Traditional Asian Diet – Is it Worth Trying?

Traditional Asian Diet Review

The Traditional Asian Diet has a number of names, but it is essentially a plant-dense diet with rice and generous portions of fish and other seafood.

How Does The Traditional Asian Diet Work?

Since the idea of a “traditional” Asian diet actually utilizes the cultural habits and customs of several countries, you shouldn’t be surprised to know that there are no hard or fast rules about what you can and cannot eat. There is no calorie counting or need for portion control either.

The components of the Asian diets shouldn’t surprise you either. Rice is the main component, and it is eaten at every single meal. Sometimes it is the only available dish in poorer households. In fact, 90% of the 350 million tons of rice eaten annually is eaten in Asia.

The other component is a generous portion of vegetables, which are consumed at least in two meals per day.

However, most Traditional Asian diets are not vegetarian – animal protein is commonly consumed in the form of fish and seafood. Just a decade ago, the average consumption of fish was measured at 154 pounds per person, per year. Beef on the other hand is rarely eaten, but chicken and eggs are included on a more frequent basis.

The Power of Plants

Asian cultures have always been known for relying heavily on plant foods. This is why they eat less saturated fat, and consume more fiber in their diet. Fiber is known to help protect the body from various digestive issues, as well as chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease.

Plant foods also are consumed to satisfy protein requirements. Soy foods such as tempeh and tofu are key components in many Asian cultures, along with beans and legumes, which may be added to dishes like stir-fried vegetables.

Root vegetables are extremely popular in Asia because they are easy to grow and distribute. They are also filling and nutritious and a true traditional Asian diet would not be complete without them.

These foods include vegetables like turnips, yams, carrots, beets, winter squash, and potatoes. Root vegetables are high in fiber and essential nutrients, and they may protect against various diseases. Foods like carrot and beets contain powerful antioxidants that may protect and heal the body.

Vegetables are normally severed lightly cooked, which preserves the nutrient portfolio as well as the fiber content in the vegetables. This also enables yout body to absorb more nutrients from many vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, peppers, and cabbage.

Fruits are not eaten quite as much, but they are still consumed. Traditional fruits like bananas are eaten, as well as pineapples, oranges, plums, and lemons. However, the Asian diet is known for eating stranger looking fruits like durian, which is known as the “King of Fruits.”

Traditional Asian Diet Health Benefits

The traditional Asian diet offers many health benefits that many other diets cannot offer.

In a recent clinical trial conducted at the Joslin Diabetes Center, adults considered at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes significantly improved insulin resistance by strictly following a traditional Asian diet.

The high fiber consumption in the traditional Asian diet is known to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. This is why fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are emphasized. After a study at the National Institutes of Health examined group of 50,000 Japanese men over a 14 year period, researchers clearly connected high fiber intake with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The World Cancer Center recommends a plant based diet for decreasing the risk of developing certain types of cancer as well, noting that high fiber intake is especially important to prevent bowel cancer.

Turmeric, an Asian Indian herb containing the powerful extract curcumin, is part of the spice blend used to make curries and a number of other dishes. Curcumin has been shown to treat a number of neurological disorders and it has been shown to improve overall memory capacity of Alzheimer patients.

Green tea is also widely consumed in many Asian cultures, and the antioxidant and weight loss properties of green tea are well known. In addition, the catechin in tea is widely thought to be the key ingredient in green tea to protect against heart disease, cancer, and liver disease. Current studies suggest green tea may be able to prevent metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity.

Traditional Asian Diet Conclusion

The traditional Asian diet offers a plant-first approach to cultivating long-lasting health. There’s a reason many Asian cultures live longer than people living in the U.S. and in Western Europe.

The additional Asian diet creates a plant-hearty diet that is neither boring nor tasteless. A variety of spices are used to create exotic, unique dishes that provide both excellent test and essential nutrients.

For people who enjoy a variety of vegetables and seafood, and aren’t big red-meat eaters, the traditional Asian diet is the perfect fit.

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Kate Ryan Nutritive Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover

Kate Ryan Nutritive Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover ($40/4 oz.) is an oil-based product to be used as the first step in a skin care routine. It is massaged in to dry skin and then rinsed off. After using it twice daily for a month, I find it to be most gentle but not very effective.

I am a 50-year-old white woman living in the Midwest. My skin is aging — for me this means thinning with a little bit of dryness. I have some lines, mainly around my eyes, which are not really deep enough to be called wrinkles. My skin tone is mostly even. I’m comfortable going without makeup, but there is always room for improvement. Oils have been a good choice lately. While not hydrating, like a cream, they have more of a suppling effect and seal in moisture.

This product is meant to be used quickly. It’s rubbed in and then rinsed off. This alone did not feel clean, nor was it particularly moisturizing. My face felt gritty and tacky. A swipe of a toner pad or cotton square would reveal residue. I went to a Sephora and had one of the sales ladies make me up so I could test its ability as a makeup remover. I’m sorry to say that it barely smeared the mascara that wasn’t even waterproof. My eyes were gummy with oil, and still I could see liner and even some shadow sparkles. On the plus side, it did not irritate my eyes at all. 

Kate Ryan Nutritive Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover is made with many healthy ingredients. Nothing is meant to be harsh or unnatural. I hated to give up on such a thoughtfully made product. It starts with castor seed, jojoba, pomegranate seed and wheat germ oils for softness and brightening. There is the addition of coconut based fatty acids for cleansing. Actives include DMAE to promote firming, CoQ10 to fight wrinkles and age spots and resveratrol to combat free radicals.

There are other antioxidants included. Both green and white tea extracts combined with billberry fruit, lycopene, beta carotene and astaxanthin are included to fight free radicals  that can cause inflammation, discoloration and aging. The solvents using for preserving are even sourced from nuts. 

But how effective can the actives be if they’re only left on the skin for a mere seconds as a wash? Was there another, better use for this?

I tried it as a pre-treatment, massaging it in to my skin and then leaving it sit for a few minutes before washing with another cleanser. I tried a bar, a cream and a gel cleanser on top of the oil. The best results came from washing with the bar. Letting the oil sit for a bit was marginally beneficial. I would see some hydration and a bit of a glow at first, but my skin still required additional moisturizing, and many times I didn’t have the patience or the time to “cook.”

The next test was using it as I use my other facial oils. I apply these, as needed, after serums but before creams. This was completely unsuccessful. This made my face feel tight and itchy. This is definitely not a leave-on. Removing with tissue rather than rinsing with water also caused this reaction. 

I used it as a mask in the shower. It was best to apply after I’d been showering, so my pores were open while it was all steamy. But then my face was wet and it would tend to slide off. Spreading it on before stepping in the shower tended to make my face sweat. 

It was too heavy and greasy for hair.

In conclusion, this was not something I would regularly use. It was not powerful enough in any way. But that may also be its greatest strength. It was so mild and gentle; I experienced no negative side effects, even when I left it sit on my face all day. It was non-irritating and did not clog my pores. Many of the reviews already done for this product were from rosacea sufferers. They loved it, and I can understand why. This is something for very sensitive skin. 

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Tips on Using E'shee Clinical Esthetic (VIDEO)

E'shee Clinical Esthetic makes incredibly powerful, effective skin care — their Elixir of Life KI Therapy Serum ($189 in the shop) is one of my personal favorites — but their packaging can be a bit unusual. I have been using their serums for years and, after being asked by Truth in Aging community members, want to offer these tips on how to get the best out of them!

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Platelet Rich Plasma – Natural Healing Abilities

Platelet Rich Plasma Guide

Platelet Rich Plasma is a unique formula used to treat sprained knees and tendon injuries. The treatment was made popular by famous athletes like Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal. Here’s our guide to using Platelet Rich Plasma.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelet rich plasma, also known as PRP, is a healing formula made from your own blood. That formula has been extensively publicized in recent years for its ability to heal sprained joints and sore tendons.

PRP has received major endorsements from famous athletes like Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal, among others. Other athletes have credited PRP with helping them return to competition more quickly.

So what exactly is platelet rich plasma? Well, our blood is mainly a liquid known as plasma. That plasma also contains certain compounds like red cells, white cells, and platelets. All of these compounds play a critical role throughout the body.

Platelets, however, play a particularly important role when healing injuries. We best know platelets for their ability to clot blood – like when we receive a cut. But platelets are also rich with hundreds of different proteins called growth factors. Growth factors play a critical role in the healing of injuries.

By filling our body with platelet rich plasma, we may be able to kickstart our body’s natural healing processes.

Platelet rich plasma has 5 to 10 times higher concentrations of platelets compared to ordinary plasma.

How is Platelet Rich Plasma Made?

To make platelet rich plasma, a specialist must first draw blood from the patient. Then, the specialist separates platelets from other compounds in the blood. Using centrifugation, the specialist then increases the concentration of platelets. Finally, the plasma with the higher concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood.

In layman’s terms, platelet rich plasma is made using your own blood. That blood goes through a special process that concentrates the most valuable components – called platelets – so it can be re-added to your body for its healing powers.

How Does Platelet Rich Plasma Work?

After creating platelet rich plasma, that blood is carefully injected into the injured area of your body.

At this point, scientists aren’t entirely sure how platelet rich plasma works – or even if it works better than ordinary blood. The procedure is still relatively new and more research needs to be performed to determine exactly how it works.

Nevertheless, platelet rich plasma is thought to work by directly putting platelets where they need to go in the body. The platelets are immediately used by your body to boost the healing process.

PRP can be used to heal an injury like Achilles tendonitis, for example. Achilles tendonitis causes the heel cord to become swollen, inflamed, and painful. Using PRP and local anesthetic, a specialist will inject the solution directly into the inflamed tissue. Typically, this increases pain in the region for a few weeks after the initial injection. In the long run, however, the patient experiences a reduction in pain and faster healing from injury.

PRP can also be prepared in a special way that lets it be stitched into torn tissues. This is useful for treating injuries where the tendon is severely torn or separated – for example, torn heel cords that require surgery. By stitching PRP into these wounds, physicians may be able to expedite the healing process.

Which Conditions Can Be Treated with PRP?

PRP can be used to treat a variety of injuries. As mentioned above, more studies need to be performed to determine which procedures work best with PRP. Factors that influence the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma treatment include:

— The Area Of The Body Being Treated
— The Overall Health Of The Patient
— Whether The Injury Is Acute (like when you cut yourself) or Chronic (an injury that developed over a longer period of time)

Today, PRP has proven to be particularly effective at treating:

— Chronic Tendon Injuries (knee and elbow injuries are particularly popular)
— Acute Ligament And Muscle Injuries
— Post-Surgery Healing (especially tissue surgeries)
— Knee Arthritis
— Fractures

A few types of treatments are more popular than others, including osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip, and spine, as well rotator cuff tears, chronic plantar fasciitis, ACL injuries, pelvic pain and instability, back and neck injuries, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, tendinitis, and ligament sprains.

How to Undergo Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment

Platelet rich plasma treatment is now being offered at clinics around the world. With a quick Google search, you should be able to find a clinic or facility in your area offering treatment.

PRP procedures typically take 2-3 hours, which includes preparation and recovery time. PRP treatments are performed safely in medical offices. The procedure is completed without the risk of surgery, general anesthesia, or lengthy hospital stays.

Procedures are also not associated with long recovery times – one clinic claims that “most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.”

The one “catch” with PRP treatment is that it needs to be performed multiple times. Up to three injections may be given within a six month timeframe. However, a large number of people will experience significant relief from their injuries soon after experiencing the first or second injection.

Within the first 2 weeks of PRP treatment, you should notice increased pain in the targeted part of your body. Between weeks 2 and 6, however, you should experience a gradual reduction of pain.

The History of PRP Treatment

PRP first began being researched in the 1970s. It wasn’t until 1987, however, that PRP was first used in surgery. PRP was used in an open heart surgery procedure in Italy in 1987.

After successfully being used in that procedure, PRP grew in popularity starting in the mid-1990s. Today, it’s been applied to a variety of medical fields, including cosmetic surgery, dentistry, sports medicine, and pain management.

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Mirth Provisions Drift – 100mg THC In A Spray Bottle

Mirth Provisions Drift Review

Mirth Provisions Drift promises to offer the ease of a vape pen without the smoke. It also contains 100mg of THC in each bottle. Here’s our Mirth Provisions Drift review.

What is Drift?

Mirth Provisions Drift is a sublingual spray (you spray it under your tongue) that contains 100mg of THC in each bottle.

You spray it under your tongue, hold it there for 30 seconds, and then you’ll “be enjoying a smooth, subtle body high” within 5 to 15 minutes.

Every spray of Drift contains 1.6mg of THC – so you can “build your own experience”, in the words of the manufacturer (i.e. you can get as high as you want).

The product was just recently released on September 30, 2015, according to a press release on the company’s official website.

The product is available on store shelves across Washington State. Because it’s a marijuana product, Drift is only available to people 21 years of age and over.

How Does Drift Work?

Mirth Provisions claims to work like a vape pen without the smoke. You can bring it to bars, concerts, parties, etc. and use it discretely.

Drift’s delivery system is known as Gravitine. That trademarked system is exclusive to Drift and claims to “enhance bioavailability” to quickly deliver the full range of cannabinoids in THC directly into your bloodstream.

Ultimately, this means Drift enters your body four times faster than traditional smoked marijuana and is three times more potent than conventional tinctures.

Drift also claims to be healthier than smoking and “easier to control than edibles”. It also doesn’t taste bad – unlike some marijuana tinctures.

The unique taste of Drift comes from its combination of peppermint oil with “100 milligrams of Washington’s finest cannabis”. The first batch of the product is called Wind River Mint (because of the peppermint flavor).

How to Buy Drift

Drift is currently only available in Washington State (recreational marijuana usage is legal across Washington State).

You can view a list of locations where you can buy Mirth products on their website. Based on the numerous dots all across the map, Drift is available at just about every smoke shop across all of Washington State.

Oregon just legalized recreational marijuana usage in October 2015. Drift may expand into major Oregon cities over the coming months. Currently, the product has a presence in border cities like Vancouver, Washington and Bingen, Washington (just across the Columbia River from Oregon).

About Mirth Provisions

Mirth Provisions is a Washington-based marijuana products retailer. The company does not list its address online and is not listed on the Better Business Bureau.

However, you can contact the company today by calling 360-519-7783 or by emailing hi@mirthprovisions.com.

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The Truth About Facial Massage and Lymphatic Drainage

Trending now — especially in the UK — is facial massage and lymphatic drainage. There are various types of massage, from manual to electronic pulses (ultrasound frequency or microcurrent), or specific techniques such as Reiki, and they are being seen as effective and non-invasive alternatives to fillers and Botox. And, finally, science is beginning to support the anecdotal evidence that massage techniques help combat aging by helping the penetration of active ingredients, boosting sagging skin and detoxifying the body.

Massage and penetration of actives

University of California researchers have tentatively concluded that massaging the skin may influences product penetration and retention, although they urged for more research to be conducted.

Massage and blood flow

A study in Thailand demonstrated that facial massage increased blood flow to the skin.

Massage and the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is part our circulation and vital to the immune system. A network of lymphatic vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph (from Latin lympha meaning water). It is important that this fluid is able to circulate and be kept free of toxic build up as the lymphatic vessels are indispensable in collecting waste products. All of this plays an important role in the maintenance of healthy skin.

Lymphatic drainage and aging skin

There seems to be evidence that lymphatic drainage could keep us younger looking.  Recently I wrote about some very interesting research backed by Japanese cosmetic group Shiseido that concluded that impaired function of lymphatic vessels leads to accumulation of subcutaneous fat, which causes skin sagging.

The same study went on to claim that pine cone extract from Pinus Sylvestris can strengthen and normalize the lymphatic vessels. Tests were conducted for two months with a trial product formulated with pine cone extract and showed a reduction of nasolabial and facial lines, as well as neck sagging.

Manual massage

There are a million and one techniques so you’ll need to find a therapist or DIY version that works for you. Truth In Aging community member Pam told us about the pressure point version that Red Flower advocates. This is based on acupressure at 11 points on the face to help relieve the signs of stress by relieving underlying muscle tension and stimulating the lymphatic system. Red Flower even has a cleanser with ingredients to help the lymph system.

Electronic massage

Not only do microcurrent and ultrasound boost the production of collagen and elastin, they increase blood and lymphatic circulation.  I have certainly seen the evidence that they give a lift to sagging skin. For more on ultrasound, see our LED and ultrasound device, Truth Vitality Lux Renew and for microcurrent, see Truth Rejuvenate.

Beta glucan and lymphatic drainage

β-glucans are notable for their ability to modulate the immune system. Not only are they immune cells that ingest and demolish invading pathogens, they give out a rallying cry to stimulate other immune cells to join in the attack.

Featuring prominently in La Vie Celeste Eclairage Restorative Serum ($98.50 in the shop), beta-glucan isn’t the only ingredient here that helps prevent sagging skin, there’s also a peptide called caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 (also known as ChroNoline). Stemulation’s Boost Crème ($75-$140 in the shop) also gives beta-glucan pride of place. And you will be impressed by our reviewer’s before and after pictures.

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Tianeptine – Popular Anti-Depressant Medication

Tianeptine Review

Tianeptine is the chemical name for popular anti-depressive medications like Stablon, Coaxil, Tatinol, Tianeurax, and Salymbra. Here’s our review of how Tianeptine and what it does.

What is Tianeptine?

Tianeptine is an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication. Unlike many other types of anti-anxiety medication, Tianeptine lacks sedative side effects. It also has not been linked to any cardiovascular problems.

Tianeptine has been around since the 1960s and is particularly popular in Europe (the drug was patented and first approved in France). Coaxil is commonly prescribed throughout Europe and some parts of Asia for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and anti-depressive effects.

However, Tianeptine is not available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, or the United States.

How Does Tianeptine Work?

Tianeptine acts as a neuroprotective antidepressant. It works by reversing the neuronal damage and lasting misery caused by chronic, uncontrolled stress.

The drug works differently from other anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications because it acts as a selective serotonin reuptake enhancer. Most anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications work as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which mean they raise serotonin levels within the brain.

As Tianeptine.com explains:

“[Tianeptine’s] puzzling efficacy as an antidepressant illustrates how little modern psychiatric medicine really understands about mind, mood and depression.”

Warning: unless you’ve studied the brain, you probably won’t understand the next few sentences. In July 2014, researchers examined Tianeptine and mad some surprising discoveries about how it worked:

“A breakthrough in tianeptine research was announced in July 2014 with the unexpected discovery that tianeptine is a full agonist at the mu and delta opioid receptors with negligible effect at the kappa opioid receptors. Selective mu opioid agonists in the brain’s “hedonic hotspots” typically induce euphoria. Selective kappa agonists typically induce dysphoria. The role of central delta opioid receptors is poorly understood. Dual activation of the mu and, less potently, delta opioid receptors may be critical to tianeptine’s mood-brightening and anxiolytic effect.”

Basically, Tianeptine acts on receptors that are poorly understood by researchers – but nevertheless appear to be linked to major anti-depressive benefits.

How to Buy Tianeptine

Tianeptine is available widely throughout the world, including many parts of Europe and Asia.

Notably, the drug is not available in many other western countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

When buying the drug in other parts of the world, here are the brand names used:

— Tatinol (China)
— Tianeurax (Germany)
— Zinosal (Spain)
— Coaxil (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Ukraine).
— Stablon (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela).

Online, the powder typically retails in 1 gram tubs for $10 to $15.

How to Use Tianeptime

The typical dosage for Tianeptine is 12.5mg. Typically, you buy the substance in tubs of around 1 gram (which costs between $10 and $15).

At this dosage, users should feel the relaxation effects of Tianeptine as well as its focus-enhancing benefits. By calming the mind, many people find they feel more focused at school or work.

The primary benefits of Tianeptine, however, are a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in mood. This is why the powder is particularly popular with those who suffer from anxiety and mood disorders.

Tianeptine and Its Nootropic Benefits

On the internet, you’ll find plenty of stories of people taking Tianeptine for its nootropic effects on the brain. These people are taking Tianeptine because of one study published in 2014 that demonstrated that Tianeptine could improve cognition.

That study was published in the September 2014 issue of Psychiatry Research. As part of that study, researchers examined a total of 35 studies involving various pharmaceuticals used to treat cognitive impairment and dysfunction.

Cognitive improvements were not a focus in most of these 35 studies. Nevertheless, researchers of the September 2014 study found that the few studies that did examine the cognitive effects of Tianeptine and similar medications found that the medications showed “promising results for the improvement of cognitive impairment in depression.”

Nevertheless, researchers cautioned that there were several methodological constraints in these studies.

Tianeptine Side Effects

One of the reasons Tianeptine is so popular is that it has limited side effects. Unlike other anxiolytics, for example, Tianeptine does not affect your cholinergic systems (responsible for producing the memory-boosting neurotransmitter acetylcholine) nor does it affect cardiovascular functionality. This is why the supplement is commonly prescribed to elderly people, recovering alcoholics, or others who may have weakened immune systems.

Nevertheless, like all medications, Tianeptine users may experience some side effects.

Common Side Effects:

— Dry mouth
— Insomnia
— Headaches

Unlike other anxiolytics, however, Tianeptine is not thought to cause sedation or digestive health problems.

Despite the fact that Tianeptine is not officially available in the United States, Canada, or other parts of the world, you can find certain online retailers selling the drug today. As mentioned above, you can expect to pay $10 to $15 for a one gram tub of Tianeptine (which lasts for about 80 doses).

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Medifast Diet – Is This The Diet For You?

Medifast Diet Review

The Medifast Diet is a diet that involves eating Medifast’s pre-made meal replacement products to lose weight. Here’s our review of the Medifast diet.

What is the Medifast Diet?

The Medifast Diet is a diet that involves following the “5 & 1 Plan”. That plan involves eating five Medifast meal replacements and one meal of your own every day. If you can follow that plan, then Medifast claims dieters can lose 2 to 5 pounds after following the plan for just two weeks. Medifast claims you can continue losing 1 to 2 pounds per week after that.

After reaching your weight goal, Medifast encourages you to gradually add calories back to your diet over a 6 week transition period. During this transition period, you might choose to follow the “3 & 3 Plan”, which involves taking three of your own meals plus three meal replacements indefinitely to keep off the weight.

What You Can and Can’t Eat on the Medifast Diet

When you’re following the Medifast diet, you have over 70 different meal replacement options from which to choose. You also get to add your own home cooked meal once daily.

Ideally, that home cooked meal includes 5 to 7 ounces of lean protein along with three servings of vegetables and two servings of healthy fats. You’re also free to add certain condiments and flavorings to your home cooked meal – including sauces and dressings.

In addition to the five Medifast meal replacements and one home cooked meal, you’re permitted one snack of your own daily. Recommended Medifast snacks include celery, Jell-O, pickles, gum, mints, or small servings of walnuts, pistachios, and almonds.

You’re only allowed to eat what’s on the Medifast approved foods list. Everything else – including alcohol, dairy products, fruits, and starches – is off limits.

Typical meal replacements on the Medifast diet include shakes, bars, cereals, and snacks like pretzel sticks.

Is the Medifast Diet Difficult to Follow?

WebMD.com ranks the diet’s level of difficulty as “Medium”.

WebMD gave the diet that ranking because the diet’s purchasing restrictions are relatively easy: there are more than 70 meal replacement options that you purchase ahead of time. When you’re hungry, you open the packaging and eat one of these meal replacements. Preparation is minimal.

The diet was also ranked as easy to follow because you’re not required to attend in-person meetings. However, if you choose to do so, then you’ll find over 100 nationwide Medifast Weight Control centers with the support you need.

The diet is also adaptable to certain dietary restrictions, including:

— Vegetarians and Vegans: Avoid high-carb legumes like peas, beans, and lentils until you reach your goal weight. The Medifast diet is relatively easy for vegetarians, since most of the meal replacement products don’t contain meat. However, vegans will struggle with the Medifast diet because many meal replacements are made using diary or eggs.

— Gluten-Free: Out of the 70 meal replacement options available through Medifast, 40 of them are classified as gluten-free. The Medifast website also lists its most popular gluten-free options, so it wholeheartedly supports the gluten-free lifestyle.

When you’re following the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, you’ll be consuming about 800 to 1,000 calories per day. You eat every 2 to 3 hours.

How Much Does the Medifast Diet Cost?

Anytime you’re following a diet where you have to buy certain products from a certain company, you know it’s not going to be cheap.

Expect to pay about $300 plus shipping for a 4 week supply of meal replacements from Medifast.

You can also order additional 7 packs of meal replacements for $16.95 to $18.75. In other words, each meal replacement product costs you about $2.50.

Your Medifast purchase also gives you free access to the company’s Take Shape for Life program, which gives you access to a personal health coach and free access to journals, food guides, nutritional charts, weight loss blogs, forums, and chat rooms. Some people will find these tools useful for encouraging their weight loss, while others will never use them.

Medifast also has various promotions available throughout the year. For example, the Medifast Advantage 30 Day Plan now comes with free shipping, which means you only pay about $400 per month.

All purchases also come with a 30 day money back guarantee. Medifast claims you can “Cancel at any time and get your money back if you’re not satisfied.”

You can order individual Medifast products or buy bulk products as part of the 30 day kits and 2 week kits. Kits include:

— 2 Week Deluxe Kit: $209.40 (56 servings)
— 2 Week Trial Kit: $150 (56 servings)
— 30 Day Complete Kit: $446.80 (126 servings)
— 30 Day Select Kit: $396.90 (126 servings)

Medifast Diet Products

Medifast’s full lineup of products and meal replacements can be found at their online store here: Medifast1.com

At that store, you’ll find products separated into categories like:

— Bars
— Shakes
— Smoothies
— Drinks
— Breakfasts
— Desserts
— Snacks

There are also sections available for nutritional supplements, including probiotics, omega-3 supplements, and hydration-boosting infusers.

Most Medifast products are priced at around the same rate: you’ll pay about $18.75 for a box of 7 servings.

All Medifast products come with detailed ingredients lists and nutritional charts online, including preparation instructions (if any).

About Medifast

Medifast claims to be a clinically proven diet that has been the brand “recommended by more than 20,000 doctors since 1980.”

The company itself, Medifast, Inc., is headquartered at 11445 Cronhill Dr Ste 200 in Owings Hill, Maryland. The company was originally founded in July 1981 and employs 311 employees.

If you’re looking for Medifast online, make sure you type in the name correctly: Medifast.com is some sort of Asian medical services provider. The diet company is found online at: Medifast1.com

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Nuvigil vs. Provigil – Pros & Cons Of Each Stimulant

Nuvigil vs. Provigil Reviews

Which One is the Best Stimulant?

Nuvigil and Provigil are two popular stimulants currently on the market. Find out the unique pros and cons of each pharmaceutical today in our guide.

What Are Provigil and Nuvigil?

Provigil and Nuvigil are two stimulant-like drugs made by the same pharmaceutical company. That company is Cephalon. The two drugs have the same effects and a similar chemical structure, but they work in slightly different ways.

First, Provigil is the brand name of a compound called modafinil, while Nuvigil is the brand name of a compound called armodafinil.

You can buy generic drugs for Provigil (modafinil) but there are no generics available for Nuvigil.

Similarities Between Provigil and Nuvigil

Both Provigil and Nuvigil share the following qualities:

— Analeptic drugs (they stimulate the central nervous system)

— Used to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder

— Come in the form of a tablet that you take orally

— Manufactured by American biopharmaceutical company Cephalon, which was acquired by Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2011

— Withdrawal symptoms include sleepiness, especially in patients with narcolepsy

— Boost the release of monoamines, including catecholamines like norepinephrine and dopamine, while also elevating hypothalamic histamine levels

— Serious side effects include rashes, allergic reactions in the liver or blood cells, hives, mouth sores, swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue, legs, or throat, blistering or peeling skin, trouble swallowing or breathing, fever, shortness of breath, yellowing of the skin, dark urine

— Refillable

— Both drugs are considered relatively non-addictive and have “limited potential for large-scale abuse”. However, it’s important to note that Provigil’s addictive properties have been studied much more extensively than Nuvigil’s addictive properties, and it’s possible that Nuvigil could be more or less addictive than Provigil.

— Both drugs are used off-label for ADHD, mood disorders, depersonalization disorder, cognitive enhancement, fatigue, cocaine addiction, post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, and weight loss

Differences Between Provigil and Nuvigil

— Nuvigil uses armodafinil as its active ingredient, while Provigil uses modafinil (chemically speaking, armodafinil is simply the longer-lived enantiomer of modafinil)

— Nuvigil is classified as a schedule IV drug in the United States and is only available through prescription in America, while Provigil carries the same status in America, but is also available in Australia (S4), Canada (prescription only), and in the UK (POM).

— Nuvigil doses are 150mg/250mg as a single dose in the morning for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy and 150mg taken 1 hour prior to work shift for shift work disorder (SWD); Provigil doses are 200mg as a single dose in the morning for OSA and narcolepsy and 200mg taken 1 hour prior to work shift for SWD.

— Nuvigil goes by the name Nuvigil everywhere it’s sold. Provigil, however, is known by a few different names, including Alertec (in Canada and Ecuador), Carim (Ecuador, Honduras, and Uruguay), Modalert, Provake, Modapro, or Modafil (India), Modasomil (Austria and Switzerland), Modavigil (Australia and New Zealand), Modiodal (France, Denmark, Greece, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden).

— Nuvigil has no available generics, while Provigil does (the generic name is modafinil)

— Provigil is regularly prescribed to treat a wider range of conditions, including ADHD, mood disorders, and poor cognition. Nuvigil has not been approved by the FDA to treat any of these conditions and is not often prescribed.

What Are Provigil and Nuvigil Used For?

Now that you now about the (minor) differences between Provigil and Nuvigil, it’s time to learn how these drugs are typically used.

Both drugs are available by prescription. They’re primarily used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work disorder (SWD).

However, more recently, the drugs have been prescribed to treat a wider range of conditions.

Provigil, for example, is commonly prescribed to treat all of the following conditions: ADHD, mood disorders, depersonalization disorder, cognitive enhancement, fatigue, post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, weight loss, cocaine addiction, athletic doping, and among military and law enforcement professionals.

Nuvigil, on the other hand, is not approved by the FDA to treat any of the above conditions. A few years ago, Nuvigil was being studied for its ability to treat jet lag, schizophrenia, and depression. However, the FDA decided there was not enough evidence to approve Nuvigil for these uses.

Are Nuvigil and Provigil Effective Brain Drugs?

The nootropic industry is exploding with growth, and Nuvigil and Provigil are two nootropics that have attracted a small following of fans. But are Nuvigil and Provigil really that effective at boosting brain power?

The manufacturer of Provigil actually recommends that you do not use modafinil to enhance cognitive performance. The drug has also not been approved for use as a brain drug.

Nevertheless, several studies have shown that Provigil (modafinil) can boost brain power.

One of the most important studies on modafinil was published in Behavioral Neuroscience in April 2009. In that study, researchers gave mice a high dose of modafinil (75mg/kg) and got them to move through a water maze and other intelligence tests. Researchers found that mice given modafinil who repeatedly passed through the maze would complete it more easily, which suggests that modafinil boosts the formation of new memories.

In any case, if you’ve read about David Osprey and other people using modafinil to “unlock their brain”, then recognize that there’s limited evidence to support the use of modafinil. More studies need to be done (especially with human subjects) to confirm a connection.

How to Use Provigil and Novigil

Provigil and Nuvigil doses vary according to your condition. Here’s how much doctors typically prescribe for certain conditions:

Provigil

— OSA and Narcolepsy: Take 200mg of Provigil as a single dose in the morning

— Shift Work Disorder: Take one 200mg tablet of Provigil one hour prior to starting your work shift

Nuvigil

— OSA and Narcolepsy: Take one 150mg or 250mg single dose tablet in the morning

— Shift Work Disorder: Take one 150mg tablet prior to starting your work shift

Neither Provigil nor Nuvigil have been approved for use in children under the age of 18.

Which One is Stronger?

Numerous studies have shown that Provigil and Nuvigil are significantly more effective than placebos at treating narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

However, in studies comparing the two drugs, there is no significant difference in their strength and effectiveness.

Side Effects of Provigil and Nuvigil

Common Side Effects of Provigil and Nuvigil: Headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping (these side effects affect approximately 12% to 15% of users).

Serious Side Effects of Provigil and Nuvigil: Back pain, stuffy nose, diarrhea, anxiety, upset stomach, rashes, allergic reactions, hives, mouth sores, swollen face, lips, eyes, tongue, legs, or throat, blistering or peeling skin, shortness of breath, fever, trouble swallowing, yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes, and dark urine (these side effects are rarer and affect fewer than 1% of users).

Withdrawal Symptoms of Provigil and Nuvigil

Researchers have not noticed any withdrawal symptoms when stopping the use of Provigil or Nuvigil.

However, researchers have noted that the condition of excessive sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy returned when use of the drugs ceased (i.e. neither Provigil nor Nuvigil was able to permanently cure conditions like narcolepsy).

How Much Do Provigil and Nuvigil Cost?

In America, generic modafinil costs around $300 to $600 for 30x200mg tablets (one month supply). However, it is covered as a tier 1 generic pharmaceutical in most insurance plans, which means you’ll pay your lowest copay.

30x200mg tablets of Provigil can cost as much as $1200. It’s also less likely to be covered by American insurance plans because there is a generic form (modafinil) available. In cases where modafinil is covered, it’s classified as tier 3.

Nuvigil is also an expensive drug, priced at around $500 for 30x150mg or 250mg tablets. You’ll typically find Nuvigil covered under more expensive copay levels, like tiers 2 or 3.

Conclusion: What’s the Difference Between Nuvigil and Provigil?

Nuvigil and Provigil and virtually identical drugs. Key differences between the two include:

— You can buy generic forms of Provigil (under the generic name “modafinil”), but you can’t buy generic forms of Nuvigil

— Scientific studies have indicated no significant difference between the strength and effectiveness of Provigil and Nuvigil when compared against one another

— Provigil (modafinil) tends to be easier to find (and receive a prescription for) in America and around the world

That’s it! Ultimately, modafinil, Provigil, and Nuvigil are drugs that look different at the chemical level but perform identically after entering the body.

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Dawn Lorraine Green Tea Nutrient Scrub

Always on the lookout for effective, organic products for my skin, I was excited to try the Dawn Lorraine Green Tea Nutrient Scrub ($44). I’m 66 with pretty normal skin, neither dry or oily and generally healthy. (Thanks to TIA, my skin looks better than it did 10 years ago.) Dawn Lorraine describes her line as “conscious skin care” with focus on the effects of their products on both our skin and the planet (ingredients produced with wind power, products in glass containers and shipped with re-purposed materials).

As soon as the scrub arrived, I washed my face and opened the jar. Very first impressions: clean, delicious, organic fragrance, like morning in an herb garden. It smells good enough to eat with hints of mint, lime and green tea, I’d love to take a bath in it. A rich, interesting-looking, luxurious-feeling goop, it went on evenly and I gently scrubbed my entire face, being careful not to fuss around my eyes. I decided to let it sit a minute while I did something else, and rinsed the excess off my hands. Oh my gosh, my hands felt like silk! Day one thoughts: So far, excellent. I think I’m really going to love this scrub.

The Green Tea Nutrient Scrub ingredients list is impressive, and — as the name suggests — packed full of nutrients. Also impressive is that they create their products in small batches with fresh and seasonal organic ingredients and essential oils.

The first ingredient is organic aloe vera, which alone contains several active components such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide and fatty acids. But that’s just the beginning. There’s also gotu kola, a powerful antioxidant known for its healing properties — increasing the blood supply to the skin, raising axioxidant levels. Higher antioxidant levels promote the production of fibroblasts, which in turn help in synthesizing collagen and diminishing imperfections and scars. Next is horsetail, which strengthens connective tissues and fades the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The scrub’s namesake ingredient, green tea, is high in polyphenols, which have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits. They’ve also added coffee extract , another natural anti-inflammatory. There are organic butters and essential oils from avocado, kukui nut, grapefruit, lime, and spearmint. The list goes on and on.

I’ve noticed improvement in my skin’s tone, texture, and appearance. It looks younger, plumper, and feels very soft. I’ve used it two or three times a week for four weeks. Sometimes at night, and sometimes in the morning, I put it on and leave it on while I shower, rinsing just before I get out. My skin glows. Fine lines seem softer, pores smaller, and the overall tone of my skin looks healthy and nourished.

I give the antioxidant-infused Dawn Lorraine Green Tea Nutrient Scrub two thumbs up. It exceeded my expectations. A little goes a long way, so at this rate, the jar should last several more months, which makes it very affordable. I’m going to order the Dawn Lorraine Pomegranate Lift Crème next!

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Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel

I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Dennis Gross in person and have one of his famous in-office peels. It’s a quick, totally painless, little procedure with maximum results. I was completely impressed with how my skin looked  — instantly glowy and dewy and taut. The results continued for a few days after, and I could see why people get hooked. Needless to say, I was very excited to test out the Dr. Dennis Gross Original Alpha Beta Peel ($88 in the shop) pads, in hopes of keeping the glow a’glowing.

These little two-step pre-soaked pads are meant to be used daily, but I was advised to start slowly and use them every third day. And although I had zero irritation, I decided to continue using them at this rate for two reason. The first reason is that I personally don’t think we need to exfoliate every single day. That just my own personal belief, not really based in any serious research. And the second reason was simple, they would last longer!

These daily peel pads are meant to help with basically everything you want help with, according to Dr. Dennis Gross: “uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and enlarged pores.”

So here’s how it works: Each treatment package comes with two little pads. Step one has the exfoliating acids. There are five main acids in each pad: lactic, malic, citric, salicylic, and alpha hydroxy acid. There are some other notable ingredients in there too, like witch hazel and some flower extracts. You swipe the pad over a clean face in circular motions and then let it settle for about two minutes. Step two then neutralizes the alpha hydroxy acid activity and delivers anti-aging actives to nourishing the skin and balance it out. I found the process to be super simple and kind of fun.

The pads definitely have a fragrance. And while it’s not the natural earthy scent that I prefer, it surprisingly didn’t bother me. I will say that “fragrance” is listed in the ingredients and this means chemical. Something I’m not psyched about, but not a deal breaker. There are few other things in there that might be deal breakers for total purists.

I think one of the reasons that I’m not a believer in daily exfoliation is because in the past my fair, sensitive skin hasn’t always responded well to exfoliants. In fact, I think harsh exfoliants in my early twenties are partly to blame for why I developed dermatitis (which I no longer have). Well the good news is I haven’t had a single moment of irritation or redness from using Dr. Gross’s peels, and I’ve finished the entire box!

I’ve really enjoyed this added step in my routine. I actually get excited every third day and I get to use them again! And while I can’t say that these pads pack the same punch as the in-office peel treatment, they definitely have helped keep my skin looking and feeling smooth and clear. I actually prefer to use them in the morning because my makeup goes on so smoothly afterwards. And I think they’ve helped a bit with monthly congestion that I sometimes get around my chin. And as a sort of weird bonus, after swiping my face with the pads, I swipe my feet. Don’t judge me! It has actually helped to keep my feet soft too. I love a multi-tasker. I would say that I’d purchase them again, but these pads are kind of like a “gateway” product, because now I wan to to step up my game and go for the heavier-hitting Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel ($110 in the shop). It’s more expensive, but if it gets results closer to the in-office treatment it’s totally worth it!

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Meristem – Cambial Meristematic Cells (CMCs)

Meristem Guide

A Meristem is a type of stem cell-generation tissue found in most plants. In plants, meristematic cells are found in areas of the plant where growth can take place. Here’s our guide to Meristem.

What is a Meristem?

A meristem is a plant tissue that contains undifferentiated cells. These cells are also known as meristematic cells. Meristematic cells are located in parts of the plant where growth can take place.

The most important thing to know about the meristem is that it’s the part of the plant where plant stem cells are located. This is why some people describe the meristem as “the origin of plant vitality.” By providing a steady supply of growth cells to other parts of the plant, the meristem allows the plant to continue to grow.

In recent months, there’s been some evidence that meristem can be used to treat cancer because one of its chemical compounds is paclitaxel.

How is Meristem Used?

Why are we talking about stem cell-producing part of a plant? We’re talking about it because more and more companies are now using cells from the meristem in their products. Perfumes, medicines, pigments, antimicrobials, and insecticides are all derived from natural plant products that originate in the meristem.

Many of these manufacturers use a specific type of meristematic cell called Cambial Meristematic Cells (CMCs).

What Are Cambial Meristematic Cells?

Cambial Meristematic Cells, or CMCs, are found in many perfumes, medicines, pigments, and personal hygiene products.

The cambium is a specific type of meristem. It has thin walls that minutely exist in small populations within a plant. The cambium is very delicate, and applying just a light force will destroy it.

It took over 160 years of research to isolate CMCs due to their delicate structure. In 2010, researchers from the Plant Stem Cell Institute published a report in Nature Biotechnology. This report discussed how the researchers were able to isolate Cambial Meristematic Cells.

CMCs are one of two types of meristematic cell. The other type of meristematic cells are called “callus” cells, which are also known as dedifferentiated cells and are classified as somatic cells.

Benefits of Meristematic Cells

Why are meristematic cells becoming more popular? Manufacturers are starting to use more meristematic cells because they’re thought to provide an environmentally-sustainable and cost-effective type of natural advantage.

Extracting cells from the meristem also has one unique advantage over other types of natural plant extraction: it’s not subject to environmental conditions or political situations in certain parts of the world. CMCs don’t have to be extracted from any part of the world: they can be extracted from virtually any plant.

There’s also some evidence that a chemical compound in the meristem known as paclitaxel can reduce the risk of cancer. Paclitaxel is a chemical compound found in other natural organisms which has shown some evidence of treating different types of cancer. We’ll go into more depth about this benefit below.

To sum up the benefits of meristematic cells:

— They provide a cost-effective and environmentally-sustainable source for beauty and hygiene product manufacturers

— They allow these manufacturers to sell products that are natural and organic

— They reduce the need for artificial or synthetic formulas

— CMCs can be used to treat certain types of cancer

Meristem and Cancer Treatment

There’s some evidence that the meristem can be used to treat a number of types of cancers. Meristematic cells contain a chemical compound known as a paclitaxel, which is a medication used to target cancerous cells.

Paclitaxel compounds are particularly valuable for treating ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. By interfering with the normal breakdown of microtubules during cell division, paclitaxel may reduce the risk of cancer.

Ultimately, more research needs to be done on meristematic cells in order to determine the best way to use the paclitaxel compounds to treat cancer. As we speak, researchers around the world are investigating meristem for its paclitaxel properties.

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GrubHub – Local Food Delivery Service

GrubHub Review

GrubHub is a new food delivery service that promises to help you find the best local food in your area – and then order that food for free. Here’s our review of GrubHub.

What is GrubHub?

GrubHub is an online food delivery and restaurant pickup service. Using the online ordering system is pretty straightforward. According to the company, here’s what you do:

— Step 1) Search for the type of food you want to eat, or just browse through a list of restaurants and takeout places near you

— Step 2) Pick a restaurant by browsing through the website’s reviews and rating system

— Step 3) Browse the menu and pick whatever you want to eat and drink, then checkout

— Step 4) “Eat your food while basking in the warm glow of time not spent cooking”

Basically, this site lets you order food from local restaurants. Then, you can choose to pick up that food at the restaurant location (which comes at no extra charge) or have it delivered to your address (which costs extra).

The service claims to be active in over 900 cities across America and has a total of 35,000 restaurants. In addition to major cities across America, GrubHub has also expanded to London, UK.

You can order online or download the app for your iPhone or Android device to instantly start ordering food.

About GrubHub

GrubHub calls itself the “nation’s leading online and mobile food ordering company”. The company, originally known as Seamless, was founded back in 1999 by, according to the official about us page “two hungry lawyers, fed up with out-of-date paper menus.”

Seamless would later merge with GrubHub, which was founded by “two hungry web developers”.

Between 2007 and 2011, GrubHub went through four rounds of financing (Series A through D). In 2011, the company used this financing to acquire numerous online competitors, including Dotmenu and MenuPages.

In 2012, GrubHub released its iPad app and introduced two proprietary features: OrderHub (an in-restaurant tablet technology that streamlines the ordering process) and Track Your Grub (provides customers with real-time notifications and order mapping as their food gets prepared).

GrubHub and Seamless would finally merge in May, 2013. GrubHub, Inc. was born, which is why you’re hearing about GrubHub now.

How to Use GrubHub

You can access GrubHub from any computer or mobile device. The company has an app for Android, iPhone, and iPad.

Using the site is straightforward: as mentioned above, you search for what you want to eat, pick a restaurant, select items off that menu, then pick up your food or wait for it to be delivered.

What Do Customers Have to Say?

Customer reviews for GrubHub online seem to either be very bad or very good. On SiteJabber.com, for example, there are 228 one star reviews and 19 five star reviews. Another website, TrustPilot.com, had 37 one star reviews and 400 five star reviews. The first site has a 9% average rating, while the second site has a “Great 8.7/10” rating.

So what’s the truth about GrubHub.com?

The five star and one star reviews have things in common. Negative reviews for GrubHub.com say things like:

— High prices
— Poor customer service (long wait times to solve problems over the phone)
— Food delivered to wrong address
— Food ordered online or over the app and then not delivered 5 to 6 hours later
— Food delivered in poor condition

Most of the poor reviews revolve around delivery-related problems. Based on the reviews, there appears to be confusion as to who charges what for the delivery service. One reviewer claimed the delivery driver told her she owed $25, only to find out that she had already paid for the food on GrubHub.

Meanwhile, the 5 star reviews comment on some of the similar things, including:

— Easy to use and helpful
— Convenient
— Good food
— Get tasty food without having to call people
— “My only complaint is that I wish they would add more restaurants”

Nevertheless, some of the five star reviews seem to have an inexplicable “fakeness” about them. Here’s one review found on TrustPilot (the site with an unusually high proportion of five star reviews):

“The worst part about ordering food is talking to people. Grubhub is a great platform for not having to talk to people- I can order food and take as long as I want and change my mind like thirty times. The updated site’s really great, too- I like that restaurant wait times are now right there on the sidebar. That’s helpful when making a decision.” – Caitlin

Is that a review from a real customer – or a sales pitch from a company employee? It’s tough to tell.

The GrubHub Built-in Review System Problem

Some one star reviews accuse the GrubHub review system of cheating.

The site’s built-in restaurant review system lets customers see which restaurants are good and which ones are bad. One customer said that he wrote a bad review of a local restaurant using GrubHub. That review was never posted on the GrubHub listing for that restaurant.

Instead, the restaurant has 22 perfect five star reviews – including one review which used the customer’s “very unusual name”, Dane. That reviewer concluded by saying “what slimey management”.

This wasn’t just Dane’s problem: the problem was so noticeable across Seamless (the former name of GrubHub) that Business Insider recently wrote an article about it.

In that article, Business Insider said the following:

“According to Seamless, a cheap Chinese restaurant called Friend House has the best food in midtown Manhattan with a five-star rating after nearly 1,200 reviews. According to Yelp, Friend House is one of the city’s worst restaurants with only one-and-a-half stars after 27 reviews.”

Business Insider summed up the problem to a difference in the way GrubHub and Yelp handle reviews. Namely, Yelp has a built-in filter system that helps weed out fake reviews. GrubHub does not.

Making matters worse is that GrubHub also has a page on PissedConsumer.com. That page features 150 reviews for GrubHub for a total of $2,100 in claimed losses ($14 average loss per review).

Ultimately, GrubHub has a major PR problem online that they seem to be battling using over-exaggerated 5 star reviews. In reality, most of the one star reviews from angry customers are related to delivery problems – not pickup issues.

Conclusion: Who Should Use GrubHub?

The new GrubHub wants to fix the poor reputation and poor reviews established by Seamless. Online, GrubHub appears to have two different types of users: those who love GrubHub and its food – and those who had major problems with GrubHub’s delivery services.

The service seems to vary from city to city – so it’s up to you to look up individual reviews for your city and then decide whether or not GrubHub is the right choice for you.

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Marta's tips on using ExPürtise Effective Anti-Aging Eye Serum (VIDEO)

ExPürtise is an all-natural skin care brand that has been making waves in the Truth in Aging community. The ExPürtise Effective Anti-Aging Eye Serum ($65 in the shop) is formulated with wrinkle relaxing peptides and anti-aging actives to energize and refresh the entire eye area for a healthy, youthful appearance. Here’s a few tips and tricks on how to get the most out of this exceptional eye serum.

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My Latest Natural Skin Care Discoveries

My personal mantra is that the good should outweigh the bad. Actually this probably extends beyond skin care to behavior, men, books…. Life in general. As you have gathered, I am not a purist and will overlook a few flaws if there mostly good things and some of my new favorites — Dr. Dennis Gross, SimySkin, Apothederm — fall into this category. However, I’m also sensitive to members of the Truth In Aging community who want their products to be free of nasties and not have to check up on dubious looking ingredients. Well, this year there have been some great discoveries of natural, pure yet effective products and here is a round up.

Pure Glam

It is so hard to find genuinely natural hair care products. Too often they are nothing more than a few token botanicals mixed in with harsh surfactants. Or they might be natural but leave your hair feeling as if it was doused in swamp weed. What a welcome surprise to come across Pure Glam. The brand is about more than hair care, but I went straight for the Pure Glam Waves Sea Spray ($26 in the shop). It’s the healthiest hair spray I have ever come across without compromising its beachy waves hold. The only downside is that my husband stole it and won’t give it (he have never used any kind of hair grooming product before). The Pure Glam Performance Luxury Wash Shampoo and Daily Conditioner ($26.99 each in the shop) have algae, artichoke, wheat and more. Plus the results gave tester Jeanne the confidence to grow her hair into a new style.

ExPürtise

ExPürtise was launched this year filling a gap in the market that lies between anti-aging products that are full of synthetics and petroleum-based fillers and organic/natural products that don’t have the hard-working actives such as growth factors, peptides and retinols. The Effective Anti-aging Eye Serum ($65 in the shop) and the Face Serum ($120 in the shop) have growth factors and collagen-boosting peptides, vitamins including the more uncommon vitamin K, as well as organic botanical extracts. Even the latter push the envelope with daisy stem cells that are meant to contribute to the longevity of cells. There are absolutely no nasties and even the preservative is radish root ferment.

Oh, and did I mention that they work? A little goes a long way and, and as our reviewer Gina put it, they don’t top Botox, but they do deserve a 5-star rating.

I Pekar

New brand I Pekar has just emerged from a reformulation. The first iteration didn’t quite get the balance right between the 100% raw honey and the practical need for a cream that didn’t separate. It was a telling illustration of how hard it is to pull off a really, completely natural formulation and how stabilizers, emulsifiers and silicones can make a formulator’s life much easier. But I Pekar has come back from the drawing board with a stable formula that hasn’t been compromised by any of those things.

The signature honey is still the active ingredient and shares with peptides, vitamins and antioxidants. The light, whipped cream formulas are stable and, best of all, give the skin a lovely glow.

SimySkin

Completely natural cleansers are difficult to formulate, as chemical surfactants do the cleansing and foaming part. SimySkin is a new discovery of mine that formulates without parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, soap, or sulfate. The Exfoliating Scrub ($40 in the shop) is marred by a harsh preservative, but otherwise is a happy blend of anti-aging actives and the same goes for the Anti-aging Cleanser ($40 in the shop). The serum and moisturizers are a little more compromised and couldn’t be called all natural, but even then the good far outweighs the bad.

Moana

New Zealand conjures glaciers, sparkling lakes, exotic indigenous ferns and, of course, kiwis (fruit and bird). This is home to Moana, a new skin care brand that is as pristine as those lakes and based on a form of red algae that gives, for example, the Serum ($119.50 in the shop) a dose of marine glycans that comprises almost 100% of the formula. Other ingredients of note are awakawa, a bitter-tasting shrub that is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial, and harakeke, a kind of flax full of omegas.

SkinOwl

SkinOwl’s other mission statement is to go beyond skin care and “deliver a core component of total self-care.” So far, I have only tried the SkinOwl Eye+ ($46 in the shop) and although only the herbal base and cucumber distillate are organic, the formula’s carefully chosen ingredients live up to the brand’s values. This is a great eye cream (although it is more of a solid gel) and has a ton of amino acids, a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid and MSM. Look out for more reviews of the SkinOwl range in the coming weeks.

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Which U.S. State Has The Most Wrinkles?

Sperling’s Best Places, an independent research firm, joined forces with major beauty brand Roc to publish a ranking of all 50 states in the U.S. (plus Washington, D.C.) based on how wrinkle-prone its residents are. The winner? No big surprise here: New York — Truth in Aging’s home state. At the bottom of the list was none other than Alaska.

The study gathered already existing skincare data and weighed environmental factors of aging such as pollutants/smog, sun exposure, smoking, stress, geographic elevation and changes in temperature. One of the most surprising finds was that notoriously sunny states, such as Florida and California (with smog-covered Los Angeles, no less), ranked relatively low on the list.

You can ready more about the study, and see where your state ranks, here. We’d love to hear if any of the rankings surprised you!

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Rejuvel 3D

TIA always has something interesting up its virtual sleeve, and so I happily agreed just over a month ago to test Rejuvel 3D ($149) — not that I could actually imagine what a three-dimensional anti-aging cream would be! True, microgravity makes sense for those us increasingly challenged by gravity on earth. In any case, the claims — “reduces the appearance of fine lines, age spots, dark circles, and discoloration” — sounded good, certainly relevant to me at 60, and probably to many other readers 40 and up. The company’s web site describes the product: “Exclusive Biomimetic Suspension substrate delivers active biomolecules from potent cell cultures, scientifically formulated to aid in accelerated skin rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, dark spot correction, increased biological elasticity and increased skin moisture content.”

Fortunately for me, Marta posted an explanation of the Rejuvel science a couple of weeks after I started using the product, sparing me the task of interpretation. As I understand it, the magic is less in the ingredients themselves than in the process through which these components are cultured (the “bioreactor” or vessel in which they grow “in three dimensions”) — that’s where the patents come in. It’s this process that the company says is biomimetic and thus results in ingredients that are functionally more effective in actually generating fibroblast cells. Or something like that. 

Rejuvel 3D comes in a sleek, cylindrical silver airless pump that looks futuristic and modern, and in a clever design move, a clear plastic shell is layered over the silver sleeve and gives the labeling a 3D cast. It’s priced at $149 for a 1.7 ounce/50 ml container, which gave me almost five weeks of use both morning and night on face and neck, as instructed.   

I’m not sure whether Rejuvel’s creators position it as a serum or a stand-alone cream — I found it to be somewhere between the two, both in feel and in effects. It’s definitely heavier than the typical serum, more similar in consistency and appearance to the average day cream. I found it a little less emollient than I’d have liked, though, so I often doubled it up with a day or night-time moisturizer, as my skin felt a little dry when I used it solo. (Admittedly, I began my Rejuvel trial just as the weather became colder and drier. Perhaps I’d have used it alone during the summer.) And I always used an eye product as well, probably mostly out of habit — I was already using TIA’s well-regarded Sciote Vitamin C Eye Treatment ($65 in the shop). One thing I did notice, and thought promising, was that in the first couple of weeks of use I felt some mild tingling when I first applied it. Though that wore off, I was hopeful that this sensation foretold some big changes to come.

A month in, I don’t think that Rejuvel 3D has had a made a remarkable difference, but it hasn’t been a huge disappointment either. My face doesn’t seem notably less lined or notably more even, but my skin does feel reasonably healthy and firm. This may well be a more useful product for younger people just starting to deal with skin aging, or perhaps for those with less dry skin. I’ve used other products in this price range that worked better for me, with greater impact on firmness, discoloration, and lines. In my experience, it was a good-enough serum, but not a standout.  

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Ligandrol – LGD-4033 (SARM) Testosterone Booster

Ligandrol LGD-4033 Review

Ligandrol, also known as LGD-4033 is a popular testosterone boosting supplement that works as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). Here’s everything you need to know about Ligandrol.

What is Ligandrol?

Ligandrol is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that is popular among bodybuilders and athletes for both bulking and cutting. At doses of 10mg per day, the supplement has been shown to lead to 5 to 10 pounds of lean mass gains every month.

In the bodybuilding and athletic worlds, Ligandrol is used as a side-effect free alternative to steroids.

Although Ligandrol can be used for both bulking and cutting, it appears to be more popular for bulking. There are stories of phenomenal weight gain progress while taking Ligandrol. As you’ll learn in the next section about quarterback Will Grier, sometimes these weight gains can be so significant that they arouse suspicion.

LGD-4033 is relatively strong compared to similar products. It has an anabolic/androgenic ratio of approximately 10:1. To put that ratio in perspective, testosterone’s ratio is 1:1. Some sources also claim that Ligandrol is 11 times stronger than its popular competitor, Ostarine.

Ligandrol and Will Grier

Ligandrol has been making headlines in recent weeks for getting certain football players in trouble. Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier was recently suspended for PED usage. Grier was found to have Ligandrol in his system during a routine test.

Ligandrol is not officially classified as a steroid, but it is banned as a performance enhancing drug. As a result, Grier will serve a one year suspension. The quarterback is currently undergoing an appeals process and full details of the investigation have not been released. Most of the reports of the drug come from NFL insider-type sources – so we still have lots to learn.

One source published on TheBigLead.com claims that Grier took Ligandrol to gain 43 pounds. In his freshman year, Grier weighed 172 pounds. By his sophomore year, he had bulked up to 215 pounds.

Grier may be the most prominent Ligandrol user (that we know about). However, the drug is reportedly popular with a wide range of athletes and professionals, including:

— Powerlifters
— Bodybuilders
— Models
— Strongmen
— Crossfitters
— Athletes across all sports

How Does Ligandrol Work?

Ligandrol works as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). That means it has a high affinity to bond with the androgen receptors. The “selective” part of the name comes from the fact that it only binds to androgen receptors in your muscles (not in your bones, or other areas of the body where androgen receptors are located).

The drug has legitimate medical uses in addition to being used as a performance enhancing drug. The LGD-4033 drug was originally developed to treat muscle wasting conditions (like muscular dystrophy). These conditions are linked with diseases like cancer, illness, and old age.

How to Buy Ligandrol

Ligandrol is not currently banned or illegal (unless you’re playing professional or collegiate sports that have banned specific PEDs like Ligandrol).

It’s available from certain online retailers. One website called SouthernSARMs.com sells LGD-4033 at a price of $40, for example. $40 gets you LGD-4033 at a concentration of 10mg/mL (30mL total).

Since the average dose is 5 to 10mg per day, that gives you 3 to 6 doses of the supplement.

The supplement is taken orally – so there’s no need to put needles anywhere near your butt cheeks.

Some lower quality supplement manufacturers are also selling LGD in capsule form. However, these concentrations are extremely weak compared to the liquid oral solution. If you’re serious about making large gains, then oral liquid Ligandrol is your best option.

Compared to other SARMs, Ligandrol is relatively cheap, with some sources reportedly paying $40 to run it for 8 weeks.

What to Expect When Taking Ligandrol

Gains of 1 to 1.5 pounds per week have been reported while taking LGD. These gains occur while eating slightly above maintenance calories on a high protein diet.

Many reviewers claim their gains are “steroid-like”.

There’s some controversy over Ligandrol because these weight gains could simply occur from glycogen supercondensation. In layman’s terms, that means the steroid-like properties of Ligandrol are telling your body to store more carbs and water than usual.

Once you’ve stopped taking Ligandrol and cycled off, you can expect to lose a bit of the weight you gained. These losses occur simply because your muscles are dropped glycogen.

How Much Ligandrol Should You Take?

Ligandrol is most commonly used at dosages of 5 to 10mg per day.

After 3 or 4 weeks, some users recommend increasing your dosage by 1 or 2mg. Cycle off Ligandrol every 6 to 12 weeks.

Side Effects of Ligandrol

Ligandrol has not been associated with any significant side effects thus far. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any side effects.

Some studies, for example, have shown that Ligandrol can heavily suppress and lower free testosterone levels while also suppressing and lowering sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels.

However, the good news is that after taking LGD-4033 it will only take a very short time (1 to 3 weeks) for your testosterone levels to get back to normal. Getting back to normal doesn’t take much time because Ligandrol does not affect LH or FSH.

There have also been no reported estrogenic system changes reported after taking LGD 4033. Nevertheless, some users will prefer to take an aromatase inhibitor regardless. A mini Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) treatment is recommended. However, it’s not necessarily required because Ligandrol does not affect you enough to influence libido problems or other unwanted side effects.

Finally, Ligandrol is not associated with liver toxicity: so you’re not doing long-term damage to your body’s organs.

Who Should Use Ligandrol?

Ultimately, Ligandrol is a legal steroid alternative that appears to work in a similar way to steroids – but without the dangerous side effects. As long as you’re not a Florida Gators quarterback (or playing sports that have banned PEDs), then Ligandrol could be an effective supplement to supercharge your bulking routine.

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Oleuropein – Olive Leaf Extract Supplements

Oleuropein Guide

Oleuropein is a chemical compound found in olive leaves. Today, oleuropein is thought to be linked to health benefits like longevity, lower cortisol levels, and more efficient protein utilization. Here’s our guide to oleuropein.

What is Oleuropein?

Oleuropein is a chemical compound extracted from olive leaf. The chemical is associated with a wide range of health benefits, including better protein utilization, longevity, lower cortisol levels, and more.

We typically remove oleuropein from olive oil because of its bitter flavor. Today, the best way to get oleuropein is through an oleuropein supplement – which are often labeled as olive leaf extract supplements.

Other potential sources of oleuropein include olives and olive tree leaves. You might also find oleuropein in certain olive oil varieties.

Benefits of Oleuropein

Oleuropein has not been extensively studied in humans. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated significant pharmacological benefits in certain laboratory tests – including tests on rats.

In one Japanese study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, rats that had a protein-rich diet retained 46% more protein when their diets were supplemented with oleuropein. The rats that took oleuropein also had higher testosterone levels and lower cortisol levels.

Researchers eventually determined that oleuropein worked by boosting the secretion of adrenalin and noradrenalin. Because oleuropein affects the adrenalin and noradrenalin systems, it’s classified as an adrenergic compound.

Oleuropein was also found to work by making brown fat cells burn more fatty acids.

Chemically speaking, oleuropein hydrolyzes after entering the body to form hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol. Hydroxytyrosol is often classified as the most important chemical compound for olive oil’s health benefits.

Following the release of this study, bodybuilding supplement manufacturers began adding oleuropein to their supplements. Preworkout supplements with oleuropein were particularly common. Manufacturers believed that by combining oleuropein with caffeine, you could give yourself “extreme mental focus” and better fat burning.

Another study published in 2010 examined the connection between oleuropein and its neuroprotective properties. Specifically, oleuropein is the main glycoside in olives, and olives are associated with longevity (they’re a key part of heart and brain-healthy diets like the Mediterranean diet).

Researchers from this study concluded that “the beneficial effects of olive oil are attributed to a favorable fatty acid profile and to the presence of some minor components that are also responsible for its unique flavour and taste. The major constituent of the leaves, virgin olive oil and unprocessed olive drupes of O. europaea is oleuropein. There are a number of researches documented on the cardio protective role of oleuropein and their possible therapeutic tools for pharmacological treatment of CHD.

Nevertheless, researchers cautioned that oleuropein requires more research on humans before it can be definitively linked to a reduction in degenerative brain condition symptoms:

“But still very few studies reported that the relation of oleuropein and neuroprotection viz. anti-Parkinsonism’s action and dementia and schizophrenia.”

Ultimately, based on these two major oleuropein studies, the chemical compound has been linked to better protein utilization in rats but has not been definitively linked to neuroprotective benefits. More studies on humans are required before oleuropein can be definitively linked to health benefits in humans.

How to Take Oleuropein

Oleuropein is available from a number of supplement manufacturers.

Amazon, for example, sells a Nature’s Way Olive Leaf 20% Oleuropein supplement for $14.19 for 60 capsules.

Each capsule contains 250mg of olive leaf extract along with 180mg of olive leaf.

Nature’s Way claims that by taking this supplement you can enjoy

“health & longevity through the healing power of nature – that’s what it means to Trust the Leaf.”

If you’re having trouble finding oleuropein supplements online, change your search to “olive leaf extract” supplements. More supplements are labeled olive leaf extract supplements with little mention of oleuropein – even though that’s the active ingredient in all of these supplements.

The Vitamin Shoppe, for example, sells an Olive Leaf Extract 500MG supplement (100 capsules) for $11.99. That supplement uses oleuropein as its active ingredient (500mg of 6% oleuropein 30mg in each capsule).

You’ll notice that these supplements all have something in common: they don’t advertise specific health benefits. They simply mention things like “better longevity” as the benefits of taking the supplement. That’s because oleuropein has not been definitively linked to any health benefits in major human studies so far. That doesn’t mean it can’t benefit your health – it just means we don’t know exactly how it benefits your health.

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Engine 2 Diet – Firefighter’s Vegan Diet With A Twist

The Engine 2 Diet

The Engine 2 Diet is a unique vegan diet with a slight twist – there are no vegetable oils allowed.

What Is The Engine 2 Diet?

A firefighter and athlete named Rip Esselstyn founded the diet, and wrote his best selling book, The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter’s 28-day Save Your Life Plan That Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds.

Esselstyn’s book covers everything you need to know about his diet and how the vegan diet can prevent or possibly even reverse heart disease. Esselstyn’s great grandfather, George Crile, was a founder of the Cleveland Clinic, and his father served at the facility as chief of surgery, conducting years of research on how plant-strong diets affect heart health.

The Vegan Diet On Steroids

While other diets limit fats, mostly saturated fats from animal products, the Engine 2 diet takes this approach a step further. According to Esselstyn, the best way to incorporate vegetable fats in the diet is by consuming them in their whole form.

Consuming excess amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, like those found in vegetable oils has been shown to increase the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and even autoimmune diseases.

Esselstyn also believes that these fats promote the formation of plaque that clogs arteries, which obviously increases the risk for heart disease.

Following the Diet

As a professional athlete, Esselstyn makes sure that the Engine 2 diet plan includes a fitness plan to help you improve your overall health. He believes that weighing yourself and getting a cholesterol test before you start the program will help you make your progress.

Once you do that, you can start the program – which will instantly cut out animal products, vegetable oils, and processed foods.

You’ll then be given two choices to follow the program. You can either complete a lifestyle overhaul, or the “fire cadet” approach.

The cadet method is a 28-day challenge, and it may be more appealing, especially if you’ve followed a more mainstream diet. Unlike the complete overhaul, the 28-day challenge gives you the ability to slowly cut back on animal foods and vegetable oils.

If you decide to follow the 28-day challenge, then you’ll follow something like this:

— Week 1: Eliminate Processed Foods And Dairy Products
— Week 2: Remove Animal Products Like Eggs, Fish, And Meat
— Week 3: Eliminate Added Oils From Your Diet
— Week 4: Start Truly Following The Program And Settle In

In Esselstyn’s book, he has plenty of recipes and menus, and there are more on his website. It may be a great idea to buy the book if you want to follow his diet, since it will have everything you need to succeed on this diet.

Regardless of which method you use, the diet will call on consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Meat, processed foods, and anything with added sugar is strictly forbid. Your diet must literally be a diet that consists of only natural foods.

Are There Health Benefits?

It’s a known fact that plant-strong diets have several benefits on an individual’s health. While many similar diets don’t quite go to the extreme that Esselstyn does, there are still benefits to going heavy on plant consumption.

Using a plant-based diet to reduce cholesterol levels are still currently being studied, since cholesterol production is based on several factors, not just based on diet.

Stanford University recently conducted a comparison of two diets in their ability to lower cholesterol levels over a 4 week period. One diet was a standard low-fat diet, and the other diet was a low-fat diet with an emphasis on plants like fruits and vegetables. As you could imagine, the group consuming more plant foods saw a greater drop in cholesterol levels.

The NIH reported in 2012 that greater fiber intake thanks to a plant-based diet is likely to be the contributing factor to healthier triglyceride measurements, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Various surveys also have found that meat eaters often weigh heavier than vegetarians and spend more on medical expenses. Those who eat meat also are more likely to develop a chronic illness than those who don’t.

The Downside To The Engine 2 Diet

The biggest downside to this diet is that you are required to supplement with vitamin B-12, since it is only found in animal foods. If the body lacks vitamin b-12, red blood cells may become enlarged and muscles may experience weakness. There may be a connection between neurological issues like dementia and vitamin b-12 deficiency as well.

This is really the only downside though since other minerals like zinc and iron can be found in many plant-based foods. Leafy greens, nuts, and legumes will satisfy these mineral requirements, so you should not really concern yourself over it.

Final Thoughts On Engine 2 Diet

Since Esselstyn published his book, the Engine 2 Diet has garnered a lot of attention and a substantial following. If you have the ability to give up the plant oils and meat, then this diet can potentially provide a significant improvement in your health.

You may be able to lower your weight, cholesterol levels, and dramatically improve your overall health with this diet. You’ll have to buy Esselstyn’s book however, since it has the most detailed guidelines and information about the Engine 2 Diet, how to follow it, and meals and recipes to make sure you can follow this strict plant rich diet.

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Agel – MLM Based Gelceutical Health Supplements

Agel Review

Agel Enterprises, LLC is a multilevel marketing company that sells a diverse range of nutritional supplements and beauty products. Here’s our Agel review.

What is Agel?

Agel is a multilevel marketing company based in Provo, Utah. The company reported $37 million of revenue in 2013 and employs 130 people. Today, the company’s primary products include nutritional supplements (like its “gelceuticals” and suspension gel technology) as well as new products like a caviar-based stem cell beauty cream called Caspi.

The company was founded in 2005 and experienced enormous growth in its first few years. In the company’s first year, it reported $9 million in revenue. By 2007, it had it $89 million. And in 2009, it reached a peak of $175 million in revenue. However, the only source for these enormous revenue figures is Wikipedia, which cites the homepage of DirectSellingNews.com. This makes it difficult to assess the veracity of these claims.

Nevertheless, Agel continues to be a strong MLM to this day. The company is led by Glen Jensen, who formerly worked with Nu Skin Enterprises and served as a member of the CEO Council of the World Federation of Direct Selling Association.

Agel Compensation Structure

Agel uses a two-leg MLM commission structure. In this system, associates’ sales forces are broken down into two legs: a stronger leg and a weaker leg. You receive 10% commission from the weaker leg of your recruited sales force.

Agel Products

Agel separates its products into five different categories, including Gelceuticals, Gel Strips, Gel Care, Topical Gels, and Value Packs. Here’s a brief overview of all of the products across these categories.

Why are gels so popular with Agel? First, the word “gel” is in the name. Second, the company claims that gel is the way Mother Nature intended you to get your nutrients:

“Imagine you were able to perfectly blend up a handful of berries. What would you get? Not a pill. Not a juice either…You would get a gel.”

That’s the idea behind Agel’s wide range of nutritional supplements that come in the form of a gel.

Gelceuticals

The Gelceuticals category is what you get when you combine nutrients and pharmaceuticals into a gel-based form. Key products in this category include:

— ABC Children’s Essentials (multivitamin for kids)

— BRN (Helps your body burn fat)

— GSH (Raises levels of a nutrient called glutathione that “resides in every cell in your body” according to Agel)

— SEE (Supports eye health and healthy eye functioning)

— PRO (Contains life-sustaining nutrients in multivitamin form)

— Omega 3 (For a “healthy heart and mind”

— VLT (Boosts your energy using guarana syrup and caffeine)

— OHM (Increases mental energy using ingredients like vitamin C and B vitamins)

— FIT (Fit helps you “eat less, move more, and lose weight”)

— UMI (Improve your immune system)

— MIN (Another multivitamin)

— EXO (Floods your body with antioxidants and anthocyanins in order to “lose free radicals and gain better health)

— HRT (Fuel and protect your heart)

— FLX (Contains four supplements in-one to give you healthy joints)

— GLO (Promises to provide beauty from the inside out using grape seed oil, green tea seed oil extract, and aloe vera)

— GRN (Claims to cleanse, detoxify, and support your digestive system using ingredients like Chlorella vulgaris, wheat grass, spinach, and broccoli)

Gel Strips

The Gel Strips category contains just one product called REM. Gel Strips claim to be the most stable and durable form of a supplement. All strips are manufactured to contain a precise amount of the desired ingredient and dissolve rapidly without the need for water or swallowing pills. You place one to two strips on your tongue to achieve the desired effects.

The REM Gel Strips can be placed on your tongue to help you quickly absorb melatonin, which is a hormone your body uses to signal your body to fall asleep. By placing one to two gel strips on your tongue one hour before you want to go to sleep, you can ensure your body gets a healthy and natural sleep.

Gel Care

The Gel Care category contains beauty-enhancing gels and skin care products, including anti-aging gels and moisturizers. Products in this category include:

— Cleansing Gel (Eliminates impurities)

— Revitalizing Gel Scrub (Exfoliates and purifies your skin)

— Refreshing Misting Gel (Tones and balances your skin)

— Intensive Gel Serum (Gives your skin a healthy glow)

— Daily Moisturizing Gel (Reduces free radical damage by raising antioxidant levels in the body)

— Age-defying Eye Gel (Brightens and soothes your skin)

— Nourishing night gel (Enhances cell renewal while you sleep)

Topical Gels

The Topical Gels category includes a single product called FLXRUB. That product is a cream that claims to penetrate your skin in order to relieve minor pain and stiffness. It penetrates “deep into sore muscles and joint tissue”.

Key ingredients in FLXRUB include Polysorbate 20, glycerin, and safflower seed oil. Interestingly enough, the supplement also contains purified water (it’s the number one ingredient) and caffeine.

You rub FLXRUB on your skin to achieve the desired effects.

Value Packs

Agel has five value packs that combine multiple supplements together in order to save you money. Those packs include the following:

— Renew Pack: Includes Ageless and GLO
— Trim Pack: Includes FIT and GRN
— Vitality Pack: Includes UMI, EXO, and MIN
— Trim Pack Plus: Includes PRO, GRN, and FIT
— Ultimate Packs: PRO, FIT, GRN, and VLT

Agel Caspi

Agel recently introduced a three part beauty regimen known as Caspi. In a September 2015 announcement on Caspi, vice chairman John Rochon Jr. said that “I believe this is the most important and most dramatic skin care advance of the past 50 years.”

Rochon Jr. went on to say that Caspi is “unlike anything the beauty market has ever seen. Caspi’s exclusive formula literally takes skin care back to the very basis and core of young, healthy skin. The egg is the ultimate source of youth, purity and life. Using caviar stem cell extract for skin care is a unique innovation.”

Caspi’s three part system includes all of the following:

— Caviar Cleanser: Gently removes surface impurities while hydrating the skin.

— Gold-Infused Anti-Aging Serum: This unique skin cream is applied with a roller ball along the creases of wrinkles in order to diffuse light through thousands of microscopic beads coated in 24 karat gold. This reportedly softens the shadows that cause visible wrinkles and “restore a soft, youthful glow to the skin.”

— Creamy Caviar Moisturizer: This moisturizer is made from caviar stem cell extract and promises to stimulate freshly growing cells in your skin to organize into “firmer, younger feeling and younger looking skin.” In addition to caviar stem cells, the supplement uses botanical extracts as well as botanical fragrances.

How to Buy Agel Products

To purchase Agel products, you’ll need to know an Agel salesperson in your area. As a direct selling company, Agel sells all its products through its independent salespeople.

You can buy Agel products online. However, you’ll need to enter a sponsor ID into this form here: Agel.com

Once you’ve done that, you’re free to purchase Agel products. All of your sales will give a commission to the salesperson whose sponsor ID you used.

About Agel

Agel’s official name is Agel Enterprises. It’s a company within CSVL Inc., which is a publically-traded company on the NYSE (ticker symbol is CVSL). Other CVSL companies include The Longaberger Company, Your Inspiration At Home, and Tomboy Tools.

According to the Better Business Bureau, Agel Enterprises, LLC is based at the following address:

Agel Enterprises, LLC
786 W 1200 N Ste 1
Springville, UT 84663

You can contact the company at (801) 407-5200 or by emailing compliance@agel.com.

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