Balance, Moderation, and Variety

The essence of a healthy nutritional program is grounded in principals that have endured countless changes in government policy, naturopathic ideologies, consumer scrutiny, and public fickleness. The principals of balance, variety, and moderation have survived the test of time, even through an inconsistent and ever-changing landscape of “more is better” and “the latest miracle supplement.” The uniformed public is often impressed with which nutrition product has the highest levels of vitamin C, or the most efficiently absorbed minerals mistakingly thinking that more is always better.

However in nutrition, like life, having a lot of one thing (money) does not necessarily guarantee longevity or happiness. If the capacity of a cup is five ounces, filling it with six, twelve, or thirty-two ounces does not make it “fuller” or “better.” What benefit does having more protein do for an athlete is there is insufficient energy from carbohydrates to transform that protein into muscle? If a supplement contains the highest amount of beta-carotene, what does it matter, when the excess beta-carotene can actually block the absorption of other valuable carontenes?

The same can be said of phytonutrients. Why emphasize a single phytonutrient when there are literally thousands, many with functions that have yet to be identified? Considering the complete picture is much more important that focusing on one part. MOderation is more powerful than excess. Balance is better than emphasizing the contribution of a simple ingredient. And variety will generally produce greater benefits than a single nutrient.

A brief look at the science behind free radicals and antioxidants illustrates this message of balance, variety, and moderation. There are six classes of free radicals, which research shows may be largely responsible for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. These are referred to as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) test measures the “seek and destroy” capacity of antioxidants against free radicals. Once the ORAC test was perfected, many formulators and companies contrived ways to exploit this value in an attempt to make their product appear “fuller” or “better.”

A higher ORAC value does not necessarily equate to better or more effective.

MonaVie perserves the principals of balance, variety, and moderation. MonaVie seeks to define what genuine nutrients are meant to do: help the body perform at an optimum level. There is much science required to determine how to not under-aid or over-aid the body in its defense. With MonaVie, we have created the team and completed the research that allows us to say with confidence: MonaVie has the RIGHT balance, variety and moderation.