The American state of Utah, long known as a place of natural beauty and varied winter sports activities, is also known a home for several companies who market a wide range of health and personal care products for a network known as Multi-level Marketing, or MLM for short.

At least two of these companies are based in the city of Provo Utah, located about 30 miles south of the capital, Salt Lake City. These companies employ literally thousands of distributing sales associates, who market in their company’s products on a “pyramid” sales bases in which each independent distributor is expected to ‘recruit’ a number of other people to be on his ‘team’. The idea of this technique is that, in theory anyway, the initial recruiter will receive a portion of the commissions that each team member earns, and so on, as long as other associates manage to recruit new distributors as well. As in all such marketing schemes, the few at the top are the ones who benefit most from this way of selling.

While this may sound good to potential new sales people, it doesn’t always work out as planned. Besides, with so many hands in the ‘pie’ it makes the cost of the products they sell much higher than comparative products sold in regular chain pharmacies and health products stores.

The activities surrounding the way these companies promote their products, and subsequent profits made by the ones sitting on top of the pyramid have resulted in company activities being investigated by U.S. government authorities as a result of allegations that not all revenues and subsequent profits are being accurately reported to tax and revenue authorities; and that end of the year profit and loss statements may have been tampered with. These activities are nothing new in American business, however, as recent scandals involving such well known corporate entities as Enron and WorldCom wound in the federal bankruptcy courts, and their top corporate officers tried and convicted of massive fraud.

Still, because of the way the pyramid sales companies operate, their activities have recently attracted the attention of “the revenue boys”, and once such company, with a marketing distribution force of over 600,000, is particularly under scrutiny for omission of large sums of money from its annual revenue report. The investigation has become so intense that the company’s former auditor resigned rather than be suspected of complacency.

Many of these companies have shares sold on the public stock exchanges such as the NYSE and NASDAQ. With agencies as the Security and Exchange Commission, the top federal regularity agency dealing in shares sold to the general public, and threatening to suspend trading in these company’s shares, the situation involving ‘omissions’ may be quite serious indeed.

This means that these companies are selling an inferior product, when in fact most of their products are of good quality. What it does mean is that these companies had better get their act together if they want to continue to keep operating.

Ever wonder who is largely responsible for make sure those vitamins and dietary supplements you take are safe and effective? In the multi billion dollar health products industry, one testing laboratory stands out as a leader in the health and nutrition products testing field. Known as Consumerlab.com, this independent testing laboratory tests and certifies a multitude of fitness and wellness products; many of which a large number of people take on a daily basis.

As an independent certification company, Consumerlab.com, usually known by their ‘CL’ initials, is used annually by a large number of dietary and healthcare products company to have their products tested and clinically certified before being marketed to the general public. In fact, this laboratory has tested and certified more than 1,800 products, representing mores than 350 brands, in the past seven years alone.

Just a few of the many kinds of products being evaluated by CL include: vitamins, health and nutrition products, herbal preparations, sports energy products, food and beverage products, and personal care products. One of the most common types of evaluations carried by CL are product reviews, in which samples of various submitted products are evaluated and compared to other similar products for quality and content reliability. In order to not be seen as patronizing any particular manufacturing company, CL purchases many product samples for several companies, and evaluates them independently before placing it’s coveted “CL” seal of approval on the tested product. Products tested, not only include well known ‘popular brands’ but smaller, less known brands as well, including what are known as “house brands”. CL selects a number of independent laboratories to conduct “blind testing” on products to which the actual manufacturer is not disclosed. The results of these independent tests are then evaluated in order to complete the certification process.

Upon completion of these testing reviews, people who are subscribers to CL’s services can obtain the final reviews for a number of products, enabling them to choose the products they want to purchase more prudently. If a product fails the CL testing, the manufacturer can resubmit it again at a later date for re-evaluation.

As CL’s testing and evaluations is strictly voluntary, it encourages manufactures to pay closer attention to the quality standards to go into the product’s manufacture. This is due largely to the positive reputation that CL’s testing and evaluation findings are in respect to more positive feedback on the part of the purchasing consumer. The CL certification label is vary important for manufacturers of sports energy supplement products due to the problem of various banned substances, including steroids, that could ruin an athlete’s credibility in an athletic competition.

Tested brands that pass CL’s stringent reviews and voluntary testing programs are later posted on their website, together with the CL “stamp of approval”. In today’s tough and competitive consumer market, having the CL approval label is a added boost to marketing a dietary, or fitness product to an already wary consumer public.

Ever wonder why people who consume large quantities of fish, especially tuna and other fatty fish, generally have less heart attacks and strokes that other people? The secret lies in the proven fact that fish, particularly ‘fatty’ fish like tuna, mackerels, and sardines, contain essential fatty acids, popularly known as Omega 3 fatty acids. Known by their scientific names of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids, Omega 3, which is also found in lesser quantities in tofu and other soy products, plus canola , walnut and flax seed oils, helps to reduce the levels of saturated fats in the bloodstream and helps prevent the buildup of arterial ‘plaque’; one of the major causes of heart attacks and strokes.

Japanese and other fish eating populations have been shown to have not only increased longevity, but a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease than people who consume less fish and large quantities of red meat and dairy products. In examining an average Japanese family’s weekly diet, it can be seen that a large amount of fist products, particularly tuna and other fatty fish are consumed, against a very small amount of meat and dairy products. As beef and other ‘red’ meats are very expensive in Japan, fish is the most economical choice to receive needed meat proteins. Of course, there is only one major drawback to high ocean fish consumption, that being the amounts of mercury and other metals often present in fish taken from waters polluted by industrial wastes.

Despite the possibility of these metals being found in ocean fish, it is recommended that people should consume sufficient quantities of fatty fish at least twice a week. Quantities of vegetable products which also contain quantities of Omega 3 fatty acids, especially walnuts, flax seeds, and canola oils, can be taken as well. Persons who have a diagnosed problem of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and high blood pressure, should take additional amounts of Omega 3, available in gelatin capsule form. This also goes for those who have an aversion towards eating fish, or due to a non availability of quantities of fatty fish, should take Omega 3 capsules as well. General dosage of Omega 3 in capsule form is at least two 500 mg capsules per day; taken during or after meals.

In addition to helping to reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and other related diseases, Omega 3 fatty acids have been found beneficial in helping to relieve instances of lower back pain, often caused by degeneration of the discs which are found between spinal joints and act as “shock absorbers” for the spine. This also holds true to neck pain as well; and Omega 3 fatty acids are being seen as being even more effective then certain types of paid medications.

It doesn’t take much convincing to show that using a natural approach to maintaining good health just make good sense.

A lot of information is being shown these days relating to how products high in anti-oxidants are very beneficial to increased longevity and better health. A new medical scanning device, know as the Biophotonic Scanner, marketed by a known multilevel marketing company, is alleged to be able to measure the amounts of anti-oxidants in your body which help slow down the ‘aging process’ in body cells, and can add as much as 10 years to a person’s normal lifespan.

For those who not aware, anti-oxidants are defense mechanisms against elements known as “free radicals” – those harmful agents found in air pollution, radioactive microwave and cell phone emissions, X-Rays, and even from sunlight (now more present than ever). To give an example of how free radicals react on human cells, place a sliced apple on a dish and within an hour it will already begin to turn brown. That process, as well as rust on iron and corrosion on other metals is known as oxidation and is the same destructive process that occurs in you body and causes deterioration of body cells, leading to old age and death.

By placing your hand on the bio-phonetic scanner, it measures in an instant your body’s anti-oxidant defense level, which in a healthy person should read about 40,000 carotene antioxidant molecules per scan. Carotene is a substance which causes certain vegetables to have their natural color; like carrots, for example. Stored in the body, carotenes produce certain essential vitamins, such as vitamin A, which are essential to good health. These carotenes are one of the main ingredients of anti-oxidants, which protect your body cells like lemon juice keeps an open apple from changing color.

Smokers and people who are exposed to heavy air pollution, including industrial pollution, auto emissions, etc., have much lower levels of carotene antioxidant molecules in their bodies, usually between 12,000 and 16,000 per scan. People who are very sick with chronic and terminal illnesses, may have practically no carotene anti-oxidants at all!

While the Biophotonic Scanner is a useful tool for measuring a person’s present anti-oxidant level it is unfortunately being used in order to market high price dietary and vitamin supplements, which are being claimed to be of much better effectiveness than what is normally available in pharmacies and health products stores. One can find products with virtually the same ingredients, at a much lower price, by simply going to a good quality health supplements store or pharmacy and seeking their advice for purchasing a good quality dietary supplement product which contains a full range of multi-vitamins and essential minerals.

One of the most frequent questions people have is whether it is safe to take medications, whether prescription or over the counter, after the expiration date printed or stamped on the side of the container. Studies made by prominent laboratories have found that not only to medications loose much of their effectiveness after the noted date, but may even be outright dangerous to one’s health. This warning is particularly true for prescription meds such as antibiotics which can change in composition and become dangerous, it not lethal to the person taking them.

Antibiotics, especially those in the penicillin and tetracycline groups can deteriorate as well as change in composition. Expired tetracycline can cause a skin infection that can be deadly, especially to those who are already sensitive to taking antibiotics. It is also recommended not to take iron supplements, multi-vitamins, of antacids with in two hours of taking a tetracycline based medication as its effectiveness will be significantly reduced.

Analgesics such as aspirin and similar medications loose their effectiveness significantly after they have become expired. They can also interact with other medications such as certain antacids, and like antibiotics should never be taken with alcohol.

Many types of medications are also affected by increased temperatures and high humidity in bathrooms; and as such, it is recommended to keep these medications away from exposure to heat and moisture. Even a kitchen cabinet can be too warm to store meds requiring a “cool, dry place”, as kitchen cabinets can absorb heat, as well as moisture from cooking appliances and dishwashers.

As expired medications are sometimes kept in family medicine cabinets along with more current meds, it is recommended to inspect the place where these items are stored at lest twice per year. All expired medicines and related items, including medicinal ointments, should be discarded immediately; and medications should be kept in a place where they are not reachable by small children.

It is also important not to use another person’s medication, especially a prescription one as it may have been prescribed specifically for a particular ailment that is not related to the one someone else takes the medication for.

A safe slogan to remember regarding expired or questionable meds: “when in doubt, throw it out!”

Vitamins and weight control supplements have been offered to people for many years now. The virtual “flood” of these products make them available in drugstores, health and fitness products stores (including mall chain stores like GNC), and by a myriad of internet and multilevel marketing companies. Vitamin products, ranging from lower priced ‘house brands’ found in chain drug stores (Wallgreens, Eckerds, etc.) as well as in discount merchandising stores like Target and Wallmart, offer multivitamin products that claim to not only provide much more that the body’s daily vitamin requires, but aid in helping the body lose or gain weight as well.

Each year in America and other Western countries, a number of deaths occur which can be traced to over consumption of vitamin supplements, combined with alcohol and use of over-the-counter medications, including amphetamines and anti-depressant medications. In addition, many people are taking high priced vitamins and food supplements which are sold by multilevel marketing hucksters, that are not only very expensive (due to so many ‘associates’ involved in the MLM ‘pyramid’), but potentially dangerous as well. Many vitamin supplements sold by both MLM companies, as well as over the internet, are made by foreign manufactures who may not be properly regulated in their own countries (usually with much lower standards that American products which are FDA controlled) but may have not been regulated properly in the U.S.A. as well.

Recent television consumer awareness programs have said that many Americans spend as much as $500 or more per month on these products, consumer as many as 20 different pills and capsules per day! Not only is there much doubt as whether these products actually do all they claim to do to maintain one’s good health, the over-consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements may actually create toxins within one’s own body that could lead to heart and liver failure, as well as a number of other
physical problems – many of them potentially fatal.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA for short) is trying to create legislation that will require more government regulation of these products, include who can legally purchase them. In addition to providing more regulation these products, the FDA is interested in making sure that people have more complete information involving the potential side effects or even poisoning from over consumption of vitamins and food supplements.

It is advisable to consult your family doctor in order to determine what types and quantities of these products you can safely consume, as well as any potential dangers. This especially true for persons suffering from a chronic medical condition, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and various allergies that are potentially serious, and even fatal .

While it’s great to try to improve your personal health by taking these products, like many things, they should be taken moderately and with an element of caution. After all, only one person is going to take care of you personal health, and that’s you, yourself.

Two common beverages that many drink frequently may actually prolong your life. These beverages, green tea and wine fermented from red grapes are both rich and antioxidants as well as highly effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Green tea, containing an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG for short) has been found highly beneficial in preventing and treating a number of cancers as well as reducing blood cholesterol levels. Persons who drink at least 4 to five cups of green per day, after allowing the tea to ’steep’ for at lest 3 minutes, have obtained health benefits far exceeding those who drink ordinary and ‘black’ teas. And caffeine levels are much lower as well. Drinking green teas is relatively new to Western cultures; but Asian people, such as the Chinese, have known of the benefits of drinking green tea for hundreds of years. This may explain why many Asian cultures have higher longevity rates than Western counterparts, as well as much rates of cancer and cardio-vascular disease.

Drinking Red Wine is also very effective in lowering blood cholesterol and this benefit appears to come from the poly phenol Antioxidants and Flavonoids found in the skin of the grapes. In many southern European counties, including France, Spain, and Italy, where large amounts of red are consumed regularly, blood cholesterol levels in many people are much lower even though high quantities of meat and dairy foods are consumed. These Antioxidants and Flavonoids are also found to prevent premature aging and actually slow down tissue degeneration, one of the prime causes of premature aging. Drinking at least 5 ounces of red wine daily, or a good quality grape juice made from red grapes, will prevent formation of fatty plaque deposits in the blood vessels, one of the primary causes of heart attacks.

Naturally, watching what you eat along with drinking these healthful beverages is also very important. But in countries like France, where people love to eat such high cholesterol foods as goose liver, cheese, and various kinds or red meat (often consumed raw) drinking two or more glasses of red wine at meals seems to neutralize the effects of the cholesterol. Of course, everything must be done in moderation, including drinking wine, which usually contains between 10 and 12 percent alcohol.

Asian people who live in coastal areas, consume large quantities of fish, which is highly effective in preventing buildups of saturated fats. This, combines with drinking several cups of green tea daily explains why many Asians live well into their 90’s with surpassing age 100 not at .all uncommon.

In short, the secret of living longer and looking younger may be found in what you drink on a daily basis.

This is a priceless short video. Watch the baby Panda!

This is a 25 minute show on medical matters.