Supporting Men’s Health for an Active Wellness Lifestyle…

Research shows that men seek regular medical care less often than women and they’re more likely to choose unhealthy or risky behaviour. The more committed you are to choosing healthy lifestyle choices; the easier it is to maintain your health.

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and here are some useful tips to help Men maintain good health:

1. Routine check–ups are important to monitor heart health. According to the British Heart Foundation charity, men are more likely than women to develop heart disease at some point in their lives.¹

2. Don’t smoke. Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution and chemicals, as much as possible.

3. Limit alcohol. Imbibe in moderation, which means up to two drinks a day for men 65 and younger and one drink for those older. Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults means up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.²

4. Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish and free-range chicken. Limit foods high in saturated and trans fat, sodium and sugar. Supplement your daily diet. Containing lycopene, powered garlic, tomato and pumpkin seed, Nikken’s Kasai for Men (#2515) is designed to help contribute to men’s wellbeing.

5. Exercise regularly. It’s common knowledge that exercise boosts physical and mental wellbeing. Make sure you are supported in your exercise routine to avoid injuries. Wear suitable footwear and support your muscles during the harder training sessions and after. The KenkoTherm DUK® Tape (#4065) from Nikken is made from flexible cotton tape; it can help promote greater freedom of movement and can be worn while exercising or all day long. Take advantage of the current offer – buy 6 to receive one FREE (use code 88056).

Father’s Day is nearly upon us… what better gift for an active Dad then the Nikken  PowerBand® (#5216), a comfortable magnetic bracelet that’s perfect during sports and other activities.

This month of June, let’s celebrate all the Men in our lives.

1. https://blog.bhf.org.uk/cardiovascular-disease-is-it-because-im-a-man-6efd2dae5ba8
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

10th June 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Stay Hydrated the Smart Way…

Most of us have drunk pre-bottled water at some time. It’s sold everywhere – in supermarkets, corner shops, concert venues, theaters, etc. Can we even imagine not drinking pre-bottled water? Realistically, it’s important not only to imagine it, but also imperative to start practicing it. Planet Earth depends on us.

According to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report, between 75 and 96 % of the assessed area of Europe’s regional seas have a contamination problem.¹

Although most people are led to think of bottled water as being healthier than tap water, bottled water is not subjected to the same high level of scrutiny and regulation that the government mandates for tap water. In fact, the chemical pollution standards for bottled water and tap water are nearly identical – most brands of bottled water are simply filtered tap water.

Water is life and an Active Wellness lifestyle requires drinking plenty to maintain a healthy body. We also owe it to ourselves and future generations to minimize waste in order to save the environment. Producing less plastic waste bybreaking the bottled water habit is key to this effort.

Here’s why:

• In 2015 in Europe, 1,8 million tones of PET bottles were collected and recycled; this represents only 59% of the bottles sold on the market.²
• Along with plastic bags, plastic bottles are the most prevalent source of pollution found on our beaches and shores. Each year, plastic bottles are in the top 10 litters most found on coastline during collections in Europe. ³
• Once you add in the water needed to manufacture paper labels and transportation fuel, it actually takes closer to six bottles of water to produce one liter of bottled water.⁴
• From production to disposal, plastic water bottles contribute to air pollution. And many of the chemicals that go into their production continue to leach out into the air and into the water they hold.

Get used to taking a reusable water bottle when on-the-road and using a countertop water filter at home. Filtering tap water at home and from water fountains elsewhere can help remove impurities and make water safer to drink. Pathogens, dirt, chemicals and other contaminants are effectively removed by micro-, ultra- and nano-filters.⁵

As we look forward to other innovations, we can all contribute to the wellbeing of the environment by drinking filtered water instead of pre-bottled water.

Nikken is a pioneer in water filtration and helps us break the bottled water habit. The PiMag® Water Bottle and the PiMag® Waterfall feature state-of-the-art filtration that exceeds NSF standards. Both feature multiple filtration systems that help remove chloramine, chlorine, cysts, lead and bacteria.

1. https://www.eea.europa.eu/signals/signals-2018-content-list/articles/close-up-2014-an-ocean
2,3. https://surfrider.eu/en/le-blog/plastic-bottles-key-figures-environmental-disaster/
4. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/28/241419373/how-much-water-actually-goes-into-making-a-bottle-of-water?ft=1&f=1007
5. https://www.livestrong.com/article/152739-water-purification-advantages-disadvanages/

3rd June 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Connect with Mother Nature…

Grounding (or Earthing) refers to connecting with the Earth.  The Earth has its own energy in the form of a mild ‘negative’ charge.  In our daily lives we build up a ‘positive’ charge in our cells.  Our body is known to absorb the positively charged electrons from being surrounded by strong sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from electrical devices such as computers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to name a few.  Direct contact with the Earth, such as walking barefoot, can help cancel out the positive charge – restoring a healthful natural balance and is therefore an important aspect of Active Wellness.

Nikken’s NEW KenkoGround® offers a simple yet effective way to reconnect with Mother Nature. The KenkoGround® can help you make the connection to the Earth’s negative charge even when you’re working at the computer, sleeping in bed, exercising or doing yoga.

The KenkoGround® is 18 x 36 inches (46 cm x 90 cm) in size, made of feather light tripled layered fabric that is quilted together with silver ions. The 80% nylon and 20% silver fabric is conductive, with technology known as “vacuum sputtering”; prolonging and strengthening the conductivity.

Silver is the best conductor of electricity because it contains a higher number of movable atoms, however, silver is more expensive than other materials and not normally used unless required for specialized equipment like satellites or circuit boards.¹ At 20%, the KenkoGround® has an unusually high amount of silver in the fabric, making it an outstanding creation.

Nikken ensures the high efficacy of the KenkoGround® with exceptional materials, top quality construction and a water-resistant surface layer. Super easy to use, all you need is a grounded outlet to plug into. You can place the KenkoGround® under your bare feet, drape it over your shoulders or sleep on it. Direct contact is best, but even a small area of skin is enough for grounding.

Discover more at: https://bit.ly/2Hv1zD5

KenkoGround  (Product Code 88011)

1. https://sciencing.com/metals-make-good-conductors-electricity-8115694.html

20th May 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Nature’s Perfect Food…

Rich in the multiple benefits of nutritional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, enzymes, plant protein, fiber and many more…

Barley Grass is a true superfood.

Without the calories that come with anti-oxidant laden fresh fruit juice, Barley Grass powder is easily mixed with water. It’s loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), Folate, Vitamins C (ascorbic acid), E (alpha-tocopherol) and K (phylloquinone). It contains an abundance of electrolytes such as Magnesium, Phosphorous and Potassium along with other essential minerals such as Zinc, Iron and Calcium.¹

High in chlorophyll and beta-carotene, research suggests that Barley Grass can help stimulate the body’s natural metabolic and waste eliminating processes whilst strengthening and detoxifying the liver.²

By helping the body stay clean internally, Barley Grass can also assist the gut in propagating healthy bacteria – decreasing inflammation and other associated symptoms of ulcerative colitis.³

With these cumulative benefits, it comes as no surprise that Barley Grass can help boost the immune system. Regular consumption can help provide the required nutrition necessary for balancing the optimal production of immune cells.⁴

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Barley Grass powder is the best functional food for providing nutrition and helping eliminate toxins from cells in human beings. NIH comprehensive data shows numerous studies of Barley Grass that attribute super powers to the green food.⁵

Nikken has taken “Nature’s Perfect Food” and turbo-boosted it for Active Wellness. Nikken’s Organic Jade GreenZymes®  is made with organic Barley Grass and a proprietary blend of organic Acacia and organic Pearl Barley seed extract powder. Acacia is a source of dissolvable dietary fiber used to promote good bacteria in the intestines.⁶ Pearl Barley contains potassium, calcium and magnesium, which have been found to help decrease blood pressure naturally.⁷

1,2, 3, 4.  https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/barley-grass.html
5.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5904770/
6. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-268/acacia
7. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295268.php

13th May 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Support and Be Supported in Your Exercise Routine…

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer weather by exercising and practicing Active Wellness outside! Take your indoor exercise outdoors – walking, biking, yoga, tai chi and chi gung.

According to the American Heart Association, being more active leads to many health benefits including a boost in levels of good cholesterol, improved blood flow (circulation) and helping keep weight under control.¹ At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is recommended each week.²  This can be broken down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Since every minute of moderate to vigorous activity counts, adding two or three short walks a day would help achieve that goal.

If you’re not naturally active or need some motivation to get started, here are some ways that could help you get more active:

• Seek out people who will keep you motivated and accountable for your Active Wellness regimen. Many local communities hold clubs or events – find local exercise groups to join.

• Get a workout buddy who is in a similar physical shape as you. You can help each other stay on course and progress together. Make it a social time, not just an exercise time.

• Choose activities you enjoy.If you dislike running, don’t try to become a jogger. Zumba, Pilates or yoga might suit you better. If you have sensitive joints, swimming may be your best choice.

• Choose your preferred exercise time – If you’re not a morning person, getting up earlier to exercise will only demotivate you.

Whatever your choice of workout, a decent sport shoe is a must. Investing in a quality shoe can help prevent injuries and make your workout a more pleasant and comfortable experience. Nikken’s Kenko mStrides® offer dynamic energy flow and foot support to wearers. With their long-wearing surface, they do not absorb moisture or odour and they provide ventilation to help keep your feet cool.

Nikken offers you the perfect exercise support products to help achieve Active Wellness. The Nikken KenkoTherm® Support Wraps help secure your muscles and joints, so you feel confident during strenuous activities. They can help provide added support when your muscles feel strained. KenkoTherm® wraps are crafted of soft yet durable material that provide the ideal amount of stretch. In addition, the KenkoTherm DUK® tape is made out of 100% cotton with hypoallergenic adhesive and is water resistant. Take advantage of the current offer – buy 6 to receive one FREE (use code 88056).

1, 2. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/why-is-physical-activity-so-important-for-health-and-wellbeing

29th April 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Our Planet’s Most Important Living Plants are Tiny but Mighty…

Marine scientists and ecologists consider living plants to be the most important living organisms on the planet. The almighty single cell alga produces about 50 % of the oxygen used on Earth and our lives essentially depend on it. Algae (plural for alga), paved the way for the evolution of other single-celled organisms as well as those with multiple and/or complex cells, known as eukaryotes.

Algae come in many forms and have an interesting array of uses. They are susceptible to environmental change which makes them excellent indicators of water quality. For example, an overgrowth of algae (known as algal blooms) can clog water intake pipes and filters. Once algal blooms die off, a substantial amount of dissolved oxygen is used by bacteria to break down the organic matter, depleting oxygen levels in their water habitat; this condition is known as hypoxia.¹ In other words, aquatic ecosystems depend on algae to provide oxygen.

Aside from its formidable environmental impact, different types of algae – often known as seaweed – are sources of sustainable biofuel and found in common food items as well as cosmetics. Different forms of algae have varying commercial value – less known but economically important are algae used for fertilizer, feed for farm animals and fish. As soil-binding agents, algae are important in the healthy formation of soil to protect against natural processes such as erosion.²

Algae are an important source of nourishment in numerous cultures around the world. Most of us are aware of nori, Japanese seaweed used to prepare sushi. Chinese incorporate kelp into cold dishes that are served as appetizers or sides and into hot soups.

Not only is algae considered by many consumers worldwide to be a low cost source of protein, but it also provides a number of important minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc. Algae also contain several healthy elements including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins A, B, C, and E³; a perfect food to incorporate into an Active Wellness lifestyle.

The chlorophyll, produced in the algae, contributes to the oxygen supply of the skin as it is similar in composition to hemoglobin. Especially effective in skin care products, green algae have an amino acid content similar to human collagen. The TRUE elements® Marine Organic Skincare line is formulated with various combinations of seaweed extracts, namely Chondrus Crispus (red algae or Irish moss), Laminaria Digitata (brown algae, Oarweed, Irish seaweed or kelp), Ulva Lactuca (sea lettuce) and Crithmum maritimum L. (sea fennel). Containing minerals, trace elements and marine micronutrients, these seaweed extracts in the TRUE elements^® Ecocert certified skincare line help to gently cleanse, tone, hydrate and prevent signs of premature aging.

1.     https://www.in.gov/idem/files/factsheet_owq_sw_algae_aquatic.pdf
2,3.  https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-economic-importance-of-alga…

8th April 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

Longer days of sunshine are on the way…

Daylight Saving Time (DST), also called ‘Summer Time’ in many places in the world, is to make better use of daylight and starts on the 31^st March. We change our clocks during the summer months to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Although changing to DST only involves an hour’s difference (losing an hour in the spring and gaining one in the autumn), there can be a wide range of responses. Some of us don’t feel a difference at all, while others may experience a few days of fatigue from a change in sleep patterns due to having to reset our 24-hour natural cycle known as “circadian rhythm.”¹ Internally generated, our circadian rhythm may be influenced by the environment, behaviour and medications.²

In general, losing an hour in the spring is more difficult to adjust to than gaining an hour in the fall.³ It is similar to airplane travel; traveling east we lose time and may experience difficulty falling asleep at the “earlier” time. Going west, we may fall asleep easily at the “later” hour but have a difficult time waking.

If you have the foresight to plan ahead for losing that hour of sleep, you can go to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier than usual for a few nights leading up to the time change. This may help your brain and body make the transition more smoothly.⁴ You can also expose yourself to sunlight as early in the morning as you can. This tells your internal clock that it’s time to get moving. If sunlight is unavailable where you live, use bright lights to simulate natural light to enhance mental and physical alertness.⁵

For some people, it can take as long as a week for their circadian and sleep rhythms to adjust to the time change. Regular exercise at the same time daily may help you get back on track, as well as going to bed and rising on a schedule.⁶

To help block out light, which can aide for a better sleep, wear the Kenko PowerSleep® Mask with patented DynaFlux® magnetic technology. Enjoy a restful, refreshing sleep every night with the Naturest^® Kenkopad^®, KenkoDream® Quilt and Naturest^® Pillow, all available in the Wellness Home Sleep Pack.

1,2,3. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/coping-with-time-changes
4, 5. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/reason-daylight-savings-time-can-give-you-jet-lag
6. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/daylight-saving-time-fall-back-doesnt-equal-sleep-gain-201311016836

25th March 2019

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow