Ma Partner Stores

The list of MarketAmerica.com partner stores continues to grow. Below is a list of stores that were recently added to the MarketAmerica.com web portal!


AceMagnetics.com features magnetic bracelets for the sports enthusiast. They offer rings, bracelets, sports bands and other magnetic jewelry to help keep active.


BabyCatalog.com is a leading destination for all of your baby needs. They carry everything from toy’s and doll’s to strollers, carriers, books, videos, apparel and more. In addition, they offer free shipping on orders over $49.00


Balsam Hill is a leading destination for all things holiday related. They carry trees, lights, ornaments, wreaths, garland, skirts and more.


eBags.com is a leading destination for designer handbags. They carry bags for the office, travel and even for the kids. Not to mention, they offer free shipping on all purchases as well as free exchanges.


Holiday Classics is a leading destination for all business card greeting cards. They offer holiday cards, calendars, stationary and more.


New York & Company is a leading destination for women’s apparel. They carry denim, dresses, tops, skirts, shoes, accessories and more.


Nunn Bush is a leading destination for men’s footwear.


Organize.com is a great place to go for all organizational needs. They carry kitchen, closet, bath, laundry, office, garage, travel and even kids’ organizational tools to help simplify your life.


Pear Tree Greeting is a leading destination for holiday and Christmas cards. They carry photo cards, recycled cards boxed greetings and more.


SpaFinder is a leading destination for DaySpa’s. They feature over 4,500 partnerships with local spas that accept the SpaFinder gift certificate.


StylinOnline.com is a leading destination for graphic tees. Relive your glory days with such characters as Batman, Spider-Man, Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster and more.

Personalized Medicine in the news

Here's another terrific article that discusses the future of personalized medicine, published by the Harvard Business Review. Their critique of the "trial and error" approach to making diagnoses and creating treatment plans is quite persuasive & provides more evidence that personalized medicine is indeed the way of the future.

Those who understand this and place themselves ahead of the curve will be in an advantageous position as personalized medicine gains more traction within the medical establishment and becomes the norm rather than the exception...

Genomics in JAMA

For those not steeped in medical vernacular, JAMA is the Journal of the American Medical Association. As the most widely circulated medical journal in the world, JAMA is also among the most respected. Its peer-review process relies on over 3,500 reviewers from more than 40 countries. Simply put, JAMA is the gold standard for medical journals; it is to physicians what the Wall Street Journal is to CEOs.

Dr. Milan Moore – a longtime member of our clinical faculty and a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon – recently noted that an entire issue of JAMA was dedicated to covering the promise of, and exciting developments within, the burgeoning field of genomics.

It’s not exactly light reading, but the content is powerful stuff. Any Market American who plans to call on healthcare practitioners to discuss the opportunities available through nutraMetrix® and Gene SNP™ would be wise to familiarize themselves with this issue; its value as a marketing tool is immeasurable since the information comes from independent, peer-reviewed resources and is published by one of the most respected medical authorities out there.

I know what you’re saying: “But I can’t afford a subscription to JAMA!” Well, with just a bit of Googling, you’ll be happy to know that much of the issue is available online and at no cost. The issue in question can be found here. Two articles have particular importance to the study of genes & nutrition:

“The Genome Gets Personal – Almost”

“Genomic Profiles for Disease Risk: Predictive or Premature?”

Now that’s news you can use!

Community involvement with PetHealth

This Sunday (October 26), Greensboro's Bark Park at Country Park hosted its 3rd Annual Paws in the Park, a social event to increase awareness of the Greensboro Bark Park, establish a fundraising campaign to encourage community involvement and provide an atmosphere for local businesses to promote their products and services. We are pleased to announce that two of our local Customer Managers, Amy Strafford and Carri Perkins, were involved in this event and set up a PetHealth™ booth to generate interest in our fantastic PetHealth products. I'm attaching some of the pictures that they took to give you an idea of just one way you can get involved in your local community and some of the resources you already have at your fingertips to use at these events.

You'll notice that they have a display of all of our PetHealth products including the PetHealth Product Sales Booklet; they have also included Powerline ads for the PetHealth line in acrylic stands. Putting together a booth is simple, and it’s not something you have to do alone: work with other Customer Managers in your organization and go in on a booth together. You’ll build relationships while building your business!

Are you tired? Low energy might mean low iron!

This is my second blog about being tired…do you see a pattern here? I think most people start to feel a little more tired at this time of year. It’s getting cold out and we tend to stay indoors bundled up--- who doesn’t feel like curling up under a blanket when its 40 degrees outside? It’s getting darker earlier--- when the sun goes down, I start yawning. The holidays are coming--- need I say more? All these factors make me feel more tired than usual. But, it might be more than seasonal fatigue. Did you know that the most common symptom of iron deficiency is fatigue? It’s true!

Your body needs iron in order to manufacture hemoglobin—a component of red blood cells which carries and distributes oxygen throughout the body. With low levels of iron, you have less hemoglobin production and oxygen isn’t as readily available within the body. Less oxygen generally means less energy and more fatigue.

OK, so the mini-science lesson is over. I’ve heard a million ways that people try to boost their iron intake—chicken livers, beets, molasses and milk…. Personally, I’d rather drink my multi with iron. But in all seriousness, as the holidays approach, take care of yourself. I know that if I’m stressed and tired, I’m more likely to get sick and I don’t have time to be sick. I’ll be making sure I’m getting enough sleep, keeping my stress levels low and taking my multivitamin with iron every day. But for the rest of you out there, keep in mind that some individuals (especially young children and elderly women) may not need an iron supplement and should check with their health care provider before adding additional iron to their diet.

Here’s a holiday season full of energy!!!

Market America wants you to stay warm this fall

Cold weather is quickly approaching and Market America wants to make sure you’re prepared. Old Navy is ready to keep you warm with great deals. They have Sweaters for all ages starting at 19.50 plus free shipping with a purchase of $150 or more. When you’re done at Old Navy head over to Aeropostale were sweaters are up to 50% off and pants are free when you buy the matching Hoodie.

If you want to update your outerwear wardrobe with new styles for this season shop Sears were all outerwear is 50% off.

Spend only $50 at American Eagle and you will receive 20% off your purchase just use code: 49234198

Stay warm this fall by taking advantage of these great offers!

We all could use a little extra spice in life!

In the news there has been lots of buzz on “The Spice of life” Curcumin. I was reading an article the other day that referred to Curcumin as a powerful brain supplement. It stated that curcumin was powerful protection for aging brains. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with Dementia, so I constantly find myself doing research on the effects of this disease and ways to slow down the process or prevent it. So I found this article very beneficial, showing how important it is to take care of my brain and mental health, now while I am young to lessen my chances of developing neurological problems in the future. It isn’t a myth; studies show that as we age, our brain shrinks in overall size and functionality. On average, the brain loses 5-10 percent of its weight between the ages of 20 and 90. The grooves on the surface of the brain widen, while the swellings on the surface become smaller.

Along with brain function Curcumin also helps to boost our immune systems. Curcumin promotes the body’s natural enzyme antioxidant defense systems and functions as a powerful indirect antioxidant. Until now, Curcumin has been known to have poor bioavailability, requiring high doses to promote health.
Market America’s Curcumin Extreme™ contains BCM-95®, broccoli seed extract and selenium. BCM-95® delivers significantly more pharmacologically bioactive curcumin into the blood. It is 100% natural and has been proven to provide optimal bio availability for synergistic effect. This new delivery system allows for a variety of health benefits! Curcumin Extreme promotes liver detoxification, promotes healthy glutathione levels and normal cellular regeneration. Taking Curcumin Extreme every day can help detoxify impurities in your body that build up over time.

Wild Blueberries = High Antioxidant Capabilities

According to Cornell University researchers, wild blueberries have greater antioxidant capacity than other more common fruits, such as apples and bananas. Cellular antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) values were measured in 25 fruits. Wild blueberries were at the top of the list, proving their importance in maintaining health. If wild blueberries aren’t on your list of daily consumed fruits, no worries, as Isotonix® Resveratrol contains Vitablue® Wild blueberry extract! Please see the link for additional information about the study found in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Nutraingredients Article

Transitions® Featured on AM Buffalo

Dr. Sam Shadkin and Registered Dietician Sharon Lawrence recently appeared on an ABC affiliate in Buffalo for a show called "AM Buffalo" to discuss the advantages of Transitions as it relates to weight management. This was an excellent segment that should be shared with anyone interested in a weight management system that works and who are also interested in the how's and why's of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. View the two segments on YouTube here and here.

Vitamin K: The unfamiliar vitamin from the bunch

Vitamin A. Vitamin C. Vitamin E. We hear about all these vitamins every day. How vitamins are the micronutrient foundation for growing bodies, how they help boost the immune system and how they keep our bodies healthy. But there is one vitamin that not many people know about because the deficiencies in this vitamin are very rare. That vitamin is Vitamin K.

I had heard a little about this vitamin through my Dad’s conversations about his hospital days. I also watch a ton of the TV show “House” and on one episode; Dr. House was treating someone with a Vitamin K deficiency and it lead to some strange diagnosis, just like all of his diagnosis.

Worldwide, only a handful of researchers study vitamin K—long known for its critical role in blood clotting. But with the aging of the U.S. population, this vitamin may command a bigger following as its importance to the integrity of bones becomes increasingly clear. It activates at least three proteins involved in bone health. According the USDA, Americans consumed several times the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin K. But improved analytical methods show that the vitamin isn't as abundant in the diet as once thought. The RDA is 65 µg (micrograms) per day for adult females and 80 µg per day for adult males. Excellent food sources of vitamin K include: Brussels sprouts, spinach, swiss chard, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, kale and mustard greens. Very good sources include green peas and carrots.

Anyways, so what is Vitamin K and what does it do? Vitamin K1, also called phylloquinone, is the natural, plant form of this nutrient. Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, is produced by the bacteria in animal and human intestines. Vitamin K3, also called menadione, is the synthetic version. The three forms are about equally helpful for blood clotting, but vitamin K1, the form that only occurs in green plants, is the best form for protecting against osteoporosis. A lot of research has been done using vitamin K3 even though this form is not allowed in nutritional supplements because of its history of serious adverse reactions.

Blood clotting is a vital function in the body that solidifies blood to prevent us from bleeding to death when a blood vessel is damaged either from an external wound or internally. Another benefit of blood clotting is that it secludes the area of an infection or injury and begins the healing process. Vitamin K is best known as being required for blood to clot. Interestingly, it is also required to activate several proteins that decrease blood clotting. Thus, research is showing that vitamin K not only helps to initiate blood clotting, but it is also necessary for its complex regulation.

Fifty-five percent of Americans over the age of 50, or 44 million people, have osteoporosis. This condition of low bone mass will cause 1 out of every 2 women and 1 out of every 4 men over the age of 50 to have a fracture in her/his remaining lifetime. Researchers are finding increasing ways in which vitamin K helps maintain bone mass.

A study of more than 70,000 women found that women who consumed larger amounts of vitamin K in their diets had a lower risk of hip fracture. Other studies have looked at the amount of vitamin K circulating in women's blood and found that low levels were associated with lower bone mineral density and higher fracture rates. Additionally, vitamin K appears to be important for the formation of cartilage and dentine, part of teeth.

Vitamin K levels appear to decrease with age while the risk of fracture increases. Therefore, it is important for older individuals to include foods containing vitamin K in their diet. In addition to supplying vitamin K1, leafy green vegetables are rich sources of other nutrients important for bone health: calcium and boron. That makes leafy greens especially important for people who do not consume dairy products, since dairy products are a major contributor of both calcium and boron in the U.S. diet.

Vitamin K is a pretty important part of our diet, just like all vitamins. So eat your veggies!

Ma Partner Stores

Market America has added the following partner stores to your MarketAmerica.com web portal.


Design Public carries modern and fresh new designs online. They carry bedding, modern baby products, wall art, seating, tables, lighting, pet furniture and more.


FAO Schwartz is a leading destination for all toy purchases. In addition, they carry electronics, puzzles, games, furniture, arts and crafts and more.


Ross-Simons is a leading store for all jewelry purchases. They carry rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants and more.


TheChildrensPlace.com is a leading destination for all clothing and apparel for children. They carry apparel and shoes for newborns, baby girls, big girls, baby boys and big boys.


The Christmas Catalog is a leading destination for all holiday decoration purchases. They carry indoor decorations as well as outdoor decorations, ornaments, lighting and more.


WineExpress.com carries red, white and sparkling wines from many leading destinations such as California, France, Italy, Spain and Australia.

Asleep without AWAKE

For years, I have been a self-proclaimed Diet Pepsi addict. No joke. I have tried to get off it and wind up tired, cranky and suffering from a miserable headache. The misery was never worth it and I always went back. I'm talking a six 20oz a day habit. Two before work, 3 or 4 at work, and at least 1 at night. I couldn't start my day without my Diet Pepsi. It would actually motivate me to get out of bed in the morning. So, one of my dear colleagues suggested that I give AWAKE a try. I was pretty skeptical since part of my love of Diet Pepsi is the carbonation which gives my mouth that essential morning wake-up call, but I tried it.

AWAKE is my new best friend and essential morning companion. The thing I love about it is that it doesn't give you a crazy jolt of energy, it just slowly creeps up on you and you realize you aren't tired anymore. No jitters, no headaches, just energy and focus. I'm happy to say that I can retire my Diet Pepsi habit thanks to AWAKE. Not only am I getting that energy to keep me from falling asleep under my cube, I'm getting a nice dose of vitamins and amino acids. In fact, its 3:30pm so its about that time...

If you haven't tried it, go for it. I want to know how it works for you. I tried the Mixed Berry flavor and loved it. Are you already an AWAKE fan? I want to hear from you!

More from the Troops Serving Overseas

As I wrote here last month, ma has been actively involved in sending products to our troop serving overseas for several years now. Often donations are sent to platoons who have a link to a ma Customer Manager, but today I wanted to share with you a photo and comments we received from Major James Lewis, whose mother Loretta works in our MIS department.

Major Lewis wrote in to thank Market America for the products sent to him in Iraq. He reports that all of the products are great, but as we have found with many of the troops serving overseas, his favorite is Awake. James graduated from West Point in 1994 and has served 14 years in the military. His platoon is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and will be serving several more months in Iraq and then will be deployed to Afghanistan for one year.

We cannot emphasize enough how humbled we are as a company that those serving to protect us abroad find the time to write in for such a small gesture. Thank you to Major Lewis, your platoon and all those who serve in the military. We look forward to your safe return home!

Market America has all your Costumes, Decorations and Goodies

Market America has your Halloween needs covered. Mrs. Beasley's has $5 off Halloween towers as well as 15% off all gourmet baked goods.

Spirit has all your favorite costumes and decorations Buy One Get One 50% off plus guaranteed Halloween delivery if ordered by noon on 10/27.

Get scary deals at HSN where Halloween decorations are as low as $2.95

Shop Costume Kingdom and get 5% off your entire order. Costume Kingdom has lots of costumes to pick from for you and your pet.

Hurry Halloween is almost here!

Pet food for thought

I came across this web page today and I thought I would share it with you. The article gives a pretty detailed look into pet food and exactly how it is processed and regulated in the industry. I’ve spoken to a few vets who swear by the commercial brands of dog and cat food as they have been around for quite some time and do have some studies to demonstrate their effectiveness. Nevertheless, with more consumers switching to organic and natural-based nutrition for the pets (or completely natural - i.e., BARF) I thought you’d find it interesting to read exactly how it all comes together. An informed consumer is a smart consumer!

Optimize Your Health with Customized Nutrition

Market America offers two innovative ways to provide your body with quality, customized nutrition. The Gene SNP™ program, based on the science of Nutragenomics, helps you begin your journey toward a truly personalized wellness or fitness program. And, let the Nutri-Physical® assist you with choosing the supplements your body needs based on your lifestyle.

The Gene SNP DNA Analysis can assist you in unlocking your genetic code. With a DNA sample, a lifestyle questionnaire, and a patented software program, the Gene SNP DNA analysis will provide customized recommendations for lifestyle changes and nutritional supplementation just for you.

You have the ability to regulate the behavior of your genes through diet, exercise and dietary supplementation. Gene SNP Custom Supplements are based on what your genetic profile (determined by the Gene SNP DNA Analysis) reveals as areas in your body that may need special support. You need a variety of nutrients to support the normal functioning of your genes for optimal health.

Each packet will help provide you with the majority of your daily supplemental needs. Your Gene SNP supplements are comprised of the highest quality ingredients providing maximum results. Don’t wait - get on track today for a healthier tomorrow.

I hope that you will take advantage of the fantastic 30 day free trial supplement offer that comes with the GeneSNP program. If you haven’t already placed an order for the 30day supply, please be sure to place your order now. To order your Gene SNP Custom Supplements simply go to your Customer Manager’s portal, click on the Gene SNP logo and order your custom supplements with your special ID listed on your Supplement Recommendation Sheet.

We’re so excited about the new products that we have to offer for the GeneSNP Nutrition and Wellness program – new genes, new nutritional and lifestyle advice, new supplement formulas to help you become as healthy as you can be, and now with the Fitness product, we can look at even more genes and help you focus on the right types of exercise to help you achieve your fitness goals.

You can also take the guesswork out of deciding what your body needs to get on track to a healthier lifestyle. Let the Nutri-Physical do the work! The Nutri-Physical is a free, online analytical tool that recommends a customized nutritional supplementation program based on your answers to a series of lifestyle and behavioral questions. These questions center around current, major health-related conditions and various lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, medical history, current supplementation, and related contributing factors. A healthier tomorrow starts with the decisions you make today!

Study finds bottled water just as polluted as tap water

I came across this article today about a study conducted on bottled water that showed some brands to be just as polluted as tap water. We have been hearing that our bottled water oftentimes is no cleaner than tap water for some time now. But here is a study to demonstrate it. It should be noted that the out of the ten brands of water in the study that were tested, two of the brands showed to have contamination above standard levels, but what about the other eight? The study showed that the other eight had contamination below the standard and weren't studied any further. It would be nice to know what is an acceptable level of contamination – especially considering we use water for more than just drinking. We use it for cooking, showering, bathing, brushing our teeth, for our morning coffee and washing our dishes. It is interesting to note that the researchers recommended that people concerned with water contamination should consider a carbon filter.

PureH2O™ uses a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration that filter out more contaminants than other filters. Check out the Performance Data Sheet for a more complete list of the contaminants that are filtered.

Another thing to consider is the convenience issue. Bottled water is simply more convenient and perfect for anyone who is on the go. For those of you who want a more convenient option, try out the Sports Bottle; it allows you to filter your water wherever you are. It’s just as convenient as bottled water and definitely more cost effective considering a bottle of water is now more than a dollar. You can also fill up a reusable water bottle using your countertop or under-sink system. Neither of these options contribute to waste in landfills. Drink smarter, cheaper, healthier and more eco-friendly with PureH2O!

Ma Partner Stores

Once again, MarketAmerica.com has brought on new partner stores that we feel you will really enjoy shopping at!


Banana Republic is a leading destination for men’s and women’s apparel. They carry dresses, sweaters, shirts, shoes, outerwear, hats, bags and more.


Brown’s is a leading destination for fashion and designer clothing. They carry clothing for men, women and even bridal wear.


Charisma Brands is a leading destination for collectible dolls. They carry the following brands; Marie Osmond, Kewpie, Whispering Willow Fairies, Candy Fashion, Artista and Penny Brite.


CoffeeForLess.com carries a complete inventory of fresh coffee as well as coffee accessories. They carry coffee beans, ground coffee, tea, coffee pods, Keurig K-Cups, Dunkin Donuts coffee, coffee machines, espresso machines, coffee creamer, paper products, in addition to water coolers and energy drinks.


Manhattanite is a leading destination for apparel and accessories for women, babies and pets. They carry fashionable apparel, gifts, lingerie, jewelry and even maternity clothing.


Marciano is a leading destination for women’s apparel. They carry trendy dresses, tops, outerwear, footwear and more to keep you looking your best!


MedicalSupply4u is a leading destination for all medical equipment. They carry scooters, wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walking aids, lift chairs, bedding and bath equipment and more.


Naturalizer is a leading destination for women’s shoes and handbags. From casual and dress to sport, to sandals and boots they carry shoes for nearly any occasion to help make your feet as comfortable as possible.


The North Face is a leading destination for all outdoor apparel and equipment purchases. They carry shoes, clothing, outdoor wear, jackets, accessories and more.


RedStamp.com is a leading destination for all stylish correspondence items. They carry cards for the holidays as well as stationary, invitations and more.


Rugman.com is the place to go for all discount rug purchases. They carry Area rugs, Persian rugs, Oriental rugs and a host of others to help accent your home.

Remember to email your partner store requests to partners@marketamerica.com!

Pycnogenol® Receives GMP Certification

Horphag Research emphasizes consistency and safety in manufacturing of its hallmark ingredient Pycnogenol®

GENEVA, Switzerland – Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) French maritime pine bark extract, exclusively provided worldwide by Horphag Research, has earned Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification by the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS). Pycnogenol® is a potent antioxidant and available in more than 600 dietary supplements, cosmeceuticals and functional food and beverage products worldwide.

“Horphag Research is pleased with the GMP certificate and considers this to be in accordance with our commitment to quality, safety and efficacy. As many of our customers know, we have already been adhering to strict GMPs in order to produce a high batch to batch consistency of Pycnogenol® while following rigid quality controls during each stage of production,” said Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag Research.

Pycnogenol® is being manufactured at Biolandes in a dedicated extraction plant exclusively for Horphag Research. Biolandes has made large investments in order to meet GMP compliance and increase capacity to handle the increasing demand for Pycnogenol® worldwide. The manufacturing facility is located in southwestern France and is surrounded by the maritime pine forests. Incidentally, no toxic substances are being released or used during the manufacturing process.

According to Ferrari, “GMP certification was a top priority as we continue to differentiate Pycnogenol® in the marketplace as a superior ingredient while providing customers exceptional quality raw material and proper compliance measures. We are in a unique position as Pycnogenol® is known as “gold standard” ingredient due to our investment in 40 plus years of scientific research, safety data and subsequent health applications. In the current marketplace now more than ever it’s important to be diligent and offer customers every quality control measure available. We are privileged to be associated with Biolandes for the manufacturing of Pycnogenol®.”

The GMP certification process required extensive inspections of the manufacturing site in France. According to AFSSAPS, the facility was found to comply with the principles of GMP for active substances of its maritime pine extract, Pycnogenol®. Specifications for compliance observed during the audit included quality control, control and management of manufacturing/extraction processes and facility and testing of the ingredient to ensure purity and composition.

Pediatricians Double Vitamin D Recommendation for Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for Vitamin D intake in infants, children and adolescents yesterday. The new recommendation of 400 IUs daily is twice that of the previous recommendation. The increased requirements are due to a recent rise in pediatric illnesses related to Vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets.


Dr. Frank R. Greer, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin and contributor to the new recommendations said “The recommendation is going to be essentially a supplement for every child and adolescent in the United States”. Greer goes on to say that children could potentially meet the new recommendations through diets rich in milk and fatty fish but it is unlikely that they would do so.

Personally, I’m excited to see these new recommendations and to see preventive action in response to the recent rise in Vitamin D deficiency. For more information on these new recommendations and to view the full article, click here.

One Day Specials from Restaurant.com and Victoria’s Secret

The perfect combination for a night out with your significant other. A romantic dinner at your favorite restaurant get discounted gift cards at Restaurant.com and a gift from Victoria’s Secret. Take a look at the promotion we have for your night out.


Restaurant.com
36-Hour 80% Off Sale... Get $25 Gift Certificates For Only $2!!!
From midnight tonight (CDT) until Wednesday the 15th at noon (CDT) all gift certificates are 80% off
At checkout use Code: Eighty (not case sensitive)


Victoria's Secret
25 Percent Off Select Boots at Victoria’s Secret. See site for details.
Valid 10/13-10/14

Don't forget to visit the Hot Deals page for more offers.

Deny Unsupported GSK Weight Loss Petition, AHPA Tells FDA

Oct. 8, 2008 – The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) highlights serious flaws in the rationale of a Citizen Petition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) treat weight loss claims for dietary supplements as disease claims in comments filed with the agency Oct. 7.

“FDA has correctly ruled that claims are allowed for supplements that may have a benefit in assisting normal and overweight persons to lose weight, and that claims for treatment of the disease of obesity are not allowed,” said AHPA President Michael McGuffin. “The petitioners’ argument that FDA was unaware of information presented in their petition when it developed the existing rule is unsupported. It should also be noted that the petition relies to a large degree on data from a consumer survey that had significant flaws in its design, and that has been poorly interpreted by the petitioners,” he added.

GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare (GSK), the marketer of non-prescription weight-loss drug Alli, filed the petition April 17 along with the American Dietetic Association, the Obesity Society and Shaping America’s Health. The petitioners claim that being overweight, while not a disease in and of itself, is a significant risk factor for other serious diseases. They request that FDA ban dietary supplements from making weight loss claims as structure/function claims under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, and instead require dietary supplement weight loss claims to be limited to FDA-approved health claims. But the petition also states there is no evidence to support such a health claim, so the effect of granting the Petition could be to provide GSK’s Alli® with a monopoly in the U.S. over-the-counter weight loss market.

“If FDA granted this petition it would contravene Congressional intent and public policy, and would be unconstitutional under the First Amendment,” said AHPA’s McGuffin. “AHPA requests that FDA deny the petition.”

Another reason to take your Omega-3s

I read all kinds of health magazines, nutrition websites and even have subscriptions to various health and nutrition newsletters. Through all this information that I read on a daily basis, I came across something that I wanted to share – another reason to take your omega 3s. Not only does it help with cardiovascular health, it also helps boost libido. Here is a little blurb I came across in SHAPE magazine:

For a spicer sex life, skip the champagne and oysters and pile your plate with shrimp, walnuts and leafy greens. “Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids increase the production of dopamine, a brain chemical that enhances pleasure, “says Rebecca Booth, M.D., author of the new book The Venus Week. To heat things up in your bedroom, she recommends getting at least 640 milligrams of omega-3’s a day through supplement and foods such as salmon, sardines and flaxseeds.

Just another good reason to take Omega-3s!

Ma Partner Stores

Below are a list of new Ma Partner Stores that were recently added to MarketAmerica.com.

Abunga.com is a leading destination for books for the entire family. They carry books by Top Authors like Katharine Holabird, Peter Sis, Bill O’Reilly and more.


B & B Electronics is a leading destination for computer accessories. They carry cables, controllers and more to keep your computer in tip-top shape!


Boscov’s is a leading destination for apparel and home décor. They carry an assortment of bedding and apparel, in addition to jewelry, luggage, electronics and more.


FramesDirect.com is a great place to go for all eye wear purchases. They carry everything to keep you seeing optimally from eyeglasses and sunglasses to contact lenses, storage cases and more.


Home Decorator’s Collection carries an extensive line of products to help beautify your home. They carry rugs, art, home furnishings, furniture and more.


InTheHole Golf! carries equipment to help you hit the links! They offer an extensive line of clubs, bags, balls, training aids and more.


InkSmile Cartridge carries inket cartridges and toners for a wide range of printers. They offer replacement cartridges for HP, Epson, Lexmark, Brother, Canon, Dell and more.


Oh Baby carries a complete inventory of products for your newborn. They carry toys, clothing, diaper bags, car seats and more.


RefurbDepot.com carries all things refurbished. Why pay retail when you can get the same products with the same warranties but at a lower cost?


Get the world’s #1 language-learning software with Rosetta Stone! They offer a wide variety of language packs to help you learn a foreign language.


TomTom is a leading manufacturer of GPS equipment. They carry GPS equipment along with maps and accessories to help get you in the right direction!


Virgin Atlantic Airway’s is a leading destination for airfare purchases. They offer everything from flights to hotels, vacations and car rentals to get you to your destination.

Shop at these great partner stores along with thousands of your favorite stores on MarketAmerica.com!

Greetings from the Events Department!

October is here and our Region 8 Convention in Oakland, California is this weekend! Dennis Franks and Andrew Weissman are both very excited, along with Todd Laire, Laura Laire, Jeremy Fennema, and Luzby Hernandez who will also be in attendance. The Region 8 Planning Committee and Local Coordinators did a fantastic job of spreading the word to people in their area, and as a result, we are expecting record attendance! We will start the weekend off on Friday night with a Second Look, where guests are welcome to come. Throughout the weekend Dennis, Andrew, and many Field Leaders will be speaking on topics such as goals, retailing, prospecting/sponsoring, time management, follow-up/ABC pattern, how to implement the 90-day fast track, the logic behind recruiting, new products, MA Rewards ….and the list goes on. We will also be holding a Challenge Reception to recognize 33 Region 8 Challenge Winners who successfully completed this year’s challenges. You can view the Region 8 website to see the guidelines of these challenges and all other event details by visiting http://www.maregion8.com/ . We are very excited about traveling to Oakland and are looking forward to seeing the faces of those who make Market America so great!

If you have not purchased your Region 8 tickets yet, tickets will be available on-site. You do not want to miss this event!!

Exciting Research News for OPC-3

A new study published in the August/September 2008 journal of Angiology (Vol. 59, No. 4, 408-414) finds that OPC-3 plays a role in promoting cardiovascular health. Using a double blind placebo controlled design, Dr. Cesarone and colleagues demonstrate that OPC-3 promotes healthy cardiovascular function in humans. In addition, this study demonstrates an anti-inflammatory effect in these subjects.

To view the abstract and access the article, click on:
http://ang.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/59/4/408

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18628275?dopt=abstract

Transitions Testimonial

I am a NutraMetrix Consultant and I'm majoring in Transitions. I spent years as a yo-yo dieter. After the births of my two children I joined Weight Watchers (and worked there as a trainer of the Leaders) after I proceeded to lose 50 pounds - THREE TIMES!! Of course each time I gained it back it was as fat. I never seemed to notice that WW was responsible both for the loss (as muscle) and for the inevitable gain! Finally frustrated (and of course fat again!) I decided that being fat was better than yo-yoing on my body --- so that was that.

Fast forward 3 years later, and I became a distributor after hearing about and using OPC-3, which has helped to ease my son's allergy symptoms. I began exploring Transitions, trying some of the bars and meals. Then one day (last sept 24, 2007 actually) it all clicked for me, and I began to watch it work.

I am now able to eat sensibly, don't feel like I'm 'dieting', and am really enjoying myself and my life! I've lost 60 pounds in the past year and have started 3 groups, with individuals who are just doing so incredibly well - losing fat and feeling great. And most of those folks started last fall just as the holiday food fests were beginning! Since completing NC training in Boston last weekend, medical practices are my big focus - working smarter and having an effect on more people just like me!

I truly can say that Transitions has changed my life, and Market America continues to amaze me and my husband. He was recently laid off and is currently exploring other options to fill in the meantime until - and we both know in our hearts - Market America becomes our exit strategy and Transitions is most definitely the key!!

Kathy Pomer

*The results described in these testimonials may not be typical. Individual results may vary. The persons sharing their stories are Independent Distributors of Market America products.