A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi
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To cite this paper:
Harunobu Amagase, Dwight M. Nance. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. May 1, 2008, 14(4): 403-412. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0004.

Harunobu Amagase, Ph.D.
FreeLife International, LLC, Phoenix, AZ.
Dwight M. Nance, Ph.D.
Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Orange, CA.

ABSTRACT
Background: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is the first study reported from outside China that has examined the general effects of the orally consumed goji berry, Lycium barbarum, as a standardized juice (GoChi ; FreeLife International LLC, Phoenix, AZ) to healthy adults for 14 days.

Methods: Based upon the medicinal properties of Lycium barbarum in traditional Asian medicine, we examined by questionnaire subjective ratings (0–5) of general feelings of well-being, neurologic/psychologic traits, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints as well as any adverse effects. Also, measures of body weight, body–mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and visual acuity were assessed before and after consuming 120 mL of GoChi/day or placebo control solution. Data were statistically analyzed for changes between day 1 and day 15.

Results: Significant differences between day 1 and day 15 were found in the GoChi group (N = 16) in increased ratings for energy level, athletic performance, quality of sleep, ease of awakening, ability to focus on activities, mental acuity, calmness, and feelings of health, contentment, and happiness. GoChi also significantly reduced fatigue and stress, and improved regularity of gastrointestinal function. In contrast, the placebo group (N = 18) showed only two significant changes (heartburn and happiness). No significant changes in musculoskeletal or cardiovascular complaints were observed in either group. All parametric data (body weight, etc.) were not significantly different between groups or between day 1 and day 15 for either group.

Conclusions: These results clearly indicate that daily consumption of GoChi for 14 days increases subjective feelings of general well-being, and improves neurologic/psychologic performance and gastrointestinal functions. The data strongly suggest that further research is indicated to confirm and extend knowledge of the potential effects of Lycium barbarum upon human health.

FreeLife International Launches New Product Backed by Clinical Research

GoChi™

.fullpost{display:inline;}FreeLife International Launches New Product Backed by Clinical Research

Goji® Juice, recently announced a revolutionary new product in Laguna Beach, Calif. at the company’s annual Leadership Summit. Developed with input from scientists around the globe, GoChi™ represents a significant advance in the goji and nutritional beverage categories, and is one of the first and only juice products backed by clinical research.

GoChi is preservative-free, halal and kosher, and contains 30 percent more polysaccharides (the active ingredient) than FreeLife’s original Himalayan Goji Juice. It also tastes great. More importantly, 9 out of 10 people who used GoChi in a recent study felt a significant health benefit in the first 14 days.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, GoChi proved beneficial for human health in 13 key areas in just 14 days. Results included reduction of stress, less fatigue, increased energy, better quality of sleep, and increased regularity. The findings of this study were analyzed by top statisticians at the University of California, Irvine, and all were declared to be statistically significant, with an impressive confidence level of 90-99 percent. To the contrary, the lead researcher, who is a member of FreeLife’s Scientific Advisory Board, noted that in 12 out of the 13 areas studied, the test subjects taking the inactive placebo experienced no statistically significant improvements. FreeLife has verified these findings with similar results in a subsequent controlled follow-up study, and the company is in the process of designing and conducting further research.

“The study on GoChi represents a monumental leap in the entire juice category,” FreeLife CEO & Co-Founder Ray Faltinsky said. “It raises the credibility of this product to a standard never before seen in the juice industry. We have taken the science to a higher level with our own clinical research specifically on our product.”

Since Himalayan Goji Juice was introduced to the market by FreeLife in 2003, the company has achieved four straight years of record growth. “When we introduced Himalayan Goji Juice, no one had yet heard about the goji berry,” said Faltinsky. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have benefited from Himalayan Goji Juice and tens of thousands of sales reps have joined FreeLife.

“GoChi has been developed through FreeLife’s worldwide research efforts, and represents the next generation of Himalayan Goji Juice, delivering an unprecedented potency and balance of the unique Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in the goji berry,” Faltinsky added. “We anticipate that millions of people around the globe will benefit from this new product.” The market in the United States alone represents about 300 million adults and children.

Founded in 1995, FreeLife International is a financially solid, Inc. 500 direct sales company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Operating in 24 countries, FreeLife’s leading products are GoChi and Himalayan Goji Juice. FreeLife’s mission is “to serve each other by promoting good health, well-being and the opportunity for an abundant life” and this statement is used to guide company decisions every day – starting with the Co-Founders and emanating to all employees at the corporate offices and the sales representatives in the field.

Article Copyright:Freelife International

Looking for Sharper Focus and Concentration?

How many times has this happened to you? It’s a special occasion, and you’ve somehow managed to secure reservations at the hottest restaurant in town. You’re full of happy anticipation as you drive along the freeway and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, traffic slows to a crawl. After creeping along for what seems like hours, you finally reach the source of the slowdown: a minor “fender bender” in the opposite lanes of traffic. For some reason, hundreds of your fellow drivers had become so distracted by this that they lost focus and concentration, and as a result, you’ve lost your precious dinner reservations!

Life certainly provides plenty of distractions, and as the above scenario illustrates, it can be very easy to lose focus. But how do you explain not being able to concentrate when you’re sitting at home or in your office with no outside distractions, and yet you still can’t seem to finish a task that you’ve started? The inability to focus or concentrate affects even the most disciplined of people (with the possible exception of the superhuman Tiger Woods). Here are some reasons why you might be having trouble staying in sharp focus:

Inadequate sleep:
Many experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep daily, and even more for growing kids. And yet, more than 60 million people in the United States experience sleep-related complaints. Many poor sleepers don’t know that they have a problem because their bodies have adjusted. Your body may be willing, but you can’t fool your brain. Brain fatigue will rob you of the focus and concentration you need to perform at your peak.

Boredom or lack of interest:
Your concentration may be fading simply because you just aren’t interested enough in what you’re supposed to be concentrating on. It can be pretty difficult to muster up enthusiasm for plugging endless numbers into a spreadsheet, or for attacking your daily chores.

Stress and frustration:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by difficult or worrisome issues, it can be almost impossible to zone in on one task without being distracted by the weight of your other unfinished business.

Medical causes:
Talk to your doctor if you suspect you may be dealing with one of these issues:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) : This disorder involves abnormal brain chemistry, affecting your ability to focus and concentrate. Although usually encountered in children, ADHD can affect adults as well.
• Thyroid Problems : Although difficult to diagnose, feeling restless and anxious, being unable to concentrate, and having a poor memory could all indicate thyroid trouble.
• Diabetes : Your brain requires a constant flow of glucose for energy, which it receives from your blood. If your blood sugar levels are elevated or crashing, you’ll be left feeling tired and unable to focus.
• Depression : When you’re depressed, it can be nearly impossible to think clearly, or to find the energy and motivation to concentrate.

So what can you do to regain sharp focus and concentration? If you have a medical condition, you owe it to yourself to seek professional help. And for the rest of you, try these helpful tips!

• Get more sleep . Either get to bed earlier or take a mid-afternoon power nap, and you’ll dissipate that brain fog.
• Banish boredom . Research shows that concentration drops after 20 to 30 minutes, so take frequent breaks, making sure to get out of your chair to keep blood flowing to your brain. Bribe yourself with a reward once you finish your task. Treating yourself will feel extra good because you’ll also have the feeling of accomplishment that comes from a job well done.
• Get organized . Make sure that you have everything you need to complete the task at hand. If you’re poorly prepared, the extra time and effort needed to get the job done will make you lose focus more easily. Don’t distract yourself by trying to work with the television or radio on, or with your computer’s instant messaging program running.

• Write it down . If you can’t get unfinished tasks out of your head, write them down so you’re free to stop obsessing over them. Your to-do list should include an estimate of how much time it will take for each item. That will really help you to prioritize your day.
• Fight through frustration to help manage stress . In the same way that champion athletes can get their second wind, you can fight through mental frustration to find renewed focus. From now on, if you’re in the middle of a task and tempted to give up, noted author and lecturer Sam Horn recommends that you just do five more. Read five more pages. Finish five more math problems. Work five more minutes.
• Don’t procrastinate . As R.D. Clyde said, “It’s amazing how long it takes to complete something we’re not working on.” Delaying a task will only make it occupy more of your mind and time.
• Drink 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi every day!

GoChi® –Clinical study participants report experiencing improved focus and concentration.

For countless generations, the people of Asia have used the goji berry daily in their quest for sharp mental focus and intense concentration. No goji product is more potent than FreeLife’s GoChi, and now its wide-ranging benefits have been clinically demonstrated in three clinical studies. In a recent, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial, test subjects drinking a daily serving of just 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi reported experiencing significant improvement in focus and mental acuity, as well as reduced feelings of stress and better sleep quality, all in as little as 14 days!

This groundbreaking clinical study has been published in the highly regarded Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), and it can also be viewed on the U.S. Government’s encyclopedic PubMed website at www.pubmed.gov. The acceptance of our study by the independent experts of a peer-reviewed publication such as JACM represents a first for a functional juice beverage in the Direct Selling industry, and it demonstrates FreeLife’s ongoing commitment to supporting its claims with solid scientific research.

Bring your world into focus, with GoChi!

REFERENCES:

“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder .” National Institute of Mental Health. National Institutes of Health. April 3, 2008.

Battaglia E. “Zoning In – Improving Your Concentration .” LifeScript.com website.

Horn, S. About.com: Alternative Medicine. “Top 5 Tips to Improve Your Concentration .” Available at http://altmedicine.about.com/od/optimumhealthessentials/a/Concentration.htm

Amagase H, Nance DM. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi™ . J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(4), pp. 403-412. Abstract available on PubMed at http://www.pubmed.gov (PMID: 18447631)

Click here for alternative of natural nutritional food that will increase your energy, stamina and athletic performance

Click here for Goji berry opportunities

Looking for the Keys to Contentment?

“When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” ~ Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Happiness and contentment may sound like the same thing, but there’s a difference. Happiness can be fleeting and elusive, but contentment is the deep and lasting feeling of comfort that comes with feeling that you’re OK with who you are, that you’re loved and supported, and that you’re satisfied with your situation in life. We all crave contentment, but far too few of us find it, perhaps because we just don’t know where to look.

Noted educator and author Dr. Linda Abbott Trapp offers some great advice for anyone looking to bask in the warm glow of contentment, which we paraphrase with our sincere thanks to Dr. Trapp:

Learn to want what you have, more often, more fully. If you’re too focused on what you don’t have, you may be blinding yourself to the many blessings around you. Give yourself more time to do the things that make you feel good about yourself. Stand back, look around you, give yourself a pat on the back, be grateful for what you have, and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Savor the life stage you are in right now. If you’ll spend a little time capturing your thoughts and feelings, even writing them in a journal, you won’t overlook the valuable insights you have, right on the tip of your tongue. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be a bit more content with being who you are right now, at this age and in this place.

Avoid the cravings that lead to greed and discontent. Ambition’s a healthy impulse, but greed is not. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your lot in life, but you must beware of the pitfalls that can come with overreaching. There’s truth to the saying “the more you get, the more you want,” and when that happens, you can say goodbye to contentment.

Balance ambition and repose. As previously stated, ambition is a healthy impulse, but the desire to aspire needs to be balanced by a good sense of knowing when to relax and appreciate what you’ve accomplished. Henry Ward Beecher’s comment is very helpful: “We are not to make the ideas of contentment and aspiration quarrel, for God made them fast friends. A man may aspire, and yet be quite content until it is time to raise; and both flying and resting are parts of one contentment.”

And of course, we’d like to add another great tip for anyone seeking contentment:

Drink 4 oz. (120 ml) of GoChi™ every day!

GoChi™ – Participants in groundbreaking clinical study report experiencing significantly increased feelings of contentment and happiness in just 14 days!

In a recent human clinical trial featured in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), participants drinking a daily serving of just 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi reported experiencing significantly increased feelings of contentment and happiness in as little as 14 days! Researchers also noted that the GoChi drinkers reported feelings of reduced stress and increased calm.

The publication of our study by the independent experts of a peer-reviewed publication such as JACM represents a first for a functional juice beverage in the Direct Selling industry, and it demonstrates FreeLife’s ongoing commitment to supporting its claims with solid scientific research.

Here’s to finding the keys to contentment, and to better health with GoChi!

REFERENCES:

Amagase H, Nance DM. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi™ . J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(4), pp. 403-412. Abstract available on PubMed at http://www.pubmed.gov (PMID: 18447631)

Trapp, Linda A. “The Secret of Contentment .” SelfhelpMagazine April 8, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2008.

Click here for alternative of natural nutritional food that will increase your energy, stamina and athletic performance

Click here for Goji berry opportunities

How to Win the Fight Against Fatigue

In other Health Watch articles, we’ve talked about the many energizing benefits of restful sleep. But even if you are getting plenty of sleep and are not feeling drowsy, you may still be suffering from fatigue. There’s a difference – in general, drowsiness is feeling the need to sleep, whereas fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation, often accompanied by apathy (a feeling of indifference or not caring about what happens). Fatigue is disruptive and interferes with all aspects of daily living. In the United States, fatigue results in about 10 million doctor visits each year.

Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical exertion, emotional stress, or boredom. However, it can also be a sign of a more serious psychological or physical disorder. Some of the more common of these are:

• An allergy that leads to hay fever or asthma
• Anemia (including iron deficiency anemia)
• Depression or grief
• Sleep disorders such as ongoing insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, or narcolepsy
• Underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Certain medications may also cause drowsiness or fatigue, including antihistamines for allergies, blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills, steroids, and diuretics.

If you have any of these medical problems, please see your doctor. For the rest of you, here are some great lifestyle tips that can really help you to win the fight against fatigue:

• Get adequate, regular, and consistent amounts of sleep each night. It helps to go to bed at the same time each night and to get up at the same time each day, and to sleep in a cool, quiet, and comfortable room.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, and don’t skip breakfast. When you first wake up, your blood sugar is low, and eating a healthy breakfast can serve as an energy booster that will start your day off right.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You may be surprised to learn that nothing can tire you out faster than dehydration, so keep a bottle of water by your side whenever possible.
• Exercise regularly. Moderate aerobic exercise, 3 or 4 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes, will help increase your energy level. The key is consistency, if you want to see consistent results.
• Learn how to relax. When you’re under excessive stress, your breathing becomes shallower, limiting the flow of vital oxygen to the cells of your body and brain. Whenever you’re feeling worn down by stress, try taking 5 to 10 deep breaths to help regain control. Breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation are techniques you can practice any time, and they’re great tools for managing stress and fatigue.
• Keep a reasonable and realistic schedule. Prioritize your daily to-do list and pace yourself as you work your way through your day. And make sure to schedule time for yourself. Even a half hour a day spent doing something that you enjoy will pay big dividends in reducing fatigue.
• Change your stressful circumstances, if possible. For example, take a vacation, and deal directly with problems in a relationship or with your boss.
• Take a multivitamin to help your body’s natural defenses against fatigue. Freelife offers advanced multi-nutrient formulas that can give you an edge in your daily fight against fatigue.
• Drink 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi every day!

GoChi® – Participants in groundbreaking clinical study report experiencing significantly reduced fatigue in just 14 days!

In a recent human clinical trial featured in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), participants drinking a daily serving of just 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi reported experiencing significantly increased energy levels and reduced fatigue in as little as 14 days! Researchers also noted that the GoChi drinkers reported reduced stress and improvements in sleep quality.

The publication of our study by the independent experts of a peer-reviewed publication such as JACM represents a first for a functional juice beverage in the Direct Selling industry, and it demonstrates FreeLife’s ongoing commitment to supporting its claims with solid scientific research.

Here’s to winning the fight against fatigue. Here’s to GoChi!

REFERENCES:

• “Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Fatigue.” U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, MD. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
• “How to beat fatigue.” Arthritis Today. June 8, 2007. Arthritis Foundation, Washington, DC. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
• Eustice, Carol and Richard. “10 Ways to Fight Fatigue.” About.com: Arthritis. June 23, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
• Puetz T, O’Connor P. “Low-intensity exercise reduces fatigue symptoms by 65 percent.” UGA Office of Public Affairs News Service. University of Georgia. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
• Amagase H, Nance DM. “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi™.” J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(4), pp. 403-412. Abstract available on PubMed at: http://www.pubmed.gov (PMID: 18447631)

Click here for alternative of natural nutritional food that will increase your energy, stamina and athletic performance

Click here for Goji berry opportunities

Finding the Competitive Edge

Winning athletes will tell you that nothing beats the exhilaration of competition, and that’s just as true for weekend golfers as it is for elite Olympians. Even a workout in the gym is an athletic contest: after all, you can only make gains by bettering your own personal best.

We’re all looking for a competitive edge, and that’s why successful athletes train as hard as they do. And yet, you might be surprised to learn that there are many things that may be preventing you from reaching peak athletic performance. These include:

Poor nutrition – There’s a large body of evidence showing a relationship between diet and athletic performance, yet many athletes make poor food choices based on misinformation. For example, many people feel athletes need a high-protein diet to support muscle growth despite the fact that researchers have repeatedly proved this false. The body tends to convert excess protein into body fat, and that’s the last thing an athlete wants. Only strength training and exercise will promote changes in muscle, and a well-balanced diet will serve the needs of most active people.

Insufficient hydration – Water is the most important, yet over-looked, nutrient by athletes. Water and fluids are essential to maintaining good hydration and body temperature. Sweat losses to keep the body cool can exceed several liters in a 1-hour period.

Inadequate sleep – Adequate sleep is critical for athletic recovery, as the body’s maintenance and repair functions occur mainly at night. An ongoing Stanford University study has shown that a little more high-quality sleep can result in dramatic improvements in athletic performance, mood, and alertness.

Low energy and poor stamina – Everyone runs out of energy sooner or later, but the best athletes are able to fight through fatigue to reach that “second wind.”

Impaired focus and concentration – Athletic competition is both mentally and physically challenging. Great athletes learn to tune out distractions by sharpening their focus and concentration.

Free-radical damage – Working muscles generate large quantities of harmful free radicals that, if left unchecked, can cause premature aging of the body’s healthy cells. This is why it is essential for athletes to maintain high blood levels of the body’s own protective antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.

Here are some tips that can help you to reach peak performance

• Follow a balanced athletic conditioning program to build strength, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility,core development, and resistance to injury.
• Eat a sensible and balanced diet.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Drink 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi every day!

GoChi – Human clinical studies participants reported experiencing improved athletic performance and increased antioxidant protection.

In a recent human clinical trial featured in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), participants drinking a daily serving of just 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi reported significantly enhanced athletic performance in as little as 14 days! The study participants also reported experiencing improvements in several aspects of health that are considered to be essential for athletic success. These include:

Increased energy

Less fatigue

Sharper mental acuity

Increased focus and concentration

Better quality of sleep

In yet another randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, blood tests on participants drinking GoChi showed highly significant increases in blood levels of the important antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. This was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a prime indicator of free-radical damage and a known health risk factor.

These studies illustrate FreeLife’s ongoing commitment to lead the nutrition industry in clinical research, product efficacy, and evidence-based product formulation.

Drink GoChi, and you’ll always be a winner!

REFERENCES:

“Medline Plus: Nutrition and athletic performance.” U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, MD. Retrieved July 3, 2008.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2008, June 10). Extra Sleep Improves Athletic Performance. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 3, 2008.

Amagase H, Nance DM. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi™. J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(4), pp. 403-412. Abstract available on PubMed at www.pubmed.gov (PMID: 18447631)

Click here for alternative of natural nutritional food that will increase your energy, stamina and athletic performance

Click here for Goji berry opportunities

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