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What is it? Arginine is an amino acid – one of many ‘building
blocks’ of proteins. These building blocks can be arranged in
hundreds of unique combinations to manufacture body proteins.
These specific arrangements of amino acids determine what that
protein will ultimately become – whether it’s skin or hair or muscle,
or an enzyme or hormone that helps to regulate certain body
processes.

What does it do?
Arginine has several functions in the body; Arginine is used in the
manufacture of a variety of important compounds, including nitric
oxide which has beneficial effects on the heart. It also assists in
secretion of hormones and maintenance of blood sugar, and it also
supports the immune system.

Why is it important?
One of the most important roles of arginine is in cardiovascular
health. Nitric oxide, made in the body from arginine, helps keep
blood vessels elastic which improves blood flow and helps support
healthy blood pressure. Arginine is also involved in the production
of creatine, a substance that ultimately helps provide energy to
working muscles. Another role for arginine is in helping the body
remove waste products that are naturally produced during the
breakdown of dietary protein.

Where is it found? Our bodies can manufacture arginine, but if
we have inadequate intakes from the diet, particularly during
periods of growth, the body may not make enough to make up for
the short supply and supplementation can help to meet needs.
Arginine can be found in a wide variety of foods, including protein-
rich dairy products, meat, fish and poultry; vegetarians get their
arginine from whole grains like wheat and oats, nuts, seeds and
beans. Certain fruits, such as watermelon, contain citrulline,
another amino acid which the body converts to arginine.

David Heber, M.D., P.h.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.N.
Chairman of the Herbalife Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards

With holiday season at hand, many people will soon be looking for help losing a few extra pounds. Below, Dr. David Heber answers questions about losing weight.

Q: How does protein help someone lose fat tissue instead of lean tissue?
A: By eating enough protein to maintain your lean tissue while losing fat, you keep your metabolism revved up. Every pound of lean tissue burns 14 calories per day compared to only about three calories burned for each pound of fat per day. So keeping the lean and losing the fat helps you burn more calories at rest. This is also called the resting metabolic rate or metabolism for short.

Q: How does metabolism influence weight-loss?
A: Whenever you eat more calories than you burn through exercise and through your metabolism at rest, you will store the extra as fat. So having a higher metabolism can help you maintain your weight by balancing calories in and calories out. Exercises that strengthen your muscles improve your ability to burn calories at rest.

Q: What are the benefits of plant-based protein, or soy?
A: Soy protein naturally has a different composition than animal proteins that makes it healthier for your blood vessels, bones and kidneys than animal protein. Soy protein also has isoflavones, which together with soy protein as found in Formula 1, has an FDA-approved heart-health claim. That is why you see a heart on the label.

Scientific studies support supplementation for good health.

Not enough vitamins can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases. Learn how daily multivitamin supplementation can bridge your nutrition gap.

Vitamin Supplements Are Recommended for All Adults

Journal of the American Medical Association

Researchers have published a study recognizing the benefits of vitamins and recommending all adults take a multivitamin daily.¹ The authors reviewed more than 30 years of articles to determine vitamins’ effect on chronic diseases. Evidence indicated that not getting enough vitamins can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. That’s why Multivitamin Complex is an essential daily component of the Nutrition Program.

Green Tea Helps Protect Skin from Ultraviolet Radiation

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Everyone should use a potent sunscreen and limit exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In addition to sunscreen, studies have shown that both the consumption and topical application of green-tea polyphenols can inhibit the cancer-producing or inflammatory impact of ultraviolet radiation.² One study concluded that polyphenol extracts of green tea were effective topical agents to prevent the adverse effects of sunlight.³ Green tea is an important ingredient in several Herbalife products, which with regular use, may help resist the adverse effects of ultraviolet-induced oxidation.

1 Fairfield, K.M, Fletcher, R.H. Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Scientific Review. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 287:3116-3126.

2 Fairfield, K.M, Fletcher, R.H. Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Scientific Review. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 287:3127-3129.

3 Elmets, C.A., Singh, D., Tubesing, K., et al. Cutaneous Photoprotection from Ultraviolet Injury by Green-Tea Polyphenols. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2001; 44(3):425-432.

4 Katiyar, S.K., Elmets, C.A. Green-Tea Polyphenolic Antioxidants and Skin Protection; Review. International Journal of Oncology 2001; 18(6):1307-1313.

5 Katiyar, S.K., Bergamo, B.M., Vyalil, P.K., et al. Green-Tea Polypehenols: DNA Photodamage and Photoimmunology. Journal of Photochemical and Photobiology 2001; 65(2-3):109-114.

6 Nestel P., Shige H., Pomeroy S., et al. The n-3 Fatty acids Eicosapemtaenoic Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Increase Systemic Arterial Compliance in Humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002; 76:326-30.

By Luigi Gratton, M.D., M.P.H.

When our mothers told us to eat our fruits and vegetables, they were right. They are an essential part of our diet, providing a wide range of vitamins and minerals that serve an array of important functions in the body. Many people, however, are still deficient in their fruit and vegetable intake.

Not getting the message
Over the last several years, the U.S. Department of Health has recommended eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Yet, only one in seven achieve this quota. In fact, one-third of American adults eat only two servings of fruits and vegetables a day and are four times more likely to choose a processed snack instead. On any given day, about half the population eats no fruit at all.

A bushel of reasons
There is a rainbow of reasons to eat a variety of colors from the produce aisle. Fruits and vegetables are virtually fat free, low in salt and an excellent source of fiber. Some fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and cantaloupe, provide Vitamin A, which maintains eye health and immunity. Other fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and spinach, contain potassium, which is necessary for proper nerve and muscle functioning. Green vegetables, such as broccoli and asparagus, provide B Vitamins, which are necessary for converting food into energy. But all fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, the health-promoting components of plants. Scientific studies show that phytonutrients can help protect seven key organs, including the eyes, heart, liver and skin and they may also serve as antioxidants.

Antioxidant protection
Current research has measured the total antioxidant power of various foods, citing fruits and vegetables at the top of the list. Antioxidants protect our bodies from free radicals that can cause damage to cellular membranes. Antioxidants also boost our immunity, help make our muscles stronger and support bone and skin health. Since eating the recommended daily servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables is not always realistic, try supplementing your diet with appropriate products. Herbalife’s dietary supplement protects your health with the powerful phytonutrient and antioxidant benefits found in seven servings of colorful fruits and vegetables. It also supports your body’s vital organs by providing them with key nutrients.

So try to get in the habit of eating plenty of produce each day. It’s one of the biggest favors you can do for your body.

Since the “fat-free craze” began, statistics show we have grown fatter and fatter.

Just because a food is fat-free doesn’t mean it’s calorie-free. Get up to speed on “good fats” and lose the fat from your body, not your diet.
Today, supermarket shelves are packed with foods that call to dieters with the words “FAT-FREE.” But as conscientious weight watchers load up their shopping carts with fat-free foods week after week, many discover this alarming fact: their weight is going up!

Getting fat on fat-free
Since the beginning of the “fat-free craze,” statistics show Americans have grown fatter and fatter. Although we’ve been taught to think of fat as the culprit in the weight-loss battle, clearly this is only part of the whole diet picture. Just because a food is fat-free doesn’t mean it’s calorie-free. Many fat-free foods are actually very high in sugar and carbohydrate calories. And these calories, when eaten in excess, become converted into the one thing we’ve been taught to avoid–fat!

Lose the fat from your body, not your diet
Ironically, in order to burn fat and lose weight you need a certain amount of good quality fat. That’s why the importance of a well-balanced diet that includes enough “good fats,” such as those found in fish and olive oil, together with Herbalife’s highly nutritious meal replacement shakes and snacks.

By avoiding the fat-free craze and giving your body the complete nourishment it needs with supplements and weight-management products, you’ll lose weight steadily and feel healthier as you do.

By David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.

It seems everywhere we look, someone is promoting a new diet that praises the power of protein. But whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far beyond physical appearance and muscle building.
A necessity for every body

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an organic compound, composed of 22 amino acids, otherwise known as the building blocks of life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs and the body utilizes it to build and repair tissues, as well as for the production of enzymes and hormones. Proteins also make it possible for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a “macronutrient,” meaning the body needs relatively large amounts of it. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that our daily protein requirements should be 10% to 35% of our total caloric intake, with men needing slightly more than women. A lack of protein can cause loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, as well as weakening of the heart and respiratory system.

How protein affects your weight

The widespread popularity of high-protein diets is due in large part to their ability to help manage hunger. When protein is absorbed, it sends a signal to the brain to decrease your hunger. Another benefit of protein is that it raises your resting metabolism by maintaining muscle mass. As we age, muscle mass decreases without exercise, so staying fit is a key to burning fat by keeping your metabolism high. Protein also leads to a much less rapid rise and fall of blood sugar and insulin, so you avoid the “sugar highs and lows” after eating sweets without adequate protein. Certain foods, however, provide a healthier resource for protein than others.

Consider the source

You can obtain healthy sources of protein without high levels of saturated fat. For example, soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without much saturated fat and offer plenty of healthful fiber and micronutrients as well. If you’re looking for yet another great way to obtain healthy protein, vegetable sources of protein found in Herbalife’s Formula 1, are high-quality and have lower calorie levels with virtually no added fat. Herbalife products personalize your daily protein intake to match your body’s needs. With a variety of shakes and snacks, the ShapeWorks® program helps you build or maintain lean muscle while providing healthy weight management support.

Now that you’ve increased your knowledge of protein, you can effectively enhance your diet and allow good health to take shape.

Children who watch TV while eating are twice as likely to eat “junk” food as opposed to fruits and vegetables.
Today’s sedentary lifestyle for children is raising their risk of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and other disorders. Read how you can help reverse this alarming trend.

Today’s parents are having their pediatrician tell them their 11-year-old son has Type 2 diabetes or their 16-year-old daughter has osteoporosis. The “out-of-control” lifestyles fashioned by the adults of the past 40 years has led to a 50% increase in the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes–the kind of diabetes that used to be known as “adult onset” because this obesity-related disorder wasn’t usually diagnosed until age 50 or older!

Making wellness a family affair
If we begin to place an emphasis on eating healthy foods and increasing activity levels in our children, we can reverse these alarming trends. Here are a few guidelines for dealing with overweight children. Be sure the child has been evaluated by a medical doctor to assure there are no reasons why losing weight would be a problem. Children can begin their day with a  multivitamin tablet and a shake made with nonfat milk or soy milk.

Stopping the epidemic
Choose to set the example of picking up an apple instead of an ice-cream bar. Stop smoking. Turn off the television or computer and shoot some hoops with your children or go for a walk. Be sure to take your dog so you won’t have a fat dog at risk for diabetes and heart disease–yes, they develop the same diseases as humans! Let’s make the 21st century the century of wellness, family values and quality of life. Let’s start today.

Soy-based products are on the rise for very healthy reasons.

Promote heart health and overall wellness with the super power of soy protein. Learn how to get your recommended daily dose of this super bean.

The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. In 1999, the FDA approved a dietary health claim for soy foods, recommending an average daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein, with soy isoflavones, in addition to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, to reduce the risk of heart disease. This final rule is based on the FDA’s conclusion that foods containing soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of cardiac-heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels.
One of the ways that soy seems to promote heart health is thanks to its high content of isoflavones.

• Soy protein and soy isoflavones have been shown to promote healthy cholesterol that is already within normal range.
• Soy isoflavones help the body regulate estrogen levels, which may help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with menopause and PMS.
• Soy protein enhances the body’s ability to retain and better absorb calcium into the bones. Soy isoflavones help by slowing bone loss and inhibiting bone breakdown.