HEALTH EXPERTS CAUTION: Not All Nutrition Drinks Are Equal

As More Drinks Come on the Market, Watch Out for Hidden Sugars, Fat, and Calories

ZOIC Nutrition Drink is the First Product of its Kind Certified by the American Heart Association

The nutrition beverage market is booming as people of all ages turn to nutrient enhanced drinks to help fuel a healthy lifestyle, but the benefits often may be more hyped than healthy. Health experts across the country are urging consumers to read the label and look out for hidden sugars, fat, and calories in these drinks.

Nutrient-rich beverages are gaining popularity among consumers as a convenient way to boost energy, endurance, and overall health. "Healthy people are taking heed of the recent scientific studies that recommend an increase in protein and a decrease in high carbohydrate and high sugar foods to support a healthy lifestyle," says Harvard sports physician Dr. Marcus Elliott, MD, who works with world-class athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Dr. Elliott says most adults need to concentrate on getting more high quality protein in their daily diets.

"Because the body can't store protein for future needs, as it does carbohydrates, it's important to eat protein at regular intervals. High protein snacks and nutritional beverages can play an important role in managing a healthier lifestyle - whether you're an elite athlete, or a casual exerciser trying to maintain your weight with smart eating and physical activity," says Dr. Elliott. "The issue is that too many people aren't aware of the pitfalls of some of the products out there. Many of the nutritional drinks on the market are loaded with hidden sugars, fat, and calories."

Dr. Elliott is part of a team of health & science professionals behind ZOIC, an advanced nutrition drink hitting store shelves across the country later this month. ZOIC - meaning "pertaining to life" - was created to satisfy increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient nutritional products. ZOIC is different from most other nutritional beverages that are laden with high calories, high-fructose corn syrup, added sugars, or high fat content. ZOIC is specially formulated to provide an optimal mix of 21 grams of high-quality proteins, 26 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and healthy dietary fiber. Each serving of ZOIC has only 110 calories, 2 net grams of carbohydrates with no sugar added, and is 99 percent fat free. ZOIC's nutrient composition makes it ideal for general nutrition, healthy weight management, and exercise and fitness regimens.

"Other nutritional beverages may not offer the complete package of nutrients and high-quality protein that ZOIC provides," adds Dr. Elliott. "ZOIC is an ideal solution for those looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and watch their glycemic index."

American Heart Association Certifies ZOIC

As an indicator of ZOIC's nutritional quality, the American Heart Association (AHA) has certified the product. It displays the heart-check mark because it meets the organization's criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people over age 2. ZOIC is also qualified under the US FDA Heart Health Claim

"With all the messages in grocery stores, from sales fliers to promotions on food packages, consumers are bombarded with information. The simple heart-check mark from the American Heart Association makes it easy for them to cut through the clutter and reliably find the nutritious foods they're looking for," said American Heart Association spokesperson, Penny Kris-Etherton, R.D., Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University.

Consumers Demand Credible nutritional Products - Health & Wellness Goes Mainstream

Recently, younger adults have caught on to the benefits of a quick fix for nutrition in the form of a convenient and portable ready-to-drink product. ZOIC was initially available only through hospitals and health institutions, but now is being distributed to grocery, drug, convenience and mass merchant stores across the country beginning in October. ZOIC is USDA inspected as "true to content", and is also Union Orthodox Kosher Certified -- an independent verification of quality, integrity & purity.

ZOIC Nutritionals

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ZOIC Health Tips

RESCUE YOURSELF - Seven Simple Ways To Reduce Stress

It is well known that the long-term effects of day-to-day stress can play a major role in our mental and physical health, causing such ailments as heart disease, depression, weakened immunity and weight gain. Now is the time to come to your health's rescue by embracing these 7 simple ways to control your stress and bolster your well-being.

	1. Worry about one thing at a time. Keep your mind focused on real, immediate issues and tune out imaginary ones or those over which you have zero control and you'll automatically reduce stress overload.
	2. Get away once a day. Stepping out for just 10-15 minutes a day can be invigorating. Find a quiet place alone to simply relax, meditate, read a novel, or sip tea. It doesn't matter how much time you allot, just be consistent by doing something to re-establish your inner sense of peace every day.
	3. Write or talk about it. Keeping a diary of your day or talking about it will help you to identify your sources of stress and vent your feelings. Sharing your feelings with friends will also help you to realize that you are not alone.
	4. Eat healthy. A healthy diet is an essential companion to any stress-reduction program. General health and stress resistance can be enhanced by a diet rich in a variety of healthy foods, vegetables and fruits, and by avoiding excessive alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Drink Zoic Protein Nutrition Drinks as a healthy and nutritious snack alternative.
	5. Exercise. No matter how busy you are, find time to exercise. It is probably the most effective stress reliever there is. If you can't hit the gym, take a brisk 30 minute walk during your lunch break or get up several times a day to stretch and walk around.
	6. Be positive. Try not to think so negatively and curb yourself from wanting to complain. Learning to focus on positive outcomes will not only help you to reduce tension but to also achieve your goals.
	7. Stop being so serious. Research has shown that humor is an effective mechanism for coping with stress. Laughing releases the tension of pent-up feelings and helps you to keep perspective. So, swap jokes with your friends or rent a funny movie. Whatever you do, laugh!

What do your Cholesterol Levels Mean?

Cholesterol lowering is important for young, middle-aged and older adults. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack by lowering your cholesterol level. See the chart to find out what your cholesterol levels mean.

Treating High Cholesterol

The main goal of cholesterol-lowering treatment is to lower your LDL level enough to reduce your risk of developing or having a heart attack.

These are things you can do something about:

What is your Body Mass Index?

Is your weight affecting your health? Find out if your Body Mass Index puts you at risk.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks. BMI is a measure which takes into account a persons weight and height to guage total body fat in adults.

According to health experts, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for health problems.

Use the table below to determine your Body Mass Index. First, find your height in the left-hand column. Move across the columns to find your approximate weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight.