Nutrition
Part Three of the Phyto-8 Seriesby Aaron Lowe on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 8:26:20 PM MST
Pomegranate- It was “wonderful” before all the mainstream marketing!
Long known as the "Fruit of Royalty,” pomegranate has generated tremendous interest in the scientific community due to its unique phytonutrient content. Before everyone thought the only way to get pomegranate was from those cute, curvy bottles it was revered for generations in cultures around the world. I do have to thank the strong marketing behind pomegranate, though, since most folks are now aware of the healthy properties of this awesome fruit.
One note on pomegranate, if you’ve ever tried to eat one you’ll understand how getting it in a form other than picking out those tiny red seeds is a godsend. That is one messy fruit, my friends.
Not only is it a rich source of vitamins C and B5, but it’s also a source of a class of antioxidant polyphenols known as punicalagins. These potent antioxidants have shown promise in not only supporting the body’s natural ability in protection from heart disease and hypertension. It has also shown great promise in prostate health.
Punicalagins’ bioavailability (meaning that the body readily absorbs and utilizes them) have been shown to be up to 95%. Compared to most other dietary antioxidants, which often have very poor bioavailability, they are in a league of their own! Where they shine in the latest research is in their ability to suppress growth of certain cancer cells (particularly prostate) as well as protect your cardiovascular system from oxidative damage.
My blog wouldn’t be complete without a reference or two. Here are several good references on this cool, but messy, fruit.
Nutr Rev. 2009 Jan;67(1):49-56.
Pomegranate juice: a heart-healthy fruit juice.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 May;71(5):1062-76.
Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet aggregation: studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 24;56(18):8418-26. Epub 2008 Aug 30.
Cellular antioxidant activity of common fruits.
One thing that makes Bazi unique and superior, in my opinion, to that “wonderful” product is that it combines the nutritional goodness of pomegranate along with seven other superfruits. Not to take anything away from their product, but it simply doesn’t have the nutrient density or diversity of Bazi. I think that’s pretty wonderful!
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Nutrition
Part 2 of the Phyto-8 Seriesby Aaron Lowe on Friday, April 22, 2011 6:34:49 PM MST
One of the few fruits which are native to North America, blueberries are rich in vitamin C, phytonutrients known as “anthocyanins” and other antioxidants. Research into blueberries’ relationship to optimal health suggest that they may play roles in diminishing one’s risk for heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and even osteoporosis. .
Blueberries have become the darling of the media and health/medical communities for their powerful benefits they provide, and here are several of the latest studies to underscore their benefits:
Journal of Nutrition
“Bioactives in Blueberries Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Men and Women”
A daily smoothie containing bioactive ingredients from blueberries increased sensitivity to insulin, and may reduce the risk of developing diabetes in at-risk people.
The study consisted of obese, non-diabetic, and insulin-resistant participants who consumed a blueberry smoothie daily for six weeks. They experienced a 22 percent change in insulin sensitivity, compared to only 4.9 percent in the placebo group. The researchers concluded “the bioactives in blueberries enhanced insulin sensitivity independent of any changes in inflammatory biomarkers or adiposity.”
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
“Blueberry fruit polyphenolics suppress oxidative stress-induced skeletal muscle cell damage in vitro”
This study suggests that damage to muscle cells exposed to oxidative stress was significantly reduced when also exposed to doses of blueberry fruit extracts.
“In our study blueberry fruits were suggested as good candidates to combat muscle oxidative damage,” wrote the researchers.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
“Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults”
Supplemental blueberries for only 12 weeks may boost memory in older people with early memory problems. A daily drink of about 500 mL of blueberry juice was associated with improved learning and word list recall, as well as a suggestion of reduced depressive symptoms.
The study is said to be the first human trial to assess the potential benefits of blueberries on brain function in older adults with increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
I know I promised not to get too geeky with this stuff, but the science on blueberries is so cool I had to share it all with you. Have a great weekend and we'll look at some more of the awesome superfruits in Bazi next week.
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Nutrition
Part one of the Phyto-8 seriesby Aaron Lowe on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:03:28 PM MST
Over the next few weeks I’m going to go a bit in-depth on the eight superfruits we use in Bazi. I’m not going in any particular order of the fruits, I just write as the whim hits me. I hope this series helps you understand a bit better why I feel so proud of Bazi; it really is in a class all its own.
Let's talk Goji!
The goji berry, (lycium barbarum for us geeks) is a superfruit native to the southeastern parts of Europe and Asia, and is also known as wolfberry. Since it’s not native to our soil, and most consumers have never even heard of it, we wanted to make sure you understand why it’s one of the Phyto8 Blend in Bazi. We didn’t pick it because of its cool name, we used it because it’s chock full of nutrients that most of us aren’t getting in our daily diets.
Goji berries are rich in phytonutrients (and you know my position on the importance of nutrients other than vitamins and minerals) so, Goji rocks when it comes to powerful nutrition.
Just look at what the Goji berry contains:
- 6 vitamins
- 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals
- 18 amino acids
- 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides
- 5 unsaturated fatty acids, including the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid
- beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols
- 5 carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and cryptoxanthin, a xanthophyll
- numerous phenolic pigments associated with antioxidant properties
I know a lot of this is way too nerdy for most of you, but remember that all those nutrients play roles in your body to maintain health and many (most, actually) aren’t found in the processed foods we all eat every single day.
Don’t take my word for it on Goji’s health benefits; here are a few studies which underscore its healthy properties:
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicinepublished a study where subjects consuming goji berry juice for two weeks increased feelings of general well-being and improved digestion. According to the study, those who consumed the juice for two weeks reported an increase in feelings of energy levels, quality of sleep, mental acuity, calmness, and feelings of content.
Researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, found that when goji berries were given to laboratory animals with DNA damage and non-insulin dependent diabetes, the animals showed a decrease in blood glucose levels and an increase in levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD)—an important antioxidant. Additionally, goji berry possibly decreased DNA damage by decreasing oxidative stress level.
In another recent study at the University of Hong Kong, researchers theorized that since goji berry has anti-aging effects, it probably also has neuroprotective effects against toxins in neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease. They were right. It protected the brain neurons of laboratory animals from the toxic effects of beta amyloid protein—a culprit in Alzheimer’s disease.
The goji berry has shown that a tiny fruit can pack a wide arsenal of nutritious weapons, and it just so happens to be one of the Phyto 8 superfruits that we packed into a serving of BAZI. You may not remember all of the benefits of goji when you have your daily Bazi, but your body will certainly appreciate them.
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Nutrition
Can’t fly around the world to collect the best superfruits? Grab a Bazi instead.by Aaron Lowe on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 11:01:17 PM MST
Now that gas is over $4.00 per gallon, and those of you who share the pain with me in driving a gas guzzler are probably looking for areas to save some money, any money, anywhere.
Enter Bazi. We preach all about Bazi’s energy attributes all the time, and how it’s really the only truly healthy energy shot out there. What I’ve been lacking in my blog is how it saves you time and money.
Think about the cost in time and money of shopping for and preparing your meals. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying Bazi is a replacement for a healthy diet, but I am pointing out the fact that the cost of a Bazi shot is a lot less than if you tried to hunt down all of the superfruits and prepare them. In fact, there are rural areas that one wouldn’t even be able to purchase several of the exotic fruits found in Bazi. Think about it, not only does Bazi provide energy, it provides seriously good nutrition that is convenient as well as an incredible value. One shot of Bazi is equal to an entire cup (that’s one serving/8oz) of the mixed superfruits that it’s made from. One serving of mixed superfruits packs a LOT more nutritional punch than an equal serving of apples, bananas, orange and any other fruit typical fruit salad. Isn’t that why they are called superfruits? Anyway, Bazi is a great method to supplement your fruit intake regardless of where you live or how you eat.
That’s what makes Bazi so cool, we didn’t just make the blend from fruit that was commonly known and used here in the US, we made sure to use those which were difficult to find domestically AND provided unequaled nutritional punch. For example, we know that Goji is native to much of Asia and has been a staple in the diet for thousands of years. Same goes for Jujube. Try and find either one of those fresh fruits in your local supermarket or health food store. Even with the domestically sourced fruit in Bazi, it’s tough to beat our value. It’s easy to pay over $5.00 for a basket of blueberries and raspberries. I didn’t even add the time and expense of traveling to and from the store(s) to get everything. Plus, how many of you have bought baskets of blueberries, raspberries or strawberries only to throw most of it out a week later because you never ate it?
Nutritionists will want to blast me, but it’s very easy to sit in an ivory tower and tell folks how they SHOULD be eating and exercising. I, however, live in the real world along with the rest of you and I understand the challenges we all face in meeting healthy eating goals. If there is a product, such as Bazi, that helps me get a bit closer to an optimal diet, I’m going to embrace it. Meal replacement drinks are perfect examples. They combine science, technology and consumer needs and provide a product that contains many of the components of a well prepared and nutritionally diverse meal, but it helps those who wouldn’t otherwise prepare one. I don’t see a downside here with this train of thought.
Make sure you do make every effort to eat a well balanced and nutritionally diverse diet. But, to give your body as many nutritional options as possible, use Bazi every single day not only for it’s energy properties, but because it gives your body a multitude of nutrients it needs to be its very best.
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General
If you’re reading this, thank a trucker!by Aaron Lowe on Friday, April 08, 2011 7:46:25 PM MST
How many times have you passed an 18 wheeler on the freeway (or had one pass you) and wondered what they were carrying and where they were going? Did you ever think about the driver inside the cab? How does he/she do it? Try driving for 10 hours at a time, day in and day out, and see how hard it is to do. These folks work hard and earn every penny while out on those interstates. Chances are that most of the things you own or eat were transported at one time or another by a trucker. In fact, nearly 70% of all transported freight in the US is done by truck!
I was lucky enough to spend three days in Louisville, KY at the Mid-America Truck Show and hand out nearly 8000 samples of Bazi to attendees. It’s no secret that we’ve incorporated a concerted effort to market to truckers; since they consume a lot of energy products and caffeine but statistically are some of the unhealthiest adults in the US.
We got a chance to speak with drivers about the challenges they face on the job and learned that they do want healthier choices at the truck stops and to improve their overall health. For the vast majority of the drivers what’s accessible is limited to what’s at fuel stops. Their world is based around Pilot or Love’s or TA, and if the truck stop doesn’t have it, they probably won’t use it. It was great for us to expose drivers to the healthy option of Bazi and to make the effort to purchase it from 7-11 or order directly from us. What touched me was the sincere concern over the drivers’ health from spouses, since, most of the time, it was the wives who would ask the detailed questions about the advantages of Bazi.
We shared our booth with the American Association of Professional Drivers, which is another group dedicated to the health and welfare of drivers and their families. Also in attendance was Healthy Trucking Association of America (I’ve blogged about this great org before). The growth of health-based products and services specific to truckers is a segment which is gaining rapid momentum and both of these organizations are at the forefront of the trend.
I’m challenging all the truck stop chains to dedicate a healthy products section for the drivers in order to give the drivers alternatives to the usual fare. If you go to any of the big chain truck stops, ask for their healthy choice section. If enough of us want the change it will happen. Let’s do what we can to support the drivers. They truly are the backbone of our economy.
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Education
Elite athletes are beginning to turn away from supplements.by Aaron Lowe on Monday, March 28, 2011 8:54:01 PM MST
It makes sense, after numerous public scandals with elite and pro athletes getting caught in the quagmire of tainted supplements, many are now starting to shy away from using them altogether.
According to findings published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, supplement use by certain Olympic-level athletes decreased nearly 20 percent between 2002 and 2009.
Since I am very pro-supplement you may ask why I’m sharing this negative info. First, this is reality and no amount of hyperbole will make the facts go away. Secondly, it allows me to explain on why I think it’s a mistake on the athletes’ part.
I don’t blame athletes who are eschewing supplements; they’ve built their entire lives around their sport and don’t want to throw it all away with a tainted supplement. For those of you who follow professional cycling I’m sure you are aware of Alberto Contador being suspended for testing positive for a banned substance in which he argued came from tainted meat. Luckily, for Alberto, he successfully argued his case and was reinstated. Most athletes, however, are not so lucky. If they test positive, regardless of where it came from or if the athlete unknowingly ingested it, they are out. Period!
Supplements really have earned their spot on the training table for athletes of all abilities, and not using them altogether puts the elite athlete at a disadvantage. At the pinnacle of athletics, it’s all about the most minute of details, and all things considered the athlete who maximizes nutritional support will have the advantage over those who don’t.
Athletes must choose their supplements very wisely, from only those manufacturers they know for a fact are diligent in ensuring zero issues with cross contamination. The reputable companies (like us) will support athletes through, GMP and FDA certified domestic manufacturers, letters of guarantee or third party testing. Also, regardless of the claims made on the label, stick with supplements that provide nutrients that you would normally find in foods. This is tricky, they don’t have to be sourced from foods, but you should be able to find the nutrient in a food somewhere. For example, something exotic sounding like cryptoxanthin is found in many colorful fruits or vegetables and does play roles in the body. On the opposite side, you may not even want to touch the bottle if it contains chlorophytum borivilanium.
There really isn’t a reason any athlete shouldn’t take advantage of the products available to them because of a few bad apples out there. Stick with reputable brand, like Bazi, so you don’t lose that gold medal from your next Olympics (or weekend world championship).
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General
Why didn't they suggest Bazi?by Aaron Lowe on Friday, March 18, 2011 5:04:39 PM MST
David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding (can someone explain the “with” part to me?) recently listed their choices for Worst energy drinks, gels and shots on Yahoo Health. They also presented what they considered healthy alternatives for each of the categories.
I have no argument with all of the choices for Worst; all choices are stellar examples of why our country’s health is failing at alarming rates and at younger ages. There simply is nothing redeeming about any of those products.
 Over 300 mg of caffeine per serving in this product. Wow!
There is one exception, however, and that is the Clif Razz Energy Gel Shot. As a cyclist I use gels while out on rides, as do runners and most endurance athletes who use them as energy sources for working muscles. In that context gels are great products. As an energy product to simply ingest because one is tired, yeah, it would suck. I guess I never looked at it as an energy product in that manner and how other folks may use them.
Where was I? Oh, yes, the suggested alternative products are either loaded with caffeine or still are only slightly healthier than the worst choice. One alternative contains 240 mg of caffeine. That’s healthy? “Rockstar's Recovery is as fine as any energy drink on the market.” Bazi isn’t a beverage, but it certainly is a heap better than Rockstar Recovery. Don’t get me wrong here; I’m not slamming the author(s) on the spirit of the article. They certainly are helpful when it comes to enlightening consumers on the evils of energy products. I think they may be just a bit myopic when they recommend alternatives.
 Which leads me to ask why didn’t they list Bazi as the healthy alternative to nearly every single one of their submissions? If the user needs energy without the risk, side effects, calories or impending crash, Bazi isn’t simply a choice, it’s THE choice. Need a recovery product? Bazi’s nutrient-dense formulation supports optimal recovery from intense exercise. Need something to get you through the day? Bazi is there. Need a product that you can use and not worry about side effects or exacerbating existing health condition? Bazi!
I asked all of you to let Dr Oz know that Bazi is the best safe and healthy alternative to energy products, and now I’m asking you to let David/Matt/someone at Yahoo/Men’s Health know the same.
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Nutrition
Dr Oz would make a great Bazi spokesperson!by Aaron Lowe on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:36:03 PM MST
 Dr Oz recently ran a segment on the dangers of the various energy drinks and shots on the market, and, to be honest, his presentation was dead-on with how we feel here at Bazi.
We agree with Dr. Oz that these drinks and shots rely on way too much caffeine (listed on the label and hidden amounts) to provide the consumer with a short burst of energy. As he pointed out, caffeine in moderation is perfectly safe and even has positive health benefits, but in excess can lead to a myriad of health issues.
Secondly, many of these drinks include ingredients which may be risky to one’s health. His nutritionist mentioned hidden or unknown ingredients in many products which have little or no history of safe use in humans. We agree, and that’s why we list everything in Bazi and you’ll see that it contains only ingredients which have proven safe histories of use in humans.
He accurately stated that the FDA has a suggested caffeine limit of 400 mg per day; some energy products could exceed that amount in 1 to 2 servings. With Bazi, one serving provides a TOTAL (no hidden amounts in any other ingredients) of 80 mg of naturally-sourced caffeine. That’s equal to about a cup of coffee.
I’m going to sound like a broken record here because I’ve said this before on my post regarding children and caffeine, Anyway, the similarity between Bazi and every other energy product ends with caffeine. We take a proactive approach to energy by giving the body what it needs to naturally energize through phytonutrients, optimal amounts of vitamins and trace minerals. I wish his nutritionist knew about Bazi because I’m convinced she would have recommended it as a healthy alternative.
We also have our tongue-in-cheek version of energy drink intervention with our Bazi support group. We’re not making fun of something that can be a serious issue, but we do know that most can relate to one of the group members.
Let’s all contact Dr. Oz and tell him about Bazi. I’d like for him to be aware of our healthy alternative and hopefully he’ll share it with his fans.
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General
Bazi at the Healthy Trucking Association of America 2011 Summitby Aaron Lowe on Thursday, March 10, 2011 3:40:09 PM MST
 It’s not an oxymoron, there are health-minded truck drivers out there and the movement to change their overall health and habits has become a critical issue for both owners and health care providers alike. I was honored to represent Bazi at the HTAA annual health summit.
Statistically, truck drivers have some of the worst health and highest rates of obesity of any occupation in the US, and, obviously, healthcare costs for them are accordingly higher. It’s not so simple, however, as getting them to be healthier to reduce costs; truckers must pass a yearly DOT physical test. If diagnosed with certain lifestyle diseases and even sleep apnea they cannot work. Not being able to drive means no income for the driver, no goods delivered for the trucking companies and no food on your table or new TV on your wall!
Bazi was honored to be invited to the fairly new, but rapidly growing summit. Not only were trucking companies represented, but international health care companies, national drug store chains and weight loss clinics were sponsors. The two days were filled with presentations, events and even a small expo where the attendees could “cross pollinate” with ideas from their individual industries. As usual Bazi garnered a ton of interest because everyone is interested in having more energy and getting it in a healthy manner.
Bazi wants to be the healthy energy drink of choice for the drivers. It’s no secret these folks love their caffeine, and getting them to stop drinking energy drinks, soft drinks and unhealthy energy shots is a tall order. But Bazi is asking drivers to substitute one energy product a day for a shot of Bazi. Not only will they get the energy they need to get through their shift, but all the healthy in nutrients in Bazi will provide them with healthy nutrients we know they cannot get at the vast majority of truck stops. Hopefully, the health of drivers will start to turn around and we believe that Bazi will play a pivotal part in this critial change.
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Education
Energy drinks and childrenby Aaron Lowe on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 9:08:18 PM MST
The phone was ringing off the hook yesterday here at Bazi World HQ with the news of the latest review of energy drink in the medical journal, Pediatrics.
The news wasn’t positive, adolescents consume too many of these drinks and the calories consumed are “empty” of nutrients for healthy growth that would normally be found in nutritious foods. They replace milk as beverages, thus negatively impacting critical calcium intake, and nearly half of caffeine overdose cases in ages 19 and below (2007 data) were from energy drinks. Many use ingredients that have no long-term history of safe use, and the list went on and on. Bottom line, they considered energy drinks as something that our children shouldn’t consume.
As one who makes his living in the world of nutrition, I’d have to agree that energy drinks are probably not the best choice for children. However, also being a parent I know that whatever is popular, good for you or not, is going to always win out with the kids. I also believe the occasional soft drink or sugary beverage IN CONJUNCTION with an otherwise healthy lifestyle is of inconsequential risk. Like anything else, when they are abused is when the issues arise.
How does all of the affect Bazi? Not one iota. Yes, Bazi is an energy product and yes it contains a safe amount of caffeine (about the same as a cup of coffee). In fact, unlike the vast majority of energy products out there we are up front with the exact amount of caffeine in Bazi so you or parents can make an informed choice. How many other companies are that honest about their ingredients?
Anyway, the similarity between Bazi and every other energy product ends with caffeine. Bazi provides a concentrated amount of vitamins, trace minerals and phytonutrients from its exclusive Phyto8 Blend of eight superfruits that no other energy product can match. Instead of empty calories, the 64 calories in one shot of Bazi is so nutrient dense you won’t fine any single fruit or fruit juice that can match its nutritional punch. It does not increase one’s risk of diabetes, obesity or heart disease. In fact, it’s just the opposite; the ingredients in Bazi may decrease one’s risk from those lifestyle diseases. Bazi is so far ahead of the curve that all the other companies out there better start scrambling to try and catch up.
In the end it’s the parents’ responsibility to monitor what their children consume. At Bazi we provide the facts so the parent can make an informed decision on whether Bazi is right for their children or not. Regardless of their decision, we will always support the decision of the parents.
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