Dear C. in Coarsegold,

Thank you for your questions concerning the Glycemic Index and the Reset product from Usana Health Sciences.

The Glycemic Index is the newest carbohydrate research, done in the mid- 90's. Every carbohydrate food was tested against white table sugar in the body to see how fast the blood sugar levels were increased by that food.  The rate given to white sugar was 100.  Each carbohydrate was rated against that number. This measurement indicates how quickly or slowly the body processes the glucose found in that food. It determines the amount of blood sugar elevation and the extent of insulin response demand on your pancreas. 

Carbohydrates ranking under 55 are considered low-glycemic. Scores between 55-75 are mid level, and above 75 are considered high. 

Low glycemic carbs release energy slowly and do not cause drastic blood glucose spikes and crashes. Therefore, you don't feel hungry as quickly. You won't feel an overwhelming need to eat, which may help you lose weight. Listings of the GI are available on many websites. 

The Glycemic Load of a carb is also a consideration. This determination is made mathematically by the amount of calories per serving in the food.  Therefore a higher glycemic food with low calories can have a low GI load, which is still healthy, and won't spike the blood sugar level.  Watermelon is a good example of this.

Typically mid to high glycemic foods with high GI loads are all white breads, white rice, white sugar, white potatoes, white pasta, etc.  Whole grain bread and rice and pastas, although being mid-glycemic, offer much benefit also in fiber that has been stripped from the white products. These should be eaten in moderation. A good rule to remember is that most fresh fruits and vegetables are low-glycemic. 

It is not a secret that the key to effective weight loss is making positive changes in diet and exercise.  Many find this an insurmountable task. With that in mind, Usana Health Sciences developed the RESET, a program the helps people jump-start healthy eating habits and begin to make a clean break from unhealthy, high-glycemic foods. Nutritional science has linked high-glycemic foods to the increased incidence of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. 

All RESET ingredients are guaranteed to be low-glycemic. In addition, the fiber content helps provide a longer lasting sense of fullness to help reduce hunger levels throughout the day. RESET is not a diet, but rather a 5-day cleanse and system to help start healthier eating habits. 

Most Americans are addicted to high glycemic foods. This entire health problem has been called Syndrome X, or more recently Insulin Resistance. If the body's glycemic craving is reset from high to low, one of the benefits is that the body naturally releases fat. Dr. Ray Strand has written a book on this topic for a more complete understanding. It can be found at http://www.releasingfat.com 

Most participants in RESET lose on the average of 5 pounds.

RESET is a nutritionally balanced program of macro-nutrients (high-quality protein, good carbohydrates, and healthy fats) and micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals,and antioxidants). The program is simple---every day you drink three Nutrimeal shakes and eat a Lemon Fiber Bar, a Peanut Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar, a serving of fruit, and a serving of vegetables.  You also take the AM/PM supplement packs of the Usana HealthPak 100, supplied in the RESET system, drink 64-80 ounces of water, and walk for approximately 30 minutes. 

The RESET kit comes with a helpful guide, a DVD packed with information, and a 30 minute fitness program.

Please go to http://www.expandyourterritory.usana.com, and click on the red RESET button in the right margin. You will find several more pages of information and answers to frequently asked questions. You may also purchase this product through this web page.

Dear C in Coarsegold,

Anytime someone makes major changes in their dietary intake, there can be side effects. 

The Usana Nutrimeals are totally balanced with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are also high in fiber. Fiber is something that the American diet is very lacking in, but the body needs very much of. Fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods. It acts as tiny scrub brushes in the intestines. It is important to consume 35-50 mg of fiber daily, but also different forms of fiber. Most Americans eat only about 10 mg of fiber a day. When someone increases fiber intake above what they have been used to, there can be some intestinal discomfort.

The Usana product catalog discusses these possibilities, as well as the RESET information on my web page. These pages can be found by clicking on the red RESET button on the right border of my web page, at http://www.expandyourterritory.usana.com .

Of the many dozens of customers that have followed the RESET program in the past year, and who have continued with Phase 1 & Phase 2, I can only think of two who have had very uncomfortable reactions to the product. In both cases they were advised to quit the product and then try it again at a slower pace so their body could acclimate to the fiber content. Both people had their problems solved when they did this.

As far as having success stories, I have many that I could relay. The most common one is that everyone who has done the RESET loses on average about 5 pounds in five days. Then going on to Phase 1, continuing to have two Nutrimeals daily and then to Phase 2 , with one Nutrimeal, the weight losses have ranged from 5 to 38 pounds reported in the past few months. 

I continually hear the remark that no one feels like they are starving on these products. They really sustain them. Another great common remark has been that the food cravings are gone. One consumer remarked "I am now in control of my food, rather than my food being in control of me".

Remember this program and food line is all low-glycemic, and is not a diet line. It is teaching people how to eat differently, replacing high glycemic foods with low ones.

We recently had an educational class at Norton Chiropractic about the Usana product line. We will do another after the first of the year. We could very easily serve samples. On a few occasions, I have been at the office and made samples and passed them around the waiting room, always to positive responses. If you are wanting to try the Nutrimeals, I also have one serving sample packages of the chocolate and vanilla flavors that you can take home and try.