Dear Shaklee Family:

As an Enthusiastic Shaklee user and distributor, I decided to use Shaklee Nutritional products instead of the prescribed pre-natal vitamins during my pregnancy.

I did a some research and found that what I was already taking on a daily basis was more complete than the ones the doctors prescribe.

Aside from providing pre-natal nutritional support, I also used many of the Shaklee products as remedies for some common “discomforts” that occur at different points of a normal pregnancy. I hope that these hints help other mothers to be!

I found in early pregnancy (first trimester) that I would have emotional swings and tearful moments. One or two GLA capsules, (3) B-Complex, Calcium and (2) (Calcium Magnesium or Calcium Complex) would calm and soothe my nerves. I also used calcium (3 or 4 at a time) before bedtime to help me sleep better and prevent leg cramps. The only leg cramps I got ( and they were VERY painfully intense) were on the evenings when I skimped on the calcium.

At various times throughout the pregnancy, I had some minor nausea, queasiness, and even acid reflux, just like all the books and magazines will warn you. I found relief by using Shaklee Stomach Soothing Complex teas (cooled for a refreshing drink), and 5 or 6 Alfalfa tablets.

At one point, just for a few weeks, I could not stand the smell or taste of my favorite Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein. I did not want to go without, so I opted for the delicious Shaklee Meal Shakes (which tasted great to me) and I would add one scoop of the soy protein. I also used the new Shaklee Instant Protein when I made hot cereal for breakfast.

I found that my skin got much drier and just using more lotion did not help. I then discovered that the Enfuselle Calming Complex sealed in with Enfuselle Hand and Body Lotion would soothe and heal any dry patches or rashes. I also made sure to use the Hand and Body Lotion — all over — after every bath or shower to prevent stretch marks with excellent results.

I also have had no swelling and only the minimal healthy weight gain. I attribute that to drinking alot of BestWater and using Alfalfa ( to minimize water retention) and using the Shaklee supplements to give me and the baby the nutrients we both need to be healthy and happy!

I am excited to announce that our healthy and beautiful baby Sofía Grace Delgado was born March 5th, 2001. I thank Shaklee products for helping me enjoy a wonderful pregnancy and birth of my baby girl. I think I have fallen in love with Shaklee all over again!

Very Enthusiastically,
Melissa Anderson-Delgado
Shaklee Coordinator and New Mommy

Infertility is one journey that Nathan and I have not had to walk, unless miscarriages are factored into this. Even though we have had a few miscarriages, we have not had to battle for years with not being able to get pregnant.  As a mother, I can not imagine how painful this road is and my heart goes out to all who have struggled with this.

While I have not personally experience years of infertility, we have  many dear friends who have and others who have called us over the years asking for nutritional direction.  As with any battle, there are usually several things at work and one thing may not be the sole answer or solution.  However, you can never go wrong by attempting to improve your overall health and see what results you get. We have known multiple couples who have changed their diet and both began to supplement daily and emerged from this battle victorious!  These are just suggestions based on other people’s testimonies that we hope may help someone.  If you have specific questions, please email us at healthyoates@gmail.com and we will do our best to help you!

A Bit of Practical Advice For Men. Make sure:

1. He does not smoke or consume alcohol, both of which will lower sperm count.
2. He needs to make sure he is not wearing a cell phone clipped to his belt.
3. He needs to make sure he is not consuming anything with NutraSweet (aspartame), which can cause low sperm count.
4. He needs to not sit in a hot bath or sit on other warm surfaces on a regular basis.
5. He needs to stay away from bicycle riding. Pressure from the bicycle seat, shocks from hitting bumps, and vibration can damage nerves and blood vessels in the scrotum and testicles can adversely affect sperm counts and even cause impotence.
6. If he is overweight, losing weight can improve sperm count, since excess weight adversely affects testosterone levels.
7. He should avoid any exposure to hormone-based toxins, like bug sprays or herbicides sprayed on the lawn.
8. He needs to get on a good supplement program to repair any internal damage or lack he may have.

• B-Complex (at least 6 per day)
• Sustained Release Vitamin C (at least 10 or more per day)
• Protein at least twice per day
• Zinc (4 per day)
• Lecithin (at least 1 serving, which is 6 capsules per day)

Dr. Andrew Saul on Nutrition & Fertility for Men

“If you want to conceive, try having the man take mega-doses of vitamin C for a few weeks prior. Consuming at least 6,000 milligrams of Vitamin C a day, and as much as 20,000 mg/day guarantees very high sperm production. Divide the dose throughout the day for maximum effect.  And that effect is what, exactly?  More sperm, stronger sperm, and better swimming sperm all occurred, at even lower daily C doses, in a University of Texas study. Take more C and you’ll make vast quantities of super sperm.

Here’s more: Zinc, and plenty of it, helps the prostate and increases seminal fluid production.  There is scientific literature a mile long about zinc and male fertility. About five to ten times the RDA will do it.  That is approximately 50 to 100 mg of zinc daily. For best absorption and best results, divide the dose into two, or better yet, four doses. Zinc gluconate is well absorbed. . . .

A lot of nutritionists will tell you that such levels of zinc are harmful. Truth is, most men don’t even get the puny RDA amount of zinc, set laughingly at 10 or 12 milligrams. Zinc lozenges for the common cold are many times higher than this. Up to 550 mg of zinc has been safely given daily for a few weeks.”

Dr. Andrew Saul, Ph.D., is Assistant Editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY named Andrew Saul one of Seven Natural Health Pioneers in its November-December 2006 issue.

One Infertility Story

by Barbara Leschke

I wanted to share with all of you our infertility story. I ask that as you read this story think of someone you know or someone who knows someone with infertility. This information could change their lives!  Please pass it along.

Scott and I were married in September of 1985. About six months later, we decided to start trying for our family. We expected this to be a natural, simplistic goal to achieve. As time went on this became our most difficult life challenge. We were not at all prepared for the emotional, physical, and financial upheaval that infertility causes.

We compared our life to a roller coaster ride, wondering when all this would stop so we could get off. We started treatment a year later with a stack of tests and ovulation predictor kits. This was just the beginning of all the tests, procedures and surgeries we would endure over the next seven years. The tests came back inconclusive. My tubes were open and Scott’s sperm count “was a little low and not as lively as they could be” but we were told at this time that shouldn’t interfere with the ability to conceive. Many times we heard “you are young, you have time, don’t worry”.  We decided to find a new Dr. who was just as interested in us achieving our goal as we were.

With the new Dr. came surgery. She performed laparoscopy and discovered and removed my endometriosis (scar tissue that adheres to the uterine wall, fallopian tubes and ovaries). We thought our prayers had been answered. Endometriosis is an auto-immune deficient disease.

More tests, insemination, and procedures…time was passing by and still no pregnancy. We decided we needed an infertility specialist. We started Clomid (a fertility drug) and used it unsuccessfully for 12 months.

In the summer of 1989 we moved to Cary IL, on to another specialist, Pergonal and Metrodine. These drugs were stimulating my ovaries to produce up to 20 eggs per cycle, given to me in shot form by my husband. After 3 cycles I had surgery again. The Endometriosis was back and there was much more this time. Scott also had a bilateral varicosealectomy (his sperm count was getting progressively worse) in hopes of increasing his sperm count and improving the motility. After the surgery we proceeded with six more cycles of the injections and inseminations. This included daily blood and ultrasound monitoring. The stress of going through all of this is debilitating for many people. I wish I had Shaklee B’s then!!

Still no pregnancy. Next came Invitrofertalization along with another new Dr. in Chicago. I traveled down there daily for blood and ultrasound monitoring. To make a long story short, the second cycle of Invitro we were pregnant! All that pain we endured was worth it. But then we were told about six months into our pregnancy that if we ever wanted to have another child they would recommend we get started with the invitro when our baby was about six months old because our chances of conceiving again would be slim. We thought there must be another way.

Miranda was born 4 weeks early by cesarean due to a complete placenta previa, after a month of hospital bed rest, on Dec. 14th, 1993.  She is literally is our million dollar miracle baby and has changed our lives dramatically. A few weeks after she was born I had an overwhelming urge to get the toxins out of our house and that’s how I got interested in Shaklee. We completely changed brands so that we were providing the healthiest environment for our baby and ourselves. Shaklee has changed our life!

Shortly after that, we listened to a tape on infertility and decided this could be our answer to a second child. We decided going through all the surgeries again wasn’t something we wanted to do. We both started supplementing our diet with Shaklee Vita Lea, B’s, C, E, zinc and instant protein. Our health improved and we felt great! We also made a few dietary changes; no dairy products, organic whenever possible and hormone free meat.

Miranda was 21 months old when we had one of the happiest days of our life! We found out I was pregnant again. This pregnancy only required us to provide our bodies with the nutrition it needed to do what it was intended to do, conceive and grow a beautiful baby. I had a terrific pregnancy, no nausea and no complications this time. Thanks to SHAKLEE! Kellen – now 3 years – old is the happiest, healthiest boy I know. Both our children are thriving on great nutrition including Shaklee supplements. I am proud to say that neither one has ever had any medication, antibiotic or otherwise. We are “drug free” here thanks to SHAKLEE! The average child goes to the doctor 15 times per year in their early years, so if it can keep my kids healthy imagine how it could help you change your health and help your body function as it was meant to!

If I could recommend anything to you I would say, “clean up your house by getting the toxins out and take the best nutritional supplements you can buy, Shaklee.   Nutrition makes a huge difference. I truly believe much of what we went through could have been avoided had we had the nutrition in our bodies, Shaklee in our lives!   Shaklee products  work and make a difference in peoples lives!