Nutrition

Nutrition, the science of the way diet affects health, centres around developing a healthy eating plan. While many Australians enjoy a varied and nutritious diet, the federal Department of Health notes there is room for improvement, linking conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers to poor eating patterns.
A healthy diet involves eating a variety of foods everyday from the following groups:
· Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles
· Vegetables, legumes
· Fruit
· Milk, yoghurt, cheese
· Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, legumes
Including plenty of plant foods (bread, cereal, rice, pasta, noodles, vegetables, legumes and fruit) is advised, as are consuming moderate amounts of animal foods (milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, eggs) and drinking water to quench your thirst.
Other strategies for gaining optimal nutrition include eating a range of fresh, unprocessed foods and sticking to a regular eating pattern. Whole, unprocessed foods provide higher levels of essential nutrients per unit of energy, leading to better management of cell growth, cell maintenance, appetite and energy balance. In the case of eating patterns, consuming medium-sized meals every three to four hours has been shown to more greatly benefit the metabolism when compared with infrequent, haphazard food intake.

Mannatech’s new & improved Ambrotose Complex includes a new aloe source. Mannatech’s cutting edge science team continually studies new commercial processing of Aloe. These investigations lead to breakthroughs on how Mannatech could use this new technology to improve their current product line. After thorough development and safety testing Mannatech started to make the transition from Manapol to the Improved aloe in 2006. All Ambrotose products world wide have now made the transition from Manapol to improved aloe source. In some cases a few markets like Australia and New Zealand have chosen to keep some inventory of the Manapol material available in bulk.

Nutrition

Children and adolescents

As they grow and develop, the nutritional needs of children and adolescents differ from those of adults. According the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the following guidelines apply to those aged from birth to eighteen years:
· Encourage and support breast feeding
· Children and adolescents need sufficient nutritious foods to grow and develop normally. Growth should be checked regularly for young children, and physical activity is important for all children and adolescents
· Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
· Children and adolescents should be encouraged to eat plenty of vegetables, legumes, fruits and cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles – preferably wholegrain)
· Include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives
· Include milks, yoghurts, cheese and/or alternatives
· Reduced-fat milks are not suitable for young children under two years because of their high energy needs, but reduced-fat varieties should be encouraged for older children and adolescents
· Choose water as a drink
· Alcohol is not recommended for children
· Care should be taken to limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake
· Low-fat diets are not suitable for infants
· Choose foods low in salt
· Consume only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars
· Care for your child’s food: prepare and store it safely

Mannatech has been a pioneer and unsurpassed world leader in “glyconutrient (sweet nutrient) supplements” since 1994. Glyconutrient supplements are now recognized and defined in Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, a premier scientific textbook used in universities and medical schools worldwide. These products, which include sources of the same sugars found in glycoproteins, appear to have numerous structure/function mechanisms within the human body. Mannatech’s proprietary glyconutrient technology is currently covered by over 20 patents issued worldwide with more patents pending.

Nutrition

Adults

Similarly, the guidelines advise adults of the following:
· Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
· Eat plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits
· Eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain
· Include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives
· Include milks, yoghurts, cheeses and/or alternatives. Reduced-fat varieties should be chosen, where possible
· Drink plenty of water.
· Take care to limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake
· Choose foods low in salt
· Limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink
· Consume only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars.
· Prevent weight gain: be physically active and eat according to your energy needs
· Care for your food: prepare and store it safely

PhytoMatrix™ contains vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have been absorbed by a plant’s roots and stored in its tissue. When harvested, these plants provide all-natural ingredients. Mannatech has obtained exclusive rights to a patented, hydroponic cultivation technology that allows plants to absorb significantly greater quantities of minerals. The plant based delivery in PhytoMatrix™ provides greater absorption and utilisation of nutrients than any other existing supplement technologies.

Nutrition

Women
Women’s reproductive life – encompassing menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause – creates differing nutritional needs to those of men.
For pre-menstrual syndrome in particular, high protein foods may curb cravings for other, less nutritious high-energy foods; and B group vitamins have been shown to help relieve symptoms such as moodiness, tiredness and constipation.
Iron-deficiency is another condition affecting a greater percentage of women over men. While females and males metabolise iron from food at almost the same rate, men need only 7mg of iron in their daily diet, as opposed to the 16mg required by women. Common deficiency symptoms include fatigue and breathlessness. These foods are recommended iron sources:
· Liver and red meat
· Fortified cereals
· Egg yolks
· Legumes and nuts
· Leafy green vegetables

Your body has about 60 trillion cells. That's where Mannatech's Optimal Health System products are designed to work-at the cellular level, where wellness begins. Validated science is at the heart of every Mannatech product. Since introducing their first nutritional breakthrough, Ambrotose® complex, in 1994, Mannatech has maintained a leadership position in the worldwide dietary supplements industry. Mannatech offer naturally derived patent-pending and proprietary nutritional products that no other company can offer.

Nutrition

Women
Women’s reproductive life – encompassing menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause – creates differing nutritional needs to those of men.
For pre-menstrual syndrome in particular, high protein foods may curb cravings for other, less nutritious high-energy foods; and B group vitamins have been shown to help relieve symptoms such as moodiness, tiredness and constipation.
Iron-deficiency is another condition affecting a greater percentage of women over men. While females and males metabolise iron from food at almost the same rate, men need only 7mg of iron in their daily diet, as opposed to the 16mg required by women. Common deficiency symptoms include fatigue and breathlessness. These foods are recommended iron sources:
· Liver and red meat
· Fortified cereals
· Egg yolks
· Legumes and nuts
· Leafy green vegetables

Your body has about 60 trillion cells. That's where Mannatech's Optimal Health System products are designed to work-at the cellular level, where wellness begins. Validated science is at the heart of every Mannatech product. Since introducing their first nutritional breakthrough, Ambrotose® complex, in 1994, Mannatech has maintained a leadership position in the worldwide dietary supplements industry. Mannatech offer naturally derived patent-pending and proprietary nutritional products that no other company can offer.

Nutrition

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the need for certain nutrients rises. For instance, women need 600kj more than non-pregnant women on a daily basis, and must remain mindful avoid calcium, folate, iron and zinc deficiencies. Important nutrients for breastfeeding women in particular include protein, calcium, vitamin C, folate, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6 and fluids.
Those experiencing menopause do well to up their intake of phytoestrogens, which are natural oestrogen-like substances. These occur regularly in foods such as:
· Wholegrains
· Flaxseed (linseed)
· Sesame seeds
· Nuts including almonds
· Legumes, especially soy and chickpeas
· Alfalfa sprouts
· Herbal teas, especially sage and aniseed
· Extra virgin olive oil

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

Nutrition

Older Australians

Healthy independent older Australians are advised by the NHMRC to adopt the following nutritional guidelines. These apply to those over 65 years:
· Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
· Keep active to maintain muscle strength and a healthy body weight
· Eat at least three meals every day
· Care for your food: prepare and store it correctly
· Eat plenty of vegetables (including legumes) and fruit
· Eat plenty of cereals, breads and pastas
· Eat a diet low in saturated fat
· Drink adequate amounts of water and/or other fluids
· If you drink alcohol, limit your intake
· Choose foods low in salt and use salt sparingly
· Include foods high in calcium
· Use added sugars in moderation

Mannatech was founded to provide a vehicle for those who desire a purpose driven opportunity that addresses the two biggest concerns families everywhere face: their health and their finances. One leading economist has predicted that the wellness industry will become the next trillion-dollar industry due to an enormous shift taking place in the healthcare industry. Mannatech has positioned itself through its nutritional discoveries and patents to play a significant role. Mannatech's record growth is a testimony to the efforts of those who have chosen to share this amazing story of hope with those so desperately looking for answers.

Middle Age Spread Uncovered

According to a Scottish study, the dreaded middle-age spread increases your waistline but isn’t likely to alter the number on the scales. As you age, your body changes shape – you start to lose muscle and get fatter. As muscle weighs more than fat, this may explain why there’s no change on the bathroom scales.
These findings challenge the traditional method used to measure body fat, the body mass index (BMI), and suggest waist circumference may be a better measure for determining how much fat a person has gained. It makes it easy for you to work it out too – do your pants still fit?

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

Supplement boost nutrition levels for over 50's

An American study finds older people who take supplements may be at a lower risk of dietary deficiencies.
Men and women over the age of 51 who take dietary supplements on a regular basis are more likely to receive adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, report researchers. [1]
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggested a significant proportion of over-50s do not receive sufficient nutrients from diet alone and therefore may benefit from supplementation.
The vitamin and mineral intakes of 4, 384 participants, half of whom took supplements daily, were examined. Intakes of folate, zinc, iron and vitamins A, B and C were all found to be adequate among the supplementing group.
Researcher Rhonda Sebastian from the US Department of Agriculture said a large "proportion of older adults do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods alone. Supplements compensate to some extent, but only an estimated half of this population uses them daily. Modifying dietary attitudes may result in a higher rate of supplement use in this at-risk population."

Mannatech is #12 in Business Week’s “Hot Growth” Companies 2007:
A report released this week by Business Week appropriately named "The Hottest Of The Hot Growth 100" lists what they foresee as the Top 100 Growth Company's for 2007 - world wide, in their words "This fascinating group of small companies is tearing up the charts...the Hot Growth Class of 2007 are an incredibly diverse group...they're determined to be faster, and better, than the next guy."The big spin on this story, is that Mannatech is not only listed in the Top 100, they are listed as #12!

Ageing with Asthma

Ageing With Asthma

Do children with asthma grow out of it? An Australian study says this may depend on how severe the condition is.
The Melbourne Epidemiological Study of Childhood Asthma began in 1964 when 401 seven year old children, including 295 with asthma, were selected from the population. Another 83 children with severe asthma were added to the study in 1967.
The total group included 105 children who did not have wheezing problems, 178 with mild or wheezing bronchitis, 113 with asthma and the 83 severe asthmatics. This latter group began suffering asthma attacks before they turned three and had persistent symptoms by the age of 10.
The researchers followed the health fortunes of the group from age seven until the age of 42. Fifteen of the original group died (one from asthma) and 403 participated until the final review period at age 42.
When the subjects were 14 years old, 20 per cent reported that they had not experienced any recent asthma attacks. By age 42, 40 per cent of the subjects were able to say they had not had a recent attack.
While this suggests a rising number of the subjects grew out of the condition, there was less positive news for those with asthma. Children who had asthma at age seven were found to have reduced lung function at the age of 42, based on laboratory tests of their breathing capacity.
In a report published in the British Medical Journal, the researchers said: "Our study shows that the pattern of asthma during childhood predicts outcome. Most children with persistent asthma had continuing symptoms into adult life and reduced lung function.
"However, children who had intermittent symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections generally had complete resolution of the symptoms in adult life."
In other words, the more severe the asthma problem during childhood, the more likely it was to continue into adulthood. During this period it could also result in permanently impaired lung function.
The study was conducted jointly by the Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Alfred Hospital Department of Respiratory Medicine.

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

Your Health and Nutrition News!

Iron: Who Needs More, Who Needs Less, How and Why

In America iron deficiency is surprisingly common. However, it is mostly among children, teenage girls, women with excessive menstrual flow and the aged. Indeed among most mature healthy adults, especially men, iron EXCESS is the problem. This is because iron is a PRO-oxidant as compared to an anti-oxidant. Indeed, one reason to give blood is to LOWER your iron count as an anti-aging measure!

The very elderly tend to get anemic, as some common reasons are poor appetite, loss of taste/smell, difficulty preparing foods, poor digestion and poor dentition.

The best iron food group is meat. Animal heme-iron is much more absorbable than vegetable non-heme iron. (Heme means blood which is what helps makes red meat red.) Oysters, beef and chicken livers, beef kidney, shrimp, herring, sardines, tuna, dark turkey and red meat, in that order, are the best sources. Among the grains, bran flakes, wheat germ and bran and oats flakes are best. Pumpkin and almonds are the best nuts and seeds. Lima and pinto beans are quite high, as are spinach, parsley and peas. Apricots, figs, watermelon, raisins and prunes are the best fruits. Most vegetables are a poor source with carrots, asparagus and beets the best of the rest of the group. Brewer’s yeast and blackstrap molasses are old standbys for vegetarians.

Coppell, Texas - Mannatech fastest-growing public company in the , Incorporated, a global health and wellness company, is the 29th Metroplex, according to the Dallas Business Journal.

Snacking habits

Snacking habits

The term snack often means a food which is eaten between meals. Snacking can mean different things to different people, from a piece of fruit to a cereal bar to a sandwich. Nutrition survey results reveal 36% - 55% of adults eat food on five or more occasions throughout the day, suggesting snacking is common amongst many adults. This figure is higher for children and teenagers with 60-90% eating five or more times per day.
Nutritious snacks

Nutrition snacking means choosing snacks that are consistent with Australin dietary guidelines and provide essential nutrients.

Nutritious snack ideas for children
· Cereal or breakfast bars
· Breakfast cereal (dry or with milk)
· Muesli bars or muesli slices (preferably less than 10% fat)
· Fresh fruit chopped into pieces
· Raw carrot, chopped into pieces
· Sultanas and other dried fruit
· Bread or toasted muffins
· Cheese with crackers or crispbread
· Low fat Yoghurt
· Fruit Smoothie

Nutritious snack ideas for adults
· Toasted muffins or fruit bread
· Breakfast cereals – (dry or with milk)
· Cereal or breakfast bars
· Muesli bars or muesli slices (preferably less than 10% fat)
· Crispbread or crackers with low fat cheese and tomato
· Salads or sliced raw vegetables with hommus
· Fresh or canned fruit
· Low fat yoghurt
· 30g of raw and unsalted nuts

Tips for healthy snacking
· Plan your snacks – keep healthy snacks on hand at work.
· Choose lower fat options for regular snacks such as breakfast cereal (dry or with milk) instead of chips, cereal bars instead of chocolate biscuits, ice-blocks instead of ice-cream and low fat muesli slices instead of cake.
· Look for grain or fruit based snacks which are high in carbohydrates and lower in fat.
· Take yoghurt, milk, sandwiches and salads to work or school in an insulated bag, especially on hot summer days.
· Try different ways of having fruit eg. Frozen on hot day, or whipped into a smoothie with low-fat milk.

Medical research acknowledges that eight glyconutrient sugars are needed at the cellular level for optimum immune system function. Considering that six of these glyconutrients are often lacking in modern diets, Mannatech sought new and better sources of the nutrients. The effort culminated in the Ambrotose complex. Twenty patents – including one from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – have been issued to Mannatech for technology related to the Ambrotose complex.

Vitamins

Vitamins play an important role in keeping the body healthy. Eating a variety of healthy foods each day will provide enough vitamins for most people.

A number of vitamins are needed by the body to stay healthy. Vitamins are needed for many of the essential chemical reactions in the body to occur, including those involved in energy metabolism. Removing certain foods or food groups from the diet, may mean missing out on important vitamins. Eating a variety of healthy foods each day will provide enough vitamins for most people. It is best to get vitamins needed by the body from food rather than supplements.

Taking large doses of certain vitamins can actually affect the body's ability to stay healthy and function well. Vitamins can be described as fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins include:

* vitamin A
* vitamin D
* vitamin E
* vitamin K

Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body and so it is possible for high intakes to result in signs of toxicity. It is extremely difficult to overdose on vitamins by eating a healthy diet, however it is possible if vitamin supplements are used. If you are taking supplements speak with an Accredited Practising Dietitian or your pharmacist.

Water-soluble vitamins include:
* vitamin B1 (thiamine)
* vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
* vitamin B3 (niacin)
* vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
* vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
* vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
* folate or folic acid
* biotin
* vitamin C

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body so toxicity symptoms are less likely than with fat-soluble vitamins. It is important to continually restore the body's supply of water-soluble vitamins by eating a range of healthy foods. It is however, still unnecessary for most people to take vitamin supplements. One exception is folate supplements that are recommended for those considering pregnancy to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

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

Nutrition with School Lunches

A diet filled with the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals can help your child have the energy, concentration and stamina needed for a successful school year.

Start the day off right!
Statistics show that as many as 48% of girls and 32% of boys do not eat breakfast every day. It is important to eat breakfast, as it helps fuel the brain and muscles after a nightlong fast. If your kids don’t eat when they wake up, their body lacks the energy it needs to perform all of its daily functions. Eating breakfast can also improve your child’s total daily nutrient intake as well as allow them to think faster and clearer and concentrate better in school. Studies show eating breakfast also helps kids manage their weight as skipping breakfast sets your child up for extreme hunger later in the day, leading to poor food choices and excess caloric intake.

Breakfast should provide one-quarter to one-third of your child’s energy and nutrient needs for the day. Easy breakfast ideas include:
· Protein Fruit Smoothie: Blend fruit, protein powder, milk or yogurt and flaxseed or nuts in a blender until smooth.
· Cheesy Pita Melt
· Cottage cheese and fruit medley: Mix cottage cheese with fruit and chopped nuts.

Mannatech products are at the cutting edge of nutritional science. The breakthrough innovation found in many Mannatech products is Ambrotose® complex, which is designed to provide supplemental glyconutrients. Mannatech leads the industry in glyconutrient technology around the world and strives to offer better solutions for global health.

Men's Health

Men have a higher risk of some lifestyle-related diseases than women. Eating a wide variety of healthy foods each day can help to keep men healthy.

Eating a wide variety of healthy foods each day will help to keep both men and women healthy. Special concerns for men

Although studies show that men are less likely to worry about their health than women, men have a higher risk of certain lifestyle-related diseases. They are also more likely to:
* have high cholesterol
* have high blood pressure
* be overweight than women

A healthy diet and regular physical activity can go along way to reducing men's risk of health problems and disease.

Try to eat:
* lots of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals
* moderate amounts of low fat dairy food and lean meats
* small amounts of foods high in fat, sugar and salt

Try also to drink plenty of water each day and stay active.

Mannatech’s executives say, the company is not limiting its activities to markets close to its Texas home. Mannatech now operates in 10 countries, with many more on the way as associates eagerly spread the news about glyconutrients to consumers. While other firms might dread the thought of dealing with a multitude of consumers with unfamiliar shopping habits, Mannatech has found that its existing business model — network marketing — works effectively in almost any culture.

Food trial is a huge success at school

Students at Nana Glen Primary are calmer, more focused and a lot happier – thanks to two weeks of an additive-free diet.
The food trial that began two weeks ago, as reported in The Advocate on September 8, saw colours, preservatives and flavor enhancers removed from the children’s diets.
The trial was the third for food intolerance expert Sue Dengate, who was pleased about the results. Principal Lawrie Renshall said that the trial “was a phenomenal success.”
Mr Renshall said that parents and teachers alike have been amazed at how cutting out additives, colors and preservatives from the children’s diet has influenced their behavior.
“The children are more settled, more focused and a lot happier in the playground. We’ve also had a great response from parents, and we’re really encouraging the continuation of the program,” Mr Renshall said.

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

Oats to the rescue: a favourite winter breakfast

A steaming bowl of porridge with a drizzle of honey or golden syrup is the perfect way to warm up on a winter's morning. Not only will it get your body in gear to face the cold, wholegrain oats also contain a whole host of nutrition benefits.
Let's take a closer look:
Take heart.
Beta-glucan, the special soluble fibre in oats, has been identified as one of the key active ingredients that is responsible for their heart health benefits. Beta-glucan promotes this effect by lowering cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that the amount of beta-glucan needed for a significant cholesterol lowering effect (as part of low saturated fat and cholesterol diet) is 3 grams per day — the amount in only 60g or 1/3 cup of traditional rolled oats. They also contain potent phytochemicals, phenolic compounds in outer layer of grain, which act as antioxidants.
Keep a healthy weight.
Like all whole grains, oats are high in fibre, which makes them an appropriate choice for weight loss eating plans. They have a low glycemic index and the soluble fibre helps fill you up and helps prevent overeating mid-morning. Also, compared to other whole grains, oats are higher in protein (approximately 10-17%), which makes them an effective addition to a higher protein diet for weight loss.
Boost your mood.
High carbohydrate, nutritious foods like oats have another little-known effect, the ability to positively influence mood. Recent studies have confirmed that the types of breakfast people eat can affect the state of their mood in the middle of the day. Oats are rich in nutritious carbohydrates which can affect a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin that promotes feelings of calmness and positive mood. And these calming effects may even improve the likelihood of sticking with a weight management program.
Finally oats may also boost your mood as they are heart warming and often conjure up pleasant memories associated with childhood. This is just what you want in your dietary prescription. And because they're a breakfast food, they're one of the easiest things to keep consistent and make a daily habit.

At Mannatech and other visionary companies in the dietary supplements industry, they’ve be able to develop nutritional products that meet individual needs, custom-tailored to an individual’s specific requirements at any given time. Since human nutritional needs sometimes vary (for example, during times of stress), Mannatech can focus on discovering what our diet lacks so that we can furnish it immediately to sustain wellness and prolong the healthy period of life.

Brain food

Omega-3s Help Mental IllnessAmerican researchers have found that a higher consumption of essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3, is linked to a reduced risk of and better outcome after treatment for depression and bipolar disorder. The richest sources are fatty cold water fish, like salmon and mackerel.

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

Bala Named Mannatech's Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing

Bala Named Mannatech’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing
Mannatech hires direct sales industry veteran with strategic foreign markets experience
Coppell, TX – September 18, 2007 – Mannatech, Incorporated (NASDAQ – MTEX) today announced the hiring of Alfredo Bala, as the company’s senior vice president of global sales and marketing, effective October 1, 2007. Mr. Bala is currently completing a consulting agreement with Mannatech. From 1992 to 2006, Bala served as COO for Britt Worldwide, LLC, one of the largest independent Amway networking marketing organizations. While with Britt Worldwide, Bala led the company’s sales and marketing campaigns, training, motivational seminars, development of business support materials, and technology tools. Bala also was heavily involved in the launch and re-launch of over 40 international markets that propelled international sales volume to more than $500 million. Bala served as manufacturing plant manager for Bose Corporation from 1983 to 1992. Bala is conversant and/or fluent in more than 13 languages.
“We are extremely pleased to announce Al’s addition to our executive management team,” said Terry Persinger, President and CEO of Mannatech. “In addition to more than 20 years of domestic and international experience in network marketing, Al’s proven record includes growing a major direct sales organization to $750 million, reaching more than one million people in 60 countries. We are fortunate to have Al leading Mannatech’s enhanced focus on sales growth and international expansion.”
Bala’s role will be global in scope encompassing the responsibilities of the company’s president of international operations, John Price, who has left the company to pursue other interests.

Mannatech Adds Distinguished Kellogg Professor Robert Blattberg to Board

Mannatech Adds Distinguished Kellogg Professor Robert Blattberg to Board
Appointment follows conclusion of Professor Axford’s five-year tenure on Mannatech Board
Coppell, TX, September 7, 2007 - Mannatech, Inc. (NASDAQ – MTEX) today announced effective September 6, 2007, the addition of Professor Robert Blattberg from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management to the company’s Board of Directors. Blattberg replaces outgoing Board member Professor John Axford who is leaving the Board to focus his efforts on new research initiatives with Mannatech, as well as complete the glyconutritional research under a three-year agreement between St. George’s University of London and Mannatech.
Since 1991, Professor Blattberg has served as the Polk Brothers Distinguished Professor of Retailing and Director for the Center for Retail Management within Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is currently on a one-year leave of absence and is a visiting professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Previously, he held the title of the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing and served as Director of the Center of Marketing Information Technology for University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.
“We are quite pleased to have someone with Professor Blattberg’s knowledge and expertise in global retail marketing join our Board,” said J. Stanley Fredrick, lead director on Mannatech’s Board. “His vast experience and published accomplishments speak volumes about his ability to assist organizations in achieving success through solid marketing strategies and principles.”
Professor Blattberg focuses his research on marketing information technology, database marketing, sales promotions, and retailing. In addition to authoring several books, he has written articles for the Journal of Marketing Research, Management Science, Marketing Science, Econometrica, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Direct Marketing , and other leading academic journals. He has also consulted for leading retailers, such as Sears, Kroger, Rite Aid, and Best Buy. Fredrick added, “We have been very fortunate to have Professor Axford, an accomplished glycobiologist and physician, serve on our Board of Directors. During his five-year tenure, he helped create and chair the Science Committee within the Board where he provided critical direction and expertise to our R&D program. He also assisted in attracting key scientific talent as evidenced by the addition of Dr. Robert A. Sinnott, senior vice president and chief science officer of R&D in 2005.”
Since 2002, Professor Axford has served as a Class III Director and is Chairman of the Science Committee. Mannatech will continue its ongoing three-year agreement with St. George’s University of London, where Professor Axford is serving as the Principal Investigator of a clinical study on Mannatech’s Ambrotose product.

Buyers guide to sliced Bread

The Nutrients

Wholegrain bread is a rich source of nutrients such as:

· Carbohydrate for energy;

· B-group vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin and niacin), which help release energy from food;

· Both insoluble fibre for good gut health and soluble fibre, which can help lower cholesterol absorption;

· Protein for growth and repair;

· Other vitamins and minerals such s iron, selenium and magnesium;

· Natural antioxidants such as vitamin E.

Is Wholegrain Better?

Not necessarily. Wholegrain breads are higher in fibre, as the outer bran layer of the grain is present, but bran also contains phytates, which can reduce some of the nutrients we absorb from wholegrains. The good news is some phytates are broken down during the bread fermentation process and wholegrain breads tend to have more nutrients than white breads anyway. Milling grains to make white flour removes much of the bran and germ, so white bread has lower levels of vitamins, minerals and fibre.

To compensate for the fact that half of all bread eaten is white, this type is often fortified with iron, calcium, folate and omega-3 fats.

It is time to guard yourself against dangers like, pollutants, questionable farming practices, and stress – these factors increasingly contribute to a growing healthcare crisis. Mannatech has championed revolutionary discoveries designed to help boost your body’s ability to stay healthy. Offering a solution for overall wellness is Mannatech's commitment.

Food Myths Busted

Green tea doesn’t contain caffeine

You’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake and you think green tea is the answer because it’s caffeine-free, right? Contrary to what you may think, green tea is not a herbal tea and it contains caffeine (between 10-50mg). Like all tea, the amount of caffeine in green tea is influenced by brewing, preparation and the quantity of leaves used.

Truth of the matter: Green tea contains about the same amount of caffeine as black tea. It is also a rich source of Flavonoids, which act as antioxidants and have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Enjoy a maximum 2-3 cups of tea (or any caffeine-containing drinks) a day.

Source: www.healthyfoodguide.com.au

Mannatech's glyconutrient and phytonutrient supplements are especially formulated for children in their growth years - and they supply the nutrients missing from life in the fast-food lane. Since introducing their first nutritional breakthrough, Ambrotose® complex, in 1994, Mannatech has maintained a leadership position in the worldwide dietary supplements industry. Mannatech offer naturally derived patent-pending and proprietary nutritional products that no other company can offer.

Food Myths Busted

You can choose where you lose weight from

You’re determined to get that six-pack and a trim, taut and terrific bum to match. The latest headline on the health and fitness mag reads “10 days to a flat stomach” or “Get the perfect butt”. The specific diets that target belly or bottom fat sound wonderful but, again, it’s a case of “if is sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Nutritionist and exercise expert Kristen Mackenzie says our genes and gender are largely to blame for where we store excess fat. Women generally carry their fat on their buttocks, thighs, breasts and around the stomach area. They are often shaped like a pear on an hourglass. Men, on the other hand, are more prone to being an apple shape and store fat around the stomach.

Just because you store fat in all the places you don’t want, doesn’t mean you can wave a magic wand and lost fat from all these places. If you want to lose fat from around your butt, you must lose fat from all over.

With weight loss, you need to acknowledge the areas that you can and cannot change. You can change your total body fat and muscle mass, but your height, bone size and fat distribution are what make you unique. Be realistic when you set your weight-loss goals and instead of focusing on spot reduction, focus on making a healthier you.

Truth of the matter: To reduce weight from those wobbly bits, move your body and control what goes in your mouth. Try resistance exercises to help tone the areas you like the least. Wear clothes that show off your best assets and love your body. It really is unique and special!

Source: www.healthyfoodguide.com.au

PhytoMatrix™ contains vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have been absorbed by a plant’s roots and stored in its tissue. When harvested, these plants provide all-natural ingredients. Mannatech has obtained exclusive rights to a patented, hydroponic cultivation technology that allows plants to absorb significantly greater quantities of minerals. The plant based delivery in PhytoMatrix™ provides greater absorption and utilisation of nutrients than any other existing supplement technologies.

Metabolic Syndrome

If you have metabolic syndrome (a condition characterized by obesity around the waist, high blood pressure and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism), make sure you include dairy in your diet. Researchers in Wales found that drinking milk or eating dairy products regularly can lower the risk of developing the syndrome by 62 per cent.

It’s not known exactly how this works, but it has been proposed conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), found mainly in dairy products, may improve the action of insulin in the body, reducing blood glucose levels. More research is needed, but 2-3 daily serves of dairy products will benefit your bones and teeth, no matter what other good they might do!

Source: J Epidemio Commun Health

Mannatech’s goal is to empower you with the nutrients your body needs to stay fit, active and successful. Take control of your health and share wellness solutions with others by learning more about Mannatech's cutting-edge technologies which help provide what every body needs for optimal health. Vibrant health is no longer a certainty. Mannatech is on the cutting edge of new technologies that provide what every body needs to stay healthy.

Diabetes

Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Here’s what happens:

• The body needs a special sugar called glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk.

• The glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia (glyc = glucose; aemia = in the blood). The glucose level must be neither too high nor too low, but just right.

• The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. It’s the cells in the body tissues that actually do the work – brain cells so you can think, heart cells so you can pump blood and muscle cells so you can walk. Glucose is also stored in the liver, like you would store food items in the kitchen pantry.

• This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors (the glucose channels) that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made.

• This process is called glucose metabolism.

• In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly.

• Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels which causes the health problems linked to diabetes.

Mannatech’s goal is to empower you with the nutrients your body needs to stay fit, active and successful. Take control of your health and share wellness solutions with others by learning more about Mannatech's cutting-edge technologies which help provide what every body needs for optimal health. Vibrant health is no longer a certainty. Mannatech is on the cutting edge of new technologies that provide what every body needs to stay healthy.

Is Organic Worth More Money?

Have you eaten your 60 servings of spinach today?

You’d have to eat that much in order to get the same amount of iron you would have gotten from one serving of spinach grown in 1948. And you’d have to eat 25 cups to get even the measly RDA of vitamin E.

What’s going on here?

Modern agricultural techniques are the culprits. The fruits and vegetables on today’s supermarket shelves come from nutrient-poor soil grown on chemical fertilizers and sprayed with pesticides. Not to mention genetically modified produce, which farmers aren’t required to label.

What’s more, in order to get these foods to the store before they start to rot, commercial growers harvest fruits and vegetables before they’ve had time to ripen. (You’ve noticed how bananas in the produce aisle are green when you buy them.)

Before the onset of industrial agriculture, farmers relied on natural fertilizers to grow their produce. In order to insure freshness, grocers bought foodstuffs from local farmers, so the fruits and vegetables available to Americans decades ago had time to ripen in the sun naturally - so yesteryear’s produce contained much higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds essential to your health.

What can you do about it? One simple way to go is to buy local organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Not only will you avoid pesticides and other chemicals – you’ll get a lot more of Nature’s beneficial ingredients.

A recent study published in The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that organic tomatoes contain almost twice as much of an important type of compound – called “flavonoids” – as conventionally grown tomatoes.1

Flavonoids are naturally occurring anti-oxidants found in a number of plants, including tomatoes, blueberries, grapes, and green tea. The benefits of anti-oxidants cannot be overstated. Here are just a few of the benefits linked to flavonoids:

• Improved circulation
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced inflammation
• Reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis
• Increased bone strength
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Stronger immune response
• Faster recovery from sunburn
• Reduced risk of many types of cancer, including lung, prostate, and skin cancer
• Memory loss prevention
• Higher metabolism and greater weight loss

So if you find both conventionally grown and organic tomatoes at your local grocer, the choice is a no-brainer – go organic. Even better, find a local farmer or co-op to buy from. The same rule of thumb applies to meat, eggs and milk, for the simple reason that they will contain more of the ingredients your body needs for optimum health.

Taking supplements is another effective way to compensate for today’s nutrient-poor produce. Vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, CoQ10, and alpha lipoic acid are all powerful anti-oxidants that improve heart health, slow the aging process, prevent cancer, and even boost your brainpower.

Nutritionists recommend daily amounts for each of these nutrients. They are the building blocks for an anti-oxidant powerhouse:

• Vitamin E – 400 IEU
• Vitamin C – 1,000 mg
• Selenium – 55 micrograms
• CoQ10 – 100 mg
• Alpha lipoic acid – 100 mg

Mannatech products are at the cutting edge of nutritional science. The breakthrough innovation found in many Mannatech products is Ambrotose® complex, which is designed to provide supplemental glyconutrients. Mannatech leads the industry in glyconutrient technology around the world and strives to offer better solutions for global health.

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Foods must bridge the gap in healthy aging, nutrition experts say

While dietary supplement marketers have long targetted baby boomers, this generation is still in need of more functional foods geared towards their nutritional and emotional requirements, according to speakers at IFT Expo.

Development of such products could boost the bottom line of manufacturers, but also increase the longevity of what has been the most educated and affluent generation to date. Antioxidants, calcium, vitamin D and zinc for instance, can slow the rate of age-related disease and increase the number of healthy years in a person's life, the speakers said in a symposium on healthy aging.

"We need to take that information and apply it,", a nutrition scientist at Tufts University, told IFT attendees. "We have to be willing to create new food products that older people can consume on a regular basis."

While the research shows that antioxidants, zinc and copper can delay AMD (age-related macular degeneration), the nutrition scientist also estimates that - in the right doses - this type of fortification or supplementation could prevent 300,000 cases of blindness in a five-year period.

However, there are numerous factors that set the stage for an aging person's nutritional health, according to the speakers.

These include socio-economic influences - such as a person's economic status, their psychological health, or the impact of changes in their environment as they age - and also physiological factors - such as altered nutrient metabolism, a reduced ability to absorb nutrients, or the interaction of nutrients with pharmaceutical drugs.

Aging boomers are generally more aware of the relationship between food and beverage and how they feel physically - according to a researcher with the Hartman Group in Washington state - and they want feelings of vitality rather than foods that make them feel sluggish. They also want to feel independent and be in charge of their own health.

The speakers also highlighted the potential positive impact on healthcare systems if disease were delayed significantly in the aging process.

It is time to guard yourself against dangers like, pollutants, questionable farming practices, and stress – these factors increasingly contribute to a growing healthcare crisis. Mannatech has championed revolutionary discoveries designed to help boost your body’s ability to stay healthy. Offering a solution for overall wellness is Mannatech's commitment.

Chalk & Cheese: Optimal Nutrition for Bone Health

Almost every 8 minutes, someone is admitted to a hospital somewhere in Australia with a fracture due to osteoporosis. 1.9 million, which is 1 in 10 Australians have the condition. Osteoporotic fracture occurs in more than 65,000 people each year.

Just losing 10% of the bone mass in your spine can double the risk of spinal fracture and a 10% loss of bone mass in your hip can increase your risk of a broken hip, two and a half times. By 2020, one third of all hospital beds in Australia are likely to be occupied by hip fracture patients and 20% of people with hip fracture will die within 6 months.

There are now one in three Australian women and one in eight Australian men over the age of 50 years who will experience osteoporotic fracture and might need to join the admission queue to hospital. The foods we eat and other lifestyle factors earlier in life can have a major impact on our risk of osteoporosis. The amount of calcium-rich foods we eat early in life will have an impact on the peak bone mass we develop. Achieving your optimal peak bone mass in childhood and through adolescence can help to protect your bone health later in life.

Mannatech has been a pioneer and unsurpassed world leader in “glyconutrient (sweet nutrient) supplements” since 1994. Glyconutrient supplements are now recognized and defined in Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, a premier scientific textbook used in universities and medical schools worldwide. These products, which include sources of the same sugars found in glycoproteins, appear to have numerous structure/function mechanisms within the human body. Mannatech’s proprietary glyconutrient technology is currently covered by over 20 patents issued worldwide with more patents pending.

Phytochemicals

Let’s look at other antioxidant factors besides vitamins and mineral catalysts. You also need in you daily diet, antioxidants from Flavonoids such as quercitin. These are co-factors or synergists for antioxidant activity. Flavonoids belong to a bigger group called phytochemicals.

The word phytochemical is taken from the Greek word photon, meaning plant, or plant chemicals. Phytochemicals, also called Phytonutrients, are not vitamins, minerals or herbals. They are specific chemicals found naturally occurring in plants, which are healthful to you. Phytochemicals, such as Flavonoids and indoles, function as anti-oxidants and free radical scavengers to protect plants from highly reactive oxide radicals, sunlight, weather and viruses.

We are designed to benefit from eating plants that contain such disease fighting phytochemicals. They are abundant in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel spouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and turnip. They are found in smaller levels in many vegetables and fruits as well. This is why those vegetables are so highly recommended in our diet and are the basis for some nutritional supplements. Some Phytochemicals also help to detoxify your body.

There is also an antioxidant produced by your body called glutathione.

Glyconutrients, among all of their benefits, is another one scientifically validated by a joint study at the University of Texas and Texas A&M. They found that the glyconutrient complex, when taken orally, actually raised glutathione. In fact, the glyconutrient complex raised glutathione levels in healthy tissue by 20%, and protected against depletion of gluthione by 50% when that tissue was subjected to direct toxic chemical assault.

The toxin used in the study is called patchulin, which is mycotoxin. The study shows a significant benefit in adding glyconutrients, even when subjected to toxic chemical assault. According to Dr. Les Packer at the University of California at Berkeley, a leading expert in antioxidants, you cannot eat enough food to get enough glutathione in today’s environment to protect you from free radical stress.

If you cannot eat enough food to do this, and you need it to protect your body from oxidative stress and cleanse your body, the only sensible thing to do is to take a dietary supplement that can raise your glutathione levels in serum (blood).

Article from: How to Survive a Toxic Planet

Hope, Health and, Opportunity: these are the three components of a successful and happy life. Mannatech helps make these goals attainable through progressive, scientifically-proven nutritional products. Mannatech’s goal is to empower you with the nutrients your body needs to stay fit, active and successful. Take control of your health and share wellness solutions with others by learning more about Mannatech's cutting-edge technologies which help provide what every body needs for optimal health.

Antioxidants

If there is a fountain of youth, it probably flows through a stalk of broccoli or circles around in an orange. These foods are rich sources of antioxidants—food substances that slow down cell damage and may improve immune function and lower cancer risks. Every day more research emerges that supports the health benefits of an antioxidant-rich diet. So, read on to find out how you can get more of them.

What do antioxidants do, exactly? Consider car rust. The main reason that a car rusts is that over time oxygen starts to wear the car’s body down, allowing for damage in the most vulnerable places. Oxygen works on your body over time, too, and causes rusting of the human sort—wrinkles, cancers and heart disease.

Antioxidants work to capture “free radicals” or unstable molecules that are a byproduct of oxygen. These free radicals damage your body’s cells, tissues and DNA. Cigarette smoke and excess sun exposure can also form free radicals.

But you can bind the action of these free radicals by eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods, protecting your skin from the sun and kicking the smoking habit. The table below details vitamin and mineral sources of antioxidants, how they protect the body and good food sources for them.

Antioxidants By Nutrient Type: Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc

Antioxidants include plant chemicals called phytochemicals that fight disease. Lycopene (tomatoes) and liminoids (oranges) are among many phytochemicals that are found in the foods above. Additionally, red wine, tea and chocolates are all sources of antioxidants that are at the top of MyPyramid. So, drink unsweetened teas, occasionally enjoy a couple of pieces of high-quality dark chocolate and limit your intake of red wine to one glass per day for women and two for men. There are also many supplements that contain these nutrients, but it is always best to get them from food.

Cut your disease risks by enjoying a variety of antioxidant-rich foods. Drinking from the fountain of youth is as simple as munching on a red pepper.

Hope, Health and, Opportunity: these are the three components of a successful and happy life. Mannatech helps make these goals attainable through progressive, scientifically-proven nutritional products. Mannatech’s goal is to empower you with the nutrients your body needs to stay fit, active and successful. Take control of your health and share wellness solutions with others by learning more about Mannatech's cutting-edge technologies which help provide what every body needs for optimal health.

Doctors and Supplements

It is amazing when a patient asks his or her doctor if a dietary supplement is all right to take. MD’s, with very rare exceptions, do not have adequate training in the therapeutic use of dietary supplements. They often know less factual information than some of the general public. It is never surprising when a doctor, who has no clue what a supplement really is or what it does, tells is or her patient no to take the supplement or says it could be harmful. Don’t ask a plumber how to fix your roof. Ask about your MD or DO’s level of training in natural supplements before asking them or advice in those matters.

Medical doctors are taught objectivity, but for some of them it seems to be selective. MD's are people, exceptional people, but people nonetheless. They cannot be expected to know absolutely everything that relates to health. Some rare MD’s do take additional training in natural therapies. ND’s (Doctors of Naturopathy) or NMD’s (Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine) are trained specifically in the therapeutic use of dietary supplements, as well as all the other natural therapies. Some, but alas, not all Chiropractic doctors are trained in the use of natural therapeutics, but on a limited basis in line with their health philosophies. Yet Chiropractors recommend more dietary supplements than any doctors, except ND’s and NMD’s. Some ND’s and NMD’s have both allopathic (medical) and Naturopathic training and some do not. All Naturopaths have training in the use of dietary supplements but the levels of knowledge can differ considerably.

More medical schools are realizing that the public demands natural therapies. Among Americans over 50, for instance, 65% surveyed say dietary supplements are a necessity. More courses in integrative, complementary and alternative medicine are being taught in medical schools. MD’s who can talk nutrition are in demand and are fast becoming prosperous, even famous. ND’s and NMD’s for the most part struggle to make a living. The ideal doctor of the future will understand both allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Hopefully Naturopathy survives and allopathic medicine converts. Only time will tell.

In 1989 the National Academy of Sciences did a full and complete re-evaluation of all vitamins and mineral and their requirements.

Then, in 1998, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commissioned a study that resulted in the now familiar, but rarely followed, recommendations for minimum antioxidant support from food. This study told us that we should be eating two to four servings of fruit, and three to five servings of vegetables every day to get the minimum antioxidant support from our food. Five to nine servings daily of fresh raw fruits and vegetables wasn’t terribly realistic. Of course, almost no one followed those recommendations. They were not only inconvenient, but the majority of Americans simply didn’t want to eat that much food each day. Even if they wanted to, it simply wasn’t economically feasible for millions of Americans.

Too often, refined food packages, with so-called nutrition facts labeled on the package, led people to think that they were getting more nutrition than they actually were. Our system of medicine has also conditioned people to think that as long as they are symptom free, they are well. Because people have no obvious symptoms and they believe they are getting adequate nutrition from refined foods, there has been no motivation to eat fresh fruits and vegetables in the levels recommended by USDA or NAS.

In the year 2000, the National Academy of Sciences evaluated only those nutrients that are known to be either antioxidants or catalysts for antioxidants. An antioxidant is a substance, which can neutralize and render harmless a free radical. Free radicals, which are not neutralized by antioxidants cause damage to your cells. These free radicals left unchecked, cause free radical oxidative stress disease such as cancer and heart disease. They also contribute to other illnesses such as diabetes, as well as the aging process itself.

The National Academy of Sciences issued a statement in January 2001. This statement said that Americans were getting approximately 50% less antioxidants from their food than had been previously estimated. They did not recommend a dietary supplement but recommended that Americans simply double their intake of fruits and vegetables. We were originally told to eat two to four servings of fruit, and three to five servings of vegetables daily. Do they want us to eat 10 to 18 servings of fruits and vegetables daily? Even if you wanted to become a cow grazing all day long on your 18 servings, can you afford to do that? Who has the time to do that? You’d spend so much time eating there would be no time for anything else. Foods have become so deficient since the fifties that some natural foods have to be consumed at more than 50 times the previous levels to get the same nutrition we got back in the 50’s. The foods may look the same but the similarity ends there.

All medical health care practitioners at every level are taught that we should be able to get our basic nutrition from food. This is based on outdated information that does not take into account the full spectrum of the threats and stresses to human health in the 21^st century. I want all people to eat right, fresh raw and natural as much as possible. Realistically, we know they won’t. But if they do not, their health will be compromised without essential nutritional support from scientifically validated dietary supplements.

Right now, the only thing that makes sense is to use dietary supplements to provide adequate antioxidant protection. Not all dietary supplements are created equal.

“Only 1% of the US population consumes a diet meeting the five food group recommendations that are the basis for the food pyramid in the Dietary Guidelines for America.” Am J Clin Nutr, 1997

Even the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finally entered the modern age by publishing an article that stated “Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone…It appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.” JAMA. 2002

That JAMA article was a huge step forward for medical doctors everywhere. There can be no doubt that dietary supplements are no longer a luxury. In the 21^st century they are a necessity!

Dietary supplements need to be in everyone’s monthly budget just you budget for food, fuel for your can, water, and all the daily necessities.

The Illusion of Health… “I feel fine”

Being symptom free is no the same as being healthy!!! The words “I feel fine” may be some of the most dangerous when it comes to health care.

When a virus, a parasite or bacteria enters your body you feel fine. When a cancer is growing in your body, you feel fine.

It is well known that 1 out of every two Americans will get heart disease. About half of those have no warning or symptoms. They “feel fine’ before they drop dead. Heart disease isn’t just about diet or lack of exercise. It is a free radical oxidative stress disease.

You must understand this point: we are not receiving enough nutrition from our food in any category, but particularly in antioxidants.

More than 75,000 synthetic chemical have been introduced into our environment since 1930. There are probably far more chemical compounds than that, because when two synthetic compounds meet in water and sunlight, they often create a new and totally unexpected compound. There is no way of knowing with certainly how many synthetic compounds exist on the plant today.

It’s shocking to know that only about 7% of the 75,000 have been tested for safety in adults, and only about 3% have been tested for safety in our children. Understand that the environment today is completely different than the environment our bodies were designed to exist in. No one can avoid exposure to synthetic chemicals and toxins, regardless of where you are in the world.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested people around the world, chosen at random, to see if any of them actually had toxins in their blood. This test for only 27 toxins out of a potential 75,000+, was conducted for the first time in the year 2000. The study, published in 2001, found that 100% of the people tested had 100% of the toxins being checked. There were measurable, and sometimes significant, amounts of all 27 toxins evaluated, including mercury, heavy metals and the breakdown products of pesticides and plastics. Plastics when heated produce dangerous chemicals.

All human beings are genetically and chemically unique. An amount that has little effect on one person may have a profound effect on another. Humans were designed to live on a pristine pollution free plant. Therefore, no amount of toxin is really acceptable.

The reality is we are all carrying toxins and they will have varying effects on each of us. Also two very important points. First, we have too little data on the effects of toxins as they relate to the onset of disease to say it’s not a problem. Second, being symptom free is no longer accurate gauge of your health.

Scientists have gone to the North Pole and found pesticides and industrial chemicals. There are no farms, no villages, no industry, and no people at the North Pole. Yet toxins created in populated areas are found in one of the most desolate places on Earth. Other scientists went to the South Pole and found farm pesticides and industrial chemicals in the fatty tissues of penguins. Why fatty tissues? Most toxins are fat-soluble. The more fat you have, the more toxin you can store. That alone is a reason to lose body fat. Fish in all waterways tested so far have been found to have pesticides and industrial toxins in them as well. This includes fresh water and salt water, warm water and cold water, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, rivers, and lakes. There are no exceptions. No matter where you are on this plant, you cannot escape these toxins.

It is important to keep you immune system at peak function at all times. You cannot do that through diet alone. You cannot wait until you are diagnosed. You must be proactive about your body, about your health. You must always think as though you are under attack, because in fact you are. Think defensively. Eat defensively. Take care of yourself properly and you will maximize your potential for a long and healthy life.

Pollutants, questionable farming practices, stress – these factors increasingly contribute to a growing healthcare crisis. Around the world people from different cultures, backgrounds and walks of life face a single threat – a decreasing quality of life and wellness. But there still is time to guard yourself against these dangers. Mannatech has championed revolutionary discoveries designed to help boost your body’s ability to stay healthy.

Can Glycomics Change the World?

Glycomics Highlighted in MIT Publication

The prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) describes the burgeoning science of glycomics research on sugars and their impact on human health as “one of the ten technologies that will change the world.”

While mainstream scientists have recognised and are investigating the potential of synthetic glyco-drugs, their efforts may require years to produce results. But the increased interest in the role of sugars in human health can expand the market for glyconutritional supplements today!

In the February 2003 edition of Technology Review, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology profiled the science of glycomics as a new technology that “…could have an impact on health problems ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to the spread of cancer cells.” Glycomics is the study of sugars and includes glycobiology—the study of the effects of sugars on living organisms.

The article detailed at least six scientific experts who are hard at work, trying to synthesize the thousands of sugars made by the human body. These researchers are funded mostly by pharmaceutical companies that hope to turn these sugars into drugs that will boost the immune system and heal disease.

“The reason for the excitement around glycomics is that sugars have a vital function in the body,” the article explained. “By manipulating…sugars themselves, researchers hope to shut down disease processes, create new drugs and improve existing ones.”

Medical research acknowledges that eight glyconutrient sugars are needed at the cellular level for optimum immune system function. Considering that six of these glyconutrients are often lacking in modern diets, Mannatech sought new and better sources of the nutrients. The effort culminated in the Ambrotose complex. Twenty patents – including one from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – have been issued to Mannatech for technology related to the Ambrotose complex.

* This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Health Tips

Do a Little, Get a Lot

The notion that good health can come in small tidbits is not really new. Research showing that making small changes can add up to a big difference has been quietly accumulating for a while.

For example, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2004 found that adding just 30 minutes of walking per day was enough to prevent weight gain and encourage moderate weight loss.

And if 30 minutes is still too big a bite? Another study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, found that three brisk 10-minute walks per day were as effective as a daily 30-minute walk in decreasing risk factors for heart disease.

But it's not only in fitness where small changes can make a difference. The same principles apply at the kitchen table (and the office snack bar).

Reducing fat intake, cutting down on sugar, eating a piece of fruit instead of a candy bar -- over time, these things can make a difference.

As long as the changes are moving you toward your goal -- be it weight loss, a reduction in cholesterol or blood pressure, or better blood sugar control -- you can get there by taking baby steps.

Try picking any three of the following 12 changes and incorporating them into your life for four days. When you feel comfortable with those changes, pick three others. Once you've incorporate all dozen changes, you should start to feel a difference within a couple of weeks.

To Improve Nutrition:

1. Buy whole foods -- whether canned, frozen, or fresh from the farm -- and use them in place of processed foods whenever possible.
2. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup, a calorie-dense, nutritionally empty sweetener that many believe is worse for the body than sugar.
3. Start each dinner with a mixed green salad. Not only will it help reduce your appetite for more caloric foods, but it also will automatically add veggies to your meal.

To Improve Physical Fitness:

1. Do a squat every time you pick something up. Instead of bending over in the usual way, which stresses the lower back, bend your knees and squat. This forces you to use your leg muscles and will build strength.
2. Every time you stop at a traffic light (or the bus does), tighten your thighs and butt muscles and release as many times as you can. (Don't worry, no one will see it!) This will firm leg and buttock muscles, improve blood flow -- and keep you mildly amused!
3. Whenever you're standing on a line, lift one foot a half-inch off the ground. The extra stress on your opposite foot, ankle, calf and thigh, plus your buttocks, will help firm and tone muscles. Switch feet every few minutes.

To Improve Stress Control:

1. Give your partner a hug every day before work. Studies show this simple act can help you remain calm when chaos ensues during your day.
2. Have a good cry. It can boost your immune system, reduce levels of stress hormones, eliminate depression, and help you think more clearly.
3. Twice a day, breathe deeply for three to five minutes

To Improve Sleep:

1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water. The scent has been shown in studies to promote relaxation, which can lead to better sleep.
2. Buy a new pillow. Studies show that pillows with an indent in the center can enhance sleep quality and reduce neck pain. Also, try a "cool" pillow -- one containing either all-natural fibers or a combination of sodium sulfate and ceramic fibers that help keep your head cool.
3. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed. You'll be giving yourself a boost of fiber and essential fatty acids along with the amino acid tryptophan -- a natural sleep-inducer.

Sometimes it's smart to target certain areas of your body for a little extra help and support. Mannatech's Wellness Management products let you deliver targeted nutrients that help you keep all of your body's systems healthy. It's smart to have all your systems stay in peak condition with Mannatech’s Wellness Management products!

What is Asthma?

People with asthma have sensitive airways. When they are exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.

About Asthma in Australia

• Over 2 million Australians have asthma.
• On average, 6 Australians die from asthma every week.
• 1 in 6 children and 1 in 9 adults has asthma.
• The highest rat of asthma is amongst people aged between 15 and 24.
• 40% of children with asthma live with people who smoke.
• Nearly 25% of people with asthma are smokers.

Things you should know about asthma:

• Asthma is a serious condition, but is can be effectively managed.
• Asthma varies for each individual – so everyone needs their own written Asthma Action Plan. Most people with asthma don’t have this vital tool.
• Reliever medication should be carried at all times by people with asthma.
• Many people with asthma could benefit from regular preventer medication, but do not use it.
• People with asthma can learn the signs of worsening asthma, and how they can best manage their asthma triggers.
• Asthma first aid training is available and may save a life.
• People with breathing difficulties should be encouraged to ask – could it be asthma?

Mannatech was founded to provide a vehicle for those who desire a purpose driven opportunity that addresses the two biggest concerns families everywhere face: their health and their finances. One leading economist has predicted that the wellness industry will become the next trillion-dollar industry due to an enormous shift taking place in the healthcare industry. Mannatech has positioned itself through its nutritional discoveries and patents to play a significant role. Mannatech's record growth is a testimony to the efforts of those who have chosen to share this amazing story of hope with those so desperately looking for answers.

Glycobiology

Glycobiology has now established that every cell in the mammalian body requires eight necessary sugar molecules in order to function effectively. These sugars combine with protein and fat molecules into glycoforms that attach themselves to the surfaces of every cell in the body. Under an electron microscope, they look like weird trees growing on the cell surface. One of their most important functions there is to allow cells to communicate effectively with each other. To the degree that these “super sugars” are deficient, cell-to-cell communication tends to break down and some form of illness starts to develop. Inadequate cellular communication means internal confusion and breakdown.

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

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