Fit for life

Something fishy is going on at Herbalife. No, it’s not scandalous or anything. In fact, it’s bound to be welcome news for people whose cholesterol levels are threatening to shoot up anytime soon.

The Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplement, says Herbalife Inernational Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Mario Rosenberg, brings down bad cholesterol of patients in double blind studies done in recent months. While they are not claiming curative properties, the doctor and his colleagues have noticed a reversal of coronary heart disease cases in some patients.

"Most diseases that have occurred in the past 20 years are self-created, and are made worse by lack of exercise and obesity," says Rosenberg, clinical chief of gastroentorology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA School of Medicine. He adds that omega 3 is one of the best oils in nature and could improve one’s general well-being, especially with the addition of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. And since vitamin E has been added to Herbalife’s omega 3 supplement, people need not worry about where to get their daily supply of antioxidant. Otherwise, one would have to eat at least four fish per week and continuously eat the peel of apple, potato, and other fruits (the richest source of antioxidants) to meet the daily requirements.

To differentiate from other omega 3 fatty acid supplements on the market today, Rosenberg only has this to say: "We conduct our product research right in our own laboratory, the Mark Hughes Cellular and Molecular Nutrition Laboratory, and I can guarantee that the ingredients are of the highest quality and what you read in the labels is what’s really in the capsule." And, he adds, one need not worry about side effects because it has none since it’s food anyway.

But before heart patients start chucking out their other medicines in favor of omega 3, Rosenberg stresses that, since this is a supplement, it’s still best to take it alongside prescribed drugs. After all, supplements are there to enhance and help the patient become stronger.

Besides, says Rosenberg, lifestyle modification is still one’s best bet to get rid of ailments such as diabetes, heart conditions, obesity, and others.

"The world has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Fifty percent of the world’s population are overweight. Twenty years ago, only 20 percent were overweight," he says, adding that obesity is now considered the largest epidemic of 21st century. "In the US, 60 percent are overweight and 34 percent of them are kids."

In Asia, he continues, obesity has become a serious problem. In the Philippines alone, 50 percent of the population are overweight, 15 to 20 percent of them kids. Studies show that obesity increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disorders. According to Rosenberg, food preparation and lifestyle have a lot to do with this alarming news. While food is abundant and cheap in these parts, it is of bad quality. More and more, families have turned to fastfood outlets for their daily nutrition, unknowingly stuffing themselves with fat, sodium, and what-have-you. Add to that the fact that man consumes more calories and doesn’t burn them just as well. You’re quite familiar with the scene: a person slumped on the sofa and sluggishly pressing the remote control buttons with his right hand, while his left hand dexterously switches from groping a large tumbler of cola and grabbing that yummy-looking pizza slice or burger bun. Or how about what this writer is doing now? Spending most of her time in front of the computer, constantly pausing to munch on some salty and sweet treats, which is her so-called "break." And exercise? Uh, what exercise?!?

Echoing a recent Discovery Channel episode on the mysteries of the human body, Rosenberg says that in order to lose weight, people should take in less calories (he calls it portion control) and be more active. He says soya protein, which is a main component in Herbalife’s weight loss programs, is an excellent hunger buster. And it only takes your creativity to make some of the best-tasting shakes ever using soya protein and fresh fruits.

According to Rosenberg, it’s never too late to start a healthy program for losing weight. As the members of Herbalife community attest, weight management is not as difficult as it sounds. It just takes determination and a willingness to change. Besides, going through the various weight management programs that Herbalife has been known for these past 20 years is safer than trying all those fad diets. As many an Herbalife distributor would tell you, "Herbalife has combined ancient herbal wisdom with the most advanced scientific research. We have a spectrum of healthy programs and products custom-designed with a person’s specific needs in mind."

"Parents need to teach their kids about food discipline. It should start right in the home. They have to be made aware about the dangers of obesity before it’s too late," stresses Rosenberg.

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To know more about Herbalife’s customized weight management programs and other health products, log on to www.herbalife.com.