loss plan it is not recommended to add other ingredients to the shake due to the perfect balance of carbs, fats and protein that are optimal for safe and effective weight-loss. However, when on a maintenance plan, adding fruit or powdered greens is highly favored since weight-loss is not a concern. Yes, that would increase the cost of the shake however it is not required as the shake tastes great as is. Summary: Though neither shake meets the 300 calorie count as recommended by Livestrong.com, the IsaLean shake comes much closer and has more protein per serving meaning your sense of fullness will last longer than that with Shakeology. Reformulated IsaLean Shake Information
In August 2012 Isagenix released a reformulated version of the IsaLean shake. Here are the key differences as stated on their website http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2012/08/28/7-ways-new-isalean-shakes-are-more-nutritious-than-ever/
Myo-IsaLean Complex™—The new myo-IsaLean Complex features 50 percent more undenatured whey protein than the prior Exclusive IsaPro Complex. That’s to say that the amount of whey increased, while the amount of casein decreased. (Note: Calcium caseinate was removed and replaced with milk protein concentrate, which is 20 percent whey.) Both whey and milk protein are quality proteins, but it’s whey that packs the higher concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Those BCAAs are also absorbed more quickly to fuel muscle maintenance and growth (1). The extra milk protein also comes in handy because it’s absorbed more slowly, lowering glycemic response, keeping your plasma amino acid levels up over time, and warding off hunger (2).
Double the filling fiber—With 8g of fiber (double compared to the previous Natural Creamy Chocolate and Vanilla flavors), the new shake flavors help keep your gut healthy and regular. The fiber also helps keep blood sugar stable and you feeling fuller, longer. The extra fiber comes from flax seed and new isomaltooligosaccharides.
Prebiotics—What are isomaltooligosaccharides, you ask? Besides being hard to pronounce, this gluten-free fiber (often used in Japanese cuisine) is also “prebiotic,” meaning that it feeds healthy “probiotic” bacteria in the gut (3). These good microbes, fed well, help make up a healthy intestinal flora that can be important for gut health, the immune system, and more.
Low glycemic—Can you say “slow carb”? With slightly fewer grams of carbohydrates and sugar, and more fiber, the shakes are much less likely to spike blood sugar. Getting off the blood sugar roller coaster is critical for healthy insulin control, to minimize cravings, and for healthy, long-term weight management (4-6).
Healthy fats—The new shakes have a more balanced fatty acid profile containing more omega-3 fatty acids in each serving from flax seed along with heart-healthy olive oil (the main source of fat). Also, the new shakes contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil, which are unique in that they are easily absorbed for quick energy and may support greater energy expenditure and weight control (7, 8). Note: A minor increase in cholesterol comes from the increase in whey protein.
Easier to digest—More digestive enzymes, especially lactase, make the new shake flavors more easily broken down in the gut. Lactase, in particular, helps with breakdown of the milk sugar lactose, which is already low in the shake overall.
Soy free—Soy, as a protein source, has never been used in IsaLean Shake. However, lecithin derived from soy was previously used as an emulsifier leading to some confusion because of a soy allergen warning on the label. To make the label easier to understand, soy lecithin is now removed.
Additional Information 11/24/2013 Update - I was recently made aware that Beachbody has no removed the Suma Root from their formulation. After checking some nutrition labels I did find it was no longer listed. I'm glad they have removed this controversial ingredient from their product line. I spoke with a friend who had tried Shakeology in the past month and, despite the removal of this ingredient, she still had the same gastrointestinal issues that I had. It seems this continues to be an common problem.
I was recently made aware of some issues involving one ingredient in Shakeology, Suma Root. This question came from the TeamBeachbody forums.
I was reading the back of my Shakeology bag and it says the following:
"Ecdysterone is a naturally occurring photo-chemical compound that could be erroneously detected and flagged in synthetic steroid screening tests. That unfortunate reality caused the NFL and WADA to add ecdysterone to the list of banned substances in 2010. Athletes and anyone subject to banned substances testing should consult with their physician and athletic organization."
Beachbody - do you foresee replacing or eliminating this ingredient to allow athletes to drink Shakeology? Seems we are missing a HUGE group of people that are like minded (fit) and have no problem spending the $4/day for this (at least the pro athletes).
The following is the official response from Beachbody's Steve Edwards, Director of Results/Fitness Advisor for Beachbody.
It comes from Suma root and we've decided the benefits of Suma out weigh the negatives. We may re-think in the future or, hopefully, WADA will drop ecdysterone from the banned list since it's a natural ingredient and doesn't work in the same pathways as anabolic steroids. The actual amount of ecdysterone found in Suma is low and I've been hoping I get tested to find out if a positive test is even possible. So far, all threats to test age groups athletes have wrung hollow. However, I may get tested at World's in Sept.
The IsaLean shake does not contain Suma Root and is, therefore, perfectly usable by professional athletes with no risk of positive results on steroid testing. I found this information about Suma Root online here. This was put out by a company that sells Suma Root extract. I am glad to see they are upfront about the products they sell.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCHContraindications:
Like soy and other plant based sterols these sterols might have estrogenic properties. There is still debate in the scientific community as to whether plant based sterols provide protection against cancers or potential aggravation of oestrogen positive cancers. As this plant has been used traditionally to regulate menstrual processes, as well as to treat menopause, PMS, and other hormonal disorders, it is advisable for women with oestrogen-positive cancers to Check with their Doctor before commencing use of this powder.
The root powder has been reported to cause asthmatic allergic reactions if inhaled. When handling raw suma root powder or preparing decoctions with root powder, avoid inhalation of the root powder/dust.
Ingestion of large amounts of plant saponins in general (naturally occurring chemicals in suma) has shown to sometimes cause mild gastric disturbances including nausea and stomach cramping. Reduce dosages if these side effects are noted.
Drug Interactions:Vitamin K: This product contains Vitamin K – People taking warfarin should seek medical advice before starting consumption. Note for Professional AthletesUnfortunately, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and the U.S National Football League (NFL) decided to add ecdysteroids (including ecdysterone, the one found in Suma Root) to their list of banned substances because even though it is an all-natural phyto-chemical compound which has benefits to the body and no known toxic side effects, it can be erroneously detected and mistaken for a banned substance in screening tests by WADA, the NFL and the NSF (an organization that conducts banned substances tests for sports nutrition products). At this time, tests for banned substances are not sophisticated enough to be able to differentiate natural, healthy substances such as ecdysterone in Suma Root from synthetic banned substances.
The third bullet point makes me wonder it the inclusion of Suma Root might be part of the reason I've heard so many people report gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea when using Shakeology. Just a thought.
Final Comments
I hope you have found this review helpful. Again, I have tried to be objective in providing the information that is most helpful in educating you to make the right decision for yourself. I will also say again, I am not in the business of "bashing" another company. I simply want people to KNOW what they are putting in their bodies as everything we put in has some effect, whether positive or negative, on our long-term health.
Many of you may be aware that the company that brought you such great workout programs (that I love) like TurboFire, P90X and Insanity has released a new 21 day program called the Ultimate Reset. I have received a couple of inquiries as to what is the difference between this program and an Isagenix program. And although I am the biggest fan of Isagenix, I will do my best to keep this totally objective. Here is what I've discovered.
Cost
I have been watching my friends who have done and yes, they sure did lose some weight and inches (just like with Isagenix) however they did it at a great expense. The program itself has a starting price of $229.95. That comes down to $10.95 per day. Not too bad, right? What do you get for that price?
a guidebook (cool)
a supplement caddy (kind of like a purse for your supplements... ok)
2 DVDs - 1 explaining the program, 1 showing you how to cook the reset meals (alright that works)
a Reset bracelet (whoa! cool right?)
And the key... 6 different supplements - some liquid, some powders.
That sounds great and all however... lets look at the other cost of this program. The following picture was posted by a friend of mine on Facebook after her shopping trip for week 1. Keep in mind, for this Reset you want to use organic foods because the point is to help remove toxins - not add more. At our health-food store, this buggy-full would easily run me over $200. That comes to $28.57 per day for groceries + the 10.95 of daily supplements = $39.52 per day for week 1 of the Ultimate Reset.
Lawren's Shopping trip for Week 1 of the Ultimate Reset
So let's talk about week 2. The picture below was posted by another friend for her second week's groceries. I don't know about you but my fridge won't hold all that stuff... and it's for one person. Again, we're looking at a potential shopping trip costing anywhere from $125-$175. Let's assume the lesser value of $125. That comes to $17.86 in groceries daily + the $10.95 in supplements = $28.81 per day for week 2.
Mandy's shopping trip for Week 2 of the Ultimate Reset
I have yet to see anyone post pictures of their third week of grocery shopping. I wonder if the expense got to be too much? Let's assume another $125. So for 21 days the cost of this program looks like this-
Week 1 groceries ~$200.00
Week 2 groceries ~$125.00
Week 3 groceries ~$125.00
Total grocery cost ~ $500.00 (or $23.81 per day)
Program cost $229.95 (replaces no meals, $10.95 per day)
Complete program $729.95 (or $34.76 per day)
So what about an Isagenix cleansing program? The most popular program is the 30 Day Cleansing and Fat Burning program. The retail on this program is $382 ($12.73/day)
What do you get in this pack?
4 canisters of IsaLean Shake meal replacements (replaces 56 meals)
2 containers of Cleanse for Life (replaces 12 meals)
1 container of Ionix Supreme minerals
1 bottle Natural Accelerator capsules
1 bottle of IsaFlush capsules
1 bottle of Isagenix Snacks! wafers
4 sticks of Want More Energy electrolyte drink mix
Pack Guide with CD
What do you NOT get in this pack? Groceries for 26 meals between 400-600 calories and light snacks (apples, celery almonds). When I first started this program in February 2010, I did not take pictures of my shopping trips but my grocery bill ran only near $250 for the whole 30 days. So let's break this down---
$12.73 daily + $6.67 for groceries daily = $19.40 per day for the whole system including groceries. And that is at a retail price.
Most people using Isagenix DON'T PAY RETAIL. It's like Costo, for an annual fee you can get a wholesale membership and purchase all Isagenix products at a discount. If you want to get the products automatically shipped to you home you get even more discount. Here are some more numbers.
30 Day Cleansing and Fat-Burning Program Breakdown:
**REWARDS PRICING@ $268 =$8.93 daily + $6.67 for groceries daily = $15.60 daily *Wholesale membership cost: $39 annual, no monthly fees **Rewards membership cost: $29 annual, no monthly fees
But doesn't Beachbody offer discounts as well? Yes, they do. Similar to Isagenix you can receive a discounted rate for being a Team BeachBody member as well as a better rate for signing up as a coach. So here is how it breaks down again but this time with the discounts. We'll assume the standard Coach discount is still 40% (which is was when I was a BB Coach).
This is a biggie for me. Being a teacher, wife, and (soon-to-be) mom I don't have lots of time on my hands. I'm sure most women would agree. Part of the reason I chose Isagenix was because of the ease and convenience of the program. Two times daily I mix up a shake (8oz of water, ice if I want it and 2 scoops of shake). I put it all in my Magic Bullet, blend for 5-10 seconds and I'm done. Simple. I only have to worry about 1 meal a day and those were mostly salad based meals that I prepared at night for the following day's lunch. Throw some lettuce and veggies in a storage container with some grilled chicken or drained tuna, grab some dressing on the way out the door in the morning and BOOM. Done. Snacks between meals? Why yes! Grab an apple, some carrot or celery sticks or some almonds. Easy.
Just looking at the pictures of the grocery trips my friends have taken and some of the meals they have made while on the Ultimate Reset tells me that you will have to invest your time into cooking these meals everyday. If there is one thing I've learned, it's that busy people don't have lots of time to invest (although it might be totally worth it to cook every meal everyday) it's just not feasible.
Workouts
I love to workout. I love to sweat because I feel so good afterwards. The Ultimate Reset guides tells you NOT to workout for those 21 days since your body is working to remove the junk. I don't like this at all.
The Isagenix program guide encourages you to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily with the exception of full cleansing days. In particular, cardio exercises cause the blood to circulate through your body at a more rapid rate therefore actually speeding up the removal of toxins as it passes through your liver and kidneys. Why not use that to your advantage?
Results So the burning question - is there a difference between the results with The Ultimate Reset and the Isagenix 30 Day program? Doing a simple Google image search of "The Ultimate Reset results" led me to a lot of before and after pictures. From what I could see, the average weight lost by participants was approximately 15 lbs in 21 days. That's not too shabby if I do say so myself. Their success stories can be found here. This quote from the Isagenix 30 Day informational website, "An unpublished 2008 university study showed a statistically significant
weight loss of seven pounds during the first nine days of the Cleansing
and Fat Burning System." I have recently been coaching a new cleanser on the Isagenix 9 Day program and she personally released 6.5lbs and 11.25 inches in the first 4 days. To see more Isagenix results you can visit this page.
Other comments:
This is what the Ultimate Reset website reads, " The BeachBody Ultimate Reset is NOT your typical cleanse. No starvation diets. No harsh laxatives. No running back and forth to the bathroom all day long. The Beachbody Ultimate Reset doesn't punish or deprive your body—it feeds your body with all the nutrients you've been craving.
I have this question - If this IS indeed a cleanse, HOW is it cleansing the body? There are two primary means by which the body removes toxins - through the kidneys and urinary tract and the colon. So if you REALLY are cleansing shouldn't it be expected that you may visit the mens or ladies room a little more frequently? If you aren't then I question whether or not this is actually a cleanse or just a means to drop weight through eating better. Anyone can quit eating fast and junk food and switch to raw foods and veggies and lose weight. By no means am I saying that Beachbody is covering up a healthy diet plan by means of calling it a cleanse. I just want to know HOW it is promoting the body to cleanse and through what means?
Final Summary
Just based on the figures, the financial and time cost of the Ultimate Reset is just too much for the average American living on a budget. While I still absolutely LOVE the Beachbody workouts I have to say that is probably the one thing they really got right. The Ultimate Reset just doesn't cut it for me (or my checkbook). The results are similar however is you break down the price per pound lost... I am still convinced that Isagenix is a better buy.
If you are considering doing a cleanse program, please consider Isagenix. You can find out more in this short video, "Are You Toxic?"
There are other Isagenix programs available in addition to the 30 Day Cleansing and Fat-Burning program and I would be glad to help you find what will fit your lifestyle and your budget. Please contact the independent associate who may have referred you to this site. If you do not have one, please feel free to contact me to get started on your health transformation. To read my personal Isagenix story, please view this blog entry from May 2012.
This is the final episode in the four part series that aired on HBO. It addresses the challenges that people and this nation face as a result of the obesity epidemic.
"If you go with the flow in America today, you will end up obese like 2/3 of Americans do."
If Americans radically changed their diets and started cutting out the animal products and loading up on fresh and raw fruits and veggies, nuts, whole graines... do you suppose we would be facing an epidemic of health instead of what we see here?
It has been said over and over that we are currently raising a generation of children that will not outlive their parents due to health complications related to poor nutrition and obesity.
It's not only about health, it's about survival of the human race and our nation. We have sacrificed to much just to satisfying our taste buds and "feel good."
If you were told your child were at a higher risk of cancer and diabetes just because of the food they ate, would you not do whatever you could to improve their diet and health?
Our children are in crisis. Our ignorance about health and wellness will not be bliss for much longer.
