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Hawaiimana's Nutrition

Here are some questions, answers, and topics:

What are Amino Acids & why are they important?

Amino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The proteins they form are essential to cellular regeneration which is critical for muscle growth, recovery, immune system and a healthy metabolism, which assists in the natural thermogenic burning of fat. There are 20 amino acids, of which the human body can produce 10 through biosynthesis. Amino Acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form proteins that function as chemical messengers and as intermediates in metabolism. The chemical properties of the amino acids of proteins determine the biological activity of the protein. Proteins not only catalyze all (or most) of the reactions in living cells, they control virtually all cellular process. The others must be supplied in the food. Failure to obtain enough of even 1 of the 10 essential amino acids, those that we cannot make, results in degradation of the body's proteins–muscle and so forth–to obtain the one amino acid that is needed. Unlike fat and starch, the human body does not store excess amino acids for later use–the amino acids must be in the food every day. The 10 amino acids that we can produce are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine. Tyrosine is produced from phenylalanine, so if the diet is deficient in phenylalanine, tyrosine will be required as well. The essential amino acids are arginine (required for the young, but not for adults), histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids are required in the diet. Plants, of course, must be able to make all the amino acids. Humans, on the other hand, do not have all the enzymes required for the biosynthesis of all of the amino acids.

Tip: Be sure the protein you are consuming is biologically-active with Live Protein. Most of the protein supplements on the market have been over-processed and microfiltered which destroys the fragile components (amino acids and polypeptides) of the proteins, rendering them void of nutritional value. HawaiiMana Live Whey SRT Protein is the finest all-natural, non-denatured biologically active protein formula on the market.

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Fiber – What is it and what is the best source for it?

Arabinogalactan Fiber is nature's greatest Antioxidant. Derived from South America's Larch tree, it is nature's purest, most effective antioxidant. This miraculous source of fiber supports healthy cholesterol levels and serves as a prebiotic or fuel for the "good bacteria" needed by the intestines, and has a positive influence on the intestines microflora. It further reduces ammonia levels in the intestines and increases the production of short chain fatty acids, both of which are keys to a healthy gastrointestinal system. Its polysaccharides help the body achieve a state of immune readiness. Antioxidants are phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals) that scavenge free radicals and reduce the oxidative damage caused by free radicals at the cellular level. Free radicals are highly energetic ions or single atoms that do not have their outer electron shells filled. To satisfy the need to fill the outer shell, they will tear into the nearest molecule, leading to some form of tissue damage. If this happens to be a strand of DNA, for example, the result can be severe, such as a birth defect or cancer. So, it is in our best interest to limit the number of free radicals present at any given time.

Tip: HawaiiMana Live Whey SRT Protein delivers 2 grams of Arabinogalactan Fiber in every serving, which could easily be your greatest source of natural antioxidants and prebiotic source for wellness.

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Muscle Growth – What is the best nutritional product to grow lean muscle?

Answer: Whey protein may be the best candidate for maximizing muscle growth. Whey protein contains an optimal balance of amino acids for muscle growth, especially glutamine or glutamic acid, and taurine. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance. But the key is consuming Live Non-Denatured Whey Protein. Nearly every single protein product on the market and on the store shelf has been "de–natured", which means it has been over-processed to the point that the fragile living amino acids and immune system boosters have been greatly damaged. When a protein has been destroyed or "de–natured" it cannot be un-denatured or restored to a living state. Denatured proteins have little nutritious value and are ineffective at building muscle. To build muscle it is essential to consume live, non-denatured protein.

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Fat / weight loss – How can protein enhance fat–burn and weight–loss?

Answer: Recent studies have indicated that high-protein meals actually raise post-meal thermogenisis (fat burning) and resting energy expenditure (Source: Journal of American College of Nutrition, 21(1):55-61, 2002). That's right, meal replacement supplements and protein powders can help you burn fat and lose weight!

HawaiiMana Live Whey SRT Protein is an excellent weight loss tool. All protein foods are thermogenic. Protein foods boost your metabolism causing your body to burn calories to digest them. By using a Hawaii Mana's whey protein shake regularly you can take advantage of this calorie burning effect plus provide important building blocks for lean muscle preservation. There is also another added benefit: L-Phenylalanine the amino acid found in whey protein. This amino helps keep appetite under control by increasing the peptide Cholecystokinin which promotes feelings of fullness. It's high natural levels of L-Phenylalanine is one reason bodybuilders and models drink a lot of whey protein shakes when dieting.

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Immune system support – What nutrition will help my immune system?

Glutathione is the body's master anti–oxidant, detoxifer, immune system modulator and regulator of vital functions performed by cells. It is the body's greatest combatant against free radicals which are found in everything including our air, food and water. HawaiiMana's biologically active organic whey protein provides ample amounts of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine, the key pre–cursors to the body's natural production of Glutithione, which can only be manufactured by the body within each cell with the necessary precursors. The Journal of Immunology 61: 503-508, 1987 reports, &quto;The bioactivity occurs through the ability of the protein concentrate to help replenish Glutathione levels via continuous dietary provision of Glutathione precursors, especially Cysteine, during lymphocyte proliferation, thus supporting an optimal immune response. This process seems to not only increase intercellular levels of Glutathione and precursors at the time of ingestion, but also builds up stores of these substances within the cells which lasts for a substantial post-ingestion time interval."

Four Vital Functions of Glutithione

  1. Major Antioxidant – neutralizes free radicals and recycles other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
  2. Most Effective Detoxifier – binding to undesirable toxins, pollutants, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and drug metabolites and excreting them through the urine or the gut.
  3. Immune Response Modulator – increases body's immune system effectiveness when it is low and bringing it back into balance when it is overactive.
  4. Regulation of Cell's Vital Functions – synthesis and repair of DNA, the synthesis of proteins, and the activation and regulation of enzymes.

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Why is Hawaiian Noni so Beneficial?

Morinda citifolia (Hawaiian noni) is used to enhance the immune, respiratory and digestive systems. It also helps correct the Acid – Alkaline Imbalance that many people suffer from that can lead to many health maladies. HawaiiMana's Hawaiian Noni is grown in the purest air and rain in the world, sun-ripened and hand-picked on special farms in Hawaii (Maui and Big Island) where the air and rain are the purest in the world. The fruit is sun ripened naturally. It is harvested by hand in the Hawaiian tradition to preserve nature's entire gift. Noni is fabled among the Polynesian peoples to especially help support the body's respiratory system, immune, digestive and structural systems. Scientific studies within the last few decades lend support to the Hawaiian and Polynesians' claim of its unusual healing powers.

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Why Live Whey Protein is Better than Soy

Non-denatured live whey protein has the highest biologic value of any protein. Unlike soy, it is a complete protein providing all the essential amino acids in the correct balance. All 18 key amino acids are bonded within the five major biologically-active proteins: lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, bovine serum albumin, alpha-lactalbeluim, and beta-lactogloblin. Also present in live form are: active peptides, natural anabolic growth factors, live enzymes and covalent-bonded cysteine, a critical amino acid for the production of the body's master anti-oxidant glutathione. Soy protein is low in the amino acid methionine, therefore not as efficient in building muscle as whey protein. HawaiiMana's non-denatured Live Whey SRT Protein contains 18 amino acids essential for muscle growth, fat-burning thermogenisis and immune system support. Our whey is derived from organic milk from pasture–fed, pesticide free, hormone treatment free cattle. Grass fed animals has higher levels of essential fatty acids, essential for metabolizing nutrients. These cows are never subjected to any growth hormone treatment, chemicals, antibiotics or injected pathogens. HawaiiMana is painstakingly processed to maintain the full range of all the fragile immune boosting and regenerative components naturally present in whole fresh milk.

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Are you lactose intolerant?

Lactose intolerance develops when the body has difficulty digesting whole and skim milk and other dairy products. Lactose is a milk sugar and like most sugars, it is broken down by enzymes in the intestinal tract so it can be absorbed as an energy source. The enzyme that breaks down lactose is called lactase. When the intestine does not contain lactase, then lactose intolerance can occur. Dairy intolerance typically consists of two parts: lactose (milk sugar) intolerance and milk protein intolerance. Many times dairy intolerance is incorrectly described as lactose intolerance and the products available on the market currently only address that issue. Symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps and rumbling, bloating, rectal gas (flatus), and diarrhea. They usually occur 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting lactose-containing foods. The severity of symptoms usually depends on the amount of lactose ingested and how much of the enzyme, lactase, remains in the intestinal tract. One Answer: HawaiiMana's special comprehensive blend of lactase and proteases ameliorates the symptoms of lactose intolerance AND digests the milk protein, b-lactoglobulin, which is responsible for milk protein intolerance. HawaiiMana Whey Protein Powder is also nearly free of the allergenic milk protein casein, further enhancing tolerance. A key ingredient in HawaiiMana Live Whey Protein is BioCor Dairy™, a combination of lactase and proteases designed to comprehensively treat dairy intolerance. The lactase in BioCor Dairy™ will digest lactose and the proteases are optimized to break down milk protein.

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Acid-Alkaline Imbalance – Is your pH Level out of balance

Most people are over–acidic, which means the body must neutralize excess acids with our alkaline reserves, which when depleted, leave the body in a weakened condition. Having an Acid – Alkaline imbalance can lead to many health maladies. Being over acidic (acidosis) is a dangerous condition that weakens all body systems by forcing the body to borrow minerals–including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium–from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body. Because of this strain, the body can suffer severe and prolonged damage due to high acidity–a condition that may go undetected for years. Conversely, a healthy body's pH-balanced system has adequate alkaline reserves to meet emergency demands. An Acid–Alkaline balanced diet, according to many experts, is a vital key to health maintenance.

What Causes an over–acidic state?

A diet high in meat, eggs and dairy; and processed foods like white flour, sugar; and beverages like coffee, soft drinks with artificial chemical sweetners like NutraSweet, Equal and aspartame – all of which are extremely acid-forming.

How do you lower lower your acid levels and increase your alkaline?

Eat fresh vegetables and fruits like broccoli, asparagus, raw parsely, onions, mangos, lemons, grapefruits, papaya and watermelon. However, you will still need to consume protein. Good choices are fish, legumes and special non-denatured whey protein powders like HawaiiMana Live Whey SRT Protein which includes Hawaiian Noni and proteolytic enzymes that assist in the digesting, minimizes acid production and includes precious minerals of magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, iron and many others.

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Sugar-balance in the body – How Whey Protein can Help

Answer: Blood sugar levels are kept steady by an intake of whey protein powder. High quality Live Whey protein is one of the most important nutrients to consume throughout the day, as protein raises protective HDL cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, improves insulin action, promotes lean muscle growth, and creates satiety and blood sugar balance. Using Fructose as the natural sweetener in HawaiiMana also reduces the body's need for insulin production. This means that while an active person is using Hawaii Mana Whey SRT Protein Powder, the need for uncontrolled binging is drastically reduced. Therefore, more energy is available and fat is also metabolized quicker while using Hawaii Mana Whey Protein. Effective diet management is achieved through the abilities of whey protein to balance blood sugar.

Research: Effect of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses to composite breakfast and lunch meals in type 2 diabetic subjects:

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 1, 69-75, July 2005

Whey proteins have insulinotropic effects and reduce the postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether supplementation of meals with a high glycemic index (GI) with whey proteins may increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic subjects. Results: The insulin responses were higher after both breakfast (31%) and lunch (57%) when whey was included in the meal than when whey was not included. After lunch, the blood glucose response was significantly reduced after whey ingestion. Postprandial GIP responses were higher after whey ingestion, whereas no differences were found in GLP-1 between the reference and test meals. Conclusions: The addition of whey protein to meals with rapidly digested and absorbed carbohydrates stimulates insulin release and reduces postprandial blood glucose excursion after a lunch meal consisting of mashed potatoes and meatballs in type 2 diabetic subjects.

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Why are Fructose and Stevia are Best Sweetners?

Answer: These are the best all-around natural sweetners due to the ease with which your body can process them. This is why HawaiiMana uses them. Fructose is a natural fruit sugar that burns slowly in your body to provide long-lasting energy, unlike ordinary table sugar. Ordinary table sugar - cane or beet sugar (sucrose) and grape sugar (glucose) are absorbed from your digestive tract relatively quickly, causing your pancreas to release a lot of insulin, the natural hormone required to metabolize the sudden big surge in your blood sugar levels. The average amount that your blood sugar rises after you eat a given amount of a particular carbohydrate is called that carbohydrate's glycemic index. The natural fruit sugar fructose has one of the lowest glycemic indexes of any food - with a rating of only 20, compared to 31 for skim milk, 59 for sucrose (ordinary table sugar), and 98 for an equal weight of mashed potatoes. This means that 1 ounce of fructose raises your blood sugar only about 1/3 as much as an ounce of sucrose, and it releases only about 1/3 as much insulin. And a mashed potato raises your blood sugar almost 5 times higher than a comparable amount of fructose! High glycemic index carbohydrates can cause major problems for your body's fat control program. Stevia (STEE-vee-uh) is all natural and is used to enhance the flavor of the Whey Protein and reduces the number of grams of sugar in each serving. Stevia also appears to have medicinal properties. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may lower blood pressure, prevent and reverse diabetes, and possess anti-viral properties. Stevia is a South American shrub whose leaves have been used for centuries by native peoples in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their yerba mate and other stimulant beverages. Stevioside, the main ingredient in stevia (the two terms are often used interchangeably), is virtually calorie-free and hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar. "So it appeals to many people as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, " says Mark Blumenthal of the pro-herb American Botanical Council in Austin, Texas. While Japanese manufacturers have used stevia since the early 1970s to sweeten pickles and other foods, the FDA has turned down three industry requests to use stevia in foods in the U.S. That's why you don't see stevia on supermarket shelves next to the Sweet'N Low or Equal. But you can buy it in health food stores as a dietary supplement. Since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), stevia can be sold legally in the United States, but only as a "dietary supplement. " Even so, it can be found in many forms in most health-food stores, and is also incorporated into drinks, teas and other items (all labeled as "dietary supplements"). It cannot, however, be called a "sweetener" or even referred to as "sweet. " To do so would render the product "adulterated, " according to the FDA, and make it again subject to seizure.

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Glutithione – Nature's Anti-Aging Secret and Master Anti-Oxidant

Anti-oxidants are the best defense against premature aging. Glutathione is the body's master anti-oxidant, detoxifer, immune system modulator and regulator of vital functions performed by cells. It is the body's greatest combatant against free radicals which are found in everything including our air, food, water and your body. However, Glutathione is not a supplement you can take as a pill or a powder. Glutathione can only be manufactured by the body within each cell with the necessary precursors such as cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. HawaiiMana's biologically active organic whey protein is formulated to provide optimum amounts of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine, to enhance the body's natural production of Glutathione. Nutritionists and scientists all agree that non-denatured, Live whey protein is the best source of precursors for the production of glutathione. Don't be fooled by any of the man-made glutathione supplements – give your body what it needs to produce it on its own.

Cysteine vs Cystine -- Know the Difference!

Cysteine, is the optimal component for the intracellular production of Glutathione. Cysteine is very scarce in our modern diet and therefore glutathione production is limited and deficiency is prevalent. If cysteine undergoes any heating or processing as in prevailing "denatured" proteins on the market from conventional dairy and dairy by-products, the cysteine is denatured and converted to cystine. Cystine does not assist in the production of Glutithione. According to scientists, non-denatured whey protein is the best source of Cysteine, the key precursor to producing Glutithione (Cystine is NOT!). HawaiiMana Whey Protein is unique as it is the only non-denatured native whey product and contains naturally occurring cysteine. HawaiiMana is one of the few organic "living" proteins with nature-preserved, biologically active ingredients.

How can I identify Denatured (Dead/Damaged) Protein Powders?

Beware, nearly every whey protein concentrate on the market, including the leaders, is a bi-product of the cheese manufacturing process and all once living proteins are destroyed in processing. Look for these clues on the label: cross-flow filtration, micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, hydrolyzation, ion exchange or the deceptive term "un-denatured. " If you see any of these processes just mentioned on a label, the protein content is denatured. De-natured Proteins are produced using high heat, chemical or filtration processes that damage and destroy the fragile living protein, a process called "denaturing. " These denatured products are the result of using high heat and extreme filtration processes, which damages or "de-natures" the fragile "living" native proteins. Once the natural proteins have been destroyed, they cannot be restored and have little nutritional value. Manufacturers usually "fortify" the product with synthetic, man-made vitamins and ingredients to meet label claims. However, few of these ingredients can actually be absorbed by the body because they are not molecularly bound in a natural food matrix, which is the most efficient way the body can metabolize and fully absorb the nutrients. The result is a product that is highly profitable for the manufacturer, but of little nutritional value for the consumer. However, HawaiiMana has raised the bar in the industry by:

  • Using only premium whey from organic dairy sources
  • Employing a costly, painstaking process to maintain the fragile biologically active protein components, which is essential to producing a product with nutritional integrity.
  • Applying the revolutionary benefits of SRT™ which maximizes nutritional values and improves metabolic processing (Click here for more info on "dead proteins" that saturate the market place)

Live Protein vs Damaged Protein – How to tell the Difference

"Damaged Protein" – Also referred to as "Denatured" -- Nearly every protein on the market, including the leaders, is "damaged" due to the industrialized processing used to produce the whey protein concentrate, which is a bi-product of the cheese manufacturing process. The process involves using high heat, cross-flow filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, hydrolyzation or ion exchange, which completely destroys or "de-natures" the live native proteins. This "damaged" protein is then passed on to trusting consumers who think they are consuming a nutritional product. However, the protein is destroyed in the process and is no longer biologically active, nor does it possess much nutritional value. In some cases, it still carries residual pesticides, pathogens, growth hormones from the dairy source, and other artificial fillers, sweetners and flavoring additives.

"Live Protein" – HawaiiMana's Organic Whey Protein Powder and Protein Bars are produced using 100% natural, biologically active, live whey protein concentrate. This concentrate is produced using a proprietary low heat filtration and drying which involves the minimum amount of processing to preserve nature's living nutrients. Using only whey from organically raised, pasture-fed cattle, and other natural ingredients, HawaiiMana employs the costly, painstaking processing to maintain the biologically active protein components, which is essential to producing a product with nutritional integrity. This process preserves the 18 active amino acids essential to a healthy immune system, muscle growth, metabolic processing and cellular regeneration. This naturally complete protein contains exceptional amounts of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and covalent bonded cysteine. These are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and are a critical part of anti-aging. Naturally occurring cysteine is the rate-limiting amino acid for intracellular Glutathione production. Glutathione is our master antioxidant and detoxifier. Biologically active proteins repair RNA and DNA, antioxidants (Glutathione precursors), are complete amino acids, protect against ionizing radiation, improve liver and lung function, aid red blood cell production, support chemotherapy treatment, safely bind and detoxify heavy metals, aid wound healing, and help growth and repair of muscles. The concept is simple and familiar to most: live ingredients = live body vs dead ingredients = dead body. HawaiiMana is committed to providing only biologically active, live ingredients for maximum nutritional value.

Nutrition Plan to Burn Fat and Build Lean Muscle

Today more than ever, it seems like we Americans are constantly being bombarded with a continual stream of "revolutionary weight loss fads". Virtually all of these so called "miracle diet plans" share one common theme. To get leaner, you must one, dramatically reduce the amount of food you eat and starve yourself; or two, you can eat whatever you want as long as you take your magic pills.

What is so concerning is that their "miracle diet plans" rarely have any scientific proof to support their claims. In fact, it seems like the more outrageous the diet; the more it attracts those people that are desperate to try anything to lose weight. These kinds of diets do more harm to the body than good. Instead of giving the body what it needs, these crazy diets create a highly unbalanced environment in the body that can have some serious consequences.

These imbalances can show up in the form of muscle loss, reduced metabolism, unstable blood sugar levels, and weakened immune system. In the final analysis, this approach to nutrition is flawed and, in most cases, is in direct opposition to how the body is designed to lose fat. As you review your customized program, one of the first things that you will notice is that we will not be "starving" you. In order to help your body work at peak performance, we are having you eat 5 to 6 well-balanced meals per day. In addition, we have factored in meal frequency, timing, balance, food ratios, and food quality. By properly combining all these components, we are helping you to work directly with your body to lose fat and gain muscle in the shortest amount of time.

There are no gimmicks here, this concept is scientifically proven and is a healthy approach to increasing metabolism, stabilizing blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol levels, and supporting a strong immune system.

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