Virtually all degenerative diseases that plague today's world are caused or exacerbated by the deterioration of the modern diet. Macro-Optimizers were developed to provide great tasting, high-quality macronutrients your body needs to maintain health and feel great. These convenient, low-glycemic foods can be used along with the Essentials™ and Optimizers to complete your healthy diet. Many Macro-Optimizer foods contain beneficial ingredients like dietary fibre, soy protein, and potassium. To achieve and maintain a healthy body, your body's cells need specific nutrients (high-quality protein, varied fibre sources, low-glycemic carbohydrates, beneficial fats, vitamins, and minerals). When your body's cells lack these vital nutrients, they do not function properly. At USANA, we understand that good nutrition includes both micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and other compounds we consume in small amounts) and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that make up the bulk of our food). The primary goal of good nutrition is to promote lifelong good health. This state of well-being implies the optimal performance of all body systems.

THE RIGHT MACRONUTRIENTS

It is vitally important that your diet include the right types of each class of macronutrient:

• The right carbohydrates are either complex carbohydrates or fibre, and have a low glycemic index. Complex carbohydrates and fibre generally supply additional healthy trace elements and phytonutrients, as well as energy.
• A healthy diet includes a variety of protein sources including complete proteins, which contain all of the essential amino acids.
• Beneficial fats are high in essential fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids. No more than 10 percent of your total daily calories should be derived from saturated fat.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBRE IN THE DIET
Unfortunately, the normal diet in today's society includes only one-half to two-thirds of the fibre necessary for optimal health.1 The positive impact of a fibre is increased when there is a concurrent reduction in the amount of saturated fat consumed.2

GLYCEMIC INDEX: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU
The glycemic index is a way of measuring the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down and appear in the blood as simple sugars. Those foods that result in a rapid rise in blood sugar have a high-glycemic index. Carbohydrates that are broken down slowly and cause only a moderate increase in blood sugar have a low-glycemic index. Some carbohydrates fall in between. High-glycemic foods provide quick energy, but it is usually short lived and hunger soon returns. Low-glycemic foods provide greater satiety and sustained energy.

Virtually all convenience foods and many meal replacement and diet products on the market today are high glycemic.3

TRANS FATTY ACIDS AND YOUR HEALTH
Trans fatty acids, or trans fats, are created when food manufacturers turn vegetable oil into solid fat, like shortening and hard margarine. This process increases the shelf life of foods, including the potato chips, cookies, and fried food that we consume every day. Trans fat behaves like saturated fat, clogging arteries and increasing LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels. Trans fat may also reduce HDL (good cholesterol levels). Elevated LDL-C increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The health risks posed by this dangerous fat have now moved both Health Canada and the U.S. FDA to require that food manufacturers list trans fat amounts on all nutritional labels. All USANA Macro-Optimizers have been analyzed and do not contain trans fats.

USANA MACRO-OPTIMIZERS
New Macro-Optimizers are a healthy source of complex carbohydrates, complete proteins, and beneficial fats. SOYAMAX™, based on highquality soy protein, provides complete and balanced amino acids. And some Macro-Optimizers, such as FIBERGY® and Iced Lemon FIBERGY BARS™, are low-fat foods. These delicious snack bars and drink mixes are formulated to be low glycemic to provide sustained energy throughout the day. Macro-Optimizers have been developed by USANA's team of scientists to help take the guesswork out of proper nutrition. These precision formulations not only provide the correct amounts of healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, they also taste great and are convenient. More importantly, they will help you build a lasting foundation for true health for tomorrow.

References
1. Munoz KA, et al., Pediatr, 1997; 100:323-29.
2. Lampe JW, Am J Clin Nutr, 1999; 70(S):475S-90S.
3. Foster-Powell K, Holt S, Brand-Miller JC. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2002;76 6:5-56.

April Nurse is a Independant Associate of USANA in Victoria BC

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