Reliv Announces Breakthrough in Fight Against Metabolic Syndrome

CHESTERFIELD, Mo., June 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reliv International (RELV) has incorporated a breakthrough ingredient into its patented, clinically proven GlucAffect^® formula.

The addition of LunaRich comes less than a month after the CDC published findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicating metabolic syndrome continues to rise among Americans.

Fighting an Epidemic
Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of symptoms including high blood sugar, obesity and cardiovascular problems — has reached epidemic proportions. According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans now have metabolic syndrome. The syndrome afflicts 40 percent of people in their sixties and seventies. That number is expected to rise along with our aging population. The CDC also predicts that one-third of Americans will have diabetes if current trends continue.

In addition, a recent CDC study published in Pediatrics shows the epidemic isn't limited to older adults. Obesity in teens has skyrocketed in the past decade — 23 percent of teens are now classified as diabetic or prediabetic.

A person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times more likely to develop diabetes. Other silent symptoms include eye, kidney and nervous system damage over time. Metabolic syndrome typically includes three or more symptoms:

• waistline of 40+ inches for men or 35+ inches for women
• high blood pressure, or on blood pressure medication
• high triglycerides
• high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes
• low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol

Balancing Blood Sugar
The solution for metabolic syndrome lies in a three-pronged approach of balancing blood sugar, losing weight and improving cholesterol.

Blood sugar management and weight loss go hand-in-hand. Blood sugar levels can effect hunger feelings and energy levels. When blood sugar and insulin levels drop too low, we feel hungry. Weight loss is easier if blood sugar is continuously balanced.

Research shows that cutting-edge ingredients such as Pycnogenol^®, banaba leaf and cinnamon have significant blood sugar management properties.

"GlucAffect's unique formula addresses multiple factors of metabolic syndrome at once," said Dr. Carl Hastings, chief scientific officer. "And the increased levels of lunasin in LunaRich soy powder have given GlucAffect an even greater edge in the fight against metabolic syndrome."

Beating Cholesterol at the Source
Most cholesterol is produced in the liver by the HMG-CoA reductase gene. Statin drugs work by blocking HMG-CoA, but they can often block too much. This leads to serious side effects because our body needs a minimum level of cholesterol for proper cellular function.

On the other hand, a naturally occurring soy peptide called lunasin targets cholesterol at an earlier stage, reducing the HMG-CoA without blocking it entirely. LunaRich soy powder harnesses the power of the lunasin peptide to balance cholesterol.

"A growing body of research shows that the lunasin peptide is one of the most important bioactive components of soy," said Dr. Alfredo Galvez, the scientist who first discovered lunasin. "Lunasin demonstrates superior support for cardiovascular health and exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties. In developing LunaRich for Reliv, we have maximized lunasin levels in soy."

About Reliv International, Inc.
Reliv International, Inc., based in Chesterfield, Mo., produces nutritional supplements that promote optimal nutrition along with premium skincare products. Reliv supplements address essential nutrition, weight loss, athletic performance, digestive health, women's health, anti-aging and healthy energy. The company sells its products through an international network marketing system of independent distributors in 15 countries. Learn more about Reliv at www.reliv.com, or on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

SOURCE Reliv International

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