As a Community Pharmacist and Assistant Clinical Professor, I am asked on a daily basis to explain complex scientific data and medical jargon in terms that the average person can understand. The purpose of this blog is to take the Eiroproducts and the componets of the Eiroproducts and explain them in terms that will make understanding clear yet concise. To my Medical Colleagues, this site is not intended for you, although I hope you find the content informative. There are other places where you will be able to find the more detailed information you seek. I will site references where appropriate and I encourage all to check them out for further understanding and study. If you ever have any questions regarding what you read here feel free to post a comment and I will attempt to answer you as best I can.
There is quite a heated discussion going on at Ty’s Blog regarding the safety of Sodium Benzoate, the preservative used by Monavie, Xango, Vemma, and a host of other “juice” manufactures. Coca Cola has already removed this preservative from all but 2 of their products, and will soon remove it from the other 2 once a suitable alternative is found. So what are the facts? Sodium Benzoate in combination with vitamin C is converted to benzene, a compound linked to cancer, blindness, headaches, confusion, and a plethora of other ailments. Most juice products, and certainly the functional beverages contain vitamin C. If you preserve these products with sodium benzoate, some of it will be converted to benzene. Sodium benzoate has also been directly linked to dementia in adults over 30 and hyperactivity in young children. A recent study now links sodium benzoate to damage to the DNA of the cell’s mitochondria. We are exposed to this chemical from many sources that we have no control over, so why in the world would you, by choice, consume a health beverage that contains sodium benzoate? Eiro does not contain this preservative, or any other preservative for that matter; never has, never will. Let the other functional beverage companies ignore the facts and continue to preserve their products with this dangerous chemical, that’s what a 98% company will do. A top 2% company will develop a proprietary method to make preservatives unnecessary. You can follow the discussions on Ty’s Blog here: Sodium Benzoate and Coca-cola
What is not in any of the Eiro products? The preservative Sodium benzoate, yet it is in most of the sports drinks, most of the energy drinks, most of the so called “healthy” juices and beverages your family gets at the supermarket. In fact, it is added to most functional beverages offered by other direct sales companies. This compound, banned by the soft drink industry in Great Britain, and called a neuro-toxin by some scientist, shows up in many products we consume daily. Are you OK with this? Maybe you won’t be after watching this video.
Eiro’s recently completed study showed that the Eiro Superantioxidant wellness beverage significantly raised the level of SOD in the body. Based on the number of questions I have been getting, most people did not realize the significance of this nor did they understand the study. Let me see if I can show you what a big deal this is without getting too scientific. First, this would be a good time to review the post on Eiro and the Fab-4 (GSH, SOD, CAT and CoQ10) here. To put this in football terms, if Glutathione is the body’s head coach, then Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is its defensive coordinator. So what does SOD defend against? — Compounds called ROS (reactive oxygen species). Among the most important ROS are free radicals. We have discussed numerous times about how bad free radicals are, but for a review go here. Cells have a variety of defenses against the harmful effects of ROS; the most important being SOD. ROS are essential to our health, so it is important that the attempt to limit the production of ROS not succeed too well—hence our defensive coordinator. Without some ROS our thyroid gland would not work efficiently and we would not be able to fight off infections. Our defensive coordinator (SOD) controls this process, allowing enough ROS to be beneficial, but not enough to cause cellular damage. As long as our bodies have enough SOD, this process works well and our cells are not subject to premature aging. Lack of SOD not only adversely affects our health, but our cells age faster. When SOD levels are topped off—like daily use of Eiro—the entire aging process at the cellular level is dramatically slowed down. To those of us 40 and above, this is huge, and the under 40 crowd that do not want to look like us when they turn 40, this is huge. It is very hard to find any substance that you can take orally that will raise the levels of any of the Fab-4. The fact that Eiro can significantly raise SOD is a very Big Deal! Take advantage of what you got your hands on.
I was talking to Founding Partner, Bo Short, regarding the improvements to Eiro’s already revolutionary comp plan. Bo Short said that never in 20 years of being involved in this industry has he seen a direct sales company throw so much money into their comp plan, especially on the front end and for newest associates. Creating a new rank on the top end is not uncommon, but Eiro has done this in a huge way with the introduction of Senior Vice President. Incentives for this rank include additional percentages added to EIRO’s lucrative check match and infinity bonuses as well as a global bonus pool. What sets Eiro apart from the other 98% of network marketing companies is their commitment to help the newest associate. For January only, Eiro has beefed up their very successful EiroStar program with a bonus program called TurboStars. The new Eiro TurboStars program will help new associates start earning faster than ever before. Founding Partner Ty Tribble has an excellent example on his EIRO Blog. To view his example click here.
In 2009, Eiro Research did something that no direct selling company has ever done: To be featured in 3 national publications during their pre-launch. Now in 2010, a company that is only 3 months old is to be on the cover and featured in the March issue of Success From Home Magazine. Along with articles from Author Andy Andrews and America’s favorite doctor, Dr. Oz it will feature the complete Eiro story with details on Eiro’s revolutionary new weight loss system, EiroFit. Eiro Associates can get copies now from Eiro Customer Service. This is just the first of many new innovations Eiro will introduce in 2010. With additions to the compensation plan, and new promotions, Welcome to the Future of Network Marketing!
As we begin a new year, many of us will reflect on 2009. We will reflect on what we did well, what we need to improve on, and even some of the things we did that we are not particularly proud of. Many will make a “new year resolution” and then beat ourselves up for not keeping it. For me, it was a time to reflect on Andy Andrews’ 7 decisions and if I could really implement them in this new year. For those of you that have not heard Andy Andrews speak, or are not familar with the 7 Decisions, I will reprint them here:
The Buck Stops Here. Adversity is preparation for greatness.
I Will Seek Wisdom. I will choose my friends with care.
I Am A Person of Action. I can make a decision and I can make it now.
I Have A Decided Heart. My destiny is assured.
Today I Will Choose To Be Happy. I am the possessor of a grateful heart.
I Will Greet This Day With A Forgiving Spirit. I will forgive myself.
I Will Persist Without Exception. I will find a way where there is no way.
I do not think it is possible to say which one of the 7 is the most important, but I would like for you, the readers of the Eiro Pharmacist, to reply as to which one you feel has had the most impact on your life, and why. For example, 2009 was a tough year for many, however there were also many things we can be thankful for. If we are truly the possessor of a greatful heart, then number 6 makes it easier for us to deal with a challenging year. Pick your own, post a reply, and let’s see if we can get a compelling reason for all 7.
A few months ago I posted a story about 1 of my classmates and aging, and how oxidative stress may play a role in the aging process. You can review that post here: Eiro and Aging. Sandy Short, founding partner Bo Short’s wife, has stated many times that the Eiro Pharmacist is one of the most detailed people she knows. Dr. Bill Misner, of Hammer Nutrition, has written an article in Endurance News that explains how antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and contribute to longevity with more detail than even I can muster. There are 173 references cited in this article that should give the detail people enough to keep them busy for quite a while. So Sandy, this is for you: Longevity’s Relationship to Genetic Signals and Antioxidants.
So what is the difference between regular Eiro Energy and the new Eiro Energy 25 besides 95 calories? One thing is how it is sweetened, which we will discuss shortly. The other is, the Cherry juice, the Pomegranate juice, and the Blueberry juice, which added 18 grams of carbohydrate, is missing. Instead, a natural fruit and vegetable juice mixture is added for color. Regular Eiro Energy is sweetened with the natural sugars found in the fruit juices along with Agave nectar. You can review how these ingredients add to regular Eiro Energy here. To cut the calories, Eiro had to make some changes without effecting the overall balanced boost we have come to expect. They removed the natural sugars and Agave nectar and instead added xylitol and stevia to sweeten Eiro Energy 25. According to Dr. Bill Misner of Hammer Nutrition, ” If there’s such a thing as a perfect sweetener, xylitol is at or near the top of the list. Xylitol is a natural substance that can be found in a variety of fibrous fruits and vegetables. It is also known as birch sugar, primarily because it is usually extracted/produced from birch trees.” Dr. Misner goes on to say, “The human body naturally produces over 15 grams of xylitol every day by way of normal metabolic processes.” A tremendous benefit of using xylitol as a sweetener is that metabolism of xylitol activates the Glutathione antioxidant system. (1) You can read more about Glutathione here. Because Xylitol is “digested” very slowly, it shares many of the benefits seen with Eiro’s Resistant Starch Technology. Because xylitol is not completely absorbed, it yeilds 40% fewer calories than regular sugar. Unabsorbed xylitol will act as a fiber in the intestines where the normal gut flora will produce short-chain fatty acids. You can read more about short-chain fatty acids here. Xylitol also prevents the breakdown of lean muscle by exerting a strong anticatabolic effect as well as improving fat utilization. It also helps to stabilize insulin levels and blood sugar. All of these effects are important, not only to dieters, but to athletes as well. Stevia is another ideal natural sweetener. It is extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South and Central America. Because it is 300 times sweeter than sugar, minimal amounts are needed to sweeten a product. Stevia is non-caloric and does not affect blood sugar levels. All sweetners (including sugar and artificial sweeteners) tend to make the body too acidic, which is not good. Stevia not only does not do this but tends to neutralize some of this acidity caused by some of our poor food choices. For all the athletes out there, stevia can help your body neutralize some of the lactic acid produced during your workouts. The flavor of Eiro Energy 25 is slightly different from regular Eiro Energy, which makes sense, with the 3 juices removed. However, the other ingredients, including the “energy and vitality blend”, have not changed. Both of the Eiro Energy products are very effective and each have their unique benefits. I do not want to take away from the original Eiro Energy, but for those who need a low calorie alternative, or want the benefits of xylitol and stevia, Eiro Energy 25 is truly a best in class product.
References:
1. Wang YM, Patterson JH, Van Eys J. The potential use of xylitol in G6PD deficiency anemia. J Clin. Invest. 1971 July;50(7): 1421-1428.
Ok, you have now read 2 post from the Eiro Pharmacist telling you why you feel full while using EiroLean. As a participant in the pilot study, I thought you would like to know if it really works. With the EiroFit program you use 2 meal replacement shakes, a paleo consistent supper, and 2 snacks in between. First, let me assure you that it really does work. Many times, after breakfast, I would get so busy that I would forget that it was time for my morning snack. Other times I would start getting hungry when it was snack time. Usually this was my Eiro Energy and a handful of almonds. I did not want to give up my Eiro Energy because it helps me focus and remove those after lunch “cobwebs” that seem to creep up in the afternoon. The good news is that this snack would hold me until it was time for my Lunch shake. For me, the toughest time, was between lunch and supper. Occasionally I would forget my morning snack, but I was always ready for my afternoon snack. This was again a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit. This snack would always hold me until supper. I rarely felt hungry with EiroLean, and if I did, the snack would curb my appetite until it was time for the next shake.
We have discussed the benefits of resistant starch, but there are 2 other ingredients of EiroLean that are just as important, and make the resistant starch more effective; Fiber and Protein. Fiber has 2 types, insoluble and soluble. The most important type in regards to weight loss is the soluble type. Here’s why. Fiber is bulky, so it tends to make us feel full. Insoluble fiber moves out of the stomach fast, unless there is fat, protein, or…soluble fiber to slow it down. Soluble fiber, like the ground oat bran found in EiroLean, slows down stomach emptying which keeps us feeling full longer. Because the contents of the stomach enter the small intestine more gradually, satiety is maintained longer. In the small intestine soluble fiber also slows things down, which helps to maintain feeling full. By the time this satiety effect is wearing off, the resistant starch is now entering the large intestine, where the process of digestion by the gut flora creates the SCFAs (discussed in the previous post) that help us burn fat, and thus add to our satiety. So how does protein factor into this? As a macronutrient, protein, especially high quality protein like the Whey Isolate found in EiroLean, helps curb your appetite by releasing a hormone called PYY. This hormone works by slowing the gastric emptying and directly suppressing appetite.(1) Now we have 2 mechanism slowing down the stomach emptying and keeping us feeling full longer untill the resistant starch can do its thing in the large intestine. All 3 of these mechanisms: resistant starch, soluble fiber, and quality protein, allows us to consume a 230 calorie shake and make the brain think we just had a 500 calorie meal. When you can restrict calories this way, weight loss is more manageable and success is more probable.
References:
1. Murphy KG, Bloom SR, December 2006. Gut hormones and the regulation of energy homeostasis. Nature 444 (7121): 854-9.