Tag Archives: sustainability

Harnessing the Power of Nature

May 15, 2024 Dr. Sam Leave a comment

With springtime upon us it’s a good time to share a previous post about harnessing the undeniable power of nature. It’s becoming ever more important for us to listen to Mother Nature and to find innovative ways to help create a sustainable future. A future based on nature’s design.

The wisdom of nature fascinates me. You need only take a walk in the outdoors to see why. At first glance, you may marvel at its beauty, but when you look closer, you’re sure to spot the elegant efficiency that is uniquely Mother Nature. Nothing is wasted. All is needed. Everything counts. To me, nature is a perfect place to find inspiration for sustainable solutions not only for healthy living, but for a healthy planet. So perfect, in fact, it has inspired a movement.

A majestic tree at Fazenda Nutriorganica, Ceará, Brazil, 2014. Branches jut out without any right angles, allowing for more efficient distribution of water and nutrients, just like the blood vessels in our circulatory system.

Sustainability inspired by nature

For eons, man has found solutions to problems big and small by watching, learning, and modeling the wisdom of nature. Today, we’re watching even more closely to find sustainable solutions, thanks to the biomimicry movement. I like that.

Biomimicry, a term coined by naturalist Janine Benyus about 25 years ago, is now a mainstream movement. A growing number of researchers, architects, inventors, and other creative types look to nature to inspire their own well-designed solutions. Each one starting with a simple question: “I have a problem; how would nature solve it?”

Water beadlets on the surface of a leaf. Certain leaves, such as the lotus, are textured, which helps water and dirt to roll off easier. This feature has inspired fabric and paint finishes that repel stains without the need for excess chemicals.

What exactly is Biomimicry?

According to The Biomimicry Institute (yes, there is an institute), the goal of biomimicry is to find sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating the patterns and strategies found in nature that have stood the test of time. The result is products, processes and policies that not only help us thrive, but protect the planet.[i]

The bur is a common example of biomimicry in action. These airborne specks of dry plants have hooks that can cling to clothes with impressive tenacity, much to the dismay of most hikers. But not to Swiss engineer George de Mestral, who took a closer look at the bur and was inspired to create the Velcro® hook-and-loop fastener, which he patented in the mid-1950s.

You may also recognize biomimicry in other products: bullet trains inspired by king fisher birds, houses modeled after baobab trees, air conditioning systems patterned after termite hills, or solar power systems inspired by leaves.

Nutrilite solutions powered by Biomimicry

My father understood the wisdom of nature long before the biomimicry movement. As a young man traveling in China, he was intrigued by the shiny coats of cows grazing only on alfalfa and drinking water. He also noticed people in rural areas, who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, were healthier than their urban counterparts who consumed more refined foods. These types of observation eventually led to the creation of Nutrilite® brand supplements — a supplement inspired by nature.

Another Nutrilite example of biomimicry is the natural pesticide BIOTROL developed by scientists at Nutrilite Products, Inc., in the 1950s. They were looking for spotted aphids, dead ones in this case, that had been rampaging the alfalfa fields. They noticed some of the dead aphids were covered with a fuzz from mold. After testing, they found the mold spores could control the aphid problem and do so without the bugs developing a tolerance to the fungal material. This discovery didn’t result in a commercial product (spotted aphids are not a big pest), but it did inspire my father to find a way to naturally ward off certain destructive caterpillars. He hired entomologists, biologists and fermentation experts and eventually produced BIOTROL. It was derived from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis and considered the first natural biological pest control in the marketplace.

An insect shows off its colorful exoskeleton while blending into the foliage. Some insects are predators of common pests, making them a natural solution to help protect crops.

Good bugs, bad bugs and more

Finding inspiration in nature is a huge part of what Nutrilite scientists do. They use beneficial bugs – lady bugs, green lace wings and others – to balance harmful bugs. They rely on sheep droppings to feed earthworms, microbes and other organisms needed for rich, fertile soil. They closely monitor harvesting time to ensure optimal nutrient content in plants.

It is also important to look to nature to see what is suited for the land. For this reason, we source plant ingredients for Nutrilite® brand products from farms that have the right climate, soil and weather conditions for a particular crop, and why we partner with like-minded farmers around the world in our NutriCert™ certification program.

Surround yourself with nature’s inspiration

We spend a lot of time at our home in Telluride, Colorado, but this year was the first time we were there to see the Aspen leaves changing color. It was an unbelievable sight, true living color in brilliant greens, translucent yellows and deep golds. These majestic trees paint a spectacular picture, but to me, they also offer inspiration for biomimicry of a cultural sort. You see, the Aspens are all connected by one massive root system that allows them to thrive, year after year, earning them the moniker of largest living organism on the planet. Imagine what we could accomplish for our planet if we could be as connected?

The sparkling leaves on Aspen trees near our home in Telluride begin to change color. Telluride, CO, September 2018. Photo: F. Rehnborg

I encourage you to get outdoors as much as you can. Go somewhere that soothes your soul –walk along a beach, hike a mountain trail, sit in a city park or enjoy your own garden more. While there, look closer at the flowers, trees, shrubs and nature’s other wonders. Look for symmetry, check out the patterns, and find something you haven’t noticed before.

I believe the more we connect with nature, the more we open our minds to nature-inspired solutions and, most importantly, the lighter we will tread on our planet. Who’s ready for a nature walk?

Till next time!

News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

Our Family Legacy of Sustainability

October 26, 2020 Dr. Sam 2 Comments

Nutrilite farming operations span almost 6,000 acres of certified organic farmland in three countries. From left to right: Rancho El Petacal, Jalisco, Mexico; Trout Lake Farm East, Ephrata, Washington, USA; Fazenda Amway Nutrilite do Brasil, Ceará, Brazil; and Trout Lake Farm West, Trout Lake, Washington, USA. 2017.

I remember my father telling me about the first time he became aware of the concept of sustainability, although he called it “taking care of your environment.” He became conscious of it almost 100 years ago when he first traveled to China and ventured into the interior. Sadly, it was an idea born out of tragedy.

Continue reading Our Family Legacy of Sustainability →

Optimal Health

Feel the Power of Plants

January 29, 2020 Dr. Sam 3 Comments

A bowlful of assorted fruits, nuts, seeds and other foods. When you choose a diet that is primarily plant-based, your reward is powerful benefits that extend well beyond disease prevention. Photo: Brooke Lark

Last year, 37 leading scientists from around the world met as part of the EAT-Lancet Commission to answer one question. What kind of diet and food production will we need if we are to feed the world’s growing population now and for generations to come? Their landmark report, published in the February 2, 2019 issue of Lancet, reveals the answer. The best diet for our sustainable future is a plant-based diet, but with a twist that may surprise you.

Good for you, good for the planet

Our best chance to sustainably feed the world is to follow what is now being called a flexitarian diet. That’s the conclusion of the EAT-Lancet Commission after their full scientific review. A flexitarian diet is a vegetarian diet with a little flexibility. It’s largely plant-based, but also includes a moderate amount of fish, meat, dairy and other animal foods.

You’ll find my father’s wisdom in the flexitarian diet. After all, the foundation of Nutrilite™ supplements and philosophy has always revolved around plants. While my father was living and working in Shanghai during the 1920s, he was fascinated by how people living on rural farms with access to plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables were healthier than city dwellers. He also knew cows grazing solely on alfalfa and water had shiny coats and produced plenty of milk. He theorized, plants must contain yet-to-be-discovered compounds important for health, compounds he called “associated food factors,” known as phytonutrients today.

It’s a good bet that many of the health benefits that a flexitarian diet offers are due in large part to the wide range of phytonutrients that naturally occur in plant-based foods.

In fact, a flexitarian diet just may be the solution that you are looking for. Are you interested in weight loss? Do you need help to better manage your blood sugar or reduce high cholesterol or maybe control high blood pressure? Do you want more energy? A flexitarian diet can help. Plus, a flexitarian diet helps you keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. That’s a win-win for sure.

Examples of flexitarian meals. A plate filled with plant-based foods is the hallmark of this type of meal. Animal-based foods, if added, are used as condiments or garnish.

6 tips to eat like a flexitarian

Here are six tips you can put to use right now to move closer to enjoying a plant-based diet with flexibility:

1. Go at your own pace. Remember, making a slow change to allow your taste buds to adapt is better than no change at all. The diet is meant for a lifetime, so use its flexibility to your advantage. Some people embrace the Meatless Mondays movement. Others eat animal-based foods only at dinner. Yet others use animal foods as condiments or as a side dish to control portions.

2. Try something new. Get out of your comfort zone. The next time you are grocery shopping, bring home a few new plant-based choices. Experiment with recipes. You never know when you’ll hit on something you really like. Whenever possible, choose organic fruits and vegetables, like those we use for Nutrilite™ supplements grown using our sustainable Nutrilite farming practices. And, if you want to help make your carbon footprint even lighter, choose locally grown produce.

3. Change your focus. Rather than completely cutting animal products out of your diet, crowd them out. Meat, milk and eggs have the biggest burden on the planet, so that’s a great place to start. Replace them with vegetables, lentils, beans, whole grains and other plant foods. Plus, you’ll be eating more fiber, which helps you feel full and stay regular. You may even feel lighter on your feet and think more clearly.

4. Find a plant-based substitute. One key for this change of lifestyle is to find plant-based alternatives that you like as much or more than their animal-based counterparts. For example, if you enjoy dairy milk, try pea milk or oat milk, hemp milk, or cashew, almond or other nut milks instead. There are so many options, each a little different. In fact, this might be a great place to start your flexitarian journey.

5. Nourish your gut. Adding fermented foods like kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut to your plant-based diet is a great habit to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. These are rich sources of probiotics that help balance the bacteria in your gut. (You’ll see the benefits of this dietary change in a matter of days.) Supplementing with a daily probiotic can help too. It helps fill the gap between the probiotics in the foods we eat and the probiotics your gut needs to thrive.

6. Fill any potential nutrient gaps. While a plant-based diet is generally nutrient rich, it may fall short in a few vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12. Plus, whether by choice or circumstance, you may be unable to include fruits and vegetables from all five color groups in your daily diet. If so, you could be depriving your body of key phytonutrients for optimal health (think lycopene to support heart health or lutein for your vision). This is where Nutrilite™ Daily and Double X really shine. In addition to essential vitamins and minerals, each product provides powerful plant phytonutrients from a trusted source (our very own sustainable farms). It’s a special benefit found only in our products. It’s also what makes Nutrilite™ multivitamins unique, completely different from any other on the market.

You may recognize a plant-based diet as one that people in Blue Zones eat. These areas of the world are where people age, often into their 100s, with gusto. Here, people don’t wait until disease hits. Rather, they develop healthy habits early, which they continue to follow for the rest of their lives. They stay active, have purpose, regularly de-stress, and engage in other healthy habits, including eating a plant-based diet.

Embracing a plant-based diet with a little flexibility may be just what you need to add life to your years (and it’s good for the planet, too).

Here’s to being more flexible in the New Year!

Cheers,