Steve Hooker honoured with Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

USANA Australia congratulates USANA sponsored athlete, Steve Hooker, on being honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to sport as a Gold Medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Steve Hooker won gold and broke an Olympic record in Pole Vault at the Beijing Olympics.

Steve joined the Pole Vaulting elite of the world, clearing a pole vault jump of 6.00m, becoming the 3rd Australian and 14th athlete in the world to achieve this benchmark.
According to the honours committee, Hooker represented the country in an exemplary manner and brought great credit to himself, the Australian Olympic team and the nation.

The Medal of the Order of Australia is part of an honours list, announced twice a year on Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday and are the result of nominations put to the Council for the Order of Australia.

Born: 16 July 1982
Melbourne, Victoria
Competing Sport: Pole Vault
Personal Best: pole vault of 6.00m
Steve Hooker has been sponsored by USANA Australia & New Zealand for two years.

Sporting Achievement Highlights:
2008: Beijing Olympic Gold Medal. Olympic record jump of 5.96m
Ranked #1 at Perth Interclub Meet (Perth, Australia)
2006: Ranked #1 at Commonwealth Games (Melbourne, Australia)Ranked #4 at World Athletics Final (Stuttgart, Germany)
Ranked #1 at World Cup (Athens, Greece)

Steve Hooker won gold and broke an Olympic record in Pole Vault at the Beijing Olympics.

Steve joined the Pole Vaulting elite of the world, clearing a pole vault jump of 6.00m, becoming the 3rd Australian and 14th athlete in the world to achieve this benchmark.

Steve was born to be an exceptional athlete. His mother, Erica Nixon, was a long jumper, who won nine national titles and a silver medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. His father, Bill Hooker, represented Australia in the 800m and 4 x 400m at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and won four national titles.

At the age of 23, Steve headed to WA looking to take his career to the next level with the help of renowned WA Institute of Sport pole vault coach Alex Parnov. In the last two years Steve has risen through the world ranks, and placed on the Olympic path.

Steve will face some solid competition at Beijing, particularly from the US, German and Russian athletes. Steve is planning to give it his best, “I'm going to go out there and keep scrapping. I'm going to go out there and give it 100 percent!”

Steve takes USANA Essentials, Garlic EC, BiOmega III, and Procosamine II.

The good oil for baby-boomers / NZ Herald

After childhood years being admonished to eat their veges, the baby-boomer generation is now being told to eat more oily fish.

The fish contains long-chain omega-3, credited in an Australian report issued in NZ yesterday with cutting the risk of chronic ailments including cardiovascular disease.
The report says baby-boomers aged 43 to 62 could provide huge savings for the health system if they consumed the recommended intakes of omega-3.

That equates to about two or three 150g serves of oily fish a week, fish oil capsules or liquid, or other foods enriched with marine omega-3.
Wendy Morgan, nutrition adviser for Sydney's Omega-3 Centre, told a functional foods and edible oils conference in Auckland that in the next 25 years the number of New Zealanders over 65 would double, with huge implications for the health sector.

Mrs Morgan said the centre's report pulled together Australian research which showed the benefits of eating oily fish, or consuming fish oil, as a source of long-chain omega-3.
"It is really important for this group of baby-boomers as they age."
She said there was "interesting" but not yet conclusive evidence of its benefits for problems such as obesity, diabetes, depression and dementia.
There was, however, strong evidence that omega-3 reduced the risks of heart disease, eye problems, and rheumatoid arthritis.

One study, for example, showed that eating recommended amounts of oily fish reduced by up to 75 per cent the onset of macular degeneration, causing loss of vision and possibly blindness.
Not only did omega-3 cut the risk of heart disease but it was even more powerful in preventing a second heart attack by up to 45 per cent.

Mrs Morgan said the overall benefits were savings to the health system from the treatment of chronic diseases in the ageing population and improved quality of life for the individuals.
The research showed baby-boomers were often already on special diets and interested in nutrition, but their intake of oily fish was not high.

"This is a call to action for baby boomers ... our message is start consuming omega-3 now."
Mrs Morgan said the actual intake was estimated at only about one fifth of what was needed to make a difference.
Long-chain omega-3 was found mostly in fish like salmon and sardines. While it was present in meat, the chains were not as longand therefore less valuable.
Mrs Morgan said omega-3 was found in every cell in the body but needed to be regularly replenished.

It was important in diet throughout a person's life, right from when a baby was in the womb.
Mrs Morgan said that while awareness levels were increasing, people were still not eating enough omega-3 and doctors were partly to blame for not telling patients of its benefits.

A United States study had shown that while most doctors knew about omega-3, and that it was beneficial, only 17 per cent remembered to tell patients with heart disease.
Mrs Morgan said the work of the Omega-3 Centre, a non-profit organisation, was supported by the Australian Heart Foundation and partly funded by commercial interests.


THE DOSE
Recommended average daily dose of long-chain omega-3:
* 500mg to reduce risk of heart disease.
* 1000mg if you already have heart disease.
* 3000mg a day if you have high triglyceride levels or rheumatoid arthritis (check with doctor first).

Thursday Nov 13, 2008 - By Angela Gregory

School's DIY trial supports omega 3 / NZ Herald

It's not overly scientific, and the sample is small, but early results are in on New Zealand's first classroom-based experiment on the benefits of omega 3.

And those initial results are good, Wellsford School principal Paul Whitaker said yesterday. Mr Whitaker came up with the idea of giving some of his students omega 3 after watching a BBC documentary that involved a similar experiment.

He contacted North Shore (Auckland) -based natural health products company Good Health, who agreed to supply the school with omega 3 tablets, and began the experiment on September 10.

Twenty-one of the school's students, aged between 11 and 13, took omega 3 tablets once a day for the first month, and are continuing to take them twice a day for the following two months.
Another student group of the same size and roughly the same demographic makeup are serving as the control group - not taking the tablets but engaging in the same lessons.

The two groups are to be tested on a range of disciplines, undergoing a series of basic timed addition, subtraction, division and multiplication tests. They will also sit nationally approved spelling and reading tests.

The first of the tests, focused on writing, was completed yesterday.

The control group's writing had stayed at the level it should have. But the children taking omega 3 had shown a definite improvement in writing and general focus, Mr Whitaker said.
That followed his expectations that the children taking omega 3 would have higher motivation, more concentration and improved overall basic skills.

Mr Whitaker said the students were excited about the trial, and the school had the full support of the children's parents.

Good Health chief executive Paul O'Brien said he hoped the trial would prompt more formal trials in New Zealand to test if omega 3 did genuinely improve the wellbeing of children.
Results suggested it did, he said.

"Ironically, omega 3 was routinely dispensed years ago in the form of the dreaded teaspoon of cod liver oil."

CHEWING THE FAT
* Omega 3 is an unsaturated fatty acid.
* It's commonly found in oily fish including salmon, anchovies and sardines.
* Vegetable sources include pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.
* Studies suggest a diet rich in omega 3 can reduce the risk of heart disease.
* It may also cut the risk of prostate and skin cancer and improve behaviour in antisocial teenagers.
* Omega 3 has "qualified health claim" status with the US Food and Drug Administration.

Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 - By Craig Borley

Oily fish intake and dietary omega-3s may improve eye health

According to new research, eating one portion per week of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by over 50 percent.

Fish intake, the major source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are two types of AMD: wet and dry. Of these two types, wet AMD is the primary cause of vision loss.

In a study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers recruited 105 people (age 65 and over) with wet AMD and 2170 healthy people to act as controls, then compared their dietary habits using questionnaires. The scientists then investigated the association of oily fish and dietary DHA and EPA with wet AMD.

Compared to people who consumed less than one portion of fish per week, participants who consumed at least one serving of oily fish per week had a 50 percent reduction in risk of developing wet AMD. In addition, people who got at least 300 mg per day of DHA and EPA were 68 and 71 percent less likely to have wet AMD than those with lower consumptions.

The results of this study support previous research indicating a protective benefit of omega-3s against the onset of AMD. The benefit may be due in part to their important role in the layer of nerve cells in the retina.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 2, 398-406, August 2008

New advice from National Heart Foundation

The Complementary Medicine industry welcome the new advice from the National Heart Foundation

Emerging scientific evidence has strongly supported the view that daily consumption of fish oils provides therapeutic benefits for people with heart disease, as well as preventive benefits for general population. In the latest release of its position statement, National Heart Foundation of Australia for the first time made recommendations with respect to fish, fish oils and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) to improve the cardiovascular health of all Australians.

It recommends that, to lower their risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), all Australians without existing heart conditions should consume about 500 mg per day of combined DHA and EPA through the combination of oily fish, fish oil capsules or liquid, and food and drinks enriched with marine Omega-3 PUFA.

For adult Australians with documented CHD, National Heart Foundation recommends that they consume about 1000 mg per day of combined DHA and EPA through a combination ) of oily fish, fish oil capsules or liquid, and food and drinks enriched with marine Omega-3 PUFA.

The position statement by Notational heart Foundation also provides cautions on the consumption of fish with high and medium methylmercury content, and advise people to follow government guidelines regarding safety issues. Many people are unable to consume the recommended dosage requirements through fish alone and for this reason, fish oil supplements therefore provide consumers with a cost effective way of ensuring their omega 3 intake is adequate. For further information, please visit National Heart Foundation's website at: http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/document/NHF/HW_FS_FishOils_PS_FINAL.pdf

Athlete Sponsorship at USANA

At USANA, we have all been experiencing the health and wellness benefits of USANA’s products. We have also been able to share this, through sponsorship of some of Australia’s Elite Athletes such as Kayaker - Clint Robinson, Pole Vaulter - Steve Hooker, Australian Yngling Team and a number of Australian Swimmers. At USANA, we review our Athlete Sponsorship contracts on an annual basis so we may be looking for new sponsorships! Do you have an Athlete Sponsorship to suggest for our consideration? If you do have an elite Athlete to suggest, then please contact us

Steve Hooker Olympic Pole Vaulter:

Steve Hooker has been taking USANA Nutritionals for over two years. With his elite training he requires endurance and healthy immune system, joints and bones.

Procosamine® II contains a blend of glucosamine, manganese and vitamin C – the building blocks for healthy cartilage, promoting optimal joint health. Everyday your joints endure stress from physical activity so make sure you are protecting your cartilage.

Garlic EC TM is a high-potency garlic tablet with minimal garlic odour. Among a broad spectrum of benefits, it helps maintain a healthy immune system and provides relief from symptoms of upper respiratory infections such as colds and bronchitis.

CoQuinoneTM contains both CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid in a highly bioavailable formula. CoQ10 has a role in producing cellular energy. CoQuinone promotes a strong and healthy cardiovascular system and contributes to overall antioxidant protection.

BiOmega III is a fish oil supplement that supplies the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in a convenient lemon flavoured capsule form. It helps promote cardiovascular health maintenance of good joint health. DHA plays an important role in the development of the brain of a fetus.

EssentialsTM combines the Mega Antioxidant and MultiMineral to support optimal health. They not only help prevent deficiency diseases, but also provide the necessary micronutrients to maintain optimal energy levels. Essentials also contain trace minerals, mixed carotenoids, bioflavonoids, and other phytochemicals and antioxidants to provide a full arsenal of compounds to help protect against daily exposure to free radicals. They also offer nutritional support for healthy circulation and blood vessels, healthy protection from environmental toxins, optimal vision and a sound immune system.

Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

Our USANA ANZ Sponsored Athletes continue to report the benefits they receive from USANA Nutritionals. We enjoy long term partnerships with many and are proud to support our athletes with trusted quality products.

BiOmega III - OK Magazine Editor's Choice

Ok magazine has endorsed BiOmega III as a great dietary supplement for inner and outer health. This magazine is a credible, popular upmarket source offering in-depth quality coverage.

BiOmega III Editor's Choice

OK Magazine, August 18 2008. Readership of 431 000

Fish Oil Intake During Pregnancy May Be Associated With Lower Asthma Incidence During Childhood

New research has shown a significant correlation between fish oil intake during pregnancy and asthma incidence during childhood.
Children whose mothers supplemented with fish oil during pregnancy were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with childhood asthma than children from non-supplementing mothers.

Current evidence suggests that asthma development may be associated with maternal intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. A recent study was conducted to examine whether an increase in omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy could affect risk of asthma in their offspring.

A population-based sample of 533 women with normal pregnancies were randomly assigned 2:1:1 to receive either four one-gram fish oil capsules/day providing 2.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, four similar looking one-gram capsules/day with just olive oil, or no capsules at all.

During the 16 years that passed since childbirth, the rate of asthma incidence was reduced by 63% and the rate of allergic asthma was reduced by 87% in the fish oil group as compared to the olive oil group. Assuming that the intake of olive oil had no significant influence one way or another, these results support the theory that increased fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in late pregnancy may provide important preventive potential in relation to childhood asthma development. Additional studies on this subject are currently in progress, which should shed more light on the mechanism behind this promising discovery.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 167-175, July 2008

BiOmega3 vs Natural Omega3

It’s No Fish Tale...
BiOmega III provides essentialnutrition in its purest form


For good health, many experts suggest that adults consume at least 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids daily, or 7 grams (7000 mg) total per week.
As part of a healthy diet, fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Yet, due to concerns about mercury and other contaminants, NHMRC Dietary Guideline advise eating one to two fish meals per week, with a limit of 80-120 grams per serve of fish.

This makes it difficult to get the recommended amount of omega-3s from diet alone. That’s where the BiOmega III dietary supplement comes in. By taking BiOmega III as part of a balanced diet, you can be sure you are getting the right amount of pure omega-3s.












This chart illustrates how much mercury and EPA+DHA you would be getting if you ate two 100g servings of some common fish in one week.